A few Santa charts for you

Hi everyone.  Since I can't stitch right now, I thought I would go through charts to find a few projects to kit.  I came across some older Christmas designs that I know I will never stitch and wondered if someone would be interested.  Leave your name on this post and if more than one are interested, I will draw a name this Saturday. 

 All five are one offer.

Merry Old Santa

Leisure Arts

Debbie Mumm

Country Noel

Susan Fouts
Homespun Holiday
Perforated paper or fabric

  Heartstrings

The Jolly Company



Homespun Sampler

Angels Among Us

Perforated paper and fabric

That's all for now!

Leave your name if you're interested and have a great week.

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New stash ~ Stella's looking for a home

Hi everybody.  I received my R+R Reproductions order from Homespun Samplar and thought you might like to see what I got.  I took the Lightbox feature off so photos should open and enlarge if you want to see a close up of any chart.   I don't like the black screen option and if you want to change yours, go to Dashboard, Settings, Formatting, and scroll down to Showcase ..... Lightbox.  Choose No. 
Bye bye black screen.

Cross, straight, eyelet, and chain stitches in Thankful. 142 x 198 stitch count.

Cross, half, Algerian eye and some over one.

 Ann's verse is "O sweet Jesus who was so good even to those who were so wicked that for the very same parties who did crucify thee thou didst pray unto thy Father saying Father forgive them for they know not what they do." 152 x 279 stitch count.

The verse on Barnard is "Diligence industry and proper improvement of time are material duties of the young.  Sincerity and truth form the basis of every virtue.  Time once past never returns." 271 x 101

 Cross, over one, rice, and smyrna stitches.

Rebecca's stitches are Cross, Rice, Long armed cross, Eyelet, Satin, and Herringbone. 240 x 116  Looks like these colors may need a Pearl Gray dip!

 

Flora includes Cross over one, Rice, Eyelet, and four-sided. 90 x 209
 

And the petite Dorothy (who was 24 years old when she stitched this) has Cross, Four-sided, Long-armed cross, and Herringbone, with hem stitched edges.  She is to be stitched on 35 count with silk threads.  65 x 109
I haven't found a conversion to DMC so I looked up the AVS colors, most are very pale and similar, and I may just pick my own.

Could you believe I got all of these for a total of $31?

These charts are so wonderful to use.  Very large easy to read charts with multiple pages and clear instructions.  But did the young snots really have to use all those stitches?  What's wrong with the basic cross?  Yes I know they were learning, and in order to become proficient they needed to practice and include these attractive stitches.  I'm not practicing or trying to impress a man so I may just go with the basics.  I haven't fully read the charts and if the areas involved are small, it could be fun.  Let's hope so!  Thank goodness I'm almost finished with this post because I am soaked and ready to run outside.  Flashes have been really bad again but my mammoslam was benign so ~ I'll accept the soakings without complaint.  Even though they are still frying my brain.  Today I put a bag of sunflower seeds in the critter treats and when my husband asked why, I said they were expired.  The date on the bag is Oct 10 2012.  ????  WHAT???
See something you'd like to stitch?  Homespun Samplar still has a very nice selection of these oldies.

Remember Stella's Brooms 'n Brellas from Fanci That?  I was going to stitch her without the bottom element, and realize now that I won't.  Anyone interested?  If you would like to have Stella broom her way to you, let me know in a comment here.  If more than one, I'll pull a name from a hat and send her along to her new roost.

Thanks for watching show and tell.

Hope your week starts splendidly!

Thank you for visiting.

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An offering

Greetings.  It's been a little while since I offered you a token of my appreciation. 

Now ~ I've been seeing a few giveaways that include tons of charts, linen, and silk threads.  This isn't one of those.  It's just this.  Not much is it? 

As you know, I've been ridding my craft room of unused items and I happened across a few labels that I was playing with.  So I thought - what the heck?  The offer is for this small 4" paper mache box with the label of my free pattern (under Needle Keep). 

  You can stitch the chart into a little pinkeep, or a soft folding needlebook (instead of this complicated hard sided stiff book that my lovely sister in law preferred), and have a little box to match.  Or just the peacock for a fob. 

Stitching the right half of the chart beneath the peacock as Jill from Purple Peacock did, would make a great folding needlebook. 

 Thanks again Jill for coming up with this great alternative (which I actually prefer).

Anyway, I made the box the other day and of course, tore the house apart looking for it.  You've made me feel better by relating to my losing misplacing items, but this is really chapping my hide.  I found it, won't tell you where.  I would tape it to the TV (which is filling up rapidly) but I don't want the tape to ruin the paint finish.  So I'm putting it in my car.  I keep a large cooler in the back for groceries and I'll put a note on the TV of its location.  Of course I will need to remove it when I put the ice pack in and go to the market, which means it could end up anywhere.  I'll figure something out.

If you would like this wimpy little token of my appreciation to all of you that take the time to visit with me, please leave a comment stating so on this post only.
The offer will close on Saturday, August 11, at 9pm EST.

Later!

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A thank you gift!

EDITED ~ I'm sorry for not stating the offer more clearly.  The offer is for the pillow you see here, not the chart.  My fault for stating it the way I did.  You will get the stitched piece!
Hello all.  What a gorgeous weekend we're having in PA.  I've been working outside, realizing how out of shape I am!  I need to start exercising which is not something I enjoy.  61 next month.  YIKES!!  So I'll make this short and sweet.  To thank everyone for being patient with my ramblings and Lucy foibles, I want to gift one of you with Lydia.  She was an easy stitch for me and I can certainly make another.  I've received so many emails asking if I wanted to sell the chart or if I knew where to find it, so I thought she would be a good offer.  Even though I found my rag, no dusting is being done.  Guess what I've been doing?  Look how cute this mounted and ready for framing old piece looks on this crappy plywood box!  Lydia is in front.

I can attach the piece to the lid with the box closed and stand it like my sliding box which is one of my favorite sampler displays.

So there you go!  If you would like Lydia, leave a comment on THIS POST ONLY.  Open to all!  I'll have Random figure out the winner on Friday the 25th at 9pm.

Enjoy your Sunday ~ hope it's as beautiful as mine.



Winner and final offer!

Hello all.   I want to thank everyone for participating in this anniversary offer.  The Santa charts offer is finished, and the second part ended last night.  The winner of the gift certificate is Penny from Larkspur Lane.  The last and current offer is for the set of three little boxes, celebrating new followers and reaching 250.  Seems like I've been doing offers for quite a while!  This will be the last one for now.  Some of you have already left an entry in the prior post and I moved those to the offer folder.  Any one wanting a chance for the boxes, please leave a comment on this post, stating you want to be included.  Please make sure all anonymous messages have a first name.  I think this one will end on Sunday, Feb.26 at 8 p.m. EST.  I will post the box photo at the bottom of this post.  Good luck!  And again, thanks to all for participating.

I've been spending a lot of time at the computer resizing all the labels and creating a few new ones for this small size so I didn't get the heart finished.    And as I post this photo, I see an error.  I plan on using a stiff facing and quilt batting for an even low loft.  The heart peak and bottom point will be too distorted with pouf.

Look at this darling old wood ironing board I found at the mall.  I plan on turning it into a little shelf, or maybe a sconce.  I never saw one this small in wood and the ironing side isn't in bad shape. 

This really beat up large one will be cut into a horizontal whale or goose silhouette, or maybe paint it to look like a large old sign.

The nightly news had a lead story of another dog found.  I turned it off right away before I heard details.  In other news, I got a haircut.  I told her to cut it a little shorter this time.  I need weight to hold down the wildness and this cut is way too short on top and thin on the bottom.  I look like a poisonous mushroom.

Here's the winner and the boxes.

Sunday, February 26, 8 p.m. EST

Penny, let me know which shop you prefer.

Thank you all again, so much, for welcoming me into the stitching blog world.  I am finding so many more to read through the offers and my gaming score is pretty good.  You know, the new verification game.  I've got 20 in a row right!  There better be a prize.

Have a wonderful day - thank you for taking the time to visit!

If you hear a small child say "mommy that lady's head looks like a mushroom",  stop and say hello.

Please make sure to specify you are entering the giveaway!

Happy Anniversary to me

and Happy Valentine's Day to you all!  I want to thank everyone for participating in the Prairie Schooler offer and Shar seems happy to be the winner.  She doesn't have any Schooler Santas so I hope she enjoys stitching these designs.

You know those lovely sweet women that call you honey and hug frequently, laughing and joyous, warm and open, caring to all, a joy to be around?   That's not me.   I wish it were, but it's not.   I admire and envy them.  So if I don't say it enough, please forgive me.  But when I say that I am touched by all of you, taking your time to visit here, to offer help, or just a hello, I mean it sincerely.  This last year, as I mentioned before, has tremendously helped me to move on, has motivated me, and continues to do so.  I'm amazed and very appreciative as followers continue to join.  I mentioned before about disturbing happenings, and my mind isn't focused right now.  There have been many dogs stolen (bait for dog fights), some horrific dog abuse in a neighboring area, and an unexpected botched surgery that is taking my sister's dear friend very quickly.   So you will be making the decision for me, by choosing the shop for the offer.   I will purchase a $30 gift certificate at one of the following online shops in your name if you win.  I chose these because of the accessories offered, linens, thread variety, and dookies (little goodies).  You can browse and decide which shop has what you would like, offers the best discount, and let me know your choice.   Just in case my fogged mind is not stating this clearly enough - the winner will receive a $30 gift from ONE shop of their choice.   I plan on adding a few other items also, and will hopefully have them ready soon.    Here are the options.....

The Silver Needle
Down Sunshine Lane
Anita's Little Stitches
ABC Stitch Therapy
Elegant Stitch
The Cottage Lane
123 Stitch

Blogger is not allowing me to preview this post, and all my pages are blank, including your blogs.  So hopefully it will appear at some point.  This is the post where you need to leave a comment to be included in the anniversary offer.  If there is a problem with it,  I will redo tomorrow or whenever Google cooperates.  The drawing will be held next Wednesday the 22nd, and I will post before then with a reminder and anything else that I add.  Do not leave your shop choice in the comments - if you win, you can make the decision then.

Have a great week - thank you so much for visiting - and good luck!

PS Santa Winner

Hello stitchers!  Here are the results from Random - love that word.  So appropriate for menomoods.

Sharlene from Sharlene's Stitching Site is the winner. Send me your address Shar-these guys are coming your way!

Now a few notes about the Needle Keep.  First off, you can attach the magnetic strip directly to the interior's fabric and lay the ribbon over the top if you prefer.  This gives a little more grab, but you can't slip the needles under the ribbon easily.  I've made them with the sticky side to fabric running the width, and used the ribbon running the opposite way (like a wide "H") to hide the strips's ends.  Best grab of all since there is no ribbon between needle and magnet.  Don't use the strip on both top and bottom if it's not covered with ribbon, or matching fabric (my favorite).  I also use simple fabrics since prints and light colors make the needles more difficult for me to see.

This is my favorite pin cushion that Carol gifted me. I just love this fabric so much!  And the crushed shells inside.  To make sure the stitched side (Christmas) is protected, I made a little cover for it and used the ribbon to secure.  I didn't want to tack it on with stitches and mess up those perfect x's on the seams.  If this were a plain fabric cushion, the magnetic strip could be placed between the ribbons.

Now for the anniversary offer.

One year today!!   I realize that many of you are very accomplished stitchers with preferences for supplies, others want to try something new, and then there are the wimps like me.

So how better to please everyone than with a gift certificate?

You can chose fabric, chart, thread, accessories, buttons, pins, you name it!

I can't decide which online shop to choose, so I will be back later today with several choices - you pick your favorite!

  And a kitty update - I kept the little devils in my large dog crate with a litter box and padded bedding for 3 days.  Yesterday they were released and you should have seen them play!  They were so happy, even in that white crap.  Junior turned out to be a male and mama has been sitting and watching for him all night.  He hasn't returned.  This was a costly visit, but well worth it.  And yes, I am scratched up again, but it will heal.

Be back this evening...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Santa offer

Hello people!  I wanted to get the Santa offer up and running so here we go...

Three Prairie Schooler Santa designs.

Prairie Schooler Old World Santas I (#80) and II (#88) plus the adorable Kris Kringle (#62).

Click on the photos for a closer look.   Leave your request to be included in the drawing on this post only.  The deadline will be 2/13 at 8 pm EST and the drawing will be 2/14.  Don't worry about being the first or last request since the Random generator mixes everyone together.  Doesn't matter where you live!   I decided not to try two offers at one time.  Maybe you younger snots can handle it, but I couldn't wrap my menobrain around it.  We will see what pops up on the 14th after the drawing.......

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I found a few more sites that have conversions so here they are...

The first is here, which is offered from The Drawn Thread on NPI to DMC, Dinky Dye to WDW, and others. The second is here for WDW to DMC from Crab Apple Hill.   This one gives two to four DMC colors for one WDW which gives you a really good idea of the lightest to darkest hue of the variegation.  I realized that some of these are not up to date after I posted them yesterday so the newer colors we may be looking for aren't available.   But I'm not giving up and will continue searching!

I will be completing the body of the boat people sampler today and hope to finish the border shortly after.  I like it, but it is kind of weird!   Excuse me now while I run outside and flail my arms screaming at Woody Wood******.  Have a great day and talk to you soon...thank you for visiting!!

Before I misplace it again....

I've decided to post the magazine offering.  Today's mail delivered the issue I was missing and I recognized the projects so I DID have it....at some point.   I'm not taking any chances!  The three are going in an envelope and awaiting a winner's address, but there is always a chance that the envelope may disappear.  This is post 98 and I will announce a winner on post 100.  So here's the complete offer....

Cross Stitch Sampler Magazine Summer 1994, Fall 1994, and Winter 1994.

The Bargello Sewing Case is not an easy beginner project, but you can change all specialty stitches to basic cross.    DMC is used except for 4 colors of Needle Necessities overdyed floss (no longer made).  I found small skeins of the NN colors which I will include, you can decide whether to use them or choose the DMC equivalent.  I'm sure there is enough for the heart if not the entire project.  The first issue is stitching the bargello heart, the second installment involves small algerian eyelet, algerian eyelet, queen stitch, rhodes stitch, spray stitch, satin stitch, and petit point, and the third is for the inside of the bag and includes those same stitches.  The border along the bottom is strawberries of queen stitches.  All specialty stitches are illustrated in addition to each issue offering an instructional article on a specific stitch.  First is bargello, second is queen, and third is petit point.  It's a beautiful bag, and I'm hoping that some of you would be interested in owning these issues, which include many other charts and specialty stitches, with interesting articles, and great instructions.  I was sorry to see this magazine end.  The contents are shown below and you can click on each photo for a closer look.

So here's the deal.  Leave a comment stating "include me" on this post only, and I will use random generator as before, and announce the winner on the 100th post.  That is, if anyone is interested!  Today is 1/6 and I will draw the name on 1/11 at 11pm (ET) and announce the winner on 1/12.   Hope they find a good home......before they disappear.  Talk to you later!

And the winners are..

Ann won the large box and pear.....

and Anonymous (Jean Hohulin) won the small box.

Please send your address girls - I will post the photos of the Random.org drawing later.

I want to thank everyone for participating.  I really appreciate the response and wish I could give something to every one of you!

Your chances just increased

Hello people!  I'm feeling generous.  I am thrilled that 50+ of you would like my box, and encouraged enough to think seriously about Etsy.  So how about super sizing it?

I used the same two designs and put them on a 6" x 6" box.  I will use the generator at Random.org for the winner, and also draw a second time for the original offer of the 4" box.  If you're the winner and prefer the small box, that's fine.   The pear will be included with the first prize, along with a few dried citrus.  Don't you wish there was some stitchy stuff inside?  Well there isn't so don't get your hopes up. 

I was also informed that the pear will not make it into Australia which I didn't know.  I guess the box is all I can send since even the dried oranges are not allowed.   I don't know if other countries will accept but we'll find out.   I'll try to find something that I can include instead of the pear should the winner be lucky enough to reside in Australia.   Many of you are "no-reply" so be sure to check back for the winner.   Today, 11 pm EST!   I'll post by midnight.  Have a great day everyone.

Offering!

Hi everyone. I want to post that I am having an offering. Remember a few months ago, I showed journals and a box with a sampler snippet, wondering if I should try selling a few. Well this is one of them. It's a small 4" round painted box with a print of a sampler piece, and the cloved pear shown sitting on its lid will be inside.

If you would like this little pear box, just leave a comment here.  If you are "no-reply", please make sure to check back after the drawing date since I won't be able to reach you. I just decided to do this and haven't thought ahead.   I'm not sure what today is, so I can't tell you the date it will end, but it will be the end of this week.  I'll let you know exactly when next time!