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?