I have finished stitching my challenge pieces.......!

I did it...I really did! All my challenge pieces are finished. I do have some final touches to do on a few, but all the stitching is completed. I am thrilled and imagine it is only July and we had the whole year to accomplish this.
So without further ado....

I just need to pick out a frame.....

I will definitely need to have spacers because of the button. Isn't it a nice porcelain button?  I love the texture of it.
Now that I have finished all the design stitching, I will concentrate on  few that need the final completion . Pillows and frames and assembly. I really must thank all of you who have cheered me along these past 7 months.....your emails and comments have really been wonderful. I will continue to post here until the final completion.
In the meantime, I will be looking in on your blogs to follow your progress. Thank you for stopping by today.

Another side almost finished

I finished the right side...your left and then started the left...your right!

This is going quicker than I thought. I am doing the specialty stitches and beads as I go along now. I better start thinking about how to frame it. Shall I do it myself...or have Don my framer do it....decisions ...
I am working today....at least I will be going in but how long I stay is another thing. Some day it is slow so some of us get to leave early.
It was so nice having you stop by...have a great day. Thank you for the comments and emails.

Subtle are the beads----

Sometimes the beads added to a project are so shiny and vibrant. Not so with this piece.....

They are a very pale lavender color....but I like them.

This portion of the piece is complete. I am taking a break today from it.....just because......
When I began this Challenge, I thought to myself ---how will I ever have so many working pieces at a time---how will I ever finish them. Now I find that I am almost done and the year has not come to the end yet. I will miss this whirlwind of activity. It has been fun and interesting to follow others on this mission. And thank you for cheering me on. I hope you have a nice day.........

Moving right along

I was out part of the day yesterday, so I did not do too much on the Nosegay piece.....

The specialty stitches and beads go last.......but all of the leaves are done. I just may add the beads as I go along.......just following the directions.....I do like adding the beads as I finish an area.
Zoe has a manicure appointment this afternoon and i have a few errands, so how much I add will depend on when I settle back home. Thank you so much for the comments and emails.....and for taking the time to visit. Hope your day is great.

A frame and it is complete

I found this frame at JoAnn's...removed the print and in went Garden Party...

I was just right and was the look I wanted.

It was even on sale which made it even better.

I managed to get stitching on the Nosegay piece....

I wish the soft pale lavender of the linen showed better.....but as you can see it is moving along nicely.
As always, it is so kind of you to visit and leave messages and emails. I do hope you have a great day.

Fred again---

I should know better. When I am having an off time not to stitch. And believe me when I tell you today is a very off day. I thought I would get some stitching in but then Fred jumped off his magnet and .....

I should have known better than to try to stitch with an overflowing mind.....  I picked up the wrong green and well you see what happened. I think I will wait until later to see if I can clear away the jumble in my mind.

Thank yo for stopping by...have a nice day.....

Last of the projects

Can you believe this is the last of my challenge pieces? I do have some final touches to do on a few of the other pieces, but the stitching is finished. Here is where I left off this morning on this one...

I wish it was a better picture. The linen is a very pale lavender and the colors are pretty much OK. This will have a pretty button in the center and some beads. I have wanted to stitch this for sometime...it was in my stash forever. Well, the day is already getting hot and I want must go water a few plants. Mr H insists requests that I do before the real heat of the morning. He gets to sleep late with Zoe everyday. Well....out I must go.
Thank you for stopping by and taking time to comment/email me. I really enjoy reading them. Have a wonderful day.

Biscornu complete

I put the final stitches on this late yesterday.......

I love the tiny heart button in the center. One of the things I like about making these is the putting it together part. It is fun to watch the shape appear.

I did not add the side beads as suggested. I just wanted a few for each of the 8 sides. I did put the corner pearls on.
On to the last....I can not believe it...but yes the last of the challenge projects....from day 7.
So nice to chat with you and for you to take the time to visit and comment. Have a great 4th of July day.

Almost but not quite

Well I was zooming along when problems with photo/computer/me! If you stopped by my other blog you know what this ramble is about. Anyway.....

Here it is ready to be stitched together. It would have been if and I do mean if I did not spend the morning with the Geek Squad.  Now to back stitch each piece then to attach them and add my beads along the  edge and the pearls in the corners. I really am looking forward to getting this done.
As always, thank you for stopping by and cheering me on. Have a great day.

Side one done

I really am happy theat side one is finished......

I will start on side 2 tomorrow. I think this is going to be really pretty. The edge when the sides are sewn together there is an edging of beads.
Well, I have work today and tomorrow and a break for a day from this and work on my exchange piece.
Thank you for stopping by and have a great day.

One side finished and one to go

I will only say that i am happy to finally get this side done. I hope the other side will go a little easier.

It really is pretty....and once the first border is stitched I can start the other side.

Each corner will have a pearl bead and the soft colors in the over dyed thread is pretty. I am hoping to get a better picture that will show the colors in real color. I think once it is complete and together it will show better. Today I plan to work on my exchange piece...and then back to this later. It has been very nice chatting with you...I hope you have a great day.

Another corner but still 5 to stitch

I bet you are getting bored with this corner stitching. I hope not because you cheering keeps me going!

Not looking too bad-----just one more to go then I start all over with the other side. But having done this side will make it easier to get the other one finished. I really know that adding the beads as I go is making it nicer for me.
Well, I need another cup of coffee....and the morning paper. The day is already hot....it is 85. Last night at 9 PM it was 95 which tells you the next day will begin very warm indeed. No cool down time.
It has been a pleasure having you visit and thank you for the kind comments and emails. Have a wonderful day.

Corner #2 finished and 6 to go

I liked this more today....

It is time consuming though. I think a corner a day is all that I can handle.

I think it helped s that I have another to switch off to when this becomes tiring. I am working on an exchange piece so do not go looking for pics yet. A short post today because I am exhausted after the one I just posted at my other blog!
Thank you fro checking on my progress. I hope you have a great day.

a corner stitched----7 more to go

This is still progressing slowly. I seem to have a hangup with it.

I see that 3 of the specialty stitches with beads along each side are off......grrrrr! I will redo them when I get to that area.

the corner is pretty and I only must do have 7 more to do. It is a bit time consuming as i said I am not fond of sparkly linen. I think that is why the mental block is. I know it will be very nice when finished.

Off to work today...the store is getting ready for inventory---so in between customers, we are wrapping the bolts of fabric.

It is always so nice to have you stop by. Have a great day.

Not much to show----

Oh I have all of a sudden been dragging my needle....not much on this. I think I have needed a bit of a slow down. I am pleased that I have accomplished so much with this challenge.

I have started the vine/leaves and will be stitching some flowers. This time I will continue to add the beads as I go along. I am disappointed with myself for not having more stitched at this point with this one. I will need to start stitching my Summer Exchange so maybe that will give me some added motivation.
Nice to chat with you today. Have a great day.

Specialty stitches and some beads

Yesterday was errands and shopping so I go lazy. I did get stitching done....

I know, it doesn't look I did much. But I have completed up to row 6.

I really enjoy specialty stitches....in just this area---Diamond Stitch, Modified Star and Modified Eyelet. If I have one complaint it is that I am not fond of stitching on Opalescent fabric. But I know in the end it will look grand.
If you have not entered my drawing yet.....visit my other blog. Go to the post on Sunday June 12th for details.
Thank you for stopping buy today. I hope you have a great day.



Complete and ready to move on

Well, I am happy to show you the final of Day 9 La D Da

The  fob is not my favorite part of this

but it did not turn out bad. I made the cord with the famous grey DMC. For the inside---

I decided on black felt and cut it a bit smaller than the directions said so the lining would show more. And the famous grey motifs....

All my worry and fussing and it looks good....
Well on to Cherry Blossom  Biscornu from Day 11....
It is always so nice to have you drop in...have a great day.

Now, just to sew it all together...

I made the back side of the fob a bit plain...maybe a small butterfly beneath the date.....
I have the fabric to sew to the main piece and would like to complete this weekend. I am working today and have a Geek Squad in home visit for Sunday night, but I think it can be done between tomorrow and Monday. Thank you for being such good cheering friends...I have 2 more of the challenge projects to stitch! I do have some final finishing on a few, but then I will have accomplished the goal. Hope you have a delightful day.

Fob almost finished

I took the liberty of making this fob my own....

As you can see, it is small....so I thought I would do it my way

I changed the motif....added my initials instead of the side sections on the designs. I plan to make the reverse with the year in the center...that will be another post....
I have work today and tomorrow and plan to post my give away from my other blog on Sunday--- but of course will also include anyone from this following who is not on that blog.
Thank you for the nice comments and email...have a wonderful day.

Woo Hoo finally----

I can not believe it myself. But it is finsihed...sort of.

I have accepted the blended threads and really am okay with it. Thrilled? no, but I can live with it.

Once folded and completed, this is the direction that you look at the motifs. I was not going to do the fob but have decided to go ahead and make it. Due to my minor back situation ( I posted at my other blog) Jo Ann's gave me the day off today. I most likely will get the fob stitched today as it is small....I will pick up fabric to match for the lining on Friday. i would like to get to The Attic real soon for some threads and a give away project and maybe to treat myself to a new piece. I know I know, I have many to do yet from my stash---but if I am going to be there then I must need to get something----don't I?
So happy to chat with you today...have a great day.

Complete and I love it!

Oh I am so pleased with this one.....I know I have said that about other projects. But it is just what I pictured.

I found just the right trim at JoAnn's yesterday.

The corner flaps open nicely to reveal the phrase.....

When closed, they match fairly well...

and the inside of the box looks good.
I have no idea what I would will put in this box. But maybe...just for now my beaded pin can rest there...

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you like my Dragonfly Box. I started to work again La D Da from Day 9.
Enjoy your day...and watch for my giveaway at my other blog...soon.

Just about finished

I started to sew together the flaps for the center----

They are pinned in place and the ties work okay so now to stitch them down. The box is dried and the Mahogany stain looks nice.

After the stitching of the flaps I can attach the whole piece to the box top and glue in place. I just need to get a trim for the lid edge. I think it will look more complete. I will get it tomorrow when I go to work.
Well, the oven timer just beeped so my corn muffins are ready so until the next visit I hope your day is wonderful and thank you for stopping by.

Time to assemble Dragonfly

Well the stitching part is finished.

All four corner flaps are done and I found the beads for the ribbon.

I have stained the wood box and it is drying. Hopefully in a few days it will be ready to show you. I need to get a trim for the box top edge. The glass beads for the ribbon are a very pale lavender. I did not post pictures the other day as it was just a copy of a previous post of the corner piece.  I will be having a giveaway soon to celebrate my #100 blog friend and it will be posted at my other blog...so stay tuned for details.As always, I wish you a wonderful day and I am happy you took the time to visit with me.

The start of part 3

This is how it starts...making 4 of these squares---

and then it will look like this

I completed the beads to see how it was going to look but will wait on the next 3 until all the stitching is done.

These squares will eventually become triangles and stitched to the first piece.....I still do not have the box to mount this on yet...my original plan was to make a pillow. Sometimes you just have to "make" it your way.
Well, time for a cup of tea and the morning paper......then work today. I do hope you have a fun day. So glad you had the time to visit.

On to part 3 of Dragonfly

I can't believe that I finished part 2......

I also never use a wooden hoop and what I found out is that is soiled my linen! Hopefully it will come clean. I only need a small bit around the outside border but it may show. I am trying to spot clean it as I can not wash the entire piece. Next is to stitch the four "flaps" for the center..... I have a work day today---I know, once in a schedule, I work a Tuesday and this week I have 4 days. So that is the reason for an early post. Oh, did you stop by my other blog? Today is my niece's 18th birthday and what a beautiful young lady she is. I wish I was there in RI to celebrate. Have a nice day.

time to write the words

All the Dragonflies are ready to fly ---

Now it is time to write....

Off to meet dear Ziz and friends at our monthly stitch group....I am happy you took the time to stop by....have a wonderful day.

Dragonfly #2 and beads

I finished stitching the second dragonfly and decided to add the beads.

This really is as pretty as I hoped it would be. I hope to add the last 2 dragonflies tonight/tomorrow so I can begin the special center piece.

I made a change. The pattern calls for a sequent in each corner block but I did not like the way it looked---so I added a glass bugle bead and like it much better.

I was not liking the color for the crown but with the beads added it looks okay.

Today is my last work day until Tuesday. I am so glad you took the time to visit. i know going from one blog to another can be a nuisance, but I really appreciate your visits. Hope your weekend is great.