Friday Finishes and Fotos!

This week was a slow one for me, I think the holidays wore me out and I just need some rest time. I love to do simple projects while I watch tv when I am resting, so I worked up a few stitcheries this week.

The first is from Kathy Schmitz's One stitch at a time club. The sample was done as a pin cushion, but as usual I changed it and added some words for fun. They will be fun to use as bowl fillers for Easter.

The second was a freebie from Kathy, Strawberry pincushions. The only thing I did different was to change the topper, keeping mine simple and more prim. The colors are off, it is darker and done on tea stained muslin, but I had to use my zoom to get photos tonight.

Another thing I did this week was take back my wide angle lens. I decided I would be better off with a zoom, so Bill took it back and ordered the zoom and I got that, this week. The problem is, I went to take photos tonight and realized the wide angle was on the camera, ughs, I took back the wrong lens. I cannot believe they didn't check the box, I could have put junk in there, for all they knew. So now I have to get up there and give them the right lens and hope mine is still there. 

I took a few photos to try it. For some reason, no birds were around when I wanted them to be, lol. But, a woodpecker was busy in my neighbor's tree so I took a few shots. He was a good distance up and the limbs made it hard to focus well, but I think it came out nicely, considering.

I also tried taking photos of Bean, but he does not stay still. I got one as he was coming back with a stick. I cropped it to close up and I think I got nice definition for a crop of a zoom. Usually if i do this, all I get is a blurry object and Bean was in motion. Hopefully we can get out on Sunday, seems we have a storm coming in tomorrow. We will need to get out and get supplies and things before it hits. I hope you all stay safe from the storms and enjoy your weekend.

Weekend Finishes from Freebies!

This weekend I was able to get the new Wool blocks put together and done. I missed last month, so I did both and it was fun to do them and two more blocks towards a finished quilt. The block is offered by Stacy of Buttermilk Basin for our Facebook Wool Applique group.

Last month was the sewing block and this month was the kitty block. I think the kitty one would be fun to do as a wall hanging too.

I also did the ornament for last month, tonight there will be a new one, so can't wait to see what this one will be. I messed up on the bird placement, but I do like how I used a blue background on this one. They are going to look nice hanging on a swag line, next Christmas. This free ornament is offered each month by Trish of Attic Heirlooms.

Wins..Buys and pillows!

Thanks to my friends and family, I won second place in the contest sponsored by This-n-That Fabrics. I tend to be practical, and I plan on making a lot of quilts and gifts, so I bought two packages of blades. Then I used the rest to treat myself to some fabrics and got a mix of fabrics to try. The ABC panel is beautiful, I was thinking it would be a nice panel for a charity quilt and something the kids would have fun looking at and learning with. The blue patchwork will be fun to use with dolls or patchwork animals, christmas writing to use as a background for wall quilts, and a gold homespun for my stash. I got the tan prairie cloth to try, have no idea what to do with it, but have heard others love using it. Be sure and visit This-n-That fabrics and follow if you haven't already, there is another contest running this week with a wonderful prize package.

Last weekend, we took a ride up to Massachusetts to visit The Quilted Crow. I love their store and I know I should have taken photos, but it was crowded and I was too busy walking around the store and ogling all the goodies. I got two patterns, but I just realized I didn't add them to the photo, duh. But I will be making them and show them off then;) I went up with ideas in mind, but they didn't have any of the patterns I was looking for, the owners had taken a lot of the punch and wool patterns to the show in NH. I was able to get some beautiful homespuns to add to my stash and more green and red for my christmas pieces. The blues are from the new Jan Patek homespun line, they are so beautiful in person, beautiful blue shades. This was an early birthday present to myself;) The tins are for pin cushions.

I am working on a new punch that I adapted from one of my patterns, but I made a couple of pillows for fun and to give my hands a break. The snow heads are a pattern from Primitive Blessings and the cat pillow is a design from Heartfelt Designs. Great ideas to add to packages.

Soar Pincushions!

I decided it was time to make this pattern, since I won it over a year ago. It was from a Blackbird Designs contest and this was in my prize package. It really was fun to do and I actually did chain and stem stitches, the right way, for once;)

The pattern is by Kathy Schmitz, I just love her designs and would love to do more of hers. I started these yesterday and finished today, so they work up fast and great idea for gift giving. You can follow her blog for new designs or visit her etsy shop.

I used tea stained muslim and the floss is a dark shade, 2021, so not as light and glossy as it looks in the photo.

Prim Goodies!

I finally took a photo of the new goodies I received from the prim swap in our ebay group, USAPRIM. Lori from HomeSpunPrims sent me the most wonderful gifts. I just love the items and can make a special grouping with them. She does such beautiful work, it is shame my old camera can't capture the work and warmth of the pieces.




I was feeling worse today so I went to a walk in clinic nearby, that has a group of good doctors and you don't have to make an appointment. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to drop again since Bill does have to go back to work, lol. Well, once he heard about the symptoms I had and questioned me further, he diagnosed me with lyme. My doc had mentioned it, but I don't remember even having a tick on me. But, for the last few years I have been getting sicker and it was frustrating. I didn't even realize that some of my problems were a sign of lyme, seems I have most of them. So, I am on a regime of antibiotics for a month with a follow up and hopefully this will work and I can start living again. With me it was effecting my nervous, muscle and joints, so I thought it was old age and not being in shape. My hands are even starting to feel better, so hopefully I can start working on some small projects this weekend.

I really appreciate the comments and good wishes and truly enjoy each and every one of my online friends!

New Pin Keeps!

I decided to I wanted to make one of Red Brolly's designs into a pin keep for myself.
I stick my needles in a pincushion and the hand sewing ones, always get lost.
So, I made this to hold my favorite ones. I used art markers to color in the design, then I stitched around that.



I made it into a trifold, so it has room for needles and scissors. I used velcro for the closure.
My machine stitching was off a bit, but good for practice and since it is mine, it doesn't have to be perfect, just practical;)
The green wool is one of the first wools I ever bought from our local store. It was a cheaper one, but thick, so it felts up too much with washing and dying, but perfect for wool projects.

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway, and check out the posting to learn more about me.



I also received a wonderful gift in the mail yesterday. We were having an egg contest at our primitive quilt group and Dorothy sent me this wonderful pin keep as a thank you for hosting it. Isn't it wonderful! She also gave me some vintage thread that I can use in my art projects.

Online Friendships!

I and I am sure a lot of you, have made some wonderful friends on the internet and through blogging.
Friends who we would never have known without online access and are blessed to know them.

This week, being rough with my rib pain, was a bit better by the generosity and thoughtfulness of my friends and the wonderful contests that they do. I have entered contests for the prizes like we all do, but have enjoyed the blogs so much, that I visit often and have made friends with many of them.

I wanted to show you some of the wonderful things that they have given me and some I have won.

This pilgrim doll was made by Jane, of Nothing Plain by Jane. It was part of a contest run by TDIPT and I was the lucky winner of Janes pilgrim doll. Is she not the most beautiful thing and the face details are wonderful. TDIPT has a group of wonderful artists if you are looking for finished primitive goodies.



Another prize I won, was from Madalynne of Pineapple Primitives. She generously gave away 12 handpainted ornaments and I was the lucky winner of this beautiful santa ornament. I love hand painted items and it looks wonderful on my tree.



Then this week, out of the blue, I received a package from Mary of Quilt Hollow. She sent me a card and a beautiful pin cushion that I will treasure and use. It sure made my day when I was feeling blue.



And to top it off, Carole of Quilting Adventures sent me a surprise package. I had chosen Carole's name in our group swap and
she went and sent me a little something to say thank you. She wasn't supposed to do that;) But it sure was nice of her and so much appreciated to get something to perk me up. She wrapped the present in this beautiful piece of homespun, I love homespun. I really needed those tissues, too, lol.



Inside was a beautiful wood, spool holder that her husband made. I should have taken side pictures, his work is so beautifully done, I just love it. It might just be the thing I need to hold my thin wool skeins when I machine couch. I just feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends, who seem to send me something, just when I need them. And also blessed by my friends and visitors who leave me such wonderful comments.

Thursdays are for the birds!

I have been working on finishing some items and some that are to be gifts.
I made the crow and then decided to make it into a pillow, using some prim crow fabric, my friend Kelley sent me.
I didn't plan it too well, I could figure out a way to get Autumn Harvest to fit right, even tried some whonky, but ended up putting Fall on. So now I am wondering, would she want this? LOL

So, I whipped up a bird pincushion to go with the bird mat and that came out pretty well, considering, I just made it up and have no idea what I am doing;) It is also a lot darker in person, I used Java, so it is extreme prim. I also forgot to mention, the pillow stitchery is a design by Babycakes and it is a free pattern, that you can do yourself.

Kitty Pin Cushions

I am still working on my braided runner, but I think one more round should do it. It is not wide, but the length is what takes time going around. Once I finish that, I can go back to my large hooked runner and finish that.

I made up a some more Kitty pincushions from Rock River Stitches.
They are fun to make and work up quick. I think they will make great gifts to send for fun.

I am experimenting with different materials to see what I like best.
This one I did in black material for the kitty and a homespun for the base. I like working with homespun, it is soft and easy to handle. This one is my favorite, so far. The picture does not do it justice. I had extra room, so I put two spools on it.



The second one I did in ticking for the base and the kitty is made of wool. Wool is definitely easier to work with, and it hides a multiple of mistakes;) I really need to pay attention to my sewing, to keep the circles in shape, but mine end up a bit off here and there. I took some yarn and made a little ball out of it, love the look. I will make more when I get a chance and try different types of wool too.

Kitty Pin Cushion

Today I made something new from a pattern made by Tammy of Rock River Stitches. It is such a cute pattern, that I will be making a bunch of them for friends. Tammy's patterns are really great to work from, simple and easy to follow.

But, you know me, I cannot follow directions, I just make things, lol. Then I see what I did wrong and try to correct it the next time;) I definitely need to practice my machine skills, I cannot seem to stay on track when I am sewing. So, mine is a bit off and not as nice as hers, but not bad for my first try. I do have a hard time working with small pieces.

I used heavy tan ticking for the kitty and light weight cotton ticking for the base. Then I sprayed it with walnut spray to age it. The spool I got in a package from the craft store and then I wound a piece of my dyed floss around it a bit. I think it will be fun to find mini sewing items and try different things with the designs.

Lots of new goodies!

Tonight I am brain dead, so if I make any mistakes writing, I am not editing;)
I finished a new punch today and started on a new project. I am doing a test punch for a quilter who will be making some of her designs into punch needle patterns, so stay tuned for news in the future.

Last week I got some wonderful goodies in the mail. My good friend Kelley was a bit behind on my birthday and Christmas this year, but as they say, good things come to those that wait.

The first surprise was not one, but three of her punched kitties. I love them all and each has a special place in the house now.



Then she sent me plaid and tan wools that I can dye and use in my other big rug. I love new wool:)
Then there is the beautiful prim basket that I can hang in my sewing room and if that was not enough, she filled it with prim homespuns. I am going to make a prim pieced quilt with them.



As if that was not enough, she sent me more fabrics to make quilts with. I am going to have to get moving on my quilting. To top it off, she sent me an Arnold's print works cat, I love them and this one is the large one, still in the package. I feel like I won the lottery. I think the cat fabric would make a neat tote bag for my supplies.



I also belong to a great group called USAPRIM on ebay. We did a swap this month, to chase the winter blues away. The theme was blue and these are the wonderful gifts that I received. More fabrics and wool, I am in heaven. I love the bluebird, it is now with my textile setting.

Weekend thrifting

One of my favorite pastimes is to go thrift shopping, you never know what you will find.
We have a few thrift stores along with antique consignments, so there are plenty of places to look for treasures.
Sometimes I buy things just because it is neat, or interesting or something I can remake into a new item.

Today's find was a rustic candle box. I threw it on the wall with a candle, but I will be sanding it down and refinishing it in my favorite black over mustard. I need to find a candle that will look good in that box, another excuse to thrift;)



I have also been thinking in themes. It is fun to come up with new ideas and decorate areas with a theme, so these are my theme finds that I got Saturday. The church fits on a shelf I have, you know the big hole in the wall I showed before, haha. Well, I was thinking I could put the church on the shelf and make some sheep and items to go on either side. Then I can make some bird ornies and hang them in the hole. Well, it's an idea, we shall see what I come up with;)

Then I saw the noah's ark puzzle, had to have it, have no idea why, but I like it and that is what counts. I was thinking of doing a noah's ark theme, so that would be fun to design a rug and make more folk animals for an area in the house. I plan on doing a sewing/textile theme with my other found items and saw this pin cushion. Not sure if I will keep it, think it will be a fun gift to throw into a future box for a fellow sewer. Sometimes I buy things just because and put them in a box for future presents. This christmas I had a swap and the person loved to collect pin cushions, of course I couldn't find any then;)



Since I was out and about and the Folk art quilt store was in the area, I just had to stop by and see what new items they might have. Nothing new, but I picked up some nice greens and a beautiful red shade. I love to make hearts on some of my quilting items and it is hard to find nice prim reds. I am always in need of good greens for leaves and stems. It seems the stores never have the shades I am looking for, so I have to settle. I guess I will have to start ordering online.