Catching up with finishes galore!

I can't believe it's been two months since we've had a visit!  We've got a lot of catching up to do.  I'll start with the cross stitch things first because I know that's the reason most of you visit.  I'll most likely do a separate post of the knitting finishes so the stitcher's don't have to be bored with my knitting natter.  So here we go!  I'll start with the oldest and work up to the most recent.

Design: Happy Hearts freebie

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric:  32 ct. WDW Cocoa

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  2/12/17

Finished:  2/23/17

Completed:  3/31/17

You may have seen other versions of this finish floating around blogs and Flosstube.  I was fortunate enough to take a couple finishing classes with the Twisted Stitcher, Her Very Self back in the spring at a retreat in Indiana.  This was our class project.  I really love how it turned out and I am definitely going to do this finish again.  Vonna showed us how to make her lovely bows and the two color twisted cording is the bee's knees.   A fun nugget she shared with us was that she likes to make ornaments "palm sized" so they show up better on the tree.  I'd never thought about that but it does make sense.

Design:  The Flagmaker freebie

Designer:  Notforgotten Farm

Fabric: 32 ct. Vintage Cedar Plank

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  1/14/17

Finished:  2/11/17

Completed:  4/1/17

This was my second finishing class with Vonna that weekend.  You can't tell from the picture but it is a flat fold.  I'm sure you've seen this one on Flosstube too. The construction on this was super cool.  Ms.Vonna is a genius...but then again, you all know that by now!  I am now an official graduate of Vonna's Finishing School.  I even have a needle minder to prove it gifted to me by The Master!  LOL!  Vonna knows I'm just messing with her.  She and I spent a lot of time together that weekend and we had a ton of fun.  I'm looking forward to doing it again too.

Design:  Watermelon

Designer:  Charted by me, designer unknown

Fabric:  10 ct. Cream Tula

Floss:  DMC

Started:  6/6/16

Finished:  6/25/17

Completed:  TBD

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know this finish is a long time coming.  I had originally started this one 5/1/11 using Monk's cloth.  Yes, that was a really stupid idea and thus a redo was necessary.  You see, the Monk's cloth began shredding on me midway though.  I put it away for a long while and then it called to me again so I restarted it on the Tula.  Much. Better. Choice!

I charted this from a picture I took of a pillow a friend of mine had in her sun room.  She said it was a gift and didn't know if it was commercially made or not.  If anyone knows who the original designer is for this, please give me a shout. I plan to eventually make it into a pillow like the original.  Now if only I had a sun room!

Design:  Chocolate Box

Designer:  Little House Needleworks

Fabric:  32 ct. Touch of Pink

Floss:  As charted

Started:  1/1/17

Finished:  6/25/17

Completed:  TBD

Last but not least, my Chocolate Box!  As you can see this was my New Year's Day start this year.  I'm so in love with this one.  That pink fabric is just so me.  I love it so much.  I decided to veer off the beaten path with this one and added a little bling.  I couldn't resist adding white beads to the border and pink beads where the designer called for French knots.  I think it really adds some nice sparkle.  I plan to finish this as a cube.  I still need to find some "just right" fabric for the finish.

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Even though I've been missing, I have been stitching (and knitting too).  I started "But First Tea" by Zindagi Designs on 4/16/17.  I'll show that one next time.  I'm making good progress on it.  I'm also tempted to start a couple other ones too.  Hmm...

So folks if you've made it this far, I'm so glad you are still here.  I'll pop back in when I have time or something to share.  I hope everyone has a great July 4th holiday.  I plan to enjoy my holiday away from the rat race, relax and stitch/knit all the things!  Hope you do too.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

TUSAL - March

Well folks here we are again, it's time for the March TUSAL report.  If you are new here and unsure what that means, go here to see the definition of TUSAL.  I use this as an opportunity to keep track of my progress from month to month.  So what's been happening this past month?

This month's contributor was:

"Chocolate Box" by Little House Needleworks (In Progress)

Still in WIP stage:

"Letters from Mermaids - E" by Nora Corbett to be made into an "L" (Didn't work on it this month)
"Mermaid Scissor Fob freebie" by Cross Stitch Happy (Didn't work on it this month)

I really have no excuse for not getting the scissor fob done.  I guess I just wasn't feeling it or something.  I don't have any idea what's my deal is with the Nora mermaid either.  So....

Since I only worked on "Chocolate Box" this past month, I thought you might like to see a progress picture.  I'm planning to put some beads on this instead of knots and confetti stitches.  I think the bling will give it some pizazz.  I've got the cream colored beads I want to use for the outer border (yet to be stitched) and will look for some pink ones (for the tops of a couple chocolate pieces) at a new-to-me shop I'll visit the end of the week.  More on that next time.

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So what has captured my attention if it isn't stitching?  Yep, you guessed it...knitting! I know this is a disappointment to the non-knitters in the crowd.  What can I say, I'm obsessed right now!  I've been learning so many new things, it's wonderful.  Anyone who knows me knows I have a thing for learning.  So I've really been having a lot of fun lately.

I finished my first sock ever!  I'm still in awe of that and I've started its mate.  I've also started another "pair," actually just one but it will be a pair eventually, using some interesting self-striping yarn.  I also started another cowl and some finger-less mitts.  Yes, my hands have been quite busy.

I need to get one of these finished because I'm not comfortable having this many things going at once.  Yes, that's the same way I feel about my stitching.  It's my own brand of crazy and I'm okay with it.  It works for me!

So, it's a short and sweet TUSAL this month.  I can hardly believe the end of March is here already.  I hope whatever you are working on you are enjoying.  I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to spend a few minutes with me here. Hope your week is good!

More next time,
The Inspired Stitcher

Louisville Weekend

This past weekend some friends and I decided we would beat the winter doldrums and getaway to Louisville, Kentucky for a few days.  We always have a good time when we do things like this and this time was no exception.  Just a little side note, I forgot to get pictures of the places we visited so I'll be inserting links instead for your viewing pleasure.  Okay, back to the trip!

We started our trip with lunch at Cafe Classico.  I had the panini Italiano that was just wonderful.  After we were all refueled and satisfied, we ventured up the street to see our friends, Saundra and Carol at The Finishing Touch.  We just love those two girls!  Needless to say, nobody left empty handed!

I had a list this time and most of it was fabric and threads.  Of course a couple charts just jumped into my hands as they do dontcha know.  Here's a peek at the stash!

First up, fabric!  I don't usually buy this much fabric at once but I wanted to kit up a couple things.  Not like I don't have enough to stitch for the rest of my life already.  So yeah, the upper left is for "Things Unseen" buy Lizzie Kate it's 32ct. Pecan Butter.  Going clockwise, is 36ct. Dapple.  At the time I was thinking of using it on "Mermaid Fraktur" by Plum Street but I'm thinking I might want some sparkle.  The bottom two are 32ct. Creme Brulee and 30ct. Tiger Eye both for "Thyme to Gather" by Hands on Designs.  The beads are for a Nora Corbet design I can't remember the name of at the moment.

Here are some random flosses that go with the above projects.  It's always nice to see the floss in person.

These are the two charts that jumped into my hands.  I really like the "Little Sheep Virtues" series and have seen several stitched up that are just darling.  I was fortunate to receive one from one of my lovely blog friends a few years ago.  You know who you are.  :-)

We ventured on to the hotel after that and settled in for the evening.  I decided I would stitch on a different project each day.  Since I'd already started "Chocolate Box" I decided that would be my Thursday night/Friday afternoon stitch.  Here's were I got on it.

Progress as of 1/14/17

I managed to get two more pieces added and a third started since you saw it last.  I need to do some embroidery on the blank one on the bottom.  This chart is just so much fun!  One of the girls that was with me had stitched this one before and showed me a picture of her finish.  I'm definitely doing a cube finish after seeing hers.  It's going to be so stinkin' cute!

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Friday morning we got up, headed out to visit quilt shops and had breakfast at Krispy Kreme!  I can only eat a couple of those scrumptious things before I start getting the sugar shakes but oh are they worth it!

The first shop we visited was Among Friends Quilt Shop.  It's in the same parking lot as Krispy Kreme.  How convenient!  I ended up getting a couple pieces of fabric for another "Vonna Bag" and maybe a project bag for my knitting.

I couldn't resist that Downton Fabric!  I "killed the bolt" on it and the pink was also in the same clearance section.  I love that it looks like a knitting pattern.  The two grey pieces are for the linings.

Next we ventured up the street to pop into Barnes & Noble.  I love me a good bookstore!  The closest big bookstore to me is about an hour away so I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to poke around.  I couldn't make up my mind on what to get so I finally decided on this cute little pocket size coloring book.  Yes, it was the bees that got me.  You all know I love me some bees!

About this time we were all getting hungry so we found a Chipotle for lunch.  I do love their burrito bowls and those chips...oh yes, please!  I like pretty much any Mexican food really.

One of the peeps has a Sonic addiction.  She goes twice a day for her special drink.  On the way that morning she noticed a new-to-us quilt shop called The Cozy Quilter.  So while we were out, we decided to stop in and poke around.  It's a cute place.  It's small compared to the first place we visited.  I couldn't resist these two fat quarters.  Who knows what they'll end up being...maybe another project bag since I'm on a roll right now.

We made it back to the hotel mid afternoon and settled in for some stitching.  I started out working on the "Chocolate Box" and then I switched to "I Sigh Not for Beauty."  Here's where I got on it.  I ended up working on it both Friday and Saturday.

Progress as of 1/14/17

When I got to the over one word section, I decided to bag it until I got home.  The light I brought really wasn't bright enough to do over one on that dark fabric.  I feel good about what I accomplished though.  I only have the words to do and satin stitch the saw-tooth border now!  I'm feelin' a finish coming on.  I just need to buckle down!

Progress as of 1/14/17

After I bagged "Beauty" Saturday night, I got this one out.  It's my second new start of the year.  It's a freebie by Notforgotten Farm called "Flag Maker."  I'm stitching it with the called for DMC on 32ct. Vintage Cedar Plank.  I got all that done in one sitting.  It's an easy stitch!  Pop over to Lori's blog and get yourself one.

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Progress as of 1/15/17

I also can't resist sharing my knitting progress.  My husband said I can't wip out knitting when I'm with the stitching peeps but I did it anyway.  I'm a rebel like that dontcha know.  I've learned I can knit really easily in the car, as a passenger of course!  The bridges and overpasses don't cause you to stab your fingers like stitching on 40ct does.  Just sayin'!

For the knitters among us, I'm using #7 (4.5mm) Knitter's Pride Nova Platina tips with a 24" cord.  The yarn is Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool in the "Magic Carpet" colorway.  I've knit a lot more on it since this picture and I'm almost ready to bind off!  Squeals!

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As an aside, while we were stitching Saturday night, I saw someone go out the door with a puppy.  One of our peeps, was out smoking when she saw it too.  She told the owner there was a whole room of dog loving ladies that would love to see him.  So she brought him in so we could gush over him.  He was a little hard to get a good picture of since he was wiggly and on the move but look at that sweet face!

He's an 11 week old English bulldog and oh so sweet!  There's nothing like that sweet puppy smell and puppy kisses.  Needless to say we were all smitten!

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Well that brings me to the end of our weekend away.  We packed up Sunday morning and headed back to reality.  I had such a nice time.  It's always fun to spend time with the stitchy peeps.  It was also nice that Monday was Martin Luther King Day and I had the day off.  Miss Shelby was my Velcro pup all day long.  I think she missed me.

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I hope everyone is has had a good week.  Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your sweet comments.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

First Finish of 2017 and a Start

I hope 2017 is off to a good start for everyone!  Mine came in on a high note.  I tried really hard to finish this before the ball dropped but it wasn't meant to be so it became my first finish of 2017.  I like the sound of "first finish" better anyway.  Has a positive ring to it, doesn't it?!

Design:  Sew Advent 2013 SAL

Designer: iStitch Designs

Fabric: 40ct. Natural Brown

Floss: NPI  503, 644, & 991BB

Started:  12/9/13

Finished:  1/1/17

Completed: TBD

As you can tell from the start date, I didn't start this one on the first day of Advent back in 2013.  I did make it to the 8th day on the chart before I bagged it and it became a UFO.  I figured out why this one got bagged too.  The fabric had some threads that were thin as your hair sitting right next to some fat ones, it was a challenge but I was not deterred!  Nope!  So I decided to buckle down and just get on with it already.

I was really close to getting it done before midnight but it didn't happen. I got tired so I decided to finish it first thing on New Year's Day.  Glad to have it done!  I checked the iStitch website and you can still get this one if you want it.  So there you have it, my first finish of 2017!

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So speaking of New Year's Day, as is the tradition with many stitchers I decided to have a new start.  So what did I pick, you ask?  Well, lets just say it picked me.  I've had this one in the stash for years.  Each year around Valentine's day I go rooting through the stash, pick this one up, and promptly get distracted by something else.  Well, this year I ran across it again at the right time!

It is Little House Needleworks' "Chocolate Box!"  Sorry for the glare in the picture.  I've actually gotten that piece of chocolate done and started the one to the left of it.  I saw this one finished when it first came out as a cube and couldn't shake if from my mind.  I dearly love the pink fabric.  I think it's going to be a fun stitch.  I plan to finish it as a cube too.  My buddy Maggee says cubes aren't hard and she would know!  I'm fortunate enough to have one of her beautiful cubes.

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So there you are a finish and a start for the New Year.  I have a really optimistic feeling about this year.  I can't put into words yet really why that is but I'm going with it.  I'm planning to finish up some WIPs and I may even drag out a UFO or two before the year is over.  We'll have to see how the spirit moves me.

Next time we visit I plan to show you some things I got for my birthday and my latest sewing projects!  Yes, I went on a sewing spree like nobody's business last week.  I turned my dining room into Santa's workshop.  It was awesome!

I also took a knitting class as a birthday present to myself.  I've been drooling over Margaret and Carol's knitting for a while now and decided I wanted to join in the fun too!  Now don't get me wrong, those two are knitting rock stars and I'm just a groupie at this point.  But hey, we all started somewhere, right?!  So I may share a knitting finish now and then this year.  Fingers crossed!

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Well, folks I hope you are having a great week!  The peeps and I are getting together to do the Peep's Christmas on Saturday.  I have more to share but it will have to wait until after the party.  Don't want to spoil the surprises dontcha know!  Thanks for visiting today.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Good Tidings - Exchange Received

Now that I know Shirlee has received the exchange package I sent her and opened it, I wanted to pop in and do a quick post to show what I stitched for her. Here 'tis...

Design:  Good Tidings

Designer:  Little House Needleworks

Fabric:  32ct. Natural

Floss:  Called for DMC

Started:  11/1/14

Finished:  11/7/14

Completed:  11/16/14

The fabric in the background is what I used to back the ornament.  I like that the organza ribbon hanger doesn't take away from the ornament itself.  Those little sheep...oh my, just so cute!  This is another one that I may have to stitch for myself someday.

I'm going to try to pop back in and do at least another post or maybe two before the end of the year.  We'll see how it goes.  It's tricky when you don't have a computer at home to use.  Hope everyone is further along than I am with the holiday preparations.  I keep telling myself "it will all get done."  I'm not convinced yet.  LOL!

Hopefully more later,

The Inspired Stitcher