Squishie Has Arrived!

Well the post-lady was really good to me on today! I received two pc's and my squishie from LouAnne today! I am doing the happy dance.lol LouAnne over at http://gettingtocrazy.blogspot.com/ had a drawing for her 3 year blogversary and I won! Well just let me tell you what an awesome squishie she sent to me, wow tons of fabric, lace, ribbon, thread, beads, buttons, charms, floss, silkies etc. below are pics of my squishie and all the goodies she sent. I have been drooling over all the wonderfully delicious fabrics etc. Thank you again LouAnne for your generosity. If you have time you should stop by her blog and check it out. She does amazing work and I know you will love all the eye candy.
Is that not an awesome haul or what! Next is some pics of the pc's that I have received from the fall swap I am in over at stitchin fingers. Here they are: This one is from Ruth in Australia, isn't it pretty This one is from Heidi at http://www.calinesblog.blogspot.com/ my daughter Bliss had a hedgehog when she was 8 and it was the cutest little thing. So soft on its under belly but those spikes hurt when they stuck into your hand. He caught a cold and did not recover from it, we were all so sad. This pc reminded me of him.

This one is from Kathy in MN, the colors are so beautiful and I just love the way she did the fibers on this card.Last but certainly not least is the card from Gina all the way from Australia. I love the little lady bug and all the stitching. Is this not a wonderful cardWhew, this is one long post on today, anyhow last year I had bought some crochet magazines that were in a group inside a plastic bag. Well in the middle of those were these patterns for counted cross stitch which I do not do. Sooooooooo......... I have made pics of them in sets of two. I will give these to the first four people who respond to this post. Pics are below, please specify which set you would like to have and it will be first come first serve on these. Thank you ladies.

Well this post is done for today hope you enjoy the pics. Happy Stitching everyone,

Update on Carol's Block

Just an update on the RR block that I have been working on in the CQI RR Sampler Stitches that I am in. This is still Carol's block that I have now, I have completed a spider web on the central patch of the block. I learned two things while doing this. 1) I hate working with that metal thread because it tangles and bends so easy. 2) That even though I hate it, it does make a delicate looking web. So I guess it is worth it, I don't know. Most people just couch it down, but no I had to stitch it using a back stitch. But I do like how it turned out. All I have to do now is put the spider on the web. Also, I am going to put some flowers around the web as well, just need to decided what kind I will do. Then all I will have to do is the beading on the previous seam and this block will be ready to go to the next person. The pictures are not all that good due to the shine factor, and these two are the best out of about ten.

I have also made this pin cushion and am working on several other projects. No photos of them as of yet. But, I did take a quick one of the pin cushion. I still need to make the bow for this and it will be complete.

That's all for now maybe I will have more photo's to share later today or tomorrow. Until then Happy Stitching,

New Signature

Finally decided to use a new signature line after my posts. I had been thinking about it for a while but never had gotten around to using it. Hmmmm.....I might make more changes to my blog soon or not. Depends on how much time I have to do it in. Free time is a highly precious thing at the moment.
Happy Stitching Everyone,

CQI RR Update

Finally an update with pics of a block that I am working on. This block belongs to Carol from CQI RR Sampler. The block came to me with a stain in the upper corner of the beige patch. The more I thought about it the more I decided I could not let this block go home to Carol with a stain on it. So........I took matters in hand and used the trusty Spray & Wash sprayed the patch down really good and let it sit overnight. The next morning I took a toothbrush that I use for removing stains and rubbed until finally the stain was removed. Then I rinsed the patch with warm water to make sure all the spray and wash was out. Now we have a block with no stains to send on to the owner! I hope Carol does not mind that I took the liberty to remove the stains. I just could not allow myself to send it to her in the condition in which it was in.You can see the stain in the upper right hand corner of the block. The pic below is of the now clean and stain free area!

Below is a pic of one seam that I am finished stitching so far. I may add some beading later as I am still trying to decide what to put if I do. I am also working on a spiderweb motif and spider for Carols block. I will show a pic of that area when I have completed the web and spider. Carol's block has some very pretty work done already, and we are winding down with this rr. I can hardly wait to see my block and all the work that has been done to it.

That's all I have for today unless I finish something later on today. Until next time, Happy Stitching everyone.

More Great Finds

Not much to post about on today, mostly some updates and a few finds. First I am on my third project for my "Stitching Angel" swap so that is almost finished and then I will be mailing out. Since this is supposed to be a secret swap I cannot show the items yet. I did find this silver skillet? It has a handle and another silver dish on the inside so I am assuming it is a skillet. Of course it needs cleaning, but other than that it is in good shape.

The next item is a cute pair of shoes that will soon become two pin cushions. They are size 5 and will make a very nice size Victorian style pin cushion. My daughter has already claimed one for herself. She wants a red and black design.

That's it for today, I should have a better update at the first part of the week as I have a few projects that will be finishing up over the weekend. So until then, Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Little Bit of This and That

Well it has been a little bit since I last posted as things have been busy on this side of my world. I have been working on some projects though some I can show and some I cannot since it is for a swap that I am in that is a secret. I am a part of Stitching Angels swap over on Helen's blog http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/ you should go on over there and visit. There are free patterns to download and use from seven designers that have put their awesome talents to use for the angels in this swap. We can use them if we like or use patterns that we already have. We have to make three handmade gifts for our partners by the end of October. I am having so much fun. I have visited my partners blog and she does really beautiful work. I would tell you to go visit her, but this is a secret swap so I cannot give you her blog addy. Although if you go to Helen's blog she has a list of every ones blogs on her site, just do like I did and go through all of them. There are some really talented ladies around the world. Anyhow, I have one made and am working on the second. I am undecided whether to mail out all at one time or do them seperately.Hmmmm.......may just mail as I finish them.

This is a thread bucket that I made this past weekend. All I need to do is put the straps on and the lining.

I also have been going to thrift stores in search of some finds. Boy did I find some great things this past few weeks. I had wanted a set of wicker furniture for the porch since we moved in here in June but could not find any. Well I hit the mother load this past weekend and was able to get three love seats and two chairs. All in great conditions except for one that had a few loose strands that can easily be fixed. All for under a $100.00, way under!! Now I only need a couple more and maybe a swing and the front porch (or maybe I should say veranda) will be furnished outside of some small tables and such. You have to understand this porch is a honking large one it goes from the front all the way down one side of this house. Can anyone say huge!lol And I love it, lots of places to sit and stitch now.

I also found these wonderful punch bowl cups. I have an antique punch bowl that did not have any cups. Well I found these little beauties of cut crystal this past weekend and thought they would go really well with the bowl I have. Are they not wonderful! I just love them.

Next I have added to my milk glass collection so I just made a few pics of some of the things I have. I fell in love with this type of glass about two years ago and the rest is history as they say. I am always looking to add to my collection. I also purchased these little jewels they are swans inside seashells with roses and such. They are so cute I just need to clean them and then put them out to enjoy.

Last but not least is this dish I happened to find at the thrift store also. I believe it is a candy dish although I could be wrong and it is a nut dish? Does anyone know? Anyhow, I like it so now it has a place in my home. I just love the colors and the roses in this dish.

That is all the pics I have for now I think. I do have some stitching to do and will get to that soon. Not for swaps or rr just some stitching for myself. I really need to get some of it finished and I will in the coming weeks. Still progressing on my redwork "peacock" and he is really looking good if I do say so myself. I am also putting together the blue ocean quilt and getting it ready to quilt. I decided not to put the two bright orange blocks in the quilt and I will make two blocks to replace those. I will however be making pillows out of them since they were from a swap I was in and I do want to use them all. As for the fall quilt I am looking for some chocolate fabric with small print for the backing on this one and the strips between the blocks. The wildflower will be getting either hot pink or lime green for the backing not sure which at the moment and the strips as I said before will be black. I am also working on a baby quilt for my niece that is due on November 2nd, I told her to wait until the 6th which is my b'day.lol This is her first so who knows it could happen.lol


Well that is all I have for today, I will try and post more on tomorrow of the things I am doing. Happy Stitching Everyone,
Wendy

Blog Giveaway at........

Hi everyone hope you are having a wonderful weekend and are stitching away. No photos today just a quick post and I will be out of here. Just wanted to mention that Debbie over at http://makinquilts.blogspot.com/ is having her 100th post giveaway, you should go over and have a look see at her blog. She has some wonderful things posted there.

Also I have emailed everyone their swap partner for the pc swap on stitchin fingers pc group, we will have until the 5th of Oct. to make and mail them out. They are fall/autumn themed and I am really looking forward to the swap. I will be swapping multiples and will post the ones I receive as well as the ones I mail off. Also, a really small friend of mine (she is going to be 5 this month) is going to get a pc for her birthday. She lives in TX, so I will send it out next week sometime.

And I am so happy for my best friend in TX, she just got engaged and I am now planning on a wedding quilt for her and her future husband, which is also a very good ministry friend of ours. We are so happy for both of them and wish them many long years of happiness.

Now, I need to get off here and start on my Stitching Angel project so that I can get that in the mail to my swap partner. I will post pics when I finish the project. Happy Stitching
Wendy

Christmas Bell Pull

Whew, three post in one day! I promise this will be the last one. I tried to do all this in one post but for some reason blogger just would not let me. This is a Christmas bell pull that I am working on. This may be a gift for someone special, I have not decided as of yet or I may give this away as a blogging gift for my 100th post coming up I guess it will depend on whether or not I get this finished before my 1ooth post or not. Anyhow, hope you enjoy the pics. I have got to get off here and get some sewing done.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Trying to Get Inspired to Quilt

Fabric that started my "Wildflower" quilt"Wildflower" quilt top
"Blue Ocean" quilt top

"Block in a Block" quilt top
I am so trying to get inspired to quilt these three quilt tops or at least get them sewn together. I have decided to put them up on a temp. design wall and see if I will be inspired to finally decide on how I want them set and then just do it. One is a fall swap that I was in over a year ago called Block within a Block, the blue one as well as the floral one was a f8 swap, where you send in a f8 (fat eight) of your focus fabric and everyone in the swap makes you a block with your focus fabric using his/her fabric from their own stash. Sometimes you have to buy fabric if you do not have anything to match in your stash. I have enough blue focus fabric to make my strips, and on the floral one I am going to use black on black for the strips between the blocks. The fall one I have no idea as to how I am going to do it. I had wanted to get these put together before the year was out and then quilt them over the next year with my mom. I have the pink and black one put together, and another of the same colors with different blocks that needs to be sewn together. I think on it I will use strips and cornerstones as well. Then if that was not enough I also have enough blocks cut out to do two lime/black quilt tops as well with enough fabric to do three more!lol. I have not done much sane quilting over the past year as all my stuff was in storage because of the move and my taking care of my mom during her surgeries and recovery. Now she is better and we have leased a house close by and she asked me on today was I ready to get a quilt in a frame so that we could quilt it. Now I have to get one ready so we can spend lots of time together quilting and chatting. But I just don't seem to be inspired to get moving with it, so I am putting them where I can see them and think on them to give me a jump start if you will. Time I guess to put up the little projects until I can decide. I need to buy backing and binding fabric for all of them and I have decided to start with the fall quilt first. I cannot make up my mind as for the color that the strips should be or the backing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Season to Season Share Block Is Home

My Season to Season Summer share block from CQ4N is home finally. Ms. Courtney was my partner and she did some really pretty work on my block. Glad that it is finally home. I am working on the other three seasons and this will eventually be a wall hanging. Here is how I will do the others:

Summer: flowers with teapot

Fall: deer

Winter: wolves

Spring: flowers in bud

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Redwork Peacock Update

Just thought I would post an update on the big peacock that I am doing in redwork. This is a slow go project as I only work on it when I have snippets of free time. I use this mainly to relax with when I am on overload. I guess I need to bump him up to "lets finish you soon" category or he may just take forever to finish..lol I am sure I am not the only one who has slow going projects now am I. Anyhow, here is a pic of what I have done. I decided to do the flowers and branch before I finished him that way it will look like I have a lot less to do. There is quite a bit of stitching on the bird himself, not that I am complaining because he is going to be beautiful. But, I would like to feel like I am getting something done on him at the same time. Which I know I am its just so slow in the going. Hmmmm........yes I will definitely be bumping him up the list to get finished with soon. Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Mail Call

My prize from Blue Nickle Studios arrived today. Scott is a very generous person and has sent the most wonderful selection of 10 fat quarters, a charm pack of 5" squares, a quilt label, a pack of batting in craft size (just right for a small quilty), a candy necklace and some business cards one which was quilted. I am going to have much fun with this and ideas are already swirling around in my head with projects for these fabrics. Below is a pic of my winnings. Thank you Scott for your very generous gift. When you get the time you need to go over to http://www.bluenicklestudios.com/ and pay Scott a visit and check out his quilts as well as his project page which has a challenge that you can vote on. Also, while there hop on over to his wife's site at http://www.missmabelstudio.com/ she has some really nice things also, especially her dolls. Go take a look see at their sites. She also has some two headed bears and such that she makes. They are both talented artists in the varied crafts and mediums that they use. Below are some pics of what I received, enjoy the eye candy. The whole package at a glance


I am so thrilled with my package. Hope everyone is having as good a day as I have had today. Now I must finish the curtains for my kitchen so I can start to use this fabric. Happy Stitching, Wendy

Fabric

I found this bolt of fabric back in Feb. of this year at a local thrift store. It has almost 25yds on it and only cost 3.88!! It is made by Waverly and is chintz. I had forgotten about it until we moved, as I had put it in storage. I am going to use some of it to make curtains for the kitchen since the fabric is light in color. The kitchen window is facing west and gets all the afternoon and evening sun which makes for a hot kitchen to cook in even with the air. So, I thought the white in the fabric would help to bounce some of the heat off. The previous tenants have black curtains and it just draws in more heat. This being an old Victorian home, the windows are not insulated which does not help the heat problem. But I do love this house as it has high ceilings and all the rooms are big. I am sure I will have some left and will have to decide how to use it. Maybe some pot holders to match the curtains.

There are lots of possibilities for this amount of fabric and I am sure that it will be used for more than just the one project. I have a small round table that I may make a cover for as well.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

Ribbon Has Arrived

The ribbon that Lesa on CQ4N sent out has arrived, not only did she send the ribbon but also a silkie was inside. I was very pleased when I opened it up and saw the wonderful ribbon and silkie. I cannot wait to use it. Thank you Lesa for sharing the wealth of the extra ribbon. I will definitely put it to good use.