Wintry Peacock Pinkeep

If you remember I showed this last week, but now I have it all stuffed and finished.

This is that adorable freebie pattern from Appleseed Prims.  I stitched this on stained light sand 36 ct linen with overdyed floss.  The bottom is a yummy teal blue houndstooth wool and I've added a bit of natural ric rac too.  It's all stuffed with sawdust and ready to be listed on TDIPT in Feb.

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I also got the Little by Little Quaker Blackbird piece all stained and attached to the black lollipop top hornbook that I made custom for this piece.

I've attached the sampler to the hornbook with these great little blackened steel tacks.  I love the primitive look it gives it.

I sure hope the customer I created this for likes it.

 We have really gotten our share of snow this winter and from what I here more is on the way.

Stay safe and warm and as always

Happy Stitching.

~Nan

A Bit of Stitching

I have been so busy.  I have a new job that I just started and I'm trying to get use to the new routine at the new daycare center.   I've been trying to squeeze in as much stitching time as I can here and there and I thought I'd show you some of the pieces.  They're stitched, but I haven't been able to get to the finishing, though I do have a good idea what each of them will become.  

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The top one is from Blackbird Designs called Peacock Pinkeep.  Oh, how I do love stitching peacocks.  I hope to use this to top of a round box.

The bottom piece is a little design I created to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Plan is to make it into a sawdust filled pinkeep or cupboard hanger.

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The piece on the left is by Little By Little called Quaker Blackbird.  Soon to be displayed on a hornbook and the other piece is a freebie design by Appleseed Prim.

Jennie Lynn has a few freebie patterns and others for sale.  I just love the simplicity of this pattern, the colors and of course, the Peacock : )  I have some beautiful teal blue houndstooth wool I'd love to use on this piece.  

Thank you to everyone for your comments and your support for my new patterns.  I appreciate you taking the time from your busy life to visit.

Happy stitching and hopefully finishing : )

~Nan

~ New Patterns~

Well, they're ready, so here's a peek.....

 PRIMROSE SAMPLER

 Chart for a sweet cross stitched sampler.

This model was worked on antiqued 32ct linen with 1 over 2 threads using DMC floss.

Finished size is about 6" x 4 1/2".

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WINTER 1737

Chart for a cross stitched pillow.

This was worked on prairie cloth 2 over 2 threads using Gentle Art Sampler Thread Brethren Blue.  The finished size is almost 10" x 10".

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These will both be available in my Etsy Shop soon or you may email me at nanlewis@comcast.net.

They are $9 with free shipping.
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As always, thank you so much for stopping by to visit.
Stay warm and happy stitching!
~Nan

*Quaker Heart Pinkeep*

Just finished this Quaker heart pinkeep.  Stitched on 36 ct Raw linen and stuffed with sawdust.

  I love this floss color.  It's called Cherry Basket by Valdani.

This was a freebie design by The Workbasket.

I've just listed this in my Etsy Shop

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I have two new patterns that I've just about finished up and hope to be releasing this weekend.

One is my Winter 1737 pattern and the other is an alphabet sampler called Primrose Sampler.

Check back this weekend for their introduction.

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Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers to Becky in SC.

She and her family are in our thoughts.

Please enjoy this beautiful day and remember to be thankful for all you have.

Happy stitching,

~Nan

*Such a Sweet Act of Kindness *

I'm sure most of you are familiar with Becky and her blog Becky Bee's Stitching Hive

She always has such wonderful stitcheries to look at and is such and inspiration when it comes to finishing.  She is also a very generous lady and sends out her beautiful  completed pieces to random friends and followers as a surprise.  I received one of her adorable pieces in the mail the other day.

I have never received anything out of the blue like this and I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.

I just had to show you the piece she stitched and sent me.  The stitching on this is just amazing.

Thank you so much Becky.  I will cherish it and display it year round. 

Becky is going through a very tough time right now.  She lost her niece to a house fire and her niece's husband was badly injured and is being hospitalized.  My prayers and thoughts go out to her and her family in this tragic time.

Blessings,

~Nan  

*Valentine Finishes*

I am so glad that everyone is enjoying the winter cross stitch freebie.

Thank you all for your wonderful emails and comments.   I love sharing with you.

It is snowing once again here in Philadelphia, so I have been busy in my sewing studio working on some finishes.  I am in full Valentine mode : )

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This pattern is by Country Rustic Primitives.  I've stuffed it with sawdust and used a little red and white french ribbon to attach a heart charm to the front of the pinkeep.  It's backed with really beautiful pale red striped french general fabric.  OOOH LA LA. 

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I love stitching this BBD design.  I changed the wording from NOEL to Be Mine.

To me it really looks like a Valentine design.   It's one of my favorite little boxes to make.

The inside is lined with a copy of a hand written love letter.

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When I got done stitching this BBD design, called Maggie's Needlecase,  it just seemed like it deserved to be framed.  I don't do much framing of my pieces, but I love the way the colors in this sampler look surrounded by this wide black frame.

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I'll leave you with this snowy picture of our garden.  

The snow is very pretty, but I'm not much for cold weather anymore.

 

Stay warm and happy stitches to you.

~Nan

*Another FREEBIE* *

I know that Christmas is long over, but I really wanted to offer another freebie to all my wonderful followers and visitors.  I enjoy reading all your great comments so much.  It's just a little way of saying THANK YOU. 

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Woodland Deer

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I also wanted to show you what my best bud, Ivonne, of The Crackling Crows, sent me in the mail.

I was admiring her big Christmas balls that she had displayed and I told her how much I loved them. 

She ran to the store that she'd purchased them at and grabbed the last 3 for me, packed them up and mailed them off to me.  Isn't she a sweetie?  Here they are in the wooden bowl I used to display them. Thanks so much Ivonne.  You are such a great friend and I am so thankful to have you in my life.

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Well, I really hope you enjoy the freebie.  I made a little ornament with it for Ivonne and she really liked it.  Yeah!!!  She posted some pics on her blog. 

Happy Stitching,

~Nan

*Nice Beginning* *

I hope everyone had a nice New Year's and is having a wonderful start to 2011.

I have found myself with a lot of stitching time lately and have gotten quite a bit accomplished.

Here is a before and after of a little heart pillow I designed and hope to offer it this month on TDIPT Mercantile

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BEFORE

AFTER

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Here's a little strawberry I finished from a BBD design.

 It's stitched on Willow linen using GA Rhubarb and the fabric is from the
Rouenneries line by Moda.  One of my favorite fabric lines ever.
Thanks Karen for letting me know it was the 2009 JCS issue that this design was published in.

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I also tried my hand at a little wool and cross stitch needlebook that I've wanted to make for awhile now.  I designed the basket and stems in cross stitch and then used my wool scraps for the leaves and flowers.

As you might know, I'm am working on 2 or 3 new designs and I'm almost ready to go with them.  I took photos this morning for the covers and just need to put my needle down and get to work  writing the instructions.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments.  They always warm my heart and bring a big smile to my face.  Please know they mean so much to me and I love to visit all of your blogs.
Until next time, enjoy this beautiful winter season and happy stitching.
~Nan