Wishing you and your’s a very Happy Thanksgiving!
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I am so sorry I’ve fallen behind on blogging yet again . . . So let’s brew a cup of tea and catch up on this past month! I looked up from cooking one chilly evening and found Merlin “supervising” dinner preparations. Actually I think he was trying to warm up by the stove – the down side to having a counter right above it. Needless to say after the picture was taken he promptly lost his “hot spot”. But it is so darn cute the way he tucks in his front paws and rests on his elbows like he’s ready for a long chat! That little guy makes me smile!
Last month was my birthday, and I had some wonderful gifts from friends that I want to share with you. Betty made me another beautiful dollie. She does such beautiful work on these sweet prairie dolls! Love the pretty pumpkin apron on my witchy dollie! Thank you Betty I absolutely love her. And the darling owl ornament next to her is from my dear friend Murf! It is just so pretty and what a neat finish with the leaf buttons holding the ribbon in each corner! What a clever idea! Thank you so much Murf, you’ve got me thinking about an owl tree. Now wouldn’t that be a hoot! ; )
Lavon indulged me with a wonderful Halloween surprise as my birthday gift. Check out this cat masquerading as a bat and the perfect metal wreath she found to set it off! Thank you so much!!! Is this too cool or what?!!
Next is a lovely gift from Sharyn! She got me the original H is for Horse model from Carriage House Samplings Alphabet Blocks! I’ll really treasure this horse Sharyn, thank you! And love the book of days and journal as well! She and her hubby recently came back from an Alaskan cruise and they also picked me up a cookbook. We know how I enjoy recipes! These look yummy Sharyn, many thanks! I can’t wait to try some of them!
My friend Sue T. always finds the coolest Acorn gifts each year for my birthday. This year it’s an Acorn candle holder and a placemat to set if off nicely. She also found the spookiest Halloween dish towel!! Thanks so much Sue! You know how much I like acorns!
And then here’s the Halloween Block for STO’s exchange for September that I stitched up! I had a lot of fun with this Haunted House! I am definitely redoing this one for myself sometime!
And speaking of Halloween, I did a private exchange with my online stitchy friend Paula and here’s what she sent me. Love the Witch ornament! What a beautiful finish!! And thank you so much for all the wonderful goodies you tucked in the envelope!
This is a close up of the ornament! Isn’t it perfect for a Halloween tree?!!
Paula’s exchange is about to go to the post office. Hope she likes her package! Last year she asked about an OOP design I stitched up for a tree block exchange and it was a haunted tree! So this year I emailed her and asked if she wanted to do an exchange for that little ornament for her Halloween tree. I’ll upload the pic when she receives it.
I’m also in the Prairie Schooler Halloween Ornament Exchange that I’ll be able to physically do the exchange rather than mail it. Paula S. lives in Wichita and we’ll meet Thursday for lunch and exchanging! So watch for those pics later this week as well. Excited to get to meet another fellow stitcher!
Speaking of fellow stitchers (and a sweet designer friend), I got to spend some time visiting with Betty last month during the Market Party at Heart’s Desire and checking out her trunk show there as well. It’s going on until the end of October so if you’re in the area you should stop by to see it and stash some too. What a plan!
Last week was Bethel College concerts. Both Orchestra, in which Liann plays cello, and Wind Ensemble in which hubby plays a euphonium as a community member. So we were busy with music. This week Liann has her HS Orchestra concert and is rehearsing with the Newton Mid Kansas Symphony Orchestra whose concert is this coming Sunday! Not to mention this is her final year with the Wichita Youth Symphony, and she plays in the Bethel College Cello Quartet. It’s her senior year and she’s looking at colleges for music education and performance. Yup, it’s busy!
I have been enjoying the cooler weather for some baking! Made my first batch of pumpkin nut bread, and over the weekend I baked some Toll House Chocolate Chip cookies. We had a family gathering last night and everyone still found room after the meat stuffed shells, homemade bread and salad to help finish off the cookies! I think I’ll bake an apple bread that I got the recipe from Betty next!
On that note I think it’s time to get some stitching done and some finishes as well. I have models in the works and trying a rotation of personal stitching time too. I’ll leave you with another picture of my “helper”, Merlin hasn’t outgrown getting into things yet, but do think he’s outgrown the trash can by my desk! Thanks so much for visiting with me and enjoy the rest of your day!
