My First SAL

Thanks to the motivation and inspiration of Annemarie, I've completed my first SAL.

This is Carriage House Samplings "Primitive Stocking". Though this is a slightly "abbreviated" version, as the fabric was cut too small, I still like the result. I added a piece of vintage style calico to give the stocking the long, lean look I admire in the CHS stocking series. Looking forward to bouncing around to the blogs of the other SAL members to see what they've been up to.

One more night of mandatory "FUN" and then I begin my break from the gym until 8 June. I am simply bubbling over with ideas for crafting, sewing, gardening, cooking and yes even cleaning to fill my days. Tops on the list are some new doll clothes. The 1923 Franklin Simon Catalog has been a source of inspiration for my 16" vinyl doll creations. I try to designate a doll for each of my favorite fashion time periods. The redhead Tyler doll will get a new suit of blue and brown tweed with a blue and brown floral print silk blouse underneath. I even went so far as to splurge on a new doll. Her beautiful face and hair style pushed me to bid $24.99 on eBay and to my surprise I won with my low bid! This is 16" Tonner Doll Company "Tess Trueheart" from the Dick Tracy collection. Don't know much about Dick Tracy comics or the supporting characters, but I just love this new doll. Although she is dressed in a 1940's dress I made last Spring, I think she will become my 1870's model. Her hair style just reminds me of that time period. It's hard to see in the photo, but the back of her hair is a large bun of twisted curls. In order to make those clothes I splurged again, on Amazon this time, and bought three more "Wishbooks" by Susan B. Sirkis. This lady was amazing in her authentic period pattern drawings. With very few adjustments I can suit the patterns to the 15.5" to 16" vinyl fashion dolls. Any doll collectors who likes to make their own clothes....I highly recommend this series of books. They are out of print and a bit hard to come by but the Sirkis family has their own website that sells Susan's books. A Google search of "Susan B. Sirkis" will bring good results. So far I have 1806-1810(my Jane Austen collection), 1871-1875, 1880-1885, 1895-1896 (those are the three new ones I bought this week) and 1900. The 1920's also intrigues me but the styles were quite plain cut then and relatively easy for me to draw up my own patterns for those outfits.
An absolutely gorgeous day.....80F, sunny and only the slightest breeze. Ideal for stitching outside. I have two more hours and then the "Marathon of Fun" at the gym. Then the real fun begins for me tomorrow!

Stitchy-stitch

I would like to think that's the sound that stitching makes. Yes, the sewing machine really has it's own sound. And I suppose hand stitching makes it's own little noises too. But the sound of "stitchy-stitch" is what's been flowing from this house lately. The "Spring Break" from the gym is fast approaching. This week is what we coaches loving call F-Week. Fun Meet week. A three day extravaganza of all the gymnasts from all the classes and the Team performing in a three night/two shows a night marathon. I vaguely remembering writing a very similar post last year...it's amazing how time flies, and what the mind wishes it could block out. I had yesterday off in preparation for all the "F" to hit the fan tonight, and I felt the need to set the tone for my up-coming two week break from work. I bought paint to paint the bathroom door and ceiling and some of the outdoor variety to paint the porch trim. Then I sat down and opened up the WIP cabinet. New canvas cover for my old swing in the yard-DONE.(Sammy and Coal wasted no time in checking it out) A pair of soft, light denim jeans from McCall's pattern-DONE. A pair of light striped denim jeans from JC Penney hemmed-DONE. Jane Austin Sampler, from March 2007 Gift of Stitching on-line magazine-DONE (shown here with my Jane, who desperately needs a new dress). Way too much stash buying at eBay, Amazon, JoAnn Fabrics and Hobby Lobby-DONE. Primitive Stocking-DONE(pic to be shown Thursday on SAL update day).

Busy, busy, busy.....which distracts me from some sad news. The mystery cat, Morris, is once again a mystery. He disappeared early last week and I haven't seen him since. I've done the mandatory search of the fields and the ditches along the roadside...nothing. That I suppose is good news. Maybe he's moved on to another house, or has found his way back to his own family. He was such a nice boy, so friendly. I gave him some anti-biotic for his cough and sneeze trouble and some flea and tick spot stuff so he's pretty healthy and clean too. We miss him and hope he returns.

