Me, Myself and I Round Robins

A new contractor has joined out ranks

2011-09-06T22:08:00.000-04:00

I would everyone to welcome cucki from South Africa to our construction crews.

She has asked me what is the best way to get started. I think reading through all of our earlier posts and if anyone here could give helpful hints that would be wonderful.

I still haven't taken the time to get rid of the broken links, I will get to it I promise. Also if anyone has any new links that would be appropriate for our blog please share.

Again lets make her feel welcome.

Keli

Glad to see people are still visiting

2011-08-26T12:32:00.000-04:00

Hi All,

Absentee owner here. Sorry I've been away for over a year.

How embarrassing!!!

I'm glad to see others are around and still thinking or working on their projects. I hit the huge disappointment when I found out that the Dept 56 charts were going to be too big for my project that I kind of lost interest for awhile.

But now I'm back on the hunt or a way to use them.

I notice I have some dead links and some missing pictures. Over the next week I'll get the place cleaned up.

I love this idea and loved all the thoughts that people have put in. Please read through the early posts.

Please post only if its to say hi.

Keli

???

2011-07-23T09:54:00.000-04:00

Is there still somebody stitching on their neighborhoods????? nI sorted through my UFO boxes and found mine;-))

Gaby

Time to Stitch

2010-06-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

I am thinking about pulling my RR out and working on it. It has been so long...I wonder what it looks like...LOL. I will post a pic when I get it out. Is anyone else working on theirs??

Shannon in PA

Hi to all the contractors out there

2010-03-13T22:54:00.000-05:00

Well, hopefully I've gotten my email placed where ever it needs to be. If you have posted or need to get in touch with me, my email addy is on the sidebar.

We have openings for anyone who would like to join. Just let me know.

Also to all the contractors out there. Stop by and let us know what is going on. You can be like me and have stalled or you could be completed like a lady over on blog 2.

I am sorry to say that blog 2 was deleted if you were part of that one or know someone who was let them know that we have space here.

Have a great day and weekend.

Keli

New Blog Owner

2010-03-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

My name is Keli and I have taken over this wonderful blog and idea that was started by Vonna. Over the next few days I will be deleting the spam comments that have showed up and getting things organized under my email etc. So please be bear with me if you don't see everything right away. I do work full time.

Even if you are not stitching on your neighborhood, please stop by and let us know how you are doing.

I, myself, had to shelf my project of the North Pole because of disappointment. I had an unexpected move at the beginning of last year and had to wait til everything got unpacked. So late in the year my Dept 56 patterns, fabric and graph paper went to my Parish House to use their large tables. The Dept 56 patterns are too big and if I used them my neighborhood could be the size of a football field.

Very disappointed to say the least. I am still doing my Northern Village but not sure how yet.

Keli

Bermuda Village

2010-01-29T14:46:00.002-05:00

Hello from Bermuda, I have just joined this blog with a grand idea in my head for a Bermuda Village. Of course i don't have any pictures yet, because I haven't drawn a blueprint, or chosen fabric, etc. As soon as I make any kind of start I will let you all know. I have visions of tropical colors and am thinking of painting a sky on my material. Is this allowable? Any hints any of you can give me would be greatly appreciated. In stitches, Sue

Humble beginning

2010-01-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

Good morning!
Just wanted to post a snapshot of my humble beginning of my RR I was able to start last week. Not much to see, but it is my start.

Jackie

c'mon and join in!!

2009-10-07T03:34:00.000-04:00

Here I am again. I'm having so much fun with my New England Prim Neighborhood - it would be great to see some other members post progress pictures, too!

I've added a barn and a horse and started another building. I'm planning to put a garden in front of the barn and I think I know what I'm adding to the remaining empty bits as well, though only time will tell if that's what I actually do. ;)

Originally, I'd plotted everything out, but the linen piece I finally chose was smaller than my original plan, so I've had a lot of fun just putting whatever strikes my fancy wherever it seems to fit. ;)

school's in session!

2009-10-04T08:02:00.000-04:00

Here's the latest block of my New England Prim Neighborhood. It uses elements from School Days, by Brightneedle, and I'll add on to it using some stuff from Schooler Kids by Prairie Schooler (the next time I get to work on it). It's great to have this WIP out again after having mislaid it for several months!

New Neighbor

2009-09-29T04:01:00.000-04:00

My name is Jackie and was recently given passage to join the neighborhood. At this point I am just brainstorming on some ideas but nothing firm as yet. At best, I will post my progress here and on my blog
http://scatteredthreads-xsfriend.blogspot.com/

Jack...

Help Needed Please

2009-07-30T00:41:00.002-04:00

When I started my village tablecloth I used something on the computer to make the verse I had into cross stitch. I am sure the link for that was on here but I cannot find it anywhere. I did have it in my favourites but as my computer has died (yet again) and my favourites have disappeared too.

I cannot remember what it was called but you just typed in the words, chose the style you wanted and pressed "make a chart" and hey ho you were there. I have found it so useful since and I am so cross that I cannot find it and that my senile head cannot remember what it was called.

Any help would be much appreciated.

North Pole Village

2009-06-29T01:41:00.004-04:00

I am sad to say that development on the village got waylaid. In real life an unexpected move caused all stash to be packed, which was a blessing in disguise.

I had a hard time deciding on what type of castle complex I wanted and with the delay in construction I was able to obtain from eBayUK three castles, Disney Past Present Forever, Cinderella Castle and The Happiest Celebration on Earth for far less than what I had been able to find here even with international shipping. The reason, they are kits, partially done, damage to the fabric and some floss missing. The good news is the charts are great not even highlighted. A little trouble where they have been folded and stored, but nothing I can't handle.

On my next days off I'm finding my floss stash to start pulling them together to start stitching. My castle complex is the center of the village. I'm using the castle from Past Present Forever. Not sure yet how I want the rest of the village to come together. I'm leaning towards a very structured sampler type. Will need to wait and see.

Another blessing is this blog. I'm so glad I shared my notes here since I'm not sure in which box my North Village journal is in.

I have to say I've enjoyed looking at everyone work on this blog and blog 2. I can't wait till I can start stitching and sharing.

Keli

Beach Row

2009-04-29T07:58:00.002-04:00

I thought I'd update everyone on my Beach Row. This is what it looks like right now. I'm going slower than I thought I would.

Hometown Neighborhood

2009-04-25T10:21:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to show the progress on my Hometown Neighborhood Schoolhouse. As you can see it is coming along nicely. I had to stop working on it for a bit. I didn't like the fiber they chose for the schoolbell/flag pole. I have had to order a different thread. Hopefully, I can finish it up soon!!

Another Cottage added.

