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!

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!

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.

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!

Opus Gluei challenge time! Are you working on something seasonal?

Any stitcher worth her salt is knee deep in

seasonal projects by now, right?

Perhaps you are stitching Christmas presents for friends and family?

Making home decor items for Autumn?

Halloween ornaments?

Well, join the club!

Over at the Order of the Opus Gluei, we're working with the theme of

SEASONS

(click to be taken over to the challenge)

And any art form - stitching, quilting, cross-stitching, multi media, paper, paint, and so on.... is welcome.

*****

No, I'm not like the department stores and already decorating for fall.

  I'm just sharing this for illustrative purposes.

But I have big plans to actually start in September to make my home looking Fall-ish.  I can add and subtract elements as the season goes on to take us from late summer into early fall and then Halloween and finally into Thanksgiving.

Last year I had stitched one lone Prairie Schooler owl and now there's some friends to share the curly willow twigs with him.

Dry run in the dining room.

Prairie Schooler - Fall Fields

(it's not on the cover but it is on the back page of the leaflet)

Prairie Schooler - Thanksgiving Comes Again

Prairie Schooler - Boo to You

Prairie Schooler - Thanksgiving Comes Again

A lot of fun finishes - felt backing, buttons, ribbon, what's not to love?

Intrigued?

Okay, so go over and share some of your creativity (and projects) with us!

July's IHSW - A Saturday SAL Finish and a Start

Well, it is already the IHSW time for July - I know, where has the entire year gone????

This weekend I am going to try and eke out a teeny bit of stitching time, I'm in the midst of a major clean, purge, and organize binge.  I have big plans for a home decor makover.  Woo hoo.

But I also want to stitch...a lot....

It's Saturday and that's when I work on Prairie Schooler projects as part of a SAL with Debbie and Linda, so let's see what I finished working on last weekend.  The August motif from the Summer and Winter Prairie Schooler leaflet is done.  Haven't made this into anything but like the way it turned out, this was fun with all the color changes and cute critters.

So, for the IHSW I am proposing that I'll make progress on a start - the September motif from the Prairie Schooler Spring and Fall.  This is what little I accomplished this morning.  Wayyyyy too early this morning. 

What?  You can't tell what it is?  I'm shocked (snicker).  It's obviously the flank of the little squirrel.  Still don't see it?  Okay, I'll sneak you a peek at what it is going to look like.

See?  Of course, you do.

Here's my helpful assistant, whom you can only see a glimpse of in the first photo.  His name is Taz and he's a Bengal and quite sure he is actually a Marine on temporary furlough.  He is short haired and quite a daredevil (some might call him reckless, but he believes he is simply very brave).  The ladies all love him too). 

 Thanks for coming by and I hope you are able to participate in the IHSW this weekend!

Opus Gluei challenge - Where do you get your suntan?

Over at Opus Gluei, a fun craft challenge blog in which we come up with a theme every two weeks and post it with our creations and then challenge YOU to create something the theme inspires in YOU!  We love to see a range of artistic creations - from scrapbooking, paper crafting, wood, blogging, cooking, and yep - stitching!

This challenge (#135), created by the lovely Gini, is asking you where do you get your suntan?  Oooh la la....this could get cheeky eh?

Well, perhaps you are a gardener and you've got the farmer's tan to prove it!  Well, take some photos and write a blog post and then link it up.  Do you have some summer birthdays you are making cards for?  Perfect.  If you're a stitcher and like to make fingertip towels with a summer/beachy theme - let's see them!  Everything and anything that you're inspired to make, we want to see...pretty please?

Okay, for the challenge, I used a little quickie pattern that was included with the main project - from the Cross Eyed Cricket entitled "Sams and Stripes."  Look at those cute Uncle Sams.  That's another of my someday projects.  I stitched the little angel pictured on the cover at the bottom right.  she's an August Angel and I like to call her Aggie. 

Here's a little better look at her - uh oh, look out for the crab!!!!

She's got a cute little look about her that reminds me of motifs my Mom made on guest towels when she was in high school.  Kind of retro-ish and she's got that old timey swimsuit on and real glittery (water) wings, and I really don't have that many non-Independence Day summery decorating items so there you go.  Selected, stitched, finished, and displayed.  WHEW!  All in a week.  voila

So, after all this, you just have to check the Order of the Opus Gluei out and see if you feel inspired to create something stitchy for us to see!

Prairie Schooler - Saturday Stitch Along - Progress on August

Been a long while it seems since I've posted.  More a matter of having time at night to be coherent in a post after a long day at work and then dropping over to the hospital to see Mom.  Good news on that front, the hyperbaric treatments are working and she is improved enough to have been released from the hospital (3 weeks, poor dear) and back into her orthopedic rehab facility.  Next stop - HOME!  She can't wait, she's ready to click her heels and get out of the medical loop!  It's been 11 months, eleven LONG months. 

On the stitching front, I have been working on my Prairie Schooler Summer and Winter leaflet with emphasis on August.  This is a cute one, lots of little critter motifs to stitch and plenty of color changes to keep your interest piqued!

This is part of my Saturday Prairie School Stitch Along that I participate in with Linda and Debbie.  We're all on different projects but they are all Prairie Schoolers and it's inspiring to see what we get up to!  I hope to have this finished up soon and I'm going to start going through the various completed stitching projects for this and see what I can totally finish (you know, put in a frame, make a pillow, a doorhanger, etc.).  Was inspired by finishing July up totally and actually displaying it!

What are you working on?  Let me know in the comments and I'll be by to check out your blog!