I need someones help

I have been trying for so long to add some of the people I follow to my blog list on my sidebar, I would like to display the posts of other bloggers, I have tried everything, can someone give me instructions on how to do this? I have gone to help center with no luck.
I am soooo computer illiterate it is not funny.
Ok help an old women who has done very little stitching the past two weeks, lots of work with a brain that is so pooped out help.
I will again try to post pictures tomorrow if blogger lets me.
Catherine 

I am saddened by the loss of Life

Good evening to all my followers, welcome to my new followers, I am going to have a givaway next week, you must be a follower to win, I have hit the 100+ mark thank-you.
Now on to the sad news of today, how sad is it that someone or somepeople have to cause such sadness in Boston today, where is your mind, get a life and learn to live with love in your hearts.
We in America are stronger then you think we will not give up to such hatred.
Please pray for the people who passed and the injured.
GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I am ashamed of myself I won a great givaway over at Tot Hill Farm, I am so sorry Chris that I did not post the givaway winnings from you.

I have to tell you all that I was so surprised that I won, I read on Chris's Blog that someone won her givaway and lo and behold I was the second person, thank-you so much Chris, but still I am ashamed I did not post earlier.
Tje candy had to be eaten after lent because I gave up chocolate, pepsi and Starbucks lemon bread slice, it was hard oh so hard to wait for the chocolates, it was worth the wait, I love the box it is one of my favorite colors.
The threads are another things I just love the colors are beautiful, I can always use a notebook, of couese the girls at my table at Retreat were just a little jealous, the thread  keeper is oh so nice I am already using it.
The card is beautiful I am going to frame it for a picture in my diningroom.
Many thank-yous to Chris.

Happy Stitching
Catherine

Chessie & Me Retreat Hosted by Stitchville USA

What a great time I had seeing old friends and meeting new, this is a shout out to two of my friends Vicki from Ark. she was so cute and adorable, Kirsten from Tex was a real joy a very sweet lady, it was a pleasure to meet you both,  table I sat at  were Linda a good friend, Larue who I met last year Sue I also was introduced to last year and Karen, we had such a great time at our table, lots of giggles, and serious talk, the serious talk only lasted for a few minutes due to Linda who had us in stitches with her dog pictures.
I went on a week long retreat myself for lots of stitching, pool and hottub time, along with a few walks added in.
I stayed at the Carlson Country Inn in Chanhassen Mn. the only contact I had with people was at the gym and pool also at breakfast, I had a fridge in my suite with a microwave so I made lots of salads and sandwiches I had  my trusty latte machine, I was totally in heaven just stitching my heart out.

First I want to show you the goodies Stitchville had at the tables.

We also had carmels and a beautiful little bird in our rooms waiting for us.

I love the bag it is large and had some goodies inside.
The wooden box is beautiful, which is dove tailed that is an old fashioned way of putting a box together,  no nails, the pin cushion is adorable, we all had different ones due to the fact they are hand turned, The fob on the scissors is also handmad, I am totally in love with the luggage tag it is my favorite color.

This is the prestitch items we did before the retreat, I worked on mine when I was relaxing at the Inn.

This is a little box we painted and distressed, I need to put ricrack around the stitched picture the cutter did not do a good job cutting the wool around the stitched picture, ( do love ricrack)
Linda from Chessie&Me also gave us the needle emery's, they are so soft and sweet Thank-you Linda.
The project for sat. was a very sweet project, I am about half way through with it I had to go back to work this week, darn so not much stitching.

 

The picture that comes with the pattern thread and fabric looks a lot different from the real thing, I am not much for stitching  on white so I was a little worried when I opened the pattern pack, whew I was so happy to see the beautiful fabric that came with the project, I love this and am so happy to be almost done with it, it will go in my cat and bird bathroom.
I love how Linda hid the little sheep behind the tree oh so cute.

I did manage to buy some stash remember a couple of months  back I said I was not buying any stash
until Stitchvilles Retreat? well I was such a good girl I only bought two skeins of Weeks that I needed for a project,  I waited for the retreat because Deb gives a good discount on the night of the retreat.

 

I love Blackbird Designs, and I just had to have By The Bays newest pattern it is lovely, and of course after seeingh Chessie&Me Halloween House I just had to have it, the Cricket Pattern is really cute I will put that on the Baby Lotion pink fabric.

Well Mike is in Fargo for work and will not be home until monday night, sooo lots of uninterupted stitching, I will post more later this week with the other project I worked on at my little week long getaway, and somemore new stash.

P.S.
Next years Designer for Stitchvilles Retreat is The Drawn Thread Yippee.

Happy Spring (no snow please)
Catherine

 

Forgot to post IHSW

I am so sorry I have been so slow to post again, I did have a very product IHSW week-end, I only broke for eats and church.
I did get alot done, I am going to a Chessie and Me Retreat put on by Stitchville USA the first week-end in april, I finished all the pre stitching for the friday evening class, we will have something else to do on saturday and sunday.

I also started a Himespun Elegance ornament for Christmas this year, o.k. I know it seems a little early for ornaments but I need to get this done beacuse I have about 10 more ornaments to do.

I went to a great reatreat in feb. the ladies there are so nice lots of good food and great times I made heart pin cushions

Cindy our moderator for febuary retreat found the greatest little books with markers and note pads, Cindy finds the greatest stuff for retreat.  I have already used the pointed markers in my stitching, thank-you Cindy.

We also play a dice game and steal from other stitchers if we get doubles, I love that Cindy does this game every retreat it is a hoot.
I also did finish a Shepherds Bush Boo To You, I know it is a little early for halloween, I just wanted to get this done,  so sorry about the wrinkles.

I was given this pattern a couple of years ago by Cindy at october retreat, thank-you Cindy.

I made 9 little bluebirds for a retreat that I went to last week, now I was not going to go

 but I read about the Belisle Ranch in Range Wisc. and just had to go, not only was this a great place but the ladies there were wonderful there were 7 of us, the Ranch served brekfast family style and dinner was a sitdown at a very large farm table.
Chris C. made scissor fobs for all of us, she is very talented and sooo sweet,  I love that they are made out of old thread spools, she had the fobs by our plates at the evening dinner on friday, I got a green one which is one of my fav colors, on saturday she had small thread pallets from the Silver Needle, sitting by our plates, thank-you so much Chris for these great gifts, arn't they adorable.

I even had a massage one hour long, I slept straight through the night not once did I get up, that says something abut the massage.
I met three new ladies that were a hoot, the story's they told were a side splitter, oh so funny.
I went to church with the owner of the Ranch, on sunday, it was lovely she drove, we stopped at the dollar store to buy Easter candy, got some good deals.
This house has 9 bedrooms and eight baths, there were horses to ride, a large swimming pool  indoors with a slide and a hottub, I went swimming, with Gloria and Susan and had a blast.
While there,  three calfs were born one did not make it, the mother was a first time mother and the owner said this is not unusual to have a first time mother lose a baby.
On sunday Mike left for a SOTA conferance  Special Operations and Training Association (Law Enforcement)I miss him so much almost a week without seeing him.
Well I am letting my  Dunn Bros. coffee get cold, I will insert pictures this evening when I get home.

Happy Easter to those of you
who celebrate this Holy Season.
Happy Passover to those of you who celebrate Passover

Catherine

Welcome to all my new followers, thank-you for hitting the follow button, hello to my other followers who have been with me for a while.
I need some help, I am old not so old that I should forget simple things like how to enter my followers link to my sidebar, as I sit here eating my english muffin and drinking my latte, I think about how hard it is for me to get this thing done I have tried numerous times to enter some links to mt sidebar and have failed terribly.
CAN SOMEONE HELP?
All I need are some simple directions, maybe it is a problem because I am on the road 4-5 days a week and just want to reast or I donot know why.
Well anyway that is all I ask.

I forgot to show you the valentine cards I bought for 2.00 dollars apiece, I went to have my ears lowered and a color (after all I have been a white head since 18) so many colorings under my belt.
A Lady has been making these beautiful card to make a little extra money.
I am now prepared for next Valentines day, the cards are blank inside so you can write your own sweet message.

This is my little Blondie, she tried to lick the rain drops off the window, she tried for about 10 minutes and finally gace up, as you can see there is snow on the ground and this time of year we get all different kinds of weather,  after the rain it turned to sleet and then snow, my wonderful Husband was up on the Minnesota Canadian border when this mess started, he is home safely now.
I will post new pictures on monday of the project I am working on it is the prestitching for the Chessie and Me Retreat that Stitchville USA is putting on.
I love the pattern but did make a mistake which I will explain on monday, its only a small mistake but not worth ripping out, I think I will just say to everyone at thr Retreat donot drink wine and stitch things happen.
Well its now time to stitch I did sign up for the InternationalHermit and Stitch week-end.

Happy Spring

Catherine


 

My Blackbird Design Exchange to Lisa

I am so happy Lisa has recieved her exchange piece from me,  I live in cold Minnesota and Lisa lives in Australia where it is warm.
I had fun stitching this piece it is from the Blackbird Designs Thank-you, Sarah Tobias booklet, I love the color and design so much I am going to make one for myself.

  I stitched it on an unknown fabric,  a piece I had leftover from another project, I think it was 30 count, I used Weeks threads and Gentle Arts threads, the box came from hobby Lobby, I tell you that they have the best products I only had to do a little light sanding, otherwise the box was in excellant condition, I did order more from Hobby Lobby.
The stain is just an inexspensive stain from the craft store, the wax finish is the same stuff Alma and Barb use on their projects.

and here she is, I hope you like what I did for Lisa.

I had fun doing this box, I filled it with crushed walnut shells, I had a hard time looking for the crushed shells last year for another project, you can find them at any pet store they are a lot less expensive if you buy them from the pet store.

 

 

I want to show you what my wonderful Husband bought for our Anniversary to me, I know we donot have our Love date until june, but he had to buy them they go so fast on Amazon, he is so sweet, I put on my wish list on Amazon what I want and he saw this and ordered them for me, I love You Michael, thank-you.

I have already started on a small bag from one of the books (Tildas Summer Ideas) lots of pimk colors I will post a picture later this week or on sunday.

All four books have lots of projects I am in a tizzy to do, the little birds book has a fat round bluebird I want to do, I will start working on it this evening, I also want to make the felt trees from the F la la la Felt book.

I think I will be very busy.

I did buy a streacher bar to work on the beautiful needlework project I won from Edgar, I tried to do it without a streacher barr not a good idea tension gets off.

Today it is a balmy 21 degrees so far,  I am hoping for 35-40 degrees that would be warm compared to what it has been this winter.

Keep you fingers stitching and Happy St. Patricks Day to you, I will be wearing the green on sunday, I am half Irish.

 

Blessings

Catherine

An Exchange and other things

Last Friday I took a class at the Shops At Rush Creek,  this is a jewelry tree, this is a shop that has  guest teachers for almost all classes, they have everything from stain glass classes to working with cement and making water fountains, it is an amazing place.
The teacher was Colleen and she was just so adorable.
Very patient with me because I had so many problems with the soldering.
She had a few plates and silver ware to choose from, o.k. mine is a little primitive and does lean a little but its mine and I love it a very easy thing to do.
Look on Pinterest they have all kinds of fun things like this to see and get ideas from.

My most exciting post is this beautiful Pin Pillow from Lisa V from the Blackbird Designs Exchange, I am thrilled with this lovely Pillow, Lisa sent a note saying she had to finish it all by hand because her sewing machine broke down, well I have to tell you she is an expert sewer, the finishing is positively beautiful.
Lisa's stitching is excellant, the lace is so sweet, I am going to display this in my living room with a few other Blackbird Designs Exchange from the past, thank-you Lisa I Love It.

Not such a great picture of a bracelet I made at Beckas Beads in a small town east of my hometown, this was done in the peyote stitch,  we added what ever we wanted to on one end of the finished peyote square ( well almost a square)and then glued onto the metal frame.
This was such a fun class I plan on buying more bracelets and making gifts for family members.

This is another one of those projects that was started by someone else at retreat, I bought it at the stash auction last feb. ( I think I have OCD Obessesive Disorder) HELP, I did coffee dye it today after work so sorry I did not iron it I will; show a picture after it is framed.
I donot normally work on this kind of project its just that it needed finishing, some of my retreat friends follow my blog they will laugh I am sure.

We had a great time at retreat Cindy and Marsha our moderators do a great job every oct. and feb, good food great givaways and lots of fun times.
I want you all to know I am going nuts with all this snow we are getting so someday visit me at the loony bin, please bring chocolate lots of chocolate.

I gave up three things this year for Lent, chocolate, pepsi and lemon cake from Starbucks Coffee Shops, Mike says I am hard to live with not really if he would just stop teasing me with chocolate, what a terd he is.
Easter Sunday we take both of our families out for Brunch, and then I can come home and have chocolate and pepsi, I am sure Starbucks will be closed.
Well the alarm is going to be going off about 03:45 a.m. so I must get to bed, now I will have lots of nightmares about that darn chocolate. HELP

Happy St. Patricks Day to All.

Catherine



 

Thank-you Edgar

Dearest Edgar: I want to tell you how sorry I am that I have not posted this sooner, I have had problems with  downloading pictures to my computer.
I love this lovely Post Card I collect Post Crad, this is a treasure, thank-you so much.
I love the look of the black and white picture.

I was the lucky winner of Edgars givaway over at Blacksheeps Bit of The Web, a site all should join, Edgar is a hoot to follow.
The givaway I won is a Classic Needlepoint Victorian Birds Series Design No. 78- Parrot & Lilies, it is positively  beautiful, I am stitching on it today, I  am not sure if it will be a picture or a screen in front of the fireplace (gas fireplace) I would be afraid to put it in front of a wood burning fireplace.
Edgar I am so happy and thank-ful you pulled my name.
Blessings to you Dear Man.

I have been working on my Blackbird Designs Exchange project, I will mail it out tomorrow to my Exchange Partner, I will post pictures of the finished project when it arrives to my Partner.

This is the Lenten Book this year that our Church is handing out it has daily Devotions for everyday during Lent.
I love the fresh colors of the Lenten Season, St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale,  Mn. is being decorated this week with fresh flowers and other lovely adornments for this most Blessed Seasons of the new year.
Well my fingers are itching to work on my new needlepoint from Edgar.

Easter Blessings to you all.
Catherine

Not a stitching post today

Another day in Morris Minnesota, at least it is not snowing, they had 18 inches of snow on sunday, ick.
I donot have a stitching post today because I forgot my camara and the disc to download pictures so I thought I would show a picture of the suet I made for the birds who are having a hard time finding food this cold winter.
My wonderful husband bought cow fat or (suet) from the meat market in Annandale Mn.
I mixed peanut butter, peanuts, and other nuts with cranberries and some bird seed.
They love it, the bird eating was not afraid of me in the window, even my new kitty was able to sit and watch, the bird eat..
It is amazing how little it cost to feed them, the suet cake last about 2 weeks, at a cost of about 4.00 dollars.
We have many feeders on the deck and back yard in the winter, we get deer, pheasants and other wild animals stopping by to eat, it is truely beautiful.
I will post an update on my stitching on friday or sooner, I am working on a Blackbird Designs Exchange now so alot of other stitching is put aside, I will mail out my exchange this saturday.
I just need to stain and finish the box and hope my exchange partner loves it.
I was the winner of Edgars givaway, it is a needlepoint canvas that is so beautiful, I started stitching on it on sunday, I will post pictures on my next post.
I am sitting here with an empty cup of coffee, I need to get another latte, talk to you soon.

Happy Fat Tuesday

Catherine 

My Valentine Project

I have been trying to stay warm, the temp this morning when I woke up was -14 degrees, I had a dental appoinyment for cleaning, I just did not want to go outside but being a hardy Minnesotan I did ans wow oh so cold with a windchill.
I have been frogging this piece I was ready to do the back stitching and took a really long look at this piece trying to figure out why it looked so different, this is a Mystery Stitch by Mike Vickery from The Cross Stitcher magazine  I am not used to Valentine colors like this, I think I will tea dye it after all the stitching is done, I love the pattern just not the colors, I was off by three cross stitches so had to rip the lefr side of the framing the wide and thin framing had to go, oh well that is what I get for not watching waht I was doing.
This is one of my Up For A Challenge projects, I will be glad when it is finished.
I see lots of  beautiful Valentine stitching ourt there, I plan on starting on Blackbird Designs Valentine Message on sunday.
I hope everyone has a warm day werever it is cold and a cool day (not so hot ) in warmer places

Blessings
Catherine

Just a little update

              These are a few of the boxes I bought from Hobby Lobby, they are of great quality, I will be using one of them for my Blackbird Designs Exchange, I am not sure what I will stitch just yet I will start this week-end, the cylinders are another vproject I plan on working on in the next couiple of weeks, the bigger box is for the Blackbird Designs  Casting A Spell I just need to order the pattern.
I am not sure what I will do with the frames, I donot have a hobby Lobby near si have to order from the web, it is worth it they are better quality then the ones I have bought in the past from other  craft stores.

I bought most of these patterns last fall and early winter a couple are gifts.
I am going to start stitching the Valentine Message this week-end, I love Blackbird Designs, I do like all other Designers but Blackbird Is my favorite.









I bought the threads from http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com Nancy gives you more then your money's worth and the threads are beautiful, I bought the spring colors to work on a Easter project.
Nancy has lots of things to offer, patterns she has designed, trims, chenille trim and other items please check her out.

 

Next up is a picture of our new baby she is so sweet and so soft, she sits at the kitchen door watching the birds she sure wishes she could get outside.

 

Stay warm and happy stitching.

Catherine

 

Only two pictures

Since I am having so much trouble uploading pictures these are the only ones I was able to get on this page, Blogger does not like me again this week. These are some of the threads I  bought from http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com now I cannot for the life of figure out why the words have jumped down so far from above.

I did not buy the threads lately, I bought them before the first of the year, I am getting ready for my Easter Egg patterns.

Nancy gives you way more thread then the national brands and the colors are beautiful, try her out visit her blogspot.

 

 

 

This picture is of the Nativity set we put out every Christmas, we are the only ones in the neighborhood who puts out anything Christian, we see lots of Santas and Grinches, we get lots and lots of people driving by and stipping to look day and night, some families have had their picture taken next to the building at night it is a sight to see at night.

We took this down on saturday, the building is about three feet wide and almost three feet tall.

It is very heavy.

I am having trouble agin so will sign offfor now.

Blessings to all.

Catherine

 

This is just a question: Is anyone else having trouble with the followers tag on the side of your page not showing your followers? I want to see who is following me and cannot find the place where the followers should be.
Please respond if you are having trouble or if you know how to fix this.
I will post tomorrow new pictures  of stitching and other things I have been into.
Have a nice warm evening.
Catherine

 

Just a little stitching

Happy Newyear to all: I hope you are all ready for more stitching in 2013.
I am again joining the Up For A Challenge 15 again this year, lets hope I get all my ufo's finished this year.
I have been doing some stitching and other things, even with my work load, now I am not complaining about work I am so glad to have my job, I have been there 18 years staring my 19th on january 24.

The first picture is of the ornaments I found in a box from many years ago (not something I would normally do) now they are hanging on one of my small trees. I really like the owl they are all cuter in person rather then in pictures.
Next is a felt Christmas Banner that was in a box of patterns and fabric from a Friend (who is in Arizona where it is warm) she had started it way back in 1980, it was half way done I am one who likes to finish other peoples projects rather then toss them.

 

This is a Bucilla Felt kit, I did not really want to do it, so I forged ahead and really like the results, I plan on turning it into a banner with beads on the bottom, hopefully it will be ready to hang next Christmas.

This is a Biscornou I started and finished this week-end, I love it I changed out the colors a little I used all left over silk threads from past Shepherds Bush projects, this is a free pattern from www.remakeremixreuse.blogspot.com Conny has two blogs one is a stitching blog the other is her miniature blog site.
I used a flower button from my stash for the middle.

This is a Blackbird Designs pattern which I love,  I have ordered a few boxes from Hobby Lobby (one of my fav store for crafts) I am not sure how I will finish it,  as soon as the boxes arrive I will decide, I stitched this on an unknown fabric I do know it is 28 count, a beautiful light green with a dye.
 I am going to start my Valentine stitching tonight, I have a few ufos in that pile for Valentines day now is the time to start stitching for my Honey and Mom.
Blessings to you all in 2013, be safe and happy.

Catherine

A few Pictures from Christmas Luncheon

I donot know how I am so lucky to post twice in one week but I like it.
I wanted to post pictures of the Christ Child Luncheon we have at Our Church every first friday of December, on thursday night we start decorating, the tree Nativity and tables with candles and decorations get done usually by 20:00.
I am in charge of the bake candy sale, me who has a weight problem and I just have to say no to buying any goodies, I bake a lot for Christmas so sampling is done at home.
We have about 500 people eating from 10:45 a.m. to 13:30 lots of dishes and baked goodies are eaten.
St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale Mn. has been doing this for over 20 years.
Most of the people coming to eat are from the Lutheran Church and Methodist and Free Church, only because all the rest of us are working that day to put on this lovely meal.
In the bake shop I only do a little decorating because its such a job marking all the goodies that are baked and brought in, we get anything from chocolate chip cookies to Bishops Bread (if you have never had this bread google the recipe it is fabulous).
We usually make about 1300.00 dollars in the bake shop, we only charge 7.00 dollars for the buffet meal and it is an all you can eat.
The room is decorated with Christmas lights candles a tree and the Nativity Scene, I knoe the pictures donot show it but it really is beautiful.

Happy Newyear to all
Welcome to my new Followers.

Gone for so long

I am so ashamed of myself for not blogging for over a month, it has been so very busy with two guys out because of health issues and that puts me on the road more often then I want.
When I signed on for this job I knew there would be times when i woukld put in lots and lots of hours.
With my Mother being ill and getting worse that takes up more time, now I am not complaing at all I just wish I had 48 hours in a day.
I have done some stitching and lots of baking for the Holiday Season, lots and lots of cakesballs, yummy and yummy.
I recieved  a box of cross stitch patterns, threads and lots of stitching stuff, from my Friend at Church, Judy says she just cannot do it anymore, so I went through all of the stuff and found lots of goodies, she had a felt Christmas picture she started way back in 1980, I am finishing it, I usually donot do anything with seaquins and felt but this was just way to cute not to finish, that is what I am going to finish tonight, I promise I will post pictures and blog more often.
We do have a new addition to our Family it is a rescue from a home forecloser, the owners left all the animals and we were lucky to have this little one come to our home.

This is what it looks like to do bills around the holidays she was kind of helping Dad and just could not handle it anymore.

O.K. Dad put it in the envelope already and lets cuddle.

Just a few Christmas decorations this year I sure would like to have done more decorating but the time elements were to tight, and with a new critter in the house she would have torn down a big tree so I did the three small ones on the kitchen window table.
Not much done in the guest bathroom either she likes the tiolet paper( we had to hide that also) so veru little decorating done in that room also.

I did take a little time for myself and took a beading class and made an ornament, which I love and plan on making more for next year for gifts. This was bugger for a first timer I think I said a bad word but not like one of the other Ladies at the class, the ornament is much prettier in person.
I like these so much.

This is what I woke up to on wednesday last week they are so beautiful, just a little cracked corn in the bird bath and they are staying around, they have to be some of the most beautiful birds God created.
Yes look at the snow it is so pretty but so not nice it is about 11 degrees above 0 how lucky are we.
I do long for warmer weather oh yes I do.
When I was young I loved snow now at 61 I can live without it.
I hope all had a beautiful Holiday Season so far, I sure have Santa was very good to me.

Merry Christmas

Catherine