Spring Stitchery from a Freebie!

I was thinking about painting and decided to look at free patterns and tutorials on the web, to see if anything sparked my interest. I found this fun design and realized it would make a great stitchery. I found the pattern at Artist's Club under free patterns. They have everything from simple to more advanced painting as well as books and supplies if you are looking to add to your collection.

I had some empty space, so I added a few little quilted areas and a vine at the top. I wanted to fill in the boot holes with antique medium to darken them, but it spread out too much. I was also thinking of adding some little embroidered flowers to the branch?

Oldies but Goodies!

I am working on a new project that I got from a freebie, so nothing to show yet.
I took some photos of a couple of items that I made years ago and hope  you enjoy seeing them.
I had to do these without flash to reduce the glare, so they colors are a bit yellowed.

This is a cross stitch that I made about 30 years ago, when I could still see well, lol. I still love this piece as much now, as when I made it and hangs on my bedroom wall.

These are two of the first frakturs, that I ever made. One is for my wedding date and the other is when we bought our home.

And this is an item I bought about 20 years ago. I love to collect unique cat items and couldn't resist this one. I am thinking of using the design as an idea for an art quilt.

Repurposed Table Mat!

My friend Kelley sends me boxes with scraps and stash and I decided to make a table topper with one of the scrap pieces she has used on another project. The nice thing was, the blocks were already put together, I just added a border. Then I hand stitched the squares with a simple outline stitch in the blocks, then went across with an X in each one. for the outer edge, I used a reverse blanket stitch to edge the line and give it a little added touch. I had some old material that was given to me, that had apple prints, in a large and small version and thought that would make a nice theme for an appliqué. I used some scrap wool I have in a drawer and added the apples in each corner.

For the border, I always make it a big larger so I can fold that to the back instead of using binding. This time I used a mahogany stain, gives it a slight reddish brown tint, so an aged look without being too dark. Now I think I need to make one with Easter colors and a matching appliqué. It is fun to make small mats with your scraps and something you can use on a side table to change with the seasons.

I just added a few things for display, but this will go into the fall box once I make a new one for spring. I was thinking it would be cute to add an A+ in each apple and use as a teachers gift, you are welcome to use the idea.

The Big Storm!

As many of you know, we got hit with a blizzard this weekend. It started Friday and by that night, the power went out. It was still out the next morning so we started up the generator and settled down to relax and watch tv. The next thing we know, the cable went out, so no tv, no internet and a raging storm to keep us stuck at home. It seems our box was ready to go and with the power out, the battery died and finally killed it. Today they came and replaced the box, so I am up and running again.

I didn't get much done with my projects, just a little sewing that I am still working on. I thought I could help Bill by shoveling the porches and I found out that I can't, lol. Spent the rest of the time, hurting and dizzy from the pinched nerves, so no more shoveling for me.

We finally got our power back, late yesterday so today I got the house clean and caught up with things I missed. Now I can relax again and get going on my projects. I hope those who were stuck in this storm, made it through ok. I love snow, but two feet was a bit much;)

This was friday, the beginning of the storm.

This was Friday night, the snow was falling, the wind blowing and you could hear the trees cracking as the weight of the snow, weighed them down.

This was saturday, you can see how much snow had falling over night.

We had a lot of trees down and the bird feeder is under snow, after the branch it was on, broke. Bill got to spend the day plowing us out.

Mini Quilt From Free Design!

This week I decided to try a small piece with a design from HomeBerries. I thought it would make a nice piece to hang for Valentines and until I can make some larger piece to hang for the  spring. I quilted little hearts in the corners to give it an added touch.

The design was traced with a light pad and I think it was a bit off, next time I need to do the lines with a ruler;)

Tomorrow we get a new washer, our old one shook it self apart, literally, lol. And I need to make sure I can get everything done and food supplies before the snowstorm.

Moki Heaven!

I think when Moki dreams of heaven, it is filled with climbing towers and candy canes. I was wondering where I put the rest of the chenille for candy canes, Moki found them.

Looking for a new Valentine Cross Stitch to make? Visit Create and Decorate's blog and check out their newest freebie.

Kitty Cat Punch Needle!

This Christmas, I was gifted a new punch needle called Bonnie's Cat from Belle Prairie Primitives. It is a simple prim cat on a penny wool backing, but I wanted to make some pillows for my friend, with the design.

I am working on some small things right now and doing a lot of cleaning and reorganizing, it is time to get rid of things I no longer use or plan to use, so slow going on the creating front.

I made one pillow and then did cat cut out shapes for the other two, so she could use them as a grouping.

Do you love owls? Check out FatCat Patterns newest BOM, I love it and want to make one myself. You need to get each block, each month, or you will be charged for any you miss.