Thursday, July 30, 2009

Where Did The Week Go????? And some Finishes.

I haven't been able to visit anyone's blogs this past week (although I'm going to start rectifying that in a few minutes) and I feel like I've been out of the loop, so to speak!!! But it's been with good reason.

Last Thursday, my sister from California came in and I have barely sat down since she's gotten here. We always have a lot of talk about and since she lived here at one time, there is a lot she wants to do. And we only really see each other a couple times a year (I go to see her in November), so there is a lot of catching up to do, stores and sales to see, etc. We have been to more stores, antique shops and art shows this past week than I've been in a year, and we have scheduled more of this (along with a pet adoption event the kids want to go to in the hopes that Aunt Cindy can convince mom to buy a dog). She leaves next Tuesday night. I think I'm going to be worn out. So therefore, no stitching this week. Not that I've even wanted to when I have had time to. I hope it's not that mojo thing striking me or should I say, lack of mojo - but when I've had time, nothing I have going appeals to me and I'm too lazy to pull something else out. But I do have a picture of a little thing that I did. Doing things for others sometimes appeals more than stitching for yourself.

Bitty Bee
Twisted Threads
1 over 1 on 32ct Summer Khaki Fabric

I made this scissor fob for Julie for her birthday. This was my first attempt at a fob, and I definitely learned what not to do in the future. I've never beaded before, so even that little bit of beading was a learning experience. It's one over one on 32 ct. fabric which wasn't too bad until I got to the white on the wings and I couldn't see it. I was going frantic because I was down to the wire (it was Tuesday) and had to get it done by Friday. Luckily, Hobby Lobby (who just opened a store in the general area) had a 40% off coupon, so I flew like the wind and picked up a Mighty Brite light with the magnifier and WHOA!!! What a difference. So I made the deadline and Julie told me she loves it! Anyone thinking of buying one of these lights - walk, don't run. I really love it!

Friday morning while having my morning coffee and trying to get my eyes open enough to finish off the top of the fob, get my shower and try to fix my tired 'ole self up to make Julie's birthday lunch on time (yeah, I stabbed myself with the mascara wand a couple times -my sister and I were up very LATE the night before and yes, there were margaritas involved!!), these beautiful creatures came through the yard:



We have a herd of about 16 deer that live in the subdivision. Rochester Hills is really on the outermost part of what you'd call Metro Detroit, and it's pretty much undeveloped 1/2 mile north of us, so we are frequented with these beautiful animals a lot during the year. Of course it was a little scary one night when I pulled into my driveway and there was a six point buck standing in the middle of it. Then again, I don't know who was more scared - him with his "deer in the headlights" look or me! LOL

Friday afternoon Joanne's called and said my framing order was ready! Woo Hoo. I picked up my Sail Away:




The distressed area of the frame has blue and matched the blue in the piece perfectly. I'm usually on the fence with matting SB's. Sometimes I order the Jill Rensel matts and sometimes I don't. This time I just put a sueded matt on it and although you can't see it, the matt has subtle shadings of a couple of the blue colors. I was really tickled to finally get it back.

Now a little bragging. My DD has been in a Summer Music Theater program here in Rochester. It's actually an accredited course that will apply towards her high school graduation. This year's production was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It amazes me that in five short weeks a group of high school and middle school students can put such a wonderful performance together. It is always sold out and is a huge hit in the community.


These pictures aren't the greatest as they were taken without flash. This was a scene where she was one of the school children.

And here she is in the middle with the orange dress. She had a few parts this year. She was in the Color Chorus, a Go-Go dancer, the Sun, and an Egyptian. Funny thing with the Egyptian, there were several of them and the girls had to wear there horrid wigs and I couldn't figure out which one was her to get a picture of her.

Yesterday, the kids, my sister and I took off for one of the Tourist Traps here in Michigan - Frankenmuth, which is described as Little Bavaria in Michigan. They have two restaurants that are "famous" (debatable in my opinion) for their chicken dinners, and shops galore! Also within Frankenmuth is Bronners, described as the world's largest Christmas store and it is. I don't have pictures, but believe me, it's an exhausting exercise walking through that entire place. They're online and if you're ever looking for some type of different Christmas ornament, that would definitely be the place. We also discovered a couple great antique stores outside of town and I came across a couple more traditional scissor frogs cheap (I'll post pictures later).

Well, that's about it for now. I need to read some blogs as I haven't had time in a week. The kids and my sister are off for a bike ride, so I'm going to take advantage of this and catch up while I can. Tomorrow's plan is to raid a few more antique stores that we didn't have time for so that should be a lot of fun. What I'm really looking for right now is not antiques, but my stitching mojo.

Thanks again for your wonderful comments. I love getting on and seeing a new comment and even though I've been such a slacker with comments this week, I have peeked and I'm off to comment now. Have a wonderful weekend.

39 comments:

doris said...

Sail Away is gorgeous framed! You must be thrilled with it.

When I lived far away from my sister, we would really overdo it when we visited. I know you're having loads of fun.

Unknown said...

Your Sail Awau is just beautiful.

