Playin' With Threads

Since yesterday brought some very sad news about a dear friend in my ILCS yahoo group, I thought I would try my hand at dyeing some threads as I couldn't concentrate on stitching.

My first try was tea-dyeing one skein of ecru and two of white.
I loved the aged effect that the tea had on the threads.
It's easier to see the shading in the first picture.

Next up I made up nine small batches of dye.
Country Blue, Tan, Scarlet, Navy Blue, Wine, Yellow, Denim & Black.
I was going to do a bit of color mixing, but ran out of white thread, oh well tomorrow is grocery shopping day and Michales is close by.

I really love how these turned out and it helped to lift my spirits for a bit.

I also made my first online order (not ebay) of hand-dyed threads on the 11th, they came in on the 18th, not bad for the holiday season.
I ordered from Nordic Needle since they were having $2.99 flat rate shipping and I received an on-line coupon for $5.00 off my order of $30.00 or more.
I picked out 22 different threads from The Gentle Art, 8 Simply Shaker Threads and 14 Sampler Threads.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas filled Family, Friends & Love.
I also want to send a very heart felt Thank You to all of you for your wonderful comments that you leave behind, I cherish each and every one, they help to keep me motivated.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy

Bless Your Heart

I have finally been stitching again and have a finish to show for it.
I have one more to finish, hopefully before Christmas.


"Bless Your Heart"
Designer: Sandy in Montana
Log Cabin Needlework's
Copyright 2010

Stitched on 32 count cream Linen using DMC threads.
Finished as a small pillow.

This will more than likely be sent to my dear mama for Christmas since she keeps saying she has no more wall space left to hang things.

Merry Christmas and Happy Stitching Everyone
Hugs' Sandy

Tis The Season

Merry Christmas, Everyone !!!

I love this time of year with all of the decorations and such.
I have never been one to care if there were presents under the tree or not,
I have always loved seeing all of the lights, Nativities, and other
decorations so much more.
I feel the True meaning of Christmas is much more important.
But I do love to give to others, so here are a couple of quick to
stitch Christmas ornaments just for you.

I hope you have as much fun stitching them as I had designing them for you.
All threads are DMC but feel free to change the colors.
I would love to see what you stitch up,
so drop me a line if you finish one so I can have a peek.
My e-mail address is in my profile.

NOEL

Designed By: Sandra Longan Miller
Company: Sandra Longan Designs
Copyright: Copyright 2010, Sandra Longan Designs. All Rights Reserved.
Stitches: 47w X 33h
Size(s):
14/28 Count, - 3-1/4w X 2-1/4h in
16/32 Count, - 2-7/8w X 2h in
18/36 Count, - 2-1/2w X 1-3/4h in

Full Stitches:
DMC
500, Blue Green-VY DK - Leaves and stems
728, Topaz - L
780, Topaz-UL VY DK - N
782, Topaz-DK - O
783, Topaz-MD - E

815, Garnet-MD - Berries

Merry Christmas

Designed By: Sandra Longan Miller
Company: Sandra Longan Designs 
Copyright: Copyright 2010, Sandra Longan Designs. All Rights Reserved.
Stitches: 54w X 54h
Size(s):
14/28 Count, - 3-3/4w X 3-3/4h in
16/32 Count, - 3-3/8w X 3-3/8h in
18/36 Count, - 3w X 3h in

Full Stitches:
DMC
319, Pistachio Green-VY DK - Leaves and stems
644, Beige Gray-MD - Border squares
783, Topaz-MD - Merry Christmas
815, Garnet-MD - Berries

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
with all of Love and Joy that this Holiday Season brings.

Take Care & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !!

Wishing everyone a Blessed & Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving !!

