Welcome to Cranberry Samplings

Monday, October 22, 2012

Bits of This and That.

Thanks everyone for all the great comments. I appreciate them all. I am thankful for all who stop by and read my blog. It has been a wonderful fall season in MA. The colors on the trees is spectacular this year. I spent some time last week in Ocean City, MD at the Salty Yarn retreat. More on that in a while. I stitched 7 Halloween ornaments and a pillow that Vonna, of the twisted stitcher fame, finished for me. Her finishing is wonderful. I asked her to do what ever she wanted and she did not disappoint me. Vonna, thanks so much!
I can't pick a favorite. I love them all. You can click on any of the pictures for a better view. I finished Baby It's Cold Outside and I really love it. This piece I started in Ocean City.
When I finished that piece, I went back to Chritmastide. I couldn't do that piece while I was away because I knew I would be frogging big time. Here is my progress to date.
I did pick up Plaid House from the framer. I like it much better framed.
A close up of the frame. I have used this molding before and I really like the rustic look of it. I went to Ocean City and had a great 3 days. It was busy retreat. We had 3 teachers. Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs, Theresa from Shakespears Peddler and Donna from By The Bay. All the projects were fun and different. I wasn't able to get a picture of Donna's project. It is a wool bag and she taught us stump work.
This is Belinda's design. She is known for doing a large project and then taking some of the motifs to make some smalls. We started on the ort box. Is't it the cutest?!
These are girls I went with. Sue is working with Belinda in the first shot and Nataly and Ellen are in the second shot. We had a great time.
Next up is Theresa's project. She wanted us to make a pin cushion by hand channeling our inner child. It as a fun quick project. They can be tailored to the person you are making it for. I will end with a few shots of Ocean City. We stayed at the Lankford Hotel and Salty Yarns is connected to the hotel. They have a wonderful shop that is really stocked with all kinds of stitchy goodness. I did get some stash, of course.
The weather was warm. Ellen and I had breakfast outside on the boardwalk the day we left. Does it get better in October than that. It has been another lonnng post and thanks for sticking with me. Until next time .... Happy Stitching! Deborah

53 comments:

carol fun said...

Oh my -- so many wonderful little Halloweenie goodies! My fav is the witch shoes - cute cute cute! Plaid House is beautiful! What a great frame. I just picked this chart up and can't wait to stitch it.

I heard from my friend Stasi B. that the retreat in Ocean City was great - such talented teachers. Lucky you!

Beth said...

Great stitching and what fun finishing - now you need a Halloween tree. I'm envious the Retreat sounds like so much fun.

Kathy A. said...

OH what pretty stitches. Your retreat sounds like wonderful fun.Glad you had such an amazing time.

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

I love all your Halloween stitching! Your other stitching is just so pretty! That frame is just right for that stitching.
Glad you had a great time on the retreat.

Barb said...

Looks like a wonderful time and lots of great projects and finishes!

Nicola said...

How lucky you are to go on retreats. Thank you for sharing them with me.

Lesleyanne said...

Your ornaments are gorgeous. I love them all. Plaid House looks great framed. Sounds like the retreat was fun - lovely projects.

Michelle said...

Your retreat sounded wonderful. I love all your ornaments so pretty. Thanks for sharing them with us x

cucki said...

Wow all your stitching is so beautiful ..you so lucky that go for the retreat and it sound so much fun :)
Hugs xxx

butterfly said...

Oh Deborah, what lovely ornaments .
All your stitching is beautiful.
I love the orts box is the a chart name for this one ?
Looks like you had a wonderful time, hugs.

LUNA said...

Piękne prace !

Chris said...

You are right about the Halloween ornaments..How can you pick only one? They are all so wonderful.
I love your winter stitching too. I picked up the Heartstring chart and the plaid house. The frame is perfect for it.
Salty Yarns retreat looks amazing.
ok i need to go back and look at the post again, so inspiring. I need more stitching time.

Shirlee said...

What lovely stitches & finishes! And thank you for bringing back some memories this morning! My husband & I spent our honeymoon in Ocean City : )

Annie said...

That really looks like a great retreat. Ocean City was my hangout for many years!

Vonna did a beautiful job with your beautiful stitching.

Love the framed piece. Everything looks better with good framing.

Vickie said...

ooOoo! Wonderful goodness! I have never been on a retreat.

Margaret said...

Oh lucky you!!! So you got to go to the Salty Yarns retreat! Lucky lucky! Looks wonderful! And all your finished pieces -- I just love that first picture! Love your framed piece and your WIPs too. And the Heartstring piece -- wow, that was quick! All gorgeous!

robindefender said...

Love all your Halloween stuff! And it sounds like you had a great time at the Salty Yarn retreat.

Sally said...

Beautiful finishing by Vonna.

Love your sitching. You always stitch such gorgeous pieces.

Glad you had a great time at the retreat.

denise said...

love you halloween ornies.don't youi just love the salty yarn? i was there in april with my sister. that was the 1st time i'd been there in over 30 years. next time you are in the area check out sea needles in bethany beach,de. denise

Cindy's Stitching said...

all so pretty. will make a great display.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I'm glad you enjoyed your ornaments and they made it home in time for the big day :)
Your Salty Yarns retreat sounds FAB! I'm jealous! But in a good way!
I just saw Baby It's Cold Outside yesterday in my LNS and I almost bought it because it hits every bell for me. Its gorgeous Deborah...your are one speedy stitcher!

Laura said...

What a wonderful post!!! I love all your finishes...they are stunning!!!!! Your retreat looks like it was a total blast! I am getting ready to go to a retreat this weekend through the Inspired Needle shop and I am so excited!!!

Thanks for posting such lovely pictures of inspiration and beauty!!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Love all your finishes! What a fun place to go to a retreat.

BrendaS said...

Fabulous finishes Deborah! You always have such wonderful eye-candy on your blog posts.

Your retreat sounds fantastic. What a great set of teachers you had too:))

Thanks for sharing.

Angela said...

I love all the Halloween ornaments, I can't pick a favorite either :)

Love your finishes,the frame for Plaid house looks great!

I've always wanted to go to one of these stitching retreats, they sound like so much fun!

Deb said...

Those ornaments are wonderful!! I don't think that I would be able to pick out a favorite from them - they are all great!!

Love your framing and it sounds like you had a wonderful time at the retreat!

Berit said...

Everything looks great--but my favorites are the ornaments!

SewAmy said...

I am drooling over all your goodies! They are all so gorgeous. And I am jealous of your retreat.... I'd love to go on a retreat with a bunch of stitching ladies.

Ranae said...

Love, love your Halloweenies, vonna does perfect finishing
Beautiful framing for beautiful stitching
I leave Friday for a retreat, looks like you had a fun time at yours

mckinney37397 said...

Love all your halloween ornaments please post chart names or designers if you can-the feet are awfully cute.

Nicole said...

Beautiful stitching as always! I'm glad you had fun in Ocean City!

Mouse said...

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo I don't know where to start with all the yumminess of all your stitching ....
glad you had a fab time at the retreat and nice to see the photos of you too :)
I shall just go and mop up the lady like drool before I go heheheh :) love mouse xxxx

Kathy H said...

I love all of those halloween ornaments. I would have a hard time picking my favorite also. That frame really is a nice one too.

Mary said...

Looks like a great time at your retreat! And the Halloween ornaments are darling - nice job!

Julie said...

Superb collection of ornaments, very lovely.
What a wonderful time your stitchers retreat sounds.

Maggee said...

So many pretty finishes! Vonna does GREAT work! Your Baby It's Cold Outside is gorgeous... the chart is languishing in my stash! And Plaid House--LOVE the frame! It is perfect! Thanks for sharing about the retreat! I knew of a bunch of gals from here that used to go... years ago. They always had fun and lots to share! Glad you enjoyed it! Hugs!

marly said...

Lots of great stitchery projects. The ornaments are so special! Having breakfast outside in the warmth - I'll have to wait 7 months!

Ellen said...

Wonderful stitchings and finishings, love them!

Thanks for sharing the photos of the retreat!

Hugs,

Tatkis said...

So many lovely finishes! And your framed stitcheries are just beautiful!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Lots and lots of lovely stitching!

Teresa said...

I missed you. I am trying so hard to get caught up. I am jealous of your fall colors. Your Halloween ornaments came out lovely. Wish I could have gone on the retreat with you.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Melanie said...

OMG THE ORNAMENTS. I WANT THEM ALL.

What a fantastic retreat. Sounds like so much fun!!

Patty C. said...

Love your inner child pin cushion - it's just darling ;)

Myra said...

A visit to your blog is always a treat! I just love all those Halloween finishes.

Marie said...

So many beautiful Halloween Ornaments. I love what you did with "Take One My Pretties" ~ I finished mine as a candy container.

I must, must, must stitch Baby It's Cold Outside...it would be a perfect in my VT home. Beautiful job!

Plaid House and the Ort box are wonderful as well.


Parsley said...

Oh my goodness...I am in AWE! So many lovelies!

Kathy Ellen said...

Wonderful finishes on your great Halloween ornaments. Wow, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" looks great....you are an amazingly fast stitcher!'Plaid House looks great too, and the frame is so perfect for it.

So happy that you all had such a wonderful time at the Salty Yarns retreat. Great projects!

Blessings!

Deb said...

I wouldn't be able to pick a favorite either! And I really like "baby it's...." I may have to purchase that pattern for my stash. I love your frame choice for the Plaid House. All in all, some beautiful and inspiring stitching!

Carol said...

You and Vonna make a great team, Deborah--each and every one of the ornaments is adorable! And I love the frame on Plaid House, too--great choice...

How nice to get away with good friends and stitch away--looks like a perfect getaway :)

Michelle said...

Beautiful stitching and finishing!

Lynn said...

What a wonderful post Deborah!
Your Halloween ornies are fabulous. I love the cat and the Fancey Blackett pillow.
The frame for Plaid House is perfect!
Baby It's Cold is one that I've been contemplating and still can't make up my mind on. Your finish is lovely.
I'm glad you enjoyed the retreat. It sounds like it was a great spot for stitching and fun with friends.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Sounds like your retreat was just what they're supposed to be - peaceful and fun! Love all your stitching and finishes. Really love that frame and Plaid House. Enjoy all your projects...

Catherine said...

Lovely post full of eye candy! Thanks for sharing it all!