Meet Up Monday ~ Smalls

 

The World's Largest Collection of Smalls ~ This is a MUST follow blog.  That has THOUSANDS of stitched smalls.  All have descriptions for designer, size, colors, etc.  This blog is now closed as it has reached it's max however...if you are interested in being a part of the World's Largest Collection of Smalls there is a second site to upload your work.  Click HERE for The World's Largest Collection of Smalls Too.

Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy

Be sure to check out the Stitching for Literacy Blog today to see how my son (he's the redhead standing in the far back middle of the photo) got me to stitch bookmarks for his entire class in 3 days.

While you are there you should check out Jen's bookmark designs for sale and support a FABULOUS lady and a FABULOUS cause!

Fabulous Friday ~ Stitchy Sayings

We've been having a ball sharing our stitchy saying on the LTS Facebook and Twitter pages. We've had a few members ask to put a few in list form on the LTS blog so here goes.....

~ The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination (to finish stitching a WIP).

~ A friend is someone who is there for you when they have a WIP (stitching) waiting for them somewhere else.

~ Great works (like stitching) are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.

~ Good actions (like stitching) give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions (like stitching) in others.

Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions (such as stitching).

Success (in stitching) is not final, failure (to finish a WIP) is not
fatal: it is the courage to continue (stitching) that counts.

~ Laugh as much as you breathe, love as long as you live, and stitch as much as possible.

~ Coffee makes it possible to get out of bed, but stitching makes it worthwhile.

~ Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll frog tonight and stitch again tomorrow.

~ When the going gets tough the tough get stitching!

Friendship (and stitching) is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.

The strength of a woman can carry the weight of her stash or the world.

~ "If I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise?" - Author Unknown

If you think sunshine brings you happiness, then you haven't tried stitching!

~ A fiber craving is nothing that should be taken lightly. What are you going to do about it?

~ There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend who stitches with you!

~ Learning to stitch is nearly always inspired by watching someone stitch. Go inspire someone!

~ A wise individual once said, "Nothing stitched.....nothing gained." Learn a new stitch today!

~ The scent of hand dyed linens and threads is the only aromatherapy I need.

~ A balanced diet is fabric and fibers in each hand.

~ "The smallest deed is better than the biggest intention." What's your good deed? Teach someone to stitch today!

We encourage you to share the LTS stitchy sayings, we simply ask you link back to our post when doing so. THANKS!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Trail Creek Farm

Wordless Wednesday 

featuring hearts by 

Trail Creek Farm

Monday Munchies ~ Crab Crock Pot Recipe

Each Monday we will kick off the week with a Must have recipe to help get you out of the kitchen and back stitching ASAP!

Crab Crockpot Recipe

Ingredients:
26 ounces crab meat, picked over and flaked
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup light cream
Salt and pepper
3 green onions with tops, finely chopped
2 eggs, beaten

Directions:
Place all ingredients except eggs in crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low and cook 2-3 hours. Stir in eggs during last hour.

Find it Friday ~ Ink Circles

I love this company, Tracy is a doll and always releases AMAZING designs. I always wonder how she does it, how do such amazing creations emerge. I always think about the process a designer takes from the initial thought to the final sell-able item. It has to go through a million little changes all to make it just perfect for us!

This subtle floral mandala shows off a variety of blossoms in a pleasing symmetrical arrangement. Coded for 7 shades of DMC, but easily changed to match the bouquet in your dreams. Stitched on Palomino linen by Lakeside Linens. 143 x 143 stitch count.
Model Stitched by Sisu Lull.

I can't wait to get started on this one, might have to put away my current WIP and get my fingers on this little gem!

Whip it up Wednesday ~ Open Herringbone Stitch

Whip it Up Wednesday ~ Open Herringbone Stitch

Each Wednesday we will choose a stitch to explore and post stitch diagram(s) to help you practice and master each one.

