A Christmas Letter From Josie

Ho Ho Ho,

This is so funny. I watch my mommy surf the blogs night after night and she is always amazed at the wonderful stitching items that fellow bloggers send to each other. She knows that it is her turn to join into the fun and stitch something for someone else but I think she is scared her work is not up to their quality.


Well, today I got one step up on her. Today in the mail a very lovely handmade stocking was sent to me from my very favorite Aunt. She lives very far away and I have never had the chance to meet her but I know that very soon she will be coming out to spend lots of quality time with me and oh yeah, my parents.


Here is lovely picture of the wonderful stocking that I got with my name on it. Oh, of course I had to pose with it. It is the holiday season of taking family photos and I think this occasion calls for a picture of me.
My wonderful aunt does the most amazing plastic canvas work. She could make a career out of it and I know she could sell millions...... Maybe I should be named in her will instead of my parents.

Here is a closer shot of it. Mom made me get out of the shot. Gee whiz.....

You should be here with me tonight. My dad is busy baking his wonderful holiday cookies and the house smells so lovely. My poor mom is busy cleaning house. I have been a big help to her tonight. After she washes a spot on the floor I run over to look closer and let her know if she has missed a spot. For some reason after I walk away sure enough a new spot appears. I guess I have helped her so much tonight she is giving me a break by shutting the door so that I can lay down and rest. The holidays are so much work.

Well, I am going to curl up by the tree and enjoy my new stocking. Poor mom... Hopefully she finds some time soon to sit down a stitch for a friend. I know that will put a smile back on her face.

Merry Christmas to all my friends. May 2009 be a happy and healthy new year for you all.

Love, Josie

Bad, Bad Blogger

Okay, so I am heading towards getting a huge lump of coal for xmas since I have been a really bad blogger. Sorry.... What can I say. First Thanksgiving was here and with the weather being nice I had to go outside and help with the yard decorations for xmas. So, with that done the next job was to start thinking about ideas for xmas presents but that didn't happen too quickly. WHY!!!! Well, let me tell you the great news. Josie went to test for her certification to be a Therapy Dog. Yippee, she did it with flying colors. We were so proud of her. Now it is time for me to sit down and fill out the paperwork that goes along with the testing. YUCK..... I hate paperwork. Okay, so now another week has passed by and what did I get done in stitching?

During the week after Thanksgiving I started and finished.... Gertie Gobble from Bent Creek.

I hope to make her into a standup but that will have to wait until after xmas. So, next I felt like doing a bit of knitting and made a couple of dishcloths from a pattern for Breast Cancer Awareness that I found on the Internet. I just love the pink cotton yarn I found.

If you are interested in getting this easy pattern go to http://knitwits-heaven.tripod.com/breast_cancer_awarenesst.htm. This was a very quick project. Course, then I got excited to find a couple of xmas patterns to knit but gave up when the first one didn't turn out. Okay, so maybe knitting isn't my favorite hobby. So, to wind down from that disater I decided I needed to read a book and picked up Nicholas Spark's book called "The Guardian". It was so good I couldn't stop reading to pick up my cross stitch or update my blog. Again, bad, bad, bad blogger.

Since my shopping is just about done, the xmas tree is up and decorated, I allowed myself to pick up a bit of stitching and worked a tiny bit more on La-D-Da's Bushel & a Peck. I don't think this will be done in time for xmas since we still need to wrap the gifts, put up the xmas village, and bake some cookies. Oh yeah, and the most important part, attend a few parties.

Maybe I will be more together next year..... Or not....

JOSIE - sends you love and happiness for a great holiday season and blessings for a great 2009.

Till I find time to sit and blog again, have a safe and quiet night.....

Happy Thanksgiving Stitchers

Thanksgiving Ghost
The last piece of apple pie is gone;

How did it disappear?

The bowl of delicious stuffingHas also vanished, I fear.
It happens each Thanksgiving,When leftover goodies flee,

And each of us knows the responsible one

Couldn’t be you or me.
The only way it could happen

Is readily diagnosed;

It must be the crafty, incredibly sneaky,

Still hungry

Thanksgiving ghost.

By Karl Fuchs

Hope that all you fellow stitchers find time today to sit a bit and stitch today. I am enjoying a quiet morning before all the family time starts to watch the Macy's parade and stitch up "Gobble Gertie" from Bent Creek. Maybe I will have it done for tomorrow and pictures to follow later.

Enjoy your day......

Another Manic Monday

Happy Monday fellow bloggers. Did you survive the day? I did and I sure do hate Monday's. But, now that the day is almost over a feeling of calmness is settling in.

Over the weekend I got some stitching done that I hope to make into a xmas gift. It is from La-D-Da called "Bushel & a Peck". I am doing it on 28 count "Foglifter". This saying is one that my mom's favorites and I am trying to think of a neat way to finish it off when I am done. I would like to somehow incorporate it with a shadow box frame with a couple of old family photos or maybe even put it into a covered photo album. If anyone has any other ideas please let me know. I hope to have the stitching done this week so that I have enough time to get it finished.

Gosh, I am trying to get better at blogging and sometimes I need to hide away from everyone so that I can think about what to blog. Well, look at this. Josie doesn't seem to want to obey my wishes. It is amazing how quickly dogs learn to open doors.

I cannot complain, she had a very rough week last week. We had to take her to Purdue Vet school for tests. She was a good dog and seemed to have enjoyed getting extra playtime in with everyone there. Bad part, they played with her late into the night and the next night when we got her home she decided that playing at 3am was fun.

Since she had to have a test done which means removing some of her fur they did give her a really pretty bandanna to wear for the holiday to cover up her missing fur. I think she likes it. I know I do.

Well, stay tuned for more updates. My fans are complaining again that I am not keeping up with my postings so I plan to hit this again as soon as I can.

Recent Buys

Fall time is my most favorite time of the year. I love the trees changing colors and the wonderful fall days when it is just warm enough to wear a sweatshirt while raking leaves. Okay, I don't enjoy raking leaves and it is so amazing for someone that has no trees in her front yard on how many leaves I have to end up raking. Okay, maybe it is a pay back for when I did have the most amazing maple tree that changed into the most fabulous colors. Course, we decided to build a planter box around the base of this old maple tree and ended up killing it. Oh well...

So, to add to my enjoyment of fall time I picked up "Harvest Time" by Prairie Schooler at my local stitch shop.

http://www.prairieschooler.com/books/bk93.htm

Sorry, I don't know how to add a picture from their website to my blog.

Also, I picked up an old pattern from Waxing Moon Designs called "Autumn Minis" since it had a really cute turkey that I think I will stitch into a pincushion.

I also enjoy doing Redwork and went out to review the patterns at Crab-Apple Hill Studios. Take a look at this link of the really cute Snowman that I purchased.

http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com/items/411_vintage_candy_cane_snowman.aspx

I will have to jump into doing this one as soon as possible. It will make a really nice Christmas gift as a pillow for a special friend.

I know that I haven't given you much of an update on my stitching progress but I should be just about done with Blackbird Design "Blessings & Kind Wishes" which is from their Loose Feathers collection. Stay tuned since I did change the fabric color and it is turning out really nice.

Well, I wanted to give a small update on what is happening since I have heard that I don't post enough.... Enjoy Ladies... More to follow.

Finished Project

Wow, I did it... I have finished another project on my own. What another huge step. If I play my cards right I should have one more item done this weekend. We will see what tomorrow brings.

This is the project I received in September at the Shepherd's Bush Retreat. It is called Shared Stitches 2008. On one side is the alphabet used with the names of all the designers that were at this retreat. It has been finished into a pinkeep designed by Merry Cox. She wrote the best instruction sheet for finishing this. Thank you "Merry Cox"....

I have to admit that there are very few items that I have totally completed from the past retreats. My goal from now is to work on these items and get them done before I head out for any new retreats. Also, if I do a good job I should be able to finish them myself except for anything that I will have framed.

"I am a TV star" says Josie..... Yep, she is all excited that yesterday on Halloween her picture was shown on the Chicago CBS morning news show. Wow, she is still beside herself that Ed Curran showed her picture from last year dressed as a skunk.... Hey, stop laughing. At least she will be remembered. Sad part, I don't think they even understood her costume. Well this year she played it up big waiting on the front porch for the kids. She was the queen of her castle

From our house to yours ---- Happy Halloween..... Love Josie

Weekend Projects

This weekend has gone by fast but I have to say that I did enjoy myself by spending many hours doing nothing more than stitching. I have been working on "Blessings and Kind Wishes" by Blackbird Designs. Here is a picture of what I have gotten done this weekend.

I am doing this on 28 count Sand Dune. I love how the colors are popping on this fabric.


My other big "HUGE" accomplishment for the weekend is a hanging pillow that I have finished all by myself. I have to say that this took a lot longer to complete than I expected but the joy I have in knowing that I did this myself is amazing. This is a Workbasket pattern that I picked up in Utah a few weeks ago at the Shepherd's Bush Retreat. I stitched this with a piece of fabric I purchased at the retreat and I don't know what the count or fabric name is. I used Gentle Arts color Raspberry Parfait and attached a flower charm also purchased at the retreat. I made and added cording to this small pillow which was a first for me. I did some research on the Internet on how to make cording and I have to tell you that examples I found were all I needed in getting this accomplished.

I have a couple more projects completed but I want to finish them before I post a picture of what they are. Hopefully I will continue to have luck in my finishing endeavors. Stay tuned.

Josie wanted to be in the picture with Mommy's finished project. She has been such a good doggy lately that I could not turn down the chance to add her into the picture.

Lost in Time

Wow, I am so sorry that I have become a lazy blogger. I have to admit that I have been a busy lady with the day to day activities we all have in our lives. I even got to the point that my stitching has been put aside.

So, to catch up on what is new first requires me to address an award I got back in August.

Thank you... Stitches of Life....

So, to repay the favor here are the rules and my picks for awards....

The rules of the award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

My favorite blogs are the following:

Susimac at http://susimac.blogspot.com/

MaryKathryn at http://marykathryn.wordpress.com/

Tina and Terry at http://shepherdsbushblog.blogspot.com/

Laura Perin at http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/

Vonna at http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/

Next, guess what....????? I just got back from Utah after attending Shepherd's Bush Stitching Retreat. What a wonderful time and place. Here are some pictures from the retreat.. Make sure you go their blog to see other pictures....

Here we are after our banquet having fun saying goodbye to all of the new friends me made.

I will try to keep posting in the next month or two my progress on all of the kits I got. I had the privilege to take classes from the following:

R&R Productions

Merry Cox

Jacqueline Holdsworth from Ackworth Samplers

The other track that was available had:

Shepherd's Bush

Charland Designs

Blackbird Designs

The best item of all was that we each received a charm bracelet at the beginning of the retreat and then at each class you went to you got a charm that was designed by the designer and made by Charland Designs. I will have to take a picture of the bracelet and post it for you to see.

Well, I need to run but I wanted to let you all know that I am still out there and need to become a better blogger. Stay tuned as the projects are starting to take shape again.

Olympics

Well, my buddy blogger "Spinster Stitcher" came up with the idea to stitch patriotic projects while watching the Olympics. Well, I did that and here is the project I worked on (still needs to be ironed and buttons sewn on). This is "Scatter Freedom" by Shepherd's Bush. I think I might have to do a couple more patterns quickly before the games end. Thanks for the idea fellow blogger and anxious to see you this Saturday in LaPorte.

By the way - 2006 Prairie Schooler Limited Santa is done. I am excited for August 25th to get here and start on 2007 Limited Santa next. At this rate I will have several Christmas patterns done to enjoy this holiday season.

Going Pink

In honor of a special survivor in my life I presented the following pillow to my buddy Denise. She has a strength that is so amazing and such a great outlook on life. As I stitched this pillow for her I thought of her struggles and pain and wished them all away with each stitch I took.

The pattern is by Lizzie Kate called "Peace, Love, and a Cure". I bought this pattern from my LNS and waited to see what Shepherd Bush had come up with in stitching and finishing of this pattern. I knew it would be so spectacular and it is. They stitched the pattern on a larger count fabric that has a bit of glitter to it. They also had the finishing fabric available for making this into a pillow which really sets the design off. The picture just doesn't do this justice.

Here is the back.

Here is to bringing sunshine and hope to everyone out there that has a story about someone special in their life and the struggles life has presented to them. Keep the strength going and hope that someday we will be even more prepared to win the battles we are presented with. Denise, you are my hero and a true survivor. Have a Happy Birthday and many, many more years of happiness, love, and good health. XOXOXOX

Merry Christmas

I heard of a neat idea from a fellow stitcher about working on a Christmas projects every month starting on the 25th for a week. That way you will be able to get more Christmas projects done on time. So, after hearing this wonderful idea I went to my stash and found the wonderful limited edition Santa's from Prairie Schooler that I had set aside.

So for the first project I worked on the 2005 - Here Comes Santa -- Hurray, he is finished.

Well, yes, he is stitched but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with him so I set it aside and waited for the next month's Christmas week and started 2006 - Dear Santa.

I started the 2006 during May while I was gone on vacation but did not get a chance to pick him back up until now. I worked all weekend on him and I am excited to say that he will be done by Thursday. Course, I stitched my poor fingers sore yesterday on him. Need to find a better needle.

