I Need To Do Some Embellishing

While cleaning and reorganizing studio yesterday I realized I have accumulated a lot of lace, rick rick and ribbon bits that I keep in these mason jars . . .

And I have several rolls of new ribbon in this wire basket thanks to the Clearance Basket at the store . . .

And a growing collection of button from Australia, including buttons from C'Michael Cottage, Giggle Buttons, and Wildcraft Farm.

This doesn't include the other eight small jars of buttons that reside on my windowsill or the packages of rick rack hiding in a tin either.

Maybe it's time to add some pizazz to my projects, huh?

Sweet P

A Day With Mr. E

My DIL and Mr. E came over for the day yesterday. She worked on Mr. E's scrapbook and baby book. I worked on taggie blankets and a baby sling for Mr. E. A friend sent a link for making a Maya Wrap. Two weeks ago I found an adorable monster print fabric and knew it would make a cute sling. There is only three seams in the sling and it was finished in no time. Mr. E loved it immediately. He was able to snuggle against mommy while she worked on his scrapbook. When he outgrows the sling, I'll make something out of the fabric.

Here he is sleeping on his daddy underneath one of his new taggie blankets.

And, because we are huge Red Sox fans and last night was the first Red Sox/Yankees game, Mr. E was ready for the game. Unfortunately he fell asleep before the game started. Someday he'll stay awake for the whole game.

Today I am turning the studio into a guest room. My mom is coming for a 10 day visit this week. It will be fun to have her around. She hasn't visited in 2 1/2 years and will love meeting Mr. E.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Mail Goodies

I didn't realize it's been way over a week since I posted. I guess between work and surprise time with Mr. E I've been a little busy.

Last week I received my Spring Swap package from Lynda in Australia. I was Lynda's Secret Santa last Christmas so I guess it was her turn to surprise me. Look at the wonderful clutch bag she made for me, complete with a Giggle button. I love Giggle buttons! She also made me the needle case that so many of the Aussie girls made from their stitching weekend. She didn't know how much I coveted one of those needle cases and now I have one! She also included a small hand painted Russian doll and a Country Threads Patchwork magazine. I already have decided to make a few of the projects in the magazine. Thanks for a wonderful package Lynda!
Recently I won a drawing on Giraffe Dreams. Carol wasn't sure what to send me. I told her I am a born and bred Minnesotan and she could send me Minnesota-filled package and that's what she did. She included a pair of socks, a coffee mug, a pot holder, a Nut Goodies, postcards, a Minnesota map and some fabrics. I plan on making a Minnesota collage using the postcards, map and fabric. The Nut Goodie was a yummy reminder of MN treats. The other items are patiently waiting their turn to get used. Thanks for a great package, Carol!
I haven't had any stitching or sewing time this past week. I'm getting ready for my mom, Mr. E's great grandma, to arrive next week for a 10 day visit. We will be spending Friday and Saturday converting my studio into a guest room. Hopefully with grandma here we can spend time sewing while visiting with Mr. E.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Ours was a quiet Sunday. We needed a day by ourselves to get over the "having the baby" excitement. It was the first day in nearly a week that we haven't been at the hospital. We spent the day watching the Masters, baseball, eating and relaxing. Oh yeah, there was a ham dinner and laundry involved too.

Do you remember this cross stitch project I started in February?
Well, I've been working on it the last few weeks. This is how far I am on it. The finished work will be about 6 inches tall. I'm amazed looking at the photo how well you can see the contrast between the reds, the browns and the white and gray. I love how it is looking.
Yesterday Mr. E went home. Here he is all bundled up ready to leave the hospital. He is so precious and so handsome already. I can't wait for more cuddle time with him.
DH's travel schedule starts up again tomorrow. He will gone 41 of the next 79 days. He will be in Indianapolis, Washington, DC, London, Dubai, New York, Kohler, WI, Hong Kong, Singapore and Las Vegas (twice). When all of that travel is done we are going on vacation! That's July 1! Whew!

During that time I will start babysitting Mr. E on Tuesdays, my mom will be here for a visit and I will be working on swap projects. Looks like my spring is full!

Until next time, happy stitching!
Sweet P

Welcome Mr. E

It's been a fantastic week around Coffee Time Stitches.

My DIL's water broke on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday night, after being in labor for 37 hours Mr. E made his appearance into the world. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 7.5 ounces and 19 inches long. He has gorgeous brown hair. Mom and dad are ecstatic that he arrived two weeks early and the doctor has pronounced him healthy.

I got my first cuddle time with him on Thursday morning and more time with him last night. Today I will help the new family leave the hospital and get settled into their home.

Of the many photos Mr. E has so graciously posed for since his birth this is my favorite. His thumb is not in his mouth, but it's close!

Welcome to the world Mr. E! We all love you!

Sweet P

Dema Has A Brand New Bag . . . and a Cupcake Winner

I didn't get to spend the day sewing with friends, but I did get to sew. DH painted the stairwell today so I had an excuse to spend the day sewing in my studio.

And what did I make? I made me a diaper bag! Yup, that's right! One for Dema to use when I babysit on Tuesdays. I used a cotton coffee print and embroidered orange and brown bottom weight fabrics. This is the first time I've used elastic on the pockets and plastic canvas in the base. The bag was simple to make. I was joking with DH that I need to make one in sports fabrics for him to use. I'm not sure he's buying that idea.

Here's the back of the bag:

And the front:

And the inside:

You can see I have a few baby items in it already. But I'm missing two important items: diapers and the baby!! Baby will be here soon we're told. DIL's doctor told her there's a good chance she could have the baby this coming week. We'll see!

April is off to a gloomy start. The view from our deck has been like this for four days now! Tomorrow we're supposed to get some sun. I hope so.
And now . . . could I get a drum roll please? I asked DH to pick a number and Codi at deathbydenim is the winner of the Cupcake Contest. There were many great ideas on what to make with the fabric. I wish I had enough cupcake fabric to make one of everything! All of the flavors sound yummy. I'll have to try some of them. Stay tuned, I just might do that.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Drawing Delayed Until Saturday

I have to wait until tomorrow to do the cupcake drawing. I have a couple of family issues to deal with tonight. Watch for the winners on Saturday!

Sweet P