Started Afghan

I started working on my Snow Buddies Afghan yesterday. I was only able to work on it an hour or so but it was soooo much fun! I am really excited about stitching my first afghan. It is a Stoney Creek chart book and very easy to follow. I did not scan a photo of my stitching yet because there really was not that much but I plan on making more progress as the week goes on.

They Came!!

They have arrived! I went up to see mom and dad and when I was walking home guess what I saw attached to my mailbox?!?! I really did not think it would get here till later in the week. I hurried inside and opened the box. There was a beautiful afghan and my Snow Buddies Chart Book! Yeah! Now all I need is the floss! lol I read thru the book and the afghan is stitched using 4 strands of floss and the count is 18. It is cream. I really think I might get this finished by Christmas. There are not alot of color changes, not as many as I expected anyway. The holes are easy to see the the diamond patteren is beautiful. I have some of the floss in my stash pile so I might see if I can get started today. We are suppose to have some rain so that is a perfect time to stitch!

I have had a good stitching week. I worked on Caring Wings, LK-And to all a good night, Holiday Snapper and started a bear for charity stitching. Today I am going to work on my Traveler. My Abby cloth and the Stoney Creek book-Snow Buddies is in the mail and will be here this week. Thanks Amy at Down Sunshine Lane! I will have to get some more floss before I start the afghan. I also need more floss before I start the 12 Days of Christmas. I think my rotation will have to be expanded...alot! I also searched through my stash this weekto see what Christmas ornaments I have. I will be in an ornament exchange and I am going to have to buy something new to stitch. That will have to stay a secret for now. I will have to wait and see what my new partner would like. I also have a new stitching area, again. I have my chair, table and lamp near the door and I really like it there. My daughter bought me a new organizer this week and I have used it to list the floss I have and the ones I need. Just have to remember to take it with me when I go shopping. It is a light blue leather and very nice of her to get it for me.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy week!

Problem Solved!

The addey cloth problem is solved! I called Amy at downsunshinelane.com. She is very friendly and helpful. Before we hung up, I had placed my order for the addy cloth and the pattern book for Stoney Creek's Snow Buddies! I would still love to know if anyone has stitched this on an afghan. I am going to make this one for my mom who collects snowmen and loves birds. She has several feeders and birdhouses in her yard. I plan on having it finished in time for Christmas. I will have to get very, very stitchy-busy to complete it!

Stitching On Addy Cloth

Has anyone ever stitched an afghan on addy cloth? I want to stitch the Snow Buddies from Stoney Creek. The model was stitched on 18 ct. addy cloth. When I looked up this fabric, it said the outer area border was the stitching area. So what about the part of the chart that is stitched in the center? Is it also made for cross stitching? If anyone has any answers or knows where I can find some information please post a comment. I have searched the web and can not find anything helpful. Also, has anyone ever stitched Snow Buddies on a different type of afghan? I thank you and appreciate any help you could give.

Finished Teapot!

I have finished the teapot! It shows up much better with the back stitching. I used DMC floss and stitched it on 14 ct. aida. This was a simple project and fun to stitch. It went quick when I had time to work on it. This will be sent to WOCS to be added to a quilt. There are about 8 others in the same magazine. They can be worked all on one piece or individually. They would make really cute ornaments for someone who collects teapots.

Progress on Teapot

This teapot is from Cross Country Stitching magazine. It will be for a charity quilt when I get it finished. It is kind of difficult to distinguish between the teapot and the fabric. I have not put in the outlining and there are still a few more stitches needed. The colors are very nice and I will try to get that a little better on the next scan.

New Stash Has Arrived!

I opened the mailbox and there they were! The first two ornaments in the new Sweetheart Tree 12 Days of Christmas series. My order from http://www.downsunshinelane.com/ had arrived! Yeah! Fast Service! I love them both and can't wait to get the rest of them.

SBQ: Storing WIP's

How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?

I store my WIP's in large ziploc bags. I keep the floss, pattern and material in the same bag if they all fit and the WIP is not too large. I keep my floss on floss cards or in small bags. For the Fortunate Traveler, I keep the floss in marked envelopes standing up in a gift box and the material is in a large ziploc bag. I have a copy of my pattern on a clip board and I keep all this inside a large navy Avon bag. (not the box of floss) lol The Avon bags I bought from my daughter and they are perfect for stitching projects. There are several pockets and it is very sturdy. I bought several of these bags and I have other kitted projects stored in these. Sometimes I just want to start something new and all I have to do is pull it out of my bag. The bags are also very handy to take places. My Rocky Mountain Christmas floss is stored in a small 3-drawer box. The material and pattern are in a ziploc bag.

Buying Stash

I have been shopping online at Down Sunshine Lane! Naturally, there were lots of charts I liked. This time, I ordered the first two designs in the Sweet Heart Tree's 12 Days of Christmas. My Christmas stash is very low and I have been looking for a 12 Days I liked for a while now. I was very happy to find these. The next two have been released so they will be ordered next. I have some 12 Days of Christmas ornaments my daughter bought me and I love them. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I can't wait to stitch these up and have them ready for my tree.

Bookmark Finished!

I stitched this bookmark for my daughter in honor of her being in the highschool marching band.

Yum Bear Finished

I have finished the "Yum" bear from 101 Bears with Personality. This is my first finish for charity stitching. I enjoyed stitching him and knowing that he will join other little bears on a quilt for a very special person.

New Project

New WIP- "Yum" Bear from 101 Bears with Personality. I am also going to stitch the "Sandy" bear. No pic. yet. I have the bear and the watermellon stitched up but that is all. I have also worked on my Bent Creek Holiday Snapper on the Arbor Day square.

SBQ Needle Mania

How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?

The only project I have ever used more that one needle for is my TW-The Fortunate Traveler. I have 7 needles I keep threaded for that one. I don't park them on the piece of material I am stitching on though. I switch them out and keep them on an extra piece of material stuck through a small scrap of paper with the color number or symbol on it. I thread up the ones for the area I am stitching in and switch out the colors as I go. This seems to make the stitching much faster for me.

LIfe's A Stitch Finished!

Started and Finished, LK-Life's A Stitch yesterday. I did not get the border on that came with the chart. I did mine on aida and it just would not work on this. I frogged it out several times and finally gave up. I added the small running stitches as a border in honor of my mom who would sew all my clothes when I was a little girl.

Spring Sampler Finished!

I have finished the Heart In Hand-Spring Sampler. Don't look too closely! It is so bad! This was my first experience in working on 32 Count Belfast Linen. 32 count made my eyes cross and the linen was unreal! I am definately going to have to practice! I loved the flosses which were Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler and Olde Willow. Working with these was also a first. I have the Summer, Fall and Winter Samplers kits so by the time I get to Winter, maybe I'll be a better 32 ct. linen stitcher!

Caring Wings

I have updated my Caring Wings photo. If you have never tackled a larger project, I would recommend Caring Wings from Mirabilia. The chart and color changes are easy to follow. I am stitching mine on 28 ct. hand dyed evenweave. I matched the lavender colors in the chart when I selected the material. When finished this will be framed and given to my daughter. She picked out the pattern.

Butterflies and Flowers

I have changed my theme, yet again. This one more reflects 'me' than the last one. The pic. of the butterfly and the butterfly weed is one I took. I have them growing in the flower bed by the back deck. I dug them up out of my neighbors field a few years ago and transplanted them in my garden. I suppose they have an official name but we always called them butterfly weeds. They are just begining to bloom now.

SBQ May 16,2007

If you could only stitch one more piece what would it be and why?

I would have to choose a Teresa Wentzler chart but I do not know which one I would choose!! I like the castle and dragon themes she uses so I suppose it would be one with a castle and a dragon! lol That is as close to an answer as I can get. If I had to choose now, I would stay up all night trying to pick one!

Field Trip

If you are looking for a great family trip, try Holiday World in Indiana.
http://www.holidayworld.com/ We spent yesterday there with DD and her highschool band friends. It was great! You will never find a Cleaner, Friendlier park anywhere! Check out their website! They have free Pepsi products along with free gator ade and free sunscreen. You help your self to their ice/fountain drinks at the many stations around the park. The food is good and at a resonable price. There is even an air-conditioned nursuring mothers building! There are lots of trees and shaded places to rest, which we did! lol The rides are great and Splashin' Safari is an awsome water park! Take extra clothes and rent a locker. This is great for 'kids' of all ages. We had a blast!

SBQ

How do you choose a project for an exchange? Do you pick solely onwhat you know of the taste of the recipient or are there other reasons you pick the piece you do?
I choose mostly by what the recipient say's she would like. Then I stitch a piece I feel she would like.

Stash List

Bent Creek-
1. The Weathered Garden
2. The Littles-Snowman
3. Waxing Moon Desings- Bring On The Snow
4. The Trilogy-Secret Birdhouse
5. Celtic Cross
6. Bookmark-Composers -Finished 6/5/07
7. Dragon Dreams-Spot of Tea
8. Cross Country Stitching-Ladybug Garden
9. Sisters & Best Friends-Summer Sampler
10. Dames of the needle-Alphabet Sampler
11. Just Nan-Summer Stroll
Lizzie Kate
12. November Flip-It
13. Friendship
14. Treat Time
15. Life's A Stitch - Finished 05/25/07
16. Horray for the USA
Teresa Wentzler
17. Noah's Ark
18. Unicorn
19. Peacock
The Stitch Works
20 Star of Wonder
21. Starlight Snowman
Heart In Hand
22. Easter Bird
23 Be Nice
24. Dog Sampler
25. Wee Rooster
26. Little Snowman in Drifts
27. Spring Alphabet Sampler - Finished 05/07
28. Summer Alphabet Sampler
29. Fall Alphabet Sampler
30. Winter Alphabet Sampler

Lily of the Valley

My lily of the valley and columbine are blooming. I now have a few roses blooming also. The cold wave that went blasting through a few weeks ago ended the blooms on both of my lilac bushes.

Hearts In Atlantis

Just finished reading Hearts In Atlantis by Stephen King. Great Book! Love the references to the Dark Tower series.

Digging In The Dirt

DD and I spent yesterday afternoon digging in the dirt, well actually it was partly mud. She enjoyed creating her own mud hole with the water hose. Sunk herself half-way to her knees. Did I mention she is in 9th grade? Some things it is good if we do not out grow them. We planted marigolds, periwinkle, snap dragons, cladiums, and impatients. The week before we had planted yellow and pink lilies and a bleeding heart. We have also moved a few plants around. We moved some curly mint, apple mint, sedum, and ribbon grass. Also moved some siberian iris to another area. Going to try and get the bee balm seeds planted today. It has rained so hard I was afraid they would wash away. My giant columbine is blooming and so are my pinks. My hugh deep purple irises are blooming also. We have beautiful little blue birds, robins and finches at the feeders. The humming birds are getting their little bird tummys full at their own feeders. Maybe I will get around to listing all the different kinds of plants, bushes and trees we have growing on our small piece of God's beautiful earth.

Stitching My Stash

Since I have admitted to you (and myself) that I have plenty of stash, I realize the need to get some of it stitched up. I am going make a list of the charts I hope to complete this year. I will work on the list as I go thru my stash this week-end. School is almost over for the year so I should have alot more stitching time. Baseball season is in full swing and I like to stitch as I watch the Cincinnati Reds. Hopefully we will have a wonderful season! I also plan on sitting in both DD's yards and stitch while the grandbabies play.

SBQ: The Wagon

SBQ: Are you on “The Wagon?” If so, how long have you been on and how “serious” are you about it? If not, have you considered it?

I have acquired a nice stack of stitching stash so I suppose I am. I need to finish some I have started and I have alot I need to start!

Heart In Hand

I started this Heart In Hand kit this past Friday evening. It came with 32 Ct. Summer Khaki Belfast Linen, Gentle Arts, Weeks Dye Works and Olde Willow floss. Can we say, "Wow!" Now I get to add 'linen' , '32 count' and dyed floss to my list of have stitched. If you look closely at the picture, which seemed to turn out scanned better than any I have ever scanned, you will notice it appears a bit crooked here and there. It appears that way to me. Just coming out anywhere near where I was suppose to was a miracle. I tried my best and even frogged it out a couple of times. I am not used to linen. The 32 ct. was a bit small even for my new glasses. I had the material so close to the lamp it is a wonder it did not catch on fire. I have the summer, fall and winter kits also. Maybe by the time I get to winter, I will be a better 32 ct. linen stitcher! lol I must add, these kits plus several more were given to me by another stitcher. She is a very kind, thoughtful lady and I appreciate her gifts so very much.

Just Keep Swimming

Rain, Rain, Rain! We have had several inches of rain these past 3 days. We need a boat! Last year, we had our vegetable garden out at this time. This year, our garden has not been planted. It warmed up for a couple of weeks but we did not plant ours. Lucky us, because then we were hit with freezing temperatures. Those who had planted gardens were scrambling to save their tender new plants. The past couple of weeks we have seen hail, snow, sleet, and thunderstorms. We are more fortunate than those who have seen serious snow/ice storms, sever thunderstorms and tornados. I am afraid we will skip spring and go straight to hot summer temperatures. My little flowers are so confused!

Working on blog

I have put my progess pics on the sidebar and I will update them from there for now on. When I update them I will put the date and make a post. Those are the four I am currently working on. I have a few UFO's I should pull out but I am making such good progress on Caring Wings I want to finish it first.

Happy Anniversary!

Joe and I have been married for 28 years today. That is a very long time! lol Our love has grown as we have grown. We have laughed, cried and worked together. We have raised 3 beautiful daughters and now have 3 beautiful grandchildren. I hope for many more.

Changed My Layout

Well, as you can see I have changed my layout. I updated to the new layout format. It does seem to be user friendly. I have seen a few of my friends with this layout and really liked it. I don't mean to copy, but there was just not a lot to choose from. Going to put in a pic. just to see how it looks. This is our faithful family pet.

Happy Easter

Blessings to you all on this Easter Sunday.

Bent Creek Holiday Snapper Series

This is the progess on my Holiday Snapper Series. I have worked on Arbor Day some since this pic was taken. I love the colors.

Caring Wings Update

This is my Caring Wings update.

The Fortunate Traveler update

Here is the latest progress pic. on my Fortunate Traveler. I have stitched alittle more since this picture was taken.

Log-In Problems

I have not been able to log in to my blog for quite a while now. I finally got in tonight. I hope this means what ever the problem was with blogger, it is fixed. I could not get in to the old blogger so I finally gave in and switched to the new version. I got this page and wanted to post so everyone would know I am still here and still stitching. I will try to upload new pics. as soon as I can. Hopefully, everything will work. My page looks the same but I have not tried to use anything yet. Wish me luck!

Afghan - First Finish 2007

This is my first finish for the new year! The afghan is finished and has been given to my daughter. She loves it.

Celtic Cross

This is a free patteren I got of the internet. It is the first Celtic Cross I have worked on. The colors are dark & light blues and yellow/golds. It is make a nice ornament for the tree next year.

Caring Wings Updated

Progress on Caring Wings! I really enjoy stitching on this piece. I love the colors.

Happy New Year!

