Just Following Along.....

First of all, I just want to welcome all of my new followers! **just imagine me waving at you with a big grin on my face**  I'm so glad that you decided to stop by and join in the fun.  The more the merrier, that's what I say!

I know that many of you have blogs and I have been trying to make sure that I am a follower on your blog as well.  So, if I'm not currently following you, please drop me a line or put a link to your blog in the comment section.  What better way to make friends and get inspiration than following a great stitchy blog?

Happy Stitching!

Heat Wave and Promised Pictures

It was really hot this weekend.  Temperatures were in the upper 90's and with the humidity the heat index was well above 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.  Hubby and I went to one estate sale Saturday morning, but it was an absolute dud.  Then we headed over to a local festival celebrating Native American Indians.  It may have been me, but I think the festival was smaller this year than last year.  That was a good thing for us since it was way too hot to be walking around the festival grounds.  Instead of staying in the heat and eating junk food we opted for our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch.  Yummy!

Saturday night was filled with "stitchy time" with my BFF.  I started on a new piece where I changed up all the colors.  Originally the colors were very dark and drab IMHO.  So, you know I had to spruce it up a bit!  I really haven't been one to experiment with colors on my own, so I'm considering this an adventure.  I figure that the more I try color changes, the better I will get. 

A great big THANK YOU! goes out to all of you who commented on my Color Woes.  And, just in case you were wondering, I went with the darker Ye Olde Gold instead of the lighter Queen Bee.  It looks so much better!  (I think I knew that while I was posting it, but I still needed some reassurance.......)

As promised, here are some better pictures of my latest finish.  The pattern from Blackbird Designs and it is called Seaside Retreat.  I stitched it on 40 count Vintage Autumn Gold by Lakeside Linen.  For the color I used a Limited Edition Belle Soie by Crescent Colours.  Isn't it just the yummiest varigated blue?  I picked it up at market last fall while while I was working in the Crescent Colours booth.  I know that The Attic in Mesa, Arizona also carries lots of Belle Soie Limited Edition silks.  I believe that they they come in hanks.  (Give Jean and her girls a call if you are so inclined, I'm sure that they will be happy to tell you what colors they have on hand.) I used less than two yards since each yard is 12 ply.  I know the silk is on the expensive side, but if you are a 40 count stitcher, it sure does go a long way and it is well worth the price!

Many people have asked me where they can get this pattern.  Well, I'm sorry to say this, but Barb & Alma have yet to publish it.  They created it for a retreat that I attended in the Fall of 2009. I also have the greatest stockings that they created for this retreat.  I guess I'll have to dig those out and get them started sometime soon.  They always have such fabulous classes and I do wish that I could become a "Blackbird Groupie".  That way I could fly around the U.S. to all of the classes that they teach. That way I would never miss one of their patterns!

Of course, we could always gang up on them and convince them to release a booklet of all their class projects.  Now, wouldn't that be cool?  I know that I would buy it!  How about you?

Happy Stitching!

Color Woes

Today I'm playing with color. I wish was better with it, but practice makes perfect. So which yellow do you like best? The window and flower on the left (Ye Olde Gold) or the one on the right (Queen Bee)? I initially picked Queen Bee, but now I'm having second thoughts. HELP!!!!

Happy Stitching!

Eta: Oops,sorry! I'm posting from my phone again and the picture is sideways!!!! So, the darker color is Ye Olde Gold and the lighter is Queen Bee.

Seaside Finish

Just a quick crappy phone snappy of my finish. In fact, it's so crappy that it ended up sideways! I hope to have better pics soon.

Happy Stitching!

Don't Count Out the "Lurkers"

Remember when I posted about my latest Estate Sale find? You know, about this stitched piece?  I asked if there was anyone who might want it....  Well, I am happy to announce that this piece will have a wonderful home with a lovely couple who not only enjoy the fine art of stitched pieces, but the art of music as well.  It just so happens that a "lurker" stopped by the blog on that very same evening as my post and sent me an email offering this piece a good home.  I'm so very glad that I picked this up last Saturday!  Not only do I have a great frame, but this piece will be finding a new life in a new home.  I'm so thankful to my "lurker" for rescuing and adopting this great piece.  I will try to gently remove it from the frame this weekend so that I can get it in the mail soon.

In other stitchy news.........

I'm sorry to report that there were no grand finishes on BBD's Seaside Retreat last night. (And no pictures either!)  I still have one motif left.  I've also decided to pull out the date and restitch it in a slightly different manner.  In answer to some of the questions/comments, this BBD piece has not been released yet, so don't go looking for it in any of their books.  It was a piece that they designed for a retreat that I went to last fall.  Personally, I think that we should all gang up on Barb & Alma and get them to release a book of their class pieces.  What do you think?

I just thought I'd let you know that I'm working hard deciding on what to do for the giveaway.  I dug through the ever increasing baskets 'o stash and came up with a design that I hope you will like.  I have several from this designer in my stash, but this will be the first time I've actually stitched one of her designs.  Hopefully I will have enough time tonight for some quality time in the floss box(es) and fabric drawer.

Happy Stitching!

Giveaway Clarification

Since I'm using a random number generator to determine the winner of the giveaway, please be sure to comment a second time (here) if you were kind enough to share my giveaway on your own blog. 

Sorry for any confusion!

Happy Stitching!

1st Annual Bash!

I can't believe it, I've been blogging for a whole year.  It's amazing how quickly time flies when you are having fun! 

I've met some really great people in blogland this past year and I hope to meet many more of you in the coming years.  Many thanks to all of my readers and especially to those of you who comment. I do love hearing from you!

In honor of my first blogoversary, I've decided to have another giveaway.  Just like last time, this one will be a surprise (code for: I don't know exactly what I want to give away yet).  I picked up a special thing or two to put in the giveaway this past weekend, but you never know what else I may find between now and mailing time!  I will draw the name using the random number generator June 21st.....the first day of SUMMER!!!

Please comment on this post only if you want to join in the festivities.  You must be a follower to win.  You will get a second entry into the give away if you tell others about my giveaway on your blog.  Just come back and comment that you have done so.

Best of luck to everyone!