a framed jane

Here is On Travel with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl all framed and on the wall. I couldn’t be more pleased and happy with how she turned out. And it always feels good to get a big sampler back framed after all that long hard work – exhale! Accomplishments are nice, aren’t they?



Speaking of travel, I’m heading to my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio for the weekend for mom’s high school reunion. Yep, I get to go to mom’s high school reunion with her. I’m really looking forward to this. It should be interesting and fun, but then I can have fun most places I go when with mom. We’re fun girls. :) I get to visit with my Aunt Pam (mom’s sis) and cousins so that’ll be a nice needed treat. We’re also going to wander over to Aunt Pam’s LNS called Keepsakes. It doesn’t have a website, but this place is so cute. I’m going to ask if I can take pictures b/c it’s one of the best places to visit. It’s in a 2-story old house so LOADS to look at.

I’m going to miss my boys especially since my days start off with Cameron in such good spirits, but I really need to get out of dodge for awhile. Talk soon!

preparing for fall

While I’m trying to ready myself and home for fall and Halloween I keep wishing it wouldn’t be so, but there are forces larger than myself it seems. However, tomorrow we are going to be at a high of 82 and I’ll take that over 70 any day.

I wish I could take credit for these next collage photos but I cannot. My mother has stitched every single one of these cutesy pieces and I had to show them off. They are in my home but they still belong to her. If you click on the photo it may behave and enlarge so you can see the awesome (sorry mom) intricate paint job on the molding. I love the old tree and tombstones. The cloudy, full-mooned night. I believe the frame was painted by Kathy the framing lady at our LNS. She does amazing work and is very creative. She definitely can delight and surprise. Anyhow, I believe this design is the Sekas & Co., but I have no ghostly idea what the design is actually called.

Again, can’t take credit for the stitched witches and such, but I can take credit for the nasty witch hanging on the door in my kitchen. She is mine, but once again mother bought her for me so I guess I can’t really take credit b/c it was mom’s idea to purchase her. Oh well…I’m pretty sure, and correct me if I’m wrong, the 9-patch is from Brightneedle and I don’t know who designed the Oops! witch. Again, mom stitched them all.

I still need to share with you a framed Jane, but she deserves her own post so that’ll come later. I also need to get started on my 1800's reproduction table runner which I’ve had ready to start for months and months – it would work so well for fall. I mentioned awhile back that I was changing my summer basket to fall…forcefully…reluctantly…unwillingly, but I did. Well, I decided to use my Stacy Nash pinkeeps and pillows for the basket. I also dug through the fall box up from the attic and found my late-grandmother’s jack-o-lantern she made eons ago and tucked it in too. I would like to stitch something else quick and simple to add to the group. Maybe a primitivebettys freebie I have stashed somewhere. :)

I work out and walk 6-7 days a week. I don’t enjoy all my walks b/c Cameron isn’t always a joy – he tries to wiggle out of his stroller and protests something awful now – so I have to cut those days short and I loath short walks. Anyway, I can really get a good hard walk in on days he’s at daycare, like today.

Look at the photo I took early this morning while crossing over the Cumberland River. I haven’t seen a sky this crisp and clear in a long time. The moon was still showing itself (see the little white speck?). And can you believe it??? I caught this image with my cell phone camera! The moon was much more visible with the naked eye than in this photo and this picture doesn't do what I saw any justice. [Try clicking to enlarge.] Talk soon!

ornaments and such

I can’t believe it’s October already – month 10! This year has gone by so quickly and as if it couldn’t get any worse it’s chilly outside, but that hasn’t stopped my daily walks and exercise. I am feeling healthy and strong.

I finally finished assembling Winter Love by SamSarah. This ornament is from the 2007 JCS ornament issue. I don’t know what I was thinking though. I do not like how I attached the ribbon on this pillow ornament. I should have attached the ribbon to each corner, but after it was together and really noticing this I didn’t want to take the time to take it all apart and redo it. Let this be a learning lesson to thy self. I love the fabric though – 32 ct. Autumn Field. Very pretty and easy to stitch on.

I also finished assembling Dreaming of Halloween by Stacy Nash. This one was fun to stitch even though witchy woman’s dress was the pits at times I did enjoy putting this one together b/c of its interesting shape. It reminds me of a tombstone so it’s very fall-ish/Halloween-ish, don’t you think? :) I used 32 ct. Pearl Grey linen and decided not to dye it. I managed to nestle my initials and year into the vines which I am really pleased with. I was afraid it wasn’t going to work.

Here is the backing for both pieces. I especially love the pillow case ticking that my Aunt Pam gifted me some time ago, so not only does this fabric compliment the dream theme of this Stacy Nash piece, but every time I glance over at it I think of my aunt for making this project that much more special. It just worked out perfectly for this.

And here are the odd couples now. Both all finished up. This isn’t where they reside. The ornament pillow is put away until xmas, but Witchy Woman is working on getting into the fall basket for placement.

I have many 2007 JCS ornament issued kits ready to start. Mom and I became part of a club that signed up to receive kits of chosen ornaments and I have fallen lazy. Mom has 9 of hers complete and the only one I’ve done is the SamSarah. I still have 2008 ornaments coming as well. Anyway, I recently started another 2007 ornament from Brightneedle called 2007 Merry Xmas Pinkeep. As we all know it’s done one-over-one: fun, fun, fun! This one is stitched all in WDW which is really pretty and it actually is going by rather fast for being so small. It’s stitched on Antique White. The ornaments on the tree were fun to do, but I hate finishing off a thread when stitching over one b/c the threads are so tight.

Fantastic news!!! I had my Jane Austen sampler framed and she has returned home. She deserves a post all to her own so I’ll post pics of her at another time. Naturally, photos don’t do anything any justice and especially Jane so when I say she looks gorgeous trust that she does. It’s just a shame that my camera is broke and I have to use my 12 year old son’s camera to take photos now. Ugh! I’ve had a stressful day and would like some zzzz’s. Talk soon!

first day

Cameron started his first day of daycare today. He won't be going everyday. Just one or two days a week to start, but he was extra excited this morning.

Once Cameron saw where we were he got so tickled. He actually posed for me so I could take his picture.

Such a big boy! He went up the stairs. Knocked on the door and off he went with one of the teachers to his classroom. Even held her hand. He's never been to a daycare before and never played with children his own age so Mama was very proud and not at all surprised.

Cameron and I visited this daycare two times before to make sure THIS was the place for Cameron and he had his set on the giant school bus from the get-go. So of course when we arrived this morning the first thing Cameron looked for was the giant school bus and the Elmo doll to go inside it. The pictures are a little blurry, I know, but this just goes to show how busy 2 year olds are. They never stay in one place for too long. LOL

Here's my little tyke home from his first day at school. He had so much fun and he was a good toddler for them. He ate all his breakfast, lunch and snacks and even took a nap like everyone else. He cried for about 3 minutes when I left, but that was it. He had a very productive day. Some stickers came in the mail and you can tell he was happy about his day and getting smiley stickers too. I love my Cameron!

Btw, here is the backing fabric and 3/8 ribbon I've picked for Winter Love. I haven't really had an opportunity to sit and put it together, but I will. Talk soon!

winter love

I finished stitching a JCS 2007 ornament called Winter Love by SamSarah Designs using Belle Soie silks. Very smooth and fun. Loved the fabby. It'll be made into a hanging pillow ornament. Now for picking the backing fabric...

Talk soon!

still "dreaming"

I’ll soon be calling her Witchy Woman (my own name for her) before long, but for now she’s still Dreaming of Halloween by Stacy Nash. She’s turning out quite nicely on the pearl grey linen and I can’t wait to pick out backing fabric for her.

There is something about the 1782 date that I just like…not sure what it is. It looks really cool on the pearl grey. Maybe it’s the pearl grey linen that’s so striking with 1782. Hmmm…I have one DMC 844 row left to cross at the bottom of Witchy Woman’s dress and onto the cloud below her, but HAD to photo her now b/c the sun came out and I HAD to take advantage of that…well…b/c it’s still raining here and the sun hasn’t been present in weeks.

This finally came today…….and I couldn’t be happier (being that I’m the last person on the planet to receive it and mom too) that I have something to read over tonight in bed. Yay!!! I also know whose ornament I'm going to stitch up first. Yep! That be my girl, T! :o)

Lastly, I’m feeling sad that I have to change my summer basket into fall. I love summer way too much to let it go to fall. I do have a Stacy Nash Halloween pillow that I finish-finished earlier this year and I’ll finish my Witchy Woman for it as well soon. So that is a ‘check’ for the basket. I’ll have to come across something else to fit snug. Oh well, plenty of time I suppose. Tonight’s dinner is Tilapia with Rotini pasta with Parmesan sauce ~ Yum! Talk soon!

PS: Mom, thanks for the "doom-and-gloom" comment. I needed the reality check. Love you!

walking action

It rained really early this morning, but stopped long enough for another walk, actually TWO walks. Part of the Greenway was closed again so I couldn't get more than half a mile in at this location. Since it has been raining non-stop for what seems like forever the river is tremendously high. The first three photos are of the Greenway. Just imagine it with the sun shining, the river low, and bustling with people. It's so peaceful and a thought-provoking place. I go there just about everyday now and one of the first things I do when I wake is check to see if there's rain. I didn't stop at the Greenway though...

After leaving the Greenway, b/c the half mile walk just wasn't satisfying enough, I went to another nearby scenic park called Two Rivers. It has everything. A wave/water park. Skateboarding park. Frisbee golf. Trails for biking, walking, etc. Places to cook out, a couple of playgrounds for kids, and since we're near lots of lakes and rivers you have plenty of water to see. These trails go for miles and miles. In fact, I believe these will take you as far as downtown Nashville which I would love to partake in someday when I have lots of time and no where to be.

Look at this little guy that decided to pop up on the bridge post to say 'hey.' He quickly jumped down though, but at least he stayed long enough for a snap shot ~ such a good sport.

Wide open spaces are nice sometimes, although I still prefer the Greenway. This place speaks to me. There is just something about the winding narrow pathway and the slow running river that calms my soul and eases my troubles. I hope to have stitching to share shortly. I'm noticing so many wonderful finishes that you are all producing. I need to get cracking. Talk soon!

prayers answered

Okay, maybe the sun gods didn’t show, but the rain clouds did part long enough that Cameron and I made it to the Greenway for my much needed and craved for walk and afterwards we went to the nearby park so Cameron could run around and get crazy. Besides Cameron was such a good sport during the stroll he deserved it. We came home and Cameron had lunch and now he's napping.

I wanted to take full advantage of no rain and the sky acted as if it wanted to allow that hidden sun some face time so I decided I better get Jose’s camera and start the progress photo shoot.

The progress I’ve made on Mayflower Landing since last Saturday even though I haven’t really picked it up at all this week b/c I’ve been working on and off on

…a witchy pinkeep by Stacy Nash from her new Merry Hallowe'en booklet. I have forgotten the name of it right now and am too lazy to get up to go check. I’m stitching it on 32 ct. Pearl Grey. Very neat.

That’s all I have for now. It appears it’s going to thunderstorm shortly. Those damn clouds are back. I don’t want fall to arrive. I know everyone else does, but I don’t like cool/cold weather. Winter is even worse for me – too depressing. I just don’t enjoy it anymore. I much prefer the hot, hot summers. Just send me to the sun. Talk soon!



Thanks for the prayers and well wishes! It worked.

vent much

It has been raining non-stop for days. I haven't been able to take one reasonable photo of any stitching all week b/c of the damn rain. I started one of the new Stacy Nash pinkeeps from her Merry Hallowe'en booklet and I'm further along on Mayflower Landing by LHN, BUT I can't share them with you. It's very frustrating.

And as of early last week I started to take really, really long walks on a nearby trail called the Greenway - a bit of cardio imagine that. I've even managed to change my diet and I've stuck to it. In the last few weeks I've managed to lose 12 pounds due to all the changes. I've been in such a rut for so many months the motivation just kicked in one day. BUT b/c of all the rain I haven't been able to do any walking and my body is craving it. That is a good sign that my body NEEDS the exercise and I'm completing the hurdle of my limbs hurting from the workout. I can't stop now.

We have a tread mill that I could use for when it rains, but dh thought the 52" broken TV should sit better there than anywhere else, like the floor, so I can't manipulate the tread mill and I can't move the TV myself and it isn't priority to dh.

I notice my body taking a different shape and I want to stay at this pace so it better not be raining tomorrow or else mama is going to be very unhappy and crabby. In fact, more unhappy than usual these days. So please ladies, pray to the sun gods and tell those mean ole clouds to go away and come again some other day b/c Julie is tired of venting and she wants to go walking THIS day not another day. She wants to play now dammit!!! And she wants to share some stitching with you. :o) Talk soon!

"bumbling"

"bumbling" = to move, act, or proceed clumsily

My interpretation is that bumbling means 'wandering around without purpose.' Cameron does this. Chevy Chase does this as Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation as he wanders the house looking at knick knacks. Lately I've been diving deep within myself; a sort of soul searching if you will. Not sure of this inward reflection, but it's happening and it's taken me by storm. I'm not myself and I'm trying to find ways to enjoy doing nothing...like bumbling. I just need to breathe and take one day at a time.