Let's Be Done

I have a couple of finishes.  Not finish-finished, just finished when it comes to the stitching.
First up, I am done with GPA's needlebook.

I added my initials in the corners on the back.  I'm happy with it.  The back is way more interesting with this design than just 2015.
Then I finished Love Letters.

I didn't even mean to buy this chart, I wanted Love Birds instead (which I ordered and finished a while ago).  But I got the bug to finish this one.  I enjoyed it and it went fast.
The mailman didn't bring me anything yesterday so I'm still waiting.
I didn't get very much done on the Friesland flap so that's what I'll work on today.

It was lovely walking this morning but it is supposed to rain this afternoon.  It was warm enough to open a window yesterday.  I loved the fresh air and hearing the birds.  The weather man has warned us of the dreaded "s" word this week.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that any snow will miss us entirely.
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Cut and Paste

I got down to the letter "O" on Love Letters.  I'm off one thread on the right side.  But I don't think it is noticeable and I'm just leaving it.  Besides, I can't find the error.  So let's pretend that all is perfect.  I meant to be one thread off.  Whatever.  That is a big O, but don't worry, a design goes inside it.

I made a copy of the GPS chart and cut it all up trying to figure out what to put on the back of the needlebook.  I love a crown so the crown goes on top.  Then I put a part of the design from the box under the crown.  It's going pretty well.

 The design didn't quite fit like I had planned (famous last words) so I had to alter it just a bit on the fly.  One side is done and I think it looks fine.  I have to replicate the design on the right side and the stitching will be complete.

So the plan today is to finish GPA needlebook stitching, get several more letters done on Love Letters and I want to work on the flap for Friesland.

 I'm hoping to get the Drawn Thread order in the mail.  She always sends the orders quickly.  The next part of Jackie's folio from Needle in a Haystack has been sent so I'm looking for that too.  Although I haven't even started on the first part.  Good grief.  But I know where it is.
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Almost Half

It is a lovely Friday.  It is supposed to get up to 74 degrees today.  It has been 5 1/2 months since it was that warm.  I may have to change into shorts.  Woohoo!

I am almost half done with Love Letters.

 I'm ready for the letter l.  You're right Marilyn, Cynthia uses lovely soft colors in her designs.  It's a good thing my Drawn Thread order didn't come yesterday.  I got more done on Love Letters.  If I had gotten my order, I would have been tempted to start it.  Well, more than tempted.

I got more done on the GPA needlebook.

The back just has the date on it.  But I may change that to the flower design that is supposed to go on the pin cushion.  We'll see.

I got another page all done on A Case for Indian Ink.  I need to make one more page just like it and the spine.

Amy Mitten is teasing me!  She sent out a newsletter telling about the next Casket Keepsake, Harmony.  I looked at the pictures and it involves walnut shells and a wood holder thing.  My first thought was "I want two!"  Yes, that's how my mind works.
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Now What?

Now that I am done with Can't See the Forest, what do I concentrate on?  That is a good question.  First, I have other projects in process.  I am tickled pink to have the main part of Friesland done.  I even ironed it.  Isn't it lovely?

 I have the other pieces to stitch.  There is a center piece that makes the pockets and the flap for the needlebook that will eventually be attached to this piece.  I have started the flap.
But then I thought I would reward myself for working hard to finish Can't See the Forest by starting something new.  I want to make the needlebook in this project:

The problem is that it is done in Romy's Creations threads - from Italy.  So I went through threads trying to find substitutes.  The DMC equivalents are given but I wanted to use variegated overdyed colors of silk.  I tried one green but it didn't seem dark enough.  So I started over with Elizabethan Green.  It is almost too dark.  Here I am so far.

I'd like to try this again but with slightly different colors.  That will probably never happen.

Then in anticipation of my Drawn Thread order, I tried finding Love Letters.  I was pretty sure I ordered it last time around in January.  I looked up my order and sure enough, I did buy it.  So then I narrowed it down to three places that it might be in my sewing room.  I finally found it yesterday.  I love that I ordered the complete kit so that I have the threads and linen to just begin.  So I did.

I was reminded how Cynthia's designs are challenging and lovely.  It will be so fun to see her at The Silver Needle in July.
Barbara asked me what my next class is.  I'm going to Phoenix Arizona at the end of May for A Stitcher's Gathering.- 42 days!
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Stash Again

Two months ago I ordered some stuff from Needle in a Haystack.  They have an exclusive necklace kit and I wanted to make a necklace.  I saw Laurie's necklace last year and loved it.

 I wanted to make one like hers.  The kit I bought is a different shape and smaller.  But it is a complete necklace that can take whatever I decide to stitch in it.  I'll have to use very small count.  You can also attach beads and charms to it as there are three holes on the bottom.

I ordered an exclusive finishing kit for the trunk that goes with the Elizabeth half doll that I made.

 I had no idea when I ordered this what a great kit this is.  There are so many parts.  Look at the list of stuff in this kit.

It has all the stuff you need.  Needle in a Haystack has made a pattern for all the trunk pieces.   And there are a ton of pieces.  Five pages. Wow, this is great.

Then there is the top.  It is made of a special corrigated cardboard so that is bends to make the curved top of the trunk.

They have even included the glue.  Handy!  I got the lock for it too.

I also ordered some Gloriana silk.  I was looking for just the right blue.

 But it's been so long that I don't even remember what project I needed the blue for.  Now I have a lovely selection.  Blue is my favorite color so I'm sure I'll use these.
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I Did It

I am very proud to present my finished Can't See the Forest:

The color of the linen is a green color not the grey that this photo looks like.  It turned out very well.

The drawer fits snugly.

The top is a pincushion.  It is all put together by hand.  I like the feel of it.  It feels sturdy.

  I was delighted to see that The Drawn Thread has some new patterns out.  I couldn't resist, I ordered some.  I also got an order from a couple months ago.  I'll show you tomorrow.

I'm off to the store.  It is a beautiful day here at the Chateau.
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Construction Zone

I finished up the stitching on the top of Can't See the Forest.  Yeah!

He's not having a tinkle, that's just a stray piece of thread.
 Now time to gather up all the vaious parts and put it together.

I ironed all the pieces and cut them out.  Then I cut out comic board.  It works so well in building things like this.
So this is where I am now.  Sewing the pieces together.

I checked to see if the drawer will fit in.  I think it will be perfect!

So the plan today is to keep sewing all the parts together.  Maybe I can get it all done today.  We'll see.
It was raining this morning so I walked at the Y.  The bathrooms are clean.  The bed has new, clean sheets on it.  All is right with the world.
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