Sew Ezy Quilt Shop

 Right next door to Keepsakes, is this charming little quilt shop.  Sue and I stopped in because she needed some fabric.

All the fabrics were yummy, but I don't quilt......













But I did find this cute fox buttons.  I bought several packages for Miss Marguerite to turn into needle minders....our Needlepoint guild is the Fox chapter of ANG so anything with foxes is very popular

A Visit with Sue

 I had the pleasure of stay with Sue Hillis and her husband while I was in Cincinnati a few weeks ago.  This is the guest room.  I needed a ladder to get into bed!

 
 



Here is Miss Lucy, one of Sue's kitties.  She kept me company while I was stitching in Sue's studi0.

Sue and her husband mentioned that they couldn't get any good German food in the area, so I went shopping

And then made them dinner!

Labor Day Festivities

My reason for being in Cincinnati was to attend the National Donauschwaben gathering that takes place every Labor Day.  This is the first time it has ever rained on our parade! 

 Hard to get the entire group in to the picture, but there were lots of children, youth and adults in attendance.

 My favorite part is watching the children dance!

Keepsakes Needlework Shop

 While at Sue's, we visited Keepsakes, a wonderful shop with lots and lots of models.  It was hard to take it all in!

August Progress, September Goals

Had a good amount of stitching time in August, but won't have quite as much in September, things are getting busy with the start of school.  Want to be sure and finish a stocking before Christmas, so it will remain my focus piece.

August

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking worked on it
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts
Candy Corn #1 finished
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin
Patriotic Heart finished
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

September

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking 
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Witch hat 1
Witch hat 2 
Witch hat 3
Witch hat 4
Witch hat 5
Witch hat 6
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 

Lots and Lots of Jam

 Hello blogging buddies!  I haven't been getting as much stitching done because I have been jammin' a lot this summer.  So far I have made 368 jars of jam and 10 jars of salsa....and I am not done yet!

Thanks to my daughter-in-law's sister, Christy Schubkegel, for helping me with the labels.  They look so pretty! 

I am hoping to sell some of the jam with a portion of the proceeds going to German School.

Sunday Brunch

Sunday brunch at Casa Rill with my brother and his family and one of my sons and his family.   First on the brunch menu are Cream Cheese Lemonaide Blackberry filled crepes.  They were yummy!

 Also on the menu was a large German Apple Pancake, not much left.

 For those who wanted something plainer, Palachinka (Hungarian style crepes) just like my Oma used to make.  Only two left from a very big stack.

And for the kids (and big kids) chocolate chip waffles. 



Most of the food has been consumed, the dishwasher is running and I am going to take a nap.

One Candy Corn Done, One More to Go!

This month, our own Miss Missy, showed us this really cute candy corn piece at our ANG guild meeting.  We were supposed to do one on the piece of canvas and trace the outlines of the sections onto the canvas.  Being the rebel that I am, I fit two (count 'em, two!) on the piece of  canvas and started stitching.  I wasn't liking the coverage on the orange section so I found some sharpies and colored the canvas.  I liked it better.  Now one is stitched and the other will be started soon.  Not sure if I will finish it as two separate pieces or both front and back on the same one.  Not sure if it will be an ornament or stand up either.  I have a bit of time before Halloween.

Patriotic Heart Finish

On Saturday, during class, while everyone was busy stitching on the Fall Heart, I had a little down time.  When I wasn't rushing from one stitcher to the next, answering questions or helping with a stitch, or setting up lunch, or cleaning up after said lunch, I found I could put in a stitch or two.....but I already stitched the fall heart....so I started the Patriotic Heart!  Finished it today after a quick trip to Welcome Stitchery for a button and some silver Kreinik #8.  It will be next year's Saturday stitching day project, and I am ahead of the game!

Saturday Stitching

 This Saturday, I had the pleasure of teaching a project to a group of ladies from our EGA chapter.  There were 18 ladies in attendance to work the The Fall Heart by Sekas & Company.   I put a lot of work into this class.  Besides stitching the sample, I ordered all the supplies, edged all the fabric, put all the kits together, planned the menu for breakfast and lunch, picked up all the food, ..well you get the picture. 

 
 









The ladies all seemed to enjoy the class and we had a great time stitching together.  Lots of laughter and fun besides the instruction.

 

 

Marguerite got the most done, and she plans to have it finished to give as a gift by the end of the weekend. 

 

This is the finished piece that I stitched as a sample.  Next year we will do the Patriotic Heart!



Happy World Cross Stitch Day!

Back to Baking

I haven't baked in forever!  So, this weekend, I decided to bake.  Boy was I out of practice.  My trusty Kitchenaide Mixer and I forgot how to get along, and I ended up with batter all over the kitchen and me, in my hair,....well, it wasn't pretty.

But, I did manage to make this strawberry cake with strawberry sauce.  Took it over to John's Saturday to have after dinner.  He loved it!  This recipe (found in facebook - Easy Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Sauce) is a keeper!

WIP Wednesday, 8-2-2017

I have been steadily working on the Santa Train Stocking by Stoney Creek all week, and will continue for awhile.  It may not look like much progress since last Wednesday, but with all the color changes and details and metalics, I really did get a lot stitched. 

Now that the Jars are here.....

...I made more jam!  I made a batch of plain peach, because it has always been my favorite.  Then I made two batches of apricot.  I forgot how much I like apricot jam, and the homemade is sooooo much better than store bought!  It is my new favorite.  (Okay, every time I make a new jam, it becomes my new favorite..)  I still want to make watermelon jam, and then I need to figure out what variety of plum is best for plum jam.....

July Progress and August Goals

Lots of stitching time in July, and in addition, I made a lot of jam!  Additionally, whittling the list of WIPs down, not as any now, and hopefully even fewer next month

July

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking worked on it
Pacific Heart 
A Present for Sewing Well finished

Maynia Starts

Spring Banner  finished
Afternoon in London  finished
Perpetual Calendar
       #4 School Daze  finished

Future New starts
#1 Easter House  finished
#2 Blossom House finished  
#3 Quilt House  finished
Merry Bells #1  worked on it
#4 Liberty House finished
#5 School House  finished
#6 Apple House finished
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin
Patriotic Heart
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 

August

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking 
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin
Patriotic Heart
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 

 

 

 

A Jam Session Dilema

At the beginning of the weekend, I realized that I have used up all the fresh fruit that I had in the house, but I still had empty jars.....so .....I went out and bought more fruit and got busy making more jam.  I made a bunch of Cherry Vanilla, some plain Strawberry and some Blueberry Lemon.   I still have more fruit, but now I ran out of jars!  I ordered some more (they are on sale on the Ball site, sale ends today, and I got free shipping).  Jars should be here tomorrow.

I also ran out of labels.  I could have picked up some more, but I wanted some prettier labels.  I found the right size and shape and ordered them from Wal-Mart on line, and will be picking the up today.  A friend is helping me design some pretty labels so my jars of jam will be very well dressed soon!

Another Jam Session

More Jam......Lots of Christmas Jam (Strawberry and Cranberry) and some Orange Marmalade.  I still want to make some Watermelon Jam and want to try Pepper Jam, too!

WIP Wednesday 7-26

Well, here it is Wednesday again, and I am stitching on another project in my screaming rotation.  This is the Santa Train Stocking by Stoney Creek. 

Afternoon in London Finish

I finished Afternoon in London in the wee hours of the morning.  I stitched it to remember the time I spent in London......a very long layover at the airport in a terminal that was under construction and populated with the great unwashed.  There was a brand new TGIFridays that had just opened that day in the terminal, and two of my children and I were lucky enough to get a table there.  We just kept ordering food and drink that we really didn't want just so we could keep the table as long as possible.  Someday I hope to go back and actually see London and not just the airport.

Weekend Jam Session

This weekend's jam session yielded Cherry Vanilla Jam and Blueberry Lemon Jam.  Both are new to me recipes and turned out really, really yummy!

Jammin' Again on Thursday

Thursday's Jam session yielded 6 jars of plain Peach (I know, boring, but I like peach!) 8 jars of Fresh Peach Amaretto, and 13 jars of Raspberry Nectarine with Drambuie and Cointreau. 

Wednesday's Jam Session

Wednesday's Jam session yielded more Strawberry Rhubarb and some plain strawberry.  Boring, I know, but some people prefer it!

WIP Wednesday 7-19

 Howdy, blog buddies!  It's been awhile since I posted a WIP Wednesday!  I will have to make a point to do it more regularly.  The WIP I was working on this Wednesday is Afternoon in London by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I am stitching it on the recommended fabric with the recommended fibres.  I have already done Paris and Rome, and have New York all ready to go when London is done. 

A Short Jam Session this Past Weekend

This past weekend, I made Nectarine Mango Jam and Raspberry Nectarine with Drambuie and Cointreau.  They both turned out yummy.  I didn't think I would like the Nectarine Mango, but it is really good.  The Raspberry Nectarine is even better with the booze in it!

