Yesterday A Good Mail Day!

I had a really good mail day on yesterday when I finally made it to the post office. I usually check on Friday's but alas I was soooooooo busy that I had to go on Sat. This is what came in the mail. My "Fall Intrigues" basket swap from Elaine. Lots of wonderful goodies in the basket. Although on unpacking the basket I found that the cup she sent was broken. Everything else was fine and I love it. Thanks so much Elaine for all the goodies you sent.

Lot's of great stuff in there. Some lovely Moda fabric with a harvest theme with great colors. Candy corn which is a favorite fall candy for me. I always buy extra so I will have some after the season is over! Below is a sneak peek of what I sent to Elaine. Her package should arrive Monday or Tuesday and I will post a full pic of what I sent out to her then.

Candy bars came! Are they not yummy! I am already thinking about how I will use these.

Yummy colors take a look inside......

These are 2 1/2" x 5" and there are 40 cuts in each stack. There is also an instruction booklet with quilting ideas inside the box. The price is very reasonable also. 

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Night Blooming Orchid has Bloomed!

 My night blooming orchid finally has bloomed after having it for over ten yrs.! It started to open at midnight last night. This is the first pic at 12:00

This was at 1:45 am

This was at 3:45 am

This was at 5:00 am this morning

And this was at 7:45 am this morning the bloom was already closing! It was large enough to fit inside a punch bowl and fill it up! And the smell was heavenly!

I have been so tired all day, but it was well worth the watching of this bloom take place. My mom's plant has two blooms on it and we hope they bloom together! If not we will be so tired when it does bloom.
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

New Project

Whew, this has been one long weekend-first few days of the week. My lovely daughters shower was on Sat. and we all had a great time. I managed to finish the burp cloths for the shower and am working on one of three quilts for baby Jazmine. I have until Thanksgiving weekend to finish them up. I have been working on them in stages. Actually one will be a floor quilt for when she starts to sit up and roll over etc. so no hurry on that one. My niece was there and it was actually her due date with no change. Frostie received lots of great clothes mostly pink for Jaz. Below is a pic of two of the burp cloths that I made for her. I need to take pics of the others and will post them soon. I have enough  to make 12 more but I may do them a little bit different from these. I may add machine embroidery to them. Will wait and see.

Next up is a sneak peak at something that is going into a swap. It is a rosette pin. I had fun making this and it was super easy to make. I will definitely be making more of these for my artfire shop.

Last but not least is my new project that I started for me. It is an afghan made in my favorite colors. I have made all my children and hubby one and now is my turn. Mine is done in a granny strip as I did not want to do the squares for this one. I just started this so not much work done yet. This will be my relaxing project in the evenings.

The colors are just wonderful and the pic really does not do them justice. It is going to be a bright and fun afghan when finished.

On a side note for my regular readers..........please keep Mike lifted up in prayer as he will be having more surgery on the 27th of this month. And will need more in the coming months. Also we found out on Sat. that my lovely mil has colon cancer. She will be having surgery on tomorrow morning. Please keep them both lifted up in prayer for those of you who pray. I thank you in advance for all of your prayers.

Update: Everything went well and "All Is Well" with my mil! Praise God for His healing power in our lives. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Also, my sister called and Mike will not have to have surgery on the 27th. The Dr. wants to wait and see a bit more. Please continue to pray for him. God is still in control and is healing him on a progressive basis. The blood clots are still there but not moving and the rupture is healing on its on. Thank you Lord!

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Finish

I have finally finished the shawl I have been working on and it is packaged and ready to go off to my swap partner. I can't tell you who as of yet since she may peep in on my blog. I think it turned out pretty good and hope she likes it.This is my first knitted shawl as I usually crochet them. I used Lion Brand Homespun thread in Tudor colorway. I really like how it turned out........Now to finish the baby quilt I am working on for baby Jasmine. The shower is this coming weekend and I need to have it finished for then along with the burp cloths that I have made her. Be back soon.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Great Giveaway

Debi is having a great giveaway over on her blog here: http://debiquilts.blogspot.com/ go on over and take a look see at what she is giving away. You will be glad you did.

Giveaway at Jaybirdquilts!

Juli over at jaybirdquilts.blogspot.com is co-sponsoring a giveaway for a new line of fabric from Piece O' Cake Designs called Daisies and Dots. Go on over and take a look the fabric is yummy!

Jewels on Black RR Blocks

Here are my blank blocks for the Jewels on Black RR that I am in over on CQI. Each block will finish at 6 inches by 6 inches when finished. These will be for a wall hanging in my bedroom which is done in black and jewel tones. This is going to be a great RR for me as I love to use beautiful jewel tones to stitch with. So this is definitely in my comfort zone. Can't wait to see these beauties finished and back home, which will be sometime in Feb. 2011. The dots on these are showing up white, but they are actually charcoal in color. I had fun making these blocks and may make a couple of pillows for the bed while I am at it.

Well Christmas is going to be here before we know it and I am so excited as it is my most favorite holiday. We don't celebrate halloween, but I do love fall and the season of thanksgiving that it brings with it. More on that at a later date. Back to Christmas.....I am already getting my gifties in order for family this year. I am also working on some swaps that I am currently in and this week will actually finish two of them. Will post pics later of those once they reach their intended recipient. I love the cooler weather that we have been having. We went for a little day trip over the weekend and I found ten pieces of Alabama turquoise and one emerald. But the best part was spending time with the family. DH also bought me two new antique sewing machines over the weekend at a ridiculously low fee. Will be posting more on those later this week. Have a great day.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Good Mail Day

I had a really good mail day yesterday. I received the blog win from A Swap For All Seasons and received my swap box from Gina from the Aqua/Avocado swap that I was in. First is my swap box from Gina who was my swap partner. But wait.......Gina was my Secret Angel Stitcher in 2009 during a really hard time of my life. I was amazed that we had been put as mutual swap partners this time. She made me the most amazing Peacock quilt ever last yr. Anyhow....... this is what she sent in my box to me. She made me two really nice pillows, some fabric, soap, buttons, crochet books these are vintage and I forgot to take a pic of them. A green candy dish.

Now everyone knows I collect peacocks of any shape form or fashion. Gina is so thoughtful, just look at the vintage pin and cuff links she found for me. Thank you so much Gina, I love everything you sent and I truly love the peacock treasures that you sent. I will post what I sent out to Gina when it arrives to her.

A week ago I won a blog drawing from A Swap For All Seasons. Just look at what was inside the vintage wood cigar box. I love it!

The red baby shoe is a pin cushion...how cute is that! Of course all the goodies are wonderful and will be treasured. Thank you Linda!

Hope everyone is doing great and stitching up some wonderful gifts for the upcoming holidays. I know I am. Time to get back to sewing/quilting for the new baby coming into our lives.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

My Heart III RR Block is Home

My block for the Heart III RR is finally home after a long trip. It has a few places that needs my additions and then it will be framed and called finished. Thank you to each of the ladies who worked on this block. You all did beautiful work. A big thank you to Darlene, Diane, Arlene and Vicki. I don't have much to do on the block but there are some things I will be adding and some seam work as well. I love how this block turned out. I think it was Diane who asked if I was an LSU fan because of the colors, the answer to that is no. My favorite sports is Baseball, Hockey and Soccer. I have been a Yankee's fan since I was about nine, I used to watch the game with my dad. I fell in love with soccer when I was in high school as well as hockey. Anyhow, I just love the color combo of gold, purple and white and wanted to do a block in those colors. It has turned out just wonderful. Next is the fabric page I received for the month of August. I will show the one I made and sent when it arrives at its destination, which I hope is soon. Mine was made for me by: Margreet from the Netherlands. Thank you Margreet It is beautiful.

No diamonds today, but I will have one for you on tomorrow as it is almost finished.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Fabulous Giveaway

Take a look at this gorgeous jewel of a pin cushion.....

I so want this..............

Next up is Gerry's giveaway on her blog found here http://olderrose.blogspot.com/2010/08/big-giveawayofficial-prizes-and-rules.html She makes the most gorgeous pin cushions ever! And I really want to win this one....but you can go on over and put your name in the hat also.

That's it for toady's giveaway post!!

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

One Diamond Wednesday

Here is this weeks diamond. I really like the colors in this one. It was dark when I made the pic so I will make a better one and repost on tomorrow.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

One Flower Wednesday......Plus

Well today is Wednesday and I do have a flower to share today. I almost had two but did not finish the second one so it will have to wait. Here is my flower for today. (Edited to add: they do not allow diamonds in the one flower Wednesday showing so I will be posting mine as  "One Diamond Wednesdays" from this point on. Is there anyone out there who is doing diamonds and wants to join me just let me know.)

Next up is "Heartly" my new mouse pin cushion pattern that I have designed based off a mouse my paternal grandmother used to make as a refrigerator magnet. I am still tweaking it but this is the proto type. I will be putting these in my Artfire shop soon. Isn't she cute!

 Everyone in blog land seems to be in a early bird Christmas mode. I am in a Christmas exchange over on A Swap For All Seasons. We are doing matchbox ornaments. Anyhow......I decided to go ahead and put my Tulle Christmas Tree tutorial on my blog now instead of waiting until December. You may want to make one for yourself before the holidays get here or like myself make them for gifts. They make wonderful little gifts for those on your list. Here goes... Supplies Needed:
Tulle about 2yds color of your choosing
Tacky Glue
Cone shaped styrofoam tree
Felt the color of your tulle
Wooden skewer or tooth pic
Scissors
Beads are optional

(1)First take your felt and cut a circle to fit the bottom of the form. Then take your tacky glue and run a bead around the outer edge. You can put some in the center if needed. I usually just put it around the edges. Let dry completely before you move to the next step or it will shift. Believe me I have had it to happen to me over the years that I have been making them. It takes about 20 minutes to dry on the styrofoam.

(2) While the felt and glue are drying cut your tulle into strips. I usually use 2 1/2 inches to 3 inch strips. Any wider and they tend to droop. You can starch the tulle to keep larger cuts stiffer but I prefer to use the smaller ones. Just my preference.

(3) Now take your strips and cut them into squares. I don't usually measure I just roughly cut what I think a square should be.

 (4) Now when you have your squares ready the bottom should be dry enough for you to handle without movement. Take your wood pick and three to four of your squares, put the skewer in the middle and hold next to the form. Push in enough to hold the tulle in place without falling back out. You can put a dot of glue on the tulle if you like. Just remember to let it dry for 24hrs. before you add any beads or such. Also, I have used hot glue and if it is too hot it will melt both the form and the tulle.

 Continue with this step until you have completely covered your form making sure there are no empty or thin spaces. You want the tree to be full and thick. When finished your tree should look like this. These are fun and quick to make and are wonderful in all different colors. You can customize them for any decor.

 The tree above I did not put beading on as I just wanted the tree to be as it was. These look really good in groupings of three or more. They also make great little trees for small places and nooks that we normally do not have decorations because of the size. I hope you enjoy the tutorial and if you make a tree please let me know so I can come by your blog and have a look see.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Little of This and That

Had a busy weekend as my dd and her dh was down. Monday was spent at the Dr. office while she had a three hour glucose tolerance test done. We will know the results of that next week. All is well with baby Jasmine and we are assembling items for her. I will be making her some burp cloths out of the fat quarters below, I also purchased yardage to make her a quilt. I love this fabric.

And the yardage for her quilt. Is this fabric not just so luscious! I love it. Hope I have some left for bibs as well.

I will be mailing out my three PIF for the first one that I was in on tomorrow, so be on the lookout girls. Jane, Nancy and Sharon. Which brings me to my next show and tell. A While back I entered Tudy's PIF and this is her gift to me. I love it and will be using this bag while working on my hexie's. I will be posting more about this on Monday of next week, so check back then for details. Here is the pic of my bag. She also included some extras for me to use. Thank you very much Tudy, I love my bag and all the extra goodies that you sent.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

GFG Update

Well it has been a long time since I worked at putting any flowers together for my hexi quilt that I am working on. So to help keep me on track I have joined "One Flower Wednesday" in the hopes of keeping on track with this project. Surely I can make one flower a week and hopefully more. You can go here: http://journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/p/garden-party.html to check it out and sign up if you like to be a part. Karen has a beautiful blog and her work is wonderful. She also has a list of others who are a part of  One Flower Wednesday. I just signed up on yesterday so I didn't get to post a flower for my garden. So today I decided to go ahead and post the flowers that I have made this past week and next week I will be posting my flower update on Wednesday with everyone else. Below is my box of ready to make hexi's.

Next up is a flower for my sister. She loves all things Irish and I am making her a table runner for Christmas that she can use for St. Patrick's day. These will be appliqued to the center of the runner and I may add some smaller ones in a scattered pattern later on.

Next up is a couple of pink ones for my on personal use. I am thinking maybe a pin keep or cushion. Undecided on which I will use the pink ones for.

All my hexi's are 2" as I don't have the patience at this time for the smaller ones. These I will be making as I take my mom and dad to Dr.'s appts. and such. This way I can utilize the office time for something I enjoy. Next is a couple of thrift store finds that I wanted to post about. The first one is a little pixie deer, isn't she cute!  

The next one caught my eye and I just had to buy it. It is a poodle pulling a cart. I always see the little donkey's with carts, but this is the first time that I have seen a dog. I love the way his fur is done. It is super cute.

I may put candy in his cart for him to pull. I think that would be a cute way to display him.

I have more projects to show at a later date as they cannot be revealed until the owners receive them. I have three PIF going out on Friday along with some other projects.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

And The Winner Is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone, well we are back and very tired I must say but in the very happy mode! We had a wonderful time in Atlanta with dd and her family.  Anyhow, I know everyone is wanting to know who won the prize package so...........Hey you want to know what we did while there......just kidding, although we did have a lot of fun. Now a big drum roll please...........There was a total of 44 comments...and before someone says no there were 45, someone commented twice and I removed the second post from my counting list so that it would be fair to everyone who entered the drawing. Therefore the total was only 44 comments. I listed each name by a number and then went to Random.org to get my number. The number was 7 and on my list number 7 is Ann Flowers!! Congrats Ann, if you will email me you mailing addy I will get your prize in the mail to you.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy