3~Three~3

It's my 3rd Blogiversary!

And that means...

it's time for a giveaway!!!

A pincushion, a floss tag and 360 DMC colors...

Leave a comment on This Post Only.

Please include your email address :)

This is open to everyone.

A winner will be randomly drawn Monday, March 7th.

Good Luck!!!

Thank You everyone for making this blogging thing so much fun!!!

Lots to Share

Happy Monday to you dear friends.  My apologies for not commenting on your blogs lately...life has been very stressful, the sort of stress that knitting and stitching doesn't soothe and thus I've resorted to washing the walls.  Do you ever resort to stress cleaning???  Well, never mind the clean walls, let's move on to much better things!

Lynn B and I did a private exchange.  Lynn does extraordinarily gorgeous work, and mine can't hold a candle next to hers.  So I made Lynn a pair of pincushions because they're dead useful and one can never have too many ;)

A Needleworker's Pocket

by With My Needle

JCS Ornament 2003

Quaker Pinkeep

by With My Needle

JCS Ornament 2006

fabric:  32ct Lambswool linen

fiber:  DMC 115

filled with crushed walnuts

And look at the exquisite exchange I received in return!  Like I said, Lynn's workmanship has to be the most stunning I've ever seen.  Her attention to detail is second to none.  Thank you so much Lynn for this gorgeous exchange...I will treasure it forever!

My dear friend Wendy Jo is in town again (well, in Denver...thank you Rex's job!)  And we were able to get together last week.  I enjoy Wendy's company so much and we had a really great time.  She brought me the sweetest gift.  Check out those darling button magnets she made!  Thank you so much Wendy Jo for your friendship!

I guess that'll do it for me today :)  And I never thought I would, but I've joined Facebook, lol!  No farming for me though :)  Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a fantastic week ahead of you!!!

Lookie there!

I do remember how to stitch!

Sweeping Cobwebs

 The Prairie Schooler

fabric:  32ct lambswool linen

fibers:  DMC

I even made pins :)

I've put a few sets of these Handmade Pins on my Shop Blog if you'd like to add them to your Halloween stitching too!

For Harmien...

AKA: "the crazy cat lady".  LOL  ;)  I really don't think she's crazy, but I do know how much she loves her little felines.  I had marked this pattern when I first saw it for her bday.  Then promptly forgot about it and came across it again recently.  Unbeknownst to Harmien, I was stitching this when she sent me pics of a darling newborn kitten who will come and live with her in the near future  :) 

On the back:  a small patch of calico and a brass button recycled from an old pair of jeans (sewn with reverse side facing.)

from the book:

A Rainbow of Stitches

fabric:  28ct "staci-dyed" evenweave

fiber:  DMC #340

mill hill seed beads #02009

filled with crushed walnut shells

Pincushion for Paula

Hello dear friends!  I seem to have lost a bit of blogging mojo.  Maybe because it's that time of year when my schedule is getting more hectic.  Or maybe it's a case of spring fever :)  Whichever it is, it needs to go away so I can show you what I've been up to!  And please accept my sincere apologies for my lack of comments...I've been skimming through my reader and drooling over all your lovely creations and wonderful new stash :)

Paula C let me know earlier in the week that she received the PinCushion Exchange I stitched for her.  It was truly a joy to stitch for you Paula!!!

Ptits coeurs Ciseaux

by Isabelle Haccourt Vautier

fabric:  28ct "staci-dyed" evenweave

fiber:  DMC 310

black czech glass seed beads
filled with crushed walnut shells

I had stitched this before my blogging days for myself and it appears in some of my photos.  And I've had many questions about it.  Well, I couldn't exactly remember the pattern and such and actually didn't think I had the pattern anymore.  So I was pleasantly surprised to find it amongst some other charts I was organizing :)  'Tis good to organize, lol!!!

Well my lovelies, that's all for me today.  I really appreciate your continued visits and comments, they really warm my heart :)  I have other things to show you, so I hope to be back soon.  Have a Happy Weekend!

My First Blogiversary!

Today, I find myself excited and amazed. A full year of blogging now under my belt. So different from how I felt a year ago (unsure and nervous.) This has been an extraordinary experience. And the world of stitching blogs is an extraordinary place. So many kind, creative, helpful, and generous souls. So many fabulous ideas. And of course, so much incredible stash!

A few numbers to sum up this past year:

161 Posts. Who knew I'd have so much to say???

146 Finishes, broken down thus: 89 cross stitch, 52 knitting, 4 embroidery and 1 crochet. I have never, ever been so productive! And I have all of you to thank...for your interest and encouragement.

171,177 Visitors. From all over the world. That number is just unimaginable to me, but yet it's there in black and white. Wow!

I've been lucky enough to make new friends that I never would have met if it hadn't been for this little 'ol blog.

I sooo appreciate your visits and comments. Thank you, thank you, thank you! So, without further ado......I've stitched this little set of smalls as my Blogiversary Giveaway!!!

motif taken from the Forget-Me-Not Samper

by Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin

fabric: 32ct lambswool linen

fiber: DMC Variations #4210

pincushion and fob filled with crushed walnut shells

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If you would like to be entered for my Blogiversary Giveaway, please leave a comment on This Post Only and please be sure to include your email address. A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday, March 6th. As always, this is open to everyone. Good Luck and thanks for visiting my little piece of cyberspace!!!

XO~XO

Laura has received the Valentine Exchange I made her for the HoE. I really had a lot of fun making this little pincushion :)

Hugs and Kisses freebie by

Erica Michaels

fabric: 32ct cream Belfast Linen

fibers: GAST and WDW, my selection

filled with poly-pellets

For a special touch: a ribbon tag :)

I haven't been able to locate this freebie online. Does anyone know if it's still available? You can see the extras I sent on Laura's blog. I thought I was cutting back on my committments, but January has me seeing 2 exchanges and 2 gifts, LOL! Ah well, keeps me out of trouble (sort of!)

I finished the green vest. Just need to sew the button on. So stay tuned. Sending you all a little Colorado sunshine...Have a Wonderful Weekend!!!

Bonne Annee Carolyn!

The minute I saw this pattern on L'R de Rien's blog, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to stitch for Carolyn's birthday gift. We both love French designs and red...

Bonne Annee freebie by

L'R de Rien found here

fabric: 28ct Graziano Newport in Cream/Natural

fibers: DMC

filled with crushed walnut shells

Google translates "Happy New Year" into French as "Bonne Annee". But it translates "Bonne Annee" into English as "Good Years". So that is my birthday wish for you dear friend...a very Happy New Year and many Good Years!!!

Prim Pyn Pillow #2

Blessings freebie by

PrimitiveBettys, found here

fabric: 32ct natural linen, spotted w/ tea

fiber: DMC 221

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(I've tea stained the backing fabric...

the original fabric is laying underneath.

You can see the difference better IRL.)

The first prim pyn pillow I filled with poly pellets. This one I filled with crushed walnut shells. I don't think I'll ever go back to fiberfill for pincushions...I just love the weighty feel :) Many thanks to Carolyn for telling me to check the pet store (check the bird area.) I also found crushed corn cobs. They're bigger, but far less expensive. I think they'll work great for larger projects, although I have no idea what those might be, lol ;) The kids saw these bags and thought we were getting a bird, NOT!

And look at these wonderful new additions to my scissor addiction collection.

I ordered these on Saturday from Anita (Anita's Little Stitches), and they were in my mailbox Monday. WOW! Thank you so much Anita for your excellent service!

Thanks for stopping by and adding a bit of sunshine to my piece of cyberspace :) Have a great day!

Prim Pyn Pillow

I LOVE THIS! In fact, I think I need a whole basket full of primitive pyn pillows :) Thank you Tanya for this fun little pattern :)

At Plimoth freebie by

The Sampler Girl

fabric: 32ct linen, coffee dyed and baked

fibers: DMC (my own selection)

A close up because I'm so happy with the way the fabric turned out :)

And here's the backing fabric...I think the design is perfect for the front, don't you? I also coffee dyed and baked it too.

A close up of the ships...too perfect

(in my humble opinion, lol!)

I'm really loving these quick little projects, they're so fun! In fact, I need to go find another one, lol! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Finished Finishes

Why put off till tomorrow, any crafting that can be done today?!?! (Sorry about the lighting...the sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds.)

Alphabet Sampler by

Carriage House Samplings

Just Cross Stitch, June 2005

fabric: 32ct linen remnant, 1 over 2

fiber: DMC

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And finally finished...

Mama Bird by Brightneedle

Just Cross Stitch, April 2002

fabric: 28ct linen remnant

fiber: DMC

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Thanks for popping in, I hope your week is off to a fantastic start!