This is the latest OTB block that I finished for the 'Zodiac' theme,
The Sign of Libra. I picked this one as Libra is my sign. I really
like these blocks and one day just may have to make something
for myself from them.

I just recently went to see my daughter, grand daughter and oldest
son in Colorado by train. It was a fun trip. I found the train trip very
relaxing and was able to listen to a couple of books-on-tape while
cross stitching on this piece for OTB. I did most of the stitching on
this piece while on the train finishing it up this past week at home.
It will go off in the mail to Hazel with OTB on Monday. If you haven't
checked out what OTB is all about check out at http://www.operationteddybear.ca/HomePage.html

Handmade soaps

Yes, I am a gal of many talents. My oldest son has had so many problems with allergies and has been on medication to help keep the hives diminished that a couple of years ago I decided that I would try my hand at making my own soap. I was thinking that if we limited the amount of chemicals being put on his skin that maybe it would help with his hives. I have also tried to get him to eliminate the obvious food allergens from his diet - he is finally trying that now that he is 22 and between the two his hives are a lot better.

The handmade soap was such a success that a lot of the gals at work, including a couple of the Dr's are buying my soaps. If I get lazy and try to skip a few months without making any batches they all let me know that they are ready for more!!

I, currently, have a few bars of each of these scents left: Lemon/Lavender, gardenia, and Cucumber. I just finished packaging up new batches of Freesia, Rose, and grapefruit (very, very mild on the scent). Get them while they last!! I sell them for $1/ounce the bars are all different in sizes but weigh between 1-4 1/2 ounces each. Email me if interested and we can make a deal with shipping!!

Clementis Cross Stitch craft exchange

I had such a good experience with the Stitchin Witches craft
exchange the last time that I participated that I decided to join
it again. I made this cross stitched tea towel for my partner
and sent her some homemade soaps. Again they were the
perfect gifts for my partner and she loved them. She made a
ceramic Green man bird feeder and silk flower wreath for me!

OTB 'Flights of Fancy' quilt

OTB 'Flights of Fancy' quilt finished. I did two of the cross
stitched blocks in this quilt. The Baltimore Oriole last block
on row three and the American Goldfinch middle block on
the 4th row. I volunteered to finish the last two blocks as
Helen was anxious to get this theme done to add to an auction
to help raise funds for OTB
http://www.operationteddybear.ca/HomePage.html I really
LOVE to cross stitch, but am running out of room to put all
my creations, so am really glad that I found this site where I
can spend the time to make these cross stitched blocks and
they are used for a great cause.

OTB Block - American Goldfinch

This is the second block in the 'Flights of Fancy' theme for OTB
http://www.operationteddybear.ca/HomePage.html that I
cross stitched. Helen was desperately looking for stitchers to
finish this theme as she wanted to get the quilt finished and use
in a raffle to help raise funds for her cause. I volunteered to do
this last block.

OTB block - Baltimore Oriole

Couldn't find my own picture on file of this block, so
edited from the quilt pic that is was put into. This is the
first 'Flights of Fancy' theme block that I did to help
finish up this theme last year. This block along with the
American Goldfinch block that I stitched were made into
a quilt and auctioned off last year to help raise funds for
OTB http://www.operationteddybear.ca/HomePage.html
Wish I had a better picture of this pretty bird block.

Tigerlily and Butterfly Wall Hanging

Made this beautiful wall hanging for a craft exchange through
my Stitchin Witches group. This was the first exchange that I
participated in. I cross stitched the Tigerlily's and butterflies
(thought it an appropriate piece as my nick is Tigerlili). I then
added the border and quilted it into a wall hanging. I really
had fun making this piece.

Purple and Blue Celtic Knot #3

Yet another hand appliqued Celtic knot this one in blue and purple
patterned fabric with and inner border of purple and outer border
of blue. All quilting is done by machine in a free-motion pattern.
Approx size is 19-21" and is for sale for $55.

Purple and Blue Celtic Knot #4

This is the 4th Hand appliqued Celtic Knot that I made. It is a printed
purple and blue print for the knot with a small border of purple and
large border of blue. I really like to make these Celtic Knots. The
quilting is free-motion. The piece measures approx. 19-21" square. It is
currently for sale for $55. Feel free to email me or make a comment if
you are interested in this of any of my knots that are for sale. I also
can do custom knots just email me and we can make arrangements.

Purple Celtic Knot #2

This is the 2nd Hand appliqued Celtic Knot that I have made. It
matches the first Purple one that I made. It is made from 100%
cotton fabric, hand appliqued and free-motion quilted. The knot
is a double knot with light purple for one and a dark purple for the
second knot. The small inner border is light purple and the outer
border a dark border. This piece measures approx. 17" square and
is for sale for $45. Email me if interested.

Purple Celtic Knot #1

Was going through my jpg files to find pictures of projects that
I have made. The following are some of what I found. Purple
Celtic Knot #1. I made this hand appliqued and machine
quilted Purple Celtic Knot. It was the first Celtic Knot wall
hanging that I made. Can't even remember how long ago I made
it. It is approx 17" square. I gave this knot to a co-worker last year
as a 'Congratulations You Made it!' gift when she graduated from
nursing school.

Autumn splendor Quilt

Autumn Splendor Quilt. A few years ago I belonged to a
group (still do for that matter) called Quilt Swap Challenge.
Every few months the list owner would host a quilt fabric
swap along with a Quilt Challenge. When you sent in your
fabrics to be swapped you also sent in a swatch of fabric for
the Quilt Challenge. This piece of fabric had to be used in
your quilt along with a piece of fabric that the list owner
sent back to you.

This is the only quilt that I have actually finished in time to
enter in one of the Quilt Challenges. The Challenge was very
interesting. You were send a quilt magazine with a specific page
marked (participants sent in the magazines to be used and
numbers were send in by the participants. Some used their
birthdates or anniversaries, or whatever they decided was a
good number for them.) You then had to find inspiration from
that page and make a quilt using the two swatches of fabric and
any others you chose.

The page that I had to use for inspiration contained an article
about a group of quilters that did a round robbin for Autumn.
So it was pretty easy to pick out a project. I adapted a pattern
from Laura Heine's pattern 'Turning over a new leaf' http://www.fiberworks-heine.com/patterns/turning_over_new_leaf/turning_new_leaf.html

For the Quilt Swap Challenge I won first place and received 2
Priority Mail Stamps. It was a proud accomplishment for me.

I held onto the quilt for a few years not knowing what to do with
it as it really doesn't match my decorating. I really liked the quilt,
but it just didn't match anything that I had. Last year I donated the
quilt to the GI Moms here in Ukiah to raffle off at our local 'Pumpkinfest'
in October. It helped to bring in donations to help our local Lake and
Mendocino County Soldiers.

They say every quilt has a story. I hear the lady that won the quilt
bought 40 or 50 dollars worth of raffle tickets. I'd say she really wanted
that quilt and deserved it too!!

Knitted Slipper Socks

Knitted socks from Grandma. This was my first try at knitting
socks for Alexis. She loved them and hat to change into them
everytime that she came over to Grandma's house.

Alexis's Fun Fur Knitted Sweater and hat. Years ago I bought a
whole bunch of this tweed-look yarn called cantaloupe for 20 cents
a skein. It has sat in my stash for many, many year. This past
winter I taught my boys how to make knit-in-the-round hats and
had pulled all my boxes of yarn out for them to rummage through
and use the yarn. Way down at the bottom of one of the boxes was
all the cantaloupe yarn. Alexis kept pulling it out and bringing it
to me asking for me to make her something. So I started the little
fun fur trimmed knitted sweater. My daughter saw me knitting it
and loudly proclaimed that I wasn't going to put anything with
that 'Butt ugly' yarn on her daughter.

Here Alexis is with her finished sweater and matching hat. We
could hardly get her to take if off. She even took a nap in it the
first day that I let her wear it. Candace decided that the sweater
and hat her pretty cute after all.

I hear that for the summer Candace had to hide the sweater as she
still loves it even though it is a little bit big on her.

My Soldier

My daughter, Candace was in the Army. Back in July of 2003
she was sent to Iraq. I joined a local group of ladies who
called themselves 'The GI Moms' to help support our local
soldiers who were sent overseas. We all made posters of our
soldiers that we could post showing our personal soldiers that
we were supporting.

This is the poster that I made for my daughter. It shows her
Basic and some advanced training pictures, pictures from her
first tour of duty to Korea, and some pictures of her in Iraq.
The most heart wrenching ones were of her and her 6 month
old daughter she had taken right before she left for Iraq.

I titled my poster 'My Solder/My Hero'. The poem I wrote
for this poster says:

• My soldier is so much more than just another fighter in the Army
• My soldier is my daughter/ the little girl I held and protected.
• My soldier is a grand daughter/ Cherished still by her wonderful grandparents.
• My soldier is a mother/ Who will miss so many of her daughters firsts
• My soldier is a local Ukiah girl/ Who was born and raised right here.
• My soldier is a beautiful singer/ with a voice we all wait anxiously to hear.
• My soldier is my best friend/ One who I wish comes home safely soon.
• My soldier is . . . . . . My Hero.

I am glad to say that Candace came home safely in February of 2004.

Matching Birthday Hats & Scarves

Candace, my daughter, and Alexis, my grand daughter,
have birthdays only three days apart.

Last year I made them matching red & black 'Fun Fur'
hats and scarves.

I think they look so cute.

Alexis just loves to wear scarves, and has laid claim to most
of the knitted scarves that I have made.

This is me Christmas of 2003

Thought I should post a picture of me. So here I am.

OTB Pandas

This is my latest Cross Stitching finished just this month.

I made these cute baby Panda's for Operation Teddy Bear.
They are from the 'Endangered Young'uns Book 1'

OTB is a group of online ladies that make cross stitch blocks and
send them in. The blocks are them made into quilts and given to
children with cancer. The above site explains more about them.
Check out OTB at: www.operationteddybear.ca/HomePage.html

Hi! This blog is for my hobbies, mostly stitching.

Welcome.

Please come back there is more to come later.