I want to wish all my stitching friends a Happy New Year! May 2007 bring you all blessings of good health and happiness. I have spent my week-end working on Caring Wings and Celtic Cross. I am almost finished with the afghan. I am going to start my Rocky Mountain Christmas today so the start date will be Jan. 1, 2007. I have not put together my list of goals for the year but the short term goals for the next 3 months are to:
Finish the Celtic Cross - freebie from online
Finish Mirabilia - Caring Wings
Finish the afghan -colors are blues and purples
Finsh Bent Creek Snapper Holiday series
Work on Teresa Wentzler - Fortunate Traveler
Start Rocky Mountain Christmas

Caring Wings

This is an update on my Caring Wings progress. I really love the colors and the fabric. I received a new stitching lamp for Christmas so I am excited about putting it to use. I really needed it to work on this fabric.

Celtic Cross

This is my first Celtic Cross. I plan on making several into ornaments for next year. The problem with this one is... I have started it too close to the top of the fabric. I will probably just start over and not try to take it out. I am stitching on an off white, 28 count material. The colors are deep blues, yellow and gold.

Holiday Snapper series

Bent Creek Holiday Snapper series.
I am working on March now. Happy Holidays is in the center. I am doing them all on a piece of cream aida. I plan on making them into a pillow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my online friends! May you all have a blessed day filled with family and friends. There will be 16 of us having dinner at my parent's home. Mom cooks turkey, ham, dressing, dumplings, gravy, rolls, and pies. I am taking Green bean cassarole, deviled eggs, potato salad, pumpkin pie and pecan pie tarts. Our oldest daughter is bring broccoli cassarole and a chocolate cake. Our other daughter is bring boiled eggs and creamed potatoes. My brother is bringing corn and I'm not sure what else. My dad will lead us in a pray as we all stand in a circle holding hands before the meal. Mom has a journal where we all write what we are thankful for. Even the little ones write something. We will have a wonderful time eating and visiting. We take lots of pictures! We watch some football and also childrens movies. We are all very thankful for our blessings and know all good things come from our Lord. May God bless you all and keep you safe as you travel and visit with family and friends.

SBQ

As we all know, stitching in the winter can really be rough on thehands. What do you do to treat your hands well in the cold wintermonths? Do you have any suggestions for creams or soaps? Or perhaps aspecial regimen that you would like to share? I have used nearly every cream made for my hands. Although, most have worked ok, none have healed my hands. I use alot of hand cleaner at work. This adds to the dry and cracked knuckles. I have bought a new cream from BeautiControl called Extreme Repair. I have just started using it and I really like it. Alot of creams that seem to help leave my hands feeling greasy. This does not. They feel silky and smooth. So I recommend those who need the "Extreme" treatment and those who just want smooth hands, try this cream!

Polar Bear with Maple Leaf Quilt

This is the final bear I will be finishing. I have altered the bear from a brown bear to a polar bear. It is now "Polar Bear" with a Maple Leaf Quilt. I also added the butterfly house and flower from the original polar bear pattern to this one. I will add butterfly charms, black bead eyes and heart buttons to this one also. The bear is stitched with wisper floss. It is for one of my grand daughters. This pattern is one of 4 in a series from Cross Country Stitching.

Polar Bear & Butterfly at the Crossroads Quilt

I have finished the stitching on this bear. I have to put on the beads charms and buttons and then it will be ready for framing. It is going under the Christmas tree for my grand daughter. This pattern is from Cross Country Stitching and it is called: Polar Bear and Butterfly at the Crossroads Quilt. I will be adding butterfly charms, heart buttons and black bead eyes. The bear was stitched with wisper floss. This is the second bear in the series.

Santa with Tree

This is my Santa with a Tree from a Better Homes and Gardens, Cross-Stitch Christmas magazine. I finished him yesterday. He is on a towel and is going to be part of my Christmas decorations in the kitchen this year.

Snail Mail

I have finished Snail Mail from Lizzie Kate.

Turkey Bread Cover

This is my Turkey Bread Cover. I finished him last night. This is my first bread cover and it was really fast and fun.

