Another Finish!

I have another finish!!



"Sampling Thanksgiving"
Lizzie Kate (Quick-Its)
over 2 threads on Light Mocha Cashel linen
using recommended DMC threads
with supplied acorn charm

 I am planning on stitching this one again (but probably next year) using the recommended WDW threads.  I do like the design and the colors, but I think the varigated colors of the WDW threads will give it more "pop".  Amazing how flat the DMC begins to look when you have been stitching with hand dyeds (mostly WDW, CC, GAST) for the last year.

DS picked a design for his room and in keeping with his new color scheme, I changed all the colors.  I have to stitch it on the sly so it will be a surprise, so no pictures here until it is done.  He might not read my blog, but he does pay attention to the pictures when he sees me posting.

I have a couple of designs that recommend R&R Reproductions fabrics.  I have never used them and my local LNSs do not carry them.  Since it will represent a significant investment, does anyone have any opinions to share on R&R Reproductions or can suggest another fabric that would be close to 18th Century Brown??

Hoffman Distributing publishes a list of new charts every Friday.  Here are a few newbies that caught my eye.

Need a new ornament or want to stitch a meaningful Christmas gift . . .


"Holiest of Nights"
Homespun Elegance

 
For you fellow Austen-ites, here is a new Austen inspired design . . . 

"Jane Bennet Wedding Sampler"
Kit & Bixby


  
How a about a "too cute" Halloween design . . .

"French Country Scaredy Cats"
JBW Designs

 

So, what do you think?

Talking Turkey

Our cool front is finally here!!! Our high temps are in the upper 80s (that is fall in the Deep South).

Fall is my favorite time of year!  I have already roasted a turkey breast with baked sweet potatoes.  I am also gathering up my fall baking recipes (it is too hot to bake here during the summer) - pumpkin cookies, ginger cakes, etc.  In anticipation, I also started stitching on a new design . . .

Sampling Thanksgiving
Lizzie Kate (Quick-It)
stiched over 2 threads on 28 count Cashel linen in Light Mocha
using 2 strands of the recommended DMC threads

It is a fun quick stitch.  I think I might do it again with the recommended WDW threads to see the difference.

This gives me 3 Fall smalls with which to decorate.

I am also starting a new stitching related project that I will share later this week.

Hoping you are enjoying a cool, cinnamon scented breeze of fall.

My needle has been busy . . . (& EP Tip #4)

I am still stitching on "At Home with Jane Austen" and am still "rebuilding" Hartfield. 

"At Home with Jane Austen"

The Sampler Girl

stitched over 2 on French Country linen in Latte 

using 2 strands of the recommended Crescent Colours threads

I am also still working on the Little House Needleworks 2010 Ornament series.  Diane will be doing another series for 2011, can't wait to see the new designs as they are revealed each month.

"Merry Skater"

from the 2010 ornament series

Little House Needleworks

stitched over 2 on 28 count Lugana in Summer Khaki

using recommended threads

I love Fall, but with temperatures still in the 90s it does not feel like Fall is remotely close.  Happily, we did get a little tease for two days this week with overnight lows in the upper 60s and low 70s and highs in the upper 80s and low 90s (yup, we consider that cooler).  The cooler temps inspired me to do a little fall stitching (that and I have no Fall themed finishes), so I found this cute design in my freebie binder.  I think I will finish it as a pillow, maybe with a hanger for a cabinet or door knob.

"Fall Leaves"

Designs by Kathy (a freebie from Wichelt Imports, Inc.)

Stitched over 2 on Wilchet 28 count linen in Lambswool

using Gentle Arts Simply Shaker floss in Autumn Leaves (thanks again Sue - LOVE this color!)

I was looking for another little Fall piece and found a winter design that would adapt easily to a season change.  This is my first time making color changes to a design and I am really happy with it.  You will notice that I left the design name and designer a MYSTERY.  I thought I would be fun to see if anyone can identify the design and designer, post your guesses in the comments.  I will update the post with the design information on Monday.

"Woodland Snofall"
 Little House Needleworks
from JCS 2004 Special Christmas Issue

Stitched over 2 on Wilchet 28 count linen in Lambswool

using recommended threads
with the following changes

Border - Gentle Arts Simply Shaker-Autumn Leaves

Leaves - Weeks Dye Works - Autumn Leaves

Moon - DMC 676

I love the color of both of the Autumn Leaves threads.  WDW is brighter and would also be perfect for a pumpkin (I love pumpkins and cannot believe I have no pumpkin charts!), while the GASS is rich with golds and browns -- these are the perfect threads for Fall stitching.

I am also stitching on my fleur de lis during Saints' games, but I do not have a photo to share.

I also acquired some new stash this week . . .

CHARTS

Little House Needleworks'
"Family Sampler", "Peppermint Twist" and "Under the Tree"

Lizzie Kate's "Sampling Thanksgiving"

THREADS

Weeks Dye Works
Scuppernong, Honeysuckle, Begonia, Americana, Hunter, Emerald, Holly and Garden Trellis
Crescent Coulours
House Wine, Antique Lace and  Pea Pod

I gave my blog a Fall makeover, hope you like it.  I also updated my STASH and WISH pages to include links to pictures of each design on the list.

_________________________________________________________________
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Did you know September is Emergency Preparedness Month? 
Guess my tips are timely.

Emergency Preparedness Tip #4: 
Planning ahead for evacuation with children and pets.

Tip #3:  Have a plan

Tip #2:  Update your address book.

Tip #1:  Use your dishwasher for watertight storage.

Children

• 
  
  When staying at a hotel with children during an evacuation, you may not be able to use the pool, in the case of a hurricane, the winds and rain will arrive not long after you do. Power outages can follow, plan ahead and bring their favorite books (or that classic from your childhood you always planned to share), family board games or a new puzzle.
• 
  
  Give each child a bag (backpacks work great) to pack up their "evacuation" items (favorite toys, treasured mementos, etc.) to take with them.
• 
  
  Pack a flashlight or two in case of a power outage (also useful for making shadow puppets). 
• 
  
  Pack their favorite snacks.  Stores in your evacuation destination may run short on supplies like bread, milk, sandwich meats, ice etc as everyone stocks up.  Bring some supplies with you, apples, grapes and carrot sticks can stay chilled in a cooler with some ham or turkey.  PB&J is quick and easy (splurge on the squeeze bottle of jelly).  Even, your hotel may run short of food (especially free continental breakfasts - ours did).  When loading your vehicle, pack the food where it can be reached while driving in case your drive takes longer than expected. 
• 
  
  There is nothing you can do about what might be going on back home, so just be with your family without homework, practices, laundry, etc.  Having a plan (and knowing the plan of your extended family and friends) makes for less stress (we had family "missing" during Katrina).
• 
  
   To inject a little fun and reduce stress, we invoke "hurricane rules".  I make sure I say "hurricane rules" when suggesting or implementing a new "rule" so DS knows this is not only unusual, but temporary.
• 
  
  DS can have Fruit Loops  or another item(s) not on our usual grocery list
• 
  
  we might start a meal with dessert
• 
  
  we might let DS sleep in his clothes or let him watch a movie past his usuall bedtime
• 
  
  make up a new "family game" - we played an alliteration game - sentences could only use words starting with the same letter - (Does Daddy's diminutive dear desire dessert?)
• 
  
  Use whatever works for your family, the evacuation has already turned your kid's world topsy-turvy, might as well have fun with it.  Do keep try to maintain most of your usual household rules and rituals, the stability (predictability) helps keep the kids stress level in check.
• 
  
   You will be tempted to watch the 24-hour coverage on cable channels -- DON'T.  I am not suggesting you do not check periodically, just don't stay glued to the television.  I can tell you from first-hand experience, half of what is reported is just plain wrong.  You would think the out-of-town cable news channels would snag a couple of locals to confirm details about the locale, but they don't.  They hear a piece of "news" and it goes directly to broadcast (accurate or not) or they just keep re-playing the same footage and information over and over.
• 
  
  Talk to your kids about what is happening.  Be age appropriate, let their questions be your guide to how much they want (need) to know.
• 
  
  If your child has a school uniform, pack a uniform (or two) in your luggage (if you have the room bring along their textbooks and notebooks, too)

Pets

• 
  
  Keep a phone list of pet­friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters or kennels that are along your evacuation routes. Sometimes, non-pet hotels will make an exception during an emergency. If you pet is clean, well-behaved and has a kennel, it is easier to convince a reluctant manager to let them stay. Don't forget to show your appreciation by not letting your pet's poop populate park-like places (sorry could not resist a little alliteration) or mark its territory in the hotel (we stayed in a room where cats had obviously "marked"- ughhhhh).
• 
  
  Pack their regular food, favorite toys, etc. the change in location can be stressful for them (and they can usually pick up on your stress, too.)  If you have to evac your pets with a family member or a friend, remember to send a t-shirt or blanket that has your scent, it will comfort them while you are separated.
• 
  
  If you are staying in a private home, check with your hosts before you show up with your pets.  Your hosts may be pet-friendly, but may have some restrictions (no pets on the furniture, etc.), allergies, etc so it is best to discuss all the details in advance. Also, be realistic about your pets behaviors/habits.
• 
  
  If you have a regular evacuation destination, check on local vets and kennels and if you pet has on-going medical needs, keep a copy of their vet records with your evacuation kit.  It saves time and money if you can show them the last test results or medications prescribed by your regular vet (their office will be closed).
• 
  
  If you have a goldfish your child is especially attached to, an cleaned spaghetti sauce jar makes a great evacuation "module".  Remember to take the cap off occasionally to let in fresh air and leave it off when you reach your destination.

