Wild Berries and a dastardly FROG!

If any of you have insomnia, you know what torture it is to spend the night shifting and re-arranging pillows and so forth -- ANYTHING to get some SLEEP!   I usually can't sleep more than three hours at any one time, tops.  I know that it's bad for me - trust me.  But I take a slew of medications for my bum back, and I guess the payoff for trying to live with some moderate reduction in pain is lack of ZZZZ's. :-(

I usually can't even stitch when I'm up all night - I just cannot seem to get comfortable or can't focus my eyes something. Well, the past night or two I decided I'm going to change THAT and was progressing along quite nicely (I thought) on the newest Blackbird Designs "Wild Berries" when -- wouldn't ya know -- I discovered yesterday that I had managed to totally mess up my count.   Don't you hate that!? Drives me bonkers!! And this was such a careless error on my part.  But, of course, one little row of stitches off can really throw your project into a tailspin, right?  

And, once I start frogging, I seem to have trouble STOPPING!  It seems like I'll start out thinking, "Oh, I'll just need to take out this teensy little row," or "OHHH...this isn't TOO bad a mistake!"  WRONG!! Like a knit sweater with a loose thread that just unravels to pieces, that seems to be my "story" every time I begin to pull out a mistake.  And last night was no exception.  What started out as just removing a little bit of a border, ended up with my pulling out a good hunk of the border...and then the alphabet letters which were off....and then the tree trunk that was off...and then.... Well, you get the idea!

Tonight I conked out around 10 PM while watching TV (I must be revisiting my "teaching" hours!) and then, as usual, up I popped out of a sound sleep sometime shortly after midnight.  I took my pain medication as my hip was SCREAMING at me, then I checked on emails, then thought, "I really need to fix that Blackbird piece - insomnia be cursed!" 

I must have dozed off for a while because it doesn't seem like I made a lot of progress during the night. 

But I have the coffee cranking and I plan to spend the day moving right ahead with this.   Here's where I was at about 2:00 AM (I think?)  I can't even remember what time I snapped the picture!  Lol!  I am further than this now, but just don't feel like getting up to snap another photo. I must say -- the colors the Blackbird girls chose for this design are very appealing to me.  Hope the pic does them justice (I did click the "auto enhance" just to brighten it up a bit!)  Ok, JAVA - I smell ya calling to me!  Off to caffeinate myself and STITCH my fingers off!   Have a great Wednesday, folks. 

I'm still alive and kickin' -- STITCHIN' actually!

Well, I have been a very, very bad blogger!  I honestly have been so busy stitching lately (and, yes, STILL working on organizing as well!) that my computer time has been taking a hit.   There are only so many hours in a day, right?  I guess I finally came to the realization that I cannot ever hope to catch up with my HOARD here if I spend a large hunk of each day attached to my iPad, SOOO I've been trying to limit my computer time to my morning coffee time only -- and let me tell you, it's been working!

First, here's a small project I finished - the first in the series of twelve Sheep Virtues by LHN.  I'm using hand-spun, hand-dyed wool fibers by Liz at Dragonflylotus.  

I have a lot of catching up to do on this series, as I believe we're up to the sixth sheep.  So, I'm only five behind.  Baa baa!! 

Next, I've started stitching this GORGEOUS sampler by Theresa Baird - A Maryland Inspiration.  Don't have a progress pic to share yet, but here's a photo of the model.  Don't you absolutely love it?  Theresa is definitely at the top of my list of favorite designers! 

I also grabbed two other charts designed by Theresa Baird: Stone House on the Brandywine, and A Cottage by the Sea.   The cottage chart is only available at Salty Yarns, so head on over there if you want to stitch this beauty!!

 

Today, I'm busily at work stitching the first in the new Loose Feathers series by Blackbird Designs, called "Wild Berries."  Again, this is a model pic (sorry!) but I'm about 1/2 way done and am hoping to finish this one today or tomorrow! The colors of the Gentle Arts fibers for this one are beautiful, by the way!  Don't you love the bird?  I have a weakness for designs with BIRDS and HOUSES. 

I'm also working on the Lizzie Kate "mystery" Halloween design from last year, and have two Scarlet Letter samplers I'm still working on - "The Sampler" and "Cornelia Vanderveer."  Whew - long list, I know! ;-)

Lastly, I have been pretty diligent with my "Operation Organization" here.  I've managed to sort almost all of my stash into groups by designer, type up lists of the titles of a good number of my charts (by designer, and in ALPHABETICAL ORDER, thanks to Word), and have labeled and organized all my fabrics AND fibers! I know that sounds like I must be finished, but NOPE!! Still dealing with piles all over my craft room (aka, Guest Bedroom!) and still have a hefty STACK of WIP's sitting next to my stitching spot.  But I did finish constructing my two lateral filing cabinets, so I have a place for a chunk of my charts to reside. 

