It was a challenge

With the closing ceremonies over almost a week ago already, it is high time that my Olympic project came to a close as well :)

This project was a great fun change for me and my usual classic pieces.  Every once in a while you have to test your perimeters and see what you really can do--- and this result proves it for me.  I dont know if I will stitch another item this off my comfort zone-- maybe and maybe not.  I am looking forward to going back to Sarah Brown and Dutch Beauty.  I think I hear DB cry at night I have almost abandoned her!!!  LOL. 

I am sure that you remember last week I started quilting, and having lessons by a fantastic woman who has been most patient and kind to show me the ropes of this new exciting hobby.  Of course, she is so creative and her quilts are exquisite :)   I believe she is enjoying this as much as I have been.  Over all, I am pleased with my result thus far. 

Above is the first option on how can put the blocks together, and below is the 2nd option.

What do you think? A or B?? Which version is most appealing?  Both are fantastic and I cant go wrong either way.  I am going to tie this quilt and have already chosen my threads for it. 
Next week I hope to finish it-- I am also amazed at how fast this has come together.  I have only worked on it 2 days (while I also know that the more difficult the pattern, the longer it will take- but still!) -- I suppose you can do most anything with the proper tools, lighting and patience right? 
Have a great rest of the week, stay cool and have FUN!!!!!

Olympics 2012

Everyone having a blast watching the Olympics and rooting for their favorite sport?  I must confess that I dont care much for the Olympics-- I can take it or leave it, so I have not watched a bit.
I did however start an Olympic project--- because like a fellow blogger said-- we need another excuse to start a project :)
For the 2 week challenge, I have stepped SO FAR out of my usual choice of patterns and I couldnt be more pleased.

I started on opening night-- while watching American Pickers my Olympic project-- Lizzie Kate Green.  This cute little set consists of 6 smalls and words on the bottom.  I have seen this last year or the year before at my LNS on 30ct WDW and I thought instantly that I wanted to stitch it on 45ct vintage pear.  Yes, it is on the same piece of linen as Margaret Brown, and no, Margaret is still sitting above the Green project.

I also adjusted the colors of course and I couldn't be more pleased with this cute piece.

I have also taken it upon myself to change the 2nd pattern from Eat Locally, to Eat Organic.  You gotta do what works for you right?!

It is so stinkin cute that my project is just slightly larger than the picture on the pattern.  Can you even?!!!!!!!!!!!  Each one of these rectangles is 2 1/2" tall and the finished size will be 10" x 3".

I have 2 more to go along with the saying, I am hoping that I can get it finished by the end of this week.  I think I have only 1 free night this week.  All-nighter here we come!!!!  Maybe I will have to watch some videos on the you-tube to keep me going :) 
Switching gears tomorrow:

After purchasing the above fabric along with a plethora more, I am going to learn to quilt tomorrow.  I couldn't be more excited to start.  My good friends mother is going to teach me and I imagine more adventure that you know.  I will take pics and post them later to see some fun and progress.  I have chosen a pattern-- to heck with what it is called, but by tomorrow afternoon I should be able to tell you!!  LOL.  I am in for it :)
Funny how already I have favorite designers that I am on the hunt for-- and it is great that they all really blend together-- 3 Sisters, French General, Barbara Brackman!!!!!

Stay tuned!

Margaret Brown

I had a thought yesterday would be the perfect day to post a finish-- and all good intentions were set.  7 am soon turned into 4pm and I soon realized that there was not going to be an update.  As fast as the day went, many many things were indeed accomplished, which will help the next day off that I have.  I was looking at the calender and I dont really see another day that I will be able to be home for weeks it seems!!!!  So squeezing in a post here or there is just going to have to be a bigger priority :)

So my finish happened mostly over this past weekend.  All of which I was out of town having a blast with some friends and stitching.  Here is where I started the weekend off with Margaret Brown from Miladys Needle:

Progress was made nicely throughout having fun and we even made Margaret do a photoshoot with the Cuban.  (No, I dont smoke and it yes, it is real:))

LOL, we had a great time obviously.  Progress was even made there!!!

Realizing when I had finished the stems, that I was actually missing one color!!!  The horrors.  I thought for sure that it was sitting on the side of my chair but come to see that the color was not anywhere to be found!!!  Fortunately the LNS had one in stock :)  Phew!!

I finished up Margaret on Monday night and even started her sister Sarah Brown a few inches over on my 45ct vintage pear linen.  Even over one was done smoothly-- not so bad!!!

So both Margaret and Sarah will be the same size when finished.  I think she is stinkin cute the small size that is-- 6" x 6" with a silk conversion.  Stay tuned for posts on Sarah progress-- I will try to be better LOL!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know

It has been over a month now since I have posted about stitching and I feel it is high time to get going!!  The month of June was a super, super busy with 3 weeks solid for me working, then 1 week helping out a Friend with another project-- there wasnt really much time for stitching!  Lots and lots of fun was had though!!!!!!  Among tons of fun, I was able to go to the West Chester County Sampler Exhibit-- which was incredible.  I had heard about it, wanted to go but didn't know if the schedule would allow.  There were so many gorgeous samplers and about a dozen globes.  Those I think were my favorite.  Well, that and the mourning samplers :)  Each and every sampler had such incredible detail.  It was truly worth the out of the way effort to see all of these girls on display.

I have been back at stitching the last week or so. Getting re-settled into my normal routine helps alot.  No real tremendous progress, but some is better than none!!!

 

 I did take a small break from DB to start Margaret Brown. PS-- I am stitching Margaret on Lakeside Vintage Pear-- which as you can see by the picture, doesn't look like it at all :( It is one of Milady's Needles reproductions, and Margaret also has a sister Sarah.  I was supposed to have this done already (stitching it with my friend, she is done though!!  YGG), but we already know how that goes.  I have been pleased with the turn out, but realized when rounding the final side that I was 1 thread off, so instead of having 2 threads to go over to finish my final border stitch, I had 3.............  I HATE THAT.  I looked for a bit to see where I had made this error, couldn't find it and threw put her on the chair beside me.

Picked up DB and continued on the flower stem.

 

 Each and every time I look at this piece, I get more excited to have it complete.  I have already chosen the frame......so when I wrap this baby up (when?????)

Back to Margaret, I found the mistake and ripped out the top border along with half of the right side to fix the error, I thought was too bad to leave.  I can now continue to stitch on her.  I think I am going to stitch Sarah Brown for my Olympic project.  We shall see when we come to that bridge however!!!

  I had some framing done and I am looking forward to seeing the final result today, and I will post some pics of those soon!!

Hope everyone is staying cool, enjoying there summer and stitching the days away :)

Happy Birthday America!!

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

As we celebrate our Independence Day here in America, we stand proud of our country. 

The United States of America is 236 years old today!!!


I hope all of you celebrating this great day are having a wonderful relaxing day :)  Enjoying friends and family.   For those serving and fighting for this great land, we think of you and THANK YOU for your service to America, fighting for our freedoms which we so love here in this great country.

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Where in the World?

Isnt it great to share a new experience with others?  Let alone your friends?!  I wanted to share another one with all of you, and this time my post is going to be about stitching (mostly).  Yes, finally!  I have been working slow and steady on Dutch Beauty and also enjoying life to the fullest.  Lots of great gatherings for Memorial Day, and Birthdays and just get-togethers.  So many great places too.  So, few and far between I wanted to share some fun pics.  I wanted to take DB on a trip of a lifetime-- thinking what would be great?  Where would I like to work on her?  Well how about Egypt?!  Egypt you say?!  What the?!!!!  Well, the next best and easiest place would be Vegas.  Vegas?!!!!!  I know I can see all of you already-- Vegas is a far cry, and I mean far from Egypt.  But, what do you think?

Great fun right?  How often would you expect to see me do this with a project, let alone DB?!!!!!!!  My project and all its glory is sitting on several statues at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.  We didnt stay there, we did see a show there however along with the Titanic exhibit.  I folded DB up beautifully and put it in a small zippy, in my pocketbook.  No, I didnt get it dirty, and horrors of horrors, I can hear all of you already :)
We saw several shows, the first of which was the Criss Angel Believe magic show which liking the TV show, I was highly disappointed.  The show couldnt be more off than I would have imagined.  So, the score list was 1 zero for my husband and I.  Me with the losing show point so far.  The next night we saw Legends in Concert, Celebrity Tribute-- which was fantastic-- Impersonators of Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Blues Brothers, Lady Gaga (?????????? why??????) and of course Elvis. Highly recommend this one, and the price was great.
Bill Cosby up next which is always classic, he just kills me, and well the entire sold out audience of course too.  Another great recommendation-- although he is not in town all the time, I was lucky to get tickets.
Last show was Phantom of the Opera.   Ltd time running still, but my husband said the set was better than the one in New York-- which is amazing right?  The chandelier alone costs $4 million bucks.  $4million bucks = a hell of a stash enhancement.  Drop in the bucket right?  Another must see if you are going to Vegas.  For those of you keeping score-- 3/1.
Each and every night after the dinner and shows we ended up at some lounge, or nightclub, Serendipity (much much different than New York, but still good!)  Did I mention DJ Tiesto?????  Wowza!!!!!! Walking around, people watching.  We are not gamblers, but $20 bucks on the penny slots is fine for me-- and great fun.  We met up with some friends who came in for the UFC fight and they are gamblers, $25 bucks a hand at 21.  TWENTY FIVE BUCKS?!!!!!!!  Are you kidding me?!!!!  (These aren't even the high stakes tables!!) Think of the stash you can have!!!!!!!  Amazing to watch people throwing $100 bills on these tables.  My heart starts beating fast and I cant do it. 

Focus, focus, stitching this post was supposed to be about stitching right?!  LOL.  I did manage to find some time to stitch on DB and boy she is coming along just great.

Top row has been done since last week, but I have had no time to get a post in, these things take longer and longer each time dont they?

I have more of the 2nd row done than shown, but will show you more next time.  I started working on DB full hog on April 7th and I marked that the first row was done in less than 7 weeks.  Not to bad.  I think she is just gorgeous, and I look forward to seeing more progress on the next row shortly!
Thanks for the comments on my last post, and I hope that you all have had a great weekend, stitching and enjoying this fabulous weather we all have been having!!!!!  I love summer, and it is almost here :)

Have a great week!