Saturday, May 08, 2010

More Blackbird Designs

Hello Friends! Thought I'd stop in for a minute and show you a picture of my latest project. I'm working on Summer Basket from Blackbird Designs (Loose Feathers #38). I've had it in my stash for a little while and started it at the BBD retreat two weeks ago (or is it three?) Anyway, the linen is WDW Baby's Breath, kind of a soft pink, and the fibers are mostly GAST with one WDW - the colors remind me of Spring!




Mother Nature is quite mixed up and we are experiencing winter, not spring weather here in Minnesota. After no snow in March or April, today it snows! My DD had a lacrosse game today and baby it was cold and windy with rain and snow mixed...brrrr.....hopefully this return to winter will be short-lived.


I have a couple of questions for you:

1) Which brand of needles do you like to stitch with? Piecemakers, John James, Bohnin, other? I guess I usually stitch with Piecemakers or Bohnin. On Tuesday night I was stitching with some #28 needles from John James and I broke two of them. Very frustrating!

2) Does anyone know if there is a needlework store in the Orlando that is worth a visit? I will be in Orlando next week; not sure if I will have any free time, but if I do.....

3) I'm looking for a copy of the BBD Loose Feathers #1 called Spring's Promise. Anyone interested in selling or loaning their copy?

Thank you for stopping by to visit. To all the mothers out there, I wish you an enjoyable and relaxing Mother's Day tomorrow!

27 comments:

Margaret said...

What a beautiful WIP! I love the colors! Bummer about the cold. It's supposed to get colder here too, but not winter cold. I use John James size 28 petites. And yes, whenever they break, it's at the eye. It can be annoying. I've sort of learned how not to break them, although of course they always break eventually. Don't know about Orlando -- hope you find something.

Faye said...

Love the Loose Feathers WIP....Love those soft colors too~~ Wish I had the other chart for a trade...good luck! PS...Snow???omgoodness~~~ Faye

Marsha said...

Happy Mother's Day to you too. I love the baby soft pink linen. I was just introduced to the Bohin needles and love them. they slide through those threads on the back side of the linen. Second favorite are piecemakers and then John James. Hope you find a store in Orlando. I always peruse the yellow pages when we go some where to see if there are stitching stores.

Jon Lee said...

I am working on that project as well. I am using the Baby's Breath. I use Piecemakers as a rule. I need to get stitching on this because yours is really lovely.

mainely stitching said...

Did you get Spring's Promise? I recently bought a copy online and would be happy to lend it to you.

I LOVE Bohin needles but I cannot get them in my favorite size. The local quilting shop has them in a 22 but I feel like I'm stitching with a knitting needle. I usually use 28 Piecemakers. I only use JJ if there is nothing else available because they break, the floss catches in the eye, they bend ... ugh!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you with the needles - first preference has always been Piecemakers (26 or 28) but after recently being gifted with some Bohnin's, really like those too. I've broken a few JJ ones too, so don't buy them anymore - I have very 'toxic' skin, and go through the metal plating quickly on needles, so end up buying in bulk when I order ... actually just thought I should really take them all out of their packets and put them into a little container, 'cos they take up loads of room ... duh, why didn't I think of that before now????? Sorry I can't help with the chart :(

Anonymous said...

I only use John James petites never had them break on me.
I am working on the same project but I have the right side done not the left.

valerie said...

Great start on Summer Basket! I use Bohins almost exclusively. My LNS sells them in bulk (25 a pack) and they last me forever. I usually throw them out because they get slightly bent not because they break. I'm generally hard on my needles.

Sorry, can't help you with BBD#1 or Orlando info.

Brigitte said...

A great new WIP you're sticthing.
I only stitch with Permin 28 needles, it's the only brand I can get in 28 size around here. But I'm very happy with them as they rarely ever break.

Nic said...

I haven't heard of Bohin needles - I'll have to look out for them.

I tend to use size 28s, and especially JJ Petites - although I do snap the eyes sometimes on them, the ease that they pass through the fabric makes up for that slight inconvenience!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I use John James size 26 or 28 needles. Can't use the full size needles anymore... it's like stitching with a shovel. :-)
Lovely new WIP.
I had to cover the peonies and bring all the ferns and pots into the house last night due to the freeze warning. Crazy Mother Nature just having her fun with us.

