A Stitching Post ... Finally

This blog has been becoming more than just my stitching blog and that's alright by me. However, since stitching is one of the main reasons I started this blog, it's only right to show case what I've been working on once in awhile. I haven't been doing too much stitching recently since I have other projects to complete for the holidays. The first thing I have is a sneak peak of a Christmas gift (so I don't want to show too much). I'm sure some of the veteran stitchers may recognize the design.

This has been finished into a cube and I look forward to sharing the complete project with you. Next up is the ornament I stitched to exchange with Vonna. I enjoyed doing this exchange and it sounds like she likes the ornament.

Design: The Christmas Cross (JCS Ornament Issue 04)

Designer: The Stitchworks, Ltd.

Fabric: Unknown from stash

Threads: DMC substitutions

In return, Vonna stitched this beautiful angel for me. I love the finish and it has a prominent place on our tree.

In addition to exchanging ornaments with me, Vonna also finished a few stockings for me. I've shared pictures of them before but here they are in all of their finished glory. Both were designed by Joan Elliot as part of her annual series in the Cross Stitcher. Now I just need to stitch one for our daughter.

Hubby's stocking

My stocking

I currently have three things that are in progress: a birthday present for my sister in law (that I need to finish the beading on which is why it's still in progress), my sister's wedding sampler (that needs to be finish in Feb) and the third of LHN's ornaments from this year. I stitched the first two over one but am thinking that it takes me a long time to finish them stitching over one so I might just start over and stitch them on high count over two. Let me know what you think. I hope you are all having a wonderful December! God Bless!

No Posting but Lots of Stitching

I know it's been awhile since I have posted. We've been somewhat busy around here so this has been the thing to fall off of the shelf. Around the time of my last post, my daughter was diagnosed with hip dysplasia so we have been dealing with that for the past few months. She has gone through being in a pavlik harness, an unsuccessful closed reduction, a successful open reduction, six weeks in a Spica cast, three weeks full time in an abduction brace and we're a few days into three weeks of the abduction brace only while sleeping. I think that about covers everything. She has been a real trooper through out the whole thing.

So in stitching news, I finished my Christmas stocking on Sunday. Here she is in all her glory:

Design: "Christmas Angel Stocking"

Designer: Joan Elliot (The Cross Stitcher Aug '06)

Fabric: 14 ct White Aida

Thread: Recommended DMC, Kreinik and beads

I started her at the beginning of Dec 09. So she took a little over 10 months to finish (I was able to cut the time that it took me to finish hubby's stocking in half). She and the gingerbread stocking will be heading to The Twisted Stitcher's Finishing Service soon. I can't wait to see what Vonna does with them.

On the subject of finishing, I also finished a couple of fall pieces that I had (both were squares I received in the Fair and Square Exchange). I choose to finish two as cubes. Here's one of my finishes (I still need to add ribbon my Halloween cube):

I love this fabric with this stitched piece. What do you think?

I have a few other projects that I am working on for the holidays. I have been keeping busy but don't have too many other pictures to show of my WIP (and most of them are for gifts). So instead I leave you with a picture of my little one and one of her baskets of books. Have a great night!

Quilting and Stitching

Well, back to my regular scheduled programming ... at least somewhat. I've started to get into quilting as well as cross stitch. I has a chance to finish a project this week, which I was really excited about. I still need to finish the second bag but one has been completed. My first project was a Child's Activity Bag. I found the tutorial on Moda Bake Shop and it was created by Melissa Stramel of Lilac Lane.

The Front of the Bag

Fabric: Sandy Gervais' Nautical and Nice

Pattern: Child's Activity Bag

Designer: Melissa Stramel of Lilac Lane

The Back of the Bag

My local quilt shop, What's Your Stitch N Stuff, is celebrating is 20th Anniversary this week. So I stopped by to pick up some backing and batting so that I could complete the strip quilt top I had finished (the kit was purchased from there as well). I picked up some brown minkee for the back of the quilt. Here's the top with the backing and binding:

I know that I still need to iron the quilt top. I had started one night but realized that I really needed to do it on our full ironing board downstairs instead of the little ironing board I keep in the guest room for my quilt projects (great for blocks and small units, not so much for long strips). I really love the different fabrics in this quilt. I have a few more strip quilts to make ... it's one of my favorite kits that my LQS carries.

I also picked up a kit for a Christmas present for my sister (hopefully for this year) as well as another strip quilt that used Wine Country by Barb Tourtillotte.

I have been spending quite a bit of time stitching as well. I completed the center part of my stocking (well, except for a small part of her hand since I didn't have the color at the time and wanted to start working on the bottom).

I'm hoping to complete this in time to be able to send it out for finishing and still have it by Christmas. I've also been working on the Letter L that I showed to you previously. I've almost completed all of the stitching and will just have the beads left to do. My other project at the moment is a wedding sampler for my sister. It's been a lot of fun to work on with changing the colors to match those she picked for her wedding. My daughter's birth sampler has been framed ... I just need to take a picture of it to share as well as actually hang it on her wall. I hope it won't be too long before I can share some more projects with you ... both stitching and quilting. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! God Bless!

The Promised Pictures

WARNING ... PICTURE HEAVY POST AHEAD :)

Here's the finished birth sampler for my daughter ... I guess it's time to take a trip to my LNS to have it framed :).

Anchor's Classic Pooh Birth Sampler

Threads/fabric included in kit

Close up of personalization

Close up of top of sampler.

Here was my last finish of 2009 which I realized I never shared for the LHN ornament SAL:

LHN's Fa La La

Threads: Recommended DMC

Fabric: Random scrap piece (stitched over 1)

Next up, the current progress on my stocking. I haven't worked on it for probably a month now so it's time to start again. Hoping to finish it before Christmas, with time to possibly have someone else finish it.

And the last WIP is Nora Corbett's "L" ... a gift for my SIL (I don't think she checks my blog).

Until next time ... happy stitching and God Bless!

Christmas stitching

Well, I have been able to get some good stitching time in, so I've been focusing mostly on some Christmas stitching (since it's that time of year). First up is a piece that I wanted to finish for the Advent season ... I've picked up some coordinating fabric and just need to complete it in a finished form (maybe I'll work on that today).

Design: "Lights of Advent"

Designer: Erica Michaels (from JCS Ornaments 06)

Fabric: Unknown ornament cut from DSL

Threads: Recommended DMC

I've also been working on LHN's "Fa-La-La", the first ornament in their monthly ornament series. I don't have a progress picture but will post once I finish it. I decided to stitch it over 1 ... which has been an interesting experience. On Tuesday I finally pulled out the fabric and pattern to start my Christmas stocking. Here's what I had at the end of Friday night:

And this is all the work that I did on Saturday, while watching football and a Christmas movie (and doing other chores around the house):
I am really enjoying this piece. This one is Joan Elliot's Christmas Angel Stocking from the Aug 06 issue of the Cross Stitcher. Hopefully she won't take me as long as the first one (she shouldn't if I don't put her aside for months on end).

I'm enjoying the weather today much more than the rain we had yesterday (it was a little too warm for it to turn to snow here). Today is blue sky with white clouds, a bit chilly but not too bad. I think I might wrap presents today and maybe do some baking to send to family and friends that are deployed for the holiday season. I'm going to do a bit more stitching as well. Have a wonderful day!

Happy Dance!!!!

This has been a great weekend for finishing :). I finally finished DH's Christmas stocking ... it only took me 2 years and 2 months. Hopefully the next ones will go faster (since there were long stretches of time without stitching on the stocking. I had a lot of fun stitching it and am looking forward to the next one. I am going to wait to finish finish it until I at least get mine done as well so that I am doing more than one at a time (and there isn't a huge time in between finishes).

Design: "Gingerbread Stocking"

Designer: Joan Elliot (The Cross Stitcher - Aug 05)

Fabric: 14 ct White Aida

Thread: Recommended DMC, Kreinik and beads

I also finished my "whet your appetite" ornament for the Little House Ornament SAL. I plan on finishing this as a pillow ornament. It was a fun stitch and now I'm just waiting for the first ornament of LHN's new series to arrive since I believe it has been shipped.

Design: "Glory to God"

Designer: Little House Needleworks (JCS Ornament 08)

Fabric: Stash Linen (count and color unknown)

Threads: Recommended and DMC alternatives

I also finished my SWO pin to go with hubby's dolphins. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture before I took it into my LNS to get framed. So I will share a picture when I get it back. I haven't quite finished the next project, but am to the point where I'm working on the backstitch. This one won't be finished until I can personalize it with little one's information so it will probably be one of my first 2010 finishes. I plan on getting everything but the personalization done in the next few weeks. So here's my current progress on the Classic Winnie the Pooh sampler.

