Welcome to Cranberry Samplings

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Framing and Finishing.

First, I want to tell Nancy from Lovely in Chocolate fame that she is going to be receiving Take Joy in the mail. I did draw her name on Monday but I wasn't able to blog about it. Life has been very busy. I did pick up 2 pieces from the framer. This is the 12 days of Christmas by LHN. I am very happy with how it came out. With that said, I do wish the frame I picked was wider. The picture below is a close up of the frame. The picture isn't the best but you can click on any of them for a better view.
I do love the gold on the inside and the two tone brown, just want it wider.
This is Christmas Tea by PPS. This piece is much nicer IRL. Below is a close up of this frame and I really like it.
It is a silver frame with a dark blue edge. The frame isn't pink like the picture but I was wearing a red sweatshirt so maybe...
December Word Play finished and hanging up. I really do love these designs. They are quick and easy and just so cute.
I put this together today. These are the best boxes. I have a thing for boxes. Sorry about the glare from the glass on the table top. Note to self, don't take pictures on the kitchen table.
Still working on Winter Alphabet from LK. It's a fun stitch and the white does show up in person. That's it for tonight! Thanks for stopping by and leaving the best comments. They make my day. Until next time......Happy Stitching! Deborah

Friday, November 25, 2011

A Lot of Stitching and Tusal.

I hope that everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving full of family, friends, love and wonderful food. I know that I did. Now that the house is cleaned up and the turkey soup is made, I can now concentrate on some more stitching. I finished December Word Play last week. I just love these designs. I used a 36 ct. mystery fabric and the called for fibers. Hopefully, I can get it sewed up this coming week.
This is Winter Wind sampler from the Jan./Feb. 2011 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. I used 36 ct. quicksilver linen and the called for CC fibers. You can click on any of the pic's for a larger view. It is prettier in person.
In between cooking and baking this week. I finished Take Joy by SB. I will be putting it in the box that they show on the cover of the kit. These little designs are so quick and fun to do. I would like to pass this design on. It would make a great ornament. I have some of the floss left. It may not be enough to do the design but you can use it to help pick your own colors. So just leave a comment on this post. If I have more than one person who wants the design, I will draw a name on Monday night.
This is my latest start, Winter Alphabet by LK. I am using 32 ct oatmeal or flax linen and the called for fibers. The white shows up much better in person. Because I refused to leave my home today to shop ( I am not that crazy) I managed to get quite a bit done. It's a happy stitch. Every square that you finish gives you that feeling of accomplishment.
Here is my Tusal for the month. They are very packed down. Next year I need to find a different jar. Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post. I sure do appreciate them all. Enough the rest of the week end. Until next time.... Happy Stitching! Deborah

Saturday, November 19, 2011

A Week Full of RAK's & Stitching!

First up is a very cute needle book that I received Thursday in the mail from Myra. You all know her from gr8dame's Place. Her sewing skills are excellent. She makes the cutest things. I don't know how she remembered that I love pink. Below is a picture of the inside, which had a skein of variegated floss and 2 pink floss winders. The card was so pretty. Thanks so much Myra!

A couple of weeks ago I went to the new Hobby Lobby in NH. It really is a day trip from where I live. I went specifically for this box so I could do all the wonderful little Halloween pillows from BBD. They didn't have any boxes the day I went. I came home with some floss but no box. i was so disappointed. This past weekend my friend, Nataly, went and look what she brought home for me. Yeah! You have no idea how excited I was when she gave me this gift at stitching group on Wednesday. Thanks, again Nataly.
Thursday night at my other stitching group, Joanne gave me this beautiful shawl that she knitted. The color is more rusty than orange. It's over 60 inches long and has a pocket on both ends. It is perfect. I was told that it is a prayer shawl and it is given to you when you have a lose. Whatever the reason, I love it. I can't thank Myra, Nataly and Joanne enough for the kindness that they shown me. Stitchy friends are the best.
On to my stitching, I finished Christmas Tea and off to the framer it went. It was a joy to stitch.
This is winter Wind sampler by PSS from the JC magazine. I love the whimsy of this piece. It is done on 32 ct quicksilver linen using the called for CC floss. The fabric has a really nice lavender undertone to it. I probably won't be able to blog before Thanksgiving, so I want everyone to have a blessed day with family and friends. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I have a lot to be thankful for. Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Finally, Some Stitching!

It's been awhile since I posted some stitching, so here we go. First up is Autumn Pinkeep by Helga Mandl from the Gift of Stitching magazine. I used ant. ivory 32 ct linen and lavender honey SNC silk.
I trimmed the little pinkeep in some rust colored chenille. Very cute.
Next up is the 12 Days of Christmas by LNH. I loved this design the first time I saw it and couldn't wait to stitch it. I need to finish the musical notes and then it goes off to the framer. I don't do that many Christmas designs because I usually don't like the colors but this one didn't scream red and green. Below is a close up of the bottom.

I am working on Christmas Tea by PSS. This is one that can stay up all winter. Below is a pic of what the design will look like when finished. I used a blue fabric instead of the called for fabric, which I didn't have. I am using the called for Belle Soie silks.
Before I close, I want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments, e-mails and the cards that I received regarding Sammi's passing. They touched my heart. She was a great dog. Hope the rest of your weekend is fabulous. Until next time.....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Thank You

This is just a short post to thank you all for the kind words. I was overwhelmed by everyone's kindness and caring. Hugs, Deborah

Friday, November 4, 2011

It's a Sad Day.

It's with a heavy heart that I let you know that my sweet dog, Sammi passed yesterday. She was full of unconditional love and pure joy. We will miss her.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Doing the Happy Dance!

I need to thank all of you who encouraged me to keep going on PS November. It's done and being stretched for my in and out frame. Now that it is finished, I do like it better. The colors were just so hard...
I finished the November Word Play and it is now hanging. I ordered December today. I really love doing these. They are instant gratification and very easy to finish. You can click on any of the pics for a larger view.
A little stash enhancement came in the mail this week. So many lovely things, so little time. The trims are from Victoria Motto. I love the chenille trim. I will being starting the 12 Days of Christmas by LHN this week. I really like the fact that it is different. The LK Winter sampler is also really nice.
Finished December by DT. I really like this series and still have the first of the year to do.
I am going to end with a picture of my sweet Sammi. This was taken while we were in Vermont recently. Since this picture was taken she has started to fail some. Had to take her to the hospital this week. The medication they put her on makes her sleepy and dull. Hopefully, we can cut the dosage down. She is 18 yrs old and it's hard watching her age. I am on the coast of MA and we only had a dusting of snow and lost power for about 3 hrs. during the night. I did spend a couple of hours cleaning the branches from the yard from the very high winds. We still have around 250,000 people with out power. Thanks for stopping by and the comments you leave are so welcome and appreciated. Until next time.....Happy Stitching! Deborah