Goodbye 2015 as it had wings!

Saying goodbye to 2015 this day. Don't know where the year went. But it was a great one stitching wise.

Had some last minute finishes this week!

 Winter Tree. Stitched 3 of these. They are very fast! A Lesley Teare blog freebie. Changed the colors from red/gold.

 Lizzie Kate No Peaking. From a Tiny Tidings VIII pattern.

This is Angie Designer Mandala. And I am bored with it.. So this will be a finish made into a tube pillow.

 These are my new starts, packaged up, for the FB January Challenge. Also the HAED New Start event.

 This is the first piece I want to stitch for the challenge. Brooke's Books January birthday cake.

 HAED New Start FB. Mini Boo, Artist Randal Spangler. A RAK Gift from Courtney Sands.

New start Trim The Tree Stocking. HAED Artist Randal Spangler.
Many of the wonderful HAED designs have been converted to stockings. This solves my problem of wall space. I have an electric fireplace and the stockings, I plan to stitch, will look very nice hanging there.






It has been a banner year for stitching. With nearly 80 finishes, including 3 HAED WIP's, it has been a fun productive year. Making up for a dismal 2014.

On the machine embroidery side. I stitched a blanket throw for SIL, and made a Winter Cardinal pillow for her. The pillow is a recycled baby blanket ment for cross stitch. It was such bad quality for stitching and decided to use it for the pillow. Saved me from throwing it out.

The one color designs were fun to do. I found some Variegated polyester maxilock thread for the red poinsettia. Gold metallic is always a pain to work with. But very pretty. I liked the red so much that we printed out coupons and went back to Handcock fabrics. After a hand full of coupons, multiple discounts. we eneded up getting 3000 yard cones of thread for $3.19. Regular $7.49. Finishing fabrics, regular $9.99, for $3.49. Happy Dance!!!

 Here is some lace.

And here is the lace sewn together! Add light source and looks pretty at night.










The baine of my existance, for december and november, has been this memory quilt. SIL wanted my mom to make her one(she would pay for it). Knowing my mom would not like to make another, since she has already made 2 or 3 dozen, i "volunteered.... I am NOT a quilter. Claim to be at times. But it was nefarious claims... Here is the result, to be shipped out of the country, never to be seen again, But, SIL's inlaws loved it flaws and all. The printer did not like it. Was flipping over the fabric sheets and printing on the wrong side. My sewing machine, didn't like it either, it broke two needles. First time ever for breaking needles. Please excuse the blurryness, as i have told others, I was giggling like a school girl because it was finally done.

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Years holiday and a spectacular 2016.
See you on the other side!
Deb

Winnings from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe!

I was the winner of the Be Thankful Give away for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Unfortunately the first package Nancy sent to me was lost in the mail somewhere. Hopefully it will show up sometime and I can mail it back to Nancy.  I received the second package Nancy mailed out to me. I was a bit overwhelmed at the beautiful items sent as a give away. Beautiful threads, a kitted pattern and two more patterns to boot.

Head on over to The Victorian Sampler Motto Shoppe blog if you have never tried Nancy's hand dyed DMC threads. There are several color collections. Order by the single skein or collection. Threads are so soft and silky. A pleasure to work with.

http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/

You can order direct from Nancy or from her ebay store. Link in her blog.

Will have another posting before years end. Have 4 more ornaments that am trying to complete before years end. One is an ornament exchange that also was lost in the mail... That one is stitched and ready for ornamentizing. Is that a word? Ornamentizing???

Have a wonderful christmas!

Deb

December finishes

Hi everyone. Have been busy as usual Not all my time has been spent cross stitching. Lots of machine embroidery and quilting for my SIL.
I do have some finishes

 Yay! I finished a whole year of one SAL!
Palkolap December

 And Palkolap November completes the year.

 This Is Noelle. She is in the Just Cross Stitch Christmas issue of 2015.

And here she is in pink with only stitched hair.

Little House Needleworks Pumpkins,

And Fun Guy Is close to a finish. Put him down to get some christmas gifts made.

This Years Holiday table and wall.

My WIp's for december are Polar Friends, Joan Elliott, from an issue of Cross Stitch Gold. It is in the issue with the blue Santa on the cover. Feb 2013

Lizzie Kate No Peeking.

It as been extremely busy in our household this time of year. Many birthdays and holiday dinners to host. Wishing all my stitchy friends a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas to all!

Deb

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Twelve Days of Christmas! The whole Primitive floss Collection, 920 yards of floss!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Twelve Days of Christmas! The whole Primitive floss Collection, 920 yards of floss!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: The Fourth Day of Christmas give-aways, enter now

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: The Fourth Day of Christmas give-aways, enter now

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Fifth Day of Christmas, Primitive floss give-away!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Fifth Day of Christmas, Primitive floss give-away!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Third Day of Christmas Give-away, enter now!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Third Day of Christmas Give-away, enter now!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: The Twelve Days of Christmas give-aways, start entering today!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: The Twelve Days of Christmas give-aways, start entering today!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: The Second Day of Christmas Give-away, enter now!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: The Second Day of Christmas Give-away, enter now!

I WON!!!!!

Hi everyone. I can't say this very often. In fact never. But I WON!!!! As you all know, Nancy, over at The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe, has very generous give a ways several times per month. I am honored to be the winner of Nancy's Be Thankful give away for this month. Thank you very much Nancy!

On the stitchy front I have 2 small finishes. Not finished into ornaments yet.

Palkolap.blogspot SAL November and Little House Needleworks Pumpkins.

 I had some shop freebies from Just Nan. Decided to take one and stitch up a biscornu. Used Victoria Sampler threads, DMC bright White and Mill Hill Beads.

 The back is a repeat of the snowflakes from the front. The buttons are Hobby Lobby Yarnology.

Have you ever planned a project, get all the materials together AND then can't find the pattern??? Thats me! Was planning to start Brooke's Book Noelle, from the JCS Christmas cross stitch issue, and LOST the magazine... This was close at hand and decided to start a design , by Joan Elliott,  from the Cross Stitch Gold magazine feb 2013.

 The picture does not do justice to this fabric.

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving this week. Full of family, friends and blessings.
Happy stitching!
Deb

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Primitive floss give-away, enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Primitive floss give-away, enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Be Ye Thankful give-away, enter now!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Be Ye Thankful give-away, enter now!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Favorite Things give-away! Enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Favorite Things give-away! Enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Hand dyed fabric give-away, enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Hand dyed fabric give-away, enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Christmas floss give-away, enter now!!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Christmas floss give-away, enter now!!

Victoria Sampler Give away!

Victoria Motto Sampler is having another give away and the threads look stunning!
http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2015/10/lets-give-away-more-halloween-floss.html
Head on over to join in the fun!
Deb

Happy October!

Hi everyone!
Every morning a feed the cats out on the porch, in my night shirt. Admittedly this is not a pretty sight, but no one can see me anyway. THIS morning was very chilly outside and found myself hurrying back into the house. Checked the ipad and it was 54 degrees. YAY!!! we might have an actual autumn this year.
Have some finishes to show you!

This is Margaret Sherry October, from the 2012 World Of Cross Stitching Diary book.
7.5"x8" large ornament. Have you ever tried something, thinking it would look amazing, and then have that "oh, my....oh, my, my..." moment? Yeah, i had that with this organza bow. Thinking that two colors, of multiple layers of organza ribbon, plus the trick or treat ribbon would be very pretty. I fashioned a bow, added the white trick or treat ribbon, pumpkin and added it to the top of the very large ornament with a stick pin covered in glue.. Looked like a big organza SPIDER!!! Thinking, oh well it's halloween, i fiddled with it until i was frustrated. Then realized that, because i had the piece standing on end, my over glued orange trim was sinking slowly in between the two foam board pieces. Yay! Not really... I didn't want to use stick pins to attach the orange side trim. So i flipped the piece over and added extra clear glue to the trim back. Then flipped to the right side to apply the top bow(s). Usually this is a painless operation taking mere seconds. Hah!  Oh, and i said glue, backside of trim... Good thing it is clear soluble glue as i was afraid the ornament would be permanently affixed to my ironing board cover. I kept checking it, as the initial drying process was going on, to make sure it was ironing board free. Then got the bow looking a little better, after the glue dried, the next day. DH swears i can glue a battle ship together with a single bottle of Aleen's tacky glue.

Meet Lizzy Minion. A freebie from Brooke Nolan of brookesbookspublishing.com
Have her hanging from my stitching lamp. Stitched on 14 count plastic canvas

This is Joan Elliott's Take Life, from her book Cross Stitch Sayings and Sentiments. Made into a large kitchen magnet for the fridge. One thing I found, is that the new magnetic craft strips barely hold any thing up... I made this into a sleeve so I could glue 4 magnetic craft strips to the padded foam board. Slide the foam board into the sleeve and ureka! Kitchen magnet! NO.., in testing the craft strips they would not adhere to the refridgerater, or any metal surface, through the backing fabric. Thought maybe it was due to my roll of strips being in storage too long. Not so. I tried several different store brands and absolutely none of them could even adhere to the metal shelves they were hanging on. Let alone through fabric. I was resigned to glueing the strips to the fabric, when DH took pity on me, and gave me one of the strong industrial magnets from electronic equipment he occasionally tears down. Had to glue a small piece of foam board to the front of the magnet because it was actually too strong and thought it might tear the backing fabric. This did the trick and it proper strength for what is needed.

September Birthday Cake, designer Brooke Nolan

 October, Palkolap.blogspot SAL.

New fabric stash!!!! We do have a Hancock FAbric in town. Which I usually forget about until we get coupons in the mail. Took advantage of sales, and coupons, to buy some small prints for halloween projects. With the 20% ticket total, and 50% off per yard, I made out like a bandit. Spending less than 12$ for four yards of finishing fabric.

 Wally world (Walmart) also got in some new colors of ribbon. Had a field day choosing ribbons. Economical at .97cents a roll. After we left the store I started laughing because I could just see security, looking through the camers, saying OMG heres another craft nutso...Because I had so much fun and know there was a dopey look on my face. You know, that look you know you have on your face when you walk into a needlearts store and forget why your there. Because all you can do is run your fingers through , threads and patterns.

 Wonder where all those ornaments are landing? Here! My holiday wall and table. The bag, with the letter D, was made by a dear friend. Put a piece of styrofoam in the bottom to hold little seasonal goodies through out the year. The pine tree is also decorated monthly. My happy place! Ornament multiples are gifted to friends and family. I figure if I want one, so do they.

As you can tell, my rotation has become defunct. It got to the point where I was so close to finishing things that it is exactly what I did. Finish many of them. Will pick up another rotation in january.

Currently I am working on Bubble Telescope and forgot to take a picture. Will catch that one next time. Until then, Happy stitching!
Den

Fa La La finishes

Hi all
Short update.
Finished two Fa La La flat ornaments, Pattern is from Country Cottage Needleworks.

Also finished two more pages on my Fun Guys Snowballs Stocking. Only two top pages left. Really enjoy working on my boy.

 Meet Little One. One of the kittens a the work yard. She is the runt and DH has been taking soft cat food to her so she will gain a little weight. Only half the size of her sisters. Well, the other cats have figured out Little One(not my choice of names) gets special treatment. DH put some food, in a container on the floor board of the car, to keep the bigger cats from running over her. I didn't know this as I was working on trash detail. Helped DH for a little while and drive car home. I kept thinking something was moving around in the car. Searched a bit and couldn't find anything. Later that night DH had to run to Houston for parts. On his way home he calls me and says "guess who came out from under the seat?". Little one crawled around for awhile and found a warm spot in DH's overalls. Totally satisfied with herself. Oh, she is quite the pest and follows DH around the work yard. Although, she is so small that Dh is afraid seh will get stepped on. Little One manages to stay out from big feet. No bigger than a small rat.

I need to catch up on blog reading. Haven't forgot about you. Just been stitching up a storm on Fun guy. Now to see about finishing a few UFO's.
Happy stitching
Deb

September update, and in memorial

Hi everyone. Since my computer meltdown, and new computer programmed, I have been out of the habit of updates. I have been stitching up a storm and many things to show you.
But first. in memorial.
Years ago I had to move for work to support my son. As a result I left many people behind. At the time it was the only option I had. With 40 people competing for a single simple waitress job it was time to leave. There were no cell phones or computers back then. Every one changed/moved from places we knew. We finally connected a few weeks ago. This family helped me out so much when I needed it. Two weeks later Maxine passed from head trauma as a result of a fall. I called her my mum and daughter Karin was my bestie in high school. Karin still is. So many memories came flooding back when we found each other, only to be taken away, If I sound a little selfish in this it just my nature when I lose someone dear to me. The missing years melted away when we started to talk. So many memories came back in an instant. Things long forgotten. Maxine and family would welcome wayward kids into their arms and home. Asking nothing in return. Thank you for all the camping trips, family dinners and support. A time to treasure. Grateful that I was able to tell mum that she had helped me, more than she will ever know, when we reunited a few weeks ago. She loved life and her puppies
Maxine Luke march 1938/ september 2. 2015 

Have some finishes
A HAED Story Keep Evil Queen sewed into a very long bell pull banner.

SALAugust Palkolap.blogspot 

Country Cottage Needleworks
Christmas Birdhouse times 3

Brooke Nolan of Brookesbookspublishing.com
created Lizzie Minon as a freebie

September Palkolap.blogspot SAL

Finished Rose afghan into a quilt. Not the greatest picture. Not really this wrinkled looking

 The rose is from an old Leisure Arts booklet featuring the artwork of Paula Vaughn. Ended up stitching 23 roses for coverage.

 
 WIP's include adding the Mill Hill beads on Country Cottage Needleworks Fa La La, and Brooke's Books freebie birthday cake freebie, for bling.

Mandala, Angie Designer. I did not finish this part. As suspected, I had a lot of trouble keeping the froggies away. I ripped out enough stitches to finish the whole thing by now. Will most likely finish the pink flowers in the corner and make a tube pillow out of it. That is if I can work on it without ripping it to shreds.... I seem to have a problem stitching repetitive designs.

 Finished the part 6 of Fleurs Du Ciel. Did not like the black work so I found some lace that would work well in the spots on each side. This will be made into a large cushion, also.








Also stitching on Fun Guys Snowball Stocking this weekend. Haven't made enough progress, this time, to post a progress picture.
AND it is time for the halloween trims! Found these 9 yard spools for a dollar each at Wally world. After all the Christmas ornaments stitched this year I may be concentrating on Halloween ornaments in 2016.

Happy stitching!
Deb