The Best Friends

Is this crazy or what?? Deliciously decadent!!

These are the best friends a gal could have!! I was so very glad they shared the day with me opening all my fun, fun, fun stitching treasures.

From left to right Lesley, Jayne, Sue (sitting on chair), Cherie, Jean, Vicki (sitting on chair), Barb (standing), Kathy and Joan. Jayne is my next door neighbor... how cool is that and Lesley lives in my neighborhood too. Barb is my daughter-in-law and great Mom to two of my grand-daughters, Corinne and Carly. I met Joan at a sock knitting class in 2006 right after I retired. When the sock class was over I was sad because I didn't know when I would ever see her again. Low and behold, we had a common friend who got us together in a stitching group. Now I work in that yarn store one day a week!! Vicki is Joan's sister. Jean used to work in our LNS until it closed. I met Cherie stitching at our library stitch. She keeps all of us in STITCHES laughing. And, Kathy's son Matt goes to school with Corinne in Chicago. It's a small world.

These talented women are wonderful friends and the finest needlewomen around. I value their friendship and hold each of them dear to my heart.

LIFE IS GOOD

Part Duex

The MYSTERY SAMPLER by Blackbird Designs. I chose to stitch this one on five separate pieces of fabric and then stitched them together. Jill did some amazing work on this one!!
Where My Heart Blooms
Rites of Spring
When This You See
I Question Not
Liberty and Union by Blackbird Designs. This frame and mat work is just something else. I took a close up of the cut outs Jill did. This piece warms my good old USA HEART!!!

OH MY....

Opening Ceremonies:Home Sweet Home - The Goode Huswife I stitched this beauty over 1 on some 28 count fabric. DARLING!!! I wished I could take better pics!! Jill's framing is STUNNING!!
Do you think I was happy to see Ida Mae??
I stitched Ida Mae Crow on some yellow fabric I had in my stash with recommended DMC except for a color on her dress. It was a drab brown and I changed it to RED!! I'm so glad Ira Ray will be along shortly!! Is this frame and mat OVER THE TOP or WHAT !!!
And Thomas Turkey by Notforgotten Farms. Jill has made him into such a handsome Tom.... And just in time for Thanksgi........ whoops.... and just in time for Autumn!!

LET THE PARTY BEGIN

Casanova and Jaxon are guarding the loot until the party tomorrow. In these two boxes are nine (9) pieces I stitched and had Jill Rensel custom frame for me. Included are Blackbird Designs 2008 Loose Feathers Mystery Sampler, Rites of Spring, When This You See, Home is Where My Heart Blooms and I Question Not. Also, Ida Mae Crow and Home Sweet Home by The Goode Huswife, Thomas Turkey by Notforgotten Farms, and Liberty and Union by Blackbird Designs. WOW I left them in Jills trusting and talented hands when I was last in Utah. I have no idea what they look like. I just tell her to have at it!!

So, my dear friends, stay tuned for pics of the festivities and these treasures. I have eleven dear friends coming over for a luncheon tomorrow. We'll be unwrapping, ooh-ing and awe-ing, and I am sure, drooling over these pieces. I am giddy with anticipation!!

It Was A Wonderful Cruise

It was a wonderful cruise! This stitch along was so much fun. I had to sit on my hands so I wouldn't stitch ahead of our assignment, and then when our final orders were issued...I sort of didn't want it to end. A great big thanks to Loraine and Terri for being the best cruise directors ever!

Warm Heads, Warm Hearts

I love it when a plan comes together. I just finished knitting this darling hat from the latest VOGUEknitting magazine.

Here's another view of the hat laid out. You can really see the cable / leaf pattern.

Next to it is the Aviatrix hat I knit for a brand new great-nephew Wesley Cache. He's my baby brother's first grandchild. The newest Grandma and Grandpa Crandall are 'over-the-top' in love with this child!!

Sailing Away with Turtle in Tow

I'm sailing away with Terri's darling turtle fob in tow. Thanks Terri!!

Hey Margaret....

I have a wonderful friend. Her name is Margaret and I first met her on the Legacy bulletin board. Her work is stunning and there is a lot of it. Every piece is just as lovely as the next one. She also does a blog (link on my blog - see right) and it makes me happy every time I read her posts. She is such an enabler....and I love that about her; she is such an encouragement to me. In one of her most recent posts she had pics of Charlotte Clayton framed. JUST BEAUTIFUL. And the big bird is pictured at the top of her blog. So, Sunday night I'm stitching, stitching, stitching. wanting to roll my Charlotte up for the night, but I kept thinking.. just get the big bird done so you can show Margaret... and here it is!!

I've never met Margaret in person or even talked with her on the phone. But, I value our friendship and consider her one of my dearest friends! Thanks Margaret...a friend in stitches.

Aye Aye Captain

I have truly enjoyed stitching Sail Away with my Stitch Along (SAL) group. Here's part 3 completed.

Look What I Did !!

Earth Gatherer

While I was trying to decide what piece to stitch (along with what you've all ready seen in a previous post) I came across this one by Shepherd's Bush.

Don't ask me how long it took...I have no idea. It's been a work in progress for years. It does have frequent flyer miles though, it's been back and forth to Utah many, many times. Even when all the cross stitch was completed, the backstitching, beading and adding the charms took a fair amount of time. It was worth it though -- a treasure for sure. I suppose I should seriously consider starting the Wool Gatherer and the Herb Gatherer. They are both sitting right in front of me waiting for needle and thread. Instead of a sampler wall, I think I'll have a Shepherd's Bush wall!

Here's a close up of the girl....

And here's a close up of the boy..