July 4th means beach, barbecue and Fall

Ok ok, I know it doesn't rhyme or even go together but after I have a wonderful weekend with great friends, some cooking and some sun, I have to begin to think about my Fall and Holiday shows.  I have quite of few of them this year so I need to start extra early.  I am even going to bring some sewing to Italy with me when I leave next week.  I can't wait....but I digress, Fall shows.... 

So, let's go through the weekend.  First I will start at a spritual meeting on Saturday morning and start my weekend off on the right foot. I will come home and gather up  my husband (great guy by the way)

and we will get into his mid-life crisis car ........

and then we will meet up with our friends at Bonnet Shores....these are the friends we are going to Italy with too....

and drive to the beach to Bonnet Shores to our wonderful friends house (the ones we are going to Italy with)...

and we will proceed to eat and eat and eat again......first is seafood night, pasta with clam sauce and 20 (yes I said 20) pounds of steamers and of course desserts......

Fourth of July Desserts.....

These are what I am making straight from The Food Network ...  the one on the right is made with red velvet cake which I have already baked.

On Sunday we will eat some more, you know the traditional things like sausage, hot dogs, burgers, etc., tons of salads and more desserts....really what more could you ask for?
 
In addition....like I said...I have to start thinking about Fall and the shows for the holiday season.  I am thinking that I will start stitching some Fall ideas....maybe some oldies but goodies like....
 

Falling Leaves

 

Autumn Spectacular

 

Bring On Fall Candle Mats

 
All patterns are available at www.rockingchairstitches.com or just drop me a line or comment on the blog. 
 
I hope that you all have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday weekend.  Be careful with the fireworks.
 
AND THERE'S GONNA BE A GIVEAWAY........
 

OK I am off for a few days of relaxation.

After being sick for a week my husband and I have decided to take off to NH for a few days to Bike Week.  Last night he shined up the bikes and the weather is going to be hot and beautiful so I am pretty excited.  Brenda, we will be passing through the Nashua toll booth, I expect to see you there waving a Welcome to New Hampshire Sign, Michelle....lol .  Hope you all have a wonderful Father's Day weekend.  Treasure your dads. 

http://www.laconiamcweek.com/

The weather is rainy and I feel like doody

So I didn't go to work today feeling very under the weather with a miserable cold.  Thought OK I can get some things done too, some pattern writing or applique on a couple of new patterns that I found...something soothing and creative.  YUP, I SLEPT, most of the day, on and off, and I managed to fold a dryer full of towels and now post this blog.  That's it....  So, I will sit some more tonight, try to get better, but i gotta tell you.....I don't think I am going to feel better any time soon.  My husband is planning on making dinner tonight for me and yup, he doesn't cook lol.  He can open a can so we will have warm soup.  I love him for trying.  Anyone else sick out there........maybe we can be miserable together. 

Here We Go!! It's Lots of Giveaways and a Winner

I haven't been on in so long and I hope no one is feeling neglected, lol.  Well I'm sure Brenda might be.  What you say, Brenda who??  Well Brenda Mercado of course.  Who is Brenda Mercado you ask.....well most of you know her, but for those who don't she is this awesome girl from the lovely State of New Hampshire who has a wonderful Quilt Shoppe called.....Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt Shoppe.  Well why do you I mention her you might ask.  BECAUSE SHE IS THE WINNER OF MY MEMORIAL DAY GIVEAWAY, the Traditions Kit.  100% pure wools and a wonderful pattern that she can make into a unique runner. 

DON'T FORGET

Don't miss out......check out the giveaway, the drawing is closer....Memorial Day is the day.  Tell your friends, post on your blog!!  It's fun.
Just click on the wonderful Traditions Penny Rug to the right and enter.

DON'T' MISS OUT A GREAT GIVEAWAY

Check out our new blog and our new website. It's only the beginning of lots of great changes happening at RCS. So let's see........how about a surprise giveaway. Leave a post on the new blog and tell me what you think of the changes so far and.....post the giveaway on your blog and you will be given 3 NOT 2 but 3 entries to win.


WHAT WILL YOU WIN YOU SAY......

A 100% wool kit complete with the pattern, floss and all the wool to complete it. All in celebration of all of the new and exciting changes at Rocking Chair Stitches.



What else is coming.....stayed tuned.


There just might be another great giveaway!

WOW HOW HONORED AM I!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010



Tea Party


Hello all,


So last year my Sister and I held our first annual Tea Party for our nieces. As you can see SMay was a bit shy in joining us, but she was very entertaining. The rest of the girls were very good. They had a ball, we had different snacks, played some games and made beautiful decorated hats. As you can see they had on there Sunday bests.  This year we are thinking of a Flower theme. Planting a flower, decorating a pot. So in about 6 to 7 wks I will let you know how we make out! I'm hoping it is a hit like last years.

In my last post the craft fair I was in, I should have pointed out that on the wall behind me there are two wall hangings that I did, only to forget the great person behind the pattern. The patterns are wonderful to work with, very easily read. I would love to give a big credit to Rocking Chair Stitches. The web site is http://www.rockingchairstitches.com/. They have fabulous patterns. Never realizing they were from the same little town I was! That is a hoot to know now. I loved the pattern so much never noticed this. Also she is on the fabulous WCQ blog, I love it. Check out her new and improved blog, fabulous!!!!!
Have a terrific Tuesday ladies!


Sandy
 

Thank you so so much Sandy. 

 

Make sure to visit her blog at http://sunnisandyandwool-sunisandy.blogspot.com

DID YOU CHECK IT OUT??

Check out our new blog and our new website.  It's only the beginning of lots of great changes happening at RCS.  So let's see........how about a surprise giveaway.  Leave a post on the new blog and tell me what you think of the changes so far and.....post the giveaway on your blog and you will be given 3 NOT 2 but 3 entries to win. 

WHAT WILL YOU WIN YOU SAY......

A 100% wool kit complete with the pattern, floss and all the wool to complete it.  All in celebration of all of the new and exciting changes at Rocking Chair Stitches. 

This kit retails at all of my shows for $74.00 so, what a giveaway this is.

What else is coming.....stayed tuned. 

There just might be another great giveaway!

Stayed tuned.....change is coming.

New Updates at Rocking Chair Stitches

I have finally had some time to sit and work on stitching and patterns and new designs and the website.  I have uploaded some new finished items that you might like to take a gander at.  I hope you enjoy.  If you have questions just give me a call or drop me an email.  Hope you enjoy and oh by the way, I just love reading all these awesome blogs and I have met some wonderful wonderful new friends.

A Woolen Needle pattern done by one of our own Connie Estrada.  Awesome isn't it.!!

Breakfast With a Wonderful Friend

I had one of the most wonderful days today.  Really just relaxing and some wonderful and much needed girl time.  Lynn at Painting Thyme Needfuls and I met for breakfast at a little cafe in her Town which coincidentally used to be mine before moving to the hills of Northwest Rhode Island.  We hadn't seen each other since October of last year and had alot to catch up on.  Almost three hours later, we were finally done.  It really took us an hour to even open up the menu to look.  The waitress thought we were wacky.  We traded little gifts....well hers to me wasn't little....

One of her famous and absolutely awesome sunflowers.  This thing is huge and I can't wait for the rain to end so that I can put it on my door. 

Yes it's raining again....hopefully no flooding anymore because it's been too much.

Anyway, we had a great time, and I am so so glad we got together.  Let's do it again soon Lynn....

and ladies....

treasure your friends and take the time to embrace the friendship.

IT'S SO WORTH IT.

With Serenity

Michelle

Flood Pics

Thanks to all of your for your prayers and good wishes for my daughter.  We went to her apartment and it is worse than I could have imagined.  Thank for though she is safe and most can be replaced.  I am posting a few pics to show you what happened.  We will be spending our day there on Easter after a small brunch.  I am grateful for the family we have. 

WATER LEVEL IN THE LIVING ROOM ABOUT 2 FEET HIGH

OUTSIDE OF HER BUILDING AND ALL THE MUD AND SEWAGE

ENTRANCE TO HER APARTMENT.  COFFEE TABLE TO THE LEFT WAS IN FRONT OF THE COUCH.  THAT'S CURTAIN ROD THAT FELL AND TRACKS OF MUD.  FLOORS ARE ALREADY BUCKLING AND MOLDING HAS PULLED RIGHT OFF

It's OK we will start again.  A new and fresh start.  Thanks to all who have chipped in and helped us to help her.  I am so grateful to you all.

Michelle

Giveaway at the Rusty Thimble -

What a Wonderful Spring Giveaway - Tucks Love Them

http://therustythimble.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-giveaway-at-rusty-thimble.html

We have been touched by the record flooding in Rhode Island

Geez, sometimes, it just doesn't end....we have had torrential rain over the last few weeks here in Rhode Island and the last few days proved to me too much for all of our Indian named Rivers.  My daughter Kelly lives on one of the rivers and yesterday was part of a mandatory evacuation.  She went back today to find that she had lost everything.  You know kids, they can't afford much when on their own at first and she didn't have renters insurance.  Such a shame.  I told her that I thought maybe it was God's way of giving her a new start.....doesn't help.  :-( 

I wish I knew what to do for her.

Parking Lot at her condo

Another parking lot shot

Rescue truck trying to get in,he didn't make it.

Anybody been through this ???

Thanks so much for the eyes and ears.

Michelle

Countdown.......

Only one day left to sign up for the free pattern giveaway.  Visit our blog and also our Facebook page to win free patterns.  Drawing is Wednesday....Hurry don't miss out.

What a fun night with New Moon

Ok ladies, let's be honest....we know it supposedly geared toward teens but us ladies love it too.... :-)  The Twilight Series books are fun and a great quick read.  The movies are just a little icing on that cake.  So one of my closest friends decided to have a Twilight New Moon Dinner party and she decorated with red and black..black roses.  lol Too funny.  We had Bloody Orange drinks, a wonderful pasta crab appetizer from Giada and absolutely sensational chicken parm and pasta.  For dessert we had molten lava cakes and Bloody Red Velvet cupcakes.  Yum Yum.  Then we sat down to watch New Moon and ate parmesan cheese popcorn, homemade with JIFFY POP with LOTS OF YUMMY BUTTER -- not microwavable ...the real deal. lol. 

So my contribution was "Full Moon" Crab Cakes.  Made with a lemon dill sauce and a recipe from none other than ya'll PAULA DEAN.

Here are a few pictures

Preparation of the scallions, red peppers and of course garlic, saute in a little butter. 

 Once that is sauteed fold in the crap meat.  I bought the good stuff for these people...

Shape them into nice full moon shapes and cover them with Panko bread crumbs and fresh just grated pramesan cheese YUMMO

Then refrigerate them for about two hours so that they firm up.

Melt the EVOO and butter

Gently place them in the hot hot pan and let them cook about 3 or 4 minutes on each side.  The smell is just unbelieveable....so good and mouth watering.  Husband was hoping that just one would fall apart.....ok ok I made sure one did.....He's a good guy.

Alol brown and crunchy on the outside and wonderfully warm and tasty on the inside.

Make a little sause with buttermilk, (I cheated and made my own), may dill and lots of lemon. 

The finished creation with a little garnish of dill and lemon and they were just yummy.

Hmmmm what will I make today.......

Free E-Pattern.....yes I did say FREE Ladies...and a giveaway to boot

Visit the Spring issue of Rusty Tin Roof at http://www.rustytinroof.com/ and see a wealth of wonderful information, recipes and hints.  Click to Page 25 to see our Free E-patterm entitled Bunny Hop.  Check back here, leave a comment to let me know you were here and there and you will be entered to win five free patterns from Rocking Chair Stitches.  That's quite a giveaway.  Want more entries.....visiting us on facebook and becoming a follwer will get you more entries....five to be exact.

HAVE FUN!!

With serenity,
Michelle

Many Thanks and Gratitude

I wanted to take a few minutes to express my gratitude for all the women in my life and for all the kind words during my sister-in-laws passing.  I am overwhelmed by the prayers, emails and kind words that the women in my life and in blogland have passed on to me.  I am grateful for the strength it has given me and even more that I was able to pass on the strength I was given to my husband.  My mother in law wasn't able to attend the services and that was so difficult for the family.  She is finally out of rehab and we are hoping that one day at a time, our world will begin to turn around.  I have faith that we will all be ok. 

I am glad that you are enjoying the new items I have posted and I am going to post a few more for the upcoming Easter Holiday.  Drop me a line if you have any questions or would like to place an order. 

Thanks again for all of your support. 

With Serenity,
Michelle

Spring Crows

Jumping Bunnies

Wooly Easter

New little Diddies!

I wanted to post some new items created by Connie.  Some will be patterns but most won't be.  Enjoy your day girls.!

Some Updates and Sad News

Well it's been some time since I have been able to blog because there has been alot going on here.  First let's talk about the good news.  Please check out The Primitive Peddler blog by clicking to the4 right --  where you will find Rocking Chair Stitches as the featured Artisan of the week.  We are offering a free giveaway and all the ways to enter are listed there.   Here is the minty fresh bunny we will be giving away.

I am honored to be a part of this wonderful group of talented women!!

Secondly, my sister-in-law passed away yesterday at 41 after suffering for a year with colon cancer.  It has been a very difficult time as her Mom, my mother in law is also in the hospital suffering from diabetic issues and a ruptured spleen from falling out of her bed at her new senior housing apartment.  I would be grateful for any prayers that you can offer at this time.

You are a bunch of WONDEROUS WOMEN!!!

Just Some Updating

I have been sitting at night and sewing just cuz I need to relax after working all day as a Family Court Paralegal and Divorce Mediator sometimes you just gotta get away and I do it by reading all the wonderful blogs, sewing and watching tv.  No wonder my mind is always racing.  Anyway, wanted to share a few of the items I completed today on my day off.!! 

Aged Traditions - Great Textures with aged homespun.

Full view and close up of extra long Traditions in Black.   A little more economical with the aged and primitive homespun backing.

My goodness I just love this from Cath's Penny Designs.  Thanks so much Awesome

From Penny Lane Primitives called Snow Mittens.  I love others designs as well.

And Penny Sheep from Penny Lane Primitives.

Just a few of the pieces I have been working on.  I had to sew all year for the shows I do in the Summer and Fall.  This year was so busy that I had to give up one of the shops I do to concentrate on designing and getting ready for Fall and Christmas.  Hope you enjoyed them.

Michelle

What's your favorite Winter Olympic Sport

I am sitting here with my sewing and now this computer and watching the Olympics.  I just love the winter games.  Oh the summer ones are nice but gee these skaters re just unreal and so beautiful.  What do you like ladies.

Michelle

Lucious Wool Bed Rugs

I thought you would all love to see some absolutely yummy wool bed rugs that are designed by Jackie Apessos at Lake View Primitives.  I have made all of them and actually have sold a couple at the shows that I do here in the Northeast.....where I am glad today that they are not expecting our area to get this new storm.  We've I've had enough.  In any event here we go.

The Original Wool Bed Rug

The latest 1930's Bed Rug

and lastly

Chocolate Forest Quilt

and another version of this same quilt

Rainbow Forest Bed Rug

all are available as BOM's.  Let me know if you have any interest.  Enjoy

AND THE WINNER IS TADA!!!

Lynn Barbadora of Painting Thyme Needfuls,  Ok so we know each other and I couldn't believe it when my husband picked her name.  Maybe next time I will try the random.com thing. Congrats Lynn, please email your address.!!!  Love You

OMG What a Day :-(

So, not feeling to well this morning, but have to go to work.  I get to work and I have to tinkle so I go to the little girls room......and I look down.  PLEASE HELP ME I NEED A VACATION.

Winner is coming.....