Wednesday, December 28, 2011

3 Things....

Hello everyone! It's been awhile. Crazy busy here, as all of us are, so I haven't posted for awhile. I have so much to share that if I put it all in one post it would be very long and overwhelming. So my goal will be to share a few things in multiple posts over the next few days.

So first, stitching.... One of my current projects is Poinsettia House by LHN. I joined Laura's Year of Smalls, and have started the first project. I am enjoying it immensely. I am finding that I am enjoying small, quick projects lately. I am stitching it with the called for threads, but switched out fabric to a 40 ct Navy Bean that I had in my stash rather than the called for 28 ct Light Exemplar. I am loving this design on a smaller scale with one thread stitched over two.



Second, a knitting finish... Ida's Kitchen by Kirsten Kapur. I started this earlier this year, put it aside, and recently picked it back up. I knit the final stitches and wove in the ends yesterday. I like how it turned out. I used the yarns and colors that the pattern called for... Blue Sky Alpacas Melange and Sport Weight in the called for (and some hard to find!) colors. I think I'm going to knit a matching scarf in the leftover yarn.



Third, I hope everyone reading this had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever you choose to celebrate. Here at the Stitching Post, our Christmas was Merry indeed. My husband surprised Jake and I with a whirlwind trip to Disney at the start of our Winter break to see the lights and festivities there for several days. Then it was home to celebrate with family and friends. We have had a fun, blessed holiday that I continue to enjoy as I do not return to work until Monday. Yay!













More stitching,knitting, and whatever else I think up coming soon!

Happy stitching!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Two finishes!

I don't have hardly any finishes for the year, and now I have two in one night!!! Please excuse my poor excuse for photography.

Let me present....



Molly by Carriage House Samplings
Recommended fabric and threads


October Word Play by With Thy Needle and Thread
Recommended threads/fabric unknown

What to stitch next?? Inspired by Margaret's A&E wall, I am thinking I might focus on finishing my Paradise Lost By Plum Street Samplers. Here is where I have last left off with this particular project...


I have quite a few A&E designs in my stash. Maybe it is time I concentrate on creating an A&E wall of my own. :)

A little sneaky peek of a blanket that I am knitting.


Petey says "Happy Stitching!"



Kellie



Sunday, October 16, 2011

New starts and a stall

I have stalled on Molly that I showed in the last post. She is 99.9% finished. I ran out of one color of NPI and need to finish about 20 stitches. As soon as I get my order from Needlecraft Corner, I will have a finish to post. And regrettably, it will be the second of two stitching finishes that I have had this entire year. I don't know what has been wrong with me this year. I think I hop back and forth between projects too much without making a lot of progress in any direction. The last couple of weeks I have tried hard to stick to one stitching project at a time and have been pleased with the progress I have made. I don't see myself becoming a one-at-time stitcher again, but I'm leaning heavily back in that direction.

While waiting for my NPI thread to arrive, I decided to stitch something small that I can easily finish in a week or so. This is October Word Play by With Thy Needle & Thread. I love Her designs, and this caught my eye from the first sneak peek that was shown on her blog. But wouldn't you know, I'm now running out of another thread for this design.




I'm still knitting as well. I started another Pioneer Braid scarf. I love this simple garter stitch design that in my opinion looks more complicated than it is.



Hard to believe that the last time I posted, I was here (although I didn't allude to that in my post).








Now we are back in reality....

Have a happy week ahead....

Kellie

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Rediscovering Molly

I recently dug Molly of Carriage House Samplings out of the never ending WIP pile. I am really enjoying the stitching and wondering why I have let her lapse for so long. I want to eventually stitch all of the CHS "girls." I finished Mary Margaret several years ago. I ordered the remaining NPIs that I need to start stitching Elizabeth right after I finish Molly. Suzannah is my least favorite, but I still want to stitch her to complete the set. I envision these hanging on my wall in window pane fashion. If only I could talk Kathy Barrick into coming out of retirement and designing a boy preferably with a dog to match Molly's cat. Lol!

My stitching mojo has ebbed and flowed since I learned to knit last summer. I try not to stress over the fact that there are tons of things that I want to stitch and the fact that I don't always have the desire to stitch. Rather I just go with the flow when the stitching notion strikes. I am enjoying the current wave and hope it continues for awhile. Stitching was my first love. I hope the mojo never leaves completely.





Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I'm in love




My first pair of Signature Needle Arts knitting needles....

Size 6, 10", stiletto tips, spiral top

Now I want a whole set.

I've cast on a scarf. I plan to knit until I can no longer hold my eyes open tonight.

This is the first night my family has been home together this week. We've all been running in different directions. Too busy!

I love having my little family cozy under the roof of home. Right now, I'm listening to Jake and Michael talk to each other excitedly about a box of basketball cards that they lucked into this week and can't wait to open to see what "treasurers" await inside. They both collect and it is fun to watch them share this hobby. They love to tell me all about it. And although I don't have a clue about most of the sports stars on the cards, I listen with interest, feeling blessed that they want to include me in their excitement.




Saturday, September 3, 2011

Daybook September 2011

Found this on another blog... Love it and would like to try yo incorporate it at least monthly onto my own blog.

FOR TODAY :



Outside My Window...a sunny hot heatwave; it is supposed to be over 100 degrees today

I am thinking...about our upcoming vacation to Disney World and getting very excited!

I am thankful for...my husband and my son

From the kitchen...takeout for breakfast; love having McDonald's breakfast occasionally on the weekends

I am wearing...my PJs still and quite comfortable

I am creating...a knitted blanket and stitching Penny America

I am going...to go with Michael and Jake to shop for a new cell phone and a few vacation necessities this afternoon

I am reading...Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children; finished My Name is Memory this morning

I am hoping...that I can enjoy this long holiday weekend without thinking about work

I am hearing...Knitting Daily playing on TV

Around the house...still enjoying my newly decorated bathroom and very happy that the rose wallpaper is GONE!

One of my favorite things...weekends at home; everyone enjoying themselves doing whatever they choose to do

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: going to friends' home for a cookout tomorrow

My picture thoughts... I will be here soon....



Sunday, August 21, 2011

My Dads Etsy shop


Some of you who have been reading my blog for a long time know that my father is a woodturner who creates some pretty nifty things for me. My favorites are my yarn swift and my various needle holders. He has opened an Etsy shop with several items for sale. He has several items related to sewing/cross stitching as well as several ornaments. Check him out if you have a chance. His prices are very reasonable for handmade items and his workmanship is excellent. Okay...shameless plug over. :)

I started Penny America. This is a lot of fun to stitch. I especially love the thread colors Jan chose and how great they look on her macadamia nut fabric.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, August 8, 2011

Penny America

This came in the mail today, and I am starting it tonight. Can't wait!







Friday, June 24, 2011

Beach Time

I've been knitting....



And stitching.... (pardon my wrinkles...)



With this as my backdrop....




I could stay here the rest of the summer. Unfortunately duty calls and it is time to return to the real world....

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Thank you all for your sage advice on my Shores dilemma. Hearing so many of you say that you would leave it as is was reassuring, and that's exactly what I did. I frogged out the right side where I was a stitch off, but left the blocks together as they are. I love the stitching community. I had so many responses so quickly. Love that!

I have been working on Sarah Woodham here and there. So many bloggers are working on this design. It always inspires me to see their progress and makes me want to work on mine.

I started BOAF's Friendship Sampler as a part of a group of stitchers who are stitching this traveling design. Melissa at Birds and Blooms started this a couple of years ago. I was delighted when I received an email from her that it was now my turn to stitch this. I will working on this pretty exclusively in order to finish it and send it on to the next lucky stitcher on her list. I chose to stitch mine on 40 ct. PTP Relic. I am using the called for fibers except that I plan to change the girls' skin tone to a different color besides the called for GAST Pumpkin (pumpkin?? yikes!).



I have been knitting up a storm as well. I finished a pair of socks...

And cast on another pair...


Working on a log cabin afghan....



Working on a Traveling Woman scarf... actually quite a bit farther on this than the picture shows...

I thought I would also share a couple of pictures of my favorite place to stitch in my home. It is a sitting room that is off of our master bedroom. I recently got a new reclining loveseat and TV for my little abode. This is my absolute favorite place to hang out in the house. I need to get some framed stitching up on the walls however. :)




The shelf cubbies hold knitting projects in progress as well as a few stitching projects, knitting books, stitching magazines, scissors, etc. The rolling tote beside the TV holds stitching wips. I love how I can pop out one of the lidded drawers and everything I need for the wip is all inside... chart, fabric, threads, etc. Sometimes I even include scissors and needle holders for each project. :)

Petey likes to hang out here too....


We have been on spring break for the past week. We surprised Jake with a trip to Disney. He thought we were staying home all week. We sent him to get the mail the Friday afternoon of the last day of school. There was a postcard in the box with Disney World on the front and a note from Mickey on the back telling him that he had 30 minutes to pack and get ready, that he was leaving for Disney and Mickey would see him there. It was a great surprise. We had a great magical week. Unfortunately the magic is over and we will be slammed back into the real world tomorrow at 6 am.

Off to prepare... or stitch... probably stitch!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What would you do?

I need some advice...

Here's the backstory...
I pulled out Shores of Hawk Run Hollow the other night thinking I would complete another block. I have been happily stitching on block 3 when I notice that I am off by one stitch. I made the border of the block one stitch too long. So I will be frogging out the white lattice work and the right side of the the border and re-stitching. Frustrating yes, but at least I noticed it before I got much farther. It would have been nice if I had started stitching the lattice by counting from the chimney instead of stitching from the right side border. I would have noticed this much sooner, but I digress....

Anywho, for some reason, I pull out the picture of the whole design to look at block 3, and felt all of the air rapidly leave my lungs....
I have been stitching the blocks together with no spaces between instead of leaving the one space between each block. Does that make sense? There should be one tiny space of fabric between each big block of stitching. Each block should be stitched separately in its entirety and not connected to the previous block.

I am on the third block. Part of me says leave it alone, it's fine. The part that is winning by a slight edge is saying, visually it would look much better the way the designer designed it with the space between the blocks... Anything worth doing is worth doing right. And this is a big project to stitch and not be happy with the end result. And then that other little voice pipes back up and says that picking out all of those stitches in block two is bound to leave traces of fiber and enlarged holes and may not look good frogged and re-stitched....

What to do, what to do....

Okay, I am going to try to resist chucking this whole thing in the trash can, curling up the fetal position, and crying miserably...

What would you do? Be honest, I can handle it.... To frog or not to frog?


Sunday, February 20, 2011

Pictures Galore

This post is going to be heavy on pictures. Narrative... eh, not so much. :)

First of all, I want to thank the lovely Jan of Belfonte Notes. I won her most fabulous giveaway during her 2nd blogiversary celebration. It was like Christmas in the mailbox.

Check it out....

Six different patterns from two of my very favorite designers.... Plum Street Samplers and Carriage House Samplings (amazingly I didn't have any of the six... double bonus!!)
Three gorgeous pieces of fabric (Lakeside, PTP, and Weeks... love them all!), a huge bunch of gorgeous threads, a scissor frog (!), a cute notebook, and a beautiful box filled to the brim with buttons, ribbons, a gorgeous needleminder, and a funny stress ball. Jan, you completely made my week!!! Thank you so much! I can't wait to start stitching one of those designs on one of those beautiful pieces of fabric.

Some close-ups...



I've been working on Paradise Lost exclusively when I stitch. I'm determined to have this on my living room wall soon. Here's the latest.


Love this cloud...


Surprised to already find this in my mailbox yesterday. Thanks, Theresa!! :) Ann Grant was a must have from this year's market. Along with the new Blackbird Designs book which I can't wait to get my hands on.

I've been knitting a little bit of everything, but I won't bore you with all of my projects. Just two... LOL!

I finished this scarf last month, but forgot to take pictures. The yarn was a thick/thin yarn, and the pattern was a simple one row repeat. Love it!

I've started Ida's Kitchen hat after chasing down one ball of discontinued Blue Sky Alpaca for a month.... Love this pattern.

New bag to store my knitting on the go from Rose Knits.

Spent the weekend in Springhaven, Mississippi for my husband's home based business. We have been really blessed by this product and this business. My husband has lost 45 pounds, we all have improved our overall health, and the extra income has allowed us to do things and go places that we might not have been able to otherwise. One of the perks that I love is traveling with him when he goes various places to do PBRs (business presentations). This weekend found us in Springhaven, Mississippi. I found a great little yarn store there called Hank of Yarn. Came home with some gorgeous Malabrigo Rios, which I am thinking I will make into a Traveling Woman shawl.

While we were in the area, we went to Graceland. I have wanted to visit here for years, but just never made time to go. I still listen to Elvis occasionally, but I remember my parents listening to his music a lot when I was a child. I was six when he died. And I remember being in the living room with my mom when she heard it on the TV. I remember she watched his funeral, and I remember seeing the long white cadillacs and not really understanding at the time why she was so sad. I am so glad that we went this weekend. It was fun (and a little sad) to see where Elvis lived when he was in Memphis. I have never been, but my parents had. When they went, they had a live tour guide taking them through the house. They have switched to an audio presentation where everyone wears a headset. I liked this. Some of the tour was in Elvis's words, some in Lisa Marie's, some in various other narrators. There was a lot of Elvis's music included that went along with whatever part of the tour you were in at the time. Really enjoyed this day!! Here's some of my favorite scenes....






And this picture post finally comes to an end. I have some yarn to wind on my new yarn winder, compliments of my dad. He made this. Isn't it gorgeous?! Love it! They offered to wind my yarn for me at Hank of Yarn yesterday, but I graciously declined. I wanted that fun for myself! :)



Have a good one!!
P.S. Several people asked in the comments where I had bought the Queen of Unfinished Projects bag. I got that at Archivers in Louisville, KY in December. It is meant to be for scrapbooking, but I use if for knitting and stitching. They had blue like the one I bought, and a bright hot pink one.