Stitch from Stash for April

Oh, lady, another month flown by without any blog posts from me!  At least this past month I can say that I did do some stitching and some traveling.

So, how did I do on the challenge?  Well, not so good.  I spent $198.89.  What did I spend it on?

I ordered the Cinnamon Hearts kit by Threadwork Primitives directly from Nan.  She used twine for the  tassel - what a great idea.  Excuse the flash spot in the picture.

Then I joined a group on Facebook called Stash Unload.  Big Mistake.  I found these three charts there.

I think the intent of that group is that you can buy and sell things there.  Nice because you don't incur ebay and etsy fees.  Only fees for PayPal if you use them.  I haven't listed anything for sale there, yet.

Two weekends ago I packed my bags and went to Ocean City, MD to attend two classes taught by Sherri Jones.  Sherri offers some of her stuff for sale at these events.  This I picked these up there:

The three patterns are complete except for stuffing.  The thread palette and ruler go with the Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray.  I didn't buy the scrim that was being sold - I felt that $44 for a piece that wouldn't really be seen wasn't necessary.

I had an opportunity to do some shopping at Salty Yarns, too.  I showed great restraint.  I came home with these two patterns and three cards of Gentle Arts floss.

And last purchase was offered by Dyeing to Stitch as a companion piece to their Ladies Prim Society.   I didn't resist this purchase. 

Again, sorry for the flash spots.  I'm not sure what's going on there.  

I did do some stitching from stash this month.

I started and finished the stitching on Cinnamon Heart by Threadwork Primitives.

I started stitching The Mermaid's Two Tales by Patrick's Woods for class.  I did get the needlebook stitched which was what needed to be finished before class.

I started stitching Strawberry House by The Scarlett House, a piece I received for the Colonial Gathering Club sponsored by Dyeing to Stitch.

I started Holly & Hearts - the three part sampler by Lizzie Kate.

I started stitching Fun Every Day - Sunday by Sam Sarah Design Studio.

I finished stitching Fun Every Day - Happy Birthday by Sam Sarah Design Studio.  

I find in interesting that I have started 17 pieces this year and finished stitching 17 pieces. Just not the same 17 pieces!

I think  that about covers my report for this month.  

I will be back soon with more pictures and stories about my travels.  

I am off to clean up the stitching room, AGAIN!

Keep on Stitching.

Stitch from Stash for March

I can't believe that another month has passed.

This past month I spent $34.00 from my stash allowance.  I think I'm still in the running for the year.

I did manage to finish the stitching on A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray this past month.  But not much else.

I'm not sure what I've been doing, but it hasn't been stitching!

I'll try to post some pictures next week.

Keep on Stitching!

Around the House

OK, I'll admit it.  I'm tired of snow and winter and ready for Spring.

I've been treating myself to tulips since I first spotted them in the store this winter.

I was able to get 2 bunches for $12 this week.  I spread the cheer around the house.

A big bunch on the dining room table,

Three by the kitchen window over the sink,

Some in the living room by my stitching nest,

One by the bathroom sink,

A few on my dresser, and

One on my sewing table in the stitching room.

First Finish of 2014

Finally, a finish.

I have been wanting to put together Needlework by Little House Needleworks from quite some time.  And I wanted to put it on my Longaberger Boardwalk basket.  Now for the stumbling block - every idea I came up with involved a lot of sewing with an new lining for the basket, and even then I wasn't sure if it would work.  I just couldn't see it, you know?

Then I came up with the following idea.  Why not make a shawl for the basket instead of a new lining.  And I was off and running.  I used some wool that I had in my stash - just enough, thank you very much.  And some fusible web, a little glue and some trim.  And voila, my finished basket.

The shawl required two little side seams.  I cut slits in the wool to accomodate the handles.  The overlap on the inside of the basket helps hold it in place, first because it's tight, and second, the plastic basket liner holds it against the basket on the inside.

Easy Peasy!

Have a great day.

Stitch from Stash - February 2014

I think I did pretty well in February on stitching from stash.

Money Spent on Stash is broken down as follows:

$58.00 during Splurge Weekend on the following floss and one new project, Heart of Hearts by Bent Creek.

$99.25 on 2/20/14 for  the following:  Song of Spring, Do Your Best, Cornwall Cottage Sampler chart, and floss (a little bit needed to finish up a project) - this is part of my birthday money of $100 and a a gift card for $25, also a gift.

The backs of the two kits shown above to show the luscious finishing materials included.

And $38.00 on Blue Elegance Sewing Bag chart and Because Two People chart, ( which used up my birthday money and the gift card)

Which leaves my money spent on stash in February to be :  $12.75.

Sadly, I've used my birthday money - and since my birthday is not until December a long time before I'll see that again.

During the month I received Country Sampler Heart Pinkeep as part of the Prim Sisters club sponsored by Country Sampler and I managed to get it stitched up but not put together.  I did change this a bit eliminating the lady, cat and dog.  I added our initials instead.

I also received The Country Life by Blackbird Designs as part of my ongoing commitment with Abecederian series.  No start on that yet.  I needed floss so I cold get hat started.

And, I received Growing Love Stitcher's Wallet by Threadwork Primitives, part of the Ladies Prim Society.  I did get that stitched during a snow day off from work.

Since my last post I finished stitching the Folk Bird Needlebook from Notforgotten Farms.  And the pieces mentioned above.  Plus, 

Put the last stitches in Second by Sam Sarah Designs part of Fun Every Day

Started Happy Birthday by Sam Sarah Designs, part of Fun Every Day, unfortunately show upside down.

Love Letters by Midnight Stitching started 2/13/14 and finished stitching 2/16/14.  This will be placed on a piece from Impie, Hattie, and Bea. 

My Stitching Bag by Shepherd's Bush, started on 2/16/14 and finished on 2/17/14.  I would like to add some interfacing on the stitched panel before I consider this finished. 

Rites of Spring by Cherished Stitches , first stitch 2/17/14 and last stitch 2/18/14.  This will be finished into a little pillow with the fabric and trims provided in the kit. 

Progress on two pockets for A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray by Patrick's Woods, pre-stitching for an April class,

Stitching completed on one pocket for A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray.

Woodland Forest Needlebook started in March 2013 at a retreat.  The final stitch was taken on 2/19/14.

By the Sea Needlekeep by Jeanette Douglas Designs started in September 2013 and the last stitch was placed on 2/21/14. 

Song of Spring by Blackbird Designs part of the Ladies Prim Society started in September 2013.

Lots of progress this month - and  a confession.  I had a week off from work and spent it in Ocean City, Maryland on a personal retreat.  I stitched a lot, ate, read, and slept.  

I thought it was appropriate that  finished the stitching on my By the Sea Needlekeep while there since I had started in on another personal retreat last September. It truly was stitched by the sea.

Have a great month.  

Stitch from Stash 2014 - January Update

 So, this has been an interesting first month .  

Money Spent on Stash:  $0

I did receive two new pieces this month, both for clubs I subscribe to and both have been started.

I worked on the following projects this month:

Country Sampler Silent Night Pinkeep by Stacy Nash Primitives
Last Stitches :  1/3/14

Country Sampler Silent Night Ornament by Stacy Nash Primitives
Last Stitches:1/10/14

A little work on a pocket for A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray by Patrick's Woods - pre-stitch for an April class

A Friend Loves - Prim Sisters by The Pinkeep started 1/10/14 and finished stitching on 1/17/14

A Colonial Candle Pocket by Plum Street Samplers part of a A Colonial Gathering Club for 2014 - stated on 1/17/14 and last stitches placed on 1/21/14  This is one of the new additions this month.

Continue working on Hibernation Day by Heartstring Samplery

Holiday Patchwork Bag by Threadwork Primitives a part of the Ladies Prim Society - first stitches placed on 1/21/14 and last stitches taken on 1/25/14

And another newbie Folk Bird Needlebook - part of Little Stitches Handwork Club by Notforgotten Farm - first stitches placed on 1/25/14.  The other new addition this month.

By my tally I'm in the running for this month's contest.  How did you do?

Stitch On!

Country Sampler Silent Night Pinkeep and Ornament

I've shown pictures of the stitched Pinkeep.

Now, here is a picture of the ornament, stitched but not assembled.  Notice anything wonky about the picture?  We had a good laugh over this at Stitch n Gab.  I can't believe how badly I centered this!  It's embarassing!  And a little funny.  In my haste to begin stitching I glanced at the directions and saw that the dimensions were 4" x 7",  and attempted to center it using those dimensions.  Silly me, those were the dimensions for the finished ornament, not the design size.  Geez.  Thankfully I will be sewing this together and will have small seam allowances.  I probably have not learned my lesson and will continue to make these goofy mistakes.

As I said, it was good for a laugh and for sharing.  One lady shared how she started a piece oriented incorrectly on the fabric.  She was so close on the one side when finished that she had to add fabric before it could be framed.  I remember when she did that.

Have you ever done something like this?

Have a great day!