A Good Mail Day

 Yesterday the mailman brought me two really fun packages! One I knew was coming and the other I was hoping would come soon but had no idea what it would be.  First up, a win from the Bay of Evil.

 

I've been in a Hillside Samplings mood lately and when I saw this it just called my name.  I've got the basket already.  It's a leftover from my former days as a Longaberger consultant.  Now I just need to find the time to stitch it!

Funny how you can have the basket, the floss, the fabric and all you need is time.  Somebody should figure out how to sell that!  I know we'd all be in line to buy some.  LOL!

The best thing came in this package!  First, a little back story.  I read French General's blog, The Warp and The Weft.  I love their style and the pictures they post of the French countryside make me wish I was there again.

The beginning of the month Kaari hosted a giveaway on the blog and I threw my name in the hat.  I never do this expecting to win but you never know.  Well, a couple days later Kaari had an Oprah moment and everyone who commented on the giveaway post benefited!

EK Success who makes French General's Jolee Boutique/French General Paper Crafts line offered to give all the commenters a sampling of their products!!!  Yes, everyone who commented on the giveaway post got a package!!!  How incredibly cool is that?!

Want to see what they sent?  Of course you do!!!  Just look at all this goodness!

Here's everything all together.  Let's look at it all in detail.  I know you want to!

The notions kit.  Love those buttons!

Ribbons!  Love the one with the crown and bee.  The spool charm is so cool too!

 

A package of tags with strings!

 

My favorite part, two packages of buttons!

 

I'm thinking I'll put all these together in a shadow box frame and display them in my sewing room.  I may have to see if I can find more bits from this line to include them in the frame too.

 

I just can't believe the generosity of French General and EK Success!  If anybody from either place reads this, thank you so much!!!

 

***

 

Well folks, that's all I've got today.  I want to thank those that responded to my last post asking for travel advice.  If you know of anything else you want to share, please feel free to tell me.  There's still time!

 

Also thanks for stopping by today and sharing my excitement.  I hope your mail carrier brings you something good too.

 

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

 

As a disclaimer: I was not asked to write this post or to publicly thank them. I'm just so humbled and excited, I had to share with you all!

Something completely different

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  I was in a productive mood this past weekend.  I did a bit of sewing and some stitching but nothing I can show yet.

I've also been in the mood to bead lately.  I haven't shown any beading projects for a while so I thought I'd share my weekend finishes with you.  I also need your advice but I'll get to that in a minute.

 

First up, is a kit I bought a couple years ago when my peep, Marsha and I visited a bead store after a stitch-in.  I don't know why I didn't do this one sooner.  It came with everything in it, all I had to do was put it together!  I like the pearls and the pink stones in this one.  It even came with the stuff to do a pair of earrings!

 

I'm gathering beads for another bracelet project and couldn't find what I wanted locally so I went to the city to the big bead store to see what I could find. Luck would have it they did have something close enough. This is what got this whole mood going for me.

 

 

Then I saw this kit!  Swoon!  These are my colors.  I love the sea foam green and the bigger crystals are a purpley opalish color.  Love at first sight!  So I went home and made this one straight away.

That prompted me to remember the pink kit so I went stash diving and put it together too!  Now I have two new pretty bracelets to wear along with a pair of new earrings!

***

I know this post probably isn't what you came to read but to keep it stitch related here's where the need for advice comes in.  My honey and I are getting ready to celebrate our 16th anniversary soon!  We are planning to go on a road trip.

When we got married we made a pact with each other that our vacations would include something we want to do together, something he wants to do and something I want to do.  Most of the time my choices include something stitchy and his include something to do with motorcycles.  We both like museums and historical things!

Our grand adventure this time is going to take us to Cooperstown, NY and Newburgh, NY with a side stop in West Chester, PA.   I believe we will be taking I-90 across New York on the way out and I-80 across Pennsylvania on the way back.

Do any of you know of any stitch shops I should be sure to visit, good places to eat, things to see?  Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

***

Thank you for reading this far.  I appreciate you sticking with me today.  As always I appreciate your comments and visits.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Framed

I got to looking around in previous posts and realized I hadn't shared the following framed pieces yet.  Both were stitched in previous years but were just framed this year.  Let's start with the oldest one.

Deisgn:  All My Friends

Designer:  Cherished Stitches

Fabric:  As kitted

Floss:  As kitted

Started:  7/10/10

Finished:7/10/10

Completed:  7/7/12

 

This one was a group project we stitched at the 2010 Russellville Retreat.  It's done entirely over one.  At the time, I hadn't stitched much over one and I struggled a bit with it.  I pressed on because I loved the colors and the sweet saying.  I passed this chart along to Giovanna when she won my blogoversary giveaway.

 

I finally got my act together and framed it right before this year's retreat.  Our hostess, Belinda provided the frame so all we had to do was find the foam board/mounting board and pop it in the frame.  I really can't say why I didn't do this sooner but I'm glad I finally did.

 

It turned out pretty good for my first attempt at framing something myself with a store bought frame.  I believe the frame came from Hobby Lobby in case you are interested.

 

 Deisgn:  Be Nice 

Designer:  The Heart's Content

Fabric:  36 ct. Exampler by Lakeside Linens

Floss:  My DMC conversion

Started:  1/15/11

Finished:  1/31/11

Completed:  5/12/12

 

This one I started last year at the Keepsakes Retreat.  It's supposed to be stitched over one on gauze but I found this in the "free box" so all that was there was the pattern.

 

I went with linen instead and converted the called for silks to DMC.  Nobody says you have to stitch it on gauze or with the called for silks or even over one!  Yep, see what a rebel I am.  LOL!

This is the first linen piece I've ever had professionally framed.  I really think my framer did a super great job!  I told her just to make it pretty and gave her a picture of the original.  I think she picked the best frame for it.  I love the beading around the outside edge!  This piece just makes me smile.

Now that I think of it, it's funny to me that both of these were started at retreats and both of them were framing firsts for me.  Both of them are displayed in my dining room too.  How coincidential!

I hope you enjoyed seeing these two today.  I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Tin Topper Finish

In my last post I mentioned stitching the single pocket from Hillside Samplings' "My Stitching Chair Necessaire."  I stitched the fob from this chart earlier this summer and wanted to stitch a tin topper to go with it.  I'm pleased to be able to show you the finished piece today.

Design:  Single Pocket from "My Stitching Chair Necessaire"

Designer:  Hillside Samplings

Fabric: 36 ct. Parchment

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  8/5/12

Finished:  8/13/12

Completed:  8/19/12

I did have to add some stitches to the width to make it big enough to cover the wording printed on the lid.  I tried a "new-to-me" stitch in the center of the flowers called cross tied windmill.  It turned out pretty well for my first attempt at it.

Here it is with the scissors fob I stitched back in May.  I opted to go with the red twisted cord rather than match the green on the fob so it would blend better with the tin's top.

I actually made both the red and the green to see which I liked best.  Hubby said he liked the red better so I went with that.  I like it too.  It gives more focus to the stitching rather than detracting from it like the green seemed to do.

I also used seven layers of thin cotton batting to give the top a bit of pouf.  I think I'll do this again on the next one.  I tend to use the tin topper lid as a needle nanny when I'm stitching.  

I've made several tin toppers in the past seen here, here, here and here.  I really do enjoy making them. They are so useful for stitching on the go.

***

I hope you had a good weekend and I hope your week is good too.  Thanks for stopping by today for a visit with me.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

TUSAL & Jolly Jack finished

Design:  Jolly Jack

Designer:  All Through the Night

Fabric: 30 ct. WDW Putty

Floss:  Called for WDW

Started:  9/9/11

Finished:  8/16/12

Let's start today with my latest finish.  I decided to work on Jack at the guild stitch-in the other night and made some good progress so last night I decided to just finish him up.  I also decided not to stitch the words.  I have a finish in mind, I just need to percolate on how I want to execute it.  So stay tuned!

I've been in a fall stitching mood since the weather finally gave us a break from the scorching heat.  I love the floss that was called for on the leaves.  It's called Tobacco Road.  It has a lot of nice variegation to it and is just perfect for leaves!

***

Today is also TUSAL day!  Remember, TUSAL stands for Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long.  So I gathered up my ORTs and here's my ORT report for August.  This month's contributors were:

• August Assignment for the EMS SAL aka BAP (DONE!)
• Thank You heart for Summer Exchange (DONE and received!)
• ORTs Container and Bee Hive scissor fob from The Primitives Club (DONE!)
• Rouge Du Rhin "L" (Done...needs to be completed)
• Single pocket from Hillside Samplings' Stitching Chair Necessaire (Done...needs to be completed)
• Glory House by Chessie and Me (in progress)
• I Sigh Not for Beauty by C Street Samplers (yes, still in progress)

Well, that's the round up.  It's not a very big list but it sure did creat a respectable pile o'ORTs.  I really need a finishing day soon.  I've got several things patiently waiting.  I've also got a list a mile long of the fall/halloween/thanksgiving/gift stitching I want to do right now.  Sigh, if only I could just stay home and stitch all day! Don't we all wish we could do that?!   LOL!

***

Well folks that's all I've got today.  Thankfully we made it to another Friday.  Can I get a woo hoo from all the stithers?  Oh yes, I heard y'all!

I'm off to the Tiara Club's stitch-in tonight.  We are in a new location since our peep, Rita entered a new chapter in her life.  Hey Rita, I know you are reading this...I miss ya!

Thanks to all for stopping by today for a visit.  Welcome to the new followers and a big thanks to all who take the time to comment.  I really do enjoy reading them!  Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Secret Stitcher

Yesterday brought me a package from my Secret Stitcher.  I can tell she had fun putting this one together!  I had to smile when I opened the envelope and saw this peeking out at me.

I cracked up when I saw all the "back to school" bits taped all over the tissue paper.  We start back next Monday so these were so appropriate!

Here's what was inside.  A zippered pouch that goes in a three ring binder and a matching pencil case!  The best part is they are pink!!!  I love the flower design on them too.  Oh this is just too cool.  Wonder what's inside?!

Here's what was inside the zippered pouch.  From left to right: a long handled ball pointed bodkin, a needle threader, a super cute August note pad and a magnetic telescoping stick for picking up errant needles.  All very useful things!

I saved the very best part for last.  Look what was inside the pencil case...this Hello Kitty flash drive!!!  Can you even stand it?!  Oh this is just the coolest thing ever!  Who knew they even made such things?!  I love, love, love it!

Thank you so much Secret Stitcher!  You've certainly spoiled me well this month.  You really put some thought into this one and I love each and every thing.  How fun!

***

Tonight I'm off to the guild's monthly stitch-in.  I'm looking forward to hanging with the peeps and making some stitchy progress.  Who knows what I'll work on tonight.  I'm getting in the fall mood so I may have to bust out Jolly Jack and give him some attention or then there's always "Beauty" patiently waiting for her time with the needle too.  Oh decisions!

As always thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit with me today.  I hope everyone is having a good week so far.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Simply Primitives Club

The mailman brought a great surprise to my doorstep Thursday!  I finally received my first shipment from The Needle Hive's Simply Primitive Club!  I've been patiently waiting since spring to see what surprises Irene, owner of  The Needle Hive and Carolyn from Liberty Hill had put together for us.  Trust me it was worth the wait!  Check this out!!!

 It's a hand painted writing box!

 Here's the inside!  Don't you just love the bee hive and that saying?!

This is the stitching kit that came with it!  Everything I needed to stitch and finish both charts, pictures of the finished pieces and a bonus chart to boot!

Of course I had to start on this right away!  I love the saying on the ORTs container.  I stitched my initials and date over one on the back of the fob.  Love that bee skep!  Swoon!

Here the back of the fob and the ORTs container laying flat.  I love the fob with my heart scissors!

Design:  Bee Skep Fob and Portable Orts  Container

Designer:  Irene from The Needle Hive

Fabric: 32 ct. Chestnut as kitted

Floss:  DMC as kitted

Started: (fob and orts container) 8/9/12

Finished: (fob) 8/9/12 & (orts container) 8/10/12

Completed: (orts container) 8/10/12 & (fob) 8/11/12

 

Here it is all put together!  The instructions said to pin the sides of the ORTs container to make them stand up.  Isn't that just clever?  I just love this project and everything about it.  I can't wait to see what else Irene and Carolyn cook up for us in the coming year!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far.  Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher