quite a tripp

First, I purposely mispelled "tripp" in my title. My mother's maiden name is Tripp and on our reunion name tags we had "Tripp" labeled on them. Second, let me apologize for any of the photos that might be blurry. (Click on the photos to enlarge.) I did my best, but using a 12-year old kid’s camera isn’t always the best thing. It’s better than nothing at all and I said I would come back with photos to share of the fantastic needlework shop in Cincinnati called Keepsakes. I asked and was granted permission to snap away and I did. I was wrong in thinking they didn’t have a website but they do.

This house is old and is customary to the way homes were made in Cincinnati (brings back memories of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s old house). I’m not sure how old, but I’m pretty sure it dates to before WWII. The garden is very well kept and I believe it is memorialized to a fellow-stitcher – very sweet. That is my Aunt Pam waiting and talking to my mom who is not pictured.

The front porch was covered with 40% sale items. Yeppers! I took advantage of that and got a couple of charts. A shop called Sew-Ezy was conveniently next door, but unfortunately b/c we were in Keepsakes for sooooo long we hadn’t had a bite to eat and needed to fill our bellies. I loved the signage on the front door though.

These photos are of the front room when you walk in. It has an enormous fireplace covered in, well, you can see for yourself…

These are all about going to and up the steps/stairs. This place is covered and no surface is uncovered; literally. Even the floors are adorned with needlework and models…and the freebies are in abundant supply too. Sorry the photo of my mom is blurry.

Now we’re upstairs where there are 4 rooms and again no place is untouched. Even the hallway is adorned with needlework and charts. Even the walls are covered in the most intriguing framework from baseboard to ceiling mold. Ahhh, I could set up a sleeping bag and spend weeks living here. This was 1 of 4 rooms at the top of the stairs.

This is room 2 of 4 which is off the first room and circles back to the hallway. It just has the neatest primitive décor. Unfortunately that isn’t for sale. Poohy!

Room 3 of 4 is the seasonal room. It’s amazing and gives plenty to dwell on to tap the creative senses for any holiday stitching. But I had to take a picture of this hand-drawn piece of artwork that didn’t particularly belong in this room. I have never seen anything like this before though. It was just darling – couldn’t pass it up.

Room 4 of 4 is the floss room. Isn’t that cool? A room totally devoted to ALL-THINGS floss. It still had charts and stuff. I mean, I can’t say it enough. This place is covered. My mom and aunt were in this room for quite some time updating their inventory of floss needs. I did get a few skeins for myself.

We headed back down the hallway towards the stairs. The framing room downstairs was bustling. The shop was bustling as well. At times it was difficult to maneuver the crowd and others we felt like we were being bull dozed, literally. Upon checking out we were notified that everything in the store was 20% off and all molding was half off. Now, if we had known this before coming we would have been more prepared. Oh well…we still went to Keepsakes and came out with goodies to please the heart. :) Plus, I had the best company anyone could ask for: Mom and Aunt Pam.

All the white sheets are the freebies I picked up at Keepsakes which is always a plus, as you know. I fell in love with The Workbasket’s Trees design. They had the model stitched and framed and it was stunning. I even got a few WDW threads I knew I didn’t have in my stash for it. I also had Keepsakes cut a piece of fabric to boot; 32 ct. Vintage Exampler. It’s going to be so pretty and I cannot wait to start this. I also bought Barrick Samplers’s Scrub Pine Sampler and Hands To Work’s The Whisper Girl at Keepsakes. Those were 40% off. What a deal. I really was hooked on starting something new for fall so when I saw Bent Creek’s kit Crows I managed to squeeze that into the shopping bag as well and even managed to stitch a bird already. He’s cute! I bought Plum Street Sampler's Garden of Eerie and Little House Needleworks’s The Library at Market at my LNS here in Nashville. Mom and I drove back to Nashville Sunday morning/afternoon and still had time to swing by Market. We’re silly (and tired) girls!

I went ahead and bought a piece of fabric so I could also start (as if I don’t have enough crossing going on) Garden of Eeerie once I get the floss together. I found a lovely piece of 28 ct (b/c I want this big) Vintage Mocha. I think it’ll work nicely. I also needed a few more Piecemakers and a few skeins of CC for a freebie I got in Cincy. My Aunt Pam was gracious enough to gift fabric to me. The little swatch of fabric was also Aunt Pam’s and I asked to have it so I can locate it at my LQS. That should be fun – heehee! The cork board is something mom and I picked up at Market as something extra. Never can have too much, ugh?!

Reunion speak…

I hope my mother doesn’t kill me for saying this, and I don’t think she will, but we went to her 45th high school reunion in Cincinnati. The reunion was held at a local bar which was pretty cool. I don’t drink and I gave up cigarettes a little over 3 years ago and I survived the elements. No temptations but I wasn’t worried that I would.

Me and mom's classmates

I had a wonderful time. A few of mom’s classmates asked how much she paid me and if I’d rather be somewhere else, but to be quite honest I was perfectly fine where I was. I like hanging out with older people – they joked that I said that, but appreciated I said “older people” and not “old people.” I don’t consider them old anyway. I knew one person there other than mom; my mom’s dearest friend Judy. Judy is a remarkable woman and a beautiful friend. She’s a true gift. I have nothing but the fondest memories of Judy when I was a child. I used to swim in her pool, music pouring from the radio, and nothing but the best of times. Those were very fun summers then and I enjoyed spending time with her at the reunion.

Hanging around my mom and her classmates was an experience I’ll never forget. I found the night very moving actually. To see all these people, 45 years after they graduated high school, some rekindling old friendships and some just picking up right where they left off. I felt like I was in the Peggy Sue Got Married movie. It was just too cool. I would love to time travel. If I could I would love to attend the school my mom and her friends went to so I could watch them and experience their life. What an unforgettable reunion. I was told I was also a better date than my dad. LOL

I’ve never had the opportunity to share photos of my Cousin Kari’s two boys, Austin (4) and Alex (18 months). So, finally, I get to show off my little-little cousins!!! They are the cutest little blonde boys, I swear. That’s Ray, my cousin-in-law, and his son Alex. Cousin Kari isn’t pictured b/c she was at home not feeling well. Austin getting hugs from his Nana. Alex at the window. And Austin giving his bright big smile. Cute little boys!

Sunday, mom and I left Cincinnati early so we could make it in time for our friend, Susan’s, birthday lunch that she had no idea we were “trying” to make. Our friend Sally set this up without Susan knowing. We were to meet them at noon Sunday afternoon in Nashville. It would have worked if mom and I had not been Chatty Cathys and paid better attention to the road. We missed I-71 and we went an hour off route. We were pretty upset with ourselves, but what else could we do but figure our way back, laugh it off, and visit a couple of cute little Kentucky towns along the way. We saw Georgetown and Frankfort. Cute little towns. LOL We ended up being 45 minutes late to Susan’s lunch which we felt real bad about, but we managed to tell our stories tiredly. Afterwards the four of us made it to Market and had fun flipping through the goodies and enjoying each other’s company. :) Then I went home and mom went to the sad Titans football game.

Well, that’s all I have right now. I haven’t posted anything this lengthy in some time, but I’ve been absent lately and a catch up was needed. Maybe not so much for you, but I had lots to say. ;) Thanks for keeping up with this post. Talk soon!



*I want to say thanks to everyone who commented on my “a framed jane” post. I was literally shocked when I returned to find that 19 comments were left. You all make a girl feel so grateful. Thanks for caring enough to take time out of your busy lives to come by for a visit and wish me fun at my mom’s reunion! Hugs to you all!

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!