Starting Christmas Stitching!

Hi, 

I have started a new project (now there's a real surprise!).  This is the SAL Noel 2012 that is being hosted by Carole Novalee .  I am using HDF silk fibers on a piece of Summer Khaki Edinburgh linen.  The parts come out in two week intervals - so I might actually be able to keep up with this one.

I have also been working on my Dawn of Spring piect - but I ran out of beads with about a dozen to go.  In itself, that wouldn't be so bad; but I'm not sure what color the beads are - so I had to order several boxes to make sure I got the right ones. 

Our puppy is growing by leaps and bounds - she is a beauty!  It's very hard to get a picture of her.

That's all for now.  Happy stitching, Margaret

Projects Update

As amazing as it might seem, I am actually on schedule with this project:  Lavender Blue.  This is completed through Part 9.  This project is so gorgeous - it has an old-fashioned feel to it, and is great for when you're tired - few color changes and a repetitive pattern.  Still, it takes quite a lot of stitching time.  The last part comes out in a week or so. I think I will pick one day a week to stitch on this, and pace it out through the end of the year.

And, here is Part 5 of Dawn of Spring.  I do love band samplers, particularly when there are some specialty stitches thrown in. I adore this piece.

And, here is a picture of my pride and joy (not the fish).  I really enjoy reading blogs that show more than just stitching - so I think I will start including more pictures.  This is DS - he and DH just returned from a week of fishing in British Columbia.   

DS is a high school senior this year - they start soccer practice tomorrow.  Can't wait until the season starts!

Well, that's all for now.  I have to go and order the supplies for Jeannette Douglas's pumpkin sampler in this month's JCS.  Happy stitching, everyone!  Margaret C

Lots of Pics today

Hiya,

I have lots of pics to show today - most of it is trying to catch up with pictures that I should have posted long ago.  First up is my SAL al Castello by nikyscreations.  I finished this little pin pillow with a scissor pocket in back - just adorable!  It didn't come out too bad.

Then, here is a picture that the camera/software programs are trying to "help" me with - these are the Flora McSample ornaments from 2011 by Lizzie Kate, pattern passed on from my good stitching buddy Carol S.  I used the recommended threads and linen, only in a 32 ct.  I was intrigued by the name of the linen, Milk Chocolate, and had to try it out.  It is stiff - but easy to stitch. I will give it another trial with silk threads before I pass a verdict on whether I like it or not.

And here is my ornament, with a bonus stray thread, that I love, love, love.  I stitched it for an exchange, and then loved it so much, I stitched one for myself before putting the materials away.  This is the Quaker Bird ornament from LHN, using HDF silks.

Speaking of adorable,  here are the stockings from JBW Designs Red Stocking Collection Two.  I have to confess, I couldn't get up my nerve to tackle finishing these, so I had a nice lady in Baton Rouge finish them.  They are finished to perfection, fully lined and backed with a batik fabric that matches perfectly.  The cost was reasonable and service was friendly and lightning fast - if anyone would like the contact, please send me an e-mail separately.

And here are two ornaments that I received from HoE exchanges.  Anne had my name two times in a row (lucky me!) and I received these gorgeous ornaments, and goodies too!  I love the blackwork partridge - I've been drooling over this pattern ever since I first saw it.  It is stitched on the fabulous sparkle fabric that just sets it off perfectly - I LOVE IT!

 And here is the ornament Anne stitched for me in the Prairie Schooler exchange - again perfectly finished and just absolutely charming!

Last of all, here is Part 3 of my Dawn of Spring sampler - I don't know why this picture is such a bust - at least it hides my messy bullion stitches.  I couldn't remember how to do them at first; so I need to take out the first few and replace them - LATER!

All for now,  Bye!

Quick update

Here is a picture of Part 2 of my Dawn of Spring sampler.  Being optimistic, I already stitched the date on this piece.  I decided to add some color, so I added Waterlilies Hyacinth for the spider web roses - I have some beads that pick up the blue/purple colors - so once I add them, I hope the blue will pop.

