THursday Morning.....

Good Morning all,

Want to come over for coffee? :)
The sun is shining on the snow right now. I am hoping that is a good sign. I love the snow , hate when its so cold. We haven't been in double digits for a few days.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday for Leslie's , Whatcha Working On Wednesday's. I did get some swap ornies done, but I can't post pics-yet! You can see them already wrapped. :)

I will say that these ornies are a little more vintage than prim. I know they are all going to good homes. :)


I bought some prim looking fat quarters and emb. thread on Tuesday to do a little cross stitching. (I already have the fabric to stitch on- this is for the back). Have you ever made your own cross stitch patterns or do you just buy them? I found some info on creating your own patterns and thought I might give it a try.

celtic cross stitch word generator
http://www.celticxstitch.ie/cgi-bin/stitches.cgi

using graph paper
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/artscraftsmake_smrk.htm
or video tutorial
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/43654_cross-stitching-designing-pattern.htm


using good 'ol microsoft office excel
http://tutorials.lilyscountrystuff.us/tutorial2.htm
or
http://phatybomb.blogspot.com/2008/01/cross-stitching.html

patterns for kids
http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/crossstitch.htm

We now have a new fabric/quilting store in town. Thank goodness, because our Walmart will stop carrying fabric by June 1, 2009. I have talked to the owner at the new shop and I am planning on taking some pics next week to put on my blog. :)
My friend, Saundra and I are also going to be taking a quilt class. WooHoo!! I am excited about that! I want to do a new wall hanging for my hallway. The one I have is 10 years old. It's time for a new one; don't you think? lol
Classes will be starting in February. :)

I am thinking that today would be a great day to make a big pot of Baked Potato Soup.

Ingredients
6 lg. potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 lg. onion, chopped
3 14-oz. cans chicken broth with roasted garlic
1/4 C. butter
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1 bag bacon bits (take out 1/4 c for garnishment)
1 C. whipping cream or half and half
1 C. or 1 4-oz. pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 Tbs. chopped fresh chives
1 8-oz. container sour cream
additional shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Combine first 7 ingredients in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours, or until potato is tender. Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is slightly thickened. Stir in cream, cheese and chives. Top with sour cream, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar cheese before serving.

I want one of these! Isn't this such a great idea?! I seen it on a blog yesterday evening(can't remember whose). I want one to cover my microwave.

Be back soon, Kim