It sounds like you are having a wonderful time with your sister. You will have to show us pictures of your finds on your shopping excursions.

I agree with the kids, adopting a pet is a wonderful idea :-)

Cari

Loraine said...

Wow! Sounds like a fun week. I'm so glad you are having a great time with your sister.

Double wow on Sail Away!!! I love the frame and mat. It looks perfect. Would you mind posting on our sail away blog? You are an honorary member on there you know.

Talked to Terri the other night. She is a sweetie, just like you.

I love the pictures of the play. What a great experience for your daughter!
Oh, and I love the deer! They are so pretty, aren't they. I live in "Deer Haven" so we see them frequently as well. Sometimes I like them, when they aren't my flowers or garden.

Have a great week!!!

Unknown said...

Your scissor fob is wonderful! Great beading work from what I can see! I love it when my sister comes to visit from Bermuda,we have a great time. So happy you had a fun visit with your sister!

Cari said...

It's true -- time flies when you're having fun!! Your Sail Away is just beautiful. I'm getting ready to start this one with a SAL group so it's fun to see yours all finished. I love the frame. Excellent choice.

Also love the deer pics and DD pics. So much fun. Enjoy the remaining time with your sister!! Hugs and Happy Stitching!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Sail away IS gorgeous! Congrats you!
We had a 8 point buck come walking down the street the other evening in our subdivision - I was watering my plants and he scared the pants off me! Then I turned around and the neighbor man was laying face down in the front yard....he fainted apparently because he saw me without my pants.....
HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR SISTA!!!

Margaret said...

Sounds like you're having a great time with your sister! I love Sail Away -- beautiful framing and stitching both! I joined Terri and Loraine's SAL so hopefully I'll have it done sometime too. :D What are you stitching in the SAL? Hope your stitching mojo comes back. But at least you're having fun! Oh, and your daughter sounds like a very talented kid -- she's like my daughter with the dance and the stage stuff! It's fun, isn't it?

staci said...

LOVE your framed Sail Away! It looks fabulous!

Ahhh, there's nothing like some good old "sister time"! Enjoy :)

Faye said...

OH MY!~ your bitty bee is so so cute! and the Sail Away turned out very nice! Great work! Faye

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Your Sail Away is gorgeous, Deb! The bee for Julie was a huge hit - I KNOW she loved it! That family of deer are so sweet and I'm so glad you're having fun with your sister! Your DD is just beautiful and although I love the pics, they don't do her justice! TTYS!

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Girl! You sound like you are having loads of fun! KEWEL!
I always wished I had a sister.
Your frame is beautiful!
Jennifer

Colleen said...

Frankenmuth??? Bronners???? I grew up in Bay City and visiting Frankenmuth was such a delight!! I love their chicken dinners :)

Laural said...

It sounds like you are having a great time. I've been wanting to go to Bronners forever.

The framing on your Sail Away is Perfect!!

Anonymous said...

Nice fob, and stunning framing on your Sail Away - congrats on both!

Tammy T. said...

What a busy week! "The fuel of life". You obviously have a full tank. :)
The stitcheries are wonderful.

The deer shots are great. It's always a treat to see a gentle shot of nature.
Thanks for sharing

Kellie said...

Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your sister. Your bee scissor fob looks great! And your framed Sail Away is fabulous! Love that frame! (and the stitching) :)

I bet your daughter had a blast at the play. It looks like so much fun. And it is amazing that they pull all that together in five weeks.

Have a great rest of the week. Will we be seeing adopted puppy pictures soon? LOL!

Coni said...

Your SB is just gorgeous, and that bee fob is lovely!

Even though I see my sister every day, I can't wait for her to get home from work so that the adventures can begin! It's nice to read about other sisters who enjoy each other's company also!

Ranae said...

What week? hehee
I love the SB framed it is totally gorgeous.
Nice finishing on the FOB too.
Have a super duper weekend!

Kajsa said...

Love your little Bitty Bee! And you framing turned out fantastic. I can emphatize with you, my MIL is usually doing the same shopping/sightseeing thing to me when she comes. It's exhausting!

Patricia Lessell said...

Your Sail Away is just fabulous. I love the scissor fob too - who's design is it please? I am so glad that you had such a great visit with your sister. Lots of Love Patti xxx

Jan said...

OK, third time is the charm...meaning this is my third visit and my third reading of your post! Bad, bad Jan! Anyway, I just adore your Sailing Away, I don't think that you could have chosen a better molding and mat for it, it is GORGEOUS!!!

Bet Julie was over the top with that ever so beautiful bee fob!! Lucky girl, so sweet of you to make her such a swell gift!

Sounds like you have had a wonderful week with your sister, lots of catching up and can't get any better then shopping and finding fun things!

Bet you are proud of that daughter, know I would be. And kudos to you, for getting all of her costumes made, that took lots of work! Congrats, love the pics! Know she had fun!

Have a great week, dear Debbie!:)

Love to Stitch said...

Glad you are having such a great time with your sister!! How wonderful to get to do so many fun things, you will need a vacation from your vacation LOL! Your Sail Away is fabulous, and what a nice feeling to get it all framed up, and your sister gets to see if first hand as well! The next question is, how much more stitching can you do with your new light!! What a deal. Love Hobby Lobby.

Angela said...

The fob is gorgeous.

Your framed piece looks great.

How lovely to be able to look up at breakfast and see deer in your garden.

Alice said...

The bee fob is just so cute. What a lovely fat bee. To bee or not to bee!! : ))The deer are so beautiful and your garden is gorgeous!! What a treat. Glad to hear you are having so much fun with your sister and your daughter is still going to take it far with all her talent. You have reason to brag. You are allowed to be a proud mom. Sail away looks awesome framed. The blue mounting with the white frame just pulls sail away to the front. Real pretty. Antique stores...don't get me started. Love those!!!
Hugs
Alice

Siobhán said...

Oh wow, Deb, you must be thrilled with your Sail Away! It is beautiful! I love the frame. The fob is adorable, too. YGG.

I know you're having a blast with your sister. Stitching will wait! One year a bunch of my neighbors (in Ireland) ordered ornaments from Bronner's. I had no idea what they were but as I was home, the mailman gave me the packages till they got in... small world!

Love the pics of your daughter, and the deer! Too neat.

Enjoy your time with your sister!

Sally said...

Sail Away looks wonderful and I love the scissor fob!

MyLifesAStitch said...

Girrrrlll... first things first. I LOVE your yard!! Even w/o the pretty deers walking through, it looks so peaceful!

OK, now for the rest. :)

I am so glad you're having a great time with your sis!!! Non-stop antiquing... is there anything better?... Really? :)

The Bitty Bee fob looks great! I'm considering starting some Christmas ornaments, but the thought of the finishing of said ornaments really has me hesitating... do you suppose if we begged, Ms. Vonna would post an ornie finishing tutorial? Not that you need one. You did a great job! Hey! Maybe YOU could post a tutorial!!

Love the framing on Sail Away (and the stitching, too, of course!! :)

The theater pics are great! I love seeing you ladies' children (be they human or furry)!

Well, enjoy the rest of your time with your sister!

Caroline said...

Your "Sail Away" looks really wonderful framed up - congrats! Enjoy your time with your sister, you're lucky that you two are close!

woolwoman said...

WHOOOO Deb - your Sail Away is gorgeous! LOVE IT - the frame and mat choice is perfect for it. Glad you are having a great time with your DS - nothing like having memories to hold you over when she goes back home - stitching can wait - it will always be there - gotta make time for sissy. bee fob is too cute. Baby deer - adorable and hungry too I bet LOL - Mel

Lisa Clarke said...

I LOVE the Bitty Bee!I see that it's Twisted Threads, but I couldn't find it on their website. Is there possibly a pattern number or somthing so that I can find it? I'm up here in Port Huron (I love Bronner's and "all things Christmas" at Frankenmuth) and we don't have any cross stitch shops, so I'm looking online. Thanks! Lisa
PS - I love your blog!

Michelle said...

Your Sail Away is stunning! I love those suede mats because they have so many subtle shades to them. Lovely!!!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb,
Thank you for the lovely comments on Betsy. She is beautiful and isn't as complicated as she looks. I am looking forward to her being finished and then I am doing Betsy Manchester.
Have you ever done The American Sampler. What a stunning piece that is. If you haven't send me your email address and I might be able to help you with it.
Your Sail Away is beautiful. I am sure you are really thrilled with it.
My Sister lives about 2 hours away from me, but every morning we catch up with each other via emails even if it is just to say hi.
I think my email address is a couple of posts away from the present one. - Sandra.

Cindy F. said...

Great week with your sister!

"Sail Away" is gorgeous!! Congratulations!!!

Tammy said...

Sail Away is awesome-so pretty! The deer were beautiful. What a treat to see them like that! Glad you had a nice time visiting with your sis!

Natasha said...

I love sail away. I have been seeing this one make the WIP's rounds on various blogs and it is beautiful. But I am practicing the art of window shopping. Precisley why those pictures of the new charts are only on my blog and not in my cart LOL

For your very 1st fob you did good girl. That bee is adorable.

I miss living in Ohio we had Deer all the time in our backyard. My only fear was driving at night, I never wanted one to hit me.

Well Take Care
Thanks for always stopping by my blog I appreciate it alot :)

Anonymous said...

In it something is. I will know, I thank for the information. acheter levitra sur le net Just that is necessary, I will participate. Together we can come to a right answer.

Anonymous said...

j'ai Г©loignГ© ce message http://lettresdudroit.com acheter du viagra [url=http://lettresdudroit.com]acheter viagra generique[/url]

Anonymous said...

Je m'excuse, mais cela ne me convient pas. Il y a des autres variantes ? cialis achat cialis [url=http://www.ci2s.org]acheter viagra et cialis[/url]

Anonymous said...

Preziose informazioni hvflnmzgrp awpggnimdd [url=http://www.lacasadicavour.com/cialis-generico-online/]cialis [/url] xstmhdijxm tumdvembua acquisto cialis generico ocffbqufgk qxyzuaoizh