Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A sweet finish!

Happy March, my stitching friends! Are you all anticipating the advent of spring in just a few weeks as much as I am? Looking around outside my home, it seems that we have a long way to go until the days of green grass, blue skies, and chirping birds appear. We got another six inches of snow on Sunday--heavy, wet snow, I might add. And, wouldn't you know, my husband was away on a ski trip in Colorado so guess who got to shovel our long driveway by herself? Yep... little, old me--and my aching arms are still letting me know that they didn't appreciate those hours of lifting, throwing, and pushing the white stuff! It's snowing as I write this and we are due to get another four inches today-sigh... Oh, well, I shouldn't complain about the weather as I know we've had it so much easier than those of you in the New England states. It was a cold, cold February (the second coldest on record for our area), but winter still hasn't bothered me as much this year as it did last...

So, what did I do while my husband was off enjoying the ski slopes in Colorado? Why I stitched, of course, all snuggled up under my fluffy red-plaid blanket while watching old movies. Is there any better way to spend your time on these cold winter days?

What do you get when you stitch a beautiful pink and white wedding cake...


Add some dark chocolate mini-cakes (with fluffy, white frosting, and pink rosebuds)...


And some tasty muffins sprinkled with raisins...


Add a crusty loaf of warm bread (displayed under a lovely chandelier)...


And two delicate pink cakes iced in white...


And don't forget the cherry pies and dark chocolate cake bedecked with a pink blossom...


I'm sure you've figured it out, by now! Combine all those tasty goodies and you get...

 The Bakery!


Isn't it pretty? This is a bit of an unusual finish for me... I'm not a "pink" girl by any means--never have been, never will be. I'm not into beads or sparkles or frilly dresses. But, I was so tired of winter that I searched through my stash and pulled out the first thing that I came to that made me happy--this old Country Cottage Needleworks chart (from 2005!). It was bright and cheery and somehow--comforting. I just love the lacy edging on the shelves and the black and white checked tablecloth--and I wonder what is in that "pretty in pink" package nestled underneath the wedding cake? Most of you know that I love to bake; in fact creating sweet treats is probably my favorite hobby after stitching and reading!


As much as I loved stitching "The Bakery," it was quite deceiving! I had no idea it would take me so long to finish this one up... Each little motif seemed to take forever for some reason. This one is stitched on 40 ct. raw Newcastle linen with most of the suggested colors, but there were a few changes along the way. The main color change was to the gray in the cake stands and chandelier--the suggested color was just not showing up on the fabric, so I went with DMC 647. The darker brown is Crescent Colors Cocoa Bean--another big change. And for the lighter green I had to use DMC 3052 as the suggested Dandelion Stem wasn't showing up either.


So, what do I plan to do with this finish? Well, at some point, I hope to stitch it's companion piece The Flower Shop and then frame each of them in black frames to hang in my kitchen.  I am SO BAD at getting my larger pieces framed. I have no trouble finishing up my smalls as I stitch them, but I just procrastinate when it comes to framing. Do any of you have that problem, too? I got tired of stuffing my larger pieces into drawers and forgetting about them so I saw an idea on the 123 Stitch Message Board last month which I loved. I purchased an 11" x 14" "Itoya Art Profolio" from Amazon for just a bit over $15.00. It is archival safe and 100% acid free and most of my "larger" finishes fit in it quite nicely and enable me to easily flip through it easily and admire them.

Here are a few photos of the portfolio itself and some of my finishes stored inside. I highly recommend this storage method and I truly think (hope!)  it will inspire me to frame more of my finishes.

My new storage system for my larger stitched finishes


I now have about half of the pages filled with
waiting to be framed finishes--embarrassing!


Why, oh why, haven't I framed these lovely Thanksgiving pieces yet?


Here you see my newest finish patiently 
waiting to be framed and hung on the wall.

My Prairie Schooler Santa Sundays SAL with Melissa and Hilda is going well and I finished up my first Santa. May I present this handsome blue-suited fellow...


This Santa (from Prairie Schooler's "Old World Santas II") was stitched on 32 ct. flax Belfast using DMC threads. I made a few changes (of course!)--the main one being the color of blue. I used DMC 3764 so it would look more like the color on the front of the chart. I also substituted a string of holly for the charted doll and stocking in Santa's left hand and stitched the border in blue. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to finish this one up yet, but I'm so pleased with how he turned out... On to a new Santa for March!

