Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Last Post

for the year.  Can you believe it?   I think we all say the same thing, each and every year.  Well, too bad it hasn't slowed down for any of us!
I havent stitched much the later part of the year, I just havent felt like it.  In the last couple of weeks, I did manage to take time and I made 2 quilts.   I am excited about them and looking forward to making more.  In fact, I just pulled out 3 I have 'kitted' up.  Do you say that for quilting-- kitted?  Either way, I am looking forward to those.
First up, I know that alot of you have had posted a year in review and I think that is so wonderful to go back and look at the amazing progress that was accomplished this year.  I have completed several beautiful samplers-- coming to mind of course is Dutch Beauty and Elizabeth Mears.
 
 
Those among other fillers are 2 favorites I think I have done in all time, but then I look back at last year, and see a few others.
 
As promised in the last post, I took pics of the last 2 pieces I picked up from the framer.  Above is Plum Street Samplers- Love Thy Neighbor, stitched on 40ct with called for cotton, framed in a burl frame-I actually picked this frame out, before I stitched this piece.  I think it is similar to the one on the cover of the pattern-- but not the same.  Burl wood has such a great texture and depth to it, it is its own work of art next to the sampler! 
Below, is La D Da- Peace House.  I LOVE this frame on this sampler.  It is 2 3/4" wide on this super cute I think 5 x 7-- 40ct piece.  Where oh where to hang them?!!!!

This coming year, I am not sure what will be accomplished on the stitching front, I have a start picked out for tomorrow, but I don't know if I will start it tomorrow, or in the next little bit.   I am still plugging away on Jane Tindall, and finally starting the animals on the bottom.  It seems like I have been stitching on her for years.  But slow and steady right?  Maybe she will be my first finish?  I have to pull out my stash and play with it for a bit, perhaps I will get the bug back.
Until then, my desire for beautiful fabrics for gorgeous quilts continues :)  There are sooo many options and I want to quilt them all!!  LOL.
In the beginning of November you might remember I had made a quilt with my mom.  We both used the same fabric grouping and each made something different.  I had mine quilted over Thanksgiving and I finished the binding last week.  It is amazing the difference of when you finish it.  It is the equal to framing your sampler right?
 
 I decided that a navy stitching on the back would be nice and the top is a neutral.
Above, is the 1st of 2 quilts I have made in the last couple of weeks.  This one is made of flannel, a request by my husband, for my husband.  It feels so nice, I cant wait to get it back from the quilter and snuggle under it!  I bought this kit over the summer and needed some cold days to work on it, well, cold is here!!!  LOL.
The 2nd quilt I bought also as a kit from a shop that was having an end of year inventory sale and I was thrilled to be able to participate.  I bought this of course among other things-- kitted up a few other quilts.  I am trying to be brave and piece the fabrics together.  I have no issue changing the colors on my cross stitch, so quilting shouldnt be that hard right?  It really has to do with how much fabric, like I mentioned before in a previous post.
A Christmas quilt, using 3 sisters Wintergreen fabric.  I am crazy about the black in this quilt too :)  It was a nice easy one to sew while watching some great Christmas movies!!!  In a few weeks I will have them back from the quilter and hopefully will have more to bring.  I am going to help my niece make a quilt for her room this week, we went to the quilt shop, she chose the colors she likes and we are going to make the same pattern as the above flannel one.  Nice and easy for both of us, and also so we get it done before she goes back to school next week.  I will take pics and share those with you next year :)

Until next time, enjoy the rest of 2013, and Happy New Year to all of you!!!!!!


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Frames to share


I seem to remember the comment I made in the last post or so (or perhaps it was just in my head) was to share a few pieces I had framed a few months ago.
Without wasting anymore time, and leaving you all in suspense since last time, here we go!
Primitive Betties- With My Needle.  I will have to do my best in remembering the linen, but I know it was 40ct Lakeside linen, perhaps maritime white?  With the called for cotton overdyed threads.  I finished this in 2010.
Also Primitive Betties- Live, Laugh, Love.  Vintage Pearled Barley 40ct Lakeside Linens with the called for overdyed cottons.  Yes, you have read correct on both, cotton.  Sometimes its just easy with these small ones.  But then again............ LOL.  Also 2010.
Carriage House Samplings- Maria P. Oliver.  Stitched on 40ct R & R something with my conversion to Belle Soie silks.  Completed in 2009.
Willow Hill Samplings- Eleanor Jaegler.  This is one of my favorite pieces.  I stitched this on 48ct Lt Examplar from Lakeside.  Yes, 48ct.  The size is fantastic and I know exactly the silk overdyed thread I used-- I see it in my mind, but I cant remember the name.  Japanese something, comes on a card similar to splendor cards.  If you know what it is, just let me know too :)  It is such fine silk, very comparable to the Tudor Silk from Gloriana.  But at that time, Tudor didn't exist.  This was also done in 2009.

Last but not least, is Queenstown Samplers- Elizabeth J Mears.  The minute I saw this sampler, it was a must stitch.  With a silk conversion to overdyes, and the need to start it NOW, the shop didnt have any 45ct and I wasnt able to get my hands on a piece of Vintage pecan butter that minute, I decided to start it on a piece of Vintage Pecan 40ct with the silks.  Finishing this sampler this year, I couldnt wait to choose a frame and see it in all its glory.  I LOVE the house, the alphabet, the flowers--- well I just love it all!! 
I am so pleased as usual with my pieces and just have to find the perfect place to hang them now. 

I have a couple more just picked up but I dont have pics of those just yet.  I will share them with you shortly.  Hopefully I can get my stitching bug back and share some beautiful WIPs I have going.  But in the mean time..... thank you for visiting my blog.

I hope each and everyone of you has a Merry Christmas!  It is such a wonderful time of year, of course after you get past all of the hustle and bustle.  Relaxing, enjoying your families and remembering the real reason for the season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!