And the Winner is.....

Member - vanBrown.

Please contact me for your choice of craft - sewing/quilting - cross stitch - knitting/crochet - Everything

Congrats

HOLIDAY Contest....

Well there are ONLY a few days left to sign-up for the Holiday Contest.  What would you do if you won a gift box for for favorite craft.  I would love to know what creative ideas everyone has.

Still pluggin away at the Christmas gifts. ALMOST DONE!!  Wahoo!!!!
The next thing that I am going to do is make the cakes and cookies to ship out.  Next year I am going to work all year on gifts.  I want to be done by June...Well November :)  I hope.  


Also I will be having Stitch-a-longs starting in January.  So stay tuned.

Happy Stitching

That darn frog is back....

I was working on Lil'Bits Quilt and I just didn't like how it was working up.  So I FROGGED the 8 yes 8 complete 12" blocks I started.  I am part of Carol Doak's Yahoo Group.  If you don't know who she is -- She is a wonderful designer that uses paper piecing for quilt blocks.   I think I just needed to see something to inspire me for her quilt. I have looked at the '7500 Member Block' since she posted it.  I just didn't know what to do with it.  I colored the quilt in many different colors - nothing seemed to jive for me. So I put it away Last night I saw the block again  - Viola - I saw her quilt.  I decided to add some bright green added to the fabric from before.   Now I just have to head to FedEx to print. It is cheaper for me to print multiple pages there then at home. For her quilt I will have to print 36 pages plus a couple extras if I make a mistake.  :)  I dont want to Frog anymore..anyone who wants it let me know and I will send it your way.  :)



Happy Stitching

What I have been doing lately..

I have been working hard on finishing the rest of the Christmas presents.  I have had to stop working on my yarn projects because of wrist strain.  :(  But I have been making jewelry.  They are for sale if interested.

 

   

Happy Stitching

Afghan CAL - Materials

Hello, I am starting my Afghan CAL on January 2, 2012 I wanted to give everyone a chance to get all of the supplies ready.  This is a scrap buster.  I will post every Monday the next part of the Afghan.

You will need

At least 60-80 oz of yarn I am using WW (See I told you it was a big one.)
Hooks G - K
Stitch Markers (optional)
An 18 Gal Tote (optional )   (to put up the pieces as you finish)

This afghan will also have a contest to go with it.  When the Afghan is complete you will post pictures and visitors will vote. :) 

So please come join me.

Happy Stitching

My First Christmas Card of the Season

I recieved this in an email and I HAD to post this. 

Twas the Month before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
Te children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday'.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS


Christ is The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!
If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.

Whew!

It has been a crazy holiday start.  I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving.  I know that the Christmas season has officially started (in my book it doesn't start till after Thanksgiving)  Everyone on my gift list is getting something handmade.  I still have quite a few to finish.  I am still plugging along hoping to finish all the gifts by December 15.  **THE DAY MY HOLIDAY CONTEST ENDS** 

I have been working on my designs for next years Stitch-a-longs. - Knitting/afghan, Crochet/afghan, Cross-stitch/sampler & Quilting/50 blocks - when I rest my hands from crafting.  

If you are looking for a few stocking stuffers I have some items listed on Listia.com that you can get for very cheap.  

Well back to crocheting.

Happy stitching.

Quilting - Lil'Bit. & Christmas Update

I started Lil'Bits Christmas Blanket.  This year I am going to quilt it.  I started off with 100 5" Pre Cuts in 5 different pink fabrics and 7 coordinating fat quarters.   For the 'top' I am just doing a variety of blocks. For the back I am going to sew it on a double piece of fleece.  A nice snuggley blanket for her to sleep with for the next year. I have made her blanket bigger that what you would normally use for a baby. I want her to be able to use them through out her life. This year it is going to be between a crib size and a twin size.  

Christmas Update
Diesel (BF) -See hon i came up with a good name for you.- I have to pick up the hook again.

Lil-Bit - Still working on hers I have a penguin ornament, quilt, Count on It cross stitch, & doll clothes.  I also am working on a 'snowsuit' all crochet but that is for after Christmas. 

Mom - Coming along okay.  Its slow go with hers. 

Bri - Almost done with going color blind :)  hopfully will get it done before Thanksgiving.

Bob - Have the materials. I will start on his after I finish Bri's.

Robbie. I have started his and again aiming for finishing before this next weekend.

Stormy - Complete, washed, and just waiting to get wrapped.

Holly - Complete, washed, and waiting to be wrapped.

Justin - Materials just looking for the right pattern.

Josh - Stared on his going along ok.


Happy Stitching

Listia - Items For FREE!!!

Someone from my Yahoo Group CrochetPartners directed me to this site.  It is a bartering site.  You can list items to trade and bid on ones you like. FOR FREE!! With how everything is lately isnt getting what you want for little better than not getting it at all.   So come join me in getting great things free!!

Just click on the Banner in the right hand column. 

Happy Stitching

2 gifts complete..

I complete 2 Christmas gifts today *singing*>Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy, Happy, Happy, Joy<  That means that if I complete another one this week I will be ahead of what I planned.   I think I have found a 'new' yarn that I have fallen in love with.  It is Hometown USA - By Lion Brand It worked up so smoothly and quickly.  Because of them being presents I will not be posting pictures till after the holidays. 

Happy Stitching

My Penguin Ornament

Well I know that this is an early post but I have done my crafting for the day.  I got up REALLY early 0445 and worked for a couple hours at making Lil'Bits ornament.  I didn't think that I was going to make her one this year but sometimes the creative juices flow.  I went over a ton of amigurumi patterns. I just sat down and started using 10 thread and embroidery floss.  I know I should have kept better  notes on what I was doing but like I said before it just flowed.   I am going to make it all in one piece except the wings.  I figure by the time that he is complete he will be about 3-4" tall. 

Happy Stitching

Friendship Crossing Giveaway..

I found this giveaway while looking on another blog that I visited Lil Bit of Stitching.

I am torn as to what group I would like to win. B or C....hmmm... (Jeopardy theme playing in my head)... I think I will have to take group.... (theme playing again.) ... B.  Whew! that was a hard decision.   I guess now I will go let her know.

So come join Tanya's blog.

Happy Stitching

I started a new project & Whats upcoming 2012

Today I just didn't feel like working on anything that I had going on.  I wanted something different to look at all day. So I went searching. I found a cross stitch kit from Janlynn -Tiger #013-3333.  I know that that doesn't look like I did much but that is 200 stitches.  I also worked on some Christmas presents.  I want to try and finish at least 2 a week starting this week.  I guess I better get to work on them. 

I know this next bit it a little early..BUT starting on January 1, 2012 I am going to be having a Stitch a longs.  One for Cross stitch (A year long Sampler), knitting (at least 1 afghan), Crochet - I haven't finalized those designs yet, and last but not least Quilting (50+ blocks).  Starting in December I will list the needed materials for EACH Stitch a long.

Christmas Present Update

I will not be posting exactly what I am making but I will let you know how things are progressing. I will post photos of all things that I have done after Christmas.

Lil'Bits' Blanket (see can't read so I think I am safe)  about 1/2 way done with piecing the blocks for the top of her quilt.  Also if I can finish my Oldest UFO she will get that so she can learn her numbers.

My Wonderful BF. I haven't really worked on his this week...sorry honey.  I have made so many pieces for it but not quite enough.  Im only about half way through.

My Mom - I cast on to her's last night and it is coming along.  maybe 2-3 more nights and it will be done. It is a really easy pattern to follow.

Bri - Worked on her gift - All I can say is that Im going color blind from the BRIGHT yellow.   I have about 1/4 of her gift complete. 

Sis's - (My own design) is coming along ok.  It is my first attempt designing lace so I hope that it turns out ok.  Wish me Luck.

Dad just want me to make him a German Chocolate cake from scratch so that is one thing that I don't have to worry about until Christmas Eve Wahoo!

Holly, Robbie, Justin, Josh, Stormy,  - Have what I need just haven't started.  Time is coming soon I will have to sit down and start.

Bob - His was complete this week.  Just going to wait to wash it when everything is ready and have a Blocking day.  I really dont like to block things So I normally just put it off till the last moment.
 
I Have 14 other people that I haven't even figured out what to do. Ugh!!

Happy Stitching.

Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts

I had a friend of mine ask for some crafty ideas for a little kid to do for Thanksgiving.  The first thing I thought of was the traditional 'Hand Turkey'  Tracing the kids hand with the fingers spread.  The Thumb is the head and the fingers are the tail feathers.  You can decorate the hand turkey with anything from markers to construction paper.

Another thought was having a few coloring pages.  So I went surfing for some copyright free drawings.   All that you have to do is to copy the pictures, then in Word enlarge to what ever size you want.

Next my thought was to make styrofoam turkeys. I can not get the pictures to transfer from the phone.  I will post directions as soon as I retake them.  :)  

Happy Stitching

My progress on my Oldest UFO SAL

I haven't really worked on 'Count on It' my oldest UFO.  As you can see, I have only done the first half of the stitch.  When I have time to sit down I take the time to do as much as I can.  That way when I only have a few minutes I can just finish the stitch.   I went to the craft store and they were out of 2 of my floss colors.   So I will just keep going on skipping they colors that I dont have. Hopefully they will get my colors in.  I have tried the thrift shop but I just cant seem to find floss - I can find yarn and fabric but not what I want.

Happy Stitching

Certificates -Birth & Adoption

On a Yahoo Group _ ThreadAnimals  members were wondering about having certificates for their bears and other creations.  That inspired me to create these.  They are on the scribd site. I could not get the PDF's to embed without completely changing their formatting. 

 Birth Certificate    &  Adoption Certificate

I will fill in the areas for anyone with calligraphy for donations only.  As long as you pay for the postage. If you want to pay you can pay what ever you feel or make a donation of supplies.  I am multi-craftual ( that's a word in my book) so it doesn't matter what it is.

Happy Stitching

Neater Backs on Cross Stitch

http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/tent-stitch.html

 

 

 

I saw in one of my YahooGroups about having a neater back to cross stitch.  I know that there are a few ways to make the back look more like the front and to be neater.  For those who are familiar with plastic canvas you will recognize the first stitch.  One way is to do the first half of your cross stitches like normal. Then on the way back through to finish the stitch us a continental stitch.

Another way is to try reversible cross stitching. It isn't as complicated as you think.  When you begin you work the first part of the stitch like normal BUT to skip the next stitch. Basically you do one skip one.  When you get to the end of that row - work back and finish the stitches. When back to the beginning start the next row putting the stitches above/below the skipped spaces (like a checker board) Repeating the process. To fill in the 'blank' spaces just start over from the beginning. 

I have found that using these methods use at least double and sometime triple the amount you would use if you did a regular cross stitch and had a messy back. 

I hope that this helps

Happy Stitching.