Meet Mary Roe 1808

I'm very happy to show you Mary Roe 1808.  The chart is now available.  I am distributed through both Hoffman Distributing and Norden Crafts, so shops may order through them, as well as directly from me.  I stitched the model on 36ct. vintage Meadow Rue from Lakeside Linen with Belle Soie silk.  The verse is over one, and the mounds at the bottom were done in rice stitch.  It was so fun to do the rice stitch, and I love how they stand out.

The antique was found quite by accident.  I was actually looking at another one, and spotted Mary hiding behind it.  I'm so happy that I didn't overlook her, as she was pure joy to reproduce.  Little Mary must have had a colorful, vivid imagination.  The quirky and primitive people just make me smile.  And who can resist the sheep and the little black and white dog?  Scarlett insists that it's a Boston Terrier.

Thanks so much for the sweet comments about little Rowan.  She is much better, and over that virus.

ORTS and ENDS Box

I'm excited to show you my new release called "ORTS and ENDS".  It's a stitched top for a 4x4 paper mache box that will hold all those little thread pieces that we stitchers like to collect.  I'm sure that I'm not the only one who likes to watch my orts accumulate.  They eventually get scattered in my back yard for the birds to use in their nests.  In the meantime, I enjoy watching them multiply, for some odd reason.  You get it, I know you do.  Maybe it's our proof that we are accomplishing something.

I chose to simply paint the box, rough it up a bit with sandpaper, then apply a thin coat of antiquing.  You can get much more creative by faux painting, sponging or graining the box.  It would even be cute decoupaged with scrapbook paper.  I chose a simple cording that I found at Hobby Lobby to wrap around the piece.  Thank you once again to the very talented Vonna for her finishing.  She has graciously provided a tutorial for you here.

The frame for Mary Roe 1808 is in, so as soon as I can get her framed and the charts finalized, she will be available.  I've started another reproduction from my collection called Jane Hopkins 1801.  After she is ready, I think I'll get back to some stitching for myself.  While reorganizing my charts last weekend, I was reminded at how many things I want to stitch.  Never enough hours in the day.   

Here is my sweet granddaughter Rowan Elizabeth who turns one tomorrow. Isn't she pretty in pink?

Unfortunately, her birthday party has to be postponed until she and her siblings get over a virus.

Grandma loves you, baby girl!

Stitching friends gone wild weekend at the Attic's Sampler Symposium

The calm before the storm.  No, that's not true...nobody got carried away (except for the shopping and stash enhancing), or did anything scandalous.  We would have all ended up in the pokey if there was a law against laughing though, as there was a whole lot of that going on.  The weekend was fabulous in every way.  Here they are enjoying my patio and some warm sun before we headed up for the first class.  We stopped for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then it was off to the Attic for some shopping and major enabling. 

Here's Jen, Karin, and Katrina doing what they do best.  Between these three, it's a wonder any linen was left.  OK, I remember getting some awesome cuts too, so all was good.

Here is Paulette during her project presentation.  The tilted head, and the LOOK was directed at me for taking her picture.  She even yelled at me, lol.  I regret that I didn't get photos of the other guests who's class projects were really wonderful.  Paulette and Katrina have some beautiful photos on their blogs, so please check them out.  I was in the early stage of a nasty sinus infection, and I was too busy popping cough drops and antibiotics. 

Here is Jean showing off Paulette's finished piece, which I love, love, love.  Jean, you should always wear that color, it looks great on you!

This is our group photo.  From left to right in back are Jen, Katrina, Natalia, Sylvia, and Karin.  Paulette and I are in the front.  I miss my girls, and can't wait to get together again.  If you've ever considered attending the Attic's Sampler Symposium, do it!  It's a wonderful event at a terrific location.  The accommodations were great, the food was great, the guest designers and projects were great, the gifts were great (thanks again to Mr. Jean, as I like to call John).  It was all, well ... really GREAT!

Exciting weekend ahead...

I have been a busy gal, trying to finish the model for Miss Mary Roe, and getting ready for some special guests that are arriving tomorrow.  Six pals are coming from all over to attend the 

Sampler Symposium at The Attic this weekend.  It is going to be a crazy fun time.  There will be lots of chatting, shopping, an outing for dinner here, and plenty of stitching.  I have my camera ready to catch the girls in action for future blog posts.

Mary is a bright sampler, and a fun stitch.  I have the verse to finish, charts to finalize, and she'll be ready.  I'm shooting for late January.

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke Correction

It has been brought to my attention that there is a mistake on Sarah's chart.  Somehow the bird in the middle of the two purple faced people lost his tail and part of the wing.   Also, the vase has some missing symbols, which happen to be the same color.  The graph below shows the way it is supposed to be charted.  I am so sorry for the confusion and inconvenience.  If you have any questions, please email me.

"Tis the season...

for a little decorating around the house.  I'm going to apologize in advance for showing similar photos from year to year, but I pretty much stick with the same thing.  Plus, I know that some of you might be new visitors, so maybe you will enjoy them.  The rest of you...just bear with me, okay?

Our home is small, so I try to keep it fairly simple.  My attempt at creating a colonial feel here in the desert.  Sprigs of greenery tucked here and there.

I found this driftwood Santa in Iowa. He looks like he has a really bad back ache.  I have a thing for skinny Santa's.  No roly poly guys need apply.

More greenery amongst some red ware.

These gentlemen are definite repeats.  I know I show my collection of  Eldreth Pottery Santas every year, but I only get to display them for such a short time.  Hey, there's a chubby Santa in the front row...how did he get in there?

One of my favorite Christmas stitches, Blessings be Thine from Blackbird Designs.  I'm almost tempted to leave it out all year.  You know that weakness I have for canning jars.  I can't take credit for putting this together.  Another Iowa find, and it was in my arms in a split second.

These primitive stars are just the thing for my kitchen counter.

What few snowmen I have seem to end up in the guest bath. 

This is a new display for me.  Several of you inspired me to fill a dough bowl with some smalls.  It's a start.  The sweet little oval box with the silhouette was a gift from a dear friend who knows me well. 

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  May your holiday be filled with comfort and joy.

Hannah Tingey 1823

I'm pleased to present my new release, the Hannah Tingey 1823 reproduction sampler.  For the model,  I used 45ct. vintage Butter Cream from Lakeside Linen and Needle Point, Inc. silk.  A   conversion to DMC is provided with the chart.  The verse and Hannah's name and date are stitched over one. 

Little Hannah must have been a bird lover, as she chose to stitch 14 of them on her sampler.  I enjoy feeding the birds that come to our yard, so naturally I was excited to reproduce it.  The verse is particularly meaningful.