Well, it's back to the old grindstone today for me! It's 9:15 in the morning, and I've already been at it for an hour and a half. But I've gotten a lot done already! So, that is good. I'm taking a little blogging break (meaning a break to engage in blogging, not FROM blogging!) to do a quick post. Trying to keep my momentum going! :-)
Here is a little stitchery I completed back in February, when I was hanging out with my dad. (I told you I was behind on my blogging!)
This is part of the 2012 Aurifil monthly designer series. This block was designed by Roseann Kermes of Rosebud's Cottage. If you want the pattern, it's a free download. You can get it here. I stitched this with one strand of Aurifil's 28-wt thread. I really enjoyed doing the stitching with this thread. I liked the fine detail it gave me. It was a real pleasure to work with. You might be able to tell from the large snowflake that one of the aqua blue thread I worked with was a variegated thread. So was the brown. They are beautiful!
I like how Roseann designed it so that the top of the words Snow Bird were done in the light aqua, the bottom was done in the dark aqua, and the inside was stitched with the variegated.
I am not yet sure if I will do each month's stitchery. But I did enjoy doing this and wouldn't mind collecting more of the 28-wt thread. Not even sure what I'll do with this little block.
But I'm trying to keep in mind my mental Freedom List (I haven't written it down yet). One item on that list is that I don't have to do every block in a BOM. I can just do the ones I enjoy and not worry about the rest. The blocks will find homes somewhere. Right?
I also finished this in February. Last July when I was on my retreat at Gruber's, Mary (of Mary on Lake Pulaski) was putting together a quilt top of stitcheries she had made from another BOM from Little Miss Shabby. It's called Birdie Stitches. She had finished all the blocks with some Kate Spain fabric (and I'm blanking on the line right now). I had just purchased a jelly roll of that fabric, myself, and wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I thought these stitcheries were as cute as can be, so way back in July I said I would make this. But I hadn't gotten started on it yet. With all the traveling I have been doing, I thought it woudl be good to have some handwork going. So, I finally decided to bite the bullet and start this.
I also finished this one in February. And over break, I did finish a third one. I need to press it before I photograph it and show it to you.
I am copying Mary's color selections, etc. I just keep going to her Flickr pool and looking at her completed photos to guide me. Mary, I hope you think imitation is the best form of flattery. :-)
I'm stitching these with DMC floss...all 6 strands! It's quite bulky and a completely different look. Hard to stitch details.
(Not the greatest photo. It's a very dreary day here, today. Not conducive to taking pretty photos.)
Truth be told, I enjoy the work with the Aurifil better. I sort of wish I had started these with the Aurifil instead. Alas, I did not. But this may be the last project I do with DMC. I really prefer stitching with the Aurifil thread! Nothing really wrong with DMC, this is just so much nicer. I do like that it comes on spools. So much easier to deal with. I only wish the spools had a little thread lock on them to hold the thread end. At least I can't find one. If I am missing it, please someone, let me know!
Keep coming back, by the way. I will be doing an Aurifil thread giveaway sometime soon. (There, I said it out loud, so now I have to get my rear in gear and get it done!)
Yesterday was a gorgeous day. It was sunny and warm. Sweet Pea and I savored every last moment of my spring break (gratuitous kid photo above). Besides going to the park, Sweet Pea and I went to an amazing Fiber Arts show. I have TONS of photos to show you. I'll have to put together a series of posts about that. Stay tuned. I need a little time to pull that together!
As I said, today it is very dreary and rainy. But the rest of the week, it's supposed to be pretty nice! I hope so. I want to start riding my scooter to work...especially with these gas prices!
Hope your Monday is off to a good start!
Until next time,
Mama Pea
Love your Birdie Stitches Stephanie! I did use two strands of DMC for the detail work - beak, feet etc. Try that. I've never tried the Aurifil embroidery thread, but would love to some day. Have a great week.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | March 12, 2012 at 12:01 PM
I love that snow bird stitchery, I've saved it to make at some point! And the birdie stitcheries too. Although I'm NOT going to use six strands, my hands couldn't take it. One of these days I want to try the Aurifil threads. Cute pic of Sweet Pea!
Posted by: Allie | March 12, 2012 at 01:02 PM
I am going to download those birdie patterns. They are darling!
Posted by: Lynn | March 12, 2012 at 04:59 PM
Everyone seems to be doing hand work today. Love your patterns. Birds are my favorite! Thanks for the links. Little Pea is so cute! It's storming right now. I better get out of here. Gads. it's Hail!
Posted by: carolld | March 12, 2012 at 06:26 PM
I bookmarked the Birdie Stitches blocks way back when they started....and picked out my jelly roll, too. But never got around to doing them. I love the Birdie and the Snowman! I think I'll print them out and really do them one day. I'm sure you had a wonderful spring break filled with lots of fun things!
Posted by: Deb | March 12, 2012 at 11:37 PM
Love that snowman! Wonderful stitching, Stephie!
Posted by: jenclair | March 13, 2012 at 09:45 AM
I nearly missed this post and so glad I didn't! Love all your stitched projects ... so cute :)
Sweet Pea looks adorble!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | March 13, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Adorable stitcheries! I love the charming scenes and wonderful typography. I wanted to keep up with this one but never had the time. And, I intended to comment on this post sooner, but forgot! lol
Posted by: terriaw | March 25, 2012 at 08:32 PM