A small start

Another great weekend was had and I wanted to share my small start.   Sunday afternoon I began La D Da Peace House, with the called for cotton-- yes :)  but I did switch the linen.  I was really excited about how dark the colors were when I saw over at Maude and Mozart, if you go to her great blog, you will see that she has it all done and framed in a fantastic frame.  I saw it originally on her blog sometime ago when she was sharing her stash enhancement she got from a wonderful stitching weekend.  So, at that time I ordered it from my LNS.  I have had it now in the stash for a bit, but when seeing her finish, I had to get going on it!

I didnt really get far the first day, because something about counting with a bunch of people around you chatting, doesnt really go hand in hand, so I opted to wait.  Yesterday I got quite far and I am still excited with the colors.   Weeks dye Works are the cottons used and I chose Lakeside Linen 40ct Pecan.  I debated whether to use 45ct since it would be sooo stinkin cute finished stitch size 4" x 6 ", but I like the color of the 40ct linen better.  So Peace House will still be very cute 5" x 7" :)  I know, crazy.........
I am still working on the other multitude of WIPs, but at this point, have nothing further to update you on, it is sad right?  Well, maybe in a few days.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Its going to fast

My adorable nephew is already a month old and today the announcement of the royal baby, along with so many exciting things happening.  Well, the cross country trip went off without a hitch and we saw a tremendous amount of great things.  So many things have taken place over the last month, it is almost too much for me to think about.  (This post is picture heavy!)
Starting out in NY, ending in OR.

 

Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park, NY.  One of several mansions owned by the Vanderbilt family.  I have been on a tour in this magnificent home on the Hudson river years ago but this time, we passed.  It is well worth it if you have time.

 We stopped at the Heart of Ohio Antique Mall, which I believe is the largest in the country.... being 116,000 square feet (yes, there are that many zeros!) and I was afraid we might have to spend a week there.  But, we often antique, so we know what we are looking for, and know how to look fast.  There are 8 wings if you will to this massive compound, and all but 1 was good, being antique items.  The 1 that wasnt, was all that crap--repros, or yankee candle booths, etc., etc., etc.  VHS tapes are not antiques, and neither are things made in China last year.  It does bother me that these dealers are allowed in these places.  If you want that crap, go to a flea market.  I did run into this scale, no, I didnt buy it, but I thought it was hilarious.  My husband said those were popular in the 70s.  I wonder how many of you had one!!!!  LOL... and did they come in different colors??!!!!  This dealer wanted 50 bucks for it :)

 This thimble display would be perfect for my friend, but with a firm price of $1895.00 it isnt that perfect for her--- Sorry!! But it is very cool to see.

Love this gorgeous coverlet, and I am not sure if it is a good price at 1200.00, (too much for me) but it was near mint.  Rich navy and creme and love the bird detail around the border.

We did run into an amazing amount of storms and watching the front come in on this one was awesome.  Feeling the wind pick up, and the dust blowing, then an amazing amount of water streaming down the streets.  Before you know it, it is over and dried up.  Love summer storms, you almost dont believe they exist!

 Stopping in Watertown, WI and had to see the famous Octagon House.  I think there is something like 57 rooms in this place.  8 sided, 5 floors built in the 1850s of solid brick.  I am not sure how long it would take to clean this place, but it would be a fun place to stitch right??!!! No, we didnt tour this either, just the grounds because the last tour had just started.  So much for timing!! 

If you look close at the above pic, there are 2 racoons peeking their heads out of the tree.  Not sure if this was a good thing or bad thing to see them during the day, but I thought it was great fun anyway.

What do you think of this gorgeous rooster??  Stunning red and shades of grey make this bird very handsome :)  Friends of ours own him and 2 hens...... Free range eggs are delicious!!!!!

 

There were 2 stops planned for Minnesota, one being the Mall of America, which is beyond me in size for a mall and this amusement park in the center of it, but more importantly,

Stitchville USA!

This is the newest location for Stitchville USA and wowza is all I can say.  It is a must stop for anyone who loves stitching and needlepoint.  So many things to look at you might need a week just to look at all the stash on hand!!!! 

Have you ever seen or been to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota??  Each and every year the entire palace made of corn is stripped of its shell and replaced with fresh corn.  It is a famous place, however one would be surprised to find inside the palace, a gymnasium?!  I sure was!!

Driving out and about in the middle of no where, is very peaceful.  Growing up in a cement city as I am told often, it is hard to imagine the beauty that does exist in our country.  Although, you are often enamored by things you dont see everyday, so seeing cows grazing next to wind turbines is pretty cool!  I am often told I do not get out much :)  I have been more appreciative of the things we see in life, as you get older, things you thought were once corny when you were 15, are pretty cool at ??.  LOL.

It is hard to imagine this is Sturgis, South Dakota.  Being famous for its annual motorcycle rally and to see no one on main street is strange.  But, its only a matter of time before this small town is hopping with bikers from all around the world, cruising the streets with their motorcycles.

My hope is not to bore you with these scenic pictures that I have posted here, but only to give you a better sense of what we saw for miles and miles.  Amazing beauty was to be seen everywhere.  I love the contrast of the bright blue sky to the bright reddish rock, to the sharp edges of the mountain.  To the beautiful lakes.
My last trip pic to share is of Multnomah Falls in OR.  One of the highlights on the Columbia river drive.

The 620 foot cascade of water is the 5th highest waterfall in the US.  Impressive right?  There is a bridge near the bottom you can stand on and of course, take more pics, but to see it from afar is also amazing.  It was definitely worth the stop.

So all good things must come to an end :)  My grandfather would always say, "Home again James".

And by now I hope you know that there wasn't much time for stitching on this road trip I was on!!  LOL.. Nope, you guessed it.  Not much took place but I did work a bit on Jane's border.....

  I have started the words as well on the top right.  Stopping at another great stitching shop in Portland, called Acorns and Threads---also an amazing cross stitch shop and a must stop for any stitcher!!!!  Super friendly staff too!!! Sorry, no pics but I did get the newest Blackbird designs Wild Berries and here is my progress

And, I chose to stitch this series in the called for cottons.  Yes, pick yourself up from the floor.  Close your mouth that has hit the desk.  YES, cottons.  LOL!!!!!  After talking with a few of the ladies, converting these small beauties into silk wasn't a practical option.  I did change the linen, choosing a 40ct Lakeside Linen makes this Wild Berry a mere 4" square.  Super cute right?  I think choosing a different color linen for each piece is going to be my agenda for this Loose Feathers collection.  I am also thinking these are great fill in pieces in between my samplers, and no, I will not hang them all together.  Terrific pieces overall though!!

So, enough of a novel today, but better going to see about stitching more BBD tonight.  Thank you for going on my cross country trip and I hope you enjoyed it :)

Enjoy your week, and happy stitching!!!!

Mutilple items

A few things that need to be updated since the last time we talked about stitching.  First off though, my new little nephew is already almost 1 week old already!!  Amazing how time flies.  I remember watching my clock last week and announced that he was already 1 day old.  My sister and brother in law dressed him in this super cute little grey stripe outfit with a giraffe on it and took him to coffee hour at church yesterday.  Everyone was just thrilled to meet the little guy just 5 days old :) 
Today I wanted to share with you some stitching projects I have been working on.
First up is the La Da Da Stitchers Roll Kit; I have completed the stitching, now onto the wonderful finishing part.  I cant tell you how fast that will be complete-- I am not the best finisher, but we shall see.  Depends on how quick I want if off the pile!  (sorry for the wrinkles)

Next up is Birds of a Feather Le Printemps

I am enjoying the filling in of her dress, love the color I chose for her :).   I am looking forward to finishing the skirt soon.  I did notice that the bottom bands are more spread out and there are less of them.  The top ones are a bit compressed.  Although they are wider on the bottom....... I am looking forward to finishing with this color and using some of the other fabulous and bright colors I have chosen soon :)  I am so tempted to cheat and use them, but I feel like it will be a reward for sure!

Since the stitching is finished on the La D Da Stitchers roll, I needed another new travel project.  I managed to dig deep into the basement and stash dive for a bit.  What a hard choice!!!  There were so many beautiful options, but looking for the perfect 40ct linen project wasnt the easiest.  I was looking for something that wasnt quite as simple- or small, and something that would last a bit longer (however I am not sure how long it will last because once I really get into it, I might want to finish it asap--like with Elizabeth Mears)
So, wanting to stitch this next sampler has been in the top section of my basket next to my stitching chair for like 2 years, I decided to start stitching Jane Tindall from Needlework Press. 

Using the called for AVS and Florimell Silks along with 1 other addition a Ltd Edition Hankalicious from Gloriana (the dark red), I have started a new travel project.  Or what I call a driving project.  Call it what you will, it is only worked on while in a moving vehicle.  That all may change in the future, but you never know, there are so many others I want to work on while sitting still!!!  LOL.

Since hearing the horrors of running out of the specific grass color, I bought a few years back a hankalicious of it.  You never can have too much, however you might run out at any time.  I HATE this, and about 7 years ago, decided this had to change.  It wont go bad!

I wanted a specific shade of grey for Jane and I have had her kitted up with (what I think is) the perfect color from the old Birds of a Feather linen-- Sandpiper.  WOWZA is she looking good so far!  I cant wait to hit the road again.

Speaking of hitting the road, how many of you have ever done a United States cross country road trip?  East to West, West to East?  See anything that was so fabulous??  Any cross stitch shops that are a must stop?  Quilt shops? Antique Malls?  Landmarks?  Museums?  State Parks?  Restaurants?  Packing up the old car or truck, motorcyle, 5th wheel or Motorhome? Pack a lunch or hit famous road-side diners? How many stitching projects do you actually take???

I would like to know!!!!  I am just curious as my Husband and I are getting ready to pack up and head out!!

The most precious gift

Arrived this past Tuesday, June 18th at 11:08am.  I became an Aunt to a healthy bouncing baby boy weighing in at 10.8 pounds and 22 inches long.  What a blessing!!  God is good!!!!!  My beautiful sister and brother in law had their first child this week and wow is he amazing!!!!!!!!  I was able to meet and hold him at just 4 hours old!! Unbelievable.  I am not much of a crier, but let me tell you, I was balling like a baby!!!!  LOL.

Look at these feet!!!!  Just precious!!!!!  I am over the moon of course, as well as the rest of our family.  My sister is quite the trooper and I am soooo proud of her :)  Everyone is doing great and have gone home yesterday.

Up next

Thank you for all your kind words yesterday on my American Quaker Band Sampler.  Curious minds also wanting to know what is next up on the stitching front.

 

From this past Nashville market, from La D Da; Stitcher's Roll Key.  I am immediately drawn to kits when I see them, but remember each and every time I start one why I don't like them.  The linen is always the bare minimum and you hold your breath for the threads.  Linen is 30ct WDW burlap and I am not used to putting my needle up from the bottom and it falling out of the linen by the time I reach my hand up to the top to grab it.  LOL.  I use a hoop so one hand is always occupied.   I am thankful that this kit is using NPI and the numbers are given- easy to match if you run out.  I always like options however sometimes the design takes over (a must have) and you just make due with what comes with it.  I guess I am usually spoiled stitching on a piece of linen larger than a hankie and having a full skein of something.  Non the less though, I did purchase both of this years kits, even the Stacy Nash kit.  Overall the end result is what matters.  I love these little guys!!  They are stinkin cute!!!!
I think that once the easy part of the stitching is complete, the hard part will be for me is the finishing.  I would rather stitch queen stitches all day then finish something like this.  One of my friends said that is what they have finishers for. 

Almost finished with the top section, looking forward to hopefully finishing it today, but we shall see.  Le Printemps was calling me so I worked on her for the later part of the evening while watching The Impossible.  This movie is a true story about a family who was in Thailand in 2004 during the Tsunami.  Truly incredible, and worth watching.

I finished outlining the bottom right of her skirt along with the bottom and began filling in her dress.  It is amazing what only a few hours will do for you when you are focused. 

I cant wait to add more to her, she is so much fun!!
Enjoy your weekend, hopefully it is relaxing and full of stitching!!  Thanks for stopping by :)

American Quaker Band Sampler

Is finished!  Final queen stitches placed on the bottom row last night and I love it!  Super easy little piece and I feel great about another finish out of the pile-o-stash :)

Adjusting the specific color placement on the bottom was fun-- using the same AVS colors as chosen since the beginning but the arrangement was changed.  Easy when you are only using 3 colors!

Ever since my friend had taught me the queen stitch, I no longer fear it.  It had been since December of last year that I had done them, so at first it was a little rough, but before long, I was sailing along.  The turquoise queen stitch row was supposed to be the pale peach, but I thought pulling down some of the blue was needed.  Isnt it a great shade?

So my weekender turned into a week long project, but what do I expect when you have to go to work??!!!  (Work is good--) Start to finish May 30th-June 5th.  I will take it. 
Thanks for stopping by-- I have a bit of stash diving to do today!!