Off to a good start!

The new year is off to a great stitching start. I think one of my most productive periods always occurs at the start of the year and over the next couple of months as we hunker down during the bad weather. There's nothing more comforting than sitting beside a cozy fire with the cat at my feet, a cup of my favourite chai or mint tea beside me and stitching in hand while the winter storms whirl around the house. 

You may remember that last year at this time I started in on Heartstring Samplery's Baby It's Cold Outside, pictured above. Last week I dropped it off at my framer and courtesy of a Christmas gift from my MIL, I picked out what I hope will be a fabulous frame for it. It should be ready in another week or so. I'll post a pic once it's back home on display.

As the milder weather melts all that white stuff outdoors, the landscape is turning into a mucky, charcoal gray mess. It's a stark contrast to the lovely pastel shades of my new year start. Here's an updated pic of The Pink Sparrow Sampler.

I've made one substitution so far. I've swapped out the requested Lexington Green with a Gentle Art Special Edition April Showers that I had in my stash. The Lexington Green was more of a gray colour rather than the blue colour which appeared in the cover photo. I know that these cover photos are often not a true representation of the colours in the completed pic but quite often I like the shades I see in the cover photo. Also there is the matter of colour changes in the dye lot which has thrown me on more than one occasion when stitching something. 
I know that I'll also be swapping out the Cornhusk for a different colour. It has more of a gold-green look to it whereas the photo shows a muted softer colour approaching a mint green. All in all though I'm pleased with the looks of this one so far. Kind of reminds me of spring and Easter!

I've finished the stitching on two smalls for my SAL commitment at the end of the month. Photos to come at that time.

Last week I pulled an old friend out of my neglected projects. 

Can you believe it? It's A Mon Ami Pierre Paradis Perdu. I haven't touched this one in nearly a year! I do enjoy stitching this but I think it's the larger Q-snap that's holding this which bugs me. On the weekend I completed the basket motif above, a couple of the tempting apples in the tree and the year, which is intended to be the stitcher's year of birth. Fortunately for me, my birth year is the one which was charted for this pattern. I really want to try and stick with this one more than I did last year if at all possible. The problem is that too many other projects are calling my name!

I also wanted to show you a picture of the lovely gift I received recently from my friend Anne. I met Anne shortly before Bob and I got married. Her husband and mine are close friends and when we finally met we were delighted to find that we both shared an interest in needlework. Anne knew that I like The Primitive Hare designs and so she stitched up this ornament for me from the JCS 2013 Ornament edition.

Thank you so much Anne! I love it and have left it up for a little longer to admire it.

I'm going to try and join in on my Tuesday night stitching group tonight. Last week the weather kept me home and it's been a few weeks since I've seen the gang. My BIL has been visiting for the past couple of days which has been great but now he's returning home and the house is quiet once more. Sometimes just a little too quiet!
I hope the winter weather woes are not giving too many of you trouble and for those of you on the other side of the world with summer well underway, I wish I was there! Whatever your season, keep on stitching.

I forgot to add my Happy Birthday wishes to my eldest son. Can you believe it, I'm the mom of a 33 year old?! I'm so proud of you and the incredible father that you've become. Enjoy your day honey and we'll visit you again soon!