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

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

Snow Days!

Hey, Friends!

Did you enjoy the snow day?  It was nice to stay home and stitch the day away.  We had a two-hour delay on Thursday, but I had another problem.  I was running a bath, and it stopped after about three inches of water in the tub!  Frozen pipe?  There was a tiny drip in the kitchen sink, but must not have been enough.  Thank goodness I hadn’t jumped in for a shower with hair soaked and soaped!!  May have been pipes to the water heater… anyway I turned it off.  Now I need to get home early to see if the water is thawed, and if I can relight it.  Hopefully!!  Everything turned out fine.  Pipes were thawed and the water heater lighting was a breeze! 

I started drafting this two weeks ago so the paragraph above was written January 21, I think.

We’ve had another snow event!  It snowed all day Tuesday, February 11, most of the day Wednesday, and they say Thursday - yes, it did, until after noon. Almost looks like my car is fully covered, doesn't it?  It has been some great stitching time for me! Also made some snow cream yesterday– yum! 

Did you happen to see This over at My Heartstring blog?  She’s describing the process of selecting for a new sampler.  Got me thinking about how much I love the colors of fibers in cotton and silk, the varying shades of linen, and even the combinations of fabric prints and solids.  Just as we stitchers love to scan and organize our charts, don’t we also love the other pieces of the project?  Many of you ‘would never’ make a change to the colors the designer chooses for a design, and it not be their perfection, but it makes the finished piece feel so much more my own when I do.   

I haven’t made any changes to the colors of Paulette’s Eliza Scattergood, but I did make a little change to the verse.  As you can see, I’m a little more than two thirds finished with this one, that I started on January 1, 2014.  Here's a little close up of some sweet motifs!

Pax really cut a wide path of cold and precipitation from the gulf up through Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia, and further north .  Many of you have already had more than your share of snowy weather.  I hope everyone in the path of this storm is safe and warm!

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!  Sending hugs and blowing kisses!

 May 2014 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

January Progress

Hey, Friends!

When Pixie and I went out this morning, I wondered why this beautiful “red sky in the morning” wasn’t bringing some snow – it surely is cold enough! 

Our Carolina Girls had a small group meeting last week, and it was such fun!  Some came with gifts – always a treat.  Faye brought us a little pin pillow from a kit from PALS stuffed with sawdust.  It’s the first one I know that I have. With sawdust.  She also included a dainty penny pin that she stitched up for us, and to make it even more special, a piece of her Nana’s needle work, too.  Linda brought us a sweet tissue cover pouch that her Mom made for us, and some cookies - no photo - they were delish!!  Macadamia with cranberry – yummy!

It looks like everyone is making some great progress with their 2014 stitching and finishing.  I’m enjoying taking my time with Miss Eliza. 

Maureen and I were talking about Orts ornaments, so here is a picture of them for her.  You can see that the box for the round ones is not marked Christmas, but the shaped ones are.  I have thought I’d change the shape for different years, but haven’t done that yet!

May 2014 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Checking in

Hey, Friends!

PSS Halloweenies

PSS Gather

I never showed you Halloweenies after it was stitched, did I?   And finally, the three PSS pieces are stitched and ready to go for framing at Stitch & Frame October framing sale.

Did you see that Susan is having a giveaway of Aida fabric at her site?  Go over and check it out.

The forcasters are saying it will only be in the 60's beginning tomorrow.  That will be NICE.  Just a few more days until Stitching at the Beach with PALS from all over!  So excited can hardly wait. 

DS and I went to see Loopers today.  It was a lot better than I was expecting... don't you love when that happens?

Be well, Friends.  Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

I'm grateful  for October!

  

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC
and Pixie

September

Hey, Friends!

Morning Glories

Hibiscus

Can you believe it’s September?  When Pixie and I went out this morning, I snapped what are some of my favorites and will probably some of the last blooms this summer.  

Go Panthers!

You've been getting your kids back to school or off to college - settling into the coming of fall - and our favorite football teams; right?   

Had to replace the computer and got a laptop… still practicing! The photo editor is different, too! Enough said?   

Did you realize it’s only 39 days until Stitching at the Beach with PALS?   Exciting times – just love it.  Did you see the list of special guests who will be there this year?  There's a countdown over in the right sidebar.

I got a note from my LNS that the Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue is there waiting for me to pick up!  Sounds like a trip out in a little while!  Better check to see if there’s anything else.

PSS Gather

PSS Gobble

On the stitching front, the Plum Street Samplers Give was already done, Gobble is finished, and Gather is started.  Ghoul is in the stash, but it doesn’t have to be in this grouping -  I’m still considering how to finish them.  One thing is if I can find frames with 7x7 openings… then there’s the thought of a large frame with three 7x7 openings?? 

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

I'm grateful for the long weekend (last weekend)!

Peace☮  LoveYJoy
and Happy Stitching 
Charlene♥SC

and Pixie

Weekend

Hey, Friends!

Thanks to those who have made suggestions for finding Midsummer Night Designs, Memorial Sampler. I have contacted the designer, who asked me to contact Attic Needlework, who didn’t have it. I'm still looking...

In the meantime, I've been stitching Gobble. Hopefully this hermiting weekend will let it get a lot closer to completion. Remember that Give is already stitched, and Marsha's finish last week prompted me to get on with the set. Last year Mindi's set made me find the series to stitch my own. Paulette, Plum Street Samplers, really has some awesome designs.

This is a busy  multi-event weekend – it's TuSAL time ►over on the side bar. It's also Hermit Weekend... I plan to stay inside stitching and hope you have the chance to as well. There's lots of preseason football if you enjoy that, too.

Does your sweet fur baby have different barks for things? There’s ‘something is invading our space:’ a bird on the porch, someone walking down the road, or a squirrel on the deck. There’s ‘DS is coming in:’ he’s the only one with a key. ‘Someone’s at the door.’ And this is the one that makes me mention it: something on the stove needs attention! This happens if a pot starts to sizzle, but most often when I’m making tea. I like to let the tea come to a boil, then turn off the burner to let the liquid cool. She always smells it before I do! She also has a little sort of growl’ish’ bark that sounds like ma-ma. Do you think I’m hearing things? But after all, she is the little girl who rings the bell when she wants to go outside!  Speaking of fur babies, I don’t have any cats right now, but  if you do and would like to know more about Cat Speak click the link.

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

I'm grateful for the Hermit Weekend!

Peace☮LoveJoy
and Happy Stitching 
Charlene♥SC and Pixie

Independence Days

Hey, Friends!

Since I was scheduled off work for a few days, I drove down to go out for a movie and to dinner with DS.  I’ve seen several antique malls around his area, so I visited two.  One was quite expensive with no better quality items.  The other was reasonable.  We saw Prometheus:  “A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe.”  Then we had some tasty sushi - yum!
On the fourth, we had our old standby “Pot” (Frogmore Stew or Low-Country Boil minus chicken or sausages) cooked outside at Mom’s, but eaten inside!  If I had to rank, this was the best ever!  It was just a small group of six family members, but we really enjoyed the meal.
I went for my nuclear stress test on Monday.  They warned me, but boy is that a lot of hurry up and wait.  They put in some dye, then wait…drink water “quickly” and wait some more.  Lie on the table for the scanner for a while and wait some more.  Now it’s time for the treadmill and more dye injected.  It has been A WHILE since I’ve done much exercise at all, but this was fierce.  The doctor had given them a specific heart rate he wanted to achieve.  It started out ok – clicking right along… then I felt a little short of breath… then it was hard… then the attendant said, we’d better let her stop, she’s getting blue around the mouth!  WHAT?  Wait a while longer...more scanning... They did let me leave after almost four hours, so at least they didn’t think it was too bad, but I go back Tuesday for the doctor’s diagnosis. 

I’ve stitched up a couple of Sister Stitcher from The Primitive Hare.  They’re quick and easy stitches – now for the finishing!  I had hoped to get them done this week, but we’ll see if that happens.  I also finished Plum Street Sampler’s Give.  I love how it turned out.  Oh, have you seen that darling Halloweenies?  They’re holding it and the JCS Halloween issue for me at my LNS.  Think I’ll pop over there to pick them up in a few.

I’m really sorry for all the folks who have been without power during this awfully hot weather.  It seems to be coming back to some areas, slowly. 

Thanks for stopping by today!

I'm grateful for power and a/c.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Summertime ....

♫♪♫…and the livin’ is easy…Fish are jumpin’…and the cotton is high… ♫♪♫    Oh, wait!  You’re here now, aren’t you?

Hey, Friends!

TuSAL for June was Tuesday, so here I am catching up.  See the side bar à

I’ve been working on completing a project from a Getaway Weekend with Clara Blalock of The Stitching Parlor in 2009 called Tea with the Queen.  I thought all the stitching was done, but as sometimes happens when you look closer...there was some satin stitching left to be done.  Then there is sewing the pieces together – and there is still the navy, velvet bag that all the pieces go into to be done… but here is what is done.  My LNS, The Stitch and Frame, is planning another weekend in September with Clara.  Go over and check it out.

Later I stitched on the first in a series... we'll see how that goes.  This is Plum Street Sampler’s, Give.

For those who wanted an update on my health issues – the appointment with the cardiologist is Monday.  The follow-up visit to review bloodwork revealed that I am borderline, but not diabetic; thyroid and vitamin D levels are off, so there are medications for that; osteopenia (related to, but not as severe as Osteoperosis) so weights should be added to my exercise routine – can one add weights to the needle?  Oh, I know, heavier q-snaps!
  

I appreciate your concern, thoughts, and comments!

I'm grateful for stopping smoking 2.5 years ago!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

December

Hey, Friends!

Here we are approaching Winter Break from work.  I found out I have to work two days longer, but at least it will be on call from home.  It does give me a chance to have a couple of Friday’s off that I wasn’t expecting.  That’s a very nice and unexpected benefit. 

So… what was I stitching last time?  Did I show it to you?  Let’s see… Yes, I added the year to the Season of Giving and updated the photo.  After that, I started Plum Street Samplers, Christmas Tea  - using assorted HDF silks (one over one)on 28ct cashel linen in Mountain Mist.  Next was Christmas Greetings, a freebie from iStitch, again using HDF silks.  It’s so much fun stitching these ornies and smalls, but I’m making plans for something more sometime soon!

I found out that the Miss Sharon Crescent (shown here deep in thought) was visiting my LNS  Stitch and Frame on Saturday, and I did have my birthday discount to use… so I stopped by to meet her and to get new BBD release, Christmas Garden!  Of course you know I couldn’t get the suggested fabric, but did get the fibers.  I’ll be using Lakeside 40ct Lentil.  

I know you’ve heard me mention my LNS so many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken a tour with you, so I grabbed my camera and decided to share a few shots with you.  For such a small space, they sure do pack a powerful stitching punch!  When you walk in, you’re greeted with the sweet voice of one of the lovely ladies who work there.  If you want or need assistance, they’re happy to help.  If you want to just browse around to find something that you can’t live without, that’s fine, too.  They have some of the most beautiful models displayed in lots of nooks, on posts, and almost to the high ceiling!  So let’s take a look around… starting with the front entry.  

To the right is the 'Framing Boutique'

Further back is the Fabric room

These show the Bead and Stitching room

I didn't get a good shot of the Fibers room, but there are lots to choose from - and they feel so luscious!

This Sunday afternoon they’re having a drop-in from 1:00 to 4:00, so if you’re close enough or feel like a drive, I have no doubt you’ll be welcomed with a cup of hot cider and open arms.

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate y’all!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Hare's Family

I finished framing the Hare Family, some freebies offered by Paulette at Plum Street Samplers, last night and wanted to share it with you today.  It was so much fun to stitch, and the frame is one that I had picked up along the way…  I really like how it turned out – what do you think?

By the way, Paulette and her Mom have a new blog and a giveaway.  Go over to see how to enter...

     Peace~Love~Joy
and Happy Stitching!

Charlene