Back from MIA

I can't apologize enough for letting this blog go...since August! Izzie was born in July, and everything changed then! I've been keeping her blog up to date!

Anyway, if you haven't seen Ann. Of the Heart No. 10, be sure to pop over to Alma's blog. It is awesome.

See you back here very soon.

Check it Out

Oh, fun...the July Ann. Of Heart and the first bonus block are posted on Alma's blog! I like the bonus block. Not sure about July. It is quite different. Heads up...Crescent Colors Camo....don't even know how to spell it...will be needed if you want to stitch as charted.

My Bad !

How can it possibly be more than a month since I have posted here?  My great granddaughter was born three + weeks ago, and that has consumed me, at least mentally, since then.  The blog I have going for her is up to date!

Anyway...last night was BlackBird night at Carol's.  It was just Carol, Rose, Toni, and I.  We had a great time.  No major news about our BBD projects.  Rose and I continued work on our Anniversaries of the Heart; Rose is working on April, I am on May.  I would have to guess that July will be published soon, although I haven't read anything about this on Alma's blog yet.  Carol continued work on her autumn piece.  She put a few stitches in on the big yellow moon behind the house. That would be a great finish for fall if she can finish it up in the next month or so. Toni now has a front door and some of the windows on the house on one of the recent Loose Feathers project...the one with LOTS of birds!

I'll publish some updated photos soon...I promise!

New BBD Patterns

Alma has posted the Anniversaries of the Heart No. 6 pattern.  It is called Happy Birthday.  Well, this fits in just right for my plan, I guess, because I was going to dedicate the June (no. 6) pattern to my mother for giving me life, and my birthday is in June.  I might change the title somewhat.

The other pattern coming out in a couple of weeks is one of their little reward of merit smalls entitled Rose Garden.  A pretty, quick and easy stitch.

Sorry I have neglected this blog.  Will post photos of my progress on Anniversaries of the Heart soon.

Keep cool and stitch!

Anniversaries of the Heart

Here are updated photos of my January and February blocks of Anniversaries of the Heart (top) and Rose's two blocks (bottom).  We are both enjoying this project a lot.

I have a little bit to finish on the March block and have a little done on April; Rose is about half way through March.  If you aren't planning to do this project, you're missing a lot.  The little houses are so much fun to stitch, not to mention the decisions about colors to use and to whom to dedicate each month. 

Anniversaries - No. 5 and Loose Feathers - No. 39

Alma has announced on her blog that Anniversaries 5 and Loose Feathers 39 (and final) will be out shortly.  The LF project is shown on the blog and there is a sneak peek of the blue house (finally, a blue house) on No. 5. 

How will I ever keep up?  And how will I ever have time for the projects other than BBD that I want to do?

Also, the Yahoo BlackBird group starts their Sumer SAL on Friday.  Not too late to sign up and work on the BBD project of your choice.  I think about 30 are signed up so far.  I'm going to stitch June Berries for the SAL.

Hope everyone can squeeze in some time for a little stitching today.  Enjoy the summer weather!

Fabric Color for Summer SAL

I have chosen to stitch June Berries for my project for the Yahoo BlackBird group summer SAL.  Haven't decided yet on which fabric to use.  I'd like to use either the blue or green; I recently stitched February Hearts on the vintage bittersweet (pink one) and am stitching Anniversaries of the Heart on bisque (off white).

I like the idea of the soft blue (misty rain) for a summer blue sky; Rose...whose judgement I totally respect...chose green (patina).  Any thoughts from out there?

Not the best color in these photos...                      no sun here this morning!

New Threads for Anniversaries-Heart

Rose and I went to Crafty Ewe yesterday to enlarge our color pallette for use on Anniversaries of the Heart...and other things, of course.  Here are the wonderful colors I brought home.  The colors please me just to look at them.

I am in the process of counting...and recounting X 3...for the skipped block (bonus pattern) in row 1, in preparation for the start of the March block.  I have completed January and February.  Will try to post a photo of those tomorrow.  This project is really fun!

