Why I Accomplish So Much

First, I'm running a bit late again. That's because I usually go grocery shopping on Thursday mornings. It was slow start today as I had to force myself to venture out. When I left, the temp was -3 degrees. And ya'll know how I feel about that!

I'll start off with my completed Cherub Pouch:



I really didn't have much stitching left on it. I tried it keep it very pastel, almost washed out looking. I like it, but I'm glad to be moving onto something with more color in it.

Like this one:



Betcha can't guess the theme is for this! Ha, ha, ha!! Yes, it's a bit out there. But that's what I like about crazyquilting. It can be traditional or contemporary, Victorian or funky! In this case, it's quite wild & funky! But I like it. A nice change from what I've been doing.

This will be a gift for Scott's step-mom. We'll be seeing her next weekend and I want to take a little something for her. I don't think she reads my blog. Anyway, I have a beaded watermelon pin that I made a few years back and never wear so I thought I'd use that in the center. I'll be starting on this a little later this afternoon. I'm quite excited about seeing where the stitching goes on this!

I want to answer a few questions that I received in yesterdays comments. The first was from Patternnut. She would like to know where to find my new leaflets that I posted about yesterday.

Those should be available in all specialty needlework shops but if you don't have one near by, you can try Joann at 123stitch. Click here for the link.

Gail then asked me how I manage to get so much done. Well, my husband works near the city and is gone from 6 in the morning until 6 at night. We don't have children so it's just us and our 4 little cats.

I'm not one to cook much. Actually, I don't cook at all. Anything that requires the oven or the grill is my husband's job. Ha, ha, ha!!! Honestly, we eat alot of salad and fruit and that doesn't require much preparation, nor alot of clean up. We don't eat sugar so I don't bake. Other than taking care of my cats, the house and laundry, all I really have to do (this time of year) is design cross stitch, do my CQ's and sew. Once Spring comes, I'll be outside working in the yard here and there and although I like a bit of gardening, it's not what I live for so I keep it nice, I keep it weeded and watered, but I don't go insane over it.

I guess that's how I get so much done. I've always been good at setting goals and sticking to them and that probably helps too.

More Finishes

I was quite busy again yesterday, doing some more machine and hand finishing. The 2nd Blackwork Cellphone Pouch is complete with hand-beading all the way around:



This is all packed up and ready for it's new owner.

My next finish is the little Pink Seascape Cellphone Pouch:



All that's left to do on this is add the chain which I'm out of at the moment. I'll pick some more up tomorrow when I go into town. I added some beaded fringe to the bottom and some sparkly sequined trim. If anyone wants this one, just drop me an email. I'm planning on taking this up to my Showcase at the brick & mortar store on Friday.

My next finish is this little embroidered and crayon tinted bunny which I stitched back at Thanksgiving:



My crayon tinted doorknockers do quite well at my showcase so I thought I'd get this one ready to take up with me on Friday. Again, if anyone wants this, just drop me an email.

If you would like to stitch this design (it's one of mine) you can find the pattern here on my Flickr site.

Finally, when all finishing was complete, I had a bit of time left to do some more stitching on this:



I didn't get real far but I expect to have some stitching time later today.

For now, I have to run to the Post Office and then I plan to sew up a few more blocks. I like having a whole stack of things ready to stitch on!

New Crazy Quilt Kits With Hand-Painted Pansies

Would you like to try Victorian Crazyquilting but perhaps you aren't sure how to do the piecing or maybe you don't have access to fancy fabrics?

I've put together several 9 inch "ready to stitch" crazyquilt blocks along with some lace, trim, beads and a butterfly charm. I've handpainted the pansy on white China Silk with permanent fabric paint and heat-set it.







Add your own threads and other embellishments to make a one-of-a-kind Victorian style Crazyquilt, then frame or finish into a pillow or purse.

A beautiful gift for you or a friend!

These are now available in my Etsy shop.

New Cross Stitch Design Releases

Just released by Imaginating, Inc., 3 of my new leaflet designs:







Yes, there will be an Autumn and Winter Quilt too!

Loads To Share Today!

Well, I have alot of photos to share with you today so grab some tea and enjoy!

I finished the stitching on the Pink Seascape Pouch yesterday:



It looks a little "washed out". One of these days I'll get the hang of using that camera! But it's enough for you to see what I did with it.

When doing a seascape, you have to work your way from the back to the foreground. As I mentioned when I started on this, the background is one of my painted dryer sheets applied to the foundation with Heat & Bond. I then added a piece of metallic gold mesh, tacking it on here and there with sewing thread. I did my feather stitching and my buttonhole wheels, then added the fancy yards and some tatted tendrils. After that, the seashells were added. If you want to drill holes in seashells, you'll need a 1/18" drill bit. Then I added the beads and sequins.

It's all sewn together now and all I have left to do is the hand-finishing which I plan on doing today. My little cat is there. Can you find him? I usually make him quite obsure on the seascapes.

The next photo is the completed Blackwork Peacock Purse:



This is so much more beautiful than it looks here! I added beaded fringe to the bottom and then some black braided gimp. I love that stuff! Anyway, it has a gold chain which is removeable so the purse can be used as a clutch. It's on a gold purse frame, lined with black cotton fabric and backed with the same silver Brocade that I used for the ruffle at the top. This is another one that I hate to part with but it already has a new owner so I guess I'll just have to do another one for myself down the road!

Another completed finish is my Green Painted Lady Cellphone Pouch:



Again, I love this one! It's backed with the teal taffeta that I used on the front. I lined it with an aqua and pink floral print and has a silver chain. While rearranging my bead stash, I came across 2 beautiful mint green glass beads that have painted flowers on them so I attached them to the sides with some glass pearl beads. I'm planning on taking this up to the real store on Friday so if anyone wants it, please email me. I like to give my blog readers first dibs!

When I finally had everything finished yesterday, I started on this little pouch:



I was thinking that this would be so cute for a First Communion or a flower girl at a wedding! Even for Christmas or Easter, this would be perfect for a little girl.

This what it looks like at the moment:



Yes, that is the Herringbone stitch with fan stitches over the ribbon. I did the exact same seam treatment on my Yellow Rose Purse. I guess I liked it! And it lightened up that gold ribbon just a bit.

So, that's my post for today! This afternoon, I'll be doing the hand-finishing on that Pink Seascape Pouch and the 2nd Blackwork Pouch. I expect to have photos of those for you tomorrow.

I also put some new CQ kits together. I'll have photos of those tomorrow. These "ready to stitch" kits have hand-painted pansies on white china silk as a focal point. I've included lace, trim, a butterfly charm and some beads. I'll list them in my Etsy shop tomorrow.

I want to mention too, that Allison Aller has a new blog! Thankfully! I was missing her daily posts and photos of her incredible stitching. Hop over to "Allie's In Stitches" and welcome her to Blogger!