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!

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!

Halloween & Back Patting

Finally...I have some stitching to post about! This is Happy Halloween by La-D-Da from the 2009 JCS Halloween issue:

Here are all my finishing materials. Isn't the backing fabric just adorable! I love it. I'm going to edge it with ric rac and fill with crushed glass and it'll be one long pin cushion!

Below is where the back patting comes in! Right now my "stitching room" is masquerading as a guest room until such time as I completely turn it into my stitching room (lucky for me, we have another guest room!) for good. I always had a bunch of projects spread out over the bed. It was a pain finding anything and a pain when someone comes to stay. I thought there had to be a better way.

So Monday I went to the dollar store and I found these white baskets, which happen to fit a JCS magazine just perfectly I might add. I only got 3 because that's all they had in white. I hope they get more because so far it's working out perfectly for me. I hate disorder and hated the wasted time trying to find what I was working on, my scissors, etc. I have my Christmas by the Letter in one, my Harvest exchange piece in the middle and my Halloween exchange materials in the third.

Now I just need to figure out how to organize my DMC floss and I'll be a happy camper! I hate the bobbins, tried the Stitch Bow. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them! I don't have tons of every colour, maybe 2 skeins for the odd one so I don't need something that hold gobbs of the stuff. Does anyone out there use Floss-A-Way Bags?

Happy Stitching!