Stitching Stash.....& Finished Bathroom

It's been busy here, as usual. Can't show any stitching pics today as I've been stitching on exchanges. You'll get a peek at them eventually. I can share some stash I picked up recently. Unfortunately the shop I got the stash at was downsizing/remodeling and getting rid of all the cross stitch. I figured it was a matter of time once the new owner took over. The shop was a combined needlework, cross stitch, and framing shop and the new owner only did needlework only. It's too bad because I've visited the shop for gosh has to be at least 15 years.

Here's what I picked up - no new charts (the new owner hadn't picked up any newly released charts since she took over and the selection was huge, but a lot of very old charts) but I did find a lot of nice hand-dyed fabrics and basic whites/neutral tans. I picked up what I could get my hands on. I also picked up all the WDW & GAST that I knew of for projects I wanted to complete. Everything was 50%.


The shop was also selling all the models on display. It was kind of annoying trying to get the Owner to price them. She admitted to me if she didn't like it she sold it cheap.....if she did like it, she would select this crazy price......anyway, I had admired this nativity set for as long as I can remember and luckily it was one of the pieces she didn't like because I got it for $25! It'll be fun displaying this during the holidays (I might just leave it out year round ;) )


Now onto the tiring task of finishing our bathroom. We've finished what were going to do for now (want to do the floor someday soon). As you can see in this panoramic trip around the room - it's tiny bathroom!






I'm really proud of the pull out drawers Bruce built for me. I've got so much more space and can actually put my morning stuff away now. I'm very lucky to have someone so handy.

I want to thank everyone for reading my blog and commenting. I really enjoy getting your comments. Until next time, happy stitching :)

Sunday Stitching Update

Happy Sunday everyone! As you can see I've got quite a bit of stitching to share. The last week I've been rotating between Celtic Autumn, the Candy Cane ornament in the latest JCS magazine and PWS - Love.

I've really got to get working on PWS - Love since it's suppose to be done for Mom's birthday in September. The no way I'll be able to get it framed by that time, but I would really like to have the stitching completed so she can see it at least.

I really fell in love the candy cane ornament. Now I've got to wait a few weeks for Christmas ribbon to come out at the shops. I was surprised when I went to Joann's fabrics last week in search of some fabric for my shower curtain; they already had their Christmas fabrics out! I ended up buying some which I'll show off next time.

Last but certainly not least, I received these beautiful summer squares from Daniela in Finland. The design is a freebie designed by By the Bay Needlework. I really love this designer's interpretation of seaside/bay living. I love all the patterns she's designed and would love to do a whole wall of nothing but these pieces - maybe one day!

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

Malinda

The Summer Sure Flys By.......

Even when not much is going on! I know it's been a super long time! I don't have much stitching to report. The only stitching I've done is shown above - a little work on PWS - Love and LHN - 2 Red Houses. I also finished a F&S Summer exchange for my partner in Finland. I swear it never fails when I finish an exchange I forget to take pictures of the piece!! Don't know why I always forget - I guess I'm just excited to have it done and want to get it in the mail ASAP! Hopefully Daniela will post pics on her blog that I can hijack later!

I've been studying a lot lately for a certification I'll be testing for in November so stitching has been put on the sidelines lately. Hopefully this certification will help further my career options in the future.

Now onto the major project going on in our house! B & I decided to start doing a bathroom renovation! It's funny how obsessive I've become picking out paint, fixtures, vanity tops, etc. We decided to replace everything except the tub, toilet & vanity base. I ordered the new vanity top and sink this week....that was pretty exciting. As you can see from the pictures I've got a really white bathroom. No color except for the curtain and towel cabinet (which is coming out). I based my new colors off the shower curtain but kept it really neutral so I can change it later if I decide to. Please excuse the messy vanity top! (Bruce decided to empty/remove the med cabinet to see if the new one would fit and I haven't put everything back) and NO that is not the new med cabinet on the wall - he just put the old one back for now.

Picture 1 is of the colors I'm thinking about for the new bathroom - I did go with the Formica laminate shown. I'm leaning toward painting the walls the lighter shade on the left. You can't tell but the color has a light green hue to it. It's a big debate between Bruce & I - he says it brown I say it's green!

Picture 2, 3 & 4 - random shots of the bathroom.

So basically we've finished the ceiling at this point and ordered some of the new stuff. Bruce removed the old popcorn ceiling and patched and painted the new flat ceiling. We added a little texture to the ceiling which is very subtle. Now we're onto priming the walls & door and waiting for the new stuff to arrive :) It's funny because it looks like everything we have to order will take about 2 weeks (or more) to come in. It reminds me of the line from Oh Brother........"now ain't this place is geographical oddity!"

Now for your Weekly dose of Serenity........A view of the ocean from atop the St. Augustine, Fl. Castillo de San Marcos

Views from the Outer Banks

Ahh, vacation is so relaxing! We had a great time at the Outer Banks. I highly recommend the Banks if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing place at the beach. Everyone arrived in one piece on Saturday. We visited with folks who weren't going to make it to the beach and then we were off on Sunday. The house we rented was absolutely luxurious! If I could come up with the money, I'd buy it in the heart beat! We had a mix of weather; some chilly days, some rainy and some with beautiful sunshine. We did some exploring and shopping and, of course, being lazy. I did get to stitch, but not as much as I thought. I'll share some stitching pics in the next few days. OK, here's the trip in a nutshell.....

The sunrises that greeted us each morning!

This is the little Honda Fit my Uncle & Aunt drove all the way from LA for this trip. I got to be the chauffeur when we went out shopping. I fell in love with this little car. They got 40 mpg driving it from coast to coast! It a great zippy car!

Currituck Lighthouse; my first time walking to the top of this one.

Wright Brothers Memorial. Now that was a hill to climb!

Cape Hatteras Light - This was probably my 4th visit to this light, but the first time it was open to walk up! Now I can say I walked up the tallest light in America!

We had a nice windy day to fly kites :) Of course its never not windy on the Outer Banks!

My Uncle was able to catch some great time lapsed shots of lightning one night. This was taken about 10:00 pm at night!

And last but not least...........your

Daily Dose of Serenity!

I can almost see Palm Trees!!!

It's almost time to hit the sand and watch the waves! I so happy vacation is almost upon me. A little worried about work since I'll be gone for 6 days, but only because something usually goes down when I'm gone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this year the pattern will be broken.

Just wanted to stop by to answer a few questions I received on my last post.....

Kellie, I got those boxes at AC Moore or Micheal's a long time ago. I actually had to go to AC Moore's this week and looked for them, but could not find any. I have quite a few of both the small and large boxes. I would check places like Jo-Ann Fabrics too. They do come in handy quite often. Most of my large projects are organized in these boxes.

Chris, we're going to the Outer Banks.....I can try to wave to your Dad, but he probably won't see me :) I hope you do get your Angel of Hope out, I'd love to see a WIP pic! I've stopped working on Celtic Autumn this week. I'm not sure if I want to stitch the word "Autumn" on the piece so if I don't I'll have to come up with something else to take its place.

Ruth, what a great idea! I never thought of that! I think the designer has come out with a Mini Miranda bag too that might be the perfect size for a grab bag; although I could get much more in the regular size!!

I was surprised yesterday to see my order from Hancocks had arrived!!! The fabric is so pretty; I'll try to get a pic up in a few days.

Happy Stitching!

Allow me to Introduce

Miranda! Here's the finished bag I made for my Mother. I have to say I didn't know I could sew. I'm completely in love with this bag. I've already used the bag a couple of times myself. This is the perfect day bag - it will hold anything. I think I could even use if to carry a large type project like a Mira. The design is by Lazy girl Designs and it's called Miranda Day Bag. I used a little bird's nest broach as an added accent on the flap.

I can't wait to make one for myself! I ordered a Southwestern designed fabric last week and can't wait to get. I'm hoping it's waiting for me when I get back from the beach.

We've been really busy getting our things together for the beach. I figured I should show you what projects I plan to take along.

L&L Celtic Autumn (almost done......it's been a WIP for a long time. I bought and started this project when it came out in 2003 - it's got to be the oldest WIP I have! I'm so embarrassed that I haven't finished it; I'm determined to finish it this summer).

Praiseworthy Stitches - Love (gift for my Mother)
The Sampler Girl - The Jane Austen Sampler Stocking (just in case I need a change)
LHN - 2 Red Houses (would like to finish this one at the beach) - Don't have recent WIP pic yet.

Mirabilia - The Dreamer (I'd love to start this one! I'm still waiting on the fabric to arrive. I really hope it makes it here before I leave for vacation!!)

Sorry to keep it so short but my stitching needle are calling me........Happy Stitching!

A Finish or two........

and a few starts to throw in on top of the mix! Hi Everyone! I hope everyone is stitching to their little hearts content! I've been stitching and scheming on new starts. I'm in the planning stages of getting my projects together for my beach trip coming up in May! I can't wait!

Let's see, I finished LHN From Sea to Shining Sea. I love this piece, it was so fun to stitch. The designer has a good eye for color. If you've seen the finished piece on the LHN website, you've seen the frame I want so badly for this piece. I think it's just perfect. I'm going to have to save up because I can just image the price. I haven't asked my LNS to look it up for me yet.

My TTE partner, Jessica, also received the little Biscornu I stitched for her. I enjoyed picking the colors and stitching this "My Aunt's Attic" freebie. I hope she likes it!

After LHN-FSTSS, I started LHN - Two Red Houses. This one is stitching quick. I'm having issues with my floss, it seems to be fraying on me more than ever and it's just plain DMC (brand new!)

I mentioned in an earlier post I was going to stitch Praiseworthy Stitches - Love sampler for my Mom. Well I've stated that one too. The colors are coming out pretty. I'm using GAST Wrought Iron and CC Ruby Slippers.


Well I couldn't stop there, I also pulled the threads for Mirabilia's The Dreamer tonight! I can't believe I have a chart that doesn't use Black floss! That's a first! I ordered Silkweavers - Purely Primitive 28 ct. to stitch it on (and I hope the color is right!) This is the first time I've ordered fabric online for a specific piece without seeing it first hand. We'll see!

Well before I close, I want to say I hope Chris, Ruth, Karen & Michelle had a great get together in AZ! I hope everyone has arrived home safely! and I can't wait to see pics and here what you all did! Happy Stitching!