STITCHING, CRAFTING and LIFE - OH MY

TUSAL - March Madness!!!

2011-03-04T15:57:00.000-05:00

I am stitching like a mad woman - just need to spend a day or two doing finishes so it shows on my blog not just in my jar.

February and March Pillowcases

2011-02-15T08:42:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am officially a member of the Pillowcase of the Month Club - finished February and March selections. My quilt store, Quilting Adventures is putting together the fabric combos so I can't wait to see what April's fabric will be.

A Blue Orchid for Valentines Day

2011-02-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

Wow, my Valentine gave me a beautiful blue Orchid for Valentine's Day - lucky me!!

Sock Monkey

2011-02-05T17:06:00.000-05:00

Oh I have been waiting to stitch this little guy since I saw him in the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue from 2010 - I have to turn him into an ornie soon but I couldn't resist putting his pic up now!!

Freebie Doves

2011-02-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

I stitched up these cute and easy little doves from the English Cross Stitcher Magazine - they were free with the magazine!!!

February TUSAL

2011-02-05T16:55:00.000-05:00

Whew, I almost forgot to post my picture - February snuck up on me. As you can see, I took my pic from my computer. I have worked on several projects and my little jar is filling up.

TUSAL - New Year, New Jar, New Threads!!

2011-01-04T09:33:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!! I found myself a new jar to start the new year with the Totally Usually Stitch Along - just a few threads in as I just started working on a January project..

Pillowcases for Everyone!!!

2010-12-21T22:51:00.000-05:00

I made theses quick and easy pillowcases for my family for Christmas. Shhhh it's a surprise!

A Little Stitched Book

2010-12-21T22:46:00.000-05:00

I put the finishing touches on this little book I stitched as part of the President's Challenge for my EGA chapter.

Totally Useless SAL - 2011

2010-12-16T12:29:00.001-05:00

TUSAL 2011
choose your jar and get ready!!!

Flower Power

2010-05-13T10:12:00.001-04:00

Flowers are starting to pop up everywhere in the garden so my mom and I have been crocheting flower dishcloths and hot pads. The pattern for the dishcloth is free at Michaels!

Spring!!

2010-03-26T21:16:00.000-04:00

Just finished a new little scissors fob from Lizzie Kate. It's a limited edition kit and comes with the cute teeny tiny scissors - what a way to usher in Spring!

Totally Useless SAL - March, 2010

2010-03-15T10:11:00.000-04:00

My big glass jar was too overwhelming for me! I found some glass ornaments and I was able to complete two of them from my saved orts - one has embroidery flosses, broken beads, etc., and the other has snips of yarn as I have been doing crochet items lately. Now I just have to find another ornament to start for April!

Felt Needle Cases

2010-03-12T10:17:00.002-05:00

These needle cases were a EGA project from Needle Arts Magazine, Summer, 1979. No I haven't had the pattern that long. It was a class just taught last month at our Embroidery Guild Meeting. I made one in browns and tans - looks like Fall (or very '70's ) to me and I did the other in pinks - very Spring-like. Stitches used were the ribbed spider web stitch in the center and other stitches like chain, buttonhole, fern, Palestrina knots, and open cretan. It was a fun project - I'm giving the one with the pink stitches to my daughter. If she has a place to keep her needles, maybe she will be inspired to stitch more often!!

Totally Useless SAL - February, 2010

2010-02-16T08:15:00.000-05:00

I found a small glass ornament that I'm supposed to paint on (just haven't had the time to do it) so I decided to use it for this month's totally useless SAL. Lots of yarn and some floss from the Valentines scissors fob I still haven't finished - ok time to stitch!!!

Haiti by Hand

2010-02-16T08:11:00.000-05:00

I am organizing our Embroidery Guild to collect needles, threads, craft supplies, fabric and beads to send to the women of Haiti so that they can continue to make a living. Check out the link or Haiti by Hand on Facebook.

Watermelons in February

2010-02-07T20:02:00.001-05:00

It's snowy outside so why not crochet watermelons! The two half slices are potholders and the whole slice is a disch cloth - the little scrubbie is my creation. The patterns are from the booklet Leisure Arts Kitchen Basics in Cotton. I used Lilly's Sugar 'n Cream .

So Much Snow in February

2010-02-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

Two big snowfalls make for beautiful pictures -

Painting on Glass - Have You Tried It??

2010-01-31T09:38:00.000-05:00

As you can tell this is a first attempt at painting on glass. I took a one day class and decided to paint a crazy wine glass to take to my very fun Bunco night!! I learned many things from the "challenges" of this wine glass - it was great fun - but not sure it's my cup of tea, or should I say my glass of wine!!

Totally Useless SAL - January, 2010 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-15T08:44:00.000-05:00

I started the new year with a new container - oh it is an ambitious container - need to get my fingers going!!!

Sugar 'N Cream Striped Dishcloths

2010-01-15T08:41:00.001-05:00

What to do when it's January, it's cold and you can't decide what project to take out next???? Make cute striped dishcloths of course!!! I just love this Sugar 'N Cream self-striping yarn - nice bright colors and easy to use. The flowers are made using a bloom loom - a blast from the past - a fun little add on!!

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my Lizzie Kate Happy New Year!!!

Giveaway at Calico Prairie

2010-01-06T09:12:00.000-05:00

Kristi at Calico Prarie has a great giveaway going on - check it out!!

Great Giveaway!!

2009-12-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

Karyn at The Teakettle Corner Blog is having a great giveaway - become a follower and post a comment and you could have a chance at a bunch of great cross stitch items from Prairie Schooler, Crescent Colours, linens, floss and more and more - follow the link on this blog.

Christmas Yule Log

2009-12-23T21:02:00.000-05:00

My daughter and I made our first Yule Log!

Can't wait to give it a taste!!

Create Your Own Stitched Sweater

2009-12-14T22:46:00.000-05:00

How cute - you can create your own stitched sweater courtesy of the Kansas City Art Studio!

2009 Christmas Challenge - December's Ornament

2009-12-13T07:53:00.000-05:00

My Last ornament of the 2009 Christmas Challenge

I was able to do all 12!! This was from the 2009 JCS Christmas Magazine

I stitched it for the Gentle Pursuits EGA luncheon and ornament exchange.

It went to Catherine - hope it makes her smile this holiday season!

For the Love of Crochet Along Christmas Potholder SWAP

2009-12-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to come home last night to find my box from Dawn from the Christmas Potholder SWAP organized by Kathy Ann on For the Love of Crochet Along blog. She included a potholder and dishcloth, some cute yarn, a vintage crochet booklet a German cookie recipe and a package of coffee and a chocolate treat - how great is that!!! She should be receiving my box today - I hope she loves what I sent her and I'll post it when I know she receives it.

My New Venture - Dimensional Necklaces

2009-11-23T17:57:00.000-05:00

My dimensional necklaces using African Trade Beads and Glass beads

A Basket of Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

I finished off a few Lizzie Kate designs all Fall or Thanksgiving related - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2009 Christmas Challenge - November's Ornament

2009-11-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

I stitched this little cutie on even weave from a freebie from Casa Mia for the November Christmas Challenge.

Totally Useless SAL - November

2009-11-18T15:06:00.000-05:00

Well my little jar is filling so I thought I'd start a clear ornament for the months of November and December. Let's hope I can fill that little orni up so I can put it on my tree!!!

Happy Birthday Sasha!!!

2009-11-12T15:42:00.000-05:00

Here she is guarding our yard - she is 10 today - our little rescue dog - we just love her!!!!

Another Square Stitch Bracelet

2009-11-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

Another square stitch design bracelet. This one will look nice with Christmas sweaters. Ok now on to something else.....

Halloween Square Stitch Beaded Bracelet

2009-10-27T10:59:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween!!! Finished my square stitch bracelet that was taught at the last EGA meeting. It puts you in a happy mood just to look at it - candy corn and pumpkins!!!

October's 2009 Christmas Challenge Ornament

2009-10-20T09:47:00.000-04:00

This is my latest ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge - it's a freebie card from Prairie Schooler - it's such a cute little tree, I just had to stitch it. I incorporated the candle into the initial I stitched on the back.

Totally Useless SAL - October

2009-10-19T09:57:00.002-04:00

I have been stitching my fingers off but my little jar isn't filling up as much as it should - so much red and green (must mean Christmas is around the corner) I'll just have to keep on stitching!! This month the added threads are lovely Heathway crewel yarns from my project below.

WIP - EGA Seminar - Shading Traditions

2009-10-19T09:52:00.001-04:00

Went to the EGA Seminar in Pittsburgh and loved both classes I attended. This is a Barbara Jackson piece called Shading Traditions. It is done with Heathway crewel yarns, Gloriana Lorikeet and Pearsall's variegated silk - I just love it - now just have to get it finished.

Stitch Pink

2009-10-18T21:50:00.001-04:00

Stop by http://www.takingonestitchatatime.blogspot.com for a chance to win a retired kit by Wild-Heart Designs called Flower of Courage!!

September Ornament

2009-09-30T22:25:00.000-04:00

This is my September selection for 2009 Christmas Challenge. It is called Trimming the tree and was designed by Sharon Crescent of Miss Crescent's Crowne from the JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue.

Jump Ring Bracelets

2009-09-22T19:42:00.000-04:00

Here are some of my jump ring beaded bracelets.

Oven Roasted Tomatoes - AFTER

2009-09-22T19:39:00.001-04:00

This is what they look like when they come out of the oven. They taste just like candy!!!

Oven Roasted Tomatoes - BEFORE

2009-09-22T19:35:00.001-04:00

What to do with all those tomatoes - roast them - I made two pans of roasted tomatoes, some garlic and banana peppers. Slice the tomatoes, sprinkle with salt, pepper and herbs de Provence then drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake in a low, slow oven (225 degrees) for 4 hours. After they are finished, they taste like candy. I put them in a zip lock bag and in the freezer for later. This is what they look like BEFORE

Christmas On a Stick

2009-08-28T09:02:00.000-04:00

My August submission to the 2009 Christmas Challenge. It's called Christmas on a Stick Designed by Barbara Syburg and Suzanne Shead of Prairie Moon. The design is from the JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue.

Low Fat Peach Bread

2009-08-28T08:56:00.000-04:00

The recipe works so well that you can make a beautiful peach bread too!!

Low Fat Peach Muffins

2009-08-25T10:01:00.002-04:00

We picked peaches a week or so ago and I was looking for a recipe to use up some of the peaches. I found a yummy recipe from Cooking Done Light Blog and loved it. The recipe has no oil and uses sour cream and applesauce instead - they turned out great.

Totally Useless SAL

2009-08-25T09:51:00.008-04:00

This is my first month in participating in the Totally Useless SAL from YoYo's Dragon Ny Needle Blog. It doesn't look like much but inside are the threads from two ornaments I have been working on and will be posted soon and some beads from bracelets I have been working on.

July Container Gardening Update

2009-07-23T19:40:00.005-04:00

Garden progress - tomatoes getting bigger, zucchini doing great - tomato and pepper plant in topsy turvy containers growing too. A little hummingbird visiting the feeder and my basket of bounty - peppers, string beans, lavender and even flowers from the garden

Beaded Bracelet

2009-07-23T16:50:00.002-04:00

My new venture a beaded bracelet. Made with Czech glass beads!!

July's 2009 Christmas Challenge

2009-07-23T16:29:00.006-04:00

Here is my July submission for the 2009 Christmas Challenge Blog. A good luck Christmas pickle. I used Crescent Colours and it's really much more colorful than the photo.

Patriotic Granny - Finished!!

2009-07-04T12:02:00.003-04:00

Happy 4th of July!!! The patriotic granny is finished. I had to use some of my stash of red, white and blue but managed to get that variegated yarn used up. Well, it's a crazy afghan but fun and certainly patriotic.

Patriotic Granny

2009-06-27T09:31:00.003-04:00

I am trying to use up this red, white, and blue yarn that I found in my stash so I challenged myself to make one large granny square (as a lap afghan). I started it this morning - and hopefully it will be done by the 4th of July!!

First Harvest

2009-06-21T20:55:00.003-04:00

Here is my first harvest of the year. Yellow wax beans, lettuce, black krim tomatoes and a harvest of French tarragon.

June Container Gardening

2009-06-21T20:22:00.010-04:00

June container gardening is going well. I have caged the tomatoes and even started harvesting yellow beans, black krim tomatoes and banana peppers and the end of the lettuce. The last photo is of a little fawn who visited our yard.

Tin Exchange

2009-06-18T14:04:00.002-04:00

This is the tin I received from Carol in the Gentle Pursuits President's Challenge. We all exchanged names and created altered tins for the person who's name we drew. I just love mine!!

June Ornament

2009-06-18T14:02:00.002-04:00

This is my June Ornament

For the 2009 Christmas Challenge

Blog

May Ornament

2009-06-18T13:58:00.006-04:00

This is my May ornament for the

2009 Christmas Challenge Blog

Giant Tomato Plant

2009-04-29T10:09:00.005-04:00

We bought this giant Heirloom Tomato Plant (Black Krim) at a nursery in March - it is thriving and huge. Can't wait for taste those tomatoes!

