august wrap-up

I hate going this long without posting so I’ll just get on with it. First, where has August gone? Jose started school and is in his 3rd week already. I do feel much better about the bus and Jose walking to catch the cheese wagon. Cameron starts a session of speech therapy tomorrow and what a relief to have that underway. Now that Cameron is 2-years old I am going to put him in a mother’s day out program a couple days per week. I need the separation and he needs some social interaction with children his own age. Dh is still commuting to Birmingham for work half the week and the rest is still here in Nashville so nothing new there. August has been full of changes.

Speaking of changes…

Cameron turned 2 August 30! We kept things simple ~ no need for a huge production. We had dinner over at mom’s house. She bought a football themed cake which was fine by Cameron. He enjoyed it. He even blew out his own candles and he looked a little disappointed that the flame went out but he had fun anyways.

Saturday, Mom and I had a fun girlie day with our friends Sally and Susan at Sally’s house. We had such a lovely time. We were truly enchanted by her home – a very lovely place to be and hope that we may someday get to return. Thank you so much, Sally, for your hospitality. I can only speak for myself, but I so needed this little adventure away from the downtown and all those boys. It was a much anticipated relief.

I didn’t come empty handed either. I enjoy and love my friends so much that I brought hand made gifts. For Susan I stitched and assembled primitivebettys My Favorite Kitten pinkeep. I changed the model fabric to a 28 ct. Antique White linen b/c Susan’s newest kitty is white with blue eyes. The backing fabric is of cat faces and I added a mouse charm for the front. I didn’t take a picture of the finished kitten, but it was awfully sweet.

For Sally I stitched and framed The Sampler Girl’s Tea with Jane design released in 2007. Sally is a big time tea drinker and Janeite fan so this piece couldn’t have been more appropriate. I changed the colors to match her taste and stitched it on a gingham fabric and added a sweet golden tea bag charm to compliment.

This is NOT a visual tutorial (I'm not the expert believe me), but since this was my first framing job without glass and to make it “puffy” I had to share the steps I took to make it possible. I was extremely proud of myself. I know that my grandparents, who were extremely handy in this department, were looking down from the heavens pointing and proudly saying “that’s my granddaughter!”

my materials

lesson learned = leave more fabric around edge

first time pinning

first time lacing

What isn’t pictured is the sawtooth that I perfectly hammered into place and the two green soft spacers I placed in the lower corners. The whole thing was just so perfect. Susan thought I had it framed professionally and that was a huge compliment b/c I just played it by ear based on what I’ve read through all of you and what I've witnessed at my LNS, that’s all. Maybe I should start my own framing/finishing shop. LOL (not quite)

Anyway, the next news will be that my Jane Austen sampler will be complete. I am at the very, very bottom. I should be through with it this week and I’m extremely excited about it. Supposedly this Labor Day weekend we’re to go camping with our friend Dave so lots of planning to do there.

Talk soon!