Squares, stash and misc stitching

Since I have no desire to post things in any sort of chronological order, I am going to start with the squares I received today. Heather spoiled me rotten with the squares that she sent me for the 4th of July Fair Square Exchange. The squares she stitched were amazing. She also included a great chart, along with some of the floss required and a neat little heart. Here's all of the great goodies and of course the squares themselves.


Since I got those today, I decided to head to my LNS to pick up the other threads required for the piece as well as some DMC that I needed to complete my next set of squares. While there, I picked up some goodies for both Round 7 and the Season Celebration (Summer) exchanges. In the same area, there is also a quilt shop, so I picked up some fabric as well. I was good though and did not enhance my stash at all while I was there. When I came home, I was blessed by the mail. I received two charts that I ordered from a new (to me) ONS that is based in Norfolk. I also received some materials for a surprise that I am working on as well as a picture mug that I ordered for the hubby to take with him on deployment. It was a great mail day :). Here are the new charts that I got. Since I was unable to get all of the Something In Common charts for the Brides Tree, I decided to go with Rosewood Manor Best Wishes. Maybe I can now catch up with that SAL. I also picked up Call of the Ocean by X-Appeal. Here's my new stash:)

Over Memorial Day, I believed I mentioned the entire family (minus my sister) came down to visit. Both my MIL and SIL brought stitching projects along with them. I wasn't really in the mood to pick up DH's stocking to work on, so I decided to stitch up Lizzie*Kate's Work Pray Trust. I made substitutions in the colors since I didn't have the ones called for. I ended up with half the colors as called for and the other half with substitutes (that were somewhat similar). This took me about two days of actual stitching (3 from start to finish).

Work Pray Trust by Lizzie*Kate
Stitched on 28 ct
Threads: DMC

Here is a picture with the fabric that I picked out to finish this with. I will probably finish it as a pinkeep (my first) when I get a chance. Let me know what you think of the fabric. When I picked this up, I also got some other fabric for my stash: some patriotic and some musical fabric. (all at AC Moore).

Currently I am working on round 7 of Fair Square Exchange. I will probably try to get some stitches in on DH's stocking this weekend as well. Who knows if I'll start another project ... depends on how I'm doing with the stocking. Happy Stitching and enjoy your weekend!

I'm Back :)

Well, it's been awhile since I've been able to post to my blog. I've been able to keep up with others for the most part, but I apologize for the lack of comments recently. When I'm underway, our connectivity is slow and I don't usually have a lot of time for personal web browsing. I was glad to hear that Heather received her squares in a timely fashion. I finished them right before I left to meet up with my ship in FL and had DH drop them off at the post office. Heather and I were partnered up for the Fourth of July holiday round, so I found lots of patriotic goodies for her as well ... some fabric, a few spools of flag ribbon, a Bent Creek pattern and Weeks Dye Works floss called Independence. It was a lot of fun looking for the extra goodies. Here's the whole kit and caboodle and then a picture of the squares themselves. I'm so glad you like them, Heather :)




So what have I been up to while I was gone? My ship was out doing operations with the other ships that will deploy with us as well as the MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) that will embark. Our strike group consists of a large deck amphib (my ship), two other amphibs, two destroyers and a cruiser (oh and there will be a sub that's nominally attached to us). During the past three weeks we did various formations with the other ships and anchored often to do operations with the Marines. We embarked about 2000 Marines on board my ship, both ground troups and the ACE (air combat element). To put the number in perspective, we have about 1100 Sailors permanently attached to my ship. Bringing the Marines on board fills us up to capacity. We did a lot of flight operations for the ACE to get their carrier quals and do some missions as well. The past three weeks were dress rehearsals for when we embark the Marines for deployment later this year. Here are some pics from the last few weeks.

One of the destroyers coming alongside for underway replenishment practice

The "bone yard" - all the ACE's aircraft, CH-46's taking off


Swim call from the stern gate

The best part was coming home yesterday. Our ship organized a family day cruise so our families came out to meet the ship in LCUs (landing craft utility). I spent the day showing my parents, FIL and SIL around the ship. I took them to engineering, the flight deck, my stateroom, the wardroom, the bridge and other various places. We enjoyed the wonderful weather that we were blessed with coming in. Here's one of my favorite pics of the day - me and my mom on the 07 level.


Hope you all have a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Please remember all those that are serving and have served in the Armed Forces (both in the US and wherever you may be from) this weekend. I'm going to enjoy spending time with my family. Happy Stitching!

Fair Square: Sent and Received

I came back from our anniversary trip to find Laura's squares for me in the mail and to find out that she has received her squares from me as well so I can share both with you.

Here are the squares and the treats I sent along for Laura. I knew that she liked Mary Engelbreit, so found a great design by her. I also included a magnet (it had a friends saying, but I don't remember the exact saying), a journal, some bright fabric, a needle minder and some red hand dyed thread. I'm glad to hear that Laura likes it.

Mary Engelbreit, Cross Stitch for All Seasons
Cheery Cherry Tieback
Thread: DMC
Fabric: 32 ct Country French Latte

Laura spoiled me as well. She sent me a great tin of fruit drops (who knows ... might be used as a finish at some point), some great hand dyed threads and a wonderful flag day/4th of July pattern (too bad I already finished my square for 4th of July or I might have used this one). The squares feature a lighthouse ... one of my favorite things :) Thanks Laura!

"The Lighthouse Sampler" By The Bay Needleart

As I said in my intro, we just got back from spending some time out in South Western VA for our anniversary. DH surprised me with a stay at a wonderful B&B cabin. We enjoyed wine tasting, the mountain air, good food and a wonderful show. It was great to be able to spend our anniversary together (#2) with our schedules. We both took some leave and were able to enjoy time together without any contact (e-mail, cells, etc) with the outside world. I will share some pictures when I get back at the end of the month. Happy Stitching!

Who, what, where, when and why?

I saw the following on Barbara's blog and decided to answer her questions here.

Who taught you to stitch, and were there any special circumstances or memories surrounding this?
My mom and my grandma taught me to stitch. My mom did quite a bit of cross stitch when we were younger. I think one of the first things I stitched were some Christmas ornaments. I think I mostly learned using kits and have did mostly kits until I was in high school.

What’s your favorite thing to stitch? (A project, a kind of stitching, etc.)
I love stitching medium sized projects. I like a more contemporary country feel (somewhat of an oxymoron). I have stitched a variety of projects and like doing those that feel realistic.

Why do you stitch?
I like doing homemade things. I love doing stitching for gifts. It is something to keep my hands occupied while watching movies or television. It's also something I can do and spend time with my husband while he is playing video games. It is very relaxing and I enjoy creating.

When is your special stitching time?
This varies greatly. When I'm home, often it's in the evenings after work. I also love weekends where I can spend a lot of time stitching. If I'm underway with the ship, usually I'll be able to spend a bit of time on Sundays or evenings when we pull in to port. I don't have as much time then but may get an hour or two every few days.

Where is your special stitching place? (An accompanying picture would be great!)
I typically stitch in one of our two armchairs in the living room ... we have a large bay window. I'll stitch there at night as well, though don't really have the best light.

Well that's my who, what, where, when and why ... though not in that order. I'm actually underway at the moment. I have sent off my round 6 Fair and Square which should be arriving any day now ... as soon as I have word I will show it to you. Other than that, just need to finish up the one for 4th of July, which hopefully will go out really early :). Have a great Sunday!

Stitching meme

I have seen this on multiple people's blogs ... since I'm working on exchanges right now, don't have much to show so decided to do the following meme.

1. How do you hold your fabric? Depends on the type and size of fabric. The aida stocking that I am working on is in a lap scroll frame. I have decided that I like stitching on certain types of linen in hand, using more of a sewing motion. Aida, I definitely prefer a hoop or the scroll frame (though have stitched in hand before).
   


2. Floss licker? That would be an affirmative :)
   


3. How do you thread your needle? Usually lick and thred through.
   


4. What needle do you like best? Not particular at all ... got some smaller needles when I started working in linen (before often just used the needles that came in kits).
   


5. Are you a needle loser? Sometimes, but my frames have magnets on them and I have a nice magnetic needle keeper (though managed to lose one off of it by flinging it to the floor one day ... I'm sure it's underneath the chair somewhere).
   


6. What fabric do you prefer to stitch on? I am learning to like linen a lot, but don't mind working on Aida either. Often I'll use the recommended fabric but it just depends. Also depends what I'm going to be using the project for.
   


7. Bobbins or floss bags? Bobbins for DMC. My few skeins of overdyes and specialty floss are all how they came (there are about 6 of them).
   


8. Are you a scissors collector? Nope, I have one pair that I bought recently. Before I just used regular scissors or my mom's sewing scissors (the kind that have a spring in them)
   


9. Do you do your own framing, and if so, do you lace or pin? Mostly when I don't have the time to get it framed before it's to be given as a gift. I neither lace nor pin but usually use the mounting boards for embroidery.
   


10. Are you a floss floozy? Not really.
    


11. Silk?Haven't tried stitching with it yet.
    


12. Railroader?I had to google this when I saw the term ... nope, I'm not.
    


13. Are you a pattern or designer snob? Nope.
    


14. Do you get antsy when you give someone a stitched gift? Sometimes but not really. I've had good reception of my gifts so far.
    


15. Have you reached S.A.B.L.E.? Not at this point ... still fairly small stash.
    


16. Do you wash your projects? I haven't really.
    

Framed Finish

Well, it's been awhile since I have posted but I've mostly been working on my Fair Squares exchanged so haven't had anything to show. Just a little bit more to do and it should be off on its way (hopefully next weekend).

I did pick up the gift for my friends on Thursday from my LNS. I think it turned out wonderfully. I hope they like it.

Framed by My Hand Neddlewerks
Patti Nicolosi

So stitching has been getting done ... just nothing to show you all yet. Other than that, I've been keeping busy with work. On Friday, DH and I went to the Submarine Birthday Ball with a group from his command. It was a fun chance to dress up. Here is a picture of DH and me. There are two very solemn ceremonies that are a part of this, the tolling of the bells for the boats on eternal patrol and the table set up to honor MIA (missing in action). The boats on eternal patrol all of the submarines that have been lost at sea ... I think there are around 70 US boats. There was a guest speaker, they cut the birthday cake (cut by the newest qualified in submarines and the person that had been qualified the longest ... a WWII veteran who has been qualified for almost 70 years), dinner and dancing. All in all a fun evening.

Well, hopefully there will be a bit of time for stitching today but there is lots to be done. I'm heading out of town for the week so there's stuff to finish before I leave. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Weddings, stockings and floss, O my

Well, I've had a little bit more time to stitch this week. Yesterday I finished up the following sampler as a wedding present. It was a really quick stitch which would be what one would expect since I found the design in Quick & Easy Cross Stitch Gifts part of The Joys of Cross Stitch series published by Oxmoor House. It's definitely not your typical wedding sampler. However, I wanted to make a piece that had some meaning for both of us. The bride and I had a conversation about the worst part about being military was that you made friends but then they (or you) would move away. So I thought the following verse would be perfect for her. There are four parts of the design ... with interchangeable verses and borders. I didn't particularly like the colors in the design, so I picked some colors that I believe the couple is using to decorate. I hope you like it as well.

Design: A Friend (from Quick & Easy Cross Stitch Gifts)
Fabric: 28 ct Flax color
Floss: DMC

Next I have the promised update on my stocking for DH. I haven't made any progress on this in about a week, but plan to try to put some stitches in it tonight after I finish up chores and such around the house. Once I finish the bottom, I can go back up to the top ... which includes the personalization. Then I have to do the backstitching and beads ... though I am going to take it off the frame to do the beading. It should be interesting since this is my first project with beads. So slowly making progress :)


And now for a question to all you dear stitchers. I picked up the floss below to do "Find Your Song" from MyMark . Now my question is what color fabric should I use? I would like something that the white and blue will show up well against. I did find a DMC color that matches the darker blue for the solid color part of the design. However, I am at a loss for fabric color ... too light and the white won't show up at all. I would appreciate any suggestions that you all have.
Yesterday also included a trip to my LNS to pick up some extras for my fair squares exchanges. The main reason to drop by was to drop off the above piece for framing ... so I can't wait to show it to you once I get it back. While there I picked up the above floss and another highly variegated floss (more with some purples and greens). I'm planning to probably stitch the "find your song" for my choir director as well. I was good when I went to the store since the only additions to my stash were the flosses ... the rest of my purchase were for gifts.

I have to take a second to thank Mary Kathyrn from Handcrafts Online. I've placed two orders with her recently. The designs that I ordered came very quickly. I can't praise her enough for her quick response to e-mail. I had also ordered some fabric, which hadn't arrived. When I e-mailed her, she quickly responded to let me know that she was still waiting for it. However, she had another type of similar color that she could send me instead. In addition, when I told her that I didn't know much about the different types of linen, she offered to send some small samples so I could tell the difference. She has great customer service. She was also my first partner for the Fair Square exchange. So thank you Mary Kathryn! I appreciate all of your help!

Well, I'm off to do some grocery shopping and hopefully meet up with a friend for lunch. Have a wonderful Saturday!