I haven't posted or stitched for that matter for a bit too long, I've been quite busy trying to get some cross stitch designs all done up so I can have the required ten charts to post on Cross Stitch Addicts.
I never knew how time consuming designing could be when you have add all of the floss tables and needed items and instructions if needed, then turning them into PDF files. But, I'm hoping
(ie: saying lots of prayers) that I get it right and it will all be worth it in the end.
Anyway, we have been hit with lots of winter weather this week.
Can you believe that it was 60+ degrees on Thursday, 18 Nov. then it started to snow just a bit that night and by Friday morning we had 3" of snow and it kept on a snowin' until Sunday. We ended up with somewhere around 6"-8" of the fluffy white stuff.
And with all this snow came below zero temps, so I just stayed in the house and working with my design program and keeping the wood stove going. Nothing like the wood stove to keep the house toasty warm.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy

Fall Weather & Stitching

Hello all of my stitching friends, fall weather has finally come to Montana.
We have been having unusually warm weather for October, which has been lovely, but the temps are starting to fall into the 40's and 50's for the highs and 30's for the lows, which means that snow is coming soon. And the winds have been howling for the past two days, which just means more lovely crunchy fall leaves on the ground.
I love walking in the crunchy fall leaves.

Now onto my stitching.
Here is my latest design and finish.

"Give Thanks" Biscornu
Designer: Sandy
Stitched on 32ct. cream linen using DMC threads.
Finished 10-19-2010
The saying around the back edge reads:
For All We Are Given, Give Thanks Unto GOD From Whom All Blessings Flow.
I'll probably change the buttons at some point if I find ones that I thank are perfect, for now it just has pearl look cream buttons.

I'm working on getting some of my designs ready to sell, I've gotten a PDF program that I'm learning to use and I'm learning more about my Pattern Maker program so I can design my own layouts for the charts and adding instructions for the things that need them.
I really do hope to be selling my designs soon, either on a sale's blog of my own or with Cross Stitch Addicts after I get more info from them, only time will tell. If your interested in my designs I hope you will be patient with me while I get things all sorted out.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitching....

Hugs, Sandy

Pumpkins In Hardanger

I got the Hardanger bug the other day and designed this trio of pumpkins.

Design: Hardanger Pumpkin Trio
Designer: Sandy in Montana
Stitched on 28ct evenweave using DMC & DMC Color Variations

Thanks for stopping by and thank you so very much for all of the wonderful comments that you leave behind.

Take Care & Happy Stitching
Hugs, Sandy

More Autumn Finishes

Happy October Everyone

I've finished up two more autumn pieces,
and what says autumn, well more pumpkins of course.

"ABC Pumpkin"
Designer: Sandy in MT
Stitched on 32ct hand-dyed linen using Caron Wildflowers in Marigold and Moss and DMC 310
I added a little bat to go along with the stitched spider.
Stitched: 09-26-2010 Finished: 09-27-2010
I finished this one into a little tin that I cannot open since I got in a hurry and put the lid on to soon after painting it black.
Oh well, we live and learn and I'll be more patient next time around.

Design: Harvest Blessings
Designer: Cecilia Turner of Heart In Hand
Stitched on 32ct hand-dyed linen using DMC Color Variations threads.
Stitched: 09-29-2010 Fimished: 09-30-2010
I changed this design by adding happy fall and a couple of buttons.
I omitted the original wording, border and star.
Finished it as a pin pillow.

Thank you all for stopping by and leaving you thoughts, I appreicate each and every one of them and they keep me designing and stitching.

Take Care & Happy Stitching Everyone

Hugs, Sandy

An Autumn Finish

Autumn is here.
My favorite season of the year, so my stitching has changed with the season.
Designed for the Autumn season and a reminder to always be Thankful for what we have.

"Have An Ever Thankful Heart"
Designer: Sandy in MT
Stitched on 32ct. hand-dyed linen using DMC, Color Variations & Caron Wildflowers.
Finished as a smallish pillow.

Thank you for stopping by and for all the wonderful comments you leave behind, they all mean so much to me.
Take Care Everyone .... Hugs, Sandy

Happy Autumn Everyone
&
Happy Stitching

A Stitchy Gift For My Friends

I thought I'd share a pattern with all of you today, just to say "Thank You" for all of the wonderful comments that you've left behind after your visits, I really do appreciate each and every one of them.

Design: "Needles & Scissors"Designer: Sandy in MT
Log Cabin Needlework's
Copyright 2010
Threads: DMC
the heart symbol is 115 variegated red
the large dot is 310 black words, initials and date 115
all other back stitching 310

Take Care & Happy Stitching Everyone
Hugs, Sandy

Needles & Scissors Box

I finished stitching this piece a few weeks back and was just waiting for some inspiration to slap me upside the head so I could turn it into a finish.
It took a while, but finally on Thursday I got a round to the finishing.

The lining fabric matches the "Needles & Scissors" needle book I stitched and finished a few months back. It's a bit hard to see here, I didn't realize how closely the background fabric matched in the pics.

"Needles & Scissors" Stitching Box
Designer: Sandy in MT
Stitched on 32ct. linen using DMC threads and tea dyed after stitching.
Attached to a painted paper mache box lined with cotton fabric and has a magnet in the lid for holding needles, hand made cording from DMC pearl cotton threads surround the design.

I'd like to thank all of you who stop by to take a peek at my blog for leaving a piece of yourselves behind. I truly appreciate all of your comments, they warm my soul and keep me stitching and designing.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitching...
Sandy

A Bit More Stitching

Hello Stitcher's :
I have a couple of finishes to share with you all today.

First up is my first attempt at Count Your Blessings, I stitched this a few months back and really didn't like the way it turned out and almost threw it in the trash, but I told myself that nothing is perfect and it's just more prim-country the way it is, so I tied it to a rustic basket.
You might have seen it in the pictures of my craft room.

"Count Your Blessings"
By: Lizzie Kate
Stitched on 32ct. cream linen using DMC threads.

I finished stitching this one last Friday it's a freebie from By The Bay Needleart.
You can find it here: http://bythebayneedleart.blogspot.com/

I finished it totally backwards the first time and had to tear it apart and start over.
I put the batting in the wrong place so when I went to turn it the batting was on the outside and not in the middle, and sometimes it seems that I can't sew a straight seam to save my life.
Oh well, I still love sewing and always will.

"Star For Summer"
From: By The Bay Needleart
Stitched on 28ct. Monaco from Charles Craft using DMC threads and tea dyed after stitching.
Finished as a (not-so-perfect) quilted wall hanging with antler buttons and jute.
I changed this pattern around just a bit to suit my own tastes.

Someone asked a while back where I get my hangers. I've gotten them from Ben Franklin Crafts before they went out of business up here and at thrift stores.

I want to thank you all for your wonderful comments, they really warm my soul and keep me stitching, sewing & crafting. Hugs to you all.

Take Care Everyone & Happy Stitching
Sandy

A Campin' We Did Go

My DH decided that life was to short and we needed to start taking vacations this year, so he procured a new to us 1993 Colman Cedar Pop-Up Tent Trailer (PUP) with a two burner stove top and a galley sink (pump handle, you get water) no refer, no indoor potty. We had all the other trappings for outdoor living purchased several years ago along with an extra large tent we've never used.

(all pics are click able for a better view)

Our home away from home. Yes, that is an oven he bought to take on the trips.
(Pic from our 2nd trip)

This is how are first camping trip went.
We went camping at the beginning of July to the Pryor Mountains , but that was only an overnight trip and we had to move camp a few hours after setting up.
Can you say "BEAR"!!.
Yep that's right campers, our German Shepard Cody went on alert with pacing and growling and hackles raised and DH was hearing the huffing sounds they make when their walking around, so we got out the guns just in case and packed everything up in record time and left that spot to him/her.


The day ended with COLD temps, lots of wind and rain.

First trip, second spot.
Jack sitting, Cody patrolling.
Yes the brown enclosure is the outhouse and even though it is right outside the door of the PUP I was not allowed to go out after dark without DH supervision.

Our second trip was much less eventful. (No Bears)
My DH took a few day's off at the end of July and decided that we would go camping in the Big Horn Mountains. 9500 feet above sea level here we come.

Our dogs loved this trip, and we found out that Jack really likes the water since he went out to wade in the lake every day, chest deep.

Our destination, Shell Lake Reservoir .

The view from our campsite.
Shell Lake Reservoir, what a beautiful view and very relaxing, too bad we didn't get a fishing license as there were lots of fish jumping around feeding on flying bugs.

Nestled amongst the pines is our home away from home for the next 3 days all set up and ready for relaxation.

Our first camp fire and yes we did the required marshmallow and weenie roasts.

The end of our trip. It rained the last night and morning we were there, so packing up was a soggy affair and everything had to be unpacked and dried out when we got home several hours later.

All in all it was a nice trip with some short day hikes, a beautiful view and time with my DH Robert.


Thanks for stopping by and Take Care Everyone.

Hugs and Stitches ...... Sandy

My Craftin'-Sewin'-Stitchin' Room

Here they are craft fans, pictures of the place I call my "sanctuary".
My very own room of sanity, my Craftin' Room.

(You can click the pics for a bigger view)

This is where I do all of my cuttin'. I have all of my fat quarters and 1/2 yard pieces rolled or folded and stowed on the top shelf.
My "tools" are on the pegboard and all of my stitchin' fabrics and stuffing are on the bottom shelf. I have my stitchin' fabrics sorted by type in the bins.
The white drawers hold all of my laces, ribbons, felt and small fabric scraps.
The wicker basket holds "need to be finished" projects
The dark file cabinet holds my craft patterns and a ton of genealogy notes.

Here's my sewing machine and all of my bit's and bob's for finishing different craft projects.
All of my Caron threads are in the mirrored cabinet, the white drawers hold other threads, button's, bead's and etc. Sewing machine essentials are in the wood cabinet. The room door is a dutch door so I can close the bottom half to keep dogs out when needed.

Here's where I keep all of my cross stitch magazines (center & left), pattern books (right), freebie patterns (gray binder) and my original designs (blue binder) plus anything else that needs a temparary home until I get it sorted.
The big blue container, you can only see half of, holds all of my 1 yard or more fabrics and yes it is FULL. Spoiles from working at a fabric store and a craft store in California.

Here's my computer that I hardly use, all of my extra DMC, Caron and Pearl Cotton threads. My DMC on bobbins and Mill Hill beads are in the gray tackle box.
And a BAP/UFO on the scroll frame.
Of course, the closet is full of craft stuff like pinecones, nuts and moss in containers that I collected for wreaths and baskets. I'd really like to clean that space up but my DH has stuff in there too and doesn't want me moving it.

And yes, that's a rifle case next to the floss, nothing stitchy in there, just my rifle.
A girl's gotta protect her stash ya know. LOL

Hope you enjoyed the tour, I didn't take a picture of Hamilton my cockatiel, but you can see a corner of his cage in the first picture.
I do want to thank you all so very much for the wonderful comments that you leave behind, I appreicate each and every one of them.

Take Care Everyone and Happy Stitchin' and Craftin'
Hugs & Stitches .... Sandy

A Couple Of Odd Finishes

I was going through my "stitched" container and found two pieces to finish off.

I stitched this piece way back in the late 70's or early 80's and decided to finish it and let it see the light of day.
An odd thing I noticed about this early piece is that I used to cross my stitches to the right /, but somewhere along the years I changed and started crossing them to the left \. Strange how things can change overtime and you never notice.

Design: "A Taste of Southern Living"
Stitched on 14ct. Band-Aida using DMC threads.

I stitched this Hardanger Heart not long after I made the needle roll that matches it.
I intended to make a matching needle book with it but noticed that I stitched it on the wrong half of the fabric, so it sat for almost a year waiting for me to finish it.
Hardanger Heart designed by me.
Stitched on 32ct. Zweigart linen using DMC Color Variations.

Well, that's all for today stitcher's.
I am stitching, though not much, one BAP for my DH and a smaller freebie sampler. I think I have fallen in love with the alphabet samplers.
Been trying to get some stitching organizers and pincushions all stitched up, but it seems like I always need another fabric to finish a piece, oh well, I'll get there soon.

Take Care Everyone ...... Sandy

Stitchin', Sewin' and an Idea

I finally managed to get in some stitchin' time this week along with some sewin' time.
I call that the best of both world's.

First up is a Lizzie Kate freebie "Liberty"
Stitched on 32ct. linen using DMC Color Variations.
Finished off as a pin pillow.

My second finish is another Lizzie Kate freebie
"Count Your Blessings"
Stitched on 32ct. linen using DMC threads and finished as a mini quilt wall hanging.

I've been making more of the strawberry, pumpkin and tomato pincushions as well as working on a couple of patterns for stitching and sewing organizers to sell.
What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Let me know your opinion.

Well that all for today stitcher's I truly do appreciate your stopping by and leaving a bit of yourselves behind.

Take Care & Happy Stitching...... Sandy

Finally, Some Finished Stitching

Being in less of a stitching mood and more of a sewing mood does have it's advantages.
I managed to get three pieces finished.

" Alphabet Sampler Tree"
This was a free pattern you can find here:
http://amonamipierre.net
Stitched on 32ct linen using DMC variegated threads.
Finished as a quilted wall hanging.

"Scissors Heart"
Stitched on 32ct linen using DMC #115
Finished as a medium sized pin pillow.

"I Love A Country Collection"
Stitched on 14ct aida using DMC.

I finished this piece several years ago (2006) and planned on entering it in the local fair so I framed it in a hurry using duct tape.
NEVER DO THAT!!
I started getting some discoloration that was peeking beyond the frame, so I went ahead and cut it down this year and made a quilted wall hanging out of it. Much more country looking this way, I used cotton calico and denim from an old pant leg.
I never did enter it in the fair.

Thanks for stopping by and thank you for leaving a piece of your self behind in the wonderfully kind comments you post. I do appreciate each and every one of them.

Take Care & Happy Stitching .... Sandy

Antique Sewing Machines

Since I've been in much more of a sewing mood I thought I would share pictures of my three very "Elegant Ladies".
Two are Singer's and both function but need some parts to make them sewing members of the family. The third is a Western Electric and will never be functional but is still very beautiful.

You can click the pictures to get a better view.

Elegant Lady #1
This is my Singer Treadle machine, I had wanted one forever and when we first moved to Montana it was a house warming gift from my DH. It just needs the long belt replaced and the base of the metal thread spool pin trimmed down so it can be used.

Elegant Lady #2
This is my Singer Electric machine, I have no idea what model this one is, it came in it's original cabinet, but with no paperwork. This one runs, but needs a lot of cleaning and some work to make it functional. The paint is really ruff on it, but I just love the look of the older Singer machines.

Elegant Lady #3

This is my Western Electric table top model, unfortunately she will never be a sewing member of the family. There are far too many parts needed, like the power cord and all the accessories, but she looks great in my sewing/craft room.

I would have loved to have any one of theses elegant ladies up and stitching this past weekend when my eight year old Brother XL-5340 decided it needed a vacation not once, not twice, but three times over the past four days. I got her fixed up and she's back in sewing order, but I think a servicing/cleaning trip may be in order soon.

Have A Great Day Everyone
Hugs and Stitches ..... Sandy

My Sewing Machine Is Getting A Workout

I've been using my sewing machine a lot lately, and this is the latest fruit of my labor.
You can find the tutorial for this project here:
http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSPincushionOrganizer.pdf

It's a sewing organizer with a removable scrap bag, pocket panel and pincushion.
The pincushion is 9" long and has a weighted bag in the bottom to keep it on the table or on the arm of your sofa or chair.

You can make this using two fat quarters of fabric and some flannel.
It called for wool felt for the center strip on the pincushion but I used flannel.
The weighted bag is filled with dry rice, but you could use sand or dried beans to weight it down. I even made a strawberry emery for my sewing snips out of a couple of leftover scraps.

Thank you all for stopping by my little corner of the world and leaving a piece of yourself behind, I always love reading your comments.

Take Care Everyone
Hugs and Stitches ...... Sandy

More Stitchin' & Pin Cushions Galore

Well I've been busy stitchin' & sewin'.
I kind of got sidelined on a pin cushion sewing adventure for a while, but then got my stitchin' mojo back and made a Needle & Scissor Case with a matching Fob.
Now, if I can only find a pair if prim scissors in black the look would be complete.
You can click on the pictures for a better view.


Here is the front & the inside of my needle & scissor case along with it's matching fob. I designed everything but the big fancy scissors, I got them from a freebie pattern. It is stitched on 32ct. linen tea-dyed after stitching, using DMC thread in 310 & 115. I even tea-dyed the felt piece. I got the fabric from Hobby-Lobby and made the cording from the same DMC threads.

Here are the passel of pincushions I sewed up. There are two tomatoes with strawberry emery's, a strawberry with a strawberry emery, two strawberry emery's (hanging), two pumpkins and a little tomato. Aren't they just too cute.

I also fabric covered a couple of cardboard textile bobbins to wrap some of my flat trims on. I definitely need to make some more of these.
You can find the pattern here:
http://sarahdenormandie.over-blog.com/article-679373.html

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a piece of yourself behind, I really do appreciate all of your comments, they make me smile & keep me motivated.
I hope you all have a great weekend filled with sunny weather and lots of stitching fun.

Take Care & Happy Stitching
Sandy