Finishing Frenzy

 It's been a busy day!  I was taking part in an RR for the last few months, and mine was returned to me just the other day!  These are always so much fun for me, and these ladies are phenomenal stitchers!  I really feel privileged to be a part of their group!  Thank you, Belles, for including me in the fun!

The pattern I chose was Dans Mon Jardin by Jardin Prive'.  I stitched ONE side!  The other Belles stitched the remaining 14.  Here are pictures of my finish, but I will say...I think I'll replace the button, it seems a bit small.  And just for the record, with a 15 sided biscornu, the top is always a little wavy, and this fabric I chose was really unrelenting...haha.  Still I love how it turned out.  Thank you, Belles, for such beautiful stitching!

I am taking part in an exchange as well, and have finished up a few things for that as well.  Here is Patriotic Rose by Threadwork Primitive finished into a tart pan.  Stitched on 28 count over 1.

Here is Red Bird by StitchyFish Designs from Crossed Wing Collection from the 2007 JCS Ornament Issue stitched on 32 count Glacier (Sparklies Fabric, a gift from Mouse).

Here is Winter is Past from Blackbird Designs from their In Friendship's Way booklet.  This is stitched on 40 count Fog over two and attached to a box from Hobby Lobby.  I love it so much I'm going to make one for myself too!!

Also I have Beneath His Wings by Stitchyfish Designs from the 2020 JCS Ornament issue.  I love nativities, so had to stitch this for myself.  It's stitched on 32 count Blue Spruce over two.  It's hard to see the sparkly metallic thread I used, but it matches the color of the snowflakes in the trim.  

It's been such a busy day, and I hoped to finish one more...but I guess that will have to wait until tomorrow or the next day.  It's going to be a strawberry, and it's the first one I've tackled all on my own...so wish me luck!  If it turns out ok, I'll give you a peek!  Happy Stitching!

A bright idea...

Sometimes inspiration comes in unusual places.  I was walking around a store on Saturday looking for a unique way to finish off Peace Rose by Blackbird designs.  I saw someone post this in a group on Facebook and remembered that I had the pattern.  I also had the fabric called for....and within a couple of days, I had a finish!   But I wanted to finish it off in a different way.  I wandered by the "lanterns" in Hobby Lobby, and this particular one caught my eye.  Not only was the color what I was looking for, but the front seemed to be the perfect size...I laced it to some matboard I had at home...and voila'!  I think I really like it!  Not only was it something I thought would work, it was 50% off!  Win win!

I bought a few other things too, that I'm going to try to use to fully finish off some things...so watch this space!  And keep your eyes open, you never know what might inspire you!  Happy Stitching!! 

May Gifted Gorgeousness

Wow, this month surely has gotten away from me.  I guess as the state begins to open up more (they are lifting the mask mandate here in Maryland), the positivity rate of Covid cases drops to below 2%, and the rate of vaccinated people rises to 68% we are getting out and about a bit more.  Which slows my stitching rate considerably!  LOL  I still have quite a bit to show you though.  So for those who are visiting for the first time, I'm following a challenge started by Jo on her Serendipitous Stitching blog where we post on the 15th of each month all the things we've been working on that are either gifts to us, gifts to others, or materials that have been gifted to us.  Jo explains it so much better and you can find the rules or sign up to join us here.  Then visit the main page here and see what the rest of us have been up to.  Jo makes blogging fun, and is always working on something fabulous...so visit her often, she always has something lovely to show!  And now....on to the "show".

First off are some things I have been stitching that were free charts on the net.  I have really been having fun with the Brooke's Books Advent characters that I am stitching for my DIL.  She loves all things cutesy (not really my style, but she not only captured my son's heart, but ours as well and we would do almost anything for her!)   This month I was able to stitch and fully finish Sophie Squirrel and Colin Cardinal.  They are numbers 12 and 13...so I guess this makes me half way done!  Yippee!!  These are stitched on 32 count light blue over one.  With a little luck, I'll finish these in time for her to use them this Christmas!  You can find these free patterns here.  

Also from the freebie category, are the 12 Dragonlets of 2012.  I found these on Facebook on the Dragon Dreams page.  You may have to search her pictures to find them, but last I checked they are still there.  These are stitched on 28 count light mocha over two.  This one is 5 Golden Dragonlets.

Another from the freebie category is the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL that is currently running on the Peppermint Purple SAL page on Facebook.  I have really been enjoying this SAL.  I am working on the square version on 40 count over two on antique ivory.  There are color recommendations listed but I'm being a rebel and chose a solitary color.  The beauty of this SAL is you are free to be as creative as you like!

Next up is a favorite of mine that is a paid SAL from Wiehenburg Designs.  I'm using the colors suggested but chose to stitch mine on 28 count navy over one.  I have stitched a lot of her designs, but I do love her Quakers the best.  This is Winter Quaker and you can still sign up to join in the SAL here.  This was a gift from my husband for Christmas last year.

Another gift from my husband was this SAL from Modern Folk Embroidery.  I haven't been able to catch up this month yet, but hopefully by the end of the month I'll be caught up.  I have stitched a bit and while there is a TON of stitching, I love how it's working up!.

My husband gifts me with the JCS magazine subscription each year.  I'm taking part in a couple of challenges this year so I've been stitching up a few ornaments that come from this magazine.  

I've stitched Beneath His Wings by Stitchyfish Designs from the 2020 JCS Ornament Issue.  This is being stitched on 32 count Blue Spruce over two.  Hopefully I'll finish it today!

I've also stitched Strawberry & Pineapple Christmas on 32 count over two from the 2014 JCS Ornament Issue.  This will be made into a strawberry as soon as I get a chance!

I have been stitching for my pen pals this month too.  I was able to finish up these two.  One is from another freebie from Sub Rosa.  I don't have the exact page, but if you search her blog you'll find this pattern is still there.  For my Texas pal our suggestion was to stitch a bee so I stitched this humbug for her.

For my British pen pal I have been stitching the LHN Month series.  I like to send them to her at least a month in advance.  She is making a flip book, so this month she will be getting June.

Last I'll leave you with a little more I've stitched on Flowers and Lace from Kooler Designs.  This is still being offered for sale as a PDF on their website.  This was a Christmas gift from my husband a few years ago.  It's a big project, hard for me to hold, so I can only do a little bit at a time...but once all my challenges have been completed, I hope to get quite a bit more done on this!

Well, that's all that's fit to print this month.  I hope you are staying safe and keeping well wherever you are in the world.  My thoughts and prayers are with all who are fighting the pandemic.  Happy Stitching!

What's the Buzz?

Oh man, I shouldn't have used that title...now I have the song...What's The Buzz (Tell me what's happening) from the rock opera Jesus Christ Super Star...flowing through my brain.  Sorry if I put that in your head too...LOL!!  Well, I posted this picture in one of my Facebook groups yesterday and folks went a little gaga over it.  I'm going to finish this into a humbug...when I get a chance, but I thought I would share where I found it.  It is a freebie found on the Sub Rosa blog.  Here's the link... click here.  I learned, after I posted, that May 20th is National Bee day...who knew I was so "in the know"?  Truly by accident I stitched this, but fun that is was such perfect timing!  So...here you go!  And Happy Bee Day! 

Check around a bit on her blog, there are other freebies worth having a look at!  Happy Stitching!

May the Fourth be with you!

 I'm a little late posting for Star Wars day, but I did remember on the 4th, so I deserve a little credit!  LOL!!  I think next year I'm not going to participate in any challenges and just stitch what I love to stitch.  (Famous last words, since I'm a sucker for SALs...haha)  Anyway, just a little update on Star Wars the cross stitch (not the movie).  I've had this pattern for a few years, and only seem to stitch on it on May the 4th.  I need to do more, but keep forgetting about it because of challenges, SALs, exchanges...well you get the idea.  Anyway...here's the pattern...

And here is where I started on the 4th...

And here is where I ended on the evening of the 4th.  

I must say, I am a little impressed with my progress!!  I think I'll leave this in a more prominent place so I stitch on it more often.  One of my Facebook friends suggested I stitch on it on the 4th each month.  Great idea, except for the fact I'm a stitching demon on the first part of the month working on challenges for the month.  Hopefully I will have more done before the next May 4th (AKA Star Wars Day).  *sigh*  I have a lot of distractions these days.

Baseball season is upon us!  And we love our Baltimore Orioles!  Yesterday was exciting because John Means stitched a No-No.  No hits, no runs.  There was one wild pitch that sent a runner to first base, but he was thrown out trying to steal second, otherwise it would have been a perfect game.  They are very rare, and exciting to watch!

In other news....LOL!!  I am caught up on Winter Quaker SAL by Wiehenburg.  This is being stitched on 28 count Navy over one and I love how it's coming out!

And I'm caught up with the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL.  This is stitched on 40 count ivory over two.  It looks a little wonky, but it will look much better once it's stretched correctly.  I have a hard time getting fabric straight in a Q-snap frame.  You will probably see this again (with a little more stitched)  for the Gifted Gorgeousness post on the 15th.  See you then!  

Oh!  And I nearly forgot....Happy Belated Cinco de Mayo!  My Cinco duckies wish you a happy May 5th!!

And until next time, Happy Stitching!!