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.  

RAK #2 - Received! and Smalls SAL for April

Oh, this is so exciting - My second RAK has been received by the lovely Rosey of Ishkabibble Blog. (Isn't that the cutest name for a blog)??

I sent Rosey these little wooden blocks. They are from Shepherd's Bush and are stitched on perforated paper. It's been years since I've worked with perforated paper - I'd forgotten how much fun it is. The blocks are probably 1.5 inches square.....but Rosey will have to verify that, as I didn't measure them before packing them up for their journey. I'm going to claim this as my Smalls SAL for April - hosted by Heather at The Stitching Lotus.

Also included were some fabrics and flosses and a Stoney Creek pattern....notice the "home" theme?

Three RAKs are floating around the globe....I can hardly wait to hear from the party-goers their parcels have arrived so I can share!

OK - four more RAKs are completed and ready to be packed up.....just realized I need more padded envelopes.....looks like they will go out next week.

OH! and another thing - I'll be sharing my adventure in Singapore with Peranakan beading in my next post.

ABC SAL, Santa, Mom's Needlepoint and RAKs

Jet lag is finally diminishing and I feel like I'm myself again. YEA! Now I'll catch up reading blogs and posting my stitchery.

First is Part 8 of Ele's ABC SAL:

Here's a Christmas Santa ornament I just finished....I don't remember the designer's name, but he was a hoot to stitch:

I finally had the energy to finish these sweet pieces my mother had needlepointed before her devastating illness. They hang on the French doors into my office:

I spent most of the morning yesterday packing up FOUR RAKs - each will be winging their way to a different country. I can't tell you how much fun this is  - from the stitching, to the packing of the gifts - I can hardly wait for the recipients to receive their gifts so I can post pictures!

OK - now off to stitch and create - 5 RAKs down.....55 more to go <G>

Christmas Ornament SAL - March

Just finished my ornament for the Christmas Ornament SAL. March's theme is "Santa and his Helpers". I struggled finding a pattern I really liked....and found Laura Rimola's "Miss Santa" pattern in the December 2014 "Just CrossStitch" magazine. I love, LOVE her designs, so this was a definite "GO!". The pattern is stitched on 32 Ct linen.

Miss Santa - 3 x 4.75 inches 

Hmmmm.....what to stitch next? Oh yes.....maybe an RAK?? If you missed out letting me know you're coming to my 60th birthday party, check out my post from March 8th....and send me a note if you'd like to RSVP.

Christmas Ornament SAL - February DONE!

Here's my February ornament for the Christmas Ornament SAL. I stitched it on 28 Ct Blue Whisper Cashel. The design is by Belinda of Blue Ribbon Designs. It appeared in the 2015 "Just Cross Stitch" Christmas Ornament magazine.

Off to start March!

Two Patterns to Share and 824 is 824 is 824

I just finished the sampler from JBW Designs, "French Country ~ ABCs". My trepidation about getting more of DMC 824 was unfounded. The colors matched perfectly.

I also got caught up with the ABC SAL designed and hosted by Ele at Busy Hands Craft. If you'd like to join the SAL, pop on over to Ele's blog and ask to join. The more, the merrier! Here's block 4:

I want to share two patterns with you all - the Dog House Sampler by Little House Needleworks and the French Country ~ ABCs sampler I just completed. If you'd like to have one or both, leave a comment on this post. First come, first served.

FNSI and Feeling Yukky

Well, saying it has been an interesting week is putting it mildly. We had company over the weekend and they left a gift of the Norovirus. Fortunately DH was unscathed.....wish I could say the same. I don't remember being that SICK for years and years. Good news: I lost 3 pounds. However, I wouldn't recommend the regimen.

Now that my whining is over - I was able to do some stitching while languishing in the recliner streaming Netflix.

Finished "Dog House Sampler" from Little House Needleworks. It still needs to be pressed.....

Joined in the SAL hosted by Ele at BusyHandsCraft.  For each square, I'm using up some of the bits of linen (and potentially Aida) I have laying around....then will make them up into.....who knows what? I'll surprise myself - <G>  I managed to get two done....with the exception of some stitches for Day 2, as I  don't have DMC 169 on hand. I'll pick that up when I'm feeling better...next week. Day 4 was just released today...

Day1

 Day 2

The designs are so FUN to stitch, they take about an hour (or less) to complete. If you want to join in on the fun, pop on over to Ele's blog and ask to join.

Last night, I joined in on FNSI hosted by Wendy at Sugarlane Designs and stitched some of "French Country - ABCs" sampler from JBW Designs.

I didn't have the DMC color suggested on the chart, so chose DMC 824. Now I'm fretting I won't have enough to finish the sampler and will have to get more. I've noticed some of the DMC colors of the same number are a bit off in color these days...not sure why - I always found comfort knowing 824 was 824 was 824. Now, not so much. SIGH. Anyway, cross your fingers.

DON'T FORGET - tomorrow is the draw for week THREE of my February Giveaways. If you want to participate, please see my previous post. I've got more in store for Week 4!

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

Good morning, Ladies! Super Mom - No Cape, once again, is hosting the Monday link party.

Last week was so busy - lots of fun with friends and family. I know I've been neglecting my blogging friends, but promise to get back in the swing and stopping by your blogs to visit and chat soon.

Here's what I've been up to.

Finished "Count Your Blessings":

Finished Lizzie Kate's "Love is Best":

Had a blast making cuffs from up cycled ties:

The cuff bracelet here is a bit difficult to see, as the Swarovski cabochons actually highlight the design. They look rather random in the pictures....the underside is lined with ultra suede.

And another - for my friend who visited us last week. Again, made from an up cycled tie and embellished with Swarovski cabochons, the underside is lined with ultra suede.

I've also been working away on my sweet step-grandson's stocking....and picked up my brushes again! It's been a great, creative week.

Smalls SAL and OPAMS

Greetings! WHEW! I've been busy and lovin' it!  Here's my Smalls SAL (hosted by the lovely Heather from Stitching Lotus).  It's a freebie from Brookes Books.

3.5 x 4.25 inches

On to OPAMS - Here's another freebie from Brookes Books.

Duncan Dog - 3.75 x 4.5 inches

Here's a Lizzie Kate design:

4.75 x 5.25 inches

Now for my next adventure!

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

Once again, it's Monday and time to link up with Super Mom - No Cape's link party. I've been a busy bee -

Here's progress on my dear step-grandson's Christmas stocking. It's on hiatus right now, as I've run dangerously close to running out of the background yarn. I have six strands left and am waiting for the shipment of more yarn so I can finish it. It's just about killing me not to be able to pick this up - but I know I need to be patient so I can use the old yarns with the new in case there's a bit of a dye lot change.

My dear friend and Stitching Sister, Kaye (Kitten Stitching), is hosting a Christmas Ornament SAL. This month, the subject matter for the ornament was Christmas tree and/or presents.

I stitched this little ornament (freebie from our friend, Lynn B at Happiness is Cross Stitching).

And, if you "take out a long bow", as Kaye would say, here's a Christmas tree - pattern by Sue Hillis Designs, Inc., featured in the 2013 "Just Cross Stitch" Christmas Ornaments magazine.

I've finished another ornament for the Smalls SAL....I'll post that on Wednesday. With any luck at all, I'll have a few more finishes this week - I'm on a ROLL, Baby!!

Blackwork Embroidery Study Group and Tudor Tuesday SAL

Our local Embroiderer's guild has formed a blackwork study group. We meet once a month and had our first get together last Friday. Most of us worked on "Box of Delights" - something that was started at a workshop at one of our EGA meetings. Here's what I've done so far:

If you're at all interested in this type of stitching, there's a great website called Blackwork Journey. The free "Box of Delights" patterns can be found there.

If you have a minute, pop on over to Tudor Tuesday SAL blog. Believe it or not, Emily Pooley was able to recreate a life size Anne Boleyn in wax. She's GORGEOUS - and the story of how she created it is amazing! Enjoy!!