Spider Purse & Flea Market Treasures

First, I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to email me. I believe we have my email working properly again. I kind of freak when this sort of thing happens because I don't know what to do! My friend Chris helped me with it and hopefully, it will continue to work for me!

I finished up my Spider Web purse:



There are 7 spiders on this bag. Can you find them all?

The ladies at the Post Office were drooling all over it yesterday. Everyone is fascinated by crazyquilting!

Next, I thought I would share my recent Flea Market treasures with you. I hit the jackpot this last Sunday! First, with a pair of cat figurines that I absolutely fell in love with:



I plan to repaint my guest room light pink and stencil cabbage roses around the room. I want it to have a very cottage vintage look and I thought these would be pretty sitting on the dresser.

Next I found yet another pile of vintage embroidery transfers:



Ya'll know how much I love these! I've done pretty good with the iron-on transfer finds this flea market season.

I know I've recently mentioned that I've been baking a lot. It's helped to take my mind off the terrible depression symptoms that I've been dealing with. I started a new collection (like I need another one) of vintage baking cookbooks:



I paid $2.00 for each of these. In fact, the Betty Crocker Cooky book is one that my mom has had since the 1960's and I maul it every time I'm at mom's house! I was thrilled to find my own copy at the flea market. Esp. for only $2.00! I think Borders bookstore offers it but it's around $15.00 or $20.00 now.

Anyway, the Christmas Cookie booklet is from the 1950's. Mom told me that the electric company used to send out cookbooks and other little things now and then. Interesting! Now we get the bill and pray it doesn't go up!

I also found this pile of vintage appliqués:



I'm sure they'll find their way onto one of my crazy quilts eventually.

Last but not least for today, a vintage hat and 2 spider pins:



I bought the vintage hat for the silk and velvet flowers. I can usually find these for about $4.00 or $5.00. I take the flowers off and use them on my stitching or on cards.

And where were those spider pins when I was working on my spider purse? I've never seen one on a web before.

I do have one other treasure that I bought but I had a hard time getting a good photo of it. It's a stitched framed piece with roses on it and a little verse. I'll try taking it outside on a sunny day and see if I can't get a decent photo. It's gorgeous and is also intended for my guest room when I get it repainted.

Email Issues

Thank you everyone! The only email that came through was from Judy. I'm not getting me Etsy email or my PayPal email. Can't figure out what's going on. As soon as I do, I'll ask for more messages.

Email Messages

I'm not sure that all my email is coming through. I was wondering if I have a few readers who would take a moment to send me an email and then leave a message here for so I can see if everything is working correctly.

Thanks much!

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.

At Home With Needlework magazine

The September 2009 issue of Zweigart's At Home With Needlework magazine has been released!



Along with the Blackwork Halloween tabletopper on the cover, you can find it's companion (a lovely bellpull) and several of my other designs including this one:



There's also another of my black cats with quilts designs in here along with a sweet gingerbread man tabletopper. Be sure to check out this issue!

In other news, I'm hanging in here. Today seems to be a decent day. I've been to WalMart, the Yankee Candle store, made 2 batches of Oatmeal cookies and 2 batches of Blueberry Muffins. I definitely feel spent now so I'll spend the rest of the day relaxing and stitching.

A Quick Hello

This is the first time I've had my computer on in a couple of weeks. I check my messages on my dad's computer when I feel up to it.

I'm hanging in here. The nightmare continues but the Zoloft is helping. I wish I could describe the awful physical sensations, the weird dreadful creepy feelings and the horror movie that plays in my head sometimes. It is so not me! I just don't think those kind of thoughts. I think butterflies and hummingbirds and soft fuzzy things.

Anyway, I've done a couple loads of laundry today and mixed 2 batches of cookies that I'll bake tomorrow. I try to do what I can do when I can do it. Laying around watching TV is getting old but much of the time, that's all I can do.

Scott is still on vacation so I'm giving my parents a break. Not that they mind that I lay on their sofa and watch TV. I mean, who is better capable of taking care of me than my parents?

My mom tries to encourage me to make a card now and then. I've done quite a few but frankly, when I look at them now, I can't remember making any of them. I have done a bit of stitching the past few days. I finished a pillowcase and started on the companion. With all the laying around I do, it'll be nice to have a pretty new set of pillowcases. I'm just trying to make myself do a few things, even if only for a little while here and there.

On a happy note, I still have a male hummingbird here. The males usually leave the first week of July. Perhaps the one I'm seeing a young one born this year. If that's the case, he'll head back south with the females the end of September. If it isn't a young one, maybe he's still here because of our screwy weather this year!

Well, just wanted to say hello before I turn my computer off. Thank you again everyone for your encouragement. Everyone tells me that this will go away eventually. It's just a slow process. Too darn slow in my opinion but it is what it is.

Saying Hello

The extra Zoloft has helped but it's only covering up the symptoms. I look forward to the day that this nightmare of an experience actually starts to recede.

I was able to do some cleaning yesterday and bake some cookies but today, I have zip for energy.

Just wanted to stop by and say hello.

Not A Good Day

Thank you again everyone. Today is not good. I feel so crazy. I couldn't even drive this morning and I couldn't do WalMart. My dad had to come get me and take me to see my Psychologist. While I was there, he went and got what I needed from WalMart. What would I do without my parents? I'm at my parents house right now typing on my dad's computer. I'm surprised I have enough of my senses to remember my username and password!

I'm going to call my Dr. in a few minutes as my counselor feels I need an adjustment in medication.

I so much appreciate all of your best wishes as well as your willingness to share your experiences with me. Please keep reiterating that this will go away. Please keep telling me that.

My counselor told this morning that this was bound to happen eventually and it's better that it happened in my 40's rather than my 50's. In our 40's, we have more strength to get through it.

It's definitely genetic as my mother went through a similar experience in her early 50's and my grandmother went through it as well.

I'm sorry to be talking about this awful hell that I'm going through rather than needlework and crafts. I'd really rather be talking about that but for now, this is what I'm going through and it's all I have to share.

Some Of My Cards

I thought while I still had my computer on, I would share a few of my cards:







I don't know how but I've made quite a few over the past few months. Just thought I'd share something pretty.

Stopping by for a moment....

Again everyone, thank you for your kindness and support. I had to get online to check my email so I thought I would stop by for a minute.

It helps to know that some of my readers have been through this although I have to say, I wouldn't wish this on a housefly!

For those of you who had this experience, did you have a feeling of being tainted, or ruined? Like your innocence was gone? It's an awful feeling that I never had before and I was wondering if anyone else experienced it. And please don't freak out anyone. I'm not usually alone but those feelings usually have intrusive suicidal feelings behind them. It's awful and the Zoloft keeps that down and again, I'm either with my husband, my parents or in the mornings when I am alone, my neighbor is home. It's very scary and those are terrible feelings but they're not mine. It goes with the territory.

This morning wasn't good. We tried to walk a flea market but after 15 minutes, I had to go sit in our truck. I feel a twinge better now. I have some laundry going, some hummingbird food cooling off and I may try to mix a batch of cookie dough. I try to make cookies for my dad every week since he drives me everywhere that I need to go outside of McHenry. For awhile there, I couldn't drive at all. My dad had to come and get me every day.

Anyway, I want to say hello and ask that question.

Cats & Quilts Series Completed

I've just completed the Cats & Quilts series:





The patterns can be found here.

Cats & Quilts - September & October

I continue to see improvements here, slow but sure. I will be back more regularly soon. This is a slow process of recovery and I just can't do everything that I used to do at this moment. I will get back to that point though.

In the meantime, I've released the Cats & Quilts designs for September & October:





The patterns can be found here.

Patriotic Floral Basket Counted Cross Stitch Design

I had a request to re-release this patriotic design:



I've added it to my Etsy shop.

