Texas Pillow...Yee Haw!

 Here is my Texas pillow.  I did this on my vacation to Kauai.  It was finished by the incredible Funda out of the French Knot in Fort Worth, Texas.

 Love the faces of the cow and cowboy!!!  Look a the cute trims Funda dreamed up!

 Yes I beaded the Texas...took forever.  Here is something interesting...I used white beading thread on the T,X,and S and red beading thread on the E and the A.  Look at the difference...same beads but thread really does matter...it changes the tone.

Yee Haw!!!

Melissa Shirley Wild Women Marilyn

 This is Marilyn!  I stitched her using an Amy Bunger stitch guide.  I really like the false eyelashes.

Again...stuffed boobs!  So hard to do but they look good.

Melissa Shirley Wild Women Betsy Ross

 This is Betsy Ross of the Wild Women series by Melissa Shirley...I finished her in 2011 (I think).

 I like the needle and thread...

I used woven ribbon stitch for the dress.  Go Betsy!!!

Woven Ribbon stitch.

Melissa Shirley's Wild Women Brunhilde

 Here is Brunhilde...she is the first Melissa Shirley Wild Woman that I attempted to stitch.  The guide was from Fancy Stitches in Cleburne, Texas. I was a very "insecure" stitcher at the time and did not trust myself to pick the stitches.  I like her but if I were doing her over again...I would have done a few things different.

 I would have done big fabulous lips!  I would have braided her hair.  The flames on her shield would be plumper. Her boobs would have really stood out...3D!   But I do like her.  I also detest basket weaving Flair!  I would have done something else to the water.  I am posting her because I think there is always an idea to be gained from other stitcher's work...good or bad/what to do or not to do.

Melissa Shirley Reindeer Christmas Stocking

 Here is my latest 18ct. project.  I try to keep an 18ct. and a 13ct. going at the same time so I do not get bored.  This is a Melissa Shirley stocking for my daughter.  I am using a stitch guide by the very talented Diana Bosworth of the French Knot needlepoint shop.  I just love the reindeers!!  Wonder why they call them reindeers?  Were there deers that actually pulled sleds? Interesting.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Melissa Shirley's Noah's Ark Stocking

 Here is a completed picture of my own stocking from a vintage Melissa Shirley canvas.  This is one of the first times I trusted my own instincts and did my own stitches.  I got some vintage thread off of ebay for the tigers...it's a really rough old wool with old fashioned tiger colors.

 I think the alligators are my favorite.  The teeth are beaded.  I like the panda's too!

 I beaded each heart/triangle decoration...that took forever!  So many beads!!!

 Another view of the top of the ark...I think the two matching birds are cute!

I used floche for the yellow background.

I started this in August of 2013 and finished it right around Christmas but it was too late for 2013 Christmas so this is the first year I will display it.

Another Halloween Cutie!

 This is a little canvas I did for Halloween...I named him Rayford after a co-worker of mine.  This is a Frank Bielic canvas for Maggie&Co.  He is a silly little guy.