Are you ready for Fall?

I'm getting there.  I found small baskets at The Flower Factory (I knew I would.), just right for making a pin cushion out of my retreat exchange stitching.  I weighted the bottom with a small bag of plastic beads, then topped it off with fiber fill.  I feel like I'm all thumbs making these kinds of things.  I used some of my chenille trim from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe around the rim.

The little black bird is so cute.  What a cute idea to use a snap.

This is for an exchange in October and will be put in a gift bag. Everyone that wants to participate will bring a smalls exchange in a gift bag too.  Then you'll get to pick one when your number/ticket is pulled.  So it will be a surprise unless you figure out which bag is mine, and I'll try hard to keep that a secret.

I got out my fall table runner to take these pictures. 

My Mystery SAL is coming along very nicely.

The little trims will be sewn on at the end right after all that 'river rock' satin stitching is completed.  But first, part 3 must be stitched.

I didn't use the linen suggested in the chart.  This is 32 ct. Illusion from Silkweaver Cross Stitch Fabrics. I LOVE it.  The touch of sparkle is like a starry Halloween night.

 

I got a package in the mail yesterday.  I did a little on line stitching at Stitching Bits and Bobs' recent sale.  One day I'll stitch all PS's different bee skeps. 

This is a huge sampler but I really like the simplicity of it.  The picture is deceiving.

Diane of  Nan's Needlework Notions started this with blue thread when we got together for our mini stitch retreat.  I had never seen it before and it's really cute. 

Part 2 of the Mystery SAL gave me fits.  I ripped the left hand border, I ripped the third line of words and I ripped 4 of the 5 squares at the bottom.  So what better tool than a boo boo stick to get all those pesky loose threads.  Hopefully, this will give me good luck so I won't have to rip anything on part 3.

I would love to collect one of every color of this thread.  This one is Crown Jewels.

Are you tired of pictures yet?  One more.  I got my part 3 today of the Mystery SAL.  I had some purple Picture this Plus Fabric from their fabric of the month club. Just right for the extra small chart included with part 2.  It's 32 count.  My LNS had some Weeks lime green and orange that I'll use for the other two bonus charts.  It's 30 count and I wish you could see that green.  It's practically neon.

Aaaannnnnnddddd, that's it.  Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend if you're in the US.  I'm looking forward to some R and R.  Thanks for visiting and leaving me a comment.  I really appreciate the time you take to do that.

Marsha

Secret Stitcher

Wow, it's been a month since my last post.  It just seems to be a pain to take pictures, download pictures, try to get them into a file that's user friendly, get into blogger, upload pictures, wait, wait, wait some more and see if blogger is going to upload them all or stop in the middle, if not, post some and then retry,....blah blah blah. I just don't have the patience sometimes. I guess a lot of times this August. Too bad, so sad. Now that I've bored you to tears, let's see what my secret stitcher gifted me with Friday night.

Ta da! A cute bucket.

 Hanging from the handle, a car diffuser - pink sands.  Friend sayings decorate the bucket.

Tucked inside were lots of goodies. Loose, peach tea with a cute little house tea infuser.

Adorable new ort jar with a Hello Kitty tin filled with tiny raspberry candies and another cute tin with a magnet inside.

Two new quilt patterns.

A wool felt candle mat kit.  I can't wait to try this.  After assembly it looks like some easy blanket stitching to decorate the penny circles.  Very cute.

And here's the bucket without it's tissue and bow.  Very cute and useful for toting adorable acrutrements.

Thanks a bunch secret stitcher.  You know how to spoil a girl.


Marsha

This and That

Nan's Needlework Notions gifted me when I visited her with these pretty little scissors.  Love them.

The Inspired Stitcher and I have a thing for Hello Kitty.  I don't know why.  She's just adorable and cute.  For my birthday, she gave me this tin and inside was...

this, stinkin' cute pin cushion.  Dressed up as a bee, no less.  Love it.  Thanks a bunch Lisa.

My secret stitcher was back in action. This is a bad picture but it is a gorgeous lavender plant.  It has a really cute plant poke.

Hanging from that plant poke was this stitched pillow in my favorite color.  So, so pretty and I love the saying.  Thank you again secret stitcher friend.  I love everything.

Like I don't have anything else to do I started Penny America.  I got a good start but have put it aside to finish and start other projects.  I'll get back to it.  I'm using 36 ct. macadamia nut linen and the called for over dyed floss.  It's seems like a pretty quick stitch, so far.

Before you know it, fall will be here and I wanted to have my stitching done for the smalls exchange for the retreat in October.  I am done with the stitching part and have a cute finish in mind.  Stay tuned. 

Oh, and this is Illusion 32 ct. linen from Silkweavers.  I can't believe you can actually see the sparkle in this picture.  Anyway, you know that Lizzie Kate Mystery Halloween sampler?  Yeah.  I got sucked in.  Those are the threads and that's the linen I'm using.  I will have an update picture soon.  It looks great.

