2015 PS Santa

2015 Prairie Schooler Santa

stitched on 32-ct. Dirty Linen

with DMC

I put the last stitch in my first Prairie Schooler Santa yesterday while watching Downton Abbey reruns on PBS. Now comes the hard part... do I start another one? Maybe an ornament?

Or do I try to finish up Peppermint Twist at long last?

These are the kind of questions that keep me awake at night!

Onwards and Upwards

I'm still making progress on my 2015 Prairie Schooler Santa...

It seemed like it took forever to stitch all the red on his coat! He is quite a handsome gent though, even with only one hand!

I've also been working on my Fallingwater Lego model...

I finished the foundation earlier today. There are four additional sections which will all fit together to complete the model. I think the designer of this set did a great job in making the house blend in with the landscape, just like the real Fallingwater. I can't wait to have it all finished and put together!

My Latest Obsession

We celebrated my 55th birthday on Friday and Phil gave me something I've been wanting for a long time. This is Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater from Lego's Architecture Series. I haven't put together a Lego set since my kids were growing up but luckily it's like riding a bicycle! I'm sure there are folks who would have it put together in a matter of hours but I'm going slow, savoring it like a rich dessert! It's quite satisfying snapping each section together! I definitely see another set like this in my future!

It's That Time of Year

Let's just say I learned a lesson after running out of my favorite Fall K-Cups before you could say cornucopia!

It makes me positively giddy! Although that might just be the caffeine!

Winter Foursome

I finished up this little Pine Mountain pillow last night while watching football with Phil. I love these kits because they take next to no time to stitch and when you're done you just tuck it into the little pillow and you're done! No muss, no fuss! I bought a couple of these for next to nothing at the last Midwest Stash Exchange at the House of Stitches in LaPorte. Always a good time there and bargains galore!

I've also been working on the 2015 Prairie Schooler Santa...

 

I have to confess this is my first ever PS Santa. A little late to the party, I know, but I love all the Prairie Schooler trees I've seen displayed up and down the internet block and have vowed to some day have one of my very ownsies! I have nearly all the charts so it's just a matter of getting them stitched and finished into ornaments!

(No problem, right?)

I've also been spending some time with Block 11 of my VoHRH but somehow made an error on the eaves of the school house despite counting and recounting eleventy gazillion times and spraying frog repellent from one end of the Chicken Ottoman Empire to another. I promise a picture as soon as I have everything straightened out.

Can you believe it's already the second week of December?? I could have used another month of Fall but I do love the holiday season!

Autumn Finish

Autumn

by Blackbird Designs

stitched with GAST

on Vintage Lentil linen

This is a three part sampler from Blackbird Designs. I stitched Winter a while back so here is a photo of what it looks like so far...

The last part is Summer so I will wait and stitch that... well... in the summer. Then I'll finally be able to fill in the year! I considered going ahead and stitching a 6 there but knowing me it's quite possible I'll be ripping out the 1 and replacing it with a 2!

And speaking of being on the ten year plan, I did get a start on Block 11 of my VoHRH. I've also been working on Spot the Cat but ran into some color issues with the thread I'm using so it's been put on the back burner until I have time to search my stash for something I like better.

Have a great weekend!

 

Fall Bucket List

Instead of putting together a Fall Stitching Basket yesterday afternoon like I was supposed to, I found myself sitting in front of the fire, staring out the window at the grey sky, and getting all pensive and angsty because I know in a couple of days the store shelves will be cleared of anything even remotely related to fall and out will come the holiday items. I am so not ready to give up my cozy fall days! So I grabbed a pen and paper and started jotting down things I'd still like to do before the tree goes up and the halls are decked. Basically it is a Fall Bucket List and I am happy to report I am already crossing things off!

One thing I love about fall is it's prime time for my slow cooker. And one of my favorite dishes to have simmering away in it is chili. A quick trip to the grocery store for a few ingredients and BAM!

There's no real recipe here... I just throw in all the things I like with some seasonings and let it go! It smells heavenly! I can't wait to dig in!

Next up are these beauties...

My favorite boots of all time were sitting in the back of the closet, practically forgotten. Luckily my last Stitch Fix included a pair of charcoal grey jeans that go perfectly with them! And yes, I do a stupid dance every time I put these on! I don't know why other than just wearing them makes me happy! :-)

Next up on my list was some stitching. Something simple that I could get done quickly but still feel like I'd accomplished something major. I know! I'll finish all of the borders for the blocks on my VoHRH!

While I had everything out I decided on which Block to work on next and sorted the thread so I'm ready to go when the mood strikes!

So there ya have it! It's so nice to finally be joining the party!

Hooray for Fall!

It's Still Only September, Right?

Here it is almost the end of October and I feel like I haven't really stopped to enjoy the season. The air is crisp and the leaves are changing and I feel like I'm going to miss it all if I don't sit up and pay attention. So this morning I decided to finally open the box of Starbucks Fall Blend I bought last month. I also pledge to go through my patterns and put together some sort of fall stitching basket.
I'm long overdue!

Havana Needlebook... Assembled!

It isn't perfect by a long stretch but I finished my Havana Needlebook from the La-D-Da class I took last month.

This side...

That side...

Inside...

Outside...

Thank you again to Lori Markovic for the fun class she taught and the fabulous design! My mediocre finishing skills do not do it justice!

Havana Needlebook

I have the stitching finished on my La-D-Da class project from last month!

Havana Needlebook

by La-D-Da

stitched on 32-ct. Beige linen from WDW

with Havana Brown Gloriana Silk

Instead of my initials I decided to stitch two happy little bunnies!

Now I need to get busy and put the needlebook together!

Halloween Finish Finish

Hats Off To Halloween

by Lizzie Kate

stitched on 26-ct. White Birch Heatherfield

with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads

This is an oldie but a goodie that has been at the bottom of my fuppie box for far too long. I stitched it waaaay back in 1990-something. It was quite possibly the first design I ever stitched with overdyed threads. Looking online I saw that this was Lizzie Kate's first design ever! A lot of history here!

I had originally thought I'd make this into a pillow and when I flopped down at the sewing machine on Saturday I was still heading down that road. After I had the border sewn on I started thinking that it was going to be a bit on the Large Marge size for a pillow so I scrapped the original plan and went with a wall hanging do-ma-jig. My seams aren't exactly straight but it's hardly noticeable. (Which is why I thought I'd point it out...)

I have it looped on a dowel so I could take a picture but I'm going to look for a little broomstick to hang it on to make it

super witch-ified!

 

Block 8... Done!

Village of Hawk Run Hollow

Block 8

Carriage House Samplings

stitched on 40 count Pearled Barley linen

with Vikki Clayton Hand Dyed Fibers

Jacob was thrilled when he showed up last week to see the river was a-flowing and the wheel was a-turning! He didn't care that the flowers weren't a-planted and there wasn't a single blade of grass a-growing! He got to gristing and milling right away and the folks of Hawk Run Hollow will be having corn bread with their beans tonight because

BLOCK 8 IS DONE!

Here's the whole sha-bang...

Three more blocks to go!

Woohoo!

Back to the Grist Mill

Our dear friend Jacob the Miller has his denims in a tangle over the fact that the last of the summer corn is now drying on its stalks and will be harvested before the first frost. He's explained to me that if his mill isn't fully operational before the corn has finished drying and is ready to be ground into flour the bank will come after his aforementioned denims. I'm all "relax Jacob!" and he's all "blah, blah, blah contract!" and "blah, blah, blah lawsuit!"

He's obviously not going to shut up until I get some work done so here's where we are now...

Technically the mill is finished.

Is it my fault there's no river?

Tabula Rasa

Now that it's officially fall, I want to get busy with some decorating. I cleared the summer doodads off of my three-tiered centerpiece thingy and dug out some of my fall decorations. Now all I need is some inspiration and a bit of motivation! They seem to be in short supply at the moment so looks like it's back to my Pepsi and Pinterest for the time being!

Happy Fall, Y'all!!

Stitcher's Day Out

I had a fabbity-fab time last Saturday at the Stitcher's Day Out hosted by the House of Stitches in LaPorte, Indiana! Lori Markovic was there to teach the class and is an absolute rock star among stitchy designers! Our project was her Havana Needlebook and I have been working diligently to complete mine.

It is stitched on 32 count Beige linen from Weeks Dye Works with the most delicious Havana Brown silk from Gloriana. The retro scissors and acorn ornament were class gifties... don't cha love 'em!

I did some shopping at HoS after the class and came home with quite a few new patterns for what can be best described as "the stack". Every time I walk in the shop it's like visiting a buffet and I fill up my plate with waaaay more than I can ever eat. Or stitch. But it all looks so yummy... I can't help myself!

The weather turned warm again here at the lake so fall has been put on hold for the time being, although most folks have already packed up and left. It's been super quiet, even on the weekends. A sure sign that summer must be over.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to the Chicken Ottoman Empire for some stitching!

Fall Squared

This is a cute little Lizzie Kate design I stitched way back in 2008 on gingham linen. I found this frame on clearance and thought I could make it work for something fall-ish. Turns out there's a little too much going on it that 3"x3" space but it's still kinda sorta okay.

What do you think?

Futzing and Putzing

I hope all of y'all 'round these parts (the good ole USofA) enjoyed a safe and happy Labor Day. We took the boat out one day and did some grilling, but otherwise it was a quiet weekend for us. Phil had some "homework" to do so I futzed around upstairs in the loft and did a little finishing. I also spent some time in the Chicken Ottoman Empire working on my Fall Stitching Basket.

I bought this nifty frame on a shopping excursion with my daughter last Friday and it seemed to be perfect for this Four Seasons piece from the Trilogy...

(Mr. Moose was called into propping up duty once again!)

I also bought a frame to use for my Prairie Schooler Summer I just finished but it's quite a bit bigger than the little guys I've been doing. I might just take it in and have the experts do it. I'd really hate to mess it up!

I'm still working on my Fall Stitching Basket so no big reveal yet. I'm making lists of the thread and fabric I still need. I will be attending the House of Stitches La-D-Da class on Saturday so I plan to pop into the shop and pick up some supplies while I'm there.

Both Phil and I have managed to catch a summer cold bug so we've been taking it easy the last couple of days. I've self prescribed comfort food, herbal tea, and DayQuil! So far it seems to be working although I haven't had the energy to do much more than putz around on Pinterest all day! My daughter got me hooked on Stitch Fix so now I'm a virtual fashionista!

Hoping to pick up a needle again soon so I'll have some stitching to share!

Summer Happy Dance

Summer

from Prairie Seasons

by The Prairie Schooler

stitched on 28-ct. Lambswool linen

with DMC

I was in the midst of my Happy Dance yesterday when I noticed this...

Somehow I had managed to stitch over one of the white flower petals. Argh!

Rip, rip, rip...

Stitch, stitch, stitch...

Back to happy dancing! Woohoo!

Then I noticed this...

A missing leaf! Noooooo!

Stitch, stitch, stitch...

Double check everything...

Nothing else? Yay!!!

I can safely dance the dance of hap!

With this project complete and it being September, I think it is time to start putting together my fall stitching basket! I looooove fall stitching so I will probably pull out waaaay more projects than I can ever finish! It's almost as much fun to stare at them and dream of stitching as it is to actually stitch!

Anyone else ready for fall??

So Close!

I best be dusting off my happy dance shoes! A little more 3362 and this one will be finished!

Hello Again Hello

It's been a while since I last checked in but it's good to see everyone is still here! We have been enjoying a surge of visitors and activity around here and at long last I'm able to sit down and pick up where I left off! Which is with my Prairie Seasons Summer...

Yep... still more green to fill in. The stitching fairies did not pay me a visit during my absense.

I was thrilled to find To Kill A Mockingbird added to Netflix so it looks like I have my afternoon all planned!

Woohoo!

Having a Windsday on a Thursday

It is quite a blustery day out today! A bit chilly and fall-ish if you ask me! It's days like this that give me the urge to put together a fall stitching basket!

We've been super busy here in the Chicken Ottoman Empire! So busy that I've been a little scatter brained. (I've had to go to the grocery store twice already today!) I've been reluctant to pick up my stitching because it seems like every time I do I misplace my needle! I've lost two in the last few days and I hardly ever lose a needle!

Here's my meager progress on Summer...

All I have left is filling in the dark green on the left side. You would think I'd be done by now but ten stitches in and I'm thinking wait... I was supposed to be washing sheets and towels and getting rid of the stink in what will forever be known as "The Skunk Room". (By the way, thank you for the postcard from Milan, Simone. Who knew you were so involved in making sure Fashion Week goes off without a hitch.)

Busy and me just don't get along!

Folks are coming to visit this weekend and there are eight bar stools waiting to be put together and chicken curry to make so off I go!

Buzz buzz buzz...

Au Revoir, Simone!

Simone LeSkunk fell for the trail of mini marshmallows leading to the trap set for her by the Critter Gitter! She is packed up and waiting on the driveway for the limo driver to pick her up and take her to O'Hare. She has a one way ticket to Pah-wee tucked into her Vera Bradley backpack along with some reading material and a few extra marshmallows for the flight. Apparently she was here on a student visa, taking a couple of summer classes at P.U., but got mixed up with the wrong crowd and ended up in our basement as a result of a cruel sorority prank.

All I have to say is,
Au revoir, Simone! Au revoir!

Unfortunately, her legacy endures...

(I wasn't kidding about the Car Jars!)

Wow! What's That Aftershave You're Wearing?

This post comes to you from the far reaches of the Chicken Ottoman Empire. This morning we awoke bright and early to the joyful singing of the birds outside our window (aaaaahhh...) and what has to be the most horrible stench known to man (what the...??). We quickly tracked down the source and discovered it was coming from the utility room on the lower level. Something has been camped in there for a couple of days and by the smell of it I'd say it has to be a close relative of the Grinch. Evidently he's been feasting on three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwiches with a side order of pink insulation! That's the best I can do to describe it!

Stink! Stank! Stunk!

We have opened every window in the house but even with a steady breeze blowing in from the lake it hasn't helped much to dissipate the smell. The critter removal specialist can't be here until later this afternoon so I am hiding out in my stitching room, armed with Yankee Candles and Fabreeze!

In the meantime I have plenty to work on. Here is my latest progress on Summer from Prairie Schooler...

 I've been working on all the little fussy bits so it seems to be going super slooooow. Once they are all done it's mostly filling in the green grass so a Happy Dance can't be too far away!

Here's hoping your Tuesday is going better than mine! If you'd like to come visit, bring clothes pins and Car Jars!

Man vs. Squirrel 2015

Every summer I seem to be in competition with our local critters as to who is the better gardener. I think the critters would be winning this year if it wasn't for this...

The "accidental squash" has all but taken over the bluff!

(Note: Slippers are not the ideal footwear choice for climbing hills! I literally slid right out of them and ended up back at the bottom in my socks!)

The squash inspired me to plant some pumpkins. A little late but they're popping out of the ground now...

I'll be thrilled if we get a pumpkin! They are just too adorable!

Our resident squirrel Jessie (his name comes from Rick Springfield's hit... I wish that I had Jessie Squirrel!) has entered this sunflower...

Pfffft!

And Dave the Chipmunk has planted corn...

 He lives under the steps that lead down to the lake and I see him out with his little spade and watering can from time to time. He's a real contender, this chipmunk!

We have no plans for the weekend so I'm hoping to get some stitching done, and possibly a little finishing. I've made a fresh batch of orzo salad and I'm not afraid to use it!

Two Days Later...

... and all I've managed to stitch is a stem, some leaves, and one flower! My camera even refused to take a decent picture of this embarrassing lack of progress! If there was such thing as a stitching forecast, mine would be foggy with a 10% chance of thread blowing in from the north and converging with needle and fabric this afternoon.

Phil and I went to see Aerosmith in concert last night and I'm suffering from a bit of a Rock & Roll hangover. My ears are still ringing and I'm dead tired after getting home in the wee hours last night. Plus all that jumping up and down and clapping and woowoo'ing takes a lot out of a person my age! I was hoping to revive myself with a relaxing bubble bath this morning while I soaked off my mascara and glitter eye shadow but a rather fat ugly spider decided to join me. Picture David Lee Roth in the Jump video and you have an idea of what I looked like! I swear I heard the spider laughing as it went down the drain with my bubbles!

This afternoon is my annual boob squooshing and as a Public Service Annoucement I encourage all you gals out there to beat the rush in October and get those mammograms scheduled now!

Baking & Stitching

Friday was the big Bake Fest here in our neck of the woods, so my daughter and I were up early that morning to prepare our entries! We had bowls and utensils and ingredients spread from one end of the island to the other!

Here is my Peach Coffee Cake ready for the oven...

And Sarah's Peach Bourbon Cupcakes all ready to go...

As you can see from the photo below, I brought home the first place ribbon in my category! Woohoo!

Sarah took home a fancy medal for her efforts and we're both planning to participate again! We're going for the Grand Prize next year, so look out Coloma!

In between all the baking and award ceremonies I was able to sneak in a few stitches on my Prairie Schooler Summer. It's coming along splendidly! You can almost feel the heat from Mr. Sun!

Tonight's dinner is simmering in the crock pot, the laundry is sploshing around in the washer, and now seems like the perfect time to settle into my stitching chair!

Number Nine

We're nine years old today!

Seems like only yesterday I started this here blog! Thank you to everyone who pops in to visit my little world! I plan to keep posting so pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable! There's tea and coke in the fridge and a brand new bag of pretzel crisps ready to be passed around, and God willing and the creek don't rise, plenty more stitching to come!

Well, I'll Be!

Just when I'm complaining I don't have a green thumb, this happens...

Who would have guessed I could actually grow something this pretty?