A Heaven-ly end of year update

Hi Everyone,
Where did the year go? I have been inspired by so many of your stitching pieces. Unfortunately, my dial-up service and Internet Explorer don't let me leave as many comments as I would like. I just wanted to let you know how much all of you have inspired me this past year.

I have been adding some stitches to 2 of my Heaven and Earth projects since mid-December. After we dug out from the storm of my last post, we got another 8-10 inches of snow the next day. So I had a litttle more time to spend stitching.

HAED Forest Walk Storykeep (Anne Stokes) now at 8350 stitches.
25ct Dublin Linen
DMC Threads, 2 over 1










 

HAED 2012 BB SAL Storykeep Forbidden Doorway (Meredith Dillman) now at a little more than 10,750 stitches completed.
28ct Opal. Moonglow (Picture This Plus)
DMC Threads & Kreinik #4, 1 over 1

It's so nice to see my progress bar lengthen. I also added a new one for the HAED 2013 BB SAL Mystic Garden (Ciro Marchetti) that I'll be starting soon. I don't have any special stitching plans for 2013 -  the fun is in the journey.

Happy New Year! Wishing you all good health, much happiness and lots of fabulous stitching in 2013!

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Perfect weather for a Snowman and an exchange

Hello everyone,
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

Does anyone want some snow? It started to snow last night and by mid-day this is what we saw. DH figures we have about 10-12 inches of new snow. At least DH managed to get us cleared out for the 2nd time today before the tractor died. The battery is good as all the lights are on... but no engine.

The little birds have been feasting on their seed wreath. And they have been flying from the maple and birch tree to the feeders.







 

A flock of six turkeys came to visit and eat up everything the birds have dropped under our feeders... they weren't to happy walking through the snow....

 

Once the food was gone, they headed for the protection of the large cedar trees.


Perfect weather to build a snowman, but I don't think they agree.

Speaking of snowmen, I received a lovely exchange from Lori  for our Stitched With Love Christmas Exchange.She made me the beautiful JBW Designs snowman pillow. Such beautiful stitching and finishing.


 

Lori spoiled me so much. She included some floss, beads, ribbons, chart, candle, tissues, a magnet, a pincushion, and a lovely patriotic Statue of Liberty ornament.  

My partner Renee mentioned that she liked winter houses and stockings, so I stitched up the Snowy Eve stocking © Blackbird Designs 2009 from the Merry December booklet.  Fabric: 28 ct Milk Chocolate,  Threads: CC, GAST, and WDW, and DMC.  Stitch Count 46 x 79, 2 over 2

 











Here is the complete package I sent to Renee.

You can check out all the lovely finished at the gallery here.


Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Chaos

Hello everyone & welcome new followers!
It's been crazy here for the past couple of weeks. I planned on posting, but life got in the way.

One day last week, our living room  TV died. DH bought this almost 30 years ago. Since it was a large (53") pull down front projection, that meant a lot of work to take it apart . We still had audio, but none of the 3 bulbs worked. Last time this happened it was a weld on the video switch... Just can't get anyone to travel to repair. So we moved furniture and set up a temporary solution - but now our other TV won't recognize our DVD player / recorder. It's an older TV and the setup menu still lists VCR as one of the choices.

The next day, we were contacted by our contractor who came in to look at our living room bay window as it has been giving us some problems. That meant moving furniture and Christmas decorations again so that he had full access. The seal on one of the 4 panes needs to be replaced, and the manufacturer will have to come out sometime after the holidays to look at them to see if they all need to be replaced.

Amidst all this chaos, I celebrated my birthday. I received the nicest Birthday present from my dear college friend "M". She made me this lovely felted Cardinals candle mat.









I haven't been stitching much lately, as my evenings were spent wrapping packages for family members that don't live near us, and re-arranging our living room. I did manage to almost finish this stocking. I just have to add the beads for hanging and hem the inside cuff. I'll try to get a better picture when it is finished.

Deer in the Meadow©2009 Blackbird Designs
One of the Three stockings in the Merry December booklet
Fabric: 28 ct Milk Chocolate
Threads: CC, GAST, WDW
Stitch Count: 46 x 74, 2 over 2

I have to get back to wrapping - now it's for my dear nieces who have birthdays in January... I started earlier today but somehow got sidetracked cleaning up my craft storage area instead.

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Heaven and Earth updates

Hello everyone,
I've been busy this week trying to put some finishes together and get some presents for family and friends wrapped. To keep their gifts a surprise, I don't think I'll post until after Christmas - except for the few that don't have internet access. You will probably be seeing Christmas Ornament finishes in January. LOL!

