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.

Spring Finishes

At last I have been productive with my stitching stash.  When you have a goal to get items done for something very important you seem to pick-up an astounding pace.  First up is a project I started on back in January of 2011 and then put it back in the stash pile.

 

Flag Day by With thy Needle & Thread

Conversion Design by Shepherd's Bush

Is this one great!!!!  I love the color changes and buttons.  I cannot wait to have this framed. I have a few great ideas.

Next up is a pattern that I saw at my LNH.  Several of the stitchers got together and came up with color changes in silks.  The shop owner at Inspired Needle put it together as a kit with fabric.  I just love this one. 

"Spring Robin" by Widgets & Wool Primitives

Conversions by Inspired Needle

The final completion of this month is.......

"Tis the Season" by Blackbird Designs

This one I did on a fabric called "Patina" and the only color that I changed was the white called Vanilla Pudding.  I changed it to Icing by Crescent Colours.  My photo does not give this picture true justification.  Hopefully once it is framed it will show up better. 

I cannot tell you how exciting it is to get three projects done and ready for finishing.  Next week I will let you all in on my secret adventure coming up.  In the meantime have a great week and lots of good stitching time.

Easter Is Coming

Well, I finished an Easter Project this last weekend but forgot to take a picture of it before dropping it off to be framed.  So, here is the picture from the booklet.

I finished the Rabbit and it is very lovely.  A few years ago I did the basket of flowers (picture below).  I just love the colors in this project.
Yesterday I picked up the Garden of Love that I finished in February.  I just love the way this one was finished.

I love the plaid fabric. The purple color really makes this design stand out.

Happy Easter.....

February Stitching

There has been a lot of progress going on in my projects but I know that my blog has not represented it lately.  Everytime I think I am going to sit down and post there isn't either enough time to take pictures, poor lightening, or I am just too tired to get the laptop or camera out.  So, today I was on mission to iron my projects and take advantage of daylight for photos. 

First: Inspired Needle in Lemont is working with a group of stitchers to offer a new small project each month of 2012.  I didn't pick up the January project but did grab the opportunity to do the February project which is "Garden of Love" by Citrouille's Designs.  I just love the fabric and threads that were put into this kit.  The threads are what the pattern called for.

Second:  Margaret Cottam by La D Da.  I just love this design and currently working on Part 2.  It took me a while to be excited by using only one thread on this design but the more I have done the greater it is looking.

Next up, I continue to work on the following designs from Blackbird Designs - Loose Feathers and With thy Needle & Thread - mystery sampler Birds of a Feather.

Lastly, I have done a bit of progress on Winter Floral Sampler from the designer Knotted Tree.  I just love the colors and how they pop on this fabric.

At the end of 2011 I did finish a project but didn't get a picture taken of it.  I am attending a class this Friday at Inspired Needle which we will put our finished projects onto a box as shown on the pattern by Blackbird.  This design is called Morning Star.  I love this.....

I hope to get a good scan of this pattern that I completed and add it to a necklace.  Right now the printer and I are not playing well together.  I will send DH to tackle it.  Course, only after he finishes the wonderful roast he put in the oven today.

The last update that I have really been behind on is the ABC Stitching Gals project.  There are three of us working on Prairie Schoolers ABCs and so far I am way, way, way behind on this project.  I did work more the other day on the pumpkin but I think someone is taking out the stitches on me since I am not able to get to the end of this pumpkin.  Here is my progress.... UGH......

Ellen has gotten a lot done on hers.  She off onto her third letter.  Here is her progress:

Keep up the good work Ellen.  Cannot wait to see what you send to me next.

As soon as I finish up my February small Garden of Love I have two new projects to decide on.  They are both for February but I think this will one will be my focus.  It is With Thy Needle & Thread's -
Be My Valentine. 

This was an easy decision since I get to eat the chocolates first.  Yummmmmmm

Well, see, I have been doing a lot of stitching.  Just a slow blogger.  I haven't set any goals for 2012 like I failed at in 2011 but I have changed the way I sit down and stitch.  Each time I sit down to stitch I pick up one of these projects and have made a habit of switching to a different one the next time.  If I have a good week of stitching I should be able to touch each of them with at least an hour of stitching time.

