Spring has sprung? Not where I live.

Happy First Day of Spring? Of course 03/20/2014 marks the official start of Spring but here in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada we are getting more weather coming.  It has been a long one.  Feels like forever since we wore short sleeves and sandals.

This picture captures my every feeling of weather related issues right now....

Bad weather often means good stitching though. I have made a lot of progress this month and have a finish to share!

This is Pamela Kellogg's 2003 Mystery Autumn Sampler. I call it the Bella Project. I am going to have it finished as a little wall hanging. Sewing isn't my strong suit, but I know a couple of really talented gals that can help me out!

Used DMC 823 for the border instead of suggested Gold Kreinik.  I love how it turned out!

This looks so much like my Bella! I changed the pattern eye colour from green to yellow to match my cat.

I loved doing these little stitches. They were fun and are absolutely adorable!

I also got the fourth instalment of Frosty Forest! I am loving working on this series so much. I got the pattern Wednesday, stitched the border Thursday and binge stitched Friday and Saturday until I was done the block. It is adorable. I can't wait to get my next pattern from Colours by Lalena. 

Frosty Forest by Country Cottage Needleworks stitched on 32 count Foggy Morning Opal linen by Crafty Kitten. 

Of course, I have been working on my other pieces as well. I am enjoying having a rotation. I seem to get more done this way! Here is my current progress on Letter C by Nora: 

Letter C by Nora Corbett stitched on High Noon by Sunny Dyes

And my Persephone by Mirabilia:

Persephone by Mirabilia stitched on Dusty Apricot by Crafty Kitten

I started a new one.... Arabesco by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks (AAN). I'm excited to be working on this one.  I chose to use a combination of Polar Ice Waterlillies by Caron and DMC 930 and 932 on Under the Sea's Ice Princess.  I only have put about an hour into this so far...but I must show and tell!

So I still have lots to work on.  I am looking forward to continuing work on my WIPs and getting my Rosewood Manor Autumn Sampler in the mail soon. I ordered a fantastic piece of fabric for it from Leslie at Under the Sea. I can't wait to show you the floss toss! 

Enjoy your first day of Spring everyone! Thanks for stopping by! 

March Madness!

Well February kinda flew didn't it? Good riddance. Where I live February is a messy cold dreary month - weather wise.

I have had lot of progress on various projects. My current rotation seems to be working well for me:

• project at work to do at lunch hours - which is currently "Letters By Nora C"
• project at home during the evenings and weekends - which is currently "Persephone"
• project I work on as the patterns come in - which is "Frosty Forest" by Country Cottage Needleworks
• project to work on with my Stitching Sista's - which is "Autumn Sampler" by Pam Kellogg (Bella project)

Here is an update on "Letter C"  or as I call it "Chelsea". Chelsea is my seven year old daughter.  When I suggested I could make this for her she was quite excited about it! She also chose the fabric, which is called High Noon by Sunny Dyes.  Interestingly enough this past week I had been doing some research on my kids and their Love Languages. Chelsea main love language is a split between Quality Time and Gifts.  I never really made the connection before but Chelsea most certainly shows love through giving gifts and getting gifts. That doesn't mean always cash value - Chelsea often will leave a note in my pocket that says she loves me or bring home a pretty rock that made her think of me.  I find this very interesting because she is so engaged in this project. She wants to see it, touch it and she asks how it is progressing.  To her, having me making her a gift really fills up her love bucket.  Fascinating! If you have never done the Love Language test I recommend you give it a try! 

Letters by Nora "C" or Cassandra 

Also, I am very excited and loving my Frosty Forest project. The patterns are being released on a monthly basis.  Although the fourth one was just released I only have the three at this time and I am caught up to date. This is a fun, cute project.  I am really trying to branch out in my stitching this year and I'm very glad I started this one up.  This project is stitched on Foggy Morning by Crafty Kitten in 32 opal linen. I can't wait to get the next pattern that is on it's way from Colours By Lalena! The designs are a blend of DMC and usually one or two colours of specialty threads which create a nice variegated effect and an adorable button by Just Another Button Company. 

Frosty Forest by Country Cottage Needleworks

Finally, an update on Persephone. Wow - this one is something special. I am so proud of my work on this. I finally finished the background on the top.  I still need to work on the hair, but is has so many colour changes I made a bargain with myself that I will add on colour every time I sit down to work on her and allow myself to work on other sections as I go along.  The variegated silks are Caron Waterlilies and by far one of my favorite things to work with. I am very pleased so far with my fabric choice, which is Dusky Apricot 32 murano by Crafty Kitten.

So I thought this would be a good time to review my 2014 Wish list and see how I'm doing for pace....

Green is in progress, Yellow is still intend to do it, Red is off the table for now....

Top 10 Stitchy wish list for 2014....

1. The Frosty Forest 

2. A 5 person Mirabilia Round Robin with Friends

3. Autumn Seasonal Fairy ** COMPLETED

4. Summer Seasonal Fairy

4. One large new Mira not yet started **Persephone

5. One small Nora Corbett not yet started 

6. Finish my existing 3 patterns (Azure, June's Pearl, Charlotte)

7. At least one Littlehouse Needleworks or other pattern

8. Letter's by Nora "C" for Chelsea

9. Letter's by Nora "K" for Kailee (waiting for Mermaid version to be released)

10. Any new start I want when I feel like it! 

To this list I will add - I want to add an Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks (AAN) pattern for this year. I have ordered a pattern called Arabesco.

As for number 10... well I have decided to really branch out when I fell in love with Rosewood Manor's Autumn Quaker. I ordered the pattern and threads from Lalena and I even started a facebook SAL for it.  Feel free to join us on Facebook! I can't wait to work with the valdani's!!!