Paying it forward giveaway

I was up at my LNS this morning to pick up the second part of the Eugenia Tuffet cross stitch pattern and what did my little eyes land on......Miss Peepers from Little House Needleworks.  I fell in love with this little lady as soon as I saw her online and I was hoping Debbie would get it in.  I purchased the Lambswool linen and all the overdyed flosses and will start on it today.  

If you would like a chance to receive this cute little pattern and my leftover flosses to stitch and then pass on to someone else when I'm finished with mine, just post a comment to this post only and I'll draw a name as soon as I finish her.

I don't know about the rest of you, but the ironing board in my sewing room just takes up too much room.  I needed something that would absorb the mist that I spray on my fabrics before pressing them and something portable.  Well I came across the perfect thing......

In Target, Wallieworld or sometimes the grocery store, you will find "dish drying mats".  They are about 2 feet x 2 feet and are perfect for pressing.  Mine fits on the drafting table that I use and when I don't need it, I just lay it aside.  They are completely washable so there's no problem there.

So if you are space limited like I am or just need a portable ironing pad, give one of these a try.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Now you're probably wondering why I'm showing you this piece of fabric.  Well I was talking with my good bud Thellie the other day and she made mention that she had a yard of Dark Chocolate Belfast for sale.  Well me being me......I bought it.  Now here's where I'm going to tax your memory.  Remember years ago Marilyn of Lavender & Lace had out a few patterns that called for you to bleach the fabric before you started the design.  Now I love the Dark Chocolate and I have plans for it, I couldn't help think.....I wonder what would happen.  Well the above is what happened.  I took a 4 x 6 piece of the dark chocolate and dipped it into straight bleach for about a minute and came up with this burnt orange color.  I'm thinking Halloween and maybe some fall projects would look very nice on this color.  So if you have any of this fabric laying around and you want some burnt orange for a project, get out the old Clorox and dip away.

I was able to finish my SAL page for July today.  I did quilting/patchwork and wool embroidery for this month.  We are now officially halfway with our SAL and if you haven't taken a look at all the beautiful work, I highly recommend checking it out.  These ladies are absolute miracle workers with a needle and I am so please to have them in my little SAL.

I also was able to finish the Bent Creek Pumpkin Flower Sampler today.  I'm not sure if I listed the fibers I used so here they are:

Valdani Olive Green

Gloriana Honey Bronze

Florimell Fallen Leaves

DMC floss

This was a fun stitch and I have to admit, it's been so long since I made one of these, I really had to take my time because I'm out of practice.  

I'm thinking about doing one of my old patterns that I've had around for years.  I'm not sure if you are familiar with the design company Faces, but they did a series of  Barbara Bourgeau Richards paintings and made them into cross stitch patterns.  I have several of hers and I just have to make up my mind which one to do.  If you are not familiar with these, you can check them out here. 

Hello all my sweet friends.  I've been under the weather but mending has begun so I'm back doing some stitching.  I'm currently working on Bent Creek's Pumpkin Flower Sampler and it's been a fun stitch so far.  The pattern called for little square buttons from JABCo but my LNS didn't have any but did have these little rounds one and I happen to like them more.  I only have to finish the pumpkin at the top and add a little more greenery and two buttons and it's finished.  I'm thinking door knocker for fall....

I've also been working on a hexagon quilt for myself but I don't have any pics of it yet.  I do want to share with you what I'm going to start tomorrow.  I found this pattern thru Pinterest and couldn't help myself.  I think it's adorable and can be purchased here.

Is this not the cutest bag you've ever seen?  The little roof lifts up and the house is a pocket.  I know I'm using a tan linen for the background but I haven't decided what colors I'm going to use for the remaining parts.  It's fully lined and I also plan on adding some inside pockets.  It looks small but it's suppose to turn out approx. 12" x 16" which is a really nice size to hold all of my junk.  LOL

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July.  With me being sick, we really didn't go anywhere and just spent a quiet evening at home.  Vallie doesn't appreciate the fine art of fireworks and was hiding under a blanket all evening until they ended.  Poor little baby but she has recovered nicely.  DH thought it was good she has white fur - that way its harder to see the grey that the fireworks caused.  LOL

Oh remember the flower hexagon table topper I started and showed in my last post....well it is now residing in my sewing rooms waste basket.  I just couldn't get it right and my temper got the better of me. :o(

I visited my LNS this weekend and she had some goodies waiting for me.  One of them is the above pincushion which goes with my Eugenia Tuffet sheep.  This little pincushion is made from WDW hand dyed wools in blue, green and mauve.  I added the star button with some ribbon just to spice it up some.  Eugenia also sent me from Mexico a beautiful turtle pin to add to my collection.  I can't wait to see where she goes next.

I also started this hexagon flower table topper.  It's made in a way that you keep reducing the size of your hexagons in layers and add them down to the smallest being on top.  This first layer I was able to do while watching the race today.  I should have this finished in a day or two and I'm sure it will make sense to you once you see the finished item.  

One thing I have discovered, that the older I get, the more I enjoy hand stitching.   All of the work on this table topper is being done by hand except the quilting and I did that by machine.  Also, to the quilters out there....have you ever quilted your piece first and then added the applique?  I must be weird because I find  it much easier to do the appliqueing this way.  Anyone else?

As you can tell by this video, Miss Vallie is back to her normal vivacious self.  Thank you to all the well wishers.  She sends everyone ((hugs)).

Is this not the cutest!!!!

I admit that I am becoming obsessed with the hexagon shape.  Jenn had this idea for a needlebook and I took it from there to see if I could do it.  This has been constructed purely by hand sewing.  There are 4 pages of warm and natural to hold your different types of needles.  On the front is a yo yo made from a really pretty olive green with a creamy pearl button in the center and then surrounded by heirloom lace.  It ties with silk ribbon on both sides.  You can find this is my store for sale.

Miss Vallie is feeling under the weather this morning.  I can tell because the stuffed dog she is cuddled up with is usually being fought with instead of snuggled with.  She's my angel!