Spring Fever

The weather here in the deep South is wonderful . . .

highs in the upper 70s - low 80s, bright and sunny, low humidity,

the rain has slacked off and the ground is finally drying

it is a great time to be in the great outdoors!!

Or at least it would be if it was not the HEIGHT of pollen season.

EVERYTHING is covered with a layer of yellow-green dust.

ACHOO!

(insert wrinkled brow & scrunchy eyes from sinus headache here)

I hope you are faring better in your "neck of the woods"

PORCH BIRD UPDATE:  The little mother is doing well, she keeps flying out of the nest every time we open the door so I have not been able to get more pictures.  May try this weekend to see if there are eggs in the nest.

Making Progress on "Mother's TLC"

Here is the finished design for "Mother's TLC" from Theron Traditions.

Here is my progress so far.  The heart is done in Gentle Arts Sampler Thread in Claret.  It is like a dark hot pink.  There were only 2 skeins of Claret at the LNS and the second skein is more burgundy (less pink), I do not think the colors will work together.  I may stop stitching the heart until I can go to an LNS to pick up another skein (or two) for a better match.

Theron Traditions "Mother's TLC"

stitched over 2 on 28 count Lugana in Summer Khaki

using 2 threads of the recommended Gentl Arts Sampler Threads

The chart calls for Bullion Knot roses in the corners and above the initials box.  This will be my first "specialty" stitch.  I will definitely be practicing on some "scrap" fabric.

We are in full-blown pollen season.  It is absolutely everywhere casting a yellow green hue on every car, leaving yellow-green spots on every dew covered surface.  Thanks to DS & friends for washing my car yesterday, unfortunately you can't tell this morning that it was washed yesterday.  The high yesterday was 80 so the summer heat is not far away.

Have a good week everyone!

New Start - Theron Traditions "Mother's TLC"

 I am starting on "Mother's TLC" to ensure I finish in time to have it framed for Mother's Day.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Porch Bird (UPDATED)

Another sign of spring . . .

I hung some ORTs from last year in a nearby tree for additional nesting material. Will keep you updated if we get eggs.

Curious to know what type of bird this is if anyone knows.

Giveaway Details & Spring

Ranae rececived her giveaway win, so I thought I would share it with you all. The colors are a little off since it has been cloudy here the last few days.

Stitching Goodies

Queen of This House Chart

WDW Threads in Envy & Louisiana Hot Sauce

4 seasonal finishing fabrics

Fleur de Lis Scissor fob

2 Maderia Metallic threads
Easy Graph paper

PLUS a few more lagniappe items not pictured

Louisiana-themed Goodies

Cafe' du Monde Beignet Mix

Blue Runner Red Beans

Louisiana Cobbler Mix

Praline

Elmer's Easter Candy (local confectionary)

Crawfish post card

Plastic crab & alligator
Mardi Gras beads


Despite the recent cold snap, Spring continues to bloom in the Deep South.

Plum tree

(I missed the taking pictures of the peppermint stripe blooms)

White and Pink Camelias

Feathers in the Nest: Brandon's Homecoming Celebration---Give-A-Way!!!!!!!! now through April 5th

Feathers in the Nest: Brandon's Homecoming Celebration---Give-A-Way!!!!!!!! now through April 5th

Congratulations to my Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who signed up for my giveaway!

Congratulations Ranae!

I will send you an e-mail shortly.

Check out Ranae's blog, Stitch by Stitch

at http://crazyxstitcher.blogspot.com/

I will post pictures of my giveaway items after

Ranae receives her goodies

(I don't want to spoil the surprise).

I will be doing some stitching this afternoon and hope to post a stitching update later today or tomorrow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My giveaway ends TODAY at MIDNIGHT.

Good Luck!

Over-dyed Floss Question

I have only recently started using over-dyed/hand-dyed floss.

I noticed when using the darker floss (especially reds) that the color sometimes transfers to the fabric.

I am stitching a section that has white touching a very dark brown. It does not matter for the pattern which color I stitch first.

Which will give me the least color transfer problems -- stitching the white first or the brown?
(I am thinking stitching the white first would be less problematic.)

Feel free to share any other over-dyed or non-DMC floss tips, too.

TUSAL for March & other odds and ends

TUSAL for March -


The St. Patrick's Parade was held this weekend -- the weather was great! Cabbages, potatoes, carrots, onions and ramen noodles (???) went home with almost everyone. DS stuck to beads & a couple of stuffed footballs.


Looking forward to some corned beef and cabbage on Wednesday and stuffed artichokes and spagehetti and meatballs (or lasagna) on Friday. CORRECTION: Must save the meatballs for Saturday or make veggie lasagna on Friday.
No time for stitching this weekend . . . it is spring cleaning time!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway (if you haven't already).

4th Ornament posted on LHN blog

I love this one! Can't wait to get it.

I'm a Winner!

I recently won the giveaway on Terri's blog
Chocolates for Breakfast; Stitching for Lunch
http://chocolates4breakfast.blogspot.com/

Terri's prize box arrived yesterday . . . I was expecting some charts and a lovely little Longaberger basket. But the box was full of little prettily wrapped goodies.

Sorry, I did not have my camera when I opened the box to take a picture of the items as received and I did not have enough impulse control to wait ; )

Here is a breakdown of Terri's generous prize . . .

Carriage House Samplings "Just a Little Sampler"

Birds of a Feather " Happy Hearts Sampler"

The Goode Huswife "Adam & Eve Sampler"

Barrick Samplers "Katrina Otri"

Longaberger basket

2 fat quarters -- each with a lovely chocolate color

Gold tapestry needles - I have been wanting to try these

5 skeins of DMC thread (152, 433, 739, 3031 & 3716)
-- more chocolate

2 spools of pretty ribbon
- - still more chocolate (am I the only one seeing a pattern?)

A tomato pincushion full of cute pins
(the button pins are my favorite)

and some actual chocolates
-- in honor of Terri I will be having these for breakfast ; )

But I think my favorite item is . . .

An etched-glass shaker full of buttons (some still with the threads)

LOVE IT!

Thank you so much Terri!!! Unbeliveably generous, I love it all!

Spring is finally here . . . for the next few days anyway ; )

It is a wonderfully sunny and breezy March day here in the deep south. I have to enjoy each and everyone one. Soon it will be unbearably hot with 100% humidity and sunny days will be much harder to enjoy in those conditions.

I sat in my car in the school parking lot with the windows down and a little classical music on the radio and began building a house . . .

I am really enjoying this stitching project!!

Here is a close-up of my house. There is lots of gray in my skeins of Crescent Colors Old Blue Jeans. I really like the shade of blue, but I am not sure about the gray.

Only 4 days left to enter my giveaway!

http://joiedebayou.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-first-give-away.html

Another sign of the arrival of spring on the bayou.

Photo of New Start - LHN Home of a Needleworker, Too

Thought I would share a status photo for my new start --

Little House Needleworks

Home of a Needleworker, Too

After the big storm that blew through last night, we still have a partly-cloudy sky so the colors are a little off, but you get the general idea.

I am stitching on the recommended fabric with the recommended threads and I pulled out a scroll frame for this one.

It is a VERY ENJOYABLE stitch!!!

I received this chart from a generous fellow blogger who had an extra. I would like to pass this on so look for it as a trade on my Trade/Sell blog (or maybe as the centerpiece of a PIF giveaway??) What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by to check out my progress, y'all come back anytime!

Meet Blossom

Photo "borrowed" from Ginger's Bearbits blog

Isn't she sweet! I found Blossom on Ginger @ Bearbits blog. Ginger handcrafted Blossom with curly pale pink mohair. She is fully jointed and filled with polyfill and glass beads.

If you would like to have Blossom as a member of your family, please go to Ginger's giveaway post. Be sure to check out the rest of Ginger's blog, I love her rabken egg.

http://bearbits.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-spring-giveaway.html

Deadline to enter: March 31st

Be sure to visit Ginger's website http://www.pieceparade.com/ to see other adorable bears (and a cat) in need of a family.

New Start - LHN Home of a Needleworker, Too

Finally got to start on Little House Needleworks Home of a Needleworker, Too. I completed the Cocoa Bean stitching along the top. Since it is raining today there is no photo yet (besides it does not look like much at the moment). Home with sick DS today so probably no stitching today.
The Cocoa Bean really does look chocolaty (or maybe I was hungry while I was stitching). Might use it st stitch a chocolate rabbit for Easter (found a simple single-color rabbit freebie online last week). I was hoping to stitch a small project for Easter with a lamb. Does anyone have a small lamb chart they will lend or trade?
Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway. I am using a flat rate shipping box so I intend to stuff it to bursting before mailing!
Will post again soon with photos of my last finish and new start.
Daffy Definition: BAYOU - water that runs by you house ;)

My First Give Away! - UPDATE #4 -- CLOSED

* * * * THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED * * * *

Since joining the stitching blogosphere, I have been wanting to do a give away, so here it is . . .

I am giving away . . .

Queen of This House (#2 in the Hang 'Em Up series) by 4 My Boys (chart only)

and a little stitching accessory inspired by these sparkly beads.

Since this will be shipping from Louisiana, there will also be a little lagniappe* (of both the stitching & Louisiana variety).

• floss
• 
  
  4 finishing fabrics (one print for each season)
• 
  
  yummy Louisiana treats
  

  *Lagniappe - a little something extra
  To enter this giveaway (US shipping addresses only):
  

  • 
    
    please leave a comment on this blog entry saying you want to be included in the giveaway and, if you are so inclined, share your favorite funny/sweet pet "moment". If you have a blog, please add your link to your comment.
  • 
    
    to get a second entry, become a follower of my blog (if you are already a follower, you will automatically get the second entry.) **Followers, please leave a comment for the first entry so I will know you are interested.**
  • 
    
    to get a third entry, post my giveaway on your blog (just let me know on your comment).

  Deadline to enter is midnight CST March 17th, 2010

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!

Old Mandeville Jane Austen Festival - March 6th & 7th

The Jane Austen Festival will be held this weekend in Old Mandeville near the lakefront.
Local restaurants will have special menus from teas to fish & chips.

If you happen to be in the neighborhood, stop by.

Festival Website:
http://www.janeaustenfestival.org/
http://www.janeaustenfestival.org/Event_Schedule.html

On Jane Austen Today blog:
http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/

On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Old-Mandeville-Jane-Austen-Festival/255856584961