Update

To kick off this post, here is the adorable Santa's Flight that Jayne stitched for me in the Shepherd's Bush ornament exchange on Hooked on Exchanging.  I love this piece - it is so tiny and lovely in every way.  The stitching and finishing are just superb.

I just love reproduction samplers, and so this year, I decided to focus on stitching them.  Below is a picture of my progress on the Ann Bowers Sampler from the Examplarery s2 - 1740's.  This is a SAL through the Attic Needlework shop in Arizona.  I have worked on it about 20 days, averaging one hour per day.

And below is A Maryland Sampler.  I am using NPI and the recommended 36 ct Lt Examplar linen.  This linen is more "vintagey" than what you can purchase - it spent a short period of time in the mouth of the Labrador puppy - and I did not want to start completely over, so I am learning to love the quirks in the linen.   LOL

I have also stitched on this for about 20 hours.  The borders on this one go very slowly with all the leaves, flowers and berries.

We are plunging into spring around here - the daffodils are poking their heads up.  the Lenten Roses are in full bloom.  I am starting to think about what annuals I want to plant in my pots around the pool.  I'm also thinking of how to convert my flower beds to flowers and shrubs that deer don't eat, which significantly limits my choices.

Happy stitching, Margaret

Catch-Up Post

Just like many other stitchers out in blogland, I think this year is just flying by.  I can hardly believe that this is my first post this year!  I have a lot of catching up to do.

First up are some pictures of some fabulous finishes by Claudia.  I sent these to her right before the holidays; and she sent them back to me in mid-January.  These pieces are just gorgeous!  I don't remember the names of many of these designs, but I will add details as I can.

This one is from the 2012 JCS Ornament issue.  It is Pomegranate Joy by Homespun Elegance.  I used the recommended fibers and some 36 ct. mystery linen.

This one is Paper Whites by Little House Needleworks.  I used HDF silk and 40 ct Porcelain Lakeside Linens.

This is Happy Holidays from County Cottage Needleworks.  I used the recommended fibers on a piece of 36 ct mystery linen.  I love the oval finishing and the twisted cord trim made from perle cotton.

This is Poinsettia House from Little House Needleworks, using the recommended fibers and some mystery 36 ct. linen.  I shamelessly copied the idea to change the words to "Tis the season" from a blogger.  Now I can't find the blog that was my inspiration, and so I can't thank the stitcher appropriately.  If she sees this, I hope she is flattered by the imitation.

 I am still working on the SAL, A Year in Cross Stitch.  This shows the design for the January block.

 Here is my January ornament.  It is the 2012 freebie from iStitch.  I used some HDF mystery floss and 36 ct. mystery linen.  Note the plain Jane finishing that I did myself.

 Here is my 2013 Valentine project.  It is the Tempting Tangles Quaker Valentine 2013 from the Wichelt site.  I used HDF Enchantress floss and some mystery linen.  I think I will make this into a small pillow.

Lastly, here is the Soweth Sampler by Birds of a Feather.  My stitching buddy Carol was kind enough to send this pattern to me  I used the recommended fibers and some 36 ct.mystery linen.

I also have been stitching on a couple of reproduction samplers - but will wait and take pictures next week.

We are still having cold weather - yet the daffodils are 3 -4 " tall and the camellia buds are fat.  I would say that I walk through the yard, eagerly looking for signs of spring; but around here it's more like slogging through the mud.  LOL

All else is quiet.  I am eagerly watching the Celebrations web site - they are posting pictures of classes.  I can hardly wait - it is my week of pure indulgence - I can just stitch to my heart's content.  This year I am also planning a trip to Paris in early April - can't wait!

Happy stitching, Margaret

Christmas Projects!





 Hi,  I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  I certainly did.  A few days before Christmas I finished the 2012 Sampler de Noel.  I put a few beads on it for a bit of pizazz - it really came out nice and cheerful! 

 This is an ornament that I finished in December.  It is one of a series by Historic Stitches and has personalization on the back.  I think it came out very cute.  You can also see a painted glass ornament that DH brought me from the Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria.  He said that I really missed out by not going - so a trip to the Christmas Market in Austria or Germany is on my list for next year, when I have an empty nest, and can easily take off and do those things.



 And this adorable little stocking was stitched by my dear stitching buddy Carol S.  I tried to picture it beside the much larger version that I stitched, but the relative sizes don't come across in the picture.  Take my word for it, the one Carol stitched is just exquisite!  It is so tiny and perfect!  In this picture you can also see a cat that my mother made.  She was a quilter, and made a set of these adorable patchwork cat ornaments that I treasure!

I put up my tree very late this year, and so I did not pull out all of my ornaments, and instead used only the ones that were handmade (or new).  I just love looking at all the ornaments - this has strenthened my resolve to stitch more ornaments next year!

I don't have very much else going on.  My son and I spent a few days in South Mississippi visiting my dad, brother, niece, and other relatives.  We ate and drank and visited as much as we could in only a few days!  We were able to sit outside on restaurant decks and patios - the weather was great.  We visited Abita Microbrewery in Abita Springs, Louisiana - I highly recommend it.  They have the greatest root beer ever made, and their microbrews are fabulous! We spent one day in New Orleans - shopping Royal Street and eating beignets and drinking cafe au lait.  We spent one day in Gulfport, Mississippi, visiting and enjoying the scenery.   Fortunately, we ducked the storms and so had no travel problems. 

That's all for now - I'm off to sift through my stash and dream about all the projects I can do next year.  Hope everyone has a Happy and safe New Year!

- Margaret C

More Eye Candy!

 These pieces were made possible by the finishing skills of the very talented Claudia.  I only wish the  photos could show the real beauty of these ornaments.

First up is Christmas Rose by Nancy Pederson in the November 2011 issue of The Gift of Stitching magazine.  I used HDF fibers on a piece of opalescent Belfast linen.  Claudia made a pillow out of a golden raw silk fabric - just beautiful!

The next piece is French Square by Scissor Tail Designs.  I used HDF fibers on a piece of mystery linen.  I have since purchased many more designs from this designer - I love the elegance and simplicity of the designs.

Next up is the Mistletoe Ornament from this year's JCS ornament issue.  I used the recommended fibers and linen.  I'm too lazy to go downstairs and get the magazine to get the name of the piece or the designer.

This next design also came from this years JCS Ornament issue called His Gift from My Big Toe Designs - I used HDF fibers in my own conversion on a piece of mystery linen.

 

Next up is a shaped ornament  that is just charming.  This is a freebie, Noel 2012 couleurs from Broderies Passion .  I used HDF  fibers and mystery linen.

And finally, this little tree that I stitched long ago - I've forgotten the designer, but it is one of my favorites with the green, red and gold ribbons.  I know that I say everything is my favorite, but who could pick an absolute favorite?

And lastly, here is Part 2 of A Year in Cross Stitch:

I have been stitching on other stuff, but I can't stick with one project long enough to make noticeable progress.  So, with that, I will close.  Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

- Margaret C

Lots to Show You

I have lots of things to show you, and all of it has a Christmasy theme.  First up, I am still working on the SAL Noel Sampler 2012.  Here is my piece, completed through Part 6.  Part 7 just came out in the last day or two, so I am pretty current on this one.  Completion before Christmas is a definite possibility.

And now I have some finished ornaments to show you.  I decided that I really enjoy stitching ornament fronts, but I do not enjoy the finishing as much - so I sent some of my ornaments to some of the great and talented finishers out there.  These were completed by Faye (carolinastitcher) - she did a fabulous job!

Some of these are pieces I stitched long ago - they have been languishing in my box of finished smalls for YEARS!  I decided to pull some of my faves out and finally have them finished.

First up is one of the free angels that Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum (?) used to design every year.  As I recall, there was a lot of work in this one - but what breathtaking results!

The next one is by Elizabeth's Designs - it has a cute bunny and a moon Treasure on it .  The picture does not do this one justice.

And the piece de resistance - this is the Byzantine Cross by Teresa Wentzler.  I have had this all stitched for years - and it has sat in a drawer, waiting for the beads to be added.  So, I finally added the 40 beads - it took all of 20 minutes - and look what a beauty!

This one was finished as a little bag - just right for holding candy canes on a tree.  I do not remember the designer for this one - but I'm pretty sure it is either LHN or CCN.  How could it not be?

And another perennial favorite designer,  this is the new one by Blackbird Designs from this year's JCS Ornament magazine - the fabrics and trim just make this one sing!

This is another ornament from Summer House Stitche Works from this years JCS.  This is a relatively new designer - and her designs strike a chord with me.  I had worried a little about this piece - I used the recommended threads, but the linen I chose was a bit dark - not a lot of contrast.  Faye's finishing just set this off perfectly.

Well, there you have it.   I am so pleased with my new ornaments - they do highlight how eclectic my taste is. If I were a bit more consistent, my tree would have more of a designer look - maybe someday I'll work on that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate that day.  We will have a traditional Southern  meal that I recall from my childhood - turkey, cornbread dressing with sausage and apples, sweet potato casserole, homemade rolls, and for dessert Karo pecan pie and sweet potato pie.  I have made a few substitutions in the menu through the years - cranberry chutney with pears and ginger, and winter squash au gratin (in lieu of the ubiquitous green bean casserole).  

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Battening Down the Hatches!

Hi all,

We are battening down the hatches here in Maryland, awaiting the arrival of Sandy.  So far, it has just been cloudy.  We are expecting just windy conditions - and of course our favorite - loss of power.  No coffee, no computer - I am already planning how to boil water on my gas grill so that I can at least make instant coffee.  Can you say addicted?  My spouse is out with half of the total population of Maryland making one last run at bread, milk and gasoline!  

And, just one more time, Blogger has chosen to rotate my picture!  I import the pictures into Google, save them, and then export them to a data file.  I import them into Blogger from the data file, so I am completely puzzled as to how they get rotated.  So anyway take my word for it, that this Jeannette Douglas Pumpkin Sampler is the bomb!  I always love her pieces - somehow they match her exuberant personality!  I used the recommended threads and 32 ct. Lakeside pecan butter linen.  I stitched most of this sampler on a weekend - except for the pumpkins in the middle, that are done in Mosaic stitch variations.  They gave me fits!

And then, because I couldn't resist, this is a Mystery Sal that can be found here.  I am using HDF premium silks on 28 ct fabric.  I need something to rest my eyes and to work if my lamp is not handy.  I hope this will be pretty.

I also broke down and sent some of my stitched ornament fronts to finishers - I have just not been happy with my finishing efforts - so I will continue to work on my skills, but I will have some pieces finished professionally....  I will share pics when I get them back.

That's all for now.

Happy stitching, everyone,

- Margaret C

On a Roll

I have now finished Dawn of Spring, a SAL designed by a very generous Mouse from the Friendly Stitchers yahoo group.  I ran out of the beads I used for the first three bands, and could not find a matching color.  I'm pretty sure the first color of beads was a Mill Hill petite - but I couldn't find an exact match.  So I ended up adding two different colors of beads - hopefully the changes in color look intentional, rather than being out of desperation.

And this is Part 3 of the SAL Sampler de Noel 2012.  Isn't it pretty?  I love the French designs - they are so elegant.

My puppy is finally trained enough that you can take eyes off her for a second or two, without having the whole house destroyed, so I have a bit more stitching time.  We have been going to kindergarden, and the puppy knows sit, stay, down, come, let's go, etc. - although her obedience is somewhat dependent on whether she sees the little sandwich bag full of chicken breast cubes! 

I finally got fed up with my messy yard, and hired a landscape crew to edge my beds and clean and mulch a row of crepe myrtles along the road - best fortune I've ever spent! 

Well, back to puppy world.  Happy stitching, everyone!  Margaret C