Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Smalls SAL - February 26






Well, behind again. I was working on my I heart heart Gallifrey for February, but really got derailed this last 1 1/2 weeks with the illness of my mother. I am about 2/3rds finished...will get caught up soon.

In the meantime, please accept this other stitchery in its place. I worked on a project for the Don't Let the Door Stop You blog hop, and created a small stitchery with that...also from Vicky Ramage (Comastitch). Pattern available for purchase on Craftsy. I used the stitchery on a door stop. I just love gingham, and fell in love with this pattern.




Saturday, February 22, 2014

A Difficult Goodbye...







It is with difficulty and with sadness that I announce the passing of my mother yesterday morning.

I have thoroughly enjoyed helping to care for her in the nursing home where she spent the last two years of her life. The staff were very loving and of immense support all during this time.

Thank your Lord for giving this time to me...I know that not everyone gets it, and I am very grateful for the love and nurturing I was able to give her during such a dependant stage in her life.

We are all well here, and loving and supporting each other. Thank you for understanding my absence at this time.

Love to you all, be back soon.

xox




Wednesday, February 19, 2014

A Poem

received, I do not know the author, but it is very appropriate for me today.


I was regretting the past

And fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“My NAME is I AM.”
He paused.
I waited.  He continued.

“When you live in the past with its mistakes
and regrets, it is hard.  I am not there.”
My name is not…I WAS.

“When you live in the future, with its problems
and fears, it is hard.  I am not there.”
My name is not…I WILL BE.

“When you live in this moment…
It is not hard.  I am here.
My name is…I AM.”


Final Day Hugs & Kisses Blog Hop

Today is Day 5 and the last day of the Hugs and Kisses blog hop...


Feb 19th
 Lady Bente
Lady Kristen
Lady Linda
Lady Marcy
Lady Susie
Mdm Samm

Thank you Mdm Samm and Soma for a wonderfully creative and fun blog hop.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Hugs & Kisses Day 4


Have you been 'round to see today's sew creative and sweet projects?

Feb 17th

Lady Mary

Lady Vickie

Lady Anne

Lady Selina

Lady Theresa

Lady Jane

Another successful day of sewing love!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop - Day 3


Today, Day 3 of the Hugs and Kisses blog hop, is MY Day to show off what I have completed. Yay! Mesdames Samm and Soma worked together to give us three awesome paper piecing patterns and cheering us all on to greater heights of creativity!

I signed up for this hop, and then I went in search of how find out just what foundation paper piecing actually is.  I had seen some of Soma`s work before...after all she has created some very awesome Dr. Who paper piecing patterns (which I have saved to try my hand at later). And I had heard of Carol Doak, and it was recommended that I take her Craftsy class to learn how to paper piece. Found a link on her blog to save 25% off the course price (not sure when offer ends!). So how could I resist. Here is my first paper piecing experience...the Bird of Paradise.


I have decided that I really enjoyed the necessary organization required with this technique. I printed off my patterns, taped them together as needed. Decided on a fabric, and wrote the colour on each piecing section...it is so easy to forget! Then I measured each piece (not always successfully lol). Then I organized each piece of fabric as I cut them out...


This O was my first square. Which I quickly followed up with two x`s and a heart. I added 2 and 1/2 inch borders around each pieced square, then sewed them together like so...and then prepared them to quilt.


Seems tonight is not the night for me to quilt...this is my second and final attempt for tonight!

I`m not sure if I should use this as a table runner, or if I should make it into a wall hanging. Any thoughts?

Here is the pretty pink backing...


So that is it for me for tonight. Thanks for visiting and thanks in advance for any and all comments. Each is truly appreciated. Now I`m off to bed to nurse a sore tooth (on antibiotics for infection) Ugh, I really don`t like tooth pain!

And here are the others showing today...

Feb 14th
Lady Soma
 
Lady Laura Ann
 
Lady Doris
 
Lady Rexie
 
Lady Shari (you are here)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Initial Heart Swap - Received!!

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/

Woo Hoo! It`s here, it`s here. My pretty package from Evalina arrived today! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!


I could not resist taking a picture of the envelope. Firstly love the Canada flag packing tape! And most of all...I just love that she wrote to deliver with care. I can attest that it was...the UPS man left a sticker on my door with a cute little happy face. I wasn`t here at the time of delivery...but obviously he knew I would be very happy with the arrival of this awaited package! LOL



Next inside was the pretty pink tissue paper...ooh the anticipation!


And without a doubt, I was bowled over with the beautiful contents! I am sew feeling the love that went into this! I saw this beautiful heart cross stitch as Evalina left a sneaky peaky on her blog. I can admit to loving it on sight. It is even prettier in person! Such tiny, perfect stitching! The chocolate is already gone (unshared!) but I did stop to take a photo first.

The glass bead kit is very pretty. Yet another technique I have not tried...beading. You can bet I will be attempting it before the year is out LOL And the cross stitch pattern for the scissors keep, fob and heart box are amazing!

Thank you for being my swap partner Evalina! And thank you so much Cheryll for hosting and organizing this hop.

Hugs & Kisses Blog Hop - Day 2

 
 
Go, go, go, Ladies!!! The waiting is over, it is finally your day!! A big thank you to Mesdames Samm, and  Soma!
 
Feb 13th


Lady Beth
 
Lady Jenny
 
Lady Britt-Inger
 
Lady Carla
 
Lady Marian 
 
Lady Lyndsey


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Initial Heart Swap 2014

Woo hoo, my swap partner received her valentine's giftie...and in advance of the actual date. Now that makes me happy!

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/p/initial-heart-swap.html

Hosted by Cheryll at Gone Stitchin'


My swap partner was Evalina Z of Marsh Lake, YT.  And now that she has received it I can show you the fun things I sent for her...


These are the little packages she pulled from the mailing box. Wrapped in red tissue, they had various button decorations attached.


I love pretty, yet practical gifts. So, I knitted a double heart dishcloth.



I also learned a new technique called the duplicate stitch, where you stitch over top of an existing knit stitch. Thank you Craftsy. This was a new to me technique, but you can rest assured I will be using it again. To use this technique to add Evalina's initials, I needed a cloth with the heart done in knit and not purl like the first cloth...so I knitted up this second dishcloth.



 

And then of course, a dish towel is also required, so I used a towel I had purchased fabric for (with the red stripe down the sides) and hemmed it. Then I used a cookie cutter to trace out two hearts and embroidered them and added her initials.



And lastly, I added some treats...

 

Loose leaf tea from Le coin du The. (The corner tea). There are two types, one is roasted almond and the second a chocolate mint. They had cute little valentine packages complete with chocolate. I also added a mini tube of hand cream (wild rose)...and...the "fragile" package...




A little chocolate box from "The Chocolate Shoppe" (La maison du Chocolat). This darling little box opens up to contain mini heart chocolates and chocolate drops. It was so nicely wrapped that I didn't dare open it to take pictures. But it was tempting! Pat Lowe, the proprietor is a darling woman. Not only does she make awesome chocolate, but she also (annually) teaches a class at the local elementary school so the littles can make their own chocolate. My son loved it when he was there! She is a super sweet woman, and was very happy to learn that I would be sending off a piece of her work to the Yukon as part of my swap.



Finishing up now with just a group shot...

 

Best of all, I'm really glad to have pleased my swap partner with her little gifts! Happy Valentines Day Evalina! Oh, and I meant to mention in my (super quick, scribbled note so I wouldn't miss the post office deadline for mailing), it really is ironic, but my mom's maiden name is Marsh...it made me smile to see where you live.



xox

And thank you Cheryll. I truly enjoyed being part of your swap in 2014!


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Alzheimer's and Dementia

are mean, spiteful, degrading, and don't play fair; but I am blessed to know that God is in control and uses everything to the good. Some times if you look hard you will see the good, and other times you just have to accept that God knows best.

I am still praying to receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. With God's grace only, will I/we one day receive it.

Thank you for my moment of rambling...we return now to our regular programming LOL

Tomorrow, Wednesday February 12 is the start of the Hugs and Kisses Hop. I am so looking forward to seeing and showing. Hope you can join us!

 
Feb 12th


Lady Carol
 
Lady Sandy
 
Lady Cynthia
 
Lady Pat
 
Lady Jolie
 
Lady Susan

Monday, February 10, 2014

Signups open for newest hop...

Mdm. Samm and Thearica have a new hop opening up...


Don't know about you, but I for one have always wanted one of these little outdoor flags. Either one to hang off the front porch (house flag), or one of those darling little garden flags. I've never managed to bring myself to purchase one, and always wondered (yet never researched) the possibility of making my own. Hmmm.... This just might be the best time to start giving it some honest thought now.


 
Our dear Mdm. Samm has found an amazing online company as a sponsor...Flags on a Stick. Full disclosure is to be found on the Sew We Quilt blog, but this company has so many beautiful flags and other items...who knew that you could make your own decorated door mats??!! I don't think I have said "I want" as often since I was a child in the candy store!

Decorative poles can also be purchased through The Flag Outlet. There are some beautiful artistic items to be seen and drooled over. Never mind the flowers, just sprinkle these throughout your yard LOL

This promises to be another fun adventure...for blog participants and viewers. I am truly on the edge of my chair in anticipation of this one!

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Hugs and Kisses blog hop



and


 will be joining the following Ladies in Waiting to hand out hugs and kisses starting Wednesday. I am really looking forward to seeing the creations of this hop. New to paper piecing...but it is quickly becoming (yet another) addiction.

Feb 12th


Lady Carol
 
Lady Sandy
 
Lady Cynthia
 
Lady Pat
 
Lady Jolie
 
Lady Susan
Feb 13th


Lady Beth
 
Lady Jenny
 
Lady Britt-Inger
 
Lady Carla
 
Lady Marian 
 
Lady Lyndsey
Feb 14th
Lady Soma
 
Lady Laura Ann
 
Lady Doris
 
Lady Rexie
 
Lady Shari
Feb 17th
Lady Mary
 
Lady Vickie
 
Lady Anne
 
Lady Selina
 
Lady Theresa
 
Lady Jane
Feb 18th
Lady Lana
 
Lady Judy
 
Lady Shanna
 
Lady Amanda
 
Lady Kay
Feb 19th
 Lady Bente
 
Lady Kristen
 
Lady Linda
 
Lady Marcy
 
Lady Susie
Mdm Samm


Paper piecing project

Woo hoo! Isn't this little bird of paradise just sew darn cute?!


And yet another addicting technique!

Saturday, February 8, 2014

FNWF






Did most of my sewing in previous post...did some more yesterday on Sunbonnet Sue, but have no photo's to share. Also working on my Smalls 2014 cross stitch project for February, though I bet my stitched pattern on the doorstop would count as such in a pinch. No photos in case my sly son is lurking about my blog as it is for him, but I will say that so far I have most of the (I) done and a (heart). Shhh...the rest is secret. Hoping to complete before Friday.

Thanks for stopping by...it really was a photoless Friday night. Will make up for it with completed photos later this week!

Happy Weekend!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Don't Let the Door Stop You

This is the final day of the double hop She Who Sews and Don't Let the Door Stop You. There have been some very creative and beautiful projects shared.

I was not going to do this hop. My original intention was to take a break and get some of the other projects on my long list of Things to Do...done. But, when I saw Sunbonnet Sue, I immediately emailed Carla and practically begged to be let into this hop. You see, the only room I need a doorstop in is my bedroom, and I just knew what fabric I would pull from my stash. I used leftover floral fabric from when I shortened the premade floral curtains I had purchased. And the plaid (?) fabric is from a recycled bedskirt from this set as well.

Then, during the hop, another blogger presented Sunbonnet Sue for her project. And a stunning Sue she was. Silly me, I let myself feel intimidated and thought that maybe, I should do a different door stop. Not that I am as design creative as I would like to be, I used another free pattern, but changed it up a bit by using a cross-stitch piece (Vicky Ramage on Craftsy) and I just love how it turned out.




Lesson learned? Do the best you can regardless....so here is Sue. Still in a state of disarray and undress...held together with pins. Will post a picture once she is done. Hoping to have time tomorrow to finish her up!

Until then, thank you Carla and Mdm. Samm for another fun filled adventure...and be sure to visit today's list of wonderful and creative projects!