A Pair of Hares and a Quintet of Winners

Good morning everyone! Hope your week has been going well...I imagine most of you are anxious to read who won my giveaway so I'll get to that soon, but first I want to thank you all for the comments on my last post of my "Nature's Alphabet" finish. I was overwhelmed by your kind thoughts--I've never had that many comments on a post (other than a giveaway post) before. Each morning when I opened my email and saw a new comment waiting there, it was like starting the day with a little gift--it really was!

Anyway, on to more important business... First of all, I want to thank all of you who entered--I was amazed that these simple gifts got so much of a response! I had my husband draw the winners out of a hat (well, actually a paper lunch bag!) the other night and they are as follows:

Grand Prize Winner:

CHRISTINA at "Whilst Iris Naps"

Prairie Schooler Winner:
BARBI at "Blissfully Stitching"

"Delivering Spring" Winner:
MELANIE at "Moonraker Lampworks"

"Garden" Winner:
ELIA at "El Jardin de mi Duende"

"Bunny Gingham" Winner:
MARGARET at "Days of a Sampler Lover"

Winners, please send me your mailing addresses and I'll get your prizes out to you next week. (First I have to buy more of the Raspberry Creams to send to Christina and Barbi, as I very piggishly ate BOTH boxes myself). As always, I wish I could have given each of you something... You have all been so supportive and kind over my past three years of blogging. Please know I am going to try to do more Random Acts of Kindness for my regular commenters in the future just to say "thank you!"

Several of you have asked about my April "bowl" of smalls... In fact, even my middle son, when he was over for dinner on Sunday, looked at the bowl of March finishes I still have on display and said, "Um, Mom...it's April." Yes, I'm a bit behind! So, I wanted to share with you two of my finishes for April rather than waiting to reveal them all at once next week.

Do you remember when I showed you this little sneak peak a few weeks ago and asked if anyone knew what I was stitching? Well, no one guessed it correctly. Several of you thought it was Bent Creek's "Are You My Mother;" good guess, but...nope!

May I introduce you to "Slicker Bunny" who is now out and about enjoying the April showers. This was a very old freebie from The Cricket Collection, which, unfortunately, I don't see available on their website any longer. Isn't he the cutest little thing with his tiny purple flower "umbrella" and yellow slicker?

I used a 28 ct. overdyed jobelan called "Babbling Brook" (stitched over one) along with the suggested DMC threads. The little pillow is backed with the lovely plaid fabric you see in the photo. This was actually a cloth napkin I spotted at Kohl's--ah, yes, a new source for my backing fabrics. First my son's discarded shirts and now cloth napkins!! To finish him off, I added two teeny beads for his raincoat buttons and ruched some yellow and white gingham ribbon for the edging. I think he is cute enough to chase away anybody's rainy day blues, don't you?

My second finish for my bowl of April smalls is one you've likely seen on other blogs. The first time I spotted this adorable Patrick's Woods design, I knew I had to stitch it. I mean, really-- what could be better than a piece combining two of my favorite things: rabbits and stitching? This was a very quick and easily-stitched freebie which can be found at "The Dandy Hare Blog".

Stitching it was easy (I used 40 ct. flax Newcastle linen and good old DMC), the hard part came in deciding how to finish it. I thought and thought and below is what I came up with. Combining three different fabrics, some ivory-colored lace, some brown satin ribbon, a yo-yo, and three square shell buttons turned on the diagonal, plus my stitching, I ended up with a sweet, little pillow looking like this...

So, have you figured out the theme for my April bowl full of smalls, yet? Of course--it's rabbits! More will (hopefully) be hopping onto my blog by the end of the month, so stay tuned!

This has been the prettiest of springs here in western Pennsylvania and the flowering trees and shrubs have been spectacular.

The view from our front porch...

The beautiful white crab apple tree at the corner of our porch.

Can you spot the pretty orange butterfly?

A crabapple tree by our back patio: the "White Angel," which
was hybridized by my husband's dear grandfather in 1947.
We planted this as a tiny tree more than 15 years ago
and it has grown to more than 20 feet tall...
a wonderful reminder of a very special man.

Tulips, pansies, rhododendron, and dogwood...
Oh, if they could only last all summer!

Finally, I'd like to say a warm welcome to all my new followers, but a special welcome to one in particular... Mr. Red Robin! He's been visiting my window near my stitching chair almost daily and seems to have taken a keen interest in my stitching! Here he is peering in to check out the new-to-me Prairie Schooler chart (Garden Alphabet) that I finally, finally won on ebay. I think he approves of my purchase, don't you?

I am working at the library all weekend, unfortunately, but I wish each of you a special Saturday and Sunday filled with relaxation and time to craft and create! Thank you again for taking the time to visit me here at my little blog; I truly appreciate each and every comment and email. Bye for now...

A Big Finish (for me anyway!)

Yes, I have a finish--and it's something just a bit larger than the ornament-sized pieces I typically share with you... May I present "Nature's Alphabet" by Elizabeth's Designs all stitched up and ready to be framed. I began this piece in late December of 2011 and should have had it finished by late January of this year, but those little creations that I'm so fond of making just kept getting in the way! I truly enjoyed stitching each little letter and the specialty stitches (Rhodes, Smyrna, and lots of Satin stitches) really make each tiny square special. Don't you just want to sit and pet those cute ewes with their white satin-stitched wooly coats?

Below are some more of my favorite squares (I also showed you close-ups of others back in this January post). We have "Z" for Zinnias, "X" for Xmas Tree, "V" for Violets, "K" for King's Cup,and "B" for bees.

Nature's Garden is stitched on my perennial favorite fabric: 32 ct. flax Belfast Linen--I just love that stuff and tend to turn to it for any larger design. I used the suggested DMC with one exception: I changed the border color around each square to DMC 3828--I just found the DMC 3829 too "brassy" looking for my taste. The only part that "dragged" a bit was all of that green backstitching between each of the squares. I swear I could have stitched that design in my sleep by the time I was finished!! But, it adds so much to the look of the finished piece, don't you think?

The only other change I made was to add some pretty beads to the nest for the eggs. After all, what is a nest without those delicate, robin's egg blue eggs? The white beads on the Christmas tree, the black "bee" beads, and the little Mill Hill Treasure beads (garnet colored tulip in my initials square and frosted white hare in the "H" square) all add nice dimension to this finish, as well.

Nature's Alphabet
32 ct. flax Belfast linen
DMC threads
Mill Hill Beads & Treasures

So, how was everyone's Easter? I had a wonderful surprise which truly made my day. Only one of my sons was able to be here for the day, but guess who came to visit and is staying for the entire week? My dear mother--the first time she's been able to visit my home in nearly five years! The last time she was here was June of 2007 when my youngest son graduated from high school... Caring for my dad, moving north from Florida, and cleaning out and preparing two houses for sale have left her with a huge need for a break and what better place to get some much-needed rest and a bit of pampering than at her oldest daughter's house? I am loving having her here to shop with, play Scrabble with, and just plain relax with.

You see, I never had the luxury of living near my mom. In my nearly 35 years of marriage, we've seen each other only a handful of times each year. During some of those crazy-busy years when my husband and I had three growing boys to raise, I only saw her and my dad a couple times a year. I always envied mothers and daughters I saw lunching together or strolling down the street pushing babies in strollers. Are you are lucky enough to have your mom living nearby? If so, count your blessings... I know I'm going to enjoy every second of my mom's unexpected visit this week!

There is still time to enter my giveaway on my April 1st post only. I'm so pleased with the number of you who have shown interest in it already! Sure wish I had something for everyone, but, hopefully five of you will be happy. The drawing is open until midnight EST on Saturday, April 14th... I'll announce the winners sometime next week. Best of luck to all!

This has to be the shortest post you've had from me in ages!! I may actually get a few more readers who make it through the whole post this time! Wishing my newest followers a warm welcome--so glad you're here! Thank you again for your meaningful comments, emails, and support...I truly appreciate each and every one. I'll be back next week with the winners of my giveaways and a couple of small finishes I think you'll enjoy! Bye for now...

It's Giveaway Time!

Happy April to you all! Hope your month is off to a wonderful start... In honor of Spring and my 700+ (gulp!) followers I am having a giveaway. First of all, I just want to say how truly astonished I am that so many of you have decided to read my blog. I really mean that--I'm not just saying it to be humble or modest--I am honestly shocked. I am, in real life, a fairly quiet librarian, not a professional stitcher or finisher by any means. So your compliments on my little finishes mean more than you can imagine!

When I began blogging just over three years ago, it was purely with the intent of creating a permanent record of my cross stitched finishes. I didn't know a single one of you! Then the comments slowly began to trickle in until now I often receive dozens of comments on each new post... Amazing, truly amazing! And now, just look...in the short span of 39 months, I've met some of you in real life, email many of you like we were (and hopefully always will be) old and dear friends, and have been surrounded by a group of the most caring, creative, supportive people I can imagine. Thank you all--I feel truly blessed...

So, what did I come up with for my giveaway? Well, the Grand Prize is a group of cheery spring items that is sure to put a smile on just about anyone's face. Included are the darling "Peter and Peep" chart by With Thy Needle and Thread, three 9-inch square ornament cuts (32 African daisy jobelan, 28 ct. wood violet jobelan, and 28 ct. ice blue lugana), two fun spring fabrics in lime green gingham and purple and white polka-dot, a set of pink glass beads, a mauve colored Kelmscott "Hearts Afire" needle minder, some DMC pink variegated thread and ten pink bobbins, a sampler themed note pad, my new favorite candy (chocolate covered Raspberry Cremes) and a darling new Vera Bradley wristlet wallet in Very Berry Paisley (website description: "Measurements are approximately 4 x 6 inches with a 6 inch removable strap and a pretty silver accent ring. This bi-fold style with a magnetic closure opens up to feature 2 clear ID windows, 2 L-zip compartments, 3 card slots and a slip-in pocket." This giveaway is open to any of my followers.

Grand Prize Giveaway

The 2nd giveaway prize is to promote my love of Prairie Schooler designs. I found that I had two of each of these very old charts so I would love for them to go to someone who appreciates these classic patterns. This prize includes Book No. 10: A Prairie Christmas with all ten skeins of DMC floss needed to stitch the adorable ornaments, the 1996 PS Santa, a pack of blank greeting cards to fill with your own stitching, and, again, a package of those luscious Raspberry Cremes.

Giveaway #2: Prairie Schooler items

Finally, I have three spring charts that I hope will find new homes with three of my regular commenters only. You know who you are... If you would be interested in winning one of these charts, please let me know which ones (in order) you are interested in. This is just a way to thank three of the special readers who take the time to regularly say "hello." They're the people that I start to worry about when I don't see their names among my comments!! Thank you my most loyal commenters--you're the best!!

Giveaway #3: "Delivering Spring" by Homespun Elegance

Giveaway #4: "Garden" by Imaginating

Giveaway #5: "Bunny Gingham" by Twisted Threads

So, how can you enter? Simply leave a comment stating specifically which giveaways you would like to be entered for. Oh, and one other thing--to make it more interesting and fun for all of us... tell me either what you most enjoy about blogging or the name of your favorite chart--whether already stitched or waiting in the wings and why it is so meaningful to you. I will leave the giveaway open until Saturday April 14th at midnight EST.

As for my answer about what I enjoy about blogging... Well, I love the fact that we are all cheerleaders for each other. Whether it's praising a new finish, sending encouragement after a visit from the "frog" or losing our stitching "mojo," or lending a willing ear or a shoulder to lean on during times of stress, it is just wonderful how we all support each other. I love seeing different finishes--things that I would never stitch like HAEDs or fairies or dragons. Just because I don't stitch them doesn't mean I don't appreciate their beauty.

I'm sure some of you think: "Doesn't Carol ever stitch anything substantial?" Well, sometimes I do... but for me, what brings the most pleasure, are those little ornament sized creations that you typically see in my posts. I so appreciate your comments whether you are an all-sampler stitcher or someone who works on only one project all year long. We appreciate each others different tastes, creativity, patience, and skill, and in this world of so many negative stories--I'm so happy to be a part of a positive group like we have in the cross stitch blogging community. I also love seeing those of you who have been inspired to stitch something that I've shown here on my blog--I really feel honored that I've sparked your interest in a design that you may have overlooked just because of the way I've finished it into one of my little pillows.

Your blogs have made me laugh and made me cry. They've made me smile on days that started off a bit gloomy and they've made me pause to really think about different ideas from around the world. They've made me so impressed by the international bloggers who take the time and have the talent to blog in two languages. They've made me gasp in astonishment at an awe-inspiring finish and even made me a bit envious at piles of new stash or finishes that seem to stitch themselves. It's all part of blogging and I can't thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of this special cross stitch blogging neighborhood!

HAPPY EASTER!

Enjoy your week everyone--Happy Easter to all who celebrate! May you find some lovely chocolate bunnies in your baskets on Sunday! Bye for now...

Yiota's Cross Stitch Kit Review

Happy Spring everyone--or should I say "summer," since that's what it feels like here in western Pennsylvania. Yesterday, we had a record-breaking 80 degrees--amazing for mid-March! But, I'm loving every minute of this unprecedented stretch of warm weather.

A few weeks ago, I had a lovely email from Yiota, owner of Yiota's Cross Stitch asking me if I would do a review of one of her kits on my blog. I had read reviews of her kits on other stitching blogs so I was most eager to see one for myself. Her website was very easy to explore and she seems to offer something for everyone... beginning to advanced stitching and everything in between on a host of subjects and themes ranging from animals to fairies to landscapes and more!

So would you like to know what kit I chose to review? It was a hard decision, but I ended up choosing this wonderful William Morris design called "Strawberry Thief." It has both birds and blue, so, of course I love it!

I was so pleased with the packaging itself--it arrived in a very sturdy cardboard envelope which suffered no damage in the journey "across the pond." Yiota's business is located in England and she and her husband design and manufacture their own kits. I love the fact that it is a small business because I feel like you get more personalized attention should a problem ever arise.

My favorite part of the kit was the way the threads were packaged... Aren't they beautiful?! All wound up so neatly on their own little card bobbins, clearly numbered, and a hole already punched into the card should you want to place them on a ring to keep them all together. Yiota's cross stitch kits use Madeira threads, but also offer DMC numbers in case you want to substitute. I've never stitched with Madeira before and am really looking forward to it. You also have the option to purchase the chart only.

The chart was printed in large, easy-to-read symbols on quality paper... The kit included a choice of aida or 28 ct. evenweave along with a nice needle. I chose the evenweave and was pleased with the nice Zweigart piece that arrived in the kit. I'll have to say I was a bit surprised that it wasn't black, though, as I was expecting that given the black background of the design. It would be helpful if the description included the color of fabric and offered it in 32 ct. size, too. Just a couple of suggestions to make an already fine product even better!

Here is a look at the whole kit--isn't it pretty? Please hop over and take a look at Yiota's site--I think you'll be very pleased with both the shopping experience and her wonderful products. Thank you, Yiota, for the chance to review your delightful kit--I'm sure I'll enjoy stitching "Strawberry Thief!"

I haven't done much stitching since my post last week, but I am almost done with the "Nature's Alphabet" that I began back in January (in this post). The stitching itself is complete, just have to add the beads; I can't wait to show it to you next week (hopefully!). In the mean time, I'll share a couple of older spring finishes with you:

"It's Spring!" by Sue Hillis Designs.
Stitched back in 2005--I still love it!

"Summer Scene" by The Drawn Thread.
Stitched back in 2009, but just framed in January.

"Daffodil Run" by Just Nan

stitched and framed in 2009.

The little daffodil charm is so sweet
and I love the ribbon hanger!
(Found the frame at Michael's...)

Here's just a sneak preview of one thing I'm working on for my bowl of April finishes... Any guess as to what it is? Here are two hints: it's stitched over one and uses 28 ct. babbling brook Jobelan!

March 21, 1982--a most special day... It's hard to believe that 30 years ago today, I became a mother. Yes, today is my oldest son's 30th birthday and I still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday... There is nothing like the feeling a young mother experiences when she holds her newborn in her arms for the first time. To my dear, oldest son, I wish you a most ♫♪♫ Happy Birthday ♫♪♫ and I hope all of your wishes come true... After all, you made one of our wishes come true the day you were born, and we are so proud to be your parents (even if we do feel awfully old right about now!!).

Your comments on my "March bowl" were all so wonderful! I sure am enjoying coming up with new finishes for it each month and I truly appreciate your compliments on both my stitching and finishing. I'd like to offer a big welcome to all my new followers, too. I've just noticed that my number of followers has topped 700 this week and I'm just astounded that so many of you find my blog interesting enough to follow... I'd say a celebration giveaway is in order, wouldn't you? Let me put on my thinking cap and try to come up with some cheery spring gifts to offer as a giveaway very soon, okay? I hope your week is filled with everything that brings you smiles! Bye for now...

Stitchin' Of the Green

Top 'o the mornin' to you, my dear friends! Things are really greening up around here--both outside and with my stitching. In my attempt to keep my bowl full of new monthly finishes, I've stitched a few St. Patrick's day pieces lately--even though I don't have a drop of Irish blood in me! But, as the saying goes--"Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!"

Although March has been a busy month (with me working both weekends in addition to my normal hours at the library), I've been able to carve out some time to create five small green goodies. Four are both newly stitched and finished and the fifth (the Lizzie Kate leprechaun probably stitched back in 2008 or so) was pulled from my drawer of unfinished "finishes." Thank you to all who sent me suggestions of what to stitch for my "March bowl"--as you can see, I've used some of them!

Below are all five, along with the fabrics and trims I selected to finish them off. For me, choosing the fabrics, ribbons, trims, and buttons to complete a small piece of stitching is almost as fun as the stitching itself. I love rooting through my boxes and drawers of finishing supplies to find just the right fabric and trims to make an often simple design really come to life. Finishing takes me a long, long time, but I really enjoy the process... These five took most of Friday to finish off, believe it or not!

So, would you like to see how they each look all finished up? Well, let's go!

First up is this classic Prairie Schooler shamrock bouquet from PS Book No. 13: A Prairie Year. I just love those older Prairie Schooler designs, don't you? Even though this chart was published back in 1986, its designs have withstood the test of time and never seem to look dated. This was stitched on 32 ct. dirty Belfast linen with the suggested DMC threads. I backed it with the green gingham fabric pictured above and accented it with a bow of handmade cording on top for a very simple finish.



I thought this St. Patrick's Day black cat was adorable. I'd say he's in for a ton of good luck based on the size of that giant four-leaf clover he's holding, wouldn't you? This is a freebie from Remy at Emboiderbee's Primary Hive which you can find right here. The cat was charted as a tuxedo black and white cat, but I changed him to all-black to resemble my dear old cat, Shadow. I also added a little green bow around his neck and left out his mouth and nose--just couldn't get them to look right. He is stitched on 32 ct. Belfast flax linen with DMC 957, 986, 310, and white with DMC 3828 for his eyes. I thought this simple little design really looked sweet after I paired it with some green ric rak and the polka dot fabric. What do you think?

My Lizzie Kate finish is the March Stamp from the Flip-It series. I stitched the red-bearded leprechaun quite a few years ago, but it seems that 2012 is his lucky year because he finally escaped the "dark drawer of unfinished finishes." If I remember correctly, the fabric used was 28 ct. tea-dyed Monaco along with good old DMC threads. I really love how this flat finish turned out... I originally planned to put a little bow in the upper right corner to cover where the cording met, but I made a little yo-yo out of fabric and topped it with a wooden button instead. Cute!!

This small pillow is another freebie from Erica Michaels which can be found by clicking here. I stitched this over one on 28 ct. Country Mocha cashel linen with DMC threads. It is such a tiny piece (1 1/4 inches by 2 inches) that I decided a miniature pillow would be a perfect way to finish it off. I added a stitched purple flower to the piece in lieu of sewing on a button because I couldn't find one small enough. The bright green gingham fabric accented with a bit of ecru lace and purple and white buttons brought the whole thing together quite nicely, I think!











Finally, another freebie called Leprechaun Lodge compliments of Blue Ribbon Designs. This is one of those designs which I thought was "kind" of cute, but the more I stitched it, the more I began to love it! Do you ever have pieces like that? It is stitched with the suggested WDW and DMC threads on 32 ct. antique white Jobelan. For the finish, I backed it in the pretty dark green and gold floral fabric which you can see in my photo of "waiting to be finished" pieces above. I kept this finish quite simple, too--just applied some handmade green cording. And look at that precious embroidered St. Patrick's Day handkerchief it is sitting on--it even has crocheted shamrocks in the lace! My mom gave it to me--it was her mother's--so it is very special to me. Mom thought I would like some of gram's old seasonal handkerchiefs to use in my blog photographs...wasn't that sweet of her? My dear Grandma was born on the day after St. Patrick's Day--March 18th--way back in 1895, so what a perfect way to remember her at this time of year...

So, here are all five displayed in my bowl. Do you have a favorite? Now on to April stitching...spring, bunnies, and lots of pastels. I'm so looking forward to leafing through my stash and picking out some little charts for next month!

March Bowl of Green Finishes

A while ago, I lent my friend Cindy a couple of my older Prairie Schooler charts. What a surprise to find these goodies included with my charts when she returned them. The March LHN cottage with the threads to stitch it and an adorable hanger ornament complete with little charms stitched by Cindy had also made their way into her package! I really didn't expect anything in return--I'm happy to lend my charts to stitching friends, but your kindness certainly made me smile, Cindy... Thank you so very much!

A sure sign of spring around here is the annual return of our resident duck couple to our pond. I hope they have little ducklings like they did two years ago--remember this post?. I first noticed them a couple weeks ago which seems a bit early, but with the mild winter we just went through I guess that is to be expected. One morning last week, I looked out to see the always impressive Great Blue Heron wading in the pond and hunting for fish! Of course, I ran and grabbed my camera and here he is...Not the best shot since it is from my kitchen window almost 40 yards away, but at least you'll get an idea. Oh, they do love to "fish" in our pond, so we discourage them from an extended "visit." Luckily, they are quite skittish and even the slightest noise like opening a window tends to scare them away.

The return of the Great Blue Heron: March 2012

Look closely in the photo below and you can see both the mallard pair and the Great Blue Heron--isn't he huge?! Why is the male of the species (except in humans, of course!) always so much more attractive? That bright green iridescent head on the male mallard is gorgeous, isn't it? So far, we've had no blooming flowers like so many of you are showing on your blogs; I've been getting more and more discouraged by how much our deer population loves to feast on anything we plant. Makes it hardly worth the effort to plant anything new... And with a yard that is over an acre, fencing is out of the question--the deer just jump over the fences we already have in place! Do any of you have any "tried and true" deer resistant plant suggestions? We do have a fenced in vegetable garden, however the chipmunk population discovered a "secret entrance" into even that area last year and had a field day with the tomatoes! Despite the problems we have with our critters, I so love seeing the wildlife that our pond attracts. In most any season, it is a treat to look out from our kitchen window to see what new creature might be visiting...

The mallard couple and the Great Blue Heron
enjoy a warm and sunny March day

Well, I hope you're still with me after another long post! Thank you, thank you for all of your wonderful comments--you are the best group of friends, cheerleaders, supporters, blogging buddies--whatever you want to call yourselves! And I truly appreciate each of you...so much. Enjoy your week and ♣♣♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day ♣♣♣ on Saturday! Bye for now...