Sunday, October 6, 2013

Fabrics on Ebay and finished cross stitch on Etsy

I just listed some finished cross stitch designs for sale on Etsy.  Check them out here-  MY Etsy
I am selling a lot of my Little candle mats, my framed pictures and soon some my Christmas  ornaments.  I am in design mode and need to remove the old to make room for the new!

Here is one listed for sale...
Finished and Framed Cross Stitch Autumn Fall Scarecrow Sampler and Finished Little Candle Mat Pumpkins and Crows for use with a Votive Cup

I just listed some fabric collections on Ebay also- my seller name is craftrgrl
Some collections have been a real bargain so far.  This week I have

 Ebay Collections

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Time For Pumpkins Again!

This is from my Pumpkin Patch pattern from 1996.  There have been many out there similar but here is the directions for original painted pumpkin!



1. Cut a rectangle from batting, say 9" x 18" wide. Too big? try 6" x 14".
2. Fold in half and sew the two short ends together, one seam in the back.
3. Hand-gather one open end with string, floss, pearl cotton or linen thread, pull tight and knot several times.
4. Turn inside out and stuff with poly-fil until firm, but not too firm.
5. Hand-gather the top and knot several times.
6. Using a long doll needle ( say 8") and a long piece of the thread you used in #3, go in and out from the center top to the center bottom to pull the center in tight. Knot again.
7. Then proceed to go top to bottom around the outside of the pumpkin to create the veins, pulling tight each time.
8. Knot the thread each time on the center top which will be covered by the stem later.
9. Mix orange paint with water, coffee or tea and slop it on using your hands (pre-manicure not post). It washes off your hands eventually and I would remove your rings first!

*** Using coffee or tea makes the colors separate once dried and gives a wonderful aged look.

Make different sized pumpkins from cotton batting, muslin, or chenille and paint each one a different shade of orange. Mix colors- it's fun!My husband went int the woods and cut old gnarly grapevine for me to use as stems. He cut them about 2"-3" and I hot glued them to the center top, covering the knots.It makes a wonderful fall decoration and costs so little for so many, a small package of batting, a bottle of paint, some stuffing.