Stitching and Sharing......

WIPocalypse Update 1/9/12

2012-01-09T21:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to share my little progress on my wip's.

First up is Beneath the Sunlit Sky - I am loving this one and am going to go sit down and pick it back up for a little while before heading to bed.

And I also started on January cottage by country cottage as my winter stitch instead of Percy the Penguin.

I have quite a bit of finishing to do for others so need to get that going as well, so stitching will be a little bit on the back burner for a couple days.

WIP's I am working on

2012-01-04T17:43:00.001-08:00

Well I did get a couple pics of the few WIP's I pulled out of my basket from my first 15 to work on.
Here is Beneath The Sunlit Sky by BBD

Next up is Easter Treat by Trilogy

Next is Cottage Charm by Milady's Needle

And the last one I pulled out of the basket was The Maderia Tin class I took from Fancy Work a few years ago. I just need to finish stitching the pinkeep and assemble it. ugh why haven't i finished this one already???? LOL

I am currently stitching on Beneath The Sunlit Sky and really moving along (for me) and really hope to have it finished in a week (maybe). LOL But that is my goal. i really want to widdle down my WIP's, it is embarrassing how many i have. OY!

Another year has gone by

2011-12-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? It really does fly by faster the older we get doesn't it? LOL I have been busy stitching Christmas Ornaments for family and exchanges, will post pics once i get them uploaded here. sigh....

I have joined Measi's WIPocalypse 2012 and have listed my first 15 WIP's that i want to get finished. Once I finish one, I will replace it with another WIP. I have way more than I ever imagined I would and will not post that number on here as it is WAYYY out of control. another big sigh............ BUT I am determined to finish alot of them and not let myself by any stash, except for fabric or threads if needed for a project until i have a few finished, etc. I have punished myself with not buying stash. LOL There is just one new start in the list and that one is Percy by Heart in Hand that i have just recently purchased (before Christmas) and want to get finished and up on my mantle with all my snowmen for the winter. Backwater Buck, affectionately known as, That Damn Deer, WILL be finished before March! It is for my hubby and it has been a UFO for close to 15 years. AHHHHHHHHH hence the name, that damn deer. LOL Our anniversary is March 2nd and I really want it done and then i can just rest easily, especially since he asks about it ALL the time.

I will post pics sometime this weekend of all 15 WIPS, so we can see progress etc. I have also purchased a large project for 2012 but won't allow myself to start it until i have at least 3 projects finished. It is Judy O'Dell's Mary Wigham 1790 Wardrobe and is absolutely stunning. Just click on that link Judy O'dells above and you can see detailed pics of it. It is a huge taking on, but i am in love with it, not the color as I am changing that to a red or blue.

Well, I need to get stitching, and hopefully back tomorrow with pics of my wips. Happy New Year to you all and have a safe and healthy one!!!

Pay It Forward

2011-11-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

1). Send no less than 5 stitching related items per person within the next 365 days.

2). Items can be DMC, other threads, stitching needles, straight pins, buttons, scissors, ribbons, ect. - a combination of items such as 3 threads, 1 pack of straight pins, and 1 pack of stitching needles or just 5 threads.

3). The items must be new and not used.4). If you win, you must be willing to post this PIF on your blog and do the same for at least 2 people.

This PIF is very simple and easy to do.So that's all there is to it. Just leave a comment on this post (with your email please) and you're entered. I'll be picking 2 winners 2 weeks from today. Feel free to post this on your blogs or tell your friends about it. The more the merrier. Have fun with this and good luck!

Winner of Giveaway is................

2011-11-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

The winner has been drawn and it is ......... Charity! Congrats! I have emailed you Charity, but if you could please email me at kmdecker2000@yahoo.com that would be great. My computer sent it from some email but i can't find my sent email. LOL darn computers!

Belated-Blogoversary Giveaway

2011-10-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

***updated: winner will be announced Nov 1st****

Well, my blogoversary was yesterday and i missed it. LOL I wanted to have something stitched up to have as a giveaway but just no time right now. SOOOOOO, i am going to still have a blogoversary giveaway for a stack of pincushions made by me. They will be 4 in, 3 in, and 2 in. I made some for the PALS sewing exchange and had a hard time letting go of them so need to make more and of course a stack for me too.

If you would like to be entered into my "be-lated blogoversary giveaway" just make a comment on this post. You do not have to have a blog to be entered but you do need to leave an email for me to be able to get in touch with you if you are the winner.

It's September already?

2011-09-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

And it is still hot here in AZ. ugh! I cannot wait for the day to open the doors and windows and no AC. I haven't been getting much stitching done lately, don't know if it's the heat or the combination of the heat and the grandbaby. He does take up alot of time but so worth it. Shane is 6 months old now and starting to crawl, lord help us now and just started sitting himself up by himself in the last couple days. He is such a chunker.

And here is Shane with Madison, Melissa's daughter and our grandbaby. Melissa is a third daughter to us, as best friend to our daughter and has lived with us on and off. look at all that hair on little Madi.

I was asked by Sharon Crescent of Crescent Colours/Miss Crescents Crowne to stitch and finsih and couple ornaments for her this year. What fun is that?! Here is Jolly that she stitched and I finished for the JCS Ornament issue. I corded some fun fur in lime green and couched it on around the edges, fun!

And here is the one I stitched and finished for Sharon for the JCS Preview issue. very fun. Used a red satin ribbon and ruched it around the edges and twisted a bendable wire for the hanger with a couple red jingle bells.

I do have a couple little finished i managed to stitch up and finish last night for myself. I have to take pics of some of my other larger wip's i have been working on, but really need to get moving on my exchange pieces for the PALS retreat in Oct in Myrtle Beach.
Here is Jolly by Miss Crescent's Crowne from the JCS ornie issue that I stitched up for myself.

Here is Happy Halloween by Fresh Threads Studio that i stitched up for myself as well. It is stitched on 30ct WDW Pumpkin and i made the hanger out of bendable wire and just threaded the buttons through it.

And here is Life's A Beach by Lizzie Kate that i finished up during the summer.

I just wanted to stop by real quick and let you all know I am alive just been really busy with this little guy.

Added lots of sale items

2011-07-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

I just finished updating my sale blog with lots of stash for sale. come take a look! if you see anything you like you can email me at kmdecker2000@yahoo.com

GO! baby cutter giveaway

2011-07-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

on Amy's blog here
Go check it out! hoping and hoping i win this one! really want to play with it and have some more fun with the sewing machine!

wow, halfway through July already

2011-07-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

**updated with a couple more pics - evening July 18th**

and here i am finally posting some pics. OY! Its just been crazy and this new computer has me frazzled (its a newer system than what we are used to). LOL
Diane and I decided to do a 4th of July exchange so i brought mine with me to Indiana to give to her. I stitched Thankful for Ewe by Crescent Colours using CC and coffee dyed the fabric. I painted and waxed the box and added some other goodies in the box too. There were other goodies but i forgot to take a pic of everything.

And here is the pillow that Diane made for me, it is a Chessie & Me design and i love it! she did an awesome job!

Well, I went to Indiana in June for a week to hang out with my dear friend Diane and we were going to the Only One Ewe retreat for the weekend to also hang out with another dear friend Yvonne. What fun we had! It was so nice to hang out with a stitching friend and do all those wonderful fun things we enjoy doing, like stitching of course, shopping, tearing up the craft room (LOL) and stitching and more shopping, etc. And of course Harley, Diane's schnauzer, he was my buddy while i was there. What a great little dog he is. :)

I got there late Monday night and on Tuesday we drove to Cincinnati OH to go to a not so LNS but a couple hour drive and so worth it to go to Keepsakes. I cannot remember how long we were there but it was quite awhile. We were sitting on the floor going through everything she had in the shop. LOL I didn't get any pics of our stash we acquired (maybe thats a good thing, because we shopped really well). On Thursday we drove up to Indianapolis to pick up Yvonne from the airport but since her plane was delayed a couple hours we stopped in the LNS there as well while we waited for her and did some damage there as well. I found a couple charts i have been looking for for awhile, VooDoo Girl and VooDoo Bob. I have seen them stitched up all over the internet but can never find the patterns, well i now own them. :) They are just too cute.
After picking up Yvonne it was another bit of a drive to Terre Haute (haute sounds like coat, if you didn't know, i didn't) LOL for the retreat. We got all checked in and met up with Jan of Only One Ewe and the other gals that were retreating with us. Vonna the Twisted Stitcher was also one of us there and what fun she is! She also taught a class on Saturday with the stitching we did before we all got there. (sorry my picture is crooked) LOL

At the retreat we had a couple exchanges, one was a Christmas ornament exchange. I stitched two pieces for it and right now only have pic of one. LOL (the other is on the camera and need to upload software to new computer).

Here are the two ornaments i rec'd in the exchange. Oh joy was stitched by Diane and the bluebird was stitched by Brenda. I love them both!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I am hoping that blogger will let me post, it has been a pain in the butt to say the least the last couple months. grrrrrrrr I have been stitching but not able to post pics and got a new computer so need to upload camera software. LOL

But, just wanted to stop by real quick and say Happy 4th of July to everyone and updates with pics will be coming shortly as i can get them on here. :)

Hope everyone is staying inside and cool, it was 118 here on saturday! UGH!!! we did have 30% humidity with it, but the 118 alone was enough.

stay cool!

Just a few finishes to share

2011-04-25T21:39:00.000-07:00

I need to get better at my blogging here. This going a month between posts is ridiculous. LOL First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. It was quite a nice day here, 82 and breezy.

I have been stitching but a couple I can't share as they were models and for the JCS ornie issues, so you will just have to wait to see those. :0) They are cute!

I have had a few finishes for others with Finely Finished. First there is this very cute LK design that Bette stitched up for an exchange and I finished it into a flatfold for her. Just love the colors on this one.

Next up is another finish for Michelle (no blog) for an exchange, yet another LK design that turned out really cute and now on my must stitch list. Thanks Michelle! ;) Michelle also asked me to make a little pincushion with the backing fabric she sent for her partner and the pins I also made. THere was just enough fabric on the piece i cut to make a little scissor fob pincushion for her.

Carolyn (no blog)had finished stitching up Peep by, you guessed it LK. LOL I made this one into a triangle box for her and love how it turned out. And also an ornament by LHN.

Last summer Michele, Chris and I went to the Silver Needle to take a class with Barb & Alma of Blackbird Designs. Well, i finally finished up my needleroll into an actual needleroll. I don't know what took me so long, this was very simple to sew. I can see making more of these in the future. Here is a picture of all the pieces that i finished up from our class, complete! I guess i now "pass" the class. LOL

Recently i stitched up Happy Bunny Bunny Day by Trilogy for myself on a misc piece of lakeside linens (a greeny color and very pretty in person). the picture doesn't do the fabric justice. I made it into an Easel just in time for Easter. LOL Diane rec'd the little pincushion pillow i made for her along with some other goodies. This was a freebie but not sure where i got it, it has been printed off for awhile. but i stitched it over 1 on a misc piece of light blue fabric. The rick rack is from Victorian Motto, very soft and pretty.

Brianna and Shane came over the other day to hang out and get the dogs use to having the baby around. I took a couple pictures, well alot, but will just share a couple. LOL He is 3 1/2 weeks old now and just growing. Bri goes back to work around May 10th or so and then Shane will be coming here 4 days a week while they work. Lots of spoiling going on. LOL

Baby Shane is here!!!!

2011-03-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

Brianna had Shane Rylan early this morning at 1:13am, he weighed in at 7lbs 15oz and 21 inches long. He is absolutely beautiful. mom and dad and baby are doing great! heading back to see them soon when Doug gets home. Didn't get home until 3am from hospital so i am wiped out but that is ok. I got to be in there when he was born and was that amazing and the waterworks started. :) Justin's mom was also in there and we were just the "waterworks" team. LOL

Stash For Sale

2011-03-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

I have added some stash for sale here at my sale blog Stashing Away If interested in anything please email me at kmdecker2000@yahoo.com thanks!