Since I finished up my other ornament, I was inspired to start another. I decided to start stitching Erica Michael's "Lights of Advent" from the 2006 JCS Ornament issue. This was as far as I got since I need to pick up the other DMC colors needed to stitch the ornament.

Since I didn't have the threads needed to finish, I spent the rest of this evening working on a wedding present (which I don't have any pictures to share of). I decided to put it on my scroll frame since I've taken the stocking off. So that's it for my stitching ... it feels good to get some of those long UFO finally finished. Hope you had a great Sunday!

PIF and WIP updates

Well, I heard from Belinda and Pike that they received their PIF a few weeks ago. I haven't heard from Gaby yet, but hopefully she's received it. So without further ado, here are the ornaments that I stitched for my PIF:


The Angels are from Leisure Arts' Holidays Remembered (Christmas Remembered Book 5). They are stitched on random pieces of fabric that I had in my stash (I think one was probably a 28 ct and the other two were either 30 or 32 ct) with the recommended DMC threads.

I've also made some great progress on DH's stocking. I've just got a bit more backstitch in the bottom, then it's coming off the scroll frame in order to add the beads. That aspect doesn't seem as daunting anymore since I completed a small project with beads as a present for my sister. That was the one thing I was slightly worried about. So right now I'm going to make my goal to finish his stocking by the end of November and start on mine. I think I will wait to do the finishing until I complete at least my stocking. I will also have to pick out a stocking for the little one as well. I'm planning on sticking with the Joan Elliot stockings from the Cross Stitcher magazine.


I've been working on two other projects as well. The first is the birth sampler for the little one. She's gotten nicknames such as Peanut, Pooh Bear, Dinosaur and others. We decided to decorate the nursery with a Winnie the Pooh theme (the classic style). I was lucky to be able to find this birth sampler kit from Anchor. Here is my progress so far:


The other project I'm working on is going to be a wedding present for a good friend. Unfortunately it's a wedding we won't be able to attend since it's two days prior to my due date in another state. At this point, I don't think it will be finished prior to the wedding, but we'll see how it goes.

I was able to finish a project for my sister this past weekend but since it's going to be a present, no photos at this time. I'll post a picture after I give it to her (I don't think she reads this but just in case). I still have to finish it into it's final form, but should be able to complete that this week. Other than that, I've decided to join Vonna's LHN ornament of the month SAL. I am also planning to actually start my work on my Bride's Tree ornaments for the Bride's Tree SAL this month so I will start with the Nov ornament and have them complete by next Christmas.

I've been enjoying the fall weather around here. The rain has finally gone away and hopefully it will stay away through out this weekend. Hopefully it won't be as long until my next update (I just need to remember to take pictures so I can post them). Next time, I'll share some pieces that have been framed with you. God Bless and have a wonderful day!

Deployment Finishes

I didn't have a lot of time to stitch while I was gone but I did manage to finish a few pieces other than my exchange squares. I also finished almost all of the cross stitch on DH's stocking. Stitching was a great way to relax but typically I really only had a chance to do some serious stitching on Sundays. The first piece I finished was one I had started right before I left on deployment called Music Harmony. It was a Dimensions kit.

Music is Harmony (Dimensions)

Fabric: 14 ct Ivory Aida

Threads: Cotton floss (kit)

The next piece that I finished was one that only took me about a week and a half to do. I started it while watching the Army Navy game (which I am glad is an early game since it wasn't in the middle of the night due to the time difference) and finished it on the 12 of Dec. I have decided to gift it to a friend so no pictures until it is finished and received ... I don't want to ruin the surprise.

My last finish of 08 was an ornament kit that I received in a care package from Melissa M. who sent me a couple of books that had been on my wishlist. It's called Hearts come Home and I finished it on New Year's Eve. Now it just needs to be finished into an ornament before this upcoming Christmas.

Hearts Come Home

Designer: Leisure Arts' Designs for the Needle Kit

Fabric: 18 ct White Aida

Thread: Cotton floss (kit)

While on deployment I did make a lot of progress on DH's stocking. I finished the bottom half and moved to the top half. All I have left is some of the snow on the roof, the name and the top border (for the cross stitch). Then I have all of the detail work ... backstitching and beads. I should have no trouble finishing it this year ... I just need to actually work on it.

The last two pictures are of pieces that I finished before deployment and had framed at my LNS.  They turned out wonderfully again ... as always.  The first is the dolphins I stitched for my DH and the second is "Thank You for Serving" which I stitched for my grandfather. They both saw the finish products in December. My husband received his when he returned from deployment and my parents took the piece down to FL to give to my grandfather during our annual Christmas gathering.

So I think that pretty much catches you up on what I got done while I was gone.  I also worked on a wedding sampler and started another project (Erica Michael's Liberty Light).  I finished the wedding sampler last week and need to take it in to be framed.  I should finish the other shortly.  I am also working on my squares for the Spring round of the Fair and Square exchange.  The other fun I've had is designing another wedding piece for friends of mine that are getting married in June.  So now I just have to get started stitching.  I'm off duty for the weekend and DH and I are heading to the sub ball tonight.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with plenty of time to stitch.  I will see you next week!

As Promised

As promised ... a post full of pictures. First up, DH's stocking. As you can see, I'm almost done with the bottom part of the stocking. I hope to start work on the top part of the stocking before I leave for deployment. I don't think it will be done by this Christmas (I'm not going to take it with me) but it should be done by next Christmas.

Next up, the quilt that my sister made for our wedding. The two middle rows have pictures from our wedding. I will have to get a close up of the square in the bottom corner that has the date embroidered on it. She did a wonderful job and I have finally hung it up in our bedroom.

Wedding Picture Quilt
Made by Brianne with love

Here are the squares that I made for Sue W. for round 7. I decided to go with a nautical theme since I'm in the Navy and Sue works for the VA. The flags in the corners spell out our initials (DM and SW). They are delta, mike, sierra and whiskey. I'm glad to hear that Sue likes them. The ship's wheel in the middle is a modification of a design.

Fair Square Round 7
Design: Inspired by "Signal Flags and Ship's Wheel" (Judith Brown)
Fabric: 32 ct French Country Latte
Fibers: DMC

Here's a non stitching related picture. Last weekend I went to the Surface Warrior Ball in Norfolk, VA. Here is a picture of me and my roommate all dressed up :) I treated myself to having my hair and makeup done.

Yep, I finished it today ... here is "find you song" all complete, signature and all. Now it just needs to go to the framers and then hung on a wall somewhere in my house :)

Design: "find your song" by My Mark Designs
Fabric: 32 ct. Wichelt Natural Linen
Fibers: DMC 806 and WDW Santorini

The last two pictures I'll leave you with are "Liberty Lights" and "Thank You for Serving" all kitted up. I started "Thank You for Serving" tonight, but don't have any progress pics for you. I am stitching it for my Grandfather who served 20 years in the Army. I may stitch it for others as well, I'm liking it so far.

Have a wonderful week! Happy Stitching!

Teaser :)

Well, I have been stitching since my last update ... I just haven't taken any pictures yet. I plan to do a full post with pics tomorrow night. I found out today that Sue W. received her squares for Fair and Square round 7. I can't wait to show them to you ... and explain them. I'm glad to hear that she likes them.

Other than that, I have been working on "find your song" and DH's stocking. I have been rotating between the two for the past week. I have decided what I'm stitching for Monique for the summer round of Fair and Square ... I just need to go pick up the require threads for it. I am almost done with the bottom of the stocking and should be moving up to the top soon. The problem I found with my original way of working on the stocking is that my threads would get mixed up (since I kept what was left over since it would be used again in another part) and the light colors are really hard to distinguish from each other ... even in a great light. That's what I get for the weeks and months in between working on the project.

I'm almost done with "find your song" ... only three more musical motifs and two letters to go. It should be finished by tomorrow and then just needs to go to the LNS for framing. So look out for pics tomorrow! Have a great night!

Songs, stockings and quilts

Well, it has been a little while since I have posted. I haven't been doing a lot of stitching until lately. I did finish my Fair and Square exchange for Sue, just need to get it to the post office and send it to her. I hope she enjoys it ... it should be waiting for her when she returns from her vacation.


I started "find your song" by My Mark Designs on Friday. I finally got the fabric for it. This was the design that I asked for inputs on the fabric due to the floss that I would be using. I decided to go with a natural linen. It's looking great so far (I think). Thanks for all of the inputs. Monique is the designer and also my partner for the summer seasonal Fair and Square exchange. Still trying to work out the design for her squares.


I have also had a chance to work on DH's stocking as well. I have finished up the green in the bottom part of the stocking and started on the yellows. There is some definite progress ... I just need to sit down and designate times to work on this. It has often gotten pushed aside for other projects.

I have two projects that have been kitted up ... "Liberty Lights" designed by Erica Michaels Designs and "Thank You For Serving" by The Sunflower Seed. The first was an extra goodie from Heather as part of our 4th of July F&S exchange. I picked out some linen from my LNS and as I am looking at it realize that I picked out the exact linen that the model was stitched on other than the count (I have 32 rather than the 30ct it was stitched on) - R&R's Dark Expresso. I just realized this today ... though I've had it for over a week. The second design is one that I saw at my LNS on Friday and decided to get everything to stitch it while I was there. I am planning on stitching it for my grandfather ... and probably a few others in my family as well depending on how well the first goes. The model is stitched on a yummy R&R Apply Brown Bindy which is hand dyed. I am looking forward to both of these projects.


Here are the lilies that grow in our front yard. Unfortunately they are past their prime now and are started to drop their flowers. They were pretty while they last thought.


And as a final though ... I wanted to showcase some of my sister's work. She made this quilt for me as a graduation gift when I graduated from college. The picture is from prior to completion but is just missing the outer border. She also made my husband and I a wonderful quilt for our wedding ... unfortunately I don't seem to have a picture of it. I finally bought some hangers for it this weekend and was able to hand it in our room ... so I will get a picture of it in the future and show it to you. Have a great weekend!

Weddings, stockings and floss, O my

Well, I've had a little bit more time to stitch this week. Yesterday I finished up the following sampler as a wedding present. It was a really quick stitch which would be what one would expect since I found the design in Quick & Easy Cross Stitch Gifts part of The Joys of Cross Stitch series published by Oxmoor House. It's definitely not your typical wedding sampler. However, I wanted to make a piece that had some meaning for both of us. The bride and I had a conversation about the worst part about being military was that you made friends but then they (or you) would move away. So I thought the following verse would be perfect for her. There are four parts of the design ... with interchangeable verses and borders. I didn't particularly like the colors in the design, so I picked some colors that I believe the couple is using to decorate. I hope you like it as well.

Design: A Friend (from Quick & Easy Cross Stitch Gifts)
Fabric: 28 ct Flax color
Floss: DMC

Next I have the promised update on my stocking for DH. I haven't made any progress on this in about a week, but plan to try to put some stitches in it tonight after I finish up chores and such around the house. Once I finish the bottom, I can go back up to the top ... which includes the personalization. Then I have to do the backstitching and beads ... though I am going to take it off the frame to do the beading. It should be interesting since this is my first project with beads. So slowly making progress :)


And now for a question to all you dear stitchers. I picked up the floss below to do "Find Your Song" from MyMark . Now my question is what color fabric should I use? I would like something that the white and blue will show up well against. I did find a DMC color that matches the darker blue for the solid color part of the design. However, I am at a loss for fabric color ... too light and the white won't show up at all. I would appreciate any suggestions that you all have.
Yesterday also included a trip to my LNS to pick up some extras for my fair squares exchanges. The main reason to drop by was to drop off the above piece for framing ... so I can't wait to show it to you once I get it back. While there I picked up the above floss and another highly variegated floss (more with some purples and greens). I'm planning to probably stitch the "find your song" for my choir director as well. I was good when I went to the store since the only additions to my stash were the flosses ... the rest of my purchase were for gifts.

I have to take a second to thank Mary Kathyrn from Handcrafts Online. I've placed two orders with her recently. The designs that I ordered came very quickly. I can't praise her enough for her quick response to e-mail. I had also ordered some fabric, which hadn't arrived. When I e-mailed her, she quickly responded to let me know that she was still waiting for it. However, she had another type of similar color that she could send me instead. In addition, when I told her that I didn't know much about the different types of linen, she offered to send some small samples so I could tell the difference. She has great customer service. She was also my first partner for the Fair Square exchange. So thank you Mary Kathryn! I appreciate all of your help!

Well, I'm off to do some grocery shopping and hopefully meet up with a friend for lunch. Have a wonderful Saturday!