Some finished Christmas Ornies

Every year I have the fun of making 3 ornaments for a friend of mine.  She has 2 girls and 1 boy who is married and we usually start early to come up with ideas for their ornies.  This year was pretty easy.....so far.  The boy who is married...well they like turtles.  Sometimes it's not so easy coming up with a Christmas turtle but we have.  One of the girls collects snowmen and the other angels so they are relatively easy.  As you can see by the picture, I have completed the turtle and snowman ornie but am still working on the angel.   The turtle I cannot remember where I got that pattern but the snowman is from last years JCS Ornie issue.  If you are thinking of doing the snowman, good luck.  It was a bugger.  First off it's stitched on 28ct. over 1 thread and then you have to backstitch around it in the shape of a star and then do that on a second sheet of fabric.  You then sew them together, wrong sides together thru the back stitches. Then when you are able to finish that (sigh) you string beads and make loops to go around the outside.  It's absolutely beautiful when finished but I will never make one again!  The turtle was just finished the regular way for ornies with batting and mat board and then a braid going around it.  

I am running into a problem with the angel.  The young lady it is going to also runs and my friend, the mom, is looking for an angel wearing sneakers.....or maybe a pair of sneakers with wings.  Does either of these ring a bell with any of you ladies?  I have come up empty and am at wits end.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

Hope everyone is having a blessed saturday,

Barbara

Slowly working on the SAL

Just a quick post to show the work I have done on the Chatelaine SAL.  I'm really enjoying stitching on the 20ct. Jobelan using two threads.  I think I'm going to order some of this in white or cream and do some hand dyeing just to see how it turns out.  This is a great alternative to 40ct. linen....which my eyes do not like....to get that small stitching I love.  I don't know what I'll do when my eyes no longer like 36 or 32ct.  Not looking forward to that day at all.

Hope everyone is having a blessed day and staying cool wherever you are,

Barbara

I need a 12 step program.....

Well I started my day looking for beads for this one ornie I have planned for a customer and noticed I was just about out of the crystal one.  Yippee!!!!  This means I can go to my LNS and look at all the goodies that she has and maybe pick up a new silk or two.  The visit didn't go as I planned.  :o(  I did get my beads that I needed but then I noticed she had some white irridescent fabric that I can use for this other ornie and I also picked up a new silver braid.  Then without any warning out of the corner of my eye, I see this beautiful biscornu.  I find out it's a Sweetheart Tree with a matching scissor fob and before I knew it.....yep it jumped right into my basket.  Dang patterns like that.  Ever come across one like that?  The designers really need to put warning stickers on designs like this....."WARNING....this design is known to jump into your basket without you even having a chance to say no".

And then I really got into trouble.  My LNS also sells needlepoint canvases and all the fibers you could possibly need to stitch one.  Well Pam was ringing up what damage I had done to my checkbook and I decided just to look thru some canvases.  BIG MISTAKE!!!!!  I came across this witch who reminds me of an old Vogue ad and I fell hard....really hard.....do you recognize just how hard I fell?  Well I just had to have her and then came the fibers.  Now I have a sewing room full of fibers (I've even gotten rid of alot of them) but I cannot stop myself from adding to what I have now.  Well I think I was really good because I only bought 3 different ones.  I bought 3 spools of Trebizond for her dress, 1 skein of black merino wool for the trim on her dress and 1 skein of lavender silk for the background.  All the remaining fibers I had at home.  I came home and starting pulling threads (isn't that the best part?) and came up with what you see in the pic.  Floss, pearl cotton, Anchor Marlitt, Mandarin Bamboo and Caron Impressions are just some of the fibers I'll be using.  The canvas was designed and painted by Melissashirleydesigns.com.  I also added to my collection of silks and fibers with some greys and avocado greens.  

Well I hope you enjoyed seeing what I came home with and if you have the name and number of a really good 12 step program for the needlework addicted, I'd appreciate an email with that information.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

What I did today....

I love my baby but wow does she love to get dirty so the first thing I did today was give Vallie a bath.  She doesn't like the blow dryer but she gets so fluffy when I use it so she just puts up with it.  She is now 6 months old and so in dog years doesn't that make her 3.  If so, it now makes sense.....she's entered the "terrible three" stage.  Heaven help me!!

Next up is a new bag I made using the same pattern as the one with the upside down pockets only this one is correct.  This one is made with a Moda charm pack from Blackbird Designs and I just love the colors.  The inside lining is a beautiful pale blue fabric that matches the straps.  I gave this one a hard bottom by covering a piece of plastic canvas with fabric and placing it inside.  Makes the bag stand up by itself which I like for knitting projects.

The above one is so girly!!  If you know me, you know I love pink and green together and I've had this selection of fat quarters for awhile just waiting to make something out of them.  Well this is what I came up with.  I cut 2.5 inch strips and sewed them together like the square one with the seams on the outside.  For a first time, I think it turned out kind of cute and is a good size for my little knitting projects.

The above is what I have finished so far on the Chatelaine SAL.  The picture gives you a good idea of the fabric I'm using and the colors of floss.  Not all the colors are in the picture yet and I'll take another one once they are so you can see all of them together.

Well that's what I've been doing today.  I hope everyone else has had a good day of stitching and that the frog stayed home.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Why you shouldn't talk on phone and sew at same time.....

This morning I got out of bed with a want to do some sewing so off I went to my sewing room with gung ho fever.  I decided to undertake the making of a tote bag I had seen on Etsy but I figured I could sew this myself instead of buying one.  I picked out my three fabrics and started cutting.  Now everything was going perfectly till a friend called and I continued to pin and sew.  With this pattern, when you have everything sewn, you just clip the seams and then wash and dry it and the seams will get that "old" look about them.  Well while I was clipping I noticed something very strange about the inside of my bag.  Now this pattern calls for 3 inside pockets which are sewn in as you put the bag together.  Mine were not in the correct place.  Mine were in upside down!!!!!!!!!!!!  I had sewn the bottom of the bag to the wrong end of the tube and my pockets were now facing downwards.  Now I ask you....what can I use these pockets for???  I can't take the bag apart because it's already been washed and dryed so the seams are there to stay.  

So what have I learned from this?  Never, ever talk on phone while sewing.....it leads to upside down pockets that can hold nothing but air.  LOL

I have also started my Chatelaine SAL Rosettes Delight.  I was going to stitch it on 36ct. natural linen but the colors I chose were just too dark for the fabric.  I didn't like it at all so I decided to stitch it on 20ct. Pewter Jobelan over 1 thread.  I love 40 ct. linen but I didn't have any big enough and I found this pewter and I loved how the colors looked.  Also it's quite easy to stitch on counting wise.  I hope to have a little more of it stitched and I'll post a pic tomorrow sometime.

I hope all of you are having a terrific weekend so far and that all of you in the heat wave zone....keep cool.

Blessings as always,

Sad news .....

SAD NEWS - Please join me in remembering YET ANOTHER great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Dough Boy died yesterday of a yeast infection and traumatic complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 71. Dough Boy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children, John… Dough, Jane Dough, and Wierd Dough, plus they had one in the Oven.

Sorry.....but I know you're laughing!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Martina Weber's Rosettes Delight SAL

How many of you ladies have seen this new SAL by Martina?  Well I've joined it and now I have to get my colors in order.  There are 9 colors but I've got an itching to do mine in one color....maybe an overdyed.  I would just like your opinion on this.  Do you think it would take away from the design if it was stitched in just one color?  I've decided on the fabric......36ct. natural so it will have to be something to go with that.  Maybe do it in pastels instead of the rich colors that Martina has used?  HELP.....I'M SO CONFUSED......

Blessings to anyone who helps,

Barbara

Am I the only one?????

I went up to my LNS today to pick up some things for a new project.  I don't know how many of you subscribe to the GOS, but several months ago there was a Chatelaine Design by Martina Weber that I just couldn't get out of my mind.  Anyways, I picked up the silks that I needed (yum yum) and went up to the register to see how much damage I had done to the checking account that day.   Now this is just a very short distance from the silk rack to the register, but in that short distance I added to my pile considerably.  I added a JN pattern, a Sweetheart Tree, a small sampler by Shakespeare Peddler and a pair of scissors....all in about 6 feet of walking....and I think I could of done so much more damage without really trying.  LOL

Now I'm at the register talking with Pamela (who happens to be a darling) and this shop has a wonderful thing it does for you.   If you love a certain magazine, everytime it comes out with an issue, the store will put one up for you and hold it till you come in.  Great right???  I thought so and that's why they always hold an issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework for me.  Only thing is, this month there must of been a mixup because when I got home, I found out I already had this issue.  Now is this just because I'm getting older or is it a disease that only effects stitchers?  Whatever it is, I've got it.  I guess it's getting to the point where I'll have to start making lists of what I have and what I want.  Boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I don't know if any of you ladies have looked at Martina Weber's website lately, but I noticed she has a few more freebies on there that I hadn't seen before.  I'm doing the little strawberry pincushion and I swear in this 3 x 4 inch area, I have more mistakes than I have ever had on any project before.  Since I'm keeping this for myself, the mistakes are staying in.  How many of you take out every mistake you find?  The frog hardly ever visits my house because I hate to rip.  I once told Thellie (my partner in cross stitch crime) that whenever I make a major mistake, I usually just throw out that piece of linen and start over on a new piece. Well the day I told her that, I thought she'd die.  Anybody else do this or am I the only nut out there.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful friday and that there is nothing darkening your doorway,

Blessings as always,

Barbara

JN Bluebird Alphabet Knocker and a giveaway

I finally got around to doing the finishing work on the JN Bluebird Alphabet design and I think it's a cutie.  It turned out a little bit bigger than I intended and now it's a great size for hanging on the wall or on a door knob.  I did the stitching on 32ct. Queen Anne's Lace Jobelan using DMC floss and Sampler Threads.  The design came with some sweet little glass flower beads and those really add to the design.  If you are interested in this, you'll find it in my store.

I'm still plucking away on a Stacy Nash design and the large quaker I told you about before.  When they start to get to me, I work on a shawl that I started this past week.  It's a beautiful shade of teal wool/acrylic yarn that I purchased a while back and I was just waiting for the perfect design for it.  This is a small shawl.....more like a triangle shaped scarf....and it shouldn't take too long to knit.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday and that you all are getting some much needed stitching time.

In cleaning out my sewing room today, I came across this beautiful book of ponchos, capes and shawls.  I no longer need this book so I thought I'd offer it up for a giveaway.  It's published by Interweave Knits so you know it's a goodie.  Just leave your name on this post and we'll pick a winner this thursday morning.  Let's keep this giveaway just for U.S. followers because the book is rather heavy.  Thanks!

Blessings as always,

Barbara


Apparently not too many knitters follow my blog because only one person, Rhonda, signed up to win the beautiful book I was giving away.  Rhonda, it will be in your next box of goodies. :o)

For Caylee....

The shocking verdict in the Casey Anthony trial is pushing some people to action.

A petition for a campaign called "Caylee's Law" started shortly after the verdict was read. In 24 hours, it has more than 75,000 signatures from people in all 50 states.

Attorney Joe Touger was not surprised by the proposed law.

"Anytime you have an intensely scrutinized media case, like this one, with a great deal of emotional reaction over a verdict, you're going to see efforts like this that try to remedy what people perceive to be an injustice," Touger said. "And a good number of people perceive that this verdict was a miscarriage of justice."

Caylee's Law calls for parents who fail to notify police of missing child to be charged with felony.

The petition hopes for Congress and the President to step in and change the laws on the books in every state.

However, Touger believes the law has a better shot if it's done at the state level.

"For the most part, these types of crimes are prosecuted at the state level," he said. "And so, to try and petition congressmen and senators at the federal level is noble but I think a lot more can be done with a passage of a law like this if we instead try to contact our state legislators and state senators."

On Tuesday, Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008 but was found guilty of lying to police.

Caylee wasn't reported missing until 31 days after she was last seen.

Please, in memory of Caylee, contact your state senators and representatives and ask them to bring this about in each and every state.  This sweet little girl did not deserve what happened to her at the hands of her own mother and so maybe her death will help another child.
Blessings as always,
Barbara

Lizzie Kate Glass Jar finish

I was at my LNS the other day and came across one of Lizzie Kate's new designs called Inspiration Boxer and it had this cute little design as an extra.  I don't usually do LK's but this one intrigued me and I couldn't put it down.  It turned into a pretty expensive project because I had to purchase the Crescent Colors, Weeks Dye Works and Sampler Threads to stitch it with.  I stitched it on 32ct. Flax Belfast linen and then mounted it into one of these glass jars.  There are two little pink flower buttons that really set off the design.  I loved stitching it but it's really not something that I would keep so I'm offering it up for sale in my store.  If you are interested in it, you'll find it there.

I've started a rather large design that is from Marjorie Massey called Inspiration Quaker III that has 3 designs in it and I'm doing the one with the owl in the middle.  You'll find it here.

I hope to have this finished by the end of the week and who knows what will be next.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Something to share with you....

You must check out this collection of fabrics from the Fat Quarter Shop.  Click here to see the new design they have in stock.  Needless to say, my paypal account has been depleted for the month.  I'm weak and am in need of therapy but I've spent all my money on fabrics.  I wish all of you good luck in restraining yourselves when you see these beautiful fabrics......and please don't blame me too harshly.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Some finishes.....

I saw this pattern and thought it was an unusual way to finish a pinkeep so you know I had to have it.  The designer is Island Cottage Needle Arts and they gave fabulous directions on the finishing and also included the backing fabric and the wool felt for the flanges on the outside.  Mine didn't turn out as great as theirs did but then I filled mine with ground up corn cob for that "old fashioned" feel.  

 This design I fell instantly in love with.  The name of it is Coeur de Brodeuse by Nathalie Cichon of Jardin Prive.  I stitched it on a peachie/pink 28ct. linen who's name I can't find and I stitched it with a Silk N'Colors silk called Hidden Canyon.  I absolutely love how it turned out but I just can't make up my mind whether I want to frame it or do something else with it.  Suggestions?

 These next two items are commissioned pieces.  The first is a memory box and the second is a yellow rose jar.  The memory box has the name of the deceased inside the front lid and it's given to the family for them to put items of the person who passed.  This one is for a man so I tried to make it a little more masculine.  The rose jar is for a sweet lady named Rose who just happens to love yellow roses.  Perfect right?

I also want to wish all of us "Yanks" a happy 4th of July tomorrow and I hope everyone has a safe one.  Enjoy the barbeques and the fireworks but in the back of your mind, remember what this day means.....freedom....and the way the world is going these days, we need all of this we can get.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

And the winner is.....

I used the random number generator and up popped the number 11.  I have emailed Teresa to let her know she's won and to get her address.  I want to thank all of you ladies who entered and I should be having another giveaway some time soon.

Blessings as always,

Barbara