Friday's Finishes

I am FINISHED with work for the week - Yay! it is the weekend!

I FINISHED folding the laundry for the moment - until the kids throw some more in the hamper.

I wish that I was FINISHED with my morning spin, but I still have another hour and a half to go.

..but those are not the real finish that I am excited to show you...

drum roll, please:

I put the last stitch...and attached the flower button I had in my stash to:

"Live Life Simply...Eat, Sleep, Stitch"

As I mentioned, the basic concept for what I stitched came from the Eat, Sleep, Stitch Pattern by Cherry Wood Design Studio...

but I didn't "totally" follow any of the patterns published (see the cover of the pattern above). I started out stitching the pattern for the needleroll using thread color of my choosing...then when the word "Simply" wasn't going to fit on the same line as "Live" and "Life", I decided to center the rest of the words. Lastly, loving the daisy that was included in the patterns, I added that to my creation.

The words and the large daisy are stitched 1-over-1 on 28ct evenweave - using my color combonation. The border is stitched 2-over-2...and the daisy button is my own additon, something that I had in my stash which I thought would be fun to add.

So, now what...how am I going to finish it off? Not sure...pillow? needlecase? try my hand at a flat fold? I am going to have to ponder that one - still...what do you think?

Well, while you and I think about that - here is something I want you to take a look at:

What is in this container?

What is it doing?

Take a guess...and then come back tomorrow for the answer.

In the meantime, have a great Friday and remember

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa

BTW...for multi-taskers...stitching and exercising on the stationary bike and/or walking are near to impossible (tried it and the whole generations of frog families came to visit right after I finished my workout). However, simple knitting and exercising, that can work without too much trouble - - - yet, you do have to watch where the ball of string goes so it doesn't fall to the ground and get wound up in the pedal arm of a stationary bike :)

A finish...for a teacher gift

The last 2 days of school is in sight. I finished up the teacher gift which Robert (oldest son) is going to give his "core" teacher (the 7th grade "core" teacher is responsible for English & History). We wanted to show our appreciation for everything she did and all the support she showed Robert during the year, especially since he was gone over 20 days of school due to the hockey tournaments. Robert will take this and a gift certificate to her favorite coffee shop to give to her tomorrow.

Designer: Lizzie Kate
Pattern: "Teaching is a Work of Heart"
Fabric: Navy Blue 25ct Linen
Thread: Various DMC Varigated (chose my own color scheme)
Finish: I finished it as a little pillow and created a beaded hanger, which I attached at the corners. The charm says "follow your heart" on one side and "live, love, laugh" on the other.

I really enjoyed stitching this and finishing it. I hope that she likes it.

On another stitching note...I finally sat down and took time to restart my Friendship Sampler for the RR. I need to get my heart stitched on it so that I can get it re-introduced into the cycle of the RR. In addition, I do have an Karin's RR to stitch over the weekend to get in the mail as well...both are due to be sent by the 15th.

Have a good evening! Lisa

A Finish...A Start....A Progress Report

The First Finish for 2009....drumroll please...

Flatbed Snowman by Bent Creek ("Zippies" Kit)
Linen: 18ct Natural
Thread...whatever was provided in kit

Well...I went through my stash the other night and located this Bent Creek kit. I felt that I needed to find something that I can sit and stitch...complete and post. I just needed that "first finish of 2009" to post. (Just a little note: the white border around the snowman was something that I added - I just jumped in and started it without planning...that is why it is a little unbalanced...oh well, it adds a little personalization to it)

A Start....

Filigree Hearts by The Sweetheart Tree

Fabric: Yellow Linen (from stash...might be 36ct)

Thread: DMC varigated

And then because it was fun to sit and stitch - complete and post - I found another pattern in my stash. This one I picked up from a sale table in on of my LNS many years ago. I remember picking it up because it has hearts - which make good things to stitch and give away as gifts. So, I picked it up to work on, maybe even getting another finish before the end of the month and then I can make it into something and give it as a Valentine's gift.

A Progress Report..."Shoo-Fly"

I had a little over an hour at the rink last night, so I sat and worked on filling in more of the white squares. It is coming along. I enjoy stitching the satin stitches, which are the first part of filling in these square holes. Those stitches go a lot faster - there seems to be a rhythm with those stitches, which allows me to sit and relax - no really thought needed so I can let my mind wander or shut down if I just need to do that, too. In addition to a satin stitch, I am following with an eyelet, which needs some attention because I have to make sure and find the right holes. I am hoping to be done with this part soon, because now I am looking forward to creating the next step. I am not quite sure what the stitches will be, but I know that I will introduce some color in these squares at some point. I want to keep the black because I love the way that it allows for the Shoo-Fly pattern to stick out...so I will think about it.


Hockey Notes...
Well, I just couldn't finish a post without a hockey mention. DH and older son left on a "red eye" last night to Detroit. This is the 2nd trip to that airport for DH in less than 2 weeks, as he just got back home from there on Sunday with young son. But, back in Detroit, they will drive up to Port Huron for oldest son's Silver Stick Finals this weekend. The first game is at 4:15 pm tonight. They arrived at the airport at 5am (east coast) and were planning to drive to the hotel to get some rest before the first game. The "red eye" allowed Robert to go to school, so he didn't have to miss too much this week...and allowed Steve to get some work done. I hope that Robert's team has a better tournament than my younger son. However, after Matthew got back home, he wasn't upset about loosing all 3 games last weekend for he enjoyed playing in the snow!

Hope everyone out there is doing well...thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments. I feel blessed by having this outlet to show off my needlework, to journal a little about my life and to meet others who have similar interests.

Stitch on....Lisa