In the Meadow, We Can Build a Snowman

In the U.S., it's definitely not snowman building time. We're back to PA with temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity to match, barely cooling to the 70s for sleeping. In Maine, temps were in the mid-70s during the day--with low humidity--and cool nighttime temperatures. No wonder I popped out of bed between 6:00 and 6:30 every morning ready to start my day (with a long walk with the dude, my mom, and her dog). Sigh. Who ever thought I'd spend my summer vacations chasing cooler temps? Would that the memories would help me sleep better. Anyway, the ride home gave me plenty of time to work on Shepherd's Bush Wisteria Snowman (kit). (I've gone out of order, since my sister was with us for the last three days of our vacation, and Mary's Stocking is for her.)

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that one of our vacation days was spent in South Berwick (in Maine, they pronounce that W) (in the UK, they don't) to see Sarah Orne Jewett's house. We arrived at 11:30 not realizing that tours were only given on the hour. There were about six shops on the tiny main street--that hadn't changed much according to pics we saw from the 19th century--but fortunately one of them was a quilt store! And it just so happened that my mother needed fabric for a quilt.  (I acted as her proxy.) She recently gave in and bought my father a lift-chair, which she has declared the "ugliest chair you have ever seen." Complaining on Facebook brought her the offer of a quilt to cover the chair. Of course, I've never looked at fabric without needing some myself. This is what I picked up at Saltwater Fabrics for me. I bought larger quantities of the waves and jellyfish for my mother.

Sparkle Plenty

I have been so horrible about opalescent fabric. I may not have told you I wasn't crazy about the project you did on it, but I thought it. Oh, I thought it.

And when I was at Stitcher's Paradise... I bought some. For the two Vegas patterns. It seemed completely natural. And now we learn why we never say never--and never make fun of people to their faces. Oh sure, you think you'll never wear the latest trend or stitch on opalescent fabric, and the next thing you know, you look like Britney Spears (only with covered lady parts) or are holding a piece of Picture This Plus Crystal Fog.

I realize I didn't tell you very much about the store. For a smallish shop, they have a ton of stitched models. And they really love monsterbubbles because I've never seen so many of her patterns stitched up in one place. They're so great. They also had a couple of really unique finishing techniques which I asked permission to photograph. But I didn't say, "I'd like to photograph them so I can pop 'em up on my blog," so you'll have to settle for my descriptions. Unless someone from the store writes to me and gives me permission to post them. Both were smallish pieces (4x4 or 5x5) finished as wall hangings. On one, a fringe of ribbon was hanging from the bottom all the way across (all different color ribbons, probably 5 inches in length). The other one had a similar fringe, but it was made from whole skeins of floss. Twenty two of them--I counted just for you. It looked like bullion fringe. So beautiful. And not cheap. That floss was overdyed. Wowza, what an effect.

Last, but not least, hanging in a corner near the front of the store was Tall Flowers. People, I am just going to have to sit myself down and backstitch because we were wrong. I've seen it in person and it needs the backstitch.

Aren't you glad I went? If you ever find yourself in Vegas, go. It's worth the trip. But try to carpool; the round trip taxi fare from Caesars was $45. (I do have the number of a cab driver who knows where it is, if you need that...)

"Individuality is the New Black"

Friends, I've been holding out on you. I have found my inspiration fabric for the craft room. It has arrived. And I love it.

Black and White Kleo by Alexander Henry. This is what Hancocks of Paducah says about the fabric: "Alexander Henry Fabrics. Fashionista Collection. For the kind of girl who likes burgers and Bergdorfs. Motorcycles & Manolos. Grab some of these fashion patterns and do your own thing. Remember, INDIVIDUALITY is the new black." That could really put a person off--and I've written catalog copy in my lifetime.

The dude promises that the craft room will be completed this summer. I'm not sure he realizes how much of the next few weekends we will spend tearing out 50 year-old yews and conditioning soil... Nevertheless, you will get a full pictorial to follow along with our progress.

Just What I Needed

Hey, lookie!
http://www.stitching.jekdesign.com/FabricChoices.html
Now that'll help with the decision!

Dying dog -> no party.

I liked how that Patrick Lose snap peas fabric looked so much, I ordered it for the Ewe and Eye scissors companion. I'll have the scissor fob to bring with me to Tulsa in (yipes) 5.5 weeks. I've got to pay the balance soon. I'm also seriously considering taking a whole week off --I'll be at Camp for 4 days and then I'll come home and stitch for 3 before going back to work. All on my own, just a tv for company. I could get lots done on the afghan. My mother is much less sure about the party these days. Her beloved yellow lab has Cushing's Disease. She claims that she is currently unable to think about the party. Now, how weird is this: two of her friends died in the space of 6 months which was the impetus for the party. Dead friends -> party. Dying dog -> no party. (It's not like the dog will die tomorrow, not for about two years.) Should I just put the afghan in the rotation and keep it for myself, or should I just keep plugging away and give it to her party or no party? It's a little too twee for me and too much work to give it to anyone else.

I've had news recently that results in this dire warning: when you have to name a baby, think about it. For a long time.

Man's Best Friend

My sister dropped off her hounds for babysitting while she is away on business. Belle, the 45 lb mutt, immediately ensconced herself in my stitching chair. This wouldn't have been so bad, except that I was in the chair stitching. I tried leaning forward, but it was no good. I considered moving to the sofa, but my dh was battling with Luka, the 70 lb mutt. (Luka is a shepherd/lab mix and Belle a shepherd/greyhound/beagle mix--if you've ever been to the Caribbean, you've seen a "Belle", only they call them potcake dogs after the dogs' main grub. Luka looks like Belle's dad.) So I only took about 10 stitches last night. I'm going to have to find a way to manage to stitch with the dogs in the house because I can't put this off!

I've been getting e-mail (maybe I'll try to find a comments feature that I can work with so you can see it too). The most important news is that Keepsake Needlearts, that I discussed on September 25, 2003, has a website. Their sister store Keepsake Quilting has the perfect fabric for backing the Ewe and Eye Peas in a Pod Scissors Companion.

Off to battle the dogs.