Angel Bear Finish

Finished up this Lorri Birmingham design. I will be framing this design with a colored matting really soon ! :)

I have begun Fall decorating...Hubby went up in the attic to find our decorations..but only came down with half :(

We do not know what happened to some of our decorations..they are perhaps buried behind boxes in the garage. I picked up some little fake gourds to decorate the dining room table for now. They look pretty! There is so much I want to do (as always)..Had a wonderful time out to dinner with the family. It was so nice being together! I will be getting together with Florida stitchers tomorrow. I look forward to that :) I wish you all a very Blessed weekend ahead!

Raggedystitches,

Louise

New Things

I decided to take a little drive today and treat myself. I was headed over to a local stitch shop, then decided to stop off at one of my favorite Antique Shops on the way called Enchanted Antiques . Oh my! This shop is absolutely filled to the brim with the most gorgeous things! I couldn't wait to see what they had put out for the Fall/Halloween season. I was not disappointed, the shop was beautifully decorated once again!
I found two little things that I could not leave without. A little "Prim" (as in primitive!) doll..isn't she ADORABLE! I love the little stitched saying on her dress..a simple little "Be You". Sweet!
Then, as I meandered around..look at the little bag of itty bitty candy corn! Are they not adorable? I believe they are made out of some sort of resin and are painted and sanded for that time worn look

...I could not do too much shopping for I knew if I wanted to get to the stitch shop and then to the church for my daughter's arrival from school I was short on time. I was busy before this food shopping and having lunch with my wonderful son.
Then..I headed over to the stitch shop and picked up two magazines I have been wanting. Just Cross Stitch Halloween Collection and Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments issue for this year. I have to say, they are both fantastic! Most recently I had seen this adorable chart by Bent Creek titled "Quaker Moon". I had picked that up also.
It was a very good day! I cannot wait to decorate for the Fall season. I am thinking I am done with the hot humid weather that Florida brings. Some new things happening on the home front..but will have to wait a bit to mention what they will be. They are of the good sort of things though :)
I am presently working on a Lorri Birmingham Design that must get finished before the end of October. It is for a darling baby that will turn one soon. We are invited to the birthday and look forward to giving this sweet little Angel something to hang in her room......my progress so far:

Many color changes in Lorri B. Designs...but well worth the effort. The designs usually end up being beautiful!
This design is from this leaflet:

While I was out shopping with my son, we came across some interesting packs of chewing gum. I think this is new, I have never seen it before..we decided to try it out. WOW! Tastes just like eating apple pie. (hee hee!) This will be very good for my diet..by the way, I have lost 10 pounds so far! :)

I came home from my little outing and was surprised to find a treat in my mailbox as well! My sweet stitching friend Kerri sent me a Raggedy Ann pattern by Gloria and Pat Designs. Thank you Kerri!!
Well, that's about all for now. I am going to go do a little stitching for tonight and go through my new magazines..I cannot wait to look at all the beautiful new designs the pages hold!
Blessings to each and everyone of you!
Louise

WIP Progress "Peaches and Cream"

What a beautiful day it will be! It is so nice to have a day off from work. I was able to sleep in, but now my day shall begin.
So much to accomplish on my day off.
I have been working on my Peaches and Cream by Lorri Birmingham.
This is my progress so far:

**Click on photo to see enlarged version**
I absolutely LOVE this design!
This is an older design that is in Country Crafts Magazine. This is a Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication from 1992.
I have had this magazine for years and it is one of my favorites.

I hope to finish this piece one day to frame and put in our dining room.

I am on a mission!
Have a wonderful day,

Sewing and Baking

I have decided to do some fun things today. My day started with baking fresh bread in the oven. I just LOVE the feel of the dough as I knead it. I was so excited with anticipation on the final results. Making bread brings back fond memories of my Italian grandmother. She used to make her own fresh bread and pasta noodles also. I used to love spending time with her as she cooked in her kitchen. She was a small woman in stature, about 4 feet 10 inches tall. Her homemade pizza was the best! Homemade bread always smells so delicious while baking :)
I usually have trouble with my dough rising, and today was no exception. It didn't rise up as high as I thought it would, but still, it did some. Some is better than not!
Here is the dough before baking:

After I pulled the loaves from the oven, this is the result!:

If you would like the recipe, I have placed it on my recipe blog
Country White Bread

It rained heavily last night, and woke me up about 4:30am. I am glad I was able to get back to sleep. Just until 6:00am to see my daughter off to school. I had a most enjoyable day!
Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE Lorri Birmingham designs? I do!
I put a couple of stitches into a very old UFO. Peaches and Cream by Lorri Birmingham. This UFO is ongoing for about 12 years now! I don't know when it will ever get finished. I know that I will never part with it, because it is a very pretty design. One day it WILL get done ;)

I started putting together a bunny on my sewing machine. I didn't have a pattern, created one myself.
She is coming along, little by little. I think perhaps I shall name her "Claire". I love that name!

Here is Claire Bunny after I tea stained her..made a mixture of tea, cloves, allspice and cinnamon. Brushed her all over, and now she sits outside to dry :) She smells absolutely wonderful!
I have already sewed a simple primitive type dress for her. I used a pretty green homespun fabric..it will be tied up with raffia. Not sure how to paint her face yet..still thinking on that..perhaps very simple. Sometimes less is more!

The sun has begun to shine outside, and now the day is even better.
Time to sit down with one of my favorite magazines, a toasted slice of homemade buttered county white bread, and a cup of tea!

Blessings to you today!