Brooches, Strawberry Cupcakes and More!

I have loads to things to share with you today.  Well, maybe not loads but some eye candy and some news.

First, I promised you brooches:

 

I took some small lace appliques, hand-dyed them, tacked them onto some heavy weight interfacing and then embellished with silk ribbon embroidery, beads & sequins. When they were done, I glued a piece of card stock to the back and then some flannel (couldn't find my felt) and added a pin back.  They're very sparkly and available in my Etsy shop.

Next, I'm sure you're all wondering what the plan was for the strawberries.  Well, here they are:

 

They look good enough to eat, don't they?  But they're not edible.  They're pincushions!  Oh, what a fun project this was!  It's really incredible to get an idea and bring it to life.  Not that cupcake pincushions haven't been made before, but I wanted to put strawberries on mine!  The cups are vintage tins.  I'd like to say that I sprayed them pink but I can't.  My father did it for me.  I'm spray paint challenged!  Ha, ha, ha!  Anyway, they're available in my Etsy shop as well.

I spent the day over at mom's and completed several more projects that I had started.  I had to let them sit overnight so the glue could dry.  I'll share those projects next week.

In the meantime, I wanted to share photos of some lovely gifts that I received this week.  First are these beautiful hankies from Judy:

 

Aren't they beautiful?  I just love vintage hankies!  Judy also sent me a copy of her choir's CD.  Oh, I just love choir music!  And she sent me an issue of Sew Beautiful.  Oh, I love that magazine.  Thank you, Judy for all the lovely gifts you sent to me!

I received another wonderful package this week as well:

 

These pretties were a gift from Mary Ann.  Beautiful hankies, crocheted pieces, appliques, lace and sequins.  And check out the gorgeous smocked piece!  I don't have anything like that in my stash.  I will be using that on something special.  Perhaps a new purse once my Crazy Garden Quilt is done!  Thank you so much MA.  It was a lovely surprise!

Finally for today, I have an announcement to make.  Due to the lack of interest in my Biscornu of the Month designs, I have decided to drop the project.  I apologize if this disappoints anyone.  I just feel that without the interest in the series, I could better spend my time creating other things. 

Well, that's my post for today.  I'm quite tired now so I think I'll go fill my tub with bubbles and relax. 

Crazy Garden Quilt Continues To Bloom

Flowers continue to bloom on Block #8 of my Crazy Garden Quilt:

 

This project is nearing is end and I've so much enjoyed it.  Only 1 block to go when this one is done.  It's helped me to focus on Spring & Summer rather than the icky Winter months which ya'll know, I absolutely despise!  Will have to plan on another project for next Winter!

But I'm not quite done yet.  I've been making myself get out of my bed when my husband goes to work and I sit and play with my stitching until it gets light out.  It helps to move around in the morning and do something that requires hand/eye coordination.

In other news, I finished up my little brooches that I mentioned the other day.  Oh, they are so pretty!  I'll have photos tomorrow.  I also finished up my "mystery" strawberry project that I mentioned the other day.  Again, photos will be available in the morning.  Anyone want to guess what I've done with those strawberries?

For now, I'd better get dinner together.  Taco salad.  Yum!

Stitching The Day Away!

I've pretty much been playing all day.  Other than doing laundry and running to the Post Office, I've been stitching on my Crazy Garden Quilt:

The yellow on the lace at the top looks a little bright in the scan.  It's really not that bright.  It's much softer and will look softer yet when I bead and sequin it.

My other project for today are some little beaded lace applique pins.  I have one more to stitch and I'll share a photo soon.  Very pretty and quite enjoyable to do!  I may have to make a few more.

I guess that's the news for today.  They're calling for snow again tomorrow.  Geez louise!  Is Spring ever going to show up?  I really want to go to WalMart and I'm on the look out for Robin's!

Spring At Kitty & Me!

Well, we may have more snow outside, but Spring is showing it's pretty little head here at Kitty & Me!

I spent the day taking photos of our newest creative endeavors.  Oh, and uploading photos.  Yes, that takes awhile on dial-up.  But I did a little project while I was waiting.  Velvet Strawberries:

These will part of an upcoming project.  You'll never guess what I'm going to do with them!  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, here is the sweetest little bunny pillow made by mom:

These cute little chick do-dads are by mom as well:

I just love them!  I have something coming soon with these little chicks too!  I'm just waiting on some more forgetmenot flowers!

Anyway, these Spring tags are my newest additions:

There are 5 tags in each set.  I don't know which ones I like more.  The bunny's are vintage gold dresden foil.  I found them at an antique shop awhile back.  Sometimes it's hard for me to use some of my things that I've picked up in our junkin' travels but eventually I concede to using them.  I mean, why do I have them if I don't want to use them?

Anyway, I also made some pretty little glittered egg ornaments:

These would be so cute on an Easter Egg tree! 

So, that was my day.  I made chicken soup and Scott just walked in the door.  My favorite time of day!  I just have to get the garlic bread ready to put in the oven.  He doesn't like to eat the minute he walks in.  He likes to unwind for a little while first.

In other news, Annie was the first to ask for the JCS Ornament magazine so Annie, it's yours!  Please email me with your address so I can get that in the mail for you.  I hope you enjoy it!

Well, I'm kind of tired now.  I started stitching Block #8 of my Garden Crazy Quilt but I want to get a little more stitching in on it before I share a progress photo with you.  I also have some lovely gifts that I received from 2 of my dear blog friends.  I'll share photos of those in the next day or so too!

Until then, have a good night!

A Quick Update

It's supposed to snow tomorrow (again)!  I guess Spring isn't quite ready to show up yet!  My husband took me up to Michael's this morning because heaven knows, I have no craft supplies in this house!  LOL!  Actually, I wanted some spray glitter.  Scott said, "yeah, that's what you need.  Spray glitter!"  Too funny!

When we got back home, I made a loaf of bread to have with soup tomorrow and I've since been rearranging my computer room which is also where I store my craft supplies.  You know, the ones that I don't have.  Ha, ha, ha!

Anyway, I still have a little bit of organizing to do but, I thought I'd take a short break and share a photo of Block #8 of my Garden Crazy Quilt before I start stitching on it:

 

If you're new to my blog, I started this Garden Crazy Quilt project back in November or December.  It's my Winter project and I can see that my timing is quite good.  The quilt will consist of 9 blocks, each with a vintage embroidered hankie as a focal point.  When completed, I will border it with pink taffeta and hang it in my Living Room.

I'm not sure I'll start on this today.  I'm running out of steam now but I may start on it in the morning.

For now, I have a copy of the 2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue that I would like to give away:

 

  If someone would like to have it, please leave a comment for me.  USA Residents only please.  I will take care of the postage.

Have a good evening everyone!