New Stash!

A while ago I was the lucky winner of a little give away on Shelly's blog.  She was very generous by giving me a gift certificate to 123 Stitch.  Since I was getting ready to go on a couple of trips I didn't get to use it immediately, but I finally did make an order and it arrived yesterday!  I got several charts that I've been wanting, the new JCS Ornament issue and some fabric, threads and beads for upcoming projects. It was wonderful to be able to apply the certificate to the order!!  Thanks Shelly!!

Whew! What a nice surprise...

DH and I went to Phoenix, and I just had to make a visit to The Attic in Mesa.  I was so tempted by all of their gorgeous sampler charts, but I resisted.  My purchase was only the piece of linen for an old sampler pattern I want to start - Richmond Band Sampler, 2 buttons for a Christmas canvas piece, metallic thread and a spool of DMC tatting thread for the sampler.   While in Phoenix, I picked up more sock yarn and a book.  I really tried to hold the spending at a "reasonable" level because of the Stitch from Stash, so I was surprised but happy to get the email that Mel had sent while we were away...Purchases are exempt right now up to $100, so I don't have to count any of it!!  (Wish I'd known that while shopping...:) LOL

This was my first time to visit Phoenix other than being in the airport for flight connections.  We also went to the Desert Botanical Garden, to see the Dale Chihuly glass exhibit.  The pieces were stunning the way they were displayed in the desert landscape.  We'd seen his work in an Oklahoma City exhibit several years ago which was just as amazing!  Here are just a few of my favorites!

I finished another pair of socks.  The stripes match and this pair looks better than the others.  They're so much fun, and I've started another pair with the new yarn.  I've got to get back to stitching...  I'm going to...I really am!

Well, thanks for stopping by!

It's Been A Long Time!

Wow!  I can't believe how long it's been since my last post!  We had just gotten back from our 5 week trip and for one reason or another I just got busy!!  More on that later!   :) 

Here are some of the last few stitching finishes:

 

Hardanger Heart

Gloria and Pat

started by Aunt Becky in the 80's - finished by me 3/21/2013 

This darling little heart was started by my aunt and I brought it back to finish for her.  It's so sweet and I'll have to stitch up a few more!!

Another finish for my aunt:

Guiding Light

Heritage Stitchcraft

c. 2001

3/20/2013 - 4/23/2013

This one is a design that I've had since 1976!  It's an historic house in my hometown, Charleston, SC.  This designer published lots of lovely charts of Charleston houses and landmarks, and I managed to aquire many before I moved away.  (In fact, the pic of Rainbow Row in my header is one of her designs that I stitched twice.)  You can view the house and more pictures at the Historic Charleston Foundation site.  The house has a red door presently, but the design was charted for a white door.  I did a little internet research and found pictures from the 1970's of a white door, so I stitched the white and like the results.  May I present The Nathaniel Russell House, located at 51 Meeting Street in Charleston:

Nathaniel Russell House

J. Lollis

c. 1976

2/17/2013 - 7/3/2013

I'm really trying not to add much to my stash right now, but I couldn't help getting these two cuties!  The one from LHN is their first design.  I couldn't believe I actually found a copy at my LNS recently!  Thought I might get them stitched for July 4th of this year, but that didn't happen!

 

My heart is heavy for the family and the community of Prescott, AZ for the loss of their 19 firefighters.  Such a sad event...

Happy New Year, Stash, and Another Finish for 2012

Christmas has come and gone once again, and here we are at the close of another year.  Does it seem that time is passing by so much more quickly that it used to?

I don't think I slept for more than a couple of hours last night.  Not only did I get in the bed very late, but I was worried that I wouldn't hear the alarm at 5:00 a.m.  Why so early?  Well, I couldn't miss the New Year's Eve sale at The Silver Needle starting at 6 o'clock!  And, the early birds get the best discount!  I only got a few pieces of linen - for projects I will try to stitch in 2013! - and some threads for those projects. 

I've been looking for a couple of OOP charts, and dear Barb (at Wicked Stitcher) was so kind to send me her copy of BBD "Blessings Be Thine".  This morning I got the perfect piece of linen and the threads to start stitching right away!  Thanks again, Barb for sharing with me!

It began raining late last night and it's still coming down.  Since I was awake most of the night :), I heard it on the roof all night.  We haven't had this much rain in sooo long!  We're so dry and desperately need it.  Hopefully, it will stay liquid and all the wintry stuff will bypass Tulsa.  But, if we're housebound for a while, we've got plenty in the pantry and the stitching closet is full!!

Here is one last little finish for the year.  Just didn't get around to turning it into an ornament.  I just may get it done today as I have the fabric and trims picked out, ready and waiting.

Merry Christmas

Threadwork Primitives

c. 2010

12/18/2012 - 12/19/2010

Blessings to you and hope you have a Happy New Year!

Finish and New Stash!

I was able to spend a while yesterday in my sewing room listening to Christmas music and getting All Is Calm finished up into a small pillow.  I will tuck it into my wooden bowl.

An order arrived with some new stash!  Hopefully will get some of these stitched in 2013!

These two oldies, but goodies were picked up at one of my LNS, The Stitchworks, last night:

k

 I usually pull everything out (all WIPs, kitted charts, fabrics, and fibers) during the week between Christmas and New Year, to plan what to begin on Jan 1, and to see what I need to be able to kit up more charts! I am itching to get into it and enjoy looking at stash.  Sometimes I think that's as enjoyable as the actual stitching!  Anyone else like that??

 Thanks for stopping by!  Blessings and wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Sampler Progress and A Present!

Here is Bands of Many Colors as of today! Even though I have been faithfully stitching only on this for the last 2 weeks, you would think it should be farther along, but it is so enjoyable, it shouldn't be rushed! I am putting it away for a while, as part 1 and a wee bit of part 2 have been done. I think I will follow Coni's method of rotation for a while, and "draw" a WIP to stitch for a week. The one that was drawn from my list is a canvas piece which doesn't have much more to do. If it isn't finished this week, then I will be surprised.

Edited to add: The stitches used in Part 1: Cross, Queen, Backstitch, Algerian Eye, Diamond Eye, Satin, Irish, and Tent.

I had a belated Christmas present arrive yesterday from DD and DSIL. She had been quite distraught that it did not arrive in time for Christmas, but that was OK because when I opened it, I could not believe she had sent all of these charts from my wish list!! There is a little kit coming that is on backorder as well! I can't wait to start stitching them. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Still Waters--Plum Street Samplers

Gather Thy Roses--Chessie & Me

Irish Sampler Pincushion--Nostalgic Needle

New Stash

Here are a few things that I got at the New Year's Eve sale at The Silver Needle. I somehow managed to cut the title of the book in half in the picture :( The title is The Proper Stitch by Darlene O'Steen of The Needle's Prayse. I just love her designs. I had been eyeing that book for months and decided to get it if there were any left on sale day. That is really all I had planned to get, but as you can see, I ended up with more. Not only does the book have the most wonderful pictures and stitch diagrams, but also includes 3 of her samplers--"The Proper Stitch Sampler", "The Tudor Rose Sampler", and "The Pinkes Sampler". OH MY...so many gorgeous things to stitch and so little time!

I still haven't had anyone to reply that they are interested in my PIF. I imagine it's because my blog is so new and doesn't have much traffic, yet.

Seasons of Flowers has come out after a long while. I really want to finish up several old WIPs before starting anything else, but that's easier said than done.