1548

Does the title ring a bell?
Was it an important date in history?
Is it my street address?
Perhaps my age?
Nope - none of the above. According to the pattern there are 1548 'X's necessary to complete the bottom shelf of Frederick's bookcase - and I have stitched each and every one of them. Boooooooooring but DONE!! Not much point in a picture - hopefully next time.

Instead a picture of 'High Hopes" which is such a sweet pattern and a joy to work on. What started out as my Wednesday project at SP is now being picked up as often as possible. There is always something new to discover in this little garden which makes stitching it a real adventure.

For all the people in The Netherlands - I hope you are having a very festive Koninginnedag. This is always such a fun day for young & old alike. For each and every one of you who also has a day off tomorrow - I hope you are enjoying a wonderful long weekend.

First Anniversary

A year ago today I took my first tentative steps into the blogging world. I will never forget how excited I was when my first blog was posted nor how absolutely amazed I was when shortly thereafter someone actually took the time to comment. Little did I know at that time that this was only the first of many comments from around the globe, and that in the course of a year I would meet so many unbelievable people with whom I have developed a wonderful relationship.

Thank you all for the friendship which you have shown me throughout this past year. I will never be able to fully express the importance of this. On the stitching front you have taught me many new techniques, introduced me to wonderful designers, cheered me on when a project wasn't panning out the way I wanted it to and have always been more than generous in your praise of my finished projects. On a personal level you have let me into your hearts & homes, sharing with me during good times and bad - your's as well as mine. I will always feel incredibly thankful for your warmth and love after the passing of my sister.

It has been a great blogging year. You are all amazing women and I am looking forward to another year of sharing & caring.

High Hopes

Yes I have high hopes - high hopes of finishing my current WIPs by the end of 2007. Thank you Bliss and Lili for spurring me on.

Lili http://anothercrossstitchaddict.blogspot.com/and I are both plugging away at LV Christmas tree. When mine wasn't finished by the end of 2006 I put it away thinking I had lots of time before Christmas 2007. Lili did continue putting her stitches in and three weeks ago I felt it was high time to join her again. To my horror I discovered I hadn't approached this project in a smart way. Rather than stitching in mirror image I started on the left side of the tree working down. I'm now working on the right side and so far have found only one mistake on the left which was easy to duplicate on the right. What do you say Lili - finish sititching and beading by November 30 so that it will be ready to display by Christmas?

And then there's Frederick. Bliss http://blissxstitches.blogspot.com/ and I SAL away on this on Tuesdays. That is - when we have the time and inspiration!! Last week she suggested we set a deadline on this finishing - December 31. Excellent idea Bliss!! This week I've managed to work on him most evenings and even though I've had to frog several times I feel I'm making progress.

Can you blame me for having high hopes with such good intentions and friends who will see this through with me?

Now you're wondering if I've gone completely mad and will not be starting new projects before the end of the year. You should know me better than that. I do have a new project and started it at our SP stitching day last Wednesday. For now it will be my Wednesday project and what do you think it's called? Right you are - 'High Hopes' http://www.justnan.com/jn118.html

Isn't this the sweetest little garden you have ever seen? I fell in love with it when I first discovered it at SP and immediately ordered it. When DH & DS picked it up for me in December they also brought home the cute Bird Bath Charm. I'm stitching 1/2 and 1/1 on 28 ct mushroom evenweave.

For Chloe

Just a short post to show you the 'Watering Can' for Chloe's Love Quilt.

Chloe is 4 1/2 years old and suffers from Pre- B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is the sweetest little girl http://lovequilts2007children.homestead.com/ChloeS.html and loves butterflies and flowers.

The pattern is a freebie from http://www.dmc-usa.com/ When I bought the DMC floss I needed, mostly their newer colors, and put them beside one another I wasn't thrilled with the combination. However, when I started to stitch it all seemed to come together and I am pleased with the result. This was such a fast stitch as I needed Aida 11 ct to make it come out large enough. What a change from stitching 1/1 on 25 ct.

Have a great weekend everyone.

The Miracles of Easter

The sleeping earth awakens,
The robins start to sing,
The flowers open wide their eyes
To tell us it is spring.
The bleakness of the winter
Is melted by the sun,
The tree that looked so stark and dead
Becomes a living one.
These miracles of Easter
Wrought with divine perfection,
Are the blessed reassurance
Of our Saviour's Resurrection.

- Helen Steiner Rice -

From our home to your's - HAPPY EASTER

The Spell of the Bunny

If you start stitching now you can have 'Easter Parade' (Blackbird Designs) finished in time for the Easter celebrations. I kid you not - this is such a quick and fun project that once you start you too will be caught up in 'The Spell of the Bunny'.

When I saw this pattern at Stitcher's Paradise several months ago I found it so charming that I decided to buy it with the idea that I would stitch it next year. Then a few weeks ago as I was sitting there with just the right fabric (a lovely cream 28 ct Lugana - much warmer looking in real life) and Gentle Art flosses with names like 'Berry Cobbler' and 'Grasshopper' I just couldn't resist trying a few stitches to see what the floss would look like on the fabric. Oh dear - I was hooked!!! Can you blame me?

The pattern calls for eyelet stitches throughout the bunny's body but I preferred leaving them out as I feel he looks better this way amidst his surroundings. Rather than stitch 2/2 I've gone for 1/2 which gives it more of a water color effect.

This was so much fun that I just may be hooked on Blackbird Designs.