Tis the season....

The Christmas season is upon us as we

begin the wave goodbye to fall.

I had a pretty good stitchy autumn since

last we spoke.

October's installment of the

Prairie Schooler Alphabet

was a mermaid.

Prairie Schooler "M is for Mermaid"

stitched on 40ct linen with DMC

Honestly I was not looking forward to

this block due to the large

chunks of color.  I was surprised to

find the blues and greens were a

nice change of pace from 3371. 

This is one of my favorites thus far.

Yes...November is over and I should

have the next installment, N is for Nest,

finished but I am can't find my

motivation to stitch finish it. 

Good thing about being an adult is

I can stitch a little bit at a time

until it is done.  My goal is to finish

N and O is for Owl by December's end.

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

A favorite finish in the month of October

was Heartstring Samplery "Proverbs 8:11".

This is a three-part series and I stitched

the other two parts in 2015 and decided I

really wanted to finish this one this year also.

 

Heartstring Samplery "Proverbs 8:11"

stitched on PTP 40ct Legacy with recommended hand-dyed threads

I loved this series from the first time I saw

them not only for the messages but for

the softness and beauty of the designs.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

I decided to throw in two more Christmas ornaments too.

Summer House Stitche Workes "Barn Star Ornaments"

stitched on PTP 40ct Ale with Victorian Motto Red and WDW Bark

I love these little ornaments and hope

to finish as bowl fillers.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

Who doesn't love Lizzie Kate and I was

gobsmacked as soon as I saw her

"String" snippets.  Is this not the cutest?

Lizzie Kate "Merry String"

stitched on 28ct over one with DMC

I wanted to one to be small for an ornament

and I envisioned this one to be in a drum fashion. 

It turned out to be the size of a

Christmas tree ball which was perfect.

Oh my.... cuteness overload!

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

As Thanksgiving neared I couldn't

resist these two cute designs any longer.

Homespun Elegance "Turkey Tyme"

stitched on 40ct mystery linen with recommended threads

Lizzie Kate "Sampling Thanksgiving"

stitched on WDW 30ct Straw with my own thread conversion

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

Holding on to fall a little longer, I stitched

this Blackbird Design from last year. 

 BBD "Bittersweet September"

stitched on 40ct mystery linen with Victorian Motto threads

I just love the burst of orange on this

design....the over one stitching

for the alphabet not so much.

My friend Charlene shared a tip to

use a #10 beading needle for the over

one and I will say it did go a lot quicker.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

Thanks for visiting today and

happy stitches....

Summer fading to fall.....

Welcome back!

Looking back at my last update from August
I can only guess it was still hotter than
hades here.  Now we are approaching
mid-October and fall is definitely in the air. 
It is so nice to enjoy the cooler temps
for a little while.

I decided to pull out one of my Stitchmaynia
starts and see if I could get another
finish to end August.

Notforgotten Farms' "Sepia Sampler"
seemed like the perfect choice.

Notforgotten Farms "Sepia Sampler"

stitched 40ct Khaki linen with my DMC conversion

I had a few unintended redesigns on this one
and decided they were good enough
to stay.   Although the color palette is
"drab" I have to say I loved it.  I found
this sampler so easy and soothing to stitch. 

My favorite part  is the simple little white house. 

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

Every fall my complete attention turns to
college football as we follow our beloved
Clemson Tigers through the season.

Our first game was also our first road
trip for the season.  I always start a
quick project to take on these games
and the finish always brings
back memories of our travels.

We travelled to Auburn and this would
give me 6 hours of uninterrupted stitching. 
Threadwork Primitives
"Halloween Menagerie" 
was the chosen project and I knew
immediately it would only make
one road trip this year.

Threadwork Primitives "Halloween Menagerie"

stitched on PTP 32ct Sand with my overdyed conversion

Oh my....this was such a sweet design to
stitch and I do plan to finish it as a
drum as is the model finish.

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

I did get in a few more summery stitches
in September and this one from LHN has
to be one of my favorites.

