Peeps Christmas/Birthdays Party

Last Saturday the peeps got together for our annual Christmas party.  We decided to do it after all the holiday busy-ness was over.  This year we had an extra special reason for getting together when we did because our peep, Patti had a Big-O birthday this year and we wanted to make it extra special for her.

As I've done in the past, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and chime in with comments.  Go grab a cuppa.  There's lots to look at here.  The peep gifts are in no particular order and I'll sprinkle in birthday gifts I received too.

First up, this is what I made for all the peeps and for myself.  Yes, I sewed eight of these!  It's a cell phone charger holder.  I saw this on Pinterest and I'm happy to report it was not a Pinterest fail as many things found on Pinterest are.  LOL!  If you'd like to make one, you can go to this site and find the tutorial.  It was really fun!

We are all going away together soon so I thought they might come in handy in the hotel.  It's a neat way to keep your phone off the floor and counter top.  I also included a Command Hook to use with it when they are at home.  I don't think it would be a good idea to use this without a hook for daily use.  Let's get on with the peep gifts!

This one was from Anna Mae.  She had taped the gift card to the back of the little sign.  We were all laughing at each other because as we were each reading our signs, we could see the gift card on the back of the other person's sign.  Guess you had to be there. 

A little bit about the gift card, it is to a local chili parlor that we are all super fond of.  Every time we get together for a guild meeting we usually end up at Skyline for lunch.  I go there at least once a week.  I love that place!

Some of the peeps brought my birthday presents too since they hadn't seen me since my birthday.  This was Anna Mae's birthday gift to me.  I absolutely adore this bag!  It has everything I love...it's a bag, it has sewing stuff on it and it's lined in red polka dots!  She said she found it at a new local boutique that features local artisans.  Another thing I love, shopping small and local.  All good things!

This one is from Christie.  The towel is a birthday present and the pottery dish, note pad and pen are Christmas.  Christie knows my love of bees!  She picked up the dish when she and her DH were in Tennessee!  So pretty!  I have the perfect place to display the towel in my kitchen too.

This beautiful box and goodies are from Evie.  Evie told us this was her "plan B" gift since the ornaments she stitched for us had a finishing mishap.  Haven't we all had one of those?!  Even so, I love all the little goodies that came in the box.  The little round thing is an ORT dish.  There was more chocolate but I ate some of them.  LOL!

Here's a close up of the cute little red "monster."  Evie took a trip to Japan for a family event and brought us all back one of these little cuties.  She had a Japanese word for them but I forget what it was.  I do remember that since mine is smiling that it's female and is supposed to be welcoming.  Of course, those bees!!!  I'm sure I'll find something to make with that fat quarter.  Love!

Our friend Linda, who hosted us, stitched this one nine times!  Can you believe?!  She included a stand so we can sit these out and not put them away with the ornaments.  The little stocking was our table favor and the bulb is our annual ORT receiver for the year.  I'll show you some of Linda's sampler walls in a bit.  Her house was decorated so lovely for the holidays.

These are from Marsha.  She gave me the fabric bag as a birthday gift.  She stitched one of these for all of us for our birthdays last year...yep, seven of them!  She picked all bee fabric for me as she and I share a love of bees!  I'm already using mine to hold my latest knitting project.  More on that later.

The project bag, handmade needle minders and needle tubes were my Christmas presents.  Marsha too had plans for stitched ornaments for all of us but had a death in the family right before the holiday and just wasn't feelin' it.  No worries, I love everything and I'll make good use of it too.

This was from Meem.  It's a tiny vase that can be suction cupped to a window.  I plan to use mine to hold violas from the yard.

This is what Meem gave me for my birthday.  She got it at the same boutique Anna Mae found my bag.  The center of the necklace was colored by a young woman with Down's.  Meem used to be a special ed teacher so she has a soft spot.  I think it's really pretty.

Meem also knows I like to put tobasco sauce on my Skyline and thought I'd like the chocolate.  Oh yeah!

Finally, this was from Patti.  She said the chicken was a funny afterthought.  They were cleaning out closets at her job and ran across a whole bunch of them.  Rather than throw them out she rescued them for us peeps.  Too funny!  I love all the goodies she put in our bags.  The markers, postcards to color, tissues and cute container.  The best part was the strawberry!

Here's a closer look at the strawberry.  Each of ours was different.  She said she would have gotten bored stitching them all the same.  They were finished by the fabulous, Faye of Carolina Stitcher.  She said she asked Faye not to put them on her blog because she knew several of us visit Faye.  I guess now it's safe since we all have ours now.  LOL!  That brings me to the end of the gifts. 

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Before I go, I want to share some pictures of Linda's sampler walls.  She's been stitching a really long time and has lots of beautiful things to show for it.  I asked her if she minded if I shared with you and she said it was okay.  Enjoy!

Here's the kitchen where we exchanged our gifts after our meal.  You can see the little stockings at each place setting.  That long one near the door is "And They Sinned."  Our peep, Patti started this one on the first!

This is the fireplace in the living room.  I love these two Quakers.  Christmas is Linda's holiday and she goes all out with the decorations!  Every nook and cranny is decorated.  I never tire of looking at all the wonderful things she has displayed.

This is the main sampler wall in the living room and one of the four trees she has in the house.  Someday, I want to have a sampler wall.  Love!  Thank you for hosting us, Girlie!  It was a great day!

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I am so fortunate to have such generous and lovely peeps as friends.  I don't know what I'd do without these women!  We have become such a tight group and we all know we are just a text, email or phone call away if any one of us needs anything.  And lately, we've all needed support in one way or another.  I like to call it "friend therapy."

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Since this post has gotten lengthy, I think I'll save my latest sewing and knitting projects for the next post.   Needless to say, my creativity has returned in a big way and I'm really enjoying myself.  I also received some birthday gifts from blog friends.  I'll share those next time too.

I hope you all enjoyed coming along with me on this recap of a wonderful day spent with my peeps.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I hope you are all well and enjoying this new year.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

What I've been working on...

I've had some requests to see my progress on a couple things so I thought I'd pop in and share.  The first one is Speak to the Earth.  Here's where we were when you last saw it.

As of 3/6/16

As of 5/12/16

Now the truth of the matter is that if I would just buckle down, I could realistically get this one done without too much trouble.  Um...yeah, I have no excuses.  Moving on...

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As of 3/6/16

Design: Pomegranate Pincushion

Designer: Hands on Designs

Fabric:  30 ct. Aztec Red

Floss:  As charted

Started:  1/1/16

Finished: 3/12/16

Completed: 3/26/16

Okay, this one I completely forgot I even finished it until I looked a couple posts back.  I'm a shameful blogger in more ways than one.  Ahem.   Seriously, I really enjoyed this finish and it wasn't nearly as difficult as one might imagine it to be.  I do have the linen and fabric to make the pocket...at some point.

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Design: From "Tokens of Love: Quaker Pinballs" book

Designer: Erica Uten

Fabric: 40 ct. Linen linen

Floss:  DMC 221

Started: 4/9/16

Finished: 4/30/16

Completed: 5/8/16

This one I made as a thank you for Mary Uhl Brooks who graciously shared the Quaker samplers with me at the Westtown School back in May.  I'll have to write more about that trip later.  Needless to say it was a morning I won't soon forget.  If you find yourself near Westtown, make plans to see the needlework.  You'll want to call in advance but it's very much worth it!

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As of 6/26/16

This one I'm calling a "do-over."  I'd started it originally who knows when, I'm thinking maybe 2011.  I could be wrong.

All I know is the fabric I'd originally used was definitely not made for cross stitch and I don't know what I was thinking.  I also don't know the designer on this or if there ever was one.  You see, I saw this in a friends sun room and fell in love.  She received it as a gift.  We don't know if it was a commercially made pillow or if someone actually stitched it.  All I knew was I loved it and charted it from the picture I took that day.

The original was done on large count fabric.  I suspect from looking at my picture, it was Tula.  That's what I'm using now.  The peeps have given me such grief over this one since I usually like to work on 40 ct. and this is 10 ct.  What can I say, I liked the chunky look of the original and that's how I wanted this one to look as well.  I plan to finish it into a pillow too.  It's going pretty fast.

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I've also started and finished a couple other things but can't show them until after this weekend is over.  I'm going to try to have a finishing day real soon so I can clear out some of the backed up stuff in the box o'shame.  I'm sure you all have one of those too where finished stitching waits to be completed.  LOL!

I hope you've enjoyed this quick little check-in.  I really wanted to make sure I documented these things.  I really didn't realize how much I relied on this blog to help me remember the things I've stitched.  I've got some more catching up to do!  If you've read this far, thanks for still being here after my long absence!

More later,

The Inspired Stitcher

Speak to the Earth progress

Hello friends!  As promised, I'm back to share my Speak to the Earth progress for July.  I worked on this quite a bit one night when I was at the Getaway in Russellville.  Then I worked on it some more in the following weeks.  Here's a peek at where it stands now and where it was when we visited last!

Progress as of 6/7/15

Progress as of 7/31/15

I'm really loving that strawberry band!  You know how I love my strawberries.  I got that put in while I was away.  Then I did the left side at home.  I'm thinking I've gotten myself ahead of our assignments.  It's easy to do with this one!  We should be starting some animals soon and I know there's some more over one words right below those strawberries.  Stay tuned!

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Speaking of strawberries, I just have to show you the sweet thing Peg over at Kentucky Sampler sent me!  She's doing some downsizing.  She said she found this at a the Peddler's Mall a while back. 

Here's the pretty paper and the card inside the box she sent!  Oh the suspense!

Just look at this sweet strawberry make-do!  It's sitting atop an old wooden spool with wire tendrils hanging down.  It's made of the softest velvet with cotton gingham leaves.  It's also pretty good size.  I'd say around six inches tall!  It's sitting on my mantle where I can see it from my stitching nest.  Thank you so much, Peg!  I'm happy to give it a new home and will think of you always.  What a treasure!

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Well folks, there you have it!  I hope your July has been good to you.  I can't believe summer is winding down already.  Soon it will be back-to-school time again.  I'm going to enjoy every last scrap of summer I can get between now and then.  LOL!  Have a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by to visit.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Russellville Retreat Recap and catching up

Hello friends!  Are you still out there?  I sure hope so!  It seems like this summer is just speeding by already.  I've been on the go every weekend it seems since the middle of June and I don't mind one bit!  No complaints here!

Two weekends ago DH and I rode the motorcycle 950 miles round trip to a motorcycle event in Pigeon Forge, TN.  It was my turn to "give back" since I've dragged him to many a craft/quilt/stitching event over the many years we've been together.  A good time was had by all.  Yes, I even managed to hit a stitch shop!  I can sniff out a stitch shop no matter where I'm at dontcha know.  Check out the gear!  It was raining when I went in and it had stopped when I came out.

 Happy shopper!

 Fabric Wall

 Charts and things!

 And yes, there was stash!  I even bought the plastic zipper pouch to protect it in the saddle bag on the way home. Always thinking ahead dontcha know!

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The fourth was our in-between weekend.  We did the usual trip prep stuff that weekend...laundry, shopping, grass mowing, etc.  Nothing too exciting.  We both went in different directions last weekend...he to another motorcycle event and me to Russellville!  Okay, now we are caught up.

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The main reason I'm checking in today is to do my annual Russellville recap.  The past weekend was our reunion.  I promised the "Queen Bee" I would share the love with all of you as well, so I know she's waiting for this.  Waves to the Queen Bee and the rest of the retreat bees who are reading.  Wish y'all would comment once in a while...ahem, just sayin'!

I started the morning on Thursday meeting the peeps at our friend, Patti's house.  We took the ferry across the river to get to the highway.  I absolutely love that ferry!  The peeps get tickled at me when I get a excited about it.  I never tire of riding across the Ohio on it.

Here's my attempt at a front seat selfie.  It looks like the camera flipped where we were sitting.  I really wasn't driving.  I was the passenger seat navigator.

We drove as far as Louisville for our first stop.  We always like to pay our friends at The Finishing Touch a visit when we find ourselves down that way.  Here's a look at the outside and a few from the inside in case you are curious.

Oh yes, and there was stash to be had.  Here's what I couldn't live without.  My peep, Linda spied the "Pin Money" kit and I kinda lost my mind.  I couldn't live without that one.  I also love this year's JCS Halloween issue.  There are several things in there I really like this time.  The fabric and the floss are for one of them!  Of course I couldn't leave the Drawn Thread chart behind either.

After we enhanced the stash and boosted the economy, we went to lunch on the suggestion to go up the street to Caffe Classico.  It's a cute little local restaurant with a decidedly Italian I leaning.  Of course they had me at "Vespa" when I saw this parked in the corner of the dining room.  Oh yeah!  I want one of these so very badly.  Someday!

After our sustenance, we piled back into the car and kicked it on down to Russellville.  It's an easy drive straight down route 65.  Of course it seemed as though every bridge in Louisville had construction going on which made for a tricky drive through the city but we made it through unscathed.  Whew!

Once in Russellville we checked into the hotel and did our annual peep gift exchange.  I alluded to my "super secret" gifts I was making in my last TUSAL post.  Now I can share what they were!

Design: Shaded Spools Fobs

Designer:  Inspired by Faye

Fabric: 40ct. 18th Century Brown

Floss: various DMC colors

Started:  6/18/15

Finished:  7/6/15

Completed:  7/6/15

Here's what I made for the peeps.  I took my inspiration from a post that Carolina Stitcher did a couple years ago.  Our peep, Marsha won the cutie Faye made. These are pretty close.  I like how they turned out.  Mine doesn't have an initial on it because Hobby Lobby was out of the letter "L."  I matched the spool colors to the scissor colors.  I think they turned out nice!  I'll show you what I made for the main gift exchange next time.

 From E.

 From L.

