Butterflies and Pumpkins

I must confess I am so used to DMC floss that trying something new made me a bit nervous. The Great Pumpkin Conspiracy calls for several SilkN, by The Thread Gatherer, colors and therefore I purchased (all but one of) them while at Silk Road Needle Arts in St. Pete a few weeks ago. I finally started using them and have found that I really like them a lot! I believe the owner made a comment something like "You're in for a treat!". LOL!!! Here is an update of where Great Pumpkin stands:

The (brown) fabric you see in the background is actually a quilt I have had since 2001. It is falling apart at the seams and I have been trying to find somewhere to get it repaired. I love it so much!

I have also done some more work (and will go back to it in a little bit) on Butterfly and Shamrocks Wreath . I have almost completed the butterfly and will move on to the wreath part next. I am trying to save the middle, where the saying is, for last since it contains so much backstitch. Here is a picture of where I left off a little while ago:

We have been getting deluged since yesterday morning. There has really been no break in the rain, but the thunderstorms seem to have subsided for now. There was a tornado within 2 miles of my grandma's in Lacoochee, FL and one the took part of a roof off the house across from my aunt's here in Zephyrhills, FL. Around 3:30pm, Sandy started crying loud and hard. I thought she may be in trouble. Turns out, it was the tornado going over us as my aunt called shortly after 4pm to make sure we were alright. We live in mobile homes, and not the newer models either. Ours is from the 1970s. Not a great combo in this kind of weather. Anyhoo, here are some pictures I took while the tornado went over us (no, you will not see a funnel as I didn't even know we had one until my aunt called, LOL):

This is the view of the back of the shed from my room.

This is the same with focus on the window itself.

This is the same window around the time a gust of wind forced
my window to crack open as I snapped the tree to capture the wind.

I will leave you with a find that I picked up at Michael's recently. This was in their clearance "As Is" bin just outside the entrance.


Check out the price sticker in the upper right corner!!! I couldn't resist it.

Awesome Monthly Giveaway Opportunity!

Carolyn is beginning a monthly giveaway drawing on her blog. The first giveaway is Carriage House's Alphabet Blocks! Be sure to check out this post for more info!!!

Christmas Design SAL Update

Part 4 is finished! After a few hours with Monsieur Frog yesterday, I managed to fix some stitching errors (color) and finished the 4th section this evening. Let's just say I love frogs, but not in these circumstances! LOL

Here are some pics of my progress:




The first picture shows the obnoxious dark patches in the snow. The second picture shows the correction of color. The third picture is my progress to date! I must say that I was hestitant to remove the bad stitching. But after completing that "small" task, I am so very pleased with it. As I first stitched those areas I thought to myself that the colors didn't seem right. Sunday evening, when I got to an area (the extreme lower left of the stitching) where the Blue Black is supposed to be used, I realised my error. It is no longer an eyesore for me! :D

Now, on to HalloSAL!!!

Updates

Well, I decided to start the Butterfly Shamrock Wreath from "The Cross Stitcher” magazine (April 2010 issue). I really like the way the butterfly is looking so far, just not the many, many color changes. Here is a picture of what I have started:

Stitched on White 28ct Charles Craft Linen

using Recommended DMC floss

I also want to share an update on my design for the Christmas Design SAL over at Yoyo’s. Here is a picture:

After taking the picture last night, I settled in and did a bit more stitching on it. I now have some of the horse filled in and some of the dog as well as more of the half-stitching across the middle of this section. I will post another picture when this section is complete.

I received the 5th part of the HalloSAL that I am participating in and hope to work on that mid-week. We’ll see how it goes. I am hoping to leave the last week of March for some card inserts since I wasn’t able to get to them last month. I also want to put a little more work in on The Great Pumpkin Conspiracy. I feel like I have neglected that poor little design.

Lorilee’s Package Arrived!

International post can sometimes be a pain. What with the customs forms and the extra time for delivery. But that’s alright! As I have said before, I always mail priority and with that said I received word from Lorilee that she received her winnings! Here is a picture of what she received:

I am so glad that she likes the needlebook (it was the first one I have ever made)! And she told me she did find some designs in the magazine that she plans to stitch. I do wonder about that as you, the reader, can’t always tell what is inside by looking at a picture of the cover. I contemplated listing all of the designs in the original post, then thought no.

On the home front, I received my cookies today! Shall I begin with a box of Samoa’s, Thin Mints, or Lemon Chalet Cremes??? Oh the choices! I love Girl Scout Cookies and my best friend is always so sweet to send me an email every year asking if I want to order from her source or if I have someone here. You see, she lives in Michigan and I live in Florida, so I have to have them shipped. LOL…but they are so worth it!

Package from Jennifer Arrived

I was so excited to learn that I won the Gone With the Wind giveaway over at Feathers in the Nest. I received my winnings yesterday and am so looking forward to stitching the design. Here are a couple of pictures of my prize (note: the movie was already mine. I just added it to round out the picture.):

I tried on the earrings and love them! They are not too heavy. The real test will come when I wear them for more than a few minutes (my ears are very sensitive, but I believe all will be fine since they are sterling silver). Here is a picture of me donning the new earrings:

I also took a couple of pictures of my “Celtic” earring collection. I have a pair of shamrocks (that are a bit tarnished), a pair of gold claddagh’s that irritate my ears, and of course the lovely pair from Jennifer. Here is one of those pictures:

I can’t resist sharing a picture of my Sandy “modeling” the GWTW design:

Last week, I received the latest JCS and let me just say that I love most of the designs held within! I am for sure adding the following to my Future’s list: Thistle & Queen Anne’s Lace (p7), Spring Topiary (p13), In Your Easter Bonnet (p21), Bluebird in Blossoms (p28), Old Main Street series (p32), Splendor of Florals (p46), and Field of Flowers (p51).

I also picked up the latest The Cross Stitcher at Wal-Mart yesterday (April 2010). Here are some of the designs I quickly fell for: Easter Morn (p8), Celtic Blessing (p28), Live My God (p36), Butterfly Shamrock Wreath (p38), Easter Love (p56), and of course A Prince or A Frog (p58). I would also like to give the Swedish Weaving (p60) a try.

Finally, a progress picture on ‘68 Charger. I am nearly finished and it can’t come soon enough! LOL…I definitely have to buy an iron now :D. All that is left on this design is one of the colors in the tree (leaves) and the backstitching (over the windows and grill) with the Kreinik that I have to replace. Then it’s off to mom to have it framed for my uncle for his birthday.

Elephant Rides