Friday, July 1, 2011

A bit of the red, white, and blue...


Hello everyone! I've been inspired by all of your patriotic stitching to do a bit of my own this week. First up is "Let Freedom Ring" by Little House Needleworks. I stitched this piece "over one" on 28 ct. Tea Dyed Monaco using the suggested DMC and Crescent colors. I did change the wording to my favorite blue rather than the gold that was charted.



I spent some time on Thursday finishing it off into a little pillow. I'm always a bit surprised at how long it takes to finish something like this--small as it is, it takes me much longer than it should. But, this turned out to be one of my favorite finishes yet. I backed it in the blue and gold fabric shown and added some golden brown cording that my dear husband and I made using my Kreinik Custom Corder.


Heart In Hand's "Olde Glory" was a really quick stitch although this fabric (18 ct. raw cork linen) seemed to be a bit difficult to work on. I do love the way it looks, though with DMC 3865, Sampler Threads Lancaster Red, and Nina's Hand-Dyed Thread in "Old Jeans" (can't say enough how much I love her threads!!).


I added a little golden star for interest and turned it into a small pillow using two different fabrics and a bit of rope-like braided trim. I'm very proud of how it turned out! So, now I have my own little patriotic display in my home that I hope to add a couple of new things to each year. I've included a photo of it at the very bottom of this post. Besides my new additions, the display includes LHN's "America" and the tiniest little Homespun Elegance pin pillow finish that I made last year. You can read about it right here.




I spent last week visiting my parents in NY while my husband was a on a grueling Colorado bike trip. (Are any of your husbands bike riders? I wonder why he puts himself through some of these trips, but it's nice that he has his passion like I have mine for stitching!) Anyway, when I arrived home on Sunday, just look at what was waiting to greet me. And just look at what she'd been feasting on the whole time I was away!! Yes, those "things" sticking up in the left foreground of the photo were my gorgeous green and white hostas with purple flowers before the deer got to them. Oh I was so mad!! She just stood there and looked at me like I was intruding on "her" territory!


But, I couldn't stay mad at her for long when I found out why she was so hungry. The next morning I heard a bleating sound coming from the woods by our pond so I took my camera back to investigate. A little fawn caught a glimpse of me and bounded off deeper into the woods, white tail flying high. Figuring there was no photo opportunity, I just turned around and headed back to the house. When I was almost to the patio, I sensed something behind me, turned, and lo and behold, there was the dearest spotted fawn not more than 20 feet from me. She just stood there looking at me as if she wanted to play.


Now, how could I be mad at her mom for eating my flowers so she could be strong enough to care for her baby? Well, make that babies plural!! Yes, little twin fawns have been having the time of their lives chasing each other through the yard and munching on all of our greenery. But, who can stay upset with those sweet faces? Luckily, our vegetable garden is fenced in so they can't make the tomatoes, peas, beans, lettuce, or zucchini a part of their diets!

No Europe trip photos to show you this time. It takes so long to organize and put a post like that together and time was something I really didn't have much of this week. I haven't picked the winner of the "Watermelon Garden" chart yet either, so if you'd still like to enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on my last post only.

Thank you all for your much-appreciated comments and a warm welcome to my new followers. Wishing all of you in the U.S. a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend...And Happy Canada Day to my wonderful blogging friends up north! I have to work on Saturday, but I'm looking forward to grilling and relaxing on Sunday and Monday--how about you? Bye for now...

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

66 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your work is beautiful!
Linda C.

Teresa said...

Love your red, white and blues. Wonderful finishes. Sorry about the flowers but I would be understanding too after seeing those cute little ones. Not a biker but a hiker husband. He does his thing and I have my stitching.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Kathy said...

What fantastic stitching. I love boht of your finishes. But especially Liberty Belles.
I agree that momma deer can eat all the flowers she wants with those two adorable fawns. Sweet photos.

A very Happy Independence day to you and yours!

Nancy said...

Beautiful finishes! Love your personal touches to each!

The deer so love hostas! Just wish they didn't love my string beans so much too!

staci said...

Fabulous patriotic finishes! Those little fawns are so cute! Have a very Happy and safe 4th!

