a whole lotta blue

Yesterday was a sewing day, and today was a stitching day.

A whole lotta blue stitching.

Last night during my online computer time, I finally got the nerve and posted my very meager progress on the Official Group Forum.  And since I’d like to not completely embarrass myself with only one lonely progress pic, I decided to get to work on this beast beauty!

So, after about 3.5 hours of stitching today, here’s where I stand:

And so you don’t have to scroll back a few posts…here’s where it was before today:

I love that it’s actually starting to take some shape and look like what I know to be the center of this gorgeous design!  I’m still way behind, but definitely getting more and more motivated with each stitch!

Also noteworthy is that my stitches seem to be improving a bit as I get back into the swing of stitching again.  {some of those gold colored stitches are SCARY!}  I used to pride myself in my very neat stitches…so I’d like to get back to them soon!  Like riding a bike…I hope…

Drawstring Bag Finish

Some days I need a quick finish…easy and quick satisfaction.

Today was one of those days.

I’d been thinking about making some sort of bag/pouch for my knitting since I saw Amanda’s cute little pouch she shared on instagram.  I’ve been having the same issue with my knitting…yarn tangling up…YUCK!  She got my wheels spinning on what I could do to fix my problem.

Enter Jeni’s fabulous Lined Drawstring Bag tutorial on her blog In Color Order.

And while I was at it…I went ahead and made 2.

I love the ladybug fabric…and I think it almost looks like little washi tap drawstrings!  SO CUTE!

Fabric:

exterior grey, exterior pink, and cream lining: Washi collection by Timeless Treasures {purchased here}

aqua ladybug ties:  Flutterby collection by Tula Pink for Moda {purchased years ago at a LQS}

Deep Blue Sea

I finally have a progress picture of Deep Blue Sea to show.

This is really only about 1/3 of part one…so I’ve got quite a bit to go!

If you want to see more about this design…and some really amazing progress pictures!…check out the yuku discussion group {here}.

New Stash

All I can say is that my “Dianne” envelope is depleted…for a while…but I got some great things to show for it!

New Country Cottage Needleworks chart {purchased at my LNS}

New yarn from Loopy Ewe {LOVE!}

New fabric stash from Camille’s shop

New {to me} patterns courtesy of Lila Tueller’s giveaway on her blog

All in all, all of these things don’t’ look like I did too much damage…but it doesn’t include the yardage for backings that I got from Fat Quarter Shop, or the box that should be coming tomorrow from Hawthorne Threads!

Now to find the hours to actually DO some sewing and stitching…

Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief finish

I have finished the Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief...and I'm loving it!

I knitted this kerchief using madelinetosh tosh dk yarn in filigree on size 8 circular needles.  It was a very quick and easy knit, and was a great first shawl/kerchief project for me.

Look {here} for all of the details on Ravelry.

wordless wednesday (aka…my 3 loves via instagram)

Finished Stitching Corner

My decorating style is a bit traditional, and it usually doesn’t involve gold frames.

That being said, some of my favorite pieces in my house are my finished stitchings, and those ARE in gold frames.  Although I can definitely appreciate a good gallery wall using all black frames…the stitching that I do doesn’t always lend itself to black!  I am a firm believer in framing to match the stitching…not to match the house! 

These lovely ladies used to be spread all over the house, but recently I decided that I wanted to have them in one spot…and the stitching corner was born!

Couldn’t get a picture without glare…but you get the idea.  All of these are oddly enough by Lavender & Lace.  Two were stitched by me (the two on the right) and one by a dear friend right after my first son was born.

As stitchers (or “crafters” of any type) it seems like we always have WIPs…and usually those are what we end up seeing on blogs…projects in progress…to maybe or maybe not ever be finished.  I thought it would be nice to show you some of my finished works…and how I’m displaying them in my home.

Linked up with Susan of Afford Your Passions {here}

Dessert of the Month

Tonight I started stitching the desserts designed by Amanda (www.msmcporkchopquilts.com).





I've decided to stitch these using overdyed fibers from my stash. Fabric is 40ct Abecedarian Blend by R&R.


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