So instead, I'll share with you my 2 Heaven and Earth updates.
First up is HAED 2012 SAL SK Forbidden Doorway (Dillman). My last update was at 7350 stitches -when I finished Page 1. Here she is at 9244 stitches.

Fabric: Picture this Plus 28ct crystal Moonglow
DMC Threads, 1 over 1, full cross

I just love how she is coming along. 

Next up, I had to move my stored WIP bag to get something out for finishing. When I did, my WIP Storykeep Forest Walk (Stokes) fell out so I spent the next couple of nights adding 500 stitches.

This was my first HAED purchase back in December 2009. I abandoned for quite awhile. I thought something was wrong as the picture showed a much greener bottom. I picked it up again after joining the 2011 SAL - I found the colors used blended into a different color as I continued.

This one has quite a few confetti blocks- especially in the area I'm at now (the face). I do love how it is coming out, but the 2 strands on 25ct has the back very thick and at times my needle has a difficult time.

Fabric 25ct white Irish Dublin Linen
DMC Threads, 2 over 1, full cross

 
I hope to make some more progress since next year's focus will be the SAL QS Mystic Garden.Hopefully I won't get sidetracked too much.

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Final Fall Finish

Hello, Everyone,
We've been seeing snow showers today - it looks like the end of fall for us. I guess that means I need to start digging through my finishing basket and start shopping to find the perfect gifts for our friends and family - and get them finally finished!  Hopefully I'll be able to get enough done so that there isn't too much holiday stress.

Since I can't share with you my Christmas exchange that is packed up and waiting for the post office to open so it can be mailed, here is my final fall finish for this year.

Autumn Leaves © 2006 The Prairie Schooler, Inc.
Pumpkin Ornament
28ct Black Lugana
DMC Threads
Stitch Count: 30 x 64, 2 over 2

It's too dark now to work in my sewing room, so I think I'll work on my HAED some more. I want to get as much done as I can this year because I signed up for next year's SAL on the HAED BB.


Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Fall exchange revealed

Hello everyone,
Last month was the Fall into Halloween exchange over at Stitched with Love exchanges. You can see the whole gallery here.

Now that the exchange is closed, I found out that my wonderful package came from Dawn. I must say I was quite worried as one end of the box had  been crushed by the time it arrived. With quite a bit of anxiety, I opened the parcel to find this lovely exchange. Dawn had wrapped everything so beautifully, that nothing was damaged.






 I requested either fall or Halloween for this exchange. 

 This Homespun Elegance piece ABC Cat she stitched for me fits both beautifully.
 

Such lovely ribbons for the no-sew finish.

Don't you just love the pretty fall fabric she used for my orts?











My partner was Nancy (Glory Bee), and she requested a fall themed package. I went stash diving and finally settled on the biscornu from the fall collection of Anita's Little Stitches.

Fall Biscornu Collection © 2008 Anita Diamond
32ct Antique Ivory
DMC & DMC Color Variations  Chilean Sunset
Stitch Count 62 x 62, 2 over 2

When I started to assemble this, I realized that somehow I managed to stitch the front twice. LOL! Luckily, I realized it in time and stitched the bottom panel. I stuffed it with poly fill and added a few tablespoons of pumpkin spice  scented pellets. Then I added a covered button and a few bicone crystal pins.

Here is the package that I sent. I do hope that she liked it.

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Checking in after Sandy

Hello Everyone,
What a week. We had the wind gusts from Sandy...not much rain. Had some broken tree limbs, a broken clothesline, and possibly some damage to our chimney - but not much else. We didn't even lose power this time. Our birds have had to adjust as we kept our feeders on the clothesline about 20' off the ground (well away from the bears), and for now we are using a post attached to the deck.

We are saddened when we watch the news showing the areas so badly hit. Most of DH's family live on Staten Island, New Jersey, or Connecticut area. We have been patiently waiting to hear from them. Some have called ... just waiting to hear from the rest of them.



I did want to share a  beading finish with you. I couldn't decide which owl to do for Beth's exchange, but after choosing the horned owl and seeing how lovely it looked, I knew I needed to make the other 3. I still have to do the snowy owl... Hope to find time for that one soon.

Oriental Bay- Owl © October 2007 Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch & Beading Issue Seventy Two

Silamide thread,
Miyuki delica beads (7 colors almost 900 beads)
square stitched

Stitch Count 26 x 42

I started stitching my Christmas exchange earlier this week, but I think I have to start it again on a different fabric- I think the milk chocolate fabric is to dark for the colors I'm using. I 'll probably continue later today adding in some snow... maybe that will make the difference.

