Help~I Need Some Tips

I just received a package in the mail. Linen I bought on Ebay. They were not new, I knew this, however, they smell like cigarette smoke. And I don't mean just a little like smoke, it smells like the postman blew smoke all over them 20 minutes ago. All I can say is YUCK!!!!

How can I get the smell out? Hand wash? Should I surge the edges first? Does anyone have any ideas about what type of soap to use? Any tips would be helpful. Most of the pieces are nice and they are quite large. I would hate to get rid of them. I don't want the hassle of sending them back to the seller. I didn't spend that much.

Thanks,
Hillery

Merry Skater Finished

She's done...all but the beads, as most of the other ornaments are. I loved this ornament too. She worked up so quickly and I thought the fabric was perfect. I used my Spinach and Bing Cherry Crescent Colors, from the previous ornaments, again in this chart. I'll keep using them for this series as long as I don't run out. I have started on Prairie Birds, Prairie Schooler Ornaments, too. I just can't help it. I love to start new projects.

Well, off to cook supper and to do a little homework. I hope everyone had a lovely Sunday.

Happy stitching,
Hillery

Merry Skater

Here is my start on Little House Needleworks Merry Skater. I am using an opalescent Lugana that I never thought I would use and I think it's perfect for this. She is coming along quickly, and I might get her done this weekend, if I'm not studying, which is what I really should be doing. This ornament will be going to my Niece, who is an extraordinary figure skater. I saw the companion piece in the JCS Ornament issue, I might just do him too for my other niece. Maybe I'll turn him into a girl...

I have also been working on Margaret Harris, but it's slow going. I will get a pic of that soon. I am also eyeing Prairie Birds Ornaments from Prairie Schooler. I might just have to start something else.

Off to give the kids a bath. I can't wait till they can bathe together, just to eliminate a step.

Have a great night,

Hillery

Blackbird Designs

So, Friday I was wishing for some Fall type stitching, and I did get a couple good suggestions. However, yesterday I received in the mail some charts that I won on Ebay that I totally forgot about. Don't you just love surprises. Well, I think that this will satisfy my stitching itch.

I have no idea when I will be able to start on any of these. It is homework day for me. Back to school for one week and the homework seems just a little bit too much for me. I'll definitely need to get into a good routine in order to get things done. It's all a little bit daunting since I haven't be to school full time in over 12 years. AGHHHH!! Wish me luck.

Have a great day,

Hillery

New Look, New Schedule

Well, I've changed the look of my blog today, although it has been Sunny and in the mid 90's all week. We're getting a break from all of that, from today on out. It's been raining all night and I'm sure we'll get a little wind and more rain from Earl. I just love the colors of Fall. It is my favorite season. I've been itching to do a little Harvest stitching. Something small that I might actually finish this year.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a cute little Fall Design that I could find and stitch?
I just got my new LHN ornie in the mail yesterday from 123 Stitch, Merry Skater. I will be doing this one for my Niece, she is a fantastic figure skater. I started a little on her last night, and plan on doing a bit more today if I get the chance to do any stitching.
I just registered for Fall classes at the college. I might actually graduate this winter, if not then, next spring. I have to finish a Practicum and it all depends on that. Needless to say, I am going to be very busy with 2 little girls, 1 on site class, 1 on-line class and 135 hours of field work to accomplish this semester. Don't know if there will be enough time for stitching. I'll work some in, I'm sure.

I'll try to post my small start on Merry Skater later.

Happy Stitching,
Hillery

Finished Organizing

Here are my boxes all organized, finally. Finished it during nap time. I did have 4 full boxes but added 1 and half with the threads that I wound up yesterday. I found many in a lot of UFO projects. I do have many duplicates, but I used the DMC checklist and found that I am missing 20 thread colors. Not that I need them for anything right now, but I might as well just go purchase them and have the whole set. I don't own many specialty threads. I would love to have them all, but who can really afford that. I will just purchase them, (Sparingly) as needed.

Well, off to supper and bathe the kids. Hopefully they will get to bed early, so I can have some stitching time.

Happy Stitching,

Hillery

Organizing Continues...

So far I have turned this...




into this.

Next, it is time to place these into boxes. Stay tuned.

Hillery