Lebanon Quilt & Fabric Arts Show

If you are anywhere near Lebanon, Ohio, this coming weekend (March 2nd thru 4th) you'll want to visit the 29th annual The Lebanon Quilt & Fabric Arts Show hosted by the Warren County Historical Society. It's a pretty good show and the museum where it's held has some really nice exhibits.

Of particular interest to stitchers this year is the showing of a unique collection of nine rare Warren County schoolgirl needlework samplers! I can't wait to check them out. I hope they allow pictures!

Also, if you are a button collector or lover, there's usually a vendor from Texas there that makes button jewelry. I love this vendor and their work is awesome. I happen to own several of their bracelets and plan to buy another one if I make it to the show. I can't resist them!

So there you are, something to do if you are in the area.  Maybe I'll see you there!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

If I can't be stitchin'...

...then I'll just dream about stitchin'!  I've been cruising the online shops looking at all the wonderful things coming out at the Nashville Market this weekend!

Oh. My. Goodness. 

Here are some pretty things that caught my eye in no particular order.

Giulia Punti Antichi
Shabby Chic Pendant

I think I like this pendant the most!
I love those buttons and it looks like a quick stitch.

Giulia Punti Antichi
An Icelandic Christmas Sewing Set with Finishing Fabric

I'm starting a collection of stitched hornbooks and this one would just be fantastic to stitch up!  Actually I like any and all hornbooks.  They don't have to be stitched.  LOL!

Blackbird Designs
For My Friend

What can I say, I'm a sucker for anything BBD does.  I knew of them as quilt designers first and was delighted to find out they also design cross stitch.  I guess that's why I'm fond of them.

Praiseworthy Stitches
Mermaid's Love Tokens

I don't know what it is about me and mermaids lately.  I seem to really be drawn to them.  Maybe it's because I'm a Capricorn.  You know, half mermaid/half goat.  Yeah that's it!

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I want to thank you all for your emails and support this week.  I really feel so thankful.  Really!  Your kind words and sweet comments are so very appreciated.  I feel a sense of community and friendship here in our corner of blogland.  So thank you from the bottom of my heart!  You all are the very best!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

It's TUSAL time again!

 Holy cow, it's TUSAL time again!  Now just where did this past month go?!  I'm pretty sure lots of things happened since the last TUSAL but unfortunately it hasn't involved much stitching as evidenced by my pitiful addition to the jar.

So what has been my deal you ask?  As my close peeps know, we've had two deaths in the family very close together. My honey lost both the men in his life that were father figures.  As though that wasn't enough, my maternal grandmother had a heart attack also. It's been a really emotionally trying time for us. So that's why I've not been myself lately. I say this not to extract sympathy but to just explain my quietness and lack of stitching.

The other thing occupying my time as you might know is the adoption of our little fur baby, Shelby. Tonight we started puppy class! Yes, she's going to learn manners even if it's the last thing I do.  I'd like to raise a pup that folks don't mind being around and I'd like to keep my hands intact as well as the furniture! Cross your fingers that this school thing takes!

I hope you all have made tons of stitchy progress so I can live vicariously through your blogs until I can return to my normal stitchy self!  I'm slipping in a few stitches here and there but not nearly as many as I'd really like.  You know what they say..."this too shall pass."  Oh how I'm countin' on that right now!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Blue Ribbon Sewing Box

Design:  Blue Ribbon Sewing Box

Designer:  Patrick's Woods (Sherri Jones)

Fabric:  32 ct.

Floss:  Silk as kitted

Started:  12/29/11

Finished:   2/12/12

I finally got the Blue Ribbon Sewing Box pre-stitching done!  That's saying a lot considering I've been chasing a little fur ball around for the past three weeks.  Lets just say, my stitching time has become extremely limited these days!  I have the teeth marks on my hands from a certain someone to prove it too!  We've also had some family stuff going on again too that's kept me from stitching.

Thankfully last Sunday my honey took over the chasing and gave me the chance to get this one done.  I've waited to post about it until we had a good sunny day to take pictures.

Now all I have to do is pull some threads (which I'm a little nervous about) and cut the pieces out!  I really enjoyed this one a lot.  I love the colors.  They are just so springy!

Here's a close up of one of the pocket slips (top piece) minus the pulled threads and the top of the mattress style pincushion (bottom piece).  I really enjoyed those blue overlap stitch flowers on the pocket slips!  I can now say I'm much better at tent stitch too!

Here is a close up of the smalls.  I think I may have posted about these earlier but I couldn't resist showing them again.  My favorite piece of this whole project is that bouquet of flowers tied with that blue ribbon. I am getting so excited about finally getting to put this all together!  Soon...very soon!

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Of course I can't resist sharing the latest picture of my alligator sweet puppy!  She's really enjoying that chicken and the raw hides gifted to her by Aunt Marsha.  Thanks again, Marsha!  Those raw hides have saved my sanity and my hands this week.  LOL!

Well, it's a quick post today since someone is napping right now!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you all have a great stitchy weekend!

Until next time (and hopefully with fingers still intact),

The Inspired Stitcher

Secret Stitcher

Just look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday!  A package from my Secret Stitcher just in time for Valentine's Day!  Isn't that awesome?

She included a  neat note pad that says February on it, a nice heart shaped soap tied up with a piece of  ribbon with hearts on it, some cherry flavored kisses...yum and a super cute stitched cupcake!

I had to take some close-ups of the cupcake so you could see them!  Isn't this just too dang cute for words?!  I love the heart design and those pins just set it off.  The finishing is perfect!  It makes me want to stitch some more Valentines smalls to put with it.  I'm going to display this in my kitchen!

This is what she sent last month.  I'm a bit remiss in posting it.  She sent a January notepad and a little book to keep special dates in.  How sweet is that?!

Thank you so much Secret Stitcher!  I appreciate your thoughtfulness.  I love each and every thing you sent.

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You may not know this about me but Valentine's Day is my very favorite holiday.  I love it more than any other holiday because it's the one day a year that's all about love!  Some of my favorite things are associated with this holiday like hearts and pink and red and everything romantic so that's why this is my perfect holiday.

Please know I consider you all to be my Valentines...near and dear to my heart!  I hope you know you are appreciated not just today but every day!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Super Bowl Sale Stash



This past Saturday I was able to slip away for a little bit to shop the LNS's Super Bowl Sale.  I came away with two things I've had on my wish list and of course the new issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly.  I really should subscribe.

I've wanted Bent Creek's cRows kit for a while now since I saw it stitched on someone's blog a while back.  I can't remember exactly where.

I also fell in love with Heart in Hand's Dog Sampler for obvious reasons.  I actually saw it last time I was in the shop for a stitch-in.  It seemed fitting I get it now that little Shelby has come to live with us. Of course I'll change the colors to look more like her.

Speaking of her cuteness, I'll leave you with a picture that I just love!  Yes, she has totally smitten hubby and I.  She takes her naps on the couch.  I'm sure this is the beginning of what will probably become a bad habit.  Oh well, I ask you how can I resist that cute little face?!

Thanks to all who have taken the time to leave me a comment or visit with me today.  As always, you really make me smile and brighten my day!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

A quick "heads up"

I just learned that House of Stitches in LaPorte, Indiana, has started a blog!  So pop over and welcome Linda to the blog o'sphere!

If you find yourself in northern Indiana, I strongly recommend a visit.  We stopped in on our way to Iowa in the spring.  I swear they have one of everything!  I'm not even kidding about that either.  Yes, there was stash enhancement.  I just couldn't resist!

It's probably a good thing I don't live closer.  Good excuse for a road trip though.  LOL!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher