On a brighter note.....

.....I finished the Lizzie Kate!!!!  Yeah!!!!!  I never had a small design take so long to stitch but I guess that's what happens when you do too many things at one time.  I am certainly happy that this is now off of my frame and ready to be framed.  I think I'll wait until after the holidays to look for a frame....I'm hoping for some good sales.

 I stitched the design on 32ct. Cream Belfast using DMC floss.  It called for some overdyeds but I decided against them.  I really and truly dislike stitching with the cotton overdyeds.....Weeks, Sampler, Crescent....it doesn't matter which one.....I dislike them all.  I have quite a few of them and they will be going on the selling blog shortly.  

Now I want to tell you about the pincushion you see in the upper left hand corner of the above picture.  This was very simple to make and it actually has a double purpose.  I took a canning lid and glued the two pieces together and sat them aside.  Then I made a regular old tomato pincushion and stuffed it really tightly.  I then glued the pincushion inside the lid with some strong glue.  I placed rubber bands up and over and all around it to keep the pincushion tightly inside the lid.  I left this dry overnight and the next morning I glued a magnet in the center of the bottom lid.  Why did I do that?  I use magnets to hold my pattern to my fabric in the frame when I am stitching and this gives me a nice strong magnet to hold my pattern...but also gives me a really pretty pincushion that will hold my needle when I'm not using it.

This is a very simple to make so try it and send me a pic of what yours looks like.  I would love to see different interpretations.

That's all for now.....back to Christmas stitching and until we talk again, have a Blessed day,

Barbara

A pincushion finish

This was such a sweet design I just couldn't resist stitching it.  It's been stitched on 32ct. Cream Belfast linen using the most beautiful pink silk.  It's a Silk N Colors and the name......I know you you'll love this name as much as I did.....Camelot's Lady.  Isn't that the greatest!!!!  I finished it into one of my soft sided pincushions.  On the bottom (which I forgot to take a picture of) is a cream with pink and blue flowers and then around the side is a striped that coordinates with it perfectly.  I then added heirloom lace around the top and a very thin chenille cording around the bottom.  It's been topped off with one of my signature bows in pink.  This turned out so feminine looking and I'm going to offer this up for sale in my store.  You can find it there if you are interested.

Updated to give you the French blog where I found this design:  http://www.mamiloucreations.com/categorie-12390071.html

Well I've restarted my Strawberry Hill Sampler on a piece of 32ct. hand dyed linen from Nina.  I'm going to use the same Sampler Threads that Brenda calls for but I will have to make the design on the box top smaller.  This will probably mean leaving out some of the design elements which I don't want to do but I have no other choice.  

I want to thank everyone who commented on my having to do away with my smaller count linens.  I have tried magnification in the past with terrible results.  I usually end up with a terrible headache and very queasy in the stomach after using one.....so that's not a solution.  I have resigned myself to this and understand that it's a part of getting older.....which stinks by the way!!!

I hope everyone has had a terrific weekend with tons of time to do all kinds of stitchie things.  I know for us here in the U.S., Wednesday is the 4th of July (sorry Brits!) and we really haven't anything special planned.  Whatever you plan on doing, please have a wonderful time and enjoy the 4th!

Blessings as always,

Barbara

New Starts and Updates

As you can see I'm making some progress on Rhonda's Ort Bag.  She told me she was in no hurry for it which is good because she knows how much I hate stitching a design twice, let alone 4 times.  I'm hoping to have the second unit finished this weekend while watching the beginning of Nascar season.

The above design I saw on the HDF forum and fell instantly in love with it.  I'm stitching it on 32ct. antique white linen using two HDF silks.  You can find the pattern here, on the Better Homes & Garden Australian site.

From my dear friend Rhonda comes this absolutely beautiful gift.  She sent me the BBD design Hedgerow Birds project bag, the linen and all the fibers it calls for.  She knows how much I love BBD designs and I cannot wait to start this.  Thank you my sweet friend!

Many of you know how much Jenn loves sheep.  Well this past weekend when I was at The Sewing Studio, I came across this beautiful red cotton fabric with sheep on it.  I thought it would make her the perfect project bag.  I'm stitching a Cricket design for the front and I'll show that when I'm finished with it. It will also have her name on it so 4 little boys know it's mommy's and not theirs.  :o)

I've added to my Drawn Thread pattern collection.  I sincerely don't know why I keep buying these because I can't tell you the last one I stitched but it's in the Stitcher's genes to buy when first seeing something we love.....you never know when it won't be there and then you're stuck without it.  Right??

Above is part of my collection of Hand Dyed Fibers silks.  I have 7 of these containers plus what I have hanging on my silk wall.  Do you think I need anymore?  (please say yes so I don't feel so guilty when I order more :o))

Above are two pincushion patterns I picked up and I can't wait to make them.  They don't show any cross stitch but you know I'll add some.  I want to find some really pretty summer fabrics for them.

Well that's what I've been up to this past week to stay out of trouble and to help the economy in any way I can.  Doesn't that sound good?  Think DH will buy it?  I doubt it too.  :o(

You all have a great weekend...have lots of stitchie time and I hope that pesty frog doesn't darken your door.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

Pink Rose Pincushion

Here's the latest finish I did.  I'm really becoming addicted to making smalls and if anyone knows of a 12step program, please let me know.  :o)  I can't seem to be able to stop making them and trying to find new ways of doing the finishing part.  This one I just eliminated the sharp corners and I think it made it softer looking....or am I dreaming.  

I'm getting into a slump again.  I'm sitting here looking at my patterns and nothing interests me.  Why does this happen to us?  I've heard of other ladies going thru this and they can't begin to express why it affects them either.  Maybe I need to start something big like the Blackbird Designs calendar year project.  I've collected all the patterns and have a fat half of 30ct. linen to stitch them all on.  When finished, it should make an impressive wall quilt.  I have all the items....oh well.

Woke up this morning with another sore throat.  This has been going on for about a week now and I just seem to have no energy.  Oh the heck with it.....it's  nap time with Vallie.

Blessings as always,

Barbara

I Love Trying Different Things.....

...so I thought I would try something new in my finishing of this pincushion. I came across this beautiful quilting fabric that looks like cross stitched roses a few weeks ago. For this pincushion I covered a large button and used that for the center. I also used the same fabric for the bottom. The stitching I did with Waterlillies called Cherry Cordial. Doesn't that sound great??? For some reason I'm always drawn to fibers that are named after candy or food. I'm beginning to think I have a problem. LOL

Anyways, here it is and if you are interested in purchasing it, it's in my store.

As always, Barbara

Funks Over.....New Pincushion

To help myself get over the funk I was in, I decided to use one of my favorite reds from Vikki and it worked. The JBW design is such a cute one but for the life of me, I couldn't read what it said until I was finished with it. I tried and tried from the pattern and it was a no go. What it does say is "sisters love to go shopping together" and ain't it the truth. I have no sisters but my one sister in law and I both do very well shopping together. We haven't been able to do much lately since she's up in Pennsylvania but hubby and I are going to try to go north this fall after hurricane season is over. If any of you ladies have sisters, I'm sure you can identify with this saying. I finished it into a little pincushion with little ivory hearts in the corners and one for the clasp of the purse. These french designs by JBW I just love and I still have a few to stitch so stay tuned.

As always, Barbara

P.S. I want to thank all the ladies for the suggestions on how to get over this and you can be sure I will remember these for the next time.

My Chicken Pincushion

With my love of pincushions, you know I just had to stitch this one by Twisted Oaks. I used a silk from HDF called Dragon Droppings and it has a tan as a base with all the colors of jewels in it. I just love this color and hope to obtain more asap. I think a large quaker stitched out of this would be stunning. I really didn't know what color of beads to use as the waddle and crown so I picked a neutral color of olive green. I think it sets the jewel tones off perfectly.

Primitive Strawberry Ornament/Pincushion

From Nicoletta Farrauto comes this sweet little strawberry pincushion. The colors that she used for the design are just beautiful and it was definitely a fun stitch. I stitched mine in NPI silks and I used Weeks Dye Works herringbone wool for the leaves. Of course I had to add one of my bows to it and it was made from a cotton fabric with torn edges to complement the primitive look.

Hope every one is having a fun monday and doing something you love to do.

As always, Barbara

Blackbird Design Pincushion

This is my latest finish from Blackbird Designs. As you see, I had to change it again into my own idea to make it "mine". I stitched it with HDF silks from Vikki Hastings on 28ct. Ancient Cashel Linen. I added the tiny ruffle around the edge and the little ruffle around the button in the middle. I felt horrible that I couldn't add one of my bows but the design just was too busy for one.

I love doing Blackbird designs and this one will make a great addition to my collection. One thing I forgot to mention is what it's filled with.....rice with dried lavender so it has a beautiful smell to it.

As always, Barbara

Another One For My Collection

I was goofing off this afternoon and came up with this little cutie. I made the basic circle pincushion and did the dividing into parts with pearl cotton and adding a pearl button in the center. I used red velvet for this so it has a "rich" feel about it. The bow was made using 3 different types of ribbon....organza, silk and taffeta in cream and red. I've had these little crystal candle holders for some time in my stash and I figured it's about time they were used for something.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway in the post below.

As always, Barbara

Blackbird Designs Antique Rose Pincushion

This is one of the newest designs from Blackbird Designs and I've stitched it with a HDF silk from Vikki Clayton. I finished it a little different than they suggested, because I stitched a pretty braid around mine and then tied the bow at the bottom with the same braid. The bow at the bottom was made from the same fabric I used for the backside of the cushion and I used crushed corn cobs for the filler. This turned out very old looking which is what I love.

As always, Barbara

New Item for Sale

I have added this darling little pincushion to my sale item today. It is done is shades of blue from lite blue to royal blue. You can see the pretty braid I've added around the top and my "trademark" bow.

You Have Got To Try This!!!!

I saw these at a local shop and I thought to myself "I can do this"....well it's so easy anyone can do this. I went to my local Joann's and purchased the wool felt, cup and beads for on top of the corsage pins. I decided to do one in some spring colors and it might of taken me 15 mins. to do the entire project. Wouldn't these make terrific last minute gifts for that stitcher we all know and haven't the foggiest idea what to get them? If you try it, please let me know so I can see what color combinations you came up with.

Blue Heart Pincushion Finish

I finished another item this morning while hubby was home sick. Something is going around and it seems we both have gotten it. This pincushion stitched up very fast with a varigated thread and I finished it into a pincushion with a pretty cotton fabric. I even made some straight pins to match....aren't I clever.....LOL....don't answer that. This one is for sale so look for it in my "finished items" folder to the right.

I hope everyone is having a good March 1st. It's sunny and kind of warm here in Orlando but tomorrow it's calling for rain. My pansies or monkey faces as some people call them, are looking very cheerful and bright and the jasmine that is planted beside the front porch is in bloom and smells wonderful. For you that have never smelled a citrus tree when it is in bloom ,you are really missing out. We have a red grapefruit tree in our front yard and when it blooms, the perfume is so wonderful. We lost our orange tree this last winter and we haven't replaced it yet but that will be remedied this spring. We had a valencia and I'm hoping we can replace it with the same.

Well it's time to start something new and I have decided I'm going to do one of the new designs from Blackbird Designs. It's the Summer House Pincushion ....have you noticed how many pincushions I stitch? What can I say ..... I absolutely love them and this one is no exception. I am stitching it on my last piece of 28ct. Whittenburg. This is a fabric that has been out of production for many years and I've been holding on to this last piece for about 3 years. Well I think I've found the perfect pattern to do on it so I will share with you soon.

As always,

Barbara

GOS 4th Challenge Entry

Here is my entry for the fourth Gift of Stitching contest. It's a little tin with the design stitched on the front with a pincushion attached to the top. It's just waiting to hold all those little doodads we stitchers have.