Sunday, May 27, 2012

Pretty little things....


I decided Mother's Day weekend to take a
break from my Nantucket Sampler....
actually the dang border.  
I plummaged through my stash and came up
with some smalls to take my mind off the other.

First up a little Blackbird Designs......

BBD "Remember Me"
stitched on 35ct WDW Straw
w/ Victorian Motto hand-dyed thread

I recently ordered a lavender thread pack from
Nancy and just loved this soft toned thread.  I
think it makes the perfect complement to
the golden linen.   This one makes the 
perfect pin pillow.


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La D Da was next up on the hoop....

La D Da "Count Your Blessings"
stitched on 30ct WDW Mocha
w/recommended DMC

I saw this one being stitched in action at Pals this
past October and it looked so much better
in person.  Not sure why it took so long to stitch
this one but am happy I finally got around to it.
Another little pillow to remind me each
day of this wonderful sentiment.


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While looking for some Americana designs
to stitch last week, I came across this
one and decided I just had to stitch it next. 


BBD "Morning Star"
Stitched on mystery 40ct linen
w/DMC

This is the sweetest design.  I love the colors
in this one and almost hated to see it end.

 
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My little helper....Pork Chop
I'm so lucky to have help when staging my photos.

For those you enjoying the Memorial Day
weekend, I hope it is a good one.
Thanks for visiting and I hope you
have a great stitchy week!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Nantucket Sampler....


I had a good stitchy weekend and finished
up another Crazy Challenge piece.

Elizabeth's Garden "Nantucket Sampler"
stitched on 40ct khaki linen
w/DMC

This turned out to be a great little sampler
to stitch.   The finished size is only 6" x 3"
but this little sampler packs alot in it.   Although
I used DMC, the subtle thread changes in some
areas almost gives it an overdyed look.  I did give
my finish a little coffee soak to help tone
down the ecru border just a bit.


I love this little scene with the red house and
ship.  The bird and peacock are a little on the
large side but seem to make the sampler complete.
This design has been languishing in my basket
for many years and I am very happy it is stitched.

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With summer fast approaching, I hope to sneak
in a few little Americana smalls.   As always....
thanks for visiting and happy stitching!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Homespun Elegance goodies....

May has been a lucky month!
One of my favorite blogs is

(Homespun Elegance)

and she was celebrating her 500 followers
with a great giveaway and sale!    Lucky me won
her giveaway and look at the goodies I got....


I have a large collection of Homespun Elegance
but was delighted that I had none of these!


Sandra also included these goodies.  
The little sheep is just precious.


   As soon as I saw the bookmark design, I
immediately recognized it.  I have had the
Sheltering Tree in the my basket for a very
long time.   I think this is a sign that it is time
stitch it!  If you haven't checked
she always has some great offerings.

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 Evidenced by the abundance of HE designs
I own, Sandra has always been one of my
favorite designers.   The "colonial" feel to her
designs is timeless.   To extend the celebration
on her blog, she offered a very generous sale
on her designs so I seized the opportunity 
to add to my collection. 

Land of Peace & Plenty

This has to be one of all time favorites.
Originally published in 1990, Sandra decided to
reprint some of her OOP designs and this one
is now available.   This one is timeless to me and
I can't wait to get it stitched.   I think it has also
 helped me decide on the fabric choice for
Plum Street's Colonial Garden.  
You will just have to wait and see!

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I have been busy stitching so I will be
back soon with some finishes.
Hope you have a great stitchy day....

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Look what I got.....

I was lucky enough to win Angela's blog
giveaway and the mailman was nice
enough to deliver it today!


Having exchanged a few times with Angela,
I knew this box would be finished to perfection. 
And it is.
This one is an extra special treat since  
Angela's mom stitched the design and
Angela did the finishing. 


I have two stitching spots and I always have to
haul my scissors, readers, needles, etc. from
one spot to another.   This perfect for all of my
accessories in my downstairs spot so that I
just have to pick up my stitching and go.

Thanks again Angela....this will be a treasure.

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If the road to you know where is paved
with good intentions, I am driving the bus.

I had good intentions in starting Colonial Garden
but found myself in a quandry.   Although I
love it on the dark linen, I was leaning
toward stitching the lighter version. 

Since I can't make up my mind, I decided to
pull out another Crazy Challenge piece. 

Elizabeth's Garden "Nantucket Sampler"

I was still in the seafaring mood so I decided to
stitch on this until I figure out my linen dilemma.
I love the design but am iffy on the border.   The
white is just too "white" so I think I will give
it a tea bath once done to tone it down a bit. 

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Well I'm off to stitch....thanks again for visiting.
Hope you are having a stitchy week.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Throwback Thursday....

Thank you so much for your wonderful
comments on my previous posts.... 
they really do make my day!

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While visiting my mom awhile ago, I really
took note of how many stitched treasures
(her eyes rolling
of mine that grace her walls.  It got me
thinking about how I wish I could have started
this blog many years earlier.   Well... actually
I guess I was "blogging" on paper....
My stitching journals
Like many of you, I kept a "journal" of sorts in
a yearly calendar documenting my stitching days.

  My "blog" posts
I love my blog.....
just for the fact it is now my "stitching
journal".  I can look back over the last few years
and see what I was stitching and I am surprised
how I can remember what was happening in my
life at that time.   I've been toying with the idea
of sprinkling stitched pieces from the past so I
could enjoy them on my blog and decided there
was no time like the present to start.

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In keeping with the seafaring theme this week,
here is one of my favorite finishes from 2000.

The Need'l Love Company
"Ship of Life"
Started: 1-16-00 Finished: 4-9-00

I remember I originally started this one on 14 ct
cream aida......don't ask me what I was thinking.  
After stitching a little of the wave, I quickly
realized this just wasn't right.   I restarted on
32 ct. linen with DMC.   At the time, this was
a very different stitch for me....this was my
first sampler of sorts.  I am so glad  I
stitched this on linen and stuck with it.
To this day, I still love this piece.

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BD "The Lighthouse"
Stitched 1999

I just loved the older Bent Creek designs and
probably have most of them between 1998
and 2006.  I especially liked the Word Samplers
and this is one of my favorites.   I attended one
of the now defunct cross stitch festivals where I
was able to pick up the frame.    I didn't have a
LNS and remember being in awe of all the
cross stitch "stuff" available to buy.  O how the
world has changed thanks to the wonderful web!

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If you made it this far, thanks for visiting.  
I would love to know if anyone
else has these stitched and on their blog.