Late Summer Exchange

My stitching friend Pat and I have been participating in exchanges with each other for quite some time and she continues to amaze me with her generosity and creativeness.  We decided to have a late summer exchange since we are both entering into a very busy time in our personal lives.  She came up with the a theme of Blackbird and I love the heart pin pillow she created for me.  Isn't the birdie just darling??

 

She also gifted me with these extras.  My favorite of course is the Stacy Nash book titled my Name is Lidya.  I have already picked out the must stitch projects now I just need to find a little extra time.

Here is a quite snap of the Star Spangled Pin cushion I made for Pat.  I used the suggested GAST on 32ct Light Sand by Zweigart.  I really enjoyed this stitch.  It is from a Blackbird publication titled A Stitcher's Journey.  I will definitely be making more of these as "gifties".  I used Victoria Motto ric rac as trim around the pillow and of course made a few pins for decoration.

As summer winds down and the boys get ready to start school I am left with creating a "To Do" list.  There are so many things that have taken a back seat to summer activities that it's now time to get things back in order.  My fall will be filled with lots of painting.  I plan to refresh all of the boys bedrooms as well as our family room.  If my work schedule allows it I hope to have all of this completed by Thanksgiving as we will have a housefull.  I will leave you with a couple of beach photos I took on our last outing.  I will miss those lazy summer days and look forward to their return.

Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts

On the stitching front, I have started Autumn Jumble by Drawn Thread and recently received some model stitching which has captured my attention.  I am lovely every stitch!  I want to thank all of you who visit my blog.  You are truly appreciated!  Happy Stitching!

 

Oh by the way, did you fall in love with anything from Market??  I did and of course I overindulged.  Who can resist when you are surrounded by so many talented designers?

 

Ghoul Tidings . . . Halloween Stitches

As summer nears its end I get into the autumn stitching mood.  I am not typically a seasonal stitcher are you??  This year JCS Halloween Book had some lovely samplers to stitch up and I couldn't resist Plum Street Samplers Ghoul Tidings.  I pulled threads and fabric immediately upon receiving my book and didn't stop stitching it until it was complete.  I love the kitties and the witch is darling.  How does Paulette make a witch look cute I will never know.

 

 

Don't you love her fashionable attire??  I stitched it on 32ct Woo-steria from R&R ( a stash find) and GAST as charted. Off to the framers she will go and I will have plenty of time to display her.

And my reward for finishing a piece of course is a new start.  Really I should get back to those WIPs but when I saw my stitching friend Deborah with this one I had to stitch it!  It is Drawn Thread's Autumn Jumble.  I hope to put some x's in tonight but life always seems to get in the way.  We flew from East Coast to West Coast for 3 days and I am in a funk.  I guess they call it jet lag but I seriously can not get out of my own way.  I hope to right the cart by the weekend but I am working long days this weekend.  Any suggestions from anyone on how to recover from jet lag would seriously be appreciated.  Thank you all for visiting and giving me encouragement and stitching ideas.  I truly enjoy hearing from you and visiting the blogs of so many talented stitchers.

Happy Stitching!

Girls Clubs... Have you joined any??

 

This year I had decided to join a few different Girls Clubs.  The first was Ladies Prim Society at Dyeing to Stitch.  Threadwork Primitives and Blackbird Designs are the featured designs so it was a no brainer for me.   Then I joined Prim Sisters and Stacy Nash Handwork Club at the Country Sampler.  I thought I could stitch them up no problem before the next arrived, HA!  That was quite ambitious of me.  I did finish some from each club.

 

 

This is Blackbird designs from Ladies Prim Society.  All stitched up.  The kit included linen, fibers and fabric for a pillow finish but I am sending this one to the framer.  I love the fresh colors and enjoyed the four-sided stitch alphabet. 

This is from the Stacy Nash club.  It also was a kit that included the materials to stitch and finish as a needlebook.  I stitched it quite a while ago but just got around to a finishing day.  Love the ribbon closer but wasn't fond of the primitive stitching around the needlebook edge.  It has grown on me though!

Last but not least is a La D Da design titled Pocket of Posies.  This was from the Prim Sisters Club.  Again, an all inclusive kit with finishing materials included (except for the buttons, those are from my antique button collection).  Love the way this turned out just need some posies to stuff in the pocket.  I have quite a few wild flowers growing in the yard and thought I might try drying some out to see if they would work.

As you can see, the complete kit option works well for me.  I am usually one who stitches tons of things and they are left in a pile to be finished into something at a later date.  Since these already have the finishing supplies included it makes it easy peasy.  I am off to my stitching nest for a little stitch therapy.  Right now I am currently working on LHN Mystery and Shores of HRH.  I want to thank all of you for visiting my corner of the world and as always Happy Stitching!!