tusal, an ornament and a gift

I almost forgot...again!! It's ORT day and I have a few this time.  Hubby found this little container for me and it's just perfect.  need or want info on the tusal and what it's all abut just click the link in my sidebar and it will take you over to Daffy Cat. She knows everything :)

Behind the orts on the left is the beautiful valentine exchange ornament stitched by stitching buddy Diane Hammond in England. The chocolate disappeared out of the picture for some reason...prolly because hubby loves UK candy.
 Ornament on the right is my ornament for January. It's Snow Cold by Little house neeedleworks using dmc's and one GAST. I posted my finish on a now defunct year long ornament sal. The pretty ornament sal link in my sidebar is the correct one. Why don't you click on it and join the fun?
 The blue rick rack is from Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler shoppe and does match the blue of the ornament even though it doesn't look like it.  Nancy hand dyes her threads and the trim like this rick rack.
Go check her out. Almost always a giveaway going on over there too.
Happy Stitching every buddy,

Babs

first post of the new year, I cannot tell a lie TUSAL

I haven't kicked off the new year yet. How can that be? It's only the 23rd, new moon (not FULL moon as I called it all last year. Right date, wrong name. oh well.
Herman's official retirement date is February 1st and we're babies at this and learning as we go. I'm so used to him coming and going I'm still in "he's just home for a visit" phase and not doing anything productive. But I'm trying to get there. The lie I can't tell? Would you show these orts for a whole month of stitching?

Whatcha" think about all these orts? I'm so ashamed :(

I've been unable to go through ufo's or decide what to choose to sal along with everyone in the "crazy" things. So rather than get in a hurry like last year, I've been thinking a lot about it and taking my time.

Without saying specifics, I will say that I'd love to finish a few of the beautiful pieces I started last year like "Apple Tree Sampler" by Hawkins House; "Jane Atkinson" by The Scarlet letter; maybe PS ABC piece which I started with many and just fell by the wayside.

New for this year, hence all those many orts, I did start three. This first is a sal with my stitching buddy group.

Quaker Christmas II

ByGone Stitches

32 ct. lambswool

threadworx overdyed floss

Red Finch's Winter Song

Tempting Tangles Designs

friendship blue 30 ct

dinky dyes

Elizabeth Hancock Sampler

Little House Needleworks

30 ct weeks straw

cc cottons and silks

upside down

And so the only other thing I know for sure I want to work on is Anniversaries of the Heart by Blackbird. Started once in 2010, once in 2011 and hate the fabric so the third start should be the charm, huh?

Also want to do Country Couttage monthly cottages.  Don't even have the first one so behind I will be. I know no other way. Someone's got to bring up the rear.

This little chart by Little by Little is dated 2003 so not new. I wonder if any of you stitched this? It calls for dmc but wondered if anyone changed that if you stitched it. I saw it a long time ago and have been looking for it diligently until now I own it. Couldn't remember the designer. I love the little rose added to the simple quaker.
bye for now!
Babs



Merry Christmas and TUSAL

I almost forgot and maybe I'm too late to be on time which is what I usually am.

First, my orts.... can you see?

Really are a couple in there, lol.

And here is my Christmas jar all done for another full moon year

In case you can 't tell, my ort jar this month was a snowman :)

Daffy Cat, thanks so much for keeping up with this all year. I signed up for next year, my goal being to fill up some jars monthly. I know I can!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends and your families. I hope the holidays are filled with much love and joy and peace.

All of our festivities are done and hubby and I are sitting quietly at home today with Kylie and Gibbs our sweet cats.

Love,

Babs

TUSAL again? have not been stitching

Time is coming and going so fast. I don't know what happened to yesterday and can't figure out what's going on today. Confused I am!

You can see from the orts that very very little has been done this month.
I have been sick  for most of the month...it started on the 2nd or 3rd and still have some residual. But it is another day and I want to share with ya'll my very special day on November 1st.
All I'm going to say right now cause I'm sure everyone is watching some ball game :) is look at this sweet card I got from my buddies in original stitching buddies group.

The thing about this card is that it was handed to me personally on November 1st right here at my LNS in Decatur, Alabama. The two gifts you see are just two that were in top of the box when I went to take the picture for this post. I will tell you about them and all the rest when I post again, hopefully on Sunday.  I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all! Have read some posts here and there but not enough to know what's been going on.

Talk Soon!

hugs,

Babs

Full moon again? orts and other stuff

Time can sure get away from you can't it? I'm supposed to be over there watching the world series. I won't say who I'm rooting for, but if my team wins I get to watch Fringe tomorrow night. My very favorite show on TV right now.
Orts? Yes, I've got a few...again.  I've stitched on so many things since last post but the only things I've finished are exchange pieces. It was fun using all that fall/Halloween thread whether I can show off finishes or not.
First up, my orts. Maybe  using these itty bitty containers is not a good idea, power of suggestion and all that.

Next up is picture of a very special chart from The Sweetheart Tree. Special first because it's a stitch for the cure piece. But also special because I WON this chart. I did! DJ offered three different charts for giveaway and I won this beautiful hardanger one. Have I ever done hardanger? No, but this is a good time to learn, huh?  She even included a piece of fabric and offered the specialty thread. I'll  post progress pictures as I stitch it. I will!

These next two pics are of the goodies I won from my friend Julie of In the Company of Friends. She drew my name from our halloween exchange in my stitching buddies group. Can you believe the pumpkin head witchie? It is intricately stitched to perfection and put together like a professional (which is what she is :) I am the lucky one for sure. The thread winders are so special and the cute earrings are made by her. A very talented lady...she and her partner in business, Becky, are both so talented.

Last is my fall table located in the foyer. There are gifts from years ago, a few years ago, last year and now this year. A little fuzzy but you get the idea.

My last bit of news is that one of my stitching buddies from my very first group all the way back to 2000 will be here in my town next Tuesday. We are going to meet up at my LNS the Cross stitch Peddler, visit and stitch a little, have lunch, etc. My daughter Tami and I went to stitching festival in Nashville in 05 and met Deb then. Tami will be joining us Tuesday too. Am I excited or what?

Hugs and don't eat too much candy on halloween,
Babs

TUSAL for September and my wonderful giveaway wins!

September moon...sounds beautiful, doesn't it? Here is the contribution from me. I've come to realize that most of my "orts" are from frogging. I just haven't been having an easy time of it and it shows.  I'm going to have to make public apologies to some of the sal's I joined this year because I've proven myself absolutely untrustworthy when signing up for something. Still three months left in the year...who knows?
Next up are two very special wins for me. I never win...never. But it was well worth the wait :)

From Gillie at Random Thoughts from Abroad. I had been seeing ads for the new Mollie designs books but had never seen a copy over here. She had one to giveaway and BABS WON!  She did! She did!  I've looked at this book so many times.

But Wait! That's not all! Look at this from Nancy over at Victorian Sampler Shoppe. I love all her stuff and wish I could order something every week, but you know how that goes, huh? Just look at the ric-rac, the chenille trim and ribbons and buttons! It's like this package was handpicked for me :) Thank you so much, Nancy...I'll definitely be seeing you soon.

Well, that's my wonderful week. I'm reminded of something I stitched my daughter some years ago "Good things come to those who wait". I waited and good things came.
Thanks so much ladies!
hugs,
Babs

TuSal, Remembering, and announcing a giveaway...

Yes, it is full moon again and I should be ashamed of my little ort contribution since last time. I have as many strands from linen as I do threads. Oh well, there's always September.

On this day in 2005, there was another storm and her name was Katrina. It hit my hometown on the gulf coast on the 29th which led to my Mother's death on Sept. 7th. So, as I watched the news of Irene, I kept remembering that other storm and the impact it had on me, and I thought of those in harm's way this time and prayed for their safety. God bless any and all of you who were impacted by this storm in any way.

OK! to the giveaway!

First up is Barb Adams & Alma Allen's new book "A Schoolgirl's Work, Samplers from the Spencer Museum of Art. The book is beautiful; the stories and pictures of old samplers and the 11 beautiful projects they added just for us.

Next up is the brand new Limited Addition Santa from Prairie Schooler. Kit is complete with thread and fabric, needle and never been opened. The 2004 Santa just happened to be one I have two of :)

Then, there is my favorite scissor/flower frog. It is one piece, no chips anywhere...the picture doesn't do it justice.

And what in the world is that little bit of stitching???? It's the hand stitched piece that comes with the package but that's all the stitching done on it so far. It's on a 40 ct. piece of Zwiegart solo  and it seemed to fit the fall just around the corner.

That's it for now. All you have to do is comment on this post only. If there is something in the package you don't want, just tell me and I'll draw another name. If you do want to post it on your blog, please do and tell me and I will add your name twice.

Oh yes, Shepherd's Bush Passion Fob kit was on the list and I forgot about it. It is a beautiful little kit brand new and sure to catch the eye of someone :) Also, the giveaway runs until September 12 with the drawing on the 13th.

I thought I'd celebrate 100 followers but it just didn't happen. Then I thought I'd celebrate blogaversary, same thing, then birthday and good news on hubby, same thing, 46th anniversary, nope. So, this giveaway is in honor of my Mother.....how's that? She was unique, and maybe there's something in this package unique. I'm known to throw little stuff in when I'm packaging up. Giving is the most fun!!!

bye for now,

Babs

Ort report among other things

First and foremost would be the orts. Very boring  as I've done very little stitching, or maybe a little stitching on many things with virtually nothing to show for it.

I don't know how many "friends" I have left here for real as there's just not been anything to follow, but those of you who are here and will read and comment THANK YOU SO MUCH! It's been another strange summer and if you add the weather to the equation, it's almost twilight zone :)

Herman's reports turned out ok for at least six months when they must do it all again. His lack of energy (they say) will lessen the farther he gets from the cancer/chemo of last year. We must never forget that he has had lupus for years, something that gets lost in the shuffle of all the other stuff. Thanks so much for your prayers and kind thoughts and words. None were/are taken for granted.

Now, for my birthday...it was a special day seemingly taken right out of time. Herman got me up early and we spent much of the day in Huntsville. We had an early lunch, went to Barnes & Noble at Bridge Street and then to Patches & Stitches, the OTHER lns that I don't go to much but love to browse through all the rooms. It's in an old house downtown and they have quilting, needlepoint and cross stitch. Their specialty has always been old reproduction samplers as well as new ones and I daresay there isn't an inch of wall space not used for the models, some of them very old.

Back to Decatur for the rest of the day. It was stitch in day at my lns and so we got to visit with Marlene and the ladies and give them Herman's report from the day before. They all like Herman  because he's always been interested in our craft/art. He actually introduced me to the world of cross stitch when one of his bosses' wives showed him her work. He couldn't wait to get home and tell me about it. That was when finding a shop was not an easy task and way before cyberspace.

Then it was Books a Million and ended the day at Red Lobster. Worn out? yes oxygen depleted? yes. But it was a fun fun way to get so tired.

I just shopped to my heart's content...why is it that when you can get whatever you want you just don't get that much? I guess the fun was enjoying a day away from the house without worries and just looking at everything.

I will share what my girls did for my birthday in my next post tonight or tomorrow...REALLY! But will leave you with these pics.

First up is one of the treasures I mentioned in my last post a month ago. This is my old sewing machine. It's not a Singer but a Franklin. It is beautiful and I have the belts for it and actually sewed on it the day I brought it home. The beautiful scroll work on it is Egyptian with scarabs and other things my grandson knew more about than I do :) The machine actually drops down into the woodwork when it's closed. The woman we got it from was the original owner or it was in her family.  Where did I find it? In one of our storage sheds out back. I thought I had given it to a friend some years ago, but had changed my mind at the last minute and stored it. The rose is one of many awaiting me when I got up in the morning from Herman and my back yard.

Last up would be my kitten (four months old tomorrow) but inside with me two and a half months. No matter what I do, Gibbs wants to help...everything I do. He makes me laugh all the time and I think he knows I need him.

Birthday stuff next time!

Happy Sunday!

Babs

Orts Report

Where does time go? I've been so busy, but mostly in my mind....ever been there? I'm going to lose any followers I may have left cause I'm silent so much. But, oh, I've seen beautiful work and great ideas, happy danced for some, shared tears with some and prayed for many.

I've been on my own little treasure hunt and found some wonderful treasures, but I'll share that in my next post.  You can find the most wonderful things if you just look in the right places :) Anyway, here are my measley little orts for this last month. (see my little angel in the background, DJ?)

We are waiting for some sophisticated testing on hubby the 12th and hopefully all questions and solutions will be dealt with then or at least a plan. We kinda' live in limbo and both of us do a lot of reading.

See you soon! and please check in with me. My blogaversary is past, my birthday is coming up the 13th and wanted so badly to have a giveaway then. But maybe I'll celebrate with a big giveaway with Herman's good news.

hugs and happy 4th of July all,

Babs

An unfinished finish and a plea...

Plea first: please got to Daffy Cat's and scroll down to her May 29 blog post. I've been having so much trouble commenting on friends' blogs and missed giveaway sign ups because blogger won't let me comment most of the time unless it's a pop-up window. She's got the directions so clear, even this blogging dummy can understand it. just asking :)

Now the unfinished finish and #2 on my challenge list. not pressed or straightened yet



Polly Wolly Doodle
La D Da
30 Ct. R&R Winter Frost
Gentle Arts Sampler threads


that's it for this Saturday morning!
hugs,
Babs

Tusal, Polly wolly doodle all day, serial starter, etc.

I will start with my orts for you, Daffy Cat, I guess since this is the day for that ...look real close and you can see that not much happened in May. It seemed I had a book or needle in my hand every day, but it doesn't seem as though I was doing anything with them, lol. The little doily and the homemade flag thingie we found at a little roadside flea market.

We spent a day at the hospital last week; Herman is going through a lot more tests and I just wish they'd stop cause they find something different every time they look. DD Tami was with me and gdd Sarah and they ran over to the lns to get me some threads.  They also picked me up a Shepherd's Bush pin cushion, the next LHN ornament; and the Peaceful Garden by The Stitching Parlor which happens to be something I've wanted but couldn't remember the name or designer came in the mail cause Lizzy has it stitched on her blog and I FOUND it just blog hopping one day.

Remember Polly Wolly by La D Da? It's almost there and hope it will be a Friday finish this week. I LOVE this little piece...the song goes round and round and....It will be a challenge finish on the "new" side with Minna.

I've been putting a few stitches in Strawberry Garden, one of Blackbird's Loose Feathers designs. I saw it done on someone's blog and of course I had the chart and just had to start it. I'll remember who it was :)

Then I fell in love with the Funky Flower Gardners over at By the Bay with Donna and wanted to have my own gardens. I opted to split my flowers on two pieces of fabric and this first one is Victoria started on Queen Anne's lace and could Not get a realistic look but you got the idea.

And then, Brenda Gervais over at With Thy Needle and Thread went and started a mystery sampler that promises birds. No way could I pass this up, but got to get going on it before next installment.

There are so many stories of faith and good will toward man here. People from all over the country have come to help and then there are those who headed for Missouri. My heart cried when I saw that devastation. and then the flooding in Mississippi, my home state; the flooding in Louisiana where I moved from to come to Alabama. I know people in all these places, but they're all bouncing back.  I heard a man on local news yesterday who was working with men to build a church which was totally destroyed here...he said "Working with a bunch of Christian men is just different than your regular construction crew". 
Love you all....DJ, you need NOT to come to Alabama or anywhere else; You have worked so hard to recover and with the heat and mosquitos and other critters, and standing water, etc. etc. please don't take a chance with your health at this stage of recovery. You said you could "only pray", but prayer is job 1 and many forget that.
hugs,
Babs  Do you see why I said serial starter in title?

TUSAL and 1st 2011 New Challenge finish!

Happy dancing going on in Alabama today! The sun is shining; I wore capris and flip-flops out today, and I got the buttons sewed on my big finish. A word here first, though. When I signed up for both Minna's new challenge and Jayne's wip challenge I listed this one on the wip side. Truth is, I had to start over (why I never got past the few stitches in 2008 was because of the mistake in it) DJ invited me to join her in a Monday stitch-along on it so that's what I did. DJ has been sick as most of us know and my prayer time for her was always special on Mondays. Then this last week she had so much medical stuff facing her and decisions and fearful news and I couldn't seem to put it down. I just kept stitching and thinking of her and praying for her and waiting for her to share how the week went. Until this morning I found myself sewing the buttons on.

But, first, here is my TUSAL for tomorrow in case I forget since it's on Sunday. A lot of frogging going on in March.

And here it is! Little House Needleworks Heart of America complete with a few changes. America replaced one date. "1776" replaced another date, and 2011 is at the bottom. It is stitched on 30 ct. Creek Bed Brown, using Crescent Colors floss. Buttons are from Just Another Button company...lamb, acorn, blackbird and three stars at bottom.

I saw a wall hanging the other day that I'm thinking about doing, or I might take the easy way and let the framer do her magic.

Well, that's my big

finish!

Happy Stitching!

Babs

TUSAL/picture added

OOPS! and OMG! Thank you, Mouse for letting me know I forgot the picture. I got side tracked cause it is snowing in Alabama again! No harm done I hope.

I thought it was tomorrow but I'm seeing posts so here is mine. I think I'm going to find me another jar cause this one spreads out a lot before it spreads "up", lol. Haven't done a lot of stitching but some anyway.
Hugs & happy new moon all us tusal stitchers :)
Babs