August 31, 2012

A Couple of Reveals and Giveaway Winners...

 I just have to share my newest fabric acquisitions with you!
This is a fabric line called "Rosie's Love Letters" from Stof Fabrics.
I bought this fat quarter assortment from Shabby Fabrics.
I saw these gorgeous grays and I couldn't resist!

I promised you that I'd share the other project I made with this black, 
white and red music-themed fabric. We're going to spend part of the
day on Monday with musician friends. I decided that since the hostess
wouldn't let me bring anything to contribute to the meal, I'd make a
nice hostess gift for her instead, and these napkins were the result.

 They're double-sided with a beautiful red fabric on the reverse.
I made six in the set and I sure hope she likes them!

 Time to announce the winners!!!
I used the Random Number Generator to choose the winners, so
before all of you head out to enjoy your weekend, I'll reveal their names.

(Oh, poo! I made a pdf file of the page each time I ran the generator to
prove the numbers that came up and all I have are partial images. I'll
use them anyway...)

Sharon of Wildflower House!
Civil War Love Letters book
Sherri of Sherri's Jubilee
Nature's Pharmacy cards
 Shirley of Shirley Stitches!
Pincushion
 Laura Jane of Lou's News and Crafty Creations!
Bag Boutique purses book

Patty of YumYummz by Patticakes! 
 Handsome Handbags and Creative Carry-Alls book

Some of you mentioned what you liked in your comments, but I'm going to let you choose your prizes in order of your names drawn. Please contact me with your choice(s), YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS, and after the people ahead of you in line have chosen, you'll receive your choice in the mail. Sharon, you're first, Sherri is second and so on.
Congratulations to the winners!
If your name wasn't chosen, don't feel too bad. I'll be doing this again very soon!
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August 30, 2012

It Needed "A Little Bit More"...

You might remember that I "finished" this ribbon embroidered pincushion
a little while back. I thought it was ready to mail to its recipient, but I kept
looking at it and thinking that it was missing something...so I waited.

 Over last weekend, it occurred to me.
I needed to add a ruffled seam binding trim to the edge.

 When I was finished stitching the trim to the edge of the pincushion,
I knew that it was finally finished. I really loved the "little bit more"
that I added. The next morning I wrapped it, posted it and sent it on its way.

I finished another music-themed gift yesterday and 
I'll share it with you, along with the story behind it tomorrow.
Don't forget to enter my giveaway (click on button in my left sidebar)
Drawing is this evening at midnight!

I bet you're all ready for another holiday weekend!
Handsome is back home after a week spent with his brother,
so we're looking forward to a nice relaxing few days, 
and some time spent with dear friends.
Happy Friday!
DonnaAcornSignature

August 29, 2012

Yes, Honey...

 It's not often that I get a special request from Handsome, but when he asks
 me to create something just for him, my answer is always, "Yes, Honey!"

To tell the truth, I'm always honored to do things for him, whether it's to
hold the new snare wires just where he needs them until he can tighten them
onto his newest drum; cut his hair; or help him with something in the yard. I'm an
old-fashioned wife that way. This time, his request was for a new iPad case.

 I have a stash of music-themed fabrics (don't look so surprised!), so I hauled
them out and let him choose his favorite. I just purchased this one at 
Sandy's Quilt Shop and I love it! I glad Handsome did, too! Next, I showed him 
his choices for the lining/contrast fabric. He also asked for a velcro closure instead
of the flap I usually add. Once that was all decided, it was time for me to wake up 
Prissy (my Babylock quilt machine) from her afternoon nap and get to work.

By late day yesterday, I handed the finished iPad case over to Handsome.
He thanked me and told me it was exactly what he envisioned.
Mission Accomplished!
I can't tell you how much I like seeing that smile on his face.
I got an email from my friend, Claudia of Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
She's moved her blog over to WordPress, in case you hadn't heard.
I want to share her new URL so that you can visit her new home.
She's at http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/ now.
She'll be glad you stopped in to visit.
Be sure to click here to enter my 1200 Post Giveaway if you haven't yet.
I'll be drawing all the winning names on August 31st at midnight.
There's still time to enter!
DonnaAcornSignature

August 28, 2012

More Giveaway Goodness...

I've found some more goodies to add to my 1200 Post Giveaway!
My first addition is an oversized deck of "Nature's Pharmacy" cards.
The beautiful botanical images, along with their medicinal value,
are printed on heavy card stock. You can use them for scrapbooking,
assemblages or even as reference cards for healing a mild malady.

I wanted to add items for those of you who aren't quilters, but
perhaps you like to sew wearables or other useful things...like handbags!
The "Bag Boutique" is full of handbag inspiration and patterns.

 Another book called "Handsome Handbags/Creative Carry-Alls"
for bags with a funkier aesthetic. There are many patterns to choose from.

Finally, even if you don't sew at all, this cute and off-beat little pincushion bird 
can decorate your desk or side table. She's filled with plastic pellets so she's
 a little bottom heavy. (No jokes, here!) She's not going to blow away, but you 
might not be able to resist just holding her in your hands to relieve the stress of the day.
 
 Who could resist that flaming red hair and those wonky eyes?

You're welcome to leave a comment on this post, but 
only comments left on the original giveaway post will count.
to enter my 1200 Post Giveaway.
The drawing ends August 31st at midnight.
Good Luck!
DonnaAcornSignature

August 27, 2012

Tuesdays With Tag - Goin' To The Store...

 Hi Everybody!
It's Tuesday again, so let's get right to it, shall we?

 Because of the storm that was heading our way over the weekend,
Mom wanted to make sure that I had plenty of food...just in case the stores closed.

I was very excited because that meant a trip to PetSupermarket.
I love that place!!!
I took my rightful place as Mom's co-pilot and away we went.

 First thing I noticed were these adorable (and kinda expensive) bunnies.
Most of 'em stayed on the other side of the cage, but that gray one...

 that gray one liked me and came over to say "hi".
(Maybe it was my ears?)

 Then he stopped for a little slurp of water.
The whole time I was checking out the bunnies,
people kept walking by and saying, "He's so cute!"
(and they weren't talking about that dumb bunny, either!)

 Mom let me check out the second cage, too.
See the ferrets? One of 'em took a likin' to me, too.
I'd never seen a ferret before, 
and I asked Mom why they smelled funky.

 She said they're members of the polecat family.
That explains a lot, but I thought they might be fun to play with anyway.

 "Hey! Come back here. I'm not done with you yet!"
This one actually went into the corner and did somethin' really nasty.
We decided not to share that picture with you. Whoo! Smeelllyyy!

 Finally, we headed back to the food section.
"Yup, Mom. I think this is my food."

 I got so shaky when I saw so many bags of  
my food, that my pictures are all blurry!

 OK. I can't talk anymore. It's time to go home 
and make sure this is a good batch!

Just to let you know, the storm bypassed us and we're all safe.
We're prayin' for everyone who is still in danger from the storm.

I'll see all of you next week, right?
'til then...
"More Waggin' and Less Barkin'!"
PS. If you missed it, Mom is having a giveaway. You can click here to check it out. She said she's gonna add some more goodies tomorrow, too. Check it out!

August 26, 2012

Memory Lane Mondays - My Sewing Basket...

 Welcome to another Memory Lane Monday. 

Do you have a sewing basket? If so, have you had it for a long, long time?
Was it always yours, or did it belong to someone else first?

 I got mine about thirty five years ago, when I purchased it for myself.
I use it to store some of my most precious sewing tools, many
of which belonged to someone else before they were passed to me.
Would you like to take a peek inside?

 It looks a little chaotic at first blush, but I assure you, 
it's very organized and I know exactly what I have stored inside.
My sewing box has a plastic top tray with a lot of open storage beneath.

 The "old", and "really old" items are stored there.
Now for a closer look...

 I don't really collect thimbles, but it seems that I do have an assortment.
The sterling silver one in front is the one I use all the time. 
I purchased it from a vendor at our last guild quilt show and I love it.
It's sized especially for my finger so it's a perfect fit.
I have a matching British thimble and needlecase set from my days owning Stitches,
a Royal Doulton thimble featuring a character from Peter Rabbit (Mrs. Apple),
one with a sweet Dutch landscape on a silver base, a china one that 
commemorates Handsome's and my first trip to Williamsburg together,
a few odd ones I acquired over the years, and one with a cloisonne' Christmas design.

I have a really old embroidery scissors from Mom (Grace)
that has a sweet little scissor doll hanging from it. 
It's a treasured memento from times we spent stitching together.

 Handsome's mother, aunt and grandmother were all needleworkers.
 I love the sweet magnifier that's meant to hang from a chatelaine or neck chain.
It belonged to the needleworkers on Handsome's side of the family. 
It's so dainty with the little flowers designed into the handle, too.

I have more of their bone crochet hooks, but I keep them in a special
case with older stainless steel hooks in the tiniest sizes for lace work.

 Three of these strawberry emeries are old, but the large one is from 
Fons & Porter and you can purchase them in any shop that carries their items.
(I like to keep them together so I don't lose them, so old and new are in the same place.)

 These are both vintage tracing wheels. One belonged to my mother-in-law
and the other (in back) was mine from junior high school. sigh
Hard to believe that it's old enough to be declared "vintage", but yeah.

 These were also Evelyn's (my mother-in-law).
What are they for? 
The Deluxe needle is for rug hooking.
I found a few for sale on eBay right now (in case you're 
interested), but I'd never sell this one from Evelyn.

The E-Z Weave was used to re-weave damaged fabric.
I don't really see anyone doing that these days, do you?

 These are so cool!
They were in with Evelyn's sewing things.
They're pinking shears!
They're heavy and a little dull, but they definitely still work.
Unlike regular scissors, they want to spring back to the open position.
(Hmmm. Why do we speak of one pair of scissors as a plural?
Just one of the things I wonder about from time to time...)

 What sewing basket would be complete without sock darners?
I have three different kinds, and the one on the right has its original ring.
Perhaps one of these days, I'll use them again. (Not likely.)

 I have to show you this bona fide antique.
I purchased it from a friend who still owns a business dealing
in needlework antiques, but I got this about twenty five years ago.

In case you're wondering, no I didn't purchase it this way.
I used to keep it out on top of my sewing table, 
never dreaming it wouldn't be safe. I was wrong.

It seems that our Golden Retriever, Duff (MacDuff) found it most intriguing. 
I came into the room one day to find him carrying it around.
I guess he thought it was his own personal, wool-filled toy.
He was most apologetic when I scolded him and he sulked for the rest 
of the day. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away.
Maybe someday I'll repair it. 
Until then, it's safely tucked in my sewing basket.
I think of that gorgeous Golden boy every time I see it...and I smile.
That alone is the best reason for keeping it.

The last thing I want to share is a magnetic, oak needlecase. 
Twenty years ago, I designed a counted thread pattern for it
for classes I taught at the Rockome Gardens needlework 
event held in Arcola, IL.
I looked online to try to find more of these cases to share with you,
but I guess they're discontinued now and no longer available.
(Sorry. I really like this case!)
If you're interested in a copy of the pattern, let me
know and I'll be happy to email it in pdf form to you!

 Inside are two magnetic pieces so that my needles stay safe and
easily accessible (when they're not in one of my pincushions!).
You'll also find a little ring (upper left) that slips on my finger 
and has a little cutter on that hook. Airline approved!
The little heart shaped tool on the right is a needle threader.
Isn't it cute?

Well, I'd better stop. I know this post was picture-heavy, but I
hope you enjoyed taking a peek inside my sewing basket.

If you have a memory or story to share, please write it on your blog
and then link back here before the end of the week. 
The link will stay open until then.
Thanks for visiting for another Memory Lane Monday.
I'm going to continue Memory Lane Mondays until the end of 2012.
My last Memory Lane Monday post will be the one for December. 
After that, I'll be sharing something new with you.
DonnaAcornSignature