 From P.

Here's what I received.  My peeps know me so very well.  I love everything so much.  You girls are the best peeps anyone could ask for...seriously!  Never underestimate how much we need our peeps.

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On that beautiful note, I think I'll leave you for today.  I promise to come back and share the group project, show and tell, and of course, all the amazing gifts that were exchanged.  I can hardly wait!  Stay tuned!


More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Stitchaway Retreat Recap

I'm back as promised to recap the Stitchaway retreat.  This year I was only able to go for Friday afternoon and all day Saturday due to work needs.  Funny how life gets in the way of our stitching sometimes.  LOL!  Let's start out with gifts...

 This is the super cute ornament I received from my peep, Patti.  She knows me well and knew I'd love it.  She said this was a freebie she found on Pinterest but I've not seen it before.  Isn't it awesome?!

Here's the back.  I don't know if you can see it, the key has the word "Paris" on it.  The finishing is exquisite!  It was finished by the super talented Faye over at Carolina Stitcher.  Thank you so much Patti and Faye.  I absolutely love it!

While we are on the subject of gifts and this time birthday gifts, Anna Mae gifted me with these fun things.  Check out the gingerbread man earrings.  I just love everything but my favorite is the owl paperclip.  Thank you so much, Anna Mae!

Here's what Meem gave me for my belated birthday.  She knows I love Hello Kitty and these were spot on!  The lunch box is mini size and my feet are always cold.  Both are just perfect for me.  Thank you so much, Meem!

I couldn't resist sharing these things.  I just had to honor their thoughtfulness and express my gratitude!

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Every year there's a "free to a good home" table.  These were "gifts" from unknown friends. I love the sheep in turkey clothing.  My peep, Evie snagged the acorn sampler for me.  I really liked the two bunny charts and of course the bees!

Another tradition is the boutique with trunk shows. This picture was taken on the rare moment the shop was not crowded.  Oh so much temptation in there!

I just had to share this picture that was by the check out table.  Our theme this year was friendship and tea.  Barb's British friend emailed this picture to her and she thought it was a scream.  We had an informal contest to give this well endowed lady a name.  We settled on Tea Tea with the Ta Ta's.  That's one impressive rack she's got there!  If anyone knows anything about this mystery lady, please share.

Here's the stash that just had to come home with me from the den of temptation.  You know I love Prairie Schooler.  One of the Russellville peeps was stitching these at our retreat in November so I just had to have it.  Heart in Hand was one of the trunk shows and I fell in love with this Valentine's sampler.  It came with fabric and buttons!  The other HIH chart was in the dollar bin.  The blue fabric is for a chart I bought myself for my birthday.  You can't tell from the picture but it has sparkles in it.

These were some pincushions the shop made up to show you how you could use the freebies in our welcome packet.  Love the teacups!  I thought I'd share with you in case you might like the idea too.

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Next up is show and tell!  I only took a few pictures this time.

Last year we were given the chart for this one and some floss with the charge to do something with it and bring it back this year to share.  Well, there was a group of over achievers that actually remembered to do it and could actually put their hands on said chart/floss.  Ahem...I was not one of those people.  LOL!  Seriously, though these two are really pretty.

I thought this was a neat way to display several small stitched pieces at once!

This one the stitcher designed and stitched this one herself.  How amazing is that?!  Very cool!

I really liked the words on this one.  I don't think I've seen it done up and have no idea who designed it.

I saved my favorite for last!  This was done by Leslie LaFleur of Under the Sea Fabrics.  Leslie is a member of our guild and hand dyes the most incredible fabric. She did the fabric in this piece too.  It has wonderful sparkle but of course I couldn't capture it.  She's also a fan of Nora Corbett and hosts the Mirabilia retreat.  Here attendees gave her a gift certificate for framing by Jill Rensel.  It's just stunning!

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Progress as of 1-17-15

As promised, here is my progress on the Parrots!  I finally got past building the house.  Oh yeah!  I am actually a little bit farther along since I took this picture last weekend.  I've now got the box above the house done and the lady to the right of the house.  I'm hopeful!

Progress as of 1/17/15

This is my start on "Heaven Above" by Midsummer Night Designs.  Last year at the retreat my friend, Susan H. had completed this sampler and shared it at show and tell.  I had watched her work on it all year and was just in love.  I complemented her on the beautiful finish and she gifted me with her chart!  I was just so thrilled and humbled.  So I collected the fabric/floss and saved it to start this year at the retreat in honor of Susan's gift to me.  I hope to be able to share my finish next year!

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So there you have it, the recap.  I hope you enjoyed all the goings on.  It was a fun retreat and I really enjoyed spending time with my peeps.  Thank you so much for visiting with me today.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher