Welcome to 2017

First Things First:  Happy 10th Birthday to my sweet little Jasmine all curled up after destroying the bed!  She was not too happy that I uncovered her to take her photo......

I am doing Stitch From Stash 2017A.  It is stitching only from what I have on hand and sticking to a budget for the first six months of the year.  I have so many things I want to complete this year and I know I have more projects that I will live long enough to finish!



New Start 

Ye Old Coffee House, Little House Needleworks

Am doing this with the called for DMC on 28 count Clay jobelan and I love the fabric.  Unfortunately, however, the frog has been visiting me on this project so it is really dragging.  I am going to change out the heart at the top to a coffee cup.....I am not a huge "heart" fan.  I also am thinking about changing the date to the date we moved into our house in Blanco, Texas since that is where I plan to hang it......




Beautiful Sea Sampler SAL, Ships's Manor

I am determined to catch up on the Beautiful Sea Sampler SAL.   I am into part four so I am just about halfway caught up!    I am doing it on 28 Count Mystic Lugana with the Ship's Manor threads.  They are really great colors and I am enjoying it.  I cannot wait to be caught up.

Linen & Threads 2017 Mystery Band Sampler

This is a free pattern from Linen and Threads and it looks like it is going to be a year long project.  I have a piece of 32 count belfast in Platinum that I am going to use.  My dilemma is the threads.  It takes about 30 skeins and I am stitching from stash this year.  I went through and pulled all the DMC colors that I had over 10 skeins and they are mostly greens, golds and a little brown. I think it would be pretty, but I am so bad at deciding colors I am kind of nervous to start it.  I really do not want to fall behind (comes out monthly) so I gotta just go for it!  If I use the greens I may put the Evergreen Sampler on hold since it is alot of green.

WIPS

Here is where I am starting this year.  No photos as I have not made any progress on any of them.   With the new starts that give me about 8 WIPs which I think is plenty for a month or so!

Dancing Deer, Cherished Stitches

Evergreen Sampler, Good Housekeeping Christmas Book

Alice Merryfield, Pineberry Lane

But Happy They, Homespun Elegance

Books Reading Books, HAED

Knot Garden, Chatelaine



Thank you for visiting.  I hope your new year has had a great beginning.

August Finally Ends

It has been in interesting month.  We have been busy, but I cannot really tell you what we have been busy doing!

Sing for the USA by Brittercup Designs

I changed the color of the bird house from the dark navy to a lighter blue that was used in the Lizzy Kate.  I also thought the leaves on the flagpole looked odd just hanging out there, so I sort of made it a "vine" by running the thread over and through the flag pole.  I am fairly happy with how it turned out.

I added jute around the border so it would coordinate.  Looks kinda plain, but what the heck.  And it was just a lucky coincidence that is turned out about the same size as the Lizzie Kate.....I certainly did not plan it!

I have one more Americana peace lined up.   Perhaps by Labor Day I will feel like doing it.


Ghouls Nigh Out by The Trilogy

Alas, another Halloween project.  It is pretty cute and fast.  It is on 32 count linen and I did it 2 over 2.

Oh Canada Sampler by Jeanette Douglas

I am really enjoying this piece more than I thought I would.  I took an on-line class through Craftsy that was taught by Jeanette Douglas, that helped me understand her chart and instructions.  This is the first time I have ever done a 1 over 2 piece and I am more impressed than I thought I could be.  There is some 1 over 1 which is another thing I have never done before.  The one over one is extremely tedius to me.  I suppose it is worth it but this is going to take longer than I originally thought.

Not sure if this is the way 1 over 1 is supposed to look, but I think I will keep going with it and make it my focus piece for the rest of August.


Mini Mandala 05 by Chatelaine Designs

This project is coming along.  For some reason I am not so fond of it.  But I am sticking it out.

Right now it is the only Chatelaine that I have in the works.  (and I have to say that feels so weird)   I have several kitted up and ready to go, but I am not sure which one I want to start since I sent the Old World Vinery off to my sister so she can have it framed.


Books Reading Books by Heaven and Earth Designs

Have decided that I need to put in more time on this project so I am going to try to do at least an hour or two a day.  It is very confetti heavy (as most HAEDs are) so it takes me a long time.  I do still enjoy it, however.

 Although I have whittled my WIPs down to about 8 I still had trouble organizing them while keeping them handy to pick up and stitch.  I found a canvas tote thingy and it is working out perfectly.

Handles on the side an two sections.  Works perfectly for the bags I use for most projects.  The one behind in the pillow case is the O Canada on its frame.

Thanks so much for visiting and I appreciate every comment, suggestion and hint!

Mid-August Starts, Updates and Finishes

Oh Canada Sampler by Jeanette Douglas

I got this pattern, threads and little pinecone bead at Traditional Stitches in Calgary.  It is kind of intimidating, but so far so good.  There are some areas what are one over one (I do not know which ones they are at this point) and part of me is afraid of it; part of me is looking forward to the challenge.  I am developing a new found interest in samplers.  They have never been my thing......all those letters, words, disconnected motifs.......but I am changing my mind after seeing all the beautiful work that was framed and hanging in the shop in Calgary.

It is done on the recommended 32 count Belfast Linen in Lentil.  I am loving it.  It is done using only one strand of thread.....have never done a project with only one thread and I am really enjoying it.  The stitches look so clean.  I cannot say much for the coveage, but I think that is a "sampler thing" so it is not a big deal like with some projects.  Who knows.  

I got a terrific book about Samplers and have found it interesting and amazing.  I feel another obsession coming into my life.  Oh Boy!

I "aged" a piece of antique white linen to use on one of my sampler projects using coffee (instant crystals) and vanilla.  I am really happy with the subtle color on it.  You will see this again when I start the new project on it.   I am tring not to start anything new until I finish something.  We will see how well that goes.

Old World Vinery by Chatelaine

I am doing this piece for my sister who saw it and wanted it to hang in her new house.  Well, in sharing the progress, she has decided that the entire piece will be way to big for where she wasts to hang it (about 30 x 30 inches).  So, she wants me to complete the middle portion (without the landscape panels) so it will be about 13x13 matted and framed.  At first I was reluctant to do that, but I figured, what the hey, I am doing for her anyway.  And, I can always do it again (thanks to PDF) and would probably just have to get fabric and the beads.  So I added all the crystals and embellishments and it is good to go.   She said she wants to take it to her framer so I will have to write out some instructions mentioning the need for spacers, matting and the fact that the threads are silk and will bleed.  I am sure it will be fine.

These design are so incredible with the beading and intricate stitching they are very difficult to photograph (for me anyway) to do them justice.

I still feel kind of funny about not fully completing the project.  But I suppose it means that I can start one of the Chatelaine Mandala's I have kitted and ready to go.  Which one is the dilemma!

Mini Mandala 05, Chatelaine Designs

Making decent progress on this project.  It is much more "pastel" than the other mini mandala's I have done.  I am pretty happy with it.  It is done on 32 count Belfast Linen in pearl grey.  

Books Reading Books, Heaven and Earth Designs

I finished page 13 and am on to page 14 so not quite half way through the 30 pages.  I have put this back in my rotation.   It needs my attention.  It amazes me how the photo make the picture more clear.

Fully Finished Projects

I did a little ornament finish on "Be a Witch".  I will probably re-stitch this at some point.

And here is the back






And I made the Freedome House (which I am sure you are sick of seeing) into a pillow.

This is the back







A pretty productive couple of weeks when I put it all on one page.  No wonder the house is a mess!   The weather should break soon and I will have to get busy preparing for fall visitors.

I would really like to figure out some kind of rotation to get caught up on all the projects I have in the works.  Perhaps I can hold off starting anything new for a month or so..........or not!

Thanks for visiting.

End of June Progress

Am getting mentally ready to take our RV trip up North. I will not take my large Chatelaine projects (Gardens of London and Old World Vinery) with me because they are a little cumbersome and they cannot be laundered once they are finished.  I am a little bummed to go that long without making progress on them.  I wanted to get the center portion done before we left so concentrating on it this month has made the difference.  Whew.

I needed a change of pace so I did this little small Halloween project.  It is "Be a Witch" by  Shepherd's Bush.  I substituted all the colors.  I called for Weeks Dye Works and I did not have even one of the recommended colors, so I subbed them out with colors I did have.  It is small and only took several hours.   I am not sure how I will finish it but I saw a tutorial for something called a "flat fold" that I may try.  It did not look too complicated and did not look like it took alot of sewing ability.

 I may not add the buttons that were included with the pattern.  Depends on what finish I decide to do and if I decide I like it well enough to add the embellishments.

I kitted up another Halloween project just in case I feel inspired before Halloween.  I also ordered a couple of Patriotic themed projects since I realized that I did not have anything for the 4th of July.  They have been shipped but I am sure will not arrive before the holiday.

That is it for the end of June.

Hello June, Hello Sunshine, Goodbye WIPs

Bird Rescue

Good news on the bird rescue front.  I found the little guy had joined the family of other blue jays in the front of the property.  I feel much better now.

We are finally having sunshine and breezes so I expect we will dry out for the summer.  I am VERY happy about that.  It means I can stitch on the screened in porch and on the patio....once I get rid of the moss that is!  Everyone is enjoying the fantastic weather!

17th Century Irish Garden, Liz Turner Diehl

I simply cannot continue this project; not enjoying it in the least and am not excited about seeing it finished.   Nothing wrong with it; I simply am not enjoying it.  So I have put it away for a while.  This is as far as I am going right now.  I could not even bring myself to finish the last corner before giving it up for now.  

Pumpkin Swirl, Glendon Place

Still beading this project.   I am taking it out of the rotation until I get back to California in November.  I am confused and the original pattern is in my book there so this project and the other Glendon Place dessert series projects will have to wait until next year.

Old World Vinery, Chatelaine

Have a good start on this project.  Of course, I am loving it.  I really enjoy the variety of specialty stitches and watching it come to life.  Thus, my addiction to these wonderful designs.

Knot Garden, Chatelaine

Making good progress on all the DMC portions of this project.  It is a great one to work on when I am outdoor and waiting around for something.  There are specialty stitches and beading, but I choose to leave them until the end so that I can launder this piece when all the DMC is finished.

If you are a Chatelaine addict like I am, you might notice that I did not do the little birds that are supposed to be sitting on the gates.  I decided to leave them off.  

Dragonfly Dreams, The Sweetheart Tree

As if I need another project I was inspired by the latest fabric of the month from Dye Stitch Love.  It is called Faerie Whispers and think it will be perfect for the Dragonfly Dreams (and Bumbler Bees).   These two two small pieces (about 50x50 stitches each) are perfect for when I do not have the patience or concentration to work on any major projects.  I have to say that so far I am not really enjoying this project.  I want to do it, but I think other charts have spoiled me.  Also, these pieces are really tiny.

I love the fabric, but this tiny little stitching....I just don't know


Blue Heron, Imaginating

Since we have Blue Herons on the river this will be a good project for the guest bath.  It is straight cross stitching on a piece of jobelan "Winter Storm."

Mini Mandala 05, Chatelaine

I could not resist starting another Chatelaine that is smallish.

June will be busy with chores and getting ready for our trip in July.  I have some finishing to do and getting things kitted and prepared to travel.  More on that in a later post.

Thanks so much for visiting.  Hope your summer is off to a great start.

Chatelaine Start, Some Finishes, Bird Rescue and a Great New Gadget

It has been a projective couple of weeks to finish out May.

Mini Mandala IIB

Finally all three of these are done.

It is really so shiny!  Wish a photo could do it justice.

All three in this series all done and framed.  Really enjoyed each of them.

Old World Vinery, Chatelaine

I have beenlooking forward to starting Old World Vinery by Chatelaine this month.  I waited until I have to close the house up for the summer since this project cannot be washed once it is done.  I am doing it for my sister to hang in her kitchen.  I just hope I can finish it in a reasonable amount of time.  It does not look as daunting and detailed as Gardens of London, which is taking me forever to get through.  I am using the recommended Antique White linen and the recommended threads with DMC threads instead of NPI silks.

It is HUGE.  I have it on 34" scroll rods..the biggest ones I have!  I had to order special covers since I know this project is going to take a while.

Just the very center.  It took me a while to get it all lined out perfectly but it will be worth it.

New Gadget

I have finally found the PERFECT thing for those projects that require a lot of beading.  It is called a Bead Smith and it is a sticky little mat (I understand it comes in two sizes).  It can sit right on my project and hold the beads making it so easy.  I have tried lots of different things and this thing is the best!  I highly recommend it.  I got mine from Amazon.  These are the beads for Pumpkin Swirl.

Also have made some progress on my other WIPs.  I have been SO busy.

We had company last week and I had to rescue a little blue jay that required feeding every hour or so for a week.  He is grown up and back where he belongs.  He fell out of the nest and could not even hop.  It was great fun getting him "back on the wing" even though I am not sure it was a successful rescue.  I am not sure he was ready to release, but he is back in nature now one way or another.

He is at the bottom right of the photo on the large branch.  Poor little guy.

Lavender Fields

Framed and is ready for the Lavender Festival in June.

I was lucky to find the frame and matting at the local thrift store/food bank for only $4.00 and it came out really well.

Wildflowers

I need to figure out how I am going to finish it so I can send it off to Michigan as a memento of our friends' trip to the river.

 That is disappearing ink that has faded to nothing.  Perhaps a pillow.......not sure.


A busy and productive month.  I am looking forward to summer this year.  We have had clouds and rain for most of the month.  I hope we have a quiet and dry Memorial Day this year.  We have company coming in for the weekend so it should be fun.

Thanks for visiting and, of course, for your kind words and encouragement.

April Almost Over Already!

It has been a whirlwind of chores since we got back.  I did have some stitching time.  The weather has been too beautiful to be inside during the day so I need to come up with an outdoor project.  It is good to be back on the bend.

Orchid Intrigue by Summer House Stitch Works

I wanted to do something with varigated threads.  I purchased a grab bag from Mo's Sale (they sell hand dyed threads) and simply have not been able to find any place to use them.  So, I used the pattern from Just Cross Stitch Magazine.  I used a 35 count linen in Watermelon and one strand of Mo's Pretty Bird.  It was an interesting stitch, and I have no clue what I will do with it.

I still want to do some other things with varigated threads, but it may be a while.

Mini Mandala IIC, Chatelaine

I framed the second of the set of three Mandalas

Mini Mandala IIB

I used the wrong thread for the algerian eyelets in the center, but I am not sure I am going to re-do them at this point.  They would be the dark green color and for some reason I had a brain face and used the variegated silk.

Books Reading Books, Heaven and Earth Designs

Also finished the second "row" of pages on Books Reading Books.  It is coming along and I am doing a version of parking that is making it a little bit easier.  I am working in columns by color and it seems to be helping.  I am just a little under half way done.  It amazes me how it looks when I step back from it.

That will about wrap up this month.  I am looking forward to some new starts for May.  I am kind of in a rut, but I do want to get some of these older projects finished this year.  One can always hope!

Thanks for visiting.