Cross Stitch - Cross Stitching - Cross Stitch Woman Blog

LIZZIE WAS A SWEETHEART

2010-02-14T20:19:00.005-05:00

LIZZIE

Who was ole Lizzie ?

Lizzie was well known in my hometown. She was a woman of her time. Lizzie always wore a dress, nylon stockings and some days an apron. On a very hot Indiana day Lizzie would roll her nylon stockings down to her ankles, becoming anklets. She wasn't into Keds tennis shoes that were popular in those days, she had hard leather shoes. Walking many miles a day with her little red wagon and those hard leather shoes.

Lizzie worked each day around town pulling her little red wagon looking for food. Many grocery stores knew Lizzie and would give her handouts. Her day started early until late in the day. She was a hard worker and was ahead of times for women working outside of the home. It never mattered what the weather was, hot, cold, rain or snow, everyone seen her all around town.

On this Valentine's Day...
I look back at my memories of Lizzie and realize she was the "towns sweetheart".
Most town folks knew Lizzie had her own "sweetheart" and his name was Pete.
It was commonplace to see Lizzie and Pete walking to town. As they both worked for their finds each day. Lizzie with her red wagon and Pete with his big cart. One day as Lizzie was headed to town she posed for her picture. I was just a young child learning a camera and ask to take her picture, she was so thrilled.

Lizzie and Pete both have passed away but there isn't one person from my hometown that doesn't have a Lizzie & Pete story. When Lizzie's name is mentioned...it brings a smile.

After all these years I truly feel ole Lizzie was a real "sweetheart" !!

I hope everyone has enjoyed this Valentine's Day !

Until We Meet Again...
HAPPY STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SNOW SNOW AND MORE SNOW

2010-02-08T23:21:00.002-05:00

Snow storm is on it's way !!
This only makes our second snow storm within 4 days. Last Friday we received over 5 inches of snow. Starting tonight through all day Tuesday we are to receive an additional 5-7 inches of snow. Then on Wednesday the wind is to whip the snow around and make matters worse.

There are many of us who love snow storms, especially those who don't have to get out in the storm. Myself, I love being home looking out and watching the falling snow. I also love being home and thinking of what I can cook, I find on these cold snowy days it is comforting to be home with a hot home cooked meal. Comfort food !

I myself don't get out to build a snowman but I thought I would share with all of you the life of a snowman.

LIFE AS A SNOWMAN
Its okay if you're a little bottom heavy.
It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.
Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.
There is nothing better than a foul weather friend.
Wearing white is always in style.
Winter is the best of four seasons.
The key to life is to be jolly, happy soul.
We're all made up mostly water.
You know you've made it when they write a song about you.
Accessorize ! Accessorize ! Accessorize !!
Don't get too much sun.
It's embarassing when you can't look down and see your feet.
Its fun to hang out in the front yard.
There's no stopping you when you are on a roll.

As the snow falls and the winds blow I hope to be cross stitching on my latest pattern. I am stitching BLACKBIRD DESIGNS from Joyeux Noel book pattern " MERRY CHRISTMAS". I am stitching a little slow but I will get there finishing this pattern to move on and put Christmas behind me until our next Christmas season.

Until We Meet Again...
HAPPY STITCHING !
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SANTA CLAUS IN GILDED CART

2010-01-25T22:43:00.005-05:00

HO HO HO !!
The ole CROSS STITCH WOMAN is soooooo slow !!
But what do you know ...
Santa Claus has arrived !!

Yes, Santa Claus in his gilded cart is here, finished & framed.
I finished backstitching Santa about ten days ago and was trying to figure which frame was right for him. I had a red frame but I kept thinking the antique looking frame went better with the color of cloth. I don't know the name of the cloth, only that it is 14ct and I liked the antique look.

Santa Claus In Gilded Cart is from The Schiffer Collection by designer Donna Gallagher. The title is " FATHER CHRISTMAS III ". I bought this pattern booklet on Ebay and it is a retired booklet.

I have a love for folkart, antique and old world Santa's. I feel this pattern fit into the antique look of Santa's. I must say, I enjoyed stitching this pattern but the backstitching seemed endless. The copyright was 1990 and I can sure say today's patterns are much easier to follow. Overall, I am happy I stitched ole Santa Claus in gilded cart as he makes a nice addition to my Christmas collection.

I am ready to move on to a newer project and thinking of doing one last Christmas pattern by BLACKBIRD DESIGNS. "MERRY CHRISTMAS" from the JOYEUX NOEL Booklet. I will be making a change on my cross stitch of this pattern. I will replace the snowflakes with the holly/berries. I feel this will give a little more color to pattern.

Until We Meet Again.
HAPPY CROSS STITCHING !!!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SNOW AND STITCHING

2010-01-11T18:45:00.002-05:00

We still have snow and cold weather. We are to have a warm up this week, in the 30's but still flurries. It has been so cold out that you just want to stay home.

It has been nice to stay home and do my backstitching in the evenings. I am hoping to be finished soon. I never realized how much backstitching this pattern has. It now has me looking at other patterns and thinking to myself... how much backstitching does this pattern might have. Ha! Looking each pattern over very closely.

I really want to finish this pattern of Santa and his gilded cart so I can move on to a few ornaments. When spring arrives, so does my seasonal spirit getting with the new season. I normally don't want to be cross stitching Christmas when it is Easter.
That is just me and that seasonal spirit again.

Have any of you noticed BLACKBIRD DESIGNS has announced the next and last two stocking booklets. Those being November and December. Very pretty !! The gals are asking for suggestions for upcoming patterns. Boy did I have a few suggestions. I suggested quick ornaments such as vintage Santas, snowmen and Christmas trees.
I also suggested witches as I am a witch collector. I know they have done two Halloween booklets but there is always room for more. I would love to see finishing instructions.
I don't know about anyone else but I love to see tutorials on finishing, they can be so educational. Any tutorial dealing with cross stitch I welcome.

Better get back to my backstitching !

Until we meet again...
Happy Cross Stitching !
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

NEW BEGINNINGS

2010-01-04T23:54:00.004-05:00

New Year has come & started with a blast of freezing weather and snow. It is in the teens tonight and was 2 degrees last night. We have another winter storm heading our way on Thursday. The weatherman won't give an estimate of how much snow we are to receive but says an accumulation.
Of course the ole saying in Indiana is...just wait five minutes and the weather will change. So, we will wait and see !

New Years Day our family got together for an evening dinner at our home with the daughter-in-laws pitching in. It was a nice quiet dinner. Then arriving was the freezing weather.

Normally on New Years Day, I always take down our Christmas tree but this year it had to wait a couple more days. So, today... down came the Christmas tree and all the decorations. Funny how the house looks a little bare without all the bright red colors. I was told once that people feel depressed after Christmas and all the color "red" is gone in a home. The color "red" brightens a home and feelings.

Today, I feel like I have a new beginning with the Christmas decorations down, put away and now I can get back to some normalcy in my life.
With that said, comes... time for cross stitch !

I have started back cross stitching on my Antique Santa In Gilded Cart. I am going crazy doing all the backstitching. I do have plans of finishing Santa before the month ends. I am looking forward to starting a new cross stitch pattern. I had another Christmas pattern from Blackbird Designs picked out but thinking maybe doing some quick ornaments.

In todays mail I received a package of very old CROSS STITCH MAGAZINES. I am talking over 20 years old. This might sound odd, but I feel they are better magazines than some of todays on the market. I have been looking at some ornaments that look inviting and perhaps quick to do.

So, I am looking ahead in this New Year of 2010 to doing some of my own coffee/tea dyeing cloth and hoping to stitch a few ornaments. I love the antique look.

As I finish Santa & his cart I will be posting a picture. I had better get busy cross stitching !! Please check back soon for Santa's picture.

Until we meet again...
Happy Cross Stitching !
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

NEW YEAR

2009-12-31T16:12:00.002-05:00

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2010

"CHRISTMAS DILLS"

2009-12-28T12:16:00.006-05:00

Every Christmas season we see the dill pickle ornament. To me it never made much sense why would anyone want a dill pickle ornament on their pretty Christmas tree. Then one year I attended a "Christmas Tasting" to find a dish full of what looked like hamburger dill slices dressed up somewhat. Looking at me were "CHRISTMAS DILLS". Needless to say ... that year the dill pickle took on a new meaning to me.

