Cross Stitching Away!

Hello!  :)

Before starting this post I looked up the last regular post I published and I couldn't believe it was back on April 2nd!!! Wow! Time has definitely been flying! I'm hoping I'll get better about posting again but I will be really busy the next couple of months so I'm not promising anything. Please bear with me. I'll share more about that later.  ;)

For now I wanted to share what I've been up to since I last shared my stitching adventures with you. Back on April 2nd this is where I was with my Lizzie Kate 6 Fat Men . . .

I had finished the first 3 sections. After that I added the really cute extra design in between the blocks.

This is one of my favorite parts of this design. Weird huh? After that I managed to get one more section done. Here's the block that was "snow fun" to stitch . . .

I don't have a picture of the whole thing after this point. I will definitely take one this week for you.  ;)

During April I started on a new project. This is Blue Ribbon Design's "Blue Jeans & Daisies" 2013 Mystery Sampler.

All three parts have now been released. I'm stitching it on 30ct Blue Jeans Weeks Dye Works linen with the original threads. I started the design in the top left corner. Here is the first section I stitched . . .

The fabric color is definitely off in this photo. After this section I wasn't quite sure about the design. It was just blaw to me so far. Then I continued stitching . . . 

Wow! I'm loving the design now! It really came to life with the next sections. Don't you think so? By the way did you notice the fabric color is better in this picture? It's more true to the real color. Continuing on . . . I was on a roll and just couldn't stop stitching . . .

I finished the left section all the way to the bottom!  ;)  The color on this picture really sucks again, so sorry!  :(  This design is so fun to stitch! I can't wait to stitch the whole thing!  :)

These are the only two (like I need any more) pieces that I'm working on right now. I'm having fun with both of them. While I haven't done any more stitching on the 6 Fat Men I've actually made more progress on the Blue Jeans & Daisies. You'll have to wait until next time to see it though as I haven't taken pictures yet.  ;)

Until next time . . .

Finished Just in Time!

Hello!  :)

Happy Easter! I hope the Easter bunny brings you lots of chocolate!  ;)

This past week I finished a couple of small cross stitch pieces before I worked on my 6 Fat Men again. The first piece I did was Lizzie Kate's Limited Edition "Chicks". It's stitched on the linen that came with the kit. I used all the threads called for and substituted a couple I didn't have on hand. Here it is . . .

Today I actually had time to sit down and make the piece into a pillow.

Of course I used lots of pink!  ;)  I also added some buttons, charms, lace and rick rack. I think it turned out really nice. I actually have a finished, finished piece before Easter! Okay it's only a day before Easter but it still counts!  ;)

Last week I also finished another Lizzie Kate Limited Edition design, "A Bee C".

I stitched this on the linen that came with the kit. I used the threads called for and again substituted a couple I didn't have on hand.

I don't know if you remember or not but I'm taking part in the Stitch-Along over at www.stitch-a-long.blogspot.com. We're doing a small project every month instead of a quilt this year. This month's project is a pincushion from the Some Kind of Wonderful book by Anni Downs. Here it is . . .

The pattern on the sides are embroidered with pink perle cotton. The top is made with 1-1/2" squares of Pam Kitty Morning that I had leftover from my "My Favorite Things" quilt. It went together pretty quick. Good thing too since it has to be done by tomorrow. Nothing like the last minute!  ;)

I stuffed it with crushed walnuts. The pins are two that my friend Donna gave me last year. I thought they looked nice in it.  :)

Next month we will be making a wallhanging from the book "Tis the Season" by Natalie Bird. I got a head start today. (Okay so I'm only a day earlier, but I'm usually a last minute kind of gal). I traced the embroidery patterns on some muslin and backed them in fusible batting so they're ready to stitch.

Last by not least . . . my 6 Fat Men . . . I worked a couple of nights this week on the next section, "Snow Friends".

It's coming along nicely. Thanks for visiting!  :)

Until next time . . .

I'm still here

Hello!  :)

I know I've been gone from here (except for the Traveling Stash updates) for a couple weeks now. Well remember how I told you hunky dude's dad passed away? Well a few days after his funeral my grandmother passed away. She was 85. She fell down the stairs and had a major brain injury which she didn't survive. Over the past few years she also had lots of episodes of dementia. She is now resting in peace and my grandfather is very sad and lonely. We had her funeral this week. I miss her terribly. So that's why I haven't been posting here. I've just been very busy physically and mentally. There is definitely too much death going on around here. I hope this is the last of it.

I've still been doing some stitching while away from my blog. It keeps my mind and hands busy when I'm relaxing. I started a new project a couple of weeks ago. It's Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Men.

This photo is not my piece but the designers piece. I had gotten the patterns last year and finally picked some fabric from my stash to get started on the project. I'm stitching it on a piece of blue with white 28ct luguna. I completed the first block early last week. Here's "Snowed in". . . 

After that I decided to go ahead and stitch the other five block outlines so I have a road map to follow.

As you can see in the photo above, the next part I worked on was the "Snow House" block. I really meant to take a picture before I worked on that block but alas I didn't. I finished "Snow House" this week on Tuesday night.

I really like how this is coming together. I'm not sure whether I'll continue with this project next or work on a smaller, quicker project first. Sometimes it's good to do a couple small projects in the middle of a large one so you don't get bored or overwhelmed. I guess we'll both have to wait and see what I work on next.  ;)

I'll be participating in the "Stitch me up" embroidery blog hop that started a couple of days ago next week.

My day is Wednesday, March 27th. I know exactly what I'll be making but of course I haven't started it yet. I'll be working on it this weekend so it will be ready to share with you next Wednesday. For now be sure to check out all the lovely embroideries that have been shown already. You can go here, to Jane's Fabric & Quilts, our lovely host, to view the blog hop schedule.

Until next time . . .

It's a BOOtiful Finish!

Hello!  :)

It's done! The pictures aren't the best . . . so sorry! I really do try to get good pictures but they don't ever seem to come out. It really looks much better in person. The fabric is really a rich looking yellow and the threads look fabulous on it.  ;)  Without further adieu here's my version of Lizzie Kate's "Boo Club" . . .

I also took a couple more pictures of half at a time since it's so long. Here's the top half . . .

and the bottom half . . .

I really do wish you could see it in person. To refresh your memory it's stitched on a 28ct Golden Harvest Laguna. I played around with a lot of colors for the stars but nothing looked good. I ended up going with yellow as the pattern called for but added some yellow Kreinik blending filament to make them sparkle and show up better. I also added some white blending filament to the spider web. I'm very happy with how it turned out.  :)

I haven't started a new cross stitching piece yet but have lots to choose from. First I have to work on a sewing piece. I started it last night but you'll have to wait to see it. You won't be waiting too long though as it's supposed to be finished by the end of the month and I only have a day and a half left. There's nothing like procrastination . . .

Until next time . . .

Still stitching ahead

Hello!  :)

Just thought I'd stop by and give you an update on my current cross stitching project. Here's where we last left off . . .

To refresh your memory this is Lizzie Kate's "Boo Club". This next picture is actually my progress as of last Friday. Yes I'm a little behind on my posts.  ;(

I had another wonderful day stitching on Saturday with my Yahoo group, SoCalCrossStitchers. I managed to get lots of progress done and of course the normal wonderful company and conversations.  :)  I haven't had a chance to take more pictures of my progress yet so I'll leave you with one last picture of the whole piece thus far . . .

It's getting quite long. That last picture shows 8 of the 12 parts done. I actually finished 2 more on Saturday and the last 2 on Sunday. Today I'm going back and adding all the stars I left off. I'm still having a hard time deciding on the color to use. The pattern calls for a yellow but the fabric is yellow so I'm trying out other colors. Hopefully I'll get it figured out tonight so I can finish it up. I'm getting excited.  :)

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 . . .

A Few Finishes!

Hello!  :)

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.  :)

I've taken a few days off from blogging but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I've managed to finish up a few more Mario blocks but haven't taken pictures of them yet.  :(  I did work on them everyday except for Thanksgiving and today though.  :)

Today I had to finish up my Christmas Stitches Exchange gift for my partner as it had to be mailed today. I made the deadline. Nothing like cutting it close!  ;)  While finishing it up I looked over at my waiting to be worked on pile, and saw my Lizzie Kate monthly stitcheries waiting to be made into pillows. I had them sitting there with the fabric waiting until I had a chance to sew them up. I'm going to go backwards as I show you what I accomplished today.

Here's the January pillow . . .

I decided to go with a vintage pink rick rack to match the snowman's (or is it snow-woman's) hat & gloves. Then I added a snowflake button to finish it up!  :)  Can you believe it?!!! I'm actually ready for January and it's not even December yet!  :)

I also finished up the December pillow . . .

The picture for this one isn't too great as the table background doesn't show off the fabric too well.  :(  It's a muted red fabric with pinkish snowflakes. I added the vintage green rick rack and red buttons. Now I'm ready for December (pillow wise anyways) a few days in advance!  :)

The next pillow is November . . .

It's actually not stuffed yet.  :(  Since I didn't make it at the beginning of the month I decided it would be easier to store for the year if I didn't stuff it yet. I added a deep red (almost burgundy) bias ribbon to it. I stitched it on with a decorative leaf stitch. I'm not sure if you can see the stitching or not. I will stuff this during the year so it will be ready to go before next November. Yes I will!!!!  ;)

Believe it or not . . . this October pillow . . .

was completed a few months ago. Yes it was! I was ahead of the game. Kind of. I never stuffed it. So alas it too will be stored away unstuffed until next year. Then I'll stuff it and maybe add a button or two.  :)

This September pillow . . .

was also completed a few months ago. I never stuffed it either but it was ready to stuff. That's something, isn't it? I will store it along with the others and stuff it next year as well. Do you see a trend here? I'm not done yet.

Yes I even did the August pillow . . .

a few months ago. I'm guessing I sewed these up in August since this is the earliest one in the pile. Of course it's not stuffed either. I would love to find a sunflower or bee button to add to this before August comes around again.

So yes I did accomplish a lot today. No Mario blocks for today though. I may not get any done tomorrow either since Edison will be turning off my electricity from 10:00am - 3:30pm. At least I know about the outage but it doesn't make it easier to deal with. I'm thinking that maybe I'll get some Christmas decorations out and get started decorating. I'll try to get the Mario block pictures done soon so I can show you my progress. It's actually going pretty good. I'm more than half way done. I really want to get this quilt done quickly so I don't stress about getting it done in time.

Hope you're getting a lot of things done whether sewing, decorating, or anything else your heart desires.  ;)

Until next time . . .