Oh Happy Day!

There are many reasons why today is a great day!!  First it is my brothers birthday-- so Happy Birthday to you!!  The sun is shining, the weather is nice and warm.  Fun with friends and family.  Lots of activity!!  I cant believe it is June 2nd already, where the time is going I dont know.  So many things have happened since the last time I have blogged (almost 2 months ago?????), its unreal.  My nephew turns 1 this month.  ONE??!!!!!!!  Holy smokes!  He was just born!!!  Time is out of control these days.  I wish we could slow it down quite a bit, but I know that is like hitting the mega millions or power ball.  Not going to happen.

The last time I posted was about my SDW German Band sampler, and I must tell you, I have been trying my best to finish it.  I really wanted to have it done by the 1st of this month, but I was a bit short.  It has been so busy, I havent really had too much time to think, I have forgotten things I normally dont forget :(  But, I did make huge progress on the sampler, in fact, last night I put the deadline into effect.  Yesterday was the day I was going to finish it.  Oh sure.  With 5 1/2 bands to go on the lower left side, I was trying my best to be positive.   I ran over on time yesterday-- (what else is new) and didnt start stitching until 8pm.  Oh man, I dont know what I am going to do.  I was determined though.  Yesterday morning I chose the remaining colors for these bands, wrote them down and was ready to get right into it last night.  With several old episodes of Fringe and Law and Order SVU, I was down to the last row at 3am this morning.  I wasnt really tired, but knew the busy day I was going to have today, I figured I better hit it.  So back up at 8:30, and after a cup of tea, I had the final row complete and SDW German Band Sampler was complete at 10am.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!  I did it!!!!!  So without any further rambling, here she is :)))

(no the last rows do not curve up, just a slip of the linen)

To achieve this look on my SDW, I chose to stitch on Lakeside Linen Vintage Fawn 45ct along with my conversion of NPI and AVS.  It measures 8" wide x 31 1/2" long.  When I first saw this sampler I was drawn to the variety of motifs, and the colors.  After pulling the called for colors, I knew there was going to be another massive undertaking to recreate this sampler.  But, the long and the short of it, it is completed and I am over the moon to have it done.  It was a long time in coming, but worth it for sure.
What is next?  I have a few ideas in mind, but you know what this means, a bit of digging in the basement to do a bit of stash diving :)))))))
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all are having a great start to your week!!!!

Spring is here!

Spring has been around for many folks all around the country almost since last spring, but for those who experienced an abundance of below normal temperatures, snow, cold, ice, etc., etc., spring has finally arrived.   Thank goodness our snow shovels and snow blowers are on timeout-- hopefully for many many months to come.   It was announced yesterday that the Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C. reached there full bloom; the latest date in history.  WOW!  If you have ever seen these trees you know that they are just gorgeous!!  All those beautiful pink and white petals falling all over the place, like a flowergirl walking down the aisle at a wedding :)  Or like a blizzard of pink and white flakes!!  It is very exciting to see this beautiful world we live in, full of color and wonderful springtime smells. 
I ran out of time this week to post earlier, but I thought it would be fun to show my next section finished off on SDW.

I love the subtle colors for the alphabet and this is pretty much the palette for the rest of the sampler.  The alphabet stitched up rather quickly which surprised me, I am not really a fan of stitching letters (on any sampler).  They next row group of small motifs are super cute, but I am looking forward to stitching the peacock.... maybe this weekend I will get to him :))))

Until next time, enjoy this weather!!!!!

Interesting :)

In the US, when driving on many of our roads or highways, there is usually something to look at, whether it is a bunch of business-- retail or office buildings, shopping malls, restaurants, even houses.... Sometimes there is vacant land for what seems like hundreds of miles--literally just farming, desert, grass fields with animals grazing, trees, what else can you think of on nothing??  LOL.  But in the US, we often have a variety of what some may call ART.  In Amarillo, Texas; there is a strange place called Cadillac Ranch where you can pull over on the side of the road and in the distance maybe several hundred feet off you see this:

10 real Cadillac's buried nose first in some vacant land.  Created in 1974 on a different field and relocated.  It is a variety of different years.  You many walk up to the cars, take your picture next to them; but it is now customary to mark your visit with spray paint, you may sometimes see the cars covered in solid pink, or white.  Just kind of fun!  (photo borrowed from RoadsideAmerica.com- I have been there but cant find my own pics as of this minute!) 
While in Florida I spotted something similar on the side of the road near Tampa. These Airstream trailers also buried nose first in a field on the side of the road.  You may not pull over and spray paint on these (private property) but it also resembles a variety of sizes, years and styles.

I cut the small Bambi off on the left side, but you can see it in the top pic, also, pretty good while riding in a car going 70+ mph right?!!  I think its pretty cool, that we have these crazy things on the sides of our roads.   Gives us something to talk about to our friends all over the world right?  Has anyone seen either of these 2 things?
What is the strangest/interesting thing you have seen on the side of the road?  I can think of sooo many different things!!!

On the stitching front, I have filled in the church on SDW German Band sampler!  On Jane Tindall, I spent forever filling in the grass located on the bottom of that sampler and I knew I didnt look forward to filling in the church on SDW but it has to get done.  Unfortunately I knew I had kicked all of my stitching elves out of my house so it was not going to get done without me :(.

I am soo close to being halfway with this piece it is very exciting!  It should start flying now that the solid filling in is complete :)))  YEAH!!!!!  LOL.  I cant wait to start stitching again later tonight. 
A while back I had a birthday and I wanted to share a very special gift I received from my good friend :)  She did such an amazing job that I had to share it with all of you!

Tiny little pin cushion with a patchwork back on 40ct. You can see how sweet it is next to my scissors, soo stinkin cute!!!!!  Thank you so much, it means the world to me having this from you :)  I love it!!
Still a bit chilly, but I think we are in for some spring like weather, alot of rain has been coming, but its better then snow right??!!!!!  Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic week!!

Fun was had by all!

A great time was had last week while visiting my good friend.  We accomplished alot of fun little projects, stitched, laughed, watched old movies, and even finished her quilt!  The men were having a great time doing all kinds of manly things, fishing, gardening, going to the home improvement store, and lots of other fun things.

We made this quilt top last fall, had it quilted over the Holidays, and this week, the binding was complete.  Do you love it?!!! She did a fabulous job and I am so excited to see this beauty in her house!!

Even this fellow loves it!!!!!!!! 

I had this furry friend sitting next to me all week on the couch while stitching and sewing.  Just likes lounging next to you, keeps you warm :)
I purchased a piece of 52/60 Lakeside linen in Vintage Sand Dune over at the Attic a few weeks back and started the new Traveling Stitcher Ane Kirstine Larsen-- you know the one with the fabulous rooster???  Boy, I have never used the tudor silks or this count linen, but I tell you what, it is fabulous!!!  I am hooked!!!!  LOL

Not much to show, but its something, the border color is almost tone on tone, but in certain lights, it really pops.  The letter M is so tiny!!   I think the entire sampler is going to be something like 6 x 8".  Can you just imagine?!!!!!  It is sooo stinkin cute!!  The Attic had a few models hanging on the wall in this 52/60 and I am so crazy (you can take that statement either way!!  LOL)  about how small they really are!!!  I know for the few of you that have been working on this linen, you know exactly what I mean!!!
Now stitching on 45ct, its almost burlap!!!!  LOL.  Not quite like the 40ct, but its a really big difference.  Even the feel of the linen is different.  I really want to get SDW complete, which is a good thing, it has been long enough!

So the bottom pic is where I left off last night, and I can feel the final stretch of the church approaching this week.  I want to get to those trees!!! LOL.  Its something how this project is now all I want to focus on, its about time.
Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful week :)

Happy St. Patricks Day!

What a fun day it is today right?  Fun is when the Chicago river is green, beer is green, there are parades and a great reason to where a shade of green when you normally dont!!  LOL.
Happy Birthday to my friend, you know who you are!!!  Sorry the cookies werent what they were supposed to be, but looks arent everything! Taste is!! 
I missed posting last week for just the simple fact that I really ran out of time.  I didnt stitch at all on SDW sampler last week, I worked on a couple other things, but now I am back in full swing.

and finally a full length of what it looks like so far, almost at the halfway mark. 

I even got the iron out for a nice presentation, after all, you cant really see much in a wrinkled mess :(  I really love it, and I cant wait to get the church complete, so I can work on those trees!! 
Enjoy Green today!!

A bit more

Anyone watch the Oscars last night?  I watched the last 3 hours worth and I am always excited to see everyone all dressed up.  Who was your favorite?  We don't go and watch movies in the theaters so I didnt really know much about them. The actors up for the Oscars are always popular names and you secretly wish for a specific individual to win. I still think Marty should win and Leo.  I was glad to see Matthew win for best actor. And Cate Blanchett!  Beautiful as always.  I think Ellen did a great job hosting, pretty funny and that pizza stint was pretty good right?!  Talk about audience participation!!
Each night over the last week I was able to find some me time, whether it was a few hours or just 1, I stitched on SDW.  Can you believe it?!  I am committed to finishing this next and I am surprisingly really enjoying it too!

I was hoping to finish the motif on the right side but almost there!  Those little curly ques involved sure slow down my 'sewing' method of stitching.  But, they will be soon a thing of the past :)
I look forward to another busy week-- (on so many levels!) 
Sun is shining today, hopefully it is where you live, I know its been super cold-- great time to stitch under a nice warm quilt, along with a roaring fire!!!!!  Have a good one :)

Next up.....

This past weekend while stitching madly on Jane Tindall, I had the urge to do a little stash diving and see what I wanted to work on next.... what would call me the loudest.  So pulling some out of the basement, I had it all over the floor.  Would I start something new or continue on with another WIP? 
After seeing Krista's gorgeous finish of her SDW German Band Sampler on her blog last week, the thought of pulling mine out was quite tempting.  I haven't been in the stash bin in a while and looking at all these beautiful projects all waiting patiently to come out and play, I pulled out a few and layed them next to me on the couch.  When I completed Jane I knew I had to choose just 1 :))
So SDW did pull out on top!!! Yeah!!  With a few wonderfully encouraging emails from friends all over the world, I knew I was making the right decision!  I actually am excited to work on this... which is a very good thing.  Last year, I finished Dutch Beauty which was by far the largest project I have ever worked on; even more so when I didnt follow the symbols on the chart.  I chose to stitch her by the picture of the chart-- which is what drew me in to love DB.  This too was the case with the SDW sampler, (alot of the samplers I choose I do this too)-- I know its crazy, but in my mind I see it a specific way and when I see the colors chosen, I make adjustments.
With all of that said, I started working on the SDW with a few gals right after my DB days last year and I just couldn't get into it.  I felt so bad, simply because they were all sooo excited!  Choosing the colors charted for in the sampler were not the ones in my head, so I again would spend more time choosing the colors then stitching, which I just had gotten done with doing on DB.  I so didnt want to do that again!  ARRGHH!!!!
I am ready to do it again, just about a year later, I have pulled it out and layed the colors next to me.  I have pulled out the colors for the motifs I will work on and it seems to be going alot more smoothly.
This is where I left off last year on SDW-

I call this section 1 of 4 sections to be completed, and with just the lower left hand motif to go in this section, I was determined!  Enough already!!!  LOL.

This is where I stopped last night in the picture below, choosing to start the church in the 2nd section.  Since I am on a filling in a boat load roll, I thought I might get it out of the way.

I am stitching SDW on 45ct Vintage Fawn with my crazy conversion of NPI and AVS silks.   I know there is not a way to duplicate this, so don't even ask.  LOL. 
When I was putting Janes silks back into the storage file, the dyelots are soo different from same color number next to it in the bin.  AVS the most different, so beware, if you are using AVS, make sure to buy enough when working on 1 project, otherwise you might be disappointed.  I was lucky to have been told ahead of time that more then a few skeins were needed for the grass on Jane, so I bought a hank instead and didnt worry a bit.
I am looking forward to seeing what gets accomplished on this WIP this week, and I look forward to sharing more pics with all of you next week!!!
Thank you for all your kind words on Jane, it is so fun to hear them!!

Have a great week :)

2 Things We Can't Avoid--EVER

You know what those are?  Death and Taxes.  Good news for me, I am not dead :)  Bad news is, it is once again tax time:(.  I do know that you can run from them, but for how long?  I do not know.  I do enjoy sleeping and I feel like I pay enough, so why not continue to pay on time.  Either way they are getting their money, just I want it to be the least as possible.  Since my last post, last month, I have been neck deep involved with getting them done.  I have 'people'.  But, those 'people' still need some help, especially with every waking and sleeping moment, there are new regulations or new forms to fill out, or new ones to replace the old ones, sign here, not here, date here.  I appreciate these 'people' in more ways then I can really express, and if you are one of those 'people' know that you are appreciated.  It is WELL worth it :)  I can LOL now, but it is never easy.  I have found as organized as I am,( and I really am,) I still run into the form I missed, or misplaced.  I am happy to get them done and out of my front page thoughts for a bit. 
Stitching should have been my crutch to fall on these past few weeks, but the stress has made me virtually ILL.  Why???   Its so stupid to worry sooo much.  I felt so bad 1 night that I couldn't even pick up my stitching.  And you know me, I cant sit still.  I must do 2 things at once, at all times. (Even as you are reading this you can just envision me bouncing all over the place doing this, doing that, getting this done, etc., etc) Thank goodness it is all over and I am breathing so much easier.  I am way behind on emails, blog posts, stitching.
I did want to share the little bit of progress on both SDW and Elizabeth Mears. The last time I was gone for over 3 weeks I finished DB!!!!  Not the case here :(.   I love watching the pieces grow and have actually been really enjoying stitching on the 40ct.

 

One bummer is that the colors are not coming out as they are on my linen, but of course, we all know that.  I have made some adjustments as usual with my pieces, and have been dissecting each motif to find the perfect color.  I have noticed a few missing stitched areas on the cover picture as to the charted design, and have made my adjustments there as well.

I am onto that 'house' now and I am finding it is not as overwhelming as I thought it would be.  It is really coming along.   Now, if I could only hit the lottery to be able to live in a home like this!!  But, non the less, I will have Miss Mears to dream about :)
I have my Ann Bowers SAL to get going on (like starting would be nice :)), I am way far behind, but that is nothing new.  I am not really good with SAL's.  I soo enjoy them, the company and the encouragement, however I get soo sidetracked with daily duties and other samplers-- how many of you have this problem?  Let me see those hands?!!  LOL

Sorry I have not been a good blogging buddy lately.   I have enjoyed reading some blogs, but have fell short on most of them in the past weeks.  Sooo many beautiful pieces being stitching, so many introduced at Nashville and making ways into new craft rooms.  I am hoping to change that in the coming weeks, now that those blessed taxes are done for 2012 :)  I hope all of you have a wonderful day, keep those needles flying!!!!!  Thank for visiting.

Yes you are seeing correct

Good Morning everyone!!!  What a gorgeous day it is today!!!  I have a fun day planned, and I wanted to show you something first.  PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!

Thursday night I picked up SDW and I powered out the rest of the top blackwork.  WOW.  What a gorgeous row of stitches.  I told you earlier in the day I didnt really enjoy this type of work, but maybe it gets easier when we get older????!!!! Can it be???!!  LOL  What I found was that after 2 of the flower looking tops, I had memorized the stitches and was able to really just sit and stitch.  I had the chart handy because I wanted to double check every once in a while.   I still cant believe it.  It is well worth the stitching.

And as you can see it looks like lace!!!  Incredible.
Friday night we met up with some family for dinner and got back late enough I couldnt sit and stitch.  Straight to bed :(  It was a enjoyable meal and visiting with them is always great fun, but I am fired up like I was with DB, now with SDW.  I want to stitch!!!! I am thrilled to see such advancement last night.  It really is such a beautful piece.  I took some time to make some color adjustments on the letters below, far off in the stitching future, but I was in the mood to do it, get it done right?
There is it.  Now, off to have fun today and more stitching tonight!!!!!!!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous day!!!!

12-12-12

While I debated yesterday to do a blog post, I thought today was much more exciting.  Why?  Well, it is only Wednesday, the middle of the week, less then 2 weeks till Christmas.  Yes.  It is a special day today-- simply because of the date.
December 12, 2012.
At this time of night, I am probably a bit late in the game, however my main goal was to have the post today.  Folks all around the world heard on the news, read on the internet or the paper to perhaps do something special today.  People are getting married, renewing vows, even a lucky bunch-- had a new addition today :)
Me, nothing special per-say, just work and the other daily duties.  I did help some very nice people create special memories-- and I guess you could say I will remember them.
On the stitching front, I am making great progress on Dutch Beauty.  Looking forward to stitching more tonight.

I have started the otherside of the center vines on the other side of the deer.  I am looking forward to stitching the deer soon :)
Also, while stitching along 5 other gals the SDW sampler.  I am making slow and steady progress on it, but stitching 1 day a week, a few hours at a time isnt getting me too far.  I must confess, DB must get done so I can really focus on the Scarlet Letter Challenge.

I really do love this sampler, the colors are so fantastic and the motifs-- we are learning more about this sampler then we could have imagined just passing over the pattern.  This is going to be a gem when complete.
Like I mentioned before, with the Christmas spirit in full swing in the stores-- the decorations up and twinkling at night, I am looking forward to great time.  Shopping is almost complete, I think 2 more to go.  Easy right?  If it only were, then it would be done by now!!!!!
Until next time, enjoy the rest of 12-12-12.  What can you do to finish the day off right?
Me?!  Stitching and a nice glass of Pinot Noir :)

A new Challenge

Who doesnt like a challenge in life?  I for one am all over a challenge-- each and every week I feel like there is some sort of challenge in our lives, so why not look forward to one?!!!
Perhaps you haven't heard already, but our good stitching friend Nicola has created a great challenge and EVERYONE is invited to join it!  What is it you ask?  Well, it is a Scarlet Letter Sampler challenge.  This is the pick me up I have been looking for!!!!  Classic samplers.  Start, complete, or start and start any of the fantastic Scarlet Letter Samplers and post about it!  I have loved these samplers for such a long time and I have finished at least one-- off the top of my head, I think one :)
So remember the crazy start challenge that we all did in 2010?  Some crazier then others?!!!  Well, lets get going on another one!!!!!!  I am looking forward to seeing what others choose to start, continue on and finish.  I have some started, but I have to see what I can dig up from the basement in the next few weeks.  WOWZA!!!!!  Check out Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year and join today!  She has done a fantastic job putting this all together, and oops!!!!!  Did I mention there are monthly drawings?!!!!!!!  And there is some AWESOME things :)
I have been busy with our SAL stitching the SDW sampler.  I am really excited about it.  I have made adjustments with the colors, (but that is nothing new right?)

I have more of the mane done, but I dont have an updated pic at this point, but that is ok.  More to share next time.

I have negleted dutch beauty and E Mears, but with Thanksgiving last week, I had some extra stitching time to catch up on SDW.  Maybe tonight I will see what else is looking at me with sad eyes!
Christmas time is just around the corner and I am getting excited-- even though it is cold and I am not that much of a fan (but, with the proper outerwear, I am happy--thank you (you know who you are!!!!) LOL)  and the Christmas lights are popping up more and more.  Christmas trees are being decorated.  I feel like starting something Christmasy---but you never know :)  Until next time!

Have a great week!

22nd January Project

I saw on Kims blog earlier this week a project I have and knew I had to pick it up again this month.  It is from Scarlet-Letter The SDW German Band Sampler.  My collection of linen, silks and pattern for this sampler has been living in this beautiful project bag for over 1 + year.

I bought the bag on a special trip I went on, and new it would house something beautiful :)  When I had started this piece, I chose 45ct Vintage Fawn Lakeside and my conversion of NPI.  I began like usual on the top right corner, completing the 2 solid lines and began my blackwork inbetween.

It is hard to see this fine band of blackwork, but in anycase, I am determined to stitch this row.  I had a hard time with the NPI, being to thick in the 45ct for such fine work and bringing this matter to the attention of some Friends, I was able to get to the bottom of what to do.  They suggested using the 130/2 Silk which the perfect color I needed could be found.  Using the Society of Soie Surfine Silk (SoSS) I gave it a try last night.

Using this silk in a project for the first time last night, I was convinced there was no turning back.  I was truly amazed at how this 'fine silk thread' sailed through the linen, and that the blackwork was actually going to look like something other then gold blobs on the top of my sampler.  I recommend it for sure, and I am positive I will be using it in some of my other samplers that call for over one (when I chose the 45ct linen) and it will be perfection.  I didnt have any trouble with it knotting or clumping, and yes, I did use the 1 yard lengths (I hate shorter threads) and how much I was able to accomplish in one night.   The only thing is that I am sorry, is that I did not try it sooner, it is fabulous!

Before I started stitching the blackwork though, I had started a small bit on the left side, but I thought that I better make sure that the width was correct first with the blackwork, and also, I didnt want to stop stitching on it last year, because I was waiting for an answer to my silk dilemma.

I have 5 of the flowers done on the top row, I have 11 to go.  I was not looking forward to stitching these at all, but the thread has made it actually very enjoyable.  So, I hope it wont be another year until I work on her, but the end of this 31 day challenge is almost at the end, and then it is a free for all.  You know what they say about a box of chocolates right?