Wishes Do Come True.... AND The WINNER Is..

Two wonderful wishes arrived... As a participant in the MAW exchange I requested a Biscornu and my wish was granted by Gaby. How lucky could I get since Gaby is known for her Biscornu talent. I was so very happy to open her envelope and find this gem!

She even impressed me with her packaging. I opened the little gold bag and my eyes danced when I saw both sides of this biscornu.

Make A Wish: Biscornu from Gaby

This is so very beautiful and the workmanship is amazing! Gaby, you have managed to select the perfect design and the perfect color ~ I love my new Biscornu and cannot find enough words to adequately thank you. You really did make my wish come true, thank you so very much I shall treasure it!

I had requested a Biscornu because, like many others, I have never made one and for some reason they look as if they would be difficult to make. Yes, many have assured me that they are not difficult but I figured it would be better if I had one in front of me while I attempted to do the finishing. Now, all I need is the time!

Lucky me, a few months ago I had received some handmade "scrubbers" from Paula and once I used them I was hooked. I was not sure if these little things would really work, but they do and they have become a "must have" gadget in my kitchen. They are particularly useful in cleaning my Pampered Chef Stoneware pieces ~ the ones that you should not use soap or detergent on and that should not be washed in the dishwasher. I use them all the time and what's nice is you can wash them. I liked them so much that I asked Paula if I could order some from her and here they are...

Scrubbers made by Paula

I got a bunch so that I could give some to friends. Thank you Paula!

As promised I am posting the winner of the Ultra Bright Book Light Gadget Give-A-Way. Thirty-eight comments were posted and using Random.Org comment number 20 was selected as the winning number.

THE WINNER IS

Julianne

Congratulations Julianne!!! Please email me. :)

I do hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend. We are in for some very hot days here in the northeast so I will most certainly remain inside stitching on some exchanges.

Thanks for dropping by!

Until next time...

ABC Exchange ~ Gadget Give-A-Way ~ Cute Critter

Another great mail day, my SBEBB: ABC Exchange arrived…I received an amazing exchange piece from Ulla in Finland. What a gorgeous Quaker Humbug Ornament, so beautifully stitched and finished. I am more than impressed with Ulla’s talent and more than thankful for all of the time that she dedicated to this exchange.

I was treated to so many extras: a Shepherd’s Bush Leaflet titled, Be Sweet, hand dyed floss in my favorite color, some tapestry needles that are packaged so nicely, and a magnetic note pad. Ulla, I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful exchange; I love everything that you sent!

SBEBB: ABC Exchange

Stitched by: Ulla

I must share the detail, isn't is gorgeous?

Okay, I have another “must have gadget” to share with you: A mini book light to use while stitching, but which one?

My favorite is the one pictured on the far left, the Carson Flex Neck Ultra Bright LED Book Light FL55. And here is the brand new one that I will be giving away...

I like this one the best because it is lightweight (3 oz), the light is truly bright, the 7” flexible goose neck allows you to adjust the lamp-head in every direction, the clip opens to a generous 1.5 inches, and it has a flat base for table top illumination. I like to clip this light onto the front of my shirt (looks goofy but it works well) but the clip enables you to attach it to a frame or hoop. The little light does require 3-AAA batteries.

As some know, I love the smaller thread counts and especially love the look of over one stitching. This light is truly a “must have” when working on those 40 count over one projects. It is small, lightweight and portable which makes it great for travel. I have a friend that travels with a 100-watt bulb for those low-lit hotel rooms; I just bring this little light and never need to worry about a broken bulb in my luggage.

If you are interested in this Gadget Give-A-Way just leave me a comment and I will draw a name on 7/18 and post the winner.


I purchased another bird feeder/pole yesterday but have not put it out yet. I am amazed at how many hungry critters there are. Here is one that showed up at one of my backyard feeders fortunately I was home to take this picture. I just knew that Rob would appreciate it!!!

And where might Bambi’s mother be???

She never took her eyes off of her baby, always watching closely from behind the rock wall in the neighbors yard.

Thanks so much for stopping by~

Until next time...

And The Winner Is......

I had 18 comment on my "Gadget Drawing" post so I decided to have my son pick a number between 1 and 18...AND the winner is #18, Wanda! I will need for you to email me with your snail mail address Wanda, and I will send this off to you.

If you are interested in this gadget here are a few sites that offer it for sale:

Chris' Craft Supply

Dark Lilac

Stitch-R-Stuff

JoAnn Online

Thread Bear (UK)

Stay tuned as there may be another new "Gadget Drawing" soon...

