Playing with Color and Fabric

 

The goodies for the Freedom Fall Giveaway came in the mail yesterday! Here are a closer look at the Kelmscott small stork scissors. One pair in a beautiful blue (I've got to order a pair now) and one in primitive. If you order from 123 cross stitch, their shipping time is zipping fast!

The sampler is also here and ready for the Sept 16th drawing.

 

 

 

 

 

I am dabbling in stitching on some old gold muslin fabric I got at a quilt store. Tight stitching for sure but just going to try it. This is a start on Aaron's sampler for this year. I'm using DMC colors; however, I might use some Crescent color silk for some of the flowers, still not sure yet.

 

 

And Abbie in motion!!!!!

 

 

Pork Roast for dinner

Peach Cobbler for dessert.

 Finally got some juicy peaches while at the grocery today. A simple recipe fix and 45 minutes in the oven with Vanilla ice cream on top will be happening at the homestead.

 

I've been pretty lazy this weekend so far but we all need days like these.......just to recharge.

Enjoy your Sunday evening!

 

Progress on Love One Another--Blackbird Designs

And the beat goes on..........star motif finished.......Blackbird Design's sampler Love One Another

Hope your weekend went well!

My Carpanion!

My sweet Abigail===She lights up my life.........

The faces of Abbie in the car are funny to watch. She stays in her seat and as long as she doesn't see a bright car or strangers, she is quiet.

The Eyes Have It

This week flew by quite fast but it always does when spending it with a very close friend. Went on a trip this weekend and in the process am being trained with a new gun.....yup it's pink. LOL  I'm serious but what a gun! I would post pics but I don't want any political groups aiming at my blog for gun ownership. :)

 My first lesson of target practice at an indoor shooting range, with my new gun with an advanced instructor is this:

Yep, my instructor asked me to shoot to aim for the head and my first and third shots were between the eyes!  Shocked him!  Yup. The afternoon was quite fun and I did pretty doggone good. Then he had me aim for the center of the chest and I did that pretty doggone good too. I shocked myself.

Of course, my self-defense, advanced-training instructor is here:

and ALL his targets were right in the center. This man can shoot.

And in between this, we grilled out, watched a good movie and laughed alot.

I didn't take my magnifier light so even with my prescription glasses, I was slow but did get some progress on the sampler by BBD.

I hope to work on this some more tonight WITH my magnifier light, wrinkles and all, at least to finish the Quaker star motif. The Mulberry overdyed fiber is so pretty!

Abbie enjoyed the ride in the car and was the perfect "lady" until we went through drive-in's for food. OMG she turned into a BIG dog then. She didn't like the employees through the window.

Quite embarrassing, but she is now out like a light on a quilt asleep from her trip.

Speaking of the perfect lady.......I move on to........

In the reading arena, my Kindle goes from Jane Austen books to Ana and Christian's love story in the trilogy of Fifty Shades.  I have never read a book like this before, Fifty Shades of Grey and it definitely is for MATURE audiences but it's actually got a good background love story to it. It started out very slow but by halfway the romance was better, the storyline actually had a plot and then Wham. The end.

The ending was dissapointing and a cliffhanger. Sad.

So, I wasn't going to read the second one above but I caved and got Fifty Shades Darker. Will start on this one soon and I hope it has text to speech feature on it so I can stitch at the same time.

Will I read all three of the books?  I don't know. We'll see. I've heard such conflicting reviews but mostly the second one is a bit sweeter so I'll give it a try.

I'm also reading a Mr. Darcy book and going from Christian Grey (main character in Fifty Shades) to Mr. Darcy in another era is like turning the light switch on and off. :P

With my Kindle, I read more books (rated PG or less) LOL along with stitching at the same time with using the text to speech feature. Although a little monotone, it's great and easy on the eyes.

Just remember the eyes have it.

 Either aim with 'em or read with 'em, stitch with 'em, or sleep with 'em but...................the eyes are an important accessory. I'm thankful mine are still working well with help.

Hope your weekend was insightful!

Talk later,

Jennifer

Colonial Kids~~~~

Colonial Kids

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2012

This morning, I awoke dreaming I was at Colonial Williamsburg and basking in the beauty of the area with the museums, the shops, and the culture of colonial days.

Then I was inspired to put my thoughts to graph for a design I think you might like if you love Colonial art as much as I do! I probably could spend at least 1 week if not 2 there at Colonial Williamsburg.

Yesterday, I talked about loving sillouettes and I guess with both in mind I created this design.

I hope you enjoy!

You can use any color of course but I am going to stitch in a Colonial Blue and Dark Brown but I haven't yet selected the fabric.

Overdyed threads would look best, of course, with this but any fibers will make a good sampler.

You can add initials, dates, etc to personalize for your "kids".

I'm excited now and putting down my BBD BAP to start on this. I LOVE sillouettes. Then, I will pick back up on the BBD sampler Love One Another in the My Dear Friend book.

You can also stitch just a boy or a girl motif for a sweet nursery or child's room.

If you do stitch this up, share with me by email and I will show on the blog for others to see!

This will be offered as a freebie for a limited time.

Well this weekend, I have finally done.........nothing....yep, and it feels good for a change.

I walked outside a time or two and felt like I walked off the plane in Arizona. HOT, is not the word for it. Oh, it's this time of year, mid July, that I start to long for Fall. Fall is my favorite time of year and it's when the mountains show off their colors in all ranges and shades, apple cidar is on my stove warming for friends, and the chunky sweaters and sock feet are warming by the fireplace again in the evenings. But for now..............

 The dog days of Summer are here.

Even Abbie is ready to go for a stroll when the weather cools off.

Here in the North Georgia mountains, I can certainly say that in the 11 years I have lived here, this has been the hottest Summer evah! Even though it's pretty hot outside, Miss Abigail, picks a cozy spot in the cool air-conditioning.

 I think she is praying for another oatmeal cookie.

 I kinda used some of the ones I made for treats this weekend and she loved it.

 I guess you could say she is my Colonial kid. :)

The Coverlet Birds by The Scarlett House Started in DC

I am so blessed to be on a business trip this week in Washington, DC!!!!  I love every minute of today and will drink in more fun of the big city life soon.

You know on the plane I had to get started on something conducive to good travel!

And The Coverlet Birds seemed a good project to start. Designer The Scarlett House. 

Here's what I got done on my 1 hr and 52 minute flight today gripping the side arms of a seat.

This is my first taste of NPI silks and girls/guys!!! I LOVE IT!

Not that I don't like other silk products but this comes in the most beautiful colors and seems to almost have a pull at it and doesn't tear as easily. I could almost say it must have some cotton in it.

I'm hooked on it now.

The con is that I like color names. Numbers????  I forget.

Color names and I can remember and relate.

Peoples names?  hmmmmmm. Some I remember too well. LOL

I did not stitch as on the pattern for 40 count. Glaucoma will not allow that at all. LOL

BUT, 32 count Belfast Earthen will definitely fit the boat and I'm lovin' it.

You know coverlets, in their day, were gorgeous and in ours..........beautiful.

The patterns we all see and reflect from it are awesome!

Three gorgeous nice NPI silk colors to make this pretty.

The 32 ct Earthen Belfast is oh so prim.

My carry-on luggage didn't go without some color, although the zipper burst right in security. {{{embarrassed}}}

Oh well, I'm headed to In Stitches tomorrow for some loafing around and eye candy as usual. After that my schedule will be tight to fit in anything else but Women's Health issues. And yes, girls, we are complicated with our hormones in every decade of life. Just accept it. We are.

And what can I say but that where I live is the ying and this is the yang. Look at this hotel!!!

Yes, this is looking OUT the room down to the lobby. The little tiny piano you can see on the left upper part, floating in a wishing pool. SOOOOO pretty! I made a wish there when I arrived! I'm waiting to see if someone will hop over the water and start playing it.

This could get interesting now at night. I hope these folks close the curtains ;p

This restaurant/bar in the corner was EXCELLENT and called The Cure.

Yes, it cured me of the ailments of travel. LOL

And tonight.

And then earlier today with beautiful 78 degree weather, sunny side up.

What a beautiful place to hang our American flag.

And I'm having a great time already in this place. A little too comfy when I tried out the fluffiness of the bed upon entering. ;)

Ying and yang.

It's a beautiful place. Although I think the country is the best, I love to have contrast with a visit to a city every now and again.

This is straight down, looking outside the window of the room.

It's so. Interesting.

And this bed is calling my name right now with a good book and stitching project.

Stay tuned for more adventures of the stitching kind.

And don't forget, God loves you!!!!!

Till later,

Jennifer

Mr.Darcey Finished

Mr. Darcy sampler designer The Sampler Girl

just finished and framed by me

to add to the sampler wall.....well one of them.

This was a very cute little design. I loved it and will treasure it as it has much meaning to me.

Looks like midnight finishes are starting back up.

Looks like I haven't adjusted to the time change.

Looks like I'm having more fun that I should, but heck, life is short!

Till later to see what I take with on the trip,

Jennifer

start on A Christmas Heart

I picked up the needle a bit this evening while ironically watching a movie, A Christmas Carol, which came on Lifetime TV Holiday movie series and it made the stitchy phrase in this sampler even more special.

 

28 ct Cashel Sand linen

with Limited Edition Crescent Colors Christmas threads

I had the Christmas Threads, limited ed. in my stash and I thought these two shades compliment each other well. They are not labeled on the tag so I can only describe that the red is almost like a Williamsburg Red, and the green is more of a Blue Spruce. The linen is a remnant from another sampler and fits almost too good, as I'm hoping it fits well enough, but definitely a tight fit on the sides.

I did so enjoy getting to watch the movie from beginning to end.

There's a place called home

I can almost see, with a red front door, and

A roaring fire, and a Christmas tree.

~~~from C. Dickens, A Christmas Carol

A Wooden Tool Added to My Stitching Basket

 About 3 weeks ago, I ordered from Amy Mitten's website Amy Mitten Designs and Fibers to Dye For, a wooden tool and I don't think I've shown you but the tool will come to great use to me when I EVER get settled enough to sit still for minute and stitch!

Here it is.

 It's a nice size, not to big, not to small. It basically functions for the reason of tucking in those hanging threads in the back of your work. I'm so glad you don't see the back of mine as it's not real pretty :o

However, I used to use the Star Detailer ( from any LNS) and it did the work great if I needed to pull threads through to snip. However it's so small, I keep losing mine. So, when I saw this little goodie, I got one.

It looks like a miniture crochet needle. The end is as small as a needle so one could loop those hanging threads in and under to snip if needed.

Another tool added to my sewing basket by the chair.

Now if only I could so easily fix all the things hanging around like this little tool in life then maybe I could make sense of things.

Hanging by threads,

Jennifer

Working on Pink Hill Manor in between minutes of traveling

Well, we have now scooted over to another spot on the Earth yesterday but before I left the city, I spent another hour in In Stitches needlework shop again as it WAS on the way and I NEEDED some threads for the patterns Tanya got me. I love the colors and it was like a kid in a crayon box looking at all the colors on the wall. While there, I went ahead and pulled some colors for some of my own patterns I designed and it was just a load of fun. It was quite crowded in there.

When I get back home Pink Hill Manor will be rested aside for me to do the Royal Wedding Sampler by The Sampler Girl. Got the threads for it yesterday! I think it will be such a pretty piece to have stitched and on the ready for the wedding which will air, I believe, in the US at 6am that morning.

My spread on the bed this morning before we jump in the car again.

picked up this yesterday too.

Pink Hill Manor by Blackbird Design

stitching on Irish Cream 32 ct R & R linen

stitching in hand so far

overdyed threads, many colors, muted pinks, browns, greens.

stitching this one individually for the "pink" area in our house!

I'm in love with Jakey Brown by CC.

Late yesterday we had a late lunch so by the time we got here, we saw a Cracker Barrel and ate for the 3rd time (ok by me!) last night. I got the Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream. It was DELISH!  (Tanya, I dunked a chicken finger in honey mustard sauce for  ya LOL)

I then came to the hotel and unrolled my yoga mat and after 30 minutes of yoga my bones felt better from the ride.

I didn't work on stitching at all last night but fell in the nearest hotel bed from exhaustion. I woke up at 9am with breakfast on the ready here!  Nice! Woke up to the news to catch up and saw where a panel blew off another plane........thanking God we drove this trip. Too many plane issues for me to travel that way anymore.

BodyGuard and I miss Abbie so much......unreal so much. We called again and she is sorting out her dog food in colors and tempermental. She will probably pout a little by the time we get back.......but with the right dog treats and love she will be fine (hopefully). We've never left her this long. BUT, I found out there is a doggie store here somewhere so she WILL get a Tshirt!!

Well, severe storm warnings here late tonight and tomorrow with tornadoes, hail. Will be hunkering down here tomorrow with my stitching. I was thinking about all the folks all across the US being affected today and tomorrow. STAY SAFE!

Stitching through the Storm will be tomorrow's posting.

Until then,

Jennifer

Blue stitching

This is a Debbie Draper Design freebie I have pulled from my freebie drawer in the studio to stitch with Crescent Colors Blue Lagoon Belle Soie. This is for a RAK. I can't remember where I got this freebie but I think it was put into my bag at a Pigeon Forge cross stitch store at one time. I think. I pulled this fat quarter from my cabinet to back a pillowkeep for it. I think it goes well together. Monochromatic. Silk. 32 ct linen.

 It's just been a little bit of a blue week. I can't pinpoint it so much but life ebbs and flows and as I stitch this today watching the US start another war, it's just plain crazy.

That's just my opinion though and you know what opinions are worth. ;) 

So the tension of it may be a little tight as I wonder why the President went on vacation the day he announces military action in Lybia. We are in 3 wars now? How do you enjoy a vacation or even the First Lady enjoy vacation while major disasters influencing the US and starting a war are going on ? Wha?

A Pentagon briefing this afternoon without our Commander -in-Chief? Wha?

I can't explain it. I have to digress here or I'll start a whole page of thoughts...LOL

And I bought something blue this week, well first is the chihauhau book mark. I had to go to Petsmart for Miss Abigail and randomly saw this really-cool book mark which reminded me of Ren actually and it came home with me.

Ren used to hold his paw like this and this little one also has a longer nose like he had. Abbie has a short little nose but this really brought back some memories with Ren.

I won this on Ebay, for 5 bucks. Looks like an old pair of Ginghers, never used and they are beautiful.

I have no idea how old these are but the box itself is cardboard and Gingher is on the top.

I know now they are in metal tins.

But for 5 bucks, I think I did good!

Back to blue stitching.

They just announced US has started missiles now.

No words.

No.   Words.

Needleprint freebie

I finally got time this morning to find the freebie on the Needleprint blog to download. It's actually in the wrong place. The sampler pic is in the tiltviewer page 1, but the actual pattern for download is on page 2 of the tiltviewer and the second from the end, it says "Cushion by Steve". This is where you can download the correct pattern. It looks like circles of motifs of gold and green and when you flip it ( the wrong one but the right pattern for the other one), it says Cushion by Steve. The pattern I'm talking about is pictured on tiltviewer page 1, first column down next to the last and it has many brown borders and beautiful colors, Token of Love in the middle. Hope this helps. The correct pattern is 14 pages.