A finish and some stash...

Well, I finished it. Nora Corbett's Halloween Fairy. Isn't she pretty? This was actually a very fun stitch. The fabric is a nice match to the colors of the fairy dress. Can't wait to get this one framed.

I also added some new patterns to my stash. I stopped by Theresa's Thursday afternoon to see what she brought back from market. I picked up some of the new Blackbird Designs patterns, as well as the Quaker Samplings III from With My Needle. I also got the new Jenny Bean pattern and some of the threads for that one. I found the Quaker Halloween Sampler, too. This one is so interesting. Finally, I picked up the new Spider Web Scissors. These are very interesting.

I actually accomplished all of my goals for this month, plus some extra stitching. At the beginning of the year I started a notebook that lists the projects I would like to finish with all of the information about the supplies and how much I have spent for the project. I think writing all of this information down has made a big impact on my interest in stitching. If the pattern holds, I should have some very interesting finishes for this year.

Have a great weekend!!

A very productive weekend...

This past week, we moved our bedroom from the second floor to the first floor. That meant that I had to give up my craftroom. Well, let me tell you, it is amazing what you can pack into one room. My craft supplies are spread out all over our house. We did manage to get our bedroom painted (still have trim to complete) and set up before Hobbie's surgery on Wednesday. Now for the rest of the mess, I am just taking my time so I can do some purging. I have lots and lots of unfinished projects, so I tried to tackle some of them this weekend.

First up, I finished the LHN Poinsettia House piece as a box. It is so beautiful. I love the colors and the cording. Great thing is that this is all from my stash. I am impressed.

Next up, Bridget's birthday presents for the past two years. (Shameful, I know.) I have been putting off finishing the needle book and pinkeep for 6 months now, but finally completed them. The box was a project that I started for her 2008 present, but took my own sweet time to complete. I think they all turned out wonderful. She was very happy with the gifts, even if they were late.

Finally, I spent some time stitching this weekend. I completed the first page of NC Halloween Fairy and have made some nice progress on the second page. I think I just may finish this before the end of the month. And, I made a bit more progress on Primitive Needle Yule Game Board. Not much left on this one, just the green squares and the mirror image of the top part. Maybe this one will be a February finish as well.

I hope everyone has a nice week and thanks for stopping by.

Updates and a couple of new starts...

Well, I have been stitching, but I don't feel like I am accomplishing as much as I did in January. It may be that I don't have as much free time, but I'm not sure. I have been doing pretty well onmy goals. I finished the Jenny Bean Christmas Sampler and have stitched on the Quaker Christmas. I just don't think I will finish the Halloween Fairy by the end of the month. But, who knows.

So without further ado, here are some pictures of my progress

Last weekend we all met at Lisha's for a stitching day. Sharon and Bridget arrived a little later than I did, but we still had a lot of fun stitching. Theresa and her mother came to visit for a bit, but they had a Mardi Gras Party to attend. I stitched a bit on the Quaker Christmas. I think this is going to be very pretty when I finish it, but I really need to spend more time on it.

I have also been working on the Nora Corbett Halloween Fairy. I decided to go ahead and add the beads as I stitched. It is going to be beautiful! I just might be able to finish her before the end of the month. (Keep your fingers crossed.)

I also started part 3 on Raise the Roof Christmasland. This is such an easy stitch. I love the silks and can't wait to finish this and have it framed. Theresa is releasing another series called Libertyville. You can see it on her webpage. I love it, too, especially the motifs in the hill.

Next up is a new start. This is Yule Game Board from The Primitive Needle. I worked on this Wednesday while Hobbie was having hip surgery. It is very easy and is stitching up quickly.

And finally, I also started Blackbird Designs Awake the Dawning Day. I love the colors in this one. Very cute.

As most of you know, this weekend in the Nashville market. Theresa has been working very hard and has some wonderful designs that she will be releasing. I was joking with her that I would be stitching like a mad woman this weekend to make room for all the lovely things she will be bringing home from market. I can't wait to see what other designers have released and will be making my new wishlist soon. I just love the excitement of market. I do know that Jenny Bean's newest sampler will be at the top of my list.

I'm catching up with that Jenny Bean...

I finished the Jenny Bean Christmas sampler. Isn't it pretty? I love the holly. Can't wait to frame this one. Theresa posted a picture of the newest Jenny Bean sampler. It is another beauty. I just love the wings on the bees.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I really had a wonderful birthday. We still have plenty of leftover King cake and Hamburger cake. Nicholas doesn't like the King cake so I told him he could have the other cake. Hobbie was the lucky one to find the baby in the cake. I hope he remembers to pick up another cake. Well, maybe not. My clothes are getting a bit tight.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

It's my birthday!!!

This post has nothing to do with stitching. I just wanted to show off the cake my younger sister made for me. This is her second attempt at decorating a cake with fondant. I am totally impressed. She did a fabulous job. The sign doesn't make sense unless you are familiar with the Facebook game, Cafe World. We all play the game and that was her inspiration. I just have to say this is the sweetest thing. I can't believe she did this. Thank you, Bridget.

My birthday gets even better. My friend Lisha took me out for lunch today also. We went to the new Greek restaurant in Hattiesburg and it was delicious. Thank you, Lisha.

And, my brother Ricky and cousin Kevin came over today and installed a new back door for me. What great guys.

I am very blessed with wonderful family and friends. I do appreciate all of you. Thanks for making this such a great birthday.

A good start to Jenny Bean Christmas Sampler

Well, I started this one on January 25th and I am just about done. I have two holly leaves in the bottom border and then three more bands to do. The rest is pretty easy. The next band is a repeating diamond motif, the next band is the remainder of the alphabet, and the final band is the Jenny Bean "signature". I love the colors in this one and the holly leaves. I hope to be finished with this one by Friday.

In other stitching news, I stopped by Shakespeare's Peddler Saturday to pick up all of the threads I would need to finish lots of projects. I have a list of 17 projects that I really would like to finish this year. I have also pick out 3 or 4 more projects. So, Saturday morning I went through all of them and made a list of the needed threads. Believe it or not, I needed 28 different colors. I was able to get all but one. Theresa said she had just sold the last GAST Soot. No problem, it will be a while before I need that one anyway. This purchase was my birthday present from Hobbie and the boys. Aren't they sweet?

I am continuing to stitch on the Halloween Fairy. She is so pretty. I am sure I will finish her this month. My other projects include the Christmasland series by Raise the Roof and the Yule Gameboard. I will post progress pictures later in the week.

Have a great week!