Friday, December 11, 2015

November update.....


Time has flown by again but I have been stitching.
Might want to grab a cup of coffee...

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I attended the Pals Stitching at the Beach in
mid-October and had just started this
BBD design.  I have had the design for
years in my stash and it hit me one day
that I had the perfect PTP fabric in my
stash and so a start was warranted.
I finished it at the retreat and can say
this one was a fun stitch. 

BBD "Sunflower House" stitched on
40ct PTP Dwarf linen with Victorian Motto threads

A few of my favorite elements from this design....






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

I decided to stitch another part of these
design and I will have to say it
seemed to take forever.
There aren't too many elements in this
design so I'm not sure why it was
such a slow stitch.
I still have the last part to stitch and
hope to finish before year end.

Heartstring Samplery "Proverbs 17:17" from
"Three Little Proverbs" stitched on 40ct PTP Wren with
Victorian Motto and recommended threads

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

I found this old design in my stash.   
It was a very quick stitch and hopefully
I can get it finished before Christmas.
Drawn Thread "Peace" stitched on 32ct Summer Khaki
with Victorian Motto threads

I didn't realize this ornament was full of
specialty stitches until after I started but
will say they weren't that difficult.  My favorite
was this little corner stitch, the Boucle stitch,
and will file that away for future use.


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

I also stitched another in the
"A Most Notable Name"
series from Jeannette Douglass.   I just
love these quick stitches and only
have one left to complete.   I hope she
will continue this series with a few more. 
I love the sewing themed designs and hope
to have these finished into cross stitch
 project bags so I can enjoy them all of the time.

Jeannette Douglas Designs "Button Betty"
stitched on 40ct PTP Legacy with recommended threads

As is the norm, the design looked so much
better stitched than the model picture.
My favorite part was the little row of buttons. 
These will definitely be stitched again as
I add them to a future project.


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

Lastly, I stitched these
Hands On Designs Chalk ornaments.
I just love these on this PTP fabric
but will say they were are difficult
without good lighting. 

Hands On Designs "Peace"
2015 JCS Ornament Issue
stitched on 32ct PTP Shadow with
Victorian Motto threads

The only thing I wasn't too happy with
was the white stitches.
I always find the white DMC difficult
to stitch as my stitches done seem to lay flat.
I do love the results though.

 Hands On Designs "Plenty"
2015 JCS Ornament Issue
stitched on 32ct PTP Shadow with
Victorian Motto threads

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

If you made it this far...thanks for visiting.
Hope you have enjoying some good
stitching time during this holiday
season.  Happy stitching...

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Stitched goodies....

 
I'm back.   I make a promise to myself
each time I do a blog post that I will not
wait so long until the next one. 
Amazing how time flies.....
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I first want to say I have time to write
this blog today
due to my office being closed.
We experienced horrific flooding over
 the weekend in South Carolina
thanks to Joaquin.  The devastation
we have seen in our city has been unbelievable
and the flooding continues due to
dam breaches.  Please say a prayer for
all of these families.  We made it through
Hugo and know we will make it
through this too. 
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Just a few goodies to share.
I knew as soon as I finished this one that
I wouldn't wait to have it framed.
I still love it and have to say it is still
one of my favorite stitches.
 
By The Bay "Thirteenth Colony Parts 1,2 & 3"
 
I always gravitate to this molding
and thought it fit this piece beautifully.

 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
August turned to be a good month to finish
up some long lingering WIPS.
 
I started this piece back in 2012 as part
of the Crazy January Challenge.
I have picked it up several times over
the years but it just felt like a chore to stitch.
 
Plum Street Samplers "Halloween Hornbook"
Stitched on Lakeside Linen 35ct Parchment
w/Victorian Motto threads
 
I still don't know why I had such as
hard time with this one but I am so happy
I stuck with it and finished in time
for this Halloween.  Hopefully I can
get my gumption up to get it finished
before month end.

 
I am guessing these are some type of
morbid peacock and I just love
this one with the witch's hat.
 
I dove back into my pile of WIPS
and pulled this one out.
This was a freebie that I had miscounted
and just lost my steam.


Freebie--"Pear XII--Swan Song"
 

I think I still have a couple more of
these to stitch.  I can say that I was glad to
finish this one and add it to my collection.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Well...if you made it this far, thanks for
visiting my small place in the universe.
 
I hope you are having a great stitching month.
Happy stitching.... 

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Flosstube....

 
My. new. addiction.
 
Flosstube.
 
I can't even recall how I discovered Flosstube
but I have been watching for a few months now
and I am amazed how addicting it is.
Are you familiar with Flosstube?
In a nutshell it is stitchers making videos
talking about and showing their WIPS,
hauls, FFO's, UFOS.......
it is just fascinating!
 
I have been wondering for weeks why I find this
so interesting.  It is just another social media
outlet for stitchers to share.  I know Facebook
groups seem to be all the rage now but it
isn't my thing.  Like many I too find
Instagram the easiest way
to share my stitching and finishes.
 
Flosstube (a.k.a Youtube) is different. 
Although I don't know
any of the Flosstubers, I find it a nice distraction
at night while stitching.  It is almost like
having someone sitting with me as
I stitch and talking about stitching.
Granted it is a one-way conversation
it is amazing how much you can learn about
a person you have never met.  Even now
as I write this it still boggles my mind
why I like it so much.
 
I have learned a lot about myself too
from Flosstube.
 
I am very judgmental.
As Flosstubers share their stash and haul,
I often roll my eyes commenting that they
will never stitch all they have accumulated.
I know they will never stitch all they
have in this lifetime.
 
I am a hypocrite.
As I judge others about their stash
and inability to stitch it all in this lifetime,
I continuously add to my voluminous
stash that I will never stitch
 in two lifetimes. Bless my heart!
 
I obviously don't know the most
popular designers.
This could be a drinking game as you watch a
video.  It is almost with certainly that you will
find a flosstuber stitch at least one if not all
of these designs/designers:
 
HAED
Mirabilia
Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery Storytime Sampler
Box of Delights
Save the Stitches
Twisted Band Sampler
Rainbow Band Sampler
 
If you are unfamiliar with any of these
designers or designs, head on over to
Flosstube and you will soon be educated.
 
I am amazed that I don't find more Flosstubers
showing designers and designs that I
like to stitch.  I guess that is one reason
I am so amazed at my fascination.
I may see the occasional Lizzie Kate but
surprised you don't see a lot Blackbird
Designs or Plum Street Samplers to
name a few being stitched.
Even though I have no interest in these
particular types of designs, I still have this
feeling I am missing out....am I?????
 
Great source for new techniques/designers/supplies.
I have gotten some great tips and techniques
to make stitching easier.  I love exploring
new to me designers, fabrics, threads
and other stitching accessories. 
 
I am motivated to stitch.
Although I will never join the Flosstube
community, I do find it motivating and
have noticed my stitching during the
week has picked up considerably.
I found it a chore to stitch after work but
there is something relaxing about stitching as
I listen to others talk about their stitching.
I will take it...any stitching is good.
 
So....if you haven't checked out Flosstube,
give it a try.  I do warn you, though,
that it can be addictive.
 
*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I do have some stitching to share...
told you I was motivated!
 
I just love the A Most Suitable Name series
from Jeannette Douglas Designs. 
This is my fourth finish and I still have four
more to go and hope to start another this month.
 
Jeannette Douglas Designs "Alphabet Annie"
from A Most Suitable Name series
stitched on 40ct PTP Legacy with recommended thread
 
 
I love the little motifs on this one and
would be cute on a little pincushion.
 
*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
 
I decided late Friday night to get a start on
Heartstring Samplery's Three Little Proverbs,
which has been kitted since last year.  
There are three designs and I decided to
put in a few stitches on the first one in hopes
I could stitch on it this upcoming week.
 
 
Heartstring Samplery "Proverbs 15:1"
from Three Little Proverbs
stitched on 40ct PTP Wren with Victorian Motto,
WDW and Sampler threads
 
Not sure how this happened but I couldn't stop
and put in the last stitch this afternoon.
 
 
I don't know what it was about this design
but I couldn't put it down. I just love all of
the little motifs and the color combos
are just so pretty and pleasing.

 
I love the message also and am anxious
to move on to the next one.
 
*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
Well...if you stayed with me this long,
thanks for visiting my small corner
of the web.  Happy stitching.....

Sunday, July 5, 2015

By The Bay "Thirteenth Colony"....

 
So excited to share this finish.....
 
By the Bay's "Thirteenth Colony"
parts 1,2 & 3 stitched as one.
 
I started this one back in early 2013 and I
can remember then the feeling that it
would take forever to stitch this.
I stitched on it here and there as the
mood hit me but something clicked
last month to get this one finished.
 
By The Bay "Thirteenth Colony"
Parts 1, 2 & 3
Stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen with recommended DMC
 
I decided I really wanted to finish this one
by the end of the month and with only had
Part 1 left to stitch it was definitely doable.  
Of course, I completely lost interest in stitching
it after making that decision.  Figures....
 
I made myself trudge on and, after some
marathon stitching the last few days, I put
the last stitch in this afternoon.

By the Bay "Thirteenth Colony Part 1"

I started in the lower right corner so I basically
stitched it "backwards" from right to left. 
Part 1 was the last one for me to stitch. 
 
Love the little sheep and houses.

By the Bay "Thirteenth Colony Part 2"

Love the trees in this one....
they reminded me of butter beans.

By the Bay "Thirteenth Colony Part 3"
 
This huge weeping willow took
forever.....
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
Two of my favorite parts of the piece...
love this little island....

 
Love the little house with sheep.....

 
I did joke with hubby that this one had on
specialty thread in it....
"Hair of Black Cat"
.... especially the last part.
My cat couldn't resist sitting in my lap
while stitching so I spent a lot of time
pulling out little strands of cat hair. 
Guess it could have been worse.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Thanks for visiting and hope you are having
a great stitching weekend. 
Now I am off to find something
small to stitch.....
 

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Red, White and Blue finish....



I decided to start Plum Street's
My Dearest Friend
but wanted to change the colors
to coordinate with some other
PSS stitched pieces.
 

 
Here is the original design.  It all started
with the flags and  I decided
to change the colors to be more realistic.
(FYI...there noses look so funny to me.)
 
 
After that it only seemed natural make it
more red, white and blue.


Plum Street Samplers "My Dearest Friend"
stitched on Lakeside Linen 40ct with DMC
I did omit the urn with flowers at the bottom
and I am happy with it.  This will definitely
be in the next framing trip.


 
Love this little horse stitched over one and
the small pop of Americana on the barn.
 
 ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Thanks for all of your nice comments
on my framed goodies.  Well I'm off
to start something new to add to
the frame pile.  Next up is
"Wool Willi" from Jeannette Douglas'
A Most Notable Name Series.
Happy stitching...   

Monday, May 25, 2015

Framed goodies....

 
I always look forward to my birthday
since I treat myself to framing
some of my stitched goodies!
 
Deciding on what to frame is always
the most difficult part and I am
very happy with this year's selection.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
 
BBD "Bee Skep"
(Sorry for the horrible picture!)
 
 
 
CHS "Her Sampler"
 

 
Goode Huswife "Peacock Sampler"
(Not a good picture of this fabulous design.)
 

 
Sunflower Samplings "You May Delay"
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I am off to stitch.  I'm working on Plum
Street Samplers' "My Dearest Friend" and
am so close to a finish.  Happy stitching!

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Catching up....

 
Once again I have let time slip
away and not kept up with my blog.
I have been busy stitching and am
spending more time on Instagram.  
It is so much easier to quickly post
a pic and quick comment.
 
 
I finally overcame my laziness
and are a few finishes.
 
*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I picked up these designs at the
Pals Stitching Retreat back in the fall.
I just love these little designs.
 
Summer House Stitche Workes
"Fragments in Time" series
stitched on 40 ct. PTP Earthen
w/ Victorian Motto threads
 
My goal was to finish in the hoops,
as the models were framed, but I
didn't leave enough room on
the first one.    If I can find the
right frame or frames, I hope
to frame together.
 
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I have loved the "A Most Notable Name"
series from Jeannette Douglas Designs
since they first came out.
 
I have them all kitted and finally
finished two....
 
"Prim Penny" stitched on 40ct PTP
with recommended threads


"Modest Mildred" stitched on 40ct PTP
with recommended threads
 
I hope to stitch two more in the next month.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I have had this kitted for two
years and decided to stitch another
of  these small designs from
With Thy Needle & Thread...
 
 
"Friendship Samplers" stitched on 32ct. coffee dyed linen
with DMC
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
I always have a Lizzie Kate to take
on road trips since they are
so easy to stitch.  It has been travelling
since the end of 2013 and I finally
just decided to finish it.

 
Lizzie Kate "Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle"
stitched on 14ct. mushroom Aida w/ DMC
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Lastly, I have had this kitted for some
time and hope to display on my
"Colonial Stitches" wall  one day.
 
 
Plum Street Samplers "Be My Love 1759"
stitched on 40ct. Lakeside linen w/DMC
 
I did change the colors to coordinate
with two other stitches that I will
display together.  I just love this
one and have its companion,
"Pretty Pleasures", ready to go.
 
My interest in stitching colonial themed
pieces as been spurred by hubby
who is involved in a living history
internship this summer. He is loving it
and spends his weekends immersed
in the 1750's at Historic Brattonsville.
 
His most recent endeavor was in the kitchen
preparing a meal in an open hearth.
 
My wild Colonial boy....
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
If you made it this far, I promise to
be back soon with pics of some
recently framed goodies.  
 
Happy stitching....
 


Friday, January 30, 2015

Happy New Year.....

 
......and one month!
  
Can't believe it has taken me this long to post.
 I have been busy stitching in the new
year but no pics to post yet.
 
 ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~ 
I did want to share an exchange I recently
received from Cucki.  I participated in the
Fair & Square "Nature" exchange back in
the fall.  Due to a postal strike in Cucki's
country, our squares were delayed in
arriving.  It was a nice surprise right
before Christmas to receive my package.
 
 
F&S Nature Exchange
from Cucki
 
The design is so my taste and I hope to
finish these into a great little pin pillow.
 
~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~    *   ~
 
While I was looking through my photos
from the fall I found this finish I never shared.
 
WTNT "Hilda's Alphabet Brew"
stitched on 40ct PTP Doubloon
w/ Victorian Motto
 
I actually finished this at the Pals Stitching
at the Beach Retreat back in October.   
I decided I wanted to try something new and
make a small quilted wall hanging.
 
 
I have had this scrapbook page display
holder for about year and thought this
would make the perfect base.
A little black spray paint and my
finish looks like this... 
 
Can't wait until next Halloween...
 
The little hooks didn't work with my tabs
so I compromised with a dowel accented
with decorative caps.  I actually like this
better.   I will have to say this really tested
my math skills but I was happy with my
first attempt.  I think I am hooked, though,
so I will definitely do this again. 
 
 ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~
 
Hopefully I will be back soon with some
more finishes for Valentines.
Thanks for visiting and happy stitching!