grandma’s pillow finis

I finally finished Grandma’s Pillow and I am jumping up and down with joy. After sewing the back and pressing it with my iron I literally stood back and my legs wiggled I was so excited at the outcome. ;o) This is the best pillow finishing I’ve ever done! Grandma would be proud. I found a way to make ALL four corners look identical to which I am ecstatic about. I was having trouble before...but…not…anymore. I love finding new ways to “up the ante” especially when you happen to stumble across them instead of planning them out. That’s the best way to learn, imho.

Sequence of events…

I added buttons and vintage lace. Grandma would have loved this idea. I’m quite pleased, if I may say so myself. ;-)

I love the fabric I picked. I was unsure at the LQS, but bought it anyway. I am so glad I did. It is from Windham Fabrics, Colonies Pink and Blue III circa 1870. Grandma’s Pillow measures 13”w x 9”h – a perfect size, I think. I ironed interfacing and pressed the entire piece once I turned it right side out.

I’m so happy with the finish ~ one of my favs! I went to moms today and had a show and tell. She was quite impressed as I knew she would be. I’m getting better at finishing which Aunt Pam would be proud of b/c she’s an appliqué/embroidery queen. Her threads are hidden so well and she would be so surprised at my skills on this piece. I may have to bring Grandma’s Pillow along to the next moonlight stitching to show it off to my ‘home girls.’ ;-p

In the foreground, notice the tiny black and white photo encased in the gold frame? That’s my grandma when she was just a toddler; Anna Kaufhold as stitched on the pillow. That picture was maybe taken around 1919-1920. She looks like a doll.

Gotta run! My final 2009 Stacy Nash club kit came in the mail today. Yay! It is Christmasy and oh so darling. I’m stitching on my Crows tonight. I think I can get it done this evening. And I finished kitting up Trees by The Workbasket last night and even started it, but more on that later. I’m typing out loud…lol…Talk soon!

craft storms

Where do I begin??? Let's see...I went to Michael's Sunday afternoon. DH stayed home with the boys and I was able to have "me" time, which is rare these days. It seems I'm always with my children. Do you have the same problem I have? I can't seem to leave Michael's in a timely manner. I end up going down every aisle even if I have no clue what kind of craft I'm looking at. I always figure that I might see something that'll spark an idea for a project or that it might stretch my cross stitching into some other dimension. I just don't know what it is. I stayed at Michael's for at least an hour. Hey, when I have time alone I'm going to take ALL the time I can. Time is priceless, right, and with an 11 year old and 17 month old I will use that time as wisely as I can. In this case, it was with Michael's. LOL

I was driving my little cart down an aisle I have no business being in and all of a sudden this little guy called out to me, "tweet-tweet!". I couldn't resist. I had to make him mine and he flew home with me. :o) Isn't he cute?

I want to do better at celebrating special occasions and holidays. If not for me, for my children's sake. I was inspired this past week, as I often am, and it was by two of my Stacy Nash Groupie members. Michelle posted about a small Valentine's Day project she conjured up in 2007. She used a white metal tree and hung handmade hearts from the limbs. I was really taken with the project and wished that I had one or had thought of that myself. Here was Michelle's Valentine's Day tree last year. It's such a pretty display! But this isn't all...oh no! Tanya posted a similar theme in her home and I was even further inspired. Tanya gave me permission to add her photo to my blog (Thanks again, Tanya!). So looky-look...here is Tanya's tree! Aren't her samplers gorgeous too!!!

Tanya's Valentine display is so sweet and precious ~ and one I thought I could semi pull off. Maybe not as well as Tanya, but somewhat similar. :o) Tanya took sticks from her yard and adorned it with hearts.

And this one is mine.

I know...it doesn't compare to Tanya's and Michelle's, but can't blame a girl for trying. I had fun setting this all up. Jose played a little pretend and put the sticks up above his head. I swear, he looked like a deer! LOL It was funny. [Note to self: In case I need antlers, check in back yard and use Jose as a prop.]

Here are some more displays; some for Valentine's Day (I know early, but ahhhh) and some for just because I was in a mood to craft...it...up!

