Happy Mother's Day

I want to share one of my favorite photos.

Me, my mom and my Baby Girl.  Baby Girl is now 20.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Ocean City, MD

On the weekend of April 11 I had the wonderful opportunity to attend classes given by Sherri Jones at Salty Yarns and The Lankford Hotel.  I like going to the Lankford.  Each room is a little different.

I stayed in The Willet this time.  I think this is only second time I have stayed upstairs in the hotel.

To the left of the entry door.

Head on view from the door.

Tucked in a corner near the bed.

The corner on the other side of the bed.

The sleeping area viewed from the kitchen.

I enjoyed this room so much.

While there I decided that  I need a dresser like this one for my stitching room.

All weekend, each time I looked at the dresser I thought one drawer for fabrics, one drawer for charts and kits, and one drawer for fibers.  Perfect.  And contained. And so, the hunt begins.

When  I arrived I did have the pre-stitching done for the first day's class. A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray.

I'll be back soon.

Keep on Stitching!

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.