Progress Update

I'm a bit late in showing my progress on Sea to Shining Sea--I should have updated a few days ago, when I finished 'Southwest'. Instead, I just kept on going, and last night, finished 'West Coast'. This one was the most fun--I loved this house, with it's blue shutters and climbing flowers at the sides. I made a few little changes to my piece--the yellow middle of the flowers are smyrna stitch, and the yellow window in the front door is all smyrna stitch, just to give a little depth to the stitching. Tonight I start 'East Coast', the silks are organized, the chart is out, I just have to make my start, and hope I find the right spot to start in, lol. Let me apologize right now for the really poor photographs--I really suck at taking them. I stitch in hand, no matter the size, so the sides of my stitching pieces are always rolled up. Nicole, where are you? I need you to take a few pictures for me. . . . . . . .

On the home front, hubby is on the road, the truck is fixed, (for now, anyway--there's always something that needs doing on the Beast) and I have my house back. Peace and quiet reign supreme. No TV the minute we grab our coffee in the morning, no ten million phone calls all day long. Just quiet. No one snoring during stitching time, or black door knobs. It's going to take awhile to get the house back to normal but as long as no one is messing it up as soon as I get finished, it shouldn't take too awful long--well, probably longer than most because I HATE housework.

I managed to catch a picture of Shadow sleeping near the dog--she was NOT happy that I caught her, snuggling up to Boo. If looks could kill, and all that. She paid me back today by laying on each of the pillowcases as I was trying to get them on the pillows. She is such a hoot--and doesn't seem to realize that Boo could gobble her up in one bite. She'll sit at the edge of the recliner and bat at Boo's nose as Boo walks by. Sometimes, I don't think Boo even notices her.

Off to make supper, so I can start my stitching time a bit early tonight. Just hope there is something on TV to listen to. Stitch on, my friends, and keep your own updates coming. They encourage me. And sometimes really really tempt me to start new projects. LOL And try to take advantage of the lovely weather. We have a sunny 72 degrees today, here in north east Indiana. Until next time.

An Award

I have been given an award by Patti, on her blog. I am overwhelmed, thanks so much. Now comes the hard part of choosing people to give it to.

This award means -

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with.
This is always the difficult bit, and please don't feel let down if you're not on the list, it doesn't mean I think less of you.

Nicole She is always an inspiration


Leigh She makes me smile


Deb Truly a needle artist


Kathy Loves dragons


Coni Makes me laugh outloud


Siobhan A real Hoot!


Rachel Great with a needle


Miss Jane Lovely pictures


Thank you Patti, for this honor. Now, fingers crossed that I did this correctly, and hope the names don't end up in cyber space.

OMG, do I need to frog?

HELP!!!

I just noticed that I'm off one stitch on my first block on Sea to Shining Sea. Can you believe that? I checked the instructions, and it says "There are two spaces (stitches) between the individual charts and the white line border." The chart has one blank stitch on each side and two blank stitches on top and bottom. If I go by what she said, then I should have three blank spaces on each side, or should ignore the blank space on each side on the chart. Darn! I thought I had spaced it out perfectly, but I went over 24 stitches to start the middle tree instead of 25--so the right side has three blank spaces and the left has one. Darn again! Now what do I do? I have the house nearly done, the tops of all three trees done--how bad does it look? Does anyone think I should frog it all out? (I am NOT doing that border again, so that means no starting over.) I could add a few extra stitches to the right side tree, make it even up a bit more. I am so bummed out.

On a lighter note, I wanted to show this picture I took of our cat Shadow. For some reason, she loves Wal Mart bags. Grocery store bags. All kinds of bags. She's waiting at the door when I come home from the grocery store and can't wait for me to empty those bags and throw them on the floor. For the last few days, all I have to do is shake out this bag, and put it on the floor, and she crawls into it, curls up and goes to sleep. Spooky used to do this also, until she got her head caught in one of the handles and got "spooked", lol. She tore through the house, trying to get that dratted bag off and since then, when a bag lands on the floor, she's in the other room. Instantly.

Perhaps I'll make a start on 'Home is where your cats are', until I get enough comments for me to make a decision, to frog or not to frog. How does it look? Is it real obvious that there was miscounting going on? Does it look really off center?

Stitch on, dear friends. Spring is a-coming!

New Stash, Oh, My!

A new month, and a new order from House of Stitches . It arrived today, and to say I'm thrilled would be really understating things.

I received a blend of old and new. From Val's Stuff, "home is where my cats are". I had to get this chart--it shows a picture of two cats, a gray and a black one. Both of which, we have. Then from Blue Ribbon Designs, from market, "It's Cold Outside". I really like this chart. I'm not sure that I'll ever do the large sampler but I have many uses for the smaller designs. Snowmen, and who doesn't like snowmen? Penguins, my daughter in law loves penguins! Then there are snowflakes, presents, a gingerbread guy, ice skates, a bunny, trees, you get the picture. And I do so love smalls! I also got all the Crescent Colours that the chart required. Might as well have it on hand, eh? Also in that first picture, something called the Buddy Case. It's a faux leather tool case for my stitching bag. It has an inside tray so I can keep some things secured, and still have a place to keep my good scissors safe from scratches. I think it's gorgeous. Mine is in the color Saddle but it does come in tons of other colors, even Eggplant.

Little House Needleworks--truly a blend of the old and the new. The old would be Peach Tree Cottage (which I thought was cute and thought I had but didn't) and Goodwill thread pack. Of the new, East Coast (from sea to shining sea) the last installment, Liberty and Justice, In the Beginning, State Fair and the first design in the new Women's Virtues "Gentle and Kind". Gentle and Kind is a thread pack with Crescent colours Belle Soie and this first one is gorgeous. And before you ask, no, I didn't buy any linen this time. I have a huge cabinet full of linen and it's time I started using what I have before I buy more.

As mentioned above, I did receive the last chart pack for From Sea to Shining Sea, East Coast. Yesterday, I finished that border, completely, and started in on the middle design, Mountains. It was so nice stitching something other than border; new colors, different shapes. Now my only problem will be continuing to work on this project when I so want to start one of the new charts, like "home is where my cats are".

Well, back to my stitching chair and afghan, as it's plenty cold outside and it's been difficult keeping the house warm enough without spending a ton on heating. Keep stitching, and smile! It makes people wonder what you're hiding, LOL.

Traveling Stitcher

Instead of working on LHN's Sea to Shining Sea, I decided to put it aside (I was so tired of that blasted border) until I had the last installment--oh, who am I kidding? When I saw Traveling Stitcher, I couldn't resist starting it. It is a gorgeous piece from market. I had to wait a few days to be able to afford the finish kit and nearly had the larger piece done before it arrived.

This came as a chart pack with the Crescent Colours necessary for completing it. It is stitched on 32 count Lambswool linen, one of my favorite linens. I enjoyed every minute working this piece. After getting the needlebook done, and both pieces sewn onto the finish kit, I decided that the "set" really needed a scissor fob.

For the fob, I took the letters for "scissors" off the larger piece (the capital 'S' from the personalization alphabet included) and charted all the letters on graph paper. I used the border from the needlebook making it smaller across and longer lengthwise. Inside, I graphed the left side house and the stitcher, along with some grass for the house to sit on. The back side (not shown) simply has the same border and the blackbird from the fence.

This is a great design and it was a lot of fun to stitch. Miss Diane once again has a winner. (of course, lol).

Side note, if any of you reader/stitchers sews at all, you'd do best to make your own finish kit. As pretty as the fabric is, the work put into the finish kit was not worth the money I paid. It could be that as I've been machine sewing since I was five (5) that I've become more of a perfectionist than normal. I was not impressed with the workmanship in the finish kit I received. The needlebook wasn't even "even" front to back. The envelope was simply two pieces of fabric with quilt batting sandwiched between, top stitched to form a 'pocket'--the needlebook was the same except that it folds in half and the top stitching catches a piece of felt for needles.

I'm sorry if I'm hurting anyone's feelings or offending anyone but I think that us stitchers need to stick together. In this day and age, where chart prices are rising, and hand-dyed linen is almost too expensive to use, we should be able to expect to get our money's worth. The price of the Little House Needlework chart pack with thread was very fair, simply the cost of her average chart and the cost of the threads. More than worth the cost to have all the threads right there to use.

Okay, off my soapbox now. It's been a terribly gloomy day here for all that it was warmer than normal. Rain instead of snow--woohoo! Back to working on my Sea To Shining Sea, as the last installment is due in my mailbox early next week--and I have so little of the border left to complete.

On a parting note, let me share a picture I took of our sweet kitties, the ones that share my lap with my needlework most nights. It took several months for them to make friends. For the first few months, if Shadow was sleeping in my lap, Spooky would jump up and lay right on top of her. Now they share lap space, lol. Spooky is the black cat and Shadow is the grey ring tailed cat. This picture shows them sitting on the back of my chair, watching the early birds.

Until next time, keep those needles flying.

SNOW by the Trilogy

Okay, okay, I'm on a roll with small projects. This is SNOW by the Trilogy. The picture came up a bit crooked on the scanner, but I'm not going to photograph it until its framed. The picture frame is done, just needs to be painted--blue to match, hopefully, the blue of the border. I had plans of pulling out something larger to stitch, but as I was looking through my stash of kits (I didn't want to dig out floss and fabric) outside it was very cold, and this little snowman appealed to me. I did change one item--the snowflakes around the snowman were regular cross stitches, which I changed to smyrna stitches. Makes them stand out a bit more. This was stitched with Weeks Dye Works and GAST overdyes.

On to a bigger project. Once SNOW was finished, I pulled out LHN's From Sea to Shining Sea. I was inspired by Nicole and her work on her's. She's nearly done and I'm still working on the border chart. I started this piece when it first came out, but the border overwhelmed me. It seemed to go on forever. I am working on it now, and am getting close to being able to work on the interesting parts, the individual houses.

That's all for now, I'm going back to my stitching. Our weather has turned fairly warm so I'm thinking of washing my car tomorrow. Hubby is off, back on the road, thank heavens. There is only so much mud I want to clean up every hour! But, he works hard, so if you pray, pray for him to be safe. He's headed towards Dallas, TX. Stitch on, dear friends, and thank you so much for all the lovely comments you leave me. They are very much appreciated.

A Gift

This year for Christmas, my friend Jodi sent me a threadkeeper. Her father is Max Bloom of Bloom Woodworks, and he makes wonderful threadkeepers, of all shapes and sizes. I have wanted one of these to mount a stitching on, and this one seemed perfect. The other threadkeepers I have that her father made are in shapes, and not really suitable for a stitching. (one is a really cool looking bat, the other a jumping bunny) I had several ideas for this one, but decided to go with a Little House Needlework house, in my choice of colors. It was stitched with Belle Soie Silk, the main house color being Blue Heaven, on Flax linen in 28 count. Really wish I could have found a piece of 32 count in this color. Mounted on batting covered mat board, and laced in the back, the cording is twisted linen thread. I think it turned out great, being my first one.

Now, I'm thinking a mini sampler for the next one? Perhaps my favorite bands from Shepherd's Bush samplers? I'm thinking I need to place an order for a few more of these lovely pieces.

Thank you, Jodi, for this lovely gift. And thanks, Max, for your wonderful talent.

Framed Finish

Seems like lately all I've had are small finishes. This one, at least, I got framed right after finishing. This is Winter ABC by Shepherd's Bush. The mat was included in the kit. It was fun stitching this one--here in Indiana, it was frigid the entire time so stitching on a snowman was quite apt. I tried to get the same color in my frame as they used with the dark mat and blue fabric. Now to find a place to hang this piece.

I've been working on a stitching to decorate a hornbook thread keeper that I received for Christmas. I hope to be back in a day or so with the results. The stitching is completed.

I really do need to find something larger to stitch on but these "instant gratification" small pieces seem to be addictive. Until next post, keep warm, (or cool) and keep interested in your stitching. You are leaving behind a legacy that will live on.

Another small finish

I think I'm on a roll, at least with smaller pieces and having finishes. This is the new Shepherd's Bush 2009 Scissor Fob. I think the ribbon took longer than the rest of the finishing. Please, can someone tell them to go back to the cording around the outside? Makes a much more useable scissor fob. I did enjoy the stitching of this one. The fabric color is just mouth watering. It's called Seafoam green but it looks more aqua than green.

I used a pair of antique scissors that I got on eBay just for display purposes. I hope to be able to find a pair of "Roberta" Ginghers to go with this fob eventually.

Next up? Not sure, but I'm leaning towards SB's Winter Sampler shop exclusive. It came with an absolutely adorable mat.

Thanks for again stopping by, and for all the lovely comments you leave. Stitch on, and keep warm.

A Tiny Finish--Framed

I didn't have time to get the camera out, so a scan will have to do. This is 'Where there is life', (LHN) stitched over one and framed. I chose to paint my frame a pale green and then sanded it to make it look time-worn. Since this was such a small framed picture, instead of the hanging hardware on the back, I've drilled a hole for a small piece of dowel rod, to make it a stand up, stand alone piece. How did I do with the color? I thought about staining it but just had the feeling that would make it too dark.

I'm finished with the front of my SB 2009 Scissor fob and have a start on the back. I'll get moving on finishing that part tonight during Ghost Whisperer--I just love that show. Happy Stitching to all of you and thanks so much for the comments. Have a great weekend.

A Tiny Finish

Yes, indeed, a tiny finish. This is "Where there is life", a compilation kit from Elegant Stitch, designed by Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks, with the threads by Sharon Crescent of Crescent Colours. I loved this piece but after seeing Lois' finish over one, I decided I just had to stitch it that way. I was a little bit disappointed in the colors used--my "clay pot" looks nearly the same as the "second-hand rose", and the colors used in the house, "country lane" and "bunny honey" seemed to be reversed on the chart. (I always use the darkest brown for the roof.) Those problems were simple to fix, and I love that Lois is always doing these Breast Cancer awareness pieces. I know my picture is pretty poor--I just put it on the scanner but I'll take a better picture when I have it framed. I made the frame this afternoon, and if I can decide on a color for it, it will be ready in a flash.

This is not the first time I've done an entire project 'over one' but with my eyesight, I do find it difficult to stitch. I'm very proud that I actually finished it. (I had second thoughts about the over one while I was doing the border, which was the first part I stitched, but as I'd cut the fabric in half, no going back.) And there was that "perfect timing" about the finish--yesterday, my new Shepherd's Bush kits came: Winter Sampler and 2009 Fob. I was determined NOT to start the fob until this piece was done--so now that it is done, on to the fob. My project to start tonight. Very thrilled I am. And the icing on the cake? Mr. DH is finally home after being out on the road for 17 days without a home visit. Can you say dirty laundry? Ick.

Until next time, dear friends, keep those needles flying, and only stitch what you enjoy stitching. Life is way too short to waste time stitching on something you don't like.

UFO now a finish!

Here it is, Shepherd's Bush "FRIGHT", finally done. I really like how this one turned out. It's so pretty. (Yup and it's another one that eldest son has put his name on since the theme is Halloween.) You probably can't see it, but the fabric is distressed, and the fibers are silk, with the variegated thread Autumn Foliage by Threadgatherer.

That makes at least three UFO's that I've done in the last month. I'm so psyched about that. Of course, I have plenty more to get done, but I'm feeling righteous so . . . . . a new project. I'm thinking of starting LHN's 'Where there is hope' but I'm really tempted to get started on her 'Winter Whites', that Nicole started. It looks so pretty and wintery--and here in Indiana, it is certainly winter. Our high for today was -1 and right now, we're at -4 degrees. Just too too cold. We did get a bit of snow yesterday, so when I look out the front door my car is simply a white mound. I'm staying indoors to keep warm. I've been keeping busy, with laundry mostly, and some minor picking up. As soon as dinner is over, then I'll pick which new project to start on. I'm sort of leaning towards the 'Where there is hope', but I'm trying to decide if I want to do it over one or over two threads. Wouldn't it be neat to have that as a miniature? Decisions, decisions. If my order from Shepherd's Bush had come, there would be no decisions to make--I'd have started the 2009 Fob immediately--it's really adorable. But, from what I understand, the Bush is awaiting an order of ribbon for the kit and they won't be sending any out until it arrives. Boo, hoo.

