Shores of HRH Block 3

I am enjoying stitching this wonderful design but this block had lots of tiny x's.  I made one tiny change.  The mermaid was charted to be stitched white but she looked haunted to me so I changed her to a flesh color.  As I am stitching, I long for the warmer temperatures of summer and the relaxing days at the beach.  Here is a picture taken at Duxbury Beach here in my home town.  I hope it brings some sunshine"y" warmth your way.

 

In my stitching chair I am working on exchange pieces, 1 down 2 to go, working on Lilac Pixie for mom's birthday, started a SAL with Carol and making progress on Block 4.  Do you stitch in rotation??  I find that I can get more accomplished if I plow right through and not get distracted by a new project.  I would prefer to work on only one thing at a time but there are some projects that are portable and others that are not.  My stitching bag travels where ever I go (kind of like a security blanket) even if I don't stitch I know that I can.  What type of project do you travel with??  Mine are usually small with fabric that I can see without lighting.  Usually 28ct or 32 ct.  I find that exchange projects are perfect travel projects. Well, off to start dinner and evening activities with the boys.  Hope you find time for stitching this week! Happy Stitching!

 

 

Home from the Framers

 

As we head into another weekend, yet we are faced with another snow storm.  Here is a quick snap of the back yard at the start of the blizzard.  Once the winds started up it was a complete whiteout so there aren't any pics of that.

 

This is a snap of the bird feeder outside of our picture window in the kitchen. 

Here is a snap of the Cardinals at the feeder the morning after the blizzard.  As you can see the snow was no big deal to them.

Once power was restored to the area and our phone powered up there was a message from the framer.  I tried someone new because of location.  My other frame shop is just to far to travel so I tried a local framer and he was awesome.  Very helpful and his rates were competitive.  The first up is Blue Ribbon Designs Read between the Lines.  I chose a beaded mahogany finish and I love how it turned out.

 

Next is my son's bar mitzvah sampler.  I don't typically get pieces matted and I never choose gold frames but with the advice of the framer I went for it.  I do have to say I dreamt every night about how awful it was going to be until I saw it.  It came out beautifully.  My son loves it and quite frankly that's all that matters. 

This is a close up of the mat and frame.  Lovely isn't it??  On the stitching front, not much to report.  I finished Block 3 of Shores and moved on to Block 4.  I have started a new SAL with Carol but didn't like the fabric so I swapped it out and I am working on some exchange pieces. Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  I hope you have a chance to get some stitching done.  Happy Stitching!!

 

Not so "Crazy" Love

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!  We made it through our 2013 Blizzard and now life resumes back to normal.  We lost power last Friday at 7pm and regained power Tuesday at about 5pm.  We got 24+ inches of snow and really high winds.  That resulted in lots of downed trees and power lines.  We were pretty much closed in on our street as several trees fell and blocked the roads.  It is amazing to me how much we relie on electricity.  Without my OTT light very little stitching occurred.  I stitch most evenings and missed it terribly.  Before the lights went out I was able to complete this sweet design.  It is by Cross-eyed Cricket titled "Crazy" Love.  It has that title because it is originally charted with the L reversed but she also had it charted with a normal L for those of us who are less "crazy".  I stitched it on 30ct For the Cure linen by R&R which is a baby soft pink and used DMC threads because I didn't have the recommended silks in my stash.  I am hoping to find a frame that will compliment it.

 

Shortly after finishing that sweet design I kitted up this one featured in Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine.  It is Key to My Heart by Cherrywood Designs.  I am using the same fabric as the previous design with the recommended Overdyed threads.

Once we got power back I picked up Shores and am making good progress on block 3.  I should be able to finish it today and hopefully share a pic next week.  I hope you all have a lovely weekend filled with stitchy goodness. Happy Stitching!

Just Cross Stitch Magazine

 

Do you stitch from magazines??  Which are your favorites?  Why do you like them?  Do you read your magazine cover to cover?  Well,  I subscribe to 3 needlework magazines: Just Cross Stitch, Cross Stitch and Needlework and Sampler and Antique Needlework.  I love them all for different reasons but obviously because they are cross stitch magazines. I fell in love with the Menorah Pattern in Just Cross Stitch and had to stitch it.  It is designed by Sharon Pope.  I stitched it on PTP Gothic fabric with the recommended DMC fibers.  Sorry for the bad pick but I took a quick snap before it heads to the framers.

Alot of the magazines give you finishing instructions, great charts, interviews with designers and some history about different types of needlework.  If you haven't browsed one of these publications I highly recommend it.  Most shops carry them and I have found some at Barnes and Nobles and now Target even carries Just Cross Stitch :)

 

 

Thank you all for stopping by and visiting my blog.  Happy Stitching!

Shores of HRH Block 2 Finished

I finished Block 2 of Shores of Hawk Run Hallow by Carriage House Samplings last week.  I thought this block was a bit faster to stitch but there are still many little stitches they are just spaced out a little more.  I am now about 2/3 of the way through Block 3 and love it. 

The weather is still in the 20's so I am finding it easy to stay in and stitch.  According to Mr. Groundhog our spring will be quick to come so I would imagine my stitching time will lessen.  Have you seen the previews for Spring at HRH?  Is anyone thinking about stitching it??  I am looking forward to Spring Market and seeing what the designers will release. 

I hope you have a wonderful day.  Thanks for visiting and as always Happy Stitching!

 

I got some great mail recently.  My good friend,  Pat  sent me this wonderful package as an exchange gift.  She made me a delightful little box which now houses my needlework necessities (needles, scissors, pins etc.)  She stitched a LHN design on the top.  The perfect little blue house.  She also enclosed many other goodies.  A glittery ruffle scarf that has mini pom-pom edging, hand cream, lip balm, room fragrance, needles and silver charms which I will most definitely use to make some beaded fobs.  Thank you Pat for the cheerful package.  I LOVED it all.

 

In my haste to mail her package out I didn't get a picture of the contents.  All I have is a picture of the stitched piece.  I finished it into a darling little pillow ornament that had beaded edging and co-ordinating ribbon hanger.  It is a Little House 2012 Ornament.  I liked it because it can be used for Winter as well as Valentine's Day.

I am leaving you with a closeup picture of my kitten, Wes.  He was engaging in some serious cat TV.  I had just filled the feeders and he was completely enthralled.  He is such a cutie pie which has coined him the name Wessie-pooh. 

I hope you have a really wonderful weekend filled with "Stitchy goodness!!""  After a really tough couple of weeks I am looking forward to cozying up in my favorite chair with needle in hand.

Happy Stitching!!