artisticneedle

I don't know that I've ever gone this long without a post, time is flying by. I've been buried in work with a few short breaks in between. My brother came to visit at the end of August giving me time to finally stitch and finish my mom's ornament from last Christmas. So it's a little (okay, a lot) late, what's new?


Shepherd's Bush - Glad Tidings

It looks like we're going to having a very colorful fall, if we actually have fall this year. The temperatures have dropped and it feels more like winter. As much as I'm glad to see the heat and humidity gone, I'm not ready for it to be cold yet.



There are times when I don't leave my house for weeks (sometimes months) on end, especially when I'm busy working. The past month or so has been no exception but I finally got out last week to do some much needed shopping. Groceries, finishing supplies, ATM, printer cartridge, you name it, I needed it. I got no further than my first stop at Joanns when I had a kidney stone attack standing right at the cutting counter. Once I caught my breath after the first knife twisting pain, my brain kicked into bargaining mode - what do I "have" to have today, what can I leave until next time, how long until I can't stand the pain? Does anybody else do this?

In my 20's I would've soldiered on and taken care of everything I needed to. In my 30's I would've taken care of most everything. Now that I'm in my 40's it can all wait. I told myself to quit being stupid and to just get back home (or maybe it was because I was with my mom). To my bed, to my meds, to anything that would make me feel better. I'm still recuperating but feeling much better. All this has left me with a burning question though - am I becoming more of a wuss the older I get or am I just getting smarter?

Needless to say I am behind on email, I'm slowly but surely getting caught up. I'm also getting closer to getting all of my PIF's finished, I hope the wait is worth it.

'Til next time - I hope you all are well and warm....

Labels: Blathering, Finishing, Garden, PIF, Stitching

New Moda Charm Packs added..... Fabric Sale

Thanks for looking!

Valeri has finally received the Summer Sweetbag exchange package I sent.


Stitching and putting this package together was somewhat bittersweet. For reasons I don't want to voice here, it marked my retirement (for want of a better word) from participating in exchanges. I've enjoyed each and every exchange I've been in and have a display full of lovely gifts, I cherish them all.

Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Exchanges, Stitching

It's the middle of the day in the middle of July in the middle of the U.S. and only 74 degrees. It's a beautiful day! I hope everybody else is enjoying the same.


Just in case there are others who get excited by fabric, Windham Fabrics has just released a line called Williamsburg Sampler. 2 of the prints are shown in the bottom of the collage below. The entire line can be seen here.


Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Garden, Stash

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

I received the most wonderful exchange package from Patti earlier this week. The bag is beautifully stitched and finished, it's just perfect. Patti also sent along some beautiful fabrics, stationary and a guide on Rhyming Cockney Slang that's too funny.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart Patti, your package put a big smile on my face, I love it all. :)

Labels: Exchanges

Wendy Jo has received the Patriotic exchange package I sent, late as always. In one of those weird coincidences, I stitched the same design for her that she stitched for her partner. :)


Little House Needleworks - Liberty and Justice fob & floss tag
Pincushion made from Moda's Flag Day Farm charm pack

Patti - I use Picasa 3 software to create the collages.

I hope everybody has a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Thanks for stopping by - 'til next time.....

Labels: Exchanges, Other Crafts, Stitching

Marie sent a wonderful exchange package full of goodies from my wish list. There are jelly bellies, needles, linen, Crescent Colors floss, a Twisted Threads chart and a primitive quilted pin. Most wonderful of all is the patriotic needlebook, I love everything about it.


Thanks so much for your generosity Marie!

Labels: Exchanges

with lots of lovely Merry Cox class charts - Stash Sale

The garden is thriving with all the rain and humidity but I am slowly melting away. My countdown for fall/winter has started and it's not even officially summer yet!



Join me please in a little pre-celebratory happy dance, I'll be stitching this weekend!

'Til next time, thanks for visiting!

Labels: Garden

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

What does a restless night and a link for a tutorial result in?



I don't sleep much so when my head hits the pillow I'm asleep. Dead asleep. Just ask anybody who's ever tried to wake me. And when I wake up, I'm wide awake.

Occasionally though, something goes haywire (we won't talk about the late night piece of chocolate in an otherwise caffeine free diet that could be the cause) and I just toss and turn until I finally fall asleep. This time I decided to do something productive, who cares if it was 3am? I mean, what's the use of all that tossing and turning anyway? It never helps. Nor does punching the pillow or flipping it over or tossing the covers off only to pull them back on again.

Most times, my brain takes off on a tangent during the tossing and turning phase which doesn't help matters any. Usually silly stuff that seems very important at the time. Very much on my mind this night was the need to replace a 5 year old pincushion that has definitely seen better days. Add that to an email sitting in my inbox from Debs with a tutorial for a biscornu made from fabric. I knew what fabric I wanted to use - Blackbird's Beach House line. So I flew out of bed, turned on my laptop and sewing machine, lugged my rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat out, I was on a mission.

All of this sounds like a brilliant use of time doesn't it? I thought so, until I actually sat down at the sewing machine and couldn't see what I was doing because I was yawning non-stop. I was determined to finish though, how hard could it be? I discovered that I have no patience when I'm tired. None. Which is why, after ripping seams twice just sewing the 4 patches together and attempting to sew them into a biscornu shape twice, I gave up and went to bed.

I woke with the intention to finish it and another idea already rattling around in my brain. I had all that lovely chenille trim that I hadn't played with yet. And wait, I also have that huge bag of crushed walnut shells. Why not make a square pincushion and trim it with the chenille? I'm really pleased with the outcome but learned a lesson, next time I'll just stay in bed and toss and turn. Or better yet, maybe I'll think twice about that piece of chocolate. :)

Not much else going on, I took advantage of a birthday discount and stocked up on some lovely colors of Weeks Dye Works wool and a pattern from Fig Tree Quilts.



And in the garden.....



Cathy L - Organizing can be over-rated, especially those times I can't find things I know I have but can't remember where I 'organized' them to!

Angela - The bone folder - I use it to crease paper and poster board but it's also handy to poke out fabrics corners.

Helen - I wish I had room for another shoe organizer on top of the first. It's set up in a closet and the shelf above has a bracket that's in the way. :(

To clear some confusion I caused in my last post - the Joann's order was the picture with the scissors etc. The ribbons were from 2 different online shops.

Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Garden, Other Crafts, Stash

I know I've mentioned organizing my work space far too many times in my posts. With a steady stream of stash and finishing supplies coming through the door it's a necessity, especially when dealing with limited space. Sometimes thinking waaaay outside the box is a good thing. Sometimes not. I thought the shoe organizer shown below was the perfect answer for my out of control fabric stash. Slowly but surely I've worked on ironing, refolding and stacking. With it already 75% full and 50% of my fabric still to do, I've come to the sad conclusion that there's not the slimmest chance it will all fit. Back to the drawing board.

In this economy I find myself trying to be a smarter stash shopper. I don't know about everybody else but shipping charges are a huge consideration. I automatically pass by those shops that charge a flat rate based on the dollar amount spent. Instead of ordering 1 thing, I make lists and try to order as much as possible from 1 source. When possible, I try to stock up during sales. I lucked out with an order from Joanns, all I really needed/wanted was the pinking Olfa cutter and the bone folder. With a coupon for free shipping with a $25 purchase, I added the rest of the items, all on sale, for a grand total of $26.43.


Shots from the garden.....


Comments.....
As always, thanks for taking the time, I really appreciate it. :)

The chenille trim used in the Blackbird Designs comes from The Quilter's Station, lovely ladies to order from.

Games again.....
Up for grabs is Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst - unopened CD and a gift certificate for Azada.

Stitching.....
Sadly, none for now but have 1 for sure and 1 I'm still thinking about exchange coming up along with a looming PIF deadline which surely means I have to find some time somehow or another. Woohoo!

Thanks for visiting!



Oops, before I go, please note that I've changed my email address if you hit the contact me link - I'm still having problems with Yahoo mail.

Labels: Blathering, Garden, Stash

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