TUSAL update

I have been so bad about posting this!  Here is my orts jar for this month.  It's full of ends from ornaments, model stitching, and a couple of crocheting projects too!

Artists in residence!!

Today was art class day at our library.  Mariah had her first kids' art class today and I had a one-stroke painting class.  We had a all!! 

First, Mariah.  Her class did abstract art using 'A Starry Night' as a guideline.  They actually painted peacock feathers.  I think it's absolutely beautiful!

She's been having fun taking online art classes with Michal Kestler so this has just made her even happier.  The kids classes are going to be weekly sowe can look forward to lots of artwork this summer!

My class was just as much fun.  We did ferns and dragonflies.  When we were discussing what to do them on, Kathy (the instructor) mentioned a mat for a picture frame.  I have a cross stitched piece that I've been trying to figure out what to do with.  It's a summer theme so I thought this would be perfect. 

Now I can cut the center out with a razor blade and place the cross stitched piece in it before framing it.

We always make 2 items - 1 picture and then something else.  This week we did wooden boxes.  I'm going to use mine for a pencil holder.

And how creative have you been this week?

Stands - Love 'em or leave 'em?

Stitching the Night Away's Blog Hop #2 is up.  Here is this week's question:

Do you use a stand when you stitch? If so, tell us about it and share pictures if you’ve got them. If not, would you like to try using a stand? Do you have any tips or tricks around using a stand versus not using a stand?

I do not, although I wish I had a stand to hold the very large embroidery hoop I'musing for my current project.  My hand cramps after holding it for more than a few threads of stitching.  I've never really liked stands because I can't sit back when I'm using them and I get too uncomfortable sitting forward.  I definitely don't like lap stands - I'm too big and feel like I'm squished into them.  Anyone have any suggestions for a good one? 

Check out these other bloggers to get their opinions:

Visit all the blogs in this round of the <a href="http://www.stitchingthenightaway.com" target="_blank">Stitching the Night Away</a> Stitching Blogger Blog Hop: <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=2e0230bc-1347-48f8-b848-f35ef08e84cc" ></script><br />Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by <a href="http://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2700/stitching-bloggers-blog-hop-2/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

Stitching The Night Away has started hosting a blog hop twice a month and I decided to join in.  It sounds like lots of fun!  So, here is the first question:

Have you ever had a case of the “stitching blahs” where you just didn’t want to stitch? Or maybe it was more like you didn’t get to stitch because you were busy and that created a chain reaction sense of the “blahs” and led to even less stitching…. sort of like a case of “the Mondays” that we are all familiar with. How do you handle your stitching blahs and get back into stitching mode?

Yep, I've had that problem several times.  I've found what works the best is to go through my stash and find something that I really want to start and start it!  If that doesn't do it then I make myself put in 1 thread a day - only 1 thread - for a week.  Usually by the end of the week I'm itching to put in more.

How do you handle yours??

href="http://www.stitchingthenightaway.com" target="_blank">Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.