Patriot Day 2011

It's been two months since I've posted and considering today's date, I considered not posting, remaining silent in observation.  Then, on the way back from church, I heard someone on the radio comment that the best thing we all can do for our country in these times is to do exactly what you would have done naturally, in rememberance of 9-11.  So, it's Sunday afternoon.  I've worshipped, eaten and now I'll blog while listening to the sounds of football in the background. 

:-)

And, I have two really good reasons to write today.  I actually have not one but two finishes to share!!  Incredible, I know. 

#1)  I have shared before, but now I have all (read that again, slowly.... A.L.L.) the finishing completed.  Since the stitching was finished a while back, it only qualifies as a finish-finish but I couldn't be happier.  Of course, it is the GPA stitching slipper that I began way back when.. and have blogged about a time or two (or four)

scissors case, fob, thread board, tassel and slipper

tufted slipper base

slipper 'rear-end' with carved burgundy button (THANK YOU GIULIA!!!)

felt needle page between slipper layers

You may be able to see the small cording finishing the edges of the slipper top and bottom.  I would be pulling your leg if I told you this was a quick finish.  It was not.  But, it might just be my new favorite stitching set.  Which brings me to my next finish to share..

I started and finished the Quaker pin cube that I've been threatening to start for like EVER.  I filled it with crushed walnut shells so it acts like a paperweight too.  I love Love LOVE it for several reasons but the primary reason is that it is red (and it's three dimensional, and it's Quaker and..)  Don't you simply adore stitching with red thread?  Last week, as I was trying to finish stitching this little pretty and thinking to myself (over and over again) how much I enjoy stitching with red, the Sunday message was about the city of Jericho and Rahab and the red cord that spared her house.  Funny how things just seem to "sync up", sometimes. Maybe I love stitching with red so much because it reminds me of how love is the red thread that flows through everything that is good.   

Quaker pin cube stitched with random overdyed red from stash

Around the house, the table is sporting her fall colours now.  I had the pleasure of having family visit recently so I added the second leaf to the table and two more place settings to make sure everyone had a seat at the table.  It's such a joy to have a table full of family and love...  Don't you agree?

Lately, I've found myself being grateful for everything (large and small) more than normal.  I was even grateful when I discovered that if you press a half melted Milk Dud (because I left them in a hot car by accident) together with a peanut M&M, it turns out to be nearly perfect.  Next time you need a little ooey-gooey perfect party in your mouth, try warming up a Milk Dud -or two- and stick them to a peanut M&M -or two. 

Trust me - it's allllllllll good!!!

And lastly, I leave you with a picture of hope.  It is of a bird house build with love by hubby and just mounted to the tree yesterday.  We hope a couple of happy little lovebirds find it and call it home soon.

So, until next time friends.. hope you enjoy every minute of these beautiful fall days.  Jingle bells will be ringing before we know it!

White stuff re-deux

Raise your hand if you saw this coming....

a little bow and cording never hurt anyone...

a little lace for good measure

Ok, that's enough.  Hands down.

I don't know how I got so addicted to cording, ribbon, bows and lace, but I did.  When I was a kid, I was an athlete, a competitive one at that.  I made dirt pies, and ate them.  I can't explain the girlie-girl thing that happened to me in adulthood, but it is the brand I'm bearing at the moment.

Me thinks it's 2 notches prettier with the cording and bow and lace.  Just looks more put together.  You think?

White Stuff

All this snow must have finally gotten to my brain...

2009 JCS Ornament issue

3"x4" scissors block / pin cube

I had never stitched a white monochromatic piece before and much to my surprise, I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Considering how much I love color, stitching with white is just something I never think to do, but I think I'll do it more often now.  

backside pocket

Made a little pocket on the backside for needle packs and such.  I restrained myself from tarting it up too much with cording, lace, etc. but I'm already hearing it complain about being 'plain and boring'. 

I may have to break out the embellishments and glue gun just to get some "Peace" around here.

Well folks, it has been a long, tiresome, not so restful weekend and even though I'd like to watch some figure skating, I think I'm going to head off to bed.  I'm already dreading work tomorrow.  Four day work weeks are exhausting at my place of business.  Squeezing 5 days of work into 4 is not a bowl of cherries, but that's the price we pay for three day weekends.  I'll try to be a little perkier next time I write.

Until then, I hope you all are safe and warm, wherever you are. 

another cube finish

Call it wishful thinking...





Isn't the ribbon a lovely match?

In the interest of giving credit where credit is due, thanks go to Hannah again for her simple yet perfect cube tutorial. Love it Hannah!

My 1st cube pinkeep

You must be thinking, No, it can't be true, she just finished like three things This MONTH!

I know!!! I'm wondering just exactly what is in that Jamaican coffee???

I got the one-nighter fever last night and dug this The Trilogy cutie called "Cardiology" out of my PIG* pile. All the stitching was completed, that's right, COMPLETED, in one evening. I'm pretty sure my new nickname should be Robo-stitcher. The finish work did not require any sewing (yeah!), just syrofoam, quilt batting, ribbons and straight pins. Many thanks to Hannah's wonderful online tuturial! I love the technique. I'm sure I'll be using it again!

This little cube is for a neice who's first language was sign language. Although she was born hearing, both parents are deaf. I'll be stitching another one just like it for her little sister. They are my XSDNs, extra special darling nieces (stolen from my husband's side of the family). I actually have 5 XSDNs, two in NC and three in TX. Next up on the stitching gift schedule is a Sekas dragonfly checkerboard for my favorite little cowgirls in Texas. Who knows, maybe I'll just stitch that up tonight! (how's that for optimism?)

*PIG=project in a grocery sack