Monday, October 31, 2011

A Finish, a Start and Fun Mail

Hello my lovelies...I think this will be my last post for a bit. I need time to figure out what I need to take with me, strategize and have my freak outs and panick attacks in peace. =)

Last week, I finished Plum Street Samplers Favorite Spot Sampler. I think it's so funny this piece got such a high vote when I needed help deciding. It was a very fast stitch and lots of fun. I changed out the white from GAST Oatmeal to CC Bamboo. It's just a touch brighter so it stands out a little bit better against the linen.

Since I had finished a few days before Halloween, I decided to start something Halloweeny instead of starting a small Christmas Piece I was going to start. It just seemed appropriate. I started Plum Street Samplers Hallow Eden. I'm using the called for 36 count Lakeside Vintage River Willow and the recommended threads.

Here's my progress up to Saturday morning:
And my progress as of tonight:
I haven't gotten anything exciting done, obviously, but each letter is a mini happy dance. It did take me a while to be "ok" with the Hickory Sticks. I was hoping for more of the darker brown but you know what? It's growing on me. The DMC isn't even close and I didn't want to mess with a toss.

I have the feeling I will have to leave my projects at home when I go on my trip. Everything is on 36-40 count. Not condusive for airplane or night time stitching in a space that isn't my own. I will probably kit up an ornie or take a mini Shepherd's Bush kit with me. Actually the latter might be easier.

On my birthday earlier this month, I won a giveaway that Anne was hosting. What a lovely surprise that was! The post office was holding my package hostage until I was able to retrieve it on Saturday. It was wrapped very nicely...
...before I tore into it!

She sent me some lovely things! I am in love with the pincushion. The blue/purple varigation is so pretty and smells amazing! She stuffed it with some lavendar and it's a wonderful scent. She also sent me some amazing teas (and tea steeper) to try which I will do tonight since I ran out of my normal nighttime tea just yesterday.
There are also some fabric cuts, flosses, trims and pins! So generous!

And a close up of the pincushion! Thank you Anne!
I hope you all have fun while I'm gone. I figure I have one more day of stitching and tv before I crack down and finalize my planning. Between working a full week and leaving on a red eye, my time feels slightly scrunched.

How are you all liking the new fall programs? I am really in love with Once Upon a Time and can't wait to see how it pans out. I hope it survives. I'm also digging 2 Broke Girls and Pan Am.

Au revoir mes cheries...until next time!

26 comments:

Theresa said...

Your Favorite Spot Sampler is adorable!!!!!! This looks like such a fun piece to stitch!!!!

The pincushion Anne made is just gorgeous!!!!! What a wonderful package she put together~

Vinniey said...

What a lovely gift from Anne! I love that pincushion too. The variegation color is gorgeous!

Great progress on both of your WIPs! Favorite Spot Sampler is beautiful! So many little motives to stitch and it's fun. :)

Chris said...

I love your finish and the new start.
The package from Anne is so great! such a nice giveaway.

Danielle said...

That pincushion is waayyyyyyy awesome! Great finish and new start roo. Oh, and I totally love that dress in your other post. Gorgeous!

Christina said...

Your prize from Ann was indeed generous - full of very lovely things!
Have an amazing trip. I totally empathise with the 'freak outs' and 'panic attacks' - I hate packing to go away, I get so paranoid I've forgotten something EXTREMELY important!

Sally said...

Your Favourite Spot Sampler is gorgeous. Nice start on the Halloween piece too.

What a fantastic giveaway package from Anne. That pincushion is so pretty.

Anne said...

Beautiful finish on the PSS!! It's very darling isn't it?! I didn't get to post a comment on that Anthropologie dress, but I say BUY IT!! It's so beautiful! You are like me when it comes to style. I can only wear things that accentuate the smallness on top and hides the hips! There's an Anthropologie store that opened up finally in Vancouver, and it's so very tempting to buy everything. Hence why I drool on their website.

Glad you love the gifts Valerie!! I really hope you enjoy the teas and fabbies and threads!!

Have a great trip in NYC!!!

I'll have to give PanAm a go. I've heard it's really good :D

LoriU said...

Have a great trip!

Dani - tkdchick said...

What a wonderful collection of goodies you recived!

Travel safe!

Pumpkin said...

Congrats on your finish!

What a lovely bunch of goodies you received from Anne :o)

Have a safe trip!

Melanie said...

Congrats on your finish! I do love this piece.
Such a great bunch of goodies. I never get enough of purple things *and* tea.......you can send any of that my way if you'd like. lol

I've tried a bunch of new shows......and deleted most sad to say. I was so-so on 2 Broke Girls after 3 episodes, sorry. I figured I would give it some time to be tweaked and try it again down the road if it really took off.
Once Upon a Time..I still have the 2nd eppie to watch but the first one was interesting enough for me to give it a try for a little while. I feel like this will turn out to be something that would be better suited to HBO so that the dark stuff could be really deliciously dark and gorgeous but I could be wrong.
On that note, I think the only new show this year I'm really really liking is American Horror Story. That there is some creepy weird bizarre original stuff like WOAH. It's just got picked up for a 2nd season but it's hard to see how they can keep going with it because it's just SO crazy already. lol

Shelleen said...

You received a great giveaway. I love Once Upon A Time and I hope ABC keeps it. There is another one that looks good on CBS called Grimm. It started last week and I havent watched it yet. It is on Friday nights.

Giovanna said...

Congrats on the cute finish, and the great gifts! Take care.

staci said...

Congrats on your finish...that was quick!

Have a fun trip!

Daffycat said...

Awesome finish, Valerie! I really like FSS and I'm so glad you went with "our" choice!

Amazing giveaway win from Anne! Her pinpillow is just darling.

Have a great (and safe) trip!

Blu said...

Lovely finish and a gorgeous new start.

What awesome gifts from Anne!

Lois said...

Such a nice finish! Love how your new start is turning out and what a nice goodies you received from Anne!

Catherine said...

Oh I love your finish! It's simply, well, simple! Great new start too, I have that one to do as well!
Congrats on your win! Great goodies!

Michelle said...

Congrats on a beautiful finish and a great new start. Hallow Eden is a fantastic piece. I'm loving Once Upon a Time and Pan Am too! Did you watch Grimm?

Carol said...

Your new finish is adorable, Valerie! I just love it :)

And wow--those gifts from the generous Anne are spectacular!

I like Pan Am and LOVE Revenge--not much else has popped out at me so far...

Have an amazing trip in NYC--don't forget your camera, okay?

Veronica said...

Another cute finish. Congratulations on finishing that and the giveaway win. That pincushion is gorgeous! I love the hand-dyed thread she used. Take care and have a safe trip!

Hugs,
Veronica.

Rachel S-H said...

Love your finish! What a nice package!

Ranae said...

Neat finish!
I have Hallow Eden kitted, I love the design, can't wait to see more.
Lovely gift you received from Anne
When I travel I use a small clip on LED light, it might be worth it to try one.

Carla said...

Anne sent you an awesome package! The pincushion is beautiful!

Siobhán said...

What a fantastic finish!! Love it! Great new start, too. I LOVE the package from Anne--lucky you.

Meari said...

What a great package!! Have a safe trip.