Blackbird's Thistle Manor finish

This is the second time I have stitched this freebie design.  Something about it just appeals to me.  I used 2 complete skeins of anchor cotton floss in #92 and #96  because I used 3 strands of floss  The colors are off in the photo but these are pinkish lavender thistle colors on cream 14ct aida.  This is added to my pile of heart themed finished pieces for a quilt which I hope to put together.  I am using aida or a hearty even weave for the stitched squares so that they hold up to washing.  Most of my stitching friends no longer use aida but I am enjoying stitching on it.  I also am keeping to color fast floss in my heart squares.
 My current crochet blanket is growing. It is now 31 inches by 72.  No photo this time since my muse is off snuggling with my hubby.  Today it is too warm to be working on a toasty blanket.  

Until next time.... 

Where is Spring?

It is blustery today but sunny here in the northeast.   The wicked wind is making sure we are reminded that it is still winter.  Thankfully much of our snow has melted but there are a few snow mountains in parking lots where piles were started when towns ran put of a place to put the stuff.   

I have a few finishes to share.  I completed a bent creek zipper  kit.  I just love their vinyl bags.  I also completed a shepards bush Christmas design which will be a pillow.  One of my retreat friends gave me the chart and fabric.  The buttons will be properly sewn on when I do the finishing.   Many thanks!  The little fairy is from one of my french design books.  It isn't exactly done because I am debating how I am going to finish it and whether to add the baby's name and such.   A cousin had a little girl which I did a baby blanket for.  So this design might go on top of a little trinket box or I might frame it.  Isn't is a sweet little design?  I did stitch the last flower stem so this is the wip snap. I have a habit of falling in love with little angel or fairy designs. There are so many cute ones in this books that it was hard to choose which one to stitch. 

Have a Great Day, Mare

My helper

Asleep on the job but still cute as button, my Heddy is my project inspector.  Here is my latest blanket project which will be twin size when completed.  I am upto 21 inches so far. Also included is an update on my "try to relax "  cat piece since I had my muse at hand.  

I would love to know what you think about my yarn color choices.   I am using lion brand homespun  and caron black medium weight again.  Both yarns are machine washable, dryable and hold up to daily use.  I have done blankets completely with homespun but frankly I really like the body that using the caron or red heart yarn gives the blanket. The medium weight yarn lightens the weight of the blanket.  They are labor intensive because the pattern is not lacy or has holes but the blanket is super warm and cuddly.

I machine wash and dry all of my blanket gifts before they find their new homes.  

Completed projects from last year

When going through my blog I realized I never posted the completed project pictures for a couple of my blankets. My sister in law with  her waffle stitch blanket and my neice with her ripple wave blanket.   Both are a little larger than twin size. Last photo is of a few cross stitched pieces.  I think this is the 3rd time I stitched up the plum street's coffin buzz freebie piece.  I love that design.

My latest baby blanket shown in my last post is  just about done.  I have one more row of the border to do.  The baby is due any day so I will be dropping off the gift soon so I need to decide rather quickly what else I am making to include with my gift.  

New crocheting projects

Hunting for a new crochet stitch to use on my next blanket led to the moogly blog and this cool new stitch.  Moogly has wonderful clear instructions and a video.  I worked up a 12 inch.sample test swatch for a baby blanket. The design is called leaping stripes and I am in love with it.  The pattern is easy and uses only a couple of basic stitches yet produces an interesting herringbone pattern.  On the blog she use charming baby pallet colors but I decided to go with 2 jewel tones of the bulky Lion brand homespun yarn which I love using.  It washes so well and I adore the variegated colors.  I accented with Caron medium weight black and I  used a 10 hook so the blanket has body.  On my next blanket I am going to use a 10.5 hook to see which I like better.  

I also finished a knitted shawl for myself done with the seed stitch.  I started this shawl last winter.    You can see the beginning of one of my cat toys on top of the shawl.  I will be stuffing with  catnip added in.  My kitties already nabbed this pink guy twice and I had to go rescue him and that is all prior to my adding any catnip.  My son made me snap a picture before this pink piggy gets "loved up".  Piggy needs a button nose and a squiggly tail. There are many sad looking yarn rodents that have gotten much of love this winter.  Since a few have gotten tossed given their sad state a couple of replacements are needed.  These little left over yarn toys are such a hit that when my husband noticed my catnip supply was getting low he bought me a mondo replacement jar of catnip.  Lots of happy and sometimes stoned kitties in our abode.

Happy Updated

I have made some progress on my "happy" piece this weekend.  This picture shows the fabric color a little better than the last one.   So what do you think?    I am close to finishing.    Thanks to our deep freezing weather here in the northeast  my stitching time increased.  This cold has kept me in doors.   I hope it is warmer where you are!  Lots of hot lemon tea and fuzzy snuggling kitties here  help me keep the chills away.  

After some soup and a sandwich I am going to hunt through my yarn stash for the makings of my next crocheted blanket.  I need to do up a baby blanket and plan my nephew's blanket.  I'd like to have his done by September for our family gathering.  I also would like to try a new stitch for at least one of these projects.  Anyone have a favorite crochet stitch for a blanket?  I am looking for ideas and so far nothing I have checked out on line has grabbed me. 

Mare

HAPPY stitching

Sometimes a girl just has to stitch her way to  "happy".  Here is my latest new start.   It's a freebie by La Comtesse & le pointe de croix.  The photo doesn't do the sparkling hand dyed even weave pink fabric justice.  The fibers I am using are color wash hand painted silk by glissen gloss and needle necessity overdyed braid. 

Winter isn't my favorite season and I long for spring's arrival.  Work has been a challenge but I bought a few lottery tickets and I am dreaming of a brighter future.  Just taking one day at a time and making the best of each day.