Some Older Stitching

Not a lot on the stitching front that I can take a picture of. I've been busy, but seems that I've been hopping from one thing to the next. Maybe something soon!

Here are a couple of old finishes:

Summer Breeze

Laura J. Perin
c. 2006
10/5/2008 - 11/12/2008

This one is a freebie from Laura Perin's website. I really love the colors and the way it turned out, and it still needs to be matted and framed. When it was completed, it never made it to the blog. So, here it is now! (it really is square-the angle makes it look wonky)

Iris Sampler
Sheepish Designs
Cross Stitch & Country Crafts Sept/Oct 1990
c. 1990
stitched 1991

Here's an oldie, but definitely a goodie!! I see the date of 1991, and can't believe that it has been 20 years since I stitched this! How can it be? Love the colors in this one, too. This has traveled all over the house...living room, guest room, and now in my craft room.

I think our latest snow storm has passed, leaving us with almost 6 inches. Per the report, that is a total of 22.5 inches so far for February, which I believe is a record. Are we ready for Spring yet??

Last Finish of 2008

Seasons of Flowers Sampler
Eileen Bennett --The Sampler House
c. 1987

12/2003 - 12/31/08

32 ct. cream linen, DMC thread

I was determined to get this one finished in 2008 and I did...but only a little bit before the clock struck midnight! It was a real joy to stitch, but I ended up stitching a little bit here and there, and spreading it out over 5 years! That's just way too long to be working on a project! LOL (Although I do have one that dates back to about 1988 that will be coming out soon!)


On New Year's Day I began another of Eileen's gorgeous samplers...Bands of Many Colors. I just love stitching band samplers with a variety of specialty stitches. They are not very wide, which for me is enjoyable, as I don't get tired of working on the same thing for very long. There's only a little bit done, so no pic yet.

*****See my post on January 1, and let me know if you are interested in the FQ PIF!*****

Another Laura J. Perin Design

Autumn Haze (modified)
Laura J. Perin
c.2006

I'm just having so much fun stitching these little designs! This one is a freebie, from Laura J. Perin. I modified the design somewhat, but I love the way it turned out. It's called "Autumn Haze" but because of the colors I chose, it doesn't look like autumn. Once again, I tinted the canvas. This time I used pink and a clear finish with a little glitter. The photo doesn't pick up the glitter, though.

Birthday Gift for Carla

Opalescent Heart

The Sweetheart Tree

The Gift of Stitching June 2007

Carla let me know that she received her package. Her birthday is not until Thursday, but she couldn't wait to open it! She said she liked what I stitched for her--it was a really fun piece to do.

Spring Fling Is Finished!

Spring Fling
Laura J. Perin Designs
7/20/08-8/10/08
Caron Collection's Watercolours, DMC Pearl Cotton, YLI Ribbon Floss, Beads

This was just so much fun to stitch!

Overdue Update

Here is a snap of We Will Adore Him. The stitching is complete and has been for some time-I just need to get to The Silver Needle and buy the buttons and sew them on! It's been really hectic here recently.

Near the end of April, DH and I decided to cut down 2 huge trees in our front yard. The trees were just too big for our size yard and the grass had pretty much disappeared. We tried Fescue, but it just didn't do well. And one of the trees had damage from the ice storm in December last year. So the trees went. Then, we enlarged a flower bed with bricks. While working on the bricks, I jokingly said that since we were doing all that work, why not install a sprinkler system? DH said he had been thinking of doing just that! So, we rented a trencher, dug up the yard, and installed it. This took several weeks--working weekends and a few nights. The dirt was delivered and the yard smoothed out today and the sod will be put down on Friday. We have done all of the work except for the dirt and sod. What a job! But, it will be worth it.

My DD was staying with us for the month of May. She is a PA (Physician Assistant) student and she did her dermatology rotation here. It was good to have her around once again! She will be back in September for another specialty.

Last Wednesday night my Daddy passed away. I stayed with him at the hospital in Oklahoma City from Friday morning to Wed night. It's really tough for me because my Mama passed away only a year and a half ago. I managed to grab several projects to take with me, and got some stitching done.

