More border?

Like I said before, I have never been much on borders. I did complete the leaves for the top border. I do enjoy the scroll bar cover that I am using. It does work out quite well. This particular project has a lot of extra fabric below the design. This little bit of fabric is helping to keep it nice.

Border work begins

The little leaf designs get very boring. I have the row at the top and then more to do at the bottom. Check out the scroll bar cover at the bottom of the photo. There is a gal that asked for testers of her new idea. It works great to have a bit of extra fabric there to protect the linen.

The East Coast

Honestly - - I still stitch. This is the last of the sections for this large piece. I still need to do the borders.

My weekend plans - -

were destroyed when I started reading these books. I read the first one is just over a day and then started on the second one. It was a day and a half before I was done with that one. Now I am half way through number three. Needless to say - - I didn't stitch much over the holiday weekend. I love books that call you and force you to turn the page but I wasn't expecting it to happen here. Totally fiction but very addictive.

I love surprises - -

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!!! It is a hand painted jar with a very pretty lid. The flowers are purple and pink. I love it. This came as a total surprise. I know who sent it. My sister has a blog that can be found at : http://pepper-peppers2.blogspot.com/ She wrote recently and posted a link to an Etsy site that sells these wonderful jars. I know she is the one that sent this. It is so pretty. My Mom used to do this type of painting. I really want to carve out some time to do some painting myself. It is just so busy around here.

Bluebirds

This is a model I stitched for Prairie Grove Peddler. This was just released. http://www.prairiegrovepeddler.com/index.html Cheryl does some amazing snowmen that I just love. I have been stitching for her for quite some time.

The Midwest?

This one is called the Midwest but I don't 'get it'. I am enjoying this project. It is stitched with Crescent Colour Silks. Working with silk is wonderful. The thread just glides so easily through the fabric.

The Mountains

The mountains, the trees and check out the fishes in the stream.

Welcome to the Old West

I can't talk enough about the shading with the overdyed floss. The shading on the building (perhaps a saloon?) is perfect for the Old West. It is all one color. It looks a bit worn and dusty. The cactus is also all one color. I do have a secret way that I use overdyed flosses and I have covered it before. Perhaps I should type a tutorial on that subject. I do plan to photograph the back of this project and that might explain part of what I am doing. LHN (Little House Needleworks) has very little backstitching and no specialty stitches. I do enjoy it but I feel the pull to do something a bit more challenging.

Moving on to the Old West

Coming east from the west coast, we arrive at the Old West.

The West Coast

I thought of my sister when I was stitching this. She lived in California for about 30 years. I am enjoying this stitch. I love the experiment with the overdyed colors and the way they show up when stitched just so.

The start of something new -

Little House Needleworks - Sea to Shining Sea series. This is the beginning.

Lavender Angel

Just Nan's Lavender Angel. I plan to finish it as a round ornament. This photo isn't as great as it might be. I just love purple and pink follows just behind so this is just about perfect for me. Her face and hands are stitched over one. It is stitched on opalescent fabric and it does have beads. It is really pretty.

Pansy Needleroll

I did this from an old Shepherds Bush kit. It had a hand written chart. I can't remember the last time I worked with such an old chart.

Freedom Rings

Ameriana and patriotic designs are calling to me as the 4th of July gets closer. This was a quick stitch. I remember using this design on a mail art in the past. The design is by the Trilogy.

Happy Mother's Day

Purple roses!!!! I don't think the photo does them justice but they are purple!! Lavender really but they are so very pretty. These arrived today from my son and his girlfriend. I am thrilled. Oh, so pretty.

Major Surprise Package Arrived

Yesterday a package arrived at my door. My dear brother has been busy. Last fall I asked him to make me some needle threaders. This is what arrived. The one with my name on it is special as it is a piece of salt water Taffy on the end. It doesn't stand up but it also doesn't roll off the table due to the square part. The others are beautiful. They are solid and if you can see it, there is a magnet in the base of each one. They do stand up if you place them on end. The threader is the hook kind by LoRan. I love them all. One is already called for and the others will be sold. I want to surprise my brother with a check. If anyone is interested, just contact me.

George Washington

Now we have George with cherries in the corners. I have to quit this project now as I have run out of floss - the red and the blue. I will have to pick it up again when I can get more floss.

Abe Lincoln

Now we move on to some presidents. Old Abe here is surrounded with stars and log cabins. I didn't see the log cabins until I started stitching this. Some times I don't see the trees in the forest. LOL.

American Eagle

The next ornament I made was an eagle. I love the softening of the colors that happens when using the overdyed floss.

The Dude

I visited my husband's office and saw The Dude. This is McCarthy's logo and I stitched it many years ago. The frame and glass needed cleaning so I brought it home. I wish I had gotten a better photo. I just thought I would share.

The Liberty Bell

The conversion sent to me had a different color for the bell. I felt the color was too close to the color for the brown at the top so I changed the color to Sassy Brassy. I think this will make a great ornament.