SSCS Gifts

This is my third year participating in Chookyblue's swap...and as always it has been wonderful...this is one of my favorites to participate in...a big thank you to Chooky for gathering all of us together for such a great swap...

My partner in this swap was Sue all the way from down under! When the gift arrived she had made the cutest bird ornament which now resides on my bird tree...she also included this beautiful scarf to be opened before Christmas! The colors are rich and vibrant and are colors which I do not have...

 Then on Christmas day we were allowed to open the main gift from the swap...Sue made this wonderful bag for me....the stichery is just beautiful and the bag is big and roomy...

 The inside of the bag is so roomy and has pockets on both sides...this will be a great project bag...

all the lovely gifts from Sue...thank you so much Sue I love each one...Sue had tucked in a journal and a stitchery inside the pockets of the bag...it has rained here since this past weekend so the pics are a little off since the lighting was dreary...but the stitching on the bag is so precise and is very lovely...My partner was Bev and this is what I sent out to her...a quilted Christmas Tree wall hanging and the ornament is a Christmas stocking...

I really like how the wall hanging turned out...I may just have to make myself one for next year...
Until next time,

Edited: The package for Bev has not arrived as of yet. Hopefully it will arrive soon. I will leave this pic up as Bev wanted to see what I had made for her.
Edited: 1/2/13 Bev's package has arrived safe and sound...a new post above. 
Wendy 

Small Project

This is a small project that I am working on...I have enjoyed the process so far and will be doing more in the future. I used a linen base with lace, scrim and satin in the base. I actually just collaged the fabrics and laces together in a pleasing to me arangment and then added silk ribbon, french knots and daisies. I also used a couple of lace appliques in each upper corner of the design. I am trying to decide if I am finished or if I need to add some beading for a little bit of bling. Will think on it a couple of days before putting the backing on and finishing.
Until next time,
Wendy

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone of my blog friends a very Merry Christmas! May Gods' greatest gift to mankind be the center of your celebrations this season. May each of us stop and give thanks to Jesus for coming to this earth in order that we could have eternal life. May you and your family have much love, hugs and fun during your celebrations. And during those quiet times of celebration take a moment and say a quick prayer for the families in Conn. that lost their loved ones right before the holidays. Then take a moment to hug your loved ones tight and tell them how much you love them.
Merry Christmas,
Wendy

Santa Sack Swap

The day to open the " Santa Sacks" was on the 18th of December...I am a little behind on posting about it... Here is my tote with all the gifts inside...a big thank you to my partner for all the wonderful gifts she sent out to me...my partner was Mary Pat and she does not have a blog...the bag is just beautiful...

 And this is what Mary Pat sent out to me....
1. Best Press
2. Journal
3. 6" ruler
4. Red thread
5. Thanksgiving hand towel
6. Pumpkin Trivet
7. 2 packets of buttons
8. Mini Quilt kit for a Christmas quilt
9. 1 packet buttons and 1 packet paper napkins
10. 1 packet buttons and 1 packet paper napkins
11. 2 Fairy Frost charm packs
12. A book for designing the perfect studio space
The extra gift is the table runner that the others are sitting on...it is already in use on a hall table...so pretty...a big thank you to Mary Pat for all the lovely items that you sent out...      

This is what I sent out to Mary Pat...although I did not take a pic of the jelly roll that I sent to her...it was a moda "Fruit Cake" jelly roll which can be seen wrapped here:

Items sent:
1. Mini quilt
2. Mini quilt hanger
3. Pin Cushion
4. Needle keep
5. Rice heating pad
6. Set of coasters
7. Two crocheted dish cloths
8. SS Quilt necklace
9. Set of 3 moda fat quarters  
10. Stitching Guide for sewing machine
11. Set of 3 moda fat quarters
12. Moda "Fruitcake" jelly roll (not shown because I forgot to take a pic before wrapping it)
Below is the Santa Sack that I made and the small pillow as the extra....    

A big thank you once again to Cheryll who hosts this swap every year...it has been fun and I cannot wait until next year to join in again...

I have also recieved my CSSS from my partner who is Sue....I was allowed to open the extra gift along with the ornament....the lovely bird ornament is already on the tree and the gift under the tree...the extra gift was a beautiful scarf she knitted with beautiful bright colors...I love it....thank you so much Sue...

 Below is the ornament that I made for my swap partner...I cannot show the rest until after Christmas day so be sure and check back by to see what I made for her...

I have one more package I am waiting on and I am sure it will be here soon...on another note, we have the dreaded cruddy flue at our house again....of course this time I caught it from my sweet dh! He came home from a trip super sick with the stuff...needless to say I am glad that I have all my shopping and mailing done for now...now off to drink some soothing tea for my throat and try to rest a bit as my eyes feel as though they are full of sand....
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Please Pray

My heart goes out to all the parents, siblings, friends and neighbors of those children and adults who lost their lives today in the school shooting in Newtown Conn...my heart is heavy that as most of us will be celebrating with holiday cheer soon, these families are left with a devastation that only they know...please keep this community of families lifted up in prayer during this very sad time....

Winner Traveling Stash Box #4

The winner of the box is:

Apple Avenue Quilts said...
I see a Debbie Mumm Santa that I would love to have. Thanks for the chance!

Please email me your snail mail and I will get it mailed out to  you asap! Congrats on your win!

Winner of Leap Year Traveling Stash!

We have a winner:
Vroomans' Quilts said...
Oh, I would love for this box to come visit me.

Now off to email the winner! Remember to leave a comment below if you want to be included in the giveaway for the other box with lots of novelty fabrics!

Traveling Stash Box #4 Giveaway

Box 4 has arrived at my house and it is now time for it to move on...this box is filled with fabric goodness for those who love novelty fabric....there are a few other items in the box that are not novelty related, but for the most part this box contains mostly novelty fabrics...so if you do not like novelty fabrics please know that the bulk of fabric in this box does contain this type of fabric...that being said it also has patterns which is always a nice item to go through...and the fabrics are quilt shop quality and very nice ones at that...the spaceship fabric is adorable, but no small boys here....So if you want a chance at this box please leave a comment on this post only...this drawing is open until Friday morning at 8:00 am central time...I will draw the winner and contact them so I can mail this out on Friday pm or early Sat. am....
 What is inside the box......

This is what I am taking from the box......

I am deciding what to put in the box today and will post that as soon as I decide....Good luck in the draw....

Don't forget about the other Traveling Stash box below....leave a comment on that post for that particular box...it is the leap year which is posted about on the 29th of each month...
 Rules for the giveaway:
 RULES:

1. Be an active blogger. Post about receiving and the giveaway on your blog in a timely manner.
2. There is a note in the box that logs where the box has been. Please add your info and place the note back in the box.
3. There is a list of Rules and Guidelines in the box. Please read and follow these and return the list to the box.
4. You may take anything you like from the box. Just replace every item with comparable quilt shop quality items equal to the amount taken. See guidelines below.
5. Ship the box to the next person in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Due to the amount of postage shipping is only within the USA.

GUIDELINES:
The definition of a stash is a secret store of valuables. For quilters it's a collection of usable quality products. The stash should contain mostly fabric with a few patterns and/or books and other items.

• FABRIC:     Should be quilt shop quality in new condition. Scraps should only be included if they are cut for adding to a collection and packaged accordingly (i.e. I-Spy squares, postage stamp squares, etc.). There should not be anything under a Fat Quarter unless packaged like this.
• PATTERNS/BOOKS:     Should be in new or gently used condition. They should be kept to a minimum (books are bulky and add weight).
• OTHER ITEMS:     Should be in new or gently used condition. Tools, notions, etc. These items should be packaged if necessary.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:

• If you receive a box with anything that is of "poor" condition you should not feel guilty in tossing it out.
• Only put items in the box that you would be proud to own. The box is NOT a dumping place for all your outdated unwanted items.
• Items should be free of smoke and pet hairs.
• You must replace items you take with the same quantity of like-kind items. Replacing more than you take is always welcome.  :)

 If you are a no reply blogger you need to change it so I can contact you....also you must have craft blog to participate in this drawing...

Anniversary

Today I have been married to my best friend and soulmate for 24 wonderful years...He is the love of my life and my balance...I thank God daily for putting him in my life...I love you Ray and cannot remember what my life was without you in it...May we have another 24 years to explore our love for each other...Love you much!

More Whitework

I finished another section on this block late last night. I made bullions, windows and circles with a few french knots thrown in.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Traveling Stash

ok today is the day for the Leap Year Traveling Stash giveaway...for all the rules you can go here and read them.....this box has lots of great goodies inside just waiting to come visit you...you must have a blog and live in the US to participate in this drawing....I will be back with photos later today....if you want the box to come and visit you at your house just leave a comment on this post only...also only one entry per person please, I will be checking and removing any extra posts by the same person...thanks and good luck....

the deadline to enter is Wednesday December 5, 2012 at midnight....I will draw the name and post it on Thursday so I can mail it out on Friday December 7th to the winner.....Good luck everyone....

This is the items that I took out of the box:
Bird Panel    3fat quarters   4 1/2 inch squares    5 inch squares 

 And this is what I put back into the box....
Quilt Book
2 Patterns: one for all types of pincushions and one for bags (these have never been used)
Pack of paper pieces for those who handstitch
1/2 Summerville jellyroll
postage stamp squares
4 1/2" Squares
Some Christmas fabric
Some Monet Villa fabric (out of print)

Rules for the giveaway:
 RULES:

1. Be an active blogger. Post about receiving and the giveaway on your blog in a timely manner.
2. There is a note in the box that logs where the box has been. Please add your info and place the note back in the box.
3. There is a list of Rules and Guidelines in the box. Please read and follow these and return the list to the box.
4. You may take anything you like from the box. Just replace every item with comparable quilt shop quality items equal to the amount taken. See guidelines below.
5. Ship the box to the next person in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Due to the amount of postage shipping is only within the USA.

GUIDELINES:
The definition of a stash is a secret store of valuables. For quilters it's a collection of usable quality products. The stash should contain mostly fabric with a few patterns and/or books and other items.

• FABRIC:     Should be quilt shop quality in new condition. Scraps should only be included if they are cut for adding to a collection and packaged accordingly (i.e. I-Spy squares, postage stamp squares, etc.). There should not be anything under a Fat Quarter unless packaged like this.
• PATTERNS/BOOKS:     Should be in new or gently used condition. They should be kept to a minimum (books are bulky and add weight).
• OTHER ITEMS:     Should be in new or gently used condition. Tools, notions, etc. These items should be packaged if necessary.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:

• If you receive a box with anything that is of "poor" condition you should not feel guilty in tossing it out.
• Only put items in the box that you would be proud to own. The box is NOT a dumping place for all your outdated unwanted items.
• Items should be free of smoke and pet hairs.
• You must replace items you take with the same quantity of like-kind items. Replacing more than you take is always welcome.  :)  There is a guide to Pre-Cut amounts below for your reference.

Wendy

Bumpy Bits

 I have been busy and not able to post since the holiday. I finally have a few extra minutes to do so now....I have been working more on my class piece for Embroidery, Embellish and Create with Karen Ruane...so I felt an update was in order....I have also finished up several swaps and those are in the mail as well...a sheer pocket to hold our love, dreams and plans that we had for Payton....

 Bumpy bits with bullion loops and french knots...

 Side view of bumpy bit....

 Lace motif bumpy bits with french knots....

 

This month has been so busy as we had two birthdays, a wedding and of course Thanksgiving...next month will be as busy! Have to catch the rest when I can and of course some stitching time as well...

Happy Stitching,

Wendy  

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

More White Blocks

These are the last of the white blocks for class. I really like how this is coming together. My first time working in all white and it has been a challenge. I am such a color girl!

 

Happy Stitching,

Wendy 

Another Scarf

 I have made another scarf. This one in blues and greens and I am so in love with it. The colors are just wonderful and as I said before these make up so quickly. I see many more in my future. All together.

 More work on my Embroider, Embellish, Create class

 Closeup of the web roses.

 I am enjoying this process very much. Each of the two web roses above represent Payton's parents, brother/sister, grandparents and great grandparents that loved him very much. Each wrap of the thread is filled with love, loss, and the hope of seeing him again one day. I may fill in with some french knots as these will be the only web roses in this section. I have also thought about putting words in the circles as well, still undecided on that.
Until next time,
Wendy

Purple Scarf

I have finished the purple scarf and thought I would post a pic of it. This scarf was really hard to get the colors to show up properly. It probably did not help that it has been rainy here with low light outside. The closeup below is a better representation of the beautiful color of this scarf.

 Next up is three of my blocks for the Embroider, Embellish, Create class by Karen Ruhttp://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/....These blocks are way out of my comfort zone as they are all done in white. The stitching on these will be white as well....the next set of blocks I will be working on will have added color...I just wanted to try working in all white since this is not my usual color pallet. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love saturated color...but I have to say these blocks are very beautiful....this cloth will be my memory cloth for baby Payton, who would have been three this coming December had he not been stillborn...I am working this cloth as a reference for my love for him although we only had a few hours with him before we were separated in this earthly realm...all my love will be put into this cloth as a way of acknowledging my love for Payton and his memory....this cloth will be passed to his mom later on...Block One

 This is a closeup of the french knots that I added to the motif.

 Block Two

 Block Three: I also noticed that to the right of the slanted pocket is another pocket made into the seam work of this block. So I have two pockets here that will be used. I will be putting a picture of Payton and I together here. It will only be seen by me as the pocket is deep.

 Closeup of the pocket.

 I bought some scrim and when it arrived it was in natural and not white (my mistake in ordering the wrong color). A little bleach water and a few minutes later I had white. I really like the texture of this fabric and the weave is much tighter than cheese cloth. I will be using this at a later date.

 I have been doing some secret sewing which cannot be revealed on the blog until Christmas. I have been busy though, and enjoying the sewing time.

New Scarf

Here is another scarf that I have made with the net lace yarn.....I really like how these turn out....and they are so much fun to work up and take so little time....this is a great way for those times when you are sitting in waiting rooms at the Dr. office...

 I have one more color until I can get back to the yarn store....the next one will be purple.....
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Steadily Working

On my embroiders ledger....I have enjoyed this class immensely as well as learn several new to me techniques that I know I will use in the future....add to that I have now started a ledger of inspiration that I will continue to work in as well as use in the future....I already have several ideas floating around that will be added to this ledger in the future....I would recommend anyone who wants to further their art and inspire their muse afresh should take this course with Karen.....whether you are an experienced embroiderer or just starting out, this course is loaded with information and techniques that you can use in several mediums.....her next class Embroider, Embellish, Create will start the first week in November....you can go here to learn more about it....
 I have added circles to my simple shape page......the inserts are from the envelope of the card that I have used as inspiration for the first part of this study....

 A close-up of the inserts.......

 FME on collaged tissue paper......this technique was a fun new way to add a different element to my ledger pages....I want to explore this technique more at a later date.....I have used this technique on cloth before, but never paper....

Working on my lace page at the moment, so I have a huge pile of lace trying to decide where I want to go with it.....the opposite page is more FME on tissue paper....

I will have more on this later this week hopefully.....
Happy Stitching,
Wendy