Gathering Moments Cards

I had a lot of fun using Stampin’ Up!’s Gathering Moments Dies for the first time. Because I enjoy cross stitching, these guys were perfect for me. The set contains two large leaves that can be used separately Or you can insert a smaller die and make little holes where the veins of the leaf would be. I did the ladder, and then used DMC embroidery floss to sew the veins on the leaves. It didn’t take long at all to do this, and I made all five cards in just a few hours. It was a lot of fun and I’m really glad I got this set. 

I think my favorite card from the set is this one on the top right. I’m going to be sending to my son for Thanksgiving. He’s way out in Colorado, way too far for me here in Florida. I think I’ll include some cookies and let him know how thankful I am for him! 

Thankful Cross Stitch

Here’s one of my latest cross stitch finishes for this year. I. found the pattern HERE on Etsy. I fell in love with it because of all the different colors of fall that were in it. It also looked fairly easy to stitch. It was, but I did make one mistake when stitching the leaves of the tree. I had to do some pulling out of stitches, but was able to easily get back on track. When I started to first stitch this, it didn’t seem like there was as much variation in the leaves as I thought there would be. They all seem to be almost the same, or at least similar in color. But after I finished and stood back and looked at it, I could see the differences.

To frame the piece, I found a used picture that I found at the Salvation Army that I was able to pick up for just a couple dollars. I threw the picture and glass out, cleaned up the frame, and it fit perfectly. I really like being able to upcycle things. It’s so easy for old frames to be just thrown away, when they really have a lot of life left in them. When shopping for used frames, I don’t look just for empty frames, but for framed pieces of art as well.

Once I found a frame and took out the artwork, I was able to lay the frame over top of my stitching to see how it would fit. To make it seem more complete, I marked off the stitches and then added a brown border. I think this looks good especially on frames that are a little bit too big for the stitching. I’m really happy with how this project turned out!

This was how the original frame looked on the left, and on the right after it was all cleaned up.

Quick Fall Cross Stitch Freebie

I’m taking down the Halloween decorations today and getting ready for a dinner party tomorrow night. While going through my autumn storage bin, I came across this cross stitch piece that I finished last year, but never stuffed. 

It was a freebie that I found on Pinterest. You can find the pattern HERE. It was super quick to stitch up, and you can really use any colors that you want.

I finished it into a pillow by using calico fabric that I purchased at Joann's. I really miss them so much!I took this piece in there and searched for a fabric that would be just the right colors. I won’t be able to do that as easily anymore.

The little bit of trim came from Hobby Lobby. I like to stock up on little things like that know knowing that they’ll come in handy someday. 

Even though I wasn't crazy about this piece last year, I really like it. Sometimes I'm just way too hard on myself. After all crafting is all about having fun!

Tiny Town Halloween Cross Stitch

Here's a sweet little stitch project that I actually finished last Halloween. It's from a popular series called "Tiny Town" by Heart & Hand Needleworks. The pattern actually has a few more houses, but I was stitching this in Wisconsin with my then 6 month old grandpuppy, Maggie, nearby. She thinks anything bright is a toy. I think I must have gotten tired of trying to keep the floss away from her, as I gave up stitching midway. I think I added the last tree before finishing the buildings, making it shorter than the original pattern.

I threw it in my suitcase and headed for home. When I went to frame it this summer I found a perfect match in size for the frame on Amazon. It all worked out so well. 

As for the cloth, I used 14 count Tarnished Aida from Fabric Flair. I thought it turned out well for a spooky looking background.

I bought both from 123stitch.com and here are the links to both:

TINY TOWN HALLOWEEN CROSS STITCH PATTERN

14 COUNT TARNISHED AIDA

I love shopping at 123stitch because their prices are the same as any store, and the shipping is always $3.49. I love that! I've priced some things at Amazon and it's actually the same price or cheaper to pay their low shipping and get it from them.

As for my props, the ghosts are actually measuring cups that I bought at T Maxx. They often have the cutest holiday decor, but you have to shop early. The pumpkins are resin and I got them at an antique store. And if you're ever looking for a riser to display your items, this is simply a bamboo spice rack that I bought at Walmart.

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my little cross stitch finish today!

Retro Rubber Sketch Challenge #244

Wow, I really needed this challenge today. It's just one week until Thanksgiving, and I've sent out a few cards, but needed one for my sister-in-law in Maine. If it doesn't go out tomorrow, it may not make it in time, so this was the perfect nudge I needed to get a card off to her.

My design started over at Retro Rubber's Challenge #244. It's a fun sketch this time that really challenged me to get the design just right. I followed the design quite closely, just changing the placement of the brads and having a straight sentiment rather than a curvy one.

When I first saw the arch in this sketch, I immediately thought of a pie stamp that I bought last year and hadn't ever used. The rounded top of the pie fit nicely into the arch.

Here's my complete supply list:

• Pink & Main Sweetie Pie Stamp Set (2022)
  
• Pink & Main Happy Harvest (sentiment)
• Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Copics E35, E34, R14, R35, B24
• Home Sweet Home Patterned Paper by Carta Bella
• SU! Brown Sugar Ink & Card Stock
• SU! Small Brads

I had to make this card a bit bigger than usual to capture the little canisters of baking supplies on the patterned paper. It measures 5.5 x 7.5. Luckily I have an envelope board and was able to make a cute envelope to fit it.

Thanks so everyone over at Retro Rubber for another fun challenge!

Happy Autumn Banner

When I read that someone in The Angel Card Project loved to decorate for fall, I had the idea to make a banner for her instead of just a card.

I've made banners like this before, and while I like it, looking at it in the pictures and after it was finished, I wished I had made the stamped letters in a little darker color. I still think it looks pretty good and I'm pretty sure the recipient will like it. Often I'm too hard on myself, but it's also good to think about how I can make things better in the future too. :)

The supplies are simple. I used Stampin' Up!'s Large Letters Stamps and Dies in traditional SU! fall colors. Most are still in the lineup, but one that I used that isn't is called Delightful Dijon. It's the perfect fall ink color in my opinion.

The leaves are also from Stampin' Up! The set is called Vintage Leaves and it too is one of my all-time favorite sets. The wood grain paper came from an old Christmas Paper Pack Set. The banner is strung together with brown twine from Michaels and finished off with some raffia that I tied into bows.

Wishing you a very Happy Autumn too, and thank you so much for stopping by my blog today!

A little bit of a closer look. I think it looks a bit better here! 

Retro Rubber Challenge 215 & NBUS Challenge 54

I'm so ready for fall right now! It's 87 out at 7 pm, with a "feels like" temp of 94, and it's mid September. Yikes! But at least I have my craft table, where I can create fall any time I want! And with some inspiration from Retro Rubber's Challenge #214 (rrcb215)  that's what I've done. 

I'm also sharing this over at NBUS because this set is brand new to me. Although I bought it used, it had never been snapped out of the rubber. And this guy is so cute. It's from 2015-that's a long time to sit and wait to be used!

Everyone over at Retro Rubber has created such elegant fall cards, and this guy is a little goofy, but I really like him. I plan on sending him to a little one anyway. I just wish I could include a piece of candy without the price of postage going up. Maybe there's a flat, mailable candy of some kind out there.

Anyway, my complete supply list for this Fall Scene is:

• Stampin' Up! Howl-O-Ween Treat Stamp Set (2015)
• White Card Stock
• SU! Pineapple Punch Card Stock
• SU! Chocolate Chip Card Stock
• SU! Gorgeous Grape Ink
• SU! Cucumber Crush Ink
• SU! Pumpkin Pie Ink
• SU! Poppy Parade Ink
• Copics YR15 & Y13
• Darice Wood Embossing Folder
• Green Rhinestones from Michaels

Be sure to check out the challenges over at both NBUS and Retro Rubber, and thanks to everyone over there for the inspiration!

Happy fall and happy crafting!

Lizzie Kate Fall Freebie

This cute little piece was so fast and easy to make. Again, it was on my Pinterest Board for a long time. Once I got back into cross stitching I was surprised at how easy it was to make and wondered why I didn't make it sooner.

The FREE PATTERN is courtesy of Lizzie Kate. Her stuff is so cute! In order for it to fit on this wooden plaque that I had, I had to add a border around it which I just did myself.

If you're thinking about giving cross stitch a try, be sure to consider this design. It can even be made into an ornament or small, decorative pillow. It's the perfect accent to a fall display of mini pumpkins!

The YouTube video that features this piece is the same as the Autumn Cross Stitch. I just included it because both projects are covered here.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you enjoy making this cute freebie!

Autumn Cross Stitch

This FREE PATTERN has been on my Pinterest board for years. I always knew I'd like to take up cross stitching again so I kept it around. Well I'm happy to say that this past fall I finally got it finished. It's a small pattern, but it's one that you really have to pay attention to because of the detail and rounded nature of the design. I was able to keep up with it without any mistakes and that made me really happy.

Instead of framing it, I used an old sign that I found at the thrift store and painted and sanded it. It only cost a couple of dollars. I've got to keep my costs down. You can see just what I did on the video below.

The coolest thing that happened with this is that the original designer of this pattern contacted me via YouTube! She lives in France, Paris to be exact! She no longer designs, but was happy to see me use her design in a YouTube video. It was so very exciting talking to her. Sometimes it's easy to think that it's just a big digital world out there, but there really are people behind all these posts!

This piece is one that I really love and plan on using for many years to come.

Halloween Cozy Mystery Review

One thing I love is getting into the spirit of the season by including some seasonal reading. Now truth be told, I'm not a fast reader, and I'd rather be crafting than reading most of the time, so I like books that are short and sweet but still deliver a perfect holiday feel-and Halloween at Pumpkin Hill by Thea Cambert was just that book!

I was attracted to the series (this is book 7 of 8 in the Inn Vermont Cozy Mysteries) because they are set in Vermont. I'm totally captivated by New England, but with the Green Mountain State in particular. The peaceful setting, quaint charm and beautiful changing seasons make it one of my favorite places. So when I went searching for a cozy Halloween mystery to read, this book seemed perfect.

Another feature that was perfect for me was that it's only 158 pages. Much more than that and I'm reading Halloween books at Christmas.

But despite it's smaller size, this story really packed a punch when it came to transporting me to the small town of Williamsbridge, Vermont. The sights, sounds and tastes were all there. As I followed Eloise and Matthew around town, I could almost feel the cool air circling around me. And Thea has a wonderful conversational style of writing that makes you feel like you're hearing this story from a friend.

As for the mystery, it too was perfect. There were a handful of viable suspects and you didn't know who did it until right up until the end. The close of each chapter made me want to keep reading the next.

Meeting Eloise and Matthew seemed very real too. They're a sweet couple and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better in other books. In fact, I liked this book so much that I just ordered the first book in the series too. It seems that the series starts with and ends with a Christmas mystery, so it's a perfect time to jump in and read the rest of the books in this series throughout this upcoming year.

The book includes a recipe for June's Apple Dumplings, which sounds delicious. But what is making my mouth water is right at the end of the book when Matthew mentions Pumpkin Pie Spice Balls. Yum! And now I'm on a mission to find (or create) a recipe for those.

I wasn't paid to do this review and paid full price for this paperback copy at Amazon, and it's really worth it. At $6.99 I think the price is really reasonable. The covers of the set are beautiful and it makes a great collection to keep or pass on to a friend. It's also available in the Kindle edition for $3.99 and if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited, it's free! So if you're looking for some great cozy mysteries, be sure to check out this series. You'll be glad you did!

My thanks go out to Summer Prescott, the publisher, for allowing me to photograph the book to go along with my review. I'm looking forward to spending more time checking out all the great titles on her website, www.summerprescottbooks.com.

Now I've got to run, because my craving for Pumpkin Pie Spice Balls is beckoning me to the kitchen!