Monday, August 23, 2010

Keeping Myself in Stitches


One of the most enjoyable things about working in a shop catering to your own hobbies is the ability to bring home more projects and stash than you'll ever reasonably complete. I've had to establish a set of ground rules when looking at fabrics, threads, and charts in order to preserve some of my paycheck to actually take home. In order to buy a new piece of fabric, I need to have a good idea of what I'm going to stitch on it, threads must be designated to a project, and charts need to be something I'll stitch in the foreseeable future. John doesn't question it as long as he sees me enjoying my needlework, and in exchange he gets a new guitar here and there...

I like to have several stitching projects going at one time. I tend to get bored easily (ADD?), especially with borders, and this allows me several alternatives. It takes me longer to finish any one project, but I actually do finish them this way, as opposed to getting fed up and putting half-finished ones aside interminably. It's also nice to have at least one project that I can work on without magnification as it's more portable.

Right now, my primary focus is completing my pre-stitching kit for the Merry Cox class I'm taking in November. It's a French Bonbon box and needle book. I have one side for the bonbon box completed, and the border is almost complete on the needle book. It's taking a lot of discipline to stitch this border on all the pieces, but I'm committed to working on it daily - classes are too expensive not to get it done! I am planning to personalize it a bit, by changing the bird to an Anna's hummingbird - this is the type of hummingbird that hovered at my wedding bouquet as my father and I waited for the processional to start. Lovely memory, and one of the great things about having an outdoor wedding in Arizona. Here is what the completed box should look like, I'll post some photos of my stitching when I get further along.



I've also gotten off to a good start on Goode Huswife's 'Book of Spells'. I'm hoping to finish this into a cover for a collection of recipes or a stitching journal. The original is sized to fit on a standard paperback when stitched on 40 count linen, but I've decided to stitch it a bit larger and make my own book for inside. I'm stitching it on 36 count Rock Quarry and it's coming out perfectly. I love this fabric - it looks like an old book that was stored for many years and got moldy and discolored. Again, I need to take a few photos and will do so soon.



Ever since Tommy was born three years ago, I've been searching for the perfect birth sampler to stitch for him. So many of the designs are 'cutesy' and I wanted to find something that was more of a traditional sampler - one that he hopefully will still want to display as an adult. When Debra pointed out this model of Homespun Samplar's 'Bless this Child and Keep Him Safe', I realized that I'd found the right piece! I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed it before, but there are so many beautiful pieces at the shop that somehow I never saw it. I've converted this to AVAS Soie d'alger silks, and stitching it over one on 28 count Days Gone By. Photos to follow - I have the bottom line of text and the bottom flower band done, but set it aside to work on the bonbon box.



I've finally gotten brave enough to attempt some petit point on 40 count silk gauze. The following two designs are from Threads Through Time - and will end up smaller than 2x2 inches when completed! I'm in the process of choosing silk colors for these and will be stitching in Soie 100/3 and Gloriana's Luminescence. I can't wait to get them started, as miniature stitching is something I've wanted to try for some time.



When I get a moment to sit down with good lighting and a tripod, I'll be posting photos of my progress. Stay tuned!

Apryl


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Big Things In Store!

I've been absent from here a bit lately, and there's a good reason! Mom and I have been designing Priscilla's Pocket cross-stitch designs, and after much stitching, planning layouts, and other preparations, our first release is printed and ready to sell! We have a few more designs to follow shortly, and they will be announced here as soon as they're complete.

So - without further ado - From Every Mountainside!

The hornbook-mounted piece is stitched on 40 count Lakeside Linen in Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk. The mountain and words are stitched over two threads, and the girl and flag are stitched over one.

The framed piece is stitched on 32 count Lakeside Linen, also in Crescent Colours Belle Soie.

Both the hornbook threadkeepers and the star-studded, hand-grained frames are available as well.

We're very excited that our charts are finally starting to be produced, and we hope you will be as well! You can contact us for wholesale ordering information at our website, or for retail orders, please contact Attic Needlework or request us at your favorite local shop!

I'd love to hear what you think so please leave me a comment - and I'll keep you posted when new designs are ready!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

$25 Safeway Gift Card winner!


Congrats to post #20 - Jay! Jay won the $25 Safeway gift card and the Betty Crocker Sweet Treats baking gift pack!

I'll be contacting you at your e-mail address to get shipping information.


Monday, April 19, 2010

Betty Crocker Sweet Spring Treats and $25 Safeway gift card giveaway


I was so lucky to have the opportunity through MyBlogSpark to test out some Betty Crocker products and share my thoughts with you! I received a VIP coupon to purchase a product to review, and a $25 gift card to use for more products! We still have several mixes to use, but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed one of their newer items - Warm Delights Molten Chocolate Cake. I bought this planning to share it with Mr. Grey Hare, but he wasnt up for dessert the night I made it, and lucky me - because it was incredible! In less than 5 minutes, I had a freshly baked, warm, chocolaty delight, and I savored every bite. I purchased the larger sized Warm Delight, which is a single serving, because I planned to share, but they also sell mini sizes that would be a perfect size for after dinner when you just want a bit of something sweet.

I also decided to bake a cake for Easter, and I wanted to do something to make it fun and special. I started with a basic white cake mix, and after preparing the batter, I divided it into thirds, I mixed in food coloring to make pink, yellow, and light blue, then swirled them in the pan. I also added sprinkles to the batter as I layered it into the pans. After baking, I used a fluffy frosting recipe tinted light green and it was beautiful!

Betty Crocker and Safeway Stores have teamed up to help create special memories by offering recipes and great coupon offers on products. . You also have the ability to download coupons directly to your Safeway saving card on several Betty Crocker products.

Visit Bakesweetmemories.com to find new favorite recipes for sharing with your family. Don't forget to get your coupons before heading to Safeway to pick up the ingredients to make your new tasty treats.


Thanks to MyBlogSpark I am offering one of my readers a "Spring Sweet Treats" prize pack that includes a silicon baking pan, stainless steel mixing bowl, oven mitt, Betty Crocker mixing spoon and a $25 Safeway Gift Card to help buy those ingredients.

Here are the ways to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Follow my blog publicly. (1 Entry)

Extra Entries: Can be done after the mandatory entry is completed. Post a comment including a link for credit.


1. Blog about this giveaway and include a link to your post. (2 Entries)

2. Visit www.Bakesweetmemories.com and tell me what recipe sounds yummy to you. (1 Entry)

3. Follow @littlegreyhare on twitter (1 Entry)

4. Re-tweet this giveaway. (Can be done once daily for 1 entry each time)

Win a "Spring Sweet Treats" Prize Pack including a $25 GC to Safeway.

This giveaway will end on May 1st at midnight PDT. The winners name will be chosen by random drawing and will be announced in a post on May 2nd. I will notify you by e-mail if you've won for your mailing info, so be sure to leave me a way to contact you! Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Thank you so much for entering and good luck.


Written for MyBlogSpark, who supplied the information above. Special thank your to Safeway and Betty Crocker for supplying the coupons and gift card to MyBlogSpark for review and giveaway. All opinions are mine; other than a product sample and gift card, no compensation was received for this post.



Sunday, March 7, 2010

Tracey's Le Crueset giveaway

My friend Tracey over at I'm Just Your Average Mom, is hosting a giveaway for some awesome le Crueset baking dishes! Hurry over to enter!

Tracey's giveaway

Monday, February 22, 2010

Congrats!


Congratulations to Wendi who is the winner of the $50 Safeway gift card!

Her card will be on its way shortly!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Fiber One Yogurt / Safeway giveaway

Best-selling author and food expert Lisa Lillien, AKA Hungry Girl, has given her “seal of approval” to the new Fiber One yogurt, the only leading nonfat yogurt with 50 calories and 5 grams of fiber (20 percent of the Recommended Daily Value). It is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D, making this a guilt-free and all-around great choice for dieters and those watching their weights. Each cup includes the creamy, delicious taste you expect from Yoplait, and you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying it. Fiber One is available in a variety of flavors including, Strawberry, Peach, Vanilla and Key Lime Pie (see what Hungry Girl thinks about the new yogurt here:http://hungry-girl.com/news/newsdetails.php?isid=1772 !)

In addition, from now through February 9th, the Safeway family of stores has a special deal where you can purchase two 4-packs of Fiber One yogurt for only $4! Make sure you take advantage of the great savings on Fiber One yogurt and more!

But wait, there's more!

Safeway, Fiber One and MyBlogSpark provided me with a VIP coupon so that I could try this delicious yogurt and let you know what I thought of it. I picked vanilla and it's yummy! Rich and creamy and so very tasty!

In addition to the VIP coupon, I was given a $50 Safeway gift card to try out some other great Fiber One products. I plan on doing my shopping today!

Not only was I given a $50 Safeway gift card but I have ONE to give away to my dear readers!

To enter - do the following (and be sure to enter one comment for each thing you do):

1. Visit Fiber One and tell me what products you like or might want to try. (required)

2. Become a public follower of my blog or let me know if you already are.

3. Blog about this giveaway and post the URL.

Good luck!

Contest ends: Sunday February 21, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. US entries only. Leave a separate comment for each entry and a valid email address/blog URL. Winners will be announced on Monday, February 22. Winner will be chosen at random and I will contact you for your information.

Written for MyBlogSpark, who supplied the information above. Special thank your to Safeway and Fiber One for supplying the coupons and gift card to MyBlogSpark for review and giveaway. The opinions are mine; other than a product sample and gift card, no compensation was received for this post.




MckLinky Blog Hop