PIF Arrived and a Birthday!

Wow...a post...with some actual stitching. Miracle of miracles! I finally set my mind to doing the finishing on my PIF pieces this weekend and I just received an email from Natasha letting me know it arrived and she loves it. Whew!! Here is what I sent her.

I stitched her the Ewe & Eye & Friends Basket Scissor Weight with the recommended DMC and Blackbird Designs Small Token with Crescent Colors and DMC. Both are on 32 count Lakeside Linens Vintage Light Exampler. I so love this linen!! And I figured that Natasha could always use a pair of good embroidery scissors so I threw those in.

Natasha, so sorry it was late!! I hope it was worth the wait! Funny thing is I stitched her something completely different in January. First, it was the silk I hated, I picked another silk and then I realized I hated the linen and that just made me hate the whole thing and I can't send anything that I hate! What sense does that make? So I tossed it and brainstormed and came out with this. I'm glad I did. The scissor weight and cording was a breeze but that pinpillow was challenging. It was the first time I made anything with fabric backing vs. linen. The first attempt at blindstitching wasn't that good. I could see that some crushed walnut filling might fall out so I had to go through it again and blind stitch closer together. So Natasha...be careful! lol I think I have to practice the fabric backing finish a few more times. Either way, I'm happy with the results. It was also my first time using fabric dye...for the pinpillow lace. It was super easy!

Nothing much else going on...same old stuff. I'll have another finish to share soon though so stay tuned.

Today is a super special day...it's my sister's 50th birthday!! Happy birthday Karen! She checks in on my blog so if you can wish her a happy birthday, I'm sure she'll be both surprised and happy!

I've been blog giveaway stitching but I think I need to treat myself for a couple of days and pull out Boo Club. It's just so mindless and the colors are so cheerful. I think I could use it!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Holiday!

Until next time...

Pocketful of Sunshine

I'm taking a mental health day from work today...I had it planned because with everything going on, a day off here and there really helps! And it's a good thing because the last week + weekend was awful and emotional and just so incredibly draining. I'm pooped! But some lovely ladies out there sent be a little bit of sunshine to boost my spirits and I'm ever thankful! Thank you to Blu, Nicole and Tammy for sending this my way!


I pass this on to everyone out there because reading your blogs gives me a little bit of sunshine and inspiration each and everyday.

A couple of weekends ago, I mentioned I went thrifting. There's a local shop near me that benefits the local humane society and the proceeds go towards the care of the animals. I don't have any pets but I would like some and it's an opportunity to see the shop's resident cat. And since the shop caters to animals and lots of crafters out there are animal lovers, there is lot more craft-related items here than at the Goodwill. So *the boy* and I walked over and I got some great finds! I found a complete Shepherd's Bush Charmed Hearts kit...for $1! The original tag on this is $24. I jumped on that thing like you wouldn't believe. It seems to be all intact...the only thing is the linen has a spot on it. But it's probably nothing a little Shout and a toss in the washing machine can't handle. Can you believe that bargain?! I also got a Spring Blossoms TableTopper kit "charted for needlework" which I assume is cross stitch for $1, complete with aida and floss. And the next find was a Country Lullaby leaflet by Jean Farish which has the bunny on skates that I saw Harmien stitch up a couple of times. And for 50 cents...I couldn't leave it behind. So for $2.50...I got 2 kits and a chart. Hmmm, I kind of like thrifting. Too bad none of the places I went to had any scissor frogs. That was what I was really looking for. The sad thing is I ordered one from eBay after this trip and it arrived shattered into pieces!! Now I'm scared to try and get another one.

I also received some fun mail. My PIF from Dianne arrived and she sent me some lovely silk in a nice deep blue color and breast cancer scissors with stitched sheath. It's beautifully finished and very meaningful!

Thanks Dianne!

When I signed up for Dianne's PIF, I put mine up as well. I think I was supposed to wait until I actually received something before offering my PIF but what do I know. I'd never done it before. Fact is, I am way behind on my own PIF but my recipient knows and I've been slowly stitching away on it for a week. This was after making something and disliking the fabric/thread combo so much, I chucked it. With the emotional upheavel lately, my output is slow going and I am way behind on my stitching. But I've reached the finishing stage. It should be done and mailed out shortly. At this point, I should be happy only one person signed up and not three! lol

Once I'm done with the PIF, I'll move onto my blog giveaway piece and then an exchange. So posting and pictures will be scarce until I manage to get to my own stitching.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Until next time...

Join My PIF!

I was just chosen as one of three PIF members on Dianne's blog, and I'm passing on the PIF here! I've been meaning to do this for a while and I am finally doing it! =)

Here are the rules:

If you would like to receive a hand-made gift made by me within 365 days please leave a comment on this post to say that you are interested. If I get three people to comment, those will be the three people to receive a "work of art" made by Valerie. If there are more than three (what are the chances!?), I will do a drawing. And if there are less than three, then I will chose the recipients and gift my PIF within a year. I hope that makes sense.

I will make this available for one week. Please comment by Tuesday, February 3rd to join/be considered.

In return, you must offer the same on your blog! Remember, it's all about "paying it forward"!

I hope that you will join my PIF...