A RAK and a Finish and a Frame Up.

I received the nicest RAK from Angela of Hooked on Stitches. The box is lovely and I just love the design she stitched. The inside is finished a pin cushion. She finished it perfectly. Thanks so much, Angela, for your kindness.

I picked up my Massachusetts sampler from the framer this week. I am very happy with how it turned out. It will go nicely in the mud room with 13 Colonies and the Mayflower sampler. All of them are by LHN. On the MA sampler I used 32 ct. woodsmoke linen and the suggested fibers.

I finished the LK Spring ABC design. It is being stretched and I will post a picture after it's finished. I am currently working on Spring Fling by BBD. It is a small design and is working up quickly.

This is a very happy little stitch. The colors are cheerful and I love the fabric I chose. The picture doesn't do the fabric the justice it deserves. It is v. Luna by LSL. The color is a soft yellow with a pink undertone. Just beautiful. The weather this week end is going to be cold and rainy with the chance of some snow, so I know that this piece will be finished. I am hoping to find a frame in my stash. You can click on any of the pictures for a larger view.

I will close with a picture of Stella doing something she enjoys so much. Chewing! She is going to doggie daycare one day next week. I tell everyone that she needs to play with other kids but really I need the break. I think that I will spend the day stitching. Hopefully they will like her and she can keep going once a week. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leaving the nicest comments. They mean a lot to me. I see a giveaway in my future because I am only 6 followers away from 600. Amazing! Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Spring Fever!

I haven't blogged for over a week. The weather has been very warm for this time of year and I have been taking advantage of it. Stella and I have been taking long walks, working some in the gardens and the dreaded spring cleaning. I just love the throwing away and donating stuff this time of year. Now, on to the stitching.

I finished Spring Band Sampler by LHN and had an in and out frame made. I think it came out nice. I just love the frame. Below is a close up view. I hope the frame will go with the other seasons.

I finished the DT April design and it is getting stretched currently and I will take a picture when it is finished. Things like pictures are getting by me. I know it's Spring fever. I started a LK piece called Spring ABC's. It is a happy stitch and is stitching up quickly. I am doing it on 32 ct. ant. ivory linen and a combination of over-dyed floss and DMC.

I thought that I would close with a few pictures of my craft room. In MA if you do not have a window and a closet the room is not considered a bedroom. This room is upstairs and has no windows. It is oddly shaped with slanted ceilings and nooks.

You will see my new bobbins an spools on my great grandmothers hope chest. I just love this chest. It was hand made in Ireland when she was a young girl. My great grand parents packed everything they brought over in this chest. So cool. On the the green and white table and next to the chest are baskets of smalls. They used to be in the family room until Stella came to stay.

This chest holds a lot of stitching goodness. On the top is on of my frogs and a box that was made last year. The picture of the daffodils is one I stitched over 20 years ago. The picture on the chest is the four generations of my family. Sadly, I am the only one still living. I was very lucky to have know my great grandma. She passed away when I was 10. I spent every summer with her. My Mom died about 11 years ago. Still miss her. You can click on any of the pictures for a larger view. Well, off for another walk with Stella. Thanks for stopping by and leaving the best comments. Until next time.....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Stitching and Thrifting!

I managed to get some stitching time in. Maybe if I was home more, I would get more done. Who knows. I finished April Word Play and love it. You can click on any of the pics for a larger view. I just love the fat rabbit in the cart. Now that I see the picture, I noticed that I forgot the word on the cart. Must get to it.

I started Spring Band sampler by LHN. I am using 32 ct. natural linen and the suggested DMC fibers.

Now on to the thrifting part of this post. Cheryl and I have been very busy hitting different spots. First up are the 2 flower frogs I picked up.

The one on the left has a cut glass bowl and a silver top. It is in great condition and under $10.00. The one on the right is a silver plate one. It is in 3 sections. It was really tarnished but polished up beautifully. It was $14.00 and has become on of my favorites. Below is a picture of it taken apart.

Stella thinks everything with her grasp is hers. This is really bad for my stitching. I used to leave it on the arm of my chair and never gave it a thought. Now that she gets on the furniture, I have lost threads, fabric and she has eaten some patterns. So something had to be done and this is what I found.

A wonderful sewing basket that she can't get into. I believe that is was homemade. I found no markings of any kind on it. I was pretty dirty but cleaned up nicely. I haven't decided if I will re-stain it or paint it. For now, it is staying as is. The inside is perfect.

It sits next to my stitching chair out of the way. The top opens on both sides. I just love it.

I found some bobbins and spools and the cutest potholder that I couldn't leave. It is so pretty.

I will end with a picture of Stella. She graduated yesterday from puppy school and is going on to another level.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving the best comments. They mean so much. Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Some Wonderful Things in the Mail.

Another week has gone by. It's been busy here. Didn't get much stitching in because of having company over the week end and , of course, Stella. She has cut into my stitching time but happily so.

Sorry about the really bad picture but it's late and the lighting is terrible. This is the April Word play. The fabric is much lighter than the picture shows. It is 36 ct.v. butter cream using the suggested GA fibers. I did finish the MA sampler and off to the framer it went before I took a picture.

This is all framed up and I think that it came out pretty nice. Now on to the great stuff I received in the mail. I won the best giveaway from Jan from Tree of Life Samplings. Her generosity overwhelmed me.

This were the packages in the box. I love the seals.

I received two of her Emma Rose designs and the floss to do Emma Rose freedom. She included a wonderful thread holder by Liberty House. I do collect Liberty House products so this was a treat.

