Tuck Pillows for sale...

Just making room for more stuff....

Tuck Pillows for Sale 

Email me if you are interested. 

Goode Huswife's "The Peacock Sampler".....

Goode Huswife "The Peacock Sampler"

stitched on 32ct LL Buttercream

w/ recommended DMC

Another Crazy Challenge finish...yeah!!!!   I decided to pick this one up last weekend and figure out what to do about my 610 thread problem to get it finished.  Overall, the color combo seemed a bit odd while stitching it but I have to say I am very pleased with the finished result. 

Chocolate chip cookie anyone???

My dye lot problem with 610 was resolved by ripping out what I had stitched and using the new color.  The old 610 was so "chocolately" brown that it just didn't look right with the rest of the colors compared to the new 610.  The difference was so drastic that I am beginning to think I may have had the original color mislabeled. 

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Sarah E. Smith born May 1880

I kept thinking of two of my great-grandmothers while stitching this piece so I decided I would dedicate it to my mother's paternal grandmother. I didn't know her but my mom has remarked often that she was an immaculate housekeeper and loved to quilt...pretty sure I didn't inherit those genes!

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Well.... off to stitch. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Thanks for visiting as always and happy stitching!

May's ornament exchange.....

Yes....it's time for the You & I ornament exchange.....

BC "The Christmas Collection" -- "Red Holly Berries"

Stitched over 1 on 25 ct Mocha Vintage evenweave

This is one of my favorites!  I found this

oldie from Bent Creek in my stash and decided

it would make a cute ornament.  Stitched over

one it turned out the perfect size.

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Hopefully you know the drill....this "exchange" involves me stitching two ornaments:

one for me and one for a lucky follower.

And so....this month's lucky

"exchange" partner is......

Sharon

It's Daffycat

It's not too late...if you want to be my

"exchange" partner for next month, just

make sure you're a follower!

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I can't believe the response I got on my "collection" of tuckaway pillows. 

I knew you would understand! 

Based on some of the comments and emails I received, I thought I would share a few tidbits. 

All of these tucks were made in 2001 & 2002
( used to do a local craft show in my hometown)
...so I have been lugging these things around
for all of the these years.  For obvious reasons, I haven't made any in years.  

The best part of this finishing is you can adjust the size to make them smaller, which are perfect for ornaments, or larger. 

CyberStitchers has this neat calculator and a tutorial with pics.  If you haven't tried them, you really should.  My sewing skills are
not that great so if I can do it anyone can!

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As always, thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.  Hope you have a great stitching weekend and holiday.

Tuck pillows anyone????

I did a little spring cleaning in my craft room this week.  I admit I am a "craft hoarder" and will hang onto anything that I think I may be able to use later....sound familiar?  

Well....I have decided I need to downsize and rid myself of the stuff I will never use.  

Thus the container of tuckaway pillows...

how many are exactly too many????

 Inside the container I had 58 (yes...that's correct) finished 6*6 tuck pillows. 

While contemplating selling them, the "hoarder" side of my brain asks "but what if you need one later?  You'll regret it."   

Will I?

I then counted 44 finished but unstuffed pillows.  

Am I sure that's enough?  

I guess not....I then uncovered 54 unfinished pillows ready for the sewing machine.  

Grand total = 156 

Really????? 

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On a brighter note......

Motifs from LK "Spring Alphabet"

I wanted something fun to stitch and love the new LK "Spring Alphabet" so I stitched a few little pin cushions to share with some blogging friends.  

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On a side note, hubby & I were eating  at one of our favorite BBQ places yesterday and in walks Mitt Romney.   He worked the room and we got the chance to meet him. ( I was so surprised how skinny he was.)   Just not too sure I'm ready for the return of political ads yet.....

Hope you are having a great weekend and wish you a good stitching week.

Exchange from Sarah....

It's been a good mail week.....

I received my exchange from Sarah (no blog)  for the Seasonal Exchange and it is lovely.  It is a nice spring design stitched on a very pretty pink fabric.  Thanks Sarah for such a wonderful exchange.

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A couple of weeks ago Lee shared this wonderful strawberry finish from Manka, who was nice enough to share it with me. 

It is her own design of Hungarian
 motifs and her finishing is perfect.  I hope
to stitch this a few more times and hone
my strawberry finishing skills.  
(Yes....I finished this one upside down!) 
But it still works.  
Manka has some beautiful freebies as well
finishes.  If you haven't already discovered
her blog, you won't be disappointed
if you check it out.

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Hope all of you have a nice Mother's Day and happy stitching weekend....

Goodies To & Fro...

**** Edited:   OOPS.....I just don't know my fairy tales*****

I participated in a couple of spring exchanges and I can now share the goodies....

I received word from Sarah (no blog) that

she received her package for the

Spring Seasonal Exchange.

Homespun Elegance  "Summertime Home"

from Welcomes 'A Plenty V

28ct w/recommended fibers

Homespun Elegance is one of my favorite
designers and I think these designs are timeless. 
Although this is a spring exchange, I thought
the colors in this one would suit Sarah better. 
I coffee-dyed the chenille for the trim

and just love how it turned out. 

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This cutie was waited in my mailbox from Melissa....

LK "Hello Spring" freebie

She was my partner for the Lizzie Kate Exchange and I just love what she stitched.  The pin cushion is very small with the design being stitched over one.   Precious just comes to mind for me each time I look at it.   Thanks Melissa for such a cute exchange.

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Thanks Yvonne for seeing the error of my ways.

It amazes me how some stitching projects feel

like Little Red Riding Hood Goldilocks (thanks Yvonne).  You know...Little Red Riding Hood Goldilocks has to
try several porridges and beds to find just the right one. 

Well, it has been like that with my

Challenge pieces.    I decided to pick up

BBD "Berry Time", which is one of my favorites, but I found myself dreading stitching it so I tried a few more until I found the one that was

"just right".  That would be Primitive Needle's

"Dampy Sod".   This is my first design from

Lisa and I know I am going to enjoy

each stitch in this one. 
Well...that's enough about that. 

Thanks for visiting and happy stitching....

Very productive weekend.....

...for hubby and I in both the yard and house, but I did find a little time to steal away to stitch.

 BOAF "Bitter Flower Sampler"

28ct coffee-dyed evenweave

w/recommended ST

Another Crazy Challenge piece....number six....

is finished.   This one ran hot and cold as far

as my interest because the colors in the flower 

looked so different from the model pic. 

But once I really got going and it began to

develop, it was much more enjoyable to stitch. 

Spring time....bees & all

BOAF is another designer I discovered a little late but am lucky enough to have a few more of their designs.   I really do like their style and know I will be stitching more in the near future.

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Welll.....I'm very excited that Law & Order: Criminal Intent will be back tonight.  I have really missed Bobby!   I am off to choose a project out of my Big 'O Bag of Challenge and get comfy in my stitching chair so that I don't miss a moment. 

Hope you have had a good weekend and

happy stitching....

LK Round B to Melissa.....

I can't believe I have another post...three days
in a row is a record for me. 

I heard from Melissa that she has received

her Lizzie Kate exchange. 

LK "Bloom" freebie

25ct over one w/recommended fibers

This design is so simple but I just love it and decided to use it to adorn a scissor pocket. 

I love the bright colors of the pink, orange

and violet and thought they were perfect

for a springy piece. 

Unfortunately for Melissa, I decided to

try something new for me and "practiced"

on her exchange. 

(Amazing how something can be so clear in your

mind but not quite translate into reality.) 

Overall, though, I am happy with the finishing

and see a few more of these in my future.

Pink & orange...a yummy combo!

I found the fabric at Joann's and think it

lends itself quite nicely for the Lizzie Kate

design.  I can see many more LK designs

paired with this fabric.   

Of course, I had to include a pair of scissors with a

coordinating scissor fob.....I'm sure it is bad luck

to send an empty scissor pocket!   This was a fun

exchange and I am glad Melissa liked it.

Thanks for visiting and happy stitching...
I may just be back tomorrow!

Goodies from Amy.....

The weather was dark and gloomy

when I got home from work but my

mailbox certainly was sunny!

Amy sent me the cutest goodies.....

Amy is a very talented finisher and I just

love the housewife.  Green is one of my favorite

colors so this is just perfect.  The initial design

on the cushion is from BBD's "Garden Club"

book ....don't you just love it?  I love the

finishing fabric on the cushion, which is from her

"special" stash.  I just love the little flowers...

Oh...I so wish I could sew!  With all of the pockets, the housewife will be a great addition to my stitching bag.  Thanks again Amy for a wonderful gift.

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BOAF "Bitter Flower Sampler"

I really like this design but just couldn't

get into stitching it last week so I abandoned it. 

I decided to give it another try last night

and was rolling right along with no problem. 

Isn't it weird how that happens???  I still haven't

looked through my stash to see if I can find some

older 610.... I'm sure my collection looks like

yours and you have more than enough DMC to

last you a lifetime!  So...chances are I

have an older skein and I just need to look for it.   

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Thanks for all of your nice comments on

the ornaments.  If you haven't tried the

humbug finishing, you really should give it

a try.  It was very easy and the best part is

it didn't require a sewing machine!   

happy stitching.....

April's ornament exchange.....

I hope everyone had a nice Easter celebration.  I enjoyed the weekend visiting with my mom. 

Now...it is time to turn my attention to Christmas!  

 Kincavel Krosses "Holly Jolly Humbug"

freebie

with Victorian Motto & Needle Necessities

Mine on 28ct evenweave & Yours on 25ct evenweave

I really enjoyed this month's ornament!  I
found this freebie design the first of the
month and couldn't wait to stitch it.  This was
also my first time finishing a humbug and I
found it easier than I imagined. 

I stitched the first on 28 count and it
came out much smaller than I anticipated
so the second was stitched on 25 count
making it just a tad bigger.

The "other side"....isn't this the cutest design???

    I found so many wonderful freebies from Kincavel Krosses and I can't wait to stitch

some more.  If you haven't checked out her

site, it is worth your while!

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Hopefully you know the drill....this "exchange" involves me stitching two ornaments:  one for me and one for a lucky follower.   And so....this month's lucky "exchange" partner is......

Carol

Stitching Dreams

It's not too late...if you want to be my "exchange" partner for next month, just make sure you're a follower!

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  Well...I've been happily stitching on one of my Challenge pieces, Goode Huswife's "Peacock Sampler", and hit a snag when I ran out DMC.  As luck would have it, my 10+ year old 610 thread is not the same dye lot as the new one I just purchased. (This was a big lesson learned to start with enough thread to finish.)  So I just moved on for the time being until I decide to frog part of it
or see if I can find another skein that matches.  
Now I am hoping to finish BOAF's "Bitter Flower Sampler" by the end of the week. 

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As always, thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great week with many happy stitches...