Friday Night Sew-In & Ort Report

Hello!  :)

I had a wonderful Friday Night Sew-In Stitch-In last night! I managed to finish up part one of the Lizzie Kate Mystery Halloween Sampler. Here it is . . .

There are some straight stitches that will go in the triangular border. I'll add those later since I'm using a hoop to stitch this. I'm now ready to start part two.  :)

Yesterday was the day to share my ort's. You can read about them here . . .

I've been adding lots of threads to my jar. I'm finding myself pressing them down more now, as the jar's getting pretty full.  :)

This weekend is also the . . .

I'm going to keep on stitching and will be back Monday with a report of all the stitching I get done over the weekend.  :)

Until next time . . .

Long time no post :(

Hello!  :)

I can't believe that it's been over 3 weeks since my last post! (Non Traveling Stash that is.) I knew it'd been a while but just didn't think it'd been that long. I'm so sorry for my absence! It's been a busy time for me plus it's been HOT!!! It's usually not humid in Southern California and right now it's over 100 every day plus high humidity! Yuck! Heat and I don't get along and humidity and I definitely do not get along. I start sweating instantly and get overwhelmed with heat. It really sucks! For the past few weeks I've basically been sitting around working on various cross stitch projects for Christmas and other holidays. I wanted to post about them as I completed each project but it was too hot to get up and take the pictures. Plus I was lazy too. (I'm always full of excuses!)  ;)

The first project I finished was the last one I told you I was working on.

It's "Christmas Is..." by Lizzie Kate. It's stitched on 28 ct Ultra Very Light Antique Blue evenweave. I basically kept the colors the same. I'm not too sure about the pink string on the mittens. It was supposed to be a light blue but it blended into the fabric too much. What do you think?

The next project I completed will eventually be an ornament.

It's "Snow in Love" by Little House Needleworks. It's the hunky dude and I enjoying the snow!  ;)  This one is stitched on 28 ct Beige evenweave. I really like how this turned out. I kept all the original colors.  :)

After this I wanted a quick project. I was waiting on some over-dyed threads to arrive and needed them for the other projects I wanted to work on. In the meantime I stitched this up . . .

It's "Happy Haunting" by Lizzie Kate. I stitched it on 28 ct Light Tan evenweave. This one will probably become a pillow. I'm not too sure about it but I think I'll like it more once I add the perfect fabrics to it.  :)

After the Halloween project I received some of the threads I was waiting on. I stitched this ornament up.

It's another Little House Needleworks ornament. This one is called "All Dolled Up". It's stitched on a 28 ct Beige evenweave. I changed some of the colors. I will be adding black beads for the Snowman's eyes and buttons. I'm happy with how it came out!  :)

Then I worked on my Garden exchange piece for the "Stitched With Love" exchange. I loved the way it turned out! I wish I could show you but I have to wait until everyone receives their packages . . . sorry.  :(

The next project I did was the one I was waiting on the threads for. The moment I saw this design I just had to get it and stitch it up.

I'm so happy with the way it turned out! I love it!  :)  It's a design by Homespun Elegance called "Delivering Plenty". It turns out there's a whole series of these "delivering..." designs. I'll definitely be doing more of these! I stitched it on a 25ct Gray Green evenweave. I'm not sure of the correct color of the fabric as it was part of a variety of fabric ends that I got from a shop owner. I will be adding some buttons for the cart wheels and a charm or two. There was supposed to be a squirrel on the turkey's back but I didn't like it so I left it off. You'll have to wait and see how I finish this one off.  ;)

Remember the swap project I told you about? Well I liked it so much that I decided to stitch one up for myself. I actually finished stitching the piece today. I still can't show it to you though . . . so sorry!  :(  I can show you what I'm starting on tonight though.

It's the Halloween Mystery Sampler by Lizzie Kate. It took me a little while to decide whether I wanted to do this one or not but of course I decided "Yes!". I have part one & two of the design already. The third (& last) part will be out at the end of the month. I'm hoping to have the first two parts finished by then. I'm stitching it on a 28ct Mushroom evenweave instead of the Tin Roof fabric it called for. I am using all the original threads though. I'm hoping it will turn out nice!  :)

The last few weeks I actually have managed to get some sewing done too. Not a lot because of the heat though. I've discovered that my dining room, which is where I sew, is very hot. It just doesn't cool off in there. By the time I finish sewing I'm soaked with sweat (yuck!) I was wondering why I haven't been sewing much this summer and I now know this is why. I'm dying to work on some projects that have been waiting for me so I hope it cools off soon so I can get back to some sewing. I'll be showing you one of the items I did finish later this week. The other sewing project will have to wait longer as it was for the swap I mailed off.

Well that's it for now. Be sure to come back later in the week to check out my sewing plus some fun stuff I have planned.

Until next time . . .

A Week in Review

Hello!  :)

Hope you're having a nice week!  :)  Mine's been sad. A good friend of mine lost her battle with cancer this past weekend. She was only 46. She was always a happy, cheerful person. She always brightened my life. I am missing her terribly and am very sad.  :(  I will always remember her fondly and smile when I think of her.

This past week I was able to make some progress on the Autumn Sampler I've been working on. Here's where I left off last week . . .

And this is where I am at today . . .

I haven't done all the detail backstitches yet but I have done the main ones to keep up with the design. I will work on the detail ones when it's all finished. I am happy with my progress so far after 3 weeks. Tonight I'll be starting on the center sections. I really love all the different sections and details of this design. It really helps it to flow and makes it easier to work on.

I have also finished stitching a couple of other pieces this week as well. They are both Lizzie Kate designs. The first is "Think Autumn" . . .

The second one is a "Halloween" Flip-It . . .

I'm not quite sure how or when I'm going to finish them yet. Can you tell I can't wait for Fall to get here?! I hate summer and the heat love fall!  :)  For now they are put aside while I work on the Autumn Sampler some more. I'm sure I'll start some other small project this week as well since it's a nice break from the large project.  :)

This week I have also been planning some red, white and blue quilt blocks for the Celebrate Red White and Blue Blog Hop that's been going on.

Have you been checking out all the other wonderful blocks? There are lots of great ideas out there! :)  My day is coming up this Saturday so stay tuned!  :)  That's what I have going on how about you? What have you been working on?

Before I go I'd like to talk about one more thing. Don't you just hate it when you go to leave a comment on someones blog and you have to verify the words (and now numbers) in the box? I know I do. That's why it bothers me to say that I had to turn on the word verification for comments left here on my blog. I wish I didn't but those bad people out there in cyberspace kept sending spam via comments to this blog. Why don't these people do good with their talents instead of harming bothering others? I just don't understand it. The world would be such a better place without having to protect ourselves from all those bad people out there. So please still leave me comments. I really do enjoy reading them and try to respond to everyone. While you're typing those silly words and numbers in those word verification boxes and cursing me please remember that I'm there with you. I don't like it either but it's one of those necessary things. Sigh.................

Until next time . . .

The Ghastlies are Here!!! :)

Hello!  Welcome!  :)

Although I'm not an official stop on the Ghastlies Blog Hop . . . Our dear Madame Samm has honored me by steering you my way! Thank you so much Madame!  I won't let you down!  ;)

So without further adieu . . . here's some Ghastlie projects which helped me to get rid of this flu . . . 

The first for your viewing pleasure . . . 

What do you think of my apron? 

Do you like what you see? 

It was made to show you

By little ol' me!

The Ghastlie's are sitting 

And knitting away

Look closely my dears

Before you go play!

Did you see them?

That ol' owl 

and Sebastian the cat

And don't forget Prudence

That girl knows where it's at!  ;)

And those sisters three

Love to knit while they sit

I'll bet if you ask them

They'll take care of your tea!

For they're on a mug rug

One side they all fit

Now turn it over

And there the rest sit!

Well that's all it took

for me to get cured.

But I want to share

Yes that's what you heard!

One of you will have

This mug rug to use

I'll give it away

Just don't blow a fuse!

I bid you adieu

But before you go

Please leave me a comment

Before you go sew!

Thank you for visiting! I would love it if you would follow me! It makes me real happy! :)  If you'd like to win the mug rug above please comment on this post and tell me you want it. I'll choose a winner Saturday at 9:00pm (pacific time) and post it here. Good luck!  :)

This giveaway is closed!

The winner of the mug rug is Quilter in the Gap! Congrats!!!  :)

Don't forget to visit all the Ghastlie bloggers on today's blog hop . . . 

Mrs Nan Ghastlie

Mrs. Gmama Jane Ghastlie
Mrs Joan Ghastlie
Mrs. Nancy Ghastlie

 Ms Susan Ghastlie
Madame Ghastlie

This last mug rug is the one I made for me! Goodnight! Good day! Hope to see you again real soon!  :)

Until next time . . .

Happy Halloween!!! :)

Hello!

Hope you're having a Hallowing Halloween! I'm watching Sweeny Todd with the hunky dude. I've never seen it before and he says it's good . . . we'll see. ;)  

The Halloween greetings above and below are from the leftover fabric from my Halloween apron. I know it's kind of late but I wiped them into two mug rugs. Cute, huh?!!!  :)

Guess what came courtesy of the UPS man today??? It was the awesome bag I won last week from the Ghastlie Blog Hop! Here's a picture of me with the bag . . .

Please excuse my messy hair. It was the end of a long day of shopping. You know shopping does take a lot out of you! Whew! I picked up some great items at the thrift store today. I'll show them to you later in the week. I also have items I picked up a couple of weeks ago that I haven't shown you yet . . . I'm a bad, bad blogger!

Anyway . . . Let's get back to the bag. I couldn't believe it got here so quick! Here it is with the handle up (& the tag still on it) . . .

And here's a closer view of it . . . 

Isn't it awesome?!!! I thought about taking more pictures of the inside but I figured you'd be bored. I'll tell you instead.  ;)   There's a strap inside to strap your sewing machine in and two removable pouches (attached with velcro) . . . and of course there's all the pockets on the outside. Now all I need is a new, big, awesome sewing machine to go in it! A girl can dream can't she??? 

I want to take time to thank Madame Samm, host of the Ghastlie Blog Hop for securing such an awesome item to giveaway and for picking my name! Thanks also to Blue Fig for being so generous and donating the bag for the giveaway!  :)   The Ghastlie Blog Hop is going on now through Friday, November 4th. Be sure to check it out!  :)

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

I Love Swaps! :)

Hello!

This was an awesome week of surprises galore for me! I received three swap items and one giveaway prize that came with another surprise!

The first item I received was a mug rug from a mug rug swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Angela from Maryland made it for me. Thank you Angela! I love the colors and fabrics! Plus she did an awesome job on the quilting! Here's the front . . .

and the back . . .

Isn't it cool?!!!

The next item I received was a Halloween quilt block from Barbara in Georgia. This is part of a 12-month quilt block swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Here's the block . . .

Cool huh?!!! She did such a fabulous job on it! Thank you Barbara!  :)

The next item is a Thanksgiving quilt block from Nettie in Pennsylvania. This is also part of the same 12-month quilt block swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Here's the Thanksgiving block . . .

I love it! The center kind of looks like a marque, doesn't it?!!! Such warm fall colors! Thank you Nettie!  :)

The last item is a tissue cover that I won from Regena over at The Distracted Domestic. She even included the tissues! I love it Regena! Thank you so much! When I opened the tissue cover there was something else included in the package . . . 

It's a vintage crocheted grape hot pad! She blogged about it here. She received it from her MIL but didn't really care for it. I loved it and told her so. It totally reminds me of my great grandmother. I love collecting vintage things. Can you believe she just sent it to me with the tissue cover I won. She didn't even tell me she was sending it. I was so surprised and happy when I saw it! I absolutely love it! It's soda caps crocheted over and together to form the grape cluster. What do you think? Nay or Yeah??? I can't wait to find the perfect spot for it! Thank you so much Regena for your kindness and generosity! You totally made my day!

It was kind of like Christmas this week! I loved it! I still have another Halloween and Thanksgiving quilt blocks that will be coming my way soon! I can't wait to see them!

Thanks for sharing my treasures with me! Have an awesome weekend!

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

This . . . That . . . & Everything in Between! :)

Hello!  :)

It's been another busy week! I always have great intentions on posting more often but then I'm tired by the end of the day and put it off. Then in the morning I'm eager to get working again so again I put posting off until later. :)  Can you say procrastination?!!! I'm very good at procrastinating! You may even call me an expert! ;)  So if you haven't guessed by now, this will be another one of those long posts.

Guess I better get started . . .

Guess what I finally did this week??? Haven't figured it out yet? Here's a clue . . .

Yes! I did! I actually finished my Halloween apron before Halloween!!! Do you like it? Is the blue/teal polka dot batik too much? I thought so at first but then I loved how it brought the same blue/teal color out in the main fabric. Here's a close up . . .

What do you think? Does it go together? One minute I love it and the next I'm not sure again . . . lol! The main vintage inspired fabric was made especially for JoAnn's Fabrics.

I also managed to finish my Thanksgiving apron! Can you believe it? Too aprons in one week! I'm on a roll! Here it is . . .

I know I've shared one just like this before that I made for a swap partner. I liked it so much that I had to make one for myself.  :)  I'm even thinking of making one for my sister too. You see my mom passed away earlier this year. She always cooked Thanksgiving dinner. This year my dad's still hosting it and my sister and I are cooking. Wouldn't it be nice if we both wore matching aprons to honor her! That will mean that I'll have to make one more . . . I'll have to think on this one. Not sure if I have the time before Thanksgiving to whip another one out. Yes! I'm a gluten for punishment . . . lol!

Here's a close up of the fabrics . . .

This vintage inspired fabric was also made especially for JoAnn's Fabrics. I just love it!

If you love aprons like I do . . . you might want to sign up for a Christmas apron swap. Sue from Country Pleasures is hosting one and of course I signed up. It just happened to work well with my schedule, believe it or not.  :)  Click on the link above or the photo below for more information. If you decide to sign up let me know.  :)

I participated in her Fall Apron Swap. I not only received an awesome apron but made a great friend as well! (Hi Donna!) I love swaps!  :)

Besides aprons I managed to finish quite a few more Christmas Stitchery's for my two mini quilts. I finished two Stockings . . .

Two Bear's . . .

And two Christmas Tree's . . . 

Yes I finished 6 stitchery panels this week! A new stitchery was released today and I've already got two of them traced and ready to stitch! After that there's just one more and then the quilt process will begin. I'm quite impressed with myself! I'm really enjoying it! I know I've said it before but I really am! :)  It's so relaxing to sit and stitch and watch tv. You should try it. The redwork is pretty quick as you don't have to change colors.  :)

What else did I do this week? Well do you remember the Ghastly blog hop I told you about? If you don't click here to check it out . . . 

One week of the blog hop is already over, but there's still one more week to go. You really should check it out as there are some pretty awesome projects being created and lots of prizes too! (I won the rolling tote bag on day 2! Yea me!) As I told you before, I actually signed up to take part in the blog hop. This was going to be my first. Did you notice I said "was"? Somehow I missed a very important email that was sent to the participants. I think it was eaten by those cyberspace monsters! I didn't realize it until it was too late . . . so I'm not going to be included in the actual blog hop. However the hostess of the blog hop, Madame Samm of Sew I Quilt, said that she would put a link to my projects on her blog on her day of the hop, November 4th. So I will still be participating . . . just in a different way. So even though I've completed another project for the blog hop, all you get to see now is a sneak peek . . . 

What ever could it be? This makes two projects that I've finished. I still have some of the Ghastlie fabric left so I may just squeeze in another project. We'll have to wait and see if I have time.  :)  So do you have any idea what the above Ghastlie project is? I'd love to hear your guesses!  :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)