2012 Finale

The year is quickly coming to a close so I wanted to take this opportunity to post some of my final projects. Earlier this year I stitched With thy Needle & Thread's  Hilda's Alphabet Brew. It was such a fun stitch that when Letters For Santa was released, I knew I'd be stitching this one, as well.

There is another sampler pillow, House of Blues & Browns. I just know that I'll be fitting it into my rotation sometime next year!

Here's my final ornament for the year. It's a Plum Street Sampler design from the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Special Christmas Issue.

Good Tidings and Great Joy

40- count Vintage Tundra Newcastle from Lakeside Linens

Gentle Arts Sampler and Shaker Sampler Threads

I'm so happy that I decided to photograph this piece before sending it off to the finisher, LOL!!!  Have you noticed my error???

 OOPS!!!  I forgot to stitch the "Y" and "Z".  Better correct that before the clock strikes twelve!!! This is Threadwork Primitives' Holly Sampler Pouch. Because it's so "gray" here today, the colors are just not showing up as they should. It's a really beautiful piece and hopefully that will show up next time. 

I have so enjoyed reading all of your blogs this year and appreciate all the support that you've shown mine. I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!!! There are so many beautiful new designs out there that I want to stitch and I can't wait to share them with you.

Fondly,

Linda

Baby, It's Cold Outside!!!!

 It indeed  is cold here today in the sunny Midwest. While our neighbors to the North have experienced snow, we have not had any.  We're heading for a record for going the longest without any snowfall  if we get to the 16th of December.  I'm still hoping to have some by Christmas.

I've taken advantage of the sun today to snap some photos of recent finishes. Up to now, it's been very gloomy and I've not been able to do so.

Threadwork Primitives

Be Ye Merry

32 count Belfast Clay

I always look forward to stitching Nan's designs. This one just says "Christmas" to me!!! 

Milady's Needle

Partridge in a Pear Tree

40 count heritage Newcastle linen from Picture This Plus

The 2012 Just Cross Stitch Special Christmas Issue had such pretty ornament this year. This is from this issue. Each year I stitch an ornament  from the song  "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I'm hoping to have a tree full of them some day.

Blackbird Designs

Peace

30 count Abecedarian blend linen 

R&R Reproductions

Oh my goodness. As soon as I saw this design, I knew I had to stitch it!  I think that it's just lovely and I plan on keeping it out all year!!!  Here's the back:

The Marking Samplar

Christmas Collection

A Christmas Sampler

34 count Legacy Cafe su Lait

Belle Soie Berry Cobbler

Don't you love these little sampler ornaments!  I'd love a collection of these, as well!

Heartstring Samplery 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

35 count Weeks Cocoa

I hesitated to share this picture with you because it just doesn't do justice to the piece. The Coco fabric is a rich color with red modeling throughout that works perfectly back to the Pomegranate color of the house.

It was a really fun piece to stitch.

Lastly, it wouldn't be a post without a picture of my latest Word Play. This is just the cutest piece. I have one more to go and that's January. I think I'm going to miss stitching this series every month.

I have a few more surprises and hopefully will be able to post before the end of the year.  Until then,  I'm wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays.

Linda

A Quick Autumn Post

I've been busy working on my Christmas stitching projects, but these just arrived from my fabulous finisher, Deb, and I had to share them with you.  First up is a Brenda Gervais piece, On Pins & Pumpkins.

This was such a fun little project and I'm thrilled with how it turned out! The pumpkin stem is real, BTW.  Deb is so good about finding these things! It's stitched on 40 count Antique Cotton linen with the called for over-dyed fibers. I really enjoyed stitching on this fabric and hope to use it again, soon.

Here's my October Word Play:

 

I ran out of rusty pins and I really miss having them on this piece.

Wishing you all a wonderful week, filled with time to work on your favorite stitching projects!!!

Linda

Witches and Crows, Oh My!!!

I've been busy scaring up some Halloween stitching. There are so many great patterns out there and here are two of my favorites:

First up is Threadwork Primitives' Enchanted Crow.

I was on a "stashing" trip with some of my stitching buddies this summer. They are all very good at seeking out every "crow" pattern ever designed and this trip was no different!!! LOL!!  Laura found this Nan Lewis design for me!! Nan also designed  Kringle's Crow that also came home with me and is on my list for stitching this year. I stitched this on 32 count Light Mocha Belfast with the called for fibers.

They say "go big or go home" so I had to "go" for this With thy Needle & Thread design Hilda's Alphabet Brew.

 It was so much fun to stitch and went very quickly. It's done on 22 count Fine Ariosa that I first dyed with Walnut Crystals. 

Finally, here's my entry way display. So bring on the "trick or treaters"!

 Hope everyone has a wonderful week of stitching!

Linda

Dog Day Afternoon

As you may, or may not know, I'm a big fan of Paulette Stewart's designs. Her latest,  Halloweenies,  it's just too cute!!! So much so, that I may have to "jump the gun" and display it now!!! LOL!!!

 Plum Street Samplers

Halloweenies

Edinburgh 36 ct. Doubloon

Gentle Arts fibers

See what I mean. Doesn't it just make you smile!!! The Doubloon fabric is showing up very light here. Wish you could see the beautiful modeling in this fabric. Here's the back:

Back to the present. Here's September's Word Play:

September Door Bells

Country Stitches-With thy Needle & Thread

R&R Abecedarian 35 count

This is one of my favorites and the most fun to stitch. It's a beautiful day here in Illinois and I'm on my way to my LNS to purchase the new JCS magazine and dream about Christmas!  So much for living in the present!!! LOL!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Linda

Summer's End

 Summer's ending and the "Blooms" are fading.

M Designs 

Just Cross Stitch Magazine March/April 2011

Mint Green Linen with called for fibers. 

With thy Needle & Thread August Word Play

35 count R & R Abecedarian Linen with called for fibers

No worries!!! That can mean only one thing for us stitchers: Autumn stitching is here!!!

Island Cottage Needle Arts
Pumpkin Harvest Hanging Ornament
35 count WDW Tin Roof with called for fibers

Happy Labor day, my friends!!!

Linda

And the Winner Is....

Thank you to everyone who left such kind comments on my 1st Anniversary blog post.The winner of my first give-a-way is:

Congratulations, Joanne!!!! Please send me you address and what your linen choice is ( 36 count Edinborough, 32 count Belfast, or 14 count Aida/Linden blend in natural). I'll get this out to you right away. Hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I did!!!!  Have a great rest of the week, everyone!!!

Linda

Celebrate Good Times!!

July 25th is the fist anniversary of my blog!!! I know everyone says this, but it's true, where did the time go??  At the time, I thought it would be a nice vehicle for me to share what I was stitching at the moment.  I had no idea how generous and encouraging you'd all be. To show my gratitude, I'd like to offer a give-a-way. First anniversaries are usually celebrated with a gift of paper. With that in mind, I'd like to offer a gift of a pattern. Not just a pattern, but a pattern that is kitted with the called for fibers and beautiful fabric. My friend Laura has a blog called 2012 Year of the Smalls.  For those of you who may not be familiar with her blog, on the 15th of the month, Laura announces the name of a new pattern that she has our local needlework shop, The Inspired Needle,  kit up for all of us to stitch together. As chance would have it, this month is my turn to choose the "small". I chose the pattern, Sunflowers and Acorns by Beehive Needleworks.

It was designed to be a pin pillow, but I chose to frame it. I also substituted over dyed fibers for the DMC used for the sunflowers.The kit will include both the DMCs and the Gentle Arts fibers. It also comes in three different count fabrics.  Take a moment to check out Laura's blog. If you are interested in having an opportunity to win "the give-a-way", please leave a comment on this post. I'll announce the randomly selected winner on July 25th., my anniversary.  Good Luck, everyone!!

Speaking of winning, I'd like to share the wonderful Candle Wrap I won from Sandra at  Plain and Fancy Merchant.  The linen, cording, and ribbon are just beautiful!!

She also included a patter for the cutest Scissor Fob.

Thank you so much, Sandra!

Those of you who are regular followers know what's coming next. Here it is:

Thank you all so much for your kindness and support and for being such loyal followers. Here's to another year of stitching and sharing!!

Linda

P.S. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my niece, Megan, who got me started and answers all my "cries for help"!! 

Independnce Day

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Let us all be truly thankful

for those who made it possible for our

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Linda

"Crowe" Sighting and Finishes

Last week my friends and I went to the Tree of Life Samplings retreat. On the way, we took a detour to Zionsville, Indiana to have lunch, visit a new needlework shop, and  some antique shops. As I was waiting in line at Persnickety, the needlework shop, I happen to look out and see this sign:

I followed it, knowing that a fellow "Crowe" just had to be behind it! There was. Her name is Cindy Crowe and she owns the As the Crowe Flies Hair Salon and Boutique. The shop was darling and so is she. We joked about being distant cousins and she insisted that I take home one of her mugs. 

There is a great Youtube piece that talks about her and how she came to naming her shop. It's very cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSXgfZWaz3g.  You should check it out.

Just had to have one more shot. My friends are so understanding!!!

Okay, enough already with the "Crowes.  Here's what I just got back from Cathy at the Inspired Needle:

First up is a cute design from the Souvenirs of Summer. Pattern by Blackbird Designs. It's called Summer Song and I love everything about it; the flag and a black bird, who could want more????

I did it on 35 count Parchment fabric with the called for fibers. You can't see it, but Cathy padded it with 3 pieces of quilt batting and I love the effect.

Next is Roses in July by Needle Work Press.  It's an adaption of an antique piece. Cathy sells this pattern kitted up with the Belle Soies and the fabric. I was so happy that she did this. It saved me some money, since the pattern calls for 7 skeins of Belle Soie! It's a tiny piece, measuring only 3.6 x 3.7 inches. I'm happy with the frame because it really makes it look like my grandmother might have stitched it.

It just would be a post if I didn't include my latest Word Play, so here is June:

Thank you for visiting. We are expecting record heat here for the next couple of days, so you know where I'll be! Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Linda