2009-03-27T08:55:00.004-04:00

Here is the latest addition to my village. This cottage is for Kathy and I am glad to report that she is very pleased with it. I wish I could say the same for the landscaper who is obviously not a wild life fan as he is going about grumpling about squirrels digging holes and rabbits eating the grass. Neither is he a fan of the duck who he states is ruining the lawn with to put it politely "its droppings" lol. However the owner of the cottage and of the Village are both thrilled that the wild life has moved in and seem to be settled quite happily. On a recent inspection I can also inform you that we have frogspawn in the edge of the pond so more little critters maybe appearing at some time.

I put this picture on my blog and a few people asked to see how the village as a whole is now. Well still very small but for anyone who is interested this is the village as it looks at the moment

nativity

2009-03-27T00:03:00.001-04:00

My neighborhood is already remodeling!

2009-03-26T13:59:00.010-04:00

Here's the first house completed in Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice Neighborhood. It's the home of the Bennett sisters - "Longbourn". You can see the "before" and "after" from the remodeling. Oh what a time was had getting it finished! The house was built according to the approved blueprints but when finished the owner started having second thoughts about the windows. Something just wasn't RIGHT - the windows were too small and didn't look as she imagined they would! She was disappointed and nothing would do but to discuss it with the builder.

She showed the builder a picture of what she thought it would look like (also posted here) and asked him if he could fix the windows. Well! You can imagine that the builder was not one bit happy about that seeing as he had built the house to the specifications and now he had costly rework to do. First the old windows were removed and then some of the brick wall had to be chipped out to make room for larger windows. New, larger windows were ordered and installed. The brickmason had to be called back to the jobsite with more brick to repair the walls around the windows and do some tuckpointing to make sure all was tidy. This was no small feat considering the workers had to maneuver carefully around some of the new landscaping that had been planted! I think there was a lot of mumbling and even some cursing from the construction crew about the rework, but it's a woman's perogative to change her mind, right?

The neighborhood owner promises to be more attentive to the building process from now on. Next up is finishing the stitching of the 5 Bennett sisters (2 more to go), adding some more landscaping around their home, and some more border work. More pictures soon I hope!

Before remodel

After remodel Some views of 'Longbourn' from the A&E mini-series

Fairy Tale Towne, 3/18/2009

2009-03-18T10:26:00.005-04:00

The construction crews finished the first house!! Huzzah!

And as you might - or might not! - be able to tell, the king has decreed that his castle be next. I suggested to the crew that they start with the foundation this time, but no one ever listens to me....

(The castle roof uses blending filament, and since my fabric is 32-ct., I went with one strand of DMC and one of filament. I'm hoping this doesn't leave my roof looking "thin" on the one side...since the other side of the roof is DMC only, and I typically use 2 strands....hmm. Any thoughts?)

Hometown RR

2009-03-09T00:38:00.002-04:00

I finally was able to put some stitches in my Hometown RR. I am stitching the Stoney Creek Hometown Afghan series. This is the little red School house, which is the first of 15 designs. It is a small start but a start.

Update My Family Town RR

2009-03-08T12:56:00.002-04:00

It's been quite busy lately, but I have achieved some progress I want to show. The church is surrounded now by some houses, a windmill and a haystack-to-be. It's going to look like a real village!

Halloween Town Has A Tree

2009-03-02T08:13:00.005-05:00

I started my Halloween Town on December 31st and so far I've planted one spooky tree. Now that my new computer has arrived I can post my progress...

I had a Silkweaver's Solo that had kind of a bluish tint, so I dunked it in some coffee and came out with this spooky grayish color which I LOVE! The tree is from Judith Kirby's House #9.

All your WIP's look fabulous!

Shirl

MY Progress

2009-02-21T12:57:00.002-05:00

Well, I pulled out my piece last night and used it as my SAT piece for Let's Stitch. I took eveyones advice and decided to add a bit more to the trees on my 1st piece of property to soften the look. Then I started on the next plot of land. All you can se is a bit of the sky that I managed to stitch, but on my next plot there will be a church. I paln to continue stitching on this for the rest of the weekend, so hopefully, I can show a finished church in the near future. Susan

House# 3, The Tearoom

2009-02-19T11:15:00.003-05:00

My neighborhood is growing... this is building number 3. The Tearoom from LHN.

My first house is completed

2009-02-15T19:29:00.000-05:00

Here is my January house for my seasonal village. It's been finished for a couple weeks but I'm just now getting a chance to get a picture taken and posted.

On to the February house...

I stitched!

2009-02-13T16:34:00.003-05:00

I put a few more stitches into my Country Cottages & Gardens project, a very few. I did expand my concept drawing to include some of the new designs, good thing I started on a much bigger piece of fabric than I thought I would need - I just need to get done before too many more fabulous designs are released!!

:0)

Cottage Update

2009-02-10T20:33:00.004-05:00

Here as promised is the picture of the two cottages I have done so far plus landscapes.

I am afraid I cannot upload the picture of the plans. The first scan I did was barely visible so I scanned again on a higher resolution and I think that maybe the reason why it will not upload. After my holiday i will get hubby to look at it for me and he maybe able to sort it out so that I can share with you.

Hope to see lots more progress pics when I return

Hugs

Helen

Finally started...

2009-02-09T11:22:00.003-05:00

Well, I needed a little stitching rest during January, I stitched very little, just some exchanges I have to finsih, I had the knitting fever again which was down for more than three years now....but I started my neigborhood over the weekend and this is what I stitched...not as much as I want to but I had fun;-)) Some of you have already made good progress...come on, I would love to see more pics;-)))

Sorry sometimes blogger let me upload my pics only this way...any ideas why this happens??

Ann's Cottage

2009-02-07T00:29:00.004-05:00

This is the second cottage in the Village Of My Heart. I have a few friends who have asked to have a cottage now but there are still plenty of properties free. I am going to carry on with this project over the weekend and try and get the landscaping for this one done. I will show you an update with the landscaping and the other cottage after the weekend. I have also managed to make a printable plan now so i will show you that too when I next post.

I am really enjoying watching the other villages and towns taking shape and I hope everyone is enjoying their project as much as I am enjoying mine.

Helen

Church is up!

2009-01-31T07:36:00.004-05:00

It took some time, quarrelling about what to build first, but there is a start on my Family Town. On top of the whole RR I decided to stitch an overview of the small villages you can find in our province. All they have is a church, some houses, farms, haystacks and sometimes a bakeryshop. They are surrounded by pastures, typical Dutch, in which cows and sheep are grazing. Swallows in the air, a familiar picture to me. My father grew up in such a village, and I spent part of my childhoodholidays with family, living in the country.

the fourth house is up

2009-01-27T11:17:00.004-05:00

The landscaping will need some finer touches, but here is my fourth house:

It's from the February 1990 JCS, and is adapted from "Sister's House" by Homespun and Heartstrings. I've changed the colors so the house looks like one my parents lived in ages ago when I graduated from high school.

And here's a look at the village in full. I love this project!! :D

Slowly coming along.

2009-01-26T03:47:00.003-05:00

I am hoping to get some more done on this this evening. I will be going to the hospital with my dad today for some tests so I will take something small to work on but then hopefully tonight I can sit down and get more of my house done.

Everyone is progressing well...cant wait to see more.

Shannon

I haven't even broken ground yet

2009-01-23T23:44:00.004-05:00

I have my property. A huge piece of land - 28ct dove gray monaco. Originally I was going to subdivide, half a very structured Victorian Winter Village and the other half a whimsical North Pole Village. But as my plans matured, I'm staying with the one property and doing a North Pole Village

I'm using Dept 56 designs. I found 3 other books that came out at the same time of my North Pole series. New England Village, Dickens Village and Christmas in the City. From these I'm choosing and adapting for the following:

Macy's - for Thanksgiving, Miracle on 34th St.
Columbia Inn - White Christmas
Holiday Inn - Holiday Inn
Tobacco Shop - Bing Crosby, Holiday Inn
WWII Army Surplus Store - White Christmas
Woolworth - for Rudolph
Newspaper office for Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus
Radio Station for all the Christmas Music
Airport for Bob Hope
Santa's Bureau of Investigation - got that one for NORAD's website
Cladder Wood Company - The Santa Clause
Silver and Gold Jewelry Shoppe for Rudolph
Doll Store - Once Upon a Christmas and Twice Upon a Christmas, the Christmas Gift
Post Office - for all the letters
Large Mail box - The Christmas List
Muppet Theater - for all the Muppet Christmas specials
Hat Shoppe - Call Me Claus, the Christmas List
Bud's Buzy Bee Taxi Cab - The Christmas Gift
Alpine Movie Theater - for all the movies
Dance Hall - Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Mrs. Claus, Nutcracter Suite, Babes in Toyland.
Main St called Avenue A - Mrs. Santa Claus
Clock Tower for North Pole/countdown Clock - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Mirror Shop for Snow and Snow 2
Cane shop for walking canes - Miracle on 34th St
Bell Shoppe for - Its a Wonderful Life

I haven't found a castle yet.

I'm hoping to put in the first building by the end of the month.
Keli

a bridge too far

2009-01-23T11:06:00.004-05:00

Nah, it's not really a bridge too far but a bridge just right IMHO. Here's the latest progress on my Primitive New England Village - the addition of The Covered Bridge Sampler by Brightneedle (adapted to fit the project).

I've been lamenting the fact that I didn't start this on a larger piece of linen because of course I made last minute (uncharted) changes to the layout and now I can't fit everything in. LOL. I'm also having so much fun stitching it that I don't want it to end - kind of like a really good book, you know? So I'm thinking of doing something like Blackbird Designs did with Flea Market Souvenier and adding an extra panel. I can't claim the credit - it was my Mom's brilliant idea. She laughingly joked that I may wind up with a wall-size mural. LOL.

I am a bit slow

2009-01-16T17:12:00.003-05:00

I am really sorry but my construction went bust before we even started planning.. xmas was an expensive time for me and although plans for singular houses and construction had been brought and given, i forgot to purchase the foundation and plot what i am doing. lol. I am still interested in building my shopping village which will contain a numerous amount of shops and trees.. fences and perhaps even a town hall. Even though construction is on hold i will be joining my construction manager and architect in due course. Your works all look fantastic and i cannot wait to catch up but as i now that i am going to be doing this for approximately ten years as i am making a large table cloth.. when i eventually get the material. ... and will be continuing other projects in between it.. so please watch this space for picts and works and congrats on everyones working progress and happy new year.

http://tammie-astitchintime.blogspot.com/

Geranium House.

2009-01-14T09:51:00.003-05:00

I just got done with my second house. It's the Geranium House from LHN. The nect one will probably be the Tea Room, also from LHN.

Happy Stitching, Margit

A little look at my neighborhood

2009-01-13T22:37:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone. I did get the chance yesterday to do some more of the border on my neighborhood. You can see in this picture how long my fabric is...it is running over the edge. I should be able to start on some houses or something now on the left side.

Everyone is doing such a great job!! I cant wait to see more!!

Shannon in PA

My Peach Tree Cottage.

2009-01-11T03:34:00.004-05:00

The first lot of my neighborhood has now a house and two trees. I will wait with all the other plants, people and animals till all the houses and trees are done.

Slow but steady.....

2009-01-09T14:16:00.004-05:00

I’m so enthused watching everyone’s progress and posts. Wish I had time to comment on each of them but all the villages look great and I’d like to stitch them all! I have only worked on the border of my Pride & Prejudice neighborhood so far – wanted to get the bottom and left side in place so I have some baseline for positioning my little venues. I took the border from Drawn Thread’s Good Neighbor chart.

Below is a photo of my blueprint. It’s huge – many pieces of graph paper taped together. I created rough blocks of my buildings to tape onto the background for sizing & placement – being that published charts are not all printed on the same size graph paper it makes it a bit tricky for the architect to combine everything. I spent a lot of time on the internet finding pictures of the houses used in the filming of the Pride and Prejudice movie, then I dug through my stash and made a few chart purchases to match the houses I needed. A few patterns need some slight alterations but the builder seems experienced and should be able to manage it! (Let’s just hope the builder hires good sub-contractors to do the work.) Plans are in place for all the houses and big items and the landscapers will fill in with trees and flowers as the building progresses. The size is about 325 X 300 stitches. I’m using 36-ct cream linen and silks of all sorts and brands – whatever colors work from my stash. I did purchase some lovely Gumnuts silks for a few of the buildings – love the Gumnuts but they are a bit hard to get here in the U.S. I hope to start a tree soon - getting tired of stitching on the border.

The first view of my neighborhood

2009-01-08T15:53:00.001-05:00

Was finally able to get a picture of the current state of my 4 seasons/12 month neighborhood. This is my January block...just a roof, 2 chimneys, and part of the 2nd floor, but enough for Mr. Cardinal to stop by and take a look. He'll be joined by some friends soon. :-)

Just joining you

2009-01-08T05:37:00.006-05:00

Hi folks! Im joining you all a bit late but i do have a bit of a head start already. Last January Vonna, Laura and I started a LHN Dear Diary SAL. I fell by the wayside but am back in 09 to continue working on my Dear Diary Landscape and this RR will hopefully keep me motivated!! I havent worked on my piece since March 08 but i do have 1 section of Dear Diary landscape completed....

Im due a baby anyday soon so just as well i have a head start!!

Cant wait to see all your towns progress!!

I planted my first tree.

2009-01-06T10:31:00.003-05:00

I just got done planting my first tree in my neighborhood. Next picture will have the first building.
Have lots of fun with all the neighborhoods! Margit

Well, at least the plans are done!

2009-01-05T22:56:00.002-05:00

I've been on vacation, and took some WIPs with me to finish, so I haven't worked on my RR at all. But here are the plans. It will be a mountain village, using various cabin-type homes. The caption is from a plaque we have hanging in our cabin: "If you're lucky enough to live in the mountains, you're lucky enough!" It'll have our cabin overlooking the village, 6 cabins in the village, and a school. I'm a teacher, so I HAVE to have a school.

I found something beautiful in the web!

2009-01-05T14:00:00.002-05:00

http://mellowbungalow.blogspot.com/ Check this out! I looks a little bit like Vonna's "new-old" neighborhood.

Vonna's Dear Diary Towne....

2009-01-05T12:14:00.004-05:00

I had a slight change of my plans. I was intending to do a "Liberty Towne" and I will still do that...at some point - but first I wanted to finish my plans that I made in 2007 for stitching my Dear Diary Towne. So here is the way I left it early Jan. 2008: And here it is today - Jan. 5, 2009:

This is Abigail Winslow's pattern from LHN. My "loose" plans are that the Beatitude Squares will be around the outside of the towne with a floral border connecting them. We'll see what emerges as I stitch it along! How's that for plans? I had a few problems with the ship builders here in Boston...they left the job half done because they had New Year's Eve Plans...its sure is hard to find good help and they complained about having to wear period clothing - they said it was stiff. But I wanted to make sure that flavor of Boston 1776 was maintained as we built Abigail's Home...

Until I stitch again, which should be this week sometime....

Change of Plans - Beach Row

2009-01-05T11:54:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to post to say there has been a change of plans for me. I was sick at the end of last year and have not recovered all my energy. I planned to do a much larger neighborhood - Inspirational Themed but I do not think I'm up to it. I'm saving the plans - maybe next year! I have changed my plans and am now starting a Beach Row Theme. I really don't have a good start to post yet but I did want to let the group know I had a change in plans and I'm still with you all.

Sherry in GA
Beach Row Theme

Bidding on Plot 1...

2009-01-05T06:47:00.005-05:00

.... has now started. The builders have moved out and the landscapers have made a start on the garden.

Helen (aka stitchingranny)

Loving my Fairy Tale Towne!

2009-01-04T22:04:00.002-05:00

Construction teams started work yesterday! The town plot is a piece of 32-ct. WEdgewood Blue lugana, and when finsihed it will be about 12 x 12 inches - not counting the yet-to-be-designed border.This first little house is from a Framecraft publication, designed by Cathy Bussi. It is one of the smaller houses in the piece, so it seemed like a good place to start!

Close to A Start

2009-01-04T21:30:00.004-05:00

I have coffee dyed my fabric for the Me, Myself and I RR and I now just basting the edges by hand. I must say that I am not really happy with the fabric I have, I was hoping to use 40ct and not 32ct, but I just could not find anyone that stocked it in the brand I wanted. Lakeside linens and R & R Reproduction fabrics are almost impossible to find here in Australia. Here is the layout I have chosen. It's about 337 x 333 stitches in size. All the charts have been purchased and the threads have been ordered. I am only working with DMC, but some designs are going to need at least two skeins of some colours.

Here are the charts I am using:

Pear Orchard Farm - Barrick Samplers
Where My Heart Blooms - Blackbird Designs
Their Song - Blackbird Designs
Hopeful - Carriage House Samplings
Fruit of the Spirit - Plum Street Samplers
Friendship Sampler - Hillside Samplings
Peace - Birds Of A Feather
The Good Neighbour - The Drawn Thread

1st House Complete

2009-01-04T19:45:00.003-05:00

Okay, I started stitching on this on the 31st and didn't stop till yesterday evening when I had completed this chart. I have started in the upper left hand corner of my fabric and stitched "God Bless Our Home" by Roberta Madeleine. I found this chart in The Cross Stitcher Magazine from August 1994. Can't decide if I should fill out the trees on the right hand side since this will run into the rest of my neighorhood. Any opinions?

Now to decide what to do next. I do have a plan, but just haven't figured out the exact placement for the next building. It all looks so good on paper, but when you decide to build it another building or lot looks better:) Oh Well, I'm off to a good start and will take the rest of the week to decide where and what to build next.

Susan

so much fun, it can't be healthy

2009-01-04T14:40:00.005-05:00

I am just lovin' it! I've begun my Primitive New England Village and started in the upper left corner with Brightneedle's Four Friends (slightly adapted). I chose the design because it reminds me of a childhood photo of my mom and her three sisters in front of their family home on Mount Desert Island, Maine. I've adapted the girls to look like my mom and aunts. And may I say that braiding floss hair is absurdly difficult and time consuming? LOL! Those blobby things by the front door are French knot flowers, but the flash kept hitting them wrong. They are not that ugly IRL.

I'm stitching on a 30 ct FQ of R&R Woodlawn simply because I fell in love with it and it was in my stash. Some of the stitching will be over 1 so it's just as well that it's not a really high count.

I hope everyone else is having as much fun as I am!

Perimeter has been gridded

2009-01-03T21:56:00.002-05:00

I spent today gridding my entire piece. The design will be 3 houses across by 5 houses down. I wanted to get it gridded before I started stitching it. The border and all will be added at the end. My neighborhood is the Stoney Creek Hometown Afghan series. I hope you can see the grids on the fabric. It took almost 5 hours to grid.

a few tiny stitches

2009-01-03T15:11:00.002-05:00

I've made a teeny tiny start. I won't have time to add to this for a couple of weeks, but it feels good to get this project underway!

:0)

Construction has started!

2009-01-03T14:34:00.000-05:00

Not much progress was made the first day of construction, but a chimney and a portion of a roof are visible. I'm hoping the builder can come back to the site sometime today and do some more work.

The architect is also busy putting together the plans for the next house. Thanks to a gift of PCStitch Pro for Christmas, the architect's job is now much easier. :-)

Pictures will follow soon...not much to photograph at the moment.

Another stitcher running late...

2009-01-03T11:47:00.003-05:00

It's fun reading everyone's plans! I was not totally happy with the plot of land I purchased for my village and I know from experience if I'm not happy with that it affects how I enjoy stitching on it. So that necessitated another trip to the LNS yesterday to purchase new land - plain old reliable cream Belfast! With so many colors being used I decided to play it safe. It's serged and ready for the first stitches to be put in. Social occasions have taken much of my time this week and I have a big party to attend tonite for a friend's 50th birthday. Ahhh but tomorrow is mine to stitch! Happy 2009 everyone!

Also starting...

2009-01-03T05:48:00.002-05:00

...well I also started with my neighborhood;-))) And I think I will have a lort of fun with it...my theme still is LHN/CCN houses with some of my own additions...it´s 370 x 260 stitches so I am not sure I can finish it during this year...it´s my one and only large project I have at the moment...I am still in that "smalls" mood*sigh*...

Can´t wait to see pics of your neighborhoods;-))

Gaby

Village of My Heart

2009-01-02T18:18:00.003-05:00

I have some very special friends but we live so far apart

So I've gathered them together in the village of my heart

This is the part of the landscape that runs around two sides of my village sky line and is now completed.

Set in a rather large plot, the building site being some 37 x 37 inches in size (though with a very good sized perimeter) . The village will run round the outskirts of the site. I have not as yet decided if there will be a centre to the village or if it will remain a barren wasteland but the village its self is very english. It has shops, a church and school house in the main street and on the outskirts there are residential houses, cute country cottages, farms and fields. Last night I dug the foundations for the very first cottage in my village. The building materials are from DMC this being a well known building material that can stand the wet that I think my English Country Village may experience from time to time.
Here are the first two pictures I have taken which show some of the landscape skyline.

A Neighborhood of Lighthouses!

2009-01-02T14:30:00.004-05:00

After much debate and many reviews of potential plans, building sites and landscaping options, a decision has been made! Yes, my project will begin late, but I'm okay with that. :-)

My grandmother loves lighthouses and collects/displays/uses them in any form or fashion, from figurines right down to dishes & curtains.

I have decided to take my still-growing collection of charts from Treetrunk Designs, pull out the motifs for certain lighthouses and recombine them into a neighborhood!

The neighborhood will focus on the lighthouses from areas which have significance to my grandmother, which in turn will help to keep it from growing too large.

I'm so excited to finally have a concrete (no pun intended) idea of what I want and how I want to do it...yay!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T01:29:00.003-05:00

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!! I took a little blogging break during the holidays. We went to Florida for 10 days...it was so nice and warm!! Then we came home to snow and cold...no fun!! I wanna go back...LOL. I did some stitching while we were away. I did get some more of my border done and I will post a picture soon. I am so excited to see everyones neighborhoods so far. I'll be back soon.

Shannon in PA

A New Year and a New Neighborhood

2009-01-01T17:13:00.012-05:00

Happy New Year to all! Groundbreaking begins this evening on my historical neighborhood. I had planned to start stitching last night, but my plans changed a bit when I realized my neighborhood was going to be way too big for the frame I had purchased earlier in the year. Nothing like backwards planning there! When I purchased the frame with a 21" x 24" opening, I didn't have a specific project in mind, but when the MMIRR came along, I thought "perfect!"

What I've decided to do, instead, is to finish and frame each of my homes and lots, so I'll end up with a mobile community for a wall area. I'm still interested in doing a larger piece, but that's going to take a lot more planning on my part! Plus, I want to be able to frame and live with the end result. I've decided on a pragmatic approach for now.

That said, please meet the first residents: the local clergy and his dog, his first parishioner from a neighboring home, and another neighbor's cow.

This scene is from a 1794 sampler by 10-year old Jenny Bean. The chart is available from The Scarlet Letter.

Here's a look at the construction materials:

More information and another picture is available on my site: Stitch 'N Time. History lessons begin soon!

I fired my architect and drew up new plans

2009-01-01T13:34:00.003-05:00

Last night, my architect and I had a major discussion on the "village". The architect's building plans were quite extensive and very detailed. It would have been a lovely little town but one that I felt was too extensive for me and the vision I held for the project. Last night, I sat to stitch but wasn't feeling the love. It felt like a chore. I put a few stitches into the ground but it was stiff and hard to manage. It's a very large parcel of fabric and it wouldn't behave itself. I realized that I hadn't even worked on the town's boundaries since I signed the agreement to build. It made me sad. I stitched on Beatrix instead and watched the New Year come in. In my heart, I knew the town would never get built. It would end up a ghost town, abandoned and unfinished.

Today, I woke up bright and early, a little down because I couldn't break ground. I decided to put some of my stash away cause I've decided only to have the projects that I am currently working on within eyesight so that I wouldn't get distracted by other things. While I was putting patterns away, I came across an idea that I had a few years ago. I got excited! This could actually work! So, I went stash diving and I came up with this...I am going to build a Ewe and I and Friends village. I have so many lovely E&E&F patterns and I love their designs so it's perfect! It will only have 7 houses built in a rectangle. There will be a central house (Ohio Sampler) and the other 6 houses will surround it. One at the top (Rose House) and bottom (Small Sampler #2) and 2 houses on each side (Left side = Rosevine & Willow & Small Sampler #5 and Right Side= Small Sampler #8 and Red House Sampler) . There will be an area to stitch little motifs, sayings, initials, urns and whatever I decide. I know it's hard to describe so when I get the border and some of the house stitched, I will show you.

I will be purchasing a new piece of ground too. Something less hard and stiff. Maybe Lakeside or Belfast. I'm thinking 36 count.

I will be watching everyone's progress. I am very happy and excited to lay the foundation for my town.

Happy New Year!

Construction Has Begun

2009-01-01T11:41:00.002-05:00

I started my Halloween Village last night, New Year's Eve, so I'm well underway with my building plan!

I can't wait to watch everyone's progress this year. Good luck, and happy stitching!

A little bit delay

2009-01-01T08:45:00.002-05:00

Constructing plans are almost ready, ground is purchased, building materials are ordered, but it's freezing cold out here and the ground is frozen, so the real work is a little bit delayed. Next week, when all materials arrive, I hope to dig the first hole. It's going to be a big, big town, so I spent a lot of time achieving charts. It will be a mix of PS (spring, summer, autumn, winter), LHN (several houses and shops), a real Dutch landscape with small churches and farms, and some buildings of my own hometown (the cityhall and the railwaystation).

Building has started

2009-01-01T08:03:00.010-05:00

Happy New Year to all my fellow builders. May this year be filled with much joy and good health for all of you as we embark on this wonderful building journey (thank you Vonna).

I was fortunate enough to receive building plans last year from my friend Mary who didn't want/need them any longer. Since the architectural plans had already been approved by city hall I purchased the land (28 ct overdyed bluebell jobelan) and checked my store of building materials to see what was in stock and what needed to be ordered. The order was placed in November and the remainder of the materials should arrive shortly.

The beige building you see next to the church had originally been sold to a couple who were going to make it into a toy store. However, they decided to move to warmer climes and sold the building to a cross stitching diva. City Hall said that a stitching shop is actually a toy shop so no changes needed to be made in the building license.

The combination of this wonderful winterland pattern and the bluebell jobelan reminds me of winters during my childhood in Thunder Bay, Ontario - the sun shining down from a brilliant blue sky on endless snow. For me this project is going to be a journey down memory lane.

a little bit behind ...

2008-12-31T08:53:00.003-05:00

I'm a little bit behind with my construction. But at least I have made up my mind what kind of village I want to make. My village will be called Pairie Schooler Village (not really creative, this name, lol) and I have already chosen the buildings that will be part of my village. What I still have to do before starting the construction is planning where to build what. I will let you know about the details when I'm done with the plan.

Brigitte

:(((

2008-12-31T07:19:00.002-05:00

I am without a phone and internet since 15 December 2008 and I do not know when Alice/AOL will ever get moving, grrrrrrrr. As soon as I am connected to the world again I can show what I start today. I still have to work till 16:30 hrs and as soon as I get home I will start my neighborhood.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you and your families!

Today IS THE DAY!

2008-12-31T06:50:00.001-05:00

For everyone to get started!
Please post your starts when you get a chance :o)
I will be posting mine as soon as I get some stitched.
May you all have a Happy New Year 2009!
~Vonna

Country Cottages and Garden Town

2008-12-29T17:30:00.002-05:00

Is everyone getting ready for their groundbreakings? I am. I located my land yesterday and got it ready for construction to begin on the 31st. I also pulled out the construction materials for the 1st house in my town. I decided to start with a smaller building since I have other obligations over the next month or so.

I can't wait to follow everyone's progress. Anxiously awaiting the 31st!

Susan

Chessie and Me Town

2008-12-28T07:57:00.002-05:00

I've been gathering construction materials for my town and the last order arrived yesterday. I was afraid it had been lost in the mail but I guess "priority mail" at Christmas time means 3 or 4 weeks not days.

Like Vonna I am going to work on something I didn't follow through on last year. It's a number of houses with cats from Chessie & Me to create a town. I used to have a cat named Chessie which is what got me started collecting these designs. I had initially started a smaller town and cut the fabric for it but now I may have enough to stitch a larger town. We'll see how it goes. I'm going to finish the first part and if I have enough patterns and ambition I'll stitch a second panel.

Chris

Extra! Extra! Read all about it.....

2008-12-27T10:56:00.003-05:00

Sad news to report. Apparently, the deed can not be obtained clear for the Tissue Box Village I had planned. It appears one of the heirs, Sneezy McCough, refuses to part with his part of the Tissue Box, which sadly means there can be no purchase and therefore no Tissue Box Village.

On a much brighter note…I was able to obtain a few parcels of land here and there, scattered throughout. Oddly enough, when you look at the parcels of land on a surveyors map…they form the shape of a Christmas Tree. Now don’t get a head of me here…but I had a great idea.

Seeing how my lovely tree this year mostly had my crocheted ornaments on it and only one cross stitch ornament that I made in the 80’s (ok, I feel ancient now) ….Yep….Good News….We now have the go ahead to create an Ornament Village.

Exactly what is an Ornament Village? So glad you asked. It happens to be ornaments that have a house or a barn, or a church on them. They will all be cross stitched…and no, not sure about how many yet. Granted 12 months is quite a while to create said village…but when you stitch at the speed of cold molasses, well it becomes a little more challenging. :)

Ok, so that’s the deal. No Tissue Box Village….Yes, to the Ornament Village.

Happy New Year to everyone…and in a few more days….Happy Stitching. :)

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

2008-12-14T22:04:00.004-05:00

Geez, those medieval urban planners sure are slow. (teehee)My little towne is centered around a Camelot Designs' castle. There is a different cottage by Elizabeth's Designs in 3 of the 4 corners, and in the lower right corner you can see a knight pondering his route to the castle! The other houses are from a Framecraft publication by Cathy Bussi, and one I found in an old issue of Cross Stitch & Country Crafts. The total size is 166 stitches high by 157 stitches wide.

Now I just need to find some fabric and put together a border....I hope this looks as good stitched as I'm imagining!

Get your Hammers READY BUILDERS!!!

2008-12-11T05:59:00.003-05:00

We are only 3 weeks away until construction shall commence! How exciting!!!

I changed my mind about my sort of town and decided that I was going to finish something that I had started last Dec. 31 and didn't follow through with. It is my Little House Needleworks Dear Diary series all on one peice of fabric. SO.....I shall restart that on Dec. 31. Once that is finished - Liberty Town shall commence being built!

:o)

Hope you all have the MERRIEST of Christmases and a Prosperous New Year!
Hugs,
Vonna

Some border

2008-12-08T05:52:00.002-05:00

If you pop on over to my blog I have some pictures posted of my border. I am hoping to get to it some more today. I am liking what I have so far. It was kind of hard at first and I had to frog a lot of what I had stitched. The first go around the border was way too wide and my inside part looked funny so I frogged and moved some things around and that brought me to where I am at now. Let me know what you think. You can take a look on my blog http://ourlifepicturebypicture.blogspot.com/ (You will have to go down a few posts to Table Runner to see the pics.)

Have a GREAT stitchy week!!

Shannon in PA

Land Acquired and there will be a meeting

2008-12-07T10:44:00.002-05:00

of consultants today to work on blueprints for the Imagination Village. Consultants age from 2 to 73, LOL. surely we can get some serious imagination going that way!!! I will post some of the blueprint ideas when able.

Finally...

2008-12-06T05:32:00.001-05:00

...I finished my last exchanges during the last week so now I am up for my own plans...I decided on the fabric for my neighborhood, it is a simple cream Belfast and now I have to count if it´s big enough...I finished my plans how ma neighborhood will look so I am starting to stitch parts of my border;-)))

Land has been purchased

2008-11-29T17:00:00.003-05:00

I am so excited!! Yesterday, yes on Black Friday, my LNS was having a great sale so I went and purchased my land. I was so excited that lastnight I sat down with it and tried to work out my border. That is going to be the most important part...once I get it all figured out my piece should go smoothly. I cannot wait to start this!! How are the rest of you doing??

The Plans Have Been Passed

2008-11-21T21:14:00.003-05:00

Of course there may still be a little "tweaking" as the actually buildings start to take place, maybe not with the buildings themself but with the landscaping.

I am busy with Christmas things at the moment but I am hoping to have everything in place to make a start on the foundations from Christmas onwards so that I will be prepared for the big build to start in 2009.

Stitchingranny

Has anyone started stitching their border yet?

2008-11-19T14:53:00.003-05:00

Just curious as some of you have gotten pretty far in your blueprinting. :) I have been diligently identifying most of my buildings (thank goodness for the internet!) and other key things I want to include and now I'm waiting on a few patterns that I had to order. Once I get them I can attempt some placement planning. I haven't found a good border yet so I need to spend some time browsing at the LNS for ideas and also decide on a linen. Do any of you know what your stitch size is going to be? I'm thinking about 325 stitches square which would make mine about 18X18". I'm really looking forward to this project.

Jeanne in sunny AZ

Property has been bought

2008-11-16T19:00:00.004-05:00

Now I have my property. Found a great deal on eBay. I am still looking through my stash for ideas. So far I have Dickens Spring and Winter Village, Cat's Meow and Dept 56 North Pole. I'm still holding out to do the Cat's Meow on plastic. The more I look the more I feel I'm going to have a North Pole Village. Will get back when I have more details. Keli

Plans plans more plans!

2008-11-08T08:07:00.002-05:00

The architect was here!! I have some great looking blueprints!! I have to get my fabric and some floss and I will be all set to go!! I cannot wait. I have no pictures to post. I dont really think you would be able to see much in the pictures anyway.

planning permission

2008-11-07T13:56:00.002-05:00

Well no photos at mo.. i am afraid i have been caught up finishing christmas pressies off but plan next weekend to sort all my patterns out and draw an outline of how my town is going to fit together.. I am planning to stitch a table cloth so it may take a few years with everything else that i do..lol.. most of my charts have come from little house of needleworks.. and i will be doing as many as possible from a stitching shop ( a complete must for me) and post office, to a school and town hall. i am looking forward to it but really need to do a lot more planning. i cant wait though. need to get the material and then the cottons to start although in my stash i most probablly have a lot of them..

http://tammie-astitchintime.blogspot.com/

tammie, a town of sorts... lol
tammie.bitton@tesco.net

Planning Commission has been hard at work

2008-11-03T08:05:00.004-05:00

I would like to thank Vonna for extending the invite to this wonderful neighborhood. I had been fence sitting and looking forward to watching the neighborhoods grow next year. I then read about the Basket of Houses and thought its about time to put my idea into place.

I've been collecting Cat's Meow Villages. My idea is to put them on 14 ct plastic canvas, connect them and make one long row that would go around my TV room. I thought what a perfect time to start this.

The Planning Commission started to do some investigation, looking into building permits and land. And plans might change. I found I had plenty of 14 ct plastic canvas and the building permits were being found, but so were some nice permits for the Dickens' Village, (I had forgotten I had those in my stash). And there is up for auction a very nice piece of 19 ct cream linen. Visions of the Dickens' Village on the cream started to invade my dreams.

So now the Planning Commission is waiting on the auction of the property while collecting the plans for both ideas.

Strange coincidence!

2008-10-30T13:29:00.008-04:00

This is just bizarre so I must share with my fellow neighborhood stitchers. My neighborhood is going to be a Jane Austen "Pride & Prejudice" themed village since it's my favorite movie. Yesterday during my lunchhour at work I was searching the internet for pictures of British soldiers from that time period as I wanted to include a couple in my neighborhood. I had to identify the time period for the story first. It's the Regency period in Britain - George III was the king, etc. Found lots of interesting stuff. Then I found some costume and military history websites to get pictures of how the uniforms looked. The only chart I could find that might work was the "Liberty" chart from Birds of a Feather which has colonial U.S. soldiers, and adapt it a bit to look like British soldiers instead. I had saved off several pictures and drawings I found online to see what I could do.

Just this morning I got my email newsletter from my LNS and here is a brand new chart from Brenda Keyes of The Sampler Company! It's exactly what I need - even has horses, and I'll be calling the store today to reserve my copy. Talk about the right timing!

Jeanne in Arizona

Veronica's Neighbourhood

2008-10-28T11:27:00.004-04:00

After months of thinking, weeks of planning, days of deciding, hours of drawing, now I'm finally ready to unveil my plans to the world. It's not easy when you're the architect, landscaper and contractor all roll into one but I'm too much of a DIY person and a picky one at that for anyone else to be able to tolerate me.
So, with no further ado, here is my blueprint unrolled...

Did I hear gasps of horror? Ah, okay, maybe it's a little crude but hey, I did my best ^.^ Oh, you have no idea what you just saw? Alright, here's another picture to give you a better idea:

Does it make more sense now? Guess I should provide more information. Well, I other from the very obvious fact that I'll using all charts by Elizabeth's Designs, my neighbourhood will be a Home Sweet Home Village with its own church/graveyard, lighthouse, beach, fields, hills and forests along with a gardener, a beekeeper and a shepherd among others as residents. I'm giving it that name because on each square, just like on my blueprint, I'll be adding various quotes on home.
At the moment, I'm slowly stocking up on my building materials. I like the fact that beads, charms and specialty stitches are incorporated into the designs. I'm gonna have so much fun with em. Looking forward to when the actual construction starts.
Thoughts, ideas and suggestions appreciated.

Hometown Holiday

2008-10-26T09:28:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it is necessary to re-think plans we have made. That is exactly what has happened to me this past week.

When I signed up for this RR I planned to stitch my favorite city in the entire world - San Francisco. My love for San Francisco has not changed but the time available to design my city has so I've decided that I'll keep things a bit simpler.

'Hometown Holiday' is a design I've been wanting to stitch for some time and this is truly the golden opportunity. The town has everything to make me feel right at home - a lovely house to live in, a post office, church, library, bakery and of course a stitching shop. On the pattern it actually shows a toy shop but renovations should be no problem.

I will be stitching from 'A Christmas to Remember' Book 200 Collector's Edition by Stoney Creek. My fabric will be either a 28 ct bluebell jobelan or 32 ct twilight blue linen. I still have to toss my floss to see which will give the prettiest results.

What a relief - I can now look forward the this wonderful RR without design worries. Who knows - perhaps San Francisco in 2010.

by george, i think she's got it!

2008-10-24T13:48:00.008-04:00

I've been fibbing a bit when I've told people that I'm just going to stitch my neighborhood however the Muse dictates. The truth is, I've been chewing away on the idea ever since I joined this fabulous group. I knew I wanted Brightneedle's "Covered Bridge Sampler" somewhere in the design and I've had tons and tons of ideas that incorporate it, but then veer off in very different directions. Finally I noticed that the houses and trees that I was drawn to looked very Maine-ish. And of course I had to have some hint, at least, of the ocean. Hmm. Maine again. So on this very wet, rainy day I have done little other than draw, draw, and draw my neighborhood ... and I think I finally got it. Now this might not look like much to you, but to me .... Well, I think you get the idea. ;)

(Just a little note to myself, as I will surely lose the paper I wrote this on. For 40 ct linen the design is 13.5 x 11.5, for 32 ct it's 16.5 x 14.5, and for 28 ct it's 19 x 11.5.)

Members Please NOTE!

2008-10-24T07:02:00.004-04:00

Hello! I hope all of you are still garnering enthusiasm to spare for our wonderful projects that we'll all be starting in just a couple of months!

I just wanted to let you all know that I've deleted the "Contributing Builders" and the themes of the towns on the sidebar - the reason I did this is because Daily now, I've had people deciding that they don't want to participate anymore and I have to dig through and find their name, their town type, etc and delete it all. Lots of work and I want to stitch some too!

SO.....when you post to the blog, please make sure that you SIGN your name (or nickname/handle) so we know whose posting and if you want to direct people to your own personal blog - give that link as well. Please try to remember to label your posts with your name and your town name so that people can find you in the labels section.

Thanks for your understanding and let's all keep up the enthusiasm, as I think it may be leaving some of us! :o)

Halloween town coming together

2008-10-21T15:19:00.004-04:00

I think Ive got it. Still not sure what to do (or not to do) about the border. Maybe place some webs around with fat, dangling spiders.

The fabric will be 32 ct lugana shadowbrook which is sort of a murkey, green, purple, brown; very Halloweeny.

Now Im hoping that Three Gables and Haunted Tree House by Cross-Eyed Cricket are within my block size needs (round 100 x 100)

For those who want to know - here is the chart list :o)

Cross-eyed Cricket - Haunted Tree house (#246), Three gables (#187), Sleepy Hollow (#274)
Prairie Schooler - November (house), When Witches go Riding (house), Pumpkin Patch (house)

Thanks for advice

2008-10-14T12:40:00.002-04:00

Thank you ladies for taking time out to give your opinion. That was what I wanted to do but was just worried it would spoil it. I feel so much better about doing it that way now.

The design was the easy bit - the construction I think will be a long term project.

Helen
x

Thinking Ahead....

2008-10-13T17:51:00.004-04:00

and needing advise from some of the more experienced stitchers I think.

Here is a picture which shows the top LH corner of my neighbourhood tablecloth design. Normally when i stitch a design which can be turned I would make a mark at the top of the fabric (a little cross stitch or something) so that I was sure to always have the fabric the right way round when stitching.

However my tablecloth will be a fairly big thing and I do not really fancy stitching all the cottages down each side sideways if you unerstand what I mean. Do you think on a project like this it would spoil it completely if I stitched each side as a seperate dimension?

I really would appreciate your views and opinions.

Thanks so much

Fabric Arrived!!!

2008-10-04T23:41:00.002-04:00

I picked up my fabric for my town today! I was so excited to see how beautiful it is going to be!!! I love the green that I chose. I think the town is really going to pop on the color!! Now...to figure out what type of border to put on my town.

How's this for a neighborhood?!!!!

2008-10-01T14:23:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine sent me the link...here's the link for yourself to go and check out this lovely lady's blog...my goodness...yes? GORGEOUS!

http://isadarenapassion.canalblog.com/

A slice of Americana

2008-09-28T19:35:00.007-04:00

Well, my last charts arrived last week, except there was a mistake with one chart. Right chart name, wrong designer. Oh well. It's just as well because I had so many designs I wanted to put together that it would have been too much to tackle for me, especially as a first effort, and I didn't want it as an UFO.

So now, the design has been scaled down and pretty much finalized. I am still leaving a little bit of room for adaptation later. I am using mostly Carriage House Samplings and I am still using the Sampler Folk as the anchor to the design. It will be a country town with definitely that primitive Americana feel that CHS has.

I'm very relieved to have this phase accomplished. I will now need to gather my fibers together and put them all away for starting New Year's Eve!

By the way, since my last post, I have set up a blog if you would like to visit, you can see the some of the designs that I will use from my Stash report. Happy Stitching

I have a plan.... Kinda Sorta!

2008-09-28T19:09:00.002-04:00

Hope I don't get my building permits pulled! My neighbor hood is going to start in the Gulf of Mexico with the center being most all of The Work Basket Bay Sampler.

I will also use Bright Needle Key West Sampler House and the town houses from Savannah Sampler. 2 of my favorite sea side escapes!

I have the threads pulled and the blue 28 ct fabric ready to go! I can't wait!
Happy Stitching!
~~Martha~~

HEY ALL

2008-09-28T17:02:00.002-04:00

Well I have finally decided I am going to go with the draft that I did in my last post an Autumn Town. I have most of the charts now. I haven't decided which fabric to use yet as I cant decide on how I want to finish it yet but luckily I have a while before I start.

Just wanted to say everyones ideas are fantastic.

A Celebration of Christmas Neighborhood

2008-09-28T14:58:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure this layout even shows up! But, it's my design area for what I hope will be my "Celebration of Christmas" RR/Neighborhood.

I've been collecting the Antique Santas, Angels, winter scenes and Santas of the Year, etc...from Prairie Schooler for years! Always planning to stitch them one day. So, I decided this is the perfect time and place to gather them together. I had never intended them for Christmas ornaments because I loved the idea of them in a series framed. Here was the germination of a long dream in this Celebration of Christmas Neighborhood.

I'm now off to figure out which fabric will best suit all of the designs. Originally, my thought was to work them on black, but I don't think black would do them all justice....now I'm going to have to kit up most of them and do a layout on different fabbies.

I won't be showing all the different chart/designs to you all. I want that part to be somewhat of a surprise as it grows and blooms! :) You, of course, will know some of them right away...like the annual Santas and such. :)

These angels, and one I create from these on my own, will make up the four corners of my piece.

Isn't this fun!!??? Now I'm so psyched to begin!!

Hugs, Deb/Lavender Rose

Happy Belated Birthday, Trina!

2008-09-26T13:50:00.004-04:00

Hope you had a wonderful day yesterday!

Mine will be truly Americana

2008-09-23T13:51:00.003-04:00

For those who know me you won't be surprised at all that I've decided on an Americana town. I have many charts in my stash with a patriotic theme so I'm going to take bits and pieces to make it my own town. Some of the charts I plan to use are:

Heart of America (with floss and buttons)

Land That I Love

Liberty

It will be a Mountain Village

2008-09-22T16:00:00.003-04:00

I've been sketching and erasing and throwing paper in the trash, and have a plan now for my neighborhood. Since I live in the mountains, and just love it up here, I'm going to do a mountain village. MY house will be up on the mountainside, looking down at the village in the valley. And since I'm a teacher, I have to put a school in it. I already have the caption picked out, too! Now I need to sketch out which houses will go where, since I have them selected.

I bet I can stitch in some woodsy animals, too.

Decisions still to be made:
1. Over two or over one?
2. Fabric - color and count
3. Which houses go where?
4. Animals?

Finally, I have settled

2008-09-20T09:04:00.002-04:00

on a plan for my village. I am going the imagination route. I want my town to be filled with things from my imagination and the imagination of the kids in my daycare. I will be listening to their games and stories a lot the next few weeks, even closer than usual. My town will have dragons, castles, gingerbread houses, fairies, witches, ghosts and children. All the things that a childs or adult who still fosters a child's imagination can come up with, LOL. Now I am really really excited about working on this, all I need to do is get some exchanges done first :)..