New Beginnings

Well, here it is the last day of the year. No special plans for me-maybe a small drink and a movie tonight. Maybe a new start-those are always good. Here is a new beginning by Abbey Lane Designs. It is designed by Sue Gastler who recently passed away. I saw this design on Confessions of a Stitch Wraith. She had changed her colors to various silk varigeted threads and I just fell in love with it. She is using all Vikki Clayton silks. So, while perusing Vikki's site I came across her singing the blues assortment. I just adored all the colors and thought this would be a great choice to stitch this pattern in. I am doing it on 32 count cream linen. I may mix some purples in too.

As for 2007, I would like to finish a couple of ufo's and continue grow and learn in my stitching. This year I did grow a lot more as related to my finishing and I hope to continue to grow stronger in that. I thought I would list my 2006 finishes here. They are as follows:
1. A Name above Every Name
2. Open a New Box Daily
3. Quaker Hedgehog
4. Coffee Menu
5. Diva
6. Dream Tree
7. My Cone Runneth Over
8. A Good Night Santa
9. Basking in the Sun
10.Margarita
11.Linen Heart
12.Summer Suits Me
13.I Love My Carbs
14.Tribal Beauties
15.Portrait of a Cat(scissor fob)
16.Goddess Heart
17.Peaches Fruit pack
18.Apples Fruit pack(still working on my scissor fob)

I certainly finished more than I did last year-I think I completed six items. I hoped to finish more, but I am fairly pleased with this amount. So, to new beginnings and a new year, I wish all my stitching friends health and happiness in the coming year as well as fantastic stitching.

Merry Christmas!

Well, I wish I could lay claim to this beauty! But, I can't, My Mom finished her Santa Clothes by Raise the Roof into a flat fold. Looks great doesn't it? I have no stitching to show because my house has been befell by illness, I have the flu, my son has a respiratory infection and my daughter had a stomach virus. Germs need to be gone! So, I hope you will enjoy looking at my Mom's piece. I hope everyone is ready for Christmas and the end of the year is finding you well and happy!

Santa Dancing!

Well, I decided to be a good little girl today and complete my Santa. I turned him into a flat fold and now I will get to enjoy him prior to Christmas. Poor Santa had been languishing in the finished box. That could have put me on the naughty list-LOL I think he turned out pretty good. I am more pleased with this flat fold than my Thanks flat fold. It just came together better and looks neater, or maybe this is getting slightly easier to do. Who knows. I wanted to put cording around him-but was afraid I would give Santa a bad name. He definitely gets me into the Christmas groove. I hope he will get yours to going too. Happy Stitching!

An "Apple" Dance

I know, stop with the corny titles! I couldn't resist-LOL I completed my first over one project yesterday! I really enjoyed it, and I loved the way it turned out. Now I just have to finish it into a fob. Lord only knows when I will get to that. Amazingly, when I finished it I was already contemplating my next over one project, which will probably be another LHN fruitpack. I even purchased a HAED, but those stitch counts are really intimidating. Hopefully, I will get more stitching done now that all my extra holiday working will cease some. I still have some Christmas shopping to do and time seems to be growing shorter.

I want to thank everyone for those wonderful comments on my stitching and my Christmas tree. I truly appreciate each and every one them. You guys are the best! Now, I am off to catch up on some blog reading since I haven't been online for a few days. Happy stitching!

It's beginning to look like Christmas

at my house. We got the tree up yesterday. Now to complete the lights on the front of the house and all the decorating will be done! I have had to pull Midnight out of the tree about three times this morning-LOL. I hope her fascination with the tree ends soon.

Still not too much productive stitching going on around here due to work. This is the last week of working extra and hopefully I can concentrate on stitching and finishing up my Christmas shopping. This is one of my current WIP's-apples fruit pack by LHN. I am doing it over one and it's my first time doing that. I like how it looks=terrible strain on my eyes. I hope to turn into a scissor fob.

This is another WIP's called Ladies with Baskets that I started. It is by Hanne's Needlecraft and I got it from Stitches and Spice in the land of down under. It's very colorful and you know me-I am all about bold colors. Thanks to all of you on the fabulous comments I received on my finished finishes. I treasure them all. Got to go-I think Midnight's in the tree again-this may be a long holiday season-LOL

A Couple of Finished Finishes

Well as the previous post states-"late as usual" here is my thanks piece. I was supposed to have completed this before Thanksgiving-but work constraints prevented that. So, now I am thankful that this is completed-no pun intended-LOL





Here is my Little House Needleworks peach fruit pack finished into a large pinkeep that I am going to hang in my kitchen on a side cabinet. One of my favorite things about this piece besides the cats is the orange cheetah fabric I placed on the back. I thought it went wonderfully with the orange tones in the piece.

I am off to bed again-today I hope to make some progress on my SS mermaid. I have designated Tuesdays to work on this. Gasp! Could I be going toward rotation stitching-who knew. Have a great day and thanks for the lovely comments on Midnight!
Happy stitching.

Happy "belated" Thanksgiving

Well, here I am-late as usual. My excuse is that I was working and sleeping. You know the hospital is always open. I hope everyone who was celebrating Thanksgiving had a happy and blessed one. Mine was good despite the working. Not any stitching though. I did go out for just a little bit to shop today-I never go on black Friday. But, today lo and behold I found a couple of items for the kids I just couldn't live without. So, I braved the crowds and they were huge-you would have thought it was free-LOL

Below is a picture of my new kitten-Midnight. She has parked herself on my bed-they know the best places-LOL Isn't she sweet?


This is the new Mirabilia-South Seas mermaid-that I have just started. It will be my first Mirabilia. I have always thought the mermaids were beautiful, but this particular mermaid just really caught my eye. I love the colors and I am going to do it on PTP Jade. I will post a picture when I have more to show. Hope everyone has a great weekend and lots of great stitching.

A Peachy Happy Dance.....

I am amazed I completed anything at all after working so much last week. But, today I managed to finish LHN's Peach fruit pack. Love the colors in this piece and I love the cat theme. Speaking of cats, I have a new kitten. An all black female that we call Midnight. She is only about 7 weeks old. A co-worker rescued her and gave her to me. We already love her-it's been interesting watching her interacting with the other cats. Kiki, however has not taken too well to the new arrival, but she is coming around. All, that hissing made me a tad nervous-LOL I hope things are well for you all my stitching friends. Catch ya later.

Goddess Heart Pinkeep

Thanks to everyone for comments and suggestions regarding my first scissor fob. I truly appreciate each and every one of them. You are all so wonderful for my confidence level. Tonight I finished my Goddess Heart into a pinkeep-I really like this little piece. I think it is fun and different. I actually have been able to stitch some despite working so much and I hope to post some pictures soon. Can anyone believe that Thanksgiving is just next week? Happy stitching to all!

My First Scissor Fob

Front

Back








Well here is my first attempt at a scissor fob. I used Brittercup's free pattern called portrait of a cat for the front and just put my initials on the back. Since, I like to be ambitious I decided to try and put beads on. Thanks to Carol for answering a couple of questions for me. I guess it turned out okay for a first try. I need to work on evening out the beads more. I did have some difficulty turning those corners. I also had some difficulty with placing the ribbon in the fob and deciding how secure it with the beads. If any of you lovely sewing ladies have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I should have paid more attention in home economics-LOL

Thanks for all your very kind comments on my Halloween piece and I also very much appreciate your concern for my wrist. It is a better now-thank goodness. I haven't had much time to stitch due to working more-but after the next month that should ease off. I also want to wish my dd Alexis a very happy birthday! She is 11 today. My little girl is growing up. Hope everyone has a good week and happy stitching.

Happy Halloween!

Well, I think this is the first that I have went a week without posting. I am in one of those little slumps of no definitive plan as to what I really want to stitch. I have been working on LHN peach fruit pack. I even have been browsing over some of my UFO's. But, nothing just hits me. I hate when this happens. Also, my arthritis has been really bothering me in my right wrist which is my stitching hand. So that does not help either. Anyway, it is very nice weather here in Florida-it actually has been very mild here. A perfect night for trick or treating. Since it is Halloween, I thought I show a picture of an old finish called It's Monster Time by Annalee Waite designs. It happens to be in my finished-I haven't decided what to do with pile-LOL Hope everyone has a great Halloween and happy stitching!

A Happy Dance and Some SBQ's

This is Dream Tree by M Designs completed today. It was done with Passion waterlilies thread and I can't remember the name of fabric. I haven't quite decided what I am going to do with it. It's nice to have another finish though. I hope everyone has a good stitchy weekend.

This weeks (Sept. 28) SBQ is suggested by Lee and is:

As we all know, stitching in the winter can really be rough on the hands. What do you do to treat your hands well in the cold winter months? Do you have any suggestions for creams or soaps? Or perhaps a special regimen that you would like to share?

I have no special regimen. I just make sure to clean my hands and try to make sure there is no oil on them when I stitch. I usually use a shea butter lotion.

This weeks( Oct 18) SBQ is suggested by Vash and is:

Which way do you stitch, i.e. do you stitch /// followed by \\\ on
top, or the other way around \\\ followed by ///? Are you left- or
right-handed and do you think that this affects the way that you stitch?

I am right handed and I stitch /// followed by \\\. I have tried to stitch the other way when stitching over one, but I find it very difficult to do so.

My First Biscornu

Sorry these are not the best pictures. But, here is my first biscornu. I am not to happy with it. I don't think I have it filled enough and I am not to sure that it is big enough. Though, I guess that biscornu's are not to big. If anyone has any thoughts on this or suggestions, I would appreciate it.

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged by Rava

The rules; List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

These are my current favorites-I listen to these sometimes as I check blogs.
Deja Vu-Beyonce
Ring the Alarm-Beyonce
Irreplaceable-Beyonce
Baby Boy-Beyonce
Don't Phunk with My Heart-Black Eyed Peas
My Humps-Black Eyed Peas
Hey Mama-Black Eyed Peas

I tag the following

Jinger- Rae of Sunshine Stitches
Deb -Stitches of Heritage
Faye-Stop the world-I want to get off!
Cindy- Stitching Korner
Michelle Craftee Cab
Tina - An Italian-Scots Stitching Journal
Anne Marie- Wacky Wanderings

I'm back!

That's sounds sort of ominous-LOL. I had an absolutely lovely time at the retreat this weekend. The weather was great and the company was wonderful. It started Friday evening with check in, followed by dinner. We then went to the room we were going to stitch in and at each stitcher's place there was a little denim bag. Well,the bags had different names on it and you were supposed to find the person with that name. Learn as much as you could because you would be introducing that person. It was a really fun way to get to know people. Then we commenced to stitching and a little later we had an ice cream social-very yummy! We also started collecting tickets for various things-so we could win doorprizes. I crashed closed to midnight as I had been up all day.

Saturday started out with breakfast which I missed due to sleeping in a little. We went into our stitching room and on the tables was our first project-a tin topper with all supplies needed to complete it. It was in a little plastic box wrapped in ribbon. Very cute. I decided not start mine yet. We stitched until lunch and then after lunch, we had a massage therapist come and give massages. The first 5 minutes, our LNS owner paid for. But you get extra minutes for a dollar a minute. I won a door prize in the afternoon session-a cute butterfly pattern with needle necessities thread to go with it. Then another lovely dinner followed by more doorprize and our second project of the day.

This was an applique project, something I had not done before. So, it was very interesting. You can see my first attempt at pincushion above. The rest of the evening was spent stitching. Now you did not have to stitch all the time. The camp was very peaceful and quiet and you could out into the water on the pier. Thee was open air church. A very neat place. No TV or telephones in the rooms.Very relaxing.


Our final day consisted of breakfast followed by more stitching. The last of doorprizes were given away. We still had to pull for the final two big doorprizes which were a hand painted lap stand by K's creations and a $65 bundle of thread from Crescent colors. Believe it or not I won the Crescent colors-I was so excited! They are quite lovely and they are all mine! I was also second runner up in our little exhibition. We then said our goodbyes until the next retreat!



Here are tribal beauties completed! A big happy dance for me!

Off to retreat!

Just a quick note to let you know I am off to my stitcher's retreat this weekend. I will be back Sunday morning. I am looking forward to it as the weather here in Northwest Florida and Alabama is a little cooler. Just think guilt free stitching-imagine me doing a Tiger Wood fist pump-LOL I hope everyone has a great weekend with lots of family, fun and stitching! Catch ya Sunday!

Another pinkeep and a stitching update

Well here is my second attempt at a pinkeep. This is actually a special piece for me as it is the very first piece that I ever cross stitched. It has been floating around in my finished pile now for 6 years. It is by Jemini Designs who did peppermint Nick in this years JCS ornament issue. I put a loop on it, as I plan to hang it in my guest bathroom which has s beach theme.


Now, an actual stitching update. Here are my Tribal beauties-whom I hope to have completed this week. I wanted to have two finishes by the time I went to my stitching retreat-but that will not occur. If any of you guys recall this was supposed to be completed in July. I guess better late than never. I am also stitching on 2 pieces which I hope to make into a biscornu. Also, I am trying to decide which projects to take with me on the retreat. I think they will mostly be new-as I have some new stash.

Yes, I have become finishing crazy.....

Well after a little trip to Jo-Ann's this afternoon with my Mom, I decided to tackle the no-sew cube. I used Kim's no sew cube instructions. So, here is the result. It is my alphabet heart. The colors are some of my favorite-lime, sage and purple. The colors match either my bedroom or bath, so I could display it in either place. I think I have been bitten by the finishing bug. Still on the to do list a biscornu and a scissor fob. I have been stitching on an UFO, tribal beauties. They are complete with only the very tedious backstitching and border to do. So, I hope to have a happy dance very soon to share. Got to run now-happy stitching.

A Mini HD and Catching up on SBQ's

This is Goddess Heart by Enchanted Needle. A really quick simple stitch that just appealed to my general sense of funkiness. I haven't quite decided how to finish. I wanted to thank you all for the lovely comments on my flat folds. They are much appreciated and I hope to finish many more things. If anyone of you fabulous stitchers have any tips on scissor fobs I would love to have them. Now on to the SBQ's.

Today's SBQ 8/30/06 was suggested by Carolyn
and is:

How do you share your finished pieces with others? Do you frame them,
scan and/or photograph them, or do you have another method that you
would like to share?

The way I usually share my finishes is in person with my friends,family, and stitching friends. Now, if I am giving it away. I usually frame my finishes. Now that I am blogging, I always photograph my finishes and place online. I would eventually like to do an album with pictures of all my finishes

Today's SBQ 9/21/06 was suggested by Elisabeth and is:

How many pieces have you stitched? Out of these, how many have been
for you? How many have had specialty stitches or other techniques
besides cross stitch?

In the six years I have been stitching, I have completed 38 pieces. I have given 7 pieces away. Maybe one or two had a Smyrna stitch, but no other stitches that I recall.
However, I am aiming to branch out.

Today's SBQ was suggested by Me and is:

When you find yourself making a lot of mistakes in various stitching
projects do you find it better to muddle your way through or do you
take a brief break from stitching? If you do take a break, how long do
you take?

I have found it better just to forge ahead. If I get frustrated, I will put it down for awhile. Sometimes I am just tired and I pick it up again the next day. It sometimes depends on how close I am to finishing the project. I have a UFO from 2 years ago that I just picked up again. I got so frustrated that I just couldn't work on it. I haven't had a real break in stitching besides a few days for a long time now.

Flat Fold # 2

Here is my second flat fold attempt. This time it was done completely by the no sew method. The pattern is Lizzie Kate's. I have had this in my finished stack since 2002. I never could figure out what I wanted to do with it until now. It is also the very first piece that I stitched on linen. I haven't crossed stitched on Aida since then. I am very happy to have it out of the finished pile and to be able to enjoy it out and about in my home.

My First Flat Fold!

Well, I have completed my first flat fold and I must say I am reasonably happy with it. I used Judy Odells Flat Fold Book. The book was great as it provided step by step instructions and pictures. (Lord knows I needed pics) My only complaint would be that as a novice sewer I knew nothing about the ladder stitch and it doesn't tell whether or not to use regular sewing thread.

Lucky for me Anne at Feather Stitching had just completed a flat fold and she answered a couple of questions for me. Thanks Anne! I asked her if she sewed or glued her pieces together. Her stitching is so beautiful you can't tell! She sewed her pieces together. But, she had provided a link for a no sew flat fold here. What's a sistah to do? After much indecision, I decided to glue the front two pieces together using tacky glue. Because, a sewer I am not. I then put it under something very heavy for a couple of hours, and this is the finished project. I made the bow myself.

One of the reasons I am glad it came out okay-is because this gives me more finishing options. My next goal is to try a box. But stitching friends don't hold your breath on that one just yet-LOL

ETA: The no sew flat fold instructions are courtesy of Kim from In Stitches. She also has no sew cube instructions which you can find here . Thanks Kim!

My First Pinkeep

Well after fiddling and fooling around for three hours, I finally produced my first pinkeep. Let me tell you the mind ain't what it used to be-as I made it much harder on myself than it should have been. Hint to myself-read the instructions all the way through! Thanks to Cathy from With Needle and Thread for emailing me the instructions. This is one back I will not be showing! It looks okay for a first attempt I guess. Now you guys be honest and if you have any helpful tips-help a sistah out and send them along! Now off to try a flat fold! Wish me luck.

Village Fish Market HD !

This is village fish market by Bent Creek. Barbara at Mainely Stitching enabled me on this one because she stitched such a pretty one for Isabelle. I call this one my funky fish market as I changed the colors to suit my kitchen which has an orange accent wall.

New Pillows Part 2!

Picked up my finished pillows tonight from my LNS, I am so pleased as they are to go in my daughter's room. I asked that they be fun and funky and I got these great pillows with beads. I love the beads! Of course, they will be set up and away from my fur babies because I am sure they would love the beads too! I love getting completed items back whether it be framer or finisher! Hopefully, one day soon I will be able to finish some of my stitching finishes.

The first pillow design is by Monsterbubbles and it is called Aquarius. The pattern came from Just Cross Stitch Mag. My favorite part besides the colors is the sun in the middle. Diva is designs by Lisa. I thought it really fit my daughter as she can be a little high maintenance-LOL! It was stitched in Kreinik metallic thread. My daughter's room is a lovely shade of bubble gum pink with a flower border of red, orange, purple and fuschia. So, the pillows will go very well.

A few people asked about the stitcher's retreat I am going to next month! It is called the Needle Fair and is being held by Needle Delights. It is being held at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope, Al. It's about an hour from me-so not far to go. Package included meals. I think there was only more spot available. I was lucky as I decided at the last minute to go. Anyway, I must run. Happy stitching!

QG Update

Prior and current progress on Quaker Garden. Sorry the top picture is so dark! Working slowly but surely, of course it would help if I would stop misplacing my threads. I am going to have to get organized as I am spending a lot of time pawing through stash to get certain colors or patterns. By the time I am finished looking-I am almost too exhausted to stitch. So, although I would love to have a chifferobe to store my stitching stuff in-it won't happen anytime soon. I am going to have get some storage drawers in the interim.

In other exciting news I signed up to go to my first stitcher's retreat in October! Looking forward to that! Currently stitching on QG and working on Village Fish Market by Bent Creek! I have some stash to share, but will post later! Happy stitching!

Framed Finishes!

Coffee Menu by Little House Needleworks

Princess and the Pea by Raise the Roof Designs



A Name Above Every Name from the magazine For the Love of Cross Stitch. I cross stitched this and gave to my Mom as a Christmas gift.



Now with a big old drumroll!! Angel of Winter by Lavender and Lace stitched by my Mom! It took her 8 months I believe and it is so gorgeous. I couldn't resist posting it here. Congratulations Mom!

We take a break in service for.....

kitty love. Here is Kojack-who is visiting me this morning from atop my computer desk! He is a mischievous little devil! He likes to climb everywhere and I have to watch him in the morning as he likes to wake me up by chasing my feet under the covers! Ever been woken up with a kitty claw in the feet-let me tell you it ain't pleasant. But, I love him!

Freebie Heart Link

Lesly asked for the freebie heart link and here it is!

Freebie Heart

SBQ 8/24/06 and a Happy Dance!

Today's SBQs was suggested by Anna and is:
What do you keep your WIP's and other stitching supplies in when traveling?

I usually use the the largest size plastic storage bag-which I think is the 2.5 gallon size. I carry those in my stitching bag. My stitching bag changes depending on how many projects I like to take with me. I do have a large Longaberger boardwalk basket that I usually use. It can hold lots of stuff.




This is I love my carbs by a Needle and Fred. Completed 8/27/06 I chose this project as a quick stitch. Now I do love my carbs, but these days I follow a low carb diet-sometimes its very hard, but I lost over fifty pounds in the last year so I really try to stick to it! I can't remember the name of the fabric-but it is a more lime green than shown in the picture. Happy stitching !

SBQ 8/9/06 & 8/16/06 and a past finish

Well, I thought I would catch up with the last two weeks stitching bloggers questions-better late than never!

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ami and is:For those of you who use hand or over-dyed floss, how do you store it?
I have no special system to store my floss. I usually like to use the floss away bags and metal rings. I have been trying to find a better way of storage as I collect more and more different brands of floss.

Today's SBQ's were suggested by Ami and Anna:

Do you have an organizational system for your fabric? If so, what is
it? If not, what do you store your fabric in?

How do people store their fabric, especially those small but
potentially usable pieces? Do they sort by count? How do they label it
or otherwise know what each piece is?

I usually keep all fabric with the project it goes with-this is so I won't get confused later. Loose fabrics usually are stored in a plastic storage bag. I keep all my stash stuff in rubbermaid containers currently-but I am looking for other ways to store it. I would love to have an chifferobe or something like that to keep my stash in. I mostly use 28 count linen-so therefore don't have to keep my fabrics really separated! I have been trying to keep my linen labeled with what color it is and who it is by.



This is a finish from a couple of years ago. It is called porcelain geisha by Creative Concepts who are no longer in business. I thought it was very interesting and the eyes are my favorite part!

Summer Suits Me HD!

Completed 8/18/2006
August 2006 Silver Needle secret needle night pattern called summer suits me.