The Girls

Dinner last night was a smashing success thanks to this trio. DH calls them "the girls" as in "Do you need help taking the girls to the grill?" or "Are the girls about done?" I only had 2 thrones for the queens so the one on the right had to be comfortable just sitting on its can. :o) It is always fun to spend time with the family while gorging ourselves on good food. After the meal DH and my son whipped out the guitars and we spent a couple of hours laughing, talking, and singing old songs way out of tune. Ahhh, family fun - life is good.

Floss Tag

Well, it has been almost a month and a half since I sent my partner in the Tiny Treasures Exchange her floss tag. I haven't heard that she has received it and I haven't heard that she hasn't received it. I think it is safe for me to post a picture either way.

This is a Bent Creek freebie called "Robin on Egg". I stitched it on 28 count Lugana over one. I'm not sure my eyes are cut out for over one stitching but I gave it my best. I stitched our initials and the year on the back.

I sincerely hope nothing untoward has happened to my partner and I also hope my tag isn't lost in the mail. I also sent some bird fabric and goodies along with the tag. I would just like to know one way or the other because if it is lost I want to stitch another one for my partner. I have always met my obligations in swaps and I wouldn't want anyone to think I didn't in this one.

The in-laws, niece, and nephews are coming over for dinner tonight. I am making beer can chicken, creamed corn, squash casserole, cucumber salad, rolls, and blackberry cobbler. I am proud to say the squash and cucumbers are from my little garden and the blackberries were picked from wild bushes which grow along our property. A good time will be had by all!

Sweet!

Isn't this design just the sweetest? I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. Since my DH has been pestering me about stitching Halloween and Christmas things, I thought I would stitch something summery.

"Bay View Estate"
By The Bay Needleart
Silkweaver mystery blue 18 ct Aida DMC floss

I believe I have found a favorite designer. (She has Halloween and Christmas designs too!) This little piece finished up at 2-1/2"x2-1/2" and fit perfectly in the opening for this frame. There is a lot of detail in this small design and the tiny little sheep on the grass are just beyond cute.



Now to decide which one of her designs I want to purchase and stitch next. :o)

Holiday Confusion

My husband was watching me finish this ornament today and told me he thought I was suffering from Holiday Confusion. LOL I am trying to get back in my habit of finishing one Christmas ornament per month and needed to make up for a month or two.

This one is stitched on the fabric I dyed with strawberries. I changed all the flosses on this chart and used a green and red DMC color variations floss along with white Rainbow Gallery Fuzzy stuff. The original chart had dove buttons but I decided to just use a star button on top of the tree. It is finished as a pillow ornament.

I went to the farmer's market this morning and bought fresh corn, tomatoes, and peaches. I had my first tomato sandwich of the summer and boy was it good! I made creamed corn this evening and cooked squash out of my garden for a squash casserole tomorrow.

After I returned from the farmer's market I went out to my garden

to do a little weeding. I just happened to look up and saw what appeared to be 2 large eyes staring back at me. I had to run back inside to grab my camera because I had never seen anything like this before. Does anyone know what kind of bug this is? He/She was on one of my tomato plants but didn't appear to be eating on the leaf. He/She is about 1-1/2 inches long. Pretty scary looking isn't it?

Have a Safe and Happy 4th!

"American Tribute"

www.paperpanache.com

Wallhanging completed in 2002

TGIF!

Whew! I am so glad this week is over. I am soooo ready for the weekend. It was very busy at work this week and I am ready for a little R&R.

I stopped in at the Goodwill store today and picked up a couple of goodies for 69 cents. :o) I know it isn't Halloween yet but one has to be ready when the time comes. I thought this basket with the bats swinging around was just cute and will be a nice addition to my decorations this Halloween. The frame isn't as gold as the lighting makes it look in the picture. It is more of a brushed nickel type finish on wood. The piece in it isn't of my taste but I can sure use the sweet frame for a bit of my stitching. For another 69 cents I just couldn't pass it up. It is a custom frame as it has the sticker from the frame shop on the paper on the back. The little easels are great for displaying pinkeeps and ornaments and I got a package of three of them for 99 cents. They are $1.50 each at my Hobby Lobby. I just love it when I find a great deal on something I can really use.

I hope to have a new finish to show you tomorrow. Have a great weekend everyone!

The Next Big One

Finished and framed! I know ya'll are probably tired of seeing this one but I just had to post a pic of it framed and on the wall. I thought this antiquey gold frame suited the piece and with the border I didn't feel it needed a mat. Lemme tell you the professional framers of the world don't have to worry about me taking their job. I used foam core board and pins to attempt to center it for framing and it took me FORRR-EVVV-ERRRR before I was satisfied. It is still a little wonky but I can live with it. There is a lot of debate about whether to use glass over your needlework. I did not use glass on this one. I figured if I decided I wanted to put glass in, I can always do that later and besides, I really like the no glare look without glass.

Now, for the next big project. My son gave me the $ to purchase this for Mother's Day. Isn't this painted linen gorgeous?! I fell in love with the chart the minute I saw it. It has trees, birds, and dogs - three of my most favorite things. :o) It will probably take me a year to finish this one as I am such a slow stitcher. I also get bored very easily so will be stitching lots of smalls in between working on this. I already know where I will hang it and I already know it WILL be professionally framed. LOL

I do not want to use the overdyed floss as charted and have been experimenting with Vikki Clayton silks. She sent me a sample and I am putting it to the test. (That run I had on Smell My Feet really makes me hesitate to use anything but plain old DMC) She also offers her silks in a premium floss which means I would only have to use one strand with no railroading for this piece. So far, I am very pleased with this floss. Once I have finished testing I will post my results here.

Only one more day until the weekend!