Getting ready to start the Paris Mandela

Well I'm ready to start my first large Chatelaine design and I'm feeling way overwhelmed.  I'm stitching it on 36ct. natural linen and as you can see, the box is quite filled with silks, metallics and DMC flosses.  I haven't gotten the beads and crystals yet but I'm not concerned since they will go on last.  I plan on ordering them from Fire Mountain Gems if and when I get to that point.  Notice I say "if".  I'm very concerned that this is just a little too large a project for me to undertake.  I have trouble with concentration and this might cause problems.  So wish me luck and if I start falling behind, please give me a kick in the butt to get me restarted.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Ruth's Let it Snow

I received an email from Ruth this morning and she was sharing her version of my Let It Snow.  She made it for a friend of hers who loves pink.....now I ask you....how can you go wrong with pink???  It's just adorable!!  I want to thank Ruth for sharing this with us.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

My Christmas Giveaway

It's time for my Christmas giveaway and I thought Black Friday would be a good day to start it on.  What I am giving away is a sweet little pattern from Little House Needleworks.  What I also am including is all the floss, the 28ct. Jobelan, the chenille braid and the Weeks Dye Works Wool for the finishing.  I know the pattern calls for the red wool but I only have green and it does match the floss in the design.  

Now for some of those pesty rules.

1.  You must be a follower of my blog to join in on the giveaway.

2.  To get a second chance to win, please post about my giveaway on your blog and post about it separately.

So leave your comments on this post only and I will have the number generator pick a number on December 9th.  That should give you plenty of time to stitch this up for this years celebration if you wish.

Good luck to all who enter!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

BBD Thistle House Pincushion

I had started this Blackbird Design several weeks ago and then had to put it on the backburner while other things needed to be finished.  Well I finally got around to finishing the stitching and turning this absolutely beautiful design into a pincushion.  The fabric around the middle is a Moda fabric for Blackbird Designs and it matches the linen color perfectly so that was a no brainer.  When it came to the trim I was a little stumped.  I have the chenille trim that Blackbird Designs uses so often but it just didn't do anything for the design.  Then I found this narrow braid in a soft burgundy and it was perfect.  

I went up to Joann's this morning in search of some cotton fabric to use for backing on an ornament I'm doing for a friend.  I've designed the pattern and after she receives it, I will post the pattern on here for you all to enjoy.  While there I saw that they were selling dog collars with Christmas designs on them.  Well you know my Miss Vallie just had to have one.  I will try to get a picture of her later with her wearing this.  She thinks she is hot stuff with her new collar.

I hope everyone is having a great Monday and that you are getting all ready for Thanksgiving.  I don't know about where you live, but here in Orlando that traffic was terrible this morning.  I think alot of people have the week off from work and are taking advantage of getting some shopping done.  I'm glad I'm home now and will be all week.  I never, ever go anywhere on Black Friday.  I truly don't believe in it and  I think it's terrible that the stores almost force you to do your shopping on that day.  Oh well....I guess I'm showing my age because I can remember when it was fun to go Christmas shopping with my Mother and actually enjoy the experience.  Now it's all about rushing to this store to get this bargain and then unto the next.  No fun as far as I'm concerned.  Am I the only one who feels this way?

Blessings as always,

Barbara

My new Christmas pillow

I decided to finish my C Mon Monde SAL into a pillow and I love how it turned out.  My first try was a square pillow with a flange but I just didn't like the look of it, so I went back to my old standby.  The under pillow is red velveteen and the backing of the sleeve is a red plaid.  With the organza ribbons for ties and the white eyelet lace, I'm all ready to celebrate the season.

Everyone have a wonderful Sunday.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Jenn's Let It Snow

Jenn has posted a picture on her blog of her finished Let It Snow ornament and it's completely different than the original I stitched.  Her's is done in all Kreinik Braid with a little DMC floss thrown in for good measure.  She also did it on a very unconventional fabric....lime green....which will match her tree.  I think it turned out fabulous and if you want to see her newest finished Mirabilia, Jenn's blog is here.

This morning we did our usual friday errands and now I'm home sitting here getting ready to put my first stitches into the Jardin Prive Sampler of Flowers.  I've decided on a HDF fabric, 36ct. Bunny Brown which is a very light, soft tan and I'm stitching it with HDF silk Perfect Red 6217.  I think this is going to be a very relaxing stitch to do when I'm not working on the Chatelaine Mandela.....no thinking involved....just beautiful stitching in red.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with plenty of stitchie time.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Brenda's Let it Snow

Look at this!!!  Brenda has taken my design Let It Snow and did it in completely different fibers and colors.  Isn't it stunning!!!  Some of the fibers are:  Threadworx, Glissengloss and silk.  This is what I had in mind when I designed this.....how everyone would interpret it in very different color ways.  Thank you so much Brenda for sharing your beautiful ornament.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

One SAL down and another to start

Well I have the C Mon Monde SAL finished and I'm all ready to start the Parisian Mandela from Chatelaine Designs on Dec. 1.

I've decided to finish this design into a pillow which I will do this weekend and then I'll post a picture of it.  I don't have a Christmas pillow and I thought this design would be perfect.

Now I'm onto 2 more Christmas ornies.....one for my grandsons and another for Jenn and her husband.  They are pretty simple designs, which I designed, so they shouldn't take long at all.  I'll post them and the finished pillow later this week.

After I'm finished with them, it onto a sampler I'm dieing to start.  Remember this:

This was designed by Jardin Prive .....one of my favorites....and I have the fabric and threads all picked out for it.  Yum!!!!

Well back to work and I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday and that you all are able to get at least a few stitches in today.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

P.S.  This is a picture of the Parisian Mandela incase you haven't seen it.

My free Christmas ornament to you.....

The other day I posted about the colors that are used for Christmas ornaments and asked what everyone prefers.  I received some wonderful comments on this and it got me thinking about designing a Christmas ornament pattern that you could possible do in just about any color combination.....I think I came up with it.  Several ladies posted about using light pink and silver, light blue and silver.....well this is my version of those combinations.  In the picture, you will see all the fibers I used in the stitching of this ornament.  I hope you will stitch this in the colors you love and please don't forget to send me a picture so that I can share with the others.

I stitched mine on the palest of grey 28ct. Jobelan and I used Anchor Pearl Cotton for the kloster blocks.  All the other stitching was done in Anchor floss and Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid.  The little snowflakes I bought at my local LNS, Needle Orts, which you can find in my list of "places I love to visit".  Of course you don't really need to use these if you don't wish, I just saw them and fell in love.

 The twisted braid around the outside was made using 1 skein of the pink and 1 skein of the green Anchor floss.  I then used straight pins with a bead on it, dipped in a tiny amount of glue to anchor the floss to the ornament.

You can find the pattern here and if you do stitch this and post the finished ornament on your blog, would you please make a link to this posting and give me credit for the designing.  I would greatly appreciate it.

I am hoping I receive alot of pictures showing all different kinds of color combinations....please don't disappoint me.  Thanks and have fun with it.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Joyous Heart Ornament finish

Don't you just love Homespun Elegance designs!!  I do and this one is no exception.  I finished it into an ornament my usual way and I discovered something in the process.  Pearl cotton makes for a great twisted braid and you also have an exact match to sew it on with by using the same pearl cotton.  It has a nice sheen to it that enhances the design and if you use DMC pearl cotton and DMC floss, you know your going to have an exact match.....what could be better!!!  This one is going on our tree this Christmas and do you see the little snowman pin....it's from JAB.

Onto the next project which I was hoping would be the C Mon Monde SAL but because of a snaffu on their part, I don't have part 3 yet.  I'm becoming very disappointed in this SAL as I really don't think they are very organized.  

I'm in the middle of designing my freebie Christmas ornament for this year.  It's a very simple design but holds alot of meaning for me.  I should have it ready in about two weeks so keep watch for it.

So now I'm off to get into trouble in my sewing room.....which I don't think will take too much effort.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Christmas stitching has started

Every year I promise myself I'm going to start earlier on stitching some ornaments as gifts for friends and family and every year I feel rushed because I forgot my promise.  This year I'm not stitching as many so I may have a good chance on finishing the ones I want to.  

 First up is the LHN ornament #9 that I showed you all a picture of a few days ago.  This one I'm just not too sure of.  I found some fabric that I have no idea what it is...when I bought it...but it looks very primitive like burlap.  It was very easy to stitch on but the design turned out a little bigger than I was hoping.  I made the bag like the pattern said to out of WDW wool and I used strands from the fabric for the hanger and the bow.  I think this really gives it a primitive look about it.

Next is a JBW design that I turned into Jenn's Christmas tree colors.  This is one of her all red designs but I used teal and chartruse (sp?) dmc for the bells, fushia metallic for the holly berries and emerald green Marlitt for the holly leaves.  This was a fun stitch especially using these unusual colors.  

That makes me wonder.....do any of you ladies use unusual colors in your Christmas decorations?  I just can't seem to get past red, white and green so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Now I'm unto the next one which is a Homespun Elegance Christmas Heart and of course it's in the usual colors.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

The end of a wonderful SAL.....

Well they say all good things must end and that includes this SAL from Carol.  If you haven't been able to join in on this, I highly recommend purchasing the pattern (here) when she offers it.  You'll love stitching it and you can do so many different things with it.  

 Above you'll see it after I finished stitching it this morning.  Don't you just love the alphabet Carol used for the initial at the bottom right.

 And here it is finished into my sewing case.  I used a pretty green cotton for the lining and pocket.  The ribbon is silk that matches the blue stitching perfectly.  Inside you see the wool felt blue for holding my needles and mother of pearl thread holders.

Thanks for looking and blessings as always,

Barbara

The mess I call my sewing room....

 I thought you all would like to see my sewing room....or as I call it.....The Black Hole.   It's a 3rd bedroom so it's small and I try to make good use of the space but I'm terrible at organization.  I'm hoping Jenn will overhaul it the next time she comes to visit.  Hint.....hint.....

What you see above is my sewing machine and what I call my Wall of Silks.  I find that if I have them on hooks like this, I'm able to see all that I need at a glance and able to pick out what I need faster.

 This mess is my DMC, Anchor and my cross stitch linen center.  There's also some other fibers in boxes like my Mandarin, Needlepoint Inc. and Au Ver a Soie.  Also some of my favorite designers I keep in binder such as Just Nan for one.

 This is my yarn and finishing fabric center.  I keep the fabrics that I use the most in baskets on top of the dresser which holds most of my yarn.  You'll find yarn in other places too.....not enough room!!!

 In this dresser I keep my yardage of finishing fabrics.  On top is more yarn and also files with patterns I want to do soon.  On the wall you'll see how I keep all my circular knitting needles.  I was tired of them getting tangled in a drawer.

 This is most of my finishing supplies....boxes and such.

 This rack holds embroidery magazines plus small finishing items.  On top you'll see boxes.....one has all my Drawn Thread patterns.

And here are my new shelves to hold all the things I use the most for finishing.  As you can see, I needed those shelves greatly and they leave me so much more room to work.

Hope you enjoyed seeing my mess and where I hang out.  

I received the final part to Carol's SAL this morning and I'll be working on that today.  Also, I'll be finishing the sampler into what I had planned all along.....you'll see that later tonite.

Hope everyone has a "stitchie" saturday.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

And the winner is....

The random generator came up with the number 27 and that was Linda.  She had written:

Gloriana is a dream to stitch with...not available around here, but a dream to stitch with. Snow around here....Ohio weather is weird, it would be just our luck for it to snow already! Thanks for another wonderful giveaway, Barb! 

I want to thank all who entered and to let you know I will be having another giveaway starting towards the end of November and this one will be for Christmas. All kinds of goodies will be finding their way into this one so keep watch.

My hubby was nice enough to hang 3 large shelves in my sewing room this afternoon right above my cutting/project table.  This will help immensely in getting stuff off of my workspace and allow me more room.  Before it was a mess!!!!   I now have the entire drafting table to work on and I'm delighted.  I also spent the remaining time today separating out my buttons by color and putting them in mason jars.  I've wanted to do that for some time now and today seemed like a good time.  These also will be on the shelves above the table for handy use.  That's about all for today except for working on Jenn's ornie which I haven't gotten done yet.  Hopefully tonight during the truck race.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Don't forget about the giveaway

I absolutely cannot believe that it is the 3rd of November already.  Do you realize that in just a few weeks, it will be Thanksgiving!!  Where has this year gone?  And what makes this really bad, is that I'm getting older faster.  Am I the only one who has noticed this?  The older I get, the faster the days go by and there's not enough hours in the day to finish all that I want to get done.  

Well I'm almost finished with the first Christmas ornie.  This one is for Jenn and her family and should match her tree very well.  I should have it finished tomorrow and I'll post a picture then.  Have you seen LHN Joy and Peace Ornament of the Month No. 9?  Well I bought that one the other day at my LNS and I already have the green WDW wool to make the bag out of.  This should be a real fun stitch and that should be my next one.

I want to remind everyone of my giveaway and that you only have till friday evening to sign up for it.  Get a chance to win the frosty blue Gloriana silk that is in my header above and a secret pattern that will be sent with the thread.  

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  I am looking forward to the cooler temps that will be here in Florida starting tomorrow.  Lows down in the 50's!!!!!  Can you believe it!!!!  This is the only thing I really like about Florida.....no snow and cool temps in the winter.  Also, don't forget to change your clocks this saturday if it pertains to you.  It's nice to wake up with the sun but I hate when it gets dark at 5 in the afternoon.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Second part of the SAL

I am just rolling along on the C Mon Monde/Threadbasket SAL.  I now have the second part finished and the third doesn't come out till monday next.....I got time to do some Christmas stitching!!!!!  As always, I'm doing something a little different with my sal.  I'm adding some specialty stitches into it.  On this part, I did smyrna crosses for the red and white berries along the sides.  I didn't think of doing this until after I had already finished the house, so unfortunately it doesn't have any specialty stitches on it.  Maybe I'll add something to that part....fence or maybe a chimney where I could throw some in.  Have to give that some thought when I'm finished with the other 2 parts.

Well I'm off to work on some Christmas ornies that I've been wanting to start.  Everything else that I've started, I'm putting on the back burner until after Jan. 1st so I have plenty of time to work on what I want to get done.  

Anybody else getting any snow?  Our daughter, Jenn, just added some pictures to her blog of the snow they are getting out in Colorado.  You can check them out here.  So pretty.....so cold.....glad I'm in Florida.  LOL

Blessings as always,

Barbara

P.S.  I just found a fantastic blog.  It's called Amish Stories and it's loaded with beautiful pictures of Lancaster, Pa. (where I lived close to) and the best recipes.  If you've never tasted Amish cooking you are really missing out.  Just pick one recipe, try it and you'll be hooked.  So take a moment and visit this blog....it's worth it.