I loved it from the moment if was released
and love the soft and simpleness of this design.

LHN "Honeybee Sampling"

stitched on 40ct white linen with Victorian Motto conversion

This will be another addition to my

Bee Sampler wall soon I hope.

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

Next up was September's installment of my
Prairie Schooler Alphabet Sampler.

"C is for Cow" was this month's choice and,
with this completion,
I am officially 33.3333% complete.

Prairie Schooler "C is for Cow"

And here it is as of today....

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

Now that Halloween is around the corner
I pulled out another Stichmaynia piece. 
I decided to use DMC 3021 on this
piece instead of the overdyed thread and
I love this thread/linen combo.

Primitive Needle "Hornbook Angel"

stitched on 40ct WDW Straw with DMC

I am definitely make a note of this for
future uses.  I think DMC 3021 is now one
of my new favorite colors.  Weird huh?

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

Hurricane Matthew decided to visit the s
southern east coast this past week and we
were closed beginning Wednesday.  We
were not directly in the path of the
hurricane but many of the schools were
being used as shelters for the coastal
residents and the Governor wanted to keep
us off the roads as they bussed the
evacuees into the shelters.   Now that
the aftermath is over, it is sad to
see all of the damage and debris 
from the storm and there are still
so many without power and water.  
Hoping they will get some relief soon!

We were so engrossed in the Weather Channel
for three days so I decided to stitch something
simple and quick.  Homespun Elegance is
one of my favorite designers and I have
so many of her smalls for Halloween. 
I pulled out several of these designs,
chose some mystery linens from stash
and pulled some random threads
that had autumnal colors.

This was my favorite one so I stitched it first.

Homespun Elegance "Witch Inn"

stitched on 40ct mystery linen with overdyed threads

Stitched on the smaller count will make
it the perfect little bowl filler.  That will now
be the plan for all of these cute little designs.

I chose to stitch this cute little witch next.

Homespun Elegance "Pumpkin Gatherer"

stitched on 40ct mystery linen with overdyed threads

I think these are going to be so cute finished.

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

Well....I am pretty much up to date now
so I think I will go back to stitching.  
I am headed to the Stitching at the Beach
retreat later this week.  It was touch and
go for a while as to whether the retreat
could still happen since the hotel in
Myrtle Beach was closed due the hurricane. 
Luckily they were able to move us to
another Hilton resort and so I am looking
forward to 4 solid days of just stitching!

Thanks for visiting and happy stitching....

B is for Blackbird....

August's installment of my

Prairie Schooler

ABC's sampler.....

PS "B is for Blackbird"

stitched on Lakeside Linen 40ct with DMC

This one had a lot of solid blocks of color

and was not one of my favorite blocks.

Glad to have this done and moving on to

something fun for the rest of the month.

Only 19 more to go.....

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

Hubby and I took a little adventure to

the northwest corner of our state and I took

the opportunity to visit a new to me

Cross Stitch/Bead store.

Panda's Crossing is located in Mauldin, SC

and about 25% of the store was cross stitch.

Hubby had me on a time clock so I

only had a few moments to browse and did

find some new to me designs from Erica Michaels.

I am a sucker for anything seasonal and

couldn't find Random Thoughts of Winter but

it will eventually be added to the fold.

Let me just say that if you have the

slightest interest in beads and/or beading,

you will definitely be in awe of this store. 

I had seconds to take a quick peek and

oh my goodness.  I will definitely be

back soon and without hubby....

to take it all in leisurely.

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

Well I am off to stitch something other

than Prairie Schooler and DMC 3371!

Thanks for visithing....

Stitchy Finishes and Finishing.....

Summer is moving right along and

I have had a good stitchy one thus far....

After the 4th holiday, I pulled out

CHS "Matter's Choice".

I love everything about this piece.

CHS "Matter's Choice" stitched on 40ct Meadow Rue

with Victorian Motto "1840 Cranberry Rainbow"

I did change it a little bit and added

my initials and the year at the bottom. 

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

I reached into my big bag of WIPS and

this was the lucky draw.

As you can imagine, I couldn't help but

hum that favorite hymn as I stitched.

 Silver Creek Samplers "Blessings"

stitched on 40ct PTP Mello with Victorian Motto threads

I am blessed to be married to my

best friend so I added

mine and my hubby's initials.

The colors were so soothing to stitch

and I truly enjoyed this one.

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

With the beginning of August I couldn't

resist spending some time with Miss Martha.

The colors in this one just pop and

the combination of the teal blue and

golden mustard work perfectly together.

Kathy Barrick "Miss Martha's Potting Shed"

stitched on 40ct. PTP Tycho

with Victorian Motto threads.

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

I needed a quick gift for a friend and

decided the bonus chart from

Lizzie Kate's Things Unseen Mystery Sampler

would be perfect. 

LK "Things Unseen" bonus chart

stitched on 40ct PTP Sand with

Victorian Motto threads

The original design was charted to be

rectangular but it was easy to alter

into a square shape for the perfect no-sew finish.

The base for this finish is a little wooden

plaque from Hobby Lobby, and with a

little paint and Briwax, finishing

couldn't have been easier.

While at Hobby Lobby, I spotted a

galvanized plaque that I thought would

be perfect for another recent finish I had.

A little more paint and I have the perfect 

backdrop for this cute design.

Oh....I still am in love with that fabric...

WDW Red Pear...got to find some more.

LK Selfie Sampler kit

I loved this design the first time I saw it and

I am happy to have it in my office so that

I can be reminded often to have a great day.

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

Well I hope you are staying cool and

crossing many stitches.

Thanks as always for visiting my

small corner of the stitching universe

and happy stitching.....

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!

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....

Catching up: May......

May can only mean one thing...

.......STITCHMAYNIA.......

If you watch Flosstube, then you
know exactly what I mean.

In the same vein as the Crazy January
challenge, you start 15 projects in 15 days. 
Some do more....some do less.

Once again, I was on the band wagon.  
Unlike most, I decided to do a start
every other day and spread it over
the entire month.  I kitted up 15 projects
and went on my merry way. 

Here is my lineup...

WTNT "Grand Olde Flag"

stitched on 40ct PTP Sand with

Victorian Motto thread conversion

***************

Kathy Barrick "Miss Martha's Potting Shed"

stitched on 40ct PTP Fog

with Victorian Motto thread conversion

These threads are just yummy!!!

****************

Notforgotten Farm "Bee Sampler"

stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Porcelain

with Victorian Motto thread conversion

and we had a finish......

This will soon have a place of honor on

my Bee Wall in my kitchen.

******************

Lila's Studio "Bee Sampler"

stitched on Lakeside Linen 40ct Vintage Porcelain

with my thread conversion

*****************

Drawn Thread "Free & Brave"

stitched on 32ct PTP Legacy

with Victorian Motto thread conversion

****************

Notforgotten Farms PSS 2016 Retreat kit

.......and finished!

****************

Plum Street "Pennsylvania Fraktur"

Colonial Gatherings club piece

************

Notforgotten Farms "Sepia Sampler"

stitched on 40ct Khaki linen

with recommended DMC

************

Primitive Needle "Hornbook Angel"

stitched on 40ct WDW Straw with

my DMC thread conversion

*****************

Lizzie Kate "Selfie Sampler" kit

stitched on 32ct WDW Red Pear

with recommended threads

....and another finished!  

I just love the fabric in this kit....sweetest color.

I was excited to have three finishes so that only

added 7 more to my WIP pile.   I now

have 20+ projects to choose from

so I shouldn't get bored anytime soon.

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

I still found time for my monthly
Prairie Schooler project.  These designs
take me about a week to stitch so that
did eat into my Stitchmaynia plans. 
No problem...just happy to have another done.

Prairie Schooler "S*R*T"

stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen with recommended DMC

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

Well if you stuck with me this long,
thank you ever so much!
Happy stitching....