Hi there, I've been readin' that some of ya are sick with the creapin' crud, some of ya are selling stash (thank you very much for ena~bling) and some of ya are just layin' low, but it's been great following along no matter what:)


I've been pluggin' along on my Sunflower Bellpull, but sometimes I get a strong itchin' to work on smalls and have to give in.  These I stitched a while back for no particular project, was just doodlin'.  Finished them yesterday 'cause I've had enough I say ~enough~ of my scissors fallin' to the bottom of my sewing basket.  The two smallest are 32 ct natural linen and filled with rice.  The long one is stitched on coffee dyed osnaburg and stuffed with a new to me bamboo product from Joann Fabrics, very soft, really quite nice.

These beautiful burnt orange and dark coral velveteens are each well over a yard, were marked 70 cents each at the thrift store and reminded me of carrots, so ya know they had to come with;-)

And can I just share... we've had a bit of an uprising here the last couple of days, well... more of a jail break...


Nice mule, big mule, she's a huge mule, very bright and expert at picking the latch on her stall door when certain people forget to snap on the safety clip.  She's supposed to be in her stall, not grazing along our driveway.  She's a stubborn one, 20 minutes and a few sweet carrots later she was back home, all nice and mule cozy.  Our first summer here I awoke at sunup one Sunday morning to a muffled noise outside the bedroom window.  There she was at the porch, dirt sprayed all over, eatin' my potted geraniums.  Last time she made a break for it, she trotted quite a few miles into town and sashayed along the sidewalk on Main Street... at midnight.  Would've loved to have seen the town drunks' face as she passed the tavern window by lamplight ~giggle~.    

These crazy guys are always tryin' to make their getaway under the chicken wire.  Last time one got out, he was found miles away at the nearby reservoir park, just strolling around like any other park visitor.  The grass is always greener...

And who pray tell told these noisy little guys the Aflac auditions were being held in our yard today ~ lol!

Can anyone guess what this girls' best friend is these days?

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Muck boots

Did I mention we have no animals at present, these furry neighbors belong next door, lol:)  Seriously, I can't think of a better bunch to share my kitchen scraps with.  Stop in anytime, follow the dirt road, word to the wise... bring your boots and well, you get the picture... watch out for the p**p!

Tootles, Sue

Tea party in the snow...

Hi everyone!  And a very special Howdy Do  dear new followers, glad you stopped by, don't be a stranger now!

So, everything here is bleeeeeeech, yet another NY snow storm, serious yuck, enough with the snow already.  Hope everyone out there is keeping warm and cozy.  Wondering ~ does anyone else keep a little heater under their computer?  Ahhhhhh, love me some heat blowing up my leggies, nice 'n toasty:)

And, FireFox 4.0 upgrade is not compatible with Colorful Tabs, not yet, oh the agony of having to look at dreary grey tabs, how will I ever survive such archaic cruelty, double yuck, lol!

TEA PARTY...  I'm not at all a pink girl, but this delicate design found at the thrift store for two quarters was sooooo pretty, who could resist.  Had to fussy mussy with it and age it a bit, guess I'm a bit of a dirty girl ~ lol.  Turned out beautifully don't you think?

 

These obstinate cottons refused to join the Tea Party, before and after, so this was a bust even with many tea bags, oh well...  I can always get even and attack them with Distress It, watch your backsides you cotton scoundrels!

Some 32 ct. white linens, before and after - all prim, proper, delicately mottled and ready for Spring stitchin'...

NEW START...  Drawn Thread Sunflower Bell Pull, good progress, will be nice for an empty space that's been naggin' me for some attention, will be a framed finish.  Anyone notice anything different about my modified version? 

ALRIGHT ALREADY, I GET YOUR POINT... With all the yackin' going on about Bohin needles, I finally caved.  If you haven't yet tried them, plz consider treating yourself, they come in multiple sizes and combo packs and have a very nice size eye for easier threading.  Surprisingly they're quite affordable, as long as you don't travel to France for them:)  Doubt I'll ever touch another needle, as they say - slides like butta, seriously.

That's it for now dear friends, if anyone is able to send us some warmer weather, we'd be simply overjoyed.  Thanks for your visit and sweet comments, always does a heart good to make new friends and special connections:)

Tootles, Sue

Homespun Elegance

Hi there!  Many of you may recall the generous giveaway Sandra of Homespun Elegance held on her blog, her very sweet package arrived Saturday and now is proudly displayed on our harvest table.  When asked, she graciously autographed her chart for 'lil old me, somebody plz pinch me:)  My heart could never take the stimulation of attending Nashville, if ya know what I mean! 

Thank you for the huge fun Sandra!  Gorgeous chart, tote bag, notebook and notecard ~ isn't *The Stitching Lady* collection divine!

So... does anyone else become positively giddy and swoon over *meeting* designers, or am I the only one?

And... what about that fabulous tote, I'm kind of afraid to actually use it ~ would you?

Thanks ever so much for stopping by, your visits are always treasured.

Tootles, Sue

PS:  I've long been wanting to stitch one of Sandra's colonial designs for a needlebook.  I may be posting down the road for referrals to see if any experienced finishers out there would be willing to assemble a needlebook for my stitching basket, if that's ok...  You'd make me go stand in the corner out in the cold barn no less, if you saw what I use now for a needlebook, sheesh...

With Heavy Heart...

As you may have heard, we've lost special friend and primitive designer Lisa Roswell of The Primitive Needle.   

Merciful Grace upon you Lisa, may your family and friends be surrounded by huge love and enduring strength...

Norwalk, Ohio news

Lisa's site:  The Primitive Needle

Bye-Bye hole...

Sometimes I get lazy, like dragging out the sewing machine.  I've so much to be thankful for, I don't wanna press my luck and whine for a craft room.  Well, of course I would love a craft room, but I'm not gonna plan for one, not for a while anyway. My poor chaffed hands and split fingers neeeeeeeeed a dishwasher first!

Ugly hole...

Needs this... drab green, machine wash, matches the rest of the house, and has a nice drape...

Perfectly imperfect, not pressed, but done enough to say it's done ~ yipee.

So... just wondering if maybe any of you  have been a little lazy too  care to share a project you've been avoiding?

I've certainly filled my blogging quota over the last few days, so I'll mosey on out of here...

Ma Teakettle, thx for the nudge, I needed it ;-)

Tootles, Sue

Valentines Generosity...

Hi there, hope everyone enjoyed Valentines Day in their own little way, we stayed in to enjoy the quiet of home and each other...

Has anyone else noticed that DMC black has been kidnapped from the retail market?  I've heard of this happening before but never experienced it until yesterday, 3 stores were out of it.  I've got a few spare skeins of black, just thought it very weird...

So, my errands were finished yesterday and on my return I found a huge bag from Darlene at My Life In Stitches.  She's new to blogging and offered a surprise Valentines giveaway to celebrate her joy, lucky me ~ I won!

If you haven't visited her, you can pop over and welcome Darlene at My Life In Stitches.

Surprise Valentines Giveaway revealed ~ gorgeous charts by BBD and Sekas, kitted Friendship Sweet Bag with silk/finishing accessories by Jeanette Douglas, yummy generous prim linen, dainty Kelmscott angel scissors, lovely hearts scissor fob (my first!), springy DMC flosses, chocolates to share with a loved one and Love sign.  Can you believe it?  Such a lovely gathering and thoughtful theme, and it arrived on *V* Day, how'd she do that!

Darlene, my warmest and sincere thanks from my tippy toes to my stitchy fingers (squeal)!  You're obviously keen to my fondness for prim stitching.  I truly adore each gift, look forward to planning a project and cherish your thoughtfulness... 

Tootles,  Sue