Tons of Goodies and a Market Giveaway

I promised pictures of the goodies that I was lucky enough to pick up while I was at market.  While this is not everything, most of it made it into this picture.  (Sorry if it is a little dark, we've had rain for the last four days and also got caught in the Tropical Storm Nicole remnants so my lighting is less than desirable.)

Not pictured are some additional charts from Raise the Roof, Miss Crescent's Crowne and Sam Sarah as well as a Jenny Bean T-Shirt from Shakespeare's Peddler.  I also came home with some Crescent Colors Cottons and Belle Soie.  YUMMY!!!  (Thank you dearest Sharon!!!!  Kisses!!!!)

Lately, I've really been into Lakeside Linen and I've got quite the stash to prove it.  However, I've seen many of you using linen from Picture This Plus.  So, since I was unlucky lucky enough to have them just down the hall, I took a quick peek.  After seeing all of the delicious colors I knew I had to give it a try.  I was good and I came home with only one stitcher's half.  I don't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but it is a lovely shade of lilac in 36ct..... (I know, it looks a little grey in this picture, but the color in the picture above shows up a little better.)

This is one of my favorite pieces from the show..........

It is a birth sampler from Chessie & Me.  After I read the saying I knew I had to have it.  It says "When you were born, you cry and the World Rejoices"  "May you live in such a manner that when you leave this earth, the World cries and You Rejoice".  Quite lovely, don't you think?  I thought it was a perfect sampler to add to the stash so that I'll have it on hand when the time is right.

Speaking of the time being right, I think that it is time for another giveaway.  I picked up a couple of goodies from market just for you.......my dear blogging buddies.  It will be a surprise as to what it is, but I will say that I did buy duplicates because I had to have it for my stash as well.  I'm also going to include a few bits of fabric and a chart or two from my personal stash since I had to make room for my new goodies.  (Hubby's orders!)

So, if you would like to join in on the giveaway, please comment on this post only.  To earn a second chance in the giveaway, feel free to post about my giveaway somewhere on your blog.  Please be aware that you must comment a second time to get this second chance since I usually use a random number generator to pick my winner.  Followers only please, as I would love to reward those who faithfully read my blog.

This giveaway will end at Midnight (EST) on October 10th and I will draw the winner on Monday, October 11th.  Good luck to everyone! 

Happy Stitching!

Back From Market

First of all, I would like to extend a hearty "WELCOME" and a warm hug to all of my new followers!  I just love meeting new stitchy people!

I made it back from Market in St. Charles and I'm still all in one piece.  It was a grueling, but fun five days.  I started off with an early morning flight out to St. Louis on Thursday.  Let's just say that the first leg of my journey was almost a personal hygiene disaster while mid-flight.  I should really preface this by saying that I am not a great flyer.....I get motion sickness!  But, even with my handy dandy dose of Dramamine, I was digging in the seat pocket to look for that little white air sickness bag!  I've never been so happy to land in my life!  Thank goodness for the longer layover so that I could put my stomach to rights.

After a short second leg, I made it to the St. Louis airport where I patiently waited for my friends.  I was so excited to see Sharon and Jean Lea.  We had a quick, but heartfelt reunion and then we were off to the hotel.  We arrived early enough on Thursday that we were able to get a jump start and get few things set up in the booth.  These are the racks of floss that Sharon brings to market.  The one on the left is filled with cottons.  The center one has all that buttery goodness that is Belle Soie Silks.  The third is filled with the Pearle cottons.  Just look at all those colors!  There are so many that most of the cottons and silks are double hung.  It's almost like having your own personal rainbow at your beck and call........

On Friday Sharon taught a class and then she was on the panel of a technology forum.  I got to enjoy the class and I was even lucky enough to receive some wonderful kits from Erica Michaels, JBW, Lizze*Kate and Miss Crescent's Crowne.  Then while she was on the panel, I went up to the room and finished setting up.  Here's the end result of some hard work........

On Saturday morning at 9am, we were open and ready for business!  Two full days of selling our new cottons, silks and pearles.  There was also some furious selling of the newest Silk Thread Pack collaboration between Raise the Roof designs and Crescent Colours.  It's called Halloween Town.  You can see it here on Theresa's blog (Shakespeare's Peddler) or here on the Crescent Colours blog.  Speaking of Theresa of Shakespeare's Peddler, here she is in action on Saturday.  Her room was packed every time I walked by!

Luckily, I was able to get out of the room a few times so that I could visit with some of the other designers.  I was even able to pick up a few things for myself as well as a couple of items for a giveaway.  (GASP......did someone say GIVEAWAY??????  Details will be forthcoming.)

Here is a peek into the room of Just Another Button Company.......  Just look at all of those buttons and button kits!

Next door to us was Chessie & Me.  Here's a peek into her room as well.........

Sunday evening was a race against the UPS clock, but we got the booth packed up and shipped in record time!  It was such a fun market and I was sad to leave everyone on Monday morning.  Especially my dear friend Sharon.......it's hard to be so far away.  I'm just so grateful for technology so that we can talk to each other without spending so much money on long distance calls!

I hope you enjoyed the little peek into market.  I hope to have some pictures in the next couple of days of a few of the goodies that I picked up while I was there.

Happy Stitching!

Hanukkah Bits

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments. (A special thanks goes to Daffycat for the shout out on her blog.) I stitched Hanukkah Bits for my mother for Hanukkah this year (which starts on December 11th). She loves my stitching and I thought of her the instant I saw this piece.

Come to think of it, my step-father loves my stitching too. Over 20 years ago I designed a piece for him based on his favorite saying at the time and it still hangs in his office to this day. I think it said something like: I must hurry to catch up, for I am their leader! (Ok, I didn't really design it, I just picked out my favorite alphabet, his favorite colors and charted out the saying........what did you expect from a pre-teen?? LOL!) The last time I took my framed stitching to show off, I went home with one less piece. My step-father walked into the garage and grabbed a stool and a hammer while I was in the other room talking to my mother. We hear this banging and walk into the kitchen only to find my step-father hanging my The Sun Sets..... by M Designs. I didn't even get a picture of it before it was stolen from me. Oh well, at least I know it is loved and appreciated!

Oh, and Laurel, just go for it! The silk is not that hard to work on......just get really good light and have strong glasses. I also found that it was easier to see when I had something that was a solid dark color on my lap while I was stitching. One other note, I was too lazy to sew it onto some fabric and then put it in a hoop. I'm a in hand stitcher for the most part and I did this in hand too. The worst part was filling everything in. Not because fill in is a boring task, but because I really had to make sure I didn't miss a stitch. So, I'm cheering for you!

Happy Stitching

Dry yet?

Little by little, bit by bit, we are drying out from the terrible Nor'easter that hit at the end of last week. Roads were flooded and power was out in many places. Some businesses were damaged or flooded out and we also lost a local landmark. Hopefully they will rebuild.......


I even know of a family that ended up with a small fire after the electricity came back up after being off for a day or two. (Did you know that you should turn off your main breaker in the house so that this won't happen to you??? I didn't either!) Thank goodness no one was hurt and the damage was relatively minor compared to losing a home.


On a personal front, my home fared well during the storm. Our power flickered and threatened to turn off, but it never did. Thank goodness we are on the same grid as the hospital. Our power hardly ever goes out!


You would think that this would have been perfect stitching weather, but alas, I actually have been feeling a little "under the weather". I swear that the change in the barometric pressure is the reason for this sinus infection and my lack of stitching mojo. But, I've still been sitting in my "happy place" anyway and I'm trying hard to get my mojo back.


Over the weekend I was able to finish "Hanukkah Bits" for my mother. Now I just need to get it framed and back in my hands before December 12th..........

I've also been working on "Bo Peep" a little bit at a time. Here are a few progress pictures (taken on 11/16 and then again on 11/18). My ultimate goal is to have her finished by the end of the year, but with my mojo like it is, I won't make any promises......

Hope all is well in your home......Happy Stitching!

Out with the old....

.....and in with the new! Ok, maybe I'm a little early for the New Year's resolutions. It's just that I've been doing a ton of cleaning lately.

It all started when we took the vacuum to the Oreck store for a minor belt replacement two weeks ago. It was really something that we could have done at home. But, hubby is not always mechanically inclined (after all, he was the one that broke the dang thing!) and I wasn't about to let him break it into a million pieces. So, off to the store we went.

The instant we arrived he went to play with all the new vacuums and other gadgets in the store while I took care of business. Wouldn't you know, he picked up a pink (yes, I said pink) vacuum and declared "I like this one. It's cooooool!" I have to agree, it was pretty cool...... and, to boot, the model was pink because proceeds were donated to breast cancer research. Next thing I know I'm asking the salesperson if they would take a trade in on my vacuum. Long story endless, we didn't end up with the pink one, but we did get a new vacuum. I guess it was time. After all, mine was 10 years old and it was starting to fall apart.

So, with new vacuum in hand, I've been on a cleaning rampage of all kinds. Hubby even had to take two separate loads of goodies to Goodwill. I have to say, I love the fact that things are less cluttered. Our goal? Well, it is to keep everything uncluttered. Guess we will have to see how that goes.

While I'm nowhere near done with all the house cleaning, by any means, it sure has been nice to get rid of all the old. I've had a much clearer head and things have really been coming together. I'm less stressed about all the mess and I have notice a HUGE weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I have found the transformation so amazing!

I've been busy on the stitching front too, after all, you can't clean all the time! I was able to put the finishing touches on LHN's "Traveling Stitcher" and on SB's "Feed My Sheep". I do have to say that this picture really doesn't do the fabric on "Traveling Stitcher" any justice. It is so much warmer in person......

Traveling Stitcher

by Little House Needleworks

Stitched on 32ct Vintage Light Examplar by Lakeside Linen

Used colors as charted except for my initials

Feed My Sheep

Kit by Shepherd's Bush

Used materials supplied in kit

I have even started some holiday stitching. This one is for my mom. It is one of Erica Michaels' new petite collection. I'm stitching it on the 40ct silk gauze that is included in the pattern. This is the first time I've worked with the gauze and I think I'm holding up well. Believe it or not, when I'm done, this piece will only be about 1" x 2".

I've got a little more cleaning to do again tonight, but hopefully I'll be done soon. After all, I really need to get working on my holiday stitching, don't you?

Happy Stitching!