Kitties help to stitch....

I didn't know I needed help holding the chart for my current project!  But, as you can see from the upper left corner.... I have kitty chew marks!!! (they are not 'fessing up, but, I have a pretty good idea who's teeth marks those are!)  Now when I am not stitching, the chart gets hidden! 

This is a new type of project for me.  It is needlepoint and is 'Hearts and Flowers Quilt' from Nancy's Needle.  I am doing it in beige, pink, and sage colors.  It is the perfect project for stitching while watching the Masters on TV!

And, here is a picture of my adorable Ruthie!!!  She is such a little giggle bug!!!  Grandchildren are fun!  She has two little teeth hiding in there... but, doesn't show them.

Got the news yesterday at the doctors,  that I get to go back to work on the 17th, with restrictions.   Work is happy -- me?  not so much!!   Guess I'll be stitching my little heart out for the next ten days!!!  Wonder if I can get anything finished...

Happy Spring (it should show up eventually!) & Happy Stitching!!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment -- it is much appreciated!!!

It's Daffodil Time!

Another finish to my list....  I finished up the Dutch Treat Designs "Daffodil Tabletopper" last night!  I don't think spring is ever going to show up in Michigan... it just teases us, but, I now have spring on my table!  (the flowers are not real, as the kitties would be up there if they were!)

Dutch Treat Designs "Daffodil Tabletopper"

White Anne Cloth

Suggested DMC Perle Fibers

 (changed center of flowers)

So... what to stitch now?   I think I am going to try the needlepoint project I purchased while at Camp....  Something new on this rainy, gloomy day.

Stitch Happy!!!

Myrna  :-)

Another update of stitching....

I've been stitching.... and have another finish!  This is LHN "Brave Hearts" finished on March 23, 2011.  Another UFO done!

  

And, because I finished a UFO, I stitched Just Nan "Bluebird Alphabet" that I had purchased at Camp!  Stitched with the suggested threads, and finished on March 27, 2011.

 

Then I was good, and stitched another square on the Seka's & Co. "Quilt Block Afghan".  I have been wondering how I want to do the edging on this afghan.... do I want to do the nun stitch all the way around, or do tassel fringe?  Any ideas?

 

My grand daughter, Ruthie, and my Mom came over to visit on the same day!  Here are my visitors!

I've been continuing to stitch... working on the DT Daffodil TT.  Physical Therapy is done!  (can we all yell Yahoo?!), and now just waiting on the okay to go back to work.  It will cut into my stitching time....

Until next time... Happy Stitching!

Myrna  :-)

Stitching Progress (?) (or drowning in UFO's)

I've added a few more UFO's to the ever growing list.... If I ever get everything straightened up, I will probably drown in them!

This is Seka's & Co. "Quilt Block Afghan". It is stitched on a Lady Elizabeth Afghan. I have three squares done on it so far.




This one is LHN "Brave Hearts". When pulled out of the UFO pile, it only had about half the house done. I've been working on this pretty steady lately.



This is the Quaker Mystery a bunch of us started years ago... It is one BAP!! Someday....


This is The Drawn Thread "Sampler Game Board". I really should work on this next, but, who knows? Maybe soon tho....


Here is a finish from my UFO Challenge list... this is JBW "French Country Pumpkin"


And, I found this in the bottom of one of my totes of UFO's!!! I'm sure I stitched it for my daughter, and never gave it to her.... Maybe I'll get it into a 'finished' state for an Easter gift.

Here is a little ditty I stitched up the other day to have ready for April. This is Calico Crossroads Mini-Kats "Meowy Showers".


And, I think I deserve to start a new project after I finish one more UFO!!! My new project will be Just Nan's "Bluebird Alphabet" that I purchased at Camp. All kitty'd up and ready to go....

That's it for this update.... More when I get a chance...

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, and leaving a comment! It is appreciated!

Happy Stitching...

Myrna :-)

Camp Stitch-A-Lot 2011

Camp Stitch-a-Lot -- My yearly escape from reality!!! It was two weeks earlier than we usually have camp, but, that's okay! A wonderful time was had... Here is a picture Deb took of the stitchers taking over the lobby/breakfast area.


Here is a picture of my name tag I made for this year. The fabric is what I used on the back. New name tags are not required, but, I have a wall in my craft room where they all hang, so, I make a new one every year. I make them with a pocket to hold my room key.


Our goodie bag for camp was a canvas tote, and Deb included all the goodies to make this button for the loop closing. (The ribbon is supposed to be on the back, but, I glued mine wrong... so, it's unique, okay?) There was other goodies in there too!


I took one class this year. It was Debbie Rowley's Camp Pendent. It was several different needlework stitches, and then memory thread, and heat activated gems... I like how it turned out...


On Sunday night (camp was over), my sister, Reee, had a little class for us 'left over-don't want to go home' campers. It was a Hardware Necklace. It is made with a washer, nuts, some colored wire and beads on a leather cord. I love it!!!

It is always a great weekend (okay -- we get there on Thursday, and come home on Monday), and I sure wish we could do this more than once a year! We laugh, we go eat at Lucky's, Sagebrush Cantina and this year we even had a snowstorm and ordered pizza in! One of the best things is I get to spend time with my sister, and all my Stitchy Sisters!!

We went shopping (surprise!), and made stops at Homestead Needle Arts, and at Stitches 'N Things. I got some fibers and the supplies to try needlepoint at Homestead, and of course I picked up a few charts at SNT. I also did pretty well on the freebie counter at camp. (That is where you can bring your unwanted charts and put them out for other stitchers to claim. I had taken a good size box, and only came home with a few!)

That's about it for this post. I need to get back to stitching on my UFO's! I do feel I am making progress, and when I finish up one more, I am starting a new project!

Thanks for taking to time to read and comment.... Stitch Happy!

Myrna

(I just realized this is my 200th post! I'll have to think of something special to do for a prize!)

Another one bites the dust....

I finished the BD "Sweetheart Sampler"!!! I was motivated to finish this before Camp Stitch-a-lot weekend, as my friend Daryl, from New York, had been promised the pattern. I did get it done, and love the way it turned out! I changed out one of the colors... The chart called for a green, and I changed it to a brown. It looked too 'Christmasy' for me with the green.


Thanks for taking the time to stop.... I'll post about Camp Stitch-a-lot tomorrow!

Stitch Happy!!!

UFO's do get finished!!

Hey there!! I guess all this forced disability time off is good for something! I finished up two (yes, two!) UFO's this week! They are both from my 2011 Challenge list.

The first finish for this week is Dutch Treat Designs "Harvest Grapes" Tabletopper. I am gifting this to my sister-in-law, as she saw it finished, and mentioned that she really liked it.





My second finish is Blackbird Designs "Blessings be Thine". This had a date on the chart of 2005, and that is probably when I started it, but, with the help of some friends, we decided it should have 2011 as the date, as that is when I finished it! I really like how this turned out.



And, since I have now finished three of my 2011 Challenge projects, I pulled out another UFO to add to the list. It is Blackbird Designs "Sweetheart Sampler". A little late for Valentine's Day this year, but, I can think of it as early for next year.



And for your viewing pleasure... some St. Patrick's themed pictures:





And, our ever present Turkey has been celebrating the holiday early it seems.... I don't see any green beer, but, that doesn't mean he hasn't been into some...




Happy stitching -- Spring should arrive eventually!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

That's what I'm talking about!!!

I knew there was a reason I loved to cross stitch!!! It helps me to de-stress!!!

Cross Stitch Arts

When people ask me why I cross stitch, my answer is always very simple. It makes me happy. Now for most people, the answer to this question may seem considerably dull and barely encouraging, however, in this article, I am going to let you in on a few secrets and explain what I mean by this.

Firstly and most importantly, we should consider what makes us unhappy and from the very top of that list lurks the issue of stress. Whether you are working a high pressure job or that Christmas shopping has done the Devil's dance with your bank account, we all experience stress to some extent. Would it surprise you if I said that stitching has actually been proven to reduce stress? Well if you aren't convinced then pop on down to your local police station and ask them how often they receive reports on stitch-related needle attacks!

The truth is that while you stitch, you begin to let your mind wander off to better places. Quite simply, if our mind wandered to bad places then surely we would stop stitching instantly, but what many of us do not realise is that part of the reason we stitch, is because of the de-stressing sense of peace that it gives to us. If you are a beginner to stitching then why not join in on the fun? Pull out a chair, play some Ludovico Einaudi and really let yourself float away to somewhere magical while you stitch – just be careful not to prick yourself!

Here is where it gets very interesting. Our brains are magnificent tools and while we are stitching in that happy frame of mind, our brains record warm and wonderful feelings and associate it with stitching. Before we know it, we have created our own little paradise or in more scientific terms, we have recorded a bodily automated response which is set off every time we stitch. Science shows that this bodily response reduces stress hormones and releases happy endorphins which not only benefits our mental well-being but our physical well-being also. Amazing isn't it? In that happy state of mind, we breathe slower, feel better and enjoy a meditative world of peace. In addition to this, scientists also point to more long-term benefits and with regularly sessions of stitching we can re-mould ourselves to become calmer and happier people which is often described as 're-wiring the brain'.

Stitching never ceases to fascinate me with reports of anxiety, depression and even physical illness's being helped to some extent by the quiet enjoyment of stitching. The big test for me now will be persuading the husband to put aside his fruitless quest for the perfect golf swing and have a go for himself. Wish me luck!

Why not try some cross stitch for yourself! You can choose from a whole selection of downloadable patterns at http://www.crossstitcharts.co.uk including our free violets test chart.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/needlework-articles/counting-your-blessings-why-cross-stitch-is-so-good-for-you-4148386.html

About the Author

Deborah Lester is a cross stitch designer from the UK who regularly contributes to such popular magazines as Cross Stitch Collection and Cross Stitcher. Amongst Deborah's many interests is a passion for natural health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to stress and it's successful management.

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Stay warm... Stitch Happy!

Myrna

First 2011 Finish

I had my first finish for this year!!! Out of my Challenge projects I finished #11 - LHN 'The Friendship Tree'. This will be framed and hang in the hallway, at some point! It was a gift from fellow stitcher, Carol S., and I am thrilled to finally have finished it!! It will be a reminder of what a special lady she is!!

Here is a picture...


Thanks for stopping by.... I'm going to knit on my shoulder blanket the rest of today.

Myrna >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<

My 2011 Needlework Challenge

Hi -- It's me!!! With my own challenges....

So.... I didn't think it was a good idea to start 15 new projects. It's not that I don't have 15 that I want to start, but, geez.... don't I have enough things started??? So, a group of my stitching friends that I go to Camp Stitch-a-lot with, decided to change up the Challenge a little.

We would pull 15 UFO's (yes, I have that many.... really many, many more than that!), and randomly work on those. When we get one finished, we can start a new project, or pull out another UFO to add to our 15. These could be any kind of needlework -- knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, needlepoint, or quilting.

With that -- here is my list:

1. Kimi Kimono Sweater (knitting)
2. Vivi Sweater (knitting)
3. Just Nan "Baby Garden" (cross stitch)
4. JBW "French County IV - Pumpkin" (cross stitch)
5. "Bless This House" kit (cross stitch)
6. Gold Collection Kit "Royal" (needlepoint)
7. Dutch Treat Designs "Harvest Grapes Tabletopper" (cross stitch)
8. Petit Fleur Bib (knitted)
9. Joann's Shoulder Blanket (knitted)
10. Papillon "How Does Your Garden Grow?" (cross stitch)
11. LHN "The Friendship Tree" (cross stitch)
12. Blackbird Designs "Blessings Be Thine" (cross stitch)
13. Blackbird Designs "Quaker Garden" (cross stitch)
14. Sticktreff Band Sampler (cross stitch)
15. Dutch Treat Designs "Daffodil Tabletopper" (cross stitch)

Quite the list, huh? So, 15 days into this challenge, I was stumped as to what I wanted to work on! Did I want to knit, or stitch? What project did I feel like working on? I could not make up my mind! (okay... that's been missing since the move in July, or maybe just since I've been off work waiting for my knee surgery!) I went to Random.org, and let it pick me a project!!! And, when I get tired of working on that one, I can go back, and let it pick me out a different one!

I've made some progress on the DTD Harvest Grapes TT, and the LHN Friendship Tree, along with the Shoulder Blanket. I will need to post updated pictures of those.

Until later.... keep your needles handy!

Myrna >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<