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!

heart attack...four times over

After picking Jose up from school, me and the two boys went to Kroger to get a few items and a bag of dog food. When we got home I asked Jose to feed the dogs, but he needed to open the new bag bc we were out. Look at what I caught him using in order to get the bag of dog food open. I had a heart attack! Seriously!!! I couldn't believe this child. I nearly died! I ripped those suckers out of his hands (not really but I felt like it) and told him to get the kitchen scissors, not my embroidery scissors...EVER!!!! Ahhhhhhhh...

Today me and Cameron were at mom's house. We haven't been there in nearly 3 weeks so it was time for a day-long visit. I mentioned awhile back that me and mom are participating in a mother-daughter round robin. This is my first one. We decided to share-stitch Shores from Carriage House Samplings.

We are using 40 ct and I'm really excited! I haven't stitched on that high of count before; mom has though. We're using Needlepoint Silks and I've not used those before either; mom has though. Mom's done everything I think. She's such a precise stitcher. Her work is beautiful! If it weren't, she wouldn't be fortunate enough to work for Hoffman. I learned everything about stitching from her. I get to take my stab at this piece and I'm anxiously waiting until I put my needle to fabric on this one. Since I haven't added it to my current rotation I will add this as a "daily stick." I will stitch on this piece at least 1 hour per day. I have the next block to the right.

My mom recently stitched a birth sampler for Cameron's room. The design is from Sisters and Best Friends. It's so precious! I love it! I love how the frame hugs the piece, and I love, love, love that sweet little verse.

While at mom's I went through her quilting fabric stash and she allowed me to borrow some rather large pieces to cut my own from. She's so nice!

Here's where I had heart attack #2. These are full yards of fabric. The red fab belonged to my grandmother so there is no telling how old it is. My Aunt Pam might know the answer-Pam? The sampler fabric feels so soft ~ almost a sheen cotton or flannel; not sure. They are both so pretty. I can't wait to use a piece. :D

These are fat quarters she had. I was really looking for something similar to the red plaid, but came out with so much more. LOL The printed fab is so unique. I might make a pincushion out of this. The style is sewing so how fitting, ugh?!

And heart attack #3...

These 3 containers of "stuff" belonged to my grandmother. My grandma was quite the creative gal. She did everything besides quilt, but she had a ton of fabric. There is a lot of crochet supplies and a nice little collection of needles. I don't crochet, but I think I'll learn. The far right container is bunches of lace, ribbon and whatever else you can think of. This isn't all my mom has either. My mom will never get rid of this stuff, but my mom won't use it either. However, I will find some use and I too will NEVER give this away or get rid of it. It means too much to us. Anyway, the reason for the 3rd heart attack is that my mom let me have ALL this. I'm touched that she was able to part with it. She is so sentimental and it's difficult for her to part with anything that belonged to those that have passed. I am warmed that I get it!

The 4th and final heart attack (well, the first of four) was yesterday morning. We actually got snow! What the ____?!?!?! (pardon me) I was absolutely floored when we woke to this. We never get snow in March ~ not in Nashville, Tennessee. Anyhoo, it didn't last long enough for anyone to enjoy it though. The snow only stuck around for 2 hours and then puff, it was gone. This is about as much enjoyment as we got. Jose got creative for Cameron's sake.

Just a dusting really.

It's been freezing lately. Tonight's overnight low is 18 F and our high was only 35 F. Stay warm where ever you are and stitch til your heart's content. The kiddos are warmly tucked in and I think I'll head to bed and stitch on Monday's piece and maybe squeeze a little Shores in there too. :D

Gnight!