Thursday, September 27, 2012

Something done.....

It's always nice to finish a project, no matter the size.  Today a group met for Busy Bee Finishing School and worked on several projects.  Some things were completed and each person was happy for the accomplishment but none happier than Elaine who finally finished the Santa on her wool crazy stocking.
Elaine has been working on this Santa for about a year now.  Basically she says she gets him out, looks at him, works on him a bit, pulls out the stitches, puts him away.........until next time.  So today, after everyone left, Elaine and I decided it was time to get Santa done.  I walked her through the different steps and she stitched away and got the happy fella done.  So congratulations Elaine.  I know this was a huge load lifted from your "to do" list. 
Elaine said now that Santa was done she could move on to the rest of the stocking pieces.  He just seemed to be hanging over her head.  I'm sure we all have those sorts of projects..........

There's still room in the Thursday Busy Bee class if you'd like to join in and get some of your unfinished "to do's" done.

Happy almost weekend!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Where do the days go...........

As I get older, the clock moves faster.  I have been so busy with classes, grandchildren and getting ready for the barn sale.  Recently I have been asked in person and sent many emails wanting to know if I'm ok because I haven't updated the blog in so long.  So I decided I had better get something on here so people wouldn't needlessly worry about me.  I'm ok.  Tired, running in many different directions, but ok.  I have taught many classes this month and haven't taken pictures at all of them, but here are a few to share.
This class is doing a wool mat called Autumn Reflections by Lily Anna Patterns.  The mat is absolutely gorgeous and I left it up to the ladies to pick out colors of wool for their individual mats.  I had spot dyed some wool thinking it would make great leaves and several of the gals chose that wool.  It turned out beautiful on their mats.
Lou is trying to pick browns for the baskets, etc.  Some hard choices.
Looks like Kim is in the brown pile now!
Here are just a couple of pictures of the mats all put together with lots of stitching to do for homework.  This is an absolutely gorgeous pattern and design.  Thanks for creating it Lori!

Evette took a day off work to teach some ladies beginning cross stitch on linen.  I think they all had a great time and learned lots from Ms. Evette.

I was walking by the window in my office one morning and this big old hawk was sitting on one of the birdhouses.  He stayed out there for a very long time, diving to the ground for a morsel and then perching back on the birdhouse.  They are so huge.
Joshua came to spend the evening while his family went out to dinner.  It was just Mina and Joshua and we had a good time.  I took lots of pictures but he moves so fast most of them are blurry.  He has been walking for a while now and really gets around.  I bought the Tonka truck when we first found out there was going to be a little boy in the family and finally decided to give it to him now.  He loved it and pushed it everywhere.
I had a big box of stuffing in the living room and I stuck Joshua in the box.  He had a blast.  His big sister Raleigh used to like to get in the boxes of "fluff" as she called it and I wondered how he would like it.  He laughed and laughed that sweet little boy laugh of his.  So adorable. 
Looks like he has bubbles around him.  That came next!
All bathed and ready for bed.  I think he's calling his Mommy and Daddy to come and get him!!  Or maybe he's calling Poppy (his favorite) to see where he is. 
This class was to make a witch's hat and shoes.  Oh what fun the gals had with this project.  We sewed all the parts that needed to be sewn and then the painting got started and things got a wee bit messy.
I at least remembered gloves for everyone so they didn't have black fingernails.
Look at our hats and shoes, outside drying.  What a sight.  And luckily it was a beautiful sunny day which helped so much with the drying.
Now comes a little sanding just to distress things a bit.
And then we put some special "goop" on for further distressing.  It's a very wonderful stain recipe that the designer shared that just adds a great pantina to the pieces.
We kept passing these morning glories each time we went in and out of the house so I decided to snap a picture.  These morning glories come back each year, even though I pull them out each time they appear.  This year I decided to let them go and see where they end up.  They are so pretty but they also go places I don't want them to.  Oh well........why fight mother nature.
The hats look so cool with the "aging" part done.
Now comes the fun part, decorating the hats and shoes.  The gals really got into this, pulling from all sorts of dried flowers, raffia, etc. that I had gathered for them.
Now Elaine, don't you make a cute witch!!!!!
I'm not sure Lynn is loving this part.  In the end her hat looked very witchy!
Ta-da!!  They are just great.  Everyone was so excited to have them in time to decorate with.
Thank you Kim from Old Road Primitives for these great patterns.  They were so much fun to do and your directions were perfect and easy to follow!!! 
Joyce has a little display already planned.  Good job!!
I got to go to The Rusty Bucket open house this year for the first time in a few years.  Ran into lots of friends, including Becky who had her arms full.  I think she was having a good time and finding lots of goodies to take home.
Dolly looked so cute holding her pumpkin I couldn't resist a picture.  What a perfect fall photo!  You should have this on your desk Dolly.

Well, that's about it for me.  I have to get to work on some new recipe cards for the barn sale today.  Lots of other things in progress.  Remember October 12 and 13 for the barn sale this year.  I think we have several new vendors and also some food vendors in case you get hungry after all that shopping.  Looking forward to seeing you all there.  Happy fall y'all.  Couldn't resist!!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

I have just been fussed at for not updating the blog.  Actually, I've been "asked about" more than a few times lately.  I'm just plain sorry.  I have been so busy with classes, preparing for classes and working on barn sale stuff that there doesn't seem to be a free minute.  I have taken pictures of quite a few classes and other things, but just haven't had time to do anything with them.  So what follows are some random pictures from the past week or so.
Debbie brought along a beautiful put together quilt top from the Civil War blocks that quite a few of us are doing.  It was so much fun to see them all put together.  At one time Debbie and I both thought we would add sashing around our blocks but now we're re-thinking this idea after seeing Diana's beautiful quilt. 
Barbara shared her wonderful Dear Jane blocks all put together.  You have to see these in person to appreciate them!!! 
Joan came as a guest speaker to one of my stitchery clubs.  She does absolutely beautiful embroidery work, stump work, painted embroidery, etc.  Again, you need to see her work in person to appreciate all the fine detail. 
All done with one strand of many different colors of embroidery floss.  My stitchery clubs are going to receive a lesson from Joan in embroidery painting.  YAY! 
Lou finished her crazy quilt.  Beautiful! 
This is the model for the Spider Web quilt class that I'm taking.  I love this design and can't wait to find time to work on my blocks.  Hmmmmm...........time............... 
Taught a fun class in Henderson where the ladies worked on a fall wool project.  Brenda is very intent on what she is doing! 
This is the Diana that made the beautiful quilt in the first picture.   Thank you for sharing Diana!
And notice the wonderful quilt behind Diana.  That's an upcoming class at Miss Lou's. 
Oh they are working so hard!!!   
Pat finished this large embroidered pillow for her guest room bed.  It is so nice.  Get well wishes to Pat who recently took a fall and fractured her wrist.  Hope that doesn't cut into her stitching time!!!!  Stitching must be good thereapy, right?! 
Lynn finished another crazy quilt, this one for her guest room.  Boy, these ladies are really cranking out the quilts.  Each and every one is a treasure to be shared for generations. 
Oh, look, there's an elf in a crate now.  Glad those little elves are done and put away for the barn sale.  I have a few things done and lots of things in the works for the sale.  Just not enough hours to accomplish what I want to.  Thus, the reason for me not blogging!!! 

Enjoy your weekend and hopefully find a little stitching time.