I must be in a red phase

Well, I've gone through all my WiPs and I've decided to finish the Multiplication Sampler. This is a sampler done entirely in red (again!). Here's the original post from July 2008. Nothing more to show right now, I'm just working on the grid portion so it's pretty boring. Here's a reminder of what it will look like when it's finished.

I finished my ABCs

I just finished this about 20 minutes ago. So pretty. Now I have to decide on how to frame it. Instead of french knots, I've used seed beads - love it. Now I'm going to pull out one of my REALLY OLD WiPs and work on it!

Front

Back

Close up of seed beads

Abecedaire coeurs (Hearts Sampler)

14 count Aida, 10" x 12"

DMC 321 and 498

Footprints...for mom

I did this piece back in 1998 for my mom. It was her favorite story/poem. Mom passed away in February 1999 and one of my nephews asked if he could have it. I gave it to him with strict rules about his responsibility for it and that if he really wanted it, he had to abide by all my rules. I really wanted to take it from him and put it back in my collection, but I was so touched that a teenager (and a boy, no less!) saw it as a treasure. It's one of the pieces I did prior to even taking pictures of my work. Fast forward eleven years and this same nephew is now married and this piece hangs in his house. We were visiting over Easter and I finally was able to get a photo of it. It still reminds me of my mom and I was so happy to see it again.

I'm back (and I'm stitching!)

So, it's been awhile since I've posted. This is the reason why...

I love my Kindle but it's very addictive. I think I need a support group. I actually get excited if I have to wait in line for something because that guarantees Kindle time! But I do realize, that with all things, I need to bring balance back into my life. I've really missed stitching, and I'm forcing myself to put the Kindle down and pick the needle up.

Back in August 2009, I started working on this piece. I'm now laughing about how I said I would finish it in a couple of weeks...yeah, right.

Fast forward to March 2010, and I've been slowly making my way through it. I'm just about to start on the last section (T, U, V, W, X, Z). So here's what it looks like as of today.

And, as always, here's the back

I'm hoping that I will start posting more. This really is my diary of all my crafting projects and the urge to create something is embedded in my soul.

So Easy, So Good - Cinnamon Nuts

There are not too many things I make during the holidays, but every year I make Cinnamon Nuts and give everyone at work and our neighbors a box full of these. The original recipe called for walnuts, but I prefer to use pecans. I've never tried it with almonds, so if someone feels daring, give it a go. This is THE EASIEST RECIPE EVER and you can make a batch in five minutes...I kid you not!

Cinnamon Nuts

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

5 Tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups nuts (pecans or walnuts are really good)

Combine sugar, cinnamon and water in pan. Boil about three minutes, stirring constantly until it "spins a thread" (I really don't know what that means, but when it starts a full boil, I cook it for 3 minutes from that point and I've never had a problem). Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla and stir in nuts with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir until it "sugars." (You will know immediately when this happens, the liquid all of a sudden just get dry - kind of fun to watch it happen!) Spread on waxed paper to cool.

That's it! I made six batches today and it took about a half hour (I had to keep washing my pans). They taste really good just popping them in your mouth, over ice cream, and I've even got one friend that chops them up and adds them to her pancake batter. Enjoy!

Yummy!

I found these little treat containers at Target to put them in.

I also need to give credit to my mother-in-law for this great recipe - she's the best!

I just finished!

The deadline is tomorrow to get our ornaments in the mail for the 2009 Ornament Swap hosted by freshlyblended. My guys were very cooperative and left me alone most of the day. I had 3 more snowmen to work on when I got up this morning (they take about 3 hours each)! This is my last swap commitment for the year. Now I can concentrate on our family's Christmas.

Front

Back

A pile of snow...men!

Details:
3 inch hoops, 18 ct. Christmas Red aida cloth, DMC white thread
Design from Made in France, cross stitch and embroidery in red, white and blue

Handmade Ornament Swap

Go to swap-bot and sign up for this ornament swap. Setting up an account is free - no strings attached. I participated last year and received some beautiful ornaments. Hurry, sign ups end on Nov. 7!