Tillie The Apple Doll

I have completed my First Apple Doll :)

It wasn't as hard as I thought it might be.
The apple head that I had carved (see picture below in previous post), dried nicely.
I put in black beads for the eyes.
I used watercolor paint for the cheeks, eyebrows and mouth.
I followed the tutorial (see post below for tutorial) to make the clothes.
I have carved hands from another apple that I had dried.
I really enjoyed making this doll, it was a lot of fun!

I have decided that her name shall be "Tillie". A name I have always loved.
:) She looks like a "Tillie" to me.

She has her basket of some stitching supplies, and she has her sign demanding your stash! She is a lady with attitude. :)

Here she is!
"Tillie"!
(you can click on the picture to enlarge it)

Our Birdie is gone

Our Dear little lovebird "Sunshine" passed away yesterday.
She was a fiesty little bird, but we loved her so very much.
About an hour before she passed, she made kissing noises and said "I love you" in bird talk one last time.
She will be missed so much. She was about 9 years old, and so very pretty.
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Christmas Stitching

Hello Stitchers and Friends!

With the Christmas season quickly approaching, I have been busy stitching up some ornaments. I have suddenly fallen in love with Prairie Schooler designs. Unfortunately a lot of the designs I am in love with are out of print. But, Lucky for me, a long time ago a dear stitching friend sent me this beautiful little santa design and I have saved it all these years. I have finally pulled it out and have finally stitched it up!

I came across another beautiful design by The Cricket Collection...
this is a freebie on their site, and can be found if you click here:
FREEBIE
I like the way this one quickly worked up and I think it came out pretty!

I will be baking cookies today and hopefully getting some of my Christmas cards out in the mail. Our daughter has been asking me to make my famous "Orange Peel Christmas Cookies". They are ooooh sooo good, and OOhhhh soooo much work! But I will make them soon, it is a tradition in our house every Christmas time!

Thinking of you all ,
with Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

More Progress..

Here is the piece I have been working on.
This is called "Home Of A Needleworker (Too!)" by Little House Needleworks.
This piece is being stitched on 28 count linen with Crescent Colors Hand Dyed Floss.
This is my first time working a bigger project with overdyes, and I am just loving it!

I was busy stitching last night and it was so chilly outside. We were out of hot cocoa in the cupboard , I decided to heat up some apple cider. What a treat!
I think I just might like that a tad bit better ;)

I was stitching sitting up in bed...then, when I was too tired, I put my stitching aside and shut out the light and fell asleep.
To my surprise I woke up this morning with my embroidery scissors with fob attached laying on my neck!! I don't know how I managed this one.

Ahhhh...the life of a stitcher.

Funny!

We have already attended mass on Saturday night, it was beautiful, and now we look forward to a wonderful Sunday as a family.
God Bless you all today, and wishing you happy stitches today,

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Apple Dolls

Venturing onto something new.
As I was peeling apples to make my husband yet another apple pie tonight..I was thinking of something I saw many years ago when I was little.
I sat down and browsed the internet and sure enough, I found what I was looking for!
What I was researching was "Apple Dolls". They are made from real apples that you carve for the head, make a cloth body, and sew clothes for the doll.
Now, I am attempting one of these on my own, and I am hoping my attempt will be a successful one..we shall see. :)
This is the head that I have carved ...sort of funny looking and just a start!
We have to give it time to dry out and shrink..then I can perhaps shape it some more.
I think I may have cut too big of a mouth. lol
(If you click on my picture, you can see it bigger)


According to the tutorial, which you can find here:
Click HERE for Tutorial!!

It will take several weeks before the head of the doll will dry.
I am looking forward to seeing how this will work out!
Some more information that I have read on these wonderful dolls I have found...

Apple Dolls are folk dolls originating from early rural America when settlers made dolls from whatever was at hand. Apple dolls are made by carving a face in an apple and drying it. Due to the different effects drying produces, no two dolls are alike.
I will be updating with more pictures if all goes as planned and the Apple Head dries nicely!
See you soon!

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Autumn Colors in North Carolina

I have only been living in North Carolina for a year and a half now. I am enjoying the colors of my second Fall season. The scenery is absolutely beautiful.






I don't even have to leave my backyard to see all the beautiful colors of Autumn.
I took out my camera, walked around our property, and these are the pictures I captured. What beautiful reds, oranges and yellows!
I walked to the back of our property and took pictures of trees down the road...
looked up and took pictures of the beautiful trees above me...looked down and took pictures of leaves on the ground. Breathtaking!

Happy Fall!
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Recipe For You!

I wanted to share with you a recipe that I have been making for many years.
My family enjoys this one very much. It is called "Upside Down Popover Pizza"
It is absolutely delicious! It makes a nice sized amount in a 13 x 9 pan.
When I find a recipe that turns out this good, I just have to pass it along.
I took a couple of pictures as I pulled it out of the oven so you can see what it looks like. The house smells so good after cooking it too! :)
I hope some of you will try this recipe, it really is a good one :)
(if you don't buy ground sausage, you can buy the links and cut the casing off and break it up in the pan, that is what I do) :)
enjoy!
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise


Upside Down Popover Pizza

1 pound pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
½ medium green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon each dried basil, marjoram leaves, crumbled
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
8 ounces of mozzarella cheese sliced
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Popover Batter:
Beat together 2 eggs, 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon salt

Preparation:
In large skillet cook sausage until browned, pour off any excess fat. Add onion and green peppers. Cook for a few minutes.
Stir in flour, basil, marjoram and tomato sauce.
Heat well, then pour into 13x9 inch baking pan. Arrange mozzarella slices on top. Pour popover batter over all. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until well browned. Serve at once.

Harvest Thyme

Finished up another piece last night.
This is called "Harvest Thyme" By Plum Pudding Needleart.
I stitched this on 27 count tea dyed linen with DMC #920 thread.
I liked stitching with just one color. Not something I often do.
I like the way it looks.
I need to start framing my pieces..lately they have been getting rolled up and placed in a drawer in my bedroom.. eventually I will pull them out and start framing them.
thanks for looking :)
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

It's Peter Rabbit's First Halloween!

We dressed him up ahead of time to make sure his costume would look just right on him. (hee hee) :)
We think he looks pretty good as a chicken!
I think this is the most spoiled bunny in all of North Carolina :)

Heart Shaped Potato!!

As I went to make dinner tonight, I found something very unusual.
I grabbed the bag of potatoes, ripped the top open, and pulled out the first potato.
I couldn't believe my eyes! The potato was in the shape of a heart!
I have never seen anything like this before. I thought it was pretty amazing.
Now, the dilemma...should I put it up on EBAY??
LOL!!

Halloween Stitchery

This is a design by Sanman Originals. I have decided to use glow in the dark kreinik along with DMC threads for the ghost, moon and stars!

Tarheel Get Together In North Carolina!

What a wonderful day it was today! I went to the Tarheel's Cross Stitcher's get together. We had such a wonderful time. We had lots of laughs, some of us even got some stitching done. The food was wonderful too.
Here is a picture of "us" from today. I can't wait for our next gathering!
:)
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Memories

Been thinking about my Dad today. Not sure why , but for some reason he has been on my mind so much lately. I came across this beautiful song on Youtube. This is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman. What a wonderful song. So very touching.
It is a shame that so much was left unsaid between my Father and me just before he had passed away. I didn't get to tell him everything I wanted to. It makes his passing kind of hard for me. But I am glad for the years that we were close and shared so much love .

Pretty Pillows for my daughter

My daughter's new favorite color is Aqua. I have chosen some colorful fabrics to make her some pillowcases. I just finished sewing this one this morning. I will be picking out fabrics for my son soon, and making a special one for his room too (he likes greens!). With working in a quilt shop, it is so hard not to buy all the fabrics that are there. Some of them are so beautiful. I am in love with the Moda line called "Smores". I will be making more pillowcases for the winter out of this line of fabric soon.
The weather here in North Carolina is just beautiful this time of year. I bought a bunch of apples yesterday while shopping with my husband Patrick. I plan on surprising him with a homemade baked apple pie when he arrives home from work tonight :)
I found a recipe for chocolate chip oatmeal bars on the internet this past weekend. I tried it out, and it did not turn out as expected, so I won't be posting it here!
Hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday, I am one of the lucky ones, I happen to be off from work today. I am spending my day sewing and stitching.
It is Lovely!
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

ps, don't buy your Halloween candy ahead of time. You may not have any left when Halloween comes, don't ask me how I know this!!! ;)

A Halloween Finish

This Cross Stitch is taken from the Just Cross Stitch ornament issue that came out recently for Halloween. I just loved all the ornaments that were in it !
I stitched this on dirty linen 25 count with DMC threads.
I will frame this one eventually.
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Painting Steps

We have decided to paint steps in our home.
I am not sure exactly how it will look in the end..I hope good!
We are ripping off the carpet that was in terrible shape.
I really like a country decor in our home..so I am trying to go with that theme.
I picked out a deep red color (tile red).
Oh, I do hope this will look ok! I have never seen this done in anyone's home before. I guess we might be the first!
We did one step so far.
I am thinking perhaps I will freehand paint some sort of leaves, or pale tan vine or something to give it character along the edges.
If anyone has any tips..please feel free to post ;)

This is what the first step looks like so far.
The wood is pine, and not suitable enough for staining...believe me, if the wood was good enough quality for that, we would have opted to do that instead.

Sooo...for now, we are the house with the red stairway inside!
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Getting Ready For Fall!

Starting to decorate our home for the Fall season.
Since moving to North Carolina last year, I get so excited when the Fall season arrives.
Growing up in New York, I had always loved the change of seasons...but when we moved to Florida, that was taken away from us...it seemed like we lived permanently in the Summer season!
I am so ready for pumpkin and apple picking, and leaves to change colors.
I love the crisp air, and baking apple pies!
My black eyed susans are in full bloom by our front porch. I just purchased a new scarecrow, and placed some pumpkins out front too.
Yes, I am ready!
:)

Christmas Woolens

I found the cutest pattern for Christmas ornaments. The ornaments are made out of felt or wool, and you embellish them with blanket stitches, lazy dazy stitches and beads.
I hope to find the time to make all of them, they are just too adorable!
I am using plain felt that I purchased from a craft store along with embroidery threads. This is only my first one..hoping the ones to follow will look a bit better. Practice makes perfect they say :)
Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Peter Rabbit

Our Bunny is growing fast so fast! He loves to be cuddled and also loves to snuggle in a nice warm blanket. He is the friendliest bunny. We love him so much.
Here he is snuggled up in one of my favorite blankets.
:)
He is taking over our hearts
Louise

New Bunny at our house

***Edited to add, Our Bunny has a name,
Drumroll please! ********
PETER RABBIT!


We have decided to add to our family.
We fell in love with a bunny we saw at the pet store today.
He is the cutest little thing!
He doesn't have a name as of yet..but I am sure our daughter will think of something soon.
Here is our new "baby" :)

A New Finish Tonight

This is a piece I started years ago..I pick it up every time this year and work on it, but then I lose interest quickly and then it gets put away for another year. I was determined to finish it this time, and THIS YEAR! :)
This is called "In Search Of The Perfect Pumpkin" by Heart In Hand.
This is stitched on 28 count Annabelle "potato" fabric (one of my favorite fabrics!) with DMC threads.
I used leaf buttons that I had.

I am so glad that I have finally finished this piece. I am planning on framing this, and perhaps leave it hanging year round in my kitchen.

Now, perhaps onto another UFO that I started years ago, another Fall design...

***Thank you for your posts and kind comments, someone asked me if the border is supposed to be different on the bottom than the top and sides. The answer is, yes. That is the way the chart is made, and I stitched it the way it was charted***

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

The "De-Cruster"

I found a new gadget today!! It is called the "De-Cruster" Crust Cutter by Wonder.
I found this at Lowes Food Store here in North Carolina. I just love gadgets and such!
:) It is made mostly of metal, but the handle is plastic. The handle folds up and down for easy storage. You place this handy dandy de-cruster on top of your sandwich, press down and it automatically removes the crust from your bread. Now be honest..wouldn't you all like to have your sandwiches "DE-CRUSTED"??
LOL!
It is a must have.
Well, I thought so anyways. Something else to clutter up my junk drawer in my kitchen.
ha ha

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

Why did the Turtle cross the road?

I was traveling home from work and what did I see? A turtle crossing in front of me!
This was a very heavily traveled road, and a busy area...I don't know where this little guy came from..or should I say big guy? (Or gal?!) lol
I have always loved turtles. I remember when I was in high school, I had collected anything with turtles..everyone gave me turtle gifts for many years. I just couldn't leave this special turtle stranded there with the chance of getting hurt.
I took him home and set him free ..but not till he had is photo opportunity first. :)
He looked very content as he set off on our very heavily wooded lot that our house sits on.
He will be much safer here, or wherever he roams , and has a much better chance than where I had found him.

Grandmother's Basket

My Grandmother used to sit with her little basket of sewing notions and make little things. I remember when I was little, she once showed me how to make yo-yo circles out of scrap fabrics.
"Years ago", my grandmother said, "women made do with the things they had". They never let anything go to waste... They were very thrifty in those days... Nothing was thrown away. My Grandmother would take old clothes and cut the circles needed for yo-yo's. She would create the yo-yo's, which would eventually turn into a beautiful antique memory filled quilt. For with each piece of fabric a story could be told.
One day my Grandmother asked me if I wanted that quilt, and with that, she also asked me if I wanted her little "sewing basket", filled with extra vintage fabric circles she had cut.
Back then, being in my teens, I didn't think I really wanted these items..but now I am so glad that I accepted these treasures from her. Everytime I put my hand into this basket, I think of her, and what she might have been creating at the time.
How blessed I was to have a beautiful Grandmother that not only loved me, but taught me the simple things in life can be so wonderful.
I miss my Grandmother, but glad she has passed on so many wonderful memories to me.