A New Start on the 17th

One of the facebook groups that I frequent has an event, where you start something new on the 17th of each month.   So.....on the 17th (Monday) I started (and finished) the Liberty House (the one at the bottom)  and on Tuesday, and did the other two houses.

These are the free Gingerbread Houses from Handblessings Designs.  Eileen Gurak releases three new ones every three months, and I am all caught up until the next release which is scheduled for Septeber.

Super Saturday!

Saturday began quite early (for me anyway).  I actually had to set my alarm!  After a quick shower, I sped off to Crystal Lake to take a class.  The class was "Merry Bells" and all the other participants had done the first day in May, which I couldn't attend.  I just got my class kit a short time ago, and although I tried to catch up, I just wasn't able to. 

The rest of the stitchers had already completed most of the stitching and were just finishing up the stitching and attaching beads, but I diligently worked on my Jessica stitches ( and there are many versions of that stitch on this piece!)  It was an enjoyable morning, and I am happy to report that my Jessica stitches were looking great!  (after many attempts)

After the class ended, I stopped in at Welcome Stitchery for just a few things.....   A friend was there and we went and had what was planned as a quick lunch.  Lots of great conversation turned it into a 'not so quick' lunch.

Then I drove over to the UFO stitching group (meets every 3rd Saturday of the month in Crystal Lake) which was already in progress.  More time to stitch on my Merry Bells and conversation with friends.

After a quick stop at Hobby Lobby for some beads and crystals (they were 50% off) a headed home. 

Dinner was an unexpected yummy deep dish pizza Lou Malnati's with John and a bottle of wine......

It was great day!

Spring Banner Fin-eee!

Just finished up the stitching on Nancy Cucci's Spring Banner.  I will be teaching this project at our Needlepoint Guild in the spring, so I wanted to get it stitched ahead of time.  I am way ahead! 

It was an enjoyable stitch, once I learned how to count, that is.....can't even begin to tell you how many times I had to rip out the borders before I get it right.

And More Jam....

Today's Jam session yielded 14 jars of Tripleberry Jam (Strawberry, Raspberry and Blackberry) and 19 jars of Strawberry Margarita Jam.  I must add that the Strawberry Margarita is my new favorite!

Another Jam Session

This time I made 6 jars of Blackberry, 6 jars of Strawberry Rhubarb, and 8 jars of Strawberry Lemon.

Three Gingerbread Houses

Over the past few days, I stitched these three cute little gingerbread houses.  They are free designs from Handblessings designs.  The second set of three has now been released and I will get those next time I am at Welcome Stitchery.  There will be 12 in all, and I plan to stitch them all!  There is a pack of charms for these cute little houses, but I won't add the charms until all 12 are stitched.

A Present for Sewing Well

I have wanted to stitch this one for a long time, but the chart is out of print and when it does come up on the bay of evil, it is very, very pricey, so I have just lusted after it for some time.

One of the stitchers that attends our get together in LaPorte each year had the chart and each year, those interested can put their name in a hat, for custody of the chart for one year.  This year I was the lucky winner of the draw! 

It really was very enjoyable to stitch!  I used 27 count pyramid banding, and stitched it over 2 fabric threads with 2 strands of Waterlilies Oasis.  I need about 2 1/2 skeins, and the stitched part is 36 inches long. 

It's Time to Jam Again!

Spent Friday afternoon making jam, the yield was 6 jars of raspberry jam and 11 jars of salted cantaloupe jam.  I had made some raspberry and tart cherry a little while ago, so that makes 30 jars so far this year.  I am not looking to repeat or exceed last year's 237 jars......

June Progress, July Goals

June is over far too quickly!  The year is half over!  It seems like it was just January yesterday.  I managed to have 8 finishes in June, and worked on a number of other pieces too.  Never enough time to stitch!

June

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Mini Embellishment Project  finshed
French Alphabet Sampler page 3  finished
April flower of the month  finished
Landon’s Stocking
Pacific Heart  worked on it
Mini Embellishment 2  finished

Maynia Starts

December Joyful World  finished
Border Joyful World finished
Spring Banner  worked on it
Afternoon in London  worked on it
Perpetual Calendar
      #2 Sunny Day  finished
      #3 Happy Anniverary  finished
      #4 School Daze
 
Future New starts
A Present for Sewing Well worked on it
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
    #5
    #6
    #7
    #8
    #9
Ladybug pin
Patriotic Heart
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

July

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking
Pacific Heart  
A Present for Sewing Well

Maynia Starts

Spring Banner  
Afternoon in London 
Perpetual Calendar
      #4 School Daze

Future New starts

Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
       #5
       #6
       #7
       #8
       #9
Ladybug pin
Patriotic Heart
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
               Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge