Happy Star Spangled Day

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This is a good post to follow Stitching the Night Away's latest blog hop question, talking about seasonal designs.  Today is all about seasonal blog...The Fourth of July, that Star Spangled Holiday.  I finished Prairie Schooler July on July 1 and framed it yesterday.  Plenty of time and you know it will be up for the whole month.  In case you didn't already know this, PS is one of my favorite designers.  I should do a few of the small ones to scatter about, maybe someday.  I should keep a list of these things somewhere so I don't forget.  

 I got out the rest of my Fourth of July pieces to decorate.  I have done these over the years.  This one I am particularly pleased with since I had to sew all the pieces together.  It is a Homespun Elegance.  I think now you can get the pillows done, you just need to stitch them up.  I even put piping on it and I had never done that before.  I have done several Homespun Elegance over the years and they is another one coming up further down the blog.

 The sheep buttons by the barn are particularly cute.  I should have done a close up of that.

 Another Homespun Elegance....Bringing In series.  I should have some sheep in my backyard since I am keen about them.

 I think this is a Bent Creek.  I think there is a button theme going on here.

 Shepherd's Bush.  Lots of buttons.  This was suppose to be done on larger count fabric but, I have done all of these on smaller count to make little knob holders.  I need places to put things.  The smaller size just seemed to fit better.

 Not sure what this is.  It is either a Bent Creek Zipper or a Lizzie*Kate.  Somebody will know I'm sure.  I used hemp for the hanger since I thought the design was more rustic.

 Another Shepherd's Bush.  I am quite fond of these designers.  I have done a few from them including this whole year series.  I had to adjust November and Septembers to fit in the little strip of wall I hang these.  I hang them just as you coming into the kitchen from my laundry room.  It makes me smile.

 A little needle roll.  I really liked doing these and I have a few Shepherds Bush kits for other seasons.

 The Sweetheart Tree bell pull.  This is another little strip of wall I have several bell pulls I interchange through the year.  Some are Homespun Elegance.

Finally, the last picture.  These were Prairie Schooler smalls.  The one with the Hand was one shops would give out.  Had to get the other one to match.  I just painted cheap frames blue to match.  These get hung on a small strip of wall between two doors.  

We had natural fireworks last night.  For a long time, we were between storms and there was lightening every where.  It was quite a show.  About an hour later, we had storms of our own that lasted a couple of hours.  We needed the rain but, it wasn't good for the sleep patterns.
I go and see the surgeon today for my six week check up.  I think I'm doing okay.  I will be anxious for it to start really feeling better.  I am getting tired to sitting on my butt.

Have a great Fourth!  Stay Cool!  Suppose to be 92 here tomorrow.  Thank heavens for AC!
Keep on stitching.

SNAP...a New Season!

The latest Blog Hop question from Stitching the Night Away. Do you find yourself stitching seasonally or do you just stitch what moves you at the moment? What’s your favorite holiday or season to stitch for?

 I guess I usually stitch what moves me for probably nine months of the year. Once September hits, you get the hint that fall is in the air, something goes snap in my head and I get the urge to stitch seasonal things. I absolutely love fall and the fall colors. It really doesn't last long enough for me. I start with fall things then go to Halloween and have to do some of that. Then I start looking for turkeys. I did a Prairie Schooler turkey that just makes me smile every time I look at it. Then I have to hurry and get a Christmas stitch or two in. I like to get my Christmas presents done before I have to so I can stitch seasonal things. It's hard for me to pick a favored season. I do wish there were as many spring and summer patterns I like as fall and winter. I do like Fourth of July patters too.

 Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

My Big Adventure and PS July update

I had a big adventure today...at least for me at this time.  I was able to get into the driver's side of the car today and take myself to my hair appointment.  I had a cut and color today.  I wasn't exactly able to put my left foot on the foot rest of the chair but, that was no big deal.  I was done within an hour and a half.  I called the DH (he wants me to say he's handsome) to see if he was available for lunch.  We met at a restaurant and sat outside.  It was really a lovely day and it was very pleasant.  The only problem about sitting outside like that is I have to really sit forward in the chair because I'm short.  Because, I have to do that, the top of the pants and the bottom of the shirt slide apart exposing (gasp) the granny panties.  I just put my purse between me and the back of the chair.  Whew!  Problem solved...I hope.

I have been cruising on the Prairie Schooler July.  Not quite half way but, getting there.  Filling up my TUSAL jar with ORTs.  Once I get the quilt motifs on the bottom, I will be halfway.  I think the crab in the bottom corner is rather handsome.

I need to put out the 4th of July/patriotic pieces and was going to blog about them.  I think that blog will most likely wait until the weekend.

Tomorrow night is Stitching Night at Ann's house and I can drive myself.  Hurray for me!!
Thanks for stopping.  Keep on stitching.

July PS project update and Chocolate Chip Bars

I was going to start the post with the Prairie Schooler update but, since the pictures came up the way they did I will start with the Chocolate Chip Bars recipe.  I had gotten a Church Cook book when I got my first apartment from my college roommate.  It was a reprint from the original cook book published in 1947.  The recipes are all hand written and illustrated.  These are the best cook books since they are usually tried and true recipes .  I have made a few changes.  

                                          Chocolate Chip Bars              preheat oven to 350

1 cup of shortening (I use butter)

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar.  

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add two egg yolks (save the whites).  Sift together 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder and 2 cups flour.  Combine with the creamed butter/sugar.  Spread into a greased 9x13 pan and pat down.  Spread over the top of the crust one 12 oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips.  

