Winter has Arrived

 Snow arrived in upstate NY today.  3 inches so far.  I finished this check book cover this morning.  I need to send a photo to PG Peddler.  I didn't use the colors she suggested, instead I used Needle Necessities overdyed floss.  I love the way it came out.

I had a request to post a photo of the display case under my deck.  Here it is all filled up.  A friend visited yesterday and went through the case looking, sorting, talking about different pieces.

Meanwhile I had to start something new between trips to shovel the walk.  I started working on the border for Wild Winter by M Designs.  Very spring like colors for winter - -just my thought.  It will show up better once I add the darker purple color.  Gee - I wonder why I was drawn to this one!!

Good Stitching Day!

Be Jolly by Lizzie Kate is done.  Strange colors.  Looks good.  It will join the pile of other finishes that I am not sure what to do with.

Now I am working on this insert that will go in a check book cover.  This was a project by PG Peddler.  The chart called for four shades of a color.  In my case the cover is purple.  I decided to use overdyed colors.  I am using purples on the outside and the dividing lines in this piece.  I plan on using Jelly Bean in the little squares. 

I had a good stitching day.  Today I had a friend over and we sat, listened to music, stitched and chatted all day.  Wow - I miss that.  I did get a lot done.  The hours flew by.  Rumor has it that we will see a major (for this year) snowfall later this week.  More stitching time!!

Back to stitching

 Be Jolly is coming right along.  I have added several different bands to this project. 

 

I had a few moments this afternoon and decided to start this next project.  I am not sure what to do or think when I consider that I am now working on two different projects at once.  I will keep you up to day.

To answer a few questions...  the craft room, including the large drawers, were built by my son.  If you check the blog back to last spring (April '10) you will find lots of pictures of the hutch, closet cabinet and display/work desk.  I didn't get to add anything to the stash spread sheet today.  I do hope to get back to it soon.  Tomorrow may be a stitching day with another stitcher in attendance.  Yippee!!!!

How organized is too organized?

Starting yesterday and continuing today, I worked on a Excel spreadsheet logging design name, designer, catagory and special notes.  Can anyone guess how many entries have been made from just these two drawers?  I will admit they are large drawers but I was shocked at how many items are in there.  To complete the inventory I will have to get to 'new stash', set aside stash and current projects. 

Not a lot of stitching was completed today so no progress photo.  Hopefully I will have something to show tomorrow.

Be Jolly moves right along

Progress is being made.  I am approaching half way done.  I do think these are strange colors for Christmas.  On a different note, I have a new project.  I am making a spread sheet of all my stash.  Why?  I am asking that question over and over.  I entered about a third of my filed away charts and kits today.  It started because Victoria Sampler has a sale going on.  I made a list of what I have and what accessory packs I might be missing.  I was amazed by how many I have.  I do believe I could only stitch VS and still not get it all done in this life time.

On to something different

Lizzie Kate's A Little Love was completed this morning.  It was a very quick stitch.  I didn't have all the overdyed flosses but I used DMC instead.  Very cute.  Very quick. Spring colors.  Very different.

Next up:  Lizzie Kate Be Jolly!  Bright colors for Christmas?  The strange pink and aqua colors were out at Christmas.  The won't, can't, will never replace green and red.  This is fun to stitch and is a band sampler of a sort.  It even has a specialty stitch or two.  It is snowing and sleeting outside.  It is a good day to stitch.

Winter is done!!!!

 The last section is now complete.  I am happy dancing to have this one complete.  It is quite colorful with all the red in the flowers and berries.  This one seemed more 'busy' than the other sections.  I also ran into a problem..... the designer changed symbols and color assignments in the last section.  It was a good thing that I double checked before I was too ran down a road.  LOL. 

Here it is!!!  All three sections together at last. 

It is progress!!

I still have several leaves and little parts to do.  I can see the end of the tunnel.  I haven't had time to consider what will be next.  Perhaps a Victoria Sampler or the afghan.  Or I have a Shepherds Bush all kitted up that could be next.  It is getting exciting to see this one almost done.  I am not sure what I will do with this one.  Frame it?  Make it into a table runner?  I could see this on my coffee table.  One wonders..............

Big Bird Done

I am still stitching sideways.  I have the tree and base to finish.  Then there is some other small parts.  I have to put the year at the bottom.  Oh - - I guess I am just a few days away from having this one done.

Big Red Flower

I am continuing to work on the Blackbird Design.  I worked on the big red flower and the borders.  I am going to have to consider what will be next.  Afghan?  Something new?  Something old?  I am also contemplating what to start a new stitcher on.  I have someone that is asking for an introduction to cross stitch.  It is fun to put together the supplies.  I have a stash of small, easier things to start with.  I will let you know how this goes.

Finishes and back to the main event

 Here is the finished finished needle roll.  I did the hemstitching and stitched it up this morning.  Then I put together Lola Lovebug (Just Another Button Co.).  Isn't she cute?

This afternoon, as it snowed on and off, I started to work again on this main event project.  This is the last section of this three part project.  This touches the right side of the big project.  I have 'touched the wall' with that line of stitching down the right side.  This section doesn't appear to be very wide.  We shall see.....

Tiny Garden is Done!!

Next up I pull the threads for the ribbon bands and then hem stitch the ends.  I think I will use the new serger to stitch the seam.  Maybe it is time to get back to my room and do some finishing.  I love the spring theme and will miss the bright colors as I return to my Winter project.  Then next section is small and hopefully will go quickly.

Tiny Garden cont......

 Oh dear friends, the tiny garden is not done.  I just had the middle main garden done.  I continued to work on this again today.  I had a doctor's appointment that took out part of my day.  Not to worry.  All is well, it just will involve adding some oil to the old knee joints again.

Meanwhile,  Jody (my mail lady) arrived with two packages.  I have several new things to play with.  One is the hummingbird project which is a felting project.  LuLu the button is another great simple project.  It is an already felted ball that will be decorated.  It will be a pin cushion.  I also have the new Lizzie Kate love project and Shepherds Bush Love Is project.  It is all kitted up.  The colors are wonderful.  The project reminds me of the Tiny Garden project I am currently working on.  Perhaps this one will have to move up the stash chain and get done soon!!

Spring Flowers

This is Tiny Garden Needle roll by Shepherds Bush.  I did this today.  I have a fellow stitcher come for a visit.  My MIL, Shirley came and worked on a crochet baby blanket while I worked on my needle roll.  Of course we went out to lunch and had a good chat while all the stitching was going on. 

Happy Valentine's Day 2012

 My Sweetie gave me a marvelous card and the charm on the right.  The heart shaped purple charm was given to me at Christmas.  I was thrilled to have a small package to open this morning.

This Done!!  Autumn is done.  It looks very busy to me.  I decided to take a break and do something else for a day or two,  I picked a needle roll by Shepherds Bush.  I will show that  off tomorrow.  So far I have ironed the fabric, found the center, sorted the floss and read the directions.  Stitching is still to come.

It a gift!!!

 I was surprised by a gift of this little blue sugar bowl.  I have had blue dishes for years and the set that I have came with a pourable sugar jar but no bowl.  I have asked for a covered sugar bowl in the past.  This week my son and his girlfriend surprised me with this little gift.  I am thrilled.  It matches perfectly.

I am working away on the borders and back ground parts of this section.  I am thinking ahead to what is next?  I am thinking it might be time for a needleroll. Something for spring. 

Autumn is getting busy

I am getting close to finishing this section.  It seems to me that it is very busy.  Lots of things are represented here.  Today I worked on the house and some of the leaves.  I still need to do the background stuff, the alphabet on the top and the right edge.  I also have to work on my own initials that will go along the bottom. 

Oh Little Bird!

I am about done with the little bird.  I noticed that he needs an eye.  But then so does the bird from the Summer design.  I worked on the tree, leaves and started on the house.  This is a fun stitch.  I am almost to the point of peeking to see what will be coming next.

Bird Number 2

I started working on the second bird.  I didn't get a lot of time to stitch.  Today was kitchen sink day.  I went to pick out a new sink and faucet.  They won't be in for a couple of weeks but then we can pick it up and have it installed.  We have some very cold temperatures heading out way so perhaps I will get some serious stitching done.  Wish me luck!

Finishes! Winnings! Stitches!

I spent a bit of time in my room today.  Love that new tv.  I worked on the Just Nan Christmas Hat and then I made an ornament out of the Little House Needleworks piece.  Two more done!

I am a winner!!!  I entered a contest at Blue Ribbons Designs/Belinda's blog. ( It is such fun to see what a designer is working on.)  I won these three Valentine related projects. I always think of stitching over one when I see her designs.

Oh, and I did some stitching.  You can almost see the whole bird.  This bird is the main part of this section so I am making some progress. 

It a bird and changes to the craft room

 I worked on the bird.  I had some time last night to work on this.  It was a good thing because today was very busy with changes to craft room. 

It all started with  a ponder.  What about a small tv in my craft room.  I have seen all those photos of people with great craft rooms and most have a tv.  I didn't need a big tv, just a small one to keep up with a show or a movie when I was putting together kits or doing the many finishes I like to work on.  First let me say that the week after Super Bowl is not the best time to be looking for a new tv. 

 The changes forced the book case to be moved closer to the window.  So now it doesn't 'line up' with the shelves on the wall.  Do I care?  Does it matter?  It did give a bit more room behind the desk.  I am undecided.

On the other side of the room, hiding behind the rocking chair, you will see my new tv.  The plan is to have it mounted on the wall in that corner.  For now it is on top of the the case boxes in the corner.  What do you think?  Improved?  Did the book case shift make a difference? 

Slowly I creep - -

I am making progress.  It is super slow.  I seem to stitch a section and then unstitch it.  Three steps forward and two steps back.  It is very frustrating.  I am also trying to remember to 'rotate' each photo before I place it here.  I am still stitching sideways.  But I try to show it to you upright.  So far we have two pumpkins and the beginning of a bird. 

More Finishes and the start of Autumn

 

Three more ornaments complete.  All were in Just Cross Stitch Magazine in previous years.

The four Victoria Sampler Woodland Babies, one was in JCS.

I started work on the Autumn section of the sampler.  Pumpkins!!!!!

Summer is Complete!!!

I was able to finish the first of the three Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers Sampler project.  It looks like I might already have a head start on the next section with all the letters done on top and bottom.  I suppose I better go find that next chart.  Yippee Skippy I am happy dancing with finish number 12.  Plus - news flash - I won 3 Valentine charts from Blue Ribbon designs!!  It is a good day.

A Whole Lot of Finishing Going On

 I spent some time in my room today.  I did the little Noel ornament with a burgundy ribbon.  The safe turkey has a brown ribbon and the Peppermint has a delicate white ribbon.  They are stuffed little pillows.  Then I put together the Shepherds Bush project.  It was to be a scissors fob done as a pillow.  I decided to make the stitchery into a needle book and use it at the end of the scissors cording.

Work continues on Summer by Blackbird Designs.  There will be more alphabet letters below that bottom line. 

A Finish day?

 I did finally get this little banner stitched together.  I have so much to do in that room and all I do is get distracted when I walk in the door.  Geezz.  Maybe I will get something else done tomorrow.  I did leave the sewing machine up so there might be hope.

I also did a bit of cross stitch,   The bird is done.  I am moving on to all the other little parts.  I am guessing that this part is about half way done. 

I am back - -

 I took a few days off while my son was here after having back surgery.  I am pleased to report that he is doing much better and has now returned home.  I did get a but of stitching done while he was here. 

I was asked to post a photo of my hardanger box.  I keep this special box ready to go for hardanger projects.  The design on the top is Victoria Sampler's Tea & Stitches.  Inside the box I have scissors, needles and pearl cotton threads.