Stitching and Summer

Hey, Friends! 

The Mystery: Birds of a Feather, Part I is stitched.  Please don’t look too closely!  There are other mysteries in there, such as why it took so long, and why one of the flower centers is tilted … where I added the year.  It had enough frogging, so the mystery will remain. Part II is in the stash, and will not get put aside for too long, but I just had to pick up something else for a little while.

Did you see the Blackbird Designs article in Cross Stitch and Needlework?  I’m sure you have – I was probably the last person in stitch world to see it!  I picked up a copy at my LNS, Stitch and Frame on Friday, and just couldn’t wait any longer to start the chart they included with the article.  It’s called ‘Land of the Free’.  I chose a piece of 32ct that I had previously coffee dyed to stitch on, then looked to see which fibers they used.  Why didn’t I do this at the shop?  I don’t know, but it calls for Belle Soie silks, and those I don’t have in my stash.  I do have a humble collection of Vikki Claton’s Hand Dyed Fibers, so that’s what I decided to use.  She is probably going to be quite different than the pictured finish, but again, she will be my unique finish!

Some time off is coming soon – but this time will be a stay-cation to get some much needed cleaning and organizing done.  I’ve been putting it off for far too long, and now must do time has come.  My crafting room is such a jumble, and I blame that for not getting more finishing done than I’d like.  After it’s all clean and shiny, then maybe I’ll take a long weekend and go someplace cool and charming for some relaxation.  Doesn’t that sound nice?  Anyway… working through Thursday, then I’ll clean and polish through the weekend, spend Monday with family and stitching, then continue what hasn’t been done for the remainder of the time off.  Hopefully there will be a day or two to enjoy stitching in a clean and tidy home!

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope it’s not TOO hot where you live, but it IS summertime here in the South, so it is hot, nearly 100 a few days last week, humid with lots of thunderstorms, lightening bugs glowing through the evening, and a brief rain shower on occasion.  Grab yourself a nice glass of iced tea or lemonade – there’s some in the ‘frig – and your stitching project of the day, turn on the ceiling fan, throw up your feet, and join me for a day of stitching.  Leave a comment if you’d like to join in …

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

One Mystery Solved

Hey, Friends! 

Thanks to everyone for your nice words about the blog update, and about the BoaF Mystery.  Even though I continue stitching, Part I is still not finished!  I did get word that Part II is in waiting for me, but I’m not going to pick it up until Part I is finished.  There are a couple who have finishes the border, or Part I on the BoaF Blog.  Take a look at their progress if you like.

Earlier in the spring the women on the BBD Yahoo group opened an exchange that I participated in.  Yesterday, my darling pin cushion arrived from Judy in Tucson.  It is Apple Blossom House that she chose because she just grew her first apples! She also applied a sweet crochet trim finish. Isn’t it sweet – as is the hand made card, with the little tab insert that included her name and address.  Thank you, Judy!  I think it is adorable!  And thanks to Joy, too, for coordinating the event!

Have you all received your pre-Christmas Ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch?  There are a few that will be cute – but first come the Independence Day ornies that I haven’t started… So much I want to stitch – too little time!

I'm off now to go finish checking out what you’ve been up to!  Thanks for stopping by, and I love to hear what you have to say!  Stay cool, and stitch to your heart’s content!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Update

Hey, Friends!

Not a lot to talk about, but wanted to post an update of the Mystery: Birds of a Feather.  Don’t know why it’s taking so long… but it’s coming along.  Where is that SAL blog ? Ah, it is Mystery StitchAlong and I've sent a request to join.  Don’t think I’ll pick up Part II until I is finished although there are reports that it is in shops now!  How’s that for incentive?

As you can see, there was a little updating around here.  I would like for the center portion to have a bit of color, so maybe I’ll figure that out later.

Hope everyone is having a great beginning to summer, and stitching all you like!  Thanks for dropping by, and let me know what you think.  Should I go back to the old blog me?

 PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

June

Hey, Friends!

Please accept my apology to anyone who has tried to leave a comment but was not able to.  I hope the issue has cleared up.  Blogger says they’re ‘working on it.’  I don’t know why it happens to some and not others.  They suggest clearing History and logging off and back in.  I’ve tried that and some other suggestions from friends, so hopefully it will allow now.  I’ve gotten a few, but don’t know if they’re just persistent, or if it is really fixed.

After starting the Mystery Sampler:  Birds of a Feather last week, I realized that I had miscounted and the fabric was not wide enough.  After frogging two sides of the border, I’ve started over on 36ct Lakeside Lentil.  I really think it is pretty …

I was able to go to the PALS get together in Manning at The French Hen’s yesterday, and I had a great time.  It seemed like everyone did!  For the first time, I wasn’t one of the last to get there!  There was a bit of surprise on a few faces, too! 



Karen and Nicole

 

Amy



- 

 

Judy
William (background) Hildit's Hubby

  

Donna and Lynn



 

  

Myra (stitching & chocolate lover)


 

Linda (left seated), Deborah (bending), Karen (standing), Hildit, Susan

  

Amy, Down Sunshine Lane,  had a few new goodies from Lady Dot, so I got a heart shaped pincushion and some darling little acorns, too.  

Four of the girls had a Friendship RR-SAL and they delivered their pieces to each other, and they really did a great job on them.  You may be able to learn more about it on their blog:  Amy, Faye, Karen, and Nicole.   

Getting this shot wasn't the easiest...



Donna, Faye, Nicole, Deborah
Y'all know I'm teasing; right?

 There was some sad news at the gathering - Hildit and William's house burned.  They are both safe and did have insurance, so that task is before them, now.  I believe they lost most everything, including a vehicle and several pets.

We had a new moon this week, so here’s my TuSAL for June, 2011.  This is the fourth time I’ve used these clear, glass ornies to collect my orts, and this one seems to roll and compact the threads more than any of the others. Hmmm.  Reminder:   TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

Thanks for stopping by, and if you can leave a comment, I will certainly appreciate it.  I'll be making a few stops myself in a few minutes!
 
PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC