Cross Stitching Away!

Hello!  :)

Before starting this post I looked up the last regular post I published and I couldn't believe it was back on April 2nd!!! Wow! Time has definitely been flying! I'm hoping I'll get better about posting again but I will be really busy the next couple of months so I'm not promising anything. Please bear with me. I'll share more about that later.  ;)

For now I wanted to share what I've been up to since I last shared my stitching adventures with you. Back on April 2nd this is where I was with my Lizzie Kate 6 Fat Men . . .

I had finished the first 3 sections. After that I added the really cute extra design in between the blocks.

This is one of my favorite parts of this design. Weird huh? After that I managed to get one more section done. Here's the block that was "snow fun" to stitch . . .

I don't have a picture of the whole thing after this point. I will definitely take one this week for you.  ;)

During April I started on a new project. This is Blue Ribbon Design's "Blue Jeans & Daisies" 2013 Mystery Sampler.

All three parts have now been released. I'm stitching it on 30ct Blue Jeans Weeks Dye Works linen with the original threads. I started the design in the top left corner. Here is the first section I stitched . . .

The fabric color is definitely off in this photo. After this section I wasn't quite sure about the design. It was just blaw to me so far. Then I continued stitching . . . 

Wow! I'm loving the design now! It really came to life with the next sections. Don't you think so? By the way did you notice the fabric color is better in this picture? It's more true to the real color. Continuing on . . . I was on a roll and just couldn't stop stitching . . .

I finished the left section all the way to the bottom!  ;)  The color on this picture really sucks again, so sorry!  :(  This design is so fun to stitch! I can't wait to stitch the whole thing!  :)

These are the only two (like I need any more) pieces that I'm working on right now. I'm having fun with both of them. While I haven't done any more stitching on the 6 Fat Men I've actually made more progress on the Blue Jeans & Daisies. You'll have to wait until next time to see it though as I haven't taken pictures yet.  ;)

Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash Posts

Hello!  :)

I just wanted to remind you that Katie from Snuggle Up with a Dish from Karma has now taken over the responsibility of keeping up with and posting updates for the Traveling Stash Boxes. Today is her first day! She is doing a great job! Be sure to stop by her blog and say "hello"!  :)

By the way . . . if you currently have a traveling stash button on your blog you will have to change the code to the following so it goes to Katie's blog instead of mine:

<center><a href="http://karmawillowdesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/traveling%20stash" target="_blank" title="Snuggle Up with a Dish from Karma"><img alt="Traveling Stash Box Updates" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWorSRwJSiT_WZNy6zrAbL6mUtvnp2wk6CBwshKwhJjDoRFsu8EY5imJXvsm5KpI-x9yfR-OfZGz6Nm5l7-unX5GgH4nGc1BHZ1zCIQpAfnU-ne6-trEfW7zQ2wJKBpSYK1rita1tLxBnq/s1600/traveling+stash+button.jpg" / width="175" height="172" /></a></center>

Thanks for stopping by and supporting me in my endeavors!  :)  I'm sorry I haven't posted anything lately. I have a lot going on right now and haven't had a chance. I'm going to make an effort to show you what I've been up to this week. I just need to take pictures and then sit down and do it. Sometimes that's easier said than done . . . lol!  ;)

Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of April 15 - 21

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, threads, and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.

~  ANNOUNCEMENT  ~

I will be handing over the 

Traveling Stash keeper responsibilities, 

including keeping track of boxes, 

posting updates, publishing the Rules, etc 

next Monday, April 22nd!

The wonderful new "Keeper of the Boxes" 

will be Katie from 

Snuggle Up With a Dish from Karma!

She is excited and eager to start!

Be sure to check out her blog and

perhaps follow here while you're there.  ;)

Thank you all for the cooperation you have given me

 while I've been the keeper of the boxes!  :)

Please remember to follow

ALL Traveling Stash Rules!

including . . . 

~ Posting the Giveaway ASAP

~ Posting PICTURES of the box contents, what you take AND what you replace it with

~ Sending the box out ASAP after the Giveaway ends

THANK YOU!  :)

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.

Be sure to enter to WIN a box today!  :)

Here are the latest updates as of 4/19/13 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Sherry!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     This box is currently MIA!  Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World won the box from Maribeth @ Simply Delighting on February 16th.  Maribeth was great with communicating with Wendy and I but then the box never arrived and now we can't get hold of here.  We don't know what's going on.  We hope she's okay.  If anyone knows Maribeth please let her know we're trying to get in touch with her.

BOX #3:     Kristy @ Catiedyd Designs is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Kristy!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Nancy @ Joy For Grace is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Nancy!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #5:     Katie @ Snuggle Up With a Dish from Karma is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Katie! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #6:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Saturday, April 20th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Katie @ Snuggle Up With a Dish from Karma is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Katie!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Emily @ Callender's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Emily!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Melissa @ Sewcute's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  The box has arrived!  Melissa will post the Giveaway on April 29th!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of April 8 - 14

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, threads, and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.

Please remember to follow

ALL Traveling Stash Rules!

Including...

~ Posting the Giveaway asap

~ Posting Pictures of the box contents, what you take and what you replace it with

~ Sending the box out asap after the giveaway ends

Thank You!  :)

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.

Be sure to enter to WIN a box today!  :)

Here are the latest updates as of 4/12/13 . . .

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Patti @ Osage Bluff Quilter has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 15th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #2:     This box is currently MIA!  Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World won the box from Maribeth @ Simply Delighting on February 16th.  Maribeth was great with communicating with Wendy and I but then the box never showed up and now we can't contact her. We don't know what's going on. We hope she's okay!  If anyone knows Maribeth please let her know we're trying to get in touch with her.

BOX #3:     Shanna @ Sparrow in Flight has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Tuesday, April 16th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #4:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 15th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #5:     Katie @ Snuggle Up With a Dish from Karma is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Katie!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #6:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Charlotte!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Kathy @ Qreative Quilts and Quests is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Kathy!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Emily @ Callender's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Emily!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Melissa @ Sewcute's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Melissa!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .

More Stitching's Going On

Hello!  :)

Last night I managed to finish stitching the 3rd part of my 6 Fat Men piece. Here's "Snow Friends" . . .

Sorry the pictures aren't the best. I took them at night as I wanted to get them posted before I forgot to do it. Lol  :)  Here's the 3 parts so far . . .

I'll be starting on part 4 tonight. Before I work on the fat men some more, I stitched the 3 pieces for my next project in the Stitch-A-Long over at www.stitch-a-long.blogspot.com. This piece is from the "Tis the Season" book by Natalie Bird.

Please forgive the blue markings. I haven't sprayed them with water yet to remove them. I can't believe I'm actually ahead of pace this month. I still have to make these into a wallhanging, but hey . . . they're stitched on April 1st! That's quite an accomplishment for me!  ;)

Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of April 1-7

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, threads, and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person.  You can find all the rules and guidelines here.

Please remember to follow 

ALL Traveling Stash Rules!

Thank You!

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.

Be sure to enter to WIN a box today!  :)

Here are the latest updates as of 4/7/13 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Sunday, April 7th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #2:     This box is currently MIA.  Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World won the box from Maribeth @ Simply Delighting on February 16th. Maribeth was great with communicating with Wendy and I but then the box never showed up and now we can't contact her. We don't know what's going on. We hope she's okay. If anyone knows Maribeth please let her know we're trying to get in touch with her.

BOX #3:     Shanna @ Sparrow in Flight has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Tuesday, April 16th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #4:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Charlotte!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #5:     Marianne @ Life @ RuffHaven has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Thursday, April 11th at 6pm EST!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #6:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Charlotte!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Kathy @ Qreative Quilts and Quests is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Kathy!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Melissa @ Sewcute's Creations has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Thursday, April 11th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Melissa @ Sewcute's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Melissa!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .

Finished Just in Time!

Hello!  :)

Happy Easter! I hope the Easter bunny brings you lots of chocolate!  ;)

This past week I finished a couple of small cross stitch pieces before I worked on my 6 Fat Men again. The first piece I did was Lizzie Kate's Limited Edition "Chicks". It's stitched on the linen that came with the kit. I used all the threads called for and substituted a couple I didn't have on hand. Here it is . . .

Today I actually had time to sit down and make the piece into a pillow.

Of course I used lots of pink!  ;)  I also added some buttons, charms, lace and rick rack. I think it turned out really nice. I actually have a finished, finished piece before Easter! Okay it's only a day before Easter but it still counts!  ;)

Last week I also finished another Lizzie Kate Limited Edition design, "A Bee C".

I stitched this on the linen that came with the kit. I used the threads called for and again substituted a couple I didn't have on hand.

I don't know if you remember or not but I'm taking part in the Stitch-Along over at www.stitch-a-long.blogspot.com. We're doing a small project every month instead of a quilt this year. This month's project is a pincushion from the Some Kind of Wonderful book by Anni Downs. Here it is . . .

The pattern on the sides are embroidered with pink perle cotton. The top is made with 1-1/2" squares of Pam Kitty Morning that I had leftover from my "My Favorite Things" quilt. It went together pretty quick. Good thing too since it has to be done by tomorrow. Nothing like the last minute!  ;)

I stuffed it with crushed walnuts. The pins are two that my friend Donna gave me last year. I thought they looked nice in it.  :)

Next month we will be making a wallhanging from the book "Tis the Season" by Natalie Bird. I got a head start today. (Okay so I'm only a day earlier, but I'm usually a last minute kind of gal). I traced the embroidery patterns on some muslin and backed them in fusible batting so they're ready to stitch.

Last by not least . . . my 6 Fat Men . . . I worked a couple of nights this week on the next section, "Snow Friends".

It's coming along nicely. Thanks for visiting!  :)

Until next time . . .

Stitch Me Up Blog Hop

Hello!  :)

Welcome to sewingly along! Today is my day to participate in the Stitch Me Up embroidery blog hop.

I would like to thank Madame Samm for hosting this blog hop and Jane from Jane's Fabric and Quilts for being our cheerleader!  :)  I would also like to thank Colonial Needle, our sponsor for this hop!  :)  One more big Thank You goes out to our pattern designers, Debbie, Cyndi and Madame Samm herself!  :)

I knew from the moment I heard about this blog hop that I just had to join in! I love to embroider! It's one of those things that really relax me. I also knew from the beginning which design I would stitch. I fell in love with the design the minute I saw it on the blog hop button. Yes it's the little girl designed by Madame Samm herself. Do you see her there? She's so cute! Don't you think so?

I embroidered her on a white polka dot fabric in red Presencia Finca Perle Cotton #12, using a simple back-stitch. Here she is . . .

She's soooo cute!!! As you can see I also dressed her in a red polka dot pinafore and head bow, which I appliqued on and button stitched around the edges. She reminds me of this picture of my mom as a little girl (she's the little one on the right).

Do you see the resemblance?  ;)

I haven't gotten any farther than this with my cute little girl. I just can't decide what to put her on. My first thought was an apron. Then I was thinking a bag . . . then a mini quilt. Oh boy! Someday I'll decide and find her a permanent home.  ;)  I'm curious . . . what would you do with her?

Thanks for visiting me! It's been nice having you here!  :)

Don't forget to stop by and visit the other gals who are hopping along with me today . . .

Judy @ That Other Blog

laurauvsloons and Quilting too

Sew Sharyn

Sewingly Along

Anita's quilts en handwerken

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Val's Simple Passions

Luv2Sew

Busy As Can Be

Paws for Stitching

Quilting & Other Craft Therapy

pieceful life

Live Love Labs

Felt pa Asly

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle

Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash UPDATES Week of March 25-31

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 9 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, threads and other quilty fun!  When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it on to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.

Please remember to follow 

ALL Traveling Stash Rules!

Thank You!

The current Giveaways are listed in RED below.

Be sure to enter to WIN a box today!  :)

Here are the latest updates as of 3/29/13 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Terry!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Wendy @ Stitchduchesses Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Wendy!  The box should have arrived already.
Maribeth please contact Wendy and/or me (Cherise) and let us know if you mailed this box out. Thanks!  :)

BOX #3:     Shanna @ Sparrow in Flight is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Shanna!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Karyn @ The Stylish Home has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 1st!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #5:     Marianne @ Life @ RuffHaven is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Marianne!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #6:     Shauna @ Shaunna's World is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Shaunna!  The box has arrived!  The Giveaway will be posted soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Karyn @ The Stylish Home has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 1st!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Melissa @ Sewcute's Creations is the winner of the Giveaway!  Congrats Melissa!  The box will be arriving soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. has posted the Giveaway!  It ends on Monday, April 1st!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .

I'm still here

Hello!  :)

I know I've been gone from here (except for the Traveling Stash updates) for a couple weeks now. Well remember how I told you hunky dude's dad passed away? Well a few days after his funeral my grandmother passed away. She was 85. She fell down the stairs and had a major brain injury which she didn't survive. Over the past few years she also had lots of episodes of dementia. She is now resting in peace and my grandfather is very sad and lonely. We had her funeral this week. I miss her terribly. So that's why I haven't been posting here. I've just been very busy physically and mentally. There is definitely too much death going on around here. I hope this is the last of it.

I've still been doing some stitching while away from my blog. It keeps my mind and hands busy when I'm relaxing. I started a new project a couple of weeks ago. It's Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Men.

This photo is not my piece but the designers piece. I had gotten the patterns last year and finally picked some fabric from my stash to get started on the project. I'm stitching it on a piece of blue with white 28ct luguna. I completed the first block early last week. Here's "Snowed in". . . 

After that I decided to go ahead and stitch the other five block outlines so I have a road map to follow.

As you can see in the photo above, the next part I worked on was the "Snow House" block. I really meant to take a picture before I worked on that block but alas I didn't. I finished "Snow House" this week on Tuesday night.

I really like how this is coming together. I'm not sure whether I'll continue with this project next or work on a smaller, quicker project first. Sometimes it's good to do a couple small projects in the middle of a large one so you don't get bored or overwhelmed. I guess we'll both have to wait and see what I work on next.  ;)

I'll be participating in the "Stitch me up" embroidery blog hop that started a couple of days ago next week.

My day is Wednesday, March 27th. I know exactly what I'll be making but of course I haven't started it yet. I'll be working on it this weekend so it will be ready to share with you next Wednesday. For now be sure to check out all the lovely embroideries that have been shown already. You can go here, to Jane's Fabric & Quilts, our lovely host, to view the blog hop schedule.

Until next time . . .