CountingStitches

4th of July Exchange - Fair & Sqaure

2010-07-09T22:55:00.002-05:00

My Exchange partner was Jill F she stitched this design

Shepherd's Bush
Land of The Free

I love this design and she did a beautiful job stitching.
I will finish this into a little pillow to got in my
patriotic basket.

Thank you Jill for my wonderful squares!!

Patriotic Finishes

2010-05-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

LHN - Liberty and Justice

Lizzie Kate - Freedom

Long May She Wave

LHN - Stars and Stripes

Lizzie Kate - God Bless America

She's A Grand Old Flag

On a roll.............

2010-05-06T21:15:00.004-05:00

LHN January Block a Month

LHN Ornament a Month He's a Flake

CCN Let it Snow

LHN Snowy Pines

LHN Winter Sheep
I have made all of these into little pillows. I need to take a pictures of them.

I have to say LHN/CCN are some of my favorite designers.

Trying to post a finish

2010-05-06T21:03:00.003-05:00

I changed from a desktop computer to a laptop with different programs for pictures and I am still trying to figure out how to use the program and post pictures. It used to be so easy. It will be again as soon as I figure all this stuff out.

So this is my first attempt at post a finish.

Little House Needleworks

Ornament a Month

"Winter Sheep"

30 Count Straw linen from Weeks Dye Works

DMC threads

Back to Blogging

2010-03-22T19:21:00.003-06:00

I have been spending a lot of time with my family and not doing much of my hobbies. I recently have started stitching again. I have a few finishes that I hope to post in the next few days.

Right now I am working on the Sanmanoriginals SAL. It has all the seasons on it.

I am also stitching a bunny from By The Bay Needleart it is a freebie. I had to rip out a bunch since I was off on a couple stitches and his head was odd looking. He is a sweet little bunny.

Thank you for your prayers for our family.

A Time for Healing

2010-01-20T20:16:00.002-06:00

We lost our 14 year old nephew to suicide. So many questions that will never be answered. A pain so raw and severe that you wouldn't wish it upon your worst enemy. If....there are so many if's we had done this if we had done that. If we had a rewind button. If ............. I find comfort in the serenity prayer. I know God will get us through this. Prayer is what gets us through the day.

Gone too long

2009-12-13T20:11:00.001-06:00

I have been stitching just not a lot of blogging. I hope to have some pictures to show you tomorrow. Work is starting to slow until after the holiday's and I am very excited to have the week of Christmas off.

Prayers for our wound solider

2009-10-20T20:08:00.003-05:00

Please pray for my husband's cousin Stephen Marcum who is in critical condition. He was fighting in Afghanistan & they were attacked. A bomb went off near them & he was injured with part of his chin being blown off. He has a broken leg, both arms are broken, & his brain is swelling. He was flown to Germany & if the swelling goes down he will be state side at Walter Reed on Friday one week since we were notified of his critical injuries. I just beg everyone to pray for him, his wife who is 5 months pregnant and their three year old son. His mom, dad, & wife will be going to meet him at Walter Reed on Friday. Please pray for his recovery & support for his family. It has been hard to think of anything else this week & have forgotten things. I will just be so glad to know he is in the states. I ask for prayer many many prayers. Thank you all so much. I will try to find a picture to post of him.

Pillow Talk

2009-08-13T14:48:00.002-05:00

Here is my changes on a LHN design. I had already stitched it the way the pattern stated but then decided to make a few changes then finish it into a pillow. I am really pleased with how it turned out. Sorry for the glare. It is such a sweet little pillow. I need to sew the bottom shut.

Right now I am stitching Halloween stuff so it can be done for the first part of October when I get it all out. I would put it out in September but the family frowns on it. I love decorating for Halloween.

Still Alive

2009-08-09T11:29:00.004-05:00

I can not belive that I have not been able to post since March. I have been workin over time with no break or end in site. I am thankful I have my job since we lost a very large account and downsizing has already began. There is no information about how many or what departments so for now i just keep working as hard as I can without focusing on what might happen.

August is a very busy month for us. Our boys turn 5 & 15 the first week. Then my daughter is getting married on the 15th. School starts back up for the 15 year old who begins his freshman year of high school. How the time flies.

The wedding so much to do and it is almost here. This weekend I am supposed to put together a slide show of their pictures from birth until now. They have dated since their sophmore year adn have been out one year in May so there are lots of pictures of them over the last 4 years together. I am excited about the wedding and he has already been in the family so long it just seems like he was already in the family. lol Next Saturday is the big day! Then Sunday is the family birthday patry at my house for the boys!

I have been stitching. I was asked to make a halloween pillow for a Secret Auction at work. I chose a Lizzie Kate design. Here is the finished picture.

Here is my progress on Lizzie Kate's Boo Club I am starting Creepy today while scanning pictures. I love this series. I just hope to have it finished and framed by the first part of October when I decorate for Halloween.

I have a few other things I have stitched but I haven't taken pictures so maybe I can add those later this week. I hope to get back on track with the blog once the wedding is done and school starts. I have all the beans, tomatoes, & blackberries frozen just have cucumbers left. I love summer. Hope everyone is well and enjoying their summer.

Finally a post..............

2009-03-29T12:57:00.004-06:00

Where to begin. Working 10 hour days and a 40 minute commute takes up most of my days. When I finally get home there are kids & dogs begging for attention. Throw in dinner/dishes, homework/bathes, & my 70 minute work out and the day is almost completely over. The only stitching I have done lately is done on breaks at work and during the first 15 minutes of the news. So it is really a miracle when I get extra stitching time. I will say I do cherish every little bit I get.

This last week was Spring Break for my oldest son. We started it off with a funeral of a class mate. I have to say it really hit home for me having one the same age. When you add in that I had met her and my son was friends with her it was very difficult to accept her death and hard to cope. I can not begin to know what her family is going through. I kept thinking how much work these kids are but if one of them were gone I would be completely lost. I honestly do not know how I would get out of bed to go on. I have prayed for her family everyday. I do not know how I would deal with my child taken his own life. So I turned this all over to God and am continually praying for the family and everyone she touched in her young life.

I did find time today to make my finished Lizzie Kate "Love" stitched piece into a pillow. I am very pleased with how this turned out. I just need to hand sew the bottom shut.

I have one more piece I am going to go sew up it is a Little House Needleworks pattern. I hope I can get it completed today.

I have been stitching on Bent Creek's Summer Snapperland. I have all four block completed and 1/2 of the border. I want to get it completed so I can get it framed and hung for this summer. I am also stitching on Lizzie Kate's Boo club I am all the way to spiders and just need to finish the border to with spiders and I will stay caught up on the border also. I think I need to do a quick Lizzie Kate Easter kit so I can display it for Easter. Well I am off to do laundry, stitching, & sewing. I hope this post finds every one well.

Until next time happy stitching.

Stitching and working

2009-03-03T19:15:00.003-06:00

I have been stitching. I have really been working. I am currently stitching Bent Creek Summer Snapperland. A very wonderful friend loaned me her charts so I could stitch it. I bought the fabric Rue Green from Silver Needle in Tulsa and my threads from Cecilias Sampler in Branson. I have one whole block finished the boy on the bike and the whale house started. I love stitching this. I am really enjoying it and finding it very difficult to put it down.

I also am ready to start Spiders on the Lizzie Kate Boo club. I also am stitching on a SAL for members on the SamMan Message Board it is a halloween theme also. I love decorating for Halloween.

Next week is the one year anniversary of losing my dad. I will say time and memories have helped me deal with the loss but I would do anything for more time. I only wish he was well and not sick and suffering. I have the day off and plan to spend it with my mom.

Yeah a finish!

2009-02-16T21:03:00.003-06:00

I did it. I finished my Lizzie Kate "Love" & I blogged twice in the same week! I also worked 10 hours today. I am running behind on time and it is eating into the exercising time. So I have to be very brief. Here is my finish. Now if I can finish it into a pillow.

I am very excited about my next project. I am going to stitch Bent Creek's Summer Snapperland. I ordered my fabric today so once I have it I can begin. I seen this stitched the other day on a blog I was reading and decided I had to stitch it. I will get a link to that blog later. I really enjoyed reading her blog seeing what she had stitched. I am off to exercise and think about a small stitch or wip I can stitch on tomorrow until I get my fabric.

If I didn't have to work.........

2009-02-15T16:56:00.005-06:00

Oh how wonderful that would be. I know that is not reality but I have to say just the thought of it makes me smile. I work 9.5 hour days Mon-Thurs and only 4 hours on Friday. I like this schedule because it gives me more time off on Friday and I do get to drop off both boys before I go into the office,however, we are in overtime and that shifts my schedule to 10 days and 4 on Friday. I am so tired by the time I get home and there are only so many hours to get done all those mom things and there is really not time to stitch. I love the money from over time I just hate working it!

I am currently stitching on two different Lizzie Kate items. The first on is her newest Boo club. I loved this when I seen it and knew I would have to stitch it. I have completed the first three. While taking pictures lately I have noticed they are very blurry. So I have decided that I need a new camera! Yeah! Until then I am using this old one. Here is the boo club wip..........

I am also stitching on a double flip it from last year. I have wanted to stitch "Love" for a long time now and I decided it would be a fast stitch and pulled it out. Here is a wip of what I have stitched so far. I was much further but then I found I was one stitch off and had to remove a bunch of the stitches. I hope tonight to get time to sit and work in it.

My goal this week is to blog two more times. I have a teenage son & dial up and getting him off long enough to find the time to upload pictures and post is not an easy thing to do. lol. In the next post I am hoping to show "Love" finished. I doubt I will have time to finish it into a pillow but at least I can have the stitching completed. Off to do the mom things and get this teenager off my back. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Sleet + Snow = Stitching

2009-01-28T12:02:00.005-06:00

I have been home stitching since Monday night. The weather has been bad for us. We got about an inch of ice(sleeting rain) and then 4-5 inches of snow. So I am home stitching. I completed a variation of LHN's Two Red Houses. I seen this stitched on a blog and loved it so I decided to stitch it for my home. You should really visit her blog. http://loretablog.blogspot.com/

Here are a couple pics of it.

This is another small finish I want to make this into a scissors fob. I seen this one done on a blog called Hooked on Exchanges. I will add a link to that later. I am running out of time to be on the computer. This design is from a Lizzie Kate Flip it chart. Isn't it cute? I have one more finish but I don't have a picture of it now so I will save that for another day. It is also Little House Needleworks variation. I am off to do some stitching and sewing. I hope everyone is warm and safe inside. I am off to enjoy my day off.

A little stash shopping & new addition

2009-01-11T15:30:00.004-06:00

I have been stitching. I really have. Let me think I finished Lizzie Kate's freebie Let it Snow. I am currently stitching Little House Needleworks The Angels Sang. I will post a pic later since I don't have it already uploaded and only a little time to blog. The purchase a lot of my cross stitch charts, floss, & fabric from http://www.downsunshinelane.com/ and right after Christmas they were having a sale so I used my Christamas money to buy the Country Cottage Needleworks Sweet Treats. I have wanted to stitch them since they came out but just hadn's spent the money. I also got La D Da Something Wicked & Bent Creek Land that I love. But I didn't stop there I also bought some carries threads, fabric, and Country Cottage Needleworks Daisy kit.

Now I just want to sit and stitch until they are all completed.

Well I said yes. I didn't think I would but after a little consideration I have decided to add to our family. Until recently I didn't know how wonderful Chihuahua dogs were. We adopted one a free one from a family friend. His name is Spencer our four year old son named him and he is now 6 months old. The mother has just delievered again and we have gone over to pick out our newest addition. I know a lot of people think these dogs are yappy but ours is not. Yes he will bark at noises but there is no excessive barking. This is the most loyal and loving dog I have ever had. It is amazing the bond this little dog has formed with our youngest son. People said this puppy would be attached to one person in the family but that is not the case. He loves everyone and will hang out with however is around. He will even sit on my daughter and her boyfriend lap if they are visiting. I just hope the new puppy and Spencer will get a long as well. Here are a few pics of this new puppy. He is a brown shade in the picture below he is on the right.

I know they look like little rats but they are adorable I promise and have so much love to share. I will post more pics as he gets bigger. We are all very excited. His coloring is so different from our other puppy. Spencer is all white.

Feels like Spring!

2009-01-03T19:13:00.002-06:00

I can not belive this it is January 3rd and we were wearing shorts and BBQing today! I had the kids over for dinner and wore capri's with sandals! Okay so it was like 70 here but for January and southern Missouri that is good. It was a beautiful day. My DD and her boyfriend came over and we had BBQ steak then we played mancala with the 4 year old DS. I guess they are calling for snow later this week but it never really amounts to more than a trace.

I am currently stitching and will finish tonight a Lizzie Kate freebie "Let it Snow". I hope to post a picture tomorrow after we come home from the birthday party and pick up the middle DS. He has been gone for a week staying at his cousins during Christmas break. I am very read for his return. I have really missed having him around the house.

Off to finish the dishes.

First Finish of 2009

2009-01-01T18:19:00.004-06:00

Here is Lizzie Kate's "My Favorite time of the Year" front and back. I stitched it on a scrap piece of linen in my stash I am not sure on the exact color with the dmc threads. I used a red swirl on the back. I have had this chart for a long time and wanted to stitch it but just hadn't taken the time. It was a very fast stitch.

My next project is over one and it is another Lizzie Kate Love never melts from the Tiny Tidings VII. I have a piece of 25 ct dublin flax and will be using the dmc threads.

I leave you with a picture of my youngest son taken today after his sister spiked his hair.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T21:51:00.002-06:00

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

Pictures

2008-12-30T20:01:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-29T21:06:00.002-06:00

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?

2008-12-23T18:16:00.003-06:00

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

2008-09-23T21:25:00.003-05:00

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!!

2008-08-18T18:17:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-21T19:45:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-11T19:13:00.006-05:00

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

2008-05-15T19:27:00.004-05:00

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

2008-05-06T20:53:00.005-05:00

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

2008-04-03T19:52:00.003-06:00

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

2008-03-30T10:20:00.002-06:00

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

2008-02-15T21:04:00.003-06:00

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

2008-02-15T20:51:00.004-06:00

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

2008-01-30T19:10:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-27T10:11:00.001-06:00

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

2008-01-24T21:57:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-23T20:07:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-23T19:45:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-23T18:56:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-23T17:59:00.001-06:00

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

2008-01-23T17:47:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-19T20:06:00.000-06:00

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.

2008-01-19T19:58:00.000-06:00

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.

Finally a Finish

2007-11-14T14:02:00.000-06:00

I thought I would be able to link my picture from webshots to the blog in the post to show my latest finish. But I can't seem to get it to work. I am still trying. It is Littlehouse Needleworks Winter Whites. I used a piece of linen from my stash and converted the threads so that I could use dmc since I had those on hand. I really enjoyed working on this one. I really like how it turned out. Now I just need to find a mat/frame. I think I got the picture to work.

Fall/Halloween Exchange

2007-10-06T20:38:00.000-05:00

One of the message boards I am a member of had a fall/halloween exchange. The lady I got likes witches. I have been stitching in the cutest little witch. I am done stitching and just finishing the back stitching. I love this pattern so much I am going to have to make one for myself. I can not show a picture right now because I am afraid she would see it on my blog. Once she has received it I will post a picture. I am going to go now and finish the back stitching so I can make it into a pillow tomorrow.

San Man Original Finish

2007-10-06T20:02:00.000-05:00

Here is my Autumn finish I used DMC floss and a piece of fabric from my stash so I don't know the name. I just need to get a mat & frame to hang it up.

WIP Friends Come in All Flavors SAL

2007-09-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

This is by SanMan Originals. The fabric is Rollercoaster by Sugar Maple Fabrics. The thread is by Silk Strands Sweet.

Has It Been That Long?

2007-09-26T19:17:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy this summer that I haven't been able to blog. I need a few more hours in the day to get everything done. In May I was downsized from a company I had been with for 10 years. My dad has been going through chemo treatments for a blood disorder and has congestive heart failure and he has been in & out of the hospital twice this summer. That has take up most of my time. In August I started praying for a job. I applied for two and wanted at least 3 of the ones I heard about. But I decided to leave it up to God and prayed he would put me where he wanted me. When I turn things over to God it is like everything is perfect. He put me at a company that is so wonderful I LOVE going to work everyday. I thank Him everyday for this job. It is a dream come true for me. It is funny how you don't know what you need in your life to ask for it....but God does.

Last Monday my mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Tomorrow we go to the hospital to see if it has spread and cut out the lump. She had a mammogram 5 months ago and it came back fine. She found the lump 2 weeks ago and here we are. My prayer is we caught it early & the doctor's will get it all out. So on that note I am adding a link to the STITCH PINK.

A Fall Finish

2007-08-20T22:13:00.000-05:00

I have been stitching but I haven't been blogging! I just keep stitching from one project to the next. I didn't realize until tonight how long it had been since I had posted. I finished up one tonight. It is a SanMan Original design called Crow Missing letter. I have a black frame to put it in.

I will post more finishes tomorrow after I get home from visiting my dad in the hospital.

Good Things

2007-07-23T22:45:00.000-05:00

I ordered the new Lizzie Kate chart Good Things from DownSunshineLane and found a piece of fabric (28 ct Sage Jobelan) in my stash that was a green color but depending on your lighting it looks different. In the kitchen it looks brown and in the bedroom it looks green. Anyway here is the picture I am going tommorrow to find a frame. I stitched it with dmc thread.

Liberty House Finish

2007-07-08T17:46:00.000-05:00

I completed Liberty House Sampler by Heart in Hand Friday night while waiting for the drive in movie to start. I finished just as the movie previews were starting. We seen Ratatouille (rat*a*too*ee) I loved it. My almost 3 year old fell asleep 5 minutes into the movie...but that is past his bedtime it started at 9 pm. I definitely want to purchase the movie on dvd. I am going to stitch a small Halloween chart next by ewe & eye & friends called "just jack". I also have all my things to start The Lighthouse by Bent Creek I even have a great fabric 32 ct sun dappled glade by Sugar Maple Fabrics.

Tomorrow the van goes in the shop and I am off to my LNS to pick up The Big Zipper by Bent Creek and some threads I need for other charts. One of my goals this week is to get back to walking. I just seen the weather for the week & it is suppose to rain every day. I just hope it is scattered so I can still walk.

Happy 4th of July!!

2007-07-04T08:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Independence Day. I hope everyone has a safe & fun day!! I am going to stitch on the way to the family get together. I have a few more patriotic charts I want to finish. Then we will be swimming, bar-b- qing and shooting off fireworks. Crossing my fingers no one will get burned this year! Anyway, off to stitch.

Crunch!

2007-07-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

I have been hit. Well my van has been hit. My husband, I, & our little guy went to our local movie rental store last Friday night to return/rent movies. While inside trying to find something to rent a lady pulling into the parking spot next to my van ( there was a van on the left an empty spot and my van on the right of that) oh she had a large size SUV...no ill thoughts just laying out the picture. I don't have anything against SUV's until you try to pull one in a parking spot and hit my van and continue all down the side of the door! I think the lady who worked for the Movie place said she was on the phone. Anyway.....now we have the pleasure of having the insurance estimate the damage and write us a check. I didn't know that was how it worked. I thought I scouted about town finding estimates and pick where I want it fixed and then give that body shop's estimate to the insurance company. Apparently things have changed. I take it to the insurance adjustment center and they look at it give me the estimate and cut the check to me. That had me a little worried what if they Car Dealer's body shop was more??? I guess we find all that out on Thursday morning. I haven't ever had this experience before.

I spent the day stitching on Heart in Hand's Liberty House Sampler. It is a very fast stitch. I am using the WDW's & GA threads. I really like having something small to work on so I can have a finish to show. I am thinking I need to make another one and give this one to my sister in law. Here is the pattern picture.

Oh sweet stash!

2007-07-02T18:19:00.001-05:00

New charts! I just received the new charts from Little House Needleworks Garden Pleasures & Gourmet Garden. I just love these new charts. I decided I would also add Spot of Coffee, the following thread packs Faith & Pear, two dear diary charts Lucy Fairchild & Rebecca Small, Psalms 145, & Nature's Beauty. I have a pile almost waist high to stitch now and I just added these two.....I also picked up from Country Cottage Needleworks Daisy Sampler & Ice Cream Sundae. I just had to buy Crescent Colours Little House Brown. I can not get enough LHN & CCN.

Garden Pleasures includes a design for a bookmark! What an added bonus! I can't wait to stitch these charts.

There wasn't much stitching this weekend we had hot water heater problems. The heating element went out. My husband was wonderful and was able to save us lots of money by draining the hot water heater tank.....no easy job...and change the heating element. Then we changed the thermostat and 30 minutes later we had hot water again! I was so glad he was able to complete the task himself. I am thankful for him. When we called they wanted $130 just to come look at it and $1 a minute they were here. WOW! Kudos to those who do this everyday it is a pain to drain that tank.

Well I am off to stitch tonight. I have a few patriotic charts I would like to stitch before Wed. I might just keep stitching until they are completed even if the 4th comes and goes. The next seasonal thing I stitch is for Halloween. I have to admit I already started LK Fall Crazy - 4 patch.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Oh sweet stash!

2007-07-02T18:19:00.000-05:00

La D Da

2007-06-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

My current WIP is LaD Da "Old Glory Angel". I am stitching on 35 count "Sheep's Straw" linen by R & R Reproductions and Gentle Arts Sampler threads. I really like the shades of the thread on the fabric. I seen this completed at my LNS and had to stitch it. Here are pics of what the design will look like completed and my WIP.

Stars & Stripes

2007-06-25T15:58:00.000-05:00

I haven't been blogging but I have been stitching. I have been spending time sitting with my father in the hospital which allows me to stitch but not blog. I did finish Little House Needleworks Stars & Stripes. I used DMC floss & a blue linen I had in my stash so I am not sure of the name. I haven't decided yet how to finish it maybe a frame or a little pillow. I am trying to work on 4th of July stitchies to complete and hang up. I leave them up a little past the middle of June since I really like Americana things.

New Lizzie Kate charts

2007-06-25T15:49:00.001-05:00

I received by Lizzie Kate charts in the mail today. I ordered Fall Crazy & Good Things. I LOVE stitching for fall & Halloween. I can't wait to get started on these cute designs. Here's some pics of the new designs.

Bent Creek Ornament Exchange

2007-06-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

I signed up for a ornament exchange through my Bent Creek Yahoo group awhile back & today is the day we opened our packages. I received an ornament stitched by Shari a design by Little House Needleworks Woodland Snowfall. It is stitched over one. It is just adorable. I can't wait to hang this on the tree this year. She sent me the cardinal card I don't know how she knew I love cardinals. It is a perfect little package. Thanks Shari!

ABC123 finish

2007-05-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

I finally finished today. I was hoping to finish over the weekend but I just couldn't find the time. The weather was so beautiful no one wanted to stay inside. I haven't decided yet if this is going to be framed or made into a pillow. This is my last week at work & then I am going to reorganize our bedroom and redecorate the family room. It will end up in one of those rooms. I have a huge stack of LHN designs to stitch. I started Daisy Lane Cottage a month ago but then other things came up and it was pushed aside. I might pick it back up again to complete it since it is one of my favorite designs. Too many patterns not enough time to stitch them all as fast as I would like.

Little House Needleworks WIP

2007-05-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of my WIP by LHN ABC123. I am using a scrap piece of fabric some type of linen and the recommended dmc floss. I am hoping to finish this up tonight so I can start a new project tomorrow. The May sanman sal is starting on Monday. I also have a ornament to stitch for my Bent Creek yahoo group.

My job ends this next week and I have had such mixed feelings about this. I am ready for a change and some time off this summer but it is an end to a life I have known for 10 years. I have been into the office twice this last week which has made it harder. I think once I turn in the computer and the severance contract signed I will feel positive about moving forward.

LIttle House Needles WIP

2007-05-02T07:07:00.000-05:00

This is what I am currently stitching. It is ABC 123 by Little House Needleworks.

Christmas Ornament SAL

2007-05-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Last weekend was the Christmas Ornament SAL. I chose a design from the 2001 JCS magazine called Christmas Ewe by Elizabeth's Designs. The fabric is something from my stash and I used DMC floss. It is finished into a hanging ornament.

Finished Easter Corner E

2007-04-25T10:10:00.000-05:00

I love Sanmanoriginal designs. Here is one I did on silkweavers 40 ct newcastle fabric with DMC threads. I found this fabric at my local quilt shop and had to have it thinking something will go with it! I like how it turned out. I put it in a white basket with pink organza ribbon & bows around the handles with the pillow below. I will take a picture with the camera and add it later.

Easter Challange

2007-04-25T09:37:00.000-05:00

During the week after Easter there was a little contest on my sanman message board. We were given a bunch of free charts and whoever posted a completed picture of one of the freebies got a GC to be used towards sanman goods. I tried to stay up all night and finally at 2 am went to bed. I finished later that morning and posted my picture. However, someone else did finish and post right before me! I have to tell you it was a lot of fun!!!! Here is my completed stitch finished into a pillow.

A change of life

2007-04-25T09:16:00.000-05:00

Well I see that I haven't blogged in a long time. I just couldn't bring myself to post. I have had a heck of a month. My dad has been ill for some time now. It seems like everyday there is more new and usually not uplifting. My dad is facing so many life threatening problems with none of his treatments helping. So now the only option left is chemo and he doesn't want to do that. I love him and respect his wishes but at the same time wonder if this won't shorten what time we have left with him. In less than a year I have lost my uncle who I was very close to & the greatest man I ever knew...Bert just in January. I love them all so much and this has been the hardest time in my life loosing John & Bert and now being unsure of my dad. I just want to make whatever time he has left good for him and lots of memories for my kids and me.

To top all that off I have also lost my job after 10 years. Downsizing! I think the phrase that gets me the most is "this is not personal" Believe me I told HR well it is personal to me! The company is generous enough to give us all a severance package that will allow me to stay home with the two boys for the summer. Which also mean stitching time!! Oh and a little redecorating around the house. I guess I will have plenty of time to work in the garden!!

Okay so now that I have gotten that off my chest I am feeling a little more upbeat. Now on to fave the rest of my life. :)

April SAL Christmas Snose

2007-04-02T23:23:00.000-05:00

This is a San Man Original design. It is the SAL for April. The design is part of a series given to board members at Christmas. This is the the 4th day of Christmas design. I collect snowmen & just love this little guy. I found the materail to make this into a pillow and will work on that tomorrow. It is blue with snowflakes. Such a very fast stitch.

Happy April

2007-04-02T09:46:00.000-05:00

I can hardly belive that March is over. I am trying to get my Easter stitching completed. I do have the Easter banner from Lizzie Kate stitched now I just need to make it into the banner. I found the material back in February. Here is a picture of the completed stitching.

I have another Lizzie Kate chart canlled Spring I am going to start today from BH & G cross stitch calendar 2000. It is so cute.

I am worked on my April SAL this weekend for my SanManOriginals group. I should be done with that today or tomorrow and will post a picture of it. Tonight is stitch night for SanMan.

Geranium House Finish

2007-03-29T06:26:00.000-06:00

This is my spring stitch along with my Little House Needleworks group Geranium House by Country Cottage Needlworks. We started on March 21st. I really enjoyed stitching this design. I love the colors. I am hoping to find a mat & frame I like for it this weekend. I had 3 days off last week so I sat down and stitch in peace and quiet as everyone else was out of the house during the day.

Great Weather for fishing

2007-03-12T11:50:00.000-06:00

We spent yesterday with my husband's family at Bennett Springs State park. The weather was so wonderful for walking around. There is a trout hatchery where you can feed the fish. Alex really enjoyed dropping fish food in the water and watching all the fish jump for it. We are definitely going to spend weekends there and teach our little guy how to fish. He loves being outside and seeing all those fishermen. Due to the outing there was no stitching done. I didn't mind too much because I so enjoyed the weather. It was such a nice break from being cold and cloudy and being couped up inside. I am really looking forward to spring/summer.

http://www.bennettspringstatepark.com/

LHN Finish

2007-03-08T17:21:00.000-06:00

Finally I can post a picture of my first Little House Needleworks design. I just found this designer and have bought a bunch of her patterns. This was fun& fast to stitch. I think I will finish this as a pillow. I am working on Daisy Lane Cottage now.

March comes in like a lion

2007-03-01T12:11:00.000-06:00

Is it already time for tornado season? I guess so. We were informed last night that we could have severe weather last night from midnight through 3 am. I stayed up late finishing my LHN Pine Tree & Acorns waiting and watching. I am still working on how to load a picture. I hope to get that accomplished today.

New Blog

2007-03-01T12:08:00.000-06:00

Okay, I have been spending so much time looking at everyone's blogs that I have been inspired to try this myself. I am really enjoying setting this up. I know I will make many changes as I learn more. I hope you enjoy looking at my WIP's and finishes.