My hyacinths in my real garden are suffering this year - the crepe myrtles that will eventually give the hyacinths some shade are not big enough to do their job yet, and this 100+ degree weather makes the poor plants wilt by the end of the day.  I have a lot of plants that are loving this weather - the crepe myrtles, lantana, and graveyard lilies are just gorgeous.  When I was young, I loved this weather too - but now I have to douse down in SPF 100 - so going outside is a bother.

So, with one sideways picture, I will turn my attention back to playing with that puppy!

Happy stitching till next time,
Margaret C

GRRRRR!

As the title of this post should imply,  I am frustrated with the computer once again.  I simply cannot understand why they can't just leave a computer software setup ALONE - once it works, why monkey around with it?  Not all of us care to spend our limited computer time learning some new way of doing things without an obvious corresponding benefit.  At least I have finally figured out how to get Google chrome and blogger to work, at least partially.

OK, I feel better now getting that off my chest.  On to the fun stuff:  stitching.  My time has been very limited.  We have a new puppy in the house - and she takes all my free time.  It's fun and worth it in the long run, but it is a lot of work.

First up is the lovely Mystery SAL al Castello.  This is my progress through part 3.  I love the peacock!

And this is a newcomer to the project list:  this is Dawn of Spring, a SAL affiliated with the Friendly Stitchers Yahoo group.  They are a lovely group of people mostly from the UK - and have great projects!  I am using HDF Luteousness on PTP Legacy Edinburgh linen.  I am way behind on this project - need to get in gear to catch up.

And, here is my second reason for computer frustration.  Somehow the software has decided to rotate my pictures once again - and in the software's efforts to "help" me, I can't convince it to show the picture in the correct orientation.  So crane your neck, and enjoy Part 7 of  Lavender Blue.

That's all for now.  I am headed out to collect up the bushel of leaves that were blown into my pool during the Friday night storms here in Maryland, and then will relax by the pool during the hot part of the day.

Happy stitching, Margaret

New Mystery Sal al Castello

Hi,

Well here startss another project:  This is Mystery Sal al Castello by Nikki's Creations.  I'm using HDF and  Legacy Edinburgh linen.  I'm enjoying this piece - I don't usually do much "primitive" stitching - but I'm loving this.  I also love the sense of accomplishment on finishing a part, even though it's very small.

I also have finished my exchange piece for the bird ornament exchange on Hooked on Exchanging - in fact, I loved the piece so much, I stitched it again for my tree.  If I stitch something more than once, you can be sure that I REALLY love it.  I will post a picture after the recipient receives the piece.

We had huge thunderstorms blow through yesterday - but today is gorgeous.  We were lucky - no power outage, no damage around our area.  So now I'm grumbling about it being too wet to plant anything - we gardeners are never happy!!!!  

That's all for now.  Happy stitching, Margaret

Long Overdue Update

 Gosh, I can't believe the entire month of May has just flown by - I have had every intention of updating my blog - but I have kept putting it off - but here goes:

Above is Heart Note Alley complete through Part 10.  I am roughly halfway through.  The SAL ends in August - do you think I can finish it?

 Then here is Lavendar Blue -this piece is quite time consuming, but lovely, don't you think?

And here is my Flower Pot Sampler - stitched, but not finish-finished.  I stitched this at Celebrations using mystery HDF silk and some gorgeous PTP linen - such a fun, quick stitch.  

 This is project number 2 stitched at Celebrations - this is Sew Bunnies by iStitch, again using mystery HDF on PTP linen.

 And, for the finale, also stitched at Celebrations - this is Random Thoughts of Spring by Erika Michaels.  I shamelessly copied the color scheme from the Carolina Stitcher's blog.  I used mystery HDF and PTP linen.  I was pretty pleased to finish one project a day while at Celebrations!  I also got to spend some fun time with Carol S. and Marie P. and was able to reconnect with some lovely stitchers who had traveled all the way from Minnesota to attend Celebrations - such a great event!

Then, I finished my Spring SAL - I need to go in and insert some back stitching on the house features - in real life the features are subtle - but in the photo they are completely washed out.

So, now I'm off to stitch an ornament for an exchange and also to work on a couple of ornaments for my tree.   Happy stitching, everyone.

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!