Blackwork Biscornus

I am starting to re-release my Counted Cross Stitch patterns.  They've always been so popular and I've had many requests for them.  I can't stand to turn anyone down and have decided to just make them available so everyone can enjoy them.

We've started with my Biscornu designs.  My seasonal Blackwork Biscornus have always been one of my most popular pattern sets:

These are now available at Magcloud in magazine format. 

I'd like to take a moment to say thank you to my new editor, Jason Dumont.  Jason is much better with graphics than I am and I'm thrilled to be working with him!  Thank you Jason!

Crazy Quilt Wedding Mystery Continued

We had a cloudy, dreary day here yesterday so I had plenty of stitching time for my Crazy Quilt Wedding project.  As mentioned when I started this, I'm not going to tell you what it will be when it's done.  No one will ever guess!  It'll be a 3 dimensional object and it has 2 stitched parts to it.  Here is an update on part 1:

And here is an update on part 2:

Both of these are ready for beadwork now.

Today, I plan to sew up my last few crazy quilt projects and I have some new things from mom to photograph.

In other news, we're working on the graphics for my Counted Cross Stitch patterns.  I will be re-releasing many of them.  They will be available on Magcloud so please be sure to follow me there!

Lots of cool stuff coming this week!

Crazy Quilt Mystery Project in Progress

Although I didn't get in a lot of stitching time yesterday, I did stitch 2 seams on my Crazy Quilt mystery project  This is what I have on part 1 so far:

I want this to have a very heirloom look to it so I'm keeping the colors soft and rather "washed out" looking.

It's cloudy and dreary and rainy here today so I expect to have plenty of stitch time this afternoon.

Crazy Quilt Mystery Project

I've started a new crazy quilt project but guess what?  I'm not going to tell you what it will be when it's finished!  It's a 2 part project and when it's finished, it will be assembled into a 3 dimensional object.

Part 1 took some figuring.  I actually had to make a 3 dimensional paper pattern and then take it apart to make my fabric pattern:

This is part 2:

I will give you a little hint but you'll never guess the finished item.  It is a wedding project and it will have a fall theme.

So be sure to keep stopping back to watch my progress and find out what this will be!

Strawberry Pillow Ornament

I finished stitching up my little Strawberry Pillow Ornament last night:

I'll get my last few projects sewn together over the weekend.

Be sure to hop over to Nicole's Beadwright blog.  She's having a give away for her 60th birthday!

Strawberry Pillow Ornament

I had quite a bit of stitching time yesterday so a lot of progress was made on my Strawberry Pillow:

And here's a closeup photo of the strawberry bead motif in the center:

I expect to have more stitching time for this today.  I have to run and get groceries today and then I'm getting my hair done.  Long over due on that!!!!  But I'll have time to stitch this afternoon.

In other news, my Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments Books are both now available as hard copies and digital copies at Magcloud.

 And finally for today, a few more of mom's small embroidered pillows:

Baby Sleeping Pillows

It was a beautiful day here in McHenry yesterday.  A bit chilly but sunny and ya'll know I like that!

I did some stitching on my Strawberry pillow:

Today is a stay at home day so I plan on having plenty of stitching time for this!

These are the strawberry beads that I made out of polymer clay:

They'll go in the center on a vine with some leaves.  I made these quite awhile back and never used them.

And here a few of mom's latest projects.  She's been working on some Baby Sleeping Pillows:

So pretty!!!!

Have a great day everyone!

4th Of July Decorations

A busy day yesterday!  I baked 2 double batches of muffins, did some laundry, made sure I had time to walk and spent the entire day listing our 4th of July decorations.  I didn't get to doing any stitching but I do feel like I accomplished a lot!

Here are mom's 4th of July door hangings:

And here are my 4th of July Crazy Quilt Door Pillows:

All are available at Kitty And Me Designs website as well as at Etsy.

In other news, Volume 1 of Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments is now available at Magcloud.

This means it can be delivered as a bound book!  We'll be getting Volume 2 ready and available soon too.  Then one by one, we'll be rereleasing my counted cross stitch patterns.

I have a lot going on here but for now, I need some stitching time.  I'm off to work on my strawberry project!

Rereleasing Cross Stitch Patterns

I have loads of news to share today.  First, I finished up on my Pink Rose Crazy Quilt Hanging Pillow.  Well, I finished stitching it yesterday:

Since I like to have a few things to sew together at one time, I pulled another project and when I finish it, I'll have 3 things to sew together.  Want to guess the theme on this one?

I have some pretty little strawberry beads that I made from polymer clay awhile back.  I want to use them on this piece.

In other news, I get so many requests for my retired cross stitch designs that I decided to just make them all available again.  It'll take a little while to get them all ready but I will be making them available at Magcloud so anyone who wants them can purchase them either as a hard copy or as a digital download.  I will post them here as they become available.  I think this will be the easiest way to publish them.

Also, I will be converting my Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatment Books to Macloud format as well.  Again, for anyone who prefers to have a hard copy rather than a digital copy, this is a nice option. 

Finally for today, here's my finished Cat Pillow:

This would be too cute for a baby's room!

Okay everyone, that's my new for today.  I have loads of new handmade things from mom so I'll have photos of those soon and my 4th of July door pillows are done so I'll have those to post soon too!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Stitching Pink Roses

It's been raining on and off since yesterday morning! My lilacs are blooming.  A little bit early but they're blooming and in another week or so, I can put out my hummingbird feeders.  They usually come back around the end of April.  I so much look forward to seeing them again!  The Orioles come back at the same time so I'll have to start picking up extra oranges at the grocery store.

I did some sewing yesterday since I had some stitched pieces that needed finishing.  I'll have photos of those to share soon.  I actually got to do some stitching yesterday too:

Today, I'll be over at mom's for awhile to put our Boutique Bag items together for Shabby Lane Shops.  I also hope it stops raining long enough so I can go walking.  I love Spring and walking gives me the opportunity to see more of it!

Crazy Quilt Peacock Purse

Yesterday kind of turned into one of those crazy days.  Silly little things kept coming up and I never got around to any stitching time.

For today, I thought I'd share a previous project.  This is my Crazy Quilt Peacock Purse:

I know some of you have seen it before and maybe some of you haven't.  I've been wanting to make another Peacock Purse in pink.  My sweet friend Mary Anne sent me some pink eyelash yarn awhile back for it but it's still on my list!  So many great ideas! 

I have to run to the Post Office this morning but first, I will be stitching for at least one hour! 

Have a great day everyone!

Machine Embroidery Vintage Hankies

I've been collecting vintage hankies for quite a few years now and I love to use them on my crazy quilt projects.  My favorite hankies are the ones with machine embroidery flowers on them.  They're quite easy to find for a dollar or 2 at flea markets and antique shops.

The purple rose on this hanging pillow is from a vintage handkerchief:

I finished embellishing this door hanger yesterday and then last night, I started on one with a pink rose:

I spent all day yesterday sewing.  I put a good couple of miles on my sewing machine, piecing loads of new blocks.  I wish I could sew some more new blocks today but I have other things that need to be done.  I do plan on having a few hours of stitching time later today.

Purple Roses Hanging Pillow

It was so terribly windy yesterday, Peggy and I decided not to walk.  But for today, it looks like the wind calmed down and the sun is out so we should be able to get our mile and 1/2 walk in.

Other than that, it's a stay at home day!  I'll be putting a few miles on my sewing machine.  I want to sew up some new blocks to stitch on and I have my 4th of July door hangers to put together.  I have left over taco salad for dinner so I don't even have to cook today!

Here's a quick update on my purple roses hanging pillow:

It needs a few more do-dads so I'll sit her for a bit and finish it up.

And here are couple more of mom's hanging pillows:

Mom hand embroidered and crayon tinted the butterfly and then the strawberries are from a vintage hankie that I found at a flea market last Summer.

1929 Model A Photos

We had pouring rain Saturday night and got some water in our garage.  Scott pulled the Model A out so he could clean things up and let the garage air out.  Since the car was in the driveway, I took the opportunity to take a few new photos:

This is just the antique plate for now.  We still have to get the real plates for it but it's the next thing on the list.  A few things need tweaking and there's still a few things we need to get for it but we plan to take if for it's Maiden Voyage out of the subdivision on the 4th of July.  My mom's house is only about 8 minutes down the road so we're going to drive it there for the first time.  I feel like we should have a band and escorts with little waving American Flags!!!  LOL!!!   Maybe a parade! It's been a long time coming!!!

In other news, I added a few new hanging pillows to the shop yesterday.  Mom made these:

I have several more that I'll add this afternoon.

Last but not least, I only got a little stitching time in yesterday but here's an update on my Purple Rose Door Hanger:

Have a nice day everyone!

Purple Roses

I finished up stitching my Eagle Door Hanger yesterday:

It's very colorful and very Patriotic!

I started a new piece with a purple rose:

The rose is from a vintage handkerchief.  I love the soft colors on this one!  I'll do some stitching on this later today.

I have some new door pillows that mom made so I'll start adding them to the shop today and post photos tomorrow.

My plans for the week are to sew up my 4th of July hanging pillows and to sew some new blocks since I'm down to just one or two in my stitching basket. 

Today is opening day at Wilmot Flea Market in Wilmot, Illinois.  I'm going to straighten up and then Scott and I head up there to walk around for a little while.  Maybe I'll find some goodies!

Stars And Stripes

Not feeling well this morning so I'll just post an update on my current Patriotic door hanger:

When I finish this one up, I'll be getting back to some pretty flowers.  Have a nice day everyone!

Crazy Quilt Eagle

I started one more Patriotic door hanger.  This one has a vintage image of an eagle with the American flag:

I'm going to work on this now for an hour or so before I head over to mom's for some coffee.

Beaded Scissor Fob

I have loads to share with you today!  First, Kathi made a pretty beaded scissor fob:

If you're anything like me, you need this!  I'm forever putting my little embroidery scissor down and then I can't find it!  This is a nice large scissor fob with a big clasp!

I also added 2 more of my crazy quilt door hangers to the shops:

We're also on Etsy!

 I started a 3rd Patriotic door hanger yesterday and will have a photo of that tomorrow.

Also, the latest Shabby Lane Shops magazine is now available:

The Spring/Summer issue can be found at Barnes and Noble, Bookworld, Hancock Fabrics or at Shabby Lane Shops website.

Finally for today, if you're interested in my Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments, you can take a class!

Visit Maureens Vintage Acquisitions to sign up for my Waste Canvas class!

And if you need crazy quilt fabrics, I have that too!

Okay, it's time for me to straighten up and get to the grocery store!  Have a great day everyone!