This Week in Stitches...

Hello again!

First, let me congratulate VERONICA, whose name I drew as the winner of the q-snap covers.  I hope you enjoy them!

Then on to this week's stitching!  Let's see.... I stitched more on my exchange piece, but I can't show you that yet.  And I did some stitching and outlining on O Holy Night...

And finished another block on Douceur de Vivre... 

and even stitched for awhile on Cabin Fever!!

I'm not sure I'll be happy with doing the outlining as I go on O Holy Night.  I'm sure some of it will get covered up... but I really, really dislike having to do it all at the end, and I'd rather it be *all done* when I'm done with the stitching rather than feeling like I'm having to stitch the entire piece again in backstitch.

Here's a little thank you gifty that I finished and sent off a week or so ago.  The pattern was one I stitched during the Crazy 15 last year, and I finally finished it into a little pin pillow stuffed with crushed walnut shells.  Aren't those pins adorable?  They are some that I picked up in Branson at Cecilia's Sampler from the My Big Toe trunk show.  I think they are precious!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  You all leave such nice comments and they make me smile. : )

Happy stitching!

Tricia

aka InkyStitcher : )

A Giveaway and an Update

Hello!

A few weeks ago I ordered some Q-snap Huggies from Christine's Q-Snap Huggies and she sent them *right* out to me.  Her shipping is amazing!  This was my first time using the huggies and I was surprised at how much extra fabric they were designed to hold outside of the q-snaps.  When I mentioned this to Christine, she went an extra mile (or two or three!) and made me two new huggies that were narrower, as I seldom use my smaller Snaps on projects large enough to have lots of extra fabric to tuck in.  I asked Christine if she would mind if I gave these two away so someone else could benefit by them and she said "Go Ahead!".  The Mary Engelbreit print will fit a 6x6 QSnap and the cute Coffee print is sized for an 8x8 or 8x11 Snap.  Remember, these will work best if you have lots of fabric to tuck in, otherwise your work area will be pretty small.  If you're interested go ahead and mention it in your comment on this post and I'll draw a name the next time I post an update. : )

Here are a few update pictures.  I *really* need to start on Cabin Fever again, but I'm not looking forward to it, so I think I'm procrastinating!

First, my progress on Oh Holy Night.  I am still enjoying this one so much!

Then a little more work on Jardin Prive's Douceur de Vivre... 

And a sneak peek at the exchange project I'm working on diligently.  This is SO pretty!!!

And finally a look at DH's progress on his Serenity Lighthouse...

Have a wonderful, wonderful week!!  

Scissors Scamper Winner and an Update!

Hello everyone!

Let's start with something fun...

I wrote out all the entrants into the Scissors Scamper and had my daughter pull a name.  The winner of the Scissors Scamper prize is LYNDA!  Congratulations!  If you'll email me your mailing address I'll get your prize out to you.  Thank you everyone for playing along!  I had fun seeing everyone's scissors. : )

Not a ton to show on the stitching front this week.  I decided that I am not thrilled with my choice to do the Yiota's kit over one.  I will probably restart it sometime and work from the middle of the chart instead of the top corner so I can see the dogs right away.  I don't think I could never do a HAED chart that had 5 pages of black or blue before you got to some color.  I really wouldn't enjoy it!  Anyway, the Yiota's kit is back on my someday/maybe list for now.

Here are my favorites for the week...

I love this Jardin Prive chart!  It is SO fun to stitch!

And "O Holy Night" is coming along, too...

And then, of course, we have the "I am such an idiot" moment for the week.  Apparently I don't like windows, because I stitched over the two back windows of my January Cottage completely.  And I'm leaving it that way, too!  Because I meant to do it that way  I don't want to frog the entire house!  Sigh.  That's what I get for not paying attention when I'm stitching!

