Mail!

I received some lovely mail today...my Harvest Exchange piece from my partner, Lynn from Stitching Exchanging. She sent a sweet hanging ornament, some pretty fabric that I know I'll be able to put to good use, 3 colours of DMC Variations and a cute little hanger! Thanks Lynn, I love it!



As for my hubby's birthday dinner last night, he was thrilled. I made him Chicken Divan crepes for the main course. The pecan pie was a HUGE hit! He was still thanking me today for making it. Doesn't feel nice to do something special for someone you love?


Happy Stitching!

Harvest Exchange & Birthday Pie!

I am able to post a picture of the Harvest Exchange piece (Stitching Exchanging) I did for Yoyo at Dragon My Needle.

I made her a Needlebook and a scissor fob:

The design is Fall Squared by Lizzie*Kate. I used some of the recommended floss colours and substituted some of my own here and there. For the fob I used a pumpkin and an "L" from the L*K chart and finished it off with some Mill Hill beads and filled it with more of my crushed glass, which Yoyo said felt suspiciously like BB's, LOL! This was a fun project, I loved figuring out how to make the little needlebook, since I couldn't find anything on Google that I liked.

As for Birthday Pie, today is my darling husband's 44th birthday. Instead of a cake, I made him his favourite, Pecan Pie. I even made the pastry! Here is a picture of it hot out of the oven:

I first made my hubby pecan pie when we started dating waaaay back when I was nineteen years old. My parents were going out for the evening and my mom said it would be okay to use her kitchen to make my boyfriend a romantic dinner (I still remember what I made: cornish game hens with pasta & brocolli in a rose sauce) followed by his favourite pecan pie for dessert.

As my parents left for the evening I'll never forget what my mother infamously said..."Whatever you do, DON'T tell him you didn't make the pie crust!" That quote will live on forever in our family history. I still laugh when I think about it. For some reason my mother was dying to get me married off, you would think it was the 50's and not the 90's, and thought my lack of pastry making would be an impediment to this master plan. What a woman!

Happy Stitching!

Look What Came in the Mail

I received my HoE Halloween Exchange piece today! That was exciting enough and then I saw who it was from...Sadie from Stitching up a Storm. Ever since I found her blog a while ago I've admired her beautiful stitching and finishing work. She is fabulous!

Here is a photo of the piece. It's finished as a flat ornament and looks wonderful. I love the fabric, it's sparkly with a mottled purple hue, the touch with the ribbon and faceted stone is lovely! I am so thrilled. Thank you so much Sadie! I absolutely love it!!!

Look what else she included:

Dragon Floss, DMC floss, cute Halloween fabric, a vampire candle, ribbon, and that fabulous fuzzy orange fabric is a zipper bag. I'm so thrilled with my first exchange!

As for my own stitching, I was able to figure out what I'm making for my family members and a couple Christmas exchanges and that's it. This cold is still hanging on. I'm hoping to start a Prairie School ornament this evening if I feel a little better.

Happy Stitching!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet

Here is the piece I stitched for the HoE Halloween Exchange. I saw that my partner recieved so I'm finally able to post a picture of it:

Smell My Feet

La-D-Da

2008 JCS Halloween Issue

Stiched on: 36 ct. Raw Edinburgh Linen

Fibres: SS Grape Leaf & WDW Charcoal

Trimmed with Pom Pom Fringe, backing fabric shown

I didn't get any stitching done this weekend as I came down with a nasty head cold. I'm feeling better tonight, I was even able to cook supper, much to my families joy. :-) Hopefully I can get back at it tomorrow. I have a bunch of ornaments to do for family for Christmas presents.

Happy Halloween Pin Cushion Finally Finished!

Here is the finished project:

Happy Halloween
by La-D-Da
2009 JCS Halloween Issue
32ct Copper Penny Permin Linen
WDW: Onyx & Terra Cotta
Trimmed with Black Rick Rack
Filled with crushed glass

This was the first time I've sewn rick rack into a seam instead of on top of a piece. Actually, the last time I touched rick rack was on an apron I did in Home Ec. in Grade 9! I found a post on how to do it online...don't you just love Google! I thank my lucky stars for it every time I go to finish an ornament. I also thank all of you out there who take the time to post tutorials with my whole heart. :-D

I first backed the linen with muslin before sewing it together because of the crushed glass I used to fill it. I found that great stuff at my local quilting shop. I think it turned out pretty cute! My finishing is getting better, and I'm trying different ways of finishing instead of a pillow ornament all the time.

I'm glad this was a tiny piece as the Permin was HORRIBLE to stitch on! The tension was all loosey, goosey. Even in a hoop! It's too bad because the colour is fabulous! I have a 13 x 17 piece left over if anyone wants to try it. Leave a comment in this post and I'll draw a name and mail it to the lucky "winner"! Good luck...in more ways than one!

Happy Stitching and Good Luck!

How (I Think) I Became a Better Blogger

Now that I've been blogging for the last 8 months or so (and reading all of your fabulous blogs too) I've had a lot of time to reflect on which type of blog set up I like. For instance what kind of colours, fonts, spacing and backgrounds make all of our blogs easier to read AND one of the most satisfying aspects of blogging...COMMENTS!

A couple of months ago I found a great resource of blogging information. The blog is called Sneaky Momma Blog Design. While learning how to put borders around my photos, inserting links, etc. I stumbled across this post about Blogger Etiquette. Scroll down a little and you'll see a post called "Goldilocks and the Three Bloggers."

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive to read the entry and see what I've been doing "wrong" but I was so happy to have found the post because it helped my blogging immensely.

One of my favourite points that was made in the post was regarding comments. I followed the easy steps here (here is another great how-to) and now I receive your fabulous comments immediately at the Yahoo email address (so easy to set up, and linked to no personal information whatsoever!) I set up just for YOU, I even get the comments you leave on older posts!

My Yahoo address is also linked to my blog so if I leave a comment or question at one of your fabulous blogs, you can email me back! Don't you just hate it when you want to reply to a comment left on your blog and the email address is noreply-comment AT blogger DOT com???

If I've helped even one Blogger, my job is done!

Happy Blogging!

Random Act of Kindness, L*K Update

Look at this little beauty I recieved from my blog buddy Sandra Sews:)!

I've been admiring the zipper bags she makes (check out her blog, she is a zipper bag machine!) and she graciously offered to send me one! Look at the pleats and the little yoyo detail...isn't it cute? She also attached the sweetest zipper pull:

My photo isn't great. I hope you can see the stones and beads she used. Thanks Sandra, I love it!!!

If you're interested in making this type of bag check out this great tutorial on the blog Heart of Mary.

Here is a picture of the progress I've made on Christmas by the letter:

I haven't stitched on it for awhile, I've been busy doing exchange stitching (which have turned out soooo great, I can hardly wait to post pics of my finishes!)

I just have the seam to stitch up on Happy Halloween by La-D-Da and I'll be able to post a picture of that finish too!

Happy Stitching!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish all my fellow Canadians a Happy Thanksgiving. I know that Thanksgiving Day is actually tomorrow but my 3 pumpkin pies are cooling on the stove top and my stuffing is ready for stuffing *grin* and the turkey is in the fridge just waiting for the roasting pan. And tomorrow...glorious leftovers!!!

I'll leave you with this little ditty my aunt emailed me today:

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving !