Needlepoint, Thread Keeps and 4-H

I've been so inspired lately by ideas for my needlework.  I've almost completed a needlepoint band...

 …that may go around the middle of this pillow:

I designed two more wooden thread keeps and DH made them for me:

 I dug out a tapestry I started about five years ago - it's only 1/4 done, but I'm excited to work on it again - it measures 53L x 35.5W (inches):

And here is another project I pulled out - another large piece DH bought for me 20 years ago while we vacationed in California.  It's from West Germany and measures 23.5L x 19.5W (inches):

My BFF is a 4-H leader and asked me to teach her members how to cross stitch at their March meeting. I've decided on a simple pattern, a freebie from Plum Street Samplers called "Got Luck?".  I tried to find it online so I could link you to it, but can't seem to find it.  It's a cute pattern, only two colors - and very "St. Patrick" feeling.  A perfect theme for a March meeting, don't you think?

Well, off to finish the band for the pillow!!

New Page - "Hand Crafted Just for You"

I've had several inquiries about purchasing horn books and thread keeps I design and Hubby makes a reality.  Please take a look at the items I have listed under the tab at the top of my blog called

"Hand Made Just for You!"

to see what Hubby and I have put together.  I will accept personal checks or payment via PayPal (I will send you an invoice).

I can do custom orders (ex: horn books a certain size, a thread keep in the shape of whatever strikes your fancy).  Just send me an email and we can discuss.

Pricing is to cover the cost of the materials, shipping, etc.  There is no mark up.

I will be adding other things periodically and will post to give everyone a heads up something is new.

Please spread the word among your blogger-stitcher friends these items and service are available.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches - Cheers!

March Give Away Winner

I ran the Random Number Generator and the winner of my March Give Away is

Ariadne

Ariadne, please email me and let me know your address, and also the address of your friend who will be sharing in your good luck.  Please indicate the thread keep you would like and which you would like me to send to your friend:

You also get to choose from these scissor fobs - one for you and one for your friend:

Congratulations - and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Downton Abbey, Irish Stitching, Horn Books, Thread Keepers and March Give Away!!!

OK - I'm a "Downton Abbey" fan.  Love it, love it.  Take the quiz here and find out which Downton Abbey character you are.  I never take quizzes like this, but couldn't resist. I was told I was Anna - which character are you?

My mother was very proud of her Irish heritage and passed along that pride to me.  She loved St. Patrick's Day and would fix corned beef and cabbage, creme brûlée - and, of course - Irish Coffee.  This will be my first St. Patrick's Day without her but, rest assured, I will be making her traditional feast in her honor.

I seem to be on an Irish kick and have been stitching a bunch of Irish-themed patterns.

This is called "A Little Irish Sampler" from The Sampler Girl.  

This a freebie from The Primitive Hare.

This is a free pattern from Plum Street Samplers.

This is another freebie from lesfilsdhelene.over-blog.com.  It measures 1.75x1.5 inches.

OK - I sent Hubby on a mission to make some wooden thread keeps using his new scroll saw.  I designed them, he cut and stained them - aren't they CUTE?!?!?!?!  I have other thread holder designs ready to be cut, so watch this space ;0)

I've become fascinated by horn books.  They date back as far as 1450 and were used as a primer for children.  It had letters of the alphabet and was mounted on a piece of wood, bone, leather or stone.

Well, I got it in my head I just HAD to design one - Hubby made these - they measure 5.25x5.5 inches. Including the handle, the horn book is 8.5 inches from top to bottom.

Here's my first horn book design - simple, sweet and a wee bit Irish.

I haven't charted it yet, but will soon, so be on the look out for another free pattern from me.  I have some ideas for more horn book designs.  Next project will be a smaller one, possibly doubling as a thread holder?   Hmmmmmmm - what fun!!!

Look at the amaryllis!!  They were a Christmas gift in 2012 and have come back into bloom like no tomorrow.  Isn't the color GORGEOUS?!?

ANNOUNCING THE MARCH GIVE AWAY

At the beginning of the year, I vowed to have a give away each month.  This month I'd like to do something a little different - share and share alike, as it were.  So, here we go!!

The give away for March will be your choice of:

 A wooden thread keep and a beaded scissor fob - for you and a friend.

Rules are simple:

Be or become a follower of this blog - one entry
Send someone and they become a follower - an additional entry
Blog about the March give away on your blog - an additional entry

The winner's name will be drawn on St. Patrick's Day (of course).  I will contact the winner and they can tell me their preference for the fob and thread keep - and what friend they would like to have me send their give away stash.

Keep yourself surrounded in stitches - Cheers!