Back from the Finishers!

 Finally!  I shipped these off to be finished and they have been returned.  It's like Christmas!!
The little clutch turned out really nice.  This was a Stitch & Zip and so the zipper went all the way around.  Now it is finished so it only opens on one side, and lined nicely as well.  
The brown/purple piece is a magnet!  What a great idea, which I would never have though of. The 2 little ornaments are just so cute and the pumpkin one has a little spider charm that doesn't show in photo.  Then there's the bookmark which is really nice.  
But the Star of this Show is the stand up.  It is 2 sided, with a piece of needlepoint on each side!  How cool is that?!  Below is the other side:

Color Delights-Aqua Finished

Color Delights-Aqua by Kathy Rees is finished.  This was a quick & easy stitch, only 4" square.  I will probably have it made up with an easel back eventually.

Now to find my next "tiny project"!

Color Delights-Aqua

The small project I'm working on now is Needle Delights Originals' Color Delights--Aqua, by Kathy Rees.  I changed the colors slightly in order to use stash.This little project finishes as a 5" square, on 18-count.  It is relaxing to work on. Once again, the metallic and Neon Rays don't really show up very well.

I did run into a small issue with the pattern because I had a very old version.  But I emailed Kathy and she responded very quickly with the corrections.  Thanks Kathy!!

Color Delights - Ice

I have decided to stitch up a few small pieces to be finished as little hanging things for Xmas gifts.  Color Delights--Ice is my 3rd finish.  The first 2 are the Laura Perin Mystery and the Kitty in the Stocking (which I am keeping for myself!). I have about 6 more kitted up!

This pretty piece is 4"x4".  Naturally I changed the colors!  I used Watercolours and Waterlilies in #034, Impressions 2039, Neon Rays Plus NF62 and Watercolours 116.  This one took a little longer than some as there are a lot of Tent stitches.  Below is my finished version. 

I will show it again when it is made up - but that will not be till after Christmas.  This particular one, I was unable to find a prefinished gizmo in these colors, and I know I have just the right fabric up in my Reno house.  I'll raid that stash when we are up there over the Holidays.

Tuscan Midnight FINISHED!

Tuscan Midnight is finished!  (I think.)  I put the last stitch in last night.  My plan now is to take it to the framer and see if we can come up with the right mats.  If not, I will bring it back home & fill in the corners. 

I would like the mats, I think, to be a bright yellow for #1 & a Med. to Dark Pink for the top one.  Then probably just a simple dark gold frame.  We'll see how it goes!  I'm hoping to get over there next week.  I will take Mediterranean Tile as well.

Next up for a quick finish will be Seasons.  I just have to do the last 2 corners.  Thanks for all of your input on this!  I have decided to use both options, 2 corners of the dark & 2 of the lighter.  If it is awful, I'll just have to rip it out!  I'm anxious to get this finished because....   Then I get to start some new stuff!!

Tuscan Midnight Progress #6

It's getting there!  3 of the 4 corners are complete.  One more to go and I will have to decide whether or not to fill in the corners!  If I fill in the corners, it will be with the dark blue-greenish color and pattern that's between the 2 rows of red.

Tuscan Midnight, Progress #5

I have been plugging along on Tuscan Midnight.  #2 corner finished!  I still can't decide about whether or not I will square it off.  That's OK, I don't need to decide until the other 2 corners are done.  It is fun stitching anyway, although I'll be glad to finish it. 

I'm sooooo far behind with other stitching!  I really want to start something new, but I am sticking to my guns (so far) and concentrating on WIPs.

Tuscan Midnight, Progress #2

Here is a Progress Photo of Tuscan Midnight.  It is almost to the point of working the corners.  I just love working entirely in Watercolors!  This project is such fun to work on, but I don't know when I'll get back to it.  I have so many "have to" projects right now! 

Tuscan Midnight

Happy New Year!  On this Holiday "vacation" I also started Tuscan Midnight by Kathy Rees, Needle Delights Originals.  I purchased this pattern as a complete kit online from Scarlet Thread.  There are nine colorways available which you can see on It's A Stitchy Thing blog.  DH chose the "Bright" colorway, which is way outside my usual stitching comfort zone!  I have only changed one color:  There was a purple/blue and I changed it to more of a purple/fuschia.  This is a really fun project and I am enjoying the stitching.  As usual, Needle Delights designs are challenging and work up beautifully.  Here is my progress so far: 

Sierra

Although I am working on several projects at once, this week I decided that I need some "recreational" stitching to do. That is, not a new design I am developing, not a pilot project, not a gift, nothing that has to be completed by any particular time, or even at all!

So I have begun Sierra by Needle Delights Originals, Kathy Rees designer. I have had this pattern in my stash for a year or so. It is not too large and I had most of the threads on hand. Of course, I am changing the colors to "my" colors: Aqua (especially Watercolours 034), coppers, beige, Kreinik metallics in copper & aqua. I got a good start last night & will work on it this weekend. Oh, isn't it fun to start something new!!