Black Needles

I saw this freebie design today on a blog and fell in love with it immediately!
I quickly gathered up my DMC #310 black and stitched this design on 25 count cream Lugana.
It really stitched up rather quickly.
If interested in this freebie, you can find it here:

BlackNeedles

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

RaggedyStitches,

Tiny Treasure Tins

I made these over the past couple of days. I found the cutest little mini Altoid tins at the grocery store yesterday! I decided after making the regular sized tin, to make a miniature treasure tin for myself..of course, had to stitch a bunny on it :)
You can put anything you like in these tins..buttons, treasures, needles.
I put a magnet inside the lid to hold needles, pins. I put sticky back felt on the bottom to give it a nice look.
If you need a tutorial on how to make these adorable tins..you can check this site out..although I did it a bit differently (I used a hot glue gun!) I have no patience (LOL)...
This is a GREAT tutorial and a wonderful blog I have found on the web:
TheTwistedStitcher

I am on a roll..and I think I want to make more of these. They stitch up quickly, and are so much fun, and make wonderful gifts!

Raggedystitches,

Picking Peonies!

I sat outside with my neighbor next door for a little while tonight...
we picked some peonies from her plant in front of her house. They are absolutely gorgeous!
As I walked past her garage, I laid eyes on a basket she had sitting in there.
I mentioned how I liked the basket (thinking how perfect a sewing basket this would be!)...she asked me if I wanted it!
WOOHOO!!
So, I traveled home (next door) lol with my basket of flowers.
I was so happy :)
My little outing was indeed a sweet treat tonight!

Raggedy stitches,

My Birthday, and Updates...

I have quite a few things to post about..
I had a lovely time today for my birthday. I cannot believe another year has gone by!
I did work today, and when I went into the quilt shop, Pat had surprised me with the most delicious cake that she had baked for me! It was absolutely yummie :)
I came home to many birthday messages on my answering machine, made me smile! My daughter wasn't feeling too good, was about to take her to the doctor, but she decided she didn't want to go. I hope she doesn't get any worse, I am hoping it is just a cold that has come on, and that she will get better soon.
I received a bunch of cards in the mail, and also in email! thank you to those of you that sent cards and are perhaps reading this right now. I also received so many sweet goodies:) There are some things I received not so long ago that I haven't had time to take pictures of and post as of yet, but I am going to post them now.

My Dear Sweet Husband , Patrick arrived home tonight with purple flowers for me and a big chocolate cake, Chocolate Haagen-Dazs ice cream, and two bars of turtle chocolate..he told me this is for a chocolate "overload"!! Gotta love this man!
We went out to dinner at the "Captain's Galley" restaurant..one of my favorite places to eat.
I am now waiting on my son to get home to have the candles lit on my chocolate cake..the night cannot end without the family singing happy birthday!

I received some really special things for my birthday. Sarah at work made me the neatest sewing pouch. (I have been hinting that I wanted one for the longest time)!
She is so very talented at sewing :)
I opened up my mailbox today and found a special package from my dear friend Jackie in PA. She sent me some stash! What a wonderful surprise to see a Little House Needleworks chartpack "The Traveling Stitcher", with fabric and Crescent Colors Threads. I just LOVE this!! :) (I just noticed that one of the threads are named "Ladybug" SWEET!)
One of my dear friends, Elaine in NY does beading, she made me the sweetest bracelet with hearts and also sent me candles with ladybugs on them. I also received a sweet angel pin from Michelle, snoopy notepads from my dear friend Lasandra, and Pat at work made me an initial embroidered tag . Love it!

As I sat here, My son came home from work..he handed me a card and a box of candy. I was brought to tears! He wrote the most beautiful things inside the card. I am so very blessed. This I know.

These are some wonderful things I have received recently from some of my dear stitching friends....
Mady sent me Raggedy Ann and Andy Cross Stitch charts! I couldn't believe my eyes when I pulled these from my mailbox that day! Thank you again so much Mady!

Katie sent me Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls! How sweet they are! Thank you again Katie :)

I have been sewing charm squares together of Mary Englebreit fabric..not sure what I am making with it..but just couldn't resist the designs! these strips are not sewn together as of yet...but perhaps I will make a lap quilt..yes, yes, I know, I know..yet ANOTHER pieced together top, that will probably go UNFINISHED! HA HA,,,just like me ...always starting something new and never finishing it..always the way of a quilter, stitcher, sewer, NO?
(click image to see fabrics in larger view)



Happy Birthday to me!

Blessings to you,
with Raggedy Stitches,

Babies have arrived!

I have been watching a nest of Cardinals outside my window for a little while now...
It is so sweet to see both Momma and Daddy bird feeding and taking care of their new babies after they hatched from the eggs.
The little ones have finally left the nest today...
Momma and Daddy are close by, still taking care of the little ones, making sure they are safe..
not long before they spread their wings and fly....


Raggedystitches,

Trip to Gastonia North Carolina

I took a trip with my husband Patrick to Gastonia North Carolina this past weekend.
What a nice day trip it was. We first stopped in to see the grounds of the Belmont Abbey College and beautiful Catholic Church that is there. I was able to get some really pretty photos. Our daughter was with us, and we had a really nice time there. The weather was just perfect for walking around the campus, we decided to stay there to have lunch. We also stopped in the Gift shop on campus and picked up some rosary rings for our pockets :)
After our visit there, we drove further down the road and ventured into Mary Jo's Cloth Store , also in Gastonia. This is more like a Warehouse of fabrics. Lots to look at, and you definitely need a lot of time on your hands to be able to look around.
I picked up some things there, like a pair of scissors that I just couldn't resist!
They are the cutest Mundial rooster embroidery scissors. I have been wanting a pair of these for quite some time. I also picked up a couple of pieces of fabric I really liked too. Designs with Ants, ladybugs, and paper dolls too! I also purchased some short beading needles. I never seem to have enough of these for my needlework.
Although it was a long drive away, it was a nice day to take the trip. I like venturing out every once in a while to see other craft or fabric stores that are in North Carolina.



Raggedystitches,

A New Hutch for Peter Rabbit

My husband Patrick is so very talented!
Peter Rabbit needed a new hutch, as his was growing too small for him..or was he
growing too big? lol
The hutch he was living in was given to us by a dear friend..and it helped and was useful for a little while..but was definitely not big enough for our dear Peter!
My sweet husband worked so hard all this weekend to make a wonderful new home for our pet bunny....
and here it is!

Mighty fancy don't you think?
Peter Rabbit seems very happy ..and we are very happy for him!

Raggedystitches,

Love's Joy Sampler

My latest finish is called Love's Joy Sampler. You can get the free chart for this design here! Love's Joy Sampler
This is a piece designed by Linda Culp Calhoun.
I found this design in a book titled "Love, Life & Laughter". I just love this book! It is filled with the most beautiful designs.
I stitched this on lugana evenweave, and used blue moon beads I found at Michaels craft store. I am so in love with blue moon beads! They are petite, and very similar to Mill Hill beads.
I shall frame this piece.
thanks for looking,
Raggedystitches,

23 Years of Friendship and Love

What a wonderful Weekend we had. The weather was absolutely beautiful~!
We did some planting in our yard and had a big get together with family and friends.
It was a perfect celebration. The kids had fun coloring eggs, and Peter Rabbit was given lots of extra greens, apples and goodies to munch on for treats. :)
Patrick and I are now married 23 years. These past 23 years have been the best years of our lives. We are very blessed for the bond that we share. I remember the first time I laid eyes on my husband to be, he was the one for me. To me, he is the greatest man in the world. Couldn't have thought of a better way to celebrate than to be with our dear friends and family yesterday. We had a barbeque out back, and there were lots of delicious desserts too. I made a bunny cake and chocolate dipped strawberries!
Looking forward to all the rest of the many years together with my dear husband Patrick. :)



~Our children, Patrick and Christine~

Raggedystitches,

Peter Rabbit Grazing Out Back!

What a beautiful day it is here today in North Carolina!
I decided to bake an apple pie for my husband, and also whip up my favorite new treat, yellow squash in the oven. I was starting to organize some of my fabric and getting some laundry done. Because I am always doing a million things at once, nothing ever fully gets finished. :) But, I guess it is good I am keeping busy.
I spent a bunch of time today with my little furry friend Peter outside.
I put him in his grazing cage so he could get lots and lots of sunshine and roaming room. He just loves it in there, I can tell! I took a bunch of pictures of him and got some really good candid shots.


I thought I might put a note here on how I make my yellow squash..I really like how it comes out. It is my own made up recipe..and there really isn't any measurements for the ingredients..you just put in how much you want of each item (but I will put an approximate on measurements for you!) It really tastes good. I was experimenting one day and I threw together a bunch of stuff, and I really surprised myself with how good this came out. Hope you like it too!

RaggedyStitchers Yellow Squash Recipe:
I chopped up Yellow Squash into 1/2 inch pieces
placed the squash into a buttered baking dish
put in chopped onions
sprinkled with garlic powder
Sprinkled 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs over Squash
Sprinkled 1/4 cup parmesan or romano cheese over top
drizzled 1/2 cup melted butter

Cover with foil and Bake at 350 degrees till the squash is tender..I think I did it for about an hour..

Now, you can change the measurements if you would like to more or less of each ingredient to your own taste..or add something else if you would like, or take something out...

It really is DELICIOUS!
here is a picture of the finished product..I made this today!


Enjoy,
RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Box Full Of Memories and Special Surprises In The Mail...

I received a special box in the mail, and then, I also received another box too!
The first box I received the other day. It was a special box from my dear sister in law Nicole.....It was a very sentimental surprise. As I opened the box, so many memories were brought back to life for me.
Things that I thought were gone forever were sent back to me after all these years.
She knew I had been asking for certain items, and she made sure they came back to me.
She was able to secure certain items and send them my way..thank you Nicole! ;)
here you will see a very special box of goodies that I received this special day..
Look what's inside...My Smurf doll, Yes, I LOVE Smurf's! Mr. Super Pickle!
That was a thing of the 80's too. I couldn't believe he was found!! :)
Nicole even found fabric from when I was little with Raggedy Ann on it. How neat is that! Perfect for my Raggedy Ann stash. She also sent two quilt squares that we believe might have been made by my maternal Grandmother.Nicole also stitched the cutest Prim needle keep for me to keep my needles safe in. She knows how much I LOVE "PRIM" stuff! What was really touching, was what I found at the bottom of the box..there to my surprise where some shirts of my Dad's. It is so nice to finally be able to have "something" of my Father's to hold. This means more to me than anything ever could. For this I thank you Nicole.
What a neat surprise in the mail. My brother married such a sweet girl. Thank you Nicole from the bottom of my heart.

The other box I received is from my dear friend back in Florida, Avona. I sure do miss her! (waving, Hi Avona!!!) She sent me the cutest little cupcake stitched up, look how adorable it is! It is the perfect little pin cushion.
What a sweet surprise to receive in the mail.
She also sent me some great fabric. 25 count lugana potato fabric. Love that potato fabric! Avona, you are the best, thank you so very much.


I am so blessed.
This I know,
RaggedyStitches,
Louise