Lemonade from lemons

Ever have a burst of creativity when you least expect it?  Well, that happened to me last night.  I was rooting around in my stash for something else and ran across some wooden thread spools I'd saved from my Granny's sewing basket.  Then it hit me!  Check this out.

 

A little back story, I had stitched this heart at Stitchaway for a covered button scissor fob.  Only I cut the fabric too small and it wouldn't work.  Of course, I couldn't throw it away since my peep, Marsha gave me the pretty red silk floss to stitch it.  So there it sat in my stash.

 

Then I saw the spools!  Ah-ha!  I knew instantly what I wanted to do with this tiny piece of stitchery.  I'd turn it into a small make-do pincushion on top of one of my Granny's spools.  This little cutie only stands about 1 1/2 inches tall or about 4 cm.

 

To hide where I attached it to the top of the spool, I twisted up some DMC that matched the silk and glued it in place.  Ta-da!  A special little pincushion was born.  It's special to me because Marsha gave me the silk and I reused my dearly departed Granny's spool to combine into a cute place to park my needles!

 

So there you have it!  I just had to share my little brainstorm with you in hopes it might inspired you to try this with some little bit of stitchery you've got hanging around. This would make a great gift for a stitching buddy.  Hmm...I may have just come up with another idea!  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!


Until next time,


The Inspired Stitcher


P.S.  Just for fun, if you are interested in learning more about old wooden spools, here are a couple good links to go check out:

Thread Spool Sizes and Shapes chart
Vintage Thread Chart
Thread labels (there are three pages so click next at the bottom of the page)

Seasonal Exchange - Fall received

I came home on Monday night to a nice surprise left for me by the mail carrier!  It was my Seasonal Exchange made by my buddy Lisa S.  She'd given me a "heads up" it was coming so I was really thrilled when it came so quickly!

Design:  Skating Party

Designer:  Mary Garry

Fabric: 32 ct. Queen Anne's Lace

Floss:  Lisa's conversion using DMC, CC, and GAST

Lisa knows I love Mary Garry designs.  I've had this one on my wish list for a while.  Now I have an extra special one made by a friend.  I have it sitting where I can see it from my stitching nest.

 

Check out the cute box finish!  Lisa told me she'd had the "Think Snow" buttons for a while and added them last minute.  I think they are perfect for this design!  I love how she matched the blue dress to the box color too.  She painted and lined the box herself.  Such talent!

 

Thank you so much, dear friend for stitching for me and for coordinating the exchange!  It was totally worth the wait and I didn't have to stalk the mailman for too long either.  LOL! 

 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by to visit with me today.  I hope everyone is having a good week!

 

 

Until Next Time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

Road trip and an auction!

On Sunday, I had a fun day going on a road trip with one of my favorite peeps, Paula and attending the Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild fundraiser auction together.  I recently joined this guild and wanted to help support their fundraising efforts.  It was an awesome day for several reasons!

Design: "P" from "Spring Alphabet"

Designer: Lizzie Kate

Fabric: 32 ct. cream

Floss: DMC as charted

Started, Finished, Completed: 3/9/13

Before we left on our grand adventure, I surprised my travel buddy with a belated birthday surprise. She had a birthday last week and this was the first time I'd seen her since. I just couldn't help myself, this just screamed her name and it turns out she loves blue!

I like to personalize the backs of gifts with initials stitched over one and the date. I've had more fun using these charts! They always turn out so cute and make perfect little gifts. I just love stitching for my friends.

***

One of the things that made the day awesome was that  I got to meet Terri!  Yes, the Terri of Chocolates for Breakfast; Stitching for Lunch fame!!  She is just as sweet and wonderful in person as she is on her blog.  She extended the warmest welcome to me and it was like meeting a long lost friend.  I never imagined I'd ever get to meet someone who reads my blog that isn't local.  It was so fun!

Terri was the auctioneer for the event.  Oh my goodness that gal is a bundle of energy!  She had us crackin' up the whole time and really kept things moving.  Want to see what got auctioned off?  These are just a few of the lovely things that went up for live auction bidding.  I didn't even think to get a picture of the silent auction tables!

With Thy Needle and Thread's Be My Valentine

 

I love how the maker of this set painted the Whitman's box and decoupaged the lid!  You can't see it, but there's a tiny little envelope needle case underneath the stitched heart too.  This one was so sweet!

