Escape and Create

Hello Friends. Thought I would pop in with an update on my newest project. After pondering over a couple of projects from my last post, I decided on something totally different.....
It is Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor. I got this chart last year and decided, on a whim, to convert the threads it is charted for to DMC. After a quick run to Hobby Lobby for those threads, I got busy stitching away. I am loving this project! I'm using a "mystery" linen that is hand dyed in neutral/natural tones. I can't wait to get this one stitched and framed. Already have the spot on the wall picked out.

Thanks for looking and Happy St. Patrick's Day too!

Happy Saturday Friends! It has been a week that I am happy to report was manageable with the escape of my stitching every evening. Thank you floss. Thank you needle. Thanks for keeping me a bit sane......Anywho, I am happy to report that I have finished stitching the first six releases for the Lizzie Kate Halloween Rules series. These were SO fun to stitch! Happy colors and each one made me giggle when I put in the final stitch. Don't know when the final six will be released but for now, it is ironed and put away.
I am now trying to decide what to stitch next.....I received a YUMMY piece of 32ct. Camofudge Linen from Stitches and Spice in my mailbox this week that is the PERFECT piece of linen to stitch the Prairie Moon's To Thine is the Trick and the Treat pattern. This linen is so great. Soft, great hand-dyed coloring, not too splotchy, just a great color. I think it's in the running. But, I also have all the colors pulled and the fabric for the Shakespeare's Peddler piece, Friendship Sampler. I want to stitch it on a Lakeside Linen Vintage Buttercream - do you see a pattern here? Linens with food names! LOL! And, of course, I can't let Paradise Lost sit for too long........
Guess you'll have to stay tuned to see what shows up on the Q-Snap!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Don't forget to set your clocks up 1 hour tonight. Less sleep but an extra hour for stitching!
Hugs and Stitches!

I couldn't tell you about Fripp and not mention (and show off!) the wonderful gift I received from my dear friend, Karin. Karin is the funniest and sweetest girl I know. Unfortunately, Karin did not get to go to Fripp this year and she was sorely missed. She and I have always been suite-mates or room-mates. Anywho, every year, we draw names/wish list and our recipent gets a great stash of goodies. This year, Karin got my name. I got a wonderful assortment of fabrics, two ornament charts w/threads from Homespun Elegance and Little House Needleworks, a surprise Halloween chart with threads and lots of other great things. But, the MOST WONDERFUL GIFT OF ALL was this.......


Ain't it pretty?!!! Karin stitched me the Blackbird Designs Happy Birthday piece. It was stitched for me because last year, during one of our late night bedroom talk sessions, we learned we have the same birthday. She stitched it with our initials, our birthday and titled it "Birthday Twins". I am so truly honored to have received this beautiful treasure. Thank you Karin from the bottom of my heart!! Love Ya!!

Everyone is still a-buzz from the Fripp trip! We had so much fun laughing, playing games and pranks - but - we DID stitch too! Today, I thought I would share 2 projects I worked on while I was there.
The first project is Blackbird Designs Pumpkin Farm. I started this right before we left and had it finished in no time at all. I love it! The colors are just so pretty and it will be the perfect addition to my mantle this fall.
The next project will be on-going for this year and it is Lizzie Kate's new Halloween Rules. I was a little worried about stitching this piece because the fabric the pattern calls for is more than a little stiff, to say the least! I really, really do hate stiff fabric. But, the color is so different from anything I have so I just bit the bullet and started. I have to admit, I'm not having much trouble and it IS a fun piece to work on. I'm not quite finished with the haunted house but you get the idea.
With today being the last day of February, I must confess, I did not finish Paradise Lost on time. I had set a goal to finish by today and it just didn't happen. I brought it to Fripp with me but I just didn't want to work on such a big project. I WILL finish it and maybe after I stitch a couple of small projects, I'll be ready for some more power stitching on it again.

Until we chat again......

I just got back today from my annual trip to Fripp Island. I got to spend 4 great stitch-filled days with my bestest girlfriends. This is a trip we all look so forward to each year but of course, it goes by entirely too fast. We spent our days stitching, laughing, eating and telling some of the most hilarious stories - what is discussed in Fripp - stays in Fripp!! LOL! Here's just a little peek into our getaway....

Here's Delisa trying out her new stitching stand. She had this thing totally "tricked out"! I swear, you needed a seat belt to use it - LOL!
The wise House Mom - the one that tries her best to keep us girls in line!
Zee showing us one of her treats from her Secret Sister stash
Theresa happy knowing that coffee makes you do crazy things with enthusiasm faster
Of course, it doesn't take long before someone gets a little nutty
I guess that is only expected after you stitch this - on black!
This one....can't explain. I guess the photo says it all! LOL!
We had a FABULOUS time and can't wait to do it all again next year. Until then.... L to R - Delisa, Charlsie, Theresa, Yvonne (me), Zee, Kathy and Lorrie

Ha Ha! Two posts two days in a row - whoo hoo!!

Last night, I just couldn't get myself in the mood to stitch on Paradise Lost. So, instead of just sitting around, I decided to just go ahead and start something new. It had to be small, it had to be something that I really wanted to stitch this year and it had to be something that I would not only start but finish....so here it is - Blackbird Designs Pumpkin Farm. I am loving this pattern! The colors are so yummy and it's the perfect size. Just a little project to give me a fresh stitching charge! Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart series "Pumpkin Farm" stitched with charted threads on 32 ct. Belfast Natural Linen (tea-dyed)

Bye Bye Snow and Ice - Bring on my Spring Time!

Long Time, No See! I know, you probably have wondered if I was gone forever. No, I'm here. It's just not easy getting this blog updated with everything else life throws in the mix.....the new year started off great. Had a little snow and then a little more and then I got a terrible stomach virus that landed me in ICU and the hospital for two days. I am finally feeling like myself again and getting back into a routine. And, that routine has to include some stitching......

Paradise Lost by Plum Street Samplers is not finished and I have to get it finished and on the wall soon. I finally got beyond "those" leaves and stitching it has become a little more enjoyable now. I noticed that my friend Nicole has finished hers and that is inspiring me to keep at it!

Here are some updated photos taken a little over a week ago.....(excuse the wrinkles -too busy stitching to iron - tee hee)


and this photo shows some of my progress since the photos pictured above. I'm working on this big tree (with leaves!).....

My goal is to have this piece completely finished by the end of the month. I don't think I will do it but that's ok.....soon, very soon!

Thanks for visiting. Hope to see you again soon - and that means sooner than a couple of months - LOL!