Happy St Patrick's Day

Monday's are going to turn into UFO project day for me.  If I pick up something within my UFO stash that are close to being done I should be able to get the stash reduced.  Today I was able to finish up Lucky by Shepherd's Bush.

Sorry for the wrinkles.  I was hoping to get this finished tonight and uploaded.  It is late and time to call it night.

Hope you enjoyed your St Patrick's Day.

Redwork Update

Finally sat down and worked hard to finish another letter on my A-Z Snowmen project. Here is "I". I just love the way he turned out.

This project has to go into high speed since it is getting ready to end and I am so far behind. If only I could stitch a letter a day I would be all caught up.

Well, outside of being behind on the snowmen I did enjoy time in Park City, Utah attending Shepherd's Bush retreat. I took classes from Shepherd's Bush, R&R Reproductions, and Thread Gatherer. Also at this retreat was Blackbird Designs, Charland, and Jeanette Douglas. If you ever get a chance to attend this retreat please do. It is a great way to meet designers and hear more about the work they do.

Prior to the retreat on Thursday we made our way into Ogden and stopped at the studio of Jill Rensel. This is were I dropped off my picture of the "Skeleton Crew" for framing. Jill had one on display that she just framed and it was amazing. As soon as I get the picture of my friend's camera I will post it on this blog. I cannot wait for mine to come back. I did see other projects framed and I have to admit that I have more to get done and take back for framing in 2012.

Here are the pictures of the projects.

This first one is the class project from Shepherd's Bush. I just love this one.

The second class of the retreat was a project bag to stitch from R&R Reproduction. This is my friend Ellen holding it up and also very excited to stitch hers. Too bad you cannot see her smiling face.

Our last class was with Thread Gatherer and what a neat project. It is a scrapbook with fabric and includes a bit of cross stitch and lots of dyed threads. My mind is racing with ideas on how to put the pages inside of this book together. We got the supplies to do this front and back pages.

I know if you search around many a few other blogs you will find some really great pictures of the other projects from the retreat. So much to do and so little time to fit it all in

We had a wonderful trip and got to see some really spectacular sites. We spent an afternoon on Antelope Island and got these great shots of bison and antelopes.

Well, letter J is calling my name and this is a really good night to sit and stitch.

Redwork

Have you ever done redwork? I am hooked on the new techniques being used with the old form of redwork. But, I haven't ventured yet into much of it. My local quilt shop is offering a monthly project on Crabapple Hill's design "A to Zzz Snowmen. Course, just like my blog and cross stitching I am already a bit behind. I promised myself that I would stay on course with this monthly project but have already fallen behind. But, there is still time this month to stitch fast and catch up.

Here is part of the "A" for Angels:

Here is the "B" for bells:

This weekend I should have "C" for candy canes done and then it is off to "D" for Drummer. There is still hope before the next class that I will even get E/F done. Thankfully, they are grouped together.

The other day I had to make a trip out to my LNS to see what they brought back from Nashville Market. All I can say is I wish I could live 200 years to be able to stitch up all of the neat designs. It was hard to make a selection. Course, I had to pick up a Shepherd's Bush kit called "Lucky". I did spend some time last weekend stitching this up and have just a few items left to complete it and hopefully I can also finish it myself. Maybe this weekend along with my redwork.

Looks like I am having a bit of camera issues so I need to see what setting is off as to why I cannot get a good focus on the projects. I think it is mostly due to my ever increasing fat fingers.

I am looking for help on my blog. Does anyone know how to load in pictures to the spot where you want to place them? Every time I down load pictures I have to drag and drop them into my text. Tonight's try was not easy and there has to be a better way.

Well, time to get my redwork going before I fall asleep. Have a great weekend and thanks for coming back to see if I would ever get my blog going for 2010.

My Land - Shepherd Bush

Wow, I forgot to let you see the finish project from the class I took back in March with Shepherd's Bush. This is called "My Land" and it will be available for sale shortly. So hang tight, it is a fun one to stitch.



Sorry this is so dark, I need to stop taking pictures so late at night.

Happy 4th of July

God bless America, land that I love,

Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night, with the light from above,
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America! My Home Sweet Home!

- Irving Berlin, God Bless America

The house is decorated with buntings on the porch railings, all of my patriotic stitchery is scattered around, and of course a few old decorations. I just love the colors of red, white, and blue. Course, more of the old fashion muted tones. Looking around at what I have stitched I have a lot more that needs to be done. Sorry, not much to show but my mind is racing around thinking of what I forgot in the stash to stitch. Since it is a rainy cold night tonight I will have to stash dive tonight.

Over the weekend I got a chance to run to my local LNS with friends. Course, that means never leaving empty bag. So, the most important purchase had to be the newest Loose Feathers pattern called "It's Berry Time". I bought the material called for but made a change in the thread selection. I selected Gentle Arts Pomegranate. What do you think?

Sorry, guess the picture is kind of dark. I will have to try again after I start stitching it up. Not the greatest in picture taking.

Of course, I couldn't pass up a Lizzie Kate boxer kit. I just loved the saying and will have to put this one out for everyone to see and get a chuckle from. It is me.....

Okay, another bad picture. Guess that is a good indication of how my day went. Oh well.....

Lastly, I got another Shepherd's Bush kit called "Home". I love the hat that you attach to the sheep. Red, White, and Blue..... of course.



Not a lot done on the ABC Lessons but still wanted to provide an update of my progress.


This morning we woke up to find out that it had rained last night and that more of the lilies in the garden had bloomed. I had to run back into the house and grab the camera so I could share them with you. ENJOY....

Well, Brinkley and Josie are being pests and want me log off and play. Have a great holiday weekend and stay safe.

What's New!!!

Well, well, well. That is all I can say to everyone that has been telling me I am way behind on my blogging. SORRY..... Okay, so I have been busy working in the yard, doing spring cleaning, playing with the doggies, and oh yeah, stitching a lot but really haven't gotten anything done.

I recently went the International Quilt festival in Chicago and found a really great lap-stitch frame.

This is from a family owned operations in Wisc. Here is a link to their website plus a picture of the owner. It was really nice to get a chance to talk to him and also to view his cross stitch work.

http://imagesstitcherydesign.com/

So, what is attached to the frame is a project that I have been secretly working on. It is a design from Shepherd's Bush that I got from taking a recent class from them. Here is a really neat shot of a section I just finished. (Get the hint, this is a big piece for me)

For Mother's day I did treat myself to a new pattern. I got Lizzie Kate's ABC Lessons and the material I got to stitch it on is called Chai Tea. It has a really neat color variation to it. I wanted to do something different. Sorry this doesn't show up better.

Got to run. Storms are headed our way and I wanted to get this posted before we loss power or whatever else could happen. Be safe and keep stitching....

Olympics

Well, my buddy blogger "Spinster Stitcher" came up with the idea to stitch patriotic projects while watching the Olympics. Well, I did that and here is the project I worked on (still needs to be ironed and buttons sewn on). This is "Scatter Freedom" by Shepherd's Bush. I think I might have to do a couple more patterns quickly before the games end. Thanks for the idea fellow blogger and anxious to see you this Saturday in LaPorte.

By the way - 2006 Prairie Schooler Limited Santa is done. I am excited for August 25th to get here and start on 2007 Limited Santa next. At this rate I will have several Christmas patterns done to enjoy this holiday season.