Antique Road Trip

O'Neil's Antiques

I know when I set out to write this blog I wanted to focus on crafts, family, and life in NYC. Well I can't help it is my love of crafts and family are also tied into my love of travel. This Thursday (yes during the blizzard) my family and I started out on a road trip from New York to North Carolina to visit some family. Since the weather was bad we decided to drive about half way and spend the night near some of our favorite antique stores around the Delaware/Maryland border on Rt. 13. If you haven't figured it out already I am infinitely interested in tradition. I am a firm believer in understanding your roots before you can grow and spread your branches. So I guess it is no surprise that antique store amuse me. Walking through an antique store is like walking through a mini time capsule.

Loving all the books I found

One of our family's favorite antique stops is O'Neil's which is a few miles before you hit Maryand.  We have been coming here for years and absolutely love the big collections of estate jewelry, antique furniture, and treasures spanning a few centuries worth of nostalgia.  We were saddened to see that within the next few weeks the store will be closing.  The lovely couple who owns O'Neil's have decided after over 25 years they will be retiring.  On the bright side appointments can still be made to view their jewelry at their home.  Since everything was pretty much on clearance I went to work digging through each section looking for treasures. (Yes that is me sitting on the floor exploring craft books... the owners did say to make myself at home :)

Maybe I'm addicted, but at least its a healthy addiction

While there are so many beautiful things I would love to buy I decided I would focus this expedition on finding craft books, patterns, tools, and supplies.  I love looking through books to get ideas.  Many of the crafts I grew up with in my family seem to have faded as video games and computers have become the way to entertain so its pretty difficult sometimes to find resources.  Antique stores are a great place though to find these lost treasures.  Usually I feel lucky if I find a book or two but this trip I guess I was rewarded for braving the winter weather.  I  found so many craft resources that I actually had a hard time picking which books to buy and which I had to leave behind. With just two antique store stops I had literally piles of new craft goodies.  If you are looking for a cost effective place to load up on supplies antique stores, thrift shops, and yard sales are a good place to start.

Holding some of the new craft stash!

As for our followers, you can look forward to many new items in our Etsy Shop within the next few months.  The hardest part is going to be deciding where to start!  There are so many good ideas that inspire new items for my personal collection as well as the shop.  I even found some patterns I remember my Nannie working on when I was a little girl.  I love when we find little trinkets that remind us of our past.  Nannie was such an important part of why I am the crafter I am today so those things that remind me of her are extra special.  Antiquing turned out to be a successful part of the trip but we still had a few hours drive until we could begin our weekend getaway with some of our Southern relatives so we once again hit the road.  While flying is definitely a faster way to travel I wouldn't give up our road adventures for the world.  There is nothing like meeting new people, discovering hidden sight seeing gems, and spending time with your family.

We continued driving down south and decided to take a route that would bring us over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  For those of you who have never traveled this strip it is a combination of tunnels and bridges with a beautiful view of the water.  We were lucky enough to hit it just as the sun was setting.  The view was so colorful that we decided we couldn't just quickly pass it by.  Instead we stopped at their rest area.  There is a restaurant there with water views as well as a gift shop and convenience area. It is also a great place to stop and take a few family photos or just enjoy the spectacular view.

After all the snow we have had in New York this year it was incredibly refreshing to stand by the ocean on a warm day, listen to the seagulls and the churning of the water, and watch the sunset.  On that note, I will update our readers next post on the rest of the trip!

A sunset so perfect it almost doesn't seem real

For Part II of our road trip adventures click here!

 

A Finished Cross Stitch

A few weeks ago I told my readers about a very special project I was asked to finish.  A wonderful and supportive woman had started a "Footprints In The Sand" cross stitch for her nephew.  Unfortunately she did not have the chance to finish the piece.

While I had no experience with cross stitch I was honored that I was asked to finish such a meaningful craft. I began right away, and learned as I went.  Thank you to any of my readers who left comments and private messaged me with tips on how to make the cross stitch come out right.  After many nights adding (and sometimes removing) stitches, the cross stitch is finished. 

I am proud that the piece is complete, but it is also bitter sweet in a way.  Ending that last stitch in a way was like letting go of another little piece of Donna.  She will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope that when her family looks at this cross stitch they are reminded of all the happy memories.  It may have been my hands that finished the project, but it was her heart behind this beautiful gift.  Her sister told me Donna was so determined to give this gift that she wore three pairs of magnifying glasses so she could see the stitches she placed on the tree tops.  While she could have easily bought a finished product it was a labor of love.

Once I finished stitching the canvas, I looked it over once more, making sure I did not miss any stitches.  Then I ironed it, back side up, on my iron's linen setting. It didn't take much, just enough to get rid of any of the wrinkles cause by the tension loop.  After, it was ready to be placed in a frame.  Take a look below at the finished cross stitch hanging in the home of Donna's loved ones.

Crafting Away- More Cross Stitch Tips

I am still working on the footprints cross stitch.  Thankfully I am stabbing myself less, undoing tangles and knots less, and accomplishing more (with fewer mistakes)... I guess I am learning by trial and error.  While it doesn't seem like I have accomplished all that much I am happy to report I have completed five colors on the pattern so far.  I have been busy with some craft orders as well so the progress hasn't been as fast as I would like.  I love that the little blue Xs are becoming a beautiful nature scene and I can't wait to see the finished piece.  In addition to the cross stitch tips and tricks I recently posted, I've also learned:

• As you stitch the thread becomes twisted.  Stopping every once and a while to let the thread and needle hang will help prevent tangles and knots.  The weight of the needle will allow the hanging thread to unwind making it less likely the thread will cause you trouble.  
• While some crafters I spoke with disagree, I find it easiest to work with one thread color at a time.  While more experienced cross stitchers may prefer to have multiple threads going at once, I find it easier to follow a pattern and keep the cross stitch neat by working one color start to finish before beginning the next color.
•  The patterns for cross stitch can be hard to follow.  There are a lot of tiny symbols each representing a color and stitch and many of them can look a like.  One way to keep track of what you have done and what remains is to highlight the stitches that are complete.  



Bobbins

• A system to keep track of your threads is very important.  Who knew there were so many thread options?  It may seem easy to remember which thread is which now but your best bet it so start a storage system.  I have seen some people just wrap the thread in the wrapper and staple it so it stays snug. While this might work well for larger amounts of thread, small scraps that may come in handy later need a better system.  I found a pack of cheap pieces of cardboard (also come in plastic) called bobbins.  These little helpers keep threads organized, tangle free, and you can write on them to easily identify a thread number.  These bobbins can then be stored loosely in a bag, on a ring, or they even sell special cases fits just for this purpose. 

Cross Stitch Tips: Beginner Lessons Learned

In my last post I wrote about my latest project, a very special special cross stitch project.  This is the first time I have experimented with cross stitch.  A few pin pricks and mistakes later I have learned a few things that would make cross stitch easier for a beginner.

• There are two main forms of cross stitch, the first is stamped cross stitch.  This is the type of project i am currently working on.  It is much easier for beginners as there is a print on the canvas to guide your stitches.  The other form counted cross stitch gives you more deign freedom but takes more skill.
• Separate the thread (typically comprised of 6 strands).  Depending on the tightness of the canvas weave you should divide the wider thread and make either 2 or 3 strand sets.  Straighten and unwind the threads before using.  If you leave them even slightly curly/kinky it is more likely a tangle will form when working.
• Buy a needle threader!  I can not emphasize this enough.  I try my best to conserve my resources when crafting so I tend to avoid some of the "make it easier" accessories.  On more than one occasion I have passed over a needle threader in craft stores.  Why spend even a few dollars on something I can do without. right? WRONG! It is easy to loose your sanity trying to thread a needle with the multiple strands cross stitch thread.  There was a needle threader in the bag with Donna's cross stitch and I never want to work without one again.
•  If a tangle begins to form, do not pull the thread taunt.  Use the needle to separate the threads and determine how to undo the tangle without pulling it into a knot. One way to limit tangles is to cut your thread to a reasonable length.  I have found that it is much easier to work with thread pieces 1 8inches or less.
• Use a hoop (also referred to as a fabric stretcher).  While some experienced cross stitchers can create a masterpiece without placing it in a loop, I think it is an important tool.  These loops are designed to pull the fabric taunt and allow for even well placed stitches.  Be careful not to pull the fabric so taunt that it tears or damages the threads, but it should be tight enough to bounce a penny on.
• When you are done working for the day remove the loop.  Leaving the work in the loop for too long can damage the stitches, fabric, and even warp the loops themselves.
• Make sure you can see... this seems like common sense but one of the first obstacles I came up against was poor lighting.  The patterns may seem easy to follow at first but as your eyes get tired low light can easily lead to a mistake.  Some people also find it helpful to purchase a lighted magnifying accessory in order to aid in completing these tiny stitches and patterns. 
• Our final tip was brought to us by our reader Bobbie: "Make sure all of your Xs are going in the same direction. That the top stitch is always tilted in the same direction. This is what makes a huge difference in the end result of your piece." (Thanks Bobbie for the advice).

I hope to share some more insight as I learn this new craft.  Please feel free to share any other tips and tricks you find helpful while cross stitching.  Here is a picture of my progress so far... I'm excited all those little blue Xs are starting to come to life.

A Cherished Cross-stitch

I would first like to start by apologizing for not posting recently.  A lot has been going on in my personal life, good and bad, some of which I will update you on in future posts. One of the more difficult parts of the past few weeks has been the loss of three incredible women.  Each taught me something about life: to live every day as its your last, to find pleasures in the small things, and to believe in yourself and your dreams no matter how bad the situation may seem.  


Dealing with these loses has not been easy, but as always I have found comfort in crafts.  Working with my hands and that simple piece of string gives me the chance to be alone with my thoughts and feelings.  While looking for a new project to fulfill this need I was asked to take on a very meaningful craft. 


One of the women I lost, Donna, was incredibly supportive of my crafts.  When I doubted anyone would want something I made, she helped give me the courage and confidence to pursue my passion.  This is what Donna did best, she saw the good in each person and nurtured it.  Donna's last few years were troubled with health problems but she put her own challenges aside to better the life of others.  In the days after she passed I was struck by how a woman, who could often times not even leave her bed, was able to reach out and touch so many lives in such a unforgettable way.  It was clear the Donna's faith in God was the driving force behind her strength, compassion, and understanding. She shared this faith with her family in a special way, especially with her nieces and nephews.  


For all these reasons and more, when her family asked me to complete a project Donna had started I couldn't say no.  Donna had begun a Footprints in the Sand cross-stitch.  For those of you who don't know Footprints in the Sand is a beautiful prayer showing how God is always by our side, especially during tough times.  Donna believed in the words of the prayer and was working on the cross-stitch for her nephew.

While I have worked on many crafts in my life I have never attempted a cross-stitch.  Despite my lack of experience the meaning behind this project has me ready to give cross-stitch my best shot.  I guess Donna is still pushing me to tap into my creative potential.  Donna started the tree tops and I have started to complete her unfinished work.  Wish me luck as I stitch this cherished craft.