Long time, no see

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I've been working on my dissertation proposal and my general exam portfolio. I meet with my major professor a couple of weeks back. He asked me to update my general exam portfolio for final approval. Well, I came home and pulled it up on the computer. To my shock and surprise, I could not find the latest version. I found the original version which had been almost completely rewritten. Thank goodness I had a hard copy of the latest version. So I have spent the better part of two weeks retyping and updating the document. I sent it to my major professor on Friday. So, now I wait for his thoughts and comments. But, on to stitching.

I completed my LHN exchange for HoE. I will post a picture of it when my exchange partner receives it. I also decided to work on another "quickie" project before the 4th. It is "Liberty!" by Nessy Lynn's. I used plain aida in a platinum color, DMC floss, and a gold Kreinik. It was pretty quick. The designer did a great job at using floss to show shading. My sister, Jen, and I are going to make it into a cube.

I also made a decision this weekend while talking to my friend, Sharon. I have basically been punishing myself these last couple of years. I'm working on my dissertation and feel guilty about reading books for pleasure. You must realize that I used to read two or three books a week. Some were just trashy romances but I also read some larger books. But recently I have only read the Harry Potter Books or the Stephanie Plum Books but nothing else. So, my decision is to read like when I was a kid. Every night I will read one to two chapters in a book. I have a shelf full of books I want to read. I don't want the books to get out of hand like the stitching projects. So every night, I will read for pleasure. I'll let you know how that goes. I will list the books I read along the side of my blog.

Well, got to go shell peas. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Sharon

HoE Freebie Exchange Received

My Freebie exchange recipient, Laura M, has received her package. So here is a picture of the Needlebook and goodies I sent her. The pattern is the Freebie "Tooth Fairy Day" Pattern from Just Another Button Company.
I changed the colors of the entire pattern. I used Cobbled Peach, Bejeweled, Sunshine Girl, Tropical Ocean, Cloud, and a DMC variation (for her hair). I used beads instead of the thread Morning Glory because I could not find a thread that matched. The beads I used were Mill Hill Beads that matched the dress.

Laura was very happy with the package. I am happy she liked it. I knew from her blog that she liked fairies; so I searched and searched for just the right pattern. I'm glad that I found this pattern.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Burgundy Flower Ornament Completed

Last night I completed the Burgundy Flower Ornament from Just Nan. The pattern is on the back of the Burgundy Bouquet Leaflet (JN051). While stitching the pattern I didn't think that it looked like a flower. Well, it isn't a flower rather it is 3 flowers. I didn't realize this until I was looking at the picture I took of the project. I used the threads called for by the pattern (DMC) and regular linen 28 count. I think it is very pretty.

I will try to finish the rainbow birds for my Mother this week (month). My WIPs list is getting shorter (yippee!) Once I have reduced my WIPs list to one (Lavender Myst will be awhile), I plan on starting "The Rose of Sharon" from Miriabilia. I have had the pattern since 1992 and really want to do it. Then I will be working on GCC Tiramisu, Rose of Sharon, and probably Hang Ten from Raise the Roof. I only want to work on 2 - 3 projects at a time.

Well got to go stitch. Thanks for dropping by.

Sharon

Stitching Retreat

This weekend I attended a stitching retreat here in Hattiesburg. The retreat started at about 1:30 on Friday and went to late on Sunday. Well first of all on Friday, Jennifer and I finished our pins and needles exchange items. I started earlier in the week looking for a freebie pattern that would be cute of a seahorse or mermaid. Well, I couldn't find a pattern of either and ended up doing the "Hello Spring" pattern from Lizzie Kate. I made a few changes to the pattern. I changed the word Spring to Sunshine. I hade to use three patterns to find the letters to complete the word Sunshine. I also added a butterfly bead. After I finished stitching the pattern, I completed it as a needlebook. While sewing it together I didn't catch the ribbon on the back, so I had to add a button to the back for a closure. It turned out cute (I almost didn't want to give it away.) In the exchange on Friday, Theresa got my needlebook. I received a pinkeep from Terri. I really like it. I don't know who the designer is but I like my first pinkeep.











We also had a gift exchange on Saturday afternoon. Each exchange was numbered, then each stitcher picked a number. We only got the package that matched our chosen number. I got an excellent gift. Polly put together an awesome gift. It contained threads, notebooks, beads, some fabric, stitcher supplies, candleholder, wind chimes, a Just Nan Whimzy pattern and frame and some Altoid mins. I was extremely happy with my gift.











A little later in the evening we got door prizes. I was 11th out of 15 to choose my door prize. I chose a package from Sisters and Best Friends which contained about 6 patterns with some bead packages. We also received several freebies as a group. See the picture to the left. Two of the stitching ladies Lisa and Polly gave everyone a gift as well (see right). Each gift included a skein of DMC floss and box of Mill Hill beads with candy. I really appreciated the thought. Lisa and Polly did a terrific job of creating a goodie bag. Thank you.












Now what did I stitch on at the retreat? I worked on the Something Special "Rainbow Birds" for my Mom, the Just Nan "Burgundy Flower Ornament" for myself, The Miriabilia "Christmas Fairy" for myself , and the Little House Needlework "Acorns and Pines" for HoE LHN exchange. . On the Rainbow birds, I had to pull out several stems and the bird because I used the wrong brown. I spent half a day getting back to where I was in the beginning. I made some progress but not much. As for the Christmas Fairy, I finish the bottom of the skirt and started her boots. On the Acorns and Pines, I did a little bit of work - the door, doorframe, and part of the house up to the top of the the door. Finally, I completed the most on the Burgundy Flower Ornament. I have two greens left to do in the leaves and the border. I plan on finishing it today. Also, I completed work on three of the Red threads from my Red Thread Round Robin. I had to put the pull trailer on Bridget's Road Trip, finish stitching on Lisha's Picnic (I forgot to cross back over about seven stitches), and I finished Ocean Voyage on Jennifer's. The Red Thread projects I completed on Friday night.

Oh yea, as part of the fee each stitch got a $75 gift certificate to the LNS. I got Heart in Hands "Monthly Markings Border" and the first 4 block patterns, The Cross-Eyed Crickets "Soft Boiled" and Little House Needlworks "Night and Day" and Praire Schoolers "Harvest Time".
I had a great time at the retreat and will do it again next year.

Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon "Clarkey"

HoE Biscornu Exchange Received

My partner for HoE Biscornu dropped out. So, I was assigned Marianela Mas y Rubi (Nela) from Venezulela. I sent it back in April and she received it this month. It was Summer Breeze by The Cat's Whiskers. The pattern was stitched with Dinky Dyes Thread on Silkweaver Fabric. I think it turned out cute.

Top View
Bottom View
Side view (her initial)
Date & Exchange Name
pattern used on the biscornu

Housework Never Killed....

I bought this Lizzie Kate thinking that it would be quick and easy. Well, it is quick and easy if you don't lose the thread. I bought Baby Spinach twice and lost it twice. My sister Jen finally found it in her stuff. The fabric I used was Silkweaver's solo. I thought I would never use the fabric but Jen kept telling me that the perfect project would turn up; it did. I used the specialty threads as well. My sister Bridget says that I should finish it as a pillow but a pillow that looks incomplete. I think I will try it. I am not a housekeeper. My little nephews are always telling me I need to clean up (Little do they realize that most of the mess comes from the visits they make).

Thanks for stopping by.

HoE Freebie Exchange

Today I received my freebie exchange from Paula Crossen. It is so cute. The pattern is Lizzie Kate's "Count Your Blessings"finished as a needlebook. Paula also included in the book some pins and a counting needle set. Additional items were a set of Mary Arden needles and the Lizzie Kate "Love Crazy" Pattern. I am so happy with my exchange. Thank you Paula C for such a lovely exchange.

I have also sent my Freebie exchange (yesterday). I will post pictures when my exchange partner has received it.

Sharon Clark