More Bordeaux

Here is this week's progress on Bordeaux Sampler. This band seems to move along pretty well. Albeit, there are a whole lot of over one grapes to do on it, but tonight I just ignored those :-)

Great news in my family tonight! My eldest niece Caitlin, age 18 - high school senior, received her letter of acceptance into the New England Institute of Art in Brookline, Massachusetts for next fall! Caitlin, like her grandmother and her father, is very artistic. I am thrilled for her. I am sad to have to admit that I had no idea what Cait was going to do after high school. She gave no real indication of what she wanted to do with her adult life, except for continuing with her ballet. I was so happy to get this call today! She seems to have found a good track!

Happy Birthday Gig! My kitty Gig is six years old today - no photo, he is up in bed with Mike right now - maybe I will get one from his "birthday week" soon :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Paradigm Lost Tuesday

There is not much going on here. Just hoping this little wintry burst will pass soon and let spring on in - Thursday is Meteorological Spring, so that counts for something! Meanwhile, since it is Tuesday, I do have an update of Paradigm Lost. I need to take a few minutes this week to chart out my initials that will go in the floral ring that I started tonight on the left side of the sampler. This sampler is really getting close to finished now!

Thanks for the sweet words regarding Angus. He is sitting here staring at me now. I loved the comment from someone suggesting that he was winking at his blogging friends :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Paradigm Lost

Angus Makes An Appearance

Sticking with my rotation, and finding it to be such a good way to get this project going, I worked on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow tonight. House 2 is nearing its completion now, and is by far my favorite house so far on the sampler. The odd colors all joined together very nicely to make a pretty block - never would have guessed that earlier on. One more block, and I will be half done!

And, an appearance from Angus tonight. He spent much of the evening near me, so I figured I would add him to my blog tonight. Mike has set up little beds for the cats all over the house - blankets and towels set up in nice comfy positions on furniture - - - everywhere. Here Angus is lying on a comfy towel. As you can see, his front legs still need a lot of fur to grow back in from where he had his IVs. He has been very lively lately. I couldn't get a decent photo despite many tries - this cat is so pretty, but does not photograph well - LOL! And, he kept closing his left eye everytime the flash lit up. I didn't pursue it for too long, as it may have been uncomfortable for him. Angus will turn six years old in about two weeks now :-)

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Stitched on today: The Mermaid and the Sea, stitched on a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

It's Christmas Ornament SAL Weekend

Merry Christmas
Glory Bee
28 ct Natural Quaker Linen
Gentle Art Sampler Thread
Stitched 2/25/07

After I finished my ornament, I figured I should work on Rachael's Neighborhood Round Robin... but, I didn't feel like working on a big draping cloth, so I chose to get a bit more done on 18th Century Band Sampler (aka Long Dog Mystery Sampler) instead :-) It's been a while since I have had a chance to work on it, so I am glad that I did.

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Stitched on today: Merry Christmas ornament, 18th Century Band Sampler, started a gift

And A Forest Grew Update

I finished up Part 5 of And A Forest Grew and began Part 6 tonight while I watched a whole series of episodes of Lost on the DVR to catch me up on that series. I think I will dream of being trapped on an island tonight - LOL!

Earlier today, I put some decent time in on Rachael's Neighborhood Round Robin - I finished up the lighthouse and the keeper's house, except for the backstitching. Now I need to start thinking about how I want to landscape my area and fill in all this open space. I know Rachael wants a beeskep, so I can start from there.

I didn't get around to stitching my Christmas Ornament for the SAL today, as I really wanted to work on Rachael's RR. I put aside the one I had ready to go for this weekend, as it is too detailed to get done in one day. But, I did pull another chart off of my list that I believe I can stitch up tomorrow during the NASCAR race ;-)

Stitched on today: Rachael's Neighborhood Round Robin, and And A Forest Grew

Barnabee's Quest Update

Here is this week's progress on Barnabee's Quest... violets (over one, but over one stitching is fun on 28 ct, unlike on 40 ct - LOL), lilies and irises... this sampler has me longing for my garden to start coming up... another month or so before the daffodils will begin to emerge, I believe. Depends on the weather, I suppose. I think I made it to about the half way point on Barnabee tonight. I would like to have this done in time to start a new SAL at the start of April (Spring Ride with Karen C.).

Today was Jenn's birthday - I figure she has opened her gifts by now. I haven't heard from her, but I know she received my package a few days ago. I sent her a pretty pair of Gingher Amanda Designer Scissors, a chart with embellishments off of her wishlist, and my first ever needlebook (which I am pretty proud of - it gave me its share of stress while putting it together, though that was just my self doubts). I know Jenn likes Irish things, so I chose this design:

Front of the needlebook... back is below....

Irish Blessing Needlebooke

The Sampler Girl

Sugar Maple Fabric Loch Cashel Linen

DMC floss

Stitched 2/11/07 - 2/14/07

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Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Barnabee's Quest

Thursdays Are Good

Thursdays are good, very good, because I really enjoy stitching on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace :-) She continues to be a quick stitch so far. And, tonight she got a hand - with part of a butterfly sitting on it... and part of a wing!

I got a nice email from Judith today, letting me know that her birthday gift has arrived safely! Another one that literally shot across the Atlantic Ocean in absolute record time (under a week, once again - go USPS!!). I think I must have been in the mood for spring when I pulled the colors for this wee fob! Fortunately, Judith says she likes the colors. I almost wanted to keep this one for myself, to be quite honest - LOL!

Serendipity Fob

Papillon Creations

40 ct Lambswool Linen

DMC Color Variations: Rose Petals, Midsummer Night and Monet's Garden

Stitched 2/15/07 - 2/16/07

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I was told today by a good friend that she cannot seem to leave comments in my blog lately - you know, good old Blogger not functioning properly and the word verification box not appearing as it needs to... so, I shut of word verification, figuring I would give that a go until spam reoccurred. Wouldn't you know - three spam messages in old 2005 posts appeared almost immediately! Sadly, I switched word verification back on. Not to worry, dearest friends, I know you are out there and reading my blog - I don't feel snubbed - LOL!! Love you!

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Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

A Pretty Sparklie From Karin :-)

I stuck to my rotation and worked on Bordeaux Sampler again for a bit tonight. Part 4 is taking some shape now with two boxers and a basket... with some little over one grapes! Wow, this sampler has a lot of over one stitching!

Here it is - the really pretty sparklie that Karin sent to me :-) I somehow won this from her by leaving a comment in her blog recently. That blindsided me, as I never seem to win things, and am totally OK with that lot in life. This was a bit out of the ordinary for me - thank you so much Karin! Karin says I can use this as I please. I am thinking of adding it to one of my stitching tools.... not quite sure yet :-) I love it - the colors are gorgeous! Karin does great work!

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Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Making plans for Celebration

OK, it's Tuesday again - everyone knows by now that that means an update of Paradigm Lost! Almost there now with the large motif. I think it is time to get some graph paper out and chart out my initials... it won't be long before I move over to the left and put them on there too. This is a fun sampler - I look forward to stitching St. Reatham with Nicki (and any other takers!!) fairly soon (after PL is over, obviously - Jo, you in for another??)

It is finally time to start thinking about Celebration of Needlework, which happens in early May. Registration finally opened today for the NH event. I checked the internet a few times today and managed to get there just as registration opened at 2 PM - I faxed my registration form over by 2:05 PM :-) Of course, no worries, it is usually pretty easy to get into classes there, as long as you don't wait absolutely forever. I am so excited that several blogging pals are coming along this year!

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my two-tone biscornu! It turns out that credit goes to Jo (aka Kiwi Jo) - she made a two tone one a while back that Tessa discovered, that Karen V discovered, that I now discovered, and that many others are now planning to do. Thanks Jo!

I received a truly beautiful gift from Karin today! I will try to get a good photo or scan of it tomorrow to share with you! Thanks again Karin! I adore the colors!

Stitched on today: Paradigm Lost

Welcome to the Sick House

I am feeling about 75% better today - thank you all for your comments and emails full of well wishes! I slept in a different bed last night, and woke up in considerably less pain. Mike flipped our mattress days ago, and that did not solve anything. I still think this is from a virus that ran through me. Maybe tomorrow will be better - I look forward to getting out of this "sick house" and going to work - LOL! Meanwhile, Mike is still feeling quite poorly. He has a doctor's appointment early tomorrow morning for a seperate medical issue, and he will talk to the doc about this virus then too - he needs to be seen! ......... In the meantime, I worked on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow for a bit tonight. I am so distracted with stitching this weekend; I keep picking up and putting down projects. As for HOHRH, I did finish the house in this block tonight, so that is a mini victory! I just need to still finish another tree, more birds, more fence, more lawn...oh, and more outer border :-)

I did manage to snap a photo of the little Thanks A Bunch! biscornu that I finished up yesterday - now you can see that the top is stitched on Natural Belfast linen, while I used Olive Green Belfast linen for the bottom - it matches the DMC 522 in the daisy leaves almost perfectly. I cannot take any credit for this idea - I pinched it from Karen V's blog a few days ago, and I think she said she also pinched the wonderful idea of using two colors of linen from another blog as well.... so, I don't know who to thank - will choose to thank Karen V for passing the idea along :-) Thanks Karen! Now the wee biscornu is packaged up and ready to be shipped to someone in need of support and cheer - I hope this helps her a tiny bit!

Here is my little Lily - she has been sleeping at Mike's end of the sofa (aka "the lounge" for my Aussie and Kiwi pals) most of the day.... I wonder if she is ailing too? She is totally unimpressed with the wet food diet we have out because of Angus, so Mike keeps sneaking her dry food - oh, what to do?!! Sigh. Oh, Angus appears to be quite well. He will have another blood test soon to check on his kidney function. He is a real begger for table food lately - if you go near the stove, he vocalizes his desire for... eggs :-) He wants scrambled eggs! Funny cat :-)

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Stitched on today: Started yet another gift, Rachael's Neighborhood Round Robin (will show more progress soon) and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

A Get Well Gift and a Seaside Neighborhood

Mike and I are still both really struggling with this virus... thank you for all the emails wishing us well! It is good that tomorrow is a holiday - another day to rest before facing work again!

I started a get well gift for someone yesterday and managed to finish it today - I can show it now, because she does not read my blog - the photo fails to show that the linen I used on the bottom of this biscornu is olive green, while the top is natural... I will try to get a better photo showing that before I pack it up to send it away....
Thanks A Bunch! Biscornu
Just Nan
Natural Belfast Linen (top)/Olive Green Belfast Linen (bottom) DMC floss
Stitched 2/17/07 - 2/18/07

Then, I started Rachael's Neighborhood Round Robin... this one is a seaside neighborhood. I decided to start with the lighthouse and keeper's house from Liz Turner Diehl's Light House Summer Garden. I hope it looks like it is set back as it is quite smaller than I thought it would be, and looks miniscule next to the house to its left. I will do a lot of landscaping to this - including at least one beeskep, per Rachaels' request - but I have a funny feeling I will be asking you, my dear blogging pals, for some fill in suggestions as this progresses along!

Stitched on today: Thanks A Bunch! Biscornu, and Rachael's Neighborhood RR

Birds

Both Mike and I are fighting a virus here - have been for days, and for me it is causing tremendous back pain. But, I have still found ways to stitch. I put some time in on And A Forest Grew tonight - mostly stitched a whole bunch of birds. I could have gone on longer, but I was also very sidetracked today by a gift that I started, and am enjoying too much to put down!

I still have two more pieces of fabric available for sale - let me know if you want them!

On the left: Picture This Plus Monet 28 ct lugana, 18" x 27", $18.50

On the right: Enchanted Fabrics Sorbet 32 ct belfast linen, 18" x 27", $20

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Stitched on today: Started a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Barnabee Part 1 is finished

Tonight was week three of the Barnabee's Quest SAL. I finished up Part 1 and made a start on Part 2. I love the colors in this sampler, and Nan went as far as to do a fun description of what Barnabee is doing in each band, so she keeps us entertained a bit. I felt like I could have stitched for a little bit longer tonight, but now I am up to over one stitching and backstitching with fractional stitches... so, put the pencils down and close the test booklets... done for the night! Will get to those next week, am too tired tonight for over one stitching.

Let the weekend begin! Let's try to melt some snow now!

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, Barnabee's Quest

Venus de Milo?

I think Dawn is starting to look a bit like Venus de Milo right now... she needs arms! But, she did grow most of her hair and some floral hair accessories tonight... will look less spooky with arms :-)

I heard from Karen today that she received her birthday package from me - to see everything I sent, visit her blog. I will show you what I stitched - I know Karen loves quaker designs and loves redwork...so I combined both into one gift:

Tiny Little Quaker Fob
Papillon Creations
R&R Reproductions 40 ct Sheep's Straw Linen
DMC Color Variations floss, Radiant Ruby
Stitched 2/3/07 - 2/5/07

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments on the biscornu I made for Becky - it was my first, and your sweet words boosted my confidence level! I love my friends!

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Finally Finished Part 3

Yay! I finally muddled through Part 3 of Bordeaux Sampler tonight. And now, on to Part 4! There are seven parts to this sampler, so this band now is officially the middle of the whole project, and that in and of itself is a bit of milestone :-)

I heard from Becky today that she received my birthday gifts for her - yay! I sent her quite a few gifts, as I am her Birthday/Christmas Club exchange person. I didn't photograph all of her gifts, but they can be seen in her blog. I did, however, take a photo of the biscornu that I stitched for her. It was my very first biscornu and I loved every minute of making it. What a fun item to make! I am glad Becky likes her gifts - she deserves them for all that she does for all of us!

February Quaker Biscornu

The Workbasket

36 ct Cream Edinburgh Linen

DMC Color Variations #4210, Radiant Ruby

Stitched 2/7/07 - 2/10/07

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It appears that we did get about 8-9" of snow today, although it took a bit of time to actually get going today. Tomorrow's commute promises to be a bit slippery, so I will time my commute according to the weather. The good news is that a milder weather pattern is now forecasted for the middle of next week - yes!

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Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler
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***************Jen, (ollie1976)- if you see this, please email me at carolsutcliffe@comcast.net about the fabric you want - you didn't leave an email address for me - thanks!

Paradigm Lost

Time for another weekly Paradigm Lost update. Jo and I are really moving along with this one now. Thanks for all the neat comments about the Phoenix on it last week - I really enjoyed reading all of those! You all helped to make him grow on me now. I like him better after reading the fun and informative things you all had to say :-) Thank you!!

I am so excited - I am going to be in my first biscornu exchange on the Friends Gather Exchange Bulletin Board! I have so many fun ideas, I am anxious to see whose name I draw and see what her tastes are ;-) Thanks Becky!!!

Thank you to everyone who left such kind comments about the tin topper I made for Anne - I was nervous about that one, but feel so much more confident with all of your support! I picked up three more of these tin topper charts by Samplers and Such on sale on ebay... I figure they were worth the investment to make pretty gifts!

I have a few more of my hand dyed fabrics still available. There is a photo and a list in yesterday's entry. Any fabric not crossed off is still available. There are some pretty ones still there :-)

OK... we are bracing ourselves for the snow... should be here any time now! I am already called off for the day, so will enjoy (hopefully) finishing off a birthday gift and watching DVDs with Mike tomorrow while the snow falls. One snowy day per winter is good, more than one... yuck!

Stitched on today: Paradigm Lost

More Hand Dyed Fabrics For Sale

For now, Mondays are Houses of Hawk Run Hollow night... and tonight I kept working on House 2. I think this is my favorite house to stitch so far :-)

I have more hand-dyed fabrics for sale again - Angus' bills are coming due again... the big bill is on a credit card, and guess what statement is due to arrive any day now?! So... if you want any of these, let me know! PayPal is preferred, and if you are not in the US, then PayPal is required. Shipping is by your choice - first class, priority, air mail, global priority, however you like it, we can calculate it from there.

Top Row:
Sugar Maple Fabrics Moon Princess 28 ct Jazlyn, 18” x 27’, $20
Picture This Plus Monet 28 ct Lugana, 18” x 27.5”, $18.50
Sugar Maple Fabrics Murky Depths 32 ct Belfast, 18” x 27”, $22 (great mermaid fabric!)
Enchanted Fabrics Sorbet 32 ct Belfast, 18” x 27”, $20
Middle Row:
Silkweaver Stonehenge (discontinued color) 32 ct lugana, 18” x 26”, $15
Sugar Maple Fabrics In the Clouds 32 ct lugana, 18” x 27”, $20
Silkweaver Enchantment 32 ct Belfast linen, 18” x 26”, $22
Sugar Maple Fabrics Ambrosia 32 ct Belfast linen, 18” x 27”, $22
Sugar Maple Fabrics Sugar Plum (opalescent) 32 ct lugana, 13” 18”, $8
Bottom Row:
Silkweaver Autumn Sunrise 32 ct Belfast linen, 18” x26”, $22
Sugar Maple Fabrics Solitude 32 ct Belfast linen, 18” x 27”, $22
Sugar Maple Fabrics Winter Meadow 32 ct Belfast linen, 18” x 27”, $22
Silkweaver Solo (stormy blue/grey – gorgeous!) 32 ct Belfast linen, 15” x 22”, $15

