Monet's Garden is done

I finished the Monet's Garden box. I attached the bottom oval to the stitching but it was not as smooth as I like so I added another twisted cord. I then inserted the bottom oval to finish the inside. Last I glued the top of the bottom section into the gold rim. Now that it is dry, I could show you.

Just pretend

I am working on the rest of the finishing on the oval box. I did glue the braid around the top and it is drying nicely. I scraped all the glue off my hands, nails and palms. Don't ask. None on the stitching though--yes! I then trimmed the canvas seams and clipped it around the bottom. No problem. The instructions say to glue the bottom oval to the bottom of the folded in canvas. Oh, sure. Easy for you to say. I put the glue on the oval and tried to pin it to hold it. That did not work. Okay, since I was working looking down on the bottom, try turning it over and try holding the piece to the bottom. Nope, that does not work either. My fingers are not long enough, nor, do I have enough to go all around. Walk away and wipe more glue off every appendage. Say blue words. Give DH a dirty look when he asks "Are you done yet?" Re-read instructions. Walk away--there is always tomorrow.

There is no photo tonight, so please pretend there is. Thank you.

Back to the box

Tonight I worked on the Monet's Garden box. I stitched one of the bases to the top and then glued it into the ring, and am waiting for that to dry. I then made the twisted cord that will cover the sewn edge. Next, I machine stitched (without any blue words) the canvas to the lining. I cut a piece of stick on felt and placed that on the back of the stitching. Then, folded all of that in half and stitched the seam of the lining and the canvas--it was even! Woohoo! That all got turned right side out. That is as far as I got. Next will be to finish the base and attach it all to the top and glue the twisted cord around. Sounds like I could get that done tomorrow!

Into finishing

This gift kit also came with a DVD with instructions by Terry Dryden and Sandie Colbert, which is detailed and step by step. I am following all the instructions and the first step is to mark and cut out each piece of canvas.

Then using the frame, I made a pattern and cut out four pieces of mat board making sure they fit into the lid.



Then I covered one of the ovals with a piece of the blue Ultrasuede and glued it to the inside clipping the curves along the way. The picture shows the back of the piece where I put pieces of quilt batting to keep my clothespins from marking my fabric while holding it so the glue can dry.I glued the next oval to a thin quilt bat and then cut another oval of Ultrasuede and did a running stitch and pulled it tight on the oval on the right. For the oval on the left with the flowers, I cut a couple of pieces of the bat and built up the center so the flowers will dome. I then did another running stitch and gathered that one on the underside as well.
I need to stop by Michael's tomorrow and pick up a couple of things I need to keep going.

Strange Looking Picture

I finished putting in all the Gloriana Silk Ribbon loops with about 4 inches of ribbon left.  I think Terry might have less packed posies but I like these.  I then put in French knots with two strands of Splendor, but not in all of the flowers.  I laid down the needle, unclamped the frame and held it up for DH to admire and lavish praise.  "It is really nice but a strange looking picture".  I started laughing and gently reminded him that this was going to be finished into a box and was one of my Christmas presents from him!  I am still laughing on this one!  I promise to start the finishing on this box this weekend.  I have the frame and Terry included a DVD with instructions--how cool is that?

Maybe half?

I continued working with the River silk ribbon to make loop flowers after I finished the left leaf. I also changed the flowers on top of the leaf to be a little smaller than the ones going toward the center. I wanted them to appear more like buds. I will also be adding yellow french knot centers. I hope to finish this by the weekend so I can make two boxes--this one and the Black and Gold design.

The leaves and the flower

I finished filling in the Reverse Mosaic with one of the other yellow Splendors as the center is covered by the flowers in the garden, and I ran out of the pale yellow. I then used the 7 mm River Silks and started the leaves on each end and did the tips for placement. I need to finish shaping the leaves, but I really had to put in a few loops of the Gloriana Monet's Pond ribbon to see what they are going to look like.

Picking up where I left off

I picked up on Monet's Garden by Terry Dryden tonight and continued working on the reverse Mosaic stitches for the cover of the box. The entire top is to be covered with three strands of Splendor stitches. However, it is looking like I might run out of the color so I am now working around the area that is going to be covered with silk ribbon in a bit. I will fill in the remaining with one of the other yellows that are in the kit. The entire area is to be covered in yellow before I add the ribbon to make it glide through the canvas easier.
This is my regular Thursday stitching project however I did not stitch at all last night. One of our regular stitching group needed help sorting her stash. She is downsizing big time and moving into a retirement home due to issues with Alzheimer's disease. This was not as you can imagine a cheery evening but we made the best of it. She is getting rid of a lot of her books and all of the other "must haves" in her stash. We will help her disperse her treasures over the next few weeks and then make sure she has cash for some new interests. I encourage you all to think about what you will do with your stash and make sure your friends and family are aware of your wishes. A long time ago the group all committed to helping each other when the time came and even though it is difficult to do, we all want to make sure these treasures go to new friends and good homes.

Oh, Wow!

Madonna of the Front Range Stitcher ( on my blog roll on the right) did a celebration for her first comment left after her 20,000th visitor and it was me! I was amazed! I did not (like everyone else I found out) have any idea she was doing something like this! She sent me a note and let me know she was mailing me a surprise! And, look what I got in the mail today: Studios magazine-I have never seen this, but am drooling--June McKnight's Christmas Stitches, a painted canvas--yes!--of a darling winter cube complete with all the threads!, a bookmark magnet--how cute is that?!, a coaster that says Smart Women crave Good Company, and last, but not least, a Kelmscott Needle Minder with my initial on it! What a fabulous prize(s) and all because I love to see what everyone is doing and add comments to the blogs! Thank you, Madonna! Thank you, thank you!! I am in awe!

I was so excited but I did manage to settle down and do some stitching too. I finished the bottom band of Monet's Garden by finishing the Linen Fold Variation center section using the Splendor yellows. I then started the top of the box doing a Reverse Mosaic with more of the yellow Splendor--it is that little section on the top oval!

What a great day! Stitchers and bloggers are wonderful!!

More Rosemary

I worked on the Rosemary panel tonight, but did not quite finish. First step was to complete all the squares of 9 stitch basketweave. Then I did the yellow cross stitches. Last I started the six strand Gobelin stitches for the flower petals, but did not get them all finished. And, that is the red Bada Bling!

Pavillion Diamonds

Tonight I worked the second section of Pavillion Diamonds or the third section from the right. These are all worked with six strands of Splendor and laid to keep all those strands together. A couple more sections and we will start the top!

Over on the right

I worked the two end Linen Fold sections on the right side tonight. The horizontal stitches are laid with six strands of Splendor and the half crosses are put in with four. I will work the next white area from the right which will repeat the Diamond Pavillion stitches next week.

Rosemary's Garden

I completed the Rosemary's Garden panel tonight. First I finished the tent stitched squares that I had started last week. Then I put in the yellow cross stitches with six strands of pale yellow Splendor. The petals were also put in using six strands of the lavender Splendor. Using the six strands of silk makes both the center and petals of the flower stand out away from the tent stitched background. Great idea by Terry!

Rosemary Stitch

I finished another band of the linen finish on the left and then started the Rosemary stitch band. There are three steps to this band. I am on the first one using Gloriana silk Monet's Pond and
doing squares of tent stitch.

Stitches in Sterling is available by class only at this per Nancy Cucci for those of you who are looking for it. I bought my kit from someone else that had taken the class but not stitched it.
Sorry about that but keep your eyes open as sometimes they pop up.

Oh, yeah, I dropped Ribbon and Roses off at the framer's and it should be ready in two weeks!

Pavillion Diamonds

The third band from the left is called Pavillion Diamonds. Six strands of Splendor are separated and laid in using Pale Yellow, Blue, Lavender and Pale Yellow Green with the Pale Yellow being the base and predominant color. I really like this as it goes quickly and is so pretty...such spring time colors!

Linen Fold Variation

This is the Monet's Garden box base by Terry Dryden. Tonight I did the Linen Fold Variation on the left side in the photo. This is worked using two shades of Splendor with six strands. First there are the horizontal stitches and then the half crosses are laid in. There are several sections of the Linen Fold variation in this piece so you will see more of this.

Floral Stitch is done

Back over to Monet's Garden by Terry Dryden tonight. I used six strands of blue Splendor to compete the vertical and horizontal Gebelin stitches creating the outside of the Flower in both panels. I then started with six strands of yellow Splendor and started the Linen Fold band on the very left panel.

Fowers in the Florals

Tonight I started working on the two panels called Floral stitches. I first put in yellow cross stitches in Splendor, 3 over 3's. Then I did 4 over 4's using Gloriana Silk Monet's Pond. That is the variegation you see in each panel. Both are stitched using four strands of fiber. There is yet another step to do to finish these panels, but that is for next week.

Next up....

Terry Dryden's Monet's Garden Oval Box! This is a Christmas gift from DH and I am thrilled to start this piece! The kit contains: Two full color photos, the one above, and one showing the piece stitched laid flat out, excellent instructions, line drawn canvas, all the fibers, and a DVD on finishing instructions for the box. Although the hinged lid did not come with it, Ms. Dryden graciously supplied the info and I have the lid as well.
To begin, using J. L. Walsh Silk Perle in a soft medium green, I completed the bottom in an alternating Scotch Stitch. The instructions include a couple of options and I chose to use the deeper V option. The box bottom width is 10 1/2" wide and 2 1/2 inches high.

Tomorrow, I add yet another piece into the rotation!