Finishing and a RAK

This past weekend I actually got some finishing done.  I know, can you even believe it?!  I had to excavate the cutting table first before I could do it.  Let's just say that was a job that was long over due.  There's plenty more work that needs done in my sewing room but I'm all about the baby steps.  It didn't become a disaster in one day and it sure isn't going to get put back together in one day either.  LOL! Anywho, you didn't come here to listen to me rattle on about my slovenly ways.  Let's get to the good stuff, shall we?!

This was my main accomplishment!  I actually finished the bee.  The fabric you see in the background is what I used to back it.  I found this weekend before last at a new to me quilt shop.  It matches the peachy pink floss perfectly.  I'm still on the fence whether I want to put any trim on it.  We'll see...

Design:  Christmas Alphabet

Designer:  Prairie Schooler

Fabric:  28ct. natural

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  1/14/16

Finished: 1/15/16

Completed: 1/24/16

As you may recall, I left space on my linen when I stitched the ornaments for the peeps to do one for me.  I decided to get to it weekend before last.  I knew it would stitch up quick and I'm happy to now have one of my own.  I actually feel like I'm ahead for this year...ahem...yeah, always looking on the bright side, I am.  LOL!  This would be my second finish of 2016.  Oh yeah!!!

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I also had a wonderful RAK (Random Act of Kindness) show up in my mailbox Saturday!  I had a "heads up" from Robin in VA (no blog) it was coming but with snowmaggedon hitting I actually didn't expect to see it till the middle of this week.

Here's Miss Nosey Pants checking it out and giving it kisses.

Here it is without the snout in the picture.  Isn't it just so sweet?!  Thank you so much Robin.  Your kindness really touched me.  I absolutely love it.  It now lives on the mantle where I can see it from my stitching nest.  You made my day!

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I hope everyone had a good weekend and if you were impacted by the snow storm I hope you are well and safe now.  Winter is here for sure.  Thanks for stopping in for a visit today.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

First Finish of the Year!

I'm happy to report I've had a finish already this year.  I'd wanted to stitch this one back in November when I got the substitute floss on the Auburn retreat.  I wouldn't let myself start until I got the peep's ornaments done.  That was my motivation to get those ornaments done!

This was my progress on the first day!

Here it is shortly after midnight one New Year's Eve!

Design: Her Majesty - Pincushion

Designer: Blackbird Designs from the Honeybee Hill chart

Fabric: 32 ct. Hive by Fabric Flair

Floss: WDW & GAST as charted

Started: 12/29/15

Finished: 1/9/16

Completed: TBD

Here she is all done!  I really loved stitching on that Hive fabric.  It was gifted to me by my peep, Linda.  I'm planning to finish it as a mini pillow.

Funny story about the fabric, I had to laugh at myself, when I was putting the first few stitches in the honeycombs on the left side I realized I had the fabric going the wrong direction.  It is printed with the combs going vertically and I stitched it with them going horizontally.

Now I know that's getting picky and probably nobody would notice but me if I didn't say something. I had a really good laugh when I discovered it.  The way I discovered it was that the top and bottom had more fabric than the sides.  It was easy to see that since the design is a rectangle.  Guess I was in a hurry to get started and didn't even notice.  Oh well, I'm not taking it out and it doesn't bother me at all.  It's just a funny thing to note here. 

I found some fabric this past weekend that matches the flowers in the borders.  Now I just need to have a finishing day to complete it.  Maybe this weekend.  We are forecasted to get snowed upon again.  We've been spoiled up to this point.

It's a short and sweet one today.  I hope you are all well and happily stitching on something.  Thanks for taking time out of your day to visit with me.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hello 2016

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope your holiday was good.  Ours was super relaxing. This post is going to be a recap of my holiday season.  I'm going to group things a little differently this time.  I hope you like it.

Design: Christmas Alphabet Book #64

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Fabric: 28ct. natural

Floss:  Called for DMC

Started: 11/26/15

Finished: 12/28/15

Completed: 12/28/15

First, let's have a look at my last finishes of 2015. These are the ornaments I made for the peeps this year.  I really had fun stitching each one of them.  I was pleasantly surprised when I found the organza ribbon in the stash that matches the rust colored floss.  I backed them with the same small gingham I used for the QCSG ornament seen here.

You might be wondering what's up with the empty square in the first picture.  I had thought I'd stitch one for my tree but ran out of gumption.  I did however kit it up when I was doing the finishing for the others so I have everything I need when I decide to stitch it.

This year we couldn't come up with a date in December for the peep party so we decided to do it on the 2nd which also happens to be the birthday of one of the peeps' too.  It was an extra special get together!  We also decided to do a lunch and everyone brought a part of the meal.  This was our lovely table setting!

Here's a close up of our table favors.  Loved how it looked like a Christmas pudding complete with a cherry!  This was a Pinterest success I'm told.  Too cute!

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Here's where I'm going to group the gift pics a little differently.  Some of these were my belated birthday gifts and some where Christmas.  When I got them all out to photograph them for the post I noticed there were "themes" so I grouped them that way.  I think we all had some similar ideas this year.  You know you are a tight group when that happens. Here we go, in no particular order!

As you know, I love my Hello Kitty.  This storage box is just so super cute.  I'm going to have to decide what special things will live in it.  Too stinkin' cute!

I'm showing this by itself close up because of the pin on the bow.  It would have gotten lost in a bigger picture.  It's so tiny and cute!  I sure wish blogs had a smell button.  This soap smells amazing!

Next up the edibles category!  Yes, this is not everything.  Some of it got eaten before I ever left the party.  Check out that huge Lindt chocolate frog!  Holy smokes that's a big one.

I just had to show you all a close up of the tea bag in case any of you would want to do this for a friend gift.  I thought the saying was super cute.  I know several of you are tea lovers too.

Next up is what I'm calling containers and bees.  The pouch was handmade and I just love the fabric choice.  Anything with an Eiffel tower on it is right up my alley.  Love the stash jar.  I've already got a plan for that.  Then of course there are bees.  I do love my bees!

I'm calling this group my notions group.  The needle minder and fob came from the same person.  I'm already using them.  Love the pincushion and waxer too.  The mandala bracelet could also be a fob.  Cool!

Then there were charts and a couple kits.  Oh. My. Goodness!  Do my peeps know me well or what?!  The very best part is I don't have any of these.  The strawberry has a fun story behind it.  My peep, Linda bought this when we went on our grand adventure last spring.  She picked it up at Mary Koval's quilt shop.  I was with her when she got it.  Sneaky sneaky!

Last but absolutely not least are the ornaments!  This acorn was tied onto one of my presents.  You know I love my acorns too.

I wish you could hit that smell button on this one as well.  I think it must be coffee dyed or something.  It smells so good!

This one is super cute!  I was asked which sled I wanted stitched for me and I said surprise me.  Oh and what a pleasant surprise it was too.

This one was really popular at the last Tiara stitch-in.  Several people had stitched it for show and tell.  I was really drooling over them and now I'm lucky enough to have one of my very own.  How cool!

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Well folks, that's a wrap!  I hope you enjoyed seeing the goodies from the party.  I continued my personal tradition of a birthday start and I had a New Year's Day start as well.  I'll save them for another visit.  This post has gotten pretty lengthy.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope your 2016 is off to a great start!


More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher