Traveling Pattern

Check it out.  We have another beautiful finish from Robin at Crafting with the Stitch Witch.

Congratulation to Robin!

Happy Stitching!

Kick Starting The Mojo

After finishing my last piece, my mojo just kind of went out of the window.  I looked at what was left on my Crazy January Challenge and decided that except for Mouline Rouge, none of it really interested me anymore.  I just seem to look and most everything and go "blah".  I've even decided that I'm not doing any holiday stitching to give as gifts this year.  I'm just not in that kind of mood.

Still, my mojo hasn't disappeared entirely.  In fact I tried to kick start it with this little gem.  Can you guess the design and the designer?

If this kick doesn't get my mojo running, I'm going to turn to this for inspiration instead.

Fabric & Belle Soie for Christmas Ornaments

Maybe I just need to get myself in the holiday spirit!

Happy Stitches!

Traveling Pattern

Have you seen Robin's progress on her version of the Traveling Pattern?  Check it out here and cheer her on to a finish!

Happy Stitches!

'Tis a Finish

While I was away at PALS in Myrtle Beach I got tons of stitching time.  The whole time I worked on only one project because I felt like I was on such a roll.  I had other projects with me, but this particular project just kept tugging on my needle. 

By the time the retreat was over I was about 85% done so I kept the focus on this piece all week long.  Now all I have to do is find a frame and I will have a wonderful piece to display this Holiday Season.

I am thrilled to present to you 'Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs (from the Joyeux Noel booklet).

'Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs
Stitched on 40ct Vintage Pear by Lakeside Linen

I just love this Cardinal!

I've been trying to expand my skills with my camera, so I took this fun little shot.

Looks like I have another Crazy January Finish!  I hope that I may have inspired someone today.

Happy Stitches!

PALS Weekend

I'm back from my first ever PALS Retreat in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  It was hosted by Amy of Down Sunshine Lane.  (I know I've been back since Sunday.....Sorry it took so long to post this....I've had too much on my mind lately!)

The view from my balcony....

I went with a few friends and I met a few more while I was there.  I got to see Karen, whom I haven't seen since May 2010 when I went out to Arizona for a visit.  I also got to meet my Friends Stitching Through the Seasons partners, Faye (I send to her) and Diane (she sends to me).  There were many other friendly blogging faces including Michele of Just Another Stitching Blog as well as many others who I just can't remember at the moment.  I also made some new friends while I was there (Hi Chris!) and I even got to meet Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers.

But, enough of that!  I know you don't really want to hear about all of that.  Instead you want to see all of my goodies.  I understand completely!

First off, this is what I brought with me to exchange.  Starting at the top and moving clockwise.....Scatter Sunshine by Shepherds Bush (stitched exchange), Noel by ??? (Christmas exchange), Pumpkin Stack by Chessie & Me (fall exchange), Autumn by The Stitcherhood (fall exchange) and in the center a stocking from one of the Blackbird Designs Stocking Booklets (for my Friends Stitching Through the Seasons exchange for Faye).

Thursday night was the Halloween/Fall exchange.  I'm not a Halloween kind of gal, so I just went for Fall.  All I can say is that whom ever got my pieces were pretty lucky since I was this close to keeping the Autumn pillow for myself.  Here's what I got.....

Turns out this was done by one of my Saturday Stitching Sisters!  I love it Darlene!

This lovely needleroll was stitched by Shery from Indiana.  I've made a few needlerolls for others, so I know how hard it is.  Now I finally have one for my own!  I love it!  Thanks Shery!

Friday we did the Christmas exchange and the grab bag exchange (and boy, you should have seen some of those grab bags!  Fabulous goodies of scissors, fabric and stitching tools to name a few.).  It was tons of fun!  I only managed to get one ornament stitched and finished up for the Christmas exchange, but I really like how it turned out.  In return, I ended up with Amy's ornament!

Thanks Amy!  I love it!  I can't wait to get up on my ornament tree!

This little Ott light was the only thing in the grab bag I "won".  It's a nice little portable light run by batteries.  I can't remember who said that they entered this bag because it didn't have a name with it.  Oops!  So, many thanks to whomever you are!

Saturday we had a stitching and a sewing exchange.  Here is what I got in the stitching exchange.

This lovely needlebook was made by Diane of GA.  The stitched area is actually a pocket to hold scissors or threads.  It's amazing!  Thank you Diane!  I love it!

I'm not great with the sewing machine (yet), but I saw a great tutorial and I made this for the sewing exchange.  After I was done I wanted to keep it for myself.  Good thing I have some leftover supplies because I'm going to have to do this little beauty for myself!

In return I got this...... (again, I can't thank the person because there was no card with it.)

There were two coffee cozies, but they were being coveted by Michele, so I shared my joy and gave her the other one.  But, isn't this one cute?

Thanks for sticking with me through this long post.  Next time I'll catch you up on what I was working on while I was at PALS.  Let's just say that I now have my eye on a Crazy January finish thanks to all my stitchy time last weekend!

Happy Stitches!

Finished!

I did it! Not only did I finish my exchange for Faye, but I also finished four other exchanges for my retreat that begins on Thursday.  I'm so proud of myself!  And the pieces don't look half bad either.  Wanna see?
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Well........you are just going to have to wait until after the retreat.  I want it to be a surprise for everyone.

Now I'm off to get a little shut eye.  I'm going to be very busy the next two days and then I will be off with my stitching sisters while I leave Hubby to tend to the house and the pup.

Happy Stitches!

Traveling Pattern

It's another fabulous finish!  Check out Cat's version here.......

Happy Stitching!