May all your wishes come true....
Michelle
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Animated stitches
I just love this at Victoria Sampler! It has animated stitches to help you try new stitches.
Michelle
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A rose is a rose is a rose
I received a wonderful surprise today from Nina.
A beautifully crafted pinkeep with a handmade fimo rose pin. The stitching and finishing are exquisite!
Thank you Nina!
The bath soap smells delicious too!
Michelle
Greek Gum
In Greek: μαστίχα
Mastiha starts as a semi-transparent sap from lentisk trees (actually evergreen bushes) found only in certain areas of the Greek island of Chios. As resinous granules, it was the original chewing gum, and the name "mastiha" is the root word of "masticate," meaning "to chew."
At the market, look for "mastiha" or "mastic tears" and it might also be available in powdered form.
Mastiha is used as a spice in sweets and cooking, as a flavoring for liqueurs, and in soap-making, cosmetics, and toothpaste, among others. Recent evidence of its positive effect on ulcers has resulted in a boom in purchases by large pharmaceutical companies.
Pronunciation: mahs-TEEKH-hah
Also Known As: gum mastic
Alternate Spellings: masticha, mastica
Examples: Mastiha has been recognized for its antibacterial properties.
Culturekiosque Staff Report
NEW YORK, 6 January 2007—The Greek island of Chios lies just five miles off the Turkish coast in the northern Aegean Sea. The purported birthplace of Homer and Hippocrates, Chios is best known as the world's exclusive source of mastiha, or mastic, a crystalline resin produced from the bark of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus ) that has been cultivated there for millennia.
Originally used as a type of chewing gum to clean the teeth and freshen the breath and in cosmetology as a skin cleanser, its medicinal properties were first documented by Dioscorides (1st Century, B.C.), who is generally considered the "father of pharmacology". The Greek physician and botanist praised Chios Mastiha for its therapeutic effects on digestion, blood reproduction, chronic coughing, and for its tranquilizing and aphrodisiac effects.
Today, scientific studies have documented Mastiha's benefits in the treatment of digestive disorders. For example, a research team from the UK’s Nottingham University has found that even small amounts of mastic can destroy the helicobakter pylori bacteria, which only a decade ago was recognised as the prime cause of peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. It has also been shown to be a natural anti-oxidant and aids in trauma healing and skin regeneration—much as it does for the mastiha tree itself.
It is, however, in the culinary world that Chios Mastiha is best known. Traditionally brought out of the cupboard on Christmas and Easter, to be pounded as a seasoning in holiday breads and biscuits, the musky, slightly piney, incense-like spice is also exported and used by chefs and food producers worldwide. Mastiha flavours Greek cakes and breads, sweets, ice-creams, chocolates, scented cream desserts, jams, liqueurs and aperitifs such as the traditional ouzo mastiha.
In New York for an afternoon of recipe demonstrations, Greek celebrity pastry chef and author Stelios Parliaros skillfully created several desserts that proved the gastronomic versatility of this ancient resin. The two most striking, the delicious and robust Melomakarona (Greek Honey-Nut Cookies) with Mastiha and the rich, strangely Byzantine, Dark Chocolate - Mastiha Frozen Mousse are reproduced here.
Michelle
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Strawberry House
Finished this sweet piece a while back but got the frame today, so here it is! Its the Strawberry house by Little House Needleworks
All my supplies were from Home Sweet Home Needlecrafts .
All my supplies were from Home Sweet Home Needlecrafts .
Stitch Count: 57 x 84
Fabric:30 Count Creek Bed Brown from R&R Reproductions.
CC Threads, DMC Threads, Just Another Button Company , Mill Hill Beads
Frame is from Crescent Colours, Family Tree Line of Frames. Style, the "Nicole" in the Flea Market finish.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Snowmen by Val's stuff
Need to finish this ornament, but have not decided how yet. Its from the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Preview issue 2006 by Val's Stuff . More ornaments from Val's stuff are stitched and seen here. I just love these designs!
Peace
This is the new freebie from Brooke's Books ( the yahoo group is here ) the chart is called Peace.Michelle
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thank you!
The postman brought two wonderful surprises today!
One is from Sandra, with a sweet treat ~Venezuelan chocolate~ along with a beautifully handmade card and envelope! Thank you Sandra!
The other envelope was from Jean in it was a beautiful card and one of her stunning miniature creations! Thank you Jean!
Michelle
Monday, December 15, 2008
First Light
This is my latest ornament, its called "First Light" designed by DebBee's Designs. I used DMC threads and gold mettallic thread for the star. The original is stitched with CC and Kreinik. I just love the straw , dont you? Its the modified Turkey work stitch.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sugar plum Fairy
A beautiful design by Brooke Nolan called the The Spirit of the Sugar Plum Fairy. I have more from Brooke and hope to get more stitched over the holidays. She is stitched on perforated paper, brown and silver. I used DMC threads , mill hill beads and kreinik.
Michelle
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Ornament slideshow
I added some pictures of the ornaments on our tree, some are gifts to family and friends
and some are gifts to me from friends. I will be adding more as the days go by.
this is another slideshow from webshots (not mine) I just wanted to share with you.
And another....
and another....
more...
more.... In fact this stitcher has more so click to visit her albums
last one, I think..... :)
Michelle
Friday, December 12, 2008
Final winners for the 25 day giveaway!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Here are the winners of the last round of giveaways
Giveaway 17: Heather!
Giveaway 18: Marti!
Giveaway 19: Kim!
Giveaway 20: Pike!
Giveaway 21: Elaine!
Giveaway 22: Natalija!
Giveaway 23: szisze !
Giveaway 24: Kim!
Giveaway 25: Agne!
Thank you to all that entered, its been a fun doing this.
Click on my name to send me your snail mail addy.
Looking for chart... Help!
I found this gorgeous ornament on webshot. Does any one know what design it is and where I could find it? I added the link from webshot for you to see, below is the album URL.
Thank you
Michelle
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Beautiful, wonderful gifts!
I received these great gifts in the post, They are from my friend Carol. A handmade Navity set made of fabric. The kids loved it too! Also this ornament that changes lights, I have never seen this before. Both gifts are very special and will be cherished always,
Thank you Carol! 
Michelle
Penguin's First Christmas
Just finished another Christmas ornament. this one is for my son's teacher, she had a son earlier this year and thought this would be a perfect one for her.The chart is from Brooke's Books ( the yahoo group is here )
The Linen is a 30 count R&R Creek Bed Brown, DMC and Kreinik threads and Mill Hill beads. The penguins hat is made of fuzzy fur.
MichelleTuesday, December 09, 2008
Christmas Giveaway no. 22, 23, 24 and 25
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw on Friday December 12th.
This giveaway contains :a mill hill kit
This is giveaway no.22, 23,24 and 25
please feel free to enter as many of these giveaways as you wish.
These are the 25 give aways I hope you have enjoyed them.
More fun on Gaynors blog with her 12 days of Christmas Check it out!
Michelle
Christmas Giveaway no.21
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw on Friday December 12th.
This giveaway contains :Chart for Bundle of Bears Ornaments By Vermillion stitchery
This is giveaway no.21
please feel free to enter as many of these giveaways as you wish.
Michelle
Christmas Giveaway no.20
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw on Friday December 12th.
This giveaway contains :I had double copies so I am offering one 'Just Cross stitch Ornament Preview' issue.
This is giveaway no.20
please feel free to enter as many of these giveaways as you wish.
Michelle
Christmas Giveaway nos.17, 18 and 19
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw on Friday December 12th.
This giveaway contains :4 Scented DMC threads
This is giveaway no.17, 18 and 19
please feel free to enter as many of these giveaways as you wish.
Michelle
Monday, December 08, 2008
Winners of no.15 and no.16
Congratulations!Here are the winners of the 3nd round of giveaways
Giveaway 15: Loreta!
Giveaway 16: Meghann!
Thank you to all that entered, its been a great pleasure doing this.
Click on my name to send me your snail mail addy.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
More winners....
Here are the winners of the 2nd round of giveaways
Congratulations!
Giveaway 7:Nina!
Giveaway 8: Ayla!
Giveaway 9: Gaynor!
Giveaway 10: The tree ~Gaynor!
Giveaway 11: The sampler ~Kathy!
Giveaway 12: Santa ~Agne!
Giveaway 13: Snowlady ~Sally!
Giveaway 14: Candelit Noel~xangles!
Thank you to all that entered, its been a great pleasure doing this.
Click on my name to send me your snail mail addy.
Michelle
Friday, December 05, 2008
Winners of first giveaways
Here are the winners of the first set of giveaways
Congratulations!
Giveaway 1: Monika!
Giveaway 2: Agne!
Giveaway 3: Daffycat!
Giveaway 4: Carrie!
Giveaway 5: Monika!
Giveaway 6: Ruta!
Thank you to all that entered, more winners tomorrow
Click on my name to send me your snail mail addy.
Christmas Giveaway no.16
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw on Monday December 8th.This giveaway contains :
DMC threads, Scissors and a Dylon dye "Sahara sun"
This is giveaway no.16
please feel free to enter as many of these giveaways as you wish.
I will making the first draw at the strike of midnight in Greece for the following giveaways
I am hoping to have 25 giveaways by the end of this month, here are the previous ones so far....
Good luck to those who enter
Michelle
Christmas Giveaway no.15
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw on Monday December 8th.This giveaway contains :
Linen threads, DMC thread, Scissors and two Dylon dyes
This is giveaway no.15
please feel free to enter as many of these giveaways as you wish.
I also want to thank those that have offered to pay the postage costs, you are wonderful. I am very happy to share these gifts with you and its a pleaseure to do this, so my apologies for declining your offer.
I am hoping to have 25 giveaways by the end of this month, here are the previous ones so far....
Christmas giveaway no.1
Christmas giveaway no.2
Christmas giveaway no.3
Christmas giveaway no.4
Christmas giveaway no.5
Christmas giveaway no.6
Christmas giveaway no.1
Christmas giveaway no.2
Christmas giveaway no.3
Christmas giveaway no.4
Christmas giveaway no.5
Christmas giveaway no.6
Good luck to those who enter
Michelle
Christmas Giveaway no.13 and 14
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw of two winners on Sunday December 7th.This giveaway contains :Mill Hill kit and dimension kit
This is giveaway no.13 and 14
I am hoping to have 25 giveaways by the end of this month, here are the previous ones so far....
Good luck to those who enter
Michelle
Christmas Giveaway no.10, 11, 12
I am de-stashing and I am giving some things away if you would like to win these just leave a comment, I will make the draw of three winners on Sunday December 7th.
This giveaway contains :
Mill Hill kits
This is giveaway no.10, 11 and 12
I am hoping to have 25 giveaways by the end of this month, here are the previous ones so far....
Christmas giveaway no.1
Christmas giveaway no.2
Christmas giveaway no.3
Christmas giveaway no.4
Christmas giveaway no.5
Christmas giveaway no.6
Good luck to those who enter
Michelle
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