Puttering...

Does anyone else putter, or is it just me?  Some days I rarely get anything done because I think...well I should straighten up my sewing room...then I find something that needs to be put away in another room, which starts a whole..."but first" disease moment.  On Wednesdays I really try to keep it together and work on a WIP that is hanging around.  I sat at the computer to download the next weeks installment of the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL.  I had to go on Facebook to get the pattern, that started me thinking I should make a post in Friendly Stitchers, which reminded me to I needed to email someone, then I needed to download another piece of another SAL I'm working on...then I thought, I should update my blog...well you get the idea.  So here I am, another victim of But First disease.  I'm going to do this update, download the pieces of the SALs I'm following, THEN I have to choose a WIP to work on...hm...whatever will I pick?  LOL

Last night I came so close to finishing Peace Rose by Blackbird Designs.  I was just too tired to put in the last few stitches.  So...first thing this morning, I finished this up.  I only had two of the hand dyed floss in my stash, and since I'm really trying hard not to buy new supplies and use up what I have, I substituted a lot of the colors.  I really like how it came out so I guess I didn't do too bad a job.  I stitched this on 36 count Vintage Pecan Butter.  I love it, really, the fabric is lovely to work with!

This past week I put a few more stitches in Flowers & Lace by Kooler Design Studio.  I love this piece, really I do, but it's large and sometimes my hands have trouble holding the frame I use to stitch this with.  So I can only work on it in short bursts.  Here's where I finished the other day.  Maybe I'll work on it a bit more today?

Ok, enough of the "But First" issues.....off to get some stitching done!  Have a great day and Happy Stitching! 

HATS off

I've had a few days of stitching, finally!  It's been a wild few weeks.  Just a little update on us...we've been having a few medical tests.  DH had a mole on his back tested, which, thankfully, came back negative.  I too have had a few tests come back negative.  I guess with all the lockdowns we have had, our normal medical visits have been put on hold.  Not that we were anticipating anything being wrong, it's just nerve wracking when suddenly our Doctor has us go for all these tests.  I've also been to the dentist and all is good there too!  I guess, from the sounds of things, we will inhabit the Earth for a few more trips around the sun!  haha  

I've been asked how our little Momma-to-be is doing, so far so good!  No major problems for which we are grateful for!  Due date is anticipated on September 27th.  I can hardly wait!

I've been bouncing all over the place lately, with different projects.  I'm still caught up on all my SALs....I finished off April by Senerita di Campagna...I love most of the months in her SAL, this one is on the cutesy side which is not my favorite, but you know me, I have to complete the sets!

A friend sent me a gift of Spring Violets by Hands Across The Sea Samplers.  I loved it from the moment I first set eyes on it!  You know me and my love affair with violets!!  LOL  I found myself in a rut, stitching things in my rotation that I felt I HAD to stitch, so I threw caution to the wind, and picked up something to stitch for fun.  It was this one....and I'm hoping to finish today!  It's been hard to put down, but the last couple of days I had a lot of time on my hands so thought it would be fun to get it started.  Little did I know it would stitch up so fast!  This is stitched on 40 count antique butter cream over two.  I adore it, and hope I can get it framed when it's finished.  I'll let you know!  I know that the spelling on the chart for flowers is different than how I stitched it, but I just couldn't get past the old English spelling...my eyes would have struggled every time I saw it...so yes, I did change that.  Sorry, designers, but OCD took over!  LOL  Thank you so much Lady P...it was such a thoughtful gift!

I guess that's all I've been doing for the past few days.  I'll try to be more consistent with posting, but the weekend is on it's way and the family have a lot of things planned. 

Drum and a Pinkeep, two bits...

I've decided things need to get finished!  LOL  I realized, as I was searching for something else, that I had some things in my "finished closet" that needed to be fully finished.  I'm terrible at getting things framed and/or finished unless it's for someone else.  Well...I really want to get things out so I can see them.  I stitched Lady Liberty 4 years ago....FOUR YEARS ago!  Sheesh, it's time it saw the light of day...and while I was at it, I decided since I just finished up Spring Hare, I might as well send them both in at the same time.  The finisher at The Stitching Post has done other things for me so I decided I would let her finish these too.   I love this Blackbird Design Lady Liberty drum...and here she is in all her splendor!

And Spring Hare turned out so cute though it's so small.  I really love the backing fabric I found and the trim too.  Aren't they fun?

I just got them back today and had to post about them...I'm happy dancing all over the place today!  I had an attack of "startitis" last night...and once I get a little more done I'll post a picture ... Spring Violets by Hands Across The Seas is what's in the hoop...you know my love affair with violets...haha.  This was a gift from a friend a month or so ago...I just couldn't put it off any longer!  Stay safe, everyone, and Happy Stitching!! 

April Gifted Gorgeousness

What a crazy time it's been!  But one constant (that I am truly grateful for) is the Gifted Gorgeousness post we do once a month.  It keeps me focused on what I still have to work on and keeps me looking at things that have been gifted to me to stitch.  I hope I'm making sense.  The past week or so has been incredibly busy and my brain is fried.  I hope I don't forget to include anything....wish me luck!  If you haven't heard of Gifted Gorgeousness, you can head on over to Jo's blog Serendipitous Stitching by clicking here.  You can read the rules and sign up to participate there.  The more the merrier!  And if you want to see what the rest of us have been posting for Gifted Gorgeousness, you can click here.  

I'll start by posting what I've received lately.  I have a wonderful pen pal!  She lives in Texas and we've been pals for only a few months now.  I enjoy her letters, and she sends the cutest things!   Here is what I received for Easter.  (The chocolate is missing, as my husband loved the kind that she sent...it didn't stand a chance once I offered him a piece...haha)

I consider things I stitch from freebies on the net as gifts.  But especially the Brooke's Books Advent series.  I'm stitching these for my Daughter-in-law who loves all things cute!  The more I stitch these, the more I love them.  Sheila Sheep is just adorable!  I've been stitching these on 32 count light blue linen over one.  Challenging, but they are so adorable when they are finished!

And of course, Fitzwilliam Frog is dapper in his own right.  He was a quick stitch, and I love how he's croaking out a carol!

For the 12 Days of Christmas challenge I'm participating in, I have been stitching the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas.  This month is #4 and is called 4 Calling Collie Birds (don't you love the phone and wire all twisted around the dragon?  These crack me up!!  These are stitched on 28 count antique ivory over two.  

I've been stitching these Monthly patterns by Little House Needleworks for a friend of mine in England.  These are stitched on 40 count over two Natural.  She is putting together a flip book with them!  I'm also making a set for me, but hers come first!  LOL  

I've been participating in a Christmas ornament challenge and they have picked ornaments from the 2020 JCS Ornament issue.  This month they chose Rejoicing Reindeer by Blue Ribbon Designs.  This is stitched on 40 count lt mocha over two with a mix of WDW threads and DMC.  I do love her designs!  I consider this a GG because my husband gifts the subscription to me.  I hope to finish this off in the next day or two.

Another pattern from JCS Ornament issue is from the 2017 called Guilded Snowflake by DebBee's Designs. I stitched this on 40 count Midnight Tryst from Fabrics By Stephanie over two using WDW Icicle floss.  

For Christmas my husband gifted this SAL pattern to me.  I'm using fabric I found in my stash...28 count Navy...and DMC I had in my stash also.  I'm stitching it over one, and I am just LOVING this design!  It's called Winter Quaker by Wiehenburg Designs and can be found on her website.

Another free pattern I have found on the internet is the Peppermint Purple SAL that is happening right now.  It's a blackwork piece and I am really enjoying stitching this.  I'm using 40 count cream linen.  I've been lucky to be keeping up with it and even started on the border that one of the stitchers shared with the rest of us!  Please don't ask what floss I'm using, be creative and pick a color you love, or you can use the multi color pallet that she is suggesting!

Another freebie is from L'R de rein.  I call it spring basket.  I stitched this for my pen pal, and will finish it soon, as I'm very late to get this in the mail to her.  My life needs to slow down a bit!!!  I had to choose my own colors but I really like the way it turned out!

Last is the Spring Hare by Stacy Nash.  A friend gifted this to me last year and it took me a while to get busy and stitch it.  This is stitched on 32 count blue spruce over one.  I just sent it out to have it made into a standing pin keep.  I'm waiting with baited breath to see how it looks finished!  It's going to be sooooo cute!!  

Ok, I think that's it for now.  I will post this last picture of my Modern Folk Embroidery SAL because I haven't updated a picture on here for a while.  This is not part of Gifted Gorgeousness, but I thought you might like to see it.  

I am in love with this piece (even if stitching it is a challenge...there are a lot of stitches in this this month!!!)  I hope all of you had a safe and healthy Easter season and are enjoying the spring.  I love it this time of year even if my sinuses have issues with the pollen here in Maryland!  LOL  Happy Stitching Everyone!