So, what's up next? Well, Spring means rabbits and you all know how much I love stitching bunnies! Here is a sneak peak of what I'm working on right now. Does anyone have a guess as to what design this is?


Belated Birthday Gift... A lovely packaged appeared on my doorstep last week from my dear friend, Mary. She stitched me this darling JBW pillow and finished it so beautifully. I loved the sentiment on it: "Within your heart, keep one secret place where dreams my go." It is just adorable and Mary also added some finishing goodies, a few magnetic bookmarks, and a box of one of my favorite candies (which, by the way is actually empty in the photo as I was a complete piggy and devoured the contents all by myself!!). Thank you, my friend--I will treasure your beautiful gifts!

Birthday gifts from Mary

Valentine's Day gift... I was so surprised to receive this cute Valentine's themed gift from my sweet friend in Germany, Gabi (no blog). Isn't it cute! Perfect for any stitcher with the little bobbin wound with a thread of hearts... Thank you, dear Gabi--I will think of you each time I display it on Valentine's Day!

Valentine's gift from Gabi

More baking... I wanted to make my husband and sons a little treat for Valentine's Day last month, but didn't want to go out in the cold weather to shop for ingredients. So, I simply made these heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies--simple and so tasty. They are even better warmed up, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and smothered in chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and toasted pecans--amazing! Here is the recipe if you care to make some for your next Valentine's Day: Chocolate Chip Cookie Hearts


Email problem! If you are a Yahoo or AOL email user, your comments are not coming through to my gmail account. This just recently became a problem and you can read more about it in this informative post: Yahoo and AOL email user problem. Luckily, they do appear under my blog comments, but they don't come to my email box. It appears to be a problem with gmail thinking this is spam (although, they are not even appearing in my spam folder!). So, this is causing problems for me when you ask questions as there is no way I can reply to you unless I try to track down your email address, which I honestly don't have the time for. It would help--so much--if you Yahoo or AOL users would leave your email address right in your comments if you have a question that you would like me to answer. Or you can always email me directly (my email address is in my "A Bit About Me" profile in my sidebar). 

Well, I've gone on long enough for today, but I can't leave without thanking you for all of your wonderful comments that you left on my last post... I'm so glad you enjoyed reading about "my" cardinal and I loved hearing from you about your own experiences with cardinals (and British robins!). Welcome to each of you who is new to "Stitching Dreams"--I look forward to getting to know you and visiting your blogs, too. Okay, have to run--it's hair cut and color day here and I have to leave a bit early due to the fact that it's snowing once again... Think spring everyone! Bye for now...

95 comments:

  1. Carol, I love your 'bakery' - such a beautiful piece. Really good idea you have for storing your stitched pieces. I empathize with you about the snow - enough already ... it's March and we should be seeing signs of it disappearing. Your gifts are beautiful. You're such a delightful read with my early morning cuppa. :)

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  2. Carol I'm so in love with your stitching!! The Bakery is just sooo neatly stitched, it's beautiful!! The little Santa is gorgeous too.
    Your goodies are lovely and you fully deserve them :)
    Cookies look yummy... I've just finished a healthy homemade salad for my lunch but a tiny chocolate chip cookie for dessert would be welcome ;)
    Enjoy stitching on your sampler, it's a great start xxx

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  3. Your stitching is beautiful! So many wonderful finishes waiting to be framed. They will look amazing displayed in your home when they get framed! Your newest finish is cute as well! How you spent your time stitching is what I like to do as well. I have my own nook in the living room and watch what I like and stitch while relaxing under the covers. It is my time to unwind! With March here spring will be here before we know it! Happy stitching!

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  4. Heavens what a lovely bakery..yes I would do that in a minute...it is gorgeous.....and I love that you place them in your art folder...a lovely idea...

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  5. So much lovely stitching! I also have a lot of finishes to frame (or finish in some way) and have a special container for my finished stitching. I really need to get on that!
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

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  6. Your portfolio is a fantastic idea! I'm afraid I might need two or three of them... : ) Honestly it is shameful how many pieces I have waiting to be framed!! Your stitching is lovely as always. And your bunny stitch looks sweet!!

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  7. Sweet stitching my dear and all your gifts are so lovely too..
    Big hugs xx

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  8. I love your bakery. Yum. That is a great storage idea for your stitchery, which I enjoyed browsing through by the way. I hang my stitchery on pants hangers in my closet while it is waiting for framing. I have several waiting also. Do you frame your works yourself or have it done professionally? One of the reasons I have so many waiting is the prohibitive cost of framing.

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  9. He'll Carol,

    So lovely to read your latest post - always something to look forward to! We haven't had much snow at all here this winter - certainly nothing like you have! - but it's still cold, windy and icy here.
    Your stitching is wonderful - always an inspiration, always beautiful and always so lovely to see.
    Hoping you're all ok - will write soon.
    Take care and keep warm!
    Lots of love,
    Lynda.

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  10. Cute little bakery! Love your PS Santa, he is bright and cheery. I cannot believe the finish pieces you have!! If you need me to come stretch them so you can put them in a frame, just let me know! They are so pretty and need to be out and about.....

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  11. The Bakery is lovely and I like the method you have for storing your larger pieces. I might explore that one myself. What lovely gifts you also received.

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  12. Hi Carol, I'm guessing that you are stitching "Briar Rabbit" by La D Da.
    Love that design.
    And I just love your new organisation folder, great idea.
    Hugs dear friend.

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  13. What a sweet bakery and cute Santa! I love your storage idea. I'm headed over to buy my one right now!

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  14. Yeah! A post form Carol! Very pretty finish ! You have so many pretties that need to be framed ! Wow! LOve ..Love ..Love the Santa! The little bunny stitching is pretty ..might need to find out more about that one :)I am an aol user ..Thanks so much for clearing that up ! I wonder how I get emails from some comments and not from others..

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  15. Love the bakery finish! I saw the portfolio idea on Tracy's blog http://www.tajinaz9.blogspot.com/2015/02/more-portfolio-books.html

    and thought it was a brilliant idea too!

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  16. The Bakery is wonderful! And your birthday gifts are just wonderful. I especially love the first one, about keeping a space in your heart.

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  17. As always, a lovely post!
    The portfolio is such a great idea!! You are very organized with it! I believe someone has thought of a way to file everything on earth!!!!
    Your stitching is beautiful. I especially like your Santa--I have all those PS charts, and haven't stitched a Santa yet!!!! I really MUST put that on the list! I will be so proud when I finally have one!!! HA HA

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  18. Congratulations on the beautiful finishes! I love the little blue Santa. That's a clever idea, using the portfolio for your finishes. Thanks for the cookie link. Take care :-)

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  19. Lovely, lovely, lovely! And yes it is quite a departure from your usual choices for stitching. But still refreshing. I am working on a piece right now that I thought would only take a couple of days tops. Hoping to finish it tonight. I have just clicked over to Amazon and ordered a portfolio! What a brilliant idea! Only 1/2 full? Now there's motivation to start stitching fast and furious to put more things in it. No? LOL

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  20. I love your Bakery! I will have to add this one to my wishlist!

    I love the idea for storing the larger pieces! I will definitely be copying that! I have quite a few waiting to be framed! :-(

    What lovely gifts from your friends! :-)

    We are expecting another big snow storm tomorrow! Blah! Yuck! :-)

    Your cookies look amazing! I may have to bake some today. :-) I love to bake too!

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  21. Oh, oh,oh! You KNOW I love the pink Bakery Shop!!!
    What a great storage solution for you.
    Take care in the snow Carol.

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  22. Carol I love the bakery and can't wait to see the flower shop - they will be so beautiful when framed and hanging! Thanks for the info on the art portfolio. Are the pages plastic...I assume they are...and will they hurt your stitched pieces over time? It says archival so I'm thinking they won't. I love all your March pieces in your header. Since I'm just getting back to cross stitch I don't have any little things to decorate with yet but I'm off to the cross stitch shop today to see what I can find. :) blessings, marlene

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  23. Dear Carol, your Bakery is great !!! You have made me sweet tooth:-))))
    I would also have to embroider your Baker for my bride, she also adores themes!

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  24. Hi Carol - as we all know, your stitching is absolutely gorgeous!! It is always such a pleasure and such a treat to see what beautiful work you have created! The Bakery is wonderful and won't it make you so happy to see it hanging in your kitchen?

    I loved the storage idea and I like seeing some of your stitched pieces waiting to make their "debut".

    Our weather is so very similar to yours - what a long, extremely cold winter this has been. I am truly looking forward to Spring! (It deserves to be capitalized LOL!)

    All the best to you - xoxo

    Barb

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  25. Lovely finish Carol! I think my Mom could use a few of those storage books for all of her unframed finishes, I'll have to share it with her. Lovely gifts :)

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  26. OMG...I covet all that is in your portfolio!!! I love the process and am running out of room so at times they will become cherished gifts. I am in love with your bakery...so low cal!

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  27. Carol, The Bakery is such a cute finish. It suits you because of all the baking you do! The Valentine cookies look yummy.

    Thanks for passing on the idea of the archival portfolio! I love seeing your larger pieces even if not framed yet!

    Wonderful gifts from Mary and Gabi!

    Keep warm, my friend!

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  28. What a great post to read this AM! Congratulations on your finishes of The Bakery and the PS Santa! Lovely new start, but I am at a loss as to the design. You received some lovely gifts especially the Valentine stitch from Gabi. Oh my goodness, those heart shaped chocolate chip cookies look divine.

    Be careful out there in the snow, Carol!

    Robin in Virginia

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  29. Feeling quite peckish after reading your blog today. The Bakery is a lovely finish. Great idea for storing some of your larger finishes. A great belated birthday and valentine gift.

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  30. This is a different design for you Carol I thought I was on another blog ! what a beautiful design I love it .
    I find stitching cakes wonderful , yours looks good enough to eat yummy.

    Love your header , and your blue santa .

    Sorry you are still having snow , the weather is so strange this year we are having the most sunny weather in Devon must be a record , but the nights are still cold.
    Lovely gifts, and yummy cookies .
    Keep warm hugs .

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  31. TheBakery and Flower Shop will make nice framed pieces for your kitchen. What a great idea to store yet to be framed/finished stitched pieces in an art portfolio! Mine are stacked in a drawer but I must get to the art supply store and find a suitable portfolio. Yet another item of proof that so many objects can be used in a needleperson's world.

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  32. Lovely finishes Carol. I love your portfolio idea.

    Linda

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  33. Carol, I love your bakery and Santa finishes, as well as the other wonderful finishes you showed in your new portfolio!! And, your lovely March header! The portfolio is a very good idea--but, I am the opposite to you. I frame a large piece pretty much immediately, but rarely get around to finishing the smalls. I do not enjoy the finishing process of the small pieces, at all. : )

    Be careful in all that snow and stay warm!!

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  34. Your work is so inspiring! I love it!:)
    Thanks for sharing all you treasures...

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  35. The Bakery looks so great! That is indeed my kind of design. Looks like a really fun stitch. And it will look really nice with the Flower Shop companion piece.

    That portfolio is a great idea instead of the 'stitch and stow' that I always do. Nice way to view your work and show it off.

    Your blue Santa is a cutie and you got some nice stitchy gifts there too.

    Love those heart shaped cookies. They really look yummy!

    6-8" of snow predicted around here for tomorrow. Is it ever going to end?


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  36. Love your "Bakery" stitchery, it is very pretty. Look forward to seeing the next Flower shop. Great gifts you received and your header is lovely. Very warm here in N.Z. but sensing a little Autumnal change. Shirley N.Z.

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  37. What a "sweet" finish. Very pretty.

    I think your portfolio is a great way to store your finishes. What a good idea.

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  38. The PS turkey is gobbling away loudly, "Frame me! Pronto!". The archival carrier is a clever idea.

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  39. The PS turkey is gobbling away loudly, "Frame me! Pronto!". The archival carrier is a clever idea.

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  40. I'm not a pink girl either but I'm certainly a bakery girl! Thanks for the portfolio ideal - great. Sorry about your snow. That nasty band is beneath us thank goodness. I missed the cardinal post? Better go check.

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  41. "The Bakery " is wonderful. It almost made me hungry. If that didn't your yummy looking Valentine chocolate chip cookies did! I sure hope Spring comes your way soon.

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  42. Oh my, you have some wonderful pieces to frame! Where do you find the St. Patrick pieces? Beautiful stitching.

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  43. I love your finish! Love that storage system you've started too! I wish there were containers like that big enough for my big samplers. No such luck. Sigh.

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  44. Gorgeous "The Bakery" finish, Carol! Hope you are staying warm!

