Mary from Mary's Stitching Spot

This week's Blogger of the Week is a newer-to-me Blogger but I am glad that I found her blog, she has stitched some gorgeous ornaments and a wonderful version of the Hands On Design's Summer Chalk on a stunning red fabric.  To see all these and more after the interview, pop over to visit Mary of:

Mary's Stitching Spot

1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.

My name is Mary and I am from Tampa, Florida.  I currently reside in Paducah, Kentucky with my husband Bill, 3 sons (Bradley, Blakley and Brentley) and 2 dogs named Max and Hana.

2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?

A roommate of mine showed me how to cross stitch in 1992 and I did 2 projects for my nephews.  Then I stopped until 2000 when I became pregnant with my first son.

3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start?  Is there a story behind your blog title?

I started my blog in 2011 as a way to show my work and to see my progress.  I am afraid that it is kind of boring but I love some of the SAL's I have participated in this year because of my blog.  My title is Mary's Stitching Spot because I was trying to make it sound cozy like sitting in comfortable pj's with a warm drink and just relaxing with cross stitch.

4. How would you describe your stitching style?  Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organised, random and eclectic, etc.?

For a long time I stitched nothing but smalls because I found it was easier with my sons when they were younger.  I am now branching out to more larger and challenging pieces.  I am on a journey of self discovery with my cross stitch.  I use to stitch only cute/seasonal projects but I want to do more.  Not ready for HAED's but you never know.  I do like to rotate between projects so I don't get bored but I try not to have more than 7 or 8 WIPS.

Words by Palko-Lap

5. Do you have a favourite designer or style of design you are drawn to?

I want to try Mirabilias one day.  I am on a Tempting Tangles, By The Bay and The Prairie Schooler kick.  I have always loved Rosewood Manor.  I love quaker designs as well.

6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?

There are a few but the most recent cross stitch I am proud of is the Circle de Cirque by Ink Circles Design that I made for my son, Bradley. I also did the SAL from Palko-Lap's blog (see above) and I loved picking my own colors.

7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?

I have had a few over the years.  The worst for me is getting permanent pink marker on my project after it was completed and the fabric was white linen.

8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?

The 2 things I have always wanted to do are Hardanger and Knitting.  Not sure if I ever will but will admire other people's beautiful work.

9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces?  Or is everything FFO'd?  What's your favourite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?

I have a small box of shame.  I try to FFO projects,  especially if they are ornaments, pillows or smalls.  I have a basket where I put my smalls that I rotate seasonally.  I need to do more for summer and spring; I tend to stitch a lot of Fall and Halloween. No matter how much I stitch I still feel like it isn't enough.

10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?

Besides seasonal, I love Quaker, animals, and nature. My daisy biscornu is one of my most favorite pieces.

11. Tell us a secret about yourself.  Or a joke.  About anything!

I am very unorganized and forgetful.  I am trying hard to work on this however.

12. Anything you would like to add?

Thank you so much to Jo for finding my blog, and me, worthwhile to have as the blogger of the week. I really appreciate the time and energy that goes into it and I love to get to know other stitchers in the community.