Open Herringbone Stitch ~ also known as Russian Cross, Persian and Fishnet

Steps ~ Work this stitch left to right. Begin in the lower left hand corner and come up through the fabric. Cross over 4 threads and up 2 threads, go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric, cross over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Finally cross 4 threads and down 2 threads, go down through the fabric. Repeat as necessary.

Steps ~ You can also work this stitch in a larger fashion. Work this stitch left to right. Begin in the lower left hand corner and come up through the fabric. Cross over 4 threads and up 4 threads, go down through the fabric. From behind the fabric, cross over 2 threads to the left and come up through the fabric. Finally cross 4 threads and down 4 threads, go down through the fabric. Repeat as necessary.

Meet Up Monday ~ Ship's Manor

Have you heard about this fabulous new company lead by Eric Shipley?  His mom taught him how to stitch when he was just a kid and now he has turned his love of needlework into a design company!  With a new and fresh perspective brought to needlework I am sure you're gonna love his designs as much as we do!

 

To find out more about Eric and his designs you can visit the Ship's Manor website HERE, their Facebook page HERE, the Ship's Manor Twitter feed HERE and his Blog HERE.  Happy Stitching!

Freebie Friday ~ Loose Thread Stitchers

Have you joined Loose Thread Stitchers yet?  If you read our blog and follow us on Facebook ~ you should really check out the website.  Ever want to find an out of town shop?  Find a list of designers?  On the LTS website you can ask stitching questions, win prizes and find what you need when you need it.  Be sure to check it out......

And Yes, no worries, we have a LTS name tag freebie for you inspired by the thought that quite possibly we have turned a corner and Spring is on it's way.....cross your fingers!

 
Click HERE for the LTS Name Tag Freebie...and be sure to check out the SYHO Blog HERE where we will be featuring another fun freebie today.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Primitive Needle

Yesterday we learned that Lisa Roswell, of the Primitive Needle, died when her car was swept off the road by a flooding river as she drove to work at the North Coast Cancer Center.  She was an amazing designer and she will be missed.  If you would care to leave a message for her family, you can leave a comment on her blog HERE.  Below you will find a small sample of her amazing work. 

Meet Up Monday ~ The Creative Finisher

Morning All!  I'd like to introduce you to Veronica Buckwalter AKA The Creative Finisher.  Ronnie is an AMAZING finisher and has worked with designers and myself (she is our SYHO finisher) on new releases as well as finishing designs for Just Cross Stitch Magazine, The Gift of Stitching and Just Cross Stitch Ornament Edition.  Here's a few examples of Ronnie's fabulous finishes. 

Freebie Friday ~ SYHO Designer Encyclopedia

 

Have you stitched the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia?  If not here's what you are missing....

SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Cover

 SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Spine

 SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Inside Cover

 Homespun Elegance Ltd ~ Heart is the Spirit of the Home

 Glendon Place ~ Life Lived for Others

 Ink Circles ~ Florin

Country Garden Stitchery ~ Home in September

 Glendon Place ~ Life Lived for Others

 Ink Circles ~ Florin

Country Garden Stitchery ~ Home in September

 Designs By Lisa ~ Purrr Like You Mean It

 Blue Ribbon Designs ~ Established with Love

CherryWood Design Studios ~ That Kind of Stitcher

 La-D-Da ~ Tis Better

Trail Creek Farm ~ Endless Love

Myrtle Grace Motifs ~ Home is Where Your Leaves Are

 monsterbubbles ~ Twitter

Rosewood Manor ~ My Two Ducks

Did you know when you purchase all 12 designs you will receive the cover chart and the finishing instructions FREE?  Be sure to contact your LNS or ONS to order your SYHO designs and ask them to contact Colleen (at) LooseThreadStitchers (dot) com to have the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia Displayed in their shop.

Veronica Buckwalter of The Creative Finisher has generously provided us with the FABULOUS finishing instructions for the SYHO Designer Encyclopedia.  Ronnie is a MUST for all your finishing needs, she is AMAZING and we will be showcasing her skills in next Wednesday's Wordless Wednesday so be sure to check it out!