grape jelly anyone??

fall must be almost here. I can tell by the grape vines in the backyard! I went out this weekend & cut the grapes off the vines. I didn't think there were very many, so I figured I would just get a little juice. So, today, I decided to make the juice. I got 6 cups of juice. I only needed 4 cups to make a batch of jelly, so I moved forward with it.

I got 9 8 oz. jars of grape jelly sitting here on the counter now. The house smells wonderful. I have posted some progress pix for all to see.

Enjoy!!!

Friday finish on Wed.

I finished the stitching on this at about 5:30 this am, so this afternoon I decided I needed to make it into a pillow right away!
The pattern is Harvest Thyme by Plum Pudding Needleart. I used another Needle Necessities floss for this one. I really love the look they give.

I am ready for fall now, with this finish!

Just received word.........

......the mail art that I did in July just arrived at it's destination. I sent it almost 3 weeks ago. It took forever to get there & then it was damaged when it arrived. I guess I won't be doing one of those again. Why is it, things like that always happen to me?!? Is it any wonder I get feeling the way I do.

Anyway, one of the groups I am in is a mail art exchange group. This was my first one ever. I was so happy with my piece & so excited to get it sent out. The gal just posted this am that it arrived in a postal damaged envelope. UGH!!!!!!!

I am attaching a couple pictures of how it looked when it left the PO here. I was very happy with it.

Emma's Garden

I finished Emma's Garden by Plum Pudding Needlearts last evening. I really enjoyed stitching this! It is done on Sassy's Gray Flannel jobelan. I used a Needle Necessities floss called Bouganvillea. (I think that is the spelling)
I am very happy with the outcome of this one!
Now, onto August LK flip it bits!!!!

Peach Bars Recipe

Well, there is one comment here already asking for the peach bar recipe & I have had emails asking for it as well, so I guess now that I have mowed all that I can mow, I will post the recipe. I will probably fall asleep with our company tonight, from all that work!!!
Here it is:

1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. soft butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
1/3 c. flour
3 c. fresh sliced peaches
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Mix flour, butter & powdered sugar until crumbly. Pat into 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over baked crust. Return to oven for an additional 30 min. Cut into 36 bars. I keep these in the fridge. They seem to taste so much better cold!!
Enjoy!!!!

Finishing Friday Finale

well, I don't WANT to be done having my "finishing fridays" but....alas.....school starts next week & one of the days that I will be babysitting is on Friday. So, I won't be able to devote the whole morning to finishings like I have been.

I have really enjoyed doing this & have received positive comments from so many of you, that I MAY have to figure a way to work a finishing time in somewhere else during the week. Can you believe I still have MANY projects stitched, that can be finished?!?!

A finish I did this morning, that wasn't stitching related was a wonderful Peach Bars recipe. We like to have this at least once a year, during fresh peaches season. We get some of the best peaches here! I thought I would share a picture of our yummy dessert.

I am in the mood for fall, so my first 2 finishes are fall pieces. I don't remember how long ago I stitched these 2 pieces, or even who they are by. I decided the pumpkin was the perfect size for a cube it. I had a cube on hand, so that worked!

The last one for today is a Brittercup Britty Kitty from last year. I did this one in the SAL with one of my groups. If I remember correctly, this was the first piece I did "over 1". I love the petiteness of this one! Perfect size for a Christmas ornament!

I had a couple other pieces pulled to finish today, but it is now afternoon & I really think I better go outside & mow the Weeds!!! It is a gorgeous day here---the humidity is GONE!! We are in the upper 70's!!!! MY KIND OF WEATHER!!!!
Thanks to all who look & comment on my finishes. It ispires me to keep pressing on!!!

short on finishings

Hi all,

I had about 7 pieces laid out that I wanted to finish today. I am just too tired to do them. I am afraid I will mess them up, so I stopped with two.

I stitched the little Amish girl this week, so I knew I wanted to finish her right away. I did her for a SAL in one of my groups.

The Joy ornament was also for a SAL in the same group. I did this one last year. (it is M Designs)

I stitched the Brittercup "gotchya" for a shop in Kansas. A friend was telling me about this shop. It was destroyed by a tornado this spring. The gal is reopening her shop & needs stitched pieces to make the walls look welcoming. My friend's shop is doing what they can to make this happen. Many people are donating their stitching time to do these for them. I really enjoyed stitching this & it feels good to know I did something to help someone in need.

The last picture is my WIP. It is Emma's Garden by Plum Pudding Needlearts. I am doing it on Sassy's Gray Flannel. I love it! I am using Needle Necessities Bougainvillea floss.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

The Beauty of living in the Country

Oh, how I love where we live! There is so much beauty around us! I went out to take floral pictures yesterday am. I am attaching a couple of them here.

I looked out my back door yesterday am & saw the the turkey family. I wonder if this is the turkey family from last year!?!? I have pictures from last year with a mama & a papa & a bunch of young ones. Looks like the same amount or close to it of young ones, only larger!

This morning, as I was walking back over here to the computer, I looked out & there was Bambi, right in my yard!!!! He/she was so close, I could about count the spots!!!!!

AWESOME!!!!!!!

FANTASTIC FINISHING FRIDAY!!!!

Well, today was a day for finishing! This is the 3rd week I have done this & I must admit, I really like it. The feeling is great to have so many things done.

I wasn't able to totally finish some of the things today, but they are real close. I need a run to Joann's or Michael's or Hobby Lobby for ribbon. The stuff I have isn't right for these projects.

Before I start telling about them, I need to tell about a new finish today, that wasn't cross stitch related. My best friend came over & together we made 8 hanging towels for kitchens. I am getting a head start on Christmas!!!! I can see these being great gifts! I know I love the one she made for my birthday!!! I am attaching a picture of them.

After she left, I started my finishings. I totally finished the Merry Yule piece. It was an ornament from the ornament SAL last year.

Bloom needs a really pretty piece of ribbon for it, & then the pins put in. Joy needs a piece of ribbon & pins. Garden needs a nice ribbon as well. Pumpkin also needs a ribbon. Gosh, I hear a pattern here. The photo album needs a piece of cording around the stitched piece.

My excitement stitching for the week was my mail art project. I got it finished & in the mail. I mailed it 2 weeks before the deadline, but I had it done, so I wanted to get it sent. I cannot wait for the reaction of my exchange partner. I LOVED how it turned out & I hated to part with it. I will post pictures of it after I know that she received it!!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone & thanks for looking at my blog!!