Before I get further behind.....

Hiya,


I thought I had better write some of this down, before I forget it!

I have been stitching, and I actually finished something!!!!!!!This is Lavender Blue, by Angie Designer.  I think I started this in 2010 (?) or so.  I used Lakeside Linens 36 ct Buttercreme and Hand Dyed Fibers.  This will really be pretty once it is pressed.  This designer does these pieces every year for free, but you have to show your completed part before she sends you the next one.  I am too easily distracted to do well with that :-)

 In March, we spent a week in Paris.  We rented two apartments near the Opera House.  DH was in meetings all day and DS and I visited museums and other attractions.  It is quite a challenge to keep up with a 18 YO boy!  They have unlimited energy.  We got to ride in a hot air balloon - what fun!  We stayed across the street from Annie Bouquet Tapisserie de France.  It is a lovely shop, mostly hand painted canvases - that's one expensive hobby that I don't need to start.  I also visited Les Brodeuses Parisiennes - so many pretty things, so hard to choose!

In May, I attended Celebrations, and got to spend some time with my stitching buddy Carol - we always have the best time.  I took several classes, too.  The kits are now safely residing in my stash - they haven't been touched since I got home.

This last weekend, I attended two classes by Betsy Morgan at Salty Yarns in Ocean City, MD.  What a fabulous weekend!  The ladies at Salty Yarns made the stitchers feel right at home - and they served up some of the best food you can imagine.  Betsy Morgan is a great teacher, and quite talented.  If you ever get a chance to take a class from her, or attend an event at Salty Yarns, I would highly recommend it!

We have had rain, rain and more rain here in Maryland this spring and summer.  The weeds are as high as an elephant's eye - I suppose we will look back fondly on this in August when it is hot and dry.

Bye for now, Margaret

Wrinkles in Progress

Hiya,

This is an update on my active WIPs.  After I looked at my photos, I decided that the "W" should stand for Wrinkles - I stitch in hand, and am too lazy to iron my pieces just for a photo - so I hope no one is offended by the messiness...

First up is one of the first sampler charts I ever purchased:  It is the Time and Season Sampler by Moira Blackburn.  The price sticker is dated 2-99.  I am using 36 ct. Vintage Examplar linen and good old DMC.  The colors are a bit funky - they remind me of the colors that were popular back in the 80's and 90's - I waffle back and forth on whether I like them or not.  I estimate that I am almost 25% done with this one.

 And here is my progress on And They Sinned.  I am using the charted threads and 36 ct Autumn Fields linen. This is so much fun to stitch, with all the bright colors and little motifs.  I will not like it so much when I get to the massive amounts of green on the lower parts of the design.  I am almost done with Page 1 of 4.

 And this little charmer is Les Quatre Saisons by Isabell Mazabraud-Kerlan, using the charted threads and linen.  The chart is in the Summer 2011 issue of SANQ.

I am sorely tempted to start something new, but I am trying to wait until I finish at least one of these!  Once spring arrives, my stitching time will disappear in the flurry of yard work that has to be done.  I noticed that my Lenten roses are blooming; and buds on my camellias are getting fatter.  D*** deer ate all my buds from 3 of my camellias and the Gumpo azaleas planted nearby.  It's not enough that their ticks gave me Lyme disease; they have to add insult to injury by eating my flowers that are right up by my house!

Oh, I am now definitely jealous of my little brother - he just became a grandpa for the cutest little girl you've ever seen.  I can't wait to see Sophie, hopefully this summer.  I am hoping I get grandchildren before I get too old to enjoy them!

Well, that's it for today.  Off to watch more Netflix drama series.

-Happy stitching!  Margaret

Enough snow already!

I love a good snow day as much as the next person - especially if I don't have to get out in it, but seriously this is ridiculous!  Fortunately DH is a hardy Mid-western stock, and ventures out regardless of the weather - perhaps he just can't face the idea of being cabin bound with me if I don't have milk for my coffee!  This is my house after the first wave of snow last Wednesday night - we received another 4-5 inches in the next few days.  It's beautiful today - the white is a nice contrast to the blue sky.

Here is the fearless Labrador  - Emie loves the snow, despite finding it difficult to plow through!

One great thing about the snow is that I had a chance to finish my Valentine smalls for this year - this is a chart I found in my freebie notebook - I can't provide proper credit to the designer, but it is a very cute design.

This is Garden of Love by Citrouille's Designs.  This was a project from the 2013 Year of Smalls blog.  The fibers are Belle Soie and the fabric is a 36 ct Shale from PTP.  The linen has a lavender cast to it - it's sweet in real life.

My ornament for February is Tis the Season, a kit by Shepherd's Bush.  The ribbon and beads came in the kit, with instructions to do a wonky trim.  After I got the hang of it, it is really easy to do and is a perfect finish for this project.

And the last pic for today is my stitching helper Athena - this is the reason my twisted cords have extra fuzz!

I have been enjoying the updates on the new releases at Nashville - I wish I could have one of everything.  This is a banner year for new designs.

Until next time, happy stitching!  Margaret

Ornaments galore!

 

 

Hiya,

 

 

I've started off the New Year working on ornaments.  This year I am determined to finish a few as I go, rather than have a bunch of stitched fronts to deal with in December.  So far, so  good!



 

Here's Peace on Earth by Barbara Jackson, which she taught as an online class through the Shining Needle Society.  I messed up the original linen, so I substituted a piece of Attic Lace by Lakeside.  It is a charming piece!

 

 

 

This is Peace on Earth from the 2013 JCS ornament issue.  I used the recommended threads.  It looks a bit wonky in the picture - sorry.

 

 

 

Also from the 2013 JCS ornament issue, here is Merry Christmas by MBT.  I used the recommended threads.  This is my first shot at rusched ribbon, using a tutorial from Vonna's (Twisted Stitcher) web site.  Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

 

And this is a bonus chart that came with Lizzie Kate's Christmas Mystery Sampler.  It's on a piece of Dubloon linen - I really like how this turned out.

 

 

Well there you have January's production.  I am working on a Valentine small; and another ornament for February.  I also put a few stitches in some samplers, but not much progress to show.

 

I also am drooling over the classes at Celebrations this year.   I am adding to my planned stitching indulgent trips by taking classes at Salty Yarns in June and finally going to Christmas in Williamsburg.

 

Oh, and in between, I can't forget the trips to Missouri to annoy see the Boy Wonder.  We will be spending St. Patrick's Day weekend there  - they have a big party weekend.  I haven't been in many years, but I wouldn't miss this one for the world.

 

Until next time, happy stitching, Margaret

Happy New Year!!!!

Hi,

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To start off 2014 with a clean slate, I am posting pics of the ornaments that I added to my collection this year.

First up, is a charmer from my stitching buddy Carol S.   She has a better picture posted on her blog, as well as other great pictures so you should check it out.  We have been friends for several years, so I am getting quite a collection of ornaments that she has stitched for me.

And next up is another cutie from my friend Marie.  She also has some great stitching projects to check out.   I am lucky to have such talented friends!

And from the talented hands of the ornament fairy aka Claudia, here are my Christmas presents to me!  Claudia is amazing - our tastes are very similar and she managed to finish all of these and get them back to me well before Christmas.

 

 

 

 

I participated in the Advent SAL that Carol at iStitch designed and hosted.  I even managed to finish stitching this on time - there is a first time for everything.

 

 



We are having a quiet New Years Day.  I  have a big pot of Hoppin john (black eyed peas) on the stove and made a bread pudding this afternoon.  I would have greens also, but I have been sick for two or three days, and didn't see to it that we bought greens.  The superstition is that on New Years Day you eat black eyed  peas for luck and greens so that you'll have a lot of money in the coming year.  I guess we won't find a money tree this year.

Over the last two days, I read John Grisham's Sycamore Row.  I loved the book - it is set in Mississippi and mentions some counties, towns and communities that I remember.  I read it on my new Samsung tablet, which replaced my Nook this year.  The tablet is much easier for my eyes.

Hope everyone has a safe and prosperous new year!  Margaret

Football weekend stitching!

 Hiya,  I stitched the O Tannebaum ornament from the 2013 JCS Ornament issue while waiting for/watching the much-anticipated Alabama/Auburn football game.  It was a sad day for the Crimson Tide - but at least I have this charming ornament.  I used the pretty blue fabric called for in the design - but my picture does not capture the loveliness of this piece.

I also finished up on my Antique Evergreens by Elizabeth Designs.  This piece is just charming - it was a very enjoyable stitch - quick and easy.  There are two others in this series - Antique Flowers and Antique Birds (?) - I may work on them soon.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving - great turkey, homemade cranberry sauce with pears and ginger, sage and sausage cornbread dressing, gravy, green beans with spiced pecans, sweet potato casserole, homemade rolls - and saving the best for last - Karo pecan pie and sweet potato pie.  The pie recipes are the ones that I remember from childhood - they have only improved with age.

My DS headed back to Missouri  S&T this morning - after spending about four days catching up on his sleep.  He will return home in mid-December after finals - so once again I am counting the days.

So, now I'm off to watch the Chiefs - my DH grew up in Kansas City and is a loyal Chiefs fan.

Happy stitching, everyone!

2013 catch up entry

Hi ,

I'm using this post to catch up on the pieces that I have stitched on so far in 2013:


First up, here is Antique Evergreens by Elizabeth Designs using called for threads and mystery 36 ct Lakeside linen.  I have stitched on this during marathon sessions of Hell on Wheels, the AMC series:

 This is a small sampler ES by With My Needle - it is done on 40 ct Porcelain Lakeside linen, using NPI silks - the colors are gorgeous!

 

 

I also finished the Spanish Mystery Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler - it's a giant piece, and took forever to stitch - I love the browns and blues in this piece.

 Here is my sad little pile of Christmas ornaments, waiting for the finishing fairy to come along and rescue them from the drawer of almost done projects!

 

And here is the lovely Ann Bowers, which was a SAL with Attic Needlework for 2013.  The colors in this piece are stunning - it's quite an unusual combination of colors - but they work together very well.  This is one of the few SALs that I managed to keep up with!

 

 

So much has happened this year, it's impossible to catch up - DS graduated from high school, we moved him from Maryland to Missouri to college, DH and I spent 10 days in Paris (managed to visit two cross stitch shops while there, consumed massive amounts of wine, bread, cheese and pastries), DH and I traveled back to Missouri S&T for Homecoming (saw a lot of people I haven't seen in years!); I traveled to Phoenix to take three classes with Jackie du Plessis.  That was a fabulous trip - I met so many nice stitchers and was in awe of the Attic Needlework store - their stitched samplers are just amazing!

We will pick up DS at the Baltimore airport tomorrow evening, and he will be here through Thanksgiving.  There's one Labrador Retriever that will be delighted when he walks through the door!!!!

Happy stitching and Happy Thanksgiving!

- Margaret

Update

To kick off this post, here is the adorable Santa's Flight that Jayne stitched for me in the Shepherd's Bush ornament exchange on Hooked on Exchanging.  I love this piece - it is so tiny and lovely in every way.  The stitching and finishing are just superb.

I just love reproduction samplers, and so this year, I decided to focus on stitching them.  Below is a picture of my progress on the Ann Bowers Sampler from the Examplarery s2 - 1740's.  This is a SAL through the Attic Needlework shop in Arizona.  I have worked on it about 20 days, averaging one hour per day.

And below is A Maryland Sampler.  I am using NPI and the recommended 36 ct Lt Examplar linen.  This linen is more "vintagey" than what you can purchase - it spent a short period of time in the mouth of the Labrador puppy - and I did not want to start completely over, so I am learning to love the quirks in the linen.   LOL

I have also stitched on this for about 20 hours.  The borders on this one go very slowly with all the leaves, flowers and berries.

We are plunging into spring around here - the daffodils are poking their heads up.  the Lenten Roses are in full bloom.  I am starting to think about what annuals I want to plant in my pots around the pool.  I'm also thinking of how to convert my flower beds to flowers and shrubs that deer don't eat, which significantly limits my choices.

Happy stitching, Margaret

Catch-Up Post

Just like many other stitchers out in blogland, I think this year is just flying by.  I can hardly believe that this is my first post this year!  I have a lot of catching up to do.

First up are some pictures of some fabulous finishes by Claudia.  I sent these to her right before the holidays; and she sent them back to me in mid-January.  These pieces are just gorgeous!  I don't remember the names of many of these designs, but I will add details as I can.

This one is from the 2012 JCS Ornament issue.  It is Pomegranate Joy by Homespun Elegance.  I used the recommended fibers and some 36 ct. mystery linen.

This one is Paper Whites by Little House Needleworks.  I used HDF silk and 40 ct Porcelain Lakeside Linens.

This is Happy Holidays from County Cottage Needleworks.  I used the recommended fibers on a piece of 36 ct mystery linen.  I love the oval finishing and the twisted cord trim made from perle cotton.

This is Poinsettia House from Little House Needleworks, using the recommended fibers and some mystery 36 ct. linen.  I shamelessly copied the idea to change the words to "Tis the season" from a blogger.  Now I can't find the blog that was my inspiration, and so I can't thank the stitcher appropriately.  If she sees this, I hope she is flattered by the imitation.

 I am still working on the SAL, A Year in Cross Stitch.  This shows the design for the January block.

 Here is my January ornament.  It is the 2012 freebie from iStitch.  I used some HDF mystery floss and 36 ct. mystery linen.  Note the plain Jane finishing that I did myself.

 Here is my 2013 Valentine project.  It is the Tempting Tangles Quaker Valentine 2013 from the Wichelt site.  I used HDF Enchantress floss and some mystery linen.  I think I will make this into a small pillow.

Lastly, here is the Soweth Sampler by Birds of a Feather.  My stitching buddy Carol was kind enough to send this pattern to me  I used the recommended fibers and some 36 ct.mystery linen.

I also have been stitching on a couple of reproduction samplers - but will wait and take pictures next week.

We are still having cold weather - yet the daffodils are 3 -4 " tall and the camellia buds are fat.  I would say that I walk through the yard, eagerly looking for signs of spring; but around here it's more like slogging through the mud.  LOL

All else is quiet.  I am eagerly watching the Celebrations web site - they are posting pictures of classes.  I can hardly wait - it is my week of pure indulgence - I can just stitch to my heart's content.  This year I am also planning a trip to Paris in early April - can't wait!

Happy stitching, Margaret

Christmas Projects!





 Hi,  I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  I certainly did.  A few days before Christmas I finished the 2012 Sampler de Noel.  I put a few beads on it for a bit of pizazz - it really came out nice and cheerful! 

 This is an ornament that I finished in December.  It is one of a series by Historic Stitches and has personalization on the back.  I think it came out very cute.  You can also see a painted glass ornament that DH brought me from the Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria.  He said that I really missed out by not going - so a trip to the Christmas Market in Austria or Germany is on my list for next year, when I have an empty nest, and can easily take off and do those things.



 And this adorable little stocking was stitched by my dear stitching buddy Carol S.  I tried to picture it beside the much larger version that I stitched, but the relative sizes don't come across in the picture.  Take my word for it, the one Carol stitched is just exquisite!  It is so tiny and perfect!  In this picture you can also see a cat that my mother made.  She was a quilter, and made a set of these adorable patchwork cat ornaments that I treasure!

I put up my tree very late this year, and so I did not pull out all of my ornaments, and instead used only the ones that were handmade (or new).  I just love looking at all the ornaments - this has strenthened my resolve to stitch more ornaments next year!

I don't have very much else going on.  My son and I spent a few days in South Mississippi visiting my dad, brother, niece, and other relatives.  We ate and drank and visited as much as we could in only a few days!  We were able to sit outside on restaurant decks and patios - the weather was great.  We visited Abita Microbrewery in Abita Springs, Louisiana - I highly recommend it.  They have the greatest root beer ever made, and their microbrews are fabulous! We spent one day in New Orleans - shopping Royal Street and eating beignets and drinking cafe au lait.  We spent one day in Gulfport, Mississippi, visiting and enjoying the scenery.   Fortunately, we ducked the storms and so had no travel problems. 

That's all for now - I'm off to sift through my stash and dream about all the projects I can do next year.  Hope everyone has a Happy and safe New Year!

- Margaret C

More Eye Candy!

 These pieces were made possible by the finishing skills of the very talented Claudia.  I only wish the  photos could show the real beauty of these ornaments.

First up is Christmas Rose by Nancy Pederson in the November 2011 issue of The Gift of Stitching magazine.  I used HDF fibers on a piece of opalescent Belfast linen.  Claudia made a pillow out of a golden raw silk fabric - just beautiful!

The next piece is French Square by Scissor Tail Designs.  I used HDF fibers on a piece of mystery linen.  I have since purchased many more designs from this designer - I love the elegance and simplicity of the designs.

Next up is the Mistletoe Ornament from this year's JCS ornament issue.  I used the recommended fibers and linen.  I'm too lazy to go downstairs and get the magazine to get the name of the piece or the designer.

This next design also came from this years JCS Ornament issue called His Gift from My Big Toe Designs - I used HDF fibers in my own conversion on a piece of mystery linen.

 

Next up is a shaped ornament  that is just charming.  This is a freebie, Noel 2012 couleurs from Broderies Passion .  I used HDF  fibers and mystery linen.

And finally, this little tree that I stitched long ago - I've forgotten the designer, but it is one of my favorites with the green, red and gold ribbons.  I know that I say everything is my favorite, but who could pick an absolute favorite?

And lastly, here is Part 2 of A Year in Cross Stitch:

I have been stitching on other stuff, but I can't stick with one project long enough to make noticeable progress.  So, with that, I will close.  Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

- Margaret C