Back on Earth

Hello again blogworld. I'm back from the ethereal state of my happy dance. What brought me back were two things:

First up is this Lady whispering,"Hey, enough recovery time." So I conceded...

Here she was when I finished Houses of Love. And now, I've added more stitches. For the meantime, I deviated from my usual dark to light color scheme. I wanted to see some life in it so I chose dark red next:

Are you happy now, Lady?

The next thing that popped my beautiful balloon? The Ort jar. Told you last time I have a story... While doing Houses of Love and a little Summer Fragrance on the side, I didn't want their orts mixed together (I don't know what gave me that notion). So this happened:

Nothing should come at least seven feet to DH's stereo and CDs (of course, I'm exaggerating! LOL) But if it's possible for anyone to file a temporary restraining order against Ort, I think he would be the first in line, hah!

Turns out he threw the evidence in the trash bin :( (phew! I thought I had to state my case). So now I don't have the brown orts for Summer Fragrance. Fear not, I'll start anew. All's well in Wonderland. 
P.S. I very much appreciate your wonderful comments last time;) And I knew it had to be popcorn, he he.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Happy Dance Day has finally Arrived!

As expected, with much happiness but coupled with a big sigh for this finish (I had so much fun, why did it have to end?)... Drumroll...       

HOUSES OF LOVE

Taking a cue from Jeremiah's Mom, I replaced the French knots on the wreath with beads (A huge shout out to Katie for that pretty snowman post you did, what a great idea!:) -- See, that's what bloghopping can get you, tips from pros! I feel these beads really added more Christmas pizzazz on this piece.

The final touch of yellow flowers and stars on the black background somehow gives it a blinking multi-colored Christmas lights effect.

This is how my ORT jar looked like after it was all done. I have another story about it, but I'll reserve it for my next post.

Now, the question is: what is that thing beside the word LOVE? Is that ice cream? a tub of popcorn? or a basket (of what)? I'm leaning towards food, hah!

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Busy, Busy, Busy

It's almost done...Now, this village looks busy for the holidays. Just missing the trimmings, wee bit of backstitch and soon I'll be doing a happy dance again, whoopee!

No time for tv but DH put some music on while I was busy stitching. Sometimes I get the feeling he intentionally plays one with lyrics I do not know, just like That one. (Maybe I should make a note on this, do I stitch faster with music I can't sing along to or with music that transforms me into a karaoke diva? (wow, as if I can carry a tune like a pro! Lol.) Enough of imagined musical prowess, here's an update on Houses Of Love:

(So I stick to stitching and just whistle?...oh, I can't even whistle, bleh:\
Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Green is In

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (..did you just read it singing? Well I did while typing). I have made lots of progress with this one and put in just a few stitches on Summer Fragrance (shame, shame, shame:( This one I can do even way late at night (the other one, oh well, did a mistake...twice, luckily it was caught early) Thanks for all the comments last time;)

I'm done with the blues and greens. Next up will be copper and yellow hues. In this village, Christmas is just around the corner indeed:)

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Stitching Blues

With the fun I'm having with the repetitive strokes, this WIP is speeding along so well! This piece doesn't disappoint (but it has slashed my bloghopping breaks to half or even more...hmmp:( 
 I got the "blues" almost done this week, and I'm not pulling away from this one ^o^ (I'm getting worked up for the next shade--- green =^•^=

 Thanks for visiting. Happy stitching!

I See Red

Well, well, well...Looks like Summer Fragrance took a backseat. Yes, I admit, I got a little frustrated with all the 3/4 xstitch, transformation was slow for me. But this one, oooh, it's all whole xstitches and the repetitive pattern was a breath of fresh air. So calm. So relaxing...
I'm almost done with the red tones (Houses of Love):

Thanks for visiting. Happy stitching!

Start-itis Mode

I woke up one morning and listened to the voice behind- "it's okay to have another one..." (another WIP that is). Since we're in the month of L-O-V-E and I'm having enough confidence on this white marker, heck, another black fabric won't hurt ^o^. (Thank you for all the wonderful comments from my last post, see what monster you just unleashed? haha)
Finally able to choose one from the recent magazine haul:

Houses of Love from Cross Country Stitching October 2010 issue.
It's not a Valentine motif but there's still the word Love and numerous hearts... another Christmas proj for me. So colorful!
Here's how far I got: 

Have a Sweet Valentine's Day everyone!
Thanks for visiting. Happy stitching!

Summer Fragrance WIP

Hello again! Just started Summer Fragrance by Dimensions. I didn't get much done, but still, getting started is the hard part, right? I finally got to use the white marker I bought  (thought it was easy marking the cloth...)

Thanks for visiting. Happy stitching!

Change of Plan

Just have to get this out... Summer Fragrance (Dimensions) will be replacing Sunflower Vase (Design Works) for my black fabric goal. Not-so-fickle-minded me just kept thinking about this lady (plus the fact that she's a "smaller" size than the vase, wise eh? ;). I hope she turns out nice.

 Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

A Simple Tribute

Today is the 6th year since my dear Mom's passing. So I thought it would be nice to dedicate this post in her honor. She was a teacher by profession but became a fulltime homemaker when she married Dad. A good knitter, she also took up sewing classes (I remember the sweaters and matching outfits she did for me and my sis, the table runners, the curtains, etc.) How I wish I learned those skills. But moms are always there to support where your heart is really into...

This is my first finished cross stitch effort (can't remember how old I was then). She had it framed right away and put it in their bedroom where it hangs to this day (where my dad sees it just above the mirror). Since then I would stitch presents for her, she loved garden themes. Her pride and joy in my craft added to my happiness in stitching. Oh, I'm getting emotional now. I just love and miss her so. Thanks Mom for everything...

My Magazine Binge

I just splurged on magazines online. Not to worry, no piggybanks were hurt. I did not get any stitch-related presents last Christmas (boohoohoo) but did receive gift certificates/check (yep, so original!), so why not spend a little on cross stitch mags. And now look what the post brought in!

DH was so delighted when he saw my purchase, hah!

Sorry I had to put them on the floor to get a photo:

 7 Cross Country Stitching Magazine back issues... Here's a closer look:

 

 Some of the projects inside:

 

 

 

I loved Jeremiah Junction's colorful country designs from way back. Below are just two of the projects I made from the previous decade (I don't have pics of the country shoppes I've done):

I found out that it stopped print in 2014 (sigh). I'm still craving for another one (a Country Shoppe or Alphabet issue or the last print as commemorative issue). Btw, they also tossed in a free chart and catalog (wink!). But for now I'm busy writing down the charts I want to reduce my scraps with... If only I could find time and strength to do them quickly!

Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!

Christmas Ornaments Finish

I just finished stitching the Christmas stuff from my previous post. Let it Snow and Be Jolly (without the gold trim)(scroll down for the completed ones):

 

 

Now my problem is how to turn them into pillow ornaments (never done it before). I still have ten months to figure it out, or maybe just frame them at the last minute ;)
Thanks for visiting. Happy Stitching!