SBQ

Do you have an organizational system for your fabric? If so, what is it? If not, what do you store your fabric in?

I do not think my system is very organized. I do store my fabric individually in the large zip-lock bags. I put a small piece of paper in with each piece that has the type, color and count of the fabric.

How do people store their fabric, especially those small but potentially usable pieces? Do they sort by count? How do they label it or otherwise know what each piece is?

I have my small pieces in bags and sorted according to count and color.

SBQ

For those of you who use hand or over-dyed floss, how do you store it? I do not have any hand or over-dyed floss but....I do intend to buy some! lol I will store it in small floss bags.

Jessi's Afghan

This is Jessi's Afghan. It is blues and light lavenders mixed. I am making a section of 8 doubles and 2 singles. This is an easy pattern and I have about 1/4 of it finished so far. She has worked on it some also.

Ladybug Garden Progres

This is my progress on my Ladybug Garden from Cross Country Stitching. I have done some of the back stitching as I went along. I have bought ladybug buttons, a black bird button and a red bird button to put on after I'm finished. This piece is for me. I'm going to frame it and hang it in my kitchen wall.

Stitching Blogger's Question

Do you have a favorite needlework tool that you like to work with? What is it and why do you like using it?
My most necessary tool is my bright lamp! I really need that lamp to see the 28 ct. fabric. I can work on aida without it, but not 28ct.

Thanksgiving Flip-It

Thanksgiving Flip-It from Lizzie Kate.

Jan. & Feb. Flip It's Finished!

January and February Flip-It's are finshed! I finished stitching the Feb. one the other day. I only had to add the charm to Jan. I am currently working on the Thanksgiving Flip-It.

SBQ

"Since you started blogging, have you noticed any difference in your stitching habits?"
I have noticed tremendous changes in my stitching habits. I very much enjoy seeing the stitching progress of my friends. I want to stitch more so I can keep my blog updated. I am more motivated than I was before I had a blog. I like having this stitching blog as my own little part of the world wide web.

Caring Wings

Progress update on Caring Wings-Mirabilia. I am stitching on hand-dyed 28 ct.fabric. I love this material! It is soft and the colors are beautiful. I am stitching this for my youngest daughter. She picked out the angel and the material color.

Black Bear & Bear Paw Quilt

All the stitching is finished on the Black Bear and Bear Paw Quilt. Now I have to add the bead eyes, bee charms and heart buttons. This is the first bear in the Cross Country Stitching four bear series. The bear is stitched with wisper floss.

Started Christmas Stitching

I have started working on a Christmas project! I have several projects ready and I'm going to work on my Christmas stitching on Mondays along with other desperate stitchers. Right now, I am doing a really cute santa holding a Christmas tree on a towel. I also have Star of Wonder, All Hearts Warm at Christmas, and a Peace Dove with an American flag. I am gathering the materials I will need for these other 3 projects.

I get it!

I finally figured out how to add my stitching friends on the Link section! I see I still have an "edit me" on there but at least I know how to change it! I have been working on my bears this week. The wisper floss is fun. I do have to go back and add some more floss to the first part of the bear because I used a piece that was too long. My 'fuzzy' is kind of thin. I started with Austin's black bear. I should be able to finish him today. I still have to order all the charms and buttons for all three pieces. I think I will keep them until Christmas and put them under the tree. I bought some stitch bows and pages to hold my floss this week-end. Going to switch from the floss bobbins to the stitch bows. I have alot of crinkles in my floss when I get to the end. That can't be good. I also bought a needle threader. No instructions, not even a picture on the package. Did I have a problem figuring out how that thing worked? Yes! I said Yes! I had a problem! Even when I thought I had that little silver sucker figured out I still was wrong! Finally....I did get it! It does make threading the fuzzy floss much easier! lol

Christmas Flip It

My first 2006 finish! Going to have to rescan this one. Looks like my little angel is flying away!