Cross Bookmark

We had a terrible ice and snow storm here, so I was ready to hibernate Friday evening...

I downloaded a 'free' pattern from the internet hoping to crochet a cross bookmark for my friend. I tried and learned a new stich, hoping I would be able to photo my bookmark for my post today, however there must have been a typo in the instructions as the frog came along and we 'ripped...ripped...' so my cross is now a big knot of unravelled crochet cotton.

Then I searched google for another pattern, I found this wonderful beaded cross, however I am afraid I cannot tat that good yet.

I think fellow tatters would enjoy this site too:
http://teritatbitdusenbury.blogspot.com/

So pretty...
Intricately and beautifully designed just the other day. This block took me approximately three hours to sew together. Now once I start the hand embroidery on it, it may take dozens more hours work before completion. However the weather outside looks frightful, so this project looks delightful...

I also visited three thrift stores today and found lots of little treasure including some Perle Cotton which I love to embroider.

Check back to see my progress.

I am also wondering if I should start a Crazy patch exchange with others. Anyone interested in Crazy patch Exchange...plmk. I think it would be fun.

Marlee, my bichon and I took a walk through the English Garden at our local city park...what a revelation of God's handiwork! Many of the vegetation had frozen but there were still wonderful colors to be seen.

Please check out more wonderful photography here:

http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t083/fall.htm

BIBLE VERSE: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."Psalm 16:11

Quilt Show - Mystery Quilt Completed

These photos above were assembled in the 'Mystery Quilt Project' 2007 sponsored by "Quilting by Design" here in Winnipeg, Manitoba and I am very proud to say MINE is COMPLETE...alas I never even had photo taken of mine yet. I just have to hand stitch the binding, then I will photo and enter later...please come back later.

Here are photos of other quilts 'in assembly'.

This was a FUN project, especially if one can complete their quilt. It is very frustrating if these WIP's are just forgotten!

SAYINGS:

~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
One yard of fabric is like having one cook - it's never enough.
~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Quilts are like friends - they age with you, yet never lose their worth.
~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Quilting is my passion...chocolate comes in a close second.
~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Happy Thanksgiving

Even though it looks dreary and cold outside, Canadians will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. Let us all reflect on the many reasons to be thankful.

Since 1879 when Parliament instituted Thanksgiving and observed originally on November 6th. Then in 1957, the date was set to be the second week of October (in Canada). Other countries, including the USA celebrate their Thansgiving on a different date.

Let us all be THANKFUL.

COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS
NAME THEM ONE BY ONE
EXPRESSING LOVE TO OTHERS
AS THE DAY IS DONE.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
During this special time of year, let’s take a moment and count our blessings.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep--- you are richer than 75 per cent of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish--- you are among the top 8 per cent of the worlds wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness---you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation---you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful---you are blessed because the majority can but most do not.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

QUOTATIONS:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Author: Melody Beattie
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Look at what we have, not at what we don't have. Lord teach me where I need your touch the most.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pick stars and name then for all things you are thankful for.

CORSET ATC (ALTERED TRADING CARDS)

I am so very excited. I was just surfing on Google and found the neatest pattern to create these Corset shaped ATC'S...aren't these sweet?
Hopefully I have included the link properly to check out the free pattern offered by 'Puppylov' Flikr site.

...thank you 'Puppylov' for sharing. LINK:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/puppyluv8805/2720336540/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/puppyluv8805/2720336540/in/photostream/

The Story of the Butterfly

The Story of The Butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to s upport the body. Neither happened! In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand: The restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us. We will not be strong as we could have been and we would never fly.

Butterfly stay with me....

QUOTATION:

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

When this butterfly visited my garden, I felt as though God reached down from heaven and 'touched' me. The butterfly even waited for me while I rushed into the house to retrieve my camera...I was also able to take several photos of this awesome insect. It seemed like the butterfly wanted to relate it's 'patience' with me.

Seeing this gentle insect flutter from flower to flower reminded me of a very sad story a lady I met in the store told me. The lady had lost her daughter, however had felt a similar feeling when a butterfly flew into her sun room shortly after her daughter's passing. Now a year later, the lady was telling me how close she felt to her daughter when the butterfly was near. Now the lady was buying some butterflies made out of feathers to give to her lady friends.

I also recall another day when a butterfly landed on a plant. I was feeling particularly SAD that day. However seeing that beautiful butterfly alight gently on the plant in front of me brought me a certain 'stillness' or feeling of peace. As though God was indeed telling me to cheer up. Has anyone else experienced such a surreal 'visit'?

Amber Lace - A Cloth Doll Completed

Two ladies in my craft group made this doll recently so I finally completed my version. She is a stuffed cloth 'beauty'. I painted her face Saturday afternoon while I lazed in my gazebo enjoying the sunshine. Using mainly recycled materials for the doll including a vintage doily for her collar, I had fun embellishing my project with different items I have in my 'stash'.

My completed doll is not as fancy as the picture illustrated in the magazine article, however she is my version of Amber Lace, a Victorian cloth doll bust. I think I will complete the body if I make another one like this doll as I am wondering what I am going to do with her now. Please comment.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Together we create tomorrow's heirlooms."

Seamstress Joke

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, 'My dear child, why are you crying?' The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family. The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with sapphires.
'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked The seamstress replied, 'No.' The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a golden thimble studded with rubies. 'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked. Again, the seamstress replied, 'No.' The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble. 'Is this your thimble ?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'Yes.' The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy. Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, 'Why are you crying?' 'Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!' The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney. 'Is this your husband?' the Lord asked. 'Yes,' cried the seamstress. The Lord was furious. 'You lied! That is an untruth!' The seamstress replied, 'Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt. Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney. And so the Lord let her keep him. The moral of this story is:
Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.
Signed, All Us Women

My Hummingbird Returned....

Yesterday, I was showing my friend my garden when I noticed hubby had taken down my hummingbird feeder so the rain would not wash out the hummingbird syrup. The rain has ceased for an hour, so I hung out the feeder again...and our friendly visitor hummed overhead within arm's reach almost immediately. I am sure she was cold from the rain therefore it was reassuring to see her visit for some energy food. A breath of summer...

I uploaded two photos of my feeder and morning glories last summer and am hoping these 'Heavenly Blue' morning glories will grow from seed again this summer. I noticed one sprouting out of my planter yesterday. Summer is almost magical time of year.

My First Attempt at needle tatting...what do you think?

Finally I had a chance to upload this photo of my very first attempt at needle tatting. I really need lots of practice as it is difficult to achieve even tension. My friendly ladies at etatters.com are helping me with this.

My friend sent me the address to a beautiful site...excactly what I needed to make me feel better. How softly my garden 'whispers' to me.
http://www.thepastwhispers.com/My_Friend.html
My garden is drenched today from the rain, but the moisture is needed.
Thought from above web site:
When you try your best, but you don't succeed,
When you get what you want, but not what you need,
And the tears come streaming down your face,
When you lose something you can't replace,
Lights will guide you home,
And I will try to fix you.
My friend, I will try to fix you.

-- "Fix You" from the CD "X & Y" by Coldplay

What to Blog

I was checking another blogger last evening and really enjoyed her creativity. I was intrigued by wonderful photos and her collection of quotes and inspirational little sayings. Please check out her blog: http://fourfiftythree.blogspot.com/
I had inserted another photo of one of my 'completed' WIP"S...hope you enjoy her as much as I enjoyed creating her. I wish i had a better camera to display the detail. My sister takes wonderful, CLEAR photos ...check out her dolls here:

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Chosen-Treasures4u_dolls_W0QQftsZ2QQsaselZ3896012QQsofpZ0

My creation is a Drew doll, friend of Barbie and I crocheted the teal beaded and sequined dress from a Paradise doll pattern. I am sorry the embellishments do not display well. I have ordered four more patterns from Paradise so looks like I may be busy this summer. The theme for our Doll Show in October is Pedlar dolls so I am working on my entry...stay tuned.
I am also very excited as I 'think' I have taught myself how to needle tat and am picking up a book from library to help me out. I am quite pleased I found online instructions to needle tat much easier than the conventional shuttle method. After being inspired by some lovely tatting blog sites:
1.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA8KLjRXUfZXNCMwhGkdl0uuGoxfvrcisahaJyYMpq4DCCl97yMwzGOUsEyZjq5E-xj-ZoQZOAFftlYos0qnhPk67DpGv3dwRhtF8qA2Z28BhNo5_r7-vFFPhJuk-VMRQpGKqL0Yuso1e/s1600-h/PumpkinJuiceHeartBl.jpg
2.
http://25motifchallenge.blogspot.com/index.html
Just checked the time and I must say 'ciao' for this morn as I have a hair appointment this morning. Going to USA this weekend and need a trim.

Have a wonderful day everyone. And remeber to say 'thanks' for all we are blessed with.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

FLAP YOUR WINGS AND SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP .

Thankful to be Stitching.

I just can't seem to get enough of this embellishing. I still have several seams and more embellishing to do. I want to paint my butterfly so it won't look so stark...I have never done this before and am hoping Michael's have the dyes I need. Would you believe I have redone this pink seam several times, (yes the frog was here and I ripped out the green leaves and beads...rippit...rippit..) I wonder if other stitchers do the same as me to learn by their mistakes.

After adding this button cluster last night, I think I will QUIT this WIP for a bit and take a break from this block. My work area was a mess...felt like my brain was scrambled! Hopefully I will be inspired later.

After stitching last night I checked out some of my 'dream' sites that inspire me so much:

http://honeybeesbliss.blogspot.com/

Honey Bee's Bliss blog and has thoroughly inspired me to try tatting AGAIN. Yes, I have a tatting shuttle and took one class, only to end up with some beautiful KNOTS! Isn't Honey Bee's tatted heart awesome? Check out her Bible cover. I vowed I would not start another project until these four crazy patch blocks were COMPLETE for 2008, but sometimes, one has to 'experiment' a little. Or is it called practice? If only my husband would be this understanding. Off he goes on his bicycle to join his senior 'Gray Hares' bicycle group. Ever since my last 'wipeout', my bike looks so pitiful hanging from the rafters in the garage.

However, I am driving across the city shortly for my craft day with three other ladies to see is they will motivate me. I will still be thankful that I can find such therapy in my stitching! After hearing the tragedy in Burma, we are so SO very VERY fortunate to be safe and alive. We take so many things for granted in our awesome country.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Author: Melody Beattie

I had FUN embellishing my new blocks!

Once I started, there was no stopping me. The weather was too windy to go for a walk so I was happy to continue with my present WIP...and if one did not have to sleep I would still be stitching...lol. I will still be adding more beads, etc, but thought I would update you all. I know how I love checking other blog sites FREQUENTLY, so here goes my day number 2 results. Hopefully there will be more 'rainy' days this summer for me to complete. Have a HAPPY everyone!

Three more seam treatments from Pam's Ebook

I absolutely LOVE stitching these seam treatments from Pam Kellogg's ebook:

Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments Volume 1 EBOOK

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9421393

A complete guide to working Crazy Quilt seam treatments with waste canvas. Create perfectly spaced and sized stitches every time!

I actually sat outside in the sun and really enjoyed stitching these three seams. Lighting was perfect, hubby and puppy were very happy to be outside in the sunshine with me and I thoroughly enjoyed my day (especially when refreshments were served too)! Too bad I had to stop and do some errands. Have a happy day everyone. I can't wait to stitch another seam and complete this block.

More seams before embellishment added

TRYING TO COMPLETE CRAZY QUILTING BLOCK

The bottom seam is something I just 'made up' ...was very confused what design to do - as usual, so just used some straight stitches for now. Sometimes I think I am too 'anal retentive' or fussy to do this free style work...(C:
After asking for hubby's 'approval', I added the beads to the TOP lace seam just this morning and am quite pleased so far...I must have tried 20 different beads before I felt these burgundy beads looked okay. (I guess). Any comments about what to do would be appreciated. Perhaps I should sign up for Sharon B's online course about crazy quilting as I LOVE stitching these blocks, however find ideas for properly embellishing can be over whelming at times. I see so many BEAUTIFUL and ELEGANT blocks you ladies stitch..

ANOTHER COMPLETED PROJECT FOR 2008

Yippee...this project is completed just this morning and I feel so good as I can clean off my kitchen table. I was afraid I would set this project aside and start something else. I have two other 'major' cross stitch pictures that appear 'doomed' in my WISP stash.

Now, I can begin another WIP which 'haunts' me in the wee hours of the morning.

My next project near completion is assembly of my Log Cabin Quilt squares. I also hauled out my 'Millenium Quilt' consisting of blue-toned star designed fabrics for paper pieced star-patterned quilt. This WIP has taken me 8 years so I vowed 2008 would be a more productive year...lol

I have actually finished another crocheted Barbie outfit using Paradise patterns, however I do want to style the hair and make her jewelery before posting the photo.

Has anyone else completed their robin yet? Hopefully this robin will fly off to the frame shop shortly.

HaPpY SpRiNg!

QUOTES:

"Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance." – Oprah Winfrey

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held it's ground." - Anonymous

Crazy Patch Anticipation

Since I have been consumed in completing my last Mystery Stitch Along I have been excitedly collecting embellishments for my next project. I am convinced 'hunting' for these crazy patch items is absolutely the most FUN! However I have also found some wonderful 'treasures' for my next 'million' projects. I will have to live to be one hundred to complete all these projects I dream of!

Quite a few wintery Saturday evenings ago, I sewed three blocks with these blue and pink themed fabrics. Hopefully they will be my next project. The colors are definitely different from natural light, and I imagine my next photos will display differently.

Waking up with more fresh snow on the ground I have decided I will spend more time stitching instead of working in my garden...back to complete my spring robin stitch along...only one day or so to go...yippee!!

...please stay posted for my next update.

HAPPY Spring Everyone.

Quote:

We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.The elderly usually don't have re- grets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."It's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

...almost finished Robin of Spring SAL..."tweet"?

...almost finished, but my stitching frame cuts off some of my work...sorry

I think I would have completed already but did hardly any stitching last week with Easter company, etc.

The outside stitching is adding a beautiful touch, I think, and I am pleased I did continue with parts two, three and four. I was debating to end after just the robin, but weather here was just right for stitching.

...hope to see some of these pretty 'real' robins soon but it has been snowing and cold in Canada...giving me more time to stitch...lol

HaPpY SpRiNg EvErYoNe!

Quotes:
"Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world."-- Virgil A. Kraft
"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush."-- Doug Larson

The Gift of Easter

The Gift Of Easter

Easter is the gift of HOPE

Easter is the gift of PEACE

Easter is the gift of LOVE

Let us rejoice in Him,

Who gives them all.

May God bless you at Easter,

And keep you all year through.

May God give you all the faith it takes,

To make your dreams come true.

May His love and wisdom always help,

To guide you on your way.

May His light shine down upon you now,

To bless your Easter Day.

May your Easter be filled with Hope, Peace, and Love.

Robin Stitch Along Almost Completed

I am almost finished the third flower of Part Three, but still have lots of backstitching. Hopefully I will be finished shortly but have a special 80th birthday dinner and company coming for Easter.

Happy Easter Everyone.

I WON JO'S MARCH GIVEAWAY

Jo's March Giveaway

Beautiful isn't it! This is the March giveaway Jo posted on her blog. I was delighted to have been selected as the winner as I have admired Jo's embroidery and work very much. Her blog is one of my favorites and I check her site frequently. I will be delighted to own a sample of her work which is great inspiration to me.

Jo has perfected lots of fun stitches in this postcard including her beautiful bullion roses and Drizzle stitch on the fan. I recall how frustrated I was doing this bullion stitch for the first time back in August 2007 when I registered for my first Crazy Patch Class. But I LOVED the work and still recall how I redid my entire first block because the lace border I had inserted on my second seam was upside down. Why does perfection haunt me so?

Amazingly I found a great online Bullion Stitch Video Tutorial which was very helpful. What would I ever do without all the wonderful friends and advice I find online. I appreciate all you bloggers so very much.

Thank you to all of you for making my day!

QUOTE:

"Spring would not be spring without bird songs."

-- Francis M. Chapman

The Legend Of The First Robin

I am pleased to have completed Part One of the "The First Robin Of Spring Mystery" Stitch Along except for the bud and backstitching. I was hesitant to proceed further than Part One however when Pam posted Part Two March 8th, I just had to stitch along. The weather is too cold outside and it will be something to stitch watching curling.

I thought I would insert the following story re significant meaning of the robin to me.

"The Legend Of The First Robin"

One day, long ago, a little bird in Jerusalem saw a large crowd gathered around a Man carrying a heavy wooden cross.

On the Man's head was a crown made from a thorn branch.
The thorns were long and sharp.

The little bird saw that the thorns were hurting the Man.

It wanted to help Him, so it flew down and took the longest, sharpest thorn in its tiny beak.

The bird tugged and pulled until the thorn snapped from the branch. Then a strange thing happened.

A drop of blood fell onto the bird's breast, staining it bright red.

The stain never went away.

And so today the robin proudly wears a red breast,
because it helped a Man named Jesus.

- Unknown

I completed this outfit Sunday night (between cross stitching and quilt making...lol). I really enjoyed designing and making the accessories, using some jewelry from last summer's garage sale finds and pieces of chain remaining from another set. I made up the pattern for the hat as the dress pattern did not include a hat, but I decided this outfit will be perfect for those bright summer afternoon outings.It feels so GOOD to complete another WIP. Finding crocheting a very relaxing hobby, I enjoyed working on this dress while I watched curling on TV. This dress is Number 28 of the dresses I have made. Would you believe I also have purchased 29 similar dolls from a friend of mine! Then my other friend said I should start making my own and I have been hooked (pun) ever since! The last doll I complete is usually my favorite, so I will keep this for awhile before I decide to part with her. Now I have a black and pink gown in the works and have a black haired My Scene doll in mind to dress. I never rest, however I am very thankful for my eyesight and patience. (C:

My Second Seam Treatment Waiting for Embellishment

I loved the appearance of this fan stitch on Pamela's Band Sampler! And it was fun to stitch. However I now realize printed fabrics do not work too well in CP. I also used Perle cotton, now realizing embroidery floss may have given a nicer effect, but once I add my beads, this treatment will look better. I can hardly wait to complete this crazy patch but am concentrating work on Part One of Pamela's Mystery SAL. I seem to be much slower stitching than the other participants, but I promised myself to concentrate on completing each 'new' project I start this year.

My favorite quote for today:

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."-- Mother Teresa

More WIP's Finished

I have also started some new stitches on my crazy patch block #4, however I am not too happy with my 'initial' waste canvas technique ..hopefully my stitching will improve with practice as I think the larger size WC would have worked better! Now I will do the other seams. Please check back later to see the embellishments. I also learned from this (my very first CP) to use plain fabric so my stitching is not 'lost'!

I have almost completed the other three squares. These squares are 18 inches square and I have learned this is too large a size for a beginner like me! Because I loved the embellishing part, my poor husband is disappointed as he thought I was making a large 'QUILT' to keep him warm...alas this may be a wall hanging instead!

Yes, my Mystery Quilt is almost finished as I had set sewing aside before Christmas anticipating and my Dad's hospital stay. Remaining work on my quilt is sewing the five rows of blocks together and adding the inner/outer borders. Then I will post a picture. The fabrics are all batiks and I am quite pleased with the end result even though I had an unfortunate dilema with the background fabric. Would you believe the color of the dyes looked PEACHY...ALMOST ORANGE in my home lighting instead of the blue/green shades in the quilt shop! This mystery quilt is quite an invesment as I selected different fabric for background!

