1st IHSW of 2014

I didn't do as much stitching as I had planned, I worked on my January cake from Brooke Books Publications stitched on 18 ct off white Aida with DCM floss. I finished the stitching and started adding the beads.

I finished stitching the first in a new series from Little House Needleworks called Calendar Girls. Here is my January.

She hasn't been pressed that why she's standing a little lopsided. I'm thinking of making the series into small pillows or flat ornaments. Last night I started this little design from Joan Elliott's Southwest Stitches leaflet, it's called Native Dress.

This one is also from the same leaflet by Joan Elliott and it is called the Pottery Maker.

They are all so colorful and easy to stitch, this one was done between this post and my last. Well back I go to making those little xxs. Thanks for stopping by.

Three Finishes and...

A little progress. Yes so far this year I have finished two hearts

free Blackwork from Ajusau Press

Keep-Love by Shepherd's Bush

 and another free Facebook SAL. This one is the English version of "Positive Thinking" from Les Marottes de Nathalie, it was presented in several parts and in several languages.  It is based on a poem by Norman Vincent Peale.

I stitched this on 18ct off white Aida with DMC floss.
The progress I was referring to is on my Joan Elliott design "Africa". I almost completed the large basket on the lower right hand side but of course I ran out of one color last night and it was too late and too cold to go out to pick-up more.

I may have to make a supply run while at least the sun is still shining today.
Well my trip to Micheal's was a bust. They have gotten very lacks in the refilling their DMC racks lately, I'll have to go somewhere else for the color I need.
I also have progress on an Ink Circles design "Turtles All the Way Down".

Believe it or not this is only about half done there are seven more turtles to go. Since I couldn't keep going on  "Africa" I picked up "Idelia Mae Rich" and gave her a little attention.

If you remember this is the design where the head is made of paper and is glued on after all the stitching is done and it's ready for framing. This one seems to take forever since it is being stitched on 36 ct Vintage buttercreme linen. 

Well that's it for now and I am getting the itch for a new start, so I'll be on the search through my stash. As soon as I have something new to show I'll be back.  Thanks for stopping by and staying til the end. Got to makes more xxs.

Now that the holidays are over...

I can maybe get back on track here with my blog.  I have a TUSAL to share, it contains only the threads from the work on Africa.

I had emptied it on New Year's Eve and I didn't realize that it was that close to TUSAL time. To find out what TUSAL is all about click here on the icon to the right.

I do have a first finish for 2014, it is a free Black-work design by Valentina Sardu from Ajisai Press. I used a scrap of linen (I don't know what kind) but it's 30ct and the color is Cherry Vanilla. The plan is for a ornament type finish (but who knows).

Thank you all for stopping by and please do leave a comment. I'm off to make some more wonderful little xxs.

Welcome 2014!!

A Wrap-up of 2013

First of all I want to wish everyone  a Happy New Year! This may be my last post of this year and I’m trying to cover everything.  Here is a rundown of my WIPS:

Africa

Around the World in 80 Stitches

Positive Thinking

Thine is the Trick and the Treat

Idelia Mae Rich

Three Kimonos

The Rose Sampler

Turtles All the Way (Just started 12-21-13)

Now here is a rundown of my finishes for 2013

Spring Heart

My Needle and My Floss

Anniversary Heart

Petit Cat (Cinnamon Stick)

Bottle Cap Pincushion

Easter Bonnet button, framed and ornament 1 over 1

LHN Holiday Hometown series #1, 2, 3&4

To Thine own self

Shadows

Banu 2012 SAL

Home of a Needle worker

Needle Worker

Stitching Mends the Soul

Something Old, Something New

Needle & Thread (needle book exchange)

Marriage Sampler

Angels of the World

Mary’s Sampler I & II

Christmas Muffin Top

Spiral

Sugar Skull (On the Brighter Side of Life)
 Pictures of these are located in a page called 2013 Finishes at the top of my page.

I just have to share the wonderful gifts I received from Gracie over at needlespinsanddragonflies for submitting the winning names for her two new adorable elves.

Their names are Pip and Nina.

Here are a few stash enhancements I bought at the last stitch-night and on Etsy (my new favorite place).

Well I think I have covered everything and I appreciate you sticking with me to read all of this.  This has been an exciting year and so glad I could share it with you all. I pray that everyone have a safe and happy year end and I will see you in 2014 (if not before).

I'm still here!

So lets see what's new. I finished Plum Street Sampler I before Thanksgiving and had planned to finish version II but the black fabric was getting to me so I had to set it aside for a while so here they are as of today.

To relieve my eyes from the black I picked up my Rose Sampler to give it a little attention and it went from

to here

and this was after I found a mistake and had to frog the border back to where it is on the left side.

I got a little frustrated with the frogging so I stitched this little muffin top from the Just Cross Stitch 2013 Special Christmas Issue.

Now I just have to take the time to finish it in my cupcake cup.

I picked up a couple of charts at last night's stitch night

This is as far as I have gotten on the "Sweet Shop" in the LHN Hometown Holiday series

but at least I have all of the current charts and can get caught up before any news ones come out next year. Last I just want to share some other stash enhancements.

As I've stitched I've listened to "Bone to Ashes" and "Devil Bones" by Kathy Reichs, I have one more to go "Cross Bones" before I have to make another library run.  Thank you all for stopping by and please make sure you have an email so I can reply to your comments. I try to reply to everyone.  So away I go to make some more wonderful little xxs.

I am so thankful for all of my followers and friends, I hope everyone has a safe and very 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I'm Back...

Now that the smoke has cleared...

I can return to my normal everyday life and I have things to share. On the 6^th of November my daughter was married and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day.  The temperature was in the 60’s (yes in November) and the sun was shining bright as can be all day. I know I may sound a little partial but my baby was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Here see for yourself.

She asked me to make her a wedding cake, something I had never done before and it just about drove me to the loony ben. I used a Martha Steward, marble wedding cake recipe with white butter crème frosting with a chocolate Ganesh filling all made from scratch. After making a couple practice cakes the end result wasn’t too bad…

 Don’t worry “Cake Boss” you still have your job.

In between practice cakes I was able to frame the wedding sampler, they loved it.

I was able to make a little progress on “Around the World in 80 Stitches” I now have half of part 14 done.

I have been keeping up with the “Plum Street” mystery SAL every Sunday; there is only one more part for both I & II to go.

I completed the third part of the Jardin Prive’, “Positive Thoughts”, I think this one has about two more parts.

In the mean time I have also finished "Angels of the World" by Joan Elliott.

Well thank you all for sticking with me during my absence; I don't know who was more nervous me or my daughter, but I'm back and will see you again soon. I'll be making more wonderful little xxs. 

As Usual...

I'm late with my Wipocalypse report again but here goes:
I actually stitched part 13 on Around the World in 80 Stitches

This is without the beads, they will be easier to put on at the end.
I have been working on Angels of the World

I'm a little farther along since this picture, I've started on the globe in the center.
I finished the 4th part of the Plum Street sampler I shared before.

One sampler is more detailed than the other with more little motifs(the top one in black) and is stitched on 28ct and the lighter one is stitched on 32 ct linen. I also completed the second part or Thinking Positive sampler from Jardin Prive.

No progress on Trick or Treat, Africa, Three Kimonos, Idelia Mae, or the Rose Sampler. However the anniversary sampler for my son and daughter-in-law has be delivered and according to daughter-in-law is hanging in a place of honor.  
Well until next time thank you to all of my followers who still visit in spite of my tardy post and off I go to make those little xxs.

And the Winner Is...

 RICKETYJO

The Just Cross Stitch 2012 Special Christmas Issue will be winging it's way to you as soon as you email me your mailing address.

TUSAL and so little time...

First let me start by sharing my TUSAL, it has a little of everything:

White on the bottom from "Spiral", black from "Trick or Treat", and purple from the wedding sampler for my daughter. So as you can see I've been a little busy.
Speaking of busy I have framed the anniversary sampler for my son and daughter-in-law.

All that is left is the delivery.  My needle book exchange is finished and here is mine that I sent to my partner.

I will show the disaster I made with the first attempt next time.  Once this was done I started on DD sampler and all that is left for it is framing.

 The picture doesn't do justice to the Picture This Plus fabric called "Mirage" it's medium gray with purple undertones and yes my daughter's choice.

Last but not least I started on the Facebook Sunday SAL "Mary's Sampler" from Plum Street Samplers designed by Paulette Stewart. Actually I am attempting to do I & II, one is on an unknown color 32 ct R&R fabric and the other 28ct black cashel and both being stitched with DMC.  

Well like I said I've been a little busy and I've still got lots to do.  I would like to welcome my new followers and say thank you for all of the wonderful comments.  The back is back to normal or at least pain free for now.  I know I have been promising a drawing, well here is a little one for now.

As I was organizing my many magazines I discovered that I had a duplicate 2012 Just Cross Stitch Special Christmas Issue.

  Yes it is the 2012 issue but it's full of beautiful ornaments and it could be yours, just leave a comment saying you're interested and I'll draw a winner next Sunday October 13th.  Until then I'll be making so of those wonderful little xxs.