Some updates

First off, I want to thank all you wonderful ladies for your best wishes on my getting over my delightful case of stomach flu.  It was a short term illness and I'm glad its over now and hopefully it won't darken my doorway again.

I'm a few days late, but I must post my monthly TUSAL report.  I bought a different jar and it's much easier to see thru.

I made this cute little ort bag after seeing Patty's on her blog:  http://pccrafty.blogspot.com/2012/02/thread-catcher.html

It's a very simple pattern and I want to make another one, just bigger this time.  Thank you to Patty for supplying the link to the directions for this cute little treasure.

You've all heard me talk about one of my favorite stores, The Sewing Studio, well the last time I was there, I found an unusual fabric.  I found this in with their tea towel fabrics on a roll for $6.50 a yard.  The edges are already finished and what makes this unique.....it's an evenweave with a thread count of about 28 threads to an inch.  I'm thinking of stitching a sampler of some kind on this and making it into a wall hanging.  It's a little bit lighter than natural linen and the stripes are a dark brown.  Any suggestions?  It's about 18 inches wide.  

That's about all I have to update you on.  You all know that this week is the Nashville Market and lots of goodies are being released.  I posted the ones I'm interested in on a separate page which you can get to above.  There's also one from Glendon Place called Plum Pudding which is quite interesting.  I'm holding off on that one till I see the pattern in person.  This saturday morning, my LNS - Needle Orts will open at 10 with all the goodies she has brought back from market laid out for you to look at.  It's always difficult for me to let anything behind....don't want them to feel lonely ya know.  :o)

Well I got my new frig and I must say I am liking the bottom freezer so far.  It's a stainless steel one and I wasn't sure if I'd like that either but I really do.  I know there are special products out there to clean the outside of stainless steel appliances and if you use a certain one and like it, please let me know.  One thing...isn't it funny how computers have taken over our lives!!  When you purchase a car, it has one in and now frigs....what's next?  I'm afraid to ask.  :o)

Well I hope all of you have a great week and have plenty of stitchie time.  I'm currently working on a LHN design Fresh From The Garden needle book and I will also have a matching tomato pincushion to go with it.  Hopefully, it will be finished this week.  I've also gotten the second panel of Rhonda's Ort Bag finished and have started the third one.  It's slow going but at a steady pace.  That dang frog visited me and I had to do some repairs to Fallen Roses.  It was very annoying so I've put that up for now....not to be forgotten though.

Did ya all watch the Daytona 500 last nite?  I stayed up to the end and saw my Dale Jr come in second place.  It's not a win, but it's better than some of those drivers had.  JJ took a really hard hit and I'm sure he's sore today but the crash with JPM and the jet blower was really weird.  How to catch a race track on fire without really trying!!!!  Glad he's okay too.

Well I think I've strained your eyes for long enough and I'd better get back to my stitching.  Have you ever given any thought as to what you would do if you didn't have stitching as a hobby?  Let me know what you think.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Let's help Trina win!

My best bud Trina has entered a contest on Facebook for scrapbooking so let's help her win.  Go to this link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Kuts/130937843644274

and post a message that says "Trina Struckman sent me".  For every post she gets, she gets a point towards winning.  I'm also going to post a link on my sidebar for ease at voting.

This week my DH got the stomach flu and decided it would be fun to share it with me.  I'm in the recovery stage now but it's been a rough couple of days.  No stitching done in my house!    Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day because my new refrigerator is being delivered.  Does anyone have a frig with the freezer on the bottom?  That is the type I got this time and I hope I like it....only time will tell.  Also, I hope to get back to Rhonda's Ort Bag tomorrow but right now all I want to do is sleep.  I hope all of you are doing good and no flu has hit your home.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Update:  Trina has won the day 2 prize of a gift certificate.  Way to go Trina!!!!!  Thank you to those of you that helped her.

Morning Exercises

* I woke up,
I lifted my arms,
I moved my knees,
I turned my neck....
Everything made the same noise:
'CrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaccccK!'

Funny Cat Pictures | Forward this Picture

I came to a conclusion:
I am not old, I am crispy!!!
This was sent to me from a dear friend and I just had to share.  :o)
Blessings as always,
Barbara

Fallen Roses Update

I just couldn't stand seeing this hanging on the sewing room wall so I've gotten back into gear and I think I'm in high speed.  I've finished everything on the right side of the lady and now all I have left is the header which is pretty intense but it's just straight stitching so I shouldn't have any problem with it.  

I am one of those that when I see a frame I like I buy it.  Well I'm known for hanging out at stores and buying frames that have been ordered but not liked when the customer sees it.  This one I purchased for......are you ready......$8.00 and there's not a thing wrong with it.  They just wanted to unload it fast and I was there at the right time.  I have some frames that are 4 feet x 4 feet that I paid pennies for but will find something to go in them eventually.  The reason I show you this is to get all of you ladies opinion on the frame and how it looks with the design.  I like it but it's always nice to get second and third opinions.  I'm hoping I get this finished by friday ......wish me luck.  

When I'm finished with this, it's back to Rhonda's Ort Bag and some of the other pieces I've started.  I hope everyone is having a great stitching week!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

New Starts and Updates

As you can see I'm making some progress on Rhonda's Ort Bag.  She told me she was in no hurry for it which is good because she knows how much I hate stitching a design twice, let alone 4 times.  I'm hoping to have the second unit finished this weekend while watching the beginning of Nascar season.

The above design I saw on the HDF forum and fell instantly in love with it.  I'm stitching it on 32ct. antique white linen using two HDF silks.  You can find the pattern here, on the Better Homes & Garden Australian site.

From my dear friend Rhonda comes this absolutely beautiful gift.  She sent me the BBD design Hedgerow Birds project bag, the linen and all the fibers it calls for.  She knows how much I love BBD designs and I cannot wait to start this.  Thank you my sweet friend!

Many of you know how much Jenn loves sheep.  Well this past weekend when I was at The Sewing Studio, I came across this beautiful red cotton fabric with sheep on it.  I thought it would make her the perfect project bag.  I'm stitching a Cricket design for the front and I'll show that when I'm finished with it. It will also have her name on it so 4 little boys know it's mommy's and not theirs.  :o)

I've added to my Drawn Thread pattern collection.  I sincerely don't know why I keep buying these because I can't tell you the last one I stitched but it's in the Stitcher's genes to buy when first seeing something we love.....you never know when it won't be there and then you're stuck without it.  Right??

Above is part of my collection of Hand Dyed Fibers silks.  I have 7 of these containers plus what I have hanging on my silk wall.  Do you think I need anymore?  (please say yes so I don't feel so guilty when I order more :o))

Above are two pincushion patterns I picked up and I can't wait to make them.  They don't show any cross stitch but you know I'll add some.  I want to find some really pretty summer fabrics for them.

Well that's what I've been up to this past week to stay out of trouble and to help the economy in any way I can.  Doesn't that sound good?  Think DH will buy it?  I doubt it too.  :o(

You all have a great weekend...have lots of stitchie time and I hope that pesty frog doesn't darken your door.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Be My Valentine Pincushion

I want to wish all my friends the happiest of Valentine's Day!  I finished my little heart pincushion by Brenda Gervais but I ran out of time to finish the little heart box that goes with it.  I do wish I didn't have to sleep, eat or go to the bathroom because I could get so much more finished.  LOL  For those who haven't seen these new M&M's in the store they are cherry chocolate.  Needless to say I bought several bags to keep in the freezer for emergencies.  You never know when you might wake in the middle of the night and have chocolate withdrawal and need a quick fix.  This happens quite often to me as my waistline shows.

I had the little JAB stick pin with the birdhouse on it and I think it's perfect.  Well back to the Victoria Sampler Ort Bag for Rhonda.  I'm working on the second side but I really didn't get much accomplished today.  Vallie decided this was going to be her "needy" day and want to sit in my lap every time I sat down.  Bless her little heart...............sigh

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A new start

I've started a new commissioned piece and it's one that is going to test my finishing skills.  This is one design I have always loved but never stitched until my sweet friend Rhonda asked me too.  I have finished side number 1 and have 3 more to go but it really didn't take that long to stitch.  If you are thinking of doing it, please pay close attention to the counting and placement of stitches.  This is one design that you can't "fudge" on because of the way it's finished.  The basting stitches around the top are there for finishing purposes only and will be removed at that time.  This sweet little ort bag will be fully lined when finished and have twisted braid wrapped around it at the pink section and will stand about 5 inches tall.  I hope to have this finished by the end of this week......wish me luck.  I almost forgot to tell you what I'm using to stitch it with.  The fabric is 28ct. Water Lily Jobelan which is the palest of greens and the fibers are Gloriana and HDF silks plus DMC pearl cottons and RG Treasure Braid.

I will post a picture when I have it all finished and sewn together.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A finish and a tool laid to rest

The other day I showed you the new Gloriana silks I had picked up.  Well this is the little sampler I decided to stitch with them.  This is a freebie pattern and thank you to Mouse who found the designer for me. It's Marly at Samplers and Santas and the chart can be found here......http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com/search/label/freebie.  While you're there, take the time to check out the rest of her blog....it's wonderful.

Today in Japan is Broken Needle Day where women take their broken and well loved needles to shrines for them to be laid to rest.  They place them in tofu so that they have a soft resting place but since I don't have any tofu, I'm using a soft piece of wool felt.  The needle you see is a gold #26 and it has seen better days.  I've used it for the entire stitching of Fallen Roses so it deserves a rest.  I will use one of it's sisters to finish the design.  I think this is a wonderful tradition so that we don't take our everyday necessities for granted.  We are lucky to live in a time where needles are plentiful and this day is just a little way of celebrating their existence. 

Now for my next project.  It is by Brenda Gervais and it's called Be My Valentine.  I have purchased the heart shaped box for the finishing and I think this is going to be alot of fun....stitching and finishing.  This will be my Valentine to Me.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

French Blue Bag Finished and the WIPocalypse

I previously posted that I had the first part of Trousse aux Fleurs Bleues finished and that I had to stitch the second part.  Well after looking again at the pattern and the finishing directions (which were in french and of course I don't read french) I decided to not chance it and make something else.  So I finished the first part and decided to make it into a sweet little stitching bag.  As you can see on the above picture, it is like an envelope with a button and ribbon closure on the front.

On the back is where I attached the stitched piece which was done on 32ct. antique white linen using DMC floss.  The two little buttons in the bottom corners matches the buttons on the front and the mother of pearl button in the stitched circle has a flower painted on it.  It turned out 7.5 x 9 which is a really nice size for carrying your stitching supplies.  I love how this turned out but I really don't need another one, so I'm offering this for sale.  If you are interested, just click on the "My Shop" sign over to the right.

Now I'm unto a little sampler which will be made into a pillow to match the Lizzie Kate one I did a few weeks ago.  I'll be stitching it with those new Gloriana silks I purchased.....yum!!!

For the WIPocalypse my only entry is Fallen Roses which I have worked on since the last scheduled update.

Well today is laundry day and it's not getting finished very quickly.....I'm spending too many hours in my sewing room.  Whatever you are doing today, I wish you warmth and leisurely hours to stitch.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Snow, snow and more snow.....oh my!

I received these pictures in the mail from Jannie showing the snow that they received in Colorado yesterday and today.  Jannie lives close to where our daughter, Jenn lives and you can see some pictures from her on her blog....Leftsox.

What makes this so amazing is that I went shopping today and I had the top down on our convertible.  We've also had the air conditioning on to get rid of the humidity.  When I say things like this to Jenn, she gets upset with me.....I can't figure out why.  :o)

 I do remember snows like this in Pennsylvania when we lived there and I do miss walking in it at night, but that's it.  Driving in it is the worst!!!!

 Does it seem to others that they just don't get the quantity of snow that we use to.  I remember drifts several feet tall and we used them to make forts.  Oh the joys of childhood when your only hope was that you got the day off from school to play in it before it melted or got dirty.

I do envy those who get these beautiful snows on Christmas Eve and wake up to a fairyland.  

Well I've been working on the Trousse aux Fleurs Bleues by Virginia Gousse Fevrier and hope to have it finished sometime this week.  There are two parts of stitching to it and I'll post a picture when I finish the first one.  It's done in beautiful blues and greens and I'm really enjoying it.  

I hope everyone has had a wonderful saturday so far and that you get to do at least a few stitches on whatever you're working on.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Winner of Valentine Giveaway is....

Deborah

I added the second part onto the first part and came up with 160 entries.  I then used the Random Number Generator and it came up with the number 23.  Deborah had posted:

What a beautiful sachet! I would love a chance to win it.

I have emailed Deborah to let her know she has won.  I want to thank all of you who entered and check back often because a new giveaway is in the works for Easter.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

My Huswife is finished.....yea!!!!!

Since I put up Fallen Roses for a spell, I've been working very diligently on Mrs. Waddelow's Huswife by Ellen Chester.

 I stitched this with an HDF silk called Burnished Cranberry and the fabric is also by HDF but the name I can't read on the label.  It's Be............something or other but I have no idea what.  What I do know is that it is a 35 count.

 The coordinating fabrics that I used for the inside I purchased at my local fabric store called The Sewing Studio.  I love this store!!!!  It's where I get all my coordinating fabrics as well as my silk ribbon I use for my bows.  They have the largest selection of buttons I have ever seen in a store and what is nice about them, they store most of their buttons in long plastic tubes and you can purchase as many as you need.  You aren't restricted to what those pesty little cards have on them like at Joann's.

 You can really see in these photos the four pockets that the huswife has.  The bottom pocket is made with  elastic at the top to help hold items tightly.  There are 3 mother of pearl hearts at the top to hold threads and the ones you see in the pictures are new Gloriana silks I just purchased.  I'm looking for the perfect design to stitch with them.....any suggestions?

I have made several of these huswifes but I never kept one for myself.....this one is mine.  I bet you could tell since it's done in my favorite pink and green combination.  I love how this turned out but I seriously doubt if I'll stitch it again.

I'm overwhelmed with how many of you have signed up for my giveaway.  You still have time to join in if you haven't already.  The number will be drawn on Saturday morning so check back then to see if you've won.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

P.S.  I've been asked what is the name of the fabric collection that I used.  It is called Lily and Peony by Skipping Stones Studio for Clothworks.  You can find the collection at this online store.  http://www.clothworks.com/collection.asp?ID=308