Happy 1st Birthday, Shelby

I know some of you are going to think I'm crazy but please just indulge me a bit.  All the animal lovers out there will understand.  This isn't going to be a stitchy post.  Today is our Shelby's 1st birthday!  I can hardly believe it! 

This is one of my favorite baby pictures of her. It was taken on February 2nd. She was 7 weeks old and it was four days after we got her.  Just look at that cuteness!

Here she is today...one year old!  I treated her tonight to a new rawhide bone and a cut up cheese stick with her kibble.

It's been a crazy year having a furbaby again.  After four years with no critter, it took some adjusting to get used to having a high energy pup underfoot again.  How quickly you forget all the antics of a puppy.  Especially a Dalmatian!  We knew what we were getting into though.  She's our second one and I grew up with one.

I've noticed lately she seems to be mellowing out quite a bit and has become quite the velcro dog.  She is my constant companion when I'm home.  If I stand still she leans, if I go to another room she is right beside me, if I'm on the couch or chair she's in my lap.  I wouldn't have it any other way either.  She's the first dog I've ever had that has chosen me to be her person.  I had a cat once that did that but not a dog.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!  I love ya more than words can say!

We'll resume the regularly expected stitchy posts next time.  I couldn't resist sharing this milestone today.  Thank you for indulging me!


More later,

The Inspired Stitcher

Christmas Party - Gifts Received

 

When I got to the Guild Christmas party on Saturday my place at the table looked as though Santa had already visited! Check it out!  Everyone had a bag of charts at their place setting.  These were the ones in my bag!

 

Everyone also got a spiral notebook that was personalized with our guild's name and the year.  Once of the board members even wrote a couple little notes of inspiration in each of them. 

 

The party committee stitched one of these mini jars filled with hard candy for every attendeee! 

I'm told they don't care if they ever see that snowman's face again.  I can only imagine.  I'm giving you each a "Wonder Woman" cape.  You go girls!!  LOL!

Later in the day I actually won a door prize!  Look at these wonderful things by In The Company of Friends!   I believe these were donated by The Silver Needle too.

This gift is from my peep, Christie.  It's a handmade jewelry pouch filled with chocolate goodness!  It's pink too!!! This will be perfect for taking with me on my next trip.   Love it! 

My dear friend Ellen gifted me with this neat fat quarter that has saying about friendship on it.  She thought I could use it in my finishing sometime.  I'm sure I will too!

This lovely came from my peep, Linda who I traveled with to Shepherd's Bush and Morgantown, WV.  She knows I love all things Paris!  Look at all that wonderful glittery goodness.  She's also the one who hooked me on Starbucks' salted carmel hot chocolate too.  Yum!

This little cutie came from my peep, Patti.  I love that the box is also decorative.  I plan to sit it out as part of my holiday decorating.  Look how tiny that salt cellar is!

Here's a closer picture of the stitched piece.  Patti put it in an antique salt cellar she got at the Russellville antiques shop on our trip together this summer.  I knew she was up to something when she shooed me away from the counter that day.  Sneaky devil!  Isn't it cute?!  That's a counting pin on the left.

I got this gift from my peep, Marsha on Friday night at the LNS stitch-in.  Isn't that basket the cutest?!  I wish the blog had a way for you to smell that wonderful candle.  Oh it is just so yummy!  She said it is called orange blossom.  I love the mints and floss too!

 

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While I'm on the subject of gifts.  My seceret stitcher spoiled me with an early birthday present  too.  I had gotten up from the table to go somewhere and when I came back I found this!  It had a pretty ribbon on it but I'd already pulled it off before I thought to snap this picture.

 

I can not tell you how thrilled I was that she remembered my birthday early!   I'm always so humbled when someone remembers.  Want to see what's inside?

 

Check this out!  It's a "foam" quilt kit.   I love that she chose a bee too!  I actually looked at these when I was in Shipshewanna last month.  Turns out that's where she got it when she and her honey went on a weekend getaway the weekend before I was there.

 

Later at the party I found out who my person was!  It was my buddy, Evie!  She was one of the peeps that went with me to Shepherd's Bush.  She's the one in the red shirt beside me.  I'm told by both Linda (in the green) and Patti (in the blue) that a lot of secret stitcher shopping went on in Utah!  How funny is that?! 

 

Here's what she gave me for my Christmas present.  I love the December note pad.  Look at that tiny Dalmatian on the necklace.  It's a tiny bell!  Evie told me she got the sheep necklace kit in Utah at Shepherd's Bush's shop.

I had wanted to buy one but they were sold out when I went looking for it.  Turns out someone had already snatched one up for me.  Tee Hee!!  Love that!  The ornament in the picture is what she made me for the reveal.  More on that later!

Thank you so much, Evie!  You truly made my year very special having you as my Secret Stitcher!

 

Speaking of birthday gifts, this one was from my peep, Christie.  She spoiled me with the Just Nan limited edition Gingerbread Mouse kit with the fabric and some Hello Kitty Jelly Bellys!  Do my peeps know me or what?!

I've already started and finished the sheep necklace kit from Evie and I'm almost done with the mouse kit too.  I'll show you those another day.

 

My friends really know how to make a person feel cared for and spoiled.  They are a truly special group and I'm so honored to have them all in my life.  Thank you to all of you for these wonderful special gifts.  You girls are the best!  Seriously!

 

This year's party really had a warm feeling to it.  I can't exactly put my finger on it but there really was a sense of comraderie I hadn't felt in years past.  Thanks to Evie and all her helpers for a wonderful memory filled day!  I truly had a great time.

 

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Well folks, this post has gotten quite lengthy so I'm going to stop for now.  I still have plenty of wonderful ornaments I want to share with you and an amazing amount of Show and Tell too.   I may have to split them into two separate posts.  It was seriously a big day!  Stay tuned!

 

 

More later,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

Blackbird Designs Exchange

Yesterday brought a sweet surprise in my mailbox.  My exchange piece from round 10 of the Blackbird Designs Exchange winged it's way to me from the other side of the world!  Check out this little lovely made by Lisa V in Australia!

This is "Love Letters"  form the Joyeux Noel book.  I've always wanted to stitch this one but somehow never got around to it.  Now I have one of my very own and it was stitched by a dear friend!

I love how she mounted it on a round grass mat too!  The blue ric rac perfectly matches the threads in the design.  I like the added little flower blings and the charm that reads "Made For You."

I was beginning to get concerned since I was the last one to receive my piece.  It was totally worth the wait and I completely understand why it took a while to get to me too.  I love, love, love it!!!

Lisa V is the new coordinator of this exchange group and she did a super job both as coordinator and exchange partner!  Thank you so much my friend!  I'll treasure this always.

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I have lots to share with you and it will come in several posts as soon as I can sort out the 67 pictures I took at the guild party on Saturday.  So stay tuned!  Thanks for visiting with me today!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Last ornament done!

Firstly, thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my BAP finish!  You can't possibly know how much your kindness means to me.  I am still on a cloud!  Thank you.

Since I finished the BAP I had plenty of time to complete my last commitment ornament last night too!  This one will be for the guild's ornament exchange.  Yesterday was a day filled with finishes.  Love that!

Design:  My Little Christmas Gift (1999 JCS Ornaments issue)

Designer:  Little by Little

Fabric:  40ct. Parchment

Floss:  DMC as charted (one over two)

Started:  11/24/12

Finished:  11/29/12

Completed:  12/5/12

The fabric in the background is what I used for backing.  Yes, it's the same fabric I used for my stitching pouch I made earlier this year.  I really wish I'd bought more of it!

I decided to do the hanger a little differently than I usually do.  I wanted to have little fluffy knots show on the front of the ornament.  If the recipient doesn't like the hanger she can snip it off and have a cute little pillow to display. 

 

I usually like to stitch my ornament backs with personalization. I didn't need to do that since this chart had it as part of the design. I did have to rechart my initials, the date, and the word "You."  I really like this one and  I have enough fabric left over for both the front and the back to stitch this one again.  I'm seriously thinking about doing just that too.  It was a quick stitch.

As of now, I'm ready for the guild's Christmas party on Saturday!  I'm so glad.  I accomplished exactly what I had hoped to get done...all the ornaments and the BAP for show and tell.  I can hardly wait now!

The next two days are going to be filled with holiday festivities.  Tomorrow night is both my department's holiday gathering and the LNS's monthly stitch-in and cookie exchange!  Then as I already mentioned, Saturday brings the guild's Christmas party.

I'll be sure to take pictures of all the show and tell at the guild party as well as all the ornaments.  We are going to have a grand time!

Thank you so much for your visit with me today.  I know we are all busy at this time of year and I appreciate your stopping by.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

BAP FINISHED!!!

Folks, I'm about as happy as one person can get right now!  As of 1:47pm today I put the very last stitch in my BAP on my lunch hour!!!  I can not believe I've finished it but I have! May I present my finished BAP!

Design: 2012 Antique Sampler
Designer:  Ellen Maurer-Stroh
Fabric: 40 ct. cream linen
Floss: DMC as charted
Stitching Started: 1/9/12

Stitching Finished: 12/5/12

I am in awe just looking at it.  This is my very first large sampler finish ever!  I can assure you this will not be the last either.  I couldn't be more pleased.  I've already got plans for the next one percolating.

December's "Assignment"

Started: 12/1/12

Finished: 12/5/12

This part was my "assignment" for December.  I worked ahead on the borders so I wouldn't have as much to do.  I knew this time of year would be busy and I'm so glad I did it.  It really helped!

I look at this sampler and I have so many memories stitched into each section.  I stitched the peacock at the Keepsakes Retreat in January.  Everyone who saw me stitching it went crazy over it!  I even inspired a couple people to want to stitch it too just by seeing my start!

In April I was so sick when I stitched the yellow bird.  My stitching helped me feel "normal" as much as I could feeling so bad.  I was so pleased to see that section done because it meant I was a third of the way done!

The easiest motif to stitch was the mushrooms in spite of having to switch out the colors in order for them to show up. I'm still pleased with my choices.   I can't imagine this sampler without them either.  I love them!  I also love to eat them but that's another story for another time.  LOL!

The most challenging parts were the top and bottom borders. I love how the top and bottom change direction. There are also a lot of color changes in those flowers and leaves.  There are four to five different greens in each leaf and five different colors in each flower!  Not conting the two different browns in the stems.  So that means there are 21 different colors in each repeat! 

Oh and the day I finished the dog, was a happy day too.  I remember when I started we didn't have our sweet girl, Shelby.  I chose this sampler because of the dog.  Maybe it was fate that we got our Shelby because I was subconsciously wishing for it.  I'll never know.

Then there were the butterflies that attracted me to this sampler too.  I remember stitching the first butterfly while on vacation with my honey for your anniversary in Newburg, New York!  I even stitched butterflies in the car as we traveled back home.  Oh yes, I did!

 I remember stitching the big cabbage roses and thinking they were just a big pink blob until I stood back from them. Wow, did that shading really work its magic on those roses!  They remind me of the roses that used to bloom near the porch of my childhood home.  Sweet, sweet memories!

There's just so much I love about this sampler!  I've said it from the beginning and I'll say it now, I've loved each and every stitch of the sampler.  Every. Single. One!

I'm also so glad I chose to stitch this on 40ct.  I wouldn't have wanted to stitch it on any other count.  I wouldn't have gotten the same effect if I had.  It really pops the colors and intensifies the stitches.  I've received so much positive feedback on that very choice too.

Since you know I love numbers, here are a few to chew on.  I worked on this sampler a total of approximately 81 days or so.  Some months I didn't work on it every day so that number might be off in reality.  The average amount of days it took to complete an assignment was 7.  It took longer to work on it in the months of June, October, and November.  I did a fair amount of traveling those months and didn't take the sampler with me.  Not too shabby, I'd say!

I really enjoyed the way this SAL was structured.  It really was freeing to be able to expect my "assignment" on the 1st of each month and then know that when I finished it up I could move onto other things without guilt.  It really worked for me.  It also motivated me too!

Thank you so much Ellen Maurer-Stroh for designing such a wonderful sampler and most of all for making it free too!

Thank you to all of you, my dear readers, for your constant encouragement and visits.  Also thanks to my peeps for being my cheerleaders too.  You all rock!

  IT'S DONE!!!!!

Doing the Snoopy dance,

The Inspired Stitcher

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

I've been invited to join Nicola and Jo over at Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year blog.  Nicola is turning the big 5-0 this year.  So to celebrate she's invited folks to come stitch Scarlet Letter samplers all year long with her!

I've had several on my wish list for a while now.  This was just the kick in the pants I needed to get one off the list and into my hands.  So which one did I pick you ask?  Well first let's look at the contenders!

Country Life - 1783

Ann Smith 1767

Dorothy Walpole 1774

Ruth Bacheler 1717

There is something special about each of these and eventually I hope to at least own the charts.  Maybe even stitch them someday.  However, there is one that really tugged at me and ultimately is the one I declared "the one" for me!

Hornbook Bestiary Sampler

I have a thing for hornbooks, I always have!  So it was a no-brainer that this was the one I chose.  I've always loved it and now I can't wait to stitch it.

 

I plan to ask for this for Christmas.  If I don't get it at Christmas, then I'll order it on my birthday.  Yep, having a birthday at the holiday season can be a curse most of the time.  However, in this case it might work out to be a blessing or at least a second chance to get this kit/chart.  LOL!

 

I've already got another sampler in mind to start in the new year with some of the peeps as a SAL and I didn't want to commit to another BAP on top of that.  I think this will fit the bill nicely.  It seems to me to be a manageable size.  It's also got the colors of my living room in it too so I know exactly where this will hang when it's finished.

 

The invitation to join this group comes at a good time too.  I just printed off the last "assignment" for my Ellen Maurer-Stroh BAP.  I hope to get a lot of stitching time in on it this weekend.  My goal is to have the BAP done by next Saturday.  Now I'll have the Scarlet Letter Hornbook to fill the void.

So there you have it folks, that's what I've been up to.  Have you started thinking about what you'll stitch next year?  If you have, tell me in the comments.  I'd love to hear all about it!

 

I hope everyone has a good weekend and gets some stitching time in too.  Thank you so much for visiting with me today!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Third Ornament Finished & Pie!

I hope everyone who celebrated had a good Thanksgiving.  Mine was pretty low key but nice.  I'm also happy to report MIL came through the surgery just fine.  Thanks to all who sent well wishes.

I was able to get a good start on my third ornament for our guild's Christmas party while in the waiting room.  I managed to finish it this weekend and make a start on the fourth one.  Check it out!

Design:  Joy of Christmas

Designer:  My Big Toe Designs

Fabric:  36 ct. white iridescent linen

Floss:  Belle Soie "Tulip"

Started:  11/16/12

Finished:  11/23/12

Completed:  11/23/12

I can't show you the back of this one as it's personalized for the recipient.  I know she reads the blog too.  I just hope she likes it.

I stitched it over two instead of the over one as charted.  Using the 36ct. helped it not be too large.  It still turned out a little bigger than anticipated but I like it.  I wish the iridescent threads showed up better in the picture.  It really makes it feel festive.

I decided to use silk on this one.  I could have used DMC but I wanted to treat myself with the silk.  It just feels so yummy!  Aren't we stitchers all about feeling the fabric and floss anyway?  I know I am!

I'm so glad to be on the downhill side of the commitment stitching.  I need to finish up the fourth ornament and then it will be BAP time again.  There just aren't enough hours in the day to do all the stitching I'd like to do and still work too.  I'm sure all of you that work know what I mean.  I'm really looking forward to the time off at Christmas.

***

Speaking of the holidays, I had a request for my pie recipe.  I don't have a picture to share as we ate it all up before I even thought to snap one (I grabbed this one from a Google search).  You'll have to take my word for it when I say it was yummy!  I know there are a couple blog readers out there that can testify.

Now I must tell you a little history about this particular pie.  The recipe was created between 1810 and 1825 by the North Carolina Quakers who settled on farms along the eastern border of Indiana, especially in the Winchester, Richmond, Portland and New Castle areas.  It is also the official Indiana state pie!

I grew up eating it and never realized it was a regional thing. Most of my friends in the city had never eaten it or heard of it.  It has no eggs or butter in it unlike other versions of this type of pie.  Here's the recipe.  Let me know if you make one.

Indiana Sugar Cream Pie

1/2 Cup white sugar
1/2 Cup packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1 pint heavy whipping cream (I've used half and half but it's not as good)
freshly ground nutmeg
1 unbaked pie crust (Mrs. Pillsbury makes mine but you can suit yourself)

Mix all the dry ingredients together (white sugar, brown sugar, flour and salt).
Slowly add the whipping cream.  Do not over stir.
Pour into unbaked pie crust.
Grate nutmeg over top. (I always freshly grate mine.)

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Turn down the heat to 350 and bake for 20-25 minutes more.  The pie will be a bit jiggly in the middle when you take it out but it will firm up as it cools.

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Well folks, that's all I've got for you today.  I hope everyone had a good holiday and I hope you have a good week too.  Thanks for your visit today!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher