Random Act of Kindness

What a dismal day, rain, rain, rain! My day was made brighter however, when I picked up my mail and opened an unexpected package from Paula C. I reached in and pulled out a lovely note, two scrubbers (used for cleaning stoneware/pans), and a wonderful “coffee theme” fat quarter!

I saw these hand crochet scrubbers pictured on Paula’s blog and asked her if they really worked. How very sweet, she sent me some to try! I have not tried them yet but I will. Paula tells me they are washable but I still hate for them to get dirty.

The coffee fabric is perfect for finishing the "Spot of Coffee" design (LHN) that I completed many months ago. I am thinking of a pinkeep finish on that piece, wouldn't this be a great fabric choice for the back?

Paula, your RAK was such a wonderful, unexpected surprise on such a dreary day. Thank you very much! I truly value our friendship and emails, especially your “heads-up” emails on upcoming exchanges. :)

RAK from Paula C.

My camera is still in Vermont so I am forced to post pictures using the scanner. I am heading to Vermont on Wednesday because we have sold the property :( and have a scheduled closing next Monday. It is hard to believe that I will not be driving to Vermont on weekends but I am hopeful that we will find another place relatively soon. Keep your fingers crossed, we are looking but have yet to find that perfect place.

Until next time...

Fair & Square Round #6 from Annette + STASH!

I received a wonderful package from Annette today and I am truly thrilled! Annette selected a design from one of my favorite designers, Blackbird Design. She stitched a portion of the Moonlit Garden design using Weeks Dye Work floss...the colors are perfect! I was also treated to a great Doodles design, "Home Sweet Home" as well as some gorgeous Crescent Colours to get me started on this project! Annette recently joined the Fair and Square group and I was most definitely the lucky one to be partnered with her! Many, many thanks Annette for making this such a special exchange. :)

I left my camera in Vermont so I had to use my scanner for "picture posting" ~

Fair & Square #6 - From Annette W.

Designer: Blackbird Design

Design taken from: Moonlit Garden

Paula had posted pictures on her blog of her newly acquired stash from Everything Cross Stitch. Naturally I had to check out this online store and found myself quickly placing an order. In addition to the sale they have going on right now, I was able to sign up for their online newsletter and get an additional 20% off my order! Don't you just love a sale? Click here for the newsletter/20% off. Much to my surprise my stash arrived in record time and here it is:

Designer: Little House Needlework

Design on Left: Quilt Time Sampler (Heather, you would love this one :D)

Design on the Right: My Needle's Work w/thread

I absolutely love "My Needle's Work" and almost purchased it at a LNS, but bought some other designs instead. I am glad that I did not purchase it because I got it for about 15.00 (on sale for 17.85 less 20% ~ it retails for 21.00).

I also purchased these designs:

Left: Country Cottage Needleworks, "Home Sweet Home"

Right: Little House Needleworks, "A Stitcher's Prayer"

My last purchase is the chart for this Checkbook Keeper:

• Designer: Primitive Traditions
• Quaker Pocket Needfuls: Checkbook Keeper

Thanks Paula, reading your blog made my "stash" grow and my savings shrink! :) The LHN patterns will be quite helpful since Paula sent me an email letting me know of the LHN exchange~ yes, I am now signed up for that one. Really, I am trying not to sign up for too many exchanges but it is SO hard not to.

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words about my "blog remodeling" ~ just a little spring cleaning.

Lastly let me say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER !!! :)

Until next time...

And The Winner Is......

I had 18 comment on my "Gadget Drawing" post so I decided to have my son pick a number between 1 and 18...AND the winner is #18, Wanda! I will need for you to email me with your snail mail address Wanda, and I will send this off to you.

If you are interested in this gadget here are a few sites that offer it for sale:

Chris' Craft Supply

Dark Lilac

Stitch-R-Stuff

JoAnn Online

Thread Bear (UK)

Stay tuned as there may be another new "Gadget Drawing" soon...

I was able to move two Exchanges to the "Completed" list on my sidebar; SBEBB Spring House Exchange and Fair & Square: Round 6. It is always so nice to watch the "completed" list grow!
I have learned that both exchanges have reached their destination so I am free to post pictures.