Wow its been a month since i last posted

2011-03-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it's late March and i am finally updating the old blog. I have been stitching, finishing, etc, just been busy and camera and computer just don't cooperate. LOL First off, I will start with a couple St. Patrick's Day finishes I had for myself. I stitched up Leggy Leprechaun by HIH and made him into a pinkeep and also stitched up March Cupboard sampler by The Sampler Girl and made a little pillow. I really like how they both turned out. I have one other that i stitched but didn't finish and forgot to take a pic of. next time. Next up are a few pieces i have had stitched up and just hanging around in the closet. These are for my "possibilities" for finishing. Housework by Lizzie Kate, Bunny zipper kit by Bent Creek and A Hug Will do but do not remember who it is by. These were fun to make into pillows and my first wall hanging. I can see more wallhangings in the near future now that i know how easy they are to make. :) Here is my ornament for February. I finished up a fair & square piece that i received from Nadia into an ornament. I went simple with this one but like it. ;) I still have to do my March ornament. Natasha is my partner for the Friends Stitching Through The Seasons exchange and sent me this awesome pillow, bunny and gorgeous fabric. Thanks again Natasha! It is up on my mantle for everyone to enjoy! :) Also, for the Friends stitching through the seasons exchange, I am stitching for Kim and here is the pillow and goodies i sent to her. The other day my mail lady Shirley brought me a very fun little package from Diane. It is the cutest little pincushion in a tulip jar and she stitched the little card and sent along a little egg shaped notepad. THanks again Diane! I love it. I also already added some springy pins that i made to it. :) Well, that's about it for tonight. Hopefully will have more updates soon. I still have a few more pics of stitching and wips to take but in a couple days. We are now playing the waiting game with my daughter who is due on Thursday with her first baby. :)

A few finishes for me

2011-02-12T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well, i have been able to finish stitching a couple pieces on my crazy 15 challenge and actually "finish" them for myself as well.
My ornament for January is My Favorite Time by Lizzie Kate. I had actually stitched this one in December but never finished it, but I am still counting it for my January ornie. :)

This next pillow finish i have I have posted on the Possibilities blog. All those pesky little stitched pieces you have just hanging around and never actually "finished" them into something, so this little guy got pulled out and made into a heart shaped pillow for me. This was a free chart but it was so long ago i do not remember who it was by. Not bad for my first heart shaped pillow, a bit wonky but not too bad for me. :)

This is A Little Love by Plum Pudding that i stitched up a couple years ago and also has finally found form in a pillow. That's a couple "possibilities" down and a whole LOT more to go. :)

Here is my Bent Creek's Love Happens Photobooth finished into a triangle cube. I really really like how this one turned out.

I also made a little pillow out of my I Will Stitch You in My Heart. The backing fabric has really cute little black crows and the same rusty colored flowers as the floss i used on it. perfect. :)

I have recently stitched a model for Crescent Colours and it was the Strawberry Cake from CCN's/CC's cake series chart packs. I stitched it and finished it up into a cube that looks like a slice of cake. I really like how this turned out, it was hard to send back to Sharon. LOL I can see stitching these over 1 and finishing them all the same way and displaying a an old cake plate. :)

More of the Crazy Challenge and a finish!

2011-01-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

I have some updates for my Crazy Challenge.
Day 9 - Quaker Silence by Tree of Life Samplings. I haven't gotten too far yet, but will be picking it up real soon to get moving on it. I switched out the threads to Crescent Colours cottons and really liking it so far and using the 40ct fabric listed.

Day 10 - Love Photobooth by Bent Creek. I just started this one the other night so it has been added to my list and one of them has dropped off. This is being stitched on the fabric included and i changed up the colors just a little. LOL

Day 11 - Eek Boo Hiss by Lizzie Kate. I am stitching this one on 32ct tobacco over 1. I will be doing all three on this one piece and making a cube out of them.

Day 12 - Five Fine Roosters by La D Da. I just started this one today. I am stitching it on 40ct over 2 with the DMC listed.

Day 13 - Thine is the Trick or Treat by Prairie Moon. I started this one last weekend when i was away at a retreat. I couldn't put this one down for quite awhile and almost have page 1 of 6 done. This is going to be a really fun piece to stitch up.

Day 14 - Hearts on canvas. This is my first piece of needlepoint. I decided to go with a pattern and blank canvas.

I am just starting up on Day 15 Quaker Garden by BBD and will post a pic this week.
I did manage to finish up I Will Stitch YOu in my Heart while at the retreat and America by Glory Bee. I left off the border on America as i am going to make this one into a little pillow.

Crazy Challenge continues on.....

2011-01-13T20:59:00.000-08:00

Well, i haven't kept up everyday with a new project but i am continuing my 15 day crazy challenge until i hit the 15. :)
Day 4 - i started on SB Patriotic Thoughts. not much progress but its a start.

Day 5 - CEC - Why is it? This is going to be a quick one. I changed the colors to only use 3 or 4 colors and am using Sullivans thread that Faye had sent to me in an exchange. :)

Day 6 - LK Dog Lessons I am stitching this piece on 36ct over 2 on an opalescent fabric but cannot remember the name of it right now, next time i pull it out i will update the color and using the recommended threads.

Day 7 - Good Huswife - Three Crows - this is being stitched on 40ct over 2 with the threads called for in DMC. once i get moving on this border it will be a quick stitch.

Day 8 - Shakespearre Peddler - Love the Spring stitching on 32ct linen using the dmc called for except for the 550 which is a deep purple and just didn't go, so i changed it to more of a mauve that matched a bit better.

I also finished up my first piece for the UP for a Challenge blog. It is Birds and Berries Needleroll from BBD. This was from the class i took from them in July at the Silver Needle. Now to just finish it up into a needleroll and i have everything finished from the class. :)

And I have decided to do a SAL with Kathrin from Gitta's. She started a 15 sided biscornu, and she is designing the piece as we go along. So i have chosen my fabric 28ct Tin Roof using Caron Colors Waterlilies and dmc 451 and 370 for the border. I haven't started yet, but should be soon.

It was recently Michele's birthday and i had stitched a couple pieces for her. First is the little pincushion by Shakespearre peddler and finished into the Ball jar lid. this was a fun one for sure. And the other piece is by The Stitcherhood and i finished it into a needlebook.

Day 3

2011-01-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of the 15 day crazy challenge was Simple Joys by LHN. I also have a few other starts that i need to take pics of. I was stitching and finishing a gift but have another 3 or 4 new starts. :)

Up For A Challenge wip's/ufo's

2011-01-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

I have also joined the Up for A Challenge blog so hopefully i can get some of my wip's/ufo's finished up this year too. So i can only get the slideshow to work at the bottom of my blog, so the slideshow from flickr of my wip's is at the bottom here. :)

Crazy Challenge Day 1 & 2

2011-01-03T10:01:00.001-08:00

Here is my Crazy Challenge Day 1 start on I Will Stitch You in My Heart by Heartstrings Sampler. not bad, got quite a bit done on it. :)

And here is day 2. I started on Quaker Garden Box by Carolina House. I had already started this one, but not much at all so this is my progress on Day 2.

For Day 3 (today) I am working on Simple Joys by LHN and finishing up stitching on another piece i have been working on.

Happy New Year, Goodies and Crazy Challenge

2011-01-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Happy New year everyone! here's hoping 2011 brings you all joy and happiness!
During the Christmas holiday i received a couple Christmas goodies from a couple wonderful friends. First i received this box of goodies from Michele. She stitched me Merry Christmas by Carriage House and made this gorgeous pillow. Michele also included a few little fun things for my niece and nephew and they loved them! Also there were some very yummy cookies (of which i think i got to eat 1 of them as teh boys found them) and teh yummy chex mix she makes. But didn't get pics of them fast enough. LOL Thank you so much again Michele.

I also had another little surprise show up from another wonderful friend Diane whom i just met in October in Myrtle Beach at the PALS retreat. There are lots of goodies in here from Diane along with the cute ornament she stitched. The lotion managed to find its way into Allison's (my niece 4 yrs old) backpack. LOL she is a lotion fool and loved it so how could i resist. Thank you again Diane!

Faye sent me another one of her wonderful pillows she stitched for the Friends stitching through the seasons exchagne. This was the last exchange of the year for us. Faye also included some 32t fabric, buttons, notepad and red thread. I love everything.

For the BBD exchange I received this pretty little pincushion from the Winter Wonderland leaflet stitched by Barbara from Maine. She also included some fabric, one of the BBD books. Thank you so much!

As for the Crazy Challenge, I have joined it, since I am crazy and a glutten for punishment. It was hard to narrow down my choices to 15 so i have a little back up list as well. BUT, I do have a couple pieces that i had already started but not much at all in my list. I will also be challenging myself with my WIP's. I counted them and am hanging my head in shame with how many i have. I plead the 5th on that one. But i will be widdling away at those as well. I pulled out about 5 of them to start with that i want to finish up first, then will pull another, etc etc. So, here is my lst for the Crazy Challenge:
1-Three Crows - Goode Huswife
2-Quaker Garden Box - Carolina House
3-Quaker Silence - Tree of Life
4-Simple Joys - LHN
5-Charmed Great Outdoors - Hinzeit
6-Patriotic Thoughts - SB
7-Eek Boo Hiss - LK
8-I will stitch you in my heart - Heartstrings Samplers
9-Quaker Garden - BBD
10-Why Is it? - CEC
11-Autumn @ Hawk Run Hollow - CHS
12-Five Fine Roosters - La D Da
13-Dog Lessons - LK
14-Love the Spring - Shakespearres Peddler
15-Thine is The Trick or Treat - Prairie Moon

For Christmas one of my presents from Doug was a desk from Ikea for my craft room. I can now keep the sewing machine set up at all times and not have to drag it out to the kitchen every time i want to use it. I now have my own little space to do my finishing, etc. I am so happy with it. It's a bit messy as i am still trying to organize it the way i like it.

December and finishes

2010-12-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

Well it is halfway through December and i am finally posting. LOL I am so far behind on my posting that i don't know if i will remember everything i have finished recently.
First up are the two ornaments that I had stitched/finished for the Attic's annual Breast Cancer Silent Auction here in Arizona. This was the first year I was not sick and was able to attend. It was so amazing to see all of the beautiful pieces everyone submitted, etc. and to get caught up in the bidding as well. :)

I did bid on a few items and won 3 of them. I got a little pinkeep, a Russian doll ornament/scissor keep with Kelmscott gems scissors and a beautful Quaker Sampler finished and framed. I don't have a pic of the framed sampler yet, but will soon.

Finally, here is the piece that i had sent to Jen for our personal exchange. We chose to do a Blackbird Designs exchange. This design i stitched is from the Honeysuckle Manor book and the pin cushion is an alphabet i rec'd at the BBD retreat in July at the Silver Needle.

I also have my piece here that i rec'd from Sharlene from the LK exchange. She stitched Fall squared for me and it turned out gorgeous.

Also, here is my finished Fall exchange piece I stitched for the HOE Fall exchange for Lisette. It is by Twisted Threads and over 1 on gingham.
The following pictures are finishes that i stitched over the last couple years and have finally finished them into pillows. Simply Love (don't remember the designer) using a pretty paisley fabric, Believe by Sampler Girl and Dog Hair by My Big Toe designs

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T22:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have one little finish just in time for turkey day. It is Bok Bok by Plum Street Samplers and was a freebie on their site. i love how he turned out.

Happy Bok Bok Day!

BBD exchange from Jen

2010-11-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

Jen (serialstarter blog) and I had a private exchange stitching a BBD design. I rec'd Jen's exchange piece last week and finally got the pic uploaded. It is absolutely stunning! Jen stitched a beachy themed piece for me that she got from one of BBD's retreats. It is just gorgeous! the pics just do not do it justice. Jen also framed it herself and used some gorgeous matching paper on the back along with a little note. Thanks again so much Jen!

I also have a few other exchanges rec'd but wanted to post this one tonight real quick.

And the Winner is................................

2010-11-15T21:11:00.000-08:00

KAT of flopsykittenstitchin blog! Congrats Kat! I will be emailing you soon. And since there were so many that commented and i appreciate it so much, I drew another name as well. so the 2nd winner is....................

TERRI! congrats to you as well Terri! I will be emailing you as well soon!

Again, thank you all for visiting me and making this so much fun to blog and share our passion of stitching, family, friends, etc. :)

Pals retreat take 2

2010-11-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so there was the christmas ornament exchange on Friday night and the grab bag exchange as well. Here are the two ornaments that i brought:

And here are the two ornaments that i chose from the many ornaments there. The Noel ornament was stitched by Amy SC (from downsunshinelane) but i never figured out who the other was by. I asked around but noone fessed up. Hopefully you will see this post and let me know who stitched it??????

Also, the grab bag exchange is always a blast, lots of stealing going on. LOL I totally forgot to take a pic of the grab bag i brought, but Linda said she really really liked it. :) I rec'd my grab bag from none other than Diane from IN (Juan - LOL). It was packed full with tons of goodies. I did take a pic of it. ;) All of this was in two cute little autumn boxes but i had WAY too much stuff in my suitcase and even just that little bit of paper would have pushed my suitcase weight over the 50lbs it weighed in at. LOL whew!

On Saturday night it was the stitched piece exchange with a twist. A very fun game Stephanie found and we all seemed to have fun with it. You didn't necessarily end up with the piece you originally picked up, but in the end if you and someone else wanted to trade, that was fine. :) I rec'd and got to keep :-) a little black box with stitched pansies on top, on black over 1 by Char from OH. it is beautiful! I love to stitch over 1 but never on black, Char is a brave soul! Thanks again Char!

Faye and I are in an exchange together that I run along with Michele from WA. Faye stitched me a little BBD pincushion for a thank you for running the exchagne, etc. It is beautiful and will always be cherished dear Faye! And, I had a surprise for Faye as well. I had read on her blog a week before going to Myrtle Beach that one of her closest friends was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and Faye was starting up a "pink basket" of smalls in honor of her. So i decided to stitch up Eat pray love, a free chart from the Sampler Girl in Strawberry Shake by Carrie's Creations and on the back Michele helped me string the beads (without them flying all over the place :) ) into a pink beaded ribbon and i stitched mine and Faye's names on it as well.

Well, that is about all for tonight.

3 year Blogoversary

2010-10-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I missed my 3 year blogoversary the other day, and wanted to have a giveaway for it. So, if you just post a comment to this post I will draw a name on Nov. 15th and the winner will win something from me. It will be a little "goodie bag" with a little something stitched and whatever else i feel like adding. So if you are up for a surprise, comment here!

PALS retreat in Myrtle Beach!

2010-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am home (for a few days now) from the PALS retreat in Myrtle Beach SC. What a blast it was! We had such a great time stitching, laughing, exchanging, laughing, a little more stitching and ALOT more laughing! :) Meeting up with old and new friends is just a wonderful time!
Michele and I were roomies again and can say we make great roomies! We had an adjoining room with Chris from NC and Michelle from KS and what a blast it was. A wonderful view from our rooms and the conference center we were all in for stitching and fun.
Michele and I decided to do a "little something" for some old & new friends. I made some pincushions and pins and Michele made the scissor fobs and we bagged them up all "beachy". Everyone really enjoyed them and it was fun to see them using them throughout the week. :)
On Thursday night it was the Halloween and Fall exchange and I participated in both. For the Autumn exchange I stitched the freebie Autumn from The Stitcherhood and made it into a pillow. For the Halloween exchange I stitched up a Homespun Elegance design into an ornament and also stitched Hallow's Eve (but can't remember the designer off teh top of my head right now). I rec'd in the exchanges, for autumn a beautiful flatfold finish by Tracy FL in a Brittercup kittie fall finish. I love it! and the Halloween exchange I rec'd the "pumpkin face" by casey bourgainu(sp) stitched by Michele and an un-published design by Cherished Stitches (louise henderson) in an ornament. Louise said this design should be ready by next fall in case you go looking for it. :) Diane got my Autumn pillow, here we are:

Here is the brittercup flatfold i got from Tracey for the Autumn exchange

The ornament i picked for the Halloween exchange, from Michele

and the ornament from Louise of Cherished Stitches

And here are the two i brought for the Halloween exchange
And here is my Homespun Elegance ornament

By the end of the week, we had laughed so hard and made so many great friends, Diane A. (aka Juan Cornholio Frijoles) for one. we laughed, snorted, laughed until we cried and our sides hurt, etc. This was Diane's first retreat with PALS and she fit right in from the moment she got there.
In this picture: back row: me, Michelle from KS, Toni, front row, Michele from WA, Chris and Diane laying across them. :)

One night Michele, Sharon, Chris, Jim, little Josh and I went to dinner on the pier and walked along the pier afterwards. Jim and Josh were both bent down watching the waves and it was just too cute of a pic to pass up.

Stitching portfolios

2010-10-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

Hi! another quick post from me. Recently i purchased a couple different sized "stitching portfolios" from Joan (mama joan in my sidebar) and wanted to share pics of them with you. I believe Joan still has some left for sale along with some of her gorgeous mesh bags too. They are beautifully finished and i just love mine. go take a look at her blog.

Still summer here in AZ

2010-10-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

Well, this heat is just not going away here in Arizona. They are saying this week (again) that it is going to start cooling down to the 90's, hopefully they are right this time. :)
I haven't been good about posting lately either. hanging head in shame....................... so there will be a few pics here from awhile ago this past month.
I rec'd my autumn exchange from Faye from the Friends Stitching through The Seasons exchange. Faye stitched a beautiful stocking from BBD and one of her famous pincushions along with her pins as well. She also included some wonderful yummy fabric. Thanks again Faye!!!

My exchange partner that i send to is Jill. I stitched SB Scatter Pumpkins and made it into a flatfold. i changed up the way i make the flat folds normally and attached the stitched piece to another piece with the backing fabric, etc. I really like how it turned out, and I believe Jill does as well. This is the first flat fold that Jill has. :)

I was asked by Patti if i could make a needlebook that she had seen on another blog. So i took a look at the picture and went ahead and made one with one of my finished pieces (that needed "finishing") for an example and really like how it turned out.
****Edited to give the blog post that Patti found this gorgeous needlebook done on that i used as a tutorial for mine, needlebook.

front:

inside

back

Halloween Giveaway all month

2010-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

If you haven't found Annette and Missy's 31 Days of Halloween Giveaway, go check it out. click on the picture in my sidebar for the link.

Happy Haunting!

It's been a month since i last posted??

2010-08-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

ok, so where did all the time go? I meant to post and just never did. LOL I have a few finishes for exchanges that have been rec'd.
I stitched "eek" by LK for Angela in the Lizzie Kate Exchange.It was a fun stitch, stitched it over 1 on 32ct tobacco linen, using the called for threads. I finished it into a pinkeep and attached braided "fun fur" around the edges.

Here is the pillow i received from Lisa in the LK exchange. it is just too cute. She looked at my blog and saw the pups and new i was a dog lover and made this really cute pillow. Thanks again Lisa, i love it!!

For the blackbird exchange i stitched "a stitchers companion" from the Honeysuckle Manor book for Jennifer. I used a teal thread by Victoria Motto and finished it as noted in the book. I found the wood pieces at HL and painted and waxed it. I can see more of these finishes in the future.

In the Blackbird exchange i rec'd a very pretty pillow from Laura. i really like the light pastel colors. Thanks Laura!!!

Searching on ebay and found and won a cross shaped (or x, whichever way you lay it down) floral frog. It won't hold normal embroidery scissors but the little kelmscott gems fit ok in it. it does have some chips on it but that's ok, means it has had some life. :)

While in Tulsa, Michele helped me with a helpful hint on sewing closed my pillows. Since i am really new to sewing i was just closing the pillow up on the outside and it was kind of distorted, well Michele showed me the blind stitch and love it! Here are the 2 pillows i finished while there.

Last of Retreat and Oklahoma City

2010-07-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

Just a couple more pics from the retreat. I forgot to share my "bathroom" purchases from the Silver Needle. I got two snowman pieces, one pillow and one "box", my mantle is always decorated with snowman for the winter to try to cool it down and pretend there is snow here in AZ. :)

On Sunday, Michele, Chris & I took a drive to Ok City. We had 3 places to see, the ASA Softball hall of fame for me. I have always been a softball player, not that great but still and my daughter Caitie has been a softball player basically since she could hold a bat. Caitie really wants to go to the College World Series one of these years and I am hoping that the two of us can get there maybe next year or the year after for a couple games. So we took a couple pics just for her. :)
This is the main field that the college world series is played on and the USA softball team plays on.
Then of course a fun picture just for Caitie. :) I had a nice one with a smile as well, but had to give her a neener neener pic.

We then proceeded to the Banjo Hall of Fame for Chris. Chris plays banjo and is in a Dixieland band and a gentleman that she plays with was just inducted into the banjo hall of fame a couple months back. So we strolled around in there. All i can say is WOW! i never imagined the handiwork put into these banjos. They were just amazing to look at. Then we found his poster on the wall and got Chris's pics with it.

Then we all strolled over to the Oklahoma City Memorial. As Michele put it, it was a sobering and humbling experience, no other words. I will only post one pic of it and it is a statue from across the street. The memorial site is across the street behind the wall there. It is a wonderful memorial to those it affected, etc. And on the marble it said "and Jesus wept".

Blackbird Designs Retreat Part 2

2010-07-23T18:09:00.001-07:00

Well, here are a few more pics from our wonderful trip.
On Friday morning, Michele and I went to the airport to pick up another one of our good friends, Chris from NC. Then it was off to lunch and the Silver Needle, again. LOL Of course there was more shopping this time around and the next couple times around as well. LOL (the pics from previous post show all my stash i got though). LOL Here is a pic of Chris, Michele and myself in front of the fabric.

On friday night we got a little project from Barb & Alma to stitch a little sachet. Some finished their stitching up on friday night and some of us finished it up the next day when there was fabric to choose, etc. We also made the little beaded pins that are in our sachets. The pins were alot of fun to make except the glue is like superglue and i am NOT good with that glue. Needless to say, my index fingers and thumbs were getting glued together but i realized it quick enough. LOL Here are Chris, Michele and my sachets, pretty cute i might say. we did a great job! And a close up of mine, front and back. Also, here are the sachets that were finished during class in one shape or form. Barb & Alma called them the "babies" of the class.

While Alma & Barb were talking and telling some fun stories on Saturday, Michele felt herself becoming the two designers and arranged some pieces together. :)

We also met up with Joan, as you saw in my previous post, but Joan was so sweet and made us a little pincushion using a portion of a BBD chart. It is very cute and i love it! Thank you again so much Joan!!!

Michele and I exchanged a little something for each other when we got to the hotel on wednesday and here is the goodie bag she gave me. The very first needlebook she ever made and a little hornbook she made. and some other goodies in there. :)

And here are a couple more pics of shop models at the Silver Needle.
Some punchneedle models, really made me think about doing a little more punchneedle, so we shall see. Very cute designs.
Halloween, need i say more. :)
And part of the Lizzie Kate display. OMG it was amazing. just like everything else in the store.

Blackbird Designs Retreat

2010-07-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

A week ago today i Michele and I flew into Tulsa OK for the Blackbird Designs class that the Silver Needle was hosting. We got there a couple days earlier so we can do a little sightseeing as well. We did go to Jenks and do a little antiquing. We ran across a few "frogs", alot of cast iron irons, but i only got one of those as they were quite pricey, but not the one i got. :-) and a few little molds to use for pincushions.
here is myself and Michele at the Silver Needle

And here is a pic of myself, Joan and Michele. It was great to meet Joan and Cathy!! we didn't get a picture with Cathy though. :(

here is my little haul from antiquing in Jenks, not bad considering that coral frog is a color i have been trying to hunt down. :-)

On Thursday morning, Michele and I opened up the Silver Needle and WOW! models stitched up everywhere. Everywhere you turned in the shop there were more models. Alot of over one stitching and i love over one stitching. We were also told to make sure we visited the bathroom. ok, we know when we have to go. LOL But it was because there were also shop models in the bathroom that were for sale.

Friday we took a box finishing class with Mona. That was alot of fun and will be seeing more of these little boxes in my future. I haven't taken a pic of mine as of yet, but will soon. Also on Friday was stitching with all the gals that were there for class, dinner with everyone including Barb & Alma, etc. We were all very spoiled by Lindy of the Silver Needle, as on our tables for dinner were little goodie bags filled with Vera Bradley goodies. And on Saturday as well. :)

I did do alot of damage in the shopping area. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. :-) As you can tell by the last picture, i really liked the little magnetic organizer, so i got one in green and one in hollywood pink. :)

July already????

2010-07-07T22:39:00.001-07:00

Where has the time gone? I cannot believe it is July already and the year is half gone. July is good though, as I am off next week with a couple great friends for a stitching class at the Silver Needle in Tulsa OK. We are taking a class with Blackbird Designs and cannot wait.
I have recently rec'd a few exchanges, etc and finally got them uploaded to my computer. I also went to an antique shop a few weeks ago looking for a floral frog and found one and a couple other goodies, and best part all for $11.00. The frog is a pretty green and i wanted something to put it in to protect my scissors. Well i found in the same booth a green punch glass, I just added some crushed walnut shells to the bottom of it and walah!

