Welcome 2022

 Hi,

Happy New Year everyone!!! I can't believe it is 2022 already.  Last year really flew by, but I am ready to begin this year strong.  I have tried my hand at FlossTube but I don't think that is the right format for me to express myself as a crafter.  I have made some really wonderful friends and I watch FlossTube practically everyday I just decided to get back to my roots and that is blogging.

So I am really happy to show you my latest finish and the first for 2022.  It is a SAL that my friend Linda started on a group on Facebook and it took me awhile to finish.  It is a cute freebie called Give Thanks that you can get Here.

I really love it and I have some matching fabric to make a pillow.  That is another change I want to make in 2022 and that is to FFO more projects. 

Anyway, I hope to come back soon with a wip parade.  They are all pretty large projects but I would love at least one finished this year.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

Mary

I am back with some finishes

Good morning everyone,

Wow!  The time has really flown and I can't believe it has been 2 months since my last post.  I hope everyone is having tons of fun this summer and getting some stitchy time in.

I have been very busy and have finished several things since we have last visited each other.  The first thing I want to show you is my Seasons in Chalk, Stars in Stripes by Hands on Designs that was in the July 2016 JCS issue.  I am doing each one and will make them all into pillows. 

I am currently working on Seasons in Chalk Christmas out of the Dec 2016 JCS issue.  Here is an update after working on it for 4 days.  It is so much fun.  I dyed some Charles Craft 14 ct Opal Aida in black and I am really happy with the results.

I also did the mini bunnies from the May/June 2018 JCS issue.  Here is May:

Here is June:

I ffo'd the skull and I just love how it turned out.

I was working on Ink Circles pattern called Cirque de Triangles but I just couldn't get into it.  I am sure we have all been there before.  So I cut off what I stitched and went looking for a pattern that I could still use the floss and fabric for.  I found this Mandala by Heritage Stitch on Etsy.  It reminds me of the Spiralgraph toy I had as a kid.

I also started on this baby sampler for my great-niece Eden.  I have finished all the leaves and just need to finish the trunk and the tree will be done.  There will be some woodland animals at the bottom.  I found this on Etsy and the store name is NikkiPattern.

Last but not least is the free pattern on Lakeside Needlecrafts website.  I am really enjoying this one.
It is done on some 28ct Monaco evenweave I hand-dyed last year.

Thanks so much for looking and catching up with me.  Have a great weekend.
Mary

March Smalls Check-in

Good morning everyone,

I hope everyone that celebrates Easter has a wonderful weekend and whomever doesn't celebrate I hope you have a great weekend as well.

I can't believe it is time for the check-in already.  I have been stitching like crazy and have a few things to show you.

Thank you again to Heather at The Stitching Lotus for hosting this wonderful SAL.  You can join at anytime.

I finished this ornament at the beginning of the month.  It is called Spiderweb Ornament from KBB Crafts and was in the 2017 JCS Special Halloween issue.

After seeing everyone's cute finishes I decided to do this bunny series.  It is in the current JCS issue and I adapted the colors to match my backing fabric.  I am choosing to do all the bunnies brown and this color is from Carrie's Creation Threads.

Lastly, is an ornament I finished for Needlecraft Haven. They choose a freebie every month and you can post a picture until after the last Sunday of the month.  This was my first time participating and it was a lot of fun.  It is called Christmas Joy and you can find it here in the November 28, 2017 entry.  It is really modified because I decided not to include the cart and the trees.

So as far as my bigger projects here is an update on them:

Seasons in Chalk by Hands On Design JCS 2016.  Beginning of the month:

Current progress:

White Tigers beginning of the month

:

Current Progress:

Well that is all for now.  Thanks for looking and have a great start to April.
Mary

Small's SAL - February edition

Hi y'all,

I am sorry I am late to the party but I finished my small last night.  Thank you to Heather at The Stitching Lotus for hosting this SAL. Here is where you will find her blog and all the info to this SAL.

My finish for this month's SAL is the 2009 Souvenir de Paris freebie by Blackbird Designs.  You can find it here.  I altered the pattern by not including the phrase at the bottom and by changing the date to this year.  The cream floss I used is a little hard to see but once I ffo it I hope that is will stand out more. The fabric is 28 ct opalescent Lugana that I fabric painted pink.

Here is my ffo from my finish earlier this month.  I made the mistake of thinking I can do a circle and it looked awful.  I had to make some alterations but I think it is still cute, mistakes and all.

Thanks for looking and have a great Sunday.
Mary

2 large (to me) FFO's and some plans

Hi y'all,

How are you doing?  I hope things have been going well since I last posted.  The family and I are doing great and the kids can't wait for Winter break next week. 

Thanks again to Jo at Serendipitous Stitching for hosting the blogger of the week.  It was so much fun and I got to "meet" some wonderful stitchers as well as new followers.  Welcome to my blog.

I decided to join the 2018 Christmas Ornie SAL hosted by Kaye at Kitten Stitching.  Here is a link to her blog here and you can sign up if you want.  I actually forgot I signed up for 2017 and didn't contribute this year, but I am going to try to do better in 2018.  I already have Jan and Feb lined up.

In addition, Heather at The Stitching Lotus here will continue to host Smalls SAL into 2018 which I am so happy.  Even though I am trying to stitch larger projects I will always love my smalls.

So, what have I been stitching and completing since November.  Well, I fully finished the Connie Gee 2017 Rainbow SAL.  I used a limited edition cotton floss called Lurchen by Carrie's Creations thread.  The pillow form I purchased was too small so I had to improvise.  I think it turned out really cute and my son Brentley really likes it.

Yesterday I was able to finally finish House 2 for my SIL.  I will order frames for both houses next month after Christmas.  That nomostitchmo really helped me complete this project.  I hope my SIL's like their gift.

Now that the house is completed I will pull out White Tigers and that will be my nomostitchmo project.  My son Blake was happy I am working on it.

Here is where I left off last.

Hopefully, I will have some really good progress next time I post at the end of the month.

I just got done prepping 2 projects and can't wait to start on them.  I was going to continue to work on Summer by Hands on Design chalk series but I don't feel like stitching it right now.

I want to get these projects done because I am going down to Florida in early April for my sisters wedding.

The first one is a baby sampler for my soon to be born great-niece. I found this cute design on Etsy and it is by NikkiPattern. I decided to stitch it on 28ct Ant. white Cashel.

The theme of the nursery is forest and my nephews girlfriend likes foxes so I thought this would be cute.

Next, I am going to start my very first fairy.  I asked my mom what her favorite flower was and she loves Tulips.  The only fairy I could find was Anneke the Tulip Fairy by Cross stitching Art.com.  I bought the chart on 123stitch! and I am using 32ct Taupe Lugana and the called for threads and beads. This will be her Mother's Day present.

Thanks again for looking and I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season.

Mary

November Smalls SAL check-in

Good Afternoon everyone,

Thank you again Heather @thestitchinglotus for hosting this monthly SAL.

I apologize for always being a day or two late.  This month I got sidetracked by Thanksgiving.  In the USA we always celebrate this tradition on the third Thursday of November.  It is a time to gather with friends and family with a thankful heart.  We usually do not travel this time of year so it was just my husband Bill, my 3 sons and myself.

Everyone who celebrated, I hope you had a wonderful holiday and for those who do not I hope you have had a terrific November.

I have exciting news!! Jo at Serendipitous Stitching has interviewed my for Blogger of the Week.  I am not sure when my turn is but I was so humbled.  I am somewhat neglectful of my blog but I will get better.

Well, I only have two smalls for the month and the first one is the completion of November for Connie G's 2017 Rainbow SAL.  I finished the circle and quite a bit of the brown.

I ordered a special pillow form from Ebay that should get here in about a week.  I cannot wait to have this done to give to my son Brentley.  It has been so much fun to work on.

My second one is Brewhaha with some alterations.  This is a freebie Here and it is from Plum Street Samplers.

If you guys watch Flosstube or on Facebook then you know about the SAL called Nomostitchmo and is a spinoff of nomowritmo.  You stitch 50 stitches a day on a project which is the perfect motivation to finish the second house.  My husband said I could stitch it for February instead of for Christmas which I am so happy.  I didn't think it could get done for Christmas.  Here is my progress so far.

I am striving to complete it by Jan 1st and I feel confident I can do that.  I also pulled out my seasons in chalk in Summer by Hands on Design that was in the 2016 JCS.

I am having so much fun with this one and can't wait until it is finished.  This is another wip I hope to finish by Jan 1st.

I asked my mother what her favorite flower was and she said Tulip.  I am really surprised that Nora Corbett didn't have a Tulip fairy however, 123stitch! had this one and she liked it.  I am waiting for it to arrive.

I ordered the beads, Kreinik and 32ct Lugana in Taupe from Stoney Creek.  I also picked up the DMC floss at Michael's.  Aren't they pretty?

Well that is all for now.  I probably won't have anything done for Theme-tas-stitch so I will catch you on December 29th for the final check-in of 2017.

Thanks again for looking,

Mary

June Smalls Check-In

Hi everyone,

Heather over at the stitching lotus is hosting a SAL that you can join in at anytime.

I decided to start Connie Gee's 2017 SAL. You can find it here.  I discovered her by chance at the end of 2016 because someone posted a picture of the 2016 SAL they were stitching.  I still need to do that one some day.

I started with May and used Carrie's Creation Emerald.

Then I moved up and worked on January.  I used DMC 4210 Radiant Ruby.  I thought the dark red looked like garnet.

February was done with Crescent Colors Grape Pie.

Lastly, I did June in Carrie's Creation Mauvelous.

Oh, and I used DMC 4000 Espresso for the border.
Here is my total progress so far.

My plans for July is to complete March and July then move onto some Christmas and Patriotic smalls.

Thanks for looking,
Mary

May's Theme-Tas-Stitch Finish

Good evening everyone,

I am so thrilled I have a finish to show you.  The theme was monochromatic design and I was out of town visiting family and I didn't know how much stitching I could do.  I made this pillow for my mom as part of her Mother's Day gift and she loved it.

I got home yesterday and I am going to have limited stitching time during the summer because my 3 sons are already out of school.  I will do as much as I can.  I am so close to finishing Cirque des Circle and I can't wait to show you.

Thanks for looking,
Mary

April's Smalls SAL Check-in

Hi y'all,

Hope you are all having a great weekend.  My husband and I are still trying to get over the cruds.  I think mine has turned into sinus congestion but all is wonderful.

I am participating in a lovely Smalls SAL hosted by stitching lotus .  It is a lot of fun, go check it out if you enjoy stitching smalls.  It is low key, low pressure.

Here are some smalls I was able to finish this month.

I love making biscornu's.  I found some orange, blue and pink variegated floss at Hobby Lobby and was able to match up buttons and beads in my stash.  Here is the 1st one, I made the pattern as I went along.

I don't think I showed you this one but it was a free design that use to be on The Prairie Schooler's website a long time ago.

Lastly, this is called Hop Square by Lizzie Kate.  I haven't sewn the bottom closed (sorry).

Thanks so much for looking and have a great weekend.
Mary

My Theme-Tas-Stitch April Finish

Good morning everyone,

I am sorry I am late posting my finish but I caught some kind of cruddy mess late Thursday and I am finally feeling better today.  My doctor said it was almost like the flu. Yuck!  Unfortunately, I passed it onto my husband and he has to go out of town this week on business.  I felt so bad for him.  Oh well, we will be fine.


Thank you for KerryP77  at Ramblings of a Biscornu Addict for hosting this SAL. It is low pressure, lots of fun, and you can join whenever you want.

Well, I did a different take on April's theme and went with an umbrella, or parasol.  It fits more with the rest of my smalls and is very appropriate for April.

This is a freebie that can be found here.

Thanks for looking at my blog and have a wonderful week.
Mary

I have 2 check-in's today and some finishes.

Good morning everyone,

Can you believe tomorrow is April.  Next week my 3 sons will be on Spring break so I am not sure how much stitching time will occur, but I will try.  I guess I will kit up a couple of small, easy projects to alternate with my Ink Circles wip.

Thank you to Heather at Stitching Lotus for hosting the 2017 Smalls challenge and Kerry at Ramblings of a Biscornu Addict for hosting Theme-Tas-Stitch.

Here is one from February I forgot to show you. It is called Love You More and was a freebie on Hands blog here.

This month's smalls only consisted of three.  One I showed you on 3/17/17 and was the St. Patrick's shamrock freebie by Brooke's Books Design.  The other one is called Winter Garden by Turquoise Graphs and Design and was in the JCS Sept/Oct 2012 issue.  So much beading but totally worth it.  I can't wait to turn it into an ffo.

This little cutie is an oldie by Sanman Originals Design.  I will make it into an ornament.  It is called Easter Tulip.

Now onto the March Madness.

Here is an update to Cirque de Circle by Ink Circles.  I can't wait to have this done and my son is getting excited to have it completed.

Here is an update on White Tigers.  I made tremendous progress this month also.

And lastly, another Turquoise Graphics and Design. It is called Christmas Wreath and is from JCS 2010.

Thank you for looking at my blog and my stitching.  Hope you all have a great weekend.
Mary

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Good morning everyone,

I hope you are having a great Friday and St. Patrick's Day.  My youngest son made A/B honor roll so I will be heading out soon to see him get recognized for his work.

Since I completed this a few days ago I thought I would make a post today.  This is a freebie from Brooke's Books Publishing found here called St. Patrick's Day shamrock.  I used DMC variation 4050 and 32 ct white Belfast linen.

I also have 2 updates on some wips I haven't shown you in a while.  Here is Cirque des Cercles by Ink Circles Designs.  It is on 14 ct black aida and Carrie's Creation Thread in Bluebird.

I am also working on White Tigers and is in a Stoney Creek leaflet.  I am using 32 ct grey linen. There is a ton of color changes and blended thread but it is really looking wonderful.

I also played around with dyeing fabric.  I love this one with the blues, yellows and greens.  I found a white hibiscus flower pattern in a JCS magazine that will look great.

I am participating in Jessie Turns 29 SAL on Facebook that starts on April 15.  I don't normally have a ton of projects in rotation but I thought it would be fun this one time.  One of the things I plan to work on is this German castle (the one on the lower right corner).  I dyed some 32ct Belfast and made a mistake the first time so I redyed it a darker blue and I really am happy with it.

Thanks for letting me share.  I hope you have a great weekend.
Mary