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I got an email from Anne tonight letting me know that my birthday gifts for her have arrived safely - whew! Always worry when they travel so far! This was a first for me - I made her a little needlework kit out of an Altoid tin. I put magnets inside on the top and bottom (Mike has magnetic business cards, boy did they come in handy here!) and put needles in the top and a wee pair of scissors in the bottom (***Joann's sells their own line of scissors and they fit nicely into an Altoid tin). Anne seems to be thrilled with my effort, and see her blog for a better photo - it looks a bit wonky here (which surprised me) but looks right in her photo :-)

Down East Tin Topper

Samplers and Such

Dirty Belfast Linen

DMC floss

Stitched 2/2/07

And, here is a scan of that Virginia's Purse by The Cat's Whiskers that I have been raving about in the new (April 2007) issue of Just Cross Stitch - now, isn't this a beauty??!!

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Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Just a little...

I got a really late start on 18th Century Band Sampler tonight, so I don't really have a lot of progress to show. I have a good excuse (not that I need an excuse in my stitching blog!) - I spent the better part of my stitching time today making a very good start on the next upcoming birthday gift. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with Part 1 now :-)

And, speaking of Long Dog Samplers... have you all seen this new beauty just being released now?


I believe this one is called St. Reatham. Oh my gosh, it is a huge one, but it may well be a must stitch! I even love the burgundy color used for the model. I can tell this one will take a long time to stitch (I think it's 380 x 293), but I don't think I will be able to help myself with resisting this one! I have already decided this will be on my wish list, and someday when I get to go stash shopping again, it will be a priority.

In the interim, there is another group of hand dyed fabrics that I will be posting for sale again in the next day or two - Angus' bills are coming due again :-) If there is anything I would give up stash buying for, it would be one of my loved ones, be it family, friend or cat :-)
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Sincerest apologies are due to a friend today... she knows who she is. I love you :-)
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Hey, we might have a big snow storm coming in on Valentine's Day! Might being the operative word, but I get the feeling we will be getting something at last!
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Stitched on today: Started a gift, and 18th Century Band Sampler

I have such great friends!

For at least this month, Saturdays is And A Forest Grew night. Tonight I finished what I could on the verse, and I have now moved on to Section 5 of the chart. There are two more lines to this verse (the grammar of which makes me a little nutty - is this a quote from someone, or did Karen Kluba write it - anyone know?), but will have to wait until Section 10 to add anymore of it now.

As the title of my post says, I have such lovely friends! I received an enormous box of gifts in the mail from Belgium! Ann is a regular reader of my blog, but Ann is not (yet) a blogger - I hope we can convert her! She is always there to leave such lovely, wonderful and supportive comments in my blog. Ann wrote that she wanted to do her own version of PIF, and so... here are a whole ton of gifts, most of them Christmas themed, and all wonderful! I adore the holiday needlebook she stitched up for my collection! Thank you so much Ann!!

And... a surprise from Toni today too! I am utterly gobsmacked here too! Toni had contacted me about having the silk pack for Drawn Thread's Three Friends, and she wanted to pass it on to me. I offered to pay for it, and that was all set.... so, when I opened the envelope, I was overwhelmed! Toni very generously also sent me St. Peter's Fair kit by Shepherd's Bush as a gift!!! She had seen it on my wish list, and now I have it from this wonderful lady! Toni, thank you so very much - I owe you one, girl!

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Has anyone seen the gorgeous stitcher's purse by The Cat's Whiskers in the April 2007 issue of Just Cross Stitch??!! Oh no, I am pulled in! I will definitely be stitching this one!

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Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Barnabee's Quest, Week 2

I've chosen Friday nights now to stitch on the Barnabee's Quest SAL. I think I have more time on Friday nights than on most nights, and tonight I got almost to Part 2 (key word, almost) - it's fun, and hard to put down!

****Neighborhood Round Robin Group 3: I will be organizing this one this weekend! It was a hectic work week, and now that the weekend is finally here, I will make time to do the headcount and email all of you with some details - thanks for your patience!

