Finally added needleminders to my Etsy shop!

Small update and some finishes

I haven't updated the blog in a bit but have a couple of finishes. Haven't stitched too much since I started working.  Life getting in the way of crafts again.

French Country Witch by JBW Designs

Finished her in October.  I have the fabrics and ribbon picked out to make it into a small pillow.

Happy Broom Broom by Stitches N Stones

Finished this back in August.  Not sure how I'm going to finish this one off.  I also stitched the I'm Wicked design on the same freebie page a while back.  

I have been stitching an Air Force seal for a friend and it is going to be 12 X 12.  Need to have it done soon.  Every once in a while I let myself stitch a different project.  Lately it has been a Christmas design by Nikyscreations that I found in a Just Cross Stitch Magazine.  

I've opened an Etsy shop.

Check out my Etsy shop.  I filled it with my hand made items.

StitchNButton Etsy Shop

Simple Sundress

I found a pre-gathered fabric at a fabric outlet a couple of years ago.  Back in December my boyfriend's daughter was over so I measured her and sewed it together and hemmed it.  Didn't turn out too bad and as you can tell she liked it.

Ruffle Scarf

I finished this Ruffle Scarf for a friend's birthday.  It was a quick finish.  I used a silver/grey yarn I found at Michael's.  I found the tutorial here:  Ruffle Scarf (it is a youtube video).

A finish and some final finishes

I finished stitching and beading Latte by Mill Hill.  Since I couldn't frame the sister piece, Cappuccino, I decided to cut this one the same and put them together on a tray.  I took a tray that I bought at either Micheal's or AC Moore, painted it, traced the where the pieces would go, individually glued real coffee beans in the blank space, spray glazed 3 good coats then affixed the pieces to the tray.  I added a hang bar to the back and it is now hanging in my kitchen.

I also framed some previous finishes.  The one on the right was a dollar store frame.  I put an antique white base coat, crackle medium, red white and blue paints then a glaze coat.  The one on the right was also going to be painted but after it was sanded I decided that I liked it just like that.  I sprayed a layer of glaze to seal the wood and it still had a little white paint and turned out cool.

Checkerboard Pumpkin Freebie from Waxing Moon - found the chart!

Last year I finished this cute guy:

I looked and they don't have it on the website or any place else that I have looked.  I did however find the PDF on my computer.  It is a freebie so there is no selling but you can stitch away! Just drop me a line and I can send it off to you.

Stitched up a gift for a friend.

Found this cute little box at a thrift store:

Decided to take the little paper out and add a stitched item.  I found a cute alphabet in a magazine (think it was Just Cross Stitch) and stitched it on plastic canvas.  Then I put the paper back in on the underside so she could see it when opened :)

Cappuccino by Mill Hill

Cappuccino by Mill Hill

This was about 895 beads and has a companion piece.  I didn't center it correctly on the paper so I'm going to have to mount it on something in order to frame.

I also have the companion piece to start, Latte 

Did some framing.

Over a month ago I pulled out all of my finished projects and frames and did some matching.  I ended up framing just a few.  I have two others but need to paint the frames first.

A little progress

I am participating in a Mid-Week SAL.  My project for Weds is Blue Flame by Heaven and Earth Designs. 

Here is my progress.  This isn't even 1/4 of the first page.  This will take a while!

I have also re-ignited a new want to stitch on Lemons, Limes and More by Vermillion (Aug 2001 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine)

I've opened an Etsy Shop!

I've decided to open an Etsy shop.  For now I've added my clay buttons but there will be more items added.  I'll be making beaded items along with qsnap covers for sure but debating on some other items.  Stay tuned:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/StitchNButton

Cinderella is Proof by Lizzie Kate

Cinderella is Proof by Lizzie Kate

This was a boxer kit so it came with buttons and fabric but I provided the floss.  It called for GAST and Weeks along with one skein of DMC.  I didn't like the buttons on the shoes so decided not to use them.

Winter by Hinzeit

Winter by Hinzeit

I stitched this on a printed fabric from Dove Stitch.  It was purchased at a cross stitch show a few years ago.  I went to the site and don't see that it is available anymore but they have some other printed fabrics if you are interested.  I used rayon floss - #025 Glory by Edmar for the letters and DMC for the borderlines.  I haven't stitched the charms on just yet.  I need to get it iron first so just placed them on the fabric for the picture.  (note: I was not able to find this chart on any of the online shops that I usually use.  I know it is still available according to the Hinzeit site so it can be special ordered from a store/shop)

Netted Bead Bracelet

I made myself another bracelet.  I found this tutorial on Pintrest and it is on YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfUY4CfamGY

Made myself a bracelet

With my love of coffee (and tea) I couldn't resist.  The beads are made of wood.  I love the toggle one end is a teapot and the other a spoon.  The little bag charm in the center is coffee beans and says coffee on the side.  The teacup charm has a little teabag tag hanging over the side.

Note about the links on my finished projects posts.

I've decided to try and put links in my posts for the items I have used to complete my projects.  The links I choose are places I have bought from in the past and had great service.  A couple of them that are my normal go to places.

BUSHMOUNTAIN STITCHERY & FRAMING -I absolutely love Maeann and Gary.  I found them when their shop was still in PA.  I even made a roadtrip up to MA when they moved.  Gary does great framing!

STITCH N' STUFF  -These ladies are great!  Very sweet and their shop is packed full of stuff with a couch sitting area surrounded by Vera Bradley bags!  If they don't have it in stock when you visit their store they have no problem with ordering and shipping it to you. And I know when I was there a couple of years ago they had a coupon book that doubled as a notepad that they gave out.

1-2-3 Stitch - Have ordered from here and used to frequent their message board when I had time.  They have a monthly give away :)

Everything Cross Stitch - Have purchased from here several times.

Stitching Bits and Bobs -I have ordered from here several times also and they also have great sales.  I think they might have the Snowman '10 chart and embellishment pack on sale now (12/11/2013)

There are probably more links but these are the major ones for me.  I love the local shops but I can tell you this: if you have a shop right next to my house with great deals but have crappy service or an attitude you can bet I will not buy from you.  I've made the 2 1/2 hr drive to The Flying Needle and she was rude.  She finally started warming up and interacting when she saw how much my friend and I were spending but I've never been back and won't order from her on line either.

Enjoy!

Snowman '10

Snowman '10 by Lizzie Kate

Stitched this one using the Crescent Colours, GAST and DMC required (except I used B5200 instead of whitewash).  Stiched on Flax 28ct Cashel Linen.  

I'm planning on making this into a small bellpull.

Seasons by Val's Stitchin' Stuff

Seasons by Val's Stitchin' Stuff

I used 28ct linen evenweave and various overdyed cotton flosses.

US Navy Seal

US Navy Seal by Sabra Publishing

Stitched on 28 ct white evenweave with DMC threads.  I replaced the yellow that was listed with metallic gold.  They also left the white parts blank so I filled them in with B5200. I found the chart on Ebay and it is from 1982 so I'm sure it is out of print.