Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Eyes For A New Friend



(click picture to enlarge)
I met a special new Friend when she came into the quilt shop I work at.
She wanted to know if anyone did cross stitch. She had promised to make two cross stitched pieces for her grandchildren a while back, and had only started one.
Over the years, she had said she was having trouble seeing, and was wondering if someone could help her with these projects she so wanted to do for her grandchildren that are now much older. It meant so very much for her to have these pieces done for them. I was more than happy to help her out. I could see how much it meant to her.
They were StoneyCreek designs, Why God made little Boys, and Why God made little girls. I finished the little boy one for her that she had already started, and I stitched the Little Girl one for her.

I phoned her tonight to let her know I finally finished the little Girl design..she sounded so delighted on the phone! It made my heart smile. I was so happy that I could help someone out like this.
I believe that God blesses each and every one of us with different talents..
we need to use our talents and also use them to help each other at times too.

She keeps asking me what she owes me...
I keep telling her, "only a hug"

:)

RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Sunday, March 29, 2009

New Project Finished


Last night I decided to sew up two pillowcases for our bed.
I had fabric from the "Violetta" line by RJR that I used.
My bedroom is painted green, and thought it would look so pretty in there.
Sooo.......this is what I came up with!
I love making pillowcases..it gives a fresh new look to any bedroom decor.
Hope you all have a great day today..the sun is finally shining here in North Carolina after many days of rain. I know Peter Rabbit is very pleased!
I am going to put him out to graze :)

Raggedystitches,
Louise

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Purple and Greens Oh MY!



I love Reds..but I really love Purples and Greens !!
I have been thinking of purchasing something at the quilt shop for a while now and decided to finally treat myself.
This is a beautiful line of fabric by RJR. It is called "Violetta".
I have been in love with it since it has entered our shop a while ago.
It is the prettiest fabric I have ever seen!
What I purchased is called a charm pack..but it is not your usual charm pack.
It is called "Twice the Charm". It is made up of 26 pieces of fabric. each piece measuring 5 1/2" x 22".
You get a sampling of every piece in the line of "Violetta" So SWEET!! :)
Now , you ask, what shall I do with it? Who knows...it was a must have. You know how that goes. I WILL find a use for it..one day, I am sure of it!
I like to make lots of little things. So I am sure to put it to good use.
Just look at all the beautiful colors. Off to drool.......

Raggedystitches,
Louise

Fiesta Salad Recipe


It's Salad time!
I have made this salad many times already and my family enjoys this very much.
The dressing is absolutely delicious. I just had to share this recipe with my blogger friends! :)
Enjoy!
Raggedystitches,
Louise

FIESTA SALAD
INGREDIENTS:

* HONEY-LIME DRESSING
* 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
* 1/4 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
* 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
* 2 teaspoons minced garlic
*
* SALAD
* 1 (10 oz.) package blend of romaine and leaf lettuce
* 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and well drained
* 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
* 1 (10 oz.) package frozen corn kernels, cooked according to package directions, drained and cooled
* 3/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
* 1/2 small red onion peeled and sliced
* 1 ripe avocado, peeled, cored and chopped
* 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, plus additional for garnish
*
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:
1.
MIX all Honey-Lime Dressing ingredients in small bowl until combined.
2.
TOSS all salad ingredients in a large bowl, JUST BEFORE serving.
3.
POUR dressing over salad; toss until evenly distributed. Season salad to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately with additional cheese and Honey-Lime dressing on the side.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Paper Pieced Bunny Gift


When I arrived at work yesterday, my co-worker Nancy handed me something rolled up in pretty tissue with a purple ribbon. I was so surprised! She said she wanted to make me something special :) As I opened it up, I couldn't believe my eyes!
It is the most beautiful bunny wall hanging that she had paper pieced. Nancy is so talented at paper piecing and gives classes at our quilt shop for this technique.
She amazes me with her talents. This wall hanging is so beautiful I think I am going to keep it hanging up year round! She made it so special with colors I love, purples and greens...she even made the bunny look like the brown of my Peter Rabbit!
I feel so blessed that she did this for me.
Thank you Nancy, I thank you for you kindness and your friendship. I am so lucky to work with such wonderful women at the Quilters Loft! (Click on Pictures to see close up views)


RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Raggedy Surprise!


I received something special in the mail! This is from my dear stitching friend Rachel
She sent me the most adorable Raggedy Ann and Andy fabric!
How did she know I liked Raggedy Ann? (smile!)
I was so excited to open the envelope to see such a cute design on the fabric. This will be such a welcome addition to my fabric stash!
Thank you so much Rachel, not only for your kindness, but for being such a wonderful friend. You are a blessing :)

Raggedystitches,
Louise

Bunny Buns!


Peter Rabbit loves to run free...
here he is running around in our house.
We will be building him a new pen outside soon, so he has more space to roam. :)
Wishing you all a blessed Day,
RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! (RECIPE)

Saint Patrick's Day

This is a very special day for our family.
It holds many memories for us. My husband is of Irish descent. My husband is named Patrick, as was his father, and Grandfather. My husbands father was an immigrant from Ireland and very proud of his heritage. He would love to tell us stories about his growing up and working on the farm he lived on. I remember my father in law and how caring and kind he was. I remember his loving ways, and when he spoke, his Irish "accent". I used to love to hear him laugh! He always made me smile. He was a wonderful man and always cherished and loved his family very much.
He always worked very hard, and at times would work three jobs to support his family and take care of their needs.
Saint Patrick's Day holds a special place in our hearts, it is not only the celebration of Saint Patrick, but it is also the Day we lost our dear Dad.
He passed away on Saint Patrick's day from Cancer. He is still missed so very much, and we know that he would have loved to have known all the many grandchildren he has today. He did know that before he passed, his name was passed down to our son,
"Patrick" who was almost 3 years old at that time. That was the only grandchild he knew at the time. I am glad that Dad knew that his name will live on.
Since then, many of his grandchildren have the name "Patrick" as their middle name.
We miss you Dad and every Saint Patrick's day we think of you even more as this was your special day that God took you home. We will always love you, thank you for the love you gave to us, and all the memories!
This is a recipe for Irish Soda Bread Scones. I made these yesterday. This is an easy recipe, and they come out delicious! They are sort of a mini version of the bread and they are a great treat. They are easy to make and whip up really quickly. I put everything in an electric standing counter mixer.
I make these yearly.

IRISH SODA BREAD SCONES:

Irish Soda Bread Scones

Ingredients:
3 Cups of Flour
¼ Cup of Sugar
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ Teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1 Stick of Unsalted Butter, cut into small pieces
1 Cup of Raisins
1 ½ Cups of Buttermilk
10x Confectioners Powdered Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl of electric mixer, blend flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
Add butter to flour mixture and mix for 2 minutes, or until butter is the size of small peas and is well incorporated into the flour mixture. Add raisins. Mix. Then add buttermilk. Continue mixing about 1 minute. (if you don’t have an electric mixer and are doing this by hand, turn onto a floured board and knead a minute).
Using a large spoon, drop mixture onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 25 minutes, or until brown and crusty. Makes about 1 dozen Scones. Sprinkle with 10x confectioners powdered sugar when cooled.
This is a wonderful treat to serve your guests for part of a breakfast or brunch meal…looks fancy when piled high on a plate that is lined with paper doilies! ;)

Surprise In The Mail!


I received a wonderful surprise in the mail from my Sweet friend Amy!
I was so surprised when I opened up my mailbox.
Three wonderful charts, pretty buttons, along with Crescent Colours Hand Dyed threads too. How lucky I am!
Thank you Amy :)

RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Snow in North Carolina!


Snow has arrived in our part of town!
Schools were closed for two days, and it was nice to see all the kids
outside playing and building snowmen.
I did lose my internet and phone for a day and a half..and I really did
miss the internet!
I took advantage of this wonderful opportunity outside to take some
really pretty pictures of our snow scene.
What a beautiful sight!
RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Every Opening Flower

A new start! Every Opening Flower designed by Brenda Gervais. I am stitching this on 32 count cream Belfast Linen with called for overdyed a...