More Stitching!

Hello!  :)

Things have been a little up in the air around here the last week. My hunky dudes father passed away last Thursday. He lived a good long life. We will be putting him to rest this Friday. We were at his house going through things for days and still have more to do. When we came home at night I would sit and stitch. It was nice and relaxing.  :)

The first new project I started over the weekend was "Tall Sheep" by Shepherd's Bush. It stitched up pretty quick. I finished it on Monday night. Here it is . . .

It's stitched on 28ct antique white monoco. I really like the way it came out. It was supposed to be stitched on 20ct so the buttons were a little big but I think they look okay (I hope so anyway). There are supposed to be 4 flower center buttons too but they didn't look right so I left them off. This was a really fun piece to stitch. I love the colors except for some of the greens that didn't blend well enough for me. For example the word "sheep" is on the hill. You can barely see it. If I stitch it again I'll adjust the greens. I'm not sure how I want to finish this yet so it will go into the finished pile with the others.  :)

On Monday I received the second pattern in Little House Needleworks "Sheep Virtues" series. This one represents "Love". I sat down to stitch it on Tuesday. This is what I had done that night . . .

On Wednesday I managed to finish it. I'm really liking how these are coming out. Here it is . . .

I switched my fabric this month from lugana to linen so I will be re-stitching the first pattern soon. This piece was stitched on 30ct cocoa linen using DMC threads. I didn't realize it right away but both of these patterns contain sheep. I guess I'm in a sheepish mood . . . heehee  :)

Tomorrow I'll be attending the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival in Pomona, California with some girls from my stitching group. After we will be going to one of the girls houses and stitching for awhile. It will be nice to get away for the day. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm not sure what I'll be stitching next though since I finished my ongoing projects. Guess I'll have to figure it out pretty soon.  ;)

Until next time . . .

Stitchingly Along...

Hello!  :)

Perhaps that should be the title of my blog with how much stitching I've been doing lately... lol!  :)  I'm definitely moving stitchingly along. I will be moving sewingly along again but for now stitching is bringing me comfort and joy.  :)

When I last shared with you I had begun stitching the first piece in the new Little House Needleworks series called "Sheep Virtue's". Here is where I left off . . .

 This "Hope" piece stitched up pretty quick. I finished it the next day.

I can't wait until the end of this month when the 2nd in the series comes out. I already have my fabric ready and waiting.  :)

This past weekend I began stitching on a piece I've been wanting to work on for awhile now. Lizzie Kate's "Boo Club" is a fun piece that actually has 12 individual designs that can be stitched separately or all together. I'm stitching them all together on a piece of 28ct Golden Harvest Lugana.

I've made quite a lot of progress in a few days. I've actually been stitching more than I've been on the computer which isn't normal for me.  ;)  I think it's coming along very nice. I had to change the original yellow border to the bluish/green color already used in the design. There are also stars in each section that I haven't stitched yet. They were suppose to be yellow and won't show up so I need to change them. I'm thinking about using a silver color with some shimmery strands but I haven't decided for sure yet. I'm also considering just adding star buttons. I'll make that decision eventually.  ;)  For now I'm just plugging along.

I got some good news today. My Yahoo stitching group, SoCalCrossStitchers, will be getting together again on February 23rd in Upland. I can't wait to spend another day stitching with these lovely ladies. We also have another stitching day set up for March 9th in Newport Beach, an overnight stitching day/night on May 18th in San Diego and we're talking about setting up a retreat. I'm so glad I found these ladies. If you're a cross stitcher in Southern California we'd be happy to have you join us!  :)

Oh I almost forgot . . . It's the time of the month to show my ORT's for the

What are ORT's? They are your 'old ratty threads' that are leftover when your stitching. Before I show you my jar for 2013 I need to show you how full my jar got in 2012 (since I forgot to earlier).

It got pretty full huh? I love all the colors. While I should throw these out, I just can't yet at least. I may find something else to do with them. I think for now I'll keep them.  ;)

Here is my jar for 2013. Two months of stitching so far. Such a difference.  :)

Until next time . . .

Gone but still going...