Joanne said...

I use Bohin and buy them in bulk from Anita's Little Stitches.

As far as stores in Orlando, a little online search finds my favorite store has now closed, but according to another search this one is in Kissimmee ... Needle Craft World and they have a group meeting on Mondays.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=needlecraft+world+in+kissimmee+florida&fb=1&gl=us&hq=needlecraft+world&hnear=kissimmee+florida&cid=13092633579805610954

Joanne

Anonymous said...

I've been to Needlecraft World a number of years ago. Found it to be a good store. They had lots and lots of kits but they also had lots of fabric, charts, threads and those "goodies" all stitchers love. A bright clean store. Maria S.

Anonymous said...

I'm new to your blog and just wanted to tell you how much I like your projects, they are all really beautiful and the stitching is great. I especially like the look of your new WIP, might have to put that design on my to-buy list

Lynn said...

Very pretty WIP! A breath of spring, we could use that around here too since the cold and snow also returned our way as well. I have quite a few BBD in my stash but unfortunately Spring's Promise is not one of them. I can't help you out regarding Orlando either. It's been years since I've been there. As for needles, I love the Piecemaker. A friend got me started on them and I've never gone back to my John James again!

Berit said...

I don't think I know enough about brands yet; I only use 28 or 26 petites. And, mostly JJ 'cause that's what the LNS sells. I've yet to try Bohin, but would like too soon.

Good luck with LF No. 1!

Edgar said...

Another lovely wip!! I really like JJ 28 Gold petits. I have been using the same two needles since January and have only seen the gold come off but they work. I've only ever broken 1 needle in the last 3 years. Usually the 28's will get a little bent and I will just get an new straight gold one.

Nicole said...

Beautiful progress on Summer Basket. I just love this design!!

I just started using size 28 Bohins. I love them!!

WendyJo said...

Love the BBD piece Cathy! Sorry you have had terrible weather up there. Thankfully we haven't had any snow. Just dreary here in Iowa.

I use Piecemaker needles (szie 26 & 28) and love them.

I can't help you with any shops in Orlando. Hope you do find one or two!

Lelia said...

Hands down: Piecemaker + Bohin

I don't know if it is still open; however, there was a store in Mount Dora - near Orlando. I cannot think of the name off the top of my head.

(If/when I recall the name of needlework store, i'll e-mail)

There was a store in Kissimmee with canvas stuff - was in a mall, was an ok place. Needle something -- I think on Vine Avenue or 192 (if my brain hasn't failed me)

Giovanna said...

This is a lovely design - great WIP!

Bekca said...

Hello from the UK! It's strange to get snow so late in the year, hopefully spring will be just around the corner, since our weather is damp and dreary too. I love your WIP and the fabric you've used, really pretty. I'm using John James needles but I haven't had any of them break on me - yet!

Dee L said...

Needlecraft World in Kissimmee is small, but great. The owner's name is Cathy and she is a love. Tell her Dee said HI if you get there. You can also try Needle Orts in Altamonte Springs which is like a suburb of Orlando. They have an amazing number of threads. http://www.needleorts.com/ Also, you could try The Black Sheep in Winter Park. The last time I was there I was disappointed in their cross stitch selections, but it just depends on what you have time for. http://www.theblacksheepshop.com/ I would visit the other 2 shops first. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Dee in Cocoa Beach

Marie said...

Nice start on that lovely deisgn! WHAT??? Snow in May! It is 90 degrees today in houston. :)

As for needles: Piecemakers
As for LNS in Orlando: ???? but have a great time.
As for BBD: I will check and if I have it I will let you know.

Kellie said...

That is a beautiful WIP. :)

I am going to Orlando soon too; I am interested to see what responses you get.

As for needles, I love Bohnin the best. I don't tarnish them as easily.

I can't help you with the BBD design. I hope you locate it. :)

I enjoy reading your blog and seeing your projects.

Have a great week!

diamondc said...

Hi Cathy: I just love your blog site, I am still trying to learn how to enter things to my blog.
Your blog is simply beautiful.
I am also trying to learn how to download pictures from my new camara.
It was a pleaseure meeting you.
I hope to see you at another retreat we had such a great group of ladies.
Peace to you
Cathy

pj said...

Just a note, watch your mailbox.
pam