First Signs of Spring

I looked out the window this afternoon and saw this....

Our first Robin of the season.

and these cedar waxwings returned to feast on the frozen crab apples.

Still waiting for the redwing blackbirds to arrive!

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

Another Wonderful Exchange

I received lovely package from June over at Butterfly Wings, as part of our Stitched With love Exchange. Our theme this time was Love & Friendship.

This is what I found when I unwrapped these goodies. She sent me this lovely Sue Hillis design finished as a stand-up. Aren't the hearts lovely? If you look closely, she attached the bow with some lovely heart pins.

- such a perfect choice of backing fabrics.

And here's the rest of the extras that she included. She even included an easel to make sure it stood up straight. You spoiled me so much.!

Thanks so much my new friend!

My partner was Teresa from Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches. I chose this lovely design to stitch for her.

Designer: Blue Ribbon Designs - Valentine Wishes

Fabric: 30 ct R&R's For the Cure Pink

Threads: GAST and DMC cording

Mill Hill beads

Stitch count 60 x 57 stitched 2 over 2 with some 1 over 1

On the back I attached a little made with love charm...

And here are the extras I included.

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

Not much to show...

I thought I would have a finish or two to share today...

On Tuesday, my DH took me to my not-so-local big box craft store... I went in to get a paper mache box for this lovely that I finished stitching up on Monday. I used some hand dyed threads from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. The motif is taken from a Quaker motif scissor pocket pattern by Barbara Bernard. Sadly, I couldn't find what I wanted, so this finishing will have to wait a few weeks until my next shopping outing.

I did manage to pick up some yellow feathers and ribbon for an Easter project. Hopefully it will turn out well. Still have to find the right backing fabric.

I also picked up the March 2012 issue of Cross-Stitch & Needlework. I don't usually buy this magazine, but I saw a shamrock biscornu designed by Kim Beamish on the table of contents. Sadly their website doesn't show the project. I'll try to remember to take a pic and post it tomorrow. I started stitching this on Wednesday, got the back stitched up, only to find that I didn't have enough DMC for the front. So, I guess that project will be set aside for a few weeks as well.

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

Fixing an oops....

This freebie has been sitting in my finishing basket for more than a year. It seems that when I decided to stitch this design, I had a scrap of fabric that was just large enough on the sides for the design with 1/4" for finishing. When I started it, I must have turned my fabric because I had plenty of extra fabric top & bottom, but not much on the left and right. So, I gave up on finishing it. When I was cleaning up my sewing room the other day, I came across it again, and decided to try adding a piece of fusible interface larger than my stitched piece. Then I sewed some ribbon on the sides. You can't see it in the picture, but it hid the frayed edges that were a little too close to the stitching. Then I added some pretty ribbon to finish off this tuck pillow / banner.

Design: Chocolate is the Answer, No matter the Question
Fabric: 28ct Tulip Pink by R&R
Threads: DMC
Stitch count 55w x 53H, 2 over 2

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

Love Needleroll

Design: Love Christmas Ornament (JCS Ornaments 2005)

Designer: Jeannette Douglas Designs

Fabric: 32 ct White Belfast Linen

Threads: Kreinik #4, Kreinik 1/8 holo ribbon, Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid Petite , Threadworx, DMC, and GAST

Mill Hill Petite Beads

Stitch count: 46H x 25W 1 over 2 & 1 over 1

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

Be My Valentine Exchange

Recently I joined a Valentine / friendship exchange at The Stitchers Village. My Partner was Bridgette. You can visit her at ~Stitch~Save~Live.

She spoiled me with this amazing valentine package.

A close up of the front. (There is a link to this freebie from Brooke's Books on her blog.)

...and what lovely fabric for the back.

Here is the package I sent to to Bridgette

The piece I stitched for her was finished as a pinkeep. I also stitched the heart motif in the center for a small tin finish.
Designer: The Prairie Schooler Designer Series - From the Heart.

Fabric: 28ct Khaki linen

Threads: DMC

stitch count 45H x 45W, 2 over 2

Hugs and a big THANK YOU to my partner. Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

Lawn ornaments

Not much stitching to show... and this is why.

I took a break this afternoon to stitch on a small needle roll. Needles threaded and ready to begin. Glanced out the front window and saw this. Standing perfectly still.

And then this.

They must have told their friends because a few hours later... this

So not much stitching was done. I watched them gobble up some of the frozen crab apples that fell from the trees.

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

6 weeks of winter or spring?

I wonder if the groundhog will see his shadow? We haven't had much of a winter this year. When that has happened in the past we had a very snowy March. We heard some geese flying North last week - maybe they are confused.

When I saw this from the Prairie Schooler, I knew that I had to finish this one.

Designer: The Prairie Schooler

Pattern: Winter Wind (Booklet No. 133) One of the winter foursome ornaments

Fabric: 32 count lambswool linen

Thread: DMC, stitched 2 over 2

stitch count 30H x 34W

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

HAED Update

Where did January go?

My first exchange is on it's way to a new home.

Since I can't show that yet, here's the progress of my new year start - Heaven and Earth Designs SAL - Forbidden Doorway Storykeep. I started at the bottom of page 1. Stitched 1 over 1, full cross on 28ct Crystal Moonglow by Picture this Plus, using DMC & Kreinik#4.

I put it aside a few days ago to work on a few smalls. Hope to get them finished quickly.

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa