tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24524323597697145322024-03-12T22:20:40.451-07:00* * blue star stitcher* * blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-59553887571916585092017-11-05T20:49:00.000-08:002017-11-05T20:49:43.098-08:00That lull between Halloween and Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sigh, Halloween decorations are taken down and stacked in piles around my house waiting to be put away for another year. I have my Thanksgiving decorations up and will post a photo in my next post. After the excitement of Halloween the Thanksgiving stuff feels like a bit of a let-down. But I am getting excited for putting out the Christmas decorations. </div>
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I am also getting started on stitching and finishing some Christmas ornaments. The top one is a Lizzie Kate out of this years Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. It took me two days to stitch, and I challenged myself with the trim on the finishing. I love the ric rac, and pom-poms but they took some fussing to get right. And the little reindeer is from the December snapshot chart by Pine Mountain. Very cute, and very simple all DMC threads with the charts and quick to stitch up.<br />
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As you can see I have done some stash enhancement this month. The Sunshine on a Stem chart I fell in love with while watching Cathy Haberman on flosstube. I can't wait to stitch it, but will probably wait till spring as I am occupied with ornaments now. I also ordered the December, October, and May Snapshot charts from Pine Mountain, they are very cute and of course my favorite is October with the little witch and black cat.<br />
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I also discovered a new designer (new to me at least) this month-Artful offerings. My middle daughter loves penguins, so she will be her ornament for this year. And I love bunnies wearing crowns, so he will be on my spring stitching list as well. I also picked up the JCS Ornament issue, and found about 10 ornaments I want to stitch out of it, so I would say it was well worth the purchase.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2ydKnZaCl2J0BMXfkZZpq0WckO5RIzoavaFTTuEMvPLF75E9HSYw-FaUwhsJo0VlxBebvcM3MgcQCpcVdlTqF0NdUb5eKRX3J8LBOeNZDW8Z7VkyAM6KE1M1ElsjwV1l1apFDwdL0KY/s1600/20171101_181347-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2ydKnZaCl2J0BMXfkZZpq0WckO5RIzoavaFTTuEMvPLF75E9HSYw-FaUwhsJo0VlxBebvcM3MgcQCpcVdlTqF0NdUb5eKRX3J8LBOeNZDW8Z7VkyAM6KE1M1ElsjwV1l1apFDwdL0KY/s640/20171101_181347-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And here is my last Halloween finish. Bent Creek's "Spooky Row". I hand-dyed the fabric myself, but discovered I did not have quite enough to stitch the cauldron. So I improvised and used a purple fabric and sewed them together. I am going to do some black X's on the seam line to make it look intentional and Halloweeny. I have loved this design for a long time, and am glad I finally stitched it up. I have the other half of this fabric too, and want to stitch the "Trick or Treat" row on it.blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-45674620343456851292017-10-28T22:49:00.000-07:002017-10-28T22:49:13.537-07:00"I'll have your guts for garters girl!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ha, I couldn't think of a good title, and we have been watching all of our favorite Halloween movies this month- do you remember which one this is from? </div>
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Halloween is fast approaching, and I have been trying to catch up on my Halloween finishing to no avail! Christina of Whilst Iris Naps and I did a Halloween exchange this year. Below is what she sent me, and her finishing is as usual gorgeous. The linen is a light dusty purple, and the ruched black trim edging is just awesome. Do you see the little purple spider button at the very top too? </div>
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And here are all the extra goodies she sent me. Three Crescent Colors threads in some beautiful oranges, a cute little pair of orange scissors, a drawn thread chart, and the fabric in the back the skulls are actually glittery (you can't see it in my photo). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiojcbPYUCWCBLHaYI_UEr79_P_K5ORO1LUM9Egeesv7lDHdYldiacVa_veyYtaku7bwORb6KN843J26G8qUhQGcGWXQUqP9CrT3nl-Dq7WpiLq754lV3RO3x3rOht61tJGjPpOnrnOP0/s1600/20171028_181544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiojcbPYUCWCBLHaYI_UEr79_P_K5ORO1LUM9Egeesv7lDHdYldiacVa_veyYtaku7bwORb6KN843J26G8qUhQGcGWXQUqP9CrT3nl-Dq7WpiLq754lV3RO3x3rOht61tJGjPpOnrnOP0/s640/20171028_181544.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And here is what I sent off. I made a project bag using Vonna's tutorial on Youtube. I have made two of these now for myself, and like using them much more than the gallon ziploc bags I was using before. The little pumpkin pins were from Target, a Lizzie Kate Halloween pattern, a pair of scissors with cute pumpkins on them, and my stitched piece. My stitched piece was another LK pattern, and I edged the little pillow and made the hangar out of some black chain I found at Hobby Lobby. I thought it was unique for a Halloween finish.<br />
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So October is always a busy month for us. I think I decorate more for Halloween than I maybe do for Christmas! Also the AZ state fair comes to town, and while I normally try and enter a stitched piece this year I did not have anything framed and worthy of going. So I'll show you everyone else's lovely work. Below is an Ink Circles design "Cirque Des Cercles". I have seen this before, but stitched on that dark linen with the beautiful variegated gold it is just breathtaking. </div>
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I don't know the name of the following stitches, but enjoyed seeing the variety of what everyone is stitching. I think it is good for the public to see too, that cross stitching has all these beautiful different styles and is not just a grandmothers hobby.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9X2_neNjtKNa659jJmcyT2qchHOtLr5pcGb0GRD1uzZNcUD_BDKMuACTf7yg1FtlPP9MXoPXjM9flqW6fwFdwiW66Sp88QHX3Ar3qBqviv9Zz2XJ4FoGs7KSDbd6IZqMhg9trjSfmio/s1600/20171019_181412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9X2_neNjtKNa659jJmcyT2qchHOtLr5pcGb0GRD1uzZNcUD_BDKMuACTf7yg1FtlPP9MXoPXjM9flqW6fwFdwiW66Sp88QHX3Ar3qBqviv9Zz2XJ4FoGs7KSDbd6IZqMhg9trjSfmio/s640/20171019_181412.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I am hoping to get one more post in pre-Halloween, I have lots more to show before having to put it all away for next year. I had a discussion with my husband that some people start Christmas decorating at the beginning of November, so why couldn't we just leave our Halloween decorations up until the end of November? He shook his head, but seemed to understand my love of all things spooky.<br />
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-14604669206176993032017-10-09T21:58:00.000-07:002017-10-09T21:58:25.001-07:00I have sooooo much to show you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While I haven't been a busy blogger, I have been a very busy stitcher! So I have lots to share. Our Fall season has been super-busy but super fun! We have been doing lots of weekend trips out of town to enjoy the cooler weather and fall colors up north. But lets get to the stitching first. Above is "Spirits & Spells" a With Thy Needle and Thread pattern. I hand-dyed this linen, and I used little gold beads for the buttons on her collar, and did french knots for the owl's eyes. This is such a cute design. I did change the color of the leaves to CC "Pea Pod" it had a lot more variegation than I expected, but I love the pea-soup color. </div>
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And I have continued stitching on the word-play series by Country Stitches. I have now finished July/August, and half of September. Here is October mostly finished. I don't like the blank spot to the right of the witch and am thinking of stitching another crow to fill it in. I do love the tiny little witch though. Calvin (my toddler) has taken to calling witches "shadows" this year. I don't know where he got that from, but I kind of like it.<br />
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Another tiny finish. A Lizzie Kate pattern out of a JCS Halloween issue. I changed the colors of the lettering, and like how I did alternating colors in the top letters.</div>
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And here is some of my Halloween decor at home. The bat is a LK pattern "Velcome", an oldie but a goodie. The bat himself is literally made out of felt and pipe cleaners (my crafting skills have gotten better I swear!) but I still love him. The basket on the table is new this year, a little spiderweb bowl from Kohls for holding all my little ornaments. </div>
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And this is our fall/Halloween table. I found the candle tray at Hobby Lobby. I was going to fill the bottom with little skulls or eyeballs but kind of like the little rat peaking out from under the leaves.<br />
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And my kitchen seasonal wall. In the middle is my Mirabilia "Trick or Treat Fairy", on the right is a Barbara Ana "Halloween Stack", and then lots of little stitched ornaments. I'll have to do a close up tour during the day when I can get some better pictures.<br />
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Here is my bedroom dresser with all of my Jim Shore witches up safe and out of reach. The little goat on the right hand side is new this year, and he is so cute and primitive. His little beard is real wool. I have to laugh though about my toddler, he begged to hold the goat and I told him no knowing he would rip the wool right off his chin. So as I am leaving the bedroom I hear sweet little toddler turn to dad and ask him to get his stuffed animal (the goat) down off the dresser- hoping dad would assume it was just another toy and give it to him. Can't beat kids and their sneakiness sometimes.<br />
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And i'll finish with some cute photos of said toddler. This was a weekend trip up towards Flagstaff. We went to the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. They let the deer roam free, and they will eat right out of your hand. Below is him trying on Halloween costumes in Target, if you can't tell he is doing a chicken dance while wearing a flamingo hat!</div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-69534045508815211032017-07-31T21:42:00.000-07:002017-07-31T21:42:55.469-07:00Back from summer vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yikes, I haven't posted since June! Summer has been busy this year, and I am looking forward to the routine of the school year. We spent summer at the beach and Disneyland and in our pool. Of course our air conditioning had to give out for three days in the middle of July which was no fun to suffer through but we survived. Obviously from my stitching choices I am also looking forward to Autumn, and fall decorating. Above is a Bent Creek WIP, Autumn Snapperland. When I started this I only had the squares and the barn done, so I have made some good progress already. Still trying to whittle away at my WIP basket. </div>
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Kathleen sent me this project bag as a thank you for sending her some charts from my stash unload. It is so cute, it has pink gingham fabric on the inside, and then the little pink fairies on the outside. I am already using it to take my stitching back and forth to work with me. I may have to watch some of the tutorials to figure out how to make more of these for myself. Until now I have just been using gallon Ziploc bags. </div>
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More of my Wordplay Charts. I started on September (photo below) but of course was itching to start on October. So I have been working on them both at the same time. You can see which one has gotten more attention, ha! I love the little witch and pumpkins and crows. </div>
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<u><b>What I've been reading this month:</b></u> Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. I cannot say enough how good this book was. It is about WWII in Italy, I did not know much about this part of history when I started the book. The narrator is a driver for a Nazi general stationed in Italy. The general started his career as an engineer, and is in charge of supply and ammunition. His character was interesting in that he did not support most of the atrocities of the Nazi party and he had the mindset that if they were going to win the war the countries they conquered shouldn't be left hating them. Some of the book is of course very sad, but it was a very good story with great characters and is based off of a true story. Highly recommend it.</div>
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<u><b>What I've been watching this month: </b></u>The Girl With All the Gifts. This is a British zombie movie that just came out last year. I don't remember seeing it in theaters here, but it may have been (we don't get out to the actual movies too often with a toddler at home). I like zombie movies, but don't like overly gory/bloody movies (I know that's a contradiction in itself). Scary=ok, Gross= no thank you. This one had a really interesting premise/twist to it, and was not overly gross. The end of the movie made me really pause and think. I just love taking a chance on a movie I haven't heard of before, and having it turn out this good.</div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-90859746960891269402017-06-19T23:36:00.002-07:002017-06-19T23:36:14.098-07:00My summer has been set to random mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXnhMIq9wEcWYMVYfrHJvy7HZ_AV94m-6KD0o6B4f4EuDA9wUY1khvQ8CuL8uPA3eQEPSLWXP_4pFwht31RjHdukYjHHPrxN9DU-vhZKIBpUuwi6S3e99ftOHaKSpgnf17JzL7oTjhM8/s1600/20170619_222119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXnhMIq9wEcWYMVYfrHJvy7HZ_AV94m-6KD0o6B4f4EuDA9wUY1khvQ8CuL8uPA3eQEPSLWXP_4pFwht31RjHdukYjHHPrxN9DU-vhZKIBpUuwi6S3e99ftOHaKSpgnf17JzL7oTjhM8/s640/20170619_222119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's my latest new start, Lizzie Kate "A Little Boo". I love love love the colors on this one, Halloween is kind of my thing! I hand-dyed my own fabric for this one, using RIT Pearl Gray. It doesn't show as well in my picture, but the fabric turned out nicely variegated/mottled.<br />
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I also did some finishing this week. These two were a Hands on Design, from Just Cross Stitch (the 2016 Ornament issue, and the November? regular issue). I loved the two different fabrics sewn together, but wish I had sewn the wording further up on the bottom. I'll just keep reminding myself it's supposed to look primitive.<br />
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And another finish this week, Lizzie Kate "Liberty". These were her seasonal designs for this year. I already stitched the St. Patrick's day piece, and the Halloween one should be in my mailbox sometime this week I hope. The little button on this one was supposed to be stitched in white, but yet again my white was not showing up as well on the fabric. I liked the button, and used it on my other LK finish this week "Let Freedom Ring" also (in the bottom left of the photo below). So i'm going to do that one as a smaller matching pillow. </div>
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Here is what Friday night at my dining room table looked like. I pulled out all of these recent (and some not so recent) finishes, and got out my sewing machine so I could finally display them. I am stingy with my fabric sometimes, and will stitch multiple smalls on the same piece, so I have to wait to finish them until I have them all stitched. I also don't like stitching on small scraps which is why I don't cut them apart first. Below is the bottom of the ornaments I just finished, stitched in between a few of the Year in Chalk series from Hands on Design. I didn't finish any of the Year in Chalk designs yet, but really should since they should be so easy to do as a flat fold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv4tMvT-3f5_nNEgar_Q1KEo6LD-Y6EhssYjAftwLb9NOPdDY5rmnwegP3nBGcv5XyNbGjM-L8jcX8X718bcC8ehA_1jbzj8MltxdRENiANg_5BdSq2RCIoTuyc2WLJh46ATrieCGkc8/s1600/20170617_190930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv4tMvT-3f5_nNEgar_Q1KEo6LD-Y6EhssYjAftwLb9NOPdDY5rmnwegP3nBGcv5XyNbGjM-L8jcX8X718bcC8ehA_1jbzj8MltxdRENiANg_5BdSq2RCIoTuyc2WLJh46ATrieCGkc8/s640/20170617_190930.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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So that is all my random stitching for this summer. I did manage to move one more WIP off of my list. As the small WIP's get done, the list of large WIP's has started looming bigger. I think once I have made it through all of my smaller ones, I may start doing a rotation of working on one big WIP a month. Or I may just continue stitching like a hyper-active spider monkey-who knows!</div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-46241183173567330492017-06-12T05:30:00.000-07:002017-06-12T05:30:57.235-07:00A little of this and a little of that<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1NLjkf2zRR16FQ81TMd_DjHRAbiW5jPG6g4hWK1hM_sDmY8G20INN4h91H7aYEZV8Jpw8JJRYQmWjKF27qt-edBj3AsJhZvv9hJ-Ia0aY8x24VntFSmljZRghG2HeMTxSXbdPB_0tiQ/s1600/20170611_190727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1NLjkf2zRR16FQ81TMd_DjHRAbiW5jPG6g4hWK1hM_sDmY8G20INN4h91H7aYEZV8Jpw8JJRYQmWjKF27qt-edBj3AsJhZvv9hJ-Ia0aY8x24VntFSmljZRghG2HeMTxSXbdPB_0tiQ/s640/20170611_190727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
My mom was kind enough to finish my July wordplay pillow for me. I actually made the pillow, but I rely on her for all of my zippers and trim. I am more of a "creative" sewer (read I can't sew a straight line to save my life), while she is more of a practical sewer and actually has some skills with a sewing machine. I love how this one turned out. I originally had in mind the crab fabric on the right in the photo below, to match the little crab down in the corner of the design. But I am so glad I went with the more primitive look of the stripes. I used the red stripe on the front, and the blue stripe on the back of my pillow,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOhZX_9qi0y-H5UkY0hEicoxr6KQdH84LeEejMYZoNGcg-Zg-zrMwRvMk_fQ2IrFlF74yXK74mEHsSCBsy7cGz8NuG5p186A4XHS0p49ebhmjIc0QmmWrb9fkl1Mygt_0i74sf2R090Q/s1600/20170607_173230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOhZX_9qi0y-H5UkY0hEicoxr6KQdH84LeEejMYZoNGcg-Zg-zrMwRvMk_fQ2IrFlF74yXK74mEHsSCBsy7cGz8NuG5p186A4XHS0p49ebhmjIc0QmmWrb9fkl1Mygt_0i74sf2R090Q/s400/20170607_173230.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I also ordered fabric for my August pillow, but am not loving it, so am on the hunt for something with a smaller bee themed print on it. I may still use this one for the back of my pillow, but didn't want the pattern to overwhelm the cross stitching. I am still torn on it, but hoping I can find something I like a little better. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LkXdJQzurAArOxJpSEja8IXmZRy2V5533zumjPKsU2lLeqBpqwGM7BiWgFAag_0P3itcgaHhPyN7z4yXX3vIvOH8gE55M6l8S8dFf74jbgG-f0DQP89oHRi1ZdEiquKdtRJVUJ5f3dA/s1600/20170607_182342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LkXdJQzurAArOxJpSEja8IXmZRy2V5533zumjPKsU2lLeqBpqwGM7BiWgFAag_0P3itcgaHhPyN7z4yXX3vIvOH8gE55M6l8S8dFf74jbgG-f0DQP89oHRi1ZdEiquKdtRJVUJ5f3dA/s640/20170607_182342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And here is my other stitching this week, the bonus chart from Lizzie Kate's Mystery Sampler (from 2013 I think). I want to stitch all three of these, but did not plan for the odd shape of my fabric very well. I probably have room to do all three charts vertically if I wanted to. This was a piece I hand dyed from stash, and you can see I had already cut pieces off of it for other ornaments. The color was a RIT dye "Hibiscus" that came out a very dark violet, so I wound up bleaching to this kind of dusty medium purple. Sorry for the wrinkly fabric, I haven't had a chance to iron it out yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEJx3CgLdZXHkSG_PnDIVwfcdJmcWWd9BK04JKx4b8y3Cnju65PhjgZhAvRQk6KLluUbYLZCNu7JFr3jPjsatNPieWtBU0nh8PeEbsraD8IogTJiSc9-iMtKKF-4i2MjSRdQKL2l5_v0/s1600/20170612_045802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEJx3CgLdZXHkSG_PnDIVwfcdJmcWWd9BK04JKx4b8y3Cnju65PhjgZhAvRQk6KLluUbYLZCNu7JFr3jPjsatNPieWtBU0nh8PeEbsraD8IogTJiSc9-iMtKKF-4i2MjSRdQKL2l5_v0/s640/20170612_045802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And just a close up of the first design. I used WDW "Kohl" and like it better than "Onyx" for an all black chart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX-akbYYJ7iEpe-P6gBlnQp6hhnEW8rHYHK6L1PY1XUfwZLsqTck421h3sH8ibzlYA0e2xiAaeYyATD4STFkxDdXhs1dfC58Z4U2UkCe7t_vH6neYk-LTAoYizroUwo5nYNK4FWWaIe8/s1600/20170612_045806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX-akbYYJ7iEpe-P6gBlnQp6hhnEW8rHYHK6L1PY1XUfwZLsqTck421h3sH8ibzlYA0e2xiAaeYyATD4STFkxDdXhs1dfC58Z4U2UkCe7t_vH6neYk-LTAoYizroUwo5nYNK4FWWaIe8/s640/20170612_045806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Not reading much this week, but I do have a movie recommendation. We watched "Passengers" this weekend, which just came out last year I believe. It has Jennifer Lawrence (Hunger Games), Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Lawrence Fishburne (Matrix) as pretty much the only characters. But it was really good, not a total action movie but not slow either. I really liked the characters (though the bartender reminded me a lot of the Stephen King movie "The Shining"- I wonder if that was intentional). I also took my girls to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, which was ok- about what you would expect for a movie franchise that has lasted this long. We went on a Thursday afternoon, and had the whole theater to ourselves which was kind of fun in itself.blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-44952938530280373142017-06-06T04:42:00.000-07:002017-06-06T04:42:36.282-07:00Tuesday happy dancing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZRDPsBE25R3tkJA-qw1-1bcfueMbX9ISW_27EMu6ZxzNQKQ3cZ2mnMZVnxUOXoAhYk6WmCLCpEFQ9yWABcENcruNdJDHcfBZt_7Qs2AkZNoGyLDe17fe6PDXjlVKXnb4DW5m_KcQV4k/s1600/20170606_041821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZRDPsBE25R3tkJA-qw1-1bcfueMbX9ISW_27EMu6ZxzNQKQ3cZ2mnMZVnxUOXoAhYk6WmCLCpEFQ9yWABcENcruNdJDHcfBZt_7Qs2AkZNoGyLDe17fe6PDXjlVKXnb4DW5m_KcQV4k/s640/20170606_041821.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Guess what I finished? Yep, after five years "Thine is the Trick and the Treat" is DONE!</div>
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I liked stitching this one with just the one color, but sometimes it got tedious and I wound up using this as a filler project between my other more colorful WIP's. I am so glad to move this one out of my stitching basket, and I still love the design as much as when I started it. I was lucky to buy this chart when it first came out, as now I don't think I'd be able to afford it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjFyERSzdOHCWrvcMQI8rOk7TA_l4Jx799e-FlAIBl1yXgxb3BVeUvdI-irDuXo5Gw591y_ccaq8ccrPedaskMZgOUxc5yWXJfkeDH9sgnnd7SAHKcDIsk0IFJaRsFltisDChnb9D_e4/s1600/20170606_032029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjFyERSzdOHCWrvcMQI8rOk7TA_l4Jx799e-FlAIBl1yXgxb3BVeUvdI-irDuXo5Gw591y_ccaq8ccrPedaskMZgOUxc5yWXJfkeDH9sgnnd7SAHKcDIsk0IFJaRsFltisDChnb9D_e4/s400/20170606_032029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is what else I have been working on this week. Our "Health" board at work had sat unloved for a while since the last person in charge of it went to another department. So I took over the project, and plan to try and update it each month. This hangs in our break-room, and I tried to include not just weight loss articles, but also clippings about stress and sleep and exercise. Hopefully it will at least motivate me to be a little healthier. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSiNh6RPO8aehZa0g0zrMHYNLSGczvCFRLSFI131kO_6FF47MqjVuj07hecAdtc_0MxTF32YfRuDFBGqUpsgrIW20kXxYhVoGsN9-6fZkloO8J5Qwie5CAXvSdG5loyITwQFoQQyd9mk/s1600/20170606_041850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSiNh6RPO8aehZa0g0zrMHYNLSGczvCFRLSFI131kO_6FF47MqjVuj07hecAdtc_0MxTF32YfRuDFBGqUpsgrIW20kXxYhVoGsN9-6fZkloO8J5Qwie5CAXvSdG5loyITwQFoQQyd9mk/s320/20170606_041850.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Here's what I am reading this week, and actually just finished. "Gwendy's Button Box" by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. It was almost more of a short story, but I really liked this one. You couldn't really tell where one author's sections began and the other one ended. I love Stephen King books, so will be looking for some of Richard Chizmar's books now to see how they stack up. This one was not a typical horror story, no real monsters, but SK seems to have moved away from those lately in all of his stories. </div>
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Here's my deal of the week. I found a few Wichelt Jobelan evenweaves at Hobby Lobby for half off, and 3 rolls of the Charles Craft evenweave for only $2 each. I am not super picky about what I stitch on, but do prefer evenweave over linen or Aida, so I was super happy to add these to my fabric stash.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gRwbqXiNQznYk_mDe2vKcauy_ikADrtAwqsXAyyszkMqN0pK3K-kW3obo0kRy-qFE7wpEDYa9d6Zhu6ZkxsL85-CF14-74v-nOj7uRH_NNpcJxgSU4p6Ngd5hUVVyxDilGfiTLEOv1A/s1600/20170602_090347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gRwbqXiNQznYk_mDe2vKcauy_ikADrtAwqsXAyyszkMqN0pK3K-kW3obo0kRy-qFE7wpEDYa9d6Zhu6ZkxsL85-CF14-74v-nOj7uRH_NNpcJxgSU4p6Ngd5hUVVyxDilGfiTLEOv1A/s400/20170602_090347.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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And my girls wanted to dye their hair again for the summer. Their school requires uniforms and "neat" hair during the school year, so last summer we went wild and did bright pink on the ends of their hair. This year my youngest chose "mermaid" hair instead, and I think the turquoise turned out really pretty. My oldest wanted pink again, and I even did a small streak in my hair!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-ToHFLuiTb-VyzA6ZYp33K5E-H4V6zx33UljlqzVSzt2H37_6IGKKP5tiz0qNRADa6WD4dFgRCBtR6hj2jLZeUY7QH_YJvJ_mF0oIp6hS8SIzcOMWtvzDd29ydTiOCDaf1CyKIZNXbI/s1600/20170602_085757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-ToHFLuiTb-VyzA6ZYp33K5E-H4V6zx33UljlqzVSzt2H37_6IGKKP5tiz0qNRADa6WD4dFgRCBtR6hj2jLZeUY7QH_YJvJ_mF0oIp6hS8SIzcOMWtvzDd29ydTiOCDaf1CyKIZNXbI/s400/20170602_085757.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-16083654187158547502017-06-01T04:47:00.000-07:002017-06-01T05:22:24.492-07:00Happy June!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA_Z-lZNwYOGfPT5TQ2A44dsKaq7ru-3qrYM4Pp6jz3MF4m0N5nWpEc2MrnOx9RbJ_QFiyATUGR5J0i2CI-w4NgqMBRVMCxe289sEe1OVKSzL3nwcPvW4-oaigX09iRu3_jtXUHeYP7Q/s1600/20170601_030830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWA_Z-lZNwYOGfPT5TQ2A44dsKaq7ru-3qrYM4Pp6jz3MF4m0N5nWpEc2MrnOx9RbJ_QFiyATUGR5J0i2CI-w4NgqMBRVMCxe289sEe1OVKSzL3nwcPvW4-oaigX09iRu3_jtXUHeYP7Q/s640/20170601_030830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
