Online Class Update

Usually when I take a class either online or in person I never seem to stay up to date with progress needed to complete the design.  But for some reason I cannot seem to put this one down.  Tonight I finished up Part 7 on this needlepoint design by Kathy Rees.  I just cannot wait to start each new square to see how the colors will work with the last set done.  It is such a great surprise to see.  

Here is Part 7:

I hope you find a project that charges you with this much excitement.

Happy Sunday....

Been Stitching

Lately I have been signing up and doing lots of different classes.  Right now I am doing one via Shining Needle Society called Sudoku by Needle Delights Originals by Kathy Rees.  It just started last week and I am already way ahead to part five.

Also, I have been busy trying to find time to work on the Learning Sampler.  Here is my progress on Part 4.

I am glad that the summer weather has been a bit cooler than normal lately.  It makes it easier to sit and enjoy stitching outside on the patio.

Just got back from visiting Jill Rensel's studio last week.  Her work is amazing and I dropped off Hibernation Day.  I cannot wait to see how it turns out.  It is always fun to see the final results of her work.  She had lots of projects on display getting ready to be shipped.  It helps to remind me of projects that I have and need to finish.  Then I know how she has finished them for others and I really want the same thing.

One more item, I finished a class that I took in May with our local guild.  It is a counted canvas project that fits inside of a beautiful music box.  

Have a good weekend and Happy Stitching...  

Learning Sampler Update

Happy Sunday, hope that the sun is shining for you today and the weather is warmer than what we have had lately.  Course, I think they are still talking about more snow in the upcoming week.  YUCK.  It has been so great to finally see the ground again.  There is one small mound of snow in the front yard that the sun is unable to reach but I can tell that it is getting smaller.

I have been busy trying to catch up with the Learning Sampler by Northern Expressions Needlework.  Tomorrow Part 8 comes out and I am trying to finish up Part 3 this weekend.  I think it might be doable.

This is how it looked after completing Part 2.  Hopefully later this week I can show you Part 3 done.

This is really been a fun sampler to work on and I have been doing a lot of neat specialty stitches that I have done before but not in the combinations that this design is calling for.  If you are interested in doing this pattern contact Nicole and sign up.

Last Sunday I finished up a UFO for Monday UFO but I left it at the LNS to be finished.  So, all I can show you is a photo of the picture from the pattern.

This is Good Eggs by "The Triology".  It is a pattern back from 2004 that I had started and then put it away for a rainy day.  I need to look in my stash today and find something to finish up tomorrow night.  I have a idea but not sure I can get it done in one night but will try.

Enjoy your day stitching and relaxing......

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.

Learning Sampler

Recently I joined an online class from Northern Expressions Needlework by Nicole Dostal. This class started back in Sept 2013 so you can guess that I am several lessons behind. I got my material and threads this past week. So, for the first week I have completed lesson one and I am starting up lesson two. Here is my progress:

Here is a picture of the color theme that I have selected:

I am anxious to move along further with this project or at least closer to where everyone else is.  I am working on 34 count Legacy Linen - color Wren Song.  This fabric is amazing and has made this project even more enjoyable.

Well, this is a short update on what I started this week and letting you see my progress.  I hope to keep up better with my blog in the next few weeks/months.

Happy Monday....

Happy 2014 - First Post for Year

Happy 2014....

Stitching has been moving along but not as fast as I see others have done.  I got a UFO project done early last month as part of a challenge project for the Lake Michigan Sampler guild.  We had to sign up for a UFO project that we would get completed by year end.  I had hoped to take it in to have framed before the next meeting but I did not get that accomplished.  So, here is a shot of my wrinkled La-D-Da Margaret Cottam project.

I had stashed it away somewhere in the middle of Part 2.  The challenge really helped me push to getting it done.  Now I cannot wait to have it framed.

On Thanksgiving weekend I started Hibernation Day by Heartstring Samplery.  I cannot put this one down and have been working on it as much as I could during the holiday.  I really love the colors on this one.

