A Bird, a Basket, and a Squirrel...

Today was a rather gloomy day, but inside my studio has been bright and cheerful! I have been stitching all evening, working on another new design/model for Just CrossStitch Magazine (for an autumn issue). I also was blessed to spend my afternoon with some wonderful, colorful fabrics, as I cut and prepared another 45 zippered project bags for sewing. Orders have been coming in steadily and I am grateful for more happy time in my studio....just wait until to you see the all the special needlework finishing I have been working on for my clients...some absolutely gorgeous pieces!!

I have plenty of completed projects to share with you, as time allows - but today I thought I would share some creative eye candy from my recent birthday...I will provide details with the photos, if they are available. 

These top two images are of an incredible mixed media bird - I wish I had more information for you - unfortunately, I do not have the artists name (if you know, please do drop me a note!)...but it really is spectacular! It was created with all sorts of materials and sits on (what looks to be) a vintage candle holder or stand. It is quite large in size and I had a heck of a time photographing it, so you could see the details....my images don't even come close to doing it justice. I haven't found the perfect home for it just yet - I have been auditioning places...right now it is on a shelf in my sewing room, where it is continually bringing me joy...

How cute is this stitched squirrel?!...and the round, concave tray is to die for...
plus I was given all sorts of little sewing gifts to keep in it...

So first - the basket - it is a Mini Organizer Basket from 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets
https://www.etsy.com/shop/1803ohiofarmbaskets
It is incredible quality, a lovely size, and the PERFECT gift!
The "sew" piece on the front is a needleminder from one of my
favorite artists, Michelle L. Palmer - her pen and ink works are FABULOUS!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MichellePalmer
You also see a scissor fob and three packages of hand-dyed rick rack...

How gorgeous is this framed piece?! - I ♥ it!!
The rick rack spools are from Riley Blake Designs.

 

Quiltfolk magazine - SWOON!
I received a couple back issues and a subscription...if you are not familiar
 with this magazine (each one is like a book and is advertisement free - high
quality paper and cover - no patterns), it celebrates the people and the
stories behind the stitches - it is BEAUTIFUL!
https://www.quiltfolk.com/

Stationery and Sewing Tin Set by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet
You can find it here: https://www.fatquartershop.com/red-stationery-and-sewing-tin

Needle Case Slide Top Tin from Clayworks by Kim Detmers
Yes, the top of this tin is (3D) polymer clay and it is LOVELY!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Claybykim

So those are just a few creative things and artists I wanted to share with you - thank you to my dear friends and family that gifted me these heartfelt presents! Each one brings me joy and inspires me to create...

Sunshine and Whimsy

It will be a quick post today - as I have numerous "irons in the fire". I just finished snow removal and shoveling...and I have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen for an early Valentine's Day meal (a homemade lasagna and a caramel cake)...plus I have been bagging charts (only 6 boxes to go!)...packaging up my new models and charts for shipping...and taking care of a pile of work on my desk. It's been a busy day, but I just had to make time to share a couple goodies my dear friend Robin sent me for my birthday...

Seriously, how cute is this whimsical owl pincushion?? I absolutely adore it! It is so bright and cheerful...I just love the sunshine yellow trim - I truly makes me happy. The floss and fabric colors work together perfectly and make me smile - we all know I adore owls, so I am thrilled with this stitched pressie! Robin - thank you so much for making me such a fun treasure - it is already in my stitching nest where I will admire it daily! Thank you dear friend - you definitely brightened my day!!
*Update* - This design is a complimentary chart by Ship's Manor - visit Erik's website to find his fabulous cross stitch patterns, along with this design titled "Wendy's Owl"!

Robin was also kind enough to send me a Longaberger wrought iron easel that I am using to display a framed piece in my living room (I got the idea from a photo she sent me of one of her cross stitch finishes)...a package of my favorite Bohin needles....and a sewing pattern with rigid weave pre-cut stabilizer. I am so excited to make a woven "Biscuit Basket" with the materials she sent me - I have an array of fabric jelly rolls to choose from - and there is enough rigid weave to make two baskets - this project is going straight to the top of my sewing to-do list!

Today is another happy day and I am feeling so very blessed!

Hope & Inspiration

Yesterday afternoon I attended the annual local Horizon of Hope Luncheon benefiting local breast cancer charities. It is a lovely event held each year by local Longaberger consultants - a wonderful lunch, an auction, a guest speaker, and a preview of the new Longaberger holiday line. The event this year was held at Bravo! Italian Restaurant (yummy)....and an abundance of baskets filled with goodies were auctioned off for the John Stoddard Cancer Center. When I purchased the luncheon ticket, it also included the 2010 Horizon of Hope Basket...which was foofed at my place setting (too cute!). It was an afternoon filled with friendship, food, and fun....all raising money for a terrific cause - I can't think of a better way to spend my Sunday.

During the live auction, I purchased a bottle of "INSPIRE #3" wine - produced and bottled at the Madison County Winery in St. Charles, Iowa. The wine label recognizes nearly 200 Iowa breast cancer survivors by incorporating their names into the design of the label...and the winery donates $9.00 for each case sold to the Susan G. Koman - For The Cure Des Moines Affiliate - even more special, several attendees at the luncheon had their name listed on the bottle. Madison County Winery combines the passion to find a cure with a passion for wine - they have found a special way to recognize just some of the many brave Iowans who have so valiantly fought breast cancer and survived....truly inspiring!

Remember, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, please educate yourself ~ more and more people we know are being challenged by this life-threatening disease ~ cherish the time you have with family, friends, and loved ones....PLEASE do your monthly breast self-exams and your yearly mammogram - early detection is key!