Tuesday, October 25, 2011

2 finishes/2 wips (and a retreat)

It's been awhile, however that does mean I have some photos of stitchy stuff both in progress and completed to share.
Let's start with the biggie. This was our Guild stitching project for last year. I actually finished it awhile ago, but seem to have forgotten to post it. It's a Carolyn Mitchell pattern called "Pocket with a View". I changed the colours to orange/red/peach tones as I was not a fan of blues she used. Each member in our guild that did this project used different colours and it was amazing to see how different they all came out.
Check mine out:
FRONT

BACK

My other finish is just a little ornament that I am going to finish to donate to a friends silent auction for an Xmas basket. I'm going to try and finish a few more (one you'll see as a WIP today) to donate as well. This one is on linen I think it's 28ct Mushroom (it was in stash) and the thread is Holly by Carrie's Threads. I love her threads and variegations. The pattern is from this year's Just Cross Stitch Magazine, ornament edition.

I also have two WIPs to share. The absolutely gorgeous Jeannette Douglass piece I am working on called "Time for Friends". I love all the stitches (okay except the queen stitch it was a pain) and the way it all looks is just great. Jeannette has a series of these you can check out. I used her thread pack that makes it much more affordable to use all the nice silks etc. I love her pattern and work so much that I already went and got a few more of hers (including Once Upon a Tree from JS Magazine) to do up even though I haven't finished this one!
This is on 32ct linen, sorry can't remember the colour, probably natural or something like that.

Lastly I have the an ornament from 2010 ornaments series #8, frosty flakes. I substitued the colours for some threads I have on hand. The background is 40 ct linen, I think it's called Mocha.

The last comments I have to make are more personal. I attended a retreat this past weekend (same as last year) and it was so disappointing. Many things were just not right for me, plus then there was more bad news as the weekend progresses. Out of respect to people involved I will not divulge any details but let's just say it made stitching a bit sour for me this weekend. So now this week I'm hunkering down when I can to try and get some stitching done that I had hoped to get done at the retreat.

However, in an effort to feel awesome about stitching again and be reminded that I have lots of stitchy friends (really supportive ones here at home that have been awesome) and of course all of you my online friends I am going to host a giveaway on the next post. I will not promise when as I'm so bad at making those deadlines (and have to not make up stupid deadines that cause stress)... however it is coming, watch for it!
Thanks for reading this far. :)

20 comments:

Deborah said...

I love the pocket with a view. Just beautiful. Can't wait to see the finished JD piece. I love her pieces, as well. Sorry that the retreat was what you needed.

Amy said...

Your stitching projects are lovely!

Carolyn NC said...

Love, love the CM project - beautiful! Nice finish and WIP!

Diane (di) said...

Love the guild project... such beautiful stitches. All of your stitching is just wonderful. Wish the retreat had been more fun for you, Mel.

Sherry Senicar said...

Just BEAUTIFUL stitching as usual! Love the pocket! The Take time for friends is lovely!! I have Carrie's Holly thread and LOVE it for Yule/Christmas stitching!
sorry about the retreat, can't wait for your give away... is it too early to say PICK ME PICK ME!!! LOL

Meari said...

Sorry to hear your retreat was so disppointing. :(

Congrats on your pocket finish. It sounds like everyone's turned out really unique. Your WIPs look good.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Really pretty pieces.

Kelly said...

I love the pocket piece. The colors are wonderful. Sorry to hear your retreat was not all you hoped for. Have a great stitching week.

Emily in NC said...

That pocket finish is so great, the finishing work is fantastic. The friends piece is very pretty as well.

Denise SA said...

LOve the Time for Friends piece sorry about the retreat.

MaryT said...

Really pretty I love the pocket with an view and the take time for friends is lovely. Sorry your weekend was spoiled.

Mary Louise in IN

Bekca said...

Sorry to hear about the disappointing retreat, but don't give up on stitching :) Your finished project looks stunning and I'm very much looking forward to your giveaway. Best wishes.

Zeb said...

Such beautiful stitching, don't let a bad event ruin something you love doing. :)

Lyn said...

Your projects are beautiful, Mel. Don't let people get you down. Sorry to hear that the retreat wasn't what you had hoped for in the relaxing sense of the word. You are right that you have us!

Mindi said...

I'm sorry your retreat was such a disappointment. For something bad to happen when you're on vacation, and have paid so much money for a stitching retreat, is horrible.

Your stitching is lovely, and I hope you can take some time now you're home to make your own special weekend.

Anonymous said...

Your pocket is beautiful and sorry about the retreat.

Marl

Unknown said...

Your stitching looks sointricate, I can't wait to see more progress on these

Shelley said...

Love the pocket! and your WIPs look awesome :)

Sorry to hear your retreat was not to your liking. Don't let it get you down for the next one.

Nancy M said...

Your guild project is really pretty. I'm sure there were many variations with all those stitches! I just finished FF and I changed the package and bird colors! So sorry the retreat didn't work out as you expected. Must have been a disappointment for sure!

Katrien said...

Your projects all look gorgeous