Seeing red...and more~~~

When I got the phone call last night that we would not be having school today, I turned the Krueig machine back on and proceeded to brew a cup of my favorite coffee, Nantucket Country Blend...

And, I decided to heat up my needles and just see how long I could stay up working on one of my "challenge" pieces....

I had left off  in Nov/Dec at this point.....

And until the wee hours of the morning, I stopped at this point...

Pretty good progress...no??

 Then, today, I wanted to do a finish or two..... Here is a pattern I had already cross stitched earlier in Dec....Just needed to ponder on the final finishing....

 Its a pretty sewing design by Marika Belfiori....She is a very talented designer who offers quite a few freebies on her site....If you take a look at the pattern (HERE) you will see I omitted a couple motifs so I could personalize my piece.....


I added a tab on the right side so I could attach a pewter button that I have always liked...

And, I wanted to attach a small thimble charm I have been saving for the perfect design....

And, of course, what would a sewing themed cross stitch design do without a few of my tiny buttons....



All in all, I thought this little pillow would put me in the mood to stitch and sew anytime I happened to find myself gazing at it......

I hope all of you found time to find time for your creative side.... Even for only a short while...

Take care and as always, I appreciate all of your comments~~

~~~Stitch friends are the best~~~

Faye

While I have power.....todays update....

I wish I could tell you that the snow has melted and there is no ice..

I cannot tell you that because we are still like a virtual ice skating rink here...ice is laying heavy on the beautiful pine trees..

That is why I decided last night that I would continue with Anniversaries of the Heart~Blackbird Designs

and begin my 8th block..

Please excuse my lack of backdrop design elements...I am sitting in the stitch chair where the best lighting is.....

I thought I would take a quick snap and post while we still have power....

Winter Garden

Anniversaries of the Heart

Blackbird Designs

Where ever you are, I hope your day is going well and you are spending some time relaxing and enjoying yourself~~~

Peace,

Faye

Weekend progess on WIP's and a little snow......

It really is not supposed to snow like this in the sunny Carolinas....But, yet again, we are in a huge snow storm and unfortunately, this storm will involve alot of ice on the roads....Good to be out of school for a few days, but when I got the call about having a snow day today, I was told our makeup day will be this Saturday...! What ?????????

The poor Putter Boy statue is covered in snow....And, the concrete planter on the back deck is swallowed up with snow......

At least the little bunnies are protected on the back screened porch......

I was able to devote a little time to one of my "up for a challenge" pieces this weekend..... I got burned out with the same colors, so I stopped half-way through that large bottom band.....  Still alot of intense work is left on this sampler....But, I am going to pace myself....

So for a change of pace, I picked up Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart and finished up the 7th design.....It is the freebie sampler so I did not personalize it.... Remember, I am stitching these 15 designs in a little different order than that listed....  Here is a closeup on this block....

 And here is what the entire piece looks like as of today...... I love all the soft colors....There are 36 different overdyes used so far.... As specified they are gorgeous shades from GAST, Weekes and Crescent Colors........ I am stitching on 36 ct Winter Frost by R & R Linen.....

I am signing off for now....Hubbie and son are attempting to shovel snow and ice near the garage doors.. Not that I am going to get out there with them, I do need to keep an eye on them!!

Take care everyone!!  Hope you are stitching and watching a beautiful snowfall where ever you are~~

Hugs,  

Faye

Scottish Sampler Update....

When I took a look at the 1738 Scottish Sampler by Threads of Gold, I felt like I was over half done so why not go ahead and devote the time to making more of a dent in the piece...

I feel like I have gotton alot accomplished since Jan 1.....

(after shot)

32 ct creme Belfast, DMC threads

Since it has been lingering in the WIP basket from 1995, its about time it be given attention and a hopeful January 2011 finish~~~

(before shot)

In comparison, this is how things stood until I picked it back up this week.....

Hope everyone has had a good week getting back in the swing of working..I know I am pretty tired and looking forward to my weekend~~~

Take care,

Faye

So, in short, this "challenge" thing has lit a fire under me......

Nabby's Garden Sampler

I have managed to finish my first of 15 in the 2011 "Up for a Challenge"....  Happy Dance!!

After a long absence and much lingering in my WIP basket, I present to you

Nabby's Garden Sampler by The City Stitcher.....

Done with DMC floss on a tweedy light grey 28 ct linen

This was the oldest of the 15 challenge pieces and was about half completed when I picked it up Jan 1. I love the softer colors... I did have to stop and retrain my eye for a good satin stitch in the border above the alphabet.....

Well, I need to get in the kitchen and rustle up some dinner for my hubby who is not feeling all that good...He'll be better now that he is on an antibiotic...

As for me, these first 2 days back at school has been a big reality adjustment!~~ I got spoiled with the 2 weeks off at Christmas.... Boy, I could SO be retired and be happy!!!  But, my family likes to eat, so...you know the drill..........

Have a great rest of the week.....Later tonight I plan on getting busy on my next 2011 challenge piece!!

Faye

Up for a challenge

Up for a challenge
Originally uploaded by fayeriggsbee

In case you are wondering....I am "learning" flicker, a new camera, how to make a mosaic and the new layout for blogger posts all at the same time....Thats a bit much for someone my age!~~  But, bear with me as I learn....I just wanted to see if this mosaic would link up correctly....And, it looks like it did...

Now, I need the Tylenol bottle as this is WAAAYY too much techy stuff for me to absorb so quickly....

PS: Thanks Nicole for your Tech Support~~




Here are 12 of my 15 WIP's for the Up for a challenge 2011...Wish me luck~~~

~~Up for a challenge~ todays progress....

I wanted to show you my first project in the 2011 "Up for a challenge".... I started this pretty piece by City Stitcher back in 1990 (I am embarrased to have to admit that..) And, I have no idea why I shelved the project because I really do like it..............

So, here is where things have stood since then.....about half done....

And, here is where I stand as of an afternoons worth of stitching..... At least the alphabet is done now...... But, where is the pretty garden....?.... Will have to see if I get to that part tomorrow..

I see alot of people in blogland making committments to finish WIP's this year....So, here's to everyone's accomplishments!!!

Happy Stitching,

Faye