Shopping Spree Saturday!!!

Shakespeare's Peddler is having a Cyber Sidewalk Sale and she has some really amazing prices. Earlier in the week, I purchased two patterns that were on my wishlist: Holly and a pattern for Tournicoton. Well, today, I decided to drive into Hattiesburg and shop the patterns to see if there were any that I just had to have. What a great idea! I picked up lots of great patterns at really great prices. Everything that I bought was 50% off the original price. I love the Just Nan Christmas Biscornus and was excited to see that there was one in the sale box. Even the embellishment packs were on sale! If you are interested you can check out the specials at Shakespeare's Peddler website.


I did purchase one item that was not in the sidewalk sale: Just Nan Bunny Charm Garden Pin. Isn't this just adorable? There are several in the series including bugs and a hedgehog. I really want to collect several of these because they are so pretty and detailed.



Though I have been very busy with work and gardening (spent all day yesterday at my parents' farm picking and snapping beans), I did get some stitching done this week. I have made some progress on LK ABC Lessons. I am certain that I can finish this piece in the next week or so. A Weary World Rejoices is taking a bit longer than I expected. I love stitching on it, but I made a mistake on one of the windows. Instead of putting it down and starting something else, I forced myself to make the correction and stitch on it the rest of the evening. I am glad that I did because I was able to finish all of the motifs on the bottom half of the pattern. I still need to finish the side borders. I really think the top half will be faster stitching. Hope to finish it by the end of the month.

Thanks for stopping by and all the nice comments. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

The Eagle is finished!!!!!

FINALLY!!! I finished it Friday night. It is really pretty. Pete was very happy with it. I still need to frame it.


I also finished Love Birds by Miss Crescent's Crowne. This was really easy and stitched up very quickly. This was the first time I have stitched with Belle Soie silk. Very nice.


I have also made a bit of progress on LK ABC Lessons. Only three rows left.

Baltimore was great. I had a very good time. The conference was very helpful.

The Quaker Turtles are finished....

Aren't these the cutest things? I love them. They are so tiny. It was a bit tedious to put them together, but it was worth it.



I also finished CCN Bumblebee. I absolutely love this one. I stitched it on a piece of Silkweaver Precious Metals 28 ct Opalescent Lugana. It is really pretty and it only took me 2 days to complete it.

The boys are almost finished with school. After next week I will be the parent of a high school student. I can't believe he is old enough to be in high school. Time flies...

It's finally May!!!

I am so happy that it is finally May. That means the semester is almost over. Now, don't get me wrong. I love my job at USM, but I also love the end of the semester. I will have a few days to just relax. Oh, who am I kidding, I can't relax. We have a lot of work to do on the textbook, so I have a few days to work on the book. I didn't have as much stitching time this month, but I did finish all the parts of Quaker Turtles. I just need to assembly the little guys. My son really, really wants one. I don't think he realizes these are sewing goodies. He just loves the idea of the turtle.


I have also worked very hard on this Bald Eagle. Pete's birthday was the 19th. Yes, I missed his birthday. So, maybe he will get it by the end of May.

I have also worked on the A Weary World Rejoices and ABC Lessons a bit this month. I love both of these. I usually pull one of these two out when I have had a frustrating day. Helps improve my mood.

By the way, this is one of our textbooks. I just love the cover. And there's my name in the lower right corner. I am still amazed to see that.

My goals were less that accomplished this month, but hopefully May will be better for stitching. I just really want to finish that Eagle!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Fair and Square Exchange from Marie

I received the cutest squares from Marie (TX) this weekend. I love the little house and the cat on the roof is a great representation of our wild cat, Josie. If we would let her, I'm sure she would love to walk around on our roof.

Thanks for the nice comments. Have a great week.

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Completed!!

Well, with the exception of 23 stitches, the sampler is complete. I ran out of Peacock and need to either purchase another skein or find floss that is close enough for that small number of stitches. I think this is such a pretty piece. I can't wait to frame it and hang it in my dining room.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend. I am off to buy Easter candy today.

Rufus the Rabbit and some exchanges

i

I finished Rufus the Rabbit this weekend. It was a very easy project and quite cute. This was actually from a pile of stash my sister received from a friend. We were amazed at all of the wonderful patterns and fabric that her friend decided she didn't want any more. Of course, my sister was very happy to receive all of the wonderful stash and was sweet enough to share some with me. Thanks, Sharon. I plan to finish this as a no-sew cube for Easter.


I also have received some really nice exchanges over the past few days. First, Bridget C. sent me these cute squares for the Easter Fair and Square exchange. These will be finished as a pinkeep, hopefully in time for Easter display.


And Clare sent me this wonderful biscornu and extras. Isn't it pretty? Thanks!

Well, I didn't do so well with my March goals, but plan to be more productive in April. If I can just get through with the bald eagle, I will feel much better. I have also decided to try a rotation again to help "push" through these projects. I think this will be a big help.

Have a great day.

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.