A Stitching Update

Isn't this card so true!  The clothes pins are real, the quilt made out of fabric.  My bff sent to me.  And boy, that is something I say and live by...but stitching and quilting keep me sane, along with my friends!  My other favorite saying close to this is there's a fine line between collecting and hoarding...I border on that line but consider myself a collector as I can throw stuff out/donate items I no longer desire or need.

I know I haven't posted stitching update recently so thought I'd take a minute and show you what I've been doing when not quilting (or working). 

I have mentioned the sampler guild I belong to frequently - Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild.  I know I have blogged about the focus group projects in the past.  This year (until June, I think), many of us are working on various samplers by Moira Blackburn.  I chose the Keep Me Sampler because of the willow tree at the bottom - not there yet but I can't wait.  I changed up a lot of the colors, am doing it on 40 count linen I had in my stash and converted most of the dmc to sampler threads.  

I am loving this piece - even when I was doing the roof, usually too monotonous for me.  I am doing the house in "white chocolate" by Weeks Dye Works.  I love the variegation.    

Next up, Stacy Nash came out with one I just had to have, had to stitch.  I am going to make it into a pillow for my bench, I think.  Christmas at Hollyberry Farm.  Isn't she a pretty one?  My LNS had an anniversary sale for 20% off, I think, of  "kitted up" items.  Since they kitted it up, it's on the called for linen, called for threads (which I love anyway).  

Close up of Hollyberry's border - SWEET, don't you think?

Next up - another biggie I am working....why, oh, why do I have so many biggies going?  I haven't touched Ann Dale in forever!

A Maryland Inspiration by Heart's Ease....she is certainly a fun stitch!

A close up - that little motif just above the carnations is a bitch.  I think there are six colors in that bugger - and there are three different ones.  Three done/three to go.  The over one in the cartouche below wasn't as hard! 

A shot of the whole thing so far...I sure have a long way to go, but she is interesting to do with all the colors and vertical alphabet & numbers.  I am not even to house yet!

I am doing a smallish too - with no color changes.  I guess I consider it my easy stitch for nights when I need that needle and thread therapy but don't want to think too hard... Birds & Berries Antique Alphabet on a piece of sale/stash linen...with Gloriana "Topiary".  Copied the thread color from one of my friends, Paulette...she did this too and it was stunning!

I baked just a bit yesterday while preparing dinner for my peeps.  I had the last picking of rhubarb for the summer.  I decided to try a crisp (we always called it apple goodie and used either applesauce or fresh apples).  I chopped up the rhubarb and then put a brown sugar/oatmeal/butter mixture on the top - YUM!

My husband put a bit of ice cream on his last night (we only had chocolate chip - one of the few ice creams that I don't really care for that much) and I ate mine straight up....it was a bit tart, but d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!

Well, have to go get a shower and gather my stuff.  I am headed over to my friend, Robin's, to start a quilt we both purchased at the recent quilt show.  She bought the pattern and has tons of that type of fabric in her stash to kit one up for herself; I bought the kit.  We hope to get her fabrics picked out today and perhaps start the cutting.  I will show progress - and some other quilting items soon.

Have a great holiday weekend to my U.S. followers.  I know I sure am glad to have Monday as a paid day off.  Cooking out with the husband and maybe visiting with my sewing machine.  I love short weeks, but have to get payroll done in a short time (usually takes me Monday and Tuesday) and this week I only have Tuesday and I have continuing computer issues and the techs are working on my computer again Tuesday afternoon - wish me luck!

Do something fun!
Hugs,
Sherry :o)