Merry Christmas and I am Ready for the New Year!!!

I am happy to say the shopping is done and because of everyone has other commitments around the holidays the presents have already been opened. We've had a busy couple months and I am just ready for some normalcy. I did a huge makeover of our family room, living room and dining room. The upside of having of an empty nest is being able to hand down the old furniture to the kids and get new furniture for the house, LOL. Between that, my DH making an unexpected 4 week business trip and getting ready for an early Christmas, I have been a bit overwhelmed. Another week of crazy and then I am hopeful I can transition back to a more normal routine :-). I've had almost no stitching time so I am ready to settle in with my needle.

I did finish a Christmas ornament for an exchange, I thought it came out cute and I hope the recipient liked it.

I've also worked a fair bit on Primitive Needle's A&E. I love the conversion Teri from Shepherd's Bush did for the piece. If anyone would like it, I am sure you can call the shop and ask for it.

I've been wishing my life away waiting on the New Year. I just love the idea of new beginnings, making lists and plans because it helps me get organized and motivated. Siobhan was a bad influence and convinced me it would inspire me if I joined the Crazy January Challenge 2011. I should probably listen to Karin, who despite all my cajoling, begging and nagging (I try to drag her along in all my schemes and plans) has declined to participate "because it would make her crazy", LOL. Still I persist and I've posted my list in the sidebar and of course I wouldn't be me if I didn't modify the challenge a tiny bit. My plan is to start the new projects Monday through Friday the first three weeks of the month, after the initial start I will concentrate on one or two pieces until they are finished. I will work on a BAP project Friday night to Sunday night. The first large project will be Frances Eden. I make no promises, just a commitment to try it and I reserve the right to change my list as my heart desires ;-).

And if you are thinking "Good for Karin", I did convince her we should do an ornament exchange again this year. We are each going to stitch 6 ornaments twice, so we both end up with 12 ornaments. We did the same thing 2 years ago but for that exchange we each stitched 12 ornaments.

I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my blog.

Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart!!!!

My goal has been to stitch each part of this design as it comes out. I got a little behind with the retreat and a quick trip to Texas. Last week I finally found some time to sit down and stitch. This piece is such a joy to work on :-). I finished the bonus chart, Happy Birthday, Swan Lake and Clara Ellen since I last posted my progress.

Next up for me is Primitive Needle's A&E. When I was at the Shepherd's Bush I saw their stitched model. They used CC, GAST, and WDW threads and I fell in love :-).

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and post comments, I love comments ;-). Hope you all are finding lots of time to stitch and are almost done Christmas shopping, LOL. I haven't even started but I am planning on getting busy. I want to be done before Thanksgiving!!!!

The Retreat Weekend!!!

Blackbird Designs Class, Shepherd's Bush Class, Jeannette Douglas Class

My New Stash, Make it and Take it, Close Up of Button

SB Simple Joy, SB Retreat Scissor Fob, Shared Stitches Piece

The retreat was so much fun!!!!! The projects are gorgeous. I don't know how well it shows in the picture but the Blackbird project is a little sewing tray, we got the frame and the hardware as a part of our class. Jeannette's design is fabulous and pictures don't do it justice. I was able to order the Shepherd's Bush piece even though I didn't take the class, can't wait to get it.

Love, love, love the Shepherd's Bush shop, the models are fabulous. Every where you turn there's one beautiful project after another and Tina and Terri do the prettiest conversions. I got their threads for Primitive Needle's A&E, Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler, CHS's Americana, EEF's Petite Examplaries, Lizzie Kate's Art of Aging piece, La D Da's Mocking Bird and CHS's Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow.

Besides the class kits and conversions I have to say my most favorite new design is the R&R Jenny Bean Companion, called Winnie Sue. It is such a pretty piece and is now on my short list to stitch :-).

Karin, Valerie, Natalia, Sarah (no blog) and I went to class, shared meals and stitched together. Thankfully our friends, Vicky and Danya, had a condo style room so we were able to hang out and stitch with them in comfort. I also got a chance to spend some time with my friend Chris, who got me this gorgeous retreat gift :-)!

It was so nice to meet Terri, Jolene, Deb and Loraine. They are all so sweet. I was sad I didn't get to spend any time with Cari and Cathy and their sister Joan :-(. The weekend got away from me and I never managed to catch up with them.

I could not have asked for more. To get to attend the retreat and share it with such wonderful ladies made for a perfect weekend!!!! I know there are ladies I spent time with that I didn't have a chance to mention, they are all dear to me :-). Shepherd's Bush puts on an absolutely wonderful retreat and if you ever get the chance to go, don't hesitate. Hope you all are getting lots of stitching time!!!!

Guess where I am going...

I am going to Utah for the Shepherd's Bush retreat and I can't wait :-). Their retreats are so much fun. My friend Karin and I are taking the Blackbird track which means we will have classes with Alma and Barb, Charland Designs and Jeanette Douglas. We have made plans to do dinners and hang out with Natalia, Valerie and Sara (no blog). I know lots of ladies who will be there and I am so looking forward to meeting up with old friends and making new friends.

I've been stitching like a mad woman this summer in between several fun trips, Chicago, twice, and Mt. Rushmore. I wanted to have at least a few pieces stitched so I could take them to Jill Rensel. She is the most amazing artist and I love her framing. I finished Blackbird Designs Where My Heart Blooms and Summer House and Shepherd's Bush Quaker Heart. I am also going to frame a round robin I finished at least two years ago. I had grand plans of having at least a couple more done but it just didn't happen. I am still trying to keep up on my AoTH piece, I am a little behind but a couple weeks of stitching and I will be caught up again. After that I have several projects waiting in the wings :-).

I have to share a sweet picture of Chloe and Sophie. They are so cute!

I hope everyone had a great summer and got lots of stitching done! I have to say it was bit warm this summer so I am ready for fall. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

My Heart, Family and Friends

I have loved every minute of stitching on this piece. It's such a special design. I've spent more than a couple hours doing some geneaology research so I can personalize it :-). So far I've paid tribute to my paternal grandmother, Audie Pearl, and my maternal grandfather Sydney Frederick. Unless a block speaks to me for a particular person, I will wait until the end to add the rest of the initials, names and dates.

Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart Series

Stitched with GAST, WDW, and CC

on 40 count R&R Olde Town Blend

May Block Sydney Frederick

January, February and May

March and April Audie Pearl

I haven't posted pictures of my four legged babies in a while so I will bore you all with new pictures. I've decided the girls think they are cats, LOL. Oh and Chloe thinks she's a boy, but that's a whole other story ;-). They both like to sleep on the back of the furniture.

Chloe (whose newest habit is hiking her leg on the fence? My neighbors must think I am a nut when I holler "You're not a boy!', LOL)

Sophie (who is such a little lady unless you are offering her food, then she's a vulture, LOL)

I so enjoy reading everyone's blog and I am always excited when I find a "new to me" blog or someone I know starts blogging. My friend Natalia started her blog this year, click on her name and take a look, she has such a fun blog and she's just the sweetest woman :-).

I hope this post finds everyone well and stitching!!! I am off to dig through my stitching bag. I have to find something else to work on while I impatiently wait on the next Anniversaries of the Heart chart. Have a great day!

Blackbird Retreat

What a fun, fun weekend! I went to Chicago to see my friend Karin and attend the Tomorrow's Heirlooms Blackbird Designs Retreat. We had such a good time! I went a couple days early so we could have some girl time, shopping and chatting. Our first stop was Tomorrow's Heirlooms, where I got some linen and threads. I will say if you are looking for a hard to find chart I would definitely call them. They had a huge inventory of designs. Then it was off to Inspired Needle for some more stash enhancement. I got several gorgeous cuts of 40 count Lakeside and R&R, more thread and charts. Inspired Needle was such a cute shop, loved it. The second day we went to an Outlet mall and I got to go to my first Vera Bradley outlet store. Wow oh wow, they were having a good sale :-). I didn't leave empty handed, LOL.

The retreat was amazing. Barb and Alma are just so great and they have so many fun ideas for needlework. I always leave their classes inspired. I think I am turning into a groupie, LOL. I also got to meet Laura, Teresa and Pat (no blog). They are all so sweet! I have to admit I shamelessly snitched this picture from Laura's blog, I hope she doesn't mind. All my pictures kept rotating themselves when I uploaded them to blogger :-(.

The Class Pieces

I have been working on my Anniversaries of the Heart piece. I am stitching it on 40 count Olde Town Blend. It's been such a joy to stitch. I am hoping to be caught up in the next week or so. I want to just stitch the charts as they are released.

Karin stitched me two Blackbird Designs Ornaments and had them finished by Deb. They are both so beautifully stitched and finished. I just love them.

Next up for Karin and me is the Shepherd's Bush Retreat in September. We are, of course, taking the Blackbird Designs track :-). It can't come soon enough. I hope everyone is well and enjoying their summer. We are in the midst of several home projects, landscaping, concrete and deck refinishing and in between I am stitching whenever I can. I love this little verse and it seemed perfect a Blackbird post :-).

The birds have ceased their songs, All save the blackbird, that from yon tall ash, 'Mid Pinkie's greenery, from his mellow throat, In adoration of the setting sun, Chants forth his evening hymn. by David Macbeth Moir

My Family and Memorial Day

On Memorial Day I think about the men and women serving in the military and their families and the sacrifices they make. I cannot remember a time in my life not influenced by military service. My father and husband are both retired from the Air Force and my son is in the Air Force Reserves. Both my father and FIL served in Vietnam, my MIL was in the Navy, my BIL was in the Army, both my and my DH's grandfathers fought in WWII and his great-grandfather fought in the Civil War. I am so proud of all of them and I know first hand the toil the demands of military life and the long absences take on the families waiting and worrying at home. I also know the rewards of supporting someone who willingly serves their country. My DH said many times that he would give his life to protect the freedom of our country. I am so proud of my family's of military history and all the men and women who serve to protect our freedom.

My dad in Vietnam 1968-1969

My Grandmother's Picture of my Dad :-)

My DH and DS in Uniform

I love the new Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart piece. It is a beautiful way to give tribute to the family I love. I used a quilt my grandmother and I made as the background for this picture :-). I had to throw in some borders so I could get to the Pink Hill Manor piece. My grandma lived in a little pink house so this block will be a tribute to her and my dad.

I hope you all are enjoying a long weekend with family and friends! Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blog :-).

Evil Serpent Part 2

I so enjoy these quick little A&E pieces. This is The Evil Serpent by Examplars from the Heart. I love it because it's just a bit 'different'. It was such a fun quick stitch too.

As much as fun as I have had stitching Adam, Eve and the Serpent I think it's time to move on :-). I know I will return to the A&E's, I have many more charts in my stash and Paradise Lost languishing in my stitching bag. For now though there are other charts calling my name rather loudly and I think they deserve a bit of attention. On my short list: BOAF Peace House, Blackbird Designs Hannah Lovina, and Little by Little Ann Pennsylvania Peacock. I also want to get back to the BBD Anniversaries of the Heart series too.

I hope you all are happy, healthy and stitching :-). Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment on my blog.

A Finish, Adam, Eve, the Serpent, and a Phobia

I have to start with a story about my childhood to explain my snake phobia. My father is the youngest of six children who all had children, in some cases several children, which makes me the third youngest of 19 grandchildren. My grandmother loved nothing more than have all her children and grandchildren visit her in her little pink house :-). Picture 13 adults, 19 kids with only about 8 years between the youngest and oldest, and you can start to envision the craziness of all of us in one tiny house together. Some of my fondest memories growing up center around my grandmother's home, picking and eating berries, cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden, playing hide and seek, flashlight tag and kick the can with my cousins. My boy cousins, and there were lots of them, 12 of the 19 kids, chased us with garter snakes. Which funnily enough didn't actually cause my snake phobia.

My grandmother had a chicken coop and I loved to go collect the eggs. The nests had these plastic coverings over them with a small hole that expanded to let the chicken in and out and I would just reach in and get the eggs. I went to collect the eggs one afternoon and reached in to grab eggs and found a large black snake instead. To say it scared me would be a huge understatement, I was petrified. I ran screaming to my grandmother who, being the country woman she was, grabbed the hoe and killed the snake. And the love hate relationship with snakes, i.e., serpents was born, LOL.

I am the girl sitting on the side of the swing set, the toddler is my sister, and three of my cousins are sitting on the swing.

All of this makes my fascination with Adam and Eve and the Serpent a bit difficult to understand. But there you go, I love to stitch the snake coiled around the tree. It's almost therapeutic :-). I finished Goode Huswife's Sarah Seifer today. I have loved this sampler for so long and I am so happy to have her stitched.

The handpainted pieces were done by Tanya

Thanks to the bad influence of my friend Tanya and my quest for all things A&E, I ordered this plate from Eldreth Pottery. Isn't it gorgeous? I told my DH it was my Mother's Day present, along with two plates from Ginger Cazan :-). He asked if he was generous, I told him I thought so, LOL. I think this plate will make a great companion for Sarah.

In keeping with my theme, one of my other very favorite pieces is Earth Sampler by The Primitive Needle. Jill Rensel framed it for me and even added an extra snake on the mat :-).

Finally, I love Paulette's big blue snake on Paradise Lost, add to that Eve looks like Betty Rubble and Adam has man boobs, perfect :-). It's just the most gorgeous piece.

Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling, memory filled post :-). I hope everyone is happy, healthy and getting lots of stitching time!

Anniversaries and Mail

Finally! I promised my mom and dad a stitched piece for their anniversary, ummmm over 2 years ago. I finished it yesterday :-). I put the year they married and their initials on it and tomorrow I will take it to my LNS for framing. My parents are going to be so surprised it's done, my mom's been dropping big hints for the last several months, LOL. I love this piece, it's Blackbird Designs Willow House.

I also signed up for my Sampler Guild's mailart exchange. I used Carriage House Samplings 1803 Pennsylvania House for my piece. I changed the colors a lot because I did things a bit backwards by chosing the lining fabric first :-). I hope the recipient loves it as much as I do.

Hope this finds everyone stitching and creating :-). I am going to get Paradise Lost out again and try to stitch a few more stockings. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment on my blog, I so appreciate it!