The Tranquil Thread

2003-11-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

Weds, Nov 5, 2003

My friend Kay went with me to the EGA stitch-in Monday. She had a very good time, as did I. The ladies were enchanting and I think I may get Kay to go back with me sometime. She won't drive to Arlington, but I don't mind doing all the driving. Kay took a needlepoint piece that grandmother had started long ago. She wants to finish it but there was not enough thread. Now, you need to understand that Kay is now 60 years old and her grandmother has been deceased for quite some time - so there is not telling when this needlepoint piece was started. The ladies helped with suggestions on what to do with it if she couldn't find the thread. There is only a corner left to finish. Kay has decided that she will either use it as is to make a round cushion for a vanity stool for her daughter OR work her grandmother's name and dates into the corner. She was very appreciative of the suggestions offered.

We visited the Needlework shop in Arlington and again she was impressed. Kay also does painting, and very well, I might add. When she was looking at the needlepoint canvases she realized that she could make her own. She got lots of ideas.

Kay is my "organizing" friend - she organizes all of sorts of get togethers. She is planning on starting a "Just Sew" group for our local area stitchers. We've got to find them but we know they are out there within just a few miles of us.

I took my "Princess and the Pea" with me and several of the ladies commented that they would like to do this one also. They had already worked "Rapunzel" (which is what I would love to do.) Today I am finishing the 10th mattress and will start on the hardanger canopy next. I really love this piece.

I've started organizing my magazine. The first one I am cataloging is my very favorite, and one I never see mentioned on any of the Bulletin Boards, mailing lists, etc. It is "Anna" which is produced by the same people who do the "Burda" booklets. "Anna" is wonderful - it has cross stitch, freestyle embroidery, Hardanger, Schwalm, Knitting, crochet, bobbin lace, you name it - you'll find it. The directions and charts are wonderful. Of course, I have to get out my calculator to convert from cm to in. I really wish they had taught us more about the metric system when I was in school. But alas, they didn't.

Well, I've got a mattress to finish and a canopy to start, plus I need to finish cataloging the "Anna" magazines.

Until later.

2003-11-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

Sun, Nov 2, 2003
I'm using the Half Doll Alphabet by Meridel Abrams (The Meri Wanderer) for the first letters of my name on my EGA nametag. This is my first ever attempt at "over one" and of course I used a 32 ct. Jobelan rather than the 18 ct Wichelt Linen that Meridel suggested. I finished the "S" for Susie and told my KISA (Knight in Shining Armor) that I would never do that again. When I finished Susie (using a blackwork alphabet for the remainder of my name) I was trying to decide how to make the "J" of Jordan. Well the Half Doll letter J is just too sweet to resist and not quite as tedious as the S. I'm only using one strand of floss, which is just as well for this 32 ct fabric. Of course, the reason I downloaded the letters was for my two granddaughters, so I will do them again for Megan and Alyssa. I may also use them for my four daughters. I do think, however, I will skip the 32 ct fabric.

An aside from stitching. Why do I call my dear husband my "Knight in Shining Armor?" Well, I've always believed in Fairy Tales since Jiminy Cricket told me that they can come true if you are young at heart. I really, really do. Add to that strong belief the fact that we live in an area where the street names are Camelot, Kings Gate, Queen's Way, Royal View, Castlemount and Knightsbridge (our street) what could be more appropriate. So, when I refer to my KISA, you will know that he has been husband and my KISA for 38 years. Oh, and that is another fairy tale come true. We met on a blind date on New Year's Eve, 1964, and six months and ten days later we were married - and still going.

Back to stitching!

2003-11-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

Sat, Nov 1, 2003
I think I'm giving up on getting the "Stitching Bloggers" link to look right. It works and I guess that's all I'll get out of it right now. This is really frustrating. At one time I could really design and publish a web page without any help. You can still visit my Cherokee by Blood pages, although I don't maintain them anymore. Fred Smoot keeps it active. There are links there that need to be replaced but I haven't asked him to do that. He's "kinda" busy maintaining the "First People of Tennessee" pages. I can't do this any more, my mind just won't work correctly (big Sigh.) So, I'm going to go with what I have and get back to "blogging" about my stitching.

The "Princess and the Pea" is coming along well. I hope to finish it next week. I'm working on a name tag for the EGA meeting this next Monday. I'm taking a friend with me and really looking forward to it. This will be my second meeting.

My knight in shining armor has been sick with the flu the past three days. I was already scheduled to have my flu shot yesterday when he came down with it two days before. I nursed him, but kept my distance. The last thing I need right now is the flu. I had a stint implant in April and the flu would not be very good. He's getting better but has missed two days of work. He doesn't miss work, so this has really been bad.

I'm going to go stitch now and will write more later

2003-10-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

Weds, Oct 29, 2003
I've finished the 6th mattress of "Princess and the Pea". Well, almost, I still have to outline the mattress. This is a fun piece to do.

My stash room is the room I need to do a "room rescue" on (Flylady term.) I desperately need to reduce my yarn stash. Checked out several different sites for "Warm Up America" to see if they accept just the yarn. No luck on that. I did, however, discover that Project Linus will accept yarn. I've participated in this before by crocheting a blanket for our local chapter. I thought the organization had gone "kaput" - at least that is what I had heard. Not so, it is alive and well. I will take some yarn to their drop off place, but I think I will also work on a few blankets. I can always use a "break" from my needlework and what better way to take a break. Much better than sitting at the computer playing a mindless game.

More later

2003-10-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

Mon, Oct 27, 2003
Yesterday was really great! The high school students at the school that our oldest granddaughter (age 8) attends put on a production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Three of my daughters, the 8-year old granddaughter, two grandsons and I went to the last performance yesterday. It was fantastic! I've been to college plays, high school plays, and professional plays, and this performance was right up there with the professionals. Now you have to understand that up until four years ago this school was just the school for the Texas Boys Choir, which is internationally known. They decided to make it a school for performing arts grades 3 through 12. It is part of the Fort Worth Independent School System but students can come from anywhere in the area - they just have to "try out." They have the normal academics plus performing arts. This is really good since so many schools have been slighting the arts in recent years.

I saw real quilts, crocheted shawls, authentic period costumes that the students, their parents and grandparents all made. Some of the costumes did come from local colleges but everybody participated. So this blog is needlecraft related.

After the play we had a family birthday party for our youngest daughter who turned 35 in the middle of the month and our middle grandson who turned 14 three days later. You will observe as my "blogging" continues that we have a LOT of family gatherings. We are a large family. Five children, seven grandchildren, and two son-in-laws (we did have four but due to a couple of divorces we are down to two.) All sixteen of us were here yesterday at our house - it was so good. Birthdays are important to us and the whole family gets together for family parties. We have birthdays in every month except August. I have to admit that the period between our youngest grandson's birthday in the middle of July and my birthday toward the end of September is what I consider "breathing room" - a time that my husband and I can get away for a short while without having to consider a family gathering. I love the family gatherings and wouldn't take anything for them but that seven to eight week period is also special.

I've discovered "FLYLADY" and she is making such a difference in my life. You would think that at age 59 and after raising five children I would already be organized, but alas, I am a "stasher." Several things have occurred over the past 10 years that have caused my "stashes" to get way out of control. Enter the FLYLADY this past week. I'm getting so organized.

My stitching habit is getting organized also. I'm finding more time to stitch, and considering that I am essentially "retired" from any type of job, I should have more time to stitch.

I need help with this blog site. I changed the template so that I have the links area to the right. But I haven't figured out how to post the links.

2003-10-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

Thurs, Oct 23, 2003
I promised to write about my incredible weekend of Oct 11-12 and that's what I will do today. I wish I had written about it on Monday the 13th while I was still so excited. Alas, I didn't the and the following days were pain racked with diverticulitis - YUCK!

Saturday, Oct 11, was a birthday celebration for the small town I live in - it was 40 years old. We had the celebration at the city park which has only been in existence since the early 90's. I'm particularly proud of this park because it came about at my suggestion and the name was also my suggestion - Cross Timbers Park. All of that is another story altogether. Our park has a wonderful playground, a Xeriscape demonstration garden, and a wonderful old railroad trestle bridge that crosses the main ravine in the park. There was a craft and fun area for the children, a craft sales area, food concession stand, and live entertainment.

Two of my daughters and I had a craft table. I displayed some of my Hardanger, Blackwork and Drawn Thread projects (sold a couple of them) and my youngest daughter had some special blend coffees and candies she makes. The second daughter was just helping us out. My husband brought two of our grandchilden to the festivities and we all had a wonderful time. I met some new people and saw many old acquaintances. That evening we all went out to dinner at a local restaurant.

The next day, Sunday, the 12th, I took the two granddaughters and their mothers (my daughters) to an American Girl Fashion Show which was sponsored by Historic Fort Worth and the Star Telegram newspaper. It was a surprise for my two granddaughters. My husband I had given both them American Girl dolls last year for Christmas and then accessories for their birthdays - both of them were born in January. They love their dolls.

The fashion show was wonderful. Young girls were dressed up in the outfits of each of the dolls. The information on the dolls and the girls they represent was also given. If you are unfamiliar with the American Girl dolls there are 8 dolls from different time periods in American History, beginning with a Nez Perce doll from 1764 and ending with a doll from the 1944 time period. The girls had a wonderful time, as did their mothers and myself. My youngest daughter, Alyssa (age 3), won the raffle drawing for two box seat tickets to the ballet "The Nutcracker" and an autographed pair of toe shoes. Both girls are taking dancing lessons, including ballet.

All in all, it was one of the best weekends I have had in a long time.

Back to stitching later.

2003-10-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Weds Oct 22, 2003

Well I got the link to work. Of course, it's not on the page anywhere that is permanent. I still have to learn how to control this page.

I'm checking out the Earthlink Blog pages (which I can use) and they may be easier to format. I'll let everyone know If I change my blog site.

I will write more later today.

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2003-10-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Monday, Oct 20, 2003
I've had a really good day except for getting this link to the Netring. I've emailed Hazel for help, so hopefully, tomorrow I will get it fixed.

In the meantime, about my day. I visited my local Embroiderer's Guild today and joined. What a delightful group of women and what varied techniques they all do. I had so much fun and I know I am going to learn a lot. They had a "UFO" day today so it was really casual and gave me an opportunity to meet and visit with all of them. There were ladies who did Hardanger, Drawn & Pulled Thread, Schwalm, Princess Lace (which was a new one for me), beading - the list could go on and on. I can't wait until the next meeting. They have a "stitch-in" once a month and then a regular meeting with a program two weeks later. There was supposed to be a program today but the presenter had to cancel, thus the "UFO." I'm sure I would have enjoyed the program but the casualness gave me a good opportunity to get acquainted. Oh, I forgot to mention tatting - shuttle tatting. I've taught myself (with a good book of instructions) how to needle tat, but I've have gotten the "hang" of shuttle tatting. I did buy a video on shuttle tatting but have never watched it. I think I will now.

Stitching wise I am working on Marion Scoular's "Princess and the Pea." I just received it last week and started right away. I have several other projects I'm working on but this one took a priority.

Tomorrow I will write about the wonderful weekend I had over Oct 11-12. It was so fantastic. In fact, I've had a couple of really good weeks. The "On My!" things that I mentioned yesterday have been far outweighed by the really good times. Isn't that the way it always is? At least I've found it to be that way.

Until tomorrow.
Susie

2003-10-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday Oct 19, 2003

It has definitely been a while since I "blogged." I'm not sure why because I have been stitching. There have been a "few" things going on since September - some good and some kind of "Oh My!"

I just tried to post the link to the Stitching Bloggers Netring but kept getting a message that some part of the URL was not correct. I'll have to try to figure that out soon.

I have a lot of good news to report and a lot of exciting stitching to report on. Maybe later tonight or tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I'm going to visit my first EGA meeting. I'm really looking forward to it.

that's all for now, though.

2003-09-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Weds Sep 24, 2003

I'm behind on blogging and I have missed it. It seems I have spent every day since Sunday adding names to my web address book. I'm a member of several Yahoo groups and one of them ANN (A Noble Needle) has 1180 members. I have to check my email online several times a day to move these messages out of the "suspected Spam" to my address book and inbox. After last week's onslaught of all the fake messages with huge attachments (virus, worm?, probably both), I set my Spam Blocker setting to HIGH which only allows messages from people in my address book. I can use filters on my email program but you can't add filters to the web mail site - major YUCK! I contacted support and asked if there was a short cut - the answer was no. So, I've been on the Internet way too much since then. I've manually added a lot of the members' email addresses from the smaller groups and will probably go "no mail" on ANN until this clears up.

This may seem as if it has nothing to do with stitching - but believe me - it does! It is a major time eater, which keeps me from stitching.

