Copyright

(c) 2009 - 2024 (MEM)

Please keep in mind that, unless otherwise noted, everything on my blog is copyright material of some sort. Either by me (as picture taker, writer, creator) or more importantly by the designer of the needlework pieces I present. If you promise to be copyright mindful, my promise to you is to do my best to provide you enough information in my post for you to obtain your own legal copy. Please be respectful of these copyrights and not take business away from our wonderful designers. Thank you.
............. . ."She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight" Proverbs 31:13 NAS


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

What I Have Been Up Too

My first love will always be needlework, but I very much enjoy paper crafting. With it I do not have to follow a pattern and can let my creativity come out. I choose the colors and shapes and decide if I should add various embellishments. Should I add a ribbon or maybe a flower? What about embossing part of it? I can "play" with what I can alter - comp books, photo albums, candy bars, microwave popcorn and what ever else pops into my head. Fun, Fun, Fun in my book.

Many years ago I started a small business to sell craft at consignment shops. We moved and I changed to designing cross stitch for children and from photos for folks. We moved again and I dropped it all.

Recently I started it back up, but focusing on Paper Crafting, but because I do other stuff as well, my tag line is "Paper Crafting and More" and I sell under the name Orange Blossom Dreams because early on I thought about doing wedding stuff and Orange Blossoms fit.

I have a website www.orangeblossomdreams.com which is primarily a blog. My recent post there shows you a little of what I do and alerting anyone in the area about a show I will be at on Nov. 22.

I was at a show this past weekend and getting ready for it kept me a little busy the last few weeks, but I have also been stitching on the other canvas class I took at seminar and it is moving along nicely as you can see here:

SEDONA Cathedral Rock
Designed by Lois Kershner (c) 2012
Class taken at the 2014 EGA National Seminar in Phoenix, AZ

I need to put some finishing touches on the water, add a rock in the lower left corner and then start the sky! It is a fun piece to work on. Finished size is 5''x 5.5"

I think that fills you in on what has been going on in my world!


Happy Stitching!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

A Christmas Finish Finish!!

This is the 2013 Sampler Guild of the Rockies fundraiser. I stitched it this year, so changed the date and added my initials under NOEL on the back, otherwise it is stitched as charted and kitted. She also suggested twisted cording for the edges, but I decided to go this simpler route.

I make an ornament (or some other Christmas decoration) each year and this will be ours for 2014!


Sampler Guild of the Rockies Christmas Ornament 2013. 
Designed by for the Sampler Guild of the Rockies by Catherine C. Theron.


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Death By Candy Corn

In my last post I asked for comments to help me pick out fabric to use on a piece, and here is the result:



Off it will go tomorrow with a package of candy corn and it will be a surprise, out of the blue gift for my mother in law.

Happy Day All!!


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Autumn Stitching

I have been having computer problems and so not posting much. But have it a tad figured out, so hope to post more often.

For my birthday this month, I took the day off and had lunch with a friend. An annual tradition I started a few years back. This year not as many friends could make it, but I had a wonderful time chatting with Gloria, by stitching friend who could make it. I think I need to send my invite sooner next year.

At any rate, after lunch I ALWAYS visit my LNS since they have a birthday discount. Anytime is a great time to go to Fanci Mats and More, but birthday is a must.

I bought this cute chart - September Rooster by Nikyscreations (c). Part of the Monthly Animal Series. Not sure of the year. It was perfect since I collect roosters and Sept. is my birth month!! I stitched from stash, so the beak, legs, and flower color had to be changed. The color suggested was too light a color for my stash fabric. I chose a darker version of the color family. The rooster color was too close to the fabric, but since it was surrounded by darker floss it did not matter. I added my initials and date and finished it a couple nights ago. Woo hoo same month finish!




I also have been working on this cute Halloween piece for my mother in law. She loves candy corn and does not have a computer, so I am safe showing it here. I did not stitch it exactly as charted. The section on the top also goes along the bottom, but I wanted to get finished in time to send off in the mail so she can show it off during October. YIPES, that is TOMORROW!


I used fabric from my stash, so it is not quite the color or size suggested by the designer, but the floss colors are the same. It is called Death By Candy Corn by The Scarlett House (c)2011.


So.... I decided to sew a strip of fabric below the stitching, but can't decide which one to use, so I am asking you.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON WHAT FABRIC YOU LIKE BEST.      THANKS!!


Sunday, June 1, 2014

A Flower in its Pot on a Tiny Sampler

Here is my finish of the April and May Foothills EGA project. I used threads from my stash and used my favorite color, peach, for the flowers.

This was a fun Gay Ann Rogers Project called "A Flower in its Pot on a Tiny Sampler" stitched on a 6" by 11" piece of white congress cloth. It calls for various Soie d' Alger silks, but I used this and other silks and cotton from my stash to complete. If you visit the Foothills EGA Website's Past Programs page you will see the project in blue, lavender or pink flowers. The supplies listed in the instructions are for the pink version.

I LOVE Gay Ann's designs and her instructions are fantastic. Check out her website for other designs, I think you will be pleased. This project is on her page under the "For Groups" section.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Sampler Guild of Rockies Meeting Report

Yesterday was the Sampler Guild of The Rockies last meeting for the year. We meet on the second Sunday of the month Sept to May from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Since the second Sunday in May is Mother's Day, we meet on Saturday in May. This is also the time we celebrate the Guild's Birthday and have a Pin Cushion Exchange.

Here is the pin cushion I made. It is from The Prairie Schooler Book No. 115, Pins and Needles (c) 2004. I changed the head of the pins by using beads.


I made this label for the gift bag....


....here is the card I made to go with it. 
Inside I wrote the design information for the recipient and signed my name.


In return I received a lovely Flowers pin cushion (a Lizzie and Kate design) stitched by Nancy P. Didn't she do a great job? I just love it, especially the ribbon edging!!


 She also included this cute little potted flowering plant. It fits right in with my other house plants!


We also had a very fun make and take and most folks were able to finish it during the meeting, me included. 


This button scissor fob, was very fun to and not too difficult. It is based on a necklace the lady who taught us this made and everyone admired. 

As always, everyone received a birthday gift in honor of the Guild's birthday!


 by In the Company of Friends.



I think that is the report for now. 

Happy Stitching!!!!


Friday, May 9, 2014

Sampler Guild of the Rockies

I love my Sampler Guild of The Rockies. Such great ladies, fun projects and tasty food. This month we meet on Saturday, May 10 because our usual Sunday date is Mother's Day. It is also the last meeting until September, so lots of fun things happen at the May meeting.

We usually have a birthday celebration of some sort for the Guild and also a stitched pin cushion exchange. I forgot about the exchange and started late.......

 
But I have made good progress since this photo was taken a day or tow ago, but so as not to spoil the surprise I will only post this photo for now. I will provide the finished photo and a photo of the one I get as an exchange after the meeting!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Secret Stitching

My primary stitching project right now is a special project I am doing for our Rocky Mountain Regional Seminar and entry into "Prospectors". Best described by following the link provided.

The theme this year is "Road Trip" and it struck a cord in me, so I am stitching something. I do not want to post any pictures or give away my idea, so this is about all I can say right now! I guess I could tell you it is approx 8"x 10" and on 28 count white Monaco fabric.

The Seminar is July 31 to August 3, so look for a photo and blog post about it in early August.


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

STITCHING!

I am a little behind on some stitching posts, so here goes!

Last November, my Foothills EGA Chapter meeting program was a sweet little Brazilian Embroidery Poinsettia. It was a kit from Ed Mar taught by one of our members who is an expert in Brazilian.


I had a little trouble when I rinsed out the blue marker - the red thread ran. GRR!! I used cold water too. I have since rinsed it again and may have to do it one more time before I can finish finish it.

I also recently finished the back of my Santa Star by Homespun Collectibles - sadly it is out of print, but I have seen it on Ebay. I only did the Santa front - quite a few years ago, and only the Santa part of the design. Then I got the wild idea to do his back and make it into a star shaped ornament. Well I finally finished stitching the back. I still need to work on the details regarding actually making the star shape though.


