Easter Blog Hop 2015

Hi friends! Hello to new friends! I am glad to have you here.

Today's post is all about the Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop 2015. I have been taking part of Jo's Blog Hops for several years now. If you do not know what I am talking about, have a look HERE. That link will take you to Jo's blog. She has a list of all the participants blogs in order. You just need to visit everyone on the list in order to retrieve a letter. Write the letters down in order, and you will come up with a short Easter Phrase. You then return to Jo's blog and receive the last letter and you need to comment there telling her the phrase. You just may win her giveaway!

I stitched this piece, called Spring String by Lizzie Kate, last month. Sorry to say I still have not done the finishing on it. I will! Soon. I have just been very busy making gift after gift for special sharing friends!

 

 I did stitch some spiderweb roses in pale pink on a pink burlap wired ribbon yesterday. I was feeling very painful and not very happy yesterday, due to the cortisone shot I just received in my left hip joint. So I decided to make the concrete Mabel on the front porch a Springtime bow. Henry's dapper bunny bowtie is still in good shape. Mabel's bow from last year faded out terribly from the sun.

The letter you have come to retrieve here is E. You now must go visit our friend Anne to find your next letter in the phrase. Have fun!

Thanks for stopping in today! Leave me a message please. I love to meet new friends! I always want to hear from old friends! :)

My pain is slightly less today. I would be happy to just return to how I was pre-shot at this point.

A Blessed Easter to you!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

A Sweet Spring Finish

Hi friends! Welcome new friends! I finished Spring String by Lizzie Kate.

Isn't this cute? This chart was gifted to me by our friend Tricia. I stitched this on Belfast Baby Lotion 32ct linen, two over two. I used most of the required DMC. I changed the purple and the green shades. They looked nothing like the picture. I used one WDW, pecan.

I still have Autumn String all stitched up and waiting for final finishing also now. I have ideas for these two. I will get to work on finishing soon.

I do have a question for you all. What is this pink thing between Q and r? Anyone?! It is driving me bonkers!

I promised to show you my pink stitching on the chocolate linen. So here is the latest Quaker motif I completed.

I pick this up every so often and add more. I have been planning this for over two years now. Working on it for almost 2 years now. You know how you always have to stitch this or that first, and then you never seem to get to what is for YOU? Well this is for me. I am determined it will be complete this year. Not ready to show all yet.

I am now stitching up a Margaret Sherry for a gift. It is small, but you know all the backstitching involved with the MS patterns.

We are enjoying a few days with temperatures above freezing. How nice just that is. We will take it! It is not enough to make the snow go away. That is going to be around for a long time yet.

The crows are brave enough for the trampoline now sometimes. And sometimes I am quick enough with the camera.;)

I am so glad you stopped by today my friends. I thanked God for YOU today!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

Dear Rudolph

Hi friends! Still frigid here. Our highs are in the single digits mostly and our lows are in the negative numbers. And it is snowing right now.

I have a finish to share with you all. Our friend Shirlee borrowed me the adorable Lizzie Kate pattern, Dear Rudolph. Madeleine commented more than once how cute it is. So I decided as I stitched it, I would make it into an ornament for her. Boy, was she surprised. So was everyone else in the family.  I guess no one thought you could receive a stitched ornament from Mom if it was not in your Christmas stocking. ;)

I stitched this two over two on the recommended lambswool linen. About half the colors are the recommended DMC. The other half are my own substitutions. Since Shirlee had already used the buttons for her finish, I bought tiny Christmas colored buttons from JoAnn for the stocking. I could not find teeny, tiny buttons for Rudolph's nose at JoAnn, Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I gave him a french knot nose and think he looks very good.

I had this great Christmas fabric in my stash. See the ribbon that matches perfectly? That was a gift from Annette two years ago. =)

Madeleine is happy and so am I. Shirlee will be happy when I get this pattern returned to her in the mail!

Still stitching up pink Quaker motifs on chocolate linen by day. I have started a new pattern for night time stitching. Can you guess what this is?

Thank you for your kind words and friendship. A warm welcome to my new followers also.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

Madeleine's coat and sweater dumped on her bedroom floor after school make for a cozy bed for these two.

Zero UFOs

Hi friends! How are you? The grass is greening up here. My perennials are popping up too. I have been slowly, but surely getting the flower beds cleaned up on the non-rainy days.

Back in September I stitched Lizzie Kate's Flora McSample Heart Sampler. I searched thrift shops for a few months for a suitable frame. Never found one I liked. A few months back I went to Hobby Lobby. I found what I am calling a candle screen. On clearance! It is metal. It was black with rust/distressing. Not my kind of thing at all. BUT! I had visions of what it could be. So after a few gentle reminders ;) Brian sanded it down for me. And then he painted it a cream color. Madeleine offered to paint the little flowers on top. :) I am quite pleased with how it turned out. AND.... I finished off the Heart Sampler  to hang there! This is in our front room, next to the very pale pink bench. Not sure you can tell it is pale pink in this picture. The walls are cream.

