Back in Black

I stitched up a little Blackbird Designs pinpillow over the weekend. This was quickly finished and was a fun mini-project. I stuffed it with crushed walnut shells and trimmed it with chenille dyed brown. I need some amber or golden brown beads to make a few pins to go with it.

Design ~ Wild Berry, Strawberry #3

Designer ~ Blackbird Designs

Fabric ~ 28 count mystery scrap, tea-dyed

Fiber ~ DMC

After finishing the pinpillow, I couldn't decide what to stitch next so I got out Finery of Nature and started the next block. The colors are so cheery and vibrant on the black fabric. I should work on this and get it done...I don't know why I haven't picked it back up sooner.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Sore Stitchy Fingers

Meet Lucas, my sexy new Brazilian companion. I know...he's short and compact, but very sweet. Lucas is a Taurus .38 special, my anniversary present from Dash. You didn't know I liked guns, did ya? Full of surprises, that's me. I know most of my readers won't be very interested in this post, but I wanted to share anyway.

I had made a passing comment to Dash that I wasn't especially confident in my ability to load and shoot the semi-automatic pistols we own, that I'd feel better with a revolver that was easy to load. He totally surprised me with this gift!

We went shooting early this morning. Bear in mind I haven't shot a pistol in years, although I am familiar with guns, having lived with a Marine for nearly 30 years.

This was my group with the .38. The pistol holds five rounds (or bullets.) Not too bad...I at least put them all into the black. The .38 takes a strong pull to shoot. Easier for me to cock the trigger, then shoot. Overall very easy to load, unload and shoot. Nice!

I also shot the Llama .380. This was my Grandfather's weapon, Dash owns it now. The 380 shoots seven rounds. The .380 has a HARD trigger pull but that is a nice group.

Then, I tried my hand at Dash's Colt .45. Holy cow, I smoked it! The .45 shoots seven rounds as well. You can see my first shot was wide because I was nervous about the recoil, then I was able to relax and center the shots. I like shooting the .45!

A group photo of the pistols so you can see how they compare in size. 

I only shot around fifty rounds and its obvious I need calluses. My index finger and thumb are sore from the grippy areas of the guns! Big thanks to Dash for getting me such a sweet little boyfriend.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

I Rocked It

Just so you know...I'm the freakin' finishing master! Don't you love it when you feel that way about yourself? Doesn't happen often enough though, does it? I spent some time finishing yesterday afternoon. I did the little box project I was working on and the exchange for Angela too. Both came out very well. I can't show you Angela's item yet but I can share my little box:

Design ~ Rosemary Pinkeep

Designer ~ Blackbird Designs

Fabric ~ 32 count Belfast Linen, Daffycat Dyed

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Pinbox

Yes, I stitched the Rosemary Pinkeep design ~ again. There is something about it I really-really like. I used the little round paper-mache box I finished the other day and attached my stitching to the lid. The chenille I dyed was used too. See my preparations in this post. I'm very pleased how it turned out, as if you couldn't tell.

Yesterday, Fed Ex delivered my business cards from PrintRunner. Awesome. I'm excited to have them and I can't wait to send these out with exchanges. They look really fantastic...glossy & bright and exactly what I'd hoped for! Thank you PrintRunner!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Scanty TUSAL

My pitiful ORT jar for July's new moon. Too much life and not enough stitching time! Must get this sorted out before I have a breakdown! I'm just kidding, by the way!

Those TUSALers leaving a comment on this post to let me know you have posted your ORT jar will receive an extra entry in the giveaway, as usual. That hat is getting full, people! If you are new here and want to know what The Totally Useless Stitch A Long is all about click here.

For those asking about the counting pins I made in my last post...they are SO EASY! All you need are a few supplies...

Pins, buy the extra-long ones
Super Glue
Beads, any assortment you like
Toothpick, or you can use another pin

Put a drop or two of Super Glue onto a sheet of paper. You will use the toothpick to pick up some glue when you are ready. I use the little spacer beads on the top then a bigger bead then a tiny seed bead. Keep in mind you can use anything, in any order. Do what you like the looks of! Thread the beads onto the pin and see if you like the arrangement. If you like it, let the beads slide away from the top and use the toothpick to pick up a bit of glue and smear it around the top of the pin. Work fast, the glue dies quickly! Slide the beads up onto the glued area and I usually add a bit of glue around the bottom-most bead. I carefully poke the pin into a pinpillow until it's dried and I try not to touch it until the glue has a chance to cure.

Sometimes the beads come unstuck on my counting pins as I'm using them...easy enough to re-glue them as needed. Be careful with the glue...it's hard to stitch with glued-together fingers or pins & beads stuck to you.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Pretty Pincushions

I've been really "into" pincushions lately. I find myself searching out designs for them. They are just so useful and you can create such pretty pins for them! Over the weekend I finished this one, it's pictured on the fabric I used for the back:

Design ~ Rosemary Pinkeep

Designer ~ Blackbird Designs

Fabric ~ 32 count...Jobelan? Tea-dyed

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Pinpillow stuffed with walnut shells

Then I tackled this one:

Design ~ Birds and Berries Pinbox

Designer ~ Blackbird Designs

Fabric ~ 32 count Belfast Linen

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Pinbox as per instructions

Specialty ~ Overdyed after stitching with RIT tan dye

Both of these were so much fun to stitch and finish. The pins were fun to make too! Now, there is another project to finish but I'm finding it really intimidating and I keep putting it off! Crazy, I know! This is an exchange item. I know I can do it...and do it well but I still get stage fright when I start something important!

Don't forget the New Moon is on Thursday, the 19th...everyone get those ORT jars shined up for the Totally Useless Stitch A Long!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Keeping My Postie Busy

My mailbox was a busy place this last week! In addition to all the usual bills there was treasure to be found. First up was an RAK from Lindsay of Caring Stitcher. Lindsay knows how much I love the UK so when she saw these goodies she knew they had my name written all over them.

Some Diamond Jubilee tea towels, rhinestone studded socks, pens, ribbons and best of all is the little tote. I've already been carrying my lunch to work in the tote and I'm just thrilled to not be using a used plastic grocery sack any more!  Thank you for the sweet gift, Lindsay, I couldn't be more pleased!

Then came my giveaway prize from Angela of Hooked On Stitches. Angela stitched me the Dear Diary design of my choice and finished it into the most beautiful box:

Isn't it gorgeous? You wouldn't believe how PERFECT this thing is! Angela is definitely a finishing pro. Every single detail is amazing. I cannot believe this is mine! I wish you could see this treasure in person. I'm over the moon every time I look at it. Thank you so very much, Angela!

Then a wee thank you gift came today from Annette of California Stitcher. Annette was the winner of my business card giveaway and she promised to send me one when they arrived. I guess she couldn't resist sending a few goodies along with:

Lovely handmade greeting card, some peach tea tucked into a little decorated bag and a few pretty variegated DMC threads. And of course her wonderful card from Printrunner. Thank you, Annette! 

I've been thoroughly spoiled this week, haven't I? 

Blog friends are such fun and I'm so thankful YOU are one of them.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

The Coffee IS Safe To Drink!

"Is this coffee poison?" called Dash from the kitchen, sounding worried.

"No!" I assured, "It's safe."

"Okay," Dash said, "I just never know around you."

No, I don't usually brew pots of poison coffee, but I'd spent all morning dyeing stuff and Dash is used to warnings like, "Don't drink any stuff in a Mason jar, it's fabric dye!"

I spent lots of time today preparing for finishing. I have an exchange project I've been working on so I can't share photos of that but I can show you a few other things:

I dyed trims with tan Rit dye. Some rick rack, twill tape and chenille. These turned out nice and I am looking forward to using them. It took me forever to find chenille...bought it here. If you search for chenille, all you get is sweaters. Go figure. The rick rack and twill tape I got at Joann Fabrics.

Then I painted a small round box and waxed it. This was preparation for a project I started today. You can find these boxes at the crafts stores, they are just paper mache. The wood boxes work too! A coat of craft paint, sandpaper to antique then apply a bit of wax stain and buff it to a shine. Looks like a million bucks. Dash thinks this dark brown one looks like leather. I also did the box for the project below but didn't take a picture of it yet.

Any of the brands of craft paint will do, choose it for the color. The wax I use is Briwax, dark brown. I found this at a specialty wood finishing shop in Oklahoma City. Wear vinyl gloves when applying this! 

While I had the tan dye out I tossed in my latest little finish to give it a spot of color. This is Blackbird Designs, Birds and Berries Pinbox. This will (hopefully) be a little pinpillow inside a box like the one above. If I can swing it. I never did one before but I'm feeling adventurous! Many thanks to Barb & Alma of Blackbird Designs for the exquisite instructions in their publications. You ladies rock!

What have you been working on? Have you tried anything new lately?

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

A Meaningful Craft Project

As some of you are aware, my husband is a ride captain with the Patriot Guard. This group attends the funerals of Veterans (when asked) to show honor and if needed, they act as a shield between the mourners and any protest groups. Most of the members of the Patriot Guard are motorcycle enthusiasts. You can see another post I made on this subject here.

A while back, another Ride Captain, Cowboy, gave Dash a tassel to hang from his handlebars. The colors on one side are for the American flag and the other side has the blue and yellow of the Patriot Guard Riders. The grommet used is from a retired American flag. A sweet remembrance, isn't it?

Dash asked me if I could make him another tassel in the POW-MIA colors of black and white. Ooo fun! I stopped by Hobby Lobby for supplies after work and came up with this. 

We had a few grommets from retired flags and I was able to whip out six tassels before I ran out of leather cording. 

 "Crap," I told Dash, "I have to go back to Hobby Lobby!" 

"How horrible." He replied, dryly. He knows I never mind a visit to any craft store.

I will make more of these for Dash to give away on rides. Quick and easy to make and people love free stuff, especially with meaning behind it.

I don't think Dash was pleased I wanted to snap photos of the tassels on his bike (it's covered in bugs from a recent ride) but what do you do when you are trying to leave for work and your wife is in front of your bike with a camera? Thanks, Sweetie!

Why does Rick use the road name Dash? Click here.

POW-MIA you are not forgotten.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

The Big One

Remember last October, when I started a new project? Specifically, the Prairie Schooler 12 Days of Christmas, stitched as separate ornaments. I'm behind on sharing where I am at on these so I thought I'd catch you up!

Barbi girl...you got some catching up to do!

Firstly, I think I skipped sharing 9 Ladies Dancing. I am sure I showed you 8 Maids and 10 Lords and I don't know how I missed 9 Ladies but here it is:

I already showed you 10 Lords finished ~ remember all my silly photos finding missing stitches? So now here is 11 Pipers completed:

And 12 Drummers:

I can't believe the stitching is completed! You can click here to see all my posts featuring these designs.

I have had a great time stitching each one. These were easy stitches and very relaxing! Don't they look great?

The fabric I tea stained for these ornaments was perfect. I used a 32 count Jobelan from 123Stitch, spotted it with strong tea, then dunked the whole piece. After dyeing, I cut the fabric into 12 even (mostly) squares and started stitching. I think I worried all these months that I'd lose my pack of fabric squares mid-way through ~ or that I'd lose one of the completed squares! Silly me.

Now for the mammoth task of finishing all of these into ornaments. I would like them all to look the same and I'm thinking to make them like the ornament in this post. This is going to take some determination to sew all 12. What the hell was I thinking???

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Whoops!

ORT fail. Many apologies...your fearless TUSAL leader thought the New Moon was today! This is a little late but I'm here with some rather sparse ORTs to show. It looks like a nice full jar but really, compared to my last few months of ORT photos these are lousy!

Plus, this is a really craptastic snap but I wasn't too worried because I'm late enough as it is. Leave a comment on this post to let us know you have posted your ORT report for June...you will receive an extra entry in the TUSAL giveaways. Those of you who posted this month to last months report might want to post again here as well.

As many of you have noticed, I have been taking a little break from blogging. Thank you all for the emails and comments inquiring as to my whereabouts. I didn't mean to be gone so long! Life hasn't been the same these last few months. Losing Sheba was such a heartbreak, she was such a big part of our lives. How can one little soul leave such a giant hole? Dash and I have been trying to cope, sometimes not very well. I am hopeful the worst is over and sunnier days are ahead. 

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox