A Private Exchange

Awhile back, Angela, of Hooked On Stitches, contacted me to see if I'd be interested in a private exchange with her. Since it had been quite a long time since I had participated in an exchange I eagerly agreed. We set a mail date and an "anything goes" theme and each put our thinking caps on to decide on a project we thought the other might like. Last week I received the item Angela stitched for me:

  

A flatfold. OMG Angela stitched me a flatfold! Out of the many years of exchanges and blog giveaway prizes, I have never received a flatfold! I adore the design and the finishing is perfection. She even made sure to use my favorite colors of brown, green and lavender! Thank you so much, Angela! You can read more about Angela's project here.

My project for Angela was a Blackbird Designs Stitcher's Box. This was one of the best things I have ever done. The stitching was a dream and the finishing I fretted over (to no end) was very easy. I was very pleased when Angela said how much she liked it!

Design ~ Our Home Sewing Box

Designer ~ Blackbird Designs

Fabric ~ 32 count Belfast Linen

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Sewing box as instructed

Special ~ Overdyed after stitching with RIT tan dye

I'm still so impressed with my finishing on this project. As I said, it was so easy and it turned out really nice looking! My corners could be better...but why quibble?

Many thanks to Angela for a wonderful exchange!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Chenille Trim

Every time I post about using chenille I get questions about it. I decided I'd make a post about it so you could know where to get it!

It was hard to find! If you do an internet search for it all you seem to get are results for sweaters ~ lol! I searched and searched and finally found it at a place called Quilter's Station. Click that link and it will take you right to the chenille page. 

It comes in a 20 yard package and looks like this:

I was a bit dismayed at first. It looked nothing like I expected! This is flat and it has a funny band up the center. I was thinking it would be round and fuzzy. Did I buy the wrong stuff?

But no, once you dye it and dry it out it takes it's shape! Here are two different packages I dyed. The left is  dark brown RIT dye and the right is tan RIT dye. I just put some liquid dye into a mason jar with a cup of water, put the lid on and shook it well. (No, I didn't really measure anything. Just relax, people and let it flow!) Then I added the chenille and shook it again. After a wash with laundry detergent and letting it dry it got all round and fuzzy like I expected it to look. I must confess, when I dyed the brown, I got impatient waiting for it to dry and took the iron to it. I couldn't tell any difference between the ironed-dried one and the tan that I waited all night to air-dry. The leather cording Dash has been using for his motorcycle tassels comes on these big spools which were the perfect size to store the finished chenille on. 

When you are ready to trim something you can either use tacky glue or be really fancy and ladder stitch it in place. I'm lazy. I just glue it.

I hope this helps some of you find that elusive chenille trim!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Pinpillows. Again.

You remember I'm on a pinpillow kick, right? I can't tell you how tickled I was to win Lynn's blog giveaway, especially when the prize was a pinpillow. I received it a while back but I've been lazy about blog posting. Let me tell you...I could smell the Lavender (my favorite scent) when I opened the mailbox!

Isn't it precious? Lynn made the sweetest counting pins to go with it. I am just so pleased to own one of Lynn's creations. Every time I walk by it gets picked up and smelled. And I mean every. single. time! Thank you Lynn!

The next one is my own makings. Lindsay and I have been friends for years beginning with my becoming her "floss mom" back in the day. Whenever Lindsay finds she needs floss, she sends me a list and I will pick it up for her at cheap USA prices and if I find something I need from the UK I know I can always ask Lindsay for help. Every now and again little gifts go across to the other and here is one of mine to her.

I took several Blackbird Designs motifs and created a little pinpillow. On the back I added our initials.

It is stuffed with crushed walnut shells, makes it nice and heavy. I trimmed it out with chenille, dyed brown.

Three handmade counting pins complement the pillow. I think Lindsay liked it!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

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