My LNS in almost a year

Today I went to my LNS for the first time in almost a year and I loved it.  I will be starting 3 different cross stitch projects in the next couple of days....

I saw this Lizzie Kate boxer and I felt it tied up in a few words how I've been feeling for awhile.  I know Lizzie Kate loves overdyed flosses but I'm going to do mine in either DMC or pick out some HDF silks that I have.  No more building up of a stash.

This is one of Nora Corbett's witches called Gigi.  I bought a 28ct. hand dyed linen by Picture This Plus called Nocturne to stitch her on.  It will look like she's standing in front of a storm cloud.  Can't wait to start this one.

And last but not least is this sweet design by La-D-Da that I've always admired.  This one will be done on a light grey with a HDF silk.....maybe.

So I'm going to try to get back in the swing of things and get some stitches on some fabric.  Since I won't be storing anything, everything that I purchase will eventually be given away when I'm finished with that pattern so look forward to that.

Wish me luck.....

Barbara

And the winner is......

Ms. Melody

Ms. Vallie chose her name out of the scraps of paper that I put on the floor for her.  Before I could get my camera, she was starting to chew them up so I had to grab quickly.  LOL  She's a little bugger.  

I have emailed Melody and notified her that she has won.  

I will be placing some more mini totes in my store soon.  I'm doing Christmas in July and several other designs.  Look for them soon.

Now to a bad subject.  I don't know how many of you are on the 123 Message Board but I posted on there the other day and I received so many hugs and prayers for what's been happening in my life.  You all know that our daughter, Jenn and her husband and 4 boys moved into our house last year.  Well to say it hasn't been working out would be calling it mildly.  Don't you think that if children and staying in your home they should follow the rules of the house!  Well I do but Jenn didn't.  She left them get away with murder and now our house is literally a mess.  You cannot believe how many nail and screw holes there are in our walls that we have to fix.  It hit the fan early last week and we had a very big blowout.  Needless to say they have moved out except for some of their larger furniture and me and Jenn haven't spoken since.  She's told me to have "a nice life" so I'm taking from that that she's out of it.  That is for her to decide.  I've always said that the front door to our house is a revolving door because she's moved in and moved out so many times I've lost count.  Anyways that's what I've been dealing with and that's also why I've been sewing so many bags.  My sewing room had become my only place of solace.  I purchased a new pattern from 123 the other day...it's the new Nora Corbett one called Gigi.....one of the Bewitching Pixies.  I just thought were darling so I'm anxious to start it.  Now I know most of you remember last year when I sold off all my cross stitch supplies.....wanna guess why?  Because they were not paying any rent....no help on any of the monthly bills like electricity so I had to sell my cross stitch to pay bills.  Sad isn't it!  I had collected for years and years from working at LNS's around Orlando and now they are all gone.  But now I should be able to start again....I'll be able to sit in my stitching chair....with Ms Vallie of course....and stitch again.  I can't wait.  Well I've talked long enough and I just wanted to say again... love to all you ladies who put up with me and my way of blogging.

Have a Blessed Day!  

Barbara

Found something disturbing

I'm sure I'm like millions of others who love to look at Pinterest and get great ideas and some great recipes from around the world.  Today I was on there and came across a picture of one of my finished items.  I don't remember posting this picture to Pinterest but I did post it to my blog.  It was the Victoria Sampler Ort Bag that I had made for Rhonda.  I clicked on the picture and this is where it took me....

http://www.pinterest.com/source/44mamawsfinishedcrossstitchitems.blogspot.com/''

Now you could of knocked me over with a slight nudge when I saw this.  I don't know how to back track it to the original person who set this page up but I'd sure like to know where it came from.  I now know how a designer feels about copying patterns.  In a sense, you feel violated.  Let me know what you think about this....I'm just curious.

Blessings, Barbara

P.S. DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR MY GIVEAWAY ON THE PREVIOUS POST.  ALSO I'VE ADDED SOME OF THE SMALL MINI BAGS TO MY STORE.....THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY CAN ALSO PICK FROM THEM.

It's time for a giveaway.....

I've been thinking of a small bag which could hold a small knitting or crocheting project......or even your threads and scissors for cross stitch.  I think this one fits the bill for all 3 kinds of needlework.  

Two of them I have embroidered "Keep calm and carry yarn" but the third one is blank.  If you would like to win one of these cute little bags, just post a reply to this post only and tell me which bag you would like.  After the winner is chosen, the other two will go into my store.

The bags are fully lined and two of them are made from prequilted fabric and the other one from cotton quilting fabric.  They are all the same size - 6 inches tall and 10 inches across the top.  They all have a flat bottom so they stand up nicely.

Good luck!

Blessings, Barbara

P.S.  I guess I should tell you that Vallie will pick a name this coming saturday for the winner.

Just in time....

to hold your next Blackbird Designs project.  This is a fabric that Moda made for BD and it's called "Blueberry Crumb Cake".   Don't ya love the name!  It's 12 x 12 inches and the circles on the front....they are actually 4 different layers of machine crochet layed on top of each other and held with the button.  This one is also quilted so it's extra sturdy and it has a zipper closure with an angel zipper pull.

Thank you for looking and have a super Monday.

Blessings, Barbara

A Quilted Tote Bag

I was busy yesterday in my sewing room and I came up with 2 really pretty quilted tote bags.  They are a nice size for knitters, crocheters, needlepointers and cross stitchers.

 This is the front with a pink trimmed in green embroidery design.

 This is the back with a pocket to help keep your phone handy - or whatever you wish.

 You can see the 6 pockets inside and at each end I've attached a latch hook - not sure if that's the right name for it -  that you can attach your keys or even a pair of scissors to.

The details:

Quilted outside cotton fabric as well

as the 7 pockets = 1 outside and

6 inside

Size approx. 11 x 16 with 10" handle drop

Has two silver latch hooks 1 at each end

to hold keys

Lined with pink and green 100% cotton fabric

of the highest grade

$45.00

This is a smaller one I made also.  It's measurements are 9" x 14" and the handle drop is 11".  It is made exactly the same way with 7 pockets and lining.  I'm asking $40.00 for this one..

Thanks for looking, Barbara

I must share....

this with you.  I purchased some cream burlap because it's so popular right now but I didn't know exactly what to do with it.  Well today I decided on a tote bag.  I stitched a primitive design on the front to go with the burlap and lined the bag.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out.  I think the trick is to have unbleached muslin behind the burlap when you stitch on it and even when you sew it together.  Makes it alot easier.

Here so others I made:

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.

Blessings, Barbara

Just little ole me.........

popping in to say "Hey" and that I have been busy making bags.  I now have the name "bag lady" in my house.  Don't ya just luv 'em.  

First off good news and bad news about brother.  He's out of ICU as of today but the bad news is that he had a  heart attack at the same time he had the stroke.  He doesn't remember having any pain whatsoever and I find that strange.  You always here about  pain in your left arm but he had none.  They want to put a stent in but they're going to wait until he goes thru his physical therapy to get his left side working good.  He has just a little problem with his left arm and the thing where his brain doesn't register anything on his left side.  His spirits are good and he says he's going to listen to his doctors 100% and get better.  It made me feel better just talking with him.

I've been sewing alot to keep my mind busy.  I find that when I sit and knit or cross stitch, my mind starts to wander and I end up depressed but sewing doesn't do that.  You have to pay attention more I think.

Anyways here a couple that I've done....

These are only a few....I think I did a total of 10.  I've gotta  find something else to sew besides these bags.  I love making them but enough's enough.  LOL  Any ideas let me know.

Blessings, Barbara

Some new things...........

are in my store.  I've finished 6 new project bags and a pincushion.

We continue to have good reports about my brother and again, I want to thank you for all the prayers sent his way.

Have a Blessed Day

Barbara

Update on brother....

last nite my two older brothers went to see him and they got to talk with his doctor.  Apparently it was a mild one...thank God....that has affected his left side.   He has complete movement on that side but the way the doctor explained it....someone could be standing on his left side and he can see that someone is there but his mind doesn't recognize the fact that someone is there.  His speech was not affected and he is completely aware.  Unfortunately he will have to go out on disability and probably not drive for along time.  He's my baby bachelor brother....never married and never wanted to be....so the doctors are going to arrange for in home therapy.  With any luck he'll get back to about 90% of where he was before the stroke.  

I want to thank all of you that added your prayers to mine....I know they worked and I consider this good news.

Have a Blessed Day, Barbara

For all of you enjoying the 4th of July, please have fun and keep it safe.

Asking for prayers....

for my youngest brother.  He's only 54 and had a stroke today.  My older brothers are going to visit him tonite and then I'll have more information.  He's too young,

Blessings, Barbara

Before and after.......

 Today was grooming day at our house and boy does Vallie need a haircut.  She's beginning to look like the Shaggy Dog....alot of you are too young to remember that movie.  I love it when her hair is long but it's such a trial to take care of so off we go.....

and came back with this little cutie pie.  She's all clean and clipped.  I like what they call the puppy cut.  Her ears are shorter and her fur is only about 3/4 inch long.  Fleas are so bad this year and she refuses to take any of the oral pills for them so I tried some of the spray that you can get at Petsmart.  I bought one from Advantage and Vallies hair started to fall out.  Maltese are not suppose to shed but she sure was.  

Watching tropical storm Arthur down here.  I'm pretty sure it's gonna go up the coast line and hit the Carolinas.  It's pretty early for Florida to get hit by a hurricane.  Ours are usually in August and September that we get the worse ones and my youngest grandson (who's 9) is in no hurry to see what a hurricane is like.  We tell him we have no choice in the matter but that doesn't seem to help.  

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July.  

Blessings, Barbara