Stitchy Update

It has been a crazy, busy two weeks since I posted last.  One whole week was spent photographing and listing items on ebay for a large consignment I received.  Then another week invoicing, packaging, relisting unsold items, and multiple trips to the post office. At one point I had 237 active auctions.  That is a personal best for me.

 

I also finished my first machine applique class.  It was two sessions one week apart. 

One of my quilting classes was cancelled due to low enrollment.  That leaves me 3 more to finish this summer. One is a weekend in August.  The other two meet monthly and I am enjoying them both immensely.

 

Thanks to Giovanna for pointing out to me that I forgot to put in the window panes on Christmas at Hollyberry Farm. I had put them off until the very end. Then, at the end, I forgot them! Now they are in and I like the results much better. The windows don't look like black holes :)

 

I finished stitching the first block in A Wooly Good Year.  My confidence in working with wool is building!  The pic I showed you before (in a previous post) was just pinned in place. The pattern is below-

I also finished The Gingerbread House from Gingerbread & Gumdrops by Wooden Spool Designs. The pic I showed you before was also just pinned. See the pattern below-

 

 

And I finished Embroidery Envelope by Crabapple Hill.  This was a WIP from 2 years ago. I am so pleased with the way it turned out!  Every bit is handstitched. The inside is below-

Stacy Nash Spring Flowers Pinkeep

Recently released in that cute, little box shown. This one was started at retreat.  The backing fabric included in the kit is behind the stitching. Please excuse the hoop mark.

Blackbird Designs Pumpkin Blossom Needlecase

All three parts

28 ct evenweave

Called for GAST threads

Now this needlecase will join the other two pieces I already finished in 2012. The Pumpkin Blossom pincushion and sewing boxtop.  Pics below-

 

 

 

I hope you have made it with me to this point in a long, picture-heavy post.  Because today is a celebration of reaching 400 followers!  That is remarkable to me.  I am thankful for each and every one of you. And grateful for the time you spend in my little corner of the world.  Your comments and caring words brighten my days.

 

 And I have a small giveaway to offer, but want this to be for my faithful readers/commenters/followers.  That's why I didn't mention it on the post title. And no need to post this on your blog.

 

Included in this giveaway-

Little House Needleworks The Sampler Lady with 28 ct linen fabric and all of the DMC threads to finish it.  Also included is a sweet strawberry pincushion with 2 pins-a strawberry and a yellow daisy. 

If you are interested in being entered in this giveaway, requirements are very simple-

1. Leave a comment on this post only.

2. Giveaway closes on July 12, 2013.

 

That's it.  If you are not a follower, or don't have an email linked to your blog, be sure to leave me your email in your comment.

 

I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July.  It will be a quiet, stay-at-home night for us. 

P>S> I changed the photo in my header so you can see I really do live At Willow Tree Pond.  There is an egret in the picture, too. :)

 

New Business, Retreat Show & Share & More!

 

Life has stepped up it's busyness.

After 16+ years of selling on ebay, I have decided to offer my services to local stitching friends who have extra stash.  The response has been gratifying.  If interested, click on view my profile on the right sidebar and email me for details.

 

You can also follow my ebay auctions.  Go to the advance search link at the top of any ebay page, scroll down to Sellers, click on Only Show Items From and type in kiddlady in the box.  Then click on Search. It will  take you to my auctions.

 

I got back from a retreat last weekend.  Not yesterday, the weekend before.  It was a wonderful relaxing time.  And I got lots of stitching time :)

The most important part of the weekend was show and share.  And I wanted to be sure to share with you all the wonderful inspiration I saw-

 

 

The bottom green album is from SANQ.  Don't remember the issue number.

This is one of the Amy Mitten classes she taught when she was here in February for our Northwest Sampler tea.  This stitcher is speedy! 

Betsy Morgan's casket etui

I think this is Tracy at Ink Circles.

 I finished this tiny piece at the retreat-

Merry Cox's Needles for Williamsburg

Box was included in the kit.

 

I also finished Letter D for the Crabapple Hill Gardener's Alphabet quilt.

 

 

New Start-

Blackbird Designs

Pumpkin Blossom Needlecase

There are 3 total pieces and I finished the one on the left (top to needle page) and am nearly finished with the one on the right (inside scissor pocket).  The front of the needlecase is up next.

 

That's it for now.

Have a great week everyone!

This One's For You, Martha & Betsy!!

 

Stacy Nash

Christmas at Hollyberry Farm

35ct natural linen

Called for threads

Silk Threads+Vacuum=OMG!

Yes, all the way around the bristle brush.

Need I say more?

New Starts, Old Finish & Fun Weekend!

I was going thru my photos of finishes and found one that I forgot to share. 

Here is Crabapple Hill's B - Block 2 of the Gardener's Alphabet quilt.

I traveled to Spokane this weekend for a class with Debbie Stiehler hosted by the Spokane Falls Needlework Guild.  It was a wonderful group of ladies and we laughed (and stitched) all weekend. 

Here is Debbie.  She is a delightful person with a wonderful sense of humor.  For some reason I thought she was from Ohio, but she is actually from South Carolina.  We are grateful that she was willing to travel so far for our class.

Here we are working away.  Debbie is standing by my empty chair.

We set a new record, I think.  We had class for 10 minutes and then took a break  :)

Well, wouldn't you?  It was for sticky buns!

Here is my American Patchwork.  Doesn't look like I got much done, but I am inspired and ready to go on this project.

Here is another design of Debbie's that I have.

Here is my start on it.

 

 

Here is my Timeless Tomato-another one of Debbie's designs.

One of the guild's members, Martha, made us little ort holders as favors.

I love mine.  Thank you, Martha!

Martha was also my hostess for the weekend.  She was my hostess last year when I came to the Betsy Morgan class, too.  I admired this little quilted bag last year that she received at a local retreat.  This year she gave it to me!!

 

 

 

Thank you so much, Martha!  I love every piece!

Here it is all spread out.  Bottom left-pinkeep, tape measure.

Middle row from left-needle book, tiny ort holder, acorn-shaped pincushion with pin, and 4 sewn hearts.

At the top there is 4 yo-yo's with a ribbon and 2 buttons.  I think it is a kit to make something, but don't know what.  Any ideas out there?

One last photo before I go...

Here is my garden.  Please excuse the shadows, it was 6:30 am.  I came home and picked lettuce, radishes, spinach, rhubarb, and strawberries.  The only thing that is not growing gangbusters is watermelon and carrots. And it will be a miracle if we have a summer hot enough to actually produce ripe tomatoes.

I see that my followers are nearly to 400. Wow!  That calls for a giveaway soon!
Have a great week!

2 Finishes, a WIP, a New Start & Coming Attractions!

Finish #1  Stacy Nash's

Country Sampler "Snowed In" Ornament

It came as a kit from Country Sampler's Stacy Nash club.  There is also a pinkeep included that I haven't stitched yet.  See below-

 

 

 

Finsh #2-Little House Needleworks

Melicent Turner

30 ct R & R Olde Towne Blende

Called for Crescent Colours floss

OK-I admit it-I mixed the colors up in the top half a little differently than charted.  It was just too neutral and hard to read for my liking.  I also added another color.  The birds at the bottom were charted to be white and I just couldn't do it.  Using WDW Twilight I made "blue"birds. Then I added a little more blue in the top portion to tie the sampler together.

 

My wool applique classes have begun!

WIP-Wooden Spool Designs

Gingerbread & Gumdrops--kitted by my LQS

It is all cut out, placed and stapled on the block.  Yes, I said stapled. This is a technique my LQS uses and recommends. So I'll give it a try.  Only a small amount of blanket stitching is done. This will be finish-finished as a pillow.

 

A New Start-Wooden Spool Designs

A Wooly Good Year Quilt-January block

 

Now that I see a picture I can see the long arm needs to be on the other side :)

The pattern is below-

Coming Attractions-

Debbie Stiehler

American Patchwork

Stunning, huh?  (Borrowed the photo from Debbie's website) This is a fairly large shaker box-so it is a good sized project. It's been in my stash for a few years now and it was time to get going on it. The Spokane Needlework Guild is hosting Debbie and I am going to this class in June.

 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Lots to Catch Up On

So much has been happening and I want to update you.

First, I finished the quilt top! 

Yes, I thought it would never happen, but it only took a very short 25 years :)

 

Feel free to click on the pic for a closeup. The top is laying on my king-sized bed, so it is big!

Does it look a little pink to you?  Yes, it does to me and I love it!  So I am using pink for the backing fabric too-he, he! As soon as I get the backing sewn together, it will be off to the machine quilters. 

Seriously it was ALMOST my oldest WIP....

yes, I do have something older, but that is for another day.

Here is my May square for the 2013 SAL de Maryse.  I am still loving this project and so happy that I am keeping up!

 

The LQS was having a Mother's Day special last weekend-25% off all fabric.  So I went over to pickup some fabric and came away having signed up for 5 new classes!  And not a single piece of fabric!  Go figure.

Below is Class #1.  I have had this pattern for a while but knew I needed some incentive to get going on it.  Well, now I have it. It is wool applique which I love to do but have never tried anything this big before.  Only pincushions, needlebooks, etc.

Did I say I have never done anything large in wool applique?  Well, look below for another- -Class #2 :)  I think I will be very experienced in wool applique by the end of this year.

 Class #3-I am also doing a beginner's machine applique class (only meets twice, no pic of the project). 

Class #4-a 1 day retreat with a surprise project-looking forward to that. 

 

Class #5-is called Wednesdays with Wendy.  I can bring any project to work on and will have help to answer questions, etc.  No problems finding something for that one.

 

Guess what came in the mail yesterday?  Remember all the finish-finishing that I needed to do?  I sent some of it to Faye at Carolina Stitcher.

Here is what she sent back to me--

Good Huswife

June Morning

Made into a lovely little pillow with green, shiny ric-rac trim

Crabapple Hill

Class project

Made into another little pillow with pink ric-rac and purple backing fabric

Love it!

L'Atelier Perdu

Smell the Flowers

Needle/Thread Book

 

It is tiny!

Here is the inside.  I sent along the flower thread holders and pink polka dotted fabric.  But Faye provided the buttons and threads.

So, so cute!

Here is Blackbird Designs Summer Jubilee

Finished in 2009-yes, that says 2009

I was entirely finish-blocked about this piece.  And look at what Faye did-a table runner with just the right touch of patriotic fabrics.  Another homerun, Faye!

                                                              

Praiseworthy Stitches
Tiny Pumpkin Etui

Pincushion, needle book and scissor fob

Above is the picture from somewhere I got years ago (maybe the PS website??)

Below is my set-I love it even better.  As you can see I left off the black background on the pumpkin side of the needlebook.  And yes, I still have the orange plastic pumpkin, too.

Faye's finishing extends to beading too!  Isn't that scissor fob just wonderful??! Love this set!

 

Tree of Life Samplings

Penny America

Another smaller, tablerunner with a wonderful, spot-on selection of fabrics.

I struggle with fabric selection and would never have chosen a red stripe.  But I love it!

Thank you again, dear Faye!

 

It is shaping up to be a busy summer!