Purple Peacock

Red Stuff

2012-02-12T05:36:00.007-06:00

I heard that Becky K. received my red exchange for the FTT Stitch Red. Here is what I sent her.

Winter's Night Drum

Blackbird Designs
32ct. Antique White Belfast
DMC #115
Date Started Stitching: 1/26/2012
Date Finished Stitching: 1/28/2012
Date Finishing Completed: 1/30/2012

This was very fun, a little putzy on the finishing but worth it. It said to fill with sawdust, but who has sawdust laying around? I used crushed walnuts.

Keeping with the "red" theme, I started a new project this past week. I probably should have joined that group this year that you just keep starting new projects! Anyway, it is the Bent Creek Red Thread Snappers. A very trustworthy blogger friend and I switched patterns for 1 very large project. I am going to try and do 1 square a week. We will see. Here is my first week.

This should be alot of fun and I can't wait to see it all come together.

That's all I got for now. Have a great Sunday!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Penelope Has Been Fobbed!

2012-02-06T21:19:00.004-06:00

Continuing my quest to "fob" all of my Gingher Designer scissors, I have completed Penelope's. Here is the front...

And here is the back...

2003 Scissor Fob
Shepherd's Bush
32ct. Antique White linen
DMC and WDW as charted
Date Started Stitching: 2/4/2012
Date Finished Stitching: 2/6/2012
Data Finishing Completed: 2/6/2012

Even though it says "2003", I stitched it as charted. If you look closely, I stitched "Penelope" and "2012" on the bottom of the back.

I also did the finishing on my Red Exchange today. When it is received, I will share. Fun stuff!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

2002 Shepherds Bush Fob

2012-02-05T19:29:00.002-06:00

Does anyone have this pattern? It was a Shepherds Bush Kit, 2002 Scissor Fob. I am looking for someone who wants to sell, trade or just plain borrow it to me. Thanks.

JillMN

What I've Been Up To

2012-02-03T20:47:00.012-06:00

It's been awhile since I posted so I thought I had better catch up.

After surviving my retreat, I figured I better finish up my Bent Creek Rows since I only had 1 left, Summer.

Summer Row
Bent Creek
32ct. remnant
DMC as charted
Date started stitching: 1/23/2012
Date finished stitching: 11/26/2012

This will be finished together with Spring Row just like I did the Autumn and Winter Row.

My progress is continuing on Carriage House Samplings Alphabet. I said I would work on this on Sundays, which I do, but am doing just 1 square a week.

This is still very fun to do and am very excited for the additional 24 new colors of DMC Variations that are coming out. That will make 60 colors...maybe I can use a different color for each letter!

And, just this past week, I started a new project. I have been wanting to do one of these 15-sided biscornus for quite some time. This is a free pattern by Gitta's Designs. I am not very far but here it is.

These square stitch up quite quickly so hopefully this won't take too long.

Today I had a great stitch day with my good friend, MamaJoan. When I got home, I had a couple of nice surprises in the mail.

First, I received my Friends Through Threads Stitch Red Exchange. Marie was my partner and she never dissappoints anyone.

She says this was a free pattern from Casa Mia back in 2007. It is stitched 1 over 1 on 40ct. linen! Beautiful! I absolutely just love it. I think I definitely have to get that new Dinky Dye scissors that is white with red hearts on it! Thank you so much Marie!

I also received a little package from Ruth B. Ruth is a very diligent participant in the Fair and Square Exchange blog. I had a "Stitch Red" exchange on there but wasn't able to officially participate as someone dropped out. She is so sweet. Here is what she sent me.

I love these and am very excited to have a peacock design in red to add to my red collection in honor of my mom. Ruth did these for me out of the goodness of her heart. Thank you so much Ruth! I can't wait to finish these up!

Well I think that's about it. Whew! Thanks for visiting and I appreciate all of your comments.

Have a great weekend and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Retreats Are Productive

2012-01-19T12:13:00.010-06:00

Last weekend I was fortunate to attend a retreat with my stitching buds. I was able to get quite a few things done.

First, I started Carriage House Samplings "Emma Sampler", which appeared in the June 2005 Just Cross Stitch magazine. I saw this on Suzanne's blog and had to do it. My paternal grandmother's name was Emma so I decided to change it all to her name. I just love the colors in this one.

Emma Sampler

Just Cross Stitch June 2005
40ct. cream linen
DMC as charted
Date Starting Stitching: 1/12/2012
Date Finished Stitching 1/13/2012

In my other favorite pasttime, I am participating in a Mystery Sock KAL (knit-a-long) on Ravelry and the first clue was issued last Friday. I knitted up the right one and after I came home, I did the left one. The next clue will come out tomorrow.

Then I started Bent Creek's Spring Row. I just have Summer left and these 2 will be finished back-to-back just as I did Autumn and Winter.

Spring Row
Bent Creek
32ct. linen remnant
DMC as charted
Date Started Stitching: 1/14/12
Date Finished Stitching: 1/15/12

After I came home, I decided to start Winter of the Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers. This went pretty quick after the Autumn one.

Blackbird Designs

Loose Feathers
36ct. coffee dyed linen
DMC as charted
Date Started Stitching: 10/15/2011
Date Finishing Stitching: 1/18/2012

This I really love. It was a 3-part pattern. I just have to find a frame now.

It is quite cold here today. Right now it is -8 degrees F. I am staying in. I am preparing for another stitch day tomorrow at MamaJoan's.

I want to thank all of you who left me comments on my previous posting. I really don't like doing that kind of stuff on my blog but I had to get it out there. And now I am done with that.

Have a great day and Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Free Country?

2012-01-17T11:34:00.006-06:00

I thought as a blog owner, I could do with my blog as I wish. I could post what I wanted, choose themes as I wish, follow blogs that I like, have a blogroll with who I want, etc. I'd like to know where the rules are that tell me how I have to run my blog.

And I thought the same would apply to a blog that was created for private exchanges. An exchange forum that you could have just a handful of selected people. Maybe people you know that are dependable and you can trust, people who don't have any any major obstacles such as health issues that highly restrict their stitching time and have been vocal about it, or people who are great stitchers and/or finishers or people who you know would definitely be interested in the type of exchange you are having. And including and not including certain people is not meant to hurt anyone.

Apparently not.

Some think they can tell others differently. I didn't think I had to report to anyone as to why I run my blog(s) as I do. If you don't like something on my blog...don't read it. Simple as that.

I really hate to be vocal about this, but I have to get this out.

And since these people post about these things on their blogs, I don't think they are any better a person than anyone else.

That's it. Peace.

JillMN

Margaret Cottam

2012-01-11T16:58:00.004-06:00

I just finished my 3rd and final part of the La-D-Da Margaret Cottam Mystery Sampler. YAY! I enjoyed stitching this and love it but am glad it is done.

The chart was cleverly done with initials and 2011, however, the final part didn't come out until the new year so I had to wing it. It doesn't look too bad.

I will have to find a frame for it as I don't have one in my stash. I wanted to post this right away though, I am leaving in the morning for a 4 day stitching event with my stitching buds...I can't wait!!! I am very excited to be able to go. We have always had some sort of gathering for MLK weekend, but very rarely go away somewhere. Should be very fun and productive. After being sick for the last 3 weeks, I can't wait to ESCAPE!!!

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Quick Update

2012-01-01T23:11:00.005-06:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I started my new project today, CHS Alphabet Blocks. Here is how far I got today while tending to this nasty cold I have.

I am stitching this with DMC as charted except for the large filled-in box. I am using DMC Variations for these. I decided to go with different colors instead of all of them being the same. As I stitch each one I am deciding which variations to use. I am very pleased with this so far. If anyone has this in their "to do" box, I would encourage you to get it out...it is a very fun stitch!

Now that I have a gauge on how much time these squares take, I have decided to make this my Sunday project.

I hope everyone is having a great New Year's.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

2012!

2012-01-01T00:02:00.000-06:00

End of 2011

2011-12-31T07:50:00.006-06:00

Today is the last day of 2011, wow! Time just keeps going faster and faster.

Because I did post this earlier when I was working on it, I did finish my Advent Scarf on the 24th.

I really enjoyed working on this and learned alot but I don't think I would do one of these again. It is a huge commitment for the month of December. I am happy with how it turned out (about 88" long) and wore it for Christmas...very warm!

I am going to continue my tradition of starting a new project on New Year's Day. I have chosen Carriage House Samplings Alphabet Blocks. Here is my tea-dyed linen and threads. I am undecided about the solid stitches that surrounds the names. I was going to go with all one color, the one on the bottom, but I'm now wondering if I should make them different colors, using 5-6 different ones.

I am really excited to start this. It should be fun. I plan on stitching 2-3 squares a month.

No big plans for tonight. I am still fighting this cold...day 5. However, I think I do feel better today.

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!

JillMN

Autumn Loose Feathers

2011-12-29T20:42:00.003-06:00

Well, again I'm stitching on this piece behind the 8 ball. I saw that the Winter part is due out the end of this week...that is like NOW! Even though I am experiencing one of the WORST colds I have ever had, I managed to get this stitched up!

I didn't bother ironing it. I'm sure this won't be finished in 2011, however, I am stitching the date in each section. I really like this piece. Down the road I can see stitching different elements from this for other things.

Hopefully I will be well enough to go to MamaJoan's and stitch with the girls tomorrow.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:15:00.000-06:00

tusal

2011-12-24T13:25:00.004-06:00

Baked Goods

2011-12-13T18:01:00.007-06:00

Baked Goods Ornament
Little House Needleworks
36ct. coffee dyed linen
DMC as charted
I used beads in place of french knots
Date started stitching: 12/7/2011
Date finished stitching: 12/12/2011
Date finishing completed: 12/12/2011

This ornament is so much cuter once it is stitched. This is a birthday gift for my friend who is a "mad baker"!

Thanks for visiting and happy stitching :)

JillMN

Fob-u-Less Frenzy

2011-12-06T09:33:00.009-06:00

In an earlier post I talked about my Gingher Designer scissors. I am going to make a scrapbook of them so they were gathered up for photos.

Now mind you, I do not own all of them. There are some that I do not have.

I decided that I can't wait for 2012 to start my fob project. Last night I had an open window of time so I decided to get started. I am going to do these in chronological order. My oldest one is "Cheetah", I already have a fob for this one, thanks to Chris, one of my stitching buds. And now I realize I should have a picture of it but I don't. I will next post.

The next one is "Katelynn", which came out in 2002. Here is what I came up with for Katelynn.

Bloom

Lizzie Kate
28ct. Graziano home-dyed pink
DMC #333, 915, 3354, 3787
Date started stitching: 12/5/2011
Date finished stitching: 12/5/2011
Date finishing completed: 12/6/2011

What do you think? I like it! I tweaked the height a bit so the design would be 36 x 36. I had wanted to use just plain Pink Graziano, but I was out. Since I am all about using stash I already have, I settled on this home-dyed piece.

My Other Pastime...
I had some interest in seeing my advent scarf. Here is a photo of Days 1 through 5.

I am learning alot doing this and am very pleased with the results so far. I have always loved projects with a variety of things going on.

Anyway, that's it for today. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Margaret Cottam part 2

2011-12-04T23:10:00.003-06:00

I probably should have ironed this before shooting, oh well, you probably get the drift. The shadow on the far right is my kitty. I can't do anything without him supervising! I really am liking this piece. I can't wait for the last part.

This past week I gathered all of my Gingher Designer scissors (oy vey!) for picture taking in preparation of making a scrapbook. When they are all together right in front of you...Yikes! Anyway, I decided I am going to make scissor fobs for all of them with their names on them. I have already started to gather some patterns that I would like to use.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and had lots of stitching time.
Thanks for visiting.

JillMN

Winter Band Sampler

2011-11-28T21:25:00.004-06:00

After I finished the Six Fat Men this weekend, I decided to treat myself and start a new project. Very fun!

Winter Band Sampler

Little House Needleworks
28ct. WDW Light Grey/Straw Ginghen Linen
DMC as charted except White = B5200
Date Started Stitching: 11/27/2011
Date Finished Stitching: 11/28/2011
Date Finishing Completed: 11/28/2011

I have been doing a bit of knitting also but don't blog about it too much...that's what Ravelry is for! However, I am going to be participating in an Advent Scarf which starts on December 1. You get a little bit of the pattern every day from the 1st through the 24th. I am very excited for this.

I have almost all of my Christmas gifts made and am delighted about it! Hopefully December will be less stressful with that done!

That's all I got for tonight. Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching! :)

JillMN

Six Fat Men

2011-11-26T21:47:00.005-06:00

Six Fat Men

Lizzie Kate
Date Started Stitching: 9/12/2011
Date Finished Stitching: 11/26/2011
Date Framed: 11/26/2011
32ct. Amber Belfast
DMC as charted/
Begonia = GAST LE Cherry Blossom/
All Snow = spot coffee dyed DMC White

I love this! It was so much fun to stitch and I had what I think is a very suitable frame.
Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

JillMN

November TUSAL

2011-11-25T14:22:00.002-06:00

Thursday, November 24

2011-11-24T04:39:00.002-06:00

Christmas Fishin'

2011-11-21T11:42:00.004-06:00

Every year I have been lucky to find the perfect ornament to stitch for my godson for Christmas. This year is no different. When I saw this recent design from The Sweetheart Tree, I knew that was it.

Christmas Fishin'
The Sweetheart Tree
Date Stitching Started: 11/19/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 11/20/2011
Date Ornament Finished: 11/21/2011

He will love this! He is an avid fisherman and we have fished together numerous times. I jazzed it up a bit more by adding a couple of The Sweetheart Tree's glitzy paillettes and a snowflake treasure at the top. I love how it turned out!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Margaret Cottam...part 1

2011-11-12T15:18:00.004-06:00

In 1809, Margaret Cottam was just age 9 when her sampler was stitched. Only part of it was left and La-D-Da "recreated" it filling in the blanks.

It is stitched 1 over 2 threads with Week Dye Works thread. However, the pattern says to stitch on 30ct. linen, but I am stitching mine on 36ct. I think 1 thread on 30ct. is just too thin.

Margaret Cottam part 1
La-D-Da
36ct. home-dyed linen
WDW as charted
Date stitching started: 11/10/2011
Date stitching finished: 11/12/2011

Now I know that this is a new pattern, but I had pre-ordered it a couple of months ago. I also got the last of the 6 Fat Men patterns and will have to finished that one up as it is a Christmas gift!

Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting :)

JillMN

Eleven.Eleven.Eleven

2011-11-11T04:46:00.005-06:00

A Fun Finish and a Great Mail Day!

2011-11-08T17:25:00.008-06:00

I saw a very cute idea over on Marie's blog some time ago and have wanted to do it. I finally found the doll and stitched it up. I did ask Marie if she didn't mind if I borrowed her idea.

from the leaflet A Prairie Year

Prairie Schooler
36 ct. Vintage Examplar
DMC as charted
Date started stitching: 11/7/2011
Date finished stitching: 11/8/2011
Date finishing completed: 11/8/2011

This was so fast and FUN! I am going to find more of these dolls to do more like this. This one will be a Christmas gift.

I received a wonderful package in the mail today from my stitching friend, CathyB. It as a lovely birthday present.

It is a pincushion in an old mason jar lid with a piece of her mother's tatting on top. I love the bright colors! It is very pretty! Thank you Cathy!

I also received the long awaited Part 1 of the La-D-Da Sampler, which I had ordered quite awhile ago...way before I swore to stitch from my stash only. I already have started and can't wait to see how this progresses!

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments I have received on previous posts.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Autumn Row

2011-11-04T19:55:00.007-05:00

Well, my "stash stitching" has begun. One thing I've wanted to do for a very long time is the Bent Creek's Seasonal Rows. Since these are pretty quick stitches, (and why have I waited so long?) I decided to start with Autumn. As I was stitching, the thought crossed my mind that I already stitched Winter, did I? I did not find it on my blog, however, it is in my listed of 2010 finished stitches. I went to my box of stitched pieces and sure enough, there was winter.

Another thought I contemplated as stitching was how I was going to display these. I knew where, I just wasn't sure how. I probably would have to special order a frame as it is quite an odd size...nope, don't want to do that. Since I will have Autumn and Winter, I decided to put them together. Here's what I came up with.

Turn it around and you get...

Autumn Row

Bent Creek
32ct. linen remnant
DMC as charted
Date Stitch Started: November 1, 2011
Date Stitch Completed: November 2, 2011
Date Finishing Completed: November 4, 2011

What do you think? I love it. Less to store and very inexpensive to finish.

Now I am going to stitch the final part of my SAL I am doing.

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

A Great Weekend

2011-11-01T18:53:00.009-05:00

My weekend started on Friday with an early stitching day with 2 of my stitching buds, Joan and Jackie. We had a nice time stitching and had lunch with birthday cake for me.

Awhile back, I had some bellpull hardware put on hold at our LNS and Jackie said she would pick it up for me as she was going to be going there. Our LNS is really not so "L". It is about a 45 minute drive...sometimes more! Anyway she got it for me and gifted it to me for my birthday!

If you have never seen these before, click on it and read the individual writings. It is GREAT! Thank you so much Jackie! This is for my Lizzie Kate Halloween Rules, which I have stitched. Now I just have to sew it up!

Joan, gave me a cute little cat scissors and some of her handy sewing items she creates.

The back of the pincushion is the same green fabric as in the portfolio. I love it! Thank you Joan!

When Joan's daughter Kelsey came home she had a little surprise for me too.

A pumpkin note pad and a peacock charm. I am transitioning to pumpkins in my kitchen and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE peacocks! Thank you Kelsey!

When I got home from Joan's, my wonderful son had a super surprise for me.

YIPPEE!!! I was so excited. My TV died on me the week before so I was very happy to get a new one. I am now up to new technology on the TV front. My old one was about 25 years old! Thank you Giles!

Saturday, which was my birthday, and which I share with Becky K. (happy birthday again, my friend), I had a nice day at home with my boys and then we went out for dinner. YUM!

I received another gift from my friend, Viki, who I have known my entire life.

She gave me a wonderful book on baking breads, which is on the quick and easy side, which is right up my alley and a book of knitted patterns for items from Harry Potter...very cool! There are some fun looking socks in there which I can't wait to make. Thank you Viki!

I spent some time also going through my projects and re-organizing my linens. YIKES! I don't think I need to buy too much for quite awhile. When you forget about things that you already have, then I think its enough? Is that possible? I am going to try and stitch from my stash for awhile.

Well, that's all I got for now. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T05:29:00.002-05:00

October...The Pink Month

2011-10-26T21:49:00.008-05:00

I have been a little lax in my pink stitches lately. I have a few in my stash ready to go, but I just had to do this freebie by Mamen.

Hardanger Pink Ribbon

Mamen Arias
Fibers Used: DMC #818 Pearle Cotton #8 & #12/
Glissen Gloss #302
28ct. Pink Linen
Date Started: October 24, 2011
Date Finished: October 25, 2011
Freebie found here

I love this! Thank you Mamen!

JillMN

October TUSAL

2011-10-26T12:23:00.002-05:00

Summer Is Done!

2011-10-23T05:31:00.010-05:00

Literally...right?

Last week I had seen that the Blackbird Designs Autumn Loose Feathers was due out soon so I thought I better get the Summer one done ASAP!

OK, to be honest here, as I was working this, it just wasn't doing much for me. Several times I contemplated just stopping altogether. But I carried on. And now that it is done and pressed...I LOVE IT! There will be 3 designs total and can't wait to get Autumn.

Summer Loose Feathers
Blackbird Designs
Date Stitching Started: October 16, 2011
Date Stitching Completed: October 21, 2011
36ct. Coffee-dyed linen
DMC as charted

I was lucky enough to be another giveaway winner. This one was for the Gentle Arts Sampler Threads that are used in Blackbird Designs Casting A Spell. It was sponsored by Gentle Arts through Needlework Retailer.

There are 5 colors for this design. When you left a comment for this giveaway, you were to also suggest another GAST color that would be good for Halloween. Mine was Kiwi. There were kind enough to also include that also. Thank you Gentle Arts!

I have noticed alot of knitting going on with fellow bloggers. I, too, have been doing my fair share. I recently made myself matching beaded neckwarmer and mittens.

OK, the neckwarmer picture is turned sideways...not sure why. Oh well. These are going to be so nice and warm for winter! They are knitted with a wool Malibrigo yarn.

I also just finished a pair of very warm and comfy Slipper Socks.

These are knit with a very fun yarn with is part wool called, Jelly Beenz! I love that name.

Well, I guess that is it for now. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

More to Share...

2011-10-05T11:42:00.010-05:00

Just two days and I already have alot to share!

First, as you probably already know, October is Breast Cancer awareness month. Annemiek over on Once Upon a Stitch wrote a post about pink threads. She is asking people to leave comments about their favorite pink thread and is going to donate 25 eurocents for each comment to Pink Ribbon. I encourage everyone to do this. If you know anyone who has gone through this, it is a terrible disease.

I participated in Round #26 of the Fair and Square. Marie W. was my partner and here is what I stitched for her.

JBW Designs
French Apple
32ct. Natural Lite Belfast linen
GAST Cherry Wine

And here are the squares I received from Marie.

They are very stunning! Marie says this is from a charted folk designs book by Dover. They are lovely and I love the thread choice too! Thank you Marie.

And last but not least, and I can't believe I forgot to share this on my last post...the new Gingher scissors...Tessa! I got mine on Sunday. This one is a little retro looking.

Now, we had heard that this was going to be Gingher's last designer scissors. However, the packaging is a little different and it says on it "Manufactured for Fiskars". Not sure what this means, if anything. Only time will tell.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

What I've Been Up To

2011-10-03T19:20:00.014-05:00

It has been over 2 weeks since I last posted some progress so I thought I would catch up a little.

I am current with my stitch-a-long with iStitch Carol. If you want to see my progress, you will have to go here.

After received my JCS Christmas ornament issue, there was one ornament I had to do for my sister. It is The Victoria Sampler's "Peace on Earth".

Peace on Earth

The Victoria Sampler
32ct. remnant linen
DMC/Beads as charted
Date Stitching Started: 9/15/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 9/23/2011
Date Finished Completely: 9/23/2011

Since I've had to pick up a few supplies along the way, I just couldn't pass up these.

While trying to decide what kind of a fob I should do for this scissor, I decided that it needed something "above" the boots. I got my creative juices flowing and this is what I came up with.

Witchie Zippie

Bent Creek
27ct. Eggplant Linen
DMC #153, 166, 310, 610, 728, 729, 740 and 3022
Date Stitching Started: 10/3/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 10/3/2011
Date Finished Completely: 10/3/2011

Isn't it cute? It turned out just as I had pictured, I love it!

I also made a gift for our pastor and his family. They moved last weekend and they are having something for them at church next Sunday.

Psalm 145

Little House Needleworks
32ct. Toasted Almond Belfast
DMC #3685, 898, 712, 221, 3012, 433 and 3013
Date Stitching Started: 8/17/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 10/1/2011
Date Finished Completely: 10/3/2011

And, last but not least, currently I am working on Lizzie Kate's "6 Fat Men".

This piece is alot of fun. I have all of the freebie border stitched and 2 of the 3 designs that are currently out.

Next time I am not going to wait as long to post, it is too time consuming. :)

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

September Tusal

2011-09-27T18:51:00.001-05:00

A New Start and Some Winnings

2011-09-15T16:06:00.010-05:00

Have you seen Lizzie Kate's new flip-it series, 6 Fat Men? I couldn't resist this one, they are so cute! There are 6 patterns, in which 3 are out already, and a freebie kind of border/layout pattern from her website. I am going to stitch all of them together and I started yesterday.

And, speaking of Lizzie Kate, I was lucky to be one of the winners on her recent giveaway. It was for one of her calculators. However, when I received the package, she also sent me a Halloween pattern with a very nice hand-written note.

Thank You Lizzie Kate!

I finally received my Christmas ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch. I am going to page through it to see which ones I must stitch!

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

SAL Update and a Finish

2011-09-12T09:57:00.009-05:00

Part 3 of the iStitch SAL was sent on Saturday morning. If you want to see a picture you will have to go to Carol's blog. I don't know how to make pictures unclickable and the one I got back from her doesn't seem to work anymore. Very frustrated with this :(

The last time I went to my LNS, there was a new design that they already had stitched up. I absolutely fell in love with it and had to have it. I started it almost right away and finished it up this past weekend.

All Hallow's Eve
Chessie & Me
36ct. Vintage Sand Dune
DMC as charted/Belle Soie Tortoise Shell/WDW Pumpkin
Date Started Stitching: 8/29/2011
Date Finished Stitching: 9/9/2011
Date Completed: 9/11/2011

I so love this piece! This picture surely is not like the real thing. I thought I had a frame that would work for this but it was just a little small. So, I decided to make it into a pinkeep and am very pleased.

On quite a different note...I don't usually "toot my own horn", however, I am just thrilled to have received an e-mail from the designer of the hardanger-a-long that I participated in. She said that mine was the most beautiful one she has seen. WOW! That sure made my day.

Off to get more projects in order. Have a great week and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Hardanger-a-long (Edited)

2011-09-06T21:32:00.007-05:00

Last Thursday evening, I received the 6th and final installment for the Hardanger-a-long I have been participating in. I went up north for the weekend and took it with me. It was very easy to work on with no color changes and I didn't really need to look at the pattern.

I finished it up today.

Isn't it lovely? I just love it! This Hardanger-a-long was hosted by Mamen. Her instructions are so detailed and easy to follow. Please visit her blog and look at some of her absolutely stunning pieces. I thank her for sharing this one. I love it!

EDITED: Mamen's designs are in Spanish. I used Google translator to translate and it was very easy to figure out!

JillMN

Where Did Alicia Come From?

2011-08-30T16:39:00.006-05:00

Scissors. Gingher Scissors. Gingher Designer Scissors. OMG!

What is it with these that we go to the extremes to get? Why do we have to have them? Not sure but another one made an appearance today in this part of the world.

My friend, Joanus, called me from her Joann's and said that they had Gingher Alicia scissors. We knew about the ones coming next month but not this one! They were not on sale and she only had a few coupons. I said I would be right over. Jackie got there before me and purchased 3 pair for our group. I got out there and met her in the store and when we were standing there planning our action, I was examining the scissors. What? Could it be? YES! These Alicia's have peacocks feathers on them! Outstanding! Needless to say I was so very excited. Then Joan remembered that Joann's honors their sales 7 days before they start. She checked with a clerk and yes, we didn't necessarily need coupons for them. Hot-diggity-dog! I knew then for sure I was getting both the 4" and the 8". Did I say I was very excited? We briefly looked around for a couple of things and checked out. We managed to get scissors for our whole group.

I tried to do a closeup so the feather would show better.

Whew! What a whirlwide afternoon. I am very excited.

Have a great day!

JillMN

August TUSAL

2011-08-29T17:07:00.002-05:00

SAL Update and a Finish

2011-08-26T16:22:00.011-05:00

This morning I received part 2 of the iStitch SAL. I just finished stitching it up!

I am really enjoying this and am very happy with my thread choice. It is kind of hard to pick threads sometimes when you don't know what you are stitching!

I have completed the finishing on my Peacock Pinkeep.

Purple Pinkeep
Blackbird Designs
28ct. Gingham Linen
Straw/Natural
Belle Soie Tortoise Shell and Purple Paradise
Date Started Stitching: August 11, 2011
Date Finished Stitching: August 13, 2011
Date Finishing Completed: August 20, 2011

I am anxiously awaiting the new Blackbird Designs book, "A Schoolgirl's Work Samplers from Museum of Art". It should be here tomorrow.

Have a great weekend and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Stitch-A-Longs

2011-08-23T15:17:00.010-05:00

I am now involved in 2 stitch-a-longs. First there is the hardanger-a-long that I have been doing. I received the 5th installment (of 6) last week and just finished it today.

I was a little nervous for this part, I hadn't done the Edelweiss stitch for many years and I only did it once in a class. I am thankful I had the best hardanger teacher ever! As I was doing it, I could hear Marie walking me through it. If Marie was still here today, I probably would have been paying her a visit! Anyway, I did enjoy doing it and am pleased with the outcome. There is only 1 installment left on this piece. I'm thinking it will be the edging.

I joined Carol's (iStitch) stitch-a-long and completed the 1st installment. I am using 40 ct. ivory linen with Thread by Nina, "Romance". I love it so far.

I did have another finish this week. It is called "Americana" by Workbasket. Thank you Edgar!

I did the companion piece to this, "Landscape" about 4 years ago.

It was about time I finished the 2nd one. I will be ordering frames for these eventually.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Retreat 2011...Flamingos

2011-08-13T22:58:00.024-05:00

Our annual retreat was this past Tuesday through today at my friend, Joan's house. Our theme was flamingos.

The first day, Tuesday we did the finishing on our group project. We stitched a square for each of us from the LHN Diary Series.

This is our friend, Chris, who participates in our group project and comes the first day for the finishing.

We always exchange goodies which is great fun and this year was no different. Here is the goodies that I gave everyone. I also gave everyone a flamingo pin made with Swavorski crystals. I had hung mine in my van so it didn't make the picture.

This was from Joan...

These were from Lori...

These were from Jackie...

And from Cathy...

Cathy was only able to come for a little while on Thursday night, Friday morning before work and after work. She donned the flamingo hat after a day at work.

Here are the projects that I worked on. First, I got caught up on my Hardanger Stitch-a-long.

Then I stitched up this patriotic piece by Sam Sarah.

I then started "Peacock Pinkeep" by Blackbird Design. I did almost all of the stitching at retreat. When I got home today and finished the stitching and then began the finishing process. I need to get some chenille trim yet so I am only showing the top of this piece.

Here are a couple of the special treats we had. Cake from Sam's club...got to love that! And, virgin Pina Colada's...YUMMY!

My kitty missed me so much and once I got settled in back home, he could finally relax. He was out like a light!

Well that's it. Another retreat come and gone. Lots of stitching and too much food!

Thanks for visiting and happy stitching!

JillMN

Plenty and Grace

2011-08-06T17:55:00.004-05:00

Plenty and Grace
Primitive Traditions
36ct. Antique White linen
DMC threads
Date Started: 5/14/2011
Date Finished Stitching: 8/4/2011
Date Completed: 8/5/2011

I am so excited to be finished with this piece. The pattern calls for Belle Soie (16 of them), I changed them all to DMC. Our (dh & I) house is in the middle with initials and date, our parents' house are in each side and above our parents' houses are our siblings respectively. We each have 5 siblings so it turned out nice and balance! Since we only have 1 son, I added him below our house. This was a very fun piece but alot of stitching!

I never would have sought out to get a blue frame for this piece, but I love how it brings out the lighter colors. Very happy!

Since I was going throught the framing exercise for the above piece, I decided to see what I could do with my Soar Sampler.

Again, I would never have sought out to get this color of frame, but I love it. And, it is purple! This picture is not going to be so great but I am very happy with it.

I am getting ready for our annual retreat next week, Tuesday through Saturday, at my good friend, Joan's, house. Our theme this year is Pink Flamingo's. I am trying to figure out what I want to stitch on...good thing I have a couple of days! Currently I am working on my Hardanger HAL project. I will be going through my stash to find some treasures!

I just signed up to participate in the iStitch SAL Mystery Sampler. It will start on August 13. That should be very fun also.

That's it for now. Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

TUSAL

2011-07-31T20:45:00.004-05:00

I had to graduate to a larger jar. The one on the right that is partially in the picture is my old one.

JillMN

Soar...

2011-07-28T13:57:00.009-05:00

a sampler inspired by a family of eagles living in Iowa that captured the hearts of America.

When this pattern came out I wasn't smart enough to get one right away and since she only sold 100, I was too late. When I started seeing the finished pieces on blogs, I knew I had to have it. I put out a yell to see if anyone would sell, trade or borrow the pattern. Vonna kindly offered to borrow me her pattern. I was delighted.

Her pattern came in last Friday's mail and I quickly pulled the threads (DMC, yeah!) and some 30ct. white linen, in which I dyed black. It turned out great.

By Friday evening I was well on my way with this project. I love how it turned out and truly enjoyed stitching it.

I finished it yesterday afternoon. I haven't decided if I am going to frame it or make some kind of a hanging.

Soar
Designed by With thy Needle and Thread
30ct. home dyed black linen
DMC as charted
Started on July 22, 2011
Finished on July 27, 2011

When I checked with Vonna about mentioning her name in my blog I learned that there are quite a few people that would like to borrow the pattern. I guess I'm not the only one that missed the boat.

Thank you again, Vonna, I really love this piece.

Happy Stitching,
JillMN

Some Finishes and a PIF

2011-07-18T16:04:00.012-05:00

2011 Ornament #3

Little House Needleworks
32ct. coffee dyed linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 7//8/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 7/10/2011
Date Finished Completely: 7/10/2011

Winter Delivery
Blackbird Designs
28ct. Cranberry Bog linen
GAST and DMC
Date Stitching Started: 7//11/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 7/12/2011
Date Finished Completely: 7/18/2011

Thistle House Sewing Box
Blackbird Designs
30ct. cream linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 7//15/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 7/17/2011
Date Finished Completely: 7/18/2011

I received my PIF from Suzanne. It is Prairie Schooler Carnations. It will look great in my pink basket, which is what she had intended. Thank you Suzanne!

Early Saturday morning we had about 5" of rain in a relatively short period of time. Here are some pictures of the park that is behind our house.

It took quite awhile for all of that water to disappear. Now we are in the middle of a Excessive Heat Warning with a temperature of 98 and the heat index is 112. YUCK!

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

What to Work on Next

2011-07-11T10:25:00.007-05:00

In previous posts, I mentioned starting something new and finishing some fair squares.

I had received some gorgeous squares for the Fair Square Round #23 from Kim V. They have swavorski crystals on them and are beautifully stitched. I finally finished them up.

This next piece, I had started some time ago but I did not like the thread I had chose. I had to rip it out and started again with a different thread. So its a new start to me.

This is With My Needle's "Mrs. Waddelows Huswif" stitched with Belle Soie Creme de Menthe on 32ct. French Vanilla linen. I am so happy with it. Now I have to go find 6 different fabrics so I can finish it.

Last Friday, I received the 2nd part of Mamen's Hardanger-a-long. Yesterday I finished it.

There is a total of 6 parts to this and they come out every 2 weeks. If you love hardanger, go to Mamen's blog. She does gorgeous work.

Now, to the title of this post. I always have to kind of "re-group" when I finish something before I go on to the next. This time it is taking particularly longer. I am just not sure what I want to work on. I'm sure the problem is that I have way too many things to choose from.

I am starting to see some of the finished "Soar" Samplers. I am now kicking myself for not buying this pattern, she only sold 100. I would be interested in borrowing, trading or buying one if there is anyone out there that would be interested.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Because Pink DOES Matter!

2011-07-05T10:59:00.007-05:00

You may have read on earlier post of mine that the "pink" blog I was posting on was deleted without any notice. I was angry, frustrated and disappointed. Disappointed because I have lost all those postings I did to honor my friend, Shari. So be it. I am moving on.

I am announcing the start of a new "pink" blog called,
In the Pink. Please go over there and see. I would welcome anyone that would like to participate.

As to why that other blog was deleted, I say:

Whatever
Lizzie Kate
36ct. white linen
DMC 600, 603, 898 and 4180
Date started: July 4, 2011
Date completed: July 4, 2011

I am going to do a little finishing today I think. I have some Fair Squares I really need to finish.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

JillMN

R-E-L-I-E-F...

2011-07-03T22:53:00.005-05:00

...and I am not referring to anything about the weather or rolaids!

This, is relief:

This is our group project which we will put together at our annual retreat in mid-August. There are 6 of us so we are stitching 1 square for each of us. I added the year on my square. We will be making cubes out of these. I can't wait. They should be very cute!

I think I shall reward myself with starting something new tomorrow!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

4th of July

2011-07-02T11:36:00.000-05:00

July 4th
by Breanna Stewart
28ct. remnant
DMC #797, #666 and white / 3 strands
Date Started: June 28, 2011
Date Finished: June 30, 2011
Pattern found here

Have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend.
I plan to do lots of stitching!

JillMN

Tusal

2011-07-01T11:32:00.004-05:00

My tusal runneth over!
I think I need to find a larger container.

JillMN

A New Start

2011-06-27T19:55:00.007-05:00

Over on the blog that shared the pattern for this hardanger basket that I made, I saw that she was having a HAL (Hardanger-a-long). She does very beautiful pieces so I decided to join in. She sent me the first part in very detailed instructions and graphs. Very nicely done.

I didn't have any 32ct. really other than white or cream so I asked my stitching bud, MamaJoan if I could obtain some from her. She came through with flying colors for me.

This is the first part. I'm not sure on the color of the linen, but the perle cotton is #3042 and matches very well.

I think I need to start doing more hardanger. I had a bad case of the frogs while trying to accomplish this. I had to rip out 3 different times. :(

On my last post, I forgot to share one more finish.

Halloween Rules
Lizzie Kate
32 ct. coffee/tea dyed linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 2/12/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 6/10/2011

I am going to finish this as a bellpull. I want some kind of wrought iron hanger with some cute halloween fabric I think. I will probably have to wait until the halloween stuff comes out in a few months.

I want to give a "shout" out to one of my stitching buds, Chris. Last Friday was Chris' last day of work...she is officially (finally) retired now. Chris doesn't have a blog (she should) but she does LOTS of beautiful pieces of needlework. Chris is always upbeat and can really get our group charged up! Congratulations Chris! Enjoy your retirement! :)

That's all I have for now. I really want to start something new but I should work on some of the pieces that I already have going. We'll see. :o

JillMN

What I've Been Up To. . .

2011-06-20T16:44:00.010-05:00

One shouldn't wait so long to blog because it takes that much longer to get caught up. Sometimes blogging seems like such a chore. It can be so time consuming and I would rather use my time to be productive.

Anyway, this first piece I stitched for my husband's niece, for her high school graduation. I loved how it turned out and I think she will too. I know her mom will like it!

"ABC Lessons"

Lizzie Kate
32ct. English Rose Linen
DMC #3041, #987, #3687, White, #938
GAST Evergreen, Nina's Threads Caribbean
WDW Whiskey, Crescent Colors Secondhand Rose
Date Stitching Started: 5/20/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 5/27/2011
Date Finished Completely: 6/6/2011

This next piece, is the Blackbird Design that is in the current issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework (July 2011).

"Land of the Free"
Blackbird Designs
32ct. Coffee Dyed/Baked remnant
Use same substitutions as MamaJoan except Swamp Water instead of Bark
Date Stitching Started: 5/28/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 5/20/2011
Date Finished Completely: 6/6/2011

I am trying to do some Patriotic pieces and did manage to get a couple done last week.

"God Bless America"
Lizzie Kate
32ct. home dyed red linen
DMC white, 3820 and 3750
Date Stitching Started: 6/12/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 6/13/2011
Date Finished Completely: 6/13/2011

"Uncle Sam Zippie"
Bent Creek
28ct. Straw/Gray Graziano
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 6/14/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 6/14/2011
Date Finished Completely: 6/14/2011

I have also been working on some items for our annual retreat which is fast approaching in August. Our theme this year is Pink Flamingos...FUN! I won't be able to share these until then.

I started a new sampler, Plenty and Grace by Primitive Traditions. This is charted with Belle Soie--16 of them. That is just a little more than my stitching budget these days so I am substituting good old DMC. I am stitching it on 36ct. count with 1 thread. Here is how far I am.

I love the concept with this sampler, kind of a family history of sorts. Because we only have 1 child, I am going to add him also. This will take me awhile, but I really am enjoying it.

For almost 3 years, I have been stitching pink and blogging on "When Pink Matters", tributing my good friend Shari, who passed away in May 2009 of breast cancer. I went to the blog today as I forgot to enter my last couple of pink stitches only to be saddened by finding out that this blog had been deleted. What? Angry and disappointed am I. I was about the only one posting on there but I had quite a tribute going. If only I was given a heads up I would have "captured" my postings somehow to save them. I will have to start again somewhere else, I guess. :(

That's all I have for today. Hopefully it won't be as long for an update next time.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

TUSAL

2011-06-01T12:12:00.001-05:00

June Tusal...

A Couple of Smalls...

2011-05-11T16:32:00.000-05:00

I decided to take a break from the larger projects that I have going now and do a couple of quick things.

Gathering Basket
Blackbird Designs
32 ct. Lambswool Belfast
My own colors - GAST & DMC
Date Stitching Started: 4/30/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 5/2/2011
Date Finished Completely: 5/2/2011

Pendibule

Manka Blogja
mankaminta.blogspot.com
32 ct. Pink Belfast
Belle Soie Boysenberry/#8 DMC #818 and White/
#12 DMC #818/Waterlilies Ice
Date Stitching Started: 5/10/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 5/11/2011
Date Finished Completely: 5/11/2011

I just love this one. Thank you for sharing your pattern.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

JillMN

TUSAL

2011-05-03T16:34:00.001-05:00

William & Catherine

2011-04-29T11:26:00.007-05:00

Was everyone up and excited like me early this morning to watch the Royal Wedding? I was up at 2:30 a.m. and watched and loved every minute.

To remember the beautiful day, I decided to stitch up A Right Royal Miniature Wedding Sampler by Kincavel Krosses. I started at 3:00 and by 9:00 I had this.

After a little nap, I finished it as this pincushion.

A Right Royal Miniature Wedding Sampler
Kincavel Krosses
40 ct. Lambswool linen
GAST Napa Valley Grape
Date Stitching Started: 4/29/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 4/29/2011
Date Finished Completely: 4/29/2011

I hope others enjoyed the wedding as I did.

Have a great day!

JillMN

Winning!

2011-04-27T12:14:00.007-05:00

That is how I feel right now.

I was one of the winners of Amy's giveaway. I won prize #3 and it just arrived in today's mail.

3 packs of Sampler Threads. Luscious! I will have lots of fun using these.

This is a special edition kit from Mosey and Me. Very cute!

I am so excited to have won these items. Thank you Amy!

JillMN

Fair Squares and a Finish

2011-04-25T15:08:00.013-05:00

I participated in Round #23 of the Fair Square. My partner was Kim. Here are the squares I stitched for her.

This designed is part of a larger design by Midnight Stitching called, A Quaker Floral. The fiber is a Thread Gatherer Silk 'N Colors "Spring Froche".

I received my squares that Kim stitched and the are just stunning. I know this picture won't do it justice.

These are so beautiful...I just love them. The peacock was a freebie at www.BirdCrossStitch.com, the letters and the little peacock came from Homespun Sampler's "Pollygaton" and "Patience". The fibers used are GAST Avocado and Dried Thyme; WDW Mulberry and Grape Ice; and Kreinik #4 #5740 and #015. PLUS Swavorski crystals. I took a closer up photo to give you a better idea.

I am trying to figure out what kind of finish to do for these. I want them so I can look at them! Thank you Kim!

And here is my new finish...

Hardanger Basket
carpacar.blogspot.com
28 ct. linen from stash
#8 and #12 DMC Perle #712, #8 DMC Perle #3041
and #12 Valdani Color P10
Date Stitching Started: 4/5/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 4/25/2011
Date Finished Completely: 4/25/2011

This was so fun. I hadn't done any Hardanger in quite awhile. It was good to get back into it.

Thanks for visiting. Have a great day!

JillMN

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T07:27:00.002-05:00

Worth Sharing

2011-04-18T16:57:00.003-05:00

In case you didn't see this. Yesterday on CBS Sunday morning, they did a story on England's Royal School of Needlework.

TUSAL

2011-04-03T22:05:00.002-05:00

Wrapping up March

2011-03-31T19:39:00.008-05:00

Well, here it is, on the eve of April. I see that as being good and bad. Good...maybe winter is FINALLY over. I am so looking forward to warmer weather. Bad...where does the time go? It seems like it is going faster and faster.

I didn't get as much stitching done this past month as I would have liked. However, I did finished some other projects.

My friend, MamaJoan, had a birthday last week and I knitted her this shrug.

Joan loves shrugs and this is her favorite color. I am very pleased with how it turned out!

And, just today, I finished an afghan that I have been working on.

Yes, this is for myself. I had seen a similar one in the Macy's ad before Christmas and had to have one.

What I am Working On Now...
Last week I started The Victoria Sampler's Heirloom Stitching Sampler. For the most part, I am not using the fibers as charted. I am substituting fibers from my stash.

This piece is quite large. I put this aside for awhile to work on some other things.

I also am working on With My Needle's Mrs. Waddelows Huswife. This is the 3rd time I have started with one. I had a hard time finding a fiber that I was happy with.

I think I finally found a "winner". LOL! This is Creme de Menthe Belle Soie.

Oh yes, another sign of warmer weather to come. Today was opening day of major league baseball. I am watching my 4th game today. Tomorrow our beloved Minnesota Twins make their debut in Toronto.

Thanks for visiting. Have a great weekend.

JillMN

A Red Stitch

2011-03-24T20:37:00.006-05:00

I heard from Caroline that she received my HoE Stitch Red for your Heart exchange.

"Button Button"
Erica Michaels
40ct. Ivory linen
DMC #115
Date Stitching Started: 2/5/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/7/2011
Date Finished Completely: 2/23/2011

I also included a few goodies. Here is a picture of them inside the box.

I started a new project yesterday ...one that I will be working one for quite awhile. I will share later this weekend as I am not very far right now.

Have a great weekend and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Triangular Sampler Pillow

2011-03-21T22:38:00.011-05:00

front

side

back

"Triangular Sampler Pillow"

CA Wells
30 ct. Antique White Linen
Fibers: Silk 'N Colors Nightcrawler Dance;
DMC 145 and 3790.
Date Stitching Started: 3/12/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 3/21/2011
Date Finished Completely: 3/21/2011

While stitching this, I realized how much I miss this type of needlework. I really enjoyed this one. I have a few more CA Wells' pieces to do...someday.

Today I received my HoE Stitch Red for your Heart Exchange from Sandra.

She stitched me a very pretty piece by Chantal Jordon de Jura Point de Croix called Ange Coeur (Angel Heart).

She also sent me some great goodies. Fabric, ribbon and needles. These are a great addition to my stash and will be well used. Thank you Sandra!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Stitching Pink

2011-03-18T14:02:00.006-05:00

"Sweet Heart"
Blackbird Designs
28 ct. Pink/White Riviera
DMC as charted with GAST Pink Azalea
Date Stitching Started: 3/5/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 3/7/2011
Date Finished Completely: 3/12/2011

Elisa posted on her blog some items she wanted to trade. One of them was this.

I was lucky enough to trade some fibers I had in my stash for this. I do already have the scissors. I can't wait to stitch this up!

Have a great weekend and Happy Stitching!

JillMN

TUSAL

2011-03-04T14:58:00.004-06:00

Here is my TUSAL for this month.

JillMN

Welkome Spring?

2011-03-02T18:23:00.006-06:00

"To My Daughter"
Blackbird Designs (Thank You Sarah Tobias)
36ct. Coffee and Tea dyed/baked linen
GAST--Daffodil, Spring Grass, Poppy and Morning Glory
Date Stitching Started: 2/24/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/27/2011
Date Finished Completely: 3/2/2011

Yes, this piece is really called, To My Daughter, but I don't have a daughter so I am calling it Welkome Spring! I did not use the GAST colors that it called for because mine weren't bright enough. I substituted ones that were brighter.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my Lo, How a Rose. I appreciate them.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Lo, How A Rose

2011-02-28T19:11:00.007-06:00

"Lo, How A Rose"

A Cross-Stitch Christmas: Celebrations in Stitches
(Better Homes and Gardens)
32ct. home tea-dyed linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 2/10/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/21/2011
Date Finished Completely: 2/28/2011

I did have another finished but it was for the HoE Red Exchange. Once I hear it was received I will share it.

Have you seen this?
I saw this over on Nina's blog. I am trying to stitch from my stash and have been very good, but I might have to cave in to this. I really like it. Plus, it is available in a pdf! Which makes it cheaper and faster!

That's it for now, thanks for visiting and happy stitching!

JillMN

This Is So...

2011-02-17T20:04:00.006-06:00

ADDICTING!

I started this last Saturday and just could not put it down...kind of like a good book? I'm not a reader so just sayin'. It is so cute! It is Lizzie Kate's "Halloween Rules". I am using a 32ct. piece of coffee/tea baked linen with DMC as charted. This is as far as I can go until the next 6 designs come out. Love it!

I also love this next piece. My friend, Jackie (no blog), gave me the pattern and fibers for my birthday. I finished it last week.

"Pumpkin Harvest Candle Mat"

Prairie Grove Peddler
30ct. Park City Blend Linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 2/8/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/9/2011
Date Finished Completely: 2/10/2011

Thanks for stopping by...Happy Stitching!

JillMN

National Red Day and More Ornaments

2011-02-04T13:41:00.010-06:00

Today is National Wear Red Day! This is to raise awareness of the No. 1 killer of women. Go to American Heart Association for more information.

Please visit my Stitch Red for the Heart blog and I would encourage you to join.

More Ornaments. . .

"Cardinal Winter"

Little House Needleworks
30ct. Natural linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/31/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/3/2011
Date Finished Completely: 2/3/2011

"Candy Cane Wishes"
Plum Pudding Needleart
32ct. Natural Lite linen
DMC as chart
Date Stitching Started: 2/3/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/3/2011
Date Finished Completely: 2/3/2011

"The Merry Skater"
Little House Needleworks
32 ct. Twilight Blue Belfast linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 2/3/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 2/3/2011
Date Finished Completely: 2/4/2011

If you haven't stitched this Merry Skater yet, be careful. The stitch count that is printed on the pattern is incorrect which also makes the approximate size printed incorrect. Aaaargh!

JillMN

TUSAL

2011-02-03T19:14:00.004-06:00

Here is my TUSAL for this month. You may notice, I have a different vase. 2 days after last month's post, I broke the one I was using. Hopefully this one will be returning next month!

JillMN

Home of a Needleworker

2011-01-31T14:39:00.006-06:00

"Home of a Needleworker"

Little House Needleworks
32ct. Country Cream Belfast
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/25/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/31/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/31/2011

This was such a fun piece to stitch. Even though the house is kind of large. I love how it turned out.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

More Finishes

2011-01-27T13:05:00.007-06:00

"Liberty House"

Ewe & Eye & Friends Needleworks
32 ct. Natural Lite Linen
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/23/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/23/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/27/2011

This is for the patriotic finishes that I am building up. I would like to have a "patriotic room" or at least 1 wall eventually.

"Friendship Sampler"
Birds of a Feather
36ct. home tea-dyed Linen
Fibers as charted
Date Stitching Started: November 2010
Date Stitching Finished: 1/22/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/27/2011

I absolutely love this piece! I don't know if there was ever a piece that I enjoyed more than this one. I think it is the colors. This picture will not do it justice. It is much better in real life. Thanks to my good friend, Joan, for the frame that turned out to be just perfect.

This piece I did sometime ago, obviously, it kind of got misplaced. It is "Jenny Bean Sampler" from Shakespeare's Peddler. My dad always called me Jilly Bean so I changed mine. This is my first pinkeep as a round. I thought it was going to be alot harder than it was.

I am so happy with all of these finishes. It is such a great joy (and sometimes relief!) when a piece is completely finished.

I started a new project the other day, "Home of a Needleworker" by Little House Needleworks. I knew I have had this in my stash for quite sometime, but when I saw the copyright was 2003, I felt a little embarrassed. Yikes! It's about time I stitch this one up. Here's my progress so far.

Well that's all I have for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Winter Scissor Fob

2011-01-20T10:00:00.007-06:00

"Winter Scissor Fob"

Lizzie Kate
28 ct. Bone Lugana
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/16/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/16/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/16/2011

This is the last one of this series and probably my least favorite. I wish at least the scissors would have been blue and white.

I have been steadily working on my Friendship Sampler and have made great progress. I just of about 2/3 of the bottom section left. I really love this piece and am anxious to finish it and hang it up!

Have a great day and happy stitching!

JillMN

Still Rolling...

2011-01-16T10:16:00.017-06:00

I was going to be more diligent in posting and already it has been 2 weeks since the last one. I would rather post 1 or 2 items as it is less time consuming...I would rather spend most of my time STITCHING!!!

I have enjoyed seeing all of these "Challenge" projects get started the past 15 days. I had to chuckle earlier, when I say a post titled "And On the 16th Day I Shall Rest". LOL!

Before I went to Joan's last weekend for our retreat, I completed my first ornament for next Christmas.

"Tiny Tidings XIV"
Lizzie Kate
28 ct. remnant
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/3/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/3/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/6/2011

Isn't this just too cute? I used a larger bead on the edge of this one. I wanted it to have some ooomphf! I just love you it turned out. I will be making several of this one...I already know who will be getting one next Christmas!

We had a very wonderful and relaxing retreat. All of the girls were able to come during the 3 days. It was great to get together. I did stitch a Pinkeep Drum but have not done the finishing yet. I taught Joan's youngest daughter how to knit and ended up knitting a headband that she had wanted as it was a little advanced for a beginning project. She caught on very fast and made 2 scarves in 2 days. She was alot of fun!

Joan made me a pouch for the LHN Winter Wonderland. Last fall there was a quilt shop hop up here and she got some special fabric made for Minnesota that is used on the inside.

So, this past week I dug out my pattern and completed this pouch.

"Winter Wonderland"
Little House Needleworks
28 ct. Natural linen
DMC as charted
plus DMC #161, 433 and 935…3 strands.
Date Stitching Started: 1/14/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/15/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/15/2011

When I was getting ready to go to Joan's house, I unearthed an old project that I did 10 years ago. It is a memory catcher. You probably remember these from your younger days. I did mine like a family tree.

This is the top of it. It has our wedding information on it.

When you open up this first layer, you see my husband's parent and my parents with their birth and death years. Mine is all finished now as I added the death years for my parents and my husband's mother.

When you open it up again, which makes it flat, the corners contain our grandparents. In the center, I put our birthdates, my son's info and a special verse about a son.

We did this as a group project and it was ALOT of work. I think the designer was Mary Vanderbee? Not sure. I love it but would never do another one.

I made a little something to thank Joan for the wonderful weekend at her house. She received it yesterday.

"Friendship Sampler"
Goode Huswife
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/11/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/13/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/13/2011

I had to tweak this a little bit to get our initials in it. Plus, I added the buttons, which were from my mom's stash.

Well, I think that is it for now. Today is more football and stitching! Love it.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

JillMN

Blessed Beyond Measure

2011-01-05T14:07:00.007-06:00

I completed another project today. This is a pocket for a stitch starter. A stitch starter is to aide you in finding your stitching starting point on a piece of fabric. This pattern came with one.

There is 5 different designs included in this pattern. It was a no-brainer as to which one I would stitch.

Front

Back

"Blessed Beyond Measure"
Blue Ribbon Designs
32 ct. Lambswool Belfast
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/3/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/4/2011
Date Finished Completely: 1/5/2011

Since I have one of the widest letters in my initials, it was off-center in keeping the motif aligned with the one above so I added a small heart button next to the date.

I am on a roll and having fun! Bonus--just found out that my friend, Joanus and I are going to have a mini-retreat this weekend! Lots of stitching to be done!

Thanks for visiting. Have a great day!

Happy Stitching to All!

JillMN

TUSAL

2011-01-04T16:12:00.003-06:00

I decided to join in on the TUSAL (Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long) this year, which is hosted by Daffycat.

All you have to do is collect your orts in some sort of glass jar and post them on your blog on or about each new moon.

Here is what I have collected as of today.

Clara's Skating Sampler

2011-01-03T09:49:00.011-06:00

Clara's Skating Sampler
The Sampler Girl

32ct. Antique White Belfast Linen--tea dyed
DMC as charted
Date Stitching Started: 1/1/2011
Date Stitching Finished: 1/2/2011

Date Finished Completely: 1/3/2011

Out With the Old and In With the New!

2010-12-31T22:22:00.008-06:00

Tomorrow starts a new year. Time for some changes in my stitching. For the past 3 years, I have had a year long project that I worked on monthly; still been involved in a fair amount of exchanges; and setting monthly goals. Not this year. 2011 is going to be more “freestyle” stitching for myself.

Yesterday I went through my stash to pick out pieces that I really want to get done…quite a pile. I started with a handful and got them all ready to go. I will still stitch pink and red pieces and probably work on Christmas things throughout the year, but am going to really focus on my stash.

I am currently working on Birds of a Feather “Friendship Sampler”. 2 of my stitching buds, Joan and Cathy have done this piece already and it is so beautiful.

I really love the colors. I am almost done with the border.

I am going to keep my New Year’s Day tradition going though. I have always started a new project on this day. Tomorrow I am going start “Clara’s Skating Sampler” by The Sampler Girl. I have had this for quite awhile and figured this was good as time as any for this piece as we are in the middle of yet another winter storm!

Thanks to all my readers and for all the comments throughout the year. I appreciate them.

JillMN

Lots to Share

2010-12-27T21:15:00.028-06:00

Now that Christmas has passed, I can share some of the things I have been stitching.

First, my friend Cathy, had a birthday. I made her something I had wanted to stitch for a very long time.

It is a "cotton wagon" and was in an old Just Cross Stitch magazine, I think 1996. Cathy does quite a bit of hardanger so I thought she would enjoy this.

Ornaments...
I made a few ornaments for Christmas this year. This first one was for my son. Last year I made him a set of 12 and will make one every year out.

This is from the 2010 Just Cross Stitch ornament preview issues. My friend, Joan, made this and I thought it was so cute. My son liked it too!

This next ornament I made was for my good friend, Viki. We have known each other all of our lives as we grew up next door to each other.

This is in the same magazine as the above ornament. It turned out very cute!

This last ornament is for my godson (nephew), Jacob. I make him an ornament every year. I stitched the Lizzie Kate 2010 Santa. Here is what it looked like after the stitching was complete.

I stitched it as charted and thought that it might just be a bit too big for the traditional square ornament. I got a little creative, as creative as I get, and came up with this.

I sewed some Christmas fabric to the ends, sewed up the side seam stuffed alot and tied ribbons on. I was very pleased with the turnout.

Exchanges...
I had a personal exchange with Kathy A. in which I posted what I received earlier. Here is what I sent her.

Kathy collects nutcrackers so I went with that as my theme. Here is a closeup of the scissor holder I stitched.

This is a freebie pattern from DMC. I used my own fibers though.

This past year I participate in a seasonal exchange on the Stitching Friends Through the Seasons blog. Winter was our last season. Karen D. had my name and I had Faye R.'s name. Here is what I sent Faye.

I stitched the Lizzie Kate 2010 Snowman and finished it as a pinkeep.

The knitted piece is a coffee wrap to keep your coffee nice and hot!

I put everything in the snowman tube, wrapped it in plastic and mailed it. I thought it would be such fun to receive it that way.

I just received my exchange today. Karen knows me quite well and really spoiled me. When this exchange started I had requested Shepherds Bush designs as I didn't have as many of them as I would like. All 4 seasons she delivered.

This is so cute! I just love it.

Karen also sent me some linen, a purple needleminder which she made, magnets, a frogging tool, an ort catcher (which she also made), a purple sock with lots of candy canes and the Recipes for a Cure cookbook that the Attic Needlework sold (which I really wanted!). Thank you so much Karen, for all my exchanges. You fulfilled my request quite well.

Last but certainly not least, I was one of the winners of the new fall line of fabrics from Blackbird Designs. I received them in the mail today.

These are just beautiful! They are going to make very cool pincushions. Thank you Blackbird Designs!

Well, I think that is it. That was alot. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T10:38:00.002-06:00

Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

2010-12-18T22:12:00.004-06:00

I just put the final stitches in my CaHRH. I started this on January 1 and completed 1 block per month. Whew! I am sooooo happy to be done with this project.

I am very happy with it but glad to be done. This was the 3rd year in a row that I did a year long project...not next year! Next year is definitely going to be stitching for ME!

Have a great rest of the weekend.

JillMN

Getting Back in the Groove

2010-12-05T22:36:00.016-06:00

I have had kind of a hiatus from my usual stitching the last month or so. My good friend's mom became very sick and then passed away on Thanksgiving. I spent quite a bit of time with them. I grew up next door, so I have known them all of my life. Being out of work, I am glad I can be there for her during all of this.

Then, last Wednesday, I was opening a can of soup for lunch and got distracted. My finger got a little to close to the lid.

An afternoon in the ER and 5 stitches later. I have to wear this until next Saturday, which is when the stitches will come out.

I did manage to completed Block #11 of my CaHRH.

Now I only have 1 block left. I am very excited to get this complete.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I had a private exchange with Kathy A. I received her package last week. Kathy sent me all kinds of wonderful goodies. I don't know specifics of the pieces she made as she forgot to include a note.

Lots of my favorite things...peacocks, pink things for my pink basket, needles, pretty thread and a few small bags. Kathy did a great job. I love it all. Thank you Kathy!

I am trying to get some Christmas gifts and a few birthday gifts done now. I won't be able to share these for awhile.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Review of November's Goals
*1 Pink Stitch - DONE
*1 Red Stitch- DONE
*Block #11 of CaHRH- DONE
*1 Christmas Ornament- DONE
*1 Christmas Gift- NOT DONE
*Start a new Stitch for Me- DONE

December Goals
*1 Pink Stitch
*1 Red Stitch
*Winter Exchange
*Block #12 CaHRH
*At least 1 ornament

Well, I think that's all I have for now. Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:52:00.000-06:00

One Year

2010-11-16T09:42:00.005-06:00

It is hard to believe that it has already been one year since my mom passed away. I think about her all the time and miss her alot.

Here is a picture of her when she was quite young--probably in her early 20's.

Mom
September 16, 1928 - November 16, 2010

This would have been approximately 1948. I don't think they had color photos back then.

JillMN

Pink and Red

2010-11-05T20:32:00.006-05:00

I was able to do my pink and red stitches for November these past couple of days. For the pink stitch, I did Blackbird Designs "Buttons and Blooms For The Cure". It is stitched on 28 ct. Pink Carnation Linen with DMC, Weeks and GAST.

It turned out quite nice and doing the button hole in the center of the one flower was very fun!

My red stitch is one of the Stitch Your Heart Out designs. It is "The Heart is the Spirit of the Home" by Homespun Elegance. It is stitched on 32 ct. home-dyed (coffee/baked) linen with DMC as charted except the red, I used Weeks Mulberry.

I'm off to gather up my next project!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Hello November...

2010-11-02T13:41:00.009-05:00

Well, here we are, another new month. Time seems to go by faster and faster.

First, I need to review my goals for October--
*Block 10 of CaHRH -- DONE
*1 Pink Stitch -- DONE
*1 Red Stitch -- DONE
*Winter Row -- DONE
*Christmas Ornament -- DONE

Those along with the knitting I did, I got quite a bit done. However, I have LOTS to still do! LOL!

November Goals
*1 Pink Stitch
*1 Red Stitch
*Block #11 of CaHRH
*1 Christmas Ornament
*1 Christmas Gift
*Start a new Stitch for Me

That's enough for this month.

* * * * *

I received a lovely birthday gift from my friend, Cathy.

Cathy made me a lovely peacock pinkeep. It looks like a very dark, rich purple. I love it! She also gave me a purple thread winder. YAY! I am kind of collecting these. It makes a great addition to what I have collected already. Thank you Cathy.

* * * * *

Yesterday I went through my "stash" and pulled several projects that I have wanted to do. I pulled threads and fabric so they are ready to stitch. One of them was this:

This is the Shepherds Bush 2005 Fob. I stitched it on 32ct. Park City Boulevard with the threads as charted except I stitched the hive with Weeks Tiger's Eye. I did the finishing this morning. I thought it looked pretty good with this Premax scissors.

Now I am going to start my pink stitch!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Catching Up...

2010-10-26T17:27:00.018-05:00

Well, today is the first day that the "S" word was used in the weather forecast. :( I am NOT looking forward to winter. It is a bit chilly here with rain and very strong winds so far today.

I finally received notification that my pumpkin exchange for the tiny treasures blog was received. It went to Liz in the Netherlands.

This is from the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue. It is Jack O' Lantern by Casey Buonaugurio. The pincushion is stitched on 30ct. Carrot linen, over 2 threads. The fob is stitched on the same linen over 1 thread. I used the DMC as charted. They turned out very cute.

* * * * * * *

My red stitch for October, is the new freebie from La-D-Da, One Two. I stitched it on 32 ct. linen with a Threadworx thread.

This was a very quick stitch and fun!

* * * * * * *

I also finished block #10 of my CaHRH. I know this picture won't do it justice, but I think this has to almost be my favorite.

And NOT because there is a cardinal in it! LOL! The pine needles really add alot to this square. I had to unearth my hoop for this. I am so anxious to finish this piece. The next block is completed solid.

* * * * * * *

Last Friday I went to Joans for stitching with the girls. I got there around 3:00 and told them that I was probably going to leave by 6:30 so I could get home to watch the baseball game. Well, to my surprise they had a little birthday celebration for me. Needless to say, I didn't get home until about 10:00. What could be better for dinner than chips and enchilada dip AND cake and ice cream. Yum! I also received some very nice gifts.

Lori game me these lovely scissors.

I did not have these but I have looked at them several times at my LNS. Thank you Lori!

Jackie gave me a pumpkin candle mat pattern, for my new pumpkin kitchen, with the floss, a pumpkin, a candle and a Just Nan peacock pin.

I am anxious to get this stitched up. Thank you Jackie!

Joan gave me one of her famous bags made from Blackbird Designs fabric and the Just Nan Peacock Needle Slide.

You gotta love those bags. Thank you Joanus!

Thanks to all of you girls for the great food and gifts. It was a very nice surprise.

In the mail, I got a birthday surprise from my friend, Lynn.

Lynn made me a very cute Prairie Schooler ornament which I just love. It even has a cardinal in it! She also gave me the LHN pattern and the fibers to stitch it up with. Thank you Lynn!

I am so lucky to have such good friends. Some I have not even met! I am so grateful for all of you.

Now I need to work on an exchange which slipped my mind, AGAIN!

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

Gertie

2010-10-21T16:02:00.003-05:00

Right after I started knitting, I saw this pattern and knew that I wanted to make it.

This is by the Sampler Girl. I found this banding in my stash and that it was perfect--less finishing! I used the DMC as charted but had to substitute most of the overdyes, as I didn't have them. I picked up this basket at Joann's at 60% off and it was already lined! Love it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

JillMN

Halloween Greetings

2010-10-16T15:22:00.006-05:00

I received my squares from Lenna for the Fair Square Halloween Round. They are so beautiful!

The design she stitched is from the Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch. It is a Plum Street Samplers design, which I love. However, she switched up the design and fibers a bit which fit me better.

I just love what Lenna did with the design, especially the peacock!

Lenna stitched this on Cobblestone Belfast linen 32 ct. She used a silk over dye (Peacock) Waterliles for the peacocks and Butternut Squash for the half moon. She has never been fond of pineapples so she put a half moon in it's place cause she has always collected and loved half moons. Come to find out on her name crest, (for her maiden name), one of the symbols is a half moon. She used Sassy Strings hand dyed floss in Golden Promise for the crown, Weeping Willow for the 2010 and the flower petals. CC Muddy Puddle was used for the sheep's body. A more carroty color was used for the pumpkin mixed with the Golden Promise. Golden Promise was used for the legs and head. The purple and orange are from Lizzie Kate's Boo colors that she did her name and Waco, Tx. with.

They are just perfect for me. Thank you so much, Lenna!

JillMN

I Have Been Stitching!

2010-10-13T20:01:00.013-05:00

Even though I have taken up knitting, I am still stitching. LOL!

Lenna received my Halloween fair squares that I stitched for her.

I stitched Homespun Elegance's "Boo Tyme" with one of Nina's Threads called Punk. I thought it turned out pretty cool!

I stitched up a cute little freebie pincushion for my October pink stitch.

This is stitched on 30ct. WDW Almond Bar with Needle Necessities #632. I love how this turned out. Pink with brown is yummy!

I also stitched and finished the new Sampler Roundy from Shakespeares Peddler.

I stitched mine on a piece of 32ct. something from my stash. I used the Weeks as charted except Cherry Wine for Cranberry and I just used black floss. There is no color change in the Black WDW so I don't see that necessary.

I just finished mine as a pincushion and am quite pleased with it.

All of the buttons used in these pincushions were from my mom's button stash.

* ----- * ----- * ----- *

I do have one knitting finish that I must share. What cross stitcher doesn't love a cool tote bag?
I tried my hand at making a felted bag. Here is a picture after the knitting was done.

And here is a picture after the felting process.

Your knitted piece reduces approximately 30% after felting. This was so much fun and I will definitely be doing this again.

I have an exchange that has been somewhere out there in the mail system for 2 weeks. I sure hope it isn't lost.

Happy Stitching!

JillMN

September Catch Up

2010-10-02T13:08:00.010-05:00

I'm a little late in posting this but better late than never, right?

I participated in a Pumpkin themed exchange over on the Tiny Treasures, too blog. I received my exchange from Melissa last week.

Melissa had stitched this very cute needlebook (over 1) for me when she learned that I had requested something non-holiday related as I was adding pumpkins to my kitchen. So, she also stitched this for me.

She used the same pattern but stitched in my favorite color and made this trivet! This turned out great as I plan to bring in purple into my kitchen also.

* * * * *

Along with my red stitch this month, I decided to knit my pink stitch also. I made this cute little bag that has the breast cancer ribbon on the front.

This was very quick. The yarn I used was a special pink yarn that Michaels and Joanns had as part of a whole display for breast cancer.

Goals...
Review of September goals--
*Block #9 of CaHRH -- DONE
*1 Pink Stitch -- DONE
*1 Red Stitch -- DONE
*Autumn Exchange -- DONE
*Halloween FS -- DONE

October goals--
*Block 10 of CaHRH
*1 Pink Stitch
*1 Red Stitch
*Winter Row
*Christmas Ornament

I think that is it for now. I am going to get my stitching out now and watch the rest of the Twins game. Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Don't Forget...

2010-10-01T03:48:00.002-05:00

CaHRH--Block #9

2010-09-27T13:45:00.004-05:00

I finished up block #9 of my CaHRH yesterday.

I really love that church. Only 3 more blocks to go!

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

Hagatha's Hat

2010-09-24T20:02:00.005-05:00

I have always stayed away from Just Nan's designs. There are just too many fiber colors and sooooo putzy. However, when I went to my LNS last week, her new design, Hagatha's Hats caught my eye. There is 2 hats pictured on the front of the pattern, a purple one and a orange one. It tells you on the back which one is in the package. Be watchful of this. I, of course, got the purple one.

This is just way too cute! The picture on the pattern nor the picture here does not do it justice. This was great fun...even thought it was putzy.

2 things that I really appreciated about this design. It uses good old DMC floss--no fancy fibers. The other is the fact that the finishing instructions are wonderful. They are very clear and concise. No questions.

You can't see too much of it but I did get a small pumpkin at Joann's for this hat to sit on. I love it!

Now on to my next project. Not sure what that will be!

Have a great weekend!

JillMN

Checkers Anyone?

2010-09-22T16:01:00.007-05:00

Check this out! One of my stitching buds, Chris...who doesn't have a blog, made this and I thought it was just too cute. I had to have one.

Isn't that just adorable! It measures 1" x 1". It is stitching on 40ct. silk with DMC and is a freebie pattern from Kreinik. You can get it here. There is also a backgammon board however, I don't even know how to play backgammon so I wasn't interested in that. Of course, Chris, had stitched both.

I went to Joann's to find something that I could put this in to finish it off. This is what I came up with.

I am very pleased with how it turned out. I have to admit, I really had fun stitching this. I had only stitched on 40ct. silk once before, many years ago at a Spirit of Cross Stitch Festival. I think I might have to do it again!

Have a great day!

JillMN

Autumn Exchange and Updates

2010-09-20T17:04:00.018-05:00

Autumn is our 3rd season in the Friends Stitching Through The Seasons exchange. Karen D. has my name and today I received her package. It is gorgeous!

Karen stitched "Scatter Pumpkins" by Shepherds Bush and finished it as a flat-fold. Believe it or not, this is my very first flat-fold. I have never even made one myself it. I absolutely love it!

It is so beautifully stitched and finished. Karen also sent me some very useful goodies.

Alot of my favorite things here, love it all! Especially the purple little gems. I didn't have a purple one yet! LOL!

Thank you Karen!

I have Faye for this same exchange. She received my package last Friday.

I stitched a pumpkin from Prairie Grove Peddler. It turned out very cute.

This pumpkin was so fun to make. The stem is even real! It came from my niece's backyard!

Here is the rest of the exchange I sent Faye.

CaHRH Update...
I continued working my block #9 yesterday and here is my progress.

I just have to finish the church. I should have no problem wrapping up this block next Sunday.

September's Red Stitch...
If you have been reading my blog, you know that I have started knitting. I decided to do my red stitching this month out of knitting.

This is awesome! It keeps your coffee cup warm!

I think that is it for now. Lots on TV tonight. Baseball, football and some new season shows. Great stitching time!

Have a great night!

JillMN

Another Scissors

2010-09-16T08:29:00.005-05:00

The long-awaited, highly anticipated "Sonia" Gingher scissors are out. I got mine yesterday.

They look pretty much like the pictures I had seen on the internet previously. Not too much variance on this one.

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Today my mom would have been 82. Her first birthday she's not here happens to be on a Thursday, her favorite day of the week. She called Thursday's "maids day off". She cleaned on Tuesdays and Fridays and did laundry/ironing on Mondays and Wednesday. So on Thursdays she usually went "bumming", aka a trip to the knitting store. LOL! Happy Birthday Mom! I miss you lots.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

JillMN

CaHRH Sunday

2010-09-13T11:32:00.003-05:00

I am trying to work on my CaHRH on Sundays. Here is my progress on block #9 from yesterday.

This block is not nearly as solidly stitched as most of the previous ones. Hopefully this one won't take as long.

I have already baked a cake this morning and I have a pot of beef barley soup on for dinner.

Happy Stitching :)

JillMN

More Knitting

2010-09-10T21:54:00.005-05:00

I finished my 2nd knitting project last night. It is a wrap that you can wear around your head when you put your hair up or around your neck.

I just love the colors in this yarn. I have to admit, that was fun to knit and went pretty fast.

I started another dishcloth last night and finished it up this afternoon.

I love hand knitted dishcloths...can't have enough.

I am enjoying knitting but am still stitching too.

JillMN