let the enabling commence...

le stash grew a wee bit bigger this week when some new friends arrived in the mail! 

first, the iconic leg lamp from "a christmas story" by barbara bergsten designs which i adore. we watch the movie every holiday season, and also have a neighbor that displays the lamp in their bay window...so it was a no brainer. can't you just see the silk lampshade, the beaded fringe...and maybe some lacy fishnets?

i also had store credit from annie's for a mackenzie child ornament that was pulled off the market, so i made lemonade from lemons and got my two new friends below!

i really am going to try my best not to bring any more new friends home until i make a significant dent in le stash. 

scout's honor!

it's a start!

disclaimer: my phone's camera is being stubborn so i resorted to using the digital camera for my pics. barf. 

i started miss thang's mini-stocking this week and am loving how quick it's going! i've been using all stash thread, but will have to make a quick stop at the lns for some reserves.

the very bottom of the sock is horizontal cashmere in red splendor (leftover from my stocking) and the scotch stitches above it are in burmilana leftover from this guy's background. the mosaic is stitched in leftover petite very velvet from various projects. 

to make all our stockings match because i have OCD, i'm using the same technique on the top as i did for the others. splendor satin-stitched over petite very velvet (all leftover from my stocking). i basketwove the background and will bead her name. the band with the santa hats is my favorite so far! i scrounged up some fuzzy stuff for the fur brim, and love the effect, even though it's so teeny tiny!

in case you were wondering how tiny it all is, see below for reference!

i'm almost done beading the name and can't wait to finish this for little!

what a weekend!

it was truly the perfect weekend...lots of naps and relaxation, lots of daiquiris and parading, and LOTS of time outside in the beautiful weather!

seriously, how is it the end of january and 70 degrees? love it!

here are some quick pics from the parades this first mardi gras weekend. i live right on the parade route so it's always fun to walk up and be right in the action!

i also had lunch at one of my favorite local spots!

hope your weekend was fantastic! i worked on the mini-stocking and will post pics soon!

a new start!

i'm so excited to start my newest project, cricket's stocking! thankfully, it's a mini-stocking so in my book, that's a small project (compared to a big stocking lol) 

i've challenged myself with using mostly stash threads and can't wait to start this weekend!

downton abbey love

if you love downton abbey as much as i do, then you will love this new canvas by rogue needlepoint available at amy's golden strand!

countess cora crawley

in amy's most recent newsletter, they introduce the memphis-based company's new line of canvases in an effort to fill the void left by Petei in terms of canvas painting and style. 

"the canvas is the first in a new line of characters from the acclaimed show."

i can't wait to see what's next for this line!

mail time!

i finally pulled the trigger and purchased these 2 amazing books for myself!

merry easter eggs and needlepointing in your nest by carolyn hedge baird

i can't wait to choose new fun stitches for my 2013 projects!

stitching in 2013

i love the beginning of a new year...so many hopes and dreams fill my mind, plus this is when my organizational OCD is at its best! what better way to put that to use than organize my stitching goals for 2013? and when it comes to stitching goals for the new year, i have a million few!

start/continue stitching this precious club

purchase/stitch this adorbs bride and groom by labors of love

join and stitch this cutie nativity club

cricket's stocking (hoping to use thread entirely from my stash)

&more canvas (w/ amy bunger stitch guide)

carol dupree kappa angel

 carol dupree candy canes 

carol dupree OU santa

patti mann pig (w/ amy bunger stitch guide)

i have many more canvases in le stash that i would like to stitch this year, but this will be the list i start off with. in reviewing my 2012 stitching, i'd like to do smaller projects this year. no big stockings, aside from 3 candy canes no stitchy gifts, no big guys. i'd like to be a little self-indulgent and stitch stuff for myself!

my 2012 stitching review

it was quite a year of stitching, and i'm so proud of how far my needlepoint has come since i started just 2 short years ago. i learned new techniques, i learned that it's ok to make mistakes and how to grow from them, and i learned about a wonderful group of mentors and friends that provide me with unconditional support and encouragement for which i am so thankful.

i can't wait to see what 2013 has in store! but first, a brief look back at 2012...

carol dupree tulane santa

country cottage needleworks "beach cottage" cross stitch

jbw "french country pig" cross stitch

petei "kiss santa"

 kathy schenkel fort worth round

j. child "baby sleeping"

linda lahm tote bags

custom painted "sir saint"

danji "christmas in new orleans"

susan roberts nutcracker stocking

jbw "christmas bells" cross stitch

custom painted new orleans water meter

to see everything back to back is pretty amazing. each project has a story. i can still remember what the weather was like for every one, what i was watching on tv, and if i was traveling. the biggest personal finish for me was my stocking.