Lately . . .

. . . I haven't had time to post new blogs. I am involved with my county historical society. Every year we do a historic home tour in the fall. If you're interested in that sort of thing, go to this website: BCHS.org to get the 411. I and my BCHS partner Cheryl are in charge of the Lester Butts House. This means we have to put on the show. We divided the responsibilities and I'm doing the display boards on the house's history. So, I've had to put a lot of time into that. In addition, I'm in the DAR. Right now I'm working on stitching a piece that I will enter - if I ever get it finished - in the national DAR needlework competition. I also had a special request for a shark towel from my grandaughter. The picture of her with her towel is living on my other computer right now, so if I get a chance later, I'll post it. So, between researching and stitching, I haven't had much time for anything else. Hope all your stitching dreams are coming true!

Blackberry Truffle Tuffet

You may have seen the pincushion competion Grand Prize Winner for Piecework Magazine in their July/August 2008 issue (vol. XVI, No. 4); Sharlotte DeVere of Leechburg, PA (see The Queen Stitch blog) won with her gorgeous "Raspberry Truffle Tuffet". As a follow-up, in their November/December 2008 (vol. XVI, No. 6) Piecework presented Sharlotte's "Blackberry Truffle Tuffet" with instructions. What made me think I could do it, I don't know. However, I thought it was one of the most gorgeous things I'd ever seen. It made my mouthe water like my home made blackberry jelly does! The instructions were very clear and extremely well illustrated. Some substitutions were made and I noticed on the back of her raspberry, she had a flower which was not on the blackberry. I assumed the same technique was used as for the leaves and added the flower to my biscornu. Shopped long and hard to find that amethyst colored Swarovski crystal that's on the top.

First Time Rug Hooking

Last summer I took a class with Susan Feller at her idyllic place in the mountains. I thought she was an excellent teacher - hands off enough to let you feel like you were actually doing something yourself - and hovering enough to make sure you were actually getting it. The project she started us with was four coasters. I nearly finished the first one while I was there. Came home and let things sit until March/April when I decided to finally finish them. Now I'm in the process of finishing the edges. One down; maybe I'll be done by next March/April?

Prairie Schooler "Christmas Day" modified

I had purchased this frame on sale. It was dark green and U-G-L-Y ugly. So, I got this goop at the craft store, smooged it on with my fingers and let it dry. Then, painted the whole thing with pearl white acrylic paint. Now I had a "snow" frame that of course required a snowy cross stitch. I had purchased Prairie Schooler's "Christmas Day" to eventually do for my oldest son. But, looking at it, I could see where I could do a little piece from the larger design. The modifications take place in the foreground with the words, rabbits and snowman.

The Goodwill Jacket Pillow

My friend Betty regularly haunts the aisles of the Goodwill, Salvation Army, and hospice shop. We got together one day and she hands me a jacket saying she'd seen it and just knew I could make something out of it. And I did. Closed up the front opening (buttons and all), turned it wrong side out and sewed as big a rectangle as I could between the sleeve openings and neckline; then turned it right side out. Stuffed it and sewed the hem closed. Betty thought that I'd really like the pioneer theme. And I do. I just keep trying to figure out how the lute playing Renaissance guy who is apparently singing to Rapunzel in the castle comes into the story. I guess instead of being pioneers the people in the wagons could be gypsies. Any thoughts?