Friday 11 January 2013

First TUSAL of 2013 and catching up

Here is my first TUSAL post of 2013.








 All those pretty Kreinik threads are from my Maple Leaf. I'm making significant progress but will save the photo for next post as I'm close to a Happy Dance.


With all the holiday festivities and family fun, I noticed that a few gifts that I received have been missed.

I got to meet with Annette and Terri when I stayed overnight in Phoenix on my way home to Canada. The ladies collected me and off we went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. We laughed and talked our way through dinner. Annette gifted me with these wonderful charts.


I participated in an ornament exchange with my stitching group at home and this lovely ornament arrived in my mailbox. Thank you Clare. He is a handsome fella and will grace my Christmas tree next year.


From my friend, Michele - this pretty little tin arrived. Inside a PS Santa chart, a lighthouse magnet  a jingle bell and some wonderful chocolates.

Just before Christmas I sent out the following to my friend Cathey. Her little fella is getting to the messy stage and this bib will help keep the mess down lol.



My quilt group is hosting a ladies luncheon in January. We are making table runners that will be raffled. This will be my contribution.

On the stitching front.


I am participating in another exchange and this will be my exchange stitch - Snowman by Ursula Michaels. I still have to finish it into something - not sure what yet.



I have completed another Band Sampler RR. Here is the RR and my stitch - bands from Sweetheart Tree.


 And I have been stitching away on my Desert Mandala.


I have completed this left block. The specialty stitches were a bit of a challenge.


Then I beaded the rattlesnake. I accidentally switched a container and beaded him with grey beads instead of gold. I wrestled that sucker to the ground, removed the grey beads and added the gold.

 
What a handsome fella he is now.

I was grinching over the specialty stitches and a friend reminded me that all stitches are basically Needle Up, Needle Down. I laughed and agreed. I think that may be my new motto!

With a small visit from the frogs, I consider this week's stitching a success. I am now working on my AA Maple Leaf and will post next time.

It is almost time to head back to Yuma. We will be flying out early Saturday morning. It has been wonderful visiting with family but it is time to get back.



22 comments:

Annette said...

I'm so glad we had a chance to see each other while you were here :)

Mary said...

Looks like you have quite a lot of ORTs! Nice gifts, finishes, and WIPs! Love that snake (only the stitched variety, though) LOL
Safe travels back to AZ.

Minnie said...

All of your stitching is wonderful but I especially love the beading on the snake, it's gorgeous. I'm glad no harm came to either of you when you had to wrestle him down :-D

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
Your orts are colorful.

You got some exciting exchange pieces.

What a cute bib for Junior. It is a sweet thing to do.

Oh I love your table runner. Very pretty.

What a cute snowman. Love the band sampler RR. Sorry you had to frog those beads on the snake. The correct beads really help him stand out a lot.

Have a safe trip back to Yuma!

Aussie Stitcher said...

Everything looks great Kathy. I am glad that were able to beat that snake into submission, he is a handsome fellow.

Nicola said...

Happy New Year Kathy!

I love your Chatelaine Mandala, the beaded snake looks wonderful, shame you had to frog it though.

Vickie said...

Wow! What blessings your gifts are from your dear friends.
That runner is a beauty.
I love the band sampler. I love Sweetheart Tree.

Bette said...

All of your projects are looking good. I'm especially enjoying your progress on Desert Mandala. That is on my list to start this year.

Rebel In Ontario said...

Safe travels my friend, I look forward to seeing you in the spring when you return.

Catherine said...

A post full of goodies! Love that snake ~ very cool! Hope your trip was good!

Myra said...

You have been busy and got some wonderful gifts too! Have a safe trip.

Stitching Noni said...

Great update! I love the bib :)
The Mandala is coming along very nicely - not sure if I would enjoy stitching the snakes - not my favourite creatures :). Yours looks fab all beaded up :)

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Great pictures of all your stitching. Love the correctly beaded snake, it looks really good.
Safe journey xx

Lynn said...

You received some really lovely gifts over the holidays. All of your stitching looks fantastic! That snake is amazing. I'm not sure if I would have had the patience to rebead it.
By now I'm sure you're back in Yuma enjoying a much nicer climate. Soak up a little sun for me!

Margaret said...

Such pretty gifts and exchanges Kathy.

Love how your snake turned out. As always you have been stitching and sewing up a beautiful storm.

Cathy said...

Love the snake on your mandala. The snowman is very different. Love it. Soak up the warmth in AZ.

Carol said...

Good for you for wrestling that snake into submission, Kathy!! That piece is amazing with all the detail and color variation...

What fun to meet up with some fellow stitchers, too--nice charts from Annette! And of course I love the PS ornament you received from Clare...

I guess by now you are happily settled in AZ again, staying warm--enjoy the rest of your winter there :)

Judy S. said...

Love your wordy snowman! That's a great pattern. Wow, there's a lot of stitching on that beautiful mandala. It's going to be wonderful. We've been hearing that it's cold in AZ, so stay warm!!!

Dani - tkdchick said...

You sure have been busy and that is a fantastic snake too bad he's been a tough stitch !!

Anne said...

Such a great post Kathy! Isn't it wonderful to meet stitchy friends!! Love the charts Annette gifted you with. That bib is so adorable for Cathey's son! Your desert mandala is beautiful and that snake has great bling!!

Brigitte said...

Wonderful, your gifts. Isn't the Ho Ho Ho Santa a Prairie Schooler? Enjoy the ornament and the nice little tin with its contents.
Great stitching on your projects. This Desert Mandala looks great with the rattlesnake. I'm looking forward to seeing what fills the other spaces.

Margaret said...

Are you OK Kathy? Haven't heard anything from you for so long. Thinking of you.