Just a little something for spring.

I'm not really one to stitch small projects, but here's one I just put together for a gift. I love the way the overdyed silk works on this "Waterlily" linen. And the tassels and twisted cord in complementary DMC colors just add the right touch.

And I found this perfect print as soon as I walked into the quilting room at Angelwing NeedleArts (my LNS).

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Me Time!

For all my twitter and Facebook buddies, this is why you don't see me on-line in the evenings! I must have my stitching time.

That column on the left hand side where my needle is parked is almost at the bottom of the piece. So if I keep up this pace, I should be done by early next week. I am having so much fun...and isn't that the point?

Of course, if you saw the pile of stuff lined up behind this one that I'm ready to start you'd laugh your head off.  Unless you're a stitcher...and you are just nodding your heads, aren't you?

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To Some it May be Boring...

It's amazing how quickly you work when you don't have to worry about changing colors. Not only that, you don't have to spend so much time reading the chart because there's only one symbol! You are just checking for position.  That being said, I'm not done yet, but it's moving along nicely.

Remember what I said about going to the dark right brain side?  Well, I can't seem to get away from this sampler to work on SoHRH. So maybe I'm not there yet.

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Ooooh, Another Giveaway!

Do you know what a flower frog is?  Well, it's also a great way to display your embroidery scissor collection. You can look for them in antique shops or ...

Debbie, at Thread Gatherer blog, is having a great giveaway too! 

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Something Special

I thought Spring was here, but it's another gloomy day, perfect for stitching. So that's what I'm doing. But because I'm a nice person, I decided to let you in on a giveaway I'd really like to win myself.  Feel free to be magnanimous and not enter so that I'll have a better chance. :)  But you should definitely follow Terrie's blog. 

check out this giveaway at 

"Sprinkles" -- Terrie's blog

but don't enter...I want to win. LOL

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Oh Boy, A New Start!

I'm really getting into this guilt free, start whatever you want, nobody cares thing!  It's quite liberating. Maybe my brain is switching over to the right side.

I thought about starting block 8 of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow (SoHRH), but I am substituting my personalization for the memorial stuff in the original.  And I'm not really in the mood to chart it out, so...

I kitted up two new projects. "Quaker Diamonds" by Rosewood Manor.  I cannot abide stitching on 28 count anymore, so I'm stitching it on some 40 count Lambswool linen that I have pre-stained with coffee.  This means that I cannot use the spools of Valdani thread that is called for in the chart. When I was on my stitching vacation, Laura and I went to her LNS, Haus Tirol, in Williamsburg.  They had a thread pack of the same colors in six strand floss, so now I have them.

But that's not what I decided to start. The second kit I put together is "Quaker Hornbook Noir" from Mon Ami Pierre.  I'm stitching it on a hand-dyed 40 count, but I have no idea where it came from. I chose a really dark shade of brown Splendor. (#852) I haven't gotten far, but it's fun.

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See What I Made with Maudie's Beads!

About three weeks ago I saw a post about a bead giveaway on Maudiesart blog. So I flew over to the blog and was astounded by the lovely lampwork beads that Ann made and was giving away to whomever commented on the set they'd like to have!  My pudgy little fingers were flying over the keys in my haste to claim the emerald green and mauve bead set.  And lo and behold, about 4 days later they arrived in my mailbox! I ripped open that package and went straight to my workbench. I have to admit I didn't make anything right then. I let them lay there for a few days among some complementary beads that I tossed on the bead mat. I had a concept in my head, but I didn't want to rush anything. 

Over the weekend, I finally started assembling my set. I made a scissor fob using several of the lampwork beads and a set of knitting stitch markers
using one of them for the beginning of the round marker. Then I made large and small counting pins for cross stitch and needlepoint that match and a set of crochet stitch markers that match.  I love this fob so much I really don't want to give it up, but put it in my Etsy shop anyway. If you hurry, you might just be able to add the whole set to your collection.

And you really need to see all the lovely beads that are available from Maudies. And visit her shop on Etsy too.  You'll be inspired to make something really beautiful. (Plus, the fish beads are too cute to believe!)

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People are so nice to me!

I am such a procrastinator. I have received three lovely blog awards recently and have completely neglected to pass them on until now.  I have a really hard time with this because there are so many wonderful blogs out there...and I'm a lazy, no-good, blogger.  But I'm going to give it a shot!

