Sorrow

I was so sad to hear of Elizabeth Edwards' passing this week.  She was a remarkable person for so many reasons, and we all can learn much from the way she handled life.  Hers is truly a courageous life to be honored. 

I just learned within the past hour that my former next door neighbor, Terry, passed yesterday from breast cancer.  I think it was three years ago at this time of year that she was diagnosed.  I am so sorry to say that I hadn't kept in touch with her for the past year plus.  She was in my heart and some prayers.  My prayers go out to her husband, Dick, and their four boys and their families.

I have a friend who is very stubborn about things like getting mammograms, etc.  I so hope that she will reconsider.  I do a lot of the "it's easier just not to know" thing, too, so I can't be too forceful with her, but she has had enough life experiences that she should know how important this is.  Three out of the five members of my neighborhood book club are survivors.  Four out of the eight women who were at a stitching weekend this summer were survivors.  It is an honor to know these women and to learn about their experiences. 

God Bless Us, Everyone...Those who have been blessed and who have survived, and those who fought this battle and have gone on to their new lives.

The Holly and The Ivy

While battling this cold I also have finished Shepherd's Bush's Holly and Ivy. 

I started this piece last year, too.

I used the materials as kitted by SB.

There are a couple of changes on the top section,

since I didn't get the count across correct

and had to put in a couple of smaller motifs that on the chart.

This was a fun stitch, too.  Maybe I'll have it framed before Christmas??

I don't know why this photo is horizontal...I didn't save it like this.

Close up of top section...with some alterations!

Halloween Hornbook - Stitching Finished

The past week while I have been housebound with a cold I finished a couple of stitching projects.

This is the Halloween Hornbook from Plum Street Samplers.  I started it last year.  Fabric is unknown; threads are Belle Soie.  I can't decide whether to have it made into a pillow or have it framed.  We'll see.
It was a fun stitch.

Thanksgiving Tradition - Updated

One of my not necessarily healthy Thanksgiving traditions is to have a piece of left over apple pie for breakfast the day after our feast.  We had Thanksgiving dinner early here this year, so this morning my traditional piece of apple pie was made by my granddaughter, Kyle.  How time flies.  Twenty-three years old, mom of Izzie, and baker of a Thanksgiving pie brought to Gram's house.  How sweet.

Acorns, Pumpkins, and Friends

We only had five in our group today.  We missed Lenore, Linda, and Terri, but had lots of fun any way.

I made a German Apple Pancake this morning...my first ever.  Despite it overflowing a little on the bottom of the oven, it was really good, and I have the confidence to make it again.  I just got the idea in my head a couple of days ago and found a recipe online that sounded reasonable.  I continue to be amazed by the fact that anything that pops into your mind can be found at your finger tips today.  Awesome!

After a slow start, we made little stuffed acorns to fit into the burr oak caps from my nephew's yard in Northwest Ohio.  I have a lot of caps left to fill! Thanks, Jim.

We had a super potluck lunch and then made wool pumpkins.  Rose was the only one to finish hers, but we got a good start on them.  Sandy elected to continue stitching on her contract piece.  It is looking beautiful. 

We also exchanged hand made pincushions.  So much fun!  Rose fooled us by saying that she didn't have time to make one, but ended up putting a beautiful little one together...one of Lauren's patterns.  And Linda...you sneaky little one!  When Rose came and said she had two pincushions - and then explained that one of them was from you - immediately I knew what it was and I unashamedly (well, maybe with a little shame) started jumping out of my skin, saying that I hoped to pick that one.  And guess what...I did!  Thanks Linda.  That was such a fun surprise.  We all got a big kick out of it...mostly me!

Anyway, here are some photos.

 Acorns, acorns everywhere.

Pumpkins...I think both of these are Rose's.

Our pincushions for exchange.  The one I received is the Blackbird one in the back. 

Thanks again, Linda!

I just had to stitch this gal up for fun.

I finished her at 12:35 a.m. this morning!

Lots of laughs today.  Lots of good pointers on stitching, too.  And some life lessons maybe learned regarding the pincushion exchange.  Don't know if I will ever learn the one about procrastinating, though!

Generations

Here is the five generation photo taken 9.18.2010, plus a couple others that I snapped.

Baby Elizabeth (Izzie), Mom Kyle, Great Gram, Great Great Granny, Aunt Lindsey, Grandma Terri

Isabella and Izzie hanging out with their moms.

It's tough work being a Grandpa!

Stitchin' on the Shores of Lake Erie

Nine of us were fortunate enough to share a wonderful weekend at Nancy's lakeside condo stitching Lauren's little sampler and collection of smalls based on the characters from Little Women.  Thanks so much, Nancy and Lauren.

I only have one photo to share so far.  This was taken when there were only six of us left, including Nancy - our gracious hostess, Rose - holding a fish made my Nancy's granddaughter, birthday girl Ginny, and myself are shown in the picture taken by Linda - stitcher extraordinaire and reliable photographer.  Our designer and instructor, Lauren, must have been hiding somewhere.

Sharing time getting to know friends better, acquiring new stitch projects, eating good food shared by everyone...all on the shores of Lake Erie on a beautiful September weekend.  How much better can it get?

Again, thanks to all.

It's All About Fall

Yesterday seven of us were here for an "It's All About Fall" fun day, and boy did Mother Nature do a great job of cooperating!  It was a totally amazing first day of autumn weather day...winds, dark clouds followed by blue sky with clouds with character, temps in the 60's.  Love that!  I was in my glory.

In the morning we all made these acorn pin cushions.  In the afternoon some of us made acorn needle books.  I haven't finished mine yet, but will post a photo when it is completed.

It was a fun day.

Subtle Changes

Moving from this...

and this...

to this...

As we move from summer into fall,

I am beginning to feel the anticipation and excitement

that I experience each and every autumn.

To me autumn is the best of the bunch.

I am looking forward to what is to come.

Olga

This is my version of Plum Street Sampler's Olga. 

She was fun to stitch.

Going Home

"Go rest now, precious one; your life in eternity has just begun."

So begins a poem I found on the internet this morning called Going Home, author not known.

Sylvia passed away yesterday after quite a struggle over the past few months. 
Sylvia was so much more, but I knew her as a good and sincere woman and a skilled and dedicated stitcher extraordinaire.  Her work is in a special category.

My heart-felt wishes go out to Sylvia's family and many friends.  She certainly will be missed.

I love how Sylvia's stitching legacy was summed up by Sue Fizer in the note to Western Reserve Sampler Guild:  "In her needle is her immortality."

Feel free to add your comments and feelings.

Happy Independence Day!

This is one of Rose's little monthly pillows that are so cute.  I can't remember who designed the series.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth, everyone.  Take time to appreciate our country and our troops.

Framed and Ready to Give

I got Isabella's birth sampler back from the framer yesterday.  I am really happy with the way it turned out.  We looked at different mattes, etc. and couldn't come up with anything that seemed like the right color.  This frame sort of snuck up on me and I am very happy with it.

It's That Time Again!

I picked my first two for the year to give to my friend Rose.

My neighbor planted two new hydrangea bushes about 15 feet from my office window.  They are both absolutely loaded with big, blue blooms.  Loving that!

Love hydrangea season.

Fun and Laughs

Yesterday was so much fun!  Out of the blue I received a phone call from my cousin, Karen, who I haven't seen (or heard from) in a few years.  She was in town and had a short window of opportunity for us to get together.  We had a quick visit with my mom...and an even quicker visit with Bill.  We then went to see my cousin Lynne, who has had some health issues lately. 

It was so good to see Karen...to listen to her crazy stories and laugh like always.  And to see photos of her kids and grandkids, all of whom live far away.

Karen is entering a new phase of her life and will be moving to the Atlanta area next month.  I wish her tons of happiness in her new life. 

Birth Sampler Completed

I finished the birth sampler for Isabella and will take it to be framed this afternoon.  Two months and one day since her birth...not too bad!  I'm hoping I can find something to make these delicate colors pop.  It was a fun stitch.

Now on to Izzie's sampler!

Anniversary Roses

Here are some updated photos of Rose's progress on Lauren Sauer's Anniversary Roses sampler.

She's doing a great job on this beautiful piece...she's about half finished now.

Yes, it is quite a project!

Keep up the good work. 

I'll have to get mine out again soon and get back to the blackwork section...way at the top!

May Day .... More

About five minutes after I posted the first batch of May Day flowers,

my doorbell rang...I looked out...and no one was there!

Even though May Day was on my mind,

my first thought was...did I really hear the door bell?

Second thought...do I have a door bell on my back door?

Then reality hit and I looked out the front door...

but down low...

and saw this beautiful little May Day bouquet...

all in the colors that I love.

A treasured little gift

from a secret (NOT) friend

on May Day.

Thanks for making my day!

Sending out mental May Day baskets to everyone...

Happy May Day !

A perfect little May Day bouquet from Rose's yard!

Hope your day is beautiful.

Canine Izzie

I had a fun weekend.  Dave and Syl came from Chicago and stayed at my house for the first time...and brought Izzie (see below).  They are providing a foster home for Izzie, who is the most docile dog I have ever seen!  She had perfect visiting manners and it was fun to have a dog in the house.  However, it was like what they say about grandchildren!  She is in a great foster home right now.

Birth Sampler - Sneak Peek

Here is a little tease of the birth sampler.  I'm about 2/3 done now. 

Still optimistic about getting this to the framer by next weekend.

Isabella

Isabella Grace was born yesterday.  It's good to meet her - although only via emailed photos so far.

She is the daughter of my nephew and his wife.

She is the first grandchild for my sister and brother-in-law.

At last the wait is over...we know she is a sweet little girl.

Isabella will be the recipient of the baby quilt shown on this blog.

I'm also about half through a cross stitched birth sampler for her. 

Today I plan to stitch her name onto the sampler!

Congratulations to all concerned.

May this little girl have a safe, happy, healthy, blessed life.

Carol's Sweet Liberty Box

Carol stitched this piece ahead of time and attended a class today to make this into a little cloth box.  The piece isn't finished yet...it will be all sewn together and framed out with twisted cord...but I wanted to show you how cute it will be.

Happy April !

Despite the cold and dreariness of the day (including a few snow flakes)

I found this beauty that was enough to make me

go inside and get my camera.

Beautiful stuff!

Midnight Snack...Not Mine!

Well just look at what has happened

to my beautiful pansies that were an Easter gift from Rose!

They were put outside Sunday and never made it through Monday night.

The midnight raider (must be a deer) is probably thinking about

coming back for the blue ones for dessert tonight.

Do I have to try to remember to bring them in every night?

Do you think the mowed down ones will rebloom? 

I think they will, if given a chance.

The big question is...

what will happen when I put the tulips outside that Carol gave me?

Unfortunately, I think I know the answer.

Instead of stitching in my bedroom until all hours,

I'm going to have to sit in the great room with the blinds open

and start watching all the activity in the backyard in the wee small hours!

Creamy, Dreamy Anniversary Roses

Carol, Rose, and David came for Easter brunch.  This was a first, and it turned out to be such a special day.  It was probably about 11:00 when we ate brunch, which consisted of fruit plate, apple/sausage ring, asparagus fritatta, strawberry/cream cheese omelet (that looked more like scrambled eggs), and Sylvia's world famous French toast, made by Rose.  YUM.  Everything except the hard cantaloupe was wonderful, and I figure that I can't control the ripeness of the melon very well.

Speaking of Sylvia, she has been in the hospital for a week now, and we send our prayers and well wishes her way. 

Two weeks ago we attended Lauren Sauer's class on Anniversary Roses.  Shown below is the progress made thus far by Rose, the over-achiever, and by me.  I have loved working on this project so far.  I hope I'm up to the challenge of the next big rose band.

Anyone else working on their piece?

 These are Rose's roses!

Here is my progress.

Update on Lenore's Little Lamb X 2 !

There is something very mysterious about this little lamb.  Last month, no matter what I did, it would not let me post its photo right side up.  This time the first download would not show up in the post, so now we have a double look at Lenore's progress on this little gal.  Can't wait to see what tricks she has up her sleeve when she is finished!

Happy Easter

When this little basket grows up, the plan is for it to turn into a silk or wool covered pin cushion.  Right now I like it as a very mini Easter basket.

Debbie was in town over the weekend and came armed with this idea and her Dremel.  David was actually the one who created a few of these cute little baskets out in the garage while Debbie stitched/chatted away comfortably inside. 

Cute, huh?  Nice work, David.

Show and Tell, March 2010

Here are photos of some of the finished projects on the show-and-tell table at Rose's on March 6 and 7.      If any of you know who fininshed the items that I don't know, please leave a comment so proper credit is given.

A pretty wool applique cushion...maybe made by Rita?

Another cute cushion, multi-layered. 
I don't know who made this, but it's really cute.

This was stitched by Linda. 

I don't know whether this is a BBD pattern or something else. 

Let me know, Linda!

These items were also stitched by Linda.  The silk acorn and oak leaf needle keep was from the Nutty Weekend with Sharon Schlemmler.

I don't know what the other project is.

Here is a magnificent finish from who else but Linda! 

The woman is amazing.

This is Thistlewood.  Truly beautiful.

When these gals got that kit and I saw the purple threads, etc.

I thought WOW, this would glow in the dark.

I actually think it turned out beautiful, and don't the

blooms of thread look so real?

Photos from Friendship Weekend at Rose's, March 6 & 7, 2010

Here is part of the group of stitchers that attended Rose's Friendship weekend. 

This picture was taken on Saturday, March 6.

Rose and her two best non-stitching friends, Ozzie and Lola.

Babies and Spring...Again!

Well, I didn't get it finished in time for the shower last Saturday, but it is finished now.  Wouldn't win any blue ribbons, but that's not the purpose.  This is a warm, soft, cuddly flannel patchwork quilt for Marie's baby, made in the quickest, most fabric economically way possible, I think.  Now I have to begin work on another one, with a little more pink in it.  Since making this one, I have been able to locate a couple more colors in the really cute star print shown in green and yellow on this one, which was designed by Betsy Kelly.  Sweet.

I hadn't made a quilt in 6 or 7 years.  This one was easy and fun!

I get to keep the rabbit!