Sharon's Cross Stitch Obsession

Tabasco is home!

2012-01-22T14:41:00.004-06:00

Tabasco chillin in Alexis lap

Tabasco sleeping on the way home

We got to meet up with Theresa today and pick up Wren. We have changed his name to Tabasco much to my daughter's dismay. However, since they have named every other cat we have owned, I thought I would get the pleasure this time. I was on the fence about Tabasco until I saw him and thought it would suit him perfectly. He is adorable! He has very long legs and is very sweet. I think he was a little nervous on the way home because we were treated to some kitty toots that were killer! LOL

He made himself right at home with Alexis as you can see from the pictures. Once home, we acquainted him with the litter box, the food and water area. Then he took off exploring, he really likes Alexis and has all ready found her room! We are in love! Right now he curled up on my bed!

Thanks Theresa for taking the time to meet me today!

Happy New Year and a Finish!

2012-01-13T13:09:00.009-06:00

Well here we are 13 day's into the new year and I finally getting around to updating my blog. First, Happy New Year to you all. We had a wonderfully blessed Christmas with family and friends. Spent too much of course, but don't we all? Now onto a new year that will see my son turn 18(OMG!), and looking forward to a 7 day cruise later in the year sans children Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico!

I also hope to have a better stitching year than last. I had very few finishes last year, and though I try to take joy in the journey, I do like the sense of accomplishment of finishing things. Stitching plans for me include samplers, samplers and ornaments. Did I mention samplers? LOL I also want to blog more-so we will see how it goes.

My first small finish of the year is Humble Gratitude by 4 My Boys, stitched on 32 cream linen I believe with the required GAST. I am not sure how I will finish, may have it framed. The sentiment is how I feel about life, I have a humble gratitude for my family, job, and people the Lord has brought unto me in this life and will remain forever grateful. I never want to take anyone or anything for granted!

Anyway, if anyone would like this chart. The first person who comments and asks for it will receive it. I will send it anywhere. (Chart has been spoken for!)

In other wonderful news, I am adding a new cat to my family and you can see him on her blog here. Theresa, from Shakespeare's Peddler fosters kittens needing new homes and I fell in love with him and lucky me gets to have him come and live with me and the kids in about a week or so. We can't wait! His name is Wren, though that will probably change once we get him. I am leaning towards Tabasco...

Now if you have made it through all that, thank you! I am not usually so wordy. I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for visiting!

3rd Annual Ornament Finish for a Friend

2011-12-11T11:59:00.003-06:00

This is Christmas Cat Tree by Brittercup Designs from the JCS 2011 ornament magazine. I stitched this for a friend and it will be winging it's way Monday. I love these designs because they are so easy and quick to stitch. I used a scrap of off white jobelan with the recommended WDW threads and Kreinik thread. I finished it in a triangle shape, which is a first for me. I am going to have work on it though-because I think I got my mat boards turned around, so one side is a little off. I hope my friend will like it.

I have been working on some other ornaments, but I have been busy getting ready for Christmas and working entirely too much, so they are not completed yet. I have also been making mental stitching plans which involve samplers and such. Hopefully,I will have a more productive year next year. Anyway, I am off to do a little shopping, I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

Framing and Updated Sampler Wall

2011-11-09T08:41:00.004-06:00

Winter's Delivery by Blackbird Designs. I love this one. Had a framing mishap I believe. The framer cleaned my piece and the beautiful Vatican Red bled of course. So my creams in the piece became rosy. I was not happy, needless to say. I have thought about taking it apart and redoing the cream in it. But at present plan to leave it for now.

Summer House by Blackbird Designs. I highlighted the initial of my maiden name as the pattern suggested which is the "G" for Green.

The current sampler wall for now. Hopefully, I will add more soon. This has not been my year for finishing anything! But,a girl can dream right? It looks more like a Blackbird Design wall doesn't it? Next up getting close to a Lizzie Kate Santa finish!

WIP's and a JCS Halloween Mag Giveaway!

2011-10-25T13:56:00.008-05:00

Edited to add: Magazine Winner is Leila!
Happy Fall everyone! I know I have been a terrible blogger but unfortunately life gets in the way. It especially got in my way with MD appointments and work! But, on the upside I have been stitching, slowly but surely. Perhaps I will finish something in the not so distant future! I know-it would be shocking right? LOL

This is Where My Flowers Blooms by Blackbird. When I last posted I had put in the blue the pattern called for and hated it. Reminded me of a baby for some reason and y'all know I get enough babies at work! So lots of reverse stitching later I finally found a color I could live with, thanks to stepping stone from Crescent colors. So I am happier with it, I started work on one of the trees on the side of the house and took it out not once but three times-yikes! So, I am going to step away from it a bit. Don't you think it looks better?

Where My Flower Blooms

This is Elenor Ferrow 1842 by Shakespeare's Peddler. I love it! It has been a joy to work on. I am using the recommended fabric which is 32 count natural Belfast and GAST colors. This is what it will look like when finished.

Elenor Ferrow 1842

Now, last but not least, I have a 2011 JCS Halloween ornament magazine to give away. I have an extra one I don't need and if you are interested then please leave me a comment to this post only. I will draw a name on Halloween. So though it won't help you this year, it will certainly help next! As always, thanks for stopping by!

A WIP and a question...

2011-09-18T10:25:00.004-05:00

Good morning friends. I am currently stitching on Where Flowers Bloom from a Schoolgirl's Work book. But, alas I am not loving these colors specifically the blue. I am using the recommended colors of which the blue is called Dublin Bay by Crescent. However, the trees/leaves are this same color with the petals being the same color as the birds on the house. Of course the picture looks nothing like this in the book. I even have emailed Alma of Blackbird to inquire if this was the correct color (which I hope she won't take the wrong way) I haven't heard back yet. What do you think? Is there anyone stitching this particular piece? If you were stitching this piece would you change the colors? Suggestions would be welcomed!

Rovaris Necklace Finish

2011-09-06T08:44:00.003-05:00

I finished my Rovaris necklace kit last night, a very easy piece to do except for sewing the fabric and felt onto the metal necklace. That part was quite fiddly to say the least. However, I think it turned out okay. I like that everything charms, necklace frame thread, tassel and cording came in this kit. The only drawback, no clear instructions in the kit. It is stitched over two with one thread. Thanks to Gwen from Guava Gems . Scroll down a bit and you can see her finish. Thanks Gwen!

I have a few things I would like to offer up as giveaways, so stay tuned. The kids are all to school and I am having a peaceful moment! I am getting ready to stitch on some projects out the The School Girls Work book by Blackbird, such a great book! I am hoping to start that this week. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.

Framing and First Day of School

2011-08-23T08:56:00.009-05:00

This is Live Simply and Live Humbly by Stone and Thread I think they are no longer designing). I had them framed and they will be included on my sampler wall. I actually have had them framed for a bit but forgot to post them. When I get Summer House and Winter's Delivery back I will show an updated photo of my sampler wall I am constantly looking for more samplers to stitch which as you all know is not hard for me to do-LOL

Brandon, Lawrence and Alexis

The kids got off to school and had a pretty good first day. Alexis started high school, she looks fairly excited I think. I spent the evening filling out the multitude of papers that the school bequeaths us parents. Caleb refused to take a first day of school picture-the stinker! I am praying the kids will have a great year! It's nice to have a little me time back during the day. Anyway, I am off! Have a great week!

Winter's Delivery by Blackbird Designs

2011-08-12T09:07:00.004-05:00

Here is Blackbird Design's Winter's Delivery stitched on 32 count Vatican red with the recommended GAST fibers. There is not too much going on here but the work, work and more work. So not too much stitching due to that. The kids and I have also started prepping for school. I took Baby Girl to her high school orientation yesterday. I will have two in high school this year. I am getting old!

So today, this and Summer House are off to the framer's and then me and my mom are going to browse the antique stores. Thanks for your compliments on Summer House and thanks as always for your continued visits. Have a great Friday!

Summer House Finish!

2011-07-24T15:45:00.004-05:00

Finally, I have a finish! Summer House Loose Feather's #14 by Blackbird Designs stitched on 30 count Celadon linen by R & R, with GAST, Weeks and DMC threads. I love the colors in this one and this gives me another one for my sampler wall! Up next is Blackbird's Winter Delivery, it is very small and I don't have very much left to finish on it. I started Ann Sandles, though I don't have much progress to show with that one.

Not much going on around here but the heat. It's time to start getting the kids ready for school, so we have started with that. Anyway, I am off to stitch so have a great Sunday! Thanks for visiting!

A Fabulous Gift from Sherri!

2011-07-19T17:38:00.004-05:00

Do you remember those fabulous African Women I showed you a few weeks ago? They were by French designer Isabelle Vautier and if you scroll down a bit you can see my post on them. Well one of my friends and stitching partner Sherri volunteered to stitch one for me! Can you believe that? I was surprised and delighted and of course I said yes! So here is the first one she stitched for me called Turqouise Song. It is stitched on Chablis 32 count linen by Picture This Plus, using DMC threads and a gold metallic. So after this one was done, I said "would mind stitching the second one for me?" Obviously, she agreed much to my delight!

This one is called Rose Beauty and is stitched on 32 count Jade linen by PTP as well, using DMC threads again and a gold metallic. She also has signed each one for me in a lovely cursive stitch with her name. You probably can't see that as they are long and were a little hard to photograph. She stitched each one over the course of a month! So she is really fast and her backs look as beautiful as the fronts!

Sherri, I can't THANK you enough for these! I will treasure them always!

I'm still stitching...really

2011-06-26T13:01:00.005-05:00

I am! Currently I am working on Summer House by Blackbird Designs. I am stitching it on 30 count celadon with the recommended GAST, Weeks and DMC threads. I am loving it. I have been having a Blackbird love affair for the last several months. Yes, I know I am little late to that party! Have you seen the sneak peek of the new loose feather's series? It's a must have! I have not been working on Magic Garden, I had a few errors and felt the need to distance myself!

In other news, the kids and I took a Carnival cruise to Key West, FL. and Nassau, Bahamas. It was for 5 days and it was great. The kids really enjoyed it, no worrying about what to cook and you could literally eat 24/7 or for 24/5 in our case. The ship is in the picture below, we were docked in Key West at the time. It was called Carnival Fascination and it was huge! Service was great, the food was a little hit or miss, but it's a great vacation for the price and to have all your meals included.

Now the kids and I are settling into summer and I am planning my stitching. All too soon it will be time to shop for school. Next year, I will have two in high school. I can't believe it! Anyway, I am off to stitch. Have a great Sunday!

PS: THANKS FOR ALL THE AWESOME BIRTHDAY WISHES! XOXO

45 Today!

2011-04-29T00:37:00.006-05:00

Today is my 45th birthday! It's a beautiful thing and I am so grateful to be here, to be healthy, to have a wonderful family, a job I really like and so many other things that I am grateful for, that the list would be endless. Thank you Lord for blessing me with these years, I hope to have 45 more!

This picture was taken right before going to a 70's party. My absolutely favorite decade! So I was hoping to achieve sort of a tie dye look. The earrings are huge and almost drove me crazy. They say "Nappy Goddess" on them, which I find hilarious! All I am missing is my afro!

Anyway, my wish today is for everyone to have their dreams to come true and be blessed in everything they do!

Stash from France...

2011-04-09T12:20:00.001-05:00

I found these two lovely African patterns from an online French cross stitch store called De Fil en Idees . They are by French designer Isabelle Vautier. She has done a series of five, I have yet to get the other 3. However, they are on my list to get because I am always trying to find ethnic patterns and I have found that the overseas designers tend to do more in that aspect. I have kitted these up, they are both done in DMC threads with some metallic accent. I have tentatively decided to do PTP fabric. I have no idea when I will start these as you can see by my previous post the project ADD continues. I think these are pretty cool. Now off to work on Magic Garden sampler, hoping you have a beautiful Sunday whatever you may be doing!

Project ADD...

2011-03-22T13:39:00.006-05:00

is what I am suffering from these days! Lord only knows when I will finish a project because I keep jumping around. These aren't the only two I have going. I am working on a couple of Samsarah projects and I am doing another Loose Feather's called Moon Garden. I couldn't get a decent picture of Moon Garden to show you. I have had fun working on my projects-hopefully there will be some finishes sooner rather than later. Anyway, I am still around, just busy working and with the kids. Brandon turned 17 and he goes to hopefully to get his operator's license next week. Florida driver's beware! LOL So, here is a peek at my small progress and thanks for stopping by!

Summer Jubilee by Blackbird Designs on 30 count Dolphin fabric with GAST fibers. Love, love this one!

Magic Garden Sampler progress, not much but some.

My fur baby Stoli

HAED Giveaway!

2011-02-14T19:08:00.009-06:00

Edited to Add: The Winner is Kat! Congratulations!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's day, mine has been pretty low key. Anyway, this year has brought the desire to decrease my stash somewhat as I was feeling overwhelmed. These two patterns I have had for a couple of years, I thought that I would try one, but I know now that I am not ever planning to stitch these. They are so pretty that I thought I would give them away.

They are both quick stitches. The first one is QS Peony by Ching-Chou Kuik and the second one is QS Kimono-Butterflies Mermaid by Nadia Tate. They are both brand new. If you are interested in entering the giveaway, please leave a comment only on this post. I will draw next Monday, February 21st. I will ship overseas. Thanks and good luck!

Current WIP's

2011-01-31T17:40:00.004-06:00

Olde Settlement by Primitive Needle with called for Belle Soie silks on I don't remember the name linen

Magic Garden Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler on 30 count Creme Brulee linen with GAST fiber's.

Tombstone Spots by Primitive Needle on 32 count PTP Heritage linen with Weeks fibers

Well I have practically missed January! It has been a busy new year filled with appointments, illness and work, work and more work. So not a lot of progress on these, but I will get there. I am enjoying Tombstone spots, I started this awhile ago and picked it up again this month. I didn't join the January challenge but I think that I could have easily since I have had major startitis. There are so many projects just screaming Sharon "pick me!"

Anyway, I am hoping to do better with posting. I am also hoping to put up a trade/sale blog soon because the stash is a little much. I am off to do the never ending list of things we women do, thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T13:52:00.004-06:00

Where's the Party by Lizzie Kate finished as a flat wool ornament with jingle bells sewn on the bottom.

Brittercup Christmas Kitty by Brittercup Designs 2005 JCS Ornament Magazine finished as a flat ornament and gifted to a Loralee.

These are my last two finishes for the year. I have read with great interest everyone's stitching goals for next year. So far my only goals are to stitch more ornaments and samplers for my sampler wall. Though I didn't stitch as much as I would have liked, I am pretty pleased with my start on my sampler wall. I also want to work on some Valentine ornaments to do a Valentine tree.

My current works in progress are as follows:

Olde Settlement and Hoodoo Voodoo by The Primitive Needle

Sunflower House by Blackbird Designs (love the colors in this one)

Magic Garden Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler (this one is fun to stitch)

Of course there are many more lurking around, but these are my primary focus at the moment.

Anyway, Christmas is over for another year. It was a good one and we were very, very blessed. The pockets are very light! LOL I hope that everyone will have a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year! Thanks for your continued visits!

A Sweet Gift from Harmien!

2010-12-17T19:29:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, I received this beautiful ornament from Harmien . It was such a surprise and a delight to receive this. It goes perfectly on my ornament tree. Harmien, thank you so very much, I will treasure it always.

Front

Back (sorry for the blurriness)

Gracing my Christmas tree with loveliness

Ornament Finishing

2010-12-08T09:00:00.005-06:00

I first want to thank you for all so much for the compliments on my sampler wall and my new blog look. I must admit I am pretty happy with the wall so far myself. Now, I recently got a chance to sit down the other day and do some ornament finishing. I had been wanting to try Vonna's flat wool felted ornament tutorial found here . It was so easy, though I need to work on my corner's a little more. Thanks Vonna for such a great tutorial.

Ho Ho Tired by Homespun Elegance and Star Topiary Ornament Hillside Samplings. The Ho Ho Tired is a new finish.

Joy Ornament by Erica Michaels and Holly Jolly by Lizzie Kate. The Holly Jolly was stitched for me by my mom!

Walt the Malt by Raise the Roof. This is a new finish too and finished finished as a pin keep ornament. It has a pretty pepper mint fabric on the back.

Merry Christmas Freebie from Nan at Threadwork Primitives. Freebie found
here.

I plan to stitch that one again for myself as it was given away in an ornament swap recently at my LNS, Well that's my update for now. It's pretty cool here in Florida today at 37 degree's. So I am making chicken and dumplings tonight, something nice and warm for the coolness. Thanks for stopping by!

Framing and Sampler Wall

2010-11-14T10:43:00.005-06:00

Spring Fling

Bluebird's Message

Below is the my modest start to my sampler wall. I must say that I love it! Now, I wish I could stitch faster because there is a whole lot more that I want to put there. I did start Sunflower House by Blackbird, though not very much to show yet. I am hoping to get some time on it today. I do have two more framed pieces to go here when they are ready and that is Live Humbly and Live Simply.

Sampler Wall

Well as you can see the new blog is up. I hope you like it because I really do. We will be looking at it for a long time-LOL I finally got my stitching blog links back up and I have added some recipe/cooking blogs to the right. I also have added some links that I love to visit. I hope you will enjoy them too. I do have more links to add and if you find yourself missing-let me know I will get you on there. I am off to do laundry-ugh! Hope you have a blessed Sunday!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T22:47:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and safe Halloween. My kids and I aren't doing too much this one. This as you see is an old finish for me from 2004 called Hat's Off to Halloween by Lizzie Kate. Hat's has been languishing in my finished box till now. It is done on a Heatherfield linen with Gentle Arts threads. It is framed with no glass and a little puff under it. It's one of my first pieces where I learned how to use over dyed thread. I'd like to think that I have grown some since I first stitched this piece.

This is Moon Witch a free pattern from The Primitive Needle. I just love her as well. I can't remember what fabric she is on but, she is stitched in over dyed threads.

Up next for me is a blog makeover. Since blogrolling is shutting it's doors my blog links may not work for a bit. I am on a wait list for The Design Girl to redo my blog as I am seriously challenged when it comes to adding and deleting things on here. So please bear with me if you notice links not working.

I have finally gotten the last two Blackbird pieces framed and will show you those the next post as well as my modest sampler wall.

Anyway, have a great Halloween!

Thank You and Giveaway Winner's

2010-10-25T15:36:00.004-05:00

I just wanted to say a huge thanks to all of you who wished me well on my twenty years of nursing. I truly can think of nothing else I would rather be than a nurse and though it can be frustrating some days I do love it! Thanks for sharing in this milestone with me.

Now the winner's are as follows:

Giveaway #1
Stitch or No Stitch - Margaret

Giveaway #2
The Auld Grey Mare -Lynda B.

Giveaway#3
Sari's Crossed Stitches -Sari

Congratulations to you all!

A Finish and A Giveaway!

2010-10-18T12:55:00.005-05:00

This sweet little finish was completed at retreat and is called Harvest Moon. It is by Threadwork Primitives . I am not quite sure about how I will finish this yet. It was stitched on a scrap piece of overdyed fabric with Weeks threads. Retreat was fun and relaxing. The best part was spending time with good people who love needlework as much as I do! Alas, forgot I my camera so no pictures.

Now, I hinted at a giveaway the last time I posted and I thank you all for the comments on my finish and more importantly my 20 years of nursing which officially was October 16th. So to honor that milestone I am going to give away the following. In order to participate-please just leave a comment and indicate which give away you would like to win. You may put your name in all three. I will draw using the random number generator. It is not necessary to post it to your blog. Please leave an email address where I can contact you in case you win. Good luck and thanks again for all your visits, comments and friendship.Comments will close Sunday night and I will draw the winner's on Monday afternoon October 25th.

Give Away #1
Halloween Greetings by Blackbird Designs
Halloween Garden by The Primitive Needle (pattern only)
Sonia Gingher Scissors

Give Away #2
Count LeScarrot by Just Nan (will include Rainbow Gallery Fuzzy Stuff for hair)
Pretty Wicked Whimzi Mat(includes pattern and scrap of fabric)
Mill Hill Trick or Treat beaded kit

Give Away #3
Toil and Trouble by Erica Michaels
Wanda Witch Kit by Shepherd's Bush
White Pumpkin Patch by By The Bay Needleart
Butterfly Thread Winder by Kelmscott Designs

Spring Fling Finish

2010-10-09T13:22:00.007-05:00

I finished up Spring Fling by Blackbird Designs today. It's Loose Feather's Number 13. I used the recommended 30 count Glen Ellyn Blend fabric with Gentle Arts threads. This makes sampler number 5 for my wall. I did have a dye lot issue with my dried thyme and avocado, was able to work out the avocado but unable to fix the thyme which is a little annoying.

Coming up next is retreat and I have started several new projects which are Old Settlement, Halloween ABC's and Halloween Garden. I am hoping to start Jenny Bean's Friendship Sampler. I am also in the process of kitting up This is Christmas by RTR.

Thanks for all the fantastic comments on my framing. My favorite would have to be Quaker Garden out of them all, with ROWmance running a close second.

Also, stay tuned for a stitchy giveaway to celebrate my 20th year of nursing! Have a blessed weekend!

Framed Finishes

2010-09-28T16:02:00.004-05:00

Quaker Garden by Blackbird Designs

The Simple Things by Blackbird Designs

The Alphabet Soup Sampler by Brightneedle

ROWmance by Bent Creek

I think they turned out pretty great! (all pics. should be clickable) I hope you like them. Things here are busy. I have been stashing and I have completed a couple of ornaments-but not the finishing. Getting ready for stitching retreat in a couple of weeks by trying to get organized. I am getting close to finishing Spring Fling still-I am slightly stalled at the border. I have taken Bluebirds Message to be framed and I started a new one called Sunflower Charms-also a loose feather's. Kids are great, driving me insane but that is the normal.

Oh, I will leave with a picture of my newest family member Stoli (named after the vodka-LOL) by my sister. She was a stray that we took in. She is so sweet, but those eyes if caught in the dark just the right way can be a little freaky! Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed week!

Spring Fling WIP

2010-08-31T19:05:00.002-05:00

Here is Spring Fling by Blackbird Designs. It's a Loose Feather's from 2005, I can't remember which number. It's being done on 30 count Glen Ellyn linen with the recommended threads. Glen Ellyn is also the recommended fabric. This picture is a little washed out but it's a really pretty green. It's been a real pleasure to stitch this one so far. I am hoping for a finish soon.

Well, the kids are back in school and the grind starts all over again. Hoping for a good year. I have also been getting some finished pieces framed. Will show you those soon. Anyway, not much going on here, though I did manage to get a speeding ticket today. No fun, that just cuts into the stash buying! Off now to the urgent care with baby girl who I think has pink eye-meh! Have a great week!

Giveaway from Blue Ribbon Designs

2010-08-15T15:14:00.003-05:00

Go over to Samplings from a Blue Ribbon Girl to sign up!

Bluebird's Message Finish

2010-08-09T20:38:00.003-05:00

I finally completed Bluebird's Message by Blackbird Designs after dragging my feet over eyelet stitches. It was stitched on 30 count French Vanilla using Week's threads. I love the colors in this one. My sampler wall is slowly taking shape. Though I am working on it, I still don't have a lot to show on Spring Fling-so when I get more I will show it to you. I love, love the colors in it as well.

Life otherwise has been very busy painting the house and school shopping with the kids of which I am still not quite finished yet. The joys of shopping with teenagers is just indescribable-NOT! Anyway, only a couple more weeks till school starts and my poor refrigerator will breathe a sigh of relief-LOL Anyway, have a wonderful week!

Just a quick post!

2010-07-17T17:12:00.004-05:00

Just a quick drive by posting here. I keep meaning to post and time just gets away from me. This The Mercantile by LHN which I have been working on. I am doing it on 30 count Irish Creme linen by R and R with Crescent and GAST colors. I have been enjoying it! I also have a new loose feather's start Spring Fling which is simply gorgeous and when I get a little more on that I will show it to you. Bluebird's Message is essentially finished I just need to add a few more eyelets to it.

The summer is flying by and the kids and I are working on some home improvements such as painting and purging. I am getting new living room furniture and I have all these plans for rearranging. Let's pray they come to fruition. It's also time to start the dreaded back to school shopping. I am taking each child separately because when they are all together I fear for my peace of mind! Have a blessed weekend and as always thanks for stopping by!

Getting closer to a finish...

2010-06-19T11:51:00.011-05:00

on Bluebird's Message. Not much more but the bottom branch, leaves, and eyelets underneath the heart and the border. I have enjoyed stitching this one very much, the colors are just so lovely. It also helps when borders and things meet like they are supposed to-LOL Have you seen the new Anniversaries of the Heart Farm House? I love that and it definitely goes on the must stitch list. I have worked some on The Mercantile, still not enough to show a picture yet, maybe next week.

The kids are out of school and trying to eat me out of house and home. But it's all good as we don't have to get up early for anything. We spent the first day out on Pensacola Beach with friends. Below is a picture of the beach with some storm clouds rolling in. If you would like to see more Pensacola Beach pictures check this blog out it's called Barrier Island Girl . Who knows how long it will look this way if they don't get that oil spill contained.

Memorial Day Stitching

2010-05-31T18:20:00.002-05:00

First off, Happy Memorial Day to everyone. I personally would like to thank all those selfless men and women who serve our country not just today but everyday. I wish they all be home this day! It's been a lazy Memorial day for me, I spent it stitching on this piece-Bluebird's Message by Blackbird Designs. I love the colors in this one-though I never really paid attention to it until I saw it stitched and framed at my LNS Needle Delights .

Have you ever had that happen? Never paid attention to a pattern until you saw it stitched up and then all of a sudden you had to stitch it? Anyway, I am enjoying it. I am stitching it on the recommended 30 count French Vanilla with Week's threads. I am pleased with my progress since I had a major snafu last week and had to take that entire bird out and it was no fun! I could have just cried, but alas I prevailed-LOL

I also started on The Mercantile by LHN and I am enjoying that, though there is not much to see just yet. I will post a picture of it soon. I always have really good intentions of updating my blog, but then time gets away from me. You all know how that is! Anyway, back to stitching. Thanks as always for stopping by!

2010-04-23T09:32:00.000-05:00

This is Live Simply by Stone and Thread. I just love these little patterns. It was stitched on 30 count WDW gold. This actually was a little kit that came with Valdani threads but I hated the thread. I could never get the thread to lay right and it just generally looked yucky, so I restarted this piece using GAST and WDW thread and was more pleased with the result! This and Live Humbly will be framed. Life otherwise is pretty boring, which I guess is a good thing. I and the kids are more than ready for school to be over with. No more early days and no more homework.

Currently, I am stitching on a Heart in Hand pattern called XOXO. I will soon be finished as it's a small pattern. It is for my Valentine ornament tree of which I am laboring under the delusion that I will be able to have next year! Ha! I guess I can dream! As always, thanks for you continued visits. Have a great weekend.

Bent Creek's Rowmance Finish

2010-04-09T18:47:00.006-05:00

Finished up Bent Creek's Rowmance today. It was stitched on 30 count Old Mill Java with GAST and WDW threads. I changed the flowers from blue to a pink and used a different red than the pattern called for. I also placed a bee button instead of stitching the bee on the pattern. Thanks for that suggestion Jinger! It was very easy and fun to stitch.

I received a couple of awards. The first is Sunshine Blogger Award from Jinger and Jackie . Thanks so much ladies!

I also received an award from Bette . The Beautiful Blogger award. Thank you Bette!

Now here are the following things to do to accept this award.
1. Thank the person who gave it to you.
2. Paste the award on your blog.
3. Link to the person who gave you the award.
4. List 10 interesting things about yourself. (I am not that interesting!)
5. Pass the award on to 10 blogs and link to them.

1. I love NCIS, I watch it any chance I get! I also love The Closer, Criminal Minds, NCIS: LA, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Law and Order: CI, In Plain Sight
2. I am an avid TV watcher obviously as noted in #1
3. I love reading
4. I will celebrate 20 years of nursing this year
5. I love antiques and wish I owned more!
6. I collect old teacups and coffee cups of any kind
7. I am a girly girl, I love makeup, purses, perfume and all girl things. I carried a purse in first grade!
8. I am a very casual person
9. I was a debutante and was presented to society when I was 17.
10.Did I say, I love Mark Harmon?

Now ten blogs to share this with! I am inspired by all blogs-but I can only list ten!

Mainely Stitching

Notes from Blue Hen Hollow

Deep Fried Cupcake

Stitch by Stitch

Lovely in Chocolate

Pretty Little Corners

Carolina Stitcher

Pumpkin Patch and Co.

Stitchful Thinking

Kajsaa's Stitching and More

Live Humbly Finish

2010-03-03T10:02:00.002-06:00

This is Live Humbly by Stone and Thread. It was stitched on Week's Dye Gold fabric which is a really lovely golden color and is more gold in real life. Stitched with the recommended WDW threads. It was a sweet little stitch! Now to try and finish Rowmance by Bent Creek and perhaps a new start!

Thanks for the compliments on Quaker Garden! I appreciate them very much as well as your comments regarding the kids. I hope you all have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Quaker Garden Finish

2010-02-05T09:51:00.007-06:00

I finally finished Quaker Garden by Blackbird Designs. I originally started this as you can see in 2006 since I so optimistically stitched the date on it. This started as SAL along with Karen of My Favorite Things and several others. I am probably the last to finish-but better late than never I guess. This will be number two for the sampler wall-which so far is turning into a Blackbird sampler wall. I have two more Blackbird designs kitted up-Beneath the Sunlit Sky and Winter's Delivery. I am also considering starting of Female Arts by The Primitive Needle-but we will see. I haven't quite decided on the threads for that yet. I did start a new one by Bent Creek called Rowmance and I will show a progress picture on that soon.

The kids at Christmas: Caleb, Alexis and Brandon

In other news, it is just work, work! I am a little burned out-but grateful to have a job. So I pulled back a little there. I had been working a lot of extra for Christmas. The kids are doing pretty good-I am still in homework hell occasionally but thankfully not to often! Anyway, off to run errands. I hope you have a great weekend!

Ornament for a friend......

2009-12-25T01:03:00.002-06:00

This ornament was received on Christmas Eve by Loralee so I can now post it. It is one of the Old World Santa's by The Prairie Schooler stitched on a piece of scrap fabric and finished as a pin keep ornament. The backing fabric is my favorite Christmas holly. I met Loralee on Etsy this past year (I am a big fan of the site and I am sure it has caused my debit card to just about self implode!) Anyway, she has a shop there called The Beaded Path where she sells hand made earrings, necklaces and zipper/necklace charms. I am particularly fond of her zipper charms and use them on all of my project bags. She has been generous enough to gift me with a few along with the ones I have bought. In the course of all of that we have connected, become friends and now keep in touch via facebook. She has been a sweet and generous friend and I hope that it will continue for many years to come!

You should stop by and visit her sometimes-you can look through her previous sales history and see earlier creations and she is open to custom requests too! Loralee, I am glad that you really like this ornament~I know Santa is in a good place;) This ornament will probably be my last finish for 2009~but I am looking forward to new stitching challenges next year. More about that later! I want to really wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May all your Christmas dreams, desires or needs come true!

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A Little Ornament Finishing

2009-12-08T10:33:00.005-06:00

Finally got around to finishing up these ornaments which believe it or not have been laying around for close to three years. Yes, you are reading that right! This year I finally got a smaller Christmas tree just for my cross stitched ornaments-something I had been wanting to do for a long time. First up is Noel Birdhouse by Brittercup Designs, second is Snow Joe by Heart in Hand and third is Folk Art Topiary by Brown House Studio. The second picture is of course the backing material. Folk Art was hard to match with those peachy colors so I gave it a little bit of ethnic flair.

Snow Joe is somewhat off center as I wasn't paying attention when I picked up the scrap fabric to stitch him on-so I didn't have enough fabric to center him but as always he is uniquely mine-LOL I am pleased with the way they turned out. I have maybe two or three more to completely finish and then I will work on trying to add more for next year. I did finish Santa's Buddies from this year's issue for an ornament exchange but forgot to take a picture and I am currently working on Prairie Schooler ornament for a gift. Hope to have that completed tomorrow! It's a dreary rainy day here in Florida~perfect to stay in and stitch. As always thank you for stopping by to visit me! Have a great week!

What a Hoot finish.....

2009-11-30T18:07:00.003-06:00

This is What a Hoot by Pine Mountain Designs. It was a quick easy stitch-though for some reason it has been hanging around my project bag with only a few stitches left to go. A couple of the words are in the incorrect color (my color key reading skills fail me yet again!) But I decided I liked it as it is now~so I left it. So sweet to just slip that pillow form in and tie the ends and wonder of wonders it's ready to display!

Thanks for all the compliments on The Simple Things! I appreciate them very much. Now I am trying to get ready for Christmas and trying to finish finish some ornaments. Have a great week!

The Simple Things

2009-11-15T12:38:00.005-06:00

Well thanks to all your good vibes and encouragement I have completed The Simple Things by Blackbird designs. I love this design-however Le Frog really liked it too and I made many an error. Some corrected and some not so much. It is uniquely mine! I opted not to do the chain stitch and ended up back stitching which took me forever. One of those sweet little stars you see there took me three times to get right only because I didn't read the color code correctly.

I have been admiring many sampler walls-I thought this one would start me out. Of course, at the rate I am stitching perhaps I should put it up now and enjoy it now~LOL. I stitched Simple Things on the recommended fabric 30 count Marva's Blend by R & R Reproductions, using Week's and GAST threads. Now on to some ornament stitching. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week.

Hocus Pocus Pin Keep

2009-10-31T23:42:00.006-05:00

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Halloween night. Both my older kids were out and the youngest and I were in Jo-Ann's and Books a Million. It was a pleasant night. So, while we were lazing around the house I finished this little pin keep. I have been wanting to start a basket of Halloween pin keeps and this will qualify as the first. I guess better late than never! This is hocus pocus by Lizzie Kate. The name of the linen escapes me and I used the recommended WDW threads. I used an orange batik fabric for the backing as I couldn't find a Halloween fabric that I liked. I really like the little beads.

As for Simple Things I am about ready to make frog fricassee! I keep having errors and so I have a little ripping to do and then hopefully I will be on the right track and finished soon. Thanks for all the stitchy vibes and I appreciate all your comments on my framed work. Tonight we fall back on the clock and though I love the fall time of the year, I hate when it gets dark so early. Meh! Anyway, I hope the rest of your night is a great one!

Some Framed Finishes

2009-10-28T14:49:00.004-05:00

Here are a couple of finishes recently framed. First up is African Beauties by Bleu de Soie. They were stitched on 30 count WDW straw linen with dmc variations thread. I narrowly escaped disaster on this piece because I wanted to make it a hardanger piece by cutting a thread! But I managed to save it!

Below is Daydream by My Mark Designs . It was stitched on a piece of Silkweaver solo fabric that I just loved. I used the recommended threads except for one. It is hanging in my boys room. I actually have had this one framed for awhile. I just have been lazy about photographing it.

Otherwise there is not much going on here. I am trying to finish Simple Things by Blackbird. It is taking me way too long to complete that one and I want to finish it as I am afraid it will turn into a UFO! I am very close to finishing, so send me good stitchy vibes. Thanks for your comments on Moon Witch-she is one of my favorite little finishes! Have a great week!

Moon Witch Finish

2009-10-10T11:37:00.004-05:00

I finished Moon Witch by The Primitive Needle today. She is too cute IMHO! I changed her face to WDW Butter bean instead of Belle Soie Shepherd's Pasture and I used WDW Curry instead of Belle Soie Mango for the moon and stars, I used WDW Mocha for her nose and mouth. Stitch count is 46w x 81h. I am thinking of having her framed. Now I want to get Simple Things finished and I also plan to start Witches Hollow this coming week. That is going to be my big project to work on.

Yesterday, I went through some of my cross stitch and ruthlessly got rid of some things I was not going to finish or did not need. I am now trying to get my projects organized because next Friday my annual retreat I go to starts! I just can't take one project-I must take many! Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Moon Witch WIP

2009-10-06T12:28:00.004-05:00

This is Moon Witch a free design from The Primitive Needle. Isn't she adorable? I was hoping to get her finished but I keep working extra and so the stitching is taking a hit. I have made a couple of color changes to use what I have on hand and I will post those when I am done. She is being stitched on 30 count Carol's Butter crunch linen. Sounds yummy doesn't it? My goal is to have her completed by the end of the week! Thanks for your kind words and support. I appreciate them all!

A Little Progress......

2009-09-05T18:19:00.006-05:00

I find it hard to believe that I haven't posted here in two months! Anyone miss me? LOL Life has been busy, getting the kids ready for school. Very little stitching has went on-I have been distracted with all the kid related stuff and reading more. Now that's not to say I haven't been stashing some because I can not tell a lie-LOL

I am working slowly on The Simple Things by Blackbird Designs. So you can see a little more progress now. You can see previous progress if you scroll down this page a bit. Sorry about the wrinkles. I have also spent some time going through my stash and thinking about what I really want to stitch. I don't have any concrete ideas-but at least my stuff is a bit better organized. I am also excited because there is a market this month and that means lots of new stuff! Also, the new Gingher scissors come out and not to forget the ornament magazine too!

I had considered not blogging anymore but I can't as blogging has been a beautiful source of friendship, fun and inspiration! Thank you all for your continued support, friendship and visits! Below is a wonderful ceramic teapot that I bought from Etsy. It is by a lovely artist called Karin and you can find out more about her at Karin's Art. It is such a fun piece that I thought I would show it to you! Anyway, I have yakked enough! I am going to run for now! Have a great holiday weekend!

Summer Exchange for Myrna

2009-07-05T10:22:00.003-05:00

Myrna has let me know that she has received her last seasonal exchange so I can safely post now. This is Hide and Seek by Brittercup Designs made into a flat fold. I left off the words and the backing fabric is red and white gingham. I decided just to keep it very simple and added just a bow to the side. I think watermelons are very much a part of summer and thought this was really cute especially since Myrna has a trio of black cats. The second picture is the rest of the exchange. I went with a little patriotic theme. I hope you will enjoy it Myrna!

How was every one's holiday? Mine was pretty good-spent the day with the kids and and took them to the movies to see Transformers 2. It's back to work for me today-though only for one day and then off for three!

Finally, a couple of Christmas Ornament Finishes

2009-06-24T18:00:00.003-05:00

Well, finally I sat down and finished finished a couple of ornaments that I had stitched. These have actually been finished for a little while but I have been trying to decide whether to send them off to be finished or do them myself. Today, I decided to do them myself. I think I did okay here. The one on the left is Poinsettia by Brittercup Designs-I believe it's from the 2007 JCS ornament issue. I gave it a little ethnic flair with this African print fabric I found. The fabric had so much red and green in it-that Christmas just popped into my head when I saw it. I think it goes well with design. The second one is by Lizzie Kate and it is from Tiny Tidings 13 and is called Jolly Holiday and I backed it with some appropriate holly flavored fabric.

I am woefully behind on ornaments but now that I am finished with my last exchange-the selfish stitching will commence. That sounds terrible doesn't it? I tend to have guilt working on my projects when I have an exchange to go out. I have some more ornaments to finish-but finishing is a time consuming little business. I hope to get them done prior to Christmas. I would love to have a tree with nothing but my stitched ornaments on it.

Up next, that last exchange I have been talking about-it's so cute(at least to me) That I will have a hard time parting with it. But, alas it will be going out soon-so no picture until it's received. I have worked on Simple Things and made some progress-those over one words are a headache especially when you have bad eyes like me. A picture of that coming soon too. Thanks for stopping by!

An EBay find....

2009-06-13T13:18:00.003-05:00

Found this little finished cross stitch piece on EBay aka The Bay of Evil. I only paid about eight dollars for it and that included shipping from the United Kingdom. These dancing ladies make me laugh every time I see them. I have no idea who the designer is or what the piece is called. They are done on Aida and the stitching was super neat on the back. I had them framed and here they are!(the picture is clickable) I don't think if I were selling any cross stitch that it would leave me for so little. Especially when you put so much of your time in it.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post-especially my son! I appreciate them! I have worked a little more on that piece but I am trying to finish up an exchange and therefore I have not worked on my own stitching. I also have been working on some home improvements and that is cutting into the stitching time too. Anyway, hopefully some stitching pictures the next post! Have a fantastic day and thanks as always for stopping by!

A new wip and a proud mama moment....

2009-05-26T12:22:00.003-05:00

First up, I couldn't resist starting The Simple Things by Blackbird Designs. It is just so pretty to me and I love the colors. I am using the recommended fabric and threads. It has been very enjoyable thus far to stitch! The flowers and leaves are outlined by a chain stitch-I hope when I get that point that I will be able to master that stitch. Because I am terrible at specialty stitches! I did pull out Quaker Garden but alas I am distracted again!

Now, the proud mama moment comes in regard to my oldest son Brandon. This is him right getting ready to go to his eighth grade dance. He completes middle school in a couple of days and then it is off to high school. Really, where does the time go? He has really evolved to me over the last year. He is interested in learning the Japanese language and has been studying himself via CD at home. He is actually pretty good at it. He has become very health conscious and has increased his exercise by running, skateboarding(something else new) and playing basketball. He has lost at least 30 pounds over the last year. He is forever researching something on the Internet! He is just an all around great kid! Don't get me wrong. We have our struggles-(math comes to mind) but days like today and seeing him look so happy just make things like that melt away.

I appreciate all your comments on African Beauties! Have a great week! Coming up next I will have to show you a cute little find from the bay of evil....

Let's Hear It for The Ladies!

2009-05-19T11:05:00.008-05:00

Finally, they are finished! Did that about 5:30 am this morning when I could not sleep! Not the best picture-no matter how I try I can't capture the color of the linen very well. In fact this picture looks a little 3-D. The details are as follows: Beautes d'Afrique by Corinne Leroy done on 30 count(I think)straw WDW linen in DMC variations thread #4130. I tell you the frogs were relentless on this one. My highlighter and I were buddies because if I didn't mark where I was a fubar was in the making-LOL. Now I need to work on an exchange and I hear a UFO yelling at me-Quaker Garden of which I am halfway finished. So, we will see where I get with that!

Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes! You all know how to make a girl blush and feel very special! Have a great day!

43 Today!

2009-04-29T08:53:00.003-05:00

Today is my 43rd birthday! Here I am in all my chunky chocolate glory-LOL Makes me sound good enough to eat doesn't it?(That is me on the left just in case you didn't know and my cousin Carolyn on the right) Anyway, nothing too much planned for the day-just a little stitching perhaps and definitely some NCIS. My mom took me to lunch yesterday and to add more to my overall chunkiness I baked myself a red velvet cake for my birthday! It is truly a blessing to be here and have my health, family and friends! My wish for you all on my birthday is to have a wonderful day whatever you may be doing!

A Winner and a WIP!

2009-04-24T15:35:00.005-05:00

First, let me say a tremendous THANK YOU to those who have stopped by and wished me Happy Blogaversary! Your kind comments and friendship are appreciated so much! The winner of the giveaway is Barbara of Mainely Stitching ! Congratulations to Barbara!

Now below is my African Beauties, only one more lady to stitch! Yay! I feel that when I do stitch on it that I am doing more reverse stitching than actual productive stitching! I was hoping to have this done this week-but alas I have been reading!

A Small Giveaway!

2009-04-19T20:47:00.005-05:00

to commemorate my third year of blogging! The actual date was the seventeenth but last week was extremely busy! I have two fat eights of fabric-the darker one is called Sparrow by Birds of a Feather and the lighter one is PTP relic. Both are 32 count. A pack of thread drops and two Blackbird patterns-Love is in the Air and Small Token. I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging these last three years and all of your blogs are a great source of friendship,inspiring projects and lots of enabling. Anyone may enter up until Thursday April 23rd. I will draw the winner on Friday April 24Th. Please make sure you leave an email address for me to contact you by. Thanks and good luck!

Spring Exchange from Myrna!

2009-04-14T20:54:00.004-05:00

Myrna , sent me a fabulous spring exchange package! A Signs of Spring pinkeep by Bent Creek, a spring fob and the neatest lapel pin stitched with hello spring by LK over one thread! She also sent me all the wonderful extras you see in the bottom photo-charts galore, fabric, and candy. She never forgets the kids or the kitties! Thank you so much Myrna! Now onto summer and our last exchange for this group. I will definitely miss being so spoiled. On a funny note, I was joking with my youngest Caleb tonight about how he didn't love me. So he says, "yes I do mommy, I won't put you in a rest home!" Too funny! Nice to know I can count on my baby to take care of his mama!LOL

Thanks for the compliments on my LK finish! They are much appreciated. I hope you all have a great week! I have a three year blogoversary coming up on the 17th and that means a stitchy drawing of some sort!

PS:Pictures are courtesy of Myrna!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T09:39:00.004-05:00

First off I want to wish all you and your loved ones a very blessed Easter! I managed to get in a small finish. Chicky Easter by Lizzie Kate. Done in recommended threads of GAST/WDW and DMC, It was quite quick I must admit even for me-LOL. I am thinking about finishing it into a tiny flat fold. There is nothing much going on here but sleep for me very soon. I have been working this Easter weekend. But, I had a great night last evening as my manager organized a Easter egg hunt for the nursing staff. It was a lot of fun! Amazing how competitive grown women can become over hunting Easter eggs! My manager set it up so that each egg was numbered for a prize. So everyone won! Anyway, I am toddling off to my bed. Have a fantastic day!

Spring Exchange for Myrna

2009-03-28T17:06:00.003-05:00

Myrna of Still Living in Wonderland let me know that she has received my seasonal spring exchange for her today. She likes it-hooray! The design is called Spring Primrose by Ewe and Eye and Friends (love those designs) it is stitched on 32 count flax linen in GAST/WDW threads. I left of the singular border and I also used three tiny JABCO bee buttons on it. I finished it into a no sew cube using Hannah's of Totally in Stitches no sew cube tutorial. Enjoy Myrna and happy spring!

PS: Thank you all for your lovely comments on my sweet spot. I appreciate them and your visits! Have a great weekend!

Sweet Spot

2009-03-19T13:45:00.005-05:00

This is what I call my little sweet spot here at home. My buffet full of cross stitch (we won't discuss all those other things overflowing at my bedside-LOL) I love to rearrange things on here and putter through my stash in it's various drawer's. It is an ever changing little space which makes me happy. Another thing that makes me happy is that spring has SPRUNG! I couldn't resist these vibrant daisies from the store the other day. They make me happy just to look at them and y'all know I like lots of color.;) Can you tell I am happy today? I hope it's contagious.

Here they are up close-aren't they pretty?

I tried my hand at some fabric dying. I started with just one color. It is a little bit more blue IRL. But, I think I could really like this. I dyed this just a simple blue. I have been inspired by Nicole of Nicole's Needlework finish of Sea to Shining Sea on her blue fabric (that was by Lakeside Linens). So, when I get a chance to purchase the patterns this piece of fabric will be used for that. I tell you I about need to stop visiting her site-because every time I go she makes me want to stitch something new!

This last picture is a lucky win I managed on the bay of evil. Blackbird Designs Winter Delivery. I was really surprised that I won but happy (there's that word again). Thanks for the comments on my African Beauties, they are coming along slowly. I am currently finishing my spring exchange for dear Myrna and I'm a little late with that. So, look for that next. I finished my work classes- they were a tad stressful. Now, maybe I can relax and get busy stitching. Got to run-thanks for stopping by.

Current WIP-African Beauties

2009-02-28T10:39:00.002-06:00

Yes, it's me the lazy blogger. I have been bad at posting. But, it has been a busy few weeks for me as the kids were sick with the flu. Alexis really had it bad. Then I have been studying for a couple work required classes that will soon be over. It makes me feel guilty when I am stitching and not studying. But, for the times when I can overcome the guilt I have been working on African Beauties by French designer Corinne Leroy. It is being stitched on straw WDW fabric with DMC variations 4130 I believe. There will be three ladies on this when I finish. Other than that, not much going on. I have slowly getting back into my stitching. I am also working on the new clothesline by RTR call scrub a dub dub and currently trying to finish my Spring exchange. I hope to post a little more here soon. Thank you for your continued visits! I hope you have a great weekend!

Winter Surprise!

2009-02-11T09:13:00.007-06:00

The other day I received a little surprise in the mail from Myrna my seasonal exchange partner. This was in addition to the winter exchange I had already received! She sent me this adorable flat fold. I think it may be by San Man Originals. It is so cute and I love the little teacup on it. It has a lovely blue and white snowflake fabric backing. She also sent me and the kids some treats of hot chocolate, chocolate kisses and gum-which did not last long in my house-LOL. Thanks so much Myrna, I love it!

Now below is Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh. It is the latest in her breed series. I don't know if there are any Lora Leigh fans out there-but I want to give away this book as I have two. I was too impatient to wait for it come from Amazon! So, if anyone would like to have it I will give it away to the first person who leaves a comment for it. (This book has been adopted)

Drama Queen finish!

2009-01-30T15:29:00.004-06:00

Finally, a finish! I have had a heck of time trying to get a decent picture of this. I concede! This is drama queen by Lizzie Kate. It is part of her girl thing pattern. Obviously, this applies to my little drama queen Alexis! It is done on 28 count ray of light linen which is a very pale yellow. Though it is very hard to tell that. It was relatively quick to stitch and I haven't quite decided how I am going to finish it. I have been stitching some-mostly Lizzie Kate. I have a small ornament almost done-it is called holly jolly. Thanks for all the encouraging words regarding my slump. I am trying to stitch a little everyday, though that doesn't always happen.

I have anxious to see what is going to come out of Nashville-mostly to see if I am tempted with anything. I am really interested in seeing Quaker Gone Tropic by Michelle Ink. The new Blue Ribbon Designs are beautiful. Not sure I am going there yet. Anyway, off to try and stitch. Have a great weekend!

Winter Exchange from Myrna

2009-01-15T23:43:00.005-06:00

I received my winter exchange from Myrna of Still Living in Wonderland. She sent me an awesome exchange with a pin keep post called signs of winter by Bent Creek. I really like this finsh as all you have to do is change one pin keep to another as the season changes! She also sent an adorable scissor fob and just a treasure trove of goodies. They are already being put to great use-so no pictures. But, you can see a much better picture of the entire exchange on her blog! Thank you so much Myrna! I love everything and btw the cat treats are already gone along with the peppermint too!

In other news-still working on my 2009 stitchng plans-so many charts and so little time! I have started a Lanarte kit and I am hoping to start the LK Halloween flips. I am a little dissapointed-I didn't do a whole lot of finishes this past year-in fact it was less than 2007. I know it's about the enjoyment of stitchng-but I would love to accomplish more. Also, I have been in a serious stitching slump! But, it will get better. Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Happy stitching too you!

Winter Exchange to Myrna!

2008-12-28T21:06:00.004-06:00

Here is my winter exchange to Myrna of Still Living in Wonderland. It is called winter ice by Keslyn's and is done on 32 count ice blue linen in Midnight GAST. It is sparkly as it has Kreinik braid, Mill Hill seed beads and clear crystal beads as well. It is finished into a picture frame puffed out with batting underneath. I sent the easel stand with it to display it. Myrna says she loves it and I am very glad! You know how nervous one gets until the exchange gets there and the recipient likes it.

The second picture is of some of the goodies I sent. A slew of Crescent threads, 2 charts from Myrna's wish list, Kelmscott curious cat minder needle magnet, some Christmas socks and Altoids. Sorry about the glare from tin! I left some things out of the package which I still have to send. I was in such a hurry to get it out that I forgot a couple of things.

Also, a huge thank you to Staci of Snippets and Stash as I won her last giveaway of a Christmas ornament called believe by The Sampler Girl. It is adorable! It really made my day! Click here to see ornament ! Thanks again Staci!

Anyway, I am not sure I will be back here before New Years! So, I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2009!

Seeing Double....

2008-12-06T14:28:00.004-06:00

double ornaments that is. I am going to a stitch in tonight at my LNS and we had an option to do an ornament exchange. Many ideas floating in my head-but not enough time. So I had stitched Heart in Hands ornament from the 2002 JCS ornament magazine for me and I repeated it for the stitch in. It was quick and easy. Right up my alley-LOL. I attempted to use this finishing technique by Monique of My Mark Designs but I had a little trouble with my wire and beads-so I improvised with this look. I think it came out okay. I like the wire and bead look though.

Barbara from Mainely Stitching sent me a sweet beaded fob with a frog on it-to keep my stitching frogs away. It is lovely, but I can't get a decent picture of it. I love it though. Thanks Barbara for thinking of me! Thanks to all of you too for the lovely compliments regarding me and my family.

Anyway, I must run. I am making Pioneer Woman's apple dumplings for tonight and they are super yummy and quick. Go try them-you won't regret it though your hips might-LOL
Happy Stitching!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T19:33:00.004-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends out there celebrating the day! I am stuffed and slightly miserable at the present moment-but it was really good going down-LOL There are so many things I am thankful for-my health,kids, family, friends and my job. It is truly a blessing to be here and be alive to enjoy the day. Now, below you will see the people that I love and sometimes they drive me nutty-but hey that's a family!

It's me! Don't look too hard-your computer screen may break-LOL

It's Aunt Fran and Caleb

My Mama and my sister Fran(her baby! Yes, that is some slight jealousy you detect-LOL)

My sister's Fran and Paula-I am so proud of these two. Fran has a PharmD(doctorate in pharmacy) and Paula has a Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Leadership I think-I can never get it right! I am the oldest and Fran is the youngest. As you can see they got all the looks too!

African Woman Framed!

2008-11-18T08:34:00.003-06:00

This is African Woman by Bleu de Soie framed! I decided to pull the small of amount of teal in her as the main mat color. She was very easy to pick colors and a frame for. The frame is not a plain frame-it looks like it has an African feel to it. The picture is clickable. I love having her hanging up in my home. Otherwise, it's a cool morning here in Florida about 40 degrees-but it's nice. The kids are off to school and I intend to make an appointment for beautification also known as a hair appointment!LOL Thank you all the great comments on my cappuccino finish! Have a great day!

Cappucino Finish!

2008-11-11T20:25:00.006-06:00

Oh, I know I am a lazy blogger these days but here is cappuccino by LHN done on 32 count dirty linen. The picture is not so great- as I had a hard time getting a good picture of this. I hope to do all six of these and hang in my kitchen. Next up is frappucino. I tell you as much as I love these-the borders tend to be so tedious! Otherwise not much going on here. I now have two teenagers in my house-EEK! My daughter turned thirteen last Friday. Her birthday list included hair, nails, shopping, ear piercings for the third time, cake and crab legs! I say to her-you do know Christmas is next month! Good grief! I need a second job!

Speaking of Christmas-anyone start their shopping? I have-almost halfway done with the kids. I can't think of anything for the adults yet! Now, I am going to stitch! Have a great week and thanks for all your comments on my finishing. I appreciate them very much!

Blogs to visit!
Dawn of Golden Angel Works
Kendra of The Stitching Hour

More Monsterbubbles' Finishing!

2008-10-25T12:44:00.006-05:00

Happy Saturday to all. It is absolutely gorgeous here in Northwest Florida today-a little cool and so sunny. I love days like this! Here is dye-a limited edition kit from Nashville by Monsterbubbles. A cute little kit-it came with a piece of white fabric that I dyed with some blueberry kool-aid that was also included in the kit. It made a great color didn't it? Anyway, I finished it into a hanger and inspired by Jinger's use of fun fir I just couldn't resist adding some to this one. Monsterbubbles is wild and wacky so it fit perfectly. I have this hanging on my buffet-so it's a little hard to see the fur(the picture is clickable and you can see it better). Anyway, not much else going on-have to go to work tonight to help support my habit and other addictions-LOL Have a great day!

Blogs to visit:
Cathy of No Sampler Left Behind
Hazel of Quietly Stitching

SOHM Flat Fold and a tag....

2008-10-15T12:26:00.007-05:00

This is shine on harvest moon by Monsterbubbles. I finished it into a flat fold today. I used an ethnic print fabric that had some autumn like colors in it and it had colors that were similar to the stitched piece. I think it turned out pretty good. I had the hardest time with the bow-just could not settle on one-so I went with the raffia bow. Who knows that may change. Otherwise nothing else going on here. I have been stitching and I am currently trying to finish up hocus pocus by Lizzie Kate. I have been busy with the kids too-8th grade math is terrorizing me along with 6th grade science-LOL

Dianne at Dianne Rambling On tagged with me-so here we go. I won't tag anyone but if you want to play please feel free!

# 1 These are the rules for this meme:
# 2 Link to the person who tagged you.
# 3 Post the rules on your blog.
# 4 Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself.
# 5 Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
# 6 Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
# 7 Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

Six random things about me:

1. I am currently obsessed with Criminal Minds, watching the first season on DVD for the second time around in the last month-Shemar Moore gives me heart palpitations-LOL
2. I am addicted to Etsy -I visit it daily and drool.
3. All of a sudden I started disliking going to the movies-I can wait till it comes out on DVD.
4. I am the oldest of 3 girls.
5. I like the outdoors, but I absolutely hate yard work.
6. I was born in Greenville, South Carolina

Autumn Exchange from Myrna

2008-09-23T08:38:00.005-05:00

I received my autumn seasonal exchange from Myrna yesterday and she really spoiled me! She stitched me signs of autumn by Bent Creek and finished it into a great post pinkeep. She also stitched me an adorable fall fob by Trail Creek Farm (now, I have a great excuse for more scissors-LOL). Beautiful stitching and finishing on both. Now onto the wonderful goodies of socks, a chart called autumn harvest by LHN along with the fabric, and dmc thread to complete it. She also sent some autumn fabric quarters, ribbon, autumn themed knick knacks and charm, candies for the kids and treats for my fur babies. I know this list seems endless, but Myrna was so incredibly generous that I still feel overwhelmed today. THANKS so much Myrna!

Blogs to visit:

Dianne of Dianne Rambling On
Angela of Hooked on Stitches
Michelle of Cozy Egg

An Exchange for Myrna and a RAK too.......

2008-09-18T00:21:00.005-05:00

This is my autumn seasonal exchange for Myrna of Still Living in Wonderland . I stitched think autumn by Lizzie Kate and made it into a tall pinkeep. It it stitched on 32 ct fossil by Picture this Plus fabric and the fabric underneath it is also the backing fabric. I finished it of with a raffia bow. Myrna received it today and says she loved everything of which I am very happy to hear! The second picture of course are the extras I sent. Enjoy Myrna!

Then below is a very sweet RAK that I received from Tracy of Passion of My Needle .It is Rose Garden by Patricia Ann Designs. Tracy sent just because of encouraging comments that I have left on her bog. Well that was easy because Tracy does beautiful work! You should go by her blog and check out her stitching scrapbook. It's another wonderful way to display your stitching. Thanks so much Tracy!

Blogs to visit:
Terri of Confessions of a Stitch Wraith
Andrea of Deep Fried Cupcake .
Michelle of Ozark Sew and Sews .

My Cone Runneth Over Framed!

2008-09-09T12:07:00.003-05:00

This my cone runneth over by Raise the Roof designs. A fun and colorful stitch that I did on a linen called sorbet if I recall correctly. Quite appropriate don't you think? I have this hanging in my kitchen and I really like the colors in it. Double matted in a dark mauve color and framed in a wide simple black frame.

I have been a terrible slacker in posting I know. Currently, I am working on completing my autumn exchange. I am also mulling over what I really want to work on and stitch. Too many other distractions have come into play lately like reading and work. Thanks for all the comments regarding the kids first day of school. They are settling in fairly well and we are adjusting to the school times. Thanks too for taking the time to visit me. Have a great week.

Edited to add: Oops, I forgot to list my blogs to visit. Here they are!
Cathey of Pumpkin Patch & Co.
Olenka of Olenka's Stitches
Paulette of Plum Street Samplers

Lizzie Kate HD and more......

2008-08-21T15:27:00.008-05:00

My Lizzie Kate finish of housework can kill you. I think this is so funny as I feel this way a lot of the time. This is done on 32 count antique ivory. It's looks washed out from the flash. I changed the flowers to a burnt orange and the same eggplant color that the bottom words are done in. It was fun-but it seems like it took me forever to finish. Also, don't look too hard an error may slap you on the forhead-LOL

The above picture is Alexis and Brandon on the first day of school. They are together for the first time in a long time. Alexis is in the 6th and Brandon is in the8th grade this year. They go from 9:30 am to 4:30pm. I can't tell you how much I hate those times. All our school times changed this year as the busing changed in order to save money.

This is Caleb, he is in the 4th grade. My baby-doesn't he look sweet?

These fun threads were a surprise from Jinger of Rae of Sunshine Stitches . She has done a really cool flip flop piece with some fun thread for edging. Stop by her blog and see it. So she very generously sent me some-I can't wait to try it. Thank you Jinger!

Blogs to visit!

Yasmin of Yasmin's Stitching
Christina of X-stitch Christina
Goldie of Inside Gold's Mind

Thanks so much for the comments on my last finish and the kids. They were much appreciated. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Tropical storm Fay at the current moment is heading my way-so right now I expect a wet one. Happy Stitching!

Daydream finish and other things.......

2008-08-11T18:06:00.006-05:00

Well I have been a busy little bee. Though I didn't post when I left, the kids and I went to South Florida last week and since I have back I have been doing a bang up job playing a bum. But, alas duty will call this week! This is my daydream finish by My Mark Designs . Please forgive any wrinkles. It's done on a 32 count Silkweaver solo that I love. This will be framed eventually to go into my boys room.

This is a picture of the kids the first day of our vacation. Don't they look fresh? Too bad they didn't have a picture of all of us on the Friday following this picture as we were all limping and hobbling out of Islands of Adventure. At that point the only adventure we wanted was our hotel room. LOL So, as you can see we went to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and two water parks. Disney's Blizzard Beach and Sea World's new water park called Aquatica. Both were great! Aquatica was not that big-but give them more time. I was so waterlogged that even the shower didn't appeal to me! But we had a great time and though there was a time or two or three that I could have reached out and touched the children in a special way-we made it through. I am most thankful that we made it to and from safely.

I want to say thank you to Michelle of Ozark Sew and Sews . She gifted me with sharing the love award. Thanks Michelle! Now I did not pass on any blog awards but I have decided to highlight a different blog or blogs when I post. So, I will be sharing the love in this way. So here you go and I hope you find someone that may be new to you!

Vee of the The Broken Needle

Lisa of Lisa V's Lounge

Lynda of A Cozy Little Place for Stitching

Anyway, that's it for me! Be back soon. Have a great week and happy stitching!

Awards Galore and a Finish Framed

2008-07-26T22:57:00.017-05:00

Recently, I was given two lovely awards by my stitching friends. I am always amazed when other's think of me in these times. Why? Because recently I feel frustrated with my stitching efforts and I don't feel that I am really doing that much. However, I will get past it. Anyway, I have been remiss in acknowledging this due to the fact I have been working quite a bit and I am going on vacation next week woo hoo! So, I have been trying to get ready for that too.

This award was given to me by the following two ladies:
Dawn of Golden Angel Works
Noreen of Needle Caboodle

The Kreativ award was given to me by the following ladies!
Dani of Navy Stitching
Von of On the Dry Side
Andrea of Deep Fried Cupcake
Bette Reflections of a Desert Rat (edited to add Bette-this was an oops on my part! Sorry Bette!)

Now, I am supposed to pass these awards on to more kreative and brilliant bloggers-well here is where you will all hear a clucking in your ear. Yes, that would be me chickening out. Hey! I love you all-so it's hard for me to just pick seven. My google reader runneth over! So much so I am having a hard time keeping up with all the postings. That being said I appreciate the awards and thoughts behind them more than I can say! Thank you again!

Now for that framed finish that I was telling you about. I decided to frame my hope piece by Mary Kathryn . A good friend suggested it and I thought it was a great idea. So here it is framed!

I also want to say a big thank you for the many compliments on my exchange with Jinger!! Anyway, I must run. Take care and happy stitching!

Monochromatic Exchange with Jinger!

2008-07-12T07:48:00.005-05:00

Awhile ago, Jinger and I decided to do a personal monochromatic exchange together. Our deadline was July and the other day was the great send off day. She sent me this gorgeous hanging ornament done on lavender linen with purple haze WDW. I am not sure of the pattern name-though I have seen it before. I love the fuzzy purple thread she used to make the hanger with. She also sent me some purple fabric quarters, two purple votive candles and a lovely purple notebook that I can use to keep up with my finished works. Everything was quite lovely! What made this exchange even more fun is that Jinger I both live in the same city! Thanks so much Jinger-this was fun!

This is what I sent Jinger. I did a pin keep/scissor pocket for her. I used a freebie pattern called Moroccan tile I believe. It is usually used as a biscornu. I did it in an Atalie silk thread called Bombay. It was stitched on 30 ct. R & R linen called parchment. I sent a couple of charts off Jinger's wish list along with some threads and a thread holder by Monique. It was a pleasure to put together this exchange for you!

Scatter freedom chart winner is.....

2008-07-07T19:06:00.003-05:00

Michelle of Ozark sew and sews ! My DD drew the name for me this evening! Please email me your mailing address Michelle. Thanks everyone for participating!

Scatter Freedom ......

2008-07-04T22:25:00.003-05:00

and peace. A very apt saying for this independence day.I hope everyone has had a wonderful day today if you are celebrating the holiday. I have been busy with the kids most of the day and only finished this tonight. I had hoped to finish it yesterday-but better late than never right? This was a fun quick stitch done on 19 count flax with the recommended Crescent colors. Though the dreaded frogs visited me a couple of times on this and I had to make an adjustment in the border(sigh)-so it's my own little unique piece. I plan on finishing this into a cube. I am hoping Shepherd's Bush will do a scatter love for Valentine's-for some reason I can totally picture that.

Anyway, now I need to finish Cappuccino by LHN. I am close on that. I want to stitch all six-but every time I say something like that then it doesn't get done. They are so pretty though. I have also been thinking about Halloween designs too, but as usual the mind is ticking along faster than the hands. I am really looking forward to the Just Cross Stitch magazine Halloween issue! That should be pretty cool.

Up next week-my personal monochromatic exchange with Jinger from Rae of Sunshine Stitches. I hope the rest of your week is a good one-I am going to tackle the treadmill-ugh! Happy stitching.

PS: This chart is up for grabs-if more than one person is interested I will draw a name on Monday July 7th at 5 pm.

Spring Exchange from Vonna

2008-06-14T17:06:00.004-05:00

Today, I was speechless in delight as I received my spring exchange from Vonna! She sent me this gorgeous scissor keep case and the two pairs of scissors inside the case that you see below. The designer is Blackbird Designs and the pattern is called from me to thee in the Token's of Friendship book. Vonna used her own hand dyed fabric and chose her own dmc colors. Her finishing is wonderful and I just love everything about it. Thanks so much Vonna!

Spring Exchange for Carol

2008-06-05T16:00:00.000-05:00

Here the last seasonal exchange 0f the 2007-2008 year for Carol . A design by Les grilles de Maryse called spring is in the air. It was a fun stitch and I finished it into a pinkeep with a dark purple fabric on the back. The pins I dyed with a green metallic like paint-a first. I also used a bow technique that Andrea from The Craft Room had highlighted on her blog. I have truly enjoyed stitching for Carol this past year and putting together these exchanges.

Other than that working on a personal exchange after much decision about thread colors as it is a monochrome exchange. I am also working on the house in small spurts-cleaning closets etc. The children are out of school and terrorizing their poor mama-already cries of "I'm bored", "I'm hungry" are floating into my little ears. Children anyone? anyone? LOL Thanks for all the comments on my daydream piece-I am continuing to work on that and hope to have a finish soon. Anyway I am off to be terrorized err loved some more. Happy stitching!

Stitching? What'sThat?

2008-05-24T13:28:00.002-05:00

Yes, that title says it all! Not much stitching going on and I don't know why. I just can't seem to settle on anything for long. I still want to stitch-it just seems to be in a meandering kind of way. This is daydream by My Mark Designs . I am doing it on a Silkweaver Solo that I just love! I am going to put this in my boys room-because they do love to daydream! Also, I realized that it was the only room in my house that had none of my stitching permeating it(had to rectify that-LOL). Their room is blue and I think this will look really cool on their walls. Other than that, I do have a finish-but I can't show you as it is for an exchange. Hopefully next week.

Anyway, you may not see me much-not because I don't want to, but I don't have a whole lot of stitching going on. I also hope to working on some house projects too which will also cut into my stitching time. However the house needs some of my attention. Anyway, I hope your Memorial Day weekend is wonderful! God Bless!

A Sweet RAK and a Finish too!

2008-05-05T20:06:00.008-05:00

First off, I received this sweet little biscornu from Ranae of The Needle and I. It is autumn biscornu by Helga Mandel. Isn't it cute? I love receiving surprises in the mail. She also sent me a skein of dmc variations. Thank you so much Ranae!

Next up is a finish called dye by Monsterbubbles! It was a limited edition kit released at Nashville this year. It came with a little piece of white fabric and some blueberry kool-aid. I dyed the fabric with the kool-aid first in this case and then I stitched. I think it came out cute-though you don't get much fabric. It is meant to be finished into a pinkeep. The kit does come with seed beads for the making of the pinkeep. This was a fun little stitch.

Lastly, I want to thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes and comments on my photos. You all know how to make a girl feel good! I hope everyone has a great week!

Lordy Lordy looks who's forty.........two!

2008-04-29T05:46:00.008-05:00

Yes, that would be me you see above! Today is my 42nd birthday! I thought I would show you all what I looked like as an infant. The first picture is of me at 3 months of age. In the second set, I have no idea how old I am-the pictures say Nov 67 which would make me over a year old-but I don't think I am that old in the pictures. The last picture is of me and my grandmother. The other most important woman in my life besides my mom. Unfortunately, she died many years ago. I am not sure how old I am in that picture-at least a year old I would guess. Anyway, I hope you will enjoy looking at my pictures! Life is hard these days and so many things are happening but I am so grateful to be here alive and well today! It is truly a blessing. Thank you too my friends for helping make my life special!

Thistle Pinkeep!

2008-04-21T08:36:00.002-05:00

This is thistle bird by Praiseworthy Stitches-one of the whimsical bird patterns. Now if any of you have seen this design you will notice it is not stitched as the original. This pattern gave me a hard time and at one point I thought I would just cut my stitched piece up with my scissors. In the end sanity prevailed and and I ended up modifying it to make myself happy. It is missing a couple of little motifs and the original pattern has somewhat of a diagonal border and you see mine is all straight. Cute pattern-but never to be stitched again!

And the winner's are......

2008-04-17T01:10:00.000-05:00

Prize #1 of the Carrie's Threads goes to Sally of Salster 74 Hobbies (Sally, please email me your snail mail address!)

Prize #2 of the my needles work goes to Ranae of The Needle and I

Prize #3 of the LHN charts goes to Karoline of Karoline's Corner

Congratulation's to the winner's and thanks to all of you who left comments regarding my blog anniversary and participated in the drawing. All prizes were awarded using the random number generator. I have certainly enjoyed having this giveaway as I have gotten to meet some new people. Which is a wonderful thing! Now, that some of you have delurked-don't become a stranger! Leave me a comment or drop me a line just to say hello! If you have a blog-expect a visit from me soon. Many thanks from me again!

Blog Anniversary Drawings

2008-04-11T20:02:00.007-05:00

On April 17th, I will be celebrating two years of blogging. It seems I just started! It has been a wonderful two years of meeting and making friends. Friendships that I hope will last a very long time! Daily, I am inspired by your fantastic projects, beautiful stitching and your willingness to give so much of yourselves to other's. Now, since I am a slow stitcher I have decided to give stash. So. if you will leave a comment to this post from now until 11:59 pm (central US time) April 16th I will enter your name in the drawing. I will pull the prizes in the order they are listed below on April 17th and post the winners. Anyone may join the fun-just make sure I will have a valid way of contacting you once the drawing is complete. Good Luck!

Prize #1-20 Carrie's Threads

Prize #2 LHN's My Needles Work Kit (comes with threads shown)

Prize #3 Bless Our Home and Home of a Needleworker patterns by LHN

African Woman Finished!

2008-04-05T22:52:00.007-05:00

Finally finished African Woman the other day! So, a little dancing here in Florida! I don't know why I was dragging my feet about doing her feet!LOL I finished her in my Tuesday night stitching group. Hi to Sherri if you are reading this post! Anyway, she is by French designer Bleu de Soie . This designer does quite a few things-not just ethnic designs. So, you should take a look see-you may find something you like! AW is done on 32 count apple brown bindy with dmc thread. The lovely thing about her she is done with full cross stitches. The next picture is also by the same designer and it's the design I going to stitch as the companion piece to AW. This is African woman and child. I haven't quite decided on the fabric for her yet. So she is not started! Could I have been that skinny after childbirth?

This next piece is by another French designer called Corinne Leroy and the pattern is called African Beauties. I only have a little to show as I just started. They are being done on Silkweaver limited edition 32 ct tawny sparkle. A lovely creamy opalescent with mottled rose or mauve through it. It is being stitched with dmc variations 4130.

Now, if you are still here reading, this month I will have been blogging for two years on the seventeenth of April. So, on the tenth I will post a couple of giveaways with the winners being drawn on my blog anniversary date. So be on the lookout for that! Have a great week and happy stitching!

A Gift from Myrna!

2008-04-01T14:22:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I received this lovely gift from Myrna. She sent this vibrant dishcloth, a sweet fob and a marking pin made by her sister Ree! Sorry, the marking pin is deep in my stitching bag already and I couldn't put my hands on it. I absolutely love the colors in the dishcloth and fob. Now, I have another excuse to get me a pair of scissors-lol. I love it all Myrna, thanks so much! In other great news I signed up for the yearlong seasonal exchange again and dear Myrna is my partner!

A RAK from Anne!

2008-03-29T14:42:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I received a RAK from Anne in Australia. She had a giveaway on her blog for this Drawn Thread chart. Though, I didn't win it-she has so very generously RAK'ed me the chart and couple of Gentle Arts threads to go with it. It is so very sweet of her-especially with the year she has had to think of me in such a way. I appreciate it more than words could ever say! Thanks Anne! I know we often say this-but I really believe stitcher's are some the nicest people on the planet!

PS: Thanks to all of you for your kind words on Carol's exchange!

Winter Exchange for Carol

2008-03-17T18:59:00.006-05:00

Carol let me know that she received her winter exchange today. I used a little kit by Just Another Button Co. called bring it on. I call it winter with an attitude and since Carol has had such a rough one I thought this was appropriate. Sometimes you just have to have an attitude to make it through all the snow some of you all get. I can't even imagine snow from a balmy 70 plus degrees here today Florida! I finished it into a flat fold. I sent her a needleroll chart by Periphaeria Designs and the cutest thread holder by Monique . They are so neat and you can find them at her Etsy Shop . Go on over and grab you a few! I also sent some stitcher's lotion, chocolate and silk threads. I am glad you liked everything Carol! Coming soon a happy dance on African Woman! Hope everyone's St. Patrick's Day treated you well!

African woman wip and some stash.....

2008-03-14T16:59:00.005-05:00

Here is an update on African woman currently in progress. She is coming along nicely and hopefully I will be finished soon. The last time I posted-her dress only came down to where her hands are. So, that gives you an idea of how much I have progressed. I am looking forward to finishing her. I found another pattern similar to her by Bleu de Soie and I am going to stitch that as an companion piece-it's called African woman and child. I have been busy working, but I finally got my winter exchange out to Carol today. So, pics next week. Now that it's done I am trying to decide what I will really focus on besides my little woman here.

Below is some of the stash that I have gotten over the last month. An eclectic little mix don't you think? I am sure that this is not all-but posting anymore would probably make me feel guilty or have me running for the nearest therapist (Carol, do you think I need help? LOL) I won't label everything, the pics. are clickable. But, if you have a question just email me or leave it in the comments. Last but not least I want to thank you all for your kind words of sympathy for my little Midnight. I appreciated you more than you know and your words were very comforting. Now, I am off to feed the masses better known as my children! Have a grest weekend!

The Imperfect Pillow.......

2008-02-29T18:47:00.005-06:00

Well finally here is the pillow that I told you all I started many months and moons ago. A seamstress I will never be-hence the title of this post! So ladies please avert your eyes from the bottom of this little jewel. As,it is not the prettiest corners you will ever see-lol. I can't say for sure that I will try my hand at making more pillows. I think I may fork over money for someone else to do that-lol. We shall have to see what the future holds. I do like how it looks for the most part. What do you think?

There is not a lot going on here. In sad news I lost one of my fur babies a couple of weeks ago. Midnight my little outcast became ill of a sudden. The vet didn't know what wrong and when I took her in the vet just told she was dying. She said we could do a lot of different things-but she was still unsure if she could save her. Midnight was making this horrible cry and was very limp. So unfortunately on the vet's recommendation was to put her to sleep. Whatever she had involved several organs-so it was best that she didn't suffer. But I do miss her-she was a very loving cat.

Thanks for all the comments on my gifts and exchanges. Next time I post I will update you on my wip's. I have had startitis and stashitis too. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and lots of stitching!

A RAK from Chelle!

2008-02-12T15:32:00.000-06:00

Pictures shows both sides of fob

Today I received a gorgeous RAK from Chelle of Totally Toadlily . She sent me this beautifully stitched and finished chili pepper scissor fob by The Sweetheart Tree along with a great pair of Dovo scissors and a small zipper bag. I was truly surprised and I am so appreciative that Chelle took the time to stitch me something! I was having such a blah day and it just made my whole day! I love it Chelle! Thanks a million.

Mailbox Surprises!

2008-02-10T06:34:00.000-06:00

Barbara from Mainely Stitching sent me this wonderful pinkeep as a lovely way of saying thank you. Something, I told her was absolutely not necessary. However, I love this pinkeep. Barbara says she took the little lady from CHS's a New England Village. The alphabet also came from CHS designs. Done in silks by V. Clayton on 28 count linen. I adore these colors. She also sent me some yummy candy, but my children have absconded with that! Thanks so much Barbara!

Next, my wonderful winter exchange came from Vonna ! She made me this utterly gorgeous basket using a Shepherd's Bush design called snow. She used her own colorway. This neat basket has ties on each side of the lid to help keep it in place on the basket. See Vonna's blog for some better pictures. Vonna's finishing is amazing and I do believe she has made a basket tutorial for this. She also sent me a lovely piece of Sassy's fabric called honey. Which I can't wait to try. Thanks so much Vonna-I love this exchange!

Summer Feast Cubed!

2008-02-06T06:48:00.001-06:00

Here is summer feast by Praiseworthy Stitches cubed. It originally started out as a top for a wooden box but slippery scissors Sharon (say that three times real fast!) made a cutting error. So as Gunnery Sgt. Highway says overcome, adapt and improvise!

So, I was able to make a cube, all I can say is whew! I thought I had ruined my stitching. I am not too happy with the back-as I didn't pull it taunt enough-but I can live with it. It is for me anyway. I think it came out okay. I must admit I wasn't too wild about the first set of birds that came out. Remember the little yellow chicks having their dinner? But each sucessive one I have liked. So much so that below I have started winter bird delight. The colors are so pretty and I am doing it on old country blue linen-which looks a little like periwinkle-just lighter.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my pinkeep. They are very much appreciated! I got an email from Vonna saying my winter exchange is on the way-I can't wait! Have a great week!

Be Mine Pinkeep Finish

2008-01-27T09:01:00.001-06:00

Here is be mine finished into a pinkeep. It was between this or a small cube. The pinkeep won out and I think it is a better fit for this design. I love the colors on this one. I tried to find some hearts for the backing fabric-but could not find any that was close enough to match in color to the front. So, I ended up with this pretty circle fabric. I am pleased with how it turned out.

Thanks for the comments on my African lady. I haven't worked on her since the last update. Too busy working. Our newborn nursery had 34 babies the other morning and trying to keep 20 of them happy at night is no small feat! LOL I have also been n a quandary as to what I really want to stitch on (besides my African lady) and have been floundering around with that. I don't know what's wrong with me, too many projects and not enough time I guess. Hopefully, I will figure it out soon. I hope everyone has a great week and lots of beautiful stitching!

African Lady Update...

2008-01-23T10:03:00.000-06:00

Here is a little more on my African Lady by Bleu de Soie. She now has her turban on and one arm complete. If you scroll down a couple of posts, you can see where I was previously. She has been fun to stitch! Please forgive my wrinkles. I have started work on my winter seasonal exchange and I also started alchemical romance by Ink Circles on a lovely piece of lilac fabric by WDW. I will show that perhaps when I get some more motifs on it. There is not too much going on here, I have been playing around in my stash which is always fun! I am also getting excited to see what is going to come out of Nashville this year! Some really gorgeous things being previewed already such as the new designs by Cat's Whisker's. Also, the new designs by LHN and CCN too. I am looking forward to sweet treats by CCN-maybe because I am on a diet-LOL If you can't eat it-stitch it!

Allura presented me with the you make my day award, which is so very kind of her. I can't just pick ten people as so many of you make my day by blogging and coming by to visit me and by commenting on my blog! Thank you again Allura and thank you my stitching friends!

On a sad note. Heath Ledger's death is very tragic,to be so young and have so much ahead of you. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Tomorrow is not promised-live each day to the fullest!

Be Mine HD

2008-01-14T02:04:00.000-06:00

Finished be mine by Lizzie Kate today. Border done in cranberry GAST. I sort of lost some of the "V" in the border because it was so dark. But, I still like the effect of the darker border anyway. The fabric is a pale pink and as usual the flash has washed out the color. This is my first finish for 2008 and I am thinking of completing it as a pinkeep or a cube finish. I haven't quite decided. I am off to bed now, I hope your week is a good one.

A couple of wip's ...

2008-01-10T00:33:00.000-06:00

African Lady

Be Mine

Happy New Year again to everyone! Thanks so much for all the comments on my previous post. They are as always so very much appreciated. Here are my two current wip's. I have been working on these pretty much the last week or so. The first is African Lady by Bleu de Soie. You can see a picture of what she will look like finished here . This is a French designer I discovered in my eternal quest for patterns. I am stitching her on 32 ct. apple brown bindy and she seems to be flowing quite well. I hope to finish her soon, but I am beginning to feel the pull of other's-lol.

The second piece is be mine by Lizzie Kate. I find myself in a Valentine's kind of mood here so I have wanted to stitch Valentine related things. Now this is a sweet little design that has caused me no end of trouble. I am having issues with counting again-lol. I had to compensate on the right side some-but I refused to frog. So, don't look too hard. The border actually worked out okay. I have made some changes in color on this one. The heart was supposed to be done in WDW love, but is done in CC prickly pear. The word Valentine was supposed to be done in purple haze and I changed that to CC plum paisley. I also changed the ribbon on the flower to WDW aqua. My last change on this piece involves the border. The pattern calls for WDW linen, but I like the bolder look and I am using GAST cranberry. I think it looks okay. What do you think?

Hope the rest of your week is a great one and happy stitching!

Final 2007 Finish

2007-12-31T17:19:00.000-06:00

Here is my final finish of 2007. Salem Sister's by Plum Street Samplers. It was done as a SAL with Ranae and Lizzy . Ranae, speedy stitcher that she is finished first. I don't know if Lizzy got the chance to finish hers. This was stitched on days gone by linen by Silkweaver with V. Clayton silks in deep purple, inky depths, and fire dragon. Conversion courtesy of Terri . She does great conversions to Vikki's silks. I enjoyed this SAL, even though I am such a slow SAL partner. Thanks for the invitation Ranae!

I completed 23 or 24 projects this year, I can't find my notebook at this moment to be sure. This is the most I have ever completed in one year! I think that being inspired by all of you my wonderful stitching friends and your fabulous stitching projects has moved me stitch more ;) I am not going to post any goals, but I will post a list of some of the things I would like to stitch and they are as follows:

African Lady-currently working on this
Valentine Snippet-currently working on this too.
Still Waters
Dawn Fairy
LHN Coffee/Tea packs
Lizzie Kate Double Flips
African Beauties
Cirque de Circles
Fear Not
Halloween Lineup
Eloquent Christmas
Circe the Sorceress

I am sure there are many more! It will be interesting to see where I get with this list at the end of the year. I wish all of you health, wealth and happiness in 2008.

Happy New Year!!

Be Silly Cubed!

2007-12-27T19:29:00.000-06:00

Well, Christmas is over for another year. Mine was great and I hope yours was too. Today, I finally got around to a little finishing and completed be silly by My Mark Designs into a cube. As you can see it is very pepto bismol like as it is going into my daughter's room-which is very pink. I love the batik fabric I found to go on the back! I think the front is a little plain, but for the life of me I couldn't think of anything I would like to add. Sometimes less is more!

Thanks for your comments on my last exchange, they are much appreciated. I am still off a few days here-don't go back to purgatory-LOL until new year's day. I think I am beginning to feel the onset of some startitis-lol. Whatever will I get up too? Hope your week is a good one. Catch you all later and happy stitching.