Lost In Threads

Giveaway

2010-03-21T08:07:00.001-05:00

This link is to a blog that is having a giveaway. Check it out it is a sweeeet deal. You have until March 31st to check it out and sign up.

http://terrie-pruett.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-give-away.html

SCAM ALERT

2010-03-15T12:17:00.002-05:00

If you are ever in the McKinney Texas area and need work done on your car be VERY VERY careful of who you take it to! I took mine to D-Tech Automotive and got taken for a ride!!! I authorized one amount and he charged another! And because the car was fixed the bank is refusing to call it fraud even though the amount I ok'd and what he took from me were different. SO don't take your car/truck there to be fixed! I got ripped off to the tune of $100!!!

Pictures

2009-12-11T14:02:00.005-06:00

Now that I have my camera back I have several pieces to show you. This first one is Snow Happens by Glory Bee. It is stitched a piece of blue Silkweaver fabric with the called for threads. It is finished by my old finisher....prior to finding Deb. I do like this one alot and may make it again.

This one is Spring Has Sprung by Lizzie Kate. Originally charted to be stitched on a blue fabric. I changed it to a green piece of unknown origin that I had in my stash. I thought it looked better on the green. May be sending this one back to finisher to fix the fact that it's crooked.

This is one is from an old chart called Winterberry Wishes by Heartstrings I believe. There are I think 5 or 6 ornaments in the chart. This one is called Santa with Garland.

This one is Come Let Us Adore Him by Lizzie Kate. I stitched it on 40 count thinking it would turn out a little smaller than it did...should have done it over 1 for a smaller ornament. Stitched with the called for Sampler Threads.

This one is Prairie Schooler Barnyard Christmas. It is stitched on 36 count lambswool with DMC threads.

Another Prairie Schooler called Chicks I think. It is on 36 count fabric with DMC. I also stitched a hen from the same chart but didn't get the picture of the finished piece before mailing off to Mother for her Christmas.

My latest finish is Henziet's Charmed Snowman. This will be for me and I am not sure if I am going to order the frame for it or just get a frame at the framer. Maybe a pillow like the Mother one I made earlier this year. Still undecided on that

And here is my Shaker Village by Fanci That. I stitched it on the banding called for with the called for Sampler and Weeks threads. It was a killer to do all the french knots on each row by the picket fence and in the basket at the bottom. I think that I need to line the back with fabric so that maybe it will hang a little better. I really enjoyed stitching this one.

There are some others that I had done that I sent off to Mother for her Christmas package that I hadn't got my camera back yet so no pictures. Maybe next time I visit her I can get a snap and show you.

Working on Green Snowman by Shepard's Bush. I have it almost finished so should have a picture soon. Then am thinking it's time for another square of CHS's Village. Still trying to decide on which large piece to start as my Christmas day start. It's between CHS's Alphabet or Rosewood Manor's And A Garden Grew unless I find another larger one in my stash that calls me.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

PIF

2009-11-30T10:34:00.002-06:00

This a long overdue post. My daughter borrowed my camera and I had no way of posting a picture and then this morning I hit my head and said DUH! I could snag the picture from another blog! My friend Debs had a PIF a while back and I posted on her blog that I didn't think I had enough readers to do a PIF well to my surprise a package came from her earlier this month. Look at the beautiful scissor fob that she sent me! Also included were a pair of scissors. I just love how she made the ribbon part to attach to the scissor. I sure won't be losing any scissors with them attached to this. I LOVE it! Thank you so much Debs and please accept my apology for the delay in posting this.
I have a few stitching finishes to get posted and some finished pieces as well. I really need to get that camera back so I can do that. I have been stitching some but the mojo from earlier in the year is non existent....it is now getting close to a year of joblessness and I think a little depression has found it's way here. I really worry about what this country is in for yet with so many people unemployed for such a long time. Who would have ever thought there would be 10-15 million people out of work. Homeless, hungry and jobless are not the best ways for families to move into the holidays. I am not to that point yet but wonder how long before I am.

Sorry for the doom and gloom....time to find a needle and thread that always helps the mood.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping.

Another finish by Deb

2009-11-13T17:31:00.003-06:00

Here is the picture of the latest finish that Deb did for me. It is from JCS 2002, I thought it was just too big to be an ornament so I asked her to make it into a flat-fold. I really love how this one turned out. I think that bow is just the cat's meow! Can't wait to see this one up close. It may be hard for me to send it to Mother for part of her Christmas.
Just got the buttons in the mail today for my latest finish. I stitched Shaker Village by Fanci That. It is on banding and it will be a bellpull once I get all the french knots done and the buttons sewed on. There are 7 rows of houses/barns and each one has a picket fence and there are french knots to represent flowers on each. I have them done on the first row and there were 23!! Count them 23 french knots just on that row alone, I think it might take me a few days to get all those knots done. I don't mind doing french knots but have never had this many to do on a piece before. Hope to have a picture of it soon.

Tomorrow is off to stitch group where we are having a cube teaching session. I am not going to be making a cube but will sit and stitch with the girls. I should be a fun day.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Lookie Lookie!

2009-11-08T10:36:00.003-06:00

I just received these pictures of my pieces that I had sent of to a new finisher....I think I can now say that she is my finisher! :) I can't wait to see them in person the pictures of the finishes are just amazing. Thanks Deb (artisticneedle)! Can't wait to see how my other pieces are finished. The first one is Mr Rabbit from Cross Eyed Cricket. Mom was wanting ornaments for her gifts from me now and I thought he was just perfect for springtime hanging. Isn't the back with the little cottontail just the cutest?

This is February's stocking from Blackbird Designs. Since Mom's birthday is in February and she just happens to love violets I just had to stitch this one as soon as I saw it. I love the purple ribbon that Deb added it looks more elegant than with the beads as it was charted. I loved the beads but this just sends it over the top in my book.

Thanks Deb for such awesome finishes! I love them. I have been working on some more of BBD stockings and I am almost finished with Shaker Village by Fanci That. It is stitched on banding and will be a bellpull once I am finished with the stitching. After I get this stitched I think it's time to go back to Villages of Hawk Hollow and see how many more squares I can get done before the end of the year.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Birds

2009-10-28T15:34:00.003-05:00

Here is my latest finish. It is Bird Sampler by BOAF. I am not sure if the chart is still available or is discontinued like most BOAF charts. I have several but am missing some, guess I loaned them out and have forgotten where. LOL! I stitched this one with the called for Gentle Arts threads on 40 count linen. I am not sure what the exact color is I think it is Dill but could be wrong. It really was a fun stitch even though there was lots of counting and re-counting to make sure the placement of each was correct.

Mom's surgery went well...she is still in hospital but is on the mend. Hope to hear she has gotten home soon.

On the Eagles concert......my sister is such a duffas sometimes! :) It was a tribute band called Hotel California. I will say they were awesome....you could close your eyes and really believe that you were at an Eagles concert. They came out after the concert for a meet an greet so we got to talk to them for a while. It was a fun time.

Job interview really was a waste of my time. I wish they would have told me more about the job before I spent my time driving there. Oh well the search continues....hope that I find a job soon it is getting scary and I don't know what to think of it all. Who would have thought!

On the stitching front I haven't figured out what to start next. The downfall of so much stash I guess. I have a couple of in mind...maybe I will start both.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

A Little Journey

2009-10-16T23:00:00.002-05:00

I heard on Tuesday that my Mom was in hospital. I knew it would be the weekend before I was going to be able to go with surgery not being until Monday. I am leaving tomorrow for the drive to Dubuque Iowa. In all this there are a couple of bright spots....my sister has a ticket to see the Eagles on Saturday night!! I am so excited as she said there was an extra one and I could go if I wanted.....did she even need to ask?!? And on Monday I am going to have a job interview while waiting for surgery to be over. Having been out of work for 9 months and nothing but rejection letters or low low pay let's hope this one is the one. Will be back next week. Keep my Mom in your prayers she is 83 and I am not ready to lose her yet.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

I Did It!

2009-10-09T11:37:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it I DID IT! Finish a cube that is. :) I have all these square from Fair and Square and I had thought about a friendship quilt but was unsure how to add both the square and the person's name so I have them in my finished drawer. I had seen this finish before but really "thought" it would be hard. I read Vonna's finishing tutorial several times and decided I would give it a shot. Here is the finished product all except for the bow which I haven't figured out the color for yet. Ta Da!

Terry was my very first exchange partner. Look Terry I have chosen yours to be the first one. I think I may make a few more of the ones I have into these cute little things and set them on one of my shelves. I will have to figure out from the tutorial if I can make something else, I don't have the patience for that putsy stuff....can stitch for hours and hours but cutting and pinning aren't really my thing.

Seems all the rain has stopped for now not before it caused lots of problems. Pray for the 3 families who lost their young ones in a car accident. Juniors in high school and future leaders already leaders in the JROTC.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-10-08T10:53:00.003-05:00

Jennifer over at http://feathersinthenest.blogspot.com/ is having a wonderful giveaway for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Click on the link and go on over and look at the details. Hurry you only have till October 15th to sign up.
I am off to see if I can finish my Bird Sampler by Birds of a Feather today. Rain, rain, and more rain is what's in the forecast for here. I am trying to figure out if I need to start a rotation or just stick with my 1 piece at a time stitching. I will always have 1 large and 1 smaller going but I read on these blogs that some have many and work on all of them. What's the opinion does one get more done working on several at a time or just a couple?

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Halloween Giveaway

2009-10-02T09:59:00.003-05:00

Over at
http://dipdiddlydesigns.blogspot.com/ Jolene is haveing a Halloween giveaway. Sure wish I could do the fancy post where I just put her name and you can click on that and go there. This is what she is giving away. The new Blackbird Designs chart "Midnight Watch" all the threads and the fabric. Winner's choice of linen or aida. This will be a fun giveaway for Halloween. You have until October 7th to sign up.

Finish and Gifts

2009-09-24T11:50:00.003-05:00

Here is my finish of block 11 on Villages of Hawk Run Hollow. I really like they shading used in this block. I am stitching this on the called for fabric in 40 ct and using DMC floss.

This is round 15 of Fair and Square. I received these pretty squares from Heidi in Germany. She used such pretty colors of pink in the flowers. Not sure who the designer is on them as she didn't include that info.

These are the Halloween Squares from Fair and Square exchange. My partner was Maren. Didn't she do a beautiful job on them? They are from the current JCS issue the designer is Ladybug Lane Designs. I love that owl! Look at the cute spider hanging from the tree, and how Maren added a spider on her initial square as well. Thanks Maren!

This is my exchange piece from the Blackbird Exchange group. Conny included in the package that she bought the bag in Budapest baked it in coffee and tea to get the old/vintage look to the bag and then added the lace to it. She stitched the peacock from the peacock pinkeep loose feather chart making a few changes....she added some beads to the peacock inspired by her visit to China where she visited.

I am working on my 2 fair and square blocks....haven't got alot of time left to finish and get those mailed out. Can't seem to get out of my funk of not working. I don't seem to get to motivated these days. Hopefully I will get a job soon....before unemployment would run out.

Keep Stitching!

Winner!

2009-09-24T11:36:00.005-05:00

Isn't this butterfly family awesome? Over at FogCity Dweller blog Valerie was having a giveaway with these lovely butterflies being the prize. I WON!!! I never win anything and they come at a great time.....I have been kind of bummed about being unemployed for 8 months.
These are handmade and are from her family in Nicaragua. I was the lucky winner and they are now in my home. They have found a place on the real tree little table that my step-father made years ago. They look great there don't they? Be sure to click picture to get a better look at them.
Thank you so much Valerie! I love them.

Giveaway

2009-09-14T17:16:00.002-05:00

This is the giveaway of one Ornament issue and her 4 Angel Designs. Go here and take and read about it and enter if you want to.

http://mdesigns-crossstitchville.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-ornie-issue-is-here-time-for.html

Some stitching pictures

2009-09-05T12:35:00.005-05:00

This piece is a Blackbird Designs chart from their Halloween booklet from a couple years back called Trix or Treat. I chose to do this one over one on a piece of unknown fabric. The fabric is a piece that was sold by the bolt at Hobby Lobby a few years back. Not exactly sure if it's an aida or a linen :) It is like a Fiddler's Cloth in color. I had my finisher do this one as a pinkeep. I love how it turned out. This piece is for my partner in BBD exchange group.
Here is my finished stitching of the Peacock Pinkeep chart along with the needlework accessory from the chart by Blackbird Designs. I stitched it with the recommended fabric and threads. It's now ready to mail off to my finisher to be made into the pinkeep and needlebook.

Here are 2 of the ornaments that will be for Mom for Christmas. She has asked that I make her ornaments this year for her gift. I think that I now have 12 stitched and will be receiving them back from finisher soon. One is by JBW done over 1 to make it smaller and the other is by an old chart I had. Maybe I will have to wrap them and let her open one a day....ooooo maybe I need to see if I can get some more stitched and give her 25 to open one a day like an advent calendar!

Here is my Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs. I really love this piece and am planning on finishing it as a pillow instead of framing. I stitched it on 40 ct. Not the called for fabric as I couldn't find that at the time otherwise it is done as charted. I am really beginning to love stitching on 40 count! It looks so delicate and is so much smaller than on 28 count which I like since I am running out of room on my walls.

Have been working on a model for my not so local needlework shop and Villages of Hawk Run Hollow. I really would like to get it finished before I get the new Christmas one. Have you seen the sneak peeks that Kathy is giving us on her blog? I can't wait to see the entire chart it is a definite must stitch piece.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

A Small Finish

2009-09-02T21:22:00.003-05:00

Here is my 1st square on Villages of Hawk Run Hallow by CHS. I am stitching it on the called for fabric in 40 count. I am using the DMC conversion. I can't afford to spend the money for the silks there are just too many of them. I have most of the borders done and will be able to stitch whichever square I want as I go. I may do them in order and I may not will see how it goes once I finish the rest of my borders.

Be sure and go to Kathy's blog from Carriage House and see the sneak peaks she is giving of the squares from Christmas At Hawk Hollow....blocks 1 and 4 were posted today. Can't wait it's going to be awesome.

Have more pictures of finished pieces and got some back from the finisher this week. Will try to get those pictures taken and posted yet this week.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Give Away Site

2009-08-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

http://www.thedailymel.com/2009/08/16/blog-candy-time/ Go on over to this blog.... Mel is having a giveaway for her 8 year blogaversary. She has some really great things and be sure to take the time to look thru her blog. Good luck to everyone who enters!

My First Finishing Attempt

2009-08-15T00:39:00.004-05:00

Well here is my first ever attempt at doing my own finishing! It is My First Sewing Box and Fob chart by The Stitching Parlor. The original chart was done with a green box and green fabric. I was not able to find the green box mine is yellow. This was charted to fit inside a Whitman's Sampler candy tin. It was a fun stitch and I was able to get it finishe with little problem. I did have the fob stitched too but when I tried to finish it I made a boo boo so I threw it out and will re-stitch and try again. Be sure to click on it to get a better look.
I have the grandson's here overnight and I didn't get a change to start anything new until late. As usual I had a hard time choosing the next one. I finally decided on the Peacock Pinkeep Loose Feather from earlier this year. I am working on the alphabet band and hope to finish it tomorrow since we have an all day stitch group. Should be fun.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Updated Blackbird Wall

2009-08-14T09:15:00.002-05:00

Here is a new picture of my Blackbird wall after adding And To All A Good Night. As you can see there isn't much room left on this wall. I have added 6 to this wall so far this year. I guess you can say this is the year of the blackbird. :) I think you can click on the picture to make it bigger to get a better look.

Finished this week my Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs and My First Stitching Box by The Stitchin Parlor. Going to attempt the finishing of the box today...will show picture soon if I managed to get it done. What's up next? Not really sure, latest Loose Feather is on the way here or I have some other's that I haven't stitched yet or I could do some ornaments.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

New Framing & Wall

2009-08-10T12:43:00.002-05:00

Here is And To All A Good Night by Blackbird Designs. I have been searching for the "perfect" fabric for this one every since it came out. I finally found this piece from Crossed Wing Collection called Midnight and had them add the "stars" to the top of it. Does it just look like a cold starry winter's night?
This is my other wall not the Blackbird wall. I am so happy with all of the pieces that I have gotten done this year. The one in the center is the latest framing it's Green Tree by Carriage House Samplings. Also the bottom right is a new addition as well. I can't remember the exact name of it though. Signs of Spring by Annalee Waite is what I think it is. I think you can click on the pictures for a closer look.

I started Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs and had thought it was going to be my last finish for July. I had just the bottom 2 squares to fill in and figured I would make it and if not then my first one for August. Well here it is August 10th and I still don't have it finished!! I have kinda had the stitching blah's I guess. I hope to get it finished today. I sent off all my pieces to my finishers and now I want to get some more small things done so they will be ready when I get them back.

Keep on stitching NO Rippin!

Give Away Drawing

2009-07-16T12:47:00.003-05:00

I found a new blog today and she is having a drawing for a L D D
a chart. Go on over and add a comment to be in the drawing http://dipdiddlydesigns.blogspot.com/

More framing pictures to come in the next few days.

Latest Blackbird Framing

2009-05-28T12:42:00.002-05:00

Here is my latest pieces back from the framer. These are my last Blackbird Designs finishes. This one is a picture of all three of them together.

This on is their contest piece. Petites Lettres Rouges. For mine I did it in Needlepaints in shades of purple, my favorite color. I chose to add my Great Grandmother's name and birth year. I have seen some now that were stitched using both birth and death years. Wish I would have thought of that too. It is framed with a purple frame. Click on the picture for a close up it really does look good for this piece.

This one is one of the first Loose Feathers called Winter Delivery. It is stitched on the called for Cranberry Bog R&R fabric and the called for threads. I wasn't sure I was going to frame this one I was thinking a cube so it wouldn't throw the spacing of my Blackbird wall off but changed my mind and framed it anyway. Again click on the picture for a close up of the frame.

Last but not least is Sunflower Charms another Loose Feather design. This one was a really fun stitch doing the letter for your initials and the year in the 4-sided stitch. I wasn't sure about that at first but now that it's done and framed it really does look nice. Not sure where the little sparkles are coming from in this picture. My friend from stitch group Lynda was with when I was picking frames and she found this one.....it's perfect don't you think?

Back to working on some of my WIP's. I worked on my Sunflower Basket for several days last week and it's coming along. I still don't like working on it with all the multiple color changes but it's getting easier now that I have finally gotten to the 3/4 done point. Today I am going to work some more on Plum Street's Still Waters. I want to buy some more samplers but I still have to get more done from my long list of already kitted projects before I will allow myself to buy anymore.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Fair And Square Exchange

2009-05-21T02:38:00.002-05:00

Received word this morning that my squares arrived safely at Kim's house so now I can post a picture of them. These are the squares that I stitched for this round of Fair and Square. Kim likes sheep so I chose the ornament from the Black Willow Farm chart by Carriage House Samplings. I stitched it on 32ct Antique Creme linen and used both DMC and Weeks floss. I really like this one and am thinking I need to make one for myself.

I have lots of ornies finished for my Mother's Christmas. All that is left now is the finishing into the ornaments. I will be sending the 6 of them off to my finisher soon so will have those all done. Not sure how many more I will be making for her this year. I had thought an even dozen would be a nice number. I have 2 or 3 already completed that weren't finished in time for last Christmas so that helps to increase my total..

Happy Stitching NO Ripping

2009-05-08T00:30:00.002-05:00

I just put the last stitch in this piece about an hour ago. It is my first time for stitching on 40 count linen, and I love how it turned out. Here is Green Tree by Carriage House Samplings, stitched on 40 count Sheep's Straw by R&R Reproductions linen. I used Vicky Clayton silks. This was the first time that I have used her silks and I like the look of them. I had a time getting used to them they kept coming out of the needle on me. I will use them againNext up my square for Kim in the Fair and Square exchange group. I have it already to go now. Once completed it's back to Still Waters by Plum Street Samplers.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping

Blackbird Designs Contest Piece

2009-04-28T14:59:00.002-05:00

Here is my version of Blackbird Designs contest piece. I chose to stitch my great grandmother's name and birth year on it. It is stitched on a piece of 32 count antique ivory linen. I used 3 different shades of purple from Needlepaints. I used 2007, 2008 and 2009. It was hard for me to decide where the original colors were used from the printed chart so I just did my own colors where ever the mood struck to change them. I also added a couple of blackbirds with a cherry in their beaks.
Now back to my ornaments. I have been stitching lots of different ornaments for my Mother for Christmas, I have some for Christmas, I have a couple of Prairie Schooler eggs, now I am working on some carrots from Cross Eyed Cricket. I will post pictures of those once they are made into the ornies, easier to see what they are that way.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Sampler Wall

2009-04-17T18:01:00.003-05:00

Here is an updated picture of my Blackbird Designs wall. I took a new picture with the last 2 pieces that I got back from the framer. Not too much room left on this wall before I will be looking for a new place to hang them. You can click on the picture to see a bigger picture.
This wall is behind my love seat and I think there is about 20 inches before the end of wall on right before you head down the hallway and there is about 30 inches left on the left before the corner. I know I won't get all the Blackbirds I already have to get stitched on this one wall. What's a girl to do when the stitching takes over the entire wall....buy a bigger house? :) I have stitching on the other walls too!

More Framing

2009-04-15T14:11:00.003-05:00

Back from the framer with more pieces! I have more finished now that will need to be taken in soon. This one is Two Red Houses by Littlehouse Needleworks. I stitched it on the called for fabric and used the threads that were called for too.
Here is a take alongs project from The Trilogy called Friends Gather. This comes as a kit with fabric, floss and chart in a little pocket pack. Aren't those just the cutest birds?

Would a trip to the framer be complet without a Blackbird Designs piece? :) This one is Loose Feather #14 called Summer House. It is stitched on Americana by R&R Reproductions and I used the called for Weeks, Gentle Arts, Crescent Colors and DMC. I just love how this frame makes that house really pop out.

Another Blackbird Designs piece. This one is Loose Feathers #25 called Awake The Dawning Day. It is stiched on Iced Cappuccino from R&R Reproductions with the called for Weeks threads.

That's all that is at the framers for now. I have more to take but need to let the checkbook have a little break. Today I am stitching on a Just Nan piece but will be back to Blackbird pieces real soon.

Happy Stitching!

Signs of Spring

2009-04-14T21:16:00.002-05:00

Here is my latest finish. It is Signs of Spring by Annalee Waite Designs. I stitched it on 30ct Apple Brown Bindy by R&R Reproductions using the called for Sampler threads. Not sure if I want to frame it or do something else with it. It really did turn out cute and was such a fun stitch and didn't take long to stitch either.
Now on to something else.....it's either going to be some more little ornaments or back to the WIP basket and pull something out. I really want to get as many done while waiting for word that I have an assignment to do. I counted all of the projects that I have kitted (chart, fabric, floss) ready to go and I was shocked at how many I have. Makes me think it's time to work from what I have before buying any new ones.

Happy stitching NO ripping!

Spring Has Sprung

2009-04-12T11:16:00.002-05:00

Here is Spring Has Sprung by Lizzie Kate. It was charted to be stitched on blue fabric. I thought this piece of green looked more springie. I think it is either 30 or 32 count, it wasn't marked when I pulled it out of my stash. I am waiting for the little carrot button to arrive to sew it on the bottom left. I am thinking this would make a really cute cube. If not a cube maybe a pillow with a big ruffle around the edge.
Rainy and dreary here today. Good day for either stitching and watching movies or a nap. Time to go digging into my stash basket and see which piece I can drag out to work on next. Maybe even a new start.

Happy Stitching!

Sunflower Basket

2009-04-03T00:43:00.002-05:00

I really don't know why I don't like working on this Basket of Sunflowers piece. It really is pretty and will be very pretty once it is completed. I think it's all the color changes and that I don't feel like I am getting anything accomplished like when I am working on samplers as the letters of the alphabet really do stitch up quickly. Here is the way it looked before I started stitching on it this go around.

I really think that taking pictures and keeping track of this one with the before and after is helpful. As you can see from the below picture I really did make some good progress after 3 days of stitching. It's back to the basket for a while and on to another piece for 3 days.

My stitching group is having a small retreat type of thing this weekend. On of the ladies husband is going out of town for the weekend so we are all going to her house for stitching. Some of us are doing a sleepover on Saturday night. The ones that can't stay over are going to come back again on Sunday. We did this one other time her husband was out of town. We had so much fun and there was so much food to eat. I am taking low fat foods as I have been dieting and have lots 37 pounds so far and I really don't want to gain any back this weekend....not sure that is going to be possible though.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Green Tree

2009-03-31T09:57:00.003-05:00

Here is what I selected to start after finishing my last Blackbird piece. This is my progress after 3 days of stitching. This is Green Tree by Carriage House Samplings. I am doing it on the called for 40 ct Sheep's Staw linen from R&R Reproductions. I am using Vikki Clayton silks. I am really liking how it's looking so far.

This is what it will look like when I have it finished. A nice small sampler to add to my other wall. Maybe one day I will have a non BBD sampler wall. :)

Today is my day to work on the dreaded sunflower basket piece. I started this kit for my daughter since she likes sunflowers. I am all finished with the basket that is in the center of the piece and I find that the 2 shades of brown threads included in the kit are not different enough to make the basket look woven once it is backstitched and I lost my motivation to work on it. Now I set aside just 2 days per week to work on it so that I don't just let it linger as a UFO. I am hopeful that one day I will be able to finish it and give it to her, not for birthday this year as that has come and gone....maybe Christmas.

Happy Stitching

Blackbird Winter Delivery Finish

2009-03-28T12:55:00.003-05:00

Here is my latest finish. It is another Loose Feather from Blackbird Designs. This one is from the first year they started the Loose Feathers. It is Blackbird's Winter Delivery. It is stitched on the called for R&R Reproductions Cranberry Bog linen. I used 30 count instead of 28. I left off my initials on this one as it had been charted with both Barb and Alma's and I didn't think I could get it to look right without both of them. I think that I am going to have this one made into a cubeit instead of framing. Not positive on that yet.....what do you think?

On to the next project. This waiting for a new assignment with my job is productive to my stitching. Not sure if I will start another BBD this time or dig thru my stash and find something else that is calling to me.

Happy Stitching NO Ripping!

Blackbird Wall

2009-03-26T17:15:00.002-05:00

Have had a couple of people ask to see my Blackbird Wall. So here you go, here are all of my Blackbird pieces that I have framed at the moment. I have 2 at the framers' 1 just completed and working on a couple more. Soon my wall will be full and I will have to start a second one. These are all Loose Feather designs. I haven't even started stitching any of the ones that I have that aren't Loose Feathers. Too many charts not enough stitching time.

Be sure to click on the picture to get a better look. Let me know what you think of my wall.

Happy Stitching!

New Finish

2009-03-25T14:03:00.003-05:00

Here is my latest finish. It is Sunflower Charms from Blackbird Designs a Loose Feather chart. It is stitched with the called for fabric 30 ct Korty's Blend from R&R Reproductions. Both GAST and WDW where used in the stitching. This makes number 13 for Blackbird Designs that I have stitched. I have 8 hanging on my wall at the moment, 2 at framers. One was stitched for my Mother, and the other is Secret Garden the box and strawberry from a few years ago.
Now on to the next one! I told my stitching group that this was the year of the Blackbird LOL! Since January I have now stitched 4 of them! How many of my 20 Loose Feather's that I have kitted and ready to go can I get done this year??? Any bets that I can get at least half of them done?

Happy Stitching No Ripping!

Lots Of New Framing

2009-03-23T11:27:00.003-05:00

This is Tulip Manor by Blackbird Designs. It is one of their early Loose Feather charts. As you can see I completed the stitching in 2007 but just now got it framed. I am pleased with the way it turned out.
This one is Evening Shades The Garden. Another Blackbird Designs Loose Feather chart. I originally did this one to be part of a house quilt that a group of stitchers were doing but, once I saw the size of what the other stitchers houses were I knew this one was too big to include and I decided to keep it for myself.

This is Garland Fair by Blackbird Designs also another of their Loose Feather charts. I did this one in 2007 before I moved back to Missouri and just recently found a framer here that does needlework framing.

This one I just completed about a month ago, maybe a little longer. It is 4 Saisons by Anagram Diffusion. This was a round robin with a yahoo group but was never completed as part of that round robin. Once it came home I would say that I had 3/4 of it yet to do, that's okay it was a good start and I was okay with finishing it. I worked hard trying to finish it last year but found that I had made a counting error on the border......it's one stitch too few. So everything inside of the border was going to be off somewhere. I didn't find that it was an issue until I got to the fall season and it was running into the tree. Back into the basket it went until I had the motivation to figure out how to fix the errror. It's done now and framed. Didn't it turn out great?

Here is another year long project. It is And A Forest Grew by Rosewood Manor. I worked on it off and on for about a year I believe. I realized that it was getting close to the end of the year and I had put the date on it.....I really worked hard to get it finished in 2008 but I didn't make it I finished up the last of it a few days into this year.

Now I have 2 more Loose Feather pieces at the framer and a couple of others that will be ready later this week. I can't wait to get them back. My Blackbird Wall is really starting to fill in. I feel at a loss of what to work on now as my stitching basket is empty no UFO's or WIP's left. I guess that means that I can have a fun time starting alot of them. Be sure to click on the pictures to get a better look at them.

Happy Stitching!

Back From Framer

2009-02-24T14:40:00.001-06:00

Here is my Angel Of Morning back from the framer. I sure wish I could get a better picture of her. She is amazing now that she is framed, a new framer and he did a wonderful job. Be sure and click on the picture to get a better look.

Finishing and Completed Stitching

2009-02-22T13:57:00.003-06:00

Here is my latest finish, it is Awake The Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs. I just love the colors in it. This is Loose Feather #25. I just love BD and I have so many that I have all kitted up and ready to go that I have decided to make 2009 the year of the Blackbird! LOL Every rotation that I have will include at least 1 Blackbird. Don't forget to click on the picture to get a close up. Here is a Crewel piece that I am sure I stitced in the mid to late 80's! My son just loved Kermit the Frog back then and I had gotten this kit to make a stocking. Well needless to say that life got in the way and many moves and years later I found this completely stitched piece and have now made it into a stocking. He still likes Kermit and I am planning to send this along to him with his Christmas gifts this year. Hope he will like it. Look at those perfect french knots! I don't know if it's the yarn for crewel or just that I was a beginner but I can't get a perfect french knot now for anything. Again don't forget to click on it to get a better look.

Here is the last bunch of things I had sent off for finishing. My Quaker Ruler pocket and some little ornies. I had forgotten about them but I knew when I sent them they would not be ready for Christmas 2008, now I have a good start for this years. Sorry the picture isn't better I think I need a new camera.

Took a large tote of fabric to a friends this week and we made sure it was straight and she surged the edges for me. Now I have my stitching basket full of all kitted and ready to go projects. Hopefully I can make some real progress this year on getting some of what I have stitched.

Have 6 pieces at the framer now and hope to hear back sometime this week. Can't wait to show off my And A Garden Grew, 4 Saisons and some other pieces that I had stitched in the last couple of years. Angel of Morning is at the framer too....now to figure out where she will hang once I get her back.

Till next time.......Happy Stitching No Ripping!

Birthday Finish

2009-02-04T14:26:00.003-06:00

Here is my finish from last week. I stitched this Heinzit for my Mother for her birthday. I stitched it in a couple of days and then my friend Nan and I made it into the little pillow. It was charted to be stitched in Rose colored threads but Mother loves purple so I changed the colors to two different shades of purple. And I found just the perfect fabric when I was shopping at Walmart.

My stitching group got together on Saturday and we drove to Tulsa to The Silver Needle to the super bowl sale that Lindy was having. We took 3 cars there were 14 of us in all that went. Some spent a little and some spent a lot. I model stitch for this store but had never been there before. It is a truely amazing shop and Lindy was so nice to all of us and she took some pictures of all of us that traveled there for her sale. I only bought 2 things that were not on my list so I think I did pretty good. Now to get to stitching it all! I have finished some older pieces now I have to decide what to start new....decisions decisions!

Happy stitching and no ripping

Completed Pieces

2009-01-28T17:03:00.003-06:00

I have been on a "let's get some of these old pieces finished kick" so here are some of my oldest lingering UFO's. First up is my Angel Of Morning by Lavender & Lace. This chart came out in October of 2001 so I have been working on it for that long. My Saturday stitching group kept me movtivated when I wanted to give up and throw it back in the basket. Be sure to click on the picture to enlarge it and for a better look. The over 1 face is truely amazing, it looks so real and was worth every poked finger trying to get it stitched.

This one is Snowflower Lace that was a class project by Just Nan. I bought it from someone who decided she could never stitch it. I started it and then couldnt' find the bell pull hardware like was shown on the back of the chart and had no clue how I would finish it so it was back in the basket for a couple of years until I found a source for the bell pull hardware so then I had to finish stitching it. Can't wait until my finisher sends it back to be completed.

This one I just loved it when I saw the OOP leaflet on EBAY several years ago. My Mother just fell in love with it also and I started it in June on year and thought that I would have it done for that year's Christmas. I ran into a lot of trouble stitching with the color chart! Oh how I hate those color charts. I just couldn't keep track of what was stitched and what wasn't until I enlarged it and then it was easier to work on. I completed it and sent it to my Mother for Christmas....she always wants her pieces I stitched unfinished so she can decide how she wants to finish it off.

More completed pieces to come another day. I have a gift for my Mother's birthday in February completed now too. And I HOPE to see a completion of And A Forest Grew by the end of the week. It looks so awesome and I am ready to start on her new one And A Garden Grew.

Hope all are warm and safe from this lates storm. Here where I am we got some sleet and snow but nothing like south of me where they got ice and some are without power.

Happy stitching and no ripping!

Place Your Vote

2008-11-04T10:11:00.002-06:00

Today is the day.....get out and vote! I did

Not Really MIA

2008-06-15T09:07:00.002-05:00

These are pictures of the house/duplex that I am currently staying in. My job has taken me on traveling status since April. I am not sure how long I will be here and away from home. I miss my grandsons and am really looking forward to July 4th when I can go home for a long weekend and be able to sleep in my own bed and see my boys! LOL!

I took a new job in April that is just traveling assignments. I like to call my self a "trouble shooter" but I don't really think that is the best description as we are not finding the problems for our clients we are just working and helping them to get the problem cleaned up. Once we have everything "cleaned up" that the client can manage/handle the job without our help then I go home and wait to be sent on to the next assignment.

This assignment has me in Cape Girardeau Missouri. I am only4 hours from home on this assignment but that won't always be the case. I am hearing rumors of 2 upcoming assignments that they are working on the contracts for August, one of which is Phoenix and the other I believe is in the Denver area. Also this client has expressed an interest in allowing us to go home and work from home....I would take that option in a heartbeat! To be home to work for the increase in pay that we would get to do so and to be in my own home every night would be just up my alley.

Brought my stitching with me so I have been stitching but not as much as I would have had I been home. I am almost finished with And A Forest Grew and just in time as I see now that there is a chart out called And A Garden Grew that I am looking at. Some small pieces and ornies is what I have spent most of my time working on as lighting was not the best until I went out and bought a new Ott light. Almost finished with the freebie chart I got last year that you make and put around a soup can for a "Cream Of Ort" container it is really cute hope to get that finished later today.

Well not much else to update in this post. Will be posting pictures of a trip I took to Memphis a week ago since I am so close. Saw Graceland and did a tour of the city and spent some time on Beale Street. What an awesome place that is! Until next time.....Happy Stitching and no Bitching! LOL!

And A Forest Grew

2008-02-20T04:01:00.006-06:00

Well I ended up taking a break from 4 Saisons. I have about half of my final season left too do. Not sure why I felt that I needed a break being that close to being completed, I will start back on it now and see if I can get it done before Campstitchalot.
Here is my progress on AAFG. I have 4 pages complete now, only 10 more to go! I really am enjoying working on this one too. All the trees are so different and the colors are just great together. Don't forget all the little critters too! Birds, butterflies, mice, rabbits, fox, deer. Don't forget you can click on the picture to get a better view of it.

Tomorrow night they say another ice storm is coming. This sure has been the craziest winter I have ever seen. 70's and tornados, ice, no snow, unseasonably warm temps. I sure hope it doesn't cause any electrical or cable outages for anyone this go round.

edited to add: one comment was deleted by me, not because of what was said but because it was posted by someone that was malicous that if you when to see their blog it popped up that it could be dangerous to the computer to do so. Didn't want anyone's computer to get damaged by a comment on my blog.

4 Saisons Progress

2008-02-09T10:58:00.000-06:00

I have been stitching on my 4 Saisons by Anagram Diffusion for a couple of weeks now. This is really looking so beautiful that I have not been able to put it down and move on. It's kinda looking like I might just finish this one up before I put it down. I have both Spring and Winter done now and am working on Fall and it's almost done too. I was worried that I wasn't going to have enough of the color that one in the RR chose to do the tree in. I had to do a little mixing with another solid color to make it work but it looks okay. The colors don't show on here as well as it is in person. You can click on the picture to make it bigger and get a better look.
Now off to get ready to take my grandson's to the movie this afternoon. Little stitching will be done today. We are going to see Golden Compass. Hope it's a good movie.

Block 12

2008-01-25T14:30:00.000-06:00

Well here it is as promised. I have finished block 12 on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. If I can manage to do one square a month I will have this finished before the end of the year. I really love this piece. I stopped working on it when I was trying to decide if I should get a new piece of fabric and do it on a different count. I only had all the borders done and one house at that time so I was thinking I should do it on something other than this piece of 28 ct. The more I looked at it the more I like the size of it and decided to stick with it. Now I have many squares done and I wouldn't think of frogging it. The only thing is I have to decide if Village and the new one coming out in Nashville will have to be on the same 28ct fabric. Will it look funny to have them or different size fabrics?

I picked back up my 4 Saisons Sampler to work on again. I really wanted to start something new and small so I could see a real honest to goodness finish but maybe next week I will figure out something small. I have been looking and thinking Spring and Easter so maybe I will find something that fits in with that idea. Anyone have any ideas of something small for Spring or Easter? Any new freebies out that are for Spring yet?

My workouts at the gym are starting to pay off. I put on a pair of jeans the other day that had always been on the "tight" side. Well not anymore they were loose in the waist and thighs! YEAH! This is the year to take care of me, want to live a long long life to be able to stitch all that I have already bought not counting what I will still buy.

Ornie Finish

2008-01-22T16:48:00.001-06:00

Here is what I just added the finishing stitches to last night while watching Medium. I am going to try my own finishing on this one too! Surprise surprise! I think that the instructions that are with this one to make a little bag are pretty simple and I can manage that. Now to get to the store and get some of the jute twine it uses for the hanger.

My stitching group has met twice in the last week. I just found this group and they meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the evenings and they also try to get together one Saturday of the month for a day as well. I got alot of stitching done on my Quaker piece, will have a finish on that one soon I hope.

Today I was organizing my stitching basket and I found that I had not stitched a house for quite some time on my Houses of Hawk Run. I wanted to get one done a month so that I could get this one finished and start on Village soon. Can't wait for the new one to come out at Market in a couple weeks now. So I am going to try to get 2 of them done by the end of February. Shouldn't be too hard since I chose to do block 12 which is just the wording for one of the two.

I have seen some previews of the new stuff from market and it might be hard for me to keep to the no buying new. I already know of 2 things that I want to get and I haven't even seen everything that might be there! I might be in trouble this year! Just have to keep repeating "I don't need any new stash I don't need any new stash!" Not sure it will help us cross stitch addicts! :)

And A Forest Grew

2008-01-12T22:46:00.001-06:00

Here is my progress this past week on AAFG. I didn't get as much as I had planned/thought I would get done. Storm on Monday and the rest of the week I had too many errands that took me out of the house and away from my stitching. After a week I have had enough trees so it's time to put it away for a while and work on something else.

I am so EXCITED! Thanks to another blogger I have found a stitching group that meets once a month. The next get together is this coming Thursday evening from 5:30PM till 8PM. They meet at one of the local library branches and I was told that some stay until library closes so it could be a longer night. They even have a show and tell and the organizer even told me they always show when someone does any stash shopping. This will be so great to have others to get with and talk about stitching with. I need to find a smaller project to take along that night. Not sure that one of my larger projects is what I want to work on, knowing me I might not get much stitching done the first time for all the talking I will do!

January Weather?!?!?

2008-01-08T10:09:00.000-06:00

Coming from Wisconsin where the only type of storms one sees this time of year is snow storms last night was a scary night. From about 5Pm until 3AM the area of Missouri where I am living was hit with storm after storm and not just thunderstorms, TORNADOS! What in January?? It seemed like at first that all of these were going to miss my area and I was safe. Not to be it was here by my house later. The only damage at my house was my patio chairs blown away. Not like some of the surrounding communities where houses destroyed and business with roof damage.My local television channels were on with their storm tracker radar and reports all night. They were great in telling us where the storm was and who needed to take cover. Thank you to all who were responsible in keeping us safe!
I had thought I would have lots trees added to And A Forest Grew to show today. I spent most of my night in my hallway away from windows and doors. Not much stitching was done.

1st Ornie 2008

2008-01-06T22:21:00.000-06:00

I know it's not the official weekend for the Ornie SAL but, I was under the weather for the last 4 days with a really bad cold and after frogging on my larger projects decided to stitch something that was pretty mindless stitching. I have several ornies kitted for the SAL so I will just choose another one for that weekend to stitch. Now to figure out what I want to finish this one as, do I want a pinkeep ornie, a stuffed pillow type or another one all together. Hmmm!!... decisions decisions.

Now that I am feeling better, it's time to pull out one of my larger projects. I think it's time to add some trees to And A Forest Grew. Progress photos soon.

First 2008 Finish

2008-01-04T10:53:00.000-06:00

Here is my first finish for the year. It is Two Red Houses from Little House Needleworks. It has been in my stash already to go since it first came out. I am determined to get more of my stash stitched this year. I will still buy new but it will be limited to something I am sure that I will stitch and not just because I like it or think I have to have it. Having moved 2 times last year and packing and unpacking all the stash that I have I realize there is no way I will get it all done if I don't start stitching some of it. I am unsure where I will be putting my initials and the year on this one yet but I will get them on it before it goes to the framer. Thinking over 1 in the lower right corner.

Now onto one of the larger pieces that I have been working on. Besides getting more of my stash stitched this year I want to get my WIP's/UFO's completed as well.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and that 2008 is looking bright.

4 Saisons

2007-12-29T11:48:00.001-06:00

This is a RR that I started last April in a Yahoo group I was a part of. It arrived home just a few days ago. I am amazed at how it is looking, as I wasn't sure with my choice of colors and fabric. The pictures don't do it justice. It is on a piece of hand dyed from Silkweavers in purple and there are 6 or so different shades of purples floss. The lady at the shop where I bought the threads helped pick them out. We were trying to get the faded/vintage look with all the floss. My camera is just a little one and I don't have a zoom so I couldn't get a good picture of it so had to take two. I will need to have a friend take the photo once I have it finished. Rachel helped with figuring out where to put everyone's initials on it. If you look close you can see what we did. Changed the letter so that your initials would be in an alphabet. On the right below the cat you can see Rachel's there as it goes A B C D E F R H. I really like her idea so I can look at the finished piece and see/remember who helped stitch it. Thank you Rachel, Nancy, Marilynne, Ming, Leigh and Jodi for stithing on it! I don't find Jodi's initials so I am going to add them in the winter section where she said she stitched. I have been stitching on this since it arrived home and I have almost all of the spring season done now. Will be updating the photos as soon as I get to my friends house for a new picture.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas. No snow here in Missouri so it was hard to believe it was Christmas. I got to spend it with my grandson's and that was so much fun. Watching them open gifts and the expression on their faces was worth the move back here in August. That and being able to make all my candies and cookies again for the holidays. I hadn't done that for a few years as there was no family closeby to eat it. They loved the chocolate covered cherries the best and they are so easy to make just need to be done 3 weeks before you plan to eat them.

My son sent me a gift card from StitchesNThings for Christmas. They are closed till after the New Year for inventory but as soon as they open I will be ready with an order using that card. I was so surprised that he remembered where I did most of my stash shopping and had Deb send me a gift card. He also sent me the airline tickets to go to Deb's Camp Stitchalot in late February early March. I can't wait didn't make it last year with my having done my cruise over the holidays.

No new project for New Year's Day....I have 4 large projects on the go at the moment and signed up for 2 Ornie SAL's and the birthday blog so I will be ready to work on those in between my large projects. Gotta love small finishes to keep motivated!

A Finish

2007-12-19T02:59:00.000-06:00

This is Liberty House a Loose Feather from Blackbird Designs from 2004. It was a quick and fun stitch. Now that I am done I can't figure out where to put my intials on it. The way it is charted is on each side of one of the urns at the bottom is Barb and Alma's initials. Would be so easy to do that if I were giving this piece as a gift I could put mine on one side and the person I am giving it to on the other, since I am not giving as a gift I would think it would look lop-sided if I did put them by the urn.

Any suggestions of where you would put yours at? Thanks in advance for any help with this.

I have decided not to start a new project until after the holidays. I will continue working on the 3 WIP's that I have in my rotation until then. I need to come up with the perfect piece to have as my New Year's start this year. Will search thru what I already have kitted up as sending off and buying something new. I am trying not to buy anything until I go to Camp Stitchalot at the end of February. Hmmm what do I want to start a really big one or something a little smaller?? Will let you know what I do decide.

Sold Out Everywhere!

2007-12-15T17:31:00.001-06:00

This Tranformer Optimus Prime Voice Changer is what my grandson put on his list for me. It really is suppose to be so cool, it has 3 different modes:

*Make your voice sound like a robot
*Hear the sounds of Optimus Prime changing from a truck to a robot and back
*Hear Optimus Prime movie battle phrases:
"I am Optimus Prime!"
"The Decepticons must be stopped!"
and 3 more

Isn't it funny how one item every year at Christmas ends up being the thing to buy. It is usually some toy and once it's gone it's gone and there are many unhappy children on Christmas morning when Santa hasn't brought them theirs? Well I am not quite Santa since it was just on the list that my middle grandson gave me of things I could buy him for Christmas. I searched hi and low even online everywhere I looked it was sold out! Now what? Grandma is going to have to one disappointed grandson when he comes to her house for Christmas.

Grandma is SAVED! My very best friend just called to say that she had found several in the store there! WOW! They have been sold out here for weeks. The only place I could find it was online at amazon and then they wanted $57 for it and it was only $30 where my friend found it!!! Can anyone say price gouging? I was almost ready to see if ebay had any when my friend Mary called.

Anyone out there remember the fights in the stores over the Cabbage Patch Doll that first Christmas they came out? That was in the early 80's. I got one of those without any trouble that year. This is the first time I have stumbled onto one of those "hot" items and had trouble finding it.

Why Are?

2007-12-14T04:11:00.000-06:00

Why are some people so cruel? If you don't fit their mold of what they think a person should be then you are not welcomed by them and their friends.

I won't mention any names or groups but I was sent a very mean and cruel email this past evening about how I was stupid and a boob! I was also told I had no class, was rude and no clue about common curtesy and that I was a cheap skin-flint. And that I needed to get a life!

I find it very strange that this person would know what goes on or had been said between myself and another as she wasn't a part of that conversation....was she eaves dropping? Did she know they entire story or only what she overheard? Are we getting information first hand or from someone else? Is this a case of jumping to conclusions?

Maybe I am a boob for expecting someone that I sent a gift to to have the common curtesy to express a thank you for the gift.I had thought it was a nice gift based on her likes. I just would have liked to have gotten a thank you. . Am I so wrong to expect that?

What have I learned from all this? I still do have feelings and I cry when someone hurts me. I also learned that you aren't suppose to have an opinion that differs from these ladies or you don't "fit" their mold anymore.

Looking For

2007-12-08T10:31:00.000-06:00

I am going to be taking part in a SAL come January. This is part of SAL's that Ellen from With My Needle talks about in her newsletter. She is going to have two of them going this year. One of them is the Ackworth Friendship Book which I have been wanting to do.

Which leads me to the reason for the post....anyone else wanting to do this chart? I still have a few pages that I need stitchers for. I figure what better way to get this booklet done and make some new friends. If interested you can post a comment here or email me direct at rockngrny @ aol.com

WIP

2007-12-07T07:48:00.000-06:00

Here is And A Forest Grew. I have only been working on it for just a week or so. I am really loving this chart! The trees are so fun to stitch! I have a feeling this one is going to be hard to put down to work on something else in my rotation.
I have so many Loose Feather's that I haven't gotten stitched yet that was what I chose for my new start once I finished up with all my gift stitching for the year. I have almost all of the house done now on Tulip Manor. Working on this one I remember how much I loved the houses and alphabets that Alma did the first 2 years of the Loose Feather. This year has been birds and although they are wonderful charts as well I still like the earlier ones with a house on each one. Makes me wonder what she will decide for the new year. Back to houses or more birds?

Mother nature hit us here in Missouri yesterday with some freezing rain! Today and tomorrow are to be good days with temps back to the upper 40's and 50's but it sounds like that on Sunday and into Monday we could be getting some more of that ice. Good thing I won't have to go anywhere to worry about the ice. Snow I can handle being a "nothern" girl but ice is a whole different ballgame!

Really Busy

2007-12-05T23:07:00.000-06:00

WOW! I can't believe that its been 2 months since the last time that I posted. Life had just gotten so busy that I didn't find much time to even read my emails much less post on my blog or even read some of my favorites. Commuting to work for a month while I learned my new position was not fun! I just didn't seem to find anytime during the week to do much of anything by the time I got home.
I am involved in the Fair & Square blog exchange. We are on round 4 now and I have been remiss in getting my pictures of the squares posted so here I have them. This one is from round 2 and went to Cheryl in Scotland. I chose a French designer and some overdyed threads to stitch it. I want to do this one to fit in the chicken shaped frame that I have. Need to get that going as Mom wants one too.
These are my squares that I received in round 3 from Heidi. I am not a real red fan but these are just stunning in the shades that she used. I had thought a friendship quilt might be what I would do with all my squares but now that I have a few of them I am thinking maybe pinkeeps or hanging ornies might be a better option.
These are the squares that I sent to Heidi. I am not sure who the designer is on this one. It is a freebie that I got offline somewhere. I thought it was fall and with the colors that I chose to stitch it with it would look fallish. Hope that Heidi liked them.
Last by not least is the one that I just finished for Nancy K for round 4. I know that she loves samplers and with it being the holidays I wanted to find something that would use both those things in it. I found the chart in the 2001 JCS ornament issue. I took out the year since there wasn't a way to make the 1 an 8 and make it fit correctly so I chose to just put Nancy's initials instead.

I have been working on my rotation too. I have completed 2 pages from And A Forest Grew now. I just love that piece! Will post an updated photo soon. Also working on a Blackbird Designs chart as well.

Latest Finishes

2007-10-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

Here are my two oldest grandsons all decked out in their football uniforms. They both play on the Mighty Mites football teams that are thru the Park and Recreation deptarment here. Kyle (the one in red) has been playing for 4 years now. He is the quarterback and is really good for only being 9 years old. He loves it and already says he will play college football. Cameron this is his first year and he is doing well. They have him playing as a running back. Both of their teams are 3-0 as of their last game on Thursday night. I love being near them to watch them play.

Here is a picture of alittle freebie that I stitched in August while watching my grandson when my daughter was in hospital from her car accident. I sent it to KathyN to have it finished telling her I wasn't sure what I wanted her to do with it. Look what she chose to do with it!! I love it and will want to make some other designs into this style of finish.Here is another freebie chart that I had KathyN finish for me. This chart came from the blog (name escapes me now) where she found all of the charts in her Aunt's Attic. I used some hand dyed floss on it that I dyed myself when one of my Yahoo groups had a get together last April. This was a birthday gift for an online friend. She received it but I haven't heard that she liked it or not. Hope she did as I really liked it myself and am thinking of doing it again in another color.
And here is a picture of all the last pieces that I sent to KathyN for finishing. I wanted to get enough Halloween ones done this year that I could have my little feather tree on the table with all of them, but I don't have enough yet so they will just go in the ornies box till I do have. The ones pictured here are from BBD Trix or Treat booklet. I also have 2 of the ornies from my Yahoo groups ornie RR and exchange that is going on right now. I have more of them stitched just not had time to get them mailed off for finishing.
On to other news. I have all my things in my new condo. I am 95% unpacked and settled. I still have some things in the garage to move in and put away, so until that happens that car remains parked in the driveway. Hope to get the remaining things inside this coming week. I really love the way my office/craft room turned out. I have room to take my stash out of totes and my entire teapot collection adorns the walls and shelves that I have on the floor. Will take pictures of my new place soon.

Well that's it for this time.

Another Move?????

2007-09-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

Ok well I know it's only been 2 months since I have moved but I am moving AGAIN!! YUCK and YEAH all at the same time. :) My daughter has recovered enough from her accident that I no longer need to live with her family to help her out. I have found a little condo nearby and will be moving into it this weekend. I have known about my moving for a couple of weeks and had the closing on the condo before I felt confident to post about it. I have already moved all the boxes from the storage facility to my home. I have the living room all done except for adding the furniture. Kitchen has all the cupboards washed out and everything is unpacked and put away. Only thing I have left to do is move the microwave off the counter when I get the microwave cart there this weekend. My office/craft room will have to wait to have anything done until the furniture is moved.

Oh and the best part is I will have a LNS only 25 miles away! I wish it was closer but that is better than not having one at all. I can't wait to get settled and a little money ahead to go to the LNS and see what I can find.

Moved & Stitching

2007-08-08T19:53:00.000-05:00

Well I am now with my daughter and her family. My things are in storage until I find a place to either rent or buy that I like.I did find a place that I would like to buy that is very near my daughter. I am waiting to hear back from the bank on it.

I have gotten some stitching done since I got here too.I have to get my camera dug out so that I can add some photos.

Until next time...Happy stitching!

More Birthday

2007-07-29T17:45:00.000-05:00

This is what Jennifer sent for my bithday. I love Blackbird Designs and she made this wonderful needle book from one of their newest designs. The inside is blue with lace to tie the blue scissors that she sent along into the book as well. She even has a package of needles in their too...how cool is that? Usn't that a neat little button that Jenn put on there too?Then she sent along a chart from The Workbasket that is on my wishlist. I can't wait to get time to stitch it. It has been one of my favorites since it came out. Thanks Jenn! When we had our get together back in April I told the girls that Cherished Works was one of my favorite charts by With My Needle so look what Rachel made me. She added it to a palette that Jodi's Dad makes Bloom Woodworks. It is so pretty I am almost afraid to use it! I will be getting it out and using it when I get settled though. It is really an awesome piece Thanks Rachel!
Jodi stitched this part of the Cherished Works chart and Rachel finished into a pinkeep. I really love this set. They included the chart with so I can make some more from it too. Thank you Jodi!

I also have a biscornu that Gaby from Germany sent to me but no picture yet. Thank you Gaby!I have all the "unstitched" parts of my packages to show too. I got some nice fabic, charts and other stitching supplies along with all these really nice pieces. This was such a fun exchange to be in this year. I have 3 birthdays yet this year. I just sent off the package for August this weekend, I have the stitching done but not finished for the September birthday and I have all the "nonstitched" part of the November one...just have to figure out what I am stitching for that one yet.....any hints of what you would "really really really" like Jennifer? LOL

Some Birthday Gifts From Yahoo Group

2007-07-29T17:22:00.001-05:00

Dane from Germany made me these pieces! I was so surprised by them. She made me my first bourse and a matching neede book. The second picture is what she stitched on the inside. It's from Drawn Thread. I just love it and will be using it carrying some of my small Halloween stitching projects to take to get togethers once I get moved and will have a stitching shop close by that does that. Thank you so much Dane!

This rooster bag was made by Ming, there are several other co-ordinating pieces with roosters that came from the other ladies from Canada. Unfortunately with my moving the camera is packed and I am not sure which box. Will have the rest of the package to show you once I get moved next week. There was a cute little rooster ornament and a rooster towel as well as some other "rooster" things. I just love this bag! Thanks Ming!
This needle roll was sent to me by Manu from Germany. It is part of the Cherished Works chart from With My Needle. I am not sure what count fabric she used it's a little larger than other needle rolls I have seen but I just love it the way it is. She stuck in some pins with roses on the heads of them. I have more of this package that I will have to take pictures of once I can find that camera. Thank you Manu!

July 28

2007-07-28T07:12:00.000-05:00

Got word that these gifts have been received so can now show the pictures. Veronica's birthday was in June but there was some trouble getting the charms so it was a bit late.
Got word that Veronica has received the above tuffet. I found these free patterns and since she likes mice (not real ones I don't think) I thought this would be a great idea to stitch for her birthday. My friend Rachel said she would finish it and add the little mice and cheese charms to it as her part of the birthday package. Didn't it just turn out so cute with the little charms? What a great idea that was Rachel! I think this is one that I could stitch again for myself.

Jodi from my Yahoo stitching group had a birthday this month. Since I was part of the birthday exchange I got to make something for her and send it. Rachel and I had talked about what I could make her and she thought I should make her a tuffet/biscornu. I found this free chart and chose to do it in pinks. I wanted to find some special buttons for the centers and I searched my local antique mall and found these vintage buttons. I think it really adds to the piece. It turned out so well I wanted to keep it! LOL! No I wouldn't do that to Jodi she is such a special person.

My birthday was also this month so I have lots more pictures of my gifts to post. Watch for those soon.

Finishing Post

2007-07-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

These are my ornie choices for my ornie RR and exchange with my Yahoo group. I had to send the materials around for everyone, the little owl they take out what they need to stitch it and then send it on. The other one I send exactly what is needed to everyone individually in that exchange. Can't wait to see what each round will be brining me to stitch. I have them finished and ready to hang....well I have to wait for the holidays but they are ready now. I have some other finishes to show but I have to wait for them to be received by the receipents first. Will post those fun things once I can.

Well it looks like my job will be taking me back to Missouri now. Why couldn't this have happened last March when I was trying to decide where I wanted to live! So it's time to start packing everything again and get ready to move. It is looking more and more like that will happening by the end of the month. YIKES! I have 2 weeks to get everything organized and packed. The organized is just figuring out what I will be needing for a month as that is how long the movers are telling me it will be before my household will be delivered. How does one figure out what clothes to take, and most important what stitching will I want to be working on for that month. I have been trying to put just small things together so that I don't have big packages in the car, have to leave room for my little dogs in there! LOL! So smalls are going to be in order I guess, maybe one project that I have going that is already all kitted with floss will make it in there.

Next week is my birthday and I am telling everyone that I am starting to go backwards in age now....it sounds good! Only wish it were so. Have some packages here from friends and my Yahoo birthday group but I won't open them until Tuesday...have to have some way to celebrate since I live alone don't ya know...hehehe I am so tempted to peek though.

Next Ornie Finish

2007-07-01T22:07:00.000-05:00

Here is my next installment of my ornie RR stitching from my Yahoo group! This is from Sampler Hiver a la Montaque by Isabelle Vautier. This was the ornie that Jodi chose for all of us to stitch. I did him last year and my brother liked him so much that I gave that one to him for his tree. I stitched this one over one but am unsure what the fabric was that Jodie sent.

6 weeks now for the next mailing date. On to my other RR piece for the same group. That one is a Drawn Thread RR....have all my charts together now I am ready to stitch. The owner of that one want a verse or quote and then whatever we wanted after that. I will be sure and post a picture of that when I am done as it is really a beautiful piece.

Watched Bridge to Terabithia and I really enjoyed it. Talked to my daughter today and they have it but the boys were disappointed. Kyle expected to see more of Terabithia, he is 9 and just loves that fantasy stuff. Cameron really liked it but was saddened by the death of the little girl. He understands death so it wasn't that it was he told his momma that could have been his friend and he was so sad because of that, otherwise he said he liked it and has watched it twice. What's the general feelings about this movie, anyone?

Garland Fair Finish

2007-06-30T18:06:00.000-05:00

Here is my BBD Garland Fair that I was doing with Veronica from my Yahoo group as a stitchalong. We started it in the spring and we only worked on it on Thursday nights. She finished her's a week or maybe two ago. I stitched it on the recommended fabric but used Waterlilies Graphite.....Margie (Margies Passion) used that color and her's didn't have the grey in it that mine did. I like the way it turned out except I am not sure about my initial in the center. I looks off-center to me but I put it in the same position that the designer put her's. Not sure if I am going to leave that part as is or not yet. Maybe I just need to put a little something in the lower right so it looks more centered.

I get to add something to my rotation now that I have a finish. Not sure if it will be another BBD or something else I have waiting in the wings. Working on my 1st installment of my ornament RR with my Yahoo group. Can't wait to get them all as most are going to be really small as each of us has decided to do them over one. I hated over one just a few short months ago but now I like doing it. Not sure I am ready for a really large project of all over one but ornies and something smallish would be fine.

Fair And Square Exchange

2007-06-21T16:42:00.000-05:00

This is my first square with the Fair and Square Bloggers group. It is a friendship exchange and there will be several different rounds to stitch. Some are planning to make "smalls" from their pieces, I am not sure yet what I will do with mine. Plans are to make a friendship wallhanging or lap sized quilt depending on how well they all go together. Thanks so much to my first partner Terry from Illinois! Didn't she do a great job putting in two of my most favorite things.....houses and trees? :) I am now excited to see who I get to stitch for next round

Christmas Ornie Start

2007-06-08T22:42:00.000-05:00

Here is my first start on ornaments for this year. In my Yahoo group we are just getting ready to start an ornament RR and also an exchange. This is what I chose to send around for the RR group. It is by Isabelle Vautier, I stitched it over one on 28 ct ivory lugana. Don't you just love that little owl? I love how small it's going to be when it's finished. I stitched it with Waterlilies Copper. Next up either my square for Fair and Square friendship exchange or my ornament for the ornament exchange.

First Weekend of Summer!

2007-05-26T16:52:00.000-05:00

I have been doing some stitching during my time off with my bilateral carpel tunnel surgeries. Last week was the first week where I managed to get something done that showed progress or at least I think it was progress. Here is my 2nd house on my Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. I started this right after the chart was published and did all the outlines for each house. I then got #8 done and into my WIP basket it went. I started #2 but wasn't sure I liked the size nor the colors as I am using the DMC. I have a piece of 28 ct fabric and when the Village came out I was thinking of changing from the 28 ct to the higher count. I have since decided I will leave them both on the 28 ct fabric. So now I am going to start adding a house a month to my rotation so I can get both of them done. This is from the last month of stitching on it to get that house done. Here is almost all of page one of And A Forest Grew. I am really liking the way this one is looking. I have read alot of blogs where some of you are working on it but your pictures really can't do the justice to this one...can they? I will add this to my monthly rotation now too.
This coming week is my last week off work so I am going to try to get as much stitching done as I can between that and reading. I go back to work on the 4th but Doc has put me back on part time to gradually get back in the thick of things. 2 weeks of just 4 hour days then 2 weeks of 6 hour days and then I should be back to 8 hour days. He said that I will have some pain and some inflammation for 4-6 months! YIKES! I sure hope when I get back working that I can do it. I have been trying to do emails and typing to "try" to break myself back into the working on the computer, we will see how it goes though. I manage about an hour at this point before I have to quit.

Ordered some fabric for a project I signed up with on Fair and Square. It is a store that is closing and they had 30% off so I figured a good deal would be had......HA! I got screwed in more ways than one with this one. 1/2 yard of 32 ct ivory linen with the discount, tax and shipping was $40.83!!!!!! Where did they buy it from that I had to pay almost as much for this piece as a complete yard WITHOUT the 30% off! I called and asked if they made a mistake and they were quite rude and said to just send it back when I got it. Herein is the next screwing....it's been over a week and I haven't received it and it was to have been sent priority! I have the bank looking into it as maybe we can get the charge reversed since I don't have it.

I hope everyone is having a good first weekend of summer weekend, hope all travelers are safe and if you are home you get to stitch or whatever you want too. As for me this will be a movie and stitching weekend.

Rememberance Sampler

2007-05-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

Here is my rememberance sampler that I started after my Dad passed away in March. It is finally done and there are tears that went into this as well as the stitching. I have to say that it was a very healing process working on this piece. I was able to think about the years with him and sometimes I would laugh as stitching and some I would cry thinking of the time I won't be able to see him or talk to him until we are both in heaven. I am going to spend this coming week with my Mom and will be taking this along to see if she would want it. I am not exactly sure I like the choice of alphabet for his initials that the designer used just yet, they seem too small. What do you think?

I had surgery on my left hand for carpel tunel and I have been slowly getting to the point where I can use it again. My doctor told me I would know my limits and I could stitch if I wanted to....I did and this is what I worked on. It took me over a week just to diamond shaped motif with the over one in it! About an hour a day was all I can stitch before my wrist starts to hurt....better than hour than none which is what I had thought it would be.

Stitching Nook

2007-04-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

Well I have gotten my new furniture and have gotten the living room all settle from the move last week. I have been trying to get a little stitching in in the evening so that I can get life back to normal. Here is my stitching corner. I really am in a corner of the living room too! LOL! I didn't get a good picture to include the table to the left of the chair that has a storage cube that has my q-snaps and my current projects that I have been working. The basket you see under the end table has older WIPS/UFO's that I have been trying to get a thread or two in so that maybe one day they will be finished too. Tonight is my night of programs on TV so I will be trying to get some stitching in on my RR piece. It's Jericho, Crossing Jordan and Medium night.

My Dad.....Gone But Not Forgotten

2007-04-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

I have been in kind of a funk for a while now. I lost my dad the 7th of March. I haven't felt like doing much of anything since then. He was my stepfather for 40 years so I thought of him as my dad. He had taken a turn once they moved to Iowa last August. He started losing weight and then he got too much for mom to take care of at home about Christmas time. Once he was put into a nursing home we found out he had the starts of Alzhiemer's, Parkinson's Disease and then the most recent he was diagonised with cancer. He didn't suffer long and there was no pain so I am thankful for that but I miss him so much. It's starting to get better, I can make it thru more than a day now without the tears. I hope to get back to my old self and be able to be stitching soon. I have a retreat coming up this month here in Wisconsin Dells so maybe getting away will help. Sure hope so.

Valentine Exchange & Birthday Exchange

2007-02-18T12:14:00.000-06:00

Here is the Valentine Exchange package that I received from my Yahoo group. I wasn't able to get a really good picture of the needleroll. The beaded scissor fob and the beaded bookmark are really nice. I love the hear on the ends.Thanks Leigh!
This is the Britty Kitty piece that I did for the next person in our birthday exchange with my Yahoo group. Kathy N. did the finishing didn't she do a wonderful job? I am not a cat person I am a dog person but this is so cute it was hard to mail it out to the person it's for.

Well it has been decided where I am going to be moving to. I had 3 choices when I decided I was moving...1. to Iowa to be near my parents 2. to Missouri to be near my grandchildren 3. to stay here in Wisconsin to be close to my job. Now I could have moved to either 1 r 2 and still had my same job as I work at home and it was okay that I move to another state. I thought long and hard and didn't let anyone convince me where the best place for me would be. I love my Mom and stepdad but when they are gone (fact of life they will be at some point) I would be in a city where I didn't really know anyone so I wasn't sure that was the best choice, it's just 4 hours by car to get there so I decided not to go there. Oh my heart wants to bad to be near my 3 grandsons, I would love to have them over for a weekend or take them to movies or hiking just to be able to spend time with them, I know that if I move to Missouri my daughter will want me to keep them alot and she will make me feel like a built in babysitter even though I don't live with her, and if I didn't watch them when she wanted she would keep on it until I felt guilty and did so anyway. So at least for now I am just going to get a smaller place once my son moves out and stay here in Wisconsin. I haven't told my daughther this yet as she will be so upset with me so won't talk to me or answer her phone for a while so mums the word there for now.

In packing I see I have LOTS of stash to keep myself busy and not be lonesome for my grandsons in upcoming year. I can always fly down and see them for a long weekend and she could bring the boys to see me if she wanted to.

Home Again!

2007-01-11T09:58:00.000-06:00

Back from my Mexican Cruise. It was the most wonderful awesome vacation that I have ever been on! 2 days at sea before we got to the first port of call was so relaxing. Being pampered and treated as royalty was great.

The first morning at sea while eating breakfast in the dining room I ask to be seated next to a window just to be able to look out at the ocean. It was amazing! While sitting there looking out the window I got to see schools of dolphins jumping. Oh my gosh was that ever great.

All 3 of my ports of call were great. I had the best time but I would go right back again to the same places as there was so much to see but not enough time to do it.

Now I am home and have a couple more days to get back into the routine before I have to start working. Today I plan to get out my stitching and spend the day working on that. I didn't do any stitching on the cruise so I didn't get to start a new project for New Year's so I think I will choose one today and work on it.

Ornament Exchange Received

2006-12-10T18:10:00.000-06:00

This is my ornament that I received from Linda in the AOL ornament exchange. Some of us have been doing this exchange for years. This is from an older JCS ornament issue I think it was maybe 2003. Linda made it alittle bigger and put it into a tuck pillow and attache a ribbon for hanging. I think I will be able to have it out for more than just the holiday since it's not your traditional Christmas ornament. Thank you Linda I love it!

Finished Piece

2006-12-10T17:57:00.000-06:00

I am finally finished with Kind Fond Love sampler by Brenda Keyes of the The Sampler Company. This piece was stitched on 25 ct. potatoe lugana over one! It took me 108 hours to complete. It's a first where I kept track of my hours and a first for this size piece done over one. It belongs to The Silver Needle in Tulsa. It was very hard for me to package it up and send it back to them. I love the design but am not sure that I will ever get around to stitching it again, maybe I should start it right away while I remember how beautiful it looked and just work on it here and there till it's done or maybe I should just get her Providence Sampler chart and do that one instead.

Finishing Part 2

2006-12-04T19:49:00.000-06:00

Three Christmas ornaments. The top one is for an ornament exchange with some AOL ladies it was taken from a JCS ornament issue can't remember exactly which on just now. The other 2 are for me. One day I will have enough ornaments made to have nothing on my tree buy homemade ornaments. This year I am not putting up a tree as my kids can't make it home this year and I am leaving on the 29th on my cruise so I figured I would just skip it this year. Tried to do something different with my pictures this time so the stitched pieces would show up better.

Lots of Finishing Pieces

2006-12-04T19:39:00.000-06:00

These are some of my pieces I just received back from Kathy N my finisher today. The top one is another Trix or Treats ornament from Blackbird Designs. I eventually want to have all of them done, this makes number 3 and they are for me. The middle is a freebie chart that we decided to make a needlebook with and I am not sure if I am keeping it for me or puttine it away to use in an exchange at some point. The bottom piece is a bellpull from Cross Country Stitching Magazine. The original in the magazine did it on a wide banding and made the pull but I didn't have that so used aida. The picture doesn't show the tassle at the bottom. Now I just need the pull hardware and there is my Mom's Christmas gift.

Christmas Exchange

2006-12-04T19:32:00.000-06:00

These 2 items are for my Secret Santa exchange with a Yahoo group. I have some other items to put in with these. The top one is a chart from a Better Homes and Gardens Christmas book from a couple of years ago. I believe the designer is Gail Bussi, the book shows the tree in 3 different sizes and are put on a "poke" to add to wreaths or plants for the holiday season. The second one is March Hare from Blackbird Designs. I thought it would be nice as a hanging ornament with the beading at the bottom. Kathy N did a great job finishing both pieces and Max Bloom from Bloom Woodworks made the stand for the tree.

Finishes

2006-11-17T23:14:00.000-06:00

I know I am behind in my posts but life just got in the way. Work is crazy right now and I just want to get away from the computer when I am done each day so personal computer time is lacking.

Here are my last finishes back from Kathy N my finisher. Its been a while since I got them back now.Didn't she do a great job on my Trix or Treats ornaments? The picture just can't do them justice though. I have a scissor fob here too, never had a stitched one before and I really like it, I am going to have to make me some more of them.

I had a wonderful trip to Missouri to see my newest grandson. It was all too short and I want to go back again. I am considering moving back there once my lease is up where I am at now.

Busy working on some of my WIP's to see what I can get done from my basket before I add any new ones. I have not bought anything new since August and I am going to see how many pieces I can get stitched before I break down and buy something. My plan is not to buy anything at least until I am back from my cruise and then I will see what I just can't live without. Going to try that 15-25-50 challenge not sure which of them I will get done before caving and buying something though.

Update September Goals & October Goals

2006-10-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

I wonder if my putting my goals in writting online had something to do with what I did or didn't get done this month? I wrote them out for all to see and I can say that I didn't get much of anyting on the list done. Here was my list.

2 Ornies from BBD Trix or Treat---done
1 House from Houses of Hawk Hollow---didn't get it picked up at all
Quaker Garden by BBD---done
Start Mary Mack---nope
10 hours on Kind Fond Love by Brenda Keyes---nope
Work on DT Halloween Tabletopper---maybe an hour on this.

I did get a model piece done and a nice start on my Secret Santa piece for my Yahoo group. Maybe I better start October off with a much smaller list so I can maybe get all accomplished.

Complete Secret Santa piece.
10 hours on Kind Fond Love Sampler
Liberty House SAL
10 hours on Quaker Sampler

Well that's not too much I don't think. We will see what I have done as the month progresses.

September Finish

2006-10-01T21:59:00.000-05:00

Here is my last completion for September. It is a freebie chart stitched with The Dye Is Cast floss. The color is called Oceans 11. I do like the color shading and how it turned out. This was done as a model piece for Brenda at The Dye Is Cast. She had me stitch it with 3 strands, it looks nice but a little messy I think, this is my first ever piece stitched with 3 strands. Hope she likes it when she gets it back.

Not much stitching going on here right now. Work is back in the push push to get things out mode so overtime is back. Just when I thought I was going to get a break. Also I had enough frequent flyer miles to make a trip to Missouri so I have scheduled the time off and will be going to visit my daughter's family so I can meet that newest grandson. Since I have already knit sweaters for the other two I am now seeing if I can get one done for the baby before I go. 2 weeks time will tell if I can manage it. I would say I am about half done now.

Love these autumn days and nights we are having. This is my favorite time of the year, I will take another couple months of weather like we have been having here in Wisconsin. No heat or air needed and the windows can be open for fresh air.

2006-09-16T19:05:00.000-05:00

Here is my Moon Garden by Blackbird Designs framed. I got the frame that was shown on the cover of the chart. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I wish I could get a better picture so you could see just how it makes the colors of the stitching pop out.

Today was a lazy sort of day. I got up late for me and just lazed around with coffee and recorded programs until noon. Went to see Trade Center at the theater this afternoon. Was worth the money but wish they would have shown the 2 Port Athority Policeman at the end. Very well done.

Now am off to pull out the stitching for the evening.

2006-09-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

Here it is all framed! I didn't get the pumkin charm from Homespun Elegance in time to sew it on. I have to get this sent off to my exchange partner for our Fall/Halloween exchange. I dont' think it turned out too badly without that on it. I am pleased with the way it looks. The linen, cocoa bean from Wichelt was so thin that I had to have a piece of dark fabric to put behind it so that the white of the mat board didn't show thru. First time I have ever had that happend. Now just need to get the little black cat ornie that I stitched back from the finisher and my package will be all ready to mailout.

No other stitching photos to show. I have a piece that I am working on for The Dye Is Cast. They are a hand dyed thread company. I should have that piece done in a few days to show you. Since they are designers I can show you right away. It is turning out nicely other than I am not used to using 3 threads. It looks okay but I think it's too crowded and you can't see the x as well.

Stitching time will be more the next few days. Our computer server crashed at work today about 10:30AM. It is so bad I can't even get my remote server to connect to the office, wouldn't have any work even if I could get it to connect. So for the next few days until they can get it fixed I won't have to work. Pretty nice to get paid like I was working but be able to stitch. So I should have some finishes by the time we get back up and running.

Quaker Garden SAL

2006-09-06T20:53:00.000-05:00

Here is my progress with my Quaker Garden SAL. One more stitching session and we will be done. The same group that is doing this one is going to do Autumn Shilouette since I have that one done I am joining them but am going to use Liberty House by Blackbird Designs. I will just divide my chart into the same number of sections as sessions and work on the same days that they do.

Nothing new around here, it's looking more like fall with the cooler temps and some of the leaves are starting to turn already. I do like this time of year just don't like when it ends and the winter comes. Work is still in full force overtime and I am still working my 105 hours every 2 weeks. I hope it ends soon as I have 2 model pieces coming that I need to get done soon.

Crikey! We Will Miss You

2006-09-04T23:38:00.000-05:00

I was saddened to hear this morning that Steve Irwin had died in a freak accident. He was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife, and his Crocodile Hunter television show. He died doing what he loved best. He will be missed!

September goals

2006-09-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

One of my groups has started listing goals for each month. I have always done it but just kept the list by my stitching chair. I am going to start doing it here and that way I can keep better track of my goals and see if I am actually attaining them.

2 Ornaments from Blackbird Designs Trix or Treats Booklet
1 House on Carriage House Samplings Houses of Hawk Run Hallow
Complete Blackbird Desgins Quaker Garden SAL
Kind Fond Love Sampler by Brenda Keyes put in 10 hours
Start Mary Mack by La-D-Da
Complete feebie Quaker Sampler
Work on DT Halloween Tabletopper

There we are lets see if I can get these done this month.

2006-08-30T19:22:00.000-05:00

Here is my house square for the quilt with my SamplerRR Yahoo group. Took me 3 tries to get the right one. Couldn't get the size just right. I now have a larger house and a smaller house and I am not sure what I will be doing with those. I centered my name and year under the house but now that I see it here I am wondering if I should rip it out and move it to the left starting at the edge of the house. I looks like all of it would fit directly under the house, the way it is now it really looks off center don't you think?
This is Cat from Blackbird Designs. It is stitched on Pumpkin Java.....love that color! I did it over one like the chart called for and it will be sent off to my finisher to be made into a hanging ornament. I hope to get a second one done for myself as I think I am going to send this one to my Mom.
This is Pumpkin Protector by Homespun Elegance. It is for an exchange...don't think she reads my blog, not sure she knows I have one, hope she doesn't see this. I have several other things for the exchange so she won't know all of her surprise if she does see it. I have ordered the frame from Homespun for it but am not sure yet if I am going to use it or keep for myself as I bought enough material to do this twice. Have been stitching like mad this year...I have counted and my completions for the year are at 17 so far! I was surprised when I counted them all. Wonder how many more I can get this year....hmmmmm.

Secret Garden

2006-08-20T18:16:00.000-05:00

Here is my completed Secret Garden by Blackbird Designs. I did the stitching part but my new friend Margie http://eclecticmk.blogspot.com/ did the finishing for me. Didn't she do a wonderful job? I even get a picture of one of her babies in the last shot. She sure is laying there so nice and looking right at the camera! I know neither one of my doxies would have stayed put long enough for a picture.

Blackbird Finish

2006-08-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

I finished this Friday afternoon. I had thought I was going to use it for my house square for the Yahoo SamplerRR group's house quilt but now I think it is too large for that. I have made a smaller one and will decide in the next day or two which to send. I like this one and am thinking I can make it into a pillow or should I say have it made into a pillow, I don't sew anymore.
I have to get busy on my Quaker Garden SAL, I am getting behind. I was out of town last Sunday our stitching day and today I started back to work after my vacation. I will have to get at it or I will not be finished when the others are. I also have been working on my Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, I would like to get that one done sometime this year as I have the new Villages on order and that should be coming. Too many pieces to stitch and not enough time to stitch them all. I just got an email from Margie my new friend from the Blackbird group that she has my Secret Garden box finished, once I know it's okay with her to show you a picture of it I will. I am so happy with the finished look, can't wait to actually have it in my hot little hands. I am so frustrated with this posting thing, I can't see the way to get my paragraphs and nothing seems to work, unless I am just hopeless with my computer and that could be too! :)

Introducing Caleb Scott

2006-08-19T18:56:00.000-05:00

Newest grandson is here! He was born on Tuesday evening at 5:35pm. I don't have any pictures of my own yet but I do have the link to the hospital and you can see the ones they took there. He looks just like his momma did when she was born. She had a headful of hair just like he does. Now I can't wait to get to Missouri to see him. When you look there are 4 pictures just click the next arrow to see the others. Here is the link http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=5B2Y8T9K9Q Password is walworth. Soon I should have some real pictures from Joni, she is going to email me some they took with a digital camera of Caleb and his brothers. I got some stitching done on my vacation, I go back to work on Tuesday so my lazy days are about over. I have had a good week just relaxing and getting up in the mornings when I wake up without an alarm. No sleepless nights while off work either which is nice.

Forgot this!

2006-08-15T17:36:00.000-05:00

When I posted earlier I hadn't gotten the car totally unloaded from my weekend. So I missed getting this into my post. This is a stitching bag that Mom gave me that belonged to my great grandmother. Mom isn't sure if she kept her buttons in it or just some of her sewing supplies. I would love to have a little bag like this for keeping stitching supplies in! I won't use this one I will find a place to keep it safe and maybe one day I will be able to pass it on to one of my grandson's wives.

Home Again

2006-08-15T12:15:00.000-05:00

Am home after my visit to my parents this weekend. We had a great time and I am happy I went. We spent part of the day on Sunday going to sidewalk sale days in Galena Illinois. This is where my Mother was born and a great many of my ancestors are from there. Here is the link so you can look at all the city is about. http://www.villageprofile.com/illinois/galena/galena1.html My Mother's family can be traced back for many generations to that city. My great great great great grandfather was best friends with Gen. Ulysses Grant the famous Civil War General. In fact Mother has found thru her geneology search all the papers that my great great great great grandfather Major Ulysses S. Schueller Du Bol was one of the first to have an infintry of black soldiers. She made a scrapebook for each of my brothers and sister with copies of all the actual papers that she got from the war department. We went to the cemetary and saw all the graves of these relatives and the markings that are on their tombstones.

Now the rest of my vacation will be spent stitching and seeing if I can get some of my WIPS completed as I have so many here kitted and waiting to start on.

No new grandson as of this posting. She went in at 5AM and I haven't heard yet. I am anxious to hear how big he was and if they are still planning on naming him Caleb Scott. Would have been great to be there but I will go visit later.

Kind Fond Love Sampler

2006-08-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

Here is my model piece that I am doing for The Silver Needle. It is Kind Fond Love Sampler by The Sampler Company. I have been at this one for a long time! It is stitched over one on 25 count potatoe lugana. The only good thing about stitching this one over one is that it's only a half cross with 2 threads. Still hard on the eyes! I can't ever seem to work more than an hour or so and then I have to put it down and rest the eyes. Good thing they said no hurry just when you get it finished is fine. I am going to be on vacation starting Friday the 11th until the 21st. That was my time I was to have been in Missouri but no that's not happening so I am just staying around home. Maybe go to Iowa for a day or so to my parents, not sure on that yet. It will give me time to get my fall cleaning done a little early and to stitch the days and nights away

Another cool day here....about time! Sounds like we are to have more seasonal/normal temps for a while now. I can live with that and give the air conditioner a break. The lawn mowers came today and mowed for the first time in over a month. Lawn is starting to look green again.

Hope to have lots of progress reports in the next few days. Doorbell ringing supper is here. YEAH no cooking tonight!

Still no paragraph indentations....this is gonna bother me till I figure it out!

SAL Sunday

2006-08-06T16:34:00.000-05:00

Today was the first session of my SAL on Quaker Garden by BBD. Here is my completion of that first assignment. Not the best picture, it shows the stitching portion but not a close up. I need to take a class on how to take good photographs I think. Surprising my fingers are showing as that's what I usually get. LOL!

Just another Sunday of movie watching and stitching here. No news from Missouri of a new grandson yet. Tomorrow is her checkup so maybe we will learn some good news.

Ok since I won't be able to go to Missouri for that grandchild's birth I have 2 weeks to figure out what to do with. I get 3 weeks of vacation time per year and I have one slotted for my cruise the end of the year. Now what do I do with these other 2 weeks that I had planned on being in Missouri for? Do I just take a day or so here and there as a mental health day or do I just take a week off and do nothing right here at home? I just don't know as I live alone, work from home, not really my idea of fun. Maybe I should plan some extra days and just go visit my parents in Iowa for a few days. Decisions decisions.

Back to stitching and I think that for the rest of my long weekend I will work on my Houses of Hawk Run Hallow or my house quilt square for my Yahoo group. Anyone reading this have any clues what I am not doing to make my paragraphs show? I can't seem to find what I need to change to get that to happen. Oh well I guess it will have to be like this.

Another Finish!

2006-08-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

Here is my Moon Garden by BBD. Yeah 2 completions in 2 days, now on to something else that I have in progress here. I want to get more of my rotation done before I start something else. I hope to have another completed before the end of my 4 day weekend.

Cooler today and the air is off! Such a nice change from having it on day after day after day. My weather bug says it's 83 but it's been overcast all day and I don't think there is any humidity to speak of, and a nice breeze too. What more can we ask for after all that heat.

No new grandbaby yet! We had thought after her last doctor visit that we would be seeing a baby before her next one but it doesn't look like it. Also doesn't look like I am going to get to travel to Missouri for a 2 week holiday afterall. Airfare is just out of my pocketbook range right now and my son in law has changed his mind about paying for my getting there. From the sound of things on the phone today he is upset with me about something but I have no clue what as I haven't spoken to him for quite sometime. Maybe he is afraid of what my other 2 grandsons will do while I am there.....they love spending time with me and sometimes forget he is there. Oh well maybe it's best I wait till baby is a little older to visit.

Just finished reading Water For Elephants the other day. What a wonderful book! I would say it is a must read. It's about written in flashbacks from the a 90 year old man about his time in the circus during the Great Depression. Very accurate details and author includes some real photos of the circus from that time as well.

Well back to stitching!

Why can't I get my paragraghs to show up? They are there when I type it but not when I post it. Hmmm

Secret Garden

2006-08-04T15:05:00.000-05:00

Here is my Secret Garden Loose Feather. Not a good picture showing the true colors. Since I am not really a "red" person I chose to change the color. I stitched it with Crescent Colors threads, Erin Go Emerald, it is about the same shading of greens as the red is. Now I have to find some fabric that I want to line my box with.Margie, another stitcher from the BBD Yahoo group is going to finish it off for me once I get it mailed to her. Today I hope to finish Moon Garden also by BBD. Sunday I will be starting Quaker Garden as a SAL, the first every "organized" SAL that I have been involved in so am excited to join in on that. Still quite warm and ready for this heatwave to be over as I am sure most of the country is.

2006-08-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

Here is my latest framing. Autumn Silhouette by Blackbird Designs. I really like their designs. I have several already done and several to do yet.
This is 5 Fine Roosters by La-D-Da. I like the green frame, it pulls out the green from the tail.

This is my exchange piece from Jodi. It is Thistle Manor from Blackbird Designs. She also sent me the stand it is displayed on. They are made by Bloom Woodworks. I have an idea now to use that stand for so I will be stitching away on that once I get caught up a little. I have been working on a Quaker Sampler for my Mom, Moon Garden by BBD, Secret Garden by BBD and HOHRH. I have to get some or all of those done before I add something else. I have "startitis" where I want to start several things but know that I already have to keep with this rotation before I add anymore.

Attempting a Fix

2006-07-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

Now let's see if we have this fixed now to get the date on the top instead of the mess that was there.

Getting Things Setup

2006-07-24T18:31:00.000-05:00

This is just to see if I am getting all my things setup okay. Thanks Jenn for all your help.