I'm 59 years old and a "STHW" (Stay at home wife- that's a new one). I have no dire responsibilities except laundry and dinners. Since my heart problem came up last February, my dh has been doing all of the grocery shopping - which is fine with me because I never liked to shop for groceries. My children are all grown and living on their own. Any babysitting I do is pure pleasure, not work, and I don't consider that a distraction from stitching.

You know what I've discovered in the last few days. Embroidery magazines, catalogs, web sites, discussion boards are ALL time consumers and keep me from stitching. Am I going to give them up? No WAY! They also give me a lot of pleasure.

I am, however, seriously thinking about going "on the wagon." I already have more patterns, fabric and floss than I'll ever be able to use. There should probably be a "Twelve Step Program" for us - and I don't mean to be flippant. It's serious stuff.

One decision I have made is I don't really like cross-stitching. I think it's pretty and I have a lot of patterns I would like to do - but it takes so much time. I finally realized the reason it is so time consuming is that you are expected to cover all of the fabric. You choose a perfect color fabric and then cover it up. Well, I really prefer doing Hardanger, pulled & drawn thread, Spanish work, Schwalm, etc. Delicate beauties that let the fabric shine through.

I have finished the bun covers, which were quick and fun to do. I'm still working on the "Welcome" pattern and I am enjoying it. But it is also the one that made me realize how time consuming a small cross-stitch project can be.

Enough for today. I need to cross-stitch.

2003-09-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Sep 20, 2003

Today was my 59th birthday. I'm pleased to give my age because without a good cardiologist and a loving family I would not have been here today. So I'll shout it from the rooftops - I'M 59!

It was really a great day. My next to oldest grandson (age 20) called and said he was nearby and wanted to stop by with a friend. That was special because he lives 70 miles to the east of us, but they had been visiting the friend's ranch west of us and were close. We had a very nice visit and then I got to see him again this evening when the family had my birthday party.

All of my five children and five of my seven grandchildren were there. (Megan and her brother Jesse were with their father this weekend - they celebrated my birthday with me last weekend.) We had stack-ups, which is a fun and easy meal to do and a Swiss Pastry Shop Black Forrest Cake. Now, I stress the Swiss Pastry Shop because they are the ONLY place I know of that makes this particular style of Black Forrest Cake. You would have to see it and taste it to understand.

My oldest daughter found the most perfect birthday card for me. It had four little girls and one little boy playing "ring around the rosey" - I have four daughters and one son. Perfect!

Then my husband of 38 years gave me a perfect birthday card also. We have been trying to get out town for months now and he has not been able to find the time. So the card started with "It doesn't matter whether we stay home or go somewhere, Whether we sit quietly or have a lot to share..." The rest was perfect also and meant so much to me.

I did stitch today. In fact, I finished Megan's deep violet bun cover and started Alyssa's pale pink one. I will take Megan's cover to her tomorrow when she gets home. I also ordered four colors of silk floss from Vikki Clayton today (a very special "Special" she had for members of Legacy Embroiderers) I plan on using these on Isabelle Vautier's next mystery sampler which begins next month. She's already given us the size and the fact we will need to chose four colors. My colors are Blackberry, Chocolate, Leaf and Seaweed. My fabric choice will be a 32 ct Jobelan, either Water Lilly or Star Saphire. Hmm, that reminds me that Saturday is "Shopping Saturday" on the Yahoo group "For the Love of Stitching" - so I did what I was supposed to do.

If I knew how to add pictures to this blog site I would show the colors I've chosen, but alas, I'm still learning. But hey, learning new things at age 59 (or any age) is always a good thing.

Well, it's now Sunday morning and I probably should get some sleep so I can use my "Tranquil Thread" tomorrow.

2003-09-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

a Post Script. Well guess what. When I posted this blog entry the duplicate entries of Weds and Thurs disappeared. So I'm going to try to repost them just one time and hopefully get it in the right spot between Tuesday and today. Here's keeping my fingers crossed.

2003-09-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

Friday, Sept 19, 2003

This has been a really frustrating Internet day. I have been inundated with the messages from the "fake" Microsoft and their "critical" update attachments. Fortunately I updated Norton first thing this morning (I don't always do that on a timely basis) and then the messages were there. They kept coming. Literally hundreds and I am not exaggerating.

Then, there was Blogger yesterday and the day before. Wednesday I posted a blog. Thursday morning it wasn't there so I reposted it. Suddenly it was there twice - same thing - just one said Weds and the other said Thurs. I tried deleting the second one and on my blog editing page it was gone. But it was still on my blog site. So, eventually, I deleted the first one. It's now gone from the blog-editing page, but BOTH entries are on the blog site. I give up! I guess when I archive them all will be well.

On the stitching front everything is "Tranquil" and definitely lifts my spirits. I'm almost through with Megan's deep violet bun cover and ready to start Alyssa's light pink one. Crocheted items can be completed so quickly some times.

Today I also received my Unstitched RR. There were four ANN (A Noble Needle) members who formed a Round Robin that would not be stitched. We each selected 3 patterns that we would like to work on. The next person on list chose one of those patterns and mailed to the person next in line. That person bought fabric for the pattern and the last person bought the threads.

My choices were Indigo Rose's "My Son", Lavender Wings "My Love" or any of the Victoria Sampler's American Hearts. They chose "My Son" and everything came today. I'm so pleased because my son, who is my only son (I have four daughters), often feels left out of the things I make. He asked me once to make him a poncho - easy enough. But he wanted it in the afghan (Tunisian) stitch. Do you realize how boring the afghan stitch becomes after a while? I haven't finished it yet but I did get started and I do have the yarn. So you see this lovely project will be very special. I'm not sure if I can get it finished by Christmas but his birthday is in June and I'm sure I can it finished by then.

OK, I'm through with the Internet for today. I'm going to go finish the bun cover and do some stitching.

2003-09-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Sept 17, 2003

I didn’t get a lot of stitching done today. I had to go to town to do some necessary shopping. That type of shopping is not one of my favorite things to do, but I made it a little more pleasurable by buying some crochet and embroidery magazines. I also bought the seamless ponytail holders for the girls’ bun covers.

I have nothing planned for the daytime tomorrow, so I will stitch. I will probably work on one of bun covers. There is going to be an open house at the school Megan, the oldest granddaughter, attends. This is the Fine Arts Academy and it will be the first time my husband and I have visited it. I’m really looking forward to that.

I did a lot of wishing today. I have developed a love for samplers. I didn’t even look at sampler patterns when I first started needlework. However, last year, Jean Farish had a really neat sampler on her website. It was called “America, Land That We Love.” I downloaded all of the patterns before the end of last year. In late April, a group of stitchers in one of the Yahoo groups I belong to (A Noble Needle) decided to renew a Stitch-Along with this pattern. I was recovering from a heart stint implant and VERY idle (out of necessity), so I decided it was a good time to start this.

A short time after that I discovered “The Marquoir Mystery” sampler by French designer Isabelle Vautier. It was another stitch-along on the Legacy Embroidery Bulletin Board. It consisted of nine parts (one a month) and had been going on since Nov. of last year. Unlike the earlier participants, I had the opportunity to see a great deal of the sampler on the website. I fell in love with it. It was so pretty and it had story to go with it. I just had to do it. So I ordered the fabric, picked out the three colors I wanted to use, and started on another sampler.

After that I discovered another Yahoo group called Heirloom Needles with the moderator Lucy Lyons Willis. The description of the group was right up my alley. It was the type of stitching I enjoyed the most. So I joined. Lucy designed a special sampler for members of this group, and of course I had to start this one too. It is fantastic and such a pleasure to stitch.

Needless to say, I now love samplers. Yesterday, one of the members gave a link to another French designer’s website for a specific pattern. It was gorgeous! I checked out the other patterns and I just began drooling. You will have to visit Cross Stitch Designs by Long Dog.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/longdog/

The designer is Julia Line. I think I want them all. Wyndham Needleworks carries the patterns. Hmm, wonder how long I can hold out.

All three of the samplers I am working on are for me. Eventually my children will get them, but for right now they are for me. When I was crocheting so much very little of the projects were for me.

BTW, it is already early Thursday morning as I post this. I better get to bed so I can STITCH!

2003-09-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Sept 16, 2003

Blogging is good! It must do something for your mental capabilities. Today, for the first time, I’ve actually been dreaming up designs in needlework.

I have designed some crochet pieces that I’m pleased with. They were for me, or my family, but they are my designs. In needlework, however, I have been stagnant as far as coming up with an original design. Oh, I would change a stitch here and there, but I think everyone does that. You know, when there is stitch you are uncomfortable with, or for some reason, just doesn’t look right for you, you change it. Maybe it is one of those stitches you just can’t seem to grasp, or you realize another stitch would really look better, at least for you. But to come up with a whole design – no way, until, the last three days.

I have a free pattern that I downloaded from the Internet some time last year. I have the chart, the floss key, everything you need for it, except, I can’t remember who designed it. It is one of those designs that you download that doesn’t have a copyright on it, doesn’t have a designer signature, or any URL. I have a few of those and I have been searching them out on the Internet to identify the designer. Now, when I download a pattern with these conditions I create a little word file that tells me who designed it, what the website was, etc.

I haven’t been able to locate this particular design on the web again. It’s an arched doorway, slightly opened, with a blackwork design in each side of the door. It’s really lovely. Underneath is the word “Welcome.” I really like it a lot. The download was not very clear when I tried to print it, so, I used Jane Grennoff’s Cross Stitch Gold software to recreate it. While I was doing this, I realized what a wonderful vehicle an arched doorway or window is. Suddenly I could see the inside of the frames done in a hardanger design, or a drawn thread pattern, or possibly even a schwalm design. I can’t wait to finish it so I can try out some of these ideas floating to the surface of my mind. I’m going to complete it as it was designed and then finish it in a flatfold. I have recently purchased Judy Odell’s book on flatfolds and have been anxious to try it – this seemed to be a perfect design for it.

I would post a picture of the design, but since I don’t know the designer’s name, I don’t feel I should. Perhaps some of you who read this will recognize the description I have given and be able to inform me who that wonderful person is. In the meantime, I will finish it and start putting my ideas on cloth.

Wow!

Now, as to my progress on my granddaughters’ bun covers, I located the thread and ribbon yarn that I had in mind for the two girls. While I was doing this, I came across some pieces I had designed (yeah, really!) and thought how I could incorporate them into bun covers. So I am making progress.

I still have a lot to learn about blogging, but I’m a late night person and my brain works best in the wee hours of the morning. So, I will read the Blogger’s Website and learn what I can do, and perhaps in the next week or so I can add links, etc., to my blog website.

BTW, since I am a late night person, my BLOG's will probably not be posted until after 10 PM. But then, I feel as if this is really going to be addictive and I may post a couple of times a day.

For today and tonight, goodbye.

2003-09-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Monday, Sept 15, 2003,

I decided to join the Stitching Bloggers today and what a perfect day to do so.

It seems I have been stitching in one form or another all my life. I probably didn't really start until I was about 12 or 13 - but that was a long time ago. My grandmother taught me how to crochet. She taught me the chain stitch and had me pull it out so many times. I loved it and from there I went forward. Grandmother lived in Alabama while we lived in Texas. We didn't get to see each other except once a year. The things she taught me have lasted a lifetime.

I now have two granddaughters and I am planning on teaching them. (I also have five grandsons) My oldest granddaughter is eight years old and she is now learning cross stitch and crochet. She asked me if I knitted. I had to tell her that I had done some knitting but was never comfortable with it. She wants to learn. I have a friend who does knit and would be willing to teach her but I think I just might sign the two of us up for a knitting class.

My youngest granddaughter is only three years old, so she has a year or two to go. She is, however, already picking up my magnifier and putting it on her head, and she has sewn two stitching cards together. Naturally, I thought that was very unique for a three year old.

I said earlier that today was a perfect day for beginning this adventure. Let me explain. I quit crocheting about a year and a half ago and took up needlework. I still have patterns & books, yarns & theads, and hooks of all shapes and sizes. I just haven't touched any of them since February, 2002.

My oldest granddaughter, Megan, was accepted to the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts this year. She is in the third grade, which is the earliest they begin. They learn all of the regular educational subjects but they also learn dance, choir and theater. She is required to wear her hair up when she is in dance. I had crocheted some bun covers for myself a while ago and I asked her if she wanted one for herself. She said yes. She wants it to be violet. Now I only have one of my bun covers left and I was going to use it as a pattern for hers. She loved it so much she asked if she could borrow it until I get hers made. Naturally I said yes. So, this morning I spent my early hours searching the internet for a bun cover pattern since I have no clue as to where my pattern is. Thus, the good day to start. I might add that my three year old granddaughter, Alyssa, is also taking tap dancing lessons and will wear her hair up also. So it looks as if I will be making bun covers for a while.

I plan on discussing my thoughts on stitching, my progress or lack of progress and the ongoing stash collection that I have been adding to faithfully for several years now.

I hope you will join me.

Susie Jordan