Blackbirds and Lizard Eyes

Well hello everyone,

It has been quite some time since I have last updated my blog.  Work has been very hectic and looks like it won't slow down until school is finished.  The days go by so quickly in schools.  It's as though you blink your lizard eyes (read the end of post and you will understand this) and April's gone!  The weather had been so beautiful this week that I was hoping for some sunshine today, but no....we get rain.  The rain really dampened (literally) my plans to go pick up my Jane Philpott from the framer's!!! I really want to pick her up but I won't chance it for fear of getting her wet.  This is the sort of time when I really wish I had a car...and could drive.

I was hoping to get some more spring finishes make for my little smalls basket, but alas, that has not been the case.  I did manage to finish my little LHN blackbird last night.  I think it's such a sweet little design.  I changed two of the colours.  One of the darker blues I used Victorian Motto shoppe's floss, which is divine, and for the blackbird I used WDW's Molasses to add a bit of depth and variation.

I have the perfect finish in mind for it too.  Inspired by Angela and Terri with their amazing box finishes, I will be making this into a box finish and offering it as part of my 300 follower giveaway.  I'm hoping to have it done in the next few weeks since our Pascha is next weekend and I will be busy, yet again, with family and church.  

Here's an update on Hannah.  As promised (to myself), I've stitched mainly on her and am about halfway done now.  I have thought about putting my other BAP's into a rotation schedule, but I need more than one day for that!! I will be filling in the leopard next and finishing off the grass.  I can hardly wait to see his spots!! I'm totally in love with this sampler!

Well, I have been one lucky, and blessed girl this year.  My name was chosen to be the winner of Terri's Birthday giveaway from Dixie Sampler AND a 2nd place winner from the Scarlet Letter blog.  I must have one lucky name!! I can't tell you how blown away I was when I received Terri's package.  The little box she made for me is so gorgeous and personalized too with my initials! To top it off, she sent me some beautiful charts, linen, fabric, ric rac, petite needles (yay!!), an adorable little purple flower needle minder, some charms and scissors.  Thank you so much Terri for your gift! 

Titus inspecting the beautiful box.

Isn't this design so adorable? Love the bunny and squirrel!

Did I mention the dark chocolates? Oh right...ate them all!!!

Speechless....................

The very following day, I received the Scarlet Letter kit JCS 1707 from Melody, who kindly donated the kit as a prize.  Thank you so much Melody and Nicola!!  This sampler is really special and I can't wait to start it!!

I really love the Adam and Eve in this sampler. Every section is stunning to look at! The more I look at this sampler the more I love all the details. 

Well, I hope to catch up on reading all your posts.  I have been so remiss with responding to emails, so I hope to get to those today.  C'est La Vie! Right?! I do my best to keep up but when work gets so busy, I need to concentrate on that first.  The kids need me just as I need them.  Precious muffins all of them!! 

Oh, just to share with you one last thought.  The other day, one of my kids said to me, "Mrs. Doll, you have eyes like a lizard."  To which I replied, "Is that a compliment ___?" He very seriously said "Yes, because lizard's eyes are cool and green like yours!"  If you knew the boy, you would understand that in his mind, this WAS a compliment!! So cute...so I guess I have Lizard's Eyes!!!

Take care and happy stitching!!

Hugs from me and Titus...

A Leopard Appears and TUSAL

Hello my lovelies!!

Welcome to my new followers! I am now at 301! That is amazing and that means I'm going to be figuring out a great 300 follower giveaway for all of you as a way to say thank you.  I have been very busy now that school is back in session and this weekend is very busy as well.  I hope to work on some giveaway ideas for next weekend.  

Although I have been busy, I have managed to put in some stitches into Hannah.  It's so important for me to forget my stress at the needle after a long day of work.  Even if it's ten stitches, I automatically feel better.  So all of my stitches have been dedicated to Hannah.  I couldn't wait to stitch the outline of the leopard so I abandoned the border and moved along into the middle of the sampler.  

I simply adore this flower with all the buds and leaves and bright colours.  Hannah is definitely moving along nicely!  When I told my husband I'm going to focus on just Hannah, he asked "What about Tea Bath Fairy?"  I told him to not worry, she will get stitched when I'm finished with Hannah.  I think it's funny that he is worried about her! 


I did stitch a wee bit on my LHN's Blackbird and I think I will finish it as a little box.  I want challenge myself to try some new ways of finishing this year.  I have quite a number of finishes to finish up.  I wanted to add more Spring finishes to my basket but that has not happened.  I need to get my behind in gear and start sewing!!

My mailbox has given me a couple of surprises last week.  Pumpkin, from Pumpkin Patch and Co, sent me this adorable little guy to stitch.  I won a secret giveaway on her blog.  He reminds me of a Hummel figurine and will be perfect to stitch for my hubby. Thank you Pumpkin!!

Nia sent me the cutest little lavender bunny for Easter.  It's perfect timing for me since I don't celebrate Easter (Pascha) until the beginning of May.  Thank you Nia sweetie!!

Here's all my "strings" from last month.  Lots of silks in there.  I think I'll try and reuse some of my orts and stuff a pillow with them as I have seen some of you do.  It's a good way to recycle!

I'll leave you with some pretty spring pictures I took.  It has been up and down here with lots of rain lately.  I've been wearing my big Hunter rain boots a lot.  I can't complain though because we really have been blessed with a beautiful spring.

A cool photo of a knotty tree.

That's all for now. 


Take care and hugs for you all!


Anne

Hannah and Pattern Winner!

Hello everyone!

It has been a wonderful Spring Break for me, however, it is at an end.  We had splendid weather which hasn't allowed me to spend much time indoors.  I really need Vitamin D!! Last week my little brother came down to visit and so we took him to the beach and did a lot of walking around enjoying the sunshine. 

The magnolia trees have begun to bloom.  I think they are my favourite spring tree right next to the cherry blossoms.  My Nana has two gorgeous magnolia trees in her front yard: one a star magnolia the other a saucer magnolia.  The saucer magnolia is a massive tree on which over 3 generations of kids have climbed, including myself.  I used to spend time on that tree reading William Wordsworth and Keats.  I didn't get the best photo of that tree but I will once it's in full bloom! The deep pink magnolia is one I saw on her block.  So pretty! I love the yellow forsythia bush that we get here too!

As for stitching, not so much progress as I would've liked.  I picked up Hannah again and realized how much I missed stitching her.  I mean to focus on her for the next little while.  She's always brings me pleasure when I stitch her.  The colours, the motifs, the blooms, the silks, the list goes on.

Kindness.  So much kindness in the blogging community.  All of you are so wonderful it makes so happy and blessed.  I received a lovely little LHN chart from Elena, of BusyHandsCraft.  She has the most wonderful blog and makes beautiful things.  Thank you again Elena for thinking of me!

 
I had to start it right away!

And now for the winner of the Quaker Biscornu pattern..........................................

KATHY ELLEN!!!

From A Stitcher's Heirlooms!

My hubby drew your name from my little hand crafted bowl.  I will email you shortly for your details.

Thank you all for entering and commenting on my biscornu. I think I may just have to start another biscornu in the future as it was a lot of fun to make and really not too hard to whip up together.

Well, I hope all of you had a lovely Easter.  Our Pascha isn't until the beginning of May so I'm still fasting.  It hasn't been too bad and in fact I lost a few pounds and feel lighter.  Tonight I will be making a potato leek soup in preparation for my work week, which will be hectic!!

Hugs to you all and happy stitching!