Rhapsody in Blue offered by Four Oaks Designs 

No stitching, just stashing this week!

I didn't get a single cross stitched this past week. I was intent on mowing the yard, and I would have finished if not for an unfortunate accident with my new mower. I ran over a thick piece of branch, which was lying in wait under the long grass. As soon as I passed, it jumped up and jammed itself between the blade and the side of the lawn mower. I got the stick out but it bent a piece of plastic which would not allow the blade to rotate freely. I called and implored my youngest brother to please aide me. He did come over last night and fixed the problem. Thank the good Lord for good brothers.

I did get all my finished stitching pieces gathered together in one spot. A couple of co-workers wanted to see some of my work, so I pulled out pieces from here and there and now have them all together.

I signed up at the Silver Needle to be on the reservation list for the Just Nan Exclusive "Trick or Treat" Ort box. $50 is a lot of money but I have a couple of months to put back a few dollars each payday. Since it comes with all the finishing materials, I can justify the cost a little better. LOL!

Stitching Bits and Bobs had a sale and I ordered Rhapsody in Blue by Four Oaks Designs. This isn't my usual style of choice but there is something very attractive about this piece. It reminds me a bit of an old faded postage stamp, I used to be a collector. It calls for 7 skeins of Needlepoint silk but I am going to see if it could be converted into a Vickie Clayton silk.

I also ordered 2 Mirabilia designs which aren't my usual style either. I got "A Midsummer Night's Fairy" and "Enchanted Mermaid". A gal on the 123 message board posted a finish of the Fairy and I was smitten with it.

I have also ordered from my LNS "C.C. & Co." Just Nan's Peacock Sampler. I haven't received a phone call that it is in. Now I am not sure when I will get to all these huge projects but I will have them.

I would love to go out and sit under the big tree and stitch but the mosquitos are now biting. Oh the joys of summer. Well have a wonderful week friend! Sandra, stitching and mowing in the wilds of Suburbia

Ye Olde Puss Face 

I haven't posted since March...

but to some degree I have been inspired to begin stitching again. I haven't quite figured out how to incorporate my photos in this entry but I am sure that I eventually will. Below you will see a couple of finishes plus a new endeavor.

I absolutely love the French stitchers. I am inspired by their creativity and the freshness of their designs. I have been surfing many of the French stitching blogger sites. I am in awe of the unique projects they have created, such as a book of alphabets collected and stitched from the SANQ magazine. The blessed thing looks just like a book with fabric for pages instead of paper. Here is a link to that blog translated from French to English: http://world.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?url=http%3A%2F%2Fverom.over-blog.com%2F&lp=fr_en

I saw a fabulous Round Robin using alphabets, stitched individually and then sent to participants who created a sampler of letters, each different, by adhering them to a selected piece of fabric. Here is a link to that blog translated from French to English: http://world.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=fr_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2ffildariane.over-blog.com%2f The image is 1/3 of the way down the page.

It is really hard not to be inspired by these imaginitive woman. I only wish I could think outside the box as they do.

Let me comment on the projects which are pictured below. The Britty Kitty design is so very sweet. I have had an affinity for the feline species since I moved out of my mother's home. Last year my beautiful sweet Maggie May died. She was 18 years old and I miss that little purr face more than I could have ever imagined. Any way this has been stitched with the intention of giving it to a dear co-worker of mine, Melissa. She loves cats as much as I do.

The Jack O'Lantern turned out rather nicely. Since the fabric was pre-sewn it was a challenge to stitch it. I have small hands too, so someone with larger hands might have a difficult time. I used plastic shopping bags to stuff the pumpkin. I do want to re-stuff it when I find my fiber fill.

My Alter Echo piece, well it is going to be a whole lot bigger than I first thought. I love the colors pink and black together, however when I look at the progress so far the Hibicus GAST has a red color and I definately don't want it to resemble a playing card. We will see how it progresses and I might have to change the pink floss in it. I am such a SLOW stitcher too.

I am going to make a commited effort to post on a weekly basis to this blog. I want to show my progress on projects and continue to inspire myself. Of course being the lawn mowing season, my stitching will have to contend with the necessity of grass cutting and I am a fat old woman so I cut the grass in small sessions. I still would like to concrete in the lawn paint it green and only leave a 3' by 3' spot for the girls to do their duty in. LOL!!

I do think I shall sign off for now. Have a wonderful week Friends! Sandra in the Wild Suburbs

A scanned closer view of the Alter Echo piece. 

Alter Echo monthly series from Passion Broderie. It is stitched on a 28ct Meran fabric and the exact color name is unknown. It is being stitched with GAST Black Crow and Hibiscus. 

Mosey 'n Me freebie pattern stitched on the Adams Original pre-sewn pumpkin. 

Brittty Kitty stitched as charted withe the perfect companion fabric.