BBD SAL Finish and Stitching

Part Two of the August 1st posts.  

Onto stitching! On our last Porpoise Bay trip, I put in the last few stitches in the BBD SAL sampler.  I was pleased to finish it and proud that I stuck with the eyelets! It took me awhile, but I certainly have become quite the expert with eyelet stitching! Here's the original photo from the campsite.

Outdoor photo of my finish

Some ironed, close-up photos.

 

It was a wonderful SAL to be part of.  Thank you Barb and Alma for releasing this lovely SAL!!

I made some progress on Sarah Chapple.  She is such a pleasure to stitch.  I just can't believe how large she really is!! I always choose massive projects but I need to keep at them and make progress!!

Love the little satin stitched pot under the chained fence!

Little pots and birds still to be added!

I'm so glad to say that my little stitched box gift I made for the lovely Carol, from Stitching Dreams, arrived and she was happy to receive it.  It took me awhile to get it finished since for some reason, none of the stores I visited, had boxes that would fit the design I stitched for her.  Thankfully, one dollar store had a box the right size, so I was able to finish it off and mail it to her.  We have developed a lovely relationship over the years, like so many of you, and I was happy to make it for her.  I hope to make more little gifts for others in the next little while!! 

BBD design stitched on 36 ct. Abecedarian linen with GAST threads

I also made a bit of a belated birthday gift for dear Vickie.  It was a little tea cup cozy, some tea and a pink thread, since she loves pink so much! I had to laugh when she said that her daughter took the tea cozy and put it around little Henry's neck! I never thought of it like a dog collar, but that girl has got something there! Maybe I should make some crocheted dog collars instead of teaching!! Probably would do better than I am now! LOL!! I had to borrow Vickie's photo from her blog since I forgot to upload one of mine.

Stupidly, while we were on strike and not making money, I had ordered some stash....seriously stupid me.  Why I did this, I don't know.  Not sure if we will be working in September so I probably have to start looking for a new job.  Really not sure of what the outcome will be.  But look at what I got! Even though I can't afford it, it's really pretty.  I got a bunch of new cottons to make some new cozies and mats to possibly sell at a craft fair from Loveknitting.  Such great service and free shipping over $50 for Canada!! Can't beat that!

On our Porpoise Bay trip, we went to Carolanne's Quilt shop in Gibsons and I got a few little fat quarters for cheap.  Nice for finishing!

Then Needlecraft Corner had and anniversary sale..uh oh! So I ordered a bunch of threads for a sampler, some linens and some mystery NPI silks that I don't know what design they are for.  I can't remember why I got them.  I had copied and pasted the list from 123stitch so I know it was for a chart...it's a mystery for me. 

Two of those charts are from Brenda Gervais' With Thy Needle and Thread.  I might save these for next year once I'm done Sarah and JCS, but I need to devote more time to stitching every day, not once in awhile!! 

So I'm done for stash for a LONNNNNGGGG time! I don't need anymore at all, unless it's the odd thread or so, but it's so hard to resist those new charts that come out!! 

Here's a little photo of my dear stashaholic Titus, owning the threads.  He loves it when mom pulls out the stash!!

I've haven't caught up with blogs and feel uber guilty about it...so I hope to spend some time tomorrow morning visiting people since I miss you all!! 

Hugs to you all!!

Anne

Summer Heat and Stitching

Hello everyone!

Wow! It's been some time since I've posted.  There have been a number of times I wanted to but then I got distracted by this and that.  We are in a heat wave right now, although I know there are hotter places than here, it's hard for us not used to it to handle.  Poor little Titus has been lying around in our heat apartment trying to keep cool.  I've put ice packs around him so at least some sort of cool air evaporates for him.  I've also been trying to get in shape with eating better and exercising, yet I feel like a slug in the heat!! I know a number of people go to the gym, where it's nice and cool, but I just can't really afford paying a monthly gym membership at the moment. 

So to catch up.  I've gone to a stagette on an island, a wedding, farmer's markets, short bike rides, visits with friends, Barnston island with my mom, uncle and hubby, and more doctor's appointments! Yay! Stitching has happened and I'm so glad I got two RAK's finished.  I put crocheting down for the moment since the yarn is too hot to work with at the moment.  How about a little picture walk for everyone? 

Stitching

A little Primitve Hare freebie finish.  Love bees and will be finishing it as a prim pillow.

Stitched on Old Salem Linen with DMC threads

 Eyelet progress on the BBD's Her Sampler SAL.  Hoping to forge ahead on finishing the eyelet bands tonight.

Mind the hoop wrinkles!

Sarah Chapple grass complete!! It took an age to do.  Grass stitching is great for watching shows though.

Some JCS 1707 progress. The vines got tricky and my eyes get tired from counting.  I think the chart's symbols are a wee bit too small for me.

Stash buying from over a month ago.  Forgot to post a photo of some Goode Huswife charts  I found at an online store.  Also I had to get a few of Nina's threads to try out.

Granny Stripe progress...three rows before the heat came.

Titus is such a good little model.

One more thing related to stitching.  The other day I received a most wonderful RAK in the mail from Mii!! She knew I was having a rough time last month and the sweetheart that she is, mailed me the most beautifully stitched pinkeep and little treats for me.  I was very surprised and it made my month!! Her attention to detail is amazing.  I love the saying "Good things come to those who stitch" and I sure think it does.  She also included some pretty threads, polka dot fabric and yummy chocolate bars! Thank you Mii!! Many hugs to you!!

Enjoy the rest of my photos of some of my adventures these past few weeks.

Wild and crazy boat ride to Bowen Island with 15 girls and gays...lol!

Barnston island donkey.  Hubby called him over with a strawberry...so cute!

A young, loud baaing ram.  He took off after this.

My darling hubby bought me this gorgeous blue diamond, white gold necklace and a knife! Brawn and beauty as he says!!

No post is complete without a photo of Titus. 

Hoping to come by and visit people soon. I thank you all for staying with me and giving me support during a hard time.  Bloggy/stitchy friends are the best and I feel like a bad one not coming by...so I mean to make an effort this week! 


Hugs to you all and keep cool!!

March Surprises Me

Bonjour mes amies!!

It's been too long since I've posted but I know everyone understands that I've been busy.  Reports are finished! YAHOOOOO!! I still need to add a few things here and there but they are finito. Huge waves of relief washed over me when I completed the last kid's report.  I had quite the past couple of weeks.  This reporting season was especially difficult for me for some reason.  Other teachers felt the same.  One gave me some good advice about saving my first, second and third term comments so I can use them for next year which will save me a lot of time and agony.  I'll take that advice! I also suffered a cold/lost my voice last week.  The kids said I sounded like Yoda and laughed at me. It was pretty funny to hear me, although my hubby told me to stop talking since he couldn't stand hearing it anymore!

Like Yoda I sound. Yes Hmmmm

I have a lot to share with you today so be prepared! There wasn't a whole lot of stitching done until this weekend so I only have two small things to share.  My Friday night SAL with Maggee has been going well.  I'm nearly finished Magic Garden! I can hardly wait! 

Although it's now March, I managed to finish LHN's February last night.  I think I've said this before but I need to plan my stitching a bit better! I'm always late with monthly themes...stitching them after the fact! I think I'll make this into a pillow since that's the easiest finish for me. 

It was stitched on 28 ct. Lambswool using CC threads that dear Cindy provided in the kit.  I by accident stitched the roof white but I like it! We had a lot of snow in February so it's a good reminder of the snow we've had!

After leaving the peacock for awhile, I picked him up again Sunday night and tackled him.  No frog came visiting me that night! Yay! 

Now for the best part of the post....all the wonderful packages that have been sent to me.  

I did a biscornu exchange with Sarah, from Sarah in Stitches and our theme was Spring. She sent mine a bit early because she has other exchanges to stitch and send out.  Hopefully mine will get to her in two weeks. Anyways, she sent me the most beautifully stitched biscornu and pretty monogrammed pillow, plus some mint tea from UAE, fabric and two VMS charts. I am a lucky gal! Thank you so much Sarah for such a wonderful package!Your biscornu is so sweet and finished beautifully. It made me very happy especially after the harrowing report card experience!! Hugs to you my dear!

Setting up for a photo and look who pops in and flops all over it?!

The pretty two-toned biscornu.

