Monday, February 22, 2010

Mary Corey, Stripping and Hooking

Happy Monday everyone!  It's snowing like crazy here in Michigan - up to 8" is what they're calling for.  And wouldn't you know it - everyone is home - DH and the kids!  ACK!!!!!  But they seem to be keeping to themselves which is a good thing (a very good thing if they know what's good for them that is - LOL).

I've been stitching, sewing and hooking my heart out and I'm having so much fun.  Cari left a comment about being a stripper and a whore and getting stitch ass daily!  ! I loved that!  LOL  So that makes me, what?  A stripper (quilting),  whore (scissors) and a hooker (rugs)!!!  And I do try to get my daily allotment of stitch ass in!  Just don't tell my kids or DH what I'm getting into!

I finished Mary Corey this weekend after having to frog out most of it because, well.....I just can't read a chart.  There was one symbol - a square - repeated in small, medium and large.  Obviously, I couldn't determine what was what and stitched 1/2 of it wrong which resulted in a lot of frogging!  UGH!!! I don't know why it is, but these smaller projects just befuddle me.


Mary Corey (aka Diaper Babies)
The Goode Huswife
30 ct. Apple Brown Bindy and DMC Threads
Distressed with Walnut Ink Crystals

This would have been a real quick, fun stitch if I could have read the chart!!!  I tried my hand for the first time with walnut ink crystals and really like how it turned out!  Bake in the oven for a few minutes, and TA-DA!!!  I may still add a little over to the left side - not sure yet.  I'm going to frame it pretty close to the design, so I don't think that's going to matter.  Oh, and if you'll notice, that fruit basket is just a tad too close to Eve.  I swore that I wasn't ripping out another stitch.  I decided that the basket could be close at hand so dear Eve could reach over, grab that apple, hand it to Adam and get that party started in Paradise!  

I have to thank everyone for their suggestions about the border on the quilt.  I decided to go with it since I had all the pieces cut out.  It turned out to be a biggie:


I have to thank my two helpers - Nick and Catie (whose polka dot robe you can see on the left) for holding this up for me.  I do love how it turned out even with the borders.  I was really on the fence with it and ended up staring at it for a couple of days before finally adding them.

So what to do next?  Well, I threw another sampler on the scroll rods, but haven't much to show for it.  But I did start cutting out the pieces for the Bullseye Quilt


This quilt is turning out to be so much fun.  I still have the two piles of squares in the front to cut into circles, but I can see that I'm going to have a ball with it.  I have to thank Kim for convincing me that even with my anal side, that I would have no problem cutting out circles freehand.  She was so right!!  I plan on layering this baby together this afternoon.

And speaking of quilts - you know, I just can't resist a good sale (I really need to stop trolling the internet!!!!).  Anyway, these things just somehow ended up in the UPS man's truck and into my waiting arms this week:

The bundles are for a quilt called The Farmer's Wife.  It's similar to Dear Jane, but not quite as labor intensive.  It's a BOM (Block of the Month) so I'll have a smile every time these arrive in the mail.  I don't have the book yet, but should soon and then I can get started.  I think that I'm going to have a partner in crime with this quilt (waving at ya Kim).  The tin in the back is for a Pineapple Quilt.  I have wanted to do one of these forever.  And looks what's inside:

You just have to love those rolls of Moda fabric!!!   Quilty goodness!!! This may have to be the next quilt after the Bullseye.  I don't know - it's going to derail my plans to get stash out of the way - but I'll have done two from stash, so time for something new me thinks!  LOL

This is what I accomplished in rug hooking.  I think that I have this baby crammed a little too much with wool.  I also didn't outline the pumpkin sections, which I should have done first!  But the beauty of this is that you can just pull the wool out and start over.  Which I did after I sent this picture to Melody so that she could critique my work.  She said that I've done good, but I did end up ripping this out and starting over.  But I can tell you, I'm going to love doing this!!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that snow nor sick kids keep me from going to this week's class.  I really can't wait to get started (although I think I saw DH trying to get the credit card out of my wallet!).

One thing I forgot in my last post was to post something for Berit.  We have gotten into a small discussion about the goodies that you can find at Marshalls/Home Goods.  She liked the cabinet I got for my scissors and I told her that I found another goodie there the following week (DD's dance night and me having 2-1/2 hours of time to shop is deadly sometimes).  Anyway, I promised to post my latest find:


I liked the keys okay, maybe not so much what was behind it.  But then I saw that it opened up and that you can remove the keys and saying and that there were little hooks inside.  I still may keep the keys but line it with another fabric - or, perhaps put some scissors in the lid or some stitchy something - the possibilities are endless, I think.  And the hooks could hold fobs or small stitched pieces  (whenever I get my butt in gear to make them)!  So Berit - be on the lookout - I think it was just $14.99 - a deal in my book.

Well, that's it for me.  Everyone is off to their own pursuits.  DD's actually stitching BBD's Eiffel Tower and I hope to have pictures soon, plus she pulled out a needlepunch kit I bought her at Joanne's, so she may be giving me a lesson before the day is out.  That is one craft I haven't tried yet.  But until then,  I plan on going down to the craft room and making myself dizzy sewing circles!

Thanks for all the lovely comments and suggestions again about the border of my quilt!  It really makes me smile every time I read them.  Wishing you a wonderful, stitchy week!!

58 comments:

Cari said...

Love, love, love your quilt. You did a fabulous job. It's just beautiful!! I've got the pattern for the bullseye quilt and want to do it. I just have to stop stitching, knitting, napping and eating for a bit to get started!! So many fun thing to do and so little time!

Love the cupboard you found. I found a cute case at Marshalls that was used for a cork screw, bottle stopper, thingy but one of the pieces was missing. $4.00 OMG- picked that one right up, tossed the inerds out and filled it with my thimble collection!! Amazing what we find isn't it?

Hey girl...have a great week. Stay warm and happy whatever you're working on!! Life IS GOOD!!

Hugs

Siobhán said...

Congratulations on finishing up Mary Corey, frogging and all! YGG! It looks great with the walnut crystals. I love the A&E in this one, in all their green granny panties glory. ;)

Your quilt is FANTASTIC!! WOO HOO! I love the colors in it.

Great job on the hooking! Man, I want to be a hooker so badly. I can't wait to hear about your class. I am insanely jealous and insanely happy for you. :)

Great find in the cupboard! I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Teresa S. said...

The quilt turned out just beautiful! Glad you decided to add that border--it is perfect!

LiahonaGirl said...

Deb -- the log cabin quilt turned out great. It will be a great treasure. And ditto on the Mary Corey. I'm definitely going to have to research the walnut crystals technique.

Congratulations to the stripping hooker!
Nancy

Katherine said...

Hey, Deb, cool on the hooking. I am a hooker - in fact, I hang out with a bunch of hookers. We even carry our own bags that one of the group got us all for Christmas one year. Boy, you should see some of the looks I get when I carry that bag! And eyebrows used to raise when I'd say I couldn't make this or that meeting on Tuesday because I had to go meet up with the hookers. Just think, if you were to start a hookers group, couldn't you actually call yourself a Madam as well? Have a great time!

Danielle said...

So many lovely projects--I'm envious. I can only manage a few cross stitch designs at once and then I move slowly with them. I'm looking forward to seeing what your rug hooking project looks like when you're done. Someday I am going to try that as well! Mary Corey looks great, too!

Marjorie said...

The quilt is beautiful! If I didn't have to squander my precious crafting time at work I would definitely take up quilting again. The fabric on the A & E sampler is