2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue

I thought you would like to see my ornament from the 2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue:



Not too bad for the state of madness I was in back in January when I did the design! Well, I think it was January. I'm really not sure as the past almost year is pretty much just a big blur to me. I still have that "not quite in reality" feeling but I'm sure that will pass in time.

On the back cover, in the Zweigart Ad, you can see my Redwork Christmas Afghan design:



I looked at it and thought to myself, "Wow, what a pretty afghan! I wonder who the designer is." Then I realized it's one of my designs and thought to myself, geez, I can't wait until my brains are back in my head!

Anyway, Scott and I went to a flea market today where I hit the jackpot! I found a bunch of vintage transfer patterns, a pair of gorgeous vintage cat figurines with roses on them, 2 vintage spider pins, some vintage lace appliques, 2 vintage cookie cookbooks and a framed stitched piece with roses on it. I have to take photos of my treasures. I'm out of steam for today.

When I feel up to it, I want to repaint my guest room in an icy pink and then stencil cabbage roses in there. The kitty figurines and the vintage stitched piece are for that room.

I'll post photos when I have a little more energy. In the meantime, I thought you would enjoy seeing my JCS Ornament.

Autumn Home Decor

Today is a decent feeling day! I'm tired and still feel as if I'm on another planet but I've been thinking about new design ideas and projects and I did some stitching on vintage Vogart dresser scarf!

I also took some photos and have some finishes to share with you. First, is my Autumn Is In The Air pillow:



I have it sitting with one of my scarecrows on my grandma's cedar chest which I have behind my sofa:



I change the pillows and dolls with the holidays and seasons. I like things festive, but not cluttered looking.

Next, I finished up the door-hanger that I started for my mom for Mother's Day:



You may remember that little vintage heart-shaped wicker chair that I found a few years ago in an antique shop. Scott painted it white for me and now it sits in the corner of my living room. I always have a little door-hanger pillow on the post. And sometimes a black cat who shall remain a Nightmare!



I made the cross stitch seat cover years and years ago! I had it on a chair in my bedroom but when I brought this chair home, the seat cover fit it perfectly so I moved it.

Last but not least for today, I finished up the stitching on my Spider Web Purse:



Now to find a good feeling day to sew it together. I would love to be able to use it from now until Halloween. Perhaps over the weekend. Although we do have another flea market to go to on Sunday and I'm counting the minutes!

I'll definitely have to share photos of my baking. Perhaps I'll share a few of my recipes too. Stayed tuned for that! I'm off to make some Popovers to have with dinner. I'm getting tired so I'll just stitch after that.

I Ran My Sewing Machine Today....

and I finished up my "Autumn Is In The Air" pillow. I don't feel like messing with the camera at the moment so I'll post a photo of it on my cedar chest with my little scarecrows sometime in the next few days.

I also finished up the doorhanger that I started for my mom for Mother's Day. Better late than never. Then I sewed up 3 Christmas gifts. Like I said, I'll have photos of those pieces soon.

In the meantime, I've added some more do-dads to my Spider Web Purse:



I may have it finished later today. I'm starting to feel that awful feeling of pressure like my insides are going to explode so I know it's time for me to go sit and relax.

When I finish up on the Spider purse, I'm going to make 2 doorhangers for Christmas gifts:





I have a silver Christmas Tree pin for the focal point on the silver block and a holly pin for the center of the green block. I wanted to scan these so you can see them before I start on them.

Also today, I made some crepes with apple/raisin/pecan filling for dessert tonight. We usually don't do desert. I wanted to bake something but didn't want to push myself so I did these instead. It makes the house smell good but only took a short time and they're pretty low in calorie. Well, except for the sour cream that I'll putting on top! I'll have to start taking pictures of my baking and such. Been doing a lot of that lately.

Spider Web Purse Progress & a Finish!

I finished up my little "Autumn Is In The Air" counted cross stitch piece yesterday:



Being a designer, I like to give credit where credit is due. This is design is by Michelle M. Lash of Brittercup Designs.



Since I've completed the project and don't need my pattern anymore, I would like to offer it to whoever wants it. I'll gladly send it to the first person who leaves me a comment saying they would like to have it. US only please as I will pay for the postage.

It was a cloudy dreary day here yesterday so I had time for stitching on my Spider Web purse:



Today, I'll do the beading on the lace piece and start adding the rest of the spiders. The spider in the middle is a vintage pin that I bought at an antique shop awhile back. The pin-back is missing but I was able to sew it down close to the body on each leg. It's quite secure so I don't think he'll wander off anywhere!

This morning, my dear husband took my parents and I to a huge pumpkin farm! They have a fantastic petting zoo there. We saw giraffes, a baby zebra and all sorts of other animals. There was a potbellied piggy with 2 babies. Oh my goodness, they were so sweet! Well, ya'll know how I am about animals! Anyway, my favorite was the owls. I wish we could have gotten a photo of them. They were huge and had bright orange eyes the size of quarters!

This pumpkin farm is rather pricey so I didn't buy my pumpkins there. We mostly go to see the petting zoo. I'll get my pumpkins at the farm market down the road from me.

It was a very nice October morning but I'm quite tired now so will head off to sit and stitch for a bit.

Finally for today, I'll share a photo of the birthday card that I made for my father in law:



Scott said that it's a little "girly" but his dad won't care. He'll just be happy that we thought of him. I may make him some cookies during the week to send along with the card.

The cupcakes are made with one of Martha Stewart's punches. I buy them at Michael's when they have a 40% off coupon. I used the little puffy things that make them stand up off the card. It gives them a 3-D look. The stars are also one of MS's punches and the candles were some stickers that I had. And as you can see, I like my glitter!

Spider Web Purse Update

I thought I'd drop a quick update post here on my Spider Web purse:



I have all the seams stitched and the spiderwebs are stitched. I thought my readers would like to see it before I start on the beading.

We went to the Elkhorn WI flea market today. Wow, it was jam packed with shoppers! Last Elkhorn of the season. I did pretty well too. I walked 1/2 of it before I had to sit down for awhile. Had to sit down about 4 times during the 2nd 1/2 of it but I figure that's pretty good.

I was looking for a small spider pin with crystals or rhinestones on it but no luck. I have a large one for the center patch and will use buttons and beads to create smaller spiders on the other webs.

I did find some more vintage transfer embroidery patterns. It's hard to believe that with all I have, that I'm still finding some that I don't have! That's really cool though as I just love those old patterns!

I also bought 3 vintage hankies with machine embroidered flowers on them. They were $1.00 each. And then I bought a vintage embroidered towel with Autumn Leaves on it. I need to wash and press it and then I can hang it over the door on my Hoosier cabinet.

Well, that's it for today. I baked another batch of cookies this afternoon and I must confess, I'm exhausted. I'm off to take my shower and lay down.