For some reason, my Wheaten Terrier Seamus has decided he likes jumping up and getting comfortable on my stitching area - so I now need to cover everything or move it all out of the reach of his dirty paws anytime I move away from stitching (like right now).  But, he's a sweetheart and I love his company, so I'm not complaining.  He had a very scary (and expensive) bout with some mystery illness

last month, and I was really scared I was going to lose him.  So, I'm grateful he's back to his energetic self and happy he wants to spend time with me.  

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.  Happy stitching - and next time I'll have more actual pics of my progress on my projects!!  Kevin 

Men Who Stitch

I had an interview by Emma from DMC threads for their "Men Who Stitch" series.

It appeared today at the DMC Threads blog along with some photos of some of my finishes.  I'm glad they are doing this series about stitching and showing that our craft extends beyond gender lines.  It is rare to find guys who stitch, but it's definitely something I think more men would enjoy if they tried it.  I happen to find it very relaxing and stress-reducing (except for the occasional FROGGING of course).   Here's the article:

Hi all! I’m back with the second in this month’s series of interviews with Men Who Stitch – this week I’d like to introduce you to the talented stitching of Kevin Tober, who you can find at the blog Cabbages and Kings. I was captivated by Kevin’s detailed, intricate cross stitching – read on to learn more about him and see some of his favorite projects…

How long have you been stitching? 
I started stitching while recuperating from back surgery in 2004. I pretty much taught myself by following the directions in a Dimensions Gold kit. I really got hooked on this hobby when I brought my finished piece to a local cross stitch store for framing (The Crossstitch Cupboard in Fort Lauderdale) and was asked to enter it in their annual contest. I won a ribbon and prize money and was hooked ever since!

What is your favorite aspect of stitching – collecting materials, planning, starting, finishing, etc? 
This is rather funny, because I’m known as “an enabler” in some Facebook stitching sites I like to visit. I guess the collecting of materials is one of my favorite parts – I love seeing new designs and collecting charts from my favorite designers. I’m definitely a “floss junkie” as well, and love purchasing, collecting and sorting different flosses for various projects.

What is your favorite project that you have stitched? 
I loved working on Kathy Barrick’s “Village of Hawk Run Hollow” by Carriage House Samplings. It was my first attempt at using 40 count linen, which I really ended up loving, and I recently stitched the model for Kathy’s “Crowned Heart” design, which was exciting. I also have several large projects by Martina Weber of Chatelaine Designs which I’m working on that are enjoyable due to the variety of stitches used and their size.

What kind of reactions do you get when people see you stitching? 
I have to confess, I don’t really stitch in public so I haven’t received any shocked stares or crazy looks yet. I do appreciate that fellow stitchers (both male and female) are very accepting and encouraging when they see that a guy enjoys this hobby of counted cross stitching which is usually considered a craft done by women.

What would your dream project be? 
I’ve started stitching “And They Sinned” by Dames Exemplar, and it is my dream to complete it. I’ve recently begun stitching reproduction samplers, and “Ann Medd” by Scarlet Letter is one that I’d like to stitch someday. The designs by Heaven and Earth Designs are also something that I hope to one day stitch. Those are intimidating to me due to their size, the intricacy of their design, and all the confetti stitching, but I hope to one day complete at least one HAED piece. I have one all kitted up, DMC all organized and on spools ready to start it!

How many hours a week do you spend stitching? 
This alternates because of my back problems and subsequent chronic pain. Stitching is a great form of pain management for me, actually, but it’s a “catch 22″ situation as I just can’t seem to get off the couch and stitch on some days. I’d say this might be anywhere from a couple of hours a day stitching to ENTIRE days (and nights) when I’m feeling well and excited about a project I’m working on.

Do you have any other creative hobbies? 
I can’t draw, but I do have a sister who’s an artist. I do love the performing arts, though, and used to be active in theater before my back problems. I can play the piano and sing as well.

Do you stitch from patterns or do you create your own? 
I use charts/patterns and have quite a lot of “stash” to choose from. I would like to try designing my own someday!

Do you have any favorite DMC colors? What is your favorite DMC thread? 
I love the 500 through 504 range, because blue and green are my favorite colors. I love the variegated Delft Blue as well. The six stranded embroidery floss is my favorite because it’s readily available at so many stitching and craft stores, and so many projects are charted for DMC floss.

Do you ever meet and share your work with other stitchers? What is your favorite way to do that? 
I used to go every Tuesday evening to The Crossstitch Cupboard’s weekly stitching group, which I really need to start doing again! I love Facebook and have many online stitching friends. I also love following stitching blogs and seeing/sharing work through blogging.

