A Cuppa to Go.............

Not a stitchy post today..... but a few great finds I thought I'd share that do relate to my stitching. Hubby and I went to a craft festival last weekend in Boonsboro, MD and I stumbled across some wonderful items. First up is some wonderful hand lotion in a bar by Millhouse Candles. I have bought beeswax from them in the past, but this was something new. I got Green Tea for a gift and Almond for me. It comes in a cute little tin and look how it's molded.....yep...that's a bee!!! Too darn cute!!!

 Next, we found a booth selling magnetic bracelets. Now I'm not sure I buy into the whole magnetic thing but thought the bracelets were beautiful and if it could work as a preventative for all the repetitive stitching motions, I'd go for it! Hubby got one too....and I'm still getting over that (his is dark midnight blue)! The little "balls" are the magnets spaced between the beads.

Last up I saw an adorable tea bag wallet (hence the cuppa to go title). I looked at it and realized I could make it myself with fabric I would love more. So, here is my version! It holds 6 tea bags and/or sweetener packs. It will be great to travel with me; the only problem is I like honey in my tea, but I'll have to work on that. Finished size (folded) is about 3 X 3 1/2.

 Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

Rainy Day...finally

Some might find it odd to yearn for rainy days but I love them, especially when accompanied by thunderstorms. For some unknown reason, we have had little to none of either this summer. Rain has been very scarce, supported by the fact that the lawn has needed mowing only once in the last 45 days. But the fact that we have had NO thunderstorms ALL summer dismays me!!! I'm not sure how it happens, but they seem to hop right over us and land in the Baltimore/DC area. The same thing happens often in the winter with snow. Our theory is the storms, moving west to east, hit the mountains in Western MD which force the storm fronts up and over us---theory yet to be confirmed!!!

But, it has been raining here all day and I managed to get a little piece stitched and finished. I had done a few of these as gifts awhile back ( see post Feb.14, 2015) but finally got one done for me. Someone on Face Book had posted this idea and I ran out to Michaels and managed to snag a few of the lockets. Here is my "bee" version:

Oops!!! I might take that left side out and trim the mounting board--didn't notice the "bunching" until I saw the photo just now. Yikes!!! The stitched design is from a freebie called Bee Sure of My Love by Queenstown Sampler Designs. The right side is from a quilt fabric.


I have been moving along on Needleworkers Pocketbook by Amy Mitten. This is the flap. I love the colors and Amy's silk threads; her instructions are very detailed. 

I am hoping this rain will stop tonight since I'm planning on going to Boonesborough Days tomorrow in Boonsboro, MD. It's a great show with lots of crafts...and who knows... I may run into Nora Roberts!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Pre-stitch for Jamboree.....check!

I am so far ahead of the game I can hardly stand myself!!! Yes, I have the pre-stitch done....and yes the class isn't until the second weekend in October. But it was so cute, I just had to jump on it!!! Can't wait until class and the finishing!

Class will be taught by Cathy of Hands On Design. She and JABCO are collaborating that weekend for three classes. Can't wait to see what we do!!!

Next up--I'm starting the Needleworkers Pocketbook by Amy Mitten. This will be a challenging piece but I am ready. I have it on scroll bars and have put the first stitches in. That's always my favorite part...putting the first bits of floss on the naked fabric. 

I've been posting a few things on FB to sell but have been buying more than I am selling. I bought some back issues of Fine Lines magazine yesterday, and today I bought one of the Grip and Stitch frames from a lady who had bought it but didn't care for it. I've been on the fence since April when I saw a couple stitchers using them at Salty Yarns. They seemed perfect for smaller sized pieces, keeping them very taut. I've mostly been an "in hand" stitcher, but it's getting harder and harder to "hold" just fabric and I thought I'd break down and give this a try. 

Well back to my stitching chair and a Happy Labor Day to all in the US.

Thanks for stopping by and your 'twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Where I Long to Be..........

Stitching by the Sea is complete! Is this not too darn cute???

I did change fiber and fabric colors to use items from my stash, but remained fairly true to the original. I added the "OC" at the top as a nod to my favorite "stitching by the sea" spot--Ocean City, MD. The adorable JABCO pins are on order and will finish it off nicely.

Here's an interior view of the basket. I did not used the called for wool felt, but found a nice cotton print that reminded me of waves to go inside.

Here's the bottoms of the pincushion and basket:

 
Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!


Stasi

 

A Few Finishes and a New Start

Well, we survived the 4 days with the grand kiddies with nary an issue.We hung around the house for 2 days and played games and watched videos. One day we went to Baltimore to spend the day with the great grandparents. The boys went to the B&O train museum and Fort McHenry. The girls had lunch at Cafe Hon in Hampden and shopped a little...and I mean a little..... Cora wasn't in to the "grown ups" stores. Their last day with us we spent at a water park. It was an awful lot of fun, but after 4 hours of up the steps (some 4 stories high) and down the slides, hubby and I were exhausted!!!! But it was a GOOD exhaustion, and hopefully we created some fond memories for the kids. 

Our very own "hon" complete with beehive!!!

After we returned home, I needed some quiet activities so what better than some finishing!!! This first project I needlepointed about 7-8 years ago. I can't remember where I got the kit but think it was on E-bay. I fell in love with the autumn theme and colors--my faves!!! So, here is Gold Acorn Spectacles Case:

Next up is Pin Money Pocket by Summer House Stitch Workes:

Then, I put the pincushion part of Stitching By the Sea by Hands On Designs together. I did use Betsy Morgans joining technique instead of lacing through back stitches. I have to find some appropriate fabric to line the "basket" and the set will be complete. I also added OC to the top as Ocean City, MD is my favorite spot to "stitch by the sea".

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi