Where Have I Been?

 Sometimes I wonder myself. Where am I? What have I been doing? Have I accomplished anything? Maybe others feel the same way and I'm not alone.

We had an unexpected death in our family. I was appointed Administrator of their estate. I never dreamed there could be so much involved in handling a very small estate.

On to the two latest craft accomplishments. I was asked by my daughter-in-law if I would cross stitch something Christmas that she could make into a pillow. She didn't have any Christmas pillows. I chose two to stitch for her. I have finished one and very close on the second one.

This is Seasons Greetings from Christmas Samplers II by Prairie Schooler. Stitched on 32 count Lambs Wool Linen.

I also painted  something for a new friend who has been a wonderful addition to our lives. Please keep in mind I have had no formal art training. I took tole painting classes as an adult but no art classes in school.

I should be back soon with the second Christmas cross stitch to be made into a pillow. See you soon

~~Layne~~

 Reindeer Games

The Reindeer Games piece (pictured in post below) is close to being complete. I don't have an updated photo yet as I still have it rolled up and pinned so I can manage it while I'm stitching. I'll try to take a new photo this weekend and post it. I'm currently doing the last reindeer at the bottom. I will have a few things left like their eyes or noses, maybe some hooves to go back and put in. They are really cute and once it is framed I'm sure it will be even better.

Check back for updated photo later this weekend.

~~Layne~~

Another Stitching Update

For anyone that stumbles upon this blog, I have to tell you that I am not a real blogger. Writing is probably one of the things or the thing I hate the most in life. Always have and I don't foresee it getting any better. Doing this blog does help me to keep a record of the pieces I am working on or have finished. I like to look at other's stitching and see what the finished pieces look like. Maybe others will like to see the photos I post.

The first piece is a small one named Snow by The Trilogy. It's good to have a simple project for those times you are too tired to concentrate a lot but still want to stitch.

The last project for today is Reindeer Games by Sue Hillis Designs. This one is just a cute piece. I still have more to do as some of the little guys don't have their winter apparel on yet. Fun stitching watching them come to life.

Thanks for stopping in!

~~Layne~~

Cross Stitch Update

 My cross stitch projects have definitely been neglected the last couple of years. It's been a busy couple of years with the birth of our second grandson, selling our house in Huntsville, Alabama, and moving a couple of hours South of Huntsville to Pelham, Alabama. Let me tell you that moving is not for the faint of heart. When the moving van arrived at our new home, I had my husband take a couple of photos of the truck for our then four year old grandson. All little boys like big trucks, you know. When I saw the photo and saw how long the moving van was, I just nearly died right then and there. I could not believe how much stuff I had to unpack and find places for, etc. Not to mention that there was still a lot in storage in Huntsville!  

I decided a few months back to really try to concentrate on finishing some of the unfinished cross stitch projects. After all the packing, unpacking, painting various rooms, etc., I really needed the stress relief that cross stitch provides for me. I thought I would share a couple of projects with you. The first photo is the massive moving van!

                

Can you believe this? And the moving guys said it was full!

I have been working the most on Christmas Eve by The Prairie Schooler, Book No. 158. I've always liked a lot of the Prairie Schoolers and saw this one stitched by someone else and knew I wanted to do it. I did have to make a couple of substitutions in thread because I didn't have some, but I think it will be just fine. Here's a few photos of this piece.

Check back later and I will have more photos of other projects.

Thanks for stoping by!

~~Layne~~

Good Tidings by The Drawn Thread

I started this piece a while back and was in the mood this week to do something holiday related. Maybe because it was still 90 degrees where I live! We had our first fall temps last night and today. Finally! I decided to work on Good Tidings by Drawn Thread. I had seen a photo of this one stitched and really liked it. It's not a hard piece as long as you keep up with your number of stitches while doing the branch. I've only had to take out one small section where I got off a stitch or two. I would be lost without my highlighters to mark my pattern as I go! Hopefully, I can finish this one in the next couple of weeks.

Excuse the wrinkled fabric in the picture. I usually stitch in hand and it's really wrinkled by the time I finish.

Photo courtesy of The Drawn Thread

~~Layne~~

Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

I posted a photo of this piece when I finished it, but never posted one of it framed.  So, when I unearthed Christmas decorations, I knew I had better get it then.  For those that did not see the original post, this is a Lizzie Kate pattern and a fun stitch.

~~Layne~~

Cross Stitch Update

I'm still plugging away at the reindeer.  I had to wait quite a while for one of the charts to come in and that delayed things somewhat.  The name of each reindeer will be below each one and there are more details to be added to the antlers along with the crystals that will be added last.  I really hope to have this one completed and framed in time for Christmas 2017.

I have several other projects going too.  When one piece becomes tiring or too stressing, I switch to another one for a time.  Cross stitching is supposed to be relaxing, right?  I recently started Spell Bound by Glendon Place.  The Happy Halloween in the corner has been a little difficult, but I'm almost finished with it.  The remainder will be easier.  I'm working on 32 count linen and my eyes start crossing and have to stop and let them rest.  Photo courtesy of www.glendonplace.net

Thanks for stopping by!

Reindeer Upate

A small amount of progress since the last update.  One more reindeer done, still waiting on one pattern from the cross stitch store, and then on to the last two reindeer.  There is a lot of detail work that I save until the end like backstitching and attaching the crystals to the antlers.  The end is closer than it has been!

Cross Stitch Work in Progress Updates

I have made more progress on the Crystal  Reindeer by Hinzeit. 

I'm also trying to consistently work on Reindeer Games by Sue Hillis Designs.  This one is little more fun to stitch!

Hope to have both completed by Christmas!

~Layne~

Once a Year, Really?

I've said it before, I'm not a very good blogger!  I would never make it if I was being paid by sponsors, advertisers, etc.  People who blog on a daily basis either like to write more than I do or have more time than I do.  Every time I post, I say I'm going to do better. Ha!  I won't say it this time and we will see what happens.

On to the subject of cross stitching.  I told my husband a few days ago that I actually finished more cross stitch pieces when I only worked on one at a time.  In my early years of cross stitching, I actually worked on one from start to finish before I started another.  When I started stitching more than one, I finished less.  Kind of frustrating. 

I have a several Christmas pieces (well, really more than several) that I sometimes forget about and don't work on during the year.  Fall rolls around and I remember that I should have been working on this one or that one.  Such is the case with the Hinzeit Crystal Reindeer. If I only do one reindeer a year, we're looking at four years to go and then add a year for Rudolph and a year for the sleigh. Get the picture?  I have made the decision to work on these little guys as much as possible and maybe get them finished by Christmas 2016.  Below is a picture of my current progress.  Forgive the wrinkles! No need to iron it and wrinkle it as soon as I pick it up again.  I usually work in hand and keep the left end rolled while I'm working. 

Wish me luck getting these little guys finished!

Layne

Alabama Cross Stitcher

Another Project

A good many years ago, I inherited a lot of cross stitch items (books, fabric, thread, etc.) in a divorce situation.  One of the items was a partially started Christmas placemat, but no chart to go with it.  I did finally, with the help of some other cross stitchers, locate the chart.  My plan all along was to finish the placemats and give them back to the person that gave me all the stash.  I had worked a little on it, but it is full of confetti stitches.  I hate confetti stitches.  I pulled it back out this weekend and made a major dent in what was left to do.  I still have just a little to add and it will be ready for the backstitching.  Then, there will only be three more to do!





Picture Promised in Previous Post

This is the piece I finished quite a few years ago.  I would forget about it until Christmas time and then it was too late to have it framed in time to use for the holiday that year.  This past year I remembered and had it framed and got to use it at Christmas.  (When I loaded the picture here, it really changed the quality.  I'll try to get a better one.)

 



SEWING MACHINE CHALLENGED AND A LITTLE DIY

Several years ago, I completed a small Christmas bellpull.  I attempted to hem

the ends to attach the hardware and never was pleased with how

it looked.  So, the little bellpull stayed in a drawer basically

forgotten.  I came across it in December while pulling

out items for Christmas decorating.  I checked at my local needlework

shop for a finisher, but that didn't work out.  I kept the bellpull

out in my craft room where I could see it and not forget to do

something about it.  After looking at it more and more, I thought that

maybe, just maybe, I would attempt it again in a different way.

 

I have a sewing machine, but have never been very handy with it.  My mother sewed

beautifully and taught me the basics of making a dress.  I could repair seams, etc., but

that was all I cared to do with my trusty Singer sewing machine. 

The poor little bellpull really needed to be fixed.  I thought about asking

my daughter-in-law to do it for me, but decided the most it needed

was four straight seams.  Come on!  So, one day last week the trusty Singer sewing machine

made its way to the kitchen table and was put into action.

The four seams may not be perfect, but the bellpull can now be used when

Christmas 2013 rolls around.

 

I also had a new cross stitch work in progress that was very close to

being too wide for the fabric.  I alwasy Fray Check my edges, but it was suggested

that I run a zig-zag seam down the right side.  Well, you guessed it!

My trusty Singer has probably never made a zig-zag seam since I purchased it!  With

manual in hand, I accomplished this also!

 

Here is a picture of the bellpull.

 

We also used this last week to remove the plate glass mirror (typical ones installed by

builders) and replace it with a framed, prettier mirror in our powder room.  We had to get the original mirror off, patch the wall where it had been glued, caulk, and paint.  Here is the final product.

 

 







Thanks for looking!

 

Layne



SHORT UPDATE

Not a lot to report, but I do have an updated photo of Good St. Nick.

A little more progress on the at the bottom, of the houses,

trees, and soon-to-be snow.  There would have

been more to show if I had not had to take

out most of the reindeer.  All but one

of them had a stitch left out that caused everything

below them to not line up.  Got that corrected and moved on.

 



Layne

CROSS STITCH UPDATES

I have been enjoying some cross stitch time lately.  I always have multiple stitching projects going.  It is easy to work on many and never finish any.  I had started a new one and thought I might not have allowed enough fabric for framing; however, it seems it will be ok.  I got frustrated with it and put it up and pulled out an old one that has been packed up.  I'm glad I did.  It is easy stitching and a nice break from some of the others.  Since it is a Christmas project, I can definitely finish it in time for December 2013!

 

This is Prairie Schooler, Good Saint Nick.

 

 

The next picture is an update of a previous posted project.  It's coming along.  I had to take

a break from it, but there is really not much left to do on it.  It does have a

companion one that I will definitely do when I finish the first one.

Below is an updated picture.

 



 

Well, that's it for today.  I need to get busy!  Maybe I will be back soon with a finish to show you.
I did get a couple of new fobs made and listed in my Etsy shop, BeadedFobsbyLayne. 
I have a few more laid out ready to string.  I'll post pictures of them later.
Stay warm and stay dry!

 

Layne

 

 

OUT THE DOOR

A little background for those that don't read my Facebook page...I have been making and selling scissor fobs to a needlepoint store in Connecticut for a few months now.  The most current order shipped this past Tuesday and hopefully have arrived safe and sound.  The store is having a trunk show and guest artist there today, so maybe most of the fobs will sell also.  This was the fifth order I have done for them.  This one was five Halloween and five Christmas ones.  Picture below.

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

Layne

PROGRESS

Still not a good blogger, but I am making progress on my cross stitch projects.  This Santa is fun to work on, but there is a lot of confetti stitches (which I don't like).  Here's a picture to prove that I have worked on it some!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Layne

 

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER...

I am finally getting around to posting a couple of pictures of the cross stitch WIP that I mentioned in my previous post.  Where does the time go!  This is entitled Old Wise Santa, designed by Fiddlestix, and published by The Design Connection.  I am stitching this on 28 ct Olive, Cashel Linen, and it is stitched with all DMC threads.  I haven't had a chance to work on it lately, but hope to very, very soon.  It is a fun stitch!

Thanks for looking!

Layne

Same amount of stitching, just two pictures with different lighting.



Definitely Not a Good Blogger

I'm the first to admit that I am not a good blogger!  I do, however, have an update on one of my cross stitch projects that I have posted before.  It is small progress.  The tree beside the house took an extremely long time to do and there is one on the other side of the house to be done.  Here's a picture and thanks for looking.

NEW FOB

I guess I don't have to say that I am really way behind with all my crafts. I'm sure my lack of posts speaks louder than words. I did manage to make a new fob yesterday. I decided to make a Christmas-related one a little early, at least for me. I have painted a few things, not for sale, but custom orders. After a few finishing touches, I'll post pictures of these.