I am getting close to the bottom and past the longest stitching area - the houses.  I did not use the color fabric called for and did find something else to substitute with.  Pictures just cannot show you the true color affect.

During 2013 I took three more classes from Ellen Chester.  So, now I have three more class projects to add to my stash.  The Lady's Worke Box project from 2012 is all stitched.  Now I need to sit down and do the finishing.....  I have been meeting monthly with the other class attendees so that we can keep pushing each other along.  This has been very helpful.  Just hope the snow stops so that I can make the January meeting.

Here is another project that I added to my stash from Ellen's class.

This is a limited edition called A Petit Sampling Etui.  She got together with a few other designers to create this project.  There is another one that was from a prior year called A Noble Pursuit.  I do have that one also and really should do it first since I have it kitted.

I went to Inspired Needle's retreat this past October and need to show you a few pictures that I took.

Kim - Rita and I missed not seeing you.  We did keep you around..... (Kim is the stick figure)

Here is Anna with her finish.  Guess what, the Designer - Jan Alexander was here also.  What a great way to celebrate a finish.

Here are a couple more projects that ladies got done and even finished at the retreat. 

Hope your holidays were safe and warm.  Enjoy the rest of the winter stitching.  

Weekend Stitching

Due to the heat wave I have been spending more time this past week stitching.  On Saturday morning I went to House Of Stitches in LaPorte to work on our past October project by Ellen Chester called "A Lady's Worke Box".  I really love how this project is coming together.

Here are a couple of the pieces that I have finished stitching and the progress on the house that will be on the front of the finished box.  This project is amazing and I cannot wait to get it done.  But, I have to say that I am also very excited to take two more classes this October from Ellen Chester.  Linda from House of Stitches is having Ellen Chester back to teach two more of her teaching projects.  Please use this link www.houseofstitches.com to House of Stitches and click on events.  Linda has several more spots available and I can promise you it will be a great weekend.  The other plus is Linda's shop is just down the road from the retreat and her inventory is AMAZING.  So, think about it and come join us.

I am also busy working on two online classes.  The first one is from Amy Mitten called "Needleworker's Pocketbook".  Here is my progress.

This is a very detailed project and has been hard to put down.  I am trying to rotate thru my projects so that each one I have to get done this year will be accomplished.

My other online class is "Buttons A Bounty" by Jackie Du Plessis.  Sorry, no progress to share yet since I just got started today.  Maybe with my next post you will see more.

Recently I was able to find a pattern from a friend of a design that is out of print.  It is "A Patriot's Sampler" by MidSummer Night Designs.  I saw this design on display at Attic Needlework's shop last January and have been trying to find.  I was lucky to find someone from my local shop that had the pattern.  Thank you Teresa, I am truly enjoying this pattern!!!!!!

Again, I am truly hoping that after you read my blog today you will go over to House Of Stitches and sign up for the Ellen Chester Retreat.  Note, you can also sign up for one of the two days if that fits your schedule better.  Reach out to your stitching buddies and make sure they take a look at these beautiful projects and sign up.

Well, time to stitch before heading to bed.  More to come of my rotationaly projects.

Class Finish - Sherwood Garden

I have been completing an online class via Shining Needle Society.  It was a lot of fun and I did get a few weeks behind due to a vacation and other issues that happen.  So, here is the result.

This was from Needle Delights Orginials.  I bought an extra kit to redo this project in blue.  I think that will have to wait since I have signed up for another class that is just starting from Amy Mitten.  It is a needleworker's pocketbook.  If you get a chance take a look at her website at www.amymitten.com.  More to come on that once I get started.


We just got back from a wonderful trip in Alaska and I want to share a few shots with you.  If you ever get a chance to go you will love it.

This last picture is a group of sea otters that were looking at a small boat of people standing around and staring back.  They were really fun to watch floating in the water.

Enjoy your week.....

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.