So Many Projects, so Little Time!

I can't seem to get focused on just a few projects - so I have only minimal progress to show here. But, here goes. This is Heart Note Alley through Part 8. I'm loving this piece - using up some of my stashed purples and greens - just picking threads as I go. Keep your fingers crossed that I have enough of the border green to finish the project!

I did stitch this little charmer. Surfing the net, I discovered the 2012 Year of Smalls blog, and of course decided that I *needed* to stitch the projects they are working on. With all my good intentions, I bought a lot of supplies - and actually finished one project. I also learned something about finishing with lace - you need to allow extra fullness in the corners so the lace does not do a folding number around the corners. This reminds me how much I LOVE Blackbird Designs.

So, with that in mind, I selected my March ornament - which is the Joy ornament from the 2011 Christmas JCS issue. I used the recommended silks for this project, and some stash rick rack. It is really not as wonky as it looks in this photo.

And, while surfing the net some more, I stumbled on this adorable SAL by a French Designer - this is the SAL Printemps by Marie Ravenelle. I've lost my link to her blog, and we correspond by e-mail - but in real life this is very elegant and spring-like.

I am beginning to count the days until I go to Celebrations - that is my opportunity to prop my feet up and do absolutely nothing but stitchy stuff for several days -

Heart Note Alley

I completed Parts 5 and 6 of Heart Note Alley. I am using up some of the variegated purple and green silks from my stash - which is good; however, I hope I don't run out of a thread before completing its band - keeping my fingers crossed.

There are tons of projects on my "to start soon" list. I've been spending more time planning than stitching.

Spring is officially here in Maryland. The daffodils, flowering plum, nectarines, peaches, Bradford pears, and camellias are all in full bloom. The dratted deer herd is having its way with my sprouting daylilies, sedum and liriope - while not touching the weeds - as if I did not already have enough reason to despise the creatures!

My 16 yr old DS is on spring break trip to France and Spain so I have a whole week of not having to do laundry or prepare meals. So this will be a staycation for me!!!

Happy stitching, everyone!

Margaret C

Lavender Blue Progress!

I have been fanatically stitching on Lavender Blue, and managed to finish Parts 3 and 4 today. So far, it's not very photogenic because only the bottom and the right hand side have been stitched. It takes me a long time to stitch each part, but the final effect is worth it - it's so pretty.

Not much else is going on. We're having spring weather here in Maryland - the early daffodils are blooming and the Lenten roses are just fabulous right now. We have some very obnoxious weeds that appear this time of year, and it's too wet to get out and get rid of them - so we just have to ignore them for now.

I was playing around with blog template - boy, did I mess it up. I finally had to get rid of all the codes, and just let it be plain until I get a chance or the inclination to play with it again. My level of tolerance for fiddling with computer stuff is very low....

Until next time, happy stitching! Margaret C

Still stitchin'!

I have been miserable for the last two weeks with an awful cold/flu/bronchitis - I have missed almost 5 days of work - finally I broke down and went to the doctor. After injesting about half a pharmacy over the last week, I am starting to feel human again! All this to say, there's not a lot of progress to show. I was able to complete Part 4 of Heart Note Alley.

I also have been working on some ornaments. This one is Yuletide by Plum Street Samplers - it is so charming! I broke down and bought the finishing kit for it - I am so very glad I did - I love the backing fabric, trim and the little bells.

And this is a freebie I printed from a French lady's blog - my printout did not list the designer's name or blog - so I cannot give credit, although I am very appreciative that this talented lady shared her design. I stitched this on mystery linen with mystery HDF threads - I can't wait to see it on my tree.

And, here is another of Laura Perrin's Mystery Monday smalls - I think this is the first one. I love these - so colorful and quick to stitch. Sadly, this one really highlights my lack of finishing skills. I think linen and silk thread is more forgiving than Congress cloth, Cotton Perle and lots of satin stitches. Maybe these are candidates for a professional finisher.

I need to go paw through my WIP pile, and decide what to work on next. I'm trying to be good and not start something new - but there are so many tempting projects out there - they are almost irresistable.

Until next time, happy stitching! Margaret C

Valentine's Stitching et.al.

I've been busy - tackling some Valentine's stitching - I'm so proud of myself that I actually stitched and finished something BEFORE the actual holiday - I'm on a roll. This is Be Mine by the Sisterhood - using HDF Zumaque and 36 ct. PTP Legacy linen.

And here's another: Endless Hearts by Threadwork Primitives, using Mystery HDF fibers on 36 ct PTP Legacy linen. I haven't yet decided whether to leave them as pillows, or to add a hanger.



This is Heart Note Alley, part 3, all finished. I am woefully behind on this project - but I have until August to finish it - I'm sure I'll be in a panic in late summer to complete this.

And here is a new project, Lavendar Blue, one of the 2012 SAL's led by Angie Designer (magicas puntadas). I'm using HDF Velvet Midnight andOil of Amber on a piece of Buttercream LL.

All else is pretty quiet - we're finally having a touch of winter - my camellias are just starting to show color - I hope this cold spell won't ruin the display. My dad in South Mississippi reported that their susanquas are just finishing; and the azaleas are starting to show color - I'm jealous of his year round garden.

Until next time, happy stitching! Margaret

All in a Day's Work

I have been a busy bee this afternoon - I finally tackled some of those projects in my stitched, but not finished pile. First off, I thought I should show you a picture of my helper - she keeps my stitching chair warm when I'm not in it. When I am stitching, she perches on the back of chair. Athena is posing with my January ornament, Evergreen by Elizabeth Foster. This is another of my all-time favorite designers. I used the recommended fibers, and a piece of LL Maritime White.

Here's a better photo:

Here is one of Laura Perin's Mystery Monday pieces - I think this is the second one. I was playing with color, and started with a Watercolor skein called Amethyst, and branched out with lilac and navy blue from there. It is backed with silk from Vikki Clayton in a rich purple - I think I like the back side as well as the front.

Here is Joy and Peace, by Little House Needleworks. I used the linen that came with the kit, supplemented by HDF silks.

Here is Peace by Homespun Sampler. I stitched this around Christmas time last year using HDF silks and a piece of scrap linen. It's a big piece, but charming nonetheless.

Here is Christmas Greetings, a freebie from iStitch. I think it is from 2010 - I don't know why I waited so long to stitch it. I used HDF silks and scrap linen.

I have also been working on Lavendar Blue, one of the 2012 SAL's by Angie at Magicas Putadas. Wow, there is a lot of stitching needed on that piece. I am almost done, and will post a picture here when I finish the first two parts.

We are having a fabulously warm winter here in Maryland. My camellias have big fat buds on them. I fear that they will have a rough time in February, only time will tell.

No other news to report. Happy stitching, everyone!

- Margaret

2012 FINISH!!!

New year - same old blogger tricks. Here is my vacation project from iStitch - this is Sew Gigi in the HDF custom color Gigi's Christmas. I don't know how I will finish this - but it is lovely in real life - and such a relaxing stitch. I hope you can crane your neck and enjoy the picture!!





And another one day wonder - but this one is completely done. This is Take Joy by Shepherd's Bush - it came as a kit - I stitched the whole thing while watching Russia: Land of the Czars. I had to watch this to put my book on Catherine the Great in historical context. This project fit in a lovely round box. The box is not marked to show the manufacturer - I would love to have more of these - their quality is very nice and the box was affordable. Oh, well, I guess I will just enjoy the one I have.

And then, my Happy Dance already in 2012. This is I Sigh Not for Beauty, stitched in premium HDF on the recommended linen. This was a 2011 SAL organized through Ellen Chester at With My Needle. I can hardly believe I finished this fairly close to the end of the SAL period. I envision having a wall of "classic samplers" - and this will be the first one.

Now I need to go sort through my basket of WIPS to see if there are any other I can knock out quickly, before I go and start an avalanche of new projects - I have no self-control when buying stash or starting projects!

Happy stitching to all, Margaret C

Eat, read, and stitch!

As the title of this post implies, I have been doing little other than eating, reading and stitching.

The eating is an expected part of the holidays for me - Prime Rib roast, cornbread sausage dressing, sweet potato spoon bread, grilled asparagus, and best of all: bread pudding with real whipped cream. At least the major food groups, fats and sugars, are amply represented.

I have been reading, thanks to my Nook Tablet - a birthday present in early December. I thought I would like it for the magazines; but then I loaded Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massee, and I absolutely cannot put it down. It is so convenient to have it electronically - it goes everywhere with me.

Oh, as for the stitching, here is Part 2 of Heart Note Alley - I don't think I have touched this since May - and I don't know why - it is a gorgeous piece ( once again, combining purple and green).



And then for something different, here is the ANG stitch of the month project, Flowers of Italy, by Ro Pace. I used the recommended fibers. What fun - this project goes pretty fast. The only thing that slowed me down was mentally converting stitch diagrams from a needlepointer's perspective to a cross stitcher's perspective. The two most difficult parts were the Walnetto stitch, down at the lower left hand diamond - hard to get started correctly, but then it is a lovely motif. The other difficult part was finding places to bury the thread ends. I used Congress cloth - but with the open weave, it is not as forgiving as linen.

I continue to make astronomically long lists of things I want to stitch - even if I did nothing else, I wouldn't have time to get it all done.

Well, I am back to more relaxing - I think I will work on my sampler, I Sigh Not.

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

Ta Da - some finishes!

Yea! I have finishes this weekend! First up is the lovely Purple Garden by Angie Designer, which was a Sticklounge Project. I used HDF fibers in Ultramaroon, Marsh Grass, and Nightsmoke on a piece of 32 ct. Flax linen. This project is so *me* - purple and green, flowers, geometrics, blackwork! This is in the early framing pile.

and this charmer is A la Belle Etoile (the Beautiful Star, I think), which was a SAL organized by the Thread Basket in collaboration with C Mon Monde. I used HDF fibers on a piece of 36 ct Ale linen from Picture This Plus. I really loved this linen - it is a very close second to Lakeside linen on my favorites list. This was a great fun project!

And, here is a freebie from Plum Street Samplers, loosely converted to HDF fibers and stitched on 32 ct Examplar linen. I really finished this before Thanksgiving, but am only now posting it. It came out a bit wonky - I am wondering if a little stabilizer under the linen would prevent the bulges - on the other hand, its bulges kind of mimic mine :-)

I have failed miserably at the 2011 challenge where you pick a certain number of projects, and finish them through the year. Nonetheless, I am making a never ending list of projects, new and old that I want to do next year - decisions, decisions!

Until next time, happy stitching everyone!

Not a whole lot of stitching going on!

Here is the lovely ornament I received in the Hooked on Exchanging Words of Christmas exchange. I love this ornament - the design is so elegant - my partner could not have made a better selection to stitch for me.

Now I am just sitting on pins and needles (not literally, I hope) waiting to hear if my partner has received the ornament I stitched. I am beginning to worry. It should have arrived two weeks ago, and I haven't heard a word - Grrrrrr!

Here is my progress on Purple Garden. I have completed through Part 6. I need to really focus on this now and finish it because the project ends at the end of the year - it shouldn't be a problem, but I can't let myself get distracted by all the great new designs.

I seem to spend all my time going to sporting events - DS is on his school's soccer team, a recreational league soccer team, a recreational league ice hockey team, and a youth symphony. On top of that, he is organizing a concert for charity - I can't even keep up with the laundry, much less all of his events!!!

Until next time, happy stitching! Margaret

Ornament Time!

This lovely is Yuletide from the JCS ornament preview issue. I couldn't resist this Jeanette Douglas design - I have taken classes from her - she is highly entertaining and quite talented - I have several of her designs in my someday pile. I used the recommended fibers and some mystery linen.





This lovely is Pendouille No 2 from Les creations de Louison. She has fabulous geometric shapes - I think there are 100 patterns for biscornu on her blog and now she's also giving away patterns for other shapes. I stitched this on antique white Edinburgh linen with mystery HDF silks.

I've been having fun with finishing this weekend! I also finished an ornament for an exchange - will have to wait to post a picture of that.

I have also been working on the iStitch Mystery SAL - Carol has been having problems with people copying her design; so she asks that we not post pictures until she has *unclickafied* them - so I will post later.

I need to go and do some yard clean-up - I'd rather be stitching; but the lovely sunny day is calling!

Happy stitching everyone! Margaret

Still stitching away!

It looks like Blogger is having its way with the orientation of my photos again! You would think that with all the smart people working on these programs, someone could fix this problem. But no, we have to look at things sideways. On the bright side, maybe you will concentrate on the orientation and overlook the wrinkles. I stitch in hand, and this linen is impervious to the iron! I haven't updated I Sigh Not in a long time, so I decided to post this pic, even though it is wrinkled. This sampler is so difficult to put down! My goal is to finish it by the end of the year - I still believe that is possible.

And here is my version of the iStitch mystery SAL, completed through part 4. I just adore this piece.

I am still frantically trying to stay current with the SAL Romantique. It takes a lot of my stitching time. but it is so lovely, it's worth it. Then also vying for attention are Purple Garden Heart Note Alley, and Spanish Mystery Sampler. This is not even considering the gazillion of projects kitted up! Such a terrible problem to have - ROFL.

Well we have survived two deluges of rain in the past few weeks; no water in the basement, but the gardens have weeds as high as an elephant's eye. I need to go out and tackle them. I am also replanting my back flower garden with more deer resistant plantings - lots of fragrant and prickly foliage. I had to throw out all of my bearded iris because I couldn't eradicate the borers. I have been treating the soil all summer; so I plan to plant some new fans this fall and hope for the best.

That's all I have for now. Bye, Margaret

Still stitching away!

Finally Finished Something!!!

And here it is:

Margaret W. Brown 1838

Adaptation by Milady's Needle

AVAS Threads and Lakeside Linen

When I started this, I was not too sure about the colors. They are kind of *garish*. But after looking at it for a while, I decided that this was really in keeping with the fashionable colors of the era - and so I continued with it. I do love how it turned out. And, even better, now I get to start something new for my travel project. Happily, this coincides with the resumption of orchestra, soccer and ice hockey practice seasons - so I should have much time to stitch. Right now, the favored candidate is Mary Pearce Drown from the recent SANQ. My only requirement for a travel project is that the piece not be fussy - not a lot of counting and not a lot of color changes. This small sampler should work perfectly.

I'm still plugging away at SAL Romantique - only three more sections to go.

And, Purple Garden is at the half way mark. I made a huge goof in Part 1, and so am having to compensate - but I think it will work out okay. I'm certainly not going to rip it out and restitch - life's too short.

And the iStitch SAL - this is part 2 completed.

We have had a good holiday weekend - visited with some old friends, made a new friend - turns out the new person grew up about 30 miles from me in Mississippi and we both attended Mississippi State - although about 10 years apart -small world. We also discovered a great small Pennsylvania winery - Waltz vineyards - and revisited a new microbrewery - Bube's. If you are ever in Amish country - I would highly recommend these places. DS is at the beach with one of his friends and family - so all is quiet around here.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone!

Lots of good stuff!!!!!

Oh boy, I have lots of good stuff to show you today! First up is SAL Romantique. I am current on this one - I think there are three more installments. I may actually complete a SAL with the rest of the group!!!! Could it be??????

And then, what would a month be without a new start? This is Heart Note Alley, another project with the Sticklounge Group. This is on a scrap of 36 ct. Navy Bean. The fibers used so far are GLO Granny Smith Green , SNC Camoflauge, a Dinky Dyes sample, and Dinky Dyes Cabernet. I am totally in my element on this one - a purple and green floral band sampler - it's incredible I resisted starting this as long as I did!

Continuing to demonstrate my total lack of self-control, here is another new project (yea, but , this one is small and quick). I joined the Mystery SAL organized by Carol over at iStitch. Her designs are just great - elegant and simple - so very charming! My piece is done on 40 ct. Vintage Luna by Lakeside Linens using Belle Soie Creme de Menthe. When done, this piece will fit on a small box from Hobby Lobby. My box is on order - I'm planning the finishing technique for it. I used to do a bit of faux finishing - I may still have some sponges lying around - so I may do something interesting with it.

And, last but not least, two finished ornaments. I have lost track and am to lazy to look back at my stitching to see if these are July and August or August and September ornaments. At any rate, they are from the ornament preview issue of JCS. The first one is Two Years Worth of Calling Birds - I was intrigued by the name. I used the recommended fibers and linen.

And this one is Peace On Earth by MBT designs. I used the recommended fibers on a piece of 40 ct Antique White Newcastle linen.

I am really looking forward to the JCS Halloween special and the ornament special and the new Blackbird Designs book - as if I don't have enough to stitch!!!!

We have finally had some rain - yea! Now, I need to go out and do some tidying up in the yard (aka the deer dining hall).

Until next time, Margaret

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

Back to stitching - too hot to garden!

Here is part 3 of Purple Garden, a project with the Sticklounge Group. These are my "safe" colors - redish purple and sagey green. I invariably am drawn to these colors - so why fight it?

And this is another project by Angie Designer (can you tell I love her designs??). She is leading a SAL for this Sampler Romantique. This shows the project through Part 12 - it's a beauty!

And, speaking of beauties, here is Margaret Brown by Milady's Needle. I am stitching on 28 ct and using the recommended AVAS threads - to recreate the original sampler. I love the faded palette of the other version of this piece, but decided to go bold (for me). This is my traveling piece. The end is in sight on this one.

Well, I guess it is back to stitching for me - it is too hot to be out in the yard! You would think that someone who grew up in Mississippi (and worked as a lifeguard for three summers) would not mind the heat. Is this another thing they don't tell you about getting old? That you lose your tolderance for heat and cold? (I never really had a tolerance for cold, anyway). Sad part of it is that my flowers are not all mulched yet - so some look just awful. I have spread 6 yards of mulch thus far. I estimate that I need to spread about 20 more yards - I slacked off for the last two years - because of a leg fracture one year and pneumonia the year before that. I am determined to catch up this year!

I have beautiful lilies blooming. My favorite are my tiger babies (peachy pink cross between tiger lilies and asiatics). I get to enjoy the ones that the venison-on-hoof have not devoured. My daylilies are starting to bloom; and with them my hydrangeas are providing a much needed dose of purple!

If you're still with me, thanks! Happy stitching! Margaret