Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Mom Expects Frost



so, we just spent the last two hours covering all of the new plants in the garden. It looks like some sort of tent city along the fence...with the sheets and extra fence posts making cover for the row of corn. And, extra plastic bags and newspaper make cover for the okra, tomatoes, beans, squash, and cucumber plants.
Every year...it seems...we do this. It's almost become a family tradition!
 Here are the roses in bloom...
thought you might like to see them too. 
 Aidan's garden needs some work...so I'm not showing the bottom...but she in out of school next week, so Nana has plans! Ssshhh...she doesn't know about that yet.

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I'm Collecting Toilet Paper Rolls...


Okay, a few things...
 
1) Don't sent me yours...I'm sure to collect enough all on my own. Thanks.
2) Yes, I am weird...and believe me I already know that...so please don't remind me, cause reminders just give my muse something to talk about..and she already has enough to wag her tongue about.
3) The really strange thing is...I woke up from a little nap with THIS idea...yes, I know...this is what my brain thinks of when I'm sleeping! How scarey is THAT!
Here is the newly designed paper roll...now with a piece of contact paper attached...and beautiful silk ribbon! See the tub of ribbon that needs organizing...THIS will be my method.
And, in case you are wondering how long this will take...I also collect cardboard sleeves from wrapping paper and paper towels. Yes, it is true...I am truly mad! 
Wahaahaahhahah!
Do you use old cardboard sleeves for anything?
Just wondering...as I might have a lot and need to do something with them?
No, I'm not going to show you my gift wrapping rolls in the hall closet...just imagine them....hugs!
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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

HGTV - Six Inch Block Set - Kathy



The set of blocks is finished for the HGTV 6-inch Block Set Round Robin. One of the six is to be completed by the owner...so I decided to go ahead and start on mine. I already posted about the stitching, and now have finished the beading and silk ribbon work. So, it is ready to go along with the five blank blocks...to the next person in the rotation.
Here are some close-ups so you can see the specific beads and silk flowers...and such.








As you can probably see, the block has three primary floral clusters...each made of clay, porcelain, and silk roses...and silk or glass leaves. Some random crystals and pearls are added in. All the seams have also had beads and/or sequins added as well.
 
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Stitch Journals Have Arrived


Yea! Look what came yesterday! The Stitch Journals!
Some of these will be going out in the mail today...thanks for your patience!
 I'm sending them all priority mail...so you don't have to wait any longer.
Hugs to all!
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HGTV 6-inch RR Swap - Kathy


I already showed you the size blocks made for the round robin on HGTV...didn't I. Well, here they are again just to remind you.
 And, I could not help but start stitching on one of the set before mailing.
 Here is the block after lace and basic embroidery. I'm working on beads now, and will show you that when complete. Here are some closeups of the seams. 




All of the blocks are 6 inches square.
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Monday, April 9, 2012

SRE Journal Pages


We don't see much fuchsia around here...but I love to look at pictures. Such a delicate and pretty flower. Here is my rendition...as my second Silk Ribbon Embroidery journal page.
So, it joins the Rose...and I'm loving this process. I can really concentrate on a single flower...and can use glorious 13mm size ribbon...which I love!
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Sunday, April 8, 2012

More goodies...


Hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday today...mine was great! Breakfast with my daughter and granddaughter and spend a good part of the day with Mom. I stitched and she cooked...she wanted to do chicken and dressing...and I did not argue with her! It was tasty!
Then, she asked me to go back to Family Dollar and get her two boxes..."like you got yesterday". Ha! I knew she could not resist!
So, off I went in search...and got the last two! AND, look what else I found while there! The little chests are just adorable, and I love the trash can too. There was a larger one, which would be great with towels rolled up inside...or fabric! But, I settled on the smaller one. I'm thinking that it is small enough to fit behind my machine, and catch all of my strings and such.
Treasures...just treasures!
 
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Saturday, April 7, 2012

Oh, goodies! Love pretty organizational tools!



Well, first off...my muse and I actually agreed on something today! Two things....first, we hate yard sales!...not going to them, Having Them! And, actually WE didn't have one...my sister and sister-in-law did...in my (Mom's) front yard. I didn't even help out...and I'm just tired from walking around all day! My muse is just upset because she didn't get anything done..and none of the clothes fit her!
Second thing we agreed on, is that we love sales! 


 And especially when they are sales on cardboard boxes...pretty cardboard boxes and cardboard trays!


Wanted to share...if y'all have a Family Dollar store near you...then, RUN, do not walk...and get some of these! (sorry to all the ladies that don't have this store near you...especially you international girls. But, you can drool over these and then reciprocate by sending me photos of all the luscious lace and pretties you can get that I can't....hugs!!)
I went looking for Easter Candy sales...but got little of that. Found these boxes in four sizes...and got the smallest two sizes only. Then when I went to check-out...saw this lovely matching trays...got four of them!


 Smallest Lid Box is 8 x 10 inches. ($4)


Medium Lid Box is 10 x 12 inches. ($5)


Trays are 9 x 12 inches ($2)
and DID YOU SEE THE PRICES! 


Run before these are all gone!
These are so pretty holding your threads, ribbons, and fibers...and keep them together.
(they also are good to stash candy in; so hubby (or granddaughter) can't find it...just saying!)
Oh, and if you have a desk...these trays would make lovely IN and OUT boxes!
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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Liar, Liar...Pants on Fire!


I know...I said that I was not going to sign up for any more swaps...but my MUSE is insane! Seriously, she needs medication....and my doctor refuses to give her any...just looks at me and makes little notes on my chart when I talk about her.
Here are six 6-inch blocks ready to embellish...in an HGTV CQ Swap that Nickilee has organized...
hush, stop laughing...seriously...I'm concerned about my muse!
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HGTV BOM - April Complete


Here is one of my monthly Block of the Month items...completed for April.
We are on Block #4; and this will be a large quilt once completed as each block has been about 22 inches square.
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Inspiration



If you don't follow Susan Elliott's blog..."Plays with Needles"...then seriously, you should. Her work is an inspiration!
Want to see?
Check out this recent POST,
I promise that you will be inspired!
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Wine RR - Beryls Block


This morning, I finished up my stitching on Beryl's round robin block, "Wine". Thought you might like to see the end result before I mail it out.
Here are the closeups...two simple seams... 

 two bottles of wine...
 
and some embellishment of the fabric that Beryl used in her block.
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Monday, April 2, 2012

Easter Egg


Here's a free cross-stitch pattern for you. It is posted as a PHOTO, so you can print it as large as you need. Just save on your computer; open a blank word document and insert or paste the image. Drag the corner to make it as large as you need...to see the little color squares. The chart also works for beading.

If you like this design...click on the link in the toolbar above for CROSS-STITCH, there are links to three more charts there.
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