Stitching Update!

Wow, I forgot that I hadn't shown an update of my LHN 'The Library' in quite a while. Here it is! I'm quite proud of getting this far. There are a lot of tedious stretches in this one. IE: the brickwork. I'm loving this design though and this fabric is a dream to work on.

It Must Be That Time Again!!

WOW!!! There are so many new giveaways out here in blogland! So many generous, talented bloggers! Guess I should put my thinking cap on, but it barely fits over my serious concentration on winning, wishing brain. Makes for some great reading though!!

Anita has the 'Great Chocolate Cake Debate' going on as well as her very generous giveaway.

Lynn is giving away some beautiful Valentines.

Tia at Camp Follower Bags is so creative and generous! You should see what she can do with BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform)!

Geta from Romania has a blog that I have followed for quite some time. Her quilting is absolutely stunning and she is so generous at sharing her talents.

I know I've missed plenty of the giveaways. Editing is easy! There are also so many talented designers in blogland offering their designs free on a regular basis. Each of them is to be commended for their generousity.

The Ultimate Giveaway!

My blog is mainly about my stitching and quilting. Occasionally I throw in something personal. This is very personal!!
I follow Shelly's fabulous blog "The World According To Eggface". Her blog is a work of art and Shel is the most creative cook I have ever encountered. She is having weekly giveaways this month and this week it's something I've coveted. A Cuisinart 1-1/2-Quart Ice-20 Automatic Ice Cream Maker. Anyone that knows me knows that I am an ice-cream-aholic. Shelly's recipes have literally saved my life! I had weight-loss surgery in 2009 and without Shelly's blog I think I may have died of boredom more than anything else. Check her out! She's so very entertaining and informative whether or not you're on a restricted diet or not!

Ornaments And Updates...

Finished stitching 'Pear Tree' Thursday night. Just plain lazy at photographing & posting. Really enjoyed this second in the series of ornaments by Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks. Had started it over one on linen. That was a major mistake! So, here it is on a miscellaneous piece of 16ct off-white aida.

Yesterday the mailman brought me the third of Diane's ornaments, 'He's A Flake'. Last night I waded through my fabrics to find an appropriate green. I hadn't really wanted to start purchasing more fabrics when I decided to stitch both the LHN Ornament SAL and the Bride's Tree Ornament SAL. So far the only one that looks good is an aida again. I really don't mind stitching on aida, particularly the higher counts. I am also searching for an appropriate chart to stitch for the second Bride's Tree ornament. February's theme is "Heart, true love, love of family".

A little update on my LHN "The Library". It's been a bit ignored while I've stitched ornaments.

Several quilting magazines have arrived in my mailbox lately. I read them, drooling over the new fabrics that have come out and it makes me itch to start a new project. Like cross stitching, I must resist the new while I try to finish my WIPs and UFOs. I envy those with boundless energy and ability.

Complimentary LHN Chart & Bride's Tree SAL Finish

Yesterday Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks released a complimentary chart to the members of the Little House Yahoo group. I took many liberties with her design but, here's my finished piece. It will become a Christmas ornament. I'm using it as my "House" ornament for the Bride's Tree SAL

Who Knows Where The Time Goes...

Believe me, it's been a very dull week around here! I've been mostly stitching on my LHN "The Library". You know, the one I started stitching over one and really mucked up. Well, I'm stitching it on the same fabric, 32 ct Jobelyn Lambswool, but over two this time and it's soooo much better. Someday I may try over one stitching again, but not too soon.


Had a wee scare with a breast lump, again! All is well, thank God! So I spend a fair amount of time at doctor's offices etc..

It's begun snowing again. Just when I thought Spring was showing her lovely face (yesterday). And, I still had one Honey-do on my list (darn!). ;)

ARG! Spinning Wheels!

Sorry, no, I haven't taken up a new hobby! Spinning wheels as in gettin' nowhere fast! That's what I've been doing lately.

I had this really great idea that I'd like to stitch one over one on linen. It looks so beautiful and delicate! A girl has to grow and I was feeling brave. Well, I botched three pieces. Yes, three! I couldn't do just one or even stop at two. Sooo, I went back to finish a piece on aida just to get back to my basics (it's a charity piece and still needs personalization before I'm really done wiwth it, so, no pics yet). I've restarted the biggest piece now using two over two as the designer suggests.

Over the week-end we had a surprise visit from the grandsons. We were expecting both sons and DIL but the grands were a bonus. They were only here over one night but it was fun. Grandpa cooked a huge country breakfast Sunday morning. So now the big ugly TV and all it's paraphenalia is gone with the kids.

Oh! I didn't tell you? Dh has ordered his "dream" TV. I insisted if he was getting it I wanted a new stand and a sound bar instead of the huge bulky speakers. So far everything has arrived except the TV. Slight delay, maybe this coming week. Meanwhile, we're watching a really teeny TV. We've rearranged furniture and tried to get ready. Some minor adjusting will be required. I'm sure the stuff on the walls will need a serious rearranging (it already does).

It's awfully late or terribly early (yawn). I'm taking my trusty dog and heading to bed. Night night!!!

Another Finish!

Lookie, lookie!! I finished a SAL! The main chart of the Traveling Stitcher is completed. There's a small chart included and I'll probably stitch it up to use on a needlebook. I don't have the pattern to make the travel pouch shown in the photo on the chart. I could easily make one up myself but I'm not sure that's how I want to complete this piece. The pouch is cute and all, it's just that I don't think I would ever use it. It would get stuck in a drawer or given away, and since I really like this pattern I want it out where I can see it. Maybe a pillow or frame it! Any ideas?

Oopsie!

Today's mail brought my 2nd ornament, "Pear Tree", in the LHN Monthly Ornament SAL. Then it struck me that I hadn't even posted the first one here. I did remember to post my finish of "Fa-La-La", the first ornament, on the SAL site. Here it is:
I finished stitching my Fa La La yesterday. Well, except, I may pull the googly eyes out & redo them. I hate French knots! No two ever look the same. Hence the googly eyes! Haven't decided on how to finish it yet. Try something new maybe? (Now, don't look too close or you'll see that I miscounted and the right side is taller than the left. Oops! My bad!)

Week One

I've been a busy little stitcher so far this year!! Pardon my poor photographs and wrinkly fabrics. Here's the charity square I finished for CSFC on New Year's Day. Now just to wash & press it then off in the mail it goes.

The Library by LHN was my chosen chart to start the year. It's on 32ct Jobelyn Lambswool done one-over-one using the design's flosses. It's going to be teensy!! This is the first time I've worked one-over-one. Not bad as long as you don't have to 'frog'.

My old eyes grew weary quite quickly doing one-over-one. Soooo, I started Traveling Stitcher also by LHN. Both of these charts are being done as on-line SALs beginning the first of the year. Traveler is being done on 32ct Belfast Platinum using the design's provided floss two-over-two. Just in photographing it I've found two errors! Yikes!!