Friday, March 25, 2011

A Great Cause

Merumo is hosting a wonderful giveaway to help her people in Japan.  She is giving away amazing miniature quilts that she and others have made.  Please take some time to head over to her blog today or tomorrow ( giveaway ends tomorrow) and see if you are able to lend a helping hand.  Just click on her name and it will take you over to her blog.  Merumo is an amazing stitcher and quilter, I think you will enjoy looking at all the wonderful things she has worked on.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

Sylvia

Sunday, March 20, 2011

You're in the Air Force Now


Our daughter Erika is getting ready to graduate this Summer, and she has finally decided that she will join the Air Force.  We are so happy for her and hope that it will provide her with some great opportunities.

Here are a few pictures from her swearing in which my husband was able to do.

Friends and Family are gathered

" Alright Dad, you are embarrassing me!!"

"... and I will defend my country...."

Hope she is always this happy serving our country.
And its official
We are proud of her.  We have not gotten a departure date yet, but should hear soon as to when she will wing her way back to the US and start basic training.

 After I got the news that Lisa Roswell passed away, I had to put my stitching down and pull out one of her fabulous designs.  I choose Crescent Angel and stitched it over one on 35ct R&R linen - don't know exactly what color.  I wanted to finish it as a hornbook.    So here it is, in honor of Lisa.



I also started on Plum Street's HallowEden.  I chose my own colors from my Hand Dyed Fibers stash.    The 36ct fabric is also from R&R and is a nice vintage blue.  Now the only issue I ran into was that the coverage of the dark thread was a bit skimpy.  Smart little me knew exactly how to solve that problem... I would just stitch the dark parts over one... such a great idea!!!  Ok, you guys can stop laughing now!!


Uh uh, each over two stitch is stitched four times over one....brilliant!!  I think its called, how to make a fairly quick stitch into a really long & a bit excruciating one.  On the other hand, I really love the look of it though.  My sweet little A&E seem to be ready to join a Dia de los Muertos parade.


The over one ornie stitching has also continued.  Here is He's a Flake by LHN.


I used French and Colonial knots instead of beads and like how it looks.  Now, I did have a heck of a time getting the stitches of the white floss to look decent - I frogged and re-stitched so many times... why is that??  Its just the white floss that consistently was a problem.  Anyone have any insights?





 Last but not least, progress was made on ATS - I finally got through the tree and have started with Adam & Eve.  I am working on this piece today and hope to have them both completed.



    Spring has arrived here - thank goodness - I have had it with winter.  I have been trying to diligently spend time in the garden.  This poor garden needs some TLC so badly after almost a decade of neglect.  Its a massive job, but I am trying to make some headway, and hopefully the fruits of my labor will pay off this summer when the flowers will bloom, the vegetables are thriving and the weeds are under control... hey a girl can dream!!
    Until next time,
    Sylvia