It's Spring

2009-04-29T10:02:00.004-04:00

It's Spring!

The temps were 90's for the past few days so everything is growing. The lettuce mixes are doing well, the tomato seedlings are growing and the herbs are planted!

April's Ornament

2009-04-28T09:21:00.003-04:00

This is my April submission for the 2009 Christmas Challenge Blog. It is a design from Tokens and Trifles sewing cards done with red overdyed silk and backed with felted wool.

PEEPS Cupcakes

2009-04-11T15:40:00.004-04:00

You have to love Peeps Cupcakes!!!!!!!!! My daughter made these cute cupcakes for a potluck at work - what a good job.

Easter

2009-04-10T23:04:00.007-04:00

Happy Easter - Marbelized Easter Eggs - Martha Stewart style. Happy Easter!!!

Palestrina Knot Ornament

2009-03-22T17:57:00.005-04:00

This is my March Ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge Blog

This ornament was designed by Julia Bender is is stitched on 28 ct. Jubilee

Using Crescent Colours Cupid Hand Dyed Perle Cotton and Kreinik threads

Granny Squares for Homeless

2009-03-11T17:21:00.004-04:00

My daughter's company is collecting granny squares to put together a blanket for the homeless so I have been putting a few together. I haven't worked on a granny square in a very long time but I think these came out bright and cheerful!

Snow in March!!!!

2009-03-02T08:10:00.004-05:00

Wow - we really haven't had any snow this winter in the Richmond, VA area and then starting yesterday - we got a beautiful blanket of 10 inches of snow!!! What a way to start March!!

February's Ornament

2009-02-28T14:57:00.010-05:00

Here is my second ornament of the year - February's Selection is Walt the Malt from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornaments Magazine. The ornament is designed by Theresa Venette of Raise the Roof Designs. He is stitched on Natural Linen and was so whimsical that I just had to stitch him.

GO STEELERS!!!!! WHOOO HOOO THEY DID IT!!!

2009-02-01T11:13:00.004-05:00

All I can say is GO STEELERS!!!!

January Ornament for 2009 Christmas Challenge

2009-01-31T17:36:00.005-05:00

I finished my first ornament for the 2009 Christmas Challenge Blog!!! It's an ornament from the August 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Preview Issue. I have wanted to do this ornament since I first laid eyes on it and now it's finished. It stitched it on 28ct. Natural Linen using DMC floss and my absolutely fav. Crescent Color Deep Fennel. Now on to February's Ornie!

Red, White and Blue YO-YOs

2009-01-14T12:17:00.003-05:00

I made a bunch of yo-yo's in the summer. I decided to bring them out and assemble them like a flag. It will be a patriotic decoration for the coming week.

Happy New Year 2009!!!

2009-01-01T07:57:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year to all!!

Christmas Card Baskets

2008-12-27T22:41:00.003-05:00

I made this Christmas Card Basket before I left for vacation. My mom and I had been discussing these baskets and I found directions on how to make them at allfreecrafts.com. It's really easy to make. The templates are on the website. I never know what to do with the beautiful Christmas Cards; they are just too pretty to throw away. I liked how the basket turned out so well that I plan on making another and using thinner thread instead of the heavy yarn I used here.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! 2008

2008-12-25T10:54:00.011-05:00

We are having so much fun even the dogs are decorated!

Christmas at Disney

2008-12-22T14:51:00.001-05:00

We are in Florida for Christmas - what a magical place. Not getting much stitching done but we are looking at some beautiful Christmas trees. We went to the Candlelight Processional at Epcot; it's always so special to go and see.

2008 Gentle Pursuits Ornament Exchange

2008-12-18T11:36:00.007-05:00

The Gentle Pursuits Ornament Exchange 2008. On the right is the ornament I stitched from the 2008 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue. Kathy K. was the recipient.

Below is the ornament I received from Nancy and I just love it!!

First Day of Blog

2008-12-18T11:32:00.004-05:00

This is the first day of blogging for me. I chose to put a picture of the angel that I stitched for my EGA chapter's annual ornament exchange. Cathy K. received it and I hope she enjoys it - it was fun to stitch. It's from the JCC 2008 Ornament Issue