Sewing Room update

Good morning friends,

Thank you for stopping by.  I have only done a little stitching this week, mostly just putting together some Ikea pieces and doing some sorting.  I think I need to go to Ikea for another 4 cube and then I'll be done, I may buy an 8 cube that matches the first bookcase but I don't think I need it and the printer will sit nicely if I get the 4 cube bookcase.  Anyways...I sat and just stared at the stuff, I like things organized and I'm sure I'll change it around several more times before I am completely happy with the organization.  The placement of furniture wasn't hard as I'm limited because of odd walls and placement of a vent.  Here are some pictures of my progress, as always,  a work in progress.

Yesterday i tried to find a pattern, linen and floss that I kitted together before the holiday, it took near an hour for me to find it.  It was right at the beginning of where I started, ugh.  I knew I took it up to show my mom and I remember making sure it went back right in my tote bag, yet I couldn't find it, I had put in a project pouch.  I'm happy that I didn't lose my mind (yet).

I also am working on a Christmas Ornament SAL and have chosen a LHN Ornament from JCS 2011 called Fresh Fallen Snow.  I am going to try and make more ornaments for myself this year.  I have some WIPS that need my attention to and in addition to exchanges to which I have an addiction, I am also participating in RAKS.  Lastly, I plan on using this sewing machine that my mom has given me, it's mostly computerized and I wanted to have a nice place to honor it and feel inspired, hence the guest room (that never  has any guests) turned into a sewing room.  No perhaps I'll have guests come visit, lol, and no place to put them :)  That's how fate works right?

Lastly, Chloe received a bit of a "spa" treatment yesterday at the groomer, I took her to Petsmart to  check on her weight and get her heart worm pill, and went into the groomer to inquire about services and costs, the girl who took care of her was so great.  Chloe is a 60# 10 month old baby who wouldn't even jump on their clipping table without lots of coercing.  Kristy, gave her lots of love and pampered her with brushing her teeth, cleaning her ears, spraying her with puppy perfume, clipping her nails and shaving her paws and fur between her pads and shaving her lower tummy (hygiene shave to help prevent UTI's).  I have to admit, I'm a bad mommy, I didn't know that it is recommended to clip the fur between the pads and toes, my labrador never had stuff like that done, lol. As always, I am a work in progress.  Soo, Kristy actually taught me how to do the paws so I can do it at home.  She survived and she looks great, I didn't pay for a bath as 80% of her is still puppy fur and I brush her daily anyways, plus I think she would freak out with a hair dryer, she is terrified of lawn mowers and vacuums, yet she is gun shot.  I don't get it.  I love my dogs.

laying on the sofa, he loves this spot, DH gets mad since he is ruing the back pillow

Chloe at 10 months and 60#

Here is a picture of them, each trying to push the other out of the way, just like kids

2 new finishes

Good morning dear friends,
Thank you so much for stopping by.

Last night hubby and I went to dinner and took in a movie, it was nice to get away for an evening.  I really enjoyed the movie, Jack Reacher, if you like Tom Cruise, you'll like the movie. 

I managed to finish two ornaments this morning, my 2 last pieces before the holiday activity begins. 

Season of Love by LHN

Kringles Crow by Threadwork Primatives

 

I really floppled back and forth with makeing them into pillow ornaments, but I didn't like the fabric I had and then I just stared at the machine  wondering if I really was going to take my time, the answer was no, so I did flat ornaments and I think they came out really well.

I am having withdrawls from my LNS, I haven't been in a few weeks so I am wondering if I should head up, you  know, just to say hello and take a peak...

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, please be safe and blessed.

Dawn

A finish and a crazy 24 hours

Last night my son showed me some posts on Facebook, sadly there was chatter about impending gun violence for today,  I called the school regarding the matter, though I didn't believe it was a matter to call the police, I felt the school needed to know, apparently a lot of parents called the police, it was a ghost town on campus this morning and there were police all over.  This is a combined middle and high school with over 2000 students.  Even after this all ended the rumors were still going on that a gun was found in a locker.  It is so hard to keep kids focused and think when all this is going on.  

Here is the article from our local news.

Teen arrested in Glen Este HS threats

Tom McKee, tmckee@wcpo.com
Dec 21, 2012 3:15 p.m.

A 15-year-old girl was arrested Friday for inducing panic and tampering with evidence. Police say she made threats on Facebook about possible violence at Glen Este High School and Middle School.
Dr. Gary Brooks, West Clermont schools superintendent, said the school board is recommending the student be suspended for ten days and eventually face expulsion.
The girl told authorities she initiated the post about a shooting "to see what would happen," according to Union Township Police Lt. Scott Gaviglia. She's been booked in the Clermont County Jail. Investigators say the threat was focused on the middle school.
Gaviglia said the teen's Facebook post caused hundreds of concerned parents to call the police department Thursday and prompted other parents to keep their children out of school for the day.
Brooks said about half of the middle school student body was absent on Friday and absenteeism was up slightly at the high school.
West Clermont Schools Superintendent Dr. Gary Brooks said the threat was taken seriously and there were extra police on the Glen Este campus Friday morning as school began -- both uniformed and undercover -- as a precaution.
There are no other suspects. Gaviglia said rumors of police finding a weapon at the school are unfounded and the case is closed.
Scripps Only Content 2012


On a better note I finished this ornament for my mom today.  It's from the 2012 jcs ornament issue,  I have 2 more finishes that should be ready for tomorrow.  I'm happy that my finishing skills are getting better!  I'm a work in progress.

 and the puppies are ready to go to grandma's house for Christmas...

 Hopefully tomorrow I can share with you the other two ornaments in the works...
have a wonderful evening

Dawn

Catching up

Hello friends,

Welcome to my newest followers, thank you for stopping by.  As always I think I'll get some time to sit and stitch and well, life happens:)  Weekends are no good for my stitching time, always something going on ,but this is a hobby, not a race.

I just finished a batch of peanut butter blossoms, last night M&M cookies, I am undecided if I will make cut outs or gingersnaps.  It's not very productive when the kids keep coming in for taste testing, have to run them down to the freezer before they are gone.

I have two little projects going on at the moment, Season of Love, by LHN, it looks like something I could do in a day but that isn't happening :)  the other is another LHN, Winter Plaid but I ran out of a color and my lns didn't have it and I just received a email from the ONS i placed an order with last week and was told they are out of it too.  I wish the pattern would have mentioned it requires 2 skeins.  It is what it is and we move on!  I have everything ready to work on baby it's cold outside, I am undecided on my color of fabric choice, she was out of "ale" so i choose an autumn gold, the colors are beautiful on it but I'm not sure if I should order ale, what do you think....the fabric has more of an orange hue to it that what the picture shows...

 My progress on winter plaid...

My Stitchers choice that I made for HOE exchange

Season of Love by CCN in the July / Aug 2010 magazine JCS

I love it, I think I'll make another for myself

Kringles Crow by Threadwork Primative

not sure how to finish it, having a bit of a block by I love it, the red just captivates me...

 My two knucklehead pups each chewing on a end of nylabone, I've got them all over the house but they always want what the other has

I hope everyone has a wonderful upcoming week, keep the CT families in our prayers as we move forward...

Exchange Received and a finish

Good morning everyone,
Our internet was acting weird yesterday so I wasn't able to post last night this wonderful exchange I received from Shannon, this is the second private exchange I've done with her and I look forward to more in the future, she made these two beautiful ornaments and added tiny little beads and added some goodies into the package    here are some pics

this is what I sent to her, it is Gingerbread Tree by LHN in the July August 2010 JCS sneak peak christmas ornament magazine, I did however, forget to take pictures of the goodies I sent her...

I just came back upstairs from finishing two ornaments, I can only share one with you as the other is going out in the mail tomorrow for HOE stitchers choice ornament.

I did Love and Joy by JBW from the 2011 JCS Christmas ornie issue.  It was a very fast stitch.  I'm pleased with the overall outcome.  It hit me this week that I've done several ornaments but nothing for myself.  So I went to work, I also started Kringles Crow by Threadwork Primatives last night and will try to work on it more today

 Now off to bake cookies for the stitch in this evening at our LNS...

Thanks for stopping by...I do love all your comments, I learn so much from all these blogs and the friendships I've formed.

Blessings to all,
Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving

Good morning dear friends,
It's been a week since I last posted, I've been around, mostly reading everyone else's blogs, looking at everyones pretty finishes and fall to Christmas transformations.

I wanted to take this time to thank you for your friendship through stitches.  Today and for the next few days will be busy with family showing up, cooking starting, feasting and football tomorrow, chaos over the weekend.  No, I do not go to black friday shopping, I will swing by the LNS for small business Sat hopefully, by dear daughter has to work at the mall on Friday and Saturday.  Her little job at the Dairy Queen in the middle of the mall.
I have pulled 2 turkeys out the freezer on Monday, they will come into a cold bath today as MIL will be coming this afternoon and we will be cooking in the late night.

I have been stitching on Winter Plaid by LHN here and there, my slow progress, but it sure is pretty..

I haven't made much stitching progress, i've been spending time on Pinterest and trying my luck at some lil decorative trees for my mantel.  I did a sequin one, and a ribbon one, tried to decorate the third with cranberry beads and I didn't like all the spaces so I stripped it down, peeled all the hot glue off and will do something else, lol.

When I was home last month, I ran out to the vineyard and cut some grape vines, harvesting is long over with and I have always wanted one of these trees, they are soo expensive, and since I grew up on a grape farm, I was going to take advantage of being home and grab some vines and make one for myself.  It took 2 days to make since I had to soak the vines over several days and my wash tub is small.  I think it came out well for my first attempt.  Perhaps there won't be snow at Christmas and dad won't have mowed the brush and I can grab more.  I would love to have a 4 " one.

I also picked up my Home of a Needleworker (too) by LHN from having it framed, it is so pretty, I really love it.  I was hoping that the new Season of Love ornament was in so I ran up to the store yesterday, but alas, it wasn't.  I have this bad luck that by the time I get there she is always sold out so I tried to beat her to the punch and they haven't arrived yet. My Baby it's cold outside chart remains on backorder too.  Disappointing yes, but as all of us stashers know, it's not like we don't have projects to work on...nuff said.

Weather you are traveling across town, across the country or staying home, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

Blessings,
Dawn

New start, and exchange received

Good afternoon dear friends,

thank you for stopping by, I've been trying to do a blog update on my IPad and keep getting an error message so since I received an exchange piece today, I had to sit down at the computer and do a post.

So, lets play catch up!

Seasonal exchange received today from Stephanie at Blue Star Stitcher, it is a cute squirrel, but I don't know the name of the pattern, anyways, it is just adorable, which reminds me, I haven't seen a squirrel in our yard since Chloe joined our family??  I'll have to find out when I post to the seasonal exchange blog.

Then I received some on line stash on Friday...i'm addicted to LHN and CCN...

So after going to my folks on Friday night, and being hyped up, I finished an ornie for a private exchange, so I can't show you that one...on to the next

Before I left my parents grape farm, I ran out to the vineyard and cut a bunch of vines, I've decided to make a grapevine tree, they are soaking in the laundry room right now.  I've wanted one for ages and stopped to price them, I think not!, espicialy when my childhood home is 40 acres of grapes....so wish me luck :)  hope to work on that this week.

So Monday brought me up to my LNS to deliver the Shepherds Bush piece, yeh ( and get paid, double Yeh!)  I bought some threads and linen for the above patterns...

but...I started on Winter Plaid by LHN that I ordered and got about 3 weeks ago, it's been killing me to start it but I knew I had to finish the SB piece.   Also I asked if she had Baby it's cold outside and she said she sold out over the weekend...No.....but she will order one for me.  I've seen it on so many blogs this past few weeks and have fallen in love with it so I have that one to look forward to.

Oh, I also went to JoAnn's and bought a Ott light, it was half off and then I was a day late on the 25% off coupon, as I paid for it and walked out, I noticed tomorrow starts their Veteran's day sale, so the light has been in my car all week, tomorrow I will return it and repurchase it at the half off and the 20% off that I get with my military dependant ID, that should knock it down to about $80 dollars.  It's the only thing I've treated myself with, besides all the books, threads and fabrics (shh, we won't tell DH)

I always miss the sale or they are always sold out, so this time, i'll just return the bugger and rebuy at the cheaper price, besides, I own stock in this store, just go through my bins of fabric  ;)

lets see, just the cutest lil Frenchie photo, just made me grin, I wonder if Duncan wouldn't mind wearing a hat like that??

Have a great week everyone!!

Blessings

Dawn

Happy October

Good morning dear friends,

Hello to all my new followers!  Thank you for stopping by.  I've been busy, busy working on my Shepherds Bush piece, I even met the woman I am stitching it for.  Our LNS had a big sale this weekend so I told my husband that I was going to go pay a bill (which I did) then took a 15 mile detour and headed up to the store :)   I also got some more stitchy stuff that I ordered on line...

LHN- Snow White
I finally picked it up, I stitched it early this year and  it's been waiting for me... 

Some new charts to work on- I love each season, right now fall and everything pumpkins

LHN Winter plaid, the sampler threads and linen
Threadwork primitives Enchanted Crow chart

Toy Gatherer- Shepherds Bush
I'm almost there!  it's been such a long journey, love hate relationship with this piece

It was a busy weekend, High school homecoming parade Friday Night, football game, Homecoming dance Saturday night, Stitching and shopping on Sunday, Made some apple turnovers, so yummy out of the oven, soccer games last night, our school is on a winning streak- Go Trojans.

Today, all is quiet, kids at school, me and my stitching....life is good:)

I got this recipe on line a few weeks ago and finally tried them out, I've made them twice now, they are fantastic, I just can't remember where I got them from and my print out doesn't have the web address.  We have decided this is better than apple pie and I don't have to fight making pie dough that hates me.
I meant to take a picture but we ate them before i remembered.  If you try this let me know what you think.

Mt. Dew Apple Dumplings- cut in half

2 whole Granny Smith apples
2 cans (8 oz cans) Crescent Rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon to taste
1 can Mt. Dew soda

Peel and core apples.  Cut each apple into 8 slices each.  Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll.  Place in a 9x13 buttered pan

Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir.  Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples.  Pour Mt. Dew around the edges of the pan.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.  (I suggest pouring out the extra liquid if you are not eating this right away.) serve with vanilla ice cream.