Taking a popsicle break

I have been very sick this week. It is not the flu, but it is pretty crummy nonetheless. And it is requiring a lot of popsicles.

Today I started a Mary Beale ornament, "Mary was espoused to Joseph." I have never been much of a snowman or santa Christmas stitcher. I usually prefer a religious or nature theme. Although I am beginning to like some of the Mary Beale repeated patterns too.

The ornament below was intense! There are a lot of stitches in that little ornament! I love bargello-style designs, and I can never resist Carriage House Samplings. If you remember this ornament from 2005, you know it was charted to say "Dec. 1804." In my sinus infection-induced fog this morning, I thought I would just freehand "Christmas" and see how it fit. I still cannot believe it fit perfectly - and on the first try!

Jerry has run to pick up pizza and calzones since I don't need to do any food prep! Pizza, stitching, "A Touch of Frost," (a mystery series) antibiotics, and then BED!

I have enjoyed looking through all the pictures with your Christmas decorating. I thought I would show you how much I have done this year. Hmmmm...I don't think this picture will win me any awards.... ;)

Have you seen this?

Another ornament done. Well, not quite. I suppose I need to do a bit more before I can hang it!

Speaking of ornaments, have you seen Linda Wallace's trees? Here are two links to a tour of her trees. They each show different things.

http://tennesseesamplers.blogspot.com/2010/12/decorating-with-samplers-for-christmas.html

http://www.marybeale.com/images/lwallace/

One day, one day.....

What a busy time of year!

Today was a snow day for the public school, and we took the day off here as well. There was the slightest dusting of snow on the ground, and powerful, bitter winds whistled around the house all day. Between loads of laundry, I finished stitching this ornament by Plum Street Samplers.

Yesterday, I kept my nieces for a few hours. This little sweetie likes to feed a bite to the doggies and then take a bite herself. I would have stopped her, but I was busy taking pictures!

Saturday morning, Nutmeg had a recital; she played the Nutcracker March.

After the recital, we raced home to get things ready for Nutmeg's 10th birthday party. The theme was Star Wars.

Last week there were 4 ballet recitals. This coming weekend looks a bit lighter with only a double birthday party and a neighborhood White Elephant Christmas Party...

First Finish in the New House

It's a small one, but such a cute one! I love adam and Eve designs, and this one is so sweet and quick! I used DMC because I want to display it as a small pillow or pinkeep. I worry about spilling something on hand dyed threads.

Here are some random shots: Carnations my parents brought the girls at their ballet recital.

A new rug for the "library." (from Tar-zjay)

And last, but not least, Buttercup's lastest fashion experiment.

What to stitch next?

Getting Ready...

Notice how I put the Halloween-y cross stitch BEFORE the Christmas one? Attention, business I saw on Green Street! Take down your Christmas wreath! It just looks plain silly in October!!! But this Raven design by Plum Street Samplers might stay up year 'round!

I just put the last stitches in Shepherd's Bush's "Far Away," that was published in the JCS December 2001. I might do a BBD Halloween next- if I can stay awake! Last night, Nutmeg had a friend spend the night - I can't imagine how little sleep they got! The little sisters did not get a slumber party, but they got bowling and vampire teeth and seemed pretty happy with the deal!

Rainy, Chilly Day

I finally finished the "Scottish Companion Sampler" published in The Gift of Stitching (digital) magazine. I changed the green and the brown. I just could not resist doing this when I saw the boating scene at the bottom!

I started and finished this a couple of days ago. I don't know why really, probably because it was designed by Darlene O'Steen. It was in an older JCS ornament issue. I kind of like it and kind of don't. And now I see I haven't quite crossed all the stitches.

WoooHooo! Look at my amazing progress on "Far, Far Away" by Shepherd's Bush! I started it last night, but really I feel to yucky with allergies to stitch. I also want to stitch the next band to hide my threads under, but did not have that color.

Last, but never least, is Merlin. Can you guess what that is hanging out of his mouth? Look at the bottom of my last post for a hint! ;)

Will She Like It?

Well, I finished "Williamsburg Lady" by Historic Stitches. I personalized it with some of the highlights of a friend's trip. I also filled in some spaces with BBD stars and a Tennessee sampler dog. (Now I wonder if I should have made the BBD stars yellow.) Mommylaywer, let me know if you hate it, or if it is not your style - I won't be heartbroken if I get to keep it! ;)

I bought a small bag of buttons at a "junque" shop this week. I have them in mind for a design by Cross-Eyed Cricket. I have spent a lot of time arranging and rearranging them, and it occurs to me I should stitch the design first!

I'll close with a shot of our kitty-witties. You know, I love my sister, but she has to clean her own ears!

Today

How was that for a snappy title? Really, it should have been titled "This Minute," because that is as far ahead as I can think. If I thought any further ahead, I would be confronted with the facts that today at 5 I have a long-overdue eye exam, at 6 the girls need to be at my cousin's wedding rehearsal, at 7 we are invited to the rehearsal dinner, tomorrow is the wedding, and on Sunday my in-laws are coming to stay for several days. Other facts: my house is a mess, my yard is scary, Nutmeg has not finished her math, and Buttercup has been in a MOOD ever since she woke up, and right now they are fighting over which one gets to use the bathroom first, because of course they want to use the same one. So, rather than deal with these daunting realities, I have choosen to dust off my camera and blog.

I have finally finished something - CHS Be My Love! I also started another mermaid design my CHS. I am again fascinated by the color combination!

None of my friends in-real-life read my blog, so I am going to post a piece I am stitching for a friend. She and her family are taking Colonial America trip. Yesterday, I saw my "Williamsburg Lady," and I thought it would be perfect! I do not know if it is her style, or if she will even want it. So I plan on giving it to her for Christmas - like next week. If she does not want it, she will be getting another cookbook for Christmas! I have shifted and added and otherwise adjusted the design. In place of the alphabet, I have stitched "Williamsburg" and "Jamestown" across the top. I plan on stitching "Yorktown" down the right-hand side. I changed the colors to DMC, because stitching with silk stresses me. I think I may add a dog/cat/rabbit on the right side of the lady, and perhaps a little something under the bird.

Hmmmm....I always get my best stitching/cooking/crafting ideas when some unrelated deadline is approaching!

Lickedy-Split!

This was a fun and quick design! I cannot wait to do something with it. I was thinking about this Stone and Thread design while I stitched "Bloom Where You Are Planted."

It would look perfect on this wall in my kitchen with garden-themed pictures and cross stitches.

I could use it on my traditional sampler wall as a funky counter point.

It even looks good with the tea service (in desperate need of polish!)

I recommend this design no matter what your decor; it fits in with everything.

Oh, it feels good to finish something! Just the little pick-me-up I needed!

Carriage House Samplings Obsession

I was so sorry to hear that CHS is going to close its doors. As soon as I read that, I went through my stash (I mean, "our" stash, Mom) looking for CHS designs that I have not yet stitched. I get obsessed with one designer at a time and decide that they are the greatest artists in the whole world and I am going to stitch their entire line and nothing else! I usually get through a design or two and then rediscover another favorite genius!

I finished the creepy purple gal pictured above. I like her in a weird way. I look at her like I make myself look at writing spiders. Then I shudder and move away.

Yesterday I started "Point the Way to Heaven." I like the orange and green. Maybe it reminds me of my 1970s nursery. I need to find a picture and post it. It was yellow and orange with mushrooms. Maybe that is why I like to stitch oranges, greens and all the different browns!