Sunday, February 24, 2013

Goodies....

 
Hope all of you are having a great stitching weekend.   The
weather here in SC has been very rainy this weekend and made
it so easy to sit back and stitch all day Saturday.   I can't
remember the last time I sat for eight hours straight
and just stitched but I made the most of it.
 
 I pulled out Worthy Brown, one of my lingering Crazy Challenge
pieces from last year, and have made some great progress.

CHS "Worthy Brown"
35ct WDW straw w/DMC
progress as of 2/23/13

Before I picked it up Friday night, I only had most of the body
and one wing partially completed.  I have added his tail
feathers, some smaller motifs and should finish the second
wing before bedtime.I am stitching this on 35 ct. with one thread
and am very disappointed in the coverage with the darker colors.  
 I plan to distress it once finished so I hope the linen might tighten
up a little more after having a warm bake in the oven. 
I would love to finish this one before month end.

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Last weekend wasn't very nice weather wise so I decided to play
with some paper.   I have become addicted to embossing and just
had to try out some recent purchases thanks to my
local AC Moore going out of business.  

 
As you can see from this stack, I think I might be ready
for just about any type of card occasion.
 
 
 
 Although I think they are all just wonderful, I won't bore you with
pictures of all of them.  I will show you one of my favorites.
 
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Saving the best for last, I won a Valentine's giveaway from
and received this pretty package in the mail this
week.   I just love the way she has it wrapped up.


This was a package of firsts because she sent a Stacy Hash design
 and this will be my first for this designer.  How did that
happen?!!?!!   She also sent some of Nina's threads and I have
never tried these.... they just look so "happy"
and I hope to put them to use soon.


 
Krista became my new best friend when I unwrapped that
 chocolate bar!  I have been trying hard to not keep chocolate
in the house so this just made my night.   Needless to say,
I think it was gone by the time I finished before my
thank you email hit Krista's mailbox.  
 
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My boys
 
I caught my hubby and Pork Chop napping in my stitching chair
and couldn't resist sharing.   Oh...how I wish I could nap in
someone's lap when it is so nice and cozy inside.
 
Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great week!


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Exchange from Jayne....

 
Waiting in the mailbox for me today was my Winter Exchange from Jayne....
 
 
Would you believe this is Jayne's first attempt at hardanger?   She did a beautiful job on this stitching pocket.  Since Valentines is around the corner she chose pink and I love it.   It is so dainty and too pretty to use so I will admire it by my stitching nook.

 
She also included some goodies including two stitched ort bags.   I am so excited to have a couple of these and will put one to use. 
 
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I also got my stitched pears
(compliments of Santa and Samplers)
finished and I very happy with the
way they turned out.
 
Santa & Samplers Sampler Pear VI, II, & V
Stitched on 32ct. LL Vintage Buttercream
W/DMC
 
I am in love with these designs especially the latest one.  It just perfect with the heart and dainty flowers.   I did change a few colors since I couldn't find the called for ones in my stash.
 
I do see that my internal "level" isn't exactly plumb but I can live with it.   I decided not stuff them and used cardboard and batting for the finish.   I had the perfect color trim from
Victorian Motto for all three and only needed to
add some twig stems and wool felt
leaves to make them complete. 
 
I still have a few more of these to stitch and can't wait to add them to my collection.   I am still amazed these are freebies and am so grateful Marly shared them with us.
 
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Thank you for all of the wonderful comments on my last couple of posts.  It is so exciting to read that others appreciate your stitching and I just love all of you in blogland!
 
Well....as many of you avid college football fans
know, it was National Signing Day and I have
been following the antics of 17 year olds all day
as they decide where they will spend the next four
years of their lives.  I can't believe how tiring this
has been!!!!  My team had a pretty good day but
I am off to check ESPNU again just to make
sure I didn't miss anything before turning in
Guess I will stitch tomorrow.
 
Happy stitching for the rest of you....


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Friendship...



Time got away from me yesterday but my hubby
pulled a name this morning for the giveaway
and the winner is...
 
 
I just love all of the 'cyber' stitcher friends
I have made over the last five years.  
Thanks to all who enter the giveaway.

 
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Charlene (Needle in Hand) is another stitching
friend that I met because of our blogs although 
she doesn't live too far away.  She has gifted
me with some wonderful stitching
gifts over the years and I decided it was
time to repay the favor.  
 
 Prairie Schooler "Friendship..." from More Friends
stitched on 25ct ivory evenweave over 1
w/ DMC
 
I wanted to stitch one of the PS "More Friends"
designs and decided this was the one.  I thought
a pincushion would a useful gift so I
stitched it over 1 on 25ct evenweave to make
it just the right size.   I have never had a stitched
piece speak to me like this one but it was
determined to become a mattress pincushion.  
 
Pearl cotton was perfect for it all coming together.
 
Although I have never done this type of finish, I
finally gave in and made my first. 
Needless to say, I learned a lot and found some
wonderful tutorials after I finished mine.....
why didn't I think to Google first????
 
Simple flower finish for the back.
 
I am happy Charlene likes it and happier I
could share something stitchy for her!
 
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I have been busy this week stitching some "pears"
 from Samplers and Santas to add to my paper
pears.  Now I just have to do the finishing...
anxious to see how this goes.
As always....thanks for visiting!  
Happy stitching.....