Finally, Some Stitching Time!

I'm running late as usual for a Thursday. I picked up groceries this morning and the things I needed from WalMart. I also stopped at Michaels and the Post Office. Whew! Unfortunately, I still have some chores to do but then I can sit down and stitch.

I finished painting the last of the walls in the Living Room yesterday and then had some much needed stitching time. I decided to do another little cellphone pouch. They go fast and I felt like I needed some "instant gratification"!

Here's what it looked like before I started on it:



I've never done one with all black fabrics and I thought it would be fun. In fact, I pieced a 9 inch purse block with the same fabrics. In the meantime, this is what it looks like now:



I have something really cool for a focal point in the center. Stop by tomorrow to see what it is! I expect to attach it later today.

The First Robin Of Spring!

Ya'll know that I have been eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting the return of the Robins. They usually arrive back here in late February but Winter didn't want to leave so the Robins remained where it was warm. I can't say that I blame them in the least!

It was 70 degrees here yesterday, a lovely sunny day and I had so hoped I would see or hear one but no such luck. I kept thinking to myself, "where are they?" Yes, it's the little things for me!

This morning, I went out on my front porch for a bit of fresh air and there they were! Silhouetted against the daybreak, proudly singing their beautiful song atop the roof of my neighbors garage. Two big fat Robins, announcing their arrival! Spring is finally here!

I worked late again yesterday and unfortunately, did not get in any stitching time. I'm having withdrawals. Big time! But I did finish up my design work and my paperwork for the week so I'm free to move on to other things. I will be finishing the painting in my living room on the last 2 1/2 walls today. That should only take a few hours and hopefully will leave me with some much needed stitching time.

To celebrate the return of the Robin birds, I worked up a little counted cross stitch motif for you to use on your crazy quilt projects:



Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download a larger version of the pattern. You can stitch this directly on your crazy quilt block using 14 count waste canvas or, you can stitch it on cross stitch fabric and then sew it into your foundation. I hope you enjoy it!

If you're in need of eye candy, hop over to Sharon's In A Minute Ago blog and check out her stitching. Oh my! She does such lovely work!!!

I'm off to finish straightening up my house and then I can paint and then I can stitch!!!

Happy Spring everyone!

More tomorrow.....

New Counted Cross Stitch Designs

Just released by Imaginating, Inc.:





These are my newest design leaflets and are the 3rd & 4th in the series of Seasonal Quilts With Black Cats.

You can find these designs at your local needlework shop. If you don't have access to one, try contacting my LNS, Welcome Stitchery. They carry my designs and are more than happy to ship.

Scalloped Fan Seam Treatment

I don't have any stitching to share with you today. I worked late yesterday on my current design project and didn't have the energy afterwards to even think about stitching. Ok, I thought about it but didn't have the energy to do anything about it!

So, for today, I worked up a charted seam treatment for you to use on your crazyquilt projects:



Don't you just love the Fan Stitch? Next to the Feather Stitch, it is one of my top favorites!

Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download a large version of the pattern.

On the TAST front, I didn't get around to trying last weeks stitch, the Barred Chain. To be honest, I don't care for the way it looks. It really looks messy to me so I probably won't do anything with it.

As for this weeks stitch, the Up & Down Buttonhole, I'm not sure I care for this one much either. I'll have to head over to Sharon's Stitch Dictionary and see how it's done and then I'll decide whether or not to try it.

Before I get to my design work for today, I want to share a tip with you that Allison suggested to me. Try using Gel Pens to mark your seams. They work on any fabric and they come in a million different colors! Plus, they have fine tips so your stitches will cover the marks.

Have a great day everyone! See ya tomorrow!

Peacock Lamp

I apologize for not posting yesterday. I started painting the living room on Saturday and worked on it some more yesterday. I still have a few more hours of painting to go. I hope to have some time to finish that up tomorrow.

In the meantime, I would like to thank Michele for reminding me about sharing a photo of my peacock lamp. Here it is:



Is it just too pretty or what! I haven't quite decided where I'll put it yet where it'll be safe from my cats. I'll try it in a few different places and see where it looks best.

In the meantime, I have some design work to do so I'd better get at it.