Some other things to be taken care of.........

Several of you ladies signed up to take part in a RR with the Sweetheart Tree design.  Well Rita's name was drawn and she will start it off.  Now the rest of you ladies who are interested in it will have to pay attention to her blog to see when she's finished with it and ready to pass the pattern on.  I will try to keep up and have the stitcher's blog posted in my side bar for all to see.

I hope everyone has read that Kat was the winner of the birthday giveaway for the month of March and that everyone will watch for my next giveaway which will take place sometime in April/May.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

The winner is.....plus terrible weather here in Orlando

We have had some really rough weather last nite and today. Hail, tornados and very bad lightning storms. I was able to get online for about 15 minutes this morning to email the winner of my birthday giveaway but was cut off before I could post it. I am posting this little bit via my blackberry and its a trip. Lol.
Anyways, the winner of my birthday giveaway is KAT. I am hoping to get online later with the computer so I can explain a few things.
From water soaked Florida, Barbara

Isn't this adorable????

I received this picture from Connie today and I just had to share it.  I love how she finished it into a pillow.  She stated that her daughter said parts of it reminded her of sea shells.  Now that she's said that I too can see them.  Just goes to show you that someone can design a design but it takes someone else to see everything in that design.  Thank you Connie for sharing this with us...a beautiful stitched piece and finishing!!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A new start.....

Before I start my month of La D Da and Blackbird Design stitching, I'm going to stitch this beautiful Madame la Fee design for Rhonda's Mother.  Her mother loves poppy's and when we saw this, we knew she would love it.  It should take a few days and then it will be made into a pillow for her.  I would love ideas on what you think the pillow should look like....always open to new ideas.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A new finish and something to share.....

 First off, I went up to my LNS...Needle Orts.....yesterday and she had in this very cute set of minature accessories.  There's a magnet for holding your needle in place on your fabric, a 2 inch ruler, a hornbook and a thread holder.  All but the magnet have claw hooks on them so you can attach them to anything you like.  Well mine I have attached to a larger claw and then attached them to my scissors.  Aren't they the cutest???  

I also finished the Sweetheart Tree Mini Quaker Pincushion I was working on.  I stitched it on a natural/red Graziano Linen using a beautiful silk fiber.  I also attached some buttons to the upper right hand corner just for decoration.  If you are interested in this, check out my store.

I read about this on another blog and I thought I'd see what the interest is here.  The Sweetheart Tree design you see above would be mailed by me to someone along with a skein of floss or silk.  The person who is chosen to receive this, must have a blog and also must drop whatever she is stitching at the moment in order to stitch this design in a timely manner.  She would then put it on her blog and ask for someone to accept the pattern and a skein of floss from her.  It's kind of like a round robin and the object is to see how many people we can get to stitch this design.  Let me know if anyone is interested in this because I think it would be fun to see what someone else could come up with.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

The Brown Bunny....

is all finished and just ready for Easter.  I absolutely love Carol's designs which you can find here and you won't regret purchasing and stitching them.  I have purchased several from her and have stitched most of them....not enough hours in the day for me to stitch everything I want to.  If you are interested in this one, you'll find it in my store.

Well this just about finishes up my month of traveling and my giveaway winner will be picked on the 31st.  I have purchased a slew of Blackbird Designs and La D Da designs and those are the ones I will be concentrating on in April.  I do have some others I want to get going on and I've already started a new Sweetheart Tree which will be a pincushion and scissor fob.  I've also purchased some linen and threads from Nina and I'm looking for the perfect design for them.  They are all in shades of roses so I'm thinking of a feminine design.....maybe a quaker.  We'll have to see about that one.

Well it's raining here in Orlando and we do need the rain, but what a dreary day it makes.  Vallie has decided that she doesn't like the rain one bit and that it is beneath her to get her feet wet.  Anyone know where I can purchase a pair of rubber boots for a very small dog?  Maybe in the doll section at Walmart or Target?  LOL  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

I Won an Award!!!!

The Rules of the Award:

1.  Thank the person who awarded you:  Many thanks Agi....this means alot to me.

2.  List 7 things about myself:

          I love doing needlework of any kind.

          I have 5 grandchildren 

          I am the new owner of a very active Maltese puppy

          I love watching Nascar and my driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr.

          My husband and I celebrated 40 years together this year.

          I love history....especially American history.

          I love looking at foreign blogs 

3.  Pass this on to 15 other stylish bloggers. 

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

If you want to see something truly amazing and absolutely adorable, click on the link below and watch a video that will melt your heart.

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A wonderful birthday surprise....

came in the mail for me yesterday.  This absolutely beautiful and flawless drawn thread centerpiece.  My sweet friend, Rhonda, made this for me and she told me it was her first attempt at this type of work.  Well I am dutifully impressed by her work because it is stunning.  It makes the perfect back drop for my grandparents wedding bowl and my mothers brass candlesticks.  I cannot thank her enough for this special birthday gift.  I think it's wonderful when friends surprise you with handmade gifts.  To me there is nothing better than something that person made just for you....always makes me feel special.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Red French Needle and Scissor Holder

The name of this design from Atalie is "Le Labrinthe des Lettres" and it was a fun stitch.  She actually had a flower stitched in the center but I decided to leave that off and instead sew a heart shape piece of wool felt to hold needles.  I was even able to find an Eiffel Tower charm that I think is just adorable.  I stitched it on an HDF 36ct. linen using "Perfect Red" HDF silks.  On the back there is a pocket to hold your scissors or needle packets.  I did twisted braid around the outside and placed frosted pearls evenly spaced to hold the braid in place.  I do like how this turned out, but I have so many of these I'm running out of room to display them....therefore, this one is in my store if you are interested.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Thistledown freebie pattern....

 Is all finished and just waiting for you to download and stitch.  I will give you this bit of information....I used an entire new skein of Dinky Dye Silks to stitch mine so it does use alot of floss.  I recommend stitching yours with a new skein of whatever you choose.  The finishing is done like Cynthia of the Drawn Threads little scissor keepers.  You can find the instructions in the freebie section of her website.  If you would rather purchase it already stitched, you'll find this in my store for sale.

I stitched mine on 28ct. hand dyed Jobelan called Carnival and I used the Dinky Dye Mountain Mist.  After all the finishing was done, mine turned out about 2 inches square.  To add a little extra to mine, I filled it with bath salts that smell like lavender.  I use bath salts because they add a nice fragrance and they give it weight.  You, of course, do not have to use this....use whatever you wish.

Here is the pattern that you can click on and enlarge and then print it out or you can download the pdf here.

If you decide to stitch it, please send me a picture so I can post it here.  I love to see how others have stitched and finished my patterns.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A new start and a Vallie update....

 Well Vallie was at the vet this past week and she's up to 3lbs. 5 ozs. but the doc doesn't think she'll make 10 pounds.  I don't think so either since her mama was pretty small.  She's learned how to fetch but we're still working on sitting still.  Also she's getting better at walking on the leash and actually stays up with me.  All in all, she's a very good doggie and we love her to death.

Well today was my birthday and one of the nicest things I received was from my cousin Linda who lives in Gettysburg, Pa.  Last fall there was a get together of alot of my cousins who I haven't seen in more than 30 years and she took some pics and I received them today in her birthday card.  I have missed out on so much living this far from Pennsylvania....all of my relatives in Pa. live in a 30 mile radius....and I cherish these pictures.  I think this was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received and I thank her for them.

Also, you can see I'm working on my next freebie for you ladies and I've decided on a name and color choice.  I am stitching it on hand dyed 28ct. Jobelan called "Carnival" using a Dinky Dye silk called "Mountain Mist" which is a lavender.  The name of the design will be Thistledown.  I should have this finished in a few days for you ladies to download.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Sweetheart Tree Country French....

is the name for this design so I took the liberty of stitching it during my "traveling month".  This came as a kit and if you have ever stitched a Sweetheart Tree design, you will understand when I say this was a "pain in the a@@" to stitch.  Sandra really packs alot of stitching into a little square.  This isn't to say that I don't enjoy her designs, but I'm not sad that it's finished.  LOL  If you are interested, you will find this one in my store for sale.

My next project is a pattern I designed myself.  Its a monotone (gasp....really?) and I'm still debating what color I want to stitch this in.  It has specialty stitches and when I'm finished, I will be posting the pattern here for you to download.  It shouldn't take me too long to stitch it....few days at the most.  

As I'm stitching this, I'm also working on a knitted doll that I found on Ravelry.  When I was little, my favorite aunt bought me this little fabric doll that I just treasured for years.  She was about 8 inches long, very floppsy and for the life of me I can't remember what happened to her.  All these years later, I can still remember playing with this little doll.  I have looked for her on Ebay and other doll sites but never found anything like her.  Well this pattern is very similiar except it's knitted so here I am in my late 50's knitting a doll for myself.  LOL  How's that saying go about a second childhood?  Well I'm there and I can't wait to work on her.  I will post a picture of her when I'm finished.  The above picture is the designers finished doll.  Isn't she adorable?  

Well I'm off to do some knitting and stitching and I hope all of you lovely ladies have a fantastic weekend. Blessings as always,

Barbara

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A french heart and thread from spain....

came together to make this adorable little design that I just had to make into a pincushion.  I was lucky enough to find the french ribbon on etsy and my local LNS sells the Presencia floss that is made in Spain.  I used the red of course to stitch this and I'm going to add a skein of the white and one of the red in my giveaway because I really like this floss and I'd like to share the experience.  I also have sewn a very tiny braid around this and added a twisted braid bow made of the same floss.  You will find this one for sale in my store if you are interested.

