Stitch Niche

Sunday, April 16, 2017

HAPPY EASTER!

Hello blog friends! Happy Easter!
It's been over two months since my last post. I hope you all had a very meaningful Lenten season. Abstaining from the internet/computer wasn't actually planned. The laptop was acting up again (either slow or made a sound then shuts down) and there's been a period that I couldn't handle organizing or taking any more pictures (yes, the trip photos still stored in SD cards and my phone). So what was I busy with for the last two months? Let's see, the Big niece was here last month for an early college break. At work, it was evaluation and license renewal time. Tax season (measly refund already gone). Oh, and the credit card had unauthorized purchases, fourth time since last year. Good thing the company replaced my card immediately and cancelled those "online gaming" charges. Idle hands I'm not guilty of though... I have been stitching! First, I have finished two pieces:)

Last time you saw this was here. Isn't that cute for Easter!

Boreal Chickadee

fr. Crossed Wing Collection

16ct. French Lace Aida

Next we have something chubby from a used chart I just bought from Amazon (I'll do the chart and fabric haul in another post):

Old Virginia Ham

fr. Crates & Sacks 3 by Country Cross Stitch

16ct. French Lace Aida

I also have starts, but managed a photograph on just one for this post:

Welcome to Our Hive

fr. Good in Everything

by Rosewood Manor

14ct. Lite Oatmeal Aida

Of the existing WIPs , I worked on two:

Spells' Store by Primitive Hare, you can compare my progress from here.

And Houses of Peace from Cross Country Stitching, last seen here.
I have started two sampler charts and so enjoying those too. Hint: they're huge (for me).
Well, that's it for now. Just wanted to say hello. I'll be visiting blogs as soon as I get the laptop in shape. I hope this thing does the trick:

Take care everyone. Thanks for visiting and

Happy Stitching!

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Trip Buys (lots of pictures, not stash)

Hello friends. I hope you're all having a pleasant Sunday.
Last time I posted I took part in Jo's Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop. In case you haven't hopped around, I will show my piece at the end. It's a kit I bought long time ago, I used everything in it except for the flimsy needle.

I still haven't sorted out pictures from the vacation, still a little tired from going back to work right away. But I had to dig these awesome ones for something worth your while... Don't blink your eyes now for this will be one of those rare occasions that I'll post my picture (oops, I think I just lost my readers, hahaha):

I almost gave up on searching in souvernir shops for a porcelain thimble... I found this one in a downtown shop in Fremont Street.

We also saw some thrift shops, I begged my friend for us to make a quick stop, so straight to the magazines and craft books department I went. Unfortunately, not a lot of good stuff...

These booklets were 0.99cents each and "the Guardian" kit was $2.99. I'm not going to do this kit (18ct. aida) but I just like the colors of the threads which I can hopefully use in some of the samplers.
And now for the main event... When you're in Vegas, make sure to stop at... The Stitcher's Paradise!

We missed a turn and had to turn around. It was a Saturday, and guess what? They close at 4pm (didn't do my research, LOL). What time we arrived? 3:40pm! So I was in such a hurry. Some of the pictures are taken by my friend while waiting for me get my wits together. Oooh, so many nice things in that shop! Good news, there's another stitcher who came in after me, and the two owners gladly helped both of us.

So many adorable charts...

and gorgeous finishes on display (stitched by the two lovely ladies who own the shop). Swooning allowed LOL.

the rest of the floss and fabrics are in another room:

since I didn't have enough time to go through the charts, I went straight to the counter to ask for what I'm looking for after getting some variegated DMC and some Anchor floss (that took me ten minutes, I think).

and here's the chart I got (which I wasn't able to get online during my Sampler hauling last Christmas):

That's it for my stitchy purchases. Next time, I will be more prepared.
Now here's my second finish for the year, my blog hop entry, the mystery WIP I was talking about a few posts back.

The Snail Couple

I'm so happy I finished all the backstitch before deadline!

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop

Hello friends! I'm back. What better day to be back in blogland... Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
Of course, count on our dear Jo of Serendipitous Stitching to host another fun hop on this special day, yipeee!
And I got a very sweet and beautiful Valentine from my secret stitcher:

Isn't that lovely, getting five hearts (or are there more?) in one package. Love it! I'm excited to find out who it's from, (and who got mine), so hop on to Jo's blog to see a full list of the participants and get your load of Valentine goodies.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Friday, February 3, 2017

Just one WIP and February activities

Hello my dear blog friends.
I will only be able to show you one WIP, Spells' Store:

With only backstitch lacking, the first shelf is almost done.

But this is not the only thing I worked on. I finished my secret WIP! Backstitch took a lot of my time, but I did it anyway, and I'm so happy with it:)

Very minimal stitching ahead... As I've posted last time, DH and I will be having (a milestone(?) anniversary this month. Everything finally set. Last year, my dear friend and her DH moved from east to west coast. She's been nagging (?) me for a visit for a year now. Same one I gave my first finish to last year. And guess what, it's her birthday this coming week, same week as our anniversary! So this is what I have been up to this whole time (smug).We don't have a definite itinerary yet, depends on the real weather when we get there. Lots of sightseeing, I hope. And we'll be seeing a show or two. I'm so excited to see her.😊

As always, thank you for spending time reading my posts and also for your sweet comments, truly brightens my day. I'm doing some catching up too:) Have a lovely weekend.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Saturday, January 28, 2017

2-WIP progress

Hello blog friends.
Just a quick WIP update. Definitely satisfied with the needle's speed this week. I had to do lots because next week will probably be slow or no stitching at all (is that even possible, haha), I will tell you about it later.
So here's my latest Chickadee:

Isn't that major progress? I'm sooo happy with it. I'm only missing two light floss colors on her and then just a small amount of backstitch. Hopefully, I can squeeze in those early next week for a finish.
Then we have Spells' Store:

Fed up with brown, I did black. Lovin' it now. I also stitched and almost 3/4 done on my mystery start piece.
Now more of my story (I hope I don't bore you). Middle of the week I brought all my floss and fabrics to my sister's where it will stay for the next two weeks. Why? There's been some fumigation going on in our area for two days. The DH, although he didn't say it, must think I'm crazy. Well, yeah! Only perishables and opened containers need to be consumed or thrown out before the designated date. But I don't want to take any chances that some chemical/smell might stick to my dear xstitch supplies. We don't want that, right?😔
And then I'm also making last minute plans for the coming month which happens to be... our anniversary! Don't ask how long it's been, haha. And no, it's not on Valentine's Day.
So that's why I said slow stitching for the next two weeks.
Lastly, I really appreciate your sweet comments on my latest finish. Thank you very much! I wish I could catch up on reading more of the bloglist, believe me I'm really trying...and I also want to update that list, add more, maybe next month...

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Saturday, January 21, 2017

First Finish, Start and Fabric

Hello blog friends.
I'm excited for this weekly update... because I finally have a finish for this month. So here is the first finish of 2017!

Black-capped Chickadee

"Here's to the Chickadee"

Crossed Wing Collection

16ct. French Lace Aida

Just a small one. Can't seem to get the color right with the camera.

After this, what else should I do but take on another start, another chickadee!

It's almost the same (small) size, but the leaves are of different color. Again, I forgot to jot down the name of this one (what I have is a working copy).

Lastly, my fabric parcel intended for samplers:

I got the largest size because it's cheaper. All 16ct aida (still afraid to try linen and evenweave😕 - Wren and Legacy by PTP, and antique white and smaller antique misty blue. I haven't decided on which sampler to stitch.
As always, your comments are very much appreciated.
Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Saturday, January 14, 2017

WIP update

Hello dear friends.
Today I'm posting on two WIPs and a start! I like the current flow of things at the stitching spot, it's been a while... I haven't 100% caught on my bloglist reading though, for that I apologize. I'll get there somehow, been preoccupied with plans lately (not stitch-related... yet), big reveal will come in February, hopefully.
Without further ado, my two WIPs:

This one is a joy to stitch, as it is small and colorful. I forgot to mention the name last time, it's called Black-capped Chickadee from Here's to the Chickadee by Crossed Wing Collection. Look how much progress:

I wish to have a finish this month. Pinning my hopes on this one, it only entails little backstitching.
Next up is Spells' Store by Primitive Hare:

No wonder I got to stitch a lot on the Chickadee, it's all brown. But I'm looking forward to the other colors. If you're wondering where my other WIPs are: Read Between the Lines and Sea Life are at my sister's (I left them and those will be stitched whenever I get to visit my little niece, as if I'm going to have any stitching time there, haha). Houses of Peace, the one in black is neatly folded in the drawer, I just can't deal with dark fabric for night-stitching for now.
Finally, here's something I'm excited about, a cute start. There's a deadline for this though (is that a clue?), so that makes me a little nervous, I hope I don't mess it up. But just in case I fail, I've got a back-up plan (when did I get so smart, hehe.)

Happy Saturday everyone.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Ho-Ho-Haul

Hello blog friends!
I missed you! My first post for the year! Everything's finally settling down after the holidays. I finally organized my Christmas haul... yipee!
I ordered more fabrics this week and that hasn't come in yet. As for charts... 2017 will be a major sampler stitching year. Yep, I'm drawn to stitching words (as keenly noticed by our dear Jo from my last post). I''m not going to set any annual goals this time as you know how I poorly did the past year's.
Let me start off with the books I got from Amazon (cheaper but fairly new/good condition books)

Brenda Keyes' Traditional Samplers ($0.79 + $3.99 shipping, that's a steal!)

Elizabeth Bradley's Needlework Antique Flowers ($0.01 + $3.99 shipping) - I just love the pictures on this one, the charts are handwritten (not computerized) and too small and uses EB wool which is not readily available (this was printed 1993 but still in very very good condition). So I might need to search for DMC conversions for that (if I don't get lazy😫) or I just might end up reading the pages on this one than stitching. Can anyone suggest other good sampler books with charts in them?

Beyond the Garden Gate (also $0.01 + 3.99 shipping) - I was after the 4 patterns of framed orchard fruits on this one, but there are more nice charts inside.

Sampler charts galore... Let's start off with Rosewood Manor:

These three had been on the wishlist since early last year. A lot of flosstubers have beautifully started And A Forest Grew, so that was the final kick to put these in the cart.
Plum Street Samplers:

Those three above were on sale (like almost half-off), and the one I really spent on (which has been sitting on my wishlist too) is The Flood, which will be my first ever Noah's Ark (always wanted to do at least one).

Other patterns I got:

Barbara Ana's All Creatures Great and Small, which is quite popular on flosstube too (I don't do facebook). Don't you just love it when you see others doing what you should have started a long time ago, hahaha. Moira Blackburn's Three Things Sampler - this was on sale, so I got it, but what I was really eyeing was the Time and Season Sampler which is not available in the catalog.

These last ones were also on sale so they jumped in the cart as well:

Now I'm overwhelmed with big projects, LOL. So I just started with that tiny chickadee on the bottom right on 16ct. French Lace Aida:

Apologies for the blurry pictures. I hope you're all starting 2017 on a good stitching note. I'm back to stitching Spells' Store. Till next time.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Saturday, December 31, 2016

2016 in stitches

Hello blog friends!
Apologies for the absence, been so busy (and tired!) lately. I hope you and your family are all having fun this holiday season and what's left of it.
In the tradition of yearend reports (which in my case has been two years - 2014, 2015. Wow, I've been blogging two years now!), here's my year in stitching... (you can click on the title to see the complete details/closeups/finish post):