CONTEST!

As promised, I have a fun contest for you today!

You'll have to do a bit of research, but the answer is available on the internet.

Ok, here it is:

What was my very first published design and what magazine was it published in?

You have to give me the title of the design as well as the name and issue date of the magazine.

The first person to post a comment with the correct answer, will receive this beautiful Venice lace applique which I've hand-painted. I've also included some small pearly sequins, seed beads and tiny yellow pearls to embellish it with:



Ok everyone, do your research, have fun and good luck!

Crazyquilting Gifts

I thought you would enjoy seeing several gifts that I made for this Christmas. I couldn't post them until now:



Crazyquilting is a wonderful way to use photographs thanks to commercial inkjet fabric sheets!



I found that beautiful hummingbird pin at a flea market over the Summer. I don't know if it's vintage or not but it was in perfect condition and I thought it would be a beautiful focal point on a crazyquilt piece.

If you would like to see larger versions of these photos, just click on one to go to my Flickr site.

Rare Photos Of Me

Since I don't have any stitching to share, I thought I would share a few, yet rare photos of me. These are not great. My husband is not any better at photography than I am!

This one was taken on Christmas Eve at my mom's house:



As usual, I was busy yaking at Scott while he was trying to take pictures! I always feel like I look stupid in photos because I am always talking to him! That's why there aren't many photos of me. I don't allow too many!

This one was taken Christmas morning:



This one is a little fuzzy but at least I remembered to take my glasses off! That's my crabby-butt Garfield with me. I love walking around and carrying him. He's a big teddy bear but ornary as can be!

That's about all I have for you today. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Tomorrow is "Contest Day" so please come back to check that out!

Happy Christmas!

Good Morning everyone! And Happy Christmas to you!

I had a lovely day with my husband yesterday. He took me to The Dress Barn and told me to pick something out for my birthday. He's never been one to guess on what I would like. He much prefers to let me pick something out and I'm fine with that. I found a beautiful black skirt, pieced like a crazyquilt. Very Victorian Gypsy looking! I wore it last night and will post a photo tomorrow.

He also took me to the antique mall where I felt like I was in heaven. I just love antiquing! I guess it's the "thrill of the hunt". You never know what you will find! I found a beautiful vintage collar complete with beading and a big bag of lace, mostly crocheted! Guess what I'll be doing with some of that?

Well, as promised, I have a few stocking stuffers for you:



This pretty little Counted Cross Stitch Christmas Wreath design can be stitched on cross stitch fabric and made into an ornament or used as a motif on a crazyquilt.



And this fractal design can be printed on commercial inkjet fabric and worked into a crazyquilt, used in a collage piece, for scrapbooking and/or other mixed media or altered art projects. You can also print it on paper and use it to make greeting cards.

Click on the photos to go to my Flickr site where you can download the large versions of the patterns.

I enjoy blogging so much but it wouldn't be nearly as much fun if I didn't have so many readers who come everyday to see my stitching and read my ramblings about my passion.

This is my way of saying thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday everyone!

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Baby!

I completed the stitching my Purple Painted Lady purse last night:



After adding my little signature cat, my husband looked at this and told me it needed a spider web. So I added one! You might want to click on the photo which will take you over to my Flickr site where you can see a larger version. The spiderweb is a bit obsure. I didn't want it stand out too much but I loved Scott's idea and it was the perfect motif for that space. When I get it sewn together, I'll post another photo taken with the digi. They always look a little dark when I use the scanner. It's much brighter in person.

We took a nice drive up to Crystal Lake yesterday and stopped at our Local Needlework Shop where I bought a few new Watercolor Threads:



I just love using these on my crazyquilts! They're 3 ply and I use only one strand which is pretty close to a #5 Perle cotton.

I won't have any stitching to share with you tomorrow. Not so much because of the holiday but because today is my birthday! I'm a Christmas Eve baby. Scott is taking me out for some antiquing today, which is one of my favorite things to do! We'll also be stopping at Michael's so I can use my 50% off coupon!

Tonight we'll head over to my parents house for dinner and to visit with them and my aunt & uncle.

Despite not having stitching to share tomorrow, I do hope you'll have a few minutes to stop by. I will be leaving a few stocking stuffers here for you. It's my way of saying thank you for taking the time to read my blog everyday!

Also, I'll have a fun little contest next week with a nice prize for the winner. I hope it'll help with the after-Christmas blahs!

See you tomorrow everyone! And Happy Christmas!