Visit my book blog for the 2011 Vampire Challenge which begins, well, 01/01/11.
You can catch updates and reviews of books I have read throughout the year by going to Biting Me Softly .
Look what Santa left!
Do I have a direct line to the best Santa in the world??
Look at what he left:
I Don’t Do Froggin – by Cat’s Whiskers
The Witches Wheel – By Glendon Place
28 Ct. “Solar” Cashel Linen by Picture this Plus for the Witches Wheel.
We’d Turn Back – by Prairie Moon
Sleepy Hollow – by Glendon Place
AND ON ORDER: (was backordered and didn’t come in before Christmas)
28 Ct “Haunted” Cashel Linen by Picture this Plus to stitch “Sleepy Hollow” AND “We’d Turn Back”.
Aren’t these patterns and fabrics to die for??
AND ……..
A Kindle 3 eReader !!
I don’t know whether to stitch or read !!
I don’t talk too much about my addition to Vampires and Paranormal reading, but I can really get lost in a good Vamp book!
Now, I do have to tell you all that HunnyB isn’t that tuned into my stitching that he knows what to buy~especially when it comes to getting coordinating fabric. You see, the trick to getting things you want is to create an email to him, during the year, listing patterns and fabrics (with links to the web addresses for where to order). Then in early November send it to him. Makes his shopping easier and you get what you want, not some tacky sweater or another bath robe.
I really can’t wait to start one of the new patterns and I don’t think I will include them in my Crazy Challenge as I am waiting on the fabric for 2 of them. BUT I may add the Witches Wheel. I do need to get to my LNS and pick up beads for it. It is stitched in black DMC but is accented with 5 different colors of Mill Hill beads.
Also, the Prairie Moon – We’d Turn Back uses Belle Soie Silk thread by Crescent Colors and calls for 22 skeins sooo…. that comes to $165.00 for the threads so I will need to take out a loan to buy them! There is a conversion chart included for DMC but the piece just wouldn’t be as remarkable without the variegation of the beautiful Belle Soie Silks!
Look at what he left:
I Don’t Do Froggin – by Cat’s Whiskers
The Witches Wheel – By Glendon Place
28 Ct. “Solar” Cashel Linen by Picture this Plus for the Witches Wheel.
We’d Turn Back – by Prairie Moon
Sleepy Hollow – by Glendon Place
AND ON ORDER: (was backordered and didn’t come in before Christmas)
28 Ct “Haunted” Cashel Linen by Picture this Plus to stitch “Sleepy Hollow” AND “We’d Turn Back”.
Aren’t these patterns and fabrics to die for??
AND ……..
A Kindle 3 eReader !!
I don’t know whether to stitch or read !!
I don’t talk too much about my addition to Vampires and Paranormal reading, but I can really get lost in a good Vamp book!
Now, I do have to tell you all that HunnyB isn’t that tuned into my stitching that he knows what to buy~especially when it comes to getting coordinating fabric. You see, the trick to getting things you want is to create an email to him, during the year, listing patterns and fabrics (with links to the web addresses for where to order). Then in early November send it to him. Makes his shopping easier and you get what you want, not some tacky sweater or another bath robe.
I really can’t wait to start one of the new patterns and I don’t think I will include them in my Crazy Challenge as I am waiting on the fabric for 2 of them. BUT I may add the Witches Wheel. I do need to get to my LNS and pick up beads for it. It is stitched in black DMC but is accented with 5 different colors of Mill Hill beads.
Also, the Prairie Moon – We’d Turn Back uses Belle Soie Silk thread by Crescent Colors and calls for 22 skeins sooo…. that comes to $165.00 for the threads so I will need to take out a loan to buy them! There is a conversion chart included for DMC but the piece just wouldn’t be as remarkable without the variegation of the beautiful Belle Soie Silks!
Gone to the Dogs
I would like to take a few minutes of blogging to introduce you all to my children. (My 4 legged ones that is). My two human children are both grown and live far, far away so I don’t expect to see them for the holidays.
Meet Amy and Molly. Molly is the cutie pretending to be asleep. Amy is always alert! They are half sisters, having the same daddy and were born 5 months apart, Molly on 5/31 and Amy on 9/11, both in 2000 so they are 10 years old.
In 2002, Amy had babies, and before they were born, my hunnyb and I had planned to keep 1…JUST 1. Well, after we decided on the chocolate and tan female, Hershey,
(isn’t she is such a dainty little girl?)
we just couldn’t let go of the cutest one of all, a tri-color (chocolate, tan and red) male which we named Bruno, cause he is a real chunker. Broad back and thick legs!
With 5 additional pups, we were able to sell 4 of them and gave the “Little Bit” to my BIL.
Three months later, back came this darling little boy and he was so skittish, I couldn’t resell him or even give him away until he had gotten over the trauma of the house he went to. (I believe he had been abused by the man of the house b/c it took months before he would have anything to do with hunnyb). He was scared to death of men…
So…Nestle became a permanent member of our little household. (I think of all of them he is the sweetest, and he lets us know when he isn’t getting enough attention…he uses his front paws like hands!)
Then low and behold, BIL moved and couldn’t keep the Little Bit so she came back home too!
And that, my dear friends is how we came to have 6 Furbabies. We love them all, but our house is a regular zoo and has literally “Gone to the Dogs” (but don’t tell these 6 they are dogs…they really don’t know)
On the stitching front… I am not going to start anything new until the January challenge starts on 1/1/11 so I have been working on my Army Seal UFO that I was begun probably 8 years ago for my son that was and is still in the Army.
I am almost finished with the inside border and then have to stitch the outside border that is 6 stitches wide all the way around. Do you think I might finish it by August?? In time for my son’s birthday??
I know I sound silly about my furbabies, but I am also very proud of my two human children, both boys. The oldest, Ned is a sergeant in the US Army and Robbie is the Manager of a major home improvement center. You know when they were teenagers, I didn’t think they would live to see 21! (I threatened homicide often)
So those of you that still have kids at home, take heart, things do get better with time.
Meet Amy and Molly. Molly is the cutie pretending to be asleep. Amy is always alert! They are half sisters, having the same daddy and were born 5 months apart, Molly on 5/31 and Amy on 9/11, both in 2000 so they are 10 years old.
In 2002, Amy had babies, and before they were born, my hunnyb and I had planned to keep 1…JUST 1. Well, after we decided on the chocolate and tan female, Hershey,
(isn’t she is such a dainty little girl?)
we just couldn’t let go of the cutest one of all, a tri-color (chocolate, tan and red) male which we named Bruno, cause he is a real chunker. Broad back and thick legs!
With 5 additional pups, we were able to sell 4 of them and gave the “Little Bit” to my BIL.
Three months later, back came this darling little boy and he was so skittish, I couldn’t resell him or even give him away until he had gotten over the trauma of the house he went to. (I believe he had been abused by the man of the house b/c it took months before he would have anything to do with hunnyb). He was scared to death of men…
So…Nestle became a permanent member of our little household. (I think of all of them he is the sweetest, and he lets us know when he isn’t getting enough attention…he uses his front paws like hands!)
Then low and behold, BIL moved and couldn’t keep the Little Bit so she came back home too!
And that, my dear friends is how we came to have 6 Furbabies. We love them all, but our house is a regular zoo and has literally “Gone to the Dogs” (but don’t tell these 6 they are dogs…they really don’t know)
On the stitching front… I am not going to start anything new until the January challenge starts on 1/1/11 so I have been working on my Army Seal UFO that I was begun probably 8 years ago for my son that was and is still in the Army.
I am almost finished with the inside border and then have to stitch the outside border that is 6 stitches wide all the way around. Do you think I might finish it by August?? In time for my son’s birthday??
I know I sound silly about my furbabies, but I am also very proud of my two human children, both boys. The oldest, Ned is a sergeant in the US Army and Robbie is the Manager of a major home improvement center. You know when they were teenagers, I didn’t think they would live to see 21! (I threatened homicide often)
So those of you that still have kids at home, take heart, things do get better with time.
Free to a good home!
Labels:
Giveaway
I pulled out a Cross Stitch kit today intending on beginning it.
Well, while it is a beautiful design in a theme I love, I find that I don’t think I can stitch it.
Therefore, I am throwing it out as a giveaway.
The design is Noah’s Ark Sampler by Teresa Wentzler. The design is 9 1/8” X 10 3/8”. The included fabric is 28 count off white evenweave and also includes DMC threads (over 50 colors) needle, beads and beading needle.
The main section of the piece is stitched over 2 with the border (animals that occupied the Ark) stitched over 1.
This is where, after reading the instructions, I am a little timid about stitching this, as I have enough problems seeing over 2 stitching!
Now about the giveaway.
Leave a comment on this post that you are interested in having and stitching this project.
That’s it…
I will draw a name from the comments on January 1st.
Well, while it is a beautiful design in a theme I love, I find that I don’t think I can stitch it.
Therefore, I am throwing it out as a giveaway.
The design is Noah’s Ark Sampler by Teresa Wentzler. The design is 9 1/8” X 10 3/8”. The included fabric is 28 count off white evenweave and also includes DMC threads (over 50 colors) needle, beads and beading needle.
The main section of the piece is stitched over 2 with the border (animals that occupied the Ark) stitched over 1.
This is where, after reading the instructions, I am a little timid about stitching this, as I have enough problems seeing over 2 stitching!Now about the giveaway.
Leave a comment on this post that you are interested in having and stitching this project.
That’s it…
I will draw a name from the comments on January 1st.
Finished!
I completed Dragon Dream’s “A Wizard’s Quilt”. It was fun stitching the specialty stitches using Caron Waterlilies Silk threads and Rayon Threads. Also used was Kreinik Pearl cording and Rainbow Galleries Fuzzy Stuff. Aren’t his fuzzy Bunny Slippers cute?
I am currently stitching on another Victoria Sampler Heart ~ Massachusetts~ and a darling little “Stitcher’s Surprise” called ~ Butterfly Bunny.
It is stitched on 11 Ct. light Avocado Betsy Ross Aida using DMC and Rainbow Gallery’s Alpaca thread. I have not used the Alpaca threads before and they are so soft and wonderful to stitch with.
I am struggling finding projects to stitch on while leaving my kitted up things until the January Challenge begins. Of course I can always work on the VS Hearts, but after stitching on a couple of them, I have to take a break and stitch on something else. They are so much alike that it is almost like stitching them over and over again!
A Round Robin finish
I am participating in a Round Robin in one of the Yahoo Groups I subscribe to. (I believe I have mentioned this in a previous post).
I received Sharlene’s little project ~ darling freebie designs by Waxing Moon Designs. They are Seasonal Birds and they are so cute. I stitched the Summer Sparrow.
I may have to stitch up the 4 designs for myself. They would make darling little pillows.
A Wizard’s Quilt
Stitching update:
Don’t you just love this chart by Jennifer L. Aiken-Smith of Dragon Dreams titled “A Wizard’s Quilt”?
