April Showers Gets Me in the Mood For Sewing

The first pattern I tackled was bought for only 99 cents at Walmart.  It is the Simplicity SewSimple C1969 and I made it for a good friend of mine.  She helped me cut and pin it and translate the instructions as I went along.  This is only the second pattern that I have ever sewed and it went pretty good but did take 5 hours.

Here is the finished product with the yoke front and tucks in front, with gathers in the back of shirt.  It actually fits Marilyn just perfectly and she is so happy with it that she asked me to make her another.

This is the 3rd pattern that I have decided to challenge myself with.  I bought it at Wal-mart for $2.95 and it is a Simplicity-New Look Easy pattern 2022 and I did view C.

Here is my lovely daughter modeling her new dress.  I am really pleased how it turned out and she is planning on wearing it.

Here is a side view.

Here is a back view.

The 4th pattern I decided to begin is another Wal-mart $2.95 deal and is a Simplicity-New Look Easy A6148.

We decided to do view E for spring/summer .

It turned out great, even though the sleeves  where a little bit of a challenge to attach.

Today I also whipped out another SewSImple top that I showed you before for my friend Marilyn.  This time instead of 5 hours it only took me 1.5 , looks like I am starting to improve and get the hang of it.

Lastly, I am pleased to show you what I received from the Lizzie Kate ornament HOE exchange.  This beautiful ornament was made by Amy and is a Flora McSample Christmas design using Weeks and GA threads.  Thank you so much Amy.  I truly love it.

HOE Spring Exchange Received

I am thrilled to add this post about my first exchange that was received today in the mail from Rosa C from Nova Scotia.  It is a beautiful pincusion made from linen and a delicate black and ivory material.  It has beautiful embellishments added to the corner and bow that are so delicate.  Rosa C also included a small kit that I can use to make a matching scissor fob and also a handy cross stitch alphabet book as well.  I couldn't have been more thrilled by what Rosa C sent.  Thank you so much!!  

My First Sewing Project Completed

I am growing as a novice sewer.  My daughter is modeling the skirt I made for her in one day.

We had fun picking out the material at Wal-Mart on sale.  The pattern is a Learning To Sew Simplicity Pattern with 4 different views for a skirt and also a purse pattern.  It has a front yoke and belt loops, plus front pockets and a matching tie belt.

It also has a zipper in the back (sorry no close up) and that was by far the hardest part!!

We had fun at Wal-Mart again this weekend and have planned out some more projects to make to stay posted!!!!

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!!