Halloween is a Stitch!

Several years ago a friend (hi Lisa!) came to visit me this time of year.  The one comment she made over and over again is, "You Michiganders sure love your Halloween!"  WE DO!

My neighbors have already decorated. Seems like every house has eyeballs in the tree, graves up the path, headless scarecrows, wispy ghosts.  Saw a full-grown adult pass by in a complete ladybug costume walking her dog, and the black cat next door is sporting a shark fin.  Yes, I'm trying to get a picture for you!

I love pulling out Halloween projects from years past.  Thought today I'd share my favorite one - embroidery patterns from one of last year's Quilt Sampler magazines.

BOO TO YOU!

Had to share all the blocks with you!  What do you have hanging on your walls?

Happy Stitching!

Elisa

p.s. I'm hoping amongst all the Halloween happenings to find time to make that fabulous "bowling pin" kitty from Teresa of Fabric Therapy.  LOVE IT!

Joyeux Noel

So many amazing free holiday patterns in the blogosphere! This one from Gail Pan Designs:

http://gailpandesigns.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/my-christmas-gift-to-you.html

Stitched with Threadworx Floss - Desert Sunset (1042) from 123stitch.com - LOVE these colors!

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

FALL-ing in Love with Birdie Stitches

One nice thing about a nine-hour roundtrip car ride is the ability to stitch!  Finished my September Birdie Stitches! Now... just don't ask me about June, July or August yet!

 Oh, and don't forget the first Christmas block for the Sew Happy Sewalong has been posted! Except for the first block, they are only available for one week.

I'm spending the rest of today piecing my Tis The Season top together.

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

And Still She Waits....

Second full day without power. Sitting in a wi-fi free coffee shop checking emails and blogging.

Able to get some stitching done. Here is my July block for my Tis the Season SAL - finished via candlelight. Too bad I can't run my iron but flame, as they did In the old days!

Rumor has it power is supposed to return tonight, but we've seen no one from the power company & they need to replace 1 pole and 2 transformers. At least the weather is on my side!

Happy Labor Day!

Elisa

Back to Work

Today is the last day of my vacation. I had tons to do and major, life-altering decisions to make. I did none of it and time is running out. Disappointed? No. Which is funny since time-management could be my creed. I guess I just needed seven days to de-stress and relax enough... silence life enough.... to enjoy the sound of peace for a change. Funny that when I finally have a clear head it's time to return to work!

Isn't this pretty? It's St. Martha's Episcopal Church in Detroit, MI. I snapped this while out waymarking. The Ford Cemetery is out front - final resting place of Henry and Clara Ford (and many of their relatives).

I am making great headway on my Tis the Season blocks (if you get a chance, click the TIS button on the left. Many of my fellow quilters are finishing their tops and quilting - they're all so different!). I have 1/3 of the 12th block to complete and then the wreath label before I can sew them all together. I'm glad the humidity has receded so it's comfortable enough to sit and stitch.

Once I finish these blocks I can focus on Birdie Stitches next. Next year I'm only participating in one BOM.

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

Utterly Crap-tastic!

I heard "crap-tastic" for the first time today and had to chuckle. Yep, that would be today!

A local landmark burned down overnight (come to the local state fair to see the world's largest stove!), someone poisoned my grapevines, my nephew spilled his grandfather's beer all over my flip flops & bag, my cat vomitted in my good shoes, and I think I have poison ivy.

So, to cheer myself up, I'm eating Edy's Gourmet Slow-Churned French Silk ice cream, listening to the crickets, and looking at pics from my weekend. This is from Lower Huron Metropark.

On the bright side, I'm tracing my last two Tis the Season SAL blocks, and hope to share shortly!

Hoping tomorrow isn't another "Monday"!

Elisa

July Tis the Season SAL

Phew! Completed my July blocks! I would've posted it yesterday, but it was overcast (pics still came out darker than reality - hmmph).

11 blocks completed - 1 block and 1 stitched label to go!

Now onto Birdie Stitches!

Happy Stitchin'
Elisa

We Love French Knots

Have you visited this blog yet? It's a new blog that teaches the basics of contemporary embroidery.

Why stop by? To kick off this blog, they are having 10 (yes, TEN!) giveaways! They've also posted several fabulous stitch videos. And (in my mind, the most awesome part), an interview with Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches!

To kick off the site, Natalie is sharing this free pattern:

I have a weakness for Aussie embroidery especially free patterns!

If you need inspiration, there's also dozens of contemporary embroidery examples on the We Love French Knots Flickr page!

No affiliation - just an excited follower.

Elisa

P.s. Another awesome embroidery basics site is Hugs From Helen Stitched Sundays. She demos a stitch and then shares a fabulous stitchy so you can try it out!

Angel Stitchy

Nice to get something done....

Have a restful Sunday!
Elisa