Bits and Pieces

Not Sure If This Is Legal...But

2012-02-12T22:08:00.002-05:00

I am not sure if photocopying a pattern from my own book to use while I am stitching it is legal ....But let me show you why I do it!

You can imagine what my book would look like!

I am back a little later than I thought that I would be to show you a finish. The stitching has been completed for a while. Now I need to have it framed.

I am very pleased with my finish. I have been working on birthday projects so I can't show them yet.

Have you been to Pinterest? OMGosh!! Love it! Be back soon.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

First Post Of 2012

2012-01-13T21:31:00.002-05:00

2012 wow! I feel like I went to bed on Halloween and I woke up the middle of January. Time is flying by way to fast. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Did that Jolly Old Elf bring everything that was on your want list? I am sure that he did. The new year has been quiet and an icky brown here in upstate NY. The temperatures have been unseasonably warm. No snow UNTIL TODAY. It is very messy out with a rain/ snow mix event. Most schools in the area were closed today. Tonight the temps are dropping and we have ice everywhere. I have been wanting snow. It reminds me to be careful what I wish for.

This is a project that I started at the very end of last year. It is a BBD Woodland Berries. It is stitched on 32 ct Light Vintage Examplar fabric and I am using the called for colors in silk. It is a bonus pattern in with the Loose Feathers Summer pattern. I am enjoying working on this fabric and very happy with the progress I have made. I like the size of this project. I have decided that I am going to work on a few smalls for a change. My last several projects have been good size samplers (which I love) but I need a quick finish. I have several picked out but I need to finish this one up first. Then, of course, market is in February and I will probably change my mind again because I am sure that there will be a hundred new patterns out there that I will have to have!
I will be back soon to show you a few finishes and some beautiful gifts that I received from my stitching friends. Enjoy your weekend. Here in the US it's a long one. I hope that you find time to do lots of whatever makes you happy. I am going to be putting the last of Christmas away and inside stitching. It's going to be very cold here this weekend. Take care.

Hugs,

Pat

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T20:55:00.002-05:00

Welcome 2012! I am wishing you a year filled with good health, happiness and joy. Have a happy and safe holiday.

Hugs,

Pat

MARGARET HAS DONE IT AGAIN !!

2011-09-29T14:15:00.001-04:00

I recently received some belated birthday gifts from a dear friend in Spain. Margaret is a very thoughtful and giving person. When the package arrived I ~~ripped into it~~ opened it very carefully. This is what I found . A whole package of goodies. I read and reread the card. I thought that it was Christmas instead of my birthday.

First I found a project bag. It was made from the same fabric that Margaret had used to make me an over sized tote bag. You can see the tote here just scroll down.

Inside was another wrapped gift. I have been lusting for one of these for a long time.

I especially love this one as May is my birth month and I love Lilly Of The Valley. This alone would have been a wonderful gift.

This is the backside. It matches beautifully. The back is as pretty as the front.

A little zippered notion bag to hold all my notions, a pin cushion, needle book and scissor fob were also in the package. I just love everything and I love that they all match.

The needle book opened, the backside.

This is the inside.

I love the little charm on the fob. It was very hard to get a good picture of it. It says made with love.

The front side of the fob.

Here is the pin cushion. The stitchery goes all around. Margaret's work, as you can see, is beautiful. She takes such small stitches and they are so even. I think that she measures them.

The top.

I love my gifts Margaret. Thank you so much. I treasure our friendship more than you know. When Margaret sent my tote bag it took months to get here. Even after that, she put all the work into all of these pieces and mailed it off again. Thankfully, this time it took just about a week to arrive. When my friends saw the tote bag they each wanted one for Christmas this year. Now they want the accesories too. Sorry girls, not this year! If you would like to see more of Margaret' work you can check out her blog here.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

A SNICKER AND A GIGGLE TOO!!!

2011-09-25T16:11:00.003-04:00

Earlier this month Darlene did a post titled "A Snicker And A Giggle". She showed a picture of the inside of the waste basket in her sewing room. She said that if we took a peek in ours we might find the same. Well there hasn't been a lot of sewing going on around here but I did take a peek any way. Here is what I found. Dove milk chocolate wrappers. Love them!

That night before I turned the light off in my sewing room I looked in my basket again. I had topped it off with a wrapper of Jelly Belly Popcorn flavored jelly beans. Love them too!!

Thanks Darlene I did get a giggle.

Below is a cross stitch finish that is at the framers to be framed. The Pattern is Beneath The Sunlit Sky by BBD.

I have also been making some pumpkins. They are not quite finished yet. I will show them completed in my next post.

Can you tell which one I made?

I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I did.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

I WILL NEVER FORGET

2011-09-10T21:34:00.002-04:00

Pat

I Had Company Yesterday!

2011-08-29T11:41:00.004-04:00

I had company yeaterday!
She was very loud, messy and very rude. She arrived before I was even and out of bed. Just one house down from here a very, very old tree was uprooted. My street was blocked off for most of the day

She brought all kinds of people with her.

Along with these people she brought police cars and firetrucks. A fireman was even at my front door warning me about her.

While she was here we watched a little television.

We had some wine and nachos.

Some chocolate for dessert.

We did some stitching.

At ten o'clock, after many hours of her howling I said goodnight Irene went to bed. I could still hear her well into the night.

This morning I woke up to a bright and sunny day. She had left. My helpers are here cleaning up after her.

Usually I like company BUT I hope that I never see the likes of her again. Goodbye Irene. We still are dealing with lots of flooding here. I hope that it is sunny and safe where you are.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Happy 4th Of July

2011-07-01T21:19:00.004-04:00

Happy 4 th of July. I hope that you have a fun and safe Holiday weekend.

Enjoy.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Some Stitch'in Going On Here

2011-06-28T20:11:00.006-04:00

I have told you before that Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. It's my stitching day with friends. For the past two weeks it seems that I have done more ripping out than stitching. I have put that ripping project back in the closet. I was using silk floss and as you know it doesn't rip out well. I have ordered some more silk floss and I am going to take a break from that project for now. I have started my next project from A Stitcher's Journey by BBD. I love this book and want to stitch every project in it. Please excuse the photos. We have not had a lot of sun up here in the Northern part of NYS. Below is the Tulip Pincushion that goes inside the Tulip House Stitching Companion.

This is a picture from the book. I was very fortunate to have some of the same fabric that Barb and Alma used on their project. It is my dream to someday take a cross stitch class from these ladies. I was lucky enough to take a quilting class from them. They had a beautiful trunk show with them that included some cross stitch projects as well as many beautiful quilts. They are down to earth, sweet and funny along with being very talented. If you ever get a chance to take one of their classes you will not be sorry. They are taking this year off from teaching but hopefully they will be back next year.

I also have a finish to share with you. This is also a design by BBD. It is going to be a gift for a friend for Christmas. I am so excited to have this one finished already.

Stitching day is always fun chatting about family, friends and new projects. We have tons of laughs. School has let out for the summer so I can stay longer than usual as I don't have to pick up my grandchildren from school. Speaking of grandchildren, I had a very busy week with them. First we had Fifth Grade Moving Up day. My grandson will now be going to the middle school. We also had Eight Grade Graduation. OMGoodness! My granddaughter will be going to the high school next year. How in the world did this happen?? I am so not ready!!!

Now back to my stitching day. Along with the fun and laughs we also have a great lunch. I took one bite of my zucchini crepe and had to share it with you.

OH MY, were they delish!! I licked my plate clean. It would be nice if you could join us some Tuesday.

I am off to stitch for a bit and then it is off to bed for me. Have a great week. I hope that you find time to do what ever makes you happy.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

2011-06-13T20:40:00.002-04:00

Recently I had another Birthday. The older we get the faster these Birthdays seem to come. I was feeling down and not real happy about this one! It is better than the alternative I guess! Then I received a gift from my friend Debbie. It is a Blue Vintage Rose Tea and Toast Tray. It made my day. The tea cup is now a pincushion. You may click the picture to enlarge and see the beautiful stitching and beading on the top of the cushion.

Here is a close up of the top. She added some decorative pins.

I saw this pattern several months ago in the Attic newsletter. The Attic is a shop in Mesa, Arizona. They do mail-order. They are a bit slow in getting orders out sometimes but the wait is worth it. I have never been there but it is on my bucket list. Thanks again Deb. I love it.

The Pattern is by The Stitching Parlor.

Have a great week.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

DONE!

2011-06-05T13:15:00.003-04:00

My Sewing Tray by BBD is finished and I love it.

A close up of the handle. It is a door pull from Lowes.

I glued a piece of scrapbook paper to the back.

I liked the back so well that I wanted to show it off twice. Kidding!! Blogger is not playing nice. It will not allow me to delete the second picture.

The Sewing Tray is from the BBD book below. There are so many projects I want to stitch.

I ordered my book from Needle Delights in Florida. Kathy, the owner, had a room near the BBD girls at market. Barb and Alma signed all of Kathy's pre-ordered books. What a nice surprise
to find when the book arrived.

I have the box for this project and all the supplies to make it.

This is the inside of the box.

Here is another project I want to stitch.

The inside of this one. I have all of these supplies too!

Now I have to decide which one to stitch first. Hmmmm! I hope you are having a great weekend and finding time to stitch.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

An Almost Finish

2011-05-25T16:32:00.002-04:00

I just completed stitching Heart In Bloom Stitching Tray. It is from the latest book by BBD "A Stitcher's Journey". I have loved this project since I saw it on Alma's blog last year. My friend Debbie's husband made a 6"x6" frame and had glass cut to fit it for me. Thanks again LD. I purchased my door pulls at Lowes. I used a 30 ct fabric to stitch it on. I'm not sure of the name of the fabric I used. The pattern calls for 30 ct Espresso and Crescent Colors. I used the DMC conversion colors since I didn't have one of the colors that it called for and the piece is so small. I think that I'm getting thrifty!!

My frame is painted and the handles are in place. Hopefully I will get it finished tomorrow. I hope that mine will look like the picture below.

I would finish it tonight but tonight is the final of American Idol. I am in Scotty's corner. Lauren is great too. Such talent for two seventeen year olds. They will both go far in their careers. Good luck to both of them. I will be back soon with my finish.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

I Saw A Moose....BUT

2011-05-13T16:11:00.006-04:00

It wasn't the one I really wanted to see. It was a bit smaller than I had hoped, but it was really, really cute. Our three and a half hour drive to NH was almost as horrid this year as last years trip. This year we had RAIN and I mean RAIN. Rain we did not need. Lake Champlain is well over flood level as you will see in the following pictures.

Usually when we drive on the ferry it is straight on. This year we drove straight up and on. We drove through water before we even got to the ramp.

The pictures are a bit blurry from the rain. You can see the water almost to the road.

Here it is over the road.

Both NY and VT states had traffic safety cones out and the roads were being checked frequently. During the weekend the roads were even closed at times for safety reasons.