Hello!  :)

I know I haven't posted in awhile again. I've actually been busy but just haven't stopped long enough to write a post. Sometimes I procrastinate because I haven't taken pictures yet, and you know a post isn't a post without pictures.  ;)  Then sometimes I have the pictures ready but then finished more items and need to take more pictures. Lol! It's a never ending cycle!  ;)  I'm here now though and basically up to date with all my pictures.  :)  I know I'm rambling . . . so sorry! Here's what I've been up to . . .

I joined a new yahoo group of cross stitchers from Southern California called SoCalCrossStitchers. Shortly after I joined they scheduled a stitching get-together. I was so excited. I was going to get together with a group of ladies who like stitching as much (if not more) than I do. The night before I was packing my bag to bring with me the next day and realized that I needed a case for my reader (stitching) glasses. I didn't want them to get scratched afterall. This is what I came up with . . .

Of course it's pink.  ;)  I had no pattern so I kind of figured it out as I went along. Here's a view from the side . . .

I used some flannel for the inside to keep the glasses safe and protected.

It works great for my pink polka dot reading glasses.  ;)

I'm happy with how it turned out although next time I will make it a little wider. Maybe round the bottom corners and a strap that snaps would be nice to attach it to the handle of a bag or anything else I'd like.  ;)

After the glass case I needed to make a cover for my 8" x 8" q-snap frame. Got to keep that fabric covered and clean!  ;)  I choose an aqua print from my stash.

It turned out good and works great.

Next time I will finish the seam a little different and start with the fabric a little longer. Not too bad for my first try without a pattern again. I also made a red cover for the 11" x 11" q-snap frame I purchased the next day. I also picked up a 17" x 17" one and still need to make a cover for it.

After all that sewing I was ready for the next day. I went and met some wonderful ladies and had a great day of stitching and chatting.  :)  The project I worked on was my Lizzie Kate Very Scary (mystery) Sampler. If you recall I last stitched on this piece on back in August. Wow! Here's where I left off . . .

I had stitched parts 1 & 2. When I got ready to stitch part 3 I realized something. I messed up!  :(  I started the project too low on the fabric and didn't have enough room for part 3. I got really frustrated and put it away. Other ladies in the group were working on theirs so I pulled mine out again. I looked at the pattern to figure out what I needed to do so it would fit on my fabric. It was so easy to adjust it. I couldn't believe it. It had frustrated me so much before. Now I had it all planned out and stitched away. I stitched Saturday at the get-together, that night when I got home and again on Sunday.

I was really liking how this part was coming out. I kept stitching on Monday and managed to finish it on Tuesday night.

I love the kitty! He's sooo cute!  ;)  Here's the completed piece.

I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it up yet. For now it's going into the finished pile with the rest of them.  ;)

I was on such a stitching rush that I started a new project that same night. Here's where I left off . . .

This is a new pattern from Little House Needleworks "Little Sheep Virtues- Hope". It's part of a 12-month series that I'm doing. This is the 1st month. The next one is due out the end of this month. For now I'm thinking of finishing them all together in a quilt with homespun fabrics. I actually managed to finish it yesterday (Wednesday) but haven't take a picture yet so you'll have to wait to see it.  ;)

It was nice to stitch again for myself. This weekend I do plan on starting a new project and also continuing with my next piece for Sandy Hook. Thanks for hanging with me through such a long post. Hopefully I'll be back sooner next time.  ;)

Until next time . . .

The Weekend Update :)

Hello!  :)

I have a little update for my "My Favorite Things" quilt.

Did you notice I said "little"? The only thing I've done this last week on the quilt is to order more of the blue polka dot Pam Kitty Morning fabric for the binding. (I told you it was a "little" progress... lol!) I ordered it from The Quilting Bug on Thursday night. It shipped Friday and arrived Saturday! How's that for great service?!!!  :)  Here it is . . .

Did you notice I also ordered more of the fabrics from the same line? The white one on the left is more of the same I already had. The others to the right are all new ones that I didn't have before. Aren't they awesome?!!! Believe it or not there's still more that I don't have yet! I love that fabric line and will be using it on another project that I'll be starting when I finish my "My Favorite Things" quilt. I really need to get started on quilting it but I couldn't on the weekend as everyone was home and I can't lay it out on the floor where everyone needs to walk. I was going to start it today but then the boy stayed home sick. He has pretty bad asthma and when the weather changes it really acts up. Plus he has a cold on top of it. I may have to take him to the doctors tomorrow for some steroids. They're the only thing that relax his bronchial tubes and lungs enough for his normal medicine to be effective when he's sick. I really hate seeing and hearing him struggle to breathe.  :(

Saturday was a great mail day! Not only did I receive the fabric I ordered, but I also receive a couple of patterns and floss that I ordered from 123 Stitch on Thursday as well. I can't show them to you as they're for an exchange. If that wasn't enough yummy mail, I also received a surprise pattern that day from my Blog Buddy Karen of Sew Much 2 Luv! She sent me this awesome pattern . . .

Isn't it adorable! It's so me! She know's me so well!  :)  She didn't even know that this has been on my wish list for a while now. I love it and can't wait to start it! Here's a close up of the pattern . . .

I love it! Thanks so much Karen! You're the bestest!!!!  :)

Since I couldn't work on my quilt this past weekend I worked on a cross stitch swap piece and this Christmas piece for myself . . .

I loved this pattern the first time I saw it! I've had it for a while now but finally got around to starting it. I'm going to make a mini quilt out of it. Sad to say I will have to put it away for a little bit though as I have to finish that swap piece first. I only have a week before I have to mail it out. I hope I get a chance to get started quilting my quilt soon too. I'm hand quilting it so it will take a little while. I definitely have a lot on my plate, but I always do. That's the way I am. I have to keep busy.  :)

Until next time . . .

A Hermit & Stitch Weekend

Hello!  :)

So sorry I've been gone so long. I've been creating here and there between sicknesses. Seems each of the 3 of us has been sick a different week. I guess that's kind of a good thing.

This past weekend, already almost a week ago, was the International Hermit & Stitch Weekend.

I did get to participate. I actually finished up one project and started another. I'm unable to show you either one of them though since they are both for swaps. I can show you what I received in the last swap I participated in. It was the "Tea in the Garden Exchange" over at Stitched With Love Exchanges. You can go here to check out the gallery of what everyone received. Here's what my partner Mindi sent me . . . 

I had to borrow Mindi's photo since I forgot to take a group picture before I split all the items up. (I hope you won't mind Mindi.) I was surprised by a fabulous package with 3 stitched pieces! How awesome is that?!!! She also gave me a notepad, stickers, hand-dyed threads and some caramels (yum!).

Mindi did a wonderful job on all the stitched pieces. The first one is a Little House Needleworks design that she finished in a tray. It's so awesome!  :)

Here's a closer view of the stitching. She changed the colors to suit me and she did a great job! It's perfect!  :)

The next piece is a little pin cushion she made with elements from original design. I absolutely love it! I started using it immediately and haven't stopped.  :)

The last piece was a little fob she stitched up, again with elements from the original design. What a great way keep a theme going! She did a great job! Don't you just love that tiny pink rick rack?!!! I know I do!  :)

Thank you so much Mindi for your kindness and generosity! I love everything you sent and smile every time I look at it!  :)

My partner this time around was Lisa M. from New York. I sent the following garden themed package to her . . .

A stitched and quilted piece to hang, a pattern, paper, needles, threads, buttons and ribbons. Here's a picture of just the stitched piece I sent her . . . 

It's a Homespun Elegance pattern called "Delivering Posies". I pulled colors from the stitching for the fabrics. I really love the way it came out! It looks much better in person too!  :)  I liked it so much that I stitched another one for myself. I haven't gotten mine quilted and finished yet but I have the fabrics waiting until I get around to it. Here's a closer view of the stitching . . . 

I hope you enjoyed sharing in my exchange goodies with me. One of the items I finished up for the hermit and stitch weekend was my project for the Animal Antics exchange. I sent it off Saturday and my partner should have it already. I hope she likes it!  :)

Until next time . . .

