Tiny Sampler Needlebook and Snowman Card

Some people dance between raindrops. I try to dance between headaches. In that spirit, I finish-finished a couple of pieces between last night and this morning. I've made a number of needle books over the years for exchange pieces, but never one for myself. So I used this "Tiny Sampler" from La-D-Da to make one for myself. The design as an older freebie that you can get here.  It will make a good place to hold counting pins and special needles. Stitched on 35-ct HDF linen.  The pages are just craft felt with pinked edges. I added sew on snaps for closing.  I've been thinking of getting a snap setter tool to make more interesting snaps, but I keep reading about all the problems people have with those.  I don't have those problems with the sew-on kind so maybe I should just leave well enough alone.

I usually like to stockpile a few holiday cards during the year to have them on-call for December.  My stock was depleted, so I used this cutie pie "Mr. Byrd" from Heart in Hand as the basis for my new inventory.  He's a jolly little guy and he could come in handy around here to clear our walks after frequent storms this winter.  This is done another piece of 35-ct HDF linen.

I see sunshine and calm trees outside so even though it's cold, I think I will venture out for a walk.  Got to take advantage of the reasonable weather and no head pain when I can!  

Robots, Hearts and Lavender Girl

When you look at the birthday card below, you will naturally think this is meant for a kid.  Well, let's just say it's going to someone with the heart of a kid!  My brother is no longer a kid in age, but really, is anyone ever too old for robots?  I thought I might stitch just one, but I cut the fabric larger just in case.  Turns out, like Lays' potato chips, you can't stitch just one.  And then I got the silly idea of adding the balloons as well.  I'm finding the whole thing pretty cheery actually.   The design is a freebie from the Tiny Modernist and if you happen to be in a robot mood, click here for the pattern.  I used 36 count hand-dyed Aida, an old piece I had from Sassy.

 

It was time for stitching the annual Valentine I make for my Valentine's Day loving friends.  I used  "Heartstruck Friends" from Midnight Stitching, stitched on another piece of 36-ct hand-dyed Aida from Sassy.

I recently discovered that the term 'deckle edge' is not as commonly known as I thought.  In addition to the blank looks I got from a few people when I mentioned the term,  one of my friends started giving me the definition of  'decolletage', confusing me no end.  But the discussions reminded me that I had one of those scrapbook scissors that cuts a deckle edge.  So I pulled that out for cutting the background paper.  Nothing fancy, but I like the look.  This was a quicky to assemble since I didn't need to cut out a window for the design.  And stickers help to dress it up.

I needed a gift tag for a New Year's present that included some hand-made (not by me!) lavender soap.  I was inspired by Sheryl's post at her Sewing After Seven blog to use the Snowflower Diaries Lavender Girl, a freebie you can get here.  I used all DMC,  changing the beads to French knots in 791 and the dress to 333. It is stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki Aida.  I added a little light iron-on interfacing to the back. Then I used pinking shears to cut out the circular shape.  The backing is cardstock cut in a circle that fits just inside the pinked edges.  I also cut out the tab at the top and punched out a hole.  I used double-sided tape to attach the card stock to the stitching and I had a cute tag to add to the gift bag.  I can see making more of these in the future!