Finally! I actually did some cross stitch

I started my "Traveling Stitcher" from Little House Needleworks this week.  I have so enjoyed the colors and I can't wait to finish this one!  I thought I would share my start to motivate me to keep going.  My progress would look better if I had ironed it first but I know myself, I never would have gotten to posting it if I had waited to press it first, lol.

Passing it on

Needlework is something I love not just doing myself but admiring others creations.  I want to make sure I pass this love onto my children.  Now granted my girls are only 4 and 6 but I was so excited when I was at the craft store and found these cute kits for beginners.  They list as 6+ which after two sessions with the girls may be a bit ambitious for an age range.  The needlepoint one is actually easier than the cross stitch one.  The point is the girls already LOVE working on them and it has been fun to encourage them even if it means the few times I get to sit down and do my stitching usually gets interrupted because they want to work on their projects.  I am excited that my girls are already loving something I enjoy so much.

Not cross stitch but still stitching

I thought I would post my progress on a project I have been working and am really loving how it is turning out.  It is the first time I have worked with wool but it has been fun.  The pattern is from Under the Garden Moon titled O Holy Night.  They have a website listed on the back of the pattern:  underthegardenmoon.com

I am getting close to finishing it, I need to add the last wiseman on the end and put some stitched stars in the sky, I also think the donkey's tail may need a few more stitches it looks short to me, last but not least I have a ton of red french knots to but on the vine to create my "berries."  I am not a fan of the french knot so I am sure I will save those for last.

I am hoping to finish this one in the next couple of week and get it framed.  I have the BEST frame for it, I am so excited.  I will post a picture of the completed project.

Shopping Spree

Wasatch Needlecraft had a Superbowl Sale, where you picked a team before hand and then depending on your teams score depended on how much of a percentage you got off all the way up to 30%. Well sports is not my thing, if the email hadn't provided the teams to pick from I would have had to google it, lol. Any way I managed to pick the Saints and get my 30% off! So I splurged and got some things that I have been wanting.

Last year I got the Impie, Hattie, & Bea folder piece that goes with the Traveling Stitcher I knew it wouldn't last and I was right so I am glad I got it when I did. So the first item on my superbowl sale order had to be the patternwhich came with the beautiful Crescent Colors that just make my fingers itch to start stitching and also the fabric.

I also ordered the Lizzie Kate ABC Lessons which also came with beautiful Crescent Colors. Then I splurged a bit more and added the Little House Needleworks He's a Flake pattern and fabric.  There is just something about that snowman that makes me smile.

I was very pleased with Wasatch Needlecraft they not only had amazing customer service but all my fabric came serged on the edges and ready to stitch! I can now get down to the fun of sewing without the prep work! I will be ordering from them again and if anyone needs a great needlework online store I highly recommend them!

So even if life has not slowed down and I still home school and have little sewing time I am hoping I will have more stitching posts soon!

Organizing vs Stitching

I haven't been stitching much lately, we had a fun busy summer though! I have recently begun attending an organization workshop. It has been amazing and she always says if you can get 10% more organized that is 90 minutes you add to your day. I have to tell you every time I hear that all I can think of is 90 minutes more of stitching a day! Anyway as part of my organization I went through my things and have been discarding and giving away to charity a great deal of my stuff. I came across this pattern in my purging and thought I would post it here. If anyone would like to stitch it please let me know and I will send it to you. It is Summers Remembered by Paula Vaughan, I don't think it is in print right now as I tried to find it online a couple of months ago and couldn't. The pattern is in good shape but has a tear at the binding, doesn't effect the pattern at all though. Oh and if anyone is interested in joining me in becoming more organized the workshop I am attending is by Marie Ricks and her website is www.houseoforder.com

My Sewing Room

My sewing room is truly amazing in my mind but that is as far as it has gotten, maybe someday when we have a bigger house or my kids are at college. For now it is the kitchen table if I get out the sewing machine and my hand stitching is done in the following two spots:

Upstairs in the living room I have my Dutalier Rocking Chair that I LOVE. So comfy. I also have a second or third project waiting to work on hanging out in the bookshelf. I have my wonderful light how do people stitch without a good light! I love mine I have two, one for upstairs and one for downstairs and I got them at the Cabella's Sporting Goods store, lol. They are "tie-flying" lamps, lol. Apparently men are not impressed with the wonders of a good true light lamp and they were clearanced out for a steal! They were the same name brand as the one my craft store had for $120 but put in Cabellas packaging and only $39!

Anyway I am easily distracted, my second sewing spot is in our exercise/toys/tv room. When I want to spend time with my husband but cannot listen to another history channel special I stitch and at least spend time with him in the same room. But I have to say that history is sinking in, I don't think I am listening but on some level I am learning because my trivial pursuit skills are HUGELY improving, lol.

But if I were to create a sewing room I would imagine it something like this:
But I would paint it a wonderful warm french country kind of a blue.
And I would simply have to sew this up for my sewing machine in shades of blue.
You can find the pattern HERE if your interested, just scroll down a bit.

Beatrix Pattern Free

I purchased this to do up as a gift for a friend that was pregnant. Well her baby is one and I haven't even purchased the supplies so obviously this isn't going to happen, lol. Anyway I like Beatrix Potter but not enough to stitch this one up for myself. So if there is anyone out there that would like this leave me a comment and I will mail it to you. I also have a photocopy that I made of the pattern that I will include. I like to work from a photocopy so I know I have the original somewhere safe. I know myself well and have found it saves me time and money.

The pattern is called Beatrix Potter StoryBook Sampler II from Green Apple Co. Design Adapted by Jeanne Bowers. It is a very sweet birth announcement and I hope someone out there is excited to have it!