Belated Blogging Blues

Today is a difficult day for me and probably alot of you are feeling the same way as I do.  Today is a day about our loved ones that are no longer with us.  Last night my hubby and I watched "Dear John", such a great movie!!!  So in the mixed up crazy part of my life, I missed my one year blogaversary (May 1st) and I have several things I feel obligated to blog about and want to so you can see some amazing things  I have received from wonderful blogging friends from all over.  What I have decided to do is finish out the obligations I have made on exchanges, etc.  Post a couple of final posts and put my blog on vacation.  I haven't been a very good blogger lately and even though there are things I really want to share with all of you, I really lack the motivation, no matter how small or how big, to post.  So I will try and keep up with all of your blogs, but feel like my blog has become a downfall for me.  I hope you understand.

Smiles....

Scissor Superstitions

I read this early this morning and thought it was food for thought and kind of funny, too. So I thought I would share it with you all, since I love scissors and collect them like so many of you. What is your take on it?

Superstitions About Scissors

• You will 'cut off' fortune if you use scissors on New Year's Day
• Scissors should be put away during thunderstorms to decrease the likelihood that the house will be struck by lightning.
• Placing a pair of scissors under the pillow of a woman in labor will ‘cut her pain in half’.
• As with childbirth, placing a pair of scissors underneath the pillow of anyone in pain will halve their discomfort, making it more bearable.
• Breaking both blades is a sign of an impending disaster.
• Giving a pair of scissors as a gift will cause problems in a friendship by cutting the relationship in half. When giving scissors as a gift, the receiver should always give a little money in return, since ‘buying’ the scissors will not cause the friendship to be cut.
• A pair of scissors nailed above a door in the ‘open’ position, so they resemble a cross to some extent, was said to protect a household from witchcraft and evil influences.
• Dropping a pair of scissors is said to warn that a lover is unfaithful.
• Breaking one blade of a pair of scissors is an omen of quarreling and discord; if both blades are broken at once; a calamity is to be feared.
• Scissors should always be sold, they should never be given.
• On Wednesday and Friday, no one should use a needle or scissors, bake bread or sow flax.

Superstitions about Needles and Pins

• See a pin and let it lie, sure to rue it by and by.
• Never lend a pin to a friend lest it prick the friendship.
• A bent or crooked pin is thrown into a wishing well for good luck.
• Dropping a needle was good luck unless it sticks upright in the floor, then company was expected.
• Remove a needle or pin from the packet and prick the recipient before giving it to them
• A knotted thread means an argument is coming.
• A tangled thread on a needle during mending gives health and prosperity to the owner.

Challenge #6 - G.O.S.

 

Here in Utah it is 11:01 p.m. and I have just finished Challenge #6, for The Gift of Stitching.  I made it just in time, too, since it closes May 13th, whew!!!   

I used a small piece of 28ct linen and DMC threads with some Blue Moon beads.  The pattern reads, "I only have red thread".  I couldn't resist taking part when I ran across this sweet little pattern on a blog I discovered over the weekend.  The fun part was trying to decide how to finish it.   So, the hunt began and I found this cute little "curio" at a second hand store and it was then that I knew what I was going to do. 

I removed the plastic "glass" and picture that was in the frame opening.  Then I antiqued the front only with apple butter brown stain to give it a little more antique look.  I coffee dyed the linen half way through stitching to get an idea of how I wanted it to look.  I decorated the tree with some gala apples, reduced the size of the puppy because I wanted a miniature one.  I satin stitched the roof, added some window panes and a belt with a flower to her dress.  Placed a door knob on the house and gave her some facial features.  Once the stitching was done, I added some brown cotton lace and a "ladder" ribbon to add interest.

When you open the cabinet you will find that "I only have red thread" inside.

I hope you like my little version of this pattern, I had fun making it.  Thanks for stopping by, and I love your comments, they make me happy!!!  Until next time, happy stitching.   Smiles.....

Jolene

Happy Mother's Day

My Beautiful Mother "Gail"

1936 ~ 2005

If Roses Grow In Heaven

If Roses grow in Heaven, Lord,

please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother's arms

and tell her they're from me.

Tell her, I love her and I miss her,

and when she turns to smile,

place a kiss upon her cheek

and hold her for awhile.

Remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

but there's an ache within my heart

that will never go away.

~Author Unknown

My Beautiful Mother-In-Law, "Helen"

Age 17

As I was laying in bed this morning enjoying my breakfast and playing on the computer, I remembered a cross stitch I made for my mother  for Mother's Day many years ago.   I thought I would share some photos of it with you today:

This is a pattern from Bent Creek called "Mom and Dad" that I stitched up using my own version of hand dyed threads.  I had it framed in an antique frame that I had cut down to size. I love the marbled purple/gold mat along with the eggplant suede mat that compliments the finish.  I added alot of Mill Hill charms and antique glass beads.  You can click on the photos to supersize them.  I have added some butterflies, tulips and little flowers to personalize it "my style".

Happy Mother's Day!!!

~Jolene

Three Crows

Hi my friends, it has been a long time since I last posted, but I have been working on some "secret" projects/exchanges.  So....I thought I better take a minute for a quick post and update you on my latest and greatest addition....

This is a design by one of my very, very favorite designers, The Goode Huswife, called "Three Crows".  I was able to stitch this thanks to CathyB for sharing this design with me.  I love blackbirds, they are so mysterious.  I used the DMC threads as called for in the pattern, no changes were made which is so unlike me.  I guess it's perfect the way it was planned.

I really like the mustard flavor that was used on this one with the black.  I like to use off-beat colors as they add interest to the design. The "Three Crows" is going to be framed in a handmade black frame (made by yours truly, me, myself, and I).  I believe I have a perfect spot in my kitchen where I can display this one.

Hooray for sunshine, it makes taking photos soooo much nicer.

I love this old, really old, worn out black velvet pincushion. It is shaped like a heart, but you aren't able to see it that well in the photo. It still has the old pins in it and some of the heads on them are interesting.  I bought it last weekend at an antique store, the lady mentioned she bought it at an estate sale and it was made in the late 1800's.  I had seen this pincushion in her store about two months ago, but didn't buy it, so I was very lucky it was still there for me when I went back.  I guess it was meant to be for me:) 

Below is another new start I am making for my cousin's first baby.  I have to keep a low profile on this one because she checks out my blog and I want it to be a surprise.  So, I won't be posting anymore info on this one until it is done. 

Have a marvelous weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommies!!!!  Thanks for visiting and as always.....Smiles

Jolene