Finishes

Things are moving along at quite a clip.  The GS is back in school already.  I do feel like I got a few things done this summer while enjoying beautiful weather.  I dread our usual heat and humidity but this year was near perfect.

The blueberries are done and I picked quite a few.  Here they are ready to go into the freezer.  We (my husband) replaced 5 bushes this year.  My picking was limited to three bushes.  As the new ones from last year and this year grow and mature, there will be 12 bushes to pick from.  No blueberry boy bait this year but I see a pie in the future.

I finished two of the summer kits I got in mail from the kit 'club'.  They just need filled up and closed with the huge bag of crushed walnut shells I got from Amazon.  I couldn't find any in my local pet stores and I got tired of running around looking for them so, Amazon came through.  Next year I will have decorations all ready for the 4th.

I completed my last kit offering for the 'club' and sent them off this week to the other members.  Here it is before assembly so you can see the back.  I did not pad them with fleece but with flannel instead.  I didn't want a puffy look.  The school (house) shapes are boards from Red Lead.  The have all kinds of neat things I use. This is a La-D-Da freebie with the called for GA threads.  I subbed red for the flag stripes since the chart called for the cinnamon that the school was stitched in. The linen is 32 count LL vintage autumn gold.

Here it is all complete.  I didn't know what to put in that roof peak.  I wandered around a couple of places and ended up finding clock faces at Hobby Lobby.  Everyone got a different one.

Here they are being packed up.

I completed another project bag.  I found this pattern on another road trip with Diane and Toni.  This time we headed to the Chicago area.  It was a whirlwind of cross stitch stores and quilt shops.  House of Stitches, Welcome Stitchery, Inspired Needle, Material Girl, Thimbles.  Lordy, I was tired on that last day.  We also stopped at 2 or 3 pet stores looking for lizard litter aka crushed walnut shells.  Now you know why I gave up and ordered from Amazon.  Anyway, Diane was a great host for the kit 'club' so, I wanted to make her something a little special.  This is a nice big project bag 14 X 17. The instructions left a little to be desired but I just went with it and wrote my own notes for the next time, 'cause I bought material on our trip to make a bunch more.  Crazy me.

Here's the back with a cool pocket.  Oh, and that fuzzy stuff, is corded fringe yarn left over that made a cool zipper pull.

I've been plugging away on my Quaker Challenge for the guild too and I'm happy to say they are both complete.  Yeah.  Onto other stitching.

This is my Midnight Stitching - Quaker Row.  Stitched on 28 count Vintage Light Exampler from Lakeside Linens with Gumnuts Wool that I found at Stitchville USA on that other trip with Diane to MN.  It's at the framers now.

It was something different that I really enjoyed.  I have another sampler all kitted up with wool and 28 ct linen.  Someday....

Not a great picture, but you get the idea.  Here is La-D-Da's Live Love Laugh with the called for threads (Gloriana silks, 3 colors).  Probably a 36 ct. linen since that's my favorite.

They will be going to other homes probably since they are not colors that I like a whole lot.  We'll see.

I have other things to share but I think that's enough for one day.  Gotta work all weekend.  Yuck.  But that's what pays for the exciting quilt and cross stitch expeditions.

Happy Stitching!

Marsha

This past weekend I went to an all day stitch-in with the Tiara group. I don't get to stitch with them often so it was a nice change to sit and stitch all day. We had lunch at Max & Erma's and then right back to the clubhouse to stitch some more. A shout out to Pam for hosting us. Here are some of the finishes

Pam stitched this Quaker and the cat. Isn't it great?! She's working on Mary Wigham and Spring Ritual. She loves those quakers.

Look at this awesome Santa Claus. It's even more impressive in person. She plans to have it done by Christmas.

And here are a couple more.







With My Needle pieces, done by Lyn. A Just Nan piece (in pink) by Rita. I don't know who did the quilt piece or who it's by but it's beautiful.


I keep writing that I'll show my WIP. I finally took pictures yesterday. Sorry they aren't the greatest. The main piece/s I'm working on are for my class in July. This is what it will look like when completed

It is slow going. Lots of over one. Here is some progress.
We don't have to have it all complete. Once we put the button box together, we'll know how to put the toy chest together. It will be really nice when done. Other projects I am working on are Sarah Owens

From Sea to Shining Sea
Beneath the Sunlit Sky







And when I need some easy stitching, Joyful Summer. If you're familiar with this pattern you can see the big mistake, but I refuse to rip out that huge green leaf at the bottom. I'll fudge the chart a little later. I love the colors in this one.

Two more days and I can share the Christmas in July swap. I can't wait to open the package sent by Sharon over at Quilting With A Marmalade Cat.

Today's my birthday so it's particularly hard not to open it.
Marsha