TULSA final post of 2011

I have managed to post my TULSA photo around each new moon for 2011, but my ort jar was way too small. I must find a bigger ort jar for 2011. Thanks, Daffycat, for hosting this fun SAL!

Logan's Birth Sampler as of early December

I have been steadly plugging away on Logan's Birth Sampler. The end is in sight!

November Lack of Progress and December Goals

November - Progress (or lack thereof!)
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
LHN ornament All is Calm worked on it
afghan pillow
Logan's birth sampler worked on it
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Photo booth
Baltimore Garden Quilt Border worked on it
Needlepoint hearts
Strawberry #3 finished
Strawberry #4 worked on it
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG

December
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament 2010
Christmas heart canvas ornament 2011
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
LHN ornament All is Calm
afghan pillow
Logan's birth sampler
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Photo booth
Baltimore Garden Quilt Border – finish border
Sue Hillis Seasonal Baskets – stitch border
Needlepoint hearts
Strawberry #4
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG

TUSAL - November

Here is the ort jar as of this new moon, and it's getting really full. I plan to use a bigger jar next year!

Under the Tree....

I finished the stitching on this Little House Needleworks 2010 ornament last month but finally got around to adding the beads recently.

A Finish!

I finished the last square on this design awhile ago but I am finally getting around to posting a picture. This is Happy are the Peacemakers/Piecemakers Quilt Squares by Handblessings designs. It was a series of free charts.

I think I will finish it as a pillow....someday.....

Rest In Peace, Irene

With great sadness, I learned that Irene Forrest passed away yesterday.

I was privileged to have her as a guest in my home a few years ago. Irene, Coral and I spent some fun times together stitching and shopping and eating. I think we went to WalMart at least 4 times in the week she was here, and she was so excited to be there!

She will be missed, but she is no longer suffering or in pain. We will stitch together again, someday......

Update on Logan's Birth Sampler

Lest you think I haven't been stitching.......

Here is Logan's birth Sampler a bit more than 3/4 done. I may have to put this one down a bit to finish up some Christmas stitching, but I am please with my progress.

October progress
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
LHN ornament Under the Tree finished
afghan pillow
Logan's birth sampler worked on it
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Photo booth
Baltimore Garden Quilt Border
Needlepoint hearts I worked on it.
Strawberry #3 worked on it
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG worked on it

November goals
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
LHN ornament
afghan pillow
Logan's birth sampler
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Photo booth
Baltimore Garden Quilt Border
Needlepoint hearts
Strawberry #3
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG

TUSAL

Here are my orts to date. Note to self: get a bigger jar for next year.....

Why I haven't been stitching or blogging

Yesterday, my oldest son, Tony, married his high school sweetheart, Melissa.

The reception was held at Pinstripes; cocktails were on the Bocce Ball court, and after dinner some of the bowling lanes were reserved for the wedding guests. I was the best ma'am.

September Progress October Goals

September
Work on Bavarian Table Topper no
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
work on Logan’s stocking no
Christmas heart canvas ornament no
Work on Cloister garden no
Work on Crystal Iris no
LHN ornament Under the Tree started
Piecemaker’s Quilt square 11 finished
Piecemaker’s Quilt square 12 finished
afghan pillow no
Logan's birth sampler worked on it
Mystery Sampler part 7 no
Quilted wreath ornament no
Photo booth no
Baltimore Garden Quilt Border started
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG worked on it

October
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
LHN ornament Under the Tree
afghan pillow
Logan's birth sampler
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Photo booth
Baltimore Garden Quilt Border
Needlepoint hearts I
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG

TUSAL - September

Here is my Ort jar as of September 27th. I have had to push the ords down to make more room......

One More Needlework Shop

Can you stand one more shop review? On the way home from my Labor Day Weekend trip, I made a quick stop in Berlin, Ohio to meet up with my friend Robin Busch.

We met for breakfast at a cute Amish cafe, and then walked a few doors down to the Stitching House.

Unfortunately, the shop had closed in it's original location and reopened in the lower level of a craft "mall" a few doors down. There was no sigh, we found it by sheer luck. I am told it was quite downsized but they did have some newer charts and a good selection of floss and frames. I loved all the models on the stairway wall.

It was great to see Robin in person after all these year we have known each other on-line!

