Buddy Rug

This is my first punch rug made with wool rug yarn. I designed it and "stitched" it. My inspiration was my golden retriever Buddy who was adopted by us in 2005. His tail really does curl up like that. The rug is 3 x 2 feet and was made with Paternayan rug wool.

Speaking of Nashville

I wanted to mention that my friend Sherry and I went together. The night before we left for Nashville, Sherry hurt her back. She got ahold of me when I was halfway to her house - a four hour drive. The first thing I said was "I'll turn around now". She figured it would hurt, she'd take medication and be feeling fine in a couple of days. Talk about a CHAMP! Doing the show at Nashville was so incredibly painful for her. And it didn't get any better as the days passed. When she got home, she went back to the doctor, got an MRI, and found that the had to have surgery. She's still not quite right, but I'm hopeful for her that eventually she will be out of pain.

About the Etui

A Petit Sampling Etui is a limited edition collaboration design by Cherished Stitches, Praiseworthy Stitches, The Stitching Parlor and With My Needle. While in Nashville I met both Louise Henderson and Ellen Chester - fabulously friendly, both of them! Louise had her wrist all bound up after surgery, and had to keep it elevated. What a champ to be recovering from surgery and attending Nashville at the same time.

Anyway, I told Louise that I'd have the Etui pieces stitched in a month. She looked at me and said that if I could do that, she wanted to hear from me because she'd have me stitch for her! Well, as much as I'd love to do THAT, I have to disappoint Louise by saying it took me two months to stitch the pieces. I think it was all the 'over one' that got to me.

But, I am thrilled with the results. I did change a few things; that makes it my own personal etui though - one like no one else has.

A Petit Sampling Etui in Progress

A Canadian Journey

Canadian Journey by Italian designer Guilia Manfredini (Guilia Punti Antichi) in cooperation with the "Designing Ladies" in 2006 had whet my appetite before I ever got to Nashville. Before I met Guilia my first thought on seeing her was that she was wearing a simple, but beautiful; casual, but elegant sweater dress. Ah, the Italians and their clothes. When I met her, she told me a story about a friend that had me in tears right there in the middle of the Meet and Greet. Terrific lady. I wanted to start stitching as soon as I got home, but had to wait for the arrival of the Thread Gatherer Silk'n Colors fibers that I'd ordered. As soon as they arrived though, I was stitching away. Absolutely loved, loved, loved that silk thread.

It took me about two months to stitch up all the pieces that will be required to make the sewing necessarie. I will sit down over the summer and concentrate very carefully on following the instructions given by Judy O'Dell for the finishing. I made a few changes to the design, but only Giulia will know what they are. Also, I could not find the dark green silk I needed. But was able to find red. And, since I love red, I decided to switch to that. My favorite part? The beautiful sea maidens.