My First Tutorial Completed - Stem Stitch

I completed my very first tutorial demonstrating how to do the stem stitch. It is posted at my quilting blog, Vertical Quilting Curve. I've tried to have close up photos to help you see how I do my stem stitch which I use for my redwork embroidery pieces.

Let me know what you think but be kind since it is my first one. I hope it is useful.

Here is a photo of the completed stitch.

Time Flies When Life Happens

I can't believe I haven't posted anything here in such a long time. But it's not because I haven't been busy or haven't been writing. Although we have been taking turns being sick around here I have been doing articles for my other blog Vertical Quilting Curve and being a good reporter for Craft Critique.

My quilting articles always have the latest posts listed on the side bar here so you can check those out whenever you like. Also, if you're not a regular over at Craft Critique you should check them out as well. They had a very popular segment on organization which I didn't participate in because I'm more in need of an organizational intervention. I'm lucky if I can see the floor of my craft space from time to time. I did read the articles so I really shouldn't have too many excuses.... Some of my articles though lately include - Celebrations: Tea Party, Kids Craft: Decoupage, and Michael Miller Memories Fabric Paper.

Also, last night at our Chicagoland Craft Collective meetup I helped Susie teach embroidery stitches. She does some nice embroidery. You can visit her and see what she's working on at her blog Susie Can Stitch.

I Won a Contest!!

Yesterday in the mail I received my items from a contest I won over at Mom Is Teaching. Just look at these goodies. The main items are 2 books by J.H. Sweet in her Fairy Chronicles series: Marigold and the Feather of Hope, the Journey Begins and Dragonfly and the Web of Dreams. Summer of Mom Is Teaching also included some garden items, stickers, seeds and a very pretty wind chime.

The books themselves are beautiful. They are paperback but are printed on a nice paper and disply gorgeous artwork. My daughter is anxious to hear the stories right after we finish a couple Katie Kazoo books.

Thank you so much Summer.

Flea Market Fun

Last month the Chicago Craft Collective went on a little field trip to the Kane County Flea Market and I couldn't go. Luckily, this month I was there. I took along my hubby and my 6 year old. When I almost decided not to go my daughter begged and begged. So, since I didn't really need much encouragement I said "ok". And, although we warned her there would be lots of walking involved she still was excited until we actually got there. Then it was all about the feet hurting after just getting through one booth until we found Barbie dolls, new in the box for only $5. She picked out a cool cheerleader representing Texas. Later she found a used but good condition Cinderella Barbie for another mere $2 then 2 rings for $1. She definitely made out especially when we found swimsuits for $5 and I even got one. They were brand new with tags still on. The vendor says they got them in a lot at an auction from an out of business water park.

Okay, now we had lots of good bargains but not exactly what I intended to be on the lookout for at the flea market. Then I found a pile of old banners of mostly vacation destinations. In the pile I got this Kentucky - Birthplace of Lincoln which is going to go great for a scrapbook section using photos from a trip to the actual birthplace of Lincoln in Hodgenville, KY. I also picked up one for Brown County Indiana which I also have photos from a visit. It is a great place to view fall foliage by the way and not quite as expensive as New England.

Then I found my last purchases of the day. A 2 yard piece of this sweet vintage fabric and a handkerchief in great shape. It was a great day and I could have spent a lot more money without trying too hard.