Thursday, December 31, 2009

NEW YEAR

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2010

Monday, December 28, 2009

"CHRISTMAS DILLS"


Every Christmas season we see the dill pickle ornament. To me it never made much sense why would anyone want a dill pickle ornament on their pretty Christmas tree. Then one year I attended a "Christmas Tasting" to find a dish full of what looked like hamburger dill slices dressed up somewhat. Looking at me were "CHRISTMAS DILLS". Needless to say ... that year the dill pickle took on a new meaning to me.

From many years past, I have made the "CHRISTMAS DILLS" recipe and given them as gifts. I always receive compliments and can I have the recipe.

So this Christmas season I would like to share with all of you my "CHRISTMAS DILLS". Yes, they are dressed up hamburger dill slices. And I might mention they are very addictive, bet you can't eat just one !

CHRISTMAS DILLS
1 Qt processed,sliced hamburger dill pickles
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 Tbls Onion Flakes
1 Tbls Prepared Horseradish
3 Tbls Vinegar
1 Tsp Celery Seed

Drain pickles and discard the liquid.
Combine all ingredients.
Repack jar, adding sugar alternately with pickle slices.
Refrigerate.
Shake jar frequently to dissolve sugar. Soon jar will be 2/3 full of liquid and crisp slices.
Refrigerate 24 hours before eating if you can keep from eating them sooner.

I hope you enjoy these "CHRISTMAS DILLS" !!

Until I start stitching again...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Thursday, December 24, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Saturday, December 12, 2009

SANTA AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAWS

Yes, ole Santa is on his way...

I am cross stitching fast to finish my Antique Santa in his gilded cart. I will be posting pictures soon. I swear the backstitching is tedious and so much of it.

I stopped in Needle Fever Shop, Indianapolis to pick up BLACKBIRD DESIGNS September and October Stocking Booklets and while there I found a great bargain. I purchased six DIMENSION Santa Ornaments on sale, who ever did the stitching of these Santa Ornaments did a great job. I have a vintage Christmas Tree and they go great on it. And again...they may end up on my large Christmas Tree.

My daughter-in-law Melissa is cross stitching making Christmas gifts. She ask if I had some white Aida Cloth. I said...lets look into my stash, Melissa laughed & said
"oh my lands". She walked out with white, pink & red Aida Cloth. That isn't mentioning all the other colors I have in my stash. STASH...that is another posting someday! As I told Melissa...this happens to us all who do cross stitching, needlepoint or rug hooking.

I know I have mentioned before that I have two daughter-in-laws. Melissa, does cross stitch. Karen, has done cross stitch and a few other projects. However, Karen is very busy with 4yr.old "Little C". Karen is also my gal who does the posting of my pictures and template changes to this blog. Karen, is a very busy gal but to our surprise this morning...we received a plate of homemade Christmas cookies. And they were delicious !!

So, I feel lucky to have two great daughter-in-laws that share cross stitch with me.
Thank You Karen for the cookies and all the help with this blog !
Thank You Melissa for sharing my hobby...cross stitch !!

Soon I will have pictures of Santa and his gilded cart.

Until then...
HAPPY CROSS STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Thursday, November 26, 2009

THANKSGIVING DAY

Wishing everyone a " HAPPY THANKSGIVING " may you all have peace and be safe throughout your travels.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Halloween night was with a brisk air and full moon. The streets were lined with trick or treaters as they were welcomed by lit pumpkins on door steps.

My husband and I had our " Little C " and a friend's daughter knock on our door to treat them with their goody bag. "Little C" was dressed as Buzz Light and our friends daughter was a pirate. She was the prettiest pirate we have ever seen, lipstick and hair in pigtails.

We decided for our Halloween evening to have a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Iron Skillet. We were greeted by their beautiful decorated entry way. Greeting us was Hilda the witch and all the autumn colors, lighting and scarecrows. I have included some pictures to share with all of you the great decorating the Iron Skillet Restaurant puts on each year. They have a professional florist do their decorating. Each table is decorated with lit candles and a floral arrangement.
The Iron Skillet Restaurant is known for their food. Their specialty recipe is the Onion Soup. Of course, each dinner is specially prepared to your order. They ask if the evening is a special occasion and if so you will be served brownies with lit candles. To end your dinner you are served ice cream and your choice of toppings at your table. As your dinner evening ends...so does a friendly handshake and hoping to see you again soon. My family has been going to the Iron Skillet for many years and I must say...it is a fantastic restaurant.

Halloween night ended for my husband and I by having a quiet evening back home with a movie and myself...cross stitching my antique Santa.

Until We Meet Again,
Happy Cross Stitching
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

FOUR HALLOWEEN STOCKINGS

BOOOOOOO !!!!
DID I SCARE YOU ?
OF COURSE NOT !!

Halloween is upon us and I have been running so far behind on my cross stitching. I only got four of the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS HALLOWEEN STOCKINGS stitched. I have completed only one with the fabric backing. I will finish the other three before Halloween.
However, I didn't want anyone to think "suppose she fell off the face of the earth ". So, today I am showing just the one finished Halloween stocking. Showing is Jack O'Lantern with ole black crow/pumpkin. On the back side is the black/jack o'lantern face fabric.
As you can see from the pictures...the other Halloween stockings are...Haunted House, Whooo's Knockin at My Door ? and Trick or Treat.

I have enjoyed cross stitching these Halloween stockings, but at this time I believe it is time to retire TIS HALLOWE'EN booklet until another day. It is a fantastic Halloween Cross Stitch booklet for anyone who loves Halloween.

I have purchased from the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS two new booklets. Midnight Watch and Joyeux Noel. Midnight Watch will be on my "to do" list when the snow is falling. I love the black cat and the moon.

Can anyone tell that BLACKBIRD DESIGNS is my favorite designer of cross stitch patterns ? Barb and Alma are two great designers and not just cross stitch, they design rug hooking and quilt patterns. Oh, can't forget their blog...

As my little grandson " Little C " says...What's next Grandma ?

Well, next is a retired, out of print pattern I bought on Ebay. FATHER CHRISTMAS III by Donna Gallagher, Creative Needlearts and the Schiffer Collection. I am cross stitching Santa Claus in Gilded Cart and planning on framing in an oval frame. This old Santa Claus is from Germany in an antique cart. Santa looks really old and that is what caught my eye. I thought I had better start stitching Santa now hoping to have him finished to enjoy for this Christmas season. There are many details to this cross stitch pattern and I hope I don't go crazy stitching them.

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL"

Until We Meet Again...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Sunday, September 20, 2009

HALLOWEEN STOCKINGS AND ALL

CROSS STITCH....WHAT IS THAT ?
I have been a little slow on doing my cross stitch lately, been busy but getting back in the swing of things .... cross stitching. The nights are getting a little longer since autumn is upon us. Evening falls quicker too. I get settled in and can't wait to start cross stitching on BLACKBIRD DESIGNS "TIS HALLOWE'EN". I was in NEEDLE FEVER recently and they had on display several of the Halloween Stockings. They are so cute and it really made me want to get them finished. I am only on my second stocking. So, I had better get with it or Halloween will be here and gone.

Speaking of finishing stockings. I am so thrilled that Barb and Alma from BLACKBIRD DESIGNS gave www.twistedstitcher.com blog the go ahead to put on her blog how to do finishing with pictures of the stockings. How helpful !!

I have picked out these Halloween fabrics for finishing the backs of the stockings. I think they are pretty simple but cute. Since the stockings are so small I didn't want large printed fabric. So, simple it is.

Have you ever stitched a pattern that took forever, made you crazy, in the end you hated it ?
Well, that happened to me a year ago. I didn't frame it until now. Guess what ? I really do like this pattern since it is framed. I stand back and look at it and think....not bad !
I am speaking of ....HAUNTED WOOL designed by Kit & Bixby. I never realized how many colors of gray there are until this pattern. That is what made me crazy stitching this pattern. Not to mention...I got off count too.
So, since Halloween is around the corner I decided it is time to frame it and enjoy
Now...I am enjoying the HAUNTED WOOL.

While in Needle Fever, Indianapolis, Indiana last week, I picked up JUST CROSS STITCH 2009 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS issue. Very impressed and I have picked out many ornaments to be stitched. Maybe I should say...they are on my "to do" list.
Of course...one more BLACKBIRD DESIGNS STOCKINGS BOOKLET....SWEET AUGUST !!

Oh my.....I think I will be cross stitching many stockings when the snow is falling !

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN....
HAPPY CROSS STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Friday, September 11, 2009

911

"REMEMBERING 911" AND THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON THIS TRAGIC DAY !


CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Monday, September 7, 2009

LABOR DAY

Hope everyone has a wonderful "LABOR DAY" !!!

Until we meet again.......
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

AUGUST MELON

MY "AUGUST MELON" designed by BLACKBIRD DESIGNS is finished, framed and up for display in my home.

I find it so exciting when you are looking to frame a completed pattern. I have to say... it can be challenging. I must have spent over an hour looking for the just right frame, color and mat or not to mat. I decided to not mat this "AUGUST MELON" pattern. I did use the soft sticky board to frame this pattern. I admit I was very nervous trying to do it correct, so fearful it would stick and I not have it situated evenly. Once I got it on in the position I wanted ... was I thrilled !!
If I say so myself... I am very pleased and proud of this framed "AUGUST MELON".

I am so happy to have this project finished before the end of August since the name is "AUGUST MELON".

My frame and self-adhesive frame board was purchased from Michaels.



HAPPY STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

INDIANA SWEET CORN

This is the time of year that everyone in Indiana goes "sweet corn" hunting. In Indiana you take a country drive to find the farmer who has planted fields and fields of "sweet corn". You can buy fresh picked "sweet corn" by the dozen or bushel, prices depend on the farm stand.

My husband goes "sweet corn" buying hoping to find the "just right" taste he is looking for. Just because you find a farm stand selling "sweet corn" doesn't always mean it is the taste you want. There have been years where the corn may not have any flavor or not be the right time it was picked. This year has been the exception !!
We stopped by the farm stand to again find the so called "Indiana Sweet Corn", as talking with the young boy selling the "sweet corn" he says " this year ... is the best". We have been experimenting for several years and this year we are right on target for the best yet. And he was right ! This has been the best "Indiana Sweet Corn" !!

My husband has purchased many ears of corn so we can cut the corn off for our freezer. Now, when I say many ears of corn... this is the funniest thing this year, this young boy is selling his "sweet corn" 10 ears instead by the dozen. Because we have bought so much "sweet corn" we got a "real deal" ... 11 ears of corn for $4.00.
Still not a dozen. Most of my life being raised in Indiana and buying "sweet corn" we always bought by the dozen and the farmer would throw in one extra ear of corn. This young boy won't give in to sell his "sweet corn" by the dozen. All he can say is "nope". So, we get those 11 ears of "sweet corn" and go on our merry way. For the life of me...I don't get it....why not by the dozen ?
Despite having to buy "sweet corn" by this young boy's standards, we feel we have hit the jackpot with his "sweet corn". It has been the best "sweet corn" we have had in many years.

So we get our "sweet corn" home and then begins the work...cleaning the "sweet corn" for cutting. We start by husking the corn, picking all the silks off, washing and drying each ear of corn. My husband cuts the corn off the ear just enough to get thin layers of corn. Then he takes his knife and scrapes the corn milk off the cob. When we feel we have enough corn for a freezer bag..we bag the corn and then freeze it. This makes for delicious "sweet corn" all year long.

Our family prepares the "Indiana Sweet Corn" by putting it in a large pan, butter, salt and pepper, sometimes a couple tablespoons of sugar and couple cans of Milnot Milk. Let the corn mixture cook down slow on low heat.
This last month I received a recipe using Heavy Cream and Whole Milk. Both ways are great !

So... as "corny" as this story goes...you now know why "Indiana Hoosiers" go "sweet corn" hunting.


Until We Meet Again...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Monday, August 10, 2009

" EMPTY NESTERS "

This last week was a busy week trying to figure out who our new family members were or better yet.... what they were.

I was home alone one day last week only to hear such a strange noise. A noise that caught my attention. This noise sounded like someone grunting or coughing and then a loud moving around sound. I stood still trying to figure out did I have a visitor that would surprise me out of my skin as I entered another room. You might know...all noises disappeared.

Later in the evening, I hear that coughing/grunting sound. This time I go to tell my husband...we have someone or something living with us. We both stood quietly listening for another sound. Oh yes...we got one, and then another and another. Scratching and a lot of movement noises. As we figured the damper to be closed to the fireplace we took to the thinking...whatever it is will go out the same way it came in. Really ???

Another day comes and goes and by this time it is weekend. And at last we finally received summer in Indiana. Indiana summers can be quite hot and humid. Such as it goes the ole hot humid weather of 93 degrees with heat index of 102 degrees kicked in just in time to put off the worst odor anyone could imagine in their home. My husband says " don't tell me that thing died ". I said "oh no..I hear it scratching & moving around".

I started calling for ANY animal rescue to come fast. After many calls, I finally get a man that was giving me lessons on raccoons as my impatient husband in the back ground says...just ask him " can he come NOW ". Trust me...that day I knew God was watching over us !! Just so happens that man was in our town on another call, not raccoons but a snake rescue.

As the rescue man arrives so does my little grandson " Little C ". "Little C" heard about Grandma's raccoon on his way to our house, but as he sees the rescue man he didn't know which was worse. This man had a long beard and "Little C" is scared of men and long beards. So, he says " I am not going in ".

The rescue man looks up in our fireplace only to see looking back at him a litter of coons. I think this man was so proud of himself as he diagnosed our problem. He then says, I am not going to try and pull them out but I will put a male raccoon scent up in the damper and this will run the mother and her litter out and away. We thought..that simple ? No, not really, we have another fireplace. He told us that the mother raccoon would just move her litter to our other fireplace chimney so he had to put the male raccoon scent up into that damper too. He said to just give the ole mother coon some time and she would move her litter to another home.

As this story goes...by Sunday evening we had a new definition of "EMPTY NESTERS". And we have never been happier to be "EMPTY NESTERS" !!

Now to the lesson I was receiving on raccoons. A mother raccoon and her litter don't like the scent of a male raccoon because a male raccoon is very aggressive and if he isn't the father of the litter, he kills the litter. So, this is why a raccoon rescuer uses male raccoon scent. The mother raccoon moves her litter to another home. And as we live in town not the country, these are "city coons".

As far as the rescue call on the snake... no snake yet, so he set a trap.

What's next...chimney caps !!

Until We Meet Again ....
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

LA - D - DA ~~~ A STAR POUCH

Last night I started on a new pattern, A STAR POUCH by the designer LA-D-DA. This pattern I picked from a trunk show at my local needle shop NEEDLE FEVER, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. The small antique looking pouch caught my eye immediately. I also thought it would be a quick stitch. The model was stitched on 35 count Straw linen by Weeks Dye Works. Being the person I am & not handling linen well...I chose to do this pattern on a 14 count Aida antique looking cloth. I wasn't too sure about the Aida cloth but the shop owner suggested it. So, I thought looking at the color of the cloth it would look antiquish. And I thought the shop owner knows more than I do...so go for it.
I love this antique looking cloth and hope it will look good when finished.

Along with this pattern is a matching pattern called A PENNY SAVED. It has the same little Star Pouch.

I am including a picture of both patterns which are from the company of LA-D-DA.

HAPPY STITCHING !!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Saturday, August 1, 2009

AUGUST MELON

Can you believe I just finshed the AUGUST MELON, BLACKBIRD DESIGNS Pattern. I didn't plan it this way to finish on the 1st day of August. It just so happened !

I now need to find the right size of frame and then I will be totally finished, ready for displaying in my home.

I feel I have achieved so much by stitching this pattern. I didn't work on it every day or night but when time allowed, so it did take me a little time to complete.

I stitched the pattern with DMC Floss so I feel the melon color is a little different. To me it is the color of a Cantaloupe Melon. However with that said...I feel it is a very pretty color and goes well with the pattern.
The cloth is 18 count Aida natural color. This pattern AUGUST MELON came from the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS Booklet titled A FINE COLLECTION.

Check back to see an update on this post with a framed AUGUST MELON.

HAPPY STITCHING !!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

GRANDPA AND THE GOOD OLE DAYS

"GRANDPA AND THE GOOD OLE DAYS" is how the song goes...tell me about the good ole days.

Well, my "good ole days" with Grandpa were every July 27th & July 28th. My two Grandpa's birthdays were side by side. They weren't the same age. And they were so different as Grandpa too.

My first Grandpa worked at a coal company. His job was to oil all the draglines and heavy equipment. Hard to imagine but he never missed a day of work, not even when we had the snow blizzard of 1978.

There never was a day gone by without stopping in to see my Grandpa when he got off of work. He worked on cars at his garage for people. He also worked on my bicycle fixing my tires. After fixing my tires he taught me how to ride my bike backwards. Trust me... he was much better doing so than me. As I learn how to drive he always preached to me the first lesson about a car, you can let it run out of gas but never let it run out of oil.

My Grandpa sure could be a character when he wanted to, but overall he loved all of his children and grandchildren. I was the third grandchild in the family among many others down the line.

I always made sure he got his birthday card every July 27th as he loved to see his cards.

My second Grandpa... many years my Mother's family got together and had a birthday dinner for Grandpa. We always tried to have his birthday dinner on Sunday as he owned a Phillips 66 Station. The station was closed on Sunday.

I had a different sort of granddaughter relationship with Grandpa, I was the only granddaughter out of six grandsons. Yes, he did spoil me. My Mother always said after a Sunday visit back home that she couldn't do anything with me as Grandpa spoiled me. He held me as a baby most of the day. I meant the world to him & him to me. As I grew older, there were many Sundays he took me to his family to show me off. Again, I was the only granddaughter. As I would go home on Sunday evenings he always made sure he gave me a couple dollars folded up.
I was in the eighth grade of school when he just had to buy me a new bike. Can you believe an eighth grader still riding a Sting Ray bike ? Not in todays world ! Grandpa was so proud of buying this new bike for me. It was a Schwinn Sting Ray and they were the new thing that year. We walked from his station to the bike shop and as I rode that bike out of the shop, he couldn't have been prouder. That was the last thing my Grandpa ever did for me as he passed away that fall. That year happened to be 1964 and here we are today 2009 and I still have that Sting Ray bike with the original tires, flower basket, banana seat and high handle bars. I just can't seem to part with it.

I also made sure Grandpa got his birthday cards too.

Yes, Grandpa and the good ole days !
Again, both of my Grandpa's were different but yet alike in many ways as they both loved their children and grandchildren.

So, every July 27th and July 28th I go back into time thinking of the "good ole days" with Grandpa. Here is to each...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA !!!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

SUPPORT NEEDLE SHOPS

I was in my local needle shop last week visiting with the owner. As we were talking, the owner shared with me she would soon have her contract renewal of her needle shop location. The owner shared that she didn't know if she would be staying in business or not. The ups and downs of the economy and the history of needle crafts being very seasonal was taking a toll on the business.

Over the last year the shop owner has sent email news letters asking for all of our support by buying from her shop. She wants to remain in business but the economy is playing a huge factor.

There are many advantages of buying from our local shop owners...
Being able to see patterns/charts in front of you.
They will always be happy to order anything for you.
But more than anything... the knowledge they can share with you is great.
If ever a question on how to do something, they are there to help you.
Also, trunk shows...just the best way to see first hand what is new.

So, I am hoping that each of us won't forget our local needle shops and the owners during these tough economic times.

Plese support your favorite needle shops !!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Friday, July 24, 2009

BARBECUE SAUCE


Absolutely the best barbecue sauce !!!

THE JUG !!!

THE JUG comes in a red jug and you just cannot beat this barbecue sauce. It is great for grilling, hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, chicken, turkey, bratwurst, ribs and etc. The Jug is great for homemade barbecue sandwiches too.

THE JUG is sometimes very hard to find, therefore, ask your local grocery store manager to order it for you. They will be happy to learn about such a great barbecue sauce.

THE JUG Barbecue Sauce is packed by A. Camacho, Inc., Plant City, Florida.

THE JUG BARBECUE SAUCE is a sweet, mild barbecue sauce. My family has been using this barbecue sauce for at least 25 years. It is very addictive and cannot be beat as a great barbecue sauce.

Please look for it and give it a try, you will add it to one of your favorites.

HAPPY GRILLING !!!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

COOKOUT

Sunday was a cookout day and the kids came over to eat. On the cookout menu were grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. We had bar-b-que beans, scalloped corn and scroodles. For our desert I fixed a peach cobbler and our daughter-in-law Karen brought a banana cake she made. Karen's banana cake was delicious.

I am giving the recipes for food I fixed and Karen will have to post her Banana Cake recipe.

SCROODLES
This recipe is on a previous post, please check the archives for Scroodles.


BAR-B-QUE BEANS
Large can Campbell's Pork n Beans
1-2 Small cans of Campbell's Pork n Beans
Heinz Ketchup
Brown Sugar
Chopped onion

I mix all the ingredents to my taste of being sweet, so the ketchup, brown sugar & chopped onion is to your liking. I put sliced bacon on top of mixture and bake at 350degrees for about 2hrs or until I feel they are cooked to my liking. Sort of the guessing game.
The reason for 2 small cans of Campbell's Pork n Beans is because they have more juice than the larger can.


