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

Wow! Almost 100 posts!

I just noticed that I am almost to 100 posts. I will celebrate by offering a giveaway - I have been cleaning out stash lately, and have a box of good stuff and not-so-good stuff - so I think it's time to send the good stuff to a loving home! So stay tuned for details...


In the meantime, here is part 2 of Purple Garden by Angie, which is a current SAL with the Sticklounge Group. I love the clean lines and the combination of "blackwork" with a few Quaker elements thrown in. Most stitchers are working on Part 4 now, so I am a little bit behind (no surprise, there!)



Spring is finally here in Maryland. Last night my son played his spring concert with the Peabody Youth Orchestra in Baltimore - one of their finest performances to date. I am not very knowledgeable about classical music, but I know what I like, and I certainly enjoyed their performance. Tonight he is playing in the orchestra for the Baltimore Cappies, the award ceremony for high school plays/musicals. My son's school is small, but they do a swell job in the drama department - so we are keeping our fingers crossed for some recognition.

Sadly, the poor neglected yard has to stay that way for another week -maybe next weekend it will get some attention. I'm sure the neighbors (with perfect yards) will be relieved.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Update!

I'm so far behind, I hardly know where to begin with this update. Here goes: this is a picture of Part 7 and 8 of SAL Romantique. This piece is fabulous - but each section takes a lot of time -it's very relaxing, but takes time nonetheless.

These are my March and April ornaments that are finished-finished. The flat finish is a Spot Sampler by Catherine Theron and the other is Christmas, a sampler designed by Sandra Sullivan of Homespun Elegance.

I attended Celebrations in Nashua, New Hampshire last month. I spent some time with my dear stitching buddy, Carol S. I also met Marie, who I knew previously through exchanges. I took some classes, which were very enjoyable (and a great way to acquire more projects). I met Theresa Venette of Shakespeare's Peddler. I am a big fan of her reproduction samplers. She is a super lady - very friendly and down to earth.

I also shared a table at the fun Saturday night charity event with some great stitching ladies, some I had met before and some new friends.

Pam and Donna are having a show in St. Charles MO this year - I would love to go - I am waiting to see if they will be offering new classes or just repeats from New Hampshire.

While I was away from home, some less than happy events were going on - DH and DS had to put down our Labrador - he had made it 13 years and 3 days - but he had just recently lost his appetite and was really struggling with his hind quarters, so it was time. Also, DS and his team lost in the state National History Day competition - I am very proud of them for winning the county competition, which was pretty stiff; but still we are all disappointed. And to top it all off, the tornadoes ripped through the areas near where I grew up and went to college - so I was glued to the news broadcasts for information about my hometown - fortunately, that area escaped significant damage. My heart goes out to the people of the southeast who lost loved ones and cherished possessions - family mementos are very important to Southereners.

On a cherrier note, we spent yesterday in Annapolis. DS's orchestra played a concert at Maryland Hall in the afternoon. We had to take him over there in the morning, so while he was rehearsing, we explored the waterfront and had a great lunch. Annapolis is a charming city - it would be a great place to go for a weekend getaway. I love the historic buildings. The daughter of some friends attends the Naval Academy; and she and two of her friends attended the concert - it was great to see them, and I think DS was especially pleased.

The sun is shining today! The weeds are loving our weather pattern, and are threatening to take over! My peonies are starting to show color; and I am battling the deer over my hostas and lilies. DS has a soccer game this afternoon - I love watching the boys play soccer, even though they do a fair amount of shoving and tripping at this level of play!

I suppose I have rambled enough. Hope everyone has a great day!

- Margaret

Sunday update

Get ready to tilt again, just like last week - looks like Blogger is turning my photos around again. That is so weird! So please take my word for it, this piece is going to be gorgeous. There are a lot of stitches on this piece - I started this on March 10 and just finished it Friday. But it is gorgeous!

This weekend I have been working on my March ornament - I chose one that is pretty involved - I even had to put it on Q-snaps because the specialty stitches don't lay right otherwise. I'll complete this post now and go work on it some more.

Well, spring did not last long in Maryland - it was snowing this morning when I walked the dog - he loves it. I would love it too if I had a black fur coat!!!

Happy stitching! Margaret

Get ready to tilt your head!

