Marie (Smalls SAL), a Silly Story and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I don't know if you noticed, but in my last post, I mentioned I'd been experimenting.  Well, I've finished the prototype - and - BOY, OH BOY - was it fun!  I pulled ideas from several different blogs and tutorials and came up with this - a traveling sewing case (made from an Altoids tin) - with a magnetized pin cushion. The size of the tin is PERFECT for my needlework scissors.

Meet Marie (Antoinette):

Marie A. came from a website for Tin-Sized Sheets  (Ten Two Studios).

Here's the outside:

Here's the inside (pin cushion measures approximately 1.5 inches square):

Another peek at the inside:

I am so very excited about this idea and have plans for another nine different themes or so. Maybe this bodes of some giveaways in the future??

I'd be happy to put together a tutorial, if there is any interest.   Comment on this post and if there is an interest by some, I'll post the 'how to'.

OK - now a funny story.  When I was about five years old I remember watching Captain Kangaroo one morning as my mother was fixing breakfast.  The end of the show came and Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose were all crying because they wouldn't "be able to come back until next year."  I was devastated….until they all started laughing and said, "That's tomorrow!".  Confetti came down on them, they tooted horns - and my anguish was remedied.   

THE END

I want to thank everyone who visits my blog. I thoroughly have enjoyed this past year. I've made many friends - and - with any luck - I've been able to bring people together as friends.  Wishing you all the very best for 2015, filled with lots of love and hours of stitching.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

25 Years, My Little Elf, iStitch Sew Advent - Complete

Just a short post today - DH and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary last week.  It seems like yesterday we married.  It was a quiet celebration - dinner and champagne.  Just the two of us.  It was delightful.

Here's my Little Elf:

I finished the iStitch Sew Advent SAL Christmas Eve.  This was so much fun - I hope there's one next year!!  (Note the stocking and snowflake charms in the bottom right hand corner - my creative license;0)).

Now - off to stitch - and experiment - oooo - if this experiment turns out, I'll post.  Maybe a tutorial…..?

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Santa Sack Swap, iStitch Sew Advent SAL, Christmas Cards

It's been a few days since my last post.  Keeping an eye on the weather, I slipped down to visit my DSF for a few days before Christmas.  The nine hour drive goes quickly, as does the visit.  Hopefully (weather permitting) I can visit again after New Years.  I miss him so very much!

I participated in the Santa Sack Swap hosted by the lovely and generous Cheryll.  My swap mate was
Sharon from Vrooman's Quilts.  Wowee - look at what she sent!

Here's a lovely basket, complete with pockets:

Kitchen towels (I LOVE these - one is hanging on the drawer handle next to our sink…..but no one is allowed to use it - it's too perfect ;0))

Pretty pot holders (I can't get over how crisp and exact Sharon's points are - she puts me to shame).

A microwavable bowl/potholders and cookie cutters:

 A journal, the cutest pen and paper:

 Variegated DMC floss, floss bobbins and needles:

 The cutest teeny-tiny clothes pins, heart buttons, stork scissors and a hexi:

 Sharon - THANK YOU SO EVER MUCH!  I love it all.

Here's my progress on the iStitch Sew Advent SAL (two more days to go!!)

 The RAK group had a Christmas card exchange.  This is what I stitched and sent to Hazel:

 Here is a card I receive from Michele S.  - I LOVE it!  Thank you ~

 The lovely Gracie and Shirlee wanted to exchange Christmas cards and asked if others wanted to join in.  I was paired with Shirlee.  She not only sent a beautiful card, but a lovely Christmas ornament! What a nice surprise!

 It was serendipitous, because I had sent Shirlee an ornament, too:

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Advent SAL Day 14, Round Robin and Ronin Rocks

Merry Christmas:

I received the December Robin, hosted by the lovely June.  My partner this month was Gracie:

Gracie - I LOVE it all - the lovely stitched basket of flowers, the heart charm, the butterflies and hearts teeny-tiny buttons, the fabric and the "Count Twice" pins you made.  THANK YOU!!

My Prince Charming (aka Ronin, my new grand baby) ROCKS!!!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Sew Advent Day 13, Catherine Parr, a Little Story

Day 13 - Hearts are merry:

I was a woman possessed - I HAD to finish Catherine Parr:

A little story:
In 2006, I was teaching painting on porcelain and one of my students' daughters was chairman of the ornament display for our Festival of Trees (a big fund-raiser for our local symphony). The idea was for people to purchase the ornaments, the proceeds going to the fund-raiser.  My student asked me if I would paint an ornament.  Wanting to support her and her daughter's efforts, I said yes.

Here is what I painted.

3.5 inches in diameter by 3 inches high

I know you can't see it well, the writing on the ornament is teeny-tiny.  I wrote the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" around and around and around the ornament.  It actually WON "Best in Show".

I was totally and utterly shocked.  Needless to say, < I > bought back my own ornament and it's now on our tree each and every year.  I hope my daughter will treasure it in the coming years, whenever she inherits it. ;0)

I hope you all are enjoying the season - 12 days until Christmas.  Wishing you all the best -

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Sew Advent Day 12, Catherine Parr and Christmas Ornaments

A sleigh and bells:

Catherine Parr just needs French knots for the center of the flowers on her sleeves and the background - then she's complete!

Here's some needlepoint ornaments I've made over the years that adorn our tree:

Yes, that's a little felt cow sticking out of a mini-stocking of cows.  I made this the year we moved to our farm and we got our first herd (of two).

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Sew Advent SAL Day 11, Coasters and a Christmas Painting

Here we are - Day 11 of the Sew Advent SAL - snow flake and some hearts - I LOVE how this is coming along….

At the luncheon last Friday, we were to bring gifts wrapped, no name on who it was from.  Once you opened the gift, we were to guess who gave the gift.  If you were correct, you won a prize.  Mine was a delightful wine glass coaster.  You set your wine glass inside.  I was intrigued and  set out to make some myself.  TA-DA!!

LEFT: Back of coaster  RIGHT: top of coaster

I found a FREE pattern on Craftsy and used scrap material I had on hand.  My daughter likes them (which is a great review in my book ;0)).  They were quick, easy and make wonderful gifts, don't you think?

The Christmas before my mother became so ill, I was still painting on porcelain.  I love Christmas and horses and dogs and…..well, I digress.  I received a Christmas card with a colt on the front and he looked so cute and GUILTY, I had to paint it.  I thought it might bring you a chuckle as it does me every time I look at it.

4x3.5 inches

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Holly, Tudor SAL and Christmas Tree

Day 10 iStich Sew Advent SAL added a little holly:

I picked up Catherine Parr and finished her hat, plume, collar of her dress and necklace and started the bodice of her dress.  This is turning out to be a very enjoyable piece to stitch and watch mature.

And last, but not least, I put up our little Christmas tree.  It was a bittersweet labor of love.

More stitching tomorrow - and a new project to start!  YIPPEE!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

And the Stockings were Hung…..iSitch Sew Advent SAL - Day 9

Last year I wasn't in the mood for Christmas, Christmas decorations….nothing festive.  My dear mother had passed away a mere 7 weeks before and I was completely and utterly empty. The only decoration we had was a red candle on the mantle of the fireplace.

This year, I'm trying to get more in the spirit of the season. The needlepoint stockings I made for DH, my daughter, the dogs and myself are out of their storage place. They were hung with care:

And here is a heart flower for Day 9 of the Sew Advent SAL:

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Sew Advent SAL - Day 8

Looks like a little snow….

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Sew Advent - Day 7 and Round Robin

Nothing like some plum pudding and a present for under the tree:

Here's a peek at the Round Robin piece I finished today.  Once it arrives safe and sound, I'll post the full picture:

 Now - off to sit in front of a fire and watch football with DH.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

iStitch Sew Advent SAL - Day 6

Just finished Day 6:

Off to stitch my December Round Robin piece -

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Sew Advent SAL - Day 5, Christmas Ornament Finish

Good morning!  I'm off to a Christmas Luncheon today - can hardly wait, as we will have a White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Fun, food, friends - what more can one ask for?

Here's Day 5 of the iStitch Sew Advent SAL - still compensating for my goof, but it's still coming along nicely, don't you think?

Here's the ornament I finished for my step grandson (18 months old) - it's from Brookes Books,  part of the Advent Animals collection - Peter Polar Bear.  Instead of stitching a "2", I stitched "2014".

Here's the back:

A little gold charm at the top "Made with Love" and an iron-on label I signed.  The permanent marker bled a bit, but I think you can still read "Nana".

Off to dress for the luncheon!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Autumn Ornament Exchange, iStitch SAL

I'm trying to get as much stitching and finishing done as I can - in time for Christmas - but Father Time isn't being too kind.  Time is going too fast!

As part of the Hooked on Exchanging group I'm in, here is what I received from my exchange partner, Lynn.  Look closely at the teeny-tiny beading around the outside.  THANK YOU, Lynn - I love it!

This is what I sent to my exchange partner, Nicole - it's a freebie from The Snowflower Diaries.

I'm taking part in the iStitch Sew Advent SAL.  I messed up the first block, but didn't catch it until this morning when I stitched Day 4.  Oh well, I'll try and compensate…..I still LOVE the design….even though it won't be perfect.

Finished a stitched Christmas card as part of the RAK Christmas Card exchange.  Can hardly wait for my partner to receive it.  I think it's cute.

Now - on to put the finishing touches on a Christmas ornament for my step-grandson.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~