Spring? Let's try some pastel colors

The afghan has been a big, huge, Christmas colored project.  I went looking for something small, spring related and that I can put on my lap stand.  Lizzie Kate's Song of Spring met all my conditions.  I am just about half way done with it already.  I will have to start dreaming about what to do next!  The limited edition kit came with the fabric and trim parts to make that cute pillow on the chart.  I may get it stitched this weekend but when, oh when, will the finishing be done?

Block #7 is Done!!

After two days of almost constant stitching, block #7 is complete.  I need to take a break from this project.  I hope to do something small and fun.  Not that this isn't fun, but it is a drag to not be using my lap stand and having all the fabric everywhere.  I love the look of this one.  It is so bright and cheerful.  I am thinking that once the whole thing is done, I want long fringe on the edges and a fleece backing added on.  It will be perfect in my Christmas room.

Block #7 is coming right along

The 'P' is just about done.  I have another holly leaf and some snowflakes to do.  Then there are a lot of those little leaves to do!  It is looking good.

Weekend Projects

 I started another afghan.  It is purple but it looks blue here.  Shells and lace is the name of the pattern.  I like to work on this at night when I really can't concentrate as much.

I found it!  This is the quilted Dude that I made years ago.  The Dude is the logo for McCarthy Construction where Jack and I worked for a total of more than 50 years combined!  Now I have to decided where to hang him.

 I did finish the outside edge on the 'over one' project.  I am up close here.  It really isn't very big.  I will put it in a small frame and wear it as a necklace.

The afghan continues.  I did take a little break from the stitching to try out the new snow shoes.  Whew!  That is hard work.  It was pretty out and nice and warm.  Old Man Winter is about to return with a vengeance.  It is time to return to my stitching.  I hope everyone found a few moments to spend with a hobby of your own.

Block #2 is done

 I finished block number 2 today.  I am going to continue and work on block number 7 just below the just finished bock.  So I will continue working on the 'P'. 

Today some new Victoria Sampler things arrived.  I need more time to stitch!!!

P for Peace

I had to move the Qsnaps this morning so I took a 'big picture' photo so we could see the whole thing - so far.

 It is another snow day.  The weather guy got it totally wrong.  We must have about 8 inches right now.  On top of the two 14 inch storms of late.  Right now the snow is slowing down as the sun is getting ready to set.  I put some time in to working the letter P.  Brown, brown and more brown!

Holly and berries

I have been working on my afghan.  I hope to get the berries done, put the berries on the little leave and do the back stitching in that thin strip.  I then move on the other lettering for the word Peace.  I only do the tops of the letters for this block.  It is coming right along. 

Happy Valentine's 2014

It was another snow day here on the hill.  I did have a great visitor.  My son came with a Valentine's card.  He did a few things around the house.  We had a great conversation.  I gave him the latest afghan I had finished.  I understand it is on his chair already.  It warms my heart. 

Hint: the table was cleared off yesterday so this is what has happened since yesterday morning.  I looked at that pile of snow and was thinking that I might never see that deck again.  After my son left, I decided to clear the snow off the chair cushions (closer to the house than this picture shows).   I made a quick trip before I had planned to take off my sneakers.  No coat, hat, gloves or boots.  I was only going to clear some snow and pop back inside.  Yeah right - NOT!  The door locked behind me.  So I was stranded on the deck.  The front door was unlocked.  To get there I had to walk off the deck and around the house.  The snow is about mid thigh on me.  I got quite the snow hike exercise.  I almost fell twice.  It was not fun.  I am so glad I had my sneakers on!  I made it.  I got myself cleaned up and finished the day with some cross stitch.

A Snow Day - again

 I did make it to the mail box.  There was a stash package!!  Several of the new Just Nan items arrived.  I included in the photo the quilt block I plan on doing and the Valentine design CD that I won!!  Stash always makes one feel better.  Right?

I worked on the afghan this evening.  I need to get more done but I did a bunch of little things around the house.  Just filling the bird feeders was a chore with all the old snow - - let alone now.  The birds are happy that I made an effort.  I see them hiding out under a bush and then getting some more food.  It has been snowing like crazy all day.

I was working in my room this morning and stumbled on this little over one project.  I am doing the little cabin on the lower left.  I was able to get a start on it before lunch and my hike, complete with ski poles, to the mail box. 

Marching on to block #2

I finished the block number 11, which was my third block (?) late last night.  This morning I was faced with continuing on the afghan or finding something new.  I decided to do another block.  So I started block number 2 (my fourth).  I was able to get a good start on the border.

It was good progress.  I am ready for the next snow storm.  The weather guys don't seem to have a very good handle on when, where, or how much snow we might see in my neck of the woods.  I have a quilt club to attend at 11:00 that is definitely on hold if there is snow.  I see the deer out this evening.  They are racing around in the woods.  I suppose they are getting some exercise before taking a day to sleep in?

XS Afghan Block #11

Block Number 11.  I have started working on the house.  I have most of the border done for this block.  I hope to get some serious time on this one soon and perhaps finish this block and move on to something else.  I do want to make a note to all those stitchers that follow me.  For the first time ever I have had a chart (copied on my home printer) leave ink on the fabric.  I use the magnet you see in the middle to hold my chart as I work.  (It is one of my speed secrets - if your chart is right there, you can check it and keep on stitching without a pause.)  This problem happened for a friend of mine and I had never seen it happen before.  (perhaps the printer inks are different now?)  She (and now I) used a miracle eraser to rub off the ink.  It works rather well.  I do plan to not let this happen again.  I can fold the chart or place something behind it to protect the fabric.  I am just curious if others have found this to be a problem. 

Another One Finished!!

Today I finished up the border and buried all the little ends.  It is done!  It is done!  I love the colors. 

Chop Chop Woman - Finished Jack In A Box

It is done.......

This is the top of Jack's box.  He asked to see the box that my son was making to hold his ashes.  When his sister saw him carrying the box, she asked what he had.  He answered "Jack in a Box!".  He thought the top of the box looked plain while the sides had fancy panels.  I said that I planned to stitch a top for it.  He told me "Chop Chop Woman - I don't have all day."  I told him that I couldn't do it because he had yet to give me the dates to put on it.  Now the one year anniversary is looming over my head.  I finished this piece today.  I will frame the Love Is .. Sampler that this is based on.  I want to display the sampler near the box.  I was puzzled as to how to do this.  I wanted a small, very tall, light colored wood table to set the box on.  Guess what?  I have it!!  It is called a bar stool.  (Quite fitting.)  This particular bar stool is too high for me (or most people to sit on).  It is perfect to set the box on.  It is a sad day but I am glad to have this done.

Flowers on a snowy day.

I put together some spring looking flowers today while the snow was falling.  At times it looked like a blizzard out there.  At least this brings a bit of spring to mind.

Tonight the snow has all but hidden the lights in the bench out back.  Will I ever see my deck again?

Gingerbread Cupcake complete!!!

 Here it is!!!  I finished the stitching and added the buttons and beads.  I just love that it is so cheerful and happy.  Of course the next thing to do is to finish it up.

I cut a circle, stuffed and gathered the linen.  This was after putting on the hanger (cording thru the top) and some tie threads through the cardboard circle so I could tie them on the bottom of the silicone baking cup.  Very pretty.

Very early this morning, my new headboard was delivered.  I am so happy with this.  It looks very similar to my old one but it is queen size, more solid and much more creative with some hidden storage areas.  My son made this one.  I very happy with it.  BTW the quilt was made by Cheryl Haynes of PG Peddler.  I need to hang some more pictures but the bedroom is almost done!!!

Working on a couple of things - -

 Today I spent some time in my craft room.  That place needs some serious cleaning.  I have been getting a lot of things done but the mess is getting a bit overwhelming.  I did some cleaning and did a lot of drooling over new projects.  I picked up this little project.  It is Victoria Samler's Christmas cupcake ornament  It is ready for a stitch in the middle and lots of buttons and beads.  Then it all goes in a cupcake liner.

I have also been working on the Christmas afghan.  It is hard to tell because so much of the border is all the same thing, over and over.  I am working on block number 11.  It is fun to work on and with snow in the forecast, I am thinking I will be getting a lot more done.

Something New (to me)!

Meet Mr. Snowman!  Applique quilting is a new challenge for me.  He is glued.  The quilt will be hand stitched.  Machine stitching will go around all the larger pieces.  Black beads for eyes,  small button or two from his suit and some sparkles on the trees.  I do have to say thank you to a dear friend for helping to talk me through it.  Oh - don't forget beads on the hat laurel.  I am thinking this and perhaps two more might make my winter coffee table scarf.