Valentine's Stitches!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Here are a couple of Valentine's stitches.

Design: Heart
Designer: Hob Nobb Designs

This was stitched last year, but I just finished it as a cube this past week.

Here's a second piece I stitched this week.


Design: i Y u
Designer: me
Threads: GAST - Cameo Pink & WDW - Red Pear
Fabric: 28 ct cream linen


I haven't really decided how to finish this, but I'm sure I will

come up with some ideas eventually. :-)

We dont' really have any special Valentine's plans. We generally don't. I know that sounds boring, but...I guess that's just how it is. We will go out to dinner this weekend.

Since it's Valentine's here are some of my favorite romantic movies to watch:

• PS I Love You...Hillary Swank/Gerard Butler...just came out recently, you might can still find it in some small theaters...excellent...can't say enough about this movie


• You've Got Mail...Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan...love over the internet between enemies


• Sleepless in Seattle...again Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan...love through the radio


• The Lake House...Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves...love in letters between two strangers that are seperated by two years


• Just Like Heaven...Reese Witherspoon/Mark Ruffalo...he's falling in love with the ghost haunting his apartment


• Kate & Leopold...Meg Ryan/Hugh Jackman...he's traveled through time and fallen in love with her...will she follow him back


• Somewhere in Time...Christopher Reeve/Jane Seymour...another time travel...classic


• Sweet Home Alabama...Reese Witherspoon/Josh Lucas/Patrick Dempsey...who does she really love...the husband she left back in Alabama years ago or her fiance from New York


• The Illusionist...Edward Norton/Jessica Biel...part mystery/part romance between European uppercrust and an illusionist...set in early 1900


• Music and Lyrics...Drew Barrymore/Hugh Grant...he's an 80s popstar that needs helping writing a new song...especially great if you grew up in the 80s


• 13 Going on 30...Jennifer Garner/Mark Ruffalo...she's 13 and all she wants to be is grown up and 30...but wait until she gets her wish


• The Notebook...Ryan Gosling/Rachel McAdams...the story of two people from different backgrounds that fall in love in the 1930s


• Hope Floats...Harry Connick, Jr./Sandra Bullock...a little sad, but a wonderful movie about finding hope for life & love after losing everything else

I'm sure I could think of more, but that gives you a good list. If you are a Jane Austen fan I will include Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightley version) and Sense & Sensibility (Emma Thompson version). I love Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon in S&S and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in P&P. Plus the music in P&P is beautiful!!!

NOTE: Several of these movies have great soundtracks. A few that stand out right off hand...Hope Floats, You've Got Mail, & Sleepless in Seattle. Of course, for just great, beautiful music...the aforementioned Pride & Prejudice and Somewhere in Time.

So grab a great stitching project, a great movie and enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Design: Happy New Year

Designer: Lizzie Kate

Threads: Recommended GAST & WDW (except used GAST Blue Jay for Presidential Blue)

Fabric: note sure...a lavender color that has a smokey grey tint to it. 28 ct

Please excuse the wrinkles, but here is my first finish of 2008! Can't believe that the holidays have flown by and 2008 is here already. Our Christmas was nice and quiet. My son turned 13 on New Year's Eve and we will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary tomorrow! So, alot of celebrating going on here! :-)

I actually seem to have gotten a little bit of my stitching mojo back over the Christmas break. I finished up 3 ornaments (see below), stitched the above Lizzie Kate, started another small Lizzie Kate and signed up for The Bride's Tree SAL. I've never done a SAL before and am looking forward to it.

Here are my ornaments:

Left: for my best friend, Lori

Design: Dearest Friend

Designer: Brightneedle - from the booklet "Small Samplings"

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28 ct Cream linen

Middle: for my friend Cindy, who is currently going through treatments for Breast Cancer

Design: Breast Cancer Christmas Tree

Designer: freebie from Stitch Pink website

Threads: Tree - Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors Green Leaves, Lt

Ribbons - DMC metallic 5288

Hearts - GAST Tea Rose

Did not do 3 dots together from pattern, but put on Mill Hill Petite Crstal Beads (40161) instead

Fabric: 28 ct. Baby Lotion linen (stitched over 1)

Right: for my hubby

Design: French Country V - Reindeer

Designer: JBW

Threads: Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors Green Leaves, Lt

Fabric: 28 ct Opalescent Linen (stitched over 1)

2008 Stitching Goals:

1. Finish Train!
2. Finish numerous WIPs
3. Do all ornaments for SAL
4. Do all the 12 Day of Christmas ornaments from Erica Michaels (wanted to do for son this Christmas)
5. Stitch Dragon Dreams' ornament from the 2007 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament issue for son
6. Start either "Christmas Wishes" by Mirabilia or "The Toy Gatherer" by Shepherd's Bush
7. Do several Sekas ornaments (Santas or Snowmen)

2007 Movie Favorites:

Here are my top 10 movie favorites for 2007. In no particular order!

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Miss Potter
• PS I Love You
• National Treasure: Book of Secrets
• Spider Man 3
• Dan in Real Life
• Meet the Robinsons (animated)
• Enchanted
• Ratatouille (animated)
• Music and Lyrics

If I could add another 2 to the list, they would be:

• I am Legend (though quite scary!)
• Fred Clause

Other movies I really enjoyed, some surprisingly:

• Transformers
• Alvin & the Chipmunks
• Surf's Up
• The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
• The Astronaut Farmer
• The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
• Firehouse Dog

Biggest disappointments of the year:

• Shrek 3
• Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

I may have mentioned other movies throughout the year, both negatively or positively, but they didn't stand out enough for me to really mention here.

2008 Anticipated Movies:

• WALL-E
• Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Star Trek

Here is my final finish for 2007:

Design: Santa

Designer: Henzeit

Threads: GAST Cranberry & Pine

Fabric: No idea...taupe colored, approx. 16 ct evenweave

Finished as a pillow. Not bad, for my first ever pillow!

A Christmas "Finish"

It's hard to believe that December starts tomorrow! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine went fairly well. I tried the recipe I posted in the previous post and didn't like it. If anyone tried it, I hope they liked it. Will try to have a better recipe next time.

I finally got all my computer stuff caught up at work and was able to cut back on my work load this week. Yeah!!! So happy about that! I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders!

I spent this morning paying bills, wrapping presents, making a last Christmas order and running a couple of errands. I think all my Christmas shopping is done now except for purchasing the Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix DVD when it comes out in December. Other than that I am done! I didn't get my son's annual ornament stitched yet this year, so I will have to do 2 next year to make up for it. Still hoping my stitching mojo will come back soon.

On a stitching note...I "finished" this little Christmas design into a cube today. I stitched it last year and finally dug it out of the "to be finished or framed" basket.

Christmas Candy Cane (not sure of "real" name)

by: Hobb Nob Designs

stitched on 28 ct. Willow by Picture this Plus

Latest movie thoughts:

Enchanted - Cute!

August Rush - I really enjoyed it, but my son did not. He thought it was very boring. There is a lot of "just" music. However, the music is beautiful!

Pumpkins!

Here is a piece I finished stitching last year, but finally got around to "finishing" it in the last month. It is my first cube. I thought it turned out pretty well. I like this finishing technique. I followed these "no sew" instructions. They were great! (I didn't put the "feet" on mine.) The piece is Pumpkins by Hob Nobb Designs. Love their stuff, but they are hard to find.

If you have not been to see "Dan in Real Life" I recommend it! It is a funny, funny movie. Probably in my Top 5 list of movies this year.

Not much other news. I've been extremely busy with work (still) and haven't had any time for stitching. Needless to say I don't think I have reached any of my stitching goals this year. Oh, well. There's always next year. :-)

Don't forget about the Stash for Sale two posts down. I will try to get it moved to its own site soon. Just scroll down to see it.

A Harry Potter Halloween Finish

Well...it's Halloween time and the decorations have come out. Why not start off the Halloween season with a Harry Potter finish?

I finished stitching the piece in July when the book & movie came out. It is Hedwig's Four Patch by The Sampler Girl. It can be found here. I made a few color changes. I finally got around to "finishing" it recently. The fringe around the edge is called ostritch fringe. Isn't it great?! I wanted a touch of whimsy for this and thought it was perfect. I have it hanging in my foyer right when you walk in the front door.

I'm finally getting around to posting this...

Stash for Sale

Heartstrings (sorry no photo links, but can email scans of them to you)

Kringle Kalendar - January $1
Kringle Kalendar - April $1
Kingle Kalendar - May $1
The World of Santa - France $1
The World of Santa - Germany $1
The World of Santa - Spain $1

Bent Creek

Yikes $1.25

Birds of a Feather

Gold Santa $0.50 (this picture shows it on canvas, but this is a criss-stitch pattern)

Alma Lynne Designs

It's Christmas $1.50 (sorry no photo link, but can email a scan to you)

Christmas of Olde (sorry no photo links, but can email scans to you)

Blessings of Christmas $2.50
Star Light $2.50

Elizabeth's Designs

All Hearts $1.50
Bee Hive $1.50

Heart in Hand

Mother's Wisdom - Eat Right $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Say Your Prayers $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Sleep Tight $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Study Hard $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Wash Your Hands $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Look Both Ways $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Mind Your Manners $1.50
Wee Ones - Wee Santa '97 $1.25
Wee Ones - Wee Carolers $1.25
Wee Ones - Wee Pilgrim $1.25

JBW Designs

Stars and Stripes Forever $1.50
Stockings Full of Joy $1.50
Sweet Dreams $1.50
Twinkle, Twinkle $1.50

J Designs LLC

More Tote-ally Cool Designs (Cat w/ Pumpkin, 2 Santas, Hearts) $4.00

Lizzie Kate

Flip-It Stamps - January $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - February $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - March $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - April $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - May $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - June $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - July $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - August $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - September $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - October $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - November $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - December $2.00

Mill Hill

Frosty Nights $2.75 (out of print, no photo link, can email scan)
On the Prairie - Hearts 'n Buds $2.00 (no photo link, can email scan)

Shepherd's Bush

Spring Folio $1.00
Valentine Folio $1.00

Sweetheart Tree

Friendship (charm included) $4.00


All patterns are new and come from a smoke-free home. The prices do not include postage. Please email me at: poetrae@bellsouth.net and put "Stash for Sale" in the subject line.

Thanks so much!

Harry Potter Friday!

Well, today is the day that the final Harry Potter book comes out. Yes, I will be at the midnight book sale. My book is preordered and waiting at Barnes and Noble for us to pick up. I have been going back and rereading the other books leading up to the final book, but still haven't finished the 5th book yet. I will continue with my rereads before I start the final one probably later this weekend. I am really hoping that the end won't be spoiled for me and that I make it to the end of the books without finding out information before hand.


In recognition of Harry Potter Friday I finished this freebie called Hedwig's Four Patch. I changed some of the colors, but like it. I'm not sure how I will finish it yet.



Hedwig's Four Patch


Border colors: WDW - Purple Haze & Whiskey
Hat: CC - Black Coffee
Hat Band: WDW - Envy
Moon: WDW - Seafoam
Hedwig: Whisper White & Black (for spots in wing)
Hedwig feet: CC - Black Coffee
Hedwig eyes: WDW - Whiskey
HP letters: WDW - Whiskey
Words: WDW - Navy
NOTE: The pattern doesn't call for the spots in the wing. I added those by making 4 vertical half stitches at random. (The pattern calls for the owl to be brown, but Hedwig is white, so I changed it.)

My new finishes!

I actually finished 2 small pieces on my vacation! I wanted to get more done, but some of the roads were in such horrible condition that it made it impossible! I was generally so tired at night that I couldn't even think about it at all. So, I have about 6 projects packed and ready in my stitching bag, but who knows when I will get around to them! (I put the beads and buttons on once I got home.)

Anyhow...here are my latest finishes:

Spring by Hobb Nobb Designs

Recommended threads

28 ct, Miracle Mint (looks pale blue)

The Littles - Bunny by Bent Creek

Stitched on a 28 ct. Pale yellow fabric

Thread changes:

GAST Shutter Green (for GAST Grape Leaf)
GAST Shaker White (for WDW Whitewash)
WDW Chestnut (for GAST Harvest Basket)
GAST Tea Rose (for GAST Antique Rose)
GAST Pineapple Sherbet (for GAST Buttermilk)

*Used the recommended GAST Evergreen

Finally some stitching & a finish!!!

Well, I finally managed to have a calm week and get in a little stitching. I picked up a WIP, JBW's French Country Apple, and...I actually finished it. I was about 3/4 of the way done, so it didn't take long.


Designer: JBW
Title: French Country Apple
Stitched on: 32 count white linen
Thread: In the Reds by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors



















The picture on the top doesn't show it that well, but it is very RED against the white back ground. So, I decided to experiment and dyed the fabric in coffee. The picture on the bottom doesn't show it well, but the colors of the fabric and threads really darkened to a lovely color. However, my colors ran. I guess that was stupid on my part, but I will keep it and frame it or make it into a cube to put out in the Fall.


My son gets out of school next Wed. (after Memorial Day). I think it is stupid to have a holiday on Monday and then go to school for a day and a half. (They get out early, 11:15, on Wed.) But, we will be glad when it is over. We leave the following day for vacation!!!! YAY!!! I am soooooo excited! Now, I just need to go through my WIPs and decided what all to pack in my stitch bag to take with me. Nothing big, so my train won't make the trip. I'm off to go look through my stuff.


Thanks again for all the kind comments and words of encouragement and comfort. They mean a lot. My best to all of you.

Also, a quick movie review for the last 4 months:


Shrek 3: Cute, but not as good as the first two
Spiderman 3: Great! (if you are a fan of the series)
Meet the Robinsons: Great little animated movie!
Georgia Rule: Well acted, but deep subject matter
Miss Potter: LOVE IT!!! (must like period pieces)
Firehouse Dog: Cute

A February finish!

Here is a finish for February. It's by Hob Nobb Designs.



Colors used:


Outer part of large heart & top & bottom small hearts - Cranberry by GAST


Middle part of large heart & middle small heart & words - Hibiscus by GAST


Inner part of large heart - Cotton Candy by GAST




The last couple weeks have been a real bear! My new year isn't starting off so grand, but I am always hoping that things will improve.

As for my stitching...I'm trudging along on my train. I will try and post an update picture on that soon. I have also started stitching another Hob Nobb design piece called "I Love Spring". At least that's what I think it's called. Not a lot of progress made on it, but I might get it finished by the end of February. We'll see.

Have a great Valentine's Day!

First Finish of 2007!!

I have my first finish of 2007! Yeah!!! I was able to finish it quicker than I thought. That is always a nice thing to have happen. Wish it would happen with my Holiday Express piece. Oh, well. I HOPE to have that one finished this year. It may be December before it gets done, but I am trying. :-)

Anyhow...here is:

Peter's Cotton Knits
by: Raise the Roof

Fabric: 28 ct. Summer Sky Jobelyn

Threads used: the suggested DMC & Crescent Colours

Changes made:

- changed color of one egg in the basket
- did not use birdhouse button in tree
- made some changes on mailbox so I could put date
- didn't use backstitch thread on clothesline, didn't like the way it looked


It's been a long week! I still have my Christmas decorations up. Can you believe it? I generally wait until after Three Kings Day (Jan. 6th), but then we went out of town last weekend, so it didn't get done then. I hope to get some done this weekend, but 2 things have popped up this weekend. UGH!!! I hope to get most of it done this weekend anyway.

Besides my train...I started stitching on a freebie heart design I got from the internet. Hope to have it finished in the next week or so. Will post picture of it soon.