Will be adding some pictures soon!

Graduation Gift

Follow Your Heart

Lizzie * Kate

c. 2001

28 ct. white linen, DMC threads, Mill Hill Beads, JABC heart button

I made this for the daughter of a co-worker who graduated from high school last week. I thought it turned out pretty cute! Here is a snap of the back fabric.

4th Ornament and a Trip

Saint Nick

Studio Seven

c. 1990

Just Cross Stitch-Nov/Dec 1990

Here is the 4th ornament. It's a slightly padded flat finish with coordinating cording. I can't believe I'm on time with getting these finished!

I went with DH to San Antonio for his annual AAPG convention. While he was busy during the day, I went on some of the tours that were offered for the spouses. One stop was the San Antonio Museum of Art. Here is a snap of a gorgeous piece of needlework. It seemed to be mostly cross stitch in very beautiful colors. This is taken without a flash in room with low light. I tried to brighten it up a bit. It's from the late 18th century per the description.

Another stop was the Mission San Jose. This is the lovely detail above the door of the church. The church was completed about 1782 and restored in the 1930's.

We happened to be there during part of Fiesta week, and got to see the river parade on Monday night. We had a grand time on our mini-vacation!

Another Ornament

Silent Night

Cinnamon Heart Needleworks

c. 1990

Just Cross Stitch-November/December 1990

Here is my 3rd ornament for the year! This one is beaded and was so much fun to do!

I was awakened this morning about 2:30 with the sirens going off. It took a minute to realize what the sound was, but then I hopped up to quickly turn on the TV to see what was going on. There was a possible tornado in north Tulsa county, so was not nearby. We did get very heavy rain and golf ball size hail! None of the windows were broken, but the window screens on one side of the house have holes in them and I'm sure the roof probably has damage. There were several lines of storms moving through-one after the other. I tried so hard to get back to sleep, but never did make it! But, I'm ready for bed now!

First Biscornu

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted! Where does the time go? Here is my first attempt at a biscornu, which is also my 2nd ornament for the year. I'm quite pleased with the results. The 2 buttons came from my mama's button jar. I believe they came from one of my childhood dresses.

I've been to Oklahoma City to see my dad twice in March. I spent one weekend with him and DH and I went on Easter for the day. Since my mama passed away the end of 2006, I've been trying to get there often to check on him.

On the first trip to OKC, I met DD and DSIL for lunch (the only time they could fit me in that weekend!) It was 2 days after her birthday and I'd made and decorated a cake (chocolate with buttercream icing, as always) to take. While on that trip I stopped by Heartland Needleworks, browsed around and met Carla, and picked up the linen and threads to stitch Where My Heart Blooms.

Work has been more intense than usual the past couple of weeks. Today was our year end, so hopefully by the end of this week I won't feel so drained. Even though I haven't made a lot of progress on any one thing, most nights I did some stitching, and hope to post a few more pics soon.

11 more to go!

Starry Santa

Homespun Elegance

2003 JCS Ornaments Issue

One finished and 11 more to go! My goal is to make at least 12 ornies this year.

The Silver Needle and The Stitchworks had their Super Bowl Sales yesterday. Becky was planning to be at both stores with 2 of her friends. I planned to go also, and decided to be there at the same time they were, so that we could meet! After shopping both sales, we all went to lunch and talked for a long time! It was so good to meet a stitching blog friend in person!

I got a piece of 28 ct. Light Mocha linen and some fibers to begin We Will Adore Him by Homespun Elegance. I have loved this one since first seeing it in 2003.

First Finish 2008

Moody Blues

The Sweetheart Tree

32 ct. Twilight Blue Linen, DMC Floss & Perle Coton,

Mill Hill Beads, Pure Allure Crystals

began 10/15/07-finished 1/13/08

I got this one wrapped up over the weekend! The crystals are not pink as the picture suggests. The lighting was not too good and the flash made the pink tint. This was really fun to do! The measurements are only about 3 1/4" x 3 1/4". I think I may use it as an insert for a small pillow to use in my blue bedroom. We'll see...

Hope everyone had a great weekend!