Wednesday Updates

It's been a while since I posted an update.  I have several things to talk about, so let's start with today's mail. 

I received my Bingo prize from Shelley for the recent Bingo game I won on ILCS.  It is so cute!  A fall-themed magnetic list pad (going right on the fridge) and an adorable Lizzie Kate 'Boxer Jr'  called 'Autumn.'  I LOVE Lizzie Kate; thanks so much Shelley!  Great choice!  She also included a nice note.

I can see three purchases in my future--so I have the complete set of seasons...they are shown stitched together and put in one frame on the back of the box.

Since I'm hosting the new Bingo round, I need to start thinking about the prize....hmmm....more shopping!

Update on Lucky

As some of you know, our new little furbaby, Lucky, was very ill last week.  Here are a couple of photos I took, that clearly show how his devoted adopted-Mom, Oreo, kept vigil at his side while he was ill.  In this first photo, Lucky is inside the box, sound asleep.  Oreo slept with her head on the edge of the box.

In this one, you can see how Oreo is sleeping with her paw and head up on the edge of the box, just a few inches away from Lucky.  Is that a devoted Mom or what?

I'm happy to say, Lucky seems to be well, altho he'll still be on antibiotics for several more days.  But, he's now racing around the house like a kitten should.  Thank goodness!  We were so worried about him.

Colorado Quilting Council Meeting

Last Saturday, I went to Boulder with a friend from our local Quilt Guild to the monthly meeting of CQC.  The speaker was Nancy Odom of Timid Thimble Creations.  She was an interesting speaker and had lots and lots of quilts to show, which I always enjoy.

I took along my Halloween Kitty wall hanging and my Stitchin' Kitty wall hanging (that hangs above my cutting table), for Show 'n Tell. 

I Have Another Finish!

Well, at least the stitching is finished!  Someone I met on TGOSM list recently (thanks Patti!), mentioned a group called Sampler Guild of the Rockies.  They meet once a month in Denver.  I have exchanged e-mails with the current president of the group, and weather permitting, plan to go to the November 8th meeting. It will be so much fun to meet some other stitchers in person!

They will be working on finishing an Altoid tin.  Since I don't have the design they are stitching, I came up with my own, so I can participate in putting the design on the tin.  It's a simple design--just my initials with a border around it.  I finished stitching it last night.  It's simple, but I'm pleased with how it came out.  I chose a DMC thread color that matches the edge around the top of the tin pretty well. 

First Big Snowstorm of the Season

We had the first big snow of the season today.  From what the National Weather Service was predicting though, it sounds like it could have been much worse than it turned out.  I'll be interested to see the news in a few minutes to see what they say about tonight and tomorrow.  Here's a shot looking out our front door a while ago:

Here's a two photos looking out the back door into the backyard.

I think that's the major updates for the moment.  Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween.  Hopefully our weather will clear up and not be quite so nasty out for those little ghosts and goblins.

I'll leave you with a photo I took of our three dogs last night.  They were all lounging in my office/sewing room.  Of course, as soon as they saw the camera, Max (our Cocker Spaniel) came racing over toward me.  Aren't they quite a trio...small, medium and extra-large!?

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

It's PIF Time!

It's PIF time!  Jade from Budapest, Hungary, is doing a PIF on her blog, and I was one of the lucky winners of her PIF.  So, it's my turn to pass this along!

To join in, all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog entry saying you wish to participate. If there are lots of candidates, I will draw three names from a hat to pick the winners. They will have to post a PIF entry on their blog and post this logo as well.

I'll pick the winners on November 15th.  Be sure to leave an e-mail address so I can contact you if you're selected. 

The three people will then get a small, hand-made gift from me within one year. In return, they too will have to gift the winners they have chosen. And so on, and so on. This is how we stitching bloggers spread the love we put into our projects.

Ready to PIF?  Leave a comment.
 
Happy Stitching!
 
Vicki in CO

Here's a Giveaway You DON'T Want To Miss!!

Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: It's a Happy Halloween Giveaway!

WOW - check out this awesome giveaway!!

Kathy Has Two Nice Giveaways

Check out Kathy's blog for two nice giveaways for her blog-aversary!  Deadline for entries in October 31. 

Vicki in CO

New Finish & Fabric for New Projects

I finally got a photo taken and uploaded for the Quilt of Valor (QOV) I finished up on our way home from our son's last Sunday.  I'll deliver my two finishes for the month to Alycia, the lady who coordinates this program for our Guild at our Tuesday meeting this week. 

Here is a closeup of one of the sections with the star fabric.  The silver around each star is sparkly and looks so nice in person.

Hopefully I'll have another one to finish binding on when we head to our son's for Thanksgiving in a few weeks; stitching binding down is the perfect job for a car trip.

I made a quick run to JoAnn's this morning to get a few DMC floss I needed for a couple projects, and also to take advantage of their sale on Christmas fabrics.  I picked up 6 different fabrics for a song.

The one on the bottom right is a 'cheater' fabric panel.  I need to get a quick, small project done to donate for an upcoming Silent Auction fundraiser for our local Humane Society.  So, I thought I'd use a couple squares of this fabric to make a table runner, one of the other fabrics for a border (not sure which one yet), another for backing (top left) and binding. 

Then, I'll use the rest of the panel (2 squares x 2 squares) to make a Christmas table topper for our son's kitchen table (his table is a round, slate tile top, Bistro style set).  I think this would look very nice in his kitchen.

I'll post photos once these projects are finished up.  Meanwhile, I want to get a little backstitching work done on the Hummel for my friend before the day is over.  I have lots of photos to post from our trip, but I'd like to play around and see if I can create a slideshow for those photos; I think that is a project for another day. 

My camera has been busy clicking more photos of the mama and her adopted baby.  It brings a smile to my face that goes all the way through my heart, watching those two enjoying being together.  A very special thing indeed.  I'll save those updates for another day as well.

So, that's it for now.  It was over 80 here today; definitely a beautiful Indian summer day.  Until next time, Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Lucky, The Newest Member of Our Family

Some of you know about our new fur baby, Lucky.  He was featured on the front page of our local newspaper on Tuesday; he and his five litter-mates were rescued from a trash dumpster and taken in by a local animal rescue group.  You can read the story here. 

Seeing that little furry face, that looks SO much like my Oreo Cookie (aka 'Helping Kitty,' 'Tacky Oreo' and other names not suitable for all audiences), in my heart, I just KNEW he was meant to become part of our family.

Fairly early the next day, I called my DH from work and said, "How much do you love your wife?"  Having been married for 38 years next month, he knows me pretty well and replies, "What did you buy now?"  A bit indignant, I replied, "Nothing.  BUT, I do have something I want YOU to buy." 

I went on to tell him I'd spoken to the rescue group, and the kittens we'd talked about at dinner the night before would be available for adoption at noon that day.  I told him I REALLY hoped he'd go and get one of these kittens.

He was second in line to choose one of the kittens at noon!  The lady who was first in line choose one with an all black face.  DH said he choose the one he felt looked the most like Oreo, and turns out he chose the one who was featured in the newspaper. 

When DH brought our new fur baby to my office to show him off, one of my staff suggested we name him Lucky, since he was lucky to be alive after being in the dumpster without food or water for who knows how long.  That seemed to fit just fine, so Lucky it is.

This is Lucky taking a catnap during his first evening in his new home.  Isn't he adorable?  He has the loudest purr for such a tiny kitty!

He is giving me that "WHY are you taking my picture over and over?" look.

At first, Oreo Cookie felt obligated to hiss at him, and he obligingly returned the hiss.  However, it wasn't long before Oreo was sneaking over to him to give him a couple of grooming licks and a sniff or two, then letting out a half-hearted hiss.  Isn't Lucky the spitting image of his new mom?!

Today, the hissing is all over and Oreo has taken over her role as Lucky's adopted mom, grooming him patiently and lovingly, just as I knew she would! 

I have a suspicion from his early fame, he just MIGHT be a bit of a ham.  What do you think?

One last photo of the little sweetie...

OK, I think that's the update on Lucky and Oreo for the moment.  Expect more photos and stories of his escapades in the future.

Till Then, Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Halloween Time!

Another work week is over--yeah!!  I hope to get some stitching time in this weekend.  Below is the top of my lateral file cabinet at work.  I change the artificial flowers, depending on the holiday.  The blocks are changed on a regular basis, depending on the season and/or holiday. 

When I was looking for something in a downstairs closet a week ago, I found a large shopping bag I'd completely forgotten about.  Inside was an applique wall hanging I made last year to hang in my office behind my desk.  So, it is now on the wall in my office for the Halloween season.  Here's a photo:

Since I'm a cat (as well as dog) lover, wouldn't it figure I'd do a black cat for Halloween?

LOTS of updates for the past week or two, so I may have several posts in the next few days.

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Oreo Cookie Attacks Tacky Bob During Stitching Finish!

Oh my goodness, I have so many updates from the past week, I hardly know where to start. Guess I'll start with the last one first (sort of).  Tonight I finished the Kustom Krafts October SAL. Woo Hoo!! It is an adorable poinsettia design, intended to go on a jar lid. I was tempted to finish it as a tree ornament, but found the perfect jar while shopping at Wally World last night.

I decided to add a few green beads to the center, and that's when my 'helping kitty,' Oreo Cookie, got into the act. I grabbed my beading supply container, found some green beads, poured a few out on my Tacky Bob and got to work. As you can see by this photo, my Tacky Bob is now broken and is not so tacky anymore!  The photo doesn't capture just how much Oreo Cookie fur is now covering Tacky Bob!  Maybe I'll rename it my Furry Bob?!  I don't think Oreo will ever be very good at bead work!  Guess I'll have to add a new Tacky Bob to my 'Wish List.'  Dang cat!

As a long-time paper crafter and scrapbooker, I have a 3-ring binder of various shape plastic templates.  One of the circle templates was the perfect size, so I drew a pencil circle on the back of the stitched design and cut it out, added a circle of high loft quilt batting, and glued that to a cardboard circle.  Then I glued all of that down to the jar lid, with the excess fabric glued down around the edge.  Last, I added sparkly ribbon around the side of the jar lid to hide the raw edge of the fabric.  These photos don't do justice to how pretty this looks in person (blame the photographer--me!) 

For right now I 'borrowed' my DH's bag of almond M&M's.  I think this would look great on a shelf or table with red/white peppermints or holiday color M&M's in it.  Thanks so much to Dyan from Kustom Krafts for this free project through her Yahoo group!  Here's another photo of the finished project.

Needless to say, Oreo Cookie is now banned from my stitching area when I'm beading!

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

First Stash To Go Is Posted!

I found a few minutes this morning to get the first 10 items listed on my Stash To Go blog.  Check it out!  There are quite a few brand new, never opened, kits, including one adorable Eeyore Candy Cane Ornament. 

I'm not trying to make a bunch of money from these sales, just clear out things I know I will never stitch, and find homes for these items where they will be appreciated.

I am set up to take payment via Paypal, and will also take money orders. 

So, take a look and let me know if you see something that is of interest to you.  Happy shopping!

Happy Stitching -

Vicki in CO

Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: Freaky Friday Fun Giveaway, WK# 2

Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: Freaky Friday Fun Giveaway, WK# 2

Anniversary Giveaway Link

Check out this awesome giveaway!  Annette is celebrating 6 years of blogging.  Entries accepted until midnight on October 18th.

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

'Helping' Kitty and Monday Stitching Update

We had cool and rainy weather over the weekend, which led to some good stitching time for me.  Some good progress was made on "Snowman Welcome Banner."

I also got a small start on the October Kustom Krafts SAL.  It will be a small poinsettia.  It's supposed to go on top of a round jar, but mine may turn into a tree ornament.  I'll have to see what I think once the stitching is complete.  It really is on white fabric; my camera and I didn't get along very well today!

Last, serial starter that I am, I found the perfect pattern to make for my DH for Christmas!  He was in a rock band for several years in high school and college, and at the ripe old age of 67, still loves his guitars! 

I had the perfect fabric in my stash from Silkweaver for this one.  I have yet to put a stitch in, but I do have the threads all collected, so I'm ready to go.  I'll be using the GAST threads the pattern calls for.

In the next couple of weeks, I hope to go through my stash to start weeding out items I know I will never have time to stitch.  I'll be listing them for sale on my other blog "Vicki's Stash to Go."  It is currently empty, but be sure to check back, there will be lots of charts and kits up for grabs at great prices.

Eventually, I hope to go through my stitching magazines and may also have quilting kits, books, and other quilting goodies for sale as well. 

For those of you who haven't met Oreo Cookie, my 'helping' kitty...here she is snoozing on my cutting table (on top of the fleece I bought to make a football-themed throw for our son for Christmas).  She 'helps' me every second that I am in the house; following me everywhere I go.  In this case, she was 'helping' me while I got the binding ready to sew on another Quilt of Valor.

Oreo is still sleeping, now cuddled securely under the quilt; have you ever seen such a 'helping' kitty?

And one last shot, taken this evening.  Oreo is all sprawled out on the top of my messy desk...'helping' me as I read my e-mail and watch TV.  With 'help' like this, no wonder it feels like I never get anything done!  BUT, I must admit, I wouldn't trade our fur babies for anything. 

One last item....check out this blog for a great giveaway: The Happy Needle.  It runs through October 8th.

 

Until next time, have a GREAT week and Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

I Won! I Won!

My first small project to get back into cross stitch was the September SAL, designed by Dyan Allaire from KustomKrafts.  She did three drawings at the end from those who participated, and I was one of the lucky winners!  The prize is a chart of our choice from her website!  Woo Hoo! 

This is my finished project:

It has taken me a couple days of pouring over her website to finally decide on my choice..."Blue Eyes."  I've never stitched a chart of this type before, but something about this tiger's blue eyes just grabbed me. 

Isn't he magestic and extremely real looking?

I was so thrilled to win! 

Until next time...

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Stitching Updates for the Week

Several years ago, Alycia, a quilter from our local Guild, Pieceable Friends, decided to work with fifth grade students at an area school on quilts for Quilts of Valor.  Read a local newspaper article about her efforts and also more information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Last year, over 700 quilts were delivered to Fort Carson, in Southern Colorado, for wounded soldiers.  This is an ongoing project for our Guild.

I finished up stitching on the binding for a QOV quilt yesterday on our adventure to Denver:

I currently have one more quilt to get binding made, sewn on, and stitched down.  I hope to get that all completed next week.

I also started a new stitching project, a Snowman Welcome Banner for our son's entryway.  Hopefully I'll get it stitched before Christmas!

I've made a small start on this one; hope to see more progress this weekend.

Several yars ago I completed the cross stitch on a Hummel design, "Ring Around the Rosie."  The intention was for this to be a retirement gift for one of my staff at work (she collects Hummel figurines).  We have worked together for almost 20 years. 

Anyway, last year she took her retirement, but continued working for me in a part-time position, so I decided to wait to give it to her until she fully retires.  Well, that time sounds like it is coming before the end of this year, so the pressure is on to get the backstitching finished and get this framed!  Yikes!  I am not a huge fan of backstitching!  Here is how the design looks at the moment:

That's my stitching updates for the moment.

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO