Z is for Czarina

 I did manage to start my Young Catherine by Gay Ann Rogers. I may stitch on it again in this century...

Y is for Yellow

 I do not like the color yellow. Well, I shouldn't say that. I prefer not to stitch with yellow. No photo. Just a quick post...

X is for Cross Stitch

 Yes, I know that is boring, but I wanted to share my Springhill with you!

I love the colors and it is so much fun to stitch!

W is for Willing Hands

 This book is wonderful! I purchased mine from Kim at Sassy Jacks .Let me see if I can give you some images too..

 I think the one on the cover is my favorite. The problem is that Willing Hands II is coming out soon!

 

 

V is Vicki Clayton

 Did you know that Vicki Clayton is back to dyeing threads?!?! I could not help myself and had to order a few of her beautiful silks.

She used to send them on cards. I have stitched a needlepoint piece in her thicker threads.

It is the bargello type piece in reds, yellows and blacks....

U is for Silks4U

 I know, it is a stretch, but I was a little stuck on this one! If you have not tried Silks4U, I highly recommend them. I used their silk for my Linen and Thread SAL last year.

And I am using it for Agnus Dei:

T is for Tall Year Squared

 I must admit that I love this piece. I don't use it, but it sits next to my computer so I get to admire it.

S is for Sassy Jack's

 The other place that I like to purchase my needlework supplies is Sassy Jack's

Kim Young is a wonderful person and  stocks her shop with all sorts of interesting things.  She is currently offering a free  sampler download. To get all the information, watch this video from last week:

This was a fascinating show showing some of Kim's collection of samplers.  

I have purchased a "few" things from Kim. I'll share the latest in a few days.

R is for Royal Garden

 I must admit that I love this piece. If I didn't have other projects that need some love, I would stitch on this until completion.

P and Q And Why I Didn't Post Yesterday

 First, I was able to schedule myself for my first shot in the vaccine. I think I made a mistake as I first donated platelets:

 (Full disclosure-this is an old photo of me donating, but not much is different....)

That made me very tired so after donating platelets, running errands, and getting the vaccine, I took a nap. Then went to bed early. So that is my excuse and I am sticking to it.

P is not for platelets, although it could be....it is for PURPLE!

I must admit that I love this color. And this project, which is Royal Garden.

Q is for question.  I have one for you. Should I start Purrfect Christmas Santa 

or Kitty Stalks?

I need a new Mill Hill project.

O is for Organized

 Which I am not. This is sad. I really should start getting organized, but I have no clue how to start. Every now and then I think I should hire someone to help me. But it is so embarrassing...

Here is what I wish my craft room looked like:

 Dream on, right. Especially since my craft area is in the basement!  Here is the full tour:

https://positivelyjane.net/blog/craft-room-organization-and-tour/

 

 

N is for Needle in A Haystack

 I tend to shop online as we have no local needlework shop. I have purchased from Cathe Ray for years and I do like her website. If you need unusual threads, contact her. She probably has it.

My latest from her was Springhill by Rosewood Manor. I love the colors on this!

M is for Gifted Gorgeousness (!?)

 Well first off, today is the day we are supposed to post photos of stitching that has to do with gifts. If you want to full scoop, head over to Jo at  Serendipitous Stitching and she will fill you in on this fun SAL.

This piece seems to have moved permanently to my basement. It is a shame, as it is lovely and I so want to finish it and hang it on the wall. If I would just stop starting pieces and taking classes....

I'm so mad at this piece, I don't even have a current photo! That may mean it needs to move upstairs and get stitched!

L is for Lavender

 I have this piece sitting on my iron board. It stares at me while I exercise. I think it will move from the basement to my stitching space as it is screaming to get done!

K is for Kreinik

 I love this thread and have quite the stash of it. Right now we aren't getting along. Why? Because stitching white on white does hurt my eyes!

This is Betsy Ross's Needlecase by Gay Ann Rogers. I have done all the nuns stitch and cross stitch on this section. Need to get out the instructions and see what I get to do next. I refuse to look and see if I have to repeat all this on the other section of this canvas!!!

And for you ort collectors out there-birders say not to put your threads out for the birds. They choke on them(?). And yes Jo, my orts are very long. I am quite rough on them and noticed when I stitch to the very end, I have fuzzy stitches. If I was more careful with my threads.....

TUSAL for April

 It is the New Moon so it is time for the Totally Useless Stitch a long. This is where we post photos of our orts for all the world to see.

I like this bowl, but I think I am going back to dumping my orts into an old blue Ball jar that my mother-in-law gave me.Why? I like seeing all the little bits and bobs grow over the year. And what if I need a tiny bit that I threw away?

J is for Just Nan

 This is all Jo's fault from  Serendipitous Stitching . She kept posting all her cute mice that she has stitched from Just Nan. I have ordered this one and am waiting for it to come in.

Just Nan 

 

I is for Inspired Needle

 I wanted to highlight a few of the shops I use to purchase things. They are brick and mortar and I have had good customer service.

Inspired Needle is technically my Local Needlework Shop (LNS) although I have never been there in person. I am currently eyeing a Just Nan Mouse they have in stock.  They have a Flosstube Channel and a Webpage .

The last thing I purchased from them was Letters from Mom by Jeannette Douglas Designs. One of these days I will stitch this!

So should I order the mouse from them? I have no time to stitch it, but they are so cute!!!

H is for House of Embroidery

 Most people who know me know I have a thing for threads. I think it is the colors and textures that call to me. Last year at some time I purchased some House of Embroidery threads. Don't click the link if you are easily tempted!!! There threads are beautiful and are helping empower women. 

Sue Spargo carries them if you live in the United States. I think there is another distributor too.

Here are a few of the ones I have:

G is for Gay Ann Rogers

 If you have followed my blog for a while, you know that Gay Ann is my favorite designer. I have more Mill Hill bead kits than Gay Ann kits, but that is like comparing apples and oranges, don't you think?

I have been trying to get some work done on this needlecase. It is truly slow going....

The white on white is difficult to see. I am so ready for a "fun" part!

F is for Fun

 Why did I choose fun? Well, I am feeling a little bogged down with all my stitching projects. So many I want to do and so many that I have started. BUT, stitching is my hobby. I do it so I can relax and have fun!

Lately, only one piece is really calling my name and that is Agnus Dei. It is on 40 count which can be challenging if I am tired or in a room that is not well lit. But for the most part, I can stitch on it when I just want to pick something up and stitch for a bit.

This is the latest photo I have and I must do some ripping. Oh well. Not a big section and like I said, this is the piece I am enjoying the most.

So what about you? Is stitching fun or a chore?

E is for Elizabeth

 Yes, I must do a post about Elizabeth! She was so much fun to stitch and such a great challenge! 

I do have the other Queens by Gay Ann Rogers. I would love to start one of them, but there is only so much time in a day!

And I did complete the Heart of Elizabeth.

One of these days I will complete the rest of the set which included Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Harwick.

D is for Drawn Thread

 No, I still haven't touched this piece this year, but I thought I would share it anyway. It is such a beautiful piece that I really should pull it out and give it some love!

And here is the Doodle Sampler!

C is for Calendar

 Calendar? What does that have to do with stitching? Well, Needlework Press puts one out each year for stitchers  and this year a lot of people are using it. So I joined the bandwagon and am using mine to keep track of what I stitch every day.

I have huge collection of stickers that I use to decorate my days. It is fun and helps me keep track.

B is for Easter Treasure Hunt?

 Well, I don't want anyone to be too confused....

Jo over at   Serendipitous Stitching  holds an annual Easter Hop that starts on Good Friday. Go to Jo's blog to follow along! I am participating in it and my prompt for the A to Z challenge works on it too!

 So for the A to Z Challenge: B is for beads, or bee or bunny!

I made this little Mill Hill Bead Kit as a gift for a friend. Her birthday is coming up and I thought she might like this little box.

But if you are here for the Easter Treasure Hunt your letter is:

                  S

And then you can hop over to http://tiffstitch.blogspot.com/  and see what the next letter is!