A Forgotten Bit of 2010

I forgot about my ORT gleanings from 2010 so I thought I'd post a pic.
Gotta love those old pale blue canning jars and zinc lids.

And here is my found stitchin' finish from 2010.
Found this one while I was reorganizing my craft table.
It will be turned into a plaque when I find the right piece of wood.

"Merry Christmas"
Designed by: Sandy in Montana

Thank you all for stopping by and leaving a bit of your thoughts behind.
I appreciate each and every one of your comments.

Take Care & Happy Stitchin' Everyone....
Hugs, Sandy

The Last Finishes Of 2010

Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Wishing you all a very Blessed and Prosperous Year.

I did manage to get a couple of finishes before the clock struck midnight.

"Noel"
Finished as a pin pillow 12-31-2010.

I have been asked by a few stitcher's if my threads are colorfast.
After stitching this design with some of the darker colors I've dyed, I frogged some of the stitches the next day without any color transfer from the threads to the fabric. I then washed it using cool water and Orvus (I wash all of my needlework with it) then rinse, rinse, rinse and had no color bleeding onto the fabric. I did however have a little color transfer to the white towel I rolled the piece in from the cranberry thread, but it was very minimal.
So over all I'd say they are 95% to 98% colorfast, but as with any hand-dyed fiber there is always that chance that one may be a bit out of sorts depending on water conditions and the washing soap used.
But overall I am still happy with my test results and more testing will take place before I offer them for sale.
Better safe than sorry since I know all of the hard work that goes into any stitched piece.

"Needleworker"
by Sandy Longan Miller of
Log Cabin Needlework's

"Needleworker" was stitched as part of the ILCS

group's week long stitch-a-thon in honour of Rene, a beloved member of our group who is batteling the end stages of cancer. I also dyed some threads during this time and have named one "Rene's Purple" I'm still working to find the right mix for a "La Frog Green". I'll post picture's of the threads later on.

Take Care & Happy Stitching Everyone
Hugs, Sandy

Playin' With Threads

Since yesterday brought some very sad news about a dear friend in my ILCS yahoo group, I thought I would try my hand at dyeing some threads as I couldn't concentrate on stitching.

My first try was tea-dyeing one skein of ecru and two of white.
I loved the aged effect that the tea had on the threads.
It's easier to see the shading in the first picture.

Next up I made up nine small batches of dye.
Country Blue, Tan, Scarlet, Navy Blue, Wine, Yellow, Denim & Black.
I was going to do a bit of color mixing, but ran out of white thread, oh well tomorrow is grocery shopping day and Michales is close by.

I really love how these turned out and it helped to lift my spirits for a bit.

I also made my first online order (not ebay) of hand-dyed threads on the 11th, they came in on the 18th, not bad for the holiday season.
I ordered from Nordic Needle since they were having $2.99 flat rate shipping and I received an on-line coupon for $5.00 off my order of $30.00 or more.
I picked out 22 different threads from The Gentle Art, 8 Simply Shaker Threads and 14 Sampler Threads.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas filled Family, Friends & Love.
I also want to send a very heart felt Thank You to all of you for your wonderful comments that you leave behind, I cherish each and every one, they help to keep me motivated.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy

Bless Your Heart

I have finally been stitching again and have a finish to show for it.
I have one more to finish, hopefully before Christmas.


"Bless Your Heart"
Designer: Sandy in Montana
Log Cabin Needlework's
Copyright 2010

Stitched on 32 count cream Linen using DMC threads.
Finished as a small pillow.

This will more than likely be sent to my dear mama for Christmas since she keeps saying she has no more wall space left to hang things.

Merry Christmas and Happy Stitching Everyone
Hugs' Sandy

Tis The Season

Merry Christmas, Everyone !!!

I love this time of year with all of the decorations and such.
I have never been one to care if there were presents under the tree or not,
I have always loved seeing all of the lights, Nativities, and other
decorations so much more.
I feel the True meaning of Christmas is much more important.
But I do love to give to others, so here are a couple of quick to
stitch Christmas ornaments just for you.

I hope you have as much fun stitching them as I had designing them for you.
All threads are DMC but feel free to change the colors.
I would love to see what you stitch up,
so drop me a line if you finish one so I can have a peek.
My e-mail address is in my profile.

NOEL

Designed By: Sandra Longan Miller
Company: Sandra Longan Designs
Copyright: Copyright 2010, Sandra Longan Designs. All Rights Reserved.
Stitches: 47w X 33h
Size(s):
14/28 Count, - 3-1/4w X 2-1/4h in
16/32 Count, - 2-7/8w X 2h in
18/36 Count, - 2-1/2w X 1-3/4h in

Full Stitches:
DMC
500, Blue Green-VY DK - Leaves and stems
728, Topaz - L
780, Topaz-UL VY DK - N
782, Topaz-DK - O
783, Topaz-MD - E

815, Garnet-MD - Berries

Merry Christmas

Designed By: Sandra Longan Miller
Company: Sandra Longan Designs 
Copyright: Copyright 2010, Sandra Longan Designs. All Rights Reserved.
Stitches: 54w X 54h
Size(s):
14/28 Count, - 3-3/4w X 3-3/4h in
16/32 Count, - 3-3/8w X 3-3/8h in
18/36 Count, - 3w X 3h in

Full Stitches:
DMC
319, Pistachio Green-VY DK - Leaves and stems
644, Beige Gray-MD - Border squares
783, Topaz-MD - Merry Christmas
815, Garnet-MD - Berries

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
with all of Love and Joy that this Holiday Season brings.

Take Care & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !!

Wishing everyone a Blessed & Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving !!

I haven't posted or stitched for that matter for a bit too long, I've been quite busy trying to get some cross stitch designs all done up so I can have the required ten charts to post on Cross Stitch Addicts.
I never knew how time consuming designing could be when you have add all of the floss tables and needed items and instructions if needed, then turning them into PDF files. But, I'm hoping
(ie: saying lots of prayers) that I get it right and it will all be worth it in the end.
Anyway, we have been hit with lots of winter weather this week.
Can you believe that it was 60+ degrees on Thursday, 18 Nov. then it started to snow just a bit that night and by Friday morning we had 3" of snow and it kept on a snowin' until Sunday. We ended up with somewhere around 6"-8" of the fluffy white stuff.
And with all this snow came below zero temps, so I just stayed in the house and working with my design program and keeping the wood stove going. Nothing like the wood stove to keep the house toasty warm.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy