I Actually Finished Something!!!

Hello my fellow stitching friends.  I have been busy stitching on a new Christmas ornament for this year and I actually finished it.....sort of.  I first saw this design on "Samplers and Santas"..Marly's blog...and went to the shop on Etsy and purchased the pattern.  It worked up fast and I love how many different ways this can be finished.  I decided to do a little pillow that can also double as an ornament.  I added one of my signature bows and I'm waiting for the rusty bells and rusty safety pins so I can add them.  That's what I meant by sort of.   I stitched it on 28ct. flax linen using Crescent colors and it turned out about 3 x 5....perfect for an ornament.

Also, if you have a daughter or grand daughter who loves Beauty and the Beast, in my store "Fabrics for sale" you will find a set of premium cotton fabrics that I had purchased hoping that our next great-grandchild was going to be a girl but that didn't happen.  So if you're a quilter, it's a beautiful set to make a nice size quilt.

I've also listed a project bag for sale.

That's all for now.  Everyone have a fantastic weekend.

Blessings, Barbara

Some new goodies to share

I have been a really bad girl lately and I thought I'd share it with you.  LOL  Although I'm sure that most of you would say I'm just being "normal".  I like that!!!!  

First off, the new issue of JCS came out and it's the one with the preview of the ornament issue.  If this is any indication of that issue, it should be a good one!  I'm in love with 3 of the designs and have purchased the threads to stitch them with.  I will share them with you at a later time.  I was also up at the Sewing Studio and I was looking for fabric with newspaper print on it.  Would you believe they actually had it!!  It's for an upcoming pattern from With Needle and Thread that involves a Whitman chocolate sampler box.  When I get the pattern I will show you what I mean.  It promises to be a lot of fun.

 Next up.....I received the Better Not Pout pattern today so I'll be starting that this weekend.  I have everything for it which is a miracle.  The other pattern is one I came across at Sewing Studio.  I love making bags and this one caught my eye because of the name...."Jennifer's Bag".  It has tons of pockets outside and inside and I'm going to see what fabric I have on hand before I go shopping.  I know....I know....miracles do happen.

 Next is the knitting project I've been working on this week.  Jennifer loves teal and I came across this yarn at my local shop and I knew she'd love it.  It's a wool/acrylic blend and it's soooo soft.  I'm knitting her a cowl which should be large enough to cover her head and hopefully wrap around her neck to help keep her warm out there in Colorado.  This should be finished tonite or tomorrow.

 Next is a small needlepoint canvas I purchased the other day at Needle Orts.  It's of a small witch and she's so cute I just had to have her.  As you can see I'm doing most of the stitching with DMC floss but the background will be a soft lavender Sparkle Rays.  

I might of told you that I discovered a new knitting store here in Orlando and I am in love!!  The name is The Knitting Patch  and it's the most fantastic knitting store I have ever been in.  Needless to say, my budget really took a beating there but it was worth it.  Here is what I bought:

 Above first off is Noro which is silk/mohair/lamb's wool blend that is to die for.  That will end up as a shawl for myself and that's my next knitting project.  The blue is Wunderklecks by Schoppel Wolle and is a fingering weight wool blend from Germany.  The brown ball is lace weight by Schoppel Wolle also and is a wool blend.  I don't have projects picked out for these two yet.

Above is what I purchased for Jennifer.  She loves doing lace work so I bought her a skein of Madelinetosh which is 100% silk and is 1,000 yards....plenty for a nice shawl or whatever she chooses.  The other is a silk also by Tilli Tomas in a stunning burgundy color.  I think she'll be happy with both of these.

So that's what I've been doing this past week.....shopping.  Maybe it's all the rain we've had....buying beautiful yarns and patterns always brightens my day.

I hope your week has been as productive as mine has been.  I did some stitching on Fallen Roses and I'm still thinking I should have this finished by my October deadline.  I'm almost finished with Jenn's cowl and then I can block it and mail it to her.  I should have over a skein leftover and I'm sending that to her and she's going to make herself some fingerless gloves to match it.  I will be starting Better Not Pout tomorrow and that shouldn't take too long to stitch.  

Here's hoping that all of you get to do some stitching this weekend and not have to "frog" one stitch....pesty frog, who wants him anyways!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

A small finish...

I came across this little freebie at a blog that is quite new to me.  You can find this and many more patterns here.  I decided to stitch my little owl on natural glenshee linen using two colors of Gloriana silks.....Fallen leaves for the owl and Pecan for everything else.  It was a fun stitch and owls are so popular right now and I didn't have any in my collection.

I'm waiting on two patterns that I've sent for to come in the mail and I'm debating on whether or not to start something else till they get here.  

This is the first one from Widgets and Wools Primitives and is called Better Not Pout and the second one is

from Jardin Prive and is called Trop Chouette.

Maybe I should just stitch on my tribute piece, Fallen Roses until they get here.  I would really hate to start something and then have them arrive.  I'm really wanting to start some Christmas stitching and the Better Not Pout one I just love.

Well that's all for now.  For those who didn't know, Vallie had been very sick and is feeling much better now.  I took her to her doctor and she said she thought it was an parasite that had gotten into her intestines.  Yuk!!!!  Two different medicines and $300 worth of tests later, she's feeling much better and is back to her old self.  She has an appointment with a new groomer on wednesday so I'll be sure to post a new picture of her new doo.

I hope everyone has a great week with lots of time to put in some stitches.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Now I can show you this....

This is an ornament I made for my sweet friend Trina.  I can show you a picture now because I know she's received it.  I made this a little bit differently in that I put a music box inside the finishing and when she squeezes it, it will play her a beautiful Christmas song.  I'm glad she likes it because it was a fun stitch.

Tomorrow I will have the random number generator pick a winner of my Christmas giveaway so check back after 9 am. est.  

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Some finishes and a big thank you

First I was to say a very big thank you to my good friend, Trina.  She stitched and sent me this absolutely beautiful Christmas cardinal ornament and I just love it.  My kitchen has reds in it so this will grace my tree for Christmas but afterwards it's going in my kitchen so I can see it all year and think of what a true friend I have in Trina.  Thank you Hon for such a beautiful gift.  Luv ya!!!!

 Remember me telling you about the frames I found at Kohl's?  Well this is it.  I decided that it called for a Just Nan pattern and her Holly Bows is perfect for it.  

 I love how this turned out!!!  I stitched it on 28ct. mushroom evenweave with DMC floss and added the delica beads and the pewter charm in the center.  When I first saw these frames, I thought they were plastic but I was wrong....thank goodness!!  They are a metal of pewter color and quite heavy.

Also, I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments of encouragement about the Paris Mandala.  I have started it and it's coming along fine.  I will post a picture of how much I have finished tomorrow evening.  This I will do every saturday night if I can remember.   :o)

So enjoy your weekend and have lots of stitchie time.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Joyous Heart Ornament finish

Don't you just love Homespun Elegance designs!!  I do and this one is no exception.  I finished it into an ornament my usual way and I discovered something in the process.  Pearl cotton makes for a great twisted braid and you also have an exact match to sew it on with by using the same pearl cotton.  It has a nice sheen to it that enhances the design and if you use DMC pearl cotton and DMC floss, you know your going to have an exact match.....what could be better!!!  This one is going on our tree this Christmas and do you see the little snowman pin....it's from JAB.

Onto the next project which I was hoping would be the C Mon Monde SAL but because of a snaffu on their part, I don't have part 3 yet.  I'm becoming very disappointed in this SAL as I really don't think they are very organized.  

I'm in the middle of designing my freebie Christmas ornament for this year.  It's a very simple design but holds alot of meaning for me.  I should have it ready in about two weeks so keep watch for it.

So now I'm off to get into trouble in my sewing room.....which I don't think will take too much effort.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Christmas stitching has started

Every year I promise myself I'm going to start earlier on stitching some ornaments as gifts for friends and family and every year I feel rushed because I forgot my promise.  This year I'm not stitching as many so I may have a good chance on finishing the ones I want to.  

 First up is the LHN ornament #9 that I showed you all a picture of a few days ago.  This one I'm just not too sure of.  I found some fabric that I have no idea what it is...when I bought it...but it looks very primitive like burlap.  It was very easy to stitch on but the design turned out a little bigger than I was hoping.  I made the bag like the pattern said to out of WDW wool and I used strands from the fabric for the hanger and the bow.  I think this really gives it a primitive look about it.

Next is a JBW design that I turned into Jenn's Christmas tree colors.  This is one of her all red designs but I used teal and chartruse (sp?) dmc for the bells, fushia metallic for the holly berries and emerald green Marlitt for the holly leaves.  This was a fun stitch especially using these unusual colors.  

That makes me wonder.....do any of you ladies use unusual colors in your Christmas decorations?  I just can't seem to get past red, white and green so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Now I'm unto the next one which is a Homespun Elegance Christmas Heart and of course it's in the usual colors.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Some finished Christmas Ornies

Every year I have the fun of making 3 ornaments for a friend of mine.  She has 2 girls and 1 boy who is married and we usually start early to come up with ideas for their ornies.  This year was pretty easy.....so far.  The boy who is married...well they like turtles.  Sometimes it's not so easy coming up with a Christmas turtle but we have.  One of the girls collects snowmen and the other angels so they are relatively easy.  As you can see by the picture, I have completed the turtle and snowman ornie but am still working on the angel.   The turtle I cannot remember where I got that pattern but the snowman is from last years JCS Ornie issue.  If you are thinking of doing the snowman, good luck.  It was a bugger.  First off it's stitched on 28ct. over 1 thread and then you have to backstitch around it in the shape of a star and then do that on a second sheet of fabric.  You then sew them together, wrong sides together thru the back stitches. Then when you are able to finish that (sigh) you string beads and make loops to go around the outside.  It's absolutely beautiful when finished but I will never make one again!  The turtle was just finished the regular way for ornies with batting and mat board and then a braid going around it.  

I am running into a problem with the angel.  The young lady it is going to also runs and my friend, the mom, is looking for an angel wearing sneakers.....or maybe a pair of sneakers with wings.  Does either of these ring a bell with any of you ladies?  I have come up empty and am at wits end.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

Hope everyone is having a blessed saturday,

Barbara

New Ornament in Mail Today

I had a wonderful surprise in the mail today. I received a beautiful new ornament from my sweet friend, Trina. Doesn't she do beautiful work??? I absolutely love it and it's in a place of honor on my tree....right smack dab in the center front. Thank you so much Trina....you are a sweetie for making this for me.

I think that receiving a hand made ornament in the mail is one of my top ten loves....

As always, Barbara

Christmas Shawlette for Sale

I knitted this shawl with a beautiful acrylic/wool yarn that has a lovely drape to it and just lays gently around your shoulders. I wanted a soft ruffle along the edge and so I decided to crochet that part and it turned out just how I imagined it would. This would make a beautiful gift for someone who has a chilly office or home and just wants a little something around the shoulders to help keep warm.

The above picture shows the knitted part with a design of yarn overs and garter ridges with the crocheted ruffle. You will find this item in my store for sale.

Now unto Christmas shopping. Would you believe hubby and I went yesterday and have just about all the grand children done!!! I've always been more comfortable shopping for girls since that's what we had, but I must admit I had alot of fun shopping for those 4 grandsons. We started at Costco and found a K-nex (sp?) roller coaster that is almost 4 feet tall. Now this comes with hundreds of little pieces and I know the boys will love it, but Jenn is another story. I can hear her now complaining about the parts laying around on the floor waiting to be picked up by the vacuum. LOL It's a lot of fun being a grandparent!!! Next we went to Target and they got quite a bit of our money but we did great there. Wyatt the smallest one has been watching the Fisher Price IXL book on tv so that's what we decided to get for his large present. It looks like he's gonna have a ball with this one and it's educational so that's always a bonus. The two middle ones, Cauy and Dakota are into the Halo toys (please don't ask me to explain because I have no idea what these are) but bought some great pieces for them between Target and ToysRUs. The oldest boy Dalton, is really into camo gear. Well the next stop was the Army/Navy store and we got some things there he's gonna love...including his own set of dog tags. All in all it was alot of fun shopping for them and I still have to get a few odds and ends for them and they are finished. Peyton our grand daughter is graduating this year so we've decided to get her a laptop for her Christmas/graduation present combined. She needs one (her old one died) and I'm sure alot of stores are going to have some good sales from now till Christmas.

So today I'm recuperating and doing some sit down work. I'm still working on the gifts for my Christmas giveaway which will be posted the day after Thanksgiving.....Black Friday so keep checking back. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

As always, Barbara

Christmas Kitchen Set for Sale

This was done using a 100% cotton worsted weight yarn in Christmas reds and greens. There are 3 parts to this set: First is the dishcloth and scrubbie, Second is the trivet and Third is the bag holding 2 satin napkins. This would make someone a very nice and practical Christmas gift. This can be found in my store for sale.

As always, Barbara

Knitted Pincushion is Finished

I wanted to see if this would work and it did. I used a 100% wool lace weight yarn and knitted it on very small needles and came up with a small pincushion. I'm sure you know that wool is the best fiber to keep your stitching needles stored in and this should work just fine. I did this one in autumn colors because that's what I had handy. I am still thinking about doing an entire needlework set out of wool but I just have to get the idea down on paper and then unto the needles. I will keep you posted on what I come up with.

Oh and by the way, this will be included with my Christmas giveaway if I get it finished in time.

As always, Barbara

The Pinkeep Story

Have you ladies seen this pattern? I fell in love as soon as I did and these shall be my next large project. Each design in the book is done by a different designer. They are: Blackbird Designs, Tournicoton, Little House of Needleworks, With My Needle, Isabelle Haccourt Vautier, Marie's Passion, Marie-therese Saint Aubin, Passe Compose, Jardin Prive, Miky's Creations, Swappons and C Mon Monde. Can you imagine all of these fantastic designers in one book? Now you know why I fell in love. Then I have to find a three layer stand to display them on. Maybe my hubby will take pity on me and make me one.

I am now working on a Christmas ornament by JBW of an angel and will have that posted in a day or two. I'm also working on a knitted pincushion that is knitted with wool on very fine needles and stuffed with wool roving. This is one thing I am having fun with. I want to come out with a needlework set knitted on very fine needles with fine wool. Think I will have any problems? Oh I know I will but the fun is figuring out how to overcome them. I would love ideas from you ladies on what color to use. I am thinking of doing them in indigo blue with an olive green contrast. What do you think.....or should I go with something entirely different.

Well enough for now. I gotta get back to work if I'm going to have these done in any time soon.

As always, Barbara

And so it begins.....

Here it is November 1 and I can't believe it's this late in the year already. I have posted a Christmas countdown clock at the top of my blog to remind me just how close it is getting. I really am ahead on a lot of things this year and I feel lost. LOL I'm use to the rushing around and trying to get everything finished and mailed out before Christmas is over.

I haven't started my shopping for the grand children yet but I like to wait a little closer to Christmas to start theirs. It always helps me get in the mood better. I don't know if I have ever written this on here, but I hate having Christmas in Florida. We still have the air conditioning on and probably will for another month at least. We've lived down here almost 30 years and I still can't get use to shopping in shorts and a tshirt. Really helps to get you in the mood....NOT.

Oh well I will try to keep you up to date on whats going on around here. Hubby will find out next wednesday whether or not the surgery worked so we are waiting impatiently for that. Hope everything is going great in your lives.

As always, Barbara

Christmas is right around the corner

Tomorrow is September 1st and that means Christmas will be right around the corner very soon. I've already started my Christmas ornaments and other items that I love to stitch. This one is a JBW Design and I stitched it on 28ct. Grazino tan and white linen and finished it into a cute little shopping tote. I used HDF silk and itis a beautiful red. In case you can't make out the words, it says "I love to go Christmas shopping". The bag is completely lined and made using a 100% premium cotton. If you are interested in purchasing it, you will find it in my store.

As always, Barbara

Two ornaments finished and ready for the tree

Last week I showed you what I was up to and now I thought I'd show you the finished products. Ms. R. always has me make 3 ornaments for her childrens Christmas trees and we get together and decide on a pattern for each. This first one is for the girl who collects snowmen. The JOY is because she just gratuated from college....and of course Merry Christmas says the rest. I found a little red bird button and two holly leaf buttons to set it off. I think it turned out pretty cute and I hope she likes it.
This second one is for the girl who collects angels. Yes I know Just Nan doesn't call this one an angel but last year I stitched one of the butterfly angels from JN and she really liked it. This one is called Splendora and splendid she is. You can't tell from the picture, but the fur has been stitched with wool and then brushed to give her a "furry" look and her wings are stitched with silks....and we mustn't forget about the butterfly charm she is carrying. I love this design and it's a good thing because I think I've stitched it about 6 times so far. LOL
Hope you enjoyed seeing what will be hanging on two Christmas trees this coming season.
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