Today is Meet and Greet Stitchers Around the World

I think one of the first things we learned as a child was to cross stitch or embroider.

I know I did. I can remember working on the preprinted samplers that came as kits, with the thread and even a needle.  You usually had a wooden hot to stretch the project in so you could get good even stitches.  I eventually learned how to do counted cross stitching.

I still love to do it.  

I started this piece last week while waiting at the airport for my flight to Atlanta.  It goes quickly.
This piece is going to be the front panel on another Tammy Bag.  As you can see I already have the red and white gingham to make it with.  The last couple of evenings I did a lot more or it.  A couple more and I will have it done.

I worked on this cross stitch while I was on vacation in January.  I had decided to finish this one in honor of my Aunt Mary, who passed away last year.  One of the times I was working at her house in New Jersey, I found the velveteen and brocade, black fabrics.  I think she would have liked that.

I still enjoy embroidery as well.  I used a transfer  to get this design on a dish towel.
You can use any color for this type of stitchery.  It doesn't come with color instructions like some patterns do.

This stitchery came with instructions of what colors to use. Now I need to make the bag and needle book to finish up this project.

The recent blog hop I did this stitchery.  It is a relaxing way to spend some time.
Also, it's big selling point, is I can pick it up and take it with me.
I sew enjoy keeping my hands busy.

When we had the hop using this pattern, I found I could applique by hand quicker and easier by hand.
I do not mind doing needle turn applique at all.

I have recently gotten back into doing cross stitching and embroidery and found I had missed doing it,.
It is like an old friend, you pick up where you left off.

I hope to show more handwork in the coming year.
I just received my first French cross stitching magazine, Creation Point de Croix.

If you check out Madame Samm's site she will have more stitcher's to visit from around the world.

Happy Stitching

Mary

Another Row

The announcements are out about the Row by Row Experience for 2015.  All fifty states and Canada are going to be involved in it this year.  While in Atlanta last weekend, I found some of the fabrics that will be available for this year.
Naturally I had to pick some up.

This is one of the rows for 2014 from Seven Sisters Quilt Shop in Carson City, Michigan.
I had seen it, but could not get it until after the Experience was over.  They had the pattern and a fabric pack made up.  I just had to have one.  The top one I made for my friend in Atlanta, and made it like a dresser scarf and added embellishments.

And you know me, if one is good, two is better, so I made one for my own quilt.
There are a lot of little pieces to this one, but oh so cute.

I still have a lot more to go before this years Experience starts.
I love this.

Keep on stitching.

Mary

My day on the Tree Bird Hop

Good Morning from Springy Atlanta, Georgia.

I think I need to keep traveling so I can get some different areas for photo shoots.

I am visiting my friend Sandy, and we are quilting this weekend.

I knew she had this great setting in her backyard, and thought it would be fun to share, as this hop is for the birds.

This first piece I did, is embroidered in the center.
You know how sometimes you just see something and it all comes together.
"This place is for the birds."
After the embroidery, I could cut out these wonderful birdhouses, and place this around the sides.
It is a wall hanging.

I love the dragonflies, and bees that are quilted around the stitching.

Here is a female blue bird that was waiting her turn to feed.

This time I made a lap quilt again using the panel and other fabric from the collection.
It was designed by Tracey Lizotte for Elizabeth Studios.

This time, hummingbirds and leaves have been quilted into the quilt.
Doesn't this just give you the feel that Spring is on it's way?

It's this just the perfect setting?
It has been a gorgeous weekend, and it is so nice to know that Spring is not too long in coming.
Just a few more miles north.

Yes, we see Cardinals up north, but you should see how many are here. They are everywhere, everywhere.

Periwinkle is in bloom. It is sneaking it's beautiful color from under the leaves of fall and winter.

Daffodils are showing their beautiful yellow flowers.

And the Red-headed Woodpecker came by to show us Spring is definitely on it's way.

Lana,of It Seams To Be Sew has been our lovely bird leader, along with Madame Samm, of
Sew We Stitch.  As they say, this one has been for the birds!
What a lovely reminder of nature at her finest.

I hope every one has a wonderful day, and don't forget to be a bird leader for my other fine feathered friends today.

Your fine feathered friend,

Mary

Monday, March 16

Sew Peace To Peace

Moose Stash Quilting

Buzzing and Bumbling

I Piece 2 Mary

Quilt Doodles

Just Let Me Quilt

Les Quilts

A Stitch In Tim

Monday, March 16

Sew Peace To Peace

Moose Stash Quilting

Buzzing and Bumbling

I Piece 2 Mary

Quilt Doodles

Just Let Me Quilt

Les Quilts

A Stitch In Tim

Bee weekend

In my previous post, I said I had worked on purses while we were on retreat over the weekend.
Here is what I got done.
I have done some little pieces of cross stitch, and have wanted to put them into purses.

I do like hedgehogs.  I thought it would be fun using this hedgehog fabric I had in my stash.

I had done the quilting on the drawstring purses, but needed to add the linings, and draw
strings.
Done!

These have a hint of Hawaii.
Time to start using that Hawaiian fabric I have been collecting.

Some of the zipper purses, I had already started.  Piecing some patchwork, and just not finishing.
Time to get them done.

Here is another piece I had cross stitched, and thought it was good with the daffodil fabric.

The pink one was a bunch of flying geese, that I stitched together to finish this one.
The string one was a kit that I had purchased.  It turned out pretty good.

These were a bunch of half square triangles left over from another project.  Time to put them into a purse.

The main sewing on all of these are done.  Now to add a couple of buttons, yo yo's or other dodads
that will complete them.
I really do like making them.
I have one more to complete.  I made another Tammy Bag, but forgot to take lining fabric, to finish it before I add the handles.

Hope everyone is having a good week.
It is still pretty cold here. At least the sun shines. The sun makes it seem a bit warmer.
According to the weatherman, the temperatures are going to start climbing.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Bee sewing weekend

Here is my little corner of the sewing weekend.
One of our bee members arranges that we rent a conference room at one of the hotels in our area to sew.
Several of us also stay at the hotel. Gives us a lot more sewing time.
Got to love Flamingo's!  Marge knows I do, so she brought these lovely Flamingo's to decorate the wall behind me.
I was going to work on a quilt, but zipper purses sounded a lot more fun.

We all bring things to munch on.  I donated a bottle from our local winery, and to add a bit of Spring, picked up a bouquet of daffodils, and a potted hyacinth plant.
You can never have too much chocolate.

Friday night is pizza night from Lou Malnatti's.
It is the best.

Saturday late afternoon we go to one of local restaurants and have lunch.  We make it later so it serves as lunch and dinner.  Then we can snack latter if we want.  Always good

Linda was working on this quilt.  I think she got 8 blocks done.

Marge finished up this cute kids quilt.  That border is fingerprint fabric, I think from Benartex.  I think it works well, especially  for a child.

I still need to take a picture or two of the purses I worked on.
It is always so good to be with friends.
We feed off each other's creativity and inspiration.
There is always new things to learn.
We teach each other, and share ideas.
We did get to stay until later in the afternoon, as the room was not needed for the next day.
We had so much fun.
I wish we did not have to wait a year, until we can do this again.

Hope you all have a great sewing week.
Mary