Saturday Antiquing

Saturday I felt the pull to visit one of my favorite antique places over on Route 1 so I headed over that way.  I was looking for something I could use to put votive candles in on a cute two-tiered rack I found at Marshall's last week.  I found the perfect thing - a set of 8 clear glass expresso cups that are the perfect size for votives.   I forgot to take a picture but I will because I love how the rack turned out.  It sits on my dining room table and makes a really unique centerpiece/lighting arrangement.  I also found this great frame which made me instantly think of Beth Twist's Thankful series.  I think the frame will be perfect for the designs and I'm hoping it's the right size.  Now I just need to get the charts! 

On my way back, I stopped at a few more places and found some great stitching related items.  I found this great collection of old hoops that I'm thinking of using as wall art in my living room where the rest of my stitching collection is displayed.  I also found this cute sewing set which I bought mainly for the scissors.  The cost was $22 which I didn't think was that bad. It's in a rather boring hard case but I like how the scissors are displayed so for now I will keep everything as is.

I have been working diligently on my With Thy Needle mystery sampler and I'm close to finishing the top band.  I was hesitant about the fabric but I'm really happy with the way it's looking so far.  I hope to put some more time into it this evening and have a photo to show tomorrow.

I couldn't wait!

It seems there are a lot of us enabling each other with projects lately.  Thanks to everyone who commented on the last post.  I am really loving all of the projects being stitched out there and it's so hard to stop stashing.  I didn't show you a photo of the other chart I bought - Scarlett Letter's Elizabeth Sheffield was delivered recently.  I am waiting to get silk threads from Carrie's Threads and some AVAS from ABC Stitch Therapy before deciding on a fabric for another BAP!

Last night I dug through my 30ct WDW stash and found two possible pieces for the Brenda Gervais Mystery Sampler.  I had a 30ct piece of Confederate Grey which is the top piece and another that I lost the label which might be platinum or beige.  After some serious contemplation, I decided to go with the Confederate Grey.  The chart called for 35ct but I think I will be just as happy with 30ct - especially since I already had it and could start much sooner than if I had to order fabric.

So as it was another rainy, rainy day, I rushed home from work and put needle to thread and got a start in on the frame.  Please forgive the horrible photos but it's really hard to get a decent picture without sunlight/daylight.  Here's where I ended up:

I also took a close up to show the flower.  It is much prettier that shown and I'm really happy with the fabric choice.

The piece uses all WDW threads.  I can't wait to continue working on this piece and seeing everyone else's projects.  I sent an email to join the SAL being hosted here.  It is so wonderful not to have to worry about having homework to do instead of stitching.  My house is a bit less than pristine but right now I don't care!  I'm going with the stitching mojo.

Rainy Day Progress

In my last post, I showed the supplies for Ann Sandles and here is the progress I have made so far.  This is a really fun piece to work on and it was a very rainy Sunday so I had some time to devote to the piece.  It's another rainy day so the picture is lousy but at least you get the idea.  I also put some time into C@HRH but I didn't get a photo.

I also had this waiting for me when I got home tonight.  It's the first installment in the new With Thy Needle and Thread's mystery sampler project.  I just couldn't resist ordering it from Anita's Little Stitches.  The project calls for 35 ct WDW Confederate Gray but I have a piece of 30ct I'm thinking of using.  I'm also contemplating doing it over one.  The first installment is the border around the piece. 

With everything I've got going right now as far as stitched pieces go, I'd better get busy!

A Cure for Startitis

There was a package from Country Stitches waiting for me when I got home tonight that offered the perfect cure for my case of startitis.  It's Ann Sandles 1864 from With Thy Needle and Thread.  I ordered the chart and the threads and pulled a piece of 30ct WDW Angel Hair fabric from my stash and I'm ready for a new start.  I also bought Feather Thy Nest which I can't wait to start.  I do like Brenda Gervais' patterns.  So much so in fact that I signed up for her mystery sampler from Anita's Little Stitches.  I really must stop with the stashing.....

A Winner!

Thank you to the three bloggers who expressed an interest in my giveaway of a needle book and scissor fob kit.  It was a very global trio, Ellen from Singapore, Pike from Finland and Riona from the US.  I so love the global nature of our craft and how it connects us from so far across this world.  Using the random generator, the winner was Ellen from Singapore.  Ellen, I will be in touch for a mailing address and get your package out to you this week.

I have pulled quite a few other things from my stash so stop back for another one soon.
As for stitching progress,  I did a little bit of stitching on Sunday.  I put a few more stitches into my CHS piece, working on the peacock.

I also picked up my BBD Winter Wonderland and worked on that a bit.  I'm itching to start something new but feel a bit guilty doing that when I see all the projects in my project bag.  Maybe I will start one of the ornie kits I've received so far in my Christmas and Halloween exchanges. That way I won't feel quite as bad!

On Sunday I took my coupon and finished Just Nan piece to A.C. Moore and picked out a frame.  This is usually the hardest part for me and I've never had anything framed at A.C. Moore before.  However the process went pretty quickly and I think I'm really going to like what I chose but I sure hope they do a good job with the framing.  I did not mount the piece myself and I'm wondering how many of you just take the stitched piece in and how many block and lace their piece before they take it to be framed? 

I'm off to walk the dog and then settle in to dig through the project bag and see what calls my name.

A Finish and A Reminder

Ta da!  This afternoon I finished Just Nan's Bird Alphabet which I started last Saturday evening - I think the fast finish ever for me.  Tomorrow I hope to take it to AC Moore and get it framed as I got a 57% off coupon in my email yesterday.  I love how it turned out and it was a really fun and quick stitch. 

Just Nan's Bird Alphabet

Started 4 30 11

Completed 5 7 11

32 ct Antique White Linen

Recommended Threads

I am excited to start something new but for now I'm going to go back to working on BBD's Winter Wonderland and CHS Christmas at HRH.

Just a reminder to put your name in for my give away.  I will draw a winner on the 10th

Progress and a Give Away

I haven't had as much time to stitch this week as I'd hoped however I have made some progress on Just Nan's Bird Alphabet.  Here it is after working on it a bit yesterday.  I'm loving the colors and look forward to getting this one completed.  I have itchy fingers to start something new.

JN Bird Alphabet at 5.5.11

 And I've gathered some things from a recent stash inventory that I will never get to and would like to gift to a new home.  Below is one of those items - appropriately spring-y in color and design.  This is a needlecase and matching fob - both complete kits.

If you are interested in this give away, please leave a comment and I will choose a winner on the 10th.  Feel free to share the info (unless you want to win it for yourself!).

A new start and some UFO stitching

Saturday night I started Just Nan's Bird Alphabet which I picked up at Celebrations.  Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down.  I'd forgotten how fast stitching letters can go.  I love the color combination in this piece and can't wait to get it finished.  I'm not sure if I will get it framed or turn it into a flat fold but I will not let it languish in the drawer whatever I decide.

JN Bird Alphabet

Sunday was the first Sunday UFO stitching date so I forced myself to put down the JN piece and pick up my C@HRH piece which has been languishing in the stitching bag since February.  I added the word "repeat" and the second crown on the left and then started in on the peacock.  My goal is to get this block completed by the end of the month. 

CHS Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

 

I had hoped to pick up the Bird Alphabet piece but I'm tired so its off to bed for me.  Hope you had a good weekend and Monday - only four more work days to go!