Anniversaries - No. 4

If you check Alma's blog you can see a photo of Anniversaries of the Heart No. 4, Pink Hill Manor.  I think this is my favorite so far...just love it and the colors.  Maybe I should have waited for the dedication I used in my February block, but it's too late now!  This should be in shops in a week or so. 

After tomorrow (madly reading my selection for our book club that meets then) I'd better get going on finishing February.  Then at least I'll be working on March when April comes out.

How is everybody else coming on their Anniversaries piece?

http://blackbird-designs.blogspot.com/

The Colors of Spring

These are the photos from the post shown below.  Love all the colors...

BlackBird Night - Spring

Last night was BlackBird night at Rose's.  It was the first time in the past four months that we didn't have a snow storm on BBD night!  Felt good.  I brought photos taken from Alma's blog showing the boxes they made at a recent class, and everybody wants to try their hand in creating one.  Carol had boxes to share. 
I brought a bunch of BBD fabrics from my quilt stash.  We're going to think on it and see what happens!  Rose and Carol have made similar boxes before, so we'll have some expert advice available.

Carol started June Berries, a design from a 2002 BBD book, last night.  Lenore continued work on her Valentine sampler that I have shown on here before.  She only has four more letters to do.  I'll post another picture once it is completed.  Toni worked on Winter Wonderland; she only has a couple of windows stitched, so I'll wait a little before posting a photo.  Rose worked on the Quaker Loose Feathers project that she started last year.  She's closing in on a finish on that.  I worked on the February block from Anniversaries of the Heart.

I have two colorful photos to share from last night...neither one has anything to do with stitching.  One is the white bean and spinach soup that Rose made...it was so colorful and healthy looking that I took a picture of it!  The second is of a sweet little spring bouquet she picked from her beautiful yard.  Happy Spring!

Well, it's not letting me post the photos right now, so I'll try to upload those separately.

Link to Beautiful Photos

I just came across some beautiful photos of BBD's June Berries.  I am going to take part in a BBD SAL in the Yahoo BBD group, and I have chosen this as my piece to stitch for the summer stitch along.  This can also be used as part of my contract piece for WRSG.

Take a look at Marti's photos.  They are beautiful.

http://marti-x.blogspot.com/

Anniversaries of the Heart on BBD Blog

Be sure to check out the photo of an Anniversaries of the Heart grouping being stitched on 20 count linen...whatever that is!  It is huge.  This is shown on Alma's BBD blog (link in the left margin).  I wonder how many people are stitching this village all on one piece of fabric.  I'll have to post an updated photo of mine soon.  Right now I am working on a birth sampler...Isabella was born yesterday!

Happy April !

This is a photo taken today of a crab apple branch on the tree in my front yard.

It is a nice little reminder to look around and be grateful

even though it is cold and dreary today.

On a different subject, check out Mary Kathryn's DMC chart.

(see eHandcrafts blog at the bottom of the screen)

Where do these women get the time???

Anniversaries of the Heart

Here is my start to the Anniversaries of the Heart series. 

I have barely started February...hope to catch up by the time the April design is released. 

I am stitching all designs on one piece of 40 count bisque from Lakeside Linens.

I hope the fabric color ends up being a good choice.

It's hard to know what to choose when just a fraction of the designs

are available, but I'm sure it will work out.

I am using thread colors of my own choosing...

some as specified, some my preference.

I am dedicating my first month to my grandmother, Anna Bach Gross,

who taught me to embroider and to love fabric and fibers

when I was about eight years old.

I still have to look up the year she was born,

so I can include this in the January block.

Love these little designs.  I can hardly wait to see my BBD village as it takes shape.

BBD Strawberries

We've been talking about making some strawberries...and there are so many patterns and materials from which to choose.  This morning Mary Kathryn (eHandcrafts) has posted some beautiful photos of the BBD strawberries from the Noel book.  Be sure to check out the photos...the link is in the blogs that I follow at the bottom of the screen.

They look good enough to eat...or make.  Now to find the time!

BlackBird's Winter Delivery

Lenore finished the stitching on Loose Feathers No. 5 - BlackBird's Winter Delivery - yesterday.

I think it is way nicer than shown on the flyer.  Really cute finish, Lenore.  Can't wait to see it framed.

Wintry BlackBird Night

For the third straight month we had some pretty wintry weather for our BBD night.  In fact, last month's get together was cancelled because of the weather.  This time it wasn't the volume of snow, but the fact that we  had rain all day, which turned to snow, so there were spots of ice under the inch or so of snow that we got.  It was a little disappointing after the lovely month of March that we have had...but maybe that's the "lion" since March definitely came in like a lamb.

No pix from last night.  I did start on the Anniversaries of the Heart collection.  Lenore continued work on her Valentine piece shown on this blog previously somewhere, I think.  Sorry that I don't remember the name.  It's the alphabet with heart bands between the letters done in a red and greenish color.  Rose started on Sweet Heart from the Joyeux Noel book, and Toni started on the last Loose Feathers publication with birds, birds, and birds everywhere.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Spring is set to return again next week.

Snow Garden

Tonight is our BlackBird night.  Seems like forever since we've gotten together for BlackBird...last month was called off because of snow.

Speaking of snow, I think I will start Snow Garden, the first design in the new Anniversaries of the Heart series.  I picked up the fabric that I ordered yesterday (40 count bisque from Lakeside Linen) and chose some colors that I hope will make my stitched piece look like the photo of their design.  This will be an experiment, because there are a lot of light colors and a light fabric.  We'll see how things work out.  Thanks to Rose and Carol for helping me choose threads.

Although I just started another huge project last weekend...Lauren Sauer's Anniversary Roses...I want to get started on this monthly BBD series.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to actually stitch the pieces as they are published?!  We'll see how that goes.  It never worked too well for me with quilting blocks of the month.

I'll post pix of what everyone else works on by this weekend.

Oh Well...It Was Fun Trying

Well, despite all our efforts to get Rose's comment posted in the contest for the 2011 engagement book on the BBD group, we were not winners.  5 lucky gals were chosen, plus one extra...the person leaving comment number 1, since Alma felt that number 1 would never be randomly chosen!  Cute.

Today on the site she has some scenes from her yard...with about 10 new inches of snow...glad we missed that.  She also shows a book she plans to finish.  How does the woman ever have time to read a book is what I want to know.

Little Contest on BBD Site

Heads up, gals!  Alma has put a new contest on the BBD website (see link in the left margin).  She has a quilt ruffle tutorial and then shows a copy of the BBD 2011 engagement calendar book...filled with her beautiful photos.  She will choose a name on Sunday to win a copy of this.  It promises to be awesome!

Go see and post a comment.  Good luck.

BBD Quilt

Have you seen the new quilt in progress on the BBD site?  It is beautiful.  I wish I was a better quilter...and had more time! 

Speaking of time, I have none right now.  I am just procrastinating before running the errands that I really need to do.  So if you have a minute and haven't seen it, check out the quilt and the scalloped borders.  Beautiful.  Sounds like a beautiful book coming out.  How do they do it all?  Got to run!

BBD Things New and Old

To the left is a photo of my finished and framed February Hearts.  How good it feels to have something totally completed!  I hung it on an empty nail that I use for seasonal items in my great room.  Just extending the Valentine feeling into Spring, I guess!

23 of us got together at Rose's on Saturday for a stitching weekend...on the first spring-like weekend here.  How rejuvinating and fun.  Thanks, Rose.

Lots of buzz about all the fun new items from the Nashville market.  I think the most excitement that I've seen has been generated by the new BBD book, Honeysuckle Manor.  Those gals really know how to put together a work of art.  Just dreaming your way through the book is great fun.

Love the first two designs in Anniversaries of the Heart.  I'm trying to decide whether to stitch them as individuals or together as suggested.  I'm mulling over fabric colors in case I decide to stitch them together, which is a big decision.  All part of the process.

The two little bird patterns are cute, too.  I've stitched the Bluebird; it is half way through becoming a little pin cushion.  Still waiting for the back ordered square pattern with the red bird.  Also a quick and easy stitch.  Those feel good once in a while, don't they?!

I hope all of you are in a Spring mood, looking forward to what is to come.  Enjoy your day.

On the Verge of Spring (?)

BBD Photos from Nashville

Be sure to check out the new photos on Alma's website.  Lots of scenes from their area at the Nashville market and their new pieces.  A fun way to spend a few minutes on this snowy morning when the new BBD patterns that I ordered are in at my LNS, but there is too much snow to get over there!  Have fun...

Eye Candy from/for Everyone!

I just spent a good twenty minutes checking out new releases from the Nashville market at
stitchingbitsandbobs.com

She has about ten pages of fun things shown (and for sale, so watch out).  I love all the BBD things.  Their new book is awesome...easily as good as Joyeux Noel, in my opinion.

Have fun dreaming while the snow is falling!

New BBD Things

Here is a link showing the new BBD patterns.  I guess the Loose Feathers replacement is Anniversaries of the Heart.  Also some cute bird pincushions and....a cupcake!  Check it out!



http://www.needlecraft-corner.com/dg-blackbird4.html

Finished is Good!

I took my February Hearts to be framed yesterday.  Can hardly wait to see it.  It feels wonderful to have another finish.  Now I must go forth and apply that philosophy to real life today!

Good Morning -

I was excited to see a new post from Alma on the BBD blog and then was very happy to see some great pictures, many of which were from Kindred Spirits.  Also stockings on 40 count.  I was wondering about that. 

Be sure to check out their blog today for some Valentine eye candy!

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone

New Book

Did you see the sneak peak of Honeysuckle Manor, the new book coming soon from BBD?  Looks like fun!

Small Needle Cushions

Here are a couple of photos of our blackbird friendship needle cushions designed by Sharon Schlemmler. 

Some are better than others...what can I say?  Mine is the lumpy one without a closure tab.  I have closure issues!

"Her Name was Lola"

Rose's cat, Lola, was pleased as punch that her mama and friends were spending a cozy night at home with her Thursday night while we worked on our blackbird friendships needle cushions.  There was a whole lot of purring going on, and some antics as well.

Blackbird Friendships - A Wrapped Pincushion Souvenir Project - Update

Another "Monkey see, Monkey do" project.  When Rose started work on the little souvenir pincushion last week, shown in the post below, I decided it looked like a super easy stitch, but not such an easy finish, so I jumped on board, hoping to get some help in putting it together while she did hers.  Now both Carol and I have just about completed the stitching, and the three of us are getting together on Thursday to complete the projects.  I doubt that I would have put it together on my own, so I am thrilled.  And besides, it's a real fun way to enjoy a February day in Ohio. 8-)

Blackbird Friendships - A Wrapped Pincushion Souvenir Project

This is what Rose worked on last night.  I think she got all of the design stitching finished.  Now the hard part!  It's going to be sweet. 

Lenore's January Projects, LF 5 & 12

            

January BlackBird Night

Last night four of us braved the cold temperatures (10 degrees when we arrived) to meet at Carol's for the January BBD night out.  Toni joined us for the first time, which added to the fun.  She shared some of her fantasies with us......which involved needlework fibers of various types.  We laughed some good hardy laughs...and said we could relate.

Toni didn't have a chance to kit up a BBD project, so she was working on a morning glory box top - Betsy Morgan, I think she said.  She was excused from a BBD project this time!  Carol continued on with her autumn project, started last year.  She's probably about 3/4 finished now.  It's looking good.  Lenore continued work on Loose Feathers No. 5, Blackbird's Winter Delivery, shown above.  She also had Loose Feathers No. 12, Sweetheart Sampler with her, also shown above.  Both cute and timely projects.

After all her recent big finishes, Rose started work on the Blackbird Friendships project, a little wrapped pincushion designed by Sharon Schlemmer for the Kindred Spirits Blackbird Designs Special Interest Day last fall.  Rose issued the challenge to us to work on our kits, too.  Sounds like a good opportunity to get teaching pointers from Rose.

I continued work on February's Hearts.  Also a timely project. 

I feel a BBD weekend coming up.  Feels appropriate for the last weekend of cold January 2010.  Have fun.

Cute 2009 Ornament

Isn't this cute?  I have to admit that on my first lap through the JCS 2009 Ornament magazine I skipped right by this, but have since been drawn to the simplicity of the design, the warming colors, and the peace message.

This is Linda's finished piece.  I'm going to put this little project on my 2010 to do list.  I had never seen the metal frames before, but the rustic simplicity sets off the piece nicely.  Linda - the wonder woman of stitching - had three pieces framed out in metal to show last night.  I think two of them were pins.  I don't remember whether this one was a pin or not, but that would be a really cute idea.  She said that she used the colors on the chart.

Hearts

This is the beginning of my  February's Hearts sampler from BBD.  I am stitching this on 36 count Lakeside Vintage Bittersweet, which I really like.  My fabric is definitely pink.  Rose said she has some that is more peach.  I hope to finish this by Valentine's Day...no special reason except it's a good goal.  I don't know about you, but no matter how early I start, it's always a push to finish by the deadline!  Think hearts.

New, Improved Photos to Come!

I am very excited.  Over the weekend I ordered a "real camera".  I will be able to take and post photos that are much improved compared to the ones on here so far.  I can hardly wait!

Debbie was in town over the weekend.  Carol and I went to Rose's last evening and the four of us ate pizza and, of course, stitched.  Debbie, as always, had lots of fun things for show and tell.  One of her WIPs is Loose Feathers...Number 24, I think.  It is darling.  It is a real cute house, birds, and a message about feeding the birds.  I would love to stitch that one some day.  Rose made a pea pod for Debbie - one of Lauren Sauer's little projects...really cute.  She then started on her surprise 2010 Valentine for David.  SHHH...don't tell!  Carol worked on a cute little blue house.  The design is Sweet Liberty from Marking Sampler.  She plans to use this piece in an upcoming class on making projects into self-standing box type forms, rather than framing.  Can't wait to see how that turns out.  I am still working on finishing Carol's Christmas gift - the two pineapple biscornus from Jeanette Douglas.  I'm getting close now!

Hope all of you have chosen some wonderful and fun projects to try to complete this year. 

Have a warm and cozy day.

Rose finished her BBD Merry Christmas with the top and bottom borders of holly last night.  It is beautiful.  I'll try to get a pic on here soon.  I really want to stitch that piece.  Fairly small, but so gorgeous!

I haven't worked on anything BBD for a while...subject to change soon!  I'll keep you posted.

What's everyone else stitching on...BBD or otherwise?  Linda...how about sending a pic of your newly finished Christmas ornament?

Keep on creating!

Quilt Applique Demo

Just a quick note to have any of you interested in doing some applique work with cottons to check out Alma's recent post...with great photos...on the BBD blog, which I have linked to in the left hand column.

It's still snowing......

Jane Austen Project Coming

To the left I have posted the link to the upcoming Emma - Jane Austen project in the works from Tanya at The Sampler Girl.  PBS will be presenting Emma this month, and Tanya has a companion stitching project planned.  Might be kind of fun.  I've been thinking for a year or so now that I should read some Jane Austen...might start out by watching the program!

Also, I see that Barb and Alma are going to be working on a new quilt design.  I doubt that I will get into that, but it will be fun to see.  I have some baby quilts to make, and haven't done anything like that in about six years.

Yesterday I completed one of the three Christmas gifts that I need by January 11.  I think I can get the second one finished today or tomorrow.  It felt good to have a finish!  I might even try some goal setting this year.  What a concept!!!  ;-)

What's everyone else working on?