ORTs and Coffee

My first official post for 2013...and it's all over the place! :)


First off....ORTs!!  (Old raggedy threads)   What did everyone do with their ORT jar from 2012?   I took a picture of how full mine was, and I just couldn't bear to toss them...so I put them to good use!

My pretty ORTs in my vase (I put a votive candle next to it so you could tell the size of the vase):

I stitched a little pillow and stuffed it full of all the colorful strands....

And voila....my finished little 2012 ORT pillow!!  I used a scrap of dyed fabric and some DMC variegated floss and searched through various ABC books and this is what I came up with.

Guess I'm starting a new tradition of ORT pillows!!


Now for the....coffee!!  Among all my wonderful Christmas gifts this year, my hubby gave me a Keurig (K-cup) coffee maker.

It's one of those things I'd never get for myself, because I'm the only one that drinks coffee.  But OH MY GOSH....I LOVE THIS THING!!  I can't imagine how I lived without it before!!

It came with a sample of coffee flavors, and hubby gave me another box of samples too.  My new favorite is, Golden French Toast!  The kitchen smells like maple syrup each time I brew it...sooo yummy!!

So, question for any of you that have a K-cup maker...what are your favorite flavors, and why?  I'm on the hunt to try some new ones (because I'm obsessed with coffee now!) and I'd love to hear some suggestions!



Oh right...this is a stitchy blog, isn't it? 
Some of my latest progress pictures, not in any particular order because it's been so long since I posted any updates!


Middle Earth, Day 14:

QS Nostlagy (HAED Bulletin Board SAL), Day 6:

Paradise Found, Day 4:

Think I need to have a giveaway soon....I'm feeling the itch!   :)


-lesli

WIPoca-LATE

Why yes, I am posting my October WIPocalypse update in November!   What's the saying...better late than never!?


Before I post all my progress I wanted to share a beautiful little design I started recently from By the Bay Needleart.   They started a Fall Mystery SAL at the beginning of October, which came in 4 parts.

Here is my progress on parts 1 and 2:

All of the floss is from Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe (except the white) and the fabric came from a multi-pack/grab bag from www.dovestitch.com

This has stitched up quickly, so I hope to find little bits of time here and there and finish it before the year ends.


Now, onto my lateness.......  My WIPocalypse update!

Cathedral Before: 

Cathedral Now:

New Starts for October:

QS Seasons 2:

QS Dream of Dahlia:

Middle Earth Large:

I can't believe it's already November!!   I have so much to do to get ready for the holidays  :( 

I hope everyone out there is safe from Sandy, I've read some updates on blogs of those in the areas that were hit...thankfully they're all well.


I'll catch up on blogs through today, when I can!! 



-lesli

"The board is set, the pieces are moving......

............. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.” – Gandalf

It's a Lord of the Rings SAL (stitch a long) !!!

Kim of Scully's Cross Stitching spoiled me with a RAK of the hugely gorgeous chart, Middle Earth by Heaven and Earth Designs.  

This chart was re-released in a larger format, to show the details of the map clearer. 


And for an early HAED All Hallows Exchange, Samira from Facebook RAKd me the beautimous The Eternal Promise by Matt Stewart

This chart is also a re-release of the chart that was previously retired.  Michele updated it and it is a bit larger than the original.


The ever so fantastic, Ewa from Cross Stitch and other Musings had the brilliant idea of having a Lord of the Rings SAL!  

We plan to begin on October 25th, as this is the day that Frodo decided to begin his journey of taking the ring to Mordor. 

Anyone is welcome to join us!!  Any HAED LotR themed chart counts (Middle Earth, Eternal Promise, Burden, Gandalf at Bag End...etc...and I see that The Lady of the Mirror was JUST charted!)

No set rules!  I plan to stitch for 5 days, beginning on the 25th of each month.  You can stitch on just the 25th, rotate every week...whatever you like!  Post your updates on your blog site, and/or the HAED Facebook groups.


Now....to get everything ready to start!



-lesli