Progress report...

Well, I have been stitching pretty faithfully each night. I just haven't seemed to make much progress though. One of my goals this month was to finish 2/3 of the eagle for Peter. I have really tried, but this is not the fastest stitching project I have done. I worked on it three nights this week and am not even close. Once I finish the head and the tail, the rest of the wings should be fairly easy. It is just a chore to work on the head and I haven't even started the tail. Peter's birthday is the 19th of April. I may, by some sliver of a chance, finish this by then.


As some of you may know, I am always inspired by Vonna and Becky. I love to read their blogs.
Both of these ladies are extremely positive and inspiring. So, since I take so much inspiration from them, when they each started new projects, I decided that was a great idea. So I started two new projects (Remember there were two people inspiring me.) I started Mosey 'N Me Rufus the Rabbit. This project has been in my "to do" basket for some time and I thought that with Easter coming up, this would be just the thing to stitch.


Also, I picked up Shakespeare's Peddler A Weary World Rejoices this month. I love this sampler. Theresa is very creative and I love the message of "hope" that the motifs in this sampler convey. Theresa stitches on smaller counts often and I always love how delicate her work looks. So, I am stitching this on a smaller count than I am accustomed. I think this is either 36 or 38 count. I started it last night and love it.


Another project that I have in the bag is LK ABC Lessons. This one is very easy and fun to stitch. I figure if I finish one line a month, that's progress.


A group of friends and I get together each month to do something. We were playing Bunko, but some of the members wanted more variety this year. Well, our hostess this week suggested sewing these little bird pincushions. Isn't it cute? It reminds me of a purple martin. I can't say that I did the sewing. I cut out the fabric, pinned it together, and filled it with walnut shells. Lisha and Theresa actually did the sewing for me. Thanks!!

One last note. I am continuing my pledge of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this year by offering the patterns on my trade list for free. Check the link in the right hand column. If there is anything there you would like, please e-mail me and include your mailing address. I will drop them in the mail to you asap.

Thanks for stopping by...

Biscornus and Dragonfly

I know, I know. It has been way too long since my last post. I promise, I have been busy. But, to the important information. I have been stitching quite a bit lately. I finished a biscornu for Hooked on Exchanges and the Blackberry biscornu from Sweetheart Tree. I think they are both very pretty, but I absolutely love the Blackberry biscornu. It is my favorite so far. I am now working on a frog biscornu and will post pictures as soon as it is completed.


I also finished the Dragonfly kit from Country Cottage Designs. I love it, but not sure I really like the fabric I selected. I will most likely finish this as a pinkeep.

Last week, I completed a box with the SamSarah "B" pattern. It was really cute, but I gave it to my younger sister, Bridget, before taking a picture. I will try to remember to get a picture to show everyone.

Have you seen the new Pineapple Stitches from Jeanette Douglas Designs. I absolutely have to get that one. I love it. I will add this to my wishlist since I am trying to cut back on spending right now.

Wasn't this week beautiful? We are on Spring Break and boy have I enjoyed the week. It has been very cool and breezy here in South Mississippi. (We haven't turned on the A/C in the past three weeks!!) Hobbie was also off this week, so we have made some progress in our yard. He removed an old fence the other day. The boys and I made two raised beds for vegetables. So far, I have planted green onions, chives, shallots, bell peppers, carrots, beets, radishes and cantaloupe. After I pick the last two heads of cabbage in the larger garden area, Hobbie is going to get that area ready for planting also. I plan to have cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, eggplants, and okra. My parents have much larger gardens and are planting beans, peas, corn, and lots of other veggies to share with us.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope everyone enjoys this wonderful spring day.

Update...

I have been so busy over the past few weeks. I have two new nephews, Tyler and Leif. They are both so cute and both doing well, as are their mothers. Also, my son's band performed at Disney World on Friday the 13th and I was lucky enough to be a chaperone. The kids' performance was wonderful. I am extremely impressed with this young group. There is so much talent and potential there. We had a wonderful time on the trip.

Now, on to stitching news. I have received three great exchanges in the past week. First, my Lizzie Kate exchange from Mercy arrived. She was very concerned that it was late, but boy what an exchange. She completed a box and did an absolutely wonderful job. It is perfect. The fabric she selected was perfect for the pattern she stitched. She was extremely generous also by stuffing the box full of wonderful goodies. I took the box to our stitching group and everyone was very impressed. Thank you so much Mercy. I love the exchange. (By the way, Mercy also sent a big bag of Raspberry Hugs, but they didn't make it to the picture.)




Next, I received squares from both the Winter Round and Round #11 from the Fair and Square Friendship Exchange. Jill sent me a pair of really cute snowman themed squares for the Winter Round and Kaye sent me a wintery themed square for Round #11. I love both pairs of squares and will finish these as pinkeeps. I mailed their squares yesterday and will post pictures once the squares are received.


Finally, February is my birthday month. My husband was trying to get a copy of the Benjamin Button movie poster for me. I really, really want that poster, but he was not able to find one. So, I went to Shakespeare's Peddler and bought a few of the new patterns she brought back from market. I love the new Lizzie Kate alphabet and can't wait to stitch it.

Thanks for stopping by. I have been so busy with writing lately I haven't had a chance to visit many blogs. Hopefully, things will slow down a bit after this week though.

A little progress...

One of my goals this month is to finish a very old WIP. My older brother, Pete, loves predatory birds. I have stitched two pieces (hawk and golden eagle) for him over the years. I had started a bald eagle about 5 years ago, but did not get very far. This year I want to finish it and give it to him as a birthday gift in April. This month my goal is to finish the center section. I started with just stitching the black. So far, so good. I have made pretty good progress with just three days of stitching. Now if I can just stay motivated.

By the way, I am adding some older patterns to my trade blog today. Take a look, the link is in the sidebar.

And, now I would like you to meet my newest nephew, Tyler. Isn't he adorable?

Review of January Goals and List of February Goals

Well, I can't believe it, but I actually accomplished all of my January goals. Of course, the list was short, but the projects weren't necessarily small. I completed parts 3 and 4 of the Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler earlier this month and posted a picture. It is so pretty. I can't wait to get the final installment and finish the whole thing.



I also finished one part of Quaker Turtles. At first, I thought I would count just one medallion as a part. But that would take me 8 months to complete the whole thing. So I decided that one complete turtle would be more appropriate. I can't wait to finish these as the little turtles. They seem so cute.

(His stocking is the one on the left)

Also, I started on Nicholas's stocking. During November and December of last year I completed a stocking for Patrick. He was able to use it at Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn't finish Nicholas's. So my goal is to have this done well before Christmas. As you can see, it was a small start but a start none the less. It should be pretty quick once I finish all of these leaves with the constant floss changes.

Now, on to February. This is such a big month for my family. It is my and Patrick's birthday month. And, February will soon be the birthday month for two nephews and a niece. My younger sister and my sister-in-law are both due in February. Both are having boys!!! Bridget is scheduled to deliver on the 3rd. Mari is not due until later in the month, but she has had some complications and may deliver as soon as next week also. To make the month even better, Patrick and I are going to Disney World. Though Patrick is only in the 8th grade, he is a member of the high school marching and concert band. The band is performing at Disney and I am going as a chaperone. I LOVE DISNEY!!! We are both so excited. (Don't worry about Nicholas, he actually hates to travel. He would rather go camping somewhere close to the house.)

My goals for February:

1. Second part of Quaker Turtle
2. Work on Nicholas's stocking
3. Complete 1/3 of the bald eagle pattern for Pete (my brother)
4. F&S Round #11 Square
5. F&S Round #12 Square
6. F&S Winter Round Square
   
7. HOE Biscornu

Not too bad, since most are fairly small projects. Wish me luck. And thanks for stopping by.

Quaker Turtles Progress and Things to Trade

I am moving slowly but surely on Quaker Turtles. Stitching one over one is hard for me. One of my goals this month was to finish one part of this pattern. Well, I am almost there. Tonight, hopefully, I will finish the bottom shell of the needlebook. This is so pretty! I can't wait to do the finishing.

By the way, I have cleaned out my stitching stash and have lots of patterns for trade or sale on my Wishlist page. The link is at the top of the sidebar if you are interested.

Thanks for stopping by.

More Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Progress

Well, I finished the 4th part of the Mystery Sampler. I am so pleased with this piece. I can't wait until the last part is available. Stephanie had asked about the patterns, these are patterns 30 - 34.

My next project will be a part of the Quaker Turtles. I want to complete one of these this month.

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Progress

Well, I am moving right along with this piece. The house seemed to take forever. Actually, the side seemed to take forever. The front of the house went really quickly and so did the roof. I love the clusters of grapes. I just need to finish the vines and birds above the house to complete the third part of the sampler. The fourth part looks like it will be a very fast stitch. I hope so since one of my goals for January was to complete both the 3rd and 4th part of this sampler.

I did finish stitching the piece for the HoE Lizzie Kate exchange. I just need to complete the project and it will be ready for mailing. I hope to have that done by Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by. Oh, by the way, Marie, that is a great idea for all of the thread. I will need to remember that next year since I threw away the thread already.

Silly Project...

A while back I saw someone post about her "ort jar". She kept all of her thread clippings for the year and started over each January. Well, I thought that would be fun, so I started my own "ort tin". Here are the results, with a few threads from the past few days. I really packed the thread down into the tin over the year to make everything fit. It is amazing how much thread is in that little mass. Well, the tin is empty and ready for a new year.

By the way, all but the Christmas fairy pattern are still available. Check out my last post for a picture of some patterns I have up for trade. If you don't have anything to trade, e-mail me anyway.

Happy Stitching!!!

Jen

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We certainly did. I truly enjoyed the past two weeks. And I am actually looking forward to starting a new semester. This is mainly because I have a new job. Well, actually, it's my old job. In 2006, I left my instructor position at the University of Southern Mississippi to take a similar position at a local community college. I loved working at USM, but the community college offered me a substantial increase in salary. Well, money isn't everything. To say the least, I wasn't happy. The atmosphere was very different. So, fortunately for me an opportunity became available and I was rehired at USM. I am very happy and look forward to this next semester.

Well, enough about work, now to the important stuff... stitching. I know I have been horrible this Fall about posting, but I have been stitching. These are some of my finishes.



The first is the LK FlipIt. This was really cute and very easy to stitch. I plan to frame it. The second is Pere Noel Charmant by Tournicoton. This was a present from my older son for Christmas. I think it is really cute. This was a bit of challenge at first because the pattern is French and I am not bilingual. There are lots of specialty stitches, but everything is in the instructions and with a little bit of focus, I was able to translate. I am finishing this as a pinkeep.


Currently, I am stitching on the Blackbird Designs mystery sampler. I have completed the first two sections and have a nice start on the third. I picked up the pattern with the fourth section today. I love all of the blackbirds. This will be framed and hung in my dining room, most likely.



Finally, I have several patterns that are up for grabs. If you see anything you like and would like to trade, just e-mail me at jlregan @ bellsouth dot net. My wishlist is in the sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Newest Family Member!!

We have a new addition to our family. Last spring, we lost our Felisca. She was such a sweet cat and we loved her for 18 years. Hobbie and I had decided not to get another cat. Well, who could resist this little sweetie? A person at work had four kittens that needed homes. When I saw this little girl, I just couldn't resist. So, I brought her home. Patrick and I decided that Josey was a great name. After one night, though, she acquired a very fitting nickname: Sassy. She loves the boys. Nicholas enjoys holding her while he plays videogames. Isn't she pretty?

A few progress pictures and finishes...

Over the last few weeks I have been working on Sam Sarah's Twenty-Five Days. (OK, Lisha, it's been more than a few weeks...) I have finished all but one of the squares as well as the background. It is really cute. I am now working on attaching each square to a piece of wool to make the individual ornaments. It is not hard, but I can only do two or three at a time.


I have also worked on several exchanges. This week I received two of the prettiest exchanges ever. First is a Halloween exchange from Edda through Hooked on Exchanging. She sent me this beautiful biscornu and all these lovely goodies. I love everything.



Next is this wonderful set of Halloween squares from Stephanie through Fair and Square exchange. I love the squares. I finished these as a pinkeep and absolutely love the final product.

Thank you ladies for the wonderful pieces.

I'm back!!!

I didn't realize how long it had been since I had posted. WOW, where does the time go. I have been very busy with work and the textbooks. Also, my older son is in the marching band this year and now we are gone every Friday night. I have accomplished a lot since my last post, but I only have a few photos.

First, I have received some wonderful exchanges this month. First, is the photo of my squares from Sandra G. for the Fair and Square exchange. She sent me some beautiful squares that I finished as a pinkeep.

Second, I received a wonderful Prairie Schooler Exchange from Becky in OK. I love the ornaments.

Thank you, both for the wonderful exchange.

I have been stitching alot, but I don't have any pictures. I did attend a quilting class in August and learned to make these wonderful bags. I completed the autumn color bag for the class and then had to make the second one the next day. These are really easy and make great stitching bags.

I will try to do better at posting. I have lots of wonderful projects in the works and can't wait to share them with everyone.

"Tigerlily" by Nora Corbett is complete!!!

I finished this afternoon!! Isn't she beautiful? This was a very easy piece to stitch. She will be framed and hung in my craft room along with Midsummer Night's Fairy that I stitched earlier. I just need to take the time to find the right frames.

I am starting the new Lizzie Kate Christmas Double Flip-Its tonight. I have all but one of the threads and a piece of fabric that is perfect. Lisha and I are doing this as a stitch along, just like the Tigerlily piece. I have to get started so I can stitch it before she does. She is a very good motivation for stitching.

Thanks for stopping by.

I have some progress to share...

I finally feel like I have had some time to stitch. This summer is passing so quickly and I have so much going on with work that I don't feel like I have enough stitching time. I spent Saturday afternoon at Lisha's house stitching and that got me motivated. I stitched on Tigerlily some on Sunday as well as yesterday, so I have made quite a bit of progress. Just a little bit more on her head and then her wings and this one is finished.



Also, Saturday morning I got out JDD Pomegranate and Pears. This one is so pretty. I love the colors. This one will take a bit longer to finish since the remaining portion requires a little more concentration on my part to stitch one over one. I think I will finish this as a box.



I have also worked on Blackbird Designs Union Forever. This one is actually very easy, but I only stitch on it every now and then. I just love the colors though. Can't wait to finish it.


And finally, a finish. I completed the stitching on J is for Juggler (Victorian Sampler) this past weekend. I still need to finish the hemstitching, but I need to get the bell pulls first. This was another fun one to stitch. I bought the thread pack so I wouldn't invest so much into all of the silks, etc. Even though it cost me $30 it was a savings, since I do not have any of the threads called for in the pattern. Even with me stitching the entire pattern, I still have enough thread left to almost complete it again. I only used up one of the threads. If anyone is interested in stitching this, let me know and we can work out a trade for the pattern and threads. Just e-mail me at jlregan at bellsouth dot com.

Back from California and Fair and Square Exchange

Well, I am home from a long and fun trip to San Fransisco. I attended a conference for my college and am quite exhausted. I learned a lot and am excited about using some of the techniques in my classes. The city was beautiful, even with the smoke from the nearby wildfires. We were able to visit some of the sites, but we only had a few hours every evening for sight seeing. We are going back in the winter, so maybe I can see more.

When I got home last night, I had a package waiting for me. I had received my squares from Mary Kathryn for the Fair and Square Exchange. She sent me some beautiful bee themed squares, some needles, thread and a bee button. I love all of it. I finish all of my squares from this exchange as pinkeeps. This one will be beautiful


These are the squares that I sent to Mary Kathryn. I thought the pattern was perfect for the Friendship Fair and Square Exchange. This is a great exchange to participate.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

I'm off to California for the week...

I am attending a conference this week in Oakland/San Francisco. I leave tomorrow morning, so I wanted to make a quick post to let everyone know why I haven't posted for a while. When I get back I promise to show lots of progress pictures. Most of what I have stitched lately are for exchanges that have not been received, so I can't show any pictures of those. Enjoy your week.

Wow, how time flies... (Lots to share)

I am so sorry it has been so long since I have posted. I have no excuse. I have been busy with the textbook, a professional conference, gardening, and a wonderful stitching retreat, but mostly I have just been lazy. I am really enjoying my summer vacation.

I have lots to share. First, I received a wonderful exchange from Laurie through the Hooked on Exchanging group. She made me a floss tag for the Freebie exchange. She also included lots of wonderful goodies including the pin cushion, which I absolutely love.


This past weekend, I attended the Shakespeare's Peddler Stitching Retreat. It was held in Hattiesburg, MS, which is only 20 minutes from home, but we had such a great time. My two sisters, Sharon and Bridget, and our friend Lisha, also attended. We stitched quite a bit. Theresa, owner of Shakespeare's Peddler, is a great person and was a wonderful hostess. At the retreat we participated in a Pins and Needles Exchange. I made a small sewing box. I stitched a Lizzie Kate design for the top and then included scissors and a pack of needles. I was very excited about the finished product. I thought it was so cute. I received a beautiful scissor fob, stitched by my friend, Lisha. She included a pair of scissors, which I love.



Of course, we had a chance to do some shopping while at the retreat. We each received a gift certificate as part of the retreat package. I used my gift certificate to pick up a Loose Feather piece and started stitching on it. I also got the fabric to complete the Sam Sarah Twenty-Five Days piece. I had purchased the leaflet back in February and started stitching on the small pieces. I can't wait to finish this one.


While at the retreat, I stitched on the J is for Juggler band sampler I purchased last month. It is a lot of fun and very easy to stitch. I love using the specialty threads and the learning the different stitches. Can't wait to finish this one.


Lisha and I also started working on Tiger Lilly. I just love this piece. We have decided to do this as a SAL. I stitched on it yesterday some and am making great progress. How is your piece coming along, Lisha?

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. I will try to do better about posting more often.

A big finish and thank you!!

First I would like to thank all of you for your kind words about Felisca. It was a lot harder than I thought and I still miss her, especially when I am stitching. She would either sit on the arm of my chair or in my lap while I stitched. After eighteen years of that, it does seem very odd not to have her around.



Now, I do have some finishes to share with everyone. The first one is a square I stitched for Cole's Love Quilts. I think it is so pretty. I used a pattern from one of the Leisure Arts Christmas Remembered series (I have the whole set). I especially love the way the M in Mary looks like a butterfly.


The second finish is the biggie. I finished Midsummer Night's Fairy. She is so beautiful. I worked exclusively on this project this week to finish. The fabric is perfect. I can't wait to have her framed so I can hang it in my craft room.

Now on to some more power stitching. I need to finish the dalmatian puppy for Nicholas next week. I am also stitching a couple of exchanges that are due this month.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.