Hearts and Flowers

Good morning everyone! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start... Any special plans for Valentine's Day? Since I have to work that night and my husband is off skiing in Utah, I'll be having a lonely day (boo hoo!!), but I've been trying to get into the Valentine's Day spirit by stitching a few cute holiday designs. Before I share them with you, I want to thank you all for your wonderful comments on my last post! Wow!! I've never had that many comments before (except when I offered a giveaway)... I guess everyone liked my bowl-full of January smalls? I also want to wish a warm welcome to my new followers--so glad you're here!

The first finish I have to show you is a Prairie Schooler design which can be found in the "From the Heart" chart. I stitched it on 35 ct. natural Northern cross linen with the suggested DMC threads. I did change the border though. I thought there was too much green so I substituted a white and pink border instead. I just thought it gave it a more "Valentiney" look.






I love this natural Northern Cross linen because white shows up so well on it. That and sage jobelan are my "go-to" fabrics for snowy stitching. To finish it off, I made it into a little pillow with a pretty fabric in the shades of red used in the cross stitch. I then added a bit of the tiniest crocheted lace which I found at Joann Fabrics. What do you think?


I know you've seen this design on many stitching blogs lately. It is from the "Quaker Valentines" chart by The Stitcherhood and I truly enjoyed stitching it. I used a lovely 28 ct. cashel linen in cream and Crescent Colors Wild Berries thread. It is actually a more "berry" looking shade in real life. I just love the script on this one--probably because I admire beautiful handwriting which is an ability I'm seriously lacking in!! Seriously, I can't write--I always print!! When I try to write, I always end up making mistakes! It is like there is a disconnect between my brain and my right hand... Anyway, the only time I ever write my name is when I'm signing a document or a check--strange, aren't I?


For the finish, I decided I wanted a tiny--and I do mean tiny--pillow so I stitched it over one. To make the little pillow, which measures a mere 1 1/2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches long, I used the same cashel linen for the back and simply stitched the edges together with the same Wild Berries thread. Instead of stuffing it with my usual fiber-fill, I used crushed walnut shells. Love the "squishy" feel of it!






Doesn't this adorable Lizzie Kate February Flip-It bring back some long-ago Valentine's Day memories? Remember decorating our shoe boxes in grade school with hearts and flowers made from construction paper, white paper doilies, and glitter, and then setting them out for fellow students to put those corny little valentines (like these) inside? I just loved those Valentine's Day parties at school and always hoped that my "secret crush" might give me a special Valentine each year...


Once again, I used the 35 ct. natural Northern cross linen for this piece along with the suggested Sampler Threads. I didn't have the called-for charm so I found this antique bronze colored heart in my stash which I think works perfectly. I thought the pale pink fabric dotted in brown and a brown ric rak edging complemented the design nicely...so cute! There is just something so fun and appealing about polka-dots, don't you think?

In my ongoing effort to finish off some of those pieces in my "unfinished finishes" drawer, I searched through it and the following two things seemed to be perfect for some February finishing. First up is another Lizzie Kate (called "Be Mine Valentine" piece (which is the same one featured in my header). I've stitched it twice--once as a a card which I sent to my dear parents and the second which I stitched in 2011 (you can click here to read the details on fabric and fibers used. Since I hadn't done a flat pinkeep finish in a while, I decided this would make a nice one. I'm really pleased with how it turned out with it's pink gauzy bow and lavender and white pins... The lovely roses are from my husband--an early Valentine's gift since he was going to be away on the actual day.

I also came across an old Prairie Schooler finish from Book No. 23:"A Prairie Year II." I'm not sure when I actually stitched this--probably in 2008 or 2009, but I'm so happy to finally have it finished and on display. I used the burgundy and white flannel fabric (yes, from another son's old shirt!) for the backing and then tufted it in the middle with a pair of red and white buttons. I really like it turned on the diagonal like this, don't you?

Here is a photo of all five of my February Valentine's Day finishes all together. As you can see, my tastes are quite eclectic!

And here they are in my long wooden bowl!

I'm having such fun filling up this wooden bowl that I might try to do it each month. I think the summer months of June and August might be hard to find things to stitch for it, but we'll see how I do... Anyone have any cute March ideas for me? I already have one leprechaun with his pot of gold that I stitched long ago that needs to be finished, but I'll have to look through my stash to see if I have any other March smalls just waiting to be stitched...

Never in all my years did I dream I would actually meet one of my British blogging friends, but it happened on February 3rd when I met Gillie who blogs at "Random Thoughts From Abroad." Gillie was in town visiting her oldest daughter and so I invited her to come visit me and two local stitching/blogging friends, Lee and Linda. We spent a delightful afternoon at my home chatting, eating coffee cake, and drinking tea. Gillie brought me this lovely tea towel from the Lakeland area of England where she is from and a jar of blueberry jam. I made her a little "Christmas Robin" ornament which she loved. (I forgot to photograph it, but you can see it in this post because it identical to the one I stitched for Mary back in December). Thank you so much for taking the time to visit, Gillie--I loved meeting you and getting to know you better...Please know you're welcome to visit any time you're in town!











THANK YOUS:
I received a lovely Valentine's gift from my sweet friend in North Carolina, Myra. You all know what an excellent seamstress Myra is, and this adorable fabric Valentine candy holder is proof positive. It is so beautifully stitched that I think she could go into business--amazing! And what a cute idea to tie on a yummy chocolate bar... Thank you, my friend--your thoughtfulness always makes me smile...



And from another of my blogging friends "down South," dear Charlene, came a wonderful RAK package. How sweet is this petite Ball Jar that she covered with a personalized blue and white stitching for me! I told her, I think it's the perfect place to hold my multi-colored buttons. She also made me a cute blue thread catcher and included some pretty blue and gold ribbon. I was so surprised and touched by your sweet gifts, Charlene--thank you again for your friendship and emails...They mean so much to me!








I was also the lucky winner of a very special giveaway... Just look at what Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe sent me: fifteen of the most gorgeous threads I've ever seen. What a luscious rainbow of colors! If you haven't visited Nancy's blog, please pay her a visit soon. In addition to her wonderful threads, she offers some lovely charts, charms, and a whole plethora of ric rak and trims. Thank you so much for your generosity, Nancy--I can't wait to find the perfect project to showcase your lovely threads...

For my friends down south who seem to be missing any sign of snow this year, I want to share this collage of snow pictures that I took yesterday. It snowed lightly all weekend and we finally have our first true wintry weather of the season. Everything looks so fresh and pure outside my windows...

Well, as Porky Pig would say (you have to be old enough to remember those old cartoons!): that's all folks!! Thank you again for taking the time to visit me and say hello. Not sure if it's celebrated in all parts of the world, but I want to wish each of you a very special ♥♥♥ Valentine's Day ♥♥♥ filled with love and laughter (and hopefully, some chocolatey treats)! Bye for now...