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tavaf

@tavaf

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Wife, mom, cook, newbie needlepointer and wannabe rancher w/dogs, a cat, chickens, cows and 3 donkeys.

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💌🧵 STITCH MAIL MONDAY: ROAD EDITION! 🚗✨

Y’all, I had a little kitting fun this weekend at Chandail Needlework and @howdyhoneyneedlepoint and I’ve got some pretties to share! A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and some lagniappe thrown in for good measure! 💁‍♀️

🐔 Thread Chicken from Kit & Caboodle — If ever there was a canvas made for me, this might be it! Considering my recent victory playing actual thread chicken, you KNOW I had to have this one. SO much fun to stitch!

🐰 Dream Time by Maja Lindberg, purchased from A Stitch in Time — Y’all, this bunny is too stinkin’ cute! Picked up some Fuzzy Stuff because obviously this little darling needs to be properly fluffy. We have standards around here!

🪡 Serial Hobbyist from Friend of Mine — Well, if that isn’t a personal attack disguised as a needlepoint canvas! 😂 I see a pillow in my future. Sometimes you just have to embrace who you are!

❤️ Love You Big Time from Fence Line Needlepoint — The name says it all! Sometimes sweet and simple is just what you need.

🌼 Garden Club Daisy from @morganjuliadesigns — Last but certainly not least, a little flower power! Who doesn’t need a happy little daisy? Pure sunshine on canvas!

Now, for something you’ll have to wait until next week to see! 👀

The fabulous Saira at Chandail helped me kit the top portion of my VERY FIRST needlepoint stocking! Y’all… BEADS! CRYSTALS! SHIMMERING THREADS! OH MY! ✨ She also helped with stitch selections, and I cannot WAIT to get started!

Did I remember to take pictures before leaving town? Of course not! 🤦‍♀️ So you’ll have to wait until next week for the big reveal. Consider this your sneak peek without the peek! 😂

And rumor has it Lycette might be on this week’s itinerary. 👀 No promises, but a girl does need to know where the good needlepoint shops are, doesn’t she? 💁‍♀️

Good threads, fun canvases, and a little something to look forward to. I’d call that a pretty good Stitch Mail Monday!

#StitchMailMonday #NeedlepointCommunity #NeedlepointLove #NeedlepointStash #lagniappefarmandranch taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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3 days ago

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6 days ago

WIP Wednesday: NDLPT ADHD Edition 🪡

Four canvases. Four different stages of “WIP-iness.” Does this mean I have NDLPT ADHD? Possibly. But in my defense, they ALL have their own project bags, which means I can grab whichever one speaks to me at a moment’s notice. That’s not chaos. That’s organization with options.

And before anyone asks about my Arizona and Texas Bluebonnet Heart canvases currently residing in WIP purgatory… those don’t count. We’re not discussing them today. 😂

My main character at the moment is this Chicago beauty from Third Coast Stitches. I finally cracked the code on those vintage Chicago fire bricks, so she has my full attention—complete with arguably the cutest little Chicago Bean needle minder from Kit & Caboodle.

And speaking of Kit & Caboodle, Nick and his team have the BEST Chi-Town needle minders. But they’re definitely not a one-trick pony. Their collection is growing daily and goes way beyond Chicago-themed needle minders, so you seriously need to check them out. Cute is important, obviously, but that magnet better WORK. A cute needle minder that can’t hold on tight is just window dressing, and I have standards.

Then there’s my “Oh How She Loves to Be Home” canvas from August Design Works. She has a very specific job: Passenger Princess Needlepoint. 👑🚗 She’s 13 mesh, which makes it considerably easier to stab the correct hole while somebody else is doing 60 mph. Safety first, people. 😂

So yes, I have options. Yes, I have project bags. Yes, there are abandoned WIPs we are choosing not to acknowledge. And yes, I know exactly where all of them are.

That sounds suspiciously like a system to me.

And STAY TUNED for Finishing Friday because my second canvas EVER, the Blue Longhorn, is back from the framer—and she is absolutely FABULOUS. 💙🤘 She deserves a post all her own.

#WIPWednesday #Needlepoint #NDLPT #ChiTownNeedlepoint #LagniappeFarmAndRanch by @tavaf

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8 days ago

Pulled out my “Second City” Chicago canvas from Third Coast Stitches today. This one has had me stumped for a bit because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the background — I just had to figure out how to make it work.

The inspiration? Those vintage Chicago Fire bricks. 🧱

The trick was getting the scale right. Too big, too small, wrong proportions…and the whole thing would be off. After a little needlepoint math, a whole lot of counting canvas, and some sketching, I finally got the ratio figured out and mapped the bricks onto the canvas.

And I think this laid out REALLY well!

I kitted the focal point while I was at Third Coast Stitches, but I knew those bricks couldn’t be a solid color. That just wouldn’t be true to the inspiration. So I worked with the ladies at The Courtly Canvas to find the perfect variegated Threadworx threads to get all that variation you see in the real bricks.

Check it out alongside my inspiration photo, the freshly sketched brick layout, and all those threads ready to bring it to life.

Now that I’ve solved the brick problem, I suppose it’s time to actually stitch them. 😂

#Needlepoint #ChicagoNeedlepoint #ThirdCoastStitches #ChicagoFireBrick #LagniappeFarmAndRanch taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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11 days ago

THREAD CHICKEN: MARCELLUS EDITION 🐙🧵

Played a dangerous little game of thread chicken with the background on Marcellus — officially the “Octopus” canvas from August Design Works’ Sea Creatures collection that I picked up from Needle Nook of La Jolla.

AND I WON. 🙌

Was I confident? Absolutely not.
Was I mentally calculating how many stitches were left versus how much thread was dangling from my needle? Absolutely.
Was I prepared to be personally offended if I ran out with 12 stitches to go? Also absolutely.

But LOOK AT THAT — crossed the finish line with thread left!

And by “thread left,” I mean enough to claim victory. We’re not getting carried away here. 😂

So yes, Marcellus is officially FINISHED! 🐙

Is this an official Finish Friday post? Nope. Are we going to toast his completion anyway? You bet we are. 🥂 He may just make another appearance on Finish Friday for the celebration he deserves.

#Needlepoint #ThreadChicken #NeedlepointFinish #NeedlepointHumor #lagniappefarmandranch taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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11 days ago

WIP Wednesday: ✈️ Plane Stitching Edition

Just over 24 hours ago, my August Design Works “Marcelus” boarded the plane without a single stitch laid down. Today? We’re knocking on the door of 50%. Not too shabby for a little airplane stitching! 🐙🧵

And because I’d already stitched my way to the Silk Lamé Braid that I didn’t have, a stop at Waste Not Needlepoint in Arlington was in order. Lori was SO helpful getting me what Marcelus needed—and, naturally, I didn’t leave with just that. A few more threads and some ribbon for my Texas Bar Cart somehow came along too. You know, since I was already there. 🤷‍♀️

So I guess the Texas Bar Cart is next in the lineup… at least until I get that stocking kitted. The scroll frame is already here and waiting, and once that stocking is ready to go, everybody else better get comfortable on the bench. 😂

For now, Marcelus and I have some more stitching to do!

#WIPWednesday #PlaneStitching #Needlepoint #AugustDesignWorks #LagniappeFarmAndRanch taken in Washington D. C. by @tavaf

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15 days ago

A little airplane stitching today because “Marcelus” is FINALLY getting started! ✈️🧵

This August Design Works octopus canvas has been patiently waiting his turn, and apparently 30,000 feet is where he’s making his debut.

Canvas out, threads ready, and I’m about to put in the very first stitch. 🐙

#Needlepoint #PlaneStitching #AugustDesignWorks #LagniappeFarmAndRanch taken in George Bush Intercontinental Airport by @tavaf

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17 days ago

Apparently this weekend’s kitchen theme was “we have range.” 😂

First up — homemade chicken pho! And when I say homemade, I mean I was WAY outside my normal cooking lane on this one. Big shoutout to @madelinemehria for the recipe. I watched her video more times than I care to admit, pausing along the way so I could actually write everything down.

We used a rotisserie chicken, roasted the bones along with shallots and ginger, and made that gorgeous broth from scratch. And y’all… YUMMY. 🍜

For once, I actually followed the recipe. No freelancing. No “this looks about right.” No Cajun measuring system. I knew I was out of my element, stayed in my lane, and it turned out AMAZING.

Then tonight we came right back home with Dirty Red Beans and cornbread. Big thanks to @britscookin for this recipe!

Now THIS is where I was comfortable enough to return to my regularly scheduled programming: recipes are suggestions. 😂 I added andouille sausage, doubled the recipe because leftovers are the whole point, and of course used Blue Runner red beans. You just can’t beat them.

And that cornbread? My Gran’s old-school #10 cast iron skillet and two boxes of Jiffy. Nothing fancy. Nothing needs fixing. That skillet has probably made more pans of cornbread than I could ever count, and it’s still my favorite.

So we went from roasted chicken bones, shallots and ginger for homemade pho to Blue Runner, andouille and Jiffy cornbread.

International cuisine one day. South Louisiana comfort food the next. I contain multitudes. 😂

#LagniappeFarmAndRanch #HomeCooking #ChickenPho #DirtyRedBeans CajunCooking taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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17 days ago

State of the Stitch is here. No, this did NOT all happen in one weekend. This covers several weeks. Respect the timeline.

First Alexa Needlepoint Designs stocking from Chandail Needlepoint, un-kitted & awaiting her thread destiny! Nashville Needleworks threads for other projects, too.

Rachel Barri Designs sale finds: Call Me Old Fashioned, Dirty Girl (yes, mine) & I Can’t, I’m Stitching. Sparkle & sequins coming.

Shop-local Howdy Honey thread rescue—hopefully color-swap drama solved!

Capital F Finish on my Meg Francez/MF Needlepoint alligator bag tag. 🐊 Peep the progress!

Louisiana flair: ⚜️Sir Saint & an alligator needle minder from Needle Nola.

LSU “Gingham Style” from WipStitch. 💜💛 Quick satin & scotch stitches, but not done in time for the Tigers. Clearly, that was the problem.

Kit & Caboodle: Chicago Bean needle minder, my favorite food group—BUTTER—and Thread Chicken canvas to match her needle minder. Thread Chicken? Ask me. It’s real, stressful & every stitcher plays it. Nick’s note & tiny bag for a threader and needle—sweet touches.

THE WHITE WHALE: Morgan Julia Designs Texas Bar Cart, exclusive to The Courtly Canvas. FINALLY mine & kitted! Look at those colors & twine for the lasso. Sparkle is coming, plus yellow ribbon for the Yellow Roses of Texas. They hosted a Penny Linn popup. Met Krista & Missy, the NYC store manager—lovely ladies! Grabbed the Hairspray Playbill & threads. That hair NEEDS sparkle. My sweatshirt arrived, but at 95° it’s seasonal décor.

Tuck & Thread canvas destined for a rattan tissue box cover. Met the designer recently and this was her idea.

Morgan Julia Designs Stone Crab Claw from the Needle Minder of the Month Club—my favorite crab!

Also: Brush & Bow self-finishing bag tag, Spoonflower fabrics & Rittenhouse Needlepoint’s latest Threadlines plus MUCH-needed Tilli Tomas Essentials & DMC color cards. No more “that is NOT the color it looked like online.”

Mail. Shopping local. WIPs. Finishes. Sparkle. Sequins. Thread Chicken. A White Whale captured.

THAT’S a State of the Stitch. 🪡

And again… a few weeks.

#Needlepoint #NDLPT #stateof taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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24 days ago

State of the Stitch is here. No, this did NOT all happen in one weekend. This covers several weeks. Respect the timeline.

First Alexa Needlepoint Designs stocking from Chandail Needlepoint, un-kitted & awaiting her thread destiny! Nashville Needleworks threads for other projects, too.

Rachel Barri Designs sale finds: Call Me Old Fashioned, Dirty Girl (yes, mine) & I Can’t, I’m Stitching. Sparkle & sequins coming.

Shop-local Howdy Honey thread rescue—hopefully color-swap drama solved!

Capital F Finish on my Meg Francez/MF Needlepoint alligator bag tag. 🐊 Peep the progress!

