Russellville Recap - part 1

Well folks, it's that time of year again!  The annual Russellville "reunion" has come and gone.  There were only 15 of us this year.  Those that weren't present were missed.  Our drive down last Thursday started out pretty uneventful.

We took the ferry across the Ohio River.  The girls humor me every year.  I appreciate that!  They know how much I love riding that ferry.  This was the one we rode on.  I took this picture on the return trip while waiting for the bigger ferry to come back the Kentucky side to fetch us.

We also made our annual pilgrimage to visit Sondra and Carol at The Finishing Touch in Louisville.  This was the stash haul this year.  I've got an idea for the two pieces of fabric and I couldn't live without the other bits and pieces.  Sondra said those thread keeps fly right out of the shop as soon as she gets them in.  I can see why.  It's really pretty!

After we shopped we went to Cafe Classico for some sustenance.  Then a brief stop at the Hadley Pottery outlet store on the way to the highway.  I forgot to get pictures there.

As we were tooling down the road we noticed the truck beside us had a really cute passenger!  Y'all know I'm such a dog person.  That face just melted my heart.  Imagine traveling with your best pup friend.  So sweet!

Then we ran into this!  Yep, we are the blue dot on that map and yes, we went through all that nasty.  We all agreed at one point it was saints and angels carrying us through that storm.  Oh. My. Goodness!!  It was one nasty storm.  Later that evening one of the peeps' husbands called to let us know Russellville had made national news for the flooding!  There were yards and fields that had lakes of water in them.  I'm pretty sure they aren't normally like that since I've been going down there for the past seven years.  Thankfully, we arrived unscathed and ready to stitch!

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Design: Russellville Getaway Group Project

Designer:  The Queen Bee aka Belinda

Fabric: 28ct. Fog

Floss: WDW & DMC

Started: 7/7/16

Finished: 7/9/16

Completed: TBD

This was our group project designed by the Queen Bee.  We all did the outer border with the same WDW Confetti floss and then had the option to choose from a basket of curated DMC for our words and flower colors.  I chose to make my flower a poppy and the words are a teal color.  We were instructed by Queen Bee to each bring enough charms, beads, buttons, etc. to share with everyone.  The thought being to attach them to this stitched piece once finished and then the whole thing would be attached to the top of a wooden box.  I decided to wait on that part until I got home but I'm happy I got the stitching done while I was there.

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Dogs seem to be a common theme on this trip.  This cutie pie above is Donald (no, not named for any political figure in case you are wondering).  He's my peep, Valerie's furbaby.  Val forgot her embellishments for the group project embellishment exchange and her DH kindly drove them down to her.  Donald wanted to come along to meet us girls.  He was well received.  Such a good pup!

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Well, this one is getting a bit lengthy so I'll stop here and resume with the show and tell next time.  I hope you've enjoyed our trip to Russellville so far.  There's lots more to share so stay tuned!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

What I've been working on...

I've had some requests to see my progress on a couple things so I thought I'd pop in and share.  The first one is Speak to the Earth.  Here's where we were when you last saw it.

As of 3/6/16

As of 5/12/16

Now the truth of the matter is that if I would just buckle down, I could realistically get this one done without too much trouble.  Um...yeah, I have no excuses.  Moving on...

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As of 3/6/16

Design: Pomegranate Pincushion

Designer: Hands on Designs

Fabric:  30 ct. Aztec Red

Floss:  As charted

Started:  1/1/16

Finished: 3/12/16

Completed: 3/26/16

Okay, this one I completely forgot I even finished it until I looked a couple posts back.  I'm a shameful blogger in more ways than one.  Ahem.   Seriously, I really enjoyed this finish and it wasn't nearly as difficult as one might imagine it to be.  I do have the linen and fabric to make the pocket...at some point.

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Design: From "Tokens of Love: Quaker Pinballs" book

Designer: Erica Uten

Fabric: 40 ct. Linen linen

Floss:  DMC 221

Started: 4/9/16

Finished: 4/30/16

Completed: 5/8/16

This one I made as a thank you for Mary Uhl Brooks who graciously shared the Quaker samplers with me at the Westtown School back in May.  I'll have to write more about that trip later.  Needless to say it was a morning I won't soon forget.  If you find yourself near Westtown, make plans to see the needlework.  You'll want to call in advance but it's very much worth it!

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As of 6/26/16

This one I'm calling a "do-over."  I'd started it originally who knows when, I'm thinking maybe 2011.  I could be wrong.

All I know is the fabric I'd originally used was definitely not made for cross stitch and I don't know what I was thinking.  I also don't know the designer on this or if there ever was one.  You see, I saw this in a friends sun room and fell in love.  She received it as a gift.  We don't know if it was a commercially made pillow or if someone actually stitched it.  All I knew was I loved it and charted it from the picture I took that day.

