Surprise Scissors:)

Yesterday I received a surprise in the mail.  My hubby ordered these new 

Gingher Designer scissors--Eve, for me. 

He is such a good hubby.  He knows my obsession:)

 Gingher 4" Designer Scissors--"Eve"

 I have been doing some sewing this last weekend and made a couple more pouches.

I did some tweeking and I am finally happy with how to construct these babies.

The blue and white pouch was posted a week or so ago and was my prototype.

 This pouch was just another take on the design.

I have been wanting to try my hand at this type of pouch and I do like the 

way it turned out.  I really enjoy making these stitching pouches.

You just can't have too many pouches--can you??

Thanks for stopping by.

Sewing--What???

I spent most of yesterday sewing.  I had cut out quite a few things and I sewed my heart out.

This is a pouch pattern I have had forever and decided it was time to try it out.  I like how it turned out although I may tweak the pattern a bit.  I have some ideas to make it a bit easier so we'll see how that goes.  The fabric for this pouch is Blackbird Designs Blueberry Crumb cake.

 Next up is another bag which I made with this years Quilt Minnesota fabric.  Every year about 70 Quilt shops here in Minnesota have a shop hop for 17 days and of course there is fabric to go with the hop.  I try to always buy some fabric and make something, so here is this years project.

This is a view of the back of the pouch which I discovered I put on upside down:{.  I guess I didn't think the design was directional!!!  Oh well.  Just wanted to give you a look at the print as it is different towns in Minnesota.

 These are some bags I made for fun.  Really liked the fabric and since I always say I have pencils in my eyes when I am frustrated or upset I thought this fabric was appropriate:}  Actually I think I say:  "I want to poke pencils in my eyes." 

 Then my daughter Chastity bought me this fabric so I made some bags to do some organizing of my stitching/sewing accessories.

These are some pencil pouches for the grandkids.  I made some for the 2 oldest grandkids for school so since I had some left over fabric from other projects I thought I would get a jump on having a few done for the rest of the grandkids.  I have made so many of these type of pouches I can make them in my sleep!!!

 Now for some retreat update.  I stitched is during retreat and then finished it into a pillow.

I just love this design and I really like using sawdust for stuffing.

I also stitched these ornies.  I have one more to make before Christmas. 

Lizzie Kate Tiny Tidings--Santa Knows.

Stitched on 32 count coffee dyed linen with DMC.

Started 8-7-2014

Finished 8-8-2014

The small bells will be used on the tip of  Santa's hat.

Well there's a bit of a catch up on what I have been up to.  Hope everyone is having a great week.

Retreat 2014

It's that time of year again!!  Time for our annual retreat.

This years theme is Christmas in August.

I always make these vinyl bags.  I also make coordinating pillow covers.  

We all have our own color as you can tell by the zippers.  Makes it easier to tell who's is who's.

First up are the goodies we each received from Jackie.  She always stitches up a coaster for each of us.  So we have a theme coaster from all 9 of our last themed retreats.  We also got a bowl for snacks, and a cup, some buttons, an ornie, some stickers and a needle minder. 

Thanks, Jackie. 

 These gifties are from Jill--Purple Peacock.

We received a cute tray, socks, a very cute thread ring, Santa scissors 

and a charm--not pictured.  Of course all theme related.

Thank you Jill.

 Next up is Lori's goodies for us.  We got some paper plates, wrapping tape, a very appropriate dish with the words Be Merry printed on it that look like cross stitch, a tin and scissors charm and some holiday chocolate covered sunflower seeds.

Thanks, Lori 

Here are my stitching bags with the goodies I included.  A pillow cover for our small pillow that we have had from a few retreats ago, some themed hand soap, tissues, a note pad, pen and pencil a small plastic box and some post-it notes.

Jackie and I did a little pre-retreat stitching yesterday and I started this piece.  I finished it today.

Heartstring Samplery--Sweet Land of Liberty.  Stitched on 32 count linen I coffee dyed/baked using overdyed threads.

Started 8-5-2014

Finished 8-6-2014

Fair Results!!!!

Well the results are in.  I entered 5 pieces and came home with 5 ribbons--3 Blue Ribbons and 2 Red Ribbons.  

 Here I am in front of the of the wall where my three framed pieces hung.  The one right over my shoulder which was Salute to Abigail and Christmas Garden on the top of the same row.

 Here is Holy Moses.  As you can see it took home a Red Ribbon.  Here is what the comment said:

"Beautiful-Very nice stitching--even and consistent--colors are nice too--like the tea dying for an antique look to complement the old frame:)"

 Again this is the wall with a view of all my pieces.

The comments on my other two frame pieces were:

Salute to Abigail-received a first place ribbon -"Beautifully done!  Wow--Stitches are so even and consistent--very nice!  Like the beige fabric color with the blue frame--Sharp contrast!  Good job:)"

Christmas Garden--received a second place ribbon.  "Nice color choice--very even stitching--frame looks a little bold for the colors--maybe a matting piece would soften the look--but still very pretty! Good job:)"

 My Country pillow took first place.  The comment left for this piece was:

"Nice work.  Clean lines--Crisp cross stitches.  This was in the running for the pillow Champ."

I felt really good to hear it was in the running for the Champion pillow!!!

 My daughter Kelsey was taking the pictures so here I am in front of my pillow.

Last but not least here is my Gingerbread cupcake also took home a first.

No comment for this piece though.

I am happy with the results.  

Now on to the Minnesota State Fair.