A 150th Anniversary Finish

   When I worked up my stitching list at the beginning of this year, I had 272 Words slated to be finished for my husband for this Christmas.  It had been a WIP for several years. I worked on it for the whole of the summer Olympics in 2012 and it was well under way before that.  When I put it away after the Olympics, it was at the half way mark.
   Put away isn't very accurate though.  It was on one of my lap frames, on the top of a bookcase in our bedroom and I know he saw it there every day.  He never said anything about it but I am sure he wondered about all the other things that were getting finished and why the piece that he knew was for him wasn't.
   After my friend's visit in October I got it back down to finish.  I know it is only 272 words but it is a large piece of cross-stitch! About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that the date of the address was November 19th so I really pushed to get it done by that date. How cool would that be to put in the last stitches on the 150th anniversary of the address??!!
   I've worked on it to the exclusion of everything else, with the exception of an ornament I've been carrying to stitch group, and I met my goal of finishing it last night!!

272 Words by Primrose Needleworks
45 ct. Italian Linen
w/Gentle Art and Weeks Threads

   It has been on the scroll rods for so long it won't lay flat but I plan to iron it and take it to the framer tomorrow.  So happy to have this one done!!
  Now, of course, it is on to the next thing!  I have a Christmas gift piece to get done (working it on 50 ct. to see how it goes because I have a much larger piece I would like to do on the 50 ct.) as well as a few ornaments by the middle of December.  Then I think it is back to Ann Bowers which I hope I can wrap up by the end of the year.  Tall hopes, I know, since you really can't count on December for any stitching time!!
But we will see!  Hope your stitching is moving along too,  Laura

IH&SW FOR NOVEMBER

  I have been working madly on 272 Words, trying to get it finished so I can give it to my husband for Christmas.  I haven't worked on anything else, with the exception of a Christmas ornament I have been carrying to stitch groups, since my last post. I am really excited to have this almost done and if all works out to plan, I will wrap it up tomorrow!!
  So, this is where I was when I started Friday night.  I apologize for the configuration of my photo. I forgot to get a picture before I started IH&SW stitching and I had to cover up with batting.

This is where it is now after the weekend of stitching.  I didn't have as much time as I would have liked but I think my finishing schedule will be met!!

It is still a huge piece, even stitched on 45 ct. linen, and I did manage to change just about all the colors but I have really enjoyed working on it and think my husband is going to love it!!
   I hope to have a finish tomorrow and if I manage it, I will have a pic of the entire sampler to share!  Stay tuned!!!   Laura

A Whole Lot of Stitching Going On

   In the time since my last post I have gotten some major stitching accomplished.  It may not look like it when you see my pics but I can tell you it has been taking up most of my time!!  I managed to get the last of my memorial samplers finished over the weekend.  YEAH!!!!  I really had to push through that one  since it was the same pattern I had just finished and I did them both back to back.  Won't make that mistake again!
   Then, I was feeling the need for a 'new start' fix.  So when I woke up one morning with  this piece on my mind, I took it as a sign and started it!!

AW 1662 by Scarlet Letter
38 ct. Italian Linen w/ DMC

The colors are gorgeous and I just love the checkerboard pattern in the middle!  Yes, I know I already have 2 other SL pieces that I am supposed to be finishing this year but when something is calling you from a dream, how can you resist??!!
   I have also worked on the pincushion challenge this past week and wrapped up the latest today.  It is Stacy Nash's 'Summer Gathering Pinkeep Drum' and I think it us just the cutest thing ever!!!  I admit to taking some liberties with the colors but what the heck, it is mine!

36 ct. R&R Old Mill Java w/
mostly listed threads

As we've discussed previously, I am not a finisher but I am going to give it a try and when it's completely finished, it should look pretty much like this.

Also, while I was rummaging around looking for something else, I can across this.

It is a pincushion mattress that I am embarrassed to admit I stitched in 2009 and never finished, even after taking the finishing class from the lovely Holly not once but twice!! (You can see a picture of her finished piece in her blog header.) That makes 3 different styles of pincushion I have stitched for the President's Challenge and that should be plenty!  I am going to try to get them all 'finished' soon, maybe even this weekend!

   Last but not least, I have finally dragged '272 Words' back out and given it a good dusting. (Please disregard the fact that I have a needle minder weirdly at the bottom.  I was trying to hold the linen up to take the picture.)

272 Words by Primrose Needleworks
45 ct. Italian Linen w/ GA threads

I started this some time ago, not sure exactly when, but really made good progress on it last summer during the Olympics.  I made it to the half way point and it has languished, gathering dust, ever since. I took it out this afternoon for its photo op and it is now waiting patiently in the family room for me to show it some love.

The hubs hasn't said anything about it yet, don't know if he's even noticed it, but I bet he will be happy to see it.  I don't think he believed me when I said I was bringing it back out the 1st of August.  I admit to being a few days late but it is back in the rotation, or whatever you might call what I do, and I have every intention of having it finished and framed for Christmas!!!  Let's just hope that old nugget about good intentions and the road to hell doesn't come back to haunt me!!!