Fin

Look what I finished this weekend. Yay, me! For a while, some women who worked in the Boehringer studio were checking in with me on this. I should tell them it is finally finished.

Curtis Boehringer
Apple Sampler
DMC on 22 count evenweave
from the old Cross Stitch Sampler Magazine, rip

Today I sent a present to my nephew who will be three on Saturday. I had to make a card to match that wild paper.

I also took the car to have the winter washed off it. Then I took my feet to the pedicurist for a similar treatment. Not that I'm going crazy because we've had a little spring around here these past few days. No, I'm heading to Florida soon. Woot!

Every New Beginning Comes from Some Other Beginning's End

Except, you know me. I have lots of beginnings and not so many endings...

Last night, I started the new quilt. I got all the patchwork pieces cut out and started sewing strips. Because you've been so patient, here is the fabric I am using.

Wait. What's that fabric in the middle look like?
You mean this one?

Fabulous, isn't it? I adore it. And I'm not sure cutting it was the right thing to do. I just want to drape myself in it. But I'd need a lot more than a yard and a half to cover this ass.

Though I joke about my inability to finish what I start, I am nearing an ending. I hope the girls at Curtis Boehringer's Studio are still stopping by because it shouldn't be long now.

I also got some good news. You know how I was lamenting that my mother's hand pieced quilts really needed to be hand quilted, a skill I know not of? Last night at quilting, someone told me that I could get Amish women to finish the quilts (here, here, here, here, and here) for me. Hot damn and hallelujah. Now to get an income.

Apples to Apples, Dust to Dust

Thank you for the warm welcome back wishes, the praise for my accomplishments, and the support to reach my new goals. You're all too good to me.

When we went to England, I brought three old WIPs to work on. This is Curtis Boehringer's Apple Sampler from an old magazine. (Sorry about the fuzzy photo.) I haven't had this one out since February 2008!

I didn't work on this one very much on the trip, but did reach the point where I only have half the border to complete. This is what it looked like last time.

Traveling Man

The good part of traveling and being stuck in airports for five extra hours is that it gives me more time to stitch. {You have to see the bright side.}

I managed to finish July:

Monthly Mania
Heart in Hand Needleart
Stitched on 28 count antique ivory
with the recommended flosses.

I started Rose Bunnie. I realized that I had only kitted a few of my traveling projects (Monthly Manias), and that I would finish the last of them on this trip. So I grabbed a smallish project. It’s so cute.

Rose Bunnie
Liberty Street Designs
Stitched on 32-count hand-painted La Fern Liberty Fabric
With lots of color substitutions: WDW Carrot for the carrot; GAST Harvest Basket for the bunny; DMC 3740 instead of Anchor 894/DMC 224—the DMC was too shell pink to match with “light wineberry” (DMC 778). I’m going to use white Whisper instead of light brown for the tail because that’s the kind of bunny that roams these parts.

I also had a little time to work on the Apple Sampler.

Another good part about traveling (outside the airports) is that you have the opportunity to meet people who you never would have known existed if it weren’t for stitching and blogging. I got to meet Jacque. I don’t know how it works that I have enjoyed meeting so many different blogging stitchers IRL. For me, the real wonder is that I have truly enjoyed it. Meeting new people is sort of difficult for me. I never know what to say…but you wouldn’t have guessed it Saturday night! What’s really sort of a marvel is that all we all have in common is making little exes on fabric. And yet…

I called Jacque after we got to our hotel and we made dinner plans. She took the dude and me out to a nice Italian place where I ate as many vegetables as they would give me (you have to do this when your main goal is to eat lots of Q). The dude—why he lets me drag him out with so many strangers I’ll never know—enjoyed himself too. Then we tried to find some nightlife—there was lots of it, but not so much parking. We ended up back in our hotel in the Drum Room, where Frank Sinatra used to hang when he was in town. Jacque promised to come to Philadelphia so that we can take her (and Mark!) out to dinner. Note to self: research Philadelphia nightlife. (We are so lame.) Thanks again, Jacque, and do let me know when you’re coming to town! Full report on the Q here.

A Girl Walks Out of a Bar

So Thursday, I went to a pub for lunch. It was a modest lunch: fish and chips and two diet cokes. On my way out, I fall down the three (3!) stairs to the sidewalk. (My heel caught. Rubber sole shoes and my heel catches. Excellent.) Fortunately, I've had a rather late lunch so there aren't that many people on the street. Just one guy walking toward me. I stand up and gingerly limp back toward the office. As I near the guy, I notice he's swerving to avoid me. He's practically walking on the curb like a gymnast on a balance beam. Suddenly, I'm pissed*. He doesn't ask if I'm okay; he thinks I'm drunk! At 2:30 in the afternoon. I so should have walked up to him, slapped him on the chest, and slurred, "Yerrrrrrrrrrrr pretty!" (That's my favorite. When guys so drunk they are practically blind tell you you're pretty. Oh, do you really think so? Thanks! Squeal!)

I've been working on Apple Sampler lately. I'm planning to start something new this week. Stay tuned.

Sissy, it turns out, is allergic to betadyne. So her leg will eventually become less bubbly over the next three weeks. She and my dad are really sensitive--allergic to medical tape and latex too. I, on the other hand, am completely insensitive. Can't you tell?

*American sense, not British

Thanks for the Anniversary Wishes

I'm back in PA. Sorry to have fallen down there, but this not working thing, it really took a toll on my blogging.

Just to let you know how much lobster you missed:
Wednesday: lunch, Flo's Dogs. Dinner, batter fried clams at Ken's in Scarborough (I prefer crumb).
Thursday: lunch, farm stand tomato sandwiches. Dinner, shared a 6 lb lobster with my parents.
Friday: lunch, more Flo's. Dinner, buffet at the Colony one (small) lobster, steamers, and two cups of clam chowder
Saturday: lunch, more tomatoes. Dinner--I was dying for beans from the Steakhouse. I had the ribs too. There are leftover beans in my fridge right now. I think they may be calling.

And here's something that I worked on:

Apple Sampler
Curtis Boehringer
DMC on 22 ct evenweave

Apples to Apples

Here's an update on the Apple Sampler by Curtis Boehringer. I've finished the alphabet, and it's on to the apples. I love the alphabet on this one. Look at that "s."

And how cool is this? I got a message from the Boehringer studio because they read my blog! They're happy to see me stitching this piece. (But will they be so happy when it takes my five years to finish it?) I went to the website where Mr. Boehringer has some new samplers. Did you notice the pumpkin sampler? That will be a nice companion piece.

What I really want is that set of santas and all the time in the world to stitch them!