Shining Needle Project

Recently I signed up for an online project with The Shining Needle Society.  It is a counted cross project by Kathy Rees of Needle Delights Originals called the Sherwood Garden.  It has been a lot fun and a quick weekly project to work on. 

Each week a new lesson is sent and I cannot wait to start it.  I think I will try this one again in another color scheme.

I am still working on the Maryland Sampler but it is getting behind in progress.  Here are a few shots of my progress.

Hope you all have a Wonderful Mother Day.  It is good to see the sun shining on us today and hopefully our weather is getting better.  I really hope to put my winter coat away for good. 

A Maryland Inspiration

For the start of 2013 I decided to stitch with friends on the "A Maryland Inspiration" Sampler by Heart's Ease Examplar Workes.

What a project and this is going to be a huge commitment.  In the first month everyone was working towards getting the outer board done.  No Way.  This thing is huge and doing it on a 40 count is a challenge.  Here is an idea of how large this project is.

 

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Sampler Symposium at Attic Needlework.  While I was there I picked up an awesome frame.  Jean from the shop told me about putting my fabric to the back of the frame so that I could run my needle under the frame easier. This is so great.  It also makes it easier to work on the 40 count fabric.  The size and shape of this hoop is amazing.

 

 

During my visit to Arizona I spent time with family.  On a trip to the Lost Dutchman State Park we got a chance to see the most amazing hawk.  It is a Harris Hawk.

 

 

Here is an amazing sunset at the park.

 

 

Being back at home in the cold and snow makes it really hard since I got to enjoy a wonderful weekend in Arizona.

 

Time to stitch and forget about the cold.

Retreat Photos

I realized tonight looking at my camera that I forgot to share a few pictures from Inspired Needle's Retreat in October.  It was a great event and a good time to share with old and new friends.  Here is Cathy from Inspired Needle and her buddies.

 

Deb, Cathy, Pam, and Grace....  Great Ladies

 

Last year I went to Dying 2 Stitch's retreat in Virginia Beach and met a really lovely lady Rita from Ohio.  I told her about Cathy's retreat and she was able to come out with her friend Kim.  It was great to get more time to talk and stitch together.

 

 

Rita, me, and Kim

 

 

Cathy did setup a great shop area at the retreat.  She had lots of fabric, patterns, and even a couple of trunk shows.  It is amazing how much she was able to fit into her van and bring out for us to shop. 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great time and I have lots more to stitch up.  Never ending stash.

 

Have a good week and hope you can fit in some stitching during your rush for the holidays.







Blog Giveaway

This is just a quick post to announce that Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a 25 Days of Christmas and Giveaway.  Make sure you go to her blog at www.victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com and become a follower and check each day to see if you have won a wonderful prize.  Good luck to you all.....

I have been doing lots of stitching but haven't taken any photos.  I need to that and provide you with updates.

Inspired Needle

Excitement is in the air as it is time for the Inspired Needle's retreat in Shipshewanna Indiana.  There will be tons of stitching time, shopping in town, and lots of great food.  Oh, also lots of time meeting new ladies and sharing stitching tricks.

I made a small exchange for the retreat.  This was a free pattern by Plum Street Samplers.

 

 

 

This was my first time doing a flatfold.  It is not perfect but I am pleased with how it turned out.  Watch later for more updates from the event.

 

Happy Stitching.....

The Winner Is

Thank you all for your comments on the Wedding Sampler.  It truly made me feel happier.

For the Christmas Ornament magazine the winner is..........

Angela....

Email is on the way for your address.  Congrats and enjoy.

Have a good weekend stitching.

Wedding Sampler & Giveaway

Recently I completed a wedding sampler for a family wedding.  This is "I Thee Wed" from Blackbird Designs.  I had a few issues with colors not being the same quality as it must have been when this design was previous published.  I made a few changes but I think I could have done a better job.  Oh well, it got done on time and framed.

Here it is after being framed.

The problem I had was with the grass.  It called for Dandelion Stem by Crescent Colors but it was such a bright green with no variegation that I was afraid it would not work.  I substituted Dried Thyme by Gentle Arts.  The color changes as I hoped but the letters did not appear as well as I wanted. Here is a close up of the lettering.

Hopefully next time I think of doing something as a gift such as this I will allow more time in making the decisions, stitching, and framing.

Now for something exciting and something I have never done before.  This is my first giveaway. 

If you would like to receive a copy of this magazine please leave me a comment and a way to contact you.  You have until 5pm on October 19th to leave a comment.  I will pull a name on the 19th and then as soon as I have your name I will e-mail you for a mailing address.  So, good luck and hopefully there are some of you interested in getting this ornament edition. 

Until later happy stitching.