Some of my Patriotic Freebies

http://bitsoffloss.blogspot.com/search/label/Patriotic

And take a moment to watch Endeavour land at LAX in 2012 and listen to the Fanfare. It's very moving. I get choked up watching this again after all these years.  My brother slightly tweaked it and played trumpet in the small musical ensemble. I love him so much! His musical endeavors (pun not necessarily intended) have entertained me, but more importantly have had great meaning in and have enriched my life. I need to tell him that. 

I also remember my dear Mother who passed on this day in 2011. I wish I had taken the opportunity to have told her over and over just how very much she meant to me.

Pam Kellog Small Freebies

Bird On Apple and others on her blog at 

http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/  

Also beautiful patriotic eagle and Autumn Cat blackwork.

Patriotic Freebie Stitched by Cathryn of Blueladie Designs!

A big Thank You to Cathryn of Blueladie Designs who has shared her stitching. She promises to post a framed version later. Please visit Cathyrn's blog and website to see her designs and other stitching as well!  You can find this chart and my other patriotic designs here.

Wichelt freebies / More Printer Woes

Just a reminder that Wichelt and many of the other designers listed on the Freebie page put out new charts on a regular basis.  Wichelt's July free graph is a patriotic bird house.

Had lunch with my Dad and sister at Jason's Deli on the anniversary of my Mother's death last week. From there I had to return last year's new printer to Frye's for repair or replacement. This makes 3 returned printers in 3 years! I intended to change brands (again) and thinking laser jet but instead came home with a newer model of returned Canon printer, in part because I had just recently replaced the expensive cartridge of black ink and could use it with this one, and in part because I was told it had a $50 rebate.  But NOOOO! When I got home and had the opportunity to read the rebate slip, only available at check out, turns out one had to buy a refurbished something else AND the printer at the same time to get the rebate.  Because the cost of last printer was just over what they could do an even swap for, they gave me a credit slip for whatever I wanted to get (NEW PRINTER!!) and allowed me to take out another extended warranty for $20.  At this rate I've really only been paying for that extended warranty each return, plus maybe $5 or $10 more for each brand new printer.  AND, I get new ink with each printer, the cost of which exceeds the cost of the printer, of course.  I saved the new black cartridge for later.

What I really want is for my decade plus year old HPLaserJet6L to work again!! Which after many years of reliable printing -and well out of warranty - quit working, of course, right after I bought a new cartridge for it. : (

Blue US Santa Completed

And added the few missing stitches to the Red Santa as well. Both from Down Santa Claus Lane by Leisure Arts (1994).  And, being on a bit of an unusual roll, started stitching the White/Gold US Santa as well.  So far today:

Videos of Endeavor Landing at LAX - with Music!

NASA TV's edited video:

The 24-piece brass/percussion ensemble, in which my brother plays trombone,  sounded the first trumpet note exactly when the 747's wheels hit the runway. They timed Copland's "Fanfare to the Common Man" to end as the 747 and Shuttle came to a stop directly behind them. The video and sound are excellent!

Vocalist's unedited video of landing and taxi with full version of Fanfare, wind, cheering and jet noises - also excellent! Like and leave a comment for Steve.

FOX News video of the event.

http://www.myfoxla.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7752536

Commentary over "Fanfare," then you can hear the stirring version of "America the Beautiful" sung by Steve Amerson, who captured the above on his IPad, accompanied by the ensemble starting at 4:15. Very moving. All of it.

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As for my volunteering at Cowboys Stadium: I had to leave home just before the Shuttle landed in LA, sat around and did NOTHING for the next 2 hours, then folded over the tops of hot dogs in sleeve and stacked them on a tray. (I have a post grad so it was relatively simple to learn and do.) Thursday I volunteered with a different group preparing 3,000 sacks with chips, condiments and napkins for the Staff Rally on Friday - only about 1/3 to 1/2 of which were necessary/used. A LARGE group of 20-something stadium employees (I assume being paid) dropped hot dogs into a sacks just before handing them out as other employees walked past. I sat around and did little or nothing for another hour or two, then helped take the 120 or so left over dogs down to the field. I was pretty sure I'd get lost trying to find my way back to the freight elevator, so I was told I could climb what turned out to be more than a couple of flights of stairs through the lower section of seats to where I could exit out and find an elevator to take me back to street level. Instead I had to climb yet another 3 extra long flights, by which time my legs were rubber. To my surprise, I didn't drop dead before I got to the car.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY !!!

From Bits of Floss & LMc Designs

One Final Patriotic Freebie

The last of my patriotic Freebies. I really wish those who download would leave a quick comment so that I'll know the level of interest in my designs. Like many freebie designers I harbor the faint notion that perhaps there might be enough stitchers such that taking the time and going to the expense of printing and distributions might actually be feasible. Thank you in advance to those that do. Download subject to Copyright information on the Right

Happy 4th!

Freebie: Patriotic Elements

Just some doodling patriotic designs to mix and match as you choose. Enjoy.


I know a lot of stitchers are looking, but I have no idea how many might be downloading designs or whether I'm wasting my time posting some of these. If you've d/l a chart, I would really appreciate just a quick comment. THANKS!

Freebie: Pinwheel Border

This fits a Charles Craft Hand Towel, or it can be repeated and stitched on a long piece of narrow cross stitch band and used for decoration on a basket, clothing, etc. Downloand subject to copyright information on the right. Stitch & enjoy.

Freebie: Pledge of Allegiance

Decided to go ahead and upload this one. Perfect for teachers, military personnel, professionals, children, and as a reminder to us all of who we are and what we stand for. The blue in the chart will print black on a BW printer. Downloads subject to copyright information on the right. Copy/Paste the Pattern Information below. Please stitch and enjoy.

Pattern Information - Pledge of Allegiance

Proud to be an American? Show your patriotism and share it with others! Choose your favorite patriotic colors or overdyes for a special effect. The Liberty Bell isn't really gold, so if you like, substitute 612 for a more bronze shade.

Stitch Size: 85w x 69h

• 14/28 ct 6" x 4-7/8"
• 16/32 ct 5-1/4" x 4-1/4"

Backstitch:

• Flag and Pledge in Blue
• Liberty Bell Crack in Dark Brown
• Straps in Gold

French Knot:

• Bell clapper - Dark Brown

For interest:

• Add Mill Hill white beads to the 50 stars and add embellisments in the upper corners.

Freebie: Patriotic

When using the smaller of the two rockets, this is a quick stitch and fun project for party decorations or favors. The larger pattern makes a larger rocket. Rather than stitching all that white, choose a white fabric and only stitch the blue and red. Example is stitched on 14ct white Aida. Stitch a front and back on same piece of fabric leaving 3/4" between them. When complete face the front sides together and stitch a seam so that the space between the front and back will be 3/4". Take a tuck on either side of the nose of the rocket so that it ends in a blunt point. Turn inside out, then stuff with bits of fiberfill. Stick 3/8" wooden dowel up through fiber fill to nose of rocket. Fold under the raw bottom edge 1/2 to 3/4 inch then tie 1/4" ribbon around the bottom for streamers. CAUTION: USE EXTRA CAUTION AROUND SMALL CHILDREN who could fall and injure themselves on or with the dowel. I'm afraid my example was sort of beat up a bit by the time I thought to take a photo. I thought these would make nice pot stickers! In the past another stitcher or group or stitchers used this chart to make bookmarks for St. Jude's. Download subject to copyright information on the right. Stitch and enjoy. If you make a rocket, I'd love to see how and where you display it!

Freebies: Patriotic

Variations on a theme. The dark blue on the BW charts will print black. Downloading subject to Copyright Information on the right. Happy patriotic stitching!!

I will be posting other patriotic freebies in the coming days/weeks. Check back often.