Surprises in the Mail

I absolutely cannot wait to show you what I received from my exchange partner in the Patriotic Exchange coordinated by Stitched with Love Exchanges...  but I'll have to, until we get the go-ahead from Lainey.  My first stitching exchange, and I was (and am still) overwhelmed by the generosity of my exchange partner.  I also had a blast putting together a package for my partner; her likes and dislikes are very similar to mine.  More as soon as I can show it.

In today's mail, though, was a fantastic package from Myra at Gr8dame's Place.  She had finished a cool little project (United by Bent Creek) and offered to pass the chart along to anyone interested.  My hand flew up in the air so fast!!  And there was a super extra surprise with the chart - one of Myra's lovely sewing cases - what a treat!  I also received one of these cases that I'd actually purchased - I'm thrilled with both and can't wait to press them right into service!  The construction work is top-notch; as you've already seen, Myra's creativity extends well beyond her cross stitch!

Bent Creek "United" plus a lovely surprise sewing case

Beautiful sewing case and fob - Myra's fine handiwork!!

I also received the monthly LHN ornament - I love this one with the cardinals!  Can't wait to sew that one up; with the heat indices predicted to be at or over 110 degrees each day this weekend, I see some sewing time in my future!

A few more minutes until bedtime - ready to take up my needle and sew!

Becky

Secret Stitching

So this is the only part I don't like about participating in a secret stitching exchange - not allowed to post pictures of works-in-progress until everyone has received their packages.... boo.  I am participating in a "Patriotic" exchange with Stitched with Love Exchanges and am having a blast putting together what I hope will be just the perfect package for my partner.  Mailing date is no later than next Wednesday - looking forward to showing you more after that!

And in the interim, I've been busy processing sour cherries from Baugher's orchard in Westminster, MD.  This activity was a long-time family tradition when my DB and his family lived there - the orchard will pit the cherries for you, making the processing so effortless!  That is, unless you're like me this year and forgot to determine whether or not the buckets of already-picked cherries were already pitted, and, if not, to get them pitted.... sigh.  But I've managed to make two batches of jam - my absolute favorite, have 16 cups of "jam starter" ready to go (am going to try cherry-almond), and just popped 16 cups of pitted cherries into the freezer!

But I'm also looking forward to finishing up my last piece for the exchange this evening, so I'll be taking up my needle and sewing!  Hope you are, too...

Becky

Fabric Stash

I have a serious weakness....  "hello, my name is Becky, and I think that there's no such thing as too much Christmas fabric."  I'm hopeful for some support from my stitching sisters and brothers!  I had an opportunity this afternoon to visit my favorite LQS, Quilting Adventures.  Some of the early Christmas fabrics have already been released for sale, and I couldn't help myself.  I scored a few pieces from the Kaufman design series "O Tinsel Tree 2" and "Jingle."

I also bought almost every different piece there is from the "Charlie Brown Christmas for Quilting Treasures" line. The "Charlie Brown Christmas" is my all-time favorite Christmas program/movie; I could watch it multiple times a day, many days in the year. I love the music, the message, the animation... Anyway, not sure what I'll do with it yet, but it will be something fun and Christmas-y!

Until I decide what to do with it, though, it's time to get busy on exchange projects.  Gotta go take up my needle and sew!

Becky

Needlework Exhibition at Woodlawn

This morning, I took my annual trek north to Alexandria, Virginia, to visit the annual Needlework Exhibition at Woodlawn, a National Trust Historic Site.  The exhibition is sponsored by Nelly's Needlers, a volunteer auxiliary which works year-round to raise funds for this historic site.  Woodlawn was the home of Eleanor (Nelly) Custis Lewis, one America's foremost needleworkers.  The exhibition accepts entries from around the country - I think that there were nearly 650 pieces submitted this year.  The Needlers thematically organize the pieces throughout the house (so, for instance, all of the Christmas-themed entries were together in one room), and volunteers share interesting information about individual items.  Three certified judges award ribbons for Best in Show, Outstanding Original Design, Outstanding Miniature, and more.  I can't imagine how long it takes them to review the entries and make decisions about awards!  I wasn't allowed to take any photos in the house  (which really didn't surprise me, given the age of the facility), but I thought this snap might help convey the sense of the day.  Next year will be the 50th exhibition - I hope that *everyone* who reads this post will consider submitting an item in the show!

And it was a beautifully glorious early summer day - blue skies, moderate temperatures, and low humidity.

After the exhibition, I went up the road about 1/4-mile to one of my favorite LNS, In Stitches.  I have been patroning that business since, well, practically forever.  Every time I step through the door, I'm overwhelmed by the diversity of items that they manage to get into their space.  Just because I didn't prepare an extensive list of "things I need to buy next time I'm near In Stitches," that certainly didn't stop me from buying some stash!  The fabrics, in particular, were a great find - it's a bit hard to tell, but the two dark colors are actually shades of green - WDW overdyes.

I'm thinking ahead to exchanges at Stitching at the Beach PALS in October - starting early to put some things away for the Grab Bag exchange!!

Until then, though, I've got lots of projects to work on, including several for a Patriotic exchange that I'm participating in this month.  So, off to take up my needle and sew!

Becky

Catching Up!

I can't believe it's been nearly two months since my last post!  There's a lot to share with you, including, finally, the *finish* of the CEO Club project #2, this log cabin quilt for a very dear friend of mine.  She celebrated a big milestone birthday earlier this year, and I wanted to honor it, and our friendship, with something a little extra special.  I'm really thrilled with how it turned out, and my accomplishment is due, in large part, to the lovely ladies at my LQS, Quilting Adventures.  Joyce, the owner, and her staff are always willing and interested in exploring every option for success.

This was also my second project with batiks, which I'm really starting to love for sewing.  Here's a close-up of the block so that you can see the various patterns in the different fabrics.

Over the weekend, I spent a LOT of time pulling weeds - the biomass of material removed from the flower beds and gardens makes me wonder how anything (but weeds) was still alive in the yard!!  In amongst weeds, though, I did manage a small finish on a needlework project for the PALS stitching retreat later this fall (sorry I didn't iron before snapping a photo!).  I do need to get a button to sew in the space at the bottom, but the needlework is all finished.

Celebration: Autumn by Heart in Hand

32-ct dirty Belfast linen; called for WDW and GAST

Last for my post this evening is a special "thank you" to Nancy at the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  I won one of her charts in a give-away.  Nancy not only provided the chart; she also included the cute charm and her wonderful hand-dyed thread.  I can't wait to stitch it up!!!

So much to do!  Loving the extra hours of sunlight to enjoy nature's wonders in the outdoors.  Looking forward to sharing some more finishes with you this weekend.

'Til next time, though, let's take up our needles and sew!
Becky

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Enter to win a gift certificate at The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe: Enter to win a gift certificate at The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Pumpkins in April?

I'm excited to share with you another finish - between basketball and late-night Oliver Twist on PBS, I was able to wrap up the JBW Designs piece I showed you last weekend.  Even though it's pretty simple, I really like this design and the floss I used; just love those colors!  I did decide not to include the "pumpkin" word under the design; like it better without that extra.  Unfortunately, by the time I was able to take a picture, it was well after dark, so the fabric (28-count cashel cream) doesn't look anything like what it really looks like!  I've definitely decided that this will be one of my exchange pieces for the Cross Stitch PALS retreat in October.  I also started another piece last night (on a roll at 1:00 a.m.!) - New York Dreamer's "Home for Christmas."  Not far enough along to show you yet, but I can't wait to see it in finished form.

JBW Designs - Sweet Nothings/"French Country IV - Pumpkin"

28-count cream cashel; WDW Terra Cotta

I know it doesn't seem like I accomplished a lot this weekend - what I really should have done was taken a picture of the big pile of weeds I assembled over the past few days.  Still a lot to do, but I'm pleased with the progress so far.

Perhaps I can sneak in a few stitching minutes before going to bed.  'Til next time, take up your needle and sew!

Becky