I found it at last!

Yes, indeed I did find it. Lois at Elegant Stitch had one left and it's on the way to me. Thanks Lois. And thank you all, who looked for this kit for me. I appreciate the time and trouble you all went through looking at the various sites for me. You ladies are the greatest! And isn't Lois the sweetest person out there? Drema is a close second. I'm sending out a great big hug to all of you who joined the search.

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Finally, a Shepherd's Bush Finish

Yes, you read that right, after weeks and weeks of stitching, I finally have a SB finish to report. And a blue SB--almost unheard of. Not that it took me that long to stitch this--I just couldn't get going on it with so much else in front of me. This was started Sunday afternoon, while hubby was watching the race, and the front was nearly finished before I started dinner. Which, of course, meant that I really resented starting dinner when I could have continued stitching and had a faster finish. OH, well, it's now done, and I'm off to clean out some of my unfinished items. Think I'll stick to the SB ones, like Fright and Jingle that have been started.

Don't you just hate seeing something that you would love to stitch and then you can't find it at any of the online stores? I saw a finish on Legacy Finis forum, Victorian Elegance by Indigo Rose, that I just fell in love with. But, none of the stores I'm familiar with is carrying it. I'm wondering if it's a limited edition piece. It looks fabulous in her Black on White but I think it would look really pretty done on antique lavender linen in a deep purple silk. Or even done on a dark linen with a lovely variegated pastel silk. Oh, the possibilities.

Alyssum Pocket

Finally, a new finish. This one was an easy stitch, Alyssum Pocket by Cat's Whisker, but a very difficult finish for me. I loved the color of the Dinky Dye used, and the silk was really lovely to use. I also liked the shape and everything about it--except the finishing. But, for those of you who are doing it, or have done it, you'll know what I'm talking about.

I'm planning on using the small design of the plant in the vase that is on the back to make a matching fob for the scissors. I've already gotten the design stitched, just have to decide exactly how I want to do the finishing.

Next project? Shepherd's Bush 2007 Scissor Fob, which I've already started this afternoon. Hope to have another finish soon. After that? I have to do some clean up--way too many projects partially completed, and sitting on my table.

My question to all of you? What are you working on? And do you have way too many unfinished projects sitting around your house? And what is the next thing on your stash buying list? I think my next purchase will be Indigo Rose's Victorian Elegance. I saw it finished on Legacy Finis Forum and just fell in love with it. Actually, I'd like to find just the chart as I'd prefer a different color rather than black. I'm thinking a nice lovely deep purple would look smashing. Maybe on antique lavender linen?

As always, I love reading your comments, suggestions, and such, as much as I love reading your blogs. Its just so much fun sharing our love of stitching.

A Gift for a Friend

I've mentioned that I was working on a gift for a friend that I couldn't post until she received it. She got it today, so now I'm free to share with everyone what it looks like.

It started out a kit from Elegant Stitch, called From the Heart, pocket smalls. It took me a while to understand all of Lois' instructions as it was the first project I'd done of hers, beyond the Essy kits. There was a lot of pulled stitches and over one stitching, with perle cotton no less, but I think it turned out really well. After stitching and finishing the scissor fob, for the scissors included in the kit, and the needlebook, I decided the set needed a pincushion. Using the chart for the front of the fob, I enlarged it a bit, to make it square, with the pulled stitches around the outside, and used the rice stitches to make it a bit more colorful. The bottom side only has the pulled stitches. It made a very small biscornu but looked very nice and matched the set quite well.

This set was sent to Beth, Cabin Cross Stitch, with love and gratitude. She knew we have been going through some financial hardships and without even asking, took it upon herself to send me stitching kits. She has, over the last few months, sent me most of the new Shepherd's Bush kits. She's also sent me fabric and other projects we've both had an interest in stitching. Beth, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are a friend, indeed.

Side bar. Beth has been trying to start an online cross stitch store, and posted on the SBBB about a sale, to introduce herself to the community of stitchers. She offered a 30% off any item Shepherd's Bush; leaflets, kits, etc. Besides me, she had one person take her up on her offer. So, if there are any of you out there contemplating adding a few more projects to your stash, give her a shout, or send her an email. Her email is: bethstricklin@yahoo.com I give you my guarantee, she's the best.

My thanks to you, the readers who leave such encouraging comments.

An Essy Kit Finish

I haven't posted for about two weeks. Usually only post when I have a finish and my last finish can't be posted as its a gift for a friend and I don't want her to see it here first. I have taken pictures so I'll post it as soon as she receives it.

This finish is the last Essy Kit by Elegant Stitch and its a cutie. Its a stitched case for chapstick brand lip balm. It could easily have been finished a bit larger to hold a different brand. These are the things I love, every day useable objects made pretty and special with a little stitching. They make a person feel special just using them.

I'm sad that this is the last kit Lois is doing. I have had a wonderful time stitching her monthly kits and she has done such great work for Breast Cancer. It was always such a surprise when the kits arrived in the mail box, and without fail, I had to drop anything I was doing to stitch the new kit. Thank you, Lois.

So, what do you think?