Last Stitches for 2014

Last Saturday I received the latest Ladies Prim Soceity kit which is a Blackbird Design.

The pattern is called Noel and is made into a stocking.

I just finished putting in the last stitches.

This will be my last finished stitched piece for 2014.

Blackbird Designs--Noel Stocking stitched on 32 count sheep's straw linen with overdyed threads.

Started 12-30-2014

Finished 12-31-2014

I stitched a total of 57 pieces this year.  Let's see what next year will bring.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

End of Year Post

Well again it has been awhile since my last post.  I have decided that I am not going to feel guilty or make excuses for not posting sooner, the reality is life is busy.  Besides I really do this blog as a way to track my stitching for myself.  So with that being said here is what I have been up to in between all the things that happen in life:)

 One of the things I needed to get done was this stocking for our newest grandchild.  Finnegan was born last March 5th and I have started the tradition of making Christmas stockings for each of the grandchildren.  This one makes number six.  I was very happy to have this done before Christmas.

This is a Bent Creek pattern called Christmas Eve.  Stitched on 18 count linen with DMC.

Along with the stockings I also stitch an ornament for each grandchild, plus I like to stitch one for each of my children, that is 12 twelve ornies.  I will say that I don't always get them done in a timely fashion for my children.  So far for the last 7 years I have gotten the grandchildrens done:)

Next up are some things that I have stitched for myself but just the stitching is done.

These are Plum Street Samplers Thanksgiving stockings.  They were stitched on 36 count linen I dyed with DMC threads.  

Started 11-2-2014

Finished 11-6-2014

Threadwork Primitives--Give Thanks.

Stitched on 32 count coffee dyed linen.

Started 11-14-2014

Finished 12-1-2014

 Threadwork Primitives--Christmas Fruit Basket.

Stitched on 32 count linen with DMC.

Started 12-3-2014

Finished 12-16-2014

Threadwork Primitives--My Work.

Stitched on 32 count linen dyed by me with DMC.

Started 12-12014

Finished 12-20-2014

Plum Street Samplers--Count Twice Stitch Once.

Stitched on 32 count linen dyed by me with DMC.

Started 12-20-2014

Finished 12-26-2014

Country Cottage Needleworks--Snow Love.

Stitched on 32 count Petit Point Raw/White linen with DMC.

Started 12-26-2014

Finished 12-28-2014

Little House Needleworks--Season's Greetings.

Stitched on 32 count coffee dyed linen with DMC.

Started 12-28-2014

Finished 12-30-2014

 This is a Lizzie Kate Stocking that was stitched last year.  Just finished it a couple of weeks agol

This is a Homespun Elegance ornament I stitched earlier this year for our oldest daughter as she lives in Tennessee.  I also stitched and finished one for daughter number 2 who lives in Georgia, also got it finished.  Can't remember if I got a picture of it but I did give it to her for Christmas!!

 I have about five other items that I stitched, but haven't taken pictures of them. I finished stitching them between October and now.  I will have to track them down.

 This last picture is of my new sewing space.  Our oldest son put this work station up for me.  I am so excited to use it.  Still getting things organized.  I had been sewing on the dining room table.  I am so glad to get my projects off that table.  As if I don't have enough to do as far as crafting goes I also want to quilt and sew, plus crochet and make jewerly.  Good thing I don't work!!!  But I do take care of the grandbabies alot so I don't just craft:)

Have a Happy New Year.

Meet Barbara and a finishing frenzy

I was at my JoAnn's store today with a friend and we came across a new Gingher Designer series scissors:)

This scissors name is Barbara.  I was happy of course to score these!  It seems like JoAnn's does not carry as many of these designer scissors as they used to.  There where only 3 eight inch scissors and 2 four inch scissors.  I assume that there was 3 four inch scissors too. JoAnn's use to get at least 6 of each size but that number seems to have dwindled.

This Blackbird Design stitch is Give Thanks Sewing Box. 

This was stitched on 30 count coffee dyed linen using DMC.

Started 10-17-2014

Finished 10-21-2014

I painted a paper mache box amd mounted the piece on top.  I trimmed the edge with some coffee dyed chenille trim.  I really liked how it turned out.  This piece was suppose to be mounted on a Lone Elm Lane wooden box, which I would love to have but I went with a little more cost effective way of a finish.  Someday though I think I will buy a Lone Elm Box!!

This is one of the things I finished yesterday.

Then I got on a roll with finishing.  I stitched these two ornies last year.  They were just waiting to be finished.  So now I have an ornie for two of our grown children.

Thses two ornies are for our Granddaughters.  I stitched them earlier this year.

This is a Little House Needleworks design--Happy Hearts stitched on 32 count Cameo Rose with DMC threads.

Both were stitched back in January.

I stitched these ornies for 3 of the 4 of our Grandsons.

Lizzie Kate-Tiny Tiding XIX stitched on 32 count tea baked linen with DMC.

I stitched two of these in August and one in October.

Since this will be Grandson number 4's first Christmas I stitched up this cute little bonnet ornie.

I stitched this ornie for our youngest son and he is now 26!!!!  Where did that time go?

So I have stitched this for each of our grandkids for their first Christmas.

This is just another view. 

 And here is the back of the bonnet.  Sorry about the picture.  I am just not very good at picture taking.  Should take a class on that!!

I decided to stitch one ornie for each of our grandkids every year.  I should have really thought about that because now we have 6 grandkids and I am sure we will have more since 3 out of our 6 children haven't had amy children yet.  Someday I maybe spending all my time just stitching ornies!!!

Well at least I have all my ornies done for this year and I am thankful for that.

I just finished stitching this piece on Monday and started the finishing process but ran out of time to get it done.

With Thy Needle and Thread--House of Blues and Browns stitched on 32 count Natural with Sampler Threads.

Well Folks that's it for now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Another one bites the dust...

A WIP that is.  I just finshed another WIP and started and finished another piece from my stash.

White Willow Stitching--Tribal Pumpkin stitched on 28 count coffee dyed linen with Classic Colorworks-Colonial Copper and a Threadwork thread, but not sure of the color number.  I started this piece last October and for some reason stopped working on it.  Probably sidetracked by a new project!!

Since this piece was for my daughter I dragged it out and got it finished in a couple of days.  I was about a third of the way done when I picked it back up.

Started 10-21-2014

Finished 10-26-2014

 Next up is Shepherd's Bush 2014 scissors fob.  I needed to get this one done before the end of the year and I did.  It really was a quick stitch and finish.

Plus I had the scissors which is Julia.

Shepherd's Bush 2014 scissors fob stitched with materials in kit.

Started 10-27-2014

Finished 10-28-2014

Well just a quick update need to run and get somethings done before the grandbabies wake from their nap!!  Have a great week.

Fall in Minnesota, some WIP's and another bad habit!!

First off I thought I would show a tree that is in our backyard.  This fall has been pretty nice but windy.

As the trees are turning color we really have a beautiful one right off our deck.

 This is a view right out our sliding glass door.

 Next up is a WIP.  This is Primitive Traditions--Quaker Pocket Needfuls-A Petite Huswif.  I think I started this about 2-3 years ago.  I had the bottom motif done.  I picked it up again on 10-11-2014 and finished it on 10-17-2014.  It really stitched up quick not sure why it sat so long.  It was stitched on 40 count fawn with Belle Soie.  Now I need to get the finishing done.

I have been trying to finish some of my WIP's!!! It's especially hard when I would like to start something new.

Speaking of which, I had this piece in my to do pile and decided to treat myself for getting a WIP finished!!  This is Blackbird Designs--Give Thanks Sewing box top.  

Stitched on 30 count coffee dyed linen with DMC.

Started 10-17-2014

Finished 10-21-2014

Now for the bad habit.  I went to a small Quilt show that was about 2 blocks from my house at the Junior High School.  One of the vendors there was a wool designer--One Wing Wool.

She had some really cute designs.  I have been wanting to try some wool fun and saw this cute owl and since one of my daughters collects owls I thought I would try my hand at this.  Here is the end result a really cute pin pillow.  I walked out of that little shop $53 lighter.  Now did I need another bad habit-NO, but I really enjoyed this new hobby:)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a great week.

State Fair report

This has been a long time in coming.  I meant to post about the Minnesota State Fair but my daughter had the pictures and as usual life is busy!  But here we go.

First up is Patches of Life which took 1st place.  I received 95 out of a 100 points.  Some of the comments were:  "Nice frame for piece, piece appears wavy as set behind frame, very even stitching.

This is a lovely piece. Ground fabric shows through in a few darker stitched areas--stitching tension??

It appears there are some thread tail shadows? or is it the fabric?"  

Well I did dye the fabric myself so there are darker areas and I did frame it myself. 

Sorry for the bad picture but pieces were not always in a good spot to take photos.

Blackbird Designs--Salute to Abigail another 1 st place ribbon.  Received 97 out of 100 points.

Comments: "Frame complements piece nicely.

This is a very nice piece.  Ground fabric shows through in a few darker areas--stitch tension?

Did you use a laying tool?"

OK, are you kidding??  I don't use a laying tool when cross stitching.  Interesting comments.

The Primitive Hare--Needlewoman second place ribbon.  Received 84 out of 100 points.

Comments: "Hard to identify purpose of piece--Needleroll? Purse?

Nice theme:) Black thread carried between letters shows through the linen.  Watch stitch tension."

Again not sure why she didn't know it was a needlebook, must not have opened it up.  And I agree about the black thread but hard to just stitch on stitch in those areas.

Blackbird Designs--Christmas Garden another second place ribbon.  Recieved 94 out of 100 points.

Comments: " Lovely colors.  Fabric wavy behind frame.

Very attractive piece.  There appears to be some thread tails showing below some of the lettering.  Some twisted threads--did you use a laying tool?  Background shows through some of the darker stitched areas."

Not sure what is meant by the last statement, again I did frame the piece myself.

La D Da--My Country Tis of Thee pillow second place ribbon.  95 out of 100 points.

Comments:"Nicely Finished--corners need more stuffing.

Sweet pillow:) Background fabric shows through darker areas of stitching.  Stitch tension?

With Thy Needle and Thread--Needleworker Sampler third place ribbon.  93 out of 100 points.

Comments:"Piece a bit wavy--more streching?  Appears to need more pressing or to be stretched more.

This is a very pretty piece.  Very delicate work.  Some stitches seem uneven."

I really like this piece and again framed by me:)

Blackbird Designs--Song of Spring fourth place ribbon.  94 out of 100 points.  

Comments:"Piece is not exactly square behind frame. Stitching is even.

This is a very pretty piece. Nice square stitch.  Some stitches pulled a bit tight."

The frame for this piece was not square because I repurposed the frame, probably 

why it wasn't square.  Sometimes I do wonder about the comments. But all in all I am happy

with my pieces.  

I also entered Holy Moses but it didn't place.  This picture was from the County Fair.  Had to use this picture as the one from the State Fair got lost somehow.

So there are the fair results.  Hope I didn't bore you to death!!!  I will be entering some things

next year:)

Happy Stitching!!!

Some seasonal finishes

I did some finishing yesterday.

Here are the results:

 Blackbird Designs--Cats on Parade.

Stitched on 30 count linen that I tea dyed with

DMC threads.

Started 9-18-2014

Finished 10-1-2014

 This is just another view of the drum.  I think it turned out quite well although I had a little trouble

with the top.  I think my next drum will go better.  I stuffed this with sawdust.

The Scarlett House--Pumpkins and Bittersweet stitched on 32 count coffee dyed linen with DMC.

Started 10-7-2014

Finished 10-10-2014

This was a fun and quick stitch.

 Threadwork Primitives--Jack in the Hat stitched on 32 count coffee dyed linen with DMC.

Started 10-6-2014

Finished 10-7-2014

Another fun stitch.  Made this into a bag, just don't have the handle on the bag yet.  I need to get the linen ribbon for it.

Here is a picture of the fabric I used for the pillow and the bag.  

Cute little pumpkins!!!

 Lizzie Kate--Sled Dudes stitched on perforated paper with DMC.

Started and Finished 10-2-2014

This pattern was just to cute of pass up  I will be stitching the other two designs soon.

I have also been doing some sewing and some stitching on WIP's.  I did get one WIP stitched and I have to finish the framing and then I will post on it.

I also wanted to post on my State Fair results but need to get the pictures from my daughter.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Weather here in Minnesota is fairly nice:)