Finished Stitching

Hey, Friends!

Betsy by Sheepish Designs is finished.  I have an idea for the finish, but haven’t started that part yet.

 Blackbird Designs, In Full Glory is finished, too, on 32 ct Stone Gray linen using a combination of NPI and Belle Soie silks.

What’s next?  Not sure yet, but maybe another patriotic design?

Hope your summer is bringing fun events, trips, gardening, or any of the things you enjoy – and stitching, of course.  Thanks for stopping by.  I always appreciate your kind words!

  

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Happy Stitching!

Charlene♥SC

Eliza Framed

Hey, Friends!

I’m having fun stitching Betsy by Sheepish Designs now.  She'll be finished soon.

During my LNS’s framing special, I had Eliza Scattergood framed.  Isn’t she beautiful?  She was my first finish of this year, and just getting around to framing her!

Here's a close shot of the frame.  

  As a reminder to my careless stitching, I stitched Plum Street Samplers Count Twice, Stitch Once on 40ct Lambswool. 

Planted tomatoes and cucumbers in pots on the deck mid-May.  There were a few blooms on one of the tomato plants, and now look!!  I could hardly believe it when I saw them.  There must be something to that Miracle Grow planting soil. 

I haven’t picked up a book in such a long time, but DS left his old Kindle for me to try, and it’s really not as bad as I thought it would be.  Always thought myself a paper page turner, but who knew!  There are lots of books on there, so I finally found one that I could read more than a page or two.  By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer.  Maybe on to something with this gadget.

Let's all take a moment to remember those who've given their lives to defend our country while we celebrate the first holiday of the summer.  

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Happy Stitching!

Charlene♥SC

Marching In

Hey, Friends!

My next stitched piece of 2014 is Angel of Tulips by The Goode Huswife.  I have loved this piece for so long!  I think I may stitch it again using slightly different colors…  We’ll see if THAT happens!

I was commenting to someone about an accidental breaking of a sentimental piece, and wondered if I’ve shared this with you.  My loved piece was a square, pedestal candy dish that I always admired.  The way the top fit, it made that ‘special’ sound when replacing it.  It was in my childhood home, and Christmas before last Mom gave it to me.  While changing a lampshade I dropped the (heavy) finial on the lid and it shattered.  You know that SICK feeling when you do something that you realize you knew better!  I searched and searched, and almost unexpectedly one search on Etsy.com led me to one exactly like it!  You can see it here.  You can bet your bippy that it isn’t under that lamp now!  Does that phrase bring back memories?

While I was stitching Eliza, every once in a while I needed a bit of contrast, so it led to knitting this Red ‘eternity’ scarf!  My DS asked me about stitching a knit hat for him, so I’ve been attempting to learn on YouTube.  It looks so simple!

I’m on the mailing list for auctions and estate sales, and think I’d love to go to some.  But on the weekend I just don’t want to set the alarm, get up early to dress and go see IF there’s something I would buy.  I’m thinking it won’t be that way after retirement since the alarm doesn’t have to wake me five days a week.  This is why people say they’re busier after retirement than before – they try to pack in everything they never had time for before! Oh, I so look forward to those busy days!

Hope March will bring some early spring weather to those of you who are still covered in snow and ice.  

May 2014 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Finishes

Hey, Friends!

While I was out in the snow last week I couldn’t believe I saw a big breasted, fluffy robin!  We had several 70◦ days this week, but I didn’t notice a one – but I was at work during the day, too.

Eliza Scattergood by Plum Street Samplers is finished.  She is stitched on 36ct Exemplar using the recommended NPI silks.  I did make a little change to the verse.  The original:

"Eliza Scattergood, her work 1839. When I survey this work of mine, I'm filled with joy and dread.

May Christ my life with his entwine before my days' last thread." 

My version:
"Eliza Scattergood, her work 1839. When I survey this work of mine, I'm filled with joy and dread.
May all my stash be stitched and hung before my days' last thread."  She was a fun project – first finish of 2014.

This week, I finished the second piece – February Flip It (2001) by Lizzie*Kate.  Since my fabric – linen sample stash – was smaller count, I replaced the charm with a stitched heart, and the recommended DMC.  As I was stitching I kept thinking, this doesn’t look like the other finishes I’ve seen, nor does it look like the chart picture!  After more careful examination, I was stitching the ● instead of the •.  After that correction, it became more familiar.

So, what’s next on the list?  We’ll see…

Have you been shopping from the 2014 Market?  Wow – so much beautiful work, such hard decisions to make!

  

Thanks for stopping by and saying Hello!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Happy New Year!

Hey, Friends!

Here we are at the end of another year, looking forward to a new one.  I’ve been saying I wanted to finish a project before the end of the year, and here it is.  This is Christmas Band

Sampler by Heartstring Samplery.  I have made a few modifications (who, me?) to the original design, but I love it.  Even though it is a Christmas Sampler, I didn’t want to identify it that way, so I omitted the Merry Christmas – Happy New Year sections.  Since it had to be dropped down. I also left off some of the numbers.  I see that Edgar is stitching this, too, over at Blacksheep's Bit of the Web.

As you may know, I keep my orts in a clear, glass ornament.  Here’s 2013.  They have a page of their own that you will find at the top of the page.

May 2014 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Thanksgiving and Finishes

Hey, Folks!

Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving!  We all think time is flying by, don’t we?  The months, the seasons, the years…  I appreciate all your visits and love to read your comments.

Finally – a finish.  It’s Spooky Hollow by With thy Needle & Thread on mystery (believe it is the onion-skinstained) linen using recommended fibers.  This was an over one piece, and it seemed to take FORever! 

Even found the last one (scrolled on the same piece of fabric) mentioned last post ~ Trick or Treat from the 2013 Halloween issue using a combination of silk fibers. 

If anyone has or sees Cape Cod Girls for sale, would you shoot me a note? 

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Stitched at the Beach

Hey, Folks!

Stitching at the Beach with PALS was great this year!  It was so much fun visiting with old and new friends!  Even though it was cloudy and rainy most of the time, I love the coast, and this was a good excuse to stay inside stitching!  There were over 115 there this year, along with several venders. 

  I got more stitching done than usual – maybe because of the weather, or because I didn’t feel sick like last year!

The main finish was Ghoul Tidings by Plum Street Samplers from the Just Cross Stitch 2013 Halloween issue.  Of course there were changes: I used 36ct Dark Bunny from Hand-Dyed Fibers.  Also used some of the limited edition GAST fibers.  Also almost finished the Victorian stocking from the 2008 JCS Christmas ornament issue.

I have since stitched Trick or Treat from the same issue on some mystery linen using a combination of silk fibers.  Pretty cute, I must say, but it's hiding right now... Do you enjoy being rebellious and using what you like or have on hand?  I have lost misplaced my camera, so these are all phone shots.

Aren’t stitching buds just the best?  These are some goodies I received – just because!  There was this sweet little strawberry from dear Faye, 

a pretty patchwork pin cushion from lovely Linda, 

a wool snowman ornament from the crafty Lynn, 

a paper spool filled with chocolates from kindly Karen, (Teresa got a better photo)

a 2013 Myrtle Beach glass ornie from Michele, 

a crescent moon stitch picker from Diane, 

a scrabble tile necklace from Karen,

and the sweetest needle minder from Sandy – you can call me Sandra!

 

We made a quick run to the Quilters Cottage and I picked up a few pieces.  

 And we had a cording demo by Miss Linda.  This is the trim I've made since that demo. Thanks Linda - an example is worth a thousand words!

  

Do you have blogs that make you feel like you’re visiting with the person while you’re there?  Not necessarily stitching blogs, just favorites?  A couple that I enjoy:

The Pioneer Woman talks about her family farm, home schooling (which I seldom even look at), an occasional guest author, and cooking.  She has some fantastic recipes (like Perfect Potato Soup), oh, and a TV show on the Food Network.

Posie Gets Cozy is a wonderful photographer who has an online crafting business, shares recipes, and her adoration of the one-year-old that she and her husband adopted at birth. It has been an amazing year for them, and it’s so nice to get a peek into such a loving family.

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Stitching?

Hey, Friends!

Have you noticed the countdown to the right?  Stitching at the Beach with PALS is coming soon, and I’m so excited to see old friends and meet new ones!  Plus, I love the coast, and this is the most time I’ll get to spend there this year.  Woo Hoo!! 

I wonder if you would consider adding “Follow By Email” to your blog page.  After signing up, an email comes telling me that you’ve posted so I can hop over to see what you’re posting. 

Is it me, or is there less posting going on during the summer? In my case, it isn’t that I haven’t been stitching – not a lot of finishing though.  For me that happens when working on larger projects since I’m a one-at-a-timer.  Did complete my goal of stitching through December on the Word Plays.  Now I’m stitching some mini pieces for fun.  There are several projects that are pulling me, but haven’t decided which will win.  Something autumn/Halloween/thankful...

 

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Eve's Garden

Hey, Friends!

Have you had a ‘fallish’ weekend with lots of rain, clouds, but lower temperatures, too.  High 60s to low 70s feels like a typical early November here. It has felt great – and a great stitching weekend!  I’ve told you (and showed you) before how much morning glories remind me of my ‘first days of school,” and they’re blooming, too.  The local schools' year begins this coming Wednesday.

I picked up the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue from my LNS the other day.  There are some really cute designs – but just not ready for Halloween stitching yet.  I put in my order for the Christmas edition.  I didn’t get the Christmas preview edition. Am I missing something great?

What AM I ready to stitch?  I’ve been stitching Shepherd’s Bush, Eve’s Garden, and it has been so long since I posted, it is finished - LL Maritime 36 ct! I did my own conversion to Vikki Clayton’s Hand Dyed Fibers.  I made a couple of other modifications – like Adam’s leaf!  I guess it was the ‘point’ of the leaf, but I HAD to round it off a little.   I also left off the suggested buttons, and changed to color of the verse to a deeper, more red color.  It does change the overall look of the sampler, but I love it.  Thank you so much to Terri from Chocolates for Breakfast for loaning me the chart.  I really loved stitching it.  I do agree with some of Terri’s comments about the symbols.

Thanks for stopping by and saying, Hey!

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Remember those who served!

Let's remember those who served and have given so much! 

Hey, Friends!

Hope everyone is enjoying a Happy Memorial Day weekend. We’re not off on Monday, but that’s OK – it makes a longer Christmas break. 

I’ve started going to yoga classes again.  It has been at least five or six years, so back to the basics.  There’s a new studio downtown, and it seems nice so far.  They have various hours and instructors for different types of classes.  There's even one today (Sunday) at noon that I'll be trying.  

Yesterday DS and I went to see Star Trek – Into Darkness.  I really liked it – seemed more reminiscent of the old series. 

I’m still stitching on the birthday surprise, but did also finish June Word Play.   And here’s the current view of the Adam and Eve wall.

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

  

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Berries all around...

Hey, Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day!  Mine started on Wednesday with a special delivery of chocolate covered strawberries.  Yum! I’m always amazed at how big some of them are! Saturday we saw Iron Man III then went to a new-to-me place for sushi.  Both were excellent! I’m a very proud and thankful Moma!  I really should try to remember to take pics because the dishes were lovely, but we were both hungry!  Then on Sunday I cooked roast pork for BarBQue at Mom’s.  I got her a toaster oven and she seemed pleased.   



Mary Gibson is framed!  They always do a very fine job at my LNS, Stitch and Frame.  Are you familiar with her?  Her origin is from Haslemere Educational Museum, and I got the chart from Needleprint.  I think she turned out beautifully and she will hang proudly along with the other (much smaller) A&Es! 

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!


May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy
Charlene♥SC

Hey, Friends!

How’s Spring acting in your area?  It was quite chilly and breezy yesterday.  I’m guessing the high was around 55ish, but it never felt warm – pulled the sweats back out.  Today is supposed to be near 60° but it’s 50 now with the wind whipping the rocking chairs on the porch like mad – and now the rain has started.  I know there were some college graduations yesterday, so I hope everyone made it through without getting drenched!

This week I met the ladies of the LNS Tuesday night stitch group at Outback for dinner.  I guess it’s been more than a year since I’ve gone to actual stitch night.  It was nice to see them again, and the meal was good, too!  It was a small group, with one who was not participating when I went before.  Maybe I’ll get back into the routine of going again… just see how/if the dynamics have changed. It really wasn’t relaxing or fun for me anymore. It had gotten to the point where I was on edge, anxiously waiting for time to leave. 

Do you ever perk up your coffee with a little spice?  Last night I wanted something ~ that illusive craving.  Into my coffee with caramel macchiato creamer I added a bit of ground ginger and allspice.  Yum!  This morning I added allspice and pumpkin pie spice. Just a little, mind you.  Sometimes those coffee shop flavors are a bit overwhelming, but now think I’m on to something!    

I did finish stitching Hannah Skinner.  I spent the morning last Saturday decluttering my stitching table next to my chair and filing the charts that had been waiting to be put away. Know what it caused other than putting a kink in my back?  My to-do list is totally turned around. There’s one thing in progress for a birthday, and I want to get the June Wordplay underway, too. 

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

  

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Ides of March

Hey, Friends!

Good morning!  Do you believe the forecast for today is 77`?  Wouldn't you know it would be on IHSW?

I’ve finished a few pieces to share!   You can see these and some other stitcher's finishes over at SNTF.

 

Prairie Schooler’s St. Patrick Clover is finished into a small pillow with a beaded edging.

Heart in Hand,  St. Patrick Bird, has a little ric rack with tiny star buttons.

I also finished the March Word Play.  I found a ready-made frame at Hobby Lobby (50% off) that is not as deep as a shadow box, but has a bit of space between the back and the glass.  I was able to pad the piece a bit and love the result.  One of the primary features I was looking for was for twist clips on back for easy change!  My plan all along has been to hang it on my office door.  One of my coworkers asked if I had one of “those machines” that sews embroidery! LoL  I’m stitching April now…

Have you seen that Google Reader is going away?  “will retire Google Reader (the actual date is July 1, 2013).”  I am an email subscriber to several sites, but not everyone offers that option. I saw over at Katrina’s, The Needle’s Promise, that she is switching to BlogLovin.  Think I’ll give that a try, too.  You can automatically download all your links from GR, but I’ve decided to do a little clearing.

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

No Snow Weekend

Hey, Friends!

Remember last time I promised to share a pic of my recently stitched Santa's Village piece, North Pole Post Office?  Well, here she is.  I switched a couple of colors... unintentionally.  I'm almost finished with March Word Play from With thy Needle & Thread, so that will be next time!

ORTS … Did you see that Mary Corbet is an ort collector, too?  She asked for her readers to comment on if they do, and what they do with them.  Lots of interesting and funny ideas!   Like this:  I also had a friend whose elderly aunt kept a box labeled, “STRING TOO SHORT TO USE”

I love the feeling of accomplishment when a piece is done.  I had a thought today of another reason why multiple WIPs may not be my thing.  The Inspired Stitcher was talking about getting on a roll with one of her projects.  My comment was “I think that flow comes from getting the eyes adjusted to the count and the tension just right.”  For me, that gets thrown off when I switch between projects.  

 

Were you like me with the 2013 Nashville revealing?  I should be stitching five at the same time to ever get close to stitching my stash!  Couldn’t resist Viktor and Irina and a couple of Blackbird Designs, too.  How about you? Were there things you couldn't resist?

"They" say that everyone has the personality of one of the characters in  Winnie the Pooh:  I'm an Owl.  Want to see who you are?  At the end where they ask Gender, etc., click on No Thanks below Next.  

I saw a home remedy for “some of the ails of Winter” here at Maggie’s site.  Doesn’t look like anything that would harm you, and it may actually help!

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC