My Mom's Birthday!

 My Mom turned 70 on August 15th.  I cannot believe she is 70; thank goodness she is still the same as ever and no signs of aging are evident!  We spent the weekend together.  The time started with lunch last Friday.  Above are my Mom and I.

 Here are my Mom and my brother, Todd.   We really have been through life together....together!

 My Mom really pays attention to the little things in life that enhance experiences.  Her table setting was gorgeous!!!

 My Mom wanted my friend Diane to come over too.  We planned to stitch and hang out after lunch.  You can see my Vera bags ready to go in the corner.  Diane and I have been friends since were kids and we are still having lots of fun together! 

 This is a strawberry pie my Mom made.  I thought it looked gorgeous on the plate!  It tasted good too.  I should have taken a picture of the chicken salad my Mom made.  It was the best I ever had in my entire life.

 My Mom and I used to collect vintage postcards.  We still would be collecting them too if we had any disposable income!!!  This is a special card as it is my Mom's grandma's name.  They shared the same birthday too! 

 I love mums!!!

 This is the card that Diane made for my Mom.  Love it!!!!

I know this photo does not go with the others; it did not turn out very clear either.  But, this is my Mom's project bag area.  Yes, each bag has a project!!!  I thought you all could relate to this scenario and maybe you can hang up all your bags in the basement too!

Happy Birthday to my Mom!!!  I love you so!

Kathryn

I know a lovely young lady by the name of Kathryn.  This summer she required surgery and was housebound for the whole summer!  Being the sunny young lady that she is she spent her time having fun with family, books and cross-stitch!!!  Oh yes, there is some rug hooking, ornament making and crocheting too!  Above is the towel that she cross-stitched for her Mom's birthday!!!  Please note the bottom right hand of the towel where Kathryn cross-stitched a special message to her Mom.  What a sweet message. 

Kathryn's grandma is my friend Lorie.  Kathryn's Mom, Susan, is my friend.  Actually, Lorie is my husband's aunt and Susan is his cousin.  But we all really love spending time together so we are friends first!  

Lorie taught Kathryn to cross-stitch and they are working on this bag together; each cross-stitching one side of the bag.  They will pass the bag back and forth.  

Doesn't that stitching "To Grandma" just melt your heart???

Darling Christmas ornament!

These little Salt and Sugar projects are so dear!!!

And now for the shocking part.....Kathryn is only 10 years old!!!! She will be 11 in December!  I think she is displaying some amazing talent!  Perhaps she will be designing cross-stitch projects for us all in a couple of years!!!!  

Kathryn, thank you for sharing your work with us!  I know your Mom and Grandma are so proud of you!  I am too!  I am so happy that you are enjoying the needle arts!  You are a very special girl!

 Tuesday was stitch night at Inspired Needle.  Cathy has a trunk show of the most beautiful works!  The designer is Milady's Needle.  One piece is more beautiful than the next.  My current obsession is with this sampler Sarah Brown. 

 Look at those birdies!!!  The colors are just gorgeous!

 I am lucky enough to have Margaret Brown in my stash.  But now I feel that these two must be stitched and then framed to sit together on the wall.  I better get stitching! 

 I had to take pictures of more of the trunk show.  I am sorry that I don't know the names of each piece.  If you see something you want to order; please call Cathy at the Inspired Needle.  She will be able to set you all up!!!

 I adore this Christmas ornament. 

 I love the parasol ladies on this piece, but I am afraid that I don't like the negative message.  I want to stitch those gals though!

 Another amazing sampler from Milady's Needle.

 Work from friends!!!  Above is Patti's rendition of our summer project designed by Stacy Nash.  Patti used the called for colors and they are gorgeous!!!!

Barb had another finish!!  She stitched this darling With Thy Needle and Thread Christmas ornament!!!  It is totally perfect in every way.

There was talk at the table about what our Autumn project will be.  It is so much fun to dream about projects isn't it???

New Blog!

My friend Linda has a new blog!!!
I have been lucky enough to stitch with her over the past year.
Her projects are totally gorgeous and perfectly stitched.
We have become good friends and she has enriched my life so very much.
So, I am very happy to let you know that we have another
wonderful stitcher in the blogging community.
Please visit Keeper of the Crowes and see for yourself.
Click here for transport!

You Just Can't Beat It! Stitching with Friends

Hear are some sights I have been lucky enough to see this weekend. Above is the finished and framed Frances F. (thanks PJ!!) by Sheepish Designs as stitched by Pat. Isn't it just gorgeous???
And speaking of Gorgeous??? Pat finished this BBD Loose Feathers design last night. She stitched on pear linen with the called for silks. It is really just amazing! It is on my must do list!
Linda finished and framed this great design by Stacy Nash. This was our summer group stitch along project. Linda and Karin (see below) picked some unorthodox colors to stitch with and it really paid off!!!!
Here is Linda's current project. Part one of the BBD Loose Feathers design. I need to get on this bandwagon stat!!!!! So lovely!
My friend Teresa really had a whirlwind day. She flew home from her California vacation in the morning and was stitching with us in the evening! Now that is dedication. She was nice enough to bring by her newly framed Button Button by CCN. I LOVE that yellow frame! I want to buy it and then figure out what to stitch in it!!!!
Linda M. brought some finishes for us to see. This is a project that she finished some years ago. She did not remember the designer. Karin thought it was a British designer. It is really so lovely.
Here is Karin's rendition of the Stacy Nash project. She was trying out different frames. Love her colors.
My friend Jayne was showing us this framed piece she did a long time ago. Darling Lizzie Kate design!!
Linda M. brought this beautiful counted thread piece for us to see! Wow!
Oh that Barb! She stitched this entire stocking within one week! It is on 40 count linen. The design is by With Thy Needle and Thread. It is just so so darling.
I had to show you a close-up of the bottom of the stocking. Can't wait to stitch this myself!
I bought these scissors last week. I love them! So much fun to snip, snip, snip threads now.
Jayne showed us this piece that she framed herself. Love it!!! Also, this design by LHN is a total classic!!! I stitched it too and it was so much fun!

Wishing everyone a good week!

I'm Back!!!

Sorry for the long absence....I was having some technical difficulties (which means I really need to read the manual for my camera!) I am getting ready to go to stitch night at my friend's house and I wanted to get these photos logged on before taking a ton more tonight! Above is one of my WIP's. It is Needle and Thread by Little House Needleworks. I could not resist the cuteness and the love of stitchiness that this chart provided.
You know how you go along and go along not spending money "frivolously?" Well, all of a sudden I just went nuts and bought another needle minder. I can see how these can get totally collectible! Next up on the to buy list is the Christmas candy cane needle minder for my Christmas stitching.
Karin finished this beauty by Hinzeit and got it framed. Can't wait to see it in her house!
Remember our Bring Three, Pick One project back in January? It is where everyone brought three charts from their stash and we all voted on which one they should finish by the end of the year? Debbie finished!!! And this is one of the most gorgeous pieces ever!!! I must add it to my short list! It is Hornbook Alphabet Noir by A Mon Ami Pierre done with Bell Soie Fallen Leaves.
Close up!! I love that little girl!
Karin finished the companion piece to the one above and had it framed. What a great little grouping this will be!!
Barb had her Drawn Thread piece framed and it is stunning!
Barb finished the August and September Drawn Thread monthly checkbook covers. Look at the amazing work she did on the leaves and the flower petals!!!!! Wow!
Barb had another framed piece to pick up. This is Elizabeth's Garden by Kathy Barrick.
The aforementioned September.
This is Dutch Tulips by Carriage House Samplings as stiched by Barb. Now, I have this chart, I have started this project, and now when I see it started by Barb I am in a frenzy of love for the whole thing!!! Lucky me!!!

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend full of fun times, family, friends, stitching, reading and just all around happiness! See you soon!