Sunday, February 5th Recap

 Good Morning!

I did an experiment during this past week and found that I didn't have time to post DAILY to my blog like I do to my FB page (Lizzie's Stitches) or my INSTAGRAM page (pocketofstitches), so I've decided to sit down on Sunday's with my cup of coffee and do a weekly recap of the week! Here we go!

I started last week of with the stitchy finish of FEBRUARY ~ A YEAR IN THE HOOP by Small Town Needleworks (a new designer to me). I stitched this on 14ct black aida using the called for DMC threads. Not sure how I will fully finish this piece but for now it's on the finishing table.

Next, was  FEBRUARY ~ WREATH SWAP 1 by Stitching With the Housewives. I did my 'home' piece on a 12 X 12 scrapbook frame that I've had forever in my stash and decided it would be perfect. This year I would like to 'finish' stitching this series and be able to 'swap' it out with the other monthly things I display in my house. This was stitched on 14ct black aida using the called for DMC threads.

I  posted a previous finish from 2009 and had to actually do some research to finish out the designer. It was SamSarah Designs, I had a friend of mine finish it into this lovely pillow and it is the image picture I use on my FB page. (Lizzie's Stitches).Stitched on 14ct cream aida using the called for DMC threads. The buttons were purchased separately from the chart.

New came February 2 ~ Ground Hog Day. This is an old (2007) freebie from Bent Creek. Just love this happy little gogher who sees his shadow again, year after year! Here is Florida (where I reside), we don't follow this guy because it's always 'beach like' weather here. We might have 2-3 REALLY COLD days here, but nothing like what they have up north. Sorry you Northern folks!

I showed during the week what was currently under my needle.  MARCH ~ WREATH SWAP 1 by Stitching With the Housewives. Pretty colored tulips will cover this pieces when it is finished. Stitching on 14ct black aida using the called for DMC threads.

Saturday, February 4th is FLAGS ON THE 4TH hosted by Primrose Cottage. Every 4th of the month I stitched something that has a flag on it. Yesterday's stitching was a free chart by Lindsey at Primrose Cottage. She has released 4 charts to those of us who subscribe to her newsletter. These are small little charts that could be displayed on your coffee table in a dough bowl, or like me I'll be displaying mine in an oblong galvinized bucket that I've collected along life's path. Can't wait to fully finish them all that I have stitched on display them.I stitched this piece on 14ct navy aida using my choice of DMC threads. (347, white and 3752).

This brings us up to date on my weekly stitching. Today as soon as I finish here I'll be headed up to the 'finishing room' for a better part of the day to finish 4 projects that are on the sewing table ready to be put together. Of course, I'll share photos next week right here, or you can see my daily posts on FB and Instagram.

Before I leave, here are from FREEBIE FINDS that I came across this week:

FLAGS ON THE 4TH ~Primrose Cottage (newsletter)

DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE ~ Silver Creek Samplers (.com)

X'S AND DOUGHS ~ Shannon Christine Designs (website)

LOVE YOU ~ Erin Elizabeth Designs (website)

Have a great stitchy week and see you here again next Sunday! 

XXX's,

Elizabeth

Hello~ It's February!

 It's February! Happy February 1st!  The month of hearts and love!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

2/2 Groundhog Day

2/14 Valentines Day

2/20 President's  Day

2/22 Ash Wednesday

PREVIOUS FINISHES:

This was a chart from Sam Sarah Designs, stitched in 2009!

                                   If I remember correctly, this chart is by Bent Creek. I'll keep

                                   researching to make sure!

WHAT'S IN MY NEEDLE NOW:

I am currently working on MARCH ~ WREATH SWAP 1 by Stitching With the Housewives. I would like to fnish this series this year. 

RECIPE OF THE MONTH:

Red Velvet Cake

Cake Batter:

2 1/4 cups cake flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1-2 tablespoons red food coloring (I use the whole little bottle)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsps white cider vinegar

1 cup buttermilk

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease 2 (9 inch round) cake pans; line bottoms with wax paper and grease paper. Set aside. (I use a regular sized bundt pan, sprayed with non-stick spray)

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flor, baking soda, sanlt and cocoa. Transfer to a piece of wax paper.

In saame bowl, beat sugar and oil on low speed of an elecric mixer until well combinded. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add food coloring, vanilla and vinegar and beat until blended. Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Keep mixer speed on low so you don't overbeat and toughen cake.

Divide mixture between two prepared pans and bake in center of over 23-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comees out clean. Remove pans to wire racks to cool.

Cool about 5 minutes before removing cakes from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Use can use this cake plain (no frosting), or frost with a whipped buttercream frosting or with a cream cheese based frosting!

ENJOY!

INSPIRATION: 

As I was reading Stitching Dreams blog, I was so inspired to read that as you finish your stitching piece, get up and fully finish it! Don't put it in a drawer or in a spot that 'you will get to later', you'll never fully finish it! Get up and fully finish it NOW!

Make A Wish...

This was another quick stitch for a birthday card insert...SamSarah Designs ~ Happy Birthday! I have used this chart SO many times for birthdays!

True Love !

I stitched this one up just today...! A real quick stitch.
Sam Sarah Designs ~ Pearls True Love. Used perforated paper and will attach a ribbon flower instead of the button and use in a paperweight. I'll post pictures as soon as I have it together.



Chart is for SOLD!

Mom

Here is another quick stitch I did ~ again on a fingertip towel, no button as I want the receiver to use the towel. This will be for Mother's Day.



Chart is SOLD!

Old Glory

This was a quick stitch by SamSarah Design Studio. I've got to look through my stash to see if I have a star button. I will probably finish this as an item on a scrapbook page with some other patriotic pieces I have laying around.



Chart is SOLD!

Happy New Year!

Sorry I'm a little late in wishing everyone a Happy New Year...but like they say, Better Late Than Never At All!

I did quite a bit of stitching over the holidays and since my last post in October...but as things go, no pictures were taken, I can't and won't re-stitch them just for a picture, so I will just move on!

Here is a quite, quick stitch that I have to share with you! It's by Sam Sarah Designs called America. I have the full-sized leaflet for sale...but please note the less than perfect conditions noted in the FOR SALE area.