location, location, location

That’s usually what’s important when moving, right??? Well, we’re not moving, but my needle is. LOL

I’ve completed the first verse (missing one motif for now) and have relocated further south on the sampler. I’m patiently waiting for the remainder of my threads to come in the mail. They should be here soon…I hope. I’m thoroughly enjoying this sampler and it’s quickly taking shape.

What else? The weather is hot and humid. It’s difficult to be outside so we’re indoors mostly. Jose is almost done with summer school and I’m relieved. My wedding anniversary is upon us come July ~ four years. Woo-Hoo! Fourth of July is near so dh gets some time off. I miss seeing my friends Sally and Susan. I just love sitting, stitching and conversing. And I wish I lived closer to my mother, like next door close. I'm all out.

Question for all of you. When selling on Etsy, do ALL items have to be handmade, designed, created, etc? For instance, can fabric and linen be sold?

Talk soon!

as if...

...I don’t already have enough WIPS in my sewing basket, I had to go and add another one to the ever, never-ending growing list. However, I’m gladly and guiltlessly proud of this newbie.

On Travel with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl. I started this yesterday evening and it’s proving fun and fairly quick for such a big sampler. I still don’t have all the fibers together, but I had what I needed to at least start it. Thank you, Tanya, for such a delightful sampler (and for the scissor sampler chart)! I’m truly in love.

This is strange. This little pillow by The New Berlin Co. (I think) was the second thing I ever stitched. Funny story though. My mother brought this over Thursday. She said it was mine but it didn’t look at all familiar. Apparently, 5-6 years ago I entrusted her to finish this for me. At the time I didn’t have a lick of finishing skill in me. Well, she finished it the other day and I’m just now getting it back. Better late than never, right?! LOL Mom, I really, really like the finish. You did a good job!

It was 97 degrees; 80% humidity; heat index of 105 degrees. The boys had such a great time! I miss being a kid and paying no mind to the smothering heat ~ glad I was in the shade. The dog days of summer are here.

Talk soon!

"traveling"

Have a look-see at my new goodies!

Sunday I traveled over to The Sampler Girl’s website and ordered the On Travel with Jane Austen chart. I’m so excited about starting this sampler. I don’t have the model fabric but I was thinking about using something different. The model is done on 30 ct, but I was thinking of using 32 ct Parchment. This isn’t written in stone ~ brainstorming only at this point b/c that’s what I have in-stash. I still need to acquire all the floss.

While visiting I toured the “Needlefuls” and saw the new and unique Hillier scissors by Kelmscott and had to get them, so I did. :o) I’ve made the decision that I need want more scissors so my collection begins. Yay!

I had a small piece of linen which originally was an unused doodle cloth. I decided to dye it a sage green this morning. I’m happy with it. I have a teeny tiny project in mind. I started on it this afternoon using DMC Perle Cotton #8 Blanc. I’m shooting for a French-pretty finish…I hope!

Most of Middle Tennessee is under a tornado warning. It hasn’t reached our part of Nashville yet, but it is slowly making its way. I don’t mind summer thunderstorms, but tornadoes at night give me the creeps and raise my blood pressure. Well, I’m off to cozy up in bed and stitch while I can rest easy.

Talk soon!

new sampler released

(A map of all the places Jane Austen lived and visited.)

OMG!!! I love samplers and by far my favorite designer is Tanya. Isn't she the best?!?! The Sampler Girl really knows how to capture history and literature and enhance it on linen with thread. Anyway, I just got word of her newly released sampler called On Travel With Jane Austen. It is amazing! Stunning is a much better word I think. Go check this sampler out and place that order...NOW!!! The motifs are sweet and the verses even sweeter. Go have a looksee!

hump day

I hoped that I would have gotten further along on Movie Night, but didn’t. :o( Here’s my progress on it though. It is progress, right? I think I like WDW better than GAST. For some reason the GAST was knotting up, but the Weeks did "not." Or it could have been the linen... hmmm! Oh well, I’ll have to experiment more.


This is the before shot of the Dutch Band Sampler. This is for today’s rotation so I’ll probably post pictures of it tomorrow if I get any stitching done on it today. I’m going over to mom’s for lunch and then picking Jose up from school. Another nice day in the 80’s, but we may get some rain here and there. I’m hoping there instead of here – LOL.

Talk soon!

tuesday

This is what I stitched last night. I wasn't able to stitch the entire day yesterday. I had some household catch-ups to do so I was busy puttering around the home. This is Country Sampler Velvet Sampler Bag by Stacy Nash Primitives. It's so cute, but the peacock is what really caught my eye.

This morning me and Cameron went to Kroger. We were home by 9:30. I love getting to the store early. Nothing is worse than late-afternoon shopping ~ Ick! Speaking of Cameron...I poured myself something to drink just a little while ago and left it on the counter. Being the monkey that Cameron is he snuck his truck over to the counter and got my glass without my knowledge. I was out of the room and heard him coughing and sipping. I went in to investigate knowing what I'd find. There was Cameron hiding under the table with my glass sipping away like no one's business. Ugh!!! What am I going to do with this boy? LOL

I'm off to give him his nap and hopefully have time to sit and stitch on Movie Night. Talk soon!

a new start

Yesterday I was at mom’s house and brought along a new project. I didn’t get that far into it, but hey it is something new, right?!?! Right!

This is (or will be) Movie Night by The Sampler Girl. This was probably one of the first Sampler Girl designs I ever bought. I couldn’t resist because I watch movies just about every night of my life whether they are brand new to me or reruns ~ movies comfort my soul.

It calls for the sweetest 7 popcorn buttons which I have. I just didn’t photograph them here. I didn’t have all the items the chart called for, but some. I know Tanya won’t mind that I substituted for what I had on stash. :o) I love the Presidential Blue and I didn’t have 28 ct Tea Dyed linen so I opted for 28 ct Amber which I think blends well with the floss.

I’ve got an idea for a collage that one day may end up being my blog topper and Movie Night will be an important cog in my blogging machine. The only other thing going on right now is that I have a cross between a sinus infection and allergy attacks. My sinus cavity won’t make up its mind and I have no control over it so it needs to make it up and fast. I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t had my haircut in a year so tomorrow is the day I’m taking the plunge and getting it trimmed and highlighted.

I’ll be getting LOST in a few hours…Talk soon!

show and tell

First things first! Check out Tanya’s new “do.” The Sampler Girl has a brand new website and she did it ALL by herself. Go check it out.

I have been slacking, majorly! I don’t know what has gotten into me. I have been up to a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but as my “how I’m feeling” face displays, I am beside myself – don’t know what’s wrong. I hope after this post I’ll get back on track. Maybe I have spring fever or something. It is warm right now.

Several little goodies have come in the mail lately and that has cheered me up. I bought one of Tanya’s motif magnets from her Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago and it came last week, along with this cute little tote bag. I love it on my fridge.

Me and my mom stumbled onto these sweet little necklace charms. She got one and I got two. They are so very sweet. We found them here. One has a youthful woman sewing. Her verse reads “I feed my soul with the stitches I sew” and we both have that one. It also has a catching verse from Nathanial Hawthorne on the back. I just loved the little girl sewing next to her needfuls and had to have it. Behind the charm it reads "Take your needle child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern come out all right like the embroidery." Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Last Saturday me and my mom went to the fabric store and had a very confusing, yet fun and exhausting time trying to sort through the thousands of bolts of fabric just trying effortlessly to search for complimentary colors and prints. I am merely a blooming quilter and mom isn’t one. We wished my Aunt Pam was there because we would have had everything we needed in no time. My aunt has such a keen high for this stuff.

Anyway, I receive the Fons & Porter Love of Quilting Magazine (thanks to Aunt Pam!) and I saw a pattern for a table runner in the January/February issue I want to tackle. We thought this process was going to be easy, but boy were we wrong. I can admit failure, but I cannot accept defeat. I picked a print fabric for my focus but me and mom could not for the life of us find matching or bouncing fabrics. After over an hour of searching for what seemed like an eternity, not to mention I think we were searching for a needle, we gave up on that color palette and quoting words from an anonymous woman, “I started from scratch.” Back to the ole’ drawing board we went.

The left side is the pattern done in Valentine theme from my magazine. On the right, I chose colors to match my decor and interest. I think we did pretty well considering what we picked out in the beginning. Gorgeous but trivial.

Finally, we picked our jump-off fabric and all of a sudden as if the heavens opened and angels sang we had our matching fabrics. Everything just came together and we were more than thrilled, excited, happy we were about to get the h*** out of there. We love the fabric store, but we were in there too long. My dad took Jose to the movie and they made it back to our house before me and my mom, and they dropped her off with me prior to their movie. Now that is just way too long people…admit it! LOL

Not only did I purchase fabric for my new project, I also picked out an extra Civil War Reproduction piece (1/2 yard) and two full yards of each of the 1930’s reproduction fabric. I plan on making a reversible sewing machine cover that ties on the sides with these 2 pieces. I can’t wait! The cover that comes with the Viking is a hard plastic and it takes over the room (too BIG) so I need something more me and more attractive. :D

A not too far distant past I said I had ripped my craft area apart in order to get it organized and get my things within hands’ reach. I’m almost there and I will post photos, but not now ~ sorry! However, my fabric stash is organized and here’s what that looks like.

I think for having this stash of fabrics for about 5 years and not being a queen quilter, I think this is a nice little beginner stash, don’t you think? I do more crafting and stitching and I love using fabrics to “finish” pieces up. It fascinates me and it’s personal. I also have some of my grandma’s fabrics from years ago. I’ve labeled those Grandma’s Textiles. I know…I’m a complete dork. ;o) I also have her laces, crochet accessories, and lots of little of this and that going on. I’m honored to have it and will find some use.

I started early on a Christmas ornament this year bc I started way too late last year. I haven’t done a lot of stitching lately bc of all my other things, but this is the progress on SamSarah's Winter Love from the JCS 2007 issue. I enjoy stitching with Belle Soie and I love the over-dyed fabric. I should have my floss tag done, but I don’t. As soon as I get one of these little stitchings complete I’ll start on my table runner or sewing machine cover. There is just so much to do and not enough seconds, minutes, hours, in a day or rather my lifetime to get all that I want done.

My Just Cross Stitch magazine came today and I am not too thrilled with it. Nothing appeals to me this issue. The blackwork bookmarks design is the model my mother stitched so I’m proud to say that, but other than this nothing yells at me. Maybe better luck next time.

Me and the boys went to mom’s today and Cameron got a haircut. He looks like such a big boy, but still so sweet. His hair was getting really long and needed a good trim. While at mom’s a book and DVD came for me. My mom is so wonderful! She does a lot for me and I hope she realizes how appreciative I am towards her affection, love, attention and generosity (I hope you do mom.). I know it’s because she loves me so so much. I recently told her that I had an idea of stitching a selection of Ohio reproduction samplers and giving them a home on their own wall of sampler fame. She is the best mom ever! She bought me a book called Ohio Is My Dwelling Place. I can't begin to explain the price, but she got a fantastic deal with her wise shopping ways. Now, I haven’t gone through the whole thing because I plan on reading it thoroughly, but it has the entire history of Ohio samplers and the regions and counties. I am in awe over this gift. The photos that I have seen are stunning! I’ll post more about it later.

The other item that came from mom was a DVD called Judith Baker Montano Teaches You Crazy Quilting, which I’ve been interested in exploring for a year or so. I watched a little bit of it this afternoon while I put Cameron down for a nap. Let’s just say, I got far enough into the lessons to realize what we did wrong with color in the fabric store on Saturday. LOL

You live and learn…and laughing along the way always helps. :o) Talk soon because I still have more show and tell to offer.

finishing fridays

I have another finish for 2009! Thursday night I finished Be Still…a freebie by The Sampler Girl. I’ll probably frame it myself or get it framed by my LNS. I added my own personal touches. With one strand over one I back stitched the verse from the Bible under the word “God” and I put my initials and the year in the bottom left hand corner ~ both in matching DMC colors of the word and design. More than likely I am going to hang it by my side of the bed for that much needed “wake-up call" from God each morning. Thanks, Tanya, for thinking of me during this creation! I’ll never forget it.

28 ct Jobelan Sand Castle using called for DMC

This wall space will be Be Still's new home once I frame it ~ right under my Antique Wedding Sampler.

As of this morning I ordered the cutest pendant from Lori over at Farmhouse Notforgotten. It’s called Bluebird Love with Roses. It is so precious! I cannot wait to wear this proudly around my neck, or I could say, “Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder” but it isn’t a broach…or could it be!?! Lori is great to do business with and her artwork is just that; a-r-t-w-o-r-k. Go check out her Etsy shop. She has really lovely handmade items for sale. I AM going to get one of those dolls one of these days. Thank you, Lori, for such an easy and relaxing purchase!

Now that I have finished a cross stitch piece I need something to take Thursday’s rotation place. Now…let’s see….what shall that be? I know! Two years ago me and mom signed up for an ornament club through Mimi’s Attic. We chose any of the ornaments we’d like to stitch, pay a little bit of mullah, submit the order to Mimi’s Attic, and she kits those ornaments and sends them your way. You don’t need the chart because more than likely you have the JCS Ornament issue for that year.

With that being said, I ordered 2007 ornaments awhile back (well obviously – it’s 2009 now – ah!) and wanted 5 from that issue. I need to stitch up an ornament and what better time than to add it to my current rotation now. Sounds only fair, right! LOL I’m going to stitch Winter Love by SamSarah. It’s really sweet ~ one snowman and one snowwoman hugging. Very cute! I’ll start on this next week.

I have decided to name all Fridays “finishing fridays.” I don’t intend to finish-finish every project or even one project; even though that would be nice. No, I’m going to at least make Friday a day that I begin a project to get it finished. I think this will be fun and encouraging. I have many of the supplies on-hand to begin and today is the day. I punched a design by Erica Michaels called Family years ago. It was one of the first punchneedle designs I attempted. I’ve had it punched all this time but never knowing how to finish it it’s been stuck in my “Needs Finishing” container. After looking at my punchneedle books (I own 3 and need more) I finally stumbled onto something. Here’s what my “Family” looks like all punched up but no place to call home yet.

I also have another punchneedle piece all punched and ready to be finished. I already had the finishing idea, supplies and fabric to use. I had every intention of covering a paper/cardboard circular box I bought from Michael’s some years ago and had a sweet little fabric to cover it with and then apply the punchneedle on the lid, but I haven’t gotten around to it. I just recently bought Mod Podge so now I can get started. Whew! What has been wrong with me?!?!

I’m just relieved that thoughts are flooding in with respect to finishing. I have a lot of YOU to thank ~ you are all so inspiring! YOU really uncover buried creativity. Thanks YOU!!!

I have the sweetest baby, I think! He’s very affectionate and loving at such a young young age. Here’s a small video of a special ‘Cameron and Mama moment’. Click 'play' to begin…

I had this post all ready to send when I had to leave to pick up Jose from chess club. On my way home I stopped at my LNS to get a few things. I decided to try another punchneedle and purchased the Cameo needle. I have heard quite the rave on this needle. I've been using the Igolochkoy Russian punchneedle for years now. In fact, this is the needle I learned to punch with. I checked the mail this afternoon and boom! There was a pleasant surprise from my very thoughtful Aunt Pam. As a 'just because' gift she bought me a subscription to the Love of Quilt magazine. I am completely surprised and extremely excited to get this magazine. This is my first subscription to a quilt magazine and I cannot wait to get more. I'll think of my Aunt every time I receive one and it'll make me smile. Thank you, Aunt Pam! I love you!

Contents of the photo are the magazine my aunt bought me, and the items I picked up from my LNS were the Cameo punchneedle, green and purple weaver's cloth, linen banding, 32 ct black Belfast, vintage buttons, and the golden frame was only a $1.00. I'm going to mess the frame up a bit and use it for Be Still.

My rotation piece for today was Hallow's Eve by Stacy Nash, but I haven't even picked up a needle yet today and it's almost 9:30 p.m. Have a good night everyone! Hope to post something tomorrow.

thur and fri

Thursday:

I received that beautiful appliquéd quilt from my Aunt Pam. Thank you, everyone, for the thoughtful comments on my aunt’s quilt. I so appreciate them and I know she does as well.

I threaded the bobbin on my sewing machine. I made quite the mess with that. I don’t use my sewing machine as much as some and I needed a refresher course so I turned to my handy Viking sewing machine instruction manual for assistance – it worked! Now I’m all ready to go.

In the evening, I worked on primitivebettys Hallow’s Eve design. All I have left before finishing it is whip stitch the back to the front. I stitched this right around Halloween, but never got around to finish-finishing it (if that makes sense). Finally, I started piecing together the three different swatches of fabric. I’m still not sure what it’ll become. I know it isn’t getting framed. So far, I spent 2 hours working on it and I had lots of fun, and had lots of needle pokes too. Ouch! I also noticed that I have a stitching mistake, but it’s too late to repair – those pesky frogs aren’t going to bother me with this one. I’ve learned to just accept such mistakes.

Here’s a video (above) of Jose and Cameron being oh sooooooo silly Thursday evening before bed. Cameron thought it quite funny to yell and scream after Jose said, “Get up!”. At times Cameron acted like a fish out of water. Silly boys!!

At night, I stitched on Be Still by The Sampler Girl. I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I had not seen it before. Really really good! Those kids are maturing and growing up fast, aren’t they? The character of Ron is simply adorable. He’s my favorite…"bloody hell!" - LOL

Friday:

Here’s a photo of Cameron right before we left for his Nana’s house. He is pretending to be daddy. He had the laptop, daddy’s cell phone, a calculator (daddy doesn’t use that) and the remote control for our DVD player. Mr. Cameron thought he was pretty cool.

Me and Cameron went to my mom’s and got there extra early. She lives 45 minutes away from my home so it’s best to get there at the crack of dawn (not really that early, but might as well have been). My mom surprised me with a little something. Well, not really little; BIG actually! Check out my new scissors. Heehee I can't wait to hang these in my craft area!

Cameron is playing with the spice drawer. He loves organizing things…ah, a man after my own heart! He had a grand time playing with all this stuff.

Friday’s stitching was on Hallow’s Eve Pillow by Stacy Nash. This is more than half way stitched so hopefully I’ll get it stitched up by next Friday. Here’s to hoping!!! Here's the progress on this one.

Today is Saturday which means my biggest rotation project of all; Ages of Man by Long Dog Sampler. Here (scroll down quite a bit to see photo of LDS) is where I am currently with this design.

DH and I are going out for Valentine’s Day this evening. Mom is watching the boys and we’re going to eat a sushi bar for dinner. It’ll be nice being alone together.

Have a wonderful day everyone!