August and September Stitching Updates

Well it has been a long time since I last Updated but I do Have a lot to share! My plan is to get caught up in a few posts. I am going to recommit to my Crafting Blog as I really need it to help me stay on task.

Cross-Stitching:
I have been working heavily on 2 projects:

Brigid's Shamrock

This is a HAED pattern that uses DMC threads and I chose to put it on 18CT AIDA as it is 100% Coverage. The Pciture above was the starting point in July. I worked on this project on 2 summer stitch days sponsored by my LNS and got to this point:

Then I spent concentrated time on the project in August and some of September am at this point currently:

My plan is to get to 1/4 complete before I move to another Focus project for awhile. I have already consumed 5 Skiens of DMC (2 black, 1 each of white, 906 and 907). I also made the grime guard on my Qsnap as well :)

I also worked on Tapestry by Ink Circles.

This is using the called for threads on Autumn by Under the Sea Fabrics on 32ct lugana. this was a true joy to work on but decided to take a break to focus on Brigid's Above.

Finally, I completed the following that was my travel stitching:

I used the called for DMC and a piece of 28ct. evenweave from my stash. It's a Cute Pattern from Lizzie and Kate Called Live Well

The plan for October is to get to the 1/4 point on Brigid'd and move to a Halloween pattern of some sort.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Finish #3

This past weekend was the Stitching retreat sponsored by my LNS. It was held at a local state park Lodge from Wednesday through Sunday. The Theme this year was a weekend in Paris. Sue Hillis of Sue Hillis Designs was the designer in residence for the retreat. She spoke of her start, designing process, and some of the issues she sees today impacting pattern design.  There were over 90 women in attendance.

I did get a lot accomplished during my time there. First, I worked some on Brigid's Shamrock from HAED.

I have almost completed a page. it is hard to see but the White section between the Right most Black vertical line and the knot is filled in with White. So That took some time.

I also worked on "Metamorphosis" by Ink Circles. This is where I stopped at the retreat.

I am using Picture this Plus 32 count Linen in the color Wren. I am using the called for Gentle Arts Sampler Threads And Simply Shaker Threads except I swapped out the Uniform Blue with Midnight and the Picnic Basket with Onyx. I continued to work on it when I got home on Sunday and finished it on Monday.

I also worked on Ink Circles - Cirque Des Cercles but only finished about 300 stitches. I also forgot to take a Picture of my Progress.

My Final Start this weekend was Pretty Little Toronto by Satsuma Street on Tarnished Silver from Under the Sea Fabrics.

All in All a very Productive weekend. Now it is back to the daily grind of Work :(

Happy Stitching Everyone!

My First Stitching Retreat...

...But not my last!

The weekend of the Martin Luther King Holiday in the US I went to my first stitching retreat sponsored by Keepsakes at the Lodge at Hueston Woods north of Cincinnati, OH. There were options for attendance but I drove up to the lodge on wednesday afternoon and stayed through early Sunday morning. There were many options for places to stitch...a fireplace, in front of a TV, and a conference room.

I wasn't sure what to expect at a retreat but what I found was a new group of friends and I was able to rededicate myself to my stitching more than I already have. Here are my highlights:

• Time: I always have struggles to dedicate time to something that gives me a lot of happiness. It was amazing to take time for me. I finished One Nation and inspired a few stitch-a-longs. I also started my First HAED - Brigid's Shamrock.
• Friends: New friends are amazing. They can help you stay motivated and be inspired.
• Local needlework shops: The support that Keepsakes gives to the local community of stitchers is amazing. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have Barbara, her husband Joe, and Lynnie there for help.
• Trunk shows: WOW....I love trunk shows and the ability to see new things. They also cause me to lighten my wallet but I do love them.
• Under the Sea Fabrics: LOVE LOVE LOVE this company. 

I cannot wait for next year and have already blocked off my calendar for that weekend at work.

Happy stitching everyone!