TUSAL - February

It's TUSAL Day!

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

Hello friends!  Here we are at TUSAL day again.  I have to admit there hasn't been much new in the way of stitching happening in my world since our last TUSAL check-in.  Life seems to have stepped in my way.  Nothing catastrophic, just the usual daily grind stuff dontcha know.  Oh well, it is what it is!  There could be worse things, this I know.

Here's a look at the ORT pile for this month.

Let's have a look at the contributor list:

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

"Speak to the Earth" by Donna Kooler Designs (In Progress)

"Common Ground - Needlebook" by Just Nan (In Progress)

"Heaven Above" by Midsummer Night Designs (In Progress)

Hmm...same suspects as last month, I see.  I can truthfully say I have moved each of them along since our last visit so even though the list is the same there has been progress made. To keep this post from boring you to tears, let's have some visuals to illustrate what I mean.  Here we go...

Progress as of 1/12/15

 Progress as of 2/15/15

You may have noticed the date on the Snooty Parrots as 2014.  I decided to put last year's date on it since that's when the majority of the work was done and the year I participated in the SAL.  What do you do when projects overlap years?  I'm curious!

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Progress as of 1/12/15

Progress as of 2/15/15

Speak to the Earth is coming along nicely.  It's a project I don't want to put down once I pick it up.  If it weren't for doing it as a SAL, I'd be tempted to keep on going with it.  I'm sure you've had projects like that too. 

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Progress as of 1/12/15

Progress as of 2/15/15

I spent this past weekend working on the Just Nan needle book. I was inspired by this post to pick it up again.  I could easily finish it up if I kept up the current pace with it.  Saturday is an all day stitch-in so just maybe...

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Progress as of 1/17/15

Progress as of 2/15/15

Last but not least, Heaven Above, oh how I love this one too!  I love that blue in the corner.  Does it remind you of anything?  Yes, memories of the Hornbook Bestiary came flooding back when I started that corner!  Oh yes indeed.  LOL!

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Now that was fun, wasn't it?  I always love to see people's progress pics, especially on BAPs or SALs.   I hope it won't be so long between our next visit.  Thank you for stopping in today. I hope all is well in your corner of the world.  I've missed you all!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher 

Stitchaway Retreat Recap

I'm back as promised to recap the Stitchaway retreat.  This year I was only able to go for Friday afternoon and all day Saturday due to work needs.  Funny how life gets in the way of our stitching sometimes.  LOL!  Let's start out with gifts...

 This is the super cute ornament I received from my peep, Patti.  She knows me well and knew I'd love it.  She said this was a freebie she found on Pinterest but I've not seen it before.  Isn't it awesome?!

Here's the back.  I don't know if you can see it, the key has the word "Paris" on it.  The finishing is exquisite!  It was finished by the super talented Faye over at Carolina Stitcher.  Thank you so much Patti and Faye.  I absolutely love it!

While we are on the subject of gifts and this time birthday gifts, Anna Mae gifted me with these fun things.  Check out the gingerbread man earrings.  I just love everything but my favorite is the owl paperclip.  Thank you so much, Anna Mae!

Here's what Meem gave me for my belated birthday.  She knows I love Hello Kitty and these were spot on!  The lunch box is mini size and my feet are always cold.  Both are just perfect for me.  Thank you so much, Meem!

I couldn't resist sharing these things.  I just had to honor their thoughtfulness and express my gratitude!

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Every year there's a "free to a good home" table.  These were "gifts" from unknown friends. I love the sheep in turkey clothing.  My peep, Evie snagged the acorn sampler for me.  I really liked the two bunny charts and of course the bees!

Another tradition is the boutique with trunk shows. This picture was taken on the rare moment the shop was not crowded.  Oh so much temptation in there!

I just had to share this picture that was by the check out table.  Our theme this year was friendship and tea.  Barb's British friend emailed this picture to her and she thought it was a scream.  We had an informal contest to give this well endowed lady a name.  We settled on Tea Tea with the Ta Ta's.  That's one impressive rack she's got there!  If anyone knows anything about this mystery lady, please share.

Here's the stash that just had to come home with me from the den of temptation.  You know I love Prairie Schooler.  One of the Russellville peeps was stitching these at our retreat in November so I just had to have it.  Heart in Hand was one of the trunk shows and I fell in love with this Valentine's sampler.  It came with fabric and buttons!  The other HIH chart was in the dollar bin.  The blue fabric is for a chart I bought myself for my birthday.  You can't tell from the picture but it has sparkles in it.

These were some pincushions the shop made up to show you how you could use the freebies in our welcome packet.  Love the teacups!  I thought I'd share with you in case you might like the idea too.

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Next up is show and tell!  I only took a few pictures this time.

Last year we were given the chart for this one and some floss with the charge to do something with it and bring it back this year to share.  Well, there was a group of over achievers that actually remembered to do it and could actually put their hands on said chart/floss.  Ahem...I was not one of those people.  LOL!  Seriously, though these two are really pretty.

I thought this was a neat way to display several small stitched pieces at once!

This one the stitcher designed and stitched this one herself.  How amazing is that?!  Very cool!

I really liked the words on this one.  I don't think I've seen it done up and have no idea who designed it.

I saved my favorite for last!  This was done by Leslie LaFleur of Under the Sea Fabrics.  Leslie is a member of our guild and hand dyes the most incredible fabric. She did the fabric in this piece too.  It has wonderful sparkle but of course I couldn't capture it.  She's also a fan of Nora Corbett and hosts the Mirabilia retreat.  Here attendees gave her a gift certificate for framing by Jill Rensel.  It's just stunning!

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Progress as of 1-17-15

As promised, here is my progress on the Parrots!  I finally got past building the house.  Oh yeah!  I am actually a little bit farther along since I took this picture last weekend.  I've now got the box above the house done and the lady to the right of the house.  I'm hopeful!

Progress as of 1/17/15

This is my start on "Heaven Above" by Midsummer Night Designs.  Last year at the retreat my friend, Susan H. had completed this sampler and shared it at show and tell.  I had watched her work on it all year and was just in love.  I complemented her on the beautiful finish and she gifted me with her chart!  I was just so thrilled and humbled.  So I collected the fabric/floss and saved it to start this year at the retreat in honor of Susan's gift to me.  I hope to be able to share my finish next year!

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So there you have it, the recap.  I hope you enjoyed all the goings on.  It was a fun retreat and I really enjoyed spending time with my peeps.  Thank you so much for visiting with me today.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

TUSAL - December and January

It's TUSAL Day!

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

 

I think I'm still in retreat mode.  I totally missed TUSAL on  Tuesday.  Oops!  I knew I'd missed December's but this month's...well I don't know.  Anywho, let's just get on with it and see what I've been up to.

 

Here 's the ORT pile and the jar with last year's ORTs in it.  Not too shabby.  I see a lot of pink in the pile from the Parrots and some lavender from the Just Nan needlebook.  Nice!

 

Let's start with the list from December to keep with consistency and then we'll look at this month.

 

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

"Quaker Heart" freebie side two from Piecework Magazine (In Progress)

"Merry Christmas" by My Big Toe Designs (Completed)

"Merry" x 8 by Shepherd's Bush (Completed)

 

 

Now on to this month's contributors:

 

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

"Speak to the Earth" by Donna Kooler Designs (In Progress)

"Common Ground - Needlebook" by Just Nan (In Progress)

"Heaven Above" by Midsummer Night Designs (In Progress)

 

Yep, my new start at the retreat was "Heaven Above."  There's a story behind my choosing this one.  I'll tell you about it in my retreat recap post and share pics.  I managed to make a good start on it and then switched back to the Parrots.  It was a productive retreat.

Well folks, that's it for this one.  I'll be back soon with the retreat recap post.  Hope everyone has had a good week.  Mine was super busy.  I'm glad we're looking at the weekend.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher