Berries, Birds, and Blooms...

I finished my sampler for Just CrossStitch magazine this week...and I really am thrilled with how it turned out! Obviously, I can't share a photo with you....you will have to wait until the Jan/Feb 2011 issue is released...but I will give you just a teeny tiny little peek...it is titled "Berries, Birds, and Blooms" and is one of my signature samplers...

As far as home front news...I haven't shared any photos or stories, because nothing is finished...yep, you heard me correctly...as with most home improvement projects (and especially when dealing with contractors) there are always delays and additional issues. The bathroom remodel should have been done a week ago, but we are still waiting on several square feet of porcelain tile to arrive that just happen to be on back-order (go figure!)...so we are still without a master bathroom. I feel like everything is a mess (inside and outside)...and for those of you who know me, I don't do messy well AT ALL...I like everything in it's place and I like to be in control....right now everything is out of place and I have absolutely no control...yes, someone is definitely trying to teach me a lesson. I have slightly calmed down over the last few days, but for the most part, I have been grumpy and frustrated. Good thing I have tons of work and stitching to do to keep me occupied (and sane).

I have started charting and picking materials for four new designs to be released this fall...I have three 2011 teaching designs to prepare....a new complimentary pattern that will be coming soon...and one other special project I was just asked to work on (that I am hoping to find time to fit in this next week). It seems like so much...yet, I feel inspired and ready to create...hopefully I will be sharing some of these creations with you REAL soon....

Fabulous Friday...

Who knew a month ago when I planned a road trip with friends, it would be so desperately needed! Yesterday I spent the day with my dear friends Mary and Merry...and what a true blessing it was...we had a wonderful time. We started out first thing in the morning and headed to the Amana Colonies to visit Heritage Designs Quilting and Needlework Shop...then had lunch at the Ox Yoke Inn and visited the General Store. We make the trip to the Amanas at least once a year...but this time, we cut our stay a bit short, as there were multiple buses in the area and most shops and restaurants were over-crowded and uncomfortable. We did find some fun stitching/quilting stash...and I picked up some fresh-baked cinnamon swirl bread (YUMMY) and some Blazin' Habanero Salsa (one of my favorites!).

We then headed to Pella (via a CRAZY detour that gave us a VERY scenic look at rural Iowa)...a small Iowa city with amazing Dutch heritage (founded in 1847 by 800 Dutch immigrants)...although Pella is home to several large manufacturing companies, it has the look and feel of a small town - adorned with tulips, windmills, and an adorable town square with fabulous small shops and Dutch specialities. Of course we went to Vande Lune Fabrics (a great quilt shop)...then we were off to the Jaarsma Bakery - where I picked up the most delicious cinnamon coffee cake and of course, a box of Dutch Letters. After the bakery, we walked some of the square and visited several small shops...and even stopped at Smokey Row for a few beverages (I had a yummy raspberry smoothie)...

I also have to share this fabulous gift basket my friend Merry brought me...filled with her special homemade jellies and spreads! Oh my goodness - she REALLY outdid herself (as you can see by the photo below)...and she packaged it all in a cute patriotic basket with a red, white, and blue kitchen towel...I am still blown away. I've mentioned to you before that she is a marvelous cook and I am sure each of these jellies is going to be a special treat...especially the Jalapeno Jelly (because I love spicy). Wait until you hear the list of spreads included...(bottom row L to R) Raspberry Soft Fruit Spread, Jalapeno Jelly, Orchard Tea Jelly...(middle row) Oregano Blossom Jelly and Lemon Thyme Moscato Wine Jelly...(top row) Thai Basil Jelly and Chamomille Tea Jelly....how incredibly amazing is that list?! Also included in the basket were recipe cards, a refrigerator magnet, and an adorable package of Swankie Hankies! Thank you Merry, from the bottom of my heart - I am overwhelmed by your kindness! If you would like to read more about Merry and all her kitchen and sewing adventures, be sure to visit her blog "A Farm In My Heart", where she shares her latest endeavors and even some of her recipes!

And finally, an update on the house...the bathroom is 2/3 remodeled and most of the new tile is in place...it has been a dirty and dusty job and I can't wait for it to be finished early next week...I took some "before" photos and I will share them with you when the work is complete....the good news is, it really is looking GREAT! Today, the mini skid loader is currently in action and dirt is being moved, along with the retaining wall being built....and I thought the bathroom job was messy....sheesh...our driveway is completely covered with 60 retaining wall blocks, 60 retaining wall caps, 3 tons of river rock, and 1 ton of road gravel for this project...my husband and his landscaping friend started at 7:00 AM and it will be an all day job - they are hoping to finish up today, as rain is in the forecast again tomorrow. Looks like I will be visiting the local nursery for bags of grass seed and mulch to repair my lawn. Photos will be forthcoming of this landscaping project, as well. I would be a total "basket case" at this moment, but my trip with friends yesterday really helped calm me. Now, if I can just stay focused with all the commotion and get my work done this weekend...as usual, I have a LONG to-do list...

A happy weekend to all...I hope you make time to do something you love...

Sweet Simple Samplings - The Smalls

To say this week has been a bit hectic in our household would be an understatement. First off all, after being vandalized while I was in Rockford, my Jeep was at the dealer being repaired/painted this week...this meant several days of a trashy rental car (seriously, with my moderate OCD, I had to Lysol it before driving it). We are also in the middle of starting a bunch of home improvements...so, we had meetings with our bank, an appraiser, and multiple contractors this week for new roofing, windows & doors, siding, and a new deck - it was almost overwhelming picking new colors, windows, doors, skylights, wood for the deck, light fixtures, and various other things. On top of that, we are doing some landscaping and building a small retaining wall in our back yard, so there was a bunch going on with that as well....and today I had a stump removal company come to give us an estimate for removing the awful hedges in the front of our house. That would all be enough...but on Wednesday, I had to take Simba (my Shih Tzu) to the vet for the day to have his teeth cleaned and his annual shots...he has had a small growth on his leg for quite some time, and at his last grooming it had been an issue, so we decided to have it removed, as well...he made it through everything okay, but he has five stitches in his leg (which he constantly wants to lick) - so he has an E-Collar (you know, the lampshade that goes around his neck)...which is a HUGE issue, as he cries, whines, and grunts the entire time it is on...so needless to say, I have had two sleepless nights. Add all that to my increasing pile of work and I feel like everything is out of control! I did find time to finish up the smalls for "Sweet Simple Samplings" (shown below)...and I am frantically model stitching on various other deadlines. I am hoping to release "Liberty Stitchery" and "Sweet Simple Samplings" towards the end of July (if all goes well) - I was hoping to have both pieces back from my framer today...but that didn't happen...maybe tomorrow...then the files will go to my local printer for production. I have so many new Blue Ribbon Designs projects I want to start...and so many ideas swirling around in my head...if I can just stay focused with all the construction starting soon. I think I will need my weekly sewing/quilting stress reliever tomorrow morning...

Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend...take some time to enjoy family, food, and fireworks...