Carol's SAL part two

I was able to stitch part two of Carol's SAL yesterday.  She's having problems with people stealing pictures from people's blogs and stitching the design from them.  If you ask me, that's pretty rotten.  I know she had to limit the number of people who were able to participate, but to steal it is just low.  That is the reason for my fuzzy picture....anything to help Carol.

Hope all of you are having a Blessed Sunday,

Barbara

The Dash for Stash Room is Open for Business

I finally have gotten around to getting the pieces of fabric ready for sale.  You can get to my "Dash for Stash" room by clicking on the picture over to the right.  I have started out with the fabrics that I want to sell.  As I go thru my patterns I will add them.....hopefully I will get some of them together this coming weekend.  Since I don't have it set up to automatically go to Paypal, first come first served will be the order of the day.  

Blessings, Barbara

An apple tree finish

 I just finished Maggie Cos. Village Apple Tree and now I have to decide what to do with it.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to finish it into a pillow for my living room but I'm not quite sure how to do it.  I have several ideas running around in my head, but I just can't decide on which one.  When I finally do, I'll be sure to post a pic.

As you can see, I've added to my scissor collection.  The one on the left I purchased from my LNS the other day.  Remember me saying about her  "scissor of the month club".....well this is hers for autumn.  The other one I just got in the mail from Anita.  I love the copper color and the scissor fob I have just matches it perfectly.  

I have 3 commissioned pieces coming in the mail for me to stitch and finish so I'm just a little afraid to start anything new right now.  I still have to take pics of the stash I want to sell so maybe I'll do that till I get them.  Two are Just Nan's and one is a wedding sampler so they should keep me out of trouble for awhile....maybe.  LOL

Blessings as always,

Barbara

My progress on Carol's SAL

I still have to finish the border but I thought I'd share what I have finished so far.  This is part 1 of Carol's IStitch SAL and I'm loving it.  I already have planned on what I'm going to do with this when it's finished, but we'll keep that till later.  I'm stitching it on a 30ct. linen that I dyed and it turned out a really nice blue/green and with the dark blue Mandarin floss, it's a keeper!  

Here's a question.....how many of you use Thread Heaven.  I find that when I'm working with silks or in this case bamboo, the Thread Heaven helps keep control of the fiber.  I noticed that some of these can get hairy and this keeps that from happening.

Tomorrow I'm going to be taking pics of the stash I have for sale and I'll post later in the day about it.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Something to share....

I received this absolutely beautiful picture in an email from Carol in Pennsylvania and I just had to share it with you.  She gets to walk around this lake and take in this stunning scenery.  I am sooooo jealous!!!  I miss the changing of the seasons so very much here in Florida and I'm asking all my followers who get to witness beautiful scenes like this, to please share some photos with me.  I will post each and every one of them so that I can go back and enjoy them.  I am thanking each and every one of you in advance.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Elvis is leaving the frame.....

:o) Sorry I couldn't resist but I am finished with it.  I absolutely love how this turned out.  The hand dyed fabric (who's name I don't have) is a beautiful brownish/greenish which is very masculine and should go really well with his quilt that Jenn has planned.  She has plans of either making this into a wall hanging with the leftover Elvis fabric from the quilt (if she has any) or framing it.  I'm hoping for the wall hanging....I think Dalton would like that better.

My next project is a design from Maggi Co's Village and is called Apple Tree.  I have enough of the fabric I used for Elvis leftover to do this design on but I haven't decided on the floss color.  It's a mono design and I'm stitching it in honor of my home state....Pennsylvania.  In the fall there was always apple festivals when they picked the apples...mostly in Adams County.  I remember going to their festival and drinking the freshly made cider....fresh hot apple sauce....candy apples.....well you get the idea.  I'm thinking of stitching this in a red but not an apple red.....more along the lines of a burgundy red.  

I hope everyone's saturday has gone well so far.  I made myself another shabby tote bag.  This one is larger than the other ones because I'm soon going to start this rather large shawl and I'll need one to hold it.  I'll post pictures of the yarn soon.....as soon as I get all of them together.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Some finishes and a thank you....

Today I was able to finish the angel ornament for my friends daughter so tomorrow I can get it in the mail to her.  She did a wonderful bike ride this past July and that's why her angel has a bicycle charm on it.  Kind of a reminder for her and the great job she did.

This next finish I did for myself.  I had a piece of 32ct. irridescent teal green fabric and I just couldn't come up with anything to stitch on it.  Well I decided to go outside my comfort zone and stitch a small quaker on it.  I even used a strange silk color for me....HDF Orchid Smoke.....which is a grayish purple.  There was suppose to be a pink butterfly in the center so I stitched that over 1 and was going to cover a button with it.  Well I don't know about you but I cannot center a design on a covered button to save my life so off I went to my button box.  I saw this cameo and I thought "why not".  It couldn't look any stranger than the fabric or my color choice.  After I added the button then the sides looked bare so I added some pearls to it.  All in all, I kind of like it.  It's such a combination of different styles that it almost makes a new style.  LOL  

I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you who entered my last giveaway.  You left such wonderful comments about my work that I was just floored!!  All of us appreciate nice comments about our work and it always makes me feel that what I am doing is worthwhile.  Again, thank you.

My next project is an Elvis design for my oldest grandson, Dalton.  He has been taking guitar lessons and is quite good at them and he also has discovered Elvis.  Jenn is making him an Elvis quilt for Christmas and I thought I would stitch a design and she can make it into a hanging to match his quilt.  It's not a very large or intense design so it shouldn't take too long.

I hope everyone of you is having a wonderful week.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

And the winners are....

I said there would be some surprises so I decided to pick 3 winners.  I used the number generator:

19 7 24 

Random numbers generated Aug 12 2011 at 6:53:54 by www.psychicscience.org

Rita E: Please enter me in the drawing and if I am so lucky that I win I would have to choose the Seafoam Biscornu -it's a really a beautiful finish.
Patty C.: How about the May Flowers biscornu - I can't believe you designed that yourself - AWESOME!!!
Ruth: Hello Barbara I'd love the chance to enter into your giveaway and I would love the chance to win your blackbird cushion, I think it's gorgeous.  I am a follower.

If these ladies would be so kind as to email me their snail mail address, these winnings will be mailed out on Monday morning.  Thank you all who has entered and my next giveaway will be in October....this just shouts Halloween!
Blessings as always,
Barbara

Some news and something to show you.........

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments about my work as they are posting for the giveaway.  It really warms my heart to hear this from other stitchers.  I cannot thank you enough and don't forget the drawing will be on the 12th.  There's gonna be a couple of surprises, so stay turned.  

Now for the news.  I'm going to be opening another store that will be attached to this main blog.  In this store I'm going to be selling off some of my stash.  This means patterns, fabric, finishing items and anything else I can convince myself to part with.  I am doing this because my sewing room is being over run and pretty soon there won't be room for me in there to do any sewing.  I'm hoping Santa brings me an embroidery machine for Christmas this year so I really have to make room for it.  I know exactly where I want to place it, but there seems to be all sorts of things there now.....something has gotta go!!!!  So hopefully I will have all the pictures taken and posted by next monday.  

The above item is what I wanted to share with you.  I saw this on an English magazine website and thought someone might be interested in this.  What it is is a cover that you stitch for an IPhone.  Clever right?  Here is the link to the page where you do the ordering.  It seems to come in other colors than pink and they even give you patterns to stitch on it.  It looks like it made from that plastic vinyl you can stitch on if my eyes are seeing it correctly.

Well that's all I have for now.  I see our friends in Texas are still having such tremendous drought problems and the heat must be getting unbearable.  I know it gets hot down here in Florida, but every afternoon in the summer we have an afternoon storm which at least gives you the illusion of reducing the heat.  Please say a little prayer that this is over soon for them and that they get the rain they need so badly.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A new SAL by Carol

Carol R. is starting a new SAL and I for one can't wait.  I'm not sure if you are familiar with her designs but you can find her blog here so you can read about the SAL and you can find her patterns here.  She is going to limit the members so that it doesn't get out of hand for her so if you are interested, don't dally.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A summer giveaway....

I'm sure by now most of my followers know I have a shop where I sell some of my needlework.  Well I've decided to giveaway one of these items to whomever wishes to enter.  You can see what's included in this giveaway by clicking on the "My Shop" sign over to the right.  For this giveaway, I am only including counted cross stitched items....no knitting or crocheting.  

What you need to do if you are interested, is go look at my shop and then come back here and add a comment to this post only and tell me what you would like.  There is a pesty rule though.....you must be a follower.   

I hope alot of you ladies enter because there might be a surprise or two and I will let the number generator pick a winner on August 12th.

Blessings and good luck,

Barbara

Been a busy day.....

If I get too long winded on this post, I apologize in advance but it's been one of those days.  First off, I went to my LNS to pick up the Waterlillies for the Chatelaine Mini Mandelas I plan on starting soon and I also needed a really disgusting bright Halloween purple for a Halloween quaker I want to do for myself.  I took Vallie along because we were going to stop at Pet Smart afterwards to pick her up some of those chicken treats she just can't get enough of.  This trip went ok but then I received a phone call from our daughter, Jenn, that Wyatt our youngest grandson (6) broke his leg last nite.  Well this sent me into "grandma mode" and off I went.  I took Vallie home and started at the dollar store.  There I got puzzles, crayons, markers and coloring books.  From there it was Michaels to pick up all other kinds of goodies to keep a 6 year old entertained in bed for 6 weeks.  He might be able to go to school but Jenn hasn't been told yes or no yet.  I already had a box addressed and on the way home, stopped at P.O. to get it in the mail to the little one.  I just hope he heals fast and is able to get out of the cast in 6 weeks when the doc says.

The bright spot of the day was getting the above book in the mail today.  I saw this advertised on a different blog and thought it looked really interesting.  It's just me and dh and sometimes our grand daughter, Peyton, and I really don't like baking a large cake or whatever and this cookbook should come in handy.  She's taken all kinds of recipes and broken them down to feed only 1 or 2 people.  Great right?? Especially for me who is suppose to be on a diet.  

Oh I forgot to mention.....while in my LNS, she had just gotten in a new color of fabric.  It's called Chocolate Raspberry and I think it's by Wichelt.  The color is absolutely beautiful and my advice is check it out.  It's a beautiful neutral brown with a hint of pink.  Stunning!!  I already have her holding a fat quarter for me.  Where's that 12 step when I need it????  LOL  You might also want to check out Jardin Prive....she just added some new patterns to her website and they are to die for....especially the floral sampler.  

Well that's been my day.....not much stitching done but hopefully I'll be able to finish the JN Angel for my friends 3rd ornament for her kids tomorrow.  I might have to make a trip to Hobby Lobby to look for a bicycle charm in silver.  I looked at Michaels and no such luck.

I hope you got a lot of stitching time today and that pesty frog didn't show up on your doorstop.......

Blessings as always,

Barbara