Revisiting Merry Cox

Finished the stitching of the smalls for Stitch, Mend and Mark. Hoping to be able to finish this project next weekend!

Blogger, Blogpress, Blogsy

Is anyone else having trouble posting? My troubles started yesterday. I think Google made some changes. I had been using Blogsy quite successfully for the past year or two, but all of a sudden it won't post pictures - it keeps giving me an "http error" message. It wants to send the pictures to Picasa, but Picasa has been retired by Google....

I was able to go back to Blogpress, but now have noticed that most of my pictures from posts in 2013 and 2014 have disappeared.

Have spent way too much time last night and this morning trying to figure out what has happened.

Frustrated and irritated.

Friesland

Added another stamp to my passport tonight; Friesland!

Blogging

Is anyone else having trouble posting with either Blogsy or Blogpress? Something changed with these apps today and I can't quite figure it out!

Inch by Inch

Spinning wheel is in.

Need to stitch more curly q's....not my favorite!

 

Posted with Blogsy

More from Decorah

Lots of shoes...

Embroidered purses...

Beautiful skirt hems...

Lacy collars...

Aprons adorned with Hardanger ...

Hope you enjoyed touring Vesterheim with me!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Please Excuse the Wrinkles

I think that if I stay focused this week, I might be able to finish Friesland from Amy Mitten. Then I will press and share a nicer picture with you. I've made good progress since the last picture I shared with you.

Back to Decorah...the highlight of the day was being able to tour their storage area. We got to see many of the items that are kept in a climate controlled dark room.

Since they knew we were a needlework guild, they pulled out many pieces for us done in Hardanger, drawn thread work, and cross stitch.

The front of this blouse is embellished with Hardanger:

Here is a lovely doily:

How often do you see Norwegian Hardanger done in color?

A cross stitched blouse followed by an embroidered cap:

One of the most amazing pieces (in my humble opinion) was this beautiful sampler stitched in 1824. The linen was very fine (definitely a higher count). If this were to be reproduced, I would stitch it in a heartbeat!

Will share more with you tomorrow!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Decorah, Part Two

It's beastly hot here in MN today. I really didn't mind having to stay inside to do laundry. In between loads I worked on a 007 project. You'll have to wait a few weeks to see what it is.

Thought I'd share a few more photos of the various needlework that was displayed in the museum.

Let's start with some tatting for the Mad Tatter. There were some beautiful pieces displayed.

And cut Work! My Auntie Betty could do this. Wish I had taken time to learn how to do it from her!

This piece of black work was quite nice.

And more beautiful lace and Whitework...

I have more to share, but will save the rest for another post.

Our family was together yesterday celebrating my niece's high school graduation. Here's the Mad Tatter and four of her five children. We don't get many opportunities to take pictures like this!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

On the Road Again...to Decorah, IA

Our local EGA chapter organized a trip yesterday to the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, IA. Decorah is a vibrant Norwegian American community and the museum is preserving their heritage.

We traveled by bus to Decorah; it's just 2.5 hours from the Twin Cities. It was a beautiful sunny day! There was lots to see. Since there were about 36 of us, we were split into three groups.

My group started out in the museum itself. All of the textiles are displayed on the third floor. I usually only associate Hardanger with Norwegians, but they were very talented in many different forms of needle art!

This beautiful bobbin lace pillow was displayed along with some bobbin lace samples.

Young girls practiced their darning and sewing skills.

And a sampler...

And here's some Hardanger...

I will have more to share tomorrow. Took lots of pictures!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Fly By Post

Added more letters and am starting to work on the right side.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Today's Stitching

The Facebook group "Minnesota Cross Stitchers" gathered for a few hours this afternoon. There were 13 of us - good conversation, great stitching. While there, my friend Chris finished up a piece she was working on. Chris loves to stitch anything and everything and will often spend her time stitching for the benefit of others. This piece was about three fourths of the way finished when the woman who was working on it died. Her husband contacted Stitchville hoping to find someone who would finish it for him; the piece held special memories for him. Long story short, it ended up with Chris and she finished it. It will be returned to the woman's husband in the next few days.

Here's the finished piece; it's a Martina Weber design called The Alpine Garden Mandala.

There's a special place in heaven for Chris; of that I am sure!

While she worked on the mandala piece, I put a few more stitches in Friesland.

I've got a ways to go!

 

Posted with Blogsy

A Little More Progress

Whew! It was a hot one here today. Spent most of the day doing laundry and other household projects. Only spent a couple hours working on Mistress L tonight. Nonetheless, progress made!

 

Posted with Blogsy