YOP Week #1

 DISCLAIMER:  I apologize to all as I have had company for the last 3 weeks.  They just left yesterday morning so I will probably be playing catch up with all of you for the rest of the summer! LOL!
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Here are the areas of interest to me this next year.  I will fill in as I go because as most of you know by now....I am attracted to the 'shiny objects' and want to 'make all the things'! LOL!  As for a 'recap' of last year...let's just say it wasn't too productive but I enjoyed the little progress I made and of course. seeing all of your projects and progress.  I think this year will be finishing a lot of WIPs, hopefully!
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YOP 2018-2019

Cross Stitch:
  1)  I finished cross stitching the 4th of July project but it needs to be sewn into a little pillow for a bowl.  P.S.  Betsy, I will be sending you the pattern this week!

2)  I also finished this cross stitch picture which was started almost 40 years ago!  I think I'm going to make it into a pillow shaped like the bear.

 3)What I'm working on now is this Halloween cutie but this is the smallest I have ever worked (40 count!) and I had to buy a special magnifying mirror to do it!

Here's the lighted magnifying mirror I got on Amazon..........

4)  I've also kitted up this 'small' for Fall..........

Knitting: 

1)  I have several WIP's that need to be finished before my first knitting project of YOP 2018-19.  I could not knit on anything while the grands were here....one day I tried when they went out for a bit but just when I was going to sit down.....they were back! LOL!  I do plan on finishing up my Hitch Hiker shawl as I am so close!

2)  I need to continue on with my Falling Leaves class and shawl on Creative Bug......

3)  I did manage to find a box for my socks but I am way behind on sock knitting this year....

4)  I need to get busy on knitting the slippers for Christmas and a few other items for gifts.  
5)  My one really important knitted item I want to make this year is The Karma Shawl............the pattern is no longer available but I found it on Ebay and it is here in my house.....somewhere... but I'll be darned if I can find it.....time to organize the craft's room!  Here's a picture..........the information is on Ravelry...just not the pattern.  Not sure I'll use those colors...we'll see...if I ever find it

.

 Crocheting: 
 1) I have many WIP's in crochet....several blankets that I want to finish
2)  and dishcloths that I ran out of yarn for............these are some I worked on while the grands were here....I had to have something to work on..........I also made a large one for my daughter that she took home with her...........the 2 half-cloths I need to get more yarn for and I think it was at Hobby Lobby where I'm going next week.  I can get 2 small cloths out of one skein but only one large cloth.  The Christmas one is for my daughter's advent calendar that we are doing for each other.  Maybe I should have a box for dishcloths too?

 This is the yarn I got at Hobby Lobby and I love it.....very soft for cotton and easy to crochet with....also, lots of colors!

 Sewing: 
1) I am still hoping to do some wardrobe sewing....any day now! LOL!  I'm starting to look pretty shabby and I need to either sew something or buy something....soon!

Quilting:  

1)  I need to finish the I Spy quilts
2)  I also started a little/big handwork project because I couldn't work on their quilts while they were here.................little 1/2 inch hexies.........great for t.v. watching and/or grandchildren visiting! LOL!

auditioning fabrics............

the pattern is Pickle Dish from this book.............

and here's a picture of theirs............you make 11 of the full diamonds and 12 partial so this will be a fairly long term project but hopefully done by next July.....actually this is not quilted either...just framed.

3)  As for real quilting I need to make one for my bed.  I already have the materials and just need to cut and sew!
4)  I got this book as I want to learn the 'quilt as you go' method.  I'd like to make some dresser scarves and table runners.  These books were all recommended from others on pod casts and they are all very good.

Embroidery:
1)  I have fallen in love with Kathy Schmitz embroidery patterns.  I got one of her books but she also sells kits and patterns on her website..........

 I have all the material but I need to trace the pattern and get going....I can't wait!  Here's my first project............just for me!

Wool (applique, punch needle and rug hooking):
1) I have WIPs that haven't been touched in years and this is the year they will get drug out and worked on and hopefully a few finishes!  I'll show you when I find them! LOL!  
 

One of my problems in planning for YOP is wanting to make for all the holidays....not just Christmas and Birthdays.  I want a 'handmade home' and wardrobe too plus those special little ornaments for the grands.  So, I made a list of all the special days I could think of and will plug in my projects when they apply.  It's sort of a cross check so nothing slips between the cracks although it invariably will!

 Key: *  materials in house
        **  started
      ***  1/2 finished
    ****  3/4 finished
  *****  Ta Dah!!!

Holidays:

JANUARY (Winter):

New Year’s Day

My Birthday

Ben’s Birthday

*****Tracy’s Birthday – washcloth and back scrubber

FEBRUARY(Winter):
 Valentine’s Day

MARCH(Spring):

St. Patrick’s Day

APRIL(Spring):

April Fool’s Day

MAY(Spring)

Memorial Day –

JUNE(Summer):

Flag Day

JULY(Summer):

****Independence Day – flag cross stitch

**Sam’s Birthday – robot kit and I Spy quilt

*****Uriah’s Birthday – shark pillow and I Spy quilt

****Amy’s Birthday - Frida Kahlo basket

*Grayson’s Birthday – potholder maker and I Spy quilt

AUGUST(Summer):

Back To School

SEPTEMBER(Fall):
*Pumpkin Spice cross stitch 
*Wild Oaks Pin Cushion
 
OCTOBER(Fall):

**Halloween – Cat cross stitch

NOVEMBER(Fall)

Thanksgiving -

DECEMBER(Winter):

Jim’s Birthday

Christmas 
     1)4 pairs of slippers (Amy,  Tracy, Ben and Jim)

Here's a picture of the grands and their Mom (my daughter)

Sam is almost as tall as me and Grayson was always hungry! LOL!  They will be 11 and 7 this month.
Update on my girls........here's a picture of Grace....she is like a kitten again and it makes me wonder how long she was ill before I knew it.  I thought she was just a quiet cat but she isn't any more.  She plays like a kitten and runs around like crazy!  I think she was sick when I got her.

As for Nitty...I got her on Vetprofen and she seems to be perkier and I'm hoping not in pain.  She fell down the stairs the other day and now doesn't want to come  up them so I have her in the garage which I open the door every morning and close at night.  I took her bed out there and food and water and a fan.  I feel terrible because it is in the 100's heat index.  But she seems to be alright and not panting.  I put ice in her water bowl .  She takes her pill so easily twice a day and she gets 2 bacon treats afterwards to get the taste of the pill out her mouth...that helps.  Annie's back hurts her on and off and if Nitty's pills help her then I will get them for Annie too.  The gal at the vet's office said not to ever give a dog regular human Ibuprofen as it is poisonous to them.....hmmm.  Miss Peeps scratched the boys a few times but not bad and they are so good with animals!  They have an old cat and they remember my girls from when they were little.  Grayson wanted to sleep near Nitty and she guarded them every night!

 I can't wait to reconnect with all my blogging friends!  I have missed you all more than you know!  Happy YOP 2018-19!
Happy Trails too!
 

Tomorrow's the big day and I am never ready!

Monday I mowed...the lawn mower guy has yet to call me back after I have left 2 messages so I guess he doesn't need my business.   The guy I called for drywall and to build a ramp for Nitty has not called back. BTW, I have an answering machine and caller id so even if they don't leave a message I know who called and who didn't.  I called the Dr. to cancel my appointment next week and left a message and they still haven't called back....I left a message with my neighbor as he is moving and I have boxes that I was going to throw out but my other neighbor said I should save them for the moving neighbor so I did......he has not called after 3 days and then came over and asked if I had any with clothes rods in them.....really?  He said he doesn't need them now but maybe later.....they were supposed to go in the garbage yesterday but I waited.  Time waits for no man!  They'll be in the garbage next week for sure! 
Yesterday was garbage day and I made my grocery list and went to Wally World...it was a long shopping day reading all the labels and getting lots of food for those growing boys!

I got all the perishables put away and the frig and freezer are "stuffed to the gills"!  I still have this to put away today.  By the time I got home and unloaded everything my knee was hurting so I needed to call it a day and get off my feet.  I think I might have twisted it yesterday while hopping on and off the mower...who knows...at this age it's always something! LOL!
I worked on my cross stitch last night and watched Stitching The High Notes podcast...still playing catch up with her. If you want to get inspired by some cross stitch take a look at Priscilla and Chelsea's podcasts.....they will blow your mind!  Also, if anyone wants this pattern which was free but doesn't seem to be available anymore, I would be more than willing to send you a copy.  It is a great project to get back into cross stitching, if you so desire, and also it only uses 2 colors and is my first project on linen stitching over 2 threads.  It's not as hard as it sounds but I'm glad it is small and not a lot of color changes.....good practice for me!  Me thinks I am liking these smaller projects!

 I also received my new Lykke needles but not the cable yet..........maybe today...........they seem very nice............

I was on Facebook yesterday trying to join a cross stitching group and up popped one of those 'memory' pictures.....it was Miss Peeps and it said 3 years ago.....I thought she was 2 years old....nope....she's 3!  Where did the time go?  No more 'cute kitten'...she's a serious grown up cat now!  In this picture she was starting to doze off when I called her name to take the picture....speaking of dozing off..............I have been dozing off in the middle of my knitting!  What is up with that?  I wake  up and there I am holding my knitting in my hands still! LOL!  Aging is one crazy adventure! 

Remember when people used to go to church on Sunday mornings and then visit in the afternoons?  I decided to replicate that old tradition by writing some type of correspondence on Sunday afternoons........I have some lovely stationary that I have had for years and I do love nice stationary.  I need to use it!  So I wrote a letter to an old friend and will try and make it a habit on Sunday afternoons..........if anyone would like to be a pen pal just let me know!  My email is slicher@centurytel. net      First come first serve as I can only write so many letters on Sunday afternoons...lol!

 Today is change sheets on my bed and guest bed, put the rest of the groceries away, water plants inside and out....it's supposed to be 90 today.  There's laundry, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms and cooking for tomorrow's meal.  I also need to clean the microwave plus about a dozen other things, I'm sure!  I hope you are all well and doing what you love!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #49

Only 3 more weeks!!!  Yikes batman!  But this year should work out a little better for me as the grands will be here earlier than usual  and staying for 2 weeks and leaving before the end of June so just in time for me to get ready for YOP 2018-19!  I've already started planning and even ordering some supplies....I can't wait!  It is like the biggest excuse to start ALL the projects! LOL!
I surprised myself this week and finally got some progress made.....no finishes but progress.
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 FO's - (Finished Objects) - none

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 WIP's (Works in Progress) -
1) This is a free pattern but when I went to her website it was no longer there but she does have some other freebies and designs you can purchase at
www.thestitcherhood.com

I got a little more work done on this little cutie...........

2)  I am on chapter 4 of the Falling Leaves Creative Bug video class with my new yarn and needles.
I love it except it is hard for me to get used to the yarn overs when I come to them....I feel like I've dropped a stitch and want to tighten up my yarn.....I'm not sure if lace will be something I like but we'll see when I am finished with this project.  Also, I highly suggest needles with some 'drag' on them as this silk/bamboo yarn is very slippery and I don't think I could handle it on metal needles at all.  I started this project before the start of YOP 2018-19 because I had a free month of Creative Bug but after that I have to 'pay the piper' so I want to get through the class A.S.A.P.

  

3)  The Hitch Hiker shawl...I could work on this forever.......so relaxing......even though this is my fourth go at it, I now 'understand' my knitting and once that happens, I think mistakes are few and far between.  I know the pattern by heart and it is an 8 row repeat.  The biggest thing I had to form a habit for is moving my counter but I can also tell if I am on the right 'end' of the shawl for that particular row.  It all makes sense to me now and once that happens I'm good to go......now, watch me, I'll mess up this week! LOL!  I hope not as I have 31 of the 41 'teeth' left to go and each one is part of the 8 pattern repeat....so about 80 rows left or until I run out of yarn.  Of course, the rows are getting longer and longer so it takes more time but I am enjoying it.

P.S.  For those of you who asked about what I was using my tea/coffee dyed flags for....I just put them outside in plants for Memorial Day.....in fact, they're still out there.

4)   Whoever left a message last week suggesting that I use a plunger for my slippers to felt them more.....thank you so much, Anonymous! LOL!  I have a feeling it was Sue, the book fairy, but I can't be sure.  Anyway, it worked slick and they felted to just the right size!  They were a dickens to dry....2 cycles in the dryer and then sat out overnight.  Finally, I tried them on even though they were a little damp in places.  I think that might be a good thing, really because you can shape them more to your foot.  Now I have to order soles and get busy on the other 3 or 4 pair for Christmas gifts!  Having my new foot/sock rulers is going to help also.

5) A 'flimsy' finally!  I sewed the top of #2 of 3 I Spy quilts.............

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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Some Valentine's Day socks -
 #2 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#3 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
#4 - Some leaf book markers
There won't be anything more added to the queue now since it is getting so close to YOP Year 2018-19 that any new projects will go for next year. 
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What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -  These will also be going on the YOP 2018-19 list if they 'make the cut'! This is way more exciting then the NFL Draft!

#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
#4 - Knitting at the Library Cowl - a pay for pattern on Ravelry.  I'm thinking this may be the year of cowls or slippers....we'll see who wins out! The cowl looks like different shelves of books!  So cool!
#5 - A crochet square blocker either a DIY or to buy.......anyone have any experience with these or recommendations?  I saw this Crochet blocker with instructions to make and it looks pretty simple
You just need wooden shish-kabob skewers and a gardening knee pads

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 YOP Goals from last week:

*DONE*1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
*DONE*2) felt slippers........again
3) sew first project for Sewing School
4) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
*Chapter 4*5) continue on with Falling Leaves scarf and class when my needles come in
*WIP/Secret*6) set up goals and milestones for YOP Maynia 2018-19!!!
*WIP*7) work on Hitch Hiker shawl
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YOP Goals for this week: 
1) work on Hitch Hiker shawl on breaks
2) sew squares into strips for I Spy quilt #3(last one)
3) sew first project for Sewing School
4) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
5) continue on with Falling Leaves scarf and class to finish Chapter 4 and the first 20 rows...I have 10 done so far.
6) set up goals and milestones for YOP Maynia 2018-19!!!  Also, the categories and what and how many I should have active at any one time.
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Acquisitions:
1)  I have a Lykke (?) interchangeable needle coming!  They are those new driftwood needles and I needed a certain size. Stitching the High Notes (Joanna) mentioned she had gotten one....just one....you didn't have to buy the whole set!  Someone was thinking because who would spend that kind of money without trying them out first?  That's my thinking anyway.  So I got one needle and a cable in the size and length of my choice on Amazon.  I can't wait!  Joanna loves hers and is thinking of getting a set as she likes them so much.  If I "Lykke" them, I might also...lol!

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   Podcasts:  I'm still catching up with Stitching the High Notes (knitting, sewing and cross stitch) and also catching up with The Twisted Stitcher (cross stitch and finishing) and Priscilla and Chelsea (cross stitch and finishing and re-purposing items they find at thrift stores and flea markets to use in displaying their cross stitch)
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 To see other fabulous projects from YOP members click here
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The grands are arriving this coming Thursday so who knows what will happen.....me alone for a week for the first time?  I am a little concerned simply because Grayson has a severe nut allergy and I have to carry an Epi (?) pen with me at all times and of course, I have to look at all products to see if they're made in a facility that also processes nuts.  Like he can't have regular M&Ms because they use their machines for processing peanuts also.  I can handle kids, no problem, I just feel a heavy responsibility for the first time in a long time! LOL!  Thank goodness my daughter has been dealing with this for years and emailed me a list of foods he can have, what they like to eat and to do.  Even Grayson is good about speaking up and asking if things have nuts....he remembers how sick he was and in the hospital several times before they determined the cause.  They are wonderful grandchildren and used to helping out and enjoying a simple life...they are not spoiled by any means but they are still kids and I raised 4 so I'm familiar with their 'scams'! LOL!  I'm sure they'll try to pull some on Grandma.....we shall see.  One thing I know for sure......we will laugh a lot!
Happy Trails!!!

Wacky Wednesday

Well, the best laid plans certainly go awry in my life...lol!  I was planning on posting on Memorial Day but I never even got my meal completely made.  My neighbor came back from her trip and came over and all I got done were the brats and the baked beans.  I am making the potato salad right now and the fruit pizza will have to wait another day.  I always think I have more time than I do plus I am SO SLOW at everything.
I did get my needles in the mail..............and my stitch markers..........I haven't even gotten a chance to sit down and take the class yet............

  The grands are coming next week so I better blog while I can as I am sure they will keep me hoppin'......I'm so excited to see them all.....it only happens once a year!
I've been cleaning and it's more like an archaeological dig! LOL!  I found these fat quarters I bought last year to do something patriotic with.....

Oh, here's the misting bottle I got from Me and My Stitches............I haven't used it yet but if it works like she says it does I will be buying more!

No batteries required! 
I'm making good progress on my Hitch Hiker shawl as that is all I have the energy for when I crawl fall into bed.  Busy time of year for all I'm sure.  I will get around to you all before next week...I don't know where the time goes.  I hope you had a great Memorial Day and were able to honor those who have given so much to this country.

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #48

Are you having a nice Memorial Day weekend?  I hope so.  Well, let's get to it!
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FO's - (Finished Objects) -
1)  Remember my Memorial Day pillow I started last year?  Well, it's done for this Memorial Day.............I think the Stitch Maynia idea is a good one but instead of all cross stitch I will have something going in each area and for each craft........now that I have a Patriotic project finished...I will start another one!  This is a pattern that I mentioned last week if you want the details and  I will ensure it is on my Ravelry page too.

2)  Yesterday, I cleared my calendar so I could do some dyeing but this time it wasn' t yarn.  I tea and coffee dyed some flags and some cross stitch fabric..........BEFORE

DURING..................

AFTER................

 I know some cross stitchers 'bake' their fabric after dyeing and also scrunch it up so it gets more mottled looking but I just skipped that part and put the flags outside to dry and threw the fabric in the dryer with a color grabber sheet.  The flags didn't absorb as much color as the fabric but I am okay with it all.  The fabric was so soft after it came out of the dyer which gave me the idea of washing and drying the Springtime Flowers fabric.  It was so much easier to stitch on too! 
3)  This is a little 'finished' piece of cross stitch I did years ago and found it while digging through my supplies......

 


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 WIP's (Works in Progress) -
1) And here it is....my next Patriotic project............this is a free pattern but when I went to her website it was no longer there but she does have some other freebies and designs you can purchase at
www.thestitcherhood.com

I just started it last evening so not much done yet...............I have been watching several cross stitch podcasts and I am learning some new tips and techniques....such as working without a hoop.....so much easier!  Also, I am completing each 'cross stitch' as I go as opposed to doing a whole row in one direction and then doubling back to cross them.  I really like these tips and they are working for me.  If you remember my Springtime Flowers cross stitch that I started from Alicia Paulson...well, I was having a dickens of a time with the fabric it was so stiff so I am going to wash it...stitches and all and 
hope that gets rid of whatever starch or fabric stiffener they used on it. 

2)   This is a WIP but I have decided to not use the Lorna's Laces yarn for this scarf and I ordered yarn similar to what the instructor used.  I used Yarn Sub to find a comparable yarn as the yarn the instructor used is no longer available.  I got this yarn at Hobby Lobby which was much less expensive and should show the lace pattern to advantage. Now I'm just waiting for the straight needles to start using this new yarn.

3)  Meanwhile, I started the Hitch Hiker Shawl again which I wasn't going to show you in case I messed up but what the hay....it is what it is.  I also realized that whether or not I frog something or start over a zillion times, those stitches and the time they took are not wasted.  Practice makes perfect or at least close enough.  All those 'do-overs' just add to my experience as a knitter and whether I realize it or not it is making me a better knitter...mile after mile!

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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Some Valentine's Day socks -
 #2 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#3 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
#4 - Some leaf book markers

There won't be anything more added to the queue now since it is getting so close to YOP Year 2018-19 that any new projects will go for next year. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -  These will also be going on the YOP 2018-19 list if they 'make the cut'! This is way more exciting then the NFL Draft!

#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
#4 - Knitting at the Library Cowl - a pay for pattern on Ravelry.  I'm thinking this may be the year of cowls or slippers....we'll see who wins out! The cowl looks like different shelves of books!  So cool!
#5 - A crochet square blocker either a DIY or to buy.......anyone have any experience with these or recommendations?  I saw this Crochet blocker with instructions to make and it looks pretty simple
You just need wooden shish-kabob skewers and a gardening knee pads

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 YOP Goals from last week:  I got none of these done!  But I did have a great week!

1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2...
2) felt slippers........again
3) sew first project for Sewing School
4) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
5) continue on with Falling Leaves scarf and class
6) who knows as there are treasures coming!!!
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YOP Goals for this week:  same as last week! LOL!
1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
2) felt slippers........again
3) sew first project for Sewing School
4) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
5) continue on with Falling Leaves scarf and class when my needles come in
6) set up goals and milestones for YOP Maynia 2018-19!!!
7) work on Hitch Hiker shawl

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Acquisitions:
1) I posted about most of these this past week when they arrived so if you want to see them check back in this weeks posts.  I did receive 2 more yesterday.  I had ordered this sweet kit from Me and My Stitches but she accidentally reversed the addresses on my package and another one so I got the other gals package and she got mine.  Julie emailed me right away and apologized and said she would email me another label if I would just repack and put it in the post which I did.  So, I got my package and besides what I ordered which was Lil' Punky pattern and a misting bottle she sweetly included another pattern to thank me for re-mailing it to the other gal.  What great customer service!  She didn't have to do that as mistakes happen and she was 'right on it'.  I highly recommend you visit her website at Me and My Stitches  She has lovely pins, pendants and quilt patterns plus these new 'mister' bottles that I may need more of!  Whatever you mist with you use less like spray starch and she also uses them for tea dyeing.....I will be trying that one too!  I forgot to take a picture of the 'mister' but they are on her site.
I ordered the Lil' Punky pattern and she sent me the other one too...........they are paper piecing patterns which I really enjoyed doing but that was so long ago I may have to 'bone up' on that technique before attempting these.

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   Podcasts:  I'm still catching up with Stitching the High Notes (knitting, sewing and cross stitch) and also catching up with The Twisted Stitcher (cross stitch and finishing) and Priscilla and Chelsea (cross stitch and finishing and re-purposing items they find at thrift stores and flea markets to use in displaying their cross stitch)
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 To see other fabulous projects from YOP members click here
Happy Trails!!!