The Bad Blogger

That would be me! I have wanted to blog multiple times since my last blog but I have been sidetracked by a nasty flu, work, and now a congested head cold since last weekend. We have also stopped packing and gave up on finding a decent place since we should probably buy our next home instead of renting with the crazy prizes here in the Lower Mainland.  But where to buy, we don't know.  I think that with baby bean's birth on the horizon, moving is just crazy which was stressing us both out a lot, and I can't afford to be stressed right now.  So we are going to improve our place a little bit instead. Baby Bean can stay with us for the first few months and then we will see what to do.  So I unpacked some of my stitching supplies and have been working on my WIP's while sick.  It helps with the stress! 

I had one finish this year so far! Woohoo!! It's BBD's freebie Souvenir de Paris I stitched for a colleague who will be retiring this year.  It will be placed in scrapbook so I didn't need to finish it into anything.  I used GAST Blue Jay, a divine blue, and a scrap of linen I found. 

I personalized it with her initials and the year of her retirement.  I hope she likes it!

After pulling out my stitching supplies from boxes, which was a silly thing to do, I grabbed Knotgarden and stitched on it all yesterday and the night before.  

The corner is complete except for the beading and fancy stitches which I'm going to leave out so they don't get squished by the qsnaps. I highly doubt this will get finished in the next year with Baby Bean's imminent arrival.

Sarah Chapple had got a lot of love from me the past month or so.  She's such a beautiful sampler to work on.  I can't wait for her to be finished!

The border with all the honeysuckle flowers will take quite awhile to do. It's such a unique design that is very ornate.  Stay tuned!

The Bitter Flower Sampler by Birds of a Feather is nearly complete.  It's been fun stitching it on weekdays as it's easy to hold in my hand and I can speed along as I wind down from work. 

I've made two bunting triangles, with a third in progress for Baby Bean.  They are fun to make and I think I'll make 4-6 more of them.

The Granny stripe has been growing too.  Hubby says I need to get it done so we can have at least one finished blanket this year.  

I feel like a bad mother who has made nothing for Bean yet! So I found these adorable booties online that looked fairly simple to crochet.  I'm going to give it a fair shot in the next few weeks and see if I can make them.

Aren't they adorable?! Teeny tiny baby shoes always fills me with delight! I'm going to make them in white and maybe grey too. At least Bean will have stylish feet! 

I'll leave with a few photos from my walk yesterday.  I had to get out although I was very tired and the walk wore me out. I really hope this cold goes away and that I don't get another one for awhile.  I'm sick of being sick!!!

My February display

Oh, can't forget about Titus!! He's such a big suck.  I wonder how he will be when Bean comes.  Hubby says we can't ignore Titus but I don't know.  I know that Bean's first few months will be attached to me so how much can of myself can I give to all the babies in the house, hubby included.

Take care and thank you all for taking the time to read through this post.  I have been a bad commenter as well but I do peak around to everyone's blogs early in the morning as I wake up.  My comments wouldn't make sense that early so I have been refraining for a reason.  I hope to take some time during spring break to do some visiting.  Hugs to you all!!

Anne

Purely About Stitching

Hello everyone!

I promised a post dedicated to stitching, so here it is.  With the world as it is, in turmoil, and our provincial government piercing the hearts of teachers, I try to find a bit of solace in stitching. Although I have enough BAP's to work on, I started a new design I had kitted up some time ago.  Also, I added some finishing touches to my pillow finishes and worked on JCS 1707 since it was calling to be stitched.  Funny how some projects are like that...calling from my WIP pile: "Work on me! Work on me!!" So without further ado, enjoy a smattering of stitchy photos.

La-D-Da's O Birdy finished with chenille trim

Primitive Hare's Litha freebie as a prim finish

JCS 1707 Progress

Birds of a Feather's Bitter Flower Sampler started

Tea Bath Fairy cup...kreinik filling in...a little each day!

Did I title the post "Purely About Stitching?" Yes I did, but forgive me for I just have to show you these lovely photos of some late summer flowers, two of my favourite people (my mom, dad, sister and brother are too!), and my fluffball.