This was stitched two over two with DMC on the provided 28ct Mint Green Cashel linen.

I went rummaging through my fabric stash for the purple print I used. :) The pink ric rac is from Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler. I am happy this is completed finally, and I am back to zero UFOs. :) As in, nothing partially stitched and nothing waiting for final finshing either.The white bird I received from June last year. :) The Mabel buttons on the bottom, I received from Lee last year too. :)

I have been busy sewing. I will have those valances for the front room completed on Sunday. I am waiting for the aluminum cover buttons to go on 50% off at JoAnn. I just picked up some chocolate colored ribbon at Michael's. I could not find what I wanted at JoAnn. I am hoping to finish the valances off quickly. I also made two chocolate colored table runners for an end table and my Auntie Ethel's  cedar chest in the front room. Pictures soon! :)

I read The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis last week. I enjoy Beverly's books. I have read every single one. However, I had this one all figured out and knew what was coming the whole way. Didn't like that. Not that her books are mysteries, they are not. Still.

Emerson is going to prom tomorrow! A friend/girl asked him! Just like his Dad. HA! They will have a very nice time, I am sure. :)

This is a beautiful orchid Brian bought me a month ago.

 Mabel often does this. They each get a bone to chew. She waits and watches Henry chew his. His is always better. ;)

I have thanked God for you today friends!

Beading and praying,
Vickie

Flora McSample Heart Sampler Giveaway

Good Morning my friends! Cooler weather here. The leaves are starting to change color. Emerson returned home to us last night from his Kairos Retreat. He had a very good experience. =)

I purchased Flora McSample Heart Sampler from Lizzie Kate back in June from The Stitch Inn. I just finished stitching it up a few days ago.

Isn't she sweet? I stitched this two over two with DMC on the provided 28ct Mint Green Cashel linen.

I went straight off to the thrift shop to look for a suitable frame. There was one in the correct size but not the right look. I will keep looking for a while yet.

You know what I do with most of my patterns once I have them stitched up don't you? ;) Yup! I offer them to you! So, would you like to stitch this sweet little  sampler? You will get the pattern and the remaining beads for the flower. There are more than enough still. You would have to come up with your own charm or idea for inside the basket. And as you can see, I kinda used the linen. ;)

If you would like to own this pattern, please leave me a comment here telling me so. You need to be a follower. I will draw the name of winner on Thursday, September 26th.

I found a few cute things for myself while shopping this week. Gotta love these slippers, right?!

Look at this cute little hand sanitizer holder from Bath & Body Works! I told the cashier I was quite sure this was intended for perhaps girls 40 years younger than myself, but I love poodles and I love pink. She told me it was just for me then! ;)

Have a stitchtastic weekend friends! I am so glad you stopped by.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

Cross Stitcher In Residence

Hi friends! It will be another lovely, warm day here. The nights have been wonderfully cool. What is your weather like?

I received Cross Stitcher In Residence from June last year. It has been patiently waiting in my "must stitch folder". I stitched this last week, and made it into a knob hanger. It now hangs from a knob of my grandmother's china cabinet.

I stitched this one over one on 28ct lambswool, using DMC. The pattern calls for 2 over 2 on 28ct. I left 3 of the colors the same and changed 4 of the colors. This is what the actual pattern looks like.


 
 You might notice, I pinked it up!! ;)

I had every intention of stitching this as charted when I received this. When I sat down to actually stitch it this last week, I thought, "This house should be pink. If this is for me, it needs to be pink!"

I used tiny, vintage, pink ric rac trim. I backed it with a solid pink of the same color. I decided it needed just a little something up top, so I made a pale pink, crackled glass beaded pin for the center.

I love this sweet, little finish. Thank you June. This pattern was originally gifted to June by Karen (no blog). June introduced me online to Karen this year. It turns out Karen and I live 20 minutes from each other. We have not met in person yet, but I am sure we will one day. Isn't that neat? This little pattern came from the same LNS I shop at, because it is Karen's LNS too.=) But it made it's way to me through June in England!!

Would you like this pattern friend? You may have noticed, I like to give almost all of my patterns away after I stitch them up! ;) Well, I have been thinking. And I have been wanting to ask a question of you,just 'cause I am curious, and just for fun! So if you would like this pattern you must first be a follower. Second you have to leave me a comment here telling me you would like it! And thirdly, answer this question. No answer = no pattern. ;) It's easy! This is the question: What color purse(handbag) are you currently using this summer? Yup, that's what I was wondering. I will close this giveaway on Thursday, August 15th.

For more fun, you can guess what color purse(handbag) I am using this summer. ;) tee hee! You need to be rather specific, okay?. It is one color. It is unusual. And we have all heard of it and know it! BUT probably not your first guess! That is all I am saying. IF you can actually guess the color it is, I have something for you too! I do believe no one is gonna guess this!!!

