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.

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.

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....