If you can't make it, buy it!

I really meant to post this much sooner but here it is. I ordered these from Corkycat's Etsy store and received them last week. Aren't they cool? Very nice quality and the price is unbeatable for something hand made. I love my new earrings and the ornament hangers will go nicely with the ornaments I will be giving for Christmas. As much as I love to make things myself, I can't do it all. There are some wonderful crafters out there that make really nice things for a reasonable price. I encourage you to take a look at her store, and others out there to enhance your gift giving this year. Handmade is so much better!

Bead Classes and My Lucky Win!

Here are some of my latest beading pieces. Yes, I know there is only one earring. I am going to make the other one in a few minutes =) Isn't it cool? I also finally finished the candy corn bracelet. Just in time for next year! I have a patriotic one in the works and will show it as soon as it is finished. I took another class yesterday and that is where I made the earring and started another bracelet. It is really neat and I can't wait to get more done on it so I can show a progress photo. I never thought I would end up making jewelry. Really. Heck, I might even start wearing it too! I have so many ideas for things I want to make that I think this phase will probably last a while. We'll see. I am taking an ornament class tonight!!!

Here is my lucky win! Staci had a blog drawing last week and I received my gift on Monday. I could not post sooner because I ended up having to go to the dentist for an emergency visit. I just love surface embroidery and am so pleased to have a piece from Staci. That reminds me, I know I have some patterns for that around here somewhere. Thank you so much Staci!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Yesterday I received a very special package from my friend Marie. At first, I thought that maybe she had my name for the floss tag exchange on HOE, but then I opened it and saw that she sent me a most awesome belated birthday present. Thank you so very much, Marie. Your thoughtfulness means more to me than you could know. You are such a special friend and I really hope that someday we will get to meet in person.


Okay, Here is what I have been up to lately. It still involves a needle and thread, but I haven't been stitching. I am learning to make jewelry. It all started with wanting to learn how to make beaded fobs. One trip to the bead store and my curiosity was peaked. I kept telling myself, "You don't even wear jewelry so there is no reason to even get started on that! Hmmmm, I could make it for gifts...... Pretty, shiny jewelry....... I could get my ears re-pierced and make earrings...... you have classes? I love to take classes!"..... I have taken three classes this week. The first one is the red and white bracelet. I immediately made the orange and black one as soon as I got home from the class to wear for Halloween. The second class project isn't pictured because it isn't finished yet. It is way more involved and will take another sitting or two to get done. Then yesterday I learned how to make the gold and white one. So pretty! More on this subject coming soon =)
Have a great day!

Worth the wait!!!

Just as I finished updating my blog and photo albums, my daughter walks in with a package for me! This is my Quaker Animal exchange from Judy. I love it! The Quaker Rooster is adorable and finished very nicely into a pillow. The extra goodies are wonderful, too! Patriotic fabrics, threads, needles, the JCS Ornament issue and the Lizzie Kate kit!!! I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. Thank you so much!!!
Have a great day!

Finishing Class Projects & Gift for Hubby

My husband received his birthday package and now I can show you what I stitched for him to hang in his office. This is Pirate's Creed by Sue Hillis Designs. I framed it myself. See, you have to learn how to do these things yourself if you are one of those right up to the last minutes kind of stitchers like me ;)

Here are the projects from the finishing class I took at my LNS on Saturday. The charts are Shepherd's Bush freebies and we made a flat fold (or easel), and a Christmas ornament with a beaded edge. Absolutely NO GLUE was used in the process and I am very excited to have learned how to hand sew the cording on. Now I am busy stitching on the pieces for the next class which is November 1st. We will learn to finish a hockey puck shaped pin cushion and a biscornu with tassels.

Now I am off to do more laundry and stitch on my Quaker frog that I started some time ago. Have a great day!

Halloween Exchange Landed!

Here are the pieces I made for Becky for our personal Halloween exchange. I had SO MUCH FUN making these things for her. The patterns are both from Barbara Ana Designs and are "Don't Bug Me!" and "Hallowscornu" which I made into a needle case. The photos of the inside and the back are below. I just learned how to make the beaded accessories so I was very excited to include the beaded fob and counter/threader. Seems I am now addicted to buying beads. Uh-oh.
The wool felt square is removable making it easier to use.
Here is how the back looks. I love it so much that I will definitely be stitching it again =) I am so very happy that she liked what I sent to her!
Have a great day!

Exchanges Sent & Received!!!

Here are the Fair & Square Autumn squares I received from Margit. Thank you, Margit! They are very pretty. I love the postcard, too! You didn't even know that I collect them and that my favorites are the ones with lighthouses on them =)

Here are the awesome goodies I received from Cathy B for the HOE Halloween Exchange!!! I am thrilled with the wonderful fob she stitched for me and I put it on the scissors she sent right away! You can see the second side of the fob with the scissors in the next photo. She also sent some yummy treats as well as a pattern from one of my favorite designers (LHN), a Halloween kitchen towel, WDW threads, two beautiful fat quarters that will come in very handy for finishing, all wrapped in festive paper. Oh, and another postcard for my collection!!!

Here is what I sent to Stephanie for the HOE Halloween exchange. If you want to see better photos, click on over to her blog because she took some really good pics. As you can see, I am really hooked on making those pin keeps. They are so much fun!

Now, I really HAVE to go and frame the picture I stitched for my hubby who's birthday is FRIDAY. Yes, it will be very late especially since I still have to send it all the way to KOREA =( Sorry hunny. I will be spending the whole evening working on that and a couple other things that need finishing so I can go to the post office tomorrow. Yay! And then I can stitch more, more, more! Folks, I AM living the dream =)
Have a great day!