Stitchery vs Embroidery

Teresa asked about the difference between stitchery and embroidery. I wasn't sure that I really did know the difference so I googled stitchery. The following information is from the website http://www.decordelights.com/stitch/whatis.html

"Redwork, Bluework and Blackwork
A long time ago, you could purchase muslin 'penny squares' at the local dry goods shop.  These squares were stamped with designs for your stitching pleasure.  Little girls would practice their stitches on these muslin squares.  Monochromatic was the color scheme, so the square would be stitched with all red, or all blue or all black thread. " 

The Ring in the Year stitchery block of the month is done on a piece of natural colored muslin. I have chosen dark navy thread for my sampler. The original blocks are done in black thread. I still haven't started this project. I have to trace the design onto the muslin before I can begin stitching. I never liked embroidery. I did do lots of counted cross stich. I think I'll like stitchery. I like needlework that is a bit boring, not alot of color or stitch changes.

Fun Day!

It started out pretty innocently, an e-mail from my friend Melisa, the owner of Sweet Home Quilt Shop in Conyers, Georgia. She mentioned receiving new fabric. Ok. I'm not going. When reading blogs and/or e-mail  this morning, my friends Gretchen and Karin both mention a possible road trip to Sweet Home. All resistance crumbled. I'm on the road. I did plan my trip. I began an LSU quilt top for my husband. I didn't  like my border choices so I canned the project for a time. I've taken it out several times to shops, but couldn't find the right borders. We did today!!! We changed the inner border to a black textured tone-on-tone and found a purple fabric with black lines in it. This is good news. I can now proceed with this one and get it finished. He can use it this Summer as he naps on the screened porch. It will be ready for football season. Go Tigers!

I also found a fabulous neutral print for the borders of my SIL's neutral quilt for this Christmas. I also picked up several fat quarters for my Patriotic Quilt.  Life is good:)

I picked up the next BOM in the stitchery BOM. It's called Ring in the New by Kathy Schmitz. I have never done stitchery. This will be new learning for me. The February block has two hearts. Looks like fun. I'd like to prep these so I can stitch in the evening on the screen porch.

A fun day with quilting friends! Thanks, Gretchen and Karin!

Shop Hop Confessions

Ok. It was just too much for me. I was not able to resist the Atlanta Shop Hop. Thursday afternoon on my way home from school, I stopped at my local shop, Stitch 'N Quilt. I got my passport stamped and looked at the neutral fabrics. Sandy was working that day. It was a treat to visit with her. Friday after a super day at school, I decided to travel to Sweet Home Quilt Company in Conyers. It took me almost an hour and a half driving from work to the shop. I forget that my new school is "out there". The shop was worth every minute of the drive. Melisa, the shop owner, has THE best taste in fabric. I could have purchased lots and lots of yardage. I did purchase only those things on my list. I bought 4 different one  yard and a fourth cuts of flannel for Sarah's rag quilt. I had them cut FQ's of four neutral fabrics for the neutral quilt that I am making for Janice, my sister-in-law for Christmas. So that was 5 yards for flannel and 1 yard of neutrals. I was also able to pick up the Stitchery block-of-the month that I am participating in. I have never done stitchery. This BOM will be new learning for me. It will also give me a hand project. Saturday since we were so close to Little Quilts, we took a quick detour after the workshop. There were lots of temptation waiting for us there. I found some brown textured fabric for the stars on Janice's neutral quilt. I've been looking for the right fabric and felt fortunate to find this. I picked up two neutral FQ's and black DMC floss for the stitchery kit. That's a total of 2 yards from Little Quilts.

I did bust some stash this week. The first grade teachers asked for fabric and batting donations for a project. I brought 6 yards from my stash. Gone!