Tablerunner & October Snapper

Wow! Thank you for all that stopped by here and commented on the Mermaids, you are all so sweet! I am very pleased that they are done, and that I don't have to bead any more at the moment :) I am giving them to my friend, who does know about them. I showed her last Thanksgiving, right before I had most of the stitching done on them, and she was really excited. Barbara, I laughed so hard when I read your comment, "she is going to faint!" She just might, knowing her :D

So for church Colleen has been teaching us how to make quilts, like you saw the block of the month quilt I've posted a few times. Now we are going to do seasonal items, taking 3 month intervals to do them. She chose a Christmas Tablerunner, and I sewed the top of mine altogether now. Sorry for the poor photos, the color just doesn't show up well :P

Also, I finished the October Bent Creek Snapper. Only two more to go! Woohoo!

I am really trying to decide what to do next. I want to finish The 4 Seasons SO badly, but I also want to start a new project, either the one that Katrina sent to me, or The Cape. You vote, tell me what you want to see me do, no matter which one I do, I'd be happy! :D

For the 4 Seasons, I have 4 motifs left to stitch....

Katrina sent me this off of my wishlist, all kitted up, it's adorable! I love it :)

And I have this all kitted up too, so... what to do!

Mermaids of the Deep Blue FINISHED!!!!

Can I just say, YIPEEE!!!!! I am so excited that the Mermaids are done. I have been beading for the past week, and just finally finished them tonight at 11:00.

I started these back in March of 2006, so it has been a year and a half project for me. I am actually giving this as a gift to one of my best girlfriends in the whole world. I cannot wait to give it to her now! When I first saw this chart, I knew that she had to have it. :D

Mirabilia: Mermaids of the Deep Blue

March 2006 to October 2007

32 ct. Zweigart Amsterdam Blue Linen

Used all recommended threads, beads and charms.

Here are some closeup shots just for the heck of it. If any of you decide to stitch this, just be aware there are so many beads :) The stitching isn't bad at all. I did enjoy them, once I learned to use clear thread for the beading.

Okay everyone, I am a tired girl... so it's time for bed! I can relax as one more big WIP is crossed off of my list *bliss* oh yeah!

Halloween and Autumn Quaker exchange received

One of my other great things that happened this past weekend was I received not one, but TWO exchanges. Goldie has my name for both exchanges :D I am lucky! She went all out, and I am just so excited about what she made for me.

For the Autumn Quaker exchange she made a really cute needlebook. It is so pretty!

The inside had a small cushion with my initials on one side and a peacock on the other. So creative.

Also for the Halloween Exchange she made a small tin. She finished a Shepherd’s Bush freebie and it really looks perfect. I have yet to try to finish something onto a tin, it is neat-o. Thanks Goldie!

She included 3 skeins of floss to try out, ribbons, black linen and so much more, so generous. I love it all :)

Also this week I finished Little House Needleworks: Berries. I’ve been stitching away at it at work. It is really cute. I have been happy with these small designs so far.

So, this week is the big church activity, amongst other things. I have been working A LOT on the Mermaids. I have quite a bit of beading to do still, but I am over ½ way done with the beading now. I hope to have them done by my goal date of 11/15! I think I’ll make it :) Yay! Goals are so helpful for motivation.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I really do appreciate you all stopping by :)

Ocean Waves Quilt Done :)

What a weekend this has been, I am SO tired. We had quite an adventure on Saturday. We drove to Crater Lake, which is about a 5 hour drive from Portland. We had never been there before, and have always wanted to go and see it. I have seen it from an airplane, but that doesn't count! :) I took pictures of it then (5-16-06)

It's cool huh? Well we got up there and the ground was completely covered in snow, and as we drove up to the rim of the lake it was really foggy, I was bummed thinking that we would not see it because of the fog, but we lucked out :)

It is the deepest lake in the USA at 1,943 feet. It is quite amazing, and just so deep blue. I loved being there, and hopefully we can go back in the summertime when we can see it more clearly and do some hiking. They even do a boat tour, how fun!

In other news, we stayed home all day today and rested. I managed to finish the binding on my Ocean quilt, so it is done now! Ta-da!

Here is a closeup of the quilting:

I have a lot more to share but will post later... just to keep you all in suspense LOL!

Autumn Quaker Exchange for Amy

I was happy when I had received Amy’s name for my exchange partner. She does such beautiful work! Fall is one of my most favorite seasons. I love the warm colors of reds and oranges that are all over the trees. The cool, crisp air. The harvested apples, going to the pumpkin patch. So much fun! I found a simple quaker design from a freebie. I then wandered to my LNS and searched for the perfect fall thread. I found a great one, made by Needle Necessities.

I made her a little needlebook:

I then found the perfect fabric to match! Nothing like when a plan comes together. :)

She says she loves it, and I am thrilled! :D Enjoy Amy.

Also in time for the fall season I finished my LHN: Pumpkins into a cube. I decided to give it to the woman who takes care of my kids while I work. She is fabulous, sweet and so great to my kids. She also loves to decorate for the seasons, so it fit right in with her décor. She was very happy to get it yay!

So for church we have an evening for the ladies. It is every quarter, and we have to put on some sort of activity for everybody. I am in charge of all this, and have a lot of help of course. This year is a Fall Celebration. We had signups for soups and desserts. Then we are talking about favorite traditions, making some cute seasonal blocks, demonstrating how to make caramel popcorn balls, and tying quilts for families who need them. It will be a fun evening, and it is next Thursday. My evenings will be taken up in planning this, so I am not sure how much of my own things I’ll be working on :D I am excited for this night though, they always turn out to be so much fun. Here are the blocks we are making, my friend and I are teaching everyone how to do these.

The Mermaids are back!

Well, guess what I’ve been working on for the past few nights?? Cindy! I got the Mermaids of the Deep Blue out again! I haven’t worked on them for such a long time. I got burned out on the beading, and then I figured out why. I was using a DMC thread that matched the bead color, well on this project there are SO MANY beads. And a lot of bead colors all mixed together. I finally figured out to use clear quilting thread (duh) and it has gone way faster. I am so much happier beading now. It still bores me, but that is alright. Anyway, I’ve worked on them for two nights now, and several hours.

Where I stopped on 3/11/07(oh my gosh, it’s been that long!?!):

And here I am now on 10/2/07:

I got most of the beads on the mermaid on the left now. I have to backstitch them as well, but that should not take too long. Anyway it’s good to be working on them again :)

Also, I received a comment from Sunflowergrl922 regarding my Trip Around the World Quilt. I couldn’t find any way to email you back! You had asked where I got this pattern. Well, to be honest, I made it up :) It is a simple pattern to do, I took graph paper, started in the middle and drew it out from there. You need to choose the fabrics/colors you want first. If you read this leave me your email and I’d be happy to walk you through it okay? Can’t wait to hear back from you!

September Review, October Goals

A review, for my records anyway… this sure helps me keep on track!

September ReviewWork on the Four Seasons *no*
Finish 2 Shepherd's Bush Ornaments *yes*
Work on Grandma's Log Cabin *yes*
Stitch 2 Shepherd's Bush Ornaments *yes*
Finish Debby's NRR and mail it to Von at the end of the month. *yes*
Stitch September on the Bent Creek Snappers *yes*

This month was kind of not productive for me I thought. I did get a lot of random things done…

Other things I did this month: finished the Trip Around the World Quilt, Started the Pumpkin quilt, helped my sister with her quilt, tablerunner and potholders, made 4 birthday blocks.

October Goals

1. Work on the Mermaids of the Deep Blue. I want to get these done I have made myself a deadline, November 15th. I have to get the Mermaids done! These are a gift for a good friend, and we might get to see her for Thanksgiving, if we do, I want it done to give to her then.

2. Find chart for next NRR, and start it.

3. Stitch October on the Bent Creek Snappers

4. Work on the 4 Seasons

5. Work on Grandma’s Log Cabin quilt

6. Work on Pumpkin Quilt

7. Put binding on Ocean Waves Quilt

I have more I’d like to do, but there are a few things this month that will take some of my evenings. So… I won’t plan any more goals :)

Goodbye September...

I have been sitting here trying to think where September went. I know I had my family here for the first half, school started, we celebrated our anniversary... so many things! And it's over just like that *snap*

Well, my husband was out of town this weekend, and I got quite a few things done. I was able to get the top pieced on my pumpkin quilt.

Here is a closeup of the leaves:

I now need to add the border to it, which has a lot of pieces, so that is a whole lot more work :) Which I am looking forward to!

Then I finished the rest of my birthday blocks. I don't think I'll do this exchange again next year. It is quite a lot of work to make 17 other blocks throughout the year. It kind of wore me out. I liked making them for the experience I suppose, but I am happy they are done :P So here are my final 4!

And go me! It is the last day of September and I finished my September Bent Creek Snapper this morning :D I want to add some sort of verse to the top of this like "for every season there is a purpose under heaven...." or something. Anybody have some good seasonal quotes/sayings/scriptures that come to mind? I'd love to get your ideas!

Home from the Framers

This week has sure gone by quick, but the days seem long. I know that doesn’t make sense, but that is what I feel right now :P

I have been such a good girl since I posted about not buying any stash. I am quite proud of myself. I did get two of my cross stitches framed though, and I have never had my work professionally framed, I love it! I wanted to hang both of these in my living room since they are “ocean-esc” :)

Hinzeit: Harbor Lights

Kind Stitchworks: Cannon Beach

I had the hardest time coming up with what color of mat for this one, I finally settled on green, since that matches the green on the Haystack Rock. I like how it turned out. The question now… where am I going to hang them? :D

I went to our quilting class at church last night. We are making seasonal items now. So, we had to get fabric to do a Christmas tablerunner. I didn’t start on it yet, I helped some others cut their fabric, since they were new to quilting. It was fun! I hope to get started on it this weekend.

I’ve also been stitching on my September Bent Creek Snapper. I still have a long ways to go, but I hope to finish it this weekend too. I love how this is turning out. I need to start on the border as well if I am going to get it done by the end of the year. We shall see. I’ve been working on my Pumpkin quilt too! It is going to be so cute. I’ve been sewing the leaves together. There are quite a few, but I’m getting them knocked out. It is coming together a little bit at a time.

On the family side of things, our little hamster got hurt this morning. His paw got stuck inbetween parts of his cage. The poor thing! Jessie was so upset and crying for him. He will be fine, but I felt bad for it. You know… if it is not one thing it’s another right? Holy moly, I can’t keep up with life some days.

I have to tell you all thank you SO much for stopping by and leaving comments, it makes me so happy to know you all love these hobbies as much as I do! It gives me motivation to keep on truckin’ and enjoying what I am doing.

Trip Around the World

Well, I have some good news! I FINISHED the Trip Around the World quilt tonight :D

I got it back from getting it quilted last week. I went ahead and finished the binding today and it is ready to mail to my cousin now. I am so excited! It turned out beautifully. I had the quilter do a "puzzle" pattern on it in green thread.


Also this weekend I worked on my Shepherd's Bush ornament, I finished Wisemen Came. I now have 4 done, only 2 more to go.


I helped Katrina finish a few of her exchanges last week, she was so sweet and sent me this chart and kitted it up for me, to say thank you. Well, thank you Katrina, you are wonderful! :D



Today was a quiet day, church was really nice, and we had a good dinner. We took some silly pictures for fun too!

Eagle Creek Trail Hike

Thanks for your comments on Debby’s NRR :D I am so glad you all like it! It can be a bit daunting when you have to make up a house and all that, you want the owner of the piece to love it you know? So, I mailed it off to Von and next will be Rob’s NRR, hers is a seaside theme yay!!! I almost went with a seaside theme on mine too, so I am pretty excited to do hers.

I don’t have any crafty pictures to share today, I’ve been working a bit on several things so nothing to show LOL! I still have stitching ADD LOL!

Over the weekend we went on a hike in the Columbia River Gorge, which is just east of Portland. It is a beautiful place, a big canyon that the huge Columbia River winds down. Well, there are waterfalls, canyons, rivers, and tons of hiking trails all through it. We decided to do an easy hike to Punchbowl Falls. We went to the Eagle Creek Trailhead and started out. It follows Eagle Creek through a really pretty canyon. We got up pretty high at one point, and then came back down to meet the creek. It was a two mile hike into the waterfall. We were lucky and had the place to ourselves for about an hour. The water was really cold and clear. When you come upon the waterfall you see:

Lower Punchbowl Falls

Then you wander just a bit up the riverbed to see:

Punchbowl Falls (this I’ve seen in a lot of calendars, the big log across it must have fallen recently? It wasn’t in any photos I’ve seen of this waterfall before)

Mark and the kids took off their shoes and socks to go wading, and then they all fell in :D I knew I would have done that too, so I stayed out and took pictures instead. Next time maybe I’ll bring a wetsuit so I can swim around.

Debby's Neighborhood RR is done :)

Hi there! I finished up Debby's NRR last night. It was such a big block, I still feel like it looks empty in the front yard, but I'll leave it that way, I don't want to clutter it :D I really enjoyed this one. I'll put this in the mail to Von next week! I am excited to receive the next one. I like that we can be creative and piece so many ideas together, it's really cool.

Here is my block:

And the full piece:

I am not sure what we are doing today, either going on a hike to see waterfalls or to a drive-in at the High School. We have our old car we can take :) Either way it'll be a fun day. I hope you all have a nice weekend ahead!