Long time no post :(

Hello!  :)

I can't believe that it's been over 3 weeks since my last post! (Non Traveling Stash that is.) I knew it'd been a while but just didn't think it'd been that long. I'm so sorry for my absence! It's been a busy time for me plus it's been HOT!!! It's usually not humid in Southern California and right now it's over 100 every day plus high humidity! Yuck! Heat and I don't get along and humidity and I definitely do not get along. I start sweating instantly and get overwhelmed with heat. It really sucks! For the past few weeks I've basically been sitting around working on various cross stitch projects for Christmas and other holidays. I wanted to post about them as I completed each project but it was too hot to get up and take the pictures. Plus I was lazy too. (I'm always full of excuses!)  ;)

The first project I finished was the last one I told you I was working on.

It's "Christmas Is..." by Lizzie Kate. It's stitched on 28 ct Ultra Very Light Antique Blue evenweave. I basically kept the colors the same. I'm not too sure about the pink string on the mittens. It was supposed to be a light blue but it blended into the fabric too much. What do you think?

The next project I completed will eventually be an ornament.

It's "Snow in Love" by Little House Needleworks. It's the hunky dude and I enjoying the snow!  ;)  This one is stitched on 28 ct Beige evenweave. I really like how this turned out. I kept all the original colors.  :)

After this I wanted a quick project. I was waiting on some over-dyed threads to arrive and needed them for the other projects I wanted to work on. In the meantime I stitched this up . . .

It's "Happy Haunting" by Lizzie Kate. I stitched it on 28 ct Light Tan evenweave. This one will probably become a pillow. I'm not too sure about it but I think I'll like it more once I add the perfect fabrics to it.  :)

After the Halloween project I received some of the threads I was waiting on. I stitched this ornament up.

It's another Little House Needleworks ornament. This one is called "All Dolled Up". It's stitched on a 28 ct Beige evenweave. I changed some of the colors. I will be adding black beads for the Snowman's eyes and buttons. I'm happy with how it came out!  :)

Then I worked on my Garden exchange piece for the "Stitched With Love" exchange. I loved the way it turned out! I wish I could show you but I have to wait until everyone receives their packages . . . sorry.  :(

The next project I did was the one I was waiting on the threads for. The moment I saw this design I just had to get it and stitch it up.

I'm so happy with the way it turned out! I love it!  :)  It's a design by Homespun Elegance called "Delivering Plenty". It turns out there's a whole series of these "delivering..." designs. I'll definitely be doing more of these! I stitched it on a 25ct Gray Green evenweave. I'm not sure of the correct color of the fabric as it was part of a variety of fabric ends that I got from a shop owner. I will be adding some buttons for the cart wheels and a charm or two. There was supposed to be a squirrel on the turkey's back but I didn't like it so I left it off. You'll have to wait and see how I finish this one off.  ;)

Remember the swap project I told you about? Well I liked it so much that I decided to stitch one up for myself. I actually finished stitching the piece today. I still can't show it to you though . . . so sorry!  :(  I can show you what I'm starting on tonight though.

It's the Halloween Mystery Sampler by Lizzie Kate. It took me a little while to decide whether I wanted to do this one or not but of course I decided "Yes!". I have part one & two of the design already. The third (& last) part will be out at the end of the month. I'm hoping to have the first two parts finished by then. I'm stitching it on a 28ct Mushroom evenweave instead of the Tin Roof fabric it called for. I am using all the original threads though. I'm hoping it will turn out nice!  :)

The last few weeks I actually have managed to get some sewing done too. Not a lot because of the heat though. I've discovered that my dining room, which is where I sew, is very hot. It just doesn't cool off in there. By the time I finish sewing I'm soaked with sweat (yuck!) I was wondering why I haven't been sewing much this summer and I now know this is why. I'm dying to work on some projects that have been waiting for me so I hope it cools off soon so I can get back to some sewing. I'll be showing you one of the items I did finish later this week. The other sewing project will have to wait longer as it was for the swap I mailed off.

Well that's it for now. Be sure to come back later in the week to check out my sewing plus some fun stuff I have planned.

Until next time . . .