*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

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Wishing everyone a healthy and wonderful New Year filled

with an abundance of happiness.

Blessings to all of you,

~Nan

* Christmas Pics to Share *

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

What a whirlwind it's been, but such fun too.

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I wanted to share some Christmas pics with you now that the

holiday is over and I have some spare time.

Of course I love handmades, so the tree is mostly decorated with those and my collection of kugels, another love of mine.  I made a fabric garland  a many years ago that we put on the tree every year.  It's simple and prim and I love the casual look it gives.

Here is our prim feather tree with more handmade ornies, most of these I cross stitched years ago.

I love to hang this coverlet on the pie safe for a splash of red.

We usually have the fireplace going on these cold winter days.

We got about a foot of snow here in Philadelphia during that last storm.

Everything is covered in white.

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I'm excited to say I've been doing some designing and should have a few new patterns out by the end of January.  I've also been stitching to my hearts content and will post pics of the finishes as soon as they're all done.

Stay warm friends and enjoy this beautiful season.

Happy stitching,

~Nan

* MERRY CHRISTMAS *

Wishing all of you much love, laughter and happiness this holiday season and though out the coming year.

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Merry Christmas. 

~Nan

Xmas Swap

As most of you know, I am a member of a group called To Dwell In Primitive Times or TDIPT.  We do a Christmas swap every year, but this year we decided to have secret swap.  We would all make a handmade and add in a few goodies.  I didn't know who had my name until the box arrived the other day.   It was from Annie of Chickadee Primitives.   When I opened the box and saw what was inside I almost screamed, so I had to show all of you my beautiful gifts.

 

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Annie gifted me with her wonderful handmade button snowman. ( Click to enlarge the pics for a closer look)   His eyes and mouth are little buttons and I love his rosy cheeks.  He is just adorable.  She also made a prim fabric covered box filled with xmas potpourri and a handmade baby doll ornie holding some prim candy canes.  I love TDIPT swaps.  They are so exciting and I know all of us in the group are always thrilled with our gifts.  It was so wonderful to see what everyone got.

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Thank you so much Annie for all the love and time you put into making my swap presents so special.  I love it all !

Enjoy this winter day.

~Nan

At Last Some Finishes

It seems like forever since I've posted.  So much to do with Christmas just around the corner.

I'm so happy everyone enjoyed seeing the freebie finishes.  There are so many talented stitchers.  I love to see all their creativity.
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Well, I was finally been able to finish up some pieces that I stitched awhile back.   It wasn't easy between work, shopping for presents and decorating, but I can now say I'm ready for my TDIPT listing on Tuesday night.  Yeah !

Here is St. Noel.  With Thy Needle and Thread.

I cutout a frame of black wool, laid it over the stitched piece and then attached them together with a blanket stitch.  A lot of precise measuring, but I like that the  wool on the front is not pieced together.  It's stuffed with 100% cotton batting.   I love this stuff.  I can't tell you how much I hate polyfill.  It's backed it with the same black wool.

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Next I finished the Merry Christmas pinkeep by La D Da.

It's backed in a beautiful dark wine overdyed wool and stuffed with sawdust.

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I also made a few little hanger ornaments from the Pineberry Lane freebie, Xmas.

They're stitched on Willow Linen with overdyed floss and stuffed with cotton.  They each have a rusty wire hanger,  bells and homespun tie.

I hope to be listing these in my Etsy Shop.

But for now it's the start of another work week, so off to work I go.

HiHo, HiHo, HiHo :D

Happy Stitching.

~Nan

 

Freebie Finishes

I hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving.

 I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for the  wonderful  responses I received on the Merry Christmas Freebie.  I appreciate all the comments that were left and got some wonderful pictures of some very creative finishes, that I really want to share with everyone.

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First is a fabulous pinkeep by Karen

I love the extra details she puts into her finishing.  Isn't is just gorgeous?

I love it !

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Next we have Faye's finish that she made into an adorable bell ornament.

How creative is that?  Now that is thinking outside the box !

Great job Faye.

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Angela sent me a picture of the finish she made.

It can be used as a gift tag or floss tag.  Wow!

Wouldn't you love to see that gift tag on your present?

It's a present in itself.  Just Beautiful.

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And just in are 2 more beautiful finishes from Aubree.
The first one is finished on a tin.

and the next is a pillow ornament.
Both are just so pretty. 

Well, all I can say is, fabulous stitching girls and such creative thinking.  Thank you for sharing your finishes with me.  I was very excited to see them and they all put a big smile on my face.

Happy Stitching, until next time.

~Nan