In August I plan on starting 2007 "Let it Snow" and work my way into completing the newly released 2008 "By the Chimney" Santa. I know, perfect timing in getting the new one added to my stash.

I am excited that each of these patterns are finishing up to be the same size and material. I am thinking of finding a way to frame the four designs together into one frame. I have seen where East Side Moldings has taken each design and framed them the same and then incorporated all four frames inside of a bigger frame. Here is what they did with a newly released SamSarah design "Six Stockings in a Row". Hey, this is also in my Christmas stash.

So, think about it. What a great way to get ahead of your Christmas projects.... Not only stitched but finished in time to get the attention of your local framer or finisher.

PS... My fellow blogging friend, Stitches of Life ... I attended our local county fair and saw some of your wonderful work. Great job as always... You have to be proud of your son too.... He did a fabulous job.

La D Da Weekend

I just realized tonight that I forgot to show off the wonderful door prize that I won at the La-D-Da function on July 12th. It is a decorated tin can filled with DMC colors used in most of Lori's projects. What a treat it was to win this. Since I had a new pattern to try and fabric in my stash I headed over to my prize can and found all the colors I needed. Thanks Ladies... You made my day and weekend.

So, the pattern that I started with the colors is "Mocking Bird". I am not sure what the fabric is that I had in my stash but after looking at the colors next to it I figured it was a go. I am not the best at selecting fabric. Guess I need to learn and now is the time to try.

I also got some work done on the class project. I really cannot wait to finish this one and try my hand at finishing this myself.

Recently while reviewing several other blogger's sites I ran across a finished project of Haberdashery Designs that I have to try. It is called Voodoo Boy. I have picked up a 28 count black joblean (spelling - not sure about) and from my stash of threads I found some the brightest DMC colors. I have several of these to make. Voodoo Boy seems to be a needed stress release for some workers I know. The names are being left off to protect the innocent.

Hey Coni, if you think you have issues with Stewey not picking up his toys take a look at what my Josie is up to tonight. Not only did she pull out most of her toys she then decided she was too bored to play any more. I think the two of them need to meet and have a lesson on how to pick up their toys. Cannot leave all that fun to their Mommies.... Can we.....

Well, Josie says it is time to get ready for David Letterman. Which means it is time to sneak into bed with Mommie and steal her pillow. Good night and sleep tight.....

Wedding Sampler Update!!!

Well, as you can see I still have lots to go on the sampler. I was asked over the weekend to give a progress update and I have to say I am so sorry for being so slow at updating my progress. I was excited to find 1/16th ribbon floss from LNS. The color is oatmeal and looks great against the material and ecru DMC floss. So, progress continues and hopefully by the weeks end I should have more done.

This was a wonderful weekend. On Saturday I attended a luncheon put on by a group of ladies from our local area and our guild NANI who brought in Lori Markovic - La D Da. Lori designed a special project for us and as soon as I get mine completed I will post a picture. Lori is such a great teacher and this was my second opportunity to have a class with her. She brought along many items for sale and of course I added to my La D Da stash.

Another neat thing happened at the event. I got the great chance to meet another fellow blogger who has a blog that keeps me going on a daily basis and in stitches. Please add Spinster Stitcher to your list of blogs to review. I know you will truly enjoy this amazing lady her side kick Stewy. I also got the chance to meet her sister. They are truly a great pair of ladies.

Today I took a quick moment to take a few pictures of our lilies before they are gone. They are so pretty and I just could not stop taking pictures.

Well, before the day is over I am going to head outside and enjoy the last bit of cool weather. What a gorgeous day we had. I am so tired from all of the work we did outside today but feel great knowing that I did get some things accomplished.

Wedding Sampler

It's Saturday,

At the last monthly guild meeting someone brought in a box (a huge box) of old cross stitch magazines that someone was trying to find a happy home for. After going through hundreds of magazines I ran across this 1986 issue of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine. On the cover was lovely wedding sampler that I could not resist doing. I made a trip last Saturday to my favorite LNS and purchased 25 count dirty linen for this project. The designer called for using three strands of DMC but after starting with that I was not happy with how it was turning out. So, I have changed it to two strands and I think it looks much better.

I have a question though that I need help on. There is a border that runs around the design that calls for using 1/16 silk ribbon and then doing a statin heart over it. I cannot find 1/16th ribbon and was trying to think of something else to use instead. Help??????

Well, today will be a fun day here at home. We have a graduation party to attend and then we have to hurry home for the town parade and festival. The nice thing about living close to the festival is that it makes it easy to run over to the festival each night and buy an elephant ear or ice cream cone

Have a great weekend....

Father's Day

Father's

What a special person that we have received in our lives. A person that has worked hard to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table, and values to use in our adult life.

There are so many special memories that I have of my dad that I would like to share. These memories always make my heart sing and put a smile on my face.

-- Christmas morning being woken by a old fashion camera with lights brighter than the sun shining into my eyes. Walking into the living room and seeing a Barbie Doll Dream house, Chatty Cathy doll, and another doll house taller than me. And poor Dad so tired since he stayed up all night putting them together.

--Vacations taken out west and seeing the old west with Indians dancing. Going to bed that night in a hotel and being afraid that the Indians would come and steal me away.

--Spending the afternoon picnic after church at the airport just to watch 10 jets take off. Okay, so I just aged myself.

--Fishing with a plastic worm that caught so many fish that Dad could not get them all of the line fast enough to fish himself.... Off came the plastic worm and into the lake it went.

--Sunday afternoons wrestling with Dad on the floor while he tried to watch Sunday Football.

--Going camping on my birthday and being the only campers in the park. Why? It was snowing and the campground maintenance people were turning off the water for the year.

--Dad and I being the only brave souls to sit outside on a cold and windy day to have a campfire.

--Dad helping me rescue baby birds that had fallen out of their nest due to a storm. Using his warm hands and breath to warm them up.

These are just a few of the memories that make my dad so special to me....

Happy Father's Day Dad..... I love you.....

Patriotic Themes

The summer time is my favorite time because I can put out all of the patriotic projects that I have completed. Well, okay, I need to complete some more and I have to say that anything with red, white, and blue in it will be added to my stash.

Here is a picture of Liberty Sam from Lizzie Kate. I was lucky enough to have my LNS send him off to be finished for me. Well, I started the process and then figured it would get done faster, no, it would get done better if I had someone else that was experienced complete it for me. I was right. She did a great job.

Also, the USA is a Prairie Schooler design that I got free a long time ago at my local LNS shop. I love to get their free patterns and of course I do love buying their patterns.

Wow, I cannot believe that I am actually posting again in under a week. Now I now I am a blog addict.

Dinky Dyes - Celtic Knotwork Cross

Well, after successfully completely the latest Loose Feathers Design - Rites of Spring I jumped into a new project that I though would be a quick weekend project. Well, look at these pictures and let me know what you think. Hint: this involved a lot of frogging and today is Tuesday.

Working with Dinky Dyes is such a treat. I did discover to keep the pattern of variegation going and to stay in line with the chart I had to work threads up both sides of the cross evenly. I found this out when the lines crossed over and they didn't match. This pattern has a lot of quarter stitches in it which I have to say I have not done in years. So, that added to my challenge of staying in line. I am using three strips of highlighting tape to mark my progress on the chart.

On a lighter note: I just returned from a fantastic retreat put on by Moss Creek Designs. If you are looking for an exciting and challenging retreat this is one not to miss. I had the opportunity to take a class from Jane Timmers - Fancywork, Jackie du Plessis - It's Fine-ally Finished, and of course Rae Iverson of Moss Creek Designs. The class sizes were wonderful and the projects are amazing. I have a lot of work ahead of me in completing them and learning some new stitches. I know that this will be a repeat retreat for me in the future. Plus, I had to chance to travel out by family and enjoy time with them. So, two wonderful events at once - stitching and family.

Well, it is off to work on this cross again. Good evening and good stitching.

New Blackbird and SamSarah Projects

Wow, I have truly fallen behind in my posting. Well, to let you know what I have recently finished here are a couple of pictures. The first picture is a design from Blackbird called "Easter Parade". This pattern offered two different patterns and so far I have just finished the basket but hope to get the rabbit pattern done next. I had this finished in a fancy victorian style to be a bit different. I just love how this turned out.

The next is a SamSarah pattern called "Creepy". I got the pattern and material from a retreat with Shepherd's Bush back in 2006 in Park City, Utah. I was lucky enough to get it finished the same way they had it done. It is always great to take a camera with you.

Hope you enjoy my "Josie". She will be a year old next weekend and is the pride and joy of my life. She has been a loving puppy that also likes to be in the center of attention. Course, I don't mind and she does look great next to my projects.

Signing off to finish up more stitching. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Watch for more updates to come.