Startitis

I worked on the green motif a little bit more last night. I just wanted to clarify that the color changes are not mine. I have once again borrowed a conversion from my friend Katrina. She has such a great eye for color!

40 ct. Lt. Examplar by Lakeside Linens, various over-dyed threads

I had a touch of startitis right before I went to Florida. I started three designs including Mary. The first was Hands to Work "Two Fine Houses."

I'm stitching it on the recommended 40 ct. Pear linen by Lakeside Linens using NPI silk (1 over 2). The second start was Praiseworthy Stitches "Knots and Flowers Sampler." I'm stitching this one on 40 ct. Purely Primitive by Silkweaver using GAST and Needle Necessities (1 over 2).

That's it for the starts - for now at least. I'm very tempted to start Plantation Sampler with Deb. Margaret's wip pics are so pretty! The more I see the more I'm finding it hard to resist! :) Write soon!

This is the Day - Finished??

I worked on "This is the Day" all day yesterday. I was going to leave the top alphabet not filled in and then I decided to fill it in. Well after about five or six rows I decided I didn't like it. I spent the night ripping it out. I'm fairly happy with how it turned out. I hope it doesn't look too unfinished. I just thought white was a little too bright. I thought about coffee-dyeing it, but then I thought the other threads might run. And then I thought about using a different color, but then I would have to rip out the bottom too, so for now it's finished. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but I doubt it! :)

Hands to Work (Tracy Riffle) "This is the Day"
Just Cross Stitch Jan/Feb 2009
Fabric: 40 ct. Coffee and Tea-Dyed using Vonna's Method
Threads: Cresent Colours, GAST and WDW
Started: 3/20/09 - Finished: 4/17/09

After I finished TiTD - I decided to start something new. I decided to start The Goode Huswife's "Ellen Birdseye" using Melissa's conversion. I found a pretty piece of 36 ct. Vintage Navy Bean in my stash. I'm stitching it one over two.

I think I'm really going to love stitching this one! Well, it's such a beautiful day today, I think I'm going to take the kids to the beach or a park. Write soon! :)

Back to This is the Day

I decided to get out "This is the Day" yesterday. I worked on the over one portion all night. What a pain! Over one on 40 ct. is not too fun, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I ended up putting Nicole N instead of my initials.

I started on the bottom portion today. I used Red Currant for the vase and Wild Berries and WDW Red Pear (thanks for the idea Katrina) for the flowers. I also used Wild Berries for the words and Red Pear for the heart.

Thank you to everyone for your very kind comments on Ida Mae. A couple people commented that she reminded them of their grandma or aunt. She reminded me of my grandma. Her name was Edna Mae. I think that's one of the main reasons I had to stitch her! :)



P.S. This is the Day can be found in the Jan/Feb 2009 Just Cross Stitch

A Little More This is the Day

I got some more stitched on "This is the Day" last night and today.

I'm going to Florida tomorrow with the kids to visit my family for spring break, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again. I'll be gone until next Saturday (4/12). Write as soon as I can! :)

I ended up stitching a little more on "This is the Day" last night. I think Titania will have to be neglected for a little longer.

Today I worked on Quaker Christmas. I got a few small motifs finished.

Well, this is going to be a short post. I'm making dinner again (I actually ended up making pork chops last time, so this time I really am making meatloaf). Write soon! :)



P.S. To see before and after pics go to my right sidebar where it says "Current Wips" - let your mouse hover over the design name and then you can click on the arrow to see the pictures for that design.

This is the Day Progress

The house is stitched using CC Wild Berries on the front and CC Red Currant on the side. I used CC Blackbird to fill in the windows and on the door to give it a little more contrast. I used CC Cocoa Bean for the roof. The grass is stitched vertically using WDW Kudzu.

I am enjoying this one so much! I may get back to it or try to work on Titania a little bit. She's been neglected lately! I really would love to get it finished soon for my friend! :) Write later!

WMN and HoHRH Progress

I decided to work on "With My Needle" yesterday during the day and then I worked on HoHRH at night. I stitched as late as possible and then finished up block three today. I was determined to get that block finished before the end of March. I had to catch up with Margie too! :) She's using NPI Silk - it's amazing how different our blocks look!

40 ct. Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens, DMC (1 over 2)




36 ct. Pearled Barley by Lakeside Linens, DMC (2 over 2)

Well, the kids are off school today, so we are just hanging out and relaxing! We may go to the grocery store later - so exciting! :) I'm trying to decide what I want to stitch tonight - maybe my nephew's sampler? I really should get back to it! Write later!

Edited to add... I almost forgot! I also worked on "This is the Day" the other night. I finished the numbers and started filling in the white around them.

More This is the Day

I worked on "This is the Day" this weekend. I spent most of my time trying to figure out a mistake I made. I was off by one stitch and it was driving me nuts!! I finally figured it out, but since it's hard to describe I drew a diagram.

40 ct. coffee and tea-dyed linen, CC and WDW threads (1 over 2).

I forgot that I did make one other change in the colors of this design. I switched around Red Currant and Wild Berries. Well, it's such a beautiful day today I'm going to try to get out and take Matthew to the park. it's still a little cool yet, but maybe after his nap. Write later! :)

This is the Day - Restart

I ended up starting "This is the Day" over yesterday. Although, I love the original design, when I saw Jan's (scroll down) I really fell in love. She was so kind to list her conversion, so I pulled the floss and got started on it last night while listening to "New Moon" the second book in the Twilight Saga. I'm definitely hooked on the series. Before I listened to them I couldn't understand what all the hype was about, now I know. Anyway, here is a pic of my new start....

I'm using the 40 ct. linen I tea and coffee dyed using Vonna's Basted and Baked Method. I love the color! The only change to Jan's conversion I make is to use WDW Kudzu instead of the Bean Sprout (Thanks for the idea Katrina). Well, I'd better get going. I'm trying to get the house all clean and then I can stitch for the rest of the day and tomorrow! :) Write later!

Earth Sampler Finished!

I finished up Earth Sampler last night. It would have taken me less time, but I've been a little busy running around the last couple of days.

The Primitive Needle "Earth Sampler"
Fabric: 40 ct. Newcastle linen (hand-dyed by me)
Threads: GAST, WDW and one CC (Cocoa Bean for the triangle symbol)

I also started something new last night. I couldn't resist! I got the threads pulled and a couple pieces of fabric out and sat down with the pattern and saw that one of the pieces of linen was the exact size, count and color for the design, so I decided it was fate and had to start right away. The design is "This is the Day" by Hands to Work from the Jan/Feb 2009 Just Cross Stitch.

My rotation has kind of taken a backseat this week. I'm going to do my best to get back to it next week! Write later! :)