Monday, February 24, 2014

A parrot and a couple of those big cats too

After all that knitting, I wanted to get back to some stitching.  So I started A Parrot, A Leopard, A Lion by Scarlet Letter.  Laurie of My Little Corner of Iowa and I are both planning on using this piece for the top and front of our flat caskets from the Cabinet of Curiosities.  This is my progress so far.


I am using 50/62ct linen in Vintage Light Examplar (by Lakeside Linens) using a conversion to Tudor Silks done for me by Jean of the Attic Needlework.  I'm loving it so far!  Laurie has done her own conversion to Tudor Silks so it's fun to watch our two versions progress.

And here's my fussy cut Friday star for the week.  A straight copy of a star in Judie Rothermel Peace and Unity fabric that Temecula Quilt Co. did.



I won a giveaway from Annette of the California Stitcher blog.  The package arrived this week.


And look at what was inside!


A lovely card, some Whitman's chocolates, some linen, the Mrs. Waddelow chart from With My Needle that has been on my wish list forever, and a lovely lovely needlebook and stitch wallet that Annette made herself!


Here is the inside of the needlebook sitting on top of the stitch wallet.  So beautiful!  Thank you so so much, Annette!  I love it all, especially the needlebook and stitch wallet!  I'm putting both to good use already!

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a good week!  Here's hoping that polar vortex goes away and leaves us alone.

Mia's new hiding place

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41 comments:

  1. The Inspired StitcherFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:03:00 AM PST

    Congrats on your win! Looks like Annette spoiled you nicely. Love your latest star. Hugs and squeezes to you and Mia. Have a good week!

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  2. VickieFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:07:00 AM PST

    Beautiful gifts is right! Wonderful things! That is a great place for sweet Mia. I know!! It is positively frigid here right now. I just let the poodles out and they were nearly blown away with the arctic wind!

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  3. Jackie's StitchesFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:18:00 AM PST

    How big will this end up on the 50 count? It's coming along beautifully! It will be interesting to see how your conversions to the Tudor Silk will differ (if at all).

    Mia's new spot looks cozy and warm! I wonder how much she'll be sleeping there once summer comes!

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  4. VeraFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:37:00 AM PST

    Hi Margaret, love your progress on PLL...it's a fun stitch for sure. Love the latest star and what fun/beautiful winnings -- congratulations. Cute Mia - she is smart to get into a cozy place. Tyg loves to sit in the snow and roll over it -- go figure!

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  5. EricaFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:46:00 AM PST

    Your progress is beautiful! It is so colorful! I always think it helps when there are a lot of bright colors.
    You must have great eyesight to work on that count. My eyes are stinging just reading about it! LOL!

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  6. Laurie in IowaFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:48:00 AM PST

    Lucky you... the gifts from Annette are wonderful!

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  7. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2014 at 7:03:00 AM PST

    congrats on you win, great presents. Love your stitching, it looks beautful.

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  8. AnnieFebruary 24, 2014 at 7:37:00 AM PST

    Pretty stitching on the new sampler. Your fingers seem to have been just itching to go on that one.

    I like the flower placement on the latest star. The fussy cutting seems complicated to me.

    What a treasure chest of goodies from Annette! Have fun playing with your new toys (and enjoying the chocolate if any is left!).

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  9. SewAmyFebruary 24, 2014 at 7:51:00 AM PST

    Your Scarlet letter is looking amazing. The colors are so beautiful. Congratulations on your win.

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  10. MelissaFebruary 24, 2014 at 8:12:00 AM PST

    That's a lovely sampler you are working on!

    The giveaway from Annette is gorgeous. Congratulations!

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  11. Charlene ♥ NCFebruary 24, 2014 at 8:20:00 AM PST

    Very pretty, soft conversion. Congrats on the win - very sweet pieces! Ah, Mia. Is her hiding place also a hassock? Looks nice!
    Have a great week!

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  12. LoraineFebruary 24, 2014 at 9:00:00 AM PST

    What a wonderful gift to win! Congrats to you!
    I love your new sampler. I can't wait to see it in the casket. I am impressed you are doing it on 50 count too. Yikes, I think I would be blind. :)
    Have a great week. I hope your snow is melting.
    Hugs.

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  13. marlyFebruary 24, 2014 at 9:09:00 AM PST

    My eyes are crossing just looking at the photo. Such amazing work on that linen. This will certainly be stunning. Congrats on the win - jackpot!

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  14. Ann at Beadlework.February 24, 2014 at 9:30:00 AM PST

    Wow, such fine linen - it will look amazing. The star is very neat, I like the fabric in this one. Mia looks so cute in her new hiding place, she'll be hoping for warmer weather too.

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  15. Samplings from Spring CreekFebruary 24, 2014 at 9:57:00 AM PST

    Those fussy cuts just get better and better. LLP will be awesome I casket

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  16. JulianneFebruary 24, 2014 at 10:03:00 AM PST

    Lovely stitching, quilting and goodies from Annette.

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  17. RuthFebruary 24, 2014 at 10:29:00 AM PST

    Beautiful progress! Love the colors..... but that's to be expected in your work :)

    Congrats on the wonderful win -- I bet you did a lot of oooing and ahhhing.

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  18. AnneFebruary 24, 2014 at 10:30:00 AM PST

    Love the Parrot design Margaret!! This is one I need to have. I'm still amazed you have been stitching on such teeny tiny count. I really have to try it out. How many fussy cuts do you have now and how many more do you need?! They are so neat to see. I should try hand piecing one day!! What a wonderful giveaway from Annette. She is quite the stitcher and sewer. Love that sweet needlebook and project bag. Both Mia and Titus like to find new "cave" spots to hide out in! Lol!

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  19. CariFebruary 24, 2014 at 10:51:00 AM PST

    Your 'parrot' stitch is coming right along. I love the colors and watching it come to life. Your fussy cost are so much fun. I bet they're fun to do too! Hugs to you and sweet Mia.

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  20. WordsPoeticallyWorthFebruary 24, 2014 at 11:45:00 AM PST

    Good luck to you and your endeavours.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  21. valerieFebruary 24, 2014 at 11:45:00 AM PST

    Love the progress on your Parrot Sampler. The colors are lovely! And congrats on your giveaway win from Annette. what a lucky lady! And the latest star is great...love that fabric!

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  22. LindaFebruary 24, 2014 at 12:00:00 PM PST

    Annette's giveaways are wonderful. Congrats on the win. Your new start is amazing. I can't believe that anybody could stitch on that count of fabric. Beautiful.

    Linda

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  23. dixiesamplarFebruary 24, 2014 at 1:20:00 PM PST

    Great start on the new sampler, and your quilt block is awesome too! Congrats on such a great giveaway win :-)

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  24. WandaFebruary 24, 2014 at 2:45:00 PM PST

    Congratulations Margaret! What beautiful gifts! Mia is just too adoarble! Your parrot/leopard/lion piece looks great - I've been watching Laurie's progress as well. Your quilt pieces are amazing and look very complicated to me. Have a great stitching week!

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2014 at 3:42:00 PM PST

    Love your new stitching...beautiful colors! That is awfully tiny! I can't imagine being able to see that to stitch! Lucky you to win such a nice gifts.

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  26. Annette-CaliforniaFebruary 24, 2014 at 4:29:00 PM PST

    Your most welcome Margaret! Glad you r enjoying what I made. Beautiful progress for just starting PLL! SO your making a Cabinet of Curiosities? Oh its going to be gorgeous! Do you have the cabinet already? love Annette

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  27. Love to StitchFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:41:00 PM PST

    What a great gift you won!! I still have to try that 50ct, I know it is going to be just fabulous. Your Parrot piece is just amazing, cant wait to see it all together with the box!!

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  28. KristaFebruary 25, 2014 at 12:33:00 AM PST

    Nice start to PLL. That is one of my fave patterns. Looking forward to seeing yours in the Tudor silks. Mia has the right idea. I wish I had a place to crawl into and hibernate until Spring gets here! lol! I think we have all had enough now. Have a great week!

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  29. IsabelleFebruary 25, 2014 at 2:06:00 AM PST

    Oh !!You received beautiful gilfs: that is great !!! I love the colors of your new stitching !! Please, Margaret, what do you think about using Silk duchess ?
    Mia is always so cute .....
    Have a nice day,
    Isa

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  30. ChrisFebruary 25, 2014 at 2:56:00 AM PST

    ooh stitching! Lovely start on this. That fabric is really a high count, I would love to see a quarter next to your stitching so that I can see the size.
    What a lovely package of treasures from Annette!
    Hugs to you and Mia!

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  31. GiovannaFebruary 25, 2014 at 8:31:00 AM PST

    What a flying start on the new sampler, and what lovely colours.

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  32. EvelyneFebruary 25, 2014 at 8:57:00 AM PST

    Congratulation on your win!
    Great star and lovely fabric.
    Your stitching look wonderful, mine is in the drawer.
    Mia has find a cosy place!

    Have a nice day, Evelyne

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  33. krayolakrisFebruary 25, 2014 at 5:04:00 PM PST

    Mia does not care for the vortex! Great new sampler!

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  34. RobertaFebruary 26, 2014 at 5:27:00 AM PST

    What a fun win. Love all the goodies, enjoy! Love Mia's hiding place.

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  35. woolwomanFebruary 26, 2014 at 9:01:00 AM PST

    beautiful start on your new SL - I love that one! your star this week is really pretty. Hang on - I hear another blast of winter is coming. Beautiful gift - enjoy Mel

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  36. Teresa S.February 26, 2014 at 7:09:00 PM PST

    Lucky you! That was a great giveaway!

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  37. BrigitteFebruary 27, 2014 at 2:15:00 AM PST

    What Annette sent you is just stunning. Great gifts, all of them. And wow, that's definitely a great new stitching project with intriguing colours.

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  38. SherryFebruary 27, 2014 at 4:21:00 AM PST

    Great giveaway win! You got some goodies! Love your new star. This will make a beautiful quilt. Your stitching is coming along beautifully!

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  39. CarolFebruary 27, 2014 at 9:25:00 AM PST

    What a pretty new sampler and I love all those goodies from Annette! What a great giveaway win--her needlebooks are lovely :)

    I wish I could be just like Miss Mia and crawl into someplace warm and hibernate until this winter is over. It just seems never-ending, doesn't it?

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  40. Merry Wind FarmFebruary 27, 2014 at 1:42:00 PM PST

    Hi, Margaret,
    All of your goodies that you won are wonderful. Will you make the Huswife from Ellen Chester? I had that chart once and actually gave it away. Where is your cabinet from that you are stitching for? It will be so lovely, I always wanted a cabinet, but they are always so pricey, I never got one. I'm sure yours will be lovely.

    We're getting another "polar blast" with a storm forecast for this weekend...enough, already!!
    Melinda

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  41. KarolineMarch 2, 2014 at 12:36:00 AM PST

    PLL is looking gorgeous, great progress and your stars are lovely

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