Start of Lent

My husband just celebrated his birthday as well. So many reasons why we both love February. Celebrating life with food, laughter and love is invaluable and the best gifts ever. Cheers to Mr. D!!! 

Well, after all the celebrations we are now offering our time and energy to our faith in Lord Jesus. Lent has already begun. Just like last year, I started a list of sacrifices that I can offer or share to others everyday for 40 days. Last Wednesday, a very dear person came to Church with me. She offered to drive me to Church so I invited her to join me. She is not a Catholic but she was deeply honoured to be seated there beside me... listening and acknowledging. Thank you Lord. 

This morning I received a very beautiful handmade "temari" from a very good friend. 

Shani made this herself. Mind you she is a newbie on this kind of craft... but look at how lovely her 1st piece is. I'm greatly honoured of being given a good luck charm for my birthday. Thank you sweetie! 

Do you remember the Worldwide Round Robin I joined last year? It was a success right? So then I joined another one this year. We started 1st of February and I have new group members of 4. We have a group page solely for our RR. 

These are the borders I stitched for my RR piece. The stitch count I'm in is 75x75. My green hand-dyed fabric is from Kelly aka Stitchnmomma from Etsy on-line shop. Her fabrics are awesome and affordable. She has good customer service and her products are all handmade. Go and check her shop now and you won't regret it. 

My theme is "letter A". I have always wanted to stitch the first letter of my name. I want the piece to look so girly so I used some flowery borders. There are a lot of French knots used. I love stitching these knots. 

I received an RR piece from South Africa. This was my 2011 RR group. And it will be the last square that I'm going to stitch. I just need to kit up my design then I'm ready for it. I'm sure I can finish it this week. 

I would like to show you the #2 order I finished for one client. 

I'm on to #3 order... then I can sew the pieces to make into lovely decorative pillows. 

Have a nice weekend everyone.... And in  your spirit. 

Happy Hearts Day!

Earlier on before my birthday, I have received a divine gift... but it was also taken away from me that same morning. It crushed me but I still thank God for answering my prayers. He has reasons and He knows best for everybody. I have to move on and celebrate life. Thank you Mr. D.

My birthday was not a blast but a blessing. I was pampered by everyone around me especially by my husband. Dinner was great at home when prepared with love and devotion. And of course, shopping makes my world go round! The best part of that day was when hubby asked me, "Are you happy?" I answered in a milisecond, "Yes. Thank you." 

Hmmm. It is Valentines Day after all so let me feel like Ana Scott for one day. Say cheese!!! 

This is my Valentines Day gift to my awesome husband. I hope he will love this just like the first framed heart stitch work I gave him last year. I decided to make it my hearty tradition for him every year. It will be a challenge and a routine that both of us will cherish. 

This is the finished piece of one of my Crazy Challenge projects (day 9 to be exact). It's called Alphabet Sampler by Better Homes and Gardens. I call it Heart ABC. The pattern is a freebie from the website. I re-started this last Feb 10 and finished it today, Feb 14. I made my own colour conversion to personalize it. The fabric is 28ct evenweave from Dove Stitch, hand painted purplish colour. 

I framed it myself. I bought a black 12x12 wall frame, alphabet sticker, black foam board and mat from Hobby Lobby. The colonial green mat was cut there too. I designed the mat this way so that my needlework would send some message to hubby... it reads (which I hope he will know), "AGD loves Travis". I do hope though that the stickers on the mat won't look so elementary. Well, this is actually my first attempt to do things on a mat to put colours and send messages to a stitched work. 

Yay! Honestly, my plan was to use the lacing technique on framing as you can see my piece is quite small so it wouldn't be possible. I then used some double-sided tape on the foam board. It worked! I was so gentle. And it was no-sweat! 

Time to spread some love everyone! Happy Valentines Day to all of you!!! 

The Time of the Year

I have been listening to Kenny G's Christmas songs since yesterday inside my craft room. I need more than that to feel the joy of this festive season. I miss my families and friends back home.... it hurts me to know that some people around me don't believe on this Christlike season. A pity on them... I'm glad though that Mr. D believes on my stories of Christmas... from childhood to adulthood. It warmed my heart to see the sparkle on his eyes when he is happy because I am happy. We both decided to celebrate Christmas in Church then lunch out. I thank my parents for showing me the spirit of Christmas as I grew up. I still believe in Santa. I know he is now a very, very busy jolly old fellow. 

Oh, yes I was busy too with my handmade presents. I am happy to announce that I am almost done with all the presents. Some of them were already shipped a couple of weeks ago. No answers yet from the recipients and I hope they appreciate the efforts and love my husband and me poured on them. 

These are the Christmas towels I stitched as presents for Mr. D's relatives. I love his family in Illinois and Missouri. They are sweet and thoughtful. I added one baby bib for a newborn cousin. He is the youngest cousin. So adorable too! 

I used this book of Lesley Teare, 101 Weekend Cross Stitch Gifts. The designs are cute and quick to stitch. Just what I needed. 

This is the big project I stitched for Mr. D's maternal grandparents. They are Christians and we both believe that they will love this work hanging on their dining room wall. I hope we are right. This is called "Be Present at our Table" designed by Sandy Orton. On close-up photo, I used some specialty stitches like lazy daisy and French knots. I love stitching specialty stitches because they make your works look better and detailed. Took me 2 weeks to finish this. I enjoyed it! 


I also want to share 2 finished RR pieces I have stitched.

This is an adorable "Snowman" designed by Linda Bird from Treasured Memories book of Craftways. The RR piece is owned by Nikki from South Africa. She likes it. 

Finally, this is the finished "Rose" that I have showed to you before. Designed by Joan Elliott from Floral Minis leaflet. The RR piece goes to Janet from Arizona. She likes it too. 


Right now, I'm working on some Christmas cards... not the usual ones that you see. I know I can finish this before Christmas. The recipients would receive them late but I'm sure they will love it. 


It's the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!! Merry Christmas everyone! God loves us and He gave us His only Son. Let's celebrate and be merry! 

My Fairy and My Dragon

I know it has been a long time since I came on-line. We are still in despair and put everything in God's healing hands. This is the time when our family is asking for a miracle. I can not dwell more on it in my blog because I promised myself not to publish sad stories of my life. All I ask from you dear readers are prayers for my family back in the Philippines. Thank you. God is forgiving. 

Cross stitching is my refuge but I haven't reach my deadlines. It helped me a lot though. I focused my attention back on my Fairy. 

Finally, I'm done with the wild flowers around her. It was fun stitching with the specialty threads of DMC especially the silk. Thanks to thread heaven. Last night, I started working on her wings. So lovely! I can't wait to show you my progress. 


I remembered telling you about the other RR I joined and this time facilitated. Well, luckily we got another stitcher on board so we can complete 4 squares now on each. It's getting fun.

Above, is the borders for my recent RR. My theme is dragons. I'm getting ready for the water dragon of 2012. Hopefully, I can get this back on January. The pattern for the borders came from Joan Elliott's Crescent Moon Dragon. The book is Bewitching (one of her best books). It just looks perfect for me. The other photo is the progress on my first square. The design is called Chinese Dragon by Lesley Teare from her book, Fantasy Cross Stitch. This book is also worth the keep. Oh, yes, I'm almost done with him. He will be ready for mailing on Monday to another stitcher in Arizona. 


I feel bad for the delay of items being posted on my Etsy shop. Thankfully, Mr. D cooked a new festive candle. 

This new item is called Snowmen. Another gel candle made wonderfully unique and happy. We are accepting orders for customized designs. These snowmen are so adorable! 


I'm all set for a new item which is a unique holiday decoration for any home this season. Stay tuned... 


Have a blessed weekend everyone. 

Juggling Balls

I guess I can consider myself an intermediate now on needlecraft especially on cross stitching. Salute! Such an accomplishment. Been three years now since I taught myself to create a design from a cross stitch chart to a needle artwork. Thank you Lord! 

Now I'm juggling four balls. Whew! First ball is being a homemaker; second ball is pursuing my nursing career; third ball is my new local craft business; and fourth ball is finishing my Christmas gift projects. Being unemployed is not boring after all. Ugh! But I do enjoy every bit of it. To make it more fun and memorable Mr. D tags along.

I have mentioned a project on my June blog, One Down, about a gift I am working on. 

First Snow is coming out regally. I am so proud of my hard work. It will take more time because it's 18ct and the colors are scattered. Difficult to keep it neat and clean. I posted this on Cross Stitch Club on Facebook. Thanks to a great mentor and I am now a part of that club. It was fun and inspiring to read their comments and see their works too. I hope I can finish this before the end of August because I still have a lot of projects listed. Aw! 

Promotion and marketing are trying to pull me down. What with an inexperienced trying hard entrepreneur. I'm still learning the ropes. I think I'm tying it too tight! I need a breather. This month I'll find out if I get to have the booths in FW  and OK. Crossing fingers! If not, I always have a plan B... and C. 

I'm concentrating on "back-to-school" seasonal items. My latest item is a fridge magnet.

I chose this design because the colors are lovely and eye-catching. It is a must for every Moms to know the schedule of their kiddos. What with PTA meetings, soccer games.... and after holidays back-to-school days. Making it as a fridge magnet is useful, fab and personal.

It can be personalized using a picture of your apple-of-the-eye. Look at Mr. D. Isn't he  cute?! This is an old picture of my hubby. Don't ask me how old he was here. You can just use a scotch tape to secure the photo. This way it won't ruin the fabric and the cross stitch work itself. I hope you like it! There's two more back-to-school items I'm outlining right now. Next week one item will be ready. 

Last Wednesday, I launched a Facebook page for my biz. It's called ACG Dobbs Craft Plus. It's linked to my Etsy. Just click the name of my page or Etsy so you can check it out. My Etsy shop, Purple Needle Flies, is ready to welcome new customers and friends. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

 

July Progress

Yesterday it rained. I call that nature's progress. The coming of the next season is already knocking. I'm glad. Everything went up because of the overbearing heat around us... and I meant the electric bills. Sigh! Thanks to rain! 

Last week, I launched my on-line shop at Etsy. I call that personal progress.

Shop is called Purple Needle Flies. And this is the banner. It was  designed by my husband. It means my needle can fly and progress anytime and anywhere because I love to try new things using my needle and thread. 

This is my shop's signature. Specially made needlecraft or handmade items are attached with this signature. I love uniqueness so that it will be remembered. Yes, Travis designed this too.

This tiny image is the shop's avatar. I can't upload a large pixel size so Travis made it so small. Ugh! I still love it though. 

It took me two months with the planning and implementation for this new business I jumped into. I never thought that promoting and marketing are more time-consuming. The only teacher I have is my mother. Problem is hers is pure retail, shops, and import and export. So I'm practically learning this by myself. 

My local business is not running mainly on-line. By fall I will be venturing on craft shows and fairs. I already applied for two out-of-town craft shows for November. Crossing-fingers. I am still looking forward for the local craft fairs. If all is well as planned, I will be needing stitchers for the mass production because my hands are tied for my state board review and I planned to work part-time for hospital exposure. Talk about superwoman! Ha! In God's will I will not stop. I already begun. 

I want to show you some of the items I am selling at  the present.

I am so proud of my items. I know it will take time before I will see profit but I'm not in dire need at the moment. I just want to enjoy every bit of the new experience and learn... share. To my readers you can check my shop at this link.... Purple Needle Flies. Just click that link! I will love to hear comments or suggestions. You will be teaching a newbie! 

Before I go back on outlining my 4th project, I would love to show you the flowery progress of my beautiful Purslane.

Even my tropical hibiscus got tired of blooming but this tiny purslane kept on cheering me up outside the kitchen window.... as I go about complaining about the heat and chores. Same goes to the family I have in three different countries. All is well! 

 

Twit Pouch

God is so great that blessings kept on pouring... again. Thank you Lord!!! We are all so happy. Still waiting for another good news... My heart wants to explode! 

Because I feel so hyper this week, I turned to my mags again for a new project. After two days, I was able to make this.

After reading my new favorite mag, Mollie Makes, I made a list of "must do" projects. So I started with the easiest one which is the freebie. It was really easy because I love hand sewing. 

The freebies are some materials that I used. It includes 4 pieces of cut-out felts and a button. The first thing I did was to make the templates. I used a parchment paper to trace the template. Cut them out and pasted them on a card paper. Using the templates, I was able to cut the design pieces for the pouch. I changed the colors and didn't follow all the instructions.

I used running stitch to sew the designs together and to secure them on the front of the pouch. It was like cross stitching because my fingers were doing their magic and easing their freedom. I used a cotton thread.
 

As you can see, I sewed a black button to give the pink bird an eye. It was not in the instruction. I wanted to make it more colorful and cute. Just followed my instinct!  I used a blanket stitch to sew the corners of the felt to create a pouch. On this, I didn't use an ordinary cotton thread; I used a heavy duty thread so that it can hold the stitches well. 

My first handmade craft. So fulfilling! I called this "Twit pouch". This will be a sampler for my next pouch projects.  My husband is so supportive that he made some designs of his own.

I guess this what happens when your adrenaline is at it's peak.