SCALLOPED CORN
1-Box of Jiffy Mix Corn Bread
2 Eggs,beatened
1-Cup of Sour Cream
1-Can of Cream Style Corn
1-Can of Whole Kernal Corn, drain half of juice
1-Stick Butter, melted
2 Tbls of Sugar
Salt & Pepper to liking

Bake 350 degrees

Mix all ingredients together, bake 1 hr. covered and the last 10-15 minutes uncovered dish and finish bake until golden brown.


PEACH COBBLER
4 Cups peeled, sliced peaches
2 Cups Sugar, divided
1/2 Cup Water
8 Tbls Butter
1 1/2 Cups Self Rising Flour
1 1/2 Cups Milk
Cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Combine peaches, 1 Cup Sugar and 1/2 Cup Water in saucepan. Bring it to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes. Put the butter in a 9x13 baking dish and put in oven to melt.

Mix remaining 1 Cup Sugar, Flour, Milk. Pour slowly over the melted Butter, not stirring.

Spoon peaches on top and gently pour the syrup over it. Sprinkle with cinnamon on top. Bake 30-45 minutes.

Serve hot or warm with ice cream, cool whip or whipped cream.

Enjoy !!

**I want to mention the Peach Cobbler recipe came from another Cross Stitcher/Designer's blog. Plum Street Samplers** Be sure and check her blog as she has free patterns and recipes.

Our Sunday cookout was enjoyed by all of us. I hope if you try these recipes they become a favorite of you and your family.

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Monday, July 20, 2009

COUNTRY SAMPLER

Guess What ??

It is out...
The new Country Sampler magazine for the month of September. It is packed with autumn decorating. This issue is always my most favorite because autumn is my favorite time of the year. I am a Halloween collector and just love seeing all the Halloween decorations.

I have taken a few pictures so all of you can take a peek inside Country Sampler magazine. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I have.


You can also get on www.CountrySampler.com and find some interesting tips on decorating. I found a Stitch Guide for sewing and directions to Tea Staining on felt, muslin and paper. You just never know what you might find. So, please check into the Country Sampler.com.

Enjoy !!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

CORRECTIONS

When I get a new pattern/chart the first thing I like to do is purchase all of my floss.This way I'm ready when the time comes to start without making a trip to Michaels. I think it is more about being excited with a new pattern and picking the colors of floss. I love seeing how the colors all come together.

When I purchased the March Three Stockings by Blackbird Designs I hurried to Michaels to pick all my new floss colors. I had this number of DMC and I looked and looked thinking maybe it was out of numerical order. With no luck finding such number I start telling myself I must have written the wrong number. So, back at home I go searching for this DMC number to find it was the same number out of the booklet. I then start thinking "oh a new color and floss number". So, here I am researching on the computer, still no luck. By this time, I decided it was time to call Blackbird Designs. I was so surprised to be speaking with Alma and had a very nice talk. As she is talking with me she says " oh you know what ? " I have transposed that number. Ha!! By this time it was funny to me...I know her mind was in many different places as she said " all of those books are out in shops ". hmmmmm . Can't you imagine what she was thinking ?
So, long story short .... the DMC floss number that is correct is 524 and this is used with the Quaker Fragments pattern.

Now, to the next correction...
This is in the May Flowers Three Stockings Booklet. This I actually found on the Blackbird Designs blog site. This is for the pattern Lily of the Valley. The color Snowball(DMC B5200) is to be the open circle. Shaker White (DMC 822)is to be the solid half circle. As you look at the color codes, you will see they were just reversed.

Speaking of corrections...have you ever stitched a wrong color of floss in a pattern but it turned out just fine ? I have done this and I just let it be. Looked okay to me.

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Sunday, July 12, 2009

STOCKING UP

Stocking up with all the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS stockings booklet. I have each booklet that is out in the needle shops. That means there are seven booklets of stocking designs. Each booklet offers a pattern/chart that stands out more than an other to me. I have to say there isn't one month that I don't like...I love them all. However, July is at the top of my list as my favorite.

PATRIOTIC JULY is just that ! I really love the stocking with the American Flag,Fourth of July, I believe it catches your eye as the flag is waving. The Bountiful Stars is very colorful with the red and blue.
Then comes Summer Roses stocking, the roses never wilt.
So, you can see why I favor the month of July stockings so much.

June Stockings...My favorite is the New Arrival with the stork.
Second favorite is the Wedding Ring, Here Comes The Bride.
Honeysuckle, I like it...I grew up with Honeysuckle around my parent's home and could smell the sweet fragrance.

May Stockings...Lily of the Valley, the little bells are so sweet.
Tulip Border, these two patterns stand out to me the most for the month of May Stockings. Tulips are my most favorite spring flower.
May Basket, this pattern goes along with the month of May bringing flowers.

April Stockings...Oh yes, April Showers, I love the umbrella !!
Oh Sweet Pea, Another spring flower I love, brings memories of growing up as my Grandmother had Sweet Peas growing all around her home.
Spring Wreath, so spring like with the colors.

March Stockings...March is my birthday month !! How could I not like the month of March Stockings ? Wild Clover, again the green colors just make you think of new beginnings of growth after a long winter.
Springs Arrival, says it best! A new spring flower.
Quaker Fragments, the spring green.

February Stockings...This month of stockings was a delight to stitch. I couldn't wait to finish a stocking to move on to the next stocking.
February's Violet, the violet color was beautiful and reminds you of growth.
Be Mine, the bird was interesting to stitch as I have a bird.
The Sweetheart Sampler, this stocking was a breeze to stitch. Such fun !!

January Stockings...This being the first month of stockings was so exciting to stitch. I couldn't make up my mind which pattern to stitch first..I chose the Birthday Stocking.
Birthday Stocking, So much excitement stitching, couldn't stop stitching and loved every minute.
Winter Carnation, once again all the colors were such fun.
Auld Lang Syne Stocking, this stocking was a quick stitch.

So you have it !! All seven months of stockings. Each month of Blackbird Designs Stockings gives you an enjoyment to stitch. Just think...when the year of stockings are all stitched..you will have 36 stockings. Wow !! Hope we all have a place to hang them.

I would like to encourage anyone who loves Blackbird Designs to take a look at these patterns/charts as they are so much fun to stitch. Watch out ... they are very addictive !!

I will be adding my pictures of the booklets, so please check back soon.

Until we meet again,
Happy Stitching,
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

AUGUST MELON "UPDATE"

Oh that August Melon !!!

Will I ever get it finished ? This is the question I keep asking myself.
The answer is yes !

I seem to be stitching so slowly on this pattern/chart. I have been quite busy since starting this pattern. I am close to being half way through this pattern. I will say the stitching of the vine took me forever. I am all but finished stitching the bird and can't wait to start on the water melon.

I am looking ahead to "what's next". So, in the meantime I will continue stitching away on my August Melon. I will post a picture when I finish and have it framed. This I am looking forward to showing off.

Happy Stitching,
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

WINTERBERRY CABIN

Good day to everyone !!

Today I want to share with you one of my favorite websites and business. This is a fantastic company to do business with. I have ordered rug hooking patterns and other patterns from this company.

WINTERBERRY CABIN !!

It is a must to check the website out. www.winterberrycabin.com
The colors of this website catch your eye and have plenty of time to browse.

Winterberry Cabin offers so much. They sell wool, rug hooking kits, patterns, punch needle, wool applique and many crafting needs.
Be sure to check out the stitcheries. There are so many seasonal kits to choose from and all the books. Don't forget to look at the books. You can take a peek through pages of the books.
One little secret.... buy what you want fast because it may not be there the next time you look.

For all of you quilters...they have many quilt patterns. I just love their seasonal pattern books. I love especially the Halloween books with all the autumn patterns. They offer many books with Christmas and the snowmen too.

Please take a look at this website, you won't be disappointed.

WINTERBERRY CABIN is truly fantastic !!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Monday, July 6, 2009

FIREWORKS AND THAT RED SHIRT

This July 4th has been 35 years ago that my to be husband and I along with friends went to watch the fireworks in my hometown.

My husbands birthday being July 8th I had bought him a new shirt for his birthday. I thought this shirt was so pretty, red, white collar. Not knowing...my to be husband hated this shirt but wore it on the 4th July. He didn't want to disappoint me saying how he didn't like the shirt. First things here, my husband is a platinum blonde, so he doesn't like shirts with white collars and the color red. However, he wore that shirt that night. Looking back...I can only imagine how miserable he must have felt.

As the night moves on, we all are close to the park where the fireworks are being shot off but yet far enough away too.
Just so happens, as luck goes...he got lucky that night. Not one, not two but 3 sparks came down and burnt three holes in that shirt. Ha, ha !! He didn't get hurt but that was the end of that shirt. I never seen the shirt after that night.