Hazel said...

Oh those cushions are gorgeous. Fantastic job! Awww the fawns are soo cute. xx

Unknown said...

I love your red, white and blues!! I am trying to get a set up myself.

I have a son who is a mountain biker - keeps him happy and a little healthier - okay by me!!

Your fawns are darling. We have some deer that get to our flowers, but they are not nice enough to stay around and be seen - LOL!

~*Sharee*~ said...

Love your stitching and finishing hun; and love the baby deers; their too sweet.

Hugs, Shar

Unknown said...

Beautiful finishes and both pillows look gorgeous.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Such a beautiful display! You'll have a tree full by next year :-) Love the darling deer photos, too. Those babies are saying, she's one of those stitching ladies - she won't be angry for long! Enjoy the holiday - and stay cool.

MoonBeam said...

Thanks for sharing your cute R, W & B pieces and your deer pix and story.

Happy 4th.

Bobbi

Unknown said...

so lovely stitching!!
have a nice weekend

Shannon said...

Love your finishes and your deer pics! :)

Margaret said...

I love all your patriotic stitching! Gorgeous! And those baby fawns! Wow! So cute! Unbelievable! How special is that!

The Queen Bee said...

Your stitching is so pretty. I really like patriotic stuff but haven't done any of my own this year.

We also have twin fawns having a blast in our yard. You should see them play together. I tried for pictures but it didn't work so well from inside the house.

Pam

Annie said...

I love your gorgeous 4th of July stitching display. Those 3 ladies in the LHN piece are just adorable. Is there some saying about the family that makes twisted cord together stays together? ;-)

The people in houses around here have the same trouble with keeping their flowers from the deer. But they usually don't get to see the whole picture the way you did!

Have a great July 4th holiday weekend.

Valerie said...

Beautiful finishes! Your work is gorgeous!

Enjoy the holiday!

butterfly said...

Carol your work is so neat and beautiful,wish we had a July the 4th here in the UK then i could stitch them to, thanks for sharing, June

Theresa said...

Love your 4th of July stitches!!!!!
Your display is gorgeous~~~~~

Those baby fawns are sooooo cute! How cool is that?!

Ruth said...

Beautiful stitching and finishing! Your patriotic mood as served you well. Now, do you mind if I come and hang out it your yard because those bambis are too adorable for words!!!!!

Mouse said...

ohhhh just love those finishes .. think i'm going to bob over to yours for a wee bit of stitching therapy and to watch those beautiful fawns :) take care and happy stitching :) love mouse xxxx

Myra said...

Carol, your little patriotic display is just adorable. I love how you finished both of your new pieces. Don't you just love seeing the deer frolicking in your yard? I hate they ate your hostas but they sure are cute.

Lisa V said...

What beautiful pictures of the deer. Its really strange seeing the different wildlife you would have where you live. When we lived in the Hills we would sometimes be visited by kangaroos and possums, but we dont get anything like that now we are back down in the suburbs.
Your stitching finishes are beautiful as always.
Hugs
LISA V

Ellen said...

Love your patriotic display, it's gorgeous! The two pillows are just so beautiful!

Happy July 4th!

Hugs,

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely stitching and finishing. Your 4th of July display is gorgeous. Great pictures of the fawns. I would have been upset over the hostas too.

Gabi said...

Your cushions turned both out just awesome. Love both of them. love also the backing fabrics and embellishments. Fits all together just perfect.
Ohhh...these fawns are so beautiful. I can see why you couldn't stay upset with them. You are lucky to live in a place where you get them in the garden. We're living in an outside area of town, but still surrounded by houses, no wild life in our backyard :(

Bekca said...

Your latest finishes are beautiful Carol. I love the second pillow with the two different fabrics, it all compliments each other so well. I'm sorry to hear the deer got to your plants, but you're so right, how can you stay mad at those sweet faces. Happy 4th of July, I love your patrotic display. Happy stitching and best wishes.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations on your finishes! I haven't finished many stitching projects but I quickly have learned that it takes about 3x the amount of time that I think it will.

Ariane20 said...

Your embroideries are very beautiful! Happy fourth of July!!

Tricia T said...

What a beautiful display of patriotic finishes! I don't know which is my favorite. And I love your deer pictures. It makes me miss our house up north so much! We always had deer eating from under our apple tree and we could watch them from our dining room window. TFS!!!

Annette said...

Your to 4th of July pieces are great and so beautifull stitched..
2 Beauty's
Everyone has a passion...
I love the pic's with dear deer... Your poor flowers, bad deer !!!! bad deer!!! Great and beautifull pic's of the deers!!
Happy 4th of July!!

Lynn said...

I don't think I could have stayed angry either once I'd seen those cute little fawns. So sweet!!

I just love your patriotic display! Your latest additions are fantastic. My favourite is the LHN pillow. You did an amazing job on it Carol! Love the LHN America too! I'm currently stitching a Canadian version of it.

Hope you and your family enjoy an awesome 4th of July!

Nancy M said...

Your pillows are so great! I agree, my finishing part takes WAY longer than I think it should. I do many finishes, but I've only done one pillow and it was a big one. Is the Kreinik corder a bigger version of the floss corder? If you really want to protect some of your plants there is a spray you can put on it and they stay away from those plants. I believe it's called liquid fence. We had to start using it because they were destroying my yard!

barbara said...

What delightful garden guests you've had! I'm sorry for your hostas, but happy that you could find the beauty in your temporary guests. They're lovely, and your photos are breathtaking!

Your stitching is so pretty, Carol! Your finishing just blows me away! This was yet another year that I'd planned to make a Fourth of July arrangement (I have some great stash for it!) but oh my heavens, the time just flew by!

Lainey said...

Your Red,White and Blue pillow finishes are so pretty Carol you sure have been busy.
Sorry about your plants but oh wow what amazing visitors to your garden, great photos.
Hope you and your family have a lovely 4th July. Hugs.

BrendaS said...

Carol --
Love your patriotic finishes! You do such beautiful work and the cording you and your husband did looks great:)))

Too bad the deer got your hostas but they looks so innocent (LOL)!

Your patriotic display is very pretty and it will be fun to add to it every year.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July! It's very HOT here so I am staying inside for now.

Catherine said...

Your pratriotic finishes and display are so sweet! You always have the special little touches to make a finish stand out!

Sorry about your plants - my mom has the same problem. Those fawns sure are adorable!!

Have a wonderful 4th!

passionfruitprincess said...

Oh, Carol! I love the babies! They are adorable! You are so lucky, even that they eat your flowers. Love, love, love!
Your finishes are beautiful as always. I love the Long may she waves. Perfect!
I am trying to make one patriotic ornament. :) I am so behind on my stitch!
Take care and have a great Fourth of July!
Ana Paula.

Lois said...

What wonderful patriotic finishes Carol! I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend and enjoy not having to work today or tomorrow. Beautiful pics of the deer and her fawns. Your poor hostas though!!!!

Lucie said...

Wonderful finishes and those fawns are so cute :)

Quiltsmiles said...

Thanks for sharing your finishes and the story behond the deer photos. Both are appreciated. I also love the phot you sent of your family. Beautifula dn I'm glad your trip was all you wished.

Jane
PS: The patriotic designs are beautiful. I am still learning on how to finish items, so I love seeing how you finished and displayed yours. Thanks Carol.

Anonymous said...

Lovely finishes, well done.

And thank you for commenting on my blog. :-)

Cindy's Stitching said...

what great pieces you finished. Love the red, white and blue table display. the baby fawns are go cute. have a happy 4th of july

Kathy A. said...

Lovely, lovely patriotic stitches.
Those two fawns are indeed sweet. No wonder it was hard to be annoyed with their momma.
Happy 4th of July!

Giovanna said...

Lovely stitching! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July.

Nicky said...

Your patriotic finishes are lovely Carol! Those baby shots are adorable, I can see how they would be hard to stay mad at. lol
Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.

♥ Nia said...

All so pretty!! :) I looooove the first one! =)

For me it's amazing just the idea of seeing a deer in live! hahahah I think that's totally impossible around here :p I feel sorry for your flowers but.. she needs to take care of her babies =) heheheh
Thank you for sharing these adorable pictures!! :)

And I hope you had a great holiday! :D
Hugs&Smiles

Hilda said...

Dear Carol!
You have done soooo pretty stitching again - I hardly can express how much I like your works.
And your pictures of the fawns are soooooooo lovely! You must leave in a wonderful area, that bambis are visiting your garden!

Have a nice week
Hugs
Hilda

Dani - tkdchick said...

What lovely patriotic finishes! I hope you had a great 4th of July!!!

Edit said...

Your new stitches are lovely Carol, as usual. And I love the way you display them.

But what a beautiful thing to see those lovely animals in your back garden! They look so beautiful. It must be a special experience each time it happens.

Mylene said...

What a lovely display! Beautiful finishes, carol. Congrats!!

Cross Stitch Queen said...

Carol:

Awesome patriotic stitching! Really lovely. The deer is a cutie pie. Too cute.

Just wanted to drop by and follow your blog. It's really pretty.

My blog is http://betweenthestitches.blogspot.com I am having a giveaway on my new blog http://thestitchersmarket.blogspot.com

Your followers may enjoy the giveaway for Lizzie Kates "Life's a Beach" Limited Kit. Hope you pass on by.

Enjoyed my visit,
Maria

Sally said...

Your Patriotic finishes are lovely Carol.

Lovely photos of the deer:)

valerie said...

Love your patriotic stitching and you finished right in time to have a display! Awesome!

I have coworkers that are cycling diehards. They do something called the "death ride". I dunno...sounds like something I'd rather not participate in. lol

Sorry to hear about your flowers but look...the deer are so cute! You can't stay mad for too long. :)

KarenV said...

Love your patriotic finishes Carol, I hope you had a good 4th of July :) Those deer are just adorable, even if they are devastating your garden a bit!

Barb said...

I love your deer! We only have rabbits that eat our produce and I think the cats are actually friends with them lol.

Good for your DH to do that bike ride! Our guys are awesome aren't they? Mark recently did a 100 mile ultra endurance MTB ride and survived!

Your stitching as always is beautiful. Makes me want to end my stitching vacation.

Siobhán said...

What sweet little fawns! How neat--even with the fiesta they had with your hostas! ;)

Your patriotic stitching is fantastic! I totally missed the boat this year with my patriotic stitching--maybe next year. Your Let Freedom Ring pillow turned out great.

Enjoy your weekend!

Michele B. said...

Your finishing is awesome - I love everything you come up with. The HE pillow is adorable, and the fireworks are the perfect crowning touch.

How special to be graced by the deer visits. I guess a few hostas are not too big a price to pay.

My husband did the Bicycle Tour of Colorado a few years ago! I guess our guys are kindred spirits.

Elia said...

Beautiful finishes !!
Congrats!!

have a wonderful weekend,

eljardindemiduende ^^

Nancy said...

Your patriotic finishes are so pretty Carol, and I love your display at the bottom of your post! Isn't the fawn adorable? It must have been a real treat to see it in person.

Meari said...

Oooh, nice stitching! Love the photos of the deer... You're right, can't be mad at them. They're so cute!

Faye said...

Catching up on my blogs....Your Patriotic finishes are just beautiful Carol!!! I love them~~~

Hope your 4th was as fantastic as mine was...Take care my friend, Faye

Anne said...

Carol, I know I've said this before, but I have to say it again, you do the most adorable little pillows!!!Your patriotic pillows are so sweet and perfectly made! That little deer is too cute!! PS, my husband and I are both bike riders and we are going on a grueling trip up the Sunshine Coast in BC. Google it and you will see how difficult it is and how gorgeous it is!! Good luck to him on his trip!!

Sue said...

Your finishes are just beautiful!!

Pumpkin said...

What gorgeous finishes! You've turned into quite the professional ;o) I may have to send my things to you now. LOL!

Oh 'deer'! LOL! I've been wanting to catch a glimpse of a fawn this year but no such luck. Great photos Carol!

Biking...sigh! It seems my DH has been drawn in and is preparing for a 100 KM or mile ride later this year.

Kay said...

Beautiful finishes! I love pictures of nature, the deer are such cute creatures, Thanks for sharing.