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

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

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

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.

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