Also, thank you to the 4 ladies who signed up for my PIF :-) There is one more opening if anyone wants it, or I will just RAK some unsuspecting person instead :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Barnabee's Quest

Dawn is Emerging

Tonight was Week 2 of the Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace SAL with Bea - and now Dawn is emerging nicely on the fabric. This is really a quick stitch so far... hope it stays that way, and I am really enjoying her! Her face is so pretty!

No takers for PIF? It's not too late, but if folks don't want to join, I will choose my own folks to RAK instead... that is, after I finish the ones from the first round!

My fabric arrived from Silkweaver today for the Neighborhood Round Robin (Group 1) - it is gorgeous - 40 ct Sandcastle, just what I wanted!

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Pokey Pokey

This wasn't a very rewarding night of stitching for me. I stitched for three hours, and got this much more done on Bordeaux Sampler. I was thinking it would have been nice to have finished Part 3 tonight, but that was not meant to be. Quite a bit of over one on 40 ct tonight. Oh well, there is always next week :-)

I got an email from Natty tonight, letting me know that my birthday package for her has arrived! I am Natty's birthday/Christmas exchange partner in the StitchingBloggersBirthday/ChristmasClub - this was fun, because I didn't really know Natty except in "passing," so to speak! I had some difficulty with catching the essence of her favorite stitching style and designers, so I went with something all stitchers can appreciate - "never enough stash" - and I also sent her several items from her wish list - a chart by The Drawn Thread, a Monica Ferris novel, some Yankee Candle tarts... as well as other goodies I thought she might enjoy :-) She says she loves it all, so I am relieved that the package arrived safely and is warmly accepted :-)

Never Enough Stash Fob

4 My Boys

40 ct Lambswool Linen

Crescent Colours floss

Stitched 1/19/07 - 1/20/07

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OK, I signed on to another Pay It Forward (PIF) exchange. I still have a small handful of PIF gifts to make from my previous groups, but those will be done rather soon, so I will give it another go. I signed on via Dawn's blog a few days ago. I suspect there are quite a few new blog readers lately that are not keen to this idea yet. I have had a few ask me what PIF means. So, if you want to get in on the fun, here is your chance! I will send a handmade gift to the first five stitchers who leave a comment in my blog **requesting to join the PIF**. If you sign up, you then will post a message like this in your blog and see if you can collect five folks to stitch for. It has been great fun so far! Many of us bloggers are already doing this. I will get your gifts out to you as soon as possible - within the next six months! (If you want to sign on with me, I will need your postal address - please email that me at carolsutcliffe@comcast.net - thanks!)

*************************************************** **If you left a comment expressing interest in the Neighborhood Round Robin, please don't worry - I am getting the head count and will get back to each of you soon :-)****************************************************************

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

The Strange Bird

It's another Paradigm Lost Tuesday, and Jo and I are still stitching away on this sampler. Tonight I stitched the strange bird that is just about right in the middle of the sampler. I have to admit, this is the one motif that I have always been skeptical about on this sampler. Well, it's not like it is an attractive bird. But, after spending much of the evening stitching away on the little guy, I have developed a little fondness for him. He does look a bit better in real life than in the picture on the chart. He is still strange, though...

I heard from Kathy today that she received the little gift that I made for her birthday. It arrived in the UK quite quickly, but I told her to please go ahead and open it up even though it is not her birthday yet. I am so happy she was thrilled with it!

Ole' Fob

Papillon Creations

40 ct Lambswool Linen

DMC Color Variations - Midsummer Night and Monet's Garden

Stitched 1/21/07 - 1/26/07

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Good news regarding Angus! I weighed him before bed last night, and he is up to 6.1 pounds. This is a good gain from his 5.4 post-surgical weight! Our digital postal scale is quite trustworthy, so I am hoping the new weight is fairly accurate :-)

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Anyone still interested in a Neighborhood Round Robin, due to start in July?? If so, please let me know. I could use a couple more stitchers - thanks!

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Stitched on today: Paradigm Lost

****PS - how strange - my posts for the last three nights have all been at 11:19 PM - what are the odds??

A little HOHRH update

I spent the better half of the evening finishing up a birthday gift, but then... I followed up a bit on my commitment to Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. I have managed to get a good portion of the house in Block 2 finished now. It feels good to finally be making some progress on this sampler!

Other than that, life is pretty quiet here - very, very cold and Angus is playful today... that is good!

Stitched on today: finished a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

18th Century Band Sampler Update

Not much to say at all today... but did spend some time working on the Long Dog Mystery Sampler (18th Century Band Sampler) - and halfway through the row of carnations now... looking forward to Part 2. I like the personalization that goes on Part 2.

Angus update: He is holding his own, but is a bit depressed that he cannot have any dry food. He knows the others are getting some still, as we are trying to wean them off. But, he is doing a good job with his wet food and Mike thinks Angus is gaining weight now (I am not so sure). Thanks again for the continued emails asking about him! I regret that I cannot get to them all personally :-)

And, congratulations to all of the winners of the Silkweaver Showcase - well done, each and every one of you :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and 18th Century Band Sampler

Prayers for Betsy Stinner

The verse is growing a bit on And A Forest Grew, but it is still pretty hard to understand based on what is stitched so far :-)

I have read in several sources today that prayers are needed right now for Betsy Stinner, designer of Earth Threads. Betsy is a cancer survivor, and has been cancer free for a few years now. Unfortunately, she learned very recently that her cancer is back. She will be having aggressive chemotherapy now, and prayers are needed for her. She won her first battle, and we can all help her to win her second battle. I have been fortunate enough, as have many of you, to have taken several classes with Betsy in the past. She is an amazing woman. God bless her in this time of need.

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Another SAL Start

February is busy for SAL starts for me - tonight I started Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace along with Bea. We have been trying to plan this SAL for more than a year. I am already enjoying it a great deal, although the Passione Ricamo patterns are so big and floppy, on such flimsy paper. I hope Laura finds a better way to print her charts soon. But anyhow... here is my starting blob :-) I will be stitching this on Thursdays now with Bea.

Dianne has posted a picture of how my Neighborhood Round Robin is progressing! Thanks Dianne! I am so happy - I haven't seen an update of my RR in so many months. This is such a treat!

Stitched on today: Stitched a gift (started and finished), and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

New SAL: Barnabee's Quest

With the start of a new month, there is also the start of a brand new SAL. This one is Just Nan's Barnabee's Quest, and if I remember correctly the participants are Michelle, Jenna, Leslie, Nicole and Andrea :-) Here is bands 1-3, plus some of the outer border. Nan's instructions say to stitch the outer border first. However, I could not find any technical reason why this was necessary. I started with the specialty stitch band at the top instead and eventually added in some of the border. I thought just doing the border for a while might get boring - but it turns out that this border is quick and easy, not boring anyhow. Also, I noticed after the fact that Nan says not to cross the quarter stitches atop the beeskep. I crossed mine. I didn't care for how they looked uncrossed - they just looked "wrong" to me. It was hard to put this one down tonight. Nan's samplers are always such fun to stitch. It was also great to start a project that has been in my stash for a long time now... 2001. I won't be able to stick to doing this one on Thursdays, though. I have another SAL starting tomorrow and will be doing that one Thursdays as of next week. I don't know if any of the ladies in this SAL want to join me in stitching this on another day - I have Monday and Friday open.

Goal Review Time:
January Goals:
1. Work on And A Forest Grew -yes
2. Start Long Dog Mystery Sampler -yes
3. Work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow -yes
4. Stitch some gifts -yes, stitched five
5. Work on Paradigm Lost SAL with Jo -yes
6. Work on Bordeaux Sampler SAL with Anne and Leslie -yes
7. Stitch and post Dianne's Neighborhood RR -yes, it is safe with Annemarie now
***I also worked on The Mermaid and the Sea, resurrected Gathering Eggs and stitched an ornament for the new Christmas Ornament SAL***

February Goals:
1. Start Barnabee's Quest SAL
2. Start Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace SAL
3. Work on And A Forest Grew
4. Work on 18th Century Band Sampler
5. Work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
6. Stitch some gifts
7. Work on Paradigm Lost SAL
8. Work on Bordeaux Sampler SAL
9. Work on Rachael's Neighborhood RR
10. Stitch an ornament for the Ornament SAL
11. Work on The Mermaid and the Sea
12. Work on Gathering Eggs

Stitched on today: The Mermaid and the Sea, Barnabee's Quest