Started Something New

Well, I started 2 new somethings, but I can only share one with you. The other is a gift, so will be awhile before I can share that one.

I started the "Peace" threadpack from LHN/CC last week so I could take it on the marriage retreat DH & I went on. Decided to go with a blue fabric to have a change from the neutrals/browns I've been stitching on lately. Here's my start.



I think it's turning out nicely!! Not sure when I'll get back to this as my stitching plate is quite full at the moment, but at least I've got a good start!

Spring is Here!

At least in my stitching! LOL Finished Lizzie*Kate's Spring-ily Boxer Jr. today. I actually finished the stitching a few days ago, but just got around to attaching the buttons and ironing it today. The kit comes with some boring piece of linen, so I changed it out to 28 ct. Moonglow linen from Picture This Plus. I used Crescent Colours, GAST, and WDW fibers.

Tried Something Different for Dinner

The other night, I had 2 packages of stew meat in the fridge, but it was too warm for stew, so I decided to try something different. I made foil dinners!! Being a Girl Scout for 20 years or so, I've eaten my fair share of foil dinners, but I've never thought of making them at home.

My foil dinners had onions, sliced potatoes, carrots, green beans, very thinly sliced celery (for seasoning), and very thinly sliced bell pepper in them. I made a total of 5 packets and some I topped with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Others I used seasoned salt, and on 1 I sprinkled some Italian salad dressing mix on. Cooked them at 450º for 50 mins and they were delish!!

While I used beef stew meat, you could use chicken breasts, round steak, or cubed steak. You could even marinate the meat overnight for a different flavor. Also, you can pretty much use any kind of veggies you have on hand, or some partially frozen veggies if that's all you have.

Give 'em a try!! You'll like it!

February's Ornament Finished

One of my goals each month is to stitch a Christmas ornament. In my ideal world, these would be finished into a beautiful work of art to show off my stitching and hung on my Christmas tree (or on someone else's tree if it's a gift) each year. However, most of my finished ornaments reside in a lovely plastic tote waiting to be finished into beautiful works of art.

This month, I stitched Little House Needlework's Pine Tree Hill from the November, 2006 JCS magazine. It's stitched entirely in Crescent Colours fibers on a piece of 28 ct. Toasted Almond linen. It was a fun stitch!! I especially love the red in this one!



I'm now stitching on a cute little piece for spring, which I hope to finish up and post a pic of in the next few days.

A Finish!

Ladybugs & Bumblebees is history! I put the final stitches in this piece yesterday after work. What fun I've had working on this project. I just love the soft browns and pinks. (Pink is my favorite color.) I hope to finish up my ornie today, and then move onto a new project on Monday.

Ladybugs & Bumblebees Update

I'm stitching this as my incentive piece for the incentive SAL on the OOE board. I have no clue what fabric it is, but it's pretty!! I'm using Crescent Colours and one GAST.


Hosted on Fotki


It's almost finished and I'm planning on having it finished by the deadline date of Feb. 10th!

Some Finishes from Last Week

I finished a couple of things early last week. One was for an exchange, so I couldn't post until it had been received!

This is the piece I stitched for the heart exchange on the OOE board.


Hosted on Fotki


It's Love Letters, a complimentary design from Papillon Creations. I stitched it on 32 ct. Vintage Magnolia linen from Lakeside Linens using Crescent Colours' Razzleberry. Such a fun, quick stitch!!

Next up is the 3rd installation on my Shepherd's Bush ornie bellpull. Finally finished "Shepherds Watched". (It only took me 2 months!! LOL) The bellpull is 32 ct. flax linen. I'll be adding the charms once I finish the next ornie.


Hosted on Fotki


Here's the bellpull:


Hosted on Fotki

Complimentary Exchange from Mary

This is the awesome exchange piece I received from Mary in the complimentary exchange. It's Sunflower Welcome by The Sunflower Seed. I absolutely LOVE it 'cuz I'm a lover of sunflowers!! Perfect choice, Mary!

Complimentary Exchange Piece Received

Hosted on Fotki


Sally received her complimentary exchange piece, so I can finally post a picture of it for all the world to see! This is Stitchy Kitty's "Winter Blues" stitched on a piece of 32 ct. Little Boy Blue linen using Crescent Colours fibers. I just love this little guy and think he's so cute! Sally told me she wasn't sending him back to me, so I might just have to stitch him for myself one day!!

I'm currently working on another complimentary design for a heart exchange. I'm LOVING the piece I'm stitching on and can't wait until it's received so I can show you this pretty little thing!!

Baked Some Brownies!

Since I am housebound today, I whipped up a batch of homemade brownies. These are my absolute, all-time, made from scratch favorites! They are so easy to make, too! This was originally an "in the jar" recipe, so you could layer the dry ingredients in a small Mason jar, and attach the recipe to the lid and give as a gift.

Sand Art Brownies
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1/3 cup cocoa
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup Holiday M&Ms (red & green, or any baking chip of your choice"
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/8 cup flour
½ cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts, coarsely chopped)
½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs

Mix dry ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl and add vanilla, oil, and eggs. Stir until well blended. Pour into a greased 9 X 9 pan and bake for 20-30 minutes at 350º. (I usually cook mine for 27-29 mins.)

City Snowfall

Snow!! I woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning. You have to understand, this is quite unusual for Texas, even north Texas! We just don't have weather like this too frequently. Many businesses and schools are closed. Eventhough it's my day off, I tried calling up to work and there's been no answer, so I guess the store's closed! Eveything is so quiet and peaceful. It's one of the good things about snow that even I can appreciate.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Here's the backyard. Look at all the green grass! LOL



Here's the front of the house.



Lastly, this is Mango, our neighbor's kitty seeking shelter from the rain in the tire well of my truck! (He went inside when they went back in after playing in the snow.)



I was going to run errands today, but it looks like I'm housebound, so after I balance the checkbook, I'll work on finishing a little gift for a friend, put my initials on an exchange piece and get that ready to mail, then sit & stitch while watching a DVD or 2. I'm also going to whip up a batch of brownies today!! Yummy!

Final Stitches of 2006

wldfire7

Here she is in all of her glory!! Olivia's Garden Quilt is a wrap! I put the final stitches in her during the last week of 2006, and I must say she is much prettier in person! I'm so glad to have her finished! Now, I just need to find the time and money to take her to be framed.


wldfire7

Quaker Christmas Holly was my last ornie for 2006. I finished it just before midnight on New Year's Eve! LOL I added beads instead of doing the French Knots. It's stitched on 32 ct. Exemplar linen from Lakeside Linens using Crescent Colours.

Happy New Year!

Eventho it's already the middle of the month, Happy New Year! Last year ended with a sick husband, a sick cat, and a sick me! Not the best way to end the year or start a new one, but we're all better now and life is pretty good. Well, as good as it can be when it's cold outside!

Ice has hit North Texas and we've been housebound today. I ventured out late this afternoon and took a few pictures around the yard.

Here's the view out the window over my sink. I giggle everytime I see that pumpkin on top of the compost pile! Now it's covered in ice!


wldfire7

Frozen Savannah Holly limb on the east side of our house and our honeysuckle bush.


wldfire7


wldfire7

Since it was a stay inside kind of day, I made a big pot of beef stew and a batch of cornbread for dinner. Made the house smell yummy all afternoon!! It was so delish and warming!

~Stephanie