It's Looking Like Spring!

Well, today it's nice and sunny out and it's starting to look alot like Spring is actually on it's way.  Trees and plants are starting to bud.  It's nice to step out into the sunshine.

I don't have any new progress pictures to post this week.  And I must confess I haven't gotten much stitching done in the last week or so.  I did however do some knitting and became very frustrated with a knitting project I was bound and determined to finish (started 3 years ago).  I got all the knitting done and when I went to put it together it wasn't going together very smoothly so I've decided I'm not going to finish it but am going to re-purpose the cotton yarn for something else.    It wasn't going to fit me anyway so I have been busy perusing my library of patterns looking for a new project for that yarn.  It actually feels kind of good to let go of a project that I wasn't that crazy about in the first place.

Have a good week everyone and get some stitching time in!

Since my last post, I have been puttering around the house digging through closets and boxes and actually getting rid of stuff!  I tossed six phone books dating back to 2007 -- why was I saving those?

St. Patrick's Day was spent with awesome friends just stitching and knitting.  Lots of snacks (can we say potato chips and dip) and chatter, good coffee and a corned beef and cabbage dinner prepared by our fabulous chef and hostess for the day - Debbie -- yum!  It was a fun day and I think we all actually got some form of stitching/knitting done.

Last week I did manage to finish knitting a pair of socks for myself and I did some stitching on my Christmas Stocking.

Socks using Regia Sock yarn -- pattern from the book Sensational Socks

Progress on my Christmas Stocking - "Crafter's Stocking" - Donna Kooler Design - Santa doesn't have his eyes yet - I decided to use beads for his eyes so I'll put them on last.

I also managed to clear enough space in my sewing room so I could actually sit down and do some sewing -I have several quilt tops that need finishing up. While I was sewing I spied a book on the floor underneath a stack of UFO's so of course I had to stop and look at it and that of course led to my looking through other books and before I knew it the afternoon was gone and I had gone through a stack of sticky notes marking projects that I just need to start.  I even started "stash shopping" for those projects.  I controlled myself though and stepped away from the books and went back to my sewing machine to at least turn it off for the day.  Geez, it wasn't even a bright and shiny object that distracted me it was a book of quilt patterns!

Until we meet again, get some stitching time in!

What I'm Working On

Well, I'm just tired of cleaning my house.  I just want to sit and stitch.

Here are some things I have been working on...

I just finished putting on the binding on this piece -- it is a "freebie" pattern I found on the internet.  I did this for my sister Sandy for Christmas.  She has quite a collection of  "I Love Lucy" memorabilia.  This was done on 14 count linen aida cloth with floss.  A very quick and easy stitch for a wall hanging.  I used up some "Lucy" fabric I had purchased several years ago for the backing and the binding.  The stitching didn't take me any time at all it was the darn "finishing" that took me forever!

I just couldn't stop myself from starting this one.  It is an Easter tabletopper from Dutch Treat Designs.  I have had this chart for a while and have decided I just had to start something for Spring.  I love these tabletoppers because they are pretty easy to stitch and go pretty fast.  This on 18 count Anne cloth with Size 5 Pearl Cotton.

Here is another one I have started.  This is called "Sew Fine" from Shinysun's Cross Stitch.  This is another cross stitch tapestry.  This is by the same gal who charted the "Black Lab Pup" I finished last fall.  It is on 18 count Ivory Aida with cotton floss. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment wanting to do another one of these!

Here's an on-going project -- I started this last fall.  It is a Christmas Stocking design by Donna Kooler called a "Crafter's Stocking".  This one has lots and lots of back stitching on it so I'm anxious to get all the base stitches down so I can begin the back stitching.  It's about time I have my own Christmas Stocking for 2012!