El Cheapo went shopping

Hi everyone.  I haven't decided if I want to use one of Vonna's finishing methods or to just sew the Overshot Heart into a flat pillow.  I did find the fabric for the back but will I use it?  Or linen?  When I was in JoAnn's complaining that I can't find nice fabrics, she suggested a quilt shop.  ????  Are you kidding me?  I can't believe how brain dead I am sometimes.  Just because I don't quilt is no reason to not realize they have great fabrics that I could use.   While I was looking for fabric in New Wilmington, I decided to continue into Volant to James Creek.  My husband was driving and I am white knuckled whether behind the wheel or a passenger because of neck concerns.  This time, someone pulled out and we had to slam the brakes.  Not really that hard, but enough for the head to whip and my arms immediately went numb for a few minutes.  Scares this old lady.  I recouped!  Here's my purchases. 

This darling little wall box (I have a thing for wall boxes and cupboards), which holds 3 x 5 cards perfectly and will probably end up hanging over a desk.  The sconce (I also have a thing for sconces) can hold dried berries and such in the bottom, and I bought the grungy candle to go with it.  I have them, can't find them, bought another to avoid a scene.

And here are my fabrics.  Love them all.  I'm starting to make pincushions for the top of my boxes.  I found a few more quilt shops that I want to visit and my husband just rolled his eyes.  Am I the only one that doesn't quilt but has a thing for fabrics?

Today we went to Jimmy's Italian Store in Ohio for our weekly visit and stopped at the Apple Basket.  I had a coupon!!!   My purchases there included a lamp (25% off) and another sconce that will hold dried berries.

Those "rags" you see are the Bliss and Hinckley samplers I finished not long ago and haven't framed yet.

And finally, this basket which is a Linda Searcy design and copyrighted.  The basket's material is the type I find in shops, sprayed with something that makes it very stiff and obviously mass produced.    

A battery operated candle looks great inside  which I will eventually purchase.    Everything still has its tags - part of my Queen of Returns habit.

I'm sure everyone is drooling over some of the new needlework designs and I found several I will be stitching.

That's it.  I'll be drawing a name tomorrow night and will post then.   Have a great Sunday.  Thank you for visiting!

Winner and final offer!

Hello all.   I want to thank everyone for participating in this anniversary offer.  The Santa charts offer is finished, and the second part ended last night.  The winner of the gift certificate is Penny from Larkspur Lane.  The last and current offer is for the set of three little boxes, celebrating new followers and reaching 250.  Seems like I've been doing offers for quite a while!  This will be the last one for now.  Some of you have already left an entry in the prior post and I moved those to the offer folder.  Any one wanting a chance for the boxes, please leave a comment on this post, stating you want to be included.  Please make sure all anonymous messages have a first name.  I think this one will end on Sunday, Feb.26 at 8 p.m. EST.  I will post the box photo at the bottom of this post.  Good luck!  And again, thanks to all for participating.

I've been spending a lot of time at the computer resizing all the labels and creating a few new ones for this small size so I didn't get the heart finished.    And as I post this photo, I see an error.  I plan on using a stiff facing and quilt batting for an even low loft.  The heart peak and bottom point will be too distorted with pouf.

Look at this darling old wood ironing board I found at the mall.  I plan on turning it into a little shelf, or maybe a sconce.  I never saw one this small in wood and the ironing side isn't in bad shape. 

This really beat up large one will be cut into a horizontal whale or goose silhouette, or maybe paint it to look like a large old sign.

The nightly news had a lead story of another dog found.  I turned it off right away before I heard details.  In other news, I got a haircut.  I told her to cut it a little shorter this time.  I need weight to hold down the wildness and this cut is way too short on top and thin on the bottom.  I look like a poisonous mushroom.

Here's the winner and the boxes.

Sunday, February 26, 8 p.m. EST

Penny, let me know which shop you prefer.

Thank you all again, so much, for welcoming me into the stitching blog world.  I am finding so many more to read through the offers and my gaming score is pretty good.  You know, the new verification game.  I've got 20 in a row right!  There better be a prize.

Have a wonderful day - thank you for taking the time to visit!

If you hear a small child say "mommy that lady's head looks like a mushroom",  stop and say hello.

Please make sure to specify you are entering the giveaway!

There's a fabric sale - and another offer!

Hiya.  Just a quick post to let you know about a linen sale I just discovered on Wyndham's site.    Check it out HERE, and see if there is something you could use at the sale price.  There are several pages so make sure you click "next" at the page bottom.  Click on Specials in the left column to see charts on sale also.

I've been having fun with the little boxes. 

I made another set.

You know what's next don't you?  Giveaway!!!  Yes, I know I had one recently for the 200th  follower, and tomorrow is the drawing for my 1st anniversary, but I reached 250 followers!  Well.  I can't thank you enough.  Really.  I'm surprised, thrilled, and honored.  So as soon as the winner of the gift certificate is announced on Wednesday, I will create a post for the small box set offer.  I was considering drawing two names tomorrow night, but then realized some readers aren't stitchers so they may not participate in a needlework offer.   I think it's more fair to separate the offers. 

I know it's not much - they are little!!!  But I think they are so sweet and I hope you do too.  I was at the craft shop today and came home with a bunch.  They sell out really fast so I grabbed them.  I can always return them.

So could I have your opinions please?  Which box sizes do you prefer?  The small ovals in a set, the small rounds, or the larger sizes in singles or a set?

I need to get the brat pack cats fed and I hope to finish the heart tonight.  Remember, tomorrow is the last day for entering the gift certificate offer.   Good luck.  Will be back Wednesday with the winner and the new offer.   Be safe!!  Thanks for visiting!

El Cheapo

Good Sunday to you all.   I bought a new laptop!  Of course it was the cheapest one that has been collecting dust, probably fell off the shelf a few times, has seen newer versions come by twice, and all its siblings are retired or traded in, but I got it!  I would love a Mac but will not spend that kind of money when a cheaper item gives the same results.  I'm sure there are advantages, but still not worth the extra moolah.  Yes, I am cheap.  For years I've been paying off my sister's maxed cards and helping her son and grandson with cars and such, but when it comes to me - El Cheapo.  Don't misunderstand - I am no where near "well-off" as they say.  Difference is, she needs the help, it's neccessities - not pleasure spending.  She is 73, my brother is 70, and I am 60.   The age difference is because my mother saw her younger sister Helen's new baby and had to have another.  Moi.  Anyway, since I am the Queen of Returns, it's staying in the box for a few days.  It's never buyer's remorse, it's DOLLARS remorse!!   Unless my husband once again says "I think we should start looking for a used car for your sister", then the box will fly open (when it hits him).  On to other topics.

Aren't these sweet?   I didn't think I would like the small version but I love them!  

Maybe this is what stitching on 40 count and up would look like.  The boxes are 4", 5", and 6", standing only 8" tall when stacked.   The second picture gives you a better idea of scale next to the sliding box that measures 7" x 9" tall.

Hmmmm.   What should I do with them?   While I'm thinking, here's a look at the Overshot Heart.

Many of you wouldn't consider using a smaller count linen and I am now understanding the appeal of the higher count with those tight stitches.  But for this design, I like the way the stitches allow the linen to show through the threads and make it appear closer to a woven piece.  Did I just hear someone say yuck?  I'll bet I know who!

While I was thinking, look what showed up.  Another set! 

Hmmmmm.

What to do, what to do.

I'm getting an idea.......

And finally, El Cheapo got a bargain at Hobby Lobby.  We have one about a half hour from here and I don't visit often, but received a 40% off coupon.   Can't pass up a coupon.  Look what I found.  Lambswool 32 count in a half yard - $32.99 less 40%!  The red felt was Michael's with a 50% coupon at the same plaza.  The little felt heart was 50% off at Apple Basket Primitives in Vienna Ohio.  Bargains! 

I have a mess to clean up, coffee to drink, and a heart to stitch, so I will close and in a day or two, let you know what I decided about those little boxes.  Hmmmm.  There's a winner to be drawn on Wednesday.  Entry time will close on Tuesday at midnight, Eastern time.  I'll announce the winner Wednesday morning.  Hmmmm.  I'll be back before then, and until then, be safe, thank you for visiting, and enjoy your Sunday.

A finish, a start, a list, and the cats

Hi everyone.  Let's see if this one shows up on Blogger!  What happened to the last one, I don't know.  Here's Virginie Cochepin.. 

I just folded, pressed, and did the same to a piece of muslin, basted the two together, and she will stay this way until I decide about framing.  I painted a scene years ago on a shaker box and thought they would look good together, but changed my mind.

I started the Overshot Heart and would have been finished except for the fact that I ripped out the 300 I chose instead of 221.  My girlfriend Patti came over and presented me with this, stitched with 221.

 So of course I changed my mind and want to do the 221 as recommended with the chart.  Menopause.....can't trust it.

  I was surprised that this turned out to be a quick stitch.  The fabric is 25 count, because when I see woven pieces, the lighter threads used in the weave are visible behind the darker colors.  I don't know how to explain what I mean, but it's why I chose this fabric, since this design is taken from a woven coverlet.  The linen's golden tone will be seen through the stitches instead of a solid look.  You know what I'm saying?

While I was searching for gift certificate choices, I came across a few online shops that were not familiar to me.  I thought you might be interested in browsing a few if you've not seen them before.  They offer other items along with the basics that I thought were pretty neat, things those of you that have shops to visit are familiar with.  Some offer wool and wool felt, darling fabrics, lots of accessories, and I found a source for Matka.  So here they are...

Tristan Brooks

Homespun Sampler

Emlis

Video tutorials of hand embroidery stitches Needle n Thread

Yarn Tree

An interesting site with tons of old booklets on a variety of old needle crafts, free viewing and downloads - Antique Pattern Library

Ye Old Cross Stitchery

Silent Stitches

Needle Stack

Large linen selection Needleworker Delight

Lovely selection of gifts for stitchers - In the Company of Friends

Nice selection of silk Matka - Hannah's Pinkeep

There are many more to discover and I'm trying to create a file that will help sort them as to the types of threads, linens, accessories, and extras so I don't have to click on every bookmark when trying to locate a particular item.

And here's the recovered mama  - the one that draws blood every time I touch her!

She's healed, playing, and happy.  As for the two males, neutered Junior the clone and soon to be neutered Dad, they won't keep those dirty paws off of my door.  Dad will eat anything, anytime, and Junior is a fuss-pot.

And here's someone that all three would love to play with, as he sits on his throne and eats his breakfast...

Well, that's about it.  I'm working on a little something extra for the anniversary offer and will show you that tomorrow.   It's been gorgeous weather here for a few days, sunny, not too cold, and NO snow! 

Have a great weekend, and I'll be back tomorrow.  Thank you for visiting!!

Happy Anniversary to me

and Happy Valentine's Day to you all!  I want to thank everyone for participating in the Prairie Schooler offer and Shar seems happy to be the winner.  She doesn't have any Schooler Santas so I hope she enjoys stitching these designs.

You know those lovely sweet women that call you honey and hug frequently, laughing and joyous, warm and open, caring to all, a joy to be around?   That's not me.   I wish it were, but it's not.   I admire and envy them.  So if I don't say it enough, please forgive me.  But when I say that I am touched by all of you, taking your time to visit here, to offer help, or just a hello, I mean it sincerely.  This last year, as I mentioned before, has tremendously helped me to move on, has motivated me, and continues to do so.  I'm amazed and very appreciative as followers continue to join.  I mentioned before about disturbing happenings, and my mind isn't focused right now.  There have been many dogs stolen (bait for dog fights), some horrific dog abuse in a neighboring area, and an unexpected botched surgery that is taking my sister's dear friend very quickly.   So you will be making the decision for me, by choosing the shop for the offer.   I will purchase a $30 gift certificate at one of the following online shops in your name if you win.  I chose these because of the accessories offered, linens, thread variety, and dookies (little goodies).  You can browse and decide which shop has what you would like, offers the best discount, and let me know your choice.   Just in case my fogged mind is not stating this clearly enough - the winner will receive a $30 gift from ONE shop of their choice.   I plan on adding a few other items also, and will hopefully have them ready soon.    Here are the options.....

The Silver Needle
Down Sunshine Lane
Anita's Little Stitches
ABC Stitch Therapy
Elegant Stitch
The Cottage Lane
123 Stitch

Blogger is not allowing me to preview this post, and all my pages are blank, including your blogs.  So hopefully it will appear at some point.  This is the post where you need to leave a comment to be included in the anniversary offer.  If there is a problem with it,  I will redo tomorrow or whenever Google cooperates.  The drawing will be held next Wednesday the 22nd, and I will post before then with a reminder and anything else that I add.  Do not leave your shop choice in the comments - if you win, you can make the decision then.

Have a great week - thank you so much for visiting - and good luck!