Time Flies!!!

WOW!!

I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by and that the last time I've posted to this blog was May 14th!!  So much has happened.... #1 graduated High School and is in the final stages of her countdown to college, #2 got her driver's permit and has already hit the road almost every day since last week, I got a new day job and a local college and am LOVING it, had some downtime with the family... and even with all that I've gotten a substantial amount of stitching done. 

I have been asked to stitch four of the BH&G Heirloom Stockings from someone who reached out to me on a message board.  I am about three weeks in to the first one Called "Toys and Games" and you can see the progress below.  They're done with DMC three over two on 25-count mushroom Lugana which I LOVE stitching on.  The photos were taken after 1 week, 2 weeks and then 3 weeks just now.

I have some other smaller projects finished as well as part 1 of L*K's Mystery Sampler just about done but I'll show you those in future blogs.  In the meantime, I'd like to hold a mystery giveaway---leave a comment about what your favorite part of this summer has been and I'll pick a winner this time next week. It'll be a pattern, floss and fabric and I promise you won't be disappointed! (Open to all---not just U.S. followers.)

Have a great week and just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Hi Everyone!

So... first things first!  The WINNER of my birthday giveaway is

Liongoddess!

I'll send you an email for your snailmail address so I can send your 38+1(to grow on) skeins of DMC out to you this week! :)

I had a finish last night that I'm thrilled with how it came out -- LHN's "Home of a Needleworker, Too!" done on 32 ct. Antique White evenweave with suggested fibers.  I really enjoyed this stitch and can't wait to get it framed!

Once this was off the Qsnaps, I started L*K's "One Hundred Years"... I'm about 4-5 hours in and plan on making a dent tonight.  I'll show you in my next post.

Thanks for following and for your kind birthday wishes!  Just keep stitching ~Nicole

Birthday Giveaway!

Yes, today is the day.  For some reason this one is bothering me... I think, as my longest friend Amanda pointed out today, it's not the fact that I'm having a birthday that's bothering me... it's probably because my older daugher will be heading off to college in a few short weeks that has me out of sorts this year. 

I've been very busy lately and just wanted to pop on here to announce a giveaway--- post on my blog between now and Monday 9am EST and I'll pick a winner for 39 DMC skeins out of my stash! (that's 38 + 1 to grow on, haha)  For this giveaway I will not limit it to just the US; anyone can participate.

Have a great day everyone!  ~Nicole

Another Finish + Online Show Alert

Hi Everyone!

Yes, I have another model stitch finish to show you. Lizzie*Kate's "Time for God" worked up pretty fast--only just started it last week (39 hours)!  It's done on 32 count linen (not sure what kind as it was sent to me) 2 over 2, with suggested WDW fibers. 

The next model stitch on the agenda (after I finish the twin's wall hangings tonight) is Benk Creek's "Thankful Quaker" .  This one is on 35 (!) ct so we'll see what happens. :) I figure if I can do 32 ct. then 35 won't be much different... right?  Will I end up cross-eyed?

Of other news, have you had a chance to check out The Needlework Show ?!?!  If you access the page, you'll want to click onto "General" under viewing in the top right corner and you can check out each designer who's participating, enter their giveaways, etc.!! My favorites are Barbara Ana Designs, Ship's Manor, Just Another Button Company, Dinky Dyes..... who am I kidding...I don't have time to list them all out.  Let's just say I've already sent an email off to Maeann at Bush Mountain Stitchery and she's running a special for 10% off anything featured in the online show plus free shipping in the US for orders over $20.  Doesn't get much better than that! You know you want more stash........... haha.

Ok, before I enable you all even more today I'm going to sign off for now.  Thank you all for the kind messages and emails -- new giveaway next week!  Just keep stitching ~Nicole

Twin Winners & Twin Finishes! :)

Hi Everyone!

First, I'd like to congratulate tr on winning the baked and basted fabric giveaway, as well as calamityjr for winning the Bent Creek Hospitality Knocker chart!  I will send each of you an email for your snail mail addresses and I'll send them out to you this week. :)  Nice going and I hope you enjoy your stash additions!

I have two finishes this week:

Both were done on 32 ct evenweave 2 over 2 using Lizzie*Kate's "Oh Baby!" chart. Norah's was stitched using DMC 309 and Logan's was done up using DMC 930.  Logan and Norah are two of my adorable nieces/nephews and they turned 1 year old on Easter Sunday, which was also my parents' 40th wedding anniversary!!  My sister asked that I make these into wall hangings and I plan on doing the finishing for this week. 

This is the pair just relaxing on the bed waiting for their cousin Mary to take a quick photo...  :)

Pretty adorable, huh?  <3

I am currently working on a model stitch of Lizzie*Kate's "Time For God" and I'm thinking I'll finish tonight so I'll post when that's done to show you.

Thanks for following and I'll check in soon!  Just keep stitching! ~Nicole

A Finish, Dyeing 101 and TWO New Giveaways!

Hi Everyone!

I finished Bent Creek's "Hospitality Knocker" Kit last night -- the photo is fresh off the Q-snaps.  Still deciding if I'll make a door-knocker like wall hanging with it for my kitchen or if I'll frame it... not sure. 

I would love to pay it forward and give away the chart for this design--- be a follower and leave a comment anytime between now and next Monday and I'll pick the winner randomly. 

My girls are getting older and although I thought the day would never come when they were toddlers, lately I have occassional moments where I have some time where no one needs me to do anything, I don't need to be anywhere for anyone, etc.  This past Saturday morning was one of those times so I thought I'd try my hand at dyeing some fabric.  I used a tutorial from The Twister Stitcher's blog you can find here:  Baking and Basting Fabric 

I only did one piece to start and will definitely be using it at some point since I'm so happy with the way it came out; especially for a first attempt!  :)  Here you can see the before and after but the photo really doesn't do it justice -- I love the dark marks that show up randomly throughout the piece!  It was very simple if you follow the steps and no, it does not smell like coffee/tea after it's all pressed.  Make sure if you try it to keep an eye on it the entire time so you don't burn the fabric (or your house!).

I will be doing another batch at some point over the next week so I'd also like to make that a giveaway also...any follower who comments will be entered to win this second giveaway as well which I will also pick the winner of randomly a week from today.

Signing off for now since I'm on my lunch hour at the office---have a great rest of the day and remember to just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Another Two Finishes...

Hi Everyone!

I know I was going to post at the end of the weekend but I was on a roll and figured I'd just finish and THEN show you!  Below is a photo of another model stitch for The Silver Needle out of Tulsa, OK called "Summer Vegetables" by Filigram -- stitched on 32ct linen over 2 and using all suggested GAST fibers.  This is a full 48.75 hours of stitching.  It came out great and today I'll happily pack it up and send it along and see what comes next. 

I have to finish my twin niece and nephew's birth samplers... both are Lizzie*Kate and I don't have too much to do on them but so many other things are calling my name..... (we'll see haha)

The other finish is not by me, but by my daughter Kaytee.  Below is "Spirits of the Southwest" by Bobbie G. Designs done with DMC and 14 ct black aida.  Great stitching -- looks like you had a great teacher! :)

That's all for today and I'll be posting up the next giveaway by the end of the week.  Until then take care and just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Giveaway Winner + New Stash

Hi Everyone!

First---congratulations to Caeli who is the winner of the L*K "Welcome Tooth Fairy" and a nice bag of lavender!  Be sure to email me within the next couple of days with your snail mail address so I can send it out to you! :)

I'm on vacation until Thursday morning so today my DD Kaytee and I took a trip to my favorite New England area LNS---Bush Mountain.  See my stash below.... we had to get out of there after about an hour and a half because I was afraid I'd do even more damage! :) The fabrics are different remnants (mostly lugana) and all were 20% off --- I'll use them to make some of the LHN ornaments.  I LOVE the L*K stuff and some of them were 50%!! Stitching AND bargains?!?!? I know, seems too good to be true.  I also LOVE the Eat, Sleep, Stitch bag---who am I kidding I love all of it! :) 

I'm going to sign off now but will post again by the end of the weekend to show you my progress on another model stitch --- I finished The Sweetheart Tree's "Dragonfly Dreams" as shown below with 28 ct. platinum linen with suggested silks and Mill Hill beads.

Have a great night and just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Giveaway!

Hi Everyone,

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the model stitching piece I'm working on.  I hope I'll be done tonight or tomorrow so I can block it and send it off to the designer! Check out  http://goldencircledesigns.com/Line-Home.html and you'll see some similar to the design I'm almost done with of Romilly's... I can't show you a photo until she gives the A.O.K. Next up are two smaller models for a LNS and then I've been asked to stitch four of the Better Homes and Garden Heirloom Stockings for someone who reached out to me via a message board I frequent... those I will be able to show you progress on, as well as some personal smaller projects mixed in.

I received a few small stash items over the past few days, and because I need to keep better track of what Lizzie*Kate patterns I've already ordered...  :)  First part of the giveaway will be a new copy of "Welcome Tooth Fairy" as I already ordered it and don't need two.

Second part of the giveaway will be a generous portion of dried organic lavender. I use this in sachets and bought a large bucket very inexpensively and I'd like to share that with you. SMELLS AMAZING!!!

Giveaway Rules:

Comment on this thread and you get an entry. 
Comment on any other thread between now and next Monday and you get an entry. 
Post a link to my blog on yours and let me know to check it out, and you get an entry. 
I will pick a winner on Monday, March 26th and it's open to all, not just US.

That's all for now -- have a great week everyone and remember to just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Fun With Finishing

Hi Everyone!

I didn't get much model stitching done this weekend because I spent some time organizing and then pulled out my sewing machine.  Despite the fact that I've been stitching for almost 30 years, I have not had good experiences with my machine and last time I saw it was when I shoved it into the box about... oh... almost six years ago? :)  I figured now was as good a time as any to try it again. 

With some help from one of my sisters via "Face Time" on an ipod, I was able to get past the fear of threading the machine correctly, and practiced on a few pieces of scrap material.  Then I took a deep breath... and came up with the first small ornament seen below.  I was very nervous-- all I kept thinking was that I spent time stitching it up and one false move with the machine and I'd have to toss it into the trash.  "Bloom" by Lizzie*Kate which is a quick freebie still up on their site today if you want to grab it for yourself.  I used a small butterfly charm I'd recently purchased since I didn't have one of the Lizzie*Kate's on hand.

Here's the back view.  I give myself an A- on this one -- next time I'll make sure to use a ladder stitch to keep the bottom seam neater (check bottom left on this photo) so you won't be able to tell where I put the stuffing in at the end.

Then I pulled out that same design in a different color and made this tuck pillow style wall hanging with "Away In A Manger" from Lizzie*Kate as well.  I also give myself an A- on this one since the top right is a little crooked.  I need to keep that in mind and make sure to keep the machine sewing straight.  So much to keep an eye on at one time vs. just my needle and making sure I don't stab myself! ;)

 

Like I said, not perfect, but definitely a good learning experience and branching out of my comfort zone which is always good.  And anyway, practice makes perfect, right?  I'll keep you updated on my progress and would love it if you would to the same also! 

I have to clean up the sewing area aka the kitchen table and then try to get some progress done on the model piece so I'm going to sign off for now.  Have a great week and keep your eye out for a giveaway to start on Friday -- remember to just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Happy Stash Day!

Hi everyone,

No, that's not an official holiday or anything but I feel like it should be! And if it was... then today is the day. :)  I got a bunch of goodies in the mail today--want to peek?

First is a small order I placed from 123-stitch.com with a sale they were having last week.  A few small oval finishing forms to have on hand and a pair of Dinky-Dyes Union Jack scissors for my younger daughter, Mary who is obsessed with England. They are a site I check out frequently and they ship incredibly fast so if you haven't checked them out before you are really missing out.

 Next is my order from Bush Mountain here in Massachusetts which you've all heard me say before is my absolute favorite shop on the planet.  Some Crescent Colours, A couple of LHN and L*K designs, as well as a GORGEOUS 18"x27" piece of Light Mocha Linen in 32 ct.  (stay tuned for what I'm doing with that).  This is part 1 of 2 because Maeann is ordering a few things so it'll be like Christmas all over again when the second part arrives!  They also have incredibly fast shipping and it's free since I've physically shopped in the store (one of the cool deals they have for patrons).  LOVE THEM!

This final photo is from a trade I did with Carolyn C. in FLA for some colored aida I know I wouldn't use: some great linen pieces and a CCN & ST chart as well as some yellow silk.  Trading is a great way to take advantage of "new to you" and not hurt the wallet.

I'm hoping to wrap up the model I'm stitching this week (still can't show you since the design isn't released to the public yet) but we'll see how the week goes.  My late lunch break here at the office is just about over so I need to say goodbye for now... have a great week and remember to just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Think Winter... Do I Have A Choice?

Helloooooooo from a very snowy area of Massachusetts!
This gives you an idea of what it looked like first thing this morning and it's been snowing all day I've been in the office.  I'm sitting here at my desk, punched out and all ready to go.  Dreading having to brush off the car and hit the road slip slidin' away...

 Yes, I live in the Northeast.  We are supposed to be used to this,  and expect it, I get it.  But we've been spoiled because this has been MY kind of winter.  Once "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" is over for the season, I'm done with the snow for the season also.  :)

The ONLY thing left for me to like then is my winter related obsession---SNOWMEN!

This is "Think Winter" by Lizzie*Kate that I made for Christmas for my friend Amanda.  We've been friends since 4th grade and she is my longest friend.  We choose to say "longest" friend vs. "oldest" friend... it just sounds better now that we are over 16, don't you think? This was stitched on 28ct. sand colored linen with suggested DMC colors.  The only small substitution is the gingerbread button (CUTE!) where there should be a present.

Here is Bent Creek's Photobooth Snowmen.  This is in my "to be framed" pile and I purchased it out at Stitchville USA in MN this past December.  It comes with the pattern, a piece of 32 ct. Confederate Gray Linen and some glass beads. I used DMC for this one.  LOVE IT (obviously).

I'm still model stitching, stitching, stitching which is what I'll be doing tonight.  I can't show you yet since the Designer hasn't released it to the public yet, but you know I will when I can. In the meantime, have a great night and remember to just keep stitching! ~Nicole

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU 100+!!!

Hi Everyone!

Well!!!  Not only did I reach 100 followers tonight, but it's up to 105!! :) Thank you all so much and welcome to all my new blog followers! This is a fairly new venture for me and I'm looking forward to seeing what this develops into in the coming months.  I read every comment and try to comment from time to time.

DRUMROLL!!!  And the winner of the 3 Lizzie*Kate chart giveaway is...............

Scotstwinmum!

Please send me a message with your snail mail address so I can send them out to the UK for you!

I have some ideas for some fun contests coming up, as well as some ideas for tutorials, etc. so stay tuned.

That'll do it for tonight and remember to just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Lessons Learned...

Hi Everyone!

Last night I took a break after hours of model stitching and worked up a freebie called "My Friend" by Betty at http://primitivebettys.blogspot.com/.  I used a remnant piece of 32 ct. Lt. Taupe Lugana, went thru my silks and chose Crescent Colours "Wild Berries", Weeks Dye Works "Madison Rose" and a Limited Edition sage green color by The Gentle Art (no name--received it as a freebie at BushMountain's Super Bowl Sunday event), also grabbing some Mill Hill seed beads in a pale pink (#00145).  I wanted to try a finishing technique using beading that I'd seen on one of the message boards I check out for new ideas.

After stitching up the design I then backstitched an area around the design, and also backstitched the same sized "box" to use as the backing. 

Then I cut out the pieces leaving about 1/3" around and stitched the front and back together alternating one stitch with a bead and next stitch without.  It took a minute or two but then I got the hang of it and I whipped up three of the four sides.  So... lessons so far:  I love freebie designs, I love remnants and silks, I love beading and loved the way this finishing technique was coming out.  Then came the not-so-happy lesson...

I noticed the remnant had a crease so I got out the iron and decided to block the fabric before I finished stuffing and stitching... let's just say when the tag on the Crescent Colours says "not colorfast"--that's a true statement.

Yeah.  The back hurts to look at, huh?  {Insert sound effect from "Psycho" shower scene here} BUT it wasn't a total loss.  I LOVE the way the finish came out and now I learned a valuable lesson for the colorfastness of some of the silks.  You can't even tell from the front and I'll keep this as a reminder.  :)  Does anyone have any tried and true tips either for being proactive to prevent color bleeding or what to do after the fact?  No amount of running under cold water helped any so I decided not to fight it. 

On another note, I'm only a few followers away from the 3 L*K chart giveaway!  Thank you to those of you who have just started following me as well as those of you who have been here since Day 1.  I have some fun ideas of things to do within the upcoming weeks and I really appreciate all the feedback and lovely comments.

Also--congratulations to my friend Melissa L. who completed her first punchneedle piece after watching my tutorial on YouTube and then coming up to my office on her lunch break for a "make sure I'm doing this right" pep talk. :)  That's all for today...model stitching is calling my name before the weekend is over.  Have a great night and just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Productive Day Off!

Hi Everyone,

My office was closed today in observance of President's Day so I figured I'd get some things accomplished since it was a "free day"... hopefully once I push up this blog post I won't let FaceBook "time suck" the rest of my afternoon!  Isn't it amazing how a person can intend on logging on for only a minute, but then an HOUR whizzes by!?!

I finished "A Little Love" earlier in the month and found the perfect frame I got with a coupon at Michael's.  The frame is 4x4 and it is now hanging where a "welcome snow" sign was hanging in my foyer.  The sign's not working for the snow here in Massachusetts so I figured it was time to change it out.

Yesterday I took a short break from model stitching and finished up the trio of Lizzie Kate's Flora McSample "Christmas 2011" ornaments.  The finishing worked up very quickly with some cardboard, glue, batting, felt and ribbon. 

These will get tucked away with the other ornaments awaiting craft fairs in the fall/winter.

I've also used this day to straighten out my stash and as soon as that's in a presentable enough state for me to show on here I'll take a photo.  Not yet --- the word chaotic comes to mind. :)

That's all for now, hope you all have a great day and just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Happy Valentine's Day and WIP

Hi Everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day! My niece Lexi received her package yesterday...

 Doesn't get much cuter than that, huh?

This is a model piece I can show you since it's already released to the public.  "Dragonfly Dreams" by The Sweetheart Tree.



I hope everyone has a lovely Valentine's Day and I'll see you in a couple of days.  Just keep stitching!~Nicole

Back From The Framers

Good Morning Everyone,

I 've been doing some model stitching this week and the one I'm working on now is not released yet so I can't show you progress but I do have "Mermaids" all framed and ready to get sent to my niece as I picked it up yesterday...

This was a really fun stitch and I think it's a cute pattern for a pretty cute kid. :)

Ok, that's all for now; it's going to be a busy weekend so I'll check back in Monday.  Have a great weekend and remember to just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Fun, A Finish & A Find

Hi all,

FUN:  Yesterday I went to Bush Mountain's Superbowl Sunday "Stitch-In" and it was a really fun afternoon!  Shopping 20% off sale, catered lunch, door prizes, giveaways ---all that AND met some really nice people not to mention finally got to meet Maeann & Gary Bush after several weeks of cyber friendship on FaceBook.  :)  I can honestly say that their shop is my #1 favorite.  It's great to go into a shop and have the owners as happy to have their customers as their customers are to have their shop available to them!  I will be a customer for life.

FINISH:  Maeann set aside the newest L*K release  "A Little Love"... here is it finished.  It's a kit and it was a QUICK stitch.  I've told myself I need to learn to frame my own pieces and I think this is a good one to start with.  (Stay tuned)

FIND:  Maybe I've been living under a rock, but I just yesterday discovered a FANTASTIC product called "Thread Heaven".  I have to say, using it on silks with linen for the "A Little Love" was great and made a noticable difference in how the thread glided, was less apt to catch or tangle.  I will use this each and every time I stitch from now on. You can check it out for yourself at www.threadheaven.com.

Lunch hour is over -- more soon and just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Model Stitching & Superbowl Sunday!

Good Superbowl Sunday morning everyone!

I don't have anything to report on my WIP as I've been model stitching but I will have time to show something on the next post as I'm headed to BushMountain's Superbowl Sunday party from 12-5pm!  :)  It's an hour and a half away from me but I don't mind the drive one bit.  Looking forward to shopping and some fun with some new stitching friends. 

Don't be sad that you can't come with me... Maeann and Gary Bush are having an online sale as well and their new site is just about done!  20% off today only, free shipping with a $50 order in the US (not sure about international) and if you need something you don't see up on the site go ahead and ask them because it just may not be posted yet as they did a complete overhaul on their website in the past week or so.  I have placed an online order from them two weeks ago and got it within DAYS (Milk Chocloate Linen for the L*K Flora McSample ornaments---gorgeous!).

Check them out: their link is in the list on the left.  You won't be sorry, but your wallet might be! :)
I'll take some photos and they'll be part of my next post.

Have a great day everyone, and for all my fellow fans---just keep stitching and GO PATRIOTS!  ~Nicole

A Pickup, A Finish & A WIP

Hi Everyone!

I picked up my L*K "Christmas is Forever" from Michael's this weekend and I LOVE how it "pops" with the white mat and the red frame!  Not sure this is leaving my house anytime soon...

 Then there is the whole Harry Potter grouping from Wee Little Stitches done on 28 ct. Mushroom evenweave.  I've already sent it off to a stitching friend from one of the boards to have finished into a pillow for someone... (you should check out weelittlestitches on Etsy if you haven't heard of them before--LOVE THEM!!!)

 ...and a close up... check out Harry's scar! :)

My newest WIP is one of the Christmas Ornaments from 2011 from L*K's Flora McSample.  This is done on GORGEOUS 28 ct. MILK CHOCOLATE linen (ooooooooh yeah) which I ordered from the lovely Maeann at Bush Mountain.  I am headed to her shop this weekend for her Super Bowl Sunday event so stay tuned for info on that next week.  These stitch up so quickly for me -- this is only about 4 hours worth.

That's all for now -- don't forget about my blog contest still going on (25 more followers to go!) and just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Stories Behind Pieces

Good Morning Everyone!

I recently read the AMAZING story about  Major Alexis Casdagli, a British soldier in WWII who began cross stitching secret messages while in a Nazi prisoner of war camp.  I was (and still am) completely taken aback at the courage it took and how it may have put a smile on a few faces of those who found themselves in such horrific circumstances.  (Story can be found here: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/12/subversive_finds.html if you haven't already heard about this.)  I got to thinking about things I've stitched over the years and the stories behind some of them.  Granted, none of the meanings behind my finished pieces are quite so life and death, but some of them still tell a story...

First, there is the piece "Christmas Joy" by Mill Pond Designs I sitched for my mother back circa 1995.  We were parents to two young children and were financially struggling to an extent as a young family so shelling out the money to have this professionally framed at an LNS was a big deal.  The second part of the story for this piece is that I subsequently misplaced the pattern and two years ago asked my Mom if I could borrow this to restitch it; then I put it in a safe place... and you guessed it!  I forgot where I put it! :)  It's been found thankfully and is safe and sound while being stored in my soon to be completed new craft room (now that the taxes are filed and the FAFSA is done).  I'll give it back to Mom next Christmas when the rest of her decorations make their way out of storage.

Secondly, there is a sampler I made for my niece a few years ago.  I don't remember the designer and I know it's OOP so if anyone has any info and can pass it along to me that'd be great.  (I've checked online and the only link I can find to it is broken and I can't read the teenie tiny letters to figure it out, haha.)  I started this when one of my sisters became pregnant and actually fully completed the middle angel with the yellow bow... and sadly my sister had a miscarriage.  I carefully put it away, and then picked it up again when we knew everything was going well with her pregnancy with my niece. I finished it and gave it to her at the baby shower.

I'd love to hear any stories any of you have behind pieces you've completed!

I'm finishing up a surprise for someone so can't post a WIP today but maybe within the next few days when it's done!

Don't forget my contest is still going on and we're only 25 away--I really want to pick a winner because I have some other things for giveaways so get the word out! :)

Have a great Wednesday and just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Punchneedle VIDEO Tutorial! :)

Hi Everyone!

Sorry that this was two days later than I'd intended... I had some techincal difficulties posting up the video but I think it's all set now.  I've had several people ask about punchneedle and I promised a tutorial so you asked for it! It's up on YouTube :

Please let me know if you have any other questions and I'm happy to answer them for you! Also, don't forget about my 3 Lizzie*Kate chart giveaway --- winner will be picked once I hit 100 followers and you can see a list of the complete "rules" under my first post for 2012!  :)

I want to get to stitching before it's time to call it a day so I'm going to sign off for now.  Have a great night and just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Mermaids Finished & Next WIP

Hi All!

Yes, I was able to get "Mermaids" 100% completed over the weekend as I had quite a bit of down time for some reason. (NOT complaining!) This is for one of my nieces, Lexi -- I'm really happy with the way it came out.

 I stitched this piece using the suggested fibers and made a few small adjustments.  I added Lexi's name down the bottom where it was supposed to say "Mermaids", put three french knots vs. the called for one yellow cross at each of the flowers, and added pearl seed beads on Krenick braid in sea green where the pattern called for french knots.  Below is a close up of one of the mermaids.

 My next project will be a quick punchneedle design called "Sam the Snowman" by Stone and Thread.  Winter has finally come to Mass. -- no snow yet but it was 4 degrees (not 34, not 24... only 4) yesterday at 9am so I figure this guy will be right at home.

I'm thinking he'll work up quickly -- I'm possibly making a christmas stocking for someone who doesn't have time to stitch it herself (pending details) and I'm also anticipating a model piece to come in fro a designer I'm doing some work with so I don't want to start anything large that will distract me from either.  ...not to mention my snowman addiction...

Have a great day and I'll be back most likely on Wednesday; just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Punchneedle Finish & New WIP

Hi Everyone!

I took two days off from work to get some things taken care of at the house and have had quite a bit of stitching time before the weekend where there will be MORE stitching time! :)  I got my punchneedle project done and started a new project:

"Winter" by L*K is d-o-n-e done.  For a change of pace punchneedle works up VERY quickly and has a great look.  I'm planning on turning this into a small wall hanging at some point closer to craft fair time.

Silks and fabric for my next WIP for my niece Lexi.  The fabric is 28 ct. Blue Dynasty Cashel Linen and is GORGEOUS!

Progress on "Mermaids" by Country Cottage Needleworks.  Stay tuned!

That's all for now as I want to get back to stitching for a while longer today.  Have a great weekend and I'll post again on Monday; don't forget about the contest still going on until I hit 100 followers.  Just keep stitching!  ~Nicole

Punchneedle WIP

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, despite my carpal tunnel I put in an additional 6 hours of punchneedle last night on the L*K design for a total of around 8... here's how it looks today:

Looking good, huh?  FYI that's TWO entire skeins of FMC 930 and I love how you can see the outline in the front of "Winter" for where DMC 712 will be filled in at some point.

I need to get going but wanted to check in quick and fill you in on the progress.  Have a great day and just keep stitching!  ~Nicole