Sharing some stitching....

Okay, I want to share some stitching with you that I've been doing this past couple of months.

This first design is from Tanya, The Sampler Girl, and I love it, especially since my birthday is on Halloween, October 31. Tanya is a very talented young lady and I love most everything she designs. The following is the front and back of the pillow I made.




The next two photo's are a freebie (and the back) that came from mausimons. It is such a cute fun design, and I couldn't resist stitching it.

Some of the designs below are ones that I stitched several years ago and had laid aside. I am a procrastinator when it comes to finishing items.

This design is one that I had stitched a couple of years ago, but had not put a finish to it. I have always loved this design (sorry I can't remember who designed it, and I can't find the chart). If anyone knows who the designer is, please leave a message for me. The buttons really add a lot to the design and make it really stand out.

This is the back of the above pillow.

This next hanging pillow is from Brittercup Designs and really points out what Autumn is all about.

Below is the backing on the above photo.

This design is from San-Man Originals, and I believe it was a freebie. It is one of the "letter" charts they do. Following it is the backing on the hanging pillow.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at what I've been stitching on. Remember, you can click on each photo is see a larger view of it.

Thank you for stopping by....please let me a message if you want.

Blessings,

Barbara

Mail Call....and a Cake

I ordered several patterns from Amy at Down Sunshine Lane and they came last week. I love new stash! What I received is Pumpkins 4 Sale by Little House Needlewooks...My Lady's Quaker and Gentleman Quaker by Jardin Prive'...Autumn Days by Val's Stuff...Cottage Pinkeep Sampler by Midsummer Night Designs...Peacock Pin Pillow by Beehive Needleworks. I probably won't get the Autumn designs done this year as I am starting to wound down by Fall stitching, and moving on the Winter and Christmas items.



Even though Fall does not come until September 22, according to the calender, Mother Nature has decided that it needs to come now. The days are getting shorter and the temps are cooler during the day and almost cold at night. You need a light jacket during the mornings, but can shed it during the afternoon, and we are getting our share of rain. Even though the trees have not started to turn, there are leaves falling to the ground, so should not be long before we have beautiful trees. Wayne and I will make a trip to the apple farm before the end of the month to purchase apples to eat, bake with, and share with others. Since the weather is cooler, it makes me think of pumpkin, so yesterday I baked a Pumpkin raisin snack cake and will share the recipe with you.


Pumpkin raisin snack cake.....

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
15-oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Thoroughly blend the sugars, pumpkin, butter, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl with a whisk or electric mixer. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture. Add raisins and nuts. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan or 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes for jelly roll pan, 35 to 40 minutes for baking dish, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting. I use store bought Cream Cheese Frosing, or you can use the recipe below.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 T milk and vanilla until smooth. Add additional milk if needed to make a frosting consistency.

TIP: Coat the raisins with flour before adding to the mixture to keep them from floating to the bottom of the cake.

Fall is my very favorite season of the whole year. I love the colors of Fall and the cool nip in the air. Do you have a favorite season? Make the most of it by baking, stitching, and decorating your homes.

Blessings,
Barbara

A day at Silver Dollar City....

Wayne and I went down to Silver Dollar City at Branson yesterday. We always enjoy going when the Southern Gospel Picnic is going on. The picnic only runs for 12 days and SDC brings in some great Gospel groups to entertain the crowds. We saw and listened to four different groups yesterday. We also enjoyed our fill of picnic food...Southern fried Chicken, apple butter glazed chicken, orange-glazed chicken, pulled pork, creamy coleslaw, cheesy scalloped pototes, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, potato salad, zucchini and tomatoes, mac and cheese, assorted salads and vegetables, and hot dinner rolls. Afterward, we enjoyed a hot funnel cake with powdered sugar and hot cider. Very yummy food and way too much to eat.


I always manage to do a little shopping while there and purchased the cutest mending basket, which is pictured below.






I also managed to take a few photo's of the decorations around the city.........

If you ever get a chance to visit Silver Dollar City in the Ozarks of Missouri, you won't be sorry.

Blessings,
Barbara