Quaker Garden, Winter Wonderland and 2011 Prairie Schooler

 

Here are my latest framed pieces.  I am not a good photographer, so hopefully you get the idea of what they look like. I have no adequate area in my abode to take photos, so I do the best I can.  Hope you enjoy them. 

I give up, I cannot make them look centered in Blogger. 

A finish and product review

I finished the stitching on Blackbird Designs "Quaker Garden" earlier this month.  It was a fun stitch and I can't wait to get it framed.

I really crumple my fabric while I stitch.  So when I take it into the framer, I suffer a bit of embarrassment from the condition it it in.

Now, when Kathy and Beatrice from Canada came through Tulsa on their drive home to Canada we met up for a trip to the Silver Needle and lunch.

But before lunch we stopped a nice quilt shop around the corner from TSN.  The girls alerted me to this product, and does it ever work!  I used it on QG and you can see the difference it made.  I highly recommend it.

We are in store for another blistering hot day.  I plan to stay in all day and do some stitching.  Hope everyone has a good, cool day...INDOORS.  Of course, if I were back in Alaska, I'd probably need a light jacket.  Hmm, maybe I should think about summer living up there.

HoE BBD exchange from Carol

I received this little beauty yesterday from CAROL.  It is "Peace" from the JCS 2009 ornament issue.  She used 32ct Antique Almond Belfast and the called for flosses.  It is so small and dainty.  I love it. 

On another note, we received a nice little rain shower last night.  It's been so long since we've had rain.  The grass and flowers had all but given up.  They will probably be green today, at least the grass will. The only down side is the humidity will most likely be unbearable today.

It's the last day of VBS at church.  I do the registration, record keeping, etc.  My days of working with the children are over.  I find I do not have the patience to do so!

Hope everyone has a great stitching weekend.

HoE Blackbird Designs Exchange for Lisa S.

Lisa e-mailed me to say she had received her exchange piece for the HoE Blackbird Designs ornament round.  She says she likes it and I'm happy that she does.  I chose House on Holly Hill from the book Peppermint and Holly.  It's stitched on 28ct Vintage Smoky White Cashel.  I used a combination of WDW and DMC threads. I am pleased with how it turned out.  So, here it is....

A giftie from BeckySC

The mailman brought me this little pretty a couple of days ago. My dear stitching friend Becky sent it. I love Blackbird Designs, so of course, I love this pincushion. I don't remember how I happened upon Becky's blog several years ago, but I am so glad I did. She introduced me to the world of exchanging. Thank you Becky dear, for this gift of friendship and the world of blogging and exchanging!

Meet my new best friend

This little gadget, one of my many, has been waiting patiently to be put to use. Oh my, it did the trick for me while stitching on a WIP. I carried BBD's Winter Wonderland to the hospital with me this last week. My Mighty Bright allowed me to stitch late into the night. When I needed the extra magnification for tired eye stitching it was at hand, as was the extra little bit of light. Needless to say, this is one stitching gadget that will go on my bus trips with me. " I am in no way employed by the Mighty Bright corporation, this is my personal endorsement." LOL!!

My sister and I brought Mother home from the hospital yesterday after a horrible night. If you ever hear Miralax and recovering 90 year old surgery patient in the same sentence, then run, don't walk, to the nearest complaint station. Awful, awful situation for both the patient and relatives staying with her.

My youngest sister made some out-a-site chicken noodle soup last night thinking it would be good for Mother. Then we re-read the discharge papers. Clear liquid diet. So, making my second trip to the dreaded WM, I purchase clear liquid diet meal ingredients.

Needless to say, there is no place like home. I slept quite well in my humble and somewhat cluttered surroundings. Sister reported Mother was up early this morning getting ready to take her meds.

The weather is cool and dreary today in my part of Oklahoma. Who's complaining?, certainly not this stitcher. What more could I ask for? a great stitching day and a hot bowl of home-made chicken soup for lunch. Well, if I could throw in a good college football game....Yeah.

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

Stitch Red from Jill

I received my FTT Stitch Red exchange from Jill on Saturday (I believe).  It's so pretty.  Here's her description that I shamelessly took from her posting:
 Winter's Night Drum
Blackbird Designs
32ct. Antique White Belfast
DMC #115

She stuffed it with crushed walnut shells and used chenille as the trim.  My photo does not do the drum justice.  I just cannot seem to get a snap of my finishes.  I'd pop over to her blog if you want a really great peek.

I also received a couple of gifts from give-a-ways I entered.  One from Cheryl at Prairie Grove Peddler and one from Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  Here's a snap of them:

Aren't they just great?

Well, gotta get around and up to Tulsa to check on my mom.  She didn't have such a good day yesterday.  She is getting tired of the hospital, but she isn't near ready to come home.

Oh Yes, Happy Valentines Day my stitching friends.  

 

 

Lots to Show

I have lots to show you so here goes:

First, here's the progress I've made on Blackbird Designs "WinterWonderland."  I haven't stitched much on it during the last month because I've been doing exchange stitching. I have yet to master the art of photography.  I do not know why the fabric appears to be three different colors.

Next is the 2011 Prairie Schooler Limited Edition kit "Comin' To Town."  I am enjoying this stitch very much.

A couple of months ago I mentioned a friend at church approached me about finishing a kit her friend had started before the friend died.  In a moment of weakness I said I would finish it.  My conscience got the better of me today, so I put some stitches in.  I had to work around the work already done, but made the most of it.

So here's the WIP:

I signed up for an exchange on HoE because it is a fall theme.  We are to stitch a pyn keep.  Fall stitching translates to a Prairie Schooler design.  I chose a portion of one of the designs.  I like the way it turned out. The design is not totally centered, but sometimes that just happens.

Guess I'll start  working on the Humane Society weekly column for the local newspaper.  One of the volunteers saw a woman throw a puppy into the fenced area of the shelter this afternoon.  I'm sure this lady does not read...the local paper, but I'm gonna let her know she was seen doing this terrible deed.

Have a great stitching week.

Latest Project Update

I have been stitching! and enjoying it too.  Spent most of the day working on BBD's Winter Wonderland.  Here's my progress:

I

I was happy to get that roof finished.  So, onward and downward on the design.  Hopefully I will get it finished in time to have it framed for Christmas!

I sent off my latest exchange piece.  I'll show it to you now, I just won't tell you who I stitched it for.  It's Lizzie Kates' Sampling Christmas.  I used the recommended thread and a 32ct opalescent fabric.  I enjoy stitiching these little samplers. I do not understand why the bottom right hand corner of all my pillows are more pointed than the the other corners.  I wonder what I could be doing that causes this.

It rained in OK this afternoon.  Sorry to say it did not amount to much, and managed to make the weather more humid.  Thank goodness for air conditioning.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  I believe I'll work on a small Christmas project.

Latest project

Here's my latest project start.  It's a Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers Winter Wonderland.  So far I am loving working on it.  I started it on June 25th.  It was an easy choice since I had ordered the fabric and thread with the pattern. I think y progress is pretty good since I am a slow stitcher.   Oh, I know my fabric looks like heck.  I'm trying to use a hoop since I have to get the stitching up close to see it.  Stitching in hand now causes my left hand to hurt.  The miseries of aging!  Happy 4th of July Stitching!

Here's my latest finish. It's a birthday gift for my stitching, traveling, and Weight Watcher friend Lynn. It's Blackbird Design's "Bird in Hand" on 28ct mystery linen and stitched with GA's Black Crow. At first I stuffed it with ground walnut shells and lavender, but the gws made it too heavy. So, I took them out and use fiberfill instead with much better results. Since I took a hiatus from stitching, I could not remember how to do the pillow! If you don't use it, you lose it for sure. I spend a good portion of the morning trying to make the hanger. Again, I couldn't remember how to do it. All in all, even with my memory lapses, I believe the pillow turned out quite nice.


We are suffering from a heat wave here in OK, along with several other states. Yesterday when I left from work, the temp inside my van was 110! Much too hot for this old gal to be out in.


Luckily, I've found my stitching mojo. I've been working on a BBD Loose Feathers I've had for a while. It is coming along and I'm enjoying stitching on it.


Hope all who stop by this blog have a cool and safe 4th of July!

Exchange received by Julianne

I heard from Julianne that she received my exchange piece.  We have been exchange partners on quite a few exchanges.  I feel like I know her well even though we've never met.  Here's what I stitched for her:

The biscornu is her exchange piece.  I stitched the matching fob as a belated birthday gift.  There were other birthday goodies, but I forgot to take a photo of them. I used DMC 4130 and a design from Anita's Little Stitches.  I also stuffed the pieces with ground walnut shells.  The shells made the biscornu look so fantastic. My photo doesn't do them justice.  I know Julianne's photo will much better.

Here's my latest finish.  It's a BlackBird Designs and I used DMC 121 and some beads I bought at Michaels.  It is stuffed with ground walnut shells and lavender I bought on ETSY.  The background is the fabric I used to back it. The gift is for my Beta Sigma Phi secret sister.  I hope she likes it.  Our reveal is next Tuesday.

Thursday is the first bus trip in what seems like ages.  It is part of the Cherokee Tribe History tours and this one is The Outlaw Tour.  I'm looking forward to it.  We are supposed to see Pretty Boy Floyd and some other famous outlaws.  I hope it isn't raining too much, although we sure need the rain.

I'm still doing my Y classes and going to Weight Watchers.  This week has been a bad one for me though.  I've eaten everything in site.   My part-time job is still going well.  The only part that gives me grief is the financial side of it.  I am so math challenged!

Guess that's it for now.  Have a great evening.

Pin Pillow for Rosalie

The USPS has confirmed that Rosalie (no blog) has received my exchange piece. I'm going to go ahead and post the photo. Since it's a busy holiday weekend I don't think she will see it. This was for an exchange arranged by BeckySC on her blog. I stitched Blackbird Designs "Pins and Needles with the suggested Crescent threads. Crushed walnut shells were use to stuff it. This was my first time to use them and find I quite like them. The photo does not do justice to how pretty it is in person. Another piece I think I'm going to have to stitch for myself.

Today I helped with the Easter Egg hunt at church. Lots of kiddies running and collecting eggs. It was fun to watch them. I also woke up with a terrible crick in my neck. The corn bag and hot show did not help it either. My neck is so sore that I may not be able to stitch today. Not!! I'll just suffer.

Enjoy your day. Happy Easter to you all.

FTT Pinkeep exchange for Cathy B.

I heard from Cathy that she received my FTT pinkeep exchange piece. My idea was to try a two sided pk and I think I pulled it off. I chose two motifs from the Blackbird Designs book Joyeux Noel. Cathy said she loved it, so did I. This is one exchange I would have kept for myself! I used a mystery fabric from my stash and good ole DMC fibers. What do you think?

Ornament finish

I teach kindergarten-first grade Sunday School at the local Lutheran church. It's a small congregation so this year I have one little girl in my class. She's pretty sharp and keeps me on my toes. One Sunday she was wearing a pair of Eiffel Tower earrings so I asked her if she liked the ET. She said yes. Well, I couldn't believe a six year old liked the ET so I asked her mom. Sure enough, she does. I decided right then and there that I would stitch BBD's stocking from Joyeux Noel. At this point in time I wasn't ready to tackle a stocking finish so I improvised. Here's the result. I hope she likes my version. It looks a bit misshapen. I think I may need to help it along. Wishing everyone a great week.

FTT Christmas Ornament from Nancy K

Look what was in the mail today. It's my Friends Through Threads Christmas ornament exchange from Nancy K. (no blog) She beautifully stitched and finished this little gem from the JCS 2008 Ornament Issue. I love Blackbird Designs, so she could not have picked a better design to stitch. Thank you so much Nancy. It is already hanging in the house!

SBEBB BlackBird Designs for Hazel

I heard from Hazel that she received the BBD's exchange piece I stitched for her. Goodies were also sent, but guess I forgot to get a photo. I included a Kelmscott needleminder, some lotion, and pins. Hazel has a great photo of the entire exchange on her blog. The stitched piece is a portion of Pins and Tulips from Thank You Sarah Tobias. I made a small change by stitching the initials of our first names in a different color floss.

Finally after all these years of stitching and finishing, I believe I am getting the hang of doing a pillow finish. Hazel said she couldn't see where I stuffed it. (Hint, I stuffed from the top.)

I've been busy stitching on the HoE Valentine Exchange. The stitching is complete. I'm pushing the wire on this exchange. I'll have it in the mail tomorrow. Today I took my mom's van to be serviced in Tulsa. While I was waiting I finished one of The Sampler Girl's charts. Right now the name escapes me, but i know it has the words Thanksgiving and Plimoth in it. I plan to finish it into a pillow so will post a photo when I do.

Enjoy your evening.

Sarah Tobias for Carol S.

I heard from Carol S. that she received the SBEBB ABC exchange ( a no goody exchange this time) I stitched for her. It is the Sarah's ABC Pincushion from The BBD's book Thank You, Sarah Tobias. I used the recommended fiber, Autumn Twilight Silk, by Thread Gatherer. It was stitched on 32ct. antique ivory fabric. It was such a great stitch, that I'm planning on doing it again real soon, like next week.

No more photos to show. I'm stitching on an exchange piece right now, and it is going very slow.

Here's a photo of Sarah's ABC pincushion:Here's wishing all my readers and new found stitching friends a very Happy New Year and lots of great stitching!

WIP update a year later

It's been over a year since I've worked on this BBDs piece. Since I permanently displaced my stitching glasses, I picked up this piece to work on. It's 28ct over two. I can manage stitching with my reading glasses and some Daylight helpers.

Two years ago I had laser surgery to correct my nearsightedness. Since then I haven't been able to stitch for long periods of time because my eyes get tired. So, waiting on a replacement pair of stitcher specs, I'm working on this piece. I hope to get my replacements soon because I have some exchange pieces to stitch.

Here's the threads and fabric I have ready to work with when I'm able. The fabric is Potato Lugana and the thread is Threadworx Cherry.

I finally got my computer back from the shop, minus the virus. I've had it since 2002. It still works for me, so I nurse it along. Needless to say, I make sure the virus protection is really working.

Have a good evening.

Spring Fling

Here's my latest framed piece, a Loose Feather's design, called Spring Fling. I think it turned out quite nice.

The PGA traffic was not too bad where the Stitchworks is. The heat however, was another story. I wanted to get in and out of Tulsa before it got too warm, but didn't succeed on that count. I made it to Hobby Lobby to get some finishing supplies. I bought some items I didn't need, but wanted. I also picked up a Milady's Needle chart, Quaker's Rule since I don't have many Quaker themed patterns.

I believe I'll try and take another picture tomorrow when I have better light. Update: I was not successful in getting a better picture.