The Liebster Award!!

I was thrilled this morning to pop onto my blog to see that I have been awarded The Liebster Award! Awarded by Deb from,http://debthehappystitcher.blogspot.com/ , who has been so encouraging of my beginning attempts at cross-stitching.

Liebster is german for favorite and was created to bring attention to new and upcoming stitchers blogs with 200 or less followers.
There are a few things to do, so when awarded the Liebster Blog Award:
1. Choose 5 up and coming blogs with 200 or less followers. Be sure to let them all know they've been given an award!
Here is my list of 5:
http://kaingahappenings.blogspot.com/     An Australian Stitcher wife and mother of four children. I love gardening and craft, reading and enjoy looking in op shops.

http://crossstitchdramaqueen.blogspot.com/  a SAHM to 4 kids, 2 animals, and 1 husband. I find my sanity through cross stitching and quilting.

http://giraffexing.blogspot.com/  Theresa loves gardening and nature and have totally fallen in love with world of cross stitching.

http://stitchylion.blogspot.com/ striving to do well and keep up with all of her hobbies.always loved to cross stitch, still fairly new to scrapbooking and I'm just starting to get into baking.

http://fabulousfrogger.blogspot.com/  work full-time by day, and I try to fit in some stitching or crafting by night

2. The next requirement is to post the link back to the blogger who gifted the award. I would like to thank Deb for such an honor. http://debthehappystitcher.blogspot.com/ 
3. Post the award on your blog!
4. Share 5 random facts people may not know about you
    1. I ride my stationary bike and knit at the same time.
    2. I enjoy houseplants (but they don't enjoy me)
    3. I treasure privacy (is this also called paranoia? LOL)
    4. I do some web designing (shhhhh keep this a secret... I am not for hire)
    5. I love watching Dog The Bounty Hunter (only my boys know this....until now!)

Thanks again, Deb! This was fun. And a wonderful challenge. I hope this brings more stitchers together in friendship.

Counted cross-stitch raccoon progress (or lack thereof)

Feeling a little frustrated with the raccoon project. I've chosen yet another one that is above my experience level. Will I ever learn??

So, I sat down this morning and did a quick thread graph to use as a guide. And have hopes of maybe getting the lower right quarter finished tonight. It surely isn't that much to do, I just feel lost in the pattern. Quiet time in the studio to get my bearings and it will work out.

I did select another project (much to a friend's chagrin - she INSISTS that there never be two of the same type of project going at once). I happily and whole-heartedly disagree!!! The more projects of ANY type, the merrier!

I will take a pic or two of the raccoon progress tomorrow. Here is the snowman and bunny project.

White and Pink Crocheted Barbie Bed Doll completed

This was a custom order from a really sweet gal who purchased the lavender Barbie Bed Doll gown. She selected Miss March of the Centennial Collection as a white gown with pink accent. Unfortunately with all of the doctors appointments and hospital visits between hubby and myself, this gown took a lot longer than anticipated to complete.

I am so grateful for April's patience. I am certain she will feel the wait was worth it. She has also commissioned me to do two additional gowns that shouldn't take 2 months to finish!

Barbie Doll Diorama Box

Started to create a new room for Barbie and Fashion Doll Photo shoots. The idea for this is to use a foldable cardboard box for easy storage but provide an interesting background for taking photos of Barbie and her friends.

Here are photos of the progress. Items used printable dollhouse wallpapers, calender photos for outside window scene (interchangeable!).

 

This is planned out to be a living room setting. Furniture coming soon! Printing out wood flooring on cardstock. If I can hide this in the closet to prevent hubby from crabbing about more "stuff" in the studio, I would like to make this a little more permanent.

Drop Spindle Spinning - Success at Last!

Success at last! 
For about 2 years I have been trying to learn how to do hand spinning on a drop spindle. A lady gave me a bottom whorl version and it just would not talk to me. No matter how many videos I watched or how many people tried to help me learn, it would not click.

I watched a video or two or three of folks using a top whorl drop spindle and decided to order one. While waiting for that one to arrive, I converted my bottom whorl to a top whorl and gave it another go. Ta-Da! Success. Not professional quality to be sure, but it is a start!

This is a portion of 4oz colonial roving that I pre-drafted and the spindle with my new handspun yarn! The plan is to finish this roving up, set the twist, and either ply silk yarn or purchase some roving that will blend and add a nice contrast when plied. 

I received my new spindle and love it! I even started spinning silk hankies.

Dress Pattern Design for 8 inch Berenguer Baby

After some trial and error, I have designed a dress pattern for the 8 inch Berenguer Baby doll. The first one was too big. No biggie since it fits the Toddler Baby.
This one fits a bit tightly on the shoulders. The arm holes are tight. Will tweak the pattern pieces just a little. Then it is on to working out a panties pattern for a set.

I think I might offer the pattern, after tweaking. If I do offer the pattern, would I need to write out step by step directions?

Very first homemade apple pie (crust too!)

This has been put off way too long. I have always been so afraid of trying to bake a pie from scratch. We've been working hard on changing what we eat and how it's prepared.
Today, I baked my very first homemade apple pie crust and all. We haven't sampled it yet, but it sure looks pretty!
It wasn't nearly as hard as I had convinced myself it was. This fantastic website,"My Home Cooking" helped me step-by-step from beginning to baking.