new stash ...

Pin Pokes I  (PFC-88)

Designed by Sandra Sullivan

c. 2010 Homespun Elegance Ltd.

You just never know what you'll spot at the LNS.    Yesterday, at House of Stitches, among many beautifully stitched shop models -- I saw a stitched pincushion from this pattern.    It caught my eye - and, the rest is history.   Into my hand jumped the pattern, and I switched out the fiber a bit (prefer the Weeks Baked Apple over the Crescent Used Brick - perhaps it is just the current dye lot).    What fun to search thru the bin of fabric cuts to find the "just right" colors.   I found a 30 ct Lt Espresso, 30 ct French Vanilla, and 29ct Glenshee which will work.   Never mind there are pre-made pincusions you can use!!!  Thx GF (yes, you know who you are) for the GC.

Once stitched, should complement my other HE pieces.  

Visitors from MN ....

All last week, I was looking forward to the

week-end ... I met the delightful CathyB

(With Needle + Thread Blog)

and her Mom, Marlene.

Cathy + I have been blogging friends for several years and I was over-the-moon when she let me know there was a possibility to get together in Indiana!

We met at House of Stitches in LaPorte + enjoyed talking, shopping, 

and enhancing our stash ; )     Marlene and I had a tatting good time..   

Cathy has a lovely post on her blog w/photos ...

did I mention Ruth Ann from C Street Samplerworks 

was also there?    Cathy is the President of The C Street Fan Club!!!!!

Cathy gifted me with a tatted tarlet --- 

Isn't the tatted tartlet cute?   Thx so much!!!!

(Tatting by Marlene + finishing by Cathy)

I picked up Anna Brambles Sampler

and a beautiful wooden box for scissors + needles

 (DJV design needs to be stitched and mounted)

Until next time .....

Sixth Annual Midwest Stash Exchange

Saturday, August 18, 2012

10am - 3pm

House of Stitches

Back Parking Lot

1700 Lincolnway, Suite 4

LaPorte, IN 46350

Above is the flyer for

Sixth Annual 

Midwest Stash Exchange

Table Rental is $20.00 and all

of the proceeds will go to Riley Children's Hospital

Contact House of Stitches 

for additional details

(219) 326-0544

(800) 455 8517

Sidewalk Sale finds ....

I enjoyed the sidewalk sale at

Erica's in South Bend.

New fabric, new book,

and some goodies / gifts for

friends and family.

The spiral pages are wonderful.

This is the perfect size book to carry along.

The diagrams clear and photographs beautiful.

Battery Ott Lights

Thank you everybody for your comments, e-mails, and 

personal experience with battery operated OTT lights.

(from previous post)

Now, I'm looking at this model.

Ott Model #290089.

It is light weight.

When it is closed - it is about 8" high + the base

(says on package) is 2 1/2 inches.

It uses Double A batteries (Four AA Batteries) 

Compatible with a 6V adapter (not in the package w/light).

Right now, they are 40% off at Michael's 

+ that would be about $29.00.

I am guessing that four AA batteries would last

longer than three AAA batteries --- but, I'm not sure.

borders

Sometimes when you travel, it is fun to visit 

stores - with all sorts of stuff you didn't know you

just HAD TO HAVE.

I purchased this clear, vinyl bag at

The Black Sheep in Florida - they have a whole room of yarn + patterns,

loads of canvas and fibers.

With the sudden downpours of rain in Florida, this is perfect for keeping

my book + 'stuff' dry.

See the cute kitty face?   When the ear is pulled, the tape measure comes out.    I thought it was too cute.   It was from Needle Craft World.      And, if you visit, don't forget to pet the sweet scottie dog,

Duncan.   (new magnet)

  

As for needlework .... 

I have added some of the border - it is a pretty sampler.

Inspired Needle ...

If you are in the neighborhood ...

Inspired Needle 

sidewalk sale

on Friday and Saturday

10a-4p

details HERE

------------------------------

Inspired needle, Ltd
315 East Illinois Street
Lemont, IL 60439

String-A-Long Quilt Show

String-a-Long Guild

put on quite a show!

Don't miss the 

photo album.

In addition to the fantastic quilts, the group had a 

wonderful flea market:

I bought a bag of Sunbonnet Sue notepapers + this charming softie.  

Bags of buttons for $1.  

And, imagine my delight to find Dillmont's Encyclopedia, brand new, $2.

I visited the SAL Member Boutique:

Found a charming angel softie for MIL.

The blue fabric bag for coupons (keeping in my vehicle).

And they had a few sizes of these awesome zipper bags --

I bought a small one + once home, was delighted it was the

perfect size for a ball of tatting fiber and a shuttle.

Shopping ....

I thought this so pretty with the beaded button ...
and embroidery.

Found at the

10,000 Villages store.

There is a zipper section inside - probably perfect for a couple tatting shuttles on the go ...

back from Florida ....

Yesterday, I visited the Patchwork Pig in Lakeland, FL.
It was a lovely shop and I found some beautiful fabric pieces
for Kanzashi flowers.

While in Florida, I visited the Morse Museum and was delighted with all the Tiffany on display. The pieces on display included jewelry, lamps, pottery, paintings, windows - and the chapel interior designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (was in Chicago). Impressive!!!

In addition to Morse, I visited the nearby

the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. (pictured above)

The Cornell had a fabulous Albert Bierstadt painting on display. Oh my, stunning. In addition they had two galleries of photography - and I enjoyed the Watch Keys. A whole display case of watch keys - with carvings, gems, shapes, crystals, coins ... very creative keys!

new stash

OK, I'm a bit behind on the blogging --- went into LaPorte for the Stash Sale / Fundraiser for Riley Children's Foundation. Was that a week ago?

I was fortunate to locate a few gems in the sale booths.

Scarlet Letter
Polly Miner Sampler

Misc rabbit motifs, Homespun Elegance patterns, and a spot sampler by The Drawn Thread

GF, Sue, had some net lace patterns - they are so interesting! Not sure how it is done, but very very interesting!!

Also, GF Mel had a stack of back issues for PieceWork Magazine. They are in the car - so, next time I'm waiting for DH or boyz, I"ll have an issue to read!!! I bought a few issues from Gen, too.

Nice selection at the sale this year. A little bit for everybody. Aside from shopping ---

Did enjoy lunch with Beth + Linen Stitcher. Nice to see Fran, Chris R, Karen W -- along with those selling, Mel, Sue + Gen. What a great afternoon! Nice weather, new stash, and a fun lunch!

I have more to post about, tho, quite tired. Stay tuned ....

randoms

Carol, blogging at
i Stitch
celebrated her 200 followers
by a giveaway .... and I was one of 3
chosen!!! woot ; )

I was delighted to choose Sew A Brown Bunny
one of
Karen's i Stitch Designs

Thx Karen!!


At Tuesday nights NANI Chapter Meeting, there was a table of
patterns to choose from - GF Kay
saw this charming La D Da design,
White Cat
c. Lori Markovic 2001
and handed it to me.

Always nice with NANI members share
their stash overflows -- don't we all know
the feeling to discover we have two copies
of the same design????

(I need to quickly stitch and pass along
this pattern to GFs Sue + Mel)

And speaking of stitching,
not much of that going on -
this left hand isn't cooperating.
Isn't quite healed enough for lengthy
stitching time.

I did get a few stitches into

this Dutch Treat tabletopper.
If I can get the q-snap balanced on the table edge
and not grasp with left hand, I can do ok.

I'll just wait another few days and try again.

Meanwhile, if you enjoy tabletoppers, don't miss
Myrna's post It's Daffodil Time!,
what a beautiful tabletopper FINISH!!!

Did you get your premium booklets
in the mail today?

A sure sign of Spring
when the Fair booklets arrive!!

gifts, accessories, & new bag

Friends and I went to the
Taste of Home Cooking Show
a couple weeks ago.
In addition to the door prizes given out
during the show, vendors also had prizes.
Our GF, Beth, aka the Lucky One,
won a chef for the evening --- and we all were invited to her bash.

What fun we had learning new ways to prepare
our favourite meals - delicious meal, awesome time with friends,
and the chef took care of the cleaned up.

On our way out the door, Beth gave each of us a lovely basket of gifts.
She rocks!

During our recent Needle Art Exhibit,
GF Sue made these beautiful
glass needle minders + glass counting pins.
She had all sizes and colors for sale.
I had my eye on the heart from the second
I saw it on her dining room table - before the show!
Sue is thinking to create more - I saw, go for it.
What do you think? Pretty set IMO!

And, last, I have a new bag
to haul all my 'junk' around. It is a terrific tote -
offered by the Great Lakes Region
(fundraiser)
link here for info.
Thx to GF Marjorie for attending the Region meeting &
picking it up for me.

New Silk Fibers & Update on Buddy

Recently,
Dinky-Dyes had a contest on Facebook.
I was one of
the winners ...
look what came in today's mail!


Yeah, I know, you are all green with envy
(which should be one of her fiber names)


These are the family dogs. The lab mix in the back, Buddy, has a stressed ACL (not sure the exact initials) in his back leg. He has been on three medications since last Saturday + returns to the vet this Saturday morning. For those of you who already knew this, thx for the e-mails and he really isn't doing any better. I had hoped he would be feeling more like himself, and he is just not. Perhaps the pain medications are helping. He has stopped yelping when he barks, tho, he rarely has barked. Also, is gingerly walking in the yard.

there is a sale going on ...

Check out the sidewalk sales
at
Inspired Needle Ltd.

Sounds like Cathy is
having a sale on holiday
items this week!

Per Linda, owner,
House of Stitches

Announcing the 4th Annual
MIDWEST STASH EXCHANGE
Saturday, August 14, 2010
10:00-3:00

House of Stitches back parking lot
1700 Lincolnway Place, Suite 4
La Porte, IN 46350
219-326-0544 or 800-455-8517
www.houseofstitches.com
mail@houseofstitches.com

You are invited to shop, swap, and sell your needlework related stash. It is a great way to clear out those projects you will never stitch and find new ones! Think of it as the world’s best yard sale…all dedicated to stitching! Enjoy socializing with other needleworkers!

Booth rental is $20.00 and all of the proceeds from booth rental will go to Riley Children’s Hospital

Your booth will be large enough for two card tables or a banquet size table. Set up begins at 9:00 AM.

Deadline to reserve a space is August 7.

PRIZES! RAFFLE! FOOD! FUN! MUSIC!

Booth reservation
Name:
Telephone Number:
Method of payment:
_____CASH
__________CHECK payable to Riley Children’s Hospital

Your entry fee will give you a space approximately 10 feet x 10 feet and a raffle ticket. You are in complete control of how you sell, swap or donate your items. All of the money you make from your sale is yours to keep (or spend on new stuff!). We must ask that you not sell unauthorized copies of copyrighted materials. House of Stitches cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.

new stuff ....

I picked up a couple patterns

A Valentine Message
Blackbird Designs c.2005

AND

Lois, blogging at
Of Needles, Pins & Stitching Things,
stitched CHS Hearts & Flowers ....
and I really liked the way hers looked!
So, picked it up

Guess I was in a heart sort of mood ...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I don't have this pattern - but thinking to buy it!

Oh my, alphabets .... I just love this pattern:Simply Red Plus Reproduction Sampler
Homespun Elegance

Save the Date!!!

per Linda, House of Stitches:

Some of you have been asking about our annual

“Midwest Stash Exchange”

(a swap meet for needle workers).

It will be in our back parking lot on
August 14, 2010.

More information will follow but we want you to

mark your calendars now.

Plan to be there!

Toys

How could I resist
this awesome
House of Stitches magnet?

It jumped off the counter
right into my shopping basket!

THEN,
the House of Stitches
corner gauge
caught my eye

and it, too, jumped into
my shopping basket!!

Love them!!!!!

FYI:
I added some posts on my Stitches of Life II blog
about my punch needle & tatting

Over the week-end,
Karol & I went shopping
we visited
Needle Nest and Erica's

I found some nice fat quarters,
fibers, embroidery needles, & picked up the current issue
of Needlepoint Now

I enjoyed Coni's page,
what a hoot

Following our spree,
we had wonderful
salads at
Hacienda House
next door to Needle Nest