"Geranium"…..

I just finished stitching Nora Corbett's "Geranium" Flower Fairy - (without the wings)  I love how she turned out.  She's stitched over 1 on 25 ct fabric with DMC & I used Kreinik #4 braid instead of the beads.  There are a lot more Flower Fairies on my "to do" list - (also without the wings).  Hope I can get started on another very soon!!  Thanks for stopping by - happy stitching!

A finish in January….

I ran across a blog hop which used designs by Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books Publishing, (whom I have known for many years) and I just love her designs.  So I decided why not - maybe this would be a good jump start to get me back to sewing again.  I've been sewing for many years, but stitching is my first love (as you can see if you look at my blog for a couple of minutes!), and I haven't done very much sewing over the past year or so.  

(OH, and excuse the photos, it's been raining for the past 3 days & I can't seem to get good pics inside, sorry!)

First, I had to pick out fabric and I had these in my HUGE fabric stash.  What goes better with red than blue?  Then I found this really cute summer print with everything needed for the beach/summer - flip flops, bathing suits, beach bags, etc.  I thought it would be cute for the lining, and there are areas on the fabric with sparkles on it - like glitter.  Well of course that made me think of opalescent fabric, so I decided to stitch Brooke's cute design on 28 ct White Opal Linen.  I had to change a few white stitches to light blue so they'd show up.  Hopefully you can see how much the fabric sparkles in the photo below….  (and yes, I left the shoe off-on purpose!)

The purse frame and some red rick rack for the trim along with my fabrics….

So once I finished the stitching, I made the Tammy Bag, then started the Pinny, which was also a part of the blog hop.  Well, I have to admit, I've never done any hand appliqué & wasn't quite sure that I could get it done properly with the limited time I had.  I think it's an adorable design & soon I will get up the nerve up to try the appliqué.  But in the meantime, this is what I came up with… 

 I also decided that instead of a ruffle, I wanted to use more of my red rick rack for the trim-to match the trim on the back pocket of the Tammy Bag.  And instead of the pocket on the back of the Pinny, I pulled out my Baby Go & used the heart die to make a heart shaped needler holder, with a flap to keep the needles from poking me when I pick it up.  I know that doesn't follow the pattern exactly, but I think it's pretty cute!  Below there are several pictures of the front & back, along with one of my little over-one projects in my Q-Snaps called "Beach Blessing"…. 

And here you can see the Pinny laying flat with the flap open & needles in it….

You can purchase the designs by Brooke and the purse frame handles here - www.downsunshinelane.com/ms.htm 

Thanks for stopping by & Happy Stitching & Sewing!

2013 & 2014 Stitching Photo's….

I've been stitching a fair amount over the past couple of years, though some have been larger projects, so there aren't as many finishes as in previous years.  Here are some of my finishes:

Design is by Silver Creek Samplers, finished in Jan. 2013 for our 25th Anniversary & framed by Jill Rensel.  

Nora Corbett's Needle Fairy, with lots of color changes.  I made it into a tote bag to carry my stitching in.  

Mermaid Azure (Nora Corbett/Mirabilia) framed by Jill Rensel (stitched in 2013)

Ornaments for the 2013 Stitching at the Beach Retreat - all were used in the exchange.

Nora's "Arezzo" design from her trip to Italy.  I changed it to say "Amore" and it was framed by Jill Rensel.  She's really pretty - much prettier in person!  Started in Feb. 2014, finished in April.  

As you can see, I've been stitching a lot of Nora's designs (Mirabilia) - these two are Elizabeth & Sabrina.   Elizabeth was stitched in 2013, Sabrina in 2014.  I sent them to Jill Rensel in the summer on 2014, and…..

she did an AMAZING job framing them.  There are just no words to tell you how gorgeous these are - if I do say so myself!! 

And this is Mirabilia's Adia The Garden Fairy - without the wings.  Love how she turned out!  Jill Rensel still has her - it's been almost 6 months, so I hope to get her back soon.  Jill is super busy, but worth the wait… even if it is 6 months.

This is a Lizzie Kate Boxer that I stitched for my dear friend Lynn just after we heard the dreaded "C" word.   Lynn has cancer and at this point, has been going through treatments for the past 6 months or so.  Please keep her in your prayers - we're all hoping for a miracle.  Jill framed this really quickly so we could get it to Lynn.

There is another Mirabilia "UFO" that I put away to work on a few "holiday" pieces and things for the retreat.  I don't have pics of the retreat things for some reason, but here are a few of the Holiday pieces….

Sara Guermani's "Halloween".  Sara is from Italy & does the cutest designs.  Most come with hand-painted buttons.  This one has 4 buttons, 2 pumpkins & 2 bags.  Ray framed it, I think it's adorable!

And this is Sara G's. Christmas Window.  There are 4 different "Window's" - this is #1.  The santa in the center is a button - all the buttons are  hand-painted & very cute!

 And a few small Christmas designs - Mill Hill's "Cookie's for Santa", a Cuore e Batticuore Santa from the Shabby Advent pattern - these all make wonderful ornaments!

And last but not least, a design from an older magazine that has more beads than stitches, but it's really pretty in person.  All the beads/treasures really make it sparkle.  It's stitched on a piece of hand-dyed fabric by Kristy at HLC fabrics - so glad she's back to dyeing fabric.

And there are several other things in the works too (other than the Mira UFO). I always used the blog to keep a "diary" for myself of things I've stitched.  I got out of the habit though. Maybe in 2015 I can get back into it.  Check back once in awhile to see….

And HAPPY STITCHING!!

I haven't posted in a VERY long time...

I guess things have changed with blogs in the past couple of years because I'm having a very  hard time trying to get things to "work", but here is a test post to see what happens!

I'm still around, stitching as much as possible, sewing a bit, still collecting too.  Ray has been super busy with his projects too.  I'll try & make a post with some of the stitching I've done over the past couple of years….  lots of pretty things - imho!  Check back soon - just attempting a test post at the moment!!

Wish me luck - and check back soon!

Sharing some photo's....

I've tried since I started this blog to keep track of what I stitch (and sew) by posting here, but I haven't done hardly any posting in months, so I guess it's time to see if I can get it updated a bit.  Here we go...


I did two Summer Fob exchanges and this is one of the fobs, but I don't seem to have a pic of the other.  This one went to Kathy K.

I'll have to keep looking for the other - it was a beach theme for Petra. This is what I received from Petra - she sent a bunch of lovely items.  Don't you love the fob and the Dovo's (drool!)....

*Quick update - I found a pic that Petra took of her pkg... the fob is on the right...

It's a Pine Mtn. design & I stitched it over one on 18 ct linen.  

Then I have some things for the Pals Retreat in October...

This is one of the two Halloween pieces I did.  I don't have a photo of the other one... maybe I'll ask Myra if she can send me a picture.  It was a SB piece mounted in one of the round black boxes.

The ornaments I made...

And this was my stitched exchange piece.  Myra got it as well...

The design is by My Big Toe.

And this is what it opens up to look like.....  (BBD fabric for finishing)

And I didn't get a photo of my grab bag.  It had a chocolate theme, including a giant chocolate bar on top.  My friend Laurie got it.  Hope she liked it.  

I haven't taken pictures of what I brought home, but I will do that soon and post them for you to see.  :-) Such talented ladies!!!

Nicole had a birthday on Nov. 1st.  I made this, using the monogram from the Blackbird Designs Garden Club book (LOVE that book) and the fabric is Moda BBD fabric.  I hope she likes it.

I just made this the other night - and I love how it turned out.  I've had some requests to make some for friends, so I've ordered more of the hardware so I can.  The fabric is Moda Blackbird Designs, maybe Garden Party?  I can't remember the line, but I love it.  The pattern is called UR Priceless by Madame Samm, and you can find it here.

This beautiful cardinal was stitched by my friend Char, over 1 on 28 ct black.  I paid her to stitch it for my mom for her birthday because I can't see to stitch on black at all.  My mom loved it - it's really beautiful.  I finished it into a pinkeep because she likes pinkeeps.  Thanks again Char, it's LOVELY!

