Unburied Treasure

Over the years, I have stitched baskets and baskets full of needlework smalls - I truly love the assembly/finishing work. In fact, in my studio, I have two very large Longaberger Blanket Baskets overflowing with needlework smalls and ornaments (many of which are my own designs) - I try to circulate them throughout our home, especially the seasonal pieces...but the truth is, there are so many, I don't always get each piece on display. Recently, I was digging through the baskets to find some summery pieces to put in my display cabinet - and I found this huswif and set of needlework accessories I stitched back in the fall of 2008...and believe it or not, I had completely forgotten about them. This was an EGA Group Correspondence Course (that I actually led for the local Chapter) called "Handy Huswif" and was designed by Cathy Trostmann. What a treat it was to find this little cotton bag in one of my baskets - it was still in the plastic bag and all the piece were still tagged from when I sent it in for evaluation. It made me smile to see how much my binding technique and sewing skills have improved over the last several years. It was almost like getting a present, as I unwrapped each piece...the huswif, needlebook, scissor fob and pin disk - plus I had made the optional sewing case to keep them clean and safe. It is amazing I could spend so much time on a single project and then completely forget it existed. Now that I have unburied this treasure, I will definitely put it to good use and keep it out for a while...

An Attempt at German Schwalm Embroidery

Yesterday I attended the most wonderful needlework class (The Princess Pillow) by Phyllis Maurer of Ethnic Fiber Art. This class was such a treat - I have known Phyllis for years and it was a pleasure to be in her class - she is such a wealth of knowledge when it comes to cultural needlework and history - and she definitely honors tradition with her lessons, materials, and projects. I found I truly enjoyed learning about and practicing the techniques of German Schwalm Embroidery. I actually got quite a bit done in class and felt surprisingly comfortable. We started with the large heart (frequently used in Schwalm) - doing the inner border of chain stitch, followed by a row of coral knots (love these now that I received Phyllis's instruction), followed by another row of chain stitch...we then moved on to working a couple flower buds with a combination of straight stitches and buttonhole stitches. A distinctive identifier of this type of embroidery is the combination of chain stitches and coral knots adjacent to each other - so she made sure we understood these in class. While Phyllis spoke about the other types of stitches/filling patterns and others were still perfecting their chain stitches and coral knots, I worked ahead and started pulling threads for the open darning filling. I am definitely looking forward to working more on this project in the future - someday when I can make the time. It was refreshing to learn a new technique from a knowledgeable and detailed teacher. You can see a closeup of my class piece to the right...and a photo of my project in the hoop/dressing with my instruction manual below. Phyllis is getting ready to retire from teaching (to focus on her research and personal projects) so, if she is going to be in your area, make sure to check her out while you still can - you will be happy you did! -she also has a wonderful website where you can see many samples of her work and purchase her books, instructions, and kits....she is also introducing an EGA correspondence course on Swedish Naversom later this year. Although it was a little bit of a stretch for me to take the day away from work, I sure am glad I did! Take a little time to try something new...

Fresh from the Farmer's Market

I'm forced to take a little break from work this evening and tomorrow...our EGA guild is bringing in an outside teacher and months ago (before I knew how busy I would be), I signed up (and paid for) for the lecture this evening and the class tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for the lecture and class...and to get out of my office for a bit...but I truly have so much work to do, I feel almost guilty taking a break. The fun news is, the teacher is Phyllis Maurer from Ethnic Fiber Art and we have known each other for years...we met taking classes together back in the Spirit of Cross Stitch and CATS days. I haven't had a chance to see her for a couple years, so I am really looking forward to have a chance to chat with her! The class she is teaching for our chapter is in German Schwalm Embroidery and is titled The Princess Pillow...I am not super familiar with this type of embroidery, so I will definitely be learning something new.

Tonight for the lecture, we are having a salad/dessert potluck....now I am not usually a fan of potluck style eating, but our EGA group usually does a great job with some healthy choices. You all know how much I adore vegetables, so obviously, I chose to bring a salad. I decided to try a brand new (to me) recipe. Earlier this week when I was shopping with my girlfriends, we went to one of my favorite places - Penzeys Spices - where I found a great new recipe and new salt-free seasoning called Mural of Flavor. The recipe is for Mural Of Flavor Green Bean Salad...and it combines some of my favorite things - fresh green beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese...with a very nice herbal dressing. The Mural of Flavor seasoning is a mix of shallots, onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, basil, coriander, lemon peel, citric acid, black pepper, chives, green peppercorns, dill weed, and orange peel. I have a nice big bowl prepared for the potluck tonight, but I had to make myself a small bowl for lunch...and it is YUMMY....and the vegetables are fresh from the farmer's market! I can't seem to find the recipe on the Penzeys Spices website (where there are tons of great ideas!), so I am posting it for you, just in case the photo entices you...

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh green beans
1 small red onion, peeled and minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup Feta cheese

Dressing:
1 tablespoon Mural of Flavor from Penzeys Spices
1 tablespoon water
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1-2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

While the water is coming to a boil, mix the Mural of Flavor and water in a roomy bowl.
After 5 minutes, add the oil, vinegar, sugar, and red onion.
Mix well and set aside.

Wash the beans, cut off the stem end, and chop into roughly 2 inch chunks.
Place the beans in the rapidly boiling water.
Cook until just tender (approximately 5-7 minutes for large beans).
Remove the beans and run under cold water until cool (this will stop the cooking process and keep the beans green).
Drain well.
Toss the beans with the dressing.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Add tomatoes and half of the feta cheese.
Toss to combine...sprinkle the rest of the feta cheese on top and serve.

Odds and Ends...

This past weekend was filled with home improvement activities...a birthday party for my mother-in-law...and I actually found time to do a little stitching on some community outreach projects.

As some of you know, I have been doing some major spring cleaning and organizing...and with that I have been picking out little home improvement projects I want to get done. Last week, my husband was out of town on his yearly fishing trip with the boys and I decided to research changing toilet seats and installing them myself (which was super easy)...then when my husband returned this past weekend, he humored me by replacing all of the water faucets in our house (three bathroom sink faucets and the kitchen sink faucet), along with replacing the seals and springs in my shower faucet. I couldn't resist taking a photo of Simba being the plumber's assistant...he is such a good helper! It is nice to do those little jobs that make such a BIG difference...next up, fixing our master bathroom door (which needs the shims replaced)....

You know I love to share with you my favorite things....
This weekend we celebrated my mother-in-laws birthday...I had so much fun "foofing" her present! Many of you know how much I like giving and wrapping gifts...and last fall I shared with you my new love of GiftGloss...I am so addicted to "foofing". The highlight on my MIL's gift - I used a bendable bloom to add a little springtime touch...this beautiful glittery flower has a small alligator clip on the back, making it easy to attach to the gift. If you are not familiar with foofing or the FoofQueens, you should visit the "features" page of their website and check out their products and videos!...it is such a fun way to "spruce up" your gifts and you don't need to have boxes, wrapping paper, and tape on hand. I am inspired every time I visit their website...their community even has great ideas for that special occasion gift. Seems like every week I "gloss" something...and I am going to start sharing some of my unique foofs with you...maybe you will be inspired to give a special gift!

...although my weekend was pretty full, I did find time to do a little cross stitch. I worked on community outreach projects for my local EGA guild (Valley Junction Chapter). I did several kissing pillows (our Chapter just signed on to make 100 more) - these 4” X 4” patriotic pillows were designed to be used as a keepsake for the children and loved ones left behind by the soldiers being deployed for military service - the soldier kisses the pillow and gives one to each of his/her loved ones to hold onto until he/she returns from war. I also worked on a handful of baptismal shawls - these are given to the neo-natal and birthing units at Mercy Hospital. I challenge you to find a local stitching group or organization that has community outreach stitching projects...for an investment of your time (doing something you enjoy), you can make a HUGE difference!

...and finally, I saved my BIG BIG BIG news for last - if you are in my local stitching group, you may want to sit down before you read the next sentence...
I have finished my Papillon Creations Mystery Sampler (can you see me happy dancing?!)...you know the one I have been working on since February 2006...the project I take every time my local stitching group gets together. I put in the final stitches this afternoon and it is ready for the framer. Thank you to all my friends and readers who have given me encouragement, compliments, and gentle pushes to complete this project! Tomorrow I will share the finished photo with you...along with a photo of the next project I need "shamed into finishing"...

Teacups & Tiaras

First of all, my final giveaway of 2009 is still going on...see my blog entry from yesterday (December 17th) to enter for your chance to win...

Last night was our local EGA (Valley Junction Chapter) holiday party...and what a nice evening it was! I was disappointed not all of us could fit in one room, so several of us were left to sit in an adjoining room; this made it very difficult to be involved or hear the festivities...but I didn't let that ruin my night....our little group made our own fun! The holiday party committee did a fabulous job...and planned a special tea party at one of my favorite spots in Historic Valley Junction called Teacups and Tiaras. The entire evening had a tea party theme...each place setting had a teacup pincushion and a goodie bag...including a specially made laying tool with teacup and tiara charms...and a hand folded teabag with counting pins inside...all made by the talented committee members. The dinner was delicious...and I kid you not, the dessert was one of the best I have ever tasted (think Oreo cookie crust, peppermint ice cream, with a chocolate fudge frosting - garnished with a dab of whip cream and crushed peppermint candies)! Each year, for those who want to participate, we do a handmade ornament exchange...pictured below is the ornament I stitched (Lizzie Kate's "Noel Squared") and the ornament I received - stitched by member Sharon B. (Blackbird Designs "Peace" from the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue)...I absolutely LOVE my ornament and it will make a nice addition to my nonexistent tree (I know, I know, I really need to get a tree....I hear you!)....