Flip Flop Days Finish!

I "finished" Flip Flop Days this week. I used the batik fabric that the piece is laying on in my last post for the back piece of fabric. The fuzzy thread was some my son picked out of a stash of "fun" threads I have. The piece is now hanging in my foyer for the summer.

I also finished stitching my May piece for the Bride's Tree SAL.

Designer: Blackbird Designs from 2004 Just Cross-stitch Ornament Issue
Fabric: 28 ct evenweave dyed with coffee
Threads: Recommended Sampler Threads, except replaced Straw Bonnet with Oatmeal. The Straw Bonnet did not show up on the fabric.

Stitched over one.


Since the Olympics start tonight I have been trying to find a "summer" design to stitch for the occasion. It seemed every pattern I picked something out of my stash I ended up not having the right fabric for the piece or hardly any of the threads. Finally I found the "Warm Water Wash" kit by Raise the Roof and located the fabric I had purchased for it and I am now set! So, we'll see how much I can get accomplished before the Olympics finish.


Don't forget the Stash Sale!

2 New Finishes!!!

I actually have 2 new small finishes!


I have had the fabric and threads ready for this first piece for almost 2 years, but just got down to stitching it about 2 weeks ago. I changed all the colors and I love how it turned out. Very tropical and fun!


Design: Flip Flop Days
Designer: Just Another Button Company
Fabric: R&R 32 ct. turquoise scrap
Threads Used: Crescent Colours
Sun: Crushed Pineapple
Flip: Pink Champagne
Flop: Tangerine
Days: Blooming Crocus
Flowers: Cloud & Ripe Melon
Bucket: Crushed Pineapple & Frozen Margarita
Water: WDW Icicle, Morris Blue & Blue Bonnet
Other Changes Made: Moved "Days" over to left a little, moved where bird went, didn't stitch small sail boat, added turtle button



For Bride's Tree Stitch Along - May ornament of 2nd set


Design: Joy & Peace combined

from Blessings of Christmas series
Designer: Lizzie Kate
Fabric: 28 ct. Platinum
Changes made: changed border from white to black and word from green to red



Recent Movie Thoughts:

Wall E - Love it! Very sweet. Great music. Lots of Star Wars and 2001 references.
Journey To The Center Of The Earth - Very enjoyable! Families should really enjoy this.
Space Chimps - Cute
Get Smart - Very funny! Love Steve Carell
Kit Kittredge - I really liked it. I think it came out at a very bad time. Should possibly have waited until Christmas time. I think it just got lost in the shuffle.
The Dark Knight - This movie will take some explaining. I thought the script was very well done, the shooting in Chicago was great, it was very well acted and more true to the old comics than the old tv show and the old movies. However, this is a very dark, intense and violent movie. I spent most of the movie with my face covered and barely touched my popcorn and soda due to the intenseness of it all. While I wouldn't describe the violence as profoundly gory, it is just a deep sort of violence. Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker was phenomenal! Very much Oscar worthy. And I'm not saying that because he died. But, be forewarned. You will leave this movie almost burdened. There is not a ray of light in this movie. The violence could really have gotten an R in my opinion.

2 New Finishes!

Well, I have actually had a relatively productive week in the cross-stitching world. Nothing major, but a couple of small accomplishments. I finally finished stitching my 3rd piece on Bridal Tree SAL 2nd set and I stitched a small piece for a friend that recently became a US citizen.

Here they are:

Designer: Trail Creek Farm freebie
Name of Piece: USA
Material used: 28 ct. khaki evenweave
Threads used: DMC B5200, 3750, 321



Designer: Brittercup from 2007 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament Issue
Name of Piece: Poinsettia
Material used: 28 ct. white linen
Threads used: In the Reds by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors, Sampler Threads Pine, WDW Curry (did not use beads)



As for more stitching news...I also started stitching on a piece for a personal exchange. Got a fair amount done on that. I cut out fabric and assembled threads for some ornaments to work on while I am on vacation. They will be easy to work on in the car since they are done on 10 ct. I also packed a Shepherd's Bush piece done on 10 ct. that I started last summer on vacation. Hopefully I will get it finished on this one. :-)

I haven't commented on movies recently, so here is my latest update. I've seen quite a few in the last month or so, so here goes:

Movie Reviews:

Ironman - Loved it! Best movie I have seen so far this summer.

Incredible Hulk - Really enjoyed it. Paid homage to the classic tv show, including images from opening of old show, music, and Lou Ferrigno was in it. :-)

Indiana Jones - While I enjoyed it because I am an Indiana fan, I was disappointed with where this story went. Way out in left field. I did not feel that it stuck with the true legend of the crystal skulls.

Kung Fu Panda - cute. I enjoyed this.

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - enjoyable, but seemed to be missing something the first one had. Somewhat disappointed in the ending, though I do believe it followed the book fairly well. (It has been eons since I read the books!) My son enjoyed it more than the first one.

Don't Mess with the Zohan - Hated it! Let me repeat, HATED IT!!! I would have to be highly paid to ever see this movie again. I feel I am owed money for even sitting through this. If I had not been with a friend I would have walked out of the theater and demanded my money back!!!

Recent Rentals:

Atonement - a somewhat melancholy film, but I really enjoyed it. It was directed by the same person that directed Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightley a couple of years ago. The same composer (whom I thought was brilliant in P&P) did the music as well. I thought it was excellent how the old typewriter sounds were the percussion for this movie. Brilliant!

Lucky Seven - a very sweet little movie starring Patrick Dempsey and Kimberly Williams-Paisley from 2004.

Don't forget my updated Stash Sale!

I'm getting ready to go on vacation, so I won't be posting the next couple of weeks. Also, if you email about the stash sale it will take me a couple of weeks to get back to you, but I promise I will. :-) Happy Stitching!

Bride's Tree SAL Set #2

Well, I must say I have been enjoying my time off from work, but I had to go back today. Bah Humbug! I can't really say I accomplished any stitching while I was off, but...it was nice to just relax. Hopefully my schedule will be much more relaxed for the rest of the year and I will only have to work 2 weeks a month like I was originally hired to do. Hopefully that will also mean I can get more stitching done the rest of the year, like my train! :-)

Here are the two finishes I promised to post of my second set of Bride's Tree ornaments I am making for my nephew's wedding next year. I still haven't quite finished the third one yet.


For January:

Title: Home for Christmas (only part of design) by Brightneedle - in the JCS magazine ornament issue 2005 (I stitched the tree differently than how they had it in the pattern.)
Fabric: 28 ct. ivory linen
Threads used: Sampler, WDW & DMC







For February:


Title: Couer (only part of design) freebie
Fabric: 28 ct. Opalescent
Thread used: Warratah by Dinky Dyes







I missed last week's stitching group question of the week, but this week's is:

How did you choose your blog name? Is there a special reason behind it?

Well...It's obviously a play on words with my name. Plus, I live in the land of sunshine, so it all fits in together.

Bride's Tree Stitching Catch Up!

Life has been very busy. Since I am a bookkeeper...needless to say I was slammed the week of the 15th! The few days after that was spent clearing up accounts, etc. That weekend I had company fly in. They just flew out this morning. We did some local tourist stuff, watched movies and played board games. One good thing about the last two things...I got a lot of stitching accomplished during all of this. I've finally caught up on my Bride's Tree Stitch-a-Long! My train didn't get touched, but...at least I did some stitching!

Here are my results: (forgive me for not ironing them first)

For February:

Title: Noel Heart freebie by Passione Ricamo (my take on pattern)
Stitched on: 28 ct. ivory evenweave
Threads used: DMC & Green Leaves Light by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors
Beads used: Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads Rich Red (03059) and Petite Glass Beads Gold (40557)

For March:

Title: Poinsettia Basket by Brightneedle (from Small Samplings booklet)
Stitched on: 28 ct. ivory linen
Threads used: DMC, Sable by Caron Collection Wildflowers, and In the Reds by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors
Beads used: Mill Hill Frosted Glass Beads Buttercup (62041)






For April:

Title: Snow Bunny by Hob Nobb
Stitched on: 16 ct. Stardust Heatherfield
Threads used: DMC & WDW









I also stitched on a second set of ornaments for the Bride's Tree series and have finished January and February so far for it. (My nephew is getting married next year and it is for him and his bride.) I am almost finished with the March one for his series. I will post a picture of them on my next posting.

Also...stitching group Question of the Week:

What is your quilty pleasure?

Hmmmmm...not really sure. I have about 10 dark chocolate M&Ms a day! Does that count?!

My First Pinkeep!

I have finally put together my first pinkeep. I decided to start with something small. I really like the way it turned out. So, I will probably do some more in the future. :-)

Design: Littles - Bunny
Designer: Bent Creek
Fabric: 28 ct. ivory linen

Threads: WDW & GAST. Made my bunny darker than what pattern called for and changed the yellow background to a different yellow. I also used black petite beads for the eyes.


My second piece is my first piece for my Bride's Tree SAL. The theme for the first month is House - shelter/protection. So, I chose this:

Design: Christmas Eve
Designer: Brightneedle
Book: Small Samplings
Fabric: A 28 ct. blueish/grey with a hint of green scrap I had. Stitched over one.
Threads: WDW & DMC
The pattern called for petite yellowish gold beads along trim of house. But, when I put the beads on they looked huge and gaudy. So, I removed them and liked it much better.

Not much other stitching going on right now. Been very busy with work. Hopefully more soon.