So Much To Share

I love the M Design Angels, they are relatively quick to stitch and always look nice.  This design is titled, "Joy" but I used the HOPE buttons.  I stitched this for am amazing nurse that spent much of her day with me on 9/20 giving me HOPE as I endured MOHs surgery (skin cancer) followed by reconstructive surgery on my nose.  She held my hand, hugged me, placed warm blankets over me as my entire body shook (out of fear, not cold), and repeatedly assured me that, "it was not that bad" and "No, I would not lose my nose".  She, and my DH, were my rock as I fell apart that day.  She deserves far more than this Hope Angel... 

2012 Gift

Designer: M Designs

Design: Joy Angel

Stitched for: Lisa I.

Fortunately, everything did turn out okay...phew! I am happy and relieved to know that Lisa has promised to be my nurse if I ever need Mohs again. 

Linda B. was my Fair and Square Halloween exchange partner. She stitched these adorable blocks...

2012 F&S Halloween Exchange

Stitched by Linda B.

Gabi L. stitched for me in the HOE Hometown exchange.  I was so excited when I opened her package and saw this...

2012 HOE Hometown Exchange

Designer: Carrol Nielson

Stitched by: Gabi L.

How very Australian and how truly adorable! 

Here is what I stitched for Becky K...

2012 HOE Hometown Exchange

Designer: Victoria Sampler

Design: Hearts of America~ VT

Stitched for: Becky K.

As some know, Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine. No, not because of all the candy (I do love candy) but because of the wonderful decorations.  I try not to pass up on a Halloween exchange and am SO glad that I joined in on this one.  Here is what Michelle B. sent...

2012 HOE Halloween Exchange

Designer: Historic Stitches

Design: Witch's Hat Scissor Case

Stitched by: Michelle B.

Side 1

Side 2

The Witch's Hat is so beautifully stitched and finished! Michelle even included a pair of Kelmscott Cat Snips Scissors! The box was filled with such neat items. That little green skeleton not only glows in the dark but dances. The embalming fluid bottle is an actual flask, which looks perfect next to my latest Annalee Doll.

Here is what I stitched and sent to Roberta S.

2012 HOE Halloween Exchange 

Designer: Plum Street Samplers

Design: My Pretties

Stitched for: Roberta S.

I love the way the candy container came out.  All I used was a 14.5 oz can, the My Pretties stitched piece, some Halloween theme fabric, and my sewing machine; so easy, and so fun to make.  I did manage to complete three of these to give to friends.  I will be searching through my Christmas designs so that I can make some candy containers for Christmas.

September came and went without me posting a TUSAL (totally useless stitch-a-long) picture so here it is...

TUSAL for:

 September 

AND October

Before Winter arrives I am rushing to finish this...

Designer: Primrose Needleworks

Design: Autumn in New York

There is a special someone that I want to make it for...

DS and GF

They both have apartments in Manhattan, but I know my DS would not really want this displayed in his. ;D Hopefully his GF will like it...I think it is just perfect.

Thanks for stopping by and....

Happy Halloween!

Until next time...

Fall Is In The Air and At My Door

Janet B. brought Fall right to my front door with an exchange that is bursting with color. She stitched for me in the 2012 HOE Fall exchange.

2012 HOE Fall Exchange

Designer: Island Cottage NeedleArts

Design: Pumpkin Harvest

Fabric: WDW 35ct Tin Roof Linen

Fibers: Gentle Art Sampler Thread

Stitched By: Janet B.

What a gorgeous hanging heart with beautiful hand dyed silk ribbon (Dinky-Dyes) and a wonderful tapestry backing fabric.  I am so impressed with the braided silk ribbon cording, that's a great idea!

I told you this exchange was bursting with color...

From the card, to the fabric, to the heart, to the absolutely amazing hand dyed floss!  Janet's talent extends beyond her beautiful stitching/finishing...she dyes floss and gifted me with a gorgeous array of Fall colors. I am beyond impresses and can hardly wait to stitch with them.

Thank you so much Janet for this amazing exchange.

Who did I stitch for? Edgar, and I could not have been happier to stitch this for him:

2012 HOE Fall Exchange

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Acorns

Stitched for: Edgar M.

From my Summer Stitching Storm here are a few more finishes:

Designer: Merrily Beams

Design: Trifles

Finish: Stitching Caddy

Stitched for: Carol S.

As a quilter I enjoy spending time with my sewing machine.  I often look for ways to use my machine to finish my cross stitch; a sewing caddy gives me that opportunity.  When I set out to do the finishing on "Trifles" I did not have a pattern, it was a "finish as you go" activity.  

When I saw Carol's Ornament for Mike I knew that I would need to make one (or two, three, four...well, you get the idea ~ I am hooked on these).  This is the first that I completed:

2012 DREW Flat Fold

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Christmas Alphabet Book #64

Finish: Flat Fold

I would like to stitch one for each member of my family. I am hoping to have the remaining three completed before Christmas.  They will look nice lined up on the mantel with each persons Christmas stocking hanging below.

Why do I love Vermont? Because you just don't see these in the city.

Thanks for stopping by~

Until next time...

Summer Stitching Storm

Yes, I have a handful of Blackbird Designs Stocking patterns but no, I have never stitched one. I have never received one either...that is until yesterday.  A package arrived from Karen K. who stitched for me in the HOE BBD Ornament exchange and here is what I received:

HOE BBD Ornament Exchange

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Design: Crowning the Tree

Stitched by: Karen K.

Wow, I could hardly believe my eyes.  I love this stocking and am so happy to be able to hang it from my tree.  This is absolutely gorgeous, so beautifully stitched and finished.  Had my DSs not been here for the holiday weekend I would probably have grabbed a BBD stocking pattern from my stash and started feverishly stitching.  Just the sight of this beauty had me truly motivated!!!  I know for certain that on Tuesday I will be putting needle to fabric in my quest to finally stitch/finish one myself.

Many thanks Karen for surprising me with this fabulous exchange!

The past few months have been a stitching storm around here.  I have been able to complete a number of projects... 

This is what I stitch for HOE BBD exchange? 

2012 HOE BBD Ornament Exchange

Design: Naughty or Nice

From BBD: Christmas Garden 

Stitched for: Deanne

I learned that my Fair and Square Halloween Exchange blocks arrived so I can share those as well:

F&S Halloween Exchange

Designer: Birds of a Feather

Design: Halloween Icons

Stitched For: Linda

Birds of a Feather happens to be a favorite of mine.  This witch, in all her craziness, makes me smile.   I liked her so much I stitched it again and created this candle holder...

Like everyone I give much of what I stitch away but this one is a keeper.  I love Halloween, I love Birds of a Feather, and I love candles so I can't part with it.

My very special, long time friend celebrated her birthday in July.  I always try to whip something up for her and this year I managed to complete this:

Designer: Carriage House Samplings

Design From: Shores of Hawk Run Hollow

Stitched For: Mary K. 

The finished design fit perfectly on the top of this purchased box.  If only I knew where I bought the box I would rush back and pick up a few more.

I have a number of other completed projects to share but I will save them for another post.

Vermont days are starting to get cooler, fall is just around the corner and I could not be happier.  Vermont appeals to me for so many reasons and here is just one:

Little Country Post Office

That's about it for today.  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Summer Delight

I had the pleasure of my DS company for about a month following his graduation from college.  While he was with us he was a ball of energy, constantly helping out.  One of the things that he did was landscape around our home. He worked on the front:

Then he worked on the side.  It is here that I requested he plant a few herbs and vegetables:

So, what do I like most in my garden? 

BASIL ~ Ocimum basilicum

Originally from India

Sweet Basil ~ the type used in Italian food

After spending time in NYC with my other DS and sampling some delicious Basil Pesto at the Farmers Market (yes, to my surprise there was one right in the city) I decided to try to make some.  

I headed to my garden to pick the basil:

Next I measures the pine nuts and peeled the garlic, which I placed into the food processor:

Added the washed basil:

and pulsed until coarse.  Slowly I added 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil and processed.

I seasoned with salt and pepper and ended up with this:

After adding the Pecorino cheese and remaining EVOO my Basil Pesto was complete.  

The recipe is from The Food Network

Basil Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Directions

Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.

If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

YIELD: 1 Cup

What to do with Basil Pesto

*Use as a topping for spaghetti or linguine.

*Toast slices of French bread under the broiler. First drizzle olive oil on the    bread slices ~ toast ~ spread with pesto for quick appetizer.

*Mix with fresh green beans and zucchini slices, then steam.

*Top chicken breasts with pesto, then roast in the oven.

*Use as a dip for raw vegetables.

*Stir into rice or mashed potatoes.

*Pesto is delicious as a sandwich spread.

Now for some "stitchy" stuff....

The HOE BBD Exchange piece that I stitched for Deanne arrived.  This is what I stitched for her:

2012 HOE BBD

Designer: Blackbird Design

Design: Naughty or Nice

From BBD Book: Christmas Garden

32ct Linen Over One

Stitched for: Deanne

I recently completed this quilt top that I am giving as a gift:

The pattern, titled Hannah's Rainbow Quilt, can be purchased through Keepsake Quilting. 

The quilt will be sent to Texas next week so that it can be machine quilted by a fabulous quilter, whose work is top notch! I can't wait to see what she does with it.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by ~

Until next time...

Summer Stitching

I received a wonderful ornament from Kathy K. who stitched for me in the HOE Christmas Bird Exchange. She selected two different birds from Homespun Elegance and constructed this beautiful two sided ornament...

2012 HOE Christmas Bird Ornament

Designer: Homespun Elegance

Design: Merry Birdies

Stitched by: Kathy K.

What a great ornament.  I also received some sewing gadgets that will certainly  come in handy.  Thank you Kathy, I love what you sent.

My dear friend Carol offered up a few LHN patterns to me.  It did not take long for me to complete this one...

2011 Monthly Ornament

Designer: LHN

Design:Cardinal Winter

It now sits in my "finishing basket" along with a number of others.  Thanks again Carol!

I believe that Margaret gifted this pattern to Carol, who gifted it to me, and I will gift it as well.  If you would like this pattern just let me know in your comment.  If more than one person is interested in it then I will draw a name on July 20th. 

It has been less than three months since our sweet 15 year old Yorkshire Terrier passed away.  I wanted to stitch something for my sampler wall and decided on this LHN design...

Designer: LHN

Design: Dog House Sampler

I was up for a quick stitch so I selected this little BBD gem...  

Designer: Blackbird Design

Design: Peace

From: 2009 JCS Christmas Ornaments

Here is a little something that I stitched for my cousin...

Designer: Blackbird Design

Design: I Thee Wed

This should have been posted on June 19th ~ a bit late but here it is, my TUSAL:

TUSAL ~ June 2012

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time...