A start and a finish

I hope everybody has had a fantastic weekend so far whether it be with loved ones or just sitting and stitching.  

I had to start a new project besides the Shepherds Bush one because I just fell in love with this little snowman.  He is stitched in primitive colors which suits me just fine.  I decided he was having some "Wintertime fun" and made him a label.  Buttons at the corners finished him off real nicely.  Teresa Kogut is the designer and you'll find the pattern in my store.

 I've been working on Slate Snowman for about 2 days so I haven't gotten very far but I thought I'd show you the fabric.  I love it!

Remember my Lizzie Kate candle mat I made and remember I forgot to stitch the ball at the end of santa's hat?  Well I decided  since I forgot to do this before I put him together, that I would use a button for the ball.  I like it!

That's all for now except to wish everyone a Blessed Sunday....

Barbara

Betsy has a home.

I hope all of you have had a Blessed Sunday and enjoyed your time with stitching or something else you love doing.  Me.....stitching!

I took Robin's advice about the wooden embroidery frames for Betsy's Tart and it turned out really cute.  I had never finished something this way so I added some touches of my own.  I added a backing which I'm not sure you are suppose to do but to me it just gives it a more "finished" look.  Also, I stained the hoop walnut and I love it.

Here's Betsy:

She's sitting in my china/crystal cabinet only because the hanger that I had attached left loose so I must reattach it then I can hang it where I want.  I'm thinking kitchen.

Then the other day I received a package in the mail from my sweet friend Rhonda.  I had no idea what it was and wow was I surprised when I opened it.  She sent me an absolutely beautiful windchime in remembrance of my brother, Richard.  I purchased a wrought iron hanger at Lowe's and DH hung it for me today.

I had him hang it outside my kitchen window that's over my sink so that I can hear the beautiful chimes and look at it.  I didn't want it out in the elements so it's nicely protected on the front porch.  Thank you Rhonda....every time I look at it I'll think of my brother and the dear friend who sent it to me.

That's all from this part of the world.  I hope everything is in top shape in your corner.

Blessings, Barbara

A finish and new start

Hello to all my blog friends and here's hoping your week has been fantastic so far.  Mine has been so so with nothing earth shattering happening which is a good thing I guess.  I made a comment to someone the other day that my DH and I are boring.....we lead a very quiet life.  They replied back that they wish they could.  I guess in that sense we are lucky.

I was able to finish Betsy's Tart but I think it finished too small to place in the round frame I was thinking of using.  I'm going to have to find a different frame or some other way of finishing it.

I did change one of the colors in the design to add a little of brownish green to it.  I think also I should of done the lettering in a darker thread.  I just don't feel like dealing with the frog so it stays..

Then we have my next project...."Slate Snowman" from Shepherd's Bush.  I do love this design but one thing bother's me about their kits.  To me they cut the silks too short and they drive me crazy to use them so I always replace them.  These will be replaced with Belle Soie Silks which I absolutely love to work with.

Doesn't he look like fun???  I just love their designs.  When I'm finished with this one it will be winging it's way "across the pond" to a sweet lady in England.  She loves Shepherd's Bush and sheep just like me so I thought I'd share this one with her..

I hope all of you have a lovely weekend with family and friends.

Blessings, Barbara

Update

Well it's still raining here off and on but I was able to get to Costco and Joann Fabrics today.  Needed some floss for my next project.  I've really scaled down my fibers.  I only keep on hand those flosses that a pattern calls for and ones that are of a primitive color palette.  It makes it simpler to handle and doesn't take up as much room.

I was able to get Forget Me Not and the LK Merry Christmas ones finished up today.  I'm liking the LK but not so sure about FMN one.

This is the one I dedicated to my brother and on the back I placed his name and date of birth/death.   The little clocks in front of it I just received from my oldest brother.  These were clocks that Richard had purchased for our Mother on two Christmases and he thought I might like to have them.  I think it's perfect to have these in front of the picture.

This little guy turned out great.  I placed the part for the candle in the back so that the light shines down on the cross stitch.  I did a machine quilted pattern on the fabric part and I like how it goes with the Santa.

Betsy's Tart is coming along and so far a fun stitch.  

I just received an order from Stitch & Frog that I just can't wait to start but my next project will be a Shepherd's Bush Slate Snowman.....it has a snowman AND a sheep.  Can't wait to start that one either.  "So Many Projects....So Little Time".

Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend so far.

Blessings, Barbara

Don't ya love tropical storms!!!!

One word for how the weathers been here in Orlando lately.....miserable....but it does make a nice time for stitching.  I don't feel like going anywhere and sure can't work in the yard.  

I was able to get two projects stitched up:

First one is a Lizzie Kate and it is me!!!  I don't like to say Happy Holidays at Christmas.  It's just not right and it's not fun.  So when I saw this design I knew it was for me.  I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it but I'm leaning towards a candle mat using one of the fabrics shown.  This was a great fun stitch!

Next is the Forget Me Not which I'm dedicating to my brother, Richard.  I'm thinking that this should be framed but I'm still debating.

I'm making good progress on the Weaver's Samplers which will be dedicated to my Aunt Margaret who made beautiful quilts.  

And my new project started today is Betsy's Tart.  This I know I'm going to frame in an antique round frame that I found at an estate sale that we stopped at coming home from De Leon Springs.  It's being stitched on a hand dyed fabric of a mystery color name but it's in shades of grey.

Well that's what I've been up  to.  The Lizzy Kate pattern is in my store if you're interested as is Betsy's Tart also.

I hope you've had a wonderful week where you are and that your weekend is even better.  Enjoy your family and friends and don't forget to tell them you love them.  

Blessings, Barbara

PS.  Okay I've lost it!!!  Take a good look at my Lizzie Kate Merry Christmas and tell me what's missing.  Can't figure it out?  How about the ball at the end of Santa's hat?  I'm glad I noticed this before I did the finishing work on it.  Since it's not going to be framed....maybe a pompom?  Hmmmm

Very Nice Day

Peyton and John invited us to go with them to De Leon Springs but the only bad part was that we had to be at their house at 7 am.  Ugh!!!!

This is the old sugar mill which they have turned into a restaurant but only for breakfast.  You would not believe the line of cars waiting to get into this.  The attraction is their pancakes.  All you can eat and you make them yourselves on grilles in the middle of the table.

They are soooo good.  The batter comes out of the container very, very lumpy but there are no lumps in the pancakes after you make them.  That one stumps the cook in me because I can't figure out how they do this.

 There is swimming, canoeing, snorkeling and all kinds of fun water stuff to do but as always...this is Florida.

Watch where you tread.

A pretty little waterfall.  I only stuck my toes in the water but let me tell you, it was freezing since it's fed by a spring.  Water is very clear and inviting but not for this old lady.   I'll stick to dry land and keep my butt dry thank you very much.

No trip is complete without a picture of Little John waiting for his pancakes.  I think he ate more than I did.  I swear that child has hollow legs.

Hope you have a Blessed Sunday,

Barbara

New Project & a beautiful smile

I want to keep busy and the mono colored design I'm working on was starting to get to me.  I love mono designs but this one the color is a little drab so I thought I'd start a new Brenda Gervais design called Forget Me Not.  It's a very simple design that can be made into a pillow or framed and it has 5 buttons that I'm going to go looking for some antique ones.  I have some Mother of Pearl but I don't think they'd look right.

This bag I saw on Pinterest and thought I'd try making one.  It's for carrying a small knitting or crocheting project.  You loop the handle over your arm and keep the yarn in the bag.  Everything stays neat and clean and it's very handy for doctor appointments when you're waiting for DH to get done.  I do that alot so I can see this being used quite a bit.  I'm thinking of making another one but a tiny bit bigger.  We'll see.

How's this for a happy baby!  This was this past Wednesday when Peyton comes down to do my cleaning and I enjoy Little John.  He's such a pleasure to be around and always makes me feel good.

I placed two new patterns in the store if you're interested.  One is a BBD pattern and the other one is a With Thy Needle & Thread one.  

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings, Barbara

Keeping myself busy.....

....and it helps me keep my sanity.  I've tried to come to terms with my brother's death and am having trouble with it.  I guess we look at our siblings as someone who will always be there no matter what and when you lose one, it knocks you off your feet.  I'll be okay but I guess it will take awhile.

Meanwhile I've been doing some finishing and I came up with this little winter pillow.  It's a JBW design that works up very quickly if you're interested in doing it.  I stitched mine on a piece of medium blue 20 count linen over 1 thread because I wanted it small.

I machine embroidered the Let It Snow on a coordinating piece of blue print cotton and added lace to the snowflake.

I doubt if we'll get any snow here in Florida this winter  but I can always hope.

The next picture is of an angel I purchased last year at a Hallmark store here in town.  I loved it the moment I saw it but can you figure out what is wrong with it?

The angel is holding two needles in her hand but the snowflakes are crocheted which you do with a hook.  It reminds me of that toilet tissue commercial that was on years ago where the old ladies are sitting around quilting toilet paper.  Only thing wrong is that they showed the ladies holding two needles and that's not the way you quilt.  These guys should really be asking some needleworkers if there are any mistakes before they produce these items.  I love her anyway...mistakes and all.

I also have a terrible memory.  I purchased a pattern at my LNS last week only to find out I already had it.

So this one above is in my store along with the snowflake one so if you're interested they are under the sales tab.

Hope everyone has cooler temperatures to deal with this week and you get alot of stitching done.

Blessings, Barbara

I want to thank everyone who has offered prayers and best wishes for my brother and our family.  Richard passed away early this morning peacefully in his sleep.  He leaves behind a wife, son and grandson.  May he sleep with the angels.

Blessings To All, Barbara

Asking for Prayers Please

I received some bad news today and I'm asking for Prayers for my Brother, Richard.  He's had COPD for years now and this is the 3rd time he's developed pneumonia.  After much testing, they have discovered that he has no lung tissue left and that he's also developed cancer.  He has smoked since he was about 16 years old and it's finally caught up with him.  My oldest brother called today to let me know that Hospice has been called in and that they give him days.  It breaks my heart that I cannot be with him at this time, but with DH not being able to hear, I just can't be away from the house overnight.  If anything happened to DH, I'd never forgive myself.

So please pray for an easy passing and that God wraps him in his arms gently.

Blessings, Barbara