A Fourth of July Finish

I was able to complete this Lizzie Kate project over the weekend of the 4th.

I would like to say I am getting better at finishing, but I still need alot of practice.  I have been encouraged and entertained  by many of the videos on Tube showing finishing techniques.  I will get better at it I hope.

All in all, I am happy with the project  It was a kit so all the finishing materials (other than the batting) was included.  The instructions were clear and easy to follow.

I have a version of a Red White and Blue Room so that is where this will live for now.

Thanks for the visit

July Starts with a Bang

I really got in the Americana mood from watching some floss tube videos.  I realized I do not have anything in this subject, so what did I do......went to 123 Stitch and went crazy

This is Red White and Blue by Lizzie Kate (not sure I will make it as the kid comes, but we will see.
Freedome House by Little House Needleworks
All Dolled Up (I call it Liberty) by Little House Needleworks

I have also changed the way I keep my projects like this (smallish) organized.  Rather than have one entire 7 compartment box  and a separate bag for them, I decided to put them all in one 10x13 mesh bags (I love the ones with the zipper) and label it "Americana".  Many of the projects for seasons use the same threads so that should make things a little easier.

I also made one for my Halloween projects and will make one for Christmas Projects.

Although it is taking me away from Old World Vinery, I am needing a diversion from that huge project.

That is it for the beginning of July.  I am sure I will have some finishes to post before too long and a travel update as well.

thanks for visiting.

Final Finishes of Christmas Projects

Lizzie Kate.

 It was a really fun stitch.  I used threads I had left over from various projects so it is not exactly as charted.   It was basically two greens, two pinks, white and red.   I am not sure how I will finish it, but I am going to wait until I get back to California to do something with it.  I am a little surprised how much I like it!

L

Prairie Schooler 2004 Santa

Both Santas are finished now.  Not sure what I will do to finish them.  Although I love the fabric (28 count Opal Lugana Winter Solstice Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie) I am not sure it was the beset choice for these.  I do like them, however.  I am thinking perhaps blocks unframed so that I can use them wherever for the season.  I am glad I decided to do these two designs but I do not see more Prairie Schooler Santas in my future.

This is the end of my stitching finishes in Texas for this year.  Am getting the RV packed and ready for our trip.   I am partially sad to leave and partially ready to get back to California.   I have all my travel projects ready to go so I can make some progress while we are traveling along.


Thanks for visiting.

November Plans

A Finish:  Giving Thanks:

This a really cute.  Quick stitch and will make a cute little pillow.  I am reminded about 32 count and how small it really is!  For some reason it has really given me fits.  I think I need to enlarge the chart as I keep making mistakes!

 Finally got through it, however:

I made changes to the wording, making it Give thanks, rather than Giving thanks.  Then, while I am on a pillow roll, I made it a little pillow to give to one of my nieces if she wants it.

Christmas themes for November stitching.

I learned from doing the small projects that they are not comfortable to stitch on the little pieces of fabric that they require.  So..........I put border fabric (just a piece of cotton) on all the fabrics for these projects so I can use a larger qsnap.  I have a 6 inch one, but it is too small for me hold comfortably and too small to go on a stitching stand.

Two of the Prairie School Santa's from 2011 and 2015.

I am going to do them on a 28 count opal lugana called Winter Soltice from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.  I am a little concerned about some of the colors on this fabric, but will deal with it as i go.

Snoozin Santa by Holly Gordon

This kit was ridiculously cheap from somehwere.  It comes with 14 court aida, but I am switching it out to an opal aida because the white on the beard and santa suit are not stitched but just outlined.  I may put this project off for next year because I have a couple of other Christmas themed things I want to stitch.

Dear Rudolph by Lizzie Kate  Finished!

This is a kit that comes with everything but the stuffing to make a little pillow.  It will challenge my sewing skills no doubt!

Since I finished the October projects quickly, I got a head start on this little project and was able to finish it in just a few hours.

Took longer to make the pillow than it did to stitch the design.  It was fun, so I am looking forward to the next LK project......

Three Blox  by Lizzie Kate

I think I am going to make these into three separate blocks but who knows.   It comes with the fabric.  Again, a challenge to my finishing skills!

I may be a little too ambitious  with all these Christmas projects and may burn out on them, but we will see.

Last but not least I want to finish the Nora Corbett Alphabet letter A for my grand daughter.  It is going well and just needs a few hours of attention

Finishes and Framing

Have had a couple of finishes the past two weeks.


I finished the Good Things project from Lizzie Kate.  I made some changes in the border and the items in the corners.  The pattern calls for the top left to be a heart and the bottom right to be flowers of some kind, so I changed them both to spools.  Or my interpretation of spools!  It suits me better.  This was a very quick stitch.  I used a fabric that I practiced dying.  I used mostly the Weeks Dye Works thread as called out on the pattern.  I used some threads I dyed myself for the spools just because I had them.

I just used a 5x7 frame I had hanging around.  Nothing spectacular.


Also finished the Chatelaine Mini Mandala 06.  I just loved this project as you know if you have been following me.  It is so amazing to me that someone can design such incredibly lovely things.  All the beads and such makes this piece really sparkle.  Almost makes me want to get a camera than can do it justice.

The project took about 72 hours of stitching and I am amazed that I enjoyed it so much.  Even the beading, which was a little tedious was enjoyable.  I am glad it is finished, but I miss working on it.  Crazy.

I framed it myself for the time being.  I want to keep it from dust and dirt until I can get it matted.  I did use a spacer between the piece and the glass to help with the preponderance of beads and crystals.

I am still working on and enjoying Gardens of London; a large Chatelaine Mandala.

A great mix of different kinds of needlework.  Mostly cross stitch with specialty stitches and embroidery stitches mixed in.  The vines of flowers are especially tedious for me.  The placement is difficult for me as I am not that good at counting on linen.  Still enjoying it, however, even if I do have a long, long way to go.  This project also has lots of beading (those are the large blank spaces  you see) but I am waiting to do all of it once all the stitching is done.  Maybe. 

I am getting projects kitted and ready to get on the road at the end or the month (hopefully).  There is some spring weather to the East of us so I am not sure yet when we will actually head out.  I am doing the packing in my head these nights so sleep alludes me!  I must be ready to go.

I am going to miss all my "stash" but I think I am taking enough kitted projects to last me a couple of years so I should be OK!