I was also going to show you the front and back of a Red, White & Blue Biscornu, but could not find it to photograph. I am sure it is in a "safe" place and I can post on it another time!


Sunday, April 6, 2014

New Blog for Stampin' UP! Stuff

I decided to create a dedicated blog for my Stampin' UP! projects : http://marysgottastamp.blogspot.com/

and I posted my first card there. Please check it out!!


Friday, April 4, 2014

Stampin' Up!

I really LOVE the Stampin' Up products. Great quality and coordination of supplies for making cards, scrapbook pages and other FUN stuff. Inks and papers and embellishments all in coordinating colors! Stamp and punch sets too! A paper crafter's dream come true!!

I love the stuff so much I decided to become a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator. I have a dedicated website for it and everything!! www.marysgottastamp.stampinup.net

There is a spot for a blog on that website on which I will post examples of cards and things I make with the Stampin' Up! products along with instructions on how I made them. You can also go to my website to purchase items!

I will keep stitching too and continue to post here! Have a great weekend!!

Friday, March 21, 2014

Fun Cards Made at Party

If you read this previous post, I had a StampinUp! Party at my house last night. I thought I would share with you some of the fun cards she demoed and the one we made.

You can see on all of them she or we also stamped on the front of the envelope.  This first card she demonstrated using the Stippled Blossoms stamp set and two colors of ink each for the flowers and leaves. I think it makes for a stunning card and the stamp set is on my wish list!! She made the frames for the sentiment with framelits and the daffodils are from a different stamp called You're Lovely and is shaped just right to fit with the deco labels framelits.

For this next card she used designer paper (the flowery peach paper) and the decorative dots embossing folder for the white piece. The flowers are Petite Petals stamps punched out with coordinating punch and another punch and stamp set that I am not sure what it is called. Pearl basic jewels for flower centers and candy dots along with other colored paper complete the card.


This card is made with the same petite petals punch and stamp set as above, this time with rhinestone centers. This is the card we could make, or we could have it say Happy Birthday. As hostess, I was given each of the cards she demoed and then we all could make the Easter or Birthday card.



I chose to make the Happy Birthday card and here it is...ta da!!!


I was a lot of fun seeing the different products and learning about them too. I was not aware, until this class, just how thoroughly StampinUp! coordinates things. The paper, inks, pens, dots, ribbons etc. all coordinate and use the same color name so you can match. The even have a item called the "Color Coach" with a swatch of every color and on the back it lists colors that go together and the catalog lists the color used in the designer papers. All very easy and fun to work with.

I am still considering being a demonstrator and will let you know if I go for it!

Also you can order from my Party until March 27!

hostess code:E4Y46HBN



Thursday, March 20, 2014

StampinUp! Party

I am giving a Stampin Up! party on Thursday, March 20. I love the quallity of thier products and thought I'd share with you in case you are intersted in these type of products. 
 
If you live in the United States, you can buy some fun stamping and scrapbook items online and I still get credit for the order - if you use my hostess code.

Just visit the website below and use the hostess code provided.

An extra incentive this month is for every $50 spent you get a free item - woo hoo free stuff. Check out the Sale-a-Bration section on Lisa's website for more information.
 
For this reason you must place an order by March 27 to make sure we fall in the free stuff time frame!


hostess code: E4Y46HBN

I am thinking of being a demonstrator for them, so if you have any insight on that I would appreicate it too.
 
That is about all for now. I am working on a red white and blue biscornu and will post on that soon.
 
Happy Spring!!!
 
 


Friday, March 14, 2014

Candle Mat and Pin Cushion

I while back I purchased a Luminaris Shamrock Candle Mat Kit from one of my local needlework shops. I decided to get it done for St. Patrick’s Day this year and I did!!! It is a 8 ¾” precut kit, so all the pieces were cut and it came with the thread on a cool wooden thread winder.
 


It was very fun to make and I got it done in a couple of hours. It is now sitting on the table near the foyer with the other St. Patrick’s Day décor. I discovered I do not have a lot of March 17 stitching, this item is number three, if you don’t count the table runner I made.



 
Also the project for my Foothills EGA meeting this month was a Petite Project  “Assisi Embroidery Pin Cushion” designed by Janet Salerno.  We learned a little history about this technique and then worked on the project. It does not use the traditional colors, but an overdyed floss. I did not like the stripe affect I got on top very much (but don’t hate it so in it stays), so when I got to similar spaced area at the bottom I did not go all the way across. I stopped in the middle, but staggered the lines. I also cut the floss to give me more blue or tan areas, so as to get less striping. It was fun to experiment on a small piece – it is approximately 4 inches square.

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!
 
 
 

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Some Finish Finishes

I finish finished a couple of things the past week or so and thought I would share them with you.

First is a small (approx. 12" x 18") wall hanging that I started in 1999 to match my larger sampler quilt I made in late 1998 which hung in the same room (in that particular house). There was a wall opposite that just said make me a matching quilt for here. Well I started to, and then we moved. It has been a WIP (work in progress) all this time!

Sampler Quilt completed in November 1998.

Below is the small crazy quilt wall hanging pictured sideways. The top is at right. It was easier to photograph that way.
Below is the top half (properly oriented). It has two areas with some tatting I made. The upper right curved corner is one of the areas with a bigger amount of tatting. At lower almost center is a single tatted circle.
Below is the bottom half, it has some tatting too (lower left) and spider web with spider. The strip of fabric on the left is the fabric I used to back this little quilt. Not sure I am the most creative crazy quilter, but it was fun and glad to have it done. I was even able to hang it in same area as the sampler quilt in our current house - bonus!!!


Then I decided out MBR should have a red white and blue theme, since the comforter in there is off white and curtains will be a dark red. Well I stitched this fun crewel piece from Mac-A-Doodles - Old Glory (MAC116) and ordered the frame from them. It was a fun stitch and I would do more from this company. The frame came yesterday and it was VERY easy to put in, following their instructions.

The stitched area is approximately 3"x 9"


To put into the frame you place the frame front side up onto cardboard (I used thick acid free/lignin free mat board) and trace the frame opening onto the board and cut out. Make two.  You then center the stitched piece on the mat board and press into the frame. Pull gently on stitching if needed to center, fold the fabric to the back and press the second piece of mat board into the frame. If the board is the right size and tight enough nothing else is needed to secure it.

That is about all for now. 

Happy Stitching!!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

Valentines For Veterans

I am making Valentines for Veterans. For the 12th year, my local radio station is collecting Valentine's Day cards for Veterans receiving care at the VA Hospital or the States Veterans Nursing Home. In many cases this is the only card they will receive.

Here is a collection of cards I made and will be dropping off at a participating location or maybe the radio station itself. Deadline is February 10th, so I am a tad ahead of the game (for once)!!!!





That about covers it for today!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Following My Own Advice

A fellow blogger, who has not blogged for a long time, was concerned about starting up again. She felt funny about being absent for so long and just starting up again. I said stitchers in blog land are a nice bunch and very forgiving. I told her to just go for it!!

So here I am taking my own advice!! I will not attempt to fill you in on the void, other to say etsy, ebay and facebook have taken up my computer time. I have also not done a lot of stitching, mostly paper crafting stuff.

But will give you a taste a few things.

For Christmas I made this Shepherd's Bush design that they show used as a door hanging with greenery in it, but I followed my local needlework store's (Fanci-Mats and More) example and made it into a toy sack! I used buttons and charms from my stash, not as pictured by Shepherds' Bush. I think it came out very cute!!


I also made this little gingerbread man by tracing a cookie cutter and then going from there.



I live in Colorado (duh) and have become a Broncos Fan. So the last few days I have been busy making Bronco colored bracelets. Even sold a few!



I also made Miss Maddie her own Bronco kerchief and bought her a stuffed football dog toy. She mostly sleeps during the game though  - unless we get too vocal and then she leaves the room!
I think that about covers it for now, I hope to be a better blogger in 2014!!!