Silk Gauze Finish and a New Start

Spring by calendar standards has arrived.  Unfortunately, we have had a cold blast following last weeks unseasonably warm (summer like) weather.  We have had frosts every night and our fruit trees may be in jeopardy.  The next couple of weeks will give us a better indication but the blueberry and peach tree buds are so sensitive to the cold and last week's warm temps had them grow more rapidly than they should.  I hope we don't lose our fruit crop but it wouldn't be the first time.  Ah, the luxury of living in temperamental New England. 

Above is a picture of my first silk gauze piece.  Not perfect but definitely a learning curve.  Something you may not know about me is that using a magnifier makes me feel sick to my stomach so my eyes and good lighting are all I use.  With all of the sunny beautiful days last week  I was able to stitch this Erica Michaels piece -- Little Bits of Spring in natural daylight.  It moves rather quickly and now I am hooked.  I can't wait to start the next one.

The other new stitchy project that I worked on this week came in the mail Tuesday and I stitched it right up.  It is Diamond Quilt Squares by Handblessings.  The charts are released once a month and you receive them free with the purchase of fabric and floss.  I substituted the Bay Leaf Jobelan for 28ct Forest Mist and I love it.  Deb at Stitches 'n Things helped me out with that and I am patiently awaiting the next month's installment.

Now back to the stitching nest to unwind after a really long day.  Happy Stitching!

A Blog Win

I recently won this wonderful chart and threads.  Ranae at Stitch by Stitch hosted a giveaway recently and this was one of the great prizes.  Thank you so much for your generosity, Ranae. 

Pins and Fob Finishes

Today has been quite chilly.  I have had a serious case of stitcher's ADD.  I keep jumping from one project to another without really making progress on anything.  I guess my mojo got caught up in last week's high temperatures and thoughts of spring.  I hope to be able to focus on something soon so that I will have a stitchy post.  I have heard back from everyone who won my giveaway so I can now share some pics.  I dont' have great photos of all of the pins but here is what I have.  If your interested in buying some counting pins of your own just shoot me an email.  The pictures below are all of the colors I created.  I also included a picture of how I package them up in a little needle book.  The last picture is a fob that I made for Jo.  Enjoy!

 

Thanks for stopping by and checking to my little corner of the world.  Happy Stitching!

New Foster Furbabies

Well, the weekend didn't go as planned.  I am very sad to say that the sick kitten didn't make it.  He passed away on Saturday morning and my heart was heavy.  Although I know I did everything I could I still have lots of what-ifs.  On a happier note, the other kittens are doing quite well. Here are the pics.

Jewel

Rio

Eva

The boys have enjoyed playing with them and getting to know them.  They are all lovey dovey and are very mild mannered.  We already have appointments with potential new families so I suspect they won't be here for very long.
  I didn't get very much stitching time in over the weekend but have been trying to make up some time this week.  I have been working on a WIP and started an Erica Michaels design on silk gauze.  I have never tried silk gauze before and I have been doing alot of over one so I finally went stash diving and pulled out the design titled SPRING.  I thought is was perfect timing since the weather here is springlike.  The birds are singing, the crocuses and daffodils are in bloom.  AAhhhhhh!  The sun feels so warm. Well, best get back to it.  I will post a progress picture when it actually looks like I have stitched something.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

Amy Bruecken Snowman Finish

Well, this week has flown right by.  I have been busy finishing up the stitching on this model.  It is an Amy Bruecken Design from her Monthly Snow People series titled "Sam-August Sampler".  It is stitched on 30ct WDW Carrot linen using GAST and WDW threads.  The part I liked the most were the embellishments.  They really finished off the design  It also uses memory thread for the mouth.  I hadn't worked with memory thread before but it really is a quick way to add demention to your needlework.  Although this isn't my preferred style of stitching his smile is quite adorable.

I also managed to make it to stitching group this week.  We have 2 new lovely ladies in our group.  I really enjoy getting together with people who have the same interests.  We are now meeting at a local library and it is quite enjoyable.  There are comfy chairs and surprisingly enough there is great natural lighting. 

We also go a new set of foster kitties.  They brought 4 of them over on Wednesday afternoon, what we believed to be 4 females.  Three are gray and white and one is black and white.  Unfortunately, one of the furbabies wasn't doing well so I took it to the vet and they determined that it was actually a boy and his prognosis isn't good.  If you could say a little prayer in your heart for this little guy I would be grateful.  I am crossing my fingers that with the IV and antibiotics that he will turn around.  I will try to post a pic of the furbabies tomorrow.  Have a great evening and I hope you get to cross some x's.

Nora Corbett Little Snowy Gray Cottage

Here is the latest model finish.  This is Nora Corbett/Mirabilia Little Snowy Gray Cottage.  LOTS of Kreinik, beads and furry stuff (Rainbow gallery Artic Rays)  The pictures aren't great because the weather has been overcast here.  The fabric is a brighter blue, Wichelt's 32ct Sea Spray.  This is part of the Snow Globe Village Series.  There are 6 designs so far and I have stitched the first 3. 

This is a closeup to show you the beading and Arctic Rays.  It was a relatively quick stitch but I always have trouble getting the Kreinik to lie flat.  I am so thankful it is Friday.  I am just looking forward to a break from the crazy week we had.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse March Update 2012

I have two finishes for this WIP update.  I finished Bent Creek's Spring Snapperland.  It is stitched on 32ct Waterlily with suggested WDW and GAST floss.  It is now at the framers and I can't wait to put it on display. 

The next finish is Grandma's Sewing Roll by Stitching Treasures.  It is from a class I took last year at Celebration of Needlework.  I vowed to have it finished before I signed up for any more classes.  This year Celebration is at the end of April so that gives me plenty of time to assemble this sweet project.  Because the project was kitted I am not sure of the fabric but the threads are Crescent Colours and DMC. Anyone going to Celebrations??  Taking any classes??

Ends for the sewing roll

Scissor fob

I am currently finishing up a model and working on an exchange piece.  I can't show you the exchange piece but I can tell you it is a Blackbird Design.  I have also been working on counting pins.  I hope to have them out to the winners soon.  I hope you have a wonderful afternoon, I am off to look at everyones WIP update.
Happy Stitching!

Happy Birthday Cosmo!!

My baby's 6th birthday is tomorrow.  It has been just about a year since he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy which was labeled terminal.  He went into heart failure and was able to pull through after lots of heavy doses of medication. The vet gave him 3-6 months at best but miraculously he is here to celebrate another birthday.  I am thankful for every extra day I get to love this wonderful boy.  He isn't super active but he does stay close.  He naps ALOT but I will take it.  He always looks so peaceful and cozy. I love this handsome boy.

Some Stitchy finishes

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I spent yesterday with my dear stitching friends.  Cathy was gracious enough to host our stitching group at her house.  It was delightful.  Lots of good laughs and wonderful food.  Who could ask for more. 

I have a couple of finishes to share that I haven't been able to post about.  I stitched them around Valentines Day but finally got around to photographing them.  The first one is a Sekas design titles Hearts and Sampler Stitches.  It is stitched on 32ct Antique White evenweave using Caron Wildflowers floss.  This piece has lots of texture and I love the way it came out.  I am planning on making it into a box top. 

Second is the February 2012 year of Smalls selection.  It is called Garden of Love by Citrouille's Designs.  It is stitched on 35count WDW Cocoa with Belle Soie silks.  I did change the colors slightly in how they were placed in the design.  The only thing I don't like is the way the varigated thread played out.  I probably would have preferred using solid colors to have better control over the color change.  Lesson learned.  My plan is to use this as a journal cover.  I am going to experiment and see what I come up with.

Aren't those little flower buttons adorable.  I was at Joanne's Fabrics recently and they have redone their button aisle, finally.  There is a huge selection of different colored buttons as well as funky shapes.  It's worth checking out if you are a button junkie. Lots of choices.

Well, back to the stitching chair.  I am currently working on a WIP and making good progress.  Once I finish the WIP I will continue working on Sturbridge Box.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

And the winners are . . .

Wow, how wonderful that I had so many people enter my giveaway!  The winner of the Initial Scissors fob is
Jo who can't think of a clever nickname!  Congrats Jo.  I was so happy to have so many entries and truly wish I could send each of you a set a pins but there just aren't enough hours in my day.  I did decide to increase the number of winners to 10 and will host another giveaway soon!! So ladies, here are the winners:
Moonbeam (Bobbi)
Pat Matejcak
Jan
Mouse
Maggee
Nicola
Stitching Cat
Joyce (Happy Birthday)
Calamity Jr
DonnaTN

Congratulations.  Please email me your snail mail address so that I can send them out as soon as I make them.  Thank you all for entering and stay tuned for another giveaway soon!