HO! HO! HO! It's a Christmas in July Swap!

OH. MY. GOSH.  I can't believe how excited I am to be able to host my very first swap.  Cheryl, from Gone Stitchin' is hosting a Christmas in July Swap for stitchers in Australia and New Zealand.  I contacted Cheryl, and she graciously gave me the OK to do the same here in the USA.  Same guidelines, same dates.  SOOOOO, we will be running the swaps in tandem.

ISN'T  THIS  EXCITING???!!!!

Take a look at the tab at the top of my blog (Christmas in July Swap) for the details.

Let's see how many elves we can get to work on their Secret Santa Swap!  Pass the word - the more, the merrier.

OH!  I put my Big Girl Panties on and managed to figure out how to make my very own Blog Badge.  Feel free to copy the Xmas in July Swap badge to put on your blog, if you plan on participating.

~ CHEERS!! ~

P.S.  Cheryl has given me the title of  USA SWAP MAMA - HA!

January 2014 Smalls SAL - PLUS Another Gift for Blogoversary Give Away

I had so much fun stitching this little cupid for my first project in the Smalls SAL.  I printed the free pattern last year and, when I looked for the link on the web just now so I could share it with you, I couldn't find it.  At any rate, the cupid is stitched on 40 count silk gauze and measures 1.5x1.5".

In keeping with the theme of this little guy, I made a box (thanks to LynnB's tutorial) and put it on the top, complete with a sterling silver heart charm.  The box measures 4x4" wide and 2" tall.

OH!  And did I mention this is the second addition to my Blogoversary Give Away?  There's still time to enter - here's how:

1.  Be - or become a follower: one entry.
2.  Place a comment on this post: one entry.
3.  Blog about this give away and this latest addition to the gifts: one entry.
4.  Send someone to my blog and - if they become a follower - you get another entry.

The winner will be announced on February16th - this blog's FIRST Blogoversary.

Be sure to check next Wednesday - there's another goodie to be added to the give away.
Stay warm and surrounded by stitches -
Cheers!

Dog Tails - Free Pattern and - EUREKA! - eBay Treasures

Good morning from COLD Iowa.  We're under another Winter Storm Watch and Winter Weather Advisory.  I'm ready for spring!  I know Hubby is, too, as he's been reading seed catalogs.  Yep - we have been smitten with cabin fever.

Vickie posted about her poodle pin cushion find on eBay on her blog ( A Stitcher's Story).  Of course, being a dog lover, antique lover, stitching lover, yadda, yadda - I felt the urge to check out pin cushions for sale. And what a find (or should I say "What finds" - notice the plural).

Several months ago, I was given a miniature of a mother and child (pictured on the left).  It was on cardboard, the back being an advertisement for Prudential Insurance.  I didn't realize it was a pin keep until I started browsing eBay.  Well, I happened upon another one and had to have it - they look like the go together, don't they?  And there are pins along the sides of each.   Does anyone know the year(s) Prudential put these out?  I'd love to know.

My next find was a lovely pewter pin cushion made in the UK.  Isn't this adorable?  If you look on the back right side, there's a removable thimble.  The pin cushion is the sewing basket in front of the thimble.

If you can't already tell, we love our dogs.  Emma is my little lap puppy - 5 pounds of energy, mischief and love.  Bella is Hubby's "Real Dog" - 90 pounds of Farm Dog, protecting us from everyone and everything - all done because she loves us.

I happened to see a saying the other day and was inspired to create a quick, simple pattern.  I hope you enjoy it.  (I got the charms at Hobby Lobby).  I used 32 count linen. You can find the pattern here.

OH!  Please take a look at the tab I created at the top of my blog called "Free Patterns".  That's where I will keep all the free designs I've created so they don't become buried in blog posts.  If you've stitched any of them, I'd love to see a picture.

Stay warm and stay in  - and surround yourself with stitches.
Cheers!

This Butterfly is FREE and Celebrating my First Blogiversay

My first Blogiversary is approaching next month.  I have had SO MUCH FUN over the past year, I'd like to do a special give away.

I'll be giving away another Limoges box I painted.  This one measures 3x3 inches and, with the butterfly, 3 inches high.  I will paint the inside with 24KT gold and the winner's initials/monogram.
OH!  and did I mention there will be more goodies added each week until the drawing on February 16th?

Here's how to enter:

1.  Be - or become - a follower: one entry.
2.  Place a comment on this post: one entry.
3.  Blog about this give away on your blog: one entry.
4.  Send someone to my blog and - if they become a follower - you get another entry.

OH!  And I've been busy, busy - I'm just finishing stitching my latest cross stitch pattern.  Once it's complete, I'll post the design and the free pattern.  I think it's adorable and stitches up quickly.

It's minus 30 wind chill here, so off to gather my threads and needles, put a warm puppy on my lap and fire up Netflix.

Stay tuned for the next addition to my FIRST BLOGIVERSAY GIVE AWAY - I'll post Wednesday.

Cheers - and Happy Stitching ~

Heart of my Heart

Latest finish is from Papillon Creations and is called "Heart of my Heart".  I stitched it on blues as blue was my mother's favorite color.  It measures 3.5 x 3.5 inches.

Happy stitching -
Cheers!

January Give Away Winner

Two people entered my first give away of 2014.  Catherine - you won the canvas and box kit.  Margaret - because I don't want you to feel left out, I have a surprise to send to you for entering.

Please email me your mailing addresses (spiritoftheheart1@gmail.com) and I will get your goodies sent out this week.

Cheers!

P.S.  Watch this space - another give away will be posted soon ;)

No Idle Hands Here!

It's been so bitterly cold here, I've gone on a Netflix Binge and snuggled up with some projects I've been itching to get to.

I went nutty and beaded nine  scissor fobs:

The four on the left are made using some of my stash of Swarovski crystals.  If you look closely at the purple butterfly fob, you can see tiny butterfly-shaped crystals on both ends.  The fourth from the left is made with Swarovski crystals and the heart on the end is Russian enamel.  These were SO MUCH FUN to make……..hmmmmm - is there a GIVE AWAY in the future?  Let me know what you think ;)

Always up for an adventure, I completed "HARK!" by Erica Michaels on 40 count silk gauze.  It measures 2.5 x 2.5 inches - 3 inches square with the frame.

I FINALLY finished the Flip Swaps (for my Switch Flops) from Sandy Arthur.  Now to add the final touches and attach them to my sandals.  (With the -49 wind chill temps, I think I'll keep my fuzzy slippers on for now - HA!).

Here is the last project fresh off the press - blocked and all.  Isn't is CUTE?  Fox and Hound all dressed and ready to strut their stuff.  It measures 12.5 x 10 inches.  My dilemma now is what to make it into….another pillow (I can hear Hubby groaning…..); a snappy bag to strap over my shoulder when I go to town; a cover for my Kindle; or………?????  I'd be interested in hearing your ideas on how to put this charming needlepoint piece into good use.

Stay warm - and keep stitching!!

Cheers ~

2014 - Give Aways Galore

Welcome 2014!   The past year was one of loss, but also growth.

 - Our two miniature schnauzers, Missy and Sally, passed away less than two weeks of each other.

 - My Aunt passed away the Friday before Palm Sunday.  

 - My dear, sweet mother suffered a severe stroke and struggled for months with the aftermath before passing in November.  

 - Our family grew by one member - our daughter married the love of her life in July.  

 - I started this blog, which has brought growth in creativity and, more importantly, marvelous, supportive cyber-friends.

LET'S START 2014 WITH A GIVE AWAY

I designed and stitched the silhouette of a horse on 18-count canvas, then painted the bottom of a porcelain box using china paints.  After completing the stitching, I mounted the canvas on the top of the box.  It measures two inches in diameter.

I loved the design so much, I painted another canvas and another porcelain box.  It also measures 2x2 inches.

 My first giveaway of 2014 is the square box and canvas, above - complete with instructions and everything you will need to complete the project.  It's a quick project, so the lucky winner won't have to spend tons of time on it - and will have a lovely piece when done.

Here are the guidelines and how to enter:

1.  Be - or become - a follower to this blog - one entry.

2.  Place a comment to this post - one entry.

3.  Blog about the giveaway on your blog - one entry.

4.  Send someone to my blog and, if they become a follower, you will get another chance to win.

Winner to be announced on January 15th.

Cheers!!!