May Smalls SAL Check-in, RAK Update

The Smalls SAL is hosted by the lovely Heather at Stitching Lotus. If you'd like to join, pop on over to Heather's blog - the more, the merrier!

Part 10 of Elena's ABC SAL

Only two more parts to go!!

RAK update: I sent out two more RAK packages this past Friday......a total of 21 have been sent (a little over a third of the way toward my goal!!), 15 have arrived safe and sound....leaving six yet to be opened....

Number 15

Another RAK has landed! A very dear lady, Charlene, of Paraclete Designs wrote to tell me her package had arrived.

This design is a freebie by me. Go to my "Free Patterns" page, if you'd like to stitch one up yourself.

Now - back to stitching.....creating....and packing up TWO more!!

Number 14

Pilar of Valances Flowers sent me a note to let me know the needle book, scissor fob, fabric and floss arrived safe and sound on her doorstep. (I forgot to take pictures of the fabric and floss...). The design is a freebie from Lynn B.

 Scissor fob and outside of needle book 

Inside of needle book - pocket topped with fabric ribbon that looks like measuring tape 

Back of needle book 

Three more are swirling around the postal system.....two are packed up and ready to deliver to the post office....

FNSI

I joined Wendy and a host of other ladies for FNSI.

I can't share the entire piece.....because it will be flying out of here soon.....but here's a sneak peek:

Back to stitching!!

ABC SAL, Xmas Ornie SAL, TQC

WHEW! Talk about a mouth full of letters! I finished Part 9 of Ele's ABC SAL:

Part 10 was just released.....guess what I'm stitching this weekend....among other things - <G>

May's Christmas Ornament SAL challenge was "Reindeer":

This is a design from Cathy Habermann (Hands on Design) and can be found in the "Just Cross Stitch" 2015 Holiday issue.

June's challenge was "Christmas Animals/Pets". When I say this little guy in "The World of Cross Stitching" magazine, #223, I couldn't resist. Isn't he adorable????? (Yes, I'm getting ahead of myself).

Design by Rhona Norrie, WOCS Issue 223

OK - you all know how I don't have anything to do and just sit around bored....SO, thanks to Mary Anne (Magpie's Mumblings) I found a free online TQC - Traditional Quilting Class. Signed up....now waiting for Lesson #3. I don't know if registration has closed, but if you're interested, go visit Kathy Shaw's blog here.

Now....off to stitch....and create.....and stitch some more... BIG <G>

RAKs 11, 12 and 13 to Share

I'm tickled pink to share RAK #11 that went to Vickie of A Stitcher's Story. For this of you who aren't familiar with sweet Vickie, she loves PINK and POODLES. I sat down to find a poodle design to stitch for her RAK, a Joan Elliott pattern fell out of "World of Cross Stitch Magazine" called "Poodle Love". Talk about 'meant to be'!

Sooooo here's the needle book I made for Vickie:

Joan Elliott's design - "Poodle Love"

Making these RAKs is an absolute delight for me. After stitching this adorable little guy, I was on a mission to find the perfect material - and found fabric from Alexander Henry - a retro pink cotton called (wait for it.....) "Poodles d'Amour".  How serendipitous was that?!?!

 Back cover of needle book 

Inside of needle book - top of pocket embellished with "I Love My Dog" ribbon

Here are the other goodies sent:

 Pink scissor fob and two poodle buttons

Pink fabric (including the rest of the "Poodle d'Amour fabric) and floss

Mary Jane (CalamityJr) received RAK #12. This free design is called "Little Irish Sampler" from The Sampler Girl. I had printed this off years ago and when looking for the link to share, I found her blog....but it looks like she has discontinued blogging.

"Little Irish Sampler"

Extra floss, fabric and pattern

RAK #13 arrived in Mary Anne's mailbox at Magpie's Mumblings.

Needle book - design by The Stitching Fairy and a scissor fob made by me 

 Inside of needle book - pockets topped with fabric trim that looks like a measuring tape

 Back of needle book

Fabric and floss....and cross stitch pattern

Two more RAKs are still traveling to their destinations. I have five more to package up and get to the post office - most likely next week. 

Now....back to stitching!

More 60th Celebration RAKs to Share and Xmas in July Swap Update

More RAKs have landed in mail boxes and I can share them with you -

To Jo at Through the Keyhole - RAK #8

A wooden thread keep from Island Cottage Needle Arts.

The little angel pattern is from "365 Tiny Cross Stitch Designs" by Kooler Design Studio. If you look at the top of the photo, there's a matching blue scissor fob with a tiny angel charm on the end.

There was also some fabric and threads in Jo's package.

RAK #9 was sent to Lilly of Home of a lil' Needlecrafter blog.

A little pillow with her initial (I downloaded the pattern years ago and can't find where it originated) and a scissor fob. The pillow was from a kit by Betsy Stinner. 

Some floss and fabric.....

RAK #10 found its way to Marlene at Stitching By the Lake blog.

 9x9 inch "Autumn Harvest Days" pillow from Pine Mountain Designs

Fabric and floss.....and a Halloween cat button.....

.....and a Lizzie Kate "Halloween ABC" pattern

There are five more RAKs floating around the world ready to land in some mail boxes.... <G>

Oh yes, I've been stitching and stitching.....more to share.....in a later post.

XMas in July Swap is officially closed. I'll be getting swap partner information out this week.  

More RAKs Have Landed! XMas In July Swap Deadline Tomorrow

YIPPEE! Just received word Meari from Meari's Musings received her RAK package. I discovered her AWESOME tutorial on how to put together nifty needle books - if you haven't made one, you really must check this out. I'd tried several before, but Meari's step-by-step instructions are perfect for those of us who are - ummmmmmm - novices working with a sewing machine.

RAK #6:

Floss and fabric

 A needlebook (of course <G> ) - cover design from Heart in Hand Designs

Inside of needle book with a pocket - trim is fabric ribbon that looks like a tape measure 

Here's a closer look at the fabric for the back - it says "There's No Place Like Home"

RAK #7: 

Renee of Living My Dream received RAK#7. I've noticed in her blog she likes to stitch spiders and spider webs - and seahorses. Soooooo........

A scissor fob with a seahorse charm and seashell beads

A seahorse needlebook (outside)

Inside needle book with fabric trim that looks like a measuring tape and handmade seashell pins

Seashell beads

Fabrics and floss

There are five more swirling around in the postal system....all over the world.....hope to hear from the recipients soon. NOW - off to stitch!

P.S. Don't forget - tomorrow is the deadline for signing up for the Christmas in July Swap. There's still time to transform yourself into an elf and join in. Just click on the Xmas in July button at the top right of my blog and leave a comment over on the Xmas in July blog.

OK - NOW.....off to stitch!

My First, My Twelfth, My Win, My Treasure

I hope you're having a fantabulous day! It's dreary here, but so much sunshine arrived in the mail, I've got a happy face.

Much to my surprise, sweet Mouse sent me a 60th Birthday surprise. A lovely card and a gorgeous hanging pillow. It's the "Pink Rose" by Blackbird Designs. I was utterly floored! Thank you, Mouse!

More RAKs were mailed this week - twelve are out.....winding their way through the postal system. I've been trying to track the packages, but the tracking system for USPS has been down - DRAT! I'm so anxious to hear from the recipients their parcels arrived.

I won a giveaway - and more - from Donna at Cards By Ruth.  A sheet of lovely Italian marveled paper (seen on the left) and - in honor of National Stationary Day -  beautiful handmade cards....

Post cards to send....all make me smile...

Stamps and stickers to embellish snail mail letters....

.....and an article about how special it is to receive a letter in the mail - the old fashioned way.

Thank you, Donna! Love them all - and will use them all to brighten someone's day.

Last, but not least, Tracy from Mad About Bags organized a Stationary Swap. My swap partner was Cat of Catalina's Cottage. She spoilt me - and then some.

Purple cards and matching envelopes, pink and purple pens, purple masking tape (I've never seen this before - AUGH! AWESOME!), a little note book....

.....a hand made flag banner....which will grace our screened in porch once the weather is more agreeable......

...and a sweet felt tea cozy (which will be put to good use)....and Pineapple Lumps candy. Once again, never heard of these before. As you can probably see, they were screaming for me to open the bag and try some.....Cat - you are a wicked woman - chocolate and pineapple - WHO KNEW the combination could taste so good?? I was only going to try one......but, well - I couldn't eat just one....or two....or....<G>

Four more RAKs are waiting on my table in my studio to pack up, address and send on their merry way. Probably will work on getting them all done to post next week.

Take care, everyone - I hope you have a wonderfully stitchy day.

FNwF

I joined the lovely Cheryl and ladies from around the globe for Friday Night with Friends. I can't show you the entire piece, but suffice it to say, it's DONE and going to my studio to be finished.....and sent off as RAK #11! AUGH!

RAK #3 and RAK #4 Arrived Safe and Sound

Two more RAKs arrived at their new homes this past week.

RAK#3 went to Oskar of PX and Other Matters blog.

Some fabric with a "Paris" theme, floss, cotton fabric trim and a Twisted Threads pattern by Ruth Sparrow.

A hornbook (designed by me, made by DH) with a sweet pattern from "365 Tiny Cross Stitch Designs" by Kohler Design Studio. The 1 7/8x 1/7/8 inch design was stitched on 16 Ct Aida.

RAK #4 went to Debbie of Debbie's Corner blog.

A pattern from Sue Hillis Designs - stitched on 16 Ct Aida - and framed in a 5x7 inch frame
(Don't you love the intertwined heart charm??)

Fabric and floss accompanied by a sweet chart from Calico Crossroads.

OK - now to my studio to pack up EIGHT - YES!! - EIGHT - more RAKs to wing their way across the globe.