I was able to move two Exchanges to the "Completed" list on my sidebar; SBEBB Spring House Exchange and Fair & Square: Round 6. It is always so nice to watch the "completed" list grow!
I have learned that both exchanges have reached their destination so I am free to post pictures.

My exchange partner for Fair & Square round #6 was Annette, here are the blocks that I sent:

Fair & Square #6 - To Annette

Designer: LHN

Design taken from: Schoolgirl Lessons

Below is the SBEBB: Spring House Exchange that I sent to Ulla in Finland. I had to "lift" the pictures from Ulla because I left my camera in Vermont, hope you don't mind Ulla. Yikes, I won't be back up to Vermont until early May. I hope I don't need to photograph anything!

Designer: Lizzie and Kate

Design: Spring Sampler

Finish: Pinkeep

I recently purchased a new book called "Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet" ~ I do very little crocheting, but this book really caught my eye. I am however at a loss because the instructions call for "lace thread" and I do not know what this is. It has to be very thin because you use a size 6 (1.8m) or 4(2mm) hook. Any help would be appreciated!

Enjoy the week ahead ~ I hope that it is filled with many free hours of stitching!

Until next time...

Just another Gadget ~ VoHRH SAL~ Meet Paula

In my last two post I mentioned a wonderful woman named Paula C. Paula and I have been in a few exchanges together and I must say she is a wonderful cross stitcher and a super lady! I am so very happy that she has found the time to start up her blog, Needles, Hooks & Paperback Books ~ such a clever name! Stop on over and welcome her to the world of blogging!

Oh how I love gadgets!!! I am always on the lookout for items that will make tasks easier and faster. Todays gadget is the Stitch Converter by LoRan.

Stitch Converter - Gadget Give-A-Way

"No more complicated calculations for material size and thread count - the Stitch Converter is helpful in figuring the material size for your projects and assists in determining the material count for a required finished size. Simply dial in your numbers and read your answer."


I keep this handy little gadget in my cross stitch basket. When I need to figure out the fabric requirement I can easily reach for it, turn the dial and quickly determine how much fabric I need. It lists fabric size for 11/12/14/16/18/22/32 count. Sure you can do this with a calculator, some can do it in their head, I prefer doing it with a quick twist!


While running errands yesterday I stopped in a small needlework shop in Westport to picked up a few things. This is where I originally purchased my Stitch Converter, when I saw it I decided to do two things:

1. Write a GADGET POST on my blog
2. Purchase one for a "Blog Gadget Give-A-Way"

So, if you are a "Gadget Queen" and would like to give this a try just comment on this post and I will draw a name... if your name is selected I will mail it off to you ~ it is just that simple!

My trip to Texas, fun as it was, set me back on my VoHRH SAL stitching. I am trying to get back on track and hope to complete block number 6 by May 1st. Here is a progress picture:

VOHRH SAL - Block #6

Thanks for stopping by, I am always glad that you do!

Until next time...

Must Have Gadget

Kreinik Custom Corder

The Custom Corder by Kreinik ($15.95) is by far one of my very favorite gadgets for cross stitch. This handy tool allows you to create your own cording, in the color(s) and fiber that you prefer. It is fast, easy to use, and produces a professional looking trim in seconds! It can be used with a number of threads including DMC, silk, metallic, rayon, pearl cotton, and fine yarns.

It is best to purchase a weight to use with the corder. I bought mine at a LNS for about $3.00, when I arrived home my son informed me that he could have supplied me with fishing weight. The weight makes for a more uniform twist to your cording.

You can purchase the custom corder from the Kreinik website, some LNS and craft shops, and I have listed additional websites that do carry it.. I included the retail price from each, but this does not include shipping.

Sewing Super Store $8.74

AC Moore $10.49
Craft Town hobby Land USA $13.09
Scrapbook Memories $9.99
Sew and So (in the UK) L ll.99
Tandem Cottage Needlework (in the UK) L 10.99
Amazon $12.49
Marilyn's Online Needlework $11.95
The Sewing Place $14.49
Addicted to Crafts $10.29

Micheal.com gives instructions for making cording without the use of the Custom Corder.

For those that make their own cording I have a helpful tip to share:

I usually have a small piece of cording left over, rather than discard it I "label" it. I get out my Label Gadget (oh yes, another gadget) and I make a label identifying the fiber used and the number of strands. When I have a project in need of cording, but am not sure of how thick the cording should be, I can use this collection of "samples" to determine what would work best. Having the label on the sample lets me know immediately how many strands I need to use.

I absolutely love gadgets and find that, in most cases, they are time savers! If you have any cross stitch or quilting gadgets that you can't live without please share them in your comments!
There are far more quilting gadget, someday I must share those.

Until next time...