Here is a snap of my WIP from Sunday till today (Wednesday).
I am looking for these 2 additional charts from Dragon Dreams.
A Dragon’s Quilt
Dani The Stitching Dragon.
Can you tell I love fantasy designs??
If anyone has these patterns and want to sell/trade them, please let me know. I have looked for them in several places and can’t find them.
TUSAL
Labels:
Bunny Butts,
TUSAL
DaffyCat (aka Sharon) has organized a TUSAL for 2011. The way it works is
1. You get a glass container and use it to save your thread clippings, orts (old ragged threads), frog leavings and snips of fabric, thread bands, etc. ~ you know all that stuff that tends to hang around on your table or chair arm that are the leavings of your stitching.
2. Post a snap of the jar on each New Moon of the progress of the “filling of the jar”.
2011 New Moons dates are:
January 4
February 3
March 4
April 3
May 3
June 1
July 1
July 30
August 29
September 27
October 26
November 25
December 24
I have officially joined in on this fun and
Here is a snap of my empty jar as of 12/08/2010.
I am not too sure of the size, but I will start with this.
Now to figure out how to put “labels” on my blog posts!
On a stitchy note. I have finished “Bunny Butts”.
Aren’t they cute?
1. You get a glass container and use it to save your thread clippings, orts (old ragged threads), frog leavings and snips of fabric, thread bands, etc. ~ you know all that stuff that tends to hang around on your table or chair arm that are the leavings of your stitching.
2. Post a snap of the jar on each New Moon of the progress of the “filling of the jar”.
2011 New Moons dates are:
January 4
February 3
March 4
April 3
May 3
June 1
July 1
July 30
August 29
September 27
October 26
November 25
December 24
I have officially joined in on this fun and
Here is a snap of my empty jar as of 12/08/2010.
I am not too sure of the size, but I will start with this.
Now to figure out how to put “labels” on my blog posts!
On a stitchy note. I have finished “Bunny Butts”.
Aren’t they cute?
Two New Blogs
Be sure to check out the 2 new blogs I have set up. There are links on the right sidebar titled:
Crazy January Challenge Blog which is where I will house postings of my updated projects for the 2011 Challenge.
and
Victoria Samplers ~ Hearts of America Blog which is where I have moved postings and will post updates to this project.
I plan, along with the 15 projects that will be chosen for the Crazy Challenge, to also complete several of the Victoria Sampler hearts throughout the year.
Dragon Dreams
Another chart that has been in my “to do” pile is Dragon Dream’s “Fairy Tale Sampler”. I just love the designs by Jennifer Aikman-Smith . This piece has 6 different specialty stitches which are stitched with Caron Waterlilies Silk Thread. It also has Kreinik Gold floss, Mill Hill beads and a darling frog button. I also have the 12 freebie charts that were published several years ago on the Dragon Dreams website (when it was open) titled “The Runekeeper” . I plan to stitch these as a companion piece and have ordered a piece of matching fabric to begin stitching these in my Crazy 2011 Challenge.
On another note, I have set up a separate blog spot to house the Victoria Sampler Hearts of America. There is a linc over on the right sidebar for this site.
Crazy January Challenge ~ 2011
I thought and thought about it and I guess, call me crazy but I am gonna take that challenge.
Minna at Ristipistoni has issued a Crazy January Challenge for 2011 on her blog. The way it works is beginning January 1, 2011 you start a new cross stitch project each day for 15 days. Then the challenge is to complete all 15 projects by the end of the year.
Stash diving today, I got together 10 projects that were already kitted up ~ some were small kits and others were charts and fabric that have been in waiting till the mood hit me to stitch them.
So be watching for a list of what I will stitch in the challenge and I will update with photos as the year goes on.
This should be fun!
Friendship Collaboration Sampler
I just finished my Friendship Collaboration Sampler. As I stated in my last post this piece was the work of three designers ~ Shepherd’s Bush, Charland Designs and Just Nan.
The verse is:
Though far apart
Still close in heart
Friends will ever be
Here is a snap of Part I:
This section, designed by Shepherd’s Bush has, along with all of the specialty stitches already mentioned (in previous post) has a darling little sterling silver “Shepherd” Charm.
Part II is designed by Charland Designs. Along with regular cross stitching it has specialty stitches: Long Arm Cross, Circular Eyelet, Pulled Double Back Stitch, Algerian Eye, Satin Hearts, Small and Large Smyrna Cross and Alternating Mosaic. Attached in the middle is a sterling silver double heart which is also a Charland Design.
And Part III was designed by Just Nan. Along with the specialty stitches of Hungarian Variation, Round Satin Eyelet, Rhodes Hearts and Herringbone Stitch there is a sterling silver Peacock button attached.
And here is a snap of the stitching completed.
This piece will go into the pile of “to be completed when the sewing machine gets home from the doctor”. I also need to find the bell pull hardware for it somewhere. I have checked online and nothing really blows my skirt up. Maybe my LNS or Hobby Lobby may have something. I plan to check there this weekend.
The verse is:
Though far apart
Still close in heart
Friends will ever be
Here is a snap of Part I:
This section, designed by Shepherd’s Bush has, along with all of the specialty stitches already mentioned (in previous post) has a darling little sterling silver “Shepherd” Charm.
Part II is designed by Charland Designs. Along with regular cross stitching it has specialty stitches: Long Arm Cross, Circular Eyelet, Pulled Double Back Stitch, Algerian Eye, Satin Hearts, Small and Large Smyrna Cross and Alternating Mosaic. Attached in the middle is a sterling silver double heart which is also a Charland Design.
And Part III was designed by Just Nan. Along with the specialty stitches of Hungarian Variation, Round Satin Eyelet, Rhodes Hearts and Herringbone Stitch there is a sterling silver Peacock button attached.
And here is a snap of the stitching completed.
This piece will go into the pile of “to be completed when the sewing machine gets home from the doctor”. I also need to find the bell pull hardware for it somewhere. I have checked online and nothing really blows my skirt up. Maybe my LNS or Hobby Lobby may have something. I plan to check there this weekend.
Friendship Collaboration Sampler
Ten years ago (when I was buying everything cross stitch I saw) I got a unique pattern called “The Friendship Collaboration Sampler”. It is unique in that 3 designers, Shepherd’s Bush, Charland Designs & Just Nan got together to put this beautiful piece together. The piece is stitched on 28 Ct. Ivory Linen Banding using DMC and features several specialty stitches and three charms which represent each designer.
Part one, by Shepherd’s Bush is 56 stitches by 43 stitches and features two little sheep and flowers along with dividers stitched in The Satin Stitch, The Herringbone Stitch, The Rice Stitch, The Hungarian Stitch and The Knitting Stitch. Also attached in the center of the second band is a sterling silver shepherd charm.
Here is a snap of the first three bands of Part I that I have completed. The little sheep are adorable!
Bunnies
What is cuter that a Bunny Butt ??
Three Bunny Butts !!!
This is another of the “Stitcher Surprise” kits from my LNS. I still have about 6 left to stitch and about 15 monthly Santa’s to do. I now have 12 pieces where I have completed stitching and are in my: To Be Constructed into ~ a pillow ~ a banner ~ a flat fold ~ a Christmas Card Holder (this one is still bubbling as I ponder how to do this.. I want it to be some sort of box, covered with fabric with my '”Sparkles the Snowman” piece attached to the front. Hard to describe but I know what I want it to look like in my head..just gotta get it out of there and in production.
This little Bunny Butt piece is on yellow 18 ct. fabric stitched over 2 with one strand of white Whisper thread and one strand of white DMC. The poofy tails are supposed to be French Knots, but as my FN’s tend to disappear to the back side of the fabric, I decided to use 2 strands of the Whisper thread and 1 of DMC and stitch them over one fabric thread. I think the first one turned out ok..and RG’s web site says that if you brush the thread with a soft bristled toothbrush the fluff will fluff out. The finished piece has bright green “Artic Rays” floss stitched for the grass and little button Easter Eggs attached along the bunny’s feet. The model at my LNS made me fall in love with this piece and I plan to finish it as a framed piece.
Today was Veterans Day and as I sat watching Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale in Pearl Harbor, I thought of all of our military personnel, both active and retired and the sacrifices they are making and have made for my Freedom. I know what the fears of having a loved one “in harms way” as my oldest son is a Sargent in the US Army and has been deployed 4 times. I am so proud of him and I hope all of you will pray with me for peace so no more of our brave men and women will have to lose their lives in an effort to satisfy the greed for power and wealth.
Three Bunny Butts !!!
This is another of the “Stitcher Surprise” kits from my LNS. I still have about 6 left to stitch and about 15 monthly Santa’s to do. I now have 12 pieces where I have completed stitching and are in my: To Be Constructed into ~ a pillow ~ a banner ~ a flat fold ~ a Christmas Card Holder (this one is still bubbling as I ponder how to do this.. I want it to be some sort of box, covered with fabric with my '”Sparkles the Snowman” piece attached to the front. Hard to describe but I know what I want it to look like in my head..just gotta get it out of there and in production.
This little Bunny Butt piece is on yellow 18 ct. fabric stitched over 2 with one strand of white Whisper thread and one strand of white DMC. The poofy tails are supposed to be French Knots, but as my FN’s tend to disappear to the back side of the fabric, I decided to use 2 strands of the Whisper thread and 1 of DMC and stitch them over one fabric thread. I think the first one turned out ok..and RG’s web site says that if you brush the thread with a soft bristled toothbrush the fluff will fluff out. The finished piece has bright green “Artic Rays” floss stitched for the grass and little button Easter Eggs attached along the bunny’s feet. The model at my LNS made me fall in love with this piece and I plan to finish it as a framed piece.
Today was Veterans Day and as I sat watching Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale in Pearl Harbor, I thought of all of our military personnel, both active and retired and the sacrifices they are making and have made for my Freedom. I know what the fears of having a loved one “in harms way” as my oldest son is a Sargent in the US Army and has been deployed 4 times. I am so proud of him and I hope all of you will pray with me for peace so no more of our brave men and women will have to lose their lives in an effort to satisfy the greed for power and wealth.
My Sewing Machine has gone bonkers
I decided on Saturday to finish some of my small projects and wouldn’t you know it, my sewing machine decided to quit working. Plans were to construct the flange pillow for my “Give Thanks”, the double ruffle pillow for “Did Someone Say Picnic”, the double flange pillow for “Wish Winter” and construct the banner for “Hearts and Hands for America”.. Those plans were dashed when on the first line of stitching, the machine started eating the fabric. No amount of brushing, pulling caught threads out and tweaking would make things work properly, so it is off to the repair shop. I guess these projects will have to be put on the back burner until repairs are done.
Most recently I completed stitching this cute little snowman called “Sparkles” He is stitched on 10 count Blue Aida with a sparkle thread using Kreinik Metallic threads. Thank goodness for someone’s suggestion of using “Thread Heaven” because this thread is a bear to stitch with. I would like to finish this as a Card Holder if I could find directions or a pattern to use. I am not very creative when it comes to putting things together but do have an idea of what I want it to look like.
Then Sunday I completed this little cute piece called “Teatime” It is stitched on 10 count Aida using 4 strands of DMC in greens and yellows and has a little Tulip and two Leaf charms from Mill Hill attached to the band of the teapot. I’m not sure how to tinish this one. Any Suggestions?
I pulled out Dragon Dreams “Fantasy Sampler” and discovered that the fabric I had purchased for this piece was Lugana (which to me is hatefully thick, heavy fabric to stitch on). So putting that aside until I can purchase another piece of light pink linen, I have decided to work on my Santa Ornaments.
Several years ago, I enrolled it a project of the month from Cross-Stitch and More. I have about 15 kitted up projects from there so with Christmas coming up, this would be a good time to work on them.
This little Santa stitched up really quick. He is designed by Heart Strings and is called “On the way to the Millennium” as the banner was charted with the year 2000 on it. I omitted that (since I am about 10 years late in stitching him) and haven’t decided whether to stitch this year or something else like “Peace” or “Joy”. What do you think?
On to the next Santa..
Most recently I completed stitching this cute little snowman called “Sparkles” He is stitched on 10 count Blue Aida with a sparkle thread using Kreinik Metallic threads. Thank goodness for someone’s suggestion of using “Thread Heaven” because this thread is a bear to stitch with. I would like to finish this as a Card Holder if I could find directions or a pattern to use. I am not very creative when it comes to putting things together but do have an idea of what I want it to look like.
I pulled out Dragon Dreams “Fantasy Sampler” and discovered that the fabric I had purchased for this piece was Lugana (which to me is hatefully thick, heavy fabric to stitch on). So putting that aside until I can purchase another piece of light pink linen, I have decided to work on my Santa Ornaments.
Several years ago, I enrolled it a project of the month from Cross-Stitch and More. I have about 15 kitted up projects from there so with Christmas coming up, this would be a good time to work on them.
This little Santa stitched up really quick. He is designed by Heart Strings and is called “On the way to the Millennium” as the banner was charted with the year 2000 on it. I omitted that (since I am about 10 years late in stitching him) and haven’t decided whether to stitch this year or something else like “Peace” or “Joy”. What do you think?
On to the next Santa..
Two Finishes ~ November, 2, 2010
Election Day…awoke with rain here in the Tennessee Delta. Temps have been in the mid-60’s and boy does it look and feel like a winter day! Thank goodness HunnyB got the heavy blankets out Sunday, as I have been huddled up under one most of the day (after going to the polling place and exercising my right to vote!)
Today I worked on 2 kits I have had for many years, which were boxed up in my sewing room. They are Stitcher’s Surprise monthly projects from my LNS ~ “Stitcher’s”.
The first one finished is:
Hearts and Hands for America. A cute banner stitched on 10 CT. Betsy Ross Wheat color Lambswool using Weeks Dye Works Over Dyed threads. At the bottom of the point is attached a small American Flag button.
Then I continued with the Stitcher’s Surprise kits with “Wish Winter”. It is stitched on 20 ct. Over Two White Valerie.
The fabric has a silver shimmer thread woven in. The threads are Weeks Dye Works for the lettering and Blue Shimmer Ribbon Floss for the snow flakes. There are 3 ceramic buttons by Debbie Mum attached. This piece will be finished as a flange pillow using the shown blue snowflake fabric.
That’s all I have for 2day!
Today I worked on 2 kits I have had for many years, which were boxed up in my sewing room. They are Stitcher’s Surprise monthly projects from my LNS ~ “Stitcher’s”.
The first one finished is:
Hearts and Hands for America. A cute banner stitched on 10 CT. Betsy Ross Wheat color Lambswool using Weeks Dye Works Over Dyed threads. At the bottom of the point is attached a small American Flag button.
Then I continued with the Stitcher’s Surprise kits with “Wish Winter”. It is stitched on 20 ct. Over Two White Valerie. The fabric has a silver shimmer thread woven in. The threads are Weeks Dye Works for the lettering and Blue Shimmer Ribbon Floss for the snow flakes. There are 3 ceramic buttons by Debbie Mum attached. This piece will be finished as a flange pillow using the shown blue snowflake fabric.
That’s all I have for 2day!
And the winner is ~
~ of the JSC 2010 Christmas Ornament issue is---Sunshine. I have sent a message to you so please email me by Saturday with your mailing information.
Thanks for all the great comments and for entering.
Victoria Sampler Hearts of America ~ Georgia
I have just completed the 4th in the Victoria Sampler’s Hearts of America which is the State of Georgia. Georgia was the 4th colonial state to ratify the federal Constitution on December 7, 1787. The design features the Cherokee Rose or the White Chinese Rose, approved in 1916 as the official state flower. The plants are prolific and were originally brought to Georgia from China and sold to large homesteads and plantations in the 1800’s The Georgia Peach symbolizes Georgia’s major agricultural industry: Peach growing as well as the State Nickname: The Peach State. The State Bird is the Brown Thrasher and the State Tree is the Live Oak. Under the peach you will find stitched in green Partial Rhodes Stitch which symbolizes the State’s many beautiful State parks, 77,500 acres of natural beauty from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast. The state motto is Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.
The featured stitch for this piece is the “Ribbed Spider Web” in the band of Azaleas, Georgia’s State wild flower. The Georgia butterfly, a Tiger Swallowtail, is represented by the Rhodes Butterfly at the bottom of the heart.
October 26, 2010 ~ Dog Lessons for People
Finished! .. What a darling piece this stitched up to be. I finished Lizzie Kate’s “Dog Lessons for People” last night. I love the adorable simplicity of LK patterns. Even though I have dogs and not cats, I may have to order her “Cat Lessons for People” and stitch it as a companion piece to this one!One of the blogs I visit regularly is having some great book giveaways. Visit Parajunkee's View. She is having drawings for several books with Vampires & Witches, oh my!
Don’t forget to click on the live links on the right for other great giveaways. Just don’t enter so the odds will be in my favor!
Saturday ~ October 23, 2010 .. A Little Giveaway
KNOTS … KNOTS …
Oh, how I love the way Hand Over Dyed Fibers look after stitching a piece… But Oh, how they tangle. If I have picked out 1 knot, I have picked out 50!! Does this happen to everyone out there? I don’t seem to have this problem with DMC Floss !?!
Just a quick update on my Lizzie Kate “Dog Lessons for People”.. Here is a photo of the stitching through this afternoon:
It really looks good on the fabric I chose.
I discovered today that somehow I wound up with 2 copies of Just Cross Stitch 2010 Ornament Issue. So, why not have another drawing for it?
If you would like to win this magazine, you can get up to 3 entries:
1. Leave a comment on this post only that you would like to win.
2. Be or become a follower.
3. Mention it on your blog.
Drawing will be Monday, November 1.
Oh, how I love the way Hand Over Dyed Fibers look after stitching a piece… But Oh, how they tangle. If I have picked out 1 knot, I have picked out 50!! Does this happen to everyone out there? I don’t seem to have this problem with DMC Floss !?!
Just a quick update on my Lizzie Kate “Dog Lessons for People”.. Here is a photo of the stitching through this afternoon:It really looks good on the fabric I chose.
I discovered today that somehow I wound up with 2 copies of Just Cross Stitch 2010 Ornament Issue. So, why not have another drawing for it?
If you would like to win this magazine, you can get up to 3 entries:
1. Leave a comment on this post only that you would like to win.
2. Be or become a follower.
3. Mention it on your blog.
Drawing will be Monday, November 1.
October 21, 2010 ~ Is it Thursday already?
…..Where has the week gone??
A little catch up. HunnyB has been in Minneapolis since Monday playing/watching racquetball. This is a once a year thing that was for the past 18-19 years, here in our town. It is always a fun time for him to pal around with his guy friends. I on the other hand haven’t been able to sleep for some reason. Yes, I have stayed alone. He has traveled some for his job. And good grief, I was a single parent for 12 years and owned my own house, and raised 2 boys !! I guess as we get older and settled, we get “comfy” in the way we live and when something happens to tip the cart it just takes some adjustment. That being said:
Can you tell what I have been doing most of the week by this photo ?
Ahh..Hemm … tuning up the pipes..”Froggie went a rippin, he did rip..uh huh .. uh huh ~ Froggie went a rippin, he did rip..uh huh .. uh huh ~ Froggie went a rippin when he stitched, he did mess up quite a bit..~ Froggie went a rippin he did rip ..uh huh..
I began the week on Monday with picking out a pattern to stitch on the Round Robin piece I received from Tina. I had decided to stitch on the Halloween piece, and selected a darling freebie piece by Brooks Books Publishing. And wouldn’t ya know it, it had FROGS on it. Well, about 3/4 the way through, I realized that when I put my floss bobbins in baggies and labled them with the stitching symbol … what did I do ??? I switched two colors, and the first frog ended up with hot pink front legs !! (something told me that there was something wrong, but not until I began with the backstitching did I realize it) .. So that big pile of floss snippets… It was frogs… REALLY FROGS!!
Soooo, after stitching for about 8 hours and ripping for 5 hours, I changed to a simpler pattern and stitched this Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Isn’t he cute with his candy corn and all ??
Then this morning I started Lizzie Kate’s “Dog Lessons for People”.. Here is a photo of the piece so far…
The photo doesn’t show up the color of the fabric, and that is what I think is going to make this piece so pretty. It is called “Sand” but instead of being an off white as I picture sand being, it is sort of a very ..very light pumpkin color… real pretty!! It is cashel linen, and I think THAT is the fabric I truly like !
I guess that is all the news that is news here. Don’t forget to visit the blogs I have listed on the right slidebar for some great give aways.
….. and watch out that the frogs don’t visit you !
A little catch up. HunnyB has been in Minneapolis since Monday playing/watching racquetball. This is a once a year thing that was for the past 18-19 years, here in our town. It is always a fun time for him to pal around with his guy friends. I on the other hand haven’t been able to sleep for some reason. Yes, I have stayed alone. He has traveled some for his job. And good grief, I was a single parent for 12 years and owned my own house, and raised 2 boys !! I guess as we get older and settled, we get “comfy” in the way we live and when something happens to tip the cart it just takes some adjustment. That being said:
Can you tell what I have been doing most of the week by this photo ?
Ahh..Hemm … tuning up the pipes..”Froggie went a rippin, he did rip..uh huh .. uh huh ~ Froggie went a rippin, he did rip..uh huh .. uh huh ~ Froggie went a rippin when he stitched, he did mess up quite a bit..~ Froggie went a rippin he did rip ..uh huh..
I began the week on Monday with picking out a pattern to stitch on the Round Robin piece I received from Tina. I had decided to stitch on the Halloween piece, and selected a darling freebie piece by Brooks Books Publishing. And wouldn’t ya know it, it had FROGS on it. Well, about 3/4 the way through, I realized that when I put my floss bobbins in baggies and labled them with the stitching symbol … what did I do ??? I switched two colors, and the first frog ended up with hot pink front legs !! (something told me that there was something wrong, but not until I began with the backstitching did I realize it) .. So that big pile of floss snippets… It was frogs… REALLY FROGS!!
Soooo, after stitching for about 8 hours and ripping for 5 hours, I changed to a simpler pattern and stitched this Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Isn’t he cute with his candy corn and all ??
Then this morning I started Lizzie Kate’s “Dog Lessons for People”.. Here is a photo of the piece so far…The photo doesn’t show up the color of the fabric, and that is what I think is going to make this piece so pretty. It is called “Sand” but instead of being an off white as I picture sand being, it is sort of a very ..very light pumpkin color… real pretty!! It is cashel linen, and I think THAT is the fabric I truly like !
I guess that is all the news that is news here. Don’t forget to visit the blogs I have listed on the right slidebar for some great give aways.
….. and watch out that the frogs don’t visit you !
October 17, 2010 ….and the Winner is….
Kimberly R. …. come on down ~ and email your snail mail information to… cindi.j@comcast.net .
After listing all the entries and new followers on a spreadsheet, I used a random number generator at Startrek.com .
Kimberly won my first ever blog giveaway which is a Cross Stitcher ~ October, 2010 magazine. Thanks to everyone that has visited, become followers and commented about my stitching.
I guess cross stitch and the internet compete for most of my time. Everything else I can do without…. housework, cooking, laundry, bathing, exercise, sleeping, eating, … well maybe not eating …I can eat and blog hop simultaneously. I wouldn’t want to shrivel up and blow away, as if there is a chance of that.
I have decided, today, that I just don’t like stitching on Lugana. I ordered 2 pieces from Joann at 123Stitch.com and thought it was somewhat like linen. It is an Evenweave fabric but definately NOT a Linen. I needed a piece of Khaki colored fabric and when I found that 28 ct. Lugana was the perfect color I needed I went with it. Ugh….. I think I need to stick with linen. This fabric is bulky and thick like Aida. BUT, for me, Lugana is hard to stitch on…..but it is the perfect color! I guess instead of saving $3.00-$4.00 ordering online, I need to get off my butt and trek over to my LNS…(I do like to support my LNS but it all the way across town and my fingers do the ordering so much easier on the net). Is that lazy or what???
As stated, I am stitching an additional set of ornaments for the Stitching Corp (photos at a later date). Tina, a fellow stitcher that I have known for many years is hosting/sponsoring/collecting pairs of ornies that she will mail to deployed US service personnel and their families. One is mailed to the service member over seas and a matching one is mailed to their family here at home. This is a project that is close to my heart since I also have a son that is in the Army and has been to the “SandBox” 4 times. Thank the Lord he missed out on deployment this year. He is just training to be a Green Beret (as if that is any safer ???!!!???) Mom is turning grey fast… But if I haven’t stated before, I am so proud of My Two Sons. You know. when they were young I thought they would someday be wearing prison stripes and I would be talking to them behind glass!!LOL!! I guess anyone that has raised teenage boys could probably say the same.
Well, enough of my mindless ramblings…My Beauty Shop Girl is on her way over to trim/color my hair..( I am lucky to have a personal beautician that does house calls).
Till next time….
After listing all the entries and new followers on a spreadsheet, I used a random number generator at Startrek.com .
Kimberly won my first ever blog giveaway which is a Cross Stitcher ~ October, 2010 magazine. Thanks to everyone that has visited, become followers and commented about my stitching.
I guess cross stitch and the internet compete for most of my time. Everything else I can do without…. housework, cooking, laundry, bathing, exercise, sleeping, eating, … well maybe not eating …I can eat and blog hop simultaneously. I wouldn’t want to shrivel up and blow away, as if there is a chance of that.
I have decided, today, that I just don’t like stitching on Lugana. I ordered 2 pieces from Joann at 123Stitch.com and thought it was somewhat like linen. It is an Evenweave fabric but definately NOT a Linen. I needed a piece of Khaki colored fabric and when I found that 28 ct. Lugana was the perfect color I needed I went with it. Ugh….. I think I need to stick with linen. This fabric is bulky and thick like Aida. BUT, for me, Lugana is hard to stitch on…..but it is the perfect color! I guess instead of saving $3.00-$4.00 ordering online, I need to get off my butt and trek over to my LNS…(I do like to support my LNS but it all the way across town and my fingers do the ordering so much easier on the net). Is that lazy or what???
As stated, I am stitching an additional set of ornaments for the Stitching Corp (photos at a later date). Tina, a fellow stitcher that I have known for many years is hosting/sponsoring/collecting pairs of ornies that she will mail to deployed US service personnel and their families. One is mailed to the service member over seas and a matching one is mailed to their family here at home. This is a project that is close to my heart since I also have a son that is in the Army and has been to the “SandBox” 4 times. Thank the Lord he missed out on deployment this year. He is just training to be a Green Beret (as if that is any safer ???!!!???) Mom is turning grey fast… But if I haven’t stated before, I am so proud of My Two Sons. You know. when they were young I thought they would someday be wearing prison stripes and I would be talking to them behind glass!!LOL!! I guess anyone that has raised teenage boys could probably say the same.
Well, enough of my mindless ramblings…My Beauty Shop Girl is on her way over to trim/color my hair..( I am lucky to have a personal beautician that does house calls).
Till next time….
October 16, 2010
Well, yesterday was a busy day ~ and I had very little time to stitch on my Monopoly or Army Emblem. I had lots of errands to run and along with a trip to Hobby Lobby for finishing fabric, WalMart for just, you know, WalMart stuff, my brother's place to drop off some things he needed (he is staying at a rehab center - uh rehabing-which is another story altogether), laundry and a girlfriend's house to pick up school fund raiser stuff I ordered from her daughter, I spent about 2 hours at the car dealership service department getting all the stuff that was needed ~ you know, oil change, air filter, new wiper blades ~ all that stuff they stick you with when you take your car in for just an oil change. Oh, I haven’t mentioned that I am going to be a Racquetball Widow from this Monday until next Monday. I am doing excited happy dances really going to miss my HunnyB while he is away in Minneapolis. You know, I won’t get to cook dinner every night and do dishes – instead I will have to just sit and cross stitch and watch movies. What a dull time… Anyway, back to my day yesterday. I had the car serviced and was told it needed tires… (I drive a 2004 Ford Explorer-not the Mini Cooper I would love to be sporting around in)… so after spending 2 hours at in the dealership service department, I headed over to the tire center to spend another 2 hours waiting to get new tires. Then to the car wash to have my baby bathed. Oh, I didn’t mention that HunnyB is taking MY car out of town and leaving me with the BIG BLUE LOUD MONSTER TRUCK!!
Anyway, back to my stitching for Friday. My two WIP/UFO’s are too big to carry around on errands with me so I had to start another piece. It was a rather small one that was designed by three ladies that own my LNS ~ Jan, Margie & Nina.
Sadly Nina passed away several years ago due to Breast Cancer. The piece titled “Hearts of Hope” is stitched on 32 ct. linen in shades of Green and Mauve. I bought the kit probably 8 years ago and it has beenlying neglected boxed carefully in my sewing room with about 20 other kits I bought around the same time. All of them are cute, quick to stitch pieces that can be made into pillows, stand-ups or flat folds. The pattern was designed to make into a Needle Roll, but I think instead I am going to finish it as a flat fold. I bought this really cute pink tiny heart print fabric
to finish this piece
that I stitched up this week as a Christmas gift for my water aerobics instructor. It is a so cute freebie pattern from Sue Hillis Designs. There is also one that says "Put on your Big Boy Shorts and deal with it" that I need to stitch for my HunnyB. Anyway, I think the fabric will be perfect for the Hearts of Hope piece also and it will make up into a really cute flat fold.
The other piece I completed stitching on is a really darling Thanksgiving piece ~ Give Thanks ~ the A in Thanks is replaced with a cute little ceramic Turkey Button. I think I will try to find some small print Thanksgiving like (or fall print) fabric and make this into a ruffled throw pillow…Any other suggestions ??
On another happy note, I received my goodies from Missy. I believe I have mentioned that I won the 8th day in Missy & Annette’s 31 days of Halloween. I got a darling pin pillow that Missy stitched on silver/grey linen. She backed it with black velvet fabric and added beaded dangles all around with black spiders dangling down and stuck in a little pumpkin counting pin. She also sent a black spider floss bobbin with red DMC wound, and a bag of Halloween Candy. Soooo exciting !!!
The last bit of news for 2day is that I received my Round Robin piece from Tina and am in a quandary as to what to stitch. She sent two pieces, a Mystery/Halloween piece and a Down by the Sea piece. They are incomplete RR’s that she was wanting to get filled up. What should I stitch ?? The Mystery/Halloween piece ?? The Down by the Sea piece ?? OR stitch something on both pieces ??
Anyway, back to my stitching for Friday. My two WIP/UFO’s are too big to carry around on errands with me so I had to start another piece. It was a rather small one that was designed by three ladies that own my LNS ~ Jan, Margie & Nina.
Sadly Nina passed away several years ago due to Breast Cancer. The piece titled “Hearts of Hope” is stitched on 32 ct. linen in shades of Green and Mauve. I bought the kit probably 8 years ago and it has been
to finish this piece that I stitched up this week as a Christmas gift for my water aerobics instructor. It is a so cute freebie pattern from Sue Hillis Designs. There is also one that says "Put on your Big Boy Shorts and deal with it" that I need to stitch for my HunnyB. Anyway, I think the fabric will be perfect for the Hearts of Hope piece also and it will make up into a really cute flat fold.
The other piece I completed stitching on is a really darling Thanksgiving piece ~ Give Thanks ~ the A in Thanks is replaced with a cute little ceramic Turkey Button. I think I will try to find some small print Thanksgiving like (or fall print) fabric and make this into a ruffled throw pillow…Any other suggestions ??
On another happy note, I received my goodies from Missy. I believe I have mentioned that I won the 8th day in Missy & Annette’s 31 days of Halloween. I got a darling pin pillow that Missy stitched on silver/grey linen. She backed it with black velvet fabric and added beaded dangles all around with black spiders dangling down and stuck in a little pumpkin counting pin. She also sent a black spider floss bobbin with red DMC wound, and a bag of Halloween Candy. Soooo exciting !!!The last bit of news for 2day is that I received my Round Robin piece from Tina and am in a quandary as to what to stitch. She sent two pieces, a Mystery/Halloween piece and a Down by the Sea piece. They are incomplete RR’s that she was wanting to get filled up. What should I stitch ?? The Mystery/Halloween piece ?? The Down by the Sea piece ?? OR stitch something on both pieces ??
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