My exchange partner for Fair & Square round #6 was Annette, here are the blocks that I sent:

Fair & Square #6 - To Annette

Designer: LHN

Design taken from: Schoolgirl Lessons

Below is the SBEBB: Spring House Exchange that I sent to Ulla in Finland. I had to "lift" the pictures from Ulla because I left my camera in Vermont, hope you don't mind Ulla. Yikes, I won't be back up to Vermont until early May. I hope I don't need to photograph anything!

Designer: Lizzie and Kate

Design: Spring Sampler

Finish: Pinkeep

I recently purchased a new book called "Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet" ~ I do very little crocheting, but this book really caught my eye. I am however at a loss because the instructions call for "lace thread" and I do not know what this is. It has to be very thin because you use a size 6 (1.8m) or 4(2mm) hook. Any help would be appreciated!

Enjoy the week ahead ~ I hope that it is filled with many free hours of stitching!

Until next time...

Just another Gadget ~ VoHRH SAL~ Meet Paula

In my last two post I mentioned a wonderful woman named Paula C. Paula and I have been in a few exchanges together and I must say she is a wonderful cross stitcher and a super lady! I am so very happy that she has found the time to start up her blog, Needles, Hooks & Paperback Books ~ such a clever name! Stop on over and welcome her to the world of blogging!

Oh how I love gadgets!!! I am always on the lookout for items that will make tasks easier and faster. Todays gadget is the Stitch Converter by LoRan.

Stitch Converter - Gadget Give-A-Way

"No more complicated calculations for material size and thread count - the Stitch Converter is helpful in figuring the material size for your projects and assists in determining the material count for a required finished size. Simply dial in your numbers and read your answer."


I keep this handy little gadget in my cross stitch basket. When I need to figure out the fabric requirement I can easily reach for it, turn the dial and quickly determine how much fabric I need. It lists fabric size for 11/12/14/16/18/22/32 count. Sure you can do this with a calculator, some can do it in their head, I prefer doing it with a quick twist!


While running errands yesterday I stopped in a small needlework shop in Westport to picked up a few things. This is where I originally purchased my Stitch Converter, when I saw it I decided to do two things:

1. Write a GADGET POST on my blog
2. Purchase one for a "Blog Gadget Give-A-Way"

So, if you are a "Gadget Queen" and would like to give this a try just comment on this post and I will draw a name... if your name is selected I will mail it off to you ~ it is just that simple!

My trip to Texas, fun as it was, set me back on my VoHRH SAL stitching. I am trying to get back on track and hope to complete block number 6 by May 1st. Here is a progress picture:

VOHRH SAL - Block #6

Thanks for stopping by, I am always glad that you do!

Until next time...

Prairie Schooler FOB Sent ~ Meet Misha

I heard from Paula C. that she received the Prairie Schooler Fans Scissor Fob Exchange that I sent so I can post pictures. Since Paula is collecting PS Christmas Ornaments I decided to stitch a Santa design. The design was a bit large for a fob, so I decided to stitch it on 32 count over one; this is how it turned out:

Prairie Schooler Scissor FOB Exchange

Stitched For: Paula C.

Designer: Prairie Schooler ~ Book #43

Design: Father Christmas

Stitched on 32ct Linen over 1

Stitched for Paula C.

I really like it when I receive a stitched item that is personalized, so I am trying to do that on the ones that I send out.

This was a fun exchange, I will be keeping my eye out for additional exchanges with this group of stitchers!

I am posting this picture especially for Rob, Michelle's husband....

Vermont Deer

A few weeks ago I was in Vermont and happened to look out the window and see five of these beautiful creatures in the apple orchard. I quickly got the camera and was able to snap their picture before they scurried off. This is almost a daily occurrence, I guess they realize that they are always safe on our 40 acres!!!

Unless of course they meet up with this critter:

"Misha"

MISHA!!! my 11 year old, 6 1/2 pound Yorkshire Terrier who is sweet as can be unless she sees the deer, at which time she becomes a wild beast and chases after them! The picture was taken this winter when we had a huge snowfall and the snow was too deep for her to walk in. She is quite fashionable in her faux fir coat! Yes, I am still looking for a female Yorkie puppy but have not had any luck locating the perfect one.

To answer your question Michelle: some of the blackbird Design patterns call for crushed walnut shells to fill Pincushions. :)

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Until next time...