Kitty Stitching

Well, throughout my #Dell disaster, I did manage to get some stitching done.  I worked up 4 little kitty door hangers:

I want to try to sew these up later this week.  I also started on a pillow:

At the moment, it's a little tough trying to find time to stitch.  We did get the tree up.  Scott put it up last night and I decorated it this morning.  Scott went up town yesterday afternoon and bought the tree.  He got it all set up and I went to look for our lights but I couldn't find them.  Then we remembered that we tossed them because a string had gone out.  Anyway, so up to Home Depot we went last night.  But that's done.  Now it's just a matter of keeping the cats out of it!

At the moment, I'm in the process of baking 6 double batches of cookies.  I've been baking since 11:30 and it's 4:00 now.  I mixed the dough yesterday (thank goodness for my Kitchenaid Mixer!), put it in the fridge and I've been baking it all afternoon.

I guess I'm just trying to get some of these Christmas things done.  I know it's supposed to be fun but it feels never ending.  I guess I'd always rather be stitching!

I got an email from #dell saying that they received my returns.  I'd better have my refund back soon.  If I have to call them again, I will scream so loud, the earth will move!  I still can't believe what a fiasco that was.  I ordered from them on November 10th.  Today is December 14th.  Thanks to their incompetence, I'm still working from my laptop.  Thank goodness I have it!  The Geek Squad man comes on Wednesday.  First thing in the morning.  So hopefully, by noon, I'll be parked behind my desk and enjoying my new Asus system. 

Okay, I have to go pull another pan of cookies!

Still Stitching On Peacock Purse

Do you ever feel like you can't get anything done?  I kind of feel like I've been stitching on this Peacock Purse forever!  Here's an updated photo:

At least I have the tail feathers on now!  I hope to complete this tomorrow. 

I spent today doing laundry and trying to reorganize some things in my craft storage room.  It really isn't my craft room because I don't do any crafting in here.  My computer is in here and I store my supplies in here but I don't like it looking like a supply room.  I want to get it all neatened up and organized before Christmas because after the holidays, I want to repaint a few of my rooms and this one of them.  I want to paint it pink.  Are you surprised?  LOL!

Another Purse Update

It's like Whinnie The Pooh and the blustery day outside!  Very cold, very windy and snow blowing around.  Isn't it Spring yet?   I know, I know....soon.  According to my calender, Spring starts on March 1st.  I won't have it any other way!  LOL!!!!!

Here's another update on my current purse project:

Maria asked me about my lace pieces, if I bought them that way or if I painted them.  I always paint my own lace and I do it per project, rather than painting a whole bunch in advance.  It only takes a few minutes and then I dry them in the microwave and they're ready to sew on.

Speaking of sewing, I put together my last purse and my little eye glass case yesterday.  I just have to do the hand finishing so I expect to have photos of the finished pieces for you tomorrow.

That's my news for today everyone!

A Few Stitched Pieces

Yes, I've been stitching away the early morning hours so I thought I'd share a few of my stitched pieces today.

First, an eyeglass case that my mother in law asked me for:

And then this pretty pink Dragonfly Purse:

The dragonfly is a piece of vintage jewelry.  It's a beautiful piece and in mint condition.  Be sure to look at it closely.  Obviously, I need to sew these 2 pieces up so I'll post another photo when they're ready but I thought you'd like to see some of my latest stitched pieces.

My Easter Blessings Hanging Pillow is model for my upcoming book:

This one is so cheerful and Springy!  I for one have had enough of Winter now.  I'm ready for the Robin's to come back, the snow to melt and the grass to turn green!

Finally, I started this purse yesterday:

So that's my latest stitching!  Have a great Sunday everyone!

Stitching Beading and More

It was a hot one yesterday!  I watered my plants and changed my hummingbird feeders early so I could spend the rest of the day in the house.  I did some stitching on my purple crazy quilt piece:

We have another hot one coming today so I expect to spend most of the day inside.  I'll stitch on this some more after I run for some groceries.

I also finished up my last crazy quilt Cat Doll:

I love the colors on this one.  Reminds me of Valentine's Day.

I'll leave you with yet another picture of Lucy:

Give a cat a box and they're a happy little camper!

Heres Lucy

I've been working on a few things but still kind of in slow motion.  Here's an update on my latest little cat doll:

I'll have this finished up today.  I also worked on the finishing of the last 2 purses that I made.  All I have left to do on them is to sew the snaps on.  Watch for photos over the weekend.

Here are a couple of pictures of Lucy:

Isn't she just the prettiest little thing?  She only weighs 7 1/2 pounds.  She's actually 1 pound of Lucy and
6 1/2 pounds of fur!  LOL!

Ready For Stitching

My little kitty purse is ready for some stitching.  I have the lace pieces and trims all sewn down now:

I added a piece of white cotton fabric behind the kitty image to keep the blue silk fabric from showing through the image.

I don't really have any plans for today other than some stitching and laundry.  I may try to sew up my little seascapes but haven't decided yet for sure.  I haven't felt like sewing but we'll see.

Stitching Seascapes

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day.  We took my mom to the Flea Market in Grayslake where we each found 15 vintage hankies for about $1.00 each!  I've already washed mine so now they just need to be ironed.

I finished up on my Green Seascape yesterday:

My next Seascape is blue:

In other news, I'll be starting the assembly process on my Wedding project today.  As soon as I have it ready, I'll share photos and the mystery will be revealed!

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who left kind messages in regards to my Simba.  He seems to be doing a twinge better.

Finally for today, I'd like to say thank you to Nicole for doing a very sweet blogpost on me and my crazy quilting.  You can read Nicole's post at her Beadwright blog.

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.

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!

Stitching Uncle Sam

I've always thought that red, white and blue were a very cheerful and happy color combination.  I thought I'd start on my Patriotic Door Hanging Pillows a little bit early.  Uncle Sam is my first:

I'm going to sit here for a bit and stitch before I head over to Mom's for some coffee.

Embroidering On The Deck

Yesterday was gorgeous!  Sunny and warm.  I have things growing in my yard and there are Robin's everywhere!  I spent some time yesterday afternoon, sitting out on my deck with a little embroidery design:

This is a basket filled with flowers.  I crayon tinted it.  The stitching lines are a little hard to see due to the camera flash.  I'm sure I'll have this finished up today.  It's a design from my vintage iron-on transfer collection.

I also spent a little time with my sewing machine yesterday.  Something I really enjoy!  What is it about the sound of that machine running?  And it doesn't matter if it's my electric machine or my treadle machine.  I love both of them.  The sound is so soothing on my nerves!

Anyway, I sewed up my little basket door pillows:

I just have to stuff these and do the hand finishing.  I think I'll do that before I run up to WalMart for a few things.

We have another nice day ahead so I plan to spend some more time out on my deck with my stitching.

Easter Earrings

April showers bring May flowers.  I have no clue what March showers bring but it pretty much rained here all day yesterday.  Better rain than snow, right? 

My neighbor Peggy and I were able to do our 1 mile walk in between the raindrops so after that, I just stitched.  I finished up on my yellow crazy quilt hanging pillow:

And then I started stitching on the pink one:

Today is a stay at home day (I think) so I expect to finish up the stitching on it.

I also spent a little time listing some new earrings that Kathi made:

Chocolate Easter Bunnies and Easter Baskets with colored eggs!  I've never seen more elegant Easter Earrings anywhere!  They're in the shop!

Spring Hanging Pillows

I finished up my last 3 projects the other day and have photos to share!  Yeah!  One of my favorite things to make is door pillows aka hanging pillows.  I've made 100's of these over the years.  Some for myself, some for gifts and some to sell.  I have my little door pillows hanging on every door knob in the house and I change them for the holidays and seasons.  I love them!  They add color and a nice homey feel without taking up any space!  So here are my latest:

Also in our Boutique are another pair of earrings that Kathi made:

Her St Patrick's Day Earrings have sold out but a little birdie told me that there might be some Easter earrings coming!  These items and more can also be found at Etsy.

I'll be finishing up the stitching on my little pink purse today and then I have another custom order to do.  A pre-sewn block that I was asked to stitch and embellish so be sure to stop by tomorrow for updates!

Irish Lady Pillow Is Ready To Sew

My Crazy Quilt Irish Lady Pillow piece is complete and ready to sew together:

And here are close up photos of the seam stitching:

I also mentioned when I started on this, that I'm going to be experimenting with "fill in" patterns.  Here's a closeup of that:

I have to run to WalMart this morning and pick up a few things.  I may also pop into our new Hobby Lobby and check that out.  When I get back, I'll sew this piece up with some pretty lace.  I'll share a final photo of it soon!

Little Heart Pillows

Another of my little St. Patrick's Day heart shaped door pillows is ready for assembly:

The pansy is a little brooch that I picked up a flea market awhile back:

And here are close ups of the stitching:

You can see more Crazy Quilt Seam Embroidery worked with my Waste Canvas technique on my Crazy Quilt Inspiration page.

I started another one of these little door pillows yesterday.  I'll finish it up today and have more photos tomorrow.  I expect to sew these up later this week and have them ready to add to our boutique this weekend.

A Sewing Machine Day

I did absolutely nothing yesterday but what I wanted to do!  Sometimes, we need one of those days.  I don't mind in the least, doing laundry, dishes, the floors and so on but sometimes, I feel like a slave to my house.  So yesterday, I ran my sewing machine.  I finished up my little Mint Green Cat Doll:

This one is a gift for a friend so I'll be getting this packaged up and ready to mail over the weekend.  I also sewed some small blocks for St. Patrick's Day door hanging pillows.  That was fun!  I could have kept going but decided that 6 blocks were good for one day and that it was time to stitch.

I started on this little St. Patrick's Day door pillow:

I'm going to paint the edges of that lace piece with some purple.  That should make it stand out a bit more.

For today, I need to run uptown and pick up some groceries and when I get back, I plan to pull out my steam cleaner and do my hardwood floors.  I expect to finish up this block today.

Stitching On Green

Despite not being home most of the day yesterday, I did manage to finish stitching on my little Mint Green Cat Doll:

And here is a closeup of the seam stitching:

I'll add this photo to my  Crazy Quilt Seam Treatment Inspiration page.

And here is my next little project:

This little green block will be a St. Patrick's Day door pillow.  In case you weren't able to figure that out!  LOL!!!

If my day goes as planned, and I'm not holding my breath, I'll have a sewing machine day today.  I want to piece a few new blocks.  I like having a pile of ready to stitch on blocks just sitting here waiting for pretties!  It feels like it's been forever and day since I've had time to play with my treadle machine!  I also plan on sewing up that little green cat doll so stop back tomorrow to see him!