Stitching with Friends....

Nothing better than stitching with friends 

at the beach. The PALS Stitching at the Beach 

retreat was last week.  Unfortunately, my camera 

decided to take the weekend off so no pics, but 

the good thing is a lot of stitching was done.

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I was treated to goodies including this little 

cutie from Charlene which is the perfect 

memento for the retreat.

Love the little beads for bubbles!

What a cutie!   The bright, vibrant colors 

pretty much sum up the time we 

had stitching & laughing!

So many designers joined us this year including 

Tanya from The Scarlett House.  She designed the 

cutest little freebie for "Stitching at the Beach" 

and many of the Pals didn't wait to get it started.  

 I am sure you will see some finishes 

soon because it is precious.

What was in my stitching bag?  Well, I did get 

one ornament stitched and then turned my 

attention to one of my Crazy Challenge pieces.  

I made great progress and was able to 

finish it up this week!

Goode Huswife "Flowers of Lebanon"

stitched on 32ct black evenweave w/ DMC

I still can't figure out why this design took so long 

to finish!   I guess it has to be stitching on the 

black.  I feel like it took me a good month but 

now that I look at the completed design, I 

am amazed how small it really is.

Love the funky colors!

I definitely made this one my own by changing 

colors and the design (mostly by accident).   I do 

like it for its vibrant colors and it just pops on 

the black fabric.   Now it will go live in 

the bin of unfinished finishes.

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Cooler weather is finally moving south and I am 

so happy for it!  Hope my friends to the 

north stay safe from Hurricane Sandy.

Happy stitching....

Little bit of stitching....

How time has flown....I can't believe it 

has been a month since my last post!  I 

guess I have been enjoying the last 

few lazy days of summer!

I still make my rounds to see all the 
beautiful stitching on your blogs but 
have been lazy about commenting. 
If you have recently posted a finish, I know 
I have seen it and want to say nice finish!

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Football and work have really taken a bite 

out of my stitching time but I do have 

some small finishes to share.

I picked up a couple of With Thy Needle 

designs this summer and just love them.

I fell in love with "Friendship Samplers"
as soon as I saw it.   Such a nice and easy stitch.

With Thy Needle "Have Ye Any Wool?"
Stitched on coffee dyed 32ct.
w/ recommended DMC

With Thy Needle "Bluebird Serenade"
Stitched on coffee dyed 32ct linen
w/recommended DMC

I have my linen ready to stitch the 

rest of these sweet designs.

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With the beginning of fall, I couldn't resist 

stitching this cute little autumn design from 

"Autumn Splendor". I used some 

of my Victorian Motto autumn sampler 

threads offering a wonderful finish.

With Thy Needle "ABC Crow"

Stitched on coffee dyed 32ct linen

w/Victorian Motto threads

Now...if only fall will decide to make 

an appearance in the sunny South.

I am so ready for cool crisp mornings 

and the turn of the leaves.

As always...thanks for visiting!

Are you ready for some football???

 

Fall has to be my favorite time of the year

for several reasons....

 

~~  Experiencing the first day of school  ~~

with 4000 new college freshmen

(and their parents)

 

 ~~  Preparing for the Pals Fall Fling  ~~

 

  ~~  Clemson Tiger football  ~~

 

Faye (Carolina Stitcher) knows (and understands)

my love of college football and sent me

this little goodie in the mail....

 

 

Such a nice surprise from such a sweetie pie.

 

Faye is so talented and this little pouch

is perfectly made down to the smallest detail.

 Isn't it just the cutest????  

 

The tiger head pull adds just the right touch.

 

I will be putting it to good use as we make

our first road trip to Atlanta this weekend

to watch my Tigers play the Tigers!

 

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If you are in the states, I hope you have

a great holiday weekend!  And for all of

you college football fans....

happy stitching!

66.67% finished.....

...that's how much of the Crazy Challenge is done!
Here is finish number 10 ....

Plum Street Samplers "Olga"

stitched on 40ct Purely Primitive

w/ DMC

  This design looked so simple and I just

knew I would breeze through it.  Not so...it

took a good week to get this little lady done.

I had been doing a lot of Olympic

viewing so that probably did impede my

progress somewhat.  Now what will I watch ...

I'm sad to see them end.

I just love the colors in this one...especially the

white pumpkin.   I think that will make

the cutest little pin pillow. 

Another black kitty in the family...

can you see how thrilled Pork Chop is????

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Thank you for all of your wonderful comments

on my trip to the west.   I am so lazy about

replying to comments but please know that I

do read them all and appreciate them all!

Well....I am off to see what other

stitching trouble I can find!

Have a great stitchy weekend!



Seeing the Elephant....

Or

How I spent my summer vacation.

First......the stitching:

Like many on a "road trip", I packed my

stitching bag with a new project that I knew

would be easy to stitch and finish

during our lengthy car rides.

My vacation progress.....

Not much!

Just too much great scenery to see.

LK "Snowman "10"

stitched on 28ct. khaki evenweave

w/DMC

No fear....he was stitched after I got home. 

Next....the sights:

Hubby planned a great trip that followed some

of the trails of Lewis & Clark as well as the

Santa Fe, Mormon, Oregon, & California trails. 

Hence the title of this post....

you can read more about that here. 

I became fascinated with the pioneer history and

specifically the pioneer women.  I thought I

was suffering if I had to go without my A/C

for more than 30 minutes.  I can't even imagine

what they endured as they left their families and

belongings behind for a new life out west.

I'll share a few of my favorites pics as we travelled

across Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado.

St. Louis Arch

Capturing the perfect picture of the Arch

My travel companion

Sunday dinner family style at J. Huston Tavern

Arrow Rock

On the trail of Lewis and Clark

Bend of the Missouri River

Scenic Nebraska

Making our way west

Scott's Bluff

 

South of the Border Pedro's twin in the west

Ogallala, Nebraska

Had a great time in Ft. Collins, Colorado but

this is the only picture I took that day!

Just beautiful on Trail Road

Rocky Mountain National Park

On our way up to the Alpine Visitor's Center

Rocky Mountain National Park

Lastly....Goodies:

Like most pioneer girls, I had to have my

doll to keep me company.

 

My pioneer doll

Although she is a 21st century doll, it was

love at first sight and will be a nice

memory of our trip west!

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If you made it this far, thanks for

taking the time to visit.

Have a great stitchy week!



BBD "Tis the Season"....

Christmas in July....

After my last finish a few weeks ago, this design

was just screaming in my bag "stitch me"!

BBD "Tis the Season"

Stitched on 40ct Purely Primitive

w/ Victorian Motto threads & DMC

I was very happy to oblige and mostly enjoyed

stitching it.  I changed all of the threads to

my choice of Victorian Motto and especially

love the look of the leaves and vine.

The contrast between the white thread and

the fabric is so slight the light stitching almost

looks tone on tone.   I am happy with it, though,

and now need to figure out if I want to frame it.

This had to be my favorite part since I

stitched it twice!  Counting seemed to be a big

issue and I seemed to rip as much as I stitched.

I also made a change by eliminating the verse and

replacing it with more snowflakes.   I did like it

with the verse but decided I wanted the design to

be a little more discreet with the Christmas feel.

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I did take a week off from stitching for a little

vacation out west with hubby.  We had a great

time and I will have to share some sights later.

As always...thanks for visiting and I hope

you are staying cool and stitching!

Sweet RAK from Charlene...

I was surprised to see a small package

in the mail today.  My first thought....
OMG I forgot to mail an exchange.

I was relieved to see it was
from a stitching pal. 
Charlene (Needle in Hand) sent me
the sweetest pin cushion with
a strawberry emery...just because.

The color palette is so friendly don't you think?

Her finishing is perfect too with the blue chenille.

Perfect spot for my needles.

The perfect finishing touch...

this little strawberry emery.

I am lucky enough to stitch with Charlene

a few times throughout the year since

she is also a Carolinian. I consider

myself very lucky to be one of

her "sister stitchers"!

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Hope you are having a great stitching week. 

happy stitching....

Peace and Plenty....

I had another good stitchy week and

I in love with this finish.

Homespun Elegance "Land of Peace & Plenty"

stitched on 40 ct Lakeside Linen

w/ DMC

Although this was designed in 1990, it has

certainly stood the test of time. The

color palette is just so soothing...

it was a joy to stitch.

Oh to be a swan floating in a lake....

Having grown accustom to stitching simpler
designs, it was a nice change to have so
much solid stitching. The repetitive
stitching of filling in the hills and house
was so relaxing after the work day.

There is another design featuring a colonial
couple but they will have to patiently
wait a little while longer to be stitched.


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The title of this piece definitely makes me
think how thankful I should be.   I can't
imagine what the folks in Virginia have gone
through not having power in this heat!   
My heart definitely goes out to them
and reminds me to say thanks each day.

As always...thanks for visiting
and happy stitching!

Celebrating the 4th....

First, I have to say thanks for all of your wonderful

comments about my recent finishes.   I especially

am glad to see many of you also appreciate a great

tomato sandwich!  I wish I could package them

up and treat the rest of you.  Maybe one day....

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Now for the stitching.  I wanted to

share a couple of finishes I was

able to get done just in time for the

July 4th celebration!

HE "Patriotic Crow"

I wanted to do some finishing this weekend but

refused to get out the sewing machine so

anything I did had to be no sew.

I was able to put my Big Kick to work again and

used a square template to cut my stitched piece

and the scallop to cut my background.   Thanks

to my hubby for picking the fabric colors...

I think he did well!

Aury "Patriotic Heart 2011"

I finished this little box last year using

scrapbook paper in anticipation of using

it for this stitched heart.  It only took a

year to get it stitched!  So glad to add

this one to my americana collection.

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I am also excited to show another

Crazy Challenge finish.

Goode Huswife "Three Crows"

stitched on coffee dyed 40ct linen

w/DMC

I have stitched this one off and on for 6 months

but just couldn't get into a groove with this one. 

I love this design so it was frustrating.  I decided

to pick it back up Sunday and it just fit like

an old glove!   I loved doing the satin stitch

even though it seemed to take forever. 

Unfortunately, I got off track and my border

didn't work out like the design so I had to

fudge a little on the right end.  Though my

crows aren't exactly centered, it will do!

I also had to do something about the fabric.  I

changed the called for colors to yellows and 

decided to use white linen.  Once done, it just

wasn't "right" so I gave it a nice, warm

coffee bath and that did the trick. 

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We have a very low key celebration planned for

the 4th and I hope it includes lots of stitching!



Halloween in July....

First, I must say I just enjoyed my first

tomato sandwich of the summer.

It was the perfect tomato sandwich.

What makes it perfect?

Sunbeam Old Fashioned white bread

(yes...it has to be Sunbeam & it has to be fresh)

John's Island tomatoes

(from the SC Lowcountry...they are the best)

Duke's mayo

(yes....it has to be Dukes)

Think I will enjoy another as soon

as I finish this post!

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Okay...back to stitching.  I have another

Crazy Challenge finish...lucky number 7!

Primitive Needle "Kindred Spirits"

stitched on 35ct. WDW parchment

w/CC & Victorian Motto

Everybody needs a little halloween in their June!

This little design was so deceiving!  I thought

I could knock it out in a day or two but it took

me over a week to get it finished. 

(Maybe too much t.v. watching and not enough stitching!)

Now I just have to figure out what to do with it....

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My time before has been preoccupied

with this little beauty and I thought I would

share a progress pic.  

Homespun Elegance "Peace & Plenty"

stitched on 40ct mystery fabric

w/ DMC

I just love the colors in this one and can't

wait to get back to it.  I have decided to use the

same color scheme for Plum Street Samplers

Colonial Garden since I think they will

really complement each other.

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I have also recently acquired some new

goodies though it is bittersweet.

I was sad to learn that Counted Stitches, one

of my favorite shops, was closing the end

of June.  They were so sweet to deal with

and I will definitely miss my annual trip

for their Christmas Sale.

Hubby & I had a trip planned a few Saturdays

ago so he was persuaded to take a small detour

so that I could visit with them one last time.

Their sale started at 35% off so I couldn't resist! 

(I think I am set for life with HE brass buttons.)

My diginity will not allow me show the full

haul but here is just a glimpse.  

(I did some serious damage.)

I also got some goodies from Jill who was nice

enough to share some of her hand-dyed threads.

I just love pink & brown and I hope to put

them to good use very soon!

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Well I won't bore you with comments on how

hot it is here in SC since you are probably just

as hot if you are in the good ol' USA.  

Perfect stitching weather, though, so I

am off to see what trouble I can find.

As always....thanks for visiting

and stay cool!