TUSAL - August

It's TUSAL Day!

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

 

 

Holy smokes folks, a week from today is September first!  Really?!  I feel like I've been waiting for summer to get here and it never did.  Well, not until the last few days when the heat finally arrived.  We've gone all summer with it being cooler than usual and now you can cut the humidity with a knife.  It's always something!

 

 

This month's ORT report is full of good things. The ORT pile doesn't look like much but trust me, there's been a whirlwind of finishes.  I finally got to the point that I only needed a few more stitches and I could wrap up a couple things so that's just what I did.  It feels so good to have all but one BAP done now.  I'm looking forward to working on some smalls now!

 

Here's a look at this month's contributors:

 

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

"Quaker Faith" by Little by Little Designs (Done!)

"Summer in Bloom - Drum Pinkeep" by BBD (Completed)

"Turkey Block" from Lizzie Kate's Autumn Alphabet (Done needs finished)

 

Well it's a short one this month but I'm pleased with the report none the less.  I hope everyone has a great week!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Parrots Update

I'm finally able to show an update on the Snooty Parrots.  They've been sorely neglected this summer but I buckled down and am now up to the current month's assignment.  Can I get it done in a week?  Well...that remains to be seen.  LOL!

Progress as of July 8th

Last Saturday we had a Tiara Club all day stitch and I made some real progress there.  On Monday I got together with some of my quilting friends and I stitched some more.  Then on Wednesday our guild had its monthly evening stitch-in and I started my August assignment.

July's assignment as of August 19th.

 

I didn't take a picture of the August assignment start.  It's really nothing special yet.  Just the green part of the vine on the right.  I'm tempted to keep going on it to the bottom but who knows if that will really happen.  I am anxious to stitch the parrot though.  Its coloring is slightly different than the one on the left side.  You'll have to check that out next time.

 

I'm going into the city tomorrow with a quilting friend to see a quilt display at one of the local museums.  It should be a fun outing.  I hope you all have a great weekend too.  Thank you for your visit today!

 

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

BBD Pinkeep Drum...DONE!!

Ever had one of those finishes where you just need to do this tiny little thing and it would be complete but for some reason you procrastinate it?  Yep, that's me on the BBD Pinkeep Drum.  I've had the stitching completed for a while already.  I'm happy to say I finally completed it last night.

Progress as of July 20th, the last day of the Russellville Retreat.

Stitching completed July 27th.

Then I started the construction on July 27th too.

I have to say that putting this together was a lot easier than I'd anticipated it to be.  I followed the directions that came with the chart pretty closely.  The only thing I changed was I left the cardstock circle inside the drum and added a couple layers of batting between it and the linen for the top and bottom.  I didn't want the drum to pooch out.  Yes, that's a real technical term isn't it?!  I like the way the top is relatively flat now.  I also filled the bottom with about an inch or two of poly beads for weight and used fiber fill for the rest of it.

Design:  Summer in Bloom - Pinkeep Drum

Designer:  Blackbird Designs

Fabric:  28ct. Silkweaver Days Gone By

Floss:  GAST as charted

Started: 7/18/14

Finished:  7/27/14

Completed: 8/14/14

Our retreat kit came with silk ribbon to ruche along the edge but I really wanted to work with chenille again.  I really enjoyed using it last time.  I had ordered some from the LNS but got to rooting around in the stash and came across this.  I love how it matches the fabric perfectly.  I had another option that was more of a rust color but it wasn't wide enough.  This chenille came from Victorian Motto in case you are wondering.  I know not all LNS carry this stuff.

So there you have it, friends!  I'm so pleased with how this turned out.  It's the first drum finish I've attempted and it won't be the last.  I really love working with the chenille too.  It hides a multitude of stitching sins.  LOL!  I'd highly encourage you to give it a whirl if you get the chance.

I hope everyone had a good week and I hope your weekend is just a nice.  The Tiara Club is getting together for an all day stitch tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to hanging with the peeps!  Thanks for stopping by for a visit today.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Quaker Faith - DONE!!!

I am so happy to report that my absence from the blog was because I've had my nose to the grindstone finishing up my Quaker Faith!  I made some more progress on it at the LNS first Friday stitch-in and decided I just needed to buckle down and finish it already.  So that's what I did!

Here's my progress on 7/14/14

Here's where I was Saturday around noon.

Design:  Quaker Faith

Designer:  Little by Little

Fabric: 35 ct. Jackalope

Floss: DMC as charted

Started: 1/1/14

Finished: 8/10/14

To be framed...

Here it is finished as of about 9:30 last night!  I changed the initials on the right side to reflect those of my parents and paternal grand parents.  It seemed fitting to honor them.  I left the "P" on the left to represent my honey.

A special thanks goes to Melissa over at Words and Blooms. I had entered her giveaway back in 2012 and found out on 5/8/12 that I'd won this kitted chart!  So I wouldn't have stitched this beauty if it weren't for Melissa's generosity!  Thank you so much, Melissa!!!

This finish also serves a dual purpose too.  I am now finished with my commitment for the local Queen City Sampler Guild's Quaker challenge!  Now all I have to do is get to the LNS to get her framed.

This finish kicked my week off to a great start.  I'm going to get back on the Parrots now and I've even started thinking about Christmas ornaments.  I can truthfully say that after committing myself to three BAPs this year, I'm going to try not to do that again.  I really do miss my smalls and ornaments.  Live and learn!

I hope everyone has a great week!  Summer is sadly winding down but I'm looking forward to the Shepherd's Bush Retreat in October so it's not all bad!  Have a good one and thanks for stopping by to see me today.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

TUSAL - July

It's TUSAL Day!

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

 

 

Okay, can someone please slow this summer down?!  I'm not ready for it to be over yet.  I feel like I'm still waiting for summer to get here.  It's been so unseasonably cool around here.  I used to think my Granny was just being silly when she said time flies when you get older. Now I know what she meant. Sigh!
 

This month's ORT report is a little late as our home computer is dying but the ORT pile is a biggie!  Lots of wonderful things have been stitched since the last ORT report.  

My lunch time stitch has still been the Parrots but this past week it's been the Russellville group project.  I finished it Sunday afternoon! I'll do a proper post soon. 

 

 

Here's a look at this month's contributors:

 

Snooty Parrots by Barbara Ana Designs ( In Progress)

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

Verse and commemoration on the North Post round robin (DONE!)

"Where there are Bees" by Prairie Schooler passport stamp (DONE!)

"Monogram" by DMC passport stamp (DONE!)

"Summer in Bloom - Drum Pinkeep" by BBD (Finished!)

 

I managed to get some progress made on "Quaker Faith" at the guild's stitch-in and am so excited I finished the retreat piece.  I'm going to try to get my July assignment for the Parrots done before Friday.  That's the plan anyway.

 

Well folks, it's a short one this time around.  I always appreciate your visits on TUSAL day since I realize it's not the most exciting post.  Hope you are making progress on your WIPs too!

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

Russellville Retreat Recap part 2

Let's pick up where we left off last time. My travel peeps and I have a tradition of exchanging little gifties when we go to a retreat together.  This year was no different.  Here are the lovelies I received!

See the needle book, that is what I made for them.  It's from the Tilda book called "Sew Pretty Home Style."  Its a super cute book and was just as easy as can be to make.  I might have to make another one of these! I love the pillow hanger.  It was stitched especially for me in one of my favorite colors, red!  The green scissor fob is a super creative thing that came in the green bag with the box of mints.  It has a needle threader, strawberry emery, and thread ring all attached to a six inch tape measure.  How cool is that?!  I have some super creative peeps!

Every year Queen Bee sets up her "boutique" in the parlor for our perusal.  Of course you have to bring home souviner stash!  Here's what I just couldn't live without this year! I've had my eye on the Hands on Design chart for a while.  You can't really tell but the fabric piece is polka dots.  I want to use it for the needle case chart.  The other chart is a Lizzie Kate.  I love the saying.

On Friday night we decided to have our usual planning session for the following year because some of your New Mexico and Texas folks had to get back home for various reasons.  It just wasn't the same with out them after they left us.  Waves to you girls!  That's actually when we got the pins and the journals I showed you yesterday.

Our beloved Queen Bee made us the lovely pins with the help of some worker bees back in New Mexico.  Each stitched bee was colored differently so they all looked a little bit different.  Kinda like all of us...each a bit different but all stitched the same.

Since some of us departed early we decided to do our exchange before dinner on Friday.  Talk about a talent showcase.  Holy cow we are a talented bunch!  As usual, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and chime in where I can.

This is what the Queen Bee picked!

I made this one!

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Mini Card Freebie

Fabric:  30 ct. Dark Chino

Floss: DMC 3865, 993, 580, & 725 (1 over 1)

Started & Finished: 6/26/14

Completed: 7/4/14

 

This is what I got!

 

 Queen Bee made this one!  I love this so much.

My peep, L made this one. Does it look familiar?

My peep P made this bracelet.

 

 

This is where we had dinner Saturday night.  It's a B & B called Federal Grove.  It was the most amazing house!  We were taken on a tour to see the rooms.  We are thinking we may have to change locations so we were on a scouting mission.  I doubt this will work for our needs but the food was amazing!

Yes, I'm one of those people who takes pictures of their meal but only when it's an outstanding one I want to remember!  The meal was served family style and there was no menu that night.  Everyone that came for dinner was served the same thing.

We had the salad choices of broccoli salad or tomato, cucumber, and onion salad.  The meat choices were country ham, meatloaf, or fried chicken.  The vegetables were cheesy ranch potatoes, carrots, friend apples, corn and/or green beans.  The desserts were German chocolate cake, banana cake with a maple drizzle (what I had), chocolate pie, or berry crumble.  It was to die for!  Good old fashioned country cooking at its finest!

 

On Sunday morning those of us that were left met back up at the "hive" for a little more stitching and the door prize draw.  We are all given a number at the beginning of the weekend and each day several numbers are drawn until we are down to two.  The winner is drawn on Sunday morning before we leave. This was the prize!

 

Queen Bee stitched this Little House design and attached it to one of those hanging toiletry organizer things.  Her thought was to put your stitching things in there for on the go stitching.  I think it's absolutely darling!  Unfortunately, I was not the winner.  Our worker bee from Toledo was the lucky lady!

 

Around noonish we started putting the room back like we found it and helped the Queen Bee pack up.  I shoved off a little early so I could get back on the road.  I had a long five hour solo drive ahead of me.  I always worry about getting through Louisville but it went well this time.  I arrived back at the ranch around dinner time.

 

I always look forward to this retreat and am always sad to leave.  Our time together goes so quickly and we always have so much fun together.  Our group has gotten to know each other so well over the years and it feels like a reunion when we get together.  Waves to the worker bees reading!  Miss you all!

 

I hope you enjoyed my recap posts.  I always enjoy a good travel adventure and I enjoy sharing it with you as well.  I hope you all have a great weekend.  I think I'll stitch some more.  Won't you join me?

 

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

Russellville Retreat Recap

A week ago yesterday I left for our annual Russellville retreat.  I met up with the peeps at a rest stop just south of the city.  This year I drove by myself since my usual travel peeps were heading on to Florida after the weekend.  Me, I had to come back to the grind.  However, I wasn't alone in the car!

I had Señior Frog to keep me company along the way.  He and I listened to my iTunes through the car's bluetooth and away we went!  The girlies following me have now dubbed me Mario...ahem!  Yes....I do tend to have a lead foot.  I blame it on a really smooth riding car.  Yep, that's it!

We made a stop at The Finishing Touch in Louisville to stretch our legs and do a little shopping.  Gotta enhance the stash dontcha know. As you can see a few little things had to come home with me.  We got back on the road for a short hop south of the city for lunch and then we kicked it on into Russellville.

 

Here's a peek at our nest.  We usually spend our first night at the "hive" setting up and settling in.  We have a pizza dinner so as folks straggle in they aren't missing dinner.  The next morning we get down to stitching!

 

This was our group project for this year's getaway.  It's Blackbird Designs' "Summer in Bloom - Pinkeep Drum."  We used the called for GAST floss and 28ct. Silkweaver Days Gone By linen.

 

Here's where I was at the end of the weekend.  I'm a lot further along now.  I've got all the leaves and stems in and am working on the flowers.  I'm hoping to get this one done really soon!

Speaking of finishing things, I've alluded to a round robin group project here on the blog.  Well, we finally got to reveal them.  This was the first time we saw them all together after they were finished.

 

I purposely left the picture scaled small for privacy sake.  Most of these have the names, city and state of the participants on them.  Some things just don't need to be put out there.  I know you all understand.  I can tell you we had participants from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.

 

I'm sure you are curious how we accomplished this.  Our organizers distributed the same set of quilt square charts from Susan Greening Davis (used with permission) to all of us.  Each of us chose our own fabric, floss, and layout.  As we received the stitched squares, we tried to choose a block to stitch that hadn't already been used.  We tried to use complimentary colors so all the blocks would look nice as a group.

 

We sent them out each month by the 15th.  We were paired up in groups of two since that's how our geographic location worked out.  After I stitched my square on the two I received, I passed them along to my peep in the city at one of our stitch-ins.  She sent them on when she was finished stitching her squares.  And so it went until we were done!

 

They all turned out really nice and each is so different from the other.  They really do reflect all of us.  There is talk that we may do another round robin.  The Queen Bee was quite impressed and maybe a bit envious that the worker bees struck out on their own.  Giggles!

 

I have another couple tiny finishes to share too.  This bag was given to us at last year's retreat by the Queen Bee.  We were to stitch little "passport stamps" and attach them to the bag.  They could be anything that was meaningful to us.

I chose to stitch a bee skep with tiny bees and my monogram since we all have the same bag.  The skep represents our "hive" where we stitch each year and the bees represent us as stitchers aka worker bees.

In case you are wondering, the monogram is from a vintage DMC chart and the bee skep is from Prairie Schooler's chart #193 "Where there are Bees."  I used 32ct. cream scrap for them both and finished the edges with nun's stitch.  I used the called for DMC on the bee skep and NPI 947 & 572 on the monogram.

Each year the Queen Bee likes to give us little gifts during our getaway.  This year she gifted us with this super cute hand made pin featuring our symbol, the bee!  She also gave us this pretty journal to keep all our important thoughts in it.  She suggested we could stitch our initial and put it in the square instead of the paper one that came with it.  She also gave us a gold bee skep needle minder.

 

See the camel up there?  Each year we like to patronize the local businesses just around the corner on Main Street. The camel was my souvenir from Pearl's Antiques. It's a figurine from the Red Rose Tea Company.  It's made by Wade in England and offered as a promotion in the tea box.  It just cracks me up!

It reminds me of the Geico camel which is my all time favorite commercial ever!  I can't watch this video without laughing.

Well folks, this one has gotten pretty lengthy today and I'm not done yet.  I'll leave you on this funny note and pick up again tomorrow with show and tell as well as the stash I got from the Queen Bee's "boutique."  Hope you enjoyed the recap so far!


More to come,

The Inspired Stitcher