A week's worth

I'm going to apologize in advance for this post. With the exception of a few more stitches and a couple of new painting designs, it pretty much mirrors my last post. I'm sorry, folks...such is my life. While it doesn't look like a lot of progress on The Plantation Sampler, I'm going as fast as I can. I will say that I am totally taken with the 45ct. linen now. It takes some getting used to, but I love the look. It's a bit like over one in how dense it is. I ended up switching many of the colors, not just the gross green at the bottom. We'll see if I made a mistake or not down the road.

My granddaughter, Olivia had a sleep over at our house on Saturday. We had a great time. We made a red velvet cake and a new blanket for her. It was one of those fleece jobbies that you cut strips all the way around and then tie it together. It was supposed to be impossible to mess up, but somehow I ended up with more strips on one side than another, lol. It might look a little weird...but she loves it.

Here's what I painted recently. I'm never doing another scene like the one with the lighthouse again. It took me all morning to do. What do I know about lighthouses? I live in the desert.

Speaking of which, it is all of 64 degrees right now. That might sound wonderful to you...but I think it's cold. In fact, I'm cooking a pot of chili. I love it when I can throw everything in a one pot and call it dinner. Less cleanup and more time to stitch tonight. Yeehaw!

Tuesday this and that...

Unfortunately, I've little stitching progress to show. I'm not ready to admit that the 45ct. is kicking my behind, however, it's more difficult than I expected. It's like stitching over one. You just can't go very fast. One little bit seems like it takes hours to do. I hate the green than is called for in the bottom half. I started outlining with it , but it has to go. It looks nothing like the chart picture. What is up with that? The last three designs that I've done have been the same way. Geesh! Anyway, here she be. I love those little sheepies.

We have had cold, rain, and snow in AZ for the last few days. It has reeked total havoc on my sinus's. Nothing like waking up with a migraine. While I was feeling sorry for myself yesterday because I felt crummy, I decided to do my part in stimulating the economy. Can you say stash enhancement? It's all Nicole's fault. She sent me a link to an album chock full of fabulous samplers. That was all it took. I jumped on The Scarlet Letter and Em-Li's and found about 10 or 11 that I can't live without. I still find that I like a lot of the old stuff the best, especially the prices. You gotta love a six dollar chart. I'll do a post when they all get here so you can see what I got. Today, I finally felt like painting. These are going up on Etsy tonight.

Dilemmas...

Happy Wednesday! So, here's my dilemma. The response to my needle case sets has exceeded my wildest dreams. What's the problem, you say? Well, let me tell you. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO STITCH! For me, that's like not taking the time to breath, or eat, or sleep. Don't get me wrong, I love to paint AND I'm happy to be selling things. I really shouldn't complain because stitching doesn't pay me anything and has cost me bundles over the years. With that all being said, I have managed a wee start on a new sampler. I had to dig really deep in my stash to find this one. It's an oldie from 1987 called The Plantation Sampler. Yes, I know...more pastels. I think there's enough dark green in it to keep me sane though. I'm stitching it on the coolest piece of 45 count vintage Maratime White by Lakeside Linen. It has a decent amount of blotchiness for that aged look that I crave. It is my first time stitching on 45ct. If you never hear from me again, you'll know I went blind and can't blog anymore.

The wee start of the willow tree

Here's what I painted today. It was a custom request and if she likes it, it is sold.

This set is going on Etsy. Maybe. I kinda like this one, and I keep entertaining thoughts about keeping it for myself, but I won't. It's in the 80's here today, the perfect day to sit on the patio and stitch. I hear my needle calling me now....

The lovely Isabella

I finished Isabella up last night while watching the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl. I was so nervous the whole game, it's a wonder that I didn't need to rip anything out. I'm bummed that we lost, but considering that it was a close game, AND the fact that we even got this far is amazing. I did leave out the called for queen stitches in one of the motifs. I made an attempt,

but on 40 ct., there was no way. The light color thread didn't help either. I think I can honestly say that this is one of my all time favorite samplers. It's weird, because I am so not a pastel person. It is stitched on Light Examplar from Lakeside linen with NPI.

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These three needle case sets are going up in my Etsy tonight, if anyone is interested. Now, I'm off to dig through my stash . I have no idea what I want to start next. I guess I'll just see what calls out to me.

Wow...

I've been busy, thanks to Nicole and Sherry. I told Nicole that her photos sure put mine to shame. I'm amazed and happy to say that I've sold five sets. So now my poor Etsy shop is looking pretty bare. I guess I need to start painting more. Unfortunately, it takes me longer to work out a design in my head than it does to actually do it. Based on the requests that I've had, the one thing that I've learned is that everyone loves sheep. This is a good thing as I love'm, too.
I've also decided to add little needle minders to the sets.
My husband is rather surprised at the interest. While, I think he's happy for me, I think he's also afraid that he'll run out of clean socks and underwear if I am painting and not doing the laundry!
Thank you for all of the nice compliments.

And the giveaway goes to...

Congratulations, Sherry! You have my husband to thank for drawing your name. I think it is very appropriate that you won since you love birds. Please send me an email with your address,

and I'll get the set right out to you.

As you can see, the bowl was full of names. Thanks to all of you that took the time to leave me a message. I really wish I could send you all a set. Like I said before, it has been my pleasure to hear from you. Your comments have been so sweet and supportive and appreciated very much.

I did manage to paint two new sets today. I should have been cleaning my house, but hey, hanging out in the craft room with Ruby and Scarlett was way more fun. Here's what I came up with.

Monday, Monday...

Happy Monday! I'm still stitching away on Isabella Brackin. It's slow going as I'm on the over one verse. I really like stitching over one, but on 40ct. linen, I sure can't go very fast. While I was out today, I found a frame for her that I think will be perfect. I love it when it's an easy choice. That doesn't happen for me too often. My friend Sandra, was concerned that I had missed stitching a bud in the border. I assured her that I hadn't. In fact, this sampler is full of irregularities such as the spacing of some motifs and odd places to change colors. It makes me wonder if the real Isabella enjoyed stitching this piece, or was she only doing it because she had to?

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Don't forget to leave me a comment on the previous post if you are interested in my giveaway. I will draw the name tomorrow night and announce it on Wednesday. Thanks to those of you that have already done so. I'm amazed at the response. Some of you have blogs that are new to me and I plan to visit as soon as I can, and as always, it's nice to hear from friends, both old and new.