Another Visit to an LNS

During the Labor Day Holiday weekend, I had a chance to stop in at Cross My Heart in Columbus, Ohio. I have been to that shop many, many times before while my youngest was a student at Ohio State but I never took the time to take any pictures. I have always loved visiting the shop while in Ohio because there I actually had time to go through sales bins, and really check things out. I purchased my very first piece of linen there, got most of my Marbek angels there, and in general, learned alot about stitching there.

It's not a large shop, but it is well organized and carries lots of stock. Lots of new things! The staff has always been very helpful, offering to order and ship anything that wasn't in stock.

I can't show you what I purchased, it's a gift for another stitcher.

Needle Fever

Last Weekend I stopped in at Needle Fever in Indianapolis, IN. It was a delightful shop and I found lots of new charts and books and fabricz to tempt me. Unfortunately I can't show you what I bought, because everthing is for an exchange or a gift.

Meanwhile the new Blogger interface is not cooperating and I can't seem to position the photos and text the way I want......

Peppermint Twist

I finished the stitching on another Little House Needleworks 2010 ornament, this time it is Peppermint Twist.  I just love the candy cane button that finishes it off!

Ornamentification will be at a later date.

In the Home Stretch!

11 quilt blocks done, one more to go!

Frosty Flakes

I finished the stitching of Frosty Flakes, one of Little House Needleworks' 2010 ornament series recently.

It was a quick stitch!  I will wait until they are all done before I begin the ornamentification process.

Square 10

Here is the Piecemaker's Quilt with square 10 stitched....hope to have the last two done this month.

Quilt Square #9 Added

I finished the 9th square of the Piecemaker's Quilt.  I have decided not to wait for next month to do the rest, I want this one finished!

Ta Da!

Here the EMS Rose Sampler all finished! (for the second time!) The first time it was done on 32 count antique white lugana over 2 fabric threads with 2 strands of DMC Variations thread. It was lovely, but too big! I really didn't have anywhere to hang it, so I gave it away to someone who really loves it, and decided to re-stitch it for myself. I felt so called to stitch this because it reminds me of an emboidered cloth that hung in my Grandparents' kitchen. It had the same scalloped edge and the same cabbage roses.

This time I stitching it on 25 count antique white lugana over one fabric thread with the same DMC Variations, but just used one thread. I love how it turned out!

I don't quite know how I will frame it, I may just wait until next May when Welcome Stitchery has their framing sale. But for now I am happy that the stitching is finished! This is one of those cases that there was much joy in the journey, the end result really isn't as important as the journey.

Piecemakers Quilt now with 8 squares

Here is Handblessings Designs' Happy are the Piecemakers/Peacemakers Quilt with 8 of the 12 squares done.

August Progress, September Goals

August Progress
Work on Bavarian Table Topper no
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
work on Logan’s stocking no
Christmas heart canvas ornament no
Work on Cloister garden no
Work on Crystal Iris no
LHN ornament Frosty Flakes -finished
LHN Peppermint Twist finished
Piecemaker’s Quilt square 8 finished
Piecemaker’s Quilt square 9 finished
Piecemaker’s quilt square 10 finished
afghan pillow no
Logan's birth sampler worked on it
Mystery Sampler part 7 no
Quilted wreath ornament no
EMS Rose Sampler part 12 finished
Photo booth no
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG worked on it

September Goals
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
LHN Peppermint Twist
Piecemaker’s Quilt square 11
Piecemaker’s Quilt square 12
afghan pillow
Logan's birth sampler
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Photo booth
Start 15 in January challenge:
January stocking project for ANG

Halloween Ornament Model

I recently stitched this Halloween Ornament model for Sue Hillis. It will be part a leaflet that has not yet been released, with three other ornaments. It is stitched on a piece of fabric hand dyed to look like candy corn and the ornament will be in the shape of a piece of candy corn.

Sue has been working on the fabric itself and has now found a company that will dye it for her and the fabric will be available at your favorite LNS soon. The first two of the candy corn ornaments are already available, and this one will be out soon.

August TUSAL

Oerflowing Ort jar as of the end of August

Disappointing Needlework Shop

I made one last stop on the way home from Memphis at Needlworks in Champagne, Illinois.

The shop itself was interesting, with lots of different levels rooms. There was a large group of knitters at a table happily knitting away. Much of the shop was filled with yarns and knitting and crocheting supplies.

