I tried. Oh yeah, and a give-a-way!

I tried. You know, I really did. Despite the past couple weeks of *trying*, I simply could not get into my latest project, Fright, by Shepherd's Bush (see below post or my sidebar for pic). Does anyone want this kit? Just leave a comment saying you'd like to enter the give-a-way, and I'll draw a name on Friday, April 24th. My inability to get this thing going can be your gain! I did do the tiny pumpkin and the star at the top of the design, but they can be easily removed to get your own stitches in there. Comes with fabby, design, silks, and button.

You know what's sad? It's such a TINY sweet design that I should have had it done by now, and it is SO darn cute. It is a "spot" sampler, and alas, I guess I'm not a spot sampler kind 'o gal. :p I need to rifle through my stash (pure torture, right?) and come up with something else now. I also have a surprise project in the works, which I'll show a sneak peek of sometime in the future.

I got this new design by La-D-Da.

I love Lori Markovic's designs and just seem to gravitate towards them. But then again, I have tons of Cricket to be done, and then there's all the Prairie Schooler, and BlackBird Designs. Oh, and more Shepherd's Bush! And I really *should* work on an ornie this month. Ever feel like you have too many designs? OK, just forget I said it. It's not true. I never said that! I also would like to finish my series of PS Prairie Fairies. I only have one left to do--this one:

The whole series is just so cute. If you are a PS fan, and don't have them, check 'em out on eBay. Affordable, and just adorable.

I think I'm just having a really *off* month. My son has had Spring Break this week and I'm all discombobulated. He has a doc appointment Monday morning to see how the bone is healing and hopefully he'll be out of his cast soon. What a pain in the a$$ for all of us, but especially him. I just feel like I cannot get in my "groove" with stitching and I'm bummed out about it. The old noggin feels all cluttered up! I'm going to endeavor to stitch my butt off this week. I also want to commit to walking one mile each day starting tomorrow. I'll be more likely to WALK my butt off than STITCH it off. Unless I'm stitching really, really fast......

Fright Start and Other Stuff

First, I want to thank all of you for leaving such great advice about reading blogs. I try to keep my posting to about once a week or so. I did go to the Google Reader. I had to LOL when I googled "google reader" and all my followed blogs showed up! Ahhh, the wonders of the internets, eh? How DO they do this stuff?

Sometimes, I'm real good about leaving lots of comments, and sometimes, I might have to play catch up. I'm just supremely thankful that everyone I've met in stitching blogger land (it's a real place you know) is so FABU. Also, that response about the Pinhead Stitch was awesome. Boy, a Shepherd's Bush stitcher can sure use that information. You should check it out. I'm going to attempt it for this stitch.

Well, just a real quick little post to show that I am indeed starting Fright, by Shepherd's Bush. I'm also working on another project that I can't show just yet. I'm nearly done, so we'll see. This week I'll try to work between the two and see where that gets me. Have a great Easter and enjoy time with your families! Time to go dye eggs here........

Red Snowman Finish!

He's finally done. Boy I tell you, I sure am NOT the fastest stitcher, but to be fair, I was trying to work and stitch (rarely at the same time) over the past 7 months. Now I have a break for 5 or so months and can concentrate on this crazy obsessive passion I have. I am also involved in some other creative endeavors--totally exciting--but I'm not going to share details right now. I know, don't you hate that?! I promise to keep you posted though. On to my Red Snowman finish!

Shepherd's Bush Red Snowman
Cranberry Bog Fabric 32 ct. (in kit)
Fibers: Au ver a Soi and Thread Gatherer Silks

I really am pleased with him. He's a nice addition to my finishes because I didn't have any wintry designs, and now I have two! Yayyyy! Don't know what I might put on the QSnaps next, but I'm thinking it might be Fright by Shepherd's Bush.

I can only go so long without a Halloweeny stitch. I was so busy getting Snowman done I didn't even do an ornament for March for my challenge. BLAH! Truth be told, I might not get one done for April either, lol. For all you "followers", WOW-I can't get over how many people are even remotely interested in what I'm doing or stitching. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It makes me smile. I have tried to return the favor by following all your blogs too, and I hope I haven't missed any. Please let me know if have!

How do you all keep up with all the blogs? I have so many I love now, and sure to come across lots more. Do you devote time every day to blogging, or once each week? Do tell! I'll be back soon with a new start as soon as I dig through everything and decide! Until then,

Snowman Update and SAL

I've got a few things to cover today. Seems like when I am working, I only get around to updating my blog about once a week. That's good for me right now I think. I'll have a several month break coming up starting next week and I plan to get alot more stitching in! For now, here's my Red Snowman progress. He's nearly done. I gotta take this opportunity to tell you how much I hate those little stitches in the middle of nowhere-like the flower on his hat. Anchoring those are my least favorite thing to do EVER, lol.

I had a couple people mention the fabric bleeding onto the thread. I use Thread Heaven to coat the silk floss prior to stitching and have not had that problem at all. But I did stupidly try to steam iron it (prior to stitching) and have a nice red stain on my ironing board! Yeah, I know. :p

Now, here's my first submission for the Totally Useless SAL. Yep, it's an ort jar. Not alot in there because I'm working on the snowman, which is a kit and I'm pretty careful with waste.

I was generously given two awards! One is from Melissa over at Words and Blooms and the second one is from Cindy at LoneStar Stitcher.

Both these ladies have great blogs--go visit and leave some love. Oh, and check out Cindy's TO DIE FOR craft room. It's straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog I swear!

I'll have to think of some ladies to pass this on to, but honestly, every stitcher I interact with would be deserving! There are some seriously FABU blogs out there. I've been dealing with colds and broken bones (see previous post) and I'm worn out! But I'm hoping next time I post, it will be with a finish! Until then,

The reason I've not stitched alot this week....

Oh, yes he did. Broke his ankle in two places. Gotta love skateboarding.

This happened Wednesday afternoon. I heard the scream and thought "Nah, that's not my kid." Uh YEAH, it was! Poor boy. Somehow, we have to figure out how he's going to play his double bass in a concert this week. Should be fun.

Only yesterday did I manage to do a bit of stitching. Or was it the day before? The past few days have been a complete blur. Here's some pitiful progress on my poor snowman. I think the little flowers are so pretty.

I'm off today to try and get him out of the house to maybe go to lunch and let his Granny fawn all over him. ;) Oh, he'll hate that, won't he? Tonight, I'd like to get more stitching done. We'll see! Have a great stitchy week everyone, and I promise to get caught up on all your beautiful blogs very soon.....

Snowman and Headache Fairy updates

I never thought I'd see the day. My dear hubby drove me up to In Stitches today, a great needlework shop, and I thought I spied a familiar dye lot of Dandelion Stem. I was almost afraid to examine it more closely. See, I have had this fairy in progress since, oh, about months and months ago! So I dared to buy it, and guess what? IT MATCHES! Now I can finish this baby up. I took her off my WIP list because I thought I might actually have to toss it out. It's a perfect match. This ordeal really turned me off to kits for the most part.

Whew. This has saved me some gray hair-not much, but some. I had ripped out some stitches to provide Sharon Crescent with a sample. I never got a response from her and now have to stitch back what I removed, but hey, at least I can now complete her, right? All the other skeins I tried were a yellow dirty green. But this is a nice Spring time shade of green.

I've been SO darn sick this week, I hardly got any stitching in, but I did get some of the pudgy dude's belly done. It'll look so prety once the roses and other specialty stitch is completed on him.

I need to get caught up on my blogging by visiting all my buddies. Thanks to everyone who is a "follower". Every once in a while I go to visit someone and am mortified I'm not "following"! I fix it when I notice that. It's such a nice feeling to have friends out there in cyber land. Take care and happy stitching this weekend! Until next time,

Shepherd's Bush Start

I knew as soon as I saw Miss Jane's preview of the new SB Purple Snowman, that I had to start my Red Snowman. She also showed her own Green Snowman, stitched to perfection, which sealed the deal. So I started in earnest!

I love him already.

I'm glad I started on him. But, note to self: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, even entertain the idea that you might be able to steam out a wrinkle on that Cranberry Bog fabby and not wind up with red stain on your ironing board!! Been there, done that. :p

Ever watch Gordon Ramsey in Hell's Kitchen? Honestly, I love that man. Well my husband thinks I need to start a stitching reality show (since I'm so particular about my stitching) called "Hell's Craft Room". It would go something like this--me bullying a bunch of stitching ladies around (and if you watch Gordon, you'll know what I mean) and the conversation snippets would be much like..............

"You call THAT a french knot??!"

"Those backstitches should have been ready 10 minutes ago!!!!"

"What do you mean you don't know the difference between Au Ver A Soi and Weeks Dye Works??!!"

"Put that stitching down and GET OUT!!!!"

He had me LOL with all the stuff he was coming up with. I just previewed the mild. Gordon can cut you to the quick with his words, but I would never do that to a fellow stitcher. Just don't come 'round me with shoddy stitching and we never have to find out, do we? Heeee.

I am in heaven with this SNOW!

This snow is glorious! You have to understand my excitement here--we've not had this much snow in THIRTEEN years! Yep, since 1996. I was pregnant last time it snowed like this, lol. And now, he's nearly a teenager. I really would love to move somewhere where it was like this for a couple months of the year. It's not gotten above 25 degrees or so today, and yet, it's going to be SIXTY FIVE this weekend! Ahhhh, Virginia in winter. You never know if you need flip flops or snow boots.........

Now, I need to find something to stitch. Have a great night!

Santa Corn Ornie Finish

Another ornie finish! This one was really quick. I can tell you that I had some trouble with the corners on this ornie. Can anyone tell me if there is a trick to corners? It seems so bulky to turn a corner on this when whip-stitching it closed with the beads. I'm taking that bell off too. After finishing, it kind of went wonky.

Santa Corn by Cricket Collection
28 ct.Mystery Linen over 2
DMC Threads/craft beads/ribbon

Thank you for taking a peek! Now, do I pull out something new or work on Gathering Eggs?

The Sheep are Finished!

These were fun, but I didn't groove on the wooly thread too much. Overall, I am pleased with the result. I couldn't find white jingle bells at my local JoAnn's, so I used silver. I also had to substitute a gray wool thread for the original Taupestone, which I think would have looked much better.

The Cricket Collection Leaflet #225

Wichelt 28 ct. Star Sapphire Linen over 2

A couple very sweet people asked how I was going to finish this. It's pretty small, but I think I want it under glass and frame, so that's probably what I'll do with it. It would make a cute long pillow however! But I'm leaning towards framing. For now, it's in the "finished" drawer with some other pieces.

I need to get cracking on my ornament for this month for the ornie challenge, and I'm guessing since I have such little time left, it will be another simple one like last month, lol! Hmmm, guess I know what I'll be doing tonight! Actually I wanted to do the "Santa Corn" design that is on the leaflet with the sheep. It's really cute and pretty small, so maybe I'll attempt that. Thanks for stopping by to peek at my finish. I really appreciate it. Have a great weekend!

The Opposite of De-stashing

Yep, I bought more than I stitched this week. HOWEVER, all these have been on my "to purchase" list for a looooong time! And can I just say that I adore Ebay?? I mean, c'mon! I always look for good deals on there and here are a few I'd like to share from this past week.

There's "Love Letter" from Full Circle Designs. It came with beads the the little love letter button. I snagged it for $5. I got (yes)another sheep design from Sisters and Best Friends, "Cold Toes, Warm Heart". This is another one I had previously sold while destashing and missed terribly. I'll stitch them this year. Then there's my favorite Stacy Nash Primitives Design, "Hallow's Eve Sampler Pillow", which I will not be making into a pillow! I got this for an incredible $2. Don't ask me how. I just bid and left it and won. Yaayyy me!

Here's a detail of the little letter button.

Now, there are times I lust and yearn for certain designs and a couple BlackBird Designs Loose Feathers fit that bill. Remember how you had to sign up for these babies? Well, I never did and will suffer eternally for it. BUT, I did snag one of my two favorite ones, "With My Needle", for under $6. I've seen them go for ridiculous prices on Ebay, but this time I happened to luck out.

If anyone out there would be willing to part with "Moon Garden", please let me know!

Now, I have to catch up on all your lovely blogs, becuase I know one thing---you ALL have been stitching, and posting, more than me this week, lol!

Stash and Sheep in Here!

I picked up some stash at my LNS yesterday. She had a 20% off everything sale and I got a couple things I'd had my eye on. Nothing big. It was, however, a different direction for me, as I purchase SO much Halloween stichiness! I love the little SamSarah doggie. Isn't he cute? I also picked up a Shepherd's Bush heart, and a grab bag of fabby, 28 ct. linen, for only $5!



Here's a bit of stitchy progress on the sheep. I just had to move on to the snowflakes because the wool was taxing my brain, lol. I'm nearly done with this one, and the last little sheepie is just begging to be finished.


Thank you for stopping by and have a great stitchy week!