Happy St. Patrick's Day!

If you been reading my blog for awhile, you probably know that I just love St. Patrick's Day. Don't ask me why. I really have no clue. I just do. Maybe I associate it with the beginning of Spring which is my favorite season!

Scott and I are going to drive up to Galena Illinois for the day. It's one of our favorite places to go. We enjoy seeing the beautiful restored Victorian houses and the gorgeous countryside, not to mention all the wonderful and unique shops on Main Street. I of course, just love that Bead shop!

It's a 2 1/2 hour drive so we'll be leaving in the hour or so.

Anyway, to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (and yes, I'm still celebrating the return of the robins), I worked up a cute little cross stitch pattern for you to use on your crazyquilts:



Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download a larger version of the pattern. You can stitch this on your crazyquilt using 14 count waste canvas or stitch it on cross stitch fabric and sew it into your foundation.

I completed the Basket Of Violets pouch last night but I'll save sharing a photo of it for tomorrow.

In the meantime, have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day and enjoy this little project.

Basket Of Violets Cellphone Pouch

I'm sure some of you are eagerly awaiting to see what I used in the center of the black cellphone pouch. Well, here you go:



A little basket of violets! This was a Mill Hill beaded pin kit from a few years back. I made dozens and dozens of these little kits. I've given many of them as gifts but kept a few for myself which I never wore so I've decided to work them into my CQ's. I took the pin off of the back and then sewed it down onto the block using bead thread. Isn't this too cute? I have a few chores left to do but then I can get back to some stitching on this.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a St. Patrick's Day gift!

Cross Stitch & Needlework May 2007 Issue

Just released:



If you collect my designs, you can find one of my hummingbirds in this issue:

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.....