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

Monthly Update

Gee, I thought I was in the habit of updating weekly - but it's been more like a month since I have posted any pics. So here goes big update:




First up is Part 5 of Quaker Star with the Sticklounge group. I just love this project. The blue I selected is certainly non-traditional, but it makes me very happy. And no, I am not trying to get fancy with my photography - this is just how this picture came out!!!!

And now I'm presenting Wayward Garden by Cynthia Zittel (the Drawn Thread). She is one of my favorite designers. I have had this project kitted up since it was first published. It is stitching up like a dream! Plus it is in keeping with my projects with a "garden" theme.

And here is a finish - this was a Noel Banner SAL by a very talented and generous designer - Angie.
Despite the language barrier, she was very nice in including me in her SAL group.

And here is my September ornament - this is 'Tis Green from the JCS Christmas Ornament preview issue. I used the recommended fibers with linen from my scraps. This is one of the few patterns that I am seriously considering stitching several times more in separate colorways - can't you just see purple, green and gold for Mardi Gras?

I was thinking that my finishing skills were improving - but then I visited my LNS, the Stitching Post in Catonsville, MD, and saw some of the professionally finished projects - what a difference! But, so expensive! I intended to just go there and drop off two pieces to be framed - YEA, right - I walked out of there with a ton of stuff! I think I'm better off just ordering from my other ONS/LNS, Needlecraft Corner in Baltimore.

And from the oldie bag - I finally finished this box lid. I started this project in 1997. The designer is Amaryllis Artworks. Back then, the use of silks and overdyes was new to me; and I was soooooo nervous about messing it up and wasting my thread.

I also completed an exchange for the Hooked on Exchanging Halloween exchange. I am getting nervous because I mailed it on October 2; and I haven't heard from the recipient yet. Please, Mr. Postman, don't let us down!

That's all for now. Happy stitching, Margaret