More May Starts

Still in the "new start" mode for some reason.  I really need a finish so I gotta get going in these last few days of May.

NEW STARTS


Willow Tree Sampler by The Carriage House

40 Count Lambswool by Wichelt...DMC threads one over two.  I have had this kitted for a long time and am really enjoying it.  It is a relaxing stitch.  Seems like I just thread the needle, count the row and get after it!




Witch by Glendon Place

Am doing just the words for this piece as a gift.  I am using sulky #12 threads in two colors.  This is a piece of fabric that was purple.  I am not sure what I did to it to change the color.  Am using this for my "outdoor" project but it has been a little rainy for patio stitching lately.





Catherine Sheppard by Scattered Seeds

I am doing this on a piece of  36 count Platinum linen that I coffee and tea dyed.   The pattern calls for DMC, but I decided to use Soi dAlger silks instead and I am really, really enjoying it.  This is not a large project (127 x 167) so I hope to get it done by the end of June (HAHA) .  Was going great guns until I saw the one over one for the name and date...yuk....have to be in the zone to do that.


PROGRESS



Home Sweet Home by Pineberry Lane

Am making changes to make the house look like the "house on the bend" and going to add "Est. 2012" along the top as soon as I get it charted.  This is going a little slower than I had expected.  This is on a piece of 40 count linen that came from Stitchy Box years ago and I am using DMC.



Isabella Uffindel by Hands Across the Sea Samplers

Not sure why this is going so slowly.  I enjoy it when I work on it, but it seems to be on the back burner for the moment.




Vintage Birds by Jeannette Douglas

Am so enjoying this...yes, there are alot of color changes.  I really is a great piece though and I am enjoying it.  The colors are fantastic.  For some reason, this project has caused alot of errors and much ripping out of stitches.....seems to be cursed!  ha.





Perfect World 

Finally finished completely and ready for framing.... I said I was using Raven, but it is actually "Black Crow" from gentle arts..  Because I live on a river I am pleased with the blueish variegation that this thread has but it does not photograph as beautiful as it really is.  This is one of those projects that looks better than it photographs.  I really like it.

Got two pieces framed and hung.


I painted a coffee ring over the motif that I thought was too light.  It isn't exactly what I invisioned, but it is close enough for me.  I like this little piece.





I am have a lot of trouble getting into Hannah Longstreth.  I think it is the fabric.  I really like the NPI silk but the 45 count Jersey Cream just isn't working for me.   So, Hannah is in time out.  I may or may not choose a different fabric and start it again, or I may choose to do it on banding.  I think I will take a good look at the pattern and see if there are any motifs I want to use for anything.  But for the time being she is put away.  I have not done this in a very long time.  Giving up on a project is hard for me but I just cannot get into it right now.

Hope you are well and staying safe.

Thank you for visiting.

March

I have been so remiss with my posting.  I decided to go ahead and post the March update and move on to April rather than try to combine them.  Sorry all.  Hope you enjoy.

March is shaping up to be really, really busy for me.  Have lots of company coming in for a wedding the one of the weeks, I had some emergency dental work done last week (yuk) and that will be finished off this month, a granddaughter birthday and packing to finally get back to Texas.  Perhaps that is why I have been stitching and finishing like a crazy person for the first two months of the year. Everything stitch related will surely slow down from here on out other than my opportunities to get in some stitching time since the NASCAR season as begun and Sundays are race, laundry and stitching.

FFOs to finish out February

This was a little freebie from somewhere.

Woodland Wonder by Glendon Place.  Finally found a frame at a thrift store that it would fit into.  No glass but it has alot of beads so I am not too worried about it.  Also, will probably only have it out during Christmas.

A little flat fold done for Halloween.  This is by Trilogy but I cannot remember the name of the pattern.   Thanks to Vonna, the Twisted Stitcher I am getting a little better at flat folds!


Finishes

Delivery Spring Blossoms by Homespun Elegance.  Pretty fun little stitch that I made into a little pillow I am sure.

And since I was playing with the ribbon technique I learned from Shepherd's Bush on the Utube I decided to fully finish this little project from last year.

WIPs

Linen and Threads 2017 SAL: No real progress, I am at least a month behind

Ship's Manor Beautiful Sea SAL: So close to a finish, but no progress


NEW STARTS


Afternoon in Paris by Country Cottage Needleworks.   I am doing this for a niece that loves all things Paris.  I am using Silver Moon linen instead of the blue linen that is called for on the pattern (thanks for Stitching from Stash challenge) and I ordered the frame that is pictured with the sample.


I will be posting April and May soon.  I hope.  At any rate.....I am hoping to get caught up.

thank for visiting

A Very Productive December

First things first, I have to grumble a little.

I have had this floor stand for my stitching for years and am not even sure who makes it or what it is called.  I have struggled with it and suffered with it the entire time.  As you can see, the two "arms" do not line up because the top cross bar is warped or something.  I have tried a thousand time to "fix" it and have not been successful.  I am sure it was not very expensive and it is terribly wobbly.  I have finally given up on it.   I was going to donate it (as I do most things) but I changed my mind and decided to take it apart and hold on to the hardware for later use.  I do not want anyone else to suffer through this awful thing.

I have a Just A Thought stand that I got over a year ago that lives in California but for some reason I have been using it in a different place.  (Hard to explain)  At any rate, I moved it into my utility/craft/laundry/computer room and use it.  Whew, what a difference.  I may get this HAED piece done yet!

Please excuse the mess!



On to stitching stuff


FINISHES

 Nora Corbet letters for my grandgirls.  They are framed and ready for Christmas delivery.

I did a flat fold of Hatching Christmas for my Daughter in Law...she loves it!  Woohoo.  Another Twisted Stitcher tutorial finish.

MORE FINISHES

I am thinking of 12x12 pillows for these two finishes.

Share the Joy of Christmas, Abbey Rose Designs

I am really pleased with this.  I thought the colors were going to be a problem, but I really like it.

Reindeer Games, Kathy Barrack

This turned out cute, but I did not use the suggested threads so I did not do the large black "vase" that is at the bottom.  I will probably do it again next year with the recommended colors.

Woodland Wonder, Glendon Place

The photo does no really show the opalescent fabric very well, but I am pleased with it.  I did not use the kreinik on the snowflakes because I could not get them to come out right.  It looks wierd to me because I did not start in the middle of the fabric, but 3" from the corner instead.   I will try to find a frame for it.



All in all a very productive couple of weeks....of course I have done nothing else!  No housework, no cooking, no laundry.......HA  I have to get to work now and get some cleaning and baking done.

I am trying to get these WIPS done so I can begin my 2017 planning.    I think I am down to 6 if I don't count the ones that I have given up as lost causes.  Who knows, perhaps I will drag them out next year for the Stitch from Stash 2017A.

I am planning to firm up my 2017 stitching plans the week after Christmas while things are winding down for the year.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season.

Back in California

Other than fighting a cold all the way back we had a very pleasant and uneventful trip.  Those are the best kind.  We managed to hit a nice weather window other than some minor dust storms coming across the desert.

I got a little stitching done.  I worked on some Christmas ornaments since I got totally frustrated with the needlepoing project I had planned to work on while we were driving.  Somehow I managed to get the count off so I am having to fudge it quite a bit.

I gott the threads for Woodland Christmas all on bobbins.  Everyone has been doing the "Forest Grew" by Rosewood Manor.    I found this one in the Good Housekeepig Christmas book (do not remember the year)  I hope I copied it correctly because I did not bring the book with me.   Winding bobbins is very therapeutic while we are riding along and I do not have the concentration to stitch.  I am looking forward to starting this one after I finish the Nora Corbet letters for my grandgirls.

WIPS

Mermaid Letter M, Nora Corbet

Had some decent progress.  Have the beading to do before I start the other one.

The Bee Keeper, Plum Street Samplers

Managed to get quiet a bit done and and I am not sure how because I tried to work on it while Jasmine had my seat in front.  Kind of bumpy but at least this is just for me and not for a gift so I can forgive myself some of the errors.

Winter Wonderland, Glendon Place

So much beading.  I am really enjoying seeing this come together, however.  I hope to finish it this month and move on to another one of the Christmas Projects I have in the wings
.

NEW STARTS

Reinderr Games by Kathy Barrick

Dancing Deer by Cherished Stitches

For some reason the photo of this project is hiding from me. So I will post it later



Happy Thansgiving to all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving this week.  Thank you for visiting.

November News

I hae been concentrating on Christmas stitching this month.  I have several things I want to do and a couple of gifts in the works.


FINISH

Comet, Nora Corbet

Interestingly, I did not enjoy stitching this and I am not that happy about how it turned out.   I have another one of the reindeer but I doubt I will do it this year.  Perhaps the fabric is the problem.......and that "Whisper" thread (used on the tail to supposedly make it fuzzy)....I am not impressed.

WIPS


Woodland Wonder, Glendon Place

I am truly enjoying this piece but the counting has given me fits.  I should have gridded at least the top portion because there are some errors in the antlers.  No one would notice.  Also, because the fabric is so sparkly, I do not think I an going to use the Kreinik on the snowflakes.  I will decide once I start beading it.

The BeeKeeper, Plum Street Samplers

Coming along nicely though not very quickly.

NEW START

Mermaid Letters, Nora Corbet

I did the grandgirls' first initials in Nora Corbet Fairy Letters for last Christmas, so this year I am doing their middle initials in the mermaid letters.  These are really nice to stitch.  They go pretty quickly and the charts are very well done.  Of course there is alot of beading, but it is so worth it once they are done.

Beautiful Sea SAL, Ship's Manor

I got the threads for this SAL but have not started it.  I am in a delimma about the fabric.  I am leaning toward the darker color because it would be a change of pace for me.  I am waiting, however, for the third and possibly fourth portion to come out before I start it so I can see what is going to happen across the top.  I am not sure why I joined this.  I do not really like mystery projects at all.

 The weather has been so amazing here and all the critters are out for their final escapades before winter hits.  Jasmine enjoys chasing the deer that like to visit us.  It gives her a good chance to run and I enjoy watching her.  Today, however, she surprised me by coming in covered, and mean covered, with goose poop.  At least I caught her before she crawled up in the middle of the bed!

Today I had to turn on the heater, so it is time to get back to California.  We are leaving Tuesday and heading West, so I am getting things packed and getting the house ready to go.  No too much stitching going on for a next few days.

I have decided to Stitch from Stash for 2017.  I have about 50 project kitted and ready to go so I certainly do not need anything.  That is my plan anyway.  There is a group of  stitchers doing the same thing.  If I can not careful things get totally out of control!  Internet shopping is WAY to easy.  This really becomes obvious when I pack up all the stitching stuff because I cannot leave it here!  It is two HUGE plastic totes full.  Kind of silly.  And, I am leaving summer stitching here at least.

Change of Plans

As is usually the case, October comes to Texas and I cannot bear to leave.  So, I will stay on the bend until some time in November.   We had such a great time with our visitors.  I forget how I enjoy having them.

The fall is so terrific.  The deer are out and all the critters are getting ready for winter.  This is a year for pecans so the squirrels are staying busy.

I have made a little stiching progress this month.

Hatching Christmas, Good Housekeeping

Just have to work on the border.  I am considering changing it to a more Christmas themed border.....perhaps holly leaves.  Turned out pretty cute for my chicken raising DIL.

Home is Where You Hang Your Needlework, Homespun Elegance

Once I got the lettering done I just winged it on the motifs around the outside.  I think it is finished.  This is a project that I may stitch again and follow the chart a little more closely.

Books Reading Books, HAED

I just started Page 15 so I am almost halfway done.  I will not bore you with another photo.


Woodland Wonder, Glendon Place

I am thinking that perhaps this fabric is a little too sparkly (if that is possible).  Interestingly, this fabric is a little more difficult to stitch on that I would have thought.  However, I still love it and will keep going.  The pattern calls for combining 2 strands of white and one strang of the Kreinik metallic but I don't know.  Seems like it will be bulky.  I decided not to put the metallic on the snowflakes around the border (since the fabric is so sparkly) and am still pondering the snowflakes inside the border.  I may wait until more of the reindeer and trees are done to make a finaly decision.

Bee Keeper, Plum Street Samplers

I am enjoying this project in spite of myself!  Alternating the large blocks of color with the other details and border.  It is going well.

Comet, Nora Corbett

This project is kind of interesting.  I like it, but not as much as I thought I would (and I ordered 2 other reindeer.......I cannot imagine that I will do all of them)   It may be one of those projects that I like better once I get it done.  Who knows.

A FINISH!!

O Canada, Jeanette Douglas

Although this project has proven to be far more tedious than I would have thought, I really enjoy doing it and it has given me a new appreciation for samplers in general.  There are so many errors in it I cannot even remember most of them....but it will be off to it's recipient in a couple of days.  I have not "signed" it and am not sure that I will.  So I am hanging onto it until next week.

Planning a Busy October

Lots going on this month.....I hope I get my stitiching fixes!

Two sets of company and the trip back to California.  I have a tendency to plan, replan and overplan before I even start packing things up and getting the house ready to leave.  It makes me a little sad to leave the bend, but after a day or two on the road I will be looking forward to getting to the West Coast for the winter.  We have alot of plans for the months that we are there so the time should go by rapidly.

WIPS

Books Reading Books, Heaven and Earth Designs

The never-ending wip.  Making progress, but it is slow.  About 500 stitches left on this page.

Bee Keeper, Plum Street Samplers

Enjoying this in spite of the awful fabric.  I did her face 1 over 1 and it makes her look like she has a big long nose.  I am not sure I will re-do it.

O Canada, Jeanette Douglas

I have still not received the thread I need to finish this.  It is kind of depressing.  I am going to look for a replacement I think.  I have ordered it from two places (ABC Stitch Therapy and Stitching Bit and Bobs) and have heard nothing so I broke down and ordered it from Canada and they are waiting for it to come from the supplier.  Grrrrr.  This may not be completed by Christmas after all.

Hatching Christmas Cheer, Good Housekeeping

This is turning out really cute.  The fabric came in a Stitchy Box a few months back.  It is a cream color opalescent by Fabric Flair.  Lots of back stitching should help make it really pop.  It is a pretty easy stitch.

NEW STARTS

Woodland Wonder, Glendon Place

This is on 28 ct. Lugana,  a solo from Silkweaver.  It has gold flecks in it....I love this fabric.
Just barely started the border.  I am not so happy with the border snowflakes (white DMC....), but they are OK for how.

Comet, Nora Corbet

I ordered the fabric called for but did not like it, so I am doing it on 28 count Dwarf Twilight opalescent by Picture this Plus

The border of this piece is in white DMC but it is so unforgiving  I ordered pearl cotton #3 and #5 and will use that when it arrives.  Not to file:  Never do a project that has alot of white stitches on it....!  I am not sure if I will do all 8 reindeer and rudolph, but I am watching anotherh stitcher doing Santa's sleigh and it is amazing.

Home is Where You Hang Your Needlework, Homespun Elegance

I just could not resist this sampler pattern.  I had purchased a bag of silk threads Waterlilies from Caron) over a year ago and had not figured out what I could do with them, so I used them on this sampler.  I am really pleased with how it is turning out.  It is on 28 count Prairie Grain linen.  It is a little stiff, but not too bad.  I am really liking the "homespun"  rustic look of the sampler.

Months ago I ordered the Coloris set of DMC.  It finally arrived today.  I am not sure if I will do the sampler that is included but the colors are really nice.  It is odd to me that the sampler says "Sweet Home"  and not "Home Sweet Home".  Just kind of sticks out to me.

I also took advantage of the month end sale at the local quilt shop and loaded up on fat quarters for finishing.  I think I have all the fabric I could ever use for finishing!

It dawned on me that for the first time in years I do not have a Chatelaine going.  Seems odd.  Of course there is Gardens of London but I have completely lost the love for some reason.  I have several kitted and ready to go, but will try to wait until 2017 to start a new one........maybe.


I will probably not post again until we are on the road.  Depends on if I get anything accomplished.

Thank you so much for visiting.  I hope you enjoy visiting as much as I enjoy creating the blog.

Back in the USA

After a marvelous visit with my cousins we made it back to Great Falls Montana today.   Already miss the milder weather.

You know, it is amazing that when you cross from Canada into the US the difference in the terrain is amazing.  Canada looks green, productive and well kept; the US looks brown, fallow and mis-handled.  Wonder how the weather knows where the border is?

I realized that I do not have everything I need for the other needlepoint project I brought (what WAS I thinking) so I am just going to do the portions that I can with what I have.  I put in an order at Nordic Needle that should be waiting for me when I get back home.  Too bad we are not going to Fargo, ND while we are up here!

The project is Inside the Box by Freda's Fancy Stitches.  It is only 10x10 and should not take too long.

I promised to post my hauls from the two shops I have visited so far during this trip, so I will do that. I ordered all the threads for these projects as well.

There are the fabrics I got for Christmas projects and finishing while we are in Colorado Springs.

These are fabrics I got from Traditional Stitches outside of Calgary.  There were so many fantastic fabrics at that shop it was just amazing.  The white and blue are both opalescent.  The other two fabrics are for specific projects that I have planned.  Janice was kind enough to help me figure out the size fabric needed for the Sing a Sampler that I plan to do next  year.  It comes in several parts and I just could not figure it out (it is the Belfast Linen in Sand).  The other fabric is the Belfast lLinen in Vintage Lentil for the Canada project.

 And these are the patterns and kits I got while I was there.  I am going to try a couple of samplers and cannot wait to get them started.   I have been coveting the Glendon Place Christmas project (bottom left) so picked it up while I was there.

Jeanette Douglas is a resident of Calgary Canada so I picked up her latest design (on the far right) that I plan to do for my wonderful Cousin.  I discovered as I was reviewing the information that it was specifically designed to honor Canada's 150 year celebration in 2017.  How perfect is that?!

Not sure what the rest of the trip will hold so I will keep you informed as we go along.

Thanks for visiting and thanks for all the wonderful emails and comments.