Finally some finish work!

Hello Stitching Friends!

I finally have three pieces in the finished pile!

To be totally truthful, this piece still needs eye screws and wire on the back.  Mike will have to do this for me.  The oak in this frame is incredibly hard.  But, I'm very happy to use a frame I had, that was just gathering dust....

Once I had this one mounted I moved on.

I had this frame in my stash as well.  I was thinking of a pillow finish for this guy, but since it's such a standard size, it's easy to find a frame for him.  I probably never would have chosen this ornate gold frame for this piece, but after mounting it, I kind of like it.  

Then, feeling pretty good about things I moved onto one more piece yesterday.

A flat fold finish.  I was pretty rusty in doing a flat fold as you can probably tell.  I had issues with my glue not wanting to come out and a very dull box cutter knife blade, that I stopped to change.  I have the stitched piece mounted to my satisfaction, I'm just not real pleased with the trim and how I connected the back to the front.  I may tear it apart and redo it... 

The fabric I chose for the backing was perfect, but I only had enough to cover two of the boards.  So, I had some plain black to do the remaining board.  That looks fine tho.  Also, I should have glued the connecting easel strip behind the trim.  But, I fastened the trim to the board behind the front, instead of gluing it around my stitched piece.

I need to tackle another one of these while I am remembering the finer points.  Like I said, pretty rusty!  I was wishing my sister had been here to assist...things often turn out much better with her help. :-)

Well, hope you are planning to enjoy your Labor Day weekend!  Who know, I may keep my finishing mess out and try again!  I will keep you posted.

Next project?

Hello Stitching Friends!

Well, I am having a dilemma trying to decide what moves me to start next....  We all know that inspiration has to hit.

Since my last post, the Star piece is finished, and believe it or not a frame from my stash will actually work!   I love it when that happens!  I need to find the time to mount the piece on some backing and frame it!  I admit that is not my favorite part, but, oh it feels good to have it done.

I hope to get it mounted and put in the frame soon.  

Then after that, I wanted to do something small.  So, last night I put the finishing stitches in the new 2014 Prairie Schooler Santa.  I really thought he was a cute one this year.  I haven't decided if I will put him in a small frame, or do a pillow finish.  

But as I was ready to sit down to relax tonight, I had no stitching all ready to go...  So sad!  I spent most of the evening contemplating charts.  Then the kids stopped over to talk, and that chart perusal stopped as well.  You have probably noticed I like stitching things that are seasonal.  I have been thinking of Autumn at Hawks Run Hollow for months, but don't know if I'm ready to dive into that huge project right now.  

I didn't get this draft published yet, so I can let you know, I chose a small Halloween piece to do.

So, here is my progress to date.  I'm a little bored with all the dmc 3371, but it will be a cute Halloween piece when it's done.  

How many of you have purchased the new gingher scissors, Eve?

 I caved and purchased two pair, one for myself and the other will be a Christmas gift.  I don't think she reads my blog, so I don't think I have to worry about spoiling a surprise.  I thought they would be a great gift for the newest stitcher in our family, Lauren.  

I haven't updated you on what she is working on...she completed another of the smallish pieces she bought, and has moved onto a large peacock!  She bought a kit at Hobby Lobby.  I will have to shoot a progress picture next time we are together.  

We have been keeping busy around here.  Mike and I recovered our ottoman.  It didn't turn out bad. I'm actually pretty happy with it.  I found material that matched the tan and cream fabric in the chair we use the ottoman with.

 

I am looking forward to a long weekend for the Labor Day holiday.  I added two days to the weekend with a couple vacation days.  I don't think we have any big plans for the weekend, but it will be great to have some extra time!  

Annie appreciates the ottoman!  You can see Joplin made the photo as well as Harry!

I have been reading some good books lately as well.  However, the one I've been looking forward to for months is this one....

If you enjoy a good mystery series, I heartily recommend these books by Louise Penny.  But, start with the first one in the series, Still Life.  Her characters and setting are great!  

I just finished The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons last night.  So, it's time to start The Long Way Home!  

I hope you will have time to enjoy some quality stitching time!  

August is here...

Hello stitching friends!

I am still working on my Star patriotic piece from last month.  I hope to have it finished before too long. I am at that stage where I am bored with it, but don't want to abandon it.  I try my best not to have too many unfinished pieces sitting around.  As you can see by the picture, just the R remains.  I stitched the spangled banner words last evening as I just wanted the R to be filled in around it.

I am sorry for the sideways photo, but it's a closer view of the words.  

August is here already!  Before too long the kids will be headed back to school.  They start around the 18th or so I think.  It hasn't been that hot this summer, but I am sure the worst heat is yet to arrive.  July was one of the coolest ones I can remember in some time.  A refreshing change!  

There hasn't been much going on around here, just the usual work, with errands and housework thrown in.  I am not complaining.  Hubby and I did take a small trip to Memphis, TN last weekend.  We did some sight-seeing.  It was a fun time, and great to get out of town.  So, this weekend we worked around here getting caught up on some chores.  We have a large yard, and neither one of us are overly fond of gardening.  So, we tried to get some semblance of control this weekend with some pruning, weeding, and hedge trimming.  

We are expecting company next weekend, and are planning a family birthday party for our two adult children on Sunday.  So, it was timely to try to get some of this yard mess cleaned up.  My sister and brother-in-law are coming down for his high school class reunion.  So, next weekend should be a busy one!  

I was lucky enough to have my name drawn on Barbara's blog to be the lucky recipient of one of her lovely mini totes!

It is so cute!  I love bags and purses.  I always have....  So I was quite thrilled.

I will close with a picture of the famous ducks that live in the fountain lobby at the Peabody Hotel.

They do quite the production twice a day to bring the ducks down to the fountain from their enclosure on the roof of the hotel.  Then at 5pm they reverse the process by escorting them down the red carpet back up the elevator to their enclosure.  My husband was amazed by the crowds that fill the lobby for this ritual.  The hotel staff have made it quite the production, and have capitalized on the duck image as their hotel logo.  It is a beautiful old hotel, if you find yourself visiting Memphis, you will have to stop and visit the famous Peabody ducks!

I hope you are all finding time for some quality stitching time, and enjoying your summer!

Fondly, Melody

July..you are going too fast!

Hello Stitchy Friends!

I can't believe the month of July is over half gone!  When I was in the closet a few minutes ago searching for something, I found this gem.  I knew I had stitched it, but totally forgot it was framed and ready for it's debut on the wall until I saw it!  I don't know what's wrong with my mind, I swear I forget things too easily...  I'm blaming it on menopause.

Well, at least I didn't discover this in August!  I do like this piece, probably even more because it's my birthday month.  

All our family gathered this morning to help our daughter and son-in-law move into their new place.  They have been renting an upstairs apartment since they got married in April, but found the chance to upgrade to a cute little house.  So, last evening and this morning we have been helping them. Our son, and his fiancée (the budding cross stitcher) were here to help as well, so we managed to get their big items moved and most all of the small things.  Moving is such a big job!  I don't even want to think about packing up our stuff and moving!  We have lived in our home since 1988.  It is actually the house I grew up in.  

I finished the Liberty House piece from With Thy Needle and Thread.  I have it pressed and languishing in my drawer of stitched completions.  I have started a new project... I know, shocking, right?!  I haven't had much time to stitch this week.  

This is Star by Summer House Stitche Works.

I have the chart anchored nicely in my new magnetic board chart holder....

This was a birthday gift from my daughter and son-in-law. Thanks to Marly for the info and review on this!  I love it!  It holds my chart nicely and makes an easel to stand nicely on the table.  Plus the magnets are strong, and hold your chart nice and securely.  

This gives you an idea of what the finished piece will be.  It will go nicely on my grouping of patriotic themed pieces.  

I had a nice birthday with dinner out to a favorite restaurant with Mike and the kids, then back to our son's home for presents!  I was thoroughly spoiled, and loved it all.  

Work has been busy for me.  With the end of our fiscal year I have had lots of year end reports to do, and now will be working on the budget.  Fun stuff.

We have been having some beautiful weather lately, mid 70s for highs with low humidity.  However it is supposed to return to more Illinois type summer heat and humidity this coming week.  

Lauren has been stitching away, and is close to being done with her second project!  She brought it along today to show me.  I'm so pleased she is having so much fun with this!  

We are all going to a minor league baseball game tomorrow in Davenport.  I hope the weather continues to be nice.  

Well here's hoping your summer is going along swimmingly and you are finding time for your stitching projects.  

I'm finding some quiet time this afternoon with the laundry going and some stitching between loads. I most likely will volunteer to help unpack some boxes later this evening....

Happy stitching my friends.

A finish!

I just have to post a picture of my future daughter-in-law's first finish! 

I think she did a great job.

She was excited to share a picture with me.  

Summertime!

Hello Stitching Friends!

I picked up four finishes from the framer yesterday.  I'm pretty happy with them!

I should have waited until morning to take better pictures, but then it wouldn't have gotten done.  I took the pictures with my iPad.  So, didn't do any editing.  Sorry.  

The summer seems to be moving along quickly.  Things have been extremely busy for me at work.  I had a large project come up that had a short time frame, but I may be nearing the end of it soon.  So, due to that, I have not had any ambition this week after getting home.  My brain has been fried!  Lol.

We travelled to Minnesota last weekend with our son and his fiancée to visit my sister and her family.  We had a great time as always.  So nice to get away!  I may have a new stitcher in the family... I taught our son's fiancé how to cross stitch last weekend.  We stopped in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on our drive North to visit Crosse Stitchery.  Well, while browsing, she expressed great interest in some charts, so we picked out a couple of easy ones, and  got her started.  She caught on pretty quick.  In fact when they came to visit today, she brought her stitching along so she could stitch with me!  She had made good progress, so I supplied her with fabric and floss to go along with her next project.  She seemed pretty happy about it!

I have been stitching on Liberty House.

It took forever to get the big red house stitched it seemed!  I am working on the eagle in the tree right now.  Hopefully I will have it done before too long.

These three new charts made their way home with me.  I do love patriotic pieces....maybe because my birthday is near the fourth....

We are having a family cookout tomorrow for our son in laws birthday.  I haven't planned the menu yet, luckily he likes about anything.  

The weather has been warm and very humid of late.  We are also still getting rain showers every few days.  I swear you can practically see the corn grow in the fields!  That's one thing that Illinois can do well....grow corn!  

We did manage to get the deck stained two weekends ago.  Harry also got to the groomers for his short 'summer do'. 

Well kids it's time to sign off.  I hope your summer is going well, and that you are finding time to do what you love best!  Happy stitching friends!

June already?

Hello Stitchy friends.

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I posted.  Father's Day will be here soon.  

I have been busy at work and at home.  The staff at the library has been busy getting ready for the start of the summer reading program.  I have been busy with reports, and such, preparing for the end of another fiscal year.  

I have been spending leisure time stitching and reading.  I just finished The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank.  I loved it!  But then I think I have said that about all of her books...  I tend to mainly read mysteries or suspense with the exception of a group of favorite authors.  If you haven't ever read a book by Dorothea, give one a try this summer.  

I finished summer sampler by LHN.  

I was pleased with it.  I need to find a frame for this one soon!  After this I wanted to stitch the crows from a new Prairie Schooler chart.

I finished the crow that is shown in the hoop last night, and the one above I had finished earlier.  I thought these were great crows.  I want to finish them as small stuffed pillows I think.  

Then this afternoon I decided on my next start.  

Liberty House by With Thy Needle and Thread.  I had to order the linen and some over dyed flosses for it before I could begin.  But they arrived in the mail on Friday.  The linen is a smaller count than the previous pieces I've finished, so it's taking my eyes some time to get used to it...  Just another fun thing about being in your fifties....  :-(. 

It's a rainy Saturday here.  I am just waiting on the last load of clothes in the dryer.  Mike is at work and I'm surrounded by sleepy cats and the sleeping dog.  So, I should have time to stitch on this some more today..  Then it will be time to begin a new book.  There is always at least two or three on my bookcase waiting their turn.  I mean, I can't be without a book, right!?  

Supper is going to be simple and no fuss.  Probably a salad and a weight watcher entree.  Sounds exciting...  

Hope all of you are well, and enjoying a weekend doing what you love best!