Scattered Stitches

END OF FEBRUARY UPDATE

Greetings, fellow stitchers!

Today is the last day of February.  Time for me to look over my goals for the month and make new ones.  Let's see how I did!

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY... complete page 1 and 2

Not quite!  I have two and a half columns left on page two.

LHN Sheep Virtues... Stitch Second Sheep

Nope!  It hasn't come yet.  : (  Maybe tomorrow!!

L*K Promise Me... Start

Make one project bag

I decided to let DD stitch this one first, and it turned out ADORABLE!  She stitched it on 28 Ct Tea Monaco over 1.  I love it!  I'm going to be stitching it on 16 ct fabric so mine will seem HUGE compared to hers!  I plan to start that this month. : )

I was able to finish another project bag this month, using the same fabric as my last one.  I learned a few more things this time - like how NOT to put the zipper in - and I am still playing with the size of the bag a little.  I have another zipper, so I hope to make another this coming month.

L * K Promise Me on a new Project Bag

Other Progress...

Here's my traveling bookmark.  I never have much time to work on it at Mom's, but it's growing little by little and it's a nice take-along project.  I don't have an "I want this done by..." date on this one, it's just a time filler. : )

I worked a little on my Eye on the Sparrow (Silver Creek Samplers) WIP this month.  Filling in the red around the two R's...

And here's a new start from this week.  I wanted to stitch a block for charity, so I pulled out a square of blue Monaco and this sweet "Baby's First Christmas" pattern from the book "Priscilla's Babyland" by Gloria and Pat.  I've had it on my list to stitch for over 2 years! : )  That blob will be a bunny...

DD the Designer...

DD stitched up this sweet little design that she made up.  Isn't it precious?  If you'd like the pattern, just let me know!

HAPPY MAIL!

Shirlee was so sweet to send me her HE snowman ornament that was wreaking havoc at her house.  : )  I'm looking forward to stitching it... I think!

MARCH GOALS...

• Finish Charity Block
• Finish page 2 of Little Drummer Boy
• Start a Stitcher's Notebook like Linda's for any new starts
• Stitch LHN Sheep Virtues Love 
• Make one project bag
• Stitch for 1 night on Eye on the Sparrow
• Stitch for 1 night on Yesterday, Today, Forever
• Start Promise Me
• Kit up Along for the Ride ornament

I shouldn't need to spend anything stitching wise this month - but I do love the little L*K limited edition spring kits (flowers and chicks, especially!) that I'm seeing sneak previews of for market.  I wouldn't probably be able to use the fabric that they come with, cuz I assume it's linen (I'm allergic), but if any of you are going to get them and would like to pass on the patterns when you're done, please keep me in mind!  I'd be happy to pay for them!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you have a splendiferous day!!

Tricia

The Traveling Stash

 Hello friends!  I have lots and lots to share today, so be sure to read / scroll *all the way to the end* of the post so you don't miss anything! :-)

Here's my finished Roly Poly bear, all ready to be washed and sent out to be made into a quilt.  I finished it a few days before I expected, so I'm going to stitch on Day One from my Crazy 15 today through Saturday.  Sunday I'll start working on G is for Girl.  Too fun!

Day One - Dimensions "Morning Lake"

 Want to see some more gorgeousness?  This isn't quite finished, but it is DD #2's project at the moment. It's from a Stoney Creek magazine from last year.  SO pretty!!

Remember how I was doing some organizing in the last post?  Well, I did a little more.  I looked through each of the projects that I put into my binders and wrote down what I needed for them, then I roughly figured how many days or weeks each project would take.  I figured low in my estimate of stitches per week, so I know that it may not take me as long as I'm figuring, but if it did, I have enough in my three binders, plus the three kits that my dh got me for Christmas, to keep me stitching for two and a half years!  That being said, I have a few things I'd like to offer for sale, and then.... if you page down... I'd like to start a Traveling Stash Box.

First, the "for sale" items.  I prefer paypal, and you can email me at tjtrax at yahoo dot com, if you're interested.  Prices include shipping.

Bent Creek Red Thread Border Pack with Snaps and Buttons (Red Hearts & Stars) and First Pattern of the series  Retail  $15.00 - Asking $5.00

CCN Pumpkin Cottage - Retail $8 - Asking $4
sold

LHN - Blessed are the Meek (Chart Only) - $3
sold

OK!  On to the fun stuff!  I've been so blessed to have received a number of blog candies in the past six months or so, and I've pulled things from each and added them to my stash of threads, fabrics, patterns, scissors, etc.  But after paring down my stash to fit in my binders, I find that there are many lovely stitching things that I just know I won't be using in the next year or two and I'd love to pass them on.  So, here's what I've done.  I'm going to start a "Traveling Stash Box" (or Flat Rate Envelope... we'll see!).  I'm going to fill it with the things you see below...  There are some patterns (LHN, Shakespeare's Peddler, Trilogy, Lizzie Kate...), threads, linen, buttons.... a little of everything.  Well, except scissors.  I didn't seem to be able to part with any of my scissors!  The rule is that when you get the Traveling Stash, you go through and take what you'd like.  Then you add to the box as many things as you've taken out... plus some extra, if you'd like, and then offer it on your blog.   And on and on it goes. :-)  If you're interested, just mention it in your comment and I'll draw a name next Wednesday.

