A Rainy Sunday

We have had a rainy Sunday here in NC.  I spent most of my day working on Christmas ornaments. 

I have been admiring Charley Harper's artwork, especially his birds.  I found his work so inspiring I just had to break out the graph paper and colored pencils so I could put floss to fabric.  Here is the result:

 

Doesn't he remind you of a soldier standing guard over "peace"?

I decided to do a beaded edging on this one.

 

And...I added a little surprise to the back.  :o)

I also finished the stitching on this piece and have it mounted.  I just need to decide on the trim.  I do believe ruched ribbon would look nice as I plan to finish it as an ornament.

Little House Needleworks
"Main Street Station"
40 ct LL Vintage Tundra
Floss as charted

I hope your weekend was as relaxing and productive as mine was.  Thanks for stopping by!

It's A Brooch!

 

Hello friends and folk!  I certainly didn't intend for it to be 15 days before I announced a winner but we all know how that goes sometimes.  I just haven't had any time for blogging but I have been doing some "drive by" visits to see what you are all doing.  You are all so inspiring with your creations.

 

Sooooo, I was looking for "brooch" or "pin" in order to determine a winner and there were 4 of you who guessed correctly.  I wrote those 4 names on a slip of paper, placed them in a bowl and chose Catherine!  Congratulations!  Your queen bee brooch will be on it's way to you soon.

 

Here is the larger one I finished as a hanging ornament.  I have it hanging on the door to our DVD cabinet.  :o)

 

I came home from work one day last week to all sorts of moss and twigs on my front porch.  It seems a little wren was trying to build a nest but the wind kept blowing her new home away.  I thought I would be smart and place a birdhouse up there to help her along.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this the next day. 

Silly bird built a nest on top of the birdhouse!  At least this one hasn't blown away although I have yet to see the occupant if there is one.  We can't see this spot from our window and I am sure she takes flight as soon as we open the front door.   I might mention that Ziggy's food and water bowls sit on the porch just underneath.  Not a choice piece of real estate for birds at all.

 

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you are enjoying some gorgeous spring weather filled with lots of fun, love, and laughter.

Queen Bee

Hello from rainy, dreary NC.  We have had quite a few days of clouds and drizzly rain.  I am ready for some sunshine.

Thank you all for your kind comments on my Liberty Inn finish.  I thought you might like to see the beginnings of my patriotic wall.

I know it's rather pitiful right now but I do have a couple of projects lined up (if I can avoid stitching distractions) and hope to have at least 2 more pieces to add to it this year.  That white lump you see in the bottom is our thermostat.  No way to hide that thing and you can't cover it up so there it is.

I could hardly wait to get started on the LHN design Lynda sent me in the spring exchange.  So...stitch it I did and finished it into an ornament as well.  I am not thrilled with the finishing - the wool I used seems too "washed out" for the design but it will make a nice addition to my tree this year. 

"Tweet"
Little House Needleworks
36 ct cocoa linen/floss as charted
 

Which brings me to the title of this post.  Last week Chris sent me a sweet note and in it she included a Prairie Schooler freebie that I just love.  The colors and design just spoke to me and I had it kitted up and began stitching right away.  I didn't see a name on it anywhere only a number but I am calling it "Queen Bee".  :o)

 

I stitched it on 32 ct black linen over 2 first.  I liked it so much I decided to stitch it again over 1.  And then just like potato chips I couldn't stop with just one so I ended up stitching it 3 times. (for now LOL) The shiny thing you see in the picture is a nickel - for perspective.  :o) I plan to finish the large one into an ornament and I have a different finish in mind for the tiny ones.

 

I haven't had a giveaway in a while so let's have a little contest.  Comment on this post with your guess as to what these small "Queen Bees" will become.  If more than one person guesses correctly, I will put the names of those who guessed correctly into a hat and choose a winner.  The winner will receive one of the little "Queen Bees" of there very own.  The contest will remain open for about a week.

 

Let the games begin!

Liberty Inn

Hello dear friends!  Were you glued to CNN Friday evening as I was?  I just couldn't turn it off.
Such a strange world in which we live. My heart goes out to those in Boston as well as those in Texas.

I thought it only fitting that I should get this little piece finished and up on the wall:



"Liberty Inn"
Chessie and Me
36 ct linen and silks as kitted

 

This design had a bit of everything...lots of tent stitch over one, rhodes stitch, satin stitch, and an eyelet door.  I really enjoyed stitching it and love how it looks hanging with along with my other 2 patriotic pieces.  Thanks again Chris!

 

I need to visit the dollar store to see if they have more of these little house frames again this year.  I only purchased 3 when they had them last year and they are really cute for these small patriotic samplers.  They are rather rustic looking as purchased but a coat of Briwax finishes them up quite nicely.

 

Thank you all for stopping by and reading my ramblings.  Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead!

Spring Exchange

I participated in the Spring exchange on the Stitched With Love Exchange Blog.  It has been a while since I participated in an exchange and I was delighted with my exchange.  My partner was Lynda and although I nearly exhausted my feeble little brain trying to guess my partner, I didn't have a clue until the reveal that it was her.

Just take a look at the wonderful things that arrived in my mailbox:

 

I have admired this BBD design for quite some time on others blogs and almost jumped with joy when I saw that Lynda has chosen to stitch it for me.  Isn't the pillow finish with the lace just perfect?!  And look at the wonderful bag she included filled with a LHN pattern which I love, springy scissors, lovely fabric and flosses, flower seeds, and a gorgeous beaded fob.  (swoon)  Thank you so much Lynda - you spoiled me.  I have already started stitching the pattern and can't wait to get it made up into an ornament for my tree.

 

I stitched for Debbie in this exchange.  I chose to stitch another BBD pattern "Tulip House".  I decided to finish it as a wallhanging.

 

As you can see, I sent along a few goodies as well. 

 

A most delightful exchange all around I do believe.  The best part of an exchange in my opinion is "meeting" a couple of new friends while sharing our love of stitching.

Promises

 

Of yummy things to come!

(Let's hope my knees and back can take it.) :o)

The Latest Bee...

...in my bonnet that is!  :o)

 

It seems I have been seeing clutch bags everywhere.   When I saw this design my first thought was that it would make a fabulous project pouch.  And it does.  But...I loved this purple fabric with the crows on it so much and it was just so darn cute I am thinking this one will become my new spring purse.  I even made a coin purse with the scraps I had left.  I only had a fat quarter of this fabric in my stash - who knows how old it is.  The bag is a good size, 10" at the hardware and about 12" at the bottom.  I even had a couple of blackbird charms to bling it up a bit.

 

I hope most of you are enjoying some lovely spring weather like we are having here.  It was in the 70's and 80's all week.  I sure could do without some of the pollen though I can tolerate it when it comes with beautiful days like this.

 

DH wasn't feeling well yesterday so I missed our Piedmont Heritage Sampler Guild meeting.  I have seen pictures and it looks like they had a wonderful day in Salisbury.  I missed you guys!  I worked a little bit cleaning out the garden space and my muscles are reminding me today that I need to do that sort of work more often.  (Ouch!)

 

Enjoy your Sunday my friends!  Thank you so much for your visits, comments, and friendship.