Trying to stay warm by stitching

Greetings from the frozen tundra.  We are experiencing some unusually cold weather here in the valley of the (not so much) sun.  I know I am a major wuss, but 20+ degrees is out of my comfort zone.  I miss my flip-flops, darn it!  The plants are all hiding under any towel, blanket, or sheet we can round up.  I miss my geraniums, darn it!  I think normal temps are supposed to return by this weekend.  I sure hope so, I miss my patio time, darn it!  In the meantime, I am hunkering down by the fake fireplace with my next release.  You may have seen the antique Rachel Howells on the Internet.  I think she has been making the rounds.  I purchased the antique from a shop in Wisconsin early last year.  I'm not exaggerating when I say my heart skipped a beat when I saw her.  I've never purchased anything so fast in my life. 

I have recently learned from Mary that the sampler is Welsh.  Like Mary says, the original is not finely worked, but stitched with wool on canvas.  I'm not sure if that disqualifies her from being a sampler or not, but there is no denying that she is truly lovely.  I am using NPI silk and Legacy linen from Picture This Plus.  If my fingers don't freeze off, look for the chart release in early March.

You must indulge me to show current photos of my darling grandchildren.  The boys above are Sawyer and Kai.

Here are the girls, Quinn, Olivia, Rowan, and Remy.  I'm the luckiest grandma in the world.

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In other news, I have done something TOTALLY crazy but exciting.  I have signed up for a trip to Australia and New Zealand.  I will be going with my sister, niece, and friend.  I have dreamed of going there forever, so it will be a trip of a lifetime.  Not looking forward to the thirteen hour flight though.  I wonder how much stitching I can get done on the plane?  It's not for several months, but I'm already getting nervous and thinking about what projects to take.  G'day everyone!

If the crown fits...

Greetings from not so warm and not so sunny Arizona.  It's currently 58 degrees, and the dogs and I are all gathered around the heater in the craft room today.  This will be my last release for 2012.  It's called Queen of quite a lot.  The pin pillow measures 111w X 66h, and was stitched on 40ct. Legacy from Colorscapes Picture This Plus using NPI silk.  Threads needed are:  993, 414, 823, 448, 104, & 474 or DMC (conversion provided on chart) 310, 699, 797, 817, 3837, & 3852

The small pre-made tassels were found at JoAnn's.  The crown pins, I made.  I'm fairly certain I found the charms at Hobby Lobby.  I've had them awhile.  Anyway, I simply glued on to dressmaker pins.  Any jeweled pins would be cute.  Charts are being shipped this week. 

As the year comes to a close, I want to sincerely thank you for your support, kind words, and enthusiasm for my designs this past year and a half.  I feel so blessed to be able to do this as my "job"!

I know (because I hear the hints and outright demands, lol) that some of you are looking forward to the Rachel Howells sampler.  She is up first in 2013.

Our vet had an open house this weekend.  I couldn't resist taking these three to see Santa.  Poor little Scarlett was having none of it.  I couldn't get her to sit any closer for anything.  I wonder what they asked for?

A change of mind...

It's been a busy week filling orders for the Adam & Eve charts.  I've had a change of mind about one of the NPI to DMC conversion colors.  Originally, I thought 739 was a good subsitute for NPI 761.  After thinking about it, 3864 would be better, 739 is just a tad too light.  It's not always easy getting an exact match, but I do try.  I'm not sure why I went with that color, maybe my lighting was bad on charting day.  So, if you are planning to use DMC, please make a note.  The chart calls for 739.  If you're using silks, or your own conversion, there's no problem.

Off to create some wool goodies.  These two always make good company. 
Enjoy your weekend!

Adam and Eve

Charts have been finalized and are ready to ship.  I tried to think of a clever title, but for lack of anything better, it's simply Adam and Eve.  The linen is 40ct. vintage Lt. Examplar from Lakeside.  NPI's needed are: 225 (need 2 skeins), 529, 952, 761, 749, & 584.

Thank you for the sweet comments about my Christmas decor.  I appreciate you taking the time.

Time flies...

Can Christmas really be upon us?   I've just barely dried dishes from our Thanksgiving feast.  Well, time marches on, and it's time to decorate for the holidays.  I keep it simple.  We aren't blessed with a lot of storage, so less is more when putting it all away.

These orange and clove pomanders are my favorite thing to make each year.  Ahhh, they smell so good!  I'm headed to find some lemons and limes to make more this afternoon.  I wonder who was sitting around one day, and thought "hey, I think I'll stick some cloves in an orange". 

You might remember this stitched display from last year.  Newly added, are the mercury ornaments.  The sweet little oval silhouette box was a gift from a dear friend, and is one of my favorite things in the whole world.

These fellows are from Eldreth Pottery, and have a place of honor on top of the pie safe every year.  The beautiful strawberry was also a gift from another dear friend, and  is also one of my favorite things in the whole world!  You can't compare heartfelt or homemade things like this to all the commercial stuff out there.

My poor neglected sampler tree has seen no new activity this year.  There is such a small window of about a month when I actually feel like stitching anything for Christmas.  It's hard to get into the mood when it's 100+ degrees.

Another repeat display from last season.  Love the primitive feel of them.

Don't laugh, but it does get cold here in the desert.  Ok, maybe not enough to justify a stove like this, but it adds atmosphere.  It is so cozy to sip that first cup of coffee in front of it, with a dog or two curled beside.

Can't have enough greenery...even the gate from the picket fence gets adorned.

A small display in the guest bath.

Another repeat from last year.  I'm hoping Santa brings me a fishnet canopy for the bed this year...and pewter, lots and lots of pewter!

You didn't think I'd forget to show what's up next from my needle, did you?  The chart for this A&E reproduction/adaptation will be ready to ship in a few days.  I hope you like it. 

Apologies!

It seems like each new post starts with an apology for so long in between, but here I go again.  I seem to have less and less time these days.  I also took a trip to Myrtle Beach for the Pals retreat.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect.  Thank goodness there was no one named Sandy blowing up the coast.  This was my preferred outfit for my daily walks, and I was in heaven.  It was wonderful to see so many old friends, and meet new ones.  Here I am with Isabella from The Primitive Hare.  She couldn't have been nicer, and her designs are total drool worthy.  I wish I had taken more photos, but I didn't :(

Precious little stitching was accomplished there, but I designed this little pin pillow for the group.  I thought a few of the ladies were going to throw rotten tomatoes at me for it being over one!  I'm hoping that they will give it a try, at least. 

Once I returned home, I was happy to learn that the plantation shutters I had ordered were ready to be installed.  It was long wait for them, and they are so pretty.

This is what's up for the next release.  It's a sweet little A&E done mostly in red and green.  I'm going to consider my version as an adaption, instead of a reproduction.  There are some things that simply have to be changed a bit, like a totally wonky alphabet. 

The model is on Lakeside's vintage Lt. Examplar, with NPI silk.  It should be released in November.

And here's to my second apology.  The Camo Fudge that I used for Christmastide at Holly House was a golden brown with a hint of green color.  My piece wasn't from years gone by.  I know that there has been an issue with the Camo Fudge recently with it being much greener and darker.  According to Naomi at Stitches & Spice, it has something to do with the fact that it was dyed during a cold and wet period down under.  Obviously, I'm sure that you understand that it is out of my control, but I am sorry that it is so different in color. 

Lots of new!

Hello everyone!  It's September already and I can't believe that I'm so long between posting...again :(

Where in the world do the days go to?  I have been super busy as you can see. 

 Christmastide at Holly House has just been released.  The model was stitched on 40ct. Camofudge linen from Stitches & Spice with NPI silks and a couple of Belle Soies.

Colors needed are NPI 186, 208, 345, 348, 584, 588, 915, 962, 963, 964, 965, & 991B.  Belle Soies needed are Mudpie and Collard Greens.  I have included a conversion to DMC, but they will not produce the same effect as the overdyes.  Stitch count is 197w X 166h.

My other release is called No Quitter.  Models were stitched on 40ct. Ale from Colorscapes using GA Sampler Threads, Mulberry, Oatmeal, Flax, and of course,  Dk. Chocolate.  Chocolate drop button for fob is from Just Another Button Co., and is # 4527S.  Antique Red chenille is available through Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.

My dear friend, Sandy had the idea to finish one into a wrap for a cookie jar.  Isn't that too cute and clever?  Sorry, directions for finishing the jar wrap are not included in with the chart, but it does show you the possibilities. 

 And here is my most precious new!  Granddaughter Remy Le was born on Sept. 7th.  She is the cutest little chunk.  I have joked that I want to paint her face orange, put a stem on top of her head, and call her Pumpkin!

The good new(s) is that I have one more session of physical therapy, and I am finished!!  I'm not 100% back to normal, but the progress since the manipulation has been enormous.  The scar on my arm isn't pretty, but it's mostly pain-free.  Now, I am looking forward to some cooler weather, stitching on the patio, and the PALS retreat in Myrtle Beach in Oct. 

Happy stitching!