The end is near?

After a few solid nights of Olympics and stitching last week, I am much closer to the finish line with Jane.  I am trying to get all of the "non-grass items" stitched so that I can just really fill in the rest and not worry to much about the counting part.  My mind is starting to wander as to what I am hoping to stitch on after Jane is finished hopefully by the end of this month.  Can I do it?!!!!!  LOL.
Here she is so far!

I have to finish the bird and tree on the left, add a dog and the farmer.  Then the process of the eternal stitching begins again :)))))

Another Job Done!

I finished the binding on my niece's quilt this week and I am exited to share it with you.  She did such a great job choosing the 6 colors, selecting the borders and of course the backing and the binding.  I dont think the shop could have done a better job with the color selections!

What do you think?  Isnt it fabulous?!!!!  Now I am trying to work on slowly filling in the grass on Jane Tindall and wowza, it is an eternal project.  But, slow and steady wins the race!

Hope everyone is staying warm with all of this great white stuff!!!!  I think its great :))))))  The more the better!!

Enjoying life

It has sure been a while since my last post, but believe me, fun all around is being had.  Not too much in the craft department, I wanted to make 5 quilts this January...... I made only 3 plus helped my niece make one.  I still have time to start one, but dont think I am going to get around to 2 more :)  No worries though, I did get back the 2 quilts I had quilted.
The Christmas one, the binding is finished and I am very pleased.  My first standard size quilt complete.

I am now working on the binding of the flannel one.  I now know why there are a bunch of quilters with a boatload of quilt-tops waiting.  The quilting was very in-expensive for this quilt just a basic vine/swirl etc., and it is like a bargain compared to getting a cross stitch framed.  Now, I know the quilting can get quite expensive, but I find its worth it, just like a purchase of a frame for my stitching. 
I digress though, the binding is an easy task, just an eternal one.  I am looking forward to finishing it and getting my stitching back out.
My niece's quilt turned out great, and she did most of the sewing, I helped her with the pinning, just to move it along, and the cutting.  She doesnt have the strength just yet to hold it all still and get a straight line with the rotary cutter.   She did an excellent job and I know she is pleased.  She was excited sewing with my featherweight, she couldnt wait to tell her sewing teacher at school she made a quilt, on a machine older then her teacher :)  LOL.

Her quilt too is now back from the quilter and I will help her with the binding in a few weeks.  As she goes into high school next year, she is excited to transform her room into a new place.  Going with her to the quilt shop was such fun!  I talked with her about colors on the way over, and turns out, she likes the vintage feel too.  Seeing the expression on her face the minute we walked in the place, I knew she was going to have a great time choosing all the colors for her very first quilt.  She went to town, pulling bolts onto the bed and making selections.  I am very proud of her :))))

This next quilt, is my 3rd one I mentioned and this I have dubbed the camo quilt.  Why you ask?  It all started out with my choosing 2 digital camo patterns- one in green and the other in tan.  This is what happened :)  Sooooooo many little cuts and pieces, this by far is the most involved quilt I have made.  (Easy pattern for you experts!)  I am looking for the perfect backing, so I am not sure when I will have this one quilted, and I am thinking about something a little more involved on this top, so stay tuned!
On the stitching front, I have continued to work on Jane Tindall, and she is coming along wonderfully.

Slow and steady wins the race right?  In between the solid stitching on the bottom, and the binding on the quilt, I dont know what is slower...... But I am enjoying each and every bit of it so it doenst matter.
Last year you remember I had the biggest case of Stitch-A** stitching Dutch Beauty and this year we have been doing all kinds of activities.  Skiing, relaxing, etc., etc.  Just having a great time.  No complaints that is for sure :)))
So until next time....enjoy your week!

Last Post

for the year.  Can you believe it?   I think we all say the same thing, each and every year.  Well, too bad it hasn't slowed down for any of us!
I havent stitched much the later part of the year, I just havent felt like it.  In the last couple of weeks, I did manage to take time and I made 2 quilts.   I am excited about them and looking forward to making more.  In fact, I just pulled out 3 I have 'kitted' up.  Do you say that for quilting-- kitted?  Either way, I am looking forward to those.
First up, I know that alot of you have had posted a year in review and I think that is so wonderful to go back and look at the amazing progress that was accomplished this year.  I have completed several beautiful samplers-- coming to mind of course is Dutch Beauty and Elizabeth Mears.

 

 

Those among other fillers are 2 favorites I think I have done in all time, but then I look back at last year, and see a few others.

 

As promised in the last post, I took pics of the last 2 pieces I picked up from the framer.  Above is Plum Street Samplers- Love Thy Neighbor, stitched on 40ct with called for cotton, framed in a burl frame-I actually picked this frame out, before I stitched this piece.  I think it is similar to the one on the cover of the pattern-- but not the same.  Burl wood has such a great texture and depth to it, it is its own work of art next to the sampler! 
Below, is La D Da- Peace House.  I LOVE this frame on this sampler.  It is 2 3/4" wide on this super cute I think 5 x 7-- 40ct piece.  Where oh where to hang them?!!!!

This coming year, I am not sure what will be accomplished on the stitching front, I have a start picked out for tomorrow, but I don't know if I will start it tomorrow, or in the next little bit.   I am still plugging away on Jane Tindall, and finally starting the animals on the bottom.  It seems like I have been stitching on her for years.  But slow and steady right?  Maybe she will be my first finish?  I have to pull out my stash and play with it for a bit, perhaps I will get the bug back.
Until then, my desire for beautiful fabrics for gorgeous quilts continues :)  There are sooo many options and I want to quilt them all!!  LOL.
In the beginning of November you might remember I had made a quilt with my mom.  We both used the same fabric grouping and each made something different.  I had mine quilted over Thanksgiving and I finished the binding last week.  It is amazing the difference of when you finish it.  It is the equal to framing your sampler right?

 

 I decided that a navy stitching on the back would be nice and the top is a neutral.

Above, is the 1st of 2 quilts I have made in the last couple of weeks.  This one is made of flannel, a request by my husband, for my husband.  It feels so nice, I cant wait to get it back from the quilter and snuggle under it!  I bought this kit over the summer and needed some cold days to work on it, well, cold is here!!!  LOL.
The 2nd quilt I bought also as a kit from a shop that was having an end of year inventory sale and I was thrilled to be able to participate.  I bought this of course among other things-- kitted up a few other quilts.  I am trying to be brave and piece the fabrics together.  I have no issue changing the colors on my cross stitch, so quilting shouldnt be that hard right?  It really has to do with how much fabric, like I mentioned before in a previous post.

A Christmas quilt, using 3 sisters Wintergreen fabric.  I am crazy about the black in this quilt too :)  It was a nice easy one to sew while watching some great Christmas movies!!!  In a few weeks I will have them back from the quilter and hopefully will have more to bring.  I am going to help my niece make a quilt for her room this week, we went to the quilt shop, she chose the colors she likes and we are going to make the same pattern as the above flannel one.  Nice and easy for both of us, and also so we get it done before she goes back to school next week.  I will take pics and share those with you next year :)

Until next time, enjoy the rest of 2013, and Happy New Year to all of you!!!!!!

Frames to share

I seem to remember the comment I made in the last post or so (or perhaps it was just in my head) was to share a few pieces I had framed a few months ago.
Without wasting anymore time, and leaving you all in suspense since last time, here we go!

Primitive Betties- With My Needle.  I will have to do my best in remembering the linen, but I know it was 40ct Lakeside linen, perhaps maritime white?  With the called for cotton overdyed threads.  I finished this in 2010.

Also Primitive Betties- Live, Laugh, Love.  Vintage Pearled Barley 40ct Lakeside Linens with the called for overdyed cottons.  Yes, you have read correct on both, cotton.  Sometimes its just easy with these small ones.  But then again............ LOL.  Also 2010.

Carriage House Samplings- Maria P. Oliver.  Stitched on 40ct R & R something with my conversion to Belle Soie silks.  Completed in 2009.

Willow Hill Samplings- Eleanor Jaegler.  This is one of my favorite pieces.  I stitched this on 48ct Lt Examplar from Lakeside.  Yes, 48ct.  The size is fantastic and I know exactly the silk overdyed thread I used-- I see it in my mind, but I cant remember the name.  Japanese something, comes on a card similar to splendor cards.  If you know what it is, just let me know too :)  It is such fine silk, very comparable to the Tudor Silk from Gloriana.  But at that time, Tudor didn't exist.  This was also done in 2009.

Last but not least, is Queenstown Samplers- Elizabeth J Mears.  The minute I saw this sampler, it was a must stitch.  With a silk conversion to overdyes, and the need to start it NOW, the shop didnt have any 45ct and I wasnt able to get my hands on a piece of Vintage pecan butter that minute, I decided to start it on a piece of Vintage Pecan 40ct with the silks.  Finishing this sampler this year, I couldnt wait to choose a frame and see it in all its glory.  I LOVE the house, the alphabet, the flowers--- well I just love it all!! 
I am so pleased as usual with my pieces and just have to find the perfect place to hang them now. 