I'm off to make dinner and then head for my stitching nest and an afghan for my feet. Hope all of you are keeping warm, and enjoying your stitching. Stitch on dear friends. And for those on the other side of the pond, keep cool, stay out of the sun, and send a bit of the warmth our way.

Come Tarry and a new finish

After more than two years, I can finally hang "Come Tarry" by Shepherd's Bush on the wall. For that long, I've had a blank spot waiting for this piece and now I can fill it. I really enjoyed working on this, as I love long narrow band samplers and Shepherd's Bush have the best ones. (In my opinion.) I did change the piece a tiny bit--I changed the pudgy's hair color and made it a lot longer--the braid that is. That was done to make the pudgy resemble myself--I used to have hair that color-before it all turned gray and white and faded out. And I still have long hair, just not quite as long as the braid I gave the pudgy.

I took some close up shots of the top, middle and bottom of the piece, to show more detail. What do you think of the frame and the color? I was just so tired of staining the wood. And no, the color isn't light yellow but the color of heavy cream.

And here is my newest finish. A small piece, again by Shepherd's Bush, called "Come". The end result was a bit lighter than I thought it should have been but these were the colors that came in the kit. Haven't decided on a finish finish--if you know what I mean. Frame? Make into a pinkeep? A cube? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for looking, and get those needles smoking! I hope to be back soon, with another finish. I'm stitching and half done with Fright by Shepherd's Bush. I love reading your blogs and seeing your finishes. Those finishes encourage me. Stitch on.

I've been FRAMED!!!

I finally got into the back room, got my power tools out, and got some stitchings framed. Can you believe that? It's been simply ages. Unfortunately, I missed taking pictures of most of the projects. Yep, Lil Miss Too Much To Do forgot about taking pictures until after 6 of the projects were wrapped up and ready to give as gifts. I was so mad. And then I forgot to take my camera home to take pictures when the recipients opened the gifts. I still have "Come Tarry" to frame but as it's going to be a huge frame, I needed to make sure I had enough molding for the gift frames first. That one will come tomorrow and I can't wait. Seems like I've had that Shepherd's Bush piece done for years.

First up, the gift for my daughter-in-law, Brown House Studio's American Sampler. It was stitched with the recommended WDW's threads over one on Belfast Linen. She really liked this design when we saw it at House Of Stitches. She was very surprised when she opened this gift.

Prairie Sampler by Little House Needleworks


Holly and Berries by Little House Needleworks

Thread Gathering by Little House Needleworks


Autumn Blessings by Shepherd's Bush

Stripes by Shepherd's Bush

The rest of the framed pieces were for the house here. Prairie Sampler, Holly and Berries, and Thread Gathering by Little House Needleworks, and Shepherd's Bush Autumn Blessings and Stripes. At least I think its called Stripes--it has been forever since I stitched it. It was the first design I thought to give to my brother-in-law--until I found Brave Hearts. Yep, that was one that also got framed, along with Morning Berries, Strawberry House, and Drawn Thread's Spring Spot that I forgot to get a picture before wrapping.

Until next time, dear friends, stitch on and don't forget to get those lovelies framed or finished for all of us to drool over. And take lots of pictures before you wrap!

A Birthday Finish

I wanted to share a special finish that I had a while ago, but couldn't share until the birthday girl received her parcel. I didn't have a lot to go on except that she likes scissors, the colors purple and pink and smalls. HMMM, whatever shall I stitch her? Okay, smalls it is.

I chose a design by Indigo Rose, her Victoria's 2 pence Scissor Fob. I enlarged it, changed it around, added to it, and came up with this set: a scissor fob, needlebook and biscornu. I also used her Rhodes Heart to decorate a scissor sheath. I used R and R's linen in Breast Cancer Pink and Belle Soie silk in Empress purple. I added beads to the edges of all pieces except the sheath.

I loved working on this. Loved changing it, making it bigger by adding an extra row of rice stitches, and loved doing the finishing on it. I think its taking a blank piece of fabric, a soft piece of silk and making something lovely out of it. Something three dimensional out of it. Something that can be used. And don't we all love using pretty things? And because the birthday girl works giving Mammograms, I added the pink ribbon scissors. I think it made a sweet set. What do you think? Oh, it might help if I add a picture of the set?

The beaded counter was made by my son Chad to match the set I stitched. Isn't it pretty?

I have other finishes to share but the camera batteries need a recharge. I'll be back soon with an update and some pictures that I've just finished framing and a couple of tin necklace finishes. Until then, happy stitching!

Another Just Nan finish, Hooray!

I was so happy at finishing the previous UFO of Just Nan's, that I thought I'd give a try and finish this up. It's Just Nan's, "And Many More" needlebook, to match her "20 Flowers". I had started it years ago. I so totally loved the look of this piece, with its many flowers, sheepies, but with so many flowers, so many color changes. Way too many color changes, if you know what I mean. I felt like I spent more time threading my needle than stitching. But, now that it's finished, I love how it looks. And it was stitched totally with silk thread. This is the front, isn't that rose on the flap gorgeous?

And the back, with the over one blue birds, the pretty sheepies, and all those flowers. If you look closely at the backstitching at the bottom, on the hills, you'll see a 'S' and a 'N' hidden, for Silver Needle.

I ordered the finishing kit but didn't follow many of the instructions, preferring to finish by hand, instead of by machine. I did follow the instructions for completing the inside flower, which I thought was a really cute idea. The way you sew the top and bottom flower together makes tiny pockets that can be used for needle threaders, charms, buttons and such.

Our house is home to three pets; a dog named Boo, (a black lab/chow mix) a black cat named Spooky (can you see a theme here?) and the newest member of our family, a grey cat called Shadow. We love all our pets but Shadow is something special. She lives to be loved on. She'll sleep in my lap despite me having a lap full of stitching and pillows. The night she decided to use my chart as her pillow, I just had to take a picture of it. So, here she is, Shadow, my stitching buddy. Isn't she adorable?


Now, if I can keep her from playing with my threads, I'll be happy. Sometimes I wait until she falls asleep before I start stitching--saves my silks. I have several charts with tiny teeth marks on the edges. She loves to cuddle. Next post, I'll try to find pictures of the other two beasts that live in our house and our hearts.

Once I finished stitching and finishing this project, I got started on Little House Needlework's "The Angels Sang" and its about half done. That was the chart that Shadow was sleeping on. I put it aside to start a project for a birthday exchange for next month. Most of the stitching on that is finished, just have to get started on the finishing for all the different pieces.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, and I hope you manage to get some stitching done, in between taking the pies out of the oven, basting the turkeys, and slapping husband's hands that sneak tastes. Until next time, happy stitching.

I have attempted, several times, to edit this post. The last three paragraphs should have spaces between them. Blogger won't allow me to do that, and I don't know enough about code to do it myself in the edit mode. Someone advised me to add the pictures last, and then blogger will allow editing--but when you add pictures last, they all go to the top. I'll try it next time, see if I can manage moving pictures without leaving off much needed code. You'd think that Blogger would make it a little easier to insert pictures, or edit, wouldn't you? Thanks for reading!

I can't believe I actually finished it!

Yes, indeed I did! I finished it all by myself. I simply can't believe that I not only finished stitching this piece but did a decent job finishing it into an ort box. This is Just Nan's TrickorTreat Box, a specialty design she did for the Silver Needle cross stitch shop. Isn't it cute? It's done on linen stitched with lovely spooky shades of silks, a bit of sparkly metallics and finished with two really cute charms.

Here you can see the side with the witch in her striped leggings and a pumpkin with a bat hat. A witches hat charm is the closer. (don't mind the price tag on the candle holder I used to prop up the piece--sorry, I didn't notice the tag until after I uploaded the picture.)

This was my favorite side to stitch. I just loved the pumpkin with the mask, and the spider sitting on his head.

Isn't that cat in front of the moon cool? Spooky? And the ghost holding the monster head? And the bat? Yes, I do love Halloween. This is the back of the piece.

Here is the box open, and you can just barely see the witch hat and the copper moon charms. The witches hat is on a stretchy ribbon and fits over the moon to keep the box closed. But, do you know what's hiding inside?

A pumpkin shaped pincushion. I thought it was a cute idea, and I'm very glad to have this finished. But I will need to keep a close watch on this piece, my eldest son has 'dibs' on all my Halloween stitchings. I'm not sure what he would do with this, but he's been watching my progress with keen eyes.

All in all, I'm happy with my finishing on this. It's not perfect, by any means but I'm still learning all these new and different options besides framing.

In my last post, (which was over a month ago, so sorry but its been a long 30 days) I said that I had planned on stitching another Little House Needlework piece. Isn't this pretty? While I was stitching it, Indiana was having spring weather, balmy and almost summer like. Mid to high 70's. This piece was so soothing to work on--oh, and it's the one that I had to frog the entire left side border. Okay, so the frogging was NOT soothing, but the stitching and restitching was. This is Strawberry House, one of the All Dolled Up series.

I had planned this next one as a welcome to colder weather but that didn't happen. The piece got stitched but I'll always think of being too warm while it was being stitched. This is Holly and Berries by Little House Needleworks. It's a very simple piece but charming in its simplicity. It makes me think of stitching by the fire, with the snow swirling around outside.

Okay, so I guess I need to explain why this past 30 days seemed so long. Hubby was home for nearly three weeks of it. Yup the truck needed fixing, the company didn't want to give him back any of his escrow money to do it so he sold some junk (recycled metal) to buy parts, and then quit his job. Like I said, it was a long 30 days. (He's now working on his second run for a new company after a three day orientation to learn how this company wants their paperwork done.) I had more than two weeks of him coming in with black and greasy hands, bottles of anti-freeze and oil thrown all over our front yard, and the garage light left on for hours at a time. Unless you know big trucks, you'd never believe how much oil and anti-freeze those monster vehicles take.

I have started a new project a few days ago, Little House Needleworks, The Angels Sang. Haven't gotten too far on it yet, but after the month I've had, I needed a new project. Time for me to get back to it. May all your stitches be soothing, and in the right places.

Two New Finishes

This is my first new finish, Heart and Home Sampler by Little House Needleworks. Isn't it cute? I loved working this piece, it seemed to soothe me somehow. Why is it that some pieces you fight with, trying to make headway, and some pieces fly way too fast off your needle? This was the later, too soon finished. I opted to go with just stitching the berries instead of using beads. Just liked the way it looked stitched. I used the called for colors, DMC and Crescent Colours Cottons. I'm thinking of doing the tiny, over one thread necklace too.

This is Two Cabins by Nancy's Needle. I finished the sky and windows last night. Really enjoyed stitching on this but it will never take the place of cross stitch for me. I found it difficult dealing with the mounting frame, trying to hold it and stitch at the same time. I would like to do a quilt this way, but a really big one, to hang over our four poster bed. I think that would really be prettty. But, in thinking of that possible project, I think that I could design a geometric quilt in shades of colors and stitch it on linen. Think I'd enjoy it more, also.

I'm almost finished with LHN's Strawberry House. I totally mis-counted on the border and had to frog the entire left side or it would have been finished by now. I think I'll use the buttons on that one to "doll" it up like the designer intended. After that, I have a birthday exchange to decide a project for and a Shepherd's Bush (several in fact) that I want to do. It's been way too long since I've done one of their projects. And I'm several sheepies behind on their sheep series.

Stitch on dear friends. I'll try not to take so long for my next post.

I have tried, several times, to edit this post and put spaces between the paragraphs. For some reason, Blogger won't let me do this. And since my dh is hoping for dinner that will actually be served sometime tonight, I have to let this post stand as it is. Perhaps some other time Blogger will allow some changes, and editing. Thanks for reading.

Beth's Fob

When I made my last post, I thought I had posted a picture of the fob I made for Beth, the Purple Three Penny Scissor Fob by Indigo Rose. NOT! So, here it is. The different shades of purple, the white beads to match the handles of the scissors--I think it turned out quite nicely. This was part of her birthday gift. I was going to try and post these pictures in my last post, but I just can't seem to add pictures where I want them to go. If I don't add them at the beginning and then write my blip, the pictures always end up at the top. If someone can tell me how to put pictures where I want them, I'm all ears.

Happy Stitching everyone.

A little this, a little that

I can not believe it's been over a month since I last posted. Seems that life has kept me very busy. We finally have a new shower and it only took a week to install. We are having a problem with the caulk curing, so might have to remove it all and re-caulk with a different brand. You'd think that after two days, it would be dry and stay dry. Nope, it gets tacky whenever it gets wet, and seems to wash away. Really annoying.

Summer is nearly over. Isn't that the best thing you've heard in ages? Autumn, with its lovely colors, and cooler temperatures, is just around the corner. Last night, I turned off the a/c and opened a window--was to get down to 45 degrees. Must have because I was very comfortable--and I like being cold when I sleep. Really cold. Don't believe me? I once slept in the truck, parked on the top of a hill in Northern Illinois in the middle of January--and the temps were below zero. (and the truck was not running!) I had no trouble sleeping. And why on earth would I do that? We were visiting my husband's parents and as they are getting on in age, they like to keep the house REALLY warm, like 85 degrees. So, I'm very happy to see the end of summer. The grandkids are back in school and it should be reported that they all like their new teachers. And all they can talk about is Halloween coming. Oh, and birthdays--three of them have birthdays this month.

So, in amongst all the busy-ness of life, I did get a bit of stitching done. First up, Little House Needleworks Reading. I do not know why the fabric is showing up blue because it was stitched on Antique white Belfast, with Crescent Colours. I really enjoyed stitching this one. When these charts were previewed, I decided then and there I was only going to stitch the Quilting one. I am a reader, but the Quilting piece was the only one that really interested me. Guess I changed my mind. Looks like I'll be stitching all four in the series. Am I a sucker for LHN designs, or what?

Here is my stitched piece, Little Women Reading by Little House Needleworks. It was a fairly quick stitch, and has been done for days. (Just kept forgetting that the batteries for my camera needed to be recharged.)
Next up, Indigo Rose's Three Penny Scissor fob. For my birthday, my friend Beth gave me a pair of scissors. She bought the same pair for herself. For her birthday, I stitched her this very same fob, in a purple over-dyed silk, Empress Belle Soie by Crescent Colours. Since the scissors matched, I made myself the same fob, but in my favorite color of blue, Blue Lagoon Belle Soie by Crescent Colors. (side note, if you've not stitched with Belle Soie yet, give it a try. You'll fall in love with this lovely silk floss.)

I did change the chart somewhat. I enlarged the design size from 4 stitches by 4 stitches (woven) to 8 stitches by 8 stitches. On the front, I left an area in the middle unworked to have a place to stitch an initial, this time, mine. The back was worked as Indigo Rose designed it, just a bit larger. You can't see the lovely sheen of the beads--here they appear white but they are the exact color of the darker part of the silk floss. The cording is made of the same silk floss. It's filled with plastic pellets for weight.

Seems like quite a few stitchers have been trying canvas work. Beth has been working on canvas for about 6 months and she is thrilled with it. Nicole has done a few and her's have turned out so pretty--her's look like mini quilts and that always makes my mouth water--so I thought I'd give it a try. This is Two Cabins by From Nancy's Needle. I'm enjoying the work, the learning something new but it will never replace my cross stitching.

If you notice the pine green on the outside border, I've finished up with that green tonight, and the last snowflake has been done. It's very small, only 4 inches by 8 inches but there is a lot of detail in that small piece. And can you believe it? I've had trouble doing the counting. Do I count the threads or the holes? I am finding it hard to understand how I can count wrong so often, when I don't do it very often in my stitching. A lot of frogging went on to get this far.

So, what is next? I'm thinking it's time for another LHN design, and I've chosen Heart and Home Sampler. It's charted for DMC but I think I'll try and find some Crescent Colours overdyed cottons to stitch it in.