Finished Cowl

I finished the cowl...I really like how this one turned out and may make one more only slightly larger than this one....this one is 10 rows and I think one with 20 rows would be really nice, then you could pull it up over your head if you needed to...it is a lovely deep grape color.
Wendy

Heart Project

I am in a "Initial Heart" swap hosted by Cheryll...this is my practice run of my idea for the swap. You can make any type heart you would like just as long as you put your swap partners initial on the heart somewhere. I decided to do a collage heart mini wall hanging. Here is where I am at for the moment. I still need to add some rosettes that I made for it and of course add some bling.

Wendy

On The Hooks

I started another cowl...have you tried Red Hearts new thread called Love...it has a really soft feel to it and is working up nicely...

And Then...

There was two! Two thread catchers that is....this second one was harder to fiddle with...I decided to use a stiff liner instead of the quilt batting that I used in the first one...big mistake...it was hard to handle, and was so stiff that I had a hard time sewing down the fold over...
Wendy

First Little Thread Catcher

This is the first thread catcher that I have made...I have three more cut out and will sew them sometime this coming week.

I may make pin cushions to go with these....
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Little Heart Swap

I have signed up for Cheryll's initial heart swap...I participated last year and had great fun...this is a quick and easy swap to join with a quick return...mail out date is Feb. 4, 2013...You have until Jan. 9th to sign up...I have also took her swapping pledge.

MAKE THE 7 STEP PLEDGE

I (Wendy) will try my utmost...

·        To always swap on time.

·        To always email a THANK YOU to my partner.

·        To be considerate and thoughtful when choosing a gift.

·        To give my partner the quality of gift that I would like to receive.

·        To communicate when it’s required.

·        To NEVER over commit and let a partner down.

·        To advise the swap mama when I receive my gift.

This I sewomly pledge....


Wendy  

First Finish of 2013

A quick finish to start me off for 2013...I made this great cowl with Lion Brand Homespun yarn, it is very soft and so warm...this crocheted real quick and I can see more of these in my future.
Wendy

A Trade...

Hopefully....I have had these for a while and would like to trade them for something that I know I want to make...This is what I have for trade.... 

"Over The River and Through The Woods" by Crabapple Hill...

Next: "Petal Party" (this is a beautiful quilt)

Tilda Books: Similar book trade or if you trade the patterns a book to go with the pattern...I am willing to ship international...

The patterns I want to trade for:
1. "Winter Wonderland" by Crabapple Hill
2. "Tail Feathers" by Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches.

So, if you have the pattern/s and you have already made them and/or you have decided you are not going to make them and want to trade you can email me and I will get back to you about them...I really want to make the "Tail Feathers" this year, and would love to swap it out...I mean, if you are like me once you make a certain pattern like these you usually do not make them again...then the patterns just sit taking up space...
Wendy

Two Posts

I know two posts in one day, but I wanted to do another post for Bev as she finally received her package from me...when she emailed me that it had arrived I breathed a big sigh of relief...I was already making another wall hanging for her just in case...now I will have one for me next year...here is what I sent out to Bev...

 

Christmas Loot

I am a bit behind on posting all my Christmas loot from this year...boy did I score! First my sweet hubs bought me a Kaffe Fassett fat quarter bundle in water for our anniversary on Dec. 2...then both the men in my life (dh and ds) decided to get me the fire bundle for Christmas! Am I lucky or what! Then my middle daughter gave me seasons 1, 2 and pre-ordered season 3 (which will be mailed to me in Jan. 2013) of Downton Abbey! I love this show and have been watching it to my delight!

Then my three lovely children also gave me CSI Miami seasons 3,4,5...I love this show and have been watching it as well...

 Lovely eldest daughter gave me this peacock candle light, which I absolutely adore! She had at home parties when she lived in Atlanta, I so wanted one of these back in the summer but they were out of my budget...hehehe, she has had this for me since I raved about the one she uses in her shows..this pic does not do it justice...the colors are iridescent and they remind you of a peacock...now to find the perfect candle.

 My hubs also gave me this new camera that I really needed as well...

 Now the loom is a gift to myself as I am hopeless at knitting and I thought maybe I could knit some socks on one of the looms...we will see...

Next are some books that I have wanted for a while that was in my stocking as well...the silk ribbon book is filled will fabulous flowers that will look great on my crazy quilts...the other flower book is for using with special tools to make lifelike milliner flowers...

 This book is filled will beautiful work and information on finding the right materials to work with...also has some patterns to try.

 The next two books I wanted so I could learn how to stitch the birds and make realistic feathers...those birds are absolutely charming...a quick scan through of the books shows they are chock full of great information for beginner stitchers to advanced stitchers...

 And of course I have tons of stuff that I received that I won't be putting on here...all in all I was very spoiled by those who love and know me...most importantly we were able as a family to spend time together with each other and celebrate another Christmas with both parents...

 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to one and all....may 2013 bring much joy, happiness, love and of course plenty of stitching and quilt making into your lives.

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