My Machine and I

The sewing machine and I have been very busy. Wait. What kind of machine did you think I meant in the title? Oh, you naughty girls! Before I get to the projects, here's a look at that antique tablecloth I found last week. Of course, it's too small for my little dining table, and after looking at it, I know why. Look closely at the picture below, and you'll see some card suits. Yes, I think it's a card tablecloth! How cute is that? It also has little ties on each corner. I have no idea what to do with it, so if anyone out there plays bridge, let me know.

Next up are my new pillow made from an antique French linen dishtowel and that cute little pin cushion I found. There was nothing at all to the pillow ... just seams up each side with an overlap in the back to make it an envelope.

The pin cushion insert had been stuffed extremely tightly with wool. I took that one out and replaced it with my homemade insert that was stuffed with crushed walnut shells. Then I found some pretty lampwork beads to dress it up a little bit. As some of you suggested, I tried and tried to figure out a way to make that S into a D, but no way (dang it). I'll try to be satisfied with the fact that Sharri will really like it. If she doesn't, or if she lets her naughty dog get hold of it, I'm stealing it and bringing it back home.

Finally, here is my first Christmas ornament of the year. I joined the 2009 Christmas Challenge (what was I thinking?) a little late, and I'm not requiring that I do the first two months of ornaments. If anyone else notices, I'll just tell them I've been busy in Eden, right? Anyway, this is a Shepherd's Bush cutie from the 1999 (I think) ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch. It's on a 32-count linen that I've forgotten the name of (hey, it's been a few years since I got the fabric and set it aside to stitch), stitched over two. I made some pretty cord, and I found out something about me that I've suspected for quite some time. I hate to sew on cord! Really. I believe that's the main reason that I hate to finish finish things. Sewing on cord is the pits. If I had a therapist, we'd probably have to discuss it. Since I don't (sigh), I guess I'll just have to get more practice at it.

I worked on something else, too, but it's not ready for viewing. No telling when I'll drag the beast of a sewing machine out to play again. Maybe the next time it snows like crazy, which could be many months away. Oh, well.

I'm off now to take my old man cat, Merlin, to the doc. He seems to be declining lately, and he needs some attention. This is not attention he will enjoy, I'm afraid. We'll try to make it fun (at least that's what I'll be saying to Merlin).

Lo How a Rose - The End

Didn't I say in my last post that I'd update on the next day? Ha! Life always has a mind of its own. So here it is ... I'm very happy with it. I've gotten some questions about it, so I'll give the details again. The design is charted with DMC and with WDW, so I chose WDW colors. I had to change London Fog to Pelican Gray so the words would show up on my fabric. It's stitched on 30-count R & R Old Mill Java, and it measures 5 and 3/4 inches by 5 and 1/2. The hexagon in the lower right corner is empty in the design, but I decided to treat it as a cartouche ...

I tried to keep my initials and the year in the same style as the letters that the Brightneedle girls used. Sorry that picture is so difficult to see, but you get the idea. So, hooray, my second finish of the year. That's all? Yep. I'm blaming it on Eden.

My book with LHaR in it is going to Canada tomorrow to be with Jennifer (no blog), who found that the price of the book has become a little silly. I agree. I paid one dollar for the book, and the last price I heard was $30. Yes, booksellers have every right to set their prices according to supply and demand, but some of us would rather splurge on the three F's ... fabric, fibers and framing. So we're starting a little pass-along. When Jennifer is finished, she's gonna send the book to Valie in France. If anyone else would like to join us in our progressive stitch, please email me, and the book will continue to travel. And who knows? Valie may find the book at a more reasonable price while she's waiting. I reckon we'll see.

It's finally snowing here, so I'm gonna drag out the sewing machine and try to get some things finished. Then I'll be back in Eden. Since Lo is finished, I'm gonna keep my mini-rotation (me? rotate?) going on Thursdays. Miss Lila is waiting along with so many others in the WIP basket, calling out to me to pick them up and pay them some stitchy attention. Shall I start today? Maybe, but it's been a while since I spent some days in Eden, so by next Thursday I'll know which project I'm in the mood for. I'm off ... make some fun.

** Oops! I'm editing to say that LHaR is stitched over one on 30-count, which is why it's so small. Sorry I left out that important piece of info. **

Busy Girl

Yep, I've been a very busy girl, and not much stitching has happened since Friday. First, here are a couple of pics of my four-legged visitor. His name is Zack, and he is the constant companion of the man I hang around with. Since his person is out of town, and his usual sitter is too busy to entertain him, he's here with me. This is how he loves to ride around ...



Here he is wondering why I'm trying so hard to get a good picture of him. His life is based on the belief that everyone loves him (they usually do), and he aims to please. Zack has been a very sweet visitor and a great friend on my walks. We've walked about 12 miles since I picked him up on Saturday. What a good boy.

As soon as Spring Break began at 3:30 on Friday, I headed into downtown Littleton to grab a couple of things at my LNS. Since I was there, I decided to take a little walk to an antique store that's moved in just down the street. I found some fabulous items! First is this little linen pin cushion that has Sharri's initial on it. Of course, she must have it, so it's being refurbished for her. Hopefully, I'll have a picture of it in all its glory soon.

I also found a wonderful antique linen dishtowel, which will soon be a pillow, and an old linen tablecloth that's just perfect for my little dining table. I'll show you those, too, as soon as they're ready for viewing.

My next show and tell is a sampler that was started by someone else and given to me about a year ago. I've never really looked at it closely until Saturday. When I pressed it and started looking it over, I noticed that this poor baby has been incredibly miscounted. Take a look at the top border, and you'll see a horizontal line where none should be. I'm not sure whether that was the first or the last attempt to fix whatever boo boo(s) occurred. The little cherubs are misplaced, and I'm pretty certain that I'll find a few more things that will have to be unstitched before any other stitching is begun. Maybe that's why the orginial stitcher stopped working on it. I'll keep you posted on what I decide to do with it. By the way, it's called The Grapevine Sampler by Threads of Gold. It's on 40-count linen over two threads, so it's right up my alley. We'll see.

Now I must get back to Lo How a Rose (she said excitedly). Could a finish be near? I'll check in again tomorrow.

Gee, Thanks

It's been one of those more-than-just-interesting weeks, so Blogland has been a great escape during some times when my day has given me a little more than I can handle. Coni and Anna have been especially guffaw-provoking this week. Thank you all for the relief I get from cruising through your familiar and happy cyberplaces.

Thanks also for your funny and kind comments about my new man and his new best man-friend. Sometimes Santa is just what we need in a man. If I can figure out a way to work in another project so I can have a third man, I can use them to imagine what it's like to be Bill on "Big Love". On second thought, I'd be infintely happier with my three Santa men than Bill could possibly be with his wives (apologies to those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about). No drama with Santa men.

Now a thank you to Patti for presenting me with this bloggy award ...


I'm truly appreciative that she finds this little corner of Blogland a good place to be. I'm supposed to nominate eight blogs to receive this award, but that's not my best skill. Because I tend to bend rules and regs and want to do things my own way (look, Mom, I'm admitting it), I'd rather encourage anyone who's reading to look at the comments on my last post (even my blogless mom commented!)and visit each one of those bloggers. They have their own unique styles of stitching and writing, and they're more than worthy of a visit from you. Patti, I apologize if I've driven you nuts by refusing to follow the rules. I can be a pain in the ass.

Finally (she said, feeling like an Oscar-winner who's gone on and on and ...), how about some stitchy talk? Very little stitching was accomplished last night. I was hanging around with the man I hang around with, and then I drove him to the airport at 4:00 this morning. The big stinker is now on a beach in Belize. The plan for this evening is to work on Lo How a Rose, but I may need a nap first. I also should walk my miles (I try to require at least four each day), but a nap may win my attention first.

One more work day 'til Spring Break! Make some fun.

My New Man

Yep, that's him ... my new man. He's a little chubby, but I loved him as soon as I saw him. And he's not just a stuffed shirt! No, there aren't many like him around. I knew he was meant for me, so I picked him up the other day ... at the finisher's. It's been ages since I picked up a man, so it felt kind of strange. I brought him home to meet the last man I picked up.

Don't they look great together? I think it's the beginning of a wonderful friendship (huge sigh). They're both the strong, silent type. In fact, these two might be the perfect men. I'm anxious to add another one to my collection, but I'll have to work him into my WIPs. If only all men were such willing WIPs (enormous sigh).

You've probably seen these men before. They're limited edition Santas from Ewe & Eye & Friends from ages ago. I've had some hanging around, waiting to be stitched into real stand-up guys. But you all know how that goes. Life happens and priorities change, and before you know it, they're at the bottom of the waiting-to-be-stitched pile. Poor guys. They've been ignored for so long, and they've waited so patiently. I try to make it up to them in important ways. First, I didn't try to finish them myself (we don't wanna imagine what could happen), and then every Christmas season I'll bring them out and put them in a place of honor. Hopefully, they'll forgive my negligence.

I'd better get back to the boys. They're gonna watch "Saving Grace" with me while I stitch. It's good to have company once in a while.

Happy St. Pat's Day! Make some fun.

Lo How a Rose - Week 8

Finally, the flowers are blooming. I was really tempted to just keep stitching on LHaR until it's all finished. But Eden won't leave me alone! I do love the flowers.

Especially this one ...

Isn't it cute? Little flowers are everywhere! Hopefully, there won't be too many more weeks of updates on this little piece.

Since Spring Break is only a week away, I've already been mentally filling up the free days with stitching ideas, but there are so many other things to do. Many out-of-control and well-hidden corners of my little house are in desperate need of organization. Then there are the carpets that are screaming to be cleaned. We're also gonna have a four-legged guest for a few days (more on that later). And don't forget about skiing and golf! The best Spring Break includes both. Not nearly enough hours to get everything in, so we'll see which activities win out.

That's it for now ... back to Eden. TGIF and happy weekend to all of you! Make some fun.

From the Garden

This week has sped by! Hooray! Oops. Is that wishing my life away? I don't really wanna do that, but I'm anxious for Spring Break, which is just the appetizer to summer, and that happens eight weeks later. If you've visited me here before, you know how I feel about unscheduled time. Is there anything better than being given the gift of time?

Many hours have been spent in the Garden since you last saw a progress pic, so here's an update. First a before, taken just two weeks and a day ago (really?) ...

And an after ...

Wow ... look at the color differences! They look like two different pieces. One day I'll figure out all of those buttons on my camera. Considering that work really gets in the way of my stitching time, I'm pretty excited about my progress. The bottom of page three is close! Remember the picture of the three ATSs together? If you take a look at my mom's on the left, you'll see where she was two weeks ago. Well, now she's almost finished with the lady and lion section! I think she's gonna speed right by me and finish first (dang it). That's what retirement does for ya.

I'm off now to spend some more time with Lo How a Rose, and I'll be ready to post a pic tomorrow. I'm already starting to think about a reasonably small project to work on one or two days a week after it's finished. Hmmmm ... maybe Miss Lila? Or how about something I'm really close to finishing? We'll see.