Bordeaux Sampler is Finished

Bordeaux Sampler
Sampler Cove
Silkweaver 40 ct Atlantic Storm Newcastle Linen
Hand-Dyed Fibers Silk
Stitched 3/16/06 - 7/2/07

After I finally finished Bordeaux Sampler tonight, I worked back into my rotation with HOHRH. I want to thank Anne for jumping in on Bordeaux with me and making it an SAL. If she had not done that, this sampler would probably be a UFO! Thanks Anne, for keeping me motivated!!! And... above is a new update of Houses of Hawk Run Hollow too...

Has anyone ever purchased supplies from Violarium ? If you have not, I have to say my experience with Leena at Violarium last week was amazing! I ordered an issue of De Fil en Aiguille magazine from her last Monday, and I had it in hand on Saturday morning! What amazing turnaround time from Finland to New Hampshire! I am so impressed, and I had to share that! Thanks Leena!!

And, finally, some daylilies from this past weekend... the top one is Schickelfritz, and I cannot recall the names of the other two...oh, I think one of them is called Masque...

Now, it is time to fidget with my rotation and make some decisions... do I pick up a UFO, like perhaps Mermaid Heaven, now? Or do I start something new?? Tough decision!

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

I have almost finished my wine...

I didn't have much time for stitching today, but I did manage to make more good progress on Bordeaux Sampler. Maybe I will finish it up after work tomorrow. All that is left now is the last bit of green border.

Today I found my first morning glory bloom of the season. I always look forward to my morning glories every year. They grow solely as annuals here, and I have to remember to plant some each spring. This year I used a pack of 30 cent seeds from WalMart - odd markings, but I love them :-)

Goal Review:

June Goals:
1. Continue to work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow - yes
2. Continue to work on Paradigm Lost SAL - yes, and finished it
3. Continue to work on Bordeaux Sampler SAL - yes
4. Continue to work on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace - yes
5. Finish Barbara's Neighborhood RR and post to Annemarie by June 15th - yes, and Annemarie has it now
6. Continue to work on And A Forest Grew - yes
7. Continue to work on Spring Ride SAL - yes
8. Stitch some gifts - yes, I stitched 7 gifts
9. Stitch Summer Quaker Exchange on the SBEBB and have ready to post by July 1 - yes, I posted it on 6/25
10. Meet freebie challenge on FGBB - yes, I stitched 4 freebies
11. Work on Karen's Neighborhood RR - or at least choose a chart - no, just cannot quite decide yet
12. Stitch an ornament for the Christmas Ornament SAL - yes
13. Stitch and post Fair and Square to Margaret Wong - yes, posted it on 6/29

July Goals:
1. Continue to work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
2. Finish Bordeaux Sampler
3. Continue to work on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace
4. Stitch Karen's Neighborhood Round Robin and post to Nikki by 8/1
5. Finish my Hello Neighbor RR Group 3 and post to Annemarie by 7/15
6. Continue to work on And A Forest Grew
7. Continue to work on Spring Ride SAL
8. Stitch Little Critters Exchange and post by 7/21
9. Stitch Freebie Exchange and post by 7/27
10. Stitch Needleroll Exchange and post by 7/31
11. Stitch some gifts
12. Meet freebie challenge on FGBB
13. Plan out Fair and Square round two
14. Stitch an ornament for the Christmas Ornament SAL

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

Almost there...

What's a rotation? I seem to have forgotten. Tonight I was clueless as to what to stitch, so I grabbed what was near my chair - Bordeaux Sampler. I am pretty close to finishing it now. I probably should have spent tonight gridding out my RR fabric, though... Oh I know, I should do that on Tuesday (or sooner) since Paradigm Lost is finished... wow, July is going to be a busy month with many commitments. I best get myself organized!!

My silly husband, who absolutely hates to wait in any kind of line for more than a mere moment, actually spent six hours waiting at the Mall today for the release of the Apple iPhone. He was fourth in line and got his within five minutes of the doors opening up tonight. He simply proved to me that he can actually wait for things... now I need to figure out how to use that to get him to be more patient with other things!!

I sent off my Fair and Square blocks today to Margaret Wong - I hope they do not take long to get to Kuala Lumpur! And, I also posted off my Summer Quaker exchange back on Monday (6/25)...

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Thank You :-)

Oh my! Thank you for all of the wonderful comments about Paradigm Lost!! I never expected to hear from so many of you!! It is especially nice to have some new commenters in my blog - welcome! It was nice to hear from you :-)
It's Wednesday, so of course, it was time to have some wine in Bordeaux again - OK, that's true - I don't drink wine! This one is winding down really soon now too. I am working on the last band. The little boxers at the bottom are really quite frowny. I wonder if they made a bad batch of wine??

OK, I am doing another PIF! I signed up on Karin's blog a couple of days ago. I haven't heard back from her, but even if her group is full and cannot fit me in, I will still offer a PIF group here in my blog. I still have a small handful of PIF gifts to make from the last round (I did not forget you, ladies), and the new sign ups will be getting their gifts from me sometime within the next 12 months (hopefully less). So, the first five to comment that they want to join will receive a hand made gift from me. All you have to do is put this offer in your blog and make gifts for five people. OK, who wants in??

I have some flowers from my garden to share today. I have been thinking about a garden swap - are any of my US stitching friends interested in trading divisions of perennials this fall? I thought it would be quite neat to make a new flower bed that contains only divisions from my stitching friends. Customs and some US Dept of Agriculture restrictions apply, so only US friends can do this... any thoughts??

Here are some daylilies - the first is Brocaded Gown... I cannot recall the names of the other two... and then there is my favorite white peony... which is really bowing this year with very heavy blooms...

Stitched on today: Finished Fair and Square project, started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

On to Part 7...

I'm not feeling too well today - I am really tired and am heading off to bed. I was up really early this morning for a CEU course ("therapy school", as I call it) for my license. I have been feeling off all day. I figure sleep will fix it. I did put a little bit of time in on Bordeaux again tonight, as it was still by my chair... just a little bit, and now I am on to Band 7, the final band...

I didn't make it over to the blogs today - hopefully I can catch up tomorrow :-) Hope you all are well!

Stitched on today: Summer Quaker Exchange, and Bordeaux Sampler

RAK from Kendra!

Oh my gosh! I cannot stop saying that! I just received the most amazing little gift from Kendra today! This is so wonderful - Kendra designed this herself, after what must have been quite a bit of studying of my blog! This adorable little ornament features my cats - quite personalized! I have two blondes, two calicos, a black and a blue/white tuxedo... and she has them all represented with their names! This just blew me away (and yes, I cried)... thank you, Kendra! How sweet of you!!! (All of the kitties look just perfect, but I must say, Kendra really got Anouk right - the markings are exact!).

I really wanted to take a moment to say something so very important. Last night, I posted about Paradigm Lost and my concerns about jumping off schedule and not wanting to stitch on it when my SAL mate was not... I want everyone to know that Jo is a really wonderful person - she is a dear friend, and an outstanding SAL mate. She is only taking a little hiatus from blogging right now, which is what I meant by being "temporarily MIA" - I don't want anyone to think she disappeared on me... sorry to mislead anyone who may have thought that. After reading the well-intended comments of others, I really wanted to jump in here and give a lot of support to Jo. Jo, by the way, did also comment and told me to go right ahead and finish if I want. However, I am not sure I can... my rotation, other SALs, gift and exchange stitching will probably not allow me to work on PL that much this week anyhow. Hi Jo - I miss you!!



And... finally - whew! What a relief!!! I believe, unless my eyes are fooling me, that I have now completed all of the over one stitching on Bordeaux Sampler!!! I do hope I have, because... well, I don't want to do anymore of this torturous over one stitching on 40 ct! Why did I choose 40 ct, you may be wondering? I started this sampler before the chart was "released" - I signed up for this last year when it was a mystery sampler hosted by Vikki Clayton on her site... I had no idea at the time that I started this that it was full of over one stitches - had I known at the time, I may not have stitched this - LOL! No regrets - not now that I have finished them (I hope... there better not be any hiding in part 7, I don't see any, but my eyes could be fooling me!).

Oh.... and Mike now has the newest Gingher limited edition for sale... Maria... they are wonderful! The order of Glory Ginghers will be in within the next day or two... his ebay ID is michaelsutcliffe if you would like to see...

Stitched on today: Summer Quaker Exchange project, and Bordeaux Sampler

Silly Grapes

Silly grapes... more like torturous grapes. It took me forever tonight to get them done, but now all of those over one grape clusters in band 6 are finished. Whew!

Mike had a lovely, large (huge), plush recliner delivered for me this morning as an early birthday gift. He wanted me to be able to stitch in greater comfort. It is wonderful - here you can see that Beau has also discovered it (I caught him in typical, undignified cat activity here... sorry Beau!). This chair is like a big plush throne with heat and massage. Nice!

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Over-One Fun

Not the good kind of fun tonight... I just chose that word because it rhymed. I like over-one stitching, but didn't enjoy it tonight. The grape clusters are really densely stitched, and my drive for perfect stitches really slows me down... aggravated me tonight, actually. But I am OK... the final effect when the sampler is done will be well worth it!

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

A Beautiful PIF - Thank You!!

Oh my goodness! I came home from work today to a very special little parcel from the mailman!! Su sent me this gorgeous little PIF - a sweet little scissor fob that I simply adore! I had been admiring it on her blog recently, and had no idea that it could possibly have been for me! You made my day Su! Thank you!! I was feeling a bit down for a few days, and this really perked me up! Thank you!! (BTW - I love tea and coffee - great choice!!)

Tonight I worked on Bordeaux Sampler again. Wednesdays are by far my shortest stitching nights - only a couple of hours due to my work schedule. I cannot keep up with my SAL mate on this one, as she must have much more time than I do. But, I motored along extra late tonight (and will pay for that in the morning, I am sure). I got the bulk of the gold done before Cinderella's pumpkin arrived at my door...

We keep our cats indoors. Always have, always will. But at times, they get some supervised time out on our deck. Here is Beau this evening, enjoying some of his cat grass while dinner was cooking on the grill :-) He looks a bit enthusiastic, doesn't he??

Thank you everyone for your sweet words about the exchange and gifts I posted yesterday. You are all so wonderful and supportive! And, thanks for the tip on the french seams for the needlerolls, Karen V! I will try that out right away! ;-)

Stitched on today: Started Scissor Fob Exchange project, and Bordeaux Sampler

Monochromatic Exchange

The mailman was wonderful again today - he delivered this most beautiful Monochromatic Exchange package from Leena !! She stitched this wonderful fob for me that is showcased in the most recent issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly! I have wanted to stitch this fob ever since the magazine arrived a couple of weeks ago - now I am blessed to have one already stitched so beautifully and perfectly by Leena!!

The rest of the exchange package contained the gorgeous scissors attached to the fob... a fantastic chart that Leena pulled from my wish list, and a bar of chocolate from Finland... which Mike has already started to eat!! (Mike likes that I do exchanges - he loves all of the candy that often comes in the packages!! You see, I don't eat sugar, but he adores it! Leena, he says this is a good one!!). Thank you so much Leena - this was a fun exchange!!

Oh, and here is this week's update of Bordeaux Sampler. I started Part 6 (of 7) tonight... as I did manage to print out the part earlier in the week (our printer part came in). As you may be able to see, I am up to where the date gets added on... I bet Anne already flew through and finished this band already - LOL!!

Stitched on today: Stitched on an exchange project, and Bordeaux Sampler

Five Down, Two To Go

Tonight, I finished up Part 5 of Bordeaux Sampler, and then could do little more than just look at it for a bit. Our printer is not working at the moment, and I do not have a hard copy of the chart. I took this as a mystery sampler through Hand-Dyed Fibers last year, before it was printed for general sale. I have this as pdf files. I hadn't printed out Part 6 yet... I think I will email it to my office and print it out there tomorrow, just in case our printer is not online by next Wednesday!

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

Bordeaux Update

Just a quick update tonight of Bordeaux Sampler. I worked late and had only a limited time to stitch... not to mention read blogs and emails. I have 90 emails right now still to read. I know some of them are requests to be signed onto the Freebie Gallery Blog. If you requested today and have not heard from, please don't worry. I am working through the list and hope tomorrow will be an earlier work day for me... then I can have extra time to sort all of that out!

Thanks for understanding!

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Bordeaux

It is Bordeaux Sampler night again... I had a really late start on it this evening. I started an exchange project earlier today, and I found myself totally wrapped up in it... I didn't even pick up Bordeaux until well after 9 PM tonight.... here is my progress.... to see truly amazing progress, check out Anne's !! Wow, she did a lot this week!!


Stitched on today: Started an exchange project, and Bordeaux Sampler

Wine, Wine, Wine...(But No Whine)

Just another little stitching update tonight. Bordeaux Sampler this time. This is such a pretty band - very delicate.

Other than that, life is just quiet and serene. I am, however, a bit nervous about some gifts that are out in the mail and have not arrived where they should - most especially one sent to Italy more than two weeks ago now. Hopefully all will arrive soon.


Oh, here is a clip of my brother in law on Two and a Half Men - when Judith (the bride) comes down the aisle and appears shocked to see Charlie (Charlie Sheen) in the wedding party, the camera goes to Ryan Stiles the groom - the grey haired gentleman pursing his lips tightly together over Ryan's shoulder is my BIL :-) You can see him again (he is the best man) a little later in the video at the altar. Sorry the lip sync is so poor on this!

But, I don't even drink wine...

Here is this week's update of Bordeaux Sampler. I really am enjoying this band - this splash of the gold colored silk is just right for this part of the sampler. But, a confession - here I am, busily working away on a sampler dedicated to wine and the making of wine... and I do love this sampler... but, I don't really even drink wine! I do like wine. But my tolerance for alcohol is so incredibly low that one small glass makes me feel rather drunk, and then the headache and feeling tired... most folks will just drink a bit past that point so those symptoms pass, but I can't - LOL!!

I heard from Erin tonight that she has received the little birthday gift that I made for her. I know Erin likes fantasy themes, so I picked a little dragon for her... Dragon Dreams' newest freebie. Now, I don't think Erin is a fool, but she is an April baby, so I hoped the April Fool's theme would be OK :-)

'07 April Fool's Dragon Fob
Dragon Dreams (freebie found here )
Picture This Plus Mercedes Cashel Linen, DMC floss
Stitched 4/6/07 - 4/7/07

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

Finished Part 4... and Biscornu Exchange Received :-)

I finished Part 4 of Bordeaux Sampler tonight.... all those over one grapes.... and now am on to Part 5, which is so much more enjoyable! What a treat it was tonight to stitch one over two again!

I received the FGBB Biscornu Exchange today from Dot :-) I don't know Dot's blog address, am still working on that! This is a cutie. It is the first one that Dot has ever stitched, and I am thoroughly impressed! She also sent me a pretty Wood Violet cashel by Dyeing4U (I already have some great ideas for it) and some yummy hand- dyed threads. Thank you Dot! What a nice exchange!!

And, I heard from Gill this morning that she just received the PIF gift that I made for her. I did not know that Gill is quite fond of the color purple, so this ended up working out quite well! I just love Indigo Rose designs, and have wanted to stitch one of the freebies into a biscornu.... so here was my chance. This is one of the freebies I stitched this month for the Freebie Challenge on the FGBB:

Twilight Biscornu

Indigo Rose

Taupe Cashel and DMC floss

Stitched 4/2/07 - 4/4/07

Thank you, everyone, for the wonderful feedback lately - on my little finishes, my WIPS and everything else - you are wonderful! Someone did write asking to join the Neighborhood RR I set up... I could not find an email address for you, Rob.... but sadly, the RR did fill up... if I hear of one starting up, I will be happy to let you know!

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

My first exchange has been received :-)

I just saw in LilChefKimi's blog that she has received the biscornu that I sent her for the biscornu exchange on the FGBB - I am sooo glad she likes it! I really wanted to keep this one:

Debi's Roses Biscornu
Chatelaine
28 ct Black Jobelan
DMC floss, Kreinik #4 braid, Mill Hill beads
Stitched 3/17/07 - 3/29/07

I almost finished Part 4 of Bordeaux Sampler tonight... I just have some little over one grapes to stitch on either side of "from grapes so red", and then it is finished. Next week, for sure! Now I need to remember to print out Part 5 for next week. The start to tonight's stitching was a bit of an adventure for me. Our satellite TV was giving us problems tonight (probably because we are in the midst of a spring snow storm), and I ended up going upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms to stitch since I wanted to watch the baseball game. I had to do over one stitching on 40 ct without my Ott-Lite. Yikes! The lamp in that bedroom is a tiny one... I was so glad when Mike finished working and was able to reset the satellite...whew, that was one way to truly appreciate my Ott-Lite!

I heard from Katrina just now that she has received the little birthday gift that I made for her - you are welcome Katrina - and welcome home from your trip too - I hope you had fun! Did you get to any good LNS's?? ...This was another of the freebies I stitched last month.

French Collection Fob

Passione Ricamo

36 ct Cream Edinburgh Linen

DMC Color Variations - Lavender Fields

Stitched 3/22/07 - 3/24/07

A few have asked what fabric and fibers I am using for Paradigm Lost, so I figured I would answer here. I am using Silkweaver's 40 ct Purely Primitive linen with Vikki Clayton's Konini silk :-)

Happy Birthday Beau - he is officially ten years old today!!


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

A little Bordeaux

I surely wouldn't call tonight's progress on Bordeaux Sampler monumentuous, but since this is my own personal stitching journal, I will still put in a photo of tonight's work. I am hoping that I will soon be finally through Part 4. Part 4 is the center of the sampler, and I consider it to be the hump. I almost didn't pick it up tonight due to a severe headache, but I really do want to stick to my schedule with it.

I forgot I had this photo sitting on my desktop. This is Gig (blonde) and Anouk (grey and white) on Sunday morning - catching some fresh air in the window, as a little snow from Saturday night was melting away.... signs of spring in New England! (And, Gig and Anouk are rarely seen here, so I figured I would share them too - someone asked how many cats I have? 6, all persians).

Someone mentioned in my blog comments today... Andrea, I think?... that animals often get white spots in their fur at the site of an injury. You are right - I think! I noticed the greying/white spot pattern on Angus is around his neck (where he wore that Elizabethan collar for so long, and his underside/butt where he was shaved and surgery was performed) - well done you - I believe you solved it for me! Thank you!


Stitched on today: Stitched a gift (start to finish), and Bordeaux Sampler

Bordeaux Sampler Update & Some Fabrics Still For Sale

It is really helping to have Wednesday evenings reserved for Bordeaux Sampler. Before Anne and I decided to do that, this sampler just was not making any progress at my end. Now I am getting some good stuff done... finished those over one grapes above the baskets, what a relief! (I aplogize for what appears to be one of my long hairs on the fabric in the photo - geesh!)

I still have some hand-dyed fabrics left, so before I either put them on ebay or tuck them aside for a while, I figured I would show them again - PayPal preferred (if out of the US, PayPal required) - postage is low, we can work that out once you contact me :-)

Top Row:

Silkweaver Solo 32 ct Belfast Linen, 26” x 36”, $30

Silkweaver Dolphin Island (disc color) 32 ct Belfast Linen, 18” x18”, $15

Bottom Row:

Sugar Maple Fabrics Gnome 28 ct Jubilee, 18” x 27”, $20

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I spoke with my mother for a bit on the phone today - yep, there is a new kitty planned! My niece has a friend whose cat just had kittens two days before Mom lost Pookie. Two of the kittens are silver tabby males. Mom asked Nicole to choose which one would be good for her. We talked about the joy of having two kitties, as they keep each other company. My mom is 69 and very active - she is an artist who teaches watercolor painting and is active socially. We talked about how two kittens might be a good idea. She says she already told Nicole that if there are any problems with finding homes for all of the kittens, she would take two - I hope so!! She sounds excited. The kitten(s) will not arrive until May, so this gives her the good mourning period for Pookie as well.

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Monique - St. Reatham is Long Dog Samplers' new release :-)

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My template refuses to break up paragraphs when I publish with the "new" Blogger - pretty silly, really....

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Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Visiting Bordeaux

It is Bordeaux Sampler night again. Due to my sinuses bothering me, I really didn't stitch as long as I normally would, and I also spent a lot of time mulling over charts to figure out the next gift I will stitch (without success tonight) - but here is Bordeaux now - more boxers and another basket, plus some grapes in the right side border. Now I know I am at the halfway point, because the grapes in the border are now pointing up instead of down!

Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment or emailed me with a suggestion for what to add next on Rachael's Neighborhood Round Robin! I am so glad I posted the plea last night! I received the greatest ideas - each and every one was fantastic! Some ideas have already gelled together for when I stitch on it next! Thank you! The whale tails from Brightneedle's Nantucket Sampler are definitely happening!

I am getting a little worried. Some of the gifts I recently stitched and posted off may not have reached their destinations yet. I feel a bit impatient :-)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr... it is so cold here! It barely broke 20F here today, and tomorrow should be about the same!

Stitched on today: Bordeaux Sampler