Valentine's Day Cross Stitch Pillow

I finished my cute Valentine's Day project from Primrose Cottage. I used 14 count Aida. It measures 5.5" X 4.5". I wasn't sure how I wanted to finish it but decided on a plan after watching a few YouTube videos. 

I ironed a thin fabric stabilizer to both the cross stitch front as well as the backing. I marked 1/2 inch around the design using an air soluble marker. I used that line as a guide to sew the rick rack. I cut the rick rack at each corner so I didn't have to turn a corner. I used that sewing line as a guide to sew the backing and front together. 

The backing is one piece but I sewed a seam down the middle.  I opened up a small piece of that seam to add the stuffing. The stuffing was a combination of polyester pillow stuffing as well as some crushed walnut shells at the bottom to give it some stability. I propped it up next to a floral centerpiece in my family room. It's just so cute!!! 

I Like Thursday #301

 It's time for Thursday Likes! A few of us bloggers post positive and fun content every week. Please visit our fearless leader, LeeAnna, to link up with more blogs. I haven't been out for dinner in ages so I ordered myself a nice drink last weekend. It's a Winter Sangria. I asked our waitress what is in it and never realized they put vodka in sangria drinks. No wonder this drink really hit me! Anyways, it tasted good and was quite enjoyable!

I changed the quilt on one of my couches. It's a little big for the couch but I love the color it adds! I made this one a few years ago. I did all the applique by hand. Since then, I haven't done too much applique. I think this quilt took about a year to make. I still need a break from applique after this one!

I haven't been to a quilt shop since well before the holidays. I got a gift card for Christmas that came in handy today. I bought a few fabrics for my next round of Facets. It's the final full round. The principal color is supposed to be aqua but I'll probably change that to blue fabrics. I have a ton of blues in my stash. The background will be this light fabric and the corners will be magenta. It should be a pretty round to finish up this quilt!

Our question this week asks us if we've ever lived anywhere else? I've been living in Massachusetts my whole life. I've lived in 4 different towns/cities within the state. I lived in Boston for college and grad school. Those were my most fun years! The city was very accessible and I had no worries except for my grades! What a fun time! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Two Projects

I've been diligently working on making my 44 pink blocks for the 6th round of the Facets quilt. I wanted to see how it would look so I laid out all my blocks. I like how it's coming along! The blocks are a little bit tedious to make but I'm used to it so I just keep making them! I have one more full round which will feature blue/aqua. Then I have a half round which will work as the border. I think that round is mostly red. I feel this would be another good candidate for a pantograph. There are so many tiny pieces and so many colors. I feel my quilting would never really be seen. I'll wait until I'm done to make the final decision but that's what I'm leaning towards right now.

Jeanna reminded me that Primrose Cottage sent us a free Valentine's Day cross stitch pattern. I decided to put my binding aside on Laurel Ridge and try to get this done for the holiday. I'm just using whatever floss I have in my stash. I haven't decided if I'll make an ornament or cushion. I'll decide when I finish!  Isn't this the cutest project?!

I Like Thursday #300

It's time for Thursday likes! I've missed the last two Thursdays due to the holidays. It's time to get back to normal! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. Well, I bought this Christmas cactus two years ago at the supermarket. I'm not the best with plants so I'm thrilled to see this plant blossomed twice this holiday season! Not a bad investment for $3.99!

We woke up New Year's Day to find one of our cars had little tracks all over it! I think it was a crow but who knows!? There aren't too many animals out there right now!

For my next scrap project, I need a variety of neutrals so I decided to buy this jelly roll. I feel I never have enough neutrals. I always lean toward bright colors. I should have a better choice of neutrals with this purchase. 

Our question this week asks us if we sing in the shower. I do! I pretty much sing whenever I hear a song that I know some of the lyrics. I'm not sure anyone around me likes to hear me sing so my singing may be on the quiet side! When I was little, my parents used to sing to their Italian records. I think I grew up singing along with them!

Have a great weekend!!

Two Finishes, Almost!

I'm trying to get the house back to normal. It's quite a job to put up the decorations and then to put them all away! I've been trying to sew but it's been easier to do handwork. I finished my Mahalle Top Down socks from Turkey. I had 2 balls of yarn that were exact replicas of each other so the socks are exactly alike! I still have to wash and block them. I love when the yarn does all the hard work! 

I'm starting to sew down the binding on Laurel Ridge. It's hard to believe that this quilt is almost done after having worked on it for a year. I had sewn on the binding before the holidays but never got around to sewing it down by hand. I will enjoy this since the quilt can keep me warm while I work on it. It's been very cold up here!

I hope everyone has a great 2026!!

Post Christmas

I'm still dealing with the aftermath of Christmas. My house is looking slightly better. We've already ordered our Chinese food for New Year's Eve. I can't believe it will be 2026 in a little over 24 hours! I received this cute ornament from my daughter's boyfriend's mother. She visited us on Christmas Day and brought us all cute gifts. She said she had to get me this when she saw the quilt on the machine! Yup, that's me!!

I've been working on my pink blocks when I can. I need 44 blocks for this round of Facets. I'm getting there, little by little! I have one more full round left and then the border. I really love playing with my stash, but I also love using it up!! I can't believe how late it is! I had such a busy day today. Good night!

 

Christmas Roundup

Since the holiday, I haven't done much with my blog. I didn't even turn on my laptop! I'll share a few pictures from our holiday. This is the tree tonight. Some gifts are still under the tree but most have been put away. I vacuumed our family room so it was easier to put things away.

Here's a picture of my son, his wife, my daughter and her boyfriend after opening gifts. We open gifts after eating but before dessert. My daughter streamed some cats enjoying the holiday on the television. I'm not sure where she finds this stuff but it was interesting to watch!

I made this checkerboard cake for dessert. I bought this kit way back in the 80's when I was newly married. I had forgotten all about it. So I thought it would be fun to make for the holiday.

It's made up of 3 layers. Two layers are the same and one is different. That different one is the middle layer.

It even comes with a recipe for the frosting. Next time, I'll probably double the frosting. I just barely frosted the cake with the amount I made. It came out really good. It's already gone!! I'll definitely make it again soon.

I can't believe it will be 2026 next week! Time is flying!!!!