The original was done on large count fabric.  I suspect from looking at my picture, it was Tula.  That's what I'm using now.  The peeps have given me such grief over this one since I usually like to work on 40 ct. and this is 10 ct.  What can I say, I liked the chunky look of the original and that's how I wanted this one to look as well.  I plan to finish it into a pillow too.  It's going pretty fast.

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I've also started and finished a couple other things but can't show them until after this weekend is over.  I'm going to try to have a finishing day real soon so I can clear out some of the backed up stuff in the box o'shame.  I'm sure you all have one of those too where finished stitching waits to be completed.  LOL!

I hope you've enjoyed this quick little check-in.  I really wanted to make sure I documented these things.  I really didn't realize how much I relied on this blog to help me remember the things I've stitched.  I've got some more catching up to do!  If you've read this far, thanks for still being here after my long absence!

More later,

The Inspired Stitcher

Gone but not forgotten...

Several folks have asked if I've stopped blogging.  The quick answer is NO! I'm just on a delay of sorts.  I have some issues I'm trying to work through right now and it's getting in the way of my stitching and blogging.  Nothing earth shattering or devastating.  I mean it doesn't involve the police, lawyer, hospital or fire department so it can't be too terrible.  Right?!

However, it is seriously cutting into my stitching time and thus this here blog.  I'm trying to make my rounds to your blogs as I have time so I'm still out here just not right here.  LOL!

So don't cry for me Argentina (as the Spinster Stitcher says)...I'll be back soon as I can.  So for now, talk amongst yourselves and if you do something fun tell me about it or blog about it!  And if I do anything worth sharing, I'll pop in here for a quick post too.  Deal?!

You all make me feel way more special than I am with your sweet emails.  I miss you too!

Until I can get my act together,

The Inspired Stitcher

It's all about the progress...

How did a whole month pass?!  Wow!  I can account for the past two weeks but I have no excuse for the two before that.  Our house has been cursed with the creepin' crud that seems to be going around lately.  DH gave it to me (he's sweet that way dontacha know) and I've had it for two weeks.  Yikes!  Thankfully the cough is gone for the most part and most of the congestion is too.  So I decided since I felt spunkier than I have in a good while, I'd pop in here for a progress update!  Go grab a cuppa.  Here we go!

Progress as of 9-6-15

Progress as of 3/6/16

Excuse the wrinkles.  I took it's glamour shot straight off the q-snaps.  I can't believe the last time you saw this one was last September!  As you can tell, I've worked on it a bit since then and I'm getting really close to the finish on it.  I'm hopeful it will be soon.  I just love all the little animals at the bottom.  There have been a couple peeps who have finished theirs.  I'll have to get a snap of all of them together when I finally get mine done.

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Progress as of 7/11/15

Progress as of 3/6/16

Okay, I'm almost embarrassed to show this one.  The last time I shared progress was back in July.  Really?!  Oh good golly...can we say slacker?!  Anywho, you can tell I have worked on this one quite a bit since then.  I'm almost to the point of finishing page two!  Next up will be the words in the bottom section.  I love words.  I also love all the little spots in this one too. And the night sky and well...pretty much everything about it.

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I've also had a couple new starts I haven't shared here yet.  It's funny, I used to be a "one-at-a-time" girl and that went out the window now didn't it.  LOL!

Progress as of 3/6/16

This was my January 1st start.  I'm doing it as a SAL with a certain someone who reads this blog.  Winks!  I haven't worked on it much since the middle of January.  I'm sure my SAL partner already has hers done and is just being polite by not telling me.  I'm really looking forward to doing the finishing on this one.  I think it's going to be interesting.  I'm loving the red fabric! It's 30 ct. Aztec red in case you were wondering.

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Progress as of 3/6/16

This is my second new start this year.  I picked this one up on Valentine's Day, right before I got sick.  It's charted as the letter "E" but I plan to lob off the top and the middle parts and turn it into an "L."  I'm stitching it on 30ct. Morris Blue with the called for floss.

Our friend Leslie of Under the Sea Fabrics has one someone made for her and it inspired me to do one for myself.  This is my first Nora!  I figured I should stitch one since I'm going to the Mirabilia Minions Retreat for the first time this year.  I'm looking forward to it!

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So there you are folks, even though I have been absent in this space I really have been stitching.  Between being sick and work still being crazy, I haven't had much time to pop in here to catch you all up.  I do, however, appreciate all the emails checking in on me.  I've tried to make the blog rounds and visit when I could.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit with me today.  I appreciate each one of you!  I hope your day is good.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

P.S. Is anyone else sad that tonight is the last episode of Downton?  Can't wait to see what happens!

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