Finished Stitchery, and Updates

I have been busy working on a Halloween stitchery. Yes, you heard me right! Halloween..it is now one of my favorite things to stitch on. I know, a little early right? Well, not too early for me! I just LOVE anything Halloween, I always have. Love the decorations, love that time of year. The Fall/Autumn is my favorite time of year, with the pumpkins, the cool crisp air, the smell of apples pies baking..ooooh! I can't wait! When my kids were little, I used to sew them costumes, I just loved filling those little bags with candy in anticipation of all those cute children coming to my door. Sooo..I have decided it is time to start stitching and get in the mood for this season during the summer. :)I stitched up "Halloween Icons" by Birds of a Feather.
This chart came with 32 count Meadow Lark Linen...
Hail to those that can stitch on this type of linen.
This was very difficult for me.
I was a little bit discouraged. I think age is finally affecting my eyes!
I had a difficult time. I do like my stitches even, and try to at least get the stitches in the right holes! It doesn't seem the case with this work of art. lol
I am very glad this MIGHT be considered "primitive"..for, I think I made it even more primitive with my specialty uneven stitches. ;)
I will be framing these in small black square frames I hope to find soon. (I think I spotted some at Michaels craft store)
Yes! Those are candy corn...
found them in my pantry (middle of July)- DON'T ASK! ha ha




I have also been doing some embroidery type stitching on a pillowcase. I have always admired blue and white stitchery. I picked these pillowcases up at Ben Franklin Craft Store. They are pre-printed..you just follow the lines. I have decided to do a straight stitch (I have trouble with the stem stitch) Will have to work on that! I also have been stitching lazy daisy stitches and french knots too. I am using DMC Floss. Pretty I think..and they work up fast, almost done with one!




I have decided to try coffee dying some fabric...soaked it, then scrunched it..then baked it..then rubbed some coffee grinds on it...then scrunched it again, then baked it some more at a low temperature in the oven...
this is how it came out:



Some new things! Love the cute little garden flag. Found it at Michaels Craft Store. It is one of the new items for this Fall. Reminds me of the Mary Englebreit cross stitch design of the little witch. So adorable! :)
Hoping to start the new chart "Ida Mae Crow" by the Goode Huswife, really soon, along with "Miniature Samplers" by Homespun Elegance, and "Buttons & Pins" by Blackbird Designs.Also picked up a pair of neat little scissors. These are Kelmscott Designs, Putford Scissors. Love them!

I have been trying to stitch a little bit each night, even if it is only just for a little while. there is so much I want to do, and so much I want to stitch! :)



Raggedystitches,

4th of July

We had a really nice time on 4th of july. The night before we attended the Lowes/YMCA fireworks. Took a shuttle bus to get there...didn't want to get stuck in all that traffic. Lots and lots of people there as always. The fireworks were wonderful.
We went to two parties, one was at the lake.
The food was great, but while we feasted on all things good, the
mosquitos feasted on me! arrggh! Glad I brought along some spray for that..
The weather was perfect, so glad it didn't rain.

Raggedy Stitches,

Happy 4th Of July!

Hope you all have a wonderful day today with family and friends.
I am baking as I type this, cupcakes , cookies and brownies for a big bbq down by the lake beach. We will be spending time with very dear friends today. It is always a fun time jet-skiing and relaxing while catching up with "what's new" with everyone! (I can't wait to catch some speed on a jet-ski!)
I saw this freebie posted, and thought I would put it on my blog in case anyone missed it. It is the cutest freebie I have ever seen of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty!
I hope to find the time to stitch it one day.
Too CUTE!

The picture is at the top of this post..cute right? :)
The freebie is offered by Kreinik.com.
for the freebie, CLICK HERE!


God Bless you all this Fourth Of July,
but most of all,
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Raggedy Stitches,

Drive down my Avenue!

My son was out and about somewhere in NC with his friend driving around.
He surprised me with a picture he took of an Avenue they spotted.
An Avenue with my name!
How neat is that?
(click on photo for larger image)

Raggedystitches,

RAINBOWS

I have always had a thing for rainbows..
They are so beautiful. I believe it is God's way of telling us, that although we will face the rains, the rainbows too will come our way.
There was a saying I found on a sticker after my daughter was born. After our daughter endured so much with her open heart surgery as an infant..we were so worried about her future...The sticker said just a few short words,
"After the Rain the Rainbow"
It's almost as if God promises us that it will all be ok after all.
I have always held tightly onto that saying in my heart, for it seems that each event that passes in my life that seems too difficult, eventually we do get through it.
After all..if you wait, the rainbow does appear after the rain. You just have to look for it!~

On our drive home from a long journey the past couple of days for the funeral of a very dear friend of ours..we drove through a bad storm. Then the skies opened up, and the sun peeked through. My son said from the back seat "Hey! Look out the window~" There to our surprise was a pretty rainbow.

Perhaps a promise that our dear friend is indeed in the arms of Jesus.

Raggedystitches,

Bunny Love :)

Captured a wonderful picture of our dear Peter Rabbit!
He is such a cutie:)

I know he missed us while we were away.
We missed him too.

Raggedystitches,

Our Girl!

We are so very proud of our daughter!
She had tried out for the treble choir at school and was so patiently waiting to hear if she made it into the class for next year. She was just beaming today when I picked her up from school. She made it!! Hooray for Christine! I just knew she would make it. Our daughter has the voice of an angel. She sings so pretty. We cannot wait to hear her sing in her school concerts next year.
What's even better is, when I checked her backpack, there was a certificate for Honor Roll for the school year!
We are VERY proud parents.
We are teaching our children to do their best, and to be all they can be.
Looks like she is doing a great job of it!

We love you Christine! xo

Raggedystitches,

Pillowcases with Roses

Well, I have been sewing all day today. I completed sewing four pillowcases for our bedroom. God Bless my dear husband Patrick,for he doesn't mind how I decorate in our home..when he goes up to sleep tonight..he will now be sleeping on pillowcases that have a rose print all over them! I also made pillowcases with a smaller flower design..but haven't taken a picture of them yet..
I put the white Metalasse coverlet on the bed and it looks very pretty.
Wasn't sure if I should get cream color or white, but now I am very happy I did go with the white!
I like the antique look of it.
I would like to get back to working on my lap quilts that I have started.
But for now I have to get dinner started for the family..
I will be grilling out back..hope it doesn't blow up in my face again..the last time I burned all the hair off my arm!

Can't believe tomorrow is Monday and I will be back to work again.
The weekend goes way too fast!

Raggedystitches,

Hydrangeas

My neighbors hydrangeas are in full bloom now. While visiting with Peter Rabbit today I decided to take my camera outside and snap some photos. The flowers are the prettiest shades of Blue!


I have been inspired with all the pretty flowers blooming. I am going to make some new pillowcases for my bedroom with pretty roses on them. I picked up a new white metalasse coverlet for our bedroom and think it will lighten up the room for the summertime.
I will post pictures of the finished pillowcases when I am done sewing them up!
Raggedystitches,

p.s. also a picture of the property that is between us and our neighbors..it is so park-like! :)

Busy Baking and Framing...

I finally survived the terrible migraine that I suffered this past weekend. It lasted two and a half days. I just hate migraines so much! I was recently switched from my name brand medication to generic (which is not as expensive)..but for some reason since switching I have been getting multiple migraines a week. I had to call into work today, something I don't often do. I spent the whole day in bed, but thank goodness, I am feeling much better tonight.
I should really be asleep right now, have to get up early tomorrow..but It feels so good to feel good again, that I have been doing some things tonight.
I baked a vanilla cake with fresh whipped cream and strawberries (YUM!), and I also framed the cross stitched piece I recently just posted. (Black Needles).
I found the most perfect frame for it at Michaels craft store tonight.
My sweet daughter is so nervous, she will be trying out for the treble choir tomorrow in school for next year. She wants to make it so badly. She does have a beautiful voice, and I just hope the teacher thinks so too!
I received a phone call today from one of her teachers. She will be receiving an award at a ceremony for being one of the top students. She is a very smart girl, and we are very proud of her!
We are very blessed,

Raggedystitches,

Time Flies...

As I look at my children, I wonder where the time went?
It seems like only yesterday that I was holding them as infants.
I cherished every moment with them while they were little.
So many memories! We just celebrated our sons 19th birthday. I cannot believe he is now a grown man. Sometimes I look at pictures and truly wished that I could go back, if only for a moment.
But, I do enjoy every present moment too, just in a different way.
They don't seem to want me squeezing them as much now, although I try to get in as many hugs as I can!
I think God knew his plan for me.
He knew I needed to be a Mom. For I love my children, and it is the greatest joy in my life. I am so thankful to God for giving me my beautiful children, Patrick and Christine.

RaggedyStitches,