Many Thanks

Thank you to new followers...and old.  It is fun to have some new followers as a result of the groups that I am taking part in for 2012.  Thanks for all your nice comments, and I hope you will check in again on this meager blog of mine.

It sounds like there are a lot of people either stitching on the three BBD Loose Feathers projects for 2011, or hoping to get the time to start the series soon.  Like you, I can't wait to see what Barb and Alma have planned for 2012.

Not that I needed another WIP, you know how it goes, I started stitching BBD Christmas Garden last night.  I have to look closely at it today, despite lack of sunshine here, to see if I am happy with the colors I have chosen.  I don't want to put a lot of hours into this and decide that I don't like it.  Been there, done that!  I will putting this on my WIPocalypse list and adding photos when there is something worth looking at.

Again, thanks for joining me here once in a while.  Sometimes I think I spend almost as much time traveling around to different stitching blogs than I do stitching.  Amazing what ideas, and motivation, you can get.  Plus it's just plain fun!

Happy stitching!

2012 WIPocalypse - First Full Moon

Hi, fellow WIP stitchers, as well as stitchers of Smalls and Cottages.  It has really been fun checking in to see all the progress and finishes already this year, partly as a result of the different online groups that everyone has joined. 

I have pictures of the meager progress I have made thus far this year, including some stitching on two of my WIPs and the start of one project that I included on my WIPocalypse list to try to complete this year.

Blackbird Designs - Loose Feathers 2011 - Autumn

 I managed to do a little stitching on this piece in the short time since I last posted a picture.  I still have that enormous (seems like) bird and branch to go.  Then I can move onto Winter.  I really would like to have this finished before whatever Loose Feathers are coming in 2012 show up.

Shakespeare's Peddler - A Weary World Rejoices

 I spent most of my time on this piece.  The color is terrible...I took the picture after dark.  You probably can't see, but I have inserted some snowflakes above the moose instead of some critters that Theresa had charted.  I plan to have some snowflakes on the other side of the house, too.  As already noted, I am using my own color choices on this project.

Jeanette Douglas - My Story

I had included this piece on my WIP list even though it was not started on January 1.  I really hope to finished it this year.  I just totally fell in love with this design and the fibers used.  I am using the fabric and fibers called for on this.

I'll spend a little while tonight scouting around to see progress reports.  Too, too, too many fun projects and ideas, too little time!

WIPocalypse 2012

Here are photos of the first two projects I plan to work on before the January 9 post date.  I doubt that I will be disciplined enough to work on these until they are completed...I really have a bad case of stitching ADD. 

I chose Shakespeare's Peddler's A Weary World Rejoices since I am still in a Christmas mood/mode. 
There are still parts of the top of the sampler that have not been stitched.  I am stitching this in colors of my own choosing to get a lighter, greener appearance than the original design that was heavy in reds and browns.

A Weary World Rejoices - Shakespeare's Peddler
Fabric - Light colored from my stash, probably 40 count
Fibers - Cotton overdyes of my own choosing

The other project I plan to work on in the immediate future is the triple Loose Feathers from BlackBird Designs this year.  I have completed the Summer design, and am about one third through Autumn.  Winter is due in the shops in a week or so, which is why this piece has been moved to the top of my list for some attention.

Loose Feathers 2011 - Summer, Autumn, Winter - Blackbird Designs
Fabric - an off white 45 count
Fibers - cotton overdyes as specified

Wow!

We are having our first real snow of the season, which has finally gotten me in the mood for some snow.  Also, these are the biggest snow flakes I have ever seen.  Drive carefully, everyone.

2012 WIPocalypse

I joined an online group for 2011 where you listed some of your WIPs, with the idea of finishing some/all of the projects on your list.  Well, I have failed miserably.

With renewed enthusiasm, I have joined 2012 WIPocalypse; the link is:  http://measi.net/measiblog/2011/08/28/4814/
I'm really hoping to do a better job in 2012.  I have many, many beautiful projects that I would like to finish.  Not to mention how this should will encourage me to cut down on the new projects being brought into the house, which have a way of taking over physical and mental space! 

If any of you think this type of motivation would help you, pop over to Measi's site.  It's not too late to join, the rules are easy, it will be fun, and there will be a giveaway drawing on 1/1/2013.  What more could one ask?  Hope to see you over there.

Happy Thanksgiving

From Graphics Fairy

A Fun Autumn Weekend

A couple weekends ago a few of us gathered

for a fun stitching weekend hosted by Nancy. 

Lauren designed the cute small stitch
as a remembrance of the get together.

The sayings around the edges
were cute and appropriate for the occasion. 

I wish I had taken a better picture...some day when I finish mine.

We had a fun pot luck dinner on Friday, 

followed by a lot of chit chat and stitching time.

Saturday, following a delicious breakfast

coordinated by Nancy and Ginny,

we made a road trip to the Door Mouse,

a barn filled to the brim with quilt fabric

and patterns, and to the Craft Gallery in Findlay,

which was hazardous to most of our budgets.

We grabbed a bite in Findlay and got back shortly after dark.

More stitching time and good gal time together. 

There was a celebration of Rose's completion of Anniversary Roses

some time after midnight.

Sunday we had a great breakfast casserole made by Rose. 

We then shared a leisurely morning,

got things organized to leave,

and said our goodbyes shortly after noon.

Thanks Nancy...and Lauren...for a fun get together.

Here are a couple more photos:



LZ intent on being the first to finish Lauren's
little remembrance piece
and Ginny switching from a quilting
project to something else.



Rose beginning work on Book of Berries
with Nancy sitting back and enjoying it all.




A tiny portion of Rose's completed
Anniversary Roses sampler, designed by Lauren.
Congratulations on a huge and beautiful finish.




A sweet little box lid stitched by Nancy -
part of the Lake Erie nautical them.