American Beauty

Another WIP done and under the belt.  I finished this cute little design from Sheepish Designs called American Beauty a few nights ago and havent had time to get onto the computer, let alone post on my blog.  Of course, not knowing the specific name to this fabulous charcoal 32ct linen, isnt the end of the world right?!  This tiny pattern called for Silk n Colors..... now I am not one to EVER complain about using silks, but I didnt have most of the called for colors, so I thought it would be fun to convert the cover picture to overdyed COTTON.  Yes, you read correct.

I am excited to cross off another WIP from the crazy January challenge.  One stitch at time, they will all get done.......eventually :)  I am working now on Carriage House Samplings Quaker Study.   I had started this ?????  and look forward to getting it done as well.  I will take some progress pics and share those with you soon.  It is another easy stitch, dont know why it has taken so long to get'er done!

There are a couple I am eager to get finished, and with Double Dee on the warmer, (NOT on the back burner) it is nice to free up the WIP basket.   So many options..........so little time :)

Live in Harmony

Last night while watching 'Dragonfly' with Kevin Costner (which was really good) I finished up Live in Harmony by Homespun Elegance and I am glad to have another WIP under my belt. 

Ta-Da!  The colors are not as bad, now that the whole thing is stitched up.  I used NPI with 40ct Examplar from Lakeside.  The linen is gorgeous, I dont use that color often, so it was a nice change :)

The next WIP I am working on, Sheepish Designs American Beauty.  I am working on this one on 32ct linen, not sure of the color---- but it is a dark charcoal.  I switched the colors to a variety of overdyed cottons, and I am pleased with the results so far. 

About halfway done, I forget how much thread you really go through on the larger counts!! WOW!!!  I do like using 2 threads when using 36, 32 and 28 cts (which I rarely use these days) so it is nice to actually be using some of this great stash I have.  It is very strange working on 32ct burlap linen, but.........it will be worth it, the colors are fabulous.

An update from last weeks flooding pics, I thought it would be nice to share what a difference a week makes.

The water has receeded and is passing just under the bridge (it has a long way to go though) and the Chicken place is no longer under water.  The road is clear.  But there is alot of mud that is been replaced onto their parking lot!!!
And last but not least, I was able to get a ton of shots of deer, feeding one morning at my mothers house.  We saw them in the yard, I quick grabbed my camera and walked outside.  Slowly I made my way to the end of the driveway, where I sat on the tail end of my car and took these pics.  They didnt seem to be too alarmed.  My mom said her friend has them eating out of her hand!  How cool is that?!  They are so beautiful, we watched them for close to 15 minutes before they moved on.  Funny hearing them eating acorns :)

Arent those spots so super cute?!  My parents have these guys in their yard daily-- fun to see them for myself!  Until next time......thanks for visiting, it is always great to read your comments......one of the best things about blogging- that and being enabled by you :)

A New Week

It has been a very long time since I updated this stitching blog with some stitching.  I have no real good excuses, so I wont bother any of you with them!  In the last few weeks, I have mulled over this project and that....but no real good progress to really share.  My friend asked me yesterday if I had anything to share, and I said sure, I will see what I can do :)

So up first is my progress on Live in Harmony from Homespun Elegance.  Of course, I did some crazy color conversion, that in person, is not really me at all, that is what you get-- haste makes waste.  I had started it in the January crazy start challenge, and the colors were pastel, and I didnt really think I liked it.  So the other day, I sat with my NPI and changed them up a bit, made the colors still brighter then usual, but now they are almost too bright.  AARRGG.  My husband thinks the colors are great, I think they are OK.  But, they will do, I am not ripping them out now.  The pattern is cute, next time I will take more time :)  And of course, I made my birds dark charcoal.........

Double Dee is coming along nicely, I am enjoying stitching these small animals each night, while we are watching classic Paul Newman movies.  It is horrible the color these pics are--- the lighting isnt working with me today.  The v. meadow rue--- is so gorgeous and the silk is unbelievable, here looks like grey, blah.

The movies we have been enjoying are Cat on a hot tin roof (love Elizabeth too-- she is just fabulous-- and those clothes!!!!  I want a creme dress!!!!!), The Hustler, The color of money, The Road to Perdition just to name a few.  I wonder what will be on tonights big screen!!

Last week I was able to see some of the massive flooding that was going on in the NE from all the storms and it was unbelievable.  One town the river crested at 14 feet, the record was 9ft.  The entire town was flooded and the ruble was everywhere.
I heard that another town supplied dumpsters for their residents, to help clear out the basements instead of waiting for the local trash day.  Sidewalks were lined up with wet, moldy crap as far as the eye could see.

Others got their own dumpsters to remove the ruble out of their own basements. 

Pics I took of a river cresting, simply amazing, the day before it was clearing the bridge about 1 foot below.  The next day, looked like this

It is classic, the KNC building says FOR RENT on the front building.  We joked, said the next sign should say-- 'Will build DOCK to suit'  NICE :)  Isnt it something?!  This river is usually VERY low, so low, it is more like a stream, you can see the bottom most of the time and the rocks are like stepping stones.  I have never seen this river so fast moving.  This flooding has backed up the area for days, the rain has been unbelievable, but this week has receded.   Traffic was incredible.  These pics were not from IRENE, but from a later storm.  IRENE, the street we were driving on to take these above pics, was flooded also from the river, and the detours were far worse.
Glad to see things are calming down, and business is back to usual.  The bridge is no longer over-flowing, but it is still high.  Everything is drying out.  Too bad we couldnt have moved the storm to Texas-- they could have made great use of all this water........

This is a new week, and it has been nice and clear.  Back to work, back to stitching.  Hopefully!!!  LOL.

Off Track

What a great weekend I had!  Such beautiful weather, visiting with friends, family and of course stitching!!!!  I have to first let you know that Maria had a back burner seat this weekend, but I have an updated pic for all of you.

She is moving along just beautifully, and for all the fear I had about the satin stitch, it is not as difficult as I was expecting!  From the over 3 side, and all the frogging, I would be happy to do the satin stitch again any time.  I hope to have the bottom done in the next few days, then it is on to the dreaded aztec stitch!!!!!

So, what did I stitch on this weekend?  Well, rather I stitched yesterday-- Let me remind you of where I was on the Quaker Friendship piece--

And this is where I ended last night:

Now-- should explain the title for this blog post!!!!  I was planning on stitching in order of starts, but you know how easy that can be adjusted!!!!  I had this wip in the same project bag as Maria, and I kept seeing it and seeing it.  I figured this weekend it had to be put to bed.   This is called the Quaker Friendship by Goode Huswife.  Stitched on 36ct Flax Fields by R & R Reproductions along with Coffee Bean Gloriana silk thread.  2 over 2.  I always choose 2 strands for 36ct, I prefer the way it looks-- more coverage.  I am excited to have another finish out of the crazy January challenge under my belt and 1 less WIP!!!!!!  YEAH!!!!!!  I might even have another one done this week........ I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

Happy Monday :)

31st January Project-Start

Today is the final post of my personal crazy challenge of January 2011.  There are a few things that I am surprised over, first I think-- that I worked on 31 projects, 24 new starts, worked on 7 wips and finished 1 new one and 1 oldie from last year.  Also, where has the month gone?  Here is it, February 1st already.  I cant believe it.  I am thrilled to be encouraged by many of you-- especially to keep the challenge going all year long.  But, I cant do that, as much fun as it would be.  Last night, I was actually tired of stitching.  Can you even?!  Yes, I was tired of starting another new project-- this I thought would never happen.  My mind has moved on to other things and I must say, I would rather work on some of the ones I started already this month!!!
But, I cant let anyone down, and I did start a beauty last night.  Jane Ballard from the Porcupine Collection.  When I found out last year from my friend that she was going to re-issue these fabulous patterns, I knew this was my chance to grab her.   

The amazing thing about it, is the linen I wanted to use, I didnt have any 'in stock' but, when I got the mail yesterday, the color miraculously showed up!!!! (Thank you very much :)!)  I couldnt have been more pleased with this :)  I knew I wanted to start her last night and without the right color linen, I wasnt sure it would work out. As of Sunday, the choices I had were not quite perfect.  But, now with the right linen, the color conversion could begin!  I have to choose 5 more colors, mostly greens and tans but the colors needed for the border and her dress was chosen last night with ease.

A blend of Belle Soie, SNC, Gloriana and ?? will be used for Jane on 45ct Vintage Woodsmoke.  Aaaahhhhh.  She is going to be gorgeous for sure.  The pink much brighter then I am used to, but looks great in the start.

This is a bigger sampler then I thought it would be for sure, and the pattern is one very large sheet of paper, like 24 x 30 and I will have to make a working copy for myself so I can cut it up into smaller sections, to make it more manageable to work with.
You remember that we like to go antiquing right?  Well, I picked up these beauties yesterday.

I hardly ever see needlework supplies in antique stores, and if I do, I cant afford them.  This pair is about 4" long and I have no idea the age or company who made them.  They do have 'Germany' on them but again, going with looks instead of age for me was all I needed, and I could afford them too :) 

So there you have it, a short run down of my Crazy Challenge for January 2011!  I have enjoyed it so much, and reading your comments and encouragement is so wonderful.  I am thrilled to inspire and to be inspired.  I look forward to what the rest of the year has to bring!!  I know it is going to continue to be an amazing year!!!!!!!

30th January Project-Start

Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman!  Happy Monday to all of you :)  It was a great weekend, some stitching and alot of adventures.  I have to be honest with last nights start, I was a little lazy last night.  I am getting a little more preoccupied with my duties of work- instead of projects.  (Which is more important of course)  My choice for the 30th project this month was from The Essamplaire- MSD 1735 A Nuremberg Sampler.

Where did the laziness come in?  I only chose 3 colors so far for this piece, I knew that she was going to get the short end of the stick in the progress department, and also I need to get more silks.  The colors as I mentioned before, the good ones anyway, are in high demand for several projects and I didnt feel like rummaging through other starts to see what I would need.  I will end up working on the rest of this conversion on my next break from work :).  But, to get her going, I did choose the border color and its all that really needed to be decided on.  But, I did have 2 pieces of linen I was thinking about for her, and it was between Lakeside Vintage Porcelain and Vintage Maritime White.  That is where the blue skein comes in, (in the picture) Iwanted to see what some of the colors would look like on either piece. All the colors I normally choose would look great on either one, but the blue pushed me into choosing Vintage Porcelain.  I love love love this color.  So very crisp, without being to stark or bright.  Creamy enough that the colors pop. 

I stitched 4 yards of silk already into the border and added a hint of the 2nd color as you can see.  I think the colors are a good start for now.  I am thrilled that I dont change my mind too often on colors and choices are made wisely.
So the last post of my challenge will be tomorrow, and I am excited to show you the next and final project for the Crazy Challenge January.  I am positive I will have other new starts this year, because that is the nature of this beast.  I have chosen the final pattern and the linen, now for another conversion.  Do you know how tiring conversions can be?!  LOL.  It will be worth it.  I am glad to have started what I did this year, otherwise they just lay in the drawer, waiting to be chosen year after year.  Until tomorrow!!!

29th January Project- Start

To start off, thanks to all of you who have been commenting on my blog- Isabella is getting quite the attention these days, isnt she going to be something?  There are some many of you wanting to stitch her, or who have pulled her out to continue working on her, or walked over to the finished sampler on the wall to gaze at her.  I encourage all of you to start her.  It is from the Sampler and Antique Needlework Magazine Summer 2010 issue, and there are some out there yet!!!  She isnt a large sampler, so it would be great in any count and if you are considering trying a smaller count, she would be a great example to start on.  But, Isabella had her day on Friday right? 
What about Anne Wells?  Who is Anne Wells?  I really have no idea who Anne is, but I think her sampler is darn cute.  Last night I started Birds of a Feather- Anne Wells.  It is an out of print pattern that I have had for a few years.  I chose Birds of a Feather Barn Owl 36ct Linen along with the called for WDW threads.  I know you are all shocked it is on 36ct--- do you know how stinken' cute she would be on 45??!!!!  But, I have all of this linen, and why not use it already.  Just because I am obsessed these days with 45, doesnt mean that the other gorgeous colors in larger counts have to take a back seat.  Besides, using the larger counts only makes room for more 40 and 45.  Not that 'space' is really an issue :)

I have almost the top half done, and it looks and is easy, just the counting in between the letters is frustrating, because they are all thrown all over the place and some are 10 spaces, others are 12 and some even 13.  I forget and have to recount several times-- which is the idea, but we were watching the tube and listening also distracts the voice in my head shouting 10. 10 already, dont you listen?  10!!!   I am not sure, so I re-count, yes 10.  You want it to be right!!!!!!  Like the rest of you, HATE ripping out. 
Everyone enjoying there weekend so far?  Almost February!!!  I am looking forward to it for sure :)  Have a great day.

28th January Project-Start

I am so behind schedule again today, but better late then never right!  Last night I started Frances B Jones from Scarlet-Letter.  I have noticed especially coming down to the wire of new starts, that I have been running out of stash selection for threads and linen; and that I have started to 'share' threads between 2 projects.  I would not recommend this if you have to use a large amount of threads, or a larger count fabric- because you will run out.  I am using 45ct again, and I am sharing 2 silks- 1 from One Blue Bird- which I think that project I need less then 20 stitches worth, and then the other, 1 shade of pink from Mary Beale.  With that one, I think I should be ok because the pink is just used in the flowers, unlike if I had to share greens, that would be another story.

As far as borders go, I like some and dont like others, this one the border is not repetitive at all and I have to constantly check and recheck.  Others I can sort of memorize after a few times and have at it.  None-the-less, she will be very pretty.  Again, a little different then others, but dainty.  I am not sure if you can see or not, but there are 2 shades of green and in the leaves a hint of gold.

Hope everyone is enjoying there weekend, I hear snow is on the way for some of you next week :(

27th January Project- Start & Bonus

Another Friday is upon us already and I am positive the month is going much faster then I ever expected it to go.  My last weekend of freedom before I am back to the grind next week.  Fortunately, I am back to the grind on February 2nd, so I will have no excuses to get the 31 crazy challenge done and see what insanity waits on February 1st in the stitching department.  But lets not rush a good thing we have going here.  I have found a few more tricks up my sleeve and look forward to sharing them with all of you in due time :)
Today I have for you 2 things.  First, lets talk about what new project I started last night shall we?!   Out of the Sampler & Antique Needlework magazine, I have started Isabella Johnson.  I have had her kitted up for some time and last night made a slight adjustment on the linen.

I am using the called for Belle Soie Silks and I have opted yet again, for 45ct linen, this time vintage lentil.  There is a method to my madness-- if it makes sense or not, it doesnt matter.  But my reason is that I would like to stitch the other 2 charted samplers that the pictures are featured along with Isabella, Jane Tindall and Maria Tilley on 45ct too, so why not?  This doesnt matter, either way if you stitch them on 28ct or ??? count, because they are all different shapes and sizes anyway........  You can stitch samplers on what ever count linen that gets you going.  I am obviously going on 45 :)  I acquired a piece of Vintage Lentil the other day, a long a narrow piece.   I was looking specifically for long and narrow pieces because I have a VERY hard time cutting my linen.  To make that clear, I can cut anything, but the linen, the gorgeous linen, I have a hard time physically bringing myself to doing this, so I try to find pieces that will work in the right color for each sampler.  Sometimes, like in this case, it has worked out perfectly. 

So you can 'see' my tiny piece of fabric, for most stitchers, this piece you are laughing at me, as tons of room!!  Yes, the entire design fits on this piece width wise with no worries. You can see the width is done from the vine those leafs are growing off of.  The length isnt an issue at all.  Crazy right?!  Yes, I live there, and I have been asked along the way, where it is, where does crazy live, because others are interested in joining me there for more adventure.  The sampler is fabulous and I am excited to have this one going and someday complete.

Back in the end of November, after Thanksgiving I think, my Husband and I took a small road trip and I need an ez little project to stitch on.  So I started Little House Needleworks Mercantile.  Easy I said, it is a cute little pattern and perfect for my purpose.  I only got so far

on our drive and put it away.  Well, we went on another small road trip in the last few days and I have been a busy girl.  I got it done and here she is.

I used 40ct ??? with the called for WDW, GA & CC threads and I think it is super cute.  You need to have easy ones right?  These big jobs that we have going all the time are outstanding, but to finish something, is even better.  Especially, because she isnt in my January challenge!!!!!  My 2nd finish of the year.  BONUS!!!!!

26th January Project- Start

My project for last night, another oldie- but goodie.  I didnt get as far in stitching as some nights, I needed to finish the conversion, and haste makes waste.  So I wanted to choose right for another BAP I was going to be starting.  This piece, is another one that I have wanted to start for along time (Ok, lets be honest, what percentage of patterns do you have that you havent wanted to start for a long time??????  For me, less then 10%)  I want to stitch every thing!!  Someone did tell me yesterday that I should go for the year challenge.  Ok, that is a great idea, but I think I would have to start posting just pics, because somedays it is really hard to talk about another new project.  What else can you say about it?  I choose very similar things, how many times do you really want to read gorgeous, beautiful and fabulous??!!!  LOL I know, we have read it already for what 25 straight days?!  Well, less then a week to go, so bear with my keywords.
I have nothing wrong with starting a million projects, I do however enjoy the end result of completion, and believe me, some love to start and some hate to start.  I love the start, hate the middle, and love the end.  As much as I love pulling my threads, I enjoy putting them away looking all wild from massive abuse from the last how many ever months/years they have been in a project bag. 
I am having a little more of a tough time with the projects that I have still in that bin I showed you on day one, some I really would rather not work on--just yet.  So maybe my percentage went up to 25%, although I am very happy to have some of these patterns, I am not in the mood- if you know what I mean.  I have to smack myself around for the next few days to continue on the challenge with beautiful patterns, not let it slide downhill, (start off with a bang, and end with a fizzle!)  I cant let that happen.  So, we shall see.  I dont want to fall off the wagon just yet :)

Here is Sarah Farr Floore - from Samplers and Such.  I think I have had this pattern now for 2 years.  A friend had recommended this designer to me and there are some great reproductions; something about Sarah called me.  So I had her ordered in :)

Choosing 45ct Vintage Sand Dune along with a variety of silks conversion, I think it will be interesting.  From looking at the pic, you would think there were about 5 colors, I think there are over 15.  I will have to make adjustments along the way, I have a vision of what I want her to look like, and I have already changed the selected color for the border, to another one.  Might as well do it right from the beginning right?  How many do we have started with colors we arent sure about, or dont even like?  (Dutch Beauty conversion x 3 anyone?!!!  LOL)

One of my favorite linen color is sand dune- regular or vintage, I like the vintage variety a bit better, I love the way it looks.  You can stare at it for hours.  Good think you will be working on it for hours!!  (More like months or years!)

To spice things up a bit, I started in the right hand corner, and went left instead of down.  How little things get us excited :)  I am about halfway across the top border.  I dont think I will ever get over how 3 pages of pattern turns out so small on my linen. This pic show 1 1/2 pages of pattern.  I have 11 little motifs to go along the top.  Piece of cake :)  Speaking of cake, is it to early to have some?!!
I am always appreciative of all who read my blog and share thoughts, it means alot!  Have a great day :)

25th January Project-Start

I have to apologize for the super super late post.  I know this post was due like 20 hours ago, but what can you do right?  Time slipped by today at record speed, and no complaints about it either!!!!!  Wow, what a great day :)

So without further hesitation, here is my start from last night.  It is from Goode Huswife- One Bluebird.  Very cute, minimal colors, as you can see.  I did add 1 darker shade of brown, because with the 40ct Vintage Pearled Barley I am using, the lightest shade of creme barely showed up-- and I tried and ripped out 3 colors.  So using the lightest shade of brown instead of creme, we had a winner!!  Of course, then I was 'missing' a color too.  No worries, problem was solved very quickly.

I have 3 sides of the border done, and it reminds me of my Great-Grandmother, Grandmother and Mothers tatted handkerchiefs, so delicate.  The colors are yummy (of course) and I look forward to finishing this one shortly (I hope!)

24th January Project-Start

Another cold but beautiful day we have today.  Another great day for stitching!  Well, I suppose any day is great for stitching right?  My start for last night, is from Needles Prayse-Our Savior and The Two Thieves.  An older pattern, classic in design and in the vision of my sampler wall, will fit in perfectly.  I am always looking for variety, and with what I have started or worked on this month, I think I am headed down the right path.

This piece, by far is the most unusual sampler that I have wanted to stitch, and very special at the same time; I know it is not for everyone.    It calls for 4 solid silk colors, I chose 5 hand-dyed silk colors.  I want to see more depth with the vintage fabric, and I think even with waking up in the middle of the night second guessing my choices, was comforted this morning when seeing the selection again.  90% words, 3 Crosses and a classic border, simple and timeless. 
I am pleased too, to have found a beautiful Lords Prayer sampler, along with gorgeous detail from the Scarlet-Letter.  With the taste I have in choosing the samplers I stitch (usually very similar), I am excited to stitch this one.

I have the border almost done on the right side, I think there are 37 buds, I have over 20 something done.  I know it will be more of an easy stitch, and more exciting then just alphabets over and over again. 
Todays dilema, is what I am going to start/work on, I have no clue and at this point it is too early to take a look.  I have updated my WIP's list on the side of my blog, and it is entirely too long.  I knew that this would happen,  but just seeing it in list formation is a little much!!!!  My Husband was joking with me yesterday, about my 31 projects and said with a straight face, 'why stop at 31?  You know how many days there are in the year?!'  LOL, he is crazy.  Crazier then me for sure :)  Forget it I told him, I dont even think I have 365 projects, he said, wanna bet?!?  No thanks, I dont really want him to know that there are probably 2 or 3 or 4 times that amount.  I dont ever really want to know the exact amount, and with being organized, it doenst look like that many either.......  I am happy with it contained to one room----- or is it more?  LOL.  Stash is just fun, no matter how much you have or how little you have.  My sister has 1 box of projects, maybe 10 projects in it, and she is a 1 project gal, no more then 1 at a time for sure.  I love her will power!!!!  I outta take some notes from her, although I obviously have not paid any attention.  Well what can you do :)