Summer is flying by...

Hello Stitchy Friends!

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post... I apologize. Things have been flying by at a fast speed it seems.

Today is bittersweet, our daughter Holly, has moved out from home into her first apartment. We will miss her being here. But, she was very excited to make this big step. She recently got a job also, which she was thrilled about. However, I should say she is staying in our home town, so it's not like we won't see her often.

Our son asked me what I was going to do with the empty room..without hesitation I said craft room! Lol. He laughed and said you've been thinking about that for awhile...

Mike and I will be adjusting to our 'empty nest'. Of course not so empty with four cats and Harry....

The times they are a changing.

Things have quieted down here late this afternoon, so thought I would have time to share some stitching updates with you.

The Melicent sampler is finished!


I just finished giving it a press so it would be photo worthy.

I of course had to find something new to start...




This has been in my stash for awhile. I didn't want to stitch it on 35 count linen over 1 as the pattern suggested.... That's just too small for me to stitch comfortably.

So I found some linen in my stash....




And I have a start. It has been fun so far. Sorry for wrinkles and hoop marks but you can see my progress.

I have other Americana themed pieces, so this will fit in nicely with those.

I took something to my LNS in Clinton for framing, so I will share a picture when I get it back.

I am getting quite excited because you see, on Wednesday this coming week I am leaving for my very first stitching retreat! Months ago, my sister proposed the idea when she saw The cross eyed cricket would be featured at a retreat at the Silver Needle in Tulsa, OK! So, we talked it over and decided this would be doable. Our niece from California is joining us and my niece from Minnesota. So, the four of us will be Oklahoma bound soon. I will share pictures and news from the retreat on our return.

Harry got a visit to the groomer last week, so he's sporting a shorter look for summer.


We also made it up to Michigan for a short weekend trip before the Fourth of July.




Mike enjoyed himself getting some pictures.

Happy stitching!

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Summer's Appearance

Hello stitchy friends!

I've been doing a little stitching today between other chores and errands. I am ready to be done with Melicient! But, I am getting to the more interesting parts at the bottom.

I've also been cleaning the extra room we gained when our son moved out. I got the windows washed and clean curtains hung up! It looks much better. I've also hung some stitched pieces on the walls. :)

It was hard to capture the whole wall arrangement in one picture. Sorry the pictures aren't better. David is supposed to come home tomorrow to help his dad install a new window in our living room, so when he's here I hope I can get him to bring my big bookcase and desk in this room from our storage shed. I'm ready to finish putting this room back together. I plan to move our desktop computer/ home office and some of my books back in this room again.

I am having difficulty trying to write this post, Annie is trying to insist on helping...

Sure she looks innocent now... I just shooed her off my lap.

It's hard to believe we are approaching the end of June soon. The weather has been strange, but it sounds like heat and humidity will be making their appearance this week. The rainy Spring weather we've had has brought a bumper crop of mosquitoes. They've been bad enough that you don't want to sit outside very long.

Just taking Harry out to do his business leaves you with a new bite or two....

I have to share news of a great new book I finished the other day...

"Looking for Me" by Beth Hoffman. It was soo good, I hated to see it end. The authors first book was out last year, "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt". It was excellent as well. So, if you're looking for a good book to read, I highly recommend these!

Happy stitching everyone!

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Weekend recap and more

Dear stitching friends,

Summer is finally making an appearance with some warm temperatures. It's beginning to feel like a Midwest summer. We were busy celebrating Fathers Day yesterday. Both kids were here plus an 'extra child'. One of Holly's friends. Mike had a great day with some thoughtful gifts from the kids and we all enjoyed some good food at home. I made potato salad, a baked bean dish, deviled eggs then for dessert we had fresh strawberries and ice cream.   David grilled pork chops and brats on the grill. I had intended to bake something for dessert but ran out of time.

Then in true family fashion, the guys decided it was time to light the brush pile in the backyard and get it burned up. After a couple beers these ideas sound like fun...

The boys thought it was great. I thought the fire was kind of large....but it all worked out fine.

We had fun taking some pictures and this is one of the few of all of us together.

I have not had much time for stitching it seems. We've been busy taking Harry for his evening walk, then I've been going to the gym a couple times a week with Holly. It cuts into my evening time after work. But I know it's good to get more exercise.

Harry has adjusted well in our family. He still surprises me that he can be in the yard with us without his leash and be trusted to stay with us. Our former dog would have been off like a shot when loose, and wouldn't come home unless you rounded her up by picking her up in the car and bringing her back home. So, this calm behavior by Harry has taken some adjustment. A welcome relief actually.

Here's my progress on the Melicent Turner sampler

Sorry for the crummy picture. It's my third retake... But you get the idea on where I am. I'm a little tired of stitching letters. It will be nice to move to the motifs at the bottom.

Mike and I travelled to Minnesota last weekend to visit my sister and brother in law. They are in the process of condensing two households into one. They are vacating their house of 31 years and moving permanently to their house near St. Cloud. We moved some things back to Illinois for David and Holly.

I will have to share a couple pictures of my sister's craft room. I am envious of all her space!

She will die when she sees them, and say I should have waited until she had it all straightened up...

We spent a little time up here working on curtain valances for our house. I think they turned out good.

As you can see, Annie is inspecting them...

Guess I will close this post with a photo of Harry.

Happy stitching everyone.

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Ooops

Hello stitchy friends.

I've been busy stitching away on 'melicent turner sampler'. I just was checking the row I've been working on and discovered a big blunder.




The row of green should have two stitches between each circle instead of the 1 stitch I used.... I managed to use 2 stitches between the first two circles, but then went on my merry way stitching the rest of the row with 1 between each.

Ok, give me your opinions, I am leaning towards leaving it and moving along. Hate the thought of ripping out the whole row... I know I won't have enough green over dyed floss to finish this. Also, it really isn't going to impact anything.

I'm getting tired of alphabets on this, but think it will look good when it's done. It's been awhile since I've stitched a more traditional sampler.

I was pleased to discover blog lovin is now available for the iPad. So I downloaded the app today. I have just been reading blogs on our desktop computer. But it's nice to have the option of reading on my iPad again.

I have had the day off today in compensation for Monday's holiday. So, it will be a nice weekend break from work for me. We have been busy at the library getting ready for the summer reading program. It starts on Monday.

Our son is planning on moving tomorrow to his new place. So we will be helping. I caught up on the laundry today. I will be sending him off with all clean clothes. It will be up to him now... Lol. My conscience is clear. ;)

So we will have an empty room, I'm sure it won't stay empty for long, we will be able to get some things out of our storage shed and put back in the house.

Well I hope this post finds you all happily stitching away on something wonderful. All of you continue to inspire me with your beautiful projects.

Happy stitching! And thanks for the comments you leave. I love hearing what you have to say.

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Saturday mornings

Good morning stitching friends!

I love Saturday mornings...especially when I have the day off...

There is time for a second cup of coffee or even a third cup...

Mike headed up to the library to deal with a computer problem, so Harry and I are sitting here enjoying the quiet.

Well, I have to admit you Downton Abbey fans are right, what an enjoyable addicting series! I finally got my hands on the season three DVD this week at the library. I was all alone last night, so I am in the middle of season 3 at this point. I won't give away details for those of you still watching it. But I have to say I've loved all of it!

Another favorite series set in Britain that I have loved is Doc Martin. If you haven't watched it yet, give it a try. Very enjoyable series.

So, with all the watching last night I made stitching progress on the sampler




Melicent Turner is coming along.





Perfect companion to Downton Abbey.

I went to a yard sale Thursday evening with David. He will be moving out of our house in a couple weeks to a house closer to where he is working. About 50 miles from here. So, he is keeping his eyes open for some things to help furnish it. We found a small black table, that could serve several purposes depending on what he needs. He also picked up a couple patio chairs. So he was pleased.

Whenever I'm at a sale I always keep my eyes open for frames that may be reused for stitching finishes. Heaven knows I have a drawer full of completed stitching that needs frames or other creative finishes.




Well I found a nice frame that I thought would be a suitable size...so, I think this will be a great use for July by Prairie Schooler. So for a $4 investment, I think I can make this work.

Well Mike is back home after fixing the computer issue, so best be getting on with the day.

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Rhubarb Bread Recipe

Rhubarb Bread

1 1/2c. Brown sugar

2 1/2c. Flour

1 1/2c. Rhubarb (cut)

1/2c. Nuts

1tsp. Baking soda

2/3c. Oil

1 egg

1c. Sour milk. (Just use milk that you add 1tablespoon lemon juice to make it sour)

1tsp. Salt

1tsp. Vanilla

Mix well. I usually mix the dry ingredients separate and add them to the other ingredients. This recipe makes 2 loaves of bread. Spray your bread pans with no stick cooking spray. Divide the mixture between the pans then top them with streusel.

Streusel : mix 1/2 c. Sugar with 1 tablespoon butter cut in to make it crumbly.

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 min. ( this is what the recipe says, but mine v
Usually aren't done for closer to an hour.). I test them with a cake tester.

This was my Moms recipe. It is one of my favorite things to make with fresh rhubarb.

I hope you all enjoy this!


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Mother's Day continues...

Dear stitching friends,

What a wonderful Mother's Day... My family has showered me with thoughtful presents. David bought new cushions for the deck chairs...



And Holly bought a pedicure spa, and beautiful nail polish...




With this thoughtful gift I've been promised a pedicure...

Then, yesterday Mike took me to Stitchin and Stuff in Clinton, IA. He wanted me to pick out my own Mother's Day present there... No complaints from me... I picked out some linen and overdyed flosses for this beauty.




Then I could'nt resist this cute little chart as well




So, I have been spoiled by all. Thanks to my wonderful family, you all know me well.

Happy Mother's Day. I hope you are enjoying a lovely day as well.
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