Recent WIPs and a Purchase

My hands seem to be responding well to the heat packs, the drugs, and the wrist brace... and of course, I like to tempt fate. I know I promised I would be working on The Marriage of Minds, but I got bored, and I think I'm going to shoot for having that done in the year of my sister's anniversary... sounds fine to me! So, here are some of the most recent WIPs that I've been working on: This is just a wee beginning on the Victoria Sampler Christmas Village. And, here is how close I am to finishing Betsy: And, the latest one that I picked up a few days ago is Needle's Prayse Carnation Sampler. It's a smaller piece, to be sure, but it's deceiving, because of the specialty stitches in the dividing bands, etc. And, there's queen stitches in there too. The more I add, the more I like it. I've been stitching this with DMC on a little swatch of Lakeside Linen that I got in a grab bag from Silkweaver long ago. I hope that I can squeeze the remaining stitches on the bottom of this sampler. The fabric was small, and I knew I would be cutting it close and may need to leave a band off, or do some work in hand, and then hemstitch it. But, I liked the linen and was cheap too.

I also was able to get an older Needle's Prayse chart this past week. I think it's out of print. I really like it though, and it was a bargain. Of course, I think the person I purchased it from made a killing, since it looks like they picked it up from a bargain bin for 99 cents. It's the Honeysuckle Sampler. I'm tempted to start it, but I am on the plan to finish items in 2007!

Pay It Forward

I'm in... I think. I've left a comment on Annemiek's blog. I've been thinking about doing this for a while, and each time I see a blog entry on this topic, I'm just a tad late.

So, for all of you... ha! There's so few of you that read this... if you're interested, I will send a PIF item to the first five people that comment on this. I'm on the new blogger, so I hope you don't have trouble commenting. If you are on Legacy board, you can send me a message there. Anyway, first five people. The rule stands though. If you sign up for an item from me, you need to pay it forward by offering the same thing on your blog. It needs to be a crafted item though.

Progress and a Diversion

I did manage to stitch a bit on TMOM, and took a snapshot. The colors aren't quite right in this pic, but oh well. I'm not sure I'll get this one finished by my goal, since it's so huge. And, since I needed a diversion, I started SB's "Be Smart". I don't have a good pic of that one, so I'll post one later.

I have been looking at my list of WIPs and UFOs. It seems that there are a few that are so close, but I haven't had time to get them finished. They aren't a priority because they aren't set aside for a gift. Here is my list... the count is 41, with 8 of those complete (two framed, the rest awaiting finishing of some sort). These are in descending order for % completed and the list was created sometime in November.

La-D-Da, 2006 JCS Ornament - Christmas Cardinal COMPLETE
Country Cottage Needlework, 2006 JCS Ornament - House COMPLETE
Hands to Work, 2006 JCS Ornament - Rejoice COMPLETE
Merry Cox, A Lady's Sewing Roll (finish) COMPLETE
Just Another Button Company, Manger Scene COMPLETE
With My Needle, Tokens of Friendship and Love COMPLETE
Drawn Thread, Treasure Box Accessories COMPLETE
SANQ, Tree of Life Workbox (finish) COMPLETE

Drawn Thread, First Snow
Sheepish Designs, Betsy
Needle's Prayse, The Carnation Sampler
Prairie Schooler, Planting Kindness Sampler
SANQ, Judah Hayle Pinpillow
Chessie and Me, Liberty House Sampler
Told in a Garden, Strawberries Forever
Needle's Prayse, The Dogwood Sampler
Paula Vaughan, Wedding Ring quilt
Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin, Kreinik Remember the Ladies Needlecase
Shepherd's Bush, Be Smart COMPLETE
Theresa Wentzler, English Cottage Sampler
Better Homes & Gardens, Noah's Ark
Mirabilia, Angels Dwell Here
Elizabeth Designs, Climbing Rose Cottage
Country Cottage Needlework, Ladybugs and Bumblebees
Better Homes & Gardens, The Rose Garden
Drawn Thread, Garden Recipe
From the Heart, Needlecase
Accomplishments Shop, November Pansy Needlecase
Blackbird Designs, Summer House
Indigo Rose, Winter
Drawn Thread, Souvenir Sampler
Cross-Eyed Cricket, Halloween Pumpkin
Brightneedle, Pretty in Pink
Long Dog Designs, Mouline Rouge
Au Fil de Reves, Blue Flower Pinkeep
Shepherd's Bush, Cotswold Sampler
Drawn Thread, Holiday Tree
Drawn Thread, Marriage of Minds
Victoria Sampler, Utah Heart
Victoria Sampler, Christmas Village
Drawn Thread, The Good Neighbor

A favorite finish

I finished the stitching on this item a few months ago. It is Blackbird Design's "Star Sampler". It was quick, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I ordered a custom frame, since it's a small piece. The thread and fabric conversion is from Shepherd's Bush. I didn't like the original colors, but the SB conversion was just what I was looking for.