Update

Unfortunately, I had a computer crash and lost all of my bookmarks and emails. Fortunately, my computer guru was able to unlock it enough to backup all of my work files and my cross stitch files.

I haven't done any stitching in the last month because I've been really sick with bronchitis. I'm on the mend, so maybe I can get back to some stitching. I really miss it.

I WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Mandala - Parts 9, 10, 11 & 12

This is "Mandala" after completing Parts 9 through 12!

Heart - Red & White - Part 5

This is "Heart - Red & White" after completing Part 5!

Update on Illuminated Letters!!!

I picked up several books from our local library this morning that they had ordered for me and all I can say is OMG!!!! One of them that I got is called "Decorative Ornament" and is written by Owen Jones. It's my understanding that he's written a ton of books on Illumination and decorations.

I don't know what to do with all of these ideas running through my head now that I've had time to look through this book!!!!! I've got so many! I must get started!!!!!

Monday's Update - 10-12-09

Well, I've gotten 2 more parts done on "Mandala", but had to put it away for a little while. Got kind of burnt out on it. :(

I brought out "Splendor", which I haven't worked on for months. I'm still scared to death that I'm not going to have enough thread to finish it. If I do, it will be really close so I'm using the petit needles that I get from Vikki Clayton and using every tiny little bit that I can of each length of thread. We'll just have to wait and see. I so love this design and want to do all of the Splendor designs, but since they are only sold in kits (and I don't do kits) I have to see if I can find someone that has done them that is willing to trade or even sell just the chart to me. I was lucky with the first one. I had something to trade for it.

I know Stitching Jubilee is coming up this weekend and I so wanted to go this year!!! :( But I just don't have the funds or the time, since I actually have work to do right now. I work from home (Steel Drafter) and work has been really, really scarce for the past 10 weeks. I'm lucky I work for someone that will carry me when there isn't any work. One of these days I'll get to meet Vikki Clayton and go to her new shop!! :) Maybe next year, if I start saving now!

Hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

Next project - MANDALA

Now that I've finished "Zentangle", I want to focus on "Mandala". That's the one that I'm the fartherest behind on.



I've also developed a HUGE facination with Illuminated Letters. I have our local library looking for some books for me and I've located several on the internet, but just can't afford them right now. There is one especially that I want, "The Bible of Illuminated Letters" which, if I read right, teaches you how to do your own. I would really like to develop some cross stitch designs using illuminated letters!!



Have a happy stitching day!!

Zentangle - Completed!!!!!

Zentangle is finally finished!!!!! I did change out the center design and added my daughter's initials and the year that I stitched it. I was stitching this for my daughter, so I won't be "finishing" it until she decides what she wants to do with it.

One down and many, many more to go!!!!

Zentangle - Part 9

Zentangle, after completing Part 9!! Only 2 more part to go!!

Heart - Red & White - Part 4

This is "Heart - Red & White" or in my case "Heart - Pink & Green" after completing Part 4. I do believe that I'm caught up on this one for now. So I'll turn my attentions to the next one!

Zentangle - Part 8

"Zentangle" after completing Part 8! Three more parts and it's complete!!!

As The Snow Falls - Part 4

"As The Snow Falls" after completing Part 4! I really like this design!!

See The Stars - Part 4

Here is "See The Stars" after completing Part 4! Love the colors!

Mandala - Parts 4 & 5

This is Tracy Horner's design "Mandala" after finishing Parts 4 & 5!!

Zentangle - Part 7

Zentangle after completing Part 7!!!

Heart - Red & White - Part 3

Here is "Heart - Red & White" after completing Part 3. This is going to be a gorgeous design!

Zentangle - Part 6

After Part 6!! This has been such a fun stitch and it's going very quickly. I think I only have 4 more parts and it will be finished!

Zentangle - Part 5

Here it is after completing Part 5!!

See The Stars - Part 3

This is "See The Stars" after completing Part 3!! This is going to be a gorgeous design!

Zentangle - Part 4

This is Zentangle after completing Part 4!!! This is such a fun stitch!

Zentangle - Part 3

This is Zentangle after completing Part 3! This is such a cool design!

Zentangle - Part 2

This is Zentangle after completing Part 2! Isn't is gorgeous!!!!

Zentangle - Part 1

This is part 1 of "Zentangle"! This is another of the mystery designs from the Marquoir Group that I joined.

I'm stitching this for my daughter because she just fell in love with this design after seeing some of the finished ones. Her bedroom is decorated in red, black & white. The fabric is 14ct Aida and the thread is silk from Vikki Clayton.

This design "Zentangle" is being stitched with permission of the designer in the Marquoir-Gruppe.

Mandala - Part 3

This is "Mandala" after completing Part 3!

"As The Snow Falls" - Part 3

Here is "As The Snow Falls" after Part 3 has been finished! It should have some beads, but since I use a 5" hoop, I'm waiting until last to put on all the beads and sequins so they don't get damaged. I really love how this is coming out!!

Now on to Part 3 of Mandala!!

Heart - Red & White - Part 2

This is part 2 of "Heart - Red and White". I guess I should call it "Heart - Pink & Blue"!! This is a really fun design!

See The Stars - Part 2

This is part 2 of See The Stars!

Mandala - Part 2

This is part 2 of Mandala.

"As The Snow Falls" - Part 2

This is part 2 - finished!! I really like this design so far!

"Heart - Red and White" - Part 1

This is Part 1 and all of the material is by Vikki Clayton. The linen is a piece of 35ct that I received in a grab bag and the threads are 6SR Hibiscus and custom color 2467/3105/3340.

This design, Heart - Red & White, is being stitched with permission of the designer in the Marquoir-Gruppe.

"Mandala" - Part 1

This is part one and I'm using Silkweaver's 32ct Jobelan in Lemon Zest and DMC thread.

This design, Mandala, is being stitched with permission of the designer in the Marquoir-Gruppe.

"See The Stars" - Part 1

This is Part 1 and I'm using Silkweaver's 18ct Damask Aida in Mint Green and DMC threads. This is really a fun stitch!!

This design, See The Stars, is being stitched with permission of the designer in the Marquoir-Gruppe.

"As The Snow Falls" - Part 1

This design is by Tams Creations and this is part one. I'm using Silkweaver's 28ct Jobelan in Nordic Blue and white DMC thread.

This design, As The Snow Falls, is being stitched with permission of the designer in the Marquoir-Gruppe.

SAL's from Marquoir German Yahoo Group!

I recently was invited to do a mystery design for a group of German ladies and found several that they are doing right now that I've decided to join in on, well four actually!!

I'm going to post about each one seperately, so that I can track each design in my blog.

If you would like to join the group, there is a link to the left.

The way this group works is, you have to look throught the database all of the available mysteries that are going on right now. Then decide which ones that you want to join and send an email to the group requesting the first part. Either Susanne or Elke (Group Mom's) will send you the first part and when you get it finished you have to post a picture to the group and then they will send you the next part and so on.

Right now, I've gotten into four of them and are enjoying every one. I do plan on stitching the design that I did for them along with them.

My Little Pocket by NED - A FINISH!!!

This is "My Little Pocket" by Nouveau Encore Designs. I just really NEEDED a finish! Most of the designs that I'm currently working on are BAP's, so I really needed this. :)

It's stitched using Hand Dyed Fibers silks in black & red, over 1 on 25ct Silkweaver.

Now I have to decide what I want to finish it as!

Update for May 27, 2009

I know I haven't posted anything recently, but I have been busy stitching!! I've nearly completed the bottom row of pages on "Indian Pots" and have started another JL Grandsire design. I've also stitched some Christmas ornaments.

I'll post some pics later.

OH Yeah!! I've moved my designs to Etsy, I just really need to get some new ones listed!! :(
So check out the link to the right, under Favorite Links!!

Stitching Girl by JL Grandsire - COMPLETE

This is a freebie from J. L. Grandsire from his website called "STITCHING GIRL". I used a dark red mystery spool from Hand Dyed Fibers and Silkweaver's 32ct Reflections in Pink Champagne. This stitched up really quickly!!! You can find a link to his website under "My Favorite Links".

Marquoir Story - COMPLETED

This is the completed Marquoir Story!!! I changed the date to the date that I put the last stitches in it and of course, my initials! One down and many, many more to go!!

Chicken Scratch Quilt for Zoey

I've decided to try my hand at Chicken Scratch and am making a quilt for my granddaughter, Zoey. I had problems finding a design with big enough letters, so I designed my own. This is being stitched on pink gingham.

Hannah Hicks 3-12-09

This is my progress on "Hannah Hicks", which is one of the Ackworth Quaker designs. I've decided to use my D-bags from HDF to stitch this with. The fabric is actually a gold color and is from Permin.

Victoria's Quaker Case 3-12-09

This is the Case design from "Victoria's Quaker". I'm using a 32ct off white fabric from Silkweavers and HDF "Yawning Mountain" premium. This has to be my new favorite of Vikki's silks. I absolutely love this color combination.

Marquior Story 3-12-09

This is my progress on the Marquior Story Freebie SAL from several years ago. I really like how this is turning out. I did finish Part 7 last night after I took this photo. I plan on finishing this one before I pick up something else.

Indian Pots - Progress - Feb 5, 2009

This is my progress on "Indian Pots". There are 50 pages to the chart and this is the bottom right hand corner. I believe I have 5 pages completed and started on the 6th. I always start these "all over" charts in the bottom right hand corner because my stitches just lay better if I work up instead of working down.

SWISS TOPIARY SAL

This is part one of the Swiss Topiary SAL. I'm using HDF's Mushroom 35ct linen and a Mystery spool. I love this!! I've started on Part 2.

Splendor I - Progress - Feb 5, 2009

This is progress as of Feb 5, 2009. I've completed page 2 and have started on page 3. I really love how this is coming along. It's a really fun stitch!

Splendor I - Jan 28, 2009

I've completed page 2 and have started page 3. It's going really well and I'll post a pic as soon as I can get one taken!