Raggedy Stitches from the heart,
Louise

Possibly some exciting news !

My husband just found an article on a needlework shop here in North Carolina.
It is called the Needlecraft Center. (CLICK HERE)
It is located in Davidson , North Carolina. Not too far from where I live. I hope worth the trip!
Now, I don't want to get my hopes up too quickly...I think it is mostly yarns and such for knitting (which I haven't tried my hand at (YET!) ;) But, if this shop even carries just tapestry needles I think I will jump to the ceiling with GLEE! :)
There is not much in the town I live in...soooo... I will have to do some investigating soon...
I have already emailed the owner. I hope to hear back from her soon.
I have asked the usual questions...like if they carry overdyed floss...evenweave fabrics, linens...etc...etc...
I give my wonderful husband a thumbs up! What a great man to be noticing something like that in the newspaper!!!
I have trained him well. :)

Raggedy Stitches,
Louise

My Cross Stitching and Embroidery

You never realize how much you really stitch until you pull out and look at all the pictures you take over the years.
This is just a fraction of pictures that I have saved on my web albums.
I wish I had taken pictures from the very beginning when my cross stitching journey began.
What treasures and memories have been made!
My needle continues with Raggedy Stitches,
Louise in North Carolina

Wow! I have been given awards!

Thanks so much for those of you that visit my blog. Makes my heart just smile!
I have been gifted with awards from Sharon (http://onelifetolive-sharon.blogspot.com/) to place on my blog :) Thank you so very much Sharon!!
Now this is so exciting! Time to decorate.....
I try and visit other blogs when I have the time, and love to see what other stitcher's
are up to.
I do love all the blogs that I visit, and I have chosen some that I think are deserving of an award.
The Awards go to these Blogs:
Amy Stitches
Living in a Palmetto State of Mind
Quietly Stitching
Glory Bee Stitch
These Are The Days
Elena
Loretta
For those of you who have been awarded, please post the following rules on your blog.
1. The winner can put the logo on their Blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other Blogs.
4. Put the links to those Blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the Blogs of those you've nominated
congratulations to those I have chosen, although, I do LOVE everyone's stitching blogs that I go to, I wanted to choose you all!
I hope you all have a beautiful Blessed Sunday today.
I will be off to church, then, perhaps off to do some crafting..who knows what Raggedystitcher will be up to next!!! ;)

Stitches from my heart,
Louise xxx

I have been sewing again!

I decided to make another sewing pouch. I couldn't find the cording I needed in the town I live in..there is basically only one craft store in this town! (they don't provide much of what I need)..
Sooo...I made do with a brand new pair of shoe laces..works like a charm ;)
I enjoy making these, but they are time consuming.
For those interested...This is a McCall's Crafts Pattern #2452

I won't be crafting today, I was called from the church and asked to bake for a funeral. I will gladly do so. I am on the volunteer list. I also have to food shop today, and maybe clean the house...
(notice I said maybe!) :)

:)
Thanks for stopping by!
Louise

Floss Tag

I thought I would try making a floss tag. I have seen them on some blogs and thought they were neat...
this is what I have come up with.

The Lazy 5 Ranch

Today I went with my family to the Lazy 5 Ranch here in North Carolina.
It was so much fun! Animals approach your car as you slowly drive along the many acres on the ranch. We had the chance to see many different types of animals, among them were deer, pigs, giraffes, turtles, ostrich, Ox, zebra....

Some photos that I took today:




Here is a picture of me with a zebra looking for some food!
:)

Quilt Updates...

I have been working on my quilt project as much as I can.
I have pinned it, and have been machine quilting it. I have used stencils, and did some freehand drawing on it also.
Hopefully during tomorrow nights class I will learn how to make the binding.
This sure is a lot of work! But I know it will be worth it in the end. I am very happy with my lap quilt so far. This will hang in the quilt shop I work at for a little while. Hopefully not too long, then I will take it home!
:)
I had trouble trying to hang this up somewhere to take a picture. When all else fails, use Duct Tape!!! Works like a charm. hee hee ;)
thanks for looking,
Louise
(I know I have yet to remove the chalk marks....it is very late, and I am so tired! I will get to that tomorrow...I also noticed my lines aren't even, but! I am human, I have to keep reminding myself that, and I don't want it to be perfect anyways, quilts are supposed to look handmade right?!) :)

Always And Forever

By Little House Needleworks.
I finished stitching this one up last night. Stayed up till 1am!
I used 28 count white evenweave, Weeks Dye Works Union Blue,
and Anchor Thread #1206 for the heart that was stitched.
Will most likely frame this.