When it's hot......

....you stitch.

July 4th weekend was just too hot

for much else but stitching.

It was too hot (for me at least)

to even cookout.

I finished this month's installment of the

Prairie Schooler alphabet first thing.

Prairie Schooler "A is for Anchor"

stitched on Lakeside Linen w/DMC

This was definitely the easiest block

so far with no big blocks of color.

Not sure why but I really like

this block.

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I picked up one of my

Stitchmaynia starts and focused

on finishing it.  Saturday I was lucky

to meet up with some stitching

friends, old and new, at the

Stitch & Frame

for some shopping, stitching,

eating and laughter.

With a little help from them, I have

had a good stitching weekend.

This was the first installment of this

year's Dyeing to Stitch

Colonial Gatherings Club kit.

Plum Street Samplers "Pennsylvania Fraktur"

Colonial Gatherings kit

stitched on R&R 36ct Ligonier Latte with

WDW, GAST and Classic Colorworks

Hubby and I vacationed in June in Pittsburgh

and was my first visit to Pennsylvania.

We had a great time, which may be

surprising to some, and Pittsburgh

had some neat things to do and see.

Fittingly, the design is a sweet tribute

to the founding of Pennsylvania

with the state's birth date and state motto.

I will definitely be reminded of my

wonderful trip.

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Decisions, decisions, decisions....

what to stitch next?

I am itching to start something new

.......so I think I will.

Happy stitching and thanks for visiting!

Catching up: Finally June....

Yes....I am officially caught up on my

stitching endeavors over the past months.
Thank you for all of your wonderful
comments and for sticking with me.

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June stitching was limited with a week

away for vacation, food poisoning,

just summer fun that takes you outside

and, of course, some summer stitch-alongs.

First up....was Whine and WIPS.

The  Stitchmaynia Facebook group was 

sponsoring this event for June.

Simple....work on something
that makes you whine.

It can be something that makes you

whine when you stitch it or makes you

whine when you can't stitch it.

I chose a WIP that has been languishing

since December 2013.  I love this

design and I bought the project after seeing

the model at The Attic Needlework

during a trip.  I bought the supplies,

came home and promptly started it.   

What about this beautiful design

makes me whine????

*****    40ct black linen  *****

OMG....I have the brightest light I can take,

wear 2 pair of readers and I still have a

difficult time distinguishing those little

holes.  This was a good excuse to

bring it back out and work on it. 

I did give it the old college try and made

great progress on the border. 

This is where I started.....

Scarlett House "Ann Topley"

stitched on 40ct with recommended threads

And this is where I have ended up.....

I can't promise every stitch is over 2

holes but I don't see any glaring

mistakes.  I have made myself work on this

in hopes it would spur a finish but I

just can't take it anymore. 

So away it has gone again.  

I will keep plugging away and know

eventually I will finish it & love it. 

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Cross Stitch Finish Line on Facebook

was also hosting a stitch-along that sounded fun.  

Vintage SAL required you start or

stitch a design that was from the 90's o

r earlier.  Having stitched and stashed

for 30+ years, I had tons in my stash

that would fit this bill.   I decided to

finally start something I have loved

from the first day I saw it.

The Heart's Content "Rose Marriage Sampler" 

circa 1990
stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen with DMC

I just love this design and figured I should get

going on it after 22 years of marriage. 

My start was meager but at least I have it

started now so I have no excuse to not stitch it.

Hopefully I will have it done by

our 25th anniversary.

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My Prairie Schooler alphabet design 

this month is my sixth and that

means I am at least 20%

done with this project. 

Prairie Schooler "S*T*U"

stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen with

recommended DMC

All six designs so far....

I still love stitching it and this is one I

want to be completed now....

oh well, back to stitching.

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And lastly...
I had two finishes just under the wire.
Both were Stitchmaynia starts
and both were a joy to stitch.

WTNT "Grand Olde Flag"

stitched on 40ct PTP Sand with

Victorian Motto thread conversions

The Drawn Thread "Free and Brave"

stitched on 32ct PTP Legacy with

Victorian Motto thread conversions

I use a lot of Victorian Motto thread...
I have built up quite a collection
and just love it.
Many have asked about how I convert
designs to Victorian Motto and it
is quite simple.   I just compare them to
the model picture or DMC conversion
(if available) and just pick the colors I like.
Sometimes it works and sometimes
I am constantly changing my mind
until I find what I like.

If you haven't tried Nancy's thread,
I urge you to give it a try. 
It such a great bargain
and the colors are beautiful.

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Hopefully I will be able to keep up

with more timely posts.

You can find me on Instagram daily too at

@karenshandiwork

I love seeing everyone's stitching
progress so if you are on Instagram,
please let me know in a comment so
I can make sure I am following you.

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For those in the States, I hope you

had a nice, relaxing July 4th.

As always thanks and happy stitching....