January Works

Well I didn't do what I wanted to do in January. That is, blog once a week but this month will be better. Today I will show the projects that I finished in January and my progress on the ones I'm working on at the moment.

First up is the Mirabillia Christmas Fairy. I worked on this project ever since the pattern came out. I stitched it on Silkweaver, Rock-A-Bye, 32-ct Opalescent Lugana. I stitched the shoes and the dress, then I gave up. It got to the point where I could not see the holes in the fabric. So I asked my sister Jennifer to finish it for me. She agreed to finish it. Once she started she had trouble with the fabric also. The thread would split and it was hard to see the holes. But, she finished it anyway. It turned out beautifully. I think I am going to frame it for next Christmas.


The second finish was the Christmas Present Afghan for my brother-in-law Tim. I crocheted the March afghan from Leisure Arts "Birthstone Afghans by Carole Prior. The name of the afghan is Aquamarine. I started this in December after working on Dad's afghan. Dad's afghan had 8 rows that repeated. This one only had one row. You would think that I could have finished it before Christmas not a month later. I crocheted using Red Heart Soft Navy Blue that was in the super size (16 oz.). I am going to wash it (since I dog loved to rub against it), then give it to Tim today when I get off work.



The third and final finish are the Erica Michaels 2004 freebies for Rainbow Gallery. We as I posted earlier, I had finished cross-stitching them earlier in the month, but made them into magnets on Sunday. On Sunday, Jennifer showed me how to make them into magnets. She finished the February while I finished the January. I think that they turned out beautiful.


As for my active project, I have 4: Kick Back & Stitch's Forest Glen - needlepoint, BC's Walking in a Winter Snapperland, Miriabillia's Rose of Sharon and the border on BC's The Red Thread.

The first project is KB&S' Forest Glen. When we got together and stitched in January, I finished the squares/borders. Then Saturday while I was at Liz's watching Human Target, I stitched 1-1/2 of the 4 boxes. My goal is to finish it today. This pattern was part of a needlepoint club I joined a few years back. The club contained 18 patterns of which I have stitched 12 and am working on the 13th. When I finish this set then I plan on working on the other club that I joined at the same time. Then I have several needlepoint projects that I bought back in 2006 when I moved back home. There isn't a needlepoint store in the area.

The next project is BC's Winter Snapperland. I've decided that I will do the border with each square (even though there are only four). I don't want to have this pattern end up like my red thread project (all but the border done). I'm stitching it on Silkweaver's Winter Skye, 32-ct Opalescent Lugana with DMC floss. I have some colors that I need to buy to finish the project.



The third project is Mirabillia's Rose of Sharon. I'm stitching this on linen fabric that I bought about 15 years ago. When my nephew Patrick was born, I bought some linen to stitch the Precious Moments Noah's Ark for his birth gift. The plan was to make it a wall hanging. Well the project has been stitched but not made into a wall hanging. Do you think that a 15-year-old boy would want a Precious Moments Noah's Ark hanging on his wall? Well maybe he can use it for his baby when he get grown, a job, and a wife. Anyway, this fabric was leftover from the project. I have had the Rose of Sharon pattern since at least 1992 when I moved to Lafayette and bought it at Stitch n Frame. The girls I stitch with decided that each one of us will work on a major project that we have wanted to work on for a long time. So I picked this one. I have stitched from the shoulder down in the middle area of the dress. This is going to be a lot of work. When I finish this one I think I do the one with the American Flag. I bought it for next to nothing at Michael's and it included everything.


Finally, I am working on the border of BC's Red Thread. I'm stitching the border with Gentle Art's Dark Chocolate but I will run out before I get to the words. So, I've decided to stitch the words in a red different from the "Red Thread" in the pattern. I hope to finish this project this month.

Well, I think I have blogged about everything I'm stitching on this month. I plan on blogging every week instead of every couple of weeks like last month. Thank you so much for stopping by and looking at my work. I appreciate it very much.

Have a great day

Sharon

Projects completed this week

I finished the Erica Michaels 2004 February at Jennifer's last weekend. I haven't stitched on any projects since then. I have been crocheting on Tim's afghan. I only have a few more rows to go then around it twice.

Christmas Ornaments Completed - Last year

Jennifer & Mari's Trees










Bridget & Pete's Trees






Mine & Mama's Trees

Every year the ladies in my family make homemade ornaments and exchange them (in addition to presents). This year I gave Christmas trees. I got a pattern from Lily for the Christmas tree. I crocheted the smaller tree. Instead of plain buttons, I used seasonal buttons to make it look like a decoration. I think they turned out really cute. The girls (and my brother Pete) really enjoyed them. Note: since Pete isn't married I also give him an ornament for his tree.

Stitching Weekend and Finished Projects

Well, I finished my dad's afghan at the end of November. The pattern had rows that repeated. It looks like it would not be warm but it is very warm. I think he will love it. I also bought him the movie "The Pathfinder" with Karl Urban. As far as the other afghans are going. I should finish Tim's afghan by Christmas, but Ricky and Hobbie's afghans will be boxes of yarn under the tree.

Now this weekend, Lisha, Teresa, Jennifer, Bridget, and I got together at a different home each day to stitch. Friday, the first day, we stitched at Jennifer's house. I crocheted on Tim's afghan for a couple of hours. Then I worked on my ornament for the ornament exchange we had today. I stitched "Gift" from Lizzie Kate, then I stitched on the border for Bent Creek's Red Thread Series. When I got home, my nephews Theron and Tucker wanted to spend the night. So I let them. I thought they would want to help decorate the tree. Well, they didn't rather they wanted to play Pikmin on the Wii.

Saturday we started at 1:00 at Teresa's. Again, I worked on the afghan and finished what you see above on the border. Now I have the right side of the border and the words. I decided to do the words in a dark red. Then I worked on another Round Robin that needed finishing. The pattern is "Victorian Bear Stocking" a part of Designs for the Needle's Christmas Tradition. The pattern was completed in the round robin but the back-stitching is the thing that needs to be finished. The pattern is hard to follow for the back-stitching because they use two very similar reds to show back-stitching with different color thread. I didn't stitch a lot of back-stitching.

When I got home, my brother Ricky asked me to keep Leif, his son. Leif is 10-months old and fighting the urge to sleep. He is adorable and we finally got to bed at 11:30.
Today, I worked on "Fall Crazy" by Lizzie Kate. I had already stitched the body of the turkey. I stitched on the is one a long time. Then I switched to the Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long by Ink Circles. I worked on the border and one of the squares.

Fall Crazy

We did an ornament exchange. As I said, I stitched "Gifts" from Lizzie Kate. I got in the exchange the snowman. Which is perfect since snowmen are my favorite.

Jennifer stitched "Cookies" which Teresa got, Lisha stitched the snowman which I got, Teresa stitched the Noel which Bridget got, and Bridget brought the wreath of bells which Lisha got and Jennifer got my ornament.

Tonight I am home alone. No one is spending the night (other than the dog). I am ready for bed. My mother and I are going "combat" Christmas shopping in the morning.

Well thanks for stopping by,


Sharon

Giving up on Goals

Well I have given up on making goals with deadlines. I have the border left to do on Daddy's afghan but I have completed nothing else. I lost my Thanksgiving Dressing for a whole week and found it today under a pile of picture frames. I'll try to finish my goals by the end of the month but I don't think I'll make it.

Well got to go

Sharon Clark

Goals Adjusted

I had hoped to finish two afghans last month. One for my father and one for my brother-in-law for Christmas. Well I'm only halfway finished with the one for my dad. It has eight rows that repeat for a total of 125 rows. I should have been finished with it by now but you know how things go.

So I'm adjusting my goals. I want to finish the two afghans plus one more this month. I'll see if I can do it.

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Goal 1 Complete

Well I have accomplished my first goal. I finished the Spooky Row by Bent Creek. I stitched it with DMC thread. I have been meaning to stitch this for a while but have put it off. I had to restitch the vulture because it was way off from the pattern. (He would have been without feet if I left it). Well, I am very happy with the results. Now on to my other goals.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Afghans

Hey. I know, I know. I've been slacking. I have no excuse. I have not been in the mood to stitch. So I've started crocheting. I crocheted Bouquet of Shells from Absolutely Gorgeous Sentimental Shells, designed by Terry Kimbrough published by Leisure Arts (pictured below). I made it for my cousin Liz for her birthday (back in February). I used Red Heart's Country Rose. Liz loved it. So I decided to work on afghans for awhile. I have 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 2 brother-in-law, 1 sister-in-law, my parents and 6 nephews. I have crocheted or knitted an afghan for my sister, my mother, my sister-in-law, one of my brothers and the 4 youngest nephews. So I decided to crochet for the rest of the family, my father, 1 brother, 2 brother-in-laws and the two oldest nephews. I will post pictures as I finish them.

On a different note, I bought Red Heart's Plum Heather worsted weight yarn a few years ago. Well last year I decided to crochet an afghan with it but ran out before I finished. My mom found a partial skein of it in her stock which I used but I still need to find a 6-oz skein of it. I have searched everywhere but haven't found it yet. But, I keep looking. The pattern that I used was Emerald Lace from One-Color Wonder Afghans published by Annie's Attic.

As far as stitching goes, I have been stitching on the same projects forever. So I have set up goals and recruited help. My Mirabilia Christmas Fairy I have asked my sister to finish. The count is too small and I can't see. My goals are:
1. Finish "Spooky Row" by Halloween (almost there)
2. Finish "Turkey Dressing" by Thanksgiving.
3. Finish the three other projects in my basket by January 1st.

I hope to achieve these goals.. I hope to post more often also. Well got to go teach my night class.

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon Clark

All Seasons Ornament Exchange

I stitched the above Lizzie Kate Summer Basket for Terry. I backed it with daisy fabric and used ribbon attached with heart buttons for the hanger.


Terry sent me the above ornament. I think that they are sheep from Little House or Country Cottage Needlework. I love this ornament (fluffy sheep are so cute). For the backing she stitched my name. I really love it.


Well got to go. Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon

Needlepoint

Fridays will be needlepoint for my rotation for awhile. I have been working on my Fireside Stitchery Seasonal Squares for a while. I started Early Blossom yesterday and finished it today. I have completed 10 out of 16. Once I finish the remaining six, I will work on my Halloween Pudgy then I will work on the sun canvas that I bought (and spent way too much money on it). The sun will be beautiful when I finish it. Of course, I have several more canvases to stitch on that I can't wait to work on them. Before I start on the sun, I need to get a really big set of stretcher bars and a frame to support it.

Gifts Received - PIF & ornament

Jennifer and I were in an ornament exchange. I also signed up for a PIF on her blog this past year. Well, she delivered it to me last week. So I'm posting them for you to see. The ornament is the January block from Lizzie Kate Stamp series. It is really cute. I have hung it on my ornament board with all my other beautiful ornaments.


The PIF is a Halloween Pattern with buttons. She made it into a cube. I really like it and plan on displaying it during Halloween.

Well since I have receive a PIF, I must now open my own PIF Exchange. The best part of this exchange is the honor of sending 5 other individuals similar types of gifts. The first 5 individuals that leave a comment stating that she/he would like to join will receive a handmade item from me. Similar to Jennifer's guidelines, I can't promise an exact item or time, but promise that the gift will be top quality hand-made and that you will receive it in the next year. The other stipulation is that you post a similar exchange on your blog promising to send 5 individuals a gift. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? I think so. Just leave a comment and I will contact you via e-mail to get your mailing information. Good luck.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sharon

Looking for a pattern for a friend

I'm looking for a pattern for a friend of mine. I stitched this pattern back in October 1994. The pattern was in a stitching magazine but I can't find it or remember which magazine (back then I barely remembered to write down the name of the pattern). The picture has a jack-o-lantern face in the upper right corner with a black mask in front of it. It also had a caramel apple, a green lollipop, and two pieces of taffy wrapped in purplish colored paper. If anyone could tell me the magazine and date I would greatly appreciate it.

One lady thinks it is from Cross Stitch and Country Crafts. If anyone has any information, I would appreciate all the help.

Thanks

Sharon

Photos

I said I would post pictures of the projects that I have completed along with the gifts I received. So here they are. First is the ornament from my summer exchange. I think she did a wonderful job on the ornament. It is the word liberty with beautiful 4th of July fabric.

Second is the ornament that I stitched. It is from a Lizzie Kate Seasons pattern. I really loved stitching it. Once I finished it I was disappointed. I thought that I should have stuffed it more. I thought it was overstuffed but it wasn't. I wish that I would have redid the finishing before I mailed it. Next time I will follow my instincts.



The next picture is the first part of the Ink Circle Celtic Stitch Along that I finished. I really love this pattern. My sister Jennifer helped me pick out the colors.The next pattern finished is the block below the first one. It was quick and easy. The next block will take a little longer because I have to work on the border also.



Finally, the last pattern was the September Block - Indian Summer - from the Fireside Stitchery Seasons Geometric Series. My mother and my friend, Lisha, absolutely loves it. I like the colors. These are easy and fun to stitch.

Well thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed it.

Sharon

I've been busy

Really!! I have finished a couple of the blocks on the Ink Circle Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long. I also finished the September 2007 block from the Seasons Club at Fireside Stitchery. I will have pictures to post soon. The reason I don't have any right now is that the dogs got the camera out of the car during the 4th of July holidays and carried it off. We found it in the rain. My sister Bridget took it home to dry it out. Now, I need to get the photos from her.

I also received my ornament from my sister from our ornament exchange and my PIF from her also. They are beautiful. Pictures to come when I get the camera back.

I've also joined a book swapping club. I have so many paperbacks that I need to read or have read. I have mailed off 4 so far and am waiting on another.

On top of all this I need to find a full time job. I found a posting for a job for which I would be PERFECT. I have filed my application and am waiting for a call. I really would like this job even though it is an hour and a half away.

Well my nephew Leif is crying and I've got to go.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Summer Exchange

Well, my partner received her ornament, so here are our ornament. She stitched me this one below. I have it hanging on my bulletin board with all my other ornaments. I am very happy. Here is the one I stitched for her. It is a Lizzie Kate pattern. I loved the pattern but I should probably have stuffed it more. As I look at it now I really should have stuffed it more. I was thinking that it would look good thin but I don't know now. But it is a cute pattern.



I'm going to bed so thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

My Birthday

Saturday, my family took me and my brother Ricky out to Red Lobster for our birthdays. Well, mine was in May and his was early June. We had a great time eating and visiting. My sister-in-law, Mari bought a ready-made cake and put the numbers 37 and 40 (near of which are my real ages but we celebrated my "40th'").

My sister Bridget paid for me to attend a scrapbook convention as my gift. As for my sister Jennifer, well she made this beautiful bag. I love it. I have been admiring the two that she made for herself, the one made for Momma, and the one she made for Bridget (CORRECTION: Our friend Lisha made one for Bridget). I am so happy that she made it for me. She also gave me a beaded scissor fob (pink). I feel very special.

The Bag

The inside of the bag (2 pockets)

On top of all of these gifts, I received in the mail last week my Secret Santa Christmas gift from one of my exchange groups. I was so happy and surprised. The gift included threads, kits, and tools for stitching.


Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Round Robin ABRR

Well I have finished the last two round for my Round Robin. The first was a Lizzie Kate Christmas pattern for Merriwether. I had fun stitching it and had to outline the cup. The color of the cup was the same as the color of the fabric.


The last one, which I mailed today, was for Georgena. The patterns were the DMC hearts. I stitched on the Hearts of flowers pattern. It was an easy and quick stitch.

Now I am waiting for my RR to come home. I can't wait to see it. I think it will be beautiful.

Sharon

Update - Not stitching

I am trying to get my life in order. I am suppose to be cleaning my house at the moment, the time when there is a lull in my activities. I have to be at work at 3:00 today. I've been hanging out with my friend/cousin Liz for the last few month instead of stitching, but I have several projects due this month. Right now I am working on a round robin and an ornament exchange. I'm about 3/4 of the way through the round robin and only a 1/4 of the way through the ornament but I plan on mailing both of them this weekend.

I received in the mail a wonderful surprise. I was in a Christmas gift exchange this last Christmas but did not receive a gift. Well, the person who was my Secret Santa found my gift wrapped and packaged waiting to be mailed. So, the wonderful woman went ahead and mailed it. It was a great Christmas gift with a couple of kits, some stitching tools, a notepad, and some specialty thread. I really like the gift.

I'm waiting on my round robin to come home. When it arrives I will have to do the back stitching and then put in beads (instead of french knots). It is a Christmas stocking kit that I have had for a while but haven't had time to work on it. I think it will be beautiful.

As far as a job or school, I'm still working part time this summer but I will be able to survive. I have enough money saved to make ends meet. I hope to have a full time job in the fall. School, on the other hand, is moving slowly as usual. I emailed my major professors, one is sick and the other is really busy. But, they said that I needed to send my proposal to them by July 1. Hopefully I will be able to defend the proposal in July or August. My goal is to graduate in December. If I do then it will be 20 years since I graduated with my Bachelors. Keep your fingers crossed that I finish because I am tired of being in school.

Well I have procrastinated long enough, I've got to go clean my house. Until next time...

Thanks for stopping by,
Sharon

Happy Birthday - - - - to me

Well today is my birthday. What am I doing? I'm about to silk corn and snap green beans. Then this afternoon I have to go to work for a couple of hours. I hope to spend the afternoon stitching but I'll probably clean house.

I haven't really been stitching this last week but I want to get back to stitching and finish my present rotation. I want to start something new. Maybe the winter snapperland or the Hearts in Hand monthly sampler. I don't know but I want to start something new. But, I promised myself that I would not start anything new until I finished a couple of projects that are over a year in the making.

Well got to get back to silking corn. Have a great day

Sharon

Whoo Hoo! I Finished

As of 1:00 am Mothers' Day, I finished the Rainbow Birds for my Mom. Now she is going to make it into a pillow. I gave her the stitched project and the 3rd season of "Barney Miller", one of her favorite tv shows.

Right now I am working to complete my parts of a round robin. I have one and a half more projects to finish. Then I will start on my stitching rotation.

Well got to go this getting up at 5:30 am is killing me.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sharon

Spring Ornament Exchange

Yeah, I had a wonderful exchange this time for All Seasons Ornament Exchange with Karen from Australia. She stitched "Hello Spring" from Lizzie Kate on one side and "Spring" by Helga Mandl. I love the ornament. I have stitched the "Hello Spring" from Lizzie Kate twice for others.


As for the ornament that I stitched, I stitched, it was from The Cross-Eyed Cricket's The Cricket Collection - "Rabbits' Garden". I really enjoyed stitching this one for Karen. I whipped stitched it together on the sides like in other ornaments.

Violets

Sunnyside Up

Thanks for checking out my blog.
Sharon

Biscornu Exchange

For my Biscornu Exchange, I had a hard time deciding on what I wanted to stitched. I finally settled on the following.

Pattern: Wichelt Imports Freebie
Stitched on Linen
Thread: DMC
Stitched for: Lynn B

I received a biscornu that I have been wanting for a long time. I am very happy with it. Thank you Ellen.

Pattern: Easter Biscornu
by Barbara Anna Designs
Stitched by: Ellen Sharp

Valentine Exchange

Hey! You know what good intentions get you.... Well I have been trying to post pictures of my Valentine's Day Exchange for a while. Right now I am working 3 jobs (mind you one is only a couple of hours a day) and am exhausted every evening especially since I have to get up at five for the first one. Note: I am not an early riser by nature but rather a night owl. So, here we go.

Pattern: Be Mine Valentine by Lizzie Kate
Threads: DMC and "Love"
Fabric: Silkweaver's Pink Champagne
28 Count Opalescent Lugana

The person I sent to was Rita. I stitched it up and made it into a pinkeep. I used "Love" to stitch the heart. I sent some goodies and a pattern from her wish list. I really enjoyed stitching and gathering this exchange.

Pattern: French Country Love
by JEW Designs
Stitched by: Margie

Margie finished it as a beautiful box filled with lots of goodies. My nephews appreciated the Sweet Hearts. This was my first box and I love it. I have plans for the charms, buttons, and ribbons.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon

Knitting Projects completed since January

So here are the projects that I have knitted. I knitted the same baby afghan twice for the two new nephews. Tyler got a baby green one while Leif got the Sunshine Print one. I will edit this post and put a picture of the green one when I find it.












For my friend, Vercher, I knitted a dish towel and crocheted a wash cloth. I really enjoyed doing this and plan to knit all the girls in the family at least one. Next, I want to knit everyone a pair of socks but I have to find yarn that is stretch but does not have any wool in it.

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Sorry I Haven't Posted

As you know, the satellite modem was down at my house. Well my brother Pete got the part and put it in the machine. Then..... nothing happened. So now we are waiting on a technician to come out to the country and check out the satellite link and everything. Right now I am using a friends computer to post.

So what is new? I found a temporary job teaching math in a high school (the one I posted about in my last post but it is only 1 hour away). I'm teaching 9th and 10th graders Algebra I. At present we are preparing for the state test (which they need!) I now remember why I went to work at a community college. But, the students are cute, somewhat well behaved (they love to talk), and are generally easy to work with (when they aren't whining). I like working with them. I am continuing to teach one night class at the community college, and working for Sylvan. I am still looking for and praying for a permenant job at one of the local universities.

Oh, Oh, Oh! I almost forgot----my sister-in-law had her baby boy 8 days after my sister had her little boy. The new nephew was 8lbs 110z and 21 inches long. The babies are so cute. Leif is so laid back and calm while Tyler provides his opinion whenever he wants. That makes 6 nephews. Too many boys!!! Another set to play trains, swords, and video games with.

As for stitching, I have completed several things. I don't have any pictures right now but I will tell you what I have completed:
Knitted: dishtowel and two baby blankets
crocheted: an afghan (almost finished) and a dishcloth
cross stitched: finished my portion of a round robin (waiting on the next installment) and a biscornu
needlepoint: Finished a geometric square from the club I joined a couple of years ago.

I finished listening to the Left Behind Series on CD and am now listening to DaVinci Code on CD. I finished reading the Hobbit and am reading The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Well I got to go. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have internet access soon and will post pictures of all the things on which I have been working.

Bad Modem, Bad, Bad Modem!

I have been without internet for two weeks. TWO WEEKS! No googling (or yahoo ing), no posting or reading blogs. I have been crazy without the internet. Right now I am using my sister's computer while waiting for my nephews to get home from school. By the way, we had a new addition to our family this week. My younger sister had her baby on Wednesday. They are getting ready to go home today. He was born at 1:02 pm. 7 lbs 11oz and 20.5 inches long. (He is so small with really long fingers and toes). He is cute. Back on topic, my brother Pete should be fixing the modem this weekend. I will have internet really soon.

As for work, I have been offered a teaching position for the rest of the school year. (The teacher is taking maternity leave). The only problem is that the job is an hour and half away with class starting at 7:30 am. I am not a morning person at all. But, I think I will take it so that I can have some steady income for a few months. I also got hired at Sylvan which I think I will enjoy and continue through the summer (if they need me).

Well the boys have arrived and want to go to MawMaw's and PawPaw's house. They are loading their bikes on the truck and rushing me. So, when I get internet again I will post pictures of the afghan that I have finished and the books that I have read.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon