Catching up: March.....

A few goodies from March.....

While at the Pals Stitching at the
Beach retreat last October, I discovered
Silver Creek Sampler's wonderful
designs.  This was one of my favorites
so it had to be stitched first.

The sentiment is a nice reminder
we are not alone....

Silver Creek Samplers "Shadow of My Wings"

stitched on 40ct PTP Fog with recommended threads

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March's Prairie Schooler alphabet
design was "L"....

Prairie Schooler "J*K*L"

stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen with recommended DMC

I really like stitching on this monthly and

could see myself focusing on this one project. 
My fear is I will burn out so I am

restraining myself and sticking to one a month.

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Some of my stitched goodies
have now become
framed goodies.....

BBD Sweetheart Sampler

BBD Sunflower House

Goode Huswife "Tree of Life"

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The end of March was an exciting time

as I prepared to attend the

Prim Stitchers Society Retreat in Marietta.

It was a wonderful time packed with

classes, stitching, gabbing and laughing.

I did participate in the Exchange and

decided to try something new. 

Threadwork Primitives' "Bee Gathering"

was perfect to be finished as a drum,

my first, and I was so happy with the result.

Threadwork Primitives "Bee Gathering"

stitched on 40ct mystery linen with Victorian Motto threads

I had this fabric in my stash and it

was perfect for the mood and color of the design.

I took a lot of liberties with the finishing

but loved once done.

My most favorite detail was the little

bee pin I stuck in the top.

I received a wonderful piece with a
very unique finish in exchange.
  I am not sure if this is an old biscuit
cutter or butter mold, but it just
suited for this sweet design.

Perfect addition with all of my thread bobbins.

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As always thanks for visiting and

happy stitching.....

Catching up: January.....

My least favorite part of stitching is

starting a new design.  I am always second

guessing my fabric choice and

thread choices so it makes it hard to put

that first stitch in.  I have found over the

years that "speed starting" a lot of projects at

once helps with this anxiety and I then

have a basket of delight to choose

from each day.   I know that it stresses some

people to have too many designs going

at once but I believe that having something

started is no different than having the

design sitting in my stash waiting

its turn to be started.   

So.....I decided to partake in the Crazy January

challenge again and I kitted up 15 projects

to start.  I did change it a little by "speed starting"

several projects over the first two weekends

in January.  I eventually only started 9 and I

am glad these were in my rotation.

Scarlett House "Coverlet Houses"

BBD "Quaker Garden"

Rosewood Manor "Old Glory"

La D Da "Peace House"

Carriage House Samplings "A Quaker Study"

Rosewood Manor "Cornwall Cottage Sampler"

Goode Huswife "Be My Love"

Silver Creek Samplers "Shadow of My Wings"

BBD "Sweetheart Sampler"

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Our journey with our Clemson Tigers ended

in Arizona at the BCS National Championship

game. Realizing this was a lifelong dream

and an opportunity that may never come again,

hubby and I made the trek west to see our

Tigers play.   Although they didn't prevail,

we had an awesome time. 

Clemson fans have an awesome tradition that

began in the 70's when Clemson always

traveled to Atlanta for a match with

Georgia Tech.  To show the impact fans

have on a city's economy,

we stamp Tiger paws on $2 bills. 

It is amazing how many you will see

floating around while visiting the host city. 

Some rival fans are aware of the tradition and

will often ask for one as a souvenir.   We know I

t works because of the usual publicity it

brings once we have left.   This was the

case for Phoenix when several stories were

printed regarding the tradition and how

much money fans pumped into the

hotels, restaurants and bars during our trip.  

And that is your daily dose of Clemson history......

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The best part of the trip was being to

visit The Attic Needlework shop again and

to visit with Tanya from The Scarlett House.

We had a short and sweet visit and yes....

I did leave some $2 bills at the Attic.

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Thanks for visiting my small corner of

the universe and I will be back

soon for another update.

Happy stitching....

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....

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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If you made it this far...thanks for visiting.

Hope you have enjoying some good

stitching time during this holiday

season.  Happy stitching...

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.

 

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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"

 

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I am off to stitch.  I'm working on Plum

Street Samplers' "My Dearest Friend" and

am so close to a finish.  Happy stitching!

Happy Saturday.....

 

and Happy Mother's Day

to all of you enjoying the weekend.

 

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Lizzie Kate is one of my favorite designers

and I just love her fun, simple style.

This design caught my eye and I couldn't

resist stitching it any longer.

 

LK "Think Deeply"

stitched on 40ct linen with Victorian Motto

 

I love the message in this one.

 

I did change the colors to suit me trading in

the bright pastels for reds and browns.

 

 

I also eliminated the fill for the "T"

for a simpler finish.

 

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I have another project underway and

this sweet BBD is perfect.

 

BBD "Hannah's Small Basket"

from Schoolgirl's Work

stitched on 40ct linen with Victorian Motto

 

 How have I not stitched this before now? 

I just love it and have a special

finish planned for this one.

 

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I am off to visit my Mom.....

if I can tear myself away

from the NFL draft.   I don't know why

I am so interested in it....other than

seeing my favorite players being drafted.....

but it has made the best stitching t.v.

 

Hope you have a great weekend and

enjoy some stitching time!



Framed goodies.....

 

It's a birthday tradition of mine to treat

myself and frame some of my stitched goodies.

Love this year's lucky ones.

 

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Threadwork Primitives "Bee's Gathering"

 

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BBD "Autumn Silhouette"

 

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BBD "It's Berry Time"

 

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 HE "Land of Peace & Plenty"

 

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Plum Street Samplers "Colonial Garden"

 

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Thanks for visiting!  

I am off to stitch and hope to be back

soon with another finish.

 

Hope you have a great week and happy stitching.



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.

 

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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. 

 

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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.

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

My new sewing box....

 

 

Did you see Julie's sewing box

recently on her blog?

Oh my goodness.... I just had to have one.

Right then.

 

I headed to Hobby Lobby with coupon in

hand to pick out a box and the rest is history.

 

My new sewing box.....

 

 

I decided to paint mine black with a little

distressing and wax to finish it off.

 

BBD Birds and Berries

from A Stitcher's Journey

stitched on 40ct Wake n' Bake linen

w/ Victorian Motto

 

I decided to stitch in purples and lavenders

to match a fabric I had on hand.

 I love the finished design.

 

 

Like Julie, I covered the mirror with a somewhat

tufted insert.  I used fabric to also cover

the bottom of the box and little compartments.

 

 

Now...I have a great little sewing box.

 

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We attended Tartan Day South, a wonderful

new Celtic festival, Saturday and I was happy to see

a lady selling Scottish and Irish cross stitch designs.

 

She owns a shop in Charlotte, Stitch Traders,

and I told her I was happy to see another

shop not too far away from me.   She asked that

I "spread the word" that there is a shop in

Charlotte so if you are ever in the area,

you will have to visit.   She had some

wonderful celtic designs.

 

I did pick up this needle minder.  

I just love thistles and knew it would the

 perfect decoration in my new sewing box!

 

 

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Here are a few more pics from the day.....

 

Cutthroat Shamrock.... one of my favorite bands!

My hubby knows that I am in love

with the bass player....

maybe its the dreads!

Gotta love rockin' music that includes

a bagpipe...and a kilt!

 

Saw a lot of kilts....

 



 

Highland games are hard work even for the birds.

A hawk from the birds of prey exhibition

decided to relax awhile during the caber toss. 

Nice break in the competition for everyone.

 

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Thanks for visiting and happy stitching!