Thrift Store Saints

I found out about this book from my blog friend Jeanie. She wrote such a fantastic review of the book that I tracked it down at the library. I had to order it via inter-library loan. Which is just to say that I recommend that if you have to go to all of that trouble, you should!

In brief, this is a book written about volunteering at a thrift store by, Jane Knuth, a woman who did not plan on doing so. But she did, and she had such wonderful and uplifting experiences! The thrift store is run by the St. Vincent De Paul Society and is in Kalamazoo, Michigan and the book is all about her volunteer experience and really how the clients taught her about life and kindness.

I am a terrible book reviewer. When I find a book that I want everyone to read I simply say, "I loved it!!!!!!" This is a book I want everyone to read! I loved it!!!!

Here is a link to Jeanie's beautiful review about this book and here is a link to an article about the author. Here is a link to the book on Amazon if you don't have the patience to track it down through the library or if you would like to support the author.

Out of Print

Perhaps you do this too??? When we all get together to stitch we obsess over out of print charts (OOP)........oh, if only we could go back in time to a shop that no longer exists to thumb through all of those charts we should have bought when our tastes were less developed!!!

We came upon some Sheepish Design samplers (thanks to our resident Ipad owners) and the one on top just spoke to me (very loudly!). By some miracle we found it available on an Etsy site, The Pampered Stitcher. Here is a link (although between us we might have depleted the Sheepish Design stock).... CLICK HERE!

I ordered the minute I got home on Saturday and they arrived on Wednesday!!!! Lucky me!!! Can't wait to get started!

Top Design is: Meet Me at the Field
Bottom Design is: Be Unto You

Return to Stitchville

It was stitch night at my friend Jayne's house last night. It was so good to be back among my merry band of stitchers!!!! Here is Jenny holding her Red House Sampler by Brenda Keyes. My eyes nearly popped out of my head!!!! It is stunning! The house, the people and the border!!!! I would trade all of my stash to just work on this project (just kidding! but if it was a real situation, I probably would!). Needles to say, I am now fixated on this beauty.
Above is one of Karin's Hinzeit projects. Beautiful!
This is one of Jayne's current projects. She has the jewelry box as shown in the picture of the completed project. Instant heirloom!
Jayne has her bunnies by Danybrod framed in her entryway. Perfection!
Here is Karin's progress on the C Street Samplerwork's project.
Here is Karin's collection of project bags which are handmade. Natalia at Stitching 4 Joy makes them. Here is a link to her site....click here!!! Sorry this is blurry. The project bags are completely gorgeous and meticulously made!!! They are works of art in and of themselves!!!
Here is another must do project!!!! Linda was working on Red, White and Bloom from Country Cottage Needleworks. It looks fabulous!!!
Jayne had party favors for us!!!! Darling teacup gift cards.
One of Karin's WIPs. Can't wait to see it when the red starts getting added!
This is one of Patti's current works. Love this bunny!!
Vera Update: Pat has the new Eloise bag in one of the new summer prints!!!!! I had to put it on and walk around the room.
Patti has a friend who went to the big Vera Bradley sale in Fort Wayne. She came back with this very unique bag for Patti. It is a very cool shape!
Another pitter-pat project! This is Teresa's Jardin Prive project. Can't remember the name of this one but it is contained in two or three charts. This blue flower is just amazing!
Here is an on deck project of Teresa's.
Here is my new Vera!!!!!! When I flew to LA to see my BFF, Noreen, she had this waiting for me in the front seat and inside there was a cold Tab!!!!!!!! Does she know me or what???? It was so exciting.

Jayne's entryway is always a magical place! Here is a darling bunny to welcome us all!!!! As always, we had a total blast and I can't wait until the next stitching gathering.

Home from Vacation

Still trying to adjust back to the regular routine......one last vacation-y thing to do. Mike and I took the day off of work tomorrow so we could stay up all night watching the Royal Wedding.

I am trying to maintain the zen mode of life I adopted on vacation. I saw some people who are pretty darn important in my life. I saw places of such beauty. I felt in touch with the essence of my spirit.

