Catching Up...and Creative Inspiration....

After two weeks of being completely miserable, I am finally feeling better...I spent last night and this morning cleaning, washing, and giving everything the "Lysol treatment", hoping the flu bug is gone for good! I still have a few sinus issues - but I am functioning and getting back to work. Thank you all for your well wishes, notes, and comments - I am doing my best to get caught up on correspondence - if you have been waiting on a response from me, thank you for your patience...

A few highlights to share with you...then some creative things to inspire you!

Part one of the Mystery Sampler "Blue Jeans and Daisies" shipped to Norden Crafts last week - and they begin shipping it to needlework shops tomorrow...so those of you joining in the springtime mystery fun should have the first part of the sampler very soon! I will post a photo of part one in the near future...

I have finished the project for the Elegant Stitch Workshop being held in April - Lois will be posting the photos very soon and then I will share all the detail here! I can tell you, the project is called "Bluebird Sewing Box" - it is a wooden box with a hinged lid - you stitch a piece for the top of the box, a piece for inside the lid of the box, and a piece for the inside base of the box....then there are three adorable needlework smalls - a tiny bird shaped pincushion, a wool felt scissor fob, and a bitty button bag. I am super excited about this project and my trip to California....and there are a few seats still available - I sure hope you will join us! Stay tuned for photographs...

I am now getting to work on the project for the New England Stitcher's Retreat taking place October 4 - 7 in Enfield , NH...this class project will feature on an oval Shaker Shallow Carrier Box (11" H x 7 3/4" W x 2 3/4" D - with a 9" H handle). This special design is inspired by my research on the Shaker culture and gift drawings, the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyle, and the beauty of the autumn season. We will be stitching a padded base for the inside of the carrier box - along with several needlework smalls – giving you a unique stitched Shaker-style display. I will keep you updated on my progress...

I received my copy of The World of Cross Stitching magazine that features my design "Garden Sampler" - what a beautiful publication!...and I was also excited to see the latest video by The World of Cross Stitching that features my herb garden design...this video is all about using hand-dyed threads...enjoy!

Two more quick things:
Many of you have asked about my walking and training progress for the Komen 3-Day (60-miles in three days!)... with the terrible flu bug, I have been unable to do much walking lately...but I plan to get back in the swing of things this week. It is snowing today and bitter cold, so looks like I will be using the treadmill for a little bit longer - I can't wait to get outside and log many more miles in the fresh air! A huge THANK YOU to those who have made a donation supporting my walk - to date, I have raised $780.00 of my $6,000.00 goal - I am so thrilled with my progress, but still have a LONG way to go to reach my goal...I really appreciate your support! Together we can fight this disease and find a cure for breast cancer...

• If you would like to learn  more about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day - visit: http://www.the3day.org/
• If you would like read more about why I am walking, make a donation to help me reach my goal, or see my  training updates - visit: http://www.the3day.org/goto/belinda

On the sewing machine front - the parts for my sewing/embroidery machine have FINALLY arrived and I have an appointment to have my machine fixed tomorrow afternoon! I am so EXCITED - I can't wait to have "my baby" repaired and ready for hours of sewing/embroidery time. I have so many fun projects on my list and can't wait to get back to work on items for my Etsy shop. I have my fingers crossed that the new parts keep the belt in place and I will be able to enjoy hours of sewing and machine embroidery time!

Now on to a few creative photos to inspire you!
A couple weeks ago, I met my dear friend Lorrie for lunch to celebrate the holidays. Lorrie is so extremely talented and gives the BEST gifts - she is so versatile with her creative endeavors and is always working on something extremely inspiring and creative. Her gifts to me were so thoughtful and unique - I just know they will inspire you...

First up - a set of GORGEOUS patchwork placemats - Lorrie used wonderful winter fabrics that match my dining room perfectly! I love that these can be used for an elegant or casual table setting...and she sized them for the plate to fit perfectly on one side and silverware on the patchwork side. If you would like to try your hand at making a set, Lorrie has a great tutorial and information on her blog: http://www.astitcherssnippets.blogspot.com/2012/12/placemat-tutorial.html

Next - Lorrie gifted me a with LOVELY cross stitch hanging - "Gone Sledding" (design by The Sampler Girl)...I love the jute hanger and have this wonderful piece hanging in our entry on the door to our garage. She also gifted me with another one of her FABULOUS fabric pine cone ornaments - I just adore these...

Saving the biggest gift for last, Lorrie made me this incredible stitching chest - isn't it AMAZING?! After finding the small wooden chest (7.5" H) in a hobby store, Lorrie was inspired - she stained the box and drawers with walnut stain and creatively mounted a stitched piece on top (Tin Toppers: 8 Quaker Friendship by Samplers and Such). This piece is truly spectacular - and she even put gifts in the drawers - a pair of scissors and some hand-dyed ribbon and trims. I hope this will inspire you to make a unique gift for a friend!

I also wanted to share with you a gift I made for Lorrie - a special "LOVE" pin pillow. Last fall, my friend Ruth gifted me with yards (basically an entire bolt) of beautiful retired alphabet fabric (Elsie's Kitchen by Anna Griffin for Windham Fabrics) and I have been having so much fun finding special uses for it. I wanted to spell out Lorrie's name, but with each letter block measuring approximately 2" H x 2.5" W, it became larger than I wanted...so I decided to use the word "LOVE". I was thrilled with the results and look forward to making more of these fun pillows....

So there you have it - all sorts of fun information, a video, and inspiring photos! I will be back this week with photos of some more stitchy gifts from my friend Terri, photos of the workshop project for Elegant Stitch, and photos of Part One of the Mystery Sampler....
Enjoy the rest of your weekend...and stay healthy and warm!