Weekend Retreat

This past weekend I spent a wonderful weekend away in Shipshewana Indiana at a retreat by "Inspired Needle".  It is a wonderful weekend of lots of stitching and shopping. The weather was great and the decorations around the hotel were amazing.  Here are some gourds that were outside of the entrance.

If you want to see more pictures from the retreat take a look at Laura's blog: 

http://maudeandmozart.blogspot.com/

She did a great job of walking around and capturing what everyone was working on.  I was late getting to the retreat on Friday and missed out on the ornament exchange.  No problem.  I loved what I made and now this is mine......

We got time on Saturday to do a bit of shopping around town.  I happened to be in a home store and ran across an item that I thought would make a great holder for my stitching patterns and look nice sitting on my end table.  I think it is a recipe or photo holder.

Here is what it looks like holding my pattern.

On Friday night I worked on Prairie Moon Pattern that I have been progressing on.  Well, now I am busy removing all of the stitches I put in last week while watching Grey's Anatomy.  UGH.....

I did start a new project over the weekend.  I am glad I purchased a new light that was stronger than the one I took.  This is Fall's Gifts by Carriage House Samplings.  I bought it several years ago while on vacation visitning local cross stitch stores.  Look up this pattern, it is amazing.

I bought a really pretty magnet from Puffin & Company.  I had to use it now for October.  Isn't this cute.

We got to work on a really neat pin cushion from "Just Another Button Company".  The best part was we got the ice cream to eat first. Yummy

Since I got home the only project that I have had a chance to work on is Mardi Gras by Laura Perin.  I just love working on this one.

Finally, here is the progress update for the "ABC Girl Club".  First up is Ellen:

She has gotten her first letter block done.  Congrats Ellen....  You are doing Great....

Well, as for Terry or myself we have more work to do to finish up a letter.  My pumpkin has not changed since last week and I know Terry is still trying to work on hers.  Hopefully we will have better progress updates next month and get a chance to head off Ellen.

Happy Stitching New Blog Buddies.....

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.....

First Finish - LJP Design

Hurray, I finally finished my first Laura J Perin Design.  It is called Sunflower Star.  When I selected and started this one a long time ago I selected colors to match the sunflower design in my kitchen.  This is so funny.  I finally get this done and guess what, we are in the process of painting and changing the kitchen.  It will no longer be sunflowers.  Oh well, I still love this design and will find another place for it in my home.  As to how to finish it is still a mystery.  I truly enjoy Laura's designs and have a couple others to do.  I have been good, I haven't purchased any new ones until I finish the two I have kitted and ready to go.

Here is my finish.....  Whooo Hooo!!!!!

I am still working on my halloween cross stitch project by Prairie Moon.  My progress is going slow on it but what else it new.  This truly is the time of year that I love to sit and stitch all day. That means nothing else gets done around the house.  In fact, the dogs continue to watch me and hope that I will stop at anytime and play with them.  Don't worry, they still get lots of attention. 

I leave you to continue my stitchy fun.... 

Royal Wedding Watch is Closer....

I guess tomorrow will be a very long day since to watch the Royal wedding will require getting up at 3am.  Hope you enjoy the wedding as much as we will.

Here is my progress on Sunflower Star by Laura Perin.  I just love this design so much.  After I get this one done I have couple others in my stash that I cannot wait to start.

And lastly here is my very slow progress on "Soar Sampler".  I have to say that working with a very dark fabric is a challenge.  It is taking a bit longer to progress but with all the rain we are having I think there will be more stitching time in my future this weekend.

The other item that is also slowing me down this week is that a book I have been waiting for from the library came in.  It is called the "The Paris Wife".  Since I only have 14 days to read it in on my Nook I have to get it done.  There are several people behind me that have it on hold which means I cannot renew it if I don't get it done.  So, now you can see why my stitching is a bit behind this week.

Enjoy the wedding and the weekend.

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.

What Did You Work On This Weekend?????

I had a great weekend of working on projects.  So, what did I do?

Friday I spent time working on a UFO project that I put into my bag of 15 projects for 2011.  I am working on Winter Wonderland by Blackbird Designs.

I have finished one old project from the bag which is another Loose Feather's design from Blackbird Designs but I haven't taken a picture of it yet.  It was my first finish for 2011 in January but being that I am a very slow blogger it has been updated to my blog yet.  Need to capture a good shot of it and update my accomplishments for 2011.

On Saturday I went with my BFF to a class that we are taking of a design by Crabapple Hill Designs called Over the River and Through the Woods.  We are quilting squares and painting.  On Saturday we learned how to use fabric markers to highlight the coloring with crayons that we did.  Here is a small example of what I worked on.  The tree on the left has both crayon and fabric marker on it.  The tree on the right is only with crayon.  This is lots of fun but very time consuming.

On Sunday I was looking around at blogs and saw a few neat designs of needlework that made me go looking for a project that I started years ago and have left in a box wasting away.  It is a design by Laura Perin called Sunflower Star.  I have a lot of it done and it is terrible that I have never picked it back up to finish.  Well, now is the time.

Recently I had the chance to go to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see the Colonial Embroidery display.  I feel in love with all of the samplers on display.  Here is done by a Prudence Clark that she did in 1757 when see was 11 years old.  This is so amazing.

We had such a wonderful weekend.  Here is a shot of the park next to our hotel.  It looked so pretty.

Course, it was the weekend before Valentine's Day and this really added to the beauty of the weekend.

We have had so much snow around here that I think we are really ready for SPRING.  Course, I think Brinkley is becoming a huge snow lover. 

Well, I am leaving this blog to spend more time stitching and watching my favorite show "The Amazing Race".  Go Cowboys.....