Linen and Thread

Brave and Faithful

2012-01-23T08:42:00.009-06:00

This sweet piece is from Little House Needleworks. It is one of the Scripture thread packs Diane put out a few years ago. I've loved the colors and verse on this since I bought it and finally stitched it up. It's done on 28 ct Lt. Mocha Cashel.

This dainty little piece was an afternoon project for me on Saturday. It is Shepherd's Bush "Brave One." It's stitched with silks, one of the many reasons I love Shepherd's Bush kits! It was hard to capture the daintiness of this piece so I photographed it from the side.

Until next time,

Model Stitching and a Gift

2012-01-17T10:45:00.004-06:00

First, I had the great priviledge of stitching another model for Nikki Leeman from Country Cottage Needleworks. "Our Love Nest" is such a sweet design and I really enjoyed stitching it.

I made my first ever floss tag for my friend Wendy Jo. Her birthday was last week and I know how much she loves patriotic designs. I stitched a freebie from Lizzie Kate (one of her favorite designers) and started the process. I must admit, I had to have my husband help me with the eyelet, it's so nice having a hubby that is a handyman! Anyway, it wasn't too complicated and I will probably do this type of finish again.

I am working on one of the LHN Scripture Packs now. I am almost finished with "Faith" and hope to have a picture of it up here in the next week or so.

Until next time,

First and Last

2012-01-02T15:57:00.010-06:00

I need to do some catch up here. Above is an ornament that I sent to Wendy Jo. It was a freebie from a blog. I changed some colors and didn't stitch the border on it. I sent a couple of other little things along with it, you can see what I sent on her blog. She sent me a lovely package shown below. That Lavendar Hand Scrub you see there is Wendy's own creation. It's a wonderful scrub, my hands smell so good and are so soft after I use it. Thanks again Wendy Jo! I love it all!
Below is a finish that I had back in the early fall, LHN's "Liberty and Justice." I want to finish this one as a pinkeep.
I had the great privilege to model stitch for Nikki of Country Cottage Needleworks. I stitched "Autumn Pumpkins." Such a fun autumn piece!

When I started the L*K Snowman below, I was going to give him to a co-worker. But as I progressed on him I liked him so much I kept him for myself. I used all the colors called for and fabric called for. He's such a cutie!

And now my first finish of 2012. I started this little L*K "Last Minute December Kit" a couple of nights ago. It's a really quick stitch and so festive.

Until next time,

Winter Blues

2011-12-22T13:18:00.005-06:00

The ribbon on this is actually a navy color, not black as the picture above looks. It's so hard to get a good picture in the winter time, by the time I get home from work it's dark outside. I stitched "Winter Blues" on an opalescent fabric for one of my co-workers this year. She has it hanging in her cubicle. This cute design was a freebie from Stitchy Kitty. I think he's just adorable all bundled up for the season. Winter has definitely come to Kansas. Parts of our state are buried in snow. We had some flurries this morning but nothing that stuck to the ground. Sure makes it feel like Christmas to have that nip in the air.

Merry Christmas to all!

Mary Garry Ornament

2011-12-09T10:44:00.003-06:00

I found out about Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin after she quit designing. I found I love several of her designs. They can get pretty pricey on ebay but I got lucky enough to find "Ice Skating Party" on a very reasonable buy it now. I've been wanting to stitch this cutie since then. I stitched her for my dear friend
Renee. I mounted it to a piece of acid-free mat board and then glued it to a piece of wood that I painted. I didn't put a hanger on it but one could be added very easily. This little cutie can stay out all winter too! I'm going to stitch her again for myself very soon.

Blackbird Ornament

2011-12-07T13:48:00.004-06:00

I stitched this ornament from the 2004 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue for a very dear friend. Knowing her fondness for Blackbird Designs, Christmas and crows, I thought this one was perfect for her. I tried a different finish for this one. I've seen this on various other blogs but had not tried it yet. I asked my Dad to cut a piece of wood for me and then I painted it black and varnished it. I mounted my stitched piece to some acid-free mat board and then glued it to the wood. I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

Ornaments

2011-12-06T11:03:00.004-06:00

I'll have some more posts in the next few days, but in the meantime, I wanted to show you the ornament that my friend Rita sent to me. It's a Country Cottage Needleworks design. I just love it! Thank you Rita! I'll share the one I sent out as soon as she receives it.

Until next time!

Finishes

2011-08-02T20:32:00.005-05:00

I have several finished to show. Above is the front side of the 2010 Shepherds Bush Fob. I just love that little sheep. Not sure how I'm going to finish this one yet.

Below you see one of the older Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers designs. It's called "Spring Fling." I used the floss and fabric that was called for in the pattern. I just loved the soft colors used in this one.

Finally I have LHN's "Snow White." I used the called for fabric (28ct Rosemary) and Belle Soie silk in the color "Icing."

I am almost finished with LHN's "Liberty and Justice" and will be posting a picture of it soon.

Until next time,

Summer

2011-06-25T14:43:00.006-05:00

Once again I have let a bunch of time lapse before I update my blog. It seems once May hits then life gets really busy. We have end of school functions, graduations, one child's birthday and DH's birthday. Then summer starts and the kids are going from one camp to another so my blog gets neglected. Luckily, today I found some free time and decided I was way overdue for an update.

At the end of April, Wendy Jo and I finally met up! Her and a couple of her friends made a road trip to Kansas to visit some quilt shops and cross stitch shops. I decided to try my hand at a tin topper. I've seen these finishes on lots of other blogs and decided that I could probably handle it.

I stitched a freebie from Carriage House Samplings and turned it into the top of the tin. On the inside, I a magnet on the top and some fabric on the bottom to hold a package of needles. Then I made a thread picker to go along with a scissor fob for her. I also made some sunflower scissor fobs for her friends to commemorate their trip to Kansas since the sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.

Wendy gifted me with a darling pin cushion filled with walnut shells. The back is so pretty, she used an antique repro fabric and she finished the sides with some rick rack that she dyed herself. Too cute! Thanks again Wendy, I love it!

I have a couple of other finishes to show you too, I hope to take pictures of them tomorrow after my daughter leaves for her mission trip. Right now, I have to go finish her laundry from her camp that she got home from yesterday!

Until next time,

Another Wedding Sampler

2011-04-12T15:35:00.004-05:00

I finished framing "Wedding Spots" by the Trilogy last night. I stitched this on 32 ct. Summer Khaki and changed a lot of the colors. Since the bridesmaids are wearing eggplant colored dresses, I used eggplant for the ribbon and the "I do" part. I used a charm for the rings instead of stitching them, think it worked out nicely. I am hoping to get some more stitching done on my BBD's "Spring Fling" and get a picture of it posted soon.

Until next time,

Birthday

2011-04-11T09:03:00.006-05:00

I have been so neglectful in getting an update done to my blog. I had a birthday about a month ago and Wendy Jo was kind enough to send me an awesome gift. She stitched a Pine Mountain Design and finished it into a darling pinkeep. She sent some yummy chocolate and some great fabrics and a scissor case. Thank you so much Wendy, I love it all! On the stitching front I have been working on another wedding design. Tis the season I guess. I stitched "Wedding Spots" by The Trilogy. I made some color changes and have finished it, I hope to get it framed in the next couple of days. I was lucky enough to find the perfect frame for it at Hobby Lobby so I can get it taken care of myself. Hopefully I'll get a picture posted soon. I've started Blackbird Designs "Spring Fling." It's such a pretty design, I've definitely got spring fever and the pretty pastel colors are just perfect. I'll get a picture of it posted soon too. Until next time,

Gifts and finishes

2011-02-17T13:34:00.006-06:00

I have finished a few things recently and thought I would share them with you. First and foremost, we were invited to a wedding this weekend and I decided I wanted to stitch a sampler for them. I couldn't find just the one I wanted so I improvised. I used Diane Williams' Simply Blessed Wedding Samplers and used bits and pieces from several different samplers to create my own. I framed it this afternoon, just in time for the wedding. It's stitched on a piece of 32 ct cream linen.

This darling BOAF piece is entitled "Love" and I stitched in on 40 ct. Tan Temptation from Sassy's Fabbys. If you've never stitched on her fabric before, it's divine! This was my first piece on 40 count and I promise you it won't be my last. I loved EVERY stitch of it. I'm going to do the other virtues - Honesty, Loyalty and Patience on this same fabric.

Wendy Jo had a birthday in January and I sent her the above package. She loves Lizzie Kate and I thought the sentiment was perfect for us, "Friendship Grows." Our friendship is indeed growing and I look forward to meeting her in person some day. Different things keep conspiring against our meeting but we are hopeful that in May we'll meet.

This little guy is a Heart In Hand piece. I stitched him just after Christmas when I was still in the ornament stitching mood. He's done on a piece of Summer Khaki linen.

I've started "Snow White" by LHN on the Rosemary fabric that the model used, such a pretty color. Hopefully, it will go quickly. My stack of things I want to do keeps getting bigger.

Until next time,

Ornaments and Gifts

2011-01-09T16:18:00.011-06:00

I haven't updated in so long I've almost forgotten how:) Here is what I've been stitching. In a Yahoo group I'm a member of we did an ornament exchange. I was to send to Renee and she sent to me. I stitched LHN's Glory to God from one of the 2008 JCS Ornament issues. I stitched it over one on 25 ct mushroom lugana. I finished it as a flat finish rather than a pillow finish.

She sent me TWO ornaments! I am so lucky!She did a beautiful job on them both. She did "Hope" from the Lizzie Kate 12 Blessings of Christmas series:

AND she sent me "Joy" by Angel Stitching from the 2006 JCS Ornament issue.

I love them both and they will grace my tree for many years to come. Thank you Renee!

One of the ladies I work with LOVES snowmen, so every year I stitch her an ornament. This year I chose "More Snow" by Val's Stuff. I stitched it over one on 25 ct mushroom lugana. I finished it as a hanging pinkeep.

One of my dear friends, Chamaine, had a birthday in October and I stitched LHN's "Wool Needlebook" for her. I changed lots of the colors and finished it on a green wool felt. I forgot to take a picture of it before I sent it to her so she was kind enough to take one for me. I stitched her initials and my initials on it.

When I was in Iowa, Wendy Jo and I tried to get together but unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. She ended up in the ditch in the middle of a blizzard and was stranded overnight in a High School gymnasium. I sent the package I wanted to give her when we met. This is what I sent:

I sent her some fabric, a snowman notepad and pin, a hockey puck from my son's hockey team (which is why we were in Iowa) and I stitched a ornament from The Sampler Girl "Dash Away All."

She sent me:

She stitched a darling ornament and finished it with a pipe cleaner! Such a clever way to finish something off. She also included some yummy candy and some Mary Engelbriet goodies and an adorable snowman magnet. Thank you Wendy!

I think that's it! Wow, it's been far too long since I posted, each time I think about posting, the phone rings or the washer finishes and I get sidetracked. Hopefully, I won't go so long until my next post.

Until next time,

For the Cure

2010-09-26T14:53:00.004-05:00

Every year, Diane Williams from Little House Needleworks and Lois from Elegant Stitch get together and design a piece that benefits breast cancer research. When I saw the one for this year, I immediately called Lois and ordered it. It's called "Remember Me" and it stitched up very quickly. If you ordered this and haven't stitched it yet, be aware that there is not enough of the floss included and you will need to call Lois, she has more in the same dye lot. The finish of this intimidated me for a while. I let this piece sit for quite a while before I attempted it. Once I got started though, it wasn't hard at all, it's just those beads that make it look a bit imposing to start. I love the colors in this piece and I love that it benefits breast cancer research.

Until next time,

Halloween

2010-09-26T14:35:00.007-05:00

I have been in the Halloween stitching mood lately. Here is Lizzie Kate's "Halloween" from "Halloween Thrillogy." It's stitched on Willow Green Cashel. I didn't want to spend the money on the sterling silver spider charm so I improvised and used a button instead. I thought it turned out cute.

Here is Sue Hillis's "Black Hat Society". It's stitched on an aida, I can't remember what the name of it was. I stitched it years ago and just now got around to finishing it.

That's all for now, I'll be back later with more.

Fall

2010-09-18T17:55:00.007-05:00

This Mary Garry witch is from one of the Seasonal Mementos patterns. I just think she has some great character. I'm thinking she's a good witch.

I did Lizzie Kate's "Welcome Fall" from Autumn Things then put it in this great pillow by Stitch a Gift. Thought it matched nicely. I did change a couple of the colors to more closely match the pillow. I have another finish, Summer Line Up by the Trilogy but I want to try my hand at making another pinkeep before I post it.

I've started another Lizzie Kate design too. I chose "Halloween" from Halloween Thrillogy. It's stitched on a great Willow green fabric. It's a fun design.

Until next time,

Summer Exchange

2010-08-21T22:28:00.005-05:00

I sent Wendy Jo's exchange out quickly because I wanted her to get it before she left for Denver and I forgot to take a picture of it. She kindly offered to let me use the pictures from her blog to show you what I made for her.

This shows everything that I sent her. Since I live in Kansas and the state flower of KS is the sunflower, I went with that theme. I made a pouch with a sunflower button, a sunflower scissor fob and included some other goodies in the pouch.

And I made my very FIRST pinkeep. I was so nervous putting this baby together, but it was MUCH easier to do than I thought it would be. This is an old L*K freebie that I did on a Silkweaver lugana. I thought it turned out pretty well, especially since this was my first pinkeep. I'll definitely be making more pinkeeps. They turn out so nice!

Until next time,

Giveaway at Blue Ribbon Designs

2010-08-21T20:45:00.001-05:00

Belinda at Blue Ribbon Designs has an awesome giveaway going on. Stop by and enter!

Model Stitching

2010-08-16T14:53:00.005-05:00

Early this year I got to stitch my first ever model. This model was for Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery. "Remember Me" was released last Friday so I can finally share with you what I have been stitching on. She bought a frame from a thrift shop and framed it herself. I think she did a lovely job on it. I can never find a frame that works just right for my stitching. Beth has designed some lovely samplers, check out her etsy shop or ask at your LNS. This one is stitched on 35 ct Weeks Dye Works Cappucino linen. It was a dream to stitch on, I'll have to check on getting some more of their linen.

Until next time,

Summer Exchange received

2010-07-29T10:08:00.004-05:00

Wendy Jo and I decided to do a summer exchange. This is the lovely package I received from her. I just love it all! She stitched the new freebie from Waxing Moon Designs "Summer is Sweet." She went with a watermelon theme and sent the cutest watermelon ornament too! It's just darling. She also made a scissor bag and sent a package of cute Mary Engelbreit nail files and some yummy Country Time Lemonade candy that my son has been stealing from me! I am still working on her package and hope to mail it soon. Thank you so much Wendy Jo! I love it all!

I have a few finishes to share at some point in time too. Hopefully I can update again this weekend.

Until next time,

Finishes

2010-05-06T20:44:00.003-05:00

Here is the finished piece of "Spring Violets" by Hands to Work. I did this on a piece of Shadow Cashel by Picture this Plus. I changed several colors and the shapes of several of the letters to make it easier to read.

I've been doing a bunch of sewing too and have several finishes in that regard. The above are by The Sampler Girl "Dash Away All." I've added a rusty bell to each one because reindeer should jingle when they dash away.

Up next is "Merry Winter" by JBW Designs.

This was a secret needle night kit put out several years ago by The Silver Needle. I've had him finished and in a drawer for several years.

Here is "A Very Merry Spring" by JBW Designs. I have the Summer and Autumn ones to do but haven't stitched them yet.

Until next time,

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T17:12:00.007-06:00

I am still alive and stitching! I have been very negligent in posting to my blog but I have been stitching. Here is an ornament from Country Cottage Needleworks that was in one of the JCS ornament issues. It was a Christmas gift for a coworker. She loves snowmen.

On New Year's Day I decided a new start was in order. This is "Spring Violets" by Hands to Work. I'm stitching it on Picture This Plus "Shadow" 32 ct Belfast. I've had to make some changes to some of the letters because they were hard to read.