As I was taking pictures of my projects my the living room window I happened to look outside and caught this picture.  I am going to call it the "Lady in Pink".  This girl was completely dressed in pink and was walking her standard size poodle.  The poor poodle had its head dyed pink to match her coat.  I wish I had a better camera that was able to get a closer shot.  Enjoy....

 That poor dog....  I wonder how long the pink dye lasts or if it will run in the rain.

Happy Thanksgiving

Time is moving quickly.  We are sitting here tonight making our list for dinner on Thanksgiving.  Wow, I cannot believe it is almost here.  So, to all of my stitching buddies have a great Thanksgiving.

Here is the 10th of the month update for the ABC Prairie Schooler from Ellen.  She has finished A, working on B and has started on C.  Way to go....

As for the rest of us, well, I guess you will have to see what next month brings.  I only added a few more stitches to mine so that really isn't worth a picture. 

Last Sunday I got a chance to sit and stitch at Inspired Needle in Lemont.  Not only did I sit and stitch but I did do a bit of shopping also.  I purchased "Winter Floral Sampler" by Knotted Tree.  I need to give this one a start right away.

The colors on this pattern are great.  I cannot wait to work more on this. 

Also, last Saturday/Sunday I got a lot done on Summer - Loose Feathers by Blackbird Design.  Just in time since I picked up the next section Autumn.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

There is Fall in The Air

What a wonderful time to sit and stitch. Happy Fall!!!! I just wished I had more hours each day in which to get my projects done.  I love the fall time and the projects I have lined up.  Here is my progress on Prairie Moon project.

If you are working on this project or getting ready to start it I have found a few items that are in the photo and not correctly graphed.  So, watch picture of the design closely against the pattern. 

Also, I just couldn't wait to start a new Laura Perin design.  This is called Mardi Gras. I love the design, colors, and challenges. 

This photo doesn't really capture the color of this project.  Here is the full design photo from the pattern.

To keep up with all of the projects I have going on I pickup a different one each time I sit down to stitch.  That way I feel like I am starting or progressing on an exciting design.  When I keep working on the same project every time I get that burned out feeling because I am not seeing my progress as I should.

Here is my progress on the newest Loose Feathers from Blackbird Designs.  I cannot wait to see the next  part to this project.

Hey ABC Prairie Schooler Stitchy Gals, it is time for you to send me your progress updates.  Send it to me  over the weekend and I will get it posted next week unless either one of you are ready yet to start your own BLOGS.....

I find myself getting up on Sundays and spending the morning hours working on this.  Doing over one requires me to have eyes that are fully rested.  By time I get done working on this my eyes always need rest.

Yesterday I go the recent copy of "Just Cross Stitch" for Nov/Dec 2011.  I just fell in love with this project and have added it to my list of "Got to do in 2011".  I love the cardinals in the photo and the colors being used are just amazing.  This is called Red Birds by Marie Barber. This design reminds me of an old fashion post card.

Sorry for the bad picture.  Kind of hard to hold the magazine and camera at the same time.

Well, I am going to sign off with a picture of a secret I have been working on.  This package contains an ornament that I recently completed for a swap.  Once this has taken place I will let you see my handy work.  I am so excited with this.  Not only did I create on this project but I finished it also.  That doesn't happen to often around here but with all the recent tutorials being posted I found the instructions on how to do it.  It came out great.  Trust me....

Enjoy your weekend and happy stitching.....

Halloween Feeling and Giveaway

Isn't it amazing all of the new Halloween patterns that are coming out and what fun it is to see everyone busy working on them.  I found the following Giveaway that you just have to go over and look at:

http://countrycreationsbydenise.blogspot.com/

This is so adorable.  It will be given away on Sept 1st.  Good luck everyone but I hope I win it.

I spent some time working on Prairie Moon halloween pattern.  I noticed an error in the pattern and by following the picture I put the missing items in.  I hope they look okay.  It is around the skull head.  The line above it was not on the pattern or the crosses.

I cannot wait to stitch the new Blackbird Design Halloween Eve.  I think this one will be close to the size of the one I did of theirs a few years ago. 

