Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Adirondack Museum Day

It was a bit cold and quite cloudy with a misting rain. This was our view at lunch. Amazing scenery. The museum itself is wonderful. I will have to go back again. The history of this area is a fascination for me. I want to learn more.
I found this quilt kit at the museum store. It is put together to be hand stitched and I plan to do that. It is a nine patch so it shouldn't take too long. LOL. There was a quilt show at the museum and it was amazing to see.

Late today, while at home, the sun is making an appearance. We are supposed to have nice weather for the rest of the weekend. We shall see. I had to purchase a jacket today because it was quite cold and damp. I plan to leave it in the car for the next time this happens. When we travel north, I forget that the cold will be there waiting.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Turning the corner and some new stuff

I turned the corner!!! Yippee Skippy!! That lawn mower thing is the wire used to tie the yellow and red fly. I am thrilled to be around the corner and now I will work toward the middle. Once I get to the middle, I may, may work on some back stitching. I really don't plan to leave all of it until the end.
Meanwhile Jody (our mail lady) brought me some packages. Barnes & Nobel has a great clearance sale on Vera Bradley things. I have the tech bag and the pen N pencil set. Then Mom & Me Forever had the Sweetheart Tree things I was looking for and the last of the buttons and the charts for the Sam Sarah piece. Oh - someday I will stitch it all.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Almost to the corner -

I am within a few rows of touching the lower edge and filling the lower left corner. Errands kept me away from my stitching today. I hope to get a bit more time tomorrow. Our weather is wonderful. The rain has stopped. The sun was out today. It was a most welcome sight. Hugs and prayers for my friends in the St. Louis area. They have been having some terrible weather.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Progress and a bit of pink

I did take some time to stitch today. The sun has been hiding behind the clouds all day. No rain but it was a bit depressing. I sat and stitched quite a bit. Then in a burst of energy I washed the cars.
Off the back deck there is a little bush that has now developed a few flowers. Light fluffy looking pink things. I need to look it up. We now have some roses along the drive. It is still fun to walk the property and try to discover what else is growing out there.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

A book finished and I touched a wall!!

I have been reading this book for quite some time. It had a slow start. It finished wonderfully and I could not put it down this morning. I had to finish it. I would call it a very good book.
This this afternoon, I touched a wall with Max. The red and yellow fishing fly with whatever the grey part is actually is on the left side of the picture. I have been quite worried that I would run out of fabric. I made it!! I have had quite the conversation in my head this week. In the end, it is good that I have perhaps two inches to the edge of the fabric. I would not have wanted any more as then the scroll bars would need to be huge and too difficult to deal with. I will have to attach some support fabric when I am done with the cross stitch to allow for lacing and framing. That's okay it is all going to work.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Back to Max

Today was another rainy day. I did several things around the house and I spent a bit of time working on Max. We now have a fishing pole reel and part of Max himself. I really am struggling with the cat part. The main part of the cat is 4 ply black half cross. To make strips on the cat you use blended colors and cross stitch. I know it will look good when done but the actual stitching looks messy to me.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A different kind of day - -

There are mountains behind those clouds. While it was a cloudy and rainy looking day - it was a pleasant day to take a drive.
Lake Placid. We had fun wandering through the shops and then having some dinner. It was fun.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What to do on a rainy day?

Start with some stitching, then take a nap. LOL. I did get some stitching done. It appears that I am working on a rod and reel for the fishing camp. I love to nap with the gentle rain within ear shot. It is wonderful. The lawn and all the plants are getting a nice long drink today. I love to listen to it.
I did get some other stash the other day. I fell in love with the Desert Santa and of course I wanted the new Just Nan. The free chart from Prairie Schooler is certainly interesting.

I am running to catch up

Spring Box Finishing is done. Well, the cross stitch and hardanger is done. Next up will be the actual construction of the box and making it pretty.
My new stash arrived. This is the start of the hardanger ornament monthly club from Nordic Needle. All supplies are here. Each month there is a new chart. You stitch each piece separately and then put them together or not. It is up to you.
Here is the scissors sheath. It is hard to see here. I am glad to have this project done. There are some unique instructions for the finishing and I am looking forward to it.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Busy weekend here.

