What's on the Needle Wednesday - WIP - The Satsuma Street Garden Cat continues to blossom

Nothing else aside from Garden Cat is being worked on right now.  Not that I've gotten a lot of time to work on even my Garden Cat.  SIGH, life has intervened.  But that's okay, I still find bits of time here and there to work on it and so I have progress to share.  The bottom is nearly done which would leave just the clouds and sun.  Then finis!

Rosalie the kitten is truly feeling at home now and she's made a good friend in Ben, who really seems to be taken with her.  

What's on the Needle WIP Wednesday - Satsuma Street's Garden Cat (Post #2 progress)

I loved kitting up this project, the colors are so happy, so joyous, so darn....COLORFUL!!!!!  They make you smile just seeing them splayed out.  Stitching this on the Irish linen has actually been fun, my only quibble (and it's small, so it's a quibble, smallest on the chain of issues) is that the slight variations in the weft (the crosswise threads) can sometimes make it a larger looking area of a stitch.   But that's not a big deal, hence, a quibble.

Otherwise, I'm just stitching and loving the picture emerging from the end of my needle.

Here's the latest addition to our family, a little rescued calico kitten we've named Rosalie.  She's just 12 weeks old and so sweet, feisty and lovable.  She might be a stitching buddy if she can just get over wanting to capture the needle and thread...her presence has done wonders for our cat Ben, who loves all of her attention, he has a buddy now!

Another finish - Mill Hill Beads Paisley Pumpkin

I'm not sure if I love working with perforated paper but this was a fun pattern to stitch, lots of color, lots of style, and plenty of texture with the beads.

What's on the Needle WIP Wednesday ***New project in Progress - Garden Cat***

There are great things about belonging to a stitching group - via Facebook - encouragement, help, and often inspiration.  The downside?  Your wallet might scream a lot.  Ignore it.  bwahahaha

Case in point, I've seen some adorable, bright, and whimsical Satsuma Street projects shared.  They are inspired by the art of Mary Blair, Disney artist extraordinaire, and are sold as immediate digital downloads via Etsy.  Oh my, such cuteness all around.  I've downloaded a bunch and am so looking forward to stitching them.  

This is my first and it is Garden Cat.   I'm not sure if I'll make it into a very large throw pillow or frame it or even hoop frame it....decisions decisions...

A finish - the first of 2015

This was a fast project, needed to be as I dilly dallied thinking I had more time before I took this on.  Which isn't a good idea when it's a  Teresa Wentzler pattern.

This is a freebie entitled, "Celtic Cross," from her blog.  I changed up the colors for this as it was a gift for my niece's confirmation, her confirmation name is Mary and the Blessed Mother is associated with the color blue so hence, this was worked in blues.  I'm finding the best way to change a color scheme is pick out the original choices, then use that color hue selection to make the change with other shades.  The hardest part was couching the gold cord over the finished stitching.  Needed a sharp needle to make these work.  It looks off in terms of the stitching but I do think that's the photography.  That's my story.

She loved it and put the framed piece right on her wall.  Ah, a finish!

WIP - Prairie Schooler booklet - Home Words

There is no place like home.  Home Sweet Home.  The soft place we have to land when life is tough.  Home might be a traditional family of Mom and Dad (you might be either), 2.5 kids, minivan, and a nice home in the suburbs.  Your home might be a partner and three cats or three roommates and one cat.  But whatever it happens to be, I hope that you have a safe place to land where there is someone or something that loves you and comforts you.

I would like to make a wall in our dining room set aside for wordy cross-stitch - the samplers, the sayings, and so on.  My dream is to paint it a warm, buttery yellow that will just make those who enter feel embraced and cozy.  That's the plan and I hope to make it happen this summer.  Then I can add more and more wordy cross stitch projects to the wall.  Perhaps seasonal changes or perhaps not.  That's the beauty of thinking about it and having options.

So, here's a work in progress.  It's a Prairie Schooler, because I love my Prairie Schoolers and it is from a booklet entitled Home Words.  The one I'm working on is Home Sweet Home.  It's on 18ct. Aida, but you know, I have to get back to you on the color.  It's kind of an oatmeal shade...and I like it with the style of the sampler, it has a rustic but not primitive feel.  It makes me think of a happy place for me, aside from home, Colonial Williamsburg.

 I think the pet on the left is supposed to be a dog, but I'm thinking for me it should be a second cat, we always have at least two in the home at any given time.  

Surprise through the mail

Isn't it wonderful to come home to happy mail?  A handwritten letter or postcard?  Yes, it beats little bill window envelopes every time.

Imagine my joy and surprise to find this beautiful stitched postcard in my mail.  It came from Virginia Beach unscathed from my darling friend Jana!

She's the bestest!

I hope to have something new to share with you soon, I've taken up the needle once again!

A finish - meet Cinder

Just a little ornament to add to my rather meager collection of fall smalls.

This is Cinder and he stitched up quite quickly and was fun, I love whimsical, retro, vintage Halloween.  Not much for the scary gory stuff.

The chart is from Hinzeit.  He is attached to thin chipboard and then wool felt was added, a twist of floss outlines the stitched portion.  I didn't put the ribbon on yet, but wanted a photo to prove to myself I can finish something.

Mr. Owl is progressing, I need to put up a status report on him.  I hope to get him done for Halloween but it remains to be seen.

Progress on Mr. Owl - as of September 13, 2013

Stars are done, moon is done, the lower body is progressing.  My optimal plan is to finish his body by the end of this weekend and then get going on the rest of him.  I want to get him finished, cleaned and completed so that we can enjoy him this autumn.  Pillow or framed?

What's your vote on this?

Owl progress

Here's the latest on where I stand with my Autumn owl.  The top is nearly done - and the bottom will be the rest of Mr. Owl, his branch, and pumpkins at the bottom.  Very fun to stitch with lots of bright colors.

Woo hoo - He's found, he's found!!!!!

Yep, my November turkey is now found and sitting along with the other unfinished months.

That is, they are stitched but just aren't finished.  So far, my only finish is the doorknob hanger pillow I made with the July eagle.

This is part of a long term stitch along I've shared with Linda and Debbie.

I have December, January and February to go before I'm done.

I'm so happy I've found this.  Hooray!!!!

So, the plan is to finish my current in progress owl for Halloween and then concentrate on making some stitchy Christmas presents.  I hope to squeeze in time to finish the Prairie Schooler months.

Finish to Share - Home of a Needleworker

I started this Little House Needleworks pattern back in April and only now finished it.

But a finish is a finish.

I did not stitch it on linen but used beautiful Crescent Colours floss on it, the subtle color variations add a nice little something.  This is it immediately after the last stitch was made.

Now it just needs to be gently washed, pressed and taken off for framing.

Now I can go and finish the owl!

The turkey has flown the coop, but I have a lovely owl that is coming along nicely

Long time no blog.   But I've returned with a status report on a missing turkey and a new fall project.

I fear I may never find Tom Turkey from my November Prairie Schooler.  Just not sure if I have the time or inclination for ALL THAT BROWN again.  

So, instead, I pulled out a 2012 stitching magazine and began working on my whimsical owl.

I think he is dashing, all colorful and roly poly.

Here's where he stands now - getting there.  I hope to get some time in for stitching over the long weekend as I'd love to drop him off with a bunch of fall-themed projects that are done and sitting in a box awaiting framing.  

The remainder includes a few quick stars, filling in the moon, it stops at roughly a half moon, Owliver's body, and then glorious pumpkins along the bottom.  Sounds like a lot but could be stitched like mad and finished before summer is officially over in mid-September!  

Home of a Needleworker - Part 1

I'm ashamed to admit that I have lost my completed Prairie Schooler November

Yes, the turkey has apparently flown the coop!

(SIGH)

But for your viewing pleasure I will share with you my progress on Little House Needleworks

Home of a Needleworker

It's quite fun to work on with lots of soft rich color and a sweet design.

Hopefully, I will be able to update this soon with a bit more done!

I haven't worked much on stitching as I've got an ongoing back spasm that will not resolve quite yet.  But hope springs eternal that I'll get some time to stitch!

Progress - IHWS recap

First, an update on my progress with the November Prairie Schooler, from the Spring and Fall leaflet.  This is a SAL with Debbie and Linda, I'm kind of ahead but then again I don't have nearly as many works in progress as these talented ladies.  With December, January, and February to go, I may have to try and talk them into another Prairie Schooler SAL project!

November has been fun, I can say that now that I've finished stitching color 3031, that was getting tedious. 

So Mr. Tom Turkey has his main feathers and the end is in sight. 

 I've also been working on a bib for my little great nephew, Dalton.  He's getting more and more adorable each day.  I have the distinct feeling that I'll be stitching and showing many more bibs for the little guy!
  This is the chart that came with the bib and it will have three pastel elephants frolicking amongst stars and hearts.  It definitely makes me smile as I work on it!

The kittens are doing very well; they have entered the household and Taz seems to enjoy their presence quite a bit.  We guess that they are roughly about 3-4 months old.  Arya was the first out the door when we decided to integrate them into the general day to day things, whereas Molly is still sticking around the comfy old chair.  Why fix what isn't broken eh?

So, what did you work on this past holiday/IHS(W) weekend?

Yes, I'm still making Prairie Schoolers!

Okay, so post-IHSW I didn't finish the Happiness ornament for my friend Yi.  SIGH

So, maybe it will be a Christmas present?  Then I'm already ahead of schedule!  Yes, make lemonade from lemons.

But I can share that I'm making solid progress on the Prairie Schooler Spring and Fall leaflet.  I'm getting further along with the November turkey.  This is a SAL that I was working on with Debbie and Linda in 2012.  When I finish this one, I am done with this leaflet.  Then I only have December - February in the Prairie Schooler Winter and Summer and they will all be done.  The only one truly "finished" in a usable form is July, but won't it be fun to finish all the others too?  Yep, and maybe I'll make them doorknob hangers or perhaps each with be something unique.  Maybe a few framed for those seasons when I am light on decorations. Maybe ornaments, or in a wreath....the possibilities are kind of cool to contemplate.

So, here's November in progress.  I am in agreement with Linda that the colors as they really are and how they photograph on the leaflet are different.  The in person colors are a bit darker, but they are working for me and I like them.

I've also got fun news - my niece had her first child, my first great nephew, and I was able to be there for the birth.  It was more of a miracle than I could have expected, and I was so overwhelmed with love and awe that it still gives me a shiver.  He is gorgeous, absolutely GORGEOUS!

Forgive how awful I look - I'd been up 20+ hours but was just so full of energy from the experience that I'm beaming.

We also have adopted two kittens.  They were born to a feral mom and were only semi-feral when we rescued them, they were intended to be fostered by us but who am I kidding?  I needed caring for them to help me bear the loss of Emma.  I think she must be visiting them at night and telling them to be good kittens because they have really been adapting well.  They are much more affectionate and we're trying to get them acclimated enough to join Taz in the everyday home.  Until then, they have a room with a comfy chair, their taming cage, and lots of toys and food.  The taming cage is open and they only go in there now for potty time.  But I keep it for them as a home base, for stability.  We will probably take it down next weekend and put in a cat perch for them to enjoy.

This is Molly.

This is Arya.

Hey Remember Me?

Oh, been away far too long

Not a whole lot of stitching going on...

But here I am ready to get right back into it

for the new year.

 

 

This is the first IHSW of 2013, no better time

to get to it, eh?

 

This project is for the Chinese New Year

on February 10

(so I need to get cracking)

and I have chosen a motif from

Celestial Dragon

by Teresa Wentzler

Some day I would like to stitch the entire thing

but for now and for my co-worker

I think this will be nice

 

I'm going to make a hanging ornament

for her to display on the wall

(if she wants)

It is the motif on the top left

Happiness

and here's how far I've gotten!

 

I am making it in red and gold as those colors

are considered lucky in the

Chinese culture

 

The second share I have is from my Sunday

SAL with Debbie and Linda

Prairie Schooler Summer and Winter

and Spring and Fall

Oh, I was doing so well and then

nothing....

SIGH

 

But October's stitching is done!

 

 

 

My last share is sad news

I announced it on my craft blog so I might

as well here too.

especially since she was my

faithful companion for many a stitching

evening.  Darling Emma is at the

Rainbow Bridge and I miss her terribly.

 

It was the right decision to make but a

heartbreaking one nonetheless.

She didn't bring any pain to our lives while we had her and I couldn't let her live in any pain.

 

******

So, with a bittersweet heart I'm taking on the new year, and I hope and pray it is a good one for all of us.

 

Will share my progress after the IHSW weekend!

 

 

Saturday Stitch Along - More Progress on October

Some progress was made on the October theme from the Prairie Schooler leaflet

Spring and Fall

 

I had hoped to be done by now, but haven't had nearly the time to sit and stitch like I want to, that's a familiar refrain stitchers can empathize with right?

 

This is part of a Saturday SAL that I'm participating in with Debbie and Linda!

 



Finally, an update

Sometimes, despite your best intentions, you just don't get things done.  Such is the case with me.  I've actually made progress on my stitching but haven't had a chance to update the blog.

So, here we go. My Saturday SAL with Linda and Debbie is progressing - I admit to sometimes stitching on these projects on other days (bad me bad me) but they are a great size for taking along in a bag.

September is done - I really enjoyed this one, fun colors and a fairly quick stitch.  Now I am getting autumn fever and want to start decorating with pumpkins and hay bales! 

October is underway and it's a lot of 3371, a lot of it but it's not vexing me as the red-winged blackbird of June did!

I missed IHSW this time, but did take a photo of my ORT jar, switched from the glass of before.  Love the mix of colors! (I also think I need to dust - LOL)

WIP and Saturday SAL

I just want to share one work in progress, which also happens to be a project for my Prairie Schooler Saturday SAL with Debbie and Linda. 

This is from the Spring and Fall leaflet and I am having so much fun with each month's motif, and this one is no different.  The rich colors are making me feel positively autumn-ey.  Hopefully the next time you see the secret squirrel he'll be finished!