First Blackbird Designs Finish For The Year!

Wow! That went super quick! I really enjoyed stitching this piece. I had a lot of fun plotting out what color was going to go where and why. I am thinking of stitching the Quaker Family Register in these colors, however, I will have to get DH's input. As this will contain both sides of the family's initials and dates, I think that is only fair. :)



Well, at any rate, here is the latest finish and the 10th finish for 2018:

Design: The Lily Of The Valley 

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen of unknown manufacturer in white.

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 037, 124, 126, 197,  561, 603, and 705. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Accouterments:  Mill Hill bead in #42014 Petite Black

Stitchers' Notes: Design taken from the book And Blossom As The Rose. Fabric and fibers chosen from in house stash and converted from the called for Weeks Dye Works thread and Picture This Plus fabric. Left off border. 

As of Monday, June 25, 2018:

Finished Wednesday, June 27, 2018:

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is enjoying a good  week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

I Spy A Blackbird

A Blackbird Design that is!

I have not stitched a Blackbird Designs piece in quite some time and I thought this latest piece would be perfect. It has a nice 'summery' feel to it and it is stitching up quite quickly. I am really liking how it is turning out so far. I just wish the frog would have stayed away! :O

As is my custom, I have changed the fabric and the colors, so that nothing would have to be purchased and I could start straight away. 

Well, at any rate, here is the latest work in the Q-Snaps:

Design: The Lily Of The Valley 

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen of unknown manufacturer in white.

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 037, 124, 126, 165, 197, 312, 486, 561, 663, 705 and 773. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Stitchers' Notes: Design taken from the book And Blossom As The Rose. Fabric and fibers chosen from in house stash and converted from the called for Weeks Dye Works thread and Picture This Plus fabric. 

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is enjoying a good start to their week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

C'est fini

Hot off the Q-Snap from just moments ago. I stitched the parts of this that I wanted to stitch, very much like Willow House that I stitched last year. This one had a lot of pinks in it, which is not generally my style, but I like how it turned out anyway. 

Design: Be Kind and True (retired)

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 28  or 32 count white linen of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 037, 124, 126, 165, 197, 312, 486, 561, 663, 705 and 773. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched one strand of floss over two fabric threads. Chart on loan from Patricia G of the Blackbird Designs Lending Library Facebook Group. Replaced the cotton embroidery floss for silks. Began Monday July 17, 2017. Finished Sunday, August 6, 2017.


As of Sunday, July 30, 2017:

Finished Sunday, August 6, 2017:

I must be off. I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIPs And An Organizational Post

I've put some time into two projects and have completed some more organization. When I am too tired to stitch, I have a tendency to clean and organize things, so that when the time comes to get out another project, I know where I stand. This is predicated on the fact that I have a 25+ year stash. I have been contemplating another 'great culling' but I am not quite there yet. 

I was going to wait until the end of the year to take another inventory of the infamous Bin O'Shame, however, I bit the bullet the other day and just got on with it. I was down to 29 going into the beginning of 2017, which made me really, really happy. I started off with 70 UFOs beginning in February 24, 2015, so every bit has counted! 

During the recount, I decided to separate the small to medium projects from the huge BAPs and long term projects. I wanted to separate the projects that I could complete in a reasonable amount of time, from the projects that will take many, many months to complete. After completing this task, I am now sitting on 23 projects in the infamous Bin O'Shame, however, I do have six long term projects that need to be dealt with. I have three projects that I am undecided as to whether or not I plan on finishing the stitching on them. One of them is the Forget Me Not Sampler  by With Thy Needle and Thread. The fact of the matter is, I cannot stand the color of the fabric. It is so dull and washed out. I understand it is a 'primitive' type design but the Lakeside Linens 40 count in Navy Bean just leaves me cold. I am not that far into it, so I may just finish of the central motif and restart it in a nicer color fabric. Or I may just finish the central motif and be done with it. Did I mention that I really do hate this fabric? :P

Well, at any rate, here are the two projects that I have worked on since completing the Strawberries and Cream sampler from Casey Buonaugurio: 

WIP #1:

Design: Be Kind and True (retired)

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 28  or 32 count white linen of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 037, 124, 126, 165, 197, 312, 486, 561, 663, 705 and 773. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched one strand of floss over two fabric threads. Chart on loan from Patricia G of the Blackbird Designs Lending Library Facebook Group. Replaced the cotton embroidery floss for silks. Began Monday July 17, 2017. 

I also managed to put in a bit of time on my 'Every Now And Again' project. 

WIP #2:

Design: Pretty Little San Francisco

Designer: Jody Rice of Satsuma Street

Fabric: 28 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for in the chart

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, March 17, 2017. Project to be stitched 'every now and again' with no set time frame for completion.

As of Saturday, March 18, 2017:

As of Tuesday July 25, 2017:

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

First Day Of Summer Finish

And my first finish in over a month. I am still currently in a 'Stitch when you feel like it' mode. I have had this happen before, and I am confident that this too shall pass. 

I have also managed to get the Summer Glory heart, which was designed by Linda Culp Calhoun for Leisure Arts magazine framed. I love the way that it turned out:

It is now hanging up in a place of pride in the hallway. I smile every time I pass it. :)


And now, onto my latest finish. I really enjoyed stitching this piece. I also highly enjoyed playing around with the colors. It really does feel like a summer piece, however, the saying is also a good reminder. 

At any rate, here is my latest offering:

Design: Winds of Change

Designer: Vicki Hastings of The Cross Eyed Cricket 

Fabric Used: Unknown 32 count Belfast linen. (Although, I suspect that it is Summer Khaki by Zweigart). 

Fibers Used:  Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in 1836, 2243, and 4221. Caron Collection Waterlilies in #181 Ocean Breeze (Dye Lot #CS201613). Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in S802 and S820. 

Stitchers' Notes: Former freebie obtained from LNS. Wording states "When the winds of change blow, Adjust your sails". 

Time for me to be off. I need to clean up both the remnants of stitching and breakfast and get the day started. I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Chicken Noodle Soup For The Stitchers' Soul

Am I the only one that turns to 'comfort stitching' when stressed out? There are certain designer that I find are the stitching equivalent to mac and cheese and meatloaf. Something homey and comforting, like a big bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup that your grandmother or your mom would make when you were feeling low. 

I have several designers that fall into this category. Blackbird Designs is just such a designer. With the advent of fall just around the corner (less than 4 days now!), this piece was just the ticket. I enjoyed the colors and especially getting back to my Legacy  by Picture This Plus, which I dearly love. 

At any rate, I did manage to finish the stitching up on this piece late last night. As consequence, I had to wait until today in order to take pictures, as Mr. Sun was visiting Japan at the time I finished. :) 

The stitching went fairly quickly. I will finish this into a pincushion, whenever I manage to procure a sewing machine. :)

Design: Pumpkin Blossom pincushion (Taken the book Autumn, Loose Feather collection 2011)

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus

Fibers Used: Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in #4125 Marron (Brown) and #4236 Lion. Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Carrot Cake, Collard Greens, Old Crow, and Pumpkin Carriage.

Stitcher's Notes: Started on Friday, August 26, 2016. Finished on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Design featured on page 8 of the book Autumn, Loose Feather collection 2011 by Blackbird Designs. Left off border.

Time for me to bolt for the door. I need to decide what is next, the Pumpkin Blossom Sewing Box or part of the main design as a scissor fob or more likely, an ornament. 

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and I wish you all a happy week ahead! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Boo-tiful Bijoux

I managed to start and finish this little guy today whilst I am awaiting another loaner chart from the Blackbird Designs Lending Library. I am really pleased with the outcome. I think this may one be a needlebook, but if I can find a spooky Halloween related gardening journal, this may grace the cover. 

Design: Basket Of Spells

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line. 

Fibers Used: Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in Noir

Stitcher's Notes: Started and Finished on Monday, July 18, 2016. Design featured on page 5 of the book Casting A Spell, by Blackbird Designs. 

1692 stitched in place of alphabet. Left off border. 

I had best be off. Lots to do. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

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Respectfully submitted, 

C. 

St. Patrick's Shamrock Leap Day Finish

I am so glad that I chose this latest project from Leaflet Silo. The green is very nice against the fabric, and I love the uniqueness of the design. I am not sure how I will finish it, but I am thinking of perhaps a no sew finish. 

Well, at any rate, here is the latest project stitched up:

 Design:  St. Patricks Shamrock (freebie)

Designer: Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Vintage Country Cream

Fibers Used: Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in #234 Vert Fin

Stitcher's Notes: Began Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Finished Monday, February 29, 2016. Stitched one strand of floss over two fabric threads. Freebie found on Page One of the freebies pages on the Brooke's Books website. It is located towards the bottom of the page. 


Wednesday, February 24, 2016:

Finished Monday, February 29, 2016:

Well, I had best be off. Time to clean up the stitching area and choose something else. I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

And The Winner Is....

...Leaflet Silo! Woohoo! I took the night of from stitching last night to get my area cleaned up from Jardin Mythique's finish. As I was watching The Soprano's again, I went through  Kit Mountain,  Leaflet Silo and on with the Bin O'Shame again to see if anything was grabbing me. Nothing was, so I decided to sleep on it. 

When I woke up, I had the urge to stitch something in the shamrock manner. I have very little in the way of anything in the shamrock manner, so I thought with it being March very soon, now is a good time. I went perusing leisurely through my hoard collection and remembered I had this one. I've always loved it, but never got around to stitching it. I then remembered a specific green that I had. Once I pulled the silk thread that I wanted to use, I found the perfect fabric for it. Et voilà! A new start is born, lol!

At any rate, here is what I chose:

 Design:  St. Patricks Shamrock (freebie)

Designer: Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Vintage Country Cream

Fibers Used: Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in #234 Vert Fin

Stitcher's Notes: Began Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Stitched one strand of floss over two fabric threads. Freebie found on Page One of the freebies pages on the Brooke's Books website. It is located towards the bottom of the page. 


Wednesday, February 24, 2016:

Time to bolt for the door. This isn't going to stitch itself after all, haha! I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Lad Insane

This latest finish is a tribute piece to David Bowie. I have been a long time admirer of his and since his death on January 10 of this year, I have had his music on constant repeat. I listened to his music almost exclusively while stitching this piece. I have the materials to do another one, so I can see stitching several more. 

At any rate, here is an actual finish finish. You can even see the glue drying, haha!

Design: David Bowie Told Me

Designer: Plastic Little Covers

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: Anchor six strand embroidery floss in 46, 328, 335, 403 and 433.

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 30, 2016. Finished Monday, February 1, 2016. Backing fabric and trims purchased at Joann's. 

Front View:

Back View: 

Side View:

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Not Quite The Finish I Was Looking For...

...however, one takes one's finished where one can. I had wanted to have the motif I am stitching from Quaker's Dozen by Julia Line of Long Dog Samplers at least finished by now, however, due to the weather, I have had some bad headaches. This means no stitching on 48 count Napery Ivory Dower linen or Lady of The Flag on 28 count Cashel linen from Picture This Plus in Phantom. More is the pity, I suppose. 

I did manage to get this guy from Kit Mountain finished up in no time at all. I just love this chart. As I adore Peeps from the Just Born candy company. I am, however, a traditionalist, in that I want the chicks in the color yellow, and the bunnies in pink. When I was growing up, those were your choices. Other than take it or leave it :). DH cannot fathom my fascination and/or love of these treats, but then again, I am hard put to explain it myself. :)

Well, at any rate, here it is. #1 from Kit Mountain and the first finish of the year!

Design: Hangin' With My Peeps (discontinued)

Designer: Sue Hillis for Sue Hillis Designs

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line.

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for in the chart. 

Stitcher's Notes: Left off wording. Please note that at this time, this chart is not for sale and/or trade. 

Well, I had best be off. Lots to do today, but all of it fun. I hope everyone is having a great week and a good start to the new year! :)


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Respectfully submitted,


C.