I'm Going To Live To Be 100 - at least!

So if it's true you will live to get all the projects done (I have seen a quote that indicated living to be 100 if all projects get done) then I will have no issues getting to be that age or older! 

I have just pulled out my new Strawberry Hill Sampler by Brenda Gervais (Country Stitches - With Thy Needle & Thread).  It is beautiful...stitched  to put on the top of a Whitman's box, pinkeep, huswife, needle keep and more.  I had to figure out how much linen for all the pieces and what fibers I am missing.  Now to email my LNS and place an order. 

Yee-Gads! 

Not much else going on - worked all last week, birthday party for niece/nephew yesterday, dinner at my mom's - my aunt and uncle are staying with her from North Carolina and she had bunch of family over Friday night.  My husband and I went out for dinner last night and even sat on the patio - unheard of lately here in my part of Michigan.

I ate some tomatoes from my garden, in a Caprese of course.  I had to grab them off the vine before the chipmunks got them!  My husband found ones I've been watching all week, waiting, in the yard half ate by something.  We've already put netting over the plants to keep the birds away!  Drat!!  Cleaned my sewing studio this afternoon (in between loads of laundry) so maybe next weekend I can actually do something creative in there.

Have a great week all - progress pics next week - if I make any progress, that is!!  Gotta get busy if I want to even make a dent in all I have "stashed" before I am over 100...

Stitch happy, do something that makes you happy this week...

Sherry

Catching Up

I spent the day catching up on tons of computer things...cleaning out files, cleaning emails and the fun part - catching up with all of you, all my blog buddies.  Great to see what everyone has been working on, finishing and what you've been up to with your summer.

Sooooo what's happened here in the past few weeks...

My cousin got married in Columbus, so we took a road trip in my new car (you can see the front wheel in this pic...LOL).  We went down early on Friday - my boys wanted to eat at Thurman's which was featured on one of their fav t.v. shows...Man v. Food.   Here we were all snazzed up for the wedding. 

 I've shopped a bit - picked up this wonderful bag from one of my favs!  I took a finishing class with Amy a couple years ago and she was so much fun.  I love this bag...the orange is the color of orange sherbet!

 BBD progress - "Wild Garden" ... never mind the q-snaps. 

 Hands to Work "I Wait for the Lord".  This piece has been a headache.  I have been at wits end with what fiber to use.  I finally picked WDW Baked Apple on a piece of the linen I tea died.   Then I wasn't sure if I was going to use two threads or one.  I finally decided on doing the first cross with one thread, then double crossing the second leg for the coverage I desired.  I had to rip out the original color I started with, then I ripped out the double thread, then the single.   Then it was off center!  I did the swirly line wrong too - that came out. 

 Here it is now - I am really, truly hoping the frogs will leave me alone now since this is only about 1/4 done.  In the close-up, I did herringbone under the lower case letters instead of a single cross stitch. 

 I really want my tomatoes to rippen!  I want my hand picked beauties to go with my basil and the mozzarella cheese.  Love me some Caprese Salad!

 In fact, this was the dinner my son and I had tonight....Caprese and broccoli salad!  Yum!

 I treated myself to a pedicure last week - not sure of the purplish.  I usually go with pink or red.  I have been doing this for myself this summer - it's still so hard for me bend for awhile (like to trim and polish) my nails myself. 

 So my husband and son love to play with the dog.  These are Cody's "babies" in his crate.   He was a crate trained puppy and still uses the crate as his haven...The babies are in jail.  He barked and then opened the door, then took them down - showed those silly boys of mine!

I've read too:

The Sisters by Nancy Jensen - good, but sad

Take I Like a Mom by Stephanie Stiles, okay

The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfunkel - pretty interesting and some good recipes to try.

Now for fun!  I saw this on Anna's blog...and decided to play.  I've never done this before I don't think, on my blog... Check out her questions/answers here and then join the fun if you wish...I am going to do what Anna did...here are the rules/directions:

Simple as can be - you answer 11 questions asked...tag 11 more bloggers and ask 11 questions of your choice.  However, I am going to let you choose to answer if you want - comment me and I will check it out...

1. How many cross stitch patterns do you own?  (Insert evil cackle):  Well, way too many to count.  I would say at least 100.
2. What is your ideal stitching retreat?  Friends, lots of light, someone to carry in my bags (the one of clothes and such and the MANY stitching supplies), chocolate, maybe some wine.  Comfortable beds and chairs, massage at will! 
3. Have you been or does it only exist in your head?  I have had almost all the above.  Sometimes no on carries in my bags and I have not had the massage at will for my back...other than that, yes and always come home refreshed and with wonderful memories!!
4. What are your favorite stitching tutorials?  (Link please)  I don't have any, I don't think...I certainly need some for finishing!
5. What is the smallest count fabric you've ever used?  40 count - I have done over one on 40...but usually over two.  That is the count I work on most frequently.
6. What's your secret to keeping cool?  (No really, what?  It's going to be 102 tomorrow)  Air conditioning - full blast in the car or at home.  Going to the movies. 
7. Have you found any cute crafts to use up leftover/unused floss from kits or other floss unsuitable for actual stitching?   No - have you?  I keep bits in with the pattern, especially if it's a pillow or quilt in case something comes out later.
8. Starting or finishing?  (Not finish-finishing obviously)   Not sure what you are asking, Anna, but I currently have many projects I am working on - not sure how soon a finish will happen.  I am aching to start a couple. 
9. Favorite DMC color?  So hard to pick a fav...I love all jewel tones!
10. What other hobbies are undertaken in your household?  (roommate, spouse, children, pets...)  Me - reading, quilting, cooking.  My husband - searching Craig's List and Great Lakes 4x4 for car deals - he buys, fixes up, sells.    My son - he likes to tinker with his car, anything audio related.  He also has fish/turtles in a couple different tanks.  Cody, my 7 year old puppy, see above photo...he naps, plays with his babies in whatever predicament his boys put forth.
11. Do you ever make those recipes you tear out of magazines and stack in your kitchen?  Yes.  I used to copy everything to recipe cards and then make.  Now I make them, if we like them I put them on a card.  I also write in my cookbooks and on cards whether we all like them and maybe a rating:  good, really good, I really like, husband really likes, etc.    If we don't like, I toss.   I love your idea of sorting and then trying as my ziplock bags, notice the plural, and get cranking on the overwhelming amount I have.  I used to keep the whole magazine - now I rip out!

So here are my questions if you want to play:

1. Do you stitch/sew in the same spot?  Do you have a "nest"?
2. How many pairs of scissors do you have?
3. Do you have holiday or seasonal fobs or other accessories?
4. Are you a many project stitcher or one at a time?
5. Do you watch t.v. while stitching, listen to books on tape?
6. Ideal project - designer, fabric & count, fibers?
7. If you read, what types of books?
8. If you stitch reproduction samplers, do you modify and put in your initials, date, etc?
9. How do you store your projects - bags, cases, boxes, baskets?
10. Do you do any other crafty or sewing things?
11. Do you shop at primarily one shop or many?

So be sure to comment and let me know if you choose to play!! 

Whew - such a long post...thanks for hanging in there.  Take time to do what makes you smile!

Sherry :0)

Hi - checking in!!

A little shopping was done lately...

The "baked apple" week dye works  fibers are for the Hands to Work sampler.  The linen is on the scroll frame in the background...I tried several different fibers before deciding on this one.  Fiber just arrived this week and I haven't had any stitching time - hate when that happens!  The linen under the four NPS is for Coverlet House - have to start that too.  My local cross stitch shop had a sale, for their birthday, so I also ordered BBD's Wild Garden.  Love it!  Then I drooled some  over the new Quilt Sampler magazine, as I do every issue!  So many quilts to make...

Speaking of quiliting, here is the progress on my class, thus far.   Marmalade & Jam by Sweet Clover Canyon.  It's been fun, kind of hard in some spots and kind of easy in others.  My first ever "flying geese" in the forefront.  Half square triangle, half pinwheel and then a pinwheel.  Have some sewing homework again this weekend. 

 Remember the out of control rosebush from the last post - well it's growing and growing...didn't get to trim it this spring and now it's too pretty.  See the planter below the rose? 

Although I am NOT a gardener - lookie my basil!  We have been eating caprese salad - tomato (not quite Michigan yet - but from the farmer's market), mozzarella cheese, a little balsamic vinegar and my luscious basil!  Who knew I could grow it.  Can't wait for my own tomatoes. 

 So now a puzzle, mystery or brain stretch - I have this fat quarter.  I am using it in the Marmalade quilt.  It's by Laundry Basket Quilts - but I don't know the name. 

 Of course, I want HAVE to use this as the backing.

 Any clues?  I know so many people out there may have seen this, may own some and know what it's called, what line it's from or maybe could be sitting on a bolt - a gal can hope, right. 

So do any of you do that?  Get something in your head and then you know nothing else will be as good?  And obsess about it over and over?

So what have I been up to lately - well, working and working.  A bit of sewing.  A bit of reading.  Walking - trying to work on balance and endurance.

I also bought a new car.  Or leased one, that is.  My husband and I have never leased.  All three of us (hubby, son and myself)  have been driving cars well over 10 years old, with little reliability.  We checked out many models and finally settled on a Chrysler 200.  If you've seen the ad with Eminem shining the spotlight on Detroit and Chrysler - that's my car.  Even the same color.  I love it!  Fun to drive, comfortable, pretty - especially in the sun.

Hope all the dad's have a great Dad's day.  Michigan weather was a bit hot last week but absolutely  beautiful the last couple days.  I hope it's that way this weekend!

Stitch with smiles....find some time to do what you wish this weekend.

Sherry :0)

I can never think of a title!! SO - LIFE LATELY...

Isn't this one beautiful...I can't wait to start this one.  My linen is on back order...no worries though, I have plenty to keep me busy until it arrives...It's The Coverlet House by The Scarlett House.  I am planning on doing the top version.  It's different, not the ordinary with using the linen for the background. 

 This was such a fun and QUICK stitch.  Summer, Needlework Press freebie...from The Attic with a recent order.  Used Belle Soie "tulip" and a random piece of linen I found in a deep, deep dresser drawer in my sewing studio...tried to just use up some stash with this one.  I will do this one again.

Although a little muggy for my taste, it was a beautiful weekend here in Michigan.  I made some sun tea and also tried my hand (with a more concentrated tea) at hand dying some linen from that aforementioned bottomless drawer.  I am going to give it a day...think on it, but they may need a bit more or maybe coffee.  I have plans for that big piece.  The freebie above came with Hands To Work's I Wait for the Lord.  I am waiting until I get the fabric color just right and then  I will pick out some fiber.

While outside snapping some pics, I took this of a very out-of-control rose bush.  Wow, do I need to get the clippers out and hack trim away, nicely.

Think I need to cut some rhubarb and make something delicious!  I really don't have a green thumb and do not like to garden...but this rosebush and rhubarb love to live here; they make it easy.

Picked this luscious fabric up last week when shopping for a birthday "yard".  My friends and I are exchanging one yard of fabric on our birthdays...of course this one had to come home with me.  Dang, it's beautiful!  I also picked up the batik fabric that is in my new header picture...prompting a background change - I am such a non-techie kinda gal...took me much longer than planned!  Hope the bright sherbet orange doesn't blind anyone - may want to get your sunglasses out.  I thought it looked very summery.

Once I figure out how to get this big a** piece of linen on the scroll rods, I will begin Ann Dale.  This could be a lifetime project.

I received a "charlie brown" tree for Christmas this year...it was missing the Linus blanket tree skirt.  I stumbled upon this fabric yesterday.  So I will do a two sided skirt...blue like the blanket but I couldn't resist the characters for the other side.  (It really is a CB tree - has Snoopy on the box, criss-cross board and one red ball ornament.)

 And this - isn't it hilarious!!  My boys (hubby and son) love peeps.  I will use this on an Easter themed pillow - stitched.  Funny and sweet - pun intended!  It was the last fat quarter in the shop - wish they had more and in yellow.

I am taking a quilt class in June.  I can't remember who created it, but the pattern is Marmalade & Jam.  I'll check the pattern later for the name.  This is my selection of fabrics.  Some from stash, some from store.  Did a bit of cutting tonight.  It will be fun and is filled with several different squares - some old to me, some new. 

Had a great Mother's Day - my son made me french toast for breakfast.  He even cleaned the kitchen.  We then spend the rest of the day at my Mom's.  We missed doing our annual Easter egg hunt this year, as my Mom was just getting home from the hospital at that point, so we did that.  My sisters and their families were also there.  After the egg hunt, we had a  simple cookout...hot dogs and hamburgers, corn on the cob, etc.  Made my son happy - first corn since braces...it's always better off the cob with your teeth than with a knife.  Don't loose any of the juicy goodness!  And my day didn't end when we came home; my son and I went to the movies - just the two of us!  We saw Dark Shadows which was pretty good.  It was funny in spots in a campy sort of way.  Both of us love Johnny Depp, but I still love him as Captain Jack Sparrow best.  It was really great to spend time with him - just him and me.  My husband work week starts on Sunday, so it was just us. 

This picture is at my Mom's.  I am thinking maybe I needed to do something more with my hair and some makeup...but it was a casual dinner.  Pretty good looking guy, I think.

Thanks for checking in with me...thanks for reading!  I am so amazed I keep getting followers.  Welcome to the new followers, thanks for coming back to the (dare I say) old followers!  Have a great week - hope you have some time off for Memorial Day next weekend.  I have Monday off - yippee - long weekend!!

Stitches and smiles,
Sherry :o)

Happy Mom's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to all my blogging mom's, grandma's, women/men who mother others!!! 

I miss my both my Grandmas more than usual in May, both their birthdays were in May -one Grandma's fell on Mother's Day often. 

I miss my Mother-In-Law's presence in our lives more this year than probably will in the future.  The first anniversary of her death is looming. 

And this year I am so GRATEFUL that my Mom is well, here on Earth with us kiddos.  After her medical scare this spring and some days/nights not knowing how she was going to come out of Intensive Care or when...I am feeling quite blessed.  Today we will gather - us sisters and our families - to do the egg hunt my mom (and dad when he was alive) does for our kids each year.  Even the older kids love it - candy and money in eggs, what's not to love?   We will also be doing a hot dog/burger bbq and hang for awhile.  And another "best part" of that - I will be spending the day with my son!  It's be awhile since he and I hung out for more than 10 minutes :0) and I am looking forward to him waking soon - he is making breakfast.

Enjoy your day, Moms!

Come back for stitching updates and whatnot soon!