And Life Goes On

Gosh, what a whirlwind week. I thought last week was going fast, and here it is the 30th of August. 10 whole days without this computer. 10 whole days of mixed emotions and 1 Big Bag of Crazy!

A few things I am anxious to share with all of you, is my progress on a few, and 2 new starts. Of course there isn't a week that can go by without starting something new from my stash. Beatrix is moving along beautifully, even added the tiny Pink accent (as shown in the 2nd pic) I chose Belle Soie Pink Quartz as my companion color to the Gloriana Coffee Bean. I LOVE it. Subtle but what an impact it is going to have overall.


Peace has made an appearance this week & I have an example of all the colors stitched into the piece, except for the color I am using for the letters, etc. I wanted to see how the colors looked on the piece, before really getting to involved; already I had to adjust the shading with the greens. Mind you, this picture is just a drop in the bucket on this pattern. I am not positive, but I think this it is going to be the largest piece I will ever stitch.


This is a close-up of Dames of the Needle "The Sampler Purse". It is one of my new starts this week. I chose Gloriana silks instead of the Gentle Arts threads. The color variation with the chosen silks is just so much crisper for this piece. I am using the called for 32ct Vintage Woodsmoke Lakeside Linen, which is just gorgeous; one of my favorites. There is a little more to this piece then I expected, with a few fancy stitches. Overall it is an easy piece, and I am enjoying every part; ok, maybe not looking forward to the "finishing" part!!


Last but not least, I started "Eliza Pennance 1726" by Plum Street Samplers. 'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord'. It is a fitting piece for this week. I didnt realize all of the over one that I have to do. It is so tiny and cute. I chose 40ct instead of 36ct Vintage Autumn Gold Lakeside with the called for NPI. I am not a fan of over one, so I have to discipline myself to get this one complete! You would think this would be an easy task. We all know that life isnt easy, especially not this week!

Looking forward to a brighter week, and lots more stitching.

Thursday Already

Is it me, or is this week just flying by? Wow, Seems like it was just Sunday. I have another motif done; the newest one I wanted to get out of the way, to make sure my outer edge matched up. It did, thank goodness, it is the worst when you are just about there and you are 1 off!!! I have felt this pain too many times before!!! I love seeing everyones progress in Bea, it is so inspiring!!!

Few have asked about the floss organizing... I have posted earlier some pics of this system (please take a look, the pics do a better job explaining), and I will post more pics next week of my progress. Winding on cards, or using the floss away bags is a great way to store your threads, but I think this way is fabulous, because it is a file system, and you can easily see what you have by going through it. Pulling threads for projects has never been easier, and I know immediately if I have the color or not. I also like seeing the thread out of the baggies, to get a true color and it is a great way for floss tossing on your fabric! I couldnt be happier. Once it is organized on the keepers your hard work is over. I dont have to waste time looking through all the threads to find a color, even though it is alphabetical.

Some one also asked about the Whitework Sampler. The Needle's Prayse "The English Whitework Sampler" is one of there newest designs, and it is GORGEOUS. Alot of specialty stitches and pulled work. I look forward to this piece as well. There are several stitchers that have completed this piece and they are all amazing!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Here She is!

This last few days have been so much fun. So busy and so much accomplished. While taking a few days off....... On Friday, after I posted my finished Garden of Life, I decided to pull out the stash for a bit. I want to stitch so many different pieces and I cant really decide which ones. I have had a few pieces in my stitching bag and decided to rotate some of them out, perhaps I would be inspired to work on some others. After cleaning up, my plan was to work on my Beatrix Potter (Surprise!!!!). I started it a couple of days ago, put her down, and when I went to work on her again on Friday, I couldnt find it!!!!!! Panic set in, and I re-went through everything. Where could she have gone? She disappeared for 2 days. I couldnt believe this. After going through everything twice, I decided to give up looking and work on something else. Since going through my stash and moving things around, I had a few of those mesh zipper bags left over, and put them on the side of the couch. Well, to my surprise, I needed 1 of those bags and who should come out of hiding?? Beatrix!!!!!!!!! Yeah!! I was so relieved.

So for all of you waiting to see the new Quaker I started to work on, here She is, Beatrix Potter. Combination of 40ct Porcelain Lakeside Linens, with Gloriana Coffee Bean. She is gorgeous!!! I couldnt be more pleased with the way she is turning out, and cant wait to stitch on her more. I have been reading about a few gals starting Bea, and I wanted to stitch her too! I know my friend Brandy is stitching Bea, and I cant wait to see her progress! I love all the color combinations. Isnt it so exciting?



Not being able to find Bea this weekend, what could I do, but start another project (I dont have ANY others started!) La D Da 'Love Thy Neighbor' with NPI silk and 32ct stash fabric. It was an easy stitch, and I love the colors too. Last night as the sun was setting, we took the piece outside and took some pictures of it in the natural light. So vibrant outside. I just love it.

Yesturday, I also organized some more of my floss. Now all the Crescent Colors, Gentle Arts and now Weeks floss are all hung in alphabetical order. OUTSTANDING!! What a job. Now I just have to do the silks. I am not ready to tackle that job just yet, I have to work up to that one. Besides Beatrix is calling and I have to tend to her!

Finished Garden of Life

Garden of Life was a lot of fun to stitch, although it took me longer then I thought it would. Life doesn't always allow time for stitching; too bad right?! I love the Smyrna cross on the bird, it adds alot of depth to the piece. I have only had a few pieces that called for 'fancy stitches' so I think a piece that involves a bit more is an order. I have a few in mind...... Whitework Sampler anyone??

Completing this piece is very exciting, because now I have time to devote to the new piece (yeah!) I mentioned earlier this week, and will post a picture soon. One hint for you, it is a Quaker piece. Hope all of you have a great weekend!

Garden Progress

Wow, another busy weekend, yet relaxing and most enjoyable. BBQ on Sunday, Excellent Ribs and salad. Thanks Roz & Lynn!! The weather was wonderful and after a few over cast days, the sun was very much appreciated!! I didnt stitch much until yesterday. Progress is being made, it is only a matter of finding a solid few hours to get it done!!

I did start another new project this weekend too, I would like to put some more stitches into it before I post a progress picture. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Brick House progress

Slow progress on Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers #21. I stitched some last night, while watching the Mentalist, I really enjoy watching that program. I am sure it was a re-run but I hadn't seen it. Very excited to start the Fall shows. I dont watch to much tv, or schedule things around my favorite shows, but I do enjoy stitching while they are on. I dont have to pay too much attention, and can just glance up every once in a while.

Tonight is Sushi night. I have been craving it for a while now, and this is it. Yum. Maybe afterwards I can finally fill in and finish this brick house. This is the most filled in spot out of the whole piece, there shouldnt be a reason why I cannot. Funny how things look so easy!!

Few have asked about the Bohin needles, and I got mine at a LNS, but you can google Bohin, and there are several posts that come up. I highly recommend them. I think they are $2.00 for 5. Not a bad investment to help stitch better right!!!!!

Enjoy your weekend and get lots of stitching done!

Garden Of Life

In the midst of looking for another project that I wanted to stitch, I came across this. Blackbird Designs Garden of Life. Using the Gentle Arts and WDW threads it calls for, but not the linen. I am using 40ct '???' Lakeside linen. I will have to look it up as to the specific color. But it is gorgeous. These pictures never really show the color, but gosh, I am loving it. I hope to get more stitched tonight, at least the house. I have mentioned before that I love stitching bricks, especially with overdyes. It is so realistic looking.

I am still on the lookout for the next BAP. I am getting closer to the project, although I have been sidetracked with a fabulous project from the new SANQ magazine that has just come out. It is the 1859 Anna Thies Sampler (pg. 5). Lynn has worked her magic (she is simply amazing) in the conversion from DMC to silk, and we have chosen 45ct Linen. GORGEOUS. I have to get a few of the colors, but this sampler might sneak in before the next.........

I have been converted to the best needles yet. BOHIN from France in size 28. Wow, I never knew there was such a difference in needles, let alone the same size. I compared 3 different brands of size 28 needles, and thought these would be the ones to try. I am SOLD. The whole reason this topic came up, is that some of the gals saw the 'crobars' that I have been stitching with, even calling them 'logs', (LOL); giving me a hard time, I knew there had to be something better!!!! So BOHIN it is. Love them. You have to try them!!

Nimrod

Another pleasant & busy weekend with lots of fun and laughter. Gosh how wonderful to hang out with great friends! Lots of stitching this weekend, all around. A few finishes and a few starts; overall, we all were doing what we most enjoy-- STITCHING!! Of course there was Incredible food, Thank you so much Barb, You are amazing!

I finished Nimrod yesterday and a BBD stocking from the 'February' pattern. (For those of you interested in Nimrod, check the Long Dog Sampler website, I do not know much about this pattern.) I am happy to complete some of these WIP's and thrilled to get back to a BAP. So many choices, so many calling. At this point I really dont have any idea which one I will be working on next. However the spirit moves me!

Hope everyone had a great weekend too!