My next entry is a little bit of a stretch....a Sweetheart Tree design called "Country French Box Topper".  I will say this....I probably won't finish it into a box topper.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

You have got to check these out.....

that a friend of mine makes to carry your Kindle around.  Isn't this a fantastic idea and wait to you see the colors of fabric she uses.  Here is the link to her Etsy store where you can purchase them directly from her.  I can also tell you that knowing this lady, these are truly very well made.  There will also be a direct link in the sidebar to get to her store at any time.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Thank You and some ramblings....

First off, I don't think I say it enough but I want to thank those who make comments about my stitching.  I cherish each and every one of my followers and I value your judgement.  I want to know if you don't like something as well.  I think a person improves if they know their weaknesses and I'm no exception.  So if you don't like something that I've stitched or maybe have a better idea on how I finished something, please don't be afraid to post it.  

Now for the ramblings....

Have each of you noticed how high grocery prices are getting?  It's just me and hubby (plus the little pooch) and ours is getting way out of hand.  I try to be as careful as I can be but some things you just have to buy.  Like cereal.  My hubby only likes two cereals....Life and Raisin Bran and each of them are going way up in price.  I truly don't see how families do it that have 2 or 3 children.  You not only have the expense of feeding them but also clothes are going way up in price too.  I really feel for couples that are just starting out.  DH and I are lucky in that our house is paid for so we are safe in that respect, but these young people who are trying to purchase their first house...it's very sad.

Yard work.....does anyone hate this as much as I do?  I don't mind the planting of flowers and such, but the weeding and mowing and trimming.....I HATE!!  Living here in Florida, we have this to do just about year round so I'm stuck with it.  Tomorrow we are going to work on the front of the house and get this in shape for summer.  Whoopee!!!!   :o(

Well that's about it....I've probably bored you long enough and I still have to finish the french design today (hopefully).  I wish each and every one of you a fantastic weekend....and if you're a Nascar fan, please cross your fingers for Dale Jr this weekend.  He's now in the top twelve in points and I'd really love him to stay there.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

The Little French Hen.....

was found in my stitching room stitched but not finished into anything.  I saw this as a standup but a primitive one.  The backing and the bottom are a solid wool from Weeks Dye Works and the bow is made from one of their houndstooth ones.  I added some crushed walnuts to the bottom to give it weight and to help it stand up which it does with no problem.  I stitched it on a hand dyed 32ct. Belfast linen with DMC floss in 3 different colors.  This you will find in my store for sale if you are interested.

I'm still plucking along on the french design and the other day when I was up at my LNS, I bought some of the Presencia floss from Spain and that will be added to the giveaway.  I will have a picture of it when I finish the french design.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

From Australia....

and the designers at Dinky Dyes, comes this very sweet pattern which was just calling to me when I saw the colors in it and how they matched my fabrics that I had bought.  The bottom of the biscornu is done in the  fabric shown in the bottom of the picture and the bow is done in the top one.  All the stitching was done with Dinky Dyes and around the outside, are very tiny teal colored beads.  I had to include Australia in my month of foreign designers because of my father being stationed there during WWII and he just loved the country and it's people.  I always thought that if I didn't live here in the states, I could find a home in Australia very easily.  This one is going into my store so if you are interested in it, you'll find it there.

My next design is from France so of course you know it's gonna be red....I just haven't decided on the fabric yet.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

From Russia with love....

 ...or in this case from a Hungarian blog.  I came across this one just by chance and have found out that Manka is a very talented designer.  This sweet little nesting doll was one of her free patterns and I just fell in love with it.

As for the fibers, the three spools that you see are a new fiber, or at least to me it is, from Japan that is a 100% cotton.  It comes many ways but this one intriqued me.  It is a two ply....it actually comes off the spool two ply....and it doesn't knot.  I had no problems with tangles or anything like that.  I purchased them from Jojo's Quilt Shop and received them very quickly.  I really love the sheen of this fiber and I know I'll be purchasing more of it.

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

My birthday month giveaway.....

is all put together and ready for you ladies to sign up for.  So far this is what I've come up with:

De fil en aiguille cross stitch magazine

1 piece of 29ct. Natural Glenshee Linen

1 piece of 28ct. Natural/Cream Tattersall Linen

Fibers:

Full spool of Embers by HDF Silks

#12 Kreinik Braid overdyed by Threadworx

3 skeins of DMC 5200

Cottesioe by Dinky Dye Silks

1 skein Kreinik Silk Mori

1 skein Hackberry by Nina

Small pink tin 

Cat shaped wooden thread holder

Small french whatnot box

Like I said this is what I have so far.  I know that by the time March 31st rolls around, I will have added to this but we'll let that be a surprise.

To enter, you must be a follower of my blog.  If you have a blog and you post a link to this giveaway, I will enter your name twice.  

This giveaway will be open until March 31st when DH will pull a name out of a hat.  This is open to all followers no matter where you live.  Good luck to everyone....

Blessings as always,

Barbara

P.S.  I almost forgot the most important part.  I didn't want to buy it now but I will also have some Godiva Chocolates added to the box.