I am a very lucky lady I recieved these beautiful quilt tops from Conny over at Remake Remix Reuse (Hopblogger) I was so thrilled I had tears running down my cheeks for about an hour, how wonderful is Conny to share her beautiful work with me, I am going to have them quilted this summer, I have already chosen the backing fabric for all three.

I am not sure of the names of the patterns, I am so thrilled, I am saving my pennies to have them quilted proffessionally by the quilt shop in Kimball, Mn. they are about 13 miles from my home, the shop is in a very small town, they have have a very large quilting machine. Thank-you Conny for the beautiful tops.

I want to tell you Conny is very creative she has been published in a Minature Magazine for her Doll House, she makes lots of the clothes and other items in her doll house, she has also written a book called Mystic Imaginations, my favorite story is the Pink Daisy in love with the Rose, it is such a sweet story, with a beautiful ending.

I know I have written that there are two other stories I like but everytime I read this lovely book I fall in love with another story.

This is a project I started way back in April of 2011, this is a Jeannette Douglas pattern from a stitching retreat that Stitchville USA put on last year, Three Pines Sampler is the name of this lovely piece I had put it aside to work on at a later date and completly forgot about it I did manage to get the framing done, this is a project I just need to get done I love it so much and it will go very well in the man cave for my husband.

This is a project I bought last feb. at retreat stash reduction auction, I have done a lot of stitching on this piece, it will be finished as a wall hanging with large tassels on the bottom.

I stitched this up and turned it into a biscornu for my friend Cindy she loves hotair balloons and has ridden in one, I also did a scissor fob for her, this is from the 101 Cross-Stitch Patterns For Every Season this book has lots and lots of fun patterns to choose from. I will post a picture of the finished project this week.

This pattern is from With My Needle Brenda Gervais this is the Easter Frills  Easter Egg Pin Keep, it is stitched on a 36 count  fabric it is a sparkly  fabric that is from my stash, I did change the threads called for a little,   I used  Weeks Dye Works Guacamole, Sampler Threads Peach Fuzz, Sampler Threads Sasaparilla, Weeks Dye Works Straw and Sampler Threads Summer Meadow, I stitched this on vacation in Mexico, I just need to assemble the pieces together.

This is The Shepherds Bush Stitchers Roll, I also worked on this in Mexico, it is stitched on 32 count I am not sure of the fabric just the count, I have a very large collection of needle rolls.

This is Romeo and The Chicks this is a Leisure Arts pattern, I bought this at retreat stash reduction auction I love the colors, it has a lot of changing of colors so the back is not the best, I am going to make this into a pillow for a chair in the kitchen with a double ruffle, I hope to have this finished within two weeks, it is stitched on 14 count aida it has been years since I stitched on aida, the colors are so bright and vibrant.
 I did do lots of other stitching and will post later this week when my life slows down a little with an ill Mother and my Husband was ill this week it has been trying, if Mike misses Church you know he is sick, now things are slowing down so more stitching on the horizen.

Happy Easter
Catherine 

TUSAL Report

My tusel reprot, not a real good picture, but lots of stitching in the last month.

Givaway at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Nancy Turner a very talented desiger is haveing a greatr givaway, she is so generous and has many givaways on her blog.
http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/

Happy St. Patricks Day
Catherine

Happy St. Patricks Day
Catherine

This is my totally useless stitchalong post for feb. if you donot belong this is a fun game to join.

I was finally able to post pictures and post comments after working for so long I am not sure why I am having so much trouble, does anyone else have this problem?

Well anyway I did manage to get a few things done for a retreat I am going to this week-end, I really look forward to seeing the girls and all the fun we have, I am able to see what everyone is working on catch up on all the news and just have fun, I think my table is the best, I am sure there are others that think the same about their table.

These are biscournus that we will be auctioning off  I bought the clamps from plus we have a stash reduction auction this is so much fun, I donot know if I will bid I have aver 2000 books and charts in my sewing room, maybe I am a hoarder!!!

I want to post more pictures but blogger is giving me a hard time.

I bought the clamps  from http://silentstitches.com/

They have lots of great goodies to purchase, the biscournus stited up fast, gluing them onto the clamps took a little time, I think I am going to have a givaway for Easter.

I am working on a Sheepish Designs Easter heart with a bunny on it I would post pictures but again I am having trouble.

I hope all is well with all of you.

Blessings

Catherine

Wear Red For Womens Heart Health

Donot forget to wear red today for Womens Heart Health.

Catherine

TUSAL Report

Here is my TUSAL posting I was out of town on a week-long getaway with my husband so sorry I am late. I did do a lot of stitching on our getaway.
Catherine

I have two finishes

I finally finished my Birds Of A Feather by With Thy Needle and Thread I love this pattern the picture does not do it justice, my other finish was Drawn Threads Friends done on 28 count fabric using DMC threads.

I am working on Just Nan Filagree Fancies Pancy Basket using 28 count fabric and DMC threads.

These three are all part of my Up For A Challenge 15, I am doing better this year then I did last year with my finishes.

Blessings to you all.

Catherine

Victorian Sampler Givaway

I am urging you to slip over to  The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe, Nancy is have a a great givaway this is a fun givaway you can participate in naming her new thread packs, good luck. I have bought from Nancy a few times and the quality of her trims and laces is top shelf.
http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/

What I am doing

Today is very nice out wheather wise, the temp. now is 39 degrees, warm for Minnesota this time of year, I am all for it no snow on the ground and walking outside is wonderful.

I have lots to share I have bought lots of unfinished projects from past stash auctions at the retreats that Cindy and Marsha put on twice a year feb, and oct.

The sweatshirt is a ski scene done with waste canvas, the pattern is from Leisure Arts, I hope to finish this soon.

Next is a White Goose  from Designs From Gloria and Pat I love this goose I am going to use braided trim and large tassels for a wall hanging, I donot usually work on 14 count this was done on 14 and came out just lovely the picture does not show how really nice this is.

Next is a pattern called Romeo and Chicks I also bidded on this project and won at the oct. 2011 retreat, I love this pattern it is so lovely the colors are striking again this is done on 14 count, I am loving this project, I bounce between the Mystery Sampler I am working on and this one, I take this one to work with me the Mystery Sampler I need my floor magnifier for.

My next picture is of a Bunny I donot know who the artist is I only know I finished it in Dec. I did also bid on this project in oct. 2011 it was partial finish.

I have added a small pompom on the tail it is only right that a bunny has a puffy tail, this will be a small pillow for Easter. I

Next are the small stockings I finished on Newyears Eve these will go on my small white tree in our home office next year.

These are from the  the Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine  issue nov/dec 1993.

I do keep all my old magazines, I refer back to them often, I guess that I am a hoarder!

only of stitching stash.

I really should get back to stitching I hope this post finds you all well.

Catherine

I know I am late but better late then never

Happy Newyear to all,  I know its way into the week but better late then never, I already have two finishs I will post tomorrow, they were both started many moons ago by someone else I just finished them.
Blessings to you all.
Catherine

Merry Christmas to all

Merry Christmas to all my followers and to all who just take a look.
I hope this very Blessed Season brings you all closer to God and to each other.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Catherine

Two postings in one week WOW

Today I had off due to the doctors are not working today or tomorrow, soooo today I made cakeballs for a very special couple, Jim and Sharon from Buffalo Mn. I made strawbeery cake with strawberry covering chocolate cake balls with white and chocolate covering, I am not sure I like the strawberry cakeballs they were a little dry, however the chocolate cakeballs were really yummy I had two and now have a tummyache.

I have a couple of more things to bake tomorrow, Mike is making a pasta dish to take to his sisters and I am making chicken drummies and trifle totake to my Mothers, oh I love that trifle.

I love Christmas, it does seem to take a lot out of me each year only because I donot know how to slow down someday I will, I hope.

I need to go now and finish cleaning up the Kitchen, these are the ingredients I used.

I need Help

I am going to go into a treatment center after the first of the year, I have an addication to STASH now before you ask  which treatment center I need you to direct me to the right center for help, I go into a second hand store just to browse I always go to the fabric and craft area, this is a no no I just donot need anymore stash I need to use up what I already have, that is why you see alot of my ornaments with the same kind of trims I am trying to use up what I have but I go into Joann Fabric and Crafts and lo and behold I head right to the trim area, I start to sweat I get the shivers and try I really try not to purchase any trim and soon the itch is there,  I could use this on or I see this being used as a ribbon on a package oh no there it is again my pocket book out paying for the trim I donot need HELP.
Maybe it is a good addication I just don't know.
I worked on this little door hanger the last week I really like this pattern it is Penguin Jive  artwork by Ellen Kransadapted to cross stitch by TrinaLaube this is a pattern from the Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine july 2008.

This is a easy stitch I did change it out a little I really like the silver snowflakes the pattern called for Kreinik blending filament for the flakes but I wanted something to show up a little more.

I also finished stitching  Halloween Fairy designer  is Nora Corbett this is from the september 2008 Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine I love this pattern but did make a big mistake instead of using the recommended fabric count I used a smaller count this was a mistake I ended up with the wrong size beads for the smaller count fabric so it looks a little distorted there is nothing I can do now so if you look at it ignore the silly bead placements she is still pretty in my eyes.

I will have her framed sometime next year I am looking at an oval mat in black, wish me luck.

I hope all is well with you all in blogger land, I am almost ready for Christmas, I am taking off thursday and friday to make cake balls and give to a Lady from Church she does not bake and would like the cake balls for her Christmas Family getogether.

Merry Christmas I*n Jesus Name.

Catherine

Exchange from Linda In Minnesota

I am so sorry for not posting this beautiful exchange earlier I have been having trouble posting.
I want to tell you about the lovely Lady that made this for me in the Blackbird Designs Exchange, I was not expecting the delightful person I met that day Linda was postively adorable we have lots in commen and shared many feelings and thoughts about life the day we met to do our exchange, we had lunch at Applebees my fav restaurent in Minn.
As you can see the box is beautiful she sanded and antiqued the box she did a very good job.
I was almost in tears, the project I did for her does not match up to this lovely box, the inside bottom is finished with a beautiful cranberry floral, Linda put my entials and the year on this lovely piece, she also sent along pins that are in the shape of hearts, she also gave me chocolates that were yummy of course I love chocolate who does not, Linda wrapped the box in a beautiful fabric and lovely gross grain ribbon, I am so tickled with this box that I am leaving it in my tea room that is what my Husband calls the living room only because it is very feminine, it is sitting on my antique tool box in front of the sofa.
After lunch Linda and I went to Joann Fabrics I wanted to see the different pins that are available like the ones she gave me, we found many some in a smaller size some bigger, I still like the hearts she gave me the most.
Thank-you Linda I just Love the box.
After lunch

From this to a finished project I started stitching all of these ornaments last year finished stitching before the first of the year but never made them into a finished sate, the  Little House Needlework ornaments are from the 2010 series I need to finish stitching the last of the series.

 The Bear ornament is from the Just Cross Stitch ornement issue I think he is so cute I stitched him way last year, the other ornaments are something I stitched I cannot tell you how long ago I donot remember the artist so sorry.

 The Little House Needlework In a Pear Tree is going to be a stand-up ornament on my sofa table it is kind of large and will look good with my fake fruit bowl, the Blackbird Designs picture is from a class I took with Alma and Barb in 2009, it was going to be a pin cushion, I really needed a small picture for a skinny wall in the kitchen I think this will do, the Reindeer pillow top is going to be hung on the wall in one of my bathrooms I just donot need another pillow so hanging it will be a nice addition.

O.K. I was able to upload the pictures today I plan on trying to upload the beautiful box Linda made for me tomorrow I left it at a stitching spot and need to go pick it up, it is a stunning box and came with lots of goodies.
My most wonderful Husband and I stayed home yesterday and layed low it was fabulous I made turkey wings for me and thighs for him, along with baked potatoes, squash and homemade gravy with dried cranberries in it, no dessert that is something we will have today.

Blessings to you all.
Catherine

Trouble posting

First of all I want to tell Linda how sorry I am about not posting pictures of the most beautiful exchange she made for me, this was through the (Blackbird Designs Exchange) I have had so much trouble so I decided to just post a BIG Thank-you to her, the box she made me is oh so beautiful, I was so excited and wanted to post a picture but blogger is giving me trouble, Thank-you Linda, I had such a wonderful time with you and hope we can get together again soon, you are a real hoot to be with and such a lovely Lady.
 I have been very busy and have lots to show so wish me luck in posting pictures this week I will try again on thursday.
My most wonderful Husband and I are staying home for Thanksgiving we are going to have our own dinner and just laze around for a while and eat lots of apple crisp after turkey dinner.
I am stitching on a couple of things, one is Nora Corbetts Halloween Fairy ( in the Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine 9/2008) I am just about done with the stitching about one hour on that and then adding the rest of the beads which will take about a half hour, the next project is With Thy Needle & Thread Birds Of a Feather,  ( Brenda Gervais)I have the outside framing almost stitched it should only take me about an hour to finish the frame and then I can do the inside stitching the birds tree and everything else, I am also working on a Jeannette Douglas Three Pines Sampler this was a (retreat project)  from last april, I made a mistake and had to rip and rip so I put it aside, last week-end I did kit up about 20 projects for next year, some are large and some are small I will just have to decide which project to start with after I finish up the three I am working on now.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Blessings
Catherine

A little update

 I was a little busy making penny rugs for the retreat at Totino Grace Retreat Center, Cindy and Marsha put this event on twice a year once in october and again in febuary for a full week-end.
We have so much fun and such good food.
The above rug is made with real wool pieces and felted wool.
I hand stitch these all, no machine is used to do these rugs.

 The gold and black one is all wool felt, I love this one so much I am going to make one for myself next week,  the rug below is also hand done I am almost finished with this one I just need to add a few more pieces and will post a finished picture soon.

Retreat as always was a hoot, we had Tammy come and give us an update on the kits that are put together for Childrens Hospital, these are cross stitching kits with needle thread fabric and chart, a parent can stitch while visiting their child or while the child is sleeping, (these are donated kits)
We also had an  auction that is where my two kitty rugs went to, there was a little battle going on for them it was fun to see.
I did manage to make scissor fobs with beads I forgot to take pictures they also were on the auction I made five I think they were lovely and so did someone else they were all  won by bids.
We also had our stash auction this is a big hit everytime we get together, I was bidding on a couple of piles with some great patterns, but I was not the big bidder oh rats.
We played the dice game on saturday morning you get to steal from another person if you get doubles, Cindy and Marsha have a box full of goodies if you end up with nothing at the end of the game you can pick from the box, so you still get something at the end of the game.
 We had a baked potato bar for lunch on saturday it was the best the potatoes were gigantic, for dinner  we had a pasta bar it was fabulous,   we had a brunch on sunday morning with lots of yummy things to eat.
I should get going I am so tired I had a long day up at 03:30 home by 19:00.
Good night everyone.
Blessings
Catherine

And The Winner Is

I have been very busy this week-end I was at fall retreat with some super fantastic Ladies, we stitched into the wee hours of the morning and up again at an early hour very little sleep for us all.
I will post pictures of the items for the auction and other information tomorrow.
The winners of my fall givaway are ( I usually have a surprise included with my givaways and this one is for two lucky entries).
Lisa V please email me your address so I may send you your package I am also sending a very similer package to Kimbery R.
Please email me your adress and I will drop the packages in the mail as soon as possible.
Congratulations Ladies.
Catherine

Givaway for october

This is my givaway I will be adding to this pile this week, all you have to do to enter is, be a follower new or old, you need to enter only once, you donot need to post on your blog nor do you need to mention it as you are blogging thats it, good luck.

This is one of my Up For A Challenge 15 Pieces, I finally have her done she is a Judy Dalvit Design, School Play Angel from the March 2001 Stitchers World, I started and put this down so many times I am glad she is done I wanted a stand-up  for my Easter display.

This is another Up For A Challenge 15, this is a Shepherds Bush Liberty I love this pattern, I picked this one up and put it down several times it turned out so well I love the frame and matting, I will hang this is my Patriotic corner.
I recieved this cute pattern from my friend Cindy Johnson she is very generous with her patterns, thank-you Cindy.

The weather today is going to be 74 this is unusual for october, we are usually in the 50s we feel so lucky to have such nice weather last year it was way cold at this time of year.
I hope all is well with you all.
Blessings to you
Catherine

I have a lot to catch up on first I want to let you all know I was the lucky winner of some very lovely trims from  VictorianMottoShoppe Nancy dyes her own trims, I found her on Ebay last summer and love her trims, please pop over and see what she has, you will not be disapointed. She sent me chennille trims many colors I will have so much fun using them on ornaments and other projects, she also included some buttons which I fell in love with, I love the ricrack trim I like using the trim on many projects not just cross stitch, I have never won a givaway I was totally shocked when she notified me of being one of the winners.
Thank-you Nancy for the very large package and for your beautiful trims and buttons, I am in love with them all.
 I did get a little stitching in back at Retreat at Bay Lake we had such a good time what a great bunch of Ladies we had a full room this year Thank-you Kelli for all your hard work you really did a great job.
The weather was wonderful and all of the projects were fun to see, we had Stitchers, a Scrappbooker, many Knitters, a Lady that made the most beautiful Christmas cards with floss and needle on paper, I am sure I have forgotten someone I am so sorry.
We had perfect weather and I had the best three roomys anyone could have.
These are the two ornaments I worked on at Retreat, the cat bumblebee is Mosey 'N Mee in thre Just Cross Stitch  october 2008 issue so is the Owl this is a Raise The Roof pattern I did change all the colors and the fabric color, I used leftover threads from my friend Barb L. she was done with them and I thought I could use them they worked very well thank-you Barb.
I plan on doing all the ornaments from all the Halloween ornaments in Just Cross Stitch magazines wish me luck.

I am working on three things one is a Blackbird Design for an exchange I cannot tell you because she may be reading my blog so I have to keep it quiet for a while, I am still working on The Mystery Sampler from With My Needle and Thread I love this sampler I just have to find a way to bring my frame and stand to work with me so I can work on it when I have down time.
I am also working on a Up Foe A Challenge 15 it is the Nora Corbett Halloween Fairy in the Cross Stitch and Needlework sept. 2008 issue I will post a picture maybe this week-end.
I have more to tell you but really need tpo get back to work you see this is the only day of this week I can clean get my hair cut and of course dyed, go to dinner with my most wonderful Husband and do some relaxing along with stitching.
Blessings to you all and please go over to the Victorian Motto Shoppe, I do hope my link works if not please let me know so I may remedy  the problem.
Catherine

A Winner

I am happy to announce that Mindi is the big winner of the chart no star so bright.
Congratulations Mindi, please email me your address.
Look for my October givaway it will be a doozie.
Thank-you to all who entered.
Catherine

Is it time again for a givaway and an update on stitching.

I have had a very busy summer with work and such, I have been  working on a Up For A Challenge 15, I started this pattern so long ago I have forgotten the time of year or the year for that matter this is a Judy Delvit it is from the Stitchers World March 2001, it is charted for cross stitch and needlepoint, I did use all DMC I am not sure of the fabric type, the count is 18.

I do not care for this fabric I think that is the reason it took me so long to finish I will post pictures of the standing doll in a future post.

I have also been to a Stitcher getaway I met so many ladies that were not at Bay Lake Camp last year many were first timers,  we had so much fun and lots of giggles, some of the ladies were knitters all I can say is WOW the things they were working on were amazing.  Some of the stitchers had projects that I would like to do someday but I need to retire first to make sure I have the time and the stash. We were  in the middle of Minnesota, the camp is on an island, you need to take a boat over to the Lodge, we arrived on thursday this is the first year for a thursday to sunday getaway.

We had so much fun, I look forward to next year.

 This is the table I was at, I had the best three roomys anyone could have we never fought for the bathroom or mirror time, thay were a stitch to room with.

 The lady on the right is the Halloween Queen she has her beautiful long nails painted for halloween all year. That is her Mother across from her there were more ladies at that table they were either taking walks or a nap we stayed up late every night.

These two were sisters and what  a hoot they were, I look forward to seeing them again.

I wanted to add more pictures but seem to have lost them I donot know where they are on my computer I even had the brains of the house look for me they are in there somewhere.
I would like to put all the names of everyone in the pictures but this is such a long post that I will add more pictures and names in another post.
Now for my givaway: I am giving this lovly chart to a lucky person all you have to do is be a follower and post in the comment section I will be adding a few more things to this givaway, I feel bad because I was going to have a givaway sooner but this summer has gotten away from me.
This is a Chessie & Me (No Star So Bright) the print year is 1998 with a stitch count of 75x105 the model is stitched on 32 count Stormy Skies linen using two strands of floss,
the chart is for Anchor threads which I am sure can be converted to DMC, it also calls for A Sampler Thread and two different Weeks  Threads.
This is really is a nice pattern the picture really does not do it justice.
I will add the Weeks and Sampler Threads with the givaway.
The givaway ends on sunday the 11th of September at 20:00

Good luck

Blessings to you all

Catherine

It has Been awhile

I have been so busy with work and family life I have had little time to stitch or anything else.
just when you think things are calming down one person at work retires without notice one person goes on a two week vacation and sadly another has a family member pass away and leaves for one week, so  I have to pick up my pace and fill in so my regular job is put on the sidlines.

(Now why did my lettering change to a slanted look?)

I want to let you know about a givaway over at  RemakeRemixReuse, just pop over to see her givaway.

I have done little stitching since last month I did get to a stitch-in at Bay Lake Lodge with a bunch of lovely ladies, I will post pictures later today or tomorrow.

Blessings to you all

Have a safe  and fun Labor Day.

Catherine

You must visit http://www.happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com/  

She is haveing a great givaway I do hope you pop over she has such a beautiful blog site. This givaway ends august 28.

These ar so cute I really should not tell you about this givaway my chances of winning will be harder,   but her blog site is so sweet she has such adorable patterns pop over and look at her freebie  cupcake  pattern.

Blessings

Catherine

diamondc

it is adorable.

Catherine

Help

I am having trouble adding some of the Bloggers I follow to the side of my main page, can anyone help? I have a few on my sidebar and would like to add others.

Catherine

Some pictures and an update

 This is my second attempt at The Birds Of A Feather stitching, I had to rip out so much just because I was off by one stitch, oh how that hurt I thought I was doing so well, I am going to make sure I have the correct amount of stitches and finish the border first then on to the rest of the stitches. This is  With My Needle & Thread, three part series I love the size and the beautiful colors, I recieved this as a Random Act Of Kindness from Patty Hurwitz at The Stitchersvillage, another site I am in love with it. Please stop over at the Village and take a look.

 Connie at Hoppblogger asked about needlerolls, I have several I have made more but gave them away, I have used needleroll patterns and made needlerolls from other patterns, I do have a few more and will post more pictures in the future, the one above is about nine inches long one of my favorites, I use needlerolls for different  stitching get togethers.

 This basket is sitting on my table under my kitchen window, I do change them for different seasons, I did leave the snowman in the middle of this basket for Connie I hear she likes snowmen.

 This one sits on my tea room floor, my husband calls the living room the tea room because it is so bright and sort of pink, maroon and dark blue, we donot have a t.v. in this room it is only for sitting and reading and stitching I do have five areas I stitch in, during the summer I stitch out side on the front porch or the back deck when its not to windy or hot.
I stitch in the family room downstairs I can look out to the fairway and see golfers go by they wave sometimes, I sit in my sewing room depending on how much I have to do in there with stitching.
I do sit in the office and stitch in between calls from patients clinics hospitals and customers I am a chauffer but also a jackie of all trades for Allina the company I work for.

So sorry about the pictures I took pictures at night something I donot normally do,
I will post again this week more pictures of a couple of things I am working on.

Blessings to you all
Catherine
diamondc

The winner is

I have had a very busy week-end, I am so glad it is over, I did manage to pick a winner by the help of a bowl folded pieces of paper with names on them and my trusty assistant Peanut the Dog.
She stepped on the folded paper to pick Stormybrew 57, if you would email me at diamondc@lakedalelink.net with your snail mail I will post that  the very day I get your address.
I did manage to find another pattern to givaway it is Red Bird Sampler by Ewe and Eye And Friends and this goes to Catherine congratulations Ladies please email me your address.
Catherine

P.S. I will be having another givaway in about a month or less so keep your eyes open.