Welcome to Cranberry Samplings

Friday, March 30, 2012

A RAK and a Finish and a Frame Up.

I received the nicest RAK from Angela of Hooked on Stitches. The box is lovely and I just love the design she stitched. The inside is finished a pin cushion. She finished it perfectly. Thanks so much, Angela, for your kindness.
I picked up my Massachusetts sampler from the framer this week. I am very happy with how it turned out. It will go nicely in the mud room with 13 Colonies and the Mayflower sampler. All of them are by LHN. On the MA sampler I used 32 ct. woodsmoke linen and the suggested fibers.
I finished the LK Spring ABC design. It is being stretched and I will post a picture after it's finished. I am currently working on Spring Fling by BBD. It is a small design and is working up quickly.
This is a very happy little stitch. The colors are cheerful and I love the fabric I chose. The picture doesn't do the fabric the justice it deserves. It is v. Luna by LSL. The color is a soft yellow with a pink undertone. Just beautiful. The weather this week end is going to be cold and rainy with the chance of some snow, so I know that this piece will be finished. I am hoping to find a frame in my stash. You can click on any of the pictures for a larger view.
I will close with a picture of Stella doing something she enjoys so much. Chewing! She is going to doggie daycare one day next week. I tell everyone that she needs to play with other kids but really I need the break. I think that I will spend the day stitching. Hopefully they will like her and she can keep going once a week. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leaving the nicest comments. They mean a lot to me. I see a giveaway in my future because I am only 6 followers away from 600. Amazing! Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Spring Fever!

I haven't blogged for over a week. The weather has been very warm for this time of year and I have been taking advantage of it. Stella and I have been taking long walks, working some in the gardens and the dreaded spring cleaning. I just love the throwing away and donating stuff this time of year. Now, on to the stitching.
I finished Spring Band Sampler by LHN and had an in and out frame made. I think it came out nice. I just love the frame. Below is a close up view. I hope the frame will go with the other seasons.
I finished the DT April design and it is getting stretched currently and I will take a picture when it is finished. Things like pictures are getting by me. I know it's Spring fever. I started a LK piece called Spring ABC's. It is a happy stitch and is stitching up quickly. I am doing it on 32 ct. ant. ivory linen and a combination of over-dyed floss and DMC.
I thought that I would close with a few pictures of my craft room. In MA if you do not have a window and a closet the room is not considered a bedroom. This room is upstairs and has no windows. It is oddly shaped with slanted ceilings and nooks.
You will see my new bobbins an spools on my great grandmothers hope chest. I just love this chest. It was hand made in Ireland when she was a young girl. My great grand parents packed everything they brought over in this chest. So cool. On the the green and white table and next to the chest are baskets of smalls. They used to be in the family room until Stella came to stay.
This chest holds a lot of stitching goodness. On the top is on of my frogs and a box that was made last year. The picture of the daffodils is one I stitched over 20 years ago. The picture on the chest is the four generations of my family. Sadly, I am the only one still living. I was very lucky to have know my great grandma. She passed away when I was 10. I spent every summer with her. My Mom died about 11 years ago. Still miss her. You can click on any of the pictures for a larger view. Well, off for another walk with Stella. Thanks for stopping by and leaving the best comments. Until next time.....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Stitching and Thrifting!

I managed to get some stitching time in. Maybe if I was home more, I would get more done. Who knows. I finished April Word Play and love it. You can click on any of the pics for a larger view. I just love the fat rabbit in the cart. Now that I see the picture, I noticed that I forgot the word on the cart. Must get to it.
I started Spring Band sampler by LHN. I am using 32 ct. natural linen and the suggested DMC fibers.
Now on to the thrifting part of this post. Cheryl and I have been very busy hitting different spots. First up are the 2 flower frogs I picked up.
The one on the left has a cut glass bowl and a silver top. It is in great condition and under $10.00. The one on the right is a silver plate one. It is in 3 sections. It was really tarnished but polished up beautifully. It was $14.00 and has become on of my favorites. Below is a picture of it taken apart.
Stella thinks everything with her grasp is hers. This is really bad for my stitching. I used to leave it on the arm of my chair and never gave it a thought. Now that she gets on the furniture, I have lost threads, fabric and she has eaten some patterns. So something had to be done and this is what I found.
A wonderful sewing basket that she can't get into. I believe that is was homemade. I found no markings of any kind on it. I was pretty dirty but cleaned up nicely. I haven't decided if I will re-stain it or paint it. For now, it is staying as is. The inside is perfect.
It sits next to my stitching chair out of the way. The top opens on both sides. I just love it.
I found some bobbins and spools and the cutest potholder that I couldn't leave. It is so pretty.
I will end with a picture of Stella. She graduated yesterday from puppy school and is going on to another level.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving the best comments. They mean so much. Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Some Wonderful Things in the Mail.

Another week has gone by. It's been busy here. Didn't get much stitching in because of having company over the week end and , of course, Stella. She has cut into my stitching time but happily so.
Sorry about the really bad picture but it's late and the lighting is terrible. This is the April Word play. The fabric is much lighter than the picture shows. It is 36 ct.v. butter cream using the suggested GA fibers. I did finish the MA sampler and off to the framer it went before I took a picture.
This is all framed up and I think that it came out pretty nice. Now on to the great stuff I received in the mail. I won the best giveaway from Jan from Tree of Life Samplings. Her generosity overwhelmed me.
This were the packages in the box. I love the seals.
I received two of her Emma Rose designs and the floss to do Emma Rose freedom. She included a wonderful thread holder by Liberty House. I do collect Liberty House products so this was a treat.
She included 2 pieces of her own dyed fabric in the most wonderful colors and the liberty needleminder by Kelmscott. Again, one I didn't have.
Last but not least is the pillow she stitched and was finished by Faye. The finishing is beautiful. I love the dyed lace and the back is finished with a pocket. So beautiful. Thank you Jan for the wonderful gifts! Blogger won't let post any more pics so I will close. Cheryl and I have been busy thrifting and I post about that next. Thanks for visiting and commenting. They mean the world to me. Until next time....Happy Stitching! Deborah