Hardanger SAL week 1 is up

I've posted the first part of the SAL pattern. I'm really excited! I couldn't wait until tonight! Andrea

Dont you just love Halloween... These are the closeup pictures of my beadwork sorry if they arent perfect... But I have so many beads that I had no problem tossing this combination together!!!

Here are the pictures of the dragon dreams - boo dragonlet finished into

a pinkeep using the method in the JCS 2008 Halloween ornament edition.

This method can be seen on the cover surrounding the bat pinkeep. Although

it was timely coming up with the design, and putting all the beads and pins

together, I think you will agree, it was well worth it. I am still not sure what

else I will do with it, put it on a hanger, or in a frame with fabric backing...

But whatever I do, it is already one of my favorite pinkeep finishes! Please

let me know if you try this, and I would love to see your results!

the finish below

So if you are in my round robbin the freebie I stitched below is one that I sent to you all :) I am so excited because I got the new issue of Just Cross Stitch, the new Halloween premier issue. There are some cute designs, BUT the best part for me was on page 40... the finishing on the pinkeep is just gorgeous... I am using this technique to finish this freebie! Today I hope to buy the beads... because i definitely will use brown, green, and orange colors complimented with maybe copper :) for fall... I cannot wait for you all to see it :) Perhaps this is my tomorrow project! Jon, Dante and I are going to Seattle today!!! yippee. I am not sure if I mentioned earlier that both my washer and dryer quit this month. Well Jon wanted to conserve space, since we have a lot of changes going on and such; so I bought one of these... which came highly reccomended! I am so excited! http://www.homeelegancecenter.com/Haier_HWD1000_Combo_Washer_Dryer_Ventless_p/hwd1000.htm Anyways... have fun :) and Happy Stitching. Enjoy your weekend Laura

a FiNiSh!! - 4 HaLlowEen

Here are some pics The first one is my finish last night :) a Dragon Dreams Freebie by Jennifer Aikman; 2006 Boo Dragonlet :) The second is Dante in his sweatshirt... It is fall once again! One of my favorite seasons. The next picture is Jared... growing up way too fast. He is my youngest and is 16 - almost 17 geesh!

Laura can you check something for me?

I'm in a bit of a panic - I was at my Nampa Wal-Mart today, and the Caron Simply Soft yarn (no dye lot, beautiful shimmer, super soft) was red-tagged from $2.07 to $1.50. Is it going the way of cross-stitch supplies? I bought 4 skeins - I was needing one anyway, but I got some extra just in case I can't get it at that price ever again! Also, Bernat Baby Soft Chunkee was red-tagged (I don't remember how much) If you like knitting or crocheting, maybe go to your local Wal-Mart and look for an even better deal!

Needleroll

Here is a picture of the needleroll I recieved earlier this week from Natalie B. for the Hooked on Exchanging exchange :) It is the stitchers needleroll by Lorri Birmingham :) I love it :) and cannot wait to post pics of the pieces that I have sent this week, once they are recieved! Click on the pics to see the wonderful goodies I also recieved! Thank you Natalie!

Halloween Fair and Square

Here is a pic of the Halloween Fair and Square I recieved today from April K. Thank you April! It is adorable. I hope to make a beaded scissor fob and attach it as well as a tassel .... :) Thank you!

4 months old

My sweet Dante is 4 months old today :) This is a pic of him last weekend ... napping :)

Info on Hardanger tutorial SAL is up!

If you have been trying to follow along with the Hardanger classes, or just waiting for the SAL, it's almost here! The pattern is all converted from Excel to blogger-friendly .bmp, and I have the design size, stitch count, etc. posted so you can shop if you need to. I'm excited! I think I'm going to do mine in autumn colors, since it's the first day of fall, and it feels like it! I picked up some pretty variegated thread - it reminds me of caramel, which reminds me of caramel apples - yum. Andrea

Jon, who I am matched with :)

ENTP - "Inventor". Enthusiastic interest in everything and always sensitive to possibilities. Non-conformist and innovative. 3.2% of the total population.

Free Jung Word Test (similar to Myers-Briggs)
personality tests by similarminds.com

even more rare... wow... it explains a lot :) Laura

Unique; Journalist

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

Free Jung Word Test (similar to Myers-Briggs)
personality tests by similarminds.com

This is the results of my personality test in college... boy, I knew I was different , but wow :) Laura

3 new lessons in Hardanger tutorial

I have a "follower" - someone I've never "met" (although the only one of you guys I've met is Laura) - apparently all I need to get my tushy in gear is a stranger looking over my shoulder! I've also made a lot of progress on the tutorial SAL. Progress! Hah! What am I talking about? I have the .bmp images all ready to upload, I just need to type the posts. Anyway, I think I'll start running that after I finish round 4 of the 3 ladies and get her in the mail. Yay! Andrea is happy dancing because she finished the basics of her tutorial!!!!!

Hello Everyone

Hello, BTW the blog looks awesome! Just wondering though - there is no way to add comments to another persons post???? I tried to add a comment to your post Laura - I didn't see a link for that . Just wondering"?" Anyway - Sept has been crazy with my new schedule and the kids in school , so I decided about 2 weeks ago to finish up the Round 4 of our "ladies" - and don't ya know I sliced the pad of my forefinger on my left hand very deep and bad - I know I sliced through a few nerves ( sounds gross huh!) I cried a good 15 min - the pain went right through me - and just so you know I am left-handed - I refused to go to E.R. - they take too long - so I suffered through it and couldn't stitch for 8 days - Now I am on a stitchin' frenzy. I have the right side to do on my Round 4 and then it is off to you Laura1 I love this one - it also happens to be the one that I chose for myself! (the purple one _cannot think of the name right now) Also I received a gorgeous embroidered block from Andrea = the fabric is gorgeous - I must find time to upload photos Hope everyone is doing well. Vanessa

Ouch!

Vanessa, wow, that is not good ... No slicing !! I hope you feel better soon.. Thank you for the compliment on the blog... I love it so much. I recieved my fair and square and sent mine out, so I will post pics this weekend. I am gathering up all of my projects this weekend, and doing lots of stitching :) I will have a to do list soon :) Here is a wonderful link for those of you who scrapbook or digitally scrapbook: www.scrapblog.com you sign up, BUT the actual site is free; and fun expect to see some changes here soon on my links :) I can do this! Laura

Freebie Link

http://mausimomsfreebies.blogspot.com/ Wow, some really cute freebies at this site. :) I will post it as a link tomorrow. Just so much college, and now I am winding down for the night. I am almost caught up to myself. So I will list my finishes and WIPS for the month by the weekend, with pictures where I can. Thank you to all for your patience. Catching up has been a challenge ... I DID IT! Laura

Blessings

I have been with Dante all day :) Needless to say, he is really spoiling me! I have him again tomorrow! He is quite the talker, and getting quite big. We went to get pictures for Christmas. We only got 5 and have so many more to go :) but he wasnt up to it all today. He is so small. He did however manage to soak me, and later in the day stain me :) He is so precious, though! Since his birth, I have been reminded of how precious life is. I would like to also mention a dear friend, Verla Copple, who used to work with me. I found out today that she passed on one week ago. She was an older lady, but I can tell you that she definitely worked harder than most of the young ones. She came in to see me last week... She had lost a lot of weight, and when I asked her how she was, she said basically nothing. I knew. God bless you, Verla. Life is full of blessings, and you were one for sure. I have a beautiful new life, and yet it is not certain how long any of us will live. Count your blessings. Love you all. Love you Verla, Laura

New Blog Layout

I love my new blog layout. The difference, for now, is that in order to post a blog you have to go to the dashboard by clicking on About Me, and then click posting, and create. I hope to change this soon. I really miss my navigational bar, as I used this alot. Otherwise I love the blog. Please let me know what you think! You can add comments the same as usual. If you would like more information on how to create a blog like this, I used Designs By Vheil ; she is a designer who can help. Her links are at the bottom of this blog! Thank you all for visiting, and by the end of the weekend this should have more info! I have a 3 day weekend. Dante and I are going to Wal-Mart to get his pictures taken for Christmas presents. (he is 3 months, and I want them to have pics before too long!) Keep hanging in there. Laura

Hi again!

I'm moved in and online - there's an update on my blog. No pics yet - I'm looking for a camera that works. My digital camera bit the dust (literally - I dropped it) when we visited Idaho in July. So those will be coming later.

Changing

So I did some rearranging of the blog; some of this is temporary, it is so that the new blog will be easier to put together :) Hope you all are excited. I have seen what it will mostly look like, and I can tell you that I am Very very happy with it! It is exactly the look I was going for. There have been minor changes to the original plan, and many changes to the planning in general, but ultimately, this is the blog I intended! :) Laura

Header

Well I changed the look of the blog temporarily out of boredom, and the old header wouldnt work, So I posted my pic of a recent finish in the header... Here is the Quaker Hedgie freebie from workbasket. I think I will make him into a matress pincushion. Note the fabric is same as the Garden Fairy in our 3 Ladies, except there is no shine to it. :) have a wonderful weekend, friends! Laura

Fair and Squares

So I will be updating my blog since blogger is cooperating today and hopefully tomorrow - with pictures I have been waiting to show you all. These are the squares I recieved from Christine for my July fair and squares. I love them. I am thinking of making a biscornu, I am not sure... Laura

3 Ladies

Colleen, I did it. It has been done but it goes out tomorrow ... Sorry for the delay... I bet youre excited! :) theres a little something for your patience too... :) it is beautiful Laura

Love

Hi, everyone! I finally got my pictures to start posting, and of course, I have to post my pictures of Dante... love... sweet... perfect... blessing... funny... cute... captivating I miss him!

Dante 8/21/08

A new blog, and a scent

First, I would like to share with you a link to a new blog, that kept me thoroughly entertained today. Art and Ghosts http://artandghosts.typepad.com/my_weblog/ It is a bit random, but I love a lot of it. And the author`s writing is interesting. I just had a scent of flowers pass through my room, and it took a moment to realize it was yesterdays perfume on my sweatshirt ... lol thats what I get for visiting a ghostly art site lol Laura

Colleen, you make me laugh!

Here are the links, sorta to my layout pages (2 out of the 3) and you definitely could say that the colors match my kitchen... Most people would probably not be as adventurous, but mine are sunset colors... light to brightish orange, lt blue, some stained blue wood, blue tiles on the counters and beige venetian tiles on the floor with the blue tile pattern inlay. I will take pics one day :) the curtains are beige, the trim is dark walnut and, well... it is still a work in progress. But it is my style. :) Laura http://digital-scrapbook-art.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1262
orange rust brown and blue nice butterflys and stitch element
http://digital-scrapbook-art.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1193
this really plays well with the creative side of the blog

Starting Fresh

So I am trying to get everything back in order... here, and at home... work has a new plan, and I think I will have less stress so if I can get everything else right perhaps I can feel less stress all in all :) Here there will be a new look to the blog. I am sure you will love it. I have seen the scrapbook papers used for the digital layout and picked 3 of my grandsons pictures to adorn the page because he is so cute, and I want to always see these pictures:) Hope all is well with you. Any advice on the best place to keep your pictures on the web as far as ease getting them to google? I started a photobucket account, but I am not sure this is the best one ..??? Let me know... thanks :) Laura

I'm still around! Sorry!

I am so sorry you guys. This move has been a nightmare. We are driving to Idaho on September 1 and we still don't have an address. So I'm a little stressed. We thought we had a rental house lined up, and the people didn't get back to me until after it had been rented to someone else for a week. Needless to say, I was unhappy with them. We're waiting and praying for a quick approval on an application, since we're almost out of time. I mailed round 3 to Pixie, and I sent the lottery piece to Vanessa, along with presents and a note begging their forgiveness. Once we're settled, I'll be back on track. I received the most recent piece from Colleen, and it will be moving in the car with me, so I'll know where it is. I'm a fast stitcher (sometimes) and I think I'll be able to complete the next round before we mail again. My e-mail address will also be changing, but of course without an address I can't set it up! My cell phone number will not change, so that will still work. My computer has not connected to our wireless network since May (grrrr), so I have to make sure it's hard-wired to the modem once it's set up. I'm tempted to just not move the giant piece of junk and get a new one, but that's not the most practical solution. So everything's fine, we're still alive and in the Seattle area for the next 5 (gulp!) days! Andrea

Received round 4

I just received round 4 in the mail, here's a pic:

Blog Makeover

Well, I have been busy lately! I have pics of my grandson who is 3 months old today... :) he and I spend every weekend together, and a few hours in between. I love him so much :) I am getting a blog makeover as we speak :) so when you come back to find we look completely different, I hope you like it! Dont be surprised! I am working with Vheil`s Designs, and she is just wonderful! Not too pricey either! I have added her blogspot to the top right for everyone to check out! Miss you all... off to stitch tomorrow and a few other things :) Laura

UPDATE

Laura has not yet sent to Colleen Colleen has sent to Andrea and it was recieved. Andrea ? has not sent to Pixie Pixie has sent to Rebekah and it was recieved. Rebekah has sent to Vanessa. ?it was recieved? Vanessa has sent to Laura and it is recieved. This is the information that I have. I will update as soon as I recieve more. I am sending my piece off by next weekend... I am so sorry Colleen. Life can hand you a boxful. I feel badly, but I am almost there. I appreciate that you have been so patient. Vanessa, have you recieved Rebekah`s piece. I want to save you have, but I am thoroughly confused! Andrea, Please let me know if you have sent the piece to Pixie. If you have it has been lost-unless it was recently. I will take on the challenge of restitching it to the current point if need be. If you have not sent yet, can you please e mail Pixie letting her know when you expect to send, and please let me know as well. Thank you all... Laura

Deadline; 3 Ladies

Well it seems that some of us, including me, are not caught up. Summer can be hard. I know I have a lot on my plate. SO I am extending the deadline to mail out the ladies to August 24th. (A month from the original date). I have already told Colleen that I would be late.... and I am sorry... this will change the dates for the rest of the send offs. I have not heard from Andrea since her move. I think I will try her old cell if I dont hear from her this week. We may have to change some things to make sure everyone gets their piece back .... DO NOT WORRY ... I will see to it personally that this happens. PLEASE UPDATE THE LIST ON THE KEEPING TRACK SECTION OF THE 3 LADIES ONCE YOUR PIECE IS SENT AND ONCE IT IS RECIEVED. This is the first time we have had a large problem, and I hope that it smooths out. Thank you to all of you who are on track, and those of you who are being patient. You are all wonderful. ;) Laura

Has your Lady Arrived

Ok, I'm just impatient, I know but........ Andrea has your Lady arrived yet?

Im home

Okay, I am home! I have been so busy... I do have a ton of pics and things to work on here... But my camera is dead, so I can only do so much. Here are a couple of pics from the week... and I hope to get back into the swing of things as I have a ton to catch up on. Thank you all for your patience. Pixie, did you have a good vacation.? I still havent heard from Andrea, so I e mailed her again. I may have to switch things up abit... and stitch something too... we will see. Let me know Laura

Sturgis 2008

So, if you do not already know, I will be headed out for Sturgis on Tuesday morning, and will arrive back on the 12th. In case you need me, I will be watching my blog and still posting. Hopefully my connection is better, and I can download some pictures. I am very frustrated with not being able to do so. :( I have a lot of stitching going with me! Before I leave I will mail the 3 Ladies to you, Colleen. I will take a needleroll, my fair and squares, my next 3 Ladies, A hedgehog finish, and one to start, Skeleton Crew, a bent creek mini, etc. I will post my progresses, and hopefully pictures. The reason we are going, is Jon actually won a gig at the Gold Chip you can see his info at www.screamingskunk.com. Everyone have fun, and I will definitely try! Laura

SelbuMittens01

SelbuMittens01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Now I know this is not cross stitch related, but I had to share. I purchased this book early this month with www.knitpicks.com 40% off their books sale.
This Selbuvotter book is a great read , read it many times. I went ahead and tried the stranded work - (not one thing I am good at) - it was too small with fingering yarn . So this morning , found some naturespun sport in my stash along with size 3 needles and perfect.
Cuff took about an hour and then the rest flew by - - really need to keep tension loose with the stranded work - but I am in love!
Enjoy

friendshipflosskeep

friendshipflosskeep
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Lastly, this is the piece I made - my first floss keep.
I will be making more.

SweetBunnyPillow

SweetBunnyPillow
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Laura,
What can I say, this bunny is super cute! Love the finish ! I was so surprised to see the H&E designs project you sent me. It is very cute and now - I need to start it. You are such an enabler but a good one at that!
Thanks
Love it , love it , love it!
Where do you find the time?????
Very much appreciated!

NoFrogsAllowedPinkeep

NoFrogsAllowedPinkeep
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here is the pinkeep 'no frogs allowed". Is this adorable or what? I love it. Thanks so much
I still cannot believe I won this lottery -
We are having way too much fun!