Festival of Trees

I don't have any progress pics, but this is a picture of what my mom and I completed today. Of course, she did most of the work. But, I embroidered the faces. These dolls were made in honor of Sophia and Lillian, who were born in our neighborhood this year, to two different families. Lillian has returned to Heavenly Father, but Sophia fights on. They were both born with serious heart problems, which accompanied Down's Syndrome. "Lillian" is on the left, with brown hair and eyes, and "Sophia" is on the right with black hair and brown eyes.

The dolls will sit on two white chairs under a Christmas Tree at this year's Festival of Trees to benefit Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The theme of the tree is "Angels from Heaven". I may have more pics of the tree after next weekend, when I go up to the festival to see it. I can't go up tomorrow to decorate and set everything up, but it's been fun to be involved.

So thankful for Thanksgiving!

I know, I know. It's been a while since I posted anything here. I will be better, I promise.

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving day at my sister's home, with all of us except our missionary together. Michael, my missionary nephew, recently flew to Prague after a two-month stay at the Provo missionary training center. We were able to talk to him while he was at the Dulles airport awaiting his flight to Vienna. He then flew to Prague. He spent about 24 hours traveling from Utah to Prague. We are now awaiting our first e-mail or letter from him to find out just where he will be in Slovakia, after the mission president assigns him a new companion and area. We missed him yesterday! I'm going to break one of my cardinal blogging rules... I usually don't like posting pics of people I know. But, here is a picture of Michael and his sisters, acting crazy... I had fun taking family photos and this was taken near the bottom of the Mt. Timpanogos trailhead.

I must say that it's been a great week. I took Monday through Wednesday off, and with the holiday time for Thursday and Friday, I've had seven full days so far of staying at home. I have had to answer some e-mails, and am testing a new course evaluation system that was installed early this week, but other than that, I've been able to focus on what I need to get done here at home. And, I've stitched a bit!

I made a wee bit of progress on VS Christmas Village last night. I'm not sure I'm going to love stitching all of that white in the pattern, but the effect will be nice, and I'm trying to mix it up so I don't get too bored with it. And, I am nearly finished with the stitching on DT Box of Stitches Scissor and Needlecase. I was able to learn some tips and tricks to finishing it from Carolyn on Saturday when I drove up to the Craft Center for her finishing class. So, I'm looking forward to finishing it before the end of the year. I'll post pics in my next post, I promise!

I did venture out to do a bit of shopping today, but not until after noon. There were a couple of deals I couldn't pass up at Kohl's, and so we have some early Christmas presents. I've wanted a nice food processor for a while, and have also been looking at the new Cuisinart Griddler. But, I found a nice, large George Forman grill which will work just fine for panini sandwiches, and it was $100 cheaper than the Griddler was. I did pick up a nice Cuisinart food processor and four dinner plates and this cute salt and pepper shaker set to complete my Christmas snowman set. We'll be planning a family dinner party with lots of fun food and I finally have a full set of holiday dishes to use!

I hope that all of you in the US had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. I'm sad my time off is coming to an end, but really looking forward to Christmas and enjoying all the preparation for the holiday! (I started listening to Christmas music - with lyrics yet - around October 1 this year... that's even early for ME!)

Long time...no blog!

I know it's been a while since I posted anything. I've been quite busy with being sick! It seems that I've had one thing or another hit me throughout the entire month of September. And, at times, it all hit me at once! I'm fending off an ear infection now. But, I have taken some time to stitch while I wasn't working or in a cough syrup stupor!

I finished "Betsy" and am pretty happy about it. It's been in my WIP pile for quite some time, and now it's finally finished. It will hang in my family room when I get the frame made for it, and get it mounted.

I have also started on a little Christmas Sampler by Ewe and Eye and Friends. I'm stitching it on willow green Cashel, with a thread conversion by Shepherd's Bush. It's been really fun, and I expect it will be finished sometime next weekend.

I hope everyone has a great week. I will be catching up on homework and work-work. Taking sick leave hours is a blessing and a curse!

The Mailman is My Friend

I ordered three charts from Crabapple Hill Studios. I purchased "Winter Wonderland", "Vintage Strawberry Pinkeep", and "Summer Pears". Who knows when I'll work on them really, but I knew I had to pick up the quilt pattern for "Winter Wonderland". My goal is to get the fabric by the Christmas break, so I can begin the stitching while I have a few days off.

I can't believe summer is nearly over. School starts next Wednesday, and I almost can't take it. But, I will continue to plug along. I enjoyed my summer too much. Didn't accomplish nearly as much as I'd like, but really enjoyed the restful break that I made myself take (when I was away from work at least).

Happy stitching!

One Word

I saw this on Melissa's blog... thought it looked fun, so here goes. My "one word" answers.

1. Where is your Cellphone? - desk
2. Relationship? - dog
3. Your Hair? - easy
4. Work? - busy
5. Your sister(s)? - opposites
6. Your favorite thing? - stitching
7. Your dream last night? - none
8. Your favorite drink? - water
9. Your dream car? - beetle
10. The room you’re in? - office/den
11. Your shoes? - Nike's
12. Your fears? - few
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? - fitter
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? - family
15. What are you not good at? - tolerance (for stupid people)
16. Muffin? - banana nut
17. One of your wish list items? - time
18. Where you grew up? - SoCal / Utah
19. Last thing you did? - eMail
20. What are you wearing? - workout stuff
21. What aren’t you wearing? - glasses
22. Your pet? - dog & cat
23. Your computer? - speedy
24. Your life? - abundant
25. Your mood? - content
26. Missing? - pondering time
27. What are you thinking about right now? - yardwork
28. Your car? - Camry
29. Your kitchen? - outdated
30. Your summer? - short
31. Your favorite color? - blue
32. Last time you laughed? - today
33. Last time you cried? - joy cry, abt week ago
34. School? - nearly finished
35. Love? - family

Of course, some are more than one word answers, and I was sorely tempted on a few to explain myself further.

I spent the last several days with my aunt who was visiting. It was nice to see her, but I have a lot of catching up to do at home and at work. And I really wanted her to teach me how to knit (again...) so that someday I can knit socks. But we never got around to it. Saw Harry Potter 5 on the IMAX with 3D. Saw "Hairspray" - completely hilarious. And she found the most gorgeous quilt kit, only one was left, at Pine Needles at Gardner Village. It is the pattern "Chocolat Stars", but uses the Blackbird Designs "Chelsea Boutique" fabric line. Which, by the way, is not being produced anymore. I'm really jealous, and secretly glad they didn't have TWO kits left. I didn't need to spend $300. And, I don't quilt! Yet...

It was bad enough that I saw the Crabapple Hill patterns and the finished quilt of Winter Wonderland, hanging at the shop. As I said, I'm not a quilter yet. I'm waiting until I finish school before I do a big one. But, I just might have to order those pears and maybe the acorn or the vintage strawberry set.

Finishes... Harry Potter included!

I picked up the last HP book just after 12:01 am on July 21, along with the CDs of the audio book read by Jim Dale. I listened to the first two chapters in the car as I drove my niece and nephew home. I picked up the book from there for another 1 1/2 hours, then went to bed at 3 am. I finished the book that night at 9 pm. Oh, and I also scrubbed the bathroom, stopped to eat, etc., and vacuumed. But, I did schedule my day so that I could just read... I won't spoil it. But, oh what a great romp. I wonder how they'll fit it all into a movie!

And, I've got some finishes. Here they are in all their wrinkled glory. They're really not crooked, but were just on a lumpy chair when I took the pics. JBW's French Country... can't remember the exact name of the chart. I used CC's new silk on this, in fern frond.

This is an oldie, but I have it in my hands again. I gave it to my aunt as a gift, sans the frame, and she's never framed it. So, I asked for it back, and will be putting it in a custom frame... just need to build it. This is Victoria Sampler's English Cottage Garden.

This is Ewe and Eye and Friends' "Love Letters" with the Shepherd's Bush conversion, and a few changes of my own.

Finally, I got around to starting this one by CHS, and I just loved working on it so much that I stuck with it until it was done. It took me about three days of evening stitching. It's on 36 count RR creme brulee with the called for NPS silks. It's been in my stash forever, and I love it even more now that it's finished. I made a few little mistakes, but was able to adjust for them. I just figure it's more my own.

Have a great week everyone! Thanks for your comments.

Odds and Ends

I just love how my "Love Letters" sampler by EEF is coming along. I promised pics so here they are:

And, here's a close-up. I'm using two strands, and decided that on the fruit, I would do a more textured stitch. Not sure if I love it, but it's there, and I'm leaving it! I am also changing the phrase on the left side of the heart to "love one another", instead of "be true". I'll leave "be kind" on the other side.

I'm also working a little bit on the original Snapperville. I've almost finished the Easter one, but have set that aside, since I missed Easter and it's not urgent I finish that anytime real soon. I haven't gone too far on the original. I'm using one strand on 36 ct over two.

I have also sewn the main pieces of my quilted bag together. Here is what it looks like so far, with the top polka dot peeking... it's the lining:

Well, gotta go take Chloe for a walk. Have a great week!

Update sans pics

I don't have any pics taken, but wanted to update you all on what I've been up to, stitching-wise that is. I have had some real fun the past few weeks. I've taken more time to stitch, and almost have Ewe and Eye and Friends' "Love Letters" finished, using the Shepherd's Bush conversions. I'll post a pic this weekend.

I've also had my aunt and a couple of cousins visit me recently, and we took time to drive up to Ogden to Shepherd's Bush. I had already been there twice in May, but my visitors had never been, and they drive past it on I-15 all the time! So, after a brief visit to the BYU Museum of Art for their exhibits on Impressionism and another on Christ, we high-tailed it up to Ogden for a couple of hours of shopping at the Bush.

I've made a couple of converts to the Bent Creek Snappervilles. My cousin got the supplies for the Summer Snapperville, including some really cute buttons. My aunt picked up the Winter Snapperville supplies. I already have the charts and supplies for the original "town" Snapperville, the autumn and the spring as well. We'll be swapping charts...

And, my aunt picked up "O, Beautiful" and a few other things. Then, Tina talked her into her first set of scroll rods. I'm not sure my aunt will forgive me for that shopping trip, but it was really fun. And, it was fun to have both Tina and Teri at the shop. They were so accomodating, as they always are. Teri even took the time to convert the DMC colors in the Little House pattern "Nature's Beauty". I wanted some overdyed cottons, especially Crescent Colours. So, she pulled lots of choices and we made a decision, and now I'll be stitching that next! I think the conversion will make it fit my family room more as well.

Then, we met my mom, sisters, and a niece at the Mandarin Restaurant in Bountiful... best Chinese food around. We were loud and had a good time, although I'm not sure the rest of the customers appreciated us! We tried to tone it down, but found we were laughing so hard we cried several times during the evening.

And, my sister asked about her "Marriage of the Minds"... so I guess I'd better get hopping on that one. But, I have really enjoyed the EE&F piece. It will be fun to frame and I think it will go quite nicely on my wall! I'll post pics later...

A Smidgeon of Progress

Hello fellow stitchers! I have made some progress on Ellen Chester's needlebook from A Needleworker's Sampler Huswif project. I really enjoyed the class, and was able to finish most of the bands during class. I've completed the rest since then. The picture isn't great, but you get the idea.

And, when I was in Salt Lake last week, I picked up a new Drawn Thread release from the Craft Center. I believe this was something Cynthia taught through Elegant Stitch at one point. It's the Box of Stitches. I also picked up the chart for these little stocking ornaments by Hands to Work. I didn't like the drab needlepoint silk colors, so I converted them to some new Crescent Colours, while I was at the Stitchin Station.
I also picked up the Autumn Snapper charts by Bent Creek, because I'm enjoying the other snappers so much and I love the phrase on the chart that groups them all together. And, I picked up a chart and fabric for my friend for Mother's Day.

I then stopped by Pine Needles at Gardner Village, and found a pattern for a really simple quilted bag. I decided that I wanted to give it a try. I took my friend to a quilt shop here in the valley the next day and we picked out fabrics for three bags. One for me, one for her, and one for my mother. I used fabrics from Blackbird Designs' Chelsea Boutique for my bag. If these work out (it's been a while since I sat at a sewing machine), then I will probably make more! I saw a wonderful spa blue and chocolate brown line of fabrics at Pine Needles. Here's one swatch... they're designed by Michael Miller. I can just see that big floral on the outside of the bag, with a matching, contrasted polka dot fabric as an accent and the fabric called "word search" in the same line as the lining of the bag. Fun stuff!

Here are the sets for the three bags I'm going to make. Mine, my friend's, and my mom's, in that order:

My mom didn't like the fabric at the far left in her set (pink set just above), because it's for the bottom of her bag, and she want's something darker. So, I'll be looking for something else for that.

Thanks for all of your comments! To answer your question about the Ellen Chester class Deb, it was really fun! I don't get the opportunity to take many classes, because I'm usually so busy with work and other things that I don't get away. I also received my Friends in Stitches kit and I love it! The colors are a bit more muted than I thought they would be from the picture, but I like colors that are more muted anyway, so this will work out just fantastic. I won't be starting it for a while though. I have a ton to do first! For now, I'm off to wash the dog (Chloe the wonder mini-schnauzer), clean house and sew today. Have a great weekend!

I've been tagged!

Deb in CT tagged me. I do appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of info about myself. I'm actually pretty surprised that so many of you are taking the time to read what I have to say! So, here are eight random things about me, that you may not know:

1) I lived in Southern California until I was 14 and although I love the mountains, I still miss the ocean very much.
2) I built my garage by framing in my carport, with lots of help from friends.
3) I have only taken two stitching related classes: one by Cynthia Zitell of the Drawn Thread, and the other just recently with Ellen Chester of With My Needle.
4) I have four nieces and two nephews, and they're all close enough that I can spoil them.
5) I won the camp mermaid award at summer camp when I was 13. I spent a ton of time in the lake which was very cold!
6) I have been a camp director for over 200 girls, 12-18 years old. Of course, there were a lot of wonderful helpers that I worked with.
7) I enjoy cooking, and I'm pretty good at it, but not cleaning up! I can't bake very well though.
8) I have more power tools than most of my neighbors... the guys borrow from me all the time. I guess those elective classes I had to take in Junior High had something to do with it. I chose electronics, wood working, and drafting to go along with sewing and cooking class.

I think that most of the people I know that have blogs have already been tagged! So, I'm going to pass on the tagging part of this. I'm not much of a chain letter person either :). I'm really not a grinch... I promise.

Outta Control

Okay, I did attend the Swan meeting a few weeks ago. And, it was the start of something BIG. First, Emie Bishop was there to tell us all about her latest sampler. And, she mentioned that several of her charts are near extinction... so, I whipped out the checkbook and ordered three charts.

Then, I heard there was just one more silk kit for Spanish Wine, just a few miles away... and you know I've wanted to join in on this. Lynn was her usual, helpful, enabler self. I didn't blink an eye before she had pulled out her cell and called Carolyn at the shop to reserve it for me. So, I trucked on over to The Craft Center after the meeting. Of course, I also picked up a few other things, and asked them to order the chart for me. The linen is 40 count vintage navy bean, and it arrived at about the same time I was able to pick up the chart last week. I'm itching to start this.

I had already ordered several Prairie Schooler charts from ES via their Hoffman sale, and the Sampler Sweet Bag chart by Nostalgic Needle to prep for the June Swan project. Of course, I decided that I should order the small skeins of AVAS to go with that project. When I picked up the Spanish Wine chart, I also saw several other things I've wanted for a little while. So, here's a bit more of my stash binge.

In total, I have added 19 new charts, two skeins of Gloriana silk (Schoolhouse Red and Cranberry), the Spanish Wine silk pack and Lakeside Linen, 13 small skeins of AVAS for the Sampler Sweet Bag, a cut of linen for the sweet bag and two odd skeins of overdyed cotton I needed. Whoa!

And, next Saturday I'll pick up my two kits by Ellen Chester at the May Swan meeting. I'm taking Ellen's "A Needleworker's Sampler Huswif" class, and have also ordered her "Friendship in Stitches" kit.

Methinks I need to go through my old stash and have a cleanout! Maybe? Maybe not. I sure am going to enjoy my summer.

Oh, and I added a new pic to the top of my blog. It's a wonderful lilac I have in my yard. I have four varieties of lilacs, and they're all blooming. I love spring too!

It's Friday and It Feels Like Monday!

I have to say that I won't have any time to do fun stuff this weekend. That doesn't mean I won't find a few hours, but I'll pay for it later. I've been working all week (after several months of off-and-on attempts) to try to integrate a new system here at work. It's something that has to be done before summer semester starts, and should have been done a while ago, but we just can't get the system to accept pieces of the data from our student information system. It's weird. Anway, after spending loads of time, performing lots of tests, and talking lots with a developer of one of the products we're trying to integrate, I'm not much further in my attempt. And, I have LOADS of homework.

Here's hoping I can get it all accomplished, or at least make huge headway. I am probably going to attend the Swan Stitchers meeting in SLC tomorrow though. I need a break, and I rarely get to attend. I've decided I need to make more time to be there. I'm signed up for the Ellen Chester class in May, I'll probably be there in June as well. I think the "regular" swans will be shocked!

Snappervilles

I spent the majority of the weekend in front of the TV, watching the LDS general conference and while I should have taken a few notes here and there, I stitched! I made some progress on Saturday on the original Bent Creek Snapperville. I also decided on Sunday that I would start the new Bent Creek Easter Snapperville chart. I did some thread conversions to some Crescent Colours and found some old Wichelt French Lace linen. So, I'm using a mix of WDW, TG, CC, and DMC for this one. It sure is fun. While I don't think I'll have it completed for Easter, my mother will certainly enjoy it when it IS finished.

And, for those of you who heard your grandmothers telling you that every stitch you put into a piece of cloth on the Sabbath will mean that you have to frog it with your nose in the afterlife... well, all I can say is I hope I have a hooked nose in the next life. I'm going to be busy!

I have a ton of homework to do tonight, while I keep one eye on the NCAA championship game. I really didn't want Florida in the final... that Noah guy is just a little too cocky for me. So, even though I don't love Ohio either, I'll be rooting for them. The good news is that I'm making more progress on tasks at work. I'll catch up with everything someday!

A start and my blog spot

This is what I did on Wednesday. I shouldn't have. I really shouldn't have. I mean, I have soooo many things started. But, really, I couldn't resist this little "bee safe". And, once you get going, the stitching really does go faster. But I counted 66 of these little medallions to make up the "beehive". And, the little stitches in between too. The picture doesn't do this justice. And, it's fun too!

Deb placed photos of her "blog spot" on her blog: http://lavenroseramblings.blogspot.com/. I thought I'd add a photo of mine, impromptu of course. That's why the desk is such a mess. This is my desk in all of it's messy glory. Well, not all of it. I didn't dare show the entire thing. The piles all around me are growing. I'm reading blogs and trying to get motivated to spend a weekend on programming assignments and other computer such stuff. Thank goodness I have stitching to keep me sane. That, and Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia in the freezer.

Oh, and I thought I'd show a pic of the view I see out of my office window. Well, not exactly. I went out the door to get a "widescreen" view. But, this was the view from campus today. Beautiful.

Have a great weekend everyone. I'm going to try to bury my nose in books

New Stash

I'm just tickled that my package from Elegant Stitch has arrived. It came yesterday, and I received:

My Bee Safe chart by It's Fine-ally Finished
Fabric/Thread/Silk pack for My Bee Safe
Peacock Stitching Chair chart by Cat's Whisker's Designs
Pearl Grey belfast for Peacock Chair
Silk n' Colors "Royalty" for Peacock Chair
Silk Ribbon by Dinky Dyes for Peacock Chair
Whitman's Vintage Sewing Tin chart by Fancy Works with the tin
Christmas House chart by Brightneedle

I want to start them all NOW. If I can hold out, I'll finish the Carnation Sampler by Needle's Prayse, and then I think I'll start the Whitman tin set. I can't decide whether to do the Christmas House on 40 count, or over one on 28...

And, I've decided to sign up for Ellen Chester's class (http://www.withmyneedle.com/teaching.html) with the Swan Guild next May. I'll be there on Saturday to work on "A Needleworker's Sampler Huswif". I'm also ordering the extra kit available to all Swan members, "Friends in Stitches". I won't be ordering the scrimshaw pieces. I just can't justify the cost, especially when I have a woodshop where I can take a really nice piece of walnut or cherry and make a ruler or threadwinder. Who knows. I haven't even decided if I'll do the huswif or use the kit to just frame a sampler. I am thinking of changing the wording though. It's all a bit expensive, but I am so sick of school, and I figure that by May, I will want a day of stitching on something new!

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.

I wish there were a stash fairy

There are some wonderful pieces being released at the Nashville needlework market. I have high hopes to own many of them someday. My wish list includes the following so far:

1) The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio: "The Peacock Stitching Chair"
2) Crescent Colours: Some yummy new silks
3) Guilia Punti Antichi: "Queen Sofia's Sewing Bag and Chatelaine"
4) It's Fine-ally Finished: "My Bee Safe"
5) It's Fine-ally Finished: "Pineapple Fob"
6) It's Fine-ally Finished: "Ella's Slipper"
7) Little House Needleworks/Crescent Colours/Kelmscott Designs collaboration piece

These are just what I've heard about so far... Sheesh. Some of these have limited availability either on the chart/package, or on some of the supplies to finish them, so I guess I'll have to jump on those if I want them. I haven't listed these in any particular order, but I must say, I have to have the peacock chair. I will have it, I will have it, I WILL have it!

And, I am sorely tempted by the pieces that Ellen Chester will be bringing to the Swan Sampler Guild in May. Of course, I'm hoping that braces/gloves and medication will keep the pain in my hands at bay.

A small fini

I finished this Shepherd's Bush piece today. I had intended this for my sister's 2nd grade classroom. But, I like it so much, I may hang it in my office (I work at a local college -- soon to be University!)

I used Crescent Colours Razzleberry for the apple, and CC Bing Cherry for the border and heart. The two skeins I got for each of these were more alike than the model photo shows on the chart. But, I figure an apple is an apple, and I'm not going to quibble if my razzleberry was too dark!

I also used Gentle Art's Walnut for the apple stem, and the tip of the pencil, DMC 924 for the guidelines, and GA Gold Leaf for the pencil.

Homework

I really don't like my advanced C# programming class... I've been reading the text for several hours now and it's all running together. So, I think I'll go stitch. It's already 11 pm, but I'm not going to get much more out of this book tonight. There's only so much I can cram into my brain at once. I did get a lot accomplished at work today, but my day tomorrow is filled with meetings, so it will be like taking a giant step backwards in the way of tasks being crossed off my list. Good thing I have a laptop with wireless, and I can work while I'm pretending to listen in those meetings that aren't as critical as what I actually have to get done!

And, I haven't stitched much in the past week. I watched the second half of Jane Eyre on Masterpiece Theatre (PBS) last night. This was a really good adaptation. I love Jane Eyre, and I knew I wouldn't even be able to concentrate on stitching, so I didn't even pick it up. That's amazing really. I did get some more homework done on the weekend too, but have a lot to do yet to be totally caught up. And it's only the beginning of the semester.

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

Stitching Focus

I've been working on The Drawn Thread's "The Marriage of Minds" sampler. I have a very aggressive goal for this one. I'm hoping to have it done for my sister's 20th anniversary, April 3rd. I know, I'm nuts. With school, work, home, church, etc. I don't know if I'll make it, but I've decided that if it's the only stitching thing I pick up -- barring a little sampler I need to do for my mom today -- I just might make it.

Here's my progress so far. I had about 80% of the tree done when I picked it up again January 1. I better pick up some speed.

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.