quite a post

Several things to blab about so hold onto your stitching, quilting, books, and whatever else may blow away while reading quite a post such as this one.

KIDS…

Yesterday afternoon Jose decided to make a hot pocket for himself. Apparently the plate was a bit too hot for Jose’s own good, so he elaborated in order to protect his hand on the trek to his bedroom. Well, we caught him sneaking off to his bedroom to eat. He was trying to explain himself when we wondered what that big bright blue-green thing was. Ahh, now we know.

Tonight after dinner Cameron wanted to help with the pots and pans and everything else…I think. I don’t know what he was trying to do. You figure it out. (Excuse the yellowish floor. We’re meaning to get that replaced at some point.)




PROGRESS…

I’ve made more progress on Susan’s Sweet Sampler Tin. I finished the cloud filling stitch (far right on big piece). I finished the pin cushion with the small pink button and I’m almost done with the needlebook. We could choose any stitch for the front and I stitched the cloud filling. It’s fun and pretty so why not. The baggy with the "doh-dah’s" (Susan Greening Davis term) are some items I’m going to use with this piece. My mother had these and since she’s the best mom ever she gave them to me for my project.

The stitched banding is the needlebook which I have almost done. I finally found some fabric for inside and am in the process of tacking that down and the green ribbon (in the baggy) will be weaved through those three coral rings. Those rings came with the class, but we used the buttonhole stitch to cover them. The rings, green ribbon (my choice), and needlebook are getting attached into the tin.

I’m happy with my pace on this project because it isn’t just the main focus piece, but different little pieces included with the tin. I’ve learned a few new specialty stitches so it’s been so much fun expanding my x’s :o) Susan is truly a fantastic teacher and she’s an artist as well. If she’s ever in your area or your country (‘cause she goes international baby) you should really think about signing up and attending. Annemiek knows her too and she can confirm.

FINISHED…

I am terribly excited about this little finish. Her name is Sarah and she is a product of Susan Greening Davis.

My mother bought this precious doll for me, along with the accessory kit, at our SGD tin class. I’ve had Sarah in my basket for sometime, but she’s had no accessories to adorn. For sometime now I’ve had her pictured atop my blog in that basket, but she’s had no accessories. Yesterday, I looked over at her during lunch and said no more! You will not be naked any longer, so up I went and stitched her apron. The letter “I” wasn’t included, but since there was a heart charm I thought, why not say that Sarah (really me though) cross stitch, so I added the letter “I”. I had a blast with this!

The tiny little needlebook came pre-made so I merely had to hang it from Sarah’s hand.

BUT, and I’m really proud of that BUT, this was the first tuffet/biscornu I have ever done. As Susan describes in her directions, “this is the teeniest, tiniest tuffet EVER!” All I can say is DUH!!! She wasn’t kidding. I always thought that my first biscornu would be the average size but no. I had to make the smallest thing next to a nickel. (I used a nickel for a size reference, well, b/c my last name is Nichols – hardy-har-har! – and it is that small.) I had fun, I guess you could say, since it was my first experience with something this small, but I really don’t want to try this again. LOL Next time, I’ll do one as big as my head hand.

Now that I’ve bored you and kept you from your guilty pleasures, I just want to say thanks for visiting me and leaving comments. It means soooo much that you just can’t possibly imagine how much. You are all so wonderful and fun. Thanks again!

Talk soon!

PS: Btw, I tied the apron around Sarah’s waist and changed the blog topper photo. Sarah isn’t naked anymore - Yay!!!

quick post!

Yesterday afternoon was my LNS's display from market. Me and mom went together and got some cool things, but that's not what this post is about ~ that'll come later. I have a MRI scheduled this morning for my neck and spine, but I had to show you some treasures I found at a local antique mall that we went to after market.

First up is this little framed painting. I think it speaks for itself. I am going to hang it in my bedroom. I just thought it was adorable.

Now for the really good stuff... I'm so excited to show everyone these next pieces. I'm giddy!

This was roughly the first thing I saw when I walked into the mall. It was a vintage Little Red Riding Hood doll....right? Oh no, she had a surprise up her dress (ahem...).

I flipped the red dress over her head and out came Grandma!!! Me and my mother's mouths dropped open in a split second. We were stunned and probably way too excited about this. We couldn't believe it. I immediately said "they are mine!" with conviction. I looked at the price and this treasure was only $20.00. Okay, I notice the reproduction fabric that is her, I'm sorry their dress, and was looking for a tag to help identify this doll further. I was so intrigued. All of a sudden, Grandma had something behind her. I lifted up her bonnet and turned her around and looked what popped out and almost bit me....

THE BIG BAD WOLF! At this point I think my heart skipped a beat and for sure this doll was MINE, ALL MINE!!!! I could not believe this. This doll and at only $20.00. SOLD! I am going to have to research this doll.

Next up, around the corner I went, down the aisle I traveled and what did my eyes appear, but a little dark grunge girl waiting for me. :D

My FIRST grungy doll. I scooped her up in a heart beat as well. There was no deciding on this - she was mine too. She is also dressed in Civil War reproduction fabric and she actually has writing on her apron that reads "never lose your little girl heart". Ahhh, to sweet! When I got home I thoroughly checked her out and found another label that reads 'Samantha's apron'. Not sure what this means, but I think I'll name her Samantha. She was $20.00 too.

Next up was this little gem of a dolly. This doll was only $10.00 and when I saw her I knew I had to have her as well. This doll is really precious because I can customize her. She has beautiful lacing around the collar and hem. She's even wearing bloomers underneath that can also be customized. There is so much I can do with her. I just hope I'm creative enough to give her a little more shine. I could cross stitch something on her or even embroider. I may attach buttons for eyes. We'll see.

Here are her bloomers. I haven't given her a name yet. I'll wait until she has more of an identity. Right now, she's my blank canvas.

This was another treasure that we saw right before seeing Little Red Riding Hood. It was $25.00 and it's aged, wooden and really darling. I had to have this too (what else is new - LOL). There are so many little things I could display on this shelf.

I also found some vintage lace strips, an embroidered wooden box top, quilted and crochet dollhouse accessories, even though I'm not into dollhouse, I thought I could implement these into some sort of project. Me and my mom found a couple things for Cameron and Jose. We got a wooden tic-tac-toe set for Jose. He loves Tic-Tac-Toe and will beat anyone. He knows the strategy in this game in order to win ~ thanks to dear mom! I found that old Fisher-Price record player that plays little records with children's music. I couldn't believe I saw this. It's missing 1 record but each record plays 2 songs so I wasn't disappointed considering how old this toy is. There are 3 records right now with it. He played and played with it when we got home.

Saturday me and ALL the boys had a family outing, but I'll post that and pictures later on. I have to get ready so I can meet my appointment, but I had to post these photos of my visit to the antique mall. Have a great morning!