Saturday, March 30, 2013

Finished Just in Time!

Hello!  :)

Happy Easter! I hope the Easter bunny brings you lots of chocolate!  ;)

This past week I finished a couple of small cross stitch pieces before I worked on my 6 Fat Men again. The first piece I did was Lizzie Kate's Limited Edition "Chicks". It's stitched on the linen that came with the kit. I used all the threads called for and substituted a couple I didn't have on hand. Here it is . . .


Today I actually had time to sit down and make the piece into a pillow.


Of course I used lots of pink!  ;)  I also added some buttons, charms, lace and rick rack. I think it turned out really nice. I actually have a finished, finished piece before Easter! Okay it's only a day before Easter but it still counts!  ;)

Last week I also finished another Lizzie Kate Limited Edition design, "A Bee C".


I stitched this on the linen that came with the kit. I used the threads called for and again substituted a couple I didn't have on hand.

I don't know if you remember or not but I'm taking part in the Stitch-Along over at www.stitch-a-long.blogspot.com. We're doing a small project every month instead of a quilt this year. This month's project is a pincushion from the Some Kind of Wonderful book by Anni Downs. Here it is . . .


The pattern on the sides are embroidered with pink perle cotton. The top is made with 1-1/2" squares of Pam Kitty Morning that I had leftover from my "My Favorite Things" quilt. It went together pretty quick. Good thing too since it has to be done by tomorrow. Nothing like the last minute!  ;)


I stuffed it with crushed walnuts. The pins are two that my friend Donna gave me last year. I thought they looked nice in it.  :)

Next month we will be making a wallhanging from the book "Tis the Season" by Natalie Bird. I got a head start today. (Okay so I'm only a day earlier, but I'm usually a last minute kind of gal). I traced the embroidery patterns on some muslin and backed them in fusible batting so they're ready to stitch.


Last by not least . . . my 6 Fat Men . . . I worked a couple of nights this week on the next section, "Snow Friends".


It's coming along nicely. Thanks for visiting!  :)

Until next time . . .


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Stitch Me Up Blog Hop

Hello!  :)
Welcome to sewingly along! Today is my day to participate in the Stitch Me Up embroidery blog hop.

I would like to thank Madame Samm for hosting this blog hop and Jane from Jane's Fabric and Quilts for being our cheerleader!  :)  I would also like to thank Colonial Needle, our sponsor for this hop!  :)  One more big Thank You goes out to our pattern designers, Debbie, Cyndi and Madame Samm herself!  :)

I knew from the moment I heard about this blog hop that I just had to join in! I love to embroider! It's one of those things that really relax me. I also knew from the beginning which design I would stitch. I fell in love with the design the minute I saw it on the blog hop button. Yes it's the little girl designed by Madame Samm herself. Do you see her there? She's so cute! Don't you think so?

I embroidered her on a white polka dot fabric in red Presencia Finca Perle Cotton #12, using a simple back-stitch. Here she is . . .


She's soooo cute!!! As you can see I also dressed her in a red polka dot pinafore and head bow, which I appliqued on and button stitched around the edges. She reminds me of this picture of my mom as a little girl (she's the little one on the right).


Do you see the resemblance?  ;)

I haven't gotten any farther than this with my cute little girl. I just can't decide what to put her on. My first thought was an apron. Then I was thinking a bag . . . then a mini quilt. Oh boy! Someday I'll decide and find her a permanent home.  ;)  I'm curious . . . what would you do with her?

Thanks for visiting me! It's been nice having you here!  :)

Don't forget to stop by and visit the other gals who are hopping along with me today . . .


Until next time . . .


Monday, March 25, 2013

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of March 25-31

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, threads and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Please remember to follow 
ALL Traveling Stash Rules!
Thank You!

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.
Be sure to enter to WIN a box today!  :)


Here are the latest updates as of 3/29/13 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Terry!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Wendy!  The box should have arrived already.
Maribeth please contact Wendy and/or me (Cherise) and let us know if you mailed this box out. Thanks!  :)

BOX #3:     Shanna @ Sparrow in Flight is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Shanna!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Karyn @ The Stylish Home has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 1st!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #5:     Marianne @ Life @ RuffHaven is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Marianne!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #6:     Shauna @ Shaunna's World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Shaunna!  The box has arrived!  The Giveaway will be posted soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Karyn @ The Stylish Home has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 1st!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Melissa @ Sewcute's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Melissa!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 1st!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .


Thursday, March 21, 2013

I'm still here

Hello!  :)

I know I've been gone from here (except for the Traveling Stash updates) for a couple weeks now. Well remember how I told you hunky dude's dad passed away? Well a few days after his funeral my grandmother passed away. She was 85. She fell down the stairs and had a major brain injury which she didn't survive. Over the past few years she also had lots of episodes of dementia. She is now resting in peace and my grandfather is very sad and lonely. We had her funeral this week. I miss her terribly. So that's why I haven't been posting here. I've just been very busy physically and mentally. There is definitely too much death going on around here. I hope this is the last of it.

I've still been doing some stitching while away from my blog. It keeps my mind and hands busy when I'm relaxing. I started a new project a couple of weeks ago. It's Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Men.


This photo is not my piece but the designers piece. I had gotten the patterns last year and finally picked some fabric from my stash to get started on the project. I'm stitching it on a piece of blue with white 28ct luguna. I completed the first block early last week. Here's "Snowed in". . . 


After that I decided to go ahead and stitch the other five block outlines so I have a road map to follow.


As you can see in the photo above, the next part I worked on was the "Snow House" block. I really meant to take a picture before I worked on that block but alas I didn't. I finished "Snow House" this week on Tuesday night.


I really like how this is coming together. I'm not sure whether I'll continue with this project next or work on a smaller, quicker project first. Sometimes it's good to do a couple small projects in the middle of a large one so you don't get bored or overwhelmed. I guess we'll both have to wait and see what I work on next.  ;)

I'll be participating in the "Stitch me up" embroidery blog hop that started a couple of days ago next week.


My day is Wednesday, March 27th. I know exactly what I'll be making but of course I haven't started it yet. I'll be working on it this weekend so it will be ready to share with you next Wednesday. For now be sure to check out all the lovely embroideries that have been shown already. You can go here, to Jane's Fabric & Quilts, our lovely host, to view the blog hop schedule.

Until next time . . .


Monday, March 18, 2013

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of March 18-24

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, patterns, threads and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Please excuse my slow updating to this Traveling Stash box list. I've had a couple of deaths in the family (boyfriends father & my grandmother). My mind has been elsewhere lately. So sorry! Thank you for your understand!  :)


Please remember to follow
ALL Traveling Stash Rules!
Thank You!  :)

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.
Be sure to enter the WIN a box today!  :)


Here are the latest updates as of 3/23/13 . . .

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Terry!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Wendy!  The box should have arrived already.
Maribeth please contact Wendy and/or me (Cherise) and let us know if you mailed this box out. Thanks!  :)

BOX #3:     Katie @ Snuggle Up with a Dish from Karma has posted the Giveaway!  It ends at 12:00 noon on Sunday, March 24th!      ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #4:     Karyn @ The Stylish Home is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Karyn!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #5:     Liz @ What I Did on My Summer Vacation has posted the Giveaway!  It ended on Friday, March 8th!  Liz please post the winner and get this box moving!  Thanks!  :)

BOX #6:     Robin @ Livin' Blue Quilter has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Friday, March 22 at 9pm EST!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Karyn @ The Stylish Home is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Karyn!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Thursday, March 28th at midnight CST!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Sherry!  The box has arrived!  The Giveaway will be posted on March 29th!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .


Monday, March 11, 2013

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of March 11-17

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, patterns, threads and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Please remember to follow 
ALL Traveling Stash Rules!

Thank you!  :)

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.
Be sure to enter to WIN a box today!  :)


Here are the latest updates as of 3/14/13 . . .

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Wendy! The box should be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Wendy!  The box should be arriving any day now.
Maribeth please contact Wendy and/or me (Cherise) and let us know if you mailed this box out.  :)

BOX #3:     Robin @ Livin' Blue Quilter has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Friday, March 15th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #4:     Barb @ Stitch x Stitch has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Friday, March 14th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #5:     Liz @ What I Did on My Summer Vacation has posted the Giveaway!  It ended on Friday, March 8th!  The winner will be posted soon!  :)

BOX #6:     Robin @ Livin' Blue Quilter is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Robin!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Wednesday, March 20th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Wendy!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Sherry!  The box has arrived! The Giveaway will be posted on March 29th!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

More Stitching!

Hello!  :)

Things have been a little up in the air around here the last week. My hunky dudes father passed away last Thursday. He lived a good long life. We will be putting him to rest this Friday. We were at his house going through things for days and still have more to do. When we came home at night I would sit and stitch. It was nice and relaxing.  :)

The first new project I started over the weekend was "Tall Sheep" by Shepherd's Bush. It stitched up pretty quick. I finished it on Monday night. Here it is . . .


It's stitched on 28ct antique white monoco. I really like the way it came out. It was supposed to be stitched on 20ct so the buttons were a little big but I think they look okay (I hope so anyway). There are supposed to be 4 flower center buttons too but they didn't look right so I left them off. This was a really fun piece to stitch. I love the colors except for some of the greens that didn't blend well enough for me. For example the word "sheep" is on the hill. You can barely see it. If I stitch it again I'll adjust the greens. I'm not sure how I want to finish this yet so it will go into the finished pile with the others.  :)

On Monday I received the second pattern in Little House Needleworks "Sheep Virtues" series. This one represents "Love". I sat down to stitch it on Tuesday. This is what I had done that night . . .


On Wednesday I managed to finish it. I'm really liking how these are coming out. Here it is . . .


I switched my fabric this month from lugana to linen so I will be re-stitching the first pattern soon. This piece was stitched on 30ct cocoa linen using DMC threads. I didn't realize it right away but both of these patterns contain sheep. I guess I'm in a sheepish mood . . . heehee  :)

Tomorrow I'll be attending the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival in Pomona, California with some girls from my stitching group. After we will be going to one of the girls houses and stitching for awhile. It will be nice to get away for the day. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm not sure what I'll be stitching next though since I finished my ongoing projects. Guess I'll have to figure it out pretty soon.  ;)

Until next time . . .