Next up is another Christmas gift. This too was for a coworker who loves to shop for shoes. So what could be better for her than JBW's "Shoe Shopper." It's done on 25 ct cream Lugana.

This was my latest finish. Blackbird Design's "Union Forever" stitched on R&R Reproductions "Antique Cotton." The color doesn't show really well in this picture, it's a lovely linen to stitch on.

I hope to be back in a couple of days to update you on some other finishes that I've had in the last few months. I've got my sewing machine out and want to finish them before I show them to you.

Until next time,

Better pictures and a finish

2009-07-28T20:01:00.005-05:00

I finished my HIH "Liberty House Sampler" last night. I just had to sew the buttons on and I was done. I love this piece!
I was really bothered by the pictures on my last post so I took a couple of new ones. These are MUCH better:)

Enjoy!

Until next time,

Summer time

2009-07-26T19:40:00.010-05:00

I'm way overdue for an update. We've had a great summer so far between baseball games and a great vacation to the mountains, we've made some wonderful memories. We've also been busy doing some remodeling on the house.

On the stitching front I've finished several pieces.

I picked up my LHN "Be True" pieces from the framer. This picture doesn't do them justice, the frame is just perfect for this piece. One of these hangs in our bedroom and one of them is in my daughter's bedroom. I stitched this for her because I think it's particularly important for young women to be true to themselves. My DD is 12 and she loves it!!

I'm almost finished with HIH's "Liberty House Sampler." Just need to sew the buttons on and this one will be finished up.

I've also made some progress on my "Beatrix Potter" piece. It's such an enjoyable stitch. I took the picture in our bay window and the sun was peeking thru the trees.

While we were on vacation, I stitched LHN's "Stars and Stripes." I finished it 20 minutes before we got home. Good timing I thought:) I plan to finish this piece as a pillow.

I promise to try to update more often. I've got another piece to show as soon as I "finish" finish it.

Until next time,

Beatrix Potter progress

2009-05-31T21:28:00.003-05:00

I've made a bit of progress on Beatrix Potter this month. I am really enjoying this project!

Until next time,

ABC Pinkeep

2009-05-24T15:19:00.004-05:00

I finished this design by With Thy Needle and Thread called "ABC Pinkeep" on 25 ct Dublin Flax linen a couple of weeks ago and just took the time today to put it all together. I used the DMC the pattern called for. I need to make a tiny strawberry for this little bird to have hanging from his mouth but I need some more materials before I can finish it and I wanted to share him with you now.

Until next time, I wish you enough.

Spring Fever

2009-03-29T21:28:00.007-05:00

I've been stitching on Shepherd's Bush "Bulb" when we take hockey road trips. Our last road trip was supposed to be this weekend but we had snow and sleet so the trip was canceled. Otherwise, this would be finished now. I'll try to finish it in the next week or so and post another picture.

When the Nashville Market items came out in February I scooped up this Lizzie*Kate design called "A Chicky Easter." It came with the fabric and I used DMC on everything but the little chick. I used Weeks Dye Works in Squash for the chick. I also did the loop method on him and didn't stitch individual stitches as you should when using overdyed thread. I didn't want a striped chick.

I've made slow but steady progress on my Beatrix Potter piece. The true color of the linen is hard to capture, especially when you take a picture in the evening instead of the daylight. Here is my progress to date. I'm using Lambswool and Thread Gatherer Silk N Colors in Nan's Mulberry.

The last work in progress I have I purchased on Thursday. This is a brand new design by Little House Needleworks called "Be True." I loved this design the moment I saw it and e-mailed my LNS to ask them to hold one for me. It's stitched on 32 ct Natural using DMC floss.

Until next time,

Long overdue update

2009-02-26T21:20:00.007-06:00

Well I have made a little progress on Beatrix Potter, but not much. We've been very busy, it's hockey season and around our house that means lots of road trips. Plus we've had strep going thru the family so that cut into stitching time too.

Here's the latest progress of Beatrix:

I surprised my hubby with this pillow for Valentine's Day. It's from The Sampler Girl and it's entitled "My Everything." I changed the colors to make it more masculine looking and I used a plaid fabric to finish it with. I was very pleased with how it turned out.

I also stitched these two little ornies, haven't finished them yet, but they were a quick stitch. They too are from The Sampler Girl and are entitled "Dash Away All." The fabric in the picture will be the backing fabric that I use to finish them with.

I've got another WIP going right now too. It's by Shepherd's Bush and it's entitled "Bulb", no progress photo yet, but I'll have one next time. I hope to update a little quicker next time. Hockey season will be over soon so things will slow down a little bit.

Until next time,

Progress on Beatrix and a new start

2009-01-19T18:57:00.005-06:00

I have been working on Needleprint's Beatrix Potter for almost three weeks now. It's done on 28 ct Lambswool using Thread Gatherer Nan's Mulberry. I'm loving the color variation of the silk, it's so soft and pretty.

I decided that I needed that feeling of a finish so I started this little ornament last night. Tanya at Sampler Girl is having a special, with any purchase you receive her Inauguration Day Sampler. I loved the sampler and have been eying this guy for some time so I used Pattern Mart and purchased it. I'm stitching it on a little scrap of linen that I had using the DMC colors it calls for.

Until next time,

Beatrix Potter

2009-01-04T19:20:00.004-06:00

I am participating in a stitch along this year. I began this project just after midnight on January 1, 2009. Hopefully, it will be finished before the year is over. I am stitching this on 28 ct Lambswool with Thread Gatherer Silk N Colors Nan's Mulberry.

I had hoped to stitch a lot on it today too, but played Monopoly with the kids and took them to see "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler this afternoon. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a wonderful, feel-good movie to take the whole family to. I highly recommend it!

Until next time,

Final Finish for 2008

2008-12-31T23:13:00.003-06:00

I have one final finish to share with you in 2008. This little guy is the same one that I did for Renee in our ornament exchange on the Bent Creek Yahoo! group. He is from Homespun Elegance and is entitled "Rejoice." I liked the one I did for Renee so much I decided to make it again for our tree.

I will be starting a new project tomorrow, Needleprint's Beatrix Potter on 28 ct lambswool using Thread Gatherer Silk 'N Colors in Nan's Mulberry.

Happy New Year!

Until next time,

Another gift

2008-12-29T19:34:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite gifts this year was one I gave my daughter. She had spotted the pattern and fabric at a quilt store in my Grandma's hometown at Thanksgiving. I purchased it when she was with me and told her that I probably wouldn't get to it until after Christmas. I spent a few late nights sewing and managed to surprise her with her gift on Christmas morning. She was thrilled! This is a Lazy Girl Designs pattern. I had never used any of her patterns before, I have to say she has great instructions. I will use another one of her patterns someday.

Until next time,

Gifts and giving

2008-12-29T14:10:00.016-06:00

I love to make gifts for people. This Christmas I gave several, very special gifts to very special people in my life. I made this pin cushion from a freebie design at primitivebettys and gathered all the little sewing accessories from various places and gave it to a dear friend. I enjoyed gathering all the little items so much I think I'm going to make one for myself.

Here is a picture of the finished product:

I belong to a couple of Yahoo! groups. In the Bent Creek group we do an ornament exchange every year. This year I had Renee and made this ornament for her.

I work with a gal that LOVES snowmen. So I stitched up this adorable little guy for her for Christmas. She has him on her desk at work so I can visit him sometimes!!

I was also part of a 12 days of Christmas exchange. I had Milly's name and these are the things that I made for her:

This scissor fob (the charm is a pair of scissors)

This pin cushion is an old freebie. I filled a muslin pillow with crushed walnut shells, then I finished it crudely so it could be used as a pin cushion to keep the needles and pins sharp.

Anyone who knows Milly knows she loves Prairie Schooler santas. So when I got her name I knew immediately what one of her gifts would be! This little freebie was really fun to stitch and finish.

I will be posting a picture of a purse that I made my daughter later on.

Until then, have a wonderful day!

Creating

2008-12-26T11:20:00.001-06:00

I've decided to take the plunge and begin my blog. This is something I've been thinking about for some time and finally decided to take the time to try it out. I'll try my best to keep it current. I intend to use this blog to show my projects. I love cross stitch and dabble in a little jewelry making and sewing.