BTW, if you see anything that I won in your blog candy in my Traveling Stash pile, please don't be offended!  Rest assured that I have treats tucked away from each stitching package that I've ever received!! :-)  I just thought this would be a fun way to share my joy and your generosity with others !!

Don't forget that it is Friday Night Sew In tomorrow!  I know I'll be stitching, although I'm not sure I'll get the sewing machine pulled out.  We'll see!

Happy Stitching!

Fun Organizational Find!

Our local WalMart store is under construction to become a Super WalMart, so every few days there  are different things added to the clearance aisle.  Well, the other day when I went to look at reading glasses (Quick rabbit trail...  Vera Bradley had 50% off the reading glasses that I've been using to stitch with, and I *LOVE* them, but I couldn't remember what magnification they were, so I had to go try some cheap ones on a WalMart to see which Vera Bradley ones to order.  I got them today and I wish I'd gotten two pairs while they were on sale.  They are SO nice to stitch with and they look nice, too!  ** End of Rabbit Trail! ☺)

ANYWAY... down the clearance aisle, I found these folders.  They have a number of plastic pockets, with attached covered plastic pockets.  **Lightbulb Moment ** These would be perfect for my pile of "I want to do this next" patterns that I've been accumulating - along with the rest of my 15 Crazy Challenge pieces.

Here are a couple of my crazy challenge starts, waiting to be finished.  The floss bobbins for each of these are in my large floss case, but the fabric and patterns are here.

The front pocket isn't see through, so I put magazines or books in those...  The opposite side shows my LK Snowman all kitted up, with the floss in the attached little pocket.

Here's a couple of my newest acquisitions.  Cecilia's Sampler was having a 25% off sale the other day and I picked up Bunny Hop with the CC threads I needed, and this Precious Moments book that I'll use for Love Quilt or Angel Quilt squares.

So, after filling my binders, I have how many patterns that I want to stitch?  Ummmm.... let's just say that I have *enough*.  I really don't need more than 30 things calling to me at one time!!  But I know that I do have a few more patterns coming that are "must do's", so I need to keep stitching to make room for them (and whatever giveaways I might win...!) in my binders.   In the meantime, I'm planning on focusing any stitching related shopping that I do for the next few months around kitting up what is in my binders - fabric, overdyed threads, etc., and, of course, a few fun extras like scissors, q-snaps, needles, thread sorters, etc.... :-)  No patterns unless I win them or am given them ... (Anyone having a giveaway??? LOL!)  Oh - and by the way - my big kits aren't in the binders - I have them in some huge (9x12??) plastic envelopes that snap shut that I found at our local Sentry Food store for $1 each. :-)

Since I had to pare down my stash some to settle on 30-some projects, I'm planning a special kind of giveaway in the next week or so. Keep your eyes peeled.  This will be a fun one!

On the stitching front, here's the progress on my bear and my new start, Country Cottage Needleworks "G is for Girl" pattern that was in the JCS magazine.  I'm thoroughly enjoying that one - there's no backstitching and no 3/4 stitches. :-)  I need to finish the bear next week, though.  Then I'll open my binder and pull another of my Crazy Starts to work on! :-)

Happy Stitching~

Some Progress and a Question

Here's my progress for the week on my teddy bear.  I got quite a bit done, but by last night I just couldn't work on it any more, so I pulled out this challenge piece from the Cross Country Stitching magazine.  It's charted with the words, "Plant a Garden, Feed the Bunnies", but it's so sweet as it is, that I think I'm going to call it finished.  Plus then I can cross one more off my list! :-)

Here's a question - my dear husband has said that I could order the DMC Bamboo Bobbin Cabinet, if I would like, with some of our tax return money.  He thinks it's a tool box. :-)  But it's so expensive, I don't know if it's worth it.  Does any one have one?  Is it good quality?  I'd hate to get something that is cheaply built if I spend that much money.

Well, it's storming now, so I'll say goodnight.  I think I might be getting a touch of the flu that's been running around my house this week, but I still hope to get some stitching in. 

Blessings!

Weekend Wrap Up

 Hi friends!  I've done just a little stitching this past week.  I really don't know what else I've been doing, but I don't seem to have been home long enough to sit down and stitch!  The top picture is the next Roly Poly Teddy square that I'm doing for Angel Quilts.  That was my project this weekend.  When this is done I get to work on a couple of CCN pieces for a friend.  How fun!  Then I'll work on my PIF for Mouse, and then I'll go back to my challenge pieces.  Or something like that, anyway!!

Here's my progress on one of the challenge pieces (a Dimensions kit called Heart and Soul) that I had started when I was so sick in January.  This was the piece that I did a good chunk of the brown in the middle and realized that I had my fabric facing the wrong way. Uggh!  Since I left it in January with only 2 stitches in place, I really did get a lot done last week! :-)  I put in a few more stitches on the Lake kit, too.  I don't have a picture to share of that one, though.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I haven't been commenting too much this week, but I have been keeping up with everyone's projects.   I'm hoping to put together a few things for a giveaway later this week, so be sure to stop back!

Speaking of giveaways, here's a fun one at Rhode Island Stitchers!

Blessings!

Weekend Wrapup

I almost made my goal of finishing this little bear for Angel Quilts - I just need to finish the backstitch.  Next week I think I'll work on my Day 1 start - the smaller of the two kits my DH gave me for Christmas.  In happy news today, I found out that I won Carolyn's blog giveaway of a number of LHN and BBD charts!  I am SO thrilled, and feel blessed beyond measure.  I don't know how I'll wait to start them!!

See you later this week!

Blessings!

We Interrupt This Challenge...

We interrupt this Crazy Challenge for a couple of new starts and a finish.  ☺

I've been working on and off this week on a Roly Poly Teddy for Angel Quilts, but when this adorable March pillow, that I won in a giveaway on the Pine Mountain blog, appeared in my mailbox yesterday, I dropped everything and started stitching.  I just adore the colors!!!  And it's especially fun since my son was born on St. Patrick's day. 

Here's my start on the Teddy...

Is anyone interested in the Pine Mountain chart?  There was enough thread included in the kit to make another one, I think, but if you run out the DMC colors are given.  Sorry, but I'm keeping the pillow, though!!  LOL!!  Leave me a comment if you're interested, and I'll have a pass-along drawing on Thursday morning.

Happy Stitching!

Friday Night Sew In & Weekend Wrap Up

What a busy week!  I'm so glad that I signed up to do the Friday night sew in, though.  It got me started on a quilt for my dh.  I'd made the center block a long time age, but then I couldn't decide how to make it scrappy, cuz there were too many fat quarters of color to choose from.  Pathetic, I know!!  Anyway, I'm making up a simple design and have it all ready to sew on little by little.  I think the center star is destined for a tabletopper. :-)

My other sewed project for yesterday is this...  I finished the Shepherd's Bush Glad Tidings fob from the challenge!!!!! :-)  I am *so* thrilled.  I've never had a scissors fob and I just love it.  I put it on the Lion's Tail scissors that my dh got me for Christmas, and it just fits. :-)

Which brings me to the next piece of news...  I have enough of the kit left to make another fob, I think - or pretty close at least.  You'd need to add some fabric and maybe a little thread, but I'll sell the remnants and the chart for $5 to the first one who is interested.  I prefer paypal, cuz it's easier. :-)  Here's a picture of what is included (and the chart, of course!)...  My email is in my profile on my sidebar.

** SALE PENDING **

As for my weekend wrap up, I got a lot done this week!

First, I finished the block for Angel Quilts.  It was my last 2010 UFO.

I worked on my Challenge Start #2...

And on my challenge start #5.

I'll see if I can finish those this week. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Blessings!

Crazy Days!

Welcome to 2011!!  I'm sorry that I didn't update yesterday, but I'll try to catch you up to today...

First, here's my new Stitch E-Z lap stand (and some of my grey hair if you look closely! LOL!)  It comes with the clamp that you see, as well as a scroll frame.  I'm loving it!  Although it is going to take me awhile to learn this two-handed stitching thing!!

In the hoop is a square for the Angel Quilt Project.  I hope to do a number of squares for them this year!

Here's my last finish for 2010 - a JCS ornament.  I haven't had a chance to finish it into a pillow yet, but it is for a friend who has just been diagnosed with gastric cancer.  I'd like to send it to her as a start to a "basket of hope"- something like Faye's pink basket that she's making in honor of a friend.

Here is my start for Day One of the Crazy challenge.  I really didn't have a lot of time to stitch yesterday, so there isn't a ton done, but it does seem like it will be a fun stitch... except for trying to use 5 strands of floss in 18 count aida.  Grrrr....

And here's today's start.  This adorable fob by Shepherd's Bush.  I've finished the back and started on the front, but I think now I will put it away and work on my Angel Quilt square for awhile tonight.

I'm starting to feel like I could be getting the cold/flu that my daughter has been fighting with for a week.    I do hope that I'll at least be able to do my crazy 15 starts if I get sick. :-)  See you soon!

Blessings!