Monday, December 23, 2013

Stitching and socializing....

 
Just a quick post before
all of the serious Christmas
celebrating is underway....

We had another sweet lady retiring at the
end of this month and I wanted to
stitch a little something for her.
 
I loved the BBD Peace ornament and thought
it would be a nice memento.   I did change
the colors since I didn't have all of the
called for on hand and am happy it.
 
BBD "Peace" --JCS 2013 Ornament issue
Stitched on 36ct PTP Earthen
with Sampler Threads and WDW
 
The verse is stitched in Pomegranate and matches
the chenille trim from Victorian Motto perfectly.
I really like this one and hope to stitch
it again for myself.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Hubby and I just got back from Arizona and I
decided to take along this cute little
Christmas design.  Lizzie Kate is always
my go to designer when traveling since they
are so easy to pick up here and there.
 
LK "Ho Ho Ho in a Row"
Stitched on 14ct light blue with DMC
 
I had a piece of light blue aida in my stash
which was perfect.   I did take some liberties
with the design and changed the colors in the
snowman's scarf, ornament and the bottom row.
 
I think this was a first but I actually finished
this the last day of our trip!  Since I had my
sewing machine out I just had to get
it finished for this Christmas. 
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Some of the highlights of my trip were
visiting the Attic Needlework and
catching up with Tanya from The Scarlett House.
 

This  happened to be our anniversary so my
hubby was very sweet and let me shop
as long as I wanted.  The shop models were
amazing and it was hard to not come
home with a suitcase full.  

Ann Topley - 1802

I did pick up some needfuls and I was excited
to get Tanya's latest design.  My plan is
to make this one my New Year's Day start.
 
We had a great time in Arizona and can't
wait until we head west again.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
 Well...Christmas is calling and I
have plenty yet to do.  I hope all of you
are have a joyous holiday season!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Pinteresting....

 
Like most of you, I've spent  hours on
Pinterest "pinning" projects I would
make one day.  The Christmas spirit hit
so I decided to mark a few off the
list over the last few weeks.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Burlap...
could anything be any hotter right now? 
 
I had some burlap and decided to repurpose
some Christmas pillows from years past. 
 
Simple trees with simple adornments.
 
After seeing Vonna's ornament, I knew
a poinsettia would be perfect.
 
The little ones were perfect for
simple sentiments.

 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Corn starch ornaments...
 
I had made salt dough ornaments years ago
but loved the brightness of the corn
starch ornaments so gave them a try. 
 

I used some of my embossing folders to
make the imprints.   Perfect!  
Although these are very fragile compared
to the salt dough ornaments,  I will
definitely make these again.

 
My favorite.... my Palmetto Moon & Tree.   
These will be the perfect adornment for my gifts.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Christmas tree snow globes....
 
I bought trees last year after Christmas and
thought these would great tucked in
little spots around the house.

 
Epsom salts for the snow....
Rosemary greenery....
with the jute twine these
simple little trees are perfect.
 
Cute....cute....cute!
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
For once I was happy with all that
I made and can't wait to do
some crafting for winter!

I have been stitching and am off to get
some finishing in tonight.  Our Christmas
festivities begin tomorrow so I will
make the most of a quiet night.
 
As always, thanks for visiting and
happy stitching...

Friday, December 6, 2013

Catching up....

 
Time is flying.... 
Laziness has kept me from updating my blog
but now that the Christmas season is here
 seem to be rejuvenated!
 
I thought I would share a little bit of the
happenings the past few months......
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I was lucky to win this great giveaway from Vickie at http://astitchersstory.blogspot.com/.
 
Amazing I didn't have this in my LK stash....
 
 
 
This will be the perfect stitch during
our upcoming travels.
 
Vickie also included these sweet counting pins....
 
 
Aren't they wonderful....I just love them.
Thanks again Vickie!
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I made my annual trek to Myrtle Beach
in October for Pals Stitching at the Beach
and enjoyed catching up with
some stitching pals.
 
Even better is meeting new stitching pals....
 
Anne   ~  Pam  ~  Teresa
 
.....Band of Misfit Stitchers.....
 
Also love the little goodies shared
by talented stitching pals....
 
 
While there my complete focus was stitching this...
 
By The Bay ~ 13th Colony Part 3
Stitched on 40 ct.
with recommended DMC
 
It was about 1/3 finished when I picked it up and
just knew I would knock it out in no time.  
Wrong... after 2 1/2 days of solid stitching
I still didn't come home with a finish.  It
took a few more days but I finally
finished that Weeping Willow.
 
I love this little part of the design...would love
to stitch it as little pin cushion.
 
I am stitching all three parts together so
this will come back out after the new year!
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
This Christmas design caught my eye a few
weeks ago and I decided to stitch this up.
 
CHS "1999 Christmas Sampling"
Stitched on 28ct black evenweave over one
with Victorian Motto thread
 
I had hoped to make it into an ornament
so I stitched it over one on 28ct.  
Over one on black...what was I thinking???
Though a little large, an ornament it will become.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I am not sure what to stitch next but plan
to clean out my stitching bag.   I still
have several Crazy Challenge pieces
lingering and it would be great to
finish one before year end.
 
Hope you all have a great stitching weekend
and as always thanks for visiting!


Friday, September 27, 2013

Pumpkins for Cathey...

 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
Happy Blogeversary
to
Cathey
 
 
 
 
Here are few paper pumpkins to
celebrate  a wonderful stitcher!
 
Of course....these don't compare to her
little "pumpkin" at home! 
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
Want to see more pumpkins???? 
Then head on over to
 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fall.......ahhhhhhhhh

 
So happy that fall is here.....
at least in theory.
The calendar tells me it is fall but the
temps in SC are telling another story....
hopeful cool weather will be here soon to stay.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Work is starting to settle down after a crazy
summer.  To get back in the swing of
things, I picked these up to add to
may fall basket of goodies..
 
Plum Street Samplers "Stranded Jacks"
stitched on 40 ct. LL Toasted Almond
w/Victorian Motto threads
 
Don't you just love that name...
Stranded Jacks....
I wouldn't be surprised it there was an Irish
trio out there by that name.
 
Anyway...these are a fun stitch.
There is still one more to stitch but I just
couldn't wait to finish these.

 
I just couldn't bring myself to get out
the sewing machine...

 
so I decided on a no-sew method.
 
 
I did bring out my Sidekick to
make the scalloped frames.
 
 
This is my favorite....
I love the little wave at the bottom
and think it matches the fabric perfectly.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Well....I'm off to catch up some blogs and
see what other wonderful goodies y'all
have been busy stitching!
 
Wishing you a great stitching week...

Sunday, August 11, 2013

A Bee's Gathering....

 
Once I saw Nan's newest design I
just knew I had to stitch it.
I already had the perfect spot for it...
 
 
Here is my current Bee's Gathering and this
will make the perfect addition.
 
Threadwork Primitives "A Bee's Gathering"
Stitched on 36ct. PTP Earthen
w/Victorian Motto threads
 
I love the look of the browns and golds
in this design.  Since I  knew I was going
to frame this, Nan was fine with me
rotating the beehive.   I decided to fill it in
so that it would be similar to the other beehives.
 
My favorite bee....
 
I just love this little bee and think he would
make a perfect little pin cushion.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
My SIL Pam surprised me with
these scarfs last weekend that she made.
 
 
I have wanted one like the brown one since
last winter so I can't wait for it to get
cold so I can enjoy them.
 
With temps in the upper 90's, I
think it may be long wait!
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Things are really rolling at work as
we prepare to meet our new crop of
freshmen as well as their parents in
the next two weeks.  Although
I have been doing this 22 years,
it is sweet to see how excited and
scared these students and parents 
are when starting college.
 
If you are preparing to send yours off
to school soon, I do hope all have
a great start to the new year!
 
Hope you have a great week!


Sunday, July 28, 2013

Bushel of pears....

 
 
have been added to my collection.
 

June Pear
stitched on 32ct. coffee-dyed linen
with Victorian Motto
 
I stitched this one earlier in June and had just
added some purple and lavender thread
from Victorian Motto to my thread collection. 
They were the perfect for this
design don't you think?

July Pear
stitched on 32ct coffee-dyed linen
with Victorian Motto and ST
 
This was the perfect stitch for the July 4th
weekend.   I like Marly's original design for
the 1776 but decided to stitch it solid to
match the May pear.   With some of the linen
scraps, I do hope to stitch the 1776 in the
red, white and blue colorway to
use as a little bowl filler.
 
 
A "bushel" of pears
 
 Can you tell I have fallen in love with these pears?
I still have a few to stitch but I do smile
every time I walk by my little basket. 

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

Here is another oldie but goodie.  Too tired
to stitch one night, I started looking
back through my magazines and
found this sweet design.  

Ewe & Eye & Friends "Button Basket"
Cross Stitch & Needlework April 1999
Stitched on 40ct linen w/Victorian Motto
 
Too lazy to get out the sewing machine, I
decided to use my Big Kick.   I used my oval
dies to cut the wool felt and the stitching
to finish this little oval pin cushion.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Well...I was all ready to stitch this and Nan
at Threadwork Primitives offered
this wonderful design.  
Oh my goodness....I love this design.  
It promptly came in the mail yesterday and I
started last night.   I can't wait to add
this one to my bee collection.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
As always, thanks for visiting my
little piece of the web.  
Hope you have a great stitching day.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Where has time gone...

 
I can't believe it has been 2 months since
my last post.    Work has been consuming
my life but I think the worst may be
over so I can make more time to stitch. 
I do have two small finishes to share.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~    *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

and stitched this for Laura.

HE "Bird N Blossoms" Pin Cushion
Stitched on 32ct. w/ DMC
 
Such a cute design and think I need
to stitch again for me!
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Another co-worker retired ...the fourth in a year....
so I wanted to make a little momento
to celebrate the occasion
 
LK "When We Do"
Stitched on 32 ct. w/Victorian Motto
 
This sweet design was suited her perfectly.  
Another one I need to stitch from myself!
 
~  *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I have been able to sneak a few stitches here
and there on some small designs.  Since
I have a free day on Sunday, finishing
will be on the to do list!
 
As far as stitching, June was sweet enough
to share this darling design after she
finished it.  Isn't it cute? I hope to put the
beginning stitches in to it tonight.
 
Hope you have a nice quiet stitchy weekend!


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Bees and pears.....

 
My plans this weekend were to include
some finishing and I am happy to
say that is what I did!
 
First up was "Bee's Blessing".
 
Threadwork Primitive's "Bee's Blessing"
stitched on 40ct WDW Linen
w/Victorian Motto
 
I wanted to finish mine into a box just
like Nan's but could not find the right
size oval box.  I decided to go with the
best size I could find, which was a
little too big, but would make it work.
 

Perfect color of  ricrac from Victorian Motto
 
Lucky for me, I had recently treated
myself to some Spellbinders scalloped
oval dies.  Add some coordinating
 scrapbook paper and voila...
I have a finished box.

 
love * love * love  this one!  
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I started Marly's two latest pears last
weekend and finished up May's last night.  
 
 Samplers and Santas  April and May Pear freebies
stitched on 32 ct. wake n bake frabic w/
recommended DMC
 
Boy was that a lot of stitching....
those red and white stripes seemed to
take forever!  I did decide to finish May
with a little different so I added a few
extra stitches at the top.
 
Comfortably at home with my other pears. 
 
I just love these designs and am so thankful
to Marly for sharing them with us.
 
~    *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Best part of this weekend is it didn't
require a sewing machine!
Well...I am off to see what other stitching
trouble I can get myself into.  
Hope you are having a great weekend
and happy stitching!


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Gardens and bees....

 
Rain rain go away....
 
I guess I shouldn't complain since it does
make great stitching weather!
 
We have had a steady rain all day so
it was one good reason to spend
the day in my stitching chair.  
The result was a finish!
 
Plum Street Samplers "Colonial Garden"
stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen
w/DMC
 
Many of you would probably recognize the design
from the model.  I love the design and hoped to
display it with Peace and Plenty so I altered
the colors.   This resulted in some funky
flowers and motifs but I like it.
 
Ode to Karen and Andy..... a true colonial couple!
 
My hubby loves colonial history so it was easy
to imagine us as the colonial couple. 
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I also had a finish last weekend.   I fell in
love with Nan's design as soon as I saw
it so it just had to be stitched.
 
Threadwork Primitive's "Bee's Blessing"
stitched on 40ct WDW Linen
w/Victorian Motto
 
This just the sweetest little design that
incorporates two of my favorites....
sunflowers and bees.
 
I am now struggling with the finishing.   I
love the way Nan finished hers but I can see
this as the cutest little pillow too.
Decisions, decisions......
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Work has been very time consuming for me
the past few months so my time spent with
hubby in the evenings has suffered.  To make
it up to him, I promised him a month ago I
would hike a portion of the Palmetto Trail.  
It was only 7 miles..... sounded like
"a walk in the park" a month ago.
Granted....I barely "walk" 7 miles a week,
I wasn't too worried, though,........until Friday.
What was I thinking!

Hiker Andy is rearing to go!
 
We had to travel about 2 hours to "enjoy" this
hike so we were up at the crack of dawn. 
We hit the trail at 9:35 am and finished at 1:08.
 
Trail running parallel to the intercoastal waterway
 
Overall, the trek was pretty uneventful and
it was nice walk....until we reach mile marker 5.
 
The next mile was mostly underwater
with some spots almost impassable. 
 
Widow maker's pass....yuck!
 
I will say this was a moment of truth for me....
I almost became a widow..... I was not happy!
Luckily for my hubby, I realized he is worth
more to me alive so he was spared.
 
Seven miles down....308 to go!
 
We did reach the end without incident.
Hubby was quickly informed that he will
hiking the remaining trails alone.
 
Today I can barely walk and never knew
there were that many muscles in the
lower half of the human body.  
Thank goodness I can at least still stitch so
there's another good reason to spend
this rainy day in my stitching chair.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Thanks for all of your wonderful comments
on my framed goodies.   I just love them
and am still trying to figure out just the
"right" spot to hang each piece.
 
I do hope you have had a great
stitching weekend....happy stitching!