Wednesday, April 30, 2008

More Sweet Treats

I've been working on Sweet Treats a little bit the past couple of days. Things have been a little hectic lately! Have I mentioned that I can't wait until this summer??

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Well, this is going to be very short. I just wanted to do a quick update! Write later! :)

Monday, April 28, 2008

Stitching, Kitting and Fabric Dyeing

I stitched some more on my scissor fob last night. I just have to do the trees and the house. :) It's so cute!

Wool Scissor Fob as of 4/27/08

I also kitted a some more CCN and LHN designs today...

LHN "The Bookshelf"
LHN "The Bookshelf" with DMC and 32 ct. Vintage Navy Bean by Lakeside

CCN "Bless Our Home"
CCN "Bless Our Home" with DMC and Crescent Colours and 32 ct. Lt. Mocha Belfast

There are more in my Flickr album. I went a little crazy! :) I went to Michael's to pick up a few threads I was missing and decided to get some Rit Dye. My mom said she heard Tan gives a vintage look, so I decided to try it out. I got some cheap evenweave to try it out on.

Cotton Evenweave dyed with Tan Rit Dye

I'm very happy with how it turned out. I just filled the sink with hot water and put a few dashes in. I soaked the fabric for about 10 minutes - if that. It looks a lot like tea-dyeing.

Well, not much else going on. The book I've been listening to (see sidebar) is so good! I haven't wanted to stop listening. I highly recommend it. Well, I'm off to listen and stitch now! Write later! :)


Sunday, April 27, 2008

Wool Needlebook

I got the needlebook portion of "Wool Needlebook and Scissor Fob" stitched last night. I got started on the scissor fob right after finishing it. I think it's going to be a really cute set. I just need to find the right fabric for the inside of the needlebook. I plan on finishing mine somewhat like Vonna's.

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Well, back to stitching! Write later! :)


Friday, April 25, 2008

My Little Start...

I started Wool Needlebook last night. I decided to go with the 30 ct. Creek Bed Brown. I'm liking it so far..

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Of course I had to make a purple fob to match! :)

I also got a couple little things at my LNS. The chart I got a couple days ago and the fabric I got today. I decided to go with 28 ct. Lugana instead of the 30 ct. Weeks. I thought it would save some money and look pretty much the same.

Just Nan "When Barnabee Met Bella"
Just Nan "When Barnabee Met Bella."

Well, not much else! I'm going to get back to stitching! Write later! :)


Thursday, April 24, 2008

Argh!

I decided to get Sweet Treats out and work on it some. I then read the notice on the back of the new thread pack that says the border is off by one. I figure no big deal if it's just the border. I then read that there are supposed be three stitches in between each block. Oops! my blocks are only two stitches apart. So I had to do a ton of ripping. I ripped out the first block and much of the border. Here is what it looks like now. I'm getting back on track. I was ready to throw it in a drawer and forget it, but my friend Debs convinced to keep at it. :)

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Debs and I have also decided to do a SAL together. We're thinking of doing "Wool Needlebook and Fob" by LHN. Anyone want to join us? Here's my floss toss...

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DMC on 30 ct. Creek Bed Brown by R&R

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DMC on 28 ct. Creme Brulee by R&R

I think I'm going to go with the 30 ct. Even though it's stiff, which I hate, I do like the color. Well, the kids are bugging me to use the computer. Write later!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

More HOA!

Is it Friday yet?? Or June?? I'm ready for summer! I have been stitching a little bit. Not as much because I went to my class last night. I'm really not sure if I'm learning anything. I think I might be, but it just hasn't sunk in yet. It's a lot to take in. I still think it's 80% lighting, maybe more. Lighting makes all the difference. Anyway, here's my progress pic...

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And I got a little package from Handcrafts Online yesterday.

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It's Sweet Treats Block #3 - Tart. I can't wait to get started on it. I love the colors! :)

Melody did get in touch with me. She was on vacation! :) We got it all straightened out and I'll be sending her package to her today!