Kevin, it was wonderful to meet you! Thank you so much for sharing your responses with our readers and for doing such wonderful stitching with DMC Threads!

And on that note, I have quite a few WIP's here that desperately need some attention!  Lol! Have a great weekend and happy stitching!

Great giveaway at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe for a friend!

Wanted to share yet another giveaway by Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  DON'T ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE! YOU MUST GO TO HER BLOG AND BE A FOLLOWER TO ENTER. PLEASE MENTION YOU HEARD ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY HERE AT KEVIN'S BLOG SO MY FRIEND WILL GET SOME EXTRA CHANCES. THANKS AND GOOD LUCK!

Go to her blog and nominate a FRIEND whom you'd love to see win a collection of ten of her
beautiful flosses in the 1795 Collection.   Blog and contest found at:

victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com

Here's a copy of the original post from VICTORIAN MOTTO SAMPLER SHOPPE blog:

A SPECIAL give-away, please enter now.

I was thinking I would like to have a different give-away, a special give-away. This time I want you to tell me what friend you would like me to give a gift to! I want to give 10 skeins of floss to a few people....so enter now and tell me your friend's name. Lets not go into personal details as to hardships, etc....just a special friend you would like to enter in the give-away.
PLEASE make sure I have your email address to notify you and then you can give me your friend's address. I mail world-wide. The post office loves me!
I will pick 10 skeins of floss from the new 1795 Collection.

Or you can tell me your friend's favorite colors. Lets pick three winners. Enter now....tell me your friend's name and I will draw three names on June 30th. Please check back on the 30th if you don't post your email address.
RULES: You must be a follower and post a comment here. Post on your blog and get 10 more entries.

Thanks for stopping by and joining in the "giving" fun! I love to share.

A couple of new projects

Looking forward to stitching this weekend, as it looks like a lot more RAIN is headed our way here in "The Sunshine State."

Here is my start on "The Sampler" by The Scarlet Letter. 

And I also put in just a bit of the border on the LHN Little Sheep Virtues - I'm using the wool fibers hand spun and dyed by Dragonflylotus Designs Handspun Thread.  I forget which color this is, but I think it's the Shadowed Bartlett wool. 

Happy weekend to everyone!  Off to set these needles a'blazin'! 

The Sarah Chapple dilemma

Dear folks out there in CyberLand! 

First off, I wanted to thank all of you who so graciously offered your suggestions, tips, or general commiseration regarding my organization dilemma.  Yes, the battle is still being waged, but I have purchased two cherry wood lateral file cabinets for my charts which I love (just need to assemble - fun!) and a stack of Rubbermaid containers for my various flosses.  Tomorrow the real fun will begin as I try to cram all my stash into these things!  Ha ha ha!!

Now, today I have another dilemma that perhaps you can help me with.  I recently purchased the new Shakespeare's Peddler chart for Sarah Chapple sampler, and all the flosses needed.  I'm trying to decide upon fabric now.  I originally had chosen Lakeside Linen Vintage Luna (40 ct) which I thought I was happy with.  Now, I received a piece of Lakeside Linen Vintage Flagstone (40 ct) and I really like the color (pale gray/almost blue tones) and think it might be the better choice for Sarah Chapple? 

Here are some pics.  The Flagstone is on the left, and Luna on the right.  Any feedback?  Thanks once again! Kevin 

The flosses really aren't quite as dark as they came out in the photo.  Grrrr...

Here's the chart - the model in pic was stitched on R&R 18th Century Rook, but I honestly prefer Lakeside Linens to R&R fabric. 

Threads on Vintage Flagstone (pale gray shade) 

Threads on Vintage Luna (creamy yellow shade) 

Victorian Motto Sampler Shop Summer Giveaway!

If you haven't tried the flosses dyed by Victorian Motto Sampler Shop, you really should give them a try.   I especially like her new 1795 floss collection - and she's just added new colors to the already beautiful colors in this series.

Even better, she's hosting a GIVEAWAY of her flosses on her site right now through June!
I'm copying and pasting her blog entry regarding the Giveaway below. If you do enter, please mention KEVIN SENT YOU as it gives me extra entries into the drawing.  You can get extra entries too - just post about the Giveaway  to your own blog and spread the word to your friends.

Here's part of the original post, copied from Victorian Motto Sampler Shop's blog:

She added 18 more colors to the 1795 collection today. Lots of golden yellows, golds, copper, russet, peaches, lilacs, Christmas red and green and a few others. There are now 65 colors in the 1795 Collection. 

Go visit her blog and enter NOW!  Here's the link: Victorian Motto Sampler Shop