Shepherd's Fold Update

I took off of work on Friday to run some errands, get a jump on weekend projects, and to do some general putzing. If time permitted I wanted to get some finishing done. One of the projects that I wanted to finish completely befuddled me and so it's on it's way to Faye for her to work some magic. I did have time to work on another project though and I'm pleased to share the results with you.

A few months ago I saw a picture on Facebook of a finished Shepherd's Bush box and I just couldn't get it out of my head. The box was lined with fabric and there were pockets on the sides. The pincushion design was used for the bottom of the box. Put my thinking cap on and thought long and hard about how I was going to do this and then dug in and did it.

Here's the top of the box (you've seen this before).

And here's the inside of my box...

 

The sides are lined with fabric and I have seven or eight pockets which will hold thread winders and other little doo-dads. The pincushion design was used to line the bottom of the box.

Here's my scissors fob which you've also seen before...

 

I wasn't a big fan of the needlebook finish. I wanted the entire design to be seen (didn't like that it was folded). Have debated about this for a long time. Ended up with a pin keep finish. I added a piece of wool on the back so that I still have somewhere to put needles. The ribbon rouched around the sides of the pin keep are from the pincushion! Here's the front...

Here's the back...

 

One last look at the accessories thus far...

I need to get busy stitching the Needleroll and then I think there is one more part yet to be released. I'm glad I made these change. I love this set!

 

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Randje Week 28

Have I told you how much I am enjoying this project? :) This continues to be an easy, satisfying stitch and I look forward to it every week.

Rows for this week are in and I'm all caught up!

Someone asked how long this piece will be when finished -- it will be about six to seven feet long!

Thanks for stopping by...

 

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Me Again

All caught up now. To think I almost skipped this row. I really like it!

Three feet long now!

 

 

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Randje Week 27

Two more rows added to my Randje sampler! Tonight I'm going to try to stitch the Blackwork row that I skipped a few weeks ago.

Also, count up six rows. I adjusted the colors on that band by stitching the ends in red rather than white. I like it better.

I better get stitching. Last night in the chaise lounge chair!

 

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Friendship Sampler

This picture isn't the greatest; it was taken in not so ideal lighting conditions. Once it is framed I will take a better picture and post again.

The theme of our guild retreat this year is "The Fabric of Community". A group of us have been working on this friendship sampler since last fall. Each person stitched a band. The bands were very manageable; just 80 stitches wide and approximately 20 stitches high.

I asked for sampler bands that included flowers. I love it!

 

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July Already?

This is my stitching chair for the next few nights. I hope I get to spend some quality time in it.

 

 

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Randje Week 26

We're at the halfway point! I stitched bands 51 and 52 tonight. These were fun and easy to stitch!

I'm thinking about ripping this band out and reversing the colors. I just think it would look better. The red stitches look like pointy witches shoes. Thoughts?

Here's what I've got so far. I still need to stitch the Blackwork band from three weeks ago.

This might be one of the coolest projects I have ever stitched!

 

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Friendship Sampler

Working on a special collaboration piece...hope to have a finish to share soon!

 

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Randje Weeks 24 & 25 (and a little more New York)

This is the first time since the beginning of the year that I found myself behind with Randje. I was able to stitch the bands for Week 24 while flying to New York. The seat next to me was open; how unusual is that?

On Sunday night I worked on the bands for Week 25. I think I might have to restitch the first one and reverse the red and the white.

Note that I left room to add the second band from Week 23; the Blackwork band.

I wanted to share a couple more pictures from New York. I found the architecture of the buildings in the neighborhood to be quite appealing.

We decided to visit St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church, just two blocks from the festival.

The stained glass Window behind the altar was beautiful.

 

Always have to take a picture of the organ for my organist mother. She has trained me well.

In the church there was an icon of St. Stephen. I learned that he is the only saint recognized by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine Catholic Church.

Sometimes you find quilt squares in the most unusual places. This pattern was in the floor at St. Stephen's.

We also went into the Byzantine Catholic Church. They were in the middle of mass. Sadly my pictures did not turn out well.

I'm working on trying to finish up a friendship sampler that a group of friends worked on over the past eight months. Would like to have it framed in time for our guild's retreat in August. Wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hungarian Heritage Festival Part II

Occasionally there are opportunities in life that you just shouldn't pass up. When I learned that Mrs. Szigethy and her daughter were going to be in the U.S. I knew that I needed to find a way to see them during their visit. My schedule during their two weeks here was already quite full, but I knew I could make a weekend trip to New York work.

As mentioned in my last post, Mrs. Szigethy had no idea I was coming. It was a surprise. When I walked into the room, she looked at me and it took a few seconds for her to recognize me. You know what it's like when you are not expecting someone. Then she realized who I was - hugs and smiles. I am so glad I made the trip to see this special lady again.

During their stay, they exhibited Mrs. Szigethy's Lace of Hövej in three different locations - twice in Connecticut and then at the Hungarian Heritage Festival at the Magyar Haz in New York. I'm amazed at how many pieces they were able to bring with them.

Every single piece of lace in the pictures above was made by Mrs. Szigethy. As people filtered through the hall, Mrs. Szigethy was on hand to tell them about the needlework and to demonstrate how it is made. Remember, most all of them spoke Hungarian and could easily converse with her!

She laughed when she showed me her scissors. She remembered about our last visit when I asked how she could create such beautiful, delicate lace with such a large scissors! It's all about what you are used to working with. Note that she has started cutting this doily out; all of the stitching is complete.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity. Many thanks to Karolina Szabo for making this trip possible for Mrs. Szigethy and her daughter.

And many thanks to Mrs. Szigethy's daughter Elisabeth for all she does to care for mother and to promote and preserve this beautiful embroidery.

And here is the Master Embroideress with her finished work!

I am so grateful to have met this special lady. Will always treasure this opportunity!

 

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