Louisiana flair: ⚜️Sir Saint & an alligator needle minder from Needle Nola.

LSU “Gingham Style” from WipStitch. 💜💛 Quick satin & scotch stitches, but not done in time for the Tigers. Clearly, that was the problem.

Kit & Caboodle: Chicago Bean needle minder, my favorite food group—BUTTER—and Thread Chicken canvas to match her needle minder. Thread Chicken? Ask me. It’s real, stressful & every stitcher plays it. Nick’s note & tiny bag for a threader and needle—sweet touches.

THE WHITE WHALE: Morgan Julia Designs Texas Bar Cart, exclusive to The Courtly Canvas. FINALLY mine & kitted! Look at those colors & twine for the lasso. Sparkle is coming, plus yellow ribbon for the Yellow Roses of Texas. They hosted a Penny Linn popup. Met Krista & Missy, the NYC store manager—lovely ladies! Grabbed the Hairspray Playbill & threads. That hair NEEDS sparkle. My sweatshirt arrived, but at 95° it’s seasonal décor.

Tuck & Thread canvas destined for a rattan tissue box cover. Met the designer recently and this was her idea.

Morgan Julia Designs Stone Crab Claw from the Needle Minder of the Month Club—my favorite crab!

Also: Brush & Bow self-finishing bag tag, Spoonflower fabrics & Rittenhouse Needlepoint’s latest Threadlines plus MUCH-needed Tilli Tomas Essentials & DMC color cards. No more “that is NOT the color it looked like online.”

Mail. Shopping local. WIPs. Finishes. Sparkle. Sequins. Thread Chicken. A White Whale captured.

THAT’S a State of the Stitch. 🪡

And again… a few weeks.

#Needlepoint #NDLPT #stateof taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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24 days ago

Ok, so no Saturday State of the Stitch… maybe we’ll have a Sunday State of the Stitch. 😂 But never fear—my other favorite hobby is here to save the day: cooking!

Getting ready for LSU vs. Ole Miss tonight meant one thing around here: there was going to be a good pregame meal coming out of this kitchen. 💜💛

Tonight’s menu: Shrimp Spaghetti, courtesy of a recipe from John Folse’s mom. We’ve made this one a few times now, and it never disappoints.

And when a recipe starts with 5 pounds of shrimp, you know two things:

1. We’re eating GOOD.
2. Leftovers are absolutely guaranteed. 😂

That second part may be one of my favorite things about this recipe because it freezes beautifully. Tuck some away in the freezer, cook up fresh pasta later, and suddenly you’ve got a quick weeknight meal that tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.

Now we eat…and then it’s game time.

GEAUX TIGERS! 🐯💜💛

#LSUTigers #GeauxTigers #CajunCooking #ShrimpSpaghetti #LagniappeFarmAndRanch taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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a month ago

It’s been a busy couple of weeks so I’m planning a little Saturday State of the Stitch tomorrow to catch up on Stitch Mail, WIPs, and finishes…but with a BIG LSU game tomorrow night, this girl deserved an early debut. 💜💛

Y’all, look at this find from WipStitch!! Isn’t she a BEAUT???? 🐯

And I KNEW I did good having WipStitch kit this one for me! She just showed up in Wednesday’s mail, and there is no way I could have made it to my LNS to pull threads. Instead, everything I needed was right there, and I had her on the stretcher bars and started last night. 🙌

Now she’s already halfway done! At this rate, a late-night stitch session might just have her finished and ready for kickoff tomorrow night. Because apparently sleep is optional when there’s LSU needlepoint involved. 😂

And can we talk about my Elizabeth Brooke Corner Minders? Love them…but clearly this situation has exposed a serious deficiency in my needlepoint supplies. I NEED A PURPLE SET. 💜😂

Now the real question is…how late am I willing to stay up tonight? 👀

And stay tuned for tomorrow’s State of the Stitch update. LSU isn’t the only Louisiana football team getting a little needlepoint love around here. WHO DAT! ⚜️🖤💛

GEAUX TIGERS! 🐯💜💛

#LSUTigers #GeauxTigers #Needlepoint #WhoDat #LagniappeFarmAndRanch taken in Lagniappe Farms by @tavaf

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a month ago