February’s (Coming) Here

Hey, Friends!

Last week I was looking at Karen’s Handiwork, and she said “I am off now to attempt my first mattress pincushion finish…”  I commented that I couldn’t wait to see her results.  I thought it was kind of funny when I didn’t hear back from her when I asked, “Who’s on the mattresses?”  I had been watching You’ve Got Mail (for the 20^th time).  Just thought, she really is off to work on it.  Well, I could not believe it when I opened mail to find this wonderful mattress pincushion in person!  It is my favorite design from PS, Friends.  Karen’s stitching is exquisite, and the seam-work where it's put together is so lovely, too.  There are even hand-made pins that are just perfect!  It may take a while before I can put it to its intended use -- it'll be a work of art to admire for a while.  The hand-made card is cute as can be, too. Karen, everything is beautiful, and I thank you so much, my friend. 

I have really been spoiled in January!   Jackie, Faye, Kathy, Karen-AZ, and Karen-SC.  Thank you all for starting 2013 by making me feel so special!  Stitching friends are absolutely THE best! 

Mary Gibson got a couple of extra hours this week.  I woke at 3:30 am and was hot, tossing and turning, so I got up and stitched until time to get ready for work.  Of course by then I didn't want to go… but I did.  I have high hopes for Superbowl Sunday stitching.  I must be the slowest stitcher ever, but page six is almost done.

Since February is on the way here, it’s time to do some heart Valentine finishing; right?  I’m sure there’s a stack of them someplace in that room!  So when I got up this morning, I decided to go ahead and finish Endless Hearts that has been stitched since February 2012!  I was thinking of adding some buttons, but came across this rusted heart.  Pooh – it was solid… how to attach it?  Then I thought of this little drill I bought a couple of years ago, but never used.  Now there, a tiny hole to stitch it on! 

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

What's old is new again.

Hey, Friends!

I’m not sure if this is the first time it has happened to me, but I’m noticing it a lot now.  I’m stitching Mary Gibson, who has been UFO for a couple of years.  My last memory of her was that the border was attracting lots of frogs.  Knock on wood; it seems to be flowing along effortlessly.  I say Yayyy!  Maybe she will stay a WIP until she’s finished after all.  Mary has nine charted pages, and here she is as of today; seven pages done.  She’s bigger than I expected on 40ct – about 14x16. 

Many of us have talked about working on our WIPs this year.  I’m curious: when does a WIP (work in progress) turn into a UFO (unfinished object) in your opinion?  And what are the reasons yours become UFOs?  I usually get distracted by something else – holiday stitching or something new that has my love!

Some are posting lots of great and wonderful 2013 finishes.  My mind asks why I don’t have any finishes… part of my plan for 2013 is to enjoy stitching without pressure or obligation – kind of like the Blogging without Obligation. 

I do intend to get some of those stitched items finished along with others on Stitched: Now to Finish.  Here’s my first of the year – Joy by Blackbird Designs.

 I am the very lucky winner of a mini-fabric sampling giveaway by Kathy Schmitz.  Aren’t the colors great?  Just my style!  You can see a little video of Kathy’s creative process on her site.  Thanks for sharing, Kathy! 

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

Not just another ornament SAL

Hey, Friends!

I’ve been browsing around to many of the Ornament SAL pages and notice that many of us I tend to do more stitching than finishing!  If there is an existing Ornament Finishing SAL, I haven’t been able to find it, so I’ve decided to create one. 

Would you like to join a blog to only publish finishes – no matter how long ago they were stitched.  Don’t we all have a stack of stitched, but not finished ornaments?  They could be any type – New Year, Valentine, St. Patrick, Easter, Patriotic, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.  Tell me others I’ve skipped in your comments, please.

Hopefully, this will be a motivation for us me to get some of those lingering pieces done, and also a great way for you to share some of your creativity and skill with those of us who are finishing challenged! 

If you’re interesting in joining, please visit Stitched: Now to Finish.  This is the first blog I've opened for others to join.  If you have experience, I'd appreciate your advice.

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!  and finishing!

PeaceëLoveëJoy

Charlene♥SC