Too hot to stitch?

I want to bring to your attention a lovely blog with so much inspiration:
http://gazette94.blogspot.com/2010/05/ete.html
Grand Abecedaire is not to be missed - it is just gorgeous - of course I had to email her and let her know how much I loved it, and she sent back the nicest note. We are lucky to have her creative spirit amongst us stitchers.
My birthday is coming soon (well, OK, me & Martha Stewart, but I'm younger!!):





......just in case my family needs inspiration!!

During the summer do you find more time to stitch or less? I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and stitching during winter, but though I stay inside a lot during the summer (we are going into a week
of 90 deg temps), I am not stitching as much as I think I should. Maybe the heat is just sucking the life out of me!
If you create anything, this is a nice site:
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/mcshelpsite/sewingstuff/freepatterns.html

Take care and think good thoughts!

Just a Reminder-Summer time is a good time.....

Free Graphics

Love those blue eyes

She has 4 teeth now!
Sometimes I look into those deep blue eyes and I think I can see her soul - sweet, pure goodness.

Someone gave me this the other day, and you migraineurs will understand all too well........
"lord how my head aches! What a head have I! It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces" - from Romeo and Juliet. It's hard to believe people have been suffering for so long and yet we try to muddle thru. Of course we are in good company: apparently the following also had migraines: Thomas Jefferson, Sigmund Freud and Frederic Chopin.

I found this yesterday and still love it enough that I think I will actually finish it!
It is going to be 90 degrees for the next several days so this will give me time to start planning the July 4th menu - if you have a tried & true favorite, send it to me - collecting recipes is one of my funnest hobbies!

I have not received an order I placed a couple of weeks ago, but called the store yesterday to see what anyone knew of it. But that did not stop me from placing another order (from another store) - most of these are older but they will be new to me!
Christmas Day (Prairie Schooler
Farmer's Alphabet (Prairie Schooler
June (Prairie Schooler PS161)
Noah's Stocking (Carriage House Samplings
Decorated Pins - Jewel Roses (set of 6)
Babe's Honey Farm (Victoria Sampler
Christmas Village Sampler (Victoria Sampler
Wichelt Linen 32ct Smoky Pearl 18x27
Hands to Work Sampler (Victoria Sampler
I guess it's too soon to go stand by the mail box!! Have a great weekend!

A Special Day

Summer is here

With the hot temps we have been having, I don't venture out much. I am not a summer person and I certainly did my fair share of complaining this past winter when my electric bill was over $400!
Apparently, I am looking for Paradise and it has to be just down the street from the grand children - I don't want much, do I ?????!!!!!!!

I recently got this sampler from someone that is down-sizing but I think I am going to do more pinks than what is called for in the pattern: http://www.casacenina.com/jan-houtman/the-rose-sampler.html#componenti

Do you keep up a year 'round tree? I do and I recently saw someone that has hers all decorated for the 4th of July - it is precious. I thought I had previously bought the little Halloween colored lights but have not found them - but of course all this will be in the stores by July - which will give me enough time to get some more!

I love the Dept 56 Halloween items that I have collected. There is a store in town that puts these items on sale sometime during the summer. They have a huge section with the different villages all displayed - when I die, just bury me somewhere in there.

http://www.recipesecrets.net/blog/ - this place has tons of restaurant recipes that will be fun to try. I would walk across broken glass for Chili's salsa, so I will have to dig around to see what else I must try!

This week is DS's birth day - I have forgiven him for weighing 10lbs at birth and he truly has been a wonderful son - kind & thoughtful, almost to a fault. He has given me 2 gorgeous GC that are the light of my life. No complaints today.........!!!

Time is flying by....

Look at these lovely museum samplers:
http://amica.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/view/search?q=sampler&sort=INITIALSORT_CRN%2COCS%2CAMICOID&search=Search

If you scroll down below, you will see an unfinished pink dress from the 1940's - well, here is a picture of it completed and being worn by the great, great granddaughter this weekend.

And not to exclude the First grand child:

I cannot believe it is only 83 days until he starts school - I am sooooo not ready for him to go out into this world.

Does anyone still collect Fitz & Floyd china? I have a few pieces but I am thinking about giving them to DIL, as I have not used them in years. They are fall-themed pieces and she has always liked them, so it would be one less thing to dust!

Beautiful Bags

Purse girls - look at all the yummy Chanel:
http://bagcraze.blogspot.com

Finally it has stopped raining and everything is very green:


I must say, this fussing between the Koreas is very unnerving - war is no way to save an economy and I am hoping saner heads will prevail. Good thoughts everyone.

GD has 2 teeth - where did the time go?? I have not even finished one item that I have planned to stitch for her; she will be going to the prom and I will still be stitching a birth sampler !!!

Someone has bought the Green Mtn linen in the pict below but the Nutmeg is still available.

Recognize this?

I recently found this unfinished sampler and it is very pretty, but there was no pattern with it and I have no idea what the design is - if you recognize it, please let me know. I guess at this stage, I could do my own thing with the border but again, I have gotten away from the blue color scheme.


I am anxiously awaiting a package from a cross stitch store because it will contain some very beautiful French designs. One is definitely for GD and I will show it when it arrives.

I found some Green Mountain linen and back in the day, it was beautifully hand-dyed and very popular for samplers. Two pieces are called Nutmeg; then I have a larger piece that does not have a name with it but here is a picture - it appears to be 36ct and is approx 18 x 27 - I will not use it and will be happy to trade for something else if you would like to have it. Just send me an email.

History for the next generation

I recently went thru a file folder and was amazed to find that an uncle had traced the family tree back to the 1730's !!!!! He had the names of towns, where grave sites were located and even how some of the ancestors met! He explained how this info was needed by the DAR for membership. I made a copy for my son to keep and put the original in the safe, as it was hand-written; I do hope the grand children will be interested in the history of their family. I know every time I go to Williamsburg, I 'feel' some kind of connection - if it wasn't for all the tourists, I could live there!!!!!!!!!
I thoroughly loved the Bicentennial so eventually there will be the Tricentennial and hopefully this info will be popular again. I hope they keep these pages in the safe deposit box we got for them; we will save them a lot of research. This is the point where they can bow and applaud in appreciation.

I cannot get over how much DMC has gone up - I remember getting it at 10 or 12 skeins for $1 - now I am happy to see it for .39 each - I have seen it for as much as .65!!!! Don't hold me to this, but someone mentioned that Joann's might have it next weekend at 3/.99; it's worth a phone call to verify.

I am so loving this pattern - I even have the fabric but have not started one stitch:
http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-perl/itemdetail.pl?item=VS113
There is also a new pattern call "Babe's Honey Farm" that will have to join my stash.
Unfortunately, today is a migraine day, so no stitching (which I have not done all week!) but it is beautiful outside and I have already watered the little miniature tomato plants on the porch, so my day is pretty much over.

Purse girls: I love the python look and have the Gucci one and here is another worthy of our attention:
http://www.michaelkors.com/index.jhtml;jsessionid=4UTY4TMUPXHPKCQAAJYXN0A?_requestid=65062

This Chanel is larger than I have seen but it certainly would be great for every day:
http://www.bagsnob.com/the_latest_it_bags
And the grey color could be very year 'round.
I really need to win the lottery!

Dear trading friend Debs sent this for me:

I am absolutely gaga over anything Mary Beale and I feel so lucky to have this - I am so hoping GD will want to stitch some of her designs for her children - they are so timeless and elegant and will be wonderful items to pass down, especially the stockings.

Here is one generation passing one on to the next:


Until next time......

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My goodness

The other day, I happened upon 2 charts that had been missing for about 2 months (as soon as I got them, I 'lost' them!) - now, I had looked in this drawer multiple times, searching for these charts - to no avail. As I am rushing around putting things away before company, what do I find?
Now, I had brain surgery this past Halloween (!!!) and my surgeon explained that not all memory would come back ........ but this is ridiculous. Oh, and this is not the only chart I can't find.
It's almost spooky - if you come across my mind, please return it!!

Today we had to turn the heat on and it will be 90 by Friday - one of the joys of the South!

As stitchers, we are generous people - you can easily tell by the free charts various people have designed and shared over the years. As someone that has currently slowed down stitching, I have decided that I am going to share some of my bounty with others - those that have lost jobs or reduced incomes. To me, it is joyful to know that another stitcher will receive enjoyment from something that I can provide. This economy has made it difficult for many of our fellow stitchers, so this year there will be RAK (random acts of kindness) and I hope others will take up this little cause and think how, as individuals, they can participate. No effort is too small and just thinking that I might have made someone smile, is all I need in return.

GD Christian, is holding her head up very well and smiling, when she is not spitting up!
She takes medication for acid reflux, but still has quite a time with it. I was not aware that infants could have the condition - I hope she grows out of it.

I hope she loves dolls because I am amassing a ton of info about them:
http://www.clothdollconnection.com/FreePatterns.html
this site is an amazing resource for anything doll.

I see that 150 people have come over to visit and that is exciting! Soooooooo, I am thinking that at 200 visits, it will be time for a giveaway. I will gladly supply the 200th visitor with either linen or aida - when you visit and see that the 200th visitor number is up, send me an email so I can get your address and you can choose which fabric you would like to have.

Have an enjoyable weekend!

as you begin this day....
"May The Lord bless you
and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon
you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

Enjoy your weekend & Happy Mother's Day

Dear Friend Kathy in MA sent me these beauties in trade this week; I have been craving to stitch the Bee Hive Man pattern, as this is part of the design idea for the laundry room:


Blackbird Designs LF#3: Evening Shades the Garden - I am looking for this design if anyone would like to trade; I have a ton of linen that I could send you.

I just found this site and it has a lovely monogram sampler that would be cute in GD's room - in pink of course! http://dmc-threads.com/?cat=5

This site is perfect for DIY'er : http://diybaglover.blogspot.com/
With over 200 days until Christmas, some of these would make great gifts when used with lovely fabric-you cannot have too many bags; and with this economy, this could make someone very happy!

Let me wish all of you a very happy Mother's Day - may it be relaxing and comforting and filled with hugs & kisses (even the chocolate kind!). My gang will be here and I am hoping the men people will help put some of these plants on the front porch for me; they have done well this winter here in the sunroom but I want the leaves washed and that will be easier outside:

Take good care of yourself.

GD, this song is for you

GD goes for her 4 month check-up this week, and I recently heard this song on the radio:
Stevie Wonder, "Isn't She Lovely " :
Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love

So when I came upon a site that was promoting "A Photo A Day to End Women's' Cancer", I could not help but think of you, dear GD. In my early 40's I had a mammogram (which I almost canceled) and it did not come out so great. And though my Dr was immediately making appts for me, it just did not sink in - so after a couple of months went by, my Dr called and raised cane with me; telling me that I would be dead within 10yrs if I kept postponing my surgery = now that finally sank in because I did not have any grandchildren at the time. It is not something that had concerned me because no family member had the disease. Lucky me.
I know one day you will need this info and I feel so blessed to be here and get to hold you. I pray you are not troubled with this disease, but if you are, I will be with you all the way - you will never be alone.
My beloved hairdresser wears a pink pin that says " Save the TaTas " - she is as wonderful as she is talented and will be cutting your first locks. Yes, it is our version of 'Steel Magnolias' and it is a place where you always belong, esp since I have been going to her for over 15yrs. We love her!

Now, to a lighter subject...
Dear Karen at Wasatch Needlework let me know the rest of my order was on the way - many of them are duplicates of patterns that I think my DIL or eventually GD will want, but they will be difficult to find, so this is part of my long term planning. Of course, everyone teases me about the "extras" I have on hand, but I have learned that if I really like something, it will become impossible to find. And paying top dollar like some collectors do, is out of the question. But my guiding principle is, if I find a lip gloss that I truly love, buy several - I may not go into town but once a week, so I have to load up while there - and if things are on sale (my favorite way to shop!) I might as well get more !!
I hope my GD gets this trait !!

This site:http://patternmakercharts.blogspot.com/2009/11/alphabete-und-muster-zum-waschezeichnen.html#links
has an amazing array of old alphabets and designs that I want to use and create a band sampler that is a pattern 'keeper' - I think it will be useful to future generations and show what was popular at the time. I probably won't even frame this piece and make it long enough that I can add designs as time goes on - always a work in progress!! Now I will have an actual excuse to put this stitching aside !!

In a previous life, I was a caterer and loved to bake and I still love to collect recipes & cookbooks. I even have some of Martha Stewart's books and inside the front cover are signed notes & cards = we were married in college, have only children and have the same birthday
(but I'm younger!!). So I am happy to pass these on to you but they better not end up in a yard sale! If for some reason the children do not want them (they were raised better than that) at least give them to the public library.

Watching the movie "Julie & Julia", there is a song in the background that says..."I love you a bushel and a peck " and I am currently stitching that very design for GD, but changed it to say Mimi loves you:


While unpacking a box, I found this sampler that I stitched years ago - I think it was a Words of Praise design - I still love the design so I am going to find a place to hang it - I am
really thinking a ' sampler wall ' is needed and there is plenty of space to create one:


GS comes this weekend, so there will be popsicles, dinosaurs and lots of laughter with my little dimpled darling (his dimple is in the same place as mine - I can die happy!!!). If I could only get this countdown to kindergarten out of my head........

Who Knew ???........

That this grandmother "Mimi" thing was so expensive ??? !!!!! I have been spending money like I have some !!!!!! Yesterday I found sewing patterns for $1 a piece and I sensed this was a good price. Little did I know, until I saw the orig retail on the pattern = $14.95 !!!!!!!!!!!
I thought I was going to need oxygen!! And the talking economic heads on TV state that there is no inflation - what planet are they living on !!

But my precious GD will need doll clothes & some cute sun dresses for herself, so I bought these:



My dear mother still lives alone in her home so someone goes by frequently to check on her, take a casserole and generally see if she needs anything. At yesterday's visit I received an amazing gift of old patterns, not completed baby clothes and beautiful fabrics that she had stored in a closet. For my GD, this means she will have clothes made from silks that had been her great & great great grandmother's - what a legacy. I also found a picture of me at 6 months & my grandfather - it is a black & white photo so I will have it restored and properly framed for the next generation.


Thanks Mom, for being a 'saver' and holding on to all these things - I had not dared hoped to have a granddaughter and now that I have one, I pray she also holds an appreciation for these things with a history.

Girly Girl Stuff

If you love designer bags, this website has great pictures of the latest & greatest -I have seen the new Valentino Lace bag, and honestly I should have been born rich!! Oh, I do LOVE that bag! http://www.bagsnob.com/

But I saw a pic of a Chanel bag that apparently was made from hemp or straw and it was such a messy looking bag and not really practical. A good Chanel bag can take you thru the day and into evening, without changing purses, which I think would be valuable to working women. I just can't believe that Coco would think it was the best of design elements. I must add that pre-migraines, Coco by Chanel was my favorite fragrance.

Now as some of us slide into 60 yrs young, wrinkle cream is something that keeps me up at night. Of course, I have bought every one that was ever made, but honestly, it was not just for vanity. I had laser work done on my face for broken blood vessels and it scarred my face - my eyes swelled shut for days, weeping sores and it hurt like the dickens! I will mention that I did not pay that Dr bill - I should have been offered a test patch to check for sensitivity before going whole hog; anyone with sensitive skin should always have a little 'test' first.

Allowing time for healing, the next year I started researching scar removal creams and became aware of a few prods that really work - please learn from my mistakes. The Strivectin prod is excellent but you must use it every day for at least 6 weeks to see results, IMO. I am also trying the new ROC Brilliance for eyes and have had no side effects. I am even using the Stri on the scar from my brain surgery.

I use the same face creams on my neck & the back of my hands - even though I drink a lot of water, my hands are more wrinkled than I would like. Of course, as a teenager, I loved going to the pool, which meant tanning and NOW we know it is not good for the skin. I do use multiple layers of sun protection even if I am just going to be in the car for a drive.

Today is a Law & Order SVU Marathon on tv - my father was a policeman and I love watching Olivia & Elliot get the bad guys!

For you stitchers out there, here is a blog that recently featured my hometown and I am so glad the ladies enjoyed themselves: http://anoteoffriendship.blogspot.com/

My DIL sent this picture of GD, Christian and "Papaw" having a moment.....

She really looks like her mother in this photo.

I enjoy having lists that keep me together & on track and this site has wonderful tools that are free: http://www.freeprintable.net/
There are even free dinosaur picts for GS to color - at 4yrs old, he has decided that he is going to be a paleontologist when he grows up = he is all about dinosaurs! So, I being the ever loving Mimi, found a t-shirt that says : Paleontologist in Training, which he is getting for his birthday!! It is too cute for words!

GS is coming this weekend and we have counted that there are only 15 wks left that he can stay, until kindergarten starts. Somebody, please pass the kleenex !!

Instead of scrapbooking....

I have decided that this blog is an excellent way to save memories for the grandchildren, instead of collecting multiple scrap books - yes, I have the materials, books and embellishments, but this is definitely going faster for me. And if I save it to a stick and put it in the safe, everything should remain protected, so that one day the GC can look and see what was going on during their growing years. Yes, I will 'edit' what I put in this blog (I refuse to put every Dr's appt in here), but I honestly think it is the little every day things that will make them smile.

So Christian, here is a pic of your first cabbage patch doll, bought years before I knew you were coming - her name is Meredith and has cute strawberry blonde hair and her birthday is 3 days after yours - Christmas Day:

And you can sort of see my current Gucci girl friend bag, in the
background - I have the pink wallet to match. Gucci was my first designer handbag and I know the young people are crazy for LV, but Gucci will always be my first love - I still have everyone (except the one that was stolen) in my closet, so hopefully Christian, "retro" will come back around, and you will be
'stylin' !!!!!! Mimi loves you!

Now I must begin my search for Barbie & Cabbage patch doll patterns so that they will have a wardrobe when she is old enough to play with them.(Remember I live in the middle of nowhere!) If you have any that you can no longer use, I will be happy to send linen or charts for an exchange.

New Roses Fabric

I found this pretty fabric the other day and just thought how lovely it was - it may be hard to see (I think if you click on the photo it becomes larger), but the bottom fabric has teacups & tea pots amongst the roses. I really want to make new dinner napkins for summer but that remains to be seen!


And this is a picture of my dining room color/fabric that I am working with:
the room was red but it was never the right red, so after 10 coats of paint, I
surrendered! But now I am glad I did, as this is much lighter and cheery and the dentil moulding looks good with it.


And while out and about came across this cute t-shirt for GD: after all, she is my princess!!



I don't remember how I found this site but it certainly looks interesting if you are
a sampler lover:
http://www.antiquesamplers.org/

I so enjoy looking at the beautiful samplers made by our fore-mothers, many of which were created by children. We are lucky that so many have survived thru the ages.

Here is another blog that is so wonderful to look at - she is such an excellent photographer and the items she has made are just beautiful - I know you will enjoy this site. http://tempusfugit.over-blog.com/

New Goodies

My mail person brought some wonderful new things for me yesterday:







And this is the batch of Scarlet Letter items I also received:



I think I will give the Family Register chart to DIL for
Christmas - she is an excellent knitter, but also likes cross stitch and this is not something she would buy for herself.

I have been living with this chart and floss colors for a month now and have finally decided on the color: DMC 3350; as you can see one of the floss girls is missing a sleeve, so I am fairly sure Mr. Killian was trying to 'help'!! But I am glad I went and bought 2 more, as the color seems just a little diff than the others.


And while I was in this chain craft store, I found these boxes that I could not pass up - I also had a 50% off coupon! They are a beautiful way to store various needlework projects.


It is going to be gorgeous here today - in the 80's and sunny and the lettuce in the containers are very happy. But for me, it is going to be a migraine day, so no stitching. But after the meds wear off, I will enjoy some of your blogs and see what others are accomplishing - they really are an incentive to me and make me smile.

DUKE WON!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy for them - and having had brain surgery at
the Duke hospital, I feel so lucky to be part of "them".
The doctors were outstanding & the staff was excellent -
I tried to steal my nurse, Emily and bring her home with me,
but my Dr. said " We saw her first" - I could not help but
laugh, but what are you going to do, when you look like
Frankenstein, with all the stitches up the back of your skull.
Though I am still a daily migraineur, I am no longer walking into
walls and fainting, so it is a definite improvement.

I hope Easter was a lovely day for you and your loved ones -
here is my newest love, Christian, My GD of 3 months:




I have a Dr's appt but will come back and show some of the new 'goodies' I have
recently received.

I desperately tried to edit the last post to include this pic of Killian, but to no avail - this sweet angel starts kindergarten in Aug. He just loves anything with dinosaurs and I have found some shoes & a packback with dinosaurs on them, so I know he will be very suprised. I guess I should go ahead and buy a case of kleenex, because I will be a mess when he starts school.
He is here this weekend and since it is 80 degrees, we will get popsicles and go on the porch.
I truly love this child more than my next breath.



But to help me overcome "Mimi" empty nest syndrome, my son gave me a new grand daughter this past Dec and I have so enjoyed buying anything pink.
Of course, I think Christian is beautiful but here she is in all her glory:


That precious Kathy from Carriage House Samplings sent me some sweet samplers that will look great in the children's rooms and I am excited about starting them - if I don't, the kids will be drawing Social Security before they are finished !!
Have a nice weekend.

Welcome,
to the lovely part of the world that I call home.
I live on 25ac near the VA line and like many of you, have things that I love and cannot live without. Needlework, decorating, the grandchildren (I have a new GD), designer purses, making jewelry and cooking are just to name a few. I will not even get started on fabrics, especially roses on fabrics!

But it all began with the love of a child

Upon the birth of my first grandchild, I started wanting to make things that
will go to him and eventually, to his children. I am very atuned to history,
as my family has been here since the 1700's. So upon the birth of my adorable
grandson, Killian, I had to commence a birth sampler.

I hope the day will come that all this info will be valuable to my 2 adorable grand children and that they will know they were loved because I talk about them
so frequently. I beg for your patience as I extol their virtues!!!

So on to the business of stitching, new GD Christian needs a birth sampler
and I have been given a few ideas but am open to more, as I will need one for
her room and one for me. According to my son, this is it for the GC dept! If you have seen or stitched one that you truly love, let me know and I can begin
my prowl - I do not have a LNS so my friends must enable me.