The first one

I have anticipated for the last few days the finish of my Rosina, but I have not be able to accomplish as much as I had wanted.  It has been quite the week.  Where does the time go??  Already it is this afternoon........... Low and behold, I have put the finishing over 1 words in this morning and here she is.  Miss Rosina Payne.  The first finish of 2012!!!!

I just love her.  FINALLY finished her!!!!  She is one of my favorites, and I am looking so forward to her framed.  I have added a few other pics for your viewing pleasure.....

I am looking forward to getting back to Isabella Johnson and my January 1st project-- Drawn Thread.   Tomorrow is another day :)

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and I look forward to continued progress reports from all of you!!!!!

2 Stitched Pincushions

2 Easy little projects that I have stitched (not 'finished' yet).  This is right about my speed for the week- with all the antique shopping taking up most of the time.  Both finishes are from the Blackbird Designs Book 'Thank you, Sarah Tobias' which has 7 projects included.  2 of which are stitched, and far from completed as a pincushion.....Maybe I will be inspired this summer to 'finish' them??!!

I used 40ct Vintage Woodsmoke from Lakeside Linen for both pieces.  This top on Sarahs ABC Pincushion was stitched with a Limited Edition Silk n Color thread-- Caravan Road.  I added the bird after my name.  The silk is just beautiful.

The 2nd finish is the other half of my Homework assignment and this is Pins & Tulips.  Of course the colors have been modified from the original.  It is so much fun to switch things up dont you think?  I am pleased  with the way it turned out.

I used a combination of the Silk n Colors Caravan Road along with Belle Soie Old Crow and Fibers to Dye For from Amy Mitten.  I have always been attracted to these threads--- simply because of their names.  For example 1 of the 5 colors that I used is called 'Rigor Mortis' .  Can you even?!!  The others that I used was 'Old Lace' and 'Candle Stick Bronze'.  Amy has lots of great other colors i.e Casket, Arsenic, Alibi, Killer Eggplant, Dirty Rat etc. etc.  I have never stitched with these threads before yesterday-- (I have owned them for some time now) and I must say, they were fabulous to stitch with.  They are 100 % silk, hand dyed threads and I used 1 strand for 40ct and the coverage was perfect.  If you have a chance or are looking for something new and fun, try these Fibers to Dye For, you wont be sorry :)   (Ask your local LNS for them or leave your email for where to buy them.)

Have a Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!

Did everyone ring in the new year having fun?!!! My favorite is to watch the ball drop in Times Square. No, I wasnt there but it is always a tradition to watch.

I worked on Paradise Lost for a few days after Christmas, then put it down to go & visit at my sister place for 3 days. We had a Great time, as usual. It was nice to spend time together. No stitching got done over there, I did show her at least and she was amazed at how tiny it is. I am stitching PL on 45ct Vintage Sand Dune Lakeside with the called for silks. I am enjoying the colors. I love the lions head...he is so cute, even without a body! I hope to start working on it again next week.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and is getting the new year started off right!!

Sampler Purse Finished!!

As you can see, this is the 'something' I was working on this week, that is now finally complete. The stitching part to me, was a piece of cake, the finishing part however was a pita. I cut out the interfacing, ironed and sewed this beauty into a new look. I am sooo excited to see the final product and look forward to using it sometime over the Holidays. This design is from Dames of the Needle, and I used the called for fabric- 32ct Vintage Woodsmoke Lakeside. I changed all the Gentle arts threads it called for (shock) into Gloriana and Silk N Colors. I love the Blackbirds! The colors are just so vibrant. For the lining I chose a deep teal in Dupioni Silk, I felt it needed a fancy fabric, especially because I chose the silk threads.

I am still working on a few other projects, soon to be posted. But I just had to stop and share this with you!! Thanks to everyone who reads my blog-- and takes the time to comment, email or text me. I just love it :)

Added to answer some questions!

I am going to keep it as a clutch, to me it is very dainty that way :)

I purchased this pattern at my LNS, most shops should be able to order this--it is a must have for sure!!

You ever have one of those Days?

Anyone have one of those days you wake up and wish you could start over?! Today is one of those days. I got up at 8am, and by 8:25am things were already hitting the fan. Holy smokes. Crazy emails, voicemails, packages not delivered on time! AGIDA I tell you! AGIDA. Yesterday I already started dealing with these things and opened a bottle last night. Let me tell you, I am ready to pour it over my cereal!!! LOL. It is supposed to be a GREAT day today, and maybe after a mid-morning cocktail it will be :).

Progress on the Homecoming Sampler is moving along nicely. On the 3rd out of 4 rows. It really is a cute piece, and nice to see progress so quickly on the animals, although the one I left half done last night, and said to heck with it, I am going to bed already!




A challenge has been brought to the table concerning Paradise Lost, and I am always up for one! I pulled out PL yesterday and decided to start on the top-right hand corner, to get the A & E done. I dont really like backstitching so I thought if I could put it to bed right from the beginning, I would enjoy stitching it for sure. Not that it isnt pretty, it is very pretty, I just need to figure out how to wiggle my nose and get it done immediately. I am still working on it, will keep all of you posted!

I am thrilled to start PL. I have chosen one of the most beautiful piece of 45ct linen. Vintage Sand Dune from Lakeside. OUTSTANDING. Of course, is there any ugly Lakeside linen? Heck No!! I am using the called for NPI and Gloriana silk threads. I cant believe how gorgeous it is so far, and there isnt really that much done! Stay tuned!



I splurged on something for myself, well this isnt really something new, I am always splurging--especially when it comes to stitching! These Dovo scissors--silver handles with blue blades. WOW is all I can say. Absolutely exquisite. I have used them for the past couple of days now and they are amazing. I highly recommend these!!

Hope all of you are having a great day! Mine will be too-- dont you worry.

Maria P. Oliver is done!

What an unforgettable weekend I had! So many friends and a TON of great laughs, the kind of laughs that your stomach hurts and your face feels like it has taken on new shape :). Thank you to all-- you know who you are :)!!! It has been a non-stop weekend with the worlds best friends, and there was no time to stop and post a completed picture of Maria P. Oliver. Thank you to all of you, I can not wait to do this again.

After all is said and done, I am catching my breath, and reading up on the missed posts on my favorite blogs. I am excited to share with you Maria, who was finished late late on Friday night, or was it really early Saturday morning? Who knows, it is a miracle I could even see to stitch and it actually turned out correct! I just took this picture, and surprise surprise, the linen almost looks right. I cant believe it. No good close up, but she is done, and looks terrific. The colors are perfect for her. Mockingbird R & R Linen with Belle Soie Silks. Maria P. Oliver is a Carriage House Samplings piece (the pattern picture does not do this sampler justice).

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just next week, and the year is almost over. Where oh where does the time go? As long as it is shared with loved ones, we can not complain where the time goes, but think back to the wonderful memories that were created. I know that it is Tuesday already, (hard to believe I think I missed Monday) but I know that a lot of you had great weekends and looking forward to a lot more! Happy Stitching!

Halfway on Maria P. Oliver

Another motif done on Maria, which brings me to halfway. I wanted to have a little more done for this weekend, but I don't think that is going to happen. Running errands always takes longer then it should, and they generally aren't that much fun. But, I managed to stitch last night, and finished the 2nd and 3rd 'Godfather' movies. Each one of those is almost 3 hours each, I had no idea! They are worth every hour.

I think that linen has a mind of its own when it comes to taking pictures of it. Like it morphs into something it isn't. The threads you can generally get a great idea, but gosh, this linen looks like something else :). It is not as grey as it looks. I tried my ott-light on with it, instead of just the overhead...oh well, at least we all have the same trouble, and if you recognize the color of linen, chances are you know the shade!

Off to finish errands and laundry! Thanks for all the comments-- I just LOVE reading them!

I wasn't going to...But I had to

Remember on Saturday's post, I said that I was going to relax, move stash around and let my fingers heal? Well, as you can see from the above picture, that was short lived! I did not however start this until yesterday. I spent some time with family, went to church, went for brunch, and watched the little one gain speed from walking. This is all new to her, she is just 11 months old. Funny just 3 short days ago she wouldn't walk on her own, now she is almost running from that little monkey crawl! She is so cute, so petite, so precious I can hardly stand it. Bright-- and I mean bright crystal clear light blue eyes.

Late in the day, I came home and looked at all the stash I had sprawled out all over the place. And, when I say all over the place-- it is!! I have alot of them already kitted up, as many who know me, I have to--just because. So, it is fun to look over choices that I made a while back, and which silks I chose to use. When I saw Maria P. Oliver from Carriage House Samplings, I knew, she was for me, now. Look at these colors!! As charted for NPI, I converted them to Belle Soie, I am THRILLED with the outcome so far. I am starting to think I need more Belle Soie in my projects! The linen is 40ct Mockingbird from R & R. I watched the 'Godfather' last night while working on Maria, I just love those movies. I know it isn't up everyones alley, but for me it is in the top 10. I couldn't but her down, watching the subtle variation in the blooming flowers.

This week is going to be a busy one. Alot of movin and shakin. Things to do, places to go, people to see! I am so excited for this week, I am going to be visiting with some friends I haven't seen in what seems like FOREVER....I am positive, it is going to be another unforgettable weekend :)

Saturday Already?!

It is amazing to me how fast the weeks have been going, especially in the fall, when Holidays are fast approaching. I have seen some counters for the days left until Christmas. Really?! I remember in school, wondering how many days we had left before summer, and then summer was over in 5 minutes. Then we were back in school already. My mother always said, time only goes faster when we get older. She was right. Yes mom-- you were right-- again!! :)

I finished up Know Ye last night. What a fun little stitch. The pictures are crazy, showing 2 colors of the linen. I think that the top one looks closer to the Vintage Pear I chose. I might need to take photography lessons. I am looking to just play with stash this weekend, take it easy and let my poor fingers heal from all the stabs I give myself over and over again- in the same spot :(. Make piles and lists, and move stuff around. I am looking forward to this for sure.

Its a beautiful day, I think a walk in an order to. Hope everyone has a very relaxing weekend. Until next week!

Whats Next? Know Ye

I had so much fun last night looking at stash again, it was exciting to think, I was going to start something new! Yes, I am caving from my plan of completing another WIP.

All this A & E craze is getting to me, although very tempted to start Paradise Lost--it is kitted with all the goodies it needs....I thought I would do a smaller one for a change. I started La D Da's Know Ye last night after supper, and I am loving it. I am using the NPI that it calls for, but I had it kitted already with 40ct Vintage Pear Lakeside. It calls for R & R Sheeps Straw, which is also a great color, but I liked the pear better.

The best part about this one, I should be finished ASAP, so I get to rummage through stash again sooner then later!!!!!

EDITED TO ADD:  A few of you have commented on where to purchase this chart.  One of my favorite shops is Acorns and Threads in Portland Oregon.  Please see the link on the side of this blog.  They will be more then happy to order it for you!  It is a great pattern and a MUST have!!!!!!  

Lights Out Mary Wigham

It is 2:15AM as I am writing this on Wednesday morning, and I have been up since 5AM Tuesday morning. Why? I have had a lot on my mind the last few days, getting excited for the weeks ahead, and the time change hasnt helped either. I finished stitching her about 15 minutes ago, dug out the iron and board, and thrilled to present Mary Wigham as a complete sampler. What do you think?!! Yeah!! I had my 2nd wind about 12 hours ago, and I think I am on my 24th :). Mary was stitched using NPI on 40ct Pearled Barley Lakeside Linens.

This is the 4th Quaker that I have finished this year, my mistake in the previous post as I mentioned only 3 (Forgiveness, Mouline Rouge, Beatrix Potter and now Mary). I am happy to have her off the WIP, and can not wait to get onto something else. Not that I dont love Quaker samplers, I just need more variety!

I have a few in mind, and I have to order some silk this week, because I am missing a few from my newly organized stash. Silk and a few other items perhaps......

I have put Mary to bed, and I am soon to follow! Thanks for your comments, it is definately a highlight!

WIP & More Floss Organizing

Before


After


More Floss Organizing


I have to first say a BIG, HUGE Thanks to all who left comments on my Mermaid finish! I am thrilled I got 20 comments!!!! 20!!! It is the most I have received so far with my blog and I cant be happier. How exciting it is to be inspired and enabled by others. Whoo Hoo!

In fact, so inspired by reading several other blogs about WIP's. There is such a variety of WIP's out there, that I really was curious on how many I had going. I was all ready to start the next project, and thought, let me take a fast look and see what is really going on in this stash closet. Well, including some serious BAP's, I have a total of 8 WIP's. Which is not bad, but I like finishing things too!!! Checking all the ones in question out, which one would I really like to get done and put to bed. Well, you guessed it. Mary. Not that this would have really been my first choice, I would much rather have started another new project! Right? With all these great new designs out there from so many fabulous designers, who wouldnt want to start something new--raise your hand.

I dont see to many hands raised! LOL. I have posted a picture of where I left Mary, and up to the squirrel, was done before-- it seems like forever since I have worked on her. The top 3 sections are complete, and I am trying to complete a section before going onto another, but I am not sure that will continue. Working the right side, I think I might just keep going to the bottom right and work left. Who knows. All I know is that she needs to get done. This will be my 3rd Quaker complete this year, and I am ready for something new.

Another reason I am very excited, is that my floss ring of WDW from the Mermaid, is no longer sitting on the couch, it is put away in its place in my floss organizer. YEAH!!!! This is fabulous!! No more random floss bags floating around. They all just clipped right back into place. (For more information on this TERRIFIC SYSTEM, please check my blog archives on the right hand column) I also finished organizing my Needlepoint Silk. All numerical and ready for use. Both Cotton and Silk done. Check!

Off to another great week of stitching! Hope all of you had a great weekend. I know I sure did!

Eliza Pennance

I finished Eliza today. I started her back on August 25, and for numerous reasons, put her aside. I am not used to over 1, let alone over 1 on 40ct. Not to be discouraged, I moved on. To show her size, I have added the Quarter- she is 2 3/4" x 2.5". So small! Using the called for NPI with Vintage Autumn Gold Lakeside Linen.

I will need my head examined afterall, I just got Sarah Woodham today, and I am in for alot of over 1 on 40ct!! Its all about the outcome right? So yes, there will be more over 1 on 40ct will be in my future.

PS Dad, that is my quarter- you cant have it! LOL

Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler Complete

Around 6 1/2 weeks this little gem took to start and finish. I am thrilled to be at this stage, looking at her on linen, instead of the infamous pattern! What a process this has been from my post yesterday. I immediately sat down and started stitching the last of the motifs, and finally after a few tube shows and movies, she was finished!!!! The last picture is so funny-- many of you have said the needles have been on fire! Just about, but at almost 11:30pm I had a serious situation at hand. My needle was bent so bad, I couldnt believe I had not noticed earlier!!!! I went so fast, looking for another speedy stitcher (Bohin #28) so I could continue!!

She is DONE!!!! Yeah!!!! Stitching her on 40ct Porcelain Lakeside Linen with Coffee Bean Gloriana Silk 1 over 2; Just a HINT of Belle Soie Pink Quartz, so delicate, so beautiful!! I can hardly stand it!!! I cant wait to show her off to all of you. Enjoy!

More Bea

Another INCREDIBLE weekend. Thanks to all for such a fabulous one! Who knew having such wonderful friends would be all you need? Well, that, a few stash projects and a nice bottle of wine! :) But really, I cant imagine not having them. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

I have put my English Whitework Sampler on the side burner. I think I will try to work on it once a week for a little while..until it is complete. There are so many things to stitch, so many new things coming out to stitch. All the projects need some attention! I am back stitching Bea, and I am loving her more and more. The more Coffee Bean I stitch, the more incredible she looks! I love the Pink Quartz too. I am also amazed at the size of Bea, she is alot smaller then I thought! I only have one 1/2 motif on the bottom and I can see the height that she is going to be. I thought she was a lot larger. Strange. I guess I never really measure and I generally work with a stitchers half of linen, so I dont need to worry to much of it not fitting. There are only 40 motifs to stitch, and I have 13 done. Not to bad right?

Thanks to everyone who leaves such wonderful comments! I enjoy reading each and everyone. Hope all of you enjoyed your weekend too.

Until the next time!

Inside panel of Sampler Purse

Happy Tuesday! Off to another exciting week! I had a nice relaxing weekend, which was much needed after last week. Organized some stash, watched the tube and stitched a bit on my "Sampler Purse" I have 1 more row on the bottom of the grass, and then this panel (1 of 3) is done. I am going to start another panel today for sure! I am really enjoying this one.

Happy belated Birthday to Kathy, and Happy Birthday to Paula, we will have to get all the gals together for sure!! It will be great fun to see all of you!!! Soon, I promise!!! Have a great time at Guild tonight, I will be thinking of you all!

And Life Goes On

Gosh, what a whirlwind week. I thought last week was going fast, and here it is the 30th of August. 10 whole days without this computer. 10 whole days of mixed emotions and 1 Big Bag of Crazy!

A few things I am anxious to share with all of you, is my progress on a few, and 2 new starts. Of course there isn't a week that can go by without starting something new from my stash. Beatrix is moving along beautifully, even added the tiny Pink accent (as shown in the 2nd pic) I chose Belle Soie Pink Quartz as my companion color to the Gloriana Coffee Bean. I LOVE it. Subtle but what an impact it is going to have overall.


Peace has made an appearance this week & I have an example of all the colors stitched into the piece, except for the color I am using for the letters, etc. I wanted to see how the colors looked on the piece, before really getting to involved; already I had to adjust the shading with the greens. Mind you, this picture is just a drop in the bucket on this pattern. I am not positive, but I think this it is going to be the largest piece I will ever stitch.


