Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a very happy new year! May this year be filled with many wonderful things.

Pictures

Here are the pictures of my Christmas exchange from Fair and Square. My partner was Clare and she stitched this wonderful Santa.

This is my completed Country Cottage Needleworks - Peppermint Lane. I really enjoyed stitching this. I had some fabric I will have to look and see what the brand is but I bought it in a big piece when my LNS went out of business. It is a pink shade with marble effects. I really like it with this design.

The pictures are not the best. I really need a new camera. I used my mom's but she hasn't emailed them to me yet. I might load her pictures if they turned out better. I have a fussy little 4 year old so I am going to have to stop blogging and see to him. He went to the doctor today and has an ear infection. I wanted to make changes to my blog but I guess I am going to have to do that later.

Finishes

I have completed 3 projects in the last 2 days! Yeah. I have had time off from work for the holiday's and it has really paid off. I completed Country Cottage Needleworks Peppermint Lane, Plum Puddings freebie Fa La La, & Little House Needleworks Blessed are the Pure in Heart. I will post picture tomorrow since I ran out of time tonight.

I need to throw something in the bag to take to work with me so I can stitch on my breaks and lunch. I want to stitch SanManOriginals "Darn kids" which is a very cute snowman. I have a couple of small stitches that I hope to complete a freebie from Lizzie Kate "Let it Snow" & "Favorite time of year". I have a pile of options mostly snowman related and a few Valentine stitches to complete and have ready to decorate for Valentines Day.

I have been looking at blogs today and reading the 123stitch message board. It always motivates me to stitch when I see what others are stitching on. I hope everyone had a great day.

Has it been that long?

Where does time go? I just can't belive my last post was September. I started working over time at work and this is the first week I didn't have to do that. I have been stitching but not as much as I wanted to. I stitched my Thanksgiving & Christmas exchanges and sent them off. I will post pictures of them as soon as I upload them. I am currently stitching Country Cottage Needleworks Peppermint Lane I will take a work in progress photo of that. I had some really pretty fabric that I picked up at my LNS when it went out of business and it goes very well with the colors. I am also just finishing up Plum Puddings new freebie. I love snowmen. It is very cute. I will try to post the link but it is on their website. I am also working on a couple of crocheted scarves for Christmas presents. One I need to finish today or tomorrow. There is nothing like last minute gifts. I made a fat quarter tote and I am going to put the scarf inside. Okay I don't want this to be too wordy but I am going to make an effort of posting each day. I hope everyone is well. I have so missed posted but have been keeping up with reading others blogs. It is very inspiring.

Autumn Square Exchange

These are the blocks that I received from my partner Lisa during our Autumn exchage on the Fair and Sqaure blog. She did such a wonderful job stitching them. They are so small & delicate. I think I will finish them into a cube.

Computer virus....hate them!!

I hate viruses! I had so many I can't even count. So while the computer is getting fixed I bought my daughter's mac from her and I am able to get online again. Yeah! However, I am still learning how to do the pictures. She has a different program than me. So I am trying to figure out how to upload the pictures.

I finished my Fair & Square round 8. And until I can post a picture you have to believe me they are beautiful!! I love LHN and she stitched me a new design I didn't even have! I hope to get a picture tonight but the camera keeps making it look to washed out. So I have not been happy with the pictures yet. I am still trying to get a good one.

I am working on my LHN neighborhood also. I have to tell you it is so big a design but I am so enjoying stitching it. I will post a work in progress pic when I can.

I am starting my next exchange it is a halloween theme. I have so many patterns for halloween I just need to decide what to stitch for my partner.

All the working overtime is getting in the way of my hobbies. the only good thing about working so many hours is listening to books on cd. I have listened to 4 books in 1 1/2 weeks. The book I finished today was Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. It is a great book. I love how every story had twists all through it keeps you guessing. I highly reccommend it. Well I am off to work on loading pictures. Hopefully I can come back and post some tonight.

Finished Tinkerbell

I have the most wonderful lady who takes care of my almost 4 year old son. She was sent to us by God. Obviously we think the world of her. She asked me to stitch these stamped cross stitch pillow cases for a room in her house that is decorated for little girls in Tinkerbell decor. Well...anything for her. So I have finished the first pillow case. I don't usually stitch stamped cross stitch but I told her I would. Here is a picture of the finished pillowcase.

I am still stitching on my LHN Two Red Houses. I am almost done with it. I hope to be done with it this week. I am also stitching another Fair & Square exchange for round 8. On top of all of this we are in mandatory overtime at work. Yeah & yuk! Hate loosing my weekends but can't complain about the $$. We are going to a new system next month so we have to get the inventory out of the old system hence the over time. I have stash that I want to share. And a picture of a new addition to our family. However, I have a 3 year old (4 next month) who is wanting his evening bath. Have a wonderful evening.

Been Stitching

I have been stitching away. I started and finished Little House Needleworks Stars & Moon.

