More Christmas Ornaments and Sampler Bonheur

This is the lovely Sampler Bonheur stiched with HDF Dragon Opal on Lakeside Linens 36 ct. Navy Bean linen. I shy away from using any other threads or fabrics - I love the ease of the silk on the beautiful Lakeside linen. This sampler is for my son - the translation is loosely: the secret to a grand life is to treat yourself well. He has studied French for four years; and the colors work well in his bathroom...

Here are two more Christmas ornaments that I have completed. These were freebies that I printed much earlier this year; and the chart did not have the designer's info; so I cannot give credit where credit is due. The three sided ornament is a beauty - I wish my finishing skills could do it justice. The third side has NOEL in the center - I couldn't get a photo of it. The pagoda ornament is a cutie, although one corner won't lie properly - maybe next time.

We have received at least 2 ft of snow since last night - that's probably a low estimate. It's still coming down fast and furious. I have never seen so much snow. My son went outside and shoveled for a while; now my husband is out shoveling. Nice to be a girl sometimes!!!!!!

I have a pork roast in the oven, smells heavenly! I am also making a New Orleans bread pudding. Being cooped up makes me want to bake.

I cannot decide what to work on next - there are so many beautiful projects out there! I should be organizing my stuff, so I will know what I have - but that's no fun!

Well, until next time, happy stitching everyone! Margaret

Quick Update

Here is an update on my latest sampler. I am using HDF Indigo Ocean and Deep Ocean on Silkweaver's Purely Primitive Linen. This sampler was a freebie from Gazette94 called Grand Abécédaire. I am really enjoying it!

I am also working on an ornament that will be a gift if it turns out okay, so no pics of it; but I do have pics of some exchange pieces:



This is the ornament I stitched for the Hooked on Exchanging Christmas Ornament Exchange. I have heard from the recipient that she has received it; so it is safe to post a picture. It turned our very cute - I just love Prairie Schooler patterns - their simple charm is just enchanting!



And, here is the treasure I received in the HoE exchange. I just love it! I had been intending to stitch it for myself, but never got around to it. Now I have a gorgeous ornie for my tree!

My DH has shown me an easier way to upload pictures; so I will try to post weekly updates!

Have a good week, Margaret

At Long Last A Post (and a Finish)

I have been stitching; although I have not been blogging. This is the Garden Marquoir from Alice and Co. It is stitched on Pearled Barley Lakeside Linens using Hand Dyed Fibers in Rose Quartzes and Luteous Greens. I stitched in it for two hours a week while my son attended orchestra practice. I will now add it to the list of things to be framed.

Today I finished an ornament for an exchange; and started an ornament for a group. I also have joined a German stitching group on Yahoo. They have simply gorgeous projects, and they provide motivation because you don't get the next part until you finish the current part.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Happy stitching, Margaret

Valentine, Garden Marquoir, and Ornament 2

I seem to be running on a monthly blog update schedule. So, here's a summary of my February stitching. I stitched this heart for Valentines - I used HDF silk and mystery 36 ct. linen. The pattern is a freebie, but I can't locate it now, and so I can't give credit to the very talented and generous designer.

Here is Garden Marquoir - I wish I could take a good photo of it. The colors are so spring-like. I love it when a new installment is published so I can pull it out and stitch on it. I'm using HDF Luteous Green and Rose Quartz shades. I love it!!!

I also wanted to show you my February ornie for the 2009 Christmas challenge. I stitched it with mystery HDF silks on mystery linen. This is my first attempt at at heart shaped finish. Before I start the next one, I will try to find an online tutorial. The pattern is here.

I noticed that they have started updating the Celebration of Needlework website with this year's classes. Every year, I tell myself that I won't go crazy and sign up for a bunch of classes that will later turn into PIGS or UFO's. We'll see how my will power is this year.

We have had a few days here in Maryland that would make you think that spring can't be too far away. I noticed my daffodils and allium are poking their heads out of the ground. I can hardly wait until spring really arrives!

I think I will go and pull the threads for the new BBD March stockings - they are just too cute; and not a lot of stitching involved!

Happy stitching! Margaret

Here's a pic of my January ornie for the Christmas Ornament challenge. It is Quaker Christmas Holly by the Workbasket, stitched using mystery HDF silk on mystery 36 ct. Sassy's fabby. (Does this highlight my extreme disorganization???) Gee, I didn't realize how lumpy it is until I looked at the picture - I will have to massage it some to straighten the seams.

This is my latest start - the Marquior du Jardin. I'm using light to dark HDF Luteous Greens and Rose Quartz on Lakeside Linens Pearled Barley. This is such fun! And I'm using my "safe" colors: pinks and greens.

Well, tomorrow starts the first full week I have worked in two months - I don't know if I'll survive five days! We're under a winter storm watch - so if the bad weather materializes, chicken me will stay home (I grew up in Mississippi - and I never learned to drive in snow and ice - so DH has to chaffeur me everywhere in the winter).

Happy stitching! Margaret

Finish: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Well, I finally finished something! I started working on this on January 20, 2008

and finished it yesterday. I put off working on it because I wasn't sure I liked my color choice - I normally pick purply-pinks and greens; but for this project I picked bright colors. I have mixed feelings about how it turned out; but all in all, this was a fun project.

I have started a couple of the mystery SAL's that are out right now; but I haven't made enough progress to show any pictures.

A couple of people have asked about the seaside cottage I stitched on a Neighborhood Round Robin piece - it was part of a kit that I bought a long time ago; but if anyone is interested and they send me their address, I will send them the pattern.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Ornaments!

Here is a picture of the lovely angel that Carol stitched for my tree. She is so lovely - I had DH take this photo so that everyone else could see how charming this ornament is.

This is a snap of the ornaments and the goodies I received in the ornament swap that Meg organized:

Kirsi stitched this ornament - I'm not sure of the designer; but from the photo you can admire its simple elegance. It looks just beautiful on my tree. Kirsi also stitched the lovely card. Meg added some goodies to the bag - the chocolates she included did not last until picture day. I really enjoyed participating in this exchange.

Well, I'm off to bake cookies for the mail man and the milk man. They always do a great job of protecting my packages, and making sure my milk stays cool, I want to show them some appreciation. I have been spending some time visiting old unfinished, but not abandoned, projects. I'll show some progress pictures in a day or two.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Gloire du Matin, Finis

YEA!!! This is Gloire du Matin finished! It is beautiful. Carol and I were doing this as a SAL on Saturday. Carol finished hers yesterday; but I didn't get quite so far along - I had planned to finish it next Saturday, although I hated to put it away. When I saw this morning that Carol had finished hers, I decided to finish mine today. This was a quick stitch, and oh so pretty.

So now, I'd better get back to working on some ornaments - I have several stitched; but they need the final finishing; but the stitching is so much more fun!!!!

Happy stitching! Margaret

Gloire du Matin, Semaine Trois

Here is my progress on Gloire du Matin, week three. I actually cheated a little bit - I'm supposed to be stitching this on Saturday - but I only had about ten minutes to stitch on Saturday, so I put in a couple of hours today (sorry, Carol!). Nonetheless, my SAL buddy is still way ahead of me. I'm still loving this piece.

I just received an e-mail from the Drawn Thread, showing a new release - Moonlight Garden. My clicky finger has ordered it already - I plan to get the fabric and silk using my birthday discount at Needlecraft Corner.

So, you may ask why I didn't have time to stitch on Saturday - I was on the sidelines of the field at a soccer tournament - screaming my head off - cheering my team on, not booing the other team. It paid off, though - DS's team ended up winning the tournament. I'll post pictures soon.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Gloire du Matin, Week 2

This is my progress on Gloire du Matin after the second Saturday of stitching. I'm loving this piece - I stitch on it while the DS is in orchestra practice, which is about two hours. Next Saturday, DS is in a soccer tournament; so my stitching will be limited. They will play on Friday and Saturday, and if they win, they will also play on Sunday. They have a team that the coach put together - so they have been practicing at every opportunity!

This is another finish - this was a SAL from a French blog - Sapin d'Elisa. I used HDF premium floss in Fried Pickles and a piece of scrap floss for the monogram on Country French linen in Latte. The buttons are Mother of Pearl - they are a bit big for the piece; I may change them out if I find some other buttons. These buttons are just beautiful, and I thought they needed to be showcased.

And finally, I will leave you with a picture of Osama bin Kitty. She terrorizes my other indoor cat, and the people in the house. She loves the Labrador - she climbs on top of him and kneads his fir. She also jumps off the back of the couch onto his tail when it's wagging - she ends up going splat on the floor - maybe that's why she's so crazy.

Off to do some stitching - should I be good and stitch on something that 's already started or start something new? Hmmm, I'll have to think about it.

Happy stitching, Margaret

Gloire du Matin, Week 1

Here is my progress on The Drawn Thread's Gloire du Matin. Carol
and I are stitching this on Saturdays. She is way ahead of me on this project - she is an amazingly fast stitcher; and all of her stitches are perfection. Anyway, you can view her blog to see a good photo of this project. I would be much further along if I had not had to spend so much time unstitching yesterday! I had intended to spend all day stitching; but we left the house at 8:30, and didn't get home until almost 5 pm - DS had soccer practice, orchestra practice, soccer team party, and then an audition for Jr. All State. And of course, each of these events were in different towns. We were exhausted when we finally got home. It was more like a work day than a Saturday.

Since I am finally posting after an extended absence, here is another pic of a WIP. This is Appalachian Rose, a stitching smalls set by Indigo Rose. Last weekend, I attended this class and the Persian Pocket class by Cynthia Zittel (The Drawn Thread) in New Hampshire. These are two of my favorite designers, so I could not resist attending this class. Of course, going to New Hampshire has an additional bonus of getting to see Carol!

Now I'm off to finish a couple of ornaments for some exchanges.

Until next time, Happy stitching! Margaret

HoE Halloween Exchange

I received word that my HoE Halloween Exchange has been received - there are nice pictures on the HoE blog; but I thought I would post some pics here, too. I stitched the Sampler Girl's freebie Quaker boo using HDF premium silk and scrap linen. I made it into a needlroll - it had some improvisation because my scrap of linen wasn't large enough to do a proper French hem.

Anyway, I'm glad my partner likes it.

I'm still not stitching very much - I spend all my time on the sidelines of the soccer field, cheering my 13 yr old DS (and loving every minute of it!)

Happy stitching! Margaret

Neighborhood RR - Robyn's square

This is the square I stitched for Robyn's RR - her theme was a seaside neighborhood. I had some misgivings about my choice, but it turned out very cute, if you can imagine it without the wrinkles!

I haven't stitched much lately - the only other thing I've done is a Halloween exchange for HoE - I mailed it a week ago, and it hasn't arrived yet - so I'm sitting on pins and needles. It did have a long way to go, so there probably is no reason to worry. However, I know worrying works because most of what I worry about never happens - LOL

Happy stitching! Margaret

Many Years Sampler and Garden Grow

Hi - at last I have some updates. This is How Does Your Garden Grow and Many Years Sampler - these are the only two projects that I am current with. All my other projects have fallen by the wayside - I have too many projects going - I have difficulty deciding what to stitch; and as a result, I don't get anything done.

I have been spending all my spare time in the yard - well, at least up until yesterday - I think it hit 100 degrees yesterday with high humidity - too hot to be outside. The storms in the last few days have ruined the last of the peonies and bearded irises. I have roses, Lousiana irises, clematis in bloom. My Asiatic lilies have buds that are showing color - I just adore lilies.

Well, I'm off to spend a few moments in the yard; and then back inside to sit in the air conditioning - and work on a couple of exchanges I signed up for.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Time to Catch Up

I have not been stitching much lately, so I have not updated my blog. I just printed out Part 5 of How Does Your Garden Grow; and I realized I had not posted a photo of Part 4 yet. So here it is. This is such an interesting piece - I love paging through all the pictures at the Papillon Creations site, and seeing how the feel of the piece changes with the different color combinations. I am going to start Part 5 tonight.

While I am updating, I thought I would show you my progress on SALexandre - I had to pull out one-half of the border and re-stitch it - it was a pain since it is 40 ct linen. But, it's done now, and I have moved on to Part 4. Part 5 is out now; and I am giving up hope that I will catch up on this one. In fact, I am congratulating myself that this did not become a UFO when I had to remove tons of stitches.

So, you might ask what I have been doing with my time? Well, I have been working in my yard. We have relocated the overgrown azalea bushes from the front of the house - I now have a lovely deer buffet (aka azalea garden) at the edge of my woods in the back yard. I also have planted four Forest Pansy redbud trees, three Pear trees and one pecan tree. I have planted marigolds around the vegetable garden (to help deter the deer) and I have spread two yards of mulch. We are going tomorrow to get two more yards, so I can have the joy of spreading it next week. I also have new shrubs to set out in front of the house.

Two years ago we put in a pool and last summer I planted a mix of trees, shrubs and perennials around it. This year it is starting to fill in - it's chaotic from a distance because there are many different plants; but when you are pool side and up close, it is wonderful.

I'll try to get DH to take some landscape photos when the light is better this evening.

Oh, and did I mention that I have less will power around plants than I have around stash? My garden center bills just continue to grow!

All for now. Happy stitching, Margaret

Debby's RR

I've been stitching on Debby's round robin - she asked everybody to stitch a house in the country that they would like to live in. I chose to stitch the Geranium Cottage - I think the red flowers and red door say "welcome". I had second thoughts because the house is not very colorful - but it does show up better in real life. It's hard to believe we only have two more blocks to stitch and then our pieces will come home. I haven't seen pictures of my piece in quite a while - so it will really be a surprise.

I also have been SLOOOOOWLY working on the SALexandre - somehow I have a mistake in the border, and will be forced to pull some of it out - no way to fudge a symmetrical border, I'm afraid.

Oh, great, now I'm getting a message "Could not contact Blogger.com" - Dare I try to publish anyway?

I was going to include some info on Celebrations - I had a wonderful time (as always), and dramatically increased my mental list of "must do" projects. But since Blogger is not cooperating with me, I will save that for next time.

Happy stitching everybody!

Many Years Sampler, Part 3

I finally took time to stitch my Many Years Sampler, and am almost done with Part 3 - it is such fun to stitch. I have only a little more to do - I usually don't stitch motifs until I get the chart for the whole piece - so I think I'll finish this up this evening.

I am also posting my poor start on Part 2 of my SALexandre - I did the letters one stitch too short - so their bottoms had to be unstitched - what a pain on 40 ct. I am loving this project also - or at least I was until I discovered my mistake.

I finally got a little yard work done yesterday - cut back some ornamental grasses, planted a box of alliums that had been living in my garage over the winter - they had sprouted, but I figured I may as well go ahead and plant them. I think I will buy a bunch more this year and surround my daylilies with them - the deer don't seem to bother plants that are surrounded with daffodils or alliums. I also got out my trusty sprayer and sprayed Liquid Fence on all my plantings.

Blooming today: Daffodils and Hellebores

Happy stitching! Margaret

New Project

I have been stitching on the SALexandre available here. The directions say to stitch over one; but I am stitching over two on 40 ct Silkweaver Days Gone By Linen. I am using one strand of Vikki Clayton Examplar Blueberry Soup. I have two spools of this color - it is great to stitch with.

Not much other news - today was the last day of DS's spring break - he is back to school tomorrow. We have gotten lazy over the last week, so tomorrow will be tough.

On the gardening front, my early miniature daffodils are in full bloom; the large ones are showing color; and the grass is in that scraggly stage - some brown patches, some green patches, an uneven height - I think Mr. Lawn Mower will get to come out and play this weekend.

Happy stitching! Margaret

How Does Your Garden Grow, Part 3

I finished Part 3 of How Does Your Garden Grow from Papillon Creations last night - I think it took three episodes of the Dog Whisperer and maybe one of Clean House (I know my taste in tv shows is rather bland). This is such a fun project!!! I am not liking the yello I started with and so I am trying out a pale yellow - it really calms the piece down - now it reminds me of coneflowers, asters and coreopsis "Moonshine" - one of my favorite garden combinations. I selected some pearl beads to use for it - they are very subtle, which I like.

Now I'm off to purchase a ham (if they're not all gone). I usually buy a Honeybaked, but this year I waited too late - the line would be a mile long!!!! I think I'll check out the garden center while I'm out. We are having an overcast day - my heart goes out to those in the mid west - snow storms and flooding - such a difficult time.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Wiehenberg Mystery Quaker 2008

I am having so much fun stitching this piece that I have not put it down yet. These pictures show my progress - I have stitched through page 8 (I have not stitched a few stitches here and there on the border of the pages). The main group is on page 14 - so I actually have dreams that I may catch up in the next month or so. Think that's possible?

Well, actually, that's not very likely - I am putting it down now to do part 3 of the Papillon Creations Mystery; and then I'm debating starting the Spanish Sampler Mystery by Lady Periphaeria. I already have my fabric basted - so it's just a matter of picking some colors and taking the first stitch. That project is charted for deep red, deep purple and deep amber - but those colors don't really go in my house - my house is mostly tans, greens, and blues. I think I will get out my box of Viki Clayton silks and play around with colors.

It is a gorgeous spring day here - you can almost see the flower bulbs grow. Some of my early daffodils are starting to show color. I need to get out and clean my perennial borders; and cut back the ornamental grasses; and order mulch; and the list goes on and on. I think I will expand my blogging to include gardening this year.

Happy stitching, Margaret