Free Pattern for Valentine's Day

Thank you for visiting with me.  I designed this pattern with a few hidden messages in it.  Basically, two hearts joined as one for infinity.  I know the infinity sign around the date is difficult to distinguish, but I tried. LOL.  For some reason this popped into my head one day as I was on Facebook as I was seeing many of my friends losing their soul mates.  I know it sounds morbid.  However, as Valentine's Day approaches this would be a great stitch for you and your soul mate.  Enjoy!

Stitching

Happy Thursday to you :-)

I have really been trying hard to get some Spring stitching done.  I am really having a hard time staying ahead of the seasons because I keep getting new ideas all the time for that particular season.  So, I have had to limit myself to 3 Spring OK maybe 4 designs.  I say maybe 4 because I really feel a sampler coming on.  I LOVE stitching alphabets.  They stitch up pretty quickly and I love the looks of them.

Back to stitching...

If you'll remember awhile back I posted a picture of my chick I had stitched but hadn't finished it.  Well,  I finally finished it and the pattern is now ready on our website.  I turned it into an egg shaped pocket.  The pattern does include finishing instructions.

Gettysburg Homestead

The second one I just finished yesterday.  The pattern is not quite ready for release.  It should be very soon.  Do you notice a trend with these two patterns?  I really like stitching designs... like the stars above and the carrot below.  I LOVE watching them come to life.

This too is a pocket.  I didn't coffee stain this one up yet.  I think I will though.  I also need to make some carrots to put in the pocket don't you think?

I have another pattern being stitched by a friend for me.  I am hoping to have that back soon so I can turn that into a pattern also before Spring.

Have a great day and for those still shoveling out in New England stay warm and take care.

They Really Do Multiply...

Since some of my friends up along the East coast are in the middle of "the worst blizzard of 2015" I thought I would share some optimistic photos.  Try to take their minds off of the 28" of snow bearing down on their roofs.  Ugh!  I really can't imagine that.  First of all, I would not be on the roof shoveling anything off.  I know, I know, it has to be done.  But this girl would try and bribe anyone she could do to it for her.  I guess the good thing is is I rent so really it would be up to my landlord to figure it out.  :-)  Hey! a perk to renting! LOL. 

Anyway,  some of you remember I hand painted paper mache Belsnickle Santa's for Christmas.  They were a hit and I found that I LOVE to paint them.  Well, I decided why not try something for Spring.  I know many of you decorate for it so as soon as they are done they will be for sale.

Well, here is the end result of what I decided on...

I don't remember ordering all these so I am quite sure the bunnies...uh... mated enroute to the homstead while in transit ;-)  Just kidding... I just couldn't decide on a couple.  LOL.  I can't wait to get started.

Do you see the little rabbit riding the chick?  Too stinkin' cute!!!!

The dancing bunnies may be a bit of a challenge...

I have a few things I need to finish up first before I start, but I figure in a week or so I will start cranking them out.  I just LOVE both of the huge rabbits!!!!  The sheep are pretty amazing too!!!  Can you tell I'm a bit excited like a kid at Christmas?

Well, I should be taking a nap since I just got home this morning from my looooooooong shift at work.  But, I have too many things to do that I am excited about doing.  LOL. 

Stay safe and warm if you are in the path of the mega snow storm.

A Trip to the Thrift Store

For the most part I rarely go to the thrift store anymore.  Since I closed down my booth and don't have a lot of time to redo furniture I finally broke my addiction.  My décor has also changed in that I am using more vintage/antique items to decorate with and not redos.  But occasionally when I am out and about by myself I will stop at my favorite thrift shop.  It is always clean and they have nice items to choose from.  OK it also helps they are in Amish country and I can get quality fabric dirt cheap!

Anyway, I was actually going to look for some dressier clothes for me when I stopped in the store.  But the fabric department beckoned me... I heard it whispering to me "Mary you need to come see us.  We have missed you.  It has been a long time"  That is probably my fabric addiction talking but I will blame it on the fabric.  I truly haven't been there in probably 5-6 months.  Think of all the money I should have saved.  So, of course I am weak and a sucker and went to look.  Believe it or not this is all the fabric I bought. They have a ton, but these caught my eye.

Not sure if you can see $3.00 a yard for quilting quality fabric! Woohoo!!!!!

I can't lie I did look at their furniture, but luckily I found nothing.  My house is filled to the gills and overflowing into the garage.  Even after 6 years I think I can count on one hand how many times I've actually parked in the garage.  Whoopsie! LOL.

Next I head to the crafting department... here you can find a little of everything.  But I am always on a mission and know exactly what I'm looking for.  Stitching supplies... yes, I design my own patterns but I am still a pattern hoarder.  If I can find a deal I buy them.  Of course I could never stitch all of them in my lifetime, but I NEED them.  I know I'm not the only one who does this so be honest!

These are what I found.  I mean seriously would you have passed them up for $1.00 a piece? Not if you are a stitcher! Then of course I need stitching fabric right?  I normally don't do colors like these, but because they were so cheap I think I am going to try hand dying them.  All of it together was $3.50 so if it doesn't work no big deal.  The hardest part will be figuring out how to dye them. LOL  Yeah I probably didn't think this through to well. Oh well.... live and learn!

Next I went over to another table that has all kinds of patterns from crocheting to macrame to quilting to just about anything.  I LOVE this table because you can also find unfinished projects people start and give up.  So as I was digging through I found this beauty!

A needle felting kit! I know what you are thinking... uh Mary really?  You really needed this? Didn't you just tell us your craft room is like a craft store with all kinds of stuff in it. Yes, yes I did. LOL.  But the whole kit was $1.00.  I'm thinking I can use it for a couple other things like poking myself in the eye when I buy more crap I don't need!  Just kidding. ;-)

Now on that same table I found one last treasure.  Though I don't have a lot of time I still do enjoy quilting.  I found this great book with little runner ideas.  Those won't take long and will maybe keep my attention longer than a big quilt.  They seem pretty easy and the directions are pretty self explanatory... OK I admit it has lots of pictures.  Those I can follow! LOL

Well, I am off to work on some customer orders today.  I just love making these quilt hearts.  This customer also wanted the hands for "heart in hand."

Have a great day my friends!

New Projects

Hello Wednesday...  Thank you friends for all of your comments on my last post.  I will try to be a little more diligent in posting.  I'm trying very hard to fight this exhaustion, weight gain, and 0 motivation I have been experiencing.  I went to the doctor today and he drew some blood and I'm hoping this will tell us something.  If not, well, I guess I will look into something else. LOL

I have been working on my new secret project.  I don't know about any of you but when I try something new I always think my project is going to turn out exactly like the perfect ones I see on the web.  I never give it a thought that they have probably been doing it for years and that is why they are doing the tutorial.  They always make it look so simple.  Maybe I'm just to hard on myself.  But like I have told you from the beginning I will always share with you my failures as well as my successes.  Only this one I'm going to wait a bit longer until I get a little further.  I didn't scrap it...yet.  LOL.  No I am learning as I go along which is what it is all about.  I am not perfect and I sure as heck am not good at everything I do.  So, we will see how this goes as I get further along.  I will say this though... I am really enjoying doing it.  It is a fairly mindless craft that your mind can wonder while you work.  Is the suspense killing you yet? lol

Some of you may not know that I love buying crafting items. I swear I could have a craft store in my creative space with all the stuff I have.   I don't care what they are Styrofoam balls, fabric ( yes a fabriholic if you will), trims, needles, do dads, anything I can get my hands on at the Goodwill and now my newest these...

 

 

 

Breadboards.  I did buy these from a very good friend Sara Cocarus of Salmon Falls Prims.  I know what you are thinking... who the heck needs all of those?  Me of course.  LOL.  Can you not see these painted with prim colors and hanging or in a cabinet?  You can never have to many to decorate with. BUT.... these beauties will be used for future projects.  I'm talking attaching my cross stitch samplers and punchneedle projects to them.  Like the guy below...  Don't forget this pattern is for sale on our website.

 

 

 

Like I said before I need to find new and different ways to finish my projects than pillow tucks.  I have way to many of those as it is.  Who knows maybe I will just paint a few and sell them too.  Either way I can't wait to finish some new things to try them out.

 

Well, it's off to the frozen tundra... Oh I mean my craft space in the basement.  Brrrrrr... the temp down there has been so cold due to the cold snap outside we have been having.  I can only stay down there for a little while then come back upstairs and warm up. LOL.  It tends to make you work a little faster though so your hands don't go numb.  Have a great day!

 

 

 

 





Back On Track

Happy Saturday everyone!  It has been a whirlwind here at the homestead the last few months.  I am trying feverishly to get myself more organized.  It does not always work because my mind is always racing with new ideas, patterns, and of course creating for customers.  I need to learn how to spend my time wisely and a lot time to do everything.  When I figure that out I will let you know. LOL.  I really would like to keep on my blogging, but not sure how many people are still reading them.  I guess we will find out.

As of this weekend I finally finished up all of my Belsnickle Santa orders for now.  Yes, they can be purchased year round from our website.  I also finished my first 2 spring orders too.  It is early January and I tell you I am wishing it was spring.  These temperatures have been brutal these last few days.  My son has been home from school 2 days in a row because of the temps.  Luckily I was off work so we all stayed in the house and kept nice and toasty warm. 

Now, that my orders have slowed for the moment it is time to work on some new projects.  I have already stitched one new Spring pattern but have 2 more to do.  This is the first one...

 

 

I just need to figure out how to finish him.  I have never been a strong finisher, but I have a few ideas.  Once I do I will release the pattern.  Such a cute addition to your spring décor don't you think?

 

I am also trying something new! Yes a new craft altogether.  I'm not going to reveal what it is until I give it a try.  It looks fun and interesting.  Let's just say I will hopefully be using up some of those great fabrics I have been holding for just the right project.  Do I have your attention now?  Stay tuned to find out!