Write Later!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

More Heart of America

I've been stitching some more on "Heart of America." It's such a fun stitch, like chocolate, I don't want it to end!

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Well, Matthew is fussing, so this will be short! Write later! :)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Lazy Saturday

Taken from Monique's Blog...

1.) How do you hold your fabric? I stitch in hand so I roll the fabric up from the left side and hold the roll with my left hand. (same as Monique).
2) Floss licker? Only when I can't find my threader.
3) How do you thread your needle? With my threader.
5) Are you a needle loser? Oh yeah. And unfortunately my husband's feet usually find them! Ouch!!
6) What fabric do you prefer to stitch on? Belfast linen is my favorite.
7) Bobbins or floss bags? Both and I also use Thread Drops.
8) Are you a scissors collector? Yes, I have way too many!
9) Do you do your own framing, and if so, do you lace or pin? I used to. I pinned.
10) Are you a floss floozy? Yes, but I'm actually more of a Fabric whore!
11) Silk? Yes, I love silk!
12) Railroader? Only when it seems like my thread is getting twisty and it looks like it needs it, but not every stitch.
13) Are you a pattern or designer snob? It depends. If I know a designer has copied another designer that I like I won't buy their patterns. I don't think that's right.
14) Do you get antsy when you give someone a stitched gift? Yes, I always worry that it's not good enough.
15) Have you reached S.A.B.L.E.? I think I reached it years ago!
16) Do you wash your projects? Only if I'm not using hand-dyed threads or fabric. So I guess the answer would be no because I'm always using one or the other lately.

I'm not doing anything today. Today is a pajama day for me. I took a shower and put on clean pajamas! :) I decided to get "Heart of America" back out and I stitched on that a little bit yesterday and today.

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"Heart of America" close up of stitching

Well, I'm going to get back to my stitching! Write later! :)



P.S. Melody still hasn't claimed her prize!! If she still hasn't done so by Tuesday, April 22, 12 pm, I will draw again. If anyone knows Melody - please let her know!!


Thursday, April 17, 2008

Kitting Some Things...

Edited to add better pictures! :)

I decided to kit a few things up today...

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The first is "No Bees No Honey" by Birds of a Feather. The fabric I chose for it is 32 ct. Picture This Plus Legacy.

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The Second is Blackbird Designs "Where My Heart Blooms." Again I chose Legacy by Picture This Plus. I'll try to get a better picture of it tomorrow. It's a very pretty color.

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Third is "A Card Purse" by Primitive Traditions. The fabric that is recommended is on the right, which is 40 ct. Fawn. It seems rather dark though, so I may go with something lighter like the fabric on the left. Check out Eulalia's start on it. It's very pretty!

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Last is one of the City Garden designs by Barbara & Cheryl. It calls for a ton of DMC and it's just 70 x 90, but it's solid stitching. I would love to do one of the larger designs, so I thought I'd start with a smaller design first to see if I could handle it!! :)

Well, I'm off to bed. I'm not sure if I'll even stitch. I'm tired today (I had to get up early because ds had a field trip at school). Write later!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Rose Cottage Finished!

I finally finished "Rose Cottage. " For some reason it seems like this one took me forever, even though it really only took four days! I'm glad to be done though. I wasn't sure how the changes I made would turn out. Instead of Crescent Colours Secondhand Rose I used GAST Victorian Pink and instead of CC Country Lane I used DMC 3863. Another change I made was to use CC Desert Mesquite for the flower stems in the grass because the DMC 522 wasn't showing up too well. I think it turned out O.K., but I do like the picture on the cover better! Oh well, it can't always be perfect! :)

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Country Cottage Needleworks "Rose Cottage"
Fabric: 32 ct. Vintage Light Examplar
Threads: DMC, GAST, and Cresent Colours
Started: 4/12/08 - Finished: 4/16/08

I think I will get back to Heart of America or another one of my many neglected wips! :) Write later!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

We Have a Winner!

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And the Winner is....

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#86!

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Melody you are the winner! Email me your address and I'll get your prize out to you! :)

A Little More Rose Cottage

I stitched last night while listening to "Innocent Traitor" by Alison Weir. It's about Lady Jane Grey and how she became queen for nine days and then was excuted by Queen Mary for being a traitor. It's very good so far! Anyway, Rose Cottage - Here's my progress so far...

Rose Cottage as of 4/14/08

This picture looks a little different from the last one because I had to use a flash. It's very overcast (and cold) here today. Not like Florida at all! Anyway, Just a little over another hour and I will announce the winner of the drawing! So exciting! :) Write soon!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Rose Cottage

I've been stitching away on Rose Cottage. I love the colors in this one! They're so soft and pretty!

Rose Cottage as of 4/14/08

I'm amazed at all the comments I've gotten for my give away! I'm excited to see who the winner will be tomorrow!

I've gotten several comments on my bunny thread holders. I got them at my LNS - Silk Road Needle Arts in St. Petersburg, FL. I think Shakespeare's Peddler carries them also.

Not much else going on here! I'll write tomorrow afternoon with the winner! :)

Sunday, April 13, 2008

800th Post!

Wow, I can't believe this is my 800th post! I sure do talk a lot! :) In honor of my 800th post I'm going to have a drawing! Anyone who leaves a comment to this post will be entered. I will do the random number generator to choose. I will give until Tuesday, April 15, 12 pm eastern time to leave a comment. Now onto the prize...


New Gingher "Emma" scissors and the new Country Cottage Needleworks chart "Bless Our Home."

Good Luck Everyone! :)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

New Start and New Stash!

I decided to start "Rose Cottage" by Country Cottage Needleworks. I have always loved this pattern!

CCN "Rose Cottage"

I'm stitching it on 32 ct. Vintage Light Examplar linen. I switched out the CC Secondhand Rose for GAST Victorian Pink. It matched the darker pink a little better. I'm hoping I have enough because I got another skien at my LNS today and it doesn't match the one I have very well.

Another little thing I got at my LNS today...

Bunny Thread Holders
Bunny Thread Holders - Aren't they cute?? :)

I also got an order from Handcrafts Online today...

New Stash
CCN "Bless Our Home," My Mark "Sunshine & Shade," and LHN "Needlebook and Fob" and "Blackbird Inn."

And a small order from Elegant Stitch yesterday...

Quaker Heart and 40 ct. Fawn Linen
Shepherd's Bush "Quaker Heart" and 40 ct. Fawn Linen.

I also decided to tea-dye some Belfast linen I got at Michaels 50% off. I think it turned out ok!

Colonial Dry Goods

Here it is with the threads for "Colonial Dry Goods." I was also thinking of using it for "Counting House."

Counting House

The color sort of reminds me of Vintage Examplar or Sand Belfast. Not much else going on - I'm hoping to get some more stitching done! Write later! :)



Friday, April 11, 2008

Caffe Latte Finished!

I finally got Caffe Latte finished up today!

Caffe Latte
Little House Needleworks "Caffe Latte"
Fabric: 32 ct. Vintage Examplar
Treads: Belle Soie silk (two over two)
Started: 4/4/08 - Finished: 4/11/08

Sorry, I haven't posted in a few days! I've been trying to get back into our routine! I miss my vacation!! :) Well, I've got to get my ds from school, so I'll write later! :)


Tuesday, April 08, 2008

I worked on Caffe Latte a little bit last night. I just got some more of the border stitched. Not too exciting! :)

Caffe Latte as of 4/7/08

I also stopped by my LNS today to see if they had a thread I was needing. I ended up getting a little more...

Blackbird Designs
Blackbird Designs - Buttons & Pins, Where My Heart Blooms and Rites of Spring

Blackbird Designs Rites of Spring
Rites of Spring with 32 ct. Examplar linen

And they didn't have the thread. Oh well! :) I'm getting ready to go to my photography class. I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to get out of the house and spend a little time with my SIL. Write later! :)