Just Nan's Gingerbread Mouse

I love Just Nan designs and this little sweetheart is no exception.  He was suppose to be stitched on a brown fabric so it looked like gingerbread but I didn't have any so I decided to do a little grey mouse.  He's really, really tiny at only 1.5 inches tall but there's alot of stitching in that little area.  He will be my addition to our Christmas tree this year.

Now onto the next project which at this time I have no idea what it will be.  I'm thinking about doing Letters for Santa by With Thy Needle and Thread.   I have everything I need to stitch it so that would be a good one to do.  

I finished 3 shawls in the last few weeks and I pick them up from the lady who does my blocking tomorrow.  I will post some pics later this week with how they look all finished up.  I can't wait to see them.

Until we talk again have a Blessed day,

Barbara

Two Just Nan finishes

I've been working on two commissioned pieces for Ms. R. and I just finished them.  They are both Just Nan designs.....the one on the left is to Barnaby's Bride and the cute little mouse is to Minerva's Mouse.  They are so tiny!!  The mouse is only about 1 1/2 inches tall.   I hope she likes them.....fingers crossed!!!

Now as to what do I do next.....I haven't the foggiest idea.  I have some quakers I would like to stitch but I also have a few crochet items I would like to finish.  I have some new silks coming from Vikki at HDF so maybe I should wait till they arrive.  They are gorgeous!!!!  Doesn't it feel wonderful when you finish something and you get to start over fresh on a new piece of linen with some threads that you love.  Ahhhh.....the joy of needleworking!!!!  Now that brings out a new question for you all.  What is your favorite part of starting a new design.....Is it the design itself?......the fibers.....or the new piece of linen.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

JN Bluebird Alphabet Knocker and a giveaway

I finally got around to doing the finishing work on the JN Bluebird Alphabet design and I think it's a cutie.  It turned out a little bit bigger than I intended and now it's a great size for hanging on the wall or on a door knob.  I did the stitching on 32ct. Queen Anne's Lace Jobelan using DMC floss and Sampler Threads.  The design came with some sweet little glass flower beads and those really add to the design.  If you are interested in this, you'll find it in my store.

I'm still plucking away on a Stacy Nash design and the large quaker I told you about before.  When they start to get to me, I work on a shawl that I started this past week.  It's a beautiful shade of teal wool/acrylic yarn that I purchased a while back and I was just waiting for the perfect design for it.  This is a small shawl.....more like a triangle shaped scarf....and it shouldn't take too long to knit.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday and that you all are getting some much needed stitching time.

In cleaning out my sewing room today, I came across this beautiful book of ponchos, capes and shawls.  I no longer need this book so I thought I'd offer it up for a giveaway.  It's published by Interweave Knits so you know it's a goodie.  Just leave your name on this post and we'll pick a winner this thursday morning.  Let's keep this giveaway just for U.S. followers because the book is rather heavy.  Thanks!

Blessings as always,

Barbara


Apparently not too many knitters follow my blog because only one person, Rhonda, signed up to win the beautiful book I was giving away.  Rhonda, it will be in your next box of goodies. :o)

A Happy Dance Finish

Well with hubby at work today, I was able to finish this Just Nan Winder Holder. If you are familiar with the pattern, Nan had a flap that opened up and it had a piece of wool for your needles. Well I figured I had enough needle holders and I wanted a pinkeep. When I did my finishing, I took away the flap and added white straight pins. I just love the new thread holders she came out with and this was a fun stitch....I think. LOL
Just a word of credit....my daughter Jenn knitted the beautiful blue doily for me. Have I told you she is an awesome knitter? Well she is and I will post a picture of a shawl her knitted for me tomorrow.

Slow Going

I'm still plucking away on the JN Butterfly Holder but it's been slow going on this one. Have you ever noticed that you can't get as much stitching done when hubby is in the house? Well mine had a 3 day weekend this week and it's put me behind schedule.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I feel so bad for the people in Europe who are feeling the effects of the volcanic ash cloud. I can't imagine having to breath that air all the time....and all the people stranded here in the US because the airlines aren't flying over there. I wonder how this is going to effect everyone this coming week.

The weather has been really nice here in Orlando but I hope we get some rain soon....my flowers could use a good wetting. I don't know about you but I love visiting other blogs to see what pics of flowers they have posted. It makes me kind of homesick when I see some flowers we can't plant here because of the heat.

Here's wishing all of you a blessed Sunday.

As always, Barbara

Is It Too Late for a Humbug???

I know spring has sprung, but I guess it's never too late to do a winter humbug. LOL Of course I had to do some changes from the pattern....instead of doing the hearts over 1 thread, I found some amethyst hearts in my stash that work pretty well I think. This will either end up on our Christmas tree or as a gift to someone.

As always, Barbara

A Wonderful Day at the Market

Today was the day that my local LNS displays all the new goodies she returned with from the Nashville Market. As you can tell, I was in 7th heaven and it was very hard to get my feet back on the ground. I limited myself to just my favorite designers so I could keep the expense under a manageable figure....I'm not sure my DH would agree. LOL

Dinky Dyes new scissor case which comes with the silks and the matching scissors. Very cute!!! I love doing the Sweetheart Trees designs on the checked Graziano linen and this one looks very sweet. Shepherd's Bush had a freebie when you purchased the silver charm that went with it. This one is a darling sheep atop a hill with a tulip charm.

These are two of the designs I have awaited impatiently for. I am dieing to start the Lighthouse biscornu from Rosewood Manor and the With My Needle Huswife from Ellen Chester is just beautiful. I love stitching her designs.

Prairie Moon has come out with Black and Red Sampler II and since I had number I it was a no brainer that I had to have it. LOL And then there is La-D-Da. I absolutely love all of her designs and love stitching them.

Just Nan had some wonderful items this time but I limited myself to just these two. The vintage winder I have plans for so stay tuned to see what I do with that and the Needle Tweet is for my daughter, Jenn.

Ever since I stitched the Jenny Bean pinkeep, I have fallen in love with these designs. I broke down and purchased the fiber pack for this one....saves on time pulling threads don't ya know.

And last but not least....Blackbird Designs. I truly think they outdid themselves this market and there was nothing that didn't make it into my bag. The Manor book has some of the most beautiful pincushions they have ever produced and my fingers are itching to start them.

So let me know what you think about my purchases and what you think I should start first. I always have a very hard time with that one.

As always,

Barbara

Just a few things I have finished.

I have always loved Cynthia Zittel's designs and this one was no exception.

This sweet little biscornu was given as a gift to one of my friends.

This one I just wanted to try pink and black together.


This little humbug was sold to a lady who has a Halloween tree.


I had to stitch this because of my daughter's name, Jenn and my initial is also on it

This pattern is from a french designer...Danybrod

This is a design by Stacy Nash. I love doing her patterns. Such interesting colors.