Still stitching along

Looks like Blogger is up to its old tricks - forcing my pictures to be sideways. I do not understand why this is happening. I take all of my pictures with the camera in the same orientation; so I don't understand why some are rotated and others are not. To begin, here is Part 4 of Purple Garden, a SAL with the Sticklounge Group

And, here is SAL Romantique, Parts 12 and 13. I liked this photo - showing KittyC's imitation of Vanna.

And now to my ornaments: Here is Another Sampler Christmas by Milady's Needle. I used the charted silks and a piece of Antique white Edinburgh linen. I think this is my June ornament...

This is a freebie - Holly and Ivy (I think) by Laura Perin Designs - I did not write down the fibers I used. However, the finishing drove me crazy - the canvas went wonky and I could not straighten it back out. It was relaxing to stitch; so I think I will hire a professional to finish the next one of these I stitch. I believe this is my May ornament....

And for July - here is a freebie from Samplerbird Stitchery. I did not record the fibers or beads I used. I stitched the chenille around the piece - then I saw some tutorials that call for gluing the chenille rather than sewing it. I think that would look better - I have some good acid free glues in my stamping stuff, so I think I will try that next time.

Returning to the sideways pics, this piece is by Plum Street Samplers from the 2010 JCS ornament issue. I used the recommended fibers and some mystery linen. I actually stitched this a while ago; but only finished it recently. I love to read Paulette Stewart's blog - it is always so upbeat -that I have started to collect some of her charts.

I also am plugging away at I Sigh Not for Beauty - I will try to update that next time.

There has been a little rain over the last week or so, so the yard is not absolutely parched - the crepe myrtles are in full bloom - they relish the heat and humidity. My graveyard lilies (Crinum) and hardy hibiscus are putting on a show also. I stopped by Lowe's today, and a crepe myrtlette jumped in my buggy before I checked out - I need to go and plant it - near our almost finished fish pond.

Till next time, happy stitching! Margaret

Holiday Weekends!

Here is my May ornament finished and posted late. It is Sampler Tree 1, by JBW Designs. This is stitched with the recommended fibers on a piece of scrap linen. I am late with it because I had trouble finding the angel charm for the top of the tree and the spangles for the candle flames. The designer, Judy Whitman, fortunately had a kit for finishing, even though this chart is five or six years old. She is a very nice person - makes me want to stitch more of her designs. I do like her pieces because they are very elegant. At first glance, they look very simple; but once you examine them closer, you see additional details.




Here is the second part of Quaker Star that I am stitching with the Marquoir Group. I decided to make one of the flowers and its stem stand out by stitching them in a different color. Do you like the effect? There are three more flowers that are surrounded by a frame - should I make them all the same color, or vary the color? Decisions, decisions...

We had a fabulous Fourth of July. We retrieved DS from band camp on Saturday, and they put on great concert for the parents to conclude the camp. We had some friends over on the actual holiday. We had barbeque, of course. We were out in our backyard late, and someone in the area was putting on a fabulous fire work show (professional grade). We walked to the top of our hill, and got to see a wonderful show, without fighting the crowds. Doesn't get any better than that.

It is still hot and dry in Maryland. My poor garden is sad! Please do a rain dance for me! I've been doing some watering but a lot of plants are just going to have to go dormant. My graveyard lilies are finally blooming - their botanical name is crinum. You find them in the South in old graveyards, where someone planted them by a headstone to commemorate a loved one.

Happy stitching! Margaret