One More Thing

As soon as I saw this new design from Little House Needleworks, I thought of Barbara. Isn't it an adorable design?

The Counting House

Have you seen the new Drawn Thread designs? Do you like them? I must admit, I like most anything from Drawn Thread!

Check out the English Garden Pocket and the Wayward Garden Chart!

Okay, better sign off. The kids are ready to go!

Heading North

Heading north to Duluth and then over to visit my cousins near Grand Rapids, MN for a couple of days (my kids are on spring break). Hopefully I'll have a stitching update for you when I return. And I'll have a lot of catching up to do on my blog reading!!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Stitching Update with Pictures!

Finally, Blogger is cooperating and posting my pictures!

Here's my first update - I've been participating in a SAL that's been working on Cindy Valentine's Apricot Elegance Needlebook and Scissors Fob. This is my first attempt at any kind of needlebook! I'm almost done with the needlebook - I need to get some felt for the needle pages and need to make the cording for the closure. Then I'll need to stitch and finish the scissors fob. I am so pleased with this project - it's even better than I imagined it would be!




Update #2 - I promised you shopping pictures. Below you will see the lovely purchases that I made at Shakespeare's Peddler.

Dutch Strawberries from The Goode Huswife - Theresa had this framed and it was gorgeous! I'll be stitching this one on 40 ct. Iced Cappucino.

Sunflower Charms/Loose feathers #15 from Blackbird Designs - This one makes me think of summer, and we could use some warm weather in MN right now! I also purchased the 30 ct. Korty's Blend from R&R to stitch this one.

Finally, the pale yellow fabric you see in the photo was Theresa's fabric special for the month of March. The color is called "Chime" and it's from Picture this Plus. It's yummy and buttery and I have no idea what I'm going to use it for!

Update #3 - Here's the photo I promised you last night of my progress on Danish Pulled Thread Embroidery...watch for more updates on this one!



Now I'm off to bed!

March Madness!

Yes, I do think that is the best way to describe the month of March! Here in the U.S. we call it "madness" because there are so many college sporting finals - Men's and Women's Basketball Final Four, Men's and Women's Hockey Final Four, etc. In Minnesota all of the high school tournaments for winter sports are held in March too.

It has been a busy month with school and children's activities. Here it is the last week of March and I don't have much to show for myself in the way of stitching!

My sister-in-law, my daughter, and I took a road trip to Fargo, ND this past weekend. It's about a 4 1/2 hour drive from the Twin Cities. Yup, you guessed right - we went to the Nordic Needle. Spent nearly two hours looking at everything in their shop! Then we visited Theresa at Shakespeare's Peddler - we made arrangements to meet her at the shop (she will open her shop by appointment on Saturdays). Of course, we made a few purchases; okay, we made a lot of purchases. I'll share them with you as the week progresses.

This evening was spent packaging up two of my exchange projects - the Quarterly House Exchange (the Exchange Place board) and my Spring Exchange (SBEBB). They will be going in the mail tomorrow.

I think I mentioned that I am taking a class on Danish Pulled Thread - I have a picture to post but blogger is misbehaving again. I'll try to add it later.

In the meantime, have a great evening!

Away

Sorry for my lack of posting lately - March has been a challenging month for me. My daughter and I are going on a quick weekend trip, so I'll be away for the next two days. Will try to post some updates next week!

Shepherd's Bush Retreat

Shepherd's Bush is planning a needlework retreat for this fall. Has anyone in blogger land ever attended one of these, hosted by Shepherd's Bush?

Shepherd's Bush Retreat

Lots of designers - looks like it would be fun! All of the details will be available in April. Anyone interested in attending?

Four More Squares

Please excuse the wrinkled appearance (I stitch in hand)- having neglected this piece for the past two weeks, I finally took time to work on it last night. This is a SAL that I have been doing with Bine. Normally I stitch two squares per week. Last night I stitched four squares. Now, if I can find time to stitch two more squares sometime this week I will be back on track!

