Halloween Ornament Finishes

My dear friend Ellen from my Wednesday Stitching Group asked for some help with ornament finishing.  I was more than happy to oblige.  Her stitching is beautiful so I kept the finishing simple.  The first is a JBW design from the JCS Halloween Book and the following are the Boo Buttons Halloween Ornament Charts from Victoria Sampler.  I think they will look lovely on her halloween tree.

 

We are bracing for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy.  They are saying it will hit the eastcoast some time over the weekend but there is definitely a window of uncertainty and none of it is within our control.  I wish everyone a safe and restful weekend. Happy Friday and Happy Stitching!

Fall Exchange with Pat

I recently participated in an exchange with Pat but haven't had a chance to post the lovely things she sent me.  I do feel that our schedules are finally falling into place.  I haven't had lots of stitching time but the little I have had has been devoted to exchanges.  Now that we have both received them I can share.  Pat sent me a wonderful hand knit scarf in autumn colors and I just LOVE it.  I am looking forward to using it regularly as the temps have started to cool.  She also sent other wonderful goodies and a beautifully stitched decorative pillow.  Absolutely darling.  Thank you Pat.

 

I created a finished sewing box for Pat.  I have never done this type of finish but I am pleased with how it turned out.  The box top was chosen as one of the 2012 Year of Smalls and thought it was perfect for our exchange.  I sanded and stained the box with Briwax.

 

 

I lined the interior with a beautiful leaf print that I found in my travels.  Inside I created some counting pins which are made into a needlebook that looks like a matchbook.  I also created a beaded fob for a shiny pair of scissors.

 

I added some fall scented lotion and hand sanitizer and a darling patchwork pumpkin ornament that can be used as a pincushion. 

Here is a close-up of the beaded fob.  I had a wonderful time putting this exchange together and felt my creative juices flowing.  It's a good thing we had a deadline otherwise I would have kept on added more and more.  Thanks for stopping by my little corner of blogland.  Happy Stitching!

I won a Giveaway :)

 

Robin from Crafting with the Stitch Witch pulled my name from her Stash Reduction Giveaway and here's the lovely package I received.  I won this about a month ago but time and camera issues has kept me from posting!!  Thanks for the stitchy goodness Robin.  It is now nestled in my stash.

 

 

I have been knee deep in bar mitzvah preparations for son #3 and when I am not doing that work, football and school have kept me comfortably insane.  It has been a juggling act for the last 6 months and I dropped the ball on my stitching but I am hoping to throw that back into the mix next week.  I hope you are all doing lots of stitching!  I have been reading blogs and enjoying all of the wonderful things you are creating.  Happy Stitching!

Furry Cuteness!!

We have a new furbaby to love!!  Meet Wes!  He is just about 4 months old and a very handsome devil.  His color is very unique but it makes him very difficult to photograph.  He is a solid gray (but more silvery) long haired monkey.  He is full of cuddles and lots of loving! 

No stitching to report yet but I will post pics of a recent exchange once I get new batteries for the camera.  Hope you are all getting lots of stitching time!  Happy Stitching!

Cross Stitch Progress

Just a quick post to share my progress on Diamond Quilts by Handblessings Designs.  Have you ever started a project with all the threads you need and mid way through think to yourself, I think I might run out of thread??  Well, this is a SAL design where 3 squares are released quarterly.  I stitched the first three squares and started stitching the borders for the next three.  When I finished those I looked at the remaining thread Waterflowers Neferetti and thought there is no way I will have enough.  I then proceeded to stitch all of the borders instead of the next blocks to be sure I had enough. Well, I indeed had enough with about an 8 inch snippet to spare. Phew!! That was close.  Now back to stitching the blocks.  I have a little catch up to do but I am enjoying the colors on this one and it is a very easy relaxing project. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!

Some Vintage Finds

Dear readers and friends,  the summer brought quite a few flea market excursions.  One of my favorite things is to scour for treasures at flea markets and antique malls. I am always on the lookout for needlework items as well as unique flower frogs.  My boys are also "hunters" Ever since they started watching Pickers on TV they are obsessed with flea marketing.    These are some of the treasures that we came across.

 

Amber bowled flower frog set

Milk glass flower frog, rose embossed glass flower frog and a pink ceramic frog

The rose and pink were b-day gifts from my youngest sons

onyx glass frog and bowl set and a blue ceramic frog (a gift from my youngest)

carding paddles, antique oil can, wooden spindles and vintage trims ( one with music notes and the other with a kitchen theme -- too cute to pass up) My plan is to use the spindles for storing vintage laces and trims, and I am hoping to mount a needlework piece on the carding paddles. 

I haven't been stitching a whole lot but hope to get back into it soon.  I have done some halloween/fall stitching but can't share any of that yet as they are for exchanges. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and to my Jewish friends L'Shana Tovah. May your New Year be blessed with sweetness.

Home from the Framers

I just got these back from the framers last Wednesday.  I had the frames and the stitched pieces sitting in my craft closet waiting to be stretched and placed in the frames but haven't had the time to get it done.  I finally decided I would rather see them on the wall than in the pile of things needed to be done.  I took them to my trusted framer and he did it for me.  The top piece  is CCN She sells seashells and it is in a frame made by The Family Tree.

 

This is CCN Day at the Beach stitched on 30ct Parchment.  The frame is from The Family Tree and is in Fleamarket Finish.  I love the stars on the frame and how they coordinate with the stitched piece.

 

I am currently working on exchange pieces and WIPs.  I am grateful for the exchanges as they are quick stitches and I can work on them almost anywhere.  I hope to have progress pics to share soon.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my small corner of the world. Happy Stitching!