A little of Everything

Well by now I'm sure you all have heard about the death of music icon Prince and in honor of him my post is of course, purple. I have been stitching since my last post but first I wanted to share some beautiful art work I saw on Facebook. This is all done with natural materials and using techniques including lace making, macrame' and weaving.

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These are all created by Hungarian artist Agnes Herczeg.  Unfortunately that is all I know about her and her excellent work. I adore these.
Anyway back to my old cross stitch, I started on a piece I found in the March 2016 Cross Stitch Collection magazine it is by Maria Diaz and is called "Seafarer's Globe".

So far this is what mine looks like, stitched on 18ct off white Aida with DMC.

That's about all for now, I need to make some little xxs for next time.

Cruelty and Beauty

Sometimes nature can be so cruel, on Easter Sunday a dove took up residence in my balcony flower box and laid two tiny eggs. She and her mate took turns sitting on them, I wasn't sure if there were actually two until I saw them change shifts one day. They took turns sitting on those eggs for two week, through this crazy northern Virginia weather. We went from 80 degree days to 30s at night.  I didn't think the poor things would hatch, but they did. On Friday it was warm in the 70s with lots of sunshine I got to see both babies, then when the parents usually change shifts the one sitting with them just flew away leaving the babies all alone. My husband and I both kept checking to see if one of the adult would come back but they never did. It was only in the 40s last night and the babies didn't survive, then this morning both birds showed up. One bird (I'm guessing the mom) sat on them most of the day before flying away. We cleaned out the flower box and will put in some flowers tomorrow.
Now that I've shared the cruelty part it's time for some beauty. Well at least they are beauties to me.
I was sitting looking through the some cross stitch magazines one day and saw a couple of smalls that would be perfect little cards for a couple of friends. The first one is from a larger piece but my friends loves snails so that's the part I stitched.

My card finishing had a small mishap but she liked it anyway and that's all that counts. The next beauty was for another friend who loves turtles, now she can sit this one on her desk at work.

He's a little sea turtle with beads for bubbles.

I did a little more stitching and have a couple more finishes to share, the first one is from The Primitive Hare.

The next finish is one from my wips bag, it's "Let's Love Our Family" by Ursula Michael

The fabric is 28ct Jobelan called Autumn from Under the Sea Fabrics.  I also finished

"M" is for Minnie (Mother) from The Victorian Sampler. 

Sorry I just had to share my little nature tragedy but I hope I have help to brighten your day with a few finishes. Now it's time to get back to what I love the most, making those little xxs.

A Revelation

I know at the beginning of the year I had these big plans to participate in the Wipocalypse, TUSAL, IHSW and other very fun and wonderful blog activities, but as I am getting older and more set in my ways, sticking to a regular schedule to do anything is just too much work. I will definitely keep sharing and I hope you all will continue to come and visit.
Okay lets start this post with a little update. Since my last post the 2016 Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition has ended and I was able to bring Idelia Mae home along with my ribbon, which I am so proud of.

Yes it's third place but a first for me, I'm very happy.
That's enough of that, lets get on with what I know you all really came to see. FINISHES!!
Of the wips I shared previously I have a few finishes

Share Faith -Erica Michaels

Embroidery Guild - LHN

Dare to be Daniel - Silver Creek Samplers

I Will Be There - The Snowflower Diaries

Bunny Love -The Snowflower Diaries

Adorable smalls - Casa Mia

 Yes, these are all finishes since my last post, but I also have these that I made some progress on.

Connie Gee's Mystery SAL (15) Diamonds

Three Kimonos - Joan Elliott

There are a couple of new starts to look at too, this one is the first of twelve in a SAL from The Snowflower Diaries. The fabric I purchased last year at a retreat and I thought it was perfect for a snowy January.

January - The Snowflower Diaries

"M" is for Mother

I have decided to change the name to "M" is for Minnie and I also changed some of the threads to DMC flosses.  Well I guess I'll stop taking up so much of your day and go makes some more little xxs. See you next time.