My new project bag.....

How is everyone doing this wonderful friday nite?  I hope all is well in your part of the world and that you will be able to get plenty of stitchie time this weekend.

I was shown this freebie on the HDF message board and it was a blast to stitch.  I needed a new project bag for a shawl I'm crocheting and I thought this would look really sweet on the pocket.  You can find the pattern here.  I stitched it on 32ct. cream Jobelan using a HDF silk called Examplar Moon Called Sea.  Isn't that a great name!!!  It has shades of teal, olive green and gold in it and it's stunning!

Just for the record, everything that I used in this design I already had in my sewing room. :o) 

I did go to Hobby Lobby this morning to purchase some floss.  I received an email from Sweet Sue the other day and she was saying how she didn't like how DMC black covered her fabric.  I don't like DMC black because it tends to get fuzzy and I just hate working with it.  Well incase you didn't know, Hobby Lobby is now selling Sullivan's floss which is from Mexico.  I purchased 3 skeins of their black and I want to try it out and see how it feels and covers.  If you have used this floss, please post a comment and tell us how you felt about it.  I'm sure there are some ladies out there as curious as I am.

For you that live here in the states, please have a safe and happy Labor Day on monday and for everyone else....don't work too hard.  Until we talk again....

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A finish and an update.....

So who else is having trouble with Blogger?  I've been trying to post some pics of my newest finish and it just chugs away and doesn't let me upload any.  So as soon as Blogger fixes their glich, I will post the pictures.

What I have finished is Nesting by Kathy Schmitz.  I stitched it on 28ct. Lambswool linen using a beautiful blue Belle Soie silk by Crescent.  You can  see a picture of the pattern here.

Mine has a dark blue houndstooth wool on the outside and a chestnut color cotton on the inside.  I love how this turned out and I will have to see about others designed by Kathy.  She gives you very good finishing directions.

Now for the update of my diet.  So far so good.  I was in the neighborhood of The Sewing Studio the other day and was able to drive right on by.  My DH who was with me had a look of complete shock on his face and I must admit, my smile was a little smug.  LOL  I know several of you ladies have decided to join me on this "stitchery diet" and I hope all of you are doing well.  Give us your updates here so that we can all spur each other on.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

The Jovers

Click on the link below to watch a video that is contagiously funny.  This should start your weekend out with a good laugh.  Enjoy

The Jovers

For Sale

I just placed a huge list of patterns for sale over on Never Enough Stash.   There are all kinds of different patterns so have fun looking.  I didn't post pictures because that just takes up way too much room but I'm sure that between 123 and abc, you can find pictures of all of them.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Thanks!!!!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

P.S.  So far so good on the stash diet.  I even drove right pass Sewing Studio and didn't even blink.  I am so proud of myself!!!!!  I also have several fellow stitchers that are joining me on this diet and I hope they are doing as well.

Stop and think...

I have come to a very realistic decision.....I have too much stash and I'm not buying anymore.  Now let me define that.  I've decided to put myself on a diet.....a diet of anything that has to do with needlework.  The only thing I am allowing myself to purchase is DMC floss because sometimes you just need a skein or two to finish something and that would be defeating the purpose of this decision.

I went into my sewing room this morning and looked at all of the knitting yarn I have and was very discouraged.  I knew in my heart that if I knitted from now to the day I die, I would never use up all this yarn and the same goes with my cross stitch.  

My diet shall last 2 months this time.  During those 2 months, I'm going to be going thru my stash and picking out only what I know I will stitch.  I have just about all of The Drawn Thread and Just Nan patterns (many which are out of print) and I know I'll never stitch them so why keep them.  Another one I've collected over the years is Cross Eyed Cricket.  I could probably count on my fingers how many of these I've stitched.  Why keep them?????

At the end of these two months, you will find quite a long list on the blog Never Enough Stash and alot will just be given away.  So wish me luck and if you care to join in, please post your name and maybe we can make this into a contest of sorts.  So here it is August 22 and I promise myself I won't purchase anything before October 22.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A post just because....

I'm bored!!!!  I've started 3 new things and not one of them is keeping my interest.  I have a shawl that I'm working on and it's the same thing....boring!!!!  How do ya'll get yourself out of this stitching slump? I'd really like to know because I've been in one for over a week now and just can't pull myself out of it.  I go into my sewing room and see all kinds of beautiful things but none of them hold my interest for more than a minute.  Now you know why I named my blog "To stitch or not to stitch" because it explains in a few words how I am.  One week I can be burning up the silks and needles and finish things in record time and the next week I'm hating everything.  Here's a picture of one of the designs I'm working on.  It's Carriage Houses Pennsylvania Redware which Marly was generous to share with my.

I'm stitching this on a beautiful 32ct. hand dyed fabric I purchased from Nina and the threads are Needlepoint Inc. Silks but even those aren't enough to keep my interest.  

I'm beginning to think that stitchers should be like bears.  We stitch and purchase for our stash for many months of the year and the rest of the months we should be hybernating away from any kind of  stitching.  I feel that's the only way I can keep my interest intact.

How many are anxiously awaiting fall this year?  I know I am.  There's something about fall that brings out the best in me.  Maybe it's the colors....they are so glorious!  

Well I will leave you today hopefully with a smile....

Blessings as always,

Barbara

  

In Remembrance of Marilyn

I just heard the news about Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum passing away.  She brought so much joy to everyone in the needlework world who stitched one of her exquisite Lavender and Lace angels.  I met Marilyn once while working in a needlework store here in Orlando.  She was vacationing and she always made it a point to visit local shops.  She was a lady and I will always remember her with a smile.  

Blessings to her family at this time,

Barbara

And the Winner Is......

Denise

I used the Random Number Generator and it came up with the number 33 and that was Denise.  She had written:

"My favorite designer would have to be Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks.  Love her stuff.  Happy Stitching, Denise

I have emailed Denise and will get her winnings in the mail to her immediately.  I want to thank all of you ladies who participated in my giveaway.  I wll be having another one come Halloween so check back then.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

500 Follower Giveaway

I knew today was going to be a good day when I got out of bed this morning....I just had that feeling.  My good feeling is going to be someone's gain in their stash.  In celebration of my little blog having 500 followers, I'm having a giveaway and here's what someone will receive.

(click on picture to get a close up of the goodies)

From Mill Hill's Autumn Harvest Collection - Hooty the Owl kit.

From Shepherd's Bush - Pine Needle Roll kit.

From Erica Michaels - her Needle Nut Scissor Fob pattern which includes the 30ct. silk gauze.

From Namaste - a leather case which will hold your scissors and needles.

From Gingher - a pair of their premium thread clippers.

From Access Commodities - Needle Card which shows you all the different kinds of needles used for needlework and their sizes.

From Hand Dyed Fibers - a 25yd spool of 6 stranded silk in Gigi's Christmas colors.

From Graziano Linen - a 14 x 16 piece of tan/cream checked linen.

From Riley Blake Designs - a charm pack of 5" squares in fall colors.

From Caron - a skein of Wildflowers in the color Kelp.

From Caron - a skein of Waterlillies in the color Nefertiti.

I will also throw in some surprises that are too numerous to name.  Here are the rules for this giveaway:

  You must be a follower of this blog.

Please comment on this post only and here's how you can have a second entry.  If you want a second chance to win this giveaway, post a second comment and in that comment tell me who your favorite designer is.  That's it.....that's all.  I will keep this open for a week so next Wednesday, Aug. 15 I will use the random number generator to pull a number.

Good luck to everyone who enters!!!!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A finish and a search

First off I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has helped me complete this beautiful tribute to my parents.  Your words of encouragement helped me keep my attention on the goal and now I have this hanging in my living room to look at everyday and to remember my parents with pride and love.  

Now onto a question for all of you who like a challenge.  I had this beautiful print of a Johann Baptist Hofner painting hanging where my parents tribute now hangs.  I purchased this at a yard sale because of the beautiful wooden frame it's in.  There is a price tag on the back of it for $200.00 and I paid only $20.00 - don't you just love yard sales!!!!  My challenge is this, I would love to stitch something for in this frame but haven't come across any designs that would work.  The inside dimensions are approx. 18 x 26 inches....it's large!  If any of you can think of a pattern that might work, please post it here so I can maybe get started on something.  

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far.  Has everyone seen the challenge over at Notforgotten Farms?  You can check it out here.  She has given you a free pattern and your challenge is to come up with a finish that is different than just your average pillow or frame.  I've printed it off and have some ideas rolling around in my head and if they don't roll away completely, I think I'll enter her challenge.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Who's the designer?

I need some help from my friends!!!  Can anyone tell me the name of this design and who the designer is.  I love the design and would like to stitch it.

I hope everyone's week is going good so far.  I'm still looking for something to stitch and haven't come up with anything yet.  I'm like a child who has too many toys and doesn't know what to play with first.  LOL

Blessings as always,

Barbara