Join me for a sweet cup of....

Liber-Tea! In my last post, I mentioned that I was stitching a new patriotic sampler. I didn't finish it in time to release it for July. I decided that instead of waiting until next year, I'd release it anyway. After all, we should show our American pride all year round!

"Sweet Cup of Liber-Tea"

I stitched it on 30ct Sheep Straw linen by R&R Reproductions, and all flosses are from The Gentle Art. I just shipped this to Hoffman and Norden Crafts last week, so it should be available for your stitching pleasure soon! If not, be sure to ask your local needlework shop to get it for you.

The Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue is out! I gave you a sneak-peak quite a while ago of my sampler that would be appearing in this issue, and now I'll reveal the entire picture.........

"Witchy Remedy"

This issue is packed full of spooky fun, so don't miss out. Just be sure to save a slice of moldy bread!
Thanks for stopping by the creek! Please come again, and bring a friend!

Diane

I'm back....did anyone know I was gone?

Too much time has passed since my last post, so I'm dropping a quick note to you. May was a tough month. I had to have my beagle, Maddie, put down. She was 12 1/2 years old and her health was going downhill fast. We adopted her in May 2003 from our local shelter in Montrose, PA.

My son Colvin with Maddie. Taken in 2003 shortly after we adopted her.

She was a sweet girl who was afraid of our cat and thunderstorms. She loved a good game of fetch with her blue ball, and she hated being in her kennel (so much that she destroyed 2 of them!) On May 17, I held her as she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. We buried Maddie on the edge of our property in the shade of the woods and planted a native pine sapling on top of her.

The last picture taken of me and my Maddie May.

The emptiness was terrible. I felt lost not having her long, soft ears to stroke. The house was too quiet without her beagle bay and her toenails clipping across the floor. By Sunday, May 20, I was in need of some canine snuggle therapy, so after church, we stopped at True Friends Animal Shelter in Montrose, PA. And there, we found and adopted Molly. She is a beagle/basset and is about 2 years old. And such a LOVE! She brings a smile to everyone she meets....

Colvin with Molly. Taken June 2012.

Are you smiling? I sure am! That is my just turned 13-year old son, Colvin with Molly. The cat is less than thrilled about Molly's presence, but she'll come around in time.

Not a lot to report on the stitching front. I'm working on a patriotic sampler right now. I wanted to release it in time for July 4, but that's not going to happen. Oh well, any time is a good time for patriotism, right? I have a halloween sampler called "Witchy Remedy" that is going to appear in the Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. I think it comes out in July. Be on the lookout for it- it's always a fun issue!

I had an MRI on Monday of my right shoulder. Been having a lot pf pain since March, so we're trying to find out what's going on. I see the orthopedic dr. July 2. My regular dr. feels it's shoulder impingement syndrome. We'll see what the orthopedic says and what the MRI shows. Fortunately, the pain hasn't stopped any stitching from happening! Well, thanks for stopping by.....come again when you can stay longer. And if I'm not here, leave a message at the beep!

Diane

I love my Mom...

so much that I stitched a sampler in honor of her and gave it to her for Christmas. It's my newest release called "Mother's Tribute". It's a quote from Abraham Lincoln. "Everything I am or hope to be I owe to my angel Mother."

I changed "angel" to precious because it fit within the design better. I don't think Abe would mind. The sentiment is still the same! I share my birthday with Lincoln so this sampler is extra personalized for me. You could even stitch your mom's name at the bottom instead of A. Lincoln (unless of course your mom IS A. Lincoln!) It's a quick stitch, so you can get it done in time to give it to your Mom for Mother's Day. I love my Mom and I'm proud to say that she's my best friend. (and now she's famous!)

It's Easter and the SON is shining!

This has been such a beautiful Easter weekend! A bit windy and cool but the bright sunshine makes up for it. Yesterday was truly a blessed day as I got to meet a promising new cross stitch designer who lives just a few hours away from me. Holly is a truly WONDERFUL person and I am grateful that the Lord had His hand in allowing us to meet. We met at a coffee shop in a shopping mall that was about the half-way point for both of us. I don't drink coffee, but I enjoyed the most DELICIOUS Chai Latte. Of course the conversation was delightful and the 3 hours we visited flew by quickly. Holly shared some of her sampler creations with me and they are GREAT! I know when she's ready to share them with the stitching world, you'll love them too! I wish you many blessings on this Resurrection Sunday. You can't keep a good man down.....HE IS RISEN!

Drum roll please.....

I finally have pictures of my floss cabinet to show you. The top part had its humble beginnings as a silverware chest that I got at a church sale. I saw its potential and began planning the transformation. The top wasn't deep enough to house my floss bags, so Dad and I built a new lid that was deep enough. I wanted to be sure I had plenty of room for all of my floss, so we built the lower part with 3 drawers. To be as thrifty as possible, we used a lot of scrap wood. Plywood, pine, and oak were all used in its construction. The whole project cost around $30.00 and I couldn't be happier with the final outcome! 

To mimic white porcelain knobs, I used small wooden spools painted white. 

The drawers are sectioned off with thin wood, to help keep my bags neat and tidy. The silverware chest came with a rectangular brass plate on top. I removed it, polished it, and had my initials (DMG) engraved in it. 

The brass handles on the lower section were originally attached to the sides of the silverware chest. I removed them, filled the holes and relocated them to their present location. Enjoy the pictures of a custom-made Grickensmith (Smith is Dad's last name) floss cabinet. Thanks for stopping by!

Long time, No See!

COMING SOON...Mother's Tribute"

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. Life just keeps on speeding by and time gets away from me. Being new at this blogging thing, I'm never sure if what I have to say is interesting to anyone else. Last time, I mentioned that my Dad and I were building a floss cabinet. Well I'm pleased to announce that it is finished and my DMC is happy in its new home. I have yet to organize my full palette of The Gentle Art floss (or is it flosses?)....all things in good time. I'll post a picture of the cabinet soon. Very soon, I'll be releasing a new sampler design named "Mother's Tribute". Just in time to celebrate Mother's Day! Enjoy your sneak peak!

Please stop by again. And feel free to leave me a comment. I enjoy knowing I'm not alone!

Diane

A...B...D&C

Sneak Peek of Witchy Remedy

47 Hearts

Sorry it's been awhile since my last post. I had to have a D&C on Valentine's Day. Can't you just feel the love?! All went well and my doctor does not suspect the polyp to be cancerous. A huge relief to be sure. My Dad and I have been building a floss cabinet which I hope to be able to show you soon! It's in the staining process right now. In my last post I showed you a sneak peek of my newest design, and I think you've waited long enough to see the whole thing. I'm also sharing a sneak peek of a sampler that is going to appear in the Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch. More big news to share....I have recently signed on with Norden Crafts Distributors. They will be debuting my designs in Nashville which is right around the corner. Lots of good things happening these days!