Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

Vintage postcard compliments of The Graphics Fairy

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Smalls SAL, Mannequin, Santa's Sack

Hope I didn't miss the Smalls SAL check in for the month - here's what I did - Old St. Nick Spoolkeep from Just Another Button Company.  Doesn't he look like he's ready to burst out with a "HO!HO!HO!"?

I'm goofy about anything related to needlework.  Pin cushions included.  I saw a tutorial from "The DYI Dish" here.  You can download the PDF file here. I fell in love with the idea of making my own pin cushion mannequin.  Here it is!

I already had fabric, the trim for the bottom, the pin for the shoulder….the only things I purchased were a crystal drawer pull from Hobby Lobby (40% coupon, of course!) and a candle stick holder from Dollar Tree. I can hardly wait to make more!

My package for Santa's Sack, hosted by Cheryll, is (literally) dashing through the snow as I type. WHEW! That means I made the "NICE" list. HA!

I've got Tudor news - later.  Stay tuned.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

It Seems like a Long Time

….since I posted.  Life has been an absolute whirlwind, but no regrets.  I was lucky to spend a few days with my dear step-father last week.  It was nice just to sit and chat or watch movies.  I miss him so very much!  However, the iPad and FaceTime make the miles not seem so many.  We FT at least once a day, sometimes twice, depending on how he's feeling.  I always blow him a kiss when we say 'good-bye'.

LynnB from Happiness is Cross Stitching is having a lovely give away.  Please check it out.  I wanted to send her a huge THANK YOU, as well.  I've been a fan of Lynn's for several years, marveling at her talents and creativity.  I sent her an email asking her is she would be so kind as to design some labels for me I could print on fabric paper and attach to items I make.  I offered to pay her for her time, but she refused.  Here is one of the designs she made for me:

Be sure to check out her Etsy shop, Dreamy Digitals.  Again ~ THANK YOU, Lynn!!

Mii Stitch organized a Christmas Biscornu Exchange.  Here's what I received from Ingrid -

The chocolates didn't see the next day….and the Santa Countdown is on our fireplace mantel in our family room.  Every day when I turn the numbers, my husband chuckles.  Thank you, Ingrid - I love, LOVE it all.

I thought I had snapped a picture of what I sent to Albena, but I can't find it now.  Anyway, it was a Santa biscornu that was so fun to stitch.  Hopefully Albena will post a picture on her blog.

Now - on to Christmas stitching - when my daughter was growing up, I started a tradition of stitching a Christmas ornament for her each year.  So, with a new grandson and two step grandchildren, the tradition must continue - HA!

Here's Ronin's.  I searched high and low for toy soldier Christmas material and FINALLY found it (on sale, no less) at Joann's -  front:

Back…..

Here is step-granddaughter's (from Brooke's Books) - front:

Back….

Hmmmm…..seems like I'm forgetting something - oh well.  Off to stitch and sew some more

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

On the Road Again, Christmas Stitching, Tudor Tuesday

I'll  be heading to visit with my dear step-father tomorrow, returning late Thursday, so not much blogging being done.  HOWEVER…..

I've been busy stitching up Christmas things - a Christmas stocking (I can't show you, it's for Cheryl's Santa's Sack Swap).  Mild panic attack when I thought I'd sewn the lining and batting in backwards….but it was just a brain bubble.  All is well ;0) I've made lots of other goodies to go along for the ride to my swap partner.  I'm almost finished with two ornaments - one for my new little grandson, the second for my step-grand daughter…..now to stitch another.

Tudor Tuesday SAL on FB has opened (or should I say "re-opened"?) the world of the Tudors to me. Here's my progress on Catherine Parr - working on the crown of her plumed hat.  It's worked in long and short stitches in black silk threads and Kreinik copper blending filament.  Copper ribbon and some dark brown floss fill in the lighter areas. Again, the different stitches are a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'm liking the effect.

I also stumbled in to The Tudor Society.  Yes, I joined and love, LOVE the magazines, information, the history of it all.

I got a lot of reading done while holding my grandson for five days.  If you're looking for interesting and good reads, pick up a copy of Cor Rotto: A Novel of Catherine Carey.  She was the daughter of Mary Boleyn and Henry VIII, niece to Anne Boleyn.  Cor Rotto means "broken hearted". Another good read is Intractable Heart - The Story of Katheryn Parr by Judith Arnopp.  Yes, I'm hooked on Tudors.

I'll post more when I return from my travels.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

My New Prince Charming and Surprise Package

Just returned from cuddling my grandson (aka "Prince Charming" - sorry, DH, you've been replaced ;0)) for the first time.  Here we are on our very first lunch date.

Here is is all dressed up in his Sunday Best for Sunday brunch - isn't he dapper?

I spent a lot of time just holding him - it was heavenly.  SIGH - miss them already…..

When I got home, perched on top of the stack of mail was s surprise package from Jacquie and a lovely note.  Jacquie - thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I love Snowflower Diaries designs - your stitching is perfect.  Again, THANK YOU, my friend -

Now off to finish the laundry and then traveling tomorrow to visit with my sweet step-father for a few days. Hope I can dodge the snow the weatherman is predicting!  

In the meantime -

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

Shabby Chic

Holy Moly!  I just got the new iPad Air2 - never had an iPad before - and I am absolutely, positively ADDICTED to it!  Getting ready to visit my lovely daughter, son-in-law and Ronin.  I wanted a case to protect my iPad, but they aren't out yet, so no case before I leave.

I found THE BEST tutorial on YouTube called "A shabby chic tablet case for you to sew!  by Debbie Shore"  It took me 2.5 hours to get through the first 12 minutes because I worked along with her, step by step (gotta love that iPad ;0)).  Here's how it turned out:

The front is embellished with vintage lace I've collected, a Fleur de lis charm and an Eiffel Tower charm.  The buttons are a mother of pearl style.  I found some great graphics of French Costume Ladies from The Graphics Fairy.  I printed them on fabric paper.  (Can you tell I love French-themed things)?

The back is a lovely toile print.

Inside lining is, once again, French-themed.

The tutorial suggested binding tape for the binding, but I I made my own out of the toile fabric.  All was from stash.

These type of things are very addicting to make - and easy-peasy. I've already made another, which I can't show you because it's a surprise for someone.

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~

The Limoges Box goes to….

CHRISTINE M

The random number generator selected Christine's name from the list.  I've sent an email to Christine - soon the box will be leaving Iowa and traveling to it's new home.

Thank you to all my followers and those who helped be celebrate my 200 follower milestone!

Keep yourself surrounded by stitches ~ Cheers ~