TUSAL - February

It's TUSAL Day!

(For those not familiar, click on the word TUSAL above or the link to the right.)

Well folks another month has passed and it's TUSAL time once again.  It also means we are one more month closer to Spring!  March 20th to be exact.  I'm really ready this year.  More so than any other year as a matter of fact. Unfortunately, in my corner of the world, we need to hunker down for yet another round of nasty tonight.  Oh joy!

 

Here's something nicer to think about, this month's ORT pile.  It's closer to normal size this time around.  The pincushion in the picture is a finish from last year seen here.  It's also a freebie found here in case you are feeling festive and want a quickie little project!

Let's have a look at this month's contributors:
 

"Snooty Parrots" by Barbara Ana Designs ( In Progress)

"Quaker Faith" by Little by Little Designs (In Progress)

"Glory House" by Chessie and Me (Done!)

"Be My Valentine - Love Letter Needlekeep" by With Thy Needle and Thread (Done!)

"Be My Valentine - Lovebird Pinkeep" by With Thy Needle and Thread (Done!)

It's a modest list this month since I've been spending a good bit of time with the Parrots.  It doesn't appear that much has been happening when I list it out but believe me the needles have been busy.  I really do like keeping a list like this.  It helps me track my progress and keeps me accountable.

I know TUSAL day isn't the most exciting post I do all month so I especially appreciate your stopping by today.  Hope your weekend is off to a roaring start!

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Quaker Faith progress

Last night I got together with some of my quilting friends.  We try to get together once a month and rotate between each other's houses.  Our little group started out as just a quilting group.  However, these past few years a couple of us have branched out and tried some new things.  On any given gathering someone may be knitting, crocheting, mending, stitching and at least one of us will be quilting something.  It really doesn't matter what we are working on as long as we get together.  Of course, we solve the problems of our worlds while enjoying each other's company too.

I took my Quaker Faith with me to work on and made some good progress.  This project has become my lunch time stitch and was already in my bag when I left the house.  It occurred to me this morning that I hadn't shown a progress update since Stitchaway.  Time to remedy that!

Progress as of 1/18/14

Progress as of 2/25/14

This one is moving along pretty quickly.  I'm really liking the colors in it and they will go nicely in my living room.  I'm about halfway done with the right side already.  Then I'll move onto the left and there's a little bit to do underneath the middle.  Right now I really like the botanical thing near my initials and of course the acorn on the right.

As you can tell from my last post, I'm already thinking about my next lunch time project.  I still haven't decided yet.  I'm having fun dreaming about it while stitching this one.  I bet you do that too!

Well folks, it's a quick one today.  Thank you all for stopping by.  I hope you have a good week!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Snooty Progress & Stash

Last weekend I got out the turbo needle and went to it on the Snooty Parrots sampler.  I've been behind and wanted to get caught up to February's assignment.  I'm pleased to say I was able to finally get myself caught up!

 

This is January's finished assignment.  I managed to knock this out on Saturday!

 

This is February's assignment section.  I finished this just in time for Downton on Sunday!

 

Here's the whole thing!  This picture was taken hot off the q-snaps.  I didn't even take the time to iron it since Downton was coming on and I sure didn't want to miss a minute of that!  I'm glad I'm finally caught up with the group.  Now I can stitch on whatever I want until the 1st.  Yay!  I do love the colors in this sampler.  I can't wait to add more next month.

 

~*~*~*~ 

Speaking of stitching whatever I want, I've been tempted by the bay of evil lately. Here are a few goodies that caught my eye!

 

 

I've been taken with multiplication tables lately.  Ellen was mentioning this one last time I saw her and I couldn't resist it.  Of course I have thing for Brightneedle and this sweet little booklet was a must have.

 

Then of course there's Blackbird Designs.  My friend, Christie started this one at Stitchaway and I fell in love.  The colors are the exact ones in our bedroom.  I'm going to do it as a sweetheart sampler for my honey and I.

 

These next two are ones I've had on my wishlist for a while now.  I finally gave in and had to have them.  I'm sure you all have done the same.  Doesn't everybody stalk things mull things over for a while?

 

 

This one I blame on Marly. LOL! I saw hers and fell in love with it. It's the Irish stitch at the top that did it for me on this one. It also has some stem stitch, chain stitch and some free hand work. Sounds like some opportunities to learn something new. I like that it's not terribly big too. 

 

I've had this one on my list for a very long time.  It is a relatively easy one to find on the good ole bay of evil.  This particular seller had more than one of these available so if it flips your skirt too, there's another one out there.  I love the Berlin style and the beehive did it for me on this one.

 

Now to decide which of these to start next.  Which would you choose?

 

~*~*~*~

 

Well folks, we've made it to hump day!  I can see the weekend from here.  I hope you all have had a good week so far.  Thank you so much for taking time to drop in for a visit with me.

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

Happy Valentine's Day

A friend sent this to me in an email and it was just too good not to share!

 

 

This is what I found in my stitching bag this morning!  Actually, my honey left me these Hello Kitty Valentines all over the place this morning.  I found one in my bathroom, on my phone, in my coat pocket, on the dash of my car and finally in my stitching bag.  I just love that man...he gets me!

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Hugs and squeezes from me to you!

 

The Inspired Stitcher


P.S.  All the Valentines had heart shaped suckers in the holes except for the one in my stitching bag.  Yep, he didn't want to get candy on my stitching.  See why I love him!

Secret Stitcher

This is going to be a quickie post today.  I wanted to share with you the lovely package I received from my new Secret Stitcher!

For those who might be wondering what that is, the stitch groups I belong to decided to combine and do the Secret Stitcher program together this year.  We filled out a questionnaire listing our likes, hobbies, and such.  Once coordinator did the assignment of partners, then we were given our new Secret Stitcher partner for the new year.  We'll send each other little surprises throughout the year and we'll do the reveal in December like always.

 

Here's what was in the parcel!  Check out that super cute puppy card.  Looks like my sweet puppy girl if she had heart shaped spots.  Of course chocolate is always a welcome thing in my world.  I love the two sweet flosses, Sofia's Pink and Cherry Cobbler.  Just yummy!  Then there's the chart, I do love Lizzie Kate and this particular one is a favorite!

 

Here's a closer look if you haven't seen it before!  It's actually a sweet kit that came with the linen and a tiny bag of beads plus a button!  I may have to treat myself and start this one very soon.  I'm really in the mood to do some seasonal stitching.

 

Thank you so much Secret Stitcher!  I love everything you sent.  I'm looking forward to a fun year of surprises.  Valentine's Day is my absolute favorite holiday of the whole year.  I know I've said that before though.  Giggles!  Happy Valentine's Day to you and to all my readers!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

A Lovely RAK

Ever have one of those days when you wonder why you ever got out of bed?  Yep, yesterday was one of them for me.  I won't go into details but it was one of those days.  Then I came home from work and the day got a whole lot brighter.  Wanna know why?

 

Just look at this precious pillow Carol over at Stitching Dreams sent to me as a RAK (Random Act of Kindness).  Carol had help from another sweet friend getting it to me (I know who you are sweetness).  I love the pink tissue it was wrapped in and the card was super sweet too!  I'm still smiling.

 

Here's a closer look.  Just look at how perfectly stitched and finished it is!  I just love, love, love it!  I've always admired Carol's finishes.  I feel so honored to have one of my own now.  It's just so very me.  What a sweet thing to do! 

 

Carol knows my very favorite holiday of the whole year is Valentine's Day.  I love it more than Christmas and definitely more than my birthday.  For me the holiday isn't about sweethearts but more about showing others how much you care about them.  This sweet gift is all that to me!

 

Thank you so much dear friend!  Your thoughtfulness means the world to me.  This precious gift is so very special.  I've placed it where I'll see it everyday.  You truly made my day!

 

I've often commented to my friends and family that my blog friends are some of the nicest people.  I truly do enjoy our friendships.  There are some of you I may never meet in person and some of you I have already but every one of you are special to me.  I truly appreciate your visits, emails, and sweet things you do.

 

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary Progress

I've made some more progress on the Hornbook project.  I'm really excited to share a picture I left out last time too.  I've been on a roll with this one and have two blocks to share with you today!

 

This was the picture I had intended to post last time.  When I got to roll out more fabric for the next row's boxes, I snapped this picture.  I hadn't seen it all unrolled in a while.  It was pretty exciting to see it actually looks like something now.  I'm past the halfway point now! Yay!

 

Progress as of 12/31/13

 

Progress as of 1/18/14

This was the last check in with this one at the Stitchaway Retreat.

 

Progress as of  1/20/14

Here's a close up of the "O is for Owl" block!  It only took a couple days to finish it up after the retreat.  I was on a roll again so I kept on going and started the next block the same day.

Progress as of 2/1/14

Here's where I stand as of this past weekend.  I finished the "P is for Parrot" block!  Now I'm halfway though this row and soon will be ready to add the next to the last row.  That is just so exciting.  At times it felt like I'd be working on this forever.  Then there are some days I wish I could just sit and stitch on this project all day long.  Unfortunately, I have to work to support my needlework addiction passion!

~*~*~*~

I worked a bit on the Snooty Parrots over the weekend too after I finished up the Parrot square.  Hmm...must have been a Parrot weekend.  Maybe it's a sign I'm ready for warmer weather!  I heard the rodent saw his shadow yesterday.  Drat!  Six more weeks of this nasty weather.  Oh happy joy!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and got some stitching accomplished.  Thanks for visiting and have a good week!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher