Sunday, June 26, 2011

Just Make Yourself at Home

I was planning to stitch all afternoon, but I made the mistake of going down to my workbench for "just a minute". I ended up spending the afternoon working on crochet stitch markers, scissor fobs, and counting pins! Apparently, Otis missed me. I turned around to move some things to the photo station and this pile of old towels was on the floor and Otis had settled himself on the shelf from which he'd removed the towels. Now he has a little nest. I can't bring myself to put them back.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Did I Really Complain about Cold Weather this Winter?

Summer is definitely here. I am so thankful to live in this technologically advanced era with AIR CONDITIONING! God bless the man who invented it. It's so hot and muggy that Lester lays on the a/c vent and Otis is spread eagle on the hardwood to maximize skin to floor contact. I used to think I was an old soul and would've appreciated life in the 18th century (except for that indoor plumbing thing), but every summer I remember why I'm so glad to be a 20th/21st century woman. Who could possibly stitch in this miserable heat...and by candlelight too?! Ben Franklin is my hero. 

I'm still as boring as I was ten days ago, but I have made some progress on "Cotillion". At this point, all the major motifs are done and I just have to fill in the smaller pieces in the bottom third.

I still haven't chosen my next project, but I can guarantee that it will be a band sampler. Enough of these motif samplers. I need some symmetry and logic to soothe my brain.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Time Flies

It's been pretty hectic around here for a couple of weeks, so I really hadn't noticed how long it's been since I last blogged. But when asked today what I was stitching "because you haven't posted anything in TWELVE days", I decided to post my updated "Cotillion". I love the colors and it's moving along nicely, but I'm ready to do a band sampler with some intricate stitching and some cutwork or pulled work next. Can you believe I'm planning my next project and I'm barely halfway done with this one?

My local shopowner went to the TNNA market in Columbus, OH this weekend and I covered the shop for a couple of days. I'd forgotten how mentally taxing it is for me to be nice to everyone for eight hours, three times in one week! And once I got home I was too tired to stitch which means I didn't get my daily dose of stitch therapy, so it was a double whammy.  I haven't spent any time designing for the Etsy shop in a couple of weeks either so this week is devoted to getting back to normal. My husband has settled into a routine and I've adjusted to doing his little chores (mostly) so I'm no long living on the edge of insanity. (No snickering, please.)

Maybe I'll even have something interesting to blog about soon. I realize my life is pretty boring...and I like it that way.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

BIG Finish!

Just wanted to share my Moroccan sampler. It is framed and already hanging on the wall! The frame is a little rustic and has a simple carved pattern that I thought suited the piece well.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A Little Piece of Normal

It was so nice to be able to have stitch group again. My husband is managing quite well since his foot surgery and I'm comfortable leaving him to his own devices for a while. So, even though several of the regulars are out of town or under the weather, a few of us managed to make it and had a great time. If you are part of a regular group like this you know how valuable that time together is. The group becomes an extension of your family and you're always anxious to find out what's new, how things are going in their lives, and especially what the current stitching projects look like!  So we heard about G.'s trip to Italy, marveled over J.'s lovely painted cover of a photo album for her future daughter-in-law, grieved for one of our 'sisters' loss, and just shared a couple of hours of friendship.  All in all a wonderful night.
Between helping a couple of ladies with their "Catrina's Christmas" by Keslyn, I worked on "Cotillion" by Papillon.