A Date, Some Stash and Stitching

A Date....

Do you ever find when the credits roll at the end of a movie you want to see more. That's how I felt Friday night at the end of "Angels and Demons". I have started the book and was surprised when the beginning of the movie was different from the book but I really LOVED it anyway. Of course Tom Hanks was excellent again (isn't he always) and I think "Angels" was even better than "DiVinci Code". After the movie we headed for our favorite date spot, Fremont St., for a light supper at the deli in the oldest Casino/Hotel in Vegas, The Golden Gate. We then put a few pennies in the one arm bandits and as usual I lost and Tracy won enough to pay for the evening. We ended our date with a Cappuccino at Starbucks and some people watching. The weather was perfect even with a few rain drops.

More Stash....

In my post about Girls Day out Carolyn mentioned she was surprised by my restraint at the LNS. Well here is the reason I was such a good girl hehehe. I had a couple of online orders that I placed before going out. See, I really wasn't that good this week.

From 123 Stitch I got....

"Christmas In My Heart" by Cross n' Patch/Emie Bishop

This has been a favorite designer of mine since I first started doing Hardanger and with the class coming up I have really been bitten by the Hardanger bug again. Even Tracy has noticed and when I start another new project he will ask if it's more Hardanger. I have started on one of the Hearts and hope to have some progress to share real soon.

"Sweet Baby Sampler" by Praiseworthy Stitches

This is the sampler that I will be doing for Maddie. I am going to change the colors a bit to make it a little brighter and will be stitching it on 28 count Platinum Cashel with silk threads. With any luck I'll have it done before her first birthday.

I also got some White fabric for the "Hearts" and a really pretty soft pink linen to do the Hardanger Angel for Donna's "Stitching for a Cure" tree and I should have enough to also do a couple of small ornaments.

And now who can pass up a good sale....Not me! Karen at Wasatch Needle Craft was having a 25% off sale for Memorial Day and I just had to have this.

"A Stitchers Garden" by The Victoria Sampler

Karen offers some charts already kitted up and in a very nice mesh bag at a discount. I saved about $9 buying it already kitted up with the chart, fabric and thread pack and then another 25% off that so it was such a good deal I also ordered a new pair of Stork scissors (they are on backorder but should be in very soon she said). I think this is going to go very well with "Tea and Stitches".

See I really wasn't that good this week.

Stitching....

I really got in some good stitching time and have a couple of finishes to share.

"Nordic Star Ornament" by Nordic Needle

in JCS 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on 28 count Natural Irish Linen

with DMC #8 Perle Cotton

Told you I have the Hardanger bug. I couldn't wait to try the variegated Perle Cotton I got at the LNS and this was the perfect project for it. I'm going to make a little pillow type ornament with some dark green fabric to bring out the green in the design. I love this pattern and will probably do it again for our ILCS Ornament Exchange. It really was a fun quick one to do.

"Did You Ever Stop...." by Lizzie Kate

Stitched on 27 count Cream Northern Cross Linen (came with chart)

with WDW, GAST and DMC

This says it all about me (hehehe). I love the colors and found a perfect fabric to go with it to make a flat fold. I still need to add the little pink buttons at the bottom (as soon as I remember where I put them so I wouldn't lose them) and then get Tracy to cut the cardboard for the flat fold. Should have it finished and on my desk before the next week is over.

Well I'm sure I have bored you to tears by now so will shut up and get back to stitching the heart.

Until Next Time....Have a great rest of the weekend with some good stitching time.

I Was RAK'ed

While doing the Mail Art class that Meari taught I had mentioned several times how cute the envelope Shelley was doing. Of course all her pictures had the address blurred on it so I had no idea I was going to be the lucky one to receive it. I also had commented on how cute the magnet she stitched was. I was in shock when this arrived in the mail yesterday. I wish you could all see it in person. The stitching is beautiful and I just can't believe it made it thru the postal system in perfect condition.

Front of Mail Art and contents
Back of Mail Art

It is the perfect size to hold the little baggies I use for the threads for my projects so I'll be using it everyday.

I'll have another update soon with some finishes and more stash.....stay tuned for that.

Tracy and I have a date planned for tonight. We are going to the movies, out for a light supper and more people watching on Fremont St.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

Girls Day Out

I was so surprised when I got a email from Nancy R from NM Monday that she was here in Las Vegas. We talked on the phone and made plans to meet on Wednesday for a "Girls Day Out".

Rene and Nancy

We started our day with a yummy lunch at The Olive Garden where I gave her this "Cupcake" and a stitch picker that I made just for her. I think we did more talking than eating. It was like we had known each other for years.

After lunch we headed for the LNS "Stitcher's Paradise". While I love going there with Tracy it's a lot more fun to go with another stitcher. I was able to help Nancy pick out her threads and fabric for the Hardanger Class and we both added to our stash. I didn't do too bad and only got 3 new charts and some really pretty threads.

Here is what I got......

LK's "Did You Ever Stop To Think" and the threads for it

Barbara Ana's "Hand Over The Coffee"

DOODLES "Cabin in the Snow"

To show what a small world this is, while standing at the counter a lady who was in the shop with a group stitching came up to me and asked if I blogged. I said yes, with a puzzled look on my face I'm sure. It turns out that she follows my blog and recognized the froggie bag Mary made me that I take on all my shopping trips.

After all the spending at the LNS we needed a break and stopped at the nearest Starbucks for a Frappichino and more chatting. Refreshed we headed for JoAnn's since Nancy needed something to finish a project for her BF's mother's birthday. I did pretty well there and got a really cute Frog basket that was 70% off, some beads and more threads. Then off we went again to Michael's. Believe it or not I didn't buy anything there but Nancy found a few things she just had to have. By this time it was getting late so we said our good by's and talked about meeting again on Friday night when we both have plans to go out with our men. I sure hope we can work that out since I'd really love to see her again before she goes home. She has plans to come back again in July so I'm sure we will have another day out then.

When I got home I just had to start on the new LK project but didn't get much done. I was really tired and went to bed very early and just watched the new TV Tracy got for the bedroom.

That was our day out.....

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

Monopoly Monday 5-25

Got a little more done on the Monopoly Board. I wasn't feeling well (ate something bad I think) so didn't get as much done as I would have liked. The frogs must have felt sorry for me as they stayed away. I'm still really enjoying working on this and look forward to next Monday when I should finish another page.

Time sure flies by.....

Maddie at 6 weeks

It seems like just yesterday I was sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear about the birth of Madalyn Rose. She is now 6 weeks old and according to my DD a very easy, happy baby. I just had to share this picture with you. If that doesn't make you smile you must be having a really bad day and maybe it will cheer you up.

I'm going out for a girls day out tomorrow. Nancy from NM (a member of my ILCS group) is in town and we are going to lunch and then shopping at the LNS. I just love meeting members of the group and I'm sure we will have a great time.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

Weekend Update

I had more starts and finishes since my last update. I did a couple more of the Hardanger Hearts but will share those at a later time. One is for a gift and the others I'm going to make into ornaments and if they come out as planned will go to Donna for the "Stitch for a Cure" tree.

"Starstruck" by Polstitches

Stitched on 28 count "Tea" Irish Linen

with DMC Perle, Dinky Dyes Silk and Mill Hill beads

I stitched this for my DH Tracy and will be putting it into a box top. These are his favorite colors and I think they went very well together. If you click on the picture and see the enlarged version you will notice the 4 beads together in the border. These are in the area that was cut and a real PITA to do. Now to find the perfect sized box and get it stained and ready for the stitched piece.

"Tea and Stitches" by Victoria Sampler

I worked on "Tea" while watching the Indy 500 (good race this year) and got more of the speciality stitches done on the border. The frogs must have wanted to watch the race too since they can out and kept attacking the stitching. I noticed that one of the blocks is off center after I did the scan so more frogging will need to be done.

Since it's Monday I'll be working on Monopoly again today and should have another page done before it gets put away for the week.

Hope everyone is having some good weather and getting lots of stitching done on this holiday. It's a American holiday but I hope everyone around the world will join us in remembering those who have kept us free.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching and have a great week

The Best Reason for having Children......

The best reason for having children is they give you this....Grandchildren!

Finally my DD got all three in a good mood and still enough to get a picture.

Gibby (6 years) Maddie (5 weeks) and Jedi (8 years)

Jedi and Maddie

Hardanger Heaven

As I mentioned before I am going to be leading a group of stitchers in Basic Hardanger. I really can't say I will be teaching, more like a tutor. I decided it would be a good idea if I stitched up the class project before trying to help other do it. I haven't done a lot of Hardanger in a long while and while I was a but rusty at it I am very happy with the outcome and now the bug has bitten me and I have to do more.

Hardanger Class Project

"Sweet Dreams" free design from Polstitches

stitched on 28 count Cashel from Silkweavers with

DMC #8 and #12 Perle Cotton

I then just had to do another project. Told you the bug has bitten me. This little heart only took me a couple of hours to do. Not sure what type of finish I'm going to do with it but I think it is so sweet. I know I will be doing this design again and again as it was easy, quick and fun.

"Hardanger Heart" by Victoria Sampler from The Christmas Treasures Collection

Stitched on 28 count Evenweave with

DMC #8 Perle Cotton and Dinky Dye Silk Ice Strawberry

Still in the mood for speciality stitches I pulled out "Tea and Stitches" and spent a little time on the border. I did a few of the "fan" stitches and then got 3/4 of the eyelets done.

"Tea and Stitches" by Victoria Sampler

I also worked on "Home is Where You Hang Your Needlework" but forgot to take a progress photo before I put it back in the WIP basket. It is almost 2/3 done now and shouldn't take long to finish.

There has been lots of talk about "Fly Lady" method of cleaning and such. One tip was to set a timer for 15 minutes and do what you can in that time frame. I will have to say it WORKS. I tried it this weekend and managed to get a lot of my stash organized, put away and now I have a very neat and tidy desk top again. I am going to continue using this method and should have a very clean and tidy stitching/computer area very soon.

Well it's Monday and that means I'm back to stitching on Monopoly and should have side 2 done before it's put away for another week. Plans are to finish the "grow!" pin cushion this week and maybe even do another Hardanger Heart.

Until Next Time.....Have a Great week with Lots of stitching time

May Seasonal Shelf Redone

The May shelf is finally looking like what I had pictured in my head. Thank you to everyone for their suggestions on what I could do to make it what I wanted. I move things around a bit, added some Ivy for background and built the fence.

May Seasonal Shelf

Top of Shelf

If you click on the photo you can see the cute buttons I added to the fence. I won these in a give away from Shelley in my ILCS group and they arrived in the mail today and I thought they were a great addition to the fence. You will see more of these adorable buttons on my stitching in the coming months.

Right now I'm stitching like a demon on a new project for a Hardanger Class I'm going to teach for my ILCS group. It's really a very simple design but I think it's going to be a great project for a introduction to Hardanger. I also have made a little more progress on the "grow!" Pincushion and may get it finished this weekend.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. We are under a Heat Advisory for Sunday since the temps are going over the century mark for this first time this year. It will be about 15 degrees above the normal for this time of year and you know where you will find me. That's right, inside with the A/C on watching NASCAR and stitching to my heart content.

Until Next Time....Have a Great Weekend with lots of good stitching.

Finishing Happy Dance

A month ahead of schedule I have finished The Cat's Whisker's "On The Twelfth Day...." I still have to make them into ornaments but that won't take long to do since I've got the fabric ready and found ribbon in my stash for them. I really do love this set and think they are going to look great on my tree this year.

Day 11

Day 12

Tracy has taken pity on me and moved the TV from the bedroom to the living room so I have been able to watch some of my favorite programs while stitching. We are still going to get another TV but at least now I'm not without. The best news is he will be getting a little extra money this month from Social Security so I will get my Mother's Day shopping trip to the LNS. I really do need to stock up on some basic fabric's and not sure what else I'll be looking for. Also have added a few things to the Seasonal Shelf and I'm much happier with it. I'll have a updated photo of it soon.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

More Finishes

Some good stuff and some not so good stuff. First I had a very productive weekend of stitching . That's the good and now the bad was my TV in the living room (where the computer is and where I stitch) went to the TV Gods in the sky. First we noticed the color was off and then it just went dead. Of course this really put a wrinkle in my plans for Mother Day stash shopping since now we'll have to buy a new TV. I normally get 2 trips to the LNS to spend what I want on anything that catches my fancy (and Tracy always finds even more that he thinks I must have). Well my birthday stash shopping was ruined when we had to buy a new computer and now the TV will take care of my Mothers Day stash shopping.....I think the stash angels have it in for me and are trying to tell me something.

The good thing was I managed to get some finishes while watching movies on the computer.

"Pooh" onesie for Maddie

This will be the last one I stitch for a while. She has so my cute things in this size I will wait to she outgrows some of them and then get back to more stitching for her. I love this Pooh design and even did it a few years ago for myself on a tee shirt. All the backstitching about drove me nuts but I think the outcome was well worth the effort. I added the little ribbon roses around the neck to make it even more girly.

Next I decided to do something a little easier and thought it would be a good time to do the "On The Twelfth Day...." ornaments for May. My plan was to stitch 2 of the designs each month and finish up in June but I have changed my mind and will do the last four this month. Below are both days Nine and Ten and I have just started on Day Eleven. I should have the last two done this week and then it will be on to other ornaments. I still want to do at least two a month and will probably be looking for a cute "Babies First Christmas" to do for Maddie.

"On The Twelfth Day...." Day 9

"On The Twelfth Day...." Day 10

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

Seasonal Shelf for May

The May shelf is still a work in progress. I'm working on other ideas for it but need to get to Michael's for some more supplies. I want some kind of background and maybe a white picket fence but we'll see what I can find or make for it. Thinking a couple more birdies like the ones on the bird houses would be nice too. I had loads of fun painting the birdhouses and think I'll be doing more of them for decorations in the Living room.

Will have a stitchy update later tonight along with some other stuff.

Until Next Time.....Have a great week with LOTS of stitching time.

We Have a Winner

In my last blog post I offered a Scissor Fob to the first person who left a comment that they wanted it. Thank you to everyone who left comments but the only one who read the post correctly and posted she wanted it was Donna Karl. Congrats Donna! I missed the mailman today so it will go out in the mail on Monday and I hope you enjoy it and the little extra I included in the package as a surprise.


Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

A Finish and Fobs

Another Finish.....

I've been stitching like I'm possessed to get the onesies done for Maddie before she outgrows them LOL. Here is the Piglett one I finished last night. She is sure a good eater and Manda calls her "Lil Piggy" so this one is perfect for her. Love the Pooh designs and I have a book that is almost worn out now with different Pooh, Piglett, Eeyore and Tigger in it that are just the perfect size for the little Onesies. I've started a Pooh one and should have it finished before the weekend. Instead of stitching the butterfly in Piglett's hand I used a pretty little button for it.

"Piglett with Butterfly" Onesies for Maddie

Fobs, Fobs, and more Fobs,

"Frogin" Stitch Picker

No one likes to have to "Frog" on projects and I find that having a "Stitch Picker" makes the chore a little easier. The added weight to the needle somehow makes it a little easier to hold the needle and pluck out the offending stitches. As soon as my order for more froggy charms arrives I want to make more of these for RAK's and a give away here on my blog. I am being stingy though and keeping this one for myself.

"Stitchers Fob"

You really can't see the charm in the middle but it says "Stitch" on it and I love the little scissors. Someone is going to find this one in their mailbox real soon.

"Sewing Fob"

I just love the Black and Silver combo on this one. The middle charm is a picture of a old fashioned sewing machine and I adore the thimble at the bottom. Again this will be going out as a RAK real soon.

"Gold Butterfly"

This one is kind of plain but I didn't want to over power the lovely beads that change color in the light. I would love to send this to someone so if you would like it just leave me a comment and I'll send it to the first person who leaves a comment wanting it. Be sure to include you name so I'll know who to contact for a address.

"Lil Froggy Fob"

After our wonderful day together Mary A sent me this adorable little froggy charm. I wish he showed up better in the picture. I wanted to do something special with him so I made this little fob that I can put on the zipper of my purse. Now I'll have a little reminder of our day shopping and chatting whenever I go out.

I think Summer must be just around the corner. It's been really warm this week and the century mark for the temp will be here very soon. I'm sure not ready for it but since I can't follow Winter around the globe I guess I'll just have to deal with staying in while the sun is up.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching!

Monopoly Monday SAL and other stuff

I was a good girl and worked on Monopoly on Monday. Didn't get a lot done but some is better than none. All the lettering for Page 3 is now finished and all that is left to do is the Railroad and dreaded Community Chest. As I said before I'm leaving the Chests until last to do since I really am dreading all the fractional stitches and backstitching on those. The railroad is easy to do but I just might leave those until after the chests as a reward to myself for finishing the chests.

Monopoly Board

Pages 1,2 and 3 5/4/09

Stitching for Baby....

Got two little quick finishes done for my sweet Maddie. Before she was born my DD Amanda said NO PINK! Now that she is here and she has received so many cute "Pink" outfits Amanda said pink is now OK LOL.

Love Bug Bib

After finishing the Just Nan Tin on Sunday night I felt like a little more stitching and what better to do than a Bib. You probably recognize the design from the cupcake I did. I have used the pattern over and over and over and sure got my monies worth out of the cheap little kit. I think this will probably be the last time I use it.

Sorry Nancy I really don't mean to touchier you with these and if you will send me your address I'll send you the kit so you can do some for your precious one to come (I checked all the databases and you aren't there ;o( )

Design from The Sweetheart Tee "Just Ducky Fob". I stitched it on a Onesie with waste canvas using DMC and Dragon Floss.

I purchased a package of onesies before Maddie was born and finally got some waste canvas so I could stitch something on them. It's been a while since I used the stuff so it was a rocky start but a good outcome. I have several more to do this week and since this one stitched up so quickly may get 2 or 3 more done.

Well that was my Monday and I sure hope the rest of the week goes as well. I did play with making a couple more Beaded Fobs and even a stitch marker but will have to wait til the sun comes up tomorrow for pictures of them (the camera batteries were dead today so couldn't take any pics).

Hope you have a great week with lots of stitching time.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching

Weekend Update

This turned out to be a great weekend for watching races, naps, and lots of stitching and even a finish to hang on the wall. While watching 2 NASCAR races, the KY Derby and the NHRA finals this is what I got done (got a few short naps in there too).

"grow!" Tin Top by Just Nan

stitched on 28 count Platinum Cashel Linen

with DMC

The design is small, 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 but took a while to stitch with all the color changes. I'll try to get a better picture when it is mounted on the tin. I need to get more floss to make the cording so probably won't get to put it together until next weekend.

"Love Bug" Cupcake

Design from Kit stitched on 32 count White Linen

with DMC and finished in a Flower Petal Cupcake holder

This cupcake was inspired by the cute ladybug at the Belliago Conseratory. I just loved how it was all done in the red roses and thought this would make a cute cupcake with red ribbon roses. I have become really addicted to make these since they are really quick and easy to do. I have lots of the cupcake holders so will probably be doing many more of them.

"Not Tonight Dear...." by Sue Hillis Designs

I purchased the mat and frame for this a while back and it just sat there waiting for me to put it together. Well the little cupid got tired of waiting to be hung and screamed at me until I finally got off my butt and put it all together. The white frame doesn't really show up well on the white wall in my bedroom so I may get another frame for it (I'd paint the wall but don't think the landlord would like that). At last she is completed and hangs as a reminder to DH.

Happy Baby....

Maddie at 3 weeks

I'm sure you must be getting tired of the proud Granny with the baby pictures but I just had to share this one. My DD says this is normal for Maddie. She is one very easy baby that only cries when she wants to eat and judging by how she is growing is often LOL. I should have a picture sometime during the week with all three of the grandkids since Jedi is almost over his cold and will be allowed to hold her again.

My eyes have had about all they can take of stitching and reading email so I may pull out the beads and charms and put together a couple of Beaded fobs for a change of pace.

Hope everyone has a great week ahead with lovely weather and lots of stitching time.

Until Next Time....Happy Stitching