mainely stitching

Actually, I only pricked one thumb (the left one) but I did it a good many times …. I’ll spare you a picture of the poor little digit. I really should learn how to use a thimble. LOL.

Here’s my version of primitivebetty’s wonderful freebie. I knew I had to stitch this way back when she posted it on her blog, but it took me awhile to get around to it. This little darlin’ stays right here. It’s stitched over one on 32 ct lambswool with OWS Medallion Black. After I stitched it, I distressed it using coffee applied directly to the design side of the linen. The back is a gorgeous overdyed piece of silk that looks dyed-to-match the floss. And a bit of vintage lace finishes it off with a bit more flair than the average prim … but if something’s truly wicked, doesn’t it require a bit of luxury?

I’d like to thank both Betty and Tanya, while I’m at it, for not only being so generous with their freebies, but also for making them so accessible to those of us outside the US. I know that American (and perhaps Canadian?) LNSs offer freebies with purchases, but that’s just  not the case in other areas. So all those great La-D-Da and LHN (among others) freebies are impossible to obtain for the rest of us. It gets pretty frustrating, I’ll tell you! But don’t worry, I’ll get off my soap box now.

I hope your weekend involves a good amount of stitching as well as other happy-making activities. Mine’s been great so far. I actually ordered  new glasses (gasp!) – mine broke back in the early spring and since then I’ve been wearing a pair that dates back more than a decade. Tomorrow we’re off to visit a friend who was recently blessed with twin daughters. And hopefully I’ll soon be paying a visit on another good friend who just moved back to the Netherlands after several years abroad.

After my garden chores yesterday, and catching up on some writing deadlines the day before, and catching up on stitching deadlines a couple of days before that, etcetera, I felt like I deserved a day off.  It’s probably just me looking for an excuse to goof off, but hey, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Naturally on a day off, one wants to craft, right? Well, that’s what I wanted to do. Specifically, I wanted to make a kitty. Last Easter, I made the kids Easter bunnies. Nothing new there, as I make them something for their Easter baskets every year – but last year’s project turned out especially good (even if the photos definitely did not, LOL) and that was really thanks to some excellent instruction and a fool-proof free pattern.

So when I decided that I simply had to make a kitty doll for a friend, and didn’t have time to make one of my own embroidered ones, I turned to the same source hoping for another fool-proof finish: *Wee Wonderfuls.  Tada: Meet Angel Pointy Kitty! She’s guaranteed to help you fly over your problems, rather than getting mired down in them. She has a ready smile for even the dreariest day. She’s such a winsome, sweet little creature that my kids are more than a little upset that she’s destined for a home elsewhere. (To the friend who’s receiving this, I apologize for the sneak preview, but I just had to share!)

While I had fun crafting, Arden got in some quality TV time. I just had to laugh at the poses he struck – the kid cracks me up.

I hope your day included at least a snippet of something that made you happy – or even made you laugh right out loud!

*Wee Wonderfuls offers patterns for sale and also has a blog that has many free download patterns. She has embroidery, paper dolls, and stuffies. Go on, now, get over there and have some fun!

I’ve found my first victim for the HDF Be-series silks I ordered and wow, am I having fun with this project! This is the freebie that Paulette put on her blog the other day (and just let me add that I like this design so much I have plans to stitch it 3 times!). When I saw it, I ran for my new silks, my Bunny Brown 35 ct linen, and then I got busy. Well, by how little I’ve done, you can see that I couldn’t stay busy with it for too long, but I hope to spend some quality time with it later today.

The reason I couldn’t spend long on it yesterday is two-fold. Yesterday, Niek and I placed a bid on an auction property that we had more or less fallen in love with. It was perfect for us on a number of levels, but we had to submit a fairly low bid to avoid over-extending ourselves. Sadly, the winning bid came in just out of our reach.

The other reason for my lack of stitching is a much happier one – the kids’ school put on a circus yesterday to raise money and the kids had such a fantastic time. I brought my camera and captured parts of their circus performances (despite being in a back row and being about a foot shorter than the average Dutchie, LOL), as well as some other pictures of the younger kids enjoying the post-performance fun. (Max has a weekend with his father, and left the moment the kids were excused, so no extra pictures of him.)

Wishing you a weekend that’s long on health and happiness. Thanks for visiting with me!

It’s ironic that we had such glorious weather right up until the kids’ school vacation started. LOL. But we’re happy little critters anyway – lots of fun stuff to learn about the beautiful state of Maine! Here’s a little collage of today’s good times.

Today is also special because my biological father and his wife are celebrating their third wedding anniversary! Dear Jim and Gaby, I hope your day is special from start to finish!! Thinking of you, as always, with LOTS of love!! Your anniversary gift, I fear, will be late. :0

And finally, Mom’s slated for release from the hospital today. She’s far from her usual confident self, but hopefully once she’s home, she’ll feel more like herself and will start making great gains. I cannot thank you all enough for your wonderfully supportive and encouraging comments. Thank you!!

If you have a few moments, do head over to the super-cool Needleprint blog and check out. Not only are there tons of cool articles, but also some droolworthy freebies!

And now … back to some RR stitching. I hope your week is going great!

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic, supportive comments about our upcoming trip to Maine. I am just so excited! It feels like it’s been an eternity since I’ve been home, although in reality it’s ‘only’ been three years. I can hardly wait.

did they happen two-by-two?

I usually manage to avoid startitis. That said, I seem to have come down with at least a mild case recently – I started Mary Garry’s Spring Cookies(not yet finished), began my PS exchange piece (about half done), got side-tracked by a bunch of Easter bunnies (all done), tried to work on my NRR but couldn’t find it (I am not freaking out over that, really), worked a little bit on my ES Spot Sampler, started a bookmark for the Nordic Needle literacy drive, and nearly immediately got distracted by the utterly fabulous Red Sampler freebie from BBD. And what started it all? Well, Noah, of course! Remember my visit with Annemarie, and how although I didn’t stitch much that day, I did come home and make a good start on it? Well, guess what hasn’t been touched since then! Oops. But don’t worry, it will get some attention. Soon. LOL. As it is SAL night, here’s my progress picture.

And since I was talking about the bookmark, here that is (Barbara Ana design). I must finish this up in time for the rapidly-approaching deadline. I was stitching it entirely from orts until I realized that I don’t really have much in the way of orts. So the color scheme is sort of … unplanned. LOL.

Oh, and this is my love-of-the-moment. Isn’t it scrumptious? I’m stitching it on some 28 ct Graziano celery/natural linen that I traded Karen for awhile back, and am using HDF silks Black Iris Bloom, Everlasting, and Dried Roses (all from the Examplar series, which I love).

As soon as I get my current projects done (LOL!) I have lots of great new ones awaiting me. Riona recently sent me two patterns as a blog giveaway (and I can’t wait to start on the Brightneedle one!), and Monique just knocked me for a loop when her package of four My Mark designs arrived. I won a giveaway on her blog, and hoped that maybe she’d send me one … but four?! WOW!

I haven’t stitched much at all – the four free days around Easter were filled with outdoor activities (heavenly weather!) and prior to Easter, I was out-straight with bunnies. This week has been rather consumed by activities related to our upcoming Maine trip (yay!!). Though we won’t be leaving for months yet, some things need immediate attention – notably, our passports. Ugh. Go see Chiloe’s story about how awful this is to arrange when you’re not in your native country. Oh, and I got my hair cut today. It’s a short, layered bob that I hope avoids being frumpy while looking a tad more “put together” than the way I’ve had my hair for some time.

And  now, back to stitching – the elves have done the housework!
Wishing you well!!

So, the Easter crafting for this year is done. Whew, was it fun! Although I make something for the kids’ Easter basket every year, I think I pulled out all the stops this year! The 3 adorable stand-up bunnies are a freebie design made available by the commendable talent of Wee Wonderfuls. Truly, an idiot-proof pattern and one that can be embellished on to suit any occassion. The handcrafted “eggs” hanging in the branches (Paastakken, in Dutch) are also derived from an online source, Making Ends Meet. Max and I made the felt ones (which have a secret pocket to hide a treat in), while Rowen and Nick made the paper ones. (Sorry for the weird colors – late night photography just isn’t my strong suit!)

Wishing everyone a joyous day marked by reflection, growth, and joy.

I have to admit that I’m beginning to feel a little freaked out by the trials and tribulations that friends and family are suffering. It was bad enough when it was “just”  finances, but lately it seems like almost everyone I care about has been suffering from worrisome illnesses.  I don’t want to get up on a soapbox and make a speech, but I needed to say something. You wonderful people take care of yourselves; and if you want or need to talk, don’t hold it in – getting it out will be better for your health in the long run. Big,warm hugs to you.

Let’s see, stitching …. I have been stitching and finishing. Su’s seasonal exchange came out pretty good – though I always worry because I cannot create those wonderfully feminine delights that she is so great at – and hopefully the mail will rush it to her. As soon as that was finished, I got busy with a charity square – it’s for a rush quilt, so time is of the essence.  The design is an old freebie from Sharon Crescent called “Swirly Girls”  and I’m doing it in my own choice of DMC on white evenweave. Anyone who has this design but hasn’t stitched it yet: Beware, the chart contains errors. (It is stitched straight, but it looks crooked because of the angle at which I took the photo.)

I’ve also been reading. I really, really enjoyed Hearts in Atlantis. And now I’m enjoying The Bright Forever. I also have a couple of library books that called my name when I popped in yesterday with Rowen & Arden. Rowen, btw, is back at school today for half a day. Though she’s still very tired and pale, she really wanted to see her friends and get out of the house for a few hours.

Speaking of getting out of the house, Niek and I are going out to dinner tonight without the children. Gasp! It’s only been about two years since the last time. I hope I remember how to behave in a restaurant. LOL. Because Rowen’s not 100% and because it’s a new babysitter, we’re only going downtown to a new-to-us Cuban restaurant.

For some new and interesting goings-on: There is a giveaway going on at Kerin’s blog for some great ATC cards associated with the Australian fires. Pop over and take a look.   Nicole is celebrating her 1000th post with a stunning giveaway! Sue has started up a blog specifically for the delights of Blackbird Designs. She’s taking sign-ups if you’re interested! And Betty has yet another gorgeous freebie available at her blog!

Well, I guess I’ve rattled on long enough. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. Your friendship means so much to me. Stay healthy!!

I started my FS Easter exchange  piece today. My eye fell on a rabbit that just begged to be stitched. Specifically, it begged for stitching in a rather unusual color combination – sort of along the PS colorways, but different – that I hope my partner will like. I must say that I like it.

I also continue to devour novels, and find that very comforting. I’m re-reading Hearts in Atlantis now – it was so  long ago when I read it last that I don’t really remember it at all – and I’m enjoying it tremendously. I also liked Duma Key, but it was so sad. Yes, a sad novel by Stephen King.

I’ve probably spent too long online today. After drooling over the stunning mail-art that Edgar received, I had to pop over to Marie’s new-to-me blog. Anyone who can create such a masterful MA deserves some attention, right? Imagine my surprise when I saw a design she’d created – and it’s a bird, too! You’ll have to go look.

I also read Annie’s blog today, as I do whenever she posts, and after reading her thoughts on her HOHRH WIP, I’ve also decided to re-start Shores of Hawk Run Hollow using two-over-two instead of the one-over-two (on 40 ct) that I’ve been using. I just was not feeling the love, and after reading her post, it clicked for me. This means finding a different piece of linen - I don’t like the bulkiness of 2-over-2 on 40 ct - but I’m sure I can rustle up something.

Hoping this finds you happy and healthy!

… make everything lighter. Even me, apparently. After failing to lose a single ounce during the past month (despite a big change in eating habits), today’s visit to the dietitian saw a 1.5 kilo loss. Finally! Now I have something to build some motivation on!

The extra light has also been great for stitching, but unfortunately my hands have been so incredibly dry and chapped that even DMC catches and snags on it. I’m blaming it on having to do dishes by hand – our dishwasher broke at Christmastime and we haven’t gotten a replacement yet. Anyway, here’s my progress with Rowen’s MB birth sampler. Though I haven’t gotten far, it’s a huge pleasure to do something other than borders!

Today’s mail included a card from Cathy B.and a BOAF Gold Santa chart! Thank you so much, Cathy!! You’re so generous and thoughtful! I must also belatedly thank Rachael and Mady for some knitted goodies. I’ve sent them email, but haven’t thanked them publicly for the wonderful handmade hand warmers and socks.

And while calling out to friends over the Internet, I need to spread the word that my friend Connyhas just started her own blog. Good for you, Conny – great to see you in Blogland!

With Nashville on the horizon, I’ve been paying more attention to new releases. Naturally, Tanya has some great ones (when doesn’t she? when does she sleep??) including the second volume of her Sampler Girl Companion Booklet. I also saw something over at Shakespeare’s Peddler that is extremely tempting.  But hey, even if I did figure out how to stitch with my toes, I couldn’t keep up with what I want to stitch this year! And for those who’re watching their pennies, there are some cute freebies here.

When the chimney sweep came along today to perform our yearly cleaning, his assistant was admiring Gil, who loves to be admired. He (Gil) reminded me it’s been too long since he was featured in these pages, so without further ado, here’s the handsomest bird in Gouda.

I’m not sure if needle and linen will meet much in the upcoming week as both Nick and Rowen will be celebrating their birthdays – lots of baking to be done, games to organize, and so on. It’ll be a lot of fun, but it will also be a very busy time. If you don’t hear from me, you’ll know why!

Till next time, wishing you sun-filled days (though not too hot for those down in the Southern Hemisphere!) and happy hours of stitching!

I decided to try to keep track of what I read this year – I have the awful tendency to consume books and forget most of them shortly after – so I started a little list in the sidebar. I took the kids to the library this morning and picked up two other novels by John Connolly because I absolutely LOVED The Book of Lost Things.

I’ve also been occupying myself by whipping up a bookmark for The Godsend (aka my neighbor) because in addition to being an angel, she’s also a very avid reader. The bookmark will accompany a book gift certificate – inadequate, I know, but at least it’s a token of my gratitude.

I’m hobbling around steadily better, though I think I won’t be resuming my 30 minute jogging sessions during the next few days. Thank you all for your thoughts, comments, and best wishes!!

And now, I’m off to watch Mary Poppins with the kids! Have a great weekend!!

Edited to add: I just stumbled across a lovely 12 part “Mystery SAL” (all 12 parts are now available, so it’s not much of a mystery) that you might be interested in at Crown Stitches.