Must Have Gadget

Kreinik Custom Corder

The Custom Corder by Kreinik ($15.95) is by far one of my very favorite gadgets for cross stitch. This handy tool allows you to create your own cording, in the color(s) and fiber that you prefer. It is fast, easy to use, and produces a professional looking trim in seconds! It can be used with a number of threads including DMC, silk, metallic, rayon, pearl cotton, and fine yarns.

It is best to purchase a weight to use with the corder. I bought mine at a LNS for about $3.00, when I arrived home my son informed me that he could have supplied me with fishing weight. The weight makes for a more uniform twist to your cording.

You can purchase the custom corder from the Kreinik website, some LNS and craft shops, and I have listed additional websites that do carry it.. I included the retail price from each, but this does not include shipping.

Sewing Super Store $8.74

AC Moore $10.49
Craft Town hobby Land USA $13.09
Scrapbook Memories $9.99
Sew and So (in the UK) L ll.99
Tandem Cottage Needlework (in the UK) L 10.99
Amazon $12.49
Marilyn's Online Needlework $11.95
The Sewing Place $14.49
Addicted to Crafts $10.29

Micheal.com gives instructions for making cording without the use of the Custom Corder.

For those that make their own cording I have a helpful tip to share:

I usually have a small piece of cording left over, rather than discard it I "label" it. I get out my Label Gadget (oh yes, another gadget) and I make a label identifying the fiber used and the number of strands. When I have a project in need of cording, but am not sure of how thick the cording should be, I can use this collection of "samples" to determine what would work best. Having the label on the sample lets me know immediately how many strands I need to use.

I absolutely love gadgets and find that, in most cases, they are time savers! If you have any cross stitch or quilting gadgets that you can't live without please share them in your comments!
There are far more quilting gadget, someday I must share those.

Until next time...

Fair & Square Exchange ~ VoHRH SAL

I must say that I was spoiled by Paula C. today! I opened her Fair & Square Exchange box and was so surprised to find some wonderful treasures inside. Her blocks are gorgeous, and so nicely stitched:

Fair & Square round #3

Stitched by: Paula C.

In addition she included an amazing "strawberry" FOB~the design reminds me of a quilt! She included some of the BEST candies(by See's!), a pattern from one of my favorite designers: La-D-Da, and some very nice "Coffee" note cards. Paula, words just can't express my gratitude! Thank you so very much for the amazing exchange

Fair & Square Exchange #3

At present Paula does not have a blog that I can direct you to, but she is planning on starting one. I do hope that she does, as she is obviously quite talented, and I would love for her to share more of her beautiful work!

The Fair and Square Exchange group has such a collection of talented stitchers. For those that are not familiar with this group you might want to check it out, here are the exchange guidelines. A huge thank you to Vonna and Annemarie for coordinating the activities within this group.

VOHRH SAL End Of The Month Block Status

Well, I am true to my word...I was unable to complete block #2 by Nov. 1st. Not to worry, I already see much more free "stitching" time on the horizon. If I can rid myself of this nasty headache I will sit down this evening for some serious stitching.

For your viewing pleasure here is as far as I got on Block #2 during the month of October....

Village of Hawk Run Hollow ~ Block #2

October 31, 2007

VoHRH Blocks 1 & 2

Did you know:

-There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with orange, the color of pumpkin.

-Samhainophobia is an intense fear of Halloween.

-A pumpkin is a berry in the cucurbitaceae family, which also includes melons, cucumbers, squash and gourds. All these plants are native to the Americas.

POPCORN BALLS
Ingredients : 2 ½ quarts popped popcorn

1 14-oz package light caramels

1/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons water

Preparation :
Keep popcorn warm in a 200 degree oven. Melt caramels in top of double boiler over simmering water. Add corn syrup and water and mix until smooth. Slowly pour over popcorn in a large bowl. Stir to mix well. With greased hands, shape into balls about the size of softballs. Let cool completely before wrapping with plastic wrap.

Wishing you all a very Happy Halloween!

Until next time...

Did you know....

Donna tagged me!

So I will now share 7 things about myself:


1) I have lived in MA, NH, VA, TX, MD, NJ, CT.

2) While living in NJ I played on a ladies 30+ soccer team (most of us were closer to 40) and loved it!

3) My dog of choice: Yorkshire Terrier.

4) Hate to dress up~ I wear jeans everyday...got married in a pair of jeans!

5) Love the mountains, do not care for the beach.

6) I am a night owl.

7) Graduated college in 1982...worked until 1987, and as my husband says: I have been on
"maternity leave" for 2o years :-D

For those in need of an idea for a quick "blog post"....consider yourself tagged! :-D

Until next time...

Halloween Exchange

I participated in the SBEBB Halloween Exchange and was treated to a wonderful package from Isabelle. It is always so exciting to receive mail from another country, this arrived from France.

SBEBB Halloween Exchange

How very pleased I was when I saw the beautiful Needleroll that Isabelle stitched for me. I adore the design with the many beads, beautiful lace, and gorgeous stitching! Isabelle, you did a perfect job stitching and finishing this. It has been placed in my display case with my, small but growing, collection of Needlerolls.


Isabelle also included the cutest fat quarter, a collection of decorative Halloween buttons, and some purple ribbon. Thanks you so very much, I adore all that you sent!

Halloween Exchange from Isabelle

I was able to stitch a little on the VoHRH, but NOT nearly as much as I would have liked to! With only a few days left in October I doubt that I will complete block #2 by November 1st. I know that Kathy, Wanda, and Mindi may be in the same boat with me, so we can all rest a little easy and shoot for the December 1st date. I do however look forward to seeing progress pictures, and will post one of mine soon. I know that Katrina is working to meet the deadline and look forward seeing pictures of any completed blocks!


I was able to spend this past weekend in Vermont. It was so nice that I stayed up there a few extra days to enjoy the fall foliage. The weather was a wee bit warm so although it looked like Fall, it certainly did not feel that way. I will leave you with a picture of why I absolutely love it in Vermont…

Vermont October 2007

So many of us are very busy these days~please know that I appreciate your taking the time to stop by!

Until next time...

Seasonal Stitchers Autumn Exchange

Yesterday was made brighter by the arrival of an amazing exchange box from Julianne. She is stitching for me in the Seasonal Exchange. This year long exchange involves stitching separate exchanges (summer, fall, winter, and spring) for the same person. For the summer exchange Julianne stitched me a gorgeous wallhanging using a design from one of my favorite designers~Prairie Schooler. She amazed me once again with this beautiful Autumn Exchange, another Prairie Schooler design, creatively finished into a wonderful pumpkin pillow. You can not imagine my delight when I opened her box and pulled this out.

Seasonal Stitchers Autumn Exchange

Prairie Schooler Pumpkin

Beautifully stitched By Julianne

Long ago I had purchased this PS Pumpkins leaflet but I have not stitched any of the designs in it. I am so happy that Julianne did the stitching for me, and did it so perfectly!

I also received some beautifully scented Jasmine soap, in an absolutely adorable box. Oh how I love Mary Engelbreit artwork! Along with the cross stitch fabric and fat quarter I received a very pretty sampler pattern designed by Eileen Bennett. I am so blessed to have Julianne as a partner and I can not thank her enough~ THANKS Julianne, you are so very sweet!

Seasonal Exchange: Autumn

I am happy to say that I have completed the stitching portion of my Autumn Exchange but sadly I am struggling with how to finish this piece. I best end now so that I can work on figuring this out~

Until next time....

Halloween Exchange Sent

I read that Michelle received the SBEBB: Halloween Exchange that I sent out so I am able to post pictures. I used a design from Trail Creek Farm and finished it as a decorative holiday hanger. When I saw the "BEWARE" hanger I immediately knew that it would work quite well with this design. I found some great little clips that I used to attach the stitched piece to the metal hanger.

Becky's exchange partner email stated the I should not send any candy to Michelle. I was a bit puzzled as to why I should not include candy with a Halloween Exchange. I visited Michelle's blog and quickly realized why...she was pregnant and had gestational diabetes. I too dealt with this (twice) and found it dreadful not to be able to eat sweets! So, sorry Michelle for the lack of candy in my Halloween box!
So, did Michelle have a girl or a boy? I am not telling :-D. She shares some beautiful pictures on her blog~check it out. Congratulations Michelle!

SBEBB: Halloween Exchange

Stitched for: Michelle

Front view Back View

Village/Houses of Hawk Run Hollow SAL

We have another member to our growing group: Welcome Kajsa, so glad that you are joining our "stress-free" SAL. To prove how "stress free" we really are just read on...

Okay, so I am almost certain that I will not, yes will not, complete block #2 of the VoHRH SAL by November 1st~anyone up for extending this until December 1st? :-) I know that I am not alone when I say that this time of year is busy, busy, busy and it only gets worse! Things in my life are complicated by the fact that I have a son who is in the midst of the "college search/application process" and another son who is in the midst of trying to secure off-campus housing for the fall of 2008 (senior year). Stitching has taken a back seat lately.

Thanks for your kind comments on my quilts. To answer your question Heather: the lady is hand appliqued on the wall quilt. I use to DREAD and avoid doing hand applique, but it has grown on me and I actually like doing it. To Vonna: don't you know if there were more hours in a day I would stitch you a quilt!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Until next time...

Stitching on VoHRH SAL and Flannel Quilt

I recently attended CATS (Consumer Arts and Teaching Show) in Hershey, PA and had a great time. I need to take a picture of the many items that I purchased! I had the opportunity to speak with a vendor at the show who confirmed that CATS will no longer be held at the Hershey, PA location. Apparently the show sponsorship has dwindled down to a mere 2, leaving them unable to support the show... such a shame.

It looks like we have a new member to our "stress free" VoHRH SAL group: Wanda. Welcome to the groups Wanda, I have added you to my SAL sidebar.


I was able to complete the VoHRH block #1 by the Oct 1st date, and was able to start on block #2. I hope that I will be able to complete the second block by Nov 1st~My sewing machine has taken me away from cross stitch lately. I have been working on a flannel quilt as well as some holiday card holders. I like the way the card holder is turning out and will post a picture of it later.

Village of Hawk Run Hollow - Block #1

Village of Hawk Run Hollow - Block #2

Deadline to complete: November 1

When I am in Vermont I work on the flannel quilt pictured below. A few years ago I made a quilt like this for my son, using homespun cotton fabrics, to take to college. I liked the quick and easy pattern so I decided to make a flannel one for our Vermont home. I am making it a king size because winters are cold in VT and I must stay very warm! Hopefully I will complete it soon and can hand it off to the machine quilting service.

In progress Flannel Quilt

What cross stitching I am working on is for exchanges so I do not have any other pictures to share. I did mail off my Halloween Exchange and will post a picture once I know that it has been received. For now I will leave you with a photo of the wall quilt that I made for our Vermont home. This one hangs in our bedroom.

I have visited a few new wonderful blogs (thanks Vonna for directing me there :-D)~they have been added to my sidebar. A special thank you to Wanda for sending me this great link for Biscornu finishing. ~I still have a phobia about giving this a try!

For all those that stop by...thanks! and for those that take the time to comment...thanks so much! :-)

Until next time...