Sunday, July 10, 2016

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.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

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.

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

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!

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

~    *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
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.

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

For those in the States, I hope you
had a nice, relaxing July 4th.

As always thanks and happy stitching....