This I didn't stitch either, but it's now hanging in my house.  Isabella from The Primitive Hare joined us at the Pals Retreat in Oct.  When she was packing up to go home, she wanted to sell a few of her larger models.  Since I can't possibly (EVER) stitch everything I want, I decided why not!  I LOVE this design & now I will think of sweet Isabella & the time we spent together in MB everytime I look at it.  Ray just framed it a few days ago.... isn't it lovely?  It's called Endymion and it's stitched on 40 ct.  Thanks again Isabella, I love it!  Are you ready for more pancakes and DQ? ;-)

These I just finished last night.  Looks like I need to straighten the wire a bit on some of them. They're by Dixie Darlin' and my mom fell in love with the ones that Donna K. stitched for the ornament exchange in MB.  I ordered some to stitch and some to give her to stitch for my sister and me.  :-)  She doesn't know it yet though, I plan to give them to her on Thanksgiving.  The first two are for her & the 3rd for my sister.  The come in sets of 3 sleds and the patterns each have 3 designs.  As you can see, I stitched one of them twice.  Please excuse the shadows.  The camera batteries died after snapping the photo & I'm too lazy this a.m. to redo.  I think you can get the idea from the pic - they're cute!!

There are more, but I can't find the photo's.  It really wasn't at the top of my list this year to be honest.  

But I have done a little bit of stitching and a tiny bit of sewing.  My mom spends Sunday's at my House  (usually) and after lunch today, we have several craft projects we plan to do.  Hope you spend your Sunday doing something fun as well!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great Thanksgiving week ahead.  Happy stitching & sewing!

It's almost November....

Hi - I'm still here.  It's been a really rough year for me & I haven't felt like blogging.  We lost my dad on July 1st.  I still find it hard to believe - almost surreal - and it's still hard to deal with.  My mom has been having a very hard time, as I'm sure you can imagine.  They were married for more than 48 1/2 years.  His loss has left a huge void in all of our lives.  At least Ray & I were able to help during the last few weeks, and we didn't leave their house for the last 6 days he was with us.  I miss him terribly and can't believe it's been almost 4 months.  Anyway, thanks to all those who have kept us in your prayers.  He was a wonderful dad and I'll miss him every day for as long as I live.

It was really a rough year for several of my friends as well.  I have 4 friends who lost a dad and one who lost her mom - all from April 28th-July 11th.  Just one after another.  :-(  Very sad time for all of us.

I haven't done a lot of stitching or sewing this summer/fall - some, but not much.  I haven't done any blogging or keeping up with blogs.  I'm going to try to get back into it (all) soon.  Anyway, I just thought I'd stop by & let you know that I'm still around, even though I don't have a lot of fun/positive things to talk about right now.

Hope you all have a great weekend & a Happy Halloween next week!!

Hello.... remember me?

Yes, it's been a very long time since I posted to my blog.  I wish I could say it was because I have been having so much fun, but that isn't the case.  I have been busy though, so I guess that's positive.  We took a vacation with a group of friends in April, and though the time with the friends was wonderful, there were several things that made it not so great overall - the bad weather, my dad being sick and us being worried about him.  My sister's father-in-law got sick while we were gone & passed away the morning we were scheduled to come home.  One of our friends who was with us got sick & we ended up having to call an ambulance for him...  should I continue?  No, that's enough for you to get the idea isn't it?
My dad is getting sicker and weaker - and it seems to be happening faster now.  He's been pretty for about a week & today he was very ill.  My mom said this afternoon she is afraid this is "the beginning of the end".  Of course none of us have any way of knowing when the end will actually come - not for any of us - but we do know that it won't be long for him.  I stay as busy as possible so I don't think about it too much, but it's just plain miserable - or just plain hell actually - to watch someone you love so much get sicker & weaker from cancer.  I know there is nothing anyone can do or say, but if you would please keep my parents & family in your thoughts & prayers, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have been stitching a little - and I hope to have some pictures to share with you soon.  That just hasn't been my top priority lately, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Thanks for reading & hope you & yours are doing well & having a great start to the summer.
Happy stitching & sewing!!

A finish & several "finishes".....

I've not had a lot of time to share pictures, but wanted to get these few posted to show you....

The first is the A Mon Ami Pierre sampler from Le Temps Qui Passe that I started in January.  It's stitched on 36 ct Vintage Light Examplar Lakeside using one strand  of DMC 815

And here it is framed......

And here is my "Beauty In Simplicity" mounted in the Black Walnut Shaker Box....

I LOVE the way this turned out.....

And this is a very old project that was started probably 12+ years ago.  My sister finished it up for me last year & it's finally framed & hanging on the wall.  I still think it's cute, even if it is "old" now.  :-)

And I've made a few tote bags too (by special order, they chose the fabrics):

Carol....

Michelle.....

Susan (this one is like the grab bag I made for the Pals retreat last year)....

That's it for now.  I hope to have more to share in a few weeks.  Lots going on right now with life - my dad is very sick and it's taking a toll on all of us.  Thanks to those that are keeping my family in your thoughts & prayers, we appreciate it so much.

  Cherish each day with those you love....

Thanks for stopping by & happy stitching and sewing!!

Another Week, Another Finish (#2 of 2 for today)

This is Blue Ribbon Designs "Beauty In Simplicity" stitched for the beautiful Oval Shaker Box (which I have!) made by the Canterbury Box Shop.  I stitched this one this past week, finishing it up yesterday evening.  I can't wait to get it "finished" - I'll post a picture of it again when I do.  I love this design and it didn't hurt that it was designed for a shaker box, which I adore as well.  The design is also available is a slightly different version to be framed if anyone is interested.  AND it comes with smalls that you can stitch & put in the box.  I might do those too... they're on my long & ever growing "list".  It's stitched on 32 ct Vintage Examplar from Lakeside using WDW floss (I did change one color - the flowers on the bottom are Red Pear instead of Bluecoat Red). 

I started a new project last night, so stay tuned............  not sure I can get it finished in a week, but I'm going to give it a try. 

Thanks for stopping by & happy stitching!!

#1 of 2 for today.....

I mentioned in a recent post that there was a lot going on here, but that it isn't good.  We found out the 2nd week of March that my dad has cancer.  He has cancer in both lungs, around his heart, in his liver and in his bones - all over.  My heart is shattered and we're all having a very hard time accepting it.  I think both of my parents are more in denial than my sister and I (and our husbands).  I can't speak for my brother as we don't speak, but I'm sure he's having a hard time too as he has worked for daddy for the past 10 years & is with him daily.  My dad is a wonderful man that's loved by many and always has been.  He's the best dad anyone could ever hope to have.   I've always been told I was a "daddy's girl" when I was little & I have so many wonderful memories, and I'm thankful for that.  I'm also thankful that we have some time to "prepare" and to spend time together.  His grandparents and parents lived to be in their mid-80's & mid-90's, so I just always thought he'd live to be "old". He just turned 72 two weeks ago - about the same time we found out about the cancer.  My mom knew my dad growing up. He was friends with one of her older brothers.  They were married one month after she turned 19 and have been married over 48 years.  I don't know how she will manage, but my sister & I will do anything we can for her and our dad.

They are doing a liver biopsy on Tuesday as the lung biopsy was "inconclusive".  They are fairly certain it's small cell and the oncologist says he would like to try chemo as my dad is "healthy" and active otherwise.   Well, other than the cancer has paralyzed his vocal cords, which is how it was found.  I want him to be here for as long as he can, but I don't want him to spend whatever time he has left being too sick to do more than lay in a bed. 
I know there is nothing anyone can say & nothing anyone can do about this, but if you will please keep my dad and our family in your prayers, I would appreciate it.   I'm keeping as busy as I can so I don't think about it constantly.  I've been working or stitching if I'm not sleeping.  I need to get back to sewing too.... that's coming. 
Thanks in advance for your prayers!