July 4th-A Finishing Weekend

It was a busy weekend here.  I admit that I took a long 4-day weekend and spent it in the garden and at my sewing machine. It was way past time to attack my pile to be finish-finished.  So, in that vein, let me present.....

 

Crabapple Hill's Embroiderer's Blessing finished with Moda Coquette fabric. 

This is a 20" pillow and it took 2 fat quarters for the backing.  I saw a sewing hint on one of Nancy's shows that recommended curving the corners of pillows.   Not sure if I like the results or not.

Sheepish Designs Alpha Trio

Finished as a wallhanging using one piece of bellpull hardware (thought it would be efficient to save the matching bottom piece for another finish someday) Haven't found a place to hang it up yet :(

Stacy Nash Spring Flowers Pinkeep

Made into a pincushion or pin pillow (what is the difference?)

A New Start and Finish!

Anni Downs Hatched and Patched

Home For Christmas Freebie-click on this link to see Anni's example and get the download

 

This is my first attempt at a little hand applique wall hanging. It called for double-sided fusible web and it was my first use of it.  The pattern has to be reversed and then ironed to the wrong side of the fabric.  Well, I managed to put 1/2 of the pieces on the wrong side and the other half on the right side.  :)

 

I am just not good at following directions!  ( a nice way to say lazy, shhhhh) Here's another example-the instructions called to cut the pieced portion to 8 1/2" wide.  Since I used a layer cake from Moda Jovial I used the entire 10" length and added an extra scallop at the bottom.  My favorite Chrismas colors are blue and white. 

Here is Wooden Spool Designs Gingerbread House finished.  I had some wonderful chenille rick rack in my stash.  It looks great on this 18" pillow.

Backing fabric from my stash.

I finished another baby quilt this weekend and forgot to take a photo before I sent it over to be machine quilted.  I'll put a photo up when I get it back.  Meanwhile, I didn't forget about big- sister-to-be Amber.  I made this little pillow and the book below for her as her gift when the new baby arrives. It won't be long now, DD#3 is due Sept 6.

Do you think my pile needing finish-finishing is gone?  He, he, he.... no way.

 

DD #1 has been busy too.  Here is her finish of Lizzie Kate's snowmen.  This was my Christmas present to her.  So, so cute!

 

2013 Sal de Maryse

I'm caught up again!

 

A New Beginning- 

Autumn Jewels by Diane Clements

Her class is at the end of this month and I started the pre-work.

 

One last photo-DD#2 gave me back these pillowcases that my Grandma made.  I'm glad she did that rather than throw them away and never tell me.  Grandma passed away in 2000 at 89 years old. 

 

That's it for now.  I'm heading back out to the garden where I'm beginning to be overrun with green beans.  Something tells me I'll be canning beans tomorrow.  BTW, I have tomatoes ripening on the plants already.  That is VERY unusual around here so early in the summer.  It usually happens around Labor Day. 

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!