Finishes and Smoking Needles

Hearts Left Behind by Hester's Needle

stitched with HDF on HDF Jackaloupe 32 ct linen

I have really been in a stitching mood. My needles have been smoking! I have not one but two finishes to show you! And there is another which I can show you at a later date. It is an exchange and hasn't arrived at its new home yet. Things have been quiet on the home front. No dog shows for Rory so my weekends have been quiet. A good thing. Especially since I know it won't last.

The biggest finish is Hearts Left Behind by Hester's Needle. An OOP chart that was generously lent to me by Missy at Deep inside Missy. Missy , I can't thank you enough for letting me borrow this. This piece did take me longer than I thought to stitch it. Many tears as well as sweet memories filled my heart as I stitched. Well, all except the lazy daisy stitches that are the leaves of the willow trees. Those produced a bit of unlady like language. But over all I loved stitching this in memory of my Mom, my best friend. I miss her so much.

Oh, I did make a change. I reversed the two lines with the name and date. The pattern calls for an all numerical date (10-5-29) and then the second line to have your initials plus the year. While my dates may be a little squished I felt it made more sense than the other way. What do you think?

Next finish is a Lizzie Kate piece. This saying is so me! While I don't mind vacuuming and straightening up I abhor dusting. I hate it! Do you hear me? I HATE TO DUST! Heck, I will even wash windows, clean the bathroom or wash the floors instead of dusting. So now you see why this one is so me? I used the fabric provided with the pattern. But I know I will stitch this one again and used something else. The pattern comes with a 27 count Northern Cross linen which I didn't like. But since I had started it on that piece I figured I might as well use it.

I am so looking forward to this three day weekend. Of course if Hurricane Earl gets close enough than I will make it a four day weekend. But as of right now Earl has been showing a path that will pass Long Island with minimal force. They are saying a tropical storm warning. 20 to 30 mile an hour winds and light rain. Sigh. Not a bad enough storm to warrant me calling in. Oh well. I do hope that those who are closer to Earl's path stay safe and dry. And more importantly keep their electricity so they have lights to stitch by.

I have two pieces that I am working on. One is BBD's Moonlit Garden that I started earlier this year then got side tracked with other things. Since this is a fall piece it is perfect for stitching on now. Here's hoping I can get a big chunk of this one done this weekend.

The second piece is one of LHN's ornaments. It is adorable and is stitching up so quick. I should have this one done this weekend.

Like I said earlier it has been rather quiet here but I can't end a post without a mention or a photo of you-know-who. So here is what Rory has been up to.

Sorry about the dark photo but I couldn't resist this one. Rory keeps trying to beat into my stitching chair. And sometimes he succeeds.

Rory and my great nephew, Devin. Rory insists that he is a lap dog.

Rory enjoying a good book. Oh, it really is. One of my favorite noir mystery authors and a good friend.

Rory in his new portrait from the photographers at Petco. I love how this one turned out.

Until next time....................

Love and stitches

Kathy

and licks from Rory too