Giveaway at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Great giveaway at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  Go check it out!!

I'm Sad to Take the Tree Down

I'm always so sad to take the Christmas Tree down.  That really seems to mark the year and it seems like it really marks  the passage of time.  Took all the Christmas cross stitch down and put up the more generic winter pieces.  Lots of cardinals in the pieces.

I'm not normally a fan of Rachel Ray.  She is a little too loud for me.  I think I prefer Ina Gartner's demeanor.  When I turned on the TV Thursday morning, Rachel was on and doing a tip show.  I liked some of the tips the handimen where giving.  Wasn't too interested in the Mother-daughter styling contest but, the Beef and Eggplant Ragu piqued my interested.

Decided since it is too cold to cook burgers on the grill, (high of 7 yesterday).  I wrote as I watched the show the recipe....then found it on line.  I thought that would be a good dinner.  It really was good and is in the make it again pile.  Here is the link to it and a pic of my finish.
Beef and Eggplant Ragu

Cinnamon Sticks Santa is coming along.  

I have the words at the bottom and the border to do.  

Will have to fluff up his beard with a bunko  brush. 

Hope your new year is going well.  

We are just hoping that Katy will get a job. 

It has been a long and exasperating process.  

Keep on Stitching. 

Monica

I Stage Like Crap!

I should title this something much nicer.

I will start with Happy New Year!

Hopefully 2016 didn't throw you too many curve balls but, it was an eventful year...

Glad its over.

Let's all hope 2017 will be stellar, happy and healthy!!!

So let me show you what I mean, I stage like crap!

I should take more pride in my pictures than I do but, always in a rush, rush, RUSH!

Homespun Elegance Cinnamon Sticks Santa is moving along and I got the missing Wisper fiber to do his collar and cuffs.  

It will take a little longer and then get thrown on the pile to finish.  

Notice the curled edge...bad!

 Finished the first sock for a pair for Katy in an Alpaca yarn.  

Made the leg a little longer per her request.  

Not blocked...heck I don't ever block socks.

When I'm done I roll them up into a ball and throw them at the recipient.  LOL.

 Working on a scarf for myself out of Mochi Plus it is a little of a lace design.  

I love the colors!

 I think I'm going to make an infinity scarf when I'm done.

Great staging again, notice the butter cutter in the back ground.

I got to tell you tho, butter cutters are the bomb, Casabella Butter Keep.

There are measurements on it to help you measure with out getting your fingers too messy.  

Tried to show how far I am on this.  

I will block it but, they do have a tendency to kind of fold up on itself.  

Played in my over crowded sewing room yesterday looking at patterns.

I have a tin box I want to make a cover for that I have found works great to store all the magnetic accessories for stitching.  

I have a pattern picked out.  

I may have to adjust it a little to get it to fit the way I would want it.  

Some blogs are just so beautifully done!

Maybe someday but, then I wouldn't be able to use my IPhone and would have to buy a fancy-schmancy camera.  

One more day off before going back to work.

The weather is suppose to cooperate so may hit the road for a shopping trip.

JoAnn fabric has yarn on sale 55% off and should go check it out.

Again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Merry Christmas....and more

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Thought I would post a few of my favorite Santa ornaments.  

Love the bottle brush tree he carries.  

 Carrying his sacks of gifts.  

Making progress on the Cinnamon Sticks Santa.  

I thought the fur on his collar was floss but its Wisper in a color I don't have.

I should make due but I like the lighter brown.  

Just waiting for it to come along with a few skeins of Classic Colorworks for a different project.  

Finally, I wanted to show you the picture of the Duffers I knitted and felted for the stitching group Christmas presents.  

They may have turned out a little big but, they can be felted down some more.  

If they had been too small, I would have been out of luck.  

Hope you all have a most wonderful Christmas!

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Through the Woods

I finished Through the Woods today and I mean I FINISHED it!  

I was sewing some other things for work so I found some backing fabric and finished it too. 

 I found some rusty bells at Joann's. 

I wish they had some smaller ones.  

I have tried rusting bells but, they didn't turn out. 

I know I can order some.  

Maybe I will try again this winter.  

I think he turned out uber cute.  

I started working on Homespun Elegance Cinnamon Santa XVIII

I thought I had all the fibers but, his collar is a brown Wisper.

Needless to say, I had to place an order for it and I ordered the thread for Plum Street Samplers Merry One.  

I have wanted that since it came out as a kit but sold out fast.  

I may continue Christmas stitches through January.  

I am also working on a pair of socks for Katy and started a scarf for myself.

The stitching group Christmas party is this week so I should be able to post what I made them all after that. 

Hope you have had a good weekend.  

I mostly hibernated, crafting and watching Hallmark Christmas movies,  since it snowed yesterday and was a high of 5 today.

It is now -7....yikes!

Suppose to warm up mid week.  

Have a great week!

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It has been pretty dog gone cold in the UP.  

That polar vortex :(

I think the windchill was at least -15 all day.  

Suppose to be cold tomorrow and then snow.

I decided to run my errands and grocery shop today so I can hibernate this weekend.  

Made and awesome dinner tonight from the Paula Dean One Dish Meals that came out this fall.  

It is Wine Braised Chicken with Bacon and Mushrooms.  

 I think says how everyone felt about it.,, seconds and thirds.  

 Progress is being made on the piece from Punch Needle and Primitive Stitching magazine.  

I have a little to do then I will move on to another Homespun Elegance Santa.  

 Felted wool clogs for Ed and decided to give them to him now before Christmas.  

I really wanted to see how they fit...and they are perfect.  

My daughter has started an Etsy store that has beautiful hand knitted accessories and jewelry.  

Please check it out.

Here is the Link:  The Covert Knitter

She also has a blog by the same name:  The Covert Knitter

Thanks for checking it out.  

Really looking forward to hibernating this weekend. 

I want to start a scarf for myself, work on the latest pair of socks and cross stitch of course.  

Hope the weather isn't too brutal where you are.  

Have a great weekend!

Keep on Stitching!

Monica

Finishes and Starts.

I really finished my Brenda Gervais Winterberry Cabin.  

I was taking down autumn stitches and this was the frame from on of them.  

I pop pieces in and out of frames and the size looked pretty good. 

Saved a few bucks and I don't keep the seasonal things hanging all the time.  

 Top without the flash

Bottom with the flash

 Started a pair of felted clogs for my son.

It is big enough to be a sleeping bag for Buster.  

It will really felt down.  

Have to do the cuff then knit a second bottom.  

It takes a little time but really is a quick knit.  

 Started  Through The Woods Ornament in the Christmas Edition of Punch Needle and Primitive Stitching by Barbara Ana.  

It is extremely cute if you haven't seen the magazine.  

I will keep you posted.  

Finally, everyone needs to keep their fingers crossed tomorrow from 10:30 to 2:00 CST for my daughter Katy.  She has a job interview for a lab position that she really wants.  Hopefully they will pay enough to live on too!  She is super excited.  She has sent out hundreds of online applications and has had a few telephone interviews but, this one has her really excited.  Please say a prayer or send positive energy her way.

Hope you had a great weekend.

I have to say mine was pretty good.  

Keep on Stitching. 

Monica