Weekly Thrift Finds and Progress on Quaker freebie

Thursday thrifting was fun! I found a new thrift store and one treasure in it. I went to look at junk frames because I needed a 6 x6 or so square frame. I came home with this instead!!!!

 

 

A brand new Sudberry Oak box for 3 bucks. If you order online or buy it's about 45.00.

What a deal!

 

I stained it and it's still wet in this pic but I wanted a more distressed darker wood.

 

 

And boy, what a mess I made in the kitchen with this. I first applied with a rag then when I started using a sponge applicator, it was way too much dripping it everywhere. I burned the corn on the cob in the process as I was cooking supper at the time, BUT, I think it will dry out well and our dinner turned out to be fine.

 

 

Abbie was glad as she got her own grilled salmon, taters, and beans in a chi size serving! :P

 

 

The heavy metal (sounds like music) copper distressed frame was another find at the thrift store.

 

 

I went to a second thrift shop and got this for 3.00. I may try to redo the pattern for this old, old motif.

 

 

 

I found this frame for 3 bucks there of which I plan to take apart and frame the sampler I am working now, Doing Right Quaker freebie by Liberty House Primitives.

 

My progress is here:

 

 

I know it's a slow-goer for me but at least I'm moving forward. :)

 

The above frame will be the one I use and after I take out those lovely cross stiched hearts, I will use that to make a needlebook most likely.

 

 

I got this piece of wool at a local quilt shop. It's a fat quarter. I have in mind to use for some Christmas ornies.

 

Well, Fall is certainly here. The leaves are changing if ever so slightly and the peak should be next weekend here.

The colors are definitely inspiring and the cooler weather is helping me get in the Christmas ornie stitching mode.

 

 

I still have these to read through as well. Historical patterns are very intriguing to me as it seems that the motifs symbolize whatever the stitcher was experiencing at that time or her hopes and dreams.

 

A sampler design certainly is a symbolic story-teller.

 

On the designing front, I'm still working on a Downton Abbey, rather large sampler, that you will like if you are a DA fan like me and Mr. Darcy. We are still catching up on episodes and into the mid of the second season now. We for sure, will be ready for that January 6th new season!!!

 

Happy Saturday and Happy Fall to all,

Jennifer

 

Sampler Magazines and Sundries

I've always loved Sampler Antique Needlework magazine but hesitate sometimes to get it.

However, this week I caved and got two of the backordered ones from 2006.

 

Amazon also shipped out to all who ordered, the Season one and two, 6 CD collection on Oct 2!

I don't go to the theatre much so this definitely was a good buy for all the hours of Downton Abbey intrigue. This also includes a CD of the making of the movie and the house itself.

 

 

 I missed last year's entire season and I loved the fact  I could rewatch the first season~ like who can watch it too much????  I love this series.

So happy dance today at the mailbox.

 

 

 

So, of course this Abbie and myself are getting ready for bed, BUT...............

 

 

a few more stitches in a mystery sampler I picked up. Still no clues? The first clue is it's a freebie from a stitching blog.

 

 

I love the shade of overdyed blue.............more clues later.........when finished this will make my first cupboard pillowkeep for my Hoosier cabinet.

 

 

Other mail happiness came in this package. 2 older Sampler Antique Needlework magazine copies, Summer 2006 and Fall 2006

 

 

 

 

I love reading these and both of these historical samplers caught my eye.

 

 

 

And~~~~~ I got a copy of the Just Cross stitch 2012 Christmas magazine at Walmart today.

Gorgeous finishing of many beautiful ornies in there from all designers.

To all designers who participated, Yay!!!

I'm looking through it and wondering which ones I will have time to stitch.

What is it? Like 10 weeks left to get some done??????

 

I have designed a few myself for Christmas and will be putting them on the blog soon.

 

With sleepy eyes of the needle,

Jennifer

 



Raising the Flag on Remembrance

I remember distinctly, as many Americans do, of what I was doing, where I was, and the circumstances as I heard the news on September 11, 2001. It will be a moment in history, a day, which was surreal as we stood watching the horrific events unfolding in all places hit by the terrorists who literally tried to fracture America.

It was a time and still is, especially each year on this anniversary to remember all the families and victims of this event and say a special prayer for them. This year, 9/11 fell on a day I have off, and I was able to watch the replays and the ceremonies in remembrance in New York, Washington, the Pentagon and the site where the heroic plane went down.

I still have chills to this day of how much a country with such terroristic beliefs, embeds their hatefulness to America.

As the names were read this morning on TV, it took 3 hours to announce them all and through that I picked up my Battle Hymn of the Republic sampler by Little House Needleworks and continue to stitch.

I stitched and stiched until I was determine to put at least one flag up. I have basted the Lakeside linen on my thrift store find/ frame of last week. I have to say, I really like it. Basic, simple.

This design is already designated to be framed and will have a special place on the wall in Mr. Darcy's home office as he dedicated 25 years of service to this country with several deployments due to 9/11.

I must leave this design right now to do some other chores today but hope to get back to finishing this flag and the other one by midnight tonight. I want to remember when I see this in his office that these flags were stitched on 9/11/2012.

Here are the new Storklette scissors by Kelmscott Designs still waiting for a new home, along with a beautiful sampler pattern. See side bar for the post to the giveaway which will end in 4 days.

Mr. Darcy is hard at work on the Hoosier cabinet and restoring it, it's looking beautiful. More pics to come.......totally sanded all the paint off the cabinet and will paint the inside white and the outside, stained to Special Walnut shade. We were both amazed at the quality of the wood underneath all the layers of old paint. We are then going to put black hinges and handles back on the doors.

Onward now to do some chores on my list of "things to do" that must get done today.

So glad you spent a few minutes with me today. I always look forward to your comments!

I think I've half-way straightened out the blog format for now.

Thank you so much for all the feedback. It helped me alot!

Jennifer

Junkin' and Jumpin'

First I went junkin'.

 

Then I went jumpin'.

 

 

I know it's that time of year for all kinds of things with many legs to appear out here but I literally got wrapped in a HUGE spider web and the spider ran across to the flowers but the web was stretched from the roof, to the table, to the birdfeeder and back to the front of the porch.

 

 

I had my camera outside to take a picture of the sweet sunset this evening but ran into this one that has definitely taken up the porch.

 

 

Oh yeah! Rounding the corner of the porch was "entangling".

 

 

I'm sorry to say it but he is not boarding here at the homestead any longer........

 

 

The day otherwise has been awesome! The sun is out for one!!  And I feel some change ever so slight back to the drier air and hopefully much cooler this weekend I hear.

 

I went junkin' today. I think I've adopted Thursday for junkin' day. I had something in mind I needed in the kitchen but instead found a gallon bag of  38 forks and 40 spoons for 8 bucks. Stainless steel.

 

 

Now I think I have enough for guests!

 

 

I even found a stitching frame for a large project still new in bag and all the hardware looks great......5 bucks.

 

 

and I couldn't resist this little Colonial Williamsburg piece for 3 bucks.

 

 

 

 

saw a sweet, heavy pewter angel frame in a pile for 2.00. I can't wait to stitch a small in this.

 

 

and finally a small bit of progress this morning, early with my coffee before I started the day.....

Battle Hymn of the Republic, by LHN, Lakeside Linen, DMC floss

 

 

I even played with a scrap piece of this Gingham linen I got a very long time ago to do one over one on a freebie by Liberty House Primitives "With God All Things Are Possible".

 

And for a nice evening it is, even with spiders.......I can't wait for the weather to change up this weekend!

 

Till later after I watch the show Hoarders,

 

Jennifer

 

Playing with Color and Fabric

 

The goodies for the Freedom Fall Giveaway came in the mail yesterday! Here are a closer look at the Kelmscott small stork scissors. One pair in a beautiful blue (I've got to order a pair now) and one in primitive. If you order from 123 cross stitch, their shipping time is zipping fast!

The sampler is also here and ready for the Sept 16th drawing.

 

 

 

 

 

I am dabbling in stitching on some old gold muslin fabric I got at a quilt store. Tight stitching for sure but just going to try it. This is a start on Aaron's sampler for this year. I'm using DMC colors; however, I might use some Crescent color silk for some of the flowers, still not sure yet.

 

 

And Abbie in motion!!!!!

 

 

Pork Roast for dinner

Peach Cobbler for dessert.

 Finally got some juicy peaches while at the grocery today. A simple recipe fix and 45 minutes in the oven with Vanilla ice cream on top will be happening at the homestead.

 

I've been pretty lazy this weekend so far but we all need days like these.......just to recharge.

Enjoy your Sunday evening!

 

Home Tweet Home~~the Birds are singin'

I love going to a big city once a year but always glad to be home by the 5th day at least!  It's such a great contrast to the balance of the world, fast and slow. Moderate and stagnant. Green and cement. ;)

I had some really great meals while I was there and just had a very good time this year on a business trip for Women's Health.

I went a day early this year to explore some favorite spots in Washington, DC and Alexandria. I think I rode about every public transit you could find, just getting lost in a good way actually, being spontaneous with the time I had which was limited.  My third visit ever to In Stitches was ever so exciting as usual!! Patricia was very nice and helpful and I wanted to bring everything home, but this is what I DID get for my stash!!

They have a great blog, by the way, and if you look on my side bar you'll see it.

She showed me many of the latest Nashville recent designs and just was very pleasant to me. The models are intriguing in there!

My camera is hanging on a limb hinge that is loose so here goes with the pics.

Actually this first one is Coverlet Birds progress that I took with me. The Scarlett House is the designer. This is the first time using Needlepoint Silks and I love it. Although they are not varigated in color, I think it was a great designer choice for the replication of a coverlet pattern. Why do I love birds so much????   I don't know but it seems to be a theme of things I got and working on right now.

I did some frogging on the plane today. Finally got the head count straightened out.

I hope to frame this piece in a black frame as on the cover. I think this looks best!

I am stitching using 32 ct Earthen Belfast linen 2 over 2. I almost used 1 over 1 but, I think with in keeping with the coverlet texture, the 2 over 2 is better. NPI silks as called for in the design.

now, for other items from In Stitches shop in Alexandria.

My Dear Friend book by Blackbird Designs

The sampler on the right "Love One Another"........ I had the threads pulled and have the linen at home.

I love this and will definitely be stitched and in the homestead this year.

Gentle Art's Mulberry is what is called for, a monochromatic, beautiful deep red.

A sewing pouch, rather large, but I love the colors and the sampler fabric.

The pockets are very unique. This is by Shepherd's Bush.

Strong snaps to close

This is probably my most favorite find. This is the last one they had in the store.

These threads are for one project in the BBD book. It's a small finish and the new color Polliwog is very neat in contrast to the other two colors for it.

Little House Needleworks Christmas Ornament that I saw in January and knew, just knew this would be one to stitch for Christmas 2012 because this Christmas will definitely be a pleasant contrast to the last one I hope. I feel so blessed and ever since this one came out, I loved it.

This one by Charland Designs. It's a new one and I plan to stitch it in a different color, Chester Blue silk instead.

More luscious colors!

And a finger nail file too because I broke a nail running from place to place getting there. Honestly. LOL

A large piece of Lakeside linen for this project:

I only got 1 of the 3 parts but the linen for all 3. I think I have enough to do for awhile. :)

And some Kelmscott Daisy scissors for the Spring and Summer stitching.

I hope your weekend went well and you got an Irish kiss on Saturday!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday tomorrow!!!

Till later,

Jennifer