Traveling Pattern

Have you seen Robin's progress on her version of the Traveling Pattern?  Check it out here and cheer her on to a finish!

Happy Stitches!

'Tis a Finish

While I was away at PALS in Myrtle Beach I got tons of stitching time.  The whole time I worked on only one project because I felt like I was on such a roll.  I had other projects with me, but this particular project just kept tugging on my needle. 

By the time the retreat was over I was about 85% done so I kept the focus on this piece all week long.  Now all I have to do is find a frame and I will have a wonderful piece to display this Holiday Season.

I am thrilled to present to you 'Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs (from the Joyeux Noel booklet).

'Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs
Stitched on 40ct Vintage Pear by Lakeside Linen

I just love this Cardinal!

I've been trying to expand my skills with my camera, so I took this fun little shot.

Looks like I have another Crazy January Finish!  I hope that I may have inspired someone today.

Happy Stitches!

PALS Weekend

I'm back from my first ever PALS Retreat in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  It was hosted by Amy of Down Sunshine Lane.  (I know I've been back since Sunday.....Sorry it took so long to post this....I've had too much on my mind lately!)

The view from my balcony....

I went with a few friends and I met a few more while I was there.  I got to see Karen, whom I haven't seen since May 2010 when I went out to Arizona for a visit.  I also got to meet my Friends Stitching Through the Seasons partners, Faye (I send to her) and Diane (she sends to me).  There were many other friendly blogging faces including Michele of Just Another Stitching Blog as well as many others who I just can't remember at the moment.  I also made some new friends while I was there (Hi Chris!) and I even got to meet Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers.

But, enough of that!  I know you don't really want to hear about all of that.  Instead you want to see all of my goodies.  I understand completely!

First off, this is what I brought with me to exchange.  Starting at the top and moving clockwise.....Scatter Sunshine by Shepherds Bush (stitched exchange), Noel by ??? (Christmas exchange), Pumpkin Stack by Chessie & Me (fall exchange), Autumn by The Stitcherhood (fall exchange) and in the center a stocking from one of the Blackbird Designs Stocking Booklets (for my Friends Stitching Through the Seasons exchange for Faye).

Thursday night was the Halloween/Fall exchange.  I'm not a Halloween kind of gal, so I just went for Fall.  All I can say is that whom ever got my pieces were pretty lucky since I was this close to keeping the Autumn pillow for myself.  Here's what I got.....

Turns out this was done by one of my Saturday Stitching Sisters!  I love it Darlene!

This lovely needleroll was stitched by Shery from Indiana.  I've made a few needlerolls for others, so I know how hard it is.  Now I finally have one for my own!  I love it!  Thanks Shery!

Friday we did the Christmas exchange and the grab bag exchange (and boy, you should have seen some of those grab bags!  Fabulous goodies of scissors, fabric and stitching tools to name a few.).  It was tons of fun!  I only managed to get one ornament stitched and finished up for the Christmas exchange, but I really like how it turned out.  In return, I ended up with Amy's ornament!

Thanks Amy!  I love it!  I can't wait to get up on my ornament tree!

This little Ott light was the only thing in the grab bag I "won".  It's a nice little portable light run by batteries.  I can't remember who said that they entered this bag because it didn't have a name with it.  Oops!  So, many thanks to whomever you are!

Saturday we had a stitching and a sewing exchange.  Here is what I got in the stitching exchange.

This lovely needlebook was made by Diane of GA.  The stitched area is actually a pocket to hold scissors or threads.  It's amazing!  Thank you Diane!  I love it!

I'm not great with the sewing machine (yet), but I saw a great tutorial and I made this for the sewing exchange.  After I was done I wanted to keep it for myself.  Good thing I have some leftover supplies because I'm going to have to do this little beauty for myself!

In return I got this...... (again, I can't thank the person because there was no card with it.)

There were two coffee cozies, but they were being coveted by Michele, so I shared my joy and gave her the other one.  But, isn't this one cute?

Thanks for sticking with me through this long post.  Next time I'll catch you up on what I was working on while I was at PALS.  Let's just say that I now have my eye on a Crazy January finish thanks to all my stitchy time last weekend!

Happy Stitches!

Finished!

I did it! Not only did I finish my exchange for Faye, but I also finished four other exchanges for my retreat that begins on Thursday.  I'm so proud of myself!  And the pieces don't look half bad either.  Wanna see?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Well........you are just going to have to wait until after the retreat.  I want it to be a surprise for everyone.

Now I'm off to get a little shut eye.  I'm going to be very busy the next two days and then I will be off with my stitching sisters while I leave Hubby to tend to the house and the pup.

Happy Stitches!

Traveling Pattern

It's another fabulous finish!  Check out Cat's version here.......

Happy Stitching!

One Year Ago

One year ago today..........I was feeling very anxious.

One year ago today..........My parents came to give me support.

One year ago today..........My mother in law lent me her strength.

One year ago today..........My husband was by my side trying to make me laugh.

One year ago today..........I was put under anesthesia.

One year ago today..........It was finalized.  I lost you. 

Do you know that when you are having a miscarriage and you go in for a D&C that they still call it an abortion?  I read that on the paperwork that I had to sign and I cried.  It wasn't as if I had made that choice.

I'm still crying today.  I promise.......I won't forget you.

Non Stitching Weekend

Just a fly by Monday posting for me....... 

Except for the couple of hours that I spent with my Stitching Sisters on Saturday, I didn't stitch at all over the weekend.  So, there really isn't anything for me to show you.

I did stitch while I watched my Diamondbacks lose Game 5 on Friday. (Boo!!!!)  And, if I was a good girl, I would be showing you another Crazy January Finish.  However, it turns out that I didn't have nearly enough floss to finish.  You see, "To Light the Way" was part of a kit (two special edition stockings from Blackbird Designs) that I purchased while at a retreat in October of 2009.  I was told by some other ladies to watch how I used the thread because it was a tight stitch.  Lets just say that "tight stitch" wasn't even close to correct.  I ran out of three different colors and the third color is also supposed to be used in the other stocking.  Normally I wouldn't complain, but I'm a pretty stingy stitcher and my excess floss is usually anywhere from a quarter inch to a half inch in length by the time I'm done with a needle.  This time I couldn't even finish the motifs without running out.  So, now I will have frog two of the three colors and replace them with something else.  How frustrating!

My stitching is also going to slow down this week because I need to get into finishing mode.  I only have eight more days until "Girls Retreat Weekend" and my exchanges are nowhere near ready.  So, don't worry if I'm quiet.  I'm just busy working!

Happy Stitches!

Crazy Update

There are only 84 more days to finish all fifteen of my Crazy January Challenge pieces.  I don't know about others who have participated, but I just don't see myself finishing all fifteen pieces.  Maybe in 2012 I will have to create the "What the @*$^ Was I Thinking in 2011?" Challenge so that I can finish up my works in progress.

Here's what's left:

1. Mouline Rouge (Long Dog) ~ When I actually have a calm moment to stitch this is my "go to" piece.  I'm much further than I thought I would be and I've actually finished page 3 of the pattern (upper right side).  Page 6 and page 12 still have some work to be done, but page 9 is 80% done.  Here's where she stands as of a few days ago:
2. Sheltering Tree (With Thy Needle) ~ It still looks like it did on January 3rd.......sigh......
3. Tis The Season (BBD) ~ This one also looks exactly like it did on January 4th.  I guess I should put down Mouline Rouge and make this my "go to" piece so that I have slim chance of having it ready in time for the holidays.
4. To Light the Way (BBD) ~ This has a few more stitches in it than it did on the 6th, but I'm having a hard time determining which color is which in this retreat kit.  I just need to make an educated guess and I could have this one finished in no time.
5. Letter "H" (Mirabilia/Nora Corbett) ~ I typically stitch on this project when the lighting isn't so good because this piece is on 32ct.  When you are used to stitching on 40ct, 32ct is enormous!  I'll probably work on this piece when I meet with my stitching sisters tomorrow.  The light doesn't always work in my favor and this will be the perfect project to work on.
6. Mermaids (CCN) ~ This one is a disaster!  I started it on one color fabric on January 14th and promptly decided to change it.  When I went back to it recently, I grabbed the fabric that was sitting next to the pattern in my wip basket and went to work even though I wasn't real pleased with the color.  I stitched the left side of the seaweed and then moved onto the right side of the seaweed because I was missing some DMC in the middle.  After getting to the bottom of the right side I realized that I was off by one stitch near the top of the right side.  Then, while looking through some older blog posts for a picture, I realized the reason I wasn't happy with the fabric that I was stitching on.  I PICKED UP THE WRONG COLOR FABRIC!  So, this "easy" stitch has really become a bear.  Looks like I will be starting this one over.  Third time is a charm, right?
7. Beyond My Heart (BBD) ~  I've worked on this piece several times in the last few months.  I have all of the border done as well as the words in the top of the piece.  I was able to get a few of the flowers done, but I've become bored with them.  I'm also coming up to the eyelet and satin stitches.  I definitely have to be in the mood for those and I haven't been.  If I could just get my rear in gear I could have this finished by the end of the year.
 

Looking on the bright side, I have finished over half of what I started.  I guess that is an accomplishment in itself!

Happy Stitches!

Boardwalk Art Show

Before my Sunday was so rudely interrupted, Hubby and I were having a wonderful day...... 

With Hubby's new job, he only works one Sunday a month (either the second to last, or last Sunday) instead of working every Sunday like he used to.  And, even though he is now working more hours a week, it seems that we are able to spend a bit more quality time together. 

Sunday's quality time was spent in a neighboring city.  This is the time of year where the locals take back their town from the vacationers and we decided it would be fun to participate.  So, we went down to the Boardwalk Art Show.  Our pup went with us and had a fantastic time walking around with us.  We even took him down on the sand so that he could romp and play.  This was the first time he had been on the sand all year long.  (Sorry, no pics....forgot the camera!)

This art show has tons of talent from all over the United States.  I love shows like this!  We always look for something unusual and different that we can give as a gift for the holidays.  This year it was a grilling spatula for my BIL (Hubby's brother).  The spatula had his (and my) Alma matter on it.  It was exciting to see our school logo on merchandise.  After all, we just started our football team a few years ago and we just became part of the CAA in the last year or so.  We aren't one of the schools you would recognize, but hopefully that will change soon.  Anyway, if you want more info on the spatulas, just contact John Monroe of PaddyPrints at [email protected] .

The next item was a selfish purchase.  As I said, I'm always on the look out for unusual and different and I found it at Silver Spoon Jewelry.  I had a very hard time choosing only one item as they were all very different from anything I've ever seen. 

Check out the site and let me know if you end up with any of the goodies.  I have a feeling that there is another piece of this jewelry in my future. (Hint, hint Hubby!)

Last but not least, we found a photographic artist that really blew our minds.  Hubby (and I) love photography, so after hearing about his process and seeing his work, we knew we had to go home with one of his pictures.  Again, there were a few top contenders, but we ended up with this one.  (Sorry for the craptastic photograph.....it is still in the cellophane until we find a frame.  It was so hard to photograph!)

Natulus by Pat Little Images

The photographer, Pat Little, said it took 2,312 separate photos to create this image.  AMAZING!  You should really see it in person.  I tried to look him up on the web, but it seems that his website is still under construction. So, if you are interested, I do have a phone number that I would be happy to share.

I can't wait for the next art show or craft fair in our area.  I just love finding new stuff, don't you?

Happy Stitches!

Oh What a Beautiful Day

It is the third beautiful day in a row in the Serial Starter household!  The "damn dog" remains with his owner and I'm still a happy girl.  I'm so happy that I didn't even balk when Hubby didn't come home from work on time last night.  He was almost two hours late, but he made another sale and that is what's important.

So on with the post from Sunday:

Even though things have been crazy with the damn dog, I'm still trying to get a little bit of stitching done.  Unfortunately for the dog Fortunately for me, I can stitch while the dog remains in the kennel.  After all, I can't have his slobber all over my precious Belle Soie, can I?

I finished this Crazy January Challenge piece way back on September 5th.  If I remember correctly, that was Labor Day weekend and Hubby was working all day while I spent my time with needle and thread.

This Heart of Mine by Ink Circles

I've also been trying to work on some exchange stitching.  I had originally stitched up this freebie from The Stitcherhood for my "Friends Stitching Through the Seasons" exchange for Faye.  Then one day I decided to look through her blog and I saw it in the background of one of her posts.  UGH!  Well, it was back to the drawing board for me!  I have managed to stitch something else up for her, which I can't show yet. I just need to find the time to finish it.  I'd better hurry, as I'm going to meet her in person in a few weeks and I'm going to give her the exchange then.

Autumn Freebie by The Stitcherhood
I guess this one is staying home with me now!

On Saturday I spent a lovely afternoon with my Stitching Sisters.  (**Waving madly** Hi Maggee!  Hi Darlene!  Hi Sheryl!)  Lately it has only been three of us instead of four of us because of an illness in the family.  We miss our fourth stitching sister, but the three of us understand and support the other sister however we can.

Anyway, while I was there I was able to finish up another one of my Crazy January Challenge pieces.

Winter Heart by La-D-Da

I absolutely love it!  I used Belle Soie's Attic Tea and it just popped on this fabric.  I'm not sure if I'm going to make this into a hanging heart or if I'm going to attempt to put in on the top of a heart shaped box.  Either way it will be fabulous.  I'm pretty sure that this will be one that I may even stitch again.


Well, time has run out for this morning.  I will try and continue my update again tomorrow morning.

Happy Stitches!

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Yes, it is another beautiful morning here in the Serial Starter home! I'm on Day 2 of English Bulldog Freedom and I'm enjoying every minute of it. This morning I spent time with my puppy without the slobbering and snorting from our unwanted house guest. I even had a cup of coffee while catching up on the final season of Desperate Housewives. What bliss!!


Anyway, here's a little bit of what I had intended on posting on Sunday evening:


I have been on the receiving end of three beautiful packages.  The first package came from Mouse.  I'm sure you remember, I talked about it here.  This is a quick snap of what she sent.

I also received my Fall "Friends Stitching Through the Seasons" exchange from Nan.  She really spoiled me this round with lots of lovelies.

I just love my new pincushion!  It's so fall!

My last package was a huge surprise. Some time ago I participate in a Blackbird Designs exchange where I was on the losing end. The person who had my name never fulfilled her side of the exchange and I was left empty handed. Well, Judy (the person I sent my exchange to) found out and she sent me the loveliest package to make up for my loss.

You should see Judy's finishing in person.  Her rouching is wonderful and I will be using what she did as a model for trying it myself.  I just hope that I can make mine half as beautiful as hers!

While it has been nice visiting with everyone this morning, I really have to get motivated.  I hope to have another wonderful morning to share with you tomorrow along with the rest of what I had intended to post.

Happy Stitching!

Peace...But For How Long?

Last night I started to write a post about my current status.  I started off talking about the dog situation and I continued on with tales about the goodies that have recently hit my mailbox.  I had intended to finish up my post with some finishes and an update on Mouline Rouge .

Long story endless, hubby and I ended up having quite the disagreement about my posting.  He was quite perturbed about the fact that I was posting while we were watching a movie together.  He felt like I was neglecting him and paying more attention to my blogging friends. (Should I even mention that we had just spent the whole day together doing fun things around town? Plus, based on my number of not so in depth posts over the last 38 days, I think I've been doing just the opposite!)    Basically it came down to the fact that he didn't like that I was blogging.  When I told him that there were things I didn't like either he wanted me to expand on my comment.  I just pointed to the floor and said "I don't like the fact that he is still here"........

He may look innocent, but he is 60 pounds of holy terror!

Fifteen minutes later hubby took the dog back to his father's house!  Woo hoo!  The streak ends at 38 days!

It was so peaceful in my house this morning.  My downstairs even smelled just like the plug in from Bath & Body Works instead of "Nasty Dog".  Ahhhh........

I'm just wondering how long the bliss will last because we still have the dog's bed, bowl and food.  Hubby didn't take that with him when he took the dog back last night.  UGH!

Happy Stitches!