Posted in Cooking and Baking, Stitching, Tea time | 4 Comments »
I’m happy to announce I have three new releases for Market. My designs will be at both Hoffman Distributing’s booth and Norden Craft’s booth. Norden Crafts is graciously taking my models to St Charles so stop by their booth if you are a shop or online shop and would like to see them.
The first design is Quaker Welcome. I love how warm this turned out.
My next one is Quaker Acorns I! Just in time for Fall with swirling leaves, squirrel, owl, pumpkins, and my favorite - acorns!
And the last release is Quaker Acorns II. More on the Halloween side with the Jack O’Lantern and Pumpkin Star.
Many thanks to Lavon Moffat and Marilyn Ferlitsch for model stitching AND finishing their acorn models. Murf (Marilyn) stitched up Quaker Acorn Pumpkin Star and matched up a piece of star fabric to the WDW Whiskey to make a perfect match and gorgeous tuck! Thank you so much Murf! Lavon stitched both Pumpkin Owl and Jack o’Lantern (the jack o lantern on black fabric I might add) and finished them into a needlebook and pinkeep. I still can’t get over the ribbon work on the pinkeep. Thanks so much Lavon! You both are just awesome! And the Acorn Squirrel? That was my model stitching and cube finish.
Thank you all for stopping by and hope you have a great evening!
Posted in My Designs | 11 Comments »
I am thinking that it’s a great day for finishing up some models, working on new designs and having a plan! Sitting with my cup of tea looking over the soy beans in the neighboring field, checking the woods for the little deer that visits (saw a deer and her fawn instead), and watching the kittens playing in the yard. It’s peaceful right now. School starts in three weeks, Liann will be a senior in high school. Where has time gone? Summer is almost done. I haven’t managed to ride Ras much so far this summer either.
Wanted to share a picture of something that I never thought would happen! Check out Merlin sleeping with Buddy! Too cute!! Buddy loves kittens and cats.
Later in the day the two of them took another nap together. It’s sweet how those two have made friends.
I am sorry this is short but I need to finish this model to take to the framer tomorrow. That’s the plan or should I say that’s my goal. Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!
Posted in Family, Tea time | 7 Comments »
Thought I’d share my Blackbird Design stocking finish for the Quaker Exchange! I also decided to stitch on the back of the stocking as well. Think for the first one put together it turned out well. I happened to be lucky enough to be able to hand deliver this exchange piece and wish I had a pic of Judy’s expression when she realized she got the Quaker Stocking! She looooved it (her favorite way of saying she really really liked it) and I just about had to pry it out of her hands to show Marcia during our monthly stitch in. Glad to know she was that excited about receiving this piece!
And here is what I did for the back of the stocking!
This was really a fun stitch! Am looking forward to the Halloween Stockings they plan to release and will pick one of those to work on next! Yes I’m in Fall and Halloween stitching mode. The weather has been much cooler these last couple of days and the mornings have felt like Autumn.
Liann had her Chamber Music at the Barn Concert this morning. The setting was like being in a botanical garden, just beautiful. What a fun way to start the day today. I’m sure you’re all saying, ok, so where are the pics of the gardens? I wasn’t that altogether this morning when we left and the camera was sitting on my desk! Guess I just wanted to say how proud we are of her and all the chamber players. Awesome concert!
Here’s a shot of Merlin that was too cute to pass up. Wonder if he thinks he’s guarding the cat food?
Kittens grow so fast!
Hoping you’re all having a wonderful weekend! I’m off to read a little before turning in! I’m working on James Rollins’ new book The Doomsday Key. As always he’s keeping me in suspense with another Sigma Force book. Love his style of writing.
Thank you for stopping by and have a good night!
Posted in Reading, Stitching | 3 Comments »
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July weekend! Enjoy your family and friends, and find a little time for some patriotic stitching!
Posted in Tea time | 5 Comments »
Yes. . . Merlin has found no-no land, my loft office! The plant is now doomed and I also have to remember to put my stitching away and leave no papers, charts, or anything for his brother Gandalf to shred. Never a dull moment with these two. But kittens do steal your heart. Look at that innocent face!
It’s been very hot here, way too early for 100+ degrees in June. We’ve spent our month doing WSU’s Summer Symphony Orchestra with rehearsals two night a week and the concert was last Thursday. The Summer Symphony group was a mixture of students who play in Wichita Youth Symphony (which is how Liann was invited to play), college musicians, and adults.
They played several excellent pieces. The Wasps Overture, Elgar’s Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in E Minor and then Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. The concert was incredible. Their guest cellist was Timothy Archbold from Australia. So talented. It was a pleasure to listen to his solo in Elgar’s piece.
I finished stitching my Blackbird’s March Quaker Stocking for the Quaker Exchange on STO. Now I just have to finish it into a stocking this week before I mail it off to my exchange partner.
I hope the instructions are easy to work with and that I can find beads close enough in color to the thread to make the hanger. Stay tuned!
Have you ever noticed how comfortable cats look when they sleep? Here’s Jacqui . . .
Sunning in the window by my desk. Just looking so relaxed. And then there’s Merlin. . .
I was trying to figure out how he could be comfortable with his legs on the doggie bed and his body sliding off into the cushion of the sofa. He loves to stretch out.
Notice one chair wasn’t enough to nap on with Gandalf. Merlin used two chairs to spread out on! He really makes me laugh.
These last pics make me realize it’s almost midnight and I need to get some sleep. Off to gather up the four legged family and read a bit before I doze off. Thanks for stopping by!!
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Wow, I know it’s been really busy but I didn’t think it’s been months since I posted last until my friend Adele emailed me and said “where are you?”, good question! We were in the midst of KMEA State competitions (Liann got a 1 – way to go Li), music recitals, High School Orchestra, invited to several graduation parties, and now Bethel College Music Camp. Liann’s also playing in WSU’s Summer Symphony Orchestra and the music they are working on is awesome! So we’re still music busy. So much for the theory of a summer break.
This is a picture of their last HS Orchestra Concert played at the Indian Center. Liann is the first chair cellist to the conductor’s right. What a great concert! The graduating seniors had solos they performed during this concert and we were so proud of them. Next year will be Liann’s turn as she’s a senior in August.
And then look at this face. . .
How do you not want to spend all your time snuggling with him? Meet Merlin! Or sometimes known as Merlin the “monster”. And this is all another story in itself. . . I know how I lost a lot of time. . . His mother, Midnight, was hurt when he and his brother Gandalf (yes pure grey and I call them the Wizard Boys) were only three weeks old, so this was five weeks ago. Liann came in and said Midnight had some scratches on her belly! So we went and looked at Midnight and what was “scratches” was actually cuts into her belly and she was in very bad shape. We rushed her to the vet’s on a Saturday afternoon who said we’d have to leave her over the weekend. Picked her up that Monday to find she had been lucky to make it, had lots of stitches, and would have to be inside. The bad news, she couldn’t nurse the babies. I’d already coaxed Ewok to nurse the boys and felt guilty because she was in the process of weaning Silver, Pippin and Tux. Both Mom’s had been nursing each other’s kittens off and on and playing nursery duty, so she did ’step up to the plate’ and took care of them. However she also tired of this rather quickly. Merlin was the smallest of the two and we adopted him into the house and I took over feeding and taking care of him. We quickly learned he is quite the little personality! In the middle of all this, we started to take runs to the vet to neuter seven cats, house cats and “barn” cats! The girls needing to be inside to get well. So it’s been the revolving door for the kitties! But it’s all done, all the boys and girls are fixed. My Jacqui and Midnight included. I have four kittens to give away, Merlin is mine! Two long haired and two short haired. Here is a pic of Merlin “sleeping” on Gandalf until I showed up with the camera, they are just too cute and so much fun to watch!
To quote my friend Monique as I noticed her saying this on her blog just the other day, ”I really have been stitching” ! I did manage to stitch up the Cat Block for the STO block exchange in April. It’s a Brittercup kitty and stitched up really quickly during one of our monthly stitch in’s. I had almost finished the entire piece at Marcia’s that evening.