I have not forgotten my blog friends. I know I went missing for a few days. We have had some perfect weather here and we decided to enjoy it. Alfred was out to see the 'fam' when we started a fire in the back yard. Grilled chicken, marvelous baked potatoes from the grill and sliced tomatoes. Top that off with lemon bars and we were happy campers. Happy Fathers day to all.
I have been stitching. The lamp shade is done. I am very happy to have it done. I believe the black is part of Max (the cat). We enjoyed a parade on Saturday. The Volunteer Firemen had a parade in town this weekend. Many companies had to stage along the road at the end of our road. So, we had a beer and watched them get ready and then march by. The bag pipes made me cry. They always do.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Yellow Smellow


I have been stitching shades of yellow all day! This is a lamp shade in the Adirondack room. The little spaces will have birds or ducks of some sort. I think I will dream of yellow tonight. LOL.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Good day, great news and a big sigh - -

I did stitch today. The radio is done. I am moving on to the lamp shade. Meanwhile I went to the dentist - first visit here in the new location (I was a nervous wreck) and all is good there. Meanwhile back at the ranch - my craft room now has a new ceiling fan and light.

When I consider out last six months, I am amazed that we did it. I am glad we did. Would I do it again if I knew what I know now? Yes, I would. I would dread a lot of it. It was a lot of work with the major move. I am becoming more comfortable and glad to be here, now, in my own skin. Over the last six months, there have been times that I wondered what the heck we were doing. Perhaps I feel better about it all because I am finally back to stitching. Stitching has always been a theme in my life. It gets me through rough times, happy times and all the stuff in between. I try to celebrate stitching each and every day.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

It is an absolutely perfect day!!

The temperatures are in the upper 70s with very low humidity. There is a gentle breeze to enjoy. I spent the day stitching. The front on my old fashioned radio is coming right along. Music, great weather and stitching. It was a perfect way to spend the day. BTW - Happy Birthday to my SIL currently in Chicken, Alaska. Stay safe and warm!!!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2 Parts Done

Finally I have this box top finished. I made it all the way around the outside.
Then I moved on and did the pinkeep. Two more pieces to go!!! Today I did purchase some fabric but I am still undecided on which to use. I also found some heavy cardboard to use to make the box pieces.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Surprises are always fun!

Today we found a package on the doorstep. It was full of gifts from friends in Missouri. Terri and Natalie sent some cool surprises. There was a letter from Natalie and a bit of honey for Alfred. I had to take it right in and show it to Alfred. He was really surprised to get gifts today!!! Honey is always welcome when you are a bear.
Here is the letters, honey, Mary Engelbreit goodies for the craft room. How wonderful is this? I was really surprised and very happy with all my goodies. Alfred and I are going to have to put on our thinking caps and find some Adirondack goodies to send to our friends back in Missouri.
Meanwhile - back at the ranch. I tried, tried, tried to finish the Spring Box Top today. If I hadn't spent a good bit of time reverse stitching, I might have made it. I am close. I have about a quarter of the four sided stitch to do and then a border. It is really pretty. I am thinking that I might have to have a shopping trip to find suitable liner fabric for this project.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

No Time! No Time!

I didn't get a lot of time to stitch today. I did finish the green vines and then I put in the yellow flowers. I have started the rhodes hearts but it was taking a lot of concentration and I had to stop for the day. Maybe tomorrow I can get more time to work on this. Today we took a trip to Vermont. I had hoped to do some shopping but our favorite shop was a total disappointment. Then on the way home - it rained.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Then add a bit of color

Amazing how this project is popping off the fabric. I love it. My Doves Eyes are great but I am not as happy with the Greek fill stitches. I know what I did wrong and I will fix it next time I do them. For now - as Barb would say - if a man trotting by on a horse can't spot the mistake, don't sweat it.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Woven bars and Dove's Eyes

I was hoping to get all of it done today but it didn't happen. I have three hearts done and I have started on the fourth. I seem to have a love - hate relationship with this type of stitching. I love the challenge. I hate doing some of the work. I always doubt my ability. Practice makes perfect but you want it to look good as you go. This is a strange project as you do the hardanger first and then come back with the colors and other stitching.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Nerve Wreacking Stitching

The peonies are beautiful. I took this photo before we had one heck of a thunder storm The blossoms are huge and very pretty.
I did get some stitching done on my Spring Box top. Once it started raining, I had to put this away. I can't concentrate on this type of stitching when there is a storm happening. LOL.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Zoom Zoom goes the bikers

Hi All, Americade is in full swing here in the Adirondacks. I must have seen 200 bikes today in the little bit of driving around that I did. They are everywhere!! I was listening to them late into the night last night. Today it is hot and humid. I have the house closed up and I don't hear them. AC and fans are in force at my house. I had family stuff to do and then I came home to stitch a bit. I wish I had made more progress. Maybe tomorrow.
On the other hand - - I have to start this project as I joined a Stitch Along and most everyone started June 1. I am already behind. With this project, you start with hardanger and I can't do that late in the day. Early morning is when I will need to start this. I love the colors and I am very happy to be working on this one.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Oh Happy Day


We had errands to run today so I didn't get a lot accomplished on the stitching front. I did receive my Victoria Sampler Spring Box materials so I can begin the stitch along. I sorted the fibers, found the fabric and I am ready to go. Tomorrow is also a bit busy but the temperatures are going to soar so stitching in the cool might be a possibility. Meanwhile we can hear the engines roar. Americade, a motor cycle event has arrived in our little burg. Zoom Zoom.

Monday, June 6, 2011

It was a busy stitching day - -

In order to stitch a long piece, I turn the fabric sideways and I also put my chart that sideways. This causes my stitches to be different from other projects but they are still consistent and still look good.
I took this outside to take a photo. It is stitched on a lime green (bright) linen with Belle Soie Fresh Raspberries. I like it. It is done.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Yippee Skippy!!

I have a finish!!! Blackbird Designs Breath of Spring is complete. It was fun but I was ready for it to be done. I can now concentrate more on Max. He is still calling my name from the other room.
In the meantime, a friend (you know who you are) presented me with a dilemma. How do you stitch a piece that is very wide and quite short. Do you have stretcher bars that wide? No, you place your piece on your stretcher bars and then stitch it sideways. So here is the the start. I will stitch the long design on the rather short but wide piece of linen and I will do it sideways so it fits on my stretcher bars.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

What a wonderful day!!!

I did get some stitching done. I also hosted the best group of ladies. The Adirondack Crafters showed up for a pizza party this evening. Shirley (knitting), Beth (crochet but learning XS), Sally (quilting) and Linda (XS) were here for dinner and cake. They just left a bit ago. We had great fun chatting, stitching, sharing and just being girls. It was great fun. I am sorry Lisa couldn't join us. Maybe next time. This is so exciting.

Friday, June 3, 2011

What a beautiful day!!!!

It was a beautiful day at the house on the hill. I had a good time stitching and getting ready for a crafter's meeting tomorrow. I am pleased to be meeting new creative people.Well, here we have some flowers done and the outline for two bunnies. There are still two more baskets to do.
I did a lot on Max but it is certainly difficult to tell. LOL. The cream/brown/khaki colors are a sepia type post card and it is done except for the back stitching. I am looking forward to having something done on this project that really looks like it is supposed to.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Where is spring?

Does anyone know where spring is? Yesterday we had hot and humid, horrible weather. Today I am freezing. I call that summer and winter in two days but no spring to speak of. Well, bad weather makes me want to stitch. I am sorry I missed yesterday but it was a busy day with family and I really didn't get much done on the stitching front. Today I made up for it.This really isn't much further but I am enjoying it and I am using the laying tools my brother made. This is a Dimensions kit so I am using 4 strands or 3 strands in some areas. A laying tool helps in those areas.
The Blackbird Design is coming right along. There will be three such baskets. The colors are muted. A Breath of Spring - - I hope it helps spring to find our location.