THE EVENING STITCHER

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING...

2012-05-24T03:59:00.001-07:00

Or what "haven't" I been doing?? It's been a crazy last couple of months. With my daughter's wedding fast approaching, it has been a whirlwind of activity around the house. Renee's Bridal Shower was held this past Saturday and it was beautiful...good turnout, good food, and no bridezilla or momzilla moments (well...at least not at the shower!) My daughter-in-law Sara worked her behind off making body butters and body scrubs to be given as shower favors. They were such a huge hit, I think she should go into business! I have a few pictures to share....my new BFF is IKEA...Sara and I went shopping there to pick up a few odds and ends for decorations and found a wonderful, wonderful treasure trove of really inexpensive items for the centerpieces and also some decor for her wedding reception. Renee with her "Bride To Be" sign...

Beautiful cake from her mother-in-law to be..it was really really good!

My DIL, Sara....lot's of body butter in those jars!

The centerpieces at each table.

And of course....what would a bridal shower be without cute little grand daughters to share the moment?

CHARLOTTE'S SAMPLER AND BEDROOM RE-DO

2012-04-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

This is the final installment of my grandchildren's birth samplers...well, at least for now..until there is another grandbaby or two! This one is for Charlotte..she is going to be 2 on the 7th of April. Her party is not until the 15th so I am hoping to have it finished. I have two samplers still to frame (ok..I'm a little behind)but hopefully, they will all be done soon. I chose some of the design from a Blackbird Design pattern, but the lettering is pretty standard...and easy. I am using Gentle Arts floss and 30 count cream linen. Below are pics from the bedroom that used to be the grandkids' playroom. I had some extra furniture after we got our new bedroom set. The desk is my husband's and the dresser was made in 1887..it has the owner's name written in pencil on the back...it was December of 1887 to be exact. Solid, solid walnut...it weighs a ton. I don't think I could ever part with it..I do need to change the drawer pulls, however. The grey game board on the wall to the left of the chest, was made by my father-in-law in the 1940's to play "Aggravation" with his family.

This is a quilt that my Aunt Irene from Alabama made years and years ago from flour sack material. My mom found it after my aunt had passed away last summer. I love the way it looks on the reproduction settle bench in the entry of the bedroom.

A picture of my new bedroom set...not very prim...I know, I know....but in my older years....I just wanted something simple, easy to keep up. Don't mind my wrinkled comforter..it's new...but I didn't feel like pressing it..so there you have it..my kids are still asking if we are getting used to the queen size bed...I certainly am...my husband...not so much!

ONE MORE TIME....TRYING TO POST...

2012-03-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

I tried to post last Sunday..but for some reason blogger would NOT let me post...the pictures showed up, but not my text...UGH! After several attempts, I gave up..hopefully this one will work. My DH and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on March 25th. This is a picture of us back in the day (my hippie wedding dress and my hubby with his pack of Marlboro's in his shirt pocket...good grief! And the second picture is us now...we're way in the back, with our five children and their spouses and fiances. They treated us to a wonderful dinner at an Italian restaurant and then gave us a gift certificate toward a new bedroom set. We were still sleeping on a full size bed and I guess they thought it was time for us to "upgrade" to a queen. Plus..we desperately needed a bedroom set...we have never had a new one...just bits and pieces from here and there!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!!

2012-03-18T06:52:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it....but three of my four sons are inching closer and closer to the big "40"! Nate's 37th birthday is today (he's the one on the left in the red shirt) and Shane's 38th birthday is tomorrow on the 19th (he's the one in the middle). My oldest son, Dave (no picture yet) will be 40 later this year...where has the time gone?? I wish I could go back in time, for just a little bit....to give them all lots and lots of hugs and kisses....when they were small enough to tuck under my arms or hold them in my lap. Such sweet years...that pass way too quick! I'm guessing that's why God gives us grandchildren..so we get to do it all over again..and appreciate that time even more!

MARCH...ALREADY?

2012-03-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

Geez...I can't believe I haven't posted in so long...I guess that means there is really nothing new going on. I haven't been able to much hooking or stitching..not enough time or energy lately. But...I love being able to see what everyone else has done or is in the process of doing....so I live vicariously throughout blogland! Anyway....we have been very busy with wedding stuff...with a wedding in June and the next one in September...seems that "Pinterest" is my new BFF. So many cool ideas...and seriously...you can just about find anything your heart desires on that website. I have been rearranging stuff...I am torn between trying to be more traditional in decorating but I still love my primitives..so I guess I am "eclectic" in my tastes. We just recently painted the kitchen..so I changed the decor somewhat...well..I bought a few accessories and a new picture. Just posting a few pics today...

That's my mantle...always challenging for me...the blue wall is the NEXT to be painted..like I said...eclectic!

My blue cupboard with my grandmother's Blue Willow Ware. I heard a young couple at an antique shop last summer say "I hate those blue dishes...they make absolutely NO sense to me and you see them everywhere!"..I kind of laughed to myself! Yep...you can see them scattered throughout my house!

My dry sink is still in the middle of the kitchen...my husband will not let me move it...he loves it there...everyweeked it's a big discussion.

My little table for two that I painted black last summer and my new picture on the kitchen wall...pretty plain...not very prim..but easy to keep up!

Last but not least....I recently came across these little tarts from Walmart by Better Homes and Gardens..they are only two dollars per pack and smell absolutely wonderful!! I put them in my electric tart warmer and your whole house smells wonderful! This is a favorite scent of mine...so clean and fresh!

JANUARY MUSINGS

2012-01-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and productive January..it sure is passing us fast! We had a beautiful blanket of snow a couple of days ago..and then yesterday all it did was rain. Really weird weather for January. I miss the snow.. I am planning to go to Sauder in a couple of weeks for their two-day hook-in. I am meeting friends, Lauren and Melissa. I wasn't going to go at first, because I haven't hooked in months...but I am hoping it will get my hooking mojo back! After all...I have a room full of wool just waiting to be hooked. Lots of planning going on for the two upcoming weddings. My son and his fiance are planning an outdoor wedding on September 8th of this year....just praying that the weather will be nice..makes me nervous! But they already have things planned and ordered. They have asked all 9 grandkids to be in it also...hmmm...should be interesting and fun! My daughter's bridal shower is planned for May 19..so I have been busy looking for bargains and ideas for centerpieces and door prizes..that in itself has been busy work..but fun! I hope everyone has a beautiful and creative day...

ANOTHER WEDDING IN THE MAKING

2011-12-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

Well...another wedding this summer...my youngest son, Jeff, proposed to his girlfriend of five years..Crystal this past weekend. We are all so excited! My daughter Renee, will be getting married on June 30th, 2012 and Jeff will probably be in August or September 2012. It's going to be a crazy busy summer!

I love Christmas...but I am so happy it's over. We were so busy over the weekend having half the kids over on Christmas eve and then the other half on Sunday. I tried making stuffed cabbage on Saturday and it turned out just awful!! I don't know what I did wrong..I have made it before..but I almost broke a tooth biting into it. So we ended up eating chicken and fish sticks!! I did make some smoked sausage and sauerkraut...that tasted pretty good. I'm ready to take all the decorations down and get back to normal whatever that is. I don't think anything will be "normal" until all the "I do's" are said! I haven't done any stitching or rug hooking in about 3 weeks...I miss it...but the tendonitis in both arms are gone..at least for now.

2011-12-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

Have you felt the joy of the shepherds,
Who were first to behold the sight
Of that holy Child of Mary
On that wonderful Christmas night?---Brill

May you all have a beautiful & blessed Christmas.

TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS...

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

and all thru the house...I'm still decorating! What is wrong with me??? Guess I just can't leave things alone. Oh well...here's a few more pictures to share. Below is my Santa made by Christine Crocker..my one and only. I don't think I could afford anything made her now! He was on layaway for three months over 10 years ago. Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry. I need to ask Santa for photography classes!

A little center piece I made for my dining room table.

About 12 years ago...I had a major melt down with my Dicken's Village and swore I would never put it up again...so the houses have been sitting in the basement packed away. The problem is...my grandkids really enjoy them when they see them at shops or in magazines...so I decided to bite the bullet and display them again. This year..I only put them in small vignettes..here and there throughout the house as opposed to one big village that would take me three days to set up. I only brought about 1/4 of what I have..but that's enough for this year.

Last..is a bedroom full of gifts I have yet to wrap. This year I chilled out and bought gift bags for the grandkids gifts..some of them. I still have quite a bit to do..and..I still have some shopping to do. Is everyone as disorganized as I am?

DECORATING AROUND THE HOUSE

2011-12-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday. I took the day off today to decorate, but of course...it always takes longer than you think. I actually thought I would have time to do some shopping...LOL!!! The older I get, the worse I get...I brought boxes up, opened them, and then took them back down without taking anything out. It's just more enjoyable having less these days. Just a few pics around my living room and kitchen.

GRADUATION DAY

2011-12-10T16:28:00.001-08:00

Busy, busy day today...it all started with my youngest son, Jeff, graduating from Wayne State University with a degree in Education. He has worked so hard over the past 5 years..but now the real work begins...putting out those resumes and hopefully getting a full time teaching job!

I have been so busy at work and then at home. Seems there are not enough hours in the day! I haven't really hooked or stitched too much. I don't think there will be too much time to do any of that before the holidays. I have a bedroom full of gifts to be wrapped...why oh why...do I wait! Every year I promise myself I will wrap as I buy...but it never happens! I have about half of my house decorated and I really don't think I am going to do much more...terrible, isn't it?? I just don't have the ambition to do it all this year..oh well....less to take down and pack away!

A TRIP TO MELISSA'S AND THE GATHERED TREASURES SHOW

2011-11-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I went to my friend Melissa's home in Ohio..she's probably going to kill me...but I wanted to share pictures of her beautiful home. She has it decorated nicely so with tons of primitive pieces in every room. We then went to the Gathered Treasures show in Mansfield and course, brought lots or treasures back home with us. It was a wonderful show! We met up with Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) and Sheila (a fellow hooker from the Mansfield area..no blog..yet). We visited for a while with Julie Thorton and and another fellow hooker, Tammy. They had such a nice booth with lots of primitives and handmades. I think we went thru the show at least 4 times..it was so worth the trip! I'll post pictures of my things later this week...found some goodies! The above picture, is a reproduction dough box Melissa purchased from the "Hidden Den". They do an awesome job making their "new" things look old. I would love to go to their shop one day...

I love this antique penny rug she has displayed on her dining room table..lucky girl...she bought it at a garage sale and I won't even tell you how much she paid for it...it is even more beautiful in person.

Melissa's hooking room is just wonderful! So light and airy and she has everything so nicely dislayed and in easy reach and viewing for all of her hooking projects. I love her primitive cupboards and shelves...and her hooking chair looks so comfortable. Her husband, Michael, even bought her an HDTV for her room! How sweet is that?? He installed it on the wall so it doesn't interfer with any of her "primitive" decor.

A CHRISTMAS SAMPLER

2011-11-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post a picture of the sampler I finished on Sunday evening. It's from Stacy Nash's Christmas booklet from last year. I have always loved this saying "ALL HEARTS COME HOME AT CHRISTMAS" and was so happy when I saw her design. It was such a nice sampler to stitch..only three colors. I stitched it on 28ct linen by DMC (my favorite linen) and then gently aged it with walnut crystals.

Next, I'm off to finish a hooked rug for Christmas that I started last year...I am bound and determined to get it done for the holidays! Have a nice evening!

FUN AT HOLLY HILLS PRIMITIVES

2011-11-06T11:07:00.001-08:00

Yesterday....my mom and I ventured out to Holly Michigan to go to the Christmas open house of Dawn's "Holly Hills Primitives" shop. Oh my gosh!!!! What a beautiful, wonderful primitive shop it is!!! Dawn and her husband, Dick, have such an amazing selection of antiques, reproductions, and handmades. My mom and I were there for almost two hours just trying to take everything in. The displays were just beautiful. So much inspiration...and to think I have been going down to Ohio for my primitive fix!! We are definitely going back before Christmas...there are still so many things to see and buy! I purchased the buggy seat, as seen above, from the shop. I have been wanting one but could never find one that suited me. Dawn had it in the front of her shop all decorated for the holidays. I can't wait to dig into my Christmas stuff and load it up. I also purchased the shoo-fly screen. It is such a nice size and just fit my antique bread board. My mom bought a cute little black dollie and some teeny little Christmas lights. We then shopped in the other antique shops on Main Street and then had lunch at the "Fire and Ice Cafe". We had the best Cuban sandwiches. If you are ever in MIchigan...make it a point to stop in this wonderful, quaint little town and of course, go in and say "Hello" to Dawn..it is so worth the trip! You can click on to her blog from my blog list and get an idea of how terrific her shop is!

A SAMPLER IN PROGRESS AND HALLOWEEN FUN

2011-10-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is my Stacy Nash sampler that I had started last week. I was stitching on 16ct linen and absolutely did not like it..It was a loose weave and my stitches kept sliding under the weave..it drove me nuts..so I decided to trash it and use this linen (28CT) that is just wonderful to stitch with. There are only three colors in the sampler...DMC 869, 3781, and I changed the terra cotta 3830 (because of course I didn't have that one) to 3777. I am hoping to have it finished by the end of the week.

Well...this is the clan...all 9 of them. Some are daring for a fast getaway...it is sooo hard getting these little ones to sit still for even a minute...plus,my camera is a pain...I cannot seem to focus to save my life...I'm going back to my old Kodak!

These four were very photo friendly...to the left is Olivia, then Karsyn, Jacob, and Brady (who is sitting)

And then we have Olivia...she LOVES the camera...she will pose and smile..doesn't matter what's going on! I took 38 pictures, and these were the only ones that came out...so dissappointed! My husband took a whole roll of film on his 35mm...but they came out in black and white...just wasn't our day for taking pictures!

HALLOWEEN PARTY..COME AND GONE...

2011-10-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

This afternoon noon, we hosted a little costume party for our nine little grandchildren. It was so much fun! I'll post pictures tomorrow..It's late and I am soo tired....I hope everyone is have decent weather. It sound like a lot of folks are getting hit with a lot of snow..already!! I think it is a small tast of things to come this winter...oh well...we'll make it....always do! Until tomorrow..

JUST STITCHIN'

2011-10-24T15:12:00.001-07:00

Well...I haven't done much rughooking in the past two weeks...but I have been stitching up a storm. I finished these little Christmas samplers. The "Merry Winter and O Christmas Tree" are designed by Jen Hoffman, Country Rustic Primitives. The "Merry Christmas" with the Santa is a design from Pineberry Lane. I love both of these designers! I'm not quite sure what I am going to do with them...either make them into pinkeeps, frame them, or make into ornaments...although I think they are a bit too big. I have been in such a mood for stitching...and I have been going at a rather good speed...at least for me! My next project is a Christmas sampler from Stacy Nash's Christmas booklet from last year. It's done in two shades of brown and a terra cotta color. It's beautiful and so old looking. I love the simplicity! I'm stitching it on a 16 count linen..not sure if I like it the 16 ct..but it sure is stitching up fast and it's easy on the eyes!

MY OBSESSION WITH DRY SINKS...

2011-10-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

I admit it...I have with obsession with dry sinks (among other early pieces). I have two already, but neither one of them was the "dry sink of my dreams". I didn't pay much for either one of them and although they seemed to satisfy my decorating needs for the time... they were never quite what I wanted. We had passed on a dry sink about 6 years ago in Tennessee & neither my husband or myself could get it out of our minds. Always regretting we didn't buy it....well...all that changed yesterday. We went down to Medina Ohio to Brother's Antique Mall and there she was...sitting in the most primitive booth in the mall, under a window beckoning us to bring her home. The dealer was so nice, very informative and most importantly..gave us a really good deal..so we loaded her in the back of our truck and away we went.

I love the little side drawer and ledge that was once used for the pump.
I have it in my kitchen now as an island..but I think I will like it best in my foyer. We'll see...for now I'm going to leave it where it is.

FINISHED RUGS AND A NEW FABRIC

2011-10-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

Good Friday morning! Just a quick drive by before I start my busy day..I'm off from work, but have a million things to do today. First..is my Halloween rugs that I finished binding last week. I've yet to hang them but I was so happy to have them done. The first is a design from Maria Barton of Star Rug Company and the second design is from Lori Brechlin adapted by Kris Miller for a hooked rug. They were both so easy and fun to hook.

These next two photos are a fabric I found at Joann's while browsing through the linen fabric aisle. It's called "Hopsack Linen". It came in the most beautiful colors. It looks like coarse linen, but when you wash it and throw it in the dryer it comes out all nubby, coarse, and just beautiful! It reminds me of silk matka, but doesn't have the sheen that silk has. I am going to make a table runner out of the dark brown, and then the off-white, I am planning to make some pillows from the designs of Maggie B's new book, for my couch.

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. Go Detroit Tigers!

A WONDERFUL GIFT FROM A WONDERFUL FRIEND

2011-10-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

I was so excited last Thursday...my dear, sweet friend, Lori Rippey, gifted me with these most beautiful, beautiful hand made gourds, pumpkins, and acorns. They are absolutely gorgeous!! I admired them in her home when I went to visit her and she remembered! They fit so nicely in my wooden trencher and just look wonderful on my table. Lori does such an awesome job with everything she makes..what a wonderful gift. Thank you so much Lori!

A LITTLE STITCHING...

2011-10-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

Nothing new to report here...it's been a pretty uneventful week....love those "uneventful" weeks! I turned 59 on Friday, finished a couple of Halloween rugs..will post pictures later and just finished these two little pinkeeps. I have had these jars for years, but they had green tops...I'm not a big fan of green so I kept them in my basement. I decided to paint the metal and then sand. One jar is full of old wooden spindles in some really beautiful shades of beige and brown and the other jar holds barn pegs from an 1847 barn that was dismantled a couple of years ago. Have a wonderful Sunday evening!

FUN AT MALABAR

2011-09-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the In the Spirit of Friends show at Malabar Farms and it was wonderful. The weather was absolutely beautiful...a little scarey on Friday since all it did was rain..so we got a little wet and muddy..but Melissa & I set up the booth without any problem. What fun we had!! Melissa did some shopping while I stayed at the booth and then I would do some shopping while she watched the booth. What could be better....selling and buying! Life is good!! I was so fortunate to have the BEST Malabar neighbors...Linda and John Matulek from Youngstown Ohio. They have just opened an antique shop in Canfield called "The Cracked Crock"...(love that name!). They worked so hard helping Melissa and I load that back of my truck...we bought and bought not really considering how much space we had in the bed of the truck..but they were able to pack everything into place. I didn't hear a wiggle or jiggle of anything in the back for my 3 1/2 hour ride home..I'll post pictures later this week of all of my goodies! These are just a few pictures of my booth.

SAMPLER FINISHED, PRESSED, & FRAMED

2011-09-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

YAY!! I finally pressed and framed my Malabar Farm Sampler this morning. It is, of course, a design by Stacy Nash from last year's, "IN THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDS SHOW". I loved this pattern from the minute I laid eyes on it in her booth. And this year, she has designed yet another sampler honoring this beautiful, beautiful state park in Lucas Ohio. I am getting things ready for the show which is this next Saturday. I can't believe how fast this weekend has popped up! Seems like I was just preparing and packing to go to Sauder...and here it is...Malabar!

I will be offering a variety of early, primitive goods again this year. My husband, who has had to suffer with me the past two years..(he really doesn't like this sort of thing)decided not to go. So I was blessed enough to have my dear sweet friend Melissa offer to help. Hopefully, it won't be too painful for her. I will be under the big tent near the entrance. My booth name is "UNION STAR". I am praying for nice weather..as we had in the past...and hoping we will have a good turnout...as we have had in the past! It is an awesome show..if you are in the area..please stop by and say "HI"!

HOOKED RUGS, SAMPLERS & DOLLS

2011-09-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well..I've been a little busy...between working and doing house chores...I have managed to do a little hooking and stitching. But first.. I had to post a little picture of my gal pals. Most of them were made by Lori Rippey..the other ones I purchased off of Ebay years ago.

A little hooked rug by Maria Barton. I started hooking while at Sauder last month. He's small and sweet!

I finished my Malabar Farm Sampler...design by Stacy Nash. I stitched it on 18 count linen. Now I just have to find a frame to fit it. Don't mind the hoop marks. I haven't pressed it yet..I know..I know...I shouldn't use a hoop..but I just can't stitch holding the linen like most folks...I end up missing holes, counting incorrectly..then I spend most of the night "unstitching".

Last but not least is the challenge piece from the Sampler Makers group. I'm making three little pinkeeps instead of a wall sampler. I have started on the second one and hopefully, will have them completed by the weekend. Like I said..I 've been busy..now I just have to put the finishing touches on everything.

A LITTLE FALL DECORATING

2011-09-05T17:05:00.001-07:00

Finally...the weather has turned cooler...wonderful autumn like day here in Michigan. I started bring up my fall decor from the basement yesterday and this morning started to decorate a little. It might be a little early, but the seasons come and go so fast, I would like to enjoy my fall things a little longer. I purchased this beautiful table runner from Lori Rippey last week during her update. I just love the way it looks on my dining room table. The little pumpkin and crow was made by my friend, Patty, of Dogpatch Primitives.

This is my entryway. My old drop leaf table (minus the leaf)is ever changing with the seasons. The two little dolls are made by Lori as well. The little tree I just kind of threw together. I figured my grandchildren would enjoy it.