Report from Amy's Golden Strand

We had a wonderful time!  Six SWANs took off for Memphis for stitching, eating and visiting.  Jill and Amy were as charming and gracious as they always are.  We saw some other Memphis friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.   I asked Amy for stitch ideas for The Village.   

The Village by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs

Church roof

Green yard in Skinny Byzantine Variation

Road and front field

Overview

A Rent Amy Day is RAD!  I highly recommend it!  More to follow. 

Painted Pony Angels are Heavenly

USC mini-angel with stitches by me

Christmas Eve Angel stitched by ML

Texas Angel with stitches by Carolyn Baird - stitched by ?

New York Angel with stitches by me

San Antonio River Walk Angel stitched by ML

Owl Angel with stitches by me

Mitten Angel with stitches by Carolyn Baird - stitched by ?

Quilt Angel stitched by KH

Thailand Angel with stitches by me

Queen of Hearts Angel with stitches by me and guide

Texas Tech University mini-angel with stitches by me

University of Arkansas mini-angel with stitches by me

University of Texas mini-angel with stitches by me

Texas Angel with stitches by me

Hohoho Angel stitched by ML 

SMU mini-angel with stitches by me

Petei Santa Bonanza

 Petei Santas from Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs stitched with guides by Diana Bosworth from The French Knot in Fort Worth.  Super cute, super fast and super fun. 

Patriotic Santa stitched two different ways - both cute

Scottish Santa

Artic Santa

Pears Everywhere

Kelly Clark Pear with guide from The French Knot

Kelly Clark Pear with stitch guide from The French Knot 

Kelly Clark Pear with guide from The French Knot

Cute back

Pear from Heartstrings using the accompanying guide

Kelly Clark Pear using her stitch guide

Kelly Clark Pear using her stitch guide

Kelly Clark Pear using her stitch guide

Kelly Clark Pear using stitch guide from The French Knot with modifications 

Time to Get Ready for Amy

It's that time of year again.  The SWANs annual trip to Amy's Golden Strand in Memphis!  This year is a Rent Amy Day.   It's studio time on steroids with Amy Bunger herself.  These are the two canvases I know that I am taking.  

The Village by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint

Let the Earth Be Glad by Diane Ulmer Pedersen from Painted Pony Needlepoint

I will probably take a two or three other canvases that I am having problems with but can't decide which two or three from the many!   If you have ever have the chance to take a class with Amy, grab it.  She is fabulous and the hospitality is off the charts.   Will keep y'all posted!  Happy Stitching!

Hart Hunt Has Full Grown Evergreens

I spent some serious time watching the Texas House making sure they don't do any more damage than already done.  While listening I packed in the two strands of Spruce from Weeks Dye Works.  I love the way they turned out.  

Evergreens on the left

Here's my ort jar.   Since the beginning of this year has been hellacious fighting off lousy legislation I'm starting "my" year from my birthday on.   I hope that I fill this up over the next twelve months.   Wish me luck!

Ort Jar 

I went to The Needle Works yesterday.  The store is going strong.  Two trunks shows, tons of canvases, saw so many people and, boy,  did the SWANs have a good time being together.   The new owners, Allison and Annette, are definitely going to make a go of it.   So happy!

Hart Hunt is Growing Evergreen Trees

The evergreen trees are being stitched using the trame stitch for the tree and packed outline for the greenery.  I am using two strands of overdyed cotton for the leaves.  The wood part of the tree is stitched using two strands of Burmilana.   Looks pretty good.