There! That made this giveaway a little different and fun =) So glad you came. You brighten my day with your visits. Mabel and Henry say hi!!  Have a stitchtastic day my friends.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

Friends Are Like Angels

Good Morning my friends! I am so glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words on my tiny Henry design. Even such a small attempt at designing gave me a real appreciation of the hard work our cross stitch designers do.

I have forgotten to mention that I gave the small poodle tin to the mail carrier last week. She was actually amazed. She was very happy with it, and told me she has just the place for it with her mail work. Well, that made me happy. She is really such a very, very nice person. =)

I would like to show you the two different ways I made up Friends Are Like Angels. This first one I am giving to my friend Heather. I made it to be a door knob hanger.

The trim I chose may appear to be red and white here to you, not sure, but it is dark pink and cream. It matches very well. The back is a dark  pink. I agonized over the perfect pink fabric. And I have small quantities of many pink fabrics in the hundreds I have to admit! tee hee!

Here is the flatfold. I had a pale pink organdy ribbon in the perfect shade to match the pink cross stitch border. So I made a bow for the top.

I used the same dark pink fabric as the "knob knocker".

Take a look at what I just received in the mail from the UK.

This came from our wonderful friend Mii. =) I was chosen as the next stitcher of Love Notes. I am a true chocoholic, so the Cadbury really hit the spot!! I even shared a tiny bit. ;) Now I am not a tea drinker, but never fear if you have ever sent me tea! My husband and Miss Madeleine are. Ha! You should have seen! BOTH of their eyes lit up for this tea packet. They both wanted it. So, they made two cups from it. ;) And they both liked it very much. Thank you Mii. That was very kind.

I really took my time choosing the linen for this one. I have decided to stitch the long french pattern you see at the bottom. I will not be making a pin pillow however. I have something special in mind. Not sure of the exact outcome quite yet, but I have ideas rolling around the old noggin. We shall see. I began stitching just before bed last night. Looks to be quick, but I am busy, busy with the garden too. So hang in there. You will be seeing this pattern posted for the Traveling Pattern Giveaway soon. =)

Last night, at church, our pastor opened his sermon with a story that is really sticking with me. I did a search just now, and found the story. It really is not long at all. I have no connection with this site, but it has the exact same story our pastor used last night, so this is the link I am giving you. If you care to read this short story, click here. We sang the exact song mentioned, after pastor's sermon. I am still singing it right now. =)

Have a wonderful day in the Lord my friends! Thanks for stopping by. See ya soon!

Stitching and Gardening and Praying,
Vickie

♫On The Road Again, Traveling Pattern On The Road Again! ♫

Good Morning my friends! If you are one of my American friends, I hope your Fourth was a great one. Me, well....... I forgot while watching the parade, to NOT shift a tiny bit in my chair to watch as the parade approached. Just turning that tiny bit, but for an hour, did me in. I am still in bad pain. Percocet got me through the fireworks and is still getting me through. BIG SIGH!!

So, I finished stitching up the second version of Friends Are Like Angels by Lizzie Kate. I took this picture of the two together. Look how the 28ct version looks so huge next to the 50 ct version.

50 ct one over two, with one over one also  28ct two over two, with one over one also

I will tell you I loved working on the 50 ct Lakeside Linen. I used a magnifier. I plan to make a "knob knocker"(door knob hanger) out of the small one for my friend Heather. I plan to make a flatfold out of the larger one.Soon. I gotta push myself. I wanted to begin finishing, I did. Just not that much. I started a new tiny pattern last night. It is a freebie I played around with a bit.

I got a bit organized yesterday. I decided to use the wonderful floss fob, that sweet Annette made me, to hold my threads for stitching up the two poodles.

I had saved this sweet, little notecard I received a while back. I cut out the adorable picture and wrote out my master chart of which colors to use on what parts of Henry and Mabel's bodies onto the back of it. Now when I want to stitch up one of my furry pals, I have my flosses and chart all ready. =)

I made this Red, White and Blueberry Bread yesterday in the bread machine. I just used my favorite Honey White Bread recipe and added about one half cup of dried blueberries, cherries and cranberries combined. Very yummy and very patriotic too! ;)

I have told you Henry is the King Cuddler around here. I spotted this yesterday and quickly took a picture. There was no need for me to hurry as it turned out. They stayed like this for 15 minutes.

So would you like to stitch up Lizzie Kate's Friends Are Like Angels? This is a Traveling Pattern I received from Sally.  All you need to do is be one of my followers, and leave me a comment right here on this post. You need to TELL me that you want to stitch it though. I don't wanna guess at who wants to be included in the draw. I will pull the name of the next stitcher on next Friday, July 12th.

I will be stitching today. Will you? Hope so. Have a fantastic day in the Lord my friends.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie