Weekend progress

I thought I'd pop in and do a quick post to show you my progress from this weekend.  I set a goal for myself before I left.  It was to make progress on the two WIPs I've got going and treat myself to a new start from the basket o'joy.

All Through The Night - Jolly Jack

This is actually my treat.  I'm an eat dessert first kinda girl!  I'm using the called for floss and fabric.  I actually got the chart while on vacation in Kansas City and the fabric at Shepherd's Bush.  I got the pumpkin done Friday and the rest late Saturday night.  I did a bit more on it on Sunday too before we had to leave.

C Street Samplerworks - I Sigh Not For Beauty SAL

Next up, is  I Sigh Not For Beauty.  I got the girl and the tree done on Saturday.  Ellen gave us the September assignment recently so I wanted to make sure I gave this one some attention.  So far I've been able to keep up with all the assignments.  I still love this one as much as I did when I first started it!

Patrick's Woods - Lucet

Finally, Patrick's Woods Lucet for the class on October 1st.  This one, I can not lie, gave me fits!  I have to confess this stitching was done at home.  I think the combination of lack of sleep and trying to socialize while doing tent stitch over one was just too much for me.  I admit defeat.  I had to frog this baby twice!  I finally decided I'd better not waste anymore silk so I just bagged it till I got home.

As you can see I had better luck in my nest at home than I did at the retreat.  Lesson learned!  I like how it looks now that I finally got my head around where to put that needle when doing the tent stitch.  This is only my second attempt at this stitch.  I found I needed a working copy of the chart and some colored pencils to keep me straight on where I'd been and where I needed to go!  People, it's all about the learning for me and learn I did!

Well, I hope your week is off to a grand start.  I'll be back later with more pics and tales.  It's amazing how much time it takes to get a picture heavy blog post ready!  LOL

More later,

The Inspired Stitcher

Sensing a theme...

I popped over to Carol's blog Stitching Dreams and found this wonderful post.  I really like all her crows!  This inspired me to gather up all my pumpkins and snap this picture.  This is all the pumpkin stitching I've done so far along with some pumpkin gifts I've received.

From left to right:

BOAF - Halloween Costume
Lizzie Kate - Acorn Scissor Case Kit
Sharon Bennett (Daffycat) - Harvest Pumpkins Floss Tag
Plum Pudding Needleart - Blessed Be (gift from my Secret Stitcher last year)
Prairie Schooler - Autumn Leaves #132 (gift from Staci of Snippets and Stash)

I like the idea of a little vignette.  I think I'll do this more often!  Don't you just love all the inspiration floating around out here in blogland?

Thanks for stopping by today and taking the time to leave me a note.  I really do enjoy hearing from everyone!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Gazette94 - Autumn

Design:  Autumn freebie

Designer: Gazette94

Fabric: 28ct Natural

Floss: DMC as charted

Started: 9/21/10

Finished: 10/19/10

Since I mentioned going to the Shepherd's Bush retreat yesterday, I got to thinking about this one.  I started it while sitting in the airport waiting for Jenny to join me.  I stitched on it on the plane ride out and back too.  I just loved the bright fall colors in it.

Gazette94 also designed a matching spring, summer and winter design to go with this one.  My friend Patti (no blog) told me just this week that Gazette94 is shutting down her blog soon due to some personal issues.

If you like this design, you should go visit her and print off or save what you like as I have a feeling you may never be able to find them again.   It's a shame because she really designs some cute things.

I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it yet.  I'm waiting for something to grab me I guess.  I've thought about doing it like Gazette94's finish but I think I'll let it ripen a bit more still.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Mine is going to get kicked off at the Tiara stitch-in with my peeps!  Thanks for stopping by.

The Inspired Stitcher

BOAF Halloween Costume

Design: Halloween Costume (gifted by LisaS)

Designer: Birds of a Feather

Fabric: 40ct. Natural (1 over 2)

Floss: DMC as charted

Started:  10/13/10

Finished:  10/16/10

Framed: 10/25/10 (frame gifted by Jill Rensel)

I thought I would continue with the "from the archives" theme for the week and share another autumn finish from last year.  This one just grabbed me and I couldn't let it go until I'd stitched it.  I'm sure you've had that experience too.

Last year I participated in The Great Pumpkin Challenge 2010 hosted by BeckySC.  The challenge was to stitch at least one pumpkin themed small, finish it, then post a picture on a special album created by Becky to show off our finishes.  Sadly, the album is now gone or I'd link you to it.

I framed this one myself with a frame that was gifted to me by Jill Rensel. Yes, that Jill Rensel! I got to visit her stuido last year when I went to the Shepherd's Bush Retreat. If you get the chance to visit her, you really should. She is an amazing artist! This was the first time I'd attempted to frame something and I think it turned out really cute.

I enjoy all the sweet comments you leave me and I appreciate you stopping by today.

The Inspired Stitcher

Harvest Pumpkins Floss Tag

Harvest Pumpkins Floss Tag freebie by Daffycat

Fabric: Random 28 ct. from the stash pile

The fabric in the background is the backing fabric

Floss: DMC as charted

Started: 9/19/09

Finished: 9/22/09

Completed: 9/19/10

I've really been in a fall mood lately.  I got to thinking about things I worked on this time last year.  So I went digging in the archives and found this little cutie.

Since I mentioned Daffycat yesterday, I thought you might like to see the floss tag freebie she designed.  It's still on her blog if you want to pop over there and get one for yourself.  It's a quick stitch and the finishing was a snap!

I got on a stitching tear in 2009.  I hadn't done any stitching since the early 80s.  I also had just had a "big-O" birthday and decided I wanted to get back to doing things that I'd once enjoyed.

I had always wanted to learn to stitch on linen so I decided to "prove it to myself" that I could do it.  Well, I did and I've not looked back since.  All this to explain why there was such a time difference in the stitching and the actual finishing.

I don't know why I waited so long.  Silly me, all I really needed was a good tutorial.  The internet is such a wonderful thing!

Here are three I found really helpful and maybe you will too.  Go check out Snippets and Stash, or The Twisted Stitcher or Anitalittlestitches.  These ladies all have great floss ring tag tutorials.


Thanks for stopping by today!

The Inspired Stitcher