Finishes!

I actually have a few finishes to share! I stitched this little design a few weeks ago...

It's the Pumpkin Blossom Pin Cushion from the Blackbird Designs Autumn Loose Feather chart. I plan to finish it using the fabric and chenille shown with it.

My other two finishes are a couple of stockings from the Blackbird Designs December Stockings leaflet.

I really messed up on one of the stockings, but I wasn't about to rip it all out. It is just an ornament after all - I don't think anyone will notice. Now I just have to get these things finished!! I also plan to stitch the third stocking from the leaflet.

This one is my favorite - I love the colors. I plan to use the same backing fabric as the stocking I stitched earlier in the year.

Well, I'm so glad my slump is gradually leaving. I'm starting to get that little thrill from my stitching again. Hopefully it continues! I've definitely missed it. I think working on a couple of small things was the right thing to do. Thank you all for your encouragement! Write soon!

Change of Plans

Well, I was stitching away on the model for Paulette and then I started getting really stressed. I realized I had bitten off more than I could chew. So I found an angel to take over for me. I'll be forever grateful to you, Margaret!

Anyway, I just got back from Florida last night (after being in the car for 10 hours)!! I was so glad to get out and get in my own bed! :) I wish I had some pictures to share, but I haven't been stitching much. I don't know what's going on with me - I've been in a slump for a few months and I'm not sure how to break out of it. I'm trying not to worry about it too much. I just keep hoping the urge to stitch will hit me soon. Maybe after all the holiday stress is over in January?? :)

Well, I do have some more things to add to my sale page. I have really been clearing out! Thank you to everyone that has helped!

Hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving. And hopefully, I'll have some pictures to share soon!

Blogging Break

I'm working on a model for Paulette (Plum Street Samplers), so I'll be taking a little blogging break. Hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Another Birthday Surprise!

I got another surprise in the mail today!  This time it was from Faye.  She sent me this beautiful tin...

Thank you so much Faye!!  I love it!! :)

I also got myself a birthday present today.  This Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker and some Starbucks Espresso.  Yum!!  Tastes just like the real thing!

Birthday Surprise

I checked my mail this afternoon and got the sweetest surprise from Karen!  She sent me this beautiful pincushion for my birthday, which is tomorrow.

Pincushion and handmade card

Pincushion and inside of the card


Fabric on the back

Thank you again Karen!!  I love it!! :)

Sarah Elizabeth and a Basket

Here is my current progress on Sarah Elizabeth Brooke.  I got the second story stitched while I was in Myrtle Beach.

The Shaker Lady came to Myrtle Beach again.  I couldn't resist last year and I couldn't resist this year either.  I ended up getting this beautiful Shaker Basket.  I think it will go really well with my tray.  

Well, I've been pretty busy this week with a class party, a field trip, a parade and field day.  I'm so ready for the weekend!  I hope to get started on the third story of Sarah E. Brooke.  My dad and his wife will be coming on Sunday, so I'll be doing a lot of cleaning too!! 

Myrtle Beach 2011

Myrtle Beach 2011, a photo by Nicole's Needlework on Flickr.

I just got back from Myrtle Beach. It was so much fun! I am worn out!! It was so good to see everyone again and meet some new friends. I can't wait for next year!!

Thank you again Amy for all the hard work and for putting together such a great event (as always)!!

Check out my flickr album for more pics!

Slump

I thought I could shake my stitching slump by starting something new, but I just haven't felt like stitching at all. Not sure what's wrong with me!! I have been reading a lot. I just finished The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly and now I'm reading The Winter Rose. It's so good!! I have also been knitting. I'm working on a scarf I started in January. I'm almost finished with it.

Noro Silk Garden #86 and Cascade Lana D'oro Tweed #7619

One of the models I stitched for one of my very favorite designers has been revealed. Click the link and scroll down to see it! :) I had so much fun stitching this design for Paulette! It's also in the latest newsletter from the Attic. I can't wait for you all to see the other one I stitched (I think it will be released in November).

Myrtle Beach Pals Convention is less than a week away now! I can't wait. It will be so nice to see old friends and meet new ones like Paulette and Tanya! I'm so excited that they could both make it.

A New Start

I was feeling like I was getting ready to fall into a slump and the only way I know to avoid a slump is to start something new. So I did!

I decided to start "Elizabeth Sheffield" by The Scarlet Letter. I splurged on the kit from The Attic several months ago, but I had just been admiring the threads, instead of using them. Well, the other day I started using them! :)  I actually decided to use 32 ct. instead of 40 ct. because of all the over one in the sampler.

32 ct. Vintage Examplar by Lakeside Linens, Belle Soie and Dinky Dyes silks (1 over 2). 

I also worked on Rubie Owl's Sampler a little bit...

40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune, Belle Soie and NPI silks (1 over 2). 

And I picked up an old UFO from last year.  I'd like to get it finished before Halloween...

40 ct. Vintage Pearled Barley, GAST (1 over 2). 

It's Jenny Bean's Halloween Sampler.  I really don't have too much to go on it.

Well, I just booked my room for the Pals convention in Myrtle Beach in a little over two weeks.  I'm so excited to get away and stitch.  It's going to be a blast! :)

I was Hacked!!

My Google account was hacked yesterday, so I apologize for all the spam that was sent to everyone I know! Thankfully, it seems everything is back to normal now! Sorry again for any inconvenience!!

Rubie Owl

I finished up the model I was working on the other day and decided to do a little fall stitching. I got back out "Rubie Owl's Sampler." This was where I left off last year...

And this is where I'm at now...

I had so much fun stitching Rubie and her dog. They're just so cute!

 

40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune by Lakeside Linens (old dye-lot), Belle Soie and NPI silks. 

Sorry!

I'm so sorry I've been so quiet! It's been a busy few weeks with school starting. On top of school starting there have been two dentist appointments for me and doctor appointments for the kids. Hurricane Irene skirted right by us and we only got a tiny bit of rain and wind. I feel so bad for those who severely affected by the storm! My heart goes out to you all.

Well, I have been stitching some. I started a new sampler! It's The Scarlett House's "Sarah Elizabeth Brooke." I got the pattern directly from Tanya and I started it right when it came in the mail.

40 ct. Vintage Homespun by Lakeside Linens, Belle Soie silks (1 over 2).

I'm loving it!! The colors are so pretty - I really love the red building (maybe a school?).

Well, nothing going on here this weekend. Just lots and lots of laundry! There's so much more now that Matthew is in school too! :) I'm getting ready to add some things to my sale page. I'll post when I have it all on there. Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend!

A Third Done!

I just finished up block 3 of Village of Hawk Run today, so now I'm 1/3 done with it. This block is definitely one of my favorites!

40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune, NPI silks (1 over 2).

The kids started school yesterday and are adjusting well. I'm so proud at how well Matthew did in his first day of kindergarten. My babies are all growing up!! :)

Woodland Berries

I was getting ready to order the Dinky Dyes needed for the "Woodland Berries" design in the Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers chart when I came across one that I had kitted with another chart and then I remembered I had one lone Dinky Dyes skein in a box in my craft closet and amazingly it was the one I needed. That never happens!!

I really love this chart and want to stitch it soon. I would like to finish up Melicent first though. I think the threads are so pretty on the Vintage Light Examplar.

40 ct. Vintage Lt. Examplar, Belle Soie and Dinky Dyes Silks.

I Feel so Blah...

I'm not sure what's wrong with me lately. I've just been so blah. It must be summer. I'm ready for fall. I was ready for fall in spring. I'd rather just skip right over summer - especially in the South where it's in the 90's everyday and the heat index is in the 100's. I have been stitching a little. I finished the model and got back to Village of Hawk Run. I'm working on the 3rd block now...

40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune, NPI silks (1 over 2).

I went stitching in Manning yesterday. I forgot to take pictures, but we had a lot of fun as always. It was great to see the regulars and to meet some new people! Chris and Myra came for the first time and their stitching (and sewing) was even more beautiful in person! It was great to meet you both!

I want to thank Amy again for putting together a wonderful get together. She goes through a lot of work for all of us! Thanks Amy!

School starts in a little over a week and I'm stressing big time! My baby is going into kindergarten and my oldest is starting middle school. It's a lot of change and I keep wondering where the last five years have gone! It's seems like I wrote this post just yesterday!! :)

What I've been up to...

40 ct. Straw by WDW, Belle Soie silks

I worked on Melicent a little bit.

I kitted the new Loose Feathers pattern. I'm thinking of using 40 ct. V. Pecan Butter (shown) or 40 ct. Examplar.

36 ct. V. Sand Dune by Lakeside Linens, Belle Soie and NPI silks

And I started working on a model for one of my favorite designers. :)

Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow

A friend was wondering what Picture this Plus fabric might work for AaHRH. I told her I thought Relic might work. I did a floss toss with some of the called for DMC threads and I think it works really well!

Now, after taking this picture, I want to set everything aside and start it! I was planning on using Sand Dune, but maybe Relic would be a better choice! :)

Sail Away

I forgot, I worked on Sail Away a little bit too...


32 ct. French Vanilla by R&R, Various over-dyed silks (1 over 2).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Little More Melicent

40 ct. Straw by Weeks Dye Works, Belle Soie silks.

This is all I have worked on in the last 10 days or so. I seem to be in a slump. I think it must be the heat!! Hopefully, I can snap out of it soon! :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Couldn't Resist ...

... Starting this one!!

40 ct. Straw WDW Linen, Belle Soie silks

I have been using the hoop on and off because the WDW linen is a little soft and it's sometimes hard to see the holes. Other than that I'm loving it! :)

Melicent Turner

I just received this pattern yesterday...



I can't wait to get started! Diane did a great job with the adaption of this sampler and I love the colors she chose!



I think I may use Vanilla Pudding instead of Baguette though. The Baguettes I have are all a little dark. The linen I'm thinking of using is 40 ct. WDW Straw.

I also finished up block 6 of VoHRH. I would have been done sooner, but I had to do some frogging.


40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune, NPI silks

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Village Progress

I don't have a lot to share, I've just been working on block 6 of Village of Hawk Run Hollow this week.

Hope you all have a fun and safe 4th of July! :)

Finally!!

I finally finished block #12 of Village of Hawk Run Hollow!!

40 ct. Sand Dune, NPI and Vikki Clayton Silks.

I'm working my way up from the bottom. I'll work on block #6 next.

Amy wanted me to put out a reminder about the Pals retreat in Myrtle Beach in October. I'm looking forward to going for my third time. We always have a blast!!

Home Again!

I just got back last night. The boys and I are so glad to be home! While I was in Florida I finished up "Land of the Free."

Blackbird Designs "Land of the Free"

Fabric: 40 ct. Hand-Dyed Linen

Threads: Belle Soie silks

Started: 6/18/11 - Finished 6/22/11

This design is only 4" x 4" on 40 ct, so it stitched up pretty quick. I'm in a patriotic stitching mood - I was thinking of stitching this little fob next.

Another New Start

Yep, the Stitching ADD continues. I was in a Shepherd's Bush mood. I have wanted to stitch "Sail Away" for a long time now, so I went for it the other day...

I went up to Amy's yesterday for the day to stitch and chat. We had a nice, relaxing visit. I got the latest Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine from her while there. She told me she does have more on back order. I pulled the threads for the Blackbird Design "Land of the Free" inside the magazine today.

The threads are so pretty!! I really can't wait to start this one!

Well, the boys are having a blast at Sea World right now. I do miss them so much though. I was planning on going back in a week or so, but I don't think I'll last that long. I think I may go back down in a couple days instead.

Stitching ADD

I have been floundering between projects again. For some reason I've been having trouble sticking to one thing.

I ended up restarting my Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler. I decided to use 40 ct. Vintage Pecan Butter instead of the Lentil (or Navy Bean).

I like it much better on the Pecan Butter. I decided to go darker after seeing Amy's pretty wip at our get together in Manning.

After working on the mystery sampler for a little bit I got Ann Grant (excuse the wrinkles) back out...

And then when I got bored with Ann I got VoHRH back out. I have worked on this one the longest lately. The black fill in is making me a little bonkers! I'm determined to get this block done though.

I'd love to be able to stick to one thing and stitch it! Maybe I can do that for awhile with VoHRH.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has bought items from my stash sale!! I really appreciate it!! :) Hope you all are having a great start to summer!

I'm Home!

Just for a week or so... I left the kids in Florida with my in-laws and came back up to SC for a little break. Since I have all this free time I decided to put my sale page back up.

http://www.nicolesneedlework.com/p/sale-page.html

I have been working on a few things and will take pictures soon! :)

A Gift and a Little Stitching

The kids are out of school (as of yesterday). I'm so proud of them both! They both got perfect grades and conduct (well Jake had satisfactory on self-discipline, but that's not a big surprise). Tomorrow is the big day of stitching at French Hen's with my friends and I can't wait!! It will be great to see everyone and it will be great to get away! The day after we're headed down to Florida for a few weeks.

I got a very sweet package in the mail the other day from Andrea. I sent her a chart and she wanted to send me something in return.

She sent a very sweet little snippet bag that her friend made, some chenille trim, scissors and candle. Thank you again Andrea! I love it all!!

I have been stitching a little. I got Village of Hawk Run back out and finished block 9. Well, it's almost finished. I still have to put in the grass. I thought I'd wait on that because I always end up snagging my straight stitches.

40 ct. Sand Dune, NPI silks (1 over 2)

After I finished the block I decided to get my Kind Fond Love Sampler back out. I forgot how much I love this sampler!

40 ct. Vintage Light Examplar, DMC threads (1 over 2).

Well, Matthew is needing me! Write when I can! :)

AotH - July Block Finished

I got this block finished up last night. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

40 ct. Meadow Rue, various cotton over-dyed threads.

I decided to start something new today! It's the Birds of a Feather mystery sampler by With Thy Needle & Thread.

I decided to stitch it on what I think is 40 ct. Lentil by Lakeside Linens. It could be an older dye-lot of Pearled Barley, but I'm pretty sure it's Lentil. :)

The kids only have one more week of school (three days actually) and then our get together in Manning is next Saturday (can't wait for that)!! The next day we'll be headed down to Florida for a few weeks, so my posting may be sporadic. Write when I can!