quick post!

Yesterday afternoon was my LNS's display from market. Me and mom went together and got some cool things, but that's not what this post is about ~ that'll come later. I have a MRI scheduled this morning for my neck and spine, but I had to show you some treasures I found at a local antique mall that we went to after market.

First up is this little framed painting. I think it speaks for itself. I am going to hang it in my bedroom. I just thought it was adorable.

Now for the really good stuff... I'm so excited to show everyone these next pieces. I'm giddy!

This was roughly the first thing I saw when I walked into the mall. It was a vintage Little Red Riding Hood doll....right? Oh no, she had a surprise up her dress (ahem...).

I flipped the red dress over her head and out came Grandma!!! Me and my mother's mouths dropped open in a split second. We were stunned and probably way too excited about this. We couldn't believe it. I immediately said "they are mine!" with conviction. I looked at the price and this treasure was only $20.00. Okay, I notice the reproduction fabric that is her, I'm sorry their dress, and was looking for a tag to help identify this doll further. I was so intrigued. All of a sudden, Grandma had something behind her. I lifted up her bonnet and turned her around and looked what popped out and almost bit me....

THE BIG BAD WOLF! At this point I think my heart skipped a beat and for sure this doll was MINE, ALL MINE!!!! I could not believe this. This doll and at only $20.00. SOLD! I am going to have to research this doll.

Next up, around the corner I went, down the aisle I traveled and what did my eyes appear, but a little dark grunge girl waiting for me. :D

My FIRST grungy doll. I scooped her up in a heart beat as well. There was no deciding on this - she was mine too. She is also dressed in Civil War reproduction fabric and she actually has writing on her apron that reads "never lose your little girl heart". Ahhh, to sweet! When I got home I thoroughly checked her out and found another label that reads 'Samantha's apron'. Not sure what this means, but I think I'll name her Samantha. She was $20.00 too.

Next up was this little gem of a dolly. This doll was only $10.00 and when I saw her I knew I had to have her as well. This doll is really precious because I can customize her. She has beautiful lacing around the collar and hem. She's even wearing bloomers underneath that can also be customized. There is so much I can do with her. I just hope I'm creative enough to give her a little more shine. I could cross stitch something on her or even embroider. I may attach buttons for eyes. We'll see.

Here are her bloomers. I haven't given her a name yet. I'll wait until she has more of an identity. Right now, she's my blank canvas.

This was another treasure that we saw right before seeing Little Red Riding Hood. It was $25.00 and it's aged, wooden and really darling. I had to have this too (what else is new - LOL). There are so many little things I could display on this shelf.

I also found some vintage lace strips, an embroidered wooden box top, quilted and crochet dollhouse accessories, even though I'm not into dollhouse, I thought I could implement these into some sort of project. Me and my mom found a couple things for Cameron and Jose. We got a wooden tic-tac-toe set for Jose. He loves Tic-Tac-Toe and will beat anyone. He knows the strategy in this game in order to win ~ thanks to dear mom! I found that old Fisher-Price record player that plays little records with children's music. I couldn't believe I saw this. It's missing 1 record but each record plays 2 songs so I wasn't disappointed considering how old this toy is. There are 3 records right now with it. He played and played with it when we got home.

Saturday me and ALL the boys had a family outing, but I'll post that and pictures later on. I have to get ready so I can meet my appointment, but I had to post these photos of my visit to the antique mall. Have a great morning!

finishing fridays

I have another finish for 2009! Thursday night I finished Be Still…a freebie by The Sampler Girl. I’ll probably frame it myself or get it framed by my LNS. I added my own personal touches. With one strand over one I back stitched the verse from the Bible under the word “God” and I put my initials and the year in the bottom left hand corner ~ both in matching DMC colors of the word and design. More than likely I am going to hang it by my side of the bed for that much needed “wake-up call" from God each morning. Thanks, Tanya, for thinking of me during this creation! I’ll never forget it.

28 ct Jobelan Sand Castle using called for DMC

This wall space will be Be Still's new home once I frame it ~ right under my Antique Wedding Sampler.

As of this morning I ordered the cutest pendant from Lori over at Farmhouse Notforgotten. It’s called Bluebird Love with Roses. It is so precious! I cannot wait to wear this proudly around my neck, or I could say, “Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder” but it isn’t a broach…or could it be!?! Lori is great to do business with and her artwork is just that; a-r-t-w-o-r-k. Go check out her Etsy shop. She has really lovely handmade items for sale. I AM going to get one of those dolls one of these days. Thank you, Lori, for such an easy and relaxing purchase!

Now that I have finished a cross stitch piece I need something to take Thursday’s rotation place. Now…let’s see….what shall that be? I know! Two years ago me and mom signed up for an ornament club through Mimi’s Attic. We chose any of the ornaments we’d like to stitch, pay a little bit of mullah, submit the order to Mimi’s Attic, and she kits those ornaments and sends them your way. You don’t need the chart because more than likely you have the JCS Ornament issue for that year.

With that being said, I ordered 2007 ornaments awhile back (well obviously – it’s 2009 now – ah!) and wanted 5 from that issue. I need to stitch up an ornament and what better time than to add it to my current rotation now. Sounds only fair, right! LOL I’m going to stitch Winter Love by SamSarah. It’s really sweet ~ one snowman and one snowwoman hugging. Very cute! I’ll start on this next week.

I have decided to name all Fridays “finishing fridays.” I don’t intend to finish-finish every project or even one project; even though that would be nice. No, I’m going to at least make Friday a day that I begin a project to get it finished. I think this will be fun and encouraging. I have many of the supplies on-hand to begin and today is the day. I punched a design by Erica Michaels called Family years ago. It was one of the first punchneedle designs I attempted. I’ve had it punched all this time but never knowing how to finish it it’s been stuck in my “Needs Finishing” container. After looking at my punchneedle books (I own 3 and need more) I finally stumbled onto something. Here’s what my “Family” looks like all punched up but no place to call home yet.

I also have another punchneedle piece all punched and ready to be finished. I already had the finishing idea, supplies and fabric to use. I had every intention of covering a paper/cardboard circular box I bought from Michael’s some years ago and had a sweet little fabric to cover it with and then apply the punchneedle on the lid, but I haven’t gotten around to it. I just recently bought Mod Podge so now I can get started. Whew! What has been wrong with me?!?!

I’m just relieved that thoughts are flooding in with respect to finishing. I have a lot of YOU to thank ~ you are all so inspiring! YOU really uncover buried creativity. Thanks YOU!!!

I have the sweetest baby, I think! He’s very affectionate and loving at such a young young age. Here’s a small video of a special ‘Cameron and Mama moment’. Click 'play' to begin…

I had this post all ready to send when I had to leave to pick up Jose from chess club. On my way home I stopped at my LNS to get a few things. I decided to try another punchneedle and purchased the Cameo needle. I have heard quite the rave on this needle. I've been using the Igolochkoy Russian punchneedle for years now. In fact, this is the needle I learned to punch with. I checked the mail this afternoon and boom! There was a pleasant surprise from my very thoughtful Aunt Pam. As a 'just because' gift she bought me a subscription to the Love of Quilt magazine. I am completely surprised and extremely excited to get this magazine. This is my first subscription to a quilt magazine and I cannot wait to get more. I'll think of my Aunt every time I receive one and it'll make me smile. Thank you, Aunt Pam! I love you!

Contents of the photo are the magazine my aunt bought me, and the items I picked up from my LNS were the Cameo punchneedle, green and purple weaver's cloth, linen banding, 32 ct black Belfast, vintage buttons, and the golden frame was only a $1.00. I'm going to mess the frame up a bit and use it for Be Still.

My rotation piece for today was Hallow's Eve by Stacy Nash, but I haven't even picked up a needle yet today and it's almost 9:30 p.m. Have a good night everyone! Hope to post something tomorrow.

got fabric!?

The last couple days have been all about fabric, fabric, and more fabric which is quite the change for me. Normally I would putter around for cross stitching, but this time has been spent at two fabric/quilting shops. We've also had some really wacky weather. Tuesday it was wet and cold and yesterday it was bright and sunny with the high of 75 degrees. A really nice day to be fabric shopping, in my humble opinion. :o) But today it's freezing outside. We had some stupid cold blast come through last night. I am ready for spring!

Tuesday I visited a never-seen-before (for me) quilt shop with my mom and Cameron. The Quilter’s Attic was truly a quilt shop and it was nice being there (it would have been better without Cameron in tow). Everything was organized and stashed so beautifully. They had a nice, but rather narrow supply of Civil War reproduction fabrics available, but I still came out with some. I especially found a piece of finishing fabric that’ll work wonderfully for Sarah Tobias Pincushion (aka my pincushion) by Blackbird Designs. I am just about done stitching this up and I cannot wait to introduce the fabric to the piece.

The fabric at the top left is the fabric I'm using to finish the pincushion.

I love this sampler style fabric in the beige. I must have been on a blue fabric kick. Not intentionally though.

Here is that beige sampler style fabric unfolded. So, so adorable.

Such a neat little verse. This is actually called The Water's Edge by Blackbird Designs.

My other adventure was yesterday afternoon. First I had lunch with a high school buddy of mine and afterwards went by the Stitcher’s Garden (no website) which is a fabric shop and they have a ton of bolts of fabric. Twelve-thousand (12,000) to be exact! They just recently relocated to a much bigger and much needed space. I walked in and was in heaven! Ahhhhhhhh… They are still organizing so things are still strewn all over, but they are making excellent progress. Once the shelves are completely put up the bolts will be off the floor. Most are displayed, but all the Civil War reproductions were basically on the floor and they were difficult to examine thoroughly. However, I DID come out with some pretty pieces of fabric from that collection and two ¼ yards of the 1930’s reproductions which are really cute.

I absolutely love all this Civil War fabric ~ so lovely!

The green scissor fabric and baby blue circus fabric are 1930's reproduction. Not sure what I'll use the scissor fabric for, but I have the circus fabric in mind for something...I'm still brainstorming.

Everyone knows by now that I have a good relationship with my Aunt Pam and of course I had to call her while I was shopping around the reproduction fabrics. Okay, I did make her a little jealous and that wasn’t my intent, but I had to tell her where I was. She lives in Ohio and hasn’t been to Stitcher’s Garden in quite a few years. I gave her play-by-play of the layout. She was "oooohhhhhhhing" and "ahhhhhhhing" over my comments and descriptions. Hopefully she’ll get to make that trip down here. I would love to sit among the bolts of fabric with dear Aunt Pam.

It has been a week and a half and I’m still crackin’ away on my current rotation. I have actually stayed true to my list. I love it! I anticipate each day and that leaves me feeling fulfilled with ALL my projects. I’m getting soooo close to finishing at least 2 in the next week and I’m content over that mere thought. Wednesday I punched away on my Pig and Chicken by Hooked on Rugs. I'm just about done with them. I’m getting so close that I can almost smell the pork and taste the poultry. Yum!

I'm a mouse! I love cheese ~ munch munch!

We're not sure why he does this, but for some odd reason he likes to eat slices of cheese "in" the fridge.

Cameron getting into my jewelry and make up drawers.

Where's Cameron? -------------------- Here I am!!!

Aside from stitching and crafting until my heart's content, I have so much to do. I have to catch up on the housework. I need to dust something terrible and mop the floors. Glass needs Windex as well. Maybe I'll set up a current rotation for my cleaning duties. Heyyyyyyyyyyyy....that is a good idea! However, I'll leave one day of rest just for me! I'll have a very clean and organized home and all the stitching time I'd ever want. Sounds like I might be getting things in order around here very shortly. Whew!!!!

Back to my coffee, and oh yeah, today is Thursday which means I'll be working on Be Still...by The Sampler Girl. Have a beautiful day everyone!

the day after

It's Sunday night and I've worked on my designated-day rotation project off and on, along with last minute laundry; and since I cannot show off my Sunday piece because it is a gift for an admiring pair of eyes, I can only give you a ~*hint hint*~ peek.

Waterlilies silk ~ floss used in "secret" project

Piece intentionally blurred

Today was a lazy and quiet day. DH went out to a gun show and was nice enough to go Krogering on his way home (he is a fine fine husband, isn't he?). He picked up quite the young bird for us to eat this chilly and cloudy evening. We had rice and buttered bread with our little chicken.

Before

2 hours later ~ yum yum

The boys have been busy playing independently as well as a team. As most 11 year old boys do, Jose had been in his room most of the day playing video games, with a periodic peek into the rest of the house to see what we were up to. He did manage one chore which was to clean up the dogs' business from the yard and afterwards he fed our beasts (dogs). Here were the boys earlier today playing together.

Cameron really isn't playing...but he thinks he is! LOL

Cameron always has a watchful eye on his big brother. Cameron wants to mimic and copy every single step and move Jose makes. He's watching Jose push the buttons and shift the knobs on the controller. What's funny is that when Jose is at school I have to keep his door closed bc Cameron will surely get into trouble in big brother's room. However, there are times I have to get in there for laundry and pick up and Cameron will immediately grab a remote, turn the TV on, and power on the Xbox 360, Wii, Xbox, Playstation II; you name it Cameron turns it on and starts pushing buttons and shifting knobs...just like big brother! He stands way too close to the TV though.

Monday I have a doctor's appointment with a new neck and spine surgeon. To make a really looooooong story short, I've had chronic back pain for 8 years. I've had all medical makeup work I can possibly have and I've undergone all types of procedures and tests. I've had plenty of diagnosis, but nothing anyone can do about it. I've had to learn pain management and adjust my life accordingly. The only thing my body hasn't gone through with respect to neck and spine is surgery. Lately I have been experiencing the same symptoms as in previous years, but also new ones. Maybe THIS doctor will have the cure once and for all. I'm just hoping that maybe one day in my lifetime there will be something that'll help me.

Tuesday is going to be a much better day - hooray!!! Me and my mother, with Cameron in tow, are going to a quilt store that we've never been to called The Quilter's Attic. I am looking soooo forward to this outing. It's going to be so nice to visit a new store. I've lived here since 1993 and never have I been to this place. Sad, yes, I know ~ you can make fun. I won't hate you! LOL

Here is some tub time with Cameron. He loves loves loves taking baths!

Hey...who's down there?!?!

thur and fri

Thursday:

I received that beautiful appliquéd quilt from my Aunt Pam. Thank you, everyone, for the thoughtful comments on my aunt’s quilt. I so appreciate them and I know she does as well.

I threaded the bobbin on my sewing machine. I made quite the mess with that. I don’t use my sewing machine as much as some and I needed a refresher course so I turned to my handy Viking sewing machine instruction manual for assistance – it worked! Now I’m all ready to go.

In the evening, I worked on primitivebettys Hallow’s Eve design. All I have left before finishing it is whip stitch the back to the front. I stitched this right around Halloween, but never got around to finish-finishing it (if that makes sense). Finally, I started piecing together the three different swatches of fabric. I’m still not sure what it’ll become. I know it isn’t getting framed. So far, I spent 2 hours working on it and I had lots of fun, and had lots of needle pokes too. Ouch! I also noticed that I have a stitching mistake, but it’s too late to repair – those pesky frogs aren’t going to bother me with this one. I’ve learned to just accept such mistakes.

Here’s a video (above) of Jose and Cameron being oh sooooooo silly Thursday evening before bed. Cameron thought it quite funny to yell and scream after Jose said, “Get up!”. At times Cameron acted like a fish out of water. Silly boys!!

At night, I stitched on Be Still by The Sampler Girl. I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I had not seen it before. Really really good! Those kids are maturing and growing up fast, aren’t they? The character of Ron is simply adorable. He’s my favorite…"bloody hell!" - LOL

Friday:

Here’s a photo of Cameron right before we left for his Nana’s house. He is pretending to be daddy. He had the laptop, daddy’s cell phone, a calculator (daddy doesn’t use that) and the remote control for our DVD player. Mr. Cameron thought he was pretty cool.

Me and Cameron went to my mom’s and got there extra early. She lives 45 minutes away from my home so it’s best to get there at the crack of dawn (not really that early, but might as well have been). My mom surprised me with a little something. Well, not really little; BIG actually! Check out my new scissors. Heehee I can't wait to hang these in my craft area!

Cameron is playing with the spice drawer. He loves organizing things…ah, a man after my own heart! He had a grand time playing with all this stuff.

Friday’s stitching was on Hallow’s Eve Pillow by Stacy Nash. This is more than half way stitched so hopefully I’ll get it stitched up by next Friday. Here’s to hoping!!! Here's the progress on this one.

Today is Saturday which means my biggest rotation project of all; Ages of Man by Long Dog Sampler. Here (scroll down quite a bit to see photo of LDS) is where I am currently with this design.

DH and I are going out for Valentine’s Day this evening. Mom is watching the boys and we’re going to eat a sushi bar for dinner. It’ll be nice being alone together.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

happy valentine's day

When I was younger and in school I remember Valentine's Day being a big deal; even to the boys. What stands out most about those memories was decorating brown paper bags with red and pink hearts made from construction paper and using stickers, feathers, pipe cleaners, and whatever else we could find to decorate our bags and even sometimes Kleenex boxes. Our names would adorn the package and then Valentine's day would arrive. At school we usually taped the bag to the front of our desk and run around the classroom dropping valentine cards and even love notes to the ones we hoped would return the favor. (Do you like me? Circle "yes" or "no". Return please.) Boy did those notes get your heart racing, but there were times the heart would break too. Ahhh, childhood at its fondest!

These days I'm not into Valentine's Day. I really find it silly to spend so much money on gifts like teddy bears, candy, flowers and all that jazz. I admire people that do, but for me I can do without. I much rather just go out for dinner - end of story. Which brings me to our plans for today. My mother is going to watch the boys while my DH and I have dinner at a downtown sushi bar. Just the two of us is extremely rare. In fact, its only happened once in 18 months. It'll be nice to just focus on each other. Afterwards, Cupid will shoot us back into reality where we'll be blessed with the presence of our children and return home.

I hope your Valentine's Day is special and another fulfilling memory is formed with your loved ones.

goodness gracious!!!

I am stunned! Look at what I just received in the mail from my dear Aunt Pam.

I couldn't be more surprised by this very very special gift. I had absolutely no idea she had a surprise up her sleeve. Aunt Pam never let on that she was making something for me, and boy am I ever so shocked. I nearly cried when I opened up this little red package. Take a gander at the goods!

The backing

Look at all the beautiful 1800's reproduction fabrics!!!

Close up.

My Aunt is so sweet. She writes: "From My Heart to Yours" - For my precious niece

Do you know how lucky I am??? I am in awe, really, I am. My aunt is the best ever! I couldn't be more happier, more pleased and more loved than I am right now. Aunt Pam has made my day, my week, my month, and my year. I love you, Aunt Pam!!!

progress not perfection

I am progressing beautifully with my new (adaptation) system for current rotations. By today’s end it will be my 4th day in the rotation. I’ve become so quickly successful that I actually finished a project last night and I’m so happy about it. I’ve already chosen a project to put in Wednesday’s place ~ I am excited to see it again! It’s a punchneedle design that is almost completely punched called Pig and Chicken by Hooked on Rugs. Its folk art and so cute! All that's left to punch is the background which has already been started.

punched on plain weaver's cloth & used WDW cotton threads

(this is the back to which you work from)

(started November 4, 2008)

(right now)
28 ct Vintage Country Cream by Lakeside Linens & used Crescent Colours Bandana

Vintage Country Cream

I finished up Schoolgirl Lessons by LHN. I started this November 4, 2008 and because of its small size and being stitched monochromatically this should have been done a looooong time ago. I’m so embarrassed about it. See, this is why I need a reliable rotation system. So far, I think this is going to work wonderfully for me. My mother may even adopt this same system. Good for her because she probably has more UFO’s than I do. :o)

Yesterday afternoon and into last night I worked on cleaning up my crafting area. It’s been such a mess and a catchall place for months. It has been a disgrace and completely unlike me. But now it is clean and ready to use…for now. I’m still not done though. I need to install two wired shelves above my work station so I can access my more commonly used supplies and stash instead of them being shoved into closed doors and cabinets where they are not easily accessible. In addition to cleaning the mess, I rearranged two pieces of furniture in this space. I moved my sewing machine table next to the craft table and the cabinet that was once there is now where the sewing machine table used to stand. I like it so much better this way; however, I need better lighting or more lighting rather.

Be Still...by The Sampler Girl
28 ct. Jobelan Sand Castle & using DMC

Today is really nice out ~ high is 65 and sunny with a bit of overcast. It is Thursday so that means I’ll be stitching on Be Still…by The Sampler Girl. I’m almost done with this so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get this stitched up today. Wish me luck!

abe

Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln!

(my favorite president)