Redwork Continues

Well, my goal of being caught up before the next class is coming closer to a reality. The following two letters C & D are done. Okay, well if you look closely at C you will notice that there still is one more candy cane to do. Well, the kit from class was missing this thread and I haven't gotten a chance to run out and buy one sooner. But at least I am happy to be starting E & F tonight as I sit down to watch my favorite Sunday shows.

Hope your weekend was good. I had a major tragedy this weekend. I thought I would start my spring cleaning and put my comforter into the washing machine and dryer to freshen it up. Well, the first step went okay but the second step was not as successful. Since it was taking a long time to dry I kept pulling it out and turning it around in the dryer trying to get it dry. Well, after several attempts it was dry. Well, not good. Found out that I dried it a bit too much and dryer was hotter than it needed to be. Have you ever smelled scorched material. Yep, got a couple of spots that got it. It was time for a new bedset but I know this will not be an easy task to find a replacement. Starting looking online last night and nothing knocked my socks off. Shopping here I come. UGH!!!!!

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.

Last Finish for 2009

It is so exciting to end the year on a finish. This was a design that I picked up in October on vacation from a really neat shop in Shelbyville, KY called "The Needlenest" (www.needlenestky.com). The owner was so excited to show me all the stuff that she had brought back from market. Feeling her excited caused me to fill up my baskets with goodies. This is "Miss Snow Fairy" by With thy Needle & Thread.

I knew that I wanted to have this project done for Christmas but time ran out and with the wonderful snow day we had yesterday I was able to finish this and say that I got it done for the holiday. Okay, so what if I missed Christmas by a day and it isn't framed yet. It will be ready for next year. So just imagine this one in a really pretty frame. I am......

Even though the holidays are over I still have a couple more Christmas projects that I really want to stitch and complete. For this evening I am going to start "Christmas Eve" by Prairie Schooler. Take a look at Shepherd's Bush blog to see how they stitched it. When I saw their photo I had to make the call and get the materials and directions for their changes. It is so pretty that I have to do this one and right away.

In the next several weeks I think I will review my stash and come up with a stitching plan for 2010. I have several large projects and many smaller ones that if I schedule my timing correctly I should be able to accomplish more than I have done in the past. Hey, with a good scheduled plan, plenty of stitching time, and all the necessary supplies on hand I should be able to make a dent in my stash so that I can think about adding in future designs. I have to support my favorite shops and designers, RIGHT????

Well, hope you all have had a wonderful holiday and wishing you a Happy 2010.

Finish

Don't you just love Blackbird Designs!!! I do and I am so excited to have this one finished. I have to admit that the day I picked up this pattern "Midnight Watch" and material I ran home quickly to start it. It took me about 5 weeks to finish this one but you have to keep in mind that between day to day activities kept me from finishing this one quicker. For me this is still record time. There is a lot of stitching to this one. Also, if you pick up this pattern beware, you will need extra skeins of blackbird. I purchased three skeins and it took at least 2 1/2.

After finishing this up I did head on to a Christmas picture. This is "Miss Snow Fairy" by With thy Needle & Thread. The fabric looks so old fashion and the DMC threads are looking really good against it. I would have never been able to make this selection on my own. I hope to finish this one quickly and maybe even frame it myself. With all the tips I have seen on different blogs my mind is racing with ideas. I love blog reading.

Hmmm, the dogs have left the room and are way too quiet. Time to see what they have gotten into. Good night dear friends and happy stitching.

Happy Thanksgiving

Josie and Brinkley wanted to wish all of the fellow stitchers a Happy Thanksgiving....

I have been working on Blackbird Design's "Midnight Watch" and should have it finished this weekend. I am waiting on having it finished before I take a picture. So hopefully, this weekend will be it. I am anxious to pickup a new project and hopefully it will be a "Christmas" picture.

Happy Birthday Mom

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday and I really wanted to give her something very special. I stitched up La D Da's pattern that has the verse of "I Love You a Bushel and Peck" which was a song that my mom sang to me when I was a baby. I think I really surprised her.

The finisher did the most amazing job of quilting this into a pillow. Attached are some antique buttons which really helped to make this even more special. Thank you Debra...

I cannot wait to head out this weekend to my LNS. I have more finishing to pick up. It feels like Christmas trying to wait until Saturday to drive out and see everything finished. Plus, it will be even more fun to see what new items they have in from market. Charge.....

Still Kicking

Don't you just hate those bloggers that disappear for weeks and weeks and weeks. Me too!!!Sorry.... So, what have I been up to you ask!!!!

Well, first, I had my nose in a book and just in case you didn't know, I am a very slow reader. I think I can stitch faster than I read a book. If you are dog lover you really need to read this book. It is by Garth Stein....

Course, it didn't take me four weeks to read this book. I spent a lot of time setting it down in between..... Going to Jackson Hole, WY in search of a moose.... I have always wanted to see a moose and now I can finally say I saw 7 of them all on the same trip.

It was a great trip. Started out in Jackson, Wy - moving on to the Grand Tetons - over to Yellowstone and then up to Glacier Park. Guess how many days....???? Give up...???? Try 3 days and 1480 miles later. Okay, it was the fastest trip ever but at least I got to spend the last three days relaxing in Jackson Hole looking for moose.

I really don't have much to show you on my stitching progress. I spent the most awful time FROGGING on my current project. Until I get over the FROGGING I just cannot get myself to take a photo of the progress. I am working on Lizzie Kate's "Living with Charm". Well, I don't feel too charming about it. Maybe I will get better at watching the pattern closer this weekend and will give you an update next week.

I am leaving you with a great picture taken at a farmer's market in Missoula MT. I wish I could have found a way to bring all of these flowers home with me besides the wonderful veggies.