Sampler September and New Toy

 I was almost sorry to finish Ann Pegg so started another sampler....then another.  Well, it IS Sampler September after all!

First to answer a question....I stitched Ann Pegg one strand over 2 (using called-for floss) on Flax Edinburgh 36 count linen.  I just started using this linen and really like it.

The first new sampler start is Red House Sampler by Brenda Keyes of The Sampler Company.  This one has been sitting kitted with floss in my stash for several years now and it's time has come.  I was thinking of changing the red but, in the end, just stayed with the called-for DMC flosses.

For my repro Sampler for Sampler September, I chose another one that's been in my stash for a while...JM Gardner by With Thy Needle and Thread.  I just worked on this one for a couple of days and already love it.

Alas!  The samplers will be playing second fiddle for a while because I'm model stitching again.  I'm enjoying model stitching as always though.

Happy mail:  Vonna Pfeiffer did her magic on Louis' stocking and it arrived last week.  They know I've been working on a stocking for Baby Callum but didn't know that I've stitched stockings for mom and dad too.  I'll send the three of them a little before Christmas so they can hang them up with our granddaughter's stocking that I made a few years ago.  That is, IF I can wait that long. 

My son and his GF hinted about stockings for them so theirs will be next.  I was having trouble deciding what style stockings to make so talked to them about it.  They will be Scandinavian-looking with white floss on red fabric.  I found one pattern I liked and then thought about how to make the other similar but not the same.  I decided to look for similar pattern repeats and plot it on the stocking size/outline of the design I have.  I think that should work out.

I've been thinking about getting a stand up paddleboard to use on our lake for some time but never found exactly what I wanted (that didn't involve borrowing a truck to go pick one up) and wondered if spending the money was a wise idea.  Then I got to thinking about how our traveling this summer is on hold because of COVID restrictions/precautions and thought I should really be enjoying the lake more.  Recently our neighbors' son (who lives across the lake) paddled over and I asked him about his board that looked like what I wanted.  Amazon!!  There was a little snafu with the delivery (Amazon customer service was superb!) and my board arrived on Monday.  I've been out on the "maiden journey" but haven't had the time to use it again.  I look forward to going for a paddle this evening.

Happy stitching (and paddling)!

Rainy week

It must be spring break for the public schools here...it's been raining every day.  Poor kids! 

A friend's son loves to fish and he occasionally comes here to fish on our lake.  Despite the rain , he was itching to stitch the other day when he had some unexpected time off.  Mostly it was a light rain but suddenly the sky opened up and it started pouring.  Luckily he was dressed appropriately...I think he  had even more fun because of the rain.  Here he is with his catch of that day:

I've mostly been model stitching lately but made so much progress last week that I took one day "off" to work a bit on Hetty Child.  I'm really enjoying this sampler. 

I've become quite a Brenda Keyes (The Sampler Company) fan.  I'd already stitched her Plymouth Sampler.  It's framed now and hangs over my "stitching nest".

I've since acquired several of her books and leaflets.  Just recently purchased one of her books and a sampler (Country House Sampler) on ebay and bought another sampler (Red House Sampler) from Down Sunshine Lane.  My biggest "problem" with these is deciding which one to start next.

I finished the LHN exchange block (Wool Needebook) and sent it off to the exchange co-ordinator.  I'll be stitching another one for me although may choose a blue for the house...or maybe not.  I'd like to finish finish it into a needlebook.  As long as I've been stitching, I need to make nice one for myself.

On the cooking front...we tried out a couple of recipes from the most recent Bon Appetit magazine.  Pork Ragu' with Creamy Polenta and Raspberry-Ricotta cake.  Both dishes were excellent with the bonus that they weren't that hard to prepare.  I loved that the cake satisfied my sweet tooth without being overly sweet as many desserts can be.

Pork Ragu over Creamy Polenta


Raspberry-Ricotta Cake

Here's what ours looked like:

Seeing everyone's stitching has inspired me to buy more designs either on ebay or through the shops.  I need to slow down a little....but I probably won't.  lol!

I hope to finish the model this week or next.  I'll then start the next exchange block (a BBD design) and the next Halloween ornament.  (I've ordered supplies for both.)  I'll also work more on Hetty and then decide on the next sampler start.

Happy stitching!

Brrrrrrr!!!

It's so cold in Gulf Coast Texas (How cold is it?) that I have to wear real shoes instead of flip flops.  We're hovering at about the freezing point which--I know! I know! isn't that cold--- but it is for our area.

Being from "up North", I'm enjoying the colder weather and celebrated by making a big pot of soup the other day.  I think I'll make some white chili today.  (One DS is still home for his college break and he requested this.)

I've been enjoying stitching on Brenda Keyes "Hetty Child" sampler that I started on Jan. 1.  I reached a "milestone" yesterday in finishing the flower basket motif in the center.

In the spirit of my "year of the sampler", I've ordered "His Eye is on the Sparrow" by Heartstring Samplery.  There's a FB SAL group for this one.

There's also another FB SAL group started by Jean Farish to work on her "America, Land that I Love".  I joined this one too.  I'd started it a while ago but it's become a WIP/UFO.


I also put a few stitches in a Primitive Needle freebie "By the Light of he Moon".  I joined a Halloween ornament sal group here:  Halloween Ornie SAL 2015  .  January's theme is Witches and I thought this might work.  Unfortunately it's a little big for an ornament so I might have to stitch something else for this theme.  I think this one would make a cute no-sew cube, though.

I fear I've bitten off more than I can chew with these SALs.  (There are a few more too.)  I also am working on another model and need to stitch DD's wedding piece.  I feel like it's ok though and will be happy with any progress I make on these...as long as I finish the model and DD's.  I'll never be bored because there's always something to stitch.


We ran out of pie (according to my guys, a serious problem) so I baked my late DMIL's banana cream pie that has rum-soaked raisins, toasted slivered almonds, and banana slices between the cream and meringue.  The story about this pie is that my MIL called it "Louie's Pie" because she said it was DH's favorite.  He whispered to me once that, although he loves it, it's not his favorite.  Apple pie would win THAT distinction.  He never had the heart to tell his mother.  Of all her pies, this is MY favorite, though.  The cream part is wonderful....so thick and rich.  It uses vanilla bean--YUM!--and 8 egg yolks.  Not exactly good for you.  We have it rarely so I guess it's ok for a splurge once in a while.  Now THIS pie is nearly gone and I'm hearing noises from a certain couple of guys who live in this house that "someone" needs to bake another pie.  lol!

Finally....on a very sad note....I am horrified by the terrorist attack that happened yesterday in Paris.  I feel like this was not just an attack on the Parisian/French people but an attack on all free people everywhere in the world.  I can't say that I know the answer about solving the problem of terrorism that we all face and I fear that our leaders don't have the answer either. I pray for us all that we can all learn to live in this world together with peace, mutual respect, and dignity.

Happy stitching!