I then started and almost finished with Blessed are the Pure in Heart stitch pack. I don't know why the picture is so fuzzy. All I have left is the border hopefully that picture will be clear.

The other stitching I have been doing are for my exchanges on the Fair & Square blog. I have mailed the 4th of July squares so I will post a picture once she has let me know she received them. The other squares I have been stitching are for a current exchange so I can't show those either. Those squares are going all the way to Belgium! I have so enjoyed stitching for each of these ladies and look forward to future rounds. If you haven't checked out the Fair & Square blog now is a great time. There are plenty of rounds to sign up for.

This is my exchange from Chantal she is from Belgium. I love what she stitched for me and I really love the pincushion she made me. I have it next to my sewing machine. I will take better pictures of it tomorrow.

This is my 4th of July exchange from Michele in WA. She stitched the best patriotic squares. The goodies she sent are the best. There was the towel which I have hanging in my kitchen, Floss Liberty, buttons, ribbon & the cutest tin.

Stitching & Quilting

I have been spending time this week and last stitching on my piece for my Fair & Square partner on the 4th of July exchange. I can not show a pic until she has received it. I already have another partner for my Round 7 exchange and have been searching for a pattern to stitch. I really like this exchange. If you are interested in joining follow the link in the side bar.





Sewing. I have one finished quilt top and started another for my youngest son. I love sewing. I have a couple of kits I want to cut out and sew up. My mom is shopping for a quilting machine. So by the time she gets one bought I should have plenty of quilts to try out her new machine.
This is some Debbie Mumm fabric I picked up and found this pattern in a quilt magazine.


Off to stitch! Happy Stitching/Sewing everyone.

Finally a finish

Here is my latest finish. I stitched this for my MIL but then my husband asked me to stitch another one all in pink shades to match the fabric. So I guess this one is mine. I haven't decided how to finish it yet.

Besides stitching I have been quilting. I have one quilt ready to be quilted and binded and another one cut out and ready to sew. I have really enjoyed looking at all the quilt blogs out there. I love looking at all the quilts people make. And even those who are talented enough to design their own quilt patterns to sell.

I also signed up for Fair and Square and am stitching my first set of squares. It is an exchange. I will add a link to the side for those who are interested in it. You stitch a 50 x 50 stitch count block of the round and then the other has your name stitched on it. The first one I am stitching is for the 4th of July round. I am very excited about this experience. You should see all the wonderful squares that have already been exchanged.

Melon finish

This is a chart by Glory Bee. I found this while digging for patterns and loved it. I already had a fat quarter that will go perfectly with it. I am thinking about making it to a pinkeep but since I have never done that I am not sure. I have been reading tutorials trying to convince myself that it is going to be easy to make. This was a very fast stitch I did change the color of the letters to match the fabric. Now to find a little time to finish it.

I am still working on my LHN Brave Hearts. I am half way on it and it is fun to stitch. I will post a WIP pic of it tomorrow. I also need to pick a chart for the LHN SAL. I have everything to start Curly Q. Ewe. I just can't decide from the list which one to stitch.

No blogging

I have not been blogging since February. I have been spending all my free time with my dad. He had congestive heart failure for over 10 years and then last year we found out he had a blood disease and couldn't make enough red blood cells. We have tried different treatments and nothing seemed to be helping. Then in March he feel for the first time. He seemed to be getting better and then a week later he fell again. He was admitted to the hospital and 10 days later went to be with Jesus. I am so glad I had taken off from work and spent that time with him. I appreciate the time and cherish it. It is very hard to go on without him but the suffering had gotten so bad and it was terribly heartbreaking to see him that way. I love him deeply and will remember him in my heart forever. I am so numb. I feel like I am on the outside of my body watching everything going on. There are bad days....Easter weekend was very hard for all of us..and then days we can get through. It has been hard to stitch again but now I am finding peace with this. It is actually helping me keep my mind off dwelling on the loss. I don't mean to go on and on I just wanted to express where I have been.

Feeding the birds

With all the ice all over everything the cardinals really stand out. They sing all day long. Such a beautiful picture I found on our local television viewers page.

Life without electricity

After receiving more than an inch of ice we have been without power for 3 days. It would come on go off and come on again and go off only it was off more than on. This is not our first ice storm we had one in January 2007 but I really couldn't tell which was worse. All I know is I really LOVE electricity and never want to live without it again! It is really hard to stitch in the dark.

As of today everything has melted of the trees and roads....the only thing left are piles of ice on the side of roads and parking lots. We have a chance tonight for a little freezing rain but it is very slim. They are mostly calling for lots of rain.

Tomorrow I am going to the LNS to spend my Valentine money. That's right I pass on flowers and accept money to be spent on cross stitch. I can't wait to get to the shop and add to my stash. I do have a few finishes but they post will have to wait for tomorrow. I guess I could also post whatever I pick up tomorrow.

I ordered some patterns and threads during the superbowl which were great sales but I have yet to recieve them. I am so anxious to have threads so I can start my LHN SAL for this month.

I am very thankful for getting through this ice storm. It is not much fun sitting around in the dark wondering if the lights are going to come on or not....or if they will stay on. I feel for anyone going through this. Tomorrow is going to be a better day.

Another snowman finish

I didnt get to stitch much on Sunday...but that is okay. I did get to stitch last night and finished this one late. The scan makes it look a little lighter. I am going to finish this one into a small pillow I found some fabric that will look nice.

This is by Lizzie Kate January Flip it stamp. I used DMC thread and a piece of evenweave. I have two more by Lizzie Kate I am going to stitch. I hope to get them all stitched & finished into pillows for my basket.

I love snowmen!!

Snowman finish

This is the Flip it Bits "A Bit of January" by Lizzie Kate. I used DMC threads and a piece of linen. I picked up this fabric last summer not sure what I would do with it but loved it. It is by Buggy Barn. I love snowmen and January is my birthday month. I made this one into a little pillow. I waited to stuff it so it would scan better. Now I am going to go stuff & sew it shut.

The other WIP I am working on is another Lizzie Kate Flit it January stamp. I hope to finish it today or tommorrow night. I am going to take it with me today to a family lunch and hope to stitch while I watch the kids play. It is another snowman.

SanManValentine

Here is the SanManOriginal I have been working on. I had almost completed the stitching last night when I realzied I was off and the last "S" wouldn't fit. So tonight I ripped out all of kisses and restitched it. I used white 32 count linen with a DMC varigate thread. I already had the material for the back it has pink & red hearts all over it. The pink hearts pull out the variagation in the thread. I love Valentines Day and hearts. This is such a cute pattern and very fast stitch...if the frog doesn't visit!

Final post tonight

Another Lizzie Kate! I really love this one. The colors are so wonderful. I stitched this on a piece of evenweave from my stash so I am not sure of the name. I picked up a bunch of fabric when my LNS went out of business this last summer. I also used DMC floss to stitch it. I have the cutest fabric with penguins all over it for the back. I just can't decide if I should finish it as a ornament or small pillow.

That is all the photos for tonight. This is what I have been stitching the last few months when I wasn't blogging.

I have the best SIL in the world. She has seen a chart that I have from Waxing Moon Design called Welcome to the Nuthouse. I am going to stitch it for her as a surprise. I will post a picture of it later.

Now off to stitch on my SanManOriginals message board valentine ornament. I should be able to finish it tonight. If I do finish it tonight I will post a picture tomorrow. I already have the fabric for the back that will match the colors perfectly.

Off to stitch!!

Final finish for 2007

This is Dear Santa We've got Cookies by Lizzie Kate. I used linen from stash and DMC floss. I found this cute fabric last year. I don't know if you can tell but it has the cutest little gingerbreads all over it. Lizzie Kate is one of my favorite designers.

Recent finishes

This is an ornament from JCS Christmas ornament magazine. It is by Angel Stitching.

I am trying to load 4 pictures but I am having issues with blogger tonight. This is one of the designs in the Lizzie Kate Tiny tidings XII. I stitched this on a ivory linen from my stash and DMC threads. I have the fabric to finish this into a small ornament or pillow. I just haven't decided how I want to finish it.

SanManOriginal Halloween Exchange

This is the little witch that I stitched in October for the SanManOriginals Message board halloween ornament exchange. I used sparkly linen piece from my stash. It was so fun to stitch and the colors were so bright. I say this about all of these charts but I have just enough fabric to make myself one.

Christmas Ornament Exchange

Here it is! I had so much fun stitching this little snowman. I love snowmen and I really hope the person I stitched it for loves it to. This is a snowman from Button up your Overcoat by 4 My Boys. I used dmc threads and a piece of linen from my stash. I am thinking I need to stitch one for my tree too. This was part of the SanManOriginal Message board christmas ornament exchange.

Not enough hours in the day

I want to so badly to spend more time blogging this year. Things are starting to settle down after Christmas but then everyone got sick. So we are now almost completely well and that helps with having more time. I have so much stitching to post. I am going to make it a priority to post to my blog. I need to upload my pictures and then I can post them.

Right now I am working on a Christmas exchange....I know that sounds funny but I was part of a Christmas ornament exchange back in December. A number of other stitchers never receieved an ornament so I signed up to stitch a ornament for one of them. I am almost done with the stitching and then I have to finish it into an ornament I hope to mail it out on Tuesday. I will post a picutre when I am completed since I don't believe the person receiving the ornament knows I am stitching it for her. I am stitching her a really cute snowman.

I also need to post a picture of my Halloween exchange and what I received.

Now off to finish my snowman ornament.

This is my Gingerbread House by Country Cottage Needleworks. I used a piece of lavendar linen from my stash to stitch it on and used DMC floss. It was a SAL from one of my yahoo groups. I really love the colors in this. It is so pastel and very pretty. Now I need to press it and put it in the frame.