Happy New Year!!

I'm home from Florida! I just got home tonight and I'm so happy to be here! I had a great time with my family, but I'm ready to get back to my routine. I have missed my bed and my stitchy spot! :) Speaking of stitching, I thought I'd share my 2010 finishes.

I didn't have as many finishes as I would have liked. I had hoped to at least have Shores and Paradise Lost finished this year, but I went through that big slump in the summer and early fall. Here is my latest progress pic of Shores, which I worked on a little bit earlier this week...

And here's my little Frances Eden progress pic...

Not a whole lot stitched on it since the last pic. I'm seriously thinking of starting another big sampler for New Year's (I know, I've lost it)!

Elizabeth J M Mears 1833. I fell in love with this design after seeing Ellen's wip pic. Well, I hope you all have a very Happy New Year's. I plan to get settled on my couch and ring in the new year with my stitching (maybe even with Elizabeth)! :) Write soon!!

A Finish and Two Starts!

I finished up "The Stockings" yesterday! I ended up taking out Santa's beard and using a brighter white and two strands so it would show up better.




Shepherd's Bush "The Stockings"
Fabric: 32 ct. Oatmeal by R&R (discontinued)
Threads: Various silk threads
Started: 12/8/10 - Finished: 12/20/10

I had been saving HandWork's Frances Eden to start on New Year's Day, but I couldn't resist starting her early.


40 ct. Vintage Homepun, Vikki Clayton silks (1 over 2).

I also decided to start another Shepherd's Bush Christmas design - "Glad Tidings" kit.




35 ct. Tea-dyed linen (replaced linen that came in the kit), various silk threads (1 over 2).

Well, I've just been hanging out with my mom and the kids. We went to the mall today (crazy us). I got my hair cut, but didn't do any shopping. I'm waiting until my dh gets here on Wednesday to do some last minute shopping. Did I mention that I'm a procrastinator?? :)



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STU Finished!

I found a little time to blog after all. That's only because I'm such a procrastinator and I am putting everything off to the last minute (as always). :)

I got the cookies baked - I made Swedish Pepparkakors (my grandma's recipe) for Bradley's heritage day. They turned out really good. Bradley and I are the only ones that like them though. They have a lot of spice (ginger and cloves).



I also got STU finished on Sampler of Stitches. There are some mistakes, mainly in the couching section, but I'm leaving them (at least for now). I don't have the time (or patience) to pull out anything and redo at the moment.




32 ct. Vintage Magnolia by Lakeside Linens, AVAS Silks.

Well, now, I really need to get packing and get going. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!! :)



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I finished up the model for Lisa the other day and got it mailed out yesterday. I'm so glad I was able to get it finished before I left for Florida!

I ended up getting The Drawn Thread's "Sampler of Stitches" back out and worked on it some...



I got all the "U" stitches finished. That buttonhole stitch on the bottom gave me lots of trouble. The Soie Perlee was not easy to work with. After three tries I finally got it in.


32 ct. Vintage Magnolia, Soie d'Alger silk (1 over 2).

After I had enough of specialty stitches I decided to get back to "The Stockings."


32 ct. Oatmeal linen by R&R, various silk threads (1 over 2)

I changed the darker green from Belle Soie Collard Greens to Creme De Menthe and I'm much happier with it now.



I only wish I had used darker linen so Santa's beard would show up better. Oh well, no starting over now!! :) Not sure when I'll be able to post again... I have Christmas Cookies to bake and bags to pack for our trip. It's going to be busy until Christmas. Just in case I don't get a chance to post before Christmas I want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday! Be safe and have fun!! :)




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I went up to Amy's yesterday. We headed up to Sumter for a little shopping and lunch at Five Guys (yum!!). While there I picked up the latest Just Cross Stitch magazine from DSL.

There are some great designs in it. I was very excited to see an article on Plum Street Samplers!! Paulette also submitted a very sweet design! I just love it! :)

There was also a very cute Praiseworthy Stitches design in it...

I also got my buttons for "The Stockings."

But it will be set aside for a little bit because I'm working on another model for Lisa right now. It's such a great design! I'll give you a sneak peek of the threads and fabric... they're just gorgeous!

40 ct. Vintage Autumn Gold by Lakeside Linens, NPI silks.

I hope to have it finished before we leave for Florida next Saturday. Wish me luck! :) Write soon!

Holly and Ivy Sampler Finished!

Shepherd's Bush "Holly and Ivy Sampler" Kit
Fabric: Changed to 32 ct. Vintage Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens
Threads: Various silk threads - as kitted (1 over 2)
Started: 12/4/10 - Finished: 12/8/10

After I finished Holly and Ivy I started another Shepherd's Bush Christmas design...

Shepherd's Bush "The Stockings"

This is sold as a kit, but I only have the chart (bought on eBay). I had most of the threads, except for a couple, which I just substituted for something in my stash. I have the buttons on order. Here is my progress so far...

32 ct. Oatmeal linen by R&R, Various silk threads (1 over 2).

Not a lot of progress, but I'm loving it. I'm definitely on a Shepherd's Bush kick! :) Write soon!

Top Part Finished

I got the top of my Holly and Ivy Sampler finished...

32 ct. Light Examplar linen, Various silk threads (1 over 2).

Now onto the words! Write soon! :)

P.S. The boys had a blast at wrestling! :)

Stitching With Friends

I went up to Manning, SC on Saturday to meet up with my stitching pals. We had such a blast and you can see lots of pictures on Amy, Faye, and Charlene's blog.

We did an ornament exchange and a small gift exchange. I forgot to take a picture of my ornament. I stitched the bonus pattern from the LHN All is Calm ornament - using Natalie's changes.

The ornament I received was Amy's!

I love it! I love how she finished it - it's just beautiful! I also got Amy's gift (no, it wasn't rigged)! :)

Lots of great items were in it - threads, a threader, magnet, gold needles, frogging needle, ornament form and ornament pattern. Thank you Amy! I love it all! :)

And speaking of Amy - I got a little bit of stash from DSL the other day. I couldn't resist the new sheepie Kelmscot magnet. I also got some 30 ct. R&R, and a very sweet Repro pattern by Beehive Needleworks.

I ended up restarting my "Holly and Ivy Sampler" while up in Manning and I'm so glad I did. I'm really enjoying it!

Well, my two older boys are getting ready to start wrestling for the first time tonight. I'm excited and little nervous for them. Maybe I shouldn't go??? :) Write soon!

So Frustrated!

I got off count on my Holly and Ivy Sampler, so I set it aside for now. I hate it when I do that! You'd think after so many years of stitching that I could count by now!

I finished my ornament for the exchange. I think it turned out pretty cute. I'll post a pic on Saturday or Sunday.

So, I have nothing to share right now - just had to vent! Write soon - with pics! :)



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Belle Pepper Finished!

I got her finished up last night. I think she turned out so cute! :)

Little House Needleworks "Belle Pepper"
Fabric: 32 ct. Willow Green Belfast
Threads: Crescent Colours, Gentle Arts, and DMC
Started: 11/26/10 - Finished: 11/30/10

I decided to stitch another Christmas sampler, so I think I'm going to start Shepherd's Bush "Holly and Ivy Sampler."

I love the colors in this sampler...

I also decided to change the fabric to 32 ct. Vintage Light Examplar (the kit came with a 30 ct. WDW linen, which is not my favorite linen to stitch on).

I need to get working on an ornament before I start this sampler though. Our get together in Manning is coming up fast and I have to have an ornament stitched and finished for our gift exchange!

Write soon!