January Recap

Already one month down for 2006. I am pleased to report that I finished two projects this month:

LHN Season of Rest
Satin Stitches Wild Rose

I also think I made pretty good progress on some of my SALs. I'm currently working on DT Game Board Sampler, Cindy Valentine Apricot Elegance, and La D Da Miss Mary Mack. Okay, I could have done better on Miss Mary Mack!

Here are February's stitching goals:

Continue working on the three SALs mentioned above

Work on (perhaps finish?) a project from my WIP bag

Stitch an ornament with Friends Gather

Start on house exchange project

Participate in some of the other challenges with the Friends Gather group!

Lofty goals I suppose, but we'll see how I do! What are your stitching plans for February?

LHN Happy Dance!

Season of Rest by Little House Needleworks (pillow from Trail Creek Farm)

It was a long, busy week at work, so I hadn't picked up a needle since last weekend. When I got home on Friday night, I just didn't feel like working on any of the projects that I 'should' be working on (Apricot Elegance, Miss Mary Mack, etc.) During the week, I saw Becky's post about her recent purchases at her LNS. It reminded me that I had Season of Rest in my stash and so I decided to work on it Friday night. So, about 9 hours later - it's finished! I enjoy LHN designs for this reason - they stitch up quickly. This particular design uses a pillow and fabric covered buttons from Trail Creek Farm, so it's an easy finish too. I really love the colors in the design and the pillow fabric. Soooooo, won't you dance with me?

Weekend Stitching Update

It's hard to believe that the weekend is over! On the weekends, I normally make pretty good progress with stitching projects; however, this particular weekend was busy with other activities. I did finally fit in some stitching today.

This afternoon I stitched two additional squares on the DT Game Board Sampler. I'll post an updated photo next week.

Tonight I completed lessons 3, 4, and 5 for the EGA Mystery Sampler that has been featured in the last three issues of NeedleArts magazine. (Please excuse the wrinkles!) The last issue came out in December, but I just didn't have time to work on this around the holidays. The stitches this time around were all quite interesting: Four-sided stitch, Irish stitch (bargello), blackwork and herringbone, to name a few. I'm stitching my sampler with the colors indicated in the magazine. Now I'm caught up until the next issue of NeedleArts comes out (in March I think).

I have a busy week ahead of me, but I hope to complete the following stitching projects this week: Apricot Elegance SAL (Week 4), Miss Mary Mack SAL (didn't stitch on her at all last week), and work on one other project from the WIP bag! That should do it. Have a good week and thanks for stopping by!

Blog Name

Hi everyone! No stitching updates to report, but I do want to point out that I made a slight adjustment to my blog name - it's now With Needle and Thread. I decided that my original title was too similar to With My Needle (Ellen Chester). Not that that is a bad thing, but with the adjustment there's no worry about confusion. So, if needed, please update the name on your blogrolls...

Hopefully I'll have a stitching update tomorrow!

Apricot Elegance - Week Three

This project is progressing nicely. Tonight I added the cables and the small satin "flowers. I am really enjoying this SAL!

Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog. I appreciate your words of kindness and encouragement.

Tomorrow evening I hope to work on the EGA Mystery sampler - I spent some time on it two nights ago and managed to complete lesson three. I still have lessons four and five to finish, then I'll post a progress picture. This has been an interesting project because it uses many different specialty stitches.

Have a good Wednesday! Happy Hump Day!

DT Game Board Sampler - Latest Installment

I seem to be establishing a routine - on Sundays I work on the DT Game Board Sampler. Tonight I completed more of the inner border and two additional squares. It took longer than you would expect to complete these two squares!

First Finish for 2006!

Mission Accomplished!

At the end of 2005, I cleaned through all my stash and tried to get organized (like so many others). I pulled all of my WIPs out and put them in a bag. I am determined to get as many of these projects finished as possible!

This Hardanger piece was one of my WIPs. I started sometime in early 2005. The klosterblocks and the blanket stitches were completed. I hadn't done any of the pulled work or the open work, nor had I completed the satin stitch in the center. Part of the reason for my delay was because I had used DMC 739 #8 pearl cotton for my klosterblocks and blanket stitches and I couldn't find that same color in #12 to do the pulled work and open work. (I didn't realize that they don't offer #12 for all colors!) When I finally picked this up again, two weeks ago, I decided to use a #12 thread that I had in my stash - it's a pearl cotton that is made in Spain - Finca/Presencia. It's almost an exact match and I'm happy with the results.

By the way, this doily is approximately 10 inches square. I worked it on 25 ct cream Dublin. The pattern is from Satin Stiches/Donna M. Olson and it is called Wild Rose.



Today I will most likely put some time in on the DT Game Board Sampler. I seem to be establishing a pattern where I work on that project on Sundays! The next lesson is in for the Apricot Elegance SAL - more than likely I will complete that during the week. And then there's Miss Mary Mack - I have to work on that one when the spirit moves me!

Off to grocery shopping. Not my favorite task, so I may as well just get it over with!

A Productive Stitching Week

Thus far, I've accomplished everything I set out to do this week. Tonight I completed the first lesson for the SAL I'm doing with others in the Stitching Smalls SAL group. The design is from Cindy Valentine and it is called Apricot Elegance. I've elected to do mine in a soft, mint green (28 ct. Cashel). I'm using overdyed pearl cotton thread from Needle Necessities. So far, so good!

Miss Mary Mack

Good evening everyone! Well, I was planning to work on Apricot Elegance tonight, but after seeing Barbara's update and reading Chelle's update, I was motivated to get started on our Miss Mary Mack SAL. We've decided to stitch her small enough to fit into one of those rectangular tin pins.

I think I made pretty good progress for about an hour's worth of stitching! I'm stitching her over one (half stitch) on 40ct. Sheep's Straw (the photo is a tad bit dark). I'm using one strand of GAST Black Crow. As you can see, I did one foot and about six rows of the skirt. It actually stitched up pretty quickly!



Maybe tomorrow I'll work on Apricot Elegance?

Many of you asked about the fabric I'm using for DT Game Board Sampler - it's just 25 ct Dublin in a cream color - the photo wasn't very good; it made it look darker than it actually is. Thank you for your kind comments!

DT Game Board Sampler

Here's my picture of what I completed last night. (Okay, I had a few stitches that I did today!) I added the inside border and my first two squares. Now I'm off to start Apricot Elegance...

Stitching Update

Happy Monday!

I did spend some time working on my DT Game Board Sampler last night. I'm stitching this with Bine. I'll try to post a picture tonight - I was able to complete two of the squares in the top right corner.

I'm trying very had to avoid making additional purchases - but it is proving to be really difficult! Take a look at these two new designs from Drawn Thread (they are posted on the Elegant Stitch website). The first is called Red Lace Sewing Kit and the second is called Three Friends. Note too the out of print charts on this page that have been made available again. How can I resist any of these?

Have a great day!

Hardanger WIP

With the kids back in school and all of their activities in full swing, my stitching time took a hit this past week.

I did spend a fair amount of time 'with my needle and thread' on Friday night though. I decided to pull out a Hardanger doily that I had started several months ago. There's not too much left on it. I was able to complete the double cable stitch, the eyelets and some of the cutting/openwork. One more solid night of stitching and I think I could almost finish this one! The design is from Satin Stitches and it's called Wild Rose. I'm stitching it on 25 ct Dublin. Sorry the picture isn't the best:



Tomorrow, I'd like to spend a little bit of time on DT Game Board Sampler and then I need to get Apricot Elegance started.

Thanks for all your nice comments on Faith, Hope and Love. Senorita Stitches had asked about the size - it's 4" by 6" when stitched on 28ct. Jenna, yes, I do think that I will frame this one!

Apricot Elegance

I'm going to be participating in a SAL with a group from Stitching Smalls. The design is by Cindy Valentine and it's called Apricot Elegance. It's a beautiful sewing case, box insert and scissor fob. As you can see, I'm going to do mine in a soft, minty green. I won't have time to get started until this weekend. I can't wait!

Starting the New Year with a New Project

Happy New Year everyone! Enjoyed the day entertaining family - good food, good company, great fun!

Started a new project for the new year. I've probably owned the pattern for at least six or seven years, purchased the fabric three or four years ago, but just never could get motivated enough to get it started. Then, several weeks ago, I noticed that Bine in Germany was stitching this design and decided to stitch along with her. She's been patiently waiting for me to get going! Bine is stitching one house per week. I'm probably going to try to do a little bit more so that I can catch up to her!

Here it is - today's progress on the Game Board Sampler by Drawn Thread:



The other projects I would like to work on over the next several weeks are:

Cindy Valentine Apricot Elegance (Stitching Smalls group)

Homespun Elegance Snowman Button Sampler

Little House Needlework Season of Rest

EGA Mystery Sampler (need to complete the last three lessons)

There are other smaller projects that I will work on, but these are some of the more substantial projects that I would like to complete.

Tomorrow is my official work holiday. The kids are off of school. We're planning to stay home, watch the Rose Parade, and just enjoy the day. Have a great day!