Just got back from the framers...

I was hoping I would get these back in time to take them to the retreat next weekend.  I'm so excited!!  I did call Side Street Framers in Severna Park, Maryland today and asked, they were kind of "cagey" at first as if they couldn't find them...but they called back and said they would be working on them today and I could pick them up tomorrow.  I had already had them stretched, they only had to pop them in the frames...but oh well.  They called back an hour later and said they were ready.  YAY!!  So...here they are....  

Let Freedom Ring by Lila's Studio with some personalization and adaptations.  I can't wait to hang this one in my living room!!  Stitched on 35 count Classic Homespun over two.  Started on the 4th of July 2025 with the hope of having it finished in time for the 250th Celebration this year.  

American Flag by Aysegul Tastepe stitched on 36 count black over one.  This was a challenge but I really love how this one turned out...and that frame with the stars...perfect!!  

Hummingbird's Garden by Samplers Not Forgotten stitched on 40 count Moonstone over two.  I loved all the specialty stitches in this one!  

I'm still working on Milady's Posies and have finished the first page of the pattern.  Two more to go!  This is stitched on 46 Latte over two.  Another challenge for these old eyes, but now that the letters are finished, I'm truly enjoying this one.  I'm trying to decide if I should take this to the retreat or not...it's hard to work on something so complicated when chatting with other stitchers...but I'm anxious to get it finished.  Decisions, Decisions... 

The next few days will be busy packing up, watching Miss Q and sorting out some things for my tablemates.  I hope to take some pictures this time so I'll have an update about the retreat when I get back.  Happy Stitching!

The attack continues...

Sort of...lol  In the past I've contributed to Clare's Church Tree that she stitches each year.  It's been a while since she has done one, so I thought I'd volunteer, and then I saw that she has her hand in a cast...oh dear.  I wish I could contribute more, but I do have two finished for her.  The theme this year is 12 Days of Christmas.  If you've been following me for very long, you'll know I've stitched several sets, but one I haven't stitched yet was Sue Hillis' set.  These are so cute!  So...I stitched two for Clare's tree.  8 Maids-a-Milking...

and 9 Ladies Dancing.  

These are stitched on 32 count white over two.  I hope she likes them!  

It's been a little wild here lately (when is it not?  haha) and I have been stitching but not as much as I usually do.  I've had some appointments this week, I had Miss Q here for a couple of days, and I've been extremely tired so I've had a few naps here and there.  I have more stitching done on Milady's Posies, but no pictures to show.  Now that I've rested my wrist I may get back to working on that one.  I've also kitted up a couple of charts that I recently had sent in the mail that will fit in my clock...so now I have decisions to make...haha.  I'll be back with an update soon.  I hope all are safe from the mid-west storms.  Happy Stitching! 

I've had an attack of startitis

Good Heavens, I had promised myself I would try to finish up some of the UFOs I had floating around here, but I was sorting through some stuff and found some things I had kitted up.  The first one was Santa Claus is Coming to Town...which was a free SAL offered last year.  I attended a retreat last November and was encouraged by my tablemates to kit this one up.  It's been sitting there starting at me since November...haha.  The pattern is in 4 parts, and when I finished the first part I decided I needed a change of scenery....here is where I left off from Santa...  

This is another pattern I had picked up after Market last year.  This is called Milady's Posies by Jan Hicks Creates.  This one just spoke to me and while I had the pattern, the fabric, I I didn't have the floss suggested.  It had DMC but I really wanted to use silks.  Oh well, I decided to kit it from stuff in my stash, so DMC it is!  I started in the middle then worked my way over to the alphabet.  (In case you didn't know, I detest letters...I don't know why but I do...LOL)  It's stitched on 40 count Latte by Fiber on a Whim.  This one is soooo hard to put down, but I'm beginning to think the stitch count was off (I'll have to check).  I think it might be 46 count.  It's a challenge when there is a lot of stitching in a small area.  But I'll continue on after the lettering is done....that middle part is so pretty!!  

The frame I'm using is kind of heavy so it's bothering my wrist.  I may have to put it aside and work on something smaller.  So...watch this space, I feel another attack of Startitis coming on.  Happy Stitching! 

One more thing...

I guess I should have waited one more day to post, but I was so excited yesterday...haha.  

Ok stitching friends, I bought this old clock from Goodwill and took the clockworks out.  Yesterday I painted it...not the best job but I'm ok with it.  I stretched this piece (Believe by Erin Elizabeth Designs) to fit in the circular part of the clock and attached magnets to the back.  Now I can stitch different things to put in that space for different seasons.  How fun is this??  My only question is ... do I need trim around the stitched piece?  

Thanks for your input!  I'm off to find some circular patterns that might fit!  Have a great Sunday!

Yikes....I'm not sure what got into me....BUT

I woke up this morning, after finishing up a couple of ornaments the past couple of days and decided I wasn't really ready to get stitching.  WHAT, you say?  I KNOW!!   Hm...no fever...though I do have a sore throat.  Maybe the respiratory thing I had going on has reached my brain...or the lack of oxygen, oh who knows?  Let's just go with the flow...ok?  

So I pulled out my finishing stuff, made a template, cut out some matboard, and sharpened up my scissors and needles...and voila!  I decided to make a stand up of the gingerbread house and I think it turned out pretty cute!  Here is Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane Designs stitched on 32 count Gingerbread by Picture This Plus.  Front and back...

Not a fan of this particular piece of fabric.  It stretches like crazy so the size of the "cut out" pattern didn't match the size of my stitching...so with a little frogging with the printer to enlarge it, I finally got it to the size I wanted.  I substituted pom poms for the rick rack they had in the picture and left off the hanger they gave with the pattern.  I used a wire place card holder and made it into a stand up.  I LOVE IT!!  

Next I got out my paints and my 2" cubes and painted them up.  While they were drying I laced these onto matboard.  Then I attached them and gave him a lovely scarf.  Now Cubey Snowman is ready to make his debut.  He is from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue and was designed by Tranquilitree Designs and was stitched on 28 count white Cashel fabric over two.  Isn't he darling?  I just love how he turned out too!  

I have another "thing" I'm painting and I'm struggling to make it look right.  UGH!!  I'm going to add another coat before I decide if I'm going to go for it or not.  If it all works out I might have another finish in the near future so watch this space!  Goodness at this rate I may actually fully finish more of my UFO's I have flying around.  EEK, have I created a monster?  I've been drinking smart water (literally...bottled Smart Water) and now I'm questioning what is actually in this stuff?  Could it actually be making me smarter?  Stay tuned....  

Oh one last thing.  I pulled out a freebie SAL that was offered last year.  I have contemplated the fabric for MONTHS....and I finally decided to use Natural Linen...40 count over two.  I started this right after I finished stitching Cubey and I literally had a hard time putting it down last night.  This has been an absolutely fantastic stitch for me.  It's an involved one, but so cute...let's see if you can tell what it is.  Any guesses?  

And on that note I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.  Happy Stitching!  

Gingerbread House

I'm happy to say I finished stitching Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane designs.  I'm not a fan of this fabric, it's so hard to keep stitches straight on this stretchy fabric, but I finally managed to "get-er-done".  Now to get it fully finished.  I stitched this on 32 count Gingerbread fabric over two using the recommended DMC floss.  I finally found the button pack and was able to use some beads in my stash.  Now to get up the courage to fully finish it...haha.  This is the front of the house...   

and this is the back of the house...  

I just love that little elf peeking over the roof of the house!!  The next problem is finding my next project!  I hope you all had a lovely Easter and are enjoying the changing of the seasons.  As soon as the weather stays above freezing I'll be a happy camper!  Happy Stitching! 

Have a Blessed Easter

He is our risen savior!  I pray you know the love of Jesus on this Resurrection Day!