I want to share something with you ladies that I found out today.  I purchased the new Drawn Thread design called Free and Brave.  I always make a working copy because sometimes I mark my paper and I don't want to do that to the original.  Mostly because I sometimes sell my patterns and I don't want to sell a pattern that's all marked up.  It's just my way.  Well this is what I found when I made my working copy today......

This makes me very angry with this designer.  I realize that they must protect themselves from dishonest copiers but I'm sure designers are going to hurt themselves more by doing this.  I will no longer purchase any of The Drawn Thread's designs and I love her designs.  But if I can't make a working copy, why should I bother. 

The paper the pattern is printed on looks normal but it's a grey in color and when you make a copy the above shows up.   I'm just wondering what ya'll think of this and if you think I'm being harsh by not purchasing anymore of her designs.

Blessings, Barbara

I've been as busy as a bee....pun intended....and was able to finish up "The Queen of the Bees" by The Little Stitcher.  This was a pretty fast stitch since it was smaller than the spinners.  I do love the colors in this one alot.

The Queen of the Bees
The Little Stitcher

The Queen of the Bees
The Little Stitcher

 Then I made the mistake of going to my LNS, Needle Orts, today but I did come away with some goodies.  First up is "Stitch Every Day" by Hands on Design.  I love how Cathy has turned this long design into a pincushion and that's how I will finish it.  My shop even had the lolly pop pin that goes with it.  I'll start this after vacation.

Stitch Every Day
Hands On Design

Misc. Fabrics
For Halloween and Christmas Ornies

 My next project is Pomegranate Pocket and Pincushion by Hands On Design.  I absolutely love the color of linen Cathy stitched this on and my shop had some so I got lucky there.  I contacted Cathy about the fabric she used to finish her pocket and she told me it was from the Moda French General Collection.  I didn't have that particular one but I'm going to sew together some 5 inch squares till I get the size I need and make the pocket quilted.  This will be my project to start now and to take on vacation.

Pomegranate Pocket
Hands On Design

A French Fry
The Purple Thread

The little glass bottle holds fabric, fibers and 3 designs for you to stitch over 1 thread and then wrap around the bottle and when finished you have a needle case.  Cute....right?

If I don't get to post again before we leave on our trip....

Have a Blessed Time, Barbara

Last nite was a nite filled with stitching time and I was able to finish Taby's Needle Cushion and then do the finishing part today during the race.  I love the color used in this pincushion....not something I would usually use.

Taby's Needle Cushion
by Priscilla's Pocket

I filled it with crushed corn cob for a nice primitive feel to it.  I want to try and find or make some matching pins to go with it.  I'm going to go and do some looking at shank buttons at Sewing Studio.  Wish me luck.

I have this pattern in my store for sale and I've included a piece of the WDW Wool so you don't have to go searching for it.  If you're looking for a quick stitch....this is it.

I have started "Queen of the Bee's by The Little Stitcher and I'm loving the colors....golds, green and browns.  It looks like it might be a tad smaller than The Three Stitchers but that's okay with me.

Has anyone tried the BBD way of covering boxes with fabric?  I was reading how they do it here and it seems pretty straightforward and not too hard.  I'm gonna give it a try soon so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Blessings to all, Barbara

It's been a busy week but I've been able to get in some stitching time.  I went up to my LNS "Needle Orts" and came away with my next project.  I mean come on.....I'm standing there looking at this pattern and off to the side I see that Debbie has the WDW Wool that goes with the pattern.  What's a girl to do?  Buy it!!!!

Taby's Needle Cushion
by Priscilla's Pocket

 I was able to finish "The Three Spinners and I love it.  Ya'll know that I never stitch a pattern twice, so if you're interested in purchasing this, it's in my store.

The Three Spinners

The Three Spinners

 Then I mentioned the  other day that I like to collect needle minders.  Here are some that I have.  Sorry for the lousy pictures.

Dog, Jeweled Acorn and
Wooden Needle Orts 

Metal Folk Star, Paris
and Wooden Needle Orts

Jeweled Acorn, Bumblebee,
Halloween Cat

 Then of all things I get an email from Fat Quarter Shop saying their Charm Packs are on sale so of course I had to purchase some.  

Autumn Lily (BBD), Faded Splendor
and World of Romance

We have all the plans made for our trip to Pa. but the closer the time gets the more anxious I become.  I haven't been home since my father passed away in 2006 and it's going to really hurt to see that they aren't there anymore.  As long as I've stayed down here in Florida, you can play tricks with your mind and pretend everything is the same.  I know I'm nuts but I also know I'll be okay once we get there.

Rebecca
Kathy Barrick

I almost forgot to mention Rebecca.  Is she not the cutest rabbit!!!  Can't wait to get a needle into her.

Blessings for a perfect weekend, Barbara

Good Sunday to all of you ladies.  I've been working quite steadily on The Three Spinners and I thought I'd share what I have finished so far.

The Three Spinners

I also found out that Laura, who is located in Italy, has an Etsy store.  It's called "LitleStitcherShop" and here's the link to it.  I purchased one of her patterns from her shop and received in it record time.  I thought it would make a great companion piece for The Three Spinners.  It's called "The Queen of Bees".

The Queen of the Bees

Needless to say, I'll be going Wednesday to get the threads for this beautiful design.

I'm beginning to think the weathermen know absolutely nothing about the weather.  On Friday, they said we were to have an 80 per cent chance of rain today.  I look outside and the sun is shining brightly and there's hardly a cloud in the sky.  I'm thinking they just spin a wheel and whatever it lands on, that's their report for that day.

Wherever you are, I hope your having a Blessed Sunday,

Barbara

Just had to share this!

Blessings, Barbara

Well my little grey cottage is finished and I am so glad I didn't use the metallic braid it called for.  There are tons of beads on here and the only metallic I used was the white for the snow and the snow on the roof and that's plenty.  I did it on a pewter 25ct Lugana and I like how it turned out but now I wish I had used a higher count so it would of been smaller.  I'm still pleased with it and it will make a great Christmas decoration when framed.

This one is going to be my next project.  It's called "The Three Spinners" by The Little Stitcher.  I started it once before but didn't like the fabric I was using so I'm starting it again on a hand dyed 32ct.

 I love this designer....she has some very original designs and if you like primitives, you might want to check her out.  I get her designs at Stitch & Frog if you're interested in seeing other designs of hers.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.  We did yardwork last weekend so this one I can relax and do some stitching and sewing.

Blessings, Barbara

As promised, here is the winter cottage so far:

I'm enjoying stitching this so much more without all the metallic braids.  I wanted a nice picture to hang at Christmas time and this fits the bill perfectly.

Now for what I received from a sweet lady named Vicky.  I sent her some pink fabrics to add to her  pink charm quilt and she sent me a sweet, sweet bookmark that I'm using to hold my different size needles.

 On one side she has my initial stitched and on this side she did a picture of my baby, Vallie.  Thank you so much Vicky....I love your stitching and choice of colors.  

That's about it for this week.  Went crib shopping with John and Peyton today.  They found one they like so we'll be getting that for them closer to the birth.  She will be finding out soon if it's a boy or girl and then I can get started on some things for her.  Until then, I'm cross stitching and working on the knitted blanket for the baby.

Blessings, Barbara

TADA!!!!   Ana is finished and I enjoyed every stitch of her.  I still have Gigi to do but I'm going to wait a while before starting her.

My next project is another Mirabilia called Little Snowy Gray Cottage.

The pattern called for a ton of Kreinik braids which I hate to work with so I'm doing some adjusting of the fibers.  I'm eliminating the braids for Waterlillies, Wildflowers, Splendor, Silk Lame and Tiara.  This should be a very fun stitch.

Blessings for a great Wednesday, Barbara

Good morning ladies.  I've been going full out on Ana and have all the black stitched in.  Thought I would share her with you.

Since yesterday when I took this picture I've added alot of the oranges and greens.  I still have some stitching to do and then there's all the beads, beads and more beads.  

On friday when John, Peyton and I were at Costco we saw some flowers that hadn't opened yet and had such pretty buds.  They had no name on the paper as to what they were and curiousity got the better of me so I bought a bunch.  This is them all opened on Easter.

They turned out to be Irises and these are the small variety.  I love the color that they are and they remind me of my old home in Pa.  My Mother always planted Irises and she had them in several colors.  These are a happy reminder of better days.

Blessings for a great week, Barbara

Blessings, Barbara

Afternoon here in Florida and I was in the mood to start a new design.  I picked one of Nora Corbett's witches....Ana....and I'm loving her.  I'm only having one problem though.  It's been so long since I stitched a design that calls for quarter stitches that it's messing me up bad.  I feel like an idiot while doing them and I don't think I screwed up that badly.  Here is what she looks like so far...

.  It's 28ct. Gingerbread and I'm in love with it.

Then here is the black sheep to match the white one:

I'm  not ready yet to make these into pillows because I have to find a fabric that will look good with both striped fabrics.  I'm really thinking about a plaid but not sure.  When I see it, I'll know it. I'm open to suggestions!

Have a Blessed week, Barbara