Aside from the ride over to NH we had a wonderful time. The part of NH that we visited is South of us and there for they are about three weeks ahead of us. The temps were in the 70's and sunny. We even sat in the courtyard and stitched one afternoon before dinner.

The rest of this post is quite picture heavy with my purchases.

First is a design and basket from Olde Colonial Designs.

Some accessories to go along with the basket.

An Acorn Pincushion from Just Another Button Company. I love acorns! Why? Hmm... maybe my friends would say I am a little squirrely at times!

An old weaving shuttle and pattern to fit inside.

Another pattern and frame to fit.

A hodgepodge of patterns.

More patterns.

This is a book by Maggie Bonanomi. I took this class from Maggie a couple of years ago at Country Sampler in Spring Green WI. I bought the book for a reference when I get around to work on my book of days. (maybe in a few years) It is a beautiful project and I really do hope to finish it.

Some fabric... just because!

More needfuls.

Some vintage lace and vintage buttons. See the acorn button. I love it.

Last but not least is floss that I needed for the new patterns I bought.

We all had a wonderful time. Tons of laughs. Lots of new projects to keep us busy.

Even with the horrible weather , being pinned in the elevator with all our luggage and abandoned by a friend (who just had to go to the bathroom)!!! We are planning our next adventure to the 2012 Celebration of Needlework. I wish you could all join us. Have a great weekend. More rain is predicted for here thru Monday.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T10:14:00.002-04:00

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Look What is Out Now!

2011-05-07T16:22:00.003-04:00

Last week while looking at a magazine I saw an advertisement for the Spring/Summer issue of Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler. Love this magazine. I think that I have every issue. One of the shops listed was in Henniker, NH. Since we were going that way last week we decided to check out a new (to us) quilt shop. The magazine is nice but not as nice as some issues in the past. Maybe because there was not a real primitive shop this time around.

What a find. Quilted Threads is a beautiful shop in an old remodeled building. No pictures were allowed inside the shop. As you walk in you are in heaven. They had Japanese fabric in the first room. OMG!! I have never seen fabric that beautiful. I could have bought a ton of it. At $30.00 a yard I decided to wait until I knew what I was going to use it for. This is a picture from the magazine. That little porch is where all the Japanese fabric is.

This is the sign in front of the building. In a quaint little New England town.

Here is their quilt that is in Quilt Sampler. Beautiful! I touched it when no one was looking. It is made out of the Japanese fabrics. Kits are available and very reasonable.

This was my purchase. I think that I am going to make a pillow with this fabric.

If are lucky enough to live in the Henniker area you probably already know this shop. If you are in the area it is well worth a stop. The shop is clean and bright. The owner is lovely and her helpers were funny and knowledgeable. I know that my friends and I will be taking a day trip back to visit Quilted Threads, maybe in the Fall. I will be back soon to share our venture to the Celebration of Needleworks. Until then...

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

JUST BY THE SKIN IF MY TEETH

2011-04-24T13:20:00.004-04:00

All of the projects from my last post are finished and are proudly displayed for Easter. Starting with the Easter Bunny or The Spotted Hare. I filled this pin keep with so much sawdust it should be bulging at the seams. I kept filling and pushing the sawdust down with a spoon. The more I pushed the the more I needed. I can not tell you how much sawdust is in this little pin keep. In this photo it looks like I could add more. But I'm not. It is finished and I love it. This pattern is now available on Stacy Nash's website.

The pin keep is straight. The problem here is with the photographer!! ME.
Those little stitches that Stacy uses are a bugger to make. Mine are bigger and they are staying just as they are.

Those little carrots are the cutest little things. I tried everything to get a sharper end on them. I was afraid I was going to push right through the fabric.

This is the last view. This pin keep will live in my sewing room.

My wool project is hanging on the wall. Love him!

I decided to follow the directions and place the cross stitch on the inside of the box lid. I glued the cute vintage stamped paper on the top of the lid.

The lovely cross stitch is on the inside. I just may prop the lid on the box or leave the top off entirely so the stitching can be seen. I may use this little box for my stitching supplies as it looks like Spring to me and not just like Easter.

On Thursday of this week three friends and I will be going to Nashua, NH to The Celebration of Needlework. I am so excited I can hardly wait and so are my friends. There is not a thing in this world that I need but I am going anyway! We have been going for years and we have such a great time. I am sure that there is a funny adventure awaiting us. There usually is. Unfortunately Several of them involve me. The girls get lots of giggles. When we first started to go we drove over and back on the same day. Now we make a four day long weekend and mini vacation out of it.

I would love to see a moose. Not close enough that anyone would get hurt, but out in a field in the open would be nice. Maybe this will be the time. Each year I hope and I keep my camera on my lap ready just in case. Keep your fingers crossed for the moose and for nice weather.

The Celebration of Needlework is always the last weekend in April. This is what we drove in last year.

The weather was terrible!! I think the worst weather of the winter.

When we got to NH we stopped for a little....Stitch Therapy here!

And did we need it. It was our first actual visit to this shop. I think that we had all ordered from there before and visited their website. This year I will take some pictures.

Happy Easter everyone. I hope that you are all spending the day with family and fiends. Stay safe and don't eat too many jelly beans!

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Projects In The Works

2011-04-17T14:38:00.003-04:00

Here are a few of the projects that I am working on. This pattern is "Bunny Tails" by Brenda Gervais. The pattern combines wool applique and cross stitch. I appliqed the wool to prairie cloth instead of using the cross stitch fabric that was suggested. It has taken some time but well worth it. Still a bit more before it is finished. This project is a kit I ordered from Country Sampler. I was unable to attend this class last year. They had some extra kits and I purchased one. The class was taught by Stacy Nash. I love her patterns.

The pattern fits inside the top of an oval paper mache box lid. It is so pretty to put on the inside....hmmm. I really like the stamped bunny too! What to do, what to do?? I have to cover the box with fabric. I applied shoe polish to the inside of the box and the lid top. What a SMELL!!! I didn't think that I would be able to use the box ever again. I was sorry at first that I had used the shoe polish. I was very pleased when it dried that there was no lingering odor. I really like the look of the shoe polish. I guess these designers know what they are doing and I should have had more faith in Stacy. You can see the difference the shoe polish made if you look at the pictures above and below.

Here we have the Spotted Hare pattern by Stacy Nash also. This project was another part of the class that Stacy taught. This is to be made into a pin keep drum. I love the colors and the fabric for the top and bottom of the pin keep match perfectly.

I only hope that mine looks something like this!

Very cold and windy here in upstate NY today. High wind warnings are in effect. Come on Spring, I am waiting for you!! In the meantime I am going to be stitching away. I would like to have these projects ready for Easter. The crunch is on!

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

HELLO, HELLO. REMEMBER ME?

2011-03-24T18:23:00.005-04:00

Hopefully I am back in blog land to stay. I have tried to keep up with my blog list but sometimes it was just to hectic to do so. Now I am going to try harder and do better at this blogging business.

On my first post back I would like to share with you a Christmas gift I received from my friend Margaret in Spain. This package was mailed in the early part of December. As some packages do, this one took the long way around to get here. Margaret was very worried around Christmas when she had not heard from me. She was sure that the package was lost and was never to be seen again. I told her to have faith and believe that it would arrive soon. Well near the end of February the package arrived looking in great condition for being in the postal system for two months.

Inside looked pretty good too.

Then I ripped that pretty paper and bow off and found this treasure inside. OMGoodness a new stitching bag. I just love it. It is so big and Margaret added extra pockets to the inside. I take my bag to stitching every Tuesday. As you may know Spring has not arrived here in NY yet. I am still waiting for it. ( I did see a Robin this week. yea!!) We still have snow, ice and lots of dirt all over everything from sanding and salting the roads. Because of her fabric choice, putting my bag in and taking it out of the car several times still looks great.

Don't you just love it? I sure do.

In the two smaller packages I found these beautiful cross stitch ornaments. I hated to have to put them away until next Christmas. The fabric is so fine and the stitches are perfect. Everything that Margaret does is beautiful.

I treasure all my goodies from her.

Thank you again Margaret. I love all my goodies. I treasure our friendship more than anything.

I will be back soon with more gifts both given and received.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Boo!!

2010-10-31T12:17:00.006-04:00

Happy Halloween Boys and Ghouls. I hope that you have a safe and fun day. It is cold and wet here in upstate NY. Not the best night for trick or treating. Don't do to much of this....

I am off to get my cider and doughnuts. I will get extra if you would like to stop by.

Hugs and Witches,

Pat

AUGUST ALREADY???

2010-08-13T21:25:00.002-04:00

How can that be and it's almost half gone. I have such mixed feelings about this month. It has been very HOT and we have had some really bad thunderstorms, high winds, and rain. The days are getting shorter. I know that our summer is sliding away. Soon the Fall season will be upon us. I love the cooler days but I know what is right around the corner after pumpkins, cider, doughnuts, hay rides, and beautiful Fall colors. Oh well I will have more time to sew and stitch.

I have been keeping out of trouble adding to my stash. Below is the pattern Hedgerow Birds by BBD. Loose Feathers pattern #40. The last in the Loose Feathers pattern line. It is a project bag stitched on 20 ct Straw fabric over two threads by Weeks Dye Works. The fabric looks very old almost like burlap but it is very soft to touch.

The pattern calls to work with three strands of floss. I started stitching the border using two strands to see how it looked. I liked it so I am going to stitch my bag using two strands of over dyed floss. The fabrics on the right side of the picture are in contention for the lining. Does anyone know who the fabric in the middle is by? I love this one and thought that this piece was by BBD. I have been unable to find it anywhere. I know it is an older line. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would like to line it with BBD fabric.

Some Christmas stitching here. Just a sneak peek as a little teaser.

I started Willow House by BBD last summer. It is now finished and even framed. The framed picture will be posted soon.

Simple Joys by LHN is below. I have been stitching on it for about a week. It is a smaller project than the others that I have been working on. It has worked up fast and I love the color combination in this project.

This little Quilt is from the book Remembering Adelia by Kathleen Tracy. I am going to use buttons for the center of the flowers after it is quilted. I love the Orange Peel quilt in this book too. Kathleen has a blog. For some heavy inspiration and some drooling check it out.

Finch Song by Shepherd's Bush is below. I started working on this project in the Spring. I love the soft muted colors of the silk floss included in this kit. Someday I am going to visit Shepherd's Bush. It is very near the top of my" Bucket List".

Below is my Garden Angel. I think that it is by La D Da. I don't have my pattern right near me. Two of my friends have this stitched. I have tried to beg, borrow, and steal theirs to no avail. Sooooo I am stitching my own. I have liked this piece for some time. I have already stitched 2010 on it so I have to finish it this year.

I also joined a BOM My Garden by Lynette Anderson. The shop that I signed up at did not offer a fabric for this BOM. I am still undecided which fabric I will use.

I have a bit of work cut out for me as you can see. Now if I could stay home and work on them I should have some finished projects soon. It is very difficult for me to refuse a road trip, a chat on the phone, or a glass of wine though. I have a quiet weekend planned. I hope you find time to do Your Thing this weekend. Be safe.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Happy 4th Of July!

2010-07-04T00:45:00.005-04:00

Have a fun, safe, happy and healthy weekend.

Hugs and stitches,

Pat

OMGOSH!

2010-07-01T22:30:00.007-04:00

OMGosh where does the time go? On my last post I wished everyone a Happy Easter. I must have gotten lost on my egg hunt. Well not really. Now it is July. I have been busy like everyone else. Let me share with you a bit of what was going on in my little corner of the world.

First, I had a birthday. I was not to excited about being another year older but I received a beautiful cross stitched picture that I have wanted for a very long time. I believe that it is a La De Da pattern. I love it. Thanks Karrie.

I have had several pedi's and have enjoyed every one of them.

I have taken care of my roses.

I have planted my flowers.
Christmas is not sneaking up on me this year. I have been working away on my gifts. I can't show you the front side yet as I have some very nosey friends!! I am kidding guys. I am still not showing the front!

I have been working away on my BOM's. I have even started two more. I will show you those later. This one is from the http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/ in CA. I love this one. Pieces are all done in wool and it will fit, when finished in a 18x24" ready made frame.

This one I joined at http://www.jjstitches.com/ last year when I was in WI for Boxwood and Berries.

I am way behind as usual. This is the second block. I have the third one started, but I am still waaaaay behind.

Some stitching with friends.

Eating and catching up with them too.

I went to a quilt show. What fun. Beautiful quilts and great vendors. More to follow soon.

This is some progress on a BBD cross stitch I started last year. Since I took this picture I have made even more progress. As you can see I have been busy. This has been the first week that schools here have been out so I also have my two grandchildren home all day. Heaven help me, it is going to be a long summer! I have been working on this picture sitting on the deck watching my grandchildren in the pool.

Our weather has been on the wet, windy, cloudy and chilly side here. This weekend, all four days, is going to be in the 90's. No happy medium here. I will be back soon with some shopping pictures. Till then...

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

Happy Easter !

2010-04-03T20:47:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter everyone. I hope you have a safe and wonderful day spent with family. May the Easter Bunny fill all your baskets with smiles, chocolates, and jelly beans. It is going to be a beautiful day here in upstate NY tomorrow, sunny and warm. I am going to find time to do a bit of stitching . I hope you do too.

Hugs and stitches,

Pat

My First Dye Job

2010-03-08T17:15:00.002-05:00

I am so ready for Spring. I stitched up this cute little cross stitch in no time. When it was finished I thought that the colors were a bit bright for my taste sooooo I got out my walnut crystals and went to work. Note to self...you don't need very many crystals to achieve an aged look. Another note to self.... DO NOT leave unattended in the oven! It dried in a 200 degree oven very quickly. Unfortunately I did not take a picture before I started. I am very happy with the way it turned out. The pattern is a free e-pattern from Primitive Stitchin' by Shelly Auen. It is all framed and ready to be set out very soon I hope. I left some of the stitches out and left threads hanging as Shelly suggested to also make it look aged.

I have finished the first block of Settler's Pride by Maggie Bonanomi. This block worked up quickly too. I am very proud. I am only three blocks behind.

I am trying to find my next project. Which will it be? A project from this book by The Cricket Collection or

this new pattern from Country Stitches. Decisions decisions.

I will be back soon to show you some progress. Until then...

Hugs and Stitches

Pat

A Typical Tuesday!

2010-02-22T19:47:00.006-05:00

This is what my typical Tuesday is like. It is my favorite day of the week. After a shower and dressing (very casually.... sometimes ....most times pajamas) it starts like this. Usually it is coffee and a muffin but last week it was hot chocolate from McDonald's. It is the best made with whole milk. Yummy! I haven't had that in quite some time. On to the rest of the day. If you follow my blog, the quilt below will look familiar. I received it from Stina last year for Easter. It is beautiful and I love it. So do my friends. I had the pattern before I received the quilt. I didn't have to make it thanks to Stina. Thanks again my friend!! Anyway my friends stitched the blocks and ordered the fabric that Stina used in my quilt. Last Tuesday we worked on their quilts on our stitching day.

We started after our hot chocolate and muffin.

The girls sewed away.

Progress was made before lunch.

Then we had lunch. Every week lunch is different. Last week it was snacks and they were great.

After lunch it was back at it again.

They sewed while I cut and ironed and.....

....we got really really thirsty.

That drink really pulled us through gave us strength to finish up two quilts.

Here's the first one and

the second. Both of these quilts are off being quilted.

We even had time to finish two other unfinished projects.

This is a FFF ( First Friday Freebie ) given to us by Kaaren.

I'd like you to meet Stanley. He is a pattern by Primitive Stitches. He is my new favorite snowman.

I am off to bed now because tomorrow is Tuesday and I am going to do it all over again. I wish that you could all come with me. We would have so much fun!

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

What I've Been Up To

2010-02-13T14:07:00.004-05:00

This crazy weather here in the East has me in a funk. Most people that live in upstate New York enjoy winter. I don't enjoy the cold but I do enjoy the snow. No snow this year though. We had some snow before Christmas and a few flurries since. It's gone and has been for a few weeks. All of the winter storms have gone just to the south of us and off the East coast. Now I don't want to be buried in it but I would like some snow to cover all of our dead grass. I am blaming my funk on the weather so come on snow or come on Spring! I have made some wool table runners. They are from a Whimsical 's book. I stitched some pincushions. It is a pattern from Shepherd's Bush. The kit came with a beautiful blue ric rac. I was unable to find any that even came close to what was in the kit.

I have enjoyed making journal covers. They fit over a composition notebook. It is a Stacy Nash pattern.

I love this pillow. It is from a Whimsical book also. It is wool applique on cotton fabric. I have two more started. One is even for me!! The other one I am not sure what I will do with it.

This pillow was fun to make also. It is wool applique on cotton again. I made this pillow for a friend who is very persnickety. (love her though) It took longer to pick the fabrics than it did to make the pillow. I was with her when she picked the fabrics. If I remember correctly there is fabric from at least four shops and a quilt show in that pillow! I am very happy with the way it turned out. So is my friend. She doesn't have a blog, but I know she will read this. Hmmm!

Below are pictures of gifts that I have received. This one came from Hawaii. I love birds and bird houses.

I love this one. I begged, pleaded, embarrassed, cried, kicked, screamed and threatened a friend to make this one for me. Finally wore her down. This is an old pattern that I have had for several years. I just never stitched it. I am not a fan of back stitching and there is a ton of it in this picture. Debbie did a great job. If you click on the picture you can see the detail.

I have it hanging over a knob rack in my kitchen. I think that they compliment each other.

A friend has this hanging in her kitchen and I have commented on it several times. Sooo now I have one too!

This now hangs in my entry way. It was from Karrie (no blog). It will look much nicer after this room is painted. I think I have out grown my pink stage.

This last picture will greet you as you enter my front door. It was stitched by another no blog friend. The frame is from Michaels and I love it!!

I changed the embellishments to charms that I had on hand and couldn't remember what I had purchased them for. Again a bird and a birdhouse. Sheep are among my favorite things too! I have a couple of other small projects that I will show you soon. I hope that everyone has a great Valentines Day tomorrow. Find lots of time to smell the roses, eat lots of chocolate and stitch the day away.

Hugs and Stitches,

Pat

More Christmas

2010-01-19T22:04:00.003-05:00

I have more Christmas to show you. This package arrived a little after Christmas. I knew that it was going to be late. The wait was certainly worth it. The package was from Margaret in Spain. Margaret and I met shortly after I started blogging. I was having trouble with something(I forget now what) setting up my blog and she offered to help me. She talked me through the steps and I was able to complete the task at hand through e-mails. At the time I posted that she was my BFF (best friend forever). It was a popular saying from a television commercial at the time. Well Margaret has turned out to be a wonderful friend. I cherish our friendship. She is a lady of many talents. Everything that she does turns out absolutely beautiful including photography. So if you would like to see better pictures of my lovely gifts pop over and see Margaret. I am sure that her next post will include lovely pictures of the following gifts. See Margaret, It wasn't squished!

Here are my goodies.

A stitching bag, pincushion and a needle book. My favorite embellishments are buttons and ric rac. Just look at these buttons. I love them. I have put them all to good use already! Each side of the bag has a different design.

Here it is opened. All those pockets help me to keep organized. I love the fabric on the inside too. All sewing notions. The Fig Tree on the outside is one of my favorites. I really like the way that it closes. It is impossible for anything to fall out.

Here is the needle book. This little stitchery looks just like me...right down to my skinny little ankles!! She is soooo cute. Click on the picture to see the beautiful stitching.

Room for several needles.

Thank you so much Margaret. I am over the moon. I just love everything. Thank you for offering to help me way back when and being such a good friend. The biggest of hugs my friend.

Pat

Merry Christmas From Sweden

2010-01-03T12:58:00.003-05:00

I received this lovely package from my friend Stina in Sweden just before Christmas. I have waited to post about it because Stina has been away spending the Holidays with her family. I wanted her to see how much I appreciated my wonderful gifts. First is a Swedish Goat or Ram. I was not familiar with this little guy so I had to Google him. As soon as I did I placed him under my Christmas Tree. He will be found there every year when my tree goes up.

If you look close you will see him on the wrapping paper.

Stina is such a sweetheart. She stitched this Snow Angel for me. I love the wings. She is beautiful. Thank you so much Stina. Stina wrote to tell me that in her haste to get the package mailed, before Christmas, she forgot to add the twig arms to the angel. I love her just as she is. I am not sure, but the Angel looks like a Country Stitches pattern to me. So cute.

What a clever girl that Stina is! She made this twisted wire angle with a wool heart. Isn't she cute? She looked lovely on my tree. She also made the wool strawberry scissor fob. Those little strawberries must have taken awhile to make. They are small and the french knots.... they look good enough to eat. Stina sent me this little note........ "The little scissor fob... is made with a childhood memory in mind... picking small strawberries...that we call "smultron" and dont taste like strawberries... we picked them ...putting them on a string of straw... and carried them home...an later sitting on the porch eating them sunwarm...yummy!!!" I will think of this story each time I use the fob and when I see the first little strawberries in summer.

Speaking of eating. She included a box of orange flavored chocolate. They are delish and I shared too!!

Thank you so much Stina. I love my Christmas from Sweden.

Hugs,

Pat

Happy 2010 !!

2009-12-31T23:14:00.004-05:00

I wish you a safe, healthy and happy New Year from my family to yours. Welcome 2010!

Hugs,

Pat

THANK YOU KAAREN!!

2009-12-30T13:19:00.004-05:00

On Christmas Eve I found another surprise in my mail box. It was from Kaaren over at The Painted Quilt. At this point I was shaking. Kaaren has a wonderful creative talent she shares with all of us.

The card she sent was so her! She loves sheep. I was not surprised to find them on her Christmas card.

I was surprised and shocked to she what she sent me. I saw it on her blog and loved it. She designed it for her December FFF (First Friday Freebie). Yes, she sent me her Santa Stocking. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. When I opened it I just stared at it. My Family thought that something was wrong with me. It's beautiful. Her stitches are all so even and perfect. I love her fabric choices. I love this stocking. Thank you Kaaren.

There was still more in the bottom of the box all wrapped in foam. I took it out to find a Patriotic Santa painted on an old Coke bottle. It doesn't happen very often, but I was speechless again. It is absolutely beautiful and will be staying out all year. I am not sure where yet, but it will be displayed all year. Look at the detail. Love it! Thank you so much Kaaren I will treasure them always. Don't forget to go over and visit Kaaren on Friday for her next FFF. I can't wait.

Yesterday I had gift exchange with "my real life friends". I will be back soon with pictures of our gifts. Until then keep stitching!

Hugs,

Pat

Thank You Blogging Friends!

2009-12-28T11:29:00.003-05:00

Blogging Friends are the best! I was very surprised to find this package in my mail box just before Christmas. Mary over at Quilt Hollow posted about doing some Random Acts of Kindness. (RAK) Never in a million years did I expect to be a recipient of one. Inside I found a lovely zippered bag. I love the fabric. It is full of sewing notions. Perfect for a sewing pouch. Inside the pouch .... quilting thread, a note pad and an emery board.

Thank you so much Mary. You made my day! I love it all. That was so nice of you.

Another package arrived in my mail box from another blogging friend. This was also a surprise. It was from Kris over at Dandelion Quilts.

Inside was a snowman spreader and a spinach dip mix along with two dish towels that she machine embroidered. They are beautiful! Thank you so much Kris. I am going to use the dip mix on New Years Eve. It is my granddaughters favorite dip.

Again, thank you so much Mary and Kris. I really appreciate your kindness.

I will be back tomorrow with more blogging buddy goodies.

Hugs,

Pat

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-24T14:29:00.002-05:00

I wish each of you a safe, healthy and Merry Christmas.

Hugs,

Pat

A Day With Barb and Alma...fun,fun,fun!

2009-12-16T20:15:00.001-05:00

In my last post I asked if anyone knew the lovely lady in the picture. No, it wasn't me! That was Carrie Nelson from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. She took classes with us at Country Sampler . She is just as sweet as sweet can be. Love her patterns too!

On to our day with the Blackbird Design girls. This was my favorite day of the Gathering. Barb and Alma were so nice ......and funny! They kept us laughing most of the day. You can tell that they are great friends as well as great designers. They played off , teased and told stories on each other. They even laughed at each other.

This is Barb.

This is Alma.

This is the fabric, Worn and Loved II by Jeanne Horton from Country Sampler that was in our kit for a beautiful table runner.

The runner was very long and lovely. It was difficult to get a picture of the whole runner with everyone admiring it. I took some pictures in sections.

Alma also suggested using the runner across the foot of your bed or across the pillows. I loved that idea.

From the scraps left over from the runner Alma made this pincushion. I love that button! She also gave some hints on machine applique with hexagons and everyone got to use HER

machine to try them out.

Here is the pocket that they designed for our aprons.

If you read their blog, this is the box that Alma did a tutorial on. I love it and I am going to make some.

She photo copied fabric for the inside of the box and the lid. The outside is fabric.

Next are pictures of their trunk show. These are only a few pictures of the beautiful pieces that they brought along.

I love this quilt. I had to go and buy the book right after the show!

Another favorite.

Beautiful!!!

OMGosh!!!

If only I had more time!!!

Someday....love it!!

I have the pattern for this project and all the supplies in my closet. I had forgotten all about it.

This years ornament in the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Book.

I am going to stitch this one.

I bought the supplies to stitch this pattern too!

Here they all are in one picture. We were so lucky to be able to attend this Gathering with such fantastic people. I am sure that we will attend another Gathering one year.

Early Sunday morning we were back on the road with "Carmen" heading back to the Madison Airport.

What a great time we had. Next time we will stay a couple more days and see some of the beautiful state of Wisconsin and their quilt shops! I will be back soon with some of the goodies I bought. Until then keep stitching.

Pat

A Day With Stacy Nash

2009-12-04T07:02:00.006-05:00

Our second day at Boxwood and Berries Gathering was spent with Stacy Nash. When we walked into the classroom at Country Sampler we each found a fabric covered box waiting for us. It was so pretty I didn't want to open mine. This is what I found inside.

Three projects. They were all neatly wrapped with lovely photos. We started on the sampler. When the sampler is completed it will be glued to the top of the box.Also included was a small pillow that could be used as a pincushion and two Christmas ornaments.

This is Stacy. She is a very quiet, soft spoken and a bit shy in front of a crowd. One on one she is as sweet as can be. Stacy and her mom had covered all the boxes for us to save some time. She explained how they did them and answered several questions. Next year Stacy is going to have you stitch your project before class so there will be time to do the finishing with her. Great idea!

This is the sampler completed. Isn't it lovely?

The Christmas ornaments.

This little pillow is so sweet.

Here you can see a few of the finished projects that Stacy had stitched and were for sale. She does beautiful work.

Stacy has a new book coming out soon. Projects for her new book were available to drool over. The first picture is of a sewing roll. Love this one. I got the wool and her fabric to make it.

The inside.

A Naughty or Nice Pinkeep Drum. I love the aged look of the berries on the top.

A sewing pouch. Front and back.

This is a little pinkeep or an ornament.

Stacy had a work in progress. I think that this might end up to be her project for our apron pocket.

Stacy again chatting away.

We met so very many lovely ladies at this gathering. Do you know who this one is????

We also made Boxwood Wreaths with Stacy. It was fun to try something new. I don't think that I will go into the business of making them though. The one I made still looks good after being squished and I mean squished in my suitcase. Next time I will tell you all about our day with Alma and Barb from Blackbird Designs. OMGosh!!! Until then keep stitching.

Pat

Finally, Boxwood and Berries Gathering!

2009-11-28T22:56:00.002-05:00

Carmin Garmin got us to Spring Green WI with no further problems. When we walked into the new classroom at Country Sampler we found this great wooden tote sitting on our tables. Inside was an apron and a wool kit. Each of the three designers were asked to design a pocket for the apron. Don't you love the tote? Our first designer was Maggie Bonanomi. What a sweet lady, and funny too! Here she is telling us about our first project, A Book of Days.

Here is the pocket she designed for our apron. It is all wool applique.

This is the front of our Book of Days, but it is the back of Maggie's as she stitched hers together backwards.

As you can see the back is lovely too.

Here are some of the pages inside our journal. Maggie gave us pictures to use that are beautiful. Pictures of old buttons, old cookie and tart tins and old Christmas bulbs are my favorites. I may also use some of my own pictures when I finish my Book of Days.

Here Maggie is making beeswax candles. Because of lack of time and space we only observed this project. I am going to try this. Probably not this year. Those little candles were so cute for that tree.

Next we made a feather tree from tissue paper. This is the lovely urn with raw cotton and pine cones that we put our trees in.

Here is the tree. I made all of my branches. I didn't put mine together because of the flight home. I don't know that I would have been able to carry it through three airports without being pulled aside for an extensive security check!!! I listened carefully to the instructions on finishing my tree to finish here at home. This is a picture of the tree that Maggie made.

This is Maggie's newest book. It"s lovely. We were fortunate enough to see a trunk show of all the projects from this book. What a clever lady!

This off white on off white wool was lovely.

This cutout was great too.

This is my favorite project from the book. It is a wool Punkin's Mat. I call my grandchildren Punkins. She had it sitting in this cutest twig stool. I love it. I am on the hunt for one.

So Cute.

Loved this hooked rug. See that cute little pumpkin pincushion. If only I had more time!

This looked good enough to eat.

This was so clever. Maybe next year.

I loved this pear too and the stand that it was on ..... a glass candle holder painted... Why didn't I think of that?

A wool mat for Christmas.

Maggie made several batches of cookies and showed several ways to package them as gifts. Maggie did not drink all the wine in those bottles. (we had a wine tasting, trying wines from South America)

We all got to try some. They were yummy!!

Maggie was a very busy lady in Spring Green. When she wasn't with us or baking she was out antiquing in her tomato red Jeep. She looked so cute in it!!!

We had a wonderful time with Maggie. She shared some great projects and ideas with us. She will have a new book out in the Spring on Rug Hooking.

Next time I will tell you all about our day with Stacy Nash. Another fun day. Until then keep stitching. I hope that everyone here in the U.S. had a very Happy Thanksgiving. I had a wonderful day spent with family and a bit of stitching.

Pat

WE ARE BACK! WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD.

2009-11-23T15:45:00.007-05:00

We are back and we had the time of our life. I want to do it again very soon. Our flight
from Burlington VT to Chicago and on to Madison WI was great. I am not a fan of flying, especially the landings but they went well. Everything was perfect..the flight...the friends and the weather. As soon as we arrived in WI we picked up our rental car and plugged Carmen Garmin in, waited for a satellite which took a bit of patience as Carmen was still in NY and repeatedly gave us directions from my home. That settled and satellite found, we were on our way to our first stop JJ Stitches and CO. in Sun Prairie WI.

Oh my,oh my!! What a beautiful shop. Fabrics and models every where. Julie, the owner was there. What a nice lady. We stayed there about three hours and I could have spent three days. No kidding. I had my camera but there was so much to see I forgot to take many pictures.

These are just a few of the models in the shop. I walked around with my camera in hand and my mouth wide open. I kid you not.

Love these wool pillows.

She had some beautiful ric rac. I love ric rac!!

If you are ever in this area of Wisconsin you have to go to this shop. If you live in this area... you don't know how lucky you are! I will be back soon with pictures of my purchases from JJ's. (because I can't find them right now) As we leave here we are on to Spring Green WI and The Boxwood And Berries Gathering at Country Sampler Quilt Shop.

Pat

Get Ready Wisconsin!

2009-11-04T18:00:00.001-05:00

I would love to share my plans for next week. I am very excited about them as I have never done anything like this before. I am off to Spring Green, Wisconsin. I will be attending Country Sampler's second annual Boxwood and Berries Gathering with Stacy Nash, the girls from Blackbird Designs Alma Allen and Barb Adams and Maggie Bonanomi . If you would like to read about Boxwood and Berries click on Country Sampler and go to coming events and scroll down just a bit. It sounds like so much fun! I am dragging two friends along. They are both excited too. If anyone is familiar with this area of Wisconsin and has a favorite Quilt Shop please let me know. We will have a whole day to shop, shop,shop.

Pat

I'M DEPRESSED!

2009-11-02T09:47:00.005-05:00

Where have I been the last few weeks? Right here in this pile of Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkin's.

Why? You might ask.

Because I am depressed!

I loved this magazine and it is no more! Maybe I should say I heart Mark Lipinski's Quilters Home. I have no idea if the magazine will continue without him or not. I do know that if it does continue it will never be the same, cupcakes! :(

On to other things. I did have two cross stitch projects framed. I had a very difficult time trying to get a photo of " Home" by Shepherd's Bush. I couldn't get a photo of it on the wall because of the glare from the background. You could see everything in the room in the glass and you couldn't see the cross stitch.

I even had "Boo" by Shepherd's Bush finished in time for Halloween. Both of these projects came as kits. They were quick and easy to stitch.

I received money for my birthday in May. I purchased a Kindle with the money. By the way, I love it ! I saw a Kindle Cover or" Bookkeeper" on Moda Bake Shop. I have one almost finished. I need to do the applique and then I will show a photo. It was fun to use my decorative stitches for the first time. The directions were great and easy to follow. Below is the pattern and the fabric I used. The pattern is by Kim Walus. Go over and visit Kim. She is a very clever lady.

I love the primitive look. I follow Lynda Hall's blog. Recently she had a post about Mockingbirds. I commented on that post and Lynda decided to give everyone that commented a copy of her new pattern Mocking Birds. Lucky me. This pattern is now in my to do pile. Go over and visit Lynda. You will enjoy her blog.

Below are a few more patterns that I was lucky enough to win from the Fat Quarter Shop. Several of them have been added to my pile also. My pile is almost as tall as I am now!

In the last few weeks I have also been to a quilt show, a Craft Fair and of course some quilt shops. I will be back soon with some photos. My next post will be about some very exciting plans that I have for next week. ; ) ; ) ; )

Hugs,

Pat

May It Never Happen Again.

2009-09-11T09:33:00.003-04:00

September 11, 2001

Pat

A Huge Bug Bite! And More...

2009-08-31T19:21:00.004-04:00

I have been bitten by the cross stitch bug again and I love it. I have been away from it for a few years and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Here are my next two projects. The first is a new pattern by Shepherd's Bush "My Pins". This pattern is stitched on 24 count fabric over two threads. I should have no problem stitching this one even in the evening. It includes the cross stitch fabric, floss, border and backing fabric and ric rac to complete a pincushion. The second one is also by Shepherd's Bush. This one has been in my closet for a few years. I remembered that I had this pattern and thought that I would like to stitch it for this Fall. So into the closet I went. Sure enough there it was. Now I don't want to make it sound like I walked right in and put my hands right on it....I was in there for quite a while. Before I go into my closet I always call my friend Debbie. I tell her what I am up to and ask her to check on me if she doesn't heard from me in a while.

While I was in there I found some goodies that I had forgotten all about. I found these two blocks all prepped and ready to applique. The pattern is "Ring Around The Posie" By Primitives Pieces By Lynda . I was going to make a four block wall hanging from this pattern. I am not sure if these would be my color choices today but I like this pattern. I will have to see. I haven't appliqued in a while. These larger pieces just may give me a jump start back to the thousands of applique projects that have and love.

Don't you just love this pattern? Why did I ever put it away? Do you ever do that? I think that I have too many projects that I want to do. I start them all and don't finish any of them. I need help....yup I do! Dr. Phil would be so proud..I have taken the first step. I have admitted that I have a problem.

I also found a long lost Santa that I had stitched. I had the backing fabric right along side it in a ziplock bag. Maybe I will finish this project too.

Isn't he sweet? Well I am off....not to the closet tonight, but to stitch. I will be back soon with some new progress on some old projects. I will chat then.

Pat

A Finish And Some Progress

2009-08-27T15:42:00.004-04:00

I just love this little guy! Shepherds Bush is one of my favorite designers. He took hardly any time to stitch. Now to get him framed.

Here is some progress on my Willow House by BBD another of my favorite designers. I enjoy doing this picture during the day. I love the Tobacco color fabric but I do have difficulty seeing it in the evening. Even using my Ott light it is a struggle and not fun.

This is a Cinderberry Stitches pattern I am using for a table runner. I need a backing and some quilting to finish it up. This is going to be a Christmas gift for a friend.

It is sunny and 74 degrees here today. Fall is in the air! I will chat soon.

Pat

A Bit Of Stitching Going On!

2009-08-05T14:49:00.003-04:00

We have had a lot of rain here in upstate NY as we wait for our summer to arrive. We have a nice day and then we have several not so nice days. Lots of thunder and lightning too. That is not my favorite weather either. Today is beautiful. It is 80 degrees, a slight breeze and no humidity. Yea! With the weather, I have had the choice to clean , do laundry or stitch soooo... I have done a little of each. First is some progress on Willow House by BBD. ( check on my July 21st post for a picture of this project) The fabric is Tobacco 28 count. I love it. I find that these old eyes have to work on it in a very good light.

I had a small interruption in my progress of WH when this little goody arrived in the mail.

This is a kit by Sheperd's Bush. I have been fond of their patterns forever. I mean in LOVE with them!! It has been a dream of mine to go to Ogden Utah to attend their Christmas Tea and open house.

This kit is called Home. I enjoy this pattern because I can see it. The pattern is large and the symbols are clear. ( I usually have to take my patterns to Staples to have them enlarged to ease the eye strain) It has stitched up quickly with the silk floss that was included in the kit. I still have a bit more stitching to finish this project.

This next project I saw Peg stitching and loved it. So of course I had to order it too.

Peg stitched her stitchery in a variegated red floss. When I received my lovely Christmas in July swap from Rachel I was so excited to find not one but two skeins of DMC variegated red floss included in it. It looks just like the floss that Peg used. I love it! Thanks again Rachel. You are the best!

With all the rain that we have had, I have had time to prep some projects for Christmas. Most of them I can't show you now as I have some very nosey friends. (Yes, you know who you are!)This project, even though it is Halloween, is for a Christmas gift. It is safe to show this project as the recipient does not have a blog. She loves anything Fall and Halloween.

I am going to stitch this project with 12 weight Sulky thread. I am still not sure of the border fabric. I checked my LQS for a fabric similar to the one used in the pattern with no luck. I choose the mottled with the stars. I am still not sure if I will use it. I think I see a road trip in the very near future. Hmm! I will chat soon.

Pat

My Swap Package Has Landed At Peg's Home!

2009-07-24T22:39:00.004-04:00

My partner for the Christmas In July Swap was Peg. She has received her package so now I can show you what I made for her.
Some of these pictures are borrowed from Peg's blog. I was so worried about my sneak peeks giving away any secrets I forgot to take pictures of the whole project. Thank you Peg for allowing me to borrow them.

I love this stocking! I want one too! You almost didn't get this Peg.

I received an ornament just like this a couple of years ago from a friend. I thought that it was so cute. I made one too.

A pincushion, scissor holder and needle case. They fit right inside this stitching bag. She is all scrunched up so I could fit her in the picture. Her broach is from my grandmother's button box.

Someone asked what the buttons were. They are supposed to be her pigtails!!

I could not send a package without a snowman. I love them!!! I had so much fun making these gifts for Peg. Thank you again Linda and Stephanie for hosting this swap you both did a great job. Enjoy Peg!

Hugs,

Pat

My Next Project

2009-07-21T20:30:00.003-04:00

I think that this is going to by my next project. I love cross stitch and I have been away from it for quite awhile. As you can see it is a Blackbird Design. The name of it is Willow House. I love the color of the fabric. It is 28 count tobacco. I am going to use weeks over dyed floss that the pattern calls for. Has anyone stitched this pattern? I hope to show some progress very soon.
Pat

It's Here!

2009-07-20T13:21:00.004-04:00

This is my swap package from the Christmas In July Swap hosted by Linda and Stephanie. My swap partner was Rachel. This is the lovely Santa Bag that she made me.

Inside the bag were all these lovely goodies. A poseable reindeer, I am going to call him Rudy. There was fabric, floss, ric rac, a pattern, stickers and a bag with a reindeer embroidered on it. There was also a lovely card. I love them all. Thanks again Rachael.

Thank you Linda and Stephanie for hosting this swap.. It was a fun.

Pat

Here They Are, The Peeks I Promised Yesterday!

2009-07-11T21:12:00.003-04:00

These little goodies will be flying off to a new home on Monday. They are packed and ready for their long trip. They are part of my Christmas in July Swap projects. I hope that ......... enjoys them as much as I enjoyed making them. Thank you Linda and Stephanie for organizing this swap. It was fun.

Pat

A finish And A Win

2009-07-10T12:54:00.003-04:00

I have finished another block for my" A Primitive Garden Quilt " from Primitive Gatherings.
I believe that this is block number four. I love this quilt. I do hope that I get it finished one day. Primitive Gatherings is starting this as a block of the month again this summer. Check it out on their site if you are interested.
Kris over at Dandelion Quilts had a give away and I was the lucky winner of a charm pack. She said that she hoped that it would inspire me. I do have an idea of how I am going to use it. Thanks again Kris. These charms are lovely. I have been busy with my Christmas in July Swap. I will be back tomorrow with a peek.

I will chat then. Have a great day!

Pat

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-03T20:41:00.002-04:00

I wish everyone a very Healthy and Happy 4th of July! Be safe.

Pat

An Award

2009-07-02T21:21:00.003-04:00

I have been given this award by Deb over at http://aquiltingjourney.blogspot.com/
Thank you for including me Deb.
Here are the rules:

First: You have to tell your readers 10 things about you they may not already know, but are true.

Second: You have to tag 10 people with the award.

Third: You have to let the people you've given the award to, know that they've received this award from you.

Finally: Make sure you link back to the person who awarded you.

Well I am sure you are all sitting on the edge of your computer chairs for these sad but true facts about ME.

1. I dislike cats!

2 I love soft ice cream. (chocolate and vanilla twist) yum!

3. Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. (my stitching day with friends...love them)

4. My favorite season of the year is the Fall.

5. I love all veggies. (especially when cooked on the grill)

6. I enjoy watching hockey.

7. I have two children (one of each) and two grandchildren (one of each).

8. I was born and have lived in NY all of my life.

9. I could spend hours in a book or office supply store. (love them)

10. My favorite TV channel is HGTV.

Now this award has been around for awhile and I am not sure who has been tagged. This was fun. If you would like to play along please feel free. Post and follow the rules on your blog. Let me know if you decide to play. Enjoy!

Pat

Off To The Vermont Quilt Show

2009-06-27T22:14:00.007-04:00

Last Friday Debbie, Karrie (no blog) and I went to the Vermont Quilt Show. Last time I posted about going to Vermont via ferry some of you wanted to see pictures of the ferry. In this picture we are boarding the ferry. Here we are being directed as to where to park. On this ferry there are four lanes to park in. Trucks and larger vehicles are parked in the center of the ferry. (so we don't tip over)!

There are three ferries that run most of the year. This is another ferry that we pass .

This ferry is leaving the Vermont side of Lake Champlain as we are pulling into dock from NY.

We had a great time at the show. There were so many beautiful quilts this year. We started off with this exhibit.

These quilts were beautiful. You felt like you were looking out a window at a real scene. I wanted to make a snowball while looking at this one!!

Here are a few of my favorites.

Loved this one!

And this one!

I don't think I saw one that I didn't like.

This quilt was covered in beads too. Not my taste, but beautiful!

I love wonky houses and trees. They were both in the same quilt. Love this one.

This one was lovely too.

There were vendors everywhere. I will be back to show you some of my goodies. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. This is high school graduation weekend here in my town. I hope that everyone has a safe and healthy time. I will chat soon.

Pat

My Mailbox Runneth Over!

2009-06-12T20:23:00.000-04:00

I am happy to report that mom is doing a bit better. She is now in the rehab unit of the hospital and could possibly come home in one to three weeks. Her appetite is not back yet, but her will to come home is. Thank you again for all the good wishes and positive thoughts that were sent our way. They all are very much appreciated.

I have some lovely projects to show you that arrived while I was away from blogland. First I won a giveaway that Amy had on her blog awhile ago. The first one is a cross stitch button roll that Amy stitched. She did a beautiful job of stitching and matching the fabrics on the inside . It is a pattern by Stacy Nash. The name of the pattern is Peacock Button Roll. I heart it!! Amy also sent along a pattern. I would like to make this pattern up as a Christmas gift soooo... I am not going to post a picture of it now. Thank you again Amy for picking my name in your draw and for the Christmas gift idea. I heart it!!

Next is some of the best chocolate I have had. This little goodie was from Martina in Italy. She sent not one, not two but three chocolate bars. I did share!!! There was one each of milk, dark and white chocolate. Delish!!! She must know that I love chocolate.

Martina also made the little notion bag below. I heart it too!! Thank you so much Martina.

Last but not least this beautiful stitchery, floss and pincushion arrived from Lilly. I also won a giveaway on Lilly's blog. This stitchery is so pretty. I would have had a hard time letting it go. Lilly included several skeins of floss and a beautiful hexagon pincushion made by her. She also included some extra fabric to use if I wanted to make a hanger for the stitchery. Thank you for being so thoughtful Lilly.

Here is a closer look at the pincushion. There are hexagons all over blogs lately. I want to try making some. Love them. Look at the covered button that she made. I have not seen this before. It must be a little tricky with such a small button. Click on the picture to enlarge. I hope you can see how she did it. Love that idea.

Thank you so much ladies for all the goodies. My apologies again for taking so long to post them. Stitchers and quilters are the best. I will be back soon.

Pat

A difficult time.

2009-05-29T22:37:00.002-04:00

This has been a very difficult time for my family. My mother-in-law passed away this week. My mom's health is slipping also. Life right now is such a struggle for her. Thanks you for all the kind and caring e-mails. They are very much appreciated at this very difficult time.

Hugs,
Pat

I Will Be Back Soon

2009-05-18T18:50:00.002-04:00

Thank you for the e-mails asking where I have been and wondering if everything is OK. My mom has been very ill. She is in the hospital and we have been staying with her day and night. There has been some improvement in the last few days. Today she got out of bed for the first time and received PT. I will be back soon with pictures of some lovely gifts, giveaways and some new patterns. I will chat soon.

Pat

Back In Minnesota!

2009-04-22T22:48:00.005-04:00

I would like to show you another kit I ordered from Rosebud's Cottage. I saw this kit on the March 17 th post on Roseann's blog. I called the shop and they made up a kit for me with fabrics that I selected. The pattern is Square Deal Centerpiece Quilt. I believe that it is Roseann's own pattern.

These are the fabrics that I ordered. It is Jezebel by Red Rooster. I love this fabric line. Everything that you need is included in the kit. Including the batting and the backing. So it is ready to go when I am.

My package came with two of the cutest little stitchery patterns. They were designed by Roseann also. Roseann is very talented. She has patterns published now in both Spring 2009 Quilts and More (a quilt) and Bags, Pillows & Pincushions. (pincushion)

Well, I am off to bed now. I am way behind in my reading. I will chat soon.

Pat

I Want To Move To North Saint Paul Minnesota!

2009-04-17T16:52:00.004-04:00

At the very least, I want to visit there someday. I would like to visit Rosebud's Cottage. It is owned by Roseann Meehan Kermes. I have been following her blog for quite some time and I really enjoy it. She and her staff are very pleasant and easy to work with. I have never been to this shop in person only via the Internet and phone. ......maybe someday!

Back on Feb.15 Roseann was posting about A Girls' Nite Out. It sounded like so much fun. I belong to a small stitching group and we meet each week on Tuesdays. Usually we each do our own thing. Cross stitch, quilting, applique, or embroidery. My friends also scrapbook. Well Roseann's project for GNO was a paper covered notebook. I loved the idea. I had never done anything like this before. I sent Roseann an e-mail. She took all the info and made up four kits with a pictures and directions and mailed them to me.

Here is a picture of Debbie's and Karrie's notebook along with mine. We had so much fun making them. I have supplies to make more. Roseann said that I couldn't make just one. She was right.

This is a picture of mine. See the P? I think that it is to pretty to use. But I am going to! I will be back with another project that I saw on her blog that I just HAD to have.

Pat

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T20:55:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow may you find time to do what you love. Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover or just a normal Sunday I hope that it is a happy day spent with family and friends. Take care and be safe.

Hugs,
Pat

What A Deal!

2009-04-09T21:45:00.004-04:00

I have been wanting to get a magnifier for my Ott light. My eyes are just not what they used to be. I would love to get back to my cross stitch. There are so many new patterns out that I would love to stitch. We do not have a Joanns where I live. We do have a Michaels and the cost for the magnifier there was $125.00. I was going to purchase it with the next 50% off coupon I received.
Last week I went to Glens Falls shopping with not one but two ailing friends. I will save that for next time!!! Anyway, one of our stops was Joanns. I wanted to see if they had the magnifier. Sure enough they did.

On closer inspection I noticed a clearance sticker ( 2 of them) on the box. When I saw the price I took the box apart to make sure that all parts were there and not broken. Everything was good. I couldn't believe the deal I was getting. I had my 40% off coupon but knew I couldn't use it as the item was on sale. At the checkout, I gave the coupon to the clerk to use on my order.

To my surprise, she used my coupon on the magnifier. Which made the grand total of the magnifier $7.99. What a deal!!!

Pat

Do You Ever Wonder What People Think About You??

2009-04-08T00:05:00.003-04:00

Well maybe sometimes. Most of the time I behave and act appropriately. I think that I am kind, caring and respectful of others.

I guess I do wonder sometimes what Earl, my mailman thinks. Packages from Sweden,Spain, The Netherlands, Australia and loads of packages from here in the US. hmmm!!!

Pat

Would You Like To Know A Secret?

2009-04-01T20:12:00.004-04:00

Sweden has an ANGEL!!

Yesterday in the mail I received a package.

A lovely package.

In it was a lovely card from my friend Stina.

Inside the lovely package was this beautiful stitched wall hanging. Anyone that knows Stina, knows that she has had a problem with her hand. Look at all the stitching that she has done. It is absolutely beautiful. It is machine quilted and beautifully so.

Yesterday was my stitching day with my friends. I brought it along so they could help take some pictures to share with you. My friend Karrie is behind the quilt.

Stina made a label for the back.

This is the nicest surprise. Words can not express how wonderful I felt when I opened this package and read the card. Thank you so much Stina. You are one of the most kind and generous people I know. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love it and will cherish it always.

Tomorrow I am going to Adirondack Quilts in Glens Falls NY with some friends. I will have to do a little shopping for an angel I know. I will have my pink glasses on (Stina loves pink)! Hopefully I will remember the camera too.

Hugs,

Pat

I Am A Winner!

2009-03-16T10:54:00.004-04:00

But I bet you already knew that!!! Recently I won a new pattern from Rosalie Quinlan Designs . She also added two of her stitchery cards and a lovely note to my package. The pattern is little Patchwork Village Wall Quilt.The stitcheries are little houses. Some of them are A Happy Home, Posh, For the Birds, A Quilt Shop, Neighbors and a Tree House. They are all just as cute as can be. I need to add some more pink to my collection before I can start though. Thanks so much Rosie I love it. I will chat soon.

Pat

I had a great day!

2009-02-27T22:07:00.003-05:00

Today Debbie and I took the ferry to VT. After a short Doctors visit we went shopping. It was very windy and rained most of the day. In the back of my mind I kept thinking about that 10 or12 minute ferry ride back to NY. I didn't let it stop me though. Our first stop was to Jo-Anns where I made my first and very expensive purchase of one DMC floss. Price .35 cents. I was most excited to find this floss. The town I live in is not very big. Our Jo-Anns closed a few years ago. We have a Michaels store. (they have been out of this floss for quite awhile). This floss has been holding up a project, now I have no excuse.

Next we went to Yankee Pride Quilt Shop. This shop is lovely. It has new owners and they have a wonderful selection of all types of fabrics. I really didn't need anything special. As I looked around I heard some fabric calling me. I turned and there was Charisma by Chez Moi for Moda. This is what I bought for I don't know what. I guess for my stash. I love it!

I also purchased some background fabrics and another piece of fabric for My Journey of a Quilter quilt by Leanne Beasley that I want to make this year.

After shopping we had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. Then it was home because of the weather. The ride home was very smooth.

I have been looking for buttons for a stitchery project that I am doing . Debbie found them for me in her button jar. Now I can finish that project.

When I returned home my mail had arrived. In the mail was a piece of fabric from Primitive Gatherings. With the following not enclosed. Thanks goodness some people do these BOM's. I am so far behind on mine. The fabric will be discontinued before I get to it.

In another package was an over dyed floss to do another project. I love to cross stitch. I have only done a small amount of it since I started quilting. This is a project that I would like to start in the near future. I find that cross stitch is much harder on my eyes that it used to be. Maybe I should see the eye doctor. Yes, that it probably a good idea.

Also in the mail today was the second BOM of Autumn House by Anne Sutton from The Fat Quarter Shop. Now I haven't started the first block yet but....... I know ...

This little Easter kit also arrived today. It is stitched on perforated paper. I shouldn't have too many problems with this project other that getting it started and finished before Easter. No problem?!

Now you see why I had a great day. How was yours? I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I will chat again soon.

Pat

What have you been up to??

2009-02-22T15:44:00.011-05:00

I have finally finished my first and second Christmas Wish blocks by Gail Pan. These blocks are simple, fast and lovely. The two fabrics in the background are the ones I am going to use for my borders. The green fabric is Jumpin' Jave by Sue Zipkin for Clothworks. The red fabric is A Yuletide Blessing by Joanna Figueroa and Lisa Quan Figtree Quilts for Moda.

I have also finished the first and second blocks of Verandah Views by Cheryl over at Willowberry Designs.I enjoyed stitching these blocks too. I am going to use the green fabric it the background for the sashing and the blue fabric for the borders. Both of these fabrics are by Buggy Barn from the Sherbet collection for Henry Glass.

I am also working on Anne Sutton's A Tisket A Tasket BOM by Bunny Hill Designs. Did I happen to mention that these are all free BOM's. I love them all. I will show pictures of the Bunny Hill BOM soon. I can't decide how I want to do this one yet. So what have you been up too?? I will chat soon.

Pat

I Think Someone Is Pulling My Leg!!! ???

2009-02-07T00:10:00.002-05:00

I have been wondering if this is possible. You know that I love his quilt magazine and I talked about it several times here in blogland. This comment was left on my last post.

Mark Lipinski said...
I LOVE that alphabet sampler. What an amazing keepsake from a friend. Cross stitch is the best, but so time consuming. I admire anyone who picks up a needle. I have several started around here myself that need some attention. xoxomwww.marklipinski.com
February 2, 2009 1:34 AM

What do you think? Is this for real? OMGosh!!!

I will chat as soon as I recover!!!

Pat

More Great Gifts

2009-02-01T16:10:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more Christmas gifts that I received. The cross stitch picture below was stitched by my friend Karrie (no blog). Karrie is a recent lurker. She may have been bitten by the blogging bug! She is a scrapper (scrapbooker) and cross stitcher. She stitched the picture below. I don't know who this pattern is by but I love it. It is a sampler for a stitcher. Makes me want to start cross stitching again. She does beautiful work.

This is the first stitchery that Karrie has done. Didn't she do a great job? She will be doing more I am sure.

She used a rubber stamp to decorate the frame with some snowflakes. A very clever idea. I had not seen this done before. I can't wait to try it on one of my projects.

This is another cross stitched gift from another friend. Charlotte lives in Hawaii and doesn't blog either.

Last but certainly not least is a new cell phone holder. It was also given to me by Karrie. She gave it to me to be funny. But I love it! When Karrie grows up she wants to be a Red Hatter. Thanks again Karrie.

I will chat more soon.

Pat

Who Done It?? And Thank You!

2009-01-31T22:45:00.006-05:00

Who took January? I can't believe that tomorrow is February first! We are whizzing right along here. Weather wise thats OK with me! I am ready for spring....I bet we will get 6 more weeks of winter. We shall find out on Tuesday. Oh well!

I had two lovely surprises in the mail recently. The first one was from Amy. Amy had a question about a pattern on my blog and I helped her out. She also was a" no reply". I told her where she could go to change it. In turn, she sent me this cute snowman stitchery pattern. The fabric for the background was also included. Isn't he cute?

It is a pattern by Sweet Gatherings. I love him! Amy is new to blogging. She has a lovely blog. I hope that you will stop by and say hi and welcome her to blogland. Thanks again Amy.

My second bit of mail was from Loz. She reads my blog and knew that I love snowmen too. Loz was on holiday recently and saw a pattern that reminded her of me. She scared me! She just told me that the pattern reminded her of me. I thought OMGoodness. Loz has quite a sense of humor. So I waited for it to arrive. I wasn't really sure what to expect. Well, it was a very nice surprise.

It was a Gail Pan pattern of four little snowmen. They are finished in three different ways. Soooo cute I love them. Loz has been around for a while but I hope that you will stop by and say hello to her too. She is a lovely lady. I enjoy reading her blog too. Thanks again Lorraine. I love both of the patterns.

Can anyone tell me why sometimes my pictures can be enlarged and sometimes not. Is it blogger? It can't possibly be ME!

I will chat soon,

Pat

A Special Day And A Finish

2009-01-21T12:33:00.005-05:00

OMGosh yesterday was such a special day. I went to my stitching group but I was glued to the TV. Watching the inauguration festivities. I don't think that I even got my stitching out. It was a day filled with hope for so many of us of a brighter future. Good luck President Obama....you certainly have your work cut out for you. We are behind your and are ready for the change you promised. I think that it is wonderful to see a young and loving family in Washington again. God bless the USA!

Now on to other business. I made the BOM Seasons from The Country Loft for a friend for Christmas. I finished it at the very last minute (as usual). I didn't even take pictures of it. So I borrow some from my friends blog. I have one for me almost finished too. I love it. Here are the borrowed pictures of it.

I have to finish the stitchery on the bird block and the words for the fall section of my quilt. I put two borders on my friends quilt instead of the scrappy homespun. I am not sure how I am going to finish mine yet. I am off to do some much needed cleaning today after my very loooong weekend. I will chat soon.

Pat

First Finish Of 2009

2009-01-08T17:06:00.004-05:00

This project was supposed to be finished for Christmas 2008. Well a few things kind of got in the way. Everything was done except framing. I was going to keep it and give it next year. If I had put it away I probably would have forgotten all about it. Soooooo I framed it and sent it as a thank you and an early 2009 Christmas gift. I gave the person receiving the gift the option of opening it now or saving it until this Christmas. I wonder what she will do......???

I will chat soon,

Pat

Watch for your Post Man???

2009-01-07T00:51:00.003-05:00

I went to the post office on Monday.... I wonder where these packages are flying off to???

I will chat soon.

Pat

More lovely gifts!

2009-01-05T19:32:00.004-05:00

That Debbie sure was busy this year. I must have been a very good girl! This is a candle mat pattern from Bunny Hill. I saw this on Anne Sutton's blog last year and made one for Debbie. She returned the favor this year to me. I love it!

Every year we exchange a Christmas ornament. This year we exchanged the same one. She also gave me a new charm for my Pandora bracelet. Love that too!

This is a pattern by Willow Valley Store. Pop over and see Catherine. She has some beautiful patterns. They are iron on or you can trace them on fabric if you like. I have not done an iron on yet but it is in my pile of to do soon projects. The first one that I am going to do is the Orchard Cottage. I live in the heart of Macintosh country and they are the best apples you will ever eat. When I look at this pattern I can smell the fresh apples and apple blossoms. By the way Catherine has great give aways. I know because I won one.

Another Willow Valley Store Pattern.

This is a little tin that was purchased at Michael's and decorated with scrapbook paper and lace. I thought that it was so cute on its own and then I opened it.

Inside is a new Valdani pearl cotton #592. It's a variegated eggplant color. Two packages of embroidery needles and a beautiful needle minder.

This is a book that was decorated for Christmas. We took a ton of pictures at Christmas. I can't wait to select pictures for the book.

Great job!

Wasn't everything beautiful? Thanks so much Debbie. These gifts and your friendship means so much to me. I will be back to chat soon. I am off to watch The Bachelor.

Hugs,

Pat

Free BOM

2009-01-03T14:16:00.003-05:00

While I was out and about in blogland today I saw the cutest snowman. I fell in love with him. Upon reading further I found that he was the first block of a new free BOM from Ellen. She gives the directions in both Dutch and English. She has pictures of him done in stitchery and in applique. Pop over say hi and get a fun new pattern. I am sure that everyone out there is caught up with all of your projects and needs a new pattern. Thanks Ellen!

I will chat soon.

Hugs,

Pat

Lovely Gifts

2009-01-02T14:11:00.005-05:00

I would like to share some of the gifts that I received for Christmas. For many years I have exchanged gifts with friends. This is the best part of Christmas. I love handmade gifts. First this is a notion bag. I think that it is too pretty to use. I just may stuff it and put it on a shelf. It is crossed stitched. The pattern is by Erica Michaels

This is the cutest little stitchery in the cutest little frame. Debbie made it for me. It is an iron on pattern. I am not sure who it is by . I have been afraid to use iron on patterns. She said that the directions were clear and it was very easy to do. The inside frame opening is only 2" by 3". I love it.

She added some needles, a little gripper and a quilting sign to this package. I forgot to take pictures of these gifts as we were opening them. They were all so pretty!

This is a snowman pillow from Crab-Apple Hill. I love the fabric she used. I bought some too. Just because I liked it. Now I know what I may use it for. I love snowmen! Isn't he cute? I will be back with more gifts soon.

Hugs,

Pat

Live From NY Its.......

2008-12-30T22:22:00.002-05:00

Hugs,
Pat

Our Tree And A Few More Favorites

2008-12-29T20:07:00.007-05:00

Now I am finally ready for Santa!!!

This ornament was given to me this year by Debbie. It is over 30 years old.

This stocking is about 2 1/2" long. It is hand made (not by me). All those tiny gifts. Love it!

Always and forever!!!

Better be good!

Tomorrow I will show you some of the gifts that I received. I must have been good sometime.

Hugs,

Pat

A Few More of My Favorite Things

2008-12-28T21:16:00.005-05:00

I would like you to meet my favorite snowlady...Miss Fiona Fern.

I will be back tomorrow with a picture of my tree and some of my favoriye ornaments.

Blogger is not playing nice tonight!

Hugs,

Pat

A Few Of My Favorite Things

2008-12-28T18:06:00.006-05:00

I love decorating for Christmas. This year I don't know where the time flew off to. I did manage to decorate a bit and put up the tree. I would like to share this post with you. I love looking at all the decorations that others have posted this year. I will be back with some more a little later.

Hugs,

Pat

My SSCS Partner

2008-12-28T00:12:00.003-05:00

In late summer I signed up for Donna's SSCS. My partner was Kris from Australia. I had fun making a small wall hanging and gathering little bits and pieces for her. This is what I sent her. Go over and take a peek at her interesting blog and meet her wonderful family.

I will be back to chat later. I am still getting ready for Christmas.

Hugs,

Pat

Thank You Helen...My SSCS SS

2008-12-27T23:22:00.007-05:00

Helen from the Netherlands was my SS in Elf Donna's SSCS

I held out until Christmas to open my gift. I think that I shocked a friend. She didn't think that I could do it. Here is the proof.

A beautiful calendar from Holland. The pictures are beautiful. I would love to visit there someday.

Helen sent a lovely note.

She sent chocolate. Milk Chocolate and dark chocolate. I did share both. I have not opened the little cookies yet. I am waiting until I am alone. They look delish! Helen also sent a beautiful Christmas swag.

Thank you Helen. I love everything that you sent. You were so thoughtful. I hope that your SS gift is as nice as the one you sent and that you had a very Merry Christmas. Thank you too Elf Donna. I know with so many participants this could not have been an easy job. You were wonderful. I am looking forward to next year. OMGosh I can't believe I said that!!
I will chat soon,

Pat

2008-12-24T22:51:00.000-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-26T23:19:00.004-05:00

I hope that you have a happy and safe holiday.

Pat

I found It!!

2008-11-26T12:07:00.003-05:00

A couple of posts ago I mentioned my first quilt project. It got me to thinking . What was my first project? I thought about it and then it hit me. I walk by it several times a day. How could I not remember. I loved this Angel and I still do. It has been hanging on the wall at the top of my stairs for a very long time. Maybe it is time to make something new. I will have to wait and see. Looking at it now, I should have quilted in the borders. When I finished it I thought that it was the most beautiful applique and quilting that anyone had ever done. My opinion has changed today! I am off now to make pumpkin pies. I will chat soon.

Pat

IT'S HERE!!!

2008-11-26T11:44:00.002-05:00

My SSCS Gift is here! My little Elf's name is Helen from the Netherlands. I am a very weak person. So I have not opened my package yet. I am afraid that if I open the box I just might not be able to stop there! In the above picture (upper left hand side) you will seen a little area that was damaged in the mail. Inside there I see some lovely green tissue paper with white ribbon. Right now the hole is only big enough to get a finger in. I hope that by Christmas my whole hand doesn't find its way in there. I have my hands taped behind my back and I am in a cold sweat. As I told Mother Elf Chookyblue, I now know how an alcoholic feels when they need a drink. It is not pretty!! I will keep you posted. Thank you Elf Helen.

I will chat soon,

Pat

Post has been edited

A FINISH....WELL ALMOST!

2008-11-17T22:02:00.003-05:00

As I told you before I have been very busy stitching away. I had nothing to show you until now. Everything that I have been working on is for Christmas. This is a stitchery from Crab-Apple Hill ( for Christmas) for a friend that doesn't have a blog and doesn't read them! (Can you believe that there is still someone out there that doesn't at least read them?) Well anyway I have the stitchery completed. The frame is just sitting on the fabric. I still need to frame it. So it is almost finished! I enjoyed this project. I used a green patterned fabric and Weeks overdyed floss. I hope she likes it as much as I do.

Last week I was reading some of my favorite blogs and I came across one that showed a picture of her first quilting project. I have been thinking about my first project. To be honest I have to think a little longer about which one was first. When I remember I will show a picture of it. Do you remember your first project? Do you have a picture of it? I would love to see them. Have a great week everyone. I will chat soon.

Pat

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY??

2008-11-10T21:45:00.003-05:00

I hope that you didn't miss my Nov. 1st post. If you did please check it out. Then scoot over to Camille's blog. She is making a quilt of your choice from her patterns (she gets to pick the fabric) and then she is giving it away. (hopefully to me)!!! I love her new pattern Wild Thing. Check out her new patterns. I will chat soon.

Pat

DID YOU????

2008-11-04T16:01:00.001-05:00

I voted today. Did you?

I will chat soon,
Pat

NOW THATS OVER!

2008-11-01T13:20:00.005-04:00

My Goodness we had a lot of trick or treaters last night. The weather was lovely for the little ones to get out. I didn't have very many little ones though. I had a TON of older kids. They were all dressed up and it appeared that they were all having a fun time. They were all very well behaved. I must say I saw some pretty unique costumes!

I have not had a whole lot to show you of late. Please know that I have been very busy with things that I can not show until after Christmas. It seems that I have been working on Christmas since last January. Where is the time going? And what in the heck am I doing with my time? I am stressing!!! I am not at my best when I am stressing.

I have so many projects that I want to start but I feel guilty because I am not ready for the Holidays yet. I think maybe today I might put the guilt aside for a little bit.

I love this fabric. It is by Camille Roskelley called Cotton Blossom. I saw the pattern a few months before the fabric was available. I e-mailed Camille to find if she had a source for the wide ric rac. She was such a sweetie. She checked around and tried to talk The Fat Quarter Shop into carrying it but to no avail. The next thing I knew I received an e-mail from Camille saying that she would carry it in Her Fun Little Business. What a nice person.

I ordered a kit for the pattern at The Fat Quarter Shop. They were not going to kit this particular pattern but they were nice enough to make a kit up for me using the fabrics that Camille used. Now after all this work getting everything together. I think that I should have a little fun time. Don't you think? I will chat soon.

Hugs,

Pat

FINALLY!!!

2008-11-01T12:41:00.007-04:00

Quite awhile ago I received my bag from the Bag Swap hosted by Linda. Claire from South Australia made a bag for me. I have sent Claire a thank you but I never posted the picture of my beautiful bag on my blog. So I am going to fix that up right now. Claire made a beautiful slouchy bag.

My photography skills do absolutely nothing for this bag. I took several pictures of it and each one was a little worse than the one before it. This is the best I could do. ( I am sorry Claire).

Claire also added some fat quarters and a cute little sewing tin along with some delish chocolate.

Thank you again Claire. I really love my bag and all my other goodies.

Hugs,

Pat

BOOOOOO!!

2008-10-31T01:49:00.007-04:00

Pat

And The Winner Is!!!

2008-10-15T14:03:00.002-04:00

http://dandelionquilts.blogspot.com/. Please send me your mailing information and I will get your goodies off to you. Thanks to everyone that entered the giveaway. I will chat soon.

Pat

Fall Into Fall Blogger Giveaway!

2008-09-30T22:31:00.007-04:00

This is a picture of my Fall Into Fall Blogger Giveaway. There are 4 Halloween and Fall fat quarters. Also included is a small Halloween table topper pattern and kit that I have put together. There are a couple of other suprises too. One is verrrrry SCARY! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and tell me about a project that you are working on. The winner will be drawn on October 15th. This giveaway is open to all. If you do not have a blog please leave me an e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner. If you don't want to publish your address send me an e-mail. Also please be sure that you are not a no reply as I will not be able to contact you either.

Now click on the scarecrow on the left and he will take you to a list of at least 39 other participating quilting blogs. I have seen some of the giveaways and they are very nice. So leave a comment, go have fun and good luck everyone!! Iwill chat soon.

Pat

Have You Heard???

2008-09-30T16:48:00.005-04:00

Have you heard of the Fall Into Fall Quilter's Blog Giveaway? Well I heard about it and I joined. It starts tomorrow, October 1 st and a winner will be drawn on October 15th. Debi over at http://debiquilts.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default has organized 40 quilt bloggers to do giveaways. Visit http://fallintofallquilters.blogspot.com/ for a list of the participating blogs. Check back tomorrow and leave a comment on my October 1 st post and you could win a Halloween table topper pattern and kit that I have put together. There will also be four fall and Halloween fat quarters and maybe a couple of other small surprises. Tomorrow there will be a picture of the giveaway. So check back and leave a comment on my post.

Pat

My Bag Has Landed In.........

2008-09-21T20:55:00.006-04:00

My bag for Linda's Bag Swap has landed in Australia. It went to live with Bec. I was really sorry to see it leave. I fell in love with it. The pattern is "Ric Rac & Blooms" by Sally Giblin. This is a picture of it just before it flew away. I also made her a little pincushion to match her bag. Go over to Bec's blog and read about her one and only other pincushion. You will also see a better picture of her bag. Thank you Linda for hosting the swap. It was fun and I got to meet a very lovely family. I will chat more very soon.

A SNEAK PEEK!!

2008-08-29T16:15:00.009-04:00

I have been very, very busy here. But I can't show you anything yet. I have been stitching for friends for Christmas. After Christmas I will have a BIG show and tell for you. I also did the cupcake swap that I had to keep under wraps until yesterday. Now I am finishing up my bag for the bag swap. Here is a little peek. Don't tell........ I hope she likes the colors I chose.

The fabric is In The Pink 2 designed by Buggy Barn for Henry Glass& Co. I am off now to sew, sew and sew some more. Fun, fun, fun!!

I will be back soon to chat.

Pat

Cupcake Love

2008-08-28T13:29:00.007-04:00

I love cupcakes. When I heard that Sharon was having a cupcake swap, I joined up. I had fun looking and shopping for cupcake "things". I found out that my partner was Erna. She is a young mother of two little boys from The Netherlands. We exchanged e-mails and introduced ourselves. She is a lovely person. Now that we have both sent and received our swap packages I can show you our goodies. We tried to send them on the same day so that we would receive them at the same time but that didn't work out. Oh well, it was a nice idea! This is what I sent to Erna.

I made a small wall hanging with a cupcake in the center, a cupcake tote bag and a cupcake pincushion. I also gathered some other cupcake items.

This is what I received from Erna.

Erna made some cute little cupcake tags, a cupcake needle holder and a cute little bag that I will use to hold my threads and scissors. She also sent two fat quarters with cupcakes on them and a few other little cup cakey items. Again, thanks so much Erna. I love everything and it was so nice meeting you. I would also like to thank Sharon for hosting the swap. It was fun.

Blogger is not playing nice again! It downloaded the same picture twice and will not allow me to remove one of them. So Please enjoy looking at the pictures.

I will chat soon,

Pat

I Have Been A VBG!!!

2008-08-06T22:03:00.004-04:00

At the end of May I received a Thank You gift from Stina in Sweden. I sent her a thank you right away but I never posted about it. Soooooooo I am going to fix that right now! She sent a beautifully wrapped gift along with the best chocolate that I have ever tasted. I Have tasted a LOT of chocolate in my day. Along with that there was a beautiful card and a note written by Stina.

When I opened the package there was a beautiful Couch Cushion with my name on it. Stitched in pinks and greens. I love it! The pattern is by Leanne Beasley. The stitchery pattern was taken from another book. I am sorry but I have forgotten who it is by. Remember I was a VBG!!

Here it is all packed and ready to go. Stina I am so sorry that I have not posted your beautiful handwork before now. It gets a lot of use and I love it. Again thanks so much.

On July 7 th I mailed Stina a thank you package. To date it has not arrived in Sweden. I spoke with the USPS again this morning and they seem to think that the package MAY be in Israel. Now how do you suppose that happened??? You also have to wait seventeen working days from the time that the package was reported missing to get any information on it. Other than it left the US on the 9th of July. That will be sometime in the middle of August. Next time I may try UPS. (I will keep checking on it Stina).

Today I went to see Momma Mia. If you haven't seen it, you have to go. I loved it. I have been singing and dancing since I left the theater. On the way to the car my sister and Debbie would not even walk with me. It probably wasn't very pretty! I will chat soon.

Hugs,

Pat

Continuation Of My Last Post

2008-07-22T23:58:00.006-04:00

This is a continuation of my last post. Blogger and I are friends again. Well maybe not!!! Here is the runner on my table.

Here is the quilting that Chris did. I love all the fruits.

The runner goes well with the fruity things I have in my kitchen.

This cross stitch picture was stitched by my friend Debbie. She gave it to me for Christmas two years ago. Well I am off now. I have a busy day tomorrow. I hope to finish up a couple of things for my cupcake swap with Erna. We are keeping in touch so we can mail our packages on the same day. I will chat soon.

Pat