The Snowfall,Stitching and Fun Finds

 This past week, Ayden went to school Monday.  That is it.  The rest of the week he was on SNOW days!!  Perfect time to do a little homework every day.  Get a science experiment in.  Have a snow ball fight!  Be silly as a family!!  Loved. it. to. pieces.

 A few posts or more back I told ya'll about the Daisychain ABCs Sampler from Alicia Paulson.  Well, I started her up and these are some progress shots. 

 I used Warm and Natural batting on the back of the Kona to help stabilize my stitching and also to hide the thread on the back. Works like a charm.  Instead of crewel wool, I dug into my Presencia perle cotton thread.

 Alica Paulson's pattern calls for a variety of stitches to not only, keep you on your toes, but to keep it interesting!

 Color is key here and I love being able to play with all my perle cotton in one sampler.  The threaded back stitch for the letter "C" is one that I have not participated in thus far.  I like it more and more!

 Lots and lots of good practice with detailed instructions for each letter makes it all the more relaxing.

 Last night I was able to create the stitches needed for "D" and "E."

 Two letters a day is a pleasant pace for me.  Satin stitch galore for the "e" but so bold in cyclamen pink!  "D" is in lavender.

Somehow I had forgotten about a fabric designer that is dear to me.  A fellow blogger had mentioned her on her blog the other day and i felt the need to go check out her new blog.  Sandi Henderson's to be exact.  Then I joined her over on Instagram.  Yep you can find me over there too.  Anyway, while over at Sandi's neck of the woods, I discovered some free valentine envelope print offs!!  They are SEW darn cute and dainty!  They make you want to celebrate!  I printed off a few and decided that one will be designated to a friend and the other two are for teacher's of Ayden.  So go get your free envelopes! 

Maybe while you are cutting out your Valentines, you can head on over to qnntv.com for a sneak peaky at Katy Jones of ginger Monkey new Quilt Monkey program?!!  She is doing a fantastic job!!!  As soon as I knew she was going to have a show on QNNTV, I went right over and signed up for the year!  Tons of quilting shows to view whenever you want!!!!  Just wanted to share with ya'll!!!!

***Looks like I have 2 more weeks to go before Jade gets here!!!!!  The waiting game begins!!!!

May your week be filled with joy and stitching!

Sara 

FINISH IT UP FRIDAY

Banner of Love

 About a month ago the idea to do a banner in Jade's room sprouted in my pregnancy brain.  It started off simple and the more I thought about it the more elaborate it became.  Once I started to dream about it at night I knew I HAD to accomplish this banner.  Whatever it took!  So I set aside all my weird,quirky,what in the world type dreams (I blame on this pregnancy) and brought out my perle cotton and needle.

 Each letter was picked out from Google images, printed off and traced onto Kona white fabric with my "dear to me" Frixion pen.  I used a variety of stitches on each letter to make it more of a learning experience.  The "J" was mostly back stitching though,but I did add in a little satin stitch and french knot action.  I can be crazy that way!

 For her next letter, I did a chain stitch that I was mostly proud of, more strands of perle might have been handy.  My leaves were done in my new fave fish bone stitch.  Flowers are back stitched.

 "D" was my favorite, in that, I enjoyed doing the two tone pink flower with the fish bone for the leaves once again.  Satin stitch and back stitching too.

 Last, but not least was my "E"  Ah...well this letter I was not totally happy with the result of the split stitch.  Pulling was occurring in some areas.  I puttered away at it though and got her done!  Trusty fish bone and satin stitching.  For the yellow flower, a blanket stitch.

 Kona Blueberry in the border and binding and Cotton Couture Lavender for the side borders. 

 I found the purple lace trim at JAF for a great price and I am head over heels in love with it:)

Timeless Treasure tree print for the back which I thought tied in nicely to the theme of the letters.

 I was in heaven making these letters for my little girl.  Hope to see it hanging on her wall for many years to come and that she will want to have it as a keepsake from her mama forever.

Hugs to all!

Sara