Thanks for your comments.  I enjoy reading them and appreciate the time it takes to write them.

Marsha

Farmer's Market

Not a stitchy post today so, you can skip if that's what you're looking for.  But I heard in the back of my mind a tiny little voice from Linda K., "Marsha, when are you going to blog again.  I keep checking, but I haven't seen anything"  So, until I download my stitching progress these will have to do.

First up.  I like to try recipes from magazines but I'm usually disappointed.  This one I just had to try from Martha Stewart Living.  2 lbs. of strawberries sprinkled with 5 Tbs. of honey, baked at 300 degrees for 1 hr. 45 min.  Makes a delightful topping for yogurt, ice cream, biscuits etc.  I added in a bunch of blueberries.  It turned out great.  Here's the before picture and sadly no after.  (don't know what I was thinking)  I bought my strawberries at the Loveland Farmer's Market held every Tuesday from 3 - 7.

I love bread.  Most any kind of bakery bread.  Chewy yeasty goodness.  There are two major bakers at the Farmer's Market.  I usually buy from one and had to give the new one a chance since the line was 10 people long.  I chose the country french.  Looks beautiful.  My only complaint - lots of big airy holes.  Fillings fall through but I had a plan.

 -

A local deli serves a mean caprese panini sandwich and I wanted to duplicate it.  Here are my fresh farmer market tomatoes sprinkles with salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar (the dark puddles).

A layer of large basil leaves (my own) covered the holes on one slice, then the mozzarella cheese, then the tomatoes to hold in the cheese from the other slice's holes.  Into the fry pan and....

Lord have mercy my own caprese sandwich for dinner.  Soooo good.

One of the vendors selling lavender and flowers had ice cold water to drink.  It was pretty to look at and so refreshing I knew I had to make my own.  One large mason jar.  Pare and slice 1/2 cucumber (fresh from the market), a few chunks of watermelon, and a large sprig of rosemary (my own), fill with ice and pour water in to fill, shake, let sit for a bit and enjoy.  I can't tell you how refreshing and tasty this is.  I kept refilling with water for a couple of days.  You'll know when it done and then start over.  I added a few sprigs of lavender the second time I made it which sweetened it - I was surprised.  I'm not a lemon water fan but do like the cucumber a LOT.

I always like to buy some flowers at the market.  The sunflowers have been gorgeous and the vendor added in the cattails for a nice touch.

Stitch news next time.  I've been busy.  Visit your local Farmer's Market and support your area's hard working farmers.

Marsha

Indiana Trip

Last Friday I had a trip planned to go see a couple of stitching friends. Before I left, however, I opened my birthday present from Patti.  She had strict instructions on the package 'DO NOT OPEN UNTIL JUNE 29'.  It was a difficult couple of days walking by and not opening but I persevered. Here are the goodies I received:

This is an adorable wool felt pouch with a zipper on top.  And look, there's a bee on it.  One of my most favorite things.  Just adorable.  But there's more:

 A gorgeous new needle minder with intricate stitching over one.  Isn't it wonderful.  A brand new pair of scissors and a cool fob with a bee on the end done in bee colors.

Thank you so much Patti.  I love everything and can't wait to show the girls Friday night at Keepsakes.

By 1:30 I was all packed and ready to rock and roll over to Indiana. It was one of those lovely 100 degree days and was thankful to have air conditioning.  Passed the Hollywood casino (never been), fields of corn with their leaves curling in the heat, and lots of farms.  Listening to an audio book makes the time go quickly an before too long I was at Nan's Needlework Notions  gorgeous abode out in the country.  We quickly got things out of the car and into air conditioned comfort with a big 'C'.  I got a tour, settled my things and we chatted happily while we awaited One Stitch Closer to Nirvana.  After she was settled we made our way to the fantastic basement to stitch our hearts out.  These were some of our silent companions and they each had a unique countenance

This was my comfortable sleeping arrangement.  I had quite a light show Sat. during the night with a huge electrical storm.  Very cool.

Harley was our stitching mascot.  A 12 year old youngster in the middle of it all.  He's adorable.

Our view when having meals.  Sunday morning brought a big buck for our viewing pleasure.

My stitching companions on a morning change of scenery.

Nan graciously taught us how she makes cubes to show her stitching.  It was quick and easy and fun to do.  We were trying to convince her to do a tutorial on her blog.  It really is quite the bomb.  I am now the proud owner of a foam cutter so I can make all the cubes I desire.

Measuring is important but if you can measure a piece of linen you can measure for a cube.

An action shot of adhering batting to the Styrofoam cube.

The end result.  I've had this stitched for a few years and knew I didn't want it framed and pillow making didn't appeal either.  This is just right.

The back.

I already have another all planned out for a baby shower gift.  I'll show it off when complete.

All in all it was a wonderful relaxing weekend.  Nan is an awesome hostess.  We ate well had snacks galore watched mindless but entertaining TV but mostly stitched.  I'll show 'Beauty' soon.  She's coming along quite well. 

Marsha