A Productive Weekend

My weekend started early Friday morning when I received the call that we were having a "snow day". YAY! I told myself right away that I was going to get some stitching done.

I had started a knitted sweater for my new great-goddaughter earlier in the week. I had 1 sleeve done and 1/2 of the second. I quickly finished the 2nd sleeve only to find out that I didn't have the right needles to continue.  Aarrgghh! I surely wasn't going out in the snowy mess. I decided to move on to something else.

I started going through my "nest" and came across this.

I figured I could probably get this done and got started. Here is my stitched piece.

On Saturday, I got up and ran to Joann's to get the needles I needed for the sweater. I decided to continue on the it when I came home. It was going so fast I decided not to quit. Except for sewing in the ends, I finished it this afternoon.

I love it! I just need to get 2 buttons. I then went back to my thimble purse and started the finishing process. I didn't realize it requires a special jewelry type glue/cement so mine is done except for glueing it into the hardware. I am going to just attached hemp for the necklace.

It is so cute! I can't wait to wear it!

Now I can move on once again. I loved how much crafting time I got this weekend.
I think I need to start working on retreat things...it is only about 3-1/2 months away!

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Getting Back in the Groove!

When I started my new job last August, I was hired as a part-time Office Assistant. And here I am now, working 10-12 hour days having taken on alot more responsibilities than what I started with. I love my new job, however, it hasn't left much time for my stitching and such lately. I am going to try and turn that around.

I'm pretty sure it was in January when I decided to start something for my friend, MamaJoan's, birthday, which was on March 20. I did start it, however, I didn't get it done in time for her birthday. It wasn't until this last Sunday that I finally finished it. I felt so bad about it being so late and was excited that I was finally done. Today I decided to take a long lunch and take it over to her. It was a perfect time as her 3 Minnesota grandkids were there with there moms. It was a nice visit.

I stitched a Danybrod design that I had got awhile back. Kind of a needlebook of sorts.

Here is the outside:

It is a 28ct. green linen. Here it is open:

The inside is 28ct. antique white. I used the DMC's as charted.

The lace is actually a pocket in which you can place packets of needles or pins. I was so pleased with how it turned out. I am not the best hand sewer.

To my friend, Joanus, Happy Birthday. I am hoping this will give me a boost in my mojo and I can get my stitching back in full motion. Lord knows I have LOTS of projects to do!

Thanks for visiting and I hope to be back very soon.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Stitching Squad Reunited

Stitching Squad is not only the name of MamaJoan's blog , but it is also the name of our little stitching group. We have gathered at MamaJoan's house on Friday nights to stitch for many years. However, life has been so busy for the past few months for some of us that we have not been all together for quite awhile.

Last night we got together and had a handmade Christmas Ornament Exchange. It was so nice to see everyone again to catch up with each other.

Here is a picture of our ornaments...

I wish I would have remembered to take a group picture of us, aaargh! This picture really does not do these justice, as they never do! The snowman ornament in the upper left, was made by Jackie (no blog) and Julie (no blog) received this one. It has a couple of embellishments and is very cute! The hardanger heart (center top) was made by Julie and Chris (no blog) received this gem. It is gorgeous! It has burgundy velvet inside and can be seen through the cutwork. The other snowman ornament was made by MamaJoan, and went to Jackie. Again, very cute! I love the little cardinal. Below this one is a stunning tree made by Chris and went to MamaJoan. This one is beautiful and has stitching on the back also, like the stitching around the tree. The "Love and Joy" ornie was made by Lori (no blog) and I was the lucky recipient. Love it! This is one that I wanted to stitch and now I don't have to. And the Santa in the bottom left, was made by me and it went to Lori. Let me just say that I would have loved to have each one of these ornaments! They are all beautiful! We already decided that we are definitely doing this again next year!

As we have grown older, we have not been able to stay out as late. We (I) started leaving about 8:30. It was a great evening!

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Christmas...Already?

As I was getting ready to post, I noticed that I haven't posted anything in over 2 months. Life has been so busy, I haven't done much of anything besides work and sleep. It has been extremely busy as work so I having been working alot. I have 10 days off ahead of me and am looking forward to reorganizing, preparing new projects and just plain catching up on my stitching.

I did just finish my annual Christmas ornament that I make for my godson, Jacob. This is my 17th and the best part is, he still looks forward to what I have created for him.

What I originally wanted to make for him I just could not find a pattern. I will continue my hunt for next year, however. This design I decided on, is an old DMC Freebie that I have had for some years. I jazzed it up a bit and finished it a little differently.

Nutcracker

DMC Corporation

28 ct. Lugana cream with gold

DMC Floss as charted

I am so happy with how this turned out. I followed the shape of the outline so it looks like an upside light bulb and added the gold trim around the top also to make it look like the cap. The gold fabric in the background is what I used on the back. He will love it!

I know I will not be back until at least later in the week.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Happy Stitching to all!

JillMN

Happy Thanksgiving!

I Never Had Any Patience

I had the most wonderful surprise waiting for me when I came home from work today. A big box from my birthday partner, Hazel. My birthday isn't until the 29th, but I couldn't wait to open it and see what she sent. She must have spent alot of time studying my wish list. Everything is just perfect.

First, I opened this.

 A beautiful card and a pattern from my wish list. I have been wanting this for a long time.

Then I opened these. The peacock feather is the top of a memo cube, a Kelmscott thread winder and 3 gorgeous Silkweaver Linens.

Check this out! I love this necklace, it is soooo cool! I will be sporting this ALOT!

This is the front of a beautiful pincushion. The colors are gorgeous. Made just for me!

And here is the back. It has a pocket with the 3 rings sewn on it. Love it!!!

Beautiful threads, again more purple (YAY), and my favorite dark chocolate...the green pack has mint centers...YUMMY!!!


Hazel did a wonderful job and I am so thankful. I love everything!!! What wonderful surprises to come home to.

Thanks again to Hazel.

JillMN

Back to Stitching

For the past several weeks, I have had some commitment projects so I have not stitched much. It finally ended on Sunday.

Yesterday I came home from work and started the By the Bay Needleart Fall Mystery SAL. It started last Wednesday and will run for 4 Wednesdays. When I came home from work yesterday I stitched up part 1.

I am following their threads as charted which is all DMC except the leaves. They used a WDW but I am using DMC Variations #4130. It will only by 6" x 4" so it shouldn't take too long. I kind of like doing this SAL's...not sure why!

Today, I got caught up on my Papillion Creations Mystery SAL. We are up to part 6 now.

I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, but I do like all the different stitches.

Tomorrow is a day off and I'm not sure what I will work on!

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Another Finish

For several years at our annual retreat which is in August, we have chosen a "group project" to work on together during the next year and then gather as a group to do the finishing day. This past year we stitched Ellen Chester's "My Needle's Worke Box". Last weekend, those that actually did follow through with it gathered and we did finishing. I have been stitching/finishing for many years and yet, it still amazes me how much time finishing takes...yikes! We worked on it Friday night and Saturday. After I got home it probably took me about another 3 hours to completely finish. But once it is all done, it is sure worth it.

 

I am pretty happy with with and so glad that it is done. Thanks to MamaJoan for letting us come over to "Joan's House of Everything" and share in the finishing task with good friends.

Our project for next year is THIS! We are changing up our plan a bit for this next one. We are NOT going to save everything to finish all at once. Since we get together on Friday nights, we are going to try and do the "smalls" on some of these nights. Hopefully this will work a litter easier.

I have a very wee start on mine.

That's all I have for today. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Retreat 2012

This past week we had our annual retreat at MamaJoan's house. Our theme this year, was Vegetables.

We, Jackie (no blog), Lori (no blog), Joan and myself, gathered there on Tuesday morning. Cathy (With Needle and Thread), made a quick visit before she headed to the MN Needleworkers Guild Retreat. She gave each of us one of her famous tartlettes that her mom and her make. Funny story...Cathy got a little confused on my birthday and she brought a gift for me. And as I am writing this I realize I do not have a photo. I will have to add one later. She gave me a Kitty Needle Minder and a Vera Bradley pouch that matches my Get Carried Away bag. Thank you Cathy!

We made our annual trek to our LNS, Stitchville USA, in case we ran out of projects. Stitchville just recently moved so we decided to visit the Joann's that was almost across the street from it. Joan found a very cute peacock towel, and since there was only 1 left, she bought it for me "for my birthday". Fun Times!

We then proceeded to find a Chili's so we could fine dine. After arriving at one that had apparently closed up, we ended up at one of our usual ones. Another funny story...we all thought Amy Winehouse had passed away...we were wrong! She works at Chili's in Bloomington MN! LOL! Our waitress looked just like her. We were calling her Amy. The food is always good at Chili's.

We then made our way back to Joan's where we stitched, watched the olympics, stitched, ate all of our favorite foods and stitched some more. I stayed overnight at Joan's until Friday, the other girls were day campers. Before we left on Tuesday for our LNS, we opened our "goody bags".

Here is what I gave each of the girls...

I was a little different from the other girls. I decided to go with just pumpkins. The first picture is the bag I gave to each, the 2nd picture are the items that I made, check out the pumpkin poop (cheetos), and the 3rd picture are the items I bought. Lots-o-fun!

Here is what Jackie gave to us...

And from Lori...

And from MamaJoan...

Lots and lots of homemade items, paper goods, kitchen usefuls and treats! I love all of them!

It was a great time and I can't wait for next year...
Retreat 2013--FIESTA!

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Around the World in 80 Stitches (part 4 of 24)

I received the 4th part of this SAL yesterday and this is by far my most favorite so far. I'm glad this part was a little smaller than the previous ones.

Here is how the whole piece looks so far.

Sorry, the pictures aren't the greatest. I think I need a new camera, or maybe just a little help. Oh well.

This piece is so much fun. There are lots and lots of different stitches on it. If you are interested in this, go over to the Papillon Creations site.

Thanks for visiting and happy stitching!

JillMN