This past saturday the 3rd was my birthday (and my hubbys) and I rec'd an awesome package from my good friend Michele yesterday. I will let the picture do the talking. WOW!!! she really spoiled me! I have the "frog" in there to show off the scissors she sent me, 4 pair. :)

Michele and I also got paired up for the Fair & Square 4th of July exchange. After all these years we finally got each other. LOL So we decided to "finish" each others squares not just send the 2 squares like required. She stitched the patriotic bird from HIH (poopy bird as we call them). LOL I LOVE how it is finished and the backing fabric matches perfectly!!!!! beautiful beautiful finishing!

Speaking of Fair & Square, Nadia and I were paired up for the ROund #19 squares. Nadia stitched LHN's ornie (the red house one, do not remember name off hand) for me. I love it, i was going to be stitching this one next and now i don't have too. :) Thanks again Nadia, can't wait to "finish" it up.

Please pass the biscournu is another exchange i am in, a monthly biscournu, sent and rec'd. I have recently rec'd from Sheila and Bonnie and here they are. very pretty biscournus to add to my collection. I am giong to need a separate basket just for them.

I have stitched up another of the LHN monthly ornies and finished it into a hanging pillow ornament. I really like how this one turned out. I used fuzzy stuff for the sheep and combed him out a bit to make him a bit more fluffy.

Look at this giveaway

2010-07-03T10:16:00.001-07:00

Hi! You have to take a look at Wawanna's giveaway for a chatelaine she made. it is gorgeous. Pop on over to her blog.

Summertime heat! ugh

2010-06-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

It is just getting hotter and hotter here in AZ. yuck! As long as the AC works i will be a happy camper. LOL I have been getting exchanges out lately and have some to share that have landed to their new homes. I also rec'd a few as well.
First up, from Tanya, i rec'd my exchange piece from her from the Holiday Exchange moderated by BeckySC. Tanya stitched a SamSarah design "Glory" for me and made it into a little bag. Very cute! it is up on my mantle with the rest of the "4th" pieces. THanks again Tanya!

Carolyn sent me another piece to finish for her. Carolyn stitched up JBW's baby stroller piece and wanted it finished into an ornament. This was a cute design and fun finish.

For the Holiday Exchange - 4th of July round I had Myra as my partner. I stitched up Slice of Freedom by Erica Michaels and made it into a pillow. I had the backing fabric in my stash for awhile and just never found the right design to use it with, well finally found it. perfect match.

Jill is my partner for the Friends Stitching through the Seasons exchange. Jill was wanting some Shepherd's Bush designs for her pieces and I am having fun with them. For spring i stitched her Scatter Kindness and for Summer i just stitched Scatter Freedom. This was another fun stitch and finished it into a really cute pillow i think. :) Also, here is a pic of the rest of the exchange i sent to Jill (minus the black iron basket, i just got that at Hobby Lobby for $2.00). :)

This has been a busy month or so for exchanges for me and i still had the Fair & Square 4th of July and Round #19 to do as well. Michele and I were finally paired up as partners. :) we decided to "finish" each other's pieces instead of sending them "un-finished" like what we normally do in the exchange. I stitched Patriotic Bouquet by BBD for Michele and finished it into a pinkeep. :)

I do have a few other exchanges that i have rec'd but need to get pics of them and then will update. I also got a few bargains at the antique store last weekend but again still need to take pics. LOL
Here is a picture of my oldest daughter (21), Brianna and her boyfriend Justin a couple weeks ago at my nephews birthday party. And one of our other daughter (19) Caitie holding her newest cousin Samantha. Caitie isn't fun to take pics of, she tends to be a pain in the butt so this is the best shot of her. LOL The boys (16) were too busy playing with the nerf guns and showing little Ryan (2)how to use them. LOL so no pics of them.

RR home, exchanges rec'd and more pillows

2010-06-04T23:04:00.001-07:00

I have had a great mail week this week. I had two exchanges delivered to me along with my Friendship RR has made it home.
First here is the PIF exchange i rec'd from Jules. We are in the PIF exchange together and Jules stitched a floss tag for me and included lots of other goodies. The most adorable scissors that i have never seen before too. Thanks Jules!!

Faye is my partner in the FSTTS exchange that a few of us are doing. Faye stitched one of the patriotic stockings by BBD for me and finished it amazing like she always does. :) She also included lots of goodies, some gorgeous red 35ct linen, some dirty linen, red floss, uncle sam figurine and a patriotic scissor fob that has jumped onto my ginghers already. :) THanks again Faye!

My Friendship RR that i have been doing for the last year has made it home. It has been through the US, Canada and the Netherlands. Thank you to all who stitched your hearts on it. Now i just need to get it finished up.

My sewing machine has been smoking this week. I finished another 3 pillows and have just a few more that need to be handsewn together and will post them later on. I finished up Fa La La by LHN into a little pillow, Faith by Sampler Girl and this other cute little piece that Amy from SC sent to me since she didn't want it anymore. I finally got around to finishing it into a little pillow.

One more thing that i have been doing is trying to make polymer clay buttons. So far they hve turned out good. My first batch was the batch of pink and white flowers, etc. Yesterday i made a bunch of patriotic buttons in different shapes. I will be making more buttons in the near future but only with the cutouts that i have. LOL

Check out Jen's Giveaway

2010-06-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

Jen is having a giveaway for her first year blogoversary, go on over and check it out!

Patriotic Time!

2010-05-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Well since it is Memorial Day and it is getting really hot here in Arizona, it's time for a patriotic blog. My mantle is all dolled up for Memorial Day and July 4th! I have more finishes to add to it, but need to actually get them finished yet. LOL
I did have a good day of finishing today. I made 3 pillows for my mantle of red, white and blue. Sampler Girls Sweet Land, a Bent Creek Uncle Sam flatbed and a little Pop! not sure who POP is by it has just been hiding in the closet and came out to say hello. :)

the back of Sweet Land (this is also the backing i used for POP)

My mom came over today and we did some sewing of pillows (the above included) and a couple for her as well. She had finished a LK piece, a block one (don't remember which month) and a Sanman's Doodle. She stitched the Doodle over 1 on 25ct evenweave, it is only 2x2 so the little pillow is only about 6in long by 2in high. :) they are not completely finished in this pic, she was taking them home to finish sewing them up and adding the "trims" that are laying on top of the LK piece.
I also finally finished putting together my My First Sewing Box by the Stitching Parlor in my pink whitman tin. I had the top part already in there but just needed to add the bottom.How hard was that, DUH! So it is now complete, the box anyways. I need to put the scissor fob together still. I stitched Workbaskets Hedgehog for the Needles portion on the top over 1. I didn't want the felt in there after i saw this pattern for the Hedgehog, afterall, he has needles (kinda). :)

He's A Flake by LHN from their Ornament series from this year was also another one of my finishes last night. I don't like how he turned out, the shape that is, but it is for me to hang on our tree so that is fine with me. I may stitch him again and finish another way as well. It is a quick stitch. I stitched him over 2 on 40ct double-dyed blue fabric.

One more pic for tonight, i heard that Mayte has rec'd her biscornu from the biscornu exchange. THis was a freebie and i loved how it stitched up. I used GAST blueberry and some matching beads around the edges.

I have more to come hopefully tomorrow, they are sitting on the table ready to be stuffed and a few more ready to be sewn. We shall see what tomorrow brings on the finishing side for me.

Still here..........(picture heavy)

2010-05-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

It's getting close to being summer weather here in AZ. We are actually below normal for us, under 100, which is really really nice! :)
I have a few finishes to share, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy. I finished up stitching LHN's Needle & Thread and here it is. I still need to finish it into the pillow form soon.

First I finished the Spring Fob by LK for myself. I shortened the pattern a bit as it was too big for the little gem scissors.

BBD's bluebird was another finish for myself. I stitched it using DMC (i do not recall the # though). I finished it into a pin pillow. I really like this design, this is the second time i have stitched this little guy, one for an exchange then this one for myself.

Next up is Run Run Rudolph. I stitched him a few months back but have finally made him into an ornament. This is a second time stitching this one. I did him for an exchange for Michele for Christmas.

I also have rec'd my biscournu from Shay from the Please Pass the Biscornu exchange. She stitched it on black fabric and it is gorgeous! Thank you Shay!!!!!

I went to the Attic Needlework shop in Mesa, AZ for the Saturday Stitch-in a couple weeks ago and got some fun stash. The stitch-in's are always lots of fun, laughter, some stitching, lots of stashing and eating. Great ladies to hang with! Here is the stash i got that day!

Michele and I are starting a SAL today. We are stitching Sampler Sisters of the Thread by Primitive Needle. Here are my materials for the project. I am using 40ct Colorscapes Dill and the recommended threads. This fabric is darker than the one they used but so far i am liking it.

Michele had sent me some of her stitched pieces to be finished and here are three of them. SB patriotic one finished into a little pillow, not sure who the designer is on the other patriotic one but also finished into a little pillow. The turkey pinkeep is a free design by Primitivebettys.

Michelle from here in Phoenix had me finish a hanging pinkeep for her. She stitched LK freebie Friendship Grows. This one turned out really cute.

For the Please Pass the Biscornu exchange I had sent my March one to Despina. Here is what I sent to her.

I still have a couple other finishes but need to take pics of them.

Cruise and an exchange

2010-04-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

HI! Doug and I are back from our cruise with his family last week. It was alot of fun, got some sun and had some yummy drinks everyday. :) Cabo San Lucas wasn't all it was cracked up to be, quite dirty, etc, but we just walked around and shopped a bit. We did go to Sammy Hagar's bar, Cabo Wabo both days we were docked there.
this pic is of Land's End in Cabo.

this is Doug and I on the ship in front of Land's End

I have a finish that landed for the exchange i was in, pin pillow exchange organized by BeckySC. I stitched BBD's Bluebird for Marie. I am in the process of finishing the stithcing on this for myself as well. :)
here is the pic I took of teh pin pillow for Marie

I stole one of Marie's pics because i forgot to get a pic of the pillow with the rusted safety pin in it. DUH!

April tomorrow, wow

2010-03-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that it is already April tomorrow. where has the time gone?? It is starting to heat up here in AZ, been in the 80's but going back down to the 60's for a few days. brrrr (just kidding)
Well, i have been a finishing fool lately. Chicks Rule has been a very popular design this year, that is for sure. I have finished 4 total so far, one is mine and 3are for other ladies.

this first one is Carolyn's

the back is the same for both Carolyn and Michelle's

Michelle's

Eileen's made into a no sew cube.

I also had a few other designs to finish that were Silver Needle's Secret Needle Night kits stitched by Kelly. These were fun to finish as well.

Let It All Hang Out

Love You

New Year

As for stitchy finishes of my own, i have recently finished up a WIP. Live Love Laugh by La D Da is finally finished and don't know what took me so long to finish it. LOL oh yeah, maybe its the other hundred WIP's i have always calling to me. LOL I stitched it on the recommended 35ct WDW Straw linen but I changed up the colors. I used CC wild berries, black coffee and weeping willow. I really like the color combination on this fabric. I just need to get a better picture of it, but you get the idea. :)

Today came a wonderful surprise in the mail from Lynda A. I am in a "pin pillow" exchange hosted by BeckySC. I rec'd this wonderful pillow from Lynda today and absolutely love it! Lynda did an awesome job on the stitching and the finishing it into the pillow (which is one of my new favorite finishes) and the fabric she used is perfect for it. Thank you sooo much Lynda! It is the March quaker by Workbasket.

Sewing Finishes - woohoo!

2010-03-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

So i have been learning to sew with a new to me sewing machine lately. Now that i can correctly thread the bobbin, etc, it is working great! just need to work on my straight line skills, etc. but have practiced with a few of my smalls. It is amazing at how simple these are once you get started. Will not be adding pillows yet to Finely Finished until I am totally comfortable with it though. :)

this is a fair & square i rec'd last year from Lynda A. i LOVE how this one turned out.

believe imagine dream (been sitting in my closet so long, i think it is LK)

Always Kiss me Goodnight by Angel Stitching, really like how this one turned out too.

Snug as a Bug by LK, another one sitting in my closet for many moons. LOL i haven't found the right ribbon for it yet, so it isn't "complete" but finished enough for now.

I also "finished" my first BBD stocking for myself. After not leaving myself enough seam allowance, i have learned. :)But they are pretty simple to make, following BBD's and Vonna's tutorials together. The trickiest part for me was the beaded hanger. LOL

And finally here is my finished Chicks Rule into a pinkeep for myself. I really love how this one turned out. And am finding out that this is a very very popular design this year. I have 3 here in my possession to finish into flat-folds for others. So i must get off teh computer and finish these little guys up.

Almost Friday!

2010-03-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

HI! I have a couple of exchanges and finishes, etc that have arrived at their new homes.
First here is Lilang's exchange I sent to her for the Lizzie Kate exchange we belong to. I stitched Live Simply for her on 30ct chocolate linen using DMC. I love the backing fabric, very retro and perfect for the colors. The fabric the piece is laying on is the backing fabric.

Next up is a couple pieces I finished for Michele. She had sent them to me along with a few others to finish along time so I finished these 2 for her birthday present. I also stitched and finished up this really cute scissor keep and fob for her as well.

Exchanges arrived!

2010-03-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

Hi! Well it is the first Sunday in March and I can't believe it is already March. Time sure flies. Yesterday the mail brought to me my Spring exchange package from Friends Stitching Through The Seasons exchange and my partner was Faye. Yeah! (i already knew this though because i organized it). LOL But I acted surprised when it came. :-) Faye stitched a really cute bunny pillow for me and included some real fun goodies! Thanks so much Faye!!!! you really spoiled me.

I also see that Gillie has rec'd her biscournu for February from me from Please Pass the Biscournu exchange I am in. We stitch for a different person each month. I stitched a Stacy Nash design for her since she likes prims and used some of my coffee dyed/baked fabric for it. I like it so much that I will be stitching it for me too.
Not much else really going on right now, just wanted to drop in with the exchanges!

Chicks Rule!

2010-03-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

Well, i went to Market Day at the Attic this past Saturday and got a bunch of new stash but haven't taken a picture yet. I will try tomorrow. BUT, I have finished one of the goodies i bought. Chicks Rule by LK limited edition kit. I decided to stitch this adorable piece on 30ct light purple linen i had in my stash with good ole DMC. I used a satin stitch for their beaks as well. I really really like how it turned out and now to find the perfect backing fabric to make it into a flat fold or pillow, not sure yet.

I rec'd in the mail today the most beautiful biscournu from Marjorie from the Please Pass the Biscournu exchange I am in. This wonderful small will be spending the spring time on my mantle with my other springy stitches. Thank you again Marjorie.

A couple weeks ago I rec'd an old used sewing machine through the freecycle in our area. I just posted that I was looking for a working machine, nothing fancy whatsoever and had a response in just a few minutes and she just lived around the corner from us. I have never sewed and have wanted to learn, especially to help out with finishing pillows, etc (that will take a bit of time until i am totally confident in myself with the machine). LOL But I have had a brief instruction on it and have just dived right in. I found 2 smallish stitched pieces in my closet and made a scissor fob and a little pillow.

The scissor fob is "no frogging allowed" by Stitchy Kitty (i believe, its been awhile since i stitched this one) and i had some really cute froggy material for the backing. The little pillow my daughter Caitie stitched up Boo from Monsters Inc about 5 years ago when she was 12 or 13. So i made this into a little pillow. I really like how they turned out, still have to make my hand sewing a bit cleaner, but its a start. I hand sewed on the cording on both of them.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

Edited 2/15/10 to add my first punchneedle finish (i forgot about it:) at end of post.

We had a nice quiet weekend here. Well, yesterday wasn't so quiet in our house but fun. When Bailey had her pups last year, her boy pup went to a family and they called the other day saying they can't keep him. Their other dog just isn't warming up to him, he is a digger, etc (springer spaniel, very hyper), can we help find a home. OY! well, the stud we used his mama came over yesterday to get him and take him home for a buddy for CJ (the stud). They all met here at our house, so we had 5 springers running around, 3 girls and 2 boys. it was loud, as our girls were not happy having the boys here. LOL Reggie (the pup - they are 9 months old now) is just a lover and knew something was up, but is enjoying his new home so far. He is about 5-6 inches taller than Bailey, he is a big boy and just gorgeous. he looks just like mama. So when everyone left, it was Costco time, etc. So needless to say, dinner was a frozen lasagne from Costco with their fresh garlic bread. yummy!
Here is Bailey with Reggie (he is the larger one)

Here is Reggie all comfy on the couch, staying away from Bailey.

Today was out to lunch with my brother in law/sister in law and my mother in law. Had leftovers for dinner and then off to Coldstone for ice cream for DH and I. (no kids home this weekend, so quiet). A bit of shopping today Joann's and Cabelas, nothing big. Fun fur was on sale and wanted to get some and Doug needed something for fishing.
I do have a finish to share, it's Fa La La by LHN. I stitched it on 32ct coffee dyed linen. I will do the rest of the series on 40ct, 4x4 is just too big for an ornament. This one may become a flat fold or no sew cube.

I also received my Lizzie Kate exchange piece from Melissa. Melissa stitched Live Simply for me and made a no sew cube. It is really cute! (just wait until my partner receives her piece, LOL).

Doug got me tulips for Valentine's Day (i'd rather have them then roses, they last longer and i think they are prettier). So here is a picture of my mantle with the flowers and my Valentine stitchings.

I forgot about my first punchneedle finish i have. I actually finshed teh class piece years ago, a tiny little pumpkin. But this piece is by PrimitiveBettys, it is a freebie chart on her blog. I just picked out some DMC and went with it. IT was alot of fun but not sure how to finish it now. :)

I am still here and finishes

2010-01-30T13:12:00.000-08:00

I just haven't been posting much lately, obviously. I was trying to figure out the editing on my new camera and just realized it didn't come with editing software. grrrrr so my pics aren't the best right now, but they will have to do.
I was gone for a week in the beginning of this month visiting my parents up in Reno NV. The weather was nice a little rainy but not much. No snow, unfortunately. There was old snow but i just wanted to see some flurries since we don't get snow in our part of Arizona. oh well. It was a very nice visit and did get a bit of stitching done as well. Mom and I did visit the LNS there, very small but I still managed to find a few things i just had to have. They were having a sale on there "cuts" of fabric from last year. There were lots of odd cuts in all different colors sizes, etc. $10 for a pound of fabric and let me tell you, you get alot of fabric in a pound.
I do have a few finishes from my WIP pile. First off I finished up It's a wonderful life by the sampler girl. I don't know why i never finished it earlier, very simple stitch. oh well, finished now. :)
I also finished up Evergreen by BBD. I changed the colors on this one when I saw Karen in SC's version of it. The colors it called for were browns and red, but the cover model showed green and red. weird. I used the greens since it is Evergreen.

Here is red winged blackbird by BC, i left off the star, as I am making this into a floss tag. I stitched this one on 40ct so he is small. Life's A Stitch by LK i stitched a couple years ago and it was just sitting there in my closet. I made this one into a little wooden box for myself. I really like how it turned out and very simple to make.

I also stitched up a freebie from The Sampler Girl last week and finished it into a pinkeep for myself. It is stitched on white opalescent fabric with GAST berry cobbler and tea rose. the fabric the pinkeep is laying on is the backing fabric. Also, last year i stitched up the Hugs & Kisses freebie from Erica Michaels and i just finished this one into a pinkeep ornie for myself as well. I used some fluffy yarn, braided it to get the thickness and pinned it on. didn't even want to try glue with it. I stitched up this cute little one Love by The Stitcherhood, yet another free chart. I made this one into a little pinkeep pillow. They are all displayed on my mantle with other stitching for Valentine's Day.

Stitch Red for your Heart

2010-01-02T16:35:00.000-08:00

Jill has set up a new SAL blog for Stitch Red for your Heart. Come on over and join! I will be stitching in memory of my Uncle who passed away years ago to due heart issues.

Almost a new year already

2009-12-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how fast this past year has gone! It feels like the kids had just started back to school not long ago and here we are with the new year ready to start and another new semester for the kids. Time sure flies!
I really don't want to make any resolutions for the new year, as I just never stick to them anyways. LOL
I received my ornament from Chris the other day and some very pretty fabric. The Christmas socks didn't make it to the picture as they are already in the wash, my feet were cold when i opened the package and look at that, a pair of socks. LOL Thanks Chris, I love the ornament!! and goodies!!

Last year in the Fair & Square Christmas Round I rec'd my squares from WendyJo. She stitched Jolly Holiday by Lizzie Kate and I finally finished them this past week.

Finely Finished has also been busy (if you didn't already know, that is my finishing service). Ruth sent me an ornament and another piece to be made into a No Sew Cube. For the ornament I just used some pretty trimming with just one gold pin at the top, simple but that is all this beautiful piece needed. :) and the no sew cube was for Ruth's nephew so no "bows" keep it simple and non-girlie. LOL I used the fabric that Ruth had sent to me (for both pieces actually) and I think they turned out pretty good.

Michele had also sent me a couple pieces to be finished. There is Sew Noel that I made into an ornament for her, another simple ornament, as it didn't need anything busy or funky on it. Now, the no sew cube, funky. I love the colors and both Michele and I like funky. LOL I had this fabric that came in a pack and it just worked perfectly. I think the bows turned out pretty good too. Michele seems to like them, so that is good!! :)

One last item that I finished last week for myself is the LK 2008 Christmas Kit. I made it into a Flat-fold and really liked how it turned out.
Have a safe and happy new year everyone!

HOE ornament has landed in Australia

2009-12-23T13:57:00.001-08:00

I have heard that Tessa has rec'd her ornament from me from the HOE ornament exchange. I really liked stitching this one, one color and finished with the whip stitch to make the ornament. It is a Plum Pudding design but do not remember the name right now. i used Belle Soie Sister Scarlet. I did steal Tessa's pic from the exchange blog, since it is on her tree already it looked much better than my pic.

Here are a couple pics from our softball christmas party this past Sunday night. The big guy was there again this year. I believe this is our 11th softball christmas party with almost all the same families. Lots of food, fun, food, martinis (yum), Santa and our annual ornament exchange. We play the "dirty santa" game for our ornament exchange. the kids are now joining in the fun as well. These pics are of Doug & I with Santa, Santa playing jingle bells on his flute and TOny got to sit on Santa's lap as well as all the kids. Santa brought a special gift for Tony. It is a license plate thingy, with a turtle that says "I am Running". Tony and I are the slowest on the team and I guess Santa thought it would be funny (not sure who on the team did it, but it was pretty funny)

I also went to my LNS, The Attic on Saturday afternoon for the Kris Kringle party and ornament exchange. THere were a bunch of us there and 13 of us participated in the ornament exchange. I haven't taken an individual picture of the ornament i rec'd or brought but they are in the pics here. I rec'd from Angelica this really cute snowman button tree ornament beautifully finished (it's on the left of one of the pics) and to the right of it is the ornament i brought. It is the maroon reindeer with maroon cording. I believe it is from last year's JCS issue. Here are a few pics i took of the ladies stitching and talking. This first picture has Paula from Kelmscott Designs (in the black/white shirt, she is a winter visitor to AZ from Canada) and Sharon from Crescent Colours (next to Paula, looks like Sharon was describing something :)) who lives here in AZ and Jean the owner of The Attic (sorry Jean, you got cutoff a little bit, on the far right).

Better picture of ornament

2009-12-18T08:06:00.001-08:00

I stole Nicole's picture she took of the ornament i stitched for her. It is by The Sampler Girl from this year's JCS ornie issue. Nicole's pictures are always perfect so here it is.

Dear Santa...........

2009-12-18T07:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I haven't written in a long time, but here we go. I have been a pretty good girl this year and have a wish. I love fabric and can always use more ;), and my Santa wish list is this, Sent with Love fat quarter bundle by Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics from the Fat Quarter Shop. Here is a picture for you too. I will leave milk and cookies out for you and carrots for the reindeer.

Ornaments, ornaments, ornaments

2009-12-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

I have rec'd my ornament from the HOE Christmas Ornament exchange from Melissa W. OMG! Melissa stitched a design from Cherrywood Designs, it is two-sided stitching with added jingle bells. To say I LOVE it is an understatement. It is WAY too cute!!! Thank you again Melissa!

I have also heard from Nicole that she rec'd her ornament from me for the HO HO HO Exchange we are in. I stitched the Sampler Girl's ornament from this years JCS ornie issue. I stitched it over 1 on a misc piece of coffee dyed/baked fabric by me. I am going to stitch this one for me for next year. It is really small but oh so cute. I used beads along with the whip stitch to sew it together and was pretty pleased with how it turned out.

a fabulous giveaway

2009-12-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

Hi! you need to check out Karyn's fabulous giveaway she is having.

Fair & Square pics

2009-12-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

I have finally uploaded the pics of my fair & squares that I rec'd from Sabine in Germany. Sabine stitched this wonderful stocking for me. Hopefully i will get it "finished" into an ornament by this weekend. I love it and it's red. Thank you so much Sabine!

Also, here is the ornament that i stitched for Kathy in the ornament exchange from the 123 message board. It is a freebie pattern but do not recall the name or designer. I found the cutest trimming for it. I am going to have to stitch him for myself as well (seems to be a pattern here with all the exchanges i have done lately). LOL

And, lastly, here are a couple of the other family pics we had taken yesterday. One of the whole family just pondering life. LOL and the other is of Doug and I.

Brrrrrr, it's chilly outside..........

2009-11-29T16:29:00.000-08:00

Surprised to hear that from me? LOL It's a very overcast, drizzly (very slightly drizzly) and chilly day here in AZ. Doug was up in Flagstaff helping some guys elk hunt and it was snowing up there all weekend. I think it might be time for some hot cocoa. yummy.

well, i have pics of the 3 ornaments I donated to the Breast Cancer Silent Auction at The Attic. I didn't get to go, I only got sicker. I ended up with bronchitis, laryngitis and an ear infection but getting much better now.

I was part of the ornament exchange on the 123 stitch message board that Sue coordinates. Kathy from England and I had each other this year. I have rec'd my ornament from Kathy. I really like it, it's very cute. I haven't heard yet if Kathy has rec'd her ornament from me as of yet, so can't post that pic just yet.

I recently finished a blackwork hanging ornament for Theresa here in AZ. Theresa sent me her stitched piece and wanted it for a door hanger. This was the largest ornament (6x6) that i have finished but very simple and pretty.

Friday night after Thanksgiving I went to Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo with my sis and her family and my cousin and her family and my Aunt Cathy. It was very pretty and cool but very very busy. Never go on opening weekend. Here are a few pics from the zoolights. There was a treefrog i had to take a pic of (LOL), a rattlesnake, cactus, etc. One is of my niece and nephew in front of the 2 zebra.

Rudolph has landed

2009-11-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

My ornament for Michele in the HO HO HO ornament Exchange has landed in WA. I had a blast stitching him and finishing him. lots of beads used on the pinkeep ornament. It sounds like she also really likes him, Michele just LOVES reindeer, and i changed the wording to be red since that is her favorite color (and i really did not like the green it called for, it was so off of the design). :)

My blogoversary stitched goodie has also arrived at its new home with Staci. I had stitched JBW's french country pumpkin and made it into a pinkeep. Enjoy Staci.

I have rec'd my ornament from Kathy in England but haven't taken a pic yet. This was from the ornament exchange on the 123 message board. I love it Kathy. Hopefully hers will land soon to her as well.

My LNS, The Attic Needlework here in Arizona has an annual Breast Cancer Silent Auction every November (tomorrow night) and I have stitched 3 ornaments to donate to it. Hopefully if i am feeling better i will be able to go tomorrow night, i have never been yet. All the ornaments, scissor fobs w/scissors, stitched boxes w/accessories, etc, etc etc are donated by stitchers for the cause. I believe last year they raised just over $15,000 that went right to the BC cause. I will post pics later when i take pics of them before i take them over today.

November already..........

2009-11-04T16:49:00.001-08:00

Well, it's November already and it's still pretty warm here in AZ. It started to cool down (went from 100-55 almost overnight), then right back up to the 90's. GRRRRR hopefully soon it will cool down.
I know i posted a pic of the wonderful Halloween exchange i rec'd from Lynn, but she had a much better pic up, so i want to share her pic as well. It really shows off the pieces she made for me much better. Thanks again Lynn.

Caroline has rec'd my HOE Halloween exchange so i can share the pic of the exchange. I stitched Oct 31st from this years JCS Halloween issue. It was a really fun stitch.

My finishing service, Finely Finished has been busy lately. I just finished 4 pieces for Toni. There are 3 hanging ornaments and one flatfold. These were fun to finish for Toni. The SB design gave me a bit of fun trying to match the right backing fabric to it, but we finally found the perfect one. Sometimes that rose color linen is just tricky to match but we did it. :)

I have been stitching on exchanges recently so cannot share the pics as of yet, but soon. Not much else really going on around here in AZ, just trying to still stay cool. We are doing the MS Walk this weekend through the Phoenix Zoo, so that should be fun. We try to do it every year. We walk for my mother, myself and my oldest daughter who all have MS. Wish us luck.

Also, here is a pic of the english bone plate i picked up awhile ago at one of the antique shops. It is from England, Utopian is what is on the back. I cannot remember the rest of the info on it.

And, last but not least, here is a pic of my niece and nephew on Halloween. Allison was a "pirate girl" and Matthew was Angus Young from AC/DC (he is an AC/DC fanatic at 6).

Here is Allison's pirate face. LOL

Blogoversary Winner is...........................

2009-10-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

My niece picked out a name out of her little purse and it was.....................

Staci of Snippets and Stash

Congrats! and thank you to everyone for joining!!!!! I still can't believe it has been 2 years already. and many more to come.

Halloween exchange rec'd, OMG

2009-10-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

I rec'd my HOE Halloween Exchange package from Lynn B. on Saturday. OMG! Lynn really spoiled me. Her stitching is gorgeous and Lynn also made a polymer clay witch hat floss holder and a couple clay pins too. WOW! i couldn't get a good pic of the pins, hopefully Lynn will have a good one i can get from her. She stitched me a needlebook, a pinkeep with my initial K as well.

Thank you soooooooooo much Lynn!!!!!

Halloween.....................

2009-10-22T21:48:00.001-07:00

Well the title says it all. All i have pics of today is Halloween designs and just appropriate since Halloween is next week already. I can't believe it is almost the end of October already. We have finally turned the AC off here in Arizona, finally for the last time. Just a few days ago it was 100 degrees outside. UGH! But it seems to be cooling down and hopefully will stay.
My first finish i have to share is one of my Fair & Squares i received last year from Marie P. for the Halloween Round. I just "finished" it the other day into a pinkeep. Thank you Marie!

Halloween by La D Da was stitched by Michele on a 30ct (halloween) green linen. i finished this one into a pillow for her. I love how it turned out. It lovingly sat on my mantle with my halloween pillow for a couple hours while i finished the next pillow for her as well. "Wicked" by PrimitiveBettys (free chart). I had also stitched this one and finished our's together. Mine is stitched on the orange fabric and Michele's is the tan fabric. They both have a black fabric on the back.

Another awesome giveaway!

2009-10-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Go check out Pumpkin Patch Primitives blog for an AWESOME giveaway of 27 fat quarters and they are gorgeous!

13 days of halloween giveaway

2009-10-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

check it out here..............at Missy's blog

Blogoversary Giveaway!

2009-10-16T10:33:00.001-07:00

So my 2 yr blogoversary is only 10 days away! I cannot believe it has been that long, or maybe that short that i have been blogging! Michele introduced me into the blogging world and i thank her for that! i have met so many wonderful people and talented stitchers out there in the world!

So for my giveaway, it is a surprise, but it will be something stitched by me. I still have to stitch it so it really is a surprise! LOL If you would like to win a stitched gift from me, please leave a comment here on this post. If you would like a 2nd entry either let me know you are a follower or become one, and for a 3rd chance to win post a comment stating that you posted about the giveaway on your blog.

Hugs and good luck!!!!

Back from the Framers

2009-10-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend i picked up 2 pieces i had taken in to be framed.

Introducing, Miss Mary Mack by La D Da. I stitched her on a piece of hot pink evenweave by Silkweaver using Needlepoint Inc black silk. I love how she turned out.

And here is Earth Sampler by Primitive Needle. I stitched this one on 40ct V. Autumn Gold using the called for WDW and GAST. This was a very fun stitch as well and LOVED how this one turned out too.

I used Sandy at The Attic Needlework Shop here for the framing. I went to the framing frenzy where you get 20% off and she has the choice of frames etc. you just choose if you want glass or not and have been more than satisfied every time.

Another Great Giveaway

2009-10-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen this blog yet, you need too. and she is having a wonderful giveaway Jennifer

Ghouls Night Out

2009-10-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick run by here. I stitched up the freebie "Ghouls Night Out" by The Sampler Girl yesterday and finished it into a pinkeep tonight. I stitched it on 30ct Guacamole linen using DMC. I left off the zig zag border, as i was indecisive on what color to use and decided i liked it without the border anyways. LOL I used straight pins with different beads added to them all around the outside.

Great Giveaway

2009-10-01T22:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Was just visiting Nicole's great blog and she has posted about an awesome giveaway here at Dip Diddly Designs blog . Go check it out!

Finishes for ME!

2009-09-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well i have a few finishes that i stitched for ME! and a couple that are actually "finished". LOL

Here is Halloween by La D Da from this years JCS Halloween issue. I stitched this one on 28ct vintage autumn gold over 1 using WDW Charcoal and Terra Cotta. I used the whip stitch (biscournu finish technique) to make this into a little pillow. I used the pack of needles next to it for scale.

I have also stitched and finished up Salem Witch by Primitive Needle. I stitched her on a scrap piece of fabric over 2 using DMC. She is finished into a pinkeep, the pins are just straight pins with different beads added to the pins. i like how she came out.

Practice Sampler by Milady's Needle i finished stitching about a month ago, just never took a pic of it. I really like how this one turned out and will probably frame it in a black frame or a mahogany color one. I stitched this one on 40ct v. autumn gold over 2.

Yesterday while having a bad day healthwise i had plenty of time to stitch so i stitched up this cute little breast cancer freebie. It is Hope by DMC, i stitched it on 30ct off white linen using Strawberry Shortcake by Carries Creations Threads and dmc black. This will probably become a pinkeep. This is a very quick stitch, just a few hours to do.

On the exchange front, i rec'd my fair & square halloween round from Jill F. last week. I really like the squares she stitched for me and am thinking pinkeep for them. Thanks Jill!

The next exchange i rec'd today from Kirsi in Finland. This is from the Lizzie Kate Exchange Blog the 2nd Round. Kirsi stitched a few different pieces from different designs and made 3 different finishes. I LOVE them and they are already in the craft room! Thank y ou sooooo much Kirsi!

And last but not least, a newer pic of the pups! this is from the other day when i actually was able to get them to sit still for a minute for a pic. LOL They are getting huge, almost as big as mama. Bella is on the left and Fannie is on the right.

Wow, i haven't posted in a month!

2009-09-24T22:29:00.001-07:00

Well, i have been busy with stitching, finishing, etc. Doug has been out of town most of this past month between work and hunting. He was a successful hunter, he got his Elk, so another year of a freezer full of elk meat.
I also stitched and finished my ornament for Ruth for the HoHoHo Ornament Exchange we are in. I really like how this one turned out and will be stitching it for myself as well, hopefully soon. I was fortunate enough to be able to hand deliver it to Miss Ruthie when she was here in Tempe AZ for a convention. We had a nice dinner along with my daughter Caitie who is at ASU. It was really great to hang with Ruth, enjoy a really nice dinner out and stitching with her afterwards for awhile. Hugs Ruthie!

I have also finished and sent ahead of time (yeah, finally on time) my fair & square pieces for Jill. Jill is very quick and finished them into a floss tag the day after she rec'd them from me. You go girl! They turned out great in a floss tag!

On the finishing front, i have a few recent finishes to share. I have a couple pieces for Michele who brought them to me in April. LOL I finished the Flamingo she stitched as a hanging pinkeep and her fair & square pieces from Veronica as a pinkeep in shape of a heart.

I also just finished 3 pieces for Eileen. There is the Santa ornament, fall ornament (i believe this is a JBW design) and Smell My Feet into a no sew cube. Out of the 3 I am partial to the fall ornament and really wanted to keep it. LOL But i sent it off to Eileen. sigh...... I really hope Eileen likes them even better in person. The pics aren't the greatest, they are from my phone, as Doug also has the camera with him. GRRRR

I recently worked on Sharon's RR piece from The Society's RR that has stalled for quite a few months. I finally got her piece and stitched it up. Now to stitch on Shelleen's piece as well.

My last picture is of the 2nd ornament i finished for my LNS, The Attic. This is another of the ornaments for Sue's Legacy.

I also have another finish, Practice Sampler by Milady's Needle, but i obviously didn't take a pic yet (finished it a few weeks ago). I will take a pic tomorrow and post it. Hopefully i might have another small finish to go along with it. keeping fingers crossed. LOL

Ornament exchange and a finish

2009-08-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hi! Some friends and I are in a year long ornament exchange, the HOHOHO ornament exchange. My months have past but we have kinda gotten behind a bit. I rec'd my ornament from Michele today and it is gorgeous! Look at this great package she sent along with her ornament!

I also have Shelleen's ornament on it's way to her, late but it is finally on its way and i really hope she likes it. Can't show a pic of it yet though. I have to stitch this one a couple more times, once for my LNS's breast cancer silent auction in November and once for myself as well.

I do have a "finish" of another ornament. THis is one for the BC silent auction at my LNS. This was stitched by a lady named Sue who lost her battle to BC. She has stitched many ornaments over teh years for the auction and had a few of them already stitched up and her husband donated them to the shop. They were looking for volunteers to finish them up and i took a couple to finish. I am very honored to finish this for Sue's Legacy. The fabric the ornament is laying on is the backing fabric.

A framed finish

2009-07-28T18:40:00.001-07:00

Well, I have a framed finish and love it. I stitched this piece a couple years ago and finally had it framed at The Attic. It is Cherished Stitches by J Designs if i remember correctly.

Also, i just finished up this little piece called "I have to scream" by The Sunflower Seed. I stitched it on 40ct V. Maritime White using the called for DMC. Not sure how to finish this piece yet.

I have finally finished the stitching on the 2nd half of my "my first sewing box" whitman tin design. I just need to do the finishing on the bottom half (this piece) and the fob and i will post a pic of the whole tin "finished".

Not much really going on around here, too hot to do anything. This 115 degree weather is just a killer and don't even like walking down 2 houses to get the mail. UGH! So here is a pic of the puppies last week before dinner time barking and howling at daddy to get moving faster. LOL We are now down to 2 puppies and are keeping both of them. The 2 closest to mama are the girls we are keeping. Bella is right next to her and howling. Fannie is the one in the front with the all brown head. THe other one with the freckles like mama is Reggie and he went to his new home last week.

Updated my Sale Blog

2009-07-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hi! Come take a look, i have updated my sale blog, Stashing Away.

Amazing Giveaway at this blog......

2009-07-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hi all, come check out this amazing giveaway here at Patti's blog.

A birthday exchange and more

2009-07-09T10:53:00.001-07:00

So last Friday, the 3rd was mine and my hubby's 41st birthdays. we went to a wonderful resort just a few miles away from home for a little "sta-cation" for the weekend. It was a wonderful time just the two of us. We went to the movies, we saw Year One with Jack Black, it was pretty funny, weird but funny. We ate dinner one night at the resorts restaurant which was really nice, had drinks beforehand by the pool. Just a nice relaxing weekend with no plans whatsoever. I did bring some stitching and worked on a couple things but not too much.
Well, yesterday's mail brought a package from Germany from Gaby for the SBBC for my birthday exchange. All i can say is WOW!!! Gaby really spoiled me. First off she made the largest biscournu i have ever seen and it is really beautiful, the beading on the sides is gorgeous. Gaby also sent along a couple little strawberries that she made and a pretty little Angel Heart pillow that she also made. Then there was a couple little German kits and a French chart for a heart thread holder (the ones that fold up). Thank you sooooo much Gaby!

On Thursday I had an actual "finish". I had stitched up God Bless America a year or so ago but it was just hanging around in my closet. SOoooooo, i decided to try and make a "tube" type pillow finish with it. I added a piece of fabric to the end of each by hand sewing it on, that part was the easy part. LOL Now, I DO NOT sew so this was tricky for me. LOL I did sew the back together but of course it turned out not so good looking so added a couple big star buttons to cover up a little of the yuckiness on the back. LOL All in all, it serves it's purpose but do not go looking at my finishing service for anything like this. LOL The front looks really cute though and it is for me, so i am somewhat happy with it.

I also finished up the stitching on Sunday, a day late, but it is finished, the Freedom (not sure of the name) by Sampler GIrl. It was a quick stitch and really cute. I see a no sew cube in the future for this finish.

And here is my latest project that is calling my name loudly. It is Milady's Needle called Practice Sampler. It is being stitched on 40ct V. Autumn Gold using DMC. It is a really cute Sampler and i just love the colors. So i took a pic of it to show you, with no wip pic as of yet (not enough started).

I had promised myself i wouldn't start anything new until i had a few more of my WIP"s finished but this one was just calling to me. BUT, i do have a couple wip's sitting on my stitching table just ready to be picked up at any given moment to be finished up and they will.

Happy Birthday Hon (Doug) and me too

2009-07-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

Well, today is my hubby Doug's birthday and it is also mine. We both turned 41 today, yikes. oh well. I am 8 hours older than Doug and he has already reminded me about that. LOL We are going away for the weekend at a local resort just the two of us to just "get away". It should be really nice, we have NO plans to do anything specific which is always nice.

Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

No pics or anything to share today, just getting everything cleaned up before we leave.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

An exchange rec'd & a "finish"

2009-06-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

I was one of the lucky ones to be the recipient of a PIF from Edgar and rec'd it yesterday. It is a beautiful pinkeep. He stitched the "K" square from Blue Ribbon Designs Alphabet Zoo for me. I really really love it! very pretty colors and beautifully stitched and finished. Edgar also enclosed some other goodies as well. Thank you so much Edgar.

I also have a "Finish" for Michele. When Michele was here in AZ in April visiting she brought a few of her stitched pieces for me to finish for her. This is one of her fair & squares stitched for her by Amy in SC and i made it into a no sew cube. I really like how this one turned out using 2 different ribbons. I have another finish for Michele but need to take a pic with my actual camera not my cell phone. LOL

In my last post i showed you the first finished piece i stitched and framed for our friends cabin. Well here is the 2nd piece i stitched for her. It is another Sampler Girl pattern stitched over 1. It is a little small for this frame but i still like it.

And, of course i should leave you with some puppy pictures. They are getting so big, they are 7 weeks on tuesday. One has left to her new home today, we'll miss little Squirt. Reggie is leaving on the 20th of July when her new family gets home from vacation and just waiting to get the final yes on the 3rd puppy to leave.

Another one bites the dust (WIP that is)

2009-06-16T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well, i finished up one of my WIP's last week. It is Fond Hearts by Blackbird Designs. I used the called for WDW and 30ct irish linen. I really like how this one turned out and will be stitching more BBD in the future.

I also received my spring exchange from Shelleen but forgot to take a pic of it, so here it is. cute cute bunny she stitched for me. Thanks sooo much Shelleen.

I also just received my floss tag from Mary in Portugal from the Tiny Treasures exchange blog. It is gorgeous and i just love it! Thanks Mary!

Here is the piece i stitched for good friends of ours for their cabin. She bought a couple hand painted leather frames at an antique shop and asked me to stitch something for them. The first one that is done i stitched Cheerful Company by The Sampler Girl. I used the called for DMC and stitched it on coffee dyed/baked evenweave by me.

Here are a couple recent pics of the puppies. They are now 5 weeks old and running all over the place and playing hard. OUCH! they hurt. LOL
Bailey and her only boy Reggie (that's what we call him), they look like Forest Gump with his son in the movie. LOL

All 4 playing last night and sleeping

This is Bella, the girl we are keeping. she kept coming closer to me, hard to get a good pic that way. LOL

I am working on a couple exchanges i need to finish up for Fair & Square and then more me stitching time.

We have a winner!

2009-06-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

I had a hard time chosing a name from all the wonderful and great ideas you all had (i even had a few emails from friends as well). BUT, i finally made a choice.

drum roll please.............

Finely Finished

Eileen suggested this one and will receive some stitchy goodies from me.

Again, thanks to everyone for the great ideas, it really was a hard choice for me, but i like the play on words.

Contest - Name my Finishing Service

2009-06-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

So I am going to go ahead with starting the Finishing Service here but need a name for it. So i will have a contest for a name for my new Finishing Service.

just post your idea in a comment here at this post and i will choose one on Monday June 8.

The prize will be a grab bag of stitchy goodies from me. If you want to post on your blog about the contest please do so.

Thanks for everyone's help and input!

An Actual "Finish"

2009-06-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Well, i stitched this piece by Bent Creek, Liberty zipper kit a couple years ago and so it sat in my closet just waiting to be finished. Well, the other day i Finally did something with it. I made it into a hanging pinkeep and really like how it turned out. Used the same technique i use with the pinkeeps and just added the holes for the hanger to go through. I really wanted to do eyelets for the holes but it was too thick for the eyelet to get all the way through. The fabric on the back is the fabric i used for the hanger.

Also adding a couple newer puppy pics. they are getting pretty mobile now and playing with each other and us. I have one right now biting my ankle. LOL thank god they don't have teeth yet. LOL I will try to post the little video i got with my camera earlier, it's kind of dark but you get the idea.

I am also seriously considering starting a "finishing" service here online. I will do pinkeeps, flat ornaments (pinkeep or non-pinkeep), biscournus, beanie pillows (great for the Fair & Squares that you're not sure what to use them for) and No-Sew Cubes. The sewing method for the beanie pillows would be the same as biscournu's. I would not be doing anything that requires "actual sewing" since i am not a sewer by any means. LOL I am going to get pictures of my ornaments i have done in the past and cubes, biscournus etc and make a blog here in the next couple weeks to get it started, so be on the lookout.

Graduation and more puppy pics

2009-05-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

Well, Caitie graduated from High School on Friday as an Arizona Academic Scholar. yeah. It was a fun day, had her party immediately after the ceremony. Here are a few pics from graduation.
Josh, Caitie, Brianna & Dustin

Caitie & Britney

Doug, Caitie & I

The set up of graduation at the Cardinals stadium (580 students in her class)

Also, here are a couple pics of puppies. they are growing really fast, still haven't opened their eyes yet, but sometime this week they should be.
this is Reggie the boy

this is dipstick one of the girls, don't you just love her half brown lips.

this is meatball the girl we are keeping and no pic today of squirt couldn't get her to sit still. LOL

I have one stitching pic to share of my spring exchange I sent to Renee. I stitched A Very Merry Spring for her and made it into a pinkeep.

We have puppies!

2009-05-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Bailey had her pups from 7:20pm last night until (so far) 10:00am this morning. So far their are just 4 but think there might be at least another one to go. She has had 3 girls and 1 boy. They are all sooooo cute with one big chunker in the group that looks like her daddy. I will update if there are more tonight, she did go 10hrs last night to this morning between pups. OY!

Mother's Day Flowers and more

2009-05-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Hope everyone had a great weekend. It was quiet for the most part here which is always welcome. LOL Mother's Day we took my MIL out to lunch along with my BIL/SIL. We had a great luncha and lots of it, great food. The kids were in Vegas with their dad for the weekend so it was quiet here. We have been on major puppy watch but no puppies as of yet. Major nesting going on today though, keep your fingers crossed.
Well, my oldest, Brianna, brought over flowers on Mother's Day for me, very pretty red roses in a really cool vase.

I rec'd another ornament for the HO HO HO ornament exchange i am in from Shelleen. Shelleen also sent along some goodies that are wonderful! Thanks so much Shelleen!!! I love it all!

I do have a couple "finish finishes" to share. Michele had given me a bunch of her stitching finishes to "finish" for her however i would like (trusting me with her stitching). LOL Well, i chose Peace by LHN that Melinda stitched for her in the Fair & Square exchange awhile ago. I made it into a pinkeep ornament for MIchele. I really like how it turned out myself. Also, i went through my F&S's and found a perfect one to make a pincushion out of. This is from Lynda A in one of my favorite colors, purple. I think i am going to add a bead to the middle of it though, we'll see. I used poly pellets to fill it.

I have an exchange that is en route so can't show that one as of yet. And that is about all for now.

Another great giveaway at.......

2009-05-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Country Girl, City Life blog. A great red bag with lots of compartments and works for a lot a great uses. go check it out.

Steph's "Blog Candy" giveaway

2009-05-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Run on over to Steph's blog and check out her giveaway. $100 gc, your choice of where. She has reached 10,000 hits on her blog in just 6 months and celebrating.

Is it May already?

2009-05-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

The time is sure flying by. HS graduation is coming up on May 22 for Caitie (she graduated in Dec but walking with her class). Then on to ASU in August for her. It's hot out here been in the 103's and just getting hotter. yuck

Well, i have a couple tiny finishes to share, not much really. I have been digging in my WIP basket and just pulling things out to finish. Well, i pulled out Salem Witch by Primitive Needle, stitched on silkweaver's solo using DMC. I think she turned out pretty cute, for a witch. I also finished up a small reindeer ornament from HIH (the pic isn't really good but you at least get the idea).

When the girls were here in April for our GCGC get together we had a little Floss Tag class. A couple of us finished ours up at the cabin and i took Michele's and Sharon's home to finish up for them. Well, i finally got Michele's done (Sharon's is next). Michele stitched "Easter" by LK a limited edition kit this year, over 1. It turned out really cute.

It is my turn to be receiving ornaments for our HO HO HO Ornament Exchange group. I rec'd Nicole's last week or so, just hadn't gotten around to taking pics. So here is the ornament Nicole stitched for me, Pear Tree by LHN on 40ct. It is gorgeous, i love it. Here is also a pic of the goodies she included (note, i already started Free BIrd by Plum Street Samplers on the 40ct fabric she included).

Well, we are waiting for our dog Bailey to have her puppies here anyday now. She was due yesterday the 7th. So we are just sitting back waiting for the little pups to come. Here is a pic of Bailey the other day. She is so miserable and uncomfortable and has been nesting quite a bit so hopefully this weekend. They are kicking like crazy in there, too cool.

Two WIP's down, too many to go

2009-04-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

Well, i have decided i really really need to whittle down my WIP basket next to my chair. I counted and there are 33 wip's in there. I am a serial starter and that's what happens when you are. LOL Well I started Earth Sampler by Primitive Needle just over a week ago (so not really an old WIP) and finished that one today. BUt while stitching on it this past week decided to just reach in the basket and grab out a bag. Whatever was in it was getting finished. Sooooooo, the winner was Always & Forever by LHN. I pulled that one out on Thursday night and finished by Saturday.

I stitched Always & Forever on a piece of 32ct mottled linen i had in my stash (no name on it) using Belle Soie Rose of Sharon. This is for Doug and I.

Earth Sampler was stitched on 40ct Lakeside linen V. Autumn Gold (yummy fabric and color) using the called for Weeks and Gast. I also changed 2 of the colors as they didn't show up on this fabric and used Crescent Colours for those 2.

I have also reached in the basket again today and drum roll please.........It's A Wonderful Life by The Sampler Girl was the winner this time.

Also, i rec'd yesterday a beautiful Emery from Amy in SC. I made a wish on the MAW board for an emery and Amy fulfilled my wish beyond anything i had imagined. AND, Amy stitched it in pink. Amy doesn't like pink and she even used pale pink (which she really doesn't like). Thank you sooo much Amy. I love it! it is gorgeous!!!

Here is a picture of my oldest daughter, Brianna (20) and my niece Allison (3) on Easter (and Ally's birthday party too). I really liked this pic so thought i would share with everyone.

And, Caitie had her senior prom 2 weeks ago and here is a pic of her and her date.

Goodies, Goodies and a finish

2009-04-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

Well, i need to post the goodies i either purchased or rec'd during our GCGC get together couple weeks ago.
First off I have the purchase i made at The Attic. I honestly didn't get too much, but all the threads you see on the floss tag, i did purchase that day along with the fabric for Earth Sampler (which you can see i am cruising along on), the chart for the floss tag along with hot pink 40ct fabric and another piece of 40ct fabric in V. Fawn.

We also made a quick side trip to a small quilting shop by my house and of course couldn't come out of there empty handed. I got a few fat quarters that are just yummy and now need to find something either already stitched that i can use these for or find something to stitch for them. LOL

I also have a pic of my grab bag from our exchange. I rec'd Michele's grab bag (gotta have the pink bag). Lots of fun goodies in there as well. It was quite funny that Ruth had rec'd a pack of "special edition" (as we called them) needles in her grab bag (they were missing a couple) before me. Well, when i opened up the little pack of needles i rec'd and there was a needle missing. You want to talk about laughing so hard we were crying. It was priceless.

Michele also made little goodie bags for all of us. Here is mine. Very cute pair of scissors, scissor fob in halloween (my favorite) and other goodies in there as well. Thanks again Michele!!!!

edit: the halloween scissor fob came from Chris. thanks michele for reminding me. LOL

Ruth also made all of us one of her famous spool ornaments with pink flamingoes on them. All of us except for Sharon are part of the HO HO HO ornament exchange and Chris had mentioned that she didn't want hot pink flamingoes for an ornament, so this was the joke. LOL

Since I am the current receiver of ornaments for the HO HO HO exchange, Ruth brought mine along with her. It was the first one for me to receive.

In the mail this week i rec'd a package from Mare from the Tiny Treasures exchange blog. I had joined the scissor fob exchange and there was some confusion on my partners end (no worries) and i didn't receive a fob. Mare stitched one up for me and it is just adorable. Thank you so much Mare!

Now for a couple finishes for me. I have been working on Yule Sampler by Primitive Needle. I stitched it on 36ct hand dyed linen tan by silkweaver using DMC and a couple called for CC. I really like how it turned out.

Back in February, The Attic had their semi-annual Framing Frenzy. 20% off your framing, you just bring in your piece and Sandy picks and chooses on her own for you with no deadlines. What fun is that! Well, the first piece is finished and i picked it up on Saturday and LOVING it. It is Doghouse Sampler by LHN. I used buttons made by Patti A (from the 123 board) instead of stitching the dog bone. I am really happy with Sandy's choice of frame and all. Can't wait to see my next piece she has.

More from the GCGC fun

2009-04-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

After spending a few hours at the Attic, we went to the tattoo parlor so Sharon could get her little man Josh's baby feet on her upper back. I am not one for needles so i was just cringing with the sound alone BUT i did watch for about 3 seconds and then went back to my stitching. LOL Watching for 3 seconds was an accomplishment for me so that was kinda funny. Sharon's tattoo turned out really awesome and it was probably the first time they have had 4 women sitting around waiting for someone and stitching. LOL After that we went out for some Mexican food at a local place and my daughters came out to hang for a little while while shooting us with their nerf guns. They are such dorks, how fun. LOL

Friday we headed to a friends cabin up north in Happy Jack AZ (just south of Flagstaff). I knew the girls would not be disappointed with the accomodations there. ;) I think we were a little overthinking the alcohol we brought, but hey, what if we got snowed in, right???? LOL We had our own little grab bag exchange of stithcing goodies, etc and floss ring tag "class" if you want to call it that after a couple drinks. LOL And also showed the fine art of coffee dying/baking fabric (it's easier than i think they thought it was). LOL

We ventured off to the Grand Canyon on Saturday after we FINALLY got the hot water working. LOL Frigid cold showers, BRRRRRRRRRRR!!! LOL Now, i have been to the GC a few times in my time here in AZ but it seems to be different every time. The only way to describe it is "breathtaking". There was still snow on the ground and very very very cold. I froze my butt off up there! I am not used to cold weather and OMG it was freezing, the girls were laughing at me. LOL My sister and Aunt Cathy were at the cabin while we were at the GC and my sis made a big pot of Turkey Chili for us and death by chocolate cake. yummy!!!

So here are some more pics from our GCGC get together. One of the pics that Chris took (i stole from her blog) of Ruth, Sharon, Michele and I sitting on the fireplace and it looks like i was crying/laughing. Well, i was. When i stretched my legs across Michele for the pic just having fun my toes cramped up on me and we all were laughing really hard. LOL it was painful but still funny. LOL

AZ get together week

2009-04-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

Well, a few friends, Michele, Ruth, Chris and Sharon and I decided to have a little get together here in Arizona. We spent a couple days here in the city and then ventured (it was an adventure) up north just south of Flagstaff to stay at a friends cabin for the weekend.

The girls all came into Phoenix on Wednesday April 1st. I met them at the hotel and we came to my house for dinner and dessert. There was bbq pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad and baked beans and Aunt Cathy made a delicious dessert. We hung around with my family for a little while then ventured back to the hotel for more chatting, laughing and some stitching.

Thursday, we met up for breakfast then went to one of my LNS's here in the valley, The Attic in Mesa. We were hoping to get to the Needler's Nest too, but didn't get to that side of town until it was too late, next time. Here are some pics of the girls shopping at The Attic. We spent a couple hours there then headed to In & Out for burgers.

Ruthann named us the GCGC (Grand Canyon Girls Club). LOL We did make a trip to the Grand Canyon but pics will be in another post. I was so excited the girls were coming here that i actually designed a small piece for us all to stitch in honor of our little retreat. I used my coffee dyed fabric and belle soie and kitted it up for the girls. Thinking of stealing Sharon's idea of framing the piece with our pic from the GC. hmmmmmmmmm

Well here are some of the pics promised above from shopping at the Attic. Notice Chris at the counter with her credit card, it's smoking. LOL
GCGC at The Attic, from left: Sharon, Ruth, Chris, Karen Michele

Chris with smoking credit card. LOL

Sharon

Michele

Ruth

The last of my exchanges have arrived

2009-03-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

So the last few of my exchanges have arrived. The first are my ornaments for Chris in our HoHoHo ornament exchange group. Chris was the first to receive ornaments for our group and her only dislike was pink flamingoes. SOOOO, the brat i am i stitched her her ornament then i also stitched a pink flamingo. LOL It turned our really cute and have to stitch him for myself now too. Chris seems to like him too. The other ornament is a quaker but i totally forget the name and don't have the chart right here.

My other exchange (the last of my exchanges for awhile) was the HOE winter quaker exchange. I stitched a freebie quaker snowman i found online but do not remember the site. DUH! I made him into a floss tag. Marie has rec'd her floss tag and really likes it. THey are sooo much fun to make.

Exchanges have landed

2009-03-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

So i can share a few of the exchanges i have recently sent out.

I stitched this little ditty for Annette W for the F&S #11. It is perfect for a biscournu, i think.

I signed up on the MAW (make a wish board) to stitch something Prairie Schooler, any design any finish for Simone. So i stitched this Honey Bear (don't recall the name off the top of my head). I stitched him over 1 and made a tin topper out of it. I really like how it turned out and can see myself making more of these.

Also, for the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange I stitched USA freebie for Shay. I made this one into a pinkeep.

A finish and exchanges

2009-03-08T13:49:00.001-07:00

Well i have a little finish for ME and a couple exchanges rec'd to share. I haven't seen that the exchanges i sent out have been rec'd yet so can't share those.

The weather has been gorgeous here in AZ, in the 80's, dropped to 70's for a couple days and going back up again. Spring Training games are in full swing (LOL) out here in AZ and that means lots of visitors. Baseball season in HS has started as well, so there are freshmen games we have already started going to to watch our son Josh play.

On the stitching front, i am trying to seriously cut down on exchanges for awhile so i can do some stitching for me. I have way too many WIP's/UFO's and really need to get them finished up. i am tired of looking at them in the basket next to my seat. So trying to stitch a bit on everything every day. LOL

Here is the finish for me. It is My Everything by The Sampler Girl. I stitched it on 40ct sand linen using Belle Soie Sister Scarlett. I love this one and am thinking of framing it in a very simple black frame.

well, here is the pinkeep i rec'd from Edgar from the Year Long Prairie Schooler exchange. i just love it and it is already in the basket on my dresser with other exchanges. Thank you Edgar!

Here is the F&S i rec'd from Annette W. here in AZ. I love it but not sure how i am gong to finish this one yet. Thanks Annette!

Hopefully this week i will a few smaller finishes to share from my WIP pile.

SBBC exchange has landed

2009-02-24T07:44:00.001-08:00

I can share one of my exchange pieces that i have recently stitched and sent off to Ulla from the SBBC group. Ulla had LHN's Caffe Latte on her wish list, so i chose that chart to stitch for her. I stitched it on some coffee dyed/baked fabric (thought it was appropriate for the theme) and made it into a flat-fold. This was a fun stitch and my 2nd attempt at a flat-fold.

Blog Award

2009-02-24T07:24:00.001-08:00

A very special blogging friend passed this award on to me .. thank you Michele. I have really enjoyed our growing friendship .. here's a description of this special friends award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon's of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with.
I'm sending this award on to eight friends. It's always hard to pick special bloggers to pass this award to ... I have met some wonderful friends over the last couple of years so I'd like to pass this on to Bette, Candi, Chris B., Ruthann, Jill, Cindy F., Susan, CarolynNC. I know a few of you have already been granted this award, but are special to me as well.