In my absence...

I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post.  Although I haven't had time to blog due to computer and camera issues I have been stitching.  Since my last post we took a family vacation to the Caribbean on Allure of the Seas pictured below.  My camera is not playing tricks on you the water was that blue.  I went to Celebrations of Needlework the following week.  It was fabulous and I will share my stash haul in a later post as well as review the classes that I took.  I enjoyed stitching with friends, old and new and loved catching up with some of the designers that were teaching. 

I always bring a ton of things that I want to work on and end up not getting that much accomplished.  By the way, the shopping is a HUGE distraction.

 

 

I did get to work on this La D Da piece which is part of the Prim Sisters Club sponsored by Country Sampler.  It is stitched on WDW linen and uses WDW threads.  It's called Pocketful of Posies and will eventually be made into a pocket.  I love how the colors played out even though I had a huge problem using just one strand of thread.  I like to stitch with 2 strands but followed the directions and love how soft it looks.

The next piece is a new start.  It is Winter Sampler SAL by Sara Guermani titled Sorpresa 3 SAL.  It is a year long project in below is part 1.  I still have a little bit to do and part 2 was already released.  I hope to catch up before part 3 comes out in June.  You can check out her website http://www.saraguermani.it  She has some very sweet projects.  I am using 40ct R&R Espresso linen and DMC threads. 

 

I am off to play in the gardens and maybe tackle some stitching this evening.  I am enjoying the spring days although it still is cooler than I would like I will take it.  After seeing some of the record breaking temperatures and crazy storms happening across the US I am content with what I have got.

Happy Stitching!

Hop into Spring Exchange

In March, I participated in a Stitched with Love Exchange hosted by Lainey.  It was spring themed and I received the most wonderful package from Lei.   She stitched an adorable pillow and quilted a beautiful little spring bird.  I especially loved the kite pin cushion.  She also sent some wonderful finishing supplies and a couple of charts.  Thank you so much Lei.  My package certainly brightened my day and brought a little bit of springtime my way.

 

My partner was Renee.  I tried something new.  I made her a button box.  The design is a freebie from Ink Circles.  I used GAST and Belfast linen in Mocha.  I painted a paper mache box with brown paint and mahogany Briwax.  I then lined the box with pink paper to co-ordinate with the stitching.  I enclosed some other little stitching goodies that I hope she enjoyed.

 

Last week tragedy hit Boston and I know this is not news to anyone.  I wanted to thank my friends and followers for the concerned emails and want everyone to know that my friends and family are safe.  We were away when this happened and it was difficult not being able to connect.  I am happy that they have captured a surviving suspect so that some questions can be answered.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their families.  Boston Strong!

Stitching Nest Thief

Well, what can I say.  This weekends stitching didn't amount to a whole lot.  I spent more time out of my stitching chair than in it and here is what happened each and every time I left my nest.  Miss Macy took my spot and it appears as if she truly loves the needlework I am working on. 

When asked to kindly move she just rolled over and cozied in.  Silly Kitty!!

The piece I am working on is a SAL with my stitching pal Carol!  She talked me into the Blue Ribbon Mystery sampler.  I had originally planned to start it on the blue jeans fabric by WDW but when Carol told me she wasn't happy that some of the colors weren't standing out we made the decision to switch to a neutral (a.k.a beige) fabric.  I chose 36ct Pecan Butter by Lakeside linens.  I am most of the way through Part 1 but at this rate the cat has spent more time with it than I have.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Stitching!

Spring Exchange

Well finally we have some spring time weather.  Although it is still on the chilly side we have sunshine!!  The crocuses and daffodils are poking their heads through the soggy ground but we don't have any snow on the ground at the moment so all is good. Being in New England this could change at any given time.  I haven't blog in quite some time and have lots of catching up to do.  I will spare you from an ultra long post and divide it up. 

My dear friend, Pat and I recently did a swap.  It was spring themed and we exchanged before Easter.  Below is a picture of the beautiful scarf that she knit me and a wonderfully stitched pillow.  Do you recognize the design?  It is from With thy needle.  It was one I had in  my stash and I am so excited to say that I now don't have to stitch it.  She did a lovely job with the finishing and I just love it!  She also spoiled me with some extra goodies.  Thank you Pat!

 

 

For Pat, I wanted to do a bunny themed package.  She has a pet rabbit and LOVES bunnies.  But really, who doesn't.  Love those cute little cotton tails.

I stitched a needlebook for her.  The picture below is a close-up.  It is a Homespun Elegance design titled Shamrock Bunny.  I stitched it on 28ct Clay Linen and switched up the overdyed colors but used GAST. I also used snaps for wheels on the cart and 3 mother of pearl buttons for accent.

Here is a pic of the inside.  Of course, I had to make some coordinated beaded pins to fill the needlebook.  It just wouldn't be the same if it was empty. 

 

I hope you are finding lots of stitching time and if life is getting in the way I hope it's with something fun and exciting.  Happy Spring and Happy Stitching!

Paper Flowered Eggs

My stitching mojo has been absent.  Some times things just sap all of your energy and you need a mindless task.  I usually ruche ribbon for finishing pincushions and pillows but this time I set out on a new task.  I was looking for something spring like to decorate with but not Easter.  So I decided to cover styrofoam eggs with paper flowers.  I hot glued each flower on and it took a while but it was a rewarding task.  I love the way they turned out. 

 

 

 

 

Looks like spring isn't on it's way quite yet.  We got 6 inches of snow with lots of rain on top of that and now it is all frozen solid.  They are predicting another 3" for tomorrow and a possible storm on Monday.  Good thing I brought spring indoors!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

 

When life gives you snow . . . Make snow forts

Once again we are bracing for a snow storm.  The last storm we were told that we would get a slushy 2 inches which quickly turned into 15 inches and a day off from school.  My boys spent the bettter part of the afternoon building an igloo.  It was lots of fun seeing them work together and enjoying the outdoors.

 

I have recently been stitching from magazines and found this in last month"'s Cross Stitch and Needlework.I finished it a while ago but hadn't had a chance to photograph it.  It is Key to My Heart by Cherrywood designs. I stitched it on 30 ct For the Cure linen by R & R.  I used the recommended threads and was less than thrilled that you couldn't see the words very clearly.  Since my time is so limited for stitching right now the prospect of frogging had me thinking why not just leave it.  You can see it up close and once I back the linen to make it into a pillow I think it will show up a little more.  Otherwise, oh well!!  I can't spend time stressing over my hobby when my job saps every ounce of energy from me. 

 

On  my hoop is Block 5 of Shores by CHS and I am working on a SAL with Carol.  I hope to have part one done this week so that I can share it with you.  I have also finished up 2 exchange pieces which I can't share quite yet but I am pleased with how they turned out.  One is a box and the other is a needlebook.  I hope you are all happily stitching.  Thanks for stopping by and leaving such encouraging comments.  I love hearing from each and every one of you.

 

Winter Stitched With Love Exchange

 

Last month I participated in the Cozy Winter Exchange hosted by Lainey on the Stitched with Love Exchange Blog.  I received the most delightful package from Lisa.  She sent me this cute winter themed pillow and a box of lovely goodies. I love the attention to detail on the pillow from the flower buttons to the ribbon and pin accenting the top.  Thanks Lisa!

 

The pictures below are what I sent to Lori. Some hot cocoa for those cold winter days and some stitching accessories. 

This is the piece I stitched for her.  It is called Old Man Winter from Val's Stuff. I used a purple linen because that is one of Lori's favorite colors. The fabric below the stitched piece is what I used to back the designs.  I chose threads to match the fabric and think they compliment each other quite well.  I then added a ruched ribbon trim.  I hope you liked it Lori!

 

I am currently working on the Spring Exchange for Stitched with Love and I am quite pleased with the results.  It involves lots of steps and I can't share any of it with you yet but I will soon.

What on your stitching agenda??  Are you working on a WIP or something new?  I would love to know!  Happy Stitching!