Have a Cuppa with me...............

I'm just so tickled with my recent finish, I wanted to share right away. I finished this up last evening while watching Project Runway along with.....you guessed it .......a cuppa tea!!!

I first saw this design from Cathy at Hands on Design and fell in love with it......just one problem.....I don't drink coffee and it was called Java.  Well my mind started swirling and I thought it would be simple to change it to a tea themed project. After all, tea/coffee drinkers all use cups!!! It was really just a matter of coming up with different pins.

I did change up the colors, using fibers and fabric from my stash. I used 32 count linen so it's a little smaller and I switched out the felted wool. Here is the original design:

Here is my version:

 This is just one side, but the three others are equally cute! The "letters" are something I picked up at Tuesday Morning and are used in scrapbooking. I just glued them to some pins and voila!!!

Then I made an itty bitty tea bag on some 52/60 count Lakeside linen.

I also managed to get the pre-stitching done on one of my Betsy Morgan classes. I am way head of the game since they aren't until the first weekend in June but, as you can see, there wasn't much involved...and I love that!!! I have one more pre-stitch to do and that won't be a chore at all....especially since it's a beehive!

This is the ruler case for the Mexican reticule

 

 On the home front, there has been a rain postponement for the yard sale tomorrow; it has been rescheduled for May 14th. Now we have to decide whether we want to go ahead with that venue or do something on our own at home. Plus, we'll have all this "stuff" in the garage for when potential buyers start to come.  Arghhh!!!

Well, that's it for now! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Have a great weekend!
Stasi

 

It's greening up........

and here's a shot of our for sale sign!!! Note the bottle tree in the background..I say that's the only type of tree I can plant and not die!!!!

This will be a quick post as I am pooped!!! Just spent about 6 hours organizing and pricing for our yard sale next weekend. It is exhausting, both physically and mentally. I know I'll feel so free when it's all gone (either sold or donated) but it's getting to that point that's killing me!!! I'll be at this for the next few days and am anticipating a major melt down by the time I'm finished. Hubby- BEWARE!!!!

But, I did finish a couple more Samsarah calendar pieces that I wanted to share before I get distracted again. They are from the month of May.

That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi



 

Back to Reality

 It is always tough to get back into the groove of everyday life after a trip to paradise. Three and 1/2 days at the beach hosted by Salty Yarns and the ever hospitable Lankford Hotel, two fabulous classes, beautiful sunny weather, sharing with friends old and new, yummy eats and stitching our hearts away!!! A stitcher's paradise it is!!! 
I'll try to give a little synopsis but it may be a bit on the long side, so sit back, put your feet up and relax!

I arrived Thursday afternoon and headed straight to the shop to see what's new, running in to other early birds along the way. Dinner was at The Sunset grille where it was seafood night and I had some crab and salmon. Then it was stitching the evening away with my roomie, Debbie.

A nice walk on the boards Friday morning and I was ready and raring to go for the day, though I pretty much just hung out in Salty Yarns and our room. Lunch was carry out from Anthony's with the best pit beef sandwich around. Since I'm trying not to buy things that just have to packed up for the move, I decided against a trip to the quilt shop, Serendipity.  Sara had a reception at 7:00pm with apps and yummy desserts. Then more stitching in the room.

Saturday was class day so, after a delicious breakfast in the lobby, it was up to the classroom for A Garden Variety Long Pocket with Sherri Jones. She included a brief history of the pocket and miser purse before we began. Sherri is a wonderful teacher with a great sense of humor. She cajoled us along our finishing path and I was able to get my pocket together except for the hardware "finishings". Smalls to come!!!

Sunday class was An Afternoon Leisure Basket. It was a larger class, and I tend to get overwhelmed with too much activity around me, but I still managed to get the bottom "butterfly" pieces done for the basket. The rest will come at my leisure....get it???

Sunday evening was spent stitching in the lobby with other attendees, as a lot of people had left after class and there were some open spots. I love listening to the chatter among the ladies and learning of other classes, products, designs, etc.. This is what I was stitching on.....Java  by Hands on Design. Though, since I'm not a coffee drinker, it will be a "tea" piece. I have a couple ideas swirling to make pins for it that I still need to work out.

Top of pincushion...a piece of felted wool goes in the open space

side of pincushion

 
While there, I received my birthday/Christmas presents from Debbie and Sara. Yes, my birthday was in December, but how fun was it to be getting gifts in April!!! It gave me something to look forward to! They each gave me some fun items, but I'm just going to share the stitching related ones. Debbie gave me this fabulous pincushion:

and Sara gifted me this precious one:

 Thanks ladies--I will cherish them always!!!

Last but not least are my stash purchases. I really tried not to get carried away and am proud I held myself in check........plus I'm going back in June for Betsy Morgan! :)

 
I also bought this Liberty Hill box after figuring out that the Toy Chest from Betsy Morgan would fit right in. I will display the piece sitting on top but thought, when it comes time to give to my grandson (many ears down the road), it will make a nice presentation box. There is a definite PA Dutch/Amish feel to it ( not showing up so well in the photo) that reminded me of the toy chest project.

 
 Finally, Monday morning, after a filling breakfast at the Dough Roller, I was on my way! :( 

So a BIG thank you to Sally, Sara, Mary and the gang for another memorable weekend. Greetings to my stitching friends, old and new---it is always a pleasure to see and chat with you. And thanks to Sherri for two challenging projects to stimulate our creativity!

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



 

Do you ever..........

go ahead and do something totally foolish...even as your brain is shouting "stop--this is stupid"???   Well, I did it last night and now have a bandaged left thumb! I was opening a tin can and the lid wasn't cut all the way, so I thought I'd help it along with a gentle push. Well, the lid didn't like being pushed, jumped back and sliced my thumb about 1/2 inch. It looked pretty bad but stopped bleeding after some pressure and pretty much settled back into place. Decided against Urgent Care and possible stitches (we West Virginians are tough--even temporary ones) and so far so good. My big concern is will it perform as needed this weekend with my finishing classes? I was able to stitch last night, but you don't realize how important those little digits are until they are out of commission. I will do my best and leave what I can't manage until it's healed. I just need to GET there!!!!

No pics today--though I should post of my house--it's probably not looked this good since we moved in!

So, I'm off tomorrow morning and will catch up when I get back.

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

I Made it........

I managed to get the pre-stitching for class completed. Yippee!!! I do like to be prepared and am usually not this close "to the wire". But life is imposing and other commitments have taken priority. I'm really in need of my trip this weekend; the beach is always relaxing and rejuvenating!!! And the classes are inspiring and motivating!

Here is the pincushion for An Afternoon Leisure Basket. I also got the scissor sheath stitched but forgot to get a picture.

 
If I get the pieces finished this weekend, I'll post pics. If I don't get them done, it may be a bit until I get a "finishing" day scheduled. We're getting ready to put our house on the market and there is a ton to do to get it photo ready. Luckily, there aren't any major projects to be done, just spiffing up, decluttering and staging. We started the task over the last few days with the recommendation, from the realtor, that we de-personalize everything. So, lots of my stitching came off the walls and was packed away until the move, along with family photos and decorative items. It's looking kind of naked, but I guess that's the point--more open and neutral so potential buyers can "imagine" their self in the house. Fingers crossed it's appealing and sells for a good price. Our housing market has still not recovered from the bubble bursting, but luckily we have a little time on our side!

So I'm off to Salty Yarns Thursday for a long weekend with friends, old and new, with whom I share a passion. There will be lots to see, lots to share and lots to learn..... and Thursday can't get here soon enough!!! Get ready Sally, Sara and ladies....here I come!!!!

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

 
 

I Think I can....I think I can.....

A week from yesterday I'll be in OC for my Sherri Jones classes. I have been working feverishly to get the pre-stitch done for the second class, An Afternoon Leisure Basket.  I am close......just have the pin pillow and scissor fob to do. I think I'll make it if all goes well; I just have to remain awake in the evenings. I've been trying to get some de-cluttering and cleaning out done during the day and have been "too pooped to pop" by evening down time. I've got my essential oil diffuser running all day with "energize" and" motivate" oils scenting the house; even threw in a few drops of "de-stress". I hate to admit I don't have the same energy level I've had in the past...but reality is smacking me in the face!!! 

None the less, I did get some more stitching accomplished. The two books are stitched over one except for the letter/numbers with a stem stitched border.

Two books

 The butterflies are done with  darning stitch using #12 perle cotton.

Bottoms of wooden basket

I'll try to get  another post in before I leave, but if not, will check in upon my return.

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

Stasi