Now, why is Blogger being so contrary today? Once again, it simply refuses to import my pictures the way they are saved on my computer. Okay, I give up - I need to get an update done!

Here is my latest progress on I Sigh Not. This is one of those projects that is difficult to put aside once I get started working on it.



Here is an upside-down introduction to Purple Garden. You are actually seeing the lower right hand side of the project. It was designed by Angie Designer, and I am doing it with the Sticklounge group. The designer led a SAL for this project a year or so ago, but I missed it, so I jumped at the chance to do it with the Sticklounge. I am using a piece of linen that was labeled 32 ct. Flax - I guess it could be correct. I am using various shades of HDF Ultramaroon, Earth Stars, and Alluvium. I like the combo of cross stitch and blackwork. Fun piece.

And, fortunately right side up, is the completed Quaker Star, also done with the Sticklounge Group. It now goes into the pile of samplers that need to be framed - I may get ambitious and try to frame it myself - save a few $$$$ that way.

Well, spring is on its way to Maryland - I have worked in the yard yesterday and today - cutting back old stalks and generally tidying up my flower beds, emptying pots, and spraying Round Up on the pesky spring dandelions and such. My earliest daffodils are blooming - they are adorable, only 4 inches tall. Sadly, they are not fragrant. Will have to wait for the fragrant narcissi.

I am on holiday this week - last Friday we sent my son off to China with his Chinese teacher and three other students. They are touring four cities and returning next Sunday. This is their spring break week; and we don't have to be taxi service this week -YEA!!!! Next update I'll have flower pictures - can't wait.

Well, Happy stitching everyone, Margaret

Awaiting winter's return

I have not been stitching much - rather I have been spending my time cruising the yard- looking for green shoots of daffodils pushing their noses out - all other green things get eaten by the herd of venison-on-hoof that have invaded my yard. I even washed my car by hand on Friday. So, you can imagine my surprise when I heard the weather forecast this morning - 1 - 2 inches of snow/sleet tonight. Well the surprise has turned to alarm when I heard an update - now they're predicting 3 - 5 inches!!! Seriously?????

I do have some updates:

Here is my latest start. This is "I Sigh Not", a sampler that was published in Sampler and Antique Needlework. I am using the recommended fabric and Hand-Dyed Fibers premium silk. I am loving this project!
And here is my February ornament: "Cardinal Winter" by LHN. I used mystery silks for the DMC, and I used the recommended fabric and Crescent Colors. I changed the word from "

Tweet" to "Joy". Tweet reminded me too much of Twitter....

I really hate to hear the weather forecast- my son's high school musical is next weekend, and they are rehearsing every day this week - if we get snow, that will really crimp their rehearsing. I'm sure the show will be fabulous anyway - it always is. My son plays in the orchestra - so no memorization or costumes.

Till next time - happy stitching! Margaret

Sideways pictures are better than no pictures!

Okay, so I am having issues with blogspot right now. These pictures look absolutely correct in Picasa, but when I import them to blogger they end up sideways - I'm tired of fighting with it - so I hope you can use your imagination about how great they'd look if they were right side up and enjoy the pictures anyway. This is part 8 of Quaker Star with the Sticklounge group. Only one part to go now.

And this poor little sideways ornament is this year's Valentine small. Well it's a relief that I finished this in time to enjoy it on Valentine's Day - this piece is Braveheart by Wyrdbyrd Designs. There are some great free blackwork designs on the site. I stitched it in a HDF mystery skein on mystery linen. It was a quick, fun stitch. But then it came time for the dreaded finishing. For some reason it turned out wonky - so I was debating (for several days) redoing it or just throwing it out - but then I decided to add a braided trim, which made it be okay. - I am determined to master this finishing business!!!!

I notice that Celebrations of Needlework has started posting pics of the classes they are offering this year - YEA!

Happy stitching, everybody1

Icy and Snowy in Maryland

Two posts in two days - can you tell it is snowy and icy in Maryland and this transplanted Southerner is staying at home!!!! and stitching!!!!


First up, here are Parts 1 and 2 of the Romantique SAL, offered by Angie Designer. She is very talented and generous to offer beautiful projects for free. For this SAL, you have to show a picture of each part before you get another one. For this piece, I am using HDF in White Chocolate and various Enchanter Rose shades. The fabric is an unlabeled piece of 32 ct linen - it may be raw or dirty or natural???? At any rate, it looks like an old lace sampler - can't wait for the next part.



And here is my finished January ornament - this is The Red Noel Ornament by Maryse Dupont of Les grilles de Maryse from the November 2008 TGOSM. I stitched it a while ago; but I am counting it for this month since this is when I finish-finished it.

I love doing an ornament a month - it was such fun to have them to put on my tree this year. I signed up for this challenge again this year....

Well, I need to put DS to work walking the dog, and shoveling the walk.

Happy stitching! Margaret

New Year, New Stitching!

My holidays went by in a blur - I had every intention of taking photos of my holiday stitching, and keeping this blog updated; but we all know what they say about good intentions....

So, with the new year, I have tried to become more focused. After neglecting this project for weeks (months?) I finally completed Part 7 of Quaker Star. Only two parts to go! I had not really planned to sign up for any more big projects with the Sticklounge Group, but then Angie Designer's Purple Garden was selected for an upcoming project - I have long admired this project, so I wasted no time in signing up. And no, I didn't stop there - another upcoming project is an old European Sampler - so I signed up for that as well. The Sticklounge group is a great one!


These next photos are of a Blue Ribbon Box, designed by Patrick's Woods. I know you can't tell much from my photography, but these pieces will become a scissor fob, needlebook, mattress style pincushion, and pockets in a wooden box. This will all come together in a class I am taking at A Gathering of Embroiderers in Williamsburg next month. The project is gorgeous, and most of it is stitched over one. I love the look of over one stitching; but I don't do it very often, and so I am slow and my tension is not very good. Still, the project is gorgeous!

I still have more work to do, but it is coming along!

I joined the Up for a Challenge for 2011. In this group, the challenge is to finish fifteen WIPS in 2011. I made a list of my favorite 15 projects - I included some WIPs and some new projects. I wonder how long it will be before I revise my list?????

Not a lot of other stuff going on - my son's ice hockey team is having a good year so far; and only a few of the players graduate this year - so the team should be strong next year as well. I can't say the same for my football teams - last weekend was awful - I always cheer for the Saints; and have since I was little - so I am already looking forward to next year. At least my alma mater, Mississippi State, did well last year.

Well, that's all for now. I am working on the Romantique Sampler by Angie Designer. I will post pics when I get enough done. I also need to work on my ornament for January.

Happy stitching, everyone!

More Oldies Done!!!!

Before I get to the "oldies" that I have (finally) finished, I need to show an update on Quaker Star - I have finished Part 6 - only three parts to go. I'm not really happy with the rose - the color is blotchy and it stands out too much. However, a later part has a daffodil that I want to stitch in a yellow/cream variegated thread, which will also stand out. After I see how that looks, I will pull out the soft mauve from the basket of flowers and replace it with a brighter color - so that the piece will be balanced.

And now - on to the oldies:

This is a piece I started in 2005 - it was one of the first freebie patterns I downloaded from the Internet. It is stitched using a variety of silk thread remnants on a piece of Silkweaver's Precious Metals Lugana - these colors just sing to me. Before the designer took it down, the pattern could be found here: Jardin a Decourvir

And here is a set of smalls that I picked up at Celebrations of Needlework several years ago - the model in the first picture is one of my stitching companions - she usually sits on the back of my chair (ready to dive under the chair or hassock if a strange person or noise appears!) This is called FanFleurs by Barbara Jackson of Tristan Books. The scissor fob matches my flowered Ginghers perfectly. Sadly, I no longer know the names of my patterned Ginghers.

On a brighter note, this set came out fairly nice. Maybe I'm getting the hang of finishing things. Now I just need a curio cabinet to display the items, safely out of reach of my stitching companions (cats) and the ever present dust!

I need to start some Christmas decorations - but I'd rather be stitching - maybe I have time for a little of both?????

Happy stitching! Margaret

It's Two Beauties!!!

Here is my November ornament, and it's not even the end of the month yet - I'm trying to be some over-achiever here (NOT). This is a Floral Gift by Blackbird Designs from the JCS 2010 Christmas Ornament issue. I used the Belle Soie silk as listed and a piece of scrap 32 ct. Lakeside linen. I am a huge Blackbird Designs fan - in general, I am not drawn to primitive or quirky pieces - but Blackbird Designs is one of my faves.

This small piece was my first experience with Belle Soie, and it stitches like a dream - just enough color variation to be interesting; but there is no huge color variation where one row is adjacent to another. I immediately had to fire off an order for more Belle Soie - I ordered some for the sampler "I Sigh Not...." by C Street Samplerworks, and my LNS doesn't have the colors I want.

I finally finished The Wayward Garden by Cynthia Zittel. It is a beauty!!!! I love the colors and the graceful flowers. I wish you could see how pretty it is - my photo is just awful, but I don't want to take the time to learn to take good pictures. This one shows the colors pretty well, but it doesn't show the top border very well :-)

I need to pick another piece for orchestra rehearsal - it needs to be an easy project on 28 or 32 count. I will go stash diving, or I may be good and select a sadly neglected WIP....

I signed up for A Gathering of Embroiderers in Williamsburg in February. I've never attended this function and have never been to Williamsburg - I can't wait!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US - Margaret

Smalls!

Here is the great exchange I received from Chris

in the Halloween exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging blog. This pinkeep is just perfectly made and I adore the pattern. In fact I was getting ready to stitch that for myself, but I hadn't started yet, so my package arrived just in the nick of time. I am thrilled by this exchange!!!

And, from the oldies basket, I finished Just Nan's Snow! from the "In the Tin" series. I use the term finish very loosely - I like the way the top of the tin turned out; but the mitten shaped needle book gave me fits. I had worked the linen so much that it was beginning to fray badly, so I had to just call it quits and stitch it down. I am not a fan of the soft loose linens, anyway. I stitch in hand, and it is difficult to maintain the right tension when the linen has a lot of "give".

And here is my October ornament - this is Country Star by Elizabeth's designs using the recommended linen and fibers. I finished it as a flat fold, and I love it - the picture does not do it justice.

It has been a gorgeous fall here in Maryland. Yesterday we traveled to Annapolis for my son's soccer game - the trees were just beautiful! I can only imagine how pretty it is in New England when the trees turn. Annapolis is a charming town - lots of historic buildings, pedestrian malls, shops, restaurants, and of course the Capitol and the Naval Academy.

So that's pretty much it for today; except for my political plug - Be sure and go vote! If you don't, you hardly have room to complain!

Happy stitching, 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

Two posts in a row!!!

This is Quaker Star Part 4 - I'm still uncertain about the addition of color to the flowers, stems and leaves - it makes the piece very "busy" - but I don't want to unstitch any of it, so I will leave it as is. The center medallion is a unicorn; which I am not too crazy about - I may substitute a swan motif if I can find one the right size.

I signed up to stitch a blackwork project with the Sticklounge group; but Halloween stitching is calling my name, so I may stitch a small Halloween project instead.

I also have stitched a little bit on the Drawn Thread's Wayward Garden - I will post a pic in the near future.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Joyeux Noel SAL and August Ornie

Here is my ornament for August - Red House in Winter. It is one of the All Dolled Up ornament series by Little House Needleworks. I used the recommended fiber for the house and the recommended linen. After that I was tired of fighting the knotty thread and stiff linen; so I stitched the rest of it in HDF premium silk. What a relief!

Here is the first part of a new SAL that I joined - it is titled Joyeux Noël Bannière by Angie Designer . I have been admiring her projects and this is the first one I've signed up for. I am using a piece of Light Cappucino Cashel linen and HDF Premium silk in the Enchanter Rose, Luteous Green, and Oil of Amber series. This piece has a lot of specialty stitches, which I love.

During the last two weeks, we have been on vacation. We traveled to Moscow, Russia. We hit many of the "tourist spots" - the Kremlin, Red Square, Pushkin Museum, Gum, etc. The language barrier was a struggle; but we found many restaurants that had menus in English, and many of the younger generation of Russians could speak English (certainly their command of English is much stronger than my command of Russian). I have been struggling with an awful head cold since we returned. In fact, I missed two days of work because I just could not function. I will post some pictures from vacation once I start feeling better.

LA left a comment on a previous post, asking about the Sticklounge group on Yahoo. The address of the group is Sticklounge; and the e-mail address is Sticklounge@yahoogroups.de. I need to get stitching on my Quaker Star - I think the next part comes out soon.

I hope everyone in the States has a relaxing Labor Day!

- Margaret