Cataraqui Guild Needle Arts Fair

We had a wonderful day last Saturday at the Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts annual Fair. There were at least ten vendors in the wonderful new location they have found for the event. The Salvation Army building was perfect...large, clean, modern and provided ample space for the vendors, the luncheon tables and other rooms for the incredible display of fantastic needle art which these women have produced.

These pictures were taken before the doors opened and I was still fresh and the display was still reasonably neat.

Many thanks to all those who attended to support the guild and the vendors. 

I also wish to thank Ann Miller for all her help. I would have been swamped without her assistance. 

An excellent day was had by all

Rotations work

This piece called "Sun bathing" from Bizzi Designs  is proof. It was started in May of 2008 and finished in October of 2012.All it took was  four 4 day sessions and viola...a finished piece. Of course pleased as I am to have a finish I am now faced with the decision...start something new? or be good and pick up another WIP for the rotation?  

This is Adrianna's latest finish. It is a huge piece and beautifully done. Have I mentioned lately that our Adrianna is 96 years old?

Progress and visitors

We noticed these visitors the other day. If you look to the left on the first picture you can also see my giant puff balls. One is past its prime but the other two have grown to the size of soccer balls since this picture was taken.

It is lovely to have wild creatures come by for a wander through our yard.

Cars are very respectful of the turkeys as well and I have seen many slow down to let them by or just to have a good look at the birds.

I am working on a 4 day stitching rotation. Even though it sometimes takes 6 or 7 days to get in 4 days of stitching my pieces are moving ahead. I started this one "Sunbathing" by Bizzi Designs in 2008. I guess that pretty well explains why I needed to get into a rotation!

And my beautiful "White Lilies" from Mystic stitch. I do love working on this design. 13 out of 20 pages are complete.

2 small finishes

I have a number of these ornaments stitched  but only this one finished. It takes me a long time to go all around the ourside hand sewing it together with beads...I may be rethinking that finishing method! I am also unhappy with the beaded hanger and it is going to be replaced with a narrow ribbon hanger as soon as I find some narrow ribbon in the right colour.

This little JBW door hanger  is for my friend Heather who became a grandmother for the first time on September 2.

She can keep it at her house or send it home with her daughter...My thinking is...if the babe is at her house everyone will know he is sleeping because he will be right there in Heather's arms!

Save the world

I cannot say I have been doing too much world saving this summer, but then I am sans cape and tiara so that must explain it.

I have spent the morning finally updating my website and the last two hours trying to figure out why the new pictures are not loading and showing up on-line. It is a total exercise in frustration. The first time in months that I got around to my website and  something major is screwing up!

My stitching has been on and off. I had cataract surgery in July and am finally just getting new glasses to adapt to the new lens next week. I expect my stitching volume will increase as my eyesight is restored and the cool weather settles in...I hope so anyway.

Stitching Day 2012

Warning...numerous pictures!!!

We had a fabulous day on Saturday , with around 37 or 38 stitchers in attendance. There was a lot of oohing and aahing, talking, laughing (sometimes uproariously), eating, shopping, comparing techniques, learning techniques, eating, visiting, giggling and generally enjoying being with like minded stitchers.

Here is a hodge-podge of photos of people's work and some of the people themselves...

This cardinal pair is from a magazine...stitched by Barb

On the left are pieces from Colleen, but I do not know the names of the pieces and the black fabric on the right is Cirque des carreaux (Ink Circles) in progress...by Beatrice

This Gold Wing motorcycle was not on display because by Saturday it was in the hands of the friend for whom Sharon had stitched it. He is in the last stages of cancer and Sharon wanted to get it to him to have it asap. It was a photogrph which Sharon converted to cross stitch. There are over 40,000 stitches done with one strand over 2 on 40 count fabric.

Carmen and Isode hard at work.

                                                                        Eveline and Colleen

Dani's Faberge egg...made for her dad.

Linda, Christin. Bonnie, Dani bending over, Beatrice's hair, Sherry and Teresa

Mary's Christmas stockings

Kathy A's Mirabilia round robin

Beatrice and Kathy A's Desert Mandalas...with corners of Betrices Ink Circles and Long Dog WIPs

Isolde and Eveline choosing colours. The only time I picked up a needle all day was when I found one on the floor beside these guys!

Bonnie's arms, Dani, Kathy A, Beatrice and  Barb

Christin, Bonnie and Dani

Eveline, Wendy and Marg

Carmen, Isolde and Colleen

All in all...I'd say we had quite a day !!

Waiting

Here are the empty racks already set up in the garage in anticipation of the crowds of stitchers who will arrive on Saturday. We use the racks to display everyone's work which in turn inspires all of us.

Last year there were 40 of us here, eating, stitching, shopping, visiting, oohing and ahhing  and generally having a good time. Everyone is welcome.

I'll post more photos in my next blog of the filled racks and some of the fabulous pieces that will be here.

Mollie and Paddy are also always waiting for morsels to drop into their waiting mouths!