My Secret Stitcher Sender is the Bomb!

My Secret Stitcher sent me this adorable package!!! She already appears to have a grasp on my style and taste.

I love how it is themed with my favorite color red. The cute plaid gift box contains Candy Apple wool fabric, candy cane fabric, WDW Candy Apple Thread, red ribbon, red, green and gold beads, JABC Peppermint Swirl magnet and pin, and a gorgeous alabaster angel Christmas ornament. 

Merry Christmas and thank you to my secret stitcher for choosing items that I would have picked out for myself.
Thank you, also, Amy Whitaker for choosing the perfect secret stitcher for me!

Victorian Motto Shoppe Primitive Colors Thread Giveaway-Enter Now!!!

I received my order today (and super quick) of some beautiful threads from Nancy.  Trust me they are worth the purchase even if you don't win!   Victorian Motte Shoppe Thread Giveaway-Enter Now

"Stir Crazy" House Project #2 Cornice Board

This was my very 1st attempt at recovering a cornice board.  The "before" fabric in the top picture was from a previous owner of my house, was at least 20 years old and looked "grandma-ish".  This may be also be my last attempt at a cornice board as it took 2 long, full days of muttering under my breath,  a throbbing backache and many do-overs.   (All I could think about was the time I was around 10 years old and the Christmas tree kept falling over.  My dad kept trying to prop it up to no avail so, he heaved it out the front door!  The same thought crossed my mind about this dang board.)  The board is heavy and appears to have been recovered 4 other times. 

Following instructions off Pinterest, I dove in and tackled it.  I did the corners a different way than the instructions called for
and it worked well. 

I absolutely love the new fabric.  It is HGTV Urban Blossoms Harvest.  It totally transformed the look of the board.  I will hang it over the window tomorrow and post another B&A pic.    

"Stir Crazy" House Project #1 Antique Bookcase

When I was working full time, I wanted to quit work and stay home to craft, design, and create whatever I fancied.  Now that I am home much more, I am going stir crazy because I am not constantly on the move as I was at work.  So, I decided to start working on house projects that have been swirling in my mind for months and years to keep me busy.  It was and is time to open up my creative juice box.

Here is my first major project.  I am  kicking myself for not taking a before picture of this 1800's library bookcase given to me by a friend about 7 years ago.  It sat in my garage deteriorating from the weather and dryer vent.  It took a week of cleaning, sanding, staining, varnishing and repeat to uncover the beauty of the wood.  Once I have it filled with books and other sundries, I will post another picture.  

Christmas Stocking

It's sooooooooooo cute!

Rag Quilt

Eighty blocks in Christmas cotton flannel sewn together.  Next step, rag quilt scissors to cut seam allowances, then trip to washing machine.  May take a few weeks before I can get to these steps.

Coming Today!

SEWING-I have been so busy learning to sew, that I realized I have not posted in a few weeks.  I will be posting later today my finished Christmas stocking completed in sewing class yesterday.  I have also sewn together all blocks for my rag quilt.  All that is left is the snipping and washing to achieve the rag look.

CROSS STITCH-I am currently working on the Stitched With Love Christmas Exchange.  Shhhh, can't say anything yet.

FITNESS-I am also going to start posting my running times, so that I can keep a record of what I am accomplishing.  Today 5.62 miles in exactly 59 minutes.  Pretty good with 20 mph wind gusts and wind chill in the forties.  Truth be told, it was a difficult run today.  Must be the change in the weather.

Post of pics later today..............................

Animal Antics Given-Stitched With Love Exchange

I really enjoyed stitching this for Christine. It was a fun project to do and shopping for giraffe themed objects was a blast.  I especially like the giraffe ornament.  I am hoping she will be able to use it on her Christmas tree.

Animal Antics Stitched With Love Exchange Received

I love, love, love the Animal Antics theme recently completed by the Stitched With Love Exchange Group.  I received this awesome pillow from Shirlee.  She definitely hit on my tastes.  Red is my fave color and the dog is adorable.  I really like how she attached the buttons on the end of the pillow. I have an awesome Lab names Max, so this stash reminds me of him.

Red & Green Pillows-1st Sewing Project

I have to admit, I am quite proud of my very first sewing machine project.  The ball fringe was a bit of a hassle at first, especially on the corners, but all in all, I think they turned out well.  Why I picked something with fringe for the first project is beyond me.  Chalk it up to a rookie mistake.

I love the pattern design.  Red and green are two of my fave colors.  These pillows seem to brighten the room I have them in.

My next project is a Christmas stocking in what else-red and green.  Ha Ha,  The material has been cut and tonight at class, I will begin to stitch it.  Can't wait to post pic of that.