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!