Looking for Fabric for Finishing

I went to my mom's to have dinner with her tonight.  There is a very nice quilt store in her little town that I like to stop at to pick up fabric for finishing projects.  The fabric is always a lovely quality and I can usually find something that will work.  Walmart has fabric but, it just isn't very nice.  When you spend a lot of time stitching something, it deserves something nice to finish it off with.

I'm always on the lookout for a nice pink.  This one is very nice.  I'm sure I will find a use for it

 This is from an new line from Moda called Metropolitan Fare.  I love stars.  One is blue and the other is an orangey tan

 This is from the same line from Moda.  It is really a darker brown.  The color looks more true in the next few pictures.  I'm leaning more towards this one to finish the Prairie Schooler Acorns.  I'm planning on working on them this weekend once I get the kids rooms ready for their return.

 You decide which one looks better.  But, like I said I think I'm leaning toward the darker one.

 Love the turkey Mr. Pilgrim is holding.

 Finishing off number four then I think I will be moving on to Christmas pieces

I have plans for this piece to use to finish off a Christmas present.  Can't show you what it will be finishing because it is super top secret.  

Glad tomorrow is friday.  As always, I am looking forward to the weekend.  I am especially looking forward to seeing the kids.  Katy will be home Tuesday.  Ed maybe Tuesday but, if he's tired after work it could be Wednesday morning.  And then, Katy's BF will be here on Tuesday waiting for her.  He got to pick dinner.  

Hope you all have a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping and all the wonderful comments

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Retreat Goodies and TUSAL

I just didn't know what to expect when I signed up for the Retreat.  I have been to another Retreat many years ago where we had projects they provided and some lessons they taught.  Before that, I had gone to the Love of Needlework Show and taken classes there.  Those by the way were awesome.  It was too bad when they stopped.  I took a great needleroll class from Lori Birmingham.  I also learned how to do some silk ribbon work and I tried tatting.  I could never get the hang of that.  Brilliant thought ****betcha Youtube****

Moving right along.  We received a project bag with a Victorian Sampler kit Wisconsin,  JBW Designs Garden Wisdom, Needlepoint Silks (the same colors as my first dresser scarf), a magnet pad, a package of little nail files and a green mouse.  The silks and the mouse seemed like kismet to me as did the Lizzie Kate snippet.  

I had just seen this on another blog...can't remember which one but, thought this was really cute.  "I should get that one."  Wouldn't you know it was in my project bag.  I really was meant to be at this retreat.  The other Lizzie Kate in the pic above was the prize I won on Saturday night with the Hurricane Name that Tune.  I got the piano version of New York State of Mind.  Once I figured out I had to stand up to get picked, I did okay.  I was also a little dense with the theme.  Eventually I caught on to that one too.  Duh!

 Kendra had a little store open in another smaller conference room.  She had brought a few things that I have been considering adding to my stash.  I really love this Shepherd's Bush Eden's Lament Pin Cushion.  The saying around the edge is, "A girl, a snake, a rosy bite, a boy, a leaf, a hasty flight."  It is springy, so it will be fun to do after the holidays in the dark of winter.

 I saw another Retreater working on this and fell in love with the saying and the colors of the thread, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love," Mother Theresa

 Finally, one of my more recent favorite designers.  I really had only become familar with her about a year ago and have become quite a fan.  I love the birds and the little houses.

Another fun thing was I met a fellow blogger.  Melanie, see her blog HERE.  She is the Queen of Mirabilia.  A very impressive amount of stitching pieces.  I probably do as much stitching in one year what she does on one piece!

Lest I forget, today is also TUSAL day.  I thought rather than showing my accumulation thus far, I would show my ORTS I saved from the retreat.  Don't they look elegant on the Lennox butter dish?

Thanks everyone for stopping by.  I love the comments you all send.  It really makes my day.
Hope you are having a good week.  Today, the sun was finally shining after the gloomy, wet and yes snowy weather we have been having.
Keep on Stitching.
Monica

I Did Miss My Recliner but Had a Superb Time!

I got home just as it was starting to rain. We are suppose to get a half an inch or so.

 What a beautiful place!  The retreat was at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor, WI.  The rooms weren't really rooms but condominiums.   There was a kitchenette fully equiped.  Next year, I plan to bring breakfast stuff.  Even though there was a continental breakfast, it wasn't worth the walk to the building to get it.  The room had everything, including a coffee maker with coffee and a toaster.

 The furniture was very comfortable.  The couch was perfect for a saturday afternoon nap when the eyes got tired and the new knee started squawking.

  I had a lake view.  Unfortunately, on Friday, it was overcast.  You can see the lake.  There was a small balcony.

 The grounds were very lovely.  I'm sure it is very beautiful in the summer.  I think the golf course was behind the trees.

 The sun came out Saturday afternoon after I did a little horizontal time on the couch.

 A little blurry but, the breakfast room.  This was in the main office building with the pool and the workout room.

 The main sitting room in the Harbor Building.  Again, quite comfortable and cozy.

A really nice fireplace.  Some of the larger Condos had fireplaces and lofts in them.

Sunday, the weather was really nice but, going to become rainy as the day went on.  Another view of Lake Michigan.

 There were about 50 ladies at the retreat.  It was amazing what everyone was working on.  There were several knitters and crocheters in the group.  One lady did a lovely wool applique piece.  

 The stitching room was across from my room.  The light was great!  I brought my Ott light but, didn't need it.

 I finished this Prairie Schooler Acorn.  When we went around and introduced ourselves, Kate, who I was sitting next too, gave me some crap for this...."But its a cornacopia."  I swore I really wasn't nuts.

 Met some really great people.  Everyone was very friendly.  I was adopted by Kate, Mama and Sue.  I should have taken a picture of the Carrington Bar and Grill on the resort.  We had dinner their both nights, a buffet.  Buffets can be a little iffy but, this was really good.  The food was hot and delish!

On Saturday, a group of us went to the Village Cafe.  I had a wonderful wrap with smoked turkey, Monteray Jack cheese, honey mustard dressing and dried cherries.  It had to have dried cherries, we were in Door County ya know.  We did a little shopping after lunch and I picked up some ornaments for the kids and a new Santa for my collection.

It was a lot of fun.  I am a little pooped today.  I plan on a little nap in my RECLINER once I find my dog.  He's at grandma's.  I think he'll be glad to see me.

I'm looking forward to doing this again.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments.  Welcome new members.  I'm so glad everyone stops to check things out.  Hope you had a great weekend too!

Keep on Stitching
Monica

Getting Ready for the Stitching Retreat

I'm getting ready to go on a Stitching Retreat tomorrow.  It is sponsored by The Stitching Bee, one of my favorite stores.  It also is the closest one to me only a 100 miles a way.  The retreat is going to be at the Landmark Inn and Resort in Egg Harbor, WI, (Door County).  I know Kendra the owner of the store and a few other people a little.  I'm going on my own.  I tried to talk the stitching group into going but, no one was interested.  I am an adventurous type and will go anyway.

I have been getting things ready.  I really don't know what to expect.  I have been to other retreats where they provided projects but, I don't know what will happen at this one.  I am getting projects ready to take with me.  I have two ornaments from the JCS Ornament Issue:  Plum Street Samplers.  I substituted some colors because I didn't have the ones used.  The colors will go well and are really quite similar.  

 I also have the Little House Needleworks kitted up.  Again, I substituted some of the thread because of availability of my stash.  I think they will all work out well.

I have a Blackbird Design ready to go too.  There are also more Prairie School Acorns.   Here is the progress on the Pilgrims.  I have a little left on the man and then I do the lady.  

I am looking forward to the weekend.  I am nearly ready getting things at home done so when I do get home on Sunday, I don't have a lot to do.   I'm sure I will have some stories to blog about when I do get back.

Not Much on the Tube, So I'm Blogging

I think I have hit the saturation point with politics.  I don't believe I can watch election returns all night.  I may tune in periodically.  I should be cleaning up stitching stuff but, decided to blog a little.  I don't have much to show.  It is just giving me something to do.  

 Working on the second Acorn.  I don't think I'm going to finish them as the pattern shows.  I did with the one I did for the exchange and it turned out cute but, not as welll as I would have liked.

I did order some things from Notforgotten Farms since she released her new patterns.  Check out S. Claus Maker of Good things on her Etsy Shop Here.  While I was noodling around on her Etsy I really liked Homeplace for Christmas. I ordered that one too since I didn't have to pay extra postage.

I also really like the teaser on Plum Street Samplers of Paula's latest.  You can see the teaser Here. I will have to get that one when it is published.  It looks like the colors are the ones I gravitate towards.

Finally, Mouse update.  I keep thinking I will find the nest.  All the mouse experts, claim the nest isn't far from the food source.  Since, it had stuffed all the dog food in the stove drawer I figured the nest would be somewhere in the kitchen.  I suspected under the sink behind a tub that has cleaning supplies it in.  I was a little apprehensive about checking...no nest.  Who the heck knows where it is.

We have had snow flurries for sometime today.  Everyone is grousing about that.
Thanks for all the great comments.  If you do make the dumpling, let me know what you think.
Hope you got out to vote.  I was at the polling place when it opened this morning.
Have a great tomorrow!  Hope we don't have any hanging chad issues with this election.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Dumplings and Autumn Stitching

Today is my sweet husband's birthday.  We went to Marquette, MI to see our son yesterday.  We wish our daughter was closer but, she is happy where she is.  There was snow on the ground on the way and snow in the air at times when we were there.

Tonight, I made Bob his favorite dinner, chicken, dumplings and green beans.  The dumpling recipe is from the New Basics Cookbook and are they awesome.  Here is the recipe:  I usually double or triple it.  Here it is:
1 c. flour
2 Tbsp shortening
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 c. milk
pepper to taste

I heat large can of Swanson Chicken broth, and about the same amount of water (or more) and some chicken soup base or bouillon and a chopped leek.  Mix the flour, baking powder, pepper and shortening together well until is looks like crumbs.  Add the milk and mix well.  I drop the clumps of dough but kind of squeeze it to form it  a little before I put it in the boiling broth.  Cook for 13-15 minutes. I think these are the BEST dumplings with chicken gravy on it....OI!

I finished my last Halloween stitch from the JCS Halloween Ornament edition.  I really love this one and had to do it.  Wouldn't you know it was the only on in the magazine that they left out of the publishing.  I really cut the fabric straight!  LOL

 I did the Pilgrim Acorn from this Prairie Schooler for the Thanksgiving Exchange I did earlier this fall.   I decided I had to do the rest of them because I'm a PS mega fan!

They are a very quick stitch.  I want to do the rest to put in a basket.  

First one is done.  Now I'll do the pilgrims again.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments.  It really makes my day.  It is so much fun to get them.
Hope you all have a great week!  Thanks for stopping.
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Autumn Splendor Finish and Mouse Aftermath

I don't know anyone would call Thursday my day off, "a day off."  It is far from it!  I think this is first time I have really sat down since I was in the dentist chair.  I did the weekly cleaning and started cleaning out more the lower cabinets since we got the mouse.  We continue to set the traps just in case and will for the next week.  I truly believe there was only one because Buster seems much calmer.  We found all the dog food in the drawer of the stove.  If mice weren't so icky, it would be really funny.  I have been taking things out of the cabinets:  baking dishes, mixing bowls, pans, tins, and cookie sheets...that kind of stuff.  Running them all through the dishwasher, then once the dishwasher is going, dashing off to the next errand.  I have been to the Dentist twice.   First, I messed up and forgot I need to take an antibiotic before dental work since I had my knee replaced.  My appointment was at 9 but got switched to noon because of the antibiotic thing.  Second, was going back to have my teeth cleaned and finding out I need a cap.  I did know that was coming for the last 17 years when I had a root canal done.  I also went to the grocery store and a place to get Bob a birthday present.  It is his birthday on Sunday.  Later, this afternoon I took my mom to a doctor's appointment.  Back home again to clean some more.  

Now on to the good stuff.  I finished the small from Autumn Splendor.  I did the pin keep.  I must have a thing for pin keep/pin cushions.  I should blanket stitch around the felt coins but, don't think I will.  

I painted the pencil box with brown paint and finished it with Briwax.  The stain from the Briwax gets into the grain and makes it look really good.  It also gives it a beautiful sheen.  

 I had some dyed chenille I glued around the edge.  My camera was running out of battery so , I wanted to get the pictures taken.  I backed the laced back of the stitching with another piece of cardboard.  It had adhesive on it so I stuck it to the back of the laced on stitched piece.  I had adhesive velcro and stuck two pieces of hook on the box and two pieces of the loop on the back of the piece.  I had placed the loop to the hook, then peeled off the paper before placing the stitched piece on the loop's adhesive.  Doing it that way insures that the pieces line up.  I hope I explained it well enough.  There is a gap if you look at it from the side but, then I can interchange to stitched top when I feel like it.

Here are the two pieces together.  I really don't understand why the top two pictures are orangish. I took them within minutes of each other and in the same light and conditions.

Now, I'm just finishing up the Rotted But Not Forgotted from the JCS Halloween Ornament.  That was the one I really wanted to do.  I have been on a smalls kick lately and don't see it ending anytime soon.
 Thanks for stopping!  Welcome new members. I'm glad you have joined me.  Thanks for all the great comments.  If you haven't read it check out the little story from Melissa:   Here.  It is really funny.  Thanks Melissa!

 Keep on Stitching!

Monica