Welcome Fall

I hope everyone has been enjoying the beginning of Fall. I have to say this is my favorite time of year! I just started a new job, so I haven't been on lately. I will catch up with every one's blogs throughout this week. I'll be going to the park this weekend and hope to get some beautiful foliage pictures to share. I hope you have all been well and I look forward to your updates, take care!

September 11th

Most gave without choice, some gave willingly and in the defence of others. We will miss you and remember you with love and gratitude.

Hello Friday, my old friend

Is everyone ready for the weekend? I hope you'll be able to enjoy better weather than we are expecting, it looks like TS Danny is going to wash us out for the whole weekend - ugh! This comes on the heals of Bill who was also determined to wash us out. My poor basement is going to flood, I can just feel it!

Okay, on to my Dutch Beauty update. I have another page under my belt and am beginning page nine now. I can't believe how much work goes into these samplers, I am truly in awe of those who have walls filled with them.

At the last EGA meeting we held a pattern swap and I was able to score "In Her House" by The Goode Huswife. I think this will be my next between project. I just love the colors and the duel scene. I really like looking at your blogs to see what projects you're working on, and making a list (a long, long list) of what patterns I want to pick up next.

Well, I'm off to add to my list. I hope you all have a wonderful and dry weekend.

Vacation in Pennsylvania

I'm back! I hope everyone has been well and have a bunch of posts for me to papoose.

Last weekend my mother had a school reunion and we took the opportunity to have a mini family reunion. Here is a picture of my mother, sisters (sans Vikki), my niece and my Mom-Mom. I ask you, is she not the most beautiful grandmother ever! I'm in the top row, second in from the right.

Now Johnstown, PA is known for two things. 1- The flood of 1889 which claimed 2,209 lives and 2-the Inclined Plane, the world's steepest vehicular inclined plane thank you very much. It offers a beautiful view of the valley. Sadly it was rainy so the wonderful pictures were few and far between

Here I have a two examples of Mom-Mom's cross stitch work.

She also made tons of afghans and quilts and Aunt Cathie was kind enough to dig some up for us. Here are the afghan and quilt I was given. The quilt is a beautiful butter yellow, the pic just doesn't do it justice.

And with that I am going to go check in on all of your blogs.

EGA Quilt

I hope everyone has been doing well, I've fallen behind in my blogging again. We've received another project for the EGA. One women is making a quilt and we will all contribute a stitched patch to put on it. It is an anniversary quilt for our chapter. I have chosen an old freebie from Danybrod, Pins and Needles. I've stitched it on 12 count coffee dyed evenweave using DMC 3 over 1. I will get back to Dutch Beauty and hope to have an update on it soon. I'm off to see what everyone else has been up to. I hope you all have a good week!

Once Upon A Time

I am so happy, I've finished "Once upon a time" and love it! It's stitched on 28 count linen using DMC one over one. If anyone has an interest in the patter send me your e-mail or snail mail and I'll send it out. I'm debating stitching the title below the kids, but keep waxing and waining.

I want to thank everyone for their feedback on my Dutch Beauty dilemma. I am going to try to stitch an extension piece on the end and hope that it looks antiqued (I see a tea bath in it's future as well).

I think I'll go catch up on everyone's blog and drool over your wips. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoy the Fourth of July!

Hail, count 2ce stitch 1ce and new beginnings

Hail in June, never good for the plants. We had a quick and determined little storm blow through the other day. We got a layer of hail, some scary wind and all the trees got a trim. As I cleaned the leaves off the deck I found that some of the tomato plants took a hit. I planted too many this year so it's no big loss, and we got off easy, parts of Jersey got several inches of hail!







Here is my next problem. I miscounted or the pages bred while I wasn't watching. In either case I am coming up short on Dutch Beauty! I will have just enough to finish the first line, though not the right side border. I can scrap it and start over on a larger piece of linen or I can attempt to weave/stitch an extension piece on the end. Now here is where I need advise, is the latter even possible? My kingdom for an ounce of patience!

On to better things, I have an interim project going. It's called Once Upon A Time from the Children of Southern Roots I booklet by Janet Powers. One of my friends asked me to stitch something for him and I decided on this one. He hopes to have kids sometime soon and thought this would be perfect for a nursery. It should be a quick stitch, it's on 28 ct sand linen using DMC floss one over one.

Is there anything better?

I just love fresh cut flowers and my garden is finally in bloom with Iris, Peony and Mediterranean Bells. Peony are one of my favorite flowers, they make such a beautiful arrangements.

For our June EGA meeting we are having a pot luck/finger food gala. I have decided on mini zucchini quiche. I have a really easy and delicious recipe that I would like to share with you. I have to figure out how long to cook them in the mini muffin tin that I'll be using, I usually just bake it in an 8" pie pan. Wish me luck and I hope you all try and enjoy this recipe!

Zucchini Quiche

1 Tablespoon grated onion

4 Lg. eggs

1 cup grated sharp cheese

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup Bisquick

3 cups zucchini sliced 1/4" think and quartered.

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all but zucchini together well, then all zucchini, again mixing well. Pour into greased 8" pie pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Let cool and serve.

One more page!

I hope everyone had a relaxing Memorial weekend with their family and friends. I had a wonderful barbecue with family in Suffern on Sunday, then another here on Monday. I will never eat again (leftovers don't really count).
On a stitching note: I've completed page six and only have one more page until I finish the top row! I don't know how you all do it, I am quickly losing my religion stitching this thing, I've never made so many mistakes. I have nightmares that herds of frogs are chasing and mocking me - ugh.
I received an unexpected gift in the mail Friday. I was admiring a piece that a fellow EGA member had been stitching at a previous meeting. I finally remembered to ask her the name of the pattern. She hadn't brought the piece to this meeting and said she'd e-mail it to me. To my delight, Elaine was generous enough to mail me a copy of House Samplings from Hillside Samplings. I have met so many wonderful women at the EGA and am so glad that I decided to join.
I have a busy week ahead so I will wish you all a good weekend and happy stitching now.

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Mother's day! I have been a bit lax in my blogging lately, though for a good reason. Habitat for Humanity has kicked off it's National Woman's Build Week (May 2 - 10). At the local chapter that I attend we tore down, literally, an old restaurant (Big Mama's - loved the name), and we'll construct a new house in it's place. My poor sissy arms are done in form the rubble removal, sledgehammering and salvaged brick stacking. I am especially in awe of my beloved blue-heads! These woman do not know anything but full steam ahead. I have only managed to finish one more page on Dutch Beauty. I did however read a really interesting book titled 'My Lobotomy' about a twelve year old boy whose step-mother pushed this NORMAL boy into undergoing a lobotomy! He is fine now, but had an rough life. It's a quick read, I recommend checking it out of your local library.
Last month we went to Minnewaska on a beautiful day and the falls were so pretty that I though I would share a few pictures of them.

Our Mulberry trees are in full bloom too.

Blackwork Project

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and Good Pesach. Sadly, after an ugly chocolate binge, my pants and I are currently estranged. We hope to reconcile soon.

At the April EGA meeting, one of the women (Joan) had a great blackwork project for us. She came equipped with perfect instructions and blackwork patters, which was good as I had never worked with it before. I choose this cute owl and may plaster it to the side of an eco-friendly shopping bag (which I have yet to sew, so that may have to wait for a bit).

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the much awaited warm weather!

Wishing You All A Happy Easter and Good Pesach

Dutch Beauty update

I have gotten back to stitching Dutch Beauty and have finished page four, it barely fit on the scanner! Only three more pages to complete the top row. I have a new found respect for all of those who post pics of walls covered in samplers that they have stitched. I'm not sure I will have the heart to tackle another one any time soon.

I have been prepping the garden and cleaning up the yard on the few nice days that we have had and managed to get a few spots of poison ivy - ugh! I came across a wonderful tip that I would like to pass on to you. There is a plant that you may or may not know, called Jewelweed (sometimes referred to as Touch Me Not, when it is ready to spread seeds, they will fly out of the pods then they are touched - watch your eyes!). If you accidentally touch poison ivy just break off a piece of the Jewelweed stem and rub the juice on the affected area, you shouldn't get the dreaded ivy rash. It’s also good to for warts, bruises, and fungal skin infections such as athletes foot and ringworm. It's is also helpful for nettle stings, minor burns, cuts, eczema, acne, sores, and any skin irritations. It also has either beautiful orange or yellow flowers, and can get upwards of five feet tall. It grow wild around here, but you can order seeds, plants or even soaps online.
I wish you all a good week and hope to have another update soon.

Spring Is Here!

It's official, I have started my seeds, prepped the garden and enjoyed a sixty degree day! Oh Spring, how I've missed you!

Russian Crane

I have another quick finish, it's a Russian crane pattern. It's stitched one over one on 28 count ivory linen. The site is really good, you should check it out - lots of patterns. This one comes with a border, but I think I'll leave it as is. I found a set of four fable patterns that have a similar look, I might work this one in with them. Click title for patter. Enjoy!

That is a lovely house

While out and about today I decided to take pictures of some of the beautiful houses in the area. Sadly the trees were conspiring against me, but I thought better of getting out of the car and skulking about front yards to take better pics. I will one day make a sampler out of them... some day. I hope you all enjoy what's left of the weekend!

West Virginia Sampler Complete!

Well, seven months later and I have finally completed the WV sampler! I needed a break from Dutch Beauty. I stitched two over one on 18 count coffee stained aida. It's a 2005 Hands To Work pattern. Ugh, now I just have to figure out how to set the date/time on the camera. Hope everyone had a good day.

Poppies and Cornflowers

I have a few flowers to share that I picked up at the library. They are from "Counted Cross Stitch Designs for the Home" by Jana Hauschild Lindberg. I found a few of the poppy colors and the greenery a bit strong and changed some of them, so you may want to play with the colors.

And a fuzzy picture of the end result. It's 18 count two over one.

I haven't stitched this one yet, but I think it will be really beautiful.

Cook, wasn't he a pirate?

I have had an odd sort of compulsion to cook lately. I know that others enjoy this, but it was always stressful and disastrous for me. So who knows what has come over me, but I have been using that big hot thing in the kitchen, and some of it even turns out edible (ringing endorsement, no?). With that said... I have a great recipe for you! As it is me cooking it, it is easy, quick and inexpensive.

Thai Chicken
1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast cubed
5 cloves garlic chopped
2-3" ginger chopped I go heavy on the ginger (turns out that it is best to peal it - live and learn)
3 Tbsp fish sauce (easy to find at the grocery store, in the Asian section)
3 Tbsp soy sauce (my ankles require that I use low sodium soy)
5 ish Tbsp sweet chili sauce (I like it hot, so use to taste)
1-2 Tbsp lime juice
1 each small zucchini chopped (green and yellow - for color)
1 small head broccoli chopped into large florets* (I often use frozen veggies thawed)

I put a little olive oil in bottom of a large skillet and cook the chicken, ginger and garlic on med heat about 10 minutes-ish, until the chicken is just about cooked through. Mix the rest of the wet ingredients in a small bowl and add with the veggies to the chicken. Cover and cook on med/low for about another ten minutes, stirring occasionally. If you want the sauce to cook down more, remove the chicken and veggies and cook uncovered at a low boil for a few minutes. I serve over sushi rice.

I hope you try and enjoy it!

Stall, and redirect their attention...

It's fighting me, that Dutch Beauty. I was happily stitching along and paused to review my progress thus far, and that was when it happened... (room darkens, ominous music plays in the background). I noticed that the brown floss in the first two thirds of my stitching was a warmer brown than the last third. I must have placed leftover floss in the wrong floss bag! WHY, why do I do these things to myself! So with shoulders slumped and defeat snatched from the jaws of victory, I begin the ubiquitous frogging. I have pulled (and cursed) all but the tree and deer antlers. Sadly I am a perfectionist, and the correct brown does looks better, so it must be done. Though I have decided to finish the frogging later and continue stitching.

So... in lieu of a progress pic, I'll slip in a freebie called Lion King.

Stalking Nature

There is a beautiful oak right outside the the back door, the perfect spot for the Mourning Doves to keep an eye on the wee bits.

The Cardinals are soo skittish (perhaps bright red isn't the best camouflage), I was lucky to get a shot off. I have decided to forgive the deer for ravaging my poor roses over the summer, and have left some good bits in the snow for them. I have stocked up on 'Invisible Fence' in preparation for the spring. If there is anyone who hasn't heard of this stuff, it's a spray that when applied to plants it keeps the deer at bay for weeks. There is one unfortunate downside though, for the first 10 - 15 minutes it smells like a foul poo / rotting corpse combo, however, once dry it no longer smells. Oh how the neighbors love me...

I have a rather weak Dutch Beauty update, after a week I am little further ahead. Yep this is going to be an endurance piece. Wendy, the stitch count is 330 x 630, it's going to be a monster. Glenna, I'm sorry to hear about your MIA stitchery. I ordered/received this and a few others from Criss Cross Row at least a year or so ago. I'll check your site for a wish list and see if I have anything you might like.

I hope you all enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Dutch Beauty

As soon as I saw this (on Criss Cross Row), I had to have it. It's called "Dutch Beauty" and isn't it just amazing! The deer and swans were all I could see, and can't wait to get to stitch them. I'll post the pattern once I'm done, sorry not before as it will kill me to see everyone else stitch it so much faster than me! How sad is that - ugh!
I started this about three or four months ago, and just picked it up again the other day. I am only on page 2 of 21. I am up to date on my other projects, so I should have some time to make a real dent in it. I'm using DMC floss on 28 ct. ivory evenweave stitching one over one. Once again I couldn't wait to properly start it and used the largest piece of fabric that I had. I should have waited to get a slightly darker linen, ahh, I'll never learn. Still, the patten is pretty enough to pull it off.

Valentine Freebie

This was a quick one, it's a Valentine freebie. I think the tricolor will be prettier (next time). It is stitched on white aida 18 ct, two over one using DMC 311.

EGA Valentine

Our EGA chapter is assembling a gift basket for seminar, to be auctioned off (or raffled, I can't remember). Our baskets theme is "holiday time", and we are to contribute to the basket with a project and holiday of our choosing. I decided on Valentines day and here is my bookmark. I jotted it down on a grid, sampling from several patterns. It is stitched on ivory 28 ct. linen one over one, using 817 and 3779 DMC floss. I have a book that I am going to put the book, mark in that will help bulk up the basket. I got a beautiful alphabet from this book and thought I'd add it to the post, I will probably make it into a pillow. Enjoy!