The rotation for this week?  Well, I have an exchange piece to start and I want to work lots on the Jardin Prive and O Holy Night pieces.  I might put 15 minutes in on the Cottage, Cabin Fever, His Eye is on the Sparrow and my Turtle Needlebook, too... but those two and the exchange piece are what are calling my name at the moment.  We'll see!

Have a wonderful week!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Oh Hoppy Day!

I thought you might all get a kick out of the card I made today.  Perfect for a stitcher, huh?? LOL!!  I followed the cute sketch over at Card Positioning Systems and used a digital stamp by Sweet n Sassy that I colored with copic markers.

To all my fellow cross stitchers, I hope you are having a frog free day!!

New Rotation & Prize up for Grabs!!

Happy wet Wednesday!  It sounds so Spring-like here today.  The rain is falling gently...  ahhhh!!! : )

Lots and lots to show you today!  First off, how about a look at the prize for the Scissors Scamper.  There are just a few more days for you to link up your post of your scissor collection!  In keeping with the theme, I chose to stitch this adorable little Summer Fab Fob by Lizzie Kate for the winner and I'll include the scissors, too!  Of course, my dd looked at it and said... "what if one of your overseas gals wins??".  Hmmm.  Good point.  I guess you'll just have a keepsake from the US with our flag on it! : )

Here's the fob & scissors...

And here's the prize all together. : )

That was a fun project to put together, especially because I hadn't ever made my own cord before!! Yay!  I learned something new.  Now to try a pinkeep.  Hmmm.  Maybe next time!

After my trip to Branson and fun at the cross stitch store, I decided that I was going to try working through a rotation of projects again.  I need to keep going on my DH's Big Huge Project, but he said it didn't have to be done right away, so I feel better about taking it a little at a time again.

So, right now... at least until I change it in a week or so... here's my list of projects.

Sundays I'm going to work on O Holy Night by Stoney Creek.  I found some gorgeous Lugana fabric to use and I love how it is coming along so far.  Here's my start...

I wasn't sure if I could use Lugana with all my allergies, but I haven't had any problems yet and I love it!

Monday is Jardin Prive's Douceur de Vivre.  This has been in my stash for awhile and I think it is SO pretty.  And it has sheep on it! : )

Tuesday is the BHP - Cabin Fever.  It was easier last night because I was using the floor stand with it, so I got quite a bit done.

Today I'm working on Eye on the Sparrow by Silver Creek Samplers.  You'll see an update of that next week.

Thursday is be CCN's January Cottage...

Friday Old Colonial's Turtle Needlebook that I bought in Branson...  (I just have the other side to complete)

And Saturday is Yiota's Dogs Caroling kit.  I really hope I allowed enough fabric for this.  I have measured 6 or 8 times and I'm going to be really close!

Now... a couple of (very wrinkled) finishes!! : )

Lizzie Kate's ABC Lessons

28 Tea Monaco

Threads from Kit

And DH's first finish...

 He wanted to be sure that I showed you his current progress on his WIP, too.  He's doing such a good job!  It's fun to sit and stitch with him in the evenings!

Thanks so much for dropping by!  I've been horrible at commenting lately, but I am keeping up with everyone's posts.  We'll see if I ever catch up with myself enough to drop by and say hello! : )

Don't forget the Scissors Scamper!

TTFN!

Tricia
aka Inkystitcher

Amazing!!!

Hi everyone!  Long time no see!  I've been on vacation this past week and I had so much fun!

Here's what I stitched in the car...

And here was one of my favorite stops on the trip!!

Honestly I almost started hyperventilating when I walked in the shop.  It was jam-packed with goodies... patterns, accessories, threads, fabric....  I didn't know where to look first!  I had decided before we left that anything I got there would either be an accessory or a pattern that was completely kitted up... or possibly some fabric for one of the patterns I had here, so I started out at the scissors, and picked up this pretty pair by Bohin.  It is lovely!  Then I noticed a table of fobs and patterns that turned out to be a trunk show by My Big Toe.  The little pins and the fob and a few frog needle threaders joined my pile.  The pretty red fabric is a project case by Impie, Hattie and Bea for the Traveling Stitcher.  I have the cross stitch all done for it, but I had never bought the case.  So it came home, too...

  

While I was shopping, it seems my DH was, too.  He found these two patterns that he really liked...

And next thing I know he was asking where the threads were and how to pick them out.  You could have knocked me over with a feather when he announced that he was going to pick up two of the beginner patterns and learn to cross stitch over vacation, so he could make the lighthouse himself.  NO WAY!!!  (My dd's were speechless when I told them over the phone!).  Well, we spent a lovely afternoon stitching at the little cottage we had rented and he made great progress on his cow...

And he actually finished it when we got home last night.  And he liked it!  WooHoo!!  He's already asking for his own scissors and needle minder. : )

Speaking of scissors, look what I found in the mail when I returned??  Sandy sent me a pair of scissors almost exactly like the ones I had lost, and added the sweetest frog fob.  I *love* it!!!!!!!!  Thank you, Sandy!!

So... to continue my shopping saga... I ended up finding this chart that has been on my wish list for a year or so.  I would have kitted it up, too, but they didn't have the right fabric, so I just brought home the book.  I don't know when I can start it, although if I had it kitted up it just might jump into the front of my rotation.  SO pretty!!!!  Have any of you stitched this one??

We had a ton of fun away together... We shopped a lot (smiles!),  took lots of pictures, cross-stitched!!, played mini golf, ate (and ate and ate), went to a wax museum and the Titanic memorial museum, saw a gospel show, and relaxed in our little cabin.  Today I ordered the supplies to make a scrapbook of our trip, so I need to get all caught up by Friday when the order will probably arrive.  I want to work on it while the trip is still fresh in my mind!!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to link to the Scissors Scamper if you haven't already!

Blessings!

Tricia

March Ornament and New Friends

Hi everyone!  

I wasn't sure I was going to get an ornament done for the month of March, but on Saturday, DH asked me to take a 10 hour round-trip ride with him, so I kitted up this little L*K Tiny Tidings ornament to work on while we drove.  It was a hoot!  We were in a flatbed tow truck kind of thing and it was SO bumpy!!  It took me forever just to stab the needle through the right hole or count to three! However I was more than the bumps and finished all but one word or so by the time we got home.  :)

A little more progress on my L*K ABC Lessons.  I'll get back to the Cabin Fever piece in a few weeks, but I'd love to have this finished before I switch over!!

I know this is a crummy picture, but look at the adorable new friends that have shown up at my house in the last week or so.  My dd has started to crochet these precious bears.  Oh my!  They are adorable!!  Soft and fluffy and cuddly and they have such sweet expressions.  I told her she should start to sell them!!

Here's my card for the week...  Another MFT Pure Innocence gal spreading some love.  Perfect to send to my DD at college. : )

Thanks for stopping by!  I pray you'll have a wonderful Easter celebrating our risen Saviour and Lord!!

Blessings!

Tricia

My Busy Needle

Sweet Lynda sent me the traveling "Busy Needle" pattern by LHN the other day.  I had so wanted to stitch it since I saw it on BeckySC's blog, but it was exclusive to "The Busy Needle" cross stitch shop which seems to have since closed its doors, so I was thrilled when she mentioned that she would start it as a traveling pattern!!

Well, it came in the mail on Friday and I was so impatient excited to start that I couldn't stand the thought of waiting until Monday to pick up my floss, when I'll be at the cross stitch store.  Instead, I chose my own colors from those I had on hand and decided to stitch it on 28 ct Tea Monaco over one.  What fun!!  I stitched and stitched all day yesterday, and then, late last night, I realized that I had moved the entire top line over 3 threads.  Oh.My.  There was no way that I was going to frog that black box, so I decided to wing it.  And wing it I did.  I added leaves.  I added flowers.  I shortened vines and lengthened vines.  I omitted the outer border.  And then, just to be ornery different, I made the bees wings swirly on the bottom.  I think they are cute.  But if you are stitching this and think yours will look like mine when you're done... well, good luck with that! ; )

I can't decide how I'll finish it.  It's about 2" square so it would be a cute fob or needlebook... or even just framed...  We'll see!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

New Finds, New Toys, and New Searches!

Inky has had a good week this week!  A bit ago, I saw that Anne had gotten one of these floor stand from Michaels.  I asked her about it and she gave it a good report, and so I grabbed my Michaels coupon and picked it up - for only $31.00!!  It's lightweight, but perfect for me - I can move it room to room.  It was fairly easy to put together, although it was missing a bolt on the bottom.  Never fear, though, the nice lady in customer service said she would send it out the next day.  

You'll notice that I'm taking a break from the Cabin Fever piece.  My back and shoulders have been so sore and working on that piece in hand has really aggravated them.  I was just going to work on this L*K ABC Lessons for a night or two, but then I got the stand and I can't stop!  I've made tons of progress since this post!

Can you spot Inky???  He's by the scissors...

I'll probably leave Cabin Fever on hold for a little bit, because I have the hard to find LHN Busy Needle chart in the mail from Lynda and it needs to be passed on when I am done.  So, of course, it needs to come next.  : )  I'm so excited to stitch that.  It is such a pretty design!

Speaking of pretty designs... I was cleaning out under the sink yesterday and I found my very own scissors frog that had been my Great-Aunt's... it even has her name in her handwriting on a piece of masking tape on the bottom.  Too cool.  I put it in a sherbet glass that I had in the cupboard, and loaded it with all my silver, pink and red scissors.  So pretty!  I've seen a few of these frogs on the Scissors Scamper.  Have you joined yet?  I'm going to be picking up part of the prize today or tomorrow.  Be sure that you are in the running!! : )

Now for a favor.  I have this Shepherd's Bush Fa La La chart and leftover threads that I would like to trade for a used Shepherd's Bush chart.  One of these charts would be really high on my list...

Sweet Stitches Fob

Hold Hope

A Lamb's Egg

O Say

Come Home

By the way, the stitched piece in the picture just shows what the chart looks like.  I won't be sending it along, sorry! ; )

OK, one last picture.  Here's the gorgeous St. Patrick's Day rainbow that was over our house.  It was double on one side and went from horizon to horizon.  There *must* have been a pot o' gold at the end of it, I'm sure!! ; )

A Little March Madness

  

Hello Friends!  Have you joined the Great Scissors Scamper yet?  I am having so much fun seeing everyone's scissors collection.  I've already added a few pair to my wish list and a fob or two as well!!

I pulled out my little March pillow that I made last year in an effort to do a little St. Patrick's Day decorating.  It is ds' birthday, so that makes it a special holiday! : )

My mom just gave my son the little leprochaun, but he was my favorite decoration growing up, so I asked him if I could display it forever for awhile.  He said "yes".   : )

Are you prepared to drool now???  Look, look, look what came in the mail last week!  My very own personal ornament from Mouse.  With a sheep on it!!!  His name is Inky.  Do you see the little jingle bells on the bottom?  My dd loves them.  It has a special place of honor in a basket in my living room, with another winter pillow that I can't bear to put away during the year.   Sigh!  Stitching friends are the best!

Nope, I take that back.  Husband's are the best.  Specially when they buy you a new charm for your bracelet. : )  

Since Spring has sprung outside - or maybe it's summer?  I think it was close to 80 today and our normal seasonal temp is about 45 - Anyway, I saw these pretty flowers at the grocery store for $1 each and picked them up for my table.  The beautiful rose smells as pretty as it looks!! {happy sigh!}

Here's my stitching update for the week.  Lots and lots of stitching on the Cabin, because I really want to have this page done by the end of March...

And last but not least, a St Patricks Day birthday card for you all.  I don't think ds looks at my blog, so it should be safe to show it here. : )

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to join the Scissors Scamper!! : )

The Great Scissors Scamper!!

Greetings friends!!

One of the things that I've found over the past couple years of cross-stitch blogging is that we stitchers *love* our scissors.  We have pretty scissors and plain scissors.  Short scissors and long scissors.  Stork scissors and Santa scissors.  Scissors fobs and scissors cases.  Scissors frogs and scissors magnets.  SO.... let's have a Scissors Scamper and show off our scissors stash!! : )  Which scissors have stories?  Which are your favorites?  Which ones do you take when you are traveling?  Do you pack a different pair with each project, or do most of them just sit in storage and you use a favorite pair?  Just link up your Scissors Scamper post below before April 30th, and I'll draw a name from all the entries to receive something fun.  I haven't picked it out yet, but it will have something to do with scissors, you can be sure! : )  Be sure to link your post back to this one, so others can join in the fun, too!!

I'll start...

First, on a solemn note...

The Scissors Scamper is in memory of the cute green polka dot scissors that is pictured in the logo above.  I used it twice and promptly lost it.  I am so sad.  I love polka dots!  sigh.  

Now on to happier thoughts!! : )

 Here is my scissors stash! It's not huge, so I can show you the whole thing... : )  Each one has its own story, and I love them for different reasons.  The first scissor I got was the little Ginghers on top attached to the scissors tag.  I won it in a quilting shop hop... when I was still quilting a lot.  I fell IN LOVE with Ginghers from that time on, so I bought the lovely green floral ones with my Christmas money later that year.  These are usually my "go to" scissors, so I try to pack a scissors in each of my kitted projects so I'll actually use them all and they won't get lonely.

The cute scissors with red hearts are Dinky Dyes and one of my dd's favorites.  I received them in an exchange package and she swipes them if I'm not looking.  It's ok.  I share well. (Most of the time...) : )

I also received the sweet pink breast cancer remembrance scissors in an exchange.  I'd like to make a "pink" basket sometime and put them in it.  They almost seem too solemn for me to use.

Another exchange gift brought me the plastic blue pair of scissors in the little sheath.  You can see I already had a pair of pink ones like that.  They are the SHARPEST little pair of scissors, and I love the little sheath.  I actually had a blue pair, too.  But my husband used it to cut open one of those hard plastic indestructible things - like electronics are packaged in, and it dulled it so it wouldn't cut thread anymore.  I was thrilled to get these!  I keep these attached to my Vera Bradley lanyard and use them when I'm stitching in the car or on vacation, or somewhere that I don't want to lose them.  They are relatively inexpensive (maybe $5-$7??) so if I did lose them I wouldn't feel nearly as heartbroken as if I lost my Ginghers!

Here's all my Ginghers in a row.  The ones on the left my husband got me for Christmas last year and they sport the only scissors fob I've made.   I love scissors fobs.  I need to make more of them.  (The scissors tag doesn't count really.  It's just a piece of aida and a piece of felt stitched together with the edges cut with pinking shears.  It's fun, though, cuz it has my name on it.)

The blue Ginghers are my newest pair.  I think they are so pretty... almost too pretty to use.  I usually just look at them and say "Awwwww....".  Then my workhorse pair, and my first pair.  

I really hope lots of you will join me on the Scissors Scamper!  I can't wait to see your favorites - your not so favorites and your accessories!!  Here's a little logo if you'd like to use it on your post.  Rather than just copying it, just right click on it (control-click on a Mac) and save it to your computer.  Then you can insert it in your blog post like any other picture.  Be sure to come back here and link up your post so we can all come drool over admire your scissors stash!  (And so you can be in the drawing for the prize, of course!!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Scamper off now to do your post!! : )

Tricia