We've had flurries in the air a few days this week, so we have a few more outdoor chores to finish. Plastic on the lower windows, planters need to be put away, and the tractor needs to be converted to blow snow.  And we need to find the cause of the leak at our wood stove / chimney connection.

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Happy Day!

Hello Everyone,

Earlier this week, I picked up my Heaven And Earth Designs  SAL SK Forbidden Doorway Artwork by Meredith Dillman, Chart Design by Michele Sayetta

I just love how this is coming along. I hope to get a little more done on her this week before I start my Christmas exchange.

Stitched on 28ct Picture This Plus opal Moonglow
DMC & Kreinik #4
1 over 1

7350 stitched complete- Page One is finished ;)


Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Another fall finish

Hello Everyone,
I couldn't resist this little freebie. I don't know why it was in my finishing basket for so long.

Autumn Blackbird  © Waxing Moon Designs
14ct Antique Gold Country French Soft Touch Aida
Since I didn't have all the GAST threads, I substituted WDW Pewter for Banker's Gray and WDW Onyx for Black Crow
Stitch Count 50 x50, 2 over one

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh my.....

Hello Everyone,
How about Birds and bears and sea life instead? Last month I took part in another Stitched With Love Exchange. This time the theme was animals. We listed out three favorite animals. I received my package from Lisa V. 
I opened up the beautifully wrapped parcels to find this Carriage House Designs wall hanging. Such beautiful stitching - I just love the creative finish she chose for me.














These are the extras she included. So thoughtful of her to include something from each of my choices. Thank you Lisa for such a lovely exchange.










My partner was Beth. One of her favorite animals was owls.

I chose to make her a needle case from the pattern
Frolic In The Foliage © 2010 Blue Ribbon Designs LLC
32ct Beige (Weeks)
WDW Threads








 I love the brilliant reds of our sugar maples, so I substituted aztec red for the pumpkin leaves. I left the tree as charted for the back.
Stitch count 45H x 43W, 2 over 2

I also wanted to included a small beaded project. Horned Owl © October 2007 Jill Oxton from  Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch  & Beading Issue Seventy Two Miyuki Delica Beads (6 colors)- almost 1200 beads. I substituted Natural Silamide for the blue Nymo thread 

Stitch Count: 34W x 42H

Square Stitch.

Here is the complete package with the extras I included.Beth was very pleased with her package.

You can see all the other lovely exchanges at the gallery here.










I'll leave you with a rare visitor to our field. 
















One last look.


I'm off to finish my stitching for my fall exchange. Somehow, my cold last week messed me up. I started to assemble earlier this week, and noticed that I managed to stitch the front piece twice instead of the front and back. LOL!

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

A wee little finish

Hello Everyone,

Thank you all for the lovely anniversary wishes.

I did manage to take a picture of my recent finish. I found this remnant and thought it was just perfect for this little finish.

wee one little pumpkin in the patch© 2003 Heart in Hand Needleart
32ct Sage Jobelan
WDW and GAST
Stitch count: 71W x 36 H, 2 over 2

Yesterday, we got the nicest surprise. One of our friends showed up and offered help with our winterizing chores. Such a lovely gift of  friendship. We gladly accepted.

Now, you've been waiting to find out about the drawing... I put your names in a bowl and DH drew  Elaine. Congratulations!  I'll mail out your package on Tuesday as tomorrow is Columbus Day.

But that's not all... since I'm late posting this, I had DH draw another name Lisa V.  Congratulations! I'll be sending you a package of threads and trims as soon as I get your snail mail.

This was so much fun... DH has a birthday next month... I think we'll do something like this again.
 
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

And the winner is...

Hello everyone,
Sorry my replies to your comments have taken so long- I've been recovering from a head cold this past week. I couldn't do much stitching, but I did manage to get a project finished. It will have to wait until another day because when I got out my camera, I found out that the batteries needed to be charged. 

So instead, I'll show you a picture of some feathered friends that visited earlier this week. You can only see a few of the turkeys, but we had nine in this flock.





The winner of the JCS September/October Halloween Issue and threads is P.J.  I will send out your package when I get your snail mail.











If you didn't win, don't fret, I am going to have another drawing for this Just Cross Stitch September/ October 2012 Annual Halloween Issue. This time I'll include some threads, Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe trim, and your choice of  a 13" x 17" fabric (30ct R&R Colonial Pumpkin or 32ct PTP Earthen).
Drawing will be Friday October 5th. All you have to do is leave a comment.

Have a wonderful day
Lisa 

Fall is in the air

Hello Everyone,

Fall is my favorite season - even though it is the busiest time for us.We've had a few frosts, which means that I get a bit of a break from these pesky allergies. It also means that I can be outdoors without getting numerous insect bites. The burning bushes are turning brilliant red, the black walnut tree is turning golden yellow, and the sugar maples have begun to display some oranges.





Amid the falling leaves, we had a kestrel show up.













I  haven't had much time for stitching - I spent some time picking out a fall exchange piece -and spent even more time pouring through my Just Cross Stitch Halloween and Christmas ornament issues.

Another reason I love fall is because early next month is our anniversary. With that in mind,  I thought I'd have a giveaway for a few threads and the September /October 2012 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine. This is the Annual Halloween Issue - not the special edition issue. Just leave a comment. I'll pick a name on October 1st.

Last entry I mentioned a beading project.
Barn owl. from Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch and Beading Issue 72 © October 2007
7 colors of Miyuki Delicas (911 beads)
Cream Nymo Thread
Stitch Count 28w x 43H
Square stitch

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Week wrap-up with a HAED update

Hello everyone,
I was all set to write this post early yesterday afternoon. Started to write and we lost power. Just got it back about an hour ago. Lots of trees broken, power poles snapped, and wires down. Thankfully we had no damage- other than losing some food that was in our freezers. We heard that there were a lot of micro-bursts in the area.
I couldn't stitch in the dark, so I used my mini light and caught up on some reading, as a book I ordered had arrived in Friday's mail..
Last week I was busy finishing off my animal antics Stitched With Love Exchange for  my partner.  It's going to be awhile before I can share as I don't mail out until the end of next week. I also did some beading, but I'll save those pics for another day.
It's been while since I worked on my Heaven and Earth Designs SAL Forbidden Doorway. I got in a few stitches this week to bring her from 5400 to 6100 completed stitches. 

Fabric: Picture this Plus 28ct crystal moonglow
DMC & Kreinik#4 threads
1 over 1, full cross

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Stitched With Love garden exchange reveal

Hello everyone,
Recently I took part in the tea party in the garden exchange from Stitched With Love Exchanges. Lainey has let us know that the packages have been received so now we can share. Stop over at the gallery to see all the beautiful packages sent and received.There is also a sign up for the Fall into Halloween exchange here.

My partner was Marcy, and she chose a garden theme so I decided to stitch this Workbasket design and finished it as a change purse for her.

The Workbasket of Seasons (Summer) © Mary Olson and Candy Scott, The Workbasket 2009
32 ct Waterlily Jobelan
DMC Threads
Stitch Count: 57H x 57W, 2 over 2

I chose some floral named threads to included in her package, and since she loves Rosewood Manor designs, I had to include Flowers in A Crannied Wall. Here is the complete exchange I sent. I'm glad she liked what I chose for her.







My  beautifully wrapped package was from Cherise.

When I opened up these pretty parcels, I found this Homespun Elegance design beautifully finished as a wall hanging. Such a lovely job stitching and finishing! I had to laugh when I saw the dragonfly charm as I had stitched the dragonflies on Marcy's gift.







And she enclosed these lovely goodies. What a beautiful exchange this was!



Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

A blast from the past

Hello everyone,
I wanted to post this earlier but our dial up internet connection has been bad lately. During that time we couldn't stay online long enough to update our virus software. Everything is running again (at least for today).
I can finally show you the scissor fob that I mentioned in my previous post.

Prairie Birds - Book 24 Goldfinch©1989 The Prairie Schooler, Inc.
25ct Summer Khaki
DMC Threads
Stitch Count 47H x 49W, 2strands over 1
















Even our goldfinches were happy!

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

What a week!

Hello everyone,
I spent the first half of this past week sidelined with a migraine, but. I did manage to get my exchange package mailed. Storms moved in and we lost power. Surprisingly, our power was restored on the same day. Later that evening, our clothesline pulley snapped. We use it to hang our bird feeders to keep them away from the bears. So we had to improvise -we hung our feeders on our deck post each morning and had to bring them in at dusk each evening.
My miyuki delica beads arrived, so I was able to finish my patriotic scissor fob

Eagle © 2009 The Prairie Schooler, Inc.
32 ct Lambswool Linen
DMC Threads , 2 over 2
Stitch Count 27 W x 32 H









I liked it so much that I dug out an older Prairie Schooler pattern that I got from the bay of evil awhile ago (Prairie Birds Book #24) to make another scissor fob. I thought that it would be done by today, but storms moved in again yesterday, and we had no power for several hours. I'm stitching the goldfinches 2 over 1 on 25 count khaki. We did manage to fix our clothesline just before yesterday's storms moved in, so our birds were happy with their feeders back in their normal place.

I'll leave you with a lovely flower that the birds planted for me.

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa