artisticneedle

It's that time of year when the new Christmas fabric lines are hitting the stores. I've learned the hard way to get them while the gettin' is good. :) If you look real hard, you'll see my only stitching stash purchase since early in the year (at least I think it's been that long!). Can't pass up those Blackbird stockings, too cute!


This little set went to Diane as a welcome back home gift when she visited the U.S. last month. It was the first time I made one of the thread holders, it turned out okay but for some reason, really tested my patience. I used the tutorial from The Stitching Room.


All the heat and humidity has the garden in full bloom, it's a beautiful thing to wake up to.



Thanks for stopping by!

Labels: Garden, Gifts, Stash

A big thank you to everybody for the comments both here and via email about the Beach House pincushion. Who knew my sleepless night would turn out so well?

Thanks also for all the suggestions on sleeping but really, it's normally not a problem at all as long as I stay away from the chocolate. :)

Regarding the chenille trim: I should have said that you need to call the ladies at The Quilter's Station to order it.

I received this lovely gift package in the mail over the weekend. Everything is wonderful and gorgeous but.....





don't you just love the vintage ribbon? Thank you again Ms. H!

Last but not least, in the garden this week ~



Thanks so much for stopping by!

Labels: Garden, Gifts

is due to dear sweet Patti for RAKing me with a Drawn Thread kit from my wishlist. I've lusted wanted this kit for some time but never got around to ordering it. It was an unexpected and very much appreciated surprise.


RAK from Patti
I've been stash shopping again, a little fabric, a few lovely Gloriana silk ribbons and the chenille trim used on a few Blackbird Designs projects.



For those of you who might be interested - the Rhapsody In Red blog is open. There are a very limited number of finishing kits left, information can be found on the blog.

Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Finishing, Gifts, Stash

Since it's been about a month since my last post I thought I'd let pictures do the talking again..... a little stash, a new sewing machine and a few delicious and wonderful gifts.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Labels: Gifts, Stash

I found this poor forgotten post in my drafts last night. :( Bad habit of mine, I hope I'm forgiven.

This surprise package arrived on my doorstep from Ms. Diane. Again I thought it was for another purpose and was surprised when she told me they were for me. :) Personally, I think she is trying to draw me over to her dark side, have you see her scissor collection? She's always accusing me of dragging her to the dark side of stitching smalls, maybe this is her way of getting even! If so, I'll gladly and quietly come along.


Also not to be forgotten, more fabric stash:

Labels: Gifts, Stash

The mail brought a lovely PIF from Tammie. She stitched a beautiful needlecase and included goodies, needles, fabric, charms, a miniature journal and yummy chocolate that was gone in a flash. :)

Thanks again Tammie for including me in your PIF, I need to get busy with mine!



I'll be back tonight or tomorrow with RIR4 pictures...

Labels: Gifts, PIF

Today was one of those mail days I love and my postal person doesn't. :) I "thought" one of the packages I received was for the HOE Needleroll exchange, instead I was surprised with Margaret's PIF package. She sent a gorgeous journal with a stitched piece from SALexandre attached to the front, a notepad, chocolate (alway yummy), a pen with a gold butterfly on the case, tea, a wonderful handmade card and wrapped it all in jelly bean paper. :) I can't stop touching and looking at the journal, my picture really doesn't do it justice.



Also in the mail today was a package of fabric. I'm sure that's not exciting to most of you but to me it is, I love fabric and stash is stash. This package held a special fabric that I thought I'd never find again, it's one I use quite a bit and goes especially nice with the Carriage House Samplings stockings. It was pure dumb luck that I stumbled across it again and to be sure, I ordered enough to last a while.



That's it for now, I'll be back with those exchange pictures soon and Ms. Queen in her final form.

Labels: Gifts, PIF, Stash

and a little of that this post.

New floss drops with tiny little heart flowers in pinks and reds, much cuter than the picture, hard to get a good picture when it's gray and overcast.


The latest little sheep kit from Shepherd's Bush, I really wasn't sure I liked this one but it didn't take very long at all for it to grow on me.


Shepherd's Bush - Queen's Sheep
This unexpected gift came from Wawanna at Dazzling Ornaments. My picture does it no justice, the workmanship is just outstanding.



I also finished my needleroll for the HOE exchange, on time too, can you believe it!?! I'll be back soon with photos.

My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected by the hurricane(s) and tropicals storms. Be safe please.

'til next time, thanks for stopping by.....

Labels: Exchanges, Gifts, Other Crafts, Stitching

first this lovely package arrived from a dear friend across the ocean. I've been blessed to receive several stitched items from her, each more beautiful than the last. I hope she realizes how much I appreciate it and just how special she is. :)



The second package came all the way from Ina in Holland, she drew my name for the HOE Little House Needleworks exchange. Ina did a wonderful job of stitching and finishing the Wool Needlebook and Fob. The goodies included are shown in the picture below, everything is just fantastic.

Labels: Exchanges, Gifts

croak, croak, cough, cough. I've got another cold and is it any wonder with the crazy weather we've had the past week? The high last Wednesday afternoon was 73, less than 6 hours later the tempurature had dropped to 14, the wind was howling bringing sleet and snow along with it. By Friday morning we had 9" of snow on the ground. Monday brought another high in the 70's, today we are hovering around freezing and have had a mix of rain and snow on and off all day. This is nothing compared to the devastating weather to the east of me last night and my heart goes out to those affected.


I received some very unfortunate news last week that Epson is closing the Photo Album portion of their website on April 30th. While disappointed, I was very happy that they were giving everybody plenty of notice, or so I thought. The albums will be open until April 30th but new photos couldn't be added after Feb. 1st. This news put me in full out panic mode. With almost 900 photos to move and not a clue where to move them, I spent almost an entire day checking out all the available choices. Not really finding anything that fit my needs, I decided to at least find a home for my finishing album and get started on that. All the photos have been moved and at least half have captions, I'll catch up with the rest as I can. I'm also exploring adding a photo album on my website - that involved upgrading which means I have my own little piece of the internet now. :) The link for my new website as well as the new finishing album are listed over on the right. Once I decide where to move my stitching albums I will update that link both here and on my website.

In between the sniffling and researching and moving photos I did find a little stiching time:



Shepherd's Bush - 2008 Scissor Fob
Remember when I said I was spoiled? It was absolutely confirmed when I received this too-gorgeous-for-words box all the way from Thailand. Diane had mentioned it was on the way but to be honest, I thought it was for one of the many "future" projects we've talked about, I never dreamed it was all for me. I truly don't know what I've ever done to deserve such warm, caring and generous friends but am thankful each and every day to have them in my life.





Til next time.....

Oops! I knew there was something more. I'll gladly share cookies with all of you as long as you promise to put up with the recipes that don't quite work, you promise not to give me grief when your Christmas cookies arrive just in time for Valentine's Day and lastly, you must promise to share! Um, I think a disclaimer is in order here - you promise not to hold me responsible should my little sister decide to hunt you down for taking "her" cookies.

Cathy - long time, I need to send you an e-mail, mom was thrilled to see you in AZ.

Carol, those e-mails are coming soon, I promise! :)

Petra, thanks for stopping by!

Labels: Gifts, Stitching

to woohoo about I hardly know where to start! :)

Some of you will remember that both my stitching room television and lamp died at Christmas last year. Apparently that was the start of a tradition that I would very much like to put an end to - this year it was the hard drive on my laptop. After weeks of debating fix or replace, I finally replaced it last weekend. While I wasn't without a computer, the laptop has made my life much easier, less trips up and down the stairs I like to periodically fall down.

I finally finished my Christmas baking last week. I was feeling very bad that packages weren't sent in time for Christmas this year until a friend informed me I wasn't late but 11 months early. I like that kind of thinking!

This year's offerings:


I don't dare send a package without the Buckeyes and Peanut Blossom cookies, the rice crispy treats were an addition for my nephew. The center cookie is a Chewy Pecan recipe that didn't make the cut or, as my oh so tactful uncle likes to say - it was good but we don't need to have that again. LOL

I'm always amused by my sister's insistance that despite the fact that she is married, "ALL" the cookies are hers. Her husband used to let her get by with it but in the past couple of years has started protesting. This has provided some hilarious situations and this year was no different. She woke the day after the cookies arrived to find a message from her husband on the shower wall:


Do I really need to say that checking on "her" cookies won out over jumping in the shower?

Last fall the very same sister asked if I could make her a baby cube for an expecting friend, of course I said sure, no problem, expecting to have it done by the due date. I kept putting it off, mostly due to my indecision on design and colors choices. I was told blue and chocolate brown and couldn't make her understand just how many blue and brown flosses there are. Then I found this too cute Bella Baby fabric and went from there.


Shepherd's Bush - Baby variation

Today's mail brought a package of lovely surprises, I hope you can see the detail on the gorgeous fob, stitched over one and teeny tiny, my initial is on the back side. I am truly blessed to have friends that put up with me and still spoil me rotten.



Also in the mail, the latest addition(s) to my every growing fabric stash. These charms are the perfect size for most finishing projects and I love them.


I think I'll quit here and save other woohoos for my next post but before I go - I've had many e-mails asking the designer/design name of the biscornu I stitched for the JAT Christmas exchange. The original design is in the 2004 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. The designer is Periwinkle Promises - Christmas Ornament 2004. I stitched the design as charted but added a row of couched ribbon in place of the four-sided stitch they have charted.

Thanks for the comments on Rhapsody In Red part 2, I truly appreciate your kind words!

Labels: Baking, Gifts, Stash, Stitching

My oh my, where did this year go?

I managed a very last minute Christmas stitching present, it's a modified version of a new kit from Shepherd's Bush made into an ornament:


Shepherd's Bush - Come


I can finally reveal one of the reasons this year has been so crazy and why I've been a bit of a flake lately. :)

Diane of Sampler Cove contacted me during the summer wanting to know if I would be interested in finishing an upcoming design. I don't think either of us had an inkling at the time that the project would take on a life of it's own. She's already released the first chart - a gorgeous sampler titled Rhapsody In Red.

The second chart is ready for release shortly, the first of 3 charts of smalls using the same motifs and design elements of the large sampler.




Rhapsody In Red Part II - Sampler Cove Designs
Huswife, Biscornu and Thread Winders

There will be a fifth and final chart with a very special design to hold the smalls.

It's been a challenge working with Diane, time differences between here and Thailand, me being sick forever with a cold/strep/bronchitis, her being very patient while I made it through the Christmas rush, me being too picky, but it's oh so very rewarding to see this first set completely finished and photographed.

With that, I wish you all the very best for the New Year!

Labels: Finishing, Gifts, Stitching

Life has been insane these past few months, I'm alive, perhaps dragging my fanny a bit, but still alive. Nothing like receiving daily e-mails asking if I'm okay to make me realize just how long ago my last post was. :)

A few highlights in pictures:


My first Trick or Treater the past 2 years, isn't she adorable?

An unexpected treat sent by a lovely lady who shall remain nameless, thank you again!

A long awaited fall season finally arrived

bringing the last blooms of the season

and finally the first snowfall that somehow made it's way on to the front porch.


Periwinkle Promises - 2004 JCS Christmas Ornaments Issue

The only stitching since I can't remember when - a biscornu for a Christmas exchange on the Just A Thought bulletin board.

To those who have been waiting and waiting and still waiting on long overdue replies to your e-mails, I'm starting to catch up - I think my draft box has more e-mails than my inbox - you'll be hearing from me soon. :)

Thanks for visiting - I really do appreciate it.

Happy Holidays!

Labels: Biscornu, Exchanges, Gifts, Stitching