The two primitive hearts were displayed during Christmas and I think they were intended as ornaments, but I didn't use them as such. So, I've brought them out once again. I think they work for Valentine's Day too, don't you think? The round pink pillow was mine as a young toothless child. My Aunt Pam used her Viking machine to embroider "Julie's Tooth Fairy Pillow," a bunch of "Julie's" running across the back, and the little pocket in front says "Julie's Tooth." I remember using this too. I would put my pearly whites inside and lay it next to me at night. Morning would come and quarters would be in place of the tooth. I think it looks Valentine-y, don't you think? It's sweet and I thought it should be displayed out in the open. I normally have it in my glass cabinet, but this year it makes its debut. LOL

Here's a display on my dining room/kitchen wall that has been ongoing. (By the way, I plan on changing the blue wall. It's a faux finish I did 3 years ago. Anyhoo...moving along---) The little apron was made by my other grandmother, Atrelle. She was never a seamstress, but it's a keepsake and I simply adore it. It has little imperfections here and there, but it's still great, nonetheless. She made it for me when I was a little girl. My mother has had it all these years and she just gave it to me over Christmas. I completely forgot all about it, but I'm glad I have it in my home now. The needlework belonged to my very creative grandma, Annamae. The verse, as we all know, is When you see this, remember me. And naturally, I do! The red checkered print is paper I bought from Michael's in the scrapbooking area. It was just plain ole cork board underneath and it was stained and yucky. It needed a face lift and I was happy to oblige. I drew the bird myself! Heehee

I didn't stitch on Sunday or today and I'm really bummed about it. This morning, though, Cameron had to go back to the doctor for a re-check on his ear infection. He's had 5 ear infections since July 31 and been on 4 different antibiotics. The doctor has referred us to an ENT so we'll be going there in 2 weeks. Cameron will probably need tubes. My oldest had two sets of tubes put in his ears when he was a toddler. I'm a little concerned for Cameron. He isn't talking yet and I'm starting to wonder if it's because he isn't hearing properly due to the ear infections. This is something I'll definitely bring up at the ENT appointment. Cameron also got the second dose of his flu shot today and he didn't even cry!!! I was oh so proud of my baby boy!

I mentioned I have been sorting through my WIP and Current Rotations and I've started to think about my list of stitching goals for 2009. I will post this sooner rather than later. I finally organized everything today though and I wanted to at least show everyone my progress on the Ages of Man by Long Dog Sampler. This is a big-in! I'm probably about 70% done with it. Here's a look.

This bad boy has taken way longer than I thought it would. I've been stitching on this for nearly a year and a half. Of course, it is in the Current Rotation basket but has now jumped into the WIP basket. This thing almost takes up a whole basket all by itself. It's huge and there is a ton of floss. So much thread that I have 3, yes 3, thread control systems. One is floss bags to hold the skeins. Two is the thread cards to hold an entire ply of a specific color. And three is the thread & needle organizer; therefore, I don't have to constantly retrieve a needle and switch threads every time I need a new color. Because let's face it, there is an insane amount of color changing in this piece. Anyhoo, it's going to look fantastic all stitched and framed up. I can't wait!!!

A few evenings ago it was pleasant enough to take Cameron outside. He needs outside every now and then because the boy just get so cooped up ~ he gets crazy! Our biggest problem outside is that he is constantly wanting to head for the street. Unfortunately, we live on a cut through street so it sees lots of traffic. It used to be 40 mph, but bc of complaints and concerns the county reduced the speed to 35. Oh boy - big whoop! People still go way too fast. In 3 years, we've had 3 deaths by car accident and 2 other car crashes where no one was injured. Anyway...Cameron is always heading for the street so this makes it difficult for us to enjoy the front yard. We have a big wooden swing on the front porch and a beautiful magnolia tree. The backyard is dog territory and we own 3 cars, so needless to say there is poop (we have 3 dogs) like land mines and car stuff. It just isn't always the ideal spot for Cameron to play at the moment. Okay, so it was getting tiring chasing him up the driveway so we headed for the back. Luckily we have a fence so we closed it. He didn't like being put behind bars.

This boy will stop at NOTHING!! I've never in my life met a baby as determined as this one. He just doesn't quit.

I'm off to bed. My head is hurting ~ had this stinking headache all day and my back hurts. Goodnight!

a full heart

At the very start of 2009 I said that I wanted to go through my stash and sort out which projects I really want to stitch this year. So that got me thinking, and it dawned on me that I need to go through my WIP and Current Rotation baskets; so that I did! I came across projects I had started years ago (sad, I know, but probably typical) and totally forgot about half of the projects I had started eons ago. Like...this Heart In Hand. It was a partial kit that came with the linen and an adorable green weathered wooden frame. The frame is so cute that I've decided I'll use it for a more primitive stitch. But this still leaves me on 'what to do' about my Bless You piece. This piece was more than 75% complete. Man! What was wrong with me?!?! Oh well...finally another finish for 2009 ~ this makes 2 stitched for 2009. Whoa-Hoo! I'm on a roll! :o)

My heart is so full with my next 'keepsake'. I didn't stitch this flower. The verse reads: May Your Day Be As Bright As A Flower. I don't know where the design came from and I don't know what motif book this could have come from, but what I do know is that I am honored to have finally given this little gem a home. My late Grandmother stitched this at some point in her life. She was the most creative of all the women in our family ~ or should I say the queen of creative wonder. My mom used to own this, among a dozen other possessions that belonged to grandma. I was going through mom's stash and came across grandma's things. I saw it and wanted it so badly. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I knew I had to have it. My mom was generous enough and let me have it. It sat in my craft area for so long until tonight. I remembered I had it and since I've been in quite the stitching/finishing mood lately...you can see where I'm going with this...I decided I needed to find it a permanent home once and for all. FINALLY, I've given it a place. I decided to make it into a coaster so I can admire it always. I still can't stop myself from touching it. I'm in love with it!