Spot of Spring Photo

Finally, blogger is cooperating!

Spot of Spring Happy Dance!

Well, I'll have to add the photo later - Blogger is not cooperating this morning. On Thursday's, I've been stitching along with Katrina and Von on the DT "Spots". I'm happy to report that I just finished Spot of Spring. I will likely start another spot, perhaps not this week, but week after (I have quite a bit of catching up to do!)

There just hasn't been much time for stitching lately. I had a busy week at work and winter sports are wrapping up for both kids. What time I did have was spent working on exchanges and my version of Apricot Elegance - many who participated in this SAL have completed their needlebook; I'm still working on finishing my stitching!

This afternoon, I will be stitching on a Danish Pulled Thread project that I started two weeks ago. I'm taking a class at one of the local needlework shops. We meet every other Tuesday and I need to finish my assignment for this Tuesday's class. After this week's class I should be able to post a picture.

We have about 15 inches of snow on the ground here in MN - yes, mother nature packed quite a punch this past week! I can't wait for spring!

Monday Update

Wow, I haven't posted much lately. Having trouble keeping up I guess.

I've been busy working on exchange pieces and completed the stitching this weekend on my Spring Exchange (SBEBB) and my House Themed Exchange (The Exchange Place). I will be able to do the finishing next weekend and they will be ready to mail, yahoo!

My SALs are calling to me (DT Game Board Sampler and Spot of Spring) but I really want to finish Apricot Elegance - I'm so close! More than likely that's what I will work on this week.

Over the weekend I accepted the Friends Gather 24-hour challenge. Kind of a wimpy project, but at least I got it done including most of the finishing (I still have to do the beaded edge). This is one of the Essy's Friends kits from a few months ago:



We received 10 inches of snow today - quite a shock to the system considering it was in the 40's and 50's just last week!

Lots of Stitching; No Pictures

Hi everyone! It's Sunday afternoon in cold and snowy Minnesota. Just thought I'd post a quick note telling you that I got lots of stitching done both Friday night and Saturday night, but I can't tell you what I did. Shhhhhh, it's a SECRET!

Actually, I decided to use this weekend to stitch up two of my exchange gifts - the House Themed Exhange (The Exchange Place) and the Spring exchange (SBEBB). I still have a little bit more work to do on both of them. I may give my SALs a rest this week so that I can finish these.

Questions?

Katrina asked: Is the Sampler Board stitched over one or two threads? The DT Game Board is stitched on 25ct Dublin and is stitched over two threads using two threads of floss. I'm not sure what the exact color name is on the fabric - my cut wasn't marked!

Lili asked: You have loads of stitching plans for March. When are you going to sleep? Good question Lili. I'll have to get back to you on that one!

Donnasews asked: What a cute snowman (HE Snowman Button Sampler)...Will this be a pillow? Donna, I haven't really thought about it. More than likely I will save this one to be framed...someday...

Lili asked: Your snowman button sampler is gorgeous! Can't remember the designer? Lili, the designer for this one is Homespun Elegance. She also designed a very cute Sheep Button Sampler (which I've also stitched and like alot!)

Tobie asked: Does Robin (my not-so-secret stitcher) live close to you? No, we're about a 3-hour drive apart. She lives northwest of the Twin Cities in an area known for its beautiful lakes and resorts. Great summer vacation spot!

And finally, a message for Tobie: Yes you should find your DT Game Board Sampler in the WIP bin and stitch along with Bine and me. We only stitch one-two squares a week so it is totally manageable!

Have a great week everyone!

Seeing Spots!

Made some progress on Spot of Spring last night:



To see other 'spots' please visit Katrina's blog and Von's blog. Note that Katrina has completed her spot - happy dance! And Von is making great progress on hers!

Thanks to all who have visited my blog recently. I enjoy reading your comments and appreciate your encouragement!

Game Board Sampler Update

Normally I work on this project on Sundays with Bine. I had completed one square this past Sunday, but I wanted to get a little bit more done on it, so tonight, I stitched more of the right border (S - Z and 1 - 6).



March Stitching Goals:

DT Game Board Sampler SAL with Bine (Sundays)

Cindy Valentine Apricot Elegance with Stitching Smalls SAL group (weekly)

Spot of Spring SAL with Katrina and Von (Thursdays)

Miss Mary Mack - yup, gotta find time to finish this one!

Quarterly House Exchange - finish and mail by March 31

Spring Themed Exchange - finish and mail by March 30

Stitch an ornament with Friends Gather

Good thing there are more days in March than there were in February!

Final February Finish

I just couldn't hold myself back. I wanted to finish this project in the worst way, so here it is: Snowman Button Sampler from Homespun Elegance!



Okay, I should have straightened those buttons before I took the picture - and I noticed that the shading on the snowman's face is vertical, whereas the rest of the body is horizontal! It doesn't bother me enough to rip and re-stitch, so it is what it is!

Quick review of February's goals:

Continue working on SAL's - Apricot Elegance, Game Board Sampler and Miss Mary Mack (Worked on both Apricot Elegance and Game Board Sampler)

Work on a project from WIP bag (It wasn't exactly a WIP, but I started and finished Snowman Button Sampler)

Stitch an ornament with Friends Gather (I completed Glory Bee's Seasons Greetings from 2005 JCS Ornament issue.)

Start on house exchange project (Started; sorry, can't show this one until complete!)

Participate in other Friends Gather challenges (Hopefully next month - unfortunately, due to some unexpected events, my month was thrown out of whack.)

Not bad if I may say so myself. Will post March's goals in tomorrow's update.

Wish I had More to Report

Had a busy weekend - On Saturday we celebrated my nephew's third birthday. He's such a cute little guy and quite a character. Girls, watch out! On Sunday, my daughter played in a one day tournament - three basketball games! Needless to say, these activities didn't leave much time for stitching, but it was good to be with family and friends!

Here's an update on HE Snowman Button Sampler. As you can see, he is almost done; in fact, I had hoped to finish this one in February. That probably won't happen, but it will be finished soon!



The photo below is of two gifts I received in February from my "not-so-secret" stitchers. The not-so-secret stitcher program is coordinated every December through Shakespeare's Peddler. Several years ago I signed up and got connected with Jan in Evansville, IN. We've continued to write to each other ever since. In February, Jan sent me the Minnesota heart from Victoria Sampler along with two tubes of my favorite color of lipstick (Jan sells Avon). This year I put my name in the hat again and got connected with Robin who lives in Brainerd, MN. Robin sent me this beautiful hand knit scarf. It's so soft! Aren't they great friends?



Tonight I'm going to work on DT Game Board Sampler a little bit more. I completed one square yesterday, but would like to make a little more progress on it. Bine is stitching along with me on this one!
I'll try to post a progress picture tomorrow!

Progress Made!

I finally got my act together...a couple of weeks ago, Katrina asked if I might be interested in a SAL for Spot of Summer (it is summer in New Zealand). I told her I would stitch Spot of Winter with her. To my surprise, the pattern was missing from my chartpack! I haven't resolved that issue yet, but I also had Spot of Autumn in my stash, so I told Katrina I would stitch that.

Truth is, I wasn't really in the mood to stitch Spot of Autumn, so yesterday I went out and purchased Spot of Spring. I finally got it started and will now be stitching along with Katrina on Thursdays!

Olympic Fever

Sorry - no time for stitching updates - I'm watching the Olympics! Stitching updates will be posted tomorrow or Sunday!

You Are Curling

What you lack in athleticism, you make up for in concentration. And while curling isn't much more of a sport than bowling, you *can* win a gold medal for it!

What Winter Sport Are You?

Sunday Evening Already?

Gosh, where did the weekend go? Mine certainly flew by!

On Saturday morning, I had the pleasure of meeting Linda N at a local bakery/coffee shop. Linda is leading the Apricot Elegance SAL for the Stitching Smalls Yahoo group. Shortly after starting this project we both realized we were in MN and then quickly figured out that we lived about 2 miles from each other. Small world, isn't it? Linda had the opportunity to go to Nashville and so it was fun to hear all about it. We admired each others progress on the Apricot Elegance project.

Due to family commitments and my daughter's basketball tournament, I didn't get too much stitching done this weekend. Today, I stitched three squares on the Drawn Thread Game Board Sampler that I'm doing with Bine. (Will post updated photo next week-)

Last night, I worked on the Homespun Elegance Snowman Button Sampler - all that's left is to finish the bottom mittens, stitch the top mittens and to stitch the snowman.

I'm also going to stitch with Katrina on the Drawn Thread Spot of Summer/Winter. Katrina is actually doing summer and I'm stitching winter. Well, I was going to stitch winter. Imagine my surprise when I opened the chart pack on Wednesday night and - there was no pattern! I think it was a printing oops! The inside pages are blank. So, since I don't have time to go back to the needlework store right now, I'm going to switch and stitch Spot of Autumn with Katrina. She started on hers last week; I won't be able to start until this week!

Has anyone made any purchases since Nashville? I have already received "A Most Noble Pursuit" from Elegant Stitch. I've ordered the "Red Desert Scissors Pocket" from Elegant Stitch too. Other than that, I've just got a wish list going. It's getting pretty long...

Thanks to all who have stopped by and left a comment. Have a great week!

Midweek Stitching Update

Hello dear friends. Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog and left comments. I enjoy hearing from each of you!

Happy belated Valentine's Day to you! I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and wasn't able to post. Here's a pic of a Hardanger valentine heart that I stitched for a couple of friends. Becky received hers, but I'm not sure about the others yet, so I won't mention any other names right now! :)



In addition to getting caught up on the Apricot Elegance SAL, over the weekend, I stitched an ornament. "Seasons Greetings" is a design from Glory Bee and it was included in the 2005 JCS Ornament issue. I made some substitutions on thread colors (using up some of that stash!) This one is quick and easy! I'll worry about finishing later...



Finally, I've been itching to stitch this one for awhile now and since I'm fairly caught up on other projects, I started the "Snowman Button Sampler" from Homespun Elegance. I've made pretty good progress. The alphabet is all stitched. I'm using the 28ct Amber linen and the Sampler/Weeks fibers as indicated on the pattern.



Now I need to pull out DT Spot of Winter and try to make a start on it tonight. Katrina is stitching DT Spot of Summer and we're going to try to complete these together. Time to get busy on my exchange pieces too - I have some fabulous ideas.

Please keep two of my blogging friends in your thoughts. One special friend is recovering from surgery and the other recently had her computer stolen out of her home. I'm hoping that everything works out okay for both of them. Until next time...happy stitching!

Apricot Elegance Update

I was a tad bit behind on this SAL, needing to complete weeks 4, 5, and 6. While watching (actually listening to) the Olympics last night and tonight, I was able to get caught up. The color is distorted - it's hard to get a good picture when it is 9:30pm - but at least you can get some idea as to the progress I've made. There won't be another lesson on this until next weekend, so now I've got time to work on other projects.

This weekend my daughter is playing in the basketball tournament sponsored by our team's association. I worked two hours in concessions today and need to volunteer an additional four hours in admissions tomorrow. It takes a huge chunk out of the weekend, but volunteers help to keep the costs down. Our association relies on profits from this tournament to keep our program fees affordable. We only have to do this one weekend each year, so it's not so bad.

I'm looking forward to enjoying the Olympics this weekend and throughout the week. We are huge sports fans and especially like to watch the hockey games and the figure skating. Do you have a particular Olympic sport that you enjoy watching during the Winter Olympics?

Have a great Sunday everyone and take care!