A Cottage Finish and a New Start

 Here it is!!!  My third finish of the year and second of the Cottages.  Again, I have not added the month name, and have just filled that in with more hearts.  I also shortened the topiaries in the sides of the house.  I had to do that since I have brought the top down about 8 rows.  I think it turned out cute.

 Here is the start of March's Cottage.  I am further along on it as of now, but I am going to frog the darker green, it is just too dark for my taste.  Again, I am modifying this one as well.  Hope to post another pic of it soon.  Although I am extremely busy lately, these are going fairly quickly for my standards. I am skipping April for now and have May and June coming in the mail.  


I have also come across a huge pile of craft buttons and have put them in the SHOP.  Purples, pinks, greens, blues, reds, whites....These are great for a multitude of crafts, from cross stitch, to sewing, quilting, ornaments....  I have kept many for myself and the rest are up for sale for fantastic prices!!!!  

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

A FINISH!!! And a WIP!

 Well, here it is.  My first cottage, finished!!  I am way behind, but that's okay.  I am just psyched that I did it.  This is my favorite so far.  As you can see I am leaving out the month names, I just didn't want them.  I am moving the top down about 8 stitches and improvising with the various elements already in the designs.  I am over half way finished with February and am making the flowers on the sides a bit shorter to make it work better.  I really like this too, I'm just not sure about my color choice of green.  It's a bit darker than the original, but it will have to work because I am not frogging it.  As you can see I have March in my queue.  I will be doing a floss toss for this one soon.  

Thanks for stopping by, hope everyone is well,

Hillery

WIPocalypse Update

 Well, it has been a very busy and exhausting month for me.  I feel as if I have just been floating in space and not really here on solid ground.  A few weeks ago, I pulled out Gathering Eggs from Mirabilia and stared at it.  I have not had one stitch in it this month.  I so wanted to start on her again, being so close to Easter, but life has just got in the way.  Here she stands, with an extra row of stitches on the right hand side.  I am not frogging a thing, but finishing her up in the forefront, then adding more stitches to the background.  Hopefully it will work out in the end.  


I have been crocheting a lot.  I find that that activity takes up less mental capacity than cross stitching, so that's my go to activity.  I am hoping to get some done on this little girl soon.  I just love her bright colors.  I think I need a little cheering up.


Thanks for stopping by,
Hillery

January Cottage

Well, now look what you've done.  It's a classic case of, everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn't I?  I have broken down and ordered January and February Cottages from Country Cottage Needleworks, and have had a nice start these past few days on January.  Now, I'm not too sure about actually stitching the month names, I might figure out a way to omit the names on these charts.  I'd like to lower the top border a bit and perhaps add a couple extra motifs to each chart.  Who knows if I'll get done a whole year, but this is proving to be a fun and quick stitch.  Hope to have it finished for next post. I think I'll have to e-mail Vonna and get on the Cottages SAL blog as well,

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

WIPocalypse March Update~ I am Finished

 Here she is.  She should have been done a long time ago.  I put the last couple stitches in her last night.

Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler

 I did leave out some stitching in the border.  I was finished, and no one but us will ever know.   Shhh.

I did have a nice square frame around this house somewhere.  I hope to find it and have it framed by August....Another 5 months of procrastination.

Have a happy day,

Hillery

WIPocalypse Update #2

Jenny Bean is ALMOST FINISHED!!!  Just a few more little stitches on the border and I will have my first finish of 2012.  


Short and Sweet and to the Point!


Thanks for stopping by,
Hillery

Blackbird Designs Margaret Harris

 Here is a WIP that I pulled out for the WIPocalypse challenge.  I have not worked on this one for over a year.    And although I did not officially sign up for IHSW, I did join you in spirit.  I got quite a lot done Friday and Saturday night.  I am please with what I managed to do.  The story for this particular design is that I plan on modifying it and turning it into a Harvest/Halloween Sampler.  Pumpkins, spiders, wheat or corn stalks and crows.  The problem is, is that I haven't the time or energy or possibly even the talent to design something.  I would like to do a little research and see if I can't emulate designs from other samplers.  Hope you all had a productive weekend.  

Thanks for stopping by,
Hillery

New Hat and WIPocalypse Update

First off, I just finished this hat today, and it has been a week in the making.  Not really sure if a beaver is on the top of anyone's wish list, but he is cute.  I am selling these in the shop and will hopefully write up the pattern when I have some time.  I have another hat that is finished as well, but I still need some pics.

Next up is my progress or backward progress for my WIPocalypse challenge.  I have taken out my Needlemaina 2, which is from The Sampler Life Yahoo group,  and have had to frog the bottom left corner. I was off one stitch to the left. This is why it became a UFO in the first place. I have finally finished frogging the snowflake and plan on continuing on tonight in front of the TV watching Downton Abbey.  I missed the first season, and I even missed the reruns last month...UGH.  I found out about it last summer and can't wait to watch.  I don't have Netflix, but my sister does, and I hope to get over there soon and start watching the first season.   Here are the pics of my before and after frogging.

The first full moon post over a Measi's is tomorrow, so I am right on top of it.  I'm excited to get more stitching done this year.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful Sunday Evening,

Hillery

WIPocalypse

A little late, but here is my list for Measi's WIPocalypse
I am really hoping this year to get some stitching done.  Last year was taken over by crochet, which will definitely be part of this year, but I would love to get some of these done.  Here's hoping.




Gathering Eggs by Mirablilia
Mary Wigham, download from Needleprint
Jenny Bean, Shakespeare's Peddler
NOEL, BHG Christmas Mag. 2004
Needlemania 2, from Samplerlife Yahoo Group
Dutch Sampler from The Gift of Stitching online magaizine
Margaret Harris, Blackbird Designs


The actual finishing of
Red House in Winter
Fa La La
Merry Skater
Pear Tree

Prairie Birds Ornaments
At least 5

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

A Thankful Stitching Post

It seems like an eternity since I have posted.  I have been here and reading your blogs in snippets, but every time I have sat down to start to write, I feel pressure to do something else.  There's always something more important to do.  And it's true, there is always something more important, the girl's, the housework, my new responsibility of helping my sister to home school my niece...I have felt so busy lately, that sitting down to write even a few words has seemed like a job.  I certainly don't want blogging to feel like a job, so I will post when I feel like I can, without any pressure.  Tonight I am posting because Daddy is entertaining the kids, the dishes are done, the house is tidied up, and I am feeling like it's time to share.  I also have to give a very warm thank you to Patti over at Stitching in Lobster Land for the fabulous giveaway win.  5 great charts and 5 beautiful threads.  Thank you so much Patti,  I am definitely planning on using some of those threads in the Sweetheart Tree chart.

I have also been stitching a bit lately.  It seems that crochet has taken over my life this year and it feels really good to pick up a needle a cross those little stitches.  It has been so long since I've had a finish and right now   I am so close I can taste it.  Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler was always on my wish list, and now she is nearly finished.  A little late for Halloween, but it will be ready to hang next year.

Also, I have found a new use for my head lamp!!!!!!  Just climb in bed, prop up your pillows, wrap one of these little beauties around your head, turn on the TV and stitch till your eyes start to droop.  Of course this isn't a nightly ritual, most of the time I'm so tired that I fall asleep as soon as my head his the pillow.  I have enjoyed my bed-time stitching though.

I have a lot of crochet projects that I want to share, but have to finished photographing things, but when I do, I will have a post for that.  I have also been very busy with Christmas gifts.  Just hoping that I can get everything done, that I want to get done.

Until later, thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

New little Project

A friend of the family just had her first baby boy at 29 weeks. He is doing well at 2 pounds 4 ounces. I have crochet the little one a tiny hat and matching booties. We will be sending the family a care package this weekend. I know this time is a little scary for them, but I think they are doing well.

As for Jenny, she had not been ironed, and probably won't be for a while. I've done a bit more, and am dreading the border. Hopefully I can get past my anxiety and keep plugging on.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

Monday's Progress

Posting pics keeps me Motivated.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

Jenny's Progress

Here is a pic of Jenny as of last night. I have done quite a bit more today, and plan on a few more stitches tonight. I wish the pics did this piece justice. It's been such a long time since I've stitched on a piece that I really didn't want to put down. I am loving every stitch!!

More pics tomorrow,

Hillery

Progress on Jenny and a New Hat

Slowly but surely, she's taking shape, that little house of Jenny's. How I love starting new projects. Putting the first few stitches in a nice piece of clean linen, imagining how it will all take shape. If only I would finish something!!! I know there are others like me with starteritis, with dozens of WIP's and UFO's. If only I could buckle down and COMMIT!!!

Anyway....Crocheting is a different story all together. I can finish these projects. And it makes me feel great. I found this super bulky puffy yarn and whipped up this little newborn hat. It is so soft, but the little hairs keep falling out. I have pulled and tugged at them until most of what is going to fall out is out. I am thinking of selling these hats on etsy, but I think I will have to wait for fall, as spring is right around the corner.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

Houses and Flowers

My first stitches in Jenny Bean's Halloween Sampler. I love this so much. I used a nice piece of cream linen that I had in my stash. I kind of wish that I would have hand dyed it first. Has anyone ever dyed their pieces after they were stitched? I am going to love it anyway.

A new granny square that I tried, might just turn into a blanket. This design is called Little Dahlia, which I changed up a bit. I have already started a new afghan with Summer Garden Squares that I used on my cushion cover, so I am jumping ahead of myself with this new square, but I just had to try it out. I do love flower granny's, and this flower is huge. Decisions, decisions...

More posties later. Have a great day!!!

Hillery

Thank You Riona!!!! New Stash and Hooky Happenings

I would first like to thank Riona, over at Oubliette for the amazing gift. What stitcher wouldn't love new stash.
Looky, looky, looky, at what I got in the mail today!!! I won Riona's Giveaway a few weeks back for a gift certificate to 123 Stitch. How I just loved pouring over the site, putting things in my wish list. Finally after a few days I decided on my purchase. I just added a few extra of my dollars and got these two charts that I have been eyeing for over a year or more, and some threads for the sampler.
Ink Circles: Cirque Des Cercles
Shakespeare's Peddler: Jenny Bean Sampler
Well, I could hold off and I put a few stitches in Jenny, and I'll have pics for your soon.
And I think I'll have a hard time deciding on the direction to go with Cirque. I have seen so many fantastic versions of this.


On the Hooky front, I tried out a new flower pattern for my hats. I think it turned out pretty cute. I also came up with another idea for embellishments that I think I will share with you soon.

As for the Sampler that I need to frog, well, I put that off for a while. I didn't want to but... well, another abandoned project for now. It's the story of my life.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

Was it only a dream?

You know when you wake up and for a split second you think your dream was real? It was real! I woke up to this. Last night I was stitching away and noticed that my bottom left hand corner is one stitch off. Upset, I put it aside and went to bed. The minute I saw this sitting next to my chair this morning, I scowled and set to work on getting my coffee, a bottle and a cup of milk. I stared at that thing all day, knowing full well that I could not get away with this one. It will have to come out. I detest such surgery, and avoid it at all costs if possible. Nothing doing this time, the piece is too symmetrical. I will not give up, I will not give up, I will not give up, I will not give up!!! Perhaps after the little ones bath tonight, I will tackle this and update you tomorrow.


On a brighter note, I have been hooking some hats. I know it's almost spring, and I don't know what I am going to do with these yet, gifts, sell... Anyway I love them. I still need some more flowers or other embellishments for some of them. Too many projects. Isn't that the way?

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

I've Been Stitching!!!

Here is the before pic.

Can you believe it!!! I started on this WIP again last night and it felt so good to have a needle in my hand after a couple months hiatus. As you many know, I have been hooked on crocheting for the past few months and stitching has been put on the back burner. I joined Jayne's Crazy January Challenge and got no stitching done in January, but I have all year to finish up my projects so any little bit helps.

Here is the after pic. I only got a little bit done on the bottom right hand corner. This is a sampler from The Sampler Life Yahoo Group, and it is done in pages. After you finish a page you send a picture in and you get the next page. I am almost finished page 6 and will be sending my pic in for page 7 today. I know I can start on it anyway and the sampler is pretty symmetrical.

Big sister is watching her new movie this morning, Tinkerbell, while I do a little blogging and laundry, and dishes, and sweeping, and bed making, and tidying..... Does it ever end?

It's a bright and sunny today although still very cold, but it makes me just want to get up and go. Housework first, then maybe the girls and I will get out today, perhaps a much needed trip to the library. Hope you all have a lovely day, wherever you are.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

How Lucky Can One Get?

Do you see this haul!!! It's amazing! I won Aubree's Giveaway from For The Love of Cross Stitch. Thank you so much for the generosity. I know I'll stitch Naughty or Nice and it will be a family tradition at Christmas. Faith will be a cute quick ornament. I really like the Pine Mountain design, just not sure if I'll do it on the pillow. Oh, and there's a Goode Huswife design that is so lovely. A Mirabilia mermaid. I haven't done one of these yet, what a challenge and so beautiful. A cute Just Nan that would be lovely for a baby gift. Victoria Sampler design with threads and beads and a cute felt stocking kit. It makes my heart flutter.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Aubree.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hillery

Crafty Finishes~2010

Here is a little collection of some of the items that I have finished in the past year. I learned to cross stitch about 20 years ago, and have really taken to it in the past couple years. It is a pretty slow craft for me, but the actual stitching is very therapeutic for me. Finishing is not always top priority, as I have at least 20 more WIP's and UFO's. I learned to crochet about 4 years ago and just this year I have really fallen in love with it. It is such satisfying craft because most projects can be finished within days or weeks, unlike cross stitch.

Hopefully I can share with you many finished products this year.

I have 2 very beautiful girls at home with me, a 2 year old and an 8 month old, so I don't get much time for crafting, but I sneak time in here and there. I'll probably be showing you little crafty items that big sister and I will make from time to time as well.

Thanks for stopping by,

and Have a Happy Day.