Rain and Royalty

Two days of nearly nonstop rain has given me a chance to make some CDs of my collection of Royalty photos. As some of you know I am a big fan of Victorian Era Royalty and search through books and the Web to find interesting vintage photos. Here are a few of a lesser known royal lady, Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna of Russia. In the photo below she poses with her eldest son Nikolai and her younger daughter Vera.

Born Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Altenberg (1830-1911), she was the wife of Grand Duke Konstantine, brother of Tsar Alexander II. Her eldest daughter became Queen Olga of Greece(1851-1926) and is shown in the photo with her here in the early 1860's.

With daughter Olga(right) and grand-daughters Alexandra Georgievna(left) and Maria Georgievna(in front) of Greece.

Of course it is Thursday and I will not let this week pass by without an update on my CHS Primitive Stocking for Annemarie's SAL. Just a small amount of progress made. Once I start browsing through the Royal photos I get so inspired by the costumes that the cross-stitch gets pushed aside and I start sketching doll dress versions of the period gowns from the photos.

The rain held off for about an hour yesterday morning shortly after I had posted here. It was just long enough to fulfill one of my plans...to plant my tomatoes. Then the downpours came and there are little ponds all over the garden. I had worried that the tiny plants would be crushed, but all are standing up OK...10 Striped Romas and 6 Pineapple Heirlooms.

The sun has broken through again, about an hour ago. Just long enough for Carmella to enjoy a little roll-around on the walkway.

Mid-Week Update

Is that not the dullest title ever for a post!?!?! I just can't come up with anything better. Beside that, this update is well over due. I missed out on last Thursday's SAL w/Annemarie post. I know it's a low-pressure, no obligation SAL, but it was rather rude of me to not even acknowledge the day. Suffice it to say, there was no progress on the Primitive Stocking. I did work on this little ditty though. Another cutie from Barbara Ana Designs. I just love her stuff. Even just the floss colors laid out together are beautiful. This is "Summer Biscornu".

I've made a lot of plans lately. Many, many plans but not much action! Joe, unlike me, makes a plan and then follows through immediately. He wanted a new riding mower and darn-it he went right out and bought one. How's that for stimulating the economy! It's a Husqvarna, so I approve. They make marvelous sewing machines and I plan to buy one........there's that plan again.

I planned to plant my garden today, but it's raining. I did actually make some progress. The seedlings are doing well and last night a tilled up the whole area (while Joe was taking lap number 246 on the riding mower). It needs another once-other to break up some larger clumps, but that will have to wait until the weekend. Even the plans of Coal and Roy were foiled for the day.

Much like the lack-luster title of this post, my writing seems to be petering out too. A day to stitch, I suppose. Maybe even a little action out of the old Singer too. I have lots of plans............

Oh Well, Here Goes..............

The update for Annemarie's SAL. The much shortened version of Carriage House Samplings "Primitive Stocking". So primitive in fact it was obviously stitched before the invention of the yardstick, the ruler or the measuring tape. As you can see it is very tightly squeezed to the selvage edge at the top of the fabric. I have narrowed down my choices of cuff fabrics to the four pictured. I am leaning heavily towards the mustard gold with the olive green "eyeball"-looking things on it. I suppose I could just end off the stocking without a cuff but I really like the very long look of this stocking series. My mother has "Quaker Stocking" that I made last year and I would love to display them together.

Finished up the duck and ducklings this morning. I love how these designs look on (18 count) black. Now I must head off to JoAnn Fabrics tomorrow in the hopes that they still have a forsythia wreath leftover after the Easter sale.

A short post today, but I can't sign off without a pet snap. Our newest friend, Morris, yesterday posing so serenely on a stump in my flowerbed. Doesn't his beautiful orange color set off nicely against the plants?

A Bit Disappointed

I'm not really sure why I'm writing this. I suppose if I can't be honest here, then where else? I restrained myself from titling this "So Disappointed", but I feel a bit down none-the-less. I didn't win a darn thing in Leena's Stitched Mail Art Contest. I'm not angry or jealous, but just plain sad. I had never entered a stitching contest before so I don't know why I expected to win anything. You know, I actually dreamed about winning and what I would buy with the prize money! How vain and greedy is that!? I'm really not that sort of person and I don't know what's come over me. The work of the winners is superb. Very fine stitching of many varieties and such beautiful design and finish presentations. There is not an ounce of bitterness in that regard. I should have realized I didn't stand a chance against such delicate work. I am just a plain old "x-maker".....nothing on tiny counts of linen or "over-one".

So with that bit of emotional cleansing out of the way I will show you what my entry was.

My SAL piece with Annemarie has become a point of disappointment also. Once again in my quest to be frugal the fabric is too small. I am too ashamed to even post a photo here, but you will have to deal with it tomorrow when I update for the Thursday SAL posting. I will have to make some sort of calico "cuff" along the top to feebly disguise the fact that the top two rows of letters and a star are missing. Luckily, the quilt I am working on is of the same color scheme, so I have plenty of scraps that will nicely coordinate with the stocking.

Worked a bit more on my French Sampler. Just the very boring borders to finish up now. This piece doesn't see much action. I usually take it on my annual Summer trip to visit my parents. Since I didn't go this August it has sat in the WIP cabinet for quite a while. A little more done of the duck and ducklings square of Prairie Schooler's "Welcome Spring", but not enough to merit a photo.

Last Sunday(26th) was the Perennial Exchange Party of my friend Sharee's sister-in-law, Annette. She has a beautiful home with equally beautiful landscaping and gardens. Her Rembrandt Tulips were gorgeous! There were 26 ladies there and each of us brought a selection of plants from our own gardens to trade with the other party-goers. Here's mine and Sharee's table. There was also a marvelous tent with all sorts of goodies and snacks. Annette's very cute little dog enjoyed the party and all the attention he got.

"Mystery Cat" has been with us for nearly two weeks now so it is only fitting that he gets a name. Introducing Morris. He is so friendly with all the other animals, including Bud the dog and is tremendously comfortable living here, as you can see.

Some lovely new threads from Anita's Little Stitches. I just can't get enough of these Threadworx and Valdani threads.Speaking of new things....here are some new neighbors. Actually they are a new collection of what Joe calls "recreational farm animals" that our neighbors bought a few weeks ago. They had two horses to begin with, although we never see them riding them or even so much as petting them. Now they have four little goats, a mule and an odd breed of cow with long curly fur and turned-in horns. Don't know these neighbors at all. Most of the new "yuppy-housing" changes hands every three years or so and we never even know the names of the people who move in and out. Their animals are very nice though. I try to go up to the fence and pet the horses as often as possible and also offer them up some apples. The goats are still a bit shy and the mule...well the mule sets off the "Mule Alarm" most mornings around 4am. That loud, almost honking sound that they make. If I didn't love animals so much...............

If It's Thursday.........

It must be Annemarie's Carriage House Samplings Stocking SAL! I must admit I did not take a stitch on this from last Thursday. Then last night I played catch-up in order to have some progress to post. It is a lovely day outside, but I must admit I am not feeling it much. I am subbing for another teacher tonight at the gym. Now, don't get me wrong, I love to help out co-workers, but I always regret it the moment I say "yes" to subbing. Another night at the gym until 9pm with unfamiliar kids in a very "recreational" atmosphere. I try to focus on the extra stash-buying money I will be making.

It was also a "Vet Day". Sammy, our FIV positive cat, has some sort of coughy-sneezy thing going on. Since his immune system is not up to par I am always doubly concerned. The Vet gave him some antibiotics and a shot for his itchy fur problem and all is well for now. I do have the twice a day struggle to give him his medicine. Even though it is supposedly flavored like chicken Sammy is none too cooperative when it comes to swallowing medication. Infact, he is still a bit leery of me and this was the only snap I could get of him....as he runs from me about an hour ago after we got home from the Vet!

You see, everything is turning such a lovely green and all of my little plants are sprouting. The kittens, Roy and Carmella, spend most of the daylight hours outside. Although here they are lurking to pounce on the next innocent victim who goes up the stairs.Tomorrow it is supposed to get up to the 70sF and the 80sF over the weekend. Great timing! It has been so cold this week that the cats huddled near the wood-burning stove. This is Coal with Roy.When it got too warm there, they moved to the rocking chair.Not a lot of stitchy things to show today. My "uber-cheapness" has gotten the best of me with "A Mon Ami Pierre" freebie. I cut the fabric too small. I think I can only fit the top half of the sampler on it. I'm so mad at myself. Now I search eBay for large pieces of linen at a reasonable price. I think this piece, when finished (so-to-speak) will be displayed as a pseudo-antique "sampler remnant". Is there no end to the length I will go to cover up a mistake!? Pseudo what??????? Sounds like one of those million dollar art pieces that was created by a 3 year-old finger painting with Jello.

oooooooh Jello, now I'm hungry. Gotta go.