She included 2 pieces of her own dyed fabric in the most wonderful colors and the liberty needleminder by Kelmscott. Again, one I didn't have.

Last but not least is the pillow she stitched and was finished by Faye. The finishing is beautiful. I love the dyed lace and the back is finished with a pocket. So beautiful. Thank you Jan for the wonderful gifts! Blogger won't let post any more pics so I will close. Cheryl and I have been busy thrifting and I post about that next. Thanks for visiting and commenting. They mean the world to me. Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah

A Little Bit of Everything!

It has been very busy around here and I haven't posted in over a week. The time is flying so fast. I must be getting old. I do have some stitching to show.

This is a BBD design named called Easter Parade. I used 32 ct mystery fabric and the suggested floss. I will be framing it in a gold frame from my stash.

This is a little Massachusetts sampler by LHN. I think the design is called 1728 samplings. There are 4 designs in the group. I had done 13 Colonies and the Mayflower sampler by LHN for my mudroom and thought this would fit in perfectly. The fabric is 32 ct woodsmoke by LSL and the fibers are Belle Soie. I do love silks.

I put together my March WP as a door hanger. Cheryl put together the my SB Irish Hearts into a pillow for me. I picked green and light purple fabric that matches the floss pretty well.

I won this beautiful heart pendent from Marjorie at Moonsilk Stitches. Her work is stunning! Thanks Marjorie.

I, also, won this floss from Nancy at Victorian Motto. I have used her chenille and lace trim and look forward to using the floss. The colors are rich and beautiful. Now to find a project.

I picked up my Loose Feather finish from the framer. I had it framed close like they did. I just love it.

The frame is wide and the color has red tones which goes well with the alphabet color. Will end this post with a picture of Stella. She has gained 3 pounds and gotten taller. She has eaten through 3 harnesses, many toys, can jump on all the furniture in the house and is doing pretty well at school. The boxer is Harvey (from school) and he is quite smitten with Stella.

Thanks for sticking with me this long! I love all the comments. They are appreciated. Until next time.... Happy Stitching! Deborah

Where Does The Time Go?

It's been over a week since I posted and really, I don't know where the time has gone. I have done some stitching. With Stella, it is getting hard to find the time without puppy interference.

I finished March Word Play. It was done on 36 ct v. butter cream fabric using the suggested GA floss. Then I finished the loose feathers designs Autumn, Summer and Winter. I really love this piece and was glad to get back to it. It will go to the framer on Wednesday.

Next up is a SB design called Irish Heart. Not a lot of work. I did it this afternoon watching a marathon of Joan and Melissa. Mindless TV. Perfect for stitching. I must say though it was funny.

Cheryl and I are going to have a finishing day this coming week. The SB piece will turn into a pillow. We have been hitting the antique places and have picked up some frogs and other cool stuff.

I just love these giant bobbins. I am going to wrap them with some of my lace trims.

I got a few different frogs. I just love this one. Very different.

The one on the right is very cool. It has a silver top with may holes. It polished up beautifully.

Cheryl found the blue frog for me when she was in Canada about 18 months ago. I had nothing to put it in until I found this lovely blue bowl. The frog fit perfectly. This is one of my favs.

We found this at a country store and I just had to have it. It is reproduction of an old sewing case. I am trying to get my stitching room more organized (much like the rest of you) and this case helped me a great deal. Thanks for taking the time to read and leave comments on my blog. I love the comments, they mean a lot to me. I have had some questions about Stella. She is doing well at school and getting big. She has a new boyfriend at school. Harvey is a boxer and is quite smitten with Stella. I will show pictures of her on my next post. Have a great week. Until next time.....Happy Stitching! Deborah

A Few Good Things!

I have managed to get some stitching in this week. Thank goodness for my stitching groups. I get a lot done there. I did the the March cottage by CCN.

It was a quick fun stitch. I did one of the windows in yellow because I like to think that someone is stitching or reading. Goofy, I know. I started the March word play. I love each one of these designs.

I have been the lucky recipient of some giveaways. Last week I received this design from Kathy Ellen from Stitcher's Heirlooms. Kathy and I met at the first New England Retreat. We have become stitchy friends. Kathy's stitching is lovely. Thanks for the great design Kathy.

This is what I received from Nicola of Stitching by a Cornish Sea Shore. If you haven't visited her blog yet, you must! Her stitching is beautiful and her photos of where she lives, the birds and her sweet dogs are stunning. I received the beautiful pattern and so much more. She included 4 fat quaters of fabric, trims and the most beautiful buttons. Least I forget, one of her bird photos. Thank you so much Nicola! You can click on any of the photos for a larger view.

Today in the mail came another wonderful package from Barbara of To Stitch or Not To Stitch. Another wonderful stitcher with a great blog. Barbara's stitching and finishing is stunning. I received the most wonderful sachet filled with walnut shells and lavender. The smell is fabulous. As you can see, she finished it beautifully with beads and a double bow. The candy is already gone. I couldn't help myself. Everything was Valentine related . The floss is either named chocolate names or pinks. Pink beads and little hearts. A very cute tea towel, pen and a wonderful piece of fabric called chocolate raspberry. Thanks Barbara for the early Valentine goodies. I love them all. Thanks for sticking with this rather long post. Cheryl and I have been shopping and I will share some of the goodies I picked up on my next post. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. It means the world to me. Until next time.....Happy Stitching! Deborah