March at the Shores, pt. 19

I FINISHED!! Sorry to scream, but I almost can’t believe it.

Block 8 completed. We decided to use Capt. Jack Aubrey’s name, because the husband loves Patrick O’Brian’s series. We used the date of O’Brian’s death in 2001 as the death date. It seemed appropriate to lay him to rest in 1818. The last year Aubrey is known to command a vessel is 1817. Last night I thought 1821 may have been a better year, since O’Brian’s final, unfinished manuscript was titled 21. But, you know, whatever.

Here she is, finally:

Vitals:

Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, designed by Kathy Barrick-Dieter of Carriage House Designs
Stitched on 40-ct Lakeside Linens Vintage Autumn Gold with NPI silks as recommended.

I hope you had a lovely Easter. Happy Stitching! 🙂

March at the Shores, pt. 18

I’m so close.

I would normally include a picture of the full sampler, but this is my first time posting from my phone, and I didn’t take one. We can see the important parts. Ain’t technology grand?

Oooh, I hope it’s not long before I’m done!

Happy stitching! 🙂

November at the Shores, pt. 17

I’m stunned that it’s been two months since I updated the blog. I’ve been stitching away. No lie. For instance, I finished block 4 of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow in early November.

I have one more block to go. I planned to finish this year, but I’ve been bitten by the Christmas stitching and crafting bug. This will likely be my last update of Shores for the year. It doesn’t help that the final block to stitch is the dense memorial block. Too easy to procrastinate. And then there’s my indecision about a border. Should I, shouldn’t I? Will I, won’t I? What should it be? Do I have enough fabric to frame if I do stitch a border? See? It’s the indecision, not the distractions that are keeping me from finishing. Uh-huh. That’s it.

Here’s the current state of the WIP:

I’ve finished two ornaments. They’re identical. I stitched one for an exchange that I loved so much, I stitched an identical one for myself. I have to wait for the opening day to post it (Very soon, I hope!). I also stitched another ornament, but I’m not done finishing it. I need to decide on a trim. I had another, not Christmas-y, small finish, Shakespeare’s Peddler’s God Bless Those. I bought the kit as a birthday present for myself from The Silver Needle. As soon as it arrived, all others stitching came to a halt. I had to stitch it immediately. Now I need to finish it. I’m heading to craft stores in search of many needful supplies, and will hopefully find a trim I love. That will leave the question of whether to finish it as a pillow or a pinkeep. And, now I see I should have checked Wasatch Needlecraft, as it’s on sale there. sigh

See? I’ve been busy stitching and neglecting my updates. I hope you’re enjoying your holiday season.

Happy Stitching! 🙂

September at the Shores, pt. 16

I thought I published this over a week ago! I don’t know why I didn’t. Synapses were not firing properly.

I finished another block of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. I stitched block twelve this time. I want to finish it by the end of the year. We’ll see.

I was looking forward to stitching this block. The bird makes me smile. I kind of wonder why the sun has eyes and a nose, but no mouth. I don’t think he’d look good with a mouth. Maybe it’s a simple as that. Only two more blocks to go. You can be sure I’ll save the memorial block for last.

Here’s the full WIP picture:

Happy Stitching! 🙂

Dr. Seuss at the Shores

One fish

Two fish

Red fish

Blue fish

…

Seahorse

Happy Stitching! 🙂

Hello, Poppet

I completed the stitching of the bunny side of CHS’ Patty Parsley in 2009. I completed the name side in 2011. I finally finished it yesterday. What can I say? I have a talent for procrastination, coupled with a tendency towards a short attention span where stitching is concerned.

Here is my poppet showing off her handiwork. I used to call her Poppet. Now she’s Patty Parsley. I suspect her nickname will remain Poppet.

     

She loves to stitch.

Patty with just her new pillow~~

     

And here she shows off the pillow on its own~~

I don’t know why I took so long to finish this pillow, but then, I never do.

Happy Stitching! 🙂

Summer at the Shores, pt. 14

I can’t believe it’s been a year since I’ve posted an update to Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. I can’t believe I only completed one block last year, too. I consoled myself by reminding myself that last year was a rough one for me. This year, my excuse is Touching the Autumn Sky. That, and I was using Shores as a “waiting” piece, that is, I only stitched on it while waiting for the boy to finish activities. I didn’t get much done. Obviously. 🙂

Block 3, complete:

There are scads of mistakes, which may account for my having abandoned it for so long. When I picked it up, I used NPI 922 (I’m pretty sure that’s the number) for the water stitching. It took me a very long time before I realized that the proper color number was NPI 522. A-frogging I did go. I was wondering why I wasn’t enjoying the color the way I remembered enjoying it in the other blocks. Once I started stitching in the proper color, the fill stitching seemed to go much quicker. I decided to leave the errors as is. I was feeling Done with this block. It shouldn’t have been as much trouble as it was for me. Again, I blame last year. I can remember some of my decisions to leave well enough alone. There were other mistakes I discovered shortly before finishing that came as a surprise.

And now the full WIP

Happy Stitching! 🙂

And Then I Stitched…

The back of Patty Parsley by CHS. I’d abandoned it quite a while ago in a fit of frustration. The border didn’t match up, and I couldn’t figure out why. I think it might have been especially hard to find the mistake because it was off by a single stitch. Those are the worst, don’t you agree?

In August I decided to finish it the way it was, boo-boo and all. So, I’ll get a dimple when I finish it. At least it’s done and not nagging me, feeding my guilt. Now I can worry over not finishing it. Progress! 😀

Oh, and the reason I couldn’t find the mistake? I assumed it was on the right side, but, NO! it was the left side. Another reminder of what happens when you assume, with “you” and “me” being me and…me.

Vitals:
Patty Parsley, back side. Designed by Kathy Barrick-Dieter of Carriage House Samplings
Stitched 1 over 1 on 28-ct black linen with recommended DMC threads with one exception. I substituted DMC 347 for the recommended red.
Initials are (L to R) the husband’s, mine, Miss Parsley’s and the boy’s.

Happy stitching! 🙂

Summer at the Shores, pt. 13

I had a difficult time stitching Shores of Hawk Run Hollow over the summer. My motivation was at low tide. I’m happy to report I’ve completed an eighth block. I’m getting there, stitch by stitch, block by block.

Block 11 of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, 8th block completed

And here’s how she lookin’–

Happy Stitching! 🙂

Saltwater Aquarium at the Shores, pt. 12

I’ve finished another block of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, hooray! I felt like I was building a saltwater aquarium while stitching it. First the water border, then plants, then the bottom feeder (crab), then the tiny fish, working my way up to bigger fish. I don’t know if that’s the proper order for starting an actual aquarium, but it worked for me.

Now the whole shebang:

It’s exciting that I’ve crossed the halfway mark. Now each block is like going downhill. 🙂

Happy Stitching!

June at the Shores, pt. 11

GOOOOAAAL!!

 

I did it!  I finished Block 6/7 last night.  I told Cathey I hoped I wouldn’t pull anything in the attempt.  Aside from a few consecutive all-nighters, I think I may have pulled my “stitchroiliac.”  Or, you know, something like that.  I’m sorry.  Groan and throw tomatoes at will.  I spent way too much time stitching this last week, to the detriment of other obligations.  My hand did cramp up from holding the fabric for long periods, does that count?  Don’t try this at home, folks. 😉 

And although the USA are Ghan-ers (according to the brother), I’m still joyful enough about MY score to blow several virtual vuvuzelas.  So, pick up your vuvuzela and buzz along with me.  I’ve completed HALF the blocks!  Woo-Hoo!!!

The full effect:

BONUS: The boy usually looks at my stitching with barely concealed disinterest.  Still, I subject him to looking at my projects from time to time.  It’s a small price to pay for living here.  Last night he asked me if these were my alphabet pillows.  I said no, but it was the same designer.  He said he could tell.  I was very impressed.  Reflecting on the exchange, I’m wondering if I’ve forgotten telling him that piece of trivia before.  If so, he still gets points for remembering when he looked like he wasn’t paying attention.  🙂

And now, back to a more normal routine.  Happy Stitching!

June at the Shores, pt. 10

Gettin’ a little faux rebus-y, also known as using motifs to add visual spark to my silliness.

The buzz around Hawk Run Hollow is

I’m anchored in my focus on Shores and

Will be able to find my way to finish Block 6/7 by my goal date of  June 30.  I hope the rumours are true.

June at the Shores, pt. 9

No sense titling the post Weekends…since I’ve been stitching on this almost daily lately.

I’ve finished the bounding main on Block 5/6.

Here is the full wip:

I’m hoping to finish this block before the end of June.  I’ve missed stitching a couple of days this week altogether (Be still, my heart!).  I’ll need to be focused to achieve this goal.  Facebook SAL this weekend, so I hope to be “good” and stitch, stitch, stitch.

Happy stitching!!

Weekends at the Shores, pts. 7 & 8

Part 7:

The husband’s computer is in the shop.  He keeps asking can he check his email and then playing Spider for hours on end.  I can’t wait to pick it up.  Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow, you’re only a day away!! 😉

Shortly after I finished this ship in a bottle, I “lost” Shores of Hawk Run Hollow–to the husband.  It’s my own fault.  I showed him the completed Block 9 and asked him what it reminded him of.

He said, “Indiana?”  I think it may have been because of the building’s color.  One home we considered buying when we lived in Indiana was a converted barn.  It was cool.  Then again, it could have been the Mail Pouch barns that are still scattered around the countryside.  We lived in the (very small) town where this one is located:

Yeah, I guess I can see it.  I was going for Nova Scotia–
I shoulda kept my mouth shut.  He didn’t pay much attention to Shores before that.  I started stitching the ship in a bottle, and he was transfixed.  He told me he loved the boat.  Well, yeah, I could have guessed you would.  “Is this our Nova Scotia cross-stitch,” he wanted to know.  No, I sorta made this our Nova Scotia cross-stitch:

I guess we can have two.

Part 8:

Very near to my completing Block 10, he asked me who I was stitching this for.  “Me, I told him, just me.”  I even know where I want to hang it.  Then I get the puppy dog eyes.  “Why?  Do you want it?”  I got an eager nod, complete with a sheepish grin.  *sigh*  OK, I guess you can have it.  So now it’s not mine anymore.  I know he’s going to hang it in the basement.  It’s where most of our Nova Scotia and ship collection is.

Block 10 completed.  I knew he’d like the ship in a bottle because he owns one.  It was a going away present from the staff when we left Nova Scotia.  I got to meet the artist.  He was a dear, elderly man who was unable to continue making the ships due to failing eyesight.  It was a treat to meet him.  That day is a fond memory.

I believe the husband’s cat approves.  You can never be too sure with her.

Happy Stitching!

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 6

Whee!  I completed Block Nine.  I fell completely in love with it while stitching it. 

Confession: I made a counting error, so the bottom row will be 93 stitches high instead of 92.  I didn’t discover this boo-boo until I began stitching the stag.  My stag has a longer neck than intended, more like a gazelle or a giraffe.   I expected it to drive me crazy, but I like it. Go, me! 🙂 

Block Nine

Current progress

Happy Stitching!

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 5

Last weekend was the first weekend I’ve devoted to Shores of Hawk Run Hollow in a while.  I’ve stitched on it here and there, without much to show for it.  When I began stitching this weekend, Shores looked like this:

It’s a fair amount of progress, but I’d get so little done at a time, I never took photos before Friday.  This weekend, I got a lot done.  I stayed up very late stitching.  I so enjoyed stitching the rocky coast.  I enjoyed the outlining and filling in each rock.  In this column, I’d say this is visually my least favorite block, with “My love at sea” being my favorite.  I wouldn’t have expected to have so much fun stitching it.  But I am, and that’s a great thing, yes? 

Close-up of block 9

Full progress photo, 5/10/10

Happy stitching! 🙂

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 4

It’s winter, who has time to go to the water on the weekend? I’ve been trying to keep warm! 😉

This progress is actually about 6 weeks old; I kept forgetting to take photos. I’m thinking this weekend will be a good weekend to visit the Shores, so I thought I’d catch up.

This block had a lot going on, it was difficult for me to motivate myself to stitch.  The weird thing about that is, I enjoyed stitching it one I got started. *shrug*

                 

I love the widow’s walk.  It evokes a romantic, fantasy mood for me.  I would love to live in a house just like this.

Until next time, Happy Stitching. 🙂

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 3

I wanted to finish all the words this weekend.  I didn’t manage it, was too busy having fun elsewhere.  Alas.

Fabric looks sort of pink on my screen.  Veddy interesting.

Stashing, not stitching

I haven’t had much stitching mojo.  I’ve mentioned it before, but now something else is aggravating the blahs.  I got a new toy, and it’s sort of an obsession.  I have missed stitching despite not getting anything done. I recently went to my LNS to browse and get inspiration.  It worked a little bit.  I started stitching, but I keep going back to my  apps.  I have been stashing a lot more than I should lately.  Here’s a picture of a little bit of what I’ve accumulated.  I have embarrassed myself by the total of what I’ve acquired.  I shall remain on the Nile by refusing to show you everything.  Besides, I can’t show you everything, b/c it hasn’t all arrived yet.  Yeah, that’s it.

 

I’ll stitch all of these tomorrow, because I’m that amazing.  Um.  Yeah.

I have managed to make a bit of progress on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow:

That pink lovely in the corner is my Dell Mini.  Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink! it makes me squeal (silently, fortunately for the masses).  This block is a design that seems intimidating and overwhelming, and is simultaneously fun to work on.  The intimidating part makes it easy to forgo for iPhone fun, alas.

I started a new project on Tuesday, because having too much to do never prevented any stitcher worth their salt from starting something new.  I was itching to stitch something autumnal.  This is what I chose from my existing stash, not my new stash:

Pumpkin Harvest kit, a store exclusive from my LNS, The Rocking Horse.  They have quite a few adorable designs.  Go check them out.  It’s OK.  I’m not going anywhere.  I’ll wait.

I don’t have a progress picture.  I haven’t made much progress as yet.

Before we went to San Diego for the summer, the boy made an Etsy purchase of an amigurumi werewolf doll from a seller in the Phillippines.  It never got forwarded to us, but returned to her instead.  She sent it back, and it arrived yesterday.  His name is Huey, the boy adores him, and already the wolfeh has stolen something from me! 

Huey is so cute!

When I told the boy that Huey may sit in my chair, but the wolfeh does not have license to move it, he reminded me that I “need” to make him a chair yet.  Nag, nag, nag.  Yeah, that’s going to happen next week. Not.

Time to get back to stitching.  Or bed, considering the time.  Maybe I’ll watch Project Runway again.

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 2

Last weekend was the monthly SAL on facebook.  I spent a fair amount of my time stitching on Shores.  This weekend the husband is visiting and we went shopping at IKEA for the boy’s bedroom.  Not a lot of stitching will be taking place.  I’ll do my best, you can be sure. 

Update from last weekend:

As you can see, I successfully worked to finish the first block.  I love stitched words.  I don’t know what it is about them, but they charm me. 

Happy stitching. 🙂