just one more day…

Hope you had a lovely long weekend! I took lots of photos of our day in Grand Lake (and the trip there), I’ll share a few more on Wednesday, I keep thinking ‘just one more day…’.

The kids have been urging ‘just one more day’ but we are officially starting school Tuesday, September 2nd. This begins our 16th year of homeschooling and also marks Ethan officially being ‘in school’ here at home. I thought this Dear Diary design from Little House made a perfect keepsake for our school, it would also be a nice first day of school sampler for a child or grandchild.

One thing I will extend just one more day is the .99 shipping sale at the webshop ($1.49 international).

:0)

amazing

I’m not really calling my stitching ‘amazing’ but I am really enjoying this Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey Sampler from the Sampler Girl. 

These are the two charm packs I picked up on Wednesday.  Two great new fabric lines creating lots of ideas in my head!

Tyler and Ethan created a very fancy train track in the living room this morning.  Ethan is having a good play.

Why I called this post ‘amazing’ is really because of this movie I watched last night.  I have read a biography of Wilberforce, but I have to say how much I really enjoyed this movie.  I highly recommend it.  I always forget how young Pitt and Wilberforce were when this was going on.  Anyway, I don’t want to be too sappy about this movie, but it is more than entertainment and really good for the heart, if you have a chance – do watch it!

:0)

looking for. . .

I thought the first picture was just fun.  Kellen and Ethan watched the live NASA feed of the space shuttle landing yesterday, Ethan was taking notes :0)

I don’t have any current stitching to share – I sent one exchange out and am wrapping up another.  I forgot to take a photo of my squares that have been received by Kim – but you can see them here.

Jerry took the three older kids to hear Rob Bell speak in Denver yesterday.  Ethan and I made a quick trip here.  I picked up this fun pattern and fabric – like I need one more project!!  There was a model in the shop that was adorable.   I wish you could see this shop but they have a no photo rule, their website is sadly lacking in photos.  It is crammed full of Amish made quilts, fabrics, tea cups, books, candles, linens….a lady walks around with a tea cart with china tea cups and cookies.  It is a wonderful place to spend a little time…AND speaking of fabric, did you see the new Dandelion Girl fabrics coming out from Fig Tree Quilts!!?!?  I still need to make something with my Allspice Tapestry & Folklorique stash!

I had mentioned on one of my yahoo groups that I needed a serger – well, a sweet lady sent this to me!  I haven’t figured out how to thread it yet, I just haven’t had a quiet moment – but if you have one like it, any and all help would be appreciated!

One other thing I’m looking for, is The Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler.  I know of 2 ladies who would dearly love to obtain the design, if you know of one out there, please let me know so that I can pass the information on to them.

I think I need chocolate!

(Random school books)

I’ve been trying to add this entry to my blog all day!

I received this wonderful mail art from Beatrice in Italy today. She made the sweetest little bunny fob and sent along some other goodies. Thank you Beatrice!

I brought home a new victim for the ‘Plant Slayer’ (me). I’ve always wanted an African Violet and the price was right, the supermaket had these on clearance. I’ll try to resist killing it immediately, I think it would look nice in my office for a few weeks, hopefully longer – :0)

I wanted to start a new quilt today using these bright batiks – did you know it is National Sewing Month? I’m sure my pattern is still in that special place where I was sure to be able to find it. I just can’t remember where that special place is and I’ve about used up all my sewing time looking for it! Maybe tomorrow.

We did start school today – no comment.

I’m off to write a sternly worded email to my DSL ‘provider’ and I might even be able to send it to them if I can stay connected long enough! *I think I’m a bit hormonal – maybe*

:0)

A small start.

Here is my tiny start on my someday Jane Austen Sampler wall.  These designs from Tanya at The Sampler Girl were quick stitches and I love how they turned out.  I need to get my 2 bigger finishes added and then it will begin to look like a real collection.

Two other designs by Tanya I have in the works are the ‘Lady Washington Sampler’ and ‘Abigail’s Sampler for John’ shown here (I’ll add a photo of my progress on both this week).  I found these two designs by Designs from Pamela.  I think I will add them to my shop and to my arrangement of First Ladies Samplers that I plan for another wall.

From Designs by Pamela:

Just a photo I snapped while out running errands this weekend.

:0)

PS – I’m having a $1.50 shipping on all US orders special at the webshop, $3.00 for international.

New

I’ve made some progress on my little Meg’s Bunny project from Sheepish Designs and added a few more titles from that same designer to my stash!  I need to round up the Anchor thread before I can get started on those.

 Thank you so much for all the wonderful compliments on my little Daisy Sampler pillow.  It was a fun project.  Also, thank you for all the support for my beaded fobs.  I’ve picked up more beads and more snail charms, also some little kitty charms so watch for new additions at my Fobs 4 Sale link at the top of the page.

As a treat for being done with school I took myself to Borders to pick out a book as a present to me.  Something I can just read because I want to.  My family had a good time teasing me when I brought home this book!  I really enjoy this author’s blog (there is a link under ‘Blogs I Read – homeschooling).  I’ve also created a book list at Good Reads.

Speaking of school, I’ve warned the boys that the party is over and we will be getting back to full days of school VERY soon!

)

Not just knitting..

As you can see, I’ve done a bit of stitching along with my knitting this week.  I’m still picking colors for Berthe Massiet.  It would look nice hung next to my Beatrix Potter Sampler I believe – if I ever get them both finished.

I really do like the fabric I’m stitching Ladybug, Ladybug on (28 hand dyed Jobelan),  I’ve decided to use the same cloth in Pink Dahlia for Geranium House.

We are having ‘Spring Break’ here.  The week has flown by and time is running out for getting all my plans accomplished.  I should say the kids are having a break.  I on the other hand have loads of homework to get done and dishes to prepare for an Easter pot-luck we are invited to.  Amber made a yummy batch of potato salad last night with a new recipe she came across, I hope I can get her to make another batch for me in time for the party – boy that would save me a heap of time!

 :0)