An idea for floss winding

I subscribe to "Craft Gossip" and today in their newsletter there was a link to a blog called Little Lovelies.  She had blogged about the way she wound her floss - it involves the floss, the little cards, bobbin winder and a drill.  Yes, you read that right - a drill.  It's actually quite genius. 

I have most of my floss in generic plastic baggies, sorted by numbers and then ordered in plastic shoe box organizers.  I just might have to borrow my sister in laws drill and try this out.  It would certainly make everything less bulky for storage. 

Here's the link. Little Lovelies Floss Winding

Gabi's having a giveaway

Gabi over at Lady of the Floss is having a spectacular giveaway for her blogaversary!  The chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Anita's Little Stitches.

Go here to check it out!  Gabi's Giveaway

Thrift store find - Stitching stand and Sampler book

I used to make Saturday my St Vincent de Paul thrift store day, but I haven't been there in a few weeks.  Since we'll be out of town all day tomorrow I decided to stop there today.

I am so glad I did!  I found this for $10.50 It's the FA Edmunds Universal Craft Stand.  Now, I know this is not the best one out there, nor is it the stitching stand of my dreams, but it's better than nothing and I can't wait to use it!  It even came with a small scroll frame, so that was a bonus. 

There was actually a 2nd one there that looked just like this one, but I believe it may have been homemade to be like the one above.  It's was a bit taller that the Edmunds and rather than have the knobs, it just had wing nuts.  I'm contemplating going there on Monday after work and getting it if it's still there. Thought I could give it to my MIL for her own stitching.

I also found this for just $1.50.  I glanced through it briefly at the thrift store, saw a couple of samplers that I liked and bought it.  I decided to google it and have found several for sale at prices ranging from $9 to $125 - WOW!  I also found when searching it, that two of the designs in here are by Theresa Wentzler.  I'm so glad I picked this up!

TUSAL

I realized I completely forgot about posting my TUSAL. So, better late than never, here it is!

Winter Queen Frustration & Disappointment!

ARRRRRRRGH!           I am so frustrated with myself!  I was working on Winter Queen Tuesday night and was just looking at my progress and looking at the photo that came with her and as I was looking at them together, I realized something just wasn't right.  I STARTED IN THE WRONG PLACE!!!!!


I must have miscounted when I drew/counted out the middle line. So I started cutting and picking every stinking stitch I've put in since I started.  I've almost got it all out and will probably finish getting it out tonight.  When I get it all out, I'll give the fabric a quick rinse in cold water, just to help the holes close up a bit and then when it's dry I'll start all over again. 

I just am so disappointed about this.  At least I don't have to have her completed until the beginning of December.  Therese's 21st birthday is December 18th, so I want to have her done by the 1st in order to have her framed and back to me on time.

Now to add a smile, here's a recent picture of my beautiful imp of a granddaughter, Emma Ann - this was taken a couple of weeks ago in Grandpa's arms.  She will be 17 months on May 1.

WIP

Here's where Winter Queen is as of now.  I really, really don't like stitching with cream/white/natural colors.  I don't know why, but they always seem to knot/twist so easily and I feel like the stitches don't lay as nicely as colors do.  Does anyone else ever have this problem?

And here's my most recent picture of Quaker Sampler by the Workbasket.

NEW STASH!! - Picture heavy & long!

I love new stash!  I splurged on new stash with a little of our tax refund and here are the spoils!  I bought Mirabilia "Autumn in My Garden" for myself over a year ago, but hadn't found the "right" fabric for it.  I was cruising Ebay and found this beautiful 32ct hand-dyed Lugana called "Queen Annes Lace" from HomeSweetHome Needlecrafts and I just knew it would be perfect.  I then converted the called for DMC floss to Vikki Clayton HDF and ordered those.  I don't know when I'll start this piece, but I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.  Here's the floss toss.

Next up we have LHN's "Patience" and "Love and Faithfulness" that I got from another stitcher at the HDF message boards.  I've started "Patience" as a birthday gift for my FIL.

These are my "carrots" from my HDF order....I just love the two on the right.

Now we have stash ordered from Down Sunshine Lane.  The first picture are all items from her BOGO/$1 pages with the exception of the ornament form.  I thought I'd try the form out as my "finishing" skills aren't all that great yet.  The LHN "Soft and Sweet" is intended for my granddaughter, "Trustworthy and True" for my daughter and SIL and "Strong and Beautiful" for my daughter.  The other pieces were also bought with the intent to be made for specific people, but I won't detail it here, because they sometimes read my blog.

DSL was having a special when I put in my order where you could order a "Mystery Box" for $30 and so I decided to chance it.  I was VERY happy! This first picture is some of what was in the box and what I intend to keep and stitch eventually.

This is the rest of the box that I will either end up posting for sale or possibly using for a giveaway.  I've never done a giveaway and I think it may be time.

If you made it this far, I'm thrilled!  Thank you for your visit to my blog and for any comments you leave. Have a great week!