Few more to share with you!!

What another fast summer we are having! Why do they go so fast, and winters so slow?  The weather has been great and I have been enjoying each and every day.  All sorts of fun activities have been going on.
I have a few more framed pieces to share with you that I havent had time to post.
First is Sarah Brown from Milady's Needle:

and her sister Margaret Brown:

Close up of the frame, which has a similar feel to the sampler border

I chose to stitch both samplers of Vintage Pear with silk threads, choosing similar colors to the originals.  I just love the subtle differences and no, I didn't find it tedious stitching both of them.  I found them relaxing to stitch on and was a bit sad when they were complete.   Don't you just love how delicate they are? 

Next up is a classic Goode Huswife piece- The Flowers of Lebanon (OOP):

 I chose the same frame for flowers as The Black Forest (OOP) piece I did of hers a few years back.  I added the below pic for a refresher, but I didnt have the framed one handy.

The colors on the black!!!!  LOVE!!!  Both stitched on 32ct burlap linen with NPI.  Both funky in their own ways :)

Last but not least- the piece de resistance:

Stitching my Dutch Beauty in record time on 45ct lakeside Maritime White with overdyed silks I am OVER THE MOON WITH EXCITEMENT.  Looking at it, its hard to believe its even mine!!!  It is by far the largest sampler I have ever stitched and each and every time I look at it, I find something else I just love.   Countless hours were spent on choosing the color placement just perfectly.  WOW, what a piece of work!!!! 

 A close up of the frame I chose to use a dark teal blue fillet to offset the color in the sampler.  Just a hint of color, but nothing too bright.  I cant wait to find the perfect place to hang it.  An accomplishment like no other for me.  I love the larger samplers, I might complain a bit in the middle, but this one is a masterpiece.

I finished Peace House from La D Da, which I will share with you later this week.  What is next to pick up and work on?  I have to get BBD Wild Berries done, I started it with such a bang, but got distracted.  HaHa!  That is not something new is it?!!  Speaking of new, anyone see some must haves for St. Charles market?  I love the new BBD and the Plum Street pieces shown so far, I have been soooo excited for Yuletide since she teased showed us last year from the retreat at Shepherds Bush.  But I cant wait to see the others!  Of course the With thy Needle and Thread Ltd. Kit.  What else so far am I missing?!!!!!  LOL.

Looking forward to a great week, and I hope all of you have one as well!!  Happy stitching :)

Can you hear the singing?!!

Last night around 8:30pm, I put the final stitches in the largest project to date I have ever stitched.  That is correct, I have finished Dutch Beauty!!!!!!!!!  My first finish for 2013.  One less WIP!!  So many things to be excited about!!!  Exactly 4 weeks from my last post, I completed the final row and added the flowers to the border.  I have stitched so much in the last 4 weeks, that my shoulder was killing me from holding my hoop!  I was so desperate to get this finished and I posted last time I wanted it complete before April 1st, then I made a new personal goal of January 31st.  Well, in the last 4 weeks, there has been alot of adventure so sometimes I didnt get as much stitching in as I wanted.  So clearly that goal came and went.  Not much longer after my goal and stitched in less then a year, here is my Dutch Beauty!!

 

I am sooo thrilled to be done stitching this piece.  It was getting quite tedious near the end, I wasnt enjoying it anymore.  I feel like if I didnt push myself I wouldnt have felt this way--but it had to get done.   I was tired of the threads sitting out for so long, and what a joy it was to put them all away. With each and every page complete, there were less and less I had to stitch, I was pumped up.  You can do this!!   I spent time with each and every motif choosing the colors I wanted to stitch with-- I didnt follow the symbols at all, I referred to them, however most of the time chose a different color.

I spent a long time stitching the swan motif, I wanted to see the family separate from their mother.  I wanted depth for feathers.  I do feel that using the over-dyed silk that each motif popped from the next.  The flowers you can smell and the animals breathing.  Amazing what simple things can do for your project.  I know it was worth the time using this technique instead of following the chart.  Do I want to try that in another project?  Sure, but not for a long time!! LOL.

Using 23 overdyed silk colors and stitched on 45ct Vintage Maritime White from Lakesided Linens.  She measures 25 1/2 inches x 15 1/2 inches.  Thanks again for all the great emails, texts and comments keeping me motivated.  I know that is what helped drive me to complete this fantastic sampler.  I look forward to having her framed this summer and hung in a special place :)
The next question is that tonight, I will have to stitch on something else.  I cant just sit and do nothing!!  I actually might have to break out the WIPs and play for a bit!!!!!

Its getting serious

The last few days have been unbelievable.  Ever since I posted last week Wednesday about DB and my goal, I was overwhelmed with encouragement on my DB goal and I am sooo appreciative of this!!  This is why I love this hobby-- everyone jumps on board and is excited for you.  I can hear the chanting!!!  GO! Go! Go! LOL.   Well, I have a severe case of stitch-a** as our friend Siobhan says :)  It is strange, I haven't had a case of this in forever!!!

This is where I was when I started stitching on Friday night sometime and when I finished early Saturday morning, I was here.

Wowza.  I am pumped up!!!!  Lets get er done!!!!  LOL.

This pic was taken around 2:30am this morning.  I wasn't going to bed until the final motif was stitched on the 2nd row.  I am glad I fought on!!

I am more than thrilled.  Today I would love to stitch more, but I have do actually do some chores and perhaps a bit of work.  It has piled up and that drives me crazy.  However, tonight is a separate issue!!!!  Back to the grind!!!!  LOL.

Thanks again for the encouragement.  Without it, I might not be this far!!!!

Happy New Year!!

It is something we all have to get used to now while writing out the date-- 2013.  Oops, even as I type this I put 2012.
It was a nice quiet night bringing in the new year, movies and stitching went off without a hitch, however, I did get delayed in my stitching that night--what else is new?  I get caught up so easily in reading others blogs.  Only about 3 hours instead of 5-6.  What are you doing to do??!!
I did start a new project-- like I need one, I already have about 20+?  But, it is tradition to start one at least in January.  I do not plan like years past to start a gazillion, I do have a resolution to get as many WIPs completed as possible.  There are a few other resolutions I made, but most I believe will be pretty easy.  Nothing ridiculous like I am going to win the lottery, however, if I do win it, great :)  LOL.  Continuing to eat healthy, be kind to others, have more patience, you know, pretty easy basics.  The big one, is to finish WIPs.  I might fall of that wagon!!!!
I started yesterday Little House Needleworks- Old Nantucket on 45ct Vintage Meadow Rue, and because I can never leave well enough alone, converted it to silks and also made a few color adjustments- of course I did, and love making it my own personal sampler.  The design is fantastic and it was all the rage this summer.  One of my friends promptly converted hers to silk and powered it out-- and it is stunning.  Eager to get this one finished and framed.  It is a winner.  I was able to work on it a bit longer then I had expected, but had to make a color adjustment in the middle, so I ripped out a few things.  Tonight, movie night at my in-laws so I will bring it along and see what happens!

I have some more progress to share on DB for you to see

Not exactly as far as I wanted to be, but more then just a few stitches.  Back to this one tomorrow night.

Hope all of you had a lovely Holiday, and I look forward to all the new starts going on all over the world!!!!

Happy New Year to all :)

New Years Eve 2012

Already the last night of 2012 is here and I cant believe it.  Not sure where the year went and I am sure that most of you are thinking the same thing.  I guess I should have stitched more, but what I finish I am pleased with!  Overall a great year for sure :)
I have more finished on DB, but not as much as I expected-- which is usually the same story for most of us also :)  Things have been a bit upside down if you will in the household and are finally calming down and getting back to normal.  Normal is as normal gets around here.  LOL.

I am hoping to finish the flowers and its pot tonight, I am looking at the long hours of stitching tonight and I am very excited!!!!  No big plans, we had some, but at last minute decided to stay in, warm and snuggly to watch a few movies and me, stitching.  YEAH!!!! 

I decided to iron this huge piece for fun and take a final Dec 31st, 2012 picture.  My goal is to get it done well before April 1st.  I think I can do it.  Since starting it for the 3rd time during the crazy start challenge of 2010, I decided to power it out picking it back up around the first of April 2012.  So if I can get it done before 4/1/13, I will have it completed in 1 year or less.  What do you think?  Possible right??!!

I have had my piece for the January 1st start for sometime now, it is going to be a nice small one.  That piece among the SDW sal I have fallen off the wagon on-- sorry ladies!!  And the Ann Bowers Attic sal, and the scarlet letter challenge, I have my year cut out for me!!!!
So farewell to 2012.  I hope all of you have a great night!  Looking forward to a fantastic 2013!!!!!

Happy New Years Eve :)

It's almost time!

Christmas is just around the corner and all the last minute items are getting checked off 1 by 1.  I have not stitched for the last 3 nights and it is terrible!!  I did make some progress last week that I wanted to share with you.  There are only a few more posting times left in 2012 so I better get going :)

 

 

I am officially past the middle on the 2nd row which means I am more than halfway to completing Dutch Beauty.  It is getting more and more exciting as I stitch another motif.
Have a great rest of your week!

12-12-12

While I debated yesterday to do a blog post, I thought today was much more exciting.  Why?  Well, it is only Wednesday, the middle of the week, less then 2 weeks till Christmas.  Yes.  It is a special day today-- simply because of the date.
December 12, 2012.
At this time of night, I am probably a bit late in the game, however my main goal was to have the post today.  Folks all around the world heard on the news, read on the internet or the paper to perhaps do something special today.  People are getting married, renewing vows, even a lucky bunch-- had a new addition today :)
Me, nothing special per-say, just work and the other daily duties.  I did help some very nice people create special memories-- and I guess you could say I will remember them.
On the stitching front, I am making great progress on Dutch Beauty.  Looking forward to stitching more tonight.

I have started the otherside of the center vines on the other side of the deer.  I am looking forward to stitching the deer soon :)
Also, while stitching along 5 other gals the SDW sampler.  I am making slow and steady progress on it, but stitching 1 day a week, a few hours at a time isnt getting me too far.  I must confess, DB must get done so I can really focus on the Scarlet Letter Challenge.

I really do love this sampler, the colors are so fantastic and the motifs-- we are learning more about this sampler then we could have imagined just passing over the pattern.  This is going to be a gem when complete.
Like I mentioned before, with the Christmas spirit in full swing in the stores-- the decorations up and twinkling at night, I am looking forward to great time.  Shopping is almost complete, I think 2 more to go.  Easy right?  If it only were, then it would be done by now!!!!!
Until next time, enjoy the rest of 12-12-12.  What can you do to finish the day off right?
Me?!  Stitching and a nice glass of Pinot Noir :)

The Loss of

It has been a rough few past weeks and stitching has come in handy alot of the times.  I just haven't felt like posting a blog, or really being social or whatever. I can put on a happy face pretty good.  I am sure that everyone has felt the loss of a family member-- whether human or pet, loss of a good friend, loss of a job, loss of a home or Country, loss of ?????  Well, the last few weeks I know several folks feeling a loss in their lives.  And you can fill in your own blank on which loss it has been, but is has been tough for all of us.  My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of them.
How many of you have dealt with a rotten person that rips you a new one for NO real good reason? I read a few weeks ago that a poor woman received a rotten email about her own blog.  How dare they?  Lately I think they exist in great numbers--and it keeps growing.  Because you have stress, doesn't mean it should go past your venting buddy.  Get over it, and get over it quickly.  I am so tired of it all already.  I have come into contact with my fare share of rotten (today being one of those rotten morons--who thinks he is all that and a big bag of tricks, among others), and I know I could be rotten, we all can be sometimes, but I have been re-evaluating life lately, and feeling such said loss, there is a lot other things I have new perspective on.  Stress is everywhere.  Some stress can be avoided but believe me, it isn't easy, and there is good and there is bad, but life I feel is WAY to short.  Live in peace with others, stop being so rotten, be more caring of your neighbor!!!!   ---- Life is WAY to short to get all my stash complete :) AND not much longer to EAT A HOSTESS TWINKIE!!!!  LOL

Enough venting for one day ?  LOL.  I do like to use this blog as a venting post sometimes, as many of you like to do, and it is kind of comforting that people can relate it it. 
Like I said earlier, I have had some time to stitch, and making some progress on Dutch Beauty.  The color arrangement is just gorgeous, and it is so worth the time and effort to make it all flow smoothly.

Almost to the half way point, however I have been working on Elizabeth Mears also.  This one has been a great filler project if you will, remember that DB thread is almost everywhere :(.   I can take Elizabeth with me to people's homes, stitching in the car, and it is easy.  No stress :)

The light bulb went on the other day when I was re-taught how to do the queen stitch, and I have learned this a dozen times and it never clicked.  Finally, I am excited and ready to do the next row of queen stitch.  I have to do the four sided stitch above the bottow row in the pic of over-one.  Easy right?  I am anxious to get to that house~!
I also joined a SAL with 5 of the nicest ladies you could find; started by Nicola of Stitching by a Cornish Sea Shore.  The SDW German Band sampler.  You have seen fantastic progress by these ladies already, and I am bringing up the rear.  Never the less, I will get my progress pics going shortly.  I have actually started the horse :)  It is a gorgeous project, and at this point have converted the colors but yet found myself last night and this morning making a few other adjustments.  This is what I love about stitching.  Making it your own :)  After I get a bit more stitched on SDW, I will share pics too.
Until next time.  Make it a point to Be nice to everyone :)

Clara Thorn and Progress

Hello everyone :)  What a great Monday it is!!  So many exciting things going on today.
First I wanted to share with you my finish of Clara Thorn by Pineberry Lane. 

 

 Stitched on 40ct Purely Primitive Linen (by ????) and a silk conversion.  I am crazy about the eagle and and looking forward to stitching some more patriotic pieces very soon.  I did get a few new ones including Clara this summer.  Easy little stitch to add to the old framing pile!
I have made some great progress on my Dutch Beauty-- and I am very eager to get it done already.  I know, I keep saying that and I start something new.  However, I am ever so tired of the pile of silk that has moved from the back of the couch to a heap it seams on the project bag.  With Clara out of the way, it is number one on the list.  I cant promise though :)

I am loving the pinks chosen for the flowers- especially the tulip.  Using over-dyed silks really makes it look 3 dimensional.  I want to concentrate on these WIPs I have going and make this pile of stash a bit smaller.  I need a detox!!!!  LOL.

Thanks for all the super comments on my last quilt-- and the suggestions for clear thread.  I have this top folded up in the pile to be quilted-- similar to the framing pile :)  and someday will get them finished.  I like the variety of quilting verses stitching-- I like them both equally.  They both give you great sense of accomplishment when finished, and keep your hands and mind busy.   Although I feel like stitching takes less brain?  LOL, I dont know, I can watch tv easy and just listen while stitching, however while quilting I feel like I have to focus more, perhaps so I dont run my finger over??!!!  LOL.

Non the less.  Back to it!!!

I know, I know

It has been over a month now since I have posted about stitching and I feel it is high time to get going!!  The month of June was a super, super busy with 3 weeks solid for me working, then 1 week helping out a Friend with another project-- there wasnt really much time for stitching!  Lots and lots of fun was had though!!!!!!  Among tons of fun, I was able to go to the West Chester County Sampler Exhibit-- which was incredible.  I had heard about it, wanted to go but didn't know if the schedule would allow.  There were so many gorgeous samplers and about a dozen globes.  Those I think were my favorite.  Well, that and the mourning samplers :)  Each and every sampler had such incredible detail.  It was truly worth the out of the way effort to see all of these girls on display.

I have been back at stitching the last week or so. Getting re-settled into my normal routine helps alot.  No real tremendous progress, but some is better than none!!!

 

 I did take a small break from DB to start Margaret Brown. PS-- I am stitching Margaret on Lakeside Vintage Pear-- which as you can see by the picture, doesn't look like it at all :( It is one of Milady's Needles reproductions, and Margaret also has a sister Sarah.  I was supposed to have this done already (stitching it with my friend, she is done though!!  YGG), but we already know how that goes.  I have been pleased with the turn out, but realized when rounding the final side that I was 1 thread off, so instead of having 2 threads to go over to finish my final border stitch, I had 3.............  I HATE THAT.  I looked for a bit to see where I had made this error, couldn't find it and threw put her on the chair beside me.

Picked up DB and continued on the flower stem.

 

 Each and every time I look at this piece, I get more excited to have it complete.  I have already chosen the frame......so when I wrap this baby up (when?????)

Back to Margaret, I found the mistake and ripped out the top border along with half of the right side to fix the error, I thought was too bad to leave.  I can now continue to stitch on her.  I think I am going to stitch Sarah Brown for my Olympic project.  We shall see when we come to that bridge however!!!

  I had some framing done and I am looking forward to seeing the final result today, and I will post some pics of those soon!!

Hope everyone is staying cool, enjoying there summer and stitching the days away :)

Where in the World?

Isnt it great to share a new experience with others?  Let alone your friends?!  I wanted to share another one with all of you, and this time my post is going to be about stitching (mostly).  Yes, finally!  I have been working slow and steady on Dutch Beauty and also enjoying life to the fullest.  Lots of great gatherings for Memorial Day, and Birthdays and just get-togethers.  So many great places too.  So, few and far between I wanted to share some fun pics.  I wanted to take DB on a trip of a lifetime-- thinking what would be great?  Where would I like to work on her?  Well how about Egypt?!  Egypt you say?!  What the?!!!!  Well, the next best and easiest place would be Vegas.  Vegas?!!!!!  I know I can see all of you already-- Vegas is a far cry, and I mean far from Egypt.  But, what do you think?

Great fun right?  How often would you expect to see me do this with a project, let alone DB?!!!!!!!  My project and all its glory is sitting on several statues at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.  We didnt stay there, we did see a show there however along with the Titanic exhibit.  I folded DB up beautifully and put it in a small zippy, in my pocketbook.  No, I didnt get it dirty, and horrors of horrors, I can hear all of you already :)
We saw several shows, the first of which was the Criss Angel Believe magic show which liking the TV show, I was highly disappointed.  The show couldnt be more off than I would have imagined.  So, the score list was 1 zero for my husband and I.  Me with the losing show point so far.  The next night we saw Legends in Concert, Celebrity Tribute-- which was fantastic-- Impersonators of Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Blues Brothers, Lady Gaga (?????????? why??????) and of course Elvis. Highly recommend this one, and the price was great.
Bill Cosby up next which is always classic, he just kills me, and well the entire sold out audience of course too.  Another great recommendation-- although he is not in town all the time, I was lucky to get tickets.
Last show was Phantom of the Opera.   Ltd time running still, but my husband said the set was better than the one in New York-- which is amazing right?  The chandelier alone costs $4 million bucks.  $4million bucks = a hell of a stash enhancement.  Drop in the bucket right?  Another must see if you are going to Vegas.  For those of you keeping score-- 3/1.
Each and every night after the dinner and shows we ended up at some lounge, or nightclub, Serendipity (much much different than New York, but still good!)  Did I mention DJ Tiesto?????  Wowza!!!!!! Walking around, people watching.  We are not gamblers, but $20 bucks on the penny slots is fine for me-- and great fun.  We met up with some friends who came in for the UFC fight and they are gamblers, $25 bucks a hand at 21.  TWENTY FIVE BUCKS?!!!!!!!  Are you kidding me?!!!!  (These aren't even the high stakes tables!!) Think of the stash you can have!!!!!!!  Amazing to watch people throwing $100 bills on these tables.  My heart starts beating fast and I cant do it. 

Focus, focus, stitching this post was supposed to be about stitching right?!  LOL.  I did manage to find some time to stitch on DB and boy she is coming along just great.

Top row has been done since last week, but I have had no time to get a post in, these things take longer and longer each time dont they?

I have more of the 2nd row done than shown, but will show you more next time.  I started working on DB full hog on April 7th and I marked that the first row was done in less than 7 weeks.  Not to bad.  I think she is just gorgeous, and I look forward to seeing more progress on the next row shortly!
Thanks for the comments on my last post, and I hope that you all have had a great weekend, stitching and enjoying this fabulous weather we all have been having!!!!!  I love summer, and it is almost here :)

Have a great week!

Another Friday

Apparently I am finding that Fridays are a great posting day for me.  I dont really have a reason as to why though.  Fridays for a lot of folks are an extra special day......the week is over, the weekend is just beginning, no work tomorrow....... However, Friday for me is just another day.  It doesn't get me fired up. I do work on Saturdays and Sundays for that matter, so what gives right?  Everyday is great especially if I can get some stitches in.  A few or alot, I will take what I can get!
Last week was the kickoff to a stitching weekend with 30+ talented and friendly stitchers and I couldn't have been more pleased to be a part of it.  I tend to see most of everyone's stitching progress on the internet via blogs, or texts of pics so when I can rally in an entire weekend of admiring, being inspired and motivated, that's what fires me up.   I cant even begin to tell you how happy I am-- especially when there is a ton of laughing, bagels--with or without cream cheese and the occasional cocktail to end the day :)

I have made some great progress on my DB.....I mentioned last week that I have taken over the couch as a pin cushion, so how could I stitch on DB with my friends?!  Well, the best way I knew how, was to pack up DB with 1 color of silk--- ONE??!!  (There was one gal that offered to swing by and pick up the couch pincushion and take it on our adventure--LOL, can you only imagine?!) Yes, 1 color and I worked on the border.  I dont know how many of you readers have this problem, but finding that these gals 1 by 1 were having the same trouble as I was, I wasnt too worried.  Frogging :( 

This sort of thing happens to me EVERY TIME I get together with anyone other than stitching at home on the couch is mistakes.  I hate this, and because it happens to me so often--- I dont like to stitch outside the home.  Does this make sense?  I do one heck of a job multi tasking, but when it comes to multi tasking and reading a pattern and stitching, it doesnt work.  Period.  So everthing that goes in, must come out :(.  I must say that it was a challenge for me this weekend, but I managed to over come it the 2nd day.  I dont know how, but perhaps after settling in with the ladies, I could focus on the task that needed to be done.  The 2nd day I did not do any frogging when I got home, it was all perfect.  Mark it on the calender!!  LOL.   As you can see from the above pic, the top of the border is done as far as length goes.  I still have to fill in the buds, but I am not sure what colors I want to use just yet.

 

I have reached the middle of the top row, very exciting right?  However, there are 2 more rows to go!!  LOL.  I am not stressed about the size of this project, I never have been, it has more been about the linen or the silks that throw me over the edge.  When stitching something that you are in love with, I think is most of the battle.

I love the cherub on the right, and there is one more to stitch on the left side.  I am not sure if there are more in the piece.  I tend not to focus on anything other than the page that is in front of me to stitch.  The whole piece is so gorgeous that I want to stitch it all NOW, and I want to enjoy each and every page.  And, I assure you that I will  :)

Until next week, or next time, this is where I left off last night.  I am sure this piece will evolve each and everyday this week.  The sun is shining today, the weather is a gorgeous temperature and I would like to check out the scenery.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!  Thanks for stopping by :)