Marching in ...

Hey, Friends!

I really didn’t expect y’all to pay such close attention to my toes in the last post… Just a quick recolor job and as I now see with clear topcoat all around!  But glad you like the color, too.  It came from Sally’s, called Sally-Girl.  The bottle doesn’t have a color name, but I think it’s Metal Metallic Gray from what I see on their site.  It’s been so long now, it’s time to do them again!

Yesterday was such a great day!  Several friends from the PALS group had a stitching get-together day at French Hens in Manning, hosted by Amy from Down Sunshine Lane.  There were a few photos taken, but not a one by me!  I had my phone and camera, but was lazy!  Good food and sweet tea, fun chatter and laughs, lots of inspiration, and even a few stitches!

 

Nicole was fretting over the ‘red’ colors in her Christmas Garden, but I thought it was lovely – seems perfect with the greens to give a bit of ‘time worn’ look which I love!  We pondered, as usual, the differences of dye lots for over-dyed cottons.  Here’s a look at my fibers, which I thought were a couple shades darker than hers.  What do you think?  

Karen was stitching a BBD piece that was nearly finished.  Of course she will have it whipped out in no time flat for her Challenge.  That girl can get’em done, can’t she?  Even with her darling paper crafts taking some of her ‘free’ time.  We talked about her next big a** project, which has sent me on the hunt! I’ll wait to not spoil her fun and let her tell you about it.  We also agreed that using DMC was always good for some projects.

I worked on La-D-Da, Love Birds.  It needed a few more strands, but got it finished. 

On the drive home I went by to have dinner with DS at one of the best barbeque places – Hudson’s.  It was just before the dinner rush of standing in line – as they were when we left.  One thing he said was missing from the buffet was shrimp & grits, but don’t know that I could have held it since I couldn’t even get any cobbler for dessert.

Guess that’s enough for today – off to stitch on a new project for March!    

I'm always thankful for your kind words and comments!

I'm grateful for clear, sunny weather for driving.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Secret Santa Visited

Hey, Friends! 

Tomorrow, Sunday, my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop, is having their holiday open house!  If you live close by, it would be a great time to stop by.  Last year she had the best warm, cider punch, not to mention the great stash! 

After work yesterday I went to do a tiny bit of shopping and got a couple of gifts bought.  At least it’s a beginning! 

When I got home, there was a box on my doorstep.  I’ve ordered a few things, but it looked too big for that… Hum… When I got closer, it had green tape – and the return address was Secret Santa – from Nebraska! 

Oh, boy – my Secret Santa from PALS has sent me a box…  When I cut the green tape, out popped a wonderful card with bows and mittens – just the cutest with a bit of sparkle.  I absolutely LOVE the verse*.   

Next is a layer of green and red crinkle stuffing, and when I moved it over, there was a box of Godiva Gems, Dark Chocolates – yum!! 

All the way down at the bottom was a flat, green and red trees wrapped package, and a fat, squishy wrapped in red sparkle paper package, too.  Which to open first? The flat one must be a graph…  YES!  It’s Plum Street Samplers “Tannenbaum.”  No, I don’t have it, and yes, it is lovely! 

Now what’s in this fat one?  It’s a red and black pencil case from Vera Bradley – ooohhh, my first piece.  Those ‘in the know’ will recognize the name, Barcelona.   Zip – oh, what’s this?  By the Bay Needleart, “Merry Christmas Kit.”  What you will need: stuffing and a needle.  Isn’t that awesome? 

A notepad with my initial, C, a black and white pen, black and white stork scissors, daisy’s park-it, Doodles for leftovers Gingerbread man button (never seen these), mother-of-pearl thread rings, Rainbow Gallery Christmas Collection fibers, and a great piece of Moda sampler fabric.  Last but not least, inside the turquoise box, is a lovely silver and purple (opal?) pendant.  Connie, you absolutely went way overboard, but I love, love everything you sent.  You asked me very early on to give you some idea of what I’d like, but I’m so happy that you did it your way.  Even the card you sent was perfect for me!  I would not be happier if I’d gone to the shop myself.  Thank you SO much!    

I’ve done a little (pun intended) stitching since the last post!  Here’s Merry Christmas by La D Da from the 2009 JCS Ornament magazine. 

Peppermint Twist from the LHN 2009 All Dolled Up collection.  I still need to add the button to the center, but since I’ve done this collection over one, it’s smaller than the called for button.  I need to check my stash to see what will work – maybe tiny jingle bells??  I think that’s what Faye used.  May I borrow your idea, Faye?   

Thanks for stopping by today to visit – and I always love your Needler’s Points. 

“*This Christmas and always, may you be surrounded by the gift of friendship, the joys of family, and the spirit of love.”

Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching

Charlene♥SC

Red White and Blue

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

I’ve only done a couple of pieces in Red, White, and Blue this year, but will probably do more in the future.  One was the Stitcherhood piece done for my dad, and this little quaker heart I’ve stitched in the last couple of days.  It will probably end up as a little ornie. 

A friend lost her home to fire earlier this year.  Although they lost everything materially, no one was at home so the family is safe.  She and her husband relocated and bought a new home in the last month or so.  I wanted to stitch something for them to have to hang on the walls of their new home, and this piece, Watchful Eye by La-D-Da just struck me as perfect.  I finished stitching and framed it this week while on staycation. 

Our family plan for the 4^th is to have a low-country boil including crab legs, shrimp, potatoes, and corn.  Yum, yum, I can hardly wait!  I hope you’re having a great weekend, staying cool, cooking out, swimming, or just generally doing things with the people you love most.

    Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching!

Charlene