Happy New Year!

Christmas Ornaments for the Grandchildren

 Here are this year's ornaments:  a hockey player for Peter

A Ballerina (in pink) for Natalie.

    A Baseball player for Logan

A Cook for Justin

 

And a Drummer Boy for Owen.

Merry Christmas

 From my house to yours...…May you spend this Christmas season with the ones you love!

  I am blessed to have all of my children and grandchildren home for Christmas!  This is my littlest guy helping me with my tree.  He took the job very seriously, and made sure all the ornaments that he likes are right at his eye level!














He lives the farthest away, so I don't get to see him as often as I would like, so I am especially blessed to spend this time with him.  He and Mom and Dad didn't make it home for Thanksgiving, so I was very happy to have them all home.

4. Sunday of Advent

3. Sunday of Advent

2. Sunday of Advent

Super Secret Project Revealed!

 Here they are!  54 snowflake ornaments finished inside of canning rings!  These were a gift to the members of the Needle's Nest EGA Chapter, where I am currently the outgoing president.

And here are the ladies and gentlemen at our annual Holiday Party!  What a great looking group!

October Progress, November Goals

The only thing I worked on in November was my super secret project.  It will be reveled tomorrow so check back!

December 2019

WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner  
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation
Snowflake oraments

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts
Eileen’s new ornament
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

First Sunday of Advent

The 5th Season Has Begun!

At the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, Karnival or Fasching (also known as Mardi Gras) begins.  All over Germany, Karnival Prince and Princesses are crowned.   During this "5th season", which lasts until Ash Wednesday, lots of fun events happen.  During these events, some of the "common folk" are honored for their work and participation by receiving special medals, or in German "Orden".  Once having received one, you MUST wear it to every event and activity, or you have to buy the Prinz a bottle of Snaps!  I received this year's Orden quite early in the season, so I have to be sure and keep it with me at all times lest I have to buy lots of bottles of snaps.




Over the course of the years, I have received quite a few of these medals.  They are quite pretty and I have been displaying them on the wall.  I now need a bigger wall.                                                        

Happy 94th Birthday Dad!

Today we celebrated my father's 94th birthday!  I baked this big cake....I actually tripled the recipe, making 3 layers in 1/2 sheet cake pans.  It turned out great, as did the celebration!






Here is Dad with my oldest grandson, his oldest great grandson!  He enjoyed the celebration.

WIP Wednesday 11-6-2019

No pictures, and I can't even tell you what I am working on.  It is a super secret stitching project.  I am making good progress.  In fact, I am more than 1/2 done...….

October Progess, November Goals

October is over, and only two more months left in 2019!  I worked on One Nation a lot, less than two pages left to go!  I also finished 3 small models for Sue Hillis, and started and made good progress on a super secret project.  I won't bore you with a long list....it really hasn't changed!

And just like that, it was over!

I was lucky enough to spend the weekend at a stitching retreat with 58 of my closest friends!  This was our view as we stitched, and laughed, and talked, and shopped, and ate, and drank wine......but it was over too soon!  See you all again next year!

One More Model Stitching Finish

Finished up the last of the Sue Hillis models I have been asked to stitch.  This was isn't big, but lots of color changes, shading and backstitching.  It is very cute!

Another Quick Model Stitching Finish

Second little model stitching finish this week.  This chart will also be in the Home for the Harvest leaflet, soon to be released.

Plum Cake, Version #9

In my quest for the perfect plum cake, I have now baked version #9.  It is with Quark and oil dough.  It was good, but the crust was drier that I want.  I will go back to baking powder in the dough.  Version #8 is the favorite so far.  Plum season is almost over, so we have to wait until next year for Version #10.....

Model Stitching Finish

I had to put One Nation aside to do some model stitching for Sue Hillis.  Her charts are always a delight to stitch!  This is the pie cart from the Home for the Harvest booklet.  It has not yet been released, but look for it soon!

WIP Wednesday 10-9-2019

Wednesday again, and this time I have 6 out of 8 pages done......

WIP Wednesday 10-2-2019

One Nation by ByGone Stitches, 5 out of 8 pages done!

September Progress, October Goals

I am not showing you the September Progress list because it is just like the October Goals list!  I just worked on One Nation all month long!

October 2019
WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress
Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner   0
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation worked on it

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts

Sue Hillis models
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol  

A Very Berry Jam Session

This week's Jam session yielded Blueberry Lemon, Triple Berry, Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry Jam, thanks to a well stocked freezer!

WIP Wednesday 9-25-2019

Almost at the halfway mark!

WIP Wednesday 9-18-2019

It's Wednesday again, and I am showing you my progress on One Nation.  I have now finished a bit more than two pages (out of eight).  I think the states names will go more quickly than the stars did, so onward!

Jam session this week

I made lots of jam on this week.  I restocked the Blueberry Lemon and Raspberry, and made some Vanilla Peach Bourbon that I haven't had in stock in a long time.  I also made a Pineapple jam.

I am tired!

WIP Wednesday 9-11-2019

I got all the stars done!!  and the rest of the blue field!  working on the stripes now.....slow going but enjoying it.

WIP Wednesday 9-4-2019

I had really hoped to have all the stars done by now, but that didn't happen.  I have made some good progress though, but have had limited stitching time.

August Progress, September Goals

Another month is over.  I got some good progress on One Nation, and finished House of Flowers and got lots of Jam made.

August 2019

WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner   0
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation worked on it

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   House of Flowers00 finished
11.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

September 2019

WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner   
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts

Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

WIP Wednesday 8-28-2019

Here we are again.....I have more than half of the stars done!  Hope to have them all finished by next Wednesday!

Edited to fix the date!

WIP Wednesday 8-21-2019

I have gotten out of the habit of posting my WIPs on Wednesday, but I promise to do better in the future!

I have restarted One Nation by ByGone Stitches.
I am stitching this over 1 on 25 count.  The first start was on a bit paler blue, and when I started on the white, it didn't show up!  So off to Welcome Stitchery I went and found a brighter blue in 25.  I like it much better!  Tune in next week for an update!

Jam and Salsa Class

 For the first time ever, I taught a Jam and Salsa class today.  It was a lot of work, but a fun morning, and the students enjoyed the class.





The class was held at our German club, in the commercial kitchen.   We presented two recipes;  Plum Jam and Rockin' Salsa.   We had lots of samples, and lots of information on canning in general as well as jam and salsa making.

 Here are my two sous chefs!

 And here are the three of us!

 My daughter-in-law was a big help!

 And her sister wanted to come and help too!

Here are some of the smiling students!  My grandchildren even popped in to sample some Salsa and Jams and were not shy in telling the ladies what their favorites are.

House of Flowers Finish

I finished the stitching on House of Flowers by Bent Creek.  It is stitched on 18 count linen with #5 Perle cotton floss.  Don't know how I will finish it yet.

And Even More Jammin'

Friday's Jam session yielded Tart Cherry Jam, Mandarin Orange Jam and Blueberry Lemon Jam.

World Cross Stitch Day

What are you stitching today?

More Jammin'

Two new savory flavors!  Spicy Corn Salsa and Cranberry Red Pepper Jam!

Jammin' Today!

Today I spent some time in the kitchen, making jam.  I made Nectarine Mango Jam and Christmas Jam.

If you would like more information on the jams I make, please like my facebook page:  Frau Rill's Fabulous Fresh Fruit Jams.

July Progress, August Goals

July was a busy month, getting ready for the county fair, making lots of jam.  Not as much stitching as I wanted, but got some done.  I should note that I have stitched for 530 days in a row without missing a day!

July 2019

WISPS:

Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Hardanger Runner:  finished
Butterfly banner  

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Black grey and red hearts  finished
3.       Fine Wine 
4.       Pumpkin Harvest 
5.       Sweet Watermelon 
6.       Photobooth 
7.       Candy Corn #2
8.       Foxy Fob 
9.       May flower of the month
10.   Snow Sampler worked on it
11.   House of Flowers   worked on it
12.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts
Bargello Bell  finished
One Nation worked on it
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
               Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge  worked on it
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

August 2019

WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner  
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   House of Flowers 
11.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts

Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

2019 Lake County Illinois Fair Entries

The 2019 Lake County Illinois Fair is over! Although the judging in the Textile Department is skewed, here are all my entries with ribbons!

For my jams I received:
Apricot - First place, perfect score
Raspberry - First place, perfect score
Peach - First place
Blueberry Lemon - First place
Strawberry Rhubarb - Second place
Cherry Vanilla - Second place
Salted Cantaloupe - Second place
Cranberry no ribbon

For my needlework:
Blue Towels - no ribbon, judges remark: Beautiful handwork, towel look like they have been washed (well what else would you do with towels!)
Band Sampler - Third place (this is the one where the judge was overheard saying the fabric was dirty - it was hand dyed fabric)
Dreaming of Tuscany - Second place
Cloister Garden - First place
Hardanger Runner - First place, grand champion
Cross stitch ornament - First place, grand champion, judges remarks: beautifully done!

I am thrilled with the results for my jam, this is the first time I entered in the Culinary Department.  I will definitely enter some more jam next year!

As to the Textile Department, where do I begin?  There are less and less entries each year, and when people are asked why they didn't enter, they always state that the displays are not good and the judging is terrible!  That is my opinion too.   No matter how many complaints they get regarding the judges, they still have the same judges each year!  Judges who don't know the difference between cross stitch and needlepoint, judges who don't know what hand dyed fabric is, judges who like beads so anything with beads on it gets a higher ribbon.  Judges who think bigger is better, so larger pieces have an advantage.  

I have entered this same fair a number of times, and have always received a ribbon, until this year, my towels didn't get a ribbon at all.  Oh well.  John loves them!  

Will I enter again next year? Probably.  As long as I plan to take some jam, I might as well take some needlework also.  

Sunday Jam Session

At the urging of a friend, I started a Facebook page for my jam.  This resulted in a number of orders!  I didn't have enough Triple Berry and Raspberry to fill the orders, but I had already purchased the berries to make more, which I planned to do on Monday.  I just made them a day earlier and everybody got the jam they wanted!

Today's Finish

Just finished this morning!   I have done this Hardanger Runner at least 4 times already, and given them all away!  I entered in the county fair today.  When it comes back, I was going to send it to a friend, but I may just keep it and stitched another one for her.

This Week's Jam Sessions

I made more jam this week.  Apricot, Peach and Salted Cantaloupe.   Almost ready for the fair!

Another Quick Finish

The June project for Needle's Nest (our EGA Chapter) was this bargello bell on canvas.  It is an ornament on the larger side.  I need to 'finish' it......