Good luck on your projects.

Picture Stitched

If you saw my last blog you saw that my SIL stitched up a picture of our church window for my mother.  Well, she surprised me last week with a stitched picture of my puppies.  What a treat.  Take a look:

She used a software from a website www.myphotostitch.com.  This is amazing. It is a perfect picture of Josie and Brinkley.  I love it.  And again, this one is also done on 14 count vinyl and done in one week.  All I can say is she is very talented and amazing.  THANK YOU SIS.....

Here is my progress on the latest Loose Feathers.  Heads up there is a mistake that was found in the pattern and you can get this information from Blackbird's blog on my blog list.

This is a short blog so I can get some stitching time in before bedtime.

Latest Stitching Progress

When it is so hot outside there is nothing better than curling up on the sofa in a cool house stitching.  I have finally found some time in the past couple of evenings to pickup my sewing.  Course, I had to make a few trips to the LNS to get some new projects to work on even though I still have tons in my stash to get accomplished.  Added to my started projects are:

The latest Loose Feathers - Summer from Blackbird Designs.

I started this Sunday evening.  I think this is going to be a lot fun since the next two releases of the series will be added onto this piece of fabric.  Cool idea.

Next up is Thine is the Trick and the Treat by Prairie Moon. 

I love this fabric which is called "Relic". I am using something new for me from ThreadWorx.  The color is an overdyed Black.  It looks great.  This is how much I got done on Saturday after getting home from the LNS with my new purchase.

The prior weekend I spent time with my friends at a stitching retreat.  JBW and Lizzie Kate were the teachers.  What a great time.  I did get the project done from JBW. It is a really neat needle case that is very easy to stitch up and is in a completed needle roll.  What a great idea for those that are not as handy doing finishing.  That's me!!!!!

It is always so much fun to spend stitchy time with the girls.  I just wished we had more stitching events to go to that are close to home like this one was.

The last item I cannot wait to share with you is a special project that my SIL completed for my mother.  The picture used for this project was the stain glass window at our church.  She took a photo of it and sent it away to be charted.  What else is really neat is this was done on 14 count vinyl.  AMAZING.....

The detail on this is perfect. She had to add in a lot of outlining to accent each piece of glass that is in this window.  I never thought this could be done on 14 count.  I am so used to linen that I couldn't imagine doing this on anything else to get the effect of the window that she did.

Hope you are all staying cool in the awful heat.  You know it is bad when you cannot get your dogs to outside.  They are totally happy staying in front of the vent letting the cool air blow over their fur.

Slow Progress

It is always amazing to look at all the stitching blogs and see how fast you all stitch. Well, if you are waiting and looking at mine you can take a nice long catnap.  Sometimes it is so hard to find the time to sit down and stitch.  We have been busy with the day to day activities of life and by time I find a few minutes to sit down and stitch it is around bedtime.  Course, my favorite time to stitch is early on Sunday morning during all of the wonderful cooking shows.  I won't even mention how bad I am at updating my blog.  I think you know if I update it at least once a month I am doing good.

Here is my current progress on the three projects that I have going on:

Flag Day by With Thy Needle

Winter Wonderland by Blackbird Designs

Sunflower Star by Laura Perin

It is funny to look at the first one - Flag Day and imagine it would look better if I got her head done.  This one is going slow for me since I am using a frame to stitch on.  I am use to stitching without one so that I can sew instead of stab.  This one is going to look really nice once I get it done.

Recently DH and I spent a weekend in Kohler, Wisc at The American Club.  Kohler has a really neat design center of all their fixtures, sinks, tubs, and toilets.  What is really special is that hotel also has some of the really neat products in the rooms.  Our room had the most beautiful sinks.  Isn't this the neatest!!!

We had a wonderful time and used this weekend to celebrate the event of getting engaged 20 years ago.  The hotel was so sweet and made us a treat with our dinner to celebrate.



We will have to go back in two years when we are ready to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary.  I hope they don't remember us so we can do this treat again.

Okay, need to hit some stitching time before bedtime and make better progress of my 2011 project list.  Have a good weekend and enjoy your stitching time.