I did learn never to buy a shirt with a white collar. To this day, he has to have a collar, pocket and no color that makes him stand out in a crowd.

Looking back 35 years later this has been a memory that gives us a good laugh. And no more red shirts.

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Saturday, July 4, 2009

HAPPY FOURTH JULY


Wishing all a " HAPPY FOURTH JULY " !!

I hope everyone is enjoying good food, family and the freedoms that we remember on this day.

I know you all are like me, remembering our men and women who are serving in the military today, those veterans who have served in the past and those courageous people who gave their lives in service to this country.

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

RUG HOOKING

I know a lady who use to have a rug hooking shop in my town. While in her shop one day I heard her say " here comes my hookers". When you hear it put that way, you have to turn and take a look. Thank heavens the term "hooker" is meant in a good way. RUG HOOKING !!

I picked up the June/July/August Rug Hooking Magazine tonight to find "Hooked Totes and Petal Purses" You talk about neat !!! In this issue I also found "learning rug hooking" tips. There are so many new patterns to choose from when doing rug hooking.

I took a class from a rug hooker using the Oxford Punch Needle. This is similar to doing Punch Needle. I think it might be a quicker technique of hooking than using the rug hook. My next class I want to take is using the rug hook.

Since taking my first class of rug hooking I have found more and more advertisements in magazines for wool and all the accessories for rug hooking. It is an interesting hobby.

At this time I haven't finished my hooked rug. It is on that "bucket list". I had better do so as I have another rug hooking pattern and the skeins of wool waiting on me. I find rug hooking is much more expensive than cross stitch and with today's economy I have been doing cross stitch. Cross stitch is my first love!!

The style of rug hooking that I like is called New England Style Rug Hooking with the Oxford Punch Needle. I like the looks of the finished rug. I first noticed this style with Claire Murray, a professional rug hooker from the New England area. This style of rug hooking is hooked with skeins of wool verses strips of wool. Rug hooking is normally done by using a rug hook and wool strips. I see some women using large hoops, no hoops and the pattern is drawn on a cloth. When finished hooking you finish the rug by doing the binding of the edge.

When I was trying to find information on New England Style Rug Hooking is was all but impossible, since I have seen more information. Isn't that the way it goes ?
I feel rug hooking is more popular on the east coast, New England area. However, it seems to be moving toward my area, the midwest and I have since found a few shops in Indiana and workshops too.

I will try to put a picture of my rug hooking pattern that I haven't finished on soon.

Until We Meet Again !
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

MELISSA'S CROSS STITCH FINISHING

Have you ever wondered what to do, how to do it and what to use when finishing a cross stitched pattern/chart ?

Well, Melissa didn't wonder for long... as she jumped in with her creative juices flowing. She had some help by using the JUST A THOUGHT by JUDY ODELL. This is a Finishing Visually booklet that is so useful. It gives detail by detail instructions along with pictures of many finishing techniques. This booklet is well worth purchasing.

Melissa did the Flat-fold easel using JUST A THOUGHT Finishing Visually booklet. She chose SWEETS FOR SWEET,a SUE HILLIS DESIGN and Aida 14ct. pink cloth from the NEEDLE FEVER SHOP, Indianapolis, Indiana. The decorative fabric from QUILTS PLUS, an Indianapolis, Indiana quilt shop and the ribbon from MICHAELS.

The "CUBE" she designed herself. She followed a free tutorial by THE TWISTED STITCHER, Bloomington, Indiana for finishing techniques. Melissa's husband Carson is a movie script writer, so she designed this cube with him in mind for Valentines Day. The "CUBE" was a styrofoam square covered with decorative fabric from QUILTS PLUS. The fabric was glued along with colored pins to the styrofoam square.
Melissa's "TEA POT" pattern is FRIENDSHIP TEA SAMPLER by LINDA BIRD, DESIGNER CONNECTION. She purchased this pattern/chart from 123stitch.com. It was stitched on 14ct.white Aida cloth. The finishing technique was the same as the "Cube" only to be finished rectangle shape.
You can see Melissa believes in "go for it". I think she did such a great job !!
Don't you ?

At this time Melissa is working on Winnie the Pooh Calendar. Check back in to see pictures of her progress.

Until We Meet Again,
Happy Stitching,
CROSS STITCH WOMAN