Finally finished finished

Here's a reindeer (I forget which one now since its been awaiting framing for a few years now) I put it all together this morning

My new kitty

I just had to share a picture of my new kitty. I've been volunteering at the shelter for a full year, so those that know me knew it was inevitable that one day I would bring home a new kitty. My most favorite kitty of my whole life died 2 years ago just after Thanksgiving. I've never met another kitty such as him. But then...I was at the shelter Friday and there was this new kitty! Such a pretty little guy with beautiful blue eyes (hes a Lynx point)This picture doesn't do those eys justice, I took it with him next to me today, happily laying on the couch in front of the fire. He was so sweet, laying on his back doing the happy feet in the air and I had to pick him up right away. Immediately I flipped him over on his back and put my face in his tummy (I always see if the kitty lets me do that to him [must be a him]--its part of the criteria!) and he did and not only did he tolerate it, but he loved it! And he purred. So I took him in the room and held him. He was content to stay on my lap and not get down to play at all. Oh my, I just knew he was the one! So I adopted him right then and there. Totally spur of the moment! I brought home this little 7 month old jewel and he proceded to be such an awesome, calm, loving little kitty that just wanted to hang out and purr and sit on my lap (as he is right this moment). Hes already earned the name I gave him, Romeo!!!!

Gift Exchange

I received this beautiful little house ornament in the mail yesterday. It was made by Patty Howard, a wonderful lady in my guild, Bay Area Sampler Guild as a Christmas gift exchange. I just love it and thought I would share it with you. Its very tiny (2 inches wide?) and its stitched and finished sooooooooo nicely. Thank you Patty!

Gather ye Roses

I was so productive yesterday!
I was straightening up my stitching area and noticed a little packet of beads.
I thought I had finished this design a couple days ago, but no! So I added the beads (oh so pretty!) and I framed it, too :)

the gift...

I signed up with my guild to make a Christmas gift for someone. Of course, my luck drew the name of THE most challenging, talented, knowledgeable woman in the group...of course.
So I knew I must make something extra wonderful.

I thought and thought and thought and thought some more!

OK. I'll make a tote bag. Everyone loves tote bags!
And they are USEFUL. I like things that serve a purpose.
(Its my practical nature)

I went to the fabric store and chose the fabric. Its so lovely.

Then I snapped a photo of the fabric, put it in my designers program and then spent many, many hours redoing my picture. Because of course, it PIXELED it. And I was not about to stitch "confetti."

I found some red Lugana 25 ct. to match the background of the fabric and stitched my design on it. I liked how it turned out.

Then I finally had to put the tote bag together.
Oh dear...

I've never stitched one of them before.
So I procrastinated until nearly the last minute.

It was a lined one, to make matters even worse (and it did not say "EASY" on the pattern. Plus I changed the shape of it, too.

Now, I'm NOT a very experienced seamstress.
Fact, I should have really had someone else do it.

But I did it.
Definitely learned some things while doing it.
(not how to avoid having a pucker here or there, though) sigh lol
I wonder if I should place an apology note in the bottom of it....

But its finished!

Garden Plot

Ohhhh the Garden Plot Thickens...

I'm only working on this when I'm all caught up on Herbularius. Each month another section of the design is given out and I just don't want to fall behind. I shall feel DOOMED if I do!
(Needless to say, I have fallen behind before in a couple of these massive undertakings and they are left in my cupboard, awaiting a reawakening)

I'm not overly crazy about the colors in this design. In fact, soon as I uncovered this again, I was struck by how dull the colors looked. I had to remind myself that they are NOT dull, they are lovely in their own way and the reason they SEEM dull is because one cannot help but compare them to the colors in Herbularius, which are quite vivid, rich and gorgeous.

Herbularius part 3

Herbularius is coming right along.

The colors are gorgeous.
The textured stitches in the pillars look really dimentional.

I used my creative license to add my own version of backstitching on the pillars. I just wanted them to be more outlined than was called for.

I'm really enjoying stitching this piece and I can barely set it down.
I keep thinking to myself "oh just a FEW more stitches...!" haha