Amish Life-Visiting The Neighbors-Week Two

Greetings from Northern Virginia, where it's currently pouring!!!  I don't mind, because my hubbie won't insist on going to the boat, which means stitching time for me!!!!!

It's been a busy week, while I attempt to deep clean my youngest's bedroom (which he says he cleaned before he left for college), and the Jack and Jill bathroom that he and his sister share.  I even had to paint a wall, ya, it was that bad.  But now that I have had some time to get in there, I have decided that since the husband won't let me redo the whole bathroom, maybe I can update it a bit by switching out the light fixtures, and faucets, and the knobs on the cabinet.  Considering we will have to downside eventually, it's probably cheaper and a lot less work just to do some switch outs.

On another note, I made a trek to IN STITCHES, in Alexandria, Va. this week.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ladies and the store.  In Stitches, celebrated their 19th year of business, and rewarded their customers with 19% off pretty much everything in store.  I didn't even bother to look at charts, couldn't/wouldn't/didn't want to be tempted.  Headed straight for the fabric desk, although there was a small detour, to stock up on some hand dyed threads.  My hubby told me I could spend $200.00.  My total, with 7 pieces of linen, came to $200.91.  I bought the thread out of my own fun fund!  I won't have to make a trek there for awhile.  Well, at least until the Ann Rayner chart arrives!

Meanwhile, between the usual, of laundry, cleaning, letting the dogs in, letting the dogs out, feeding the dogs, feeding the cat, I still managed to do some stitching.  Must say, it's coming along!

Week 1 - Amish Life - Visiting the Neighbors

Darn Cat!!!!! I was well into composing my current post, and he wanted to be friendly, and I haven't a clue what happened to what I had already composed.  It just disappeared!

I have tried to make a commitment to myself that I would be a lot better at posting to my blog!  I had gotten really lackadaisical over the summer.  But the purpose of starting this blog was to keep a diary of my cross stitch and the progress I do from week to week, and if I'm not posting, well sort of defeats the purpose I started my blog.

This is a week's work on my current WIP.  Coming along quite nicely considering I'm not a big landscape sewer.  But....I have to be really carefully to stay on track, because pretty much all of the linen is covered with stitches.

In addition, I joined several FB sampler groups and have become waaaay too tempted by the beautiful samplers I see, and I just have to have the chart.   Like I don't have so much stuff in my stash!

This week, I received  C. A. 1945 from European Reproductions Samplers in Germany.  Plus I receive Charlotte Clayton from someplace in Canada.  And....I bought all the issues of Fine Lines on an ebay auction, just so I could have Hannah Pepper.  Now, if I could just lay my hands on Ann Rayner, life would be perfect!!!!

 I was assured by In Stitches that the order has in fact been placed with Nancy Sturgeon of Threads through Time, and she is in the processing of printing out those charts for delivery.  Maybe by the end of September!!!!!!

Next

Having put the last stitches in yesterday of Through the Years Gone, I immediately started on organizing for the next project.  This is NEXT!  I can't believe that I held onto these magazines from 1987.  But I just knew I had to do this scene one day, as a tribute to my time spent on my Grandparent's dairy farm in Michigan

Last night I managed to pull all the threads and put them in a project binder, and actually did a bit of stitching on it today.  I am starting with the middle picture.

Through the Years Gone Finish

Wow, I can't believe that the last time I was on my blog was in July sometime.  It's just been really hectic!  We had a family vacation in Southern Shores in the Outer Banks for a week, only to return to get the two youngest ready to go off for college.  Plus I've had this pesky sinus infection, I just can't seem to kick.  But...such is life, when I wasn't around doing stuff for the pets and family, I was stitching.  I spent hours of each day stitching.  Because I just wanted to be done!!!!  When you pick a project that is so large, even under the best guestimate, it takes you longer than you think.  But alas, I put the final stitches in today of Through the Years Gone by Jan Houtman.  I belong to several FB sampler pages, and posted regular updates on my progress.  Lots of other stitchers recognized the piece, but.....if you go search for this sampler, other than sites that sell the chart, I think I may have been the only one that actually decided to stitch it.  Now, to wait for a huge framing sale, so that I can get it framed, since I already know where I want to hang the piece.
And the best part.....I finally get to move onto a new project!!!!

a

A Visit to Institches

You know how they say about when the cats away, the mice will play?  Well, this little mouse did some playing today!!!!!I made the trek to my favorite cross stitch store in Alexandria, Va.  It's about 45 minutes from my house, but sooooooo worth the trip.  Even with DC traffic, and the roads constantly under construction.  It's all about timing.  Got to get there after the morning work hour rush, and gotta get back home before the afternoon rush.

My favorite sales lady, Patricia, from Wales, was not working today.  But even though I didn't recognize any of the other sales women, they were both very nice and helpful.  There was maybe one or two customers in there, so I got to take my time and look at everything.

I did spend a great deal of time, looking at the hand dyed threads, and picking out colors for when I get around to doing Moira Blackburn's Season and Time sampler for myself.  Didn't purchase any today, but at least I know what I will need.

I also put my name on the wait list for the Ann Raynor sampler.  They told me they were expecting a shipment sometime in July, so I didn't purchase anything towards that sampler.  Besides, it's excuse to go back and spend more time and money!!!!

But, I did manage to find several charts that were on my "I WANT" list and a few that weren't. So many samplers and so little time! In addition, to the charts, I bought several pieces of fabric, and also the Valdini thread pack for the Rosewood Manor Autumn Quakers.

My husband and son are at college orientation, so this particular stash will be put away, by the time they return.  How do you say "none the wiser?"

Update Through the Years Gone & Alphabet Quilt Monogram

The last couple of weeks have flown right by.   Made it through graduation week, and beach week.  Now both kids are home, when not working, or spending time with their boyfriend or girlfriend.  I am already ramping up for our vacation to the Outer Banks.  What that basically entails, is to ensure the dogs are all up to date on shots so that they can be boarded.  Oh Yea!  3 separate visits to the vets and several hundreds of dollars later they are all current on shots!!!!  Money that even though I love the dogs, I kept thinking to myself, "oh the things I could buy at In Stitches with this money"

Still in the ugly hiking boots.  Looks like it's gonna be another month.  The price we pay for getting old, nothing heals as fast.  But....on the good side, it's a valid excuse to stay off the foot, and stitch.

I managed to finish Alphabet Quilt Monogram.  Posted it on some cross stitch pages on FB and there was a lot of interest in the chart.  This came as a kit.  I actually bought mine several years ago at the Woodlawn Plantation Embroidery Show.  I was able to contact Posy Hough the designer, and she was able to let me know where the kit is sold, so those interested could contact the Shelburne Museum and purchase the kit themselves.  I  changed mine from 18 ct. to 14 ct. Aida only because I wanted mine larger.  This will be a gift for my daughter.

With this finish, I went back to Jan Houtman's Through the Years Gone.   I am happy to report that I am finally to page 16 out of 26.  Slow going, but it's getting there.

As I am usually working on several projects at a time, and the Alphabet Quilt Monogram Sampler is finished, my next project is going to be a landscape.  Rarely do landscapes, or animals, or anything like that.  But....I have saved these magazines since 1987 hoping to do these someday.  Now would be the time.  It's a 3 section Amish Farm Scene.   I don't know why, but this so reminds me of my grandparents dairy farm in Michigan.   So many memories of time spent there with my relatives.

Update - Jan Houtman Through the Years Gone

I have been extremely bad about updating my blog.  Just way too many things going on "mi Casa"  My youngest son, just finished up Varsity high school soccer, and now we are winding down to his graduation. This weekend is his party, and next weekend is graduation.  I have managed to get some stitching in, but not as much as I would like, too much juggling going.  Now on top of that, my house is a mess and I have my father-in-law coming and my step-daughter for my the graduation.  Plus I'm still in stupid hiking boots because of my broken foot.  Graduation won't be the end, as the son heads off to beach week in South Carolina, which I have to help in getting supplies.  Plus we head off to North Carolina in July for the family vacation.  Which by then I will truly need.

Back to the Jan Houtman,  I am now on page 13.  Thirteen is not finished, but I guess I have bragging rights to I'm almost half way through!!!!!!!