Sunday, January 13, 2013

Trying to stay warm by stitching

Greetings from the frozen tundra.  We are experiencing some unusually cold weather here in the valley of the (not so much) sun.  I know I am a major wuss, but 20+ degrees is out of my comfort zone.  I miss my flip-flops, darn it!  The plants are all hiding under any towel, blanket, or sheet we can round up.  I miss my geraniums, darn it!  I think normal temps are supposed to return by this weekend.  I sure hope so, I miss my patio time, darn it!  In the meantime, I am hunkering down by the fake fireplace with my next release.  You may have seen the antique Rachel Howells on the Internet.  I think she has been making the rounds.  I purchased the antique from a shop in Wisconsin early last year.  I'm not exaggerating when I say my heart skipped a beat when I saw her.  I've never purchased anything so fast in my life. 
I have recently learned from Mary that the sampler is Welsh.  Like Mary says, the original is not finely worked, but stitched with wool on canvas.  I'm not sure if that disqualifies her from being a sampler or not, but there is no denying that she is truly lovely.  I am using NPI silk and Legacy linen from Picture This Plus.  If my fingers don't freeze off, look for the chart release in early March.

You must indulge me to show current photos of my darling grandchildren.  The boys above are Sawyer and Kai.

Here are the girls, Quinn, Olivia, Rowan, and Remy.  I'm the luckiest grandma in the world.
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In other news, I have done something TOTALLY crazy but exciting.  I have signed up for a trip to Australia and New Zealand.  I will be going with my sister, niece, and friend.  I have dreamed of going there forever, so it will be a trip of a lifetime.  Not looking forward to the thirteen hour flight though.  I wonder how much stitching I can get done on the plane?  It's not for several months, but I'm already getting nervous and thinking about what projects to take.  G'day everyone!

20 comments:

Melissa said...

Oh my goodness, that is a gorgeous sampler and so unusual and so RED all over! Sign me up! Looking forward to its release!

I saw on the news this weekend about the cold weather in Arizona. Yikes, the poor plants!

I can see you ARE a lucky grandma. Your grandkids are so cute! The trip of a lifetime down under sounds just fabulous!

robindefender said...

Your sampler is looking lovely. As for the weather, I don't guess you want to hear about how we had the windows open all day here in NC. ; ) I hope it warms back up for you soon!

Have a wonderful time on your trip to Australia when the day finally arrives. I would love to visit those countries. I don't know how much stitching you'll get done, though. I usually find airplanes too cramped and uncomfortable for stitching.

Penny said...

Hi Tanya, Your grandchildren are so precious! Love the new sampler, another must have!

Karen said...

Too bad you're not in sunny SC.... we only got up to 80 degrees today! where is my winter????

Your grandkids are so cute and look spunky like you.

happy stitching....and stay warm!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Looks like we must've switched weather - we've had high 70s this weekend.

Love the new sampler! Cute grands, I know you enjoy them a lot.

Sounds like a grand trip. Hope you warm up soon.

samplerlover said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
samplerlover said...

G'day, l know that you will have a wonderful time when you come down here. Looking foward to catching up with you if we can. If you like I'll send over some of our heat, but keep the bush fires here. They are a worry.

As you know l love your Rachell, she is a really wonderful sampler and l can't wait until you finish her. Can see why your heart missed a few beats when you saw her.

Isn't Mary's blog wonderful. I'm learning so much from it. I have Welsh ancestors. -- Sandra

Faye said...

Hotter than you know what here!!!! In January!!??? Australia.... Sounds divine!!!!! And those little darlings are all just so cute!!! You are so very lucky......

Barb said...

What adorable Grandchildren!! You are very lucky. Sounds like wonderful trip.

♥ Sari ♥ said...

Beautiful sampler. :)

Well, if it makes you feel better, we just had a temperature of -26C (-15F) last week. :D

Margaret said...

March, huh? Oh, I can't wait!!! Rachel is looking soooooo gorgeous! And your grandkids -- you have beautiful kids there. I can't believe you are going to New Zealand and Australia!!!!! Wow!!!!! I'm so happy for you! Stay warm.

Cari said...

I am so looking forward to this sampler. The RED is beautiful. I'm so glad you purchased the sampler and are reproducing it. You must be having so much fun doing all the stitching now.

Love the pics of your grandchildren. They are all adorable.

Lanie said...

Oh my goodness, what beautiful grandchildren you have been blessed with!

Australia/New Zealand...wow...sounds like a fantastic trip!

BTW...you can keep all the cold weather over on your side of the country. We've had near record temps here is western PA, but its coming to an end today. Back to reality...phoey!

Fiona said...

The hint of your new relase looks beautiful. Hope you enjoy Austrailia and New Zealand. 13 hours on a flight is nothing, from here it is around 24 hours.

Katrina said...

You know I can't wait for Rachel!!!!!

Your grandchildren are just beautiful :-). And big woohoo on the trip, I am sure it be wonderful. Hoping your temps get back to normal soon.

Little Welsh Quilts and other traditions said...

It's definitely a sampler even though it has been worked on canvas with wool. Many thousands of Welsh samplers were made like it in the second half of the 19th century. Yours is a wonderful example of a Carmarthenshire sampler from south west Wales. How far it has traveled from its home territory!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

superbes photos !
bisous

Dona said...

Tanya, your grandbabies are beautiful! Their personalities really shine in these photos.

I'm so excited for you about your trip! That trip's on my dream list and I hope you'll share lots of pictures when the time comes.

Rachel is looking fine!!

Karoline said...

The sampler is looking gorgeous and they are very cute photo's of your grandkids

Nicole said...

Sorry this comment is so late! Your new sampler is so pretty. I bet you've got even more done now!!

Your grandkids are such cuties!!