Saturday, February 27, 2010

Back to the Tea Cups


Now that the emergency model stitching is done, I can get back to my regularly scheduled stitchine. I am quite behind on my rotation, and all my goals have just flown out the window.
I stitched the September Cup 'O Tea chart from Just Another Button Company this past week. It was a bit frustrating as I ran out of the main color and had to hunt down more so that I could continue stitching. Then there was the visit from the frog, causing me to restitch the outside border 4 (yes, count 'em, 4) times! But I finally got it right!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

A New to Me Shop



I am still short some floss for an upcoming project, and I didn't want to drive all the way out to Welcome Stitchery for just a little bit. I remembered this needlepoint shop in Northbrook, not to far from my office, so that's where I went on Tuesday's lunch hour.

North Shore Needleworks is great shop, even if you don't do Needlepoint! It has lots and lots of fibres! I was able to pick up the few skeins of Weeks that I needed, and was able to check out the Caron Wildflowers colors so that I can make some color changes to a future project. I wouldn't go there for lots of overdyed cotton, because they are a bit more expensive than Welcome Stitchery, but when you need one or two skeins, it is a handy option.

I found out that they also do framing and finishing, so I will keep them in mind for those services, too.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A Monday Trip

Monday morning found me driving to Rockford, Illinois. The trip was not for pleasure, we were saying our final farewells to Paul Dawson, brother of dear friend Nancy, who left us much too soon. It was a tearful yet joyful celebration of his life.




But, what does a sad cross stitcher do to lift her spirits? She engages in some retail therapy, of course! Some stash enhancement! Luckily, the Needle and I was just up the road! The shop is rather small, but had a good selection of fibres. Cross stitch isn't really their priority, as the owner is also the designer of From Nancy's Needle, a design company specializing in counted canvas work. The designs are lovely, I have completed one and have a number if them patiently waiting in the wings.





Luckily, the shop had the two skeins of floss that I so desperately needed and couldn't get anywhere locally. I browsed around the shop for awhile, but there was nothing that caught my eye, so I left with my meager purchase and started the drive home.




I stopped at the Huntley Outlet Mall because I had never been there and didn't have to be anywhere for the rest of the day. I wasn't really in the mood to shop, but stopped in a few shops anyway. Lucky for me, the Kitchen Collection had the crock pot I have been looking for! It's a three-in-one crock pot, with three different size crocks. Two years ago, I received this crock pot from my children for Mother's Day but it arrived broken. I took it back to the store, and haven't been able to replace until today! Yeah! I can't wait to use it!


After the outlet mall, I stopped in Elgin to hug Logan. It made a sad day so much better!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Model Stitching Finish

I have been stitching away at this Sue Hillis Model for the last few weeks, and finished it tonight. It was stitched on 28 count antique white Lugana with DMC floss.


Sue will be releasing this and the companion piece at the Nashville Market coming up. My sister, Trudi, stitched the model of the companion piece.





Sue's charts are always a pleasant stitch, but this one had a lot of color changes, and fussy backstitching. I was happy to help her out, but I am glad to get back to my regularly scheduled stitching.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day


Here is my Valentine finish which was sent to Sara.

Sara was my partner in the Divas' Valentine exchange, and I originally wanted to stitch a hardanger heart for her, but then I was asked to stitch a model for Nashville, I knew I wouldn't have the time to devote to the hardanger piece.
Plan B was a biscornu with hearts on it. Seemed like a good idea at the time, except that when I was almost finished I remembered
that I had already sent that same biscornu to Sara for a previous exchange. Plan C was the ornament that you see pictured here. It is a free chart that I found on a blog. Seemed like a good idea. It stitched up quite quickly, and then I took a peek at Sara's blog, and saw that she had also stitched this freebie! Now what? It was too late to go to plan D, so I sent it to her along with some other goodies. Now she has two of the same ornament. I hope she can forgive my lack of originality.


Saturday, February 13, 2010

Valentine Stitching from the Frozen North


I received this lovely Valentine ornament in the mail from Viv this week. I love the ornament!
Sent along some lovely overdyed floss to remind me that spring is on the way, as well as a card with a picture of where she lives, and shere she drives to work every day. What beautiful scenery in the Yukon!
Thanks Viv, I love it!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Valentine's Exchange

Kim has received the package that I sent to her, so now I can post a picture. This is part of a valentine exchange on the Thread's of Life board. The package that I am to receive has been detained in shipping, but I am sure I will love what Suzie sent, no matter when it gets here.