Sunday, March 19 ~ Weekly Recap

 Good Sunday Afternoon ~

Hope this day before the offical  start of Spring has you enjoying your day and getting in some quality stitching time. The temperature is warm here in S. Florida in the high 70's, low 80's and we are awating some long overdue rain showers this afternoon.

What is Under my Needle ~

I started Lizzie*Kate's Buzzy String to be used as a tin wrap. What? Yes, I have an oblong, galanized bucket and I am going to make this long narrow piece into a wrap that will go along the outside of the bucket. Stay tuned and you will see finishing pictures.

This week was a slow stitching week. I stitched Ralph Rabbit by Stitching With the Housewives. Stitched on 14ct black aida using the called for DMC colors. Now that he and Ramona are finished being stitched I can go ahead and fully finish them into ornaments for my Spring/Easter tree.

I also started and finished stitching April~ Home is Where the Wreath Is...stitched on 14ct black aida using the called for DMC colors. Will fully finish this and it'll be ready to hang on my HOME piece when April arrives.

Freebie Finds ~

This week I found once again Shannon Christine's part 2 of her Easter Wreath. You can find this at www.ShannonChristine.com

I also found Home Stitch Home by Tiny Modernist. This can be found under FREE charts on her website. 

What's In the Garden ~

A piece of a peace lily that by best friend gave to make from her father's funeral wreath has finally shot up a flower and should open some time this week. She gave me this piece many years ago and has finally found it's home and has chosen to bloom! Can't wait to see it in all it's glory.

I planted dahlia bulbs this week. Seems the neighborhood squirrel dug up some of the bulbs and decided to make a meal of them. Hopefully I'll get something from the ones he didn't get!

What Am I Reading ~

44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel. Copyright 2012 but somehow I missed this one. Only on chapter 3 but seems like it will be a good book. 

I went church and lunch with my friend today and my fortune read: Others will seek your talents in the coming months. May you always know your talents and may they bring you an abundance of happiness.

♥Elizabeth

Sunday, March 12, 2023 / Weekly Recap

 Good Afternoon!

Daylight Saving Times has begun and I already don't like it! I lost an hour of sleep and the day is just rushing by...is there an off button anywhere!?!?!

I missed posting last Sunday as it was my birthday weekend celebration! My son came in from out of town and we went to an Italian Bakery Bar and the food was FABULOUS! Yummy!

So, I have some 'catching up' to do! I've got "Marry Me Chicken' in the crockpot ~ the house smells delicious....so here we go!

WHAT'S IN MY NEEDLE ~

Priscilla with Stitching With the Housewives put out the start of her Easter Roundabouts starting with Ramona Rabbit. I just knew I had to stitch her for my Easter tree! I stitched her on a scrap of 14ct light blue aida using the called for DMC theads. And wouldn't you know...her brother Ralph joined the group this week! I just printed out the pdf and as soon as I'm finished typing I'll be over it my 'stitchy spot' working on him this afternoon. The charts are available in her ETSY shop.

I then moved onto finishing BLOOM by Stitching With the Housewives. This is from her Spring Roundabouts. I only stitched two of this series and will use them on my Easter tree as well. Stitched this on the same scrap of 14ct light blue aida using the called for DMC threads as well. I purchased some daisy trim from Joanne Fabrics a few weeks ago for the outer trim on this cute round ornaments.

And...if you remember by tale of woe of having run out of #3865 and no one (Michael's/ Joanne Fabrics) having any in stock and how I had to purchase some from 123Stitch....here is why!

FORGET ME NOT seeds by Stitching With the Housewives is why! These cute little seed pack charts she put out in 2022 and I've had them and wanted to Stitch My Stash this year. I stitched all of these charts on 14ct black aida using the called for DMC threads.

Next came LAVENDER seeds, CONEFLOWER seeds, and DAISY seeds.

And this morning I finished stitching BLACK EYED SUSAN seeds.

So now onto the fully-finishing part. I have a cute idea in mind, now let's see if I can get the idea out of my mind and into reality! Stay posted!

FREEBIE FINDS ~

I found two (2) cute freebies this week. Both are found in the respective designer's newsletters. 

PRIMROSE COTTAGE ~ posted HEART IN HAND'S (Nashville Needlework) DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

SHANNON CHRISTINE posted Easter Wreath 1

WEEKLY HAUL ~

 I ordered some things from Nashville Market, they should arrive this week and I'll share next week! 

RECIPE OF THE MONTH ~ 

Any Fruit Cobbler

2 cans cherry/peach/blueberry pie filling

1 box white cake mix

1 1/2 stichs margarine or butter

1 cup chopped nuts (I mainly use walnuts)

Empty two cna of fruit pie filling into a 9X13 baking dish. Sprinkle one box of DRY white cake mix on top of the fruit. Drizzle melted butter on top of ddry cake mix. If desired, spread nut over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, approx. 23-25 minutes!  YUMMY and EASY!

WHAT'S IN MY GARDEN ~

We have tomato plants coming up. My strawberry from months ago is still going strong and another baby was just born this week. We've got a baby pineapple that sprouted this week and I planted some gladiolus and dahlia's this week. Keep your fingers crossed. We haven't had rain in 20+ days so the early evening watering has started again.

WHAT AM I READING ~

 Just ordered Danielle Steel's new book ~ SUSPECTS, should arrive later this week as I ordered it on a preorder!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK ~

Stitch like a CrAzY woman ~ Make yourself Happy!

Till next time ....

♥Elizabeth 

Sunday, February 26 Weekly Recap

 Good Sunday Afternoon,

Greeting from HOT, SUNNY Florida! The temps are in the low 80's today when predictions of getting into the 90's by midweek. Sorry to the Northern folks dealing with all the snow. I'll send you some sunshine. The morning hours flew by but now I'm here to recap my stitching week! Not much progress to show but anything is an attempt at moving forward!

I'm still stitching the 'seed packs' by Stitching With the Housewives and as I stated in the previous post I ran out of #3865. I put it on my 'to do' list and I finally walked down to Michael's on my lunch break on day only to find out the they had NONE! Boy o boy was I upset! This meant I'd have to take a trip to JoAnn Fabrics (approx. 12 miles away). So I gathered up my coupons + my birthday coupon, made a list of things I need or will need and headed there on my next day off from work. I'm shopping along and come to the cross stitch aisle only to discover they don't have any #3865 either!!! Now I'm raging, because this now means I'll have to order online if I have ANY chance at finishing these 'seed packs' before spring arrives. Monday, March 20, 2023.

Here is a previous stitched piece ~ STRAWBERY SEEDS by Stitching With the Housewives.I'm waiting until I have all the packs stitched before fully finishing them. By the way I planted strawberry seeds this morning in my garden box. I'll keep you posted on how they do. 

So, I came home with $137.00 of 'other stash' (pillow forms, interfacing, stuffing, fat quarter fabric, jelly roll, cross stitch fabric (fiddler's cloth 14ct), ....you get the picture. All because I was going for thread!!! I immediately placed on online order with 123Stitch for 6 skeins, then I added some JABC pins for a finish I spoke about last Sunday (Block Party 4th by Hands On Design) and then Primrose Cottage has a new bee chart that they are releasing at the Nashville Market so I needed to get the bee pins for that. Had to justify the shipping charges...that package will arrive Tuesday, February 28th. So at least the thread is on it's way! Hip Hip Hurray!

I then was viewing Hands on Desgins recent flosstube #78 and she showcased her new releases for Nashville...well that was another rabbit hole I fell into. I had decided to do all four seasons of her BASKET designs. I ordered her Spring Basket as a preorder so decided in the meantime to get all my goods together for the entire series. She uses just 3 pillow forms and interchanges them seasonally, hence the purchase of pillow forms at Joann's! I've decided to stitch all the seasons on 14ct fiddler's cloth therefore the pillows will be bigger than the 10'' she takes about in the tutorial, also on flosstube. I will just need to order the SUMMER basket after market, just in case I see something else I 'need'.

I've also decided that I want to try my hand at making a quilt this spring. I chose a beginner chart by Primrose Cottage called Gingham Squares (available on their Etsy shop). I purchase an ADORABLE fabric bundle by Primrose Cottage, and the jelly roll (from Joann's) will go along with this fabric. Will probably start in late April as I have a full few month ahead. More later on that.

This morning I kitted up my traveling piece...Lizzie*Kate's ABC's of Faith. I will be stitching this on 14ct antique white aida using called for DMC threads, Weeks Dye Works and on Classic Colorworks as a substitution thread. I'm only taking one piece to work on while on vacation instead of the normal 10 pieces I bring and barely have time to touch any of them. We have 2 long flights so I'm hoping to do most of my stitching then.

The one main piece that I started stitching this week (as I'm waiting for my thread to arrive) is Heart in Hand ~ BLOOMING TINY TOWN. Stitching on 14ct antique white aida using the called for DMC colors. I have just about all the houses 'built' and then I'll move onto the flowers and trees. This is a really cute 'spring' piece.

While I was puttering around in the kitchen this morning I made a batch of Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookies but added walnuts as my daughter and I like anything with nuts. Enjoying one now as I type this out. YUMMY!

I only found a few FREEBIES this week...they one I really like is Rouge by Crocette a gogo. She is on FB @crocetteagogo.puntocroce and Instagram @ricamidimarula. Looks like a nice spring stitch.

That's about all for this week...remember make yourself happy! Do what YOU want to do!

Until next Sunday.

♥Elizabeth 

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!

Sunday Update

 Good Sunday Morning!

Hope you all had a good week, filled with lots of little XXX's! My week was busy...let's start!

Started and finished stitching Hello Pumpkin by Stitching With the Housewives. Changed the word PUMPKIN to Autumn to fit in with the Autumn decor of my home. Changed the colors of the big top pumpkin to ____ and changed the blue pumpkin at the bottom to an orange pumpkin as we don't see blue pumpkins down here in FL. Stitched on 14ct black aida (Etsy ~ Annabelles). Used DMC threads.

Next was:

October ~ Truckin' Along by Stitching With the Housewives. I changed the left and right motifs from chickens sitting on a pumpkin to the original pumpkin from white to orange, DMC 921 and then a smiling, viney mini pumpkin (from the truck portion of the chart). The candy corns were SO easy and fast to stitch, finished in a few days. Stitched on 14ct black aida, once again from Etsy ~ Annabelles.

Then...

Little House Needleworks ~ The Post Office from the Hometown Holiday series. Remember, Diane is only doing a yearly Hometown Holiday chart from here on out. I changed the mailbox from a red one to a common blue one that we have down here in FL, DMC # 311. I adjusted the POST OFFICE words at the top because I didn't follow the pattern and had extra room on the right so I added a # as most post offices are numbered. 

I'll start finishing this series while I am on vacation next week and I will post my finishes. I can't wait to have this series up to date, finished and displayed this Christmas. Just a note...a bought a horizontal ladder shelf a few years ago to display this on, never opened and can't wait to get it out of the attic this year! EXCITING!

I have just listed the following items on my Etsy shop this morning...www.etsy.com/shop/LizziesXStitches.

Charles Craft ~ velour fingertip towels

Mill Hill Designs ~ coin purse. Cross stitched and beaded, Everything Mary Antique Purse Frame and 1/4yd of black wide wale corduroy fabric. Directions of how to assemble the coin purse are on the back of the purse frame packaging. 

Hope everyone has a great Sunday, filled with lots of XXX's and memories!

♥Elizabeth

Hello!

 Hi!

Greetings from windy So. Florida, so lucky that those two (2) storms ~ Laura and Marco have decided to take another path other than to our state. Prayers to those in their paths.

I've been busy doing some finishing the last few days, so happy with how these turned out. Take a look!

This is Blessed by Priscilla & Chelsea of Stitching with the Housewives (a freebie) and I just LOVE it! Makes a great tier tray accent piece. So pretty with the sunflowers! Stitched on a scrap of 14ct black aida using DMC and GAST threads. Finished using sticky board, buffalo check fabric, and a little dainty piece of lace trim!

Next...

I believe this was a piece by Little House Needleworks (LHN) or maybe Prairie Schooler. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Stitched on a scrap piece of 14ct white aida using DMC threads. Finished on sticky board covered with burgandy fabric and a green ribbon. Cute again as a tier tray accent piece or even nice on a small easel in the living room.

Finally, 

For Keeps by The Trilogy! I LOVE this one! So cute! Stitching on 14ct fiddlers cloth using DMC threads. Finished on sticky board covered with a burgandy/green paisley fabric and accented with a piece of ercu lace. Once again, a nice tier tray accent piece or even a nice stand up piece on a small easel in the bedroom on the nightstand!

ALL three of these finished pieces are available in my ETSY shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LizziesXStitches?ref=search_shop_redirect

Come by and visit...I've got finished pieces, unfinished pieces (that you can finish) Xstitch supplies and more! Leave a comment when you visit! I'd love to hear from you!

Have a great Monday...back to stitching!

♥Elizabeth

Blessed

A 'blessed' Sunday it was! I finished this adorable FREE chart by Stitching With the Housewives (Pricilla & Chelsea)... the chart can be found on her blogspot. (priscillas. blogspot.com) I stitched this on denim blue 14ct aide using DMC threads. Finished as a stand up (with easel) for the credenza in the family room, so all can see and remember that everyday we are blessed!

Sunday FUNday!

Hi! Happy Sunday Everyone! I decided earlier this week that I would spend some quality time in my craft room finishing 'many' of my stitched pieces today. Here's a look at what I finished! This is August Flip It Bits by Lizzie*Kate. Stitched on 14ct fiddlers cloth using DMC threads I finished on sticky board with my stitching and then another material covered piece of sticky board and then put a felt backing on the back. This piece will go in my tiered tray for August. Next was: August ~ A Year of Celebrations by Hands On Design. Simply finished on a piece of sturdy cardstock and will be dislayed on a wooden box frame with a second covered black buffalo checked board behind it. Stitched on 14ct fiddlers using DMC threads. Then there was: August Truckin' Along by Stitching With the Housewives (Priscilla & Chelsea). This piece is displayed on a metal, rectangular bucket from Michaels. Simply finish. Stitched on 14ct chalkboard Aida using DMC threads. And then: August Word Play by With thy Needle and Thread, stitched on creme 14ct aida using DMC threads. This piece is displayed on a white-washed board the just props up againt a basket on the credenza. A second fabric covered board is behind the stitching with a gray buffalo checked fabric.

I'm Back!

Hello! Wow! I can't believe it's been 4 years since I last posted! Many things have changed within the last 4 years...not looking back, only forward! I've decided to rejuevenate my blog, showcasing my stitching and finishing, now that I have a new craft room for finishing that I just LOVE! I still stitch everyday, whenever I can find a few minutes here and there. Sometimes I stitch for the whole day if my chores for the day are done. Love these days! Here is one of my latest stitching and finishing. I just LOVE this one! Hello Summer

~ by Stitching With The Housewives. Stitched on navy blue 14ct aida using DMC threads. Finished in a simple frame with a backer board of dusty green gingham, the stitching is mounted on sticky board. Finished with a burlap bow, a string of red rick rac then enhanced with a watermelon button and bee button. Cute! Simple!