blue moon

Since I missed the first WIPocalypse this month, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss this one! Not much to show, but I am slowly getting back in the groove of stitching more and worrying less. I hope it lasts. I don't know what is wrong with my camera, but neither of these pictures is really representative of the piece!

This first is my bit on a round robin that we are doing with Every Stitch Counts. The fabric is actually a very white aida...the thread colors look pretty close! This design is called Patchwork Sampler and I think it will really look pretty when all completed. I had a hard time choosing which block to stitch and finally picked this one because of all the red tones. There is a lot of backstitching, which is not my favorite thing to do (!), but I was really pleased with how it turned out in the end!

This second photo is my progress on Coverlet Birds. I think I am about half-way through and will probably finish it up soon. Again, the colors are way off...the fabric is actually a pretty blue and the threads are two shades of blue and an orangy-red. Hopefully by the next time I take photos, it will look like it actually does in person!

I thought I would also share a couple of photos of the spot I did most of this stitching...we took a ride to the Coast last weekend and it was such a beautiful day. We went to Cannon Beach...that's Haystack Rock in the background (you might know it from the movie The Goonies) and it was really peaceful and relaxing.

We'll have Asher for at least part of this weekend, so I don't think I'll be spending much time with needle and thread, but I know I will be having fun!

Thanks for taking the time to visit! And I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned!

lost again.....and a TUSAL

It has been a month since I blogged last...thank goodness for TUSAL posts! Speaking of which, I know this is a few days late, but better late than never, right?

It feels like the time has flown by and dragged along, both at the same time! Things around here have put me in kind of a tailspin since mid-July. Right before we left on vacation, my daughter's life starting falling apart, and we have all been caught up in it. But this is mainly a stitchy blog, so I don't want to go into all the details except to say that any good thoughts and prayers you could send her way are most appreciated. I know she will get through this, and maybe when everything is back on track, I'll feel like talking about it. Right now, I mostly feel like curling up in a ball! I always thought things were supposed to get easier as your children got older, but I think someone lied!

I haven't really done much stitching the past few weeks, but I did get some things done before that.

There is an exchange that I can't show yet, a couple of round robins, and some ornaments that will get finished eventually!

We had a Christmas in July challenge/exchange at Friendly Stitchers last month. I challenged myself to stitch three ornaments, plus the exchange. I did get the stitching done on three, but not the finishing. The first design is from Plum Street Samplers and was in the JCS ornament preview issue. it is called Second Day, and it is stitched on waterlily jobelan with GAST thread in HollyBerry. 

I wanted to stitch all three of the 2012 Quaker Ornaments from Twisted Oak Designs, but I ran out of one of the threads before I finished. (I just got some more in the mail, so I should be able to complete the third ornie soon. Here are the first two, stitched on Queen Anne's Lace jobelan with Crescent Colours threads in Ladybug and Goldfish. These were so much fun to stitch,and I am looking forward to finishing them (I don't always look forward to finishing!)

Melissa was my partner in the exchange. I sent her this ornie from JBW Designs - French Country Star. It was in one of the JCS ornament issues, but I have seen it sold as well. It is stitched on waterlily jobelan with Hollyberry GAST thread. (can you tell I love this combination? the fabric is actually more like a pale green color...but it certainly doesn't photograph that way) I finished is as a hanging pinkeep ornament.

Melissa sent me...not one, not two, but three!!! ornaments! To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. They are all beautifully stitched and finished and I can't wait to display them this holiday season. Thanks again, Melissa!

This also seems to be a year for round robins. I have three on the go at the moment! We are doing one with a group of stitchers from Friendly Stitchers, and this month I had Frances' piece to stitch on. She chose a Christmas Cushion pattern, and this is the bit I stiched for her. 

We are also doing a round robin at Every Stitch Counts and this month I had Kathy's piece. Her design is from Ursula Michaels and is called Threads of Joy. Here is the square I stitched for this one.

Well, I guess I have rambled on enough for one sitting! I promise to try and keep up more often. I know how much better I feel when I stitch every day...it has just seemed kind of hard to concentrate lately. (I have been reading some fun cozies though and they help as well!)

So, if anyone is still here, thanks for taking the time to visit! I really do appreciate it!