November Snowman Progress

Wow, almost forgot to stop all of my stitching progress and update my blog for the past several weeks. I have been so busy concentrating on getting A to Zzzz Snowmen done that I forgot to let you in on my progress. Next month is our last class and we will be getting the last two letters. I am anxious to find out more about finishing this into a quilt for next year's Christmas decorations. We did discuss a bit about doing some hand quilting and since this is not my area of expertise I think I will give it a try. We did get the material for the inner border and it is amazing. It is candy canes.

Instead of showing each of the following letters that I have finished I have put them into a grouping so that it will be easier for me to post.

I forced myself to go back to the letter E and F and finish up the fly stitch that I really didn't feel good at doing. After getting it done I am a bit happier. The letter M for Mittens is done except for the fly stitch so I need to pull it back out and get it done also. This project has been so much fun that I have signed up for another one next year at the same shop. This time we are going to color the designs instead of stitch them. So, stay tuned to hear about my ability to color.

A couple of weekends ago I did set aside a fun weekend just devoted to cross stitch. I pulled out Christmas Eve that I had recently gotten the material and threads for from Shepherd Bush. They had a picture on their blog of a conversion of the material and threads that I just loved. I am almost done with it and hope to finish it up on "BLACK FRIDAY" evening. I figured this would be a good treat for relaxing after a busy Thanksgiving week. Here is what I have done so far.

I was waiting for a good bright day to take a picture of my "Skeleton Crew" that I had done by Jill Rensel in Utah. Today seemed like a good day but it looks like my shot is a bit blurry. Sorry, but I think you can still see how wonderful this project looks with the great matting, cutouts, and frame. It will be sad to put this away until next year.

I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. May your travels and time together be a safe and happy time.

Another Snowman Weekend

Before I show you my recent project completions I have to say that my picture quality tonight is really bad and I am way too tired to redo them. Sorry......

I have to thank the ladies at Michael's for their help in framing my picture "Cloths Make the Man". I just love it and cannot wait to set it out for the holidays. This picture doesn't show you the wonderful colors of the mats and the beautiful frame. It is amazing.

The frame is silver but has a few color tones in it that helps to pickup all of the each of the lovely snowmen. I put little black buttons on each of the snowmen which really makes their outfits pop. Not sure which one is my favorite but I have to say that the Captain has really grabbed my attention.

I did have some success on my Redwork project. Here is J, N, and an update on C that was missing a candy cane.

Tonight I started working my Halloween decorations. I have only gotten a few items up but I wanted to share them with you. Again, these are very dark but I have to admit it looks great in the family room.

I am so excited to have finished a couple of Blackbird designs for fall. I have to work on getting more done for Christmas.

Well, the doggies are wanting some playtime before we all go to sleep. Have a great evening and enjoy your stitching time.

Snowmen

The weekend is over and I did finish a project that involves snowmen but just not my redwork project A-Z Snowmen. Here is what I did finish.

I spent time over the weekend going through a few bags that contained UFO's. When I ran across this one that was short one snowman at the end I figured it was possible to finish this up in time to drop off at Michael's to be framed at 60% off. Thanks to Connie at The Spinster Stitcher I found the sale. So, off today I went to Michael's with The Cross-Eyed Cricket's "A Well-Dressed Man". I started this picture several years ago during time off for surgery. Once I went back to all of my regular activities which included night classes this project went back into a bag and got lost in the bin of UFO's. So, another weekend gone and many more lost hours on my redwork project. So, cross your fingers that I get some time and attention back to it.

With the fall weather approaching so quickly and nights getting darker earlier all I can think about is sitting and stitching. Hope all of your projects are going well.

Thanks for the comments on my last posting. I know that I have been a bad blogger but I am working on becoming a better blogger and faster stitcher.

Finished Picture

Happy Dance.... Here it is. I am so excited to have this done. I really loved the way it turned out. I did the skeletons in glow in the dark threads. The thread is awful to work with but it is really neat to see the skeletons glowing at night.


I found my Prairie Schooler project "Christmas Eve" that I had on my WIP listing. So, here is my next UFO to complete. I figured it was better to get a Christmas picture done at this time since it will probably take me into November to finish this. Yes, that is right, why? I have the Redwork A - Z Snowman project to complete also and it is going to get my full attention this weekend. I hope to get letters I and J done this weekend and give you a progress update on Monday. So, hold me to it. Your comments and support will help me reach this. So leave me a COMMENT.... I know you are reading my blog since I can see the number increasing on visitors....

Well, the dogs are fighting over their food bowls tonight and I have to go and put an end to it. Silly dogs, they both have the exact food in the bowls. Why can't they get along and just eat their food like good little Shelties..... Wow, the fight just hit a high, had to run and put an end to it. Off to bed early someone goes and it won't be me. I want to watch TV and stitch for fun.

Hurry weekend, I need more stitching time.....

America's Got a Finish

Well, it is late at night and very dark outside but my happiness is creating sunshine in the room. Yep, with six days left to go I have finished "Skeleton Crew". It took me just under 8 weeks to stitch this project. What a joy to have it done and on time for framing. But, since it needs to be pressed and it is too dark for a good photo you will have to wait one more day for me to post a picture of my finished project. But, I had to let you know it is done......

Now, I really need to head back to my redwork project and pull out other projects that are in progress.

Come back tomorrow for the picture of the finished project.

Goodnight to you all and happy stitching......

Happy Labor Day

Isn't it great to have an extended weekend. We need more of them. Course, that would mean I would spend more time wasting a day away stitching. Okay, it really isn't wasting the day when progress is made on such a special piece (Skeleton Crew). I am truly enjoying this one which means I have started thinking about what to start next.

I need get a couple of new patterns this last week and until I decided which will be the next project I will keep it a secret for now.

More work is also needed on the redwork project. Not much to really capture yet but as soon as the Skeleton Crew is done I really have to get some serious stitching done on it. The teacher mentioned at the last class that we should be getting ready to finish up and start working on putting it together into a holiday quilt. I am not a quilter but really looking forward to getting this one done with their help.

Well, time to call it a night. Hope your weekend was as enjoyable in stitching as mine.

Project and Blog Jail

Well, summer is over and I haven't done enough to brag on my blog about what I did on my summer projects. Right now I am working fast and hard on "Skeleton Crew" by The Cross-Eyed Cricket collection. My goal is to have this done by Sept 22 or 23rd so that I can drop it off at a really special place for very special framing. Stay tuned and I promise to keep you posted with the outcome. I hope this is better than the other items I am working on.

As for my redwork project. Well, can I say that I am not the only student that is behind. I'm not. I promise.... I do have a couple other letters done except for one silly stitch that I cannot seem to get a handle on yet. Or at least good enough to post. That is the fly stitch. I need to practice this one since all the blocks are sewn together and then the seam is covered up with the fly stitch. As soon as the Skeleton Crew is done my attention is to finish this project in time with the class.

Well, I have been a bad blogger but I have a good excuse. I have been busy spending lots of family time with my family. We have done many cookouts, movies, and lots of other fun things this summer. Now that fall is setting in and everyone has gone home it will be back to serious tasks of stitching tons.

This one is a quick post. Time to run and have dinner. After dinner it will be stitching time. Enjoy....

Happy Spring

Sure doesn't feel like spring yet when you still have to wear your winter coat, keep the furnace going, and worry about frost/snow. The weekend before Easter I got to spend time with dear friends up in Door County, WI. It was a fun time to visit, eat, and shop. On the way up my DH let me stop at a stitching store that I have heard about and what fun it was to look around. Course, he kept picking out projects that he liked and I had to say I have that one already. So, you know the next question, "Where is it, I don't remember seeing it done". Okay, so my stash is still growing instead of getting less.

From a really neat LNS I got the following Cricket Collection.

My kitchen is all done in Sunflowers, so I will be adding this sunflower pattern to my collection and maybe to my blog. I cannot believe that this design is back from 1994. I think it is fun to find older patterns that still can get you excited to stitch.

My other favorite type of designs is Halloween. So, when I saw this one I just couldn't pass it up.

I have been working on a project that I am not sure I can share at this time. I was lucky to take a class recently from Shepherd's Bush and I have been making myself work hard at getting this class project done. You can look at their blog to see their pictures from the class. Anytime you can take a class from Tina and Terry do it. It is so much fun and their projects are wonderful.

Well, I am going to sign off and run to the couch so I can get at least an hour of stitching in before calling it a night. Time is flying by just way to fast for me. Can you believe that we are halfway into April. Where is the warm weather?????

Goodnight stitching buddies where ever you are.