tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57096312012-01-27T20:53:00.847-05:00Stitch BitchOpinions on the fine crafts involving needles with eyes.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.comBlogger18971100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-69646823118231068552012-01-24T15:21:00.000-05:002012-01-24T15:21:16.873-05:00Aren't You Clever?
Nice dog hair on that.
My latest new start, Home Sweet Home by Good Housewife. It's stitched on silver 32-ct Belgium linen with the called for silks.
Instead of stitching, I've been working on my homework for the organizer. I've started a number of things but haven't finished them for various reasons. For example, this weekend I started to change the outlets. (When we moved in they were all Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-60032481364180291142012-01-21T15:59:00.003-05:002012-01-21T15:59:42.197-05:00Another CJC Start
Red Holly Berries, Bent Creek
Thanks for the overwhelming response for the goods I'm parting with. I hate to think how many patterns I just let the organizer take from the craft room. But if you are in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, you should start haunting the Goodwill. There is a P. Buckley Moss pattern worth $25 that I never put on eBay heading to a thrift store near you.
Last week Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-913177798715414652012-01-20T09:42:00.000-05:002012-01-20T14:01:55.418-05:00Frogs for SaleFirst, thank you so much for your kind words about the craft room clean up. It's always nice to have hard work recognized! Grazie mille .
Because you were interested, I'm happy to keep those few cents eBay takes and sell these here. I was going to put them on eBay as a lot. I'd prefer not to have to make up eight invoices and eight boxes, etc. Most of the "Buy it Now" prices seem to be about $5-Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-85945298971970521872012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:002012-01-19T09:00:09.347-05:00DuringOkay this post was totally burning a hole in my pocket. But if we don't stand for something...
You remember the before photos from my craft room. I'm pretty sure no one had a more jumbled craft room, unless they were on Mission: Organization and threw extra stuff in the room just to make it onto the show. Did you know my organizer was on the teevee? Hoarders and Mission: Organization. No wonder Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-16865132122491040302012-01-18T12:50:00.000-05:002012-01-18T12:50:04.238-05:00CensorshipCensorship, like charity, should begin at home. Unlike charity, it should end there.
--Clare Booth Luce
On strike against SOPA & PIPA.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-68603992549420672232012-01-13T09:09:00.000-05:002012-01-13T09:09:00.224-05:00Another GiftThis time it's a belated Christmas present:
betz white's tutorial on felted rosettes + new green mama's felted coffee cozy tutorial =
The colors are a little off--the cozy is a brighter green and the leaves are mint green but we took the picture in a Starbucks with an iPhone after 5:30 p.m. (We couldn't get the right angle when it was on a coffee cup, but it does cover most of a tall cup.)
Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-45946790657481544512012-01-12T14:26:00.003-05:002012-01-12T14:28:19.781-05:00Crazy {Modified} Crazy January ChallengeFirst, I must apologize for that BBQ post. I'm sorry I drove so many of you out for what passes for barbecue in your neck of the woods. Also, I seem to have stressed out the North Carolinians by putting in the crazy, funny, and notsogood. I apologize. We enjoyed ourselves. And we thank you for your recommendations. We'll be back!
Unbeknownst to me, another of the modifications of my 2012 Crazy Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-38975674716331454152012-01-11T20:38:00.003-05:002012-01-11T20:38:33.749-05:00A Present for a Friend
Linen bookmark instructions + A Mon Ami Pierre's Cally Amap 2 + DMC 310 + rickrack + buttons =
Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-75650431065254593452012-01-09T22:26:00.003-05:002012-01-09T22:26:56.427-05:00Trip ReportThis report is long and focuses on food, let's see how long you last! ;) On Wednesday we drove down to Chapel Hill. We were beat and saving room for our barbecue adventures so we had an uneventful meal at a chain restaurant near our hotel. Thursday was going to be a big day. And this is what I stitched on the way down.
Thursday morning we went into Chapel Hill. We grabbed a biscuit and coffee (Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-54508935592292666732012-01-07T09:26:00.001-05:002012-01-07T09:26:14.244-05:00Start Number Five
Yesterday, we took a ride out to Goldsboro to check out Wilber's. It was quite an adventure right from the start when our GPS wouldn't recognize the address and ending when a guy in the ghetto told me I was beautiful with his friend confirming I was "just his type." I almost shot back, "Overeducated and underemployed?" Instead, I thanked them and got back in the car. You could taste the smoke Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-60544052901791617042012-01-05T09:17:00.000-05:002012-01-05T10:01:20.638-05:00Road TripI'm sorry I don't have a photo of the Lizzie*Kate start from Monday. I got sick on Tuesday and didn't do all sorts of things I had hoped to do, like take down the Christmas trees or make a new start. Then on Wednesday we left for a road trip. (We've left Stella at the house with a caretaker, so don't go breaking in. That bitch will cut you.)
We listened to four discs of The Girl with the Dragon Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-75568846411517450532012-01-03T08:41:00.000-05:002012-01-03T08:41:00.626-05:00Free-Range ThinkingThis year, one of my resolutions is to read more. I didn't read nearly enough books last year, though one of the ones I did read was Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Free-Range Knitter. I enjoyed it because it overlaps with things I've been thinking...but she's a real writer who spent the time to flesh out her ideas.
In "Ken" she takes on the phenomenon of the crafter y-chromosome. You know, how the Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-39998082163461584772012-01-02T16:17:00.000-05:002012-01-02T16:17:26.517-05:00Little Surprises
Faye surprised me with one of her little bags. People, it is perfect with such square corners, you'd think she was in the military. I've never seen a homemade item with such square corners! And cute, cute, cute lining fabric (alphabets, I couldn't get a photo). It's a winner. She says she sent it to me because I make her laugh. And to think my parents didn't think anything would come of Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-63771212067897721762012-01-01T13:17:00.000-05:002012-01-01T13:17:28.161-05:00Plans for 2012As you know, I play fast and loose with my goals, but I like to give myself a little direction every year. This year:
Start nine new projects in my Modified Crazy January Challenge. (Nine because that's how many I completed last year in the original challenge.) I'm still choosing these. I think my original list featured too many Christmas and Halloween designs. I'll reveal all as I begin Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-63547097864367392012011-12-31T14:46:00.000-05:002011-12-31T14:46:10.725-05:00Year in ReviewOur week hasn't slowed down much. On Thursday, we drove back to my sister's in New Jersey to say goodbye to my parents. We ate leftovers and played Wise and Otherwise. (Where my father created an old Korean proverb, "Eating pears...is better than eating singles." He also hit it out of the park with a Cameroonian proverb about a man and his nutcracker, but we can't remember the exact words becauseAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-91966624855983931832011-12-30T08:17:00.000-05:002011-12-30T08:17:00.215-05:00In Which I Embarrass Myself (Not for the First Time)As I mentioned, I am soon to get help organizing the craft room. Recently, Donna showed photos of her craft room because it's in a state. I bragged (?) that mine was worse. I've shown how bad it is before. But I'm pretty sure it's gotten worse.
Oh, wait! What's that hiding behind the craft table?
We have got our work cut out for us!Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-87392361639985704262011-12-29T14:49:00.000-05:002011-12-29T14:49:09.859-05:00Hullo AgainOy. It has been a busy few weeks. You can tell by all the time I've taken off from the blog lately. I spent Christmas Eve day wrapping presents until it was time to go to my cousin's house. My parents, her parents, and all the usual Sunday dinner goers were there. We had lobster stew* with pork and beans because my BIL is a diva and doesn't eat anything we traditionally have. (His mother brought Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-40356780162004042382011-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:002011-12-25T00:01:05.618-05:00Season's Greetings
May your holidays sparkle, shimmer, and shine with joy.
--The Bitch and the DudeAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-6476245638458162112011-12-17T06:41:00.000-05:002011-12-17T06:41:42.217-05:00Tea and Stitch Holiday Report
I am up at 6:26 am on a Saturday--actually, I've been up since 3:00--because the dog is sick. I've been massaging her belly, and now she is resting while I am...I wouldn't say wide awake, but I'm not sleeping. Yesterday at Old Lady Stitching we had our Pollyanna. Somehow, 18 people contributed and 18 people received gifts but we still had one left at the end. It was seriously weird.
I would Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-91653453572477069722011-12-16T09:30:00.000-05:002011-12-31T15:03:33.451-05:00Three years ago, I did this meme. I had planned to put up--and blog about a second tree but I skipped it because my house was torn apart shortly before Christmas so we could put new counters in. Last year we were in Florida, and I only put up one tree (and only under duress). The year before we flew to England just after Christmas and stayed for two weeks so we didn't decorate. Anyway, here we Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-4957094359256291292011-12-15T15:54:00.002-05:002011-12-31T15:03:52.027-05:00OrnamentsI'm sorry I haven't been around much. I am up to my eyeballs. I'm getting lots of freelance work, and even though I have a metric ton to do around the house in preparation for the holidays, I can't say no to paid work.
Missy over at Eat Stitch Love wants to know:
How many STITCHED ornaments do you hang on your tree?
About fifty--I've stitched a lot of Sandra Cozzolino's santa ornaments (she Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-29397142222261242202011-12-14T11:32:00.001-05:002011-12-14T11:32:49.867-05:00Erica Wilson
Erica Wilson died. I remember watching her on PBS with my mom. She did a lot to promote this craft of ours. Let's raise a needle in her honor.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-67355261629798314802011-12-11T12:47:00.000-05:002011-12-31T15:04:18.905-05:00Advent CalendarSeason's Greetings!
Today, I am participating in Jo's Advent Calendar {Serendipitous Stitching}. Of course if you came over from her blog, you knew that, so welcome!
I've made a little collage of Christmas ornaments past that I don't believe I've featured on my blog. Most were stitched in the late 90s/early aughts. The Christmas orchid is Lilac Studio from the JCS Ornament Issue 1998; theAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-47158831489473483432011-12-05T20:00:00.001-05:002011-12-05T20:55:40.362-05:00Swirling Snow
I'm at the point on Bent Creek's Snowman Stocking where I've completely run out of threads! I need at least four more skeins. Sigh. So close--and I actually have the drive to finish it.
Tomorrow, I am going to finish my Christmas shopping. While I'm out, I'll swing by the thread shop. I'll need to do a lot of stitching to soothe my nerves after a trip to King of Prussia, no doubt.
In the Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-10984073478708673272011-12-01T16:54:00.001-05:002011-12-31T15:02:46.018-05:00Best Pal
Dead of the Day
You sometimes have heard me talk about best pal, my um, best pal. She has started a blog. I'd love to be able to tell you it's got lots of pictures of her fabulous stitching on her needle books (yup, that's her focus). But she hasn't been stitching much since she had the kids. Don't worry, she'll be back.
Instead, it's going to feature people who died on a given day. She's an Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-48959008621685626562011-11-30T15:51:00.000-05:002011-12-01T08:53:09.395-05:00November EndingNovember:
finish-finish one piece--done. This is an oldie from the JCS Ornament issue. Edited: It's the June Grigg ornament from the 1998 edition.
learn to crochet--the plan was to do this at the library, but I missed one week to make the advent calendar and we didn't meet this past week either. I guess time just got away from me.
ten hours on That Dern Parrot--I'm very near the end now. I haveAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-47396805153327244022011-11-29T19:23:00.001-05:002011-11-29T20:38:13.648-05:00Not RightYou may have noticed that I'm not yakking away obsessing fretting about how many Christmas gifts I have to make. With only TWENTY SIX days to go! That's because this year, I decided not to make any of our gifts. None.
And it feels weird.
It's strange to read about others who are trying to figure out how to get it all done. Remember when I was her? The frenzy! The sweatshop in the dining room!Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-9725098339180174422011-11-28T16:24:00.001-05:002011-12-31T15:03:06.749-05:00Long Beautiful Hair
I finished my ten hours on the Raise the Roof mermaid. I spent most of my time on her long beautiful hair, shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen, hair down to there, hair. It is quite a head of hair! But looking at how little I was able to do on this project--one of the larger pieces for the Crazy January Challenge--I'm not sure I'm going to be able to add the very popular Leave a Light Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-18337024815754675252011-11-27T23:08:00.000-05:002011-12-31T15:04:40.968-05:00Craft Book MemeAh, Sunday. Book Meme night. I feel like I'm running out of them, so I decided to make my own. It's definitely not going to spread like wildfire through the book reading world. I'm not even sure it's going to spread in the crafting world. If you play along, please leave a note in the comments.
Favorite craft book you own: Cardmakers' Sketch Book (Fox)
Favorite classic craft book: Linen Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-47713576810805187482011-11-26T19:27:00.001-05:002011-11-26T20:05:33.127-05:00The Social NetworkThe dude and I have free movie channels this weekend. (Note to DirectTV: we aren't convinced.) We watched The Social Network which we never got around to seeing the first time around. I was trying to decide what I was going to blog about tonight, since I missed taking photos of my stitching today. I googled Saturday memes. Funnily enough Saturday six wanted followers to name 6 things that you didAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-66809934241802253822011-11-25T22:18:00.000-05:002011-11-25T22:35:00.677-05:00Future Plans by the NumbersWIPocalypse...Crazy January Challenge 2012...Let's finish Six UFOs...Theme-a-licious...What to do?
How about all of them?
No, I'm just kidding.
I currently have 13 WIPs, though two should be done by year's end (that was the plan, anyway). I have six outstanding projects from the Crazy January Challenge, though I may finish one or two more. That means I'll start 2012 with between 15 and 19 Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-16258631295937885632011-11-24T18:50:00.001-05:002011-11-25T11:42:29.117-05:00Happy ThanksgivingI'm sitting with my first glass of wine having sent our guests home empty handed. We offered! I've called Maggie (who had dinner with my aunt; apparently the pies were extraordinarily memorable) and talked to my mother (who ate with her friends at the Moose). I've got my feet up and the football on.
I'm happy report that Stella had a stellar performance today. She was so well-behaved! She's Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-20068162794798150342011-11-23T20:54:00.000-05:002011-11-27T09:07:47.407-05:00Oh the Places You'll Go!Today I spent my day cleaning the fridge and the oven among the other usual chores. I was able to trade the pumpkin pie I ordered for a peanut butter cup pie. (Though traditional, it turns out no one likes pumpkin pie except me, and I am not bringing a whole pie in for just me.) My turkey is happily brining away.
JHM of Needleworker's Samplings lifted the book meme I did recently. And now I'm Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-70371728474534293662011-11-22T22:07:00.001-05:002011-11-22T22:19:53.550-05:00No Fairy TaleThe squirrels decided that my fairytale pumpkins needed to be carved.
Today I made cornbread for the stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a cheese ball. Tomorrow, I'll make the brine and do some chopping. I'll pick up the turkey and pie and three apples that I need for the apple crisp. And I'll clean {I hope}. For Thursday cometh.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-48107639228232214832011-11-21T20:10:00.001-05:002011-12-31T15:02:28.788-05:00Maggie Monday: Recovery EditionToday I got a note from Maggie, and she thanked by name each one of my "blog friends" who sent her a card. She really does appreciate it.
She's not been going out since she got home. She hasn't had a craving for a martini, so she's not going out to eat as much. (She used to go out to eat every day, each place on schedule.) The idea of going out and not having a drink is anathema apparently. SheAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-53301526692489091312011-11-20T20:29:00.001-05:002011-11-20T21:47:56.246-05:00Autograph WorthyThanks so much for your compliments on the advent calendar. All props go to my Stampin' Up! demonstrator who designed it. I just cut and paste! ;)
Today the dude and I went to see the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China. A-MAZ-ING! If they are coming to a venue near you, GO! (Buffalo, Detroit, Toronto, I'm looking at you.)
Today's book meme is about signed books from Book Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-4806894020852478862011-11-19T11:32:00.001-05:002011-11-19T11:43:42.972-05:00NaBlownYesterday I went to my Stampin' Up rep's house with Sissy to make an advent calendar. We started around 11:30, took a break for lunch, and when I looked at my watch at 3:55, we still weren't done. I had people coming to the house at 7:00, I hadn't cleaned, and I had to pick up the dog and some booze.
We finally finished at 5:00. During that last hour, it was like we were in a sweatshop. But I Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-52397837162518497162011-11-17T20:34:00.000-05:002011-11-17T20:34:47.469-05:00Needs CommentI think she sounds wonderful, when you get to be her age, you should get to make the decisions that suit you.
I would like to ask anonymous what age you can start behaving like this? Sure it's one thing to be 89 and telling people when things will happen, but I'm pretty sure she's been this way for well over 20 years and possibly as many as 69, which is neither as adorable nor well-earned.
How Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-52828822039221147562011-11-16T22:19:00.000-05:002011-11-16T22:19:13.763-05:00SBQ: ColorJust in time for Nablopomo, the Stitchers Blogging Question makes a comeback. Thanks, Lee and CinDC!
What's your favorite color of thread? Pick just one. Why do you like it?
When I was younger I was a huge fan of purple. Back in high school in the 80s, I loved loved loved the combination of purple (majesty, magic, mystery) and green (life, nature, well being). According to some researchers Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-53361350270135983632011-11-15T17:40:00.001-05:002011-11-15T17:47:48.636-05:00A Finish!Thank you all for your comments of late. I'm sorry I'm not going to get to them today. I have been busy all day, and I'm about to rush out the door to see Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique at the Kimmel Center. I really shouldn't be posting, but I must.
I had hoped to finish this project for my SIL and BIL for Christmas. I had thought the framing deadline had passed, but I got an email Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-78030914832387734382011-11-14T20:43:00.001-05:002011-11-14T21:57:29.748-05:00Cranky Old Yankee for Sale
You know what’s amazing about being 89 years old? You can make the
world revolve around you! Seriously, the physical therapist called my
grandmother to make an appointment to work with her in home. (She left rehab on Friday!) The therapist wanted to come at 10:00 am.
My grandmother said she couldn’t. “I have a schedule too,” she
told them. “I stay in bed, watch Regis, eat breakfast, and thenAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-88194486365518547302011-11-13T13:37:00.000-05:002011-11-13T13:37:11.091-05:00Another Book MemeThe book that’s been on your shelves the longest. I thought it was Bleak House which I acquired freshman year in college but it's Ivanhoe which I acquired freshman year in high school. More years than I care to remember...
A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time). I'll have to say Gravity's Rainbow which reminds me of an old boyfriend. I think when Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-47196929139632782042011-11-12T23:12:00.001-05:002011-11-12T23:28:13.985-05:00Fifty MinutesFrankly, letting the time tick down as a motivation is my M.O. I'm a dyed in the wool procrastinator. I get a lot of stuff done quickly in the end. And most of the time it's not half bad. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times.
I've gone with the Saturday 9:
1. Have you ever discovered a betrayal? If so, did you ask, “How long has THIS been going on”? Oh, I've discovered a betrayal. But Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-9211804363709743642011-11-11T23:03:00.001-05:002011-11-11T23:14:50.109-05:00Paper PartyAs I've mentioned, I am enrolled in Shimelle Laine's online class "Pretty Paper Party." The main thrust is supposed to be using the papers you love too much to cut into. I don't know how it happened, but I don't think I've actually cut anything yet. One of the first prompts had us diving into our scraps. That resulted in these three cards. I guess I just feel more comfortable with cards. Also Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-18175797875988523182011-11-10T16:03:00.001-05:002011-11-10T19:56:39.655-05:00Gen XSI do want to thank you for sharing your quirky Thanksgiving stories with me. I'm kind of hoping my sister's mother-in-law throws up on the tablecloth now! LOL. We need some excitement to generate gossip. Unfortunately, it's more likely to be Stella's bad behavior that we'll have stories about. She's part Shar Pei and Chow and neither breed is known for happily letting strangers into its home. Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-23000224798826273212011-11-09T20:03:00.001-05:002011-11-09T20:03:27.857-05:00Thanksgiving
Someone gave me these gourds today; I'm halfway there!
These past few years, Thanksgiving has been a crazy mishmash of staying here and going there. This year my cousin (who usually cooks when we are staying here) is going there. We, however, are staying here. My sister and BIL are leaving on Friday for Aruba. {boo hoo} A couple of weeks ago she called and asked me to have Thanksgiving...oh,Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-46949893088348895642011-11-08T22:26:00.000-05:002011-11-08T22:26:04.339-05:00Craft InterviewQuestions Whip Up asks their contributors. Of course, I'm a whole lot less interesting since I'm not a designer. Also, it's time for bed and I got nothing.
What were your early craft influences/experiences? My mom is definitely my earliest influence. She embroidered, sewed our clothes, did all sorts of crafts. And we did them along with her. I remember doing crewel kits and embroidering shirts Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-80740888124843917842011-11-07T16:00:00.002-05:002011-12-31T15:05:07.377-05:00Mermaid Hair
Would you look at that hair! Mermaids, it would seem, have a lot of hair. I was wondering why that might be.
It's not just the Raise the Roof mermaid. Check out Emerald Mermaid and A Fish Tale:
And it's not just mermaids I'm stitching:
There's a suggestion that cultural ideas about modesty resulted in portrayals of mermaids with hair long enough to cover their bare breasts. I Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-62175809303769891622011-11-06T16:40:00.001-05:002011-11-06T16:41:41.016-05:00Bookish Sundays!As long time readers may remember, I fall back on book memes come Sundays when I'm NaBlowing. I really have no right to. I hardly read anything any more. I'm such a fraud. I don't even think I can name ten books I read this year. (I may have read ten books, but I have no recollection at this point.) At any rate, maybe this will force me to pick something up.
I've done one similar to this before,Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-69428738026059350192011-11-05T18:08:00.000-04:002011-11-05T18:08:37.945-04:00P&VToday, Stella was full of beans. After a long walk through the neighborhood with the dude, she just couldn't settle down. We tried a few training sessions, but that just seemed to ramp her up. There was only one thing to do: pile her in the car and go.
We went to Valley Forge.
Stella was impressed by how small the quarterswere, and for six men!
Sometimes we despair of Stella.Perhaps Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-56183065882964410422011-11-04T19:47:00.001-04:002011-11-04T19:47:56.723-04:00Today at Old Lady Stitching my friend Marian inadvertently said the funniest thing. I was cracking up but I didn't write it down and now it has flown from my head. I am, however, left with the feeling that kind of laughter gives you. I think that's my favorite thing about Friday morning, and I have a sneaking suspicion I'm not alone.
One of our members was just back from France, and she broughtAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-53219210606916536602011-11-03T22:09:00.000-04:002011-11-03T22:10:05.301-04:00Third Day Struggles"Jesus, you're already struggling on the third of November?" --the dude
It's true. I don't know what to write about today. I brought the dog to the park, worked on a freelance gig, did some laundry, and made dinner. Yes, I'm feeling better. But it's not the stuff of blog posts.
Oh, wait, I made dinner! I made Rachael Ray's Pumpkin Turnovers and Sherry-Shallot Warm Brussel Sprout Slaw. This Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-823917823554339762011-11-02T19:18:00.000-04:002011-11-02T19:18:26.246-04:00Only 753 to GoI have 753 posts in my reader. I hate when this happens. I miss good things like beautiful finishes and the latest designs and limited edition white pumpkin kits. I think "Wow. That's great, good job!" But should I write the comment a week late? Will you even remember what I am talking about? And if I do pause to write the comment, how will I ever whittle down the number of posts I still have to Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-15639961729997793162011-11-01T12:31:00.001-04:002011-12-31T15:06:21.608-05:00Monthly ReviewI never got around to goal setting this month, but I did finish two ornaments {here} and Frost {here}. I have spent time this month being sick, paper crafting, and running a silent auction for the library. Not bad.
For November:
finish-finish one piece
learn to crochet
ten hours on That Dern Parrot
ten hours on Off the Deep End
ten hours on the marquoir
blog every day for NaBloPoMo (see that,Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-66111880489704468152011-10-31T17:08:00.000-04:002011-10-31T17:10:14.809-04:00Happy Halloween!I'm coughing up a lung, but I dragged myself to JoAnn's to look at scrapbooking paper, as you will. And you are glad I did because the crazies were out for their special holiday!
And my aunt sent a little note about my grandmother:
Maggie refuses to wear sneakers [for her physical therapy] and her loafers are dangerous, so I'll be picking up the Doc Martens that the foot doctor told her to Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-56873039451033037152011-10-28T13:23:00.001-04:002011-10-28T13:23:43.490-04:00I have over 900 posts in my reader. I have prizes and birthday gifts to ship. I must have something else because without another item in the list, the lede loses its punch.
I haven't been there for you, but you've been here for me. I do appreciate the good wishes for my grandmother's speedy recovery and my aunt's continued patience. Both seem to be doing well so far. And Maggie loved the cards! Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-17752386469095999972011-10-24T12:52:00.001-04:002011-12-31T15:05:31.905-05:00Maggie Monday: Post SurgeryNow that my grandmother has recovered, I can tell these stories and we can laugh. But the post-surgical reality was that my grandmother was suffering from postoperative delirium. Anesthesia can cause cognitive deficits, perceptual deficits, altered sleep-wake cycle, and psychotic features such as hallucinations and delusions in the elderly. It can last for a week or so, or it can last until deathAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-77776297350720186222011-10-21T20:41:00.000-04:002011-10-21T20:42:03.635-04:00Normalcy--Now or NeverTomorrow is the big day--the silent auction. Let me tell you we are going to breath a sigh of relief around here when that is over. The guest room looks like a boutique exploded. (And the dog would like her "chewing room" back.) I've been so focused on that project, that I think I forgot to tell you that the Tea and Stitch ladies (affectionately known around these parts as "Old Lady Stitching") Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-90438250462022077812011-10-18T12:25:00.000-04:002011-10-18T12:25:03.126-04:00PumpkinsThank you for your good wishes for the old lady--and for my sainted aunt. I'll keep you posted. If you want to send a get well note, please email me.
I have been so busy with the silent auction and my job-that-had-previously-only-given-me-an-hour's-worth-of-work. It's good to be busy, and especially to be busy and get paid for it. (Second place: busy and the library gets paid for it.) A few Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-91669114129911324092011-10-17T13:51:00.000-04:002011-10-21T20:42:32.969-04:00Maggie Monday: Post-surgical MaggieFirst, let me tell you that Maggie is out of surgery and the doctor says things went well. My aunt sent me the funniest email about the surgery prep last night:
Went to Maggie's to remove her orange toe polish on her impeccable pedicure (doctor's orders). Why is it that her pedicure lasts forever and mine already needs to be done again? Well, first of all, she's pissed because it has to be Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-18619239487380734872011-10-12T14:28:00.003-04:002011-10-12T14:36:14.378-04:00Leaving on a Jet Plane
You may remember how sadly neglected my house guest Muriel was while she was here. Her visit with Margaret has certainly made up for that!
Still Muriel is ready to hit the road. Visit Margaret to let her know if you are interested in hosting our flat grandma.
And her adventures in New Zealand have been updated. See the link above.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-1701576719338174522011-10-10T18:23:00.003-04:002011-10-12T14:36:29.453-04:00Maggie Monday: One WeekMaggie's surgery is one week away. If you want to send a card, now is the time.
I'd tell you the story of the diaper, but trust me, you know the best part of that story.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-80397492218404419252011-10-06T20:46:00.000-04:002011-10-12T14:37:06.437-04:00Diapers and Bodily Fluids
This morning I found myself standing in the middle of a Starbucks
on the phone with my bank holding an adult diaper.
Peggy Lee is heading to New Jersey for a nuclear power plant
outage, so Catherine G. gathered us--Peggy, Brett, Cat, and me--in Chadds Ford
for a tiny bit of stitching and more shopping. But your still worried about the
diaper, aren't you?
I made sure to endear myself to Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-9168584480520964012011-10-05T12:21:00.000-04:002011-10-05T12:21:10.153-04:00How Could I Forget My Commenters?
I can't believe I forgot to pull the prize for the commenters! I'm going to blame stress. And I'll tell you all about that later.
First, I want to take this opportunity to thank all 91 of you who visited over the two weeks to pick the winner. You all saved me from having to make an incredibly difficult decision! And I love love love how you all wanted to pick more than one!
Second, the winnerAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-52308965187974711642011-10-04T20:05:00.002-04:002011-10-05T09:36:55.082-04:00And the Winner Is...Number four
Joy of Counting Bits of Joy! Yay, you! Yaaaaay you.
Second prize goes to Number 3
Stitched by Pam of Stitching Between the Lines
Yay!
Congratulations to all!
But remember, everyone's a winner. Please be sure to send me your addresses so I know where to send the prizes.
Edited: I've been asked to reveal the contestants. And your stitchers are...
Contestant Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-87970430765351726872011-10-02T16:25:00.001-04:002011-10-02T16:25:57.708-04:00Another Fine Mess I've Gotten Them Into
I keep getting these cockamamie ideas. Today, we took up the lawn which we'll I'll reseed tomorrow.
Thanks to Todd, Jersey, Sissy, and the dude for putting up with my stubbornness and idiotic ideas. And for doing the heavy lifting.Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-71070029661342658252011-09-30T18:48:00.002-04:002011-09-30T18:48:34.522-04:00When September Ends
September Goals:
Finish-finish one project--yes! (pictured) Funnily enough, this is one that Siobhan thinks marks the point where L*K jumped the shark.
Complete That Dern Parrot--no. Put aside for seasonal stitches
10 hours on Owl Winder Pocket--yes. (pictured)
10 hours on French Country Pumpkin--completed!
10 hours on Frost--nearly completed. I ran out of midnight GAST and Strawberry Sampler Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-39980178761587728002011-09-28T12:09:00.001-04:002011-09-28T12:32:06.118-04:00Voting BribeIn July, Alma Allen stopped by to express her interest in the challenge and to ask me to let her know when photos were up because she wanted to take a look. And she did indeed stop by to see them. "These are wonderful! It will be hard to choose just one," she said. And she promised to send some prizes.
She kept her promise.
Alma and Barb sent six packs of charm squares, two pin cushions, and Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-39972196183599997562011-09-27T09:34:00.000-04:002011-09-27T11:56:55.382-04:00JCS Ornaments Reviewed
Oh, goodness gracious, I got so far behind with this task, people have already finished ornaments! Please check out the new page above for links to some of the finished pieces stitched by our friends. Check back regularly as I will update it, often to no fanfare. This year I'm limiting each ornament to the first five that I'm notified about. Last year six million people stitched French Country Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-3598445212794447292011-09-26T14:45:00.000-04:002011-09-26T14:47:24.525-04:00
Occupied by:
freelance work
Silent Auction
interviewing for jobs
volunteering at the library book sale
blogging for the animals
Since so many people have asked, I am keeping the voting open for two weeks.
Voting ends October 4. If you haven't voted, please do. If you have, please be sure to invite your friends to come vote, whether you've submitted something or not. Let's pretend the isAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-3015396217243049792011-09-20T09:06:00.001-04:002011-09-20T09:06:52.437-04:00Challenge RevealedWe have six gorgeous entries this year. These pieces are all beautiful representations of special places. To vote for your favorite, please send me an email {annavsxs AT gmail} with "Vote" in the subject line. Please do not vote in the comments. We want everyone to feel like a winner, because everyone is. They get to keep these lovely pieces they designed!
Without further ado, here they are in Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-48954614921536267882011-09-19T13:07:00.000-04:002011-09-19T13:07:37.339-04:00Maggie Monday: AgingAt my sister's reception in Maine, my grandmothers sat next to each other at dinner. They hadn't seen each other during the cocktail hour as they had both been sat down in different areas. The dude walked in Mimi and my mother's cousin walked in Maggie. Both of them had painted canes. As they neared the table, they saw each other for the first time since my grandfather's funeral in 2004. "Rita!" Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-34591061373304421862011-09-17T15:54:00.002-04:002011-09-18T15:41:49.563-04:00Down for the CountLast Friday at Old Lady Stitching, I had a cough. An annoying little cough, could be from my {cough variant} asthma, could be allergies, could be a cold. Over the weekend it turned into a massive horrible cough. On Monday, I only made it off the couch because the dog needed to be taken care of. I went and sat at the dog park. It took all my energy to stay upright.
Of course this is the worst Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-55048385078626916012011-09-09T13:28:00.000-04:002011-09-10T08:45:44.548-04:00Clever Cleverness
Clever people:
An interesting 3-D effect in cross stitch by Pony in a Rope.
Spastique boutique's Blue tits turn into...blue tits for the Sew Risque show.
Cross-stitch a manicure at The Daily Nail. (No holes, silly.) {via Crafter}
I heard Susan Stamberg on NPR this morning talking about her visit to Maison Lesage, a French hand embroiderer to Chanel. You can listen at the link. I think my Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-71710921868114756572011-09-07T19:23:00.000-04:002011-09-07T19:23:08.956-04:00Long Weekend
Labor Day weekend! We had a busy one. Our visitors left on Saturday afternoon. We did get to have a wonderful breakfast at Minella's with them before they headed down to Baltimore for their flight. Then we went home to have a rest. These three weekends with our nephews have been sleepy-making.
On Sunday, we headed to the Maryland State Fair with best pal and her family, and another stitchy Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-78232705831729546252011-09-02T15:30:00.000-04:002011-09-02T15:30:12.083-04:00CitrouilleI knew once I picked this project back up, I should finish in no time. Well, it took me twice as long as that because I had to restitch almost every motif. Ugh. This pattern is not that complicated but I have a secret. Come closer. Shhhh. Don't tell. I don't like to count! Some counted cross stitcher I am, right?
Funnily enough, when I was working on it at old lady stitching, I only made one Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-81720216563932391762011-09-01T06:41:00.000-04:002011-09-01T06:41:00.652-04:00Two Weeks!Photos of finished pieces have started trickling in. Where's yours? You're done, right? Just waiting to send your photos, huh?Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-40006300982557584422011-08-31T15:13:00.000-04:002011-08-31T15:13:23.460-04:00September MornIn August, I set out to:
Finish-finish five projects--done, done, done, and done! :) That's seven, count 'em, seven!
Complete Blue Snowman, Shepherd's Bush --done! See it here.
Complete Willow Trees Sampler, City Stitcher--and done! See it here.
10 hours on Dog Lessons for People, Lizzie*Kate--Happily, I completed it! See it here.
10 hours on That Dern Parrot, Sheepish Designs--Yup, I showedAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-26037769672078380132011-08-29T17:39:00.002-04:002011-08-29T17:39:20.441-04:00Off the Deep End
That Dern Parrot
Sheepish Designs
Oh goodness, where to start? We're all fine after duking it out with Irene. On Saturday, we brought e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g from outside into the house because we are good little do-bees. The patio table wouldn't fit down the basement stairs, so we made a space for it next to the dining room table, you know, right by the giant planters. I had put together a box Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-15150228773612153892011-08-25T10:24:00.015-04:002011-08-25T15:24:33.809-04:00I'm on a Roll!
Willow Trees Sampler, City Stitcher (c 1989)
Called for DMC flosses, random fabric
Yeah, I'm still talking about that drive back from Maine last week. Once I finished Blue Snowman, and then ran out of Deep Sea for the Dog Lessons, I moved on to Willow Trees Sampler. I needed another week or so but--voila--more completed stitching happiness! I am beboppin' and scattin' all over this cross Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-33540836147744911732011-08-23T11:19:00.000-04:002011-08-23T11:19:00.301-04:00Take a LessonIt didn't take long once I sat down and put my fingers to fabric.
Dog Lessons for People
Lizzie*Kate
Called for fibers on a random fabric.
Beth at the Strawberry Sampler wondered why they didn't have this model in the shop. I told them for a framing discount, they could display mine for a while. She told me that she could *not* bring one more project to poor Lise after the framing sale. (400 Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-16090455715511365182011-08-22T20:26:00.019-04:002011-08-22T20:32:06.594-04:00Am I Blue?Y'all are so good at commenting when I finish something...so that's the secret! Thanks so much for your kind words on all the stuff I've done lately. I've been entertaining the dude's brother and wife and the nephews--who knew boys were so much...MORE...than girls? The boys (the Potterites) are 10 and eight, just slightly younger than my nieces but wow...miles apart. I had to take a rest day. Of Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-18628477715250551592011-08-19T09:43:00.008-04:002011-08-19T09:43:01.180-04:00At Long LastI'm embarrassed to admit I've owed Lelia this prize for two years. She told me not to rush, so I didn't. Anyway, I am relieved that it is in her hands, and that she loves it!
Here's the package:
I sent a few extras since she's waited so patiently. From the left, two packages of pearl-head pins, a mini quilt, a spool of mini-pom pom trim, It's Berry Time pattern, the Souvenir de France freebie,Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-70462641103027884602011-08-18T09:33:00.077-04:002011-08-18T09:34:30.985-04:00Frame UpLast week, I so deluded myself into thinking that my framing was ready--really, I even imagined a phone call from the shop girls!--that I drove all the way out to Strawberry Sampler. It turns out Lise had only gotten as far as May 19. (She has over 400 pieces from the May framing sale! She's working her fingers to the bone!) Of course, I brought my pieces in on May 20th. Just a few days later, onAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-17592348687883162062011-08-17T21:27:00.000-04:002011-08-17T21:27:05.363-04:00Nu ShoozThe night before we left Maine, I got Sissy and the dude to help me make cording so I could finish my mother's "Shoes" flatfold. Jersey was making fun of my cord maker (it is creaky). But I think it came out perfectly!
Shoes by HinzeitSorry I can't tell you about the fabric and fiber!
The overdyed threads I used were difficult to match, so I chose a fabric that had some of the colors but Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-65437795649787790772011-08-15T12:40:00.000-04:002011-08-15T12:40:00.489-04:00Time ChallengedHow's that challenge piece coming along? One more month!Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-16872377043972195192011-08-11T09:43:00.000-04:002011-08-11T09:43:48.467-04:00I Must Have Something I Could Be Doing...Boy, I'm chatty this week. I must have too much to do around the house before we go on our abbreviated vacation/second wedding reception trip/formal family photo sitting {ugh} to Maine. Not chatty enough for a real post though.
Here are a few things that caught my eye recently that I didn't put on pinterest. I don't post to pinterest often--mostly because I don't actually surf the internet Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-68278250842917204412011-08-10T21:55:00.000-04:002011-08-10T21:55:26.083-04:00Another Camp Project CompleteThe dude thanks you for all your praise, but says, perhaps rightly, that it's our neighbor who deserves all the credit. I know we couldn't have done it without him...except the digging. That we did do without him. Thanks again. It's a small joy to walk down the path every day.
I finished another camp project last night. This was a patriotic needlebook from 2009. Now, the Silver Needle gives you Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-23307813523556257332011-08-09T11:03:00.001-04:002011-08-09T11:03:00.352-04:00Clear PathYes, we still have to get rid of the quarter ton of stone on the lawn and the leftover pavers, but the path itself is complete! The dude put in another long day on Saturday. (I couldn't get good photos until the sun came out on Monday.)
Look at those fine curved edges!
(Ignore the gravel and the pavers all over the lawn. In fact, ignore the lawn all together...and the rose bushes...)
Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-66365121506385223622011-08-08T19:59:00.001-04:002011-08-08T20:01:27.814-04:00I'm Making GoodI have been quietly working on the top-of-the-list August goal, finish-finish five projects. This is Angel Stitchin's O Christmas Tree from the JCO Ornament Issue 2005. I seem to have stitched this in 2005; it's on the "needs finishing" list in January of 2006. I don't think I ever showed you a photo. It's stitched on a random piece of whitish fabric with colors that may not be the called for Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-41953378438992120652011-08-01T08:27:00.007-04:002011-08-02T12:23:26.377-04:00Goals
Headless Snowman
Thank you all so much for your comments on the path! I've been looking for them. :) When we were working on Sunday, there was a party in the neighborhood and people drove by slowly gawking at us. Once the path was laid, I kept wondering why no one told us how fabulous it looked! (A heckuvalot better than having the four tons of gravel and pallet of bricks on the lawn!) But no Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-32139183020719022782011-07-31T18:59:00.000-04:002011-07-31T18:59:37.115-04:00Garden PathLet's start with the dude. One of the reasons I chose that as his nom de blog is that he loves the movie The Big Lebowski. And in The Big Lebowski, the dude (played by Jeff Bridges) is described thus, by The Stranger, played by Sam Elliott, the best voice in all the whole wide world: Sometimes, there's a man, well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's the Dude, Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-70682627600880352582011-07-30T22:28:00.000-04:002011-07-30T22:28:02.034-04:00Path to EnlightenmentThe dude and I spent several hours working on the path today. I can't lift my arms higher than my elbows. I'm like a little penguin. Tonight as we were driving to dinner, Pete opined that we're going to start a trend in the neighborhood. The only houses with paths from front door to sidewalk are the ones that have driveways in the back. (And they are all stick straight and made of cement.) But Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-13729290076649655792011-07-29T22:00:00.000-04:002011-07-29T22:00:47.477-04:00The Friday ReportI know why I love my old ladies: they think I know everything. And I'm not just saying that; I am quoting. This morning, my liberal friend pulls an orange wooden thing out of her bag. It had been left in the laundry room which in her retirement home is where people leave things they don't want anymore. It looks like the one on the left except it is shaped like a little girl or doll. Above the Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-54642766111336787862011-07-28T21:16:00.002-04:002011-07-28T21:16:45.441-04:00DefinitionCrafter: a person who stores supplies for her 1000 project ideas that she never quite gets to and no longer make sense to make.
All props to Miriam, from Crafter by Night. Okay, I couldn't help editing a tiny bit.
I've updated my sale page.
I owe some people invoices, and I do need to visit the post office. They closed* the one across the street from me, and now it is a giant hassle to goAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-2463959147376499102011-07-27T20:33:00.000-04:002011-07-27T20:33:43.282-04:00FabricadabraRemember that table I cleared off? It's a mess again. I've started sorting fabrics. I have two bags to give away. A kitchen-sized trash bag of scraps and small yardages of quilting cottons and a grocery bag full of home dec and other fabrics. This is what I'm keeping. I'm hopeful it will all fit in one tub, but I don't think it's going to be the under-bed storage size. The fabric on the far rightAnna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-58522344463742545572011-07-26T14:45:00.000-04:002011-07-26T14:45:49.121-04:00Crafting with KidSunday was our annual crafting day with my niece. This year she wanted to tie-dye shirts, make sorbet, make rolls, and experiment with wax. Three of those fell under the dude's purview: tie-dye, ice cream making, and bread baking. I made candles with Lala. And spent most of the day cleaning up. Remind me next year to make "my" crafts more appealing.
Here's the action shot of the tie-dye. She Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-66562530915552373792011-07-25T20:50:00.000-04:002011-07-25T20:50:08.989-04:00I spent some time in the craft room today. I have cleared off the table, and washed it even! The floor is starting to reappear. I have resolved to sort through my various fabrics, and send them out into the world where they will be used. That is my new mantra. I have too many things, and many of them can find much better homes and new life as finished projects. Check out my sale page.
And, if Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-8134164806871858072011-07-24T12:10:00.000-04:002011-07-24T12:10:48.173-04:00Dressy BessyI wanted to show you the dresses yesterday per your request. I even took a few photos. Then before I knew it, it was time to go see Real Madrid play Philadelphia United. Due to the lack of police presence directing 50,000 people out of the stadium area, we didn't get home until this morning. And so I missed another day of blogging. Sigh. Did I mention Cristiano Ronaldo?
Last night I wore the "Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709631.post-86823123260204069172011-07-22T21:14:00.000-04:002011-07-22T21:14:02.578-04:00It's Not the Heat, It's the HumidityI've spent the last half hour trying to find a truly-free royalty-free clip art or photo of a puddle. Because the dude has officially melted. He is of hearty (Northern English) winter stock; he wilts in the sun. (You would have thought 13 1/2 years in L.A. would have cured him.) He had about half a gallon of water when he got home, but he was still dehydrated so I went out for some Gatorade. Anna van Schurmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09545037218589039870noreply@blogger.com10