"August" Word-play is done. I changed the colors of her dress to a slighter brighter blue, and stitched the accents in blue instead of white. Since this linen was lighter the white was not showing up at all on it. I am going to add two bee charms, instead of stitching them as called for. I know I already have some little gold bees that will work perfectly on this, I just need to find them in my craft room. Who knows how long that will take. Actually I am in the process of looking for 2 other charts I know I purchased, but didn't get filed away correctly so this weekend I may take some time to spring clean my crafting stash.<br />
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I also started and finished this one on our Memorial weekend road trip North. It is of course a Lizzie Kate, "Liberty". I think I used only one of the called for colors from the chart, and the rest I used whatever looked close from my thread stash. I am also sure I have a flag button somewhere in my button jar, so plan to use that instead of stitching the called for heart. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YTPBlQXTCQa4964CpJWM34bmebG7vz5NYWJGMrEXAVG0PnQsTPmMHIO30YVrabMsMHrrQxZlJhRfs78nQoX1BNQulNrWpDU0kV6Qx_VadmpruxsFRgLejLXdYlvEn4497Wpg_xSVj-0/s1600/20170601_030635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YTPBlQXTCQa4964CpJWM34bmebG7vz5NYWJGMrEXAVG0PnQsTPmMHIO30YVrabMsMHrrQxZlJhRfs78nQoX1BNQulNrWpDU0kV6Qx_VadmpruxsFRgLejLXdYlvEn4497Wpg_xSVj-0/s640/20170601_030635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've made some good progress on "Thine is the Trick and the Treat" this week, and am optimistically hopeful this will be done for Halloween. I made a goal chart of each of the quaker designs, and have been checking them off as I get them done. My goal was four a week. This helped me power through, cause the random stitching bits here and there was not getting me anywhere. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtbspCJMVa3eyx2lE9sZQffbTSETti6jQMUXYA5dhIrjtYTbQK-1oqCxkvz72DqzTsxBCu5CZiGwGvW3h61m89uXiB67Y2IC2xowx3k2LNR7ECJtlb6nBo77nGSUEuTJ9i4qXExD0yy0/s1600/20170530_071124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtbspCJMVa3eyx2lE9sZQffbTSETti6jQMUXYA5dhIrjtYTbQK-1oqCxkvz72DqzTsxBCu5CZiGwGvW3h61m89uXiB67Y2IC2xowx3k2LNR7ECJtlb6nBo77nGSUEuTJ9i4qXExD0yy0/s400/20170530_071124.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Some cute puppies came to visit our home this week. They were brought into my work as strays and were going to be picked up by the pound. Instead they got to visit with us until they could be reunited with their owner (which was only a few short hours). My girls were so excited to have cute little puppies in the house I think they thoroughly wore these dogs out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9_j3bXdI9a1CNqTNtzortRG96-elko9Iw37nxufKikEL_wmvJgd8YU5zIosqRtDLg_g7QuWYvQsSRCQ3El2HWeb-OOk0LcLKL0Ie8CqthPachFJb2Qsv6hSxuJlcVQmFcfGQmDGlLjs/s1600/20170530_071129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9_j3bXdI9a1CNqTNtzortRG96-elko9Iw37nxufKikEL_wmvJgd8YU5zIosqRtDLg_g7QuWYvQsSRCQ3El2HWeb-OOk0LcLKL0Ie8CqthPachFJb2Qsv6hSxuJlcVQmFcfGQmDGlLjs/s400/20170530_071129.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1Km9QGM6N5_aKDmPtiMfLD8AOMxMO5r1D8ygPiLMA9OhOI-ISuPuTLUgOX1iDIto7HZ6IA6R3_PrtthsytQFXrf2Oq1h4D-HBh7QUh0p_x5evZPT5bpcOMnV18bNa9cZvJQzzMJpHuQ/s1600/20170527_160609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1Km9QGM6N5_aKDmPtiMfLD8AOMxMO5r1D8ygPiLMA9OhOI-ISuPuTLUgOX1iDIto7HZ6IA6R3_PrtthsytQFXrf2Oq1h4D-HBh7QUh0p_x5evZPT5bpcOMnV18bNa9cZvJQzzMJpHuQ/s640/20170527_160609.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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And here is part of our weekend trip up North. We went to Bearzona, a local wildlife park. Mr. Wolf what sharp teeth you have! He's actually yawning in this photo. You could drive through each enclosure of the park, and the wolves walked right alongside our vehicle as we drove through. They did warn us though that the bears had been being naughty and taking off people's bumpers and mirrors so we shouldn't stop in their enclosure. It was very fun getting to see them up close, and well worth the trip. </div>
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As I mentioned before, I am trying to organize my craft room a bit more. And I have come to the conclusion that even after 25 years of stitching, I may never stitch all of the charts I have. Especially if I keep buying more! But the benefit of this, is I am now sorting through my stash and hoping to share it with all my stitching friends. I created a separate page at the top called Stash Unload, and so far have only gotten through one of my binders but found 37 charts that I have either stitched already, or are no longer my cup of tea. Mind you I still have 4 more binders to go through, I organize my charts by season and have a binder for each plus a separate binder just for Halloween. If you are interested in any of the charts email me your address (bluestarstitcher@gmail.com) and I will happily send them on their way. I will try and post on my main page when I add new items, and will try and delete the photos of charts that have been claimed.</div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-75964378934431969722017-05-23T05:11:00.001-07:002017-05-23T05:34:39.079-07:00Mish-Mash May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><b>Mish Mash:</b></u> <i>noun-</i> a confused mixture or jumble. </div>
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I feel like that perfectly describes the end of the school year at our house, and my crafting this month.<br />
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I finished July Word-Play, and love it! I plan on making it into a pillow for one of my stitching chairs, and am on the hunt for some anchor fabric to back it with. I changed some of the colors on this one, but tried to stay close to the photo on the chart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTCWM11goIU3wbV2YFa8cuKuMykz8eE6WAu5LqhoJLtgee8bhyphenhyphencbgg8PfooIxKjupNmdD6ItHaBe9Kx47zlnsE7kYRodDR04rSgWfIfsdPciZO-BhrhlFivs7iXHLH4rGzH_UAoVZ6zs/s1600/20170523_041602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTCWM11goIU3wbV2YFa8cuKuMykz8eE6WAu5LqhoJLtgee8bhyphenhyphencbgg8PfooIxKjupNmdD6ItHaBe9Kx47zlnsE7kYRodDR04rSgWfIfsdPciZO-BhrhlFivs7iXHLH4rGzH_UAoVZ6zs/s640/20170523_041602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I have already jumped right into the next chart for August, and have made some good progress. All of the words are done on it, and the gardener's dress. I have all of the little areas now to finish. I plan to also do this as a pillow, and am picturing some sort of bee themed fabric for it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7eTJ5NfeFqeBVal5wDHTpnP0qtlnxLDqejS7Qf4g8Y-0HD-NtcnpfMX5hR7w3NJNlzZfUq9m9xcYxjPO7feb4SguaJXmIkBXJVMNIrYGbTGRaWqcyGxjqyoERxMsRYfow8-ka4yxj0I/s1600/20170523_041449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7eTJ5NfeFqeBVal5wDHTpnP0qtlnxLDqejS7Qf4g8Y-0HD-NtcnpfMX5hR7w3NJNlzZfUq9m9xcYxjPO7feb4SguaJXmIkBXJVMNIrYGbTGRaWqcyGxjqyoERxMsRYfow8-ka4yxj0I/s640/20170523_041449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I also managed a finish this week putting my total number of WIP's at 29. Yay, I am officially under 30 WIP's. My goal for the next 3 months is to finish 5 more. By the end of 2017 I would like to have less than 20 WIP's, so I am inching my way towards that lofty goal. This one is Birds of a Feather "Schoolhouse Sampler". I loved the lettering on this one, but have no idea how I am going to finish it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOtQSPiZEs9VgLygF-GzjiWGIrLJSnSrMC3yh5hkrXpoP1a2u5gq6yp0tnVeqOgyKj71bRYGXjK6z9ppMfYoqu3jXPDCEOejpMi-m97kprbE7K5v1c10bV4uAvo7TbCFmOGNp4IUHsRE/s1600/20170523_041638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOtQSPiZEs9VgLygF-GzjiWGIrLJSnSrMC3yh5hkrXpoP1a2u5gq6yp0tnVeqOgyKj71bRYGXjK6z9ppMfYoqu3jXPDCEOejpMi-m97kprbE7K5v1c10bV4uAvo7TbCFmOGNp4IUHsRE/s640/20170523_041638.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here is how I spent last weekend. In addition to reducing my total number of WIP's I am also trying to be a little more organized in my crafting. I have been gifted several peoples stash over the years, and wound up with a ton of DMC floss, some of which is probably as old as I am. Well I started taking it to work with me and winding bobbins while at my desk. I filled a 5 gallon ziploc bag with bobbins. So I spent Saturday night sorting them, and putting them in my thread cases. I now have 11 thread cases in numerical order, and should NEVER have to go buy thread again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4C7a80VdUKFeLT6Q45jXo-oUIZIAiPlH-g5qhHBOuW3YxYzSA9157gblFDdKe_xjcK3dcaDaFVoHE3P5ET2GOEySCe7PRLDaddANPGwimJALT9LWPCkQRt3AtXJ-j22BJeiR2aT9CcA/s1600/20170520_173830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4C7a80VdUKFeLT6Q45jXo-oUIZIAiPlH-g5qhHBOuW3YxYzSA9157gblFDdKe_xjcK3dcaDaFVoHE3P5ET2GOEySCe7PRLDaddANPGwimJALT9LWPCkQRt3AtXJ-j22BJeiR2aT9CcA/s640/20170520_173830.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Here is my May wall. I decided it was time to take down all the cute spring, but wasn't quite ready to move on to patriotic summer stitches yet. So my theme this month is flowers. Several of these stitches are ones I did when I first started stitching years ago.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vlNEhJ3-twhzyZ0N9lALf5YfZ0nRJzSUJ_YVwV5dZmy0MOIb779GFEIUPs7y8SD16LVt6uDVYK9bLui2vzIHCr8v9eyR9fh_FE6a_j4-4MNz4n2IbnpM1jwY9g89ex0_sBo33ffBvKk/s1600/20170520_114103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vlNEhJ3-twhzyZ0N9lALf5YfZ0nRJzSUJ_YVwV5dZmy0MOIb779GFEIUPs7y8SD16LVt6uDVYK9bLui2vzIHCr8v9eyR9fh_FE6a_j4-4MNz4n2IbnpM1jwY9g89ex0_sBo33ffBvKk/s640/20170520_114103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one is a more recent finish. Cricket Collection "Violets"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzBkgqMKQnKUk5jorvGSRVZC0Ttskj3jbNCHrYITVu63JMApSuLmtKx6nTK2vRb_ZnX_WsqvNr1a3HBAhnsIBVJx9y_k3jtWgyfwBZujw5KhKaa1Thd9LXIXW7FoeCfMeJwu19KyjB08/s1600/20170520_114121-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzBkgqMKQnKUk5jorvGSRVZC0Ttskj3jbNCHrYITVu63JMApSuLmtKx6nTK2vRb_ZnX_WsqvNr1a3HBAhnsIBVJx9y_k3jtWgyfwBZujw5KhKaa1Thd9LXIXW7FoeCfMeJwu19KyjB08/s400/20170520_114121-1.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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An older one, that was out of a kit. No idea what the name of it was, and I think it may be older than my oldest child. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB2oFH4NSd2xwTvlNPl_vqvTjf8VDWA_QGfd9L4YHAqP4MjWx_MQ657yCuIV3m6UxgGHiG575jI6e0vqFWTdhbU4qMtuwm23-hxnfbwEQPJoRg4ulf_lUdwypmHN69Bj_QYHDzH9jYaA/s1600/20170520_114125-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB2oFH4NSd2xwTvlNPl_vqvTjf8VDWA_QGfd9L4YHAqP4MjWx_MQ657yCuIV3m6UxgGHiG575jI6e0vqFWTdhbU4qMtuwm23-hxnfbwEQPJoRg4ulf_lUdwypmHN69Bj_QYHDzH9jYaA/s640/20170520_114125-1.jpg" width="538" /></a></div>
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This one was not stitched by me, it was an Ebay purchase. Sorry I couldn't manage a better photo without all the glare. I love the navy fabric this was stitched on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHijOPu5R3k51HjHtQwzAQXGcdjft3d6w48v1a1gLb4_oUufpwlsL9eGF6fTcbdws3eoqk0jU2sZl8FQoiFAFCuAcnN63lwR-qY2GMLYol_m0oOW-fVUCW13BD_PFmyh8c5hs2ehaLwk/s1600/20170520_114139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHijOPu5R3k51HjHtQwzAQXGcdjft3d6w48v1a1gLb4_oUufpwlsL9eGF6fTcbdws3eoqk0jU2sZl8FQoiFAFCuAcnN63lwR-qY2GMLYol_m0oOW-fVUCW13BD_PFmyh8c5hs2ehaLwk/s640/20170520_114139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Another kit I did many many years ago. It's funny that when I first started stitching I had no idea there was anything other than Aida fabric and kits from Michael's or Jo-Ann's. Now there are so many patterns online, and so many beautiful hand-dyed fabrics to stitch them on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuw3BlsxrGN6aRfFENSR9GcdQ2rYuHAYOAfWooKlgm0BtRDTnX6MCi3MUQGncC2QVW5z0pUvvdP0mZejlfEoPfv0ouv57Naq5puxObCqnT7CwyrNs9NxhJUJ78ystx8bvv4_4JYS1iQ8/s1600/20170520_114145-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuw3BlsxrGN6aRfFENSR9GcdQ2rYuHAYOAfWooKlgm0BtRDTnX6MCi3MUQGncC2QVW5z0pUvvdP0mZejlfEoPfv0ouv57Naq5puxObCqnT7CwyrNs9NxhJUJ78ystx8bvv4_4JYS1iQ8/s640/20170520_114145-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Another kit from long ago. I love the ombre blue background on this one. All of these frames are Goodwill finds, that I framed myself at home. This one was from Ikea, and was already painted blue when I bought it. I think it suits this piece perfectly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0xJumST_T1RMg6AR3kIkJ9eom0bV-4os0j1cezqHsV6NBcsQ7l0Vl1f7OjMocGjEnrELiR3Do9aEiYM81z5k6jFQZpbDIVpIj1S3tPX7XQVsHWevtl-SdxKSV8jXSXRI84EcY_tm4Sw/s1600/20170520_114158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0xJumST_T1RMg6AR3kIkJ9eom0bV-4os0j1cezqHsV6NBcsQ7l0Vl1f7OjMocGjEnrELiR3Do9aEiYM81z5k6jFQZpbDIVpIj1S3tPX7XQVsHWevtl-SdxKSV8jXSXRI84EcY_tm4Sw/s640/20170520_114158.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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And my last kit is a Dimensions one, called "Watering Can Geraniums". I at least ventured away from plain white Aida on this one, as the kit came with a very pretty light green Aida. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGQiKxV2G_c7ZlTHB6l4R8A4lpW4_gHk6_Nd88l_-gRA_QbCJgjiIrbBKp0876jznwp9_xbNrhF9PXRnWKq6kqIAiqKw1mUiNi7pcj0htX4zhGsMHrCzDc6AGh9lqVSzytRXGneAdz4Y/s1600/20170520_114253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGQiKxV2G_c7ZlTHB6l4R8A4lpW4_gHk6_Nd88l_-gRA_QbCJgjiIrbBKp0876jznwp9_xbNrhF9PXRnWKq6kqIAiqKw1mUiNi7pcj0htX4zhGsMHrCzDc6AGh9lqVSzytRXGneAdz4Y/s640/20170520_114253.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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And here are my menfolk helping with the framing. Anytime my husband is working on something, my little boy runs to get his toolbox to help. I have to share a funny about my husband. He went with me to Attic Needlework last weekend for more threads, and has been vicariously watching floss tube with me. So as we are in the store, he points to a Hawk Run Hollow piece on the wall, and says "that's the one the lady changed so the cemetery wasn't next to the school". I actually heard another woman in the store hold back a giggle at his needlepoint knowledge. I was impressed he recognized the design, as most of the time he doesn't watch floss-tube with me, but listens while he is doing his own thing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLl5brUhEQB-8GCKPmEEUTkOksma0S54nbkOg4h8XWabuz_OwOR_UrBGXw6BTw1wodkhxogUHKz8kswBx78K2wi0Rd0oHnIcpa4Koa60rz827jAcbMZrx24_OCqoKNOi1P2feSqXzn70/s1600/20170520_111827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLl5brUhEQB-8GCKPmEEUTkOksma0S54nbkOg4h8XWabuz_OwOR_UrBGXw6BTw1wodkhxogUHKz8kswBx78K2wi0Rd0oHnIcpa4Koa60rz827jAcbMZrx24_OCqoKNOi1P2feSqXzn70/s640/20170520_111827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-51025191162972968192017-05-14T21:46:00.002-07:002017-05-14T21:46:41.374-07:00First finish of Summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfY4kaved4lJMK_WEn5DD4AFhC5AhoiwMNvozksDmIRhyphenhyphenDiY2KWze8G9EHxXSXfSVHe49i4qwhzW36virygN3cH6uvqYQJWDDZ00ZE6EudzyYmezRBsIx7Lcd3lGI7O1Fk7-GjVwPRyY/s1600/20170514_164035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfY4kaved4lJMK_WEn5DD4AFhC5AhoiwMNvozksDmIRhyphenhyphenDiY2KWze8G9EHxXSXfSVHe49i4qwhzW36virygN3cH6uvqYQJWDDZ00ZE6EudzyYmezRBsIx7Lcd3lGI7O1Fk7-GjVwPRyY/s640/20170514_164035.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Yay! I finished LK "Summer" banner last night while watching Project Runway with my husband. He grumbled over watching it, but then got into the episodes and which designers we thought would or should have won the challenges. I giggled a bit hearing his opinion on women's fashions, but it was a fun way to spend a Saturday night. As usual I changed most of the colors on this one to whatever I had in my stash. I also changed one of the fish to a clown fish, we watch Finding Nemo and Finding Dory a lot in my house! I stitched it on a scrap that I think is big enough to fit at least two more of these on, so I may wait to actually display it until I have the other ones done. </div>
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A little more progress on July Word Play by Country Stitches. I am a little confused on these charts. They are designed by Brenda Gervais of "With Thy Needle and Thread". They didn't come out that long ago so I don't know why they are "Country Stitches" instead of "With thy Needle". I bought the little charms to the left at Michael's and plan to use the anchor charm instead of stitching it.</div>
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I did find more of the charts on 123 Stitch, all I am missing now is February and August. So I will be on the hunt for those, as I would definitely like to stitch all of them. I love December with the cute Santa, and April with the bunny in the wagon. One thing about the charts that irked me though, was she uses many of the same colors but changes the symbol for them between the charts. Why not just use the same symbol throughout? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiGVfIa5UZDwfqpHtC0-cAu35ZfDA1yU-dDNwm552yRn9ScO7Jle_w2V2dpVTwToZZoYTj4wU_6k06t0VtEcUjiJYN3AfQynMKUp1sZ9BkvmYdXiKKV1gYK99t-Jn6psekngRnfAj3Ds/s1600/20170514_163655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiGVfIa5UZDwfqpHtC0-cAu35ZfDA1yU-dDNwm552yRn9ScO7Jle_w2V2dpVTwToZZoYTj4wU_6k06t0VtEcUjiJYN3AfQynMKUp1sZ9BkvmYdXiKKV1gYK99t-Jn6psekngRnfAj3Ds/s400/20170514_163655.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lastly here is my progress on Ashley. I feel like I got a lot done this last week. All of the flowers above her to the left are new, and I did more of her skirt. The big difference is of course her face, I couldn't wait any longer, and did all of the back-stitching on her neck/shoulders and face. She is so pretty! Makes me excited to finish her.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicFdGLIdzbB-2hscujj-PI-tjsoaKOub9499qzuIxAWRWIDvWOA71ovFR3JgtZ12X8dM3lqWSddxecWRJhRsEDt7VFJ9v45Rq-fw5qCgL3g9nHFaAa30AcjpsbLCkk2g3Y5n2QWosfZU/s1600/20170514_143630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicFdGLIdzbB-2hscujj-PI-tjsoaKOub9499qzuIxAWRWIDvWOA71ovFR3JgtZ12X8dM3lqWSddxecWRJhRsEDt7VFJ9v45Rq-fw5qCgL3g9nHFaAa30AcjpsbLCkk2g3Y5n2QWosfZU/s640/20170514_143630.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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And lastly a shot of our summer bird feeder. I know I have posted pictures of the lovebirds in our neighborhood before, but I think it's so funny to have flocks of wild parrots in our neighborhood. They are not much bigger than parakeets, and are bright green with red faces. From what I understand they were originally from Africa, and are well suited to the heat. They live in pretty large flocks, and we always see them in groups of two or three at the feeder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHcFIpMVvacf-dnOUU2pt9OToo3uPLAqN0A6dSBZ1Yg_oRWxTnmdSfKRqfvHGnQopuvpH2u_8GC3kPIbQcSKYEC6afvlspq3ETPuO3YAFSGQzmD1qwiRr2UIFmFMVE-Uv8bZlKQmFfpc/s1600/20170509_073003-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHcFIpMVvacf-dnOUU2pt9OToo3uPLAqN0A6dSBZ1Yg_oRWxTnmdSfKRqfvHGnQopuvpH2u_8GC3kPIbQcSKYEC6afvlspq3ETPuO3YAFSGQzmD1qwiRr2UIFmFMVE-Uv8bZlKQmFfpc/s400/20170509_073003-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What I am reading this week: I just finished "Lost in a Book" by Jennifer Donnelly. If you have a tween-teenage daughter in your house, I highly recommend this book! I loved it. It is based off of the Beauty and the Beast story. I bought it for my oldest's daughter, and I borrowed it from her after she had read it. I finished it in one night it was so good. Very imaginative addition to the original fairy-tale. </div>
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What I am watching: Well besides old Project Runway episodes, we watched "The Boy" this weekend. A PG-13 horror movie starring Lauren Cohen (of Walking Dead fame). She is a nanny hired by an older couple to care for a doll who they treat as their son. It was creepy, and actually a well-thought out horror story- not just blood and gore (actually really not much blood-more just creepy old mansion and creepy looking doll). Both my husband and I thought it was a good scary movie.</div>
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I've also fallen into watching floss tube and love it! I can listen/watch while stitching, and who doesn't love seeing other stitcher's gorgeous finishes! I had to giggle to myself when I realized I had been pronouncing Lugana wrong all these years! I've been saying it La-goona when apparently it it Lew-ghana, after all these years stitching I still have lots to learn. Now I am trying to think back if I have ever gone into my LNS and asked for it that way.</div>
blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-12169481963942197482017-05-06T13:53:00.002-07:002017-05-06T13:53:51.909-07:00Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJYUcmA3ZRpYJSDzObuLZEqITDTWkvIZqwDA4O4O6CqcEZrw5mYeCUY21F26m12KyeWDyHhI_AzMhko49M6c3S1Gwum0-KaakB1x7GtpeSgrVOaVNM0WCsgZcbAT7_xRpOqIWlpWkb4s/s1600/20170506_132457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJYUcmA3ZRpYJSDzObuLZEqITDTWkvIZqwDA4O4O6CqcEZrw5mYeCUY21F26m12KyeWDyHhI_AzMhko49M6c3S1Gwum0-KaakB1x7GtpeSgrVOaVNM0WCsgZcbAT7_xRpOqIWlpWkb4s/s640/20170506_132457.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Teensy bit of progress on Ashley this week, mostly more filling in of the white on her dress. Boring! But still loving her all together, and hopeful to actually finish her this year and not banish her to the WIP pile. I refuse to call anything I have stitched on a UFO as I remain determined to finish them all someday. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TnNozPcOEkjuTDXdaslUUR0f-44ESmda6QlfPKfOEaNYn4vsOqKKtw67o-hK8e7RUTCBDwWc7Au-ZSzGNniWrGpzPcwPfClrSDSKMQ3xUCrSEmR6fC6SDKPn23z-WjQSOXkL0a8m3ZE/s1600/20170506_132431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TnNozPcOEkjuTDXdaslUUR0f-44ESmda6QlfPKfOEaNYn4vsOqKKtw67o-hK8e7RUTCBDwWc7Au-ZSzGNniWrGpzPcwPfClrSDSKMQ3xUCrSEmR6fC6SDKPn23z-WjQSOXkL0a8m3ZE/s640/20170506_132431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here is what has been distracting me this week from Ashley. I started on Country Stitches "Wordplay-July". I won four of the months on Ebay, and love them. I did hedge my bets though, and instead of starting May started a little further out with July. Most of the colors are the ones charted, but I did change the Merman's tail to a greener blue (the chart had a weird stripe in his tail that I didn't love, and I changed the water to "Caribbean" by WDW. So all the words are done on this, I just have the ship in the middle and the fish along the sides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFTupQN_9oLBOJ-kQn-wVQhI7I1HcqIwhyphenhyphenOgmRs1JcHSnigqhbMn-Oz8wdzR-lhJpC65C-si15xg6sAfOluGQ1_nFkfPGUHPKsyqwG9BAs1bdHEMcCsTU3BdzaqcWgk0DJTqHq40XHWQ/s1600/20170506_132412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFTupQN_9oLBOJ-kQn-wVQhI7I1HcqIwhyphenhyphenOgmRs1JcHSnigqhbMn-Oz8wdzR-lhJpC65C-si15xg6sAfOluGQ1_nFkfPGUHPKsyqwG9BAs1bdHEMcCsTU3BdzaqcWgk0DJTqHq40XHWQ/s400/20170506_132412.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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These two I purchased from another blogger<a href="http://www.nicolesneedlework.com/" target="_blank"> "Nicole's Needlework"</a>. I thought they were both so cute, and the Bent Creek chart I already had in my stash, but it was low on the new project list. It is a very cute winter pattern, and the LK I plan to finish into a little pillow ornament. The pink gingham linen she stitched it on is adorable!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkla-5HEKa3oiNEagwiyI-aH50HSo7TvLAwwNW1VUDNwJojtjrVNUxx0hzVzK1igBEmmmrlUR-dHSjrybhLQwS8SzvwZTYYMnju7maZqYQKEs06X94n6LkKilnl51cxRUhP5WsWypuE0/s1600/20170506_132359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkla-5HEKa3oiNEagwiyI-aH50HSo7TvLAwwNW1VUDNwJojtjrVNUxx0hzVzK1igBEmmmrlUR-dHSjrybhLQwS8SzvwZTYYMnju7maZqYQKEs06X94n6LkKilnl51cxRUhP5WsWypuE0/s400/20170506_132359.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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So here in Arizona we are saying goodbye to Spring and rushing headlong into summertime with temps in the 100's today. I dipped into our pool for the first time last week, and the girls have been swimming the last few weeks already! But I realize I didn't post any pictures of my spring display for Easter, so wanted to show them before taking it all down and replacing it with summer stitching. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TIyozOSG4OEY2REdPJs0LwVAluld_Dr-lqhU660fuYALzf3Q-b3XR-_pECpwC4vbmkXD23si-rtfpMP_Qxs8qL7vt7vfidmQ6w22JL0F25uSLkcU1KPoKtHw_X6YMLtYpTNKBH_YViA/s1600/20170506_131845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TIyozOSG4OEY2REdPJs0LwVAluld_Dr-lqhU660fuYALzf3Q-b3XR-_pECpwC4vbmkXD23si-rtfpMP_Qxs8qL7vt7vfidmQ6w22JL0F25uSLkcU1KPoKtHw_X6YMLtYpTNKBH_YViA/s640/20170506_131845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is all of it, this wall is in our dining room. I like to change it out for the different seasons.</div>
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This is a "With thy Needle and Thread" piece I stitched two? years ago. Just a simple square frame from Michael's for it. </div>
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This one was not stitched by me, but found by my husband in an antique mall in Kentucky five years ago. According to the date on it, this one is turning 21 this year!</div>
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A Prairie Schooler I just got framed last spring. Love the rows of baby chicks on it. I did not get glass put in on it and now I kind of wish I had. </div>
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This pillow was stitched for me through the HOE blog for a spring exchange some years ago. The little LK pillow I stitched, and my mom was kind enough to do the finishing for me. It has a purple eyelet trim around the outside of it. </div>
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Bent Creek "Hip Hop", stitched at least 6 years ago by me. </div>
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Another Bent Creek "Uber Egg", I messed up somewhere in the middle so my egg is a little lopsided!</div>
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A little LK pillow, and a quilt kit done by me years ago. My finishing skills were not that great for quilting, but I love the colors of it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUZwoS1gzWiiI6ZXU3jxxGSTM69NtYyHJj6g56ogfd6MyNKqW70xGdRA4-IFvVIDNI7RLdhkn8c8rvA-G_Z8skXwHtlo30D0VKjgHZVDPcKM_Kab8Jw1318KpvQLFPX_5uHewZMBSIBE/s1600/20170506_131730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUZwoS1gzWiiI6ZXU3jxxGSTM69NtYyHJj6g56ogfd6MyNKqW70xGdRA4-IFvVIDNI7RLdhkn8c8rvA-G_Z8skXwHtlo30D0VKjgHZVDPcKM_Kab8Jw1318KpvQLFPX_5uHewZMBSIBE/s640/20170506_131730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And all of my little ornaments underneath. "Happy Spring" and "Happy Easter" by LK. Bent Creek bunny changed from brown to white, and "A Spring Day" from Heart in Hand I think? </div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-43621224471409810922017-05-01T02:39:00.000-07:002017-05-01T02:39:28.273-07:00Rats, Cats and Ravens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I took a mini-break last week from Ashley's Roses, and pulled this one from the bottom of my stitching basket. I enjoy the simplicity of just stitching one color sometimes, kind of a palate cleanser. This one is many, many years old, i've been working on it about 5 years I would guess. So this round I managed to finish the cat, the raven and the little rat at the bottom. Please excuse my ankles in the above photo, I tried to crop it but for some reason it wouldn't save that way, but at least I shaved my legs today (it's shorts weather already here).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58prNT_WPDgF2Rao-C27zlePxeu9a3vIr-cJUmCG5jMSypbF2F8jwxK9HzTuZSYc-fz4dIPaWx4mbgkBRB8KdSQbkbTudrydMr55eRfupJG6Ggucc5iarjvNmPlMoCilkI5PV2CvsieQ/s1600/20170430_140708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58prNT_WPDgF2Rao-C27zlePxeu9a3vIr-cJUmCG5jMSypbF2F8jwxK9HzTuZSYc-fz4dIPaWx4mbgkBRB8KdSQbkbTudrydMr55eRfupJG6Ggucc5iarjvNmPlMoCilkI5PV2CvsieQ/s400/20170430_140708.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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And I am back to working on Ashley's Roses. I did more of the roses above her, more of the grass below her, and a little bit of her skirt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDjem9j5tF8GhHAm1S4wUOwlDKiN03FZeCq6DhSvFaJLVnifJTxJvXl_hBNllQgs0c85pnE4IsfxCM_KHHO3B0-1ncDpmvIAyqLSDubYNCHA6zJUuuLBwkziF05WRwvxzeWRqo9ghiRQ/s1600/20170430_140642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDjem9j5tF8GhHAm1S4wUOwlDKiN03FZeCq6DhSvFaJLVnifJTxJvXl_hBNllQgs0c85pnE4IsfxCM_KHHO3B0-1ncDpmvIAyqLSDubYNCHA6zJUuuLBwkziF05WRwvxzeWRqo9ghiRQ/s400/20170430_140642.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Sweet Spring is also coming along. I finished the row of vegetables under the bunny. </div>
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My oldest turned 14 last week, and her cousin turned 8. She loves Batman, so I did my best with the cake. I used food coloring to make the chocolate frosting black, but didn't realize it would also turn everyone's teeth black also!</div>
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<u><b>What i'm reading this week:</b></u> Mary Kay Andrews "Summer Rental", another fun read from her. I have been on a streak reading her books. I also finished "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. I read it in one night, it was a short book but the story was interesting. They are coming out with a television series based on it shortly, starring Elizabeth Moss. </div>
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<b><u>What i'm watching this week: </u></b>"Into the Forest" starring Ellen Page (Inception/Juno) and Evan Rachel Wood. It's an end of the world story, about two sister trying to survive alone in the woods once the power goes out. No zombies or anything, so the film wasn't overly scary. But they made such bad decisions trying to survive that the story was disturbing. </div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-74138204320517040882017-04-10T04:05:00.000-07:002017-04-10T04:05:55.242-07:00Life is too short to stitch things you don't love!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd8EXQD3dvz38cqlhwJz6b5P08Y4PFO_V4nkLCOgPv6nZxy5qcZh6053lrixorCzojPo4VBzesYnVXCVC3lNBHVeRhknowoNmwPOxLz8mWxXc7f-VFnJb8BXA4ZogutqI1NEk1p2SfzA/s1600/20170410_032706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWd8EXQD3dvz38cqlhwJz6b5P08Y4PFO_V4nkLCOgPv6nZxy5qcZh6053lrixorCzojPo4VBzesYnVXCVC3lNBHVeRhknowoNmwPOxLz8mWxXc7f-VFnJb8BXA4ZogutqI1NEk1p2SfzA/s400/20170410_032706.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I restarted Satsuma Street "Sweet Spring", I was stitching it on a 30 ct WDW linen, that was the most gorgeous color but my stitches were looking like a hot mess on it! I was not enjoying it at all, even though I love how cute the little bunny is. So I went out and got myself some tried and true 28 ct Lugana evenweave, dyed it myself (it came out much brighter than the called for linen-but I still like it) and am now happily starting over. Especially for a smaller piece like this, where no one in my house will even care what I stitched it on, why would I make myself miserable trying to finish it on the linen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpKlUFdbQRAxSTVsglgu3GWWL4TArmYY51-wjQfeX5QGV3ZTEwyrMCrbMomKSLRXy6P7SZ07XgsFIT4QzfxlKVwVChNFgJs5fsAZbE0k2Z9KMgzWG3Sder5WkXlf3HgN3jT0oCfO9bps/s1600/20170410_032501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpKlUFdbQRAxSTVsglgu3GWWL4TArmYY51-wjQfeX5QGV3ZTEwyrMCrbMomKSLRXy6P7SZ07XgsFIT4QzfxlKVwVChNFgJs5fsAZbE0k2Z9KMgzWG3Sder5WkXlf3HgN3jT0oCfO9bps/s400/20170410_032501.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Still working on Ashley. I filled in more of the grass last week, and a little more of the roses above her. </div>
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And a little bit of a new start, that is almost done already. I wanted something bright, and was avoiding Sweet Spring while I figured out what to do with it. So I pulled this out of my stash of charts. Lizzie Kate is always my go to for cute and bright. I of course changed most of the colors on it to use whatever I had already. I love the color of the little starfish. I used Purple Iris by Crescent Colors. </div>
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Other than lots of stitching I had a pretty dull week. I worked a lot last week, and my mom had hip surgery. It felt like I spent the whole week going between the hospital and my office. I am looking forward to a slower week ahead! My mom seems to be settling in to the rehab facility, and is already walking again using a walker. I know she is eager to be home again. She is 80 this year, but has always been very independent. I think having nurses checking on her all the time is getting on her nerves. </div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-5909837526864689982017-04-02T03:23:00.000-07:002017-04-02T03:23:09.424-07:00A complete and utter lack of self-control<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqu53K7hUb42Co36OjEAnY8Ux8c6dKBoXWN_yoU3f1LLfaNdDaQC0XKVb73uOr-W_bns-6Sri4617kBa3Q4GkbKEyZoHLPowpmtFz2e5_smKeiG4XTISV73LOLCASO2Q_7uSAbp3CwOo/s1600/20170402_025508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqu53K7hUb42Co36OjEAnY8Ux8c6dKBoXWN_yoU3f1LLfaNdDaQC0XKVb73uOr-W_bns-6Sri4617kBa3Q4GkbKEyZoHLPowpmtFz2e5_smKeiG4XTISV73LOLCASO2Q_7uSAbp3CwOo/s400/20170402_025508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And i'm back up to THIRTY wip's again. Blame it on the bunny, she was too cute! This was another of my Christmas presents, so at least I didn't buy anymore stash. My family even bought me the linen and threads for the chart, the linen is a 30 ct. WDW called "Seafoam" and it is a pretty light blue-green. All of the threads are just DMC, which I appreciate. Variegated threads are so pretty, but sometimes I like just simple DMC. The chart is of course a Satsuma Street design, kind of a new designer, and I love the funkiness of her patterns.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8ALkwOg47P0DpnN4xLJ5QyyklI0oGRQmrPqMgnjD5dcXLWSplPjTFFvcOMnt31lK6emAJP6LfdcvgcnMtLn448Zxmu2ElbyOfHq5zJVjHpnO1N9t7BXjYciFPsF1lZynIPLMgAdo-pw/s1600/20170402_025354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8ALkwOg47P0DpnN4xLJ5QyyklI0oGRQmrPqMgnjD5dcXLWSplPjTFFvcOMnt31lK6emAJP6LfdcvgcnMtLn448Zxmu2ElbyOfHq5zJVjHpnO1N9t7BXjYciFPsF1lZynIPLMgAdo-pw/s400/20170402_025354.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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But at least I am still working on Ashley too. I actually got a non-blurry photo of her for once, though it still doesn't show the true linen color. I am working on her underskirts, which are a very pretty blue/turquoise/teal gingham below a layer of pink/coral gingham. I also started filling in some of the green grass below her dress too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqxxgQByoJkfm9eiMEvQ0RlQh50bZttM9as1qcSvV09qL2Rdc0tdIx5nB8LPXufMmNc2TyR5MF1OEmwtLDfDWHkmO9DgpcmZ5KWhgW5119wQ9esupWOPk-Mujm7IVzeDPjI10z3Wves8/s1600/20170401_121804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqxxgQByoJkfm9eiMEvQ0RlQh50bZttM9as1qcSvV09qL2Rdc0tdIx5nB8LPXufMmNc2TyR5MF1OEmwtLDfDWHkmO9DgpcmZ5KWhgW5119wQ9esupWOPk-Mujm7IVzeDPjI10z3Wves8/s400/20170401_121804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And this is how we spent our Saturday afternoon, at the last Spring training game of the season. Our little boy was all about the hot-dogs and running up and down the grass hill (we had lawn seats in the outfield). And my two girls were all about trying to get on the jumbo-tron screen when they would scan the crowd. It was such a fun weekend outing, and we aren't huge baseball fans. My husband grew up playing it, so I think he was the only one of us who truly appreciated the game.</div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-69722272023966460672017-03-30T09:12:00.000-07:002017-03-30T09:12:51.126-07:00Exchange arrived<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEoetpvNxTvHrk7PYoFMC6xQ5OU-xvJetF4ilTR47_aXXu9J191JHsKYZBzs5Mi6_nZLmlpdLlgNfIyCToOgwh8hbkRoCjO7E6Ro88jX5n4yQTSsgo01B1fieZXDZziEuhKXwVM5xjzc/s1600/20170330_082644-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEoetpvNxTvHrk7PYoFMC6xQ5OU-xvJetF4ilTR47_aXXu9J191JHsKYZBzs5Mi6_nZLmlpdLlgNfIyCToOgwh8hbkRoCjO7E6Ro88jX5n4yQTSsgo01B1fieZXDZziEuhKXwVM5xjzc/s320/20170330_082644-1.jpg" width="266" /></a>]</div>
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My <a href="http://newexchangeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HOE </a>exchange piece arrived from Christina of<a href="https://whilstirisnaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Whilst Iris Naps</a> just last night, and it is AMAZING! She did such lovely work finishing it, with the beaded trim around the outside, and the beaded hanger that matched the design so perfectly. This is a Shepherd's Bush design, call "Fa La La", and it is so cute. The grass along the bottom which is satin stitched, and then the cute lettering above the sheep. She did an awesome job on this. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnnXKKPV3Ym72YluFU2AzesIykYgmIljX8MOCwLRh61u40QNsznbnIEXnDQ_RajI2nvikdiQwJ0G6a8ovbgX2tIn570J_Ji3Q5xnNc93i5_9zjpjR1XXTez7H_vxPZ-UT-ueP3KeKklw/s1600/20170330_082228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnnXKKPV3Ym72YluFU2AzesIykYgmIljX8MOCwLRh61u40QNsznbnIEXnDQ_RajI2nvikdiQwJ0G6a8ovbgX2tIn570J_Ji3Q5xnNc93i5_9zjpjR1XXTez7H_vxPZ-UT-ueP3KeKklw/s400/20170330_082228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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She also sent along some unexpected goodies. A LK kit called "Little Snow" which is very cute and now I want to stitch it right away (i'm not even going to open it though or I would start it and have to add another WIP to my list!), and a bit of 28 ct Zwiegart linen, and the prettiest little pink scissor fob with a tiny snowflake charm on the end, along with some beads and needles, and wow! Carol and Christina really made this exchange so fun. I hate to put both their ornaments away until Christmas time now! I am thinking of trying to organize maybe a spring or summer exchange on the HOE blog if anyone would be interested? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcbGZeuASOEqWv2lhBS-eFb7lH_NM9aai8UM7MI0seXhHbdPjFck-U50Yd4ObxsgzmqqPwuZkUie6iHBDIgV_owDmhuaVJDG0C3Bvfe8_xnA6eHIsd-NsP2w4tDrc4im1hkOQu1HDSSI/s1600/20170325_150918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcbGZeuASOEqWv2lhBS-eFb7lH_NM9aai8UM7MI0seXhHbdPjFck-U50Yd4ObxsgzmqqPwuZkUie6iHBDIgV_owDmhuaVJDG0C3Bvfe8_xnA6eHIsd-NsP2w4tDrc4im1hkOQu1HDSSI/s400/20170325_150918.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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Here is what I stitched for Christina, it is part of the Winter Sampler which is a Janlynn kit. I loved the little ice-skate with the pretty pink roses in it. I added a little lace trim to the sides, and some little pink beads around the edge of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3hkgq-v14YZie-y1wCcQtRIl-UyRnDnOxhTatcxI8J_ISoQIo1e3nRl_MW-Q6uPNAFVqoKcNy334drnunjI6PA344RYIU6PgJneGyIonwRVaIWZwfr6hgWyQmDaPnaKgu92cYUyFBA4/s1600/20170330_083201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3hkgq-v14YZie-y1wCcQtRIl-UyRnDnOxhTatcxI8J_ISoQIo1e3nRl_MW-Q6uPNAFVqoKcNy334drnunjI6PA344RYIU6PgJneGyIonwRVaIWZwfr6hgWyQmDaPnaKgu92cYUyFBA4/s640/20170330_083201.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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Here is my progress on fickle fickle Ashley. I took her outside this morning to try and get a better photo of the linen color. Please excuse the wrinkles on her, I just wanted a quick progress photo. She is coming along nicely, though I really should put her down to work on more of my WIPs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu9Sy58NdjCnEFPF1L4OQzSUtoH9D9o5sWUorE8BvpOtxGIoM0Yp01HpX0BGOrLIhUni7OPi29OIhD8Y5CYrsOsayGY7pkKP89D-orLkiwf5FamNCOQeDFESJ_O8gk6VIvRjCEnYWpmI/s1600/20170329_184723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu9Sy58NdjCnEFPF1L4OQzSUtoH9D9o5sWUorE8BvpOtxGIoM0Yp01HpX0BGOrLIhUni7OPi29OIhD8Y5CYrsOsayGY7pkKP89D-orLkiwf5FamNCOQeDFESJ_O8gk6VIvRjCEnYWpmI/s400/20170329_184723.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is what happens when you stitch with dogs. We have three large ones, and when I stitch outside in the evenings they like to sit right next to me with their head over my shoulders. This is the coveted spot in our house. So do you see the little spot to the left of my stitching? Wanna guess what that is? It's dog drool! Yuck yuck yuck! I set my stitching down on my lap for a second and turned to mark off the chart, and when I picked it back up found this. Poor Ashley, so far she has been subjected to coffee and dog drool, what's next! I shouldn't jinx myself. </div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-23691455736497737752017-03-28T04:42:00.000-07:002017-03-28T04:42:36.275-07:00Happy Dancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_H8U7Hw5A3AOD5yWwvXkRCc-dlenUfRfYZw0m3Y8SGiscRoSkm7S9r-kv7SdU-ubOqd8rrO1LGXSIogNycgFvFDFT2sdB-W-KxcfwdtHzgffGgRQKub7oUO2NMBXP20F8PLttUZvbH5G/s1600/20170328_032753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_H8U7Hw5A3AOD5yWwvXkRCc-dlenUfRfYZw0m3Y8SGiscRoSkm7S9r-kv7SdU-ubOqd8rrO1LGXSIogNycgFvFDFT2sdB-W-KxcfwdtHzgffGgRQKub7oUO2NMBXP20F8PLttUZvbH5G/s640/20170328_032753.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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So tonight I officially reached my 1st quarter WIP goal for 2017. I have completed 9 WIPs in the first 3 months, putting the final stitches in the final two just last night. And with three days left in the month too, not to brag or anything! Lately Ashley has taken up all my stitching time, and led my wandering eyes away from the goal. </div>
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The little red witch above is from the "Autumn Sampler", a Janlynn Kit that is also on my WIP list. But I liked her so much, I wanted to do a smaller ornament of just her. There was a ton of back-stitching left to do on her. I am not quite thrilled with the little black cats face, but I am going to let it go and move her out of my stitching basket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh2h7hs9F05XYJifTnLDbC2iRqDXRaMUJegbXeH8k-eWbJJP5xFh4gMPNMjQ6m_11JSSgEDiZ6tuQy1HPpos7Dpc22WJV6x17u0DkzJlyRL9Z5AM0NyIbNy1ajcsFm_6x2E1cv39cGg3h/s1600/20170328_032843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh2h7hs9F05XYJifTnLDbC2iRqDXRaMUJegbXeH8k-eWbJJP5xFh4gMPNMjQ6m_11JSSgEDiZ6tuQy1HPpos7Dpc22WJV6x17u0DkzJlyRL9Z5AM0NyIbNy1ajcsFm_6x2E1cv39cGg3h/s640/20170328_032843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And here is my second finish, "Autumn" by Cricket Collection. All I needed to get done on this one was the apple and cat-tail stems, and the eyes of all the little critters. Why do I let projects like this languish in my WIP pile for so long, when it literally took me twenty minutes to get this done. I love the crows and the jack-o'lantern on this one, and may make a smaller ornament out of just them later on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASnXmf-8SwrBTkLT8k_hp9ZORZJPCGB4cSnUW6rIqorB2LnJCOcaVddrUS_2d9pF4sw9X55FQBCug36X9p-7whKDeoN3InhNVMNsNYHfNGXwd07_PSH1T57nTJhiPs0bhxsKshEhjCnA/s1600/20170328_042330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDASnXmf-8SwrBTkLT8k_hp9ZORZJPCGB4cSnUW6rIqorB2LnJCOcaVddrUS_2d9pF4sw9X55FQBCug36X9p-7whKDeoN3InhNVMNsNYHfNGXwd07_PSH1T57nTJhiPs0bhxsKshEhjCnA/s640/20170328_042330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And in honor of meeting my stitching goal, I went ahead and prepped my list for the next three months. I have gone from 51 projects total to just 29. I organize them by theme, the top box is miscellaneous, the second box is Halloween projects, the third is Fall themed projects, and the box on the right hand side is all of my BIG projects. So my goal for the next three months is 5 more WIPs done, or about two a month. How easy is that? Now if only I can keep myself from adding any new WIPs to the list. Wish me luck!</div>
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blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-34884237319293422782017-03-26T22:14:00.002-07:002017-03-26T22:14:11.083-07:00In like a lamb, out like a lion?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaxYbEQRm2rzNMUGaznt2W3g2dOJjI49AAjVoX5RV-qS3RXeoEQRg-wgqlF9A-QnA21nvOzCR0x0goTTEaWqfESAIJGJaJ1H2vFeDcP8Yqgo_HlFetIM-rfWrPHQ2Tl51zdCIc6ga59Y/s1600/20170326_052801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaxYbEQRm2rzNMUGaznt2W3g2dOJjI49AAjVoX5RV-qS3RXeoEQRg-wgqlF9A-QnA21nvOzCR0x0goTTEaWqfESAIJGJaJ1H2vFeDcP8Yqgo_HlFetIM-rfWrPHQ2Tl51zdCIc6ga59Y/s640/20170326_052801.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Thank you to everyone who posed an answer on what a bell ringer was in my last post. All of your answers made sense, and I can now say I learned a new phrase from an otherwise pretty easy book. Some months I like to read horror or crime novels, and some months all I can handle is easy fluff books.</div>
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Above is my progress on Ashley. I have the worst time getting a good photo of her! The fabric is hand-dyed by me, using a RIT dye called Kentucky Sky, and it is the prettiest shade of light blue. But does it show up at all in any of my photos? No, it just looks like a yucky grey. I need to take her outside in the full sunlight to see if I can really get a good picture of how bright and cheery she is. It probably doesn't help that I am using my cell phone for photos instead of an actual camera, I may have to dig out my camera to get a true to color picture of her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg_o5emrK9i6qwYOVOLr-450n6sDehkjtMRivVt-URJ7yGYNOx7j2qDVxxMd_9_JzTU2UIR9mp149COpWPjalX8rhD8EU5ldwz9peA0b_EUrccqBLExqWsrfh0gO1USVEYGtlkw2iejE/s1600/20170326_202229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg_o5emrK9i6qwYOVOLr-450n6sDehkjtMRivVt-URJ7yGYNOx7j2qDVxxMd_9_JzTU2UIR9mp149COpWPjalX8rhD8EU5ldwz9peA0b_EUrccqBLExqWsrfh0gO1USVEYGtlkw2iejE/s400/20170326_202229.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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And here is the ornament I received from Carol on the <a href="http://newexchangeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hooked on Exchanging blog</a>. Obviously a Prairie Schooler Santa, I love the simplicity of their designs. I managed to mail mine out last week, and can't wait to show what I stitched here. That is my favorite part of doing exchanges, hoping the person I am stitching for loves what I stitched as much as I did. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZwoyNi047xBbaRSy1NdT300Wp7R1rfuclGZjw5i2oSGrN6cZGovDwYwEwGwY7oABsglzB3BxFWK8VjBvo_Eipm2PkdskUXB7qhFi0ja1Bc0YKXsQK2AAF56KkpHlVs7-TGiFbIgUE8g/s1600/20170325_181345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZwoyNi047xBbaRSy1NdT300Wp7R1rfuclGZjw5i2oSGrN6cZGovDwYwEwGwY7oABsglzB3BxFWK8VjBvo_Eipm2PkdskUXB7qhFi0ja1Bc0YKXsQK2AAF56KkpHlVs7-TGiFbIgUE8g/s640/20170325_181345.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Last week was my birthday (I won't scare you with how old I am- or how old I feel), and my DH and middle daughter picked out the most beautiful bouquet. My daughter called them tangerine tulips. The blooms went from almost a coral color on the bottom to pink and yellow on the tips. So pretty! Each of my daughters made me a birthday card, and DH picked out two new charts from my wish list. Mirabilia "Garden Party" and Lavender & Lace "Celtic Summer". I can't wait to get started stitching on both of these, but I am still trying to be strong and finish off more of my WIP list. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubpdUDrDRhFnoSABzr_X_10iBlC_oVNgEkdVLJ8R75eIz654iiPgA6KBGsxpj8p-MgxIzFf-Xi4mcL1LzX_9SxlnevivRZ2YUk43md_v8GsUw3j7RO9dbgd4wgNogJJz_l7hKb0S8oAA/s1600/20170326_202145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubpdUDrDRhFnoSABzr_X_10iBlC_oVNgEkdVLJ8R75eIz654iiPgA6KBGsxpj8p-MgxIzFf-Xi4mcL1LzX_9SxlnevivRZ2YUk43md_v8GsUw3j7RO9dbgd4wgNogJJz_l7hKb0S8oAA/s400/20170326_202145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is a little stash I picked up for myself, a new Bent Creek- Oodles of Autumn. I loved the little fox and raccoon and you all know how much I love anything fall of course! Also Fall Basket by Imaginating. I just finished off their Harvest Lantern design earlier this year. The colors on this one, between the turquoise bird house and the purple flowers and golden sunflowers are so pretty!</div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-51761754716774767032017-03-21T21:12:00.000-07:002017-03-21T21:12:35.975-07:00Bell Ringing?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcvC1ZyhJ-ToGPSYcplXee7rZqnE6UFecAmV2jNE07RmIPLdy_cXWDjsp9A0E5iIVhUQtmbhWSeF2g7DGXS0JYD7rQltk55ZW1gj6CQxGNacxukAnj5zAaeVYHqxY2SuEo6wGBDMc6Nw/s1600/20170320_165905-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcvC1ZyhJ-ToGPSYcplXee7rZqnE6UFecAmV2jNE07RmIPLdy_cXWDjsp9A0E5iIVhUQtmbhWSeF2g7DGXS0JYD7rQltk55ZW1gj6CQxGNacxukAnj5zAaeVYHqxY2SuEo6wGBDMc6Nw/s400/20170320_165905-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Had a little time this weekend to do some finishing. I worked on my HOE ornaments (eek everyone else has their ornaments mailed out already-I am of course the slow one) so I can't show those yet. But I also did some fussing with Alice. I found the little keys in the dollar bins at Michael's and wanted to do a border of black and white beads around the white trim. Unfortunately the trim, combined with the linen and the fabric is super hard to stitch through so the beading didn't work. So now I am letting it sit for a while hoping inspiration will strike me for how to finish it off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFV87n_5W1Rp6yZ8CSvCy9kZ74MlUJz1SsUssn0lp8Don0fE5c4u2Zk3Z8TKnlcr2q6MKfzDQ2SbDpqsz9nvANUIfUP8vg-mTho3Mv_TzBOjuVqJGU_sOXLYRKDpKPwZo_a0LqArMBsfQ/s1600/20170321_203528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFV87n_5W1Rp6yZ8CSvCy9kZ74MlUJz1SsUssn0lp8Don0fE5c4u2Zk3Z8TKnlcr2q6MKfzDQ2SbDpqsz9nvANUIfUP8vg-mTho3Mv_TzBOjuVqJGU_sOXLYRKDpKPwZo_a0LqArMBsfQ/s400/20170321_203528.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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A tiny bit of progress on Ashley, I worked mostly on her bouquet last night which was very slow stitching. There must be over a dozen different shades of pink in the flowers, so much confetti stitching! At least the pinks are pretty I guess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY64CrFEAwAsq5Io_8VpkVd9ZlsrvEfYe48qyhwPPw19om1gyjIvtid63yik38sLf62X3HIxmMt1UnNUUnEmcVNvbzcqRL7NQbuki0-DQAU6r44hSk6B3PWNHrihQVMKT8ODnahSrP7s/s1600/20170321_203609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY64CrFEAwAsq5Io_8VpkVd9ZlsrvEfYe48qyhwPPw19om1gyjIvtid63yik38sLf62X3HIxmMt1UnNUUnEmcVNvbzcqRL7NQbuki0-DQAU6r44hSk6B3PWNHrihQVMKT8ODnahSrP7s/s400/20170321_203609.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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And here is my newest reading selection, and I have a question for someone with a little more culture than me maybe. The book is set outside of London, and she uses a few slang phrases that I am not familiar with. Most I figured out, like what a chat-up line was. But she called an ex-boyfriend a "bell ringer"? I'll quote the book and maybe someone can help me figure out what it meant...</div>
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"And he completely forgot to mention the bell-ringing. -- How could I have gone out with someone for six months and not known they were a secret bell-ringer?"</div>
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So I googled bell ringing and it of course gave me the obvious answer of someone who rings a bell, but it was such a weird phrase, anyone out there with a better answer than google? </div>
blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-66320185786305115492017-03-20T00:34:00.000-07:002017-03-20T00:34:50.738-07:00Happy first day of Spring! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YFRmxlJ56XXMsAWvd-cpe4hUwjxvz6zrJhUUMuuGd7_RF_DmKF8FFQgh7BGbmoAqXaPZXEmhj7s3muBjAmF90sd-Ug5FB7QsydaF7VApdiWomtU6ar-iNM7pOm5NDRbZOoK20spDkQQ/s1600/20170319_233819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YFRmxlJ56XXMsAWvd-cpe4hUwjxvz6zrJhUUMuuGd7_RF_DmKF8FFQgh7BGbmoAqXaPZXEmhj7s3muBjAmF90sd-Ug5FB7QsydaF7VApdiWomtU6ar-iNM7pOm5NDRbZOoK20spDkQQ/s640/20170319_233819.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Happy first day of Spring, though here it is starting to feel like summer. It has been in the low 90's here in Arizona, which is too hot for me. All of my children have been asking when the pool will be warm enough to swim in, and I had to let them dip their toes in to prove it was not warm enough yet.</div>
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Ashley is coming along, gathering roses for the spring-time. I have decided to do all of the grey in her dress first, and all of the white of her dress last to try and keep it as clean as possible. I'm sure I will regret this choice when I am going blind from all that white. I have to share how well my husband knows me. I ran in the kitchen the other day and frantically put her under the cold tap after spilling coffee on her (EEK!) and my husband asked which piece it was. When I said it was my Mirabilia he had the good sense to say "Oh no! Not that one". Luckily it was only a few drops of coffee and a quick rinse under the cold water did the trick. Silly me stitching before I have finished my morning coffee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEST1dgvQ0QFV4ePf9_hdHv4wmoc3FVj8wI8CVgHbClHgXDHXjJspBN73FaYW-lHqhyphenhyphenLy49z4hBj2RHGQWnJAilU0J3S8dVinweWKGmh4hSMS3mmK_2KmFDTnIh6kFmv5BXIKSSQeywd4/s1600/20170318_161340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEST1dgvQ0QFV4ePf9_hdHv4wmoc3FVj8wI8CVgHbClHgXDHXjJspBN73FaYW-lHqhyphenhyphenLy49z4hBj2RHGQWnJAilU0J3S8dVinweWKGmh4hSMS3mmK_2KmFDTnIh6kFmv5BXIKSSQeywd4/s400/20170318_161340.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Here is how we spent this warm weekend. We drove up north for a little hiking, and to see this beautiful waterfall. It was really flowing with the snow-melt from up north. Our little one was convinced we were in the woods looking for bears, wolves, or snakes. Luckily none were to be found along our little hike, just a very pretty herd of deer (who did not seem the least concerned with us). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI8ALzIrY-T-XSAPmF6uY1zV1exV1JpITEKDzTJ-p_umbsXQI-0v4w-Spbi1uiuxEFup9lgm8-YeYSwGiW03Edo2L4E5R0dM5TKwsmYtgSxBkRbTt8uuy11MmKbndCcVFx5j1Rt9nRwQ/s1600/20170318_152547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI8ALzIrY-T-XSAPmF6uY1zV1exV1JpITEKDzTJ-p_umbsXQI-0v4w-Spbi1uiuxEFup9lgm8-YeYSwGiW03Edo2L4E5R0dM5TKwsmYtgSxBkRbTt8uuy11MmKbndCcVFx5j1Rt9nRwQ/s400/20170318_152547.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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My fitbit said we had climbed 50 floors on the hike and went a bit under 3 miles along the trail. I would like to note also that I carried the littlest one most of the way back up the trail after he exhausted himself playing by the waterfall, and I could definitely feel it in my back and calves today. Made me feel like all those mornings at the gym were paying off. And below is pre-hike, I made my husband pull over so we would get a picture in front of the cherry trees. Prescott has a few streets of beautiful old houses, and each block was lined with these trees full of pink and white blossoms. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HjW2M9EjIS3x8UJnbz83HEMtL8L5OZupGYarEcXd3zkeq8jj1mZw7UaheiCuwiNfUrq_AvMdCL00kkqzEx3Y2mzxQ0t_HpKnpskWccl5M1GDQh0F4GdZodgeBWT1mL8fiNZllv0RrpI/s1600/20170318_143636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HjW2M9EjIS3x8UJnbz83HEMtL8L5OZupGYarEcXd3zkeq8jj1mZw7UaheiCuwiNfUrq_AvMdCL00kkqzEx3Y2mzxQ0t_HpKnpskWccl5M1GDQh0F4GdZodgeBWT1mL8fiNZllv0RrpI/s320/20170318_143636.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-51885738858575542832017-03-13T05:27:00.000-07:002017-03-13T05:27:24.582-07:00Marching along<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7y5HRNhMFEvZFb8PwgBbTeVgCr7hapMctxgEm20OZd2k8gW-8lf669twqXYwTFMONRysgP92jw02yZx7S-L3XHOh797szKOnp5-2r2O0a2uiXGZvhpUS0IGvjpOTEFDG-pgu0Nqi_Yc/s1600/20170313_045303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7y5HRNhMFEvZFb8PwgBbTeVgCr7hapMctxgEm20OZd2k8gW-8lf669twqXYwTFMONRysgP92jw02yZx7S-L3XHOh797szKOnp5-2r2O0a2uiXGZvhpUS0IGvjpOTEFDG-pgu0Nqi_Yc/s400/20170313_045303.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Forgive me, not the most original title-but it's early and the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet. Still stitching along on Ashley's Roses. Lots of white in her dress, which is not as bad as the confetti of pinks in her bouquet and her hair. Darn all that pink is so pretty once it's done though! </div>
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Christina of <a href="http://whilstirisnaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Whilst Iris Naps</a> commented about having to look up what she would look like finished. She is an older Mirabilia design (1998) and I do have the original chart but it was missing the photo so i'm sorry I can't show you what she will look like here. How I came to purchase the chart is actually a funny story. I bought this chart, and about 20 other Mirabilia's off of a Craigslist post of a sad looking box of patterns and a tangle of thread. Well, when I got to the house it was a man selling off his mother's stash who had unfortunately passed away. He showed me the box that was in the original posting on CL of mostly patterns from the 80's and old magazines that I wasn't sure I would find anything to stitch out of. He then asked if I cross stitched, and if I would be interested in seeing the other stitching stuff she had. He hauled out this big steamer trunk, full of her half stitched projects, some in bags with charts/threads, and some just tossed in randomly. Then he brought out two other cardboard boxes with a folder full of Mirabilia patterns, another full of Teresa Wentzler, and several others beautiful patterns. From the first look in the boxes, I was almost hopping up and down with excitement. I bought the whole lot up, and could barely fit it all in my husband's Jeep. Now I worry if I will ever do her half-done projects justice, she had many that were half started and I can't imagine how many hours of love went into each.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOijj6jOjGpbzJIO82kjJBLw70ShzDyoLOjPkXU9CSYqGZTwJ1Rlrul7eQsXnIHpmgbu_UWZzEnevS61IxUs1MU6aYSYvKluPuWdjYMTqwqvkRTxeXNwfktxj30a1ifS3XiMdxPXsNSqc/s1600/20170313_045448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOijj6jOjGpbzJIO82kjJBLw70ShzDyoLOjPkXU9CSYqGZTwJ1Rlrul7eQsXnIHpmgbu_UWZzEnevS61IxUs1MU6aYSYvKluPuWdjYMTqwqvkRTxeXNwfktxj30a1ifS3XiMdxPXsNSqc/s320/20170313_045448.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Here is my new reading start this week. I have talked about how much I love Mary Kay Andrews books, and this is her writing mysteries under a different name. We shall see if it measures up to her more romancey types books. We also did some Netflix watching this week. Finally got to see The Reader with Kate Winslet. You may remember I just got around to reading the book in January. I must say the movie was just as good as the book. Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes really did their characters justice. Another movie we watched that I can highly recommend is the Accountant starring Ben Afleck. I really liked him in The Town, and this again is another action movie. The story though was interesting, and not the typical car-chase shoot em up action movie. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg576uCSN4mNAtBmdqyzBIzhQD1SM59JJJgrlh7H7JFGA9ZU-C3m69XqFU5xPAZ4IuDqBQtxWRUjTVRRbgjKss91jN9BTsmhJKc_q9zIwY1LpUzVsZH1YhPW2nCjKbpbAhpeBze5m4Fk0o/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg576uCSN4mNAtBmdqyzBIzhQD1SM59JJJgrlh7H7JFGA9ZU-C3m69XqFU5xPAZ4IuDqBQtxWRUjTVRRbgjKss91jN9BTsmhJKc_q9zIwY1LpUzVsZH1YhPW2nCjKbpbAhpeBze5m4Fk0o/s400/31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And this weekend was my sweet husband's and I's fourth anniversary. My girls look so young in the above photo. I'd like to say we don't look too much older yet, but the years (and wrinkles) do sneak up on you. For our anniversary we had a wonderful date night with grandpa babysitting our little guy at home. We did a couples massage (a first for my husband) and then went out to dinner at the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant (which was a first for me). </div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-8745778526497260422017-03-07T03:28:00.000-08:002017-03-07T03:28:02.343-08:00March madness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeMWIGnFIFWa0Crtuc4qUR0xFCEl4ruh2hi8I0UUc7PemmAY_b7Aq3Sg39DUsRds5LPGimQeqRGI_1lQNjJhEfzdOLq90Ja0d5-X4U3kiu2nhoQjuVLgNU0RK91Rsc4CRhOFCGtDnZhs/s1600/20170227_144241-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeMWIGnFIFWa0Crtuc4qUR0xFCEl4ruh2hi8I0UUc7PemmAY_b7Aq3Sg39DUsRds5LPGimQeqRGI_1lQNjJhEfzdOLq90Ja0d5-X4U3kiu2nhoQjuVLgNU0RK91Rsc4CRhOFCGtDnZhs/s400/20170227_144241-1.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
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So Lizzie Kate's "Luck" is done. I simply hemmed around the design, frayed the edges a bit, and mounted it on a cute piece of fabric in the frame. Love the design, but wish I had chosen a darker linen to stitch it on so the white stitching would have shown up better,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGYgKghebqKsBseENjhyphenhyphenteNlXGm06TcMwrT6ypJYmowHFyPd2a-o1-jsM0tIJsiEKXBDLEL0szN48tFzXx5MBrpqhcjgVkxswVa7BpJQo_rNYwlPHHXbetvPTbxXv3hJd1L1lKBPEkiQ/s1600/20170301_182142-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGYgKghebqKsBseENjhyphenhyphenteNlXGm06TcMwrT6ypJYmowHFyPd2a-o1-jsM0tIJsiEKXBDLEL0szN48tFzXx5MBrpqhcjgVkxswVa7BpJQo_rNYwlPHHXbetvPTbxXv3hJd1L1lKBPEkiQ/s400/20170301_182142-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is my 6th finish for the year. This WIP was sooo old, I started it 13 years ago I think! The Aida I stitched it on was so grimy too, but with a good rinsing in some soapy water it now looks clean again, This is a pattern out of a magazine, so I am not sure who the designer is. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFSL5ErsgQcpTmeRdqPKjbFegeaV6bsdNKwbb8B9D96hGJUqqQlvPQBu60LGvfOtTfLu1tqyBj2eycW37RK2LQOMZmCFiSXGmFk-c3Y8pYcRTQMI0wibQYju4OWhUG2mc7WsOxtvAMhA/s1600/20170307_034659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFSL5ErsgQcpTmeRdqPKjbFegeaV6bsdNKwbb8B9D96hGJUqqQlvPQBu60LGvfOtTfLu1tqyBj2eycW37RK2LQOMZmCFiSXGmFk-c3Y8pYcRTQMI0wibQYju4OWhUG2mc7WsOxtvAMhA/s400/20170307_034659.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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And here is my little bit of March madness. You know how I have been trying so hard to reduce the amount of WIPs I have? I have been restraining myself to only starting one new project a month (LK Luck was my Feb start and finish). So for March my fingers were itching to start a huge Mirabilia that I have no hope of finishing anytime soon while still trying to show love to all my other WIP's. But I just couldn't help myself, so I present to you my start on "Ashley's Roses", and man is she big- 202 by 262 stitches. She is a perfect Spring/Summer stitch to counter all of the Halloween WIPs I am trying to get through.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH4rZWHl6RUXpZgOc7XGXkLx3JpBhbZCwOAUGd7cnYmojfMV23kOcsc0NoknHSPmVylAtvklvdaYhWtI2Dyrmw2DoYrrLc_QFhpgqAr40h4FuWPI7g0k2m8SLZSB55Hb3_uRFac2oK8k/s1600/Calvin+Lemons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH4rZWHl6RUXpZgOc7XGXkLx3JpBhbZCwOAUGd7cnYmojfMV23kOcsc0NoknHSPmVylAtvklvdaYhWtI2Dyrmw2DoYrrLc_QFhpgqAr40h4FuWPI7g0k2m8SLZSB55Hb3_uRFac2oK8k/s400/Calvin+Lemons.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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And here is my littlest one helping me pick lemons in the yard. We got a full laundry basket full of lemons off of our neighbor's two trees, and juiced 4 pitchers full of lemon juice. We also planted our tomato garden for spring already, but with all the rain we have been having our little plants are looking a little battered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc-NODWqsPArwIF-rmeACCwN7cK3K5a2aWkql26UMp9cNOHC1h3fbPpVM22G9ob9-MftyMRzzj_vaZuWQfVBYlA84h0puIBcj-foh8ZFFx2syg8rHFoh7lN-DcryE_nCUBstv9RFXiZ8/s1600/20170306_173856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc-NODWqsPArwIF-rmeACCwN7cK3K5a2aWkql26UMp9cNOHC1h3fbPpVM22G9ob9-MftyMRzzj_vaZuWQfVBYlA84h0puIBcj-foh8ZFFx2syg8rHFoh7lN-DcryE_nCUBstv9RFXiZ8/s640/20170306_173856.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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I'll leave you with one of our roses on the trellis outside of our bedroom patio. These are called Fourth of July roses, and I love the white and pink stripes of them. They are not very fragrant, but they do grow nicely over the trellis, this particular bush is up to about 11 feet tall, and puts out blooms for much of the year. </div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-37049143868217621352017-02-23T04:28:00.000-08:002017-02-23T04:28:50.740-08:00Feeling Lucky?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv64JMuC6nDqBuy0KuMR6FXAMlqYkNwfHrx4nW6FuMzepKA-83-OSxja9tiyhgyKC_uGRonZw1ckdg9hRQ0LVOK0iEr9O-bowrEDf21p8_efmBdON9wb4JjDe5bGlBjHf8B3M5AB2bFPE/s1600/20170223_043156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv64JMuC6nDqBuy0KuMR6FXAMlqYkNwfHrx4nW6FuMzepKA-83-OSxja9tiyhgyKC_uGRonZw1ckdg9hRQ0LVOK0iEr9O-bowrEDf21p8_efmBdON9wb4JjDe5bGlBjHf8B3M5AB2bFPE/s400/20170223_043156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I couldn't resist a teeny-tiny new start, I mean really it doesn't even count does it?!? Above is Lizzie Kate's St. Patrick's Day chart for this year. All I need to finish is the threads for my leprechaun's face and the gold for the border. Quick, cute stitch and a good break from all of my Halloween stitches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonsElY0K6HoDjJBuv75-MkSfiAGzMvHKCZBSqNH2xsaT-JRvpVQoxJ_Gx2Z5Im1Dgbj7-ATL410uAMpQByK-dlEtf-nJULBNJclNz7eJCEqHXvANk275x7mR5uF0i1MywZhclH3LyLUE/s1600/20170223_043246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonsElY0K6HoDjJBuv75-MkSfiAGzMvHKCZBSqNH2xsaT-JRvpVQoxJ_Gx2Z5Im1Dgbj7-ATL410uAMpQByK-dlEtf-nJULBNJclNz7eJCEqHXvANk275x7mR5uF0i1MywZhclH3LyLUE/s320/20170223_043246.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Here's where I am at on "Remember Me". I completed the row of houses (just need roofs on them), dug half of a grave (all that dark stitching is tedious) and my witch now has a dress and a pumpkin companion. I messed up the skeletons toes, so am hemming and hawing over how much I will have to frog to make them right. This linen is very bumpy/uneven, and I went over three somewhere when it should have been over two. Now the only problem is finding which little stitch threw me off! </div>
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Below is <span style="text-align: center;">my SIXTH finish for the year, Drawn Thread's "Halloween Sampler". I changed many of the colors on this one, but overall am really happy with how it turned out. I have organized my WIP list into categories (I know how nerdy am I?) so about 25% of my projects are Fall/Autumn, 25% are Halloween, 25% are miscellaneous, and the last group is all of my big-big projects. My goal for the first three months of this year was 25% of my WIP basket done, or 9 projects. So with six done already and one more month to go I am right on track. Well, as long as I stop adding new projects like ahem the LK at the top of this post. Look away, look away--I just can't help myself apparently!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjiB__tWS3SyQh1L6MtczLNvrf5WoH8E8I27BVlD4jXfT6vzhUXRwgKm1tuNiSSV3CienBGcKF05_Z-dCUBMbEHR_rZHHppDvzBhGG86j524ICJuQ7OzWSSOLq-iswN5dj_UblgZLFmo/s1600/20170223_043329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjiB__tWS3SyQh1L6MtczLNvrf5WoH8E8I27BVlD4jXfT6vzhUXRwgKm1tuNiSSV3CienBGcKF05_Z-dCUBMbEHR_rZHHppDvzBhGG86j524ICJuQ7OzWSSOLq-iswN5dj_UblgZLFmo/s400/20170223_043329.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-53274513942022381802017-02-06T23:14:00.000-08:002017-02-06T23:14:14.366-08:00Skeletons coming out of my closet<br />
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I'll start with my most recent finish, Alice is done! This was a very quick stitch for me, and I loved the softness of the colors in it. This was my first time stitching a Jardin Prive design, and I have to say I enjoyed the chart too (easy to read, just DMC thread and no blended colors). I am still debating making this into a pillow or a wall hanging, pillows in our house tend to be well-loved!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrBLOZ0ZgJNCw-qnGALBd6zsS6opVucmufq81CGXW4eqPb-7e1aZnuCiBT9JUvKJlWHmWPYtmx7FnVOEXt0S76WT1HXGXw1H-Bz2o4JTvqBUnLIvU2wylfazzR7Q5bXm8VJYOcSm6mHo/s1600/20170206_225327-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrBLOZ0ZgJNCw-qnGALBd6zsS6opVucmufq81CGXW4eqPb-7e1aZnuCiBT9JUvKJlWHmWPYtmx7FnVOEXt0S76WT1HXGXw1H-Bz2o4JTvqBUnLIvU2wylfazzR7Q5bXm8VJYOcSm6mHo/s320/20170206_225327-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is my not so new start. Birds of A Feather "Remember Me On Halloween".</div>
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I say not so new, because when I went looking back for my starting progress photo I had to go way way back in the archives. The date under the cat says 2011, which means I probably started this in 2010. I don't think I have stitched at all on this in the last five years, so it was time for it to see some attention.You'll notice the edges are taped with blue painters tape, and I was very brave in leaving very little margin around my stitching. It is funny how much I have learned in my stitching over the years. The skeleton is again stitched in glow in the dark white (my favorite for Halloween pieces), and I have changed every single color from the chart to suit what I had available in my thread stash. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P43OuPmL6nOgj0VH8C_MFmP52i8BPuys6dieGf_gYUckgiBgtyx8CaRq5S6eC2R3Age8jxElbrhJE_pHBB4JRx6sdoGpkPjErU9Gi9uqJGlpkI0g3pPx12xhISvr0eHW-ByHcnU_ZtU/s1600/20160924_113759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P43OuPmL6nOgj0VH8C_MFmP52i8BPuys6dieGf_gYUckgiBgtyx8CaRq5S6eC2R3Age8jxElbrhJE_pHBB4JRx6sdoGpkPjErU9Gi9uqJGlpkI0g3pPx12xhISvr0eHW-ByHcnU_ZtU/s320/20160924_113759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is what I have been reading this week. Watership Down was recommended by a friend of mine, and is a children's classic about a warren of rabbits. At first I was not sure how much I would enjoy it, but it wound up being one of those books I wished would not end. The Reader was my other finish this week. I have not seen the movie yet (starring Kate Winslet), so went into this book knowing only a little of the story. I did like the story, it was a short read, only 200 pages. I looked up some of the reviews of it after finishing it, and it gave me pause to think about the characters in the story. It is about a Nazi prison guard put on trial for war crimes after the war, and her motivations for what she did. I highly recommend both books, but am now immersing myself in lighter fare of Mary Kay Andrews, I love her books for how just light and fun they are. She just came out with a new one called "Save the Date" about a wedding planner who finds love. One of my New Years goals is to read two books a month this year, so finishing these two in the last week of January puts me right on track.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0IJgl4QguwFgcy0BUY7DPZyc2OQPkSpHsO_IeGu-xm6bA_wr55LTItIZaZutXXoYEf3b0RuLBe31OqmmSQk0L770BZ4kiXQeR0-L2ooT3Ie-Gk1bnPsqbuEPMg2J-ndDcbu14v6IN7E/s1600/20170205_162822-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0IJgl4QguwFgcy0BUY7DPZyc2OQPkSpHsO_IeGu-xm6bA_wr55LTItIZaZutXXoYEf3b0RuLBe31OqmmSQk0L770BZ4kiXQeR0-L2ooT3Ie-Gk1bnPsqbuEPMg2J-ndDcbu14v6IN7E/s400/20170205_162822-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-24805211533976373072017-01-30T23:34:00.000-08:002017-01-30T23:34:43.877-08:00Alice is almost in Wonderland!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu2VQCMq_aMXEFSpzOkUuMt2R6mBhPhKEyo0N-Te_IbtFGx66VGcMe2AHgdjcf8OSf5mQ-CWBxD8-GaiJNrp8zikk9T2hzcg4xwu_FjcPaA2e3cX_2NxqkQ_swBTnYTU8h6mqdcThlaE/s1600/20170128_154014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu2VQCMq_aMXEFSpzOkUuMt2R6mBhPhKEyo0N-Te_IbtFGx66VGcMe2AHgdjcf8OSf5mQ-CWBxD8-GaiJNrp8zikk9T2hzcg4xwu_FjcPaA2e3cX_2NxqkQ_swBTnYTU8h6mqdcThlaE/s640/20170128_154014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I have a good feeling Alice will be finish #5 for the year. Here is where she is as of this weekend. I got a good bit of stitching time in on her as husband was out of town visiting family. I found the fabric on ebay, and think I am going to make Alice into some sort of small wall quilt or pillow. Isn't the clock fabric perfect for her though?!? Sorry Alice is so wrinkly, I took her off my stitching hoop just to get a quick progress photo.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliLtPy2fvrH3Cs5RJoVZ_Le87WhXU2NFYlSPv98wRwcxFCfoaqP__QcYMakDGQNGJLk39SpndhkX3I_LVY4Wg1jSVqJb8e2A9myrP3tPjBaIcjigWb4BmLBTIeiiyWRGbyH472rfbNGc/s1600/20170128_153754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliLtPy2fvrH3Cs5RJoVZ_Le87WhXU2NFYlSPv98wRwcxFCfoaqP__QcYMakDGQNGJLk39SpndhkX3I_LVY4Wg1jSVqJb8e2A9myrP3tPjBaIcjigWb4BmLBTIeiiyWRGbyH472rfbNGc/s320/20170128_153754.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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And while husband was away I did a little thrift shopping over the weekend, and look what I found! It was half off Saturday at the Goodwill's in our area, and I found the above spool of kind of an eyelet lace trim for $4. I actually wanted trim for Alice's pillow, but I honestly have no idea what I will do with quite this much of it. The spool is about 8 inches across, and on the bottom it says "365" not sure if that is in feet or yards. If it is yards that's like a half mile of trim! (please don't check my math i'm terrible at it) So I now own a lifetime supply of trim. FYI you can expect to see this on ALL of my future finishes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpr73fzUUEtpnjiG7jjXHkf7Ml0n0-x2YLXO6R9EQ3DV-Pl8f5fii9FICz13DEtw4EWtXD30cW3khIyHCVMEDL11uLUtTo_k_2-YHkR-vIICYiwS9QBb4sfPqjiIxU_T6Ur0GF2dBjVWs/s1600/20170128_153841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpr73fzUUEtpnjiG7jjXHkf7Ml0n0-x2YLXO6R9EQ3DV-Pl8f5fii9FICz13DEtw4EWtXD30cW3khIyHCVMEDL11uLUtTo_k_2-YHkR-vIICYiwS9QBb4sfPqjiIxU_T6Ur0GF2dBjVWs/s640/20170128_153841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here was my BIG purchase for the weekend, a new outside stitchy spot. We have an awesome back porch at this house, and used to have a very old-very cheap futon that too many foster dogs had halfway destroyed and I would not longer sit on (they ripped the stuffing out of half of it). Now that we are on hiatus from dog fostering for a bit, I decided it was time for me to have a comfy stitchy spot again. I love stitching outside in the natural light, and being able to hear birds and the wind in the trees. Here in Arizona this is the perfect time of year to be outside too, it was in the high 60's this weekend. So I found the above daybed on Craigslist (for $100 bucks less than it was still on sale for at World Market) and all of the pillows on it for less than $10 at Goodwill (half off day again). The only thing new I had to buy was the mattress for it (I just can't see buying a used mattress). So I am one happy stitcher again to have an outdoor spot again.blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452432359769714532.post-79260778065099402012017-01-24T03:43:00.000-08:002017-01-24T03:43:19.340-08:00A few more finishes and oops! one new start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8WVURl5w9e3UvwutghE10_PRy7S_-vEUFM1h3iySQCR_mztujN6VYjeAtKLjy-CZ_PwQQBhkAgmrQReS4QI9E24o74Z6-PaB5Z4DcQ8_9e1kknQ37ermelaTzE3kqQZgTIngbMK2CLg/s1600/20170124_042057-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8WVURl5w9e3UvwutghE10_PRy7S_-vEUFM1h3iySQCR_mztujN6VYjeAtKLjy-CZ_PwQQBhkAgmrQReS4QI9E24o74Z6-PaB5Z4DcQ8_9e1kknQ37ermelaTzE3kqQZgTIngbMK2CLg/s320/20170124_042057-1.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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So I did start something new amidst continuing to try and thin out my stitching basket a bit. This one was a Christmas present from my family, and I loved it so much I just couldn't wait to start on it. And for less than 2 weeks of stitching, I'd say I have made a good start on it. The design is "Alice au Pays des Merveilles" by Jardin Prive. My husband picked it out and then had my two daughters help him gather all the threads needed for it, so it truly was a family gift. I love the design, especially the white rabbit and the flowered tea cups/tea pot along the bottom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3uwxf3ROccir_us02W90nt-A7zKedZ-uDysguuP4CELJrCl8_hy9Z1qNeWbWQm6YToSTjefAXI9sTo6JZFjVbve3IzDRGHa1KLiESmaiqP3Q8ip9f1CL4kwcmQMA2CBuIUTbBUFDtNk/s1600/20170124_042007-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3uwxf3ROccir_us02W90nt-A7zKedZ-uDysguuP4CELJrCl8_hy9Z1qNeWbWQm6YToSTjefAXI9sTo6JZFjVbve3IzDRGHa1KLiESmaiqP3Q8ip9f1CL4kwcmQMA2CBuIUTbBUFDtNk/s320/20170124_042007-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have had some recent finishes too. Finish # 2 for the year is Lizzie Kate's September block. For such a tiny piece this one sure took me a long time to get done. I ahem, started it back in September with the delusion of getting it done in September--how is it January already!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqkL6Mh9DI__e0LHYjHkSjLsDiYS3EYZIMF_P94Ctvr8VLhzDdDOYAxpcL6VNg6FwqQnhxFS2I532e4kG75bIbTSyyFQwb-P6R65E5OCIPmLirv1-P1DEECeBrevCs1NeeMUUVLLkInA/s1600/20170124_041810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqkL6Mh9DI__e0LHYjHkSjLsDiYS3EYZIMF_P94Ctvr8VLhzDdDOYAxpcL6VNg6FwqQnhxFS2I532e4kG75bIbTSyyFQwb-P6R65E5OCIPmLirv1-P1DEECeBrevCs1NeeMUUVLLkInA/s640/20170124_041810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And Cricket Collections "Playing with Jacks" got the final stitches and back-stitching put in it. I originally was only going to stitch the black pumpkin on the right hand side of this design, but am now so glad I went ahead and stitched the whole thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqQpaX5B6TweBdhAPxrAobODgNH1c-1rYbHwzV3_aZmh38h1cQKR2cP7z0vJIdzwqRAfGQcFSDsX4GhlVUANn8OdbZed-Y3bNCJ43eRtbUTyuO5yFh3wEWiSAb1yT2vIrkwpl7UK8-Zc/s1600/20170124_041947-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqQpaX5B6TweBdhAPxrAobODgNH1c-1rYbHwzV3_aZmh38h1cQKR2cP7z0vJIdzwqRAfGQcFSDsX4GhlVUANn8OdbZed-Y3bNCJ43eRtbUTyuO5yFh3wEWiSAb1yT2vIrkwpl7UK8-Zc/s320/20170124_041947-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finish #4 for the month (that puts me ahead by one if your counting-my goal was 3 finishes a month) is Trilogy "Secret Flowerbed". This was another small that took me forever to get done. I did little french knots for the bunnies tail, and the used tiny green seed beads for the caterpillar. Pretty happy with how this one came out, but no idea how I will actually finish it. </div>
<br />blue star stitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13624181391967009424noreply@blogger.com13