I have a couple more just picked up but I dont have pics of those just yet.  I will share them with you shortly.  Hopefully I can get my stitching bug back and share some beautiful WIPs I have going.  But in the mean time..... thank you for visiting my blog.

I hope each and everyone of you has a Merry Christmas!  It is such a wonderful time of year, of course after you get past all of the hustle and bustle.  Relaxing, enjoying your families and remembering the real reason for the season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Where oh where?

No where really.  Its been so long since my last post, I almost forgot my login information!  I suppose the only reason is just plain being busy.  Or perhaps my lack of stitching motivation?  I want to stitch, but no time.  I havent really done much the last 6 weeks, other then work, visiting with friends and family, and then more work.    Not much to share in the way of pics, but I did stitch up the 2 very expensive BBD market kits- Oct 31st and the other one, the stocking, cant remember the name this second.   Cute, but really not worth it. 

I dont seem to have a picture of the Oct 31st handy, but you know what it looks like.  I dont know how soon I will be "finish" them......
I did complete some time ago Plum Street Samplers "Love Thy Neighbor" but I didnt take a finished pic of it, or if I did, I cant find it!!  So here is one almost to the end.....

I love the colors in this one, and it was a fast one to stitch up.  I know, I am supposed to be working on WIPs, but I have really given up on that idea.  Who cares?  That is my current thought.  It is what it is!  Ha!  The comfort is, I am not the only one :)
I did go to one place I had on my bucket list sometime ago, and while on the latest trip to LA, I managed to find an hour to go to French General.

This is their retail location where a lot of great fun things take place.  Classes to make the most beautiful jewelry, where items are resold from trips to France antique markets-- ie all antique linens, buttons, papers, pictures, lace, nightgowns, books, etc., etc., etc.  I really needed a few hours, but from what I saw, I will definitely find time to go back!
Of course, they had there most beautiful antique quilts on display, and also their cotton fabrics, inspired from said quilts.  Here is one pic for you to drool over

I did come home with a few things, and of course some fabric!!!!  How could I not take any home?????  I highly recommend this great stop, the gals are always super friendly (I have ordered from them online) and very helpful.  For all things French General, this is it!!!
I want to make like at least a dozen quilts now!!!  LOL. 
I did make something fun with my Mom a bit ago, we both started with this box of strips from Moda- Adoring by Sandy Gervais. (pics borrowed from Moda-thanks)

What we both decided to do is remove the turquoise strips, and Mom chose to remove the navy also, I kept mine in.  The strips were 4 1/2" wide by 42" or so long.  Not really knowing the size of our projects would be, we just started with a small table top item, or display piece and went at it.  We chose 2 different patterns and I can't be more thrilled with the outcome.  Of course, I want to now sew hers!  (Thank goodness there is another package!  LOL).  Starting around 10am, we spent the day cutting, organizing, sewing,  laughing, pressing, cutting, pressing and sewing, and this is what we ended with at 6pm.  Just in time for supper.

What do you think?!  She ended up with a fabulous table runner on the right, (it is longer in the picture, but who really wants to see my crazy pants and socks on the left??!!) and I a wall hanging or small lap quilt.  She finished the top to the back, the edges bond etc., etc.  Me, I chose to wait on the finish and I ended up ordering some more of the navy for the back and some extra for the binding and will have that taken care of in the next few weeks.  I just am thrilled with the difference of the 2 pieces, using the exact same fabric box.   I am really scratching the surface of quilting, so I really don't know how much fabric is needed to give you the something in a different shape.  Like these strips, sewing them together, and in different shapes, is really something else!!!  I am always amazed.  Like how you can get a quilt top out of 1 jelly roll.  REALLY??!!!!  I tend to want mine bigger, so 2 always is best for me :)  AND, Thats why I always get yardage!!  LOL..  If it calls for 1, I better get 3.  If it calls for 2, I better get 5.  I don't want to run out, and I think that this comes from stitching, and when the pattern calls for 1 skein, and I run out, I am not only annoyed I have run out, but livid that the next skein doesn't match.....  Especially when you have WIPs or don't start it for a year.  It is always better to get extra, and if you like it, definitely get extra! 

So, there is a short and sweet update on what has been going on, I have more to share with you, via framing that I have had done this summer, along with a few other hot spots I have been to.  But for now, its back to work!!
Have a great day, and thanks for your patience on my posts :)