Wordless Wednesday

Counting my blessings and my mini blooms.....Sunny

An Inspiring Weekend

Unlike some lucky people in the US, I only had a two-day weekend, so I had to make every minute count.  For Friday Night Sew In, I worked on a swap piece for the Once-A-Season Swap.  Since tomorrow is a postal holiday, and the item has to go far far away, it will be a week or more before I can post a picture. 

On Saturday, I went to a Guild workshop to learn how to make crazy quilt blocks.  I've made a crazy quilt, but I didn't have a clue what I was doing, and it was not fun.  Now that I understand how to construct the blocks, I can't wait to make another.  Our instructor was wonderful and inspiring.  She had several great examples of what and how to use embellishments.  Not only did she use pretty trims, but she embellished them to make them even prettier.  She uses ribbons, lace, buttons, and even jewelry.  I didn't think to take pictures, and I'm kicking myself now.  Here is the block I made at the workshop.  Part two of our workshop is next month, and the instructors will be from the local Embroiderers Guild, teaching us the other fun part of embellishing!

I also noticed a small hexie piece at her house that I plan to recreate.  I've just been making random scrap hexies until now, and I'm going to take a little detour with small hexies.  Stay tuned for pics soon.

When I left the workshop, I went to a local antique market.  I bought a couple of hankies, some jewelry, a great dresser scarf, and even a couple of books. This book is filled with line drawings, mostly of flowers and birds.

Since I'm getting so interested in stitchery, I think these drawings are just wonderful.  There are large flowers, small flowers, border designs, corner designs, even squared off designs that would make a beautiful pillow.  It was published in 1974.

The other book is The Sampler Motif Book by Brenda Keyes.  I've always love cross-stitching samplers, and while this books shows full samplers, it encourages the use of individual motifs to design your own samplers.

Other projects over the weekend include finishing the binding on a quilt that I started about a month ago, finished quilting and binding the swap piece, cleaning off my sewing table, and looking high and low for my yoyo maker.  Yay - it's finally found so I can start on the 197 yoyos in my future.  I also had to download all the pictures from my little camera because the card was full.  I ran across a couple of projects that I don't think I ever posted.

This is what I made my partner for the Tilda Heart Swap earlier this month.

Apparently, I don't have any pictures of the heart that I made.  I finished this swap late one night, and planned to take pictures at work before I went to the Post Office.  Then someone came into my office shortly before I was planning to go, so I ended up being rushed, and totally forgot to take pics.  I actually got this picture of the stitchery from Cat, the recipient.  Thanks again Cat!

I don't think I every posted a picture of my new purse, either.  It's actually a deep purple, not bright blue.

I have the materials to make a second one, since i did this one wrong.  But I've been using it for a couple of months, and I just love it.  Maybe I'll get to the second one now that I'm caught up with swaps for awhile.

Last on the list was my Christmas ornament for the One Ornament a Month Challenge.

I'm off to bed now.  And to all a Good Night!          Sunny

What happened?

When I just went to my reading list, to catch up on a few blogs on my lunch hour, it says I'm not following any blogs.  Where did they go?  I was following many many blogs yesterday.  Did Blogger hiccup, or did I do something stupid that deleted them?

Counting my blessings, but not my blogs.....Sunny

Edited:  My list is back!  Yippee!

The Groundhog said. . . .

The Groundhog said Spring would be early this year!  I think he must be right, because look what I found in my garden today!

I actually worked on some of the flowers over the weekend.  I could never finish this many blooms in an evening. 

I hope you're all having a wonderful week.  We have our auditors at work tomorrow, and then I'm hoping my life will get a little less hectic for awhile.

Counting my blessings..............Sunny

As Valentine's day comes to a close . . . .

I hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Counting my blessings . . . .Sunny

February Block Swap Adventure-Block received!

I received this beautiful basket block from Cheryll of Gone Stitchin'.  I asked for basket patterns, either pieced or appliqued.  You have got to see this BEAUTIFUL applique!

I am now on my way to building a wonderful quilt, with two fantastic blocks.  This is a really great swap!

Counting my blessings, and my basket blocks......Sunny

Secret Valentines Tilda Heart Swap

Last night, when hubby and I got home from a shopping/dinner trip to a nearby town, there was a small package waiting for me in the mailbox.  I couldn't wait to get in the house and open it.  After all, it came all the way from New Zealand!  I just love making new friends in far away places, and swapping fun stuff with them.  This package contained not one, but three Tilda hearts, a needle keep, a journal and bookmark, and numerous other little goodies.

The swap was organized by Lisa of Lydia's Treasures and Cat of Catalina's Cottage.  Cat was my partner, who sent all these goodies to me.  Thanks Cat!  And a new friendship has begun.

Counting my blessings.....Sunny

Tending my garden while entering the 21st century

They're not completely stitched, but I know they'll get finished now that they're this far.

The reason the flowers aren't finished is because I was playing with my new toy.  Yes, I've finally come into the 21st century.  I'll even be able to read blog posts while I'm at work.   shhh..

I just have to figure out how to use it.  More to follow.

Counting my blessings....Sunny

Weekend wind-down

This picture is dedicated to my Aussie friends, who are sweltering in the summer heat.  I saw this frozen birdhouse yesterday when I went to the Super Bowl Sale at the LQS.  I went to pick up my BOM and I wanted some of this fabric.

What I came home with, however, looked more like this:

The pink is for my stash, and I'm going to start making yoyo's with the charms and fat quarters.  197 yoyo's.  I'm planning to make Anne Sutton's YoYoVille.

But the weekend wasn't all about shopping - I did some sewing too.  I started a small project for the Once-A-Season swap.  While watching the Super Bowl,I started sewing down the binding on a quilt that I completed a couple of months ago.  I also finished stitching my February ornament for the One ornament a month challenge.  I'll show it in a few days when it becomes an actual ornament.  I made my February block for BSA.  Here's a sneaky peak:

And I put the finishing touches on a couple of baby hats that I made.

I have some leftover yarn from baby afghans that I've made, but I just don't have time for this project.  So I'm packing up the leftover yarn and shipping it off to Di to make more hats.  I got the idea from her, and she makes hats each month, so she should have a good use for the yarn.

Must go now - I'm falling asleep at the keyboard.

Counting my blessings . . . . . . .Sunny

Upside Down Seasons

I received a package in the mail today for the Once a Season Swap.  As you may have guessed, we swap once a season, but with a little twist.  Since our hostess and many of our swappers are Aussies, we're going by the Aussie seasons.  Opposite of American seasons.  There are no specific guidelines for the gifts, and they don't even have to be handmade - just some little token of the season.  Well, I had the best partner,because I received many tokens of the season.  And each of the goodies were wrapped in fat quarters.  It doesn't get any better than that!!!

Thank you so much, Linda!!

One Flower Wednesday

The pink edition  I'm in love with pink right now, so that's what I reached for tonight.  Have you ever noticed that I barely get these posted by midnight on Wednesday nights?

Cute posing options are limited at midnight!

Counting my Blessings......Sunny

A Look Back

January 31, 2010 - My First Post:

So, I've now joined the blogging world. I figure if I spend so much time surfing blogs, I should know how to do one myself. Stay tuned as I learn how to drive this thing, add pictures, and give it a personality!

One year ago, I was sitting at my computer, and decided to see what would happen if I clicked on the 'New Blog' button - and the rest is history.  That first post didn't even have a picture!

In one year, I've learned how to:

• Set up a blog
• join swaps & exchanges & challenges & sewing parties
• make new friends all over the world
• fill out a customs form for international mailing
• embroider

I've also returned to cross-stitching, greatly improved my sewing skills, and yes, I've also improved by shopping and spending skills. 

To everyone who has ever read  or commented on my blog, inspired me on your blog, hosted a swap, exchange or challenge, or been a friend, I thank you.  Seriously.  I've faced some difficult things this past year, and this community is what has kept me going.

I'm planning a small giveaway soon, but I'm too exhausted from deadlines at work, and swap deadlines to do anything right now.  I will be back! 

Counting my blessings..................Sunny