I Saw Flowers Blooming…

… on the quilt I have been working on~~ I’ve finally finished quilting the edges of the blocks and am now moving on to the flower pattern in each block!!

I’ve learned to quilt the hard way, and have definitely made some mistakes, like which direction to press the seams does matter, having a good teacher is important, and lighter fabrics might be better for beginners!!! Silly me got a blue marking pen and realized of course it won’t show on blue fabrics!!! I found a pink one but it doesn’t show really well, either, so it kind of added to the challenge. Nevertheless, I was soooo excited when I finished my first flower~~ It’s kind of difficult to see but I swear the flower is there!! Can’t wait to see it all completed!!!!

Several flowers also grew on my MW sampler. I finished my first motif the other day~ It’s not much, but I’m liking it a lot!!!

Now this has nothing to do with the topic, but Dr. Sam and I went to see Wicked last night and I just have to tell you all that it is AWESOME!!!! Love the story, love the music, love the setting!!!! I enjoyed every minute of it. Strongly recommended!!!

I don’t know if you all have notice, but there seemed to be so many wonderful giveaways recently!!! I think there’s one time I had 5 or 6 of them posted on my sidebar at the same time!!! Maybe there’s something magic about summer, that makes people feel like sharing the joy and spreading the happiness~~ Beside all the wonderful giveaways I had on the sidebar, you might also want to check out Cameo’s blog cause she is giving away 2 charts everyday!!!! How generous!!!

I know it’s the end of summer, but there are still flowers blooming everywhere. May you all have an abundant weekend!!!

My First Blogoversary

Today is my one year blogoversary~~~~~~~~ I can’t believe it has been one year already!!! When I first started blogging one year ago, I only wanted a place to share my passion for cross stitch, but had gained more then what I have expected and met so many wonderful people through cyberspace. Your encouragement and support were my driving force and I can’t thank you enough for it!!!

Looking back at my cross stitching journey of this past year, I have made 21 finished pieces and 4 stitched but yet to be finished pieces. That is an average of 2 products per month!! I would say I did quite well, considering I’m such a slow stitcher~~

Since most of the pieces I mad were gifts, I only have a small display of stitched pieces that were made by me, and I even kind of cheated on this one as some of the items on the shelf right now are gifts that still needed to be posted… I think the goal for my next year is to stitch more for myself to fill the shelf up!!! I still have so much things I want to try making!!! Cross stitching is never boring~~

My blogoversary giveaway is still going on till 8/31 and you can leave a comment in this post to enter~~ It has been such a pleasure meeting you all through the world of internet!! Happy stitching~~~

A Start on Mary

It has been more then 2 month since the Mary Wigham SAL has started, many have even finished already!!! After seeing so many inspiring finishes, I couldn’t wait any longer to start my MW sampler.

I’ve chosen a 28ct light mocha cashel and hand dyed silks from Hand Dyed Fibers to use on this project. The process of selecting which fabric and threads to use was a long debate, but I’m very happy of my choices~~ This is the first time I used HDF silks and I totally fall in love with them!! They are so smooth and easy to work with!!!! Love, love love!!!!

I’m stitching over one on this one, and I have to admit it is quite a challenge!!! I only stitch it during the day when it is bright so I think this will take me a while to finish it…… Hopefully I won’t run out of steam halfway!!

This is where I’m at so far……

Just a reminder that my giveaway is still going on and you can leave a comment in my last post to enter~~ Thank you all for your congratulations on my last post. I have enjoyed every step of my cross stitching year, and am very excited to see more of it to come in the future!! Cheers!!

August

I know I have not been posting for a while, but that is because I’m working on this little piece and wanted to get it done as soon as possible!! Why the rush? Well, because I’m making this a giveaway to celebrate my very first blogoversary!!!

Pattern: Shepherd’s Bush “August”
Thread: DMC & WDW cotton floss
Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Quaker in Cream
Pinkeep Size: 3” x 4.5”
Finishing Date: 08-14-2009

Can you believe it’s almost one year since my very first post? Not only that, it’s also one year since I first started to cross stitch!! I have met so many wonderful people through cross stitch and blogging, and I just want to say thank you for all your friendship and support!!!

I chose this SB design and finished it as a pinkeep to mark this very special month. I love all the colors and details, and the meaning of August being the month of celebrating for your fruits of labor, just like blogging and cross stitching!!! I had a lot of fun making this, and hope you all will like it, too!!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post and you’re in!! You’re not obligated to mention this giveaway on your blog, but if you did it will be greatly appreciated~ The entry ends 8/31, and I will draw the winner soon after that. Remember to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you~~ Good luck everyone!!! And thanks for participating!!!

Back from Vacation~~

Hello everyone, I’m back from our family gathering in Michigan. We had a wonderful time picking cherries and blueberries, tasting wines, and climbing dunes~

 

We also visited the famous Mackinac Island. It’s really fun to experience a place that is totally without any motorized vehicles. All the horse carriages and buildings make this place so much more interesting, and sometimes I felt like I was back in the 18th century when walking in the Grand Hotel!!! Not to mention the beautiful nature and lake views at the upper peninsula~ Totally breath taking!!

I did do some stitching on my trip, but just as I thought I was cruising along I found out that I miscounted – TWICE!!! Bugger!!! I did rip it out and re-stitch it, then on our flight home I ran out of threads so it’s not quite done yet. Who knew such a little piece can cause me so much trouble!!! Anyway, here is where I’m at so far…

Before I go, I would like to share with you a photo of my sister’s doggie – Nash!!! He is so adorable~ Even my mom who is not so fond of dogs got along with Nash very well!! (To find out more about adapting a Greyhound Click Here.) He is such a joy to have around~

Also, it seemed that people were having trouble seeing or leaving comments on my blog. I don’t know if this is a blogger problem or maybe is my setting… If you are having these kind of trouble please don’t hesitate to tell me. I wouldn’t want anyone to be blocked!!! Have a great day!!