Carolina Stitcher

Some Sunday finishing......

2012-01-22T19:59:00.002-05:00

Greetings everyone!! I sure do hope your weekend was fantastic and you found some time to stitch a little....I have been working on Sarah Eliz Brooke 1842 but not enough to show you an updated progress photo......But, I did manage to do some finishing today.... I decided that each time I sat down to finish something for a customer, I would finish something for myself.....My ever-growing basket of stitched items needs a little attention!

Here is what I can show you that are MY finishes.... (Abbie, Linda W and KathyR; your finishes will be going out tomorrow in the mail!!)

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A while back I stitched this lovely freebie Earth Day design by Beth Twist and I fell in love with the verse...Truly words to live by this day and time...so many of us are trying....

Free Earth Day chart

Heartstring Samplery

materials I had on hand

Victorian Motto dyed rick rack

Additionally, in 2011, I stitched up the talented Lori of Notforgotton Farms 800th post freebie chart... I love anything Lori designs and this cutie was no exception.....

Notforgotton Farms freebie design

all materials as specified

Victorian Motto "antique paprika" trim

These little pooches are just too cute.......

Finally, I was able to finiah a couple gifts...... Can't really say who they are for.....Am I being sneeky?

Well, I am cutting it close..... Bye for now...I am headed to watch Downton Abbey!!!

Faye

Sarah and I.....

2012-01-20T21:37:00.001-05:00

I am beginning to think a few of us should have had a SAL stitching Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842 by Scarlett House.....

Margaret is showing her progress here..**

Nicole is showing her progress here..**

And there are a couple completions out there I have seen....

Well, here is my progress through this week......I will say it like I said it last post, I am LOVING this design~~~

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

Scarlett House

40 ct Vintage Meadow Rue

Belle Soie silks as recommended

I just love how the Belle Soie threads have that subtle variance in shades.....Here's a closer look at some of the grass ....

Well, this is a semi-fly by post.....

I have been sewing up some more project pouches this week and have a few more orders to fill this upcoming week.....If you are interested to know more, you will find my email listed to the right under "View my complete profile".... I would be happy to hear from you if you are interested!!

Have a super great weekend everyone~~

Blessings,

Faye

Upate on Sarah.....and a giveaway to mention....

2012-01-16T19:16:00.001-05:00

Brrrr...It's crazy cold here in the Carolinas~~~ I mean COLD for us!!

So, I spent yesterday and today hunkered inside to bond with Sarah just a little bit....

It may not look like alot, but the grasses all got filled in and some of the mortar between all those bricks is now there.........I am LOVING this project~~~ Sorry for such a dark photo...

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke

The Scarlett House

40 ct Vintage Meadow Rue

Belle Soie as specified

Secondly, I'd like to let you know that Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having another giveaway and this time it is a collection of her adorable charms....Many like those I used on my project pouches~~~ Head on over and check it out....~

Lastly, I would like all of you to welcome a fellow crafter and new blogger to our corner of the world...She is a quilter and you can find her here... Please stop by and say hello!!!

Well, heading now for a cuppa something hot....

Happy Stitching~~

Faye

My French stitch, yesterdays project and giveaway winners~~~~

2012-01-15T10:47:00.001-05:00

First off, I would like to thank each and every one of you who has commented and/or emailed me about my project pouches.....WOW~~ I am truly humbled and inspired that so many of you take the time to follow me and shower me with these compliments...I appreciate it and lifts me so!

One of the most often asked questions, was "Where do you find the zipper pulls??"...Well, the little charms were found at the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe...Nancy had them shown on her right hand side bar and I took a look...She has it set up where you can buy individually and by the set. Once I found what I liked, I just emailed her direct... The bird zipper pull actually was found at Michaels crafts...And the metal hooks I used to attach the charms were found at Hobby Lobby.

Before I announce the giveaway winner...suspense, suspense....I wanted to show you what I stitched this week.... Another that was on my list to stitch in 2012.... So here is my second completion for 2012..

Sous mon arbre

40 ct white linen

Atalie red silk thread from Marylin

This was such a fun stitch...I loved the silk thread and against the while linen, it simply pops!

Thanks again my sweet French friend......((Hugs))

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Yesterday I embarked on reorganizing the garage and rather than bore you with before and after photos, I thought I would share a few of the unfound delights I ran across..... Quite a bit of the makeover involved repacking and storing many items of my dearly departed MIL, Mom, I called her...I still miss her to this day and I will admit I was reduced to tears more than once yesterday as I stood in the freezing cold garage sifting through the last of her valuables. She and one of her sisters did in fact crochet and tat some.....I ran across of box on these lovelies, and decided to pause and carefully fold each and every one filling a big basket.....

I was quite taken back when I ran across yards and yards of this hand crocheted 1,2 and 3 inch lace. Some flat lace, other ruffled...Saving this, no doubt, for upcoming wedding gifts or baby showers to use...Aunt Carrie even had done some hem-stitching on linen for napkins and pillow cases. These items I will always treasure.

I also uncovered other sentimental items such as....

Her husbands military photos...so proud to serve in WWII..

One of her ledger books..15 x 6 inch size...You don't see these anymore. But, when you are a bookkeeper for the University of North Carolina, many manual entries surely would have been documented over her 32 year career......

This old fashioned suitcase has seen many a mile...I know she said she "courted" her husband for over a year traveling back and forth by train or bus between Burlington and Chapel Hill..I bet this beat up suitcase logged many a mile..

Now wasn't that better than seeing my neatly stacked shelves and spit-shine clean garage floors? I must admit, I am SO happy to have that 7 hour project checked off on my to-do list!!!

Now for the giveaway winner..or winners I should say....With 178 comments and 27 email requests to enter, I couldn't giveaway just one little project pouch....so, I decided to pull 2 names for goodies...

Giveawy of the red project pouch with a few goodies inside will be...

Carol of Sampler Farm

Giveaway of another pouch with a few goodies inside will be...

Laurie of Corgi Cottage

Way to go ladies...If you could email me with your mailing address, I will be mailing out your goodies this coming week..........

If you are still reading, thanks for hanging on for todays ride....I want to end by saying as we all strive to live in harmony amongst each other and as we all approach our day with peace in mind; be mindful and caring that we are all equals in every way. Instead of pointing a finger, hold out a hand.

Many blessings,

Faye

Studly Sergei has inspired my giveaway..

2012-01-09T17:46:00.001-05:00

So many of you fell in love with my lastest main man...Sergei.... He is quite dapper all finished and all....Take a look.....

Sergei

Plum Street Samplers

36 count Buttercream linen

specified threads (GAST and npi)

Lots of you said that he is in your to-do basket....I tell ya, perch him right on up on the nearest branch because you WILL be wanting to stitch up this handsome fellow...Mid-size project, gorgeous color palette and includes a bird in the design....win/win/double win....

Yesterday I got in my craft room and said I was going to sew a project pouch for my *giveaway*..

Did I say GIVEAWAY?? YEP!

I knew I needed to find fabric in my stash that included a) red and b) a bird.

Well.......feast your eyes on the project pouches I came up with!!

See that one in the middle??? The one with the BIRD zipper pull? That is one of the things I will give away to one of my followers.. I won't tell you what else may be included....You will have to wait and see....I will be drawing a name from this post only on Sunday, January 15..

I think I have gotton carried away a little bit with my zipper pulls...I have searched high and low to find those cute charms to dangle from the zippers....

I guess I have gone a little pouch crazy here lately, but I have found a girl just can't have too many of these......seriously...I even have one of the smaller ones in my laptop bag holding my mouse and zip drive.....

So, I leave you a snap of what I think Sergei will look like once he has been added to the Hall of Fame.....or perhaps he will win the People's Choice Award.........

Quite stately indeed!!

Have a fantastic week everyone~~~

Faye

Meet my new best friend....Sergei....

2012-01-07T21:58:00.001-05:00

Just a late night post to show you who I've been hanging out with this week....

Yep, you all know him....Sergei~~~

36 Buttercream Linen

specified threads

Paulette has hit another home run with this winner of a design~~~

Okay....I told you this one would be brief....Back to the Sergei bird.......

Faye

January Cottage...My 2012 list...and GIFTS~~~

2012-01-02T16:29:00.001-05:00

Okay....I struggled with my blog title today....What can I say....

Thanks for all the compliments about Sarah Eliz.Brooke! It truly is a beautiful sampler which I enjoying every single stitch....

When I arrived home this morning from my little beach sabbatical, I hopped it on into the craftroom and popped my latest finish into the chocolate brown frame that was waiting...

The Country Cottage Needleworks SAL is in full swing and they are so tiny and quick, I planted my last stitches in "January" and framed it to enjoy throughout the month...

40 count Lakeside Exemplar

Silk threads (email me for the conversion)

Added vintage lace at top....

Then I began opening mail that had arrived over the last week...Sheesh, I don't need anymore credit card applications, junk mail marketing leaflets or bills....tee-hee...BUT, I DID need a couple of envelopes that were laying there staring at me!!!

First off, from France, my dear friend Marylin had sent me the most darling of gifts....

Feast your eyes....

A perfectly stitched ornament with red checked ribbon, fabrics AND buttons....Is that not the cutest?? And, she knows my love for red silk thread so she included a couple skeins along with some wonderful french linen...It will truly be a special piece when I use that linen!!

Thanks so very, very much Marylin! You are truly a wonderful friend from across the oceans~~

AND...as if that were not enough, I was totally surprised to see another envelope with special international markings on it...hmmm...no clue what this was going to be....

The "Stitch it and Pass it on" Exchange had peaked my interest earlier in 2011 and so I had decided to participate...Long story short, things got bogged down and I was not to receive an ornament even though I had stitched one and done my part....no problem...I know these things happen... BUT, evidently Tracy and Hazel wanted to make things right...so, they sent me this...!~

They included some beautiful Christmas fabric and metallic DMC along with a finished ornament..

Guys, you didn't have to do that...But, I love it that you did~~~ Thanks so, so much!!

Even the back has my name stitched on it...I LOVE it~~~

Many of you commented that you can't wait to see my to-do list for 2012...Well, I think I may have gone a little overboard, but one can dream...right??? So, here is what's on my mind to stitch up this year...in no particular order.........

Plum Street Samplers- Sergei

Carriage House Samplings- Fredrick

Little House Needleworks- My Dwelling Place

The Scarlett House-Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842 (WIP)

Primitive Traditions-A Petite Huswife

Tree of Life- Emma rose Freedom

Carriage House Samplings-The Gilded Cage

Marjorie Massey- Sous Mon arbre

Sampler Company- The Hetty Child

The Scarlett House-Emma Mills 1839

LHN- The Family Sampler (WIP)

Threadwork Primitives-Autumn Majesty Needleroll

La-D-Da-Yellow Bird (in blues...)

Hillside Samplings-Be You to Others

With thy Needle-Birds of a Feather

LHN_Thirteen Colonies

Sheepish Designs-Betsy

CHS-Shores of Hawk Run Hollow (WIP)

CHS-Quaker Stocking

Pineberry Lane-Autumn on Marigold Lane

Stacy Nash Primitives- Netty's Sampler Pinkeep Drum

and....of course my monthly CCN Cottages.....

AND.. I am embarking on something a little new...I have every single one of the Prarie Schooler Santa charts from 1984 through 2011....I want to stitch at least one each month and over time have all 28 stitched to finish up as ornaments....What would be nicer than a PS Santa tree one year..?..

I told you it was an aggressive list of want-to's.... If I get half of them completed I will be a happy camper... But, I like to set my bar high just to see how close I can come to it~~

If you are still reading, sorry for the long post..... Thanks for hanging in there with me...

Until next post.........Happy Stitching everyone~~~

Faye

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

2012-01-01T19:17:00.001-05:00

Greetings friends and happiest of New Year to you all.....

We are still here at the coast of South Carolina for a brief stay before work resumes on Tuesday, but I did want to share what I have been working on the past several days...

I have been laying some bricks.....and planting a little grass with Sarah.....

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

The Scarlett House

40 ct Lakeside Vintage Meadow Rue

Belle Soie silks as recommended

Here is how things stood with her at the end of October when I sat her down to work on Christmas stitches.....

Like many of you, I am formulating my 2012 list of wants and to-do's...I have penciled mine down and hope to finalize things in the next couple days....It's an aggressive list....And, fortunately I already have alot of the supplies on hand.....So, we will see!!!

I hope everyone has a great week as we all try to ease back into our normal routines...

Take care......((hugs)) from me to you~~~

Faye

A start, a gift and my giveaway~~~

2011-12-27T12:23:00.001-05:00

Greetings everyone and Happy New Year almost!!!

Where did Christmas go to??? Blew right by and soon we will be writing 2012 on our checks...wow.

Honestly, the older I get, the faster time flys by...Mom always said it would, and she was right~

On the starts front...I FINALLY got in my CCN January Cottages chart....And, I promptly sat down and started it....Not to be different, but the DMC 598 was a little bit bright for me and since I hope to convert these charts to silks anyway, I took this opportunity to select a more toned down shade of a tealish turquoise as my main color... Once I am done, I will list my conversion....right now its a "selection in progress" ....

40 ct Exemplar Lakeside

Stitching these individually....

Next, I would love to show off a darling gift I just received in the mail....
From dear Tricia of Hillcrest Home Prims... She loved my little pin pillow I had sent her and sent me a thank you with this prim plain mitten enclosed....It is adorable Tricia and I will proudly display it with my winter prims collection....

AND, I want everyone to know that in January I will be hosting a giveaway!!!
I should have had a 600 follower giveaway....And, with the holidays, I put it off...
So, soon I will be announcing a giveaway...Will more than likely be a handmade goodie rather than stash...So....stay tuned~~
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Well, it is a super rainy day here in the Carolinas....Lots to do this week as school will be resuming next week....This is the time of the year when you ask yourself, why did I put up so many decorations???!

The house has emptied out....both the boys had to head back out to their places...
House is kinda quiet..
I will end things here with a funny pic of poor Julius (Adam's dog..) in what I think is an
X-Box coma.....I'll let you decide!!!

Happy Tuesday....Hope its a good one!~~~

Faye

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T14:03:00.000-05:00

Faye

My last trip to the post office this week....

2011-12-20T07:46:00.001-05:00

More than likely, this will be my last trip to the post office this week....A couple more last minute gifts are headed out...

Remember when I stitched this JCS ornie back in October? Well, yesterday I had the chance to finish it into a little pillow that you could tuck onto the branches of your tree....or perhaps place in a basket of goodies..... The Victorian Motto hand dyed barn red rick rack was a perfect match...

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Here is Scarlett House's "Jingle all the Way" stitched on 40 ct Woodsmoke...I did not have the called for PTP Swamp, so I used what I had.... I do want to stitch it again, however, if I can ever get my hands on some of that swampy moss linen... This was also an October stitch that has been patiently waiting to get sewn up!!

Blogger wants this picture to remain upside down....Never-the-less, you can see an upclose on the rusty jingle bells and rusty snowflake.....

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I stitched up one more Primitive Hare freebie for a fellow stitcher who has endured a difficult 2011.... I wanted to reach out and let her know that many of us care, whether we "know" each other or not...More info with her link once this little pin pillow is received....

I put the year and my name, along with a rusty snowflake on the back....simple.

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Soon, it will be Christmas day......

Merry Christmas everyone~~~

Faye

Gifts can touch the heart.....

2011-12-17T21:20:00.002-05:00

Ms. Myra knew what would touch my heart.......

This darling prim ornie arrived in my mailbox yesterday as I returned from the long line at my own post office~~~ I was blown away by this most kind gift.....

Here is my new "Joy" ornament, a Pineberry Lane freebie, sitting front and center in my prim basket...

Myra writes..."When I saw this design, I quickly thought of you..."

I simply LOVE it Myra~~~ Thank you SO much!

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My day was spent sewing up a few more pouches that I will be handing out Monday...

I hope the ladies like them!!

I'm done with my shopping, so I hope to organize my menu list tomorrow...Kids will be home from college...visitors in and out...That calls for more things needed on hand.... AND, I had better get to baking a few goodies for the neighbors~~~~

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend..........

Faye

Tis the Season....

2011-12-16T09:52:00.001-05:00

What a wonderful week this turned out to be! We had all our festivities at school, both in assembly and in the classroom....The children were just giddy with excitement knowing yesterday was their last day!! And, I got an early Christmas present from the principal..... No teacher workday today as orginally assigned!!! So, I am done, done, done until Jan 3................YES!!!

I took a little class at Linderella's Quilt Shop the other night..... Many of you know how to sew up these cute project pouches, however, I did not....So... This is what I learned to sew and finish in the 3 hour class........

I made a small, medium and large zipper pouch....all lined.... I was really quite thrilled to finally know to sew these......might see more of these in the future!!

And, my friend Linda P has received her gift....so, I can post about it....Me and my stain along with briwax have been at it again.....Remember those card boxes that were used in Blackbird Designs earlier this year???? Well, I made Linda this box....with a slight French flair!!!

French design from GOS

Threadworx verigated red

40ct white Newcastle linen

Faded red Victorian Motto Chenille

Inside the box....lined with fabrics and her initial....

I had to hone in on my over 1 on 40ct skills....The white cotton lace and red chenille were good accents I thought..... Linda can now add this to her ever growing "red" collection.....

I recently completed and mailed my exchange out to Arthemise in the Hooked on Exchanging Too

exchange... This was a box exchange....I stitched the Primrose Needleworks design from the Christmas issue of Just Cross Stitch 2011.....

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Lastly, I would like to show you one of the absolutely best Teacher gifts I have ever received! One of the parents whose daughter is in my classroom crocheted this darling apple huggie....I had not seen one before and it is made to protect your fruit from bruising....It is genius and so darling!!! We both about fell out when we learned we both had blogs and shared the love of crafting~~Who knew??

On the side it has a small loop to wrap around the crocheted flower button....

Machine washable and suitable for apples, pears, whatever~~~

Thanks again Crissy! It is so cool to learn we are both crafters and share the passion for things handmade~~~

Crissy's blog can be found **here**....Please go over and take a peak at some of her goodies....

Okay...that's it t for me!! Got a list a mile long....So, I'm hittin' it~~~

Have a great Friday everyone!!

Faye

Blue bird with a little Blueberry Crumbcake....

2011-12-12T06:14:00.001-05:00

I knew I would HAVE to sit down last night and sew up something with my new blue fabric....

Ms LindaP (stitch hag) had stitched me this wonderful bluebird for my birthday in October in anticipation of the Moda Blackbird line being released.... So, I knew I would have to let this be my first finish using the Blueberry Crumbcake...

With me working in the education field, I just about melted when I read this passage as printed on the fabric...."Apply thine heart unto instruction, thine ears to the words of knowledge."...

How perfect is that????

And, the hemp rick-rack was the finishing touch...Thank-you Victorian Motto...

I hope your day is wonderful.....

Faye

I'm in Blueberry Crumbcake Heaven~~~~

2011-12-11T11:46:00.001-05:00

After a busy day yesterday, look what arrived at my house!!!

Merry Christmas to me~~~

The Moda Blackbird "Blueberry Crumbcake" yardage is beginning to ship out.... Its as pretty in person as it looks on the internet.....

Now, whatcha think I'm going to be getting crafty with soon....?....

Have a great day everyone~!~

Faye

A couple more stitches...

2011-12-07T21:47:00.001-05:00

It has been an extremely busy time around here~~~ My last finishing order is sealed in the box ready to ship out tomorrow...It has been so much fun getting in my fellow stitchers handiworks and finishing them into ornaments and pillows....I have been honored that so many of you trusted me with your valueables and gave me creative authority to "work my magic"....

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Additionally, I was able to stitch a little over the weekend and this week, finishing up these two Christmas items.....Now to ponder how I will sew them up as a Christmas finish for MY house...

Black Bird Christmas Tree

Victorian Motto Sampler

40 ct natural

AVAS red silk

Jolly Reindeer

Victorian Motto Sampler

40 ct Meadow Rue LL

DMC threads

I just love stitching Victorian Motto Sampler designs!!! AND, pop on over and check out Nancy's blog because she has the BEST EVER giveaway in process......Check out all the flosses!!! WOW~

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Also, this week, I was tickled to receive this awesome exchange from Lisa S....She had my name in the Hooked on Exchanging Christmas Box exchange and the box she made me is stunning!!!

Pop on over to her blog as she has posted lots of details about this design and box....

Thanks again Lisa for this beautiful addition to my Christmas collection of handmade goodies~~~

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Lastly, I finished up a lingering project that has been on my "Up for a challenge 2011" list.....

This baby is FINALLY done......

My Full Heart

Hands to Work

40 ct Pale Blue mystery linen

HDF silk fibers

I know now why I started this design years ago.... There is a crown!!! The 1 over 1 on 40ct for the letters has about shot my eyes though....Anyway, its done and I do believe this is finish 11 for the year of my old WIP's.... I was able to clean out my WIP basket quite a bit this year!

So, that's it for tonight.....Gotta hit the hay!! I leave you with a shot of my oldest son....He came home recently for a visit and I managed to take a snap during a UNC Tarheel basket ball game....

Men are SO mesmorized when watching sports on TV!!

Have a good one,

Faye

Merry Primitive Christmas...Thank you Primitive Hare~~~~~

2011-11-26T20:13:00.001-05:00

Greetings friends~~~~ I have been busy in the craft room today finishing a few goodies...

The Primitive Hare has the cutest freebie that I have fallen head over heels over~~

As you can see, I went CRAZY last week stitching this one...hmmm......4 times!!

I'd like to share my finishing results....

My first version is stitched on vintage exemplar 40ct with dmc 355, 3865 and 838...just as the designer called for....I envisioned hemp rick-rack, twine and rusty bells...

I have gotton into layering embellishments...ribbon, twine, bells and a button......

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Then, I thought this design would could be show cased this way...

A simple little stocking...homespun and mini rickrack.....

Lined with a matching stripe fabric......

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Then, I took this design into a totally different direction....

Vintage Aqua thread, Christmas pine rick rack and Vintage Aqua chenille by Victorian Motto on PTP Lupine 40ct linen....

Have you fallen in love with browns and blues like I have??

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And, lastly, I saw this little cutie finished up as a simple pinpillow....

trimmed in chenille....

Again, I thank you Primitive Hare for your talents and designs....I truly loved this one!

I leave you tonight with a shot of one of my collections of a few Christmas pillows and holiday goodies.....

Look forward to seeing everyone's Christmas stitching and finishing~~~

Always,

Faye

Pineberry Lane prims......

2011-11-20T18:54:00.001-05:00

Greetings everyone this fine Sunday night!!! I hope everyone has had a good weekend and are getting ready for Thanksgiving week....Menus penciled out, plans made for the company that may come....I am getting so excited!!!

As for stitching, I'll start out by showing you the end result and then back track a little....

But first, I want to let you in on a little secret....Last month, I spoiled myself with a couple bobbins and spools from Wendy of Pineberry Lane....In doing so, I shopped her site (Which is AWESOME by the way...) and fell head over heels with several of her most primishly spectacular designs....

Today, I finished up my sewing in the craft room and here's the results...

Bringing home the tree.... and

Merry Christmas Hanging Sampler...

Pineberry Lane

If you take a look at the chart, Bringing home the tree, you will see the prettiest framed stitcherty with a chubby Santa standing amongest the trees....I saw things a little differently though....

I went from this....

to adding this...

to this....

to this......

Bringing home the tree....

40 ct PTP scrap linen

specified DMC threads

A Huswife.....strung together with fancy twine and a rusty bell.....

And, to accompany this Huswife, I pulled out my Merry Christmas Hanging Sampler chart from last year and made up the most prim walnut stuffed pincushion...

Merry Christmas Hanging Sampler

36 ct Natural Linen

specified DMC threads

I love stitching up simplistic designs and hope to take a look at a few more this week... Thanks Wendy for your fantastic designs...They will make a great addition to my Christmas prim basket~~~

Hope you all have a great week~~~

Faye

...May I introduce.... my new love......

2011-11-13T12:31:00.001-05:00

~~~Turkey Love~~~

The infamous Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers, has done it again!!! This cute design, with the knobby knee turkeys really caught my eye at the PALS retreat last month..... But, when I got the big 'ole sad face because all the charts were sold out, I guess someone was noticing.... In the mail, a sweet angel gifted me this design and I perked right up and I began my turkey love adventure......

I finished it last night and couldn't wait to show you my turkey delight...

Like many of you, I don't really have many Thanksgiving pieces, so I wanted to pop him in a frame and get things rollin' since Thanksgiving is a mere 12 days away!!

TurkeyLove

Plum Street Samplers

40 ct LL Pecan Butter

npi and Belle Soies as specified

Have you ever taken a journey in your house trying to find the best photo backdrop or angle??? Well, I did that this morning and saw shadows and glares everywhere....

Here's how things went....bear with me....

Went outside, but too much glare...

Tried laying it flat, but can still see the clouds in the sky in the reflection...

Oh my!! You can even see the tree and leaves in the reflection of this shot!!That's not going to cut it!

Tried laying him down in the flowers....nope, don't like that angle at all!

So ,I came back inside and found a little better look than those outside shots.....Still have a reflection though....guess I need to take a photography class!~~~

Well, that's it for today guys..... I hope your Sunday is wonderful and you find time for yourself...

It's a beautiful today in the Carolinas and my head cold is so much better...

I may venture outside and breathe in that sweet Fall southern air~~

Faye

PS: Did I mention I had a little something prim on my staging table in the craft room? Well....I do and I can't wait to share its finish with you next week........imagine the smell of pine trees....

you get the picture......

~What makes me happy~

2011-11-11T15:44:00.001-05:00

On this most honorable day of recognizing our Veterans and all they do, and have done, I salute them for their courage and dedication to our country.... I know you join me in saluting each and every person that has served in the military over the many years.... Their actions have helped shaped our lives to what they are today. For that, we are all eternally grateful.

I wanted to extend that gratitude into something I could do for someone..... Just a little something... MY way of saying "Thanks!"..... So, I submerged myself into my little world, and sewed up a small goodie....Just a little something....really, not much at all....But, something that may put a smile on someones face............ I will be mailing it out tomorrow to a friend..... I hope they like it.

'Tis better to give than receive

La-D-Da

Winter Frost 36 ct by R&R Linens

Specified threads

I like to make it my own with a pleat and a few buttons down the back.......

I do have a couple projects in the works....

One is oh so prim.....

And, one is seasonal...A pure Turkey Day delight~~~

So, stay tuned as I hope to devote some time to each over this weekend.....

Peace,

Faye

A few ornies done at the retreat...and more....

2011-11-05T14:35:00.001-04:00

Greetings everyone~~~ I hope your weekend is going well and you've all settled down to watch your favorite team...The Tarheels are playing an away game, so we are home on Saturday for once!!

Thanks for all the compliments on my recent posts were I stained/painted/Briwaxed my boxes...It was fun and I did want to mention that all my supplies come from Michaels or Hobby Lobby... I did order some of the paper mache boxes from Sunshine Crafts also...just an fyi~~

As promised, I wanted to show you the 4 ornaments I was able to stitch up at the PALS retreat...

Many of us stuck with smaller projects so to be more transportable...

I love stitching ornaments out the of the Just Cross Stitch Magazines..

This is the Blackbird Designs chart in the JCS 2010 issue..

40 ct Days Gone By

converted to BelleSoie silks except the red

which is NPI Northern Lights Old Gringko

JBW Designs

40 ct creme linen

converted to Belle Soie Silks

My Big Toe

40 ct Exemplar Lakeside Linen

converted to Belle Soie silks except

urn is Gloriana Charcoal

Little by Little

40 ct flax linen

converted to Belle Soie silks

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I also was able to stitch a little on my new larger project....Aren't the colors gorgeous?

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

by Scarlett House

I am stitching Sarah on 40 ct Vintage Meadow Rue by Lakeside Linen with specified Belle Soie silks. It will be a pretty good size project for me...But I just love a sampler with a pretty house on it....More to come on this project!! (Nicole is much further along than me....see her progress here...)

I also was able to come home and stitch up one of Tanya's new ornaments...When I saw how Vonna had finished it off with the rusty bell and pretty rick rack trim, it set my mind in motion....I did not have the specified "Swamp" linen by PTP...But I DID have some LL Woodsmoke on hand, so, I took a chance and here is the outcome....... The Victorian Motto Faded Red rick rack was a perfect match....I hope to get to my finishing desk this week and finish off many of these stitched finished pieces...

Jingle all the Way

Scarlett House

40 ct Woodsmoke linen

RedFox and Icing by BS

Last, but not least, I leave you with a snap of a cute design my dear friend LindaP stitched for my birthday....I failed to post it earlier with all the goodies she gave to me for my birthday....Not because I don't cherish it, but because I had set it aside... Linda and I hope to create a "Blue Basket" in 2012...Mostly because we are LOVING the new Moda Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric.....And, we think we will incorporate alot of that Moda in our finishing...So, why not have a blue basket of stitched goodies??!! Linda wanted to stitch me the first for the basket....

What's not to love with a pretty bird in the design???

Thanks so much Linda!!! Double thumbs up~~!

Alrighty....I'm outta here....Hope your day is great and your hands stay busy stitching....

((Hugs))

Faye

A Halloween Eve post...~ Boo!!

2011-10-30T20:32:00.001-04:00

I know I posted earlier today, but just had to send out a Halloween eve evening post also...

This little project has been done for a couple weeks, just needed that last coat of Briwax...

I have been in Blackbird state of mind here lately....

Cast a Spell

Blackbird Designs

30 ct Weeks Straw

Specified overdyes

I just had to stitch up one of the bonus patterns included in this chart....

It is nestled in my fall smalls in the dough bowl on my kitchen table....

The glass lid will protect the stitching....I might drop more Halloween trinkets in the smaller sections...Or, perhaps I will pop out the Halloween stitcheries and re-use the box for a Chrismas creation.......I'll let my imagination decide.....

*******

Earlier I posted about a Blackbird Designs gift I had made....If you emailed me about the containers in the box, those 6 little containers come with the box!! Paper mache box that I painted black, then brown, then distressed and finally Briwaxed....Inside the containers I put buttons, charms and that kind of thing for Nan.... It truly was a fun project!!!

She really seemed happy to get this gift~~

***********

My dear friend Charlene, needed a little pick-me-up, so I found a Blackbird designs pattern that fit into a little wooden lid I had and I stitched her initial into a small pincushion....She loves red like I do, so this was made to put a smile on her face....And, it did.....

Lastly, I wanted to make a few fobs to share with friends...The crowned fob went to Paulette of course....because she IS a queen!!! The "Bloom where you're planted" went to Jennifer because I know nature will take its course and blessings bloom in good time...... The others have a little fish attached to honor our time spent together at the PALS beach retreat 2011...the beads really did look like something you'd expect from the ocean waters.....

Oh..... I wanted to show a super up close look at the darling bat trim the Michele attached to the cute Witch pillow she gave me............Isn't it just perfect??? Just like her!! Love ya Michele!!

OK....enough for tonight....Hope you get lots of treats and no tricks tomorrow everyone....

Soon I will post photos of the 4 ornaments I stitched at the retreat and my latest new project...the start of a most wonderful sampler............

Faye

Happy Sunday(photo heavy..)

2011-10-30T10:18:00.002-04:00

Greetings friends!!! Here's a quick snap of a recent finish...more details to follow in an upcoming post.... First, I wanted to share a few snaps about the retreat in Myrtle Beach...

Morning Star

Blackbird Designs

specified threads~40 ct Lakeside Pearled Barley

Victorian Motto Sampler Hand-dyed chenille trim~ Faded Red

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Wow. What a week! Can you believe I am still unpacking from last weekends retreat to Myrtle Beach? Had hoped to come home and immediately put out a post, but between work and my schools Fall Festival Friday night.....so here I am now....

We all had the best time at the PALS retreat last weekend! Lots of us were able to reconnect with old friends.....

And, of course there was those WONDERFUL guest designers that we all were dying to meet for the first time...... Wow, what a treat to have them in come and mingle with all of us....Bottom line- they are just normal people like all of us! I have no idea where my picture of Marie of

Blackberry Lane Designs went, but she and her wonderful wares were there....

And....this fantastic lady came....

And, another icon was in attendance....

And, there were MANY that just cut up and had BIG fun while stitching.....

Needless to say, we all shared goodies and here's a few I was lucky enough to recieve.... I was so spoiled, I tell ya!!

Beth was so sweet to give a goodie bag filled with lovelies....

Another total highlight for me, was finally getting to meet Jennifer!!!! Jennifer is my exchange partner in the Friends Stitching through the Seasons exchange...Throughout 2011 Jennifer has sent me seasonal goodies...Check out my Fall package! omg....It was loaded!!!!

Okay, next post I will reveal more details about the gifts I took for friends....and no telling what else!

Have a great Sunday everyone~~~

Faye

French Birthday gifts~~~

2011-10-17T19:26:00.001-04:00

How excited was I when I arrived home from work today when I saw an envelope in the mail marked from France.....! Knowing I am celebrating my birthday all month long... Party like a rock star~~~~

This could only be a good thing!!!

I immediately opened the envelope and out popped this nicely wrapped gift...

Yes~~~ A sweet gift from my good friend Marylin in France~~~

She had made me a darling needlebook!! And had sent gorgeous verigated red threads also~~~ AND, a necklace with bracelet set with charms of France dangling.... Eiffel Tower and more!

I just had to show you a close up of the beautiful French fabric she chose to line the needlebook with...

And, the back even had beautiful stitching...

This is some of the prettiest ribbon trim I have ever seen....So intricate...

Thanks so very much Marylin for taking the time to send me this lovely gift!! I truly love it and it looks great in my pink basket~~~Merci mon amie~~

Now you say....What in the world have you been stitching lately Faye??? Well, I can show a couple....Others I cannot....I have made a couple personal gifts that I will be carrying with me to the

Pals Fall Retreat Thursday....It is an annual event with lots of old friends gathering from all corners of the world.... (see you soon Fiona~~)...and many new friendships will be made...A true stitchy butt heavenly embraced hen party with food fun fellowship and merriment abound....All in a lovingly positive way.........MY highlight will be getting to meet Tanya from Scarlett House and Paulette from Plum Street Samplers......... So, get ready world! There will be a trillion photos showing up next week from all us PALS nuts...

What I CAN show you is a couple stitched finishes that I need to sew up or finish off....

Loved the Halloween vibe on this one by Blackbird Designs.....

And, there is this lovely from NotForgotton Farms....Don't you just love how Lori takes things down to such a simplistic level??? I sure do! This was a freebie a couple months back to honor her 800th post..

Well...time to sign off..finish up a few things then settle on what projects to carry with me to the retreat to work on...I have been in an ornament kitting phase here lately after reading my friend Tommye has been cranking them out...she is one smart cookie, I tell ya! So, it may be a long weekend of ornie stitching bliss for me~~~

Ya'll have a good one!!!

Faye

Birthday Greetings~~

2011-10-09T19:52:00.007-04:00

Oh...What a great day I have had~~~

Today was my birthday and it was just perfect!! My family let me "do as I wanted"...Sometimes thats a gift in itself!! I truly have relaxed, been pampered and done very little.... Couldn't have asked for a better day than that!!!

I must share with you a couple birthday gifts I received this week to kick off my special day.........

My good friend Karen really is super crafty.... Check out what she sent me!~~

.....and.....

My clever stitching/sewing friend, Myra, made me the cutest item....I had to take a second look to see exactly what she had made... perplexed???.....

See if you can guess what this ingenious thing turns into....

She's a genius! Its a fold-up travelling ort container!!! Smart. smart, smart I tell ya!!

Thanks so much Myra!! It is being put to excellent use as we speak!!

So, that's a wrap from beautiful North Carolina this fine fall evening....

Thanks to those who emailed me, sent those beautiful e-cards (Thanks so much Marylin and CharleneSC!!!) Well wishes to you all....

I leave you with this departing picture of one of my fall displays....smalls perched in an old bread bowl on my kitchen table.....

Faye

A Quaker Christmas by ByGone Stitches~~

2011-10-01T22:18:00.001-04:00

Greetings this late Saturday night~~~

I just had to show my completed red Quaker!! It is LARGE and full of beautifully shaded red threads..

It has been a wonderful journey with this design spanning about 20 months...

36 ct coffee dyed linen

Victorian Motto dyed thread

(all photos are clickable...)

In comparison to the designers orignal, you will see I omitted the Christmas words and substitued family initals and additional numbers...Just a slight adjustment....

Here are a few of my favorite motifs.........

This is my 10th finish this year of BAP WIPS that normally would probably been still sitting in my "to finish" basket had it not been for getting involved with the "Up for a Challenge"... I am pleased with the motivation this challenge blog has given me and still hope to finish up a couple lingering projects before years end...

Next on my list, probably a few fallish designs....or maybe another Christmas ornament...Oh, yeah, there is that large sampler I still want to start...but, then...SO-- Who knows what I will pull to work on next... It just may be something I purchase myself for my upcoming birthday.....hmmmmm...October is going to be FUN~~

Have a great rest of your weekend everyone!

Faye

Locked in on red......again.

2011-09-28T13:09:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when I see various stages of progression, it motivates me to keep moving on....

From December 2010 until today....

The linen is filling...

What an awesomely fun journey....

December 2010

as of today.....

As my friend Myra would say, what's better than a red bird???

Stay tuned folks!!!

Faye

Jumped in with both feet~~~

2011-09-26T10:03:00.002-04:00

If you know me at all, you know that when I'm on intercession from school, I am at the condo at Cherry Grove Beach SC,,,, With waves echoing that familiar soft sound in the background, I have managed to dive into the new JCS Magazine.... Many of my favorite designers have "scored" true delights in this fantastic Christmas edtion.....

Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers has another seasonal winner in her "Yuletide" ornament...I knew I had to stitch it the minute I saw it~~~

40 ct light Examplar LL linen

specified overdyes

**********************************

Another designer that I admire and stitch quite often are those designs of Liz Gorski of

Primrose Needleworks..............This little red bird was simply too cute to pass up~~

40 ct Flax Newcastle

specified threads

***********************

And, of course, there is that talented Tanya Anderson "The Sampler Girl"....

Her "Good Tidings to You" design made my wheels start turning about the 'just perfect' finish I have in mind.....prim, simplistic and perfect...

40 ct natural linen

specified DMC threads

Weeks Lousiana Hot Sauce floss

*******************************

Life just would not be complete at the beach without adding another La-D-Da finish to my ever growing pile... I had brought 3 of her designs with me, and decided that "Your Gentleness" was calling my name.... So, here it is...Aren't those berries the prettiest deep shade of burgandy??

40 ct Flax Newcastle

npi silks

Lastly, I had promised myself to put a dent in a large WIP project that is on my

"Up for a Challenge 2011" list.....I pulled out A Quaker Christmas by Days Gone By and decided that I can set my sights on finishing this bad boy.. Its about 3/4 done and all red...So, I am going to try my best to finish her...So, here is where I stand on this project as of now..please excuse the wrinkles...she's been drug everywhere so there are quite a few dents in the linen....

36 ct linen

Victorian Motto Faye's Red

Well, if you have stuck with me through this entire long post, Thanks! I appreciate each and everyone of you and the time you take to post a comment....It truly is my inspiration to continue doing what I love ....Here's hoping all of you have a great week.....Happy stitching and enjoy the nice fall weather~

Faye

~ STILL STITCHIN'~

2011-09-24T10:59:00.001-04:00

Taking a mini break...... School is on intercession....

So, I'm doing a little this....

and a little of this.....

still stitching and will have something to show soon.....

Faye

Fantastic framing....

2011-09-11T10:16:00.001-04:00

Last week was a busy one...But, not so busy that I couldn't make it to my framers when he called saying my framing was complete~~~ The Hobby Shop in Sanford NC is absolutely a God send for me in his incredible framing finishes.....After 25 years, he reads my mind and knows what I want and simply does it~~~ I thought it fitting to examine the moulding selections up close....

(Please excuse any reflections....)

Remember, here, my wonderful win from Mary Kathryn..?...

******************************

Please find time to pay reverence today as we reflect back to 9-11 as a nation and a world...So many lives lost so senselessly....May they live in our hearts forever and we always know they symbolize our hope that our world will be a better place one day.

Faye

A La-D-Da long weekend....

2011-09-05T21:53:00.001-04:00

With all the nostaligia of Labor Day and the upcoming 10th anniversary of 9-11...I felt it important to stitch up something meaningful this long Labor Day weekend..... So, my project of choice was,

Count your blessings, 1 by 1...by La~D~Da...

Count your Blessings

La~D~Da

40 ct Vintage pearled Barley, Lakeside Linens

specified npi silks

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, I have been on a roll this weekend, finishing up another one of wip projects that was lingering in my basket to be finished....Last year when visiting my dear friend Barbara, I spotted this La-D-Da she had stitched and framed and fell head over heels for it.....What did I do? I came home and started stitching it immediately and yes, I ended up putting it down.... I thought what better time to finish this one up as alot of you guys have children beginning school right after Labor Day...So.....

Here is where I had left things when I put it up in 2010...

Here is a little more weekend progress, but not all that pretty....

And here she is all finished....I had an 8 x 8 frame at home that I laid on top of the linen....I am thinking now I will find a 7 x 7 frame though.....I don't like too much spacing on the sides....(sorry for the shadows!!)

School Days
La~D~Da found in JCS magazine, Oct 2003
40 ct flax Newcastle linen
converted Belle Soie/ AVAS silks

And of course I like the red school house....He she is up close....satin stitches and all......

So, big ole happy dance on this finish!! This is finish 9 for 2011 out of my WorksInProgress basket....(Those I made a committment to try my best to finish in 2011...) There are at least 4 or 5 LARGE pieces lingering that I hope to finish at least one more of.....We will see~~~

Have a great week everyone~~ And happy stitching.....

Faye

Meet my friend, Fredricka~~~

2011-08-31T17:56:00.001-04:00

I don't know if she looks sassy, or perhaps a little stuffy, but I do I LOVE the colors that Carriage House Samplings put together in creating this beautiful design, Fredricka~~~In typical CHS fashion, the fallish colors of the NPI silk lays perfectly on the Pearled Barley 40 ct Lakeside linen..... I know she is not one of their new patterns, but she is a classic...And, Fredrick will be also~~ I am going to dig him out of my basket and stitch him up in either Sept or Oct....we will see....

Fredricka~~~ Carriage House Samplings

(all photos are clickable...)

Here she is up close..... I think she is grinning at us.....

And, here is that pretty flower up close....If that doesn't screen Autumn, I don't know what does~~

That's it for now friends.....Time to take a look at some of my upcoming exchange deadlines and get myself busy!~~~

Until later,

Faye

We are still here.....

2011-08-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

Wow, needless to say, no pictures to post but I did want to say, we SURVIVED Irene!~~~ As she slammed the Carolinas, I was here and my husband was at the condo at the beach....praying.... We came out with minimal damage at both locations....

Irene remains a major threat to the US and for all of those people north of me who have endured her wrath, or are in the process of getting pounded right now, I pray for your safety....Homes and posessions can be replaced but lives are too precious to risk~ Stay in and soon the sun will be out again and calm will overcome...

Happy stitching everyone and soon I hope to have a Fredricka update.........

Until then, ((Hugs)) from the carolinastitcher....

Faye

Meet Fredricka....my new BFF~~~

2011-08-23T20:52:00.001-04:00

After MANY months of hanging out in my WIP basket, I had promised Fredricka she would be one of my "up for a challenge" finishes for 2011...... Once I got her back out, I couldn't imagine why in the world she was ever put down! It wasn't the 40 ct Flax Newcastle linen....It certainly wasn't the luscious NPI silk threads....I know it wasn't the beautiful fallish shades...hmmmm....

Well, the good news is, she more than likely will be my next finish!

From this.......

To this....

Carriage House Samplings

Fredricka

40 ct Flax Newcastle linen

specified NPI silks

She has been my current project since finishing Anniversaries of the Heart.... And, thanks so very very much for all the kind words you guys passed on to me about that finish! I appreciate every single one of you and your words of inspiration.....I may not have gotton to reply via email to all of you, but just know how much I appreciate the time you take to visit my little corner of the world~~~

Well, here's hoping Hurricaine Irene passes by the Carolina coastline....on out at sea of course!

Just to be safe, I need to get my emergency kit in order in case we lose power or water.... Let's see, that would be linen, threads, kitted up projects and my basket of WIP's ..... just kidding!

Take care and ((hugs)) from me to you~~~

Faye

My latest finish...Anniversaries of the Heart by Blackbird Designs....

2011-08-15T20:30:00.001-04:00

Like many of you out there, I have been chipping away monthly at the Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart series............ After many months of stitching those beautiful "traditional" BBD colors, I have completed one of my largest ongoing projects....

I will show you a few of the 15 blocks.....

Here is the last block in the series which I personalized with information about myself...

The entire bottom row are designs out of the final chart....

I personalized my blocks in ways that were special to me.... like....

Dedicating block one to my husband..and block two to our wedding date...

Two blocks in honor of our boys....

This building actually reminded me of one of the School of Textiles classroom buildings I took classes in at NCSU... I couldn't help but stitch this block to honor my love for textiles, design and all things that inspire my creativity.....

The total design size on 36 ct linen ended up being 25inches by 13 inches....I cannot wait to have this one framed!!

And, finally, I will end my post with a closer look at one of my favorite motifs in the entire piece...Its the large urn of flowers as shown in the last block....The soft pinks and reds are muted together so beautifully........

Enjoy the rest of your week....

Faye

PS: Keep up the great work LindaP~All your hard work with the physical therapists WILL pay off~~ I am glad to have visited with you these last couple weeks and just know we are all out here giving you a thumbs up~~~~

Penny America....

2011-08-05T11:42:00.001-04:00

Most of you might know that I have the great opportunity of working with twenty 6 year old First Graders who attend school on the Year Round calendar.....I love the schedule and I love them~~ Hugs galore..... BUT, in this intense heat and everyone having been back at school a measly 3 weeks now, days can be tiring, we all get a little cranky and basically at the end of our school day, worn out. Not complaining, mind you, as I feel so fortunate to have a job I LOVE and can actually see the fruits of my labor blossom right in front of my eyes as these children learn.....

So.......at the end of the day, I so look forward to my precious time in the craft room after dinner is prepared and I settle into my theraputic stitching time.......... This week's time was devoted to

Penny America as it was entirely impossible to put down~~ Addictive to me... Might as well been named "Faye's Penny America"...as Myra so hilariously emailed me to say....

Penny America

Tree of Life Samplings

36 ct Macadamia Nut linen by Tree of Life Samplings

Weeks overdyes as specified

Jan Alexander is offering this beautiful line of designs and linens that are truly captivating~~~ Keep up the great work Jan!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I am thinking that might be a wrap up for me and all my Americana stitching for a while....I am starting to feel like some of those fallish shades are speaking to me.....Will I pick up something Halloweeny to stitch?? Or, perhaps get back into my beloved WIP basket of to-dos as promised in my "up for a challenge" project...?... I just know that with this heat, its too hot to do much outside, so bring on the linen and thread~~~

Have a great weekend everyone~~

Faye

Penny America

2011-07-31T21:30:00.002-04:00

Feast your eyes on my latest obsession~~ Its

one of Jan Alexanders latest creations called

Penny America....

To see the full design, take a look **here**

Here is the right side of the chart...What's not to love??

Flag is waving....fireworks twinkling...a pot of gorgeous flowers (well, mine are stems right now...) and a beautiful penny rug design on the edge....All stitched on a gorgeous cut of 36ct Macadamia Nut linen by

Tree of Life Samplings...

Penny America

Tree of Life Samplings

36 ct Macadamia Nut linen by Tree of Life Samplings

Weeks overdyes as specified

I had hoped to stitch on this design this coming Saturday at the stitchers gathering at the French Hen in ManningSC....but, I just might be completing this piece before the stitch in!! We will see how the work week goes..... I'll give a shout out to all the gals that will be there on Saturday~~~

See you ladies in a few more days!!!!

Well, I will leave you with this parting close up of my latest project....

Hope everyone's week is great.. Stay as cool as you can!!

Faye

Christmas in July~

2011-07-30T20:30:00.001-04:00

How crazy is it to be talking about Christms in July with the heat being over 100 degrees?? Crazy, that's what it is.....The heat, I mean.... As many of us slug through these intensely hot days, I decided to finish a couple of my stitched Christmas ornaments today.... As part of **this** ornament stitch-a-long, here are my June and July installments as we pledged to stitch and finish an ornament a month in 2011.....

Jenny Bean's Christmas Ornament 2010

Shakepeare's Peddler

40 ct Light Examplar Lakeside Linens

Crescent Colors Belle Soie

The First Day

Plum Street Samplers

Just Cross Stitch 2011 Ornament Preview Issue

36 ct vintage light examplar Lakeside Linens

Belle Soie Cranberry and Weathered Vine

Last night, I began stitching a new design by

Tree of Life Samplings that I absolutely cannot put down....Maybe tomorrow I will have enough done to post a photo and share.... Not to be mysterious, but I have fallen in love with this design AND her fantastic hand dyed linen, Macadamia Nut.....Its heavenly.....

So, until next time....Thanks so much for visiting and as always, thanks for all the fantastic comments...Time rarely permits me to reply to all of them, but know they are read and I truly appreciate your words of support and inspiration!!!

~~~Happy stitching and try to stay cool~~~

Faye

Just a couple more finishes ..Patriotics of course!!

2011-07-27T19:15:00.002-04:00

What can I say??? I love the red, white and blue~~

Here are a couple more goodies I finished this month that now need to fitted up in the perfect frames..

Liberty ~ 1776

Little House Needleworks

32 ct Flax Belfast

specified overdyes

And....I couldn't resist stitching up this beautiful design.....

Flag Day

With thy Needle & Thread

32 ct Limestone Belfast

DMC flosses

I just HAD to stitch up this design because of this chubby guy....

tee-hee....Isn't he the cutest????

Ok, that's it for now........

Its suppertime~~

Faye

Gifts, finishes and the heat~~~

2011-07-26T16:27:00.001-04:00

First off, "Thanks" for all the well wishes for Linda P....She reads my blog and knows that each of you have said a prayer for her...She is progressing after her surgery nicely...soon, she be up shakin' a leg~~~

Speaking of Miss Linda, I had a chance to have a "girls" Saturday with her recently and gave her a little early birthday present...Like me, she loves her some red...Hence this Friendship pillow by

Jardin Prive was gifted to her...

I personalized this little pillow with our initials...The fabrics, I bought in January, when she and I attended a quilt expo...I thought it was fitting to use those fabrics in her pillow plus they were a perfect match~~~ Happy early Birthday Linda~~~~

Next, I couldn't rest until I made and mailed a little Thank you gift to Janet of HomeSweetHome for the beautiful Summer Prairie Schooler exchange bellpull she had sent me last month seen here...It is truly striking and I thought one of my small traveling pincushions might be something she could use....

I also included a few of my handmade pins....Janet received it a few days ago and was surprised...

I hope as surprised as I was to receive her beautiful exchange piece....

Thanks again Janet~

Lastly, I want to show a couple snaps of finishes I have completed for a customer of mine...She is getting a jump on Christmas finishes....

I was happy to help her out and would be glad to do the same for you...

*******************************

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I just noticed the words in these ornaments....

"Peace", "Love", "Joy" and "All is Calm"

Just think how wonderful this world would be if we all lived by words like this....

something to think about....

Well, that's it for now...I promise to not be so long between posts from now on....Between starting back to work (Yes! Year Round school calendar has resumed...), this intense heat and basically being a lazy bone....Well, let me just say I will try my best to post a little more regularly!~

Take care,

Faye

Please pray for Linda ~~~((edited))

2011-07-23T11:57:00.007-04:00

****Linda made it through surgery fine yesterday according to her daughter!! Yeah!! She has titanium rods through her femur and expects to learn more today about how rehab will work... She wants to thank everyone for their prayers and continued good thoughts for her recovery..))

Many of you know Linda P, stitchhag, from NC... She doesn't blog but attends PALS and is a friend to many of you...

Linda's daughter has notified me that Linda fell last night and has broken her hip....She is scheduled for surgery this afternoon... She asked I get the word out for prayers and good thoughts for Linda...

Those of you who are active on the 123 message board may want to post this info as I know Linda has many friends on 123 who may not be reading my blog....Thanks!!!

I should be home Sunday night and plan on visiting her Monday at the hospital in Raleigh....

Linda and her family thanks you and so do I....I will update more as I am notified....

Take care, Faye

Americana themed finishes....(photo heavy)....

2011-07-10T17:13:00.001-04:00

I took today to get reacquainted with my sewing machine....While the craft room is still somewhat a work in progress, I knew I had several stitched finishes that needed to be finished off while its still summer....

I was THRILLED to have taken Nadia up on a chance to stitch her beautifully designed "Freedom Pinkeep"... LaSoffitta is her design name and if you have not visited her blog, you are missing out... Feast your eyes.....here...

Freedom Pinkeep

LaSoffitta Designs

40 ct Lakeside Vintage Exemplar linen

DMC as specified

I put a pleat in the backing fabric and embellished with antique buttons....I thought homespun fabric was perfect for this antiquish prim design.... Thank you Nadia for honoring Americans with this design~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Next, I took to sewing up my two recent Threadwork Primitives stitches... As you will see, I placed Star Spangled under Pride and Glory and its finished off a little different than Nan finished her model...

Pride and Glory

Threadwork Primitives

32 ct creme Belfast linen

DMC as specified

I just thought this design screamed FLAG... So, I used a dowel, slipped open a couple stitches with my seam ripper, and the dowel slid in perfectly!! It actually looks like it might be waving on the tree in my craft room.................

Star Spangled Pinkeep

Threadwork Primitives

32 ct Belfast Days Gone By

Victorian Motto Faded Red, WDW Navy

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Another design that captured my eye these last few weeks, was Star Spangled Sampler by Heart in Hand.....I kept this one simple.....

Star Spangled Sampler

Heart in Hand (2001)

32 ct Belfast Days Gone By

WDW floss as specified

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I had ran across this freebie that SamSarah and Weeks Dye Works had put together a while back... If you're not seeing a pattern by now, I'll spell it out....I was totally hooked on everything Americana these last few weeks and needless to say, I am nearly wiped out of every overdye I had in the shades of reds, whites and blues...Oh, and totally out of 32 ct Belfast Days Gone By...My favorite hand dyed linen when it comes to Americana designs....

Liberty

SamSarah and Weeks Dye Works

32 ct Belfast Days Gone By

WDW threads

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If you are still hanging in there with me...Thanks! Last, but certainly not least, I fell in love with this design by Birds of a Feather.....I love the little fish swimming along in the water.... And I like that it spells out "United States of America"....

Land that I Love

Birds of a Feather

36 Lakeside Light Exempler

WDW overdyes..except I substitued VM Paprika for the Lancaster Red

I edged this little pillow with VM hand dyed red rick rack....It was the perfect trim for this colorful piece..And you can see the backing fabric I had on hand that fit this Patriotic theme.....

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I will sign off and show you a couple shot of my Patriotic tree in the craft room....I might possibly leave it decorated in this theme all year....It just makes me smile when I am in there working....

Hope you are enjoying your summer everyone~~~~

Have a great Sunday evening and a terrific work week~~~

Always,

Faye

A couple more Patriotic stitches...

2011-07-05T20:20:00.001-04:00

When I saw the latest Patriotic designs by Threadwork Primitives, I knew they were must haves~~

Please excuse my semi-wrinkled linen as I totally refuse to iron anything here at Cherry Grove Beach, so it is, what it is...None the less, these are two of my favorite designs that I cannot wait to get my hands on in the craft room and "create" into something special....

Threadwork Primitives

Star Spangled Pinkeep

32 ct Belfast Days Gone By

Victorian Motto Faded Red, WDW Navy

photo is clickable for a close up look...

Threadwork Primitives

Pride and Glory

32 ct Creme Belfast

DMC threads

Eagle is done in verigated gold HDF thread

photo is clickable for a close up look...

Well, short post tonight....

The nights have excellent sea breezes, the days are long, lazy and HOT and my family and I are having special times together....

Take care and hoping you are finding time for yourself....

Faye

exchange updates and many humble "Thanks~~"

2011-06-25T11:25:00.001-04:00

First off I would like to thank so many of you who took the time to send comments and compliments on my recent Patriotic finishes...I truly appreciate all of your words of support!! I did receive several emails about the exact finishing technique of Liberty House..... The piece is indeed double layered with wavy edged felt and then the Victorian Motto faded red chenille is glued around the stitched piece...Here is a slightly better shot up close....

I love using Victorian Motto products and her shades are perfect for that worn antiquey touch....Nancy is a joy to deal with and I highly recommend your visiting (here) and seeing for yourself!

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I have had a couple exchanges land in my mailbox so here are the results....

I received from LindaPA these wonderful RED squares in our Blackbird Designs Fair and Square exchange....

Blackbird Designs

32 ct linen

npi red silk

Beautiful no??? I have got the perfect finish in mind and they will be placed up front and center in my "red" basket....Thanks Linda, they are just bea-u-ti-ful~~

And, I too, had stitched Linda squares in exchange.....Here is a snap of what I sent to her...(forgot to snap the square with our initials on it....oops...)

Blackbird Designs

32 ct neutral linen

specified overdyes

She says they match her bedroom decor nicely and will be finished and used in there...Glad you like the selection Linda~~

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In the Hooked on Exchanging exchanges, I was fortunate enough to Edgar's name....How cool is that?? We knew it was to be Praire Schooler designs and each person got to pick which season they wanted as their theme....Edgar chose "Fall" so I came up with this goodie from the PS October leaflet..

Edgar said he loved it especially since I tucked in a few size 28 needles and a few of my homemade pins....Hope you enjoy this needlebook Edgar!!

Quess what my dear husband brought to me yesterday (yes, I am at Cherry Grove Beach....) It was a wonderful package from JanetB.... She had my name in the HoE and my chosen PS season was summer...
How blown away was I when I opened the package and saw this????

front

back

A perfectly stitched and sewn wall hanging from Janet!! It is absolutely stunning and finished to perfection....I LOVE this piece Janet and truly appreciate the lovely work you put into making this for me~~ Again, I have the perfect spot for this goodie to hang!

Well, that's it for me for a little while...I will be posting again after the week of the 4th of July..we are readying for a family gathering here at the beach, so I will be busy, busy, busy!~ So, with that, I will leave you with a picture of my best friend and assistant.....

Happy stitching everyone!!!

Faye

My last day in the craft room......very Patriotic~~~It's a GOOD thing!

2011-06-16T16:16:00.003-04:00

Is that title mysterious enough???? Well, today is actually my last day in the craft room at its current location....Tonight and tomorrow we will be packing, loading and moving my dear son to Charlotte to his new apartment to ready himself for college.....I will be an empty nester! YIKKEESS~~ The upside to all this, is that the downstairs rec room, that he has been using as his bedroom, will now become the new and larger craft room~~ I am excited and terrified all at the same time! Packing stash into boxes kinda shakes you to your core..... Moocho stuff!! So, I will be taking the next month or so to unpack, organize and get things just like I want it.....I'll keep you posted!

Today, I had 2 orders to finish up for a couple ladies....One has asked to not post the photo since it is a gift for her sister that probably will be reading the blog....The other finish made me laugh....Check out this verse.............

I have no idea who the designer is, but I had to laugh!! I will show the rest of her Christmas ornaments I finished for her another time.....I wanted to get to showing you my patriotic finished finishes.....

Happy 4th

Threadwork Primitives

36 ct coffee stained linen

WDW and DMC specified threads

Liberty House

Twisted Threads Ewe&Eye&Friends

40 ct light exempler Lakeside Linens

DMC threads as specified

Victorian Motto Faded Red Chenille

Wee Hope

Heart in Hand

32 ct Flax Belfast

WDW as specified

Doubles America

SamSarah

40 ct Exempler Lakeside Linen

Northern Lights Midnight&Old Grinkgo silks

Victorain Motto RobinsEgg Pale Blue & Faded Red

rickracks~~ intertwined~~

I enjoyed sewing today....It really gives me great feeling of completion when those finished stitched pieces finally come together~~ I plan on using alot of my older patriotic ornies to decorate my craft room tree once I get set up....These will be put in another Patriotic basket for display...

Well....better get back to boxing up things....cross your fingers!~

Happy stitching,

Faye

The boys did so good!!!

2011-06-15T18:49:00.002-04:00

This isn't really a stitching post, rather a proud moment post...

At the recent Junior College Golf National Finals in Chautauqua NY,
the Sandhills Community College golf team along with MY SON came in fifth in the US!!~~~ How awesome is that??? With only thirteen teams even qualifying, I told them if they came in dead last, it was still an honor to get to be there.....

We are all so proud of them and their outstanding accomplishments!!

Phillip is second from the right...

Western NY is just beautiful this time of year.,..I even wore a sweatshirt one morning on the course...

While my DH and I were there, we managed to hit a couple tourist spots up in

Buffalo and Niagra Falls ...

What is going to Buffalo NY without going to the Anchor Bar "Home of Buffalo Wings"?

Their roof proudly displays the ad....

And, of course Niagra Falls was a picturesque as always...

In parting, I will show you a few of the many, many beautiful lake homes at Chautauqua..Perfect for weddings, reunions or just a slow easy day by a beautifully scenic lake.......

Truly a wonderful way to celebrate our 31st anniversary along with supporting our youngest son..

Happy Stitching from North Carolina,

Faye

Wonderful news and a few patriotic finishes.....

2011-06-07T16:59:00.001-04:00

I have absolutely wonderful news to share......I am so so so happy to let you know that my dear friend Barbara has let me know she is now in remission...She has tackled breast cancer and won~~~ Can you believe this???? I got a call from her to share this wonderful news...She also wanted me let ALL of you know that she has felt your love, your prayers and your sense of lifting her above this awful dreaded disease.... I want to personally thank everyone who has emailed me, prayed for Barbara, asked about her over these last many months and sent me wonderful designs to stitch and put in my pink basket...Truly,there is power in prayer and the love from stitch friends cannot be matched!

~~~Way to go Barbara~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next, I wanted to show you a little of what I have been stitching here lately....If you know me, you know that I often sneak in a small design if I am working on larger projects....I got on this "patriotic" streak lately and here is what I have finished stitching....

40 ct Lakeside Linen light exempler

specified overdyes

This was the design I worked on and completed Saturday at the French Hen at the stitch-in...Fun pattern~

36 ct linen, coffee stained by me

Weeks threads as specified

Patterns by Nan Lewis of Threadwork Primitives are hard to beat...Her instructions in the design packet are so easy to follow! I especially like the flag in this pattern.....

40 ct Mocha linen

npi silks, npi overdye silk

This design actually called for Watercolors threads, so I converted to npi and npi Northern Lights..I like the faded red shading....It really makes this flag look worn and tattered... Thanks Patti for another stunning design!!

An angel gifted me one of my now favorite photo props.... A pewter "F" that you see in the above photos... Isn't it the neatest thing???I just LOVE it~~ Thank you, Thank you!

In closing, I will share one of my patriotic displays..... I have my favorites, but really love them all...Each has a story in my head of what I was doing when I was stitching it.... I hope to finish off the 3 new finishes next week and either add to this bunch, or perhaps start a new Patriotic basket...We will see!!

Phillip and the golf team flew out for NY on Saturday and are doing fantastic in their practice rounds in the Junior College National Golf finals... We will be joining them tomorrow and I cannot wait! It has been so long since I flew anywhere...I am so excited!!

And, I hope to sneak in a trip to a local cross stitch shop...More about the when I return....

Hope everyone has a fantastic week and Happy Stitching!

Faye

Friends and more friends.....(photo heavy...)

2011-06-05T12:12:00.002-04:00

Many of us had a grand ole time at the French Hen in Manning SC yesterday....

Nothing better than food, fellowship and mingling with wonderful stitch friends!!

Nicole, Karen, Amy and myself had agreed to do a Prairie Schooler "Friendship" exchange back in June 2010...We all picked our favorites, made out a list to follow and took the last 12 months to stitch up wonderful squares to give back to each other....

Yesterday was the big reveal..........

Everyone's stitched pieces...wow!

This project is not really done though!!! Everyone will now stitch one for themselves..of course, Karen has already stitched her own piece!~ YGG... And THEN is when the creativity kicks in to see how everyone finishes off this project.............Can't wait to see how it all that turns out!!! Stay tuned....

Of course, there were many NC and SC stitchers attending the festivities yesterday.....

Frick and frack, cutting up~~~

could we be sisters or what????

Well.....Maybe tomorrow I will show you what I stitched on at the stitch-in....

Have a great Sunday everyone!!!!

Faye

Family Sampler and blogger problems....BIG time!~~

2011-05-30T20:51:00.001-04:00

First I would like to vent a little....Blogger has been very unkind to the Carolinastitcher~~I have 2 posts floating out there in blogland somewhere from the last 2 times I tried to post....gave up trying over the last few days....Now I am seeing that my comments to many of you did not post either..grrrrr.... So, I will try this yet again and am crossing my fingers this time that things go through with a successful post....

I have been in the mode of exchange pieces these last few weeks, so I can't show them right now..but soon....a couple have been mailed and one is mailing out tomorrow.....

My latest stitch has been a true labor of love....Not only is Dianne Williams a genious, but she created an absolute stunner last year in the "Family Sampler".... In true Littlehouse Needlework fashion, the colors are just beautiful and I am afraid my wrinkled pictures do not begin to do it justice...I promise to iron next time!!!

Oh my!!! The wrinkles are worse than I thought...sorry... Click on the photo for a better up close look..

This project is design size 14 by 20 on 32 creme Belfast....So, It will be a pretty good size when finished...Another of my "up for a challenge" pieces to finish this year~~~

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I also wanted to show you the finished product of the french piece I stitched up and showed you a couple posts ago.....It has made its way to my friend Barbara....a birthday gift for her....

Happy Birthday Babs!!

Well, hope everyone has had a great Memorial Day....Honoring and remembering those who fight for our freedom...I know I have reflected on that sentiment alot today....

Hope everyone has a great week! I am so looking forward to a stitch-in at the French Hen in Manning SC this coming Saturday...Always fun to gather with stitching friends!!

Take care,
Faye

Pumpkin Farm and more....

2011-05-20T20:40:00.002-04:00

This week has been over the top at work....If you think the end of the year in a first grade classroom is crazy,...it is! We are "x-ing" the days off at this point~~

I did put a few finishing stitches in my ongoing BBD AotH project...

I went ahead and personalized this block with my MIL's maiden name to honor all of my DH's aunts and uncles that we have such fond memories of....All but 1 aunt has passed away but we still have memories of fall afternoons raking pecans in the yard and canning pumpkin for Thanksgiving pies...

I had the biggest surprise today....Myra had tucked a handmade goodie in my envelope when she returned a chart I had let her borrow.... This darling coin purse is just too cute!!

You are a genius Myra~~~

Well, I will leave you with a couple parting shots of some of "the group" from our reunion last weekend...We all had a blast and it was hard to believe we still act and look pretty much the same as we did back in college...We shared stories and tears and laughs..It truly was an amazing weekend!!!

North Carolina State University

Class of 1977

Reunion~~~May 14, 2011

(I'm on the back row in the solid pink....)

Hope everyone has a great relaxing weekend~~

Faye

TGIF and some framing....

2011-05-13T16:18:00.001-04:00

I know I have been somewhat missing in action, but the end of the school year is a total engery zapper! I am more pooped than you can imagine by the time I get home from work each day....

But, I did have a chance to go to my framers and pick up a couple sampler finishes I had completed earlier this year.... If you live in or around central North Carolina and need a top notch framer, I sure can recommend Hobby Shop in Sanford, NC... He is efficient, reasonable priced and knows how to stretch linen...He has been my framer exclusively for over 25 years~~~

1738 Scottish Sampler

Threads of Gold

Elizabeth Emma Bice Wade Sampler

Threads of Gold

....Molding detail....

Well, my college reunion is this weekend....Finally, I will get to see many of my friends that I have not seen in a very long time....Where does the time go???

Hoping all of you have a great weekend and get some stitching in!!!

Always,

Faye

Giveaway winner!!!

2011-05-10T17:01:00.001-04:00

*****Quick post today to announce the May giveaway winner.....So, without further delay....*****

Colleen, Congrats!! Your name has been pulled out of the hat!!!! Please email me so I can get your goodies on their way~~~~~

Thanks to all that entered!! From the looks of things, I need to have another little giveaway soon...Just two followers away from 500!!

Happy stitching everyone,

Faye

"instant d'ete"....a French gift...

2011-05-09T21:01:00.001-04:00

Le Passe Compose has a winner in this mid-size french inspired design....

It was a fairly quick stitch although I have to admit, I stretched things out just because the Belle Soie silk thread was such a joy to use... This will actually be a May gift to someone I cannot mention since they read my blog....But, in the next 2 weeks, I will be finishing this finish so stay tuned...

Instant d'ete

Le Passe Compose

36 ct creme linen

Cranberry Belle Soie thread

My favorite motif is the little birdie at the base of the birdhouse...pecking seeds....

Tomorrow will be my May Giveaway drawing....so, you still have time to enter...(see previous post)...I have added a couple little goodies to the other items mentioned.... Thanks to all of you who have entered... Your comments have meant so much to me!~~

Until tomorrow's drawing.....

Happy Stitching,

Faye

My May Giveaway~

2011-05-03T21:09:00.001-04:00

I consider myself to be very fortunate when it comes to exchanges, gifts and winnings...

I want to give back...May is my blogaversary month, so I think its about time to pass on a little goodie to one of you guys....Nothing crazy, but a little pinpillow I have made along with a few HDF silk threads and a bunch of trims.......

So...If you are interested in throwing your name in the hat for this springy, cheerful giveaway, just comment on this post only and I will be having a drawing on May 10th......

Happy stitching everyone~~

Faye

Meeting Myra in the middle....what a treat!

2011-05-01T14:30:00.003-04:00

**a quick edit....I know you will all want to participate in Edgar's giveaway...so go take a look..

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yesterday I had the chance to meet our blogging friend ~Myra~....I was thrilled to get to meet her in person and honestly, it felt like we had known each other forever... I quickly saw that she is down to earth, funny and very knowledgeable about anything pertaining to sewing... Meeting at Lynne's Fabric Shop in Siler City was a perfect location~ Not only is it about the half way point distance wise for both of us, but Lynn has tons of goodies to sift through! Myra has several photos on her blog that explain...

We even swapped a couple goodies after some shopping.... Myra totally showered me with these lovelies....

Myra gave me the prettiest fabric tote to use as my lunch bag at school....I absolutely love summery shades of green and blue...perfect~! And, she had waxed up a box for me to use with my BBD finishes...Need that! And, can I just say, Myra even makes home-made lotion! Sheer talent I tell you....

This lotion has the most wonderful fragrance and it is just as cremey as you could ask for! Her buddy Betty Dekat has the"recipe" on her blog...So, go check it out~~...here...

As I drove back home (about an hour or so) I ran across scenes of rural back roads of North Carolina...It really is quite a lovely this time of year..So here are a few shots off the country roads....

a lake with a view..

a horse drawn buggy or two for sale...

a corner antique store that has long since gone...

just a lazy drive back home through the back roads....

Needless to say, I had the best getting to know an already good friend!! Thanks Myra~

Faye

Champions...Again!

2011-04-30T07:01:00.000-04:00

Can I be a proud momma for a moment?? Last year when my DS college golf team won the Carolina's regionals, I was proud.....And, since they were regional winners, they were one of thirteen teams who qualified for the National Golf finals in Chautauqua, NY...Man, I was so proud of them for their accomplishments! Well.....They have done it again~~~

Way to go Phillip and the Sandhills Community College Mens Golf team for winning regionals again and qualifying for the Junior College National Golf Finals~~ I plan on begging my principal for 3 days off from school so I can go up to New York and watch these very deserving young men play their hearts out and who knows, they may win the National title this year!!! Way to go guys!

Hard work DOES pay off~~ (Phillip is on the far right)

Oh, and Happy Birthday yesterday Phillip~~~ My "baby" is now 20....Where did the time go???

~~~~~~~~~~~

On the stitchy front this week, I have been busy stitching 2 exchange pieces that are due out in June... Looking at the calendar, I can't believe it will be May tomorrow!! So, I knew I needed to get busy! But, I did have a couple deliveries land on my front porch this week....I love seeing the postal truck these days~

First, I was one of Amy of FL's five giveaway winners......Man, o man, did she hook me up, or what/??? Check out the array of charts she gifted me!!! Don't look too close, because MANY of these designs will be stitched and gifted back to you guys in way of exchange pieces and RAKs....Thanks so VERY much Amy~~ I love everything you had in my giveaway win!!

~~Giveaway 5 winnings~~

Also, I was gifted a wonderful package from my generous friend Marylin of France!! Marylin has become a wonderful blogging friend and she knows I love French designs.....!! My box from her overfloweth with not only an awesome cross stitch book filled with 10 French samplers, but she also included some glorious smelling French perfume and 2 bags of French coffee.....Can I just tell you, this French coffee is heavenly!!! And, I am smelling like a rose blossom now thanks to Marylin!!

I am so excited today because I plan on finally meeting Myra~~ Many of you follow her blog and know her as the accomplished stitcher she is....Well, we live relatively near one another here in North Carolina...And, after several previous attempts, we are finally meeting today! I feel like I "know" so many of you through blogging but it is so nice to put a face with a name.....

In closing, I want to extend words of support to many of you out there who have been in the line of these awful storms this spring. Although you may have not had a direct impact, many of you have friends or family who might have been affected. Times are tough right now with all the devastation brought on by Mother Natures wrath....I plan on going through all my closets tomorrow and coming up with a trunkful of items I can donate, so hopefully those who have lost it all, will soon be able to recieve needed items to start over..... Won't you consider doing the same???

Have a safe weekend my friends,

Faye

Make it DoThank you Beth Twist~~

2011-04-25T20:54:00.001-04:00

Many of us are living our lives by the motto of "making do with what you've got!"... When I saw this freebie listed on Beth Twists blog Friday, I felt like it really must be my weekend project.... Beth stressed that everyone should be creative with their colorways, using threads we had on hand and just putting our own spin on her design....Here is my interpretation....

Make it Do....Heartstring Samplery

36 ct coffee dyed linen

threads listed below

I did end up changing threads and here is what I went with...

Called for I used

GAST Pumpkin Patch CC Pumpkin Harvest

GAST Daffodil GAST ButterCrunch

GAST Adobe GAST Adobe

GAST Fishermans Wharf GAST Portabella

GAST Woodrose GAST Woodrose

GAST Pomegranate GAST Holly Berry

GAST Butternut Squash CC Gingersnap

GAST Mustard Seed CC Ye Old Gold

GAST Baby Spinach GAST Endive

WDW Havana WDW Havana

WDW Red Pear WDW Red Pear

The point is to use what you have on hand, so use whatever you feel is right for you~~

**************************************

I did want to share my exchange piece to Pat (no blog)from a couple weeks ago...She and I had a private exchange and I posted the beautiful BBD piece she stitched for me a couple posts ago.... She notified me that she received my exchange package and here is a peak of what I mailed to her....

Summer Star Pincushion and mini pincushion

A Stitchers Journey

Blackbird Designs

The smaller initial pincushion is for Pat to use in her traveling stitch bag...It is small and just the right size to toss into her bag and have a little something to plant that needle in when changing thread colors... Both are filled with crushed walnut shells...I wanted to show the rickrack detail on the edges...The Robins Egg Blue hand-dyed trims by Victorian Motto matches the BBD designs so well.... I also included one of my homemade pins....

*****

Hope everyone had a great Easter and got back in the routine today....I had alot of fun with family and these two sweeties.....

Have a great week everyone and Happy Stitching...........

Faye

Bloom Sampler~~ Thank you Nan!

2011-04-22T14:33:00.000-04:00

When Nan of Threadwork Primitives designs these lovely charts of hers, they just SPEAK to me~~ I really, really wanted to stitch this little bunny of a design and was able to do so over the last couple nights...

Bloom Sampler

Threadwork Primitives

32 ct flax linen

Specified DMC threads

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

My "finished stitches" pile has started growing again, so next week I will need to get on with finishing off some of them....AND, I am thinking I just might need to devoting one of them to a giveaway...hmmm, which will it be?...... My 2 year blogaversary is coming up in May...hmmmm, We will see!!!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Secondly, I wanted to say a big thank to Fiona~~~ WOW, I have been showered again with a package of goodies!!!!.....Unexpected gifties just make my day!!! Thanks so much Fiona.. This darling pillow is looking wonderful in my pink basket....( And the chocolate WAS awesome!!)

Goodies from Fiona

Faith, Hope, Peace

~~~May all your families be blessed this Easter season..~~~

Faye

Gifties and a finish....

2011-04-20T17:02:00.001-04:00

I am starting to think I am the luckiest girl alive!!! Look what all came in the mail the last couple days~~~

Feast your eyes on this beautiful, and I mean beautiful, sampler that was sent to me by Mary Kathryn... She is in the process of relocating and I was fortunate to have my name drawn~~~ How cool is that???

I dont have the details, but I do know I cannot wait to have this baby framed!! Thanks so much Mary Kathryn....

*******

And, when I go home today, I had the most wonderful package in the mail from Pat (no blog)...Pat and I have been emailing for a while now and we decided to do a private exchange.... I LOVE the red BBD pillow she made for me!!! The overdyed thread and red chenille are a perfect match!!! Pat I truly LOVE this design and your stitching is gorgeous~~ And, the extra goodies....well, I am surely going to smell good~~ Thanks so much!

This treasure will look perfect in my red basket~~~

****

As for my stitching this week, well, since I have been in a SamSarah/LizzieKate state of mind lately, I decided to stitch up this quickie that my dear friend Karen sent to me....It speaks to my repurposing/frugal/using whatcha got/ kind of buckling down side...Something I ALWAYS need to be doing and I can honestly say, am getting BETTER at doing....

More on this little goodie in a future post......

Well, I better get busy in the kitchen so I can get in the craft room and finish sewing up a couple exchanges that I need to get in the mail~~~

Happy stitching everyone,

Faye

These made me smile....

2011-04-14T06:19:00.000-04:00

I have been putting a little more spring decorations out this week and when I married up my FAVORITE design by Tanya the Sampler Girl with my new little SamSarah carrots, I thought they married up perfectly.... Makes me want to steam up some carrots for dinner tonight!!

"eat your carrots" The Sampler Girl freebie

"Harried Hare" carrots SamSarah Designs

Last year when I made this pinkeep, I thought a little pocket on the backside would be perfect for needles, scissors or just a sweet message....

And, this weeks sewing task produced a new pillow made from another finished stitch from my box of springy finishes....somehow I manage to cross stitch and set the finishes aside until ready to sew them up when the mood strikes... This design is actually another freebie that Cross-Eyed Cricket put out in either 2009 or 2010...

Cross Eyed Cricket freebie

28 ct pale yellow linen

DMC threads

The design is actually about 7 inches long when stitched on 28 ct, so I sewed up a tall pillow....perfect for tucking into a basket among some smaller pillows....

And, lastly, I did manage to finish up one more square "Moonlight Visitor" on my Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart project.....Soon, that last chart will be on the shelves and I will be on a mission to get this lovely done....Stretched over many months, this has been alot of fun~~~

36 ct Winter Frost by R & R Linens

GAST, CC, WDW overdye threads

Moonlight Garden block

I have not added the personalization on this square yet...I thought I would add that to several of them once I was completed with the entire piece.....

Okay, got to head out the door for work soon.....Yippee, its Thursday and that can only mean one thing....Tomorrow's Friday!!! Living for the weekend~~~

Have a great day,

Faye

Please pass the carrots~~~~

2011-04-09T20:00:00.000-04:00

I thought these little darlings were the cutest things I had ever seen when SamSarah's "Harried Hare" was published this spring..... Thanks to my stash of overdyed oranges, I was able to stitch these babies up and today I finished my stitched finishes into these dainty little baby carrots...

32 ct sage linen

specified overdyed threads

I did not do the edged stitching on the carrot tops, rather I sewed a green fabric to my linen and frayed the edges that way.....Whether you do it my way, or the way explained in the chart, you still have carrot tops attached these yummy carrots~~~

Thanks SamSarah for helping me add to my juicy spring collection of goodies.... tomorrow we get to decorate the craft room tree with more springtime treasures~~

Until then, Happy stitching~~

Faye

L' R de rein ornies....

2011-04-07T20:41:00.000-04:00

This is a freebie design I had run across by L'R de rien and had actually stitched it in December... I liked it so much that I decided to, yep, stitch it again in March .... Just getting around to finishing my finishes...You know how that goes...right???

I love the narrow red chenille trim....Thank you very much Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe!... And, there is one side note: I put a small "10" in the top left corner of each because I want my boys to have these ornaments one day as a momento of the year their grandmother passed away....2010... She would have like these ornaments so much since she loved about anything that had a redbird on it...

That's it for now....I have been busy in the craft room with a couple surprise goodies that have gone out in the mail...so, once I know the packages have been received in the mail, I'll give you a glimpse...

Hey~~Tomorrow is Friday... Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Faye

7 Red Silks and more....

2011-04-04T10:17:00.000-04:00

Good morning to everyone in blogland~~ Its a beautiful day here in the Carolinas....

I wanted to share with you a little experiment I embarked on the last few days.... Sweet Marylin who has showered me with goodies from France, inpired me to make a "practice" band sampler from the recent edition of Broderie Creative magazine she had sent me. I so admire the bands and bands of alphabets and floral designs, but knew before I embark on such a large project, I would need to practice a few of those lovely specialty stitches.... Here is what I came up with....

And, to also satisfy my curiosity, I pulled 7 of my red silk threads from various manufacturers to see how they vary as well.... I have NPI, Atalie, Splendor, HDF, Belle Soie Cranberry and Sister Scarlett and Carries silk threads.... Quite the array of reds...

The Fantail and Rhodes stitches were among those I knew I needed to practice the most... It is still a work in progress, however since the 36 ct linen took me to a design size of approx 8 x 10, I think I will stop and frame this in one of my frames already on hand....

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And, I have had the chance to complete the beautiful red sampler that Carol most graciously lent me...

This sampler was a absolute joy to stitch up....I loved using the Belle Soie silk Sister Scarlett on this 36 ct creme linen....Very French...Oui??

I even took to opportunity to customize things by adding "in her world" above the botton alphabet... Don't we all feel like we get into our own little world when it comes to stitching time? I know I do..

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I also wanted to share with you a few items from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe that I recently purchased....Let me tell you, this photo in no way does this chenille, rick-rack and hand dyed buttons justice....Take it from me, this is quality merchandise!!! I cannot wait to get busy using this...Truly, her colorways will be perfect with all the new Blackbird Designs and many, many more!

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And, finally, Danielle, has given me the awesome opportunity to try more of the HDF silk threads....Can you believe what she sent me???? I could not believe all the luscious shades!! Thank you so very very much Danielle!! I am keeping to my word and will soon be stitching a RAK and passing on some of these beauties to share with others!!!

Hand Dye Fibers

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I am thinking a giveaway will be in order soon....With all the generosity that has touched me and many of you out there, I think I will have to host a little something as soon as I get back home...hmmmmmm....Look for more details to come~ It has been a wonderful 3 week intercession from school....I love the Year-Round calendar since it allows us to be in the classroom for 9 weeks and then out 3 weeks to recharge our batteries...MUCH needed recharging has been going on here!

Hope everyone has a great week and take time to smile on others every chance you get~~

Faye

A surpise, a college visit and seeing Red....again....Edited

2011-03-28T19:34:00.002-04:00

**Edited: After a few emails, I wanted to let you know the threads I am using on the red "A Christmas Quaker" is Victorian Motto threads in SP-P "Faye's Red"... You can find VM here....

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Look what sweet goodie was waiting on me Saturday when we returned home....

A total Easter surprise from my girl Diane...

Check out this Handmade, and stitched, card along with the cutest pincushion... It is darling Nan!!! Thankyou, Thankyou!!!

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Saturday was filled with fun visiting the University of North Carolina at Charlotte~~ Our youngest son will be attending college there this fall and we had an opportunity to attend the Open House on Saturday with him.... It is a beautiful campus...Although it was a rainy day, I did capture a couple photos...

Doesn't he look so happy!!?? Is it because he will be finally leaving home?? All this work has paid off for you Phillip!!! We are very proud of you~~~(Said like a proud mom...)

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I had been searching for this beautiful RED sampler by A Mon Ami Pierre when I happened across it on a fellow stitchers blog.........Carol, sweet person that she is, has graciously lent me this chart....I hope to stitch it up as a companion piece to my recently stitched Anna Millet 1895..

I love the title.....In Her World..... how fitting....

36 ct creme linen

Belle Soie Sister Scarlett silk thread

Belle Soie Cranberry silk thread

And, I have been also been "seeing red" by stitching a little on one of my "up for a challenge" pieces.... remember this one??? I have chipped away, little by little, when I can sneak in an hour or so...

It really is a large piece, but when I signed up for this challenge, I meant it!!! Finishing 12 WIP's in 2011 was my committment and I am bound and determined this will be finish number 6~~~

This piece really has been a fun stitch.....I'd say I am about two thirds done...

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Well, that's it for today~~ Rainy and cold here in the Carolinas...I need to head to the kitchen for another K-cup~~~ Take care everyone,

Faye

Exchanges, A Finish and Welcome Home~photo heavy

2011-03-24T18:09:00.000-04:00

I had wonderful surprises waiting on me as I returned home today from a few days away...

Sweet Jennifer surprised me as my exchange partner in the "Friends Stitching through the Seasons" exchange....How lucky am I??? Jennifer is an accomplished stitcher and sure did spoil me handsomely with a LOADED package of goodies.... Feast your eyes on this!!!

From colorful ribbons, a Yankee candle, dainty paisley scissors, npi RED silk floss,darling business cards with a big ole "F"(too cute!),a much needed note pad, a wooden magnet, Tickled Pink chart with charm by Sweetheart Tree to a precious needles & pins pincushion including 3 AWESOME pins!!!

Did I hit the jackpot or what???

I just love it~~~ Stitched and finished just perfectly!!!

Thanks so VERY MUCH Jennifer!!Awesome exchange~~

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And as if that were not enough warm fuzzies flowing from my mail box, I also recieved my

Hooked on Exchanging Red Exchange from Nicole~~!! I tell ya, I was yet again blown away~~~ I had lots of shades of DMC, a beautifully crochetted coffee cozy, lots of red buttons, sticky notes and a beautifully stitched Scissory fob~~ I LOVE IT ALL~~

I especailly like the personalization Nicole put on this lovely fob....It will look great in my Red Basket.....Thanks so very much Nicole for your generosity! It was well worth the wait~~

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While away at the beach, I worked on Anna Mellit and got her finished....I promise you I tried and tried to take it slow on this wonderful sampler.....I LOVED the luscious red silk that Marylin had kitted with this chart..... Something about the feel of the silk made me want to linger and savor each stitch...

Anna Millet 1895

Reflects de Soie

36 ct creme linen

Dark Red silk thread

Specialty stitches.....

Marylin mailed me this beautiful kit as a jesture of friendship between an avid French stitcher and myself, a stitcher who loves to stitch red....I had no idea she would be showering me with gifts as she has, but I feel so fortunate to have become her friend.... We exchange emails frequently and I have mailed her an "American" stitchery package as well.... I cannot say enough about how wonderful friendships are made among stitching friends.... Friendships that truly touch the heart.

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I leave you with 2 photos.... My photo last night of the pastel skies from the Carolina beaches......

And a picture of my sweet beagle girl waiting on my return today.... I think I woke her up from her nap in the sunshine~~

Take care everyone!!!

Faye

Merci Marylin~~~ I feel so blessed!

2011-03-19T12:59:00.000-04:00

I have been gifted again from sweet Marylin~~ Aren't stitching friends the absolute best???

Here is the cutest, BEST SMELLING pillow she stitched for me~ I love the nice Moda fabric on the backing and again, the fragrance is absolutely spell binding.....I wish you could take a deep breath~

Here is a closeup of the darling charm and beautiful trim... It is truly stunning....

She also spoiled me with the most beautiful French kit! It has the lovely red and white threads, ribbons and the button charmpack along with the natural shade linen.... I hope to do this piece justice and finish it into a button box perhaps?....

****MERCI MARYLIN****

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I have been devoting a little time to Anna Mellet this weekend..... Marylin so graciously sent it to me earlier this month and here is my progress..... The AVAS red silk thread is heavenly to use!!!

So....that's it for today...........here is a view from my stitching chair for the next few days.... My back porch at the beach......................

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Faye

Carolina Stitcher

Some Sunday finishing......

Sarah and I.....

Upate on Sarah.....and a giveaway to mention....

My French stitch, yesterdays project and giveaway winners~~~~

~~ Studly Sergei has inspired my giveaway..~~

Meet my new best friend....Sergei....

January Cottage...My 2012 list...and GIFTS~~~

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

A start, a gift and my giveaway~~~

~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~

My last trip to the post office this week....

Gifts can touch the heart.....

Tis the Season....

Blue bird with a little Blueberry Crumbcake....

I'm in Blueberry Crumbcake Heaven~~~~

A couple more stitches...

Merry Primitive Christmas...Thank you Primitive Hare~~~~~

Pineberry Lane prims......

...May I introduce.... my new love......

~~~What makes me happy~~~

A few ornies done at the retreat...and more....

~~ A Halloween Eve post...~~~ Boo!!

~~Happy Sunday~~(photo heavy..)

French Birthday gifts~~~

Birthday Greetings~~

A Quaker Christmas by ByGone Stitches~~

Locked in on red......again.

Jumped in with both feet~~~

~~~ STILL STITCHIN'~~~

Fantastic framing....

A La-D-Da long weekend....

Meet my friend, Fredricka~~~

~~We are still here.....~~

Meet Fredricka....my new BFF~~~

My latest finish...Anniversaries of the Heart by Blackbird Designs....

Penny America....

***Penny America***

~~~~Christmas in July~~~~~

Just a couple more finishes ..Patriotics of course!!

Gifts, finishes and the heat~~~

Please pray for Linda ~~~((edited))

Americana themed finishes....(photo heavy)....

A couple more Patriotic stitches...

exchange updates and many humble "Thanks~~"

My last day in the craft room......very Patriotic~~~It's a GOOD thing!

The boys did so good!!!

Wonderful news and a few patriotic finishes.....

Friends and more friends.....(photo heavy...)

Family Sampler and blogger problems....BIG time!~~

Pumpkin Farm and more....

TGIF and some framing....

Giveaway winner!!!

"instant d'ete"....a French gift...

~~My May Giveaway~~~

Meeting Myra in the middle....what a treat!

Champions...Again!

~~Make it Do~~Thank you Beth Twist~~

Bloom Sampler~~ Thank you Nan!

Gifties and a finish....

These made me smile....

Please pass the carrots~~~~

L' R de rein ornies....

7 Red Silks and more....

A surpise, a college visit and seeing Red....again....**Edited**

~~Exchanges, A Finish and Welcome Home~~~**photo heavy**

Merci Marylin~~~ I feel so blessed!

Studly Sergei has inspired my giveaway..

Merry Christmas

~What makes me happy~

A Halloween Eve post...~ Boo!!

Happy Sunday(photo heavy..)

~ STILL STITCHIN'~

We are still here.....

Penny America

Christmas in July~

My May Giveaway~

Make it DoThank you Beth Twist~~

A surpise, a college visit and seeing Red....again....Edited

Exchanges, A Finish and Welcome Home~photo heavy