Patriotic Love Birds

With the 4th of July coming, I thought I would go ahead and re-release my Patriotic Love Birds designs:



What a fun Summer project! If anyone is interested in stitching this design, it can be found here.

Stopping By To Say Hello!

Things are slowly but surely improving for me. I hope and expect to be back to more regular posting in a few weeks. For now, I wanted to say hello.

Please hang in here with me just a little longer.

Checking In....

just to say hello. It's been a rough few months for me. And Scott & I are really missing our Garfield.

I haven't been stitching but have made a few cards and have been working in my yard. It helps to take my mind off things whereas with stitching, my mind tends to wander too much.

I have been working as well. I take my laptop over to my parents house and work over there quite a bit. If anyone is interested, the new At Home With Needlework magazine by Zweigart is now available. There are several of my designs in the May/2009 issue.

I'll be back regularly as soon as I can but in the meantime, I'll stop by periodically to say hello.

Thank you Everyone!

Just thought I'd stop by to say thank you to everyone who left me warm and comforting comments about my Teddy Bear. I miss him terribly.

I'm doing ok and will be back to normal blogging as soon as I can.

Garfield

I had to say goodbye to my teddy bear today.



Farewell Master, yet not farewell.
Where I go, ye too shall dwell.
I am gone before your face, a moment's time, a little space.
When ye come where I have stepped, ye will wonder why ye wept.

Edwin Arnold

Farewell, Master, yet not farewell.
Where I go, ye too shall dwell.
I am gone before your face,
A moment's time, a little space.
When ye come where I have stepped
Ye will wonder why ye wept.

Farewell, Master, yet not farewell.
Where I go, ye too shall dwell.
I am gone before your face,
A moment's time, a little space.
When ye come where I have stepped
Ye will wonder why ye wept.

A Quick Message

Ladies, I'm still having some issues here and my oldest cat Garfield is not doing well. I'm going to take a blogging break for a bit. I hope it's only for a short time.

Button Block #36 Completed!

Just a quick update for today. I've finished up on Button Block #36:



Next, I think I'll make a couple for Mother's Day.

Button Block #36 Continued....

Some more progress on my current Button Block:



Not sure if I'll get this finished up today or not. I want to go outside and work on cleaning up the yard some more. I'm still cleaning up sawdust from having that tree taken down and I need to get that done before it starts to rot my perennials. If I work on this more today, I'll post an update photo over the weekend.

Button Block #36

I've started on another Button Block:



This one will be made into a door-hanger as a gift for a friend.

In other news, I've released the 4th and final part of the Garden Fantasy Mystery Project. Stop by here in another day or so to see the complete design!

Little Girl With Doll Purse - Stitching Complete

I just finished up on this pretty project:



I'll sew this up as soon as I can and post a photo of the completed project when it's done.

In the meantime, I haven't decided on a new project yet. I'll post again as soon as I pick something.

Little Girl With Doll Purse Continued

I've been working on the beading on this project:



I'll be working on that lace applique next.

I was asked how I go about painting my lace. It's actually quite simple. I use Dyna-flow dye by Jacquard. I wet my lace, mix my colors (watering them down a bit) and then using a small paint brush, I pick up some color and dab the brush onto the lace allowing the wet lace to pull the color from the brush. I do this on some paper towels so they absorb the excess water.

Once I'm happy with how it looks, I dry my pieces in the microwave. Generally at 50% power for only 30 seconds at a time until it's dry.

Remember, that it will dry lighter than it appears when it's wet!

Hope this helps!

Little Girl With Doll Purse Continued....

I have the seams embroidered now and I've started on the beading:



I painted the lace and it looks like it blends in and gets a little lost. This issue will be resolved once I bead it. It's truly the beading that makes the stitching, lace and trim pop out!

I was asked what software I used to tint the photograph. I use Corel Photopaint 12. I made a custom brush with 97 % transparency. That adds color to the photo without covering the image with "paint".

Little Girl With Doll Purse

First, I sewed up my latest Button Block into a doorhanger pillow for my mom:



We took this over to mom's last night after dinner and mom loved it! I also took some cookies to my dad that I made during the day.

Once that project was completed, I started stitching on the Little Girl With The Doll purse:



Allie left a comment for me saying that she likes the lace as it is, white. But I really want to paint it. I'm going to do that now so stop by in another day or so to see how it looks.

Also, Part 3 of the Garden Fantasy Cross Stitch Mystery Stitch-Along will be released later this week. There's still time to join if anyone is interested. Click here for more information.

Little Girl With Doll Purse

First, I finally stitched up Button Block #35:



This one will be sewn into a little doorhanger pillow for my mom. I'll post a photo as soon as I get it sewn up.

My next project will be another purse:



I'd like to say a special "thank you" to Cheryl H. for sending me this lovely vintage photo of the little girl with the doll. It was a black/white photo and I tinted it myself with my graphic software.

I'll hand paint the lace pieces but I usually wait until I have some of the stitching done. That will give me a better feel for the right colors.

Poodle Purse Completed!

I got a bee in my bonnet yesterday afternoon and decided to sew up my poodle purse:



The trim on the bottom is a piece of a vintage dress that I bought at a flea market last Summer for $10.00. It was actually what inspired this purse. Be sure to click on the image to see the large version over at Flickr. That dress piece is silver lame with rhinestones and beads. It's quite heavy! The pearl beading on the very bottom was already there.

Most of the rhinestone buttons that I used are vintage as is the brooch on the top right-hand corner.

The seam treatments are my own technique. See my book for more details.

Poodle Purse - Stitching Complete

Just a quick little update on my poodle purse. I finished the stitching on this the other day:



It's very glittery! I had wanted to sew it up today but didn't have the energy so I'll do it when I feel up to it.

For now, I'm off to make some salad for dinner. I'll be back in a day or two when I start another project.

Angel Purse & Ladybug Purse Completed!

I've almost completed the stitching on my Poodle purse. All that's left to do is to add my little signature cat to the bottom left-hand corner. I'll post an update on that when I have it done.

In the meantime, I finished up on the handwork on the both the Angel purse and the Ladybug purse:





I'd like to say a special "thank you" to my long time stitcher and dear friend Kim. The ladybug is one of my little designs and Kim stitched it up for me specifically for this purse. Thank you Kim!

I have a few more that need sewing up as soon as I can get in another sewing day. Perhaps over the weekend. Stay tuned.

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who left me links and sent me photos of vintage little girls with dolls. I have exactly what I was looking for now and it will be used in an upcoming purse project. Thank you again everyone!

Poodle Purse Update

Just a quick update for today. My Poodle Purse is coming along nicely:



Notice how I softened the harsh corners with silver buttons! That really smoothed it out nicely.

I'd like to ask my readers for a bit of help. I need a pretty vintage photo of a little girl holding a porcelain doll. Preferably a photo that's hand tinted and early 1900's. If any one has a photo or knows where I can find one, please let me know. It's for an upcoming purse.

Thanks in advance!

Beading On Poodle Purse

I'm still in slow motion here but things are improving. I started the beading on my Poodle purse yesterday:



I think I'll add a real feather to the hat. I'm sure I have some pink feathers here somewhere.

I also did a bit of finishing on Friday. I just have to add beads & trims to the Angel purse and the Ladybug purse and those will be completed. Stay tuned for photos.

In other news, Part 2 of the Counted Cross Stitch Garden Fantasy Mystery Stitch-Along will be released on Thursday. There's still plenty of time to join the mystery if anyone is interested. Information on the mystery can be found here.

Poodle Purse - Seams Covered

I've been feeling a little better and have been able to sit and stitch. I have the seams covered on my Poodle Purse now so it's ready for beads:



Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can see the large version. Look closely at the Poodle! I glittered her!

The majority of the seam treatments are my own charted borders. To learn more about my technique, click here. I'm working on putting Volume 2 together so there's loads of more borders coming soon!