July's almost done

I can't believe we are nearing the end of July already.  Our weather has become unseasonably cool and is rainy today.  Personally I don't mind a bit.  I completed my PS July ornament earlier this week and thought I should show it before August shows up.  Here he is, Mr. Bald Eagle.  He's quite snappy looking, I think.

I also completed my July installment of John Foster.  These birds are very unusually colored.  I'm thinking August will be the tree on the other side or the roof of the huge house in the middle of the sampler.  I'm hoping for some house construction.

I couldn't resist stitching a little more on Caroline Baird.  I've done a little more but not worth showing.  It's mainly leaf parts and stem parts.  It doesn't progress very quickly.  I believe that to be because #1, it's being done on 40 count and number two there are lots of color changes.  This one is going to be slow going but I really love it.  I like to see the flower buds emerge.  I'll be taking out that blue sulky filament soon as I don't need it any more.

I took Caroline off my Millennium Frame and put Susan Singleton back on.  She has her house under construction.  That's a lot of stitching but it's moving along well. 

I'm listening to Fall of Giants while I stitch.  It's a really good book.  I have a really weird way of picking books that all play into each other in some way.  I love historic novels.  I hated history in school and I think it's because there were no personal stories involved.  The novels give an interest to the time period while also giving much more in depth information of the events that were going on.  At the moment, it's all about the beginning of World War I.  This also ties in to Downton Abby and how the aristocrats lived.  Just so interesting.  Nothing like a good book on CD while stitching.

Marsha

New Winner!

The winner of my 60th Birthday giveaway is Cucki!  I have let her know and will be awaiting her snail mail address.  3 cheers for Cucki!  cucki stitching cove

Marsha

New Bag

A couple of weekends ago I decided that I would like to sew up this bag from Fresh Figs.  'The One Piece Bag". It's way bigger than I thought it would be but does make a nice roomy project bag.

I did use a magnetic closure but did not put on feet.  It's too squishy and big for feet to make a difference, in my opinion.

 There are no pockets which is a downside but they would be easy to add to the lining before assembly.

On another note, sad to say that TNLadybug has not contacted me.  This is the second giveaway where I've run into this problem.  In the future, I will require emails if you don't have a blog or be open only to bloggers.  Kinda takes the fun out of your giveaway.  That being said, I will be do another draw this evening after work so someone can win my 60th birthday giveaway.  Stay tuned.

Marsha

And the winner is?

I couldn't wait to find out who won so, at 5 minutes after midnight I used a random number generator.
The number is 32!  TNLadybug!  Congratulations!  Please contact me this week so I can send you your package.

Thanks to all my new followers.  It was fun to read all the comments. I love this blogging world.  Since I now have over one hundred followers, thank you very much, TNLadybug will also receive enough 32 ct. Linen to finish all the charts.

Marsha

June?

What happened!  It's the 4th of July! I miss June already.  Ahh well.  It was a beautiful month.  A little hot but not too bad.  Before we get to the stitchy stuff, I'm going to make you suffer through some flower pictures from around my yard.  The roses and flowers have been gorgeous this year.

I got this hosta 12 years ago for our 25th wedding anniversary.  It's called 'silver anniversary'.  It is huge now.



I was scouting out some new flowers at my local nursery/fruit stand and kept smelling the most wonderful lily smell.  I followed my nose and found the source.  It's a proven winner 'Bonaire'.  Heavenly.  I will be planting it now that the flowers are done blooming.

This is part of my front walkway.  The large rhododendrons are covered in purple blooms in the spring. 

I love my pee wee oak leaf hydrangea and the newest blue one in the back was planted last summer and has taken off like crazy.  I think those proven winners are worth their somewhat expensive price.

On a whim I decided to start stitching another round of Prairie Schooler monthly ornaments.  I decided since I have three children maybe they'd each like a year of pillows that I made. I have LHD's monthly series and Prairie Schooler's first series. 

A relaxing, comfort stitch as my friend, Lisa, The Inspired Stitcher says. These will all be done on 32 ct. natural linen, two ply DMC. Jam packed with stitching.

This week I pulled out Penny America by Tree of Life Samplings.  I think I started last July and only got a few flowers done on the left.  For some reason, this year I got all the flowers, basket and fireworks completed.  The penny borders on the right and left will be left for another stitch fest. Who knows, maybe by next July I'll finally get it finished.

I was hoping for a brighter day to take its picture, but it's been pouring most of the day here.  This is done on 36 ct macadamia nut linen from Tree of Life Sampling.  She did not have the 40 ct. at the time that I ordered.  It's a gorgeous color linen.

This is a picture of it completed.  That's a lot of border stitching but easier to do.



And now for the fun part.  In all the years I've been buying charts (starting in 1976), I have very rarely bought duplicates.  Maybe 2 or 3 times.  But I did it in May and surprised myself.  I have one whole binder of Prairie Schooler and was sure I did not have these designs.  Silly me, I had them both.  What a banana head.

Well now, it's your lucky day.  I recently celebrated my 60th birthday with a great party.  I tried to get it together to have a giveaway at the same time and draw a winner on my birthday but I'm not that organized anymore. You know, being 60 and all. Sooo, I'm having a giveaway now!  You will get both of these wonderful Prairie Schooler charts.

 You'll also win ALL the DMC threads that are used in the charts, the floss bags to keep them in, and a nice big ring to keep them all together.



Oh, and one more thing.  I've been trying to get to 100 followers.  So, tell your friends, neighbors and countrymen (that stitch and would like to win) to sign up as a legit follower.  I will be pulling a winner on July 15th.  If I have 100 followers by the 15th, I'll also add enough natural color linen in 32 count to finish all of these ornaments. ( by that, I mean, the front side.  You'll need your own fabric for the back) I only need 8 more followers!

Happy Stitching!

Marsha