Ornament #1 for 2009

I got tired of sewing my bigger projects so I decided to sew up a little ormament. This is one of the Dimensions Christmas Sayings Ornaments with a flare of Tammy. I used a different hanger & decided to use some beads & silver metallic thread on the snowflake. I like the way these type of ornaments look on the tree but I absolutely hate finishing these little buggers.

No backstitch.

Finished ornament.

Higher Education

My parents really needed a laugh a few days ago & my brother's little dog Pookie came thru for them. My nephew gets on the bus at my parents house you see & Pookie followed him. When the bus ran & my nephew went to get on so did Pookie & REFUSED to get off. :o) My brother had to get on that bus & physically remove him. It was hilarious. Here's a pic of Pookie


I've been busy making birdhouses to use as thank you gifts for our upcoming VBS volunteers. I guess this is around the 10th year we've been directors of this thing & I've made on average around 20 birdhouses per year. I've gotten 16 finished so far this year with 4 more to go.


I've done a bit of stitching the past few days but not enough to fool with taking a pic of so until next time - keep on stitching :o)

Panda Update & a HAED Start

I'd like to say thanks for all the warm anniversary wishes & to welcome my new followers. I get such a thrill to see that number go up.

Here's an update on my panda bear. I really wanted to finish him before I posted any more pics but realized that it could be Christmas time if I waited for that so here he is.


I also started a HAED & from reading other people's HAED posts I've noticed that I've stitched this thing in the most unconventional way which may give me problems as I continue to stitch but I'm continuing on in this fashion & hopefully will have it finished in a few years :o) It's called QS White Rose Fae by Michele Sayetta. Thought I'd start off easy with a quick stitch.

Mystery Update

Thanks to all who made guesses on what this little guy was. It was fun to read them all :o) Here is an update on it & by now hopefully you can tell what he is.

A Finish & A Beginning

I finally finished Dimensions - Beguiling Tiger & I have to say I love the way it looks in the frame I picked out. I knew if I drug it to the waiting room enough times it would eventually get finished. Both of my parents are taking chemo at the moment & I don't know what I'd do with the cross stitch diversion. I seriously think cross stitch should be listed as a stress reliever. I think it not only helped me but it gave those waiting with me a diversion as well. I got so many comments on it. One guy even wanted to wear it on his shirt :o)



I also started a new project today & here's the progress. Any guesses on what this is? It sort of looks a little scary huh?

Pink Plaid Pear Finish & Frogs (the good kind)

I finally have a finish. I started this one a few days ago with hopes of finishing it rather quickly & I did. Unfortunately, I don't like it that much. It was sewn on 28ct. linen 2 over 2, I think. If not, someone correct me. It's Pink Plaid Pear by Casey Buonaugurio.


On a better note, I got to go to a festival down in Clarksville, Tennessee. Had a blast Saturday. They had some awesome bands, crafts & food. I stopped in at an art museum. My son & nephew had a blast. We found these wooden frogs that sound like they are croaking when you run the stick over their back. Had to get one :0) Check it out.

Another WIP

Wow, where does the time go?? I would have hoped to have Beguiling Tiger finished by now but he's still sitting in the unfinished pile. So instead of taking yet another pic of him with a few more stitches in, I've decided to post another pic of a wip that I someday hopefully will finish. Here's Japanese Maiden. I've noticed some of the other bloggers work on a few different projects at the same time to keep from getting bored so thought I'd give it a go myself.

Twilight Obsession

I just finished the first book in the Twilight series. I don't really understand the obsession with it. Maybe it's aimed at a younger audience than myself, not sure. I watched the movie & it stayed pretty close to the book. I would have definitely ended it differently though. I guess I will read the next in the series New Moon as I would like to know what happens to Bella & Edward. I need to put the books down & get back to my stitching. There's a little progression on Beguiling Tiger but I probably won't post a pic until it's finished. Hope everyone has had a wonderful week & thanks for stopping by my blog :0)

Hippity Hoppity

Spring is on it's way or I sure hope it is. Certainly felt like it here today with the temps being in the 70's. This little bunny sewed up rather quickly. He came out of the April 2008 Stoney Creek magazine. I'm hoping to have my beguiling tiger finished sometime this week. Thanks to all who
stop by to check on my progress or lack thereof :0)

Update #3 & Blackberry Cobbler

Whew, it's been a few days since I've posted but I did get a bit done on Beguiling Tiger - here he is. Seems as though the chart is growing or my fingers are slowing, not sure which it is :-) I've been watching some tv & movies while stitching. Been following a british drama called Mistresses. Any other fans? These girls can get into some real trouble. Have got the movie Australia with Nicole Kidman to watch. Hope it's as good as it's advertisements. Well, off to make a blackberry cobbler, iron skillet style.

Tammy's Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 can blackberry pie filling
  
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the butter in a large (10- to 12-inch) cast-iron skillet (may substitute a large ovenproof baking dish) and place in the oven so the butter melts; this should take 5 to 7 minutes.

Whisk together the flour, and salt in a separate medium bowl. Add the cup of sugar, milk and vanilla extract, stirring until well incorporated.

Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully pour the melted butter from the skillet into the batter, stirring to combine, then pour the batter all at once into the skillet. Add the blackberry pie filling to the center of the batter. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out mostly clean. Serve warm, straight from the skillet. Top with ice cream or cool whip.