I also read some good books and found a few stitch-y things. Worked some more on my book project (maybe some of those will come to fruition soon!)

Listening to this CD keeps those feelings close.

And now I continue on with my Midwest life.........which is such a blessed life. Time with Mom and brother, girlfriends, stitching buddies (who are girlfriends that stitch and just "get" me!), trips to the library, watching the big screen with Mike Duet (Go Bulls!), more books, more stitching outings, just more of all that I love.

These Russian people really make one stop and think.....

Vacation

Tomorrow I am leaving for vacation!!! First stop is my BFF's house. Noreen lives in Hermosa Bach, CA. While not a big fan of southern California, I am a big fan of Noreen. We have known each other since I was 16 and we always have a great time together.

I am also going to visit my cousin Bill while out there. He and his wife just bought a house in Canoga Park, CA. It will be exciting to visit them.

Then I am off to one of my most favorite places on Earth - Bainbridge Island, WA. My Dad is going to be 70! I will be riding this lovely ferry over from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. I cannot tell you how much I love to ride the ferry. It is a zen experience for sure! Mike is going to meet me there later in the week. I will be away for a good amount of time. Not returning to the Land of Lincoln until April 24th!

I will miss you all but will be checking in from time to time on my Iphone! Thank goodness for that great technology! Will report back here upon my return!

p.s. There are no cross stitch shops (that I know of) in L.A. or Seattle!!!!! Let me know if I am wrong.... would love to visit one!!!!!

EDITED TO ADD: Thank you so much for all of the suggestions!!!!!!! I am going to try to get to the shop in Garden Grove and I would love to go to the shop in Ana Cortes. Have to see how far from my Dad's that is. Woooop! I will let you all know if I get anywhere! Thank you for all of your well wishes too!!!!

Stitching Tuesday

These pictures are kind of out of order! Rats! But I am sure you can follow along! Above is my FIRST 40 count finish!!!!!! I was working on 36 and it was going pretty well; so I decided that I wanted to try and conquer 40 count. I asked my friend Barb if she had a small piece of 40 count to donate to my cause. She gave me Tarnished Silver by Lakeside Linens and I LOVE it!!!!!! I put the dime in the picture so you could really gauge the size. I am on the hunt for other "easy" 40 count fabric. I am awaiting delivery of 40 count Lambswool which I think will be really fun!

Now on to the sights of this Tuesday's stitch night at Inspired Needle.
This is a really gorgeous Shepard's Bush piece stitched by Jean. I don't know its name but oh my, it is just beautiful!
In my 40 count frenzy I wanted to try another project. I am testing out Park City 40 county by R&R with this totally great La De Da chart!!!
Here is the Shepard's Bush Pink Snowman by Jean. Love her!!!
Another shot of my first 40 count project with a picture of the cool chart that it is from. Love these little projects!!!
Rita had a finish!!! A big, big, big finish on this 25th Wedding Anniversary Sampler by Victoria's Sampler. I am so mad that the top picture did not turn out better! This is an amazing piece! I would not even know where to begin to stitch this. Difficult!!!
My favorite part was the top with the silk ribbon stitching. Wow!!!!!
The lovely and talented Miss Pat was stitching a bit on this gorgeous BBD design. I had not seen this stitched in person and it is so pretty!
Jean was working on this Shepard's Bush project, Wave, on Tuesday night. Love it intensely!!!
Okay, talk about intense!!!!! Above is a piece that I stitched for a special birthday present....then my friend Teresa quilted it for me into a little mat!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?? What a friend to take all the time to do this AND pick out the perfect material to quilt it with!!!! I can never thank you enough Miss T!!!! (funny! Tea and Miss T!!!)
Here is Teresa's progress on our second group project, Spring Tuck Pillow by Primitive Betty. Love the fabric and floss choice!
My friend Patti is working on Spring by Danybrod. She is doing it all in white as you can see and it is turning out so wonderfully!!!!
My buddy Barb picked up her finished first group project. It looks so amazing in its beautiful frame!!!!!!! Stunning.

I missed taking pictures of all of the projects on Tuesday. So many great things were going. I did not want to bother every person there, but someday I will!!!!!

Happy Stitching!

Pinterest

There is a new website that is addicting to say the least. It is called Pinterest.
Once you join you can take any image from the internet and put it on your own personal pinboard.
This is like having a bulletin board only it is a virtual version. You can create many different categories, name them what you like and then start putting pictures in each category. It is great to have all the images you love in one place on the internet. For example, I have a cross-stitch category so that I can remember what projects I may want to purchase in the future!!! Love that enabling!
The next great thing about Pinterest is that you can share images with others and see what others are posting. Scattered throughout this post are some of the images on my Pinterest bulletin board.
In case anyone needs a cool cake idea!!!

Warning: Pinterest is addicting!!!!!!! Let me know if you join!

Saturday Night Stitch

I think I am the luckiest stitcher in the world because I have a group of friends who are as obsessed with stitching as I am. Even better, they all like to get together and get all torked about stitching together. Last night was stitching night at Jayne's house. She has a group of us over about once a month and it is always an amazing night. By the way, "tork" is a local stitching term for getting all crazy and excited about stitching. The term was coined by Jayne.

Here are some pics of some of the many projects that were worked on. Above and below is Barb's progress on Garden Fair by Courtney Designs. I decided last night that I am definitely getting this chart and doing this design. I have been looking at it since it cam out at market and then to see it in all of its beginning glory; well, that was it. I am in!!!!
Another one of Barb's WIPS is Rose Quaker. This is simply stunning in every way possible. Another definite must stitch!!! The colors! The motifs!
Below is one of Jayne's counted thread pieces! Talk about gorgeous colors!!!!!
Carolyn is stitching this beautiful fall cross. She did a spring cross also. This is a breathtaking piece. It is beyond description! Amazing!
Jayne finished stitching this spring bunny piece by Danybroad. Darling!
Jayne gave us a treat by showing us some of her WIPs. The colors on this Priscilla Eddington pinkeep are so pretty!!! Add this project to my wish list!
Jon Lee finished the Skating Party by The Sampler Girl on Saturday night. I took a picture before the exciting moment was achieved. I LOVE this piece!!!! Jon Lee personalized it by putting in her grandmother's name.
I could not get my stitching groove on last night. I worked on a couple of things, one of which is It's Berry Time by BBD (those geniuses!).
Below is a true representation of the times we get together and stitch. Frenzy, pure glee, and unadulterated passion.
Here is Teresa's progress on a gorgeous sampler from the SANQ magazine. Totally fab colors!!!!!
Cathy is working on this majorly great sampler by Mary Garry. Love it!!!!
Cathy finished this poinsettia candle mat. I believe she is having a class at the Inspired Needle about finishing these.
Nancy worked on this really cool lighthouse candle mat. Makes me want to go to Cape Hatteras right this second!
Pat was working on one of our group projects, Primitive Betty's Spring Tuck Pillow. Gorgeous silk threads with great variation!!
Patti finished our first group project last night! My picture of her finished work did not turn out as well as this progress picture earlier in the evening. Absolutely gorgeous color choices by Miss Patti!
Marcia worked on smoking this dress. Wow! I have never seen smocking done before and it looks very intensive. Aren't smocked dresses for little girls just one of the dearest things on this planet????
Barb finished this dear design from Jardin Prive. I think it was a fund raising design and is no longer available. Okay, besides the design being so cut and the thread choice so gorgeous, Barb stitched this on 50 (five-oh!) linen!!!!!!
See below for a good representation of the size. We covered the whole design with a 3" square Inspired Needle corner gauge!!!!
I want to thank all of my stitching friends for a lovely evening and to Jayne for being such a wonderful hostess! What an oasis stitching is in our crazy lives!!!

Also, may I also sincerely thank you all for your comments! They make me so very happy to read! I mean really, my stomach does a little jump when I see what you have to say. I get really torked!!!!!!!!! Thank you.