I feel very good today as I also completed a crocheted outfit for another one of my naked Barbie dolls. I find crocheting can be done much easier than other crafts. I will photo once accessories are done.

I also have supplies ready to start Pamela's Spring SAL. I am participating in the robin-spring themed project because my Dad, who passed away February 6th, 2008 loves robins and most other birds. His favorite hobby was building all sizes and shapes of birdhouses for their cottage at Clear lake.

Please see my other WIP's and completed projects here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/22417689@N03/

"When I count my stitches I count all my BLESSINGS too."

Finished Valentine Stitch Along

I finally completed my Valentine Mystery Stitch along and am excitedly purchasing supplies (floss and fabric) for my next SAL project.

Does it feel good to be completely finished! Now I have to decide where to have picture framed, then I will take a picture when complete. I saw a beautiful pictures of roses today with the saying 'Roses Mean Remembrance' as I mentioned I am framing these roses in loving memory of my Dad. Coincidentally, the beautiful rich color happened to be identical to the roses in his floral arrangement.
I am now doing some volunteer work for our local Art Gallery and hope to have work complete in time for Part One of the new 'spring' mystery stitch along. I have an idea one of Pam's design may be of a robin as the embroidery floss I purchased seem to be those shades of a robin's breast. Very pretty colors! I am anticipating this project, mainly because I LOVE spring so much! This winter has definitely been the coldest on record! These projects certainly do help pass the time.
I went to a church rummage today and did I find some beautiful little treasures - some sparkly jewelry pins, vintage buttons (3 packages for twenty cents) and beads that will work very nicely with my elegant stitches from Pam's new book. Please be watching...to be added to my next crazy patch project SOON!

Quote for today:

Sew much fabric, sew little time.

.

Pam Kellogg's Valentine Mystery Stitch Along Almost Complete!

Just this week, February 18th Pam Kellogg announced a new First Robin of Spring Mystery Stitch-Along, starting in March, therefore I am busy finishing Part Four of the Valentine SAL before I begin a new project. Although I have started another crocheted outfit for one of my Barbies as I find it easier to crochet while watching TV. Our Scott Tournament of Hearts Curling championships are on and I am trying to watch the games with my husband, one 'sport' we BOTH enjoy!
For 2008, I am sincerely trying to complete projects before starting any more new ones. However, since I am really happy with the way my Valentine project looks (despite the blackwork being my 'initial work' using this celtic stitching technique), I am tempted to try another mystery stitch along and have been collecting my materials hopefully being organized for Part One. I definitely did not complete by Valentine's Day, but I will complete the last half of Part Four this week. I am planning on having this completed cross stitch framed dedicating the picture in Loving Memory of my Father who passed away February 6th, 2008 after a lengthy illness the entire month of January. The hearts and roses in the picture seem to portray my love and devotion to him.
I am also excited to start another Crazy Patch using seam treatments from Pam's "Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments".
The LINK to Spring SAL is:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9654377
Please see my other WIP's and completed projects here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22417689@N03/

A WARM THOUGHT ON A BITTERLY COLD DAY

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

This is a photo of a partially complete Valentine Stitch Along project I signed up with online. Pamela does beautiful work and I admiringly visit her blog daily for inspiration and motivation. I hope to begin working on Part Three of the SAL shortly and will update this blog. Please find find more photos of my work here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22417689@N03/page2/

Now I will take a break from my WIP to visit my Dad in the hospital. He was 93 on December 3 and is having a difficult time. I have been praying God be merciful to him. It is very stressful watching Dad deteriorate. Working on my hobbies helps keep away negative thoughts. Nothing can take away my strong respect and love for my Dad.

An Email I received Touched Me

COPY:
QUILT OF HOLES
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries.. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."