Spring has Sprung with 4 Finishes

The Twisted Stitcher, Vonna Pfeiffer helped me finish this.  I used her flat ornament tutorial and it was a stitch to finish.  Thanks so much Vonna!!!

This is a small Lizzie Kate design that came with mint green linen.  I added the DMC floss.  

I found this beautiful pink and glittery trim at Joanne Fabrics and knew it would be perfect for this finish!!

The back is a pretty darker mint green fabric from Walmart!!

This next finish is a free pattern of the month from Stoney Creek.  I received it as a gift from the cross stitching retreat I went to with the ladies from Black Cat Stitchery.  I decided to do a pillow finish just using my imagination and a little rick rack.  I think it is darling.  My friend will love this little gift I will be giving her for Easter!!

This pretty pillow is a SamSarah design from Just Cross Stitch January issue.  I made it on a sparkly pink piece of evenweave , using DMC and finished it into a pillow with pretty pastel material and a piece of lace trim.

Lastly,  I finished this little cutie in a day.  It is a Lizzie Kate design that came with the linen and beads and little heart charm.  I again finished it using the Twisted Stitcher, Vonna Pfeiffer's tutorial on shaped ornament finish.  I finished it with brown fabric on the back and the glittery green trim to give it a little glitz.

Look what the Easter Bunny brought....a new Whirlpool range!!  Ours when on the blink last week and we had to make an emergency trip to Home Depot.

I am so pleased to announce that my 14 year old daughter Katie has become a cross stitcher and really enjoys it too.  It has been a dream and hope of mine that my only daughter would come to love cross stitching as much as I do.  This week was her spring break when she approached me saying , "I guess I will give it a try".  That was all I needed to hear.  I immediately set her up with a project bag and scissors.  I had her go through my stash to pick out her first project and set her up with DMC.  She picked "Floral Monograms" by Cross My Heart.  I had some aida on hand....actually a hopscotch piece that will lend itself nicely into a pillow finish.  She is now addicted and I couldn't be more pleased.  I think I see some Mother/Daughter cross stitching retreats somewhere down the line!! (also a good friend of mine also started cross stitching after a quick lesson from me....she is now working on a bookmark...I couldn't be more thrilled)

Baby Shower Cross Stitch Gift Finished

Sorry but have to begin this latest post with my new short haircut!!!  Wanted my earrings to show and now they do indeed.

May I present:  Teddy Wakes Up by Marie-Anne Rethoret-Melin for Creative Poppy.

Stitched on 18 count aida and with DMC and finished into a little pajama bag for the new baby boy coming in June.  

I am also excited.  I dived in and now have a new sewing machine.  I sewed only briefly as a middler schooler but have always wanted to resume and develop some skills.  I cross stitch and want to be able to do some neat finishes that only a machine can help you create.  Used it for the first time making my pajama bag and absolutely love it.  It is absolutely made for a beginner like me with top bobbin winding and easy threading and also adjustable speeds.  It is called the Brother CS 6000 i and the best price can be found at Amazon.com

Had to add a photo of my significant other, John.  He just turned a young 63 this past Saturday when this picture was taken.  Now you see me with my longer curly red hair before the big hair cut.  He is my best friend and everything in between!!!!! Life is good!!!!!

Of course every sewing machine and crafter needs a space to work.  Found this beauty of a sewing cart on ebay....it's a Sauder and took about 3.5 hours for two people to assemble!!  The neat thing is on the left is a swing out counter that sits on the swing out door.  When you are done simple put machine on shelf below and shut the left door and let swing done counter hang.  It then looks like a cute little desk.  I couldn't be more pleased.

The pattern calls for it to be finished into a drawstring bag but I decided to put wooden buttons on the side seams at top and to add cording to hang bag on hook or doorknob.

Baby Shower Preparations

My daughter, Katie and I spent an afternoon recently helping our dear friend Marita make baby shower treat bags for an upcoming baby shower she is hosting next weekend.  Here are the bags being assembled.

Katie is busy putting the treats in the little cut out onsie.

Doesn't this look delicious.  It is a heavenly mixture of animal crackers, M & Ms, toffee covered pecans, and animal crackers.

Marita is in her craft room cutting out the shapes with her cricket.

A close up of our creations.  I think the "It's a Boy" ribbon makes it.

My daugter and myself busy assembling.

Marita with her lovely centerpiece and a full basket full of our treat bags!!  Job well done!!!!

My Obsession with Peacocks

I have to confess to you I have a new obsession, and it is cross stitched peacocks!!!  I prefer the folksy, primitive look to the realistic pieces that are out there.  I have yet to start on one but do have several peacock cross stitch charts sitting in my stash that I would love to share with you!!  The first is called "Peacock Alphabet", by Just Nan.  It will be done on cream linen with DMC and Gentle Art Sampler Threads and embellished with gorgeous peacock charm and little beads.

  

I found this one on Ebay when I did a counted cross stitch peacock search.  Nancy Turner is a new designer and I have not heard of her before.  She sent me this beautiful pattern complete with her very own threads that she dyes herself.  I just can't wait to start this one.  The threads she included are just beautiful.

This chart is a newer one from Plum Street Samplers.  I am going to stitch it using DMC and put it on 36 ct light linen .  I just adore the couple of peacocks in this piece.

Another find from Ebay from Nancy Turner.  This one did not come with her threads but with DMC colors.  I can't wait to stitch up this darling family of five!!

This kit I found at the Black Cat Stitchery (which is the local cross stitch store that I support).  I saw it pictured in Just Cross Stitch advertisements and new I had to have it.  This was my first peacock pattern that I added to my stash a few months back.  It is calling my name.

Here is my last little Peacock chart that I also found on Ebay last week.  It is simple, cute, and should stitch up quickly.

I couldn't help but add a picture I took today from my desk as I blog.  The little redheaded chickadee was so pretty sitting on the branch outside my window.  We had a huge snow storm a few days back and today the sun is out and the snow is melting!!

Lastly, I couldn't resist showing you some fun little additions to my finishing stash that believe it or not I found on clearance at Walmart.  I love the spring like colors!!

Projects in Progress and a find on Ebay

Two down and one and a half to go!!  I am making these cute animals from Prairie Home Schooler for my Dad on Father's Day.  I am thinking of making all 8 of them on two pieces of tie dyed aida and finishing them into a banner with twine to hang them.

This little cutie is called , "Peep"  from Lizzie Kate....It is a limited edition....not sure how I want to finish this little cutie off yet.  Any suggestions?

This is another quickie I am working on from a current issue of Just Cross Stitch.....The fabric is evenweave and has sparkles weaved in so it is really darling.  No idea yet on a finish for this either.

Aren't these little Easter Treat bags just darling?  I won them on Ebay last week and bought them for myself and also to see how they were made so I can finish some things that I create in a similar fashion if it works.

The Retro Owl Couple is Finished and Framed

Came home from grocery shopping before the big storm hits tonight and sitting by my door was a box containing the frame made just for this piece.  

It is made by my absolute favorite frame maker!  She does just a fabulous job and even makes custom frames such as my owl frame!!

Her frame gives such a country and homey feel to the piece.  I have never done such a retro piece but I think it turned out pretty cool.  I am giving it to a close girlfriend who loves to get my stitchery as she likes the look but doesn't want to do it herself!!!!  By the way I framed this all by myself.  A wonderful woman who owns a cross stitch and needlecraft store,  gave me a private lesson and now I do all my own framing and rather enjoy it.