From many years past, I have made the "CHRISTMAS DILLS" recipe and given them as gifts. I always receive compliments and can I have the recipe.

So this Christmas season I would like to share with all of you my "CHRISTMAS DILLS". Yes, they are dressed up hamburger dill slices. And I might mention they are very addictive, bet you can't eat just one !

CHRISTMAS DILLS
1 Qt processed,sliced hamburger dill pickles
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 Tbls Onion Flakes
1 Tbls Prepared Horseradish
3 Tbls Vinegar
1 Tsp Celery Seed

Drain pickles and discard the liquid.
Combine all ingredients.
Repack jar, adding sugar alternately with pickle slices.
Refrigerate.
Shake jar frequently to dissolve sugar. Soon jar will be 2/3 full of liquid and crisp slices.
Refrigerate 24 hours before eating if you can keep from eating them sooner.

I hope you enjoy these "CHRISTMAS DILLS" !!

Until I start stitching again...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-24T21:53:00.001-05:00

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SANTA AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAWS

2009-12-12T13:02:00.003-05:00

Yes, ole Santa is on his way...

I am cross stitching fast to finish my Antique Santa in his gilded cart. I will be posting pictures soon. I swear the backstitching is tedious and so much of it.

I stopped in Needle Fever Shop, Indianapolis to pick up BLACKBIRD DESIGNS September and October Stocking Booklets and while there I found a great bargain. I purchased six DIMENSION Santa Ornaments on sale, who ever did the stitching of these Santa Ornaments did a great job. I have a vintage Christmas Tree and they go great on it. And again...they may end up on my large Christmas Tree.

My daughter-in-law Melissa is cross stitching making Christmas gifts. She ask if I had some white Aida Cloth. I said...lets look into my stash, Melissa laughed & said
"oh my lands". She walked out with white, pink & red Aida Cloth. That isn't mentioning all the other colors I have in my stash. STASH...that is another posting someday! As I told Melissa...this happens to us all who do cross stitching, needlepoint or rug hooking.

I know I have mentioned before that I have two daughter-in-laws. Melissa, does cross stitch. Karen, has done cross stitch and a few other projects. However, Karen is very busy with 4yr.old "Little C". Karen is also my gal who does the posting of my pictures and template changes to this blog. Karen, is a very busy gal but to our surprise this morning...we received a plate of homemade Christmas cookies. And they were delicious !!

So, I feel lucky to have two great daughter-in-laws that share cross stitch with me.
Thank You Karen for the cookies and all the help with this blog !
Thank You Melissa for sharing my hobby...cross stitch !!

Soon I will have pictures of Santa and his gilded cart.

Until then...
HAPPY CROSS STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

THANKSGIVING DAY

2009-11-26T01:29:00.002-05:00

Wishing everyone a " HAPPY THANKSGIVING " may you all have peace and be safe throughout your travels.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

2009-11-03T10:34:00.012-05:00

Halloween night was with a brisk air and full moon. The streets were lined with trick or treaters as they were welcomed by lit pumpkins on door steps.

My husband and I had our " Little C " and a friend's daughter knock on our door to treat them with their goody bag. "Little C" was dressed as Buzz Light and our friends daughter was a pirate. She was the prettiest pirate we have ever seen, lipstick and hair in pigtails.

We decided for our Halloween evening to have a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Iron Skillet. We were greeted by their beautiful decorated entry way. Greeting us was Hilda the witch and all the autumn colors, lighting and scarecrows. I have included some pictures to share with all of you the great decorating the Iron Skillet Restaurant puts on each year. They have a professional florist do their decorating. Each table is decorated with lit candles and a floral arrangement.
The Iron Skillet Restaurant is known for their food. Their specialty recipe is the Onion Soup. Of course, each dinner is specially prepared to your order. They ask if the evening is a special occasion and if so you will be served brownies with lit candles. To end your dinner you are served ice cream and your choice of toppings at your table. As your dinner evening ends...so does a friendly handshake and hoping to see you again soon. My family has been going to the Iron Skillet for many years and I must say...it is a fantastic restaurant.

Halloween night ended for my husband and I by having a quiet evening back home with a movie and myself...cross stitching my antique Santa.

Until We Meet Again,
Happy Cross Stitching
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

FOUR HALLOWEEN STOCKINGS

2009-10-27T13:09:00.006-04:00

BOOOOOOO !!!!
DID I SCARE YOU ?
OF COURSE NOT !!

Halloween is upon us and I have been running so far behind on my cross stitching. I only got four of the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS HALLOWEEN STOCKINGS stitched. I have completed only one with the fabric backing. I will finish the other three before Halloween.
However, I didn't want anyone to think "suppose she fell off the face of the earth ". So, today I am showing just the one finished Halloween stocking. Showing is Jack O'Lantern with ole black crow/pumpkin. On the back side is the black/jack o'lantern face fabric.
As you can see from the pictures...the other Halloween stockings are...Haunted House, Whooo's Knockin at My Door ? and Trick or Treat.

I have enjoyed cross stitching these Halloween stockings, but at this time I believe it is time to retire TIS HALLOWE'EN booklet until another day. It is a fantastic Halloween Cross Stitch booklet for anyone who loves Halloween.

I have purchased from the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS two new booklets. Midnight Watch and Joyeux Noel. Midnight Watch will be on my "to do" list when the snow is falling. I love the black cat and the moon.

Can anyone tell that BLACKBIRD DESIGNS is my favorite designer of cross stitch patterns ? Barb and Alma are two great designers and not just cross stitch, they design rug hooking and quilt patterns. Oh, can't forget their blog...

As my little grandson " Little C " says...What's next Grandma ?

Well, next is a retired, out of print pattern I bought on Ebay. FATHER CHRISTMAS III by Donna Gallagher, Creative Needlearts and the Schiffer Collection. I am cross stitching Santa Claus in Gilded Cart and planning on framing in an oval frame. This old Santa Claus is from Germany in an antique cart. Santa looks really old and that is what caught my eye. I thought I had better start stitching Santa now hoping to have him finished to enjoy for this Christmas season. There are many details to this cross stitch pattern and I hope I don't go crazy stitching them.

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL"

Until We Meet Again...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

HALLOWEEN STOCKINGS AND ALL

2009-09-20T22:21:00.011-04:00

CROSS STITCH....WHAT IS THAT ?
I have been a little slow on doing my cross stitch lately, been busy but getting back in the swing of things .... cross stitching. The nights are getting a little longer since autumn is upon us. Evening falls quicker too. I get settled in and can't wait to start cross stitching on BLACKBIRD DESIGNS "TIS HALLOWE'EN". I was in NEEDLE FEVER recently and they had on display several of the Halloween Stockings. They are so cute and it really made me want to get them finished. I am only on my second stocking. So, I had better get with it or Halloween will be here and gone.

Speaking of finishing stockings. I am so thrilled that Barb and Alma from BLACKBIRD DESIGNS gave www.twistedstitcher.com blog the go ahead to put on her blog how to do finishing with pictures of the stockings. How helpful !!

I have picked out these Halloween fabrics for finishing the backs of the stockings. I think they are pretty simple but cute. Since the stockings are so small I didn't want large printed fabric. So, simple it is.

Have you ever stitched a pattern that took forever, made you crazy, in the end you hated it ?
Well, that happened to me a year ago. I didn't frame it until now. Guess what ? I really do like this pattern since it is framed. I stand back and look at it and think....not bad !
I am speaking of ....HAUNTED WOOL designed by Kit & Bixby. I never realized how many colors of gray there are until this pattern. That is what made me crazy stitching this pattern. Not to mention...I got off count too.
So, since Halloween is around the corner I decided it is time to frame it and enjoy
Now...I am enjoying the HAUNTED WOOL.

While in Needle Fever, Indianapolis, Indiana last week, I picked up JUST CROSS STITCH 2009 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS issue. Very impressed and I have picked out many ornaments to be stitched. Maybe I should say...they are on my "to do" list.
Of course...one more BLACKBIRD DESIGNS STOCKINGS BOOKLET....SWEET AUGUST !!

Oh my.....I think I will be cross stitching many stockings when the snow is falling !

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN....
HAPPY CROSS STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

911

2009-09-11T14:21:00.004-04:00

"REMEMBERING 911" AND THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON THIS TRAGIC DAY !

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

LABOR DAY

2009-09-07T10:31:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone has a wonderful "LABOR DAY" !!!

Until we meet again.......
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

AUGUST MELON

2009-08-26T19:55:00.004-04:00

MY "AUGUST MELON" designed by BLACKBIRD DESIGNS is finished, framed and up for display in my home.

I find it so exciting when you are looking to frame a completed pattern. I have to say... it can be challenging. I must have spent over an hour looking for the just right frame, color and mat or not to mat. I decided to not mat this "AUGUST MELON" pattern. I did use the soft sticky board to frame this pattern. I admit I was very nervous trying to do it correct, so fearful it would stick and I not have it situated evenly. Once I got it on in the position I wanted ... was I thrilled !!
If I say so myself... I am very pleased and proud of this framed "AUGUST MELON".

I am so happy to have this project finished before the end of August since the name is "AUGUST MELON".

My frame and self-adhesive frame board was purchased from Michaels.

HAPPY STITCHING
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

INDIANA SWEET CORN

2009-08-19T00:11:00.004-04:00

This is the time of year that everyone in Indiana goes "sweet corn" hunting. In Indiana you take a country drive to find the farmer who has planted fields and fields of "sweet corn". You can buy fresh picked "sweet corn" by the dozen or bushel, prices depend on the farm stand.

My husband goes "sweet corn" buying hoping to find the "just right" taste he is looking for. Just because you find a farm stand selling "sweet corn" doesn't always mean it is the taste you want. There have been years where the corn may not have any flavor or not be the right time it was picked. This year has been the exception !!
We stopped by the farm stand to again find the so called "Indiana Sweet Corn", as talking with the young boy selling the "sweet corn" he says " this year ... is the best". We have been experimenting for several years and this year we are right on target for the best yet. And he was right ! This has been the best "Indiana Sweet Corn" !!

My husband has purchased many ears of corn so we can cut the corn off for our freezer. Now, when I say many ears of corn... this is the funniest thing this year, this young boy is selling his "sweet corn" 10 ears instead by the dozen. Because we have bought so much "sweet corn" we got a "real deal" ... 11 ears of corn for $4.00.
Still not a dozen. Most of my life being raised in Indiana and buying "sweet corn" we always bought by the dozen and the farmer would throw in one extra ear of corn. This young boy won't give in to sell his "sweet corn" by the dozen. All he can say is "nope". So, we get those 11 ears of "sweet corn" and go on our merry way. For the life of me...I don't get it....why not by the dozen ?
Despite having to buy "sweet corn" by this young boy's standards, we feel we have hit the jackpot with his "sweet corn". It has been the best "sweet corn" we have had in many years.

So we get our "sweet corn" home and then begins the work...cleaning the "sweet corn" for cutting. We start by husking the corn, picking all the silks off, washing and drying each ear of corn. My husband cuts the corn off the ear just enough to get thin layers of corn. Then he takes his knife and scrapes the corn milk off the cob. When we feel we have enough corn for a freezer bag..we bag the corn and then freeze it. This makes for delicious "sweet corn" all year long.

Our family prepares the "Indiana Sweet Corn" by putting it in a large pan, butter, salt and pepper, sometimes a couple tablespoons of sugar and couple cans of Milnot Milk. Let the corn mixture cook down slow on low heat.
This last month I received a recipe using Heavy Cream and Whole Milk. Both ways are great !

So... as "corny" as this story goes...you now know why "Indiana Hoosiers" go "sweet corn" hunting.

Until We Meet Again...
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

" EMPTY NESTERS "

2009-08-10T23:55:00.007-04:00

This last week was a busy week trying to figure out who our new family members were or better yet.... what they were.

I was home alone one day last week only to hear such a strange noise. A noise that caught my attention. This noise sounded like someone grunting or coughing and then a loud moving around sound. I stood still trying to figure out did I have a visitor that would surprise me out of my skin as I entered another room. You might know...all noises disappeared.

Later in the evening, I hear that coughing/grunting sound. This time I go to tell my husband...we have someone or something living with us. We both stood quietly listening for another sound. Oh yes...we got one, and then another and another. Scratching and a lot of movement noises. As we figured the damper to be closed to the fireplace we took to the thinking...whatever it is will go out the same way it came in. Really ???

Another day comes and goes and by this time it is weekend. And at last we finally received summer in Indiana. Indiana summers can be quite hot and humid. Such as it goes the ole hot humid weather of 93 degrees with heat index of 102 degrees kicked in just in time to put off the worst odor anyone could imagine in their home. My husband says " don't tell me that thing died ". I said "oh no..I hear it scratching & moving around".

I started calling for ANY animal rescue to come fast. After many calls, I finally get a man that was giving me lessons on raccoons as my impatient husband in the back ground says...just ask him " can he come NOW ". Trust me...that day I knew God was watching over us !! Just so happens that man was in our town on another call, not raccoons but a snake rescue.

As the rescue man arrives so does my little grandson " Little C ". "Little C" heard about Grandma's raccoon on his way to our house, but as he sees the rescue man he didn't know which was worse. This man had a long beard and "Little C" is scared of men and long beards. So, he says " I am not going in ".

The rescue man looks up in our fireplace only to see looking back at him a litter of coons. I think this man was so proud of himself as he diagnosed our problem. He then says, I am not going to try and pull them out but I will put a male raccoon scent up in the damper and this will run the mother and her litter out and away. We thought..that simple ? No, not really, we have another fireplace. He told us that the mother raccoon would just move her litter to our other fireplace chimney so he had to put the male raccoon scent up into that damper too. He said to just give the ole mother coon some time and she would move her litter to another home.

As this story goes...by Sunday evening we had a new definition of "EMPTY NESTERS". And we have never been happier to be "EMPTY NESTERS" !!

Now to the lesson I was receiving on raccoons. A mother raccoon and her litter don't like the scent of a male raccoon because a male raccoon is very aggressive and if he isn't the father of the litter, he kills the litter. So, this is why a raccoon rescuer uses male raccoon scent. The mother raccoon moves her litter to another home. And as we live in town not the country, these are "city coons".

As far as the rescue call on the snake... no snake yet, so he set a trap.

What's next...chimney caps !!

Until We Meet Again ....
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

LA - D - DA ~~~ A STAR POUCH

2009-08-05T09:16:00.006-04:00

Last night I started on a new pattern, A STAR POUCH by the designer LA-D-DA. This pattern I picked from a trunk show at my local needle shop NEEDLE FEVER, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. The small antique looking pouch caught my eye immediately. I also thought it would be a quick stitch. The model was stitched on 35 count Straw linen by Weeks Dye Works. Being the person I am & not handling linen well...I chose to do this pattern on a 14 count Aida antique looking cloth. I wasn't too sure about the Aida cloth but the shop owner suggested it. So, I thought looking at the color of the cloth it would look antiquish. And I thought the shop owner knows more than I do...so go for it.
I love this antique looking cloth and hope it will look good when finished.

Along with this pattern is a matching pattern called A PENNY SAVED. It has the same little Star Pouch.

I am including a picture of both patterns which are from the company of LA-D-DA.

HAPPY STITCHING !!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

AUGUST MELON

2009-08-01T12:58:00.004-04:00

Can you believe I just finshed the AUGUST MELON, BLACKBIRD DESIGNS Pattern. I didn't plan it this way to finish on the 1st day of August. It just so happened !

I now need to find the right size of frame and then I will be totally finished, ready for displaying in my home.

I feel I have achieved so much by stitching this pattern. I didn't work on it every day or night but when time allowed, so it did take me a little time to complete.

I stitched the pattern with DMC Floss so I feel the melon color is a little different. To me it is the color of a Cantaloupe Melon. However with that said...I feel it is a very pretty color and goes well with the pattern.
The cloth is 18 count Aida natural color. This pattern AUGUST MELON came from the BLACKBIRD DESIGNS Booklet titled A FINE COLLECTION.

Check back to see an update on this post with a framed AUGUST MELON.

HAPPY STITCHING !!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

GRANDPA AND THE GOOD OLE DAYS

2009-07-29T00:32:00.002-04:00

"GRANDPA AND THE GOOD OLE DAYS" is how the song goes...tell me about the good ole days.

Well, my "good ole days" with Grandpa were every July 27th & July 28th. My two Grandpa's birthdays were side by side. They weren't the same age. And they were so different as Grandpa too.

My first Grandpa worked at a coal company. His job was to oil all the draglines and heavy equipment. Hard to imagine but he never missed a day of work, not even when we had the snow blizzard of 1978.

There never was a day gone by without stopping in to see my Grandpa when he got off of work. He worked on cars at his garage for people. He also worked on my bicycle fixing my tires. After fixing my tires he taught me how to ride my bike backwards. Trust me... he was much better doing so than me. As I learn how to drive he always preached to me the first lesson about a car, you can let it run out of gas but never let it run out of oil.

My Grandpa sure could be a character when he wanted to, but overall he loved all of his children and grandchildren. I was the third grandchild in the family among many others down the line.

I always made sure he got his birthday card every July 27th as he loved to see his cards.

My second Grandpa... many years my Mother's family got together and had a birthday dinner for Grandpa. We always tried to have his birthday dinner on Sunday as he owned a Phillips 66 Station. The station was closed on Sunday.

I had a different sort of granddaughter relationship with Grandpa, I was the only granddaughter out of six grandsons. Yes, he did spoil me. My Mother always said after a Sunday visit back home that she couldn't do anything with me as Grandpa spoiled me. He held me as a baby most of the day. I meant the world to him & him to me. As I grew older, there were many Sundays he took me to his family to show me off. Again, I was the only granddaughter. As I would go home on Sunday evenings he always made sure he gave me a couple dollars folded up.
I was in the eighth grade of school when he just had to buy me a new bike. Can you believe an eighth grader still riding a Sting Ray bike ? Not in todays world ! Grandpa was so proud of buying this new bike for me. It was a Schwinn Sting Ray and they were the new thing that year. We walked from his station to the bike shop and as I rode that bike out of the shop, he couldn't have been prouder. That was the last thing my Grandpa ever did for me as he passed away that fall. That year happened to be 1964 and here we are today 2009 and I still have that Sting Ray bike with the original tires, flower basket, banana seat and high handle bars. I just can't seem to part with it.

I also made sure Grandpa got his birthday cards too.

Yes, Grandpa and the good ole days !
Again, both of my Grandpa's were different but yet alike in many ways as they both loved their children and grandchildren.

So, every July 27th and July 28th I go back into time thinking of the "good ole days" with Grandpa. Here is to each...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA !!!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

SUPPORT NEEDLE SHOPS

2009-07-28T00:51:00.003-04:00

I was in my local needle shop last week visiting with the owner. As we were talking, the owner shared with me she would soon have her contract renewal of her needle shop location. The owner shared that she didn't know if she would be staying in business or not. The ups and downs of the economy and the history of needle crafts being very seasonal was taking a toll on the business.

Over the last year the shop owner has sent email news letters asking for all of our support by buying from her shop. She wants to remain in business but the economy is playing a huge factor.

There are many advantages of buying from our local shop owners...
Being able to see patterns/charts in front of you.
They will always be happy to order anything for you.
But more than anything... the knowledge they can share with you is great.
If ever a question on how to do something, they are there to help you.
Also, trunk shows...just the best way to see first hand what is new.

So, I am hoping that each of us won't forget our local needle shops and the owners during these tough economic times.

Plese support your favorite needle shops !!

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

BARBECUE SAUCE

2009-07-24T11:34:00.004-04:00

Absolutely the best barbecue sauce !!!

THE JUG !!!

THE JUG comes in a red jug and you just cannot beat this barbecue sauce. It is great for grilling, hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, chicken, turkey, bratwurst, ribs and etc. The Jug is great for homemade barbecue sandwiches too.

THE JUG is sometimes very hard to find, therefore, ask your local grocery store manager to order it for you. They will be happy to learn about such a great barbecue sauce.

THE JUG Barbecue Sauce is packed by A. Camacho, Inc., Plant City, Florida.

THE JUG BARBECUE SAUCE is a sweet, mild barbecue sauce. My family has been using this barbecue sauce for at least 25 years. It is very addictive and cannot be beat as a great barbecue sauce.

Please look for it and give it a try, you will add it to one of your favorites.

HAPPY GRILLING !!!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN

COOKOUT

2009-07-21T23:55:00.011-04:00

Sunday was a cookout day and the kids came over to eat. On the cookout menu were grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. We had bar-b-que beans, scalloped corn and scroodles. For our desert I fixed a peach cobbler and our daughter-in-law Karen brought a banana cake she made. Karen's banana cake was delicious.

I am giving the recipes for food I fixed and Karen will have to post her Banana Cake recipe.

SCROODLES
This recipe is on a previous post, please check the archives for Scroodles.

BAR-B-QUE BEANS
Large can Campbell's Pork n Beans
1-2 Small cans of Campbell's Pork n Beans
Heinz Ketchup
Brown Sugar
Chopped onion

I mix all the ingredents to my taste of being sweet, so the ketchup, brown sugar & chopped onion is to your liking. I put sliced bacon on top of mixture and bake at 350degrees for about 2hrs or until I feel they are cooked to my liking. Sort of the guessing game.
The reason for 2 small cans of Campbell's Pork n Beans is because they have more juice than the larger can.

SCALLOPED CORN
1-Box of Jiffy Mix Corn Bread
2 Eggs,beatened
1-Cup of Sour Cream
1-Can of Cream Style Corn
1-Can of Whole Kernal Corn, drain half of juice
1-Stick Butter, melted
2 Tbls of Sugar
Salt & Pepper to liking

Bake 350 degrees

Mix all ingredients together, bake 1 hr. covered and the last 10-15 minutes uncovered dish and finish bake until golden brown.

PEACH COBBLER
4 Cups peeled, sliced peaches
2 Cups Sugar, divided
1/2 Cup Water
8 Tbls Butter
1 1/2 Cups Self Rising Flour
1 1/2 Cups Milk
Cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Combine peaches, 1 Cup Sugar and 1/2 Cup Water in saucepan. Bring it to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes. Put the butter in a 9x13 baking dish and put in oven to melt.

Mix remaining 1 Cup Sugar, Flour, Milk. Pour slowly over the melted Butter, not stirring.

Spoon peaches on top and gently pour the syrup over it. Sprinkle with cinnamon on top. Bake 30-45 minutes.

Serve hot or warm with ice cream, cool whip or whipped cream.

Enjoy !!

**I want to mention the Peach Cobbler recipe came from another Cross Stitcher/Designer's blog. Plum Street Samplers** Be sure and check her blog as she has free patterns and recipes.

Our Sunday cookout was enjoyed by all of us. I hope if you try these recipes they become a favorite of you and your family.

CROSS STITCH WOMAN

COUNTRY SAMPLER

2009-07-20T16:42:00.005-04:00

Guess What ??

It is out...
The new Country Sampler magazine for the month of September. It is packed with autumn decorating. This issue is always my most favorite because autumn is my favorite time of the year. I am a Halloween collector and just love seeing all the Halloween decorations.

I have taken a few pictures so all of you can take a peek inside Country Sampler magazine. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I have.

You can also get on www.CountrySampler.com and find some interesting tips on decorating. I found a Stitch Guide for sewing and directions to Tea Staining on felt, muslin and paper. You just never know what you might find. So, please check into the Country Sampler.com.

Enjoy !!
CROSS STITCH WOMAN