Keep praying these storms continue to stay mostly over water.

Another Finish

I am in the mood to wrap up loose ends, maybe it is the start of the new school year, maybe it is being in the middle of hurricane season and not being as ready as I had planned.  So I am trying to finish up a few WIPs.

Pardon the bad light, we have skies full of white clouds with peeks of blue and five minutes later, the sky turns dark grey and ominous preceding another daily thunderstorms.  Dontcha just love it when a tropical system boomerangs and comes back for 2 weeks in a row!?!

"Dogs Leave Paw Prints"

Lizzie Kate

Proceeds from this design are donated to the Kansas Humane Society
Stitched on 30 count Weeks Dye Works Cappuccino linen

over 2 threads using 2 strands of recommended Weeks Dye Works threads

I still have to add the silver dog bone charm under the dog house.  I will check the local bead shop and Hobby Lobby to see if they have something that will work.  If not, I will have to wait until my next trip to the LNS in October.

OOPS!  I just realized while looking a the photo that I missed a line of green under your.  I will post another picture when I have framed or otherwise finished this piece so you can see it with the green.  It just started thundering -- AGAIN -- and I want to get off the computer.  Besides, I feel like doing a little baking again today -- I'm thinking cookies!

Thinking I May Be Enhancing My Stash Soon

My local needle shop has these charts in it's new arrivals list . . .

FROM LIZZIE KATE

FROM LITTLE HOUSE NEEDLEWORKS

A Finish, A WIP and a Plan

Here is my first Jane Austen finish,

"At Pemberley"

The Sampler Girl

Stitched on 28 count Cashel linen in Light Mocha

over 2 using the recommended threads

I ordered fabric from The Sampler Girl to complete the finish and frame.  I found two thrift store frames, I might use to frame this piece. 

This one was $2.50

This one was $1

The frames are pretty distressed, so I might paint it a dark chocolate brown.  What do you think?  I am open to ideas.  Since it is so humid here, I think I will do the frame without the glass.

I finished this one just in time, The Sampler Girl is releasing "At Delaford" on Friday.  You can also sign up for her "At Delaford" giveaway.

I am in the home stretch of Lizzie Kate's "Dogs Leave Paw Prints".  I am using the recommended colors, but I might change the Liberty thread (the heart and the words "on your").  It is a very bright cherry red that almost glows on the fabric.  I will stitch it and if I still do not like it, I will frog it out and make a replacement.

Remember this one?  Lizzie Kate's "Sons are a Special Joy".  I have decided to use a standard 8x10 frame with the addition of some coordinating fabric.  The distressed blue frame was a 50% off sale item.  This will be my first self framing project.

I will begin stitching three of the LHN 2010 Christmas ornaments when I have finished these WIPs (unless I win the "At Delaford" pattern).  Maybe stitching Christmas designs will help me to "think cool".

I have been looking for the Just Cross-Stitch Christmas Preview issue and cannot find it -- is it out at the newstands yet?  Looking forward to stitching the LHN & CCN gingerbread ornaments (among others).

Today started very dreary, but the clouds and overnight rain kept it cooler today (we have been having heat indexes over 100 - ugh).  We went into the city to run some errands, visit the cemeteries for Father's Day and have a little birthday fun for DS.

For his birthday, DS adopted Cinnamon, who will join Brownie and Honey (seeing a pattern?) in his animal menagerie.  Build-A-Bear sent DS a birthday card for a free bear (up to $12).  I could not let him come home naked, so since he was free, I bought him a t-shirt.

DS had an electrifying birthday party.  After going to Toy Story 3, the weather turned stormy and we had to replace the outdoor water slide with an indoor Wii tournament.  About an hour into the party, lightning struck two trees next to the house.  One tree exploded sending huge splinter all over the yard.  Both trees show tracks where the lightning raced around the tree ripping open the bark as it headed toward the ground.

One more thrift store find, this cross-stitch book for 50 cents.  It will make some nice holiday smalls.

Don't know why Blogger thinks these photos are landscape, but here they are.

Hope your are having a super Summer!

Summer Stitching

Looks like the long, hot summer has started.  Our temps are nearing (and sometimes breaking) 100 and the heat index has been as high as 115 since the humidity has stayed in the 90s.  I hope you are having more enjoyable weather where you are.

I am behind on my blog hopping, but have seen some beautiful stitching and wonderful giveaways.  I have left a few comments, but hope to catch up my viewing and commenting soon.

We are in birthday mode here as DS will be having a Toy Story 3 party.  Dollar Tree had lots of Toy Story themed merchandise and I found some reusable shopping bags with the little green alien on clearance at the Disney Store so the goodie bags & prizes are done.

As promised, here is my long overdue stitching update . . .

Lizzie Kate's "Dogs Leave Paw Prints"

Stitched using the recommended threads and fabric.

(I have stitched and frogged the blue on the dog house TWICE due to miscounting the over 2, but it is a beautiful bright blue so I guess it wasn't too bad spending the extra time working with that color.)

The Sampler Girl "I'd Rather be at Pemberly"

Stitched using the recommended threads on 28 count Cashel linen in Light Mocha

(This is really wonderful to stich. I was worried about the large blank spaces, since I often miscount, but it has been great.  The recommended fabric was 32 count, but that was too small for me, so I will have a larger finish, but I am loving it.  This will be my first Jane Austen finish.)

Little House Needleworks "Home of a Needleworker, Too"

Stitched using the recommended threads and fabric

(I was hoping to be further along on this one.  I used this as a take-along project during one of DS's after-school activities.  I will take it back up as an at-home project since it is too hot to stitch away.)

Funny for the Day

In Louisiana,  we take our golf course water hazards seriously . . .

Yep, that is a gator taking a leisurely swim at the golf course,
now that is a serious water "hazard"!

Stay cool and keep stitching!

Thinking Cool Thoughts

It is the hottest day of the year so far, 94 degrees with a heat index of 109 degrees and the fan in the central A/C stopped working this morning.  Fortunately, a repairman was able to come out right away and he is on his way to pick up the necessary part as I type this post.  However, this repair turned into an episode of "Wild Kingdom" with disturbed bees near the A/C unit and a snake heading to the bayou for a swim.  (Wish I was with Merlin watching from the safety of the helicopter -- is that too dated of a reference??  What about this one -- "Snakes!  Why does it always have to be snakes?!?")

Needless to say, there will be no stitching today (although I maybe be in desperate need of a little needle and thread therapy tonight).  I do have a new start from this weekend, Lizzie Kate's "Dogs Leave Paw Prints".

I visited my favorite LNS and purchased two new LHN ornie charts "Winter Sheep" and "The Merry Skater" and some new linen (Dirty Linen, Old Lace, Antique Ivory, and Latte) and some WDW, CC & GAST threads.

Hope you are all having a cool and pest free day.

It's a NEW day!

I have a NEW start -- Lizzie Kate's "Sons are a Special Joy", part of my recent STASH aquisition. It is going along quickly as you can see from the photo.

I wanted to make sure I had it stiched in time to have it finished for Easter. I am thinking of a simple framed finish to match DS's room.

Like the NEW background? I thought I would go vintage for March (According to DS, the picture actually looks a little bit like me) ; )

I went outside to the sight of at least a dozen red-breasted robins (and assorted squirrels) hopping about the yard and beautiful NEW buds and flowers -- Spring is on its way! (This is great news for all you bloggers to the north.)



I have a NEW sell/trade/swap blog, it is mostly older charts and some fabric, but you might find something you like . . . http://joiedebayoustash.blogspot.com/


Also, finished a NEW book Apple Turnover Murder by Joanna Fluke. It is a great "cozy" mystery series (with recipes)

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend!

New Stash

I made an unexpected trip to an LNS yesterday and picked up a few things. Thought I would share them with you.

__________Splurge__________

Reminds me of Mardi Gras. You can check out some of the other beautiful designs at http://kelmscottdesigns.com/needle-minders.htm. They even have an Adam & Eve minder for those of you stitching your way through A&E walls.

_________Fabric__________

28 Count Linen (1/8 yard each)

(Lugana Summer Khaki (for Mother's TLC), Cashel Light Mocha & Cashel Antique Ivory).

_________New Charts_________

Ink Circles "Fleur d'Orleans"
I saw this on a couple of other blogs and had to have it! The owner of the LNS said one of her customers contacted designer requesting a fleur de lis pattern and this was the result.

Lizzie Kate

"Sons are a Special Joy" and "Home is Where Our Story Begins"

Want to stitch "Sons are a Special Joy" for DS's birthday and

"Home is Where Our Story Begins" for a journal cover.

__________Floss__________

For Theron Traditions "Mother's TLC"

Sampler Threads - Peach Ice Cream, Claret, Victorian Pink, Dried Thyme & Midnight

All kitted up and ready to go, hoping to finish this for DM for Mother's Day.

For Acadian Designs "Fleur de Lis #1"

WDW - Whiskey, Curry & Honeysuckle

(I am currently stitching this chart in Queen Bee,

but wanted to do it again in the recommended threads)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Hoping to post some stitching progress after the weekend.

Stay warm (I think it is still unusually cold almost everywhere) and come back again.