Ambitious or Absurd? You Decide...

Do you remember back in January I set out on that endless journey to complete my first HAED titled, Wintery Heirloom? No need to get excited, I am not here to post that I completed that monster of a project. In fact, I have made very little progress:

January 2009

August 2009

What is wrong with me? Why can't I sit down and stitch on this?

Could it be that I was too busy contemplating my next HAED purchase?

HAED: Witches and Crones

Or, maybe this beauty…

HAED: A Moment To Cherish

Struggling to put needle to fabric on Wintery Heirloom one would wonder why I managed to press ADD TO CART becoming the proud owner of both designs!

Let me state this very clearly “I have BIG DREAMS of completing A Moment To Cherish before one of my sons decides to marry”~ With a 20 and 22 year old, I think (hope) I still have time!

But WAIT... did I have BIG DREAMS of completing that Folk Art Wedding Quilt for one of the boys? A beautiful block of the month by Robyn Pandolph. I believe I did, and over the course of about 4 years, I have managed to complete 4 of the 12 blocks…

Folk Art Wedding Quilt

Robyn Pandolph Block of the Month

This does not really qualify as “progress” now does it? Actually, I have not worked on this quilt for about 3 years. So much hand appliqué, so little time (or maybe interest)!

Much like the Bermuda Triangle many of my projects have become a modern mystery, disappearing into that “Stitcher’s Triangle” ~ a black hole that defies explanation.

So why, why, why do I continue to buy, buy, buy???

Blackbird Design: I Thee Wed
M Design: Family Tree

PS: Boo To You
PS: Christmas Eve

Ambitious OR Absurd? I will let you decide!

• Ambitious: Having or controlled by ambition
• Ambition: The desire for personal achievement
• Absurd: Ridiculously unreasonable, unsound

Yes, I do manage to complete some projects ~ usually those small ones. It's off to the Post Office with these two exchanges!

Until next time...

One Of The Best Days Of My Life ~

August 10, 1987 ~ Yes, one of the very BEST days of my entire life!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY GARRETT !!!

Hey Garrett, in honor of your birthday I dedicate this post to you and wish you a very happy birthday.

Here are a few memorable pictures that are certain to make you smile as you ponder this question:

"Why is she doing this?":D

Answer: "Because IL&IMY"

Your very first picture

Puppy OR Person?

Garrett (it's a person)
Monday August 10, 1987

6:07 PM
9 lbs 8oz ~ 22 inches

(you look like Lily)

Here are some notable facts from 1987:

1) You were born :D
2) Ronald Regan was President
3) George Bush was Vice-President
4) Popular song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston
5) Hit Movie: Fatal Attraction
6) Gas was .87 per gallon (is that possible?)
7) Stamp cost .22 cents
8) New car cost 9,293.
9) New home cost 129,000


You were born under the year of the Rabbit ~ You are the kind of person people like to be around ~ You are affectionate, obliging, and always pleasant ~Being cautious and conservative, makes you successful in business.


I would agree that you are all that and more!

Adorable At 8 Months

And yes, you were dining on the dog food!

Cute At ONE

When I grow up I want to be...

A Mickey Mouse Fire Chief

Had I known where life would take you I would have propped you up at a desk, diligently working on the computer, with a poster of Time Square taped to the window before snapping this picture.

I really do not know where the time went:

When you get home from work tonight maybe you and Drew can break out the Arts & Craft box and update this with your larger "rainbow hands" and send it to me! :D

Wishing you a wonderful birthday!!!!

And remember...

Have a great day and an exciting, rewarding, happy, healthy and safe year ahead!


IL&IMY, always!

MOM

Summer Exchanges

Two wonderful exchanges arrived on my doorstep. The first was a Fair & Square exchange that was sent by Darla. She stitched me the cutest design taken from the Gift of Stitching magazine (great online magazine). I just love that there is a little dog and that she changed the design up a bit and added my initials. Thank you so much Darla for the wonderful blocks!

Fair & Square #14

Stitched by: Darla

The next exchange piece was from Moni who was my stitching partner in the FTT: Seasonal Exchange Summer rotation. Moni stitched a decorative hanging heart with a strawberry motif. The backing fabric on this is truly perfect; it has tiny strawberries growing from the vine. I love pieces like this that I can easily display on door handles, knobs, or pegs. This beauty is hanging from a peg on my hall tree.

In addition, Moni treated me to a very generous piece of fabric, a pretty piece of backing fabric, ribbon, variegated floss, floral buttons, 2 wonderful patterns, and a delicate and very pretty crochet sachet that has a scented heart shaped soap inside. I venture to guess that Moni made this, it is beautiful! A special thank you to Moni for making this summer exchange extra special.

FTT: Seasonal Exchange ~ Summer

Stitched by: Moni

So, what did I stitch for Moni?

This is the first time that I finished a piece as a fabric basket. I received one from Chris back in the summer of 2007 and loved it. It only took me 2 years to finally get around to making one myself!

FTT: Seasonal Exchange ~ Summer

Designer: LHN

Design: Season of Growth

Stitched for: Moni

Okay, are you wondering how I remembered "who sent me what" over 2 years ago? I have a horrendous memory so I assure you that I did not rely on that! When I first entered the world of exchanging, I started a photo album to document the exchanges that I sent and received:

I do have the pictures on the computer but this book has become a great resource and a source of enjoyment. Sometimes I just like to grab the album and a cup of coffee (naturally), sit on the couch and flip through it.

In my last post I showed you the beautiful squares that I received from Jill in the F&S Summer Exchange. Let me share with you the squares that I sent her ~

Fair & Square Summer

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: A Prairie Year Book #13

Stitched for: Jill F.

Life is GOOD…my Primitive Wizard of Oz arrived and I rushed to pick it up. I would start it TONIGHT however, I was unable to get the fabric and must wait until that gets ordered. Jenn, keep those “FYI” links coming and thanks again for this one.

For now I shall leave you with this "Wishing Custom"...

JUG
When blowing into a jug, if you can get a sound on the first try, make a wish.

Until next time...

A Bit Of This And That

I received my F&S Summer Exchange blocks from Jill and they are truly wonderful. Jill selected a very appropriate Lizzie Kate Design called “Summer Basket” and I could not be more pleased. What a wonderful design, I love the alphabet that surrounds the basket. Thank you so much Jill for these great squares!

Fair & Square Summer

Lizzie Kate Summer Basket

Stitched by: Jill F.

I have been busy stitching but I am working on exchange pieces so I cannot show you any pictures right now. Speaking of exchanges, I have decided to be very selective on which future exchanges I will participate in over the next few months. I really want to stitch some special holiday gifts for some friends but I am struggling to find time to start these projects. It is very difficult to pass on the many wonderful exchanges that I see out there but I will do my best.

My Victorian Motto Sampler Threads arrived and I just love all the beautiful colors:

How can one resist this, it is candy for the eyes! I should point out that Nancy is so nice to deal with and gets her orders shipped super fast~ thanks Nancy.

I would also like to thank Jenn for sending me a link to a “must have” design. She read that I liked the Wizard of Oz and emailed a link to this design:

Designer: Midsummer Night Designs

Design: Primitive Wizard of Oz

I just love it! I quickly ordered it and hope to "quickly" stitch it! It would look nice hanging with a collection of my other samplers.

I shall leave you with this "Wishing Custom"...

Corn On The Cob
If you have an ear of corn with either seven or fourteen rows,
make a wish as you take your first bite.

Until next time...

Christmas In July

If it were not for the postman it certainly would not feel like Christmas; it is much too hot for that!

I received a beautiful ornament from Verona. She stitched for me in the HOE Christmas in July and selected a LHN design titled, Holly and Berries.

This is such a wonderful ornament that has been stitched and finished perfectly. I love the silver bells dangling from the ribbon! Verona treated me to a new pair of scissors, an array of ribbon, some adorable winter buttons and a little photo key chain.

HOE: Christmas in July

Designer: LHN

Design: Holly and Berries

Stitched by: Verona

How lucky am I? I can hardly wait until Christmas when I will be able to hang this beautiful ornament on our tree. Thank you so much Verona for this very special exchange!

Not long ago, I entered a blog Give-A-Way on Deb’s blog and was surprised when I learned that I was one of the winners. Yes, one of the winners…Deb is not only one of the sweetest people she is also very generous. She has been known to give multiple gifts away in her drawing. I was the winner of this beautiful Needleroll Kit. Thanks again Deb, I look forward to stitching it!

Be sure to stop by Deb’s blog and read about “Elaine’s Quilt” ~ what a wonderful gesture of friendship!

Do you remember when a collection of my stitched, but not "finished", sampler pieces almost ended up in the trash? I am happy to report that most are safely framed and waiting to be mounted on the wall. I am waiting until after my window shutters are installed before I hang any pictures, stitching, or quilts.

Here are the latest framed pieces:

I stitched this for my younger son, who enjoys fishing, and put his initials in octagon shapes at the bottom.

Designer: Mary Garry Sewing Cabin

Design: Fishing (out of print)

I stitched this one to commemorate my oldest son's recent college graduation

Designer: Blackbird Design

Blog Sampler Contest

This one was stitched as a reminder to my husband that "the best thing in his life is me" ;D

Designer: La D Da
Design: Noble Wife

One of my very favorite movies is "The Wizard of OZ" so I had to stitch this

Designer: Drawn Thread

Design: No Place Like Home

Designer: Shepherd's Bush

Design: Wooly Winter (kit)

Some of you asked who the designer is on the Pray for Me piece ~ that would be Sheepish Designs:

Designer: Sheepish Designs

Design: Pray For Me

I am glad that you were able to stop by for a visit and do hope that you will come by again.

Enjoy your week ~ I shall leave you with this "Wishing Custom"

If you are riding over a bridge you’ve never crossed
before, lift your feet off the floor of the vehicle you’re
riding in and make a wish.
(The driver, for obvious reasons, isn’t suppose to make a wish)

Until next time...

And The Winner Is…

On July 4th I used Random.org to draw a name for my 4th of July Give-A-Way and then immediately started stitching the person’s initials onto the almost completed piece. On Sunday I spent much of the day working on the finishing and am happy to announce that the winner of this Blackbird Design Thread Keeper is…

Michelle H.

Congratulations Michelle, please email me with your mailing address so that I can get this in the mail to you!

I received these very festive blocks from Melita D. who was my Fair & Square partner in the 4th of July round. Thanks so very much Melita, you did a fantastic job on these great squares.

Here are the squares that I sent Melita:

I am happy to say that both of my sons have arrived safely in the northeast. They traveled 1,677 miles in 3 days, stopping in New Orleans, North Carolina and NJ. When I drove down here this past February, it took me 5 days but then again I was making essential stops at quilting and needlework shops along the way. I am certain that they passed right by these! They are now safe and sound in the northeast and they are both greatly missed here in the south.

Thanks to all those that make time to stop by my blog, I am always glad that you come for a visit and look forward to your return.

Until next time...

OH SAY CAN YOU SEE…

This wonderful Patriotic Exchange that I received from Carol S. It certainly is a beauty, take a look…

FTT: Patriotic Exchange

Designer: San Man Originals

Stitched by: Carol S.

Opening her package was the highlight of my day! Carol’s does such gorgeous work I could not have been happier to see her name on the return address. She selected a very nice design by San Man Originals and finished it as a pinkeep; I love it! In addition, she sent me beautiful Gingher scissors, patriotic dishtowels, very pretty bookplates, and tasty mints.

Carol your generosity is amazing, I cannot thank you enough for all that you sent! You certainly made this an extra special exchange!

Dear sweet Vonna will be celebrating a birthday very soon so I decided to send this little gift off a bit early so that she could display it over the 4th of July (we know how she loves all things patriotic). When I saw this Annalee Patriotic Elf he was screaming Vonna’s name. I also knew that a Pinkeep would fit perfectly in his hands so I stitch this Birthday Pinkeep...

The Pinkeep is reversible with the other side looking like this:

I absolutely love how this turned out, cute huh?

When I saw this next design I knew immediately that I had to stitch it for my cousin. I call her my "direct link to God" and call upon her to "pray for me" with every "crisis" that I encounter. :) Now that I live far away from her I want to make sure that she constantly thinks of me (not sure that will happen but I am going to try). I am hoping each time she glances at this two things happen:

1) She thinks of me

AND

2) Smiles...Smiles BIG!

"When This You See Pray For Me"

There is another person in my life that is deserving of this same design and when I find the time, I am going to stitch it again! I seem to be doing quite a bit of that lately.

Only about a week left until my Blackbird Design give-a-way. If you are interested you need to leave a comment on my previous post before July 4th.

Tomorrow both boys will be leaving, can you hear me sobbing??? They are taking the long 1,677 mile "road trip" back to the northeast. I know that they are excited about their adventure but I'm not ~ they will be missed. I did have my son install a Web Cam on my computer so that I can video chat with them (can you say "helicopter Mom?"). Let’s hope that they answer when I “video ring” them!

"If you cross a state or county line when traveling in a land vehicle, make a wish three times out loud. This is one of the few times when custom allows you to speak your wish out loud" (from Wishing)

~Have a wonderful weekend~

Until next time...