I am fully complete this evening. (ahhhh!) I feel accomplished, warm, and ready to start another day with a needle in hand. Also, this evening I joined the Stacy Nash Club through the Country Sampler up in Wisconsin ~ I am really excited about this. I cannot wait to receive my first project. It is stunning!

I am off! Me, DH and Jose are about to watch The Dark Knight. I've heard it is intense, but good. I love nail bitters and on the edge of your seat kind of films. Goodnight and sleep tight!

lunch, quiet time, & afternoon blogging

My little one is napping. My big one is playing games in his room. And I'm having a cozy little lunch of tomato soup and hard salami with cream cheese. It is really hitting the spot. Instead of one can of water, I use one can of milk ~ much more creamier. I also have the backdrop noise of one of my favorite Christmas movies: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. I just love this movie! So right now, I am having an intimate moment with myself and loving every moment of it. I decided this be a good time as any to submit a post.

It is 3 days until Christmas~~Ahhhh! I have only a little shopping yet to be had, but nothing major - thankfully! I've noticed that all the blogs have slowed down and I have to admit that I'm missing each and every one of you already. But it warms my heart that you all are with family and loved ones and I know you're enjoying the season. In a previous post I mentioned my Grandmother's angel not yet making it to the top of our tree. Well...she made it! First, it gives my heart a hug everytime I pull the angel out of the box. Grandma would be pleased that I cherish this keepsake so much. She sits atop our tree every year. My Grandma made the angel herself out of plastic canvas and yarn. The wings and star detach which is great for storing her. Grandma made a few of these angels for everyone in the family and I'm so blessed that I got one. Here she is...

Not sure if anyone remembers our tree dilemma. We had to opt out our standard 6-7 foot tree because Cameron is quite the monkey-face these days and it would have been a lot of trouble keeping him "out" of the tree. It would have been a mess and not worth the headache. So reluctantly we purchased a 2-3 foot tree and we weren't thrilled, but we remembered what was truly important. I didn't know how I was going to adorn the little tree. I think my Mom might have felt bad about our dilemma and while we were at Joann's in the beginning of the month she was gracious and loving and bought us a 4 foot pre-lite tree that was on sale. We figured we could put it on top of a table and Cameron wouldn't have it so easy. I had to carefully pick which ornaments were to adorn the tree bc of lack of size and room. These will probably be the last Christmas decoration photos I'll post...maybe! lol Here is our 4 foot tree all done.

Here's what I did to our 2-3 foot tree. Nothing much, but better than the alternative. It has little red hearts and very small fiberfilled ornaments such as gingerbread boys, presents, drums and so forth. There's a tiny strand of gold garland and teeny-tiny clear angels. I put a small silver bow for the top because both my angels are way too large for this Charlie Brown Christmas tree. :o)

Here are some more photos of decorative items. Enjoy!

This was a make-it and take-it at my LNS a couple months back. I finally tacky glued the silver and red cording to the back last night. It's meant to hang around a large glassed candle, but I decided to use it as an ornament for the tree. I cut that snowflake myself too. :o)

Jose made this hanging photo frame of himself in 2002. He was so little then!

I stitched this many years ago. It was one of the first things I stitched and had finished professionally. The back is a green velvet and is sooo soft. The design is The Artists Collection. The linen was Raspberry and was difficult for me to stitch on at the time. I wasn't used to stitching on dark linen then. I don't have any problems now. :o)

I purchased this framed chalk board/cork board from Goodwill months ago for only $4.00.

Santa is checking on the 5-day weather report. This little guy is so precious. Squeeze his hand and he says, "Remember..the magic of Christmas lies in your heart."

I must leave now. Cameron has woke from his nap and we have to meet DH at Firestone. Something is wrong with his vehicle. And at 3:45 I have to take Cameron back to the doctor. Poor baby has the runniest nose I've ever seen and he can hardly eat because of the drainage. Well, this makes 6 times to the doc's office this month. Enjoy your afternoon!

My Mom recently gave me two folk art plates! I am very excited to have them. I put them with my 2 rooster plates that I have displayed on the wall above our french doors. The plates my mother gave me are set in winter, but I think I'll keep them up all year round. They are very pretty!

Below are my rooster plates.

Here they are joined with my rooster plates. I know they don't really mesh well with one another, but they are plates and I love them. I had a group of 4 rooster plates, but my Mom likes roosters too and I decided to give her the other two ~ she got to choose which plates she wanted.

I made a new discovery today. I was on PatternMart.com and was adding various designs to my 'wish list'. I've been going through the alphabet of designers all afternoon with periodic breaks for other things. I'm not even finished going through the list. I'm on letter "J" right now. So far, I love PatternMart. It's a great place to purchase those folk art, primitive pieces you just have to get your hands on ASAP. If you're anything like me sometimes having to wait for mail just doesn't suffice the stitching hunger and sometimes I don't feel like trekking out to the shop. PatternMart gives you the option of ordering by download. It's great!

I found another primitive designer. Some of you may have already heard of her, but I am new to this style of cross stitch and home decor. Her name is Jenny Hoffman of Country Rustic Primitives. I find her designs appealing and primitive, of course. lol

I also stumbled onto a ton of folk art-primitive-rustic-grungy type websites. It'll take me forever to go through every single one on the list, but I am enjoying myself. I am learning so much about textiles, differences in fabrics, and ways of "dirtying" up a piece. For instance:

The Rustic Rooster ~ this website has a great array of primitive, folk art, rustic pieces. I'm still sifting.
Simply Gianna Primitives ~ I love this site! It's very pretty and has lots to offer. I love the stitchery that could be made into cross stitch and embroidery pieces. Reasonably priced too.
The Pitchy Patch ~ this is a great little directory/market for anything primitive, folk art, grungy, patterns; you name it you'll probably find it here.
Prairie Creek Primitives ~ for the really grungy style.
Country Crow Stitches ~ this is just a great website. I found so much that I was looking for.

These are just several of the 50+ that I book marked in my Favorites. I still have many many to route through. I did get a little stitching done, but not as much as I should have. I traded from being mama, to stitching on my quick-stitch weekend piece (and it isn't done - boo hoo!), talking to my Aunt on the phone, to web searching for primitives and decor, to adding to my wish list on PatternMart.com.

I have so much I want do and I just can't seem to make room. I am usually very good at scheduling and sticking to a plan. Maybe I have too much on my plate. lol And I have plans to start working part time? Oh man, how am I ever going to get anything done?!?!

It's late! Talk to everyone Monday. Goodnight, sleep tight!

my veteran

Marion A. Tripp (March 18, 1916-February 7, 1993)

Today I am observing this day for my Grandfather, Marion A. Tripp, a veteran and survivor of WWII stationed in the South Pacific. He was a gifted man and a special Grandpa. He passed away when I was 17 and I wished that I could have known him better; known him longer. Grandpa was a good Grandpa. He would let me sit on his lap when I wanted and he was patient with me. In my mind, he was loving, nurturing and kind.

I have family keepsakes in a curio cabinet in my home that has been passed down to me by relatives. I cherish my family deeply and I miss my Grandpa tremendously. I wish he were alive to meet my sons; his Great-Grandchildren. I think about Grandpa each week of my life. I have so many wonderful memories of him and today they flood my mind and swell my heart. I cannot wait to see him again.

These are my thoughts and memories of my Grandpa.

~ true American
~ conviction in his beliefs
~ unwavering
~ “Duke”
~ Cincinnati Reds
~ baseball on the radio
~ Camel cigarettes
~ handyman, craftsman
~ bird watcher and squirrel admirer (and they liked him)
~ red sweater, blue corduroy pants
~ eyeglass case in left breast pocket
~ humble
~ quiet
~ man of few words
~ father of 3 girls



~ musically gifted
~ painter, artist
~ Republican
~ slapping the back of the neck and rubbing fingers
~ Indian “powder” dance
~ funny
~ “Laugh-in”
~ “The Lawrence Welk Show”

~ witty, intelligent, quick
~ gas station
~ playing with tools and getting yelled at for it
~ basement workshop
~ Ronald Reagan
~ 5555 Bosworth
~ “a city within a city”
~ 244th Air Squadron, U.S. Army
~ railroad train
~ eating purple cows together
~ war veteran
~ a hero
~ “Jesus Christ Himself couldn’t please that woman” (famous Grandpa quote)







~ strong
~ “Hee-Haw”
~ Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”
~ flying spaghetti
~ “our children aren’t supposed to die before us”
~ Mr. Fix-it
~ home-body
~ swing and big band
~ stubborn
~ patriotic

Grandpa with Santa Claus (that's my biological father being Saint Nick).

Me and my Grandpa.

Grandpa with one of his squirrel buddies.

Me and my Grandpa hanging out in his chair.

I love you, Grandpa! I miss you! Happy Veteran's Day.