 I received this Sunshine Award from two wonderful friends, PussDaddy and Eline, at From the High North. I'm still not sure why, but I thank both of them. PussDaddy is on blog hiatus, but she'll be back, I just know it. And Eline's blog is one you'll definitely want to check out for all the interesting things she does besides her beautiful knitting.

The Sunshine Blog Award is awarded to bloggers whose positive and creativity inspires others in the blog world.  (I hear you laughing.)

The rules for accepting the award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

So here goes...in alphabetical order.  Enjoy. I know I do.


A Little Piece of Me
Between Crosses with Nina
Beth Anderson Pulls the Wool
Carolina Stitcher
Ink Circles: Pens and Needles
LakeStitcher
Notes from Blue Hen Hollow
Samplings From a Blue Ribbon Girl
Spinster Stitcher
Stitch Wizard
The Twisted Stitcher
Three Cool Pugs and Me

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Ta-Da!

"Pigalle" is done!  Woohoo! 

Now all I have to do is frame it.  I have two mouldings in stock that I like. What do you think?  I'm leaning towards the narrow one.  I'll have to cut down the frame, but that's not a problem.  I haven't done any framing in a quite a while.  I'd like to get this one done quickly so that I can loan it to Donna at Angelwing Needlearts for a shop model.  My version is so different from the cover model that hopefully it will encourage others to be brave and not worry about the cross-stitch police.

Speaking of my version...I stitched it on 40 count Tundra from Lakeside Linens, using 1 strand of floss over 2 fabric threads.  One skein of each was sufficient, except for the navy DMC.  I used two+ skeins!  So make sure you have enough of whatever you decide to use.  And remember that if you choose to stitch it on a larger count that you will probably want to use 2 strands and your stitches will be larger so you will need significantly more floss. These are the color changes that I made.

GAST Antique Rose --> GAST Hyacinth

GAST Briar Rose -->  GAST Red Plum

GAST Gold Leaf  --> GAST Avacado

GAST Wood Rose -->  WDW Dutch Iris

GAST Fragrant Cloves --> GAST Briar Rose

GAST Woodsmoke -->  GAST Walnut

GAST Raven --> DMC 939 Dark Navy **

Remember that most of these hand-dyed fibers can have significant dye lot differences, so play around with them and make changes if you aren't satisfied with the way they blend. That's what I had to do.

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Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit

If you can't make it to Woodlawn this year, check out the slide show. There are some really wonderful pieces entered this year. What's your fav?

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Just a Little Progress on Pigalle

Just got back from a weekend visiting my mom.  I decided to quit posting about my time away because apparently there are some not-very-nice people out there looking for that kind of thing so they can advertise the fact to all their criminal buddies on a stinkin' web site! What the heck is wrong with people? Anyway, I don't get a lot of stitching done when I'm there, but here's an update. 

I'm planning to park my generous rear end on the couch tonight and stitch until I can't focus anymore.  Which may be early since I don't sleep real well when I'm away from home.  I'm getting to be more and more of an old fuddy-duddy every day.  And frankly, if you could hear Lester snore, you'd be more sympathetic.

As you can see, there isn't that much left to do.  But my plan to have it framed and loaned to my LNS by March 22nd, may be in jeopardy.  I really need to work on my Etsy inventory. I've gone through three dozen needle threaders in the last ten days. And I'm running low on book thongs too.  I think they will make great teacher gifts...pertinent and affordable!

Maybe the next time you see it Pigalle will done.

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A Good Time Was Had by All!

Laura and I had a wonderful week. We stitched, shopped for stitching stuff, talked stitching, looked through stitching stash, bitched about stitching, bitched about not having enough time to stitch...You get the picture.  We didn't even have to cook!  Laura's DH has been doing all the cooking since he retired at the first of the year and lucky for us, he's not bored with it yet.  What a deal!

 
I posted pics once while I was gone, but I have more now.  I haven't had a lot of time to stitch but I have worked on Pigalle at night while watching all the shows I recorded. (Thank heaven for the DVR!)  I'm hoping to finish it within two weeks.  And since I can't put it down at night until I can't focus any longer, I should be able to do it.

I have been so busy catching up with all my Etsy work and pinning a couple of pieces for the frame shop, etc. that I haven't even unpacked yet. Then again, it always takes me a couple of days to get to that. Anyway, if you haven't stopped by the shop lately, check out some of the new things. I'm always adding fobs, and counting pins and even bookmarks for when you don't feel like stitching.

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