Friday, December 30, 2011

My last 2011 finish....

A busy holiday season has once again 
been conquered and I have found
time to stitch and finish this lovely....

Drawn Threads "Real Roses"
stitched on 32ct Belfast Antique White
NPI silks

I took advantage of my time this week to
finish #14 of my Crazy Challenge.  
I have had this kit for some time and was a
little intimidated with the speciality stitches, but
I am glad I decided to stitch this one.
  

The design is so delicate and "pretty" and a
nice change from what I normally stitch.


I did take some liberties with a few stitches.
It became necessary for the Queen's stitch
and myself to part ways....


Hmmm....think there should be a period after tree???
 
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Well...that leaves one lonely
snowman in my Challenge basket.


I am not too happy with my fabric
choice so I decided to leave it
last and  will restart this one as
part of my 2012 Crazy Challenge.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

As always, thanks for visiting!
I do hope you had a wonderful
holiday season and wish you a very
happy stitchy new year!

54 comments:

  1. This one is beautiful Karen.
    Happy New Year!

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  2. A gorgeous finish. Happy New Year to you and your family. Can't wait to see your progress on your 2012 Crazy Challenge.

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  3. A most gorgeous and lovely finish to sum up 2011! May you have continued success with your needle and thread, health, wealth and much happiness in the New Year!

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  4. That is a beautiful sampler! You did so well with your crazy challenge. I find myself doing better if I set goals too. Happy New Year!

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  5. Real Roses is a beautiful sampler; the colors are so soft. Congrats on your successful year of Crazy Challenge finishes. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful stitching and finishes in 2012. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

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  6. That is one beautiful finish! Have a Happy New Year.

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  7. Happy New Year Karen. Congrats on your last finish of 2011!

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  8. What a beautiful piece, Karen! Love it! Your plan for your last piece makes sense to me. Looking forward to seeing your 2012 crazy challenge! Happy New Year!

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  9. Gorgeous piece Karen!!

    Happy New Year!!

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  10. My oh my--that is a delicate looking piece! Lovely!! I have about ten minutes worth of stitching on my 'last' finish of the year, Winter Band Sampler by LHN. I shall post pics in the morning I guess... Happy New Year Karen!

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  11. Wow! The Drawn Thread is beautiful. I love how delicate it looks. Great stitching.

    Have a safe and Happy New Year!

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  12. Congratulations on your Real Roses finish and for doing so well on the Crazy January 2011 Challenge. I'm not fond of Queen stitches either! I'm curious as to what you substituted....

    Happy New Year!

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  13. Very pretty Karen - Congrats on so many Challenge finishes - I only managed about 5 I think. But I'm easily distracted!

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  14. Well done Karen your stitching is always so beautiful.

    You have done so well on your crazy challenge.

    Happy New Year.

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  15. An absolutely lovely finish!! Congratulations on your 2011 challenge!

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  16. A lovely piece. Nice work! (No period after tree)

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  17. Your drawn thread piece is very lovely! Congratulations on getting it finished this year!

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  18. Oh, I love this one, Karen--I've really enjoyed seeing all of your finishes this year, both large and small. May 2012 bring you much happiness and good health :)

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  19. Karen --
    Beautiful finish and congrulations to you for finishing so many of your WIP's.

    Good luck with the 2012 Crazy Challenge:)

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  20. Oh wow Karen, your Real Roses looks stunning. This was the first Drawn Thread piece I ever stitched and I think it is still my all time favourite.
    Well done on your Challenges for 2011 - you have done so well to only have one left - quite amazing.
    Mary

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  21. What a great way to finish up your year - it is lovely.

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  22. Lovely! I love band samplers. :)

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  23. WOW! Gorgeous! Congrats on the finish!

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  24. What a lovely finish to end the year! I look forward to seeing what goodies you will find in 2012.

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  25. That really is a very pretty piece. I love the colors, and of course, your stitching! Congrats at getting 14 out of 15 done!!

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  26. wow..that's a lovely finish. Happy New year to you Karen

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  27. Stunning finish! I know what you're saying about queen stitch but it can be worthwhile persevering with as it's a beautiful stitch.
    Congratulations on your 14 crazy finishes.
    Happy New Year!

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  28. A very beautiful finish to end 2011.

    Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy New Year, may it bring you gifts of joy, health and happiness and lots of stitching time for you.

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  29. A stunning finish, congratulations! I know what you mean about Queen Stitch, I try and avoid them ;-)

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  30. What a glorious final finish for this year. Have a wonderful New Year and a very happy stitchy year too.

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  31. That is a beautiful finish! Happy New Year

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  32. Oh, yes, Karen, that is a very pretty one - and with specialty stitches! Well, now that you mention it... Yes, there should be a period - especially since there's one at the end of the first sentence. I've sure enjoyed watching your 2011 Challenge, and don't expect 2012 to be any less fun. Happy Stitchy New Year to you!

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  33. It's a beauty, Karen, as is everything you do!!! Looking forward to seeing what 2012 brings!!!
    Linda C.

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  34. The DT piece is so pretty and I love your new snowman start!

    Happy New Year, Karen!

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  35. Beautiful finish Karen! and love the other one you are working on. Happy New Year!

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  36. Fantastic final finish for 2011! I think it rounds your projects off nicely :o) You almost made it. I'd say you were very successful! Can't wait to see what you have in store for next year.

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  37. Karen, what a gorgeous last finish for the year. I'm so glad you decided to tackle this piece and it's specialty stitches. I love the queen stitch, if I could just sit down with ou I bet I'd have you doing them like a pro in no time!

    Happy New Year! I'm starting th Crazy Challenge tonight at midnight!

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  38. That was a beautiful way to finish the year!

    And to make 14 of the 15 CJC's is really an accomplishment too!

    I finally figured out when I don't like the way something is turning out I will often put it at the bottom of my pile. (like Mary Wigham-I don't like the fabric she is on).
    At least you recognized it early on with the snowman :)
    Have a great 2012!

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  39. beautiful finish Karen! Congrats on so many challenge finishes...
    and I can't wait to see that snowman stitched!!!!!! Love it...

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  40. Happy New Year Karen!! Beautiful finish!! I hope to see you soon! :)

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  41. Congratulations on finishing 14 of your 15 Crazy Challenge! That is great! I have enjoyed keeping up with your stitching with your posts. Looking forward to seeing what you have planned for 2012.
    Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  42. Oh, Karen! Your Real Roses is more beautiful than real roses! You are SO productive with that needle. I look forward to seeing all of the beautiful pieces you crank out in 2012. Happy, Happy New Year!

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  43. you have a great blog and lovely stitching. I have become your newest follower. happy new year
    x catherine

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  44. Congratulations on your finish! It looks lovely. Happy New Year!

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  45. Beautiful finish with the Drawn Thread piece. Her charts are fantastic for learning specialty stitches.

    The snowman chart is really cute. I put in a few stitches last year as well, but wasn't happy with the color of white I chose, so I'll be starting it over as well.

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  46. Happy New Year, Karen and congratulations on a beautiful finish! I love DT and this is one of my favorites. (Mine is still down for maintenance, since some of the birds did a number on it in the beginning of last year... sigh...)

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  47. Absolutely beautiful! this is one of my favourite Drawn Thread designs... I have it in my stash and the poor thing has been there for a while now, maybe after seeing yours all finished, this will be the year that I actually stitch mine!

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  48. Congrats on another gorgeous finish! Look forward to seeing your 2012 crazy challenge projects. Happy New Year!

    Hugs,
    Veronica.

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  49. Congratulations on the finish! It's gorgeous!

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  50. What a beautiful way to bring the 2011 stitching year to a close.
    I love anything and everything by The Drawn Thread. This one is especially gorgeous.
    Margaret

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  51. What a beautiful finish to end the year with! You've done very well with your challenge and I enjoyed seeing it. Here's to 2012 and all the wonderful stitches it will bring. I look forward to seeing what inspires you!

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  52. Karen, your stitching is beautiful! You inspire me to get my cross-stitch basket back out and continue on a project I became bored with. Thanks! God bless! Mrs. Elizabeth Hansen,
    Chester County, PA

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