Catching up

Time seems to escape us when we are busy.  Work and planning a bar mitzvah gave kept me away from my stitching and blogging but I do have a few finishes to share.  First is a beautiful finish from my stitching twin ,Carol.  This was from our summer exchange.  I believed it is a Homespun Elegance design done in my favorite color blue.

This piece is from Hand on Design.  It was a limited kit with all the finishing supplies. Quick stitch and easy finish.  I need to live by the saying...Just Be

Next, a patriotic finish.  I got the chart at the dyeing to stitch retreat from Threadwork Zprimitives and finished it in time for the 4th of July.  Love the ribbon tag that I found at Michaels.

Here is the LK LE Little Boo kit.  I finished it into an ornament for Carol as our Halloween Exchange.  Isn't the pom Pom trim perfect.

This is the ornament that Carol stitched for me.  Love the ricercari trim and the owl is perfect as we have a couple of resident owls on our property.  Just last night he was hooting away.

Thanks for stopping in!  I hope to be back soon to share a couple of more finishes. Until then, Happy Stitching!

New Season, New Starts

If you have followed my blog you may have noticed that I am not really a seasonal stitcher.  I am not fast enough to stitch and finish something to enjoy for a particular season so I work on whatever catches my eye for the moment.  I recently finished Block 10 of Shores of HRH so I rewarded myself with this little Just Nan Exclusive.  It is a Thread or Scissor Pocket and I am enjoying working on the opalescent fabric. 

Just Nan Thread Keeper

I also started Son #3 Bar Mitzvah sampler.  He has been asking when I was going to get to it and I figured I should get it done before Son #4 is called to the torah on 12/13/14.  Yes it has taken me 2 years.  What took so long you may ask. Well problem #1 is finding a bar mitzvah sampler when you have already stitched two of them and second I had to tweek the design I did find and that took some doing.  Then of course color choices and doubt about color choices.  Putting all of that aside I have started it and it is stitching up quickly. 

Bar Mitzvah Sampler

I am so busy with the start of school, finalizing plans for a bar mitzvah and working that I thoroughly enjoy putting needle to thread.  It doesn't happen often but when it does I don't want to move from my nest. I will leave you with a pic of the Danes who bring me joy, laughter and frustration on a daily basis. Have a great week and Happy Stitching!





Have you joined any SALs?

Do you like SALs? Do they motivate you or stress you out?  My problem is that I am involved in too many.  It's somewhat of a challenge and I try my hardest to keep up but often get side tracked by something new.  Some may call this stitchers ADD. I call it enjoying my much loved, often addictive hobby.  Here is the Halloween Mystery SAL from The Primitive Hare.  I have manage to keep up with this one but this isn't to most up to date photo.  It is stitched on Old Salem linen with DMC threads.

I have many more new starts and a few updates and now that the boys are back in school I hope to be back with regular updates.  I would love to hear about any SALs you are working on just in case I missed any!   Happy Stitching!

Celebrations Stash

Another belated post but better late than never.  These are pics of my stash enhancement from Celebrations of Needlework.  The next show is in St Charles Oct 8-12.  If you are in the area go an check it out.  

Jeannette Douglass always has a fab booth and here are my goodies.  Lot's of patriotic designs.  I had to have the floss keep.  It is a great size for the larger projects in my WIP pile.

Olde Colonial Designs always has a great display.  I picked up some new releases and a cute frame for the Erica Michaels piece. 

From Inspired Needle I picked up a show exclusive kits from Lindsay Lane and The Purple thread.  Gotta love a kit.  Ready and waiting to be stitched.

Lastly, Summer House had a booth and I picked up some of her new items.  Sometimes a chart viewed on the internet just doesn't grab you and then you see the model and BAM! you must have it.  I loved viewing all of these models in person.  One of the best features of a show or LNS is touching and feeling.

Well, I am off to stitch and look forward to the next time.  In closing, I leave you with a picture of Miss Maggie and Miss Daisy.  Maggie is now 6 months old and Daisy just turned 4. 

Daisy 4 years old

Maggie 6 months old

Thanks for stopping by.   I am busy stitching Shores of Hawk Run.  I have completed block 9 and now I am in "just get it done" mode.  Wish me luck.

Happy Stitching

Celebration of Needlework--Early May

I hope everyone is doing well.  I am finally able to sneak onto the computer now that school has ended.  It seems like the last two weeks have been a blur with all of the last minute concerts, presentations, award ceremonies and playoffs. I have enjoy every minute of them but I certainly am looking forward to some relaxation and down time this summer.  

I wanted to share with you the classes that I took at Celebrations.  These are pics of the models and I am slowly working my way through my own stitched versions.  Slow being the operative word of course.

The first is Jeannette Douglass' Bird Box. If you haven't taken a class with Jeannette you must.  She is a HOOT.  She also has lots of little helpful finishing techniques that make you think, Now why didn't I think of that.

Next is Busy Bee Pouch.  If the title is incorrect I apologize.  It is a darling felted wool pouch with a needlebook and strawberry pincushion that tucks safely inside your pouch.  Barbara Jackson was the instructor/designer on this sweet piece and she was lots of fun.

Next I took two classes with Jackie Du Plessis.  The Unplayed Piano Etui and The Secret Garden.  I have admired these on several blogs and decided to take them both as I couldn't decide which to take. Jackie is lovely and I enjoyed both of the classes.  The construction of the piano will be a challenge but that is what I love about classes.  Working outside of your comfort zone.

The Secret Garden is COMPLETELY STITCHED.  There isn't something on it that isn't stitched.  I am slowly working on this one but I do find the stitching very rhythmic and soothing.  This is a very special piece to Jackie and I am so happy she shared it with us.

Lastly,  This is a special stitching companion designed by Pam Reed of Olde Colonial Designs.  She taught it at the Dyeing to stitch retreat last year but I was on the opposite track so when she offered it again at Celebrations I HAD to take it. I have finished most of the stitching. Just need to add charms and finish constructing it.  I love Pam's designs for their simplicity.  She uses specialty stitches to add dimension and texture and it produces a wonderful piece.

I also took a Sewing Clamp class with Maureen Appleton.  Anyone know her??  Miss Stitch Over 1 on 40ct herself.  Well I couldn't resist this fabulous sewing clamp that she was offering and wanted to know just how she does it--Stitching over 1 on 40ct.  I enjoyed the class but do find that over 1 on 40 does strain the eyes a bit so I am saving this project for sunny days and lots of natural lighting.

So,  I know many of you are saying "Wow, that's alot of classes!"  Well, my intention was that it would keep me out of the shopping mall which I always lose control in but ladies it did NOT work. I found lots of fabulous goodies in the mall too!!  I get caught up in the excitement of being surrounded by all the stitching goodies and I also have friends a.k.a. enablers who point things out just in case I missed them. 

My next post I will share my wonderful purchases and a puppy update.  Until then, Happy Stitching!

Spring has sprung

Like most, I have been greatly anticipating spring.  I blinked and it's gone.  The temps were in the 80's followed by some rain so it really feels like summer is upon us.  I spent quite a bit of time gardening this week and now I can sit back and enjoy.  Here is a progress pic of Kathy Barricks Rebecca.  It's a lot of gray so to keep my stitching mojo going I started and finished Blackbird Designs Full Glory.  It is stitched on confederate gray using the recommended fibers.  Fun fast stitch

The news on the puppy front is not good. Two weeks ago she started with a high fever and lameness in her limbs. She was in a great deal of pain so she was started on two pain meds and antibiotics.  They have diagnosed her with a growth disorder called HOD but I have my doubts because her progress is so incredibly slow.  I am giving her extra loving but I hope that doesn't lead to a spoiled pooch.  I want to thank all of you who read my blog and spend a bit of your time with me.  I know I am not a consistent blogger but I do like to share my stitching and hear your thoughts.  Are any of you working on Blackbird SAL?  I am itching to start it but am trying to work through some of my WIPs.  Until next time, Happy Stitching!

Framed Finishes

Please forgive me for the bad pictures.  I have had major issues with my camera and now my computer is acting up.  I would love to blog more frequently but because of these issues I find it rather frustrating.  Today seems to be working in my favor so here goes.  First up is Spring In The Tulips by Just Nan.  I used the recommended Belfast linen, DMC threads and overdyed threads.  I found this to be a LONG stitch project because of the repetition but persevered and love the finished product.  It truly reminds me of an antique sampler and is much prettier in person.  It has satin stitching and beads to add texture and a little bit of over 1.  I finished it and framed it just in time for spring.

Next is the Song of the Seasons by LHN.  I changed it up a bit as I didn't want to stitch the alphabet on it.  I am pleased with how it turned out and love the frame.  It really pulls the reds from the piece.  I used the recommended fibers and linen but would have preferred a less flimsy linen.  I find that when it doesn't have enough body to it tension is difficult.

And last is Hibernation Day by Heartstring samplery.  I chose a burled maple frame and I love the simplicity of it.  I feel it really adds to the overall look of the sampler.  I have all of my samplers on one wall in my home office so that I can enjoy them.  I don't hang my pieces seasonally as I don't have lots of them framed------yet.  

 Lastly, I will leave you with an update of the pup.  Maggie and Daisy are getting along beautifully.  She is growing by leaps and bounds.  Her paws are now the size of my hands and pretty near the size of Daisy's paws. She is tipping the scales at 35lbs and is only 15 weeks old.  The vet says she is on the smaller size for a dane but they said the same about Daisy and she is 31" tall at the shoulder and 120lbs.  Ladies and gentleman, that is not a small dog.  I love to hear the padding noise of Maggie's feet when she crosses the kitchen floor.  Too Cute. Here is a pic of Daisy being a fabulous big sis and tolerating puppy behavior.

On the stitching front, I am working on Rebecca by Kathy Barrick Designs, Shores of Hawk Run by Carriage House, January Cat by NikysCreations, and Randje per Week by Annelies and Simone.

What are you stitching??  I would love to know if you stitch seasonal items, SAL, or do you stitch whatever you feel like working on??  Do you find that you choose small projects or large?  What ever it is that catches your fancy I hope you enjoy the process.  Happy Stitching!

Been Stitching, How about you??

I've been stitching and finishing and so much more.  It has been a little hectic around here.  It started with a surprise on a Friday night a little over a month ago.  I have wanted to get a new pup since our sweet Jessee passed away over a year ago.  Our Dane, Daisy seemed a bit mopey and lonely (probably just in my head)  The breeder that we got Daisy from had a beautiful litter of blues (2 boys and 2 girls) and I spied the cutest little girl in the lot.  I begged, I harassed, I pleaded only to be greeted with an emphatic "No!"  Well, much to my surprise, the day I showed interest my hubby went and reserved her. Weeks before she could even come home to us. He brought her home on a Friday night when I thought he was out having dinner with his brother.  She is the sweetest thing ever!!  My hubby named her Maggie and I call her Maggie Moo.  She is growing daily and I am loving every minute.  Here are a few pics of my sweet girl.

Okay, enough puppy pics.  Lets get down to some stitching.  I have lots to share but will keep it short with a promise to return soon. First, Primitive Hare freebie stitched for Valentine's day and stuffed with Walnut Shells to give it weight.  I used R&R fabric with WDW Baked Apple thread.

Next is Little Snow by Lizzie Kate.  Great kit stitched with included linen and DMC floss.  Framed it with a sweet little frame I found at Michaels.  You may notice the charm is not lying flat.  I fixed it after this photo was taken.  OOPS!

Next is a great little kit from Stacy Nash.  It's been in the stash for over a year but all of you folks participating in the Stitch from Stash have prompted me to have a look in my treasures.  I stitched this with hopes of springs arrival. I know it's on its way but it is taking it's sweet old time.  I used everything that came in the kit. 

That's it for today.  I am so happy you stopped by to visit and take a look at what I have been up to.  Off to take the puppy out and feed her dinner.  (Clearly treating her like a newborn and loving it)  Hope you are crossing some x's Happy Stitching!

Niky's Creations World of Smalls 2013

Last year I participated in World of Smalls by Niky's Creations.  It was an all inclusive kit that was mailed in three parts.  I finished the stitching long ago but finally got around to putting it together.  Niky's designs are primitive in style and she mixes crochet and wool in along with cross stitch.  There is a needlebook, scissor fob, and little ditty bag to tuck it all inside. Lots of fun.

I very rarely share framed pieces but thought I would show you my By the Bay SAL piece.  What I like about Donna's pieces is that she tries to size them to fit in a standard frame.  This one is 3.5 x 5 and I found it at Michaels.  I was able to frame it myself which saved lots of cash (for stash).

Have you found any goodies from Nashville that you couldn't live without.  I always go over board and this year was no exception.  I loved La D Da new releases and Blackbird always has wonderful things.  Stacy Nash and Niky had great new designs as well.  See what I mean...the list goes on and on.  

I would love to know what caught your fancy in case I missed something... Happy Stitching

A Lot of snow results in a bit of stitching

Well,  the weather HAS been frightful.  I have had my fair share of shoveling, snow and cold.  I am hoping that spring will arrive sooner rather that later.  The good part about snow is that I have been able to get some stitching time in.  I am sharing with you a finish that I did in January but haven't had a change to post.  It is called Hibernation Day by Heartstring Samplery.  I changed and added a few colors and love the way it turned out.  I use 36ct Lakeside Linens Vintage Meadow Rue. The GAST that I used where Mulberry, Oatmeal, Grecian Gold, Old Hickory, Piney Woods, Endive, Wood Trail and Pecan Pie.

I think this part of the verse is perfect.  Who wouldn't like a pajama day in front of a warm fire with their loved ones.  Thank you Beth for a great design.  Loved every stitch. Happy Stitching everyone!!  Oh by the way more snow on tap for tomorrow because Saturday's 10inches wasn't enough.