A few favourite hearts ---

Happy Valentine's Day.   These are a few of 

my fav needlework hearts.

Link here for details

Link here for details

Details here

 

Pincushion Parade!!!

Beth blogging at Love Laugh Quilt

is hosting a Pincushion Parade + asks

bloggers to share their collection.

Details on her post:  Pincushion Parade!!!

Here are some of mine:

I stitched and finished these needlerolls.   

They are Shep Bush kits and Sekas designs.

Two of these beautiful pinkeeps were gifts. The Souvenir de France was

stitched + finished by GF Anna.   The Christmas Heart was

stitched + finished by GF Cathy B.   I stitched and finished the small

Sampler Pinkeep - and still have a small one half stitched!

I stitched and finished this Pin Cube.

This is a kit - wool I made a cupcake.  I made a few of the kits - fun to assemble.

A beautiful wool (in muffin tin) pincushion

given to me (and made by) GF Beth --- Tho, I confess

no pin has ever landed on the wool basket!

These, I use ALL THE TIME.   GF Sue made the Stick it Here.  It is the perfect

size for 'on the go' pincushion!!!   The other two were made by my Mom.

She had a yard of fabric + the designs were cut and sewn into pincushions.   She embellished

with quilting, beads, etc.   I use them ALL THE TIME.

Ok, time for YOU to share yours ; )

Gift: My 1st Pinkeep : )

Look what came in the mail, maybe getting older & having a birthday isn't so bad after all:
Christmas Heart Pin CushionMary Garryc.2000 Mary Garry's Sewing CabinFrom the 2000 Christmas Ornaments Magazine
I luv it! Thx Cathy B. Imagine my surprise when this arrived at the post office? I enjoy Mary Garry designs so much & have never gotten around to making a pinkeep. This one is fabulous, the stitching and finishing are perfect : )

Snow Day in NW Indiana

Blessed Are the PeacemakersMary Garry's Sewing Cabin - oopNot much to share as I am also stitching a 2009 State Day Project sample for our EGA Chapter (sorry, no pictures, yet).
BuddyOur dog, Buddy, enjoys the snow. There is a 2-hour delay for school.

What is a "ciggie"?

As for the term "ciggie", which I used in my previous post, Pat was gracious to describe as: "For those inquiring, "Ciggies" are cloth images that crazy quilters use in their work. It refers to the cloth prints that were premiums in cigarette packs years ago to encourage sales, hence the word, "Ciggies". We also call them "silkies"."

Some on-line information about the early 1900's cigarette silks here, and here .

I'm looking forward to giving CQ a try!---------------------------I am still stitching on a sample for the 2009 State Day -- no photos for the blog.

I did finish up this:

As you can see, there is still a small sampler to stitch:I found my over dye fibers & would like to get the sampler stitched soon.

As for the pattern, I've had some inquiries and requests. Currently, I still need the picture & pattern. If you are interested, leave a comment here or send an e-mail. After I complete the sampler, I'll decide. It is out of print & the price was $6.00 -- not sure what it is going for on e-bay.

WIP: Peacemakers

Many thanks for e-mails and comments regarding the pin cube. I hope some of you give it a try! It is really cute on my desk : )

I started this small project "Blessed Are The Peacemakers" on 30-count linen. I used Sampler Threads Dried Thyme and Old Red Paint w/DMC floss 840 & 930. I plan to finish the lettering while the chicken bakes (chilly, rainy day here)Blessed Are The PeacemakersMary Garry's Sewing Cabin, c.1998I found some 30-count linen which would probably look great for the small alphabet sampler -- I cannot seem to find another card of Dried Thyme or Midnight, tho, I swear I bought some not too long ago. Maybe have to go on a hunt thru other projects, or use DMC floss.

This was really a good read:I enjoyed it cover to cover : ) and look forward to the sequel being available on Nov 25th. Web Site here

Lake County Fair: Handicrafts I + II

Holiday Decoration, Ornaments (713) Counted Cross StitchThird PlaceSwedish Christmas Star, Hearts, & ReindeerMary Garry's Sewing CabinJust Cross Stitch / Ornaments 1998

Jewelry (868) Bead GlassSecond PlaceMill Hill Jeweled Bar Pin (kit)Filigree Victorian Rose

Milkpaint Sampler (kit)

I have had comments, questions, e-mails re. this kit.
I went on-line and found links for those wanting to purchase this item: HERE and HERE. There were more links that popped up; however, I didn't list them all here.
As for other questions, this kit came with NINE skeins of Kreinik Silk Mori & the chart. The suggested linen is 10" x 14" piece of 32-ct linen. In the photo above, you can see how much silk I have after stitching the flatfold. I planned to use Anchor floss for the fob cord - and will use silks for the inside pocket. As I continue the FINISHING, yes smartie pants - you know who you are that doubt me - I'll put up pictures.

Fun at the Fair : )

Earlier today, GF Sue D (w/o blog) & I visited the Lake County Fair. In the Family Arts & Crafts Building, Deanna Bassett was demonstrating. I learned how to make a lanyard (I think spelled correctly) using beading wire, crimping tool (crimp the beads to hold the whole thing in place), and lanyard. We chose a charm, beads, spacer beads, and woo-la ... A nifty purse decoration : ) I like the way it turned out!Friday, there are knitting & crocheting demos. Saturday, Quilting demos. Sunday, Locker Hooking + Quilting. I looked up Locker Hooking on-line. Is this interesting or what???
More progress on Forest Song. And, yes, this design has birds in the corners & a beautiful bird's nest charm in the center.
Ha Ha. And, yes, I have made small progress on my M.Garry Flatfold. I made the small scissors fob! I hope to get the cording made tonight & start stitching the inside pocket.

Mary Garry

I have been sorting thru my projects & this Mary Garry flatfold was (has been) on the bottom of the stack in my basket, since 2005! Sigh.The idea was to stitch the flatfold [DONE] hemstitch the outer edge [DONE], and make a small pocket for the inside [NOT DONE] ... select some nice fabric & add thread rings [NOT DONE]I just got a darling freebie & thought it might be a great motif for the pocket. Then, went thru the patterns I own & think I liked all of these darling maidens.
This one is from She Who Sews c.1995 Mary GarryI used suggested Anchor floss
This motif, (c.1995 Mary Garry She Who Sews) is nearly identical to the FREEBIE (last picture in this post). The colors are different.I used suggested Anchor floss.
This is from a Mary Garry FREEBIE, Sew & Sew and I used both DMC and Anchor floss colors: dmc 931,and rest anchor per suggested on pattern.
Last, but not least, Mary Garry FREEBIE called She Who Sews

OK, I like all of them : ) and I'm thinking, if I want to be consistent, I should probably use the left over Milkpaint Silks which came with the kit!! and use the same linen as I started with.The cute maiden motifs won't go to waste, they were totally fun to stitch & would be cute sewing smalls

A bit of stitching to report:

On July 12th, Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana presented A Day With La-D-Da's Lori Markovic
Many thanks to the Commitee Members (Mary C, Nancy H, Pat L, Cindy L, Cheryl M, and Karen U) AND sponsors (Avon Products, Country Cupboard, Sue's Needlework Finishing, House of Stitches, Perfect Angle, Redex (Udder Cream), Stitch by Stitch, Tomorrow Heirlooms, That Finishing Touch) for their generous contributions to the success of the workshop.
Not only was Lori Markovic awesome, and her kit fabulous, there were kewl goodies for participants. Check out the tote, needle case & the small booklet on the left is full of La-D-Da freebie patterns.
I didn't get much stitching accomplished (yet); however, so enjoyed chatting with stitchie friends. Some I hadn't seen for a year!This was an exclusive kit for a pin safe project. Oh, I did get the pins done! They are terrific & if I get to Hobby Lobby this week, I want to find the pin thingies and make more.

The kit includes Belle Soie Silk from Crescent Colours on 30-count Tin Roof linen from Weeks Dye Works. It says She seeks wool & flax & works with willing hands . The cord is beautiful. I just have to get this done soon.
Coni is further along & has a wonderful picture HERE and a post about the workshop HERE.

Stitches of Life III've done a bit of beading & loads of what I call quilting. Specifically, hand pieced blocks FINISHED into something : ) Pictures & Post about it HERE. I was so pleased with the 4-block (for the back of my chair or couch) and pillow. Been in the closet too long!
Christmas in JulySwedish Christmas Star, Hearts, & ReindeerMary Garry's Sewing CabinJust Cross Stitch / Ornaments 1998
I used DMC 680, 3011, and 3777. I made a cord with DMC ecru floss. I cannot say for sure how many times I've stitched this pattern. I just love it! One of these days, I'll make one for me to keep : )

Love ... slow stitchingI put in a few more stitches -- and took out a few stitches : ) LOL

Freebie

Compliments of Mary Garry's Sewing CabinI used GAST Mulberry & Dried Thyme; DMC 632, 950, 3064, 3781, 3768, 3021, 3721, 420 on 32-count Waterlily Linen

I found this cute tea bag charm & might use it if I make a scissor fob.

Sew With Kindness

Sew With Kindnessc.1997 Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin
50 x 76 stitches. Sampler Threads: Blueberry; Brandy; Cinnamon; Cherry Bark; Evergreen; Midnight; Mulberry; Maple Syrup. DMC: 632; 950; 3064. Zweigart Dublin - 25 count raw linen.

Stitching & Reading

Good Morning : ) I'm still coughing; however, feel much better. I stitched on this freebie until about 1:30 in the morning. That was fun. I have more to stitch -- couple more things in the skirt, the crown, star on the tree & more wording!!!

The alarm clock was NOT FUN ...

Anybody notice Oprah's new book selection??? This one was on my 'to read' list. And, it is on my bookshelf.


Spark Notes.

Movie site.

Book Info here.

Anybody planning to read along?

WIP

sigh, not much more to share. This cold is one of the worst I've ever had. At the end of the day, I'm without energy to stitch!! Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day.

Because of this for-krap cold, I had my son hand carry my Mom's gift to her. I stayed in the car -- my Mom's birthday is Friday. I gave her the Soweth Sampler which I finished up in June or July. She called & said she liked it. Go me : )

Thx to Melody & Elaine who have a bag of stash for me. I am grateful.

WIP - Sew w/Kindness

Thx for the comments & get well wishes! I'm not 100%, yet.

Stitching with a headcold

Sew With KindnessFreebie, c.1997 - Mary Garry
I'm using over-dye [GAST] and cotton floss [DMC] on 25-count raw linen. Won't she look better with eyes & hair .... LOL. Her skirt has little motifs of hearts, scissors, cabin. More soon -- I just knew I'd come down with this cold. I could feel it coming on ... DH told me once I was over the fever, I'd feel much better. Yeah, right. Everything just hurts. The only thing that sounds good is taking a nap.

Swedish Christmas Star, Hearts, & Reindeer

c.1998 Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin, Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine.

I started this a couple days ago because Tori let me know she might be home over the week-end. [and YES, she is going to be here later this evening!!]

For more ornaments, check out Christmas Ornament SAL Blog over the week-end. The SAL dates are 2/24-25.

Swedish Christmas Star, Hearts, and Reindeer
***** ***** *****
Regarding my previous post:

Thank you for all the comments & e-mails re. my pinkeep. I started this kit last January (2006).

I was reminded that the linen will be stretched over cardboard & padding during the finishing & I might like the end result with 40-count. So, ok, I"ll take your word for it!! I have NOT stitched the other side, which has lovely motifs. And, no, I have not ever made a pinkeep in this style before.

My immediate plan was to either stitch it on the remaining 40-count linen ... over two thready for a pincushion -- OR -- to try this again over one thread for a pinkeep, using 32-count linen [over dye & dmc threads from my stash] While it will be a bit larger in size, the stitching will be manageable for these fossil eyes.

Stay tuned.

Heart theme continues ...

Pictured above are: Shep Bush Treat Bag; Lizzie Kate Feb FlipIt; Name tag (pattern from a magazine); & Love is Kind pin ...from Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin pattern. Seasonal Mementos II
More stash! WOOT! I bought the Workbasket Hearts for the Pennsylvania Dutch motifs -- the sampler is really very large ... I thought they'd be cute done as single pincushions or something. The other two patterns (Of Female Worth Wear Your Heart & Twisted Threads Tin Pin Heart) are for PINS .... PINS .... PINS.

WTF: Shep Bush Fob -- Aren't heart strings cute? Was supposed to be a scissors fob & I thought too large ... was thinking of making two small pillows out of these designs.
Love Scissor Fob

Update: This is a close-up photo of the pin:

Gifts from Malaysia

Look what came in Friday's mail! I am so excited to share these photographs with you. These were stitched by Margaret W from the Stitching Smalls Group and the Stitching Smalls SAL Group. I sent her an e-mail & asked if it was ok to share these on my blog. Currently, Margaret is not blogging; however, is involved with a Christmas mailart exchange.

This is a pincushion which proudly sits on my desk. The design is by Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin. WOOT.

Along with the beautifully stitched & finished pincushion, was an ornament. Aren't I the lucky stitcher? She said it is a freebie pattern from Prairie Schooler.

This is the back of the ornament. Margaret shares in her note: "the back of the ornament 'Selamat Hari Krismas' means 'Merry Christmas' in our national language--the Malay language."