Memorial Weekend

In the spirit of this weekend, I decided to stitch up this little patriotic piece. And I just happened to have a frame in my stash that worked. A very fun and fairly quick stitch.

Glory House
Chessie & Me

36ct. Antique White linen

DMC's I chose

Date started stitching: 5/26/12

Date finished stitching: 5/27/12

Date finishing complete: 5/27/12

Staci, wthe daughter of my good friend, Shari, who passed away 3 years ago from breast cancer, is getting married in July. I attended her bridal shower last weekend and found out that her wedding colors are pink and camouflage. A little different but it is fun to be different. I had already decided to stitch Bent Creek's Wedding Row for her and it would work great to stitch them in her colors. I decided to start it earlier in the week so I could have it done when a framing coupon came out. I finished it on Friday.

I made my own camouflage thread by dyeing a brown DMC variegated in Apple Green. It turned out perfect and I love how the sampler turned out. I think they will love it!!!


Well, I am going to go get another project to work on. I hope everyone is having a great weekend and getting lots of stitchy time in.


JillMN

What I've Been Up To

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

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

Quick Update

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

End of 2011

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

Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

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

Weekend Stitching

Yesterday I had kind of a busy day--including going to see Toy Story 3, which is a great movie. I didn't get to stitch much yesterday either :(

However, I was quite productive over the weekend. First, I finished my 6th CaHRH square.


I really love this block. There is alot going on. Here is how it looks now--half done!


On Friday, my friend, Joan and I had a full day of stitching including a trip to our LNS. We both purchased the Lizzie Kate Summer Fob 2010. Joan did hers right away on Friday but I did mine over the weekend.



I love this design! Since I bought the Spring one I have to continue with the others, right?

On Sunday, I started something new. Summer Snappers. I have had these for a long, long time. I do have winter done though.

I have a few errands to do this morning and then some stitching for me.

Have a great day!

Yes, I Have Been Stitching!

I haven't posted too much lately as I was working on a birthday gift for my friend Joan. We just got home today from a very fun Birthday Stitching Retreat for her. It was absolutely wonderful! Here is the birthday girl her very self.


Joan, you were such a great sport--thanks!

Here is what I made for Joan.


I had asked Joan's daughter to "steal" a few things from her stash for me as I wanted to stitch something for her. I picked this hardanger piece as it had been quite awhile since I did hardanger and was excited. I actually taught hardanger some years back at one of the best LNS' that ever existed.

There were 7 of us at the retreat and we were all quite productive. I stitched the following 2 items and started another.


This is "Sew Peacock" by Carol @ iStitchaholic. Of course I had to do it in purple. It is Belle Soie Elegant Eggplant, stitch 1 over 2 on 40ct Antique White Linen.


Here is the 2nd thing I stitched--Block 3 of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow. I am really enjoying this piece, 1 square a month.

It was a very fun weekend and I look forward to our next retreat!


Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments on Hearts Left Behind and my Spring Exchange. I appreciate everyone who visits my blog.

Have a great week!

CaHRH

I just finished Block #2 of Christmas and Run Hawk Hollow. This one took longer that I had thought it would. I am happy with how it is turning out though.


I will be back later to do my goals. Where did February go?

Have a great day!

A New Year and More

I just heard from Michele that she received the Christmas Fair Squares I sent her. It is a freebie from Just Cross Stitch called "Vinney Ornament".



It is stitched on 32ct. Little Boy Blue Linen with DMC as charted. I knew that Michele loves Reindeer so I thought this was a cute one to add to her collection.


Well, I had to keep up with my tradition of starting a new project on New Year's Day and this year I chose Christmas at Run Hawk Hollow. Here is what I started with on New Year's Day. I am using DMC and stitching on 32ct. Lambswool Belfast linen.



Here is what I have done as of today.



I am going to stitch 1 block a month. I have so many other things I want/need to do also.


Now...I am a little tardy on my goals.

DECEMBER GOALS
Fair Squares Christmas Round - DONE
3 Christmas Ornaments- DONE
2009 Christmas Challenge (December) - DONE

I kept my December goals very simple as I knew I wasn't going to be stitching too much.

JANUARY GOALS
CaHRH Block 1
1 Pink Stitch
Start HoE Red Exchange
Finish Isa Vautier
Stitch 1 Gift




I did mail out my Blogoversary box of cotton goodies and according to the post office, it was delivered yesterday. However, I have not heard if it was received yet. When I do, I will share the contents.


Please check out a new blog that I started. It is Stitch Red for the Heart.


Tomorrow is my last day of vacation :( Back to reality.

Have a great week!