With Thy Needle and Thread's Gathering Acorns

This one was filled with walnut shells and really had some weight to it.  I was very tempted by this one with my love of acorns and all but I was holding out for something else!

Pea Pod pincushion (I don't know who designed this one)

Now isn't this pea pod just the cutest thing ever?!  Those little peas were made out of the softest velvet.  Yep, it was hard to resist this one as well.

Hardanger Set

I liked how the maker of this one used a salt cellar to make the pincushion.  I'm going to have to try this...the salt cellar idea not the hardanger.  LOL!

Sampler's and Santa's Pear VI freebie

It was so fun to see one of Marly's pear charts stitched and finished. The maker rolled up brown fabric to use as the stem! What a really cute idea.
 

Tomato Cardinal Candlestick Make-do

Terri won this little cutie! Everyone was eyeing it too. The maker's husband drilled holes on either side of the thimble so she could turn it into a little basket pincushion!  This was just too stinkin' cute!

Sewing Basket (designed by a guild member)

Can you even believe this was designed and stitched by a guild member?  OMG, what talent!  It was truly drool worthy.  Apparently several people thought so too!  The price just kept going up and up on this one.  It really helped build the guild's treasury!

This one made me swoon!  This sewing box was made using The Twisted Stitcher's tutorial.  The maker told me the design on the lid came from My Aunt's Attic blog using the her own color choices.  Isn't it simply amazing?!  I love that she painted the box black. 

Sewing Set complete with personalized smalls!

This was one awesome set to see in person!  The maker put a lot of thought and effort into this one.  I can hardly believe she was able to part with it.  All the smalls were personalized with the guild's name on them.  This too had the bidding going wild!

The Drawn Thread's Sampler Necessaire
 

This is what I was holding out for and I won! I've had the chart for this one for a while and have been searching for the box ever since. Now I don't have to search anymore because I have one of my very own that's already finished!   I can hardly believe someone could give this up but I'm thankful she did!  I'll always remember the auction when I use it.

I was also lucky enough to be gifted with these two wonderful Berlin style charts to add to my collection!  The winner of this silent auction pile didn't want them and I asked her if I could have the DMC one.  Then she gifted me with the other one.  Aren't stitchers just the nicest people?!

I commented to Paula on the way home, how impressed I was with how nice the auction items were...everything was perfectly stitched and finished.  If this is what these folks stitch to give away, I can't imagine how amazing the things they make for themselves must be!  Wow, what a talented group of stitchers!  Seriously, I wish you could have been there!  W-O-W!

***

Thanks so much to Terri for a super fun auction and thanks to my peep, Paula for a grand Sunday adventure.  It was a day filled with stitchy goodness, new friendships and a whole lot of fun.  I'm looking forward to more road trips to this guild's events!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!  Welcome to my new followers.  I'm so glad you are here.  Thanks to all that take the time to leave me a comment too.  You all really make my day!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

TUSAL March

Click the picture to learn more!

Today brings us another TUSAL!  Is it me or are the months flying by already?  Let's have a look at the ORT pile this month.

I wish these daffodils weren't silk but rather real ones from my garden.  I've seen signs there will be real ones soon though!  After yesterday's 60+ degrees, it gives me hope.  Although, I've heard the s-word for tomorrow.  Sheesh, Mother Nature, give us a break already! Okay enough of my ramblings, lets get on with the ORT report.

This month's contributors were:

“Quaker Scissor Case” by Barbara Bernard (in progress)
“Hornbook Bestiary Sampler” by The Scarlet Letter (in progress)
March's installment of the John Foster group project (in progress)
Stitched With Love Exchange - Spring/Easter round (Done!)
"P" scissor fob for my friend Paula's birthday (Done!)

Well folks, that's the ORT report for this month.  Things are progressing along and hopefully I'll have couple of  finishes soon.  I'm hoping to get the stitching done on the Quaker Scissor Case before the week's over.

I've got a picture heavy post for tomorrow and I also received my Seasonal Exchange piece in the mail today so I've got plenty to share in the coming days.  Hope your week is off to a roaring start!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Progress Report

Since we are now three months into the year, I thought I'd give you all a progress report on my ongoing projects.  This will be a long picture filled post.  Let's get going!  First up, The Hornbook Bestiary by Scarlet Letter.

Progress as of 2/6/13

Progress as of 3/7/13

As you can tell I got on a roll with this one.  I don't know what it was but all of a suddent the over one stitching just clicked and I took off with it.  I found myself not wanting to put it down.  I worked on it for three days straight and got all of this done.  The bottom picture is the most true representation of the linen color.  Next up is the Quaker Scissor Pocket project.

Progress as of 1/24/13

Progress as of 3/7/13

I'm getting really close to a finish on this one.  This is my lunch time stitch.  I've pretty much only worked on it then.  I did add a tiny crown in the spot where the acorn was charted and I'm starting on the center motif now.  I decided to go with the over one design as charted.  Next I'll need to start looking for a lining fabric soon.  Next up is John Foster.

Progress as of 1/24/13

Progress as of 3/7/13

John is starting to look like something now.  We actually got to add some color this month and it really made a difference.  This is what I've been working on in the evenings this week.  Let's look at March's installment close up!

I adore the bee skep!  It's actually the main reason I bought this chart in the first place.  It just looks so realistic!  I love how my NPI conversion matches the DMC so well.  Gotta love those funky flowers too.  I like how this one is coming along as well.


Well folks, now you are all caught up on my progress as we enter the end of the first quarter of the year.  I'm pretty pleased with all the stitching that's been going on lately.  I feel like all three of my big projects are moving along nicely at this point and a finish is soon on the horizon too.

I hope you are making good progress on your projects as well.  Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today.  Have a good rest of the week.  I can see the weekend from here!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

BBD Exchange

Now that I know my partner has received her exchange, I get to show you what I sent for the Blackbird Designs Exchange - round #11!  This little cutie went all the way across the pond to Angi in Hungary. 

Design:  Sweet Thoughts of You

Designer:  Blackbird Designs

Fabric:  32ct. Chestnut

Floss:  GAST as charted

Started:  1/29/13

Finished: 2/2/13

Completed: 2/17/13

This is another one that was hard to give away.  The cotton fabric I used to finish it with is one that's been in my stash since my early days of quilting.  I can hardly believe how closely it matched the blue in the basket.  I found the trim at JoAnn's.  They still have it last time I was there.  I think it all goes so well together.

This one was supposed to be stitched on perforated paper but I decided to stitch it on linen in a color that came close to the paper color. I actually found this fabric on the road trip my honey and I took in January.  I also decided to put the date at the top and stitch our initials (all over one) where the date would be.

Overall, I'm really pleased with how this one turned out.  I may have to stitch this one for myself.

***

Here's the fun part, yesterday the mailman brought my exchange package! Guess who it was from? Yep, you guessed it, Angi from Hungary! Isn't that just too funny?! Thanks, Lisa V that was fun!

Angi, sent me this wonderful stitched piece along with a sweet thimble that was made in Hungary and some wonderful hand-dyed flosses from Barbaral Creations.  I've never had the pleasure of experiencing this floss but it's super soft and very pretty.  Thank you, Angi!  I love everything you sent!

Design from Secret Garden Necessity Box and Strawberry

Loose Feathers #20

 

Here's a closer look at the stitched piece!  Isn't if wonderful?  Angi's finishing is super nice! Love the sweet heart charms she added.

Look at this pretty backing fabric.  I love the pumpkins and sunflowers.  The twine on the edging is a nice touch too.  I would have never thought of that myself. 

I had to show you this tape she used to seal the packages.  I love these sweet little dogs!  Too bad you can't get them as fabric.  I'd certainly add some to the stash!

Thanks to Lisa V for coordinating the exchange and especially thanks to Angi for stitching for me. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing the exchange pieces and thanks again for stopping by to visit with me today.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Quilt Show and Antique Samplers

Today I decided to slip away for some fun at the Lebanon Quilt & Fabric Arts Show.  It's not too far a drive so I hopped in the car and away I went.  I didn't know I was in for a double treat today...more on that in a minute.

The show is held in the old Lebanon post office building which adjoins the Warren County History Center Museum pictured above.  Both are wonderful old historic buildings in downtown Lebanon, Ohio.

Here is one of the prize winning quilts on display that caught my eye.

This one was my favorite.  Love the way those colors sparkle on that black background!

In addition to quilts there are plenty of vendors to tempt you too.  Here's a picture of some of the vendors as seen from the mezzanine inside the museum.  This is where I found the second treat of the day and I'd have to say the best part of the day too!

The History Center Museum houses Sue Studebaker's antique sampler collection.  Sue wrote the book Ohio Is My Dwelling Place and Ohio Samplers: Schoolgirl Embroideries 1803-1850.  (Both books can be found at the Museum's gift shop as well as on Amazon.)

Before her passing, Sue worked with the Warren County Historical Society for several years teaching antique study courses and volunteering as a curator for special exhibitions as well as writing these two wonderful books. 

The museum has some of Sue's samplers on display thanks in part to our guild's philanthropy.  It was so fun to see our guild acknowledged in two different display cases today!  Let's look at some of the samplers closer!

Here's a look at one of the displays.  I love the smalls.  I'll apologise in advance for the glare on some of the photos.  It was hard to get a good picture due to the lighting and I was using my iPhone.  I don't think you'll mind though!

 Here's Lydia (Harvey?).  I love the Berlin work style flowers in this one.

This is Amanda Gregg, 1821 from Springboro, Ohio.  Amanda was just 7 years old when she stitched this one.  You can find her on page 54 in Ohio Is My Dwelling Place.  The book tells us she was the 10th child in the Gregg family who were among the first settlers of Ohio.

Nancy Irwin, 1834.

This sampler is shown on page 90-91 of Ohio Is My Dwelling Place and page 29 of Ohio Samplers: Schoolgirl Embroideries 1803-1850 .  The book tells us she was seventeen when she completed this sampler.

Notice the steamboat on her sampler, the Irwin family arrived in Cincinnati sometime before 1793 and soon made their way to Lemon Township, Butler County.  Records show the family eventually included 14 children.  Love that border and of course, the steamboat!

 

Esther Ann Brown, 1832.
10 years old from Waynesville, Ohio. 

I love that top alphabet!

 Martha Sellers, 1838.
12 years old  Warren County, OH

" Let no fond love of earth exact a sigh

No doubts divert our steady steps aside

Nor let us long to live nor dread to die

Heaven is our hope and providence our guide"

 Margaret C Taylor.

 There was no card for this one and I can't find her in either book.  I love the oversize trees and the basket of flowers.  That ivy vine border is pretty nice too!

 Rachael Rakestraw, 1815

Motto

"Small treasure to a resign'd mind

sufficient  How happy it is to be

content with a little to live in humility

and feel that in us which breaths out

this language  abba __ father"

This one feels Quaker to me for some reason.  I like the verse!

 Sarah Rawlins, 1774

Ten Commandments

"Thou shalt have no more Gods but me

Before no Idol bow thy Knee

Take not the Name of God in vain

Nor dare the Sabbath Day profane

Give both thy Parents Honour due

Take heed that thou no Murder do

Abstain from Words and deeds unclean

Nor steal tho thou art poor and mean

Nor make a wilful Lye nor love it

What is thy Neighbours do not covet"

The exhibit card says this sampler was used as packing in a button box shipment from England.  This is just the best rendition of the Ten Commandments I've ever read!  I would totally stitch this one.

 Sarah Ross, 1806.

The sign says "Sarah Ross was born to Dr. and Mrs. John Ross of Chester County, PA in 1795.  The family moved to Lebanon where she met and married Thomas Corwin.  Sarah was raised a Quaker, but became a Baptist after marriage.  Mrs. Corwin lived the remainder of her life in Lebanon as a dedicated mother and wife, while Thomas Corwin served as the Governor of Ohio, United States Congressman."

Rhonda J Warwick, 1850.

"Twill save us from a thousand snares

To mind religion young

Grace will preserve our following years

And make our virtue strong"

This sampler can be seen on page 260 of Ohio Is My Dwelling Place and you can read about her on page 259.  The book tells us Rhoda Jane Warwick was born on January 21, 1833, and was the daughter of Josiah and Clarissa (Wood) Warwick of Warren County.  The young couple first resided in neighboring Butler County for several years but had moved to Warren County by the time Rhoda worked this sampler.  She was almost eighteen at the time.  This is my absolute favorite of all of them!

I didn't get pictures of all of the samplers, just the ones that caught my eye.  If you find yourself near Lebanon, Ohio, I strongly encourage you to visit the museum and see these beauties in person.**  If you can't get to the museum, see if you can find a copy of either of the fore mentioned books.  They are wonderful!

I am so grateful to Sue Studebaker for preserving these treasures and researching so many of them.  I'm also pleased our guild chose to help support the care of these wonderful samplers and that the Warren County History Center is displaying them for all to see!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing the exhibit with me today.  Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher


**EDITED:  I found out after writing this post that the School Girl Samplers of Warren County Ohio exhibit will be on display through this summer!