Weekend Fun

I have to admit that I have been a bad, BAD blogger. I had this written right after my weekend in August (gasp, that was like 2 1/2 months ago!) and it sat in my blogger folder as a draft since then. Why you ask? Because I kept meaning to take one single picture which I never did. So, I'm just going to post this 2 1/2 months late and beg your forgiveness. At least it has some good eye candy in it. I'm going to try and do better. I have some things to share from both my stitching and my knitting. So look for them. Thanks to those who have stuck around even when I have been quiet. And now what I did the weekend of August 19th.

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I promised a report on last weekend's festivities and I don't like to disappoint. It took awhile to get around to blogging it, but hopefully it will be worth the wait.

Friday morning DF Jackie picked me up and after loading up her car with my "essentials" we headed to have a quick breakfast before going to Camp Blanding for the weekend. We were lucky enough to meet up with some friends of mine and stake out a nice spot of tables in the middle of the larger of the 2 rooms. Everyone got all set up and as they started sewing, I started stitching. Now, before you get all excited that I accomplished everything I set out to do, let me just warn you that I always set goals and rarely make them happen.

On Friday I worked on a couple of things. One was the Hemstitch Pillow, which was a class I took YEARS ago, like in 1998 or something crazy like that. It's a neat piece and apparently will take me a lifetime to finish since when I pulled it out of my bag it looked like this...

I managed to finish that 2nd row. So now the after...(ok, so there's no after picture. Which is what held up this post for months....MONTHS.)

I also worked on Daughters of Longbourn. I love this piece and hardly ever work on it. So I decided it was worth working on Friday. Here's what it looked like before:

Actually I had a little more than this done, but not much. And here's what it looked like when I put it away after a stitching and talking and looking at other people's pretty quilts and eating and talking, did I mention there was some talking?

For me that's a lot of work!

Then Saturday morning was a little hard. I had to go to a funeral so I didn't have a lot of time that morning and came back after lunch. There was also the presentation of the Quilts of Valor to Camp Blanding. That's always something to see. I did make a good start on my Chocolat for the class in November. It always takes me awhile to figure out how to get my piece sewn onto the stretcher bars! But you can see, it's going to be fantastic!

 This thread is fantastic and really I think I have plenty of time to get it done...no really.

I also managed to put in some time on Margaret W. Brown. This piece is just so sweet and if I haven't mentioned it before I just love the more muted colors that Jean at The Attic did as a conversion. Plus all those silks are just wonderful to work with. A little before....

And what it looked like after....

Jackie and I had discussed that we wanted to finish another project from our trip to Mesa in January. We decided that we could do an entire small little sampler that we got and put it in the cool frame we received during the weekend. Well, we did! Look, isn't it just too adorable?

The pattern called for the colors to be black, scarlet and a gold, but I decided to use some threads from my stash and go a bit more red, white-ish and blue. I'm working on getting this fixed so it can hang on my "alphabet wall". I need to find one of those small sawtooth hooks to attach to the back.

I did manage to add some things to my stash. There is a "sale" room where anyone can bring things that they no longer want to others can procure those items. I managed to procure several charts, and even some that were fully kitted up with fabric and fibers. All at a great deal. I also managed to "encourage" the purchase of a Singer Featherweight machine. It needs a little TLC, but was still a good deal. I almost wish I'd bought it since it was a 1935 which just might be the year my mother was born, but that can't be right so it's a good thing Eva took it home with her.

I did purchase a little bunny that's just too adorable and complete handmade by the very talented Heather Lynn. His name is Dusty and if you hurry over to here and scroll down you can see much better pictures than the one I took below of where Dusty is living for now. Although I think he likes being the bunny protector of my growing collection of "primitives".

That's all I have to share for now. It was a great weekend. I had a load of fun and can't wait for the next one in January.

A Late Anniversary and such

Although I didn't have it completely finished by their anniversary my parent's piece is completely stitched and at the framers being framed.

An Emblem of Love designed by With My Needle

For those who are curious about such things I used 36ct Lakeside, V. Lt. Examplar with a single strand of Belle Soie in Eggplant and Florimell Silk Floss from Gloriana Threads in Old Gold. It's all cross stitch with one thread of silk over 2 linen threads. The picture doesn't do justice to the slight variations of the Belle Soie nor the Gloriana. I'm pretty sure I've given credit before but I'm going to again. I really am indebted to my DF Melody for being willing to destash the pattern, fabric and Belle Soie so I could get started once I'd decided what I was going to stitch. I'm also thankful for DF Jackie since she let me borrow enough of the beautiful Florimell to work some of the hearts and the years in the gold. I thought I had something that would work in my stash but neither color was just right and what Jackie had is perfect. I've known for years the stitching friends are priceless and this project just proves that over again.

I did manage to finish the goal I set for DT's Alphabets in February, not that I've managed to work on it yet in March but there's still time. Another alphabet finished...

Looking at it I don't feel like I did much, but that was the goal. Here's a picture of what it looks like so far.

Hard to get a really good picture while it's on the scroll bars. March's goal is to do the section that looks blank right now. It actually shouldn't take me too long. I'm still impressed I've been able to stay on track with this one. I'm sure it can't last much longer.

I didn't finish Valentine Rose, the February block for Anniversaries of the Heart (AotH) during February, in fact I'm still working on it. I have just the year my aunt was born and a couple of initials to add and it will be complete though. My March goal for that isn't the March block, "A Wish for You", instead I'll be trying to get the bonus pattern found in the 7th block, "Swan Lake". It's an alphabet so hopefully won't take me too long since I'm getting so good a stitching alphabets. Although I'd like to stay on schedule with this piece, one block a month, even if I do it's going to take me longer than a year to stitch as there are 12 month patterns and 2 bonus patterns, one of which covers the width of 2 of the blocks.

Well and then there's the facination I seem to have with "HallowEden". I picked it up a last week after I'd finished AEoL and just keep working on it. I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately, mostly from RA pain, but I can sit and stitch and listen to a book and eventually feel tired. That's how I got the present finished and I'm thinking that's how HallowEden will be accomplished. No picture yet, but I'll get one soon.

That about does it. No party for the parents since they've decided they'd rather take a cruise when mom is feeling better. Still no job, but there are prospects. But spring has sprung and at my house it looks like this. Enjoy!

Some February Progress

Haven't felt very well, what with the rain (which we really need so I refuse to be too whiny about it), the cold and not being able to take my RA meds for 2 months it's like a perfect storm of pain. But, I have been stitching so we'll cut straight to the pictures.

Since I finished my January goal for DTs Alphabets I jumped right in to February's goal. Haven't quite finished, but I did get a lot done.

 The goal is to finish this single color alphabet before the end of the month. Shouldn't be too hard.

I managed to finish my January goal for AotH finished a little late, but it's done.

Snow Garden completed

I even managed to get the personalization done. I made a couple of changes. The name "Barbara Jean" and the date "1937" is my mom and her birth year. (Oh please, she looks WAY younger than her age so why shouldn't people know how old she is?) The large "J" down in the bottom left is for my DF Jean since her birthday is also in January. Then I added some cousins first initials that have birthdays in January. "A" - Angela (she's married to my sweet cousin Steven), "D" for my cousin David, and the "L" for Lynda Gayle.

I really love how this has turned out so far. It's very "cold" looking, and I know a lot of people don't like this square, but I think it looks great.

Since I finished and didn't want to get up to pick up anything else I started working on February. Here's where I was as of a few days ago.

Valentine Rose as of Feb. 8, 2011

These colors are very yummy! The house will take me forever, but I hope to get it finished by the end of the month. I need to order the month that has the first bonus pattern so I can at least get the border done before I start March. Otherwise I'll be off in my counting I'm sure.

And a peek of how it looks together.

AotH as of Feb. 8, 2011

No new pictures of mom & dad's piece, but I am working on page 2 so the end is in sight. The party isn't going to be until the 20th so I have a bit extra time to get it finished and let my framers have at it.

I haven't been knitting much, but it's NASCAR season again, so there may be a bit more knitting or crochet going on soon. I really need to make a blanket for Victory Junction from the yarn I bought last year. Have enough for two, but I'm not crazy enough to think I'd finish them both this year. I'm thinking crochet since I do that a lot faster. Make squares and then put them together is the plan. More when I figure it out. However, I have been working on a scarf which I need to take a picture of so you can see. Not much to see right now, but I think it will be lovely when finished.

I almost forgot! Head on over to Cranberry Samplers, she's having a give away since she's reached 300+ followers. Make sure you follow her and post a comment to enter. 

It's Still Only January

And I did manage to finish one of the stitching goals I needed to do if I am going to finish any of the larger pieces I have on my list for my personal Crazy 15 challenge.

Yep, that's the entire top alphabet completed for Drawn Thread's Alphabets. I've still got A LOT more to stitch, and I have a plan that if I actually stick to it will give me a completed sampler that looks something like this at the end of the year. The big question is will I manage to stay with the plan? Or will I let some other sparkly goodie catch my attention? Be sure to stay tuned!

I've been stitching on the needlebook from Stacy Nash we got at our Primitives weekend. I've made good progress on that. Oh and I picked up AOTH to work on the January block. I don't think it will be finished in January, but I can hope. Plus I'm still working in secret on mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary sampler. And by "in secret" I mean I only start stitching on it after 11PM when I should be sleeping. One night I got a little carried away and was still stitching at 3AM. I'm closing in on being halfway done.

It really does look beautiful. I met some friends from my last work contract for lunch Thursday after my doctor's appointment (nothing but my regular check-up with the RA doc, no worries). After that I stopped by the frame shop I use to go ahead and pick out a frame so we can get it framed quickly when I get it done. I've had my stitching framed by Great Hang Ups in Orange Park for more years than I or owners Dee and Julia (a great mother-daughter team) would care to admit! Even without the entire piece done we had enough to work with and found the perfect frame to show off that it's for their 50th and that it's a Quaker design. So now I just have to get it finished and to them and give them a few days to get it all stretched and framed. Sorry, no update pictures. I took the sampler but forgot to take my camera so I could get a picture! I'll have to try again soon.

I think that's about all my stitching news. Have only knit on a pair of socks and they aren't finished so nothing to show there. Tonight is the symphony and I'm looking forward to hearing the music they are performing. We're so lucky in Jacksonville to have such a great symphony. More people who take advantage of their performances.

Hope everyone is finding time to do the things that make them happy!

A Vacation Cut Short

Unfortunately my trip to Atlanta was cut a little short because of the weather, but at least I got to go and have some fun with everyone up there. As usual DF Jean was a fantastic hostess. You know you're going to have a good time when this is what you find on your bed.

Yep, that's some Tony Stewart swag! Those who know me and kept track of my crazy attempt to get a copy of that calendar know that I ended up with 2 of them, plus this one that Jean ordered for me. I took one to my LYS to share the yumminess. I'm not sure where I'm going to put this one, but I'm sure I'll find a place! The picture isn't great since I took it on my iPhone, not sure why I didn't pull out the actual camera, silly me.

The weekend was mostly a lot of hanging out with friends, eating and stitching. Thursday night we headed over to Andy's for some fantastic turkey soup, birthday cake for Jean and stitching. Then on Friday it was all about hanging out at Jean's. We did a little beading...after I did some organizing of Jean's beading stash. There was some stitching and of course eating. Friday is when they started talking about all the snow and ice Atlanta was going to be getting. At first it didn't sound that bad, but it kept getting worse and when Delta started canceling flights and offering to switch people's flights for free, well I decided I should be a little proactive and get my Monday afternoon flight switched to Sunday morning so I could get home before I leave again for AZ. I'm really glad I did since the flight home had very few people on it and I'm not camping out at the airport. Plus I got to take my mom for an early birthday dinner.

Saturday was DF Jean's birthday and we had a great dinner with lots of friends at a great Chinese restaurant. It's always good to be with everyone and this was no exception. I'm not sure why we didn't get a group picture, but we didn't. Maybe next time.

I did some stitching while I was up there. I took several things with me, mostly new starts. Got around to starting three new pieces, which are going into my personal 2011 challenge.

The first is the one I'm doing a SAL with Jean & DF Ann. The Drawn Thead's Alphabets is such a beautiful piece.  (You'll have to follow the link to see what it looks like when finished.) I'd love to say that I'll have this one finished by the end of the year, but I'm not that crazy, and I know myself. I have a plan that if I actually follow it will get me to that goal, but I have a feeling that at some point during the year I'll fall off the wagon, so to speak, and something else will grab my attention. But on to the picture of what I did finish while I was in Atlanta.

copy write The Drawn Thread

I've been working on this today while doing some laundry and trying to not get sick. (Yes, I managed to pick up some bug while I was gone, or more likely I had it when I left.) I'd love to finish this top alphabet this month. Like I said, I have a plan and that's the first month's goal. I think it's doable, so we'll see what happens.

The next piece I started while gone is another big one. Anniversaries of the Heart from Blackbird Designs is my poison of choice this time. I opted to do all the parts on one large piece of fabric. I'm working on a piece of 35ct linen to keep it from being TOO large. I love how it looks, but so far there isn't much to see, especially since what I have done is very light and doesn't show up well when I've tried to photograph it.

That's the best I've been able to do. This will be January's block. I'm working who who it will include. I know my mom will be there since her birthday was Monday. I'm trying to decide whether to have this be just family, or family and friends. I figure I have some time to decide.

I actually have more to show, but I started this post on Monday and it's Wednesday evening and I really need to finish getting packed to leave for Mesa, AZ in the morning. I'll leave you with this little tidbit.

By Milady's Needle, this is the beginning of Margaret W. Brown. I promise I'll tell you more when I get a chance. But now I'm off to get my final items packed and hopefully get a few hours of sleep before I have to be on a plane at 6:50AM!