The Saga Continues...

Although I was able to get out for the evening on the 4th of July, the drama continues in our household...what a crazy couple weeks it has been...and there are no signs of "calm" in the near future. Over the weekend, we finalized most of our home remodel with the contractors and the majority of the decisions have now been made...and most measurements have been taken. The stump removal company came and removed the hedges in the front of our house (just before an entire day of rain), leaving a messy mud pit in their place. While all of these things are going on, my husband decided it was the perfect time to do a friend a favor and watch their dog (a young female Boxer) for the weekend - that was interesting (for me overwhelming), especially since Simba is still recovering from his surgery and not supposed to get too excited...and although he was a quarter of her size, he did show her who was boss. After the weekend, I thought the uproar might be over for a few days...but no...one more major thing had to happen...our master bathroom had a slight leak in the shower faucet and my husband, who means well - but who is definitely not a plumber, tried to take matters into his own hands...wow, was that ever an EXPENSIVE/labor intensive mistake. A small fix, made unfixable (if that is a word) by my husband (who must be a close relative of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor) has turned into the entire shower/tub being pulled out, the pipes being repaired, and a new tiled shower put in to replace the old shower/tub combo. So, starting tomorrow, the master bathroom is going to be gutted and more commotion will be going on for the next week. Ugh, ugh, and ugh. Even more scary - this weekend, my husband and a friend of his (who is a landscaper), will be using a small skid loader (destroying more of my lawn) to move dirt in our backyard, build a retaining wall, and put down rock before adding/building a shed...I think I need to find a quiet place to go for the day or I might have a complete breakdown. Whew...enough venting...

Let's move off the "craziness" topic and on to something a little more creative. As most of you know, about a month ago, I was teaching in Enfield, NH at the first ever New England Stitcher's Retreat....and if you have been reading my blog, you know it was held at the Enfield Shaker Museum/Great Stone Dwelling. Last fall, the event coordinators had asked me to design a Shaker-style piece for the event...so, I had immediately gone to the library and started doing research to help me design something special. Now, I am thrilled to share with you, I have been asked to return in October 2011 to teach a new class with another very special Shaker project. Again, I have been doing more research and reading...and looking for more information to inspire my design process....and I happened upon the most wonderful table book. It is called "Gather Up The Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection", authored by Mario S. De Pillis and Christian Goodville, with photography by Michael Fredericks...oh my goodness, this is a BEAUTIFUL book with exquisite photography...it is full of history...and is an excellent catalog featuring fabulous images all sorts of Shaker artifacts - including furniture, tools, clothing, boxes, baskets, and linens. I was so excited to add this amazing reference book to my research library....and can't wait to make time to savor each and every page!

I am now off to do more model stitching and charting...and taking more aspirin to help with my on-going headache. Hopefully I will be back in a few days with a glowing report, a new outlook, and a repaired/remodeled bathroom....

Playing with my Accuquilt GO! Fabric Cutter

So, craziness ensued again today...but early in the morning, before the day actually started, I did make time to do a little quilting. I have been itching to play with my Accuquilt GO! Fabric Cutter, so I decided to start their block of the month series. Accuquilt sent out the first block in June and the second block (for July) arrived in my inbox yesterday. I found a pile of coordinating fabrics (Winsome by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex) in my stash and quickly cut the first two blocks. Block #1 (left) is the double cross block...and went pretty smoothly for me - with the exception of sewing one piece upside down, which was easily fixed with a few moments and a seam ripper. This block used the half square 3" finished triangle die and the 6 1/2" triangle die. Block #2 (right) is the dutchman's puzzle block...and took a little more time, as all those bias triangle sides are a bit fussy....but I was pretty pleased once I had it pieced...I definitely learned some new things when piecing this particular square. This block uses the 4 7/8" triangle die and the half square 3" finished triangle die. All the blocks in this BOTM series are 12" blocks - great for practicing and learning. Now that I have started and have all my supplies together, I am definitely looking forward to the next block in August...I should have a pretty good size sampler quilt once all of the blocks are released!

When my hour of quiet time was over, it was back to reality...I spent quite a bit of time out working in the yard today. I'm off to get cleaned up, then I have a date with my Just CrossStitch Magazine sampler model...which I am hoping to have finished in the next few days....

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...

Saturday Sewing - Willow Tree Candle Mat

This morning I decided to take a little Saturday sewing break...it was a much needed stress reliever and I am positive it lowered my blood pressure. I decided to work on a small project I picked up at Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop during my visit this week. It is called "Willow Tree Candle Mat" and can be used as a tiny table runner or candle mat...it is a Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop pattern by Debbie Lazarski. This little project immediately caught my eye and was very fun to put together. It is a "quilt as you go" style pattern and was quick and easy! It is about 6.5" h x 17" w...and will make a nice little runner on a small end table in my living room...

















Now that I have had a little time to clear my head, I will get back to work on my pile of Blue Ribbon Designs commitments...it keeps growing...today, I will be stitching on a sampler model for Just CrossStitch magazine...and working on charting for a special class early next year...I also have designs for the St. Charles Needlework Market in September in the works...I definitely need more hours in the day...

A Day of Laughing, Shopping, and Sharing

Yesterday was my Illinois road trip with my dear friend Terri...and even though we spent most of the day in rain and storms, we had THE BEST time! We met first thing in the morning and headed out to Welcome Stitchery in Crystal Lake, IL...and oh my goodness, this shop did not disappoint....it was incredible! To say we were blown away would be an understatement - I kid you not, this shop had the most needlework inventory I have ever seen in one place - they must have thousands of charts. This quaint shop had what seemed like room after room of merchandise...and it was so neatly organized and clean! We were there for 2 hours and I know we did not see everything. We had so much fun looking through each area and filling our shopping baskets! We even picked out matching heart-shaped magnetic needle minders by Puffin & Company to commemorate our day together. I also managed to pick up three new charts (Plum Street Samplers - Paradise Lost, Carriage House Samplings - Matter's Choice, and The Drawn Thread - 12 House Sampler), a The Heart's Content Kit (Fruitful IX), a couple Just Nan Charm Garden Pins, a very cute button (a heart with wings)...and not pictured (because it is already in my stitching nest), a scissor block with matching laying tool. It would be easy to spend a small fortune in this shop (and we both did)...and before we left we had already decided we would be returning!

After Welcome Stitchery, we were ready for lunch, so we walked across the street to the highly recommended Benedict's La Strata - our meals were very yummy...and we had homemade raspberry lemonade...everything was DELICIOUS!...we decided we must return to this great little restaurant, as well! Then we were on the road again to a quilt shop I have wanted to visit for quite some time...it is called Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop and is located in Fox River Grove, IL. With a little help from my GPS we were able to find this great shop that specializes in reproduction fabrics....and I managed to do more power shopping. There were wonderful models throughout the entire shop and I think I drooled on most of them. Something else fun about this particular shop - they have pre-cut "snippits" and "snippit bundles", which are 10" square cuts.


















Next (as the sun made a short appearance) we visited A Touch Of Amish in Barrington, IL...and bless her heart, even though Terri is not a quilter (not yet, at least), she was a trooper and was happy to visit this HUGE quilt shop with me. Rooms and rooms of beautiful fabric...and I even found some great fabric in the sale room! I purchased a few yards (my favorite, shown below, is Home To Roost by Renee Nanneman of Need'l Love for Andover Fabrics) and we were off again on our adventure...

Our final stop was a cozy little quilt shop called Quilt In Joy located in Huntley, IL. This shop had lots of bright colors and fun projects throughout. I was immediately drawn to a cute pillow on a chair next to the front door - it was made from an adorable fabric panel (Dolly Dress Up by Holly Holderman for LakeHouse - shown below)...of course, it had to come home with me! Along with several fun fat quarters featuring apples, strawberries, and martinis.

As we drove back to Rockford, the storms were really brewing and tornado warnings were once again in effect...but it didn't matter to us after our fun day together laughing, shopping, and sharing...

The Gardens at Hollyhock Cottage

I am writing this particular blog post from Rockford, IL, where I am currently visiting my mother. Driving here yesterday in terrible rain storms was a challenge, and I was glad to finally arrive and see some sunshine in the afternoon...but it didn't last for long, as another terrible storm moved through the area last night. Yesterday afternoon I managed to visit The Needle and I, Acorn Quilts, and a local Sewing Center. Acorn Quilts was amazing - I really enjoyed this new shop - it was clean, organized, and beautiful - with lots of new fabrics and projects I had not seen in person before...one of the best little shops I have had the pleasure of visiting. I didn't pick up much to speak of at The Needle and I...one pattern and a needle minder with counting pins.

My mother took me on a tour of her gardens when we returned to her house (which she loving refers to as Hollyhock Cottage). Obviously my passion is needlework, sewing, and quilting - my mother's passion is gardening. It is hard to take photographs that do all her hard work justice. She grows both vegetables and flowers...and everything she plants seems to thrive...if you would have seen this yard before she started, you would be blown away by the transformation! Here are just a few photos:

My Saturday Sewing

I'm not sure where this last week went...seems it was hijacked and I didn't get the message. While working on about six different BRD projects and trying to keep my sanity, I somehow misplaced the last several days. I did make a trip to my fabulous framer and dropped off "Sweet Simple Samplings" and "Liberty Stitchery"...and I did make time to do a little playing with my new Accuquilt GO! Fabric Cutter. I managed to cut 138 tumbler blocks out of black and brown fabrics I have been collecting for over a year (I used 23 different fat quarters)....then yesterday I got them all placed and pieced...now to find time to machine quilt it...it is 48" x 72"...and I am TOTALLY thrilled with the results! Here is a photo of my quilt top (not the best, but you get the idea - it looks so much better in person, really, it does) and an image of the backing fabric (from the fabric line Iced Mocha by Buggy Barn for Henry Glass)...




This week, I will be heading to Rockford, IL to visit my mother - which also means FUN trips to The Needle and I, Quilter's General Store (oh, how I love this place!), Quilter's Haven, and a new quilt shop called Acorn Quilts (can't wait to visit this "new to me" shop). I am looking forward to seeing my mother's gorgeous gardens (if it doesn't rain the entire time I am there) and her adorable dog (a miniature Schnauzer named Wilson)...and I will try to get some good photos to share with you. It also means, I get to spend some time with my dear friend Terri - we are doing a little road trip to Welcome Stitchery in Crystal Lake, IL (can't wait to see this needlework shop!)...and I am hoping to drag her along to Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop in Fox River Grove and A Touch of Amish in Barrington, IL (both places I have been wanting to visit for quite some time). We always have fun together and it will be wonderful to see her and catch up! It will be a busy and eventful week and I am sure I will have fun things to share with you when I return home...

Sneak Peek - "Liberty Stitchery"

FINALLY....here it is....my latest design model (pre-frame, of course)...titled "Liberty Stitchery", I am hoping to release this piece (along with "Sweet Simple Samplings") sometime in July...we'll see how quickly the framing and print production advance...I will give you a little better idea of a release date in the coming weeks. The design model was stitched on 40-count Fawn hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linens and uses The Gentle Art Sampler Threads. I am truly looking forward to getting it to my framer this week...
























So, as I promised myself, I stayed up until 3:12 AM finishing the stitching last night...well most of it...I made a design change today and did a little extra stitching early this afternoon. Now for my reward...I still have a couple hours in a quiet house, so I plan to do a little sewing and play with my new quilting toy (a shiny new Accuquilt GO! Fabric Cutter)....

Beautiful Begonia

I know you were probably expecting a sneak peek photo of my new design "Liberty Stitchery" today....and I am sorry to disappoint you, but it isn't quite done yet. I have been stitching my fingers raw...and I just taped them up for the third time today. For some reason this model is taking longer than planned - but it WILL be done late tonight...I am working on the final section (the bottom border) and I vow not to go to bed until it is finished! Once you see this new piece, I think you will understand the delay...

Today, I finally replaced the flowers in the basket next to my front door...the geraniums just didn't survive well after the crash with the bird nest...so, I have replaced them with some gorgeous blooming begonias...they are a delicate shade of salmon pink...I have had begonias in this spot before and they usually thrive, so I am expecting them to last throughout the season...

While I was outside working with the flowers this afternoon (after another torrential rain downpour), I managed to get this photo of a robin collecting dried grass for a nest...for some reason, this picture immediately made me smile, so I had to share it...
























I will be back tomorrow with a sneak peek photo for you...really, I WILL BE...I have a new quilting toy I am dying to play with and I have promised myself not to touch it until this model is ready for the framer...so I have a huge incentive!

Sunday Sewing

I worked on a quilting project today...I really wanted to start it yesterday, but had to chose between sewing and mowing, and mowing seemed more critical. I hadn't turned on my sewing machine for any length of time since before my teaching trip to New England, so I was definitely going through withdrawal...I really needed this! This last week has been overwhelming, to say the least, and I just need some creative time that had absolutely nothing to do with "work"....so with a quiet house this morning, I got up and immediately went to my studio and chose a project...I wanted something a little complex and challenging, yet something I could finish today if I was unable to make time later this week to sew. I chose this small quilt...well, I guess you might call it miniature...it is actually only about 12.5" x 12.5" square. It is called "Crossing Ohio" and is made from the fabric line Bar Harbor by Polly Minick & Lauri Simpson for Moda. I wanted to work on a seasonal project....and this patriotic piece caught my eye....it was the perfect one day project (and it gave me some more practice on my bindings - which are much improved).

Now, I head to my stitching nest for more model work - "Liberty Stitchery" should be done today or tomorrow...and I can't wait to share a peek with you and get it to the framer....

Finally, A Sarah Moon Update...

Here I am with another long overdue blog post...I just can't seem to find enough hours in the day to do everything lately. I am still busy with model stitching and working on charting for new designs...in fact I have been so focused on new designs, I think I am seeing the key symbols in my sleep...

I did find time to get together with my local stitching group on Wednesday morning for a little personal stitching...but most importantly, I had a chance to catch-up with some good friends. This was the first time I had been able to get together with them since I finished the Papillon Creations Mystery Sampler (which went along with me for "show and tell")...and, for the first time I brought along my next long term project "Sarah Moon's Quaker Sampler"....and although (as usual) I did do more socializing than stitching, I managed to complete a new medallion - so it should only be several years before this project is complete! Here is my new diamond floral medallion, in all it's glory....

My Quest For A Wooden Embroidery Hoop

Over the years I have collected my share of stitching/sewing totes, projects bags, boxes, and tins. In fact, sometimes I think it takes me longer to pick out a tote, box, or bag than it does to pick out the project to take on-the-go with me. Seems I am always sewing (or collecting fabric for) a new tote or project bag...or adding a new shaker box or special tin to my collection....and Vera Bradley bags - well let's just say I don't keep them all in one place or my husband might "freak out" a little.

Why am I sharing this...well, after a note from the local EGA regarding an upcoming class I am taking, I had to go on the search for a high quality wooden embroidery hoop...and I don't have many of those in my possession now that I am accustomed to q-snaps or working "in hand"...I just am not really comfortable working with a hoop. Normally, I am not a conformist - I stitch to enjoy my hobby and I like to use what works best for me...but that being said, I like to follow "rules", so I went on the hunt for one of my good old embroidery hoops. Right away, I realized I had the right size, right under my nose...well, actually on the shelf right next to my desk...which leads me back to the discussion on stitching boxes and totes.

Years ago, I fell "head over heels" for embroidery and quilting boxes made by Goods From The Woods...I used to go to their website everyday and drool over these wonderful sewing boxes. I wanted one so badly, I actually printed out a page from their website (with the one I wanted and their contact information) and put it on the refrigerator door a few weeks before my birthday, to gently nudge my husband in the right direction. Well, my husband got the hint and ordered me one to be delivered on my birthday (yes ladies, I really am a lucky girl!). When this sewing box arrived, it exceeded all my expectations - it is GORGEOUS! The large oval sewing box is super high quality and very sturdy...the inside contains a smaller shaker box to hold all my tools...and (if that is not enough) mounted in the lid - a high quality pair of stork scissors and (you guessed it) a 6" embroidery hoop....all that, and a wooden case for my needles, pins, and thimble. Oh how I love this stitching box...it has traveled with me to many retreats and classes over the years...and is just as spectacular today as it was when it arrived. My box is signed and dated 2003...and I feel very blessed to have this treasure, as their website has since disappeared and I have not been able to locate any current information on their products. I just had to share this beautiful box with you - it brings me joy every time I use it!

New In The To-Do Pile: A "Garden Fresh" Quilting Project

Happy Sunday Stitchy Friends!

It has been several days since my last post...and mainly, it is because I have been focused on model stitching...I have lots of new designs in the works - for teaching, for magazines, and for releases this summer. I have a list of deadlines and I am stitching my little fingers off to obtain all of those goals. I will have a sneak peek picture of "Liberty Stitchery" for you soon - it is over half completed...

I haven't had much time for sewing or quilting lately...and I am truly going through withdrawal...seems like ages since I last turned on my beautiful Diamond machine...well, really it has only been a couple weeks - but to me, it seems like years. I have promised myself that this week, I will make time to sew! ...and I just had to share this fabric and project with you! If you read my blog regularly, then you know I love vegetables...I truly eat a spinach and fresh veggies every day...so this fabric line is right up my alley - not to mention my kitchen colors are black and white with sage accents, so it matches perfectly. I first saw this fabric line ( "Garden Fresh" by Gail Kessler for Andover Fabrics) in the March/April 2010 Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting magazine, and I'm totally "in love" with it. I had been looking locally for this fabric line for quite some time and had not been able to find it....so when the Fons and Porter online store recently had a sale, I just had to purchase the kit for the Garden Fresh magazine quilt while it was still available. This fabric is so beautiful in person...and I love that there is a panel (shown Below), a border print, and fabulous coordinates...I can't wait to start this project!...hopefully this week....

Needlework On-The-Go

Talk about perfect timing...I just purchased some fabulous stash, and look what arrives in the mail...a DMC Travel Portfolio! Recently, I was asked to share some photos of my stitching studio and some organizing/stitching tips with the DMC Threads Blog readers....and as a thank you for my participation, Emma Broidery sent me this fabulous travel portfolio. What a perfect way to carry my on-the-go project...and I am super impressed with all the pockets, ties, tabs, and rings to hold my accessories! I will definitely be putting this to good use and filling it with my current stitching project.

If you happened to miss the DMC Threads blog entry featuring my studio, you can see it here: http://dmc-threads.com/?p=1613

...and if you are interested in the DMC Travel Portfolio, you can read more about it and/or purchase one in the DMC Shop: http://www.shopdmc.com/nossu1545s.html

Thank you Emma Broidery!