This is a close-up of Dames of the Needle "The Sampler Purse". It is one of my new starts this week. I chose Gloriana silks instead of the Gentle Arts threads. The color variation with the chosen silks is just so much crisper for this piece. I am using the called for 32ct Vintage Woodsmoke Lakeside Linen, which is just gorgeous; one of my favorites. There is a little more to this piece then I expected, with a few fancy stitches. Overall it is an easy piece, and I am enjoying every part; ok, maybe not looking forward to the "finishing" part!!


Last but not least, I started "Eliza Pennance 1726" by Plum Street Samplers. 'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord'. It is a fitting piece for this week. I didnt realize all of the over one that I have to do. It is so tiny and cute. I chose 40ct instead of 36ct Vintage Autumn Gold Lakeside with the called for NPI. I am not a fan of over one, so I have to discipline myself to get this one complete! You would think this would be an easy task. We all know that life isnt easy, especially not this week!

Looking forward to a brighter week, and lots more stitching.

Here She is!

This last few days have been so much fun. So busy and so much accomplished. While taking a few days off....... On Friday, after I posted my finished Garden of Life, I decided to pull out the stash for a bit. I want to stitch so many different pieces and I cant really decide which ones. I have had a few pieces in my stitching bag and decided to rotate some of them out, perhaps I would be inspired to work on some others. After cleaning up, my plan was to work on my Beatrix Potter (Surprise!!!!). I started it a couple of days ago, put her down, and when I went to work on her again on Friday, I couldnt find it!!!!!! Panic set in, and I re-went through everything. Where could she have gone? She disappeared for 2 days. I couldnt believe this. After going through everything twice, I decided to give up looking and work on something else. Since going through my stash and moving things around, I had a few of those mesh zipper bags left over, and put them on the side of the couch. Well, to my surprise, I needed 1 of those bags and who should come out of hiding?? Beatrix!!!!!!!!! Yeah!! I was so relieved.

So for all of you waiting to see the new Quaker I started to work on, here She is, Beatrix Potter. Combination of 40ct Porcelain Lakeside Linens, with Gloriana Coffee Bean. She is gorgeous!!! I couldnt be more pleased with the way she is turning out, and cant wait to stitch on her more. I have been reading about a few gals starting Bea, and I wanted to stitch her too! I know my friend Brandy is stitching Bea, and I cant wait to see her progress! I love all the color combinations. Isnt it so exciting?



Not being able to find Bea this weekend, what could I do, but start another project (I dont have ANY others started!) La D Da 'Love Thy Neighbor' with NPI silk and 32ct stash fabric. It was an easy stitch, and I love the colors too. Last night as the sun was setting, we took the piece outside and took some pictures of it in the natural light. So vibrant outside. I just love it.

Yesturday, I also organized some more of my floss. Now all the Crescent Colors, Gentle Arts and now Weeks floss are all hung in alphabetical order. OUTSTANDING!! What a job. Now I just have to do the silks. I am not ready to tackle that job just yet, I have to work up to that one. Besides Beatrix is calling and I have to tend to her!

Nimrod

Another pleasant & busy weekend with lots of fun and laughter. Gosh how wonderful to hang out with great friends! Lots of stitching this weekend, all around. A few finishes and a few starts; overall, we all were doing what we most enjoy-- STITCHING!! Of course there was Incredible food, Thank you so much Barb, You are amazing!

I finished Nimrod yesterday and a BBD stocking from the 'February' pattern. (For those of you interested in Nimrod, check the Long Dog Sampler website, I do not know much about this pattern.) I am happy to complete some of these WIP's and thrilled to get back to a BAP. So many choices, so many calling. At this point I really dont have any idea which one I will be working on next. However the spirit moves me!

Hope everyone had a great weekend too!

Whats Next?

Thank you to everyone that has left such wonderful comments on Village!! I am still amazed it is done. I know you have been waiting patiently also to see the new WIP's I have been teasing you with. The first pictures is the start of the new Long Dog 'Pigalle'. Surprised? The colors have been completely changed, and the fabric too. Of course :). I am using 40ct Tarnished Silver Lakeside Linen, with Belle Soie & Gloriana silk; 1 strand over 2. I am thrilled with the turnout. It was a difficult choice. It took several conversions, with the help of several ladies, and several days to think about it. I love the colors, and look forward to the outcome. I didnt realize all the blackwork involved, and I am not a fan of stitching it, I love the outcome though. As I say, one stitch at a time!


This 2nd picture is another Long Dog piece called 'Nimrod'. Stitching on one of my favorites, 40ct Vintage Autumn Gold, Lakeside Linen with Gloriana silk. I really like the color combination, it is so different from what I usually stitch. Well I guess both pieces are. It is nice to work on a small piece for a change!!