Another Summer Adventure

I participated in the HOE Christmas Ornament exchange and received this beauty from Lynn W.

2014 HOE Christmas Ornament

Designer: Bent Creek

Design: NOEL

From: 2003 JCS Ornament Issue

Stitched by: Lynn W.

This is such a cute design.  Did you notice the beaded edge? Wow, so many of those tiny seed beads hand stitched on to make that decorative edging.  Lynn did a beautiful job stitching and finishing this beauty.  Thank you again, Lynn. 

My DH and I traveled to Niagara Falls...  

The Canadian Side

We were looking for a quick getaway and since we have never been we decided to check it out.  We stayed steps away from the Falls in the fallsview district.  We enjoyed:

Viewing the falls 

the boat ride into the falls on the Hornblower

 The Hornblower

We journeyed past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and into the basin of the majestic Horseshoe Falls.  Lingering at the Horseshoe Falls, with water rushing all around you, leaves you quite drenched ~ despite the flimsy green rain gear they provide.  Truly an exciting experience.

From our hotel room we viewed the:

Fireworks display

Skylon Tower ~ 775 ft above the Falls

The black mark on the center of the tower is actually an exterior glass enclosed elevator to the indoor/outdoor observation deck. 

And the Clifton Hill area 
175 foot Skywheel

The Falls were nice but the surrounding area...hmmm, not so much. We prefer a more country setting and fortunately, a friend of my DH told him about a place called Niagara-on-the-Lake. We took a 30-minute scenic drive into wine country to the well-preserved 19th-century village brimming with charm.

A quaint small town

With gorgeous old buildings

Beautiful Flowers...everywhere

And some pretty fun treats ~ Candy Apples

All in all a fun trip but we were glad to get home and even happier to spend this weekend with these lovelies...

DS1 ~ G

DS2 ~ D

DS1 GF ~ M

 Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next time ~ remember:

"Enjoy the little things...

for one day you'll look back and realize
they were the BIG things."

More Eye Candy

I was one of the 5 winners in Nancy's (VMSS) Summer Floss giveaway and I recently received the skeins that I selected. Take a look at this eye candy...

From left to right: 

2 skeins of 1840 Golden Pumpkin Spice 

1840 Peach Cobbler

Antique Variegated Coral

 Olde Sampler Pink.

These beauties will be added to my rather large collection of VMSS.  Thank you so much, Nancy.  This was such an unexpected treat ~ I truly love your floss!

Nancy is such a thoughtful, generous, and all around sweet individual who always seems to be giving to others.  When I learned that her birthday is in August I immediately set out to stitch her a design by The Sunflower Seed titled, Storklette Scissor Holder.  Of course I grabbed my large basket of VMSS threads and selected a palette of purple, green, blue, and black.  I wanted to get this gift to her before her birthday but only had 3 days before I would be heading out for on my road trip to Ohio.  I did manage to complete it and get this in the mail:

FRONT

INSIDE

FOLDED

FOLDED

Designer: The Sunflower Seed

Design: Storklette Scissor Holder

Fabric: 32 count Linen over 2

Floss: Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

Stitched for: Nancy T.

NANCY

I hope that you had a wonderful birthday!

Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next Time:

"If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away"

Plugging Away At Those WIPs

Woohoo...it is finally done!  Four years ago my group of quilting friends decided to try a new quilt-as-you-go technique so we each set out to make this Fun and Done Pattern:

We purchased the pattern and this Batting Buddy Template Set:                                                  

During our bi-monthly group meeting we would work on this quilts but not long after we started I ended up moving back to the Northeast. I did not pick this project up again for quite some time.  Here is the completed quilt:

2014 Fun and Done Quilt

No need to put this in a "to be quilted" pile,  no need to send this off for machine quilting ~ it's already quilted!   Phew, it's done and yes, I would make another Fun and Done quilt;  fun and easy A+++. 

One WIP down a million more to go!

Back in March I ordered a large piece of 25 count Lugana and started A Moment to Cherish, a Heaven and Earth Design.  After many hours/days stitching I did not like what I saw.  My stitches were not uniform and I saw a few improperly placed "X's" ~ It was beginning to look like a true novice was doing the stitching. ICK!

The improper "X's" were almost certainly the result of an over anxious stitcher who refuse to put the project down, even when her eyes were closing!  The non uniform stitches hmmm, now that was perplexing.  I searched online and decided that my problem stemmed from my stitching hoop.  It is not advisable to use a hoop when stitching a HAED and now I understand why.

Immediately I re-ordered another piece of Lugana and anxiously awaited for it to arrive.  The design is now being worked on in a frame and I no longer doze off while stitching! 

Here is a picture of my progress:

Compared to this one: 

Thankfully, the new one looks much better.  

I decided not to grid it. I just pay closer attention and refrain from dozing while stitching!

I completed another piece for my "Queen Theme" stitching:

2014 Queen Bee

Designer: The Primitive Hare

Design: Litha: Summer Solstice (Freebie)

I am in search of another small "queen" design to fill the last spot on the wall.  The butter paddles are truly wonderful for finishing.  My supply has dwindled and I only have one left so I will be on the hunt for more.

 Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next time ~ remember:

"The most successful people learn something new each day. Knowledge is endless and personal growth is continuous. Always seek more."

Brooke Griffin

I'm One Lucky Stitcher

And here's why ~

First...

I participated in the Fair & Square Patriotic Exchange and had Jill MN as a partner.  Here are the wonderful blocks that she sent:

2014 F&S Patriotic Exchange

Stitched by: JillMN 

This is such a neat flag.  I do not know what stitch Jill used for the red and white stripes but it looks fantastic...

What is that stitch??? 

Thanks to Wendy for posting this answer:

 A vertical oblong stitch with a double cross

I seriously love this block ~ I'm one lucky stitcher! Thank you, Jill.

Second...

I wanted to post a picture of the gorgeous floss that I ordered from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  

I just love this floss (and Nancy :-D), always have.  Yum, such eye candy! Nancy offers such a large selection of beautifully dyed threads, it's often hard for me decided which to buy. Honestly, I want them all. 

Well, I popped over to Nancy's blog to get the link and was flabbergasted to see that I was one of the 5 lucky stitchers to win her summer floss giveaway. Yahoo, I get to select five skeins from the 1840 Sampler Line.  Your continued generosity is truly admirable. Thank you, sweet Nancy!

Yes, I truly feel like one lucky stitcher!

Thanks for stopping by and...

Until Next Time:

"Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can"

John Wesley