Front

Back

Hanging out with new biscornu friends

Tea, chart and fabric from UAE...the tea is amazing!

Sarah is such a sweet heart and I remember seeing her blog over a year ago and was one of her first few followers.  It's so nice to "meet" kindred spirits from around the world!!

The next surprise was from dearest Carol, Stitching Dreams.  She has told me she was going to lend me a chart I'd admired on her blog, but didn't tell me she was going to send something extra!! Boy was I surprised! She made me a beautiful pillow personlized to me! She stitched a little cat in the corner and made it look like Titus. We have become quite close friends over the years and I treasure her friendship.  Thank you my dear Carol! Your finishing skills are so admirable and very creative.

The sweet pillow and chart

Such a pretty design and I love the added button detail

Love those little spools of thread!

Little Titus!

I feel so spoiled by Sarah and Carol.  They have truly made my week, month! I mailed out a few packages last week and hope that my recipients receive them soon.  This Spring Break, which I'm itching for desperately, I hope to stitch a few more RAK's and do another mail art exchange with Meari.  So looking forward to catching up with everyone too.  I've been very remiss with blog commenting and posting.  But that's how life is and I now you all understand.  

Almost forgot to show my fabric and thread toss for Sarah Chapple.  I ordered it way back in January and it finally arrived. The R &R Rook 36 ct. linen is quite dark but I like it.  Hubby says he wants me to keep it since it's very army like and manly.  I had to laugh since the sampler is anything but manly!!  I'm going to start her properly during Spring Break.  

Beautiful silks and fabric

I'll finish with a few photos of our late spring.  We had some snow at the end of February which set back the flowers from blooming.  Now I'm starting to see some sprouting around.  Can't wait for more to come!

Snow berries

Some pretty pink flower bush on the river

Finally I spy a crocus!

The last of the snowdrops

That's all for now.  Titus and I are going to lie down in a sun beam and relax.

Hugs

Anne

PS Lent started and I have 5 more weeks to go without dairy and meat...sigh...

A Leopard Appears and TUSAL

Hello my lovelies!!

Welcome to my new followers! I am now at 301! That is amazing and that means I'm going to be figuring out a great 300 follower giveaway for all of you as a way to say thank you.  I have been very busy now that school is back in session and this weekend is very busy as well.  I hope to work on some giveaway ideas for next weekend.  

Although I have been busy, I have managed to put in some stitches into Hannah.  It's so important for me to forget my stress at the needle after a long day of work.  Even if it's ten stitches, I automatically feel better.  So all of my stitches have been dedicated to Hannah.  I couldn't wait to stitch the outline of the leopard so I abandoned the border and moved along into the middle of the sampler.  

I simply adore this flower with all the buds and leaves and bright colours.  Hannah is definitely moving along nicely!  When I told my husband I'm going to focus on just Hannah, he asked "What about Tea Bath Fairy?"  I told him to not worry, she will get stitched when I'm finished with Hannah.  I think it's funny that he is worried about her! 


I did stitch a wee bit on my LHN's Blackbird and I think I will finish it as a little box.  I want challenge myself to try some new ways of finishing this year.  I have quite a number of finishes to finish up.  I wanted to add more Spring finishes to my basket but that has not happened.  I need to get my behind in gear and start sewing!!

My mailbox has given me a couple of surprises last week.  Pumpkin, from Pumpkin Patch and Co, sent me this adorable little guy to stitch.  I won a secret giveaway on her blog.  He reminds me of a Hummel figurine and will be perfect to stitch for my hubby. Thank you Pumpkin!!

Nia sent me the cutest little lavender bunny for Easter.  It's perfect timing for me since I don't celebrate Easter (Pascha) until the beginning of May.  Thank you Nia sweetie!!

Here's all my "strings" from last month.  Lots of silks in there.  I think I'll try and reuse some of my orts and stuff a pillow with them as I have seen some of you do.  It's a good way to recycle!

I'll leave you with some pretty spring pictures I took.  It has been up and down here with lots of rain lately.  I've been wearing my big Hunter rain boots a lot.  I can't complain though because we really have been blessed with a beautiful spring.

A cool photo of a knotty tree.

That's all for now. 


Take care and hugs for you all!


Anne