First Blog

For starters, I consider myself a very fortunate person because I have a wonderful group of stitching “buddies” who inspire and encourage me with my stitching projects. We get together often for stitch nights where we all have a great time. I’m also lucky enough to have a terrific shop nearby called the Inspired Needle in Lemont, Illinois. Cathy, the owner, stocks everything you could ever want and then some. Besides being a friend, she’s very knowledgeable and always makes me look good with her fabric and framing suggestions.  And so, with the encouragement of family and friends, I’ve decided to join all you other great bloggers out there and share some of my own recent finishes. 


First up is a group SAL that I did with my stitching friends. Periodically we choose a group project where we all stitch the same pattern, but choose different fabrics and fibers.  Since this is our “summer project”, some of us decided to think “out of the box” with our fibers. You can see Karin’s fun finish on Laura’s Maude and Mozart blog.

Basket of Flowers

Stacy Nash Primitives

30 count Iced Cappuccino fabric by R&R

2 over 2

Belle Soie fibers: Mudpie, Attic Tea, and Amanda’s Apple

Brenda from Brenda’s Stitching Corner joins us at the Sunday stitch-ins at Inspired Needle. She and I did this SAL. She made her finish into a beautiful pillow. Check it out on her blog.

Let us be truly thankful picture
Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the Americana Edition
Heartstring Samplery
36 count Heroic fabric by PTP
1 over 2

Land of the Free

July 2011 issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework

30 count Sheep’s Straw fabric by R&R

2 over 2

Belle Soie fibers as called for.

I’m partial to stitching bird designs, so this ornament was a “must”. I love the idea that it was inspired by different bird motifs stitched on antique samplers in the Historic Stitches collection.

Christmas Songbirds Ornament Picture

Christmas Songbirds Ornament

Historic Stitches

40 count Ivory Ricamo

1 over 2

Gloriana fiber: Mulled Wine

This  is my sweet little “Come Home” piece from Shepherd’s Bush. It was such a quick and fun stitch.

Come Home Picture

 Shepherd’s Bush – Come Home

Finally, here is the Blackbird design I’m currently working on.

Loose Feathers Summer

Blackbird Designs

36 count Lentil fabric by Lakeside Linens

1 over 2

CC and GA fibers as called for.

As soon as I saw this beautiful Blackbird design in the July issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework, I knew I had to do it. I enjoyed every last stitch!

Thank you for taking time out from stitching to read my first attempt at blogging.  I’m looking forward to being a part of this wonderful stitching community and sharing my “works in progress” and finishes. A big thank you also goes to my wonderful niece, Megan, who got me up and going! Until next time, keep stitching.

Linda C.