Topping:  Make a meringue with the two egg whites beating with a mixer until stiff peaks a formed.  Add a pinch (yes a pinch) of baking powder and 1 cup of brown sugar.  Spread over the top of the chocolate chips.  Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  Reduce the heat to 300 and bake another 25 minutes until the top is golden brown.  

Since my daughter is showing symptoms of gluten intolerance, I used gluten free flour to make these and they turned out really well.  This is one of my favorite bar recipes.   

 Katy took the bar pictures for me.  They really are yummy!  They sell out fast at bake sales.

Here are the updated pictures of Prairie Schooler July pictures.  It is going quite fast.  I have taken a brief break to work on the top secret Christmas present.  I should be back on track in an hour.

 Pardon the wrinkles and the shadows.  I tried to take the pictures where there was some good natural light.  I have about a quarter of it done all ready.

Kind of a humid, overcast day.  There is a good breeze blowing so it isn't too uncomfortable.  Good day to stitch but, is there ever a bad day to stitch?
Thanks for stopping.  Keep on stitching.

TUSAL or not TUSAL

I have added alot of blogs to my list since I have been home and meeting some great people.  I love checking out all the blogs and will do it several times a day.  So for any of you who may read this keep on blogging.  I need something to do.

What caught my eye was TUSAL on Daffycat's Blog:  http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/.
It took me a while to figure out what TUSAL meant:  totally useless stitch a long where they are keeping tracked of ORTS.  I have an ORT jar that currently is holding pens, pencils, highlighters and scissors, not really holding ORTS.  I do have a little quilted thing I picked up years ago at a Cross Stitch shop in Cedarburg, WI that holds ORTS and has a pin cushion attached and a magnetic strip.

 This is what I usually put my ORTS in.  For the TUSAL I need a different container.  I just burned a candle for the last time last night and cleaned that out.  It will make the perfect container to hold ORTS.  i have decided to start from the beginning since I am doing as much stitching in one day I think I normally do in one week when I am working.   

I think my family is convinced I have slipped and fallen into the deep end.
Thanks for stopping.  Keep on stitching.

Finished Do Not Worry and ready for a new start.

You think I have nothing better to do than blog.  Mostly I don't.  Between stitching and blogging I am maintaining sanity.  If I stand too long, my knee swells, then it itches and then it gets stiff.  Oh wah!  I finished Do Not Worry.  I made some mistakes but, covered them up.  You should have mistakes in your work since God is the only one who can create something perfect.  If I don't stitch, blog and do my home exercise program, I may be compelled to order some Lipozene.  That could be a disaster.


Here is the finished pictures of Do Not Worry.  I had to change the year on the pattern.  Now I just have to get a frame.  I don't know where I will put it just yet.  That is always the dilemma.   

 The close up of the little bird.

 I am just cruising through stuff right now.  I figured I have time to finish this Prairie Schooler before the Fourth.  I need to get out some of the 4th of July things and move pieces around.  I have all the thread and the fabric so I am good to go.  My daughter really likes the lobster on the smaller piece.  As always I just like the whole thing because I am a Prairie Schooler junkie.  I may have to do a post about that in the future.

Hope you are staying cool.  It is pretty warm here but, suppose to cool down after this front moves through.  Thankfully we have gotten some rain.  We could use more.  

Thanks for stopping.  

Keep on stitching!

Do Not Worry Update

I have been working very diligently on Do Not Worry.  Before I took the blog pictures, I wanted to finish the robin's beak.  I really don't stitch all that much.  Today I only stitched about an hour.  We had gotten movies from the video store, streaming Net Flix really doesn't have many "NEW" releases.  We got The Woman in Black.  If you like spooky movies, this one is for you.  It made me jump several times and that's hard to do.  Back to the topic.  I hope that I will be done with this soon and be able to move on to something new.  Other than therapy, right now that is the high light of my day.  

Close up of Do Not Worry.  I really think this is turning out terrific with the over dye thread.  Below, it is the angle shot trying to get artsy fartsy like the big guys.

While we were eating dinner tonight, we had all kinds of action at the bird feeders.  I think we had a pair of Scarlet Tangers.  The bird's head was red and it wasn't a cardinal or a wood pecker.  And then there were two pairs of gold finches were eating the seeds from this plant.  It is a Corn Flower.  It is amazing how light those birds must be because the stems don't bend down. 

Then I walked around a little more and took a few more pictures of what is blooming in the backyard.  I have three different roses in the backyard.  I really don't know what kind this is.  I had gotten it from my mother-in-law a few years ago.  These only bloom for about a month.  They will hold up a few days after being cut.  And they do have a little scent.  We had torrential downpours this afternoon so everything is still quite wet.  

  This rose bush have kind of taken over the area where the Coral Bells were planted.  In the fall or early next spring, I am going to move the Coral Bells some where, don't know where yet.  We are talking about another raised bed next to the shed.  That may be a good spot.  

 The red rose is a ground rose and this will bloom all summer.  It is the rose next to the poppy and really took off once I moved the poppy next to it.  It loves the shade from the poppy and has really thrived since they became neighbors.

 I have two of these bushes, Virginia Roses.  They grow like nuts and my husband is hell bent on trimming them to the ground.  Some day I may take to the pruners to him (LOL).  People have stopped me from watering to find out about them.  I have given many babies away.  Some years they are a mass of pink roses.  Too bad they don't bloom longer than they do.

Thanks for checking up on me.  Haven't caused too much trouble yet.  I am starting to get antsy.  I may just make a trip to Walmart on Thursday to get out of the house.
Keep on stitching.