Call it what you will

Call it Just Because, call it down-sizing, call it purging, call it a RAK, call it a GIVE-A-WAY or call it what it is....BEING REALISTIC!     I finally looked through the pile of patterns I put aside when I was sorting a few weeks back and took a really hard look at the patterns I  have.   As with all of us, you buy  a pattern or a kit that you just HAVE to have.  Over the years, these "have to haves" and "got to dos"  have slid down my list of my priority list on my project to do list.   I have kept them for years *believing* that I would get to them "one" day.   I got thinking that the whole joy of a new pattern is the excitement and anticipation of doing it and while these patterns and projects sit in my cupboard, I was robbing someone of the chance at joy!!!!    Yeah, OK, sappy, I know and enough already.......

This is a Just Nan that I love!  but the truth is I will never do it and I am finally admitting to myself.  I love it but it doesn't match my style.   I am a more quaker look/sampler look and this is too frilly for me.   So I am offering up as a give-a-way.   It should go to someone who will work on it and enjoy as I thought I would.  It is a complete kit with the linen, the floss, beads and finishing kit.

As for the others, I was lucky enough to spend the day with dear old friend who I haven't seen in a year.   We lost touch for no other reason than being busy....days turn into weeks, weeks into months and so it goes.    She is a stitcher and I was able to pass on to her all the patterns that I have accummulated but will never do.  It was like Christmas for her and she was anxious to get home and sort through the stack.   She has had a rough year with a lot of stress and  I know I made her day.  Even if all she ever does in flip through the patterns and pages and *thinks* about what one she will start with.  Kind of like window shopping.

So if you are interested, please reply to this post only and I will do the whole random generator thing on June 15th to choose a winner.   You don't need to be a follower and please feel free to post this on your blog.   Be sure to let me know if you do for an extra chance to win. 

Peat and RePeat it what I say

I have heard people say they really enjoyed a certain aspect of a project or a project itself.   That is how I feel about the trees here.   They have been fun to stitch and since I am so into the instant gratification I love how fast they work up.  They also make me think of southern plantations I guess because they remind me of the cypress trees I saw in Charleston SC and all the moss.

Now I don't know if I am in love with them so much that I will enjoy frogging and restitching them.    Seems I have 3 - not one, not two, but 3 - "T"'s as a pattern symbol.   Since the color photo is only a copier photo and not a professional photo it was hard to tell.    With all the possible letters in the alphabet and possible symbol choices..... I ask why use "T" for three different fibers?!?!?   Words of wisdom: I take away from this the need to re-read the instructions and my notes when picking up a project from a class taken months ago.  The last photo on the right is the correct T that I will re-stitch the trees with.   Now I am beginning to understand why so many of the gals who have already stitched this have complained about running out of floss......

Finishes

Flying Colors - Just Nan - Really went out there on a limb - at least for me - with my color choice for this pillow but I like the final result. Debating about replacing the buttons with larger ones. This other finish is from a rediscovered completed cross stitch project. This is part of the months of the year from Shepherd's Bush. I completed the stitching on 6 of the 12 and put them away and never did the finishing work. I like the whole upholstered block look but I am no so sure about the bow. Another view showing the dimensional view.