I'm in love with Sarah and a bathroom redo

As promised, here's my version of Sarah Woodham. Let me start out by saying that if you are on the fence about stitching her, fret no more. She is well worth the effort. I will come out and say that she is this close to being my all time favorite sampler. I heart her, big time. Even the pain of the over one verse is long forgotten. (sorta like labor and childbirth, when you see the baby). Speaking of the verse, click on the pic so you can read it. It's wonderful. I knew when I started stitching her exactly where she would hang. We recently updated the guest bathroom, and here's her place of honor.

I have to say that it is next to impossible to photograph a bathroom, but I tried. As always, I tried to capture a colonial meets farm house feel. Since we live in a typical tract home with the builder's choice fixtures, this is what I was able to do without ripping the entire room to the bare bones. Have I mentioned that I need to be living in a saltbox in New England?

Here's what I changed, I repainted the walls to match the rest of the house in my yummy salt-glazed crock color.

We then took down the humongous mirror, cut it in half and framed it. I hated our light fixture with a passion. It was one of those giant round bulb thingies that looked like it should be in a circus clown's dressing room. Ish...and then more ish. I think Home Depot sells them for $7.98, so that is why they go that route with new homes.

I love this hanging cabinet, but I think it needs to be a different color now. It looks gold but it's more mustard. I enjoy changing it out for the seasons.

We also replaced all the shiny fixtures with rubbed black ones, even the toilet handle. My hubby thought I was insane when I suggested black fixtures. We rarely have the same vision, but he likes it now.We have one thing left to do. We're redoing the medicine cabinet with blackened pierced tin, but it's not ready to show. Another day...another post.

Thanks for coming along on the tour of the loo. You might be wondering what I'm stitching next. I'm working on Lucy Maria Wiggins from the Scarlet Letter. I kind of like having a couple of samplers going at the same time, so I'm thinking of adding Ann Wragg to the mix.

Ann Rayner

Here she is in her new framed glory. I always wonder if I've chosen the right frame, but fortunately I think this one suits her. The little bit of gold around the inside pulls out the gold in the sampler. It also tones down some of the brightness. I'm stitching away like crazy on Sarah Woodham, and I'm almost done. The frame for her is also waiting, and I'm very anxious to see how she'll look in the guest bathroom. I think I'll be able to show her before the end of the week.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I had a very nice day, that included a wonderful dinner and surprise get together in the evening. I couldn't have asked for more. I have to show you the birthday card that my niece made for me. I'm still laughing over it. Who knows who those women really are, but they could very easily have been my mom and her sisters, back in their day. Unfortunately, today I only feel the old part, especially after yesterday's vote.

What happens when you drink too much Guinness?

Or Harps for that matter? That's me on the far left throwing back a pint at a local pub in Ireland six years ago. I was traveling with my niece, sister, and friend through the UK and Ireland. We had the trip of a lifetime, and I long to go again. This picture was actually taken on March 18th. I was born on St. Patrick's Day, so we were a day late in celebrating. We spent most of the 17th sailing from Wales to Ireland on the Irish Sea. So, here's what happens when you have too many!

I'd like to say a special thank you to my friend, Cari for giving me this award. I love being in the sisterhood of stitchers, and I feel honored that you enjoy my blog.

I am going to break the rules, however and refrain from nominating seven others. I enjoy many more blogs than a mere seven, so it would be impossible to choose. With that being said, I'm going to try to think of seven interesting things about myself.


1. I dislike my name. I wish I had been named Shannon, Kimberly or Jamie. Being a St. Pat's baby, I was almost named Patricia Louise. Patty Lou? I don't think so. My mom decided on Tanya at the last minute.


2. I have been in every state in the country with the exception of N. Dakota, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. I've also travelled to Europe, Mexico, Bahamas, and Canada.


3. I can't bear to look at a truck hauling livestock. I always have to look away, which is dangerous if you're driving. It makes me too sad to see any animal on the way to market.


4. I once skydived over the ocean in Mexico. I jumped out of a 1941 cargo plane. I was Crazy!


5. My favorite music is from the 80's, and my all time favorite band is Crowded House.


6. A highlight in my life was seeing the hand written words to the song Imagine by John Lennon, along with his famous army jacket and glasses while visiting this place.


7. If I won the lottery, I would go to Australia and New Zealand. I'd also look for a cottage on a beach somewhere to buy.


Have a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Remember Mary Ann?

Here she is again, sporting a new frame. I had to wait for several weeks for the molding which was back ordered, but now that it's done, it was worth the wait. I'm not sure if the photo will do it justice, but the frame has a similar shade of blue that matches the fibers. I've been asked if I aged it before or after I stitched it, and the answer is both. My hubby thinks it looks like it was backed over by the car. That's the idea, dear. We call it primitive.

I'm on the home stretch with Ann Rayner. There are two rows of over one alphabet to do right after the Z. Gosh, I can hardly wait for that. At least it's in my favorite color red. I'm also working on Sarah Woodham, and I'm about 2/3's done. The wheels are starting to turn in my head about what to stitch next. I can't resist showing what's popping up in my raised garden bed. It's time for fresh asparagus!

Henry Blue insisted that I post his picture today. He just had a bath and is all silky and soft. He's usually a stinky little boy who likes to dig and get dirty. Here he is soaking up some sun.

Look what I found today...

A neighborhood nearby held a community garage sale today. My husband and I got up early, and we were the second car through the gate. At either the first or second house we stopped at, I spied this old sewing machine. Actually, I saw an old spinning wheel first, and the cabinet was behind it. I cackled with glee when I saw that it was marked $60.00. I have seen these go for much more and in worse condition. Other than a few minor scratches on the top, it's in great shape. The gold filigree is very pretty, and the drawer pulls are original. I don't know if you can see it, but I love the built in ruler across the front. The machine will sew, but it needs a little work first. I doubt if I'd ever use it though, as I'm partial to my Kenmore. It now has a home in my craft room. I thought it needed an old quilt and some sewing notions to add to the interest. It would look wonderful with lots of Blackbird's pin cushions in a basket. I've only the one done, so I need to get busy.

This week found me organizing my craft room and fibers. I've tried several different things, but these photo boxes work best for me. After printing off labels for Floss-A-Way bags, each type got their own box, for example, all the NPI is in the black boxes, Sampler, Weeks, and Crescent Colors, are in the red, and the green holds misc fibers. It will work until I come across an old Coats and Clark spool chest.

Awhile back I mentioned that I had started a sampler wall in my room. I can't get a good picture because I have a large window that lets in too much light, but you'll get the idea. They are hanging over the table above.

This is my desk area where a closet used to be. I forgot to take a picture of my work table, so I'll save that for the next post.

I think I've showed the bookcase wall before, but it recently got a make-over, too. You gotta love Ikea storage boxes. The room is small, but it's cozy, and it's filled with things I love. I probably spend more time in here than any other room.

It would be a nice chair to curl up in and stitch or read, but it's rarely unoccupied. Ruby and Scarlett decided it was their chair long ago. I'm sure it won't be long before Henry joins them.