May found me really working on my models and I have several going. I know I’ve lost track of time, I also know I haven’t felt too well since the surgery in February and I suddenly realized I was way behind my goals for this year. During May’s stitch in I started my quaker piece for the STO Quaker Exchange so here’s the WIP of that, which by the way, I also worked on Tuesday during June’s stitch in that I hosted. It’s one of Blackbird Design’s March Stockings. What a great stocking series they have going! And I can tell you it’s a quick stitch, I’ve only spent two stitch in evenings with the girls to get this far. I’m stitching it on 30 ct Murano with GAST Sarsaparilla. Of course I can’t wait for another stitch in, it needs to be done and put together by the end of this month. I’ll share the finish with you then!
I also stitched up this Stacy Nash Primitives design. It’s her Early Style Alphabet Pin Cushion but I’ve played with it some and made changes, and still might do something more across the bottom or just let it be and finally frame it. Of course I started this as my Saturday morning project in September while Liann was rehearsing at Wichita Youth Symphony so it’s been a long WIP for what should have been a quick stitch. Youth Symphony ended in March and I only finished it last month when I saw it was just a few more stitches. Ok, maybe more than a few stitches, the urn that I changed and the V and Z that had to be moved to make room for the U.
I have to share a gift my friend Margit sent me. I love happy mail! A lovely lavender filled sachet. Love it! I cut flowers from my garden today to make this small bouquet, roses, columbine, and lavender, and it just matched perfect with it! What a sweet surprise! Thank you Margit!
Speaking of flowers I did take pictures last week to share of my small gardens. The bleeding hearts did well this year.
And here are some pics of the columbine. I love all the colors!
So you can see the shade garden is happy and doing well. I have lilacs that I rooted that probably need to be moved as they are getting too big for this flower bed. And the red roses in front really filled out! Next Spring we’ll add something more to this spot.
I’ve been baking alot as with each recital it seems my brownies are a big request! In fact I brought them to two graduation parties as well. Liann’s German friend, an exchange student this year, came with her mother for dinner end of May before going back to Germany and it was such a lovely visit. They happened to love Italian food and we all know I really enjoy cooking it so that worked out great. I baked foccacia, made my homemade meatballs for my spaghetti sauce, Liann made a salad, and I finished the meal off with a pumpkin roll filled with a cream cheese filling. This past Tuesday I hosted the monthly stitch in and the gals were treated to my meat sauce over shells, homemade bread, and a fresh blueberry cake. Last night we had a music friend over, our bbq plans washed away with the drizzly day so homemade whole wheat rolls, spaghetti, and chocolate chip shortbread ended up on the menu. We also had a fun evening of rummy cube! All in all it’s been a busy and fun week that will continue with more music events in the next few days.
I also need to update my Gallery! I will let you know in the next post what’s been uploaded. Thank you everyone for sending pictures in of your Midnight Stitching finishes! I love seeing them and sharing them with everyone! And thank you for your patience while time slipped away from me.
Enjoy your evening! I leave you with yet more cat pictures. I managed to snap Merlin napping and snuck up on JJ on the deck, not an easy feat I might add. Thanks for stopping by!!
Posted in Stitching, Tea time | 9 Comments »
“This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.”
Thank you, I am so honored Lynda!! I am asked to pass this along to eight other bloggers. I love everyone’s blog that I visit. You are all so talented, your finishes amaze me, and I enjoy sharing in your lives.
I wanted to share some finished Midnight Stitching projects sent to me! I love this creative finish for Quaker Faith Hope Love by Sally! Just beautiful!
And this is Lavon’s finish of Friends in Stitches, an STO Class piece I taught last October at their Retreat. This turned out so pretty!
Thanks so much for letting me share these pieces with everyone!! I always enjoy seeing anyone’s finish of my designs.
It’s after midnight and I’m realizing it’s Easter! Shortly I will be baking my Creme Caramel French Toast for breakfast and making a Lemon Gooey Cake to take to the family Easter celebration at my in law’s.
I leave you with a picture of the tulips blooming at Friend’s University. Liann had a cello master class with Ruslan Biryukov Thursday and the flowers just called to me.
I wish you all a day full of sunshine, family, friends, happiness, love and easter goodies! Happy Easter dear friends!
Posted in Cooking and Baking, My Designs, Tea time | 3 Comments »