At one end of the shop there were some fibres and Needlepoint supplies, but the area was very untidy. There were labels all over the floor, and it needed a good straighting up and vaccuming.

Way at the other end was a small room of counted cross stitch items. To get to this room you had to go through a framing room that was a mess. I didn't realize customers were allowed in there, but when I asked where the counted cross stitch was, they directed me through that room. The counted cross stitch room was small, with older charts and models. There were some cubes of fabric, but I didn't see anything labeled as to count, and type of fabric. Although I was approached by two different adults and once child asking me if I needed help, I really felt that I was bothering them if I had needed some help.

For the first time in a long time, I left the shop without making a purchase.

A Visit to Stitcher's Express

On my way home from Memphis, I stopped at Stitcher's Express is Mattoon, IL.

This was not my first visit to this shop, but my last visit was before I began my blog, so I thought I would share some photos.













The shop isn't too far off the interstate so it was a perfect opportunity to stop and stretch my legs a bit.



The are lots and lots of charts, many of them newly released.

The shop is quiet but the friendly, and you can browse to your heart's content.

I had done quite a bit of stash shopping on my trip, but managed to find this Country Cottage Needleworks series on the 50% off rack!

Happy Skater Ornament

I recently finished Little House Needlework's Happy Skater ornament to compliment the Merry Skater I did a little while ago.

This one was found in a Just Cross Stitch Ornaments Issue.

Stitching Shop in Memphis

Before I left Memphis, I wanted to visit a Local Needlework Shop (LNS), and found one not too far away from my hotel.

Stitcher's Inc. was a bit out of the way, tucked away behind other offices, but with the help of my trusty GPS (Gabbie Garmin) I found it without too much trouble.


The shop carries both counted cross stitch and needlepoint, and has lots of lovely things to look at. The ladies in the shop were very friendly and helpful.

I spent some time browsing the racks of charts and models on the wall. I had forgotten to print out a shopping list, but remembered a few things on it. Unfortunately, they were out of stock on the charts I was considering for the Secret Sister exchange.


I wanted to kit up the chart pictured here for another exchange and I also needed some 28 count blue fabric. Unfortunately, they don't cut fabric smaller than a fat quarter, and had mostly hand dyed fabric. I managed to get a fat quarter of a blue I liked for myself, and the chart and floss for the exchange. I will find some fabric for it at a later date.

Seeing the Sights in Memphis

I did a few other things while in Memphis, and I thought I would show some of the photos, lest you think I only saw Graceland.















The first stop was Sun Studios, where Elvis made his first recording. It is now a combination gift shop/lunch counter/souvenier recording studio, but historic none the less.

One of the highligts was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Due to privacy issues, we were not able to go into the lobby to see the wonderful mural I have heard so much about, but I was very impressed with this bronze sculpture.

The founder, Danny Thomas and his wife are entombed in the memorial garden.




The garden is a lovely, peaceful place. The entire complex is a tribute to a great man, who gave so much for children.

This larger than life bronze statue of B B King is also at the visitor's center near the one of Elvis.

B B King's restaurant is located on Beale Street, and came highly recommended for lunch.









I had been told to order the ribs, and they were delicious!

After lunch, I went down to the river for a Mississippi river boat ride. Thank goodness for airconditioning!











Even though it was hot, it was a lovely day. Bright and sunny! Did I mention it was hot?

The riverboat ride was very enjoyable, and the naration and historical information was very informative.

34th Anniversary of the Passing of the King

On my recent trip to Branson, I made a slight detour and stopped in Memphis. On my list of things to do in Memphis was a tour of Graceland.

It is fitting that I post these photos today, which is the 34th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing.

The grounds are lovely, and the approach is impressive when you drive up to the house.

The house is smaller than I expected but I was happy to take the tour. The living room and music room beyond are directly to your right when you enter the front door.

The dining room is on the left. I was surprised that Elvis had the same china pattern that I do, a simple white on white design with a silver rim.

In the back of the house is the famous Jungle room.

This is a view of the back of the house from the yard, which is large enough to have a fenced padock for horses.

There is an inviting swimming pool at the side of the house. It was so hot that day, I truly wish I could have taken a dip in the pool!

Beyond the pool was the memorial garden, which is Elvis' final resting place.

RIP Elvis.