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  45. Wonderful post full of beautiful stitching. Your Bakery looks so tasty and I love those soft colors and lacy edges. Your larger pieces are awesome, I like all of them. Cute new start as well.
    Received gifts are nice too.

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  46. che bello! e che bella idea il portfolio!

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  47. Que bonito te ha quedado el bordado de la pastelería. Un beso grande.

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  48. OH Carol, who would blame your for stitching something pink-ish when it's snowing outside and you have to shovel away all that white stuff. LOl. I do love using pinks and reds and when spring is around the corner I really feel the urge to stitch something with these colours, lol. The Bakery is such a lovely finish - and makes one longinmg for a sweet treat when looking at it for too long, lol.

    Great idea to store the larger designs in such a portfolio. Nice to show us some of the pages, some great PS designs that you stitched.

    Nice Santa finish. And a lovely sneak peak of your current project. Yes, bunny stitching is definitely on, also in this household :) I hope spring will come to you soon.

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  49. Your stitched bakery looks yummy and so are the heart cookies:) The gifts are lovely !!
    I have a similar kind of folder in which I thought I will put my embroidery sample stitches when I learn them but it did not occur to me that I can store my cross stitch pieces too. I guess many of us have pending finishes evenif they are just meant to be framed.

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  50. Love your Bakery finish Carol. It is so pretty and cheerful but it has made me hungry all those gorgeous looking cakes and bread! Lol!

    Lovely Santa finish. I have no idea what your sweet new start is though.

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  51. Hi Carol!
    Your bakery is absolutely yummy! It made me think of this lovely bakery when I was growing up that always had the most beautiful displays. It will be beautiful in your kitchen. I love the colour changes you made as well.
    What a great idea for storing unfinished/unframed pieces. You have some beautiful PS pieces finished.
    The other day I was thinking about Easter and bunnies and you popped in my head as I wondered what adorable Easter bunny you would make this year - thanks for the sneak peek!
    Your Santa from PS Santa Sundays is beautiful. What a great idea. For my main project this year, I am trying to do a block a month on my BBD Anniversaries of the Heart.
    The cookies look delicious and fun to make.
    I hope you have a great week Carol with lots of stitching and hopefully not much shoveling.
    hugs, Wanda

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  52. Carol, Darling finishes! I love your chocolate chip cookies and I've saved the recipe for later. My kids would love those.

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  53. The Bakery is such a pretty finish Caroi, I could eat all of those cakes!
    Love the PS santa in blue, he looks very regal.
    Beautiful gifts you have been sent, I think I have that JBW chart somewhere in my stash.
    love and {hugs} x

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  54. I look forward to reading your posts. Your bakery finish is lovely. I like your idea of the portfolio for storing your finishes waiting for the framer. I have several finishes pressed and laying stacked in a drawer. When I have some extra money I pull a few out and take them to my LNS for framing. As expensive as framing is, I just take a few at a time.

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  55. What a great idea for storing things waiting in the wings. Love the bakery but love your cookies better! I bet the house smelled wonderful when they were baking. Have a good week!

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  56. Your bakeshop finish looks oh so yummy and much more colourful than this winter has been that's for sure!!!

    I really like the idea of using an artists portfolio for the bigger projects I will need to investigate that one further!!!

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  57. Carol, your bakery finish is so pretty! I love the colors!
    What a nice way to store your bigger finishes...you have some lovely ones. Oh, and the cookies look amazing!
    Have a great weekend!
    Ana Paula.

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  58. Oh wow wow wow Carol, love all your stitching so so much.
    The Bakery is adorable, love the colours and your stitching is so neat.
    Your storage solution for unfinished projects (and my do I have a lot of them!) is brilliant, must check that out.
    Your new start looks like Briar Rabbit by La D Da ~ I stitched it a few years back but only did the rabbit and not the alphabet, couldn't bear to part with the chart so might have to dig that one out too.
    Enjoy the snow, what better way is there to stitch xxx

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  59. I love the CCN bakery design although like you I am not and never have been a 'pink' girl. I particularly like your storage solution for larger pieces, I have a box full of stitched pieces that have never been framed so think I will investigate this further. xx

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  60. You always have such lovely and varied and gorgeous photo set ups. One of my "goals" for this year on my blog is to do better photography, I can sit and look at your photos all day long. Perfect!
    I hope winter is soon over too. But...I do love Spring and it seems anymore that we go straight from Winter to Summer.
    Great idea with the portfolio!
    Although I frame my things that I want framed immediately. I'm sort of anxious in that way because I usually have someplace that I want it hung while I'm stitching it :)

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  61. So sweet! You know, I stitched 'Bakery' last year and framed it and put in my kitchen: then I took it down and put it in storage and forgot about it until now! Isn't that sad? I just painted my kitchen so perhaps I'll get it back out and put it back on the wall:) I had the same problems with the threads not showing up as well.
    I love the idea of the archival storage. Sometimes we just have too many frames on the wall, so having a spot to keep our work but still be able to look at it ocassionally is a great idea. Of course if my finishes looked like yours, I would have them all on my walls!
    Stay warm:)
    JEnn

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  62. Love your new finishes Carol and the pink one that is a little 'outside the box' for you ~ which just goes to show how something different can also be something quite wonderful.
    I too, love baking and reading as well, such a fun thing to do on a cold winter's day. We are having tons more snow today in the eastern Ky. area like you are. Just warmed up in the 60's two days ago and now about 10 or so inches of snow! LOL

    Happy spring to you Carol!
    Hugs,
    Tanya

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  63. Oh - "Bakery" is the perfect design to stitch away this cold and grey Winter. I really love it. But that is no wonder - I am a pink-lover!
    I am sure it will make a wonderful bright decoration in your kitchen.

    Your first Santa of our SAL is simply gorgeous. I am nosey to see the next Santa on your list.

    I really hope the weather will get better soon at your place and spring will come.

    Hugs
    Hilda

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  64. Love the bakery, I could use something sweet right now. I don't have the problem of getting this framed right away. As soon as I finish i want to see them hanging. Snow here today. I can't wait for spring.

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  65. What a very neat idea for storage. I think that crafting brings many storage challenges Carol so it's good to see other stitcher's ideas. Lovely stitching and writing as always. A crisp and colourful header, I like it a lot.

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  66. I do love "The Bakery" I can understand why you chose it in all that cold weather.
    I hope Spring arrives very soon for you all as we have just moved to Autumn in this hemisphere. Kay.

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  67. Your portfolio idea is inspired, Carol! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  68. Another great post! Especially love the PS Santa. Unfortunately, the comment email problem is also occurring with other email addresses as well. I've been having issues for nearly a year now and from my research attempts, I've found that it's due to DMARC policies, but I've not found a way to correct or change it. I expect that it will only get worse as more email systems change their policies to combat the spam & phishing emails.

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  69. What a lovely and tasty stitching Carol!

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  70. Thanks for sharing your photos what a wonderful storage idea xx

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  71. First I want to thank You againfor visiting my blog!
    It is allways so fun to read the updates here in Stitching dreams and again this tme I was so amazed by quality of your work and the warmth of Your heart! The bakery looks just adorable and the gifts you recieved are both darling cute!

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  72. Beautiful work Carol. I have had the bakery kitted for years. It is really a pretty design. Love your portfolio idea..there's no help for me on the organizational front. LOL. Love seeing your work.
    Hugs,
    Jackie:)

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  73. Well, that lovely finish reminded me to stop reading blogs and go eat! Ha! I roll up any finishes I am not going to work on right away, and 'ponder' what I will do with them. Since money is tight now, I am considering other ways to display... You will see! Hugs!

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  74. I can't get over how many beautiful projects you have waiting to be framed. Thank you for sharing info on the portfolio.
    Love your latest finish. That wedding cake caught my eye. Very pretty.
    I look forward to seeing your Santa finish.

    Very nice gifts from some thoughtful friends.

    Cookies look delicious…thanks for the link.

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  75. Carol: Love your bakery so sweet.

    Catherine

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  76. You are such an inspiration to ALL of us. I adore your portfolio. Just had a couple of things framed that I had FOREVER. Thank you for your wonderful posts and beautiful photos. Your work inspires me TREMENDOUSLY. Thanks.

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  77. It's all well and good stitching these larger designs but we do end up with numerous ones that sit in a draw don't we?! If it isn't the price of framing, it's wall space! Beautiful stitching. I didn't think I was a pink girl either, always the tom-boy, but when I put it together either greens or browns and don't go on a pink overload, I am much happier.
    Have a good week.

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  78. What a beautiful, cheery and happy design to stitch on those chilly days Carol! The little lace shelf covering is darling! What a great idea to put your BAP's into a portfolio to save for framing. There's quite a few good framing tutorials out there and actually not too hard to do. I usually scrimmage around second hand stores for good frames to use. But it does take time and a bit of luck! Hugs to you my dear friend!

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  79. Oooo, this little blue PS Santa perked me right up. He is definitely my favorite PS Santa now. (Until the next favorite. lol)

    I can totally see the bake shop piece in a black frame. :)

    I'll have to think about getting one of those portfolios. I usually just roll them up around an empty paper towel roll, with a piece of felt in between it and the cardboard. It's not a TERRIBLE way to store them but they do take on a 'rolled' shape over time.

    It has to be almost spring now, right??????? :)

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  80. Dear, I'm just crazy in love with your blog! All your finishing ideas are perfect! I'm now following your blog and everything that you do! Kisses!!!!

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  81. What a yummilicious post. Am drooling all over. LOL

    I always have a thing for PS, Blue Santa is adorable and can't wait to see more progress of your peekaboo spring.

    Enjoy the lovely gifts.

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  82. The Bakery is such a sweet finish Carol. I love the Portfolio idea, I must check that out here and see if I can track down something similar. You'll know I love your PS Santa and what lovely gifts. Hoping Spring arrives soon my friend!

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  83. Hope you're getting some sunshine to keep your spring stitching fever going. Lovely pieces, as usual. That portfolio is a great idea for pieces in waiting. I, too, have many. Be well and stitch on!

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  84. I love your idea of Santa Sundays! Is it okay for others to follow suit if they give you credit for the name and provide a link to your blog? Having just purchased the OOP PS Kris Kringle pamphlet, I can't wait to stitch the little guys. Your finishes are beautiful and the portfolio is another great idea!

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  85. Carol, I love pink and I love your latest finish. I also think the idea of a portfolio for finished pieces is a brilliant idea. I'm off to Amazon to find one of my own. Thanks for the idea.
    Blessings, Barbara

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  86. Your latest finishes are lovely, congratulations

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  87. Beautiful work ... why am i hungry all of a sudden ;)

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  88. I love your Thanksgining piece with the big turkey! Could you tell me the designer and/or design name? Thanks!

    MindYourNeedles@gmail.com

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  89. Wonderful post full of beautiful stitching. Your Bakery looks so tasty and I love those soft colors and lacy edges.

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  90. Hello Carol,

    I love the bakery finish, I have this pattern in my stash, I really should stitch it soon. Your blog header is absolutely beautiful, I love the finishes on display, everything is so perfect!
    Such a wonderful idea to put your finishes in a folder, I have quite a few in a box.

    Have a lovely day!

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  91. I'm hungry now, lol. Love the portfolia idea,
    I've been thinking of you and discovered you weren't in my blog list. I don't have a clue what happened, its time to go catch up with you
    Ranae

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  92. Hi Carol,
    This is the first time I've stopped by your beautiful blog. I was just wondering where we can find some of the beautiful patterns you use... If you have the answer to this question somewhere on your blog would you mind dropping me a line sending me in the right direction. I don't want to use what isn't legally mine. Thank you so much for the lovely inspiration. Kind regards,
    Nolene

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  93. Hi, finally I'm here!!!
    You got so much snow in March?? WE didn't had much, just a little bit this winter.. Hope next winter will get more.

    Your Bakery piece is so lovely!!
    very beautifull Stitched.
    It would be so pretty framed in your Kitchen!!
    I have finished a few big pieces, I framed them myself, it's not 100% perfect, but I like them very much.
    very beautifull, the book you put them in, great Idea!!
    Cute Santa you stitched, have fun with the next!!
    Your on a big roll!!
    Have fun stitching.

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  94. I like that portfolio idea! Right now, I have a few unframed pieces in a large tub. They wouldn't fit into a portfolio, though. :(

    Another adorable finish for you. Yay!

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  95. Ohh CCN Bakery it's lovely!!!
    Beautiful stitching =)

    In the last year, I really had no chance to stitch anything =/ but you know what I did? I actually framed a few works :D heheheh
    I have quite a few things stitched and waiting.. like everyone else! ;) LOL
    It was my way to see things done even when there was no time to stitch any ;) heheheh

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Hello! So glad you dropped in and thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I truly appreciate each and every one...I'm happy to try to answer any questions you may have, but please make sure to include your email address so I can get back to you...

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Carol