Happy Wedding Day, Erika and AJ!

A few years ago, Erika came to live with us one summer while she did an internship in the Chicago area.

This weekend, we traveled to Ohio to share this special day with her and her family.

I stitched Bent Creek's Wedding Row for her, on 32 count linen with the recommended fibres.

Priceless!

I recently picked this piece up from the framer. It was stitched about 2 years ago, but I finally was able to get it framed.

The chart is by Glory Bee Designs, but the Master Card people made her pull the charts, and it has since been redesigned. This is the original chart which I was lucky enough to get a few years ago. I like it much better than the redesigned version.

EMS Rose Sampler Part 4

I finished part 4 of this sampler a little while ago. This part was quite challenging...I started the alphabet one thread too high, and had to frog the first 5 letters. Let me tell you, ripping out "over one" stitches isn't easy!

But I got it restitched, and am eager to get to part 5 next month.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge...
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Today we said goodbye to Sepp, my very first grandkitty. He waits for us at the Rainbow Bridge.....

Be Merry!

Two more ornaments stitched! This is Be Merry, by Val's Stuff. It was in the 2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue. It is stitched on 20 count blue lugana, over 1 fabric thread. I did 2 previously with 1 thread over 1, but these I did with 2 threads over 1. Can't decide which ones I like better. They still need to be ornamentified, but at least I have a head start on Christmas.

Northwoods Afghan - 10 squares done

I managed to get square 10 of the Northwoods afghan done recently. I know, it's just a pine tree and doesn't take a lot of time, but I will take any happy dance I can!

Two more squares and this one will be done.

My Little Hearts - July Added

I finished up the July square for this Stitch-a-long, and am now waiting for the August instalment.

July Square Stitched

I finished up the July square on this Handblessings Designs chart earlier this month. I am not sure if I will do some frogging or not.... I changed the parts that were charted for curry to white. There is no other white anywhere in the design, so I am not sure if it will look out of place when it is all finished.....

Strawberries!

I stitched these strawberry ornaments (a Prairie Schooler chart) last January, but finally got the chance to put them together.

Here they are! They look yummy, don't they!

Another Biscornu

While I was away last month, I finally finished the biscornu that I have had sitting around for a very long time. I stitched this chart from Annie Beez Folk Art more than a year ago, but it sat unfinished for all that time. I had stitched one before and finished it right away, but this one has a beaded edge. This one is a bit fiddly!

I am glad to have it finished.

Go Fly a Kite!

I received this darling kit from Nancy at the LaPorte get together in May, and finally had a chance to stitch it.

It is a wonderful limited edition kit by Raise the Roof Designs. Rumor has it that the designer will be releasing some more as she found some more of the ribbon used for the tail.

I would love to stitch a few more of these, and I have the fabric, but I am having trouble finding the ribbon. If any of you out in blog-land find this ribbon, please let me know!

Stitcher's Bellpull in progress

Another "group" project we are doing at our EGA chapter is a Stitcher's Bellpull designed by Handblessings Designs.

We are getting one or two parts each month, and I had the oportunity to stitch parts 1 & 2 recently. The specialty stitches are fun to do, and I look forward to doing more of this one.

EGA project progress

I recently finished the the June square on this project by Handblessings Designs. It is an enjoyable stitch, and I look forward to the new square each month.

Pin Pillows

I finally am able to post pictures of this fun exchange that was hosted by Becky a number of months ago.

This is the pin pillow that I stitched for Despina. After a number of mishaps and mailing issue, I have finally received word from Despina that it arrived in her mailbox.

I received this lovely pin pillow from Lillie, who lives in Malaysia. Thank you, Lillie, for the lovely pin pillow!

And thanks to Becky for hosting the exchange!

My Little Hearts SAL Progress

I finished the June square for Sylvia's stitch-a-long recently. I look forward to stitching on this project each month.

Northwoods Aghan Progress

I recently finished the wolf square and now the afghan has 9 out of 12 squares completed.

I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Gifts from Down Under (and across the lake)

I had the pleasure of hosting Lesley and Kristeen recently, when they were visiting the USA from Australia.

They came bearing gifts! A lovely Australia decorative plate, a tin of yummy Australian chocolates (those didn't last long!) and a beautiful DMC cross stitch kit depicting an Australian scene.

I also received this lovely "Pineapple" from Maggi who was visiting from Michigan. I love it!

Sweet Treats

How much can you stitch during a plane trip? Recently, while flying home from Raleigh/Durham NC to Chicago, I managed to stitch the entire scissors pocket for the Sweet Treats project.

I now have three of the six parts to this project stitched.

This is the project that Sue Hillis designed for last year's Alaska Cruise. I do hope to have it finished before the next cruise!

EMS Rose Sampler progress

I am make some progress on this piece. I finished part 3 recently.

I am enjoying stitching this piece, even though it is the second time I am stitching it. It looks great over 1, and I am pleased that it will take up less wall space this way.

Cuneo Museum Visit

While Kristeen was visiting from Australia, we had
an oportunity for a private tour of the Cuneo Mansion near Libertyville, Illinois.



The mansion was built by the CEO of Commonwealth Edison, and later purchased by the Cuneo family, who founded Hawthorn Melody dairy. It is now owned by Loyola University and is used for many functions. My Best Friend's Wedding, as well as two other movies, was filed there.

The house also contains the family's various collections, and is well worth seeing.

If you look closely at this photo of the back of the house, you will see director Bill Forsyth on the right, with the ball cap and beard. He and his entourage were scouting this location for an upcoming move.

The pool looked very inviting on a hot day,

Even though it was quite warm out, a stroll through the gardens was very nice.

I could live there (if I had a bunch of servants!)

New (to me) Designer!

One of the designers that was participating in the shopping boutique at the Sue Hillis Stitch-In was Catherine Jordan. Her work is very unique and I fell in love with the maps that she had displayed. Texas and Illinois! I had to have them.

The Texas chart came only as kit, complete with fabric paints that I will have to mix to get the right colors.....intimidating to be sure!

However, help is on the way! Catherine will be teaching in Madison Wisconsin in August! Marguerite and I will be heading up to hear the lecture on fabric painting, and then take the two day class. The class project is a map of the Great Lakes! How perfect! I can't wait!

A Finish!

I realized that I haven't shown you any stitching for awhile. I have been stitching, just not taking photos of the pieces, so I will rectify that.

This is the stitched kit that was handed out at Sue Hillis' Memorial Day Stitch in. When stitched on 28 count over two, it fits in a standard 5 x 7 frame. Since I anticipate running out of wall space soon, I decided to be a little different.

At Sue's two years ago, Sara S stitched the piece over one and finished it as a pin keep and sent it to me. Prior to this year's event, Sara stitched this year's piece over one and make it into a needlebook. So, I stitched mine over 1, too! I couldn't talk Sara into finishing it into a needlebook for me, I will finish it into a pinkeep to match the one Sara did for me two years ago.
I need to find some fabric for the back, nothing in my stash is looking right.

The French Knot, Raleigh, NC

I had visited this shop on my last vist, and was eager to stop in again. I remember it being both counted cross stitch and needlepoint, with a wonderful selection of fibres.

Unfortunately, the shop is now just needlepoint, which really wouldn't be a bad thing, but not as well stocked with fibres as it should be. The fibres that were there were not organized well at all. There was a rack of handpainted canvases, but very few counted canvas charts. I did find out that struck my fancy, but the poor selection of fibres didn't allow me to kit it up.

It took forever for the clerk to find the right color mono canvas for the project, I was really about to give up. The only nice thing was that they ran the canvas through a machine that put some tape on the edges. Nice touch.

Next time I am in North Carolina, I can stitch this stop.

June Progress and July Goals

June Progress
Bavarian Table Topper no
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas 2 hours, better than nothing
10 hours on Logan’s stocking no
November cup ‘o Tea no
8th day of Texas Christmas ornament yes
Quilt square for Loves Quilts no
June Handblessings project yes
afghan square #9 yes
Mystery sampler part 8 no
Work on Cloister garden no
Meine Herzchen June yes
EMS Rose Sampler Part 3 yes
Work on Crystal Iris yes
Bent Creek photo booth no
LHN Ornament no
Kit up Logan’s birth sampler and perhaps take a few stitches no
Memorial Day Stitch-In project yes
Sweet Treats Needle Pocket yes
Go Fly a Kite fob yes
Finish pin pillow yes
Finish biscornu construction yes
3rd strawberry ornament finished
4th strawberry ornament finished
5th strawberry ornament finished
6th strawberry ornament finished
7th strawberry ornament finished
8th strawberry ornament finished
4th Be Merry ornament yes
Stitcher’s bellpull part 1 yes
Stitcher’s bellpull part 2 yes

July Goals
Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
10 hours on Logan’s stocking
November cup ‘o Tea
9th day of Texas Christmas ornament
Quilt square for Loves Quilts
July Handblessings project
afghan square #10
Mystery sampler part 8
Work on Cloister garden
Meine Herzchen July
EMS Rose Sampler Part 4
Work on Crystal Iris
Bent Creek photo booth
LHN Ornament
Kit up Logan’s birth sampler and perhaps take a few stitches
Stitcher’s bellpull part 3