Village is DONE!!!!!!!!

Ta-da, pressed and ready for viewing!!!! Complete Village of Hawk Run Hollow!!!! Finished on Sunday afternoon among stitching friends, what a great accomplishment, and to be with my friends, was even better!! I am THRILLED to have this one stitched and under my belt. I really enjoyed stitching this whole piece. As I thought of each block was a 'new' project. I kept the original colors that Kathy chose for this piece, and I am thrilled that I did. The colors are gorgeous!! 36ct Light Examplar Lakeside Linens, with 2 strands of NPI. Thanks for all the cheering on!!

I will post Pigalle pics tomorrow, as well as a another Long Dog piece I have started. Is everyone staying cool?! It is hot here, but no complaints from me :). Have a super day!

A Tasty Treat

I wanted to share with all of you, a wonderful surprise I received this weekend. Homemade Marion Berry and Raspberry Jam. WOW!! One of my friends canned this jam with her children, and shared these 2 with me. How did she know I LOVE these?! Thank you so much for this great treat. It was a fabulous lunch today!!

I have a few things to share. First, I finished Village of Hawk Run Hollow yesterday, Sunday afternoon!!! YEAH!!!! With the help of my friend, for giving me NPI 993 lot 6; to help finish. We still cant figure out why I ran out of 993. Is it because the pattern calls for 40ct, 1 strand; and you need 3 skeins? Or is it because I used 36ct, 2 strands; with 3 skeins??!! LOL. (For those of you stitching Village on 36ct with 2 strands, you will need more then 1 skein for block 12.) Anyway, I will be sure and get an extra of any color listed with quantity for the next one. I cant run out again!!!! I lent my iron to a friend, so I should be able to press it tomorrow and post a picture perhaps Wednesday.

I have started Pigalle from Long Dog Samplers on 40ct with gorgeous Belle Soie colors. I will post some pictures of the progress tomorrow. It is so delicate!! I am not used to stitching on 40ct, these past few weeks of hard crunch time stitching on Village, it seems so different! Not to worry, I am already back into the swing of things. Remember 45 & 48 ct are still calling!!

It is very hot today so my Husband and I decided to take it easy, ran our morning errands and rented some $1.00 movies. First was 'Australia', which wasnt bad. I was able to work on my floss organizing some more. I worked on Crescent Colors, got them done. I am going to need some more supplies! I really am loving this system. If you are interested, it is the post right before this one. The 2nd movie we rented is 'Taken'. We havent watched it yet, will do so in a few. I have been looking forward to this one, so I hope it is good!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, I cant believe it is the last week of July already!!! Have a great day!

Block 12 progress

With every errand imaginable to run yesterday, I still came home and after my Husband grilled some fabulous pork chops, had a great spinach salad; I got in some stitching on Block 12. I know this is my favorite block, and I could hardly put it down. 'Want to go to bed, it is midnight.' Really, already??!! I suppose we better, morning sure comes fast! I wanted to share the progress right away. Hope to get some more done today.

Block 11

One of the best days so far this summer was yesterday. An entire day of stitching, from 10 am- 12 midnight. Yes you read correctly, midnight. Stitching outside on a beautiful warm summer day (no sweater this time), with some of the Best friends a gal could ask for. So much laughing, and carrying on. The day wouldnt be complete without a little enabling from Kim, Jenifer and Ink Circles. Many of us are adding a few nice things to our stash, that is for sure. 45ct anyone? Sign me up! Me too!! Me too!! So much fun!! We are kids in a candy shop. We took a nice lunch break and stitched more. Then just before supper, a whole bunch of us took a 'drinking' break, and polished off a few refreshing pitchers of Ruby beer. YUM!! Thanks Sherry for ordering it! It certainly is always delicious. Can't wait for another round-- Tasha, Kim, Peggy, Sherry, Barb, Jenifer- again next week?! Jeannine you will have to come with us too :)

Barb and Lynn had their 'PEACE' projects with them, and they are really cruising, having completed almost the top 2 left pages, I am very inspired to work on mine, and I could be picking it up in the very near future. Absolutely exquisite. It is hard to describe the beauty, and fine detail in this piece, it is like fine lace.

As you can see from my posted pics, Block 11 is complete!!!! I finished it earlier today, and didnt have time to post because we went to a fabulous BBQ, and hung out with more relatives I havent seen in such a long time-- since last summer!! Lots more gatherings this summer- dinner, dancing and lots more visiting look like the menu. Another boat ride will also be an order! I just love it, the weather was fabulous and the ribs my Husband cooked up were terrific!! Did I mention corn on the cob!!??!!! Anyway, Block11.... (so easily distracted!) I was able to stitch a ton yesturday on block 11, and around 11 pm, ran out of #293 NPI for the bottom left bush, so a bit disappointed that I might not finish it, both Jeannine and Barb offered to look in their stash, to see what they had. This morning, and after a much needed night of sleep, I got up and found what I needed- the right dyelot, and finished this puppy up. YEAH! I am back from the BBQ and well into Block 12. I am sooo excited to stitch this block, I am glad I waited till the end to start it, instead of jumping the gun. I will post pics this week--- Hopefully I will be done with Village!!!!

Block 10

What relaxing couple of days.... Sunday was cool, cloudy and finally rain. Yuck. I cant believe it is summer, with a sweater on? Today was a bit better, overcast in the morning, the sun broke through some and warmed up a bit. But besides the weather, it has been a great couple of stitching days. I am off to another great week. Finished Block 10 of Village, and have started Block 11 already!! I am getting so close to finishing this piece, I can hardly wait. The question already on my mind, is 'What is going to be next'? Can you imagine? I have a few ideas, besides stitching on Mary W., you will just have to wait and see!

Block 9 is done!

The last post for June is very exciting! I completed Block 9 yesterday, among other things...(the cleaning crew didnt come again over the weekend, so I had to do the work myself LOL!) I didnt know what to expect when stitching this block, looking at the picture, and looking at the pattern, it is always a nice surprise. The 3-d effect is terrific with the minimal backstitching. You can almost hear the horses walking down the street, past the refreshing fountain!

Today, I thought I would start block 12, but might 'block out' 10, 11 & 12, so that I can just stitch inside. That would be an easy thing to complete for sure. It is nice to see that all 12 will fit on the fabric too, not that I doubted that it would, (a few gals I showed my WIP asked, are you sure???!!!) but at this point, it wouldnt matter much; I would be LIVID though if it didnt! Yes, the correct size linen is the whole battle!

I was on target to get this piece done this month, but as you can see, that is far from happening! There is always next month. Stay tuned!!!

Block 9 start

A great start to BLOCK 9 yesterday!!!! I am thrilled to get it underway. I am happy to get the words done....interesting enough, the words are so easy I shouldnt complain about stitching them, but do. I like the colors in this block, so far the people on the bottom are really cute, and seamed to come alive now that they have been stitched. I hope to complete this block today, so that maybe I can start the Cemetery tomorrow??!!!!



I went to my Grandparents house yesterday for a nice Sunday visit, and I wanted to take some pictures of these cookie cutters (?)/ a mold of some sort that she has in the kitchen. They are very heavy and are about 12 inches tall. Curious if ANYONE knows anything about these, or knows what they are 'called'. Is there a series of these? No one really knows how old they are, but they seem to have been hanging there forever. I would be so appreciative for any help on finding out any info on these. Grandma doesnt remember where they came from, Holland maybe?

Well, I better get stitching. Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

3rd Stocking Done!

Hello Sunday!! What a gorgeous day it is here today. Sun is out and shining brightly!! For those of you that know me, I LOVE the sun. It could be sunny everyday, and it wouldnt bother me 1 bit. For those of you that know me well, you know that I enjoy the HEAT. I do think most of you reading this blog, do not enjoy the heat!! I enjoy sitting by the pool, or the ocean and feeling the sun but I am covered in sun-block. It is hard to get much stitching done while 'sun-bathing' because I dont want to mess up my project with sun block 45!! Chlorine I dont think would work well either! Anyway, I am glad summer is here, and looking forward to a great one!! Busy Busy Busy. This summer has so many great events planned, with so many great friends and family I can hardly wait!! Every summer I think gets better and better.

My update today, is the 3rd stocking from BBD in the March series 'Wild Clover'. LL 40ct Vintage Buttercream with silks. I added the quarter so you could see how tiny they really are. I just think they are SO cute!! They measure 2.25"w x 3.5"h each. The best part of these little guys, are they are a quick stitch. 2 hours of Law & Order and it was done. I think if I wasnt watching these 2 episodes that I hadnt seen before, I might have gotten it done sooner. Oh yeah, and we had an ice cream break in there too!! I love Mint Chocolate Chip, among others of course! :).

I have Village layed out and I am ready to get started on Block 9. Stay tuned for the update. It is only a matter of time now!

Its been so long!

Not to much to update all of you on, but I was able to finish Block 8 on Village, and stitch a tiny, tiny bit more on Mary. These past 2 weeks life has had other priorities for me to take care of, and no time for stitching. I am glad to have time again to get back to this love of mine!! This morning I woke up, and knew that I would be able to finish 8, and post an update. I hope that things will get back to 'normal' again. I have been looking forward to Mary, and now part 3 is out already!! Where does the time go??!! So many progress pics I have seen, and everyone is doing such a wonderful job, the colors are fabulous!! I cant wait to add mine soon!!!!

I started Mary

Thanks for all your great comments on the NPI for Mary! I could line up silks all day, and 'play' with them, but I always feel guilty-- I could be stitching!!!! It calls for Black, White and Cream, I have those colors, but forgot to add them into the picture. Oh well, you get the idea :). With limited stitching time yesturday, last night around 10pm, I decided to fill in the black on Jacobs Mill, and see how far I could get on a start with Mary. Well, as you can see, I didnt make it very far, but I can tell she is going to be something!! I just love the first color, cant wait to see the next and the next and the next.

More 8 & Mary Wigham

June 2 already. Geez, I feel like I just said the same thing about May!! It keeps flying by, faster and faster!! Block 8 has been slow and steady. It seems like I have been filling in this mill forever. I love the colors, and the flowers on the bottom are wonderful. Just a nice touch of color. I have had enough of the mustard color for a while, but since I have another skein in my floss pack, looks like I am not done just yet :). You can barely see the letters on the top reading 'Jacob's Gristmill', yet to be surrounded by black and hanging branches. One stitch at a time!!

We all have been waiting patiently for the first download of Mary Wigham from Needleprint, and she came with flying colors last night. It is a wonderful treat for all of us Ackworth Quaker lovers, and a fabulous addition to our girls. With donation made, and Part 1 0f 9 downloaded, I was eager to pull colors and linen. Of course, nothing ever really comes without change! I am using NPI and the colors have been tweaked a bit. I chose is 40ct Pearled Barley from Lakeside Linens. I am anxious to get started on her. The colors are really pretty too! I havent joined any of the official SAL's, but I look forward to seeing others' progress and sharing my own. It will also be great fun to see everyones color choices!!!

Slow start on Block 8

Almost another week has gone by, and I haven't really got any stitching done. Shame on me!!!! What is going on?? Lots of things I guess, and I have a good start on block 8, but that is it. Also, the linen color has been figured out, and it is Lt. Examplar from Lakeside (36ct). I hope to get back into the swing of things later next week. But, it is always nice to keep in touch, even though I like to post more often, better late then never! Either way, I am excited to stitch this piece :).

Block 7

It has been a few days, and I know this is a fairly easy block..... I have been so busy this week and having so much fun, I havent had much time for stitching. By the time I get back home, I can hardly keep my eyes open and want to crawl into the bed so fast!!!! Block 7 is officially finished. Yeah!! I have started block 8, but not enough to show & make a big deal over. Maybe in another few days. I promise Kim, I will try to post more regular, LOL!! I did start a new project I just got, Sampler Cove Sirin Jaidee. I will stitch a bit more on it and then show you. I am very excited about it though, of course a new conversion into Belle Soie!!!!!!

I am now Halfway!

As you can see, I found some time yesterday to get block 4 done. This one being a very special block, and I am excited to see it stitched! I don't like back stitching, ( I think this is another good reason why I like the primitive look cross stitch patterns) but with the minimal amount that I have to stitch in this piece, I am all together thrilled with the life that it brings! Look at the curtain tie-backs, and the dogs tongues!! It is amazing the 3-d effect right? I am officially halfway on VoHRH. YEAH! I have already pulled the colors for block 7, and I am ready to go. I wonder if I will go in order.... I am very excited for block 12.

Block 4

For those of you just tuning in, This is the start of 'The Village of Hawk Run Hollow' by Carriage House Samplings, block 4. I am stitching it on 36ct lakeside linen (not sure of the exact color) with NPI, 2 strands over 2. I love the look of the 2 strands on 36ct, very full. I love silk! The colors in the picture (as you all know) dont do this piece justice, or any piece for that matter. I pull the colors for each square as I am going off my ring and I am always anxious to see what colors are going to be used where and for what! It doesnt take much to excite me.... :)

We have a wedding to go to this weekend, and I am trying to see what I can do about scheduling time in today for some stitching. At least I already know what I am going to wear, that is a HUGE help!!

I just love reading your comments and appreciate them so much. So funny too, LOL!! Thank you!

Block 6

What do you think of my floating horses?! I really like stitching fireplaces, I love the depth & the texture the colors give the design. Alot of color changing, which slows the stitching down, even though I have 8 needles stuffed into the arm of the couch!!!

Village of Hawk Run Hollow

I started block 6 last night, and this is how far I got. I am excited to work on this piece again, it has been forever. I want to get this one done before I start Shores, just so I can keep them 'seperate' in my brain :). I am trying to figure out what color linen I am using, I do know that it is 36ct lakeside, but that is it. I am sure I can get some help on the color in a few days. I better get back to stitching!!!!

CHS Village of Hawk Run Hollow

This is Carriage House Samplings The Village of Hawk Run Hollow. I am using 36 ct Lakeside linen, although I am not sure what specific color. Using what the design calls for, Needlepoint Silk Threads. I love the colors, so it was an easy choice not to change them!! Each square is like starting a new project, and we all know we like starting new projects!