Gorgeous pink dahlias

Sunflower ripe with seeds

My two favourite people, Nana and Hubby

Furball Titus giving me morning love eyes although they are a bit googly

Some things are on my mind that I feel I need to say.  My blogoversary is coming up September 12th and I wanted to do a giveaway.  However, with the strike as it is, I cannot afford to send anything right now.  All of my husband's pay chq is going to rent, food and bills.  That's it.  Nothing left for anything else.  When the strike has ended, and we get a contract, I thought about celebrating with a giveaway then.  How about that? I've so enjoyed blogging over the past 4 years and getting to know so many of you.  Our little blogging community provides us the opportunity to stitch together worldwide, share our passion for crafts, and best of all, supporting each other through the good and bad times in our lives.  I thank each and everyone of you who have sent me an encouraging word, prayer, good thought through everything in my life, whether it be stitching related or not.  It's a great solace to know people care and have big hearts, particularly when the world looks so bleak.  Please accept my deepest gratitude for you, especially those who take time out of their day to comment and to those who enjoy reading my posts.

Hug to you all

Anne

First Prim Finish

Hello everyone!

There is finally a finish to share with all of you.  My very first Prim finish!! I had a freebie chart from Primitive Bettys from some time ago and finally stitched it up during our anniversary camping trip (more on that in another post!).  I am pleased with the finish and worked messy stitches around the border to give it that prim look.  

I stitched it on Old Salem linen with WDW threads charcoal and olive, which I used for the key and the "flowers" on the word Crow.  Stitching it made me feel like Autumn is around the corner, which it is! The days are still warm here but with that fall scent in the air.  

I have 3 other finishes I am still working on, adding trims and what not, so I will post photos of that shortly.  Here's a sneak peak to the backs.

As for stitching, Sarah Chapple has been a wonderful sampler to work on.  I probably have said this a lot! Well, she has been a pleasure to stitch so why do anything else right?! So I finished adding some fancy birds and am currently "painting" in the red on the house.  It's great to work on in the evenings when we watch a show as I don't have to count or concentrate that much.  

Before our anniversary trip, I met up with Melissa from Words and Blooms.  We had a lovely time together and she showed me the most wonderful sewing store, Spools of Thread, where I had to get a few pieces of the delicious fabrics just because! Melissa has been on a sewing kick and is making really beautiful tops and tunics.  She started another blog called A Closet Full of Posies, great name by the way Melissa!  Do check it out and see the fantastic clothing she is making!  I love meeting up with Melissa, having a good chat and poking about Vancouver. 

Spy the Titus fluff?

I managed to sneak in the same cat fabric but on white for Melissa as a little gift for her.  She gave me an OTT light as she had an extra lying around and I've been using it to stitch at night.  Wow does it make a difference in seeing what I'm doing!! Thank you so much my dear!!!

Who here remembers an old HAED pattern I started stitching a few years back? Tea Bath Fairy! Well, I dusted her off an added in a bunch more pink to the cup, leaving the metallic threads to fill in later.  

Since I'm on a buying fabric kick (for no apparent reason), I bought some fabric from Terri, Dixie Sampler.  She shipped it so quickly and sent a sweet little card along with the package. She has been dyeing some lovely linens to purchase too, although they are all sold out since many of the members from the facebook Prim Society group have been buying them up like hotcakes!! Hopefully next time I can get my hands on some of her linen!!

Watch for a post on our Ruckle Beach anniversary trip! I thought I'd devote a post to that instead of making this a super long post.  

Happy stitching, knitting, crocheting, making, sewing, everything!!

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!!

We Survived!

Well, it was a crazy, cold camping trip but we did it! My hubby wanted to stay another night but on the second night, I woke up mumbling/complaining about the cold and he heard me so we left the next day.  It was definitely an experience I'll remember...being freezing! I was like a lizard during the day following the sun, trying to get warm.  There was also no water there, which we didn't know about.  Luckily for us, there were some older campers who were very kind and gave us water from their warm motor homes. On the last day though, we had to use creek water, boiled of course, to sustain us until we got back into Sechelt.  The water was very clear and crisp yet one can't take risks and should always boil water in case of parasites.  I managed to get a fire going on the second night which is a small feat considering the damp woods all around us.  I found dry kindling and we sprinkled some fuel to get it going.  I was very proud of my spring fire! We made a good choice in leaving that day for the very next, the coast had a downpour of cold rain.  Phew!! 

The trip over to the Sunshine coast

Sunset at Porpoise Bay

Morning sun at the Estuary

Rising sun

Frosted seaweed

Sea Snake!!

Hairy trees

I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do since my hands were so cold!! Very thankful for warmth now :D

Stitching Stuff and Conundrums    

Since I've been back, I made some progress on my projects however, I'm feeling stuck on my granny stripe.  When reading the instructions for the granny stripe, I found another post of Lucy's stating that it would be good to make the chain loose or use a larger gauge for the starting chain. Hummmmm....that's not what I did and so now, my granny stripe has a slight curve from the chain.  I'm not sure what to do.  Do I rip all my progress out or hold onto hope that the curve will "straighten" itself out?  Calling all crocheters for help!!  It's hard to tell in the photo but there is a definite curve.

I think ripping it out would have to happen now instead of adding more then deciding to rip....it's just so hard to think about counting 240 chains again!! That gave me a headache!

Quilting conundrums...I pulled out my quilt and measured, cut, pinned and sewed the first border the other day.  The second border, which was going to be 4 inches, is now going to be larger in order to cover our bed.  I think I have enough fabric for the border and the back but even if I don't, I'll improvise.  My conundrum is whether to hand quilt or machine quilt.  Machine quilting would mean I could only go in straight lines, which would be okay, but boring.  Hand quilting would allow me to be more creative and do swirls and things....yet it would take an age especially with all my other projects on the go.  I know I'll make the right choice for me in the end however, I can't visualize it at this moment!! The putting the quilt together part is still a bit of a mystery to me...hopefully when I get to that point the mystery will be revealed!

The brown border

The red fabric which will be the border and the back

Stitching, oh how I love you! If problems arise, I always (usually!) know what to do.  Thankfully, with stitching, I haven't had any conundrums...just pure, wonderful stitching.  I am happy to say that all of my little packages arrived to their owners.  I crocheted a little mug cozy for Mouse as a thank you for the 123stitch GC.  These little cozies are so easy to hook up and send on their merry way.  

Photo borrowed from  Mouse!

The little BBD pincushion I stitched for Shirlee arrived safely too.  I stitched it on 40 ct. Linen using a mix of DMC and GAST threads.  It's from the Agnes Platt's Strawberry Sampler book.  It was a fun one to stitch with some specialty stitches sprinkled in for variety.

Photo borrowed from Shirlee although my watermark showed up??

My spring biscornu made it all the way to the UAE!! Sarah loved the package and we both enjoyed doing this private exchange together.  Again I had to borrow photos from her to show you...sigh...next time I'll remember!!

The biscornu design is a spring biscornu freebie from Ancsanaplo.  I used 28ct Baby blue lugana with a mixture of WDW, Dinky Dyes Silk and Carrie's Creations threads. I chose the colours to represent the beautiful tulips of spring. 

Before I sign off, I wanted to show the progress I've made on Knotgarden and...wait for it....TEA BATH FAIRY!! My hubby again said "Why don't you give her some love and stitch on her tonight?"  So I did.  I pulled her out and am slowly filling in all the baby pink in the cup before I complete it with that wonderful stuff called Kreinik...Not!!! You can probably barely tell any difference but there has been about 2-3 hours put in filling in that pink!

Oh, and I got my love birds finally framed.  It's not the best DIY framing job, but it will do.

I feel like I have more to say...I'm sorry if it's been too long of a post! 

I just want to say to all of those who have joined my blog, and to those that I wish to join their blogs...that I CAN'T.  Google/Blogger are at odds and so am I.  For whatever reason, I can no longer join blogs and this is actually a problem for a few people.  You can read about it here. I also don't have any blogs on my reader list for some reason.  When I click on the settings, all of you are there, but not in the feed part.  Feedly is back to working for me so I can add people there...just can't be an actual follower on blogs...very sad and irritating.  

Take care everyone and thank you for taking the time to read this post! I know it's a long one!!


Hugs

Anne