plum street samplers

Plum Street Samplers is having a spectacular blog giveaway to celebrate Paulette's 1-year blogaversary. Go check out the details! It's sooooooooooo worth it. Good luck everyone.

a new toy and progress stitching to boot

Knock! Knock!

Who's there?

Quad!

QUAD WHO???

QUADING-CAMERON!!!
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I didn’t get any new toys, but I have made excellent progress with On Travel with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl.

I’m the stitches out of this one! I just can’t drive myself to work on anything else right now. I’m about down to all the motifs. Woo-Hoo! Dh will be home soon which means time to prep the din-din ~ boneless pork chops tonight. Talk soon!

miss marple

Did anyone watch the Masterpiece Mystery program on PBS Sunday night? Tanya talked about it HERE. Series IV of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple novels are airing all this month every Sunday evening. I didn't get to see the first showing on July 5 but I watched the second one this past Sunday. It was really good. Miss Marple reminds me of Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) minus the writer aspect.

If you'd like to get caught up you can watch the two mystery movies HERE. Check your local listings though b/c this link will say 9:00 pm, but that's eastern time. Mine started at 8:00 (central) and lasted almost til 9:30. Make sure the kiddos are in bed. :0) You'll want to sit and stitch to these. Talk soon!

"People do tend to confide in old ladies, don't you find?" Miss Marple in A Pocket Full of Rye

announcement

I have an announcement. It isn't THAT exciting (LOL), but I wanted to bring attention to it. At some point in the future I would like to start creating/designing cross stitch patterns. I don't have any high expectations, but it's been rolling through my mind for months; ages really. Anyway, to make a long story short...too late...I opened an Etsy shop called none other than Julie's Keepsakes. I've added an Etsy Shop Here button on my sidebar that'll route you to my shop page. There isn't anything for sale yet, but without sounding redundant...too late...I wanted to bring attention so that it stays with you. Hopefully I'll get something started relatively soon. I have many drawings but no charting yet.

Thanks for your support, everyone. You all bring such joy and creative passion into my life. Talk soon!

haircut time

It was about time to get the clippers out and trim this child's hair. I set him on the toilet, put a mirror in front him so he could watch the festivities, and away I went with the clippers. It took all but 5 minutes to get this done. He was sooo cooperative and patient and for nearly 23 months old he did pretty darn good. I think he looks dashing. Cameron thinks so too!

an afternoon with jane

I told myself I wasn’t going to do this before I read the book, but after six-plus months I couldn’t help myself any longer and I succumbed to the temptation. I watched "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman. I cried. I laughed. I sighed. I held my breath. I even clapped.

I haven’t really enjoyed a film like I enjoyed this one. I’m ashamed I waited this long to capture the essence of what Jane Austen was saying. What a storyteller. I realize this is only an adaption of her novel, but I will definitely read the novel sooner rather than later. The period in which her novel is wrought, I can’t help but feel a tad bit jealous that I wasn’t born another time. The clothing. The emotion. The cottage – oh the cottage! What I wouldn’t give to live there. The still of the sisters and mother working on their needlework was peaceful. I was so moved and felt connected. At one point I was on the edge of my seat trying to soak in the scenery and house décor. The wallpaper. The tapestry. The furniture.

I was sincerely captivated by the sisters and envied their relationship. Each actress did a marvelous job at convincing me of their disposition and I loved them all. I hated the dreadful sister-in-law, and so much that I’ve even forgotten her name. But my absolute favorite character is the Colonel. Such a lonely, quiet sufferer who truly, without a doubt, loved Marianne with his entire core, and that made him sexy. I knew there was more to him than meets the eye and when he sent Marianne the piano I knew their fate. Now that is love and I cried.

While enjoying the film I worked on On Travel with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl. I am using the called-for threads with the exception of changing three to the alternative DMC colors. I made changes to some cross stitches themselves. Instead of the cross stitch I changed it to the satin stitch, but still used the colors for that symbol; just a different stitch. I did this with the triangle-like band (above "Sunday"). I love how it's turning out. Other than this, we're as good as gold. Oh, and I'm using 32 ct Parchment instead of what the model is done on.

Stitching on this piece makes me happy and I’m calm. Stitching in general is therapeutic, but when I work on On Travel I can’t help but feel at peace and at ease. I think of nothing else and I cherish that sensation; for lately I’ve been high strung. But for now this is the only design I stitch on and I’m okay with that. Even though I’m a multi-tasker and like having more than one thing going on, my other projects can wait. Besides, they’re not going anywhere ~ they have no legs. :o)

Talk soon!

quick post

I apologize for not being up to speed on blogging and posting. I've been in quite the slump for the past couple weeks. Whether that be family matters, money problems, wacky children, computer issues, and the like, I am in a blue-ish slump and hope to remove myself from it soon. It's been hectic and I haven't really felt wise to enter my "happy place." Here! I hope to be back in tip-top shape as soon as I can b/c I'm tired of being tired. I do have stitchy updates and such, but just don't have the muster to share right now. It's just one of those months, ya know. Talk soon!

stitch-tine chapel

I was sent a fantastic news article from a lovely lady named Margie, via the spectacular Sandy, about the Sistine Chapel, and I'm not talking about any ordinary Sistine Chapel. Check it out. It's amazing!

Stitch-tine Chapel article

anniversary

Four years ago today, dh and I were married at his parents home in historic Franklin, Tennessee. It seems much longer than just four years because so much as happened since that day. I can’t begin to detail all the dramatic and some subtle changes that have occurred, but I believe we’re a stronger couple because of those changes. At least I’d like to think so.

Even though he can sometimes get on my very last nerve with his corky behavior and those never-ending farts (pardon me) I coined “The Orchestra”, I still love him all the same. He’s a man…say no more, and I love that man for heaven’s sake. God Bless him!

[Click on collage to enlarge photo.]

Happy Anniversary, Honey! Here’s to many, many more years together.

Talk soon!

making headway

For the past two days I have worked on Susan’s Sweet Sampler Tin. I finished assembling the needlebook by choosing a complimentary green batik fabric and using a camel-colored felt that I took pinking sheers to. The ribbon is a stash-find from mom and it works perfectly, don’t ya’ think?! I’m also pleased with my ribbon weaving abilities. This will tie to a pair of scissors to insert into a scissor pouch which I’m currently working on and then that will get stitched onto the sampler piece for inside the tin.

I picked up my threads today and aren’t they gorgeous. Finally, I can continue onward with this beautiful sampler to which I have fallen madly in love with.

Yesterday it was blazing hot. I mean unbearably hot. So – I let the boys play in Cameron’s new pool. Jose is a bit too big, but he can cool off and play with Cameron all the same. It works for now. Our little Lucy-Lu (Shih Tzu) was getting in on the action too. The boys were tossing water in her direction and apparently she thought it solid matter so she was taking the dive to catch the water droplets. She was funny.

Keep cool. I hear it’ll be a scorcher tomorrow. Talk soon!