OWOH 2011 - gifts

I actually won a few gifts and I have plans for them :)

The PDF tutorial and supplies are from Edytheanne http://edytheanne.typepad.com/. I'm going to try and make the heart then gift it.
The bookmark and card were made by Carola http://carolabartz.blogspot.com/. Both are lovely.
The picture/frame is gorgeous and was made by Jann http://www.a-vintage-heart.blogspot.com/

And look what showed up in my e-mail ...... a photograph from Carolyn . She is using her "Love Dove" and her daughter wants it :)

A wee gift for my 100th follower

A few postings ago I indicated that I was finishing up a wee item to give as a surprise. Well here it is being happily modeled by Ms. Theadora :)

Merlin J. Phineas Alberto's pet, Deana, who can be found blogging at http://inspiringadventuresofalwaysinspired.blogspot.com/  will be receiving a little Iris cross-stitch kit and "A Very Merry Spring" mini pin-cushion that I made recently.
While Ms. Theadora would love to travel with them, she has important work awaiting her here :)

Outdoor Wednesday - Waiting For Spring

For more Outdoor Wednesday fun hop on over to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com
Spring things are appearing in my garden. The mini Iris and Crocus have started to bloom. Little spots of lovely color amidst the remains of dead leaves.

The Eva Owl Event

Janet M. Davies, a very talented designer from New Zealand is having an event. She wants people from all over the world to do interpretations of her design EVA OWL. There are two categories with 10 prizes in each category. I have to say that I am partial to her owl designs so this should be fun :)

To find out more go to http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/ or click on pretty owl Eva in my side bar.

My Creative Space

I am fortunate to have a sewing/craft room. It was my son's old bedroom. On the whole it works well for me but needs tweaking from time to time.
It's been looking, and feeling, like a disaster area since before Christmas when I dumped a whole lot of "stuff" in there due to having our two older children come for a visit.
This past week-end I decided to "have at it". My original plan was to move my very large book-case because it was difficult to get too. However as I stood there my bronchitis loaded body rebelled and I moved my work table instead :) Works a whole lot better for me and I am pleased with that.

My creative mess - Before

My creative mess - After

This configuration works a whole lot better for me AND Lucy does not get in the way when I need to get from table to sewing machine. After numerous times of running over her tail you'd think she would lie somewhere else in the room but noooooo, she has to be close to my ankles and the window.
I still have a few baskets of odds and ends to dispose of and some shelves to re-arrange.
The drawers in the corner unit hold my "in progress" cross-stitch, embroidery and quilting projects. Corner drawer, supplies for my sewing machines. The small cupboard has beads and some of my genealogy research.
The small blue basket on the table currently holds supplies for some hearts I am making.
This new arrangement gives me space for my serger and easy access to my large book-case (phew). Two of the side benefits - I can see the TV in the family room from my chair (for Castle, Bones, Mentalist), AND I found some of my SHARP scissors hidden away in a drawer that I cleaned out :)
Still to do -
paint the big book-case
re-do the smaller shelving area next to the book-case (holds fabric and other crafting supplies)
move a small book-case out so my daughter can use it.
hang the white board up
hang a large cork board for "works in progress" above the fabric shelves.
make a fabric skirt for my work table.

OWOH 2011 ....... drumroll please :)

By the very unscientific method of asking the patrons at our local Family History Center to "pick a number between ....." we have the following winners. Congratulations to all of you.

Gift #1. Tara at http://sewgorgeous.blogspot.com..... and wouldn't you know it she's from Scotland :) (heard back from, in the mail, received)

Gift #2. Needlewings at A Frayed of Fibers http://needlewings.blogspot.com/ (heard back from, in the mail, received)

And now for another gift. My birdie transportation presented me with an idea and after much consideration I have 5 surprise "Love Doves" to gift away :) They will be similar to one seen in the following photograph (two shown). So what are they? ........... mug rugs !!!!!!

1. Carolyn at http://lildarlingsbycarolyn.blogspot.com(heard back from, in the mail, received)
2. Dawn at http://goldenangelsworks.blogspot.com(heard back from, in the mail, received)
3. Just Jingle at http://justjingle.blogspot.com(heard back from, in the mail, received)
4. Amy at http://knitterofhatsspeaks.blogspot.com (heard back from, in the mail, received)
5. Barbara at http://barbara-moorewhimsies.blogspot.com(heard back from, in the mail)
and a surprise one (because I messed up on her e-mail address notification)
6. Cathy at http://cathyhorner.blogspot.com/ (heard back from, in the mail, received)

If anyone would like to participate in a PIF drawing please head on over to my other blog http://ascotintennessee.blogspot.com

So OWOH will not be happening next year BUT Lisa has something else in the works so hop on over to http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/ to find out more.

OWOH 2011 ....... Thanks everyone

Thanks to everyone who visited and left comments. That was a lot of fun.

I've done my drawing and notified the winners. Come back tomorrow for some surprises :)

Outdoor Wednesday - Treads or Tracks?

Well this one has the potential to be a good panel for part of a wall hanging.
For more Outdoor Wednesday photos hop on over to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

I'm experimenting with ........ part 2

This is how it looks with the background filled in. Doing a dark border to "ground " everything.

I'm experimenting with ......

14 count perforated paper. This particular one (Plaid Bucilla) has large holes in it which can do a bit of a number on your eyes. It also feels somewhat "plasticy" as opposed to paper.
I opted to use a pattern I was already familiar with and voila .......

"Birds in Tree" 3 strands DMC #704.
Now to decide how to finish it off. I'm thinking maybe a little ornament. I'm also contemplating whether or not to fill in the background.
(Any other experiments are going to be done with one of my own designs. Probably "Square in Square")

Outdoor Wednesday - wee green man

Our wee, weather greened, cherub came with the house when we bought it. He has lived in many parts of the back yard over the years but now calls the back corner under a large tree "home". He "guards" the critter fence-line access to our neighbors yard. Some of his other "duties" over the years have been to help our flowers grow, keep the bunnies away from our veggies, chat to our bushes and "scare off" the squirrels.
He's had many secret adventures over the years i.e. been found toppled off his plinth. The birds, and Lucy love to visit him and chat.
For more Outdoor Wednesday fun visit http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Following along ........... meet Yakna

I enjoy visiting the blogs of my blog followers. They are a great bunch of people.
A wee while ago Yakna (Natasha) from the Ukraine, showed up for a web visit and brought her new blog with her. It's quite lovely. I enjoy seeing what she stitches and love the way her blog is set up. When you visit be sure to click on the link under each photograph .... you never know what you might find - a story, more photos, a tutorial (the current one is fun looking) :)

Photographs used with permission.

Like many stitchers Yakna has pets ........ they are adorable but I will let you find them for yourselves.
http://yakna.blogspot.com/ We might all learn how to speak a smattering of Russian if we visit often enough.

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OWOH2011 continues on. Thanks to everyone that has visited and left a comment. Package #2 from me is now being revealed :) My birdie transportation, after taking a breather yesterday, is ready to zoom off lickety split. I better get our lunch packed up.

Mosaic Heart - part 2

Before I forget ....... yet again - here's an update. Just have to finish the tulips and a few buds.

To answer a question from my previous Mosaic Heart posting - no this is not a freebie pattern (at least that I know of). It came as a set of DMC patterns that I was given as a Christmas gift in 2009.
Thanks to everyone that has been visiting from OWOH this week. It's been fun. Me and my birdie transportation are slowly visiting everyone. Lots of very talented artists out there. I feel inspired :)

A Very Merry Spring - Part 1

To the north, east and west of us the country is blanketed in varying depths of snow with many people wishing it was spring already. We have sun, somewhat chilly, but still sun, and welcome at that :)

"A Very Merry Spring" by JBW Designs
22 ct. white Evenweave
2 strands DMC - 958, 959, 3850 & 3851
The stitching is done and I plan on making it into a wee hanging ornament for a special event. (More details soon.)
If you want to see a pretty version done in linen and variegated thread hop on over to visit Sadie (another Scots lassie) at http://stitchingupastorm.blogspot.com/ Scroll down to her January 25th entry and enjoy her other projects along the way :)

Exchange Heaven - valentines gift

My little "Valentines Hearts" pillow has arrived at Maddy's house ..... in England. She loves it and I am thrilled about that :)

14ct Aida

DMC 3832 & 3833 2 strands

single heart pattern found at http://dany88.canalblog.com

Christmas Ornament - Hope - part 3

All the stitching is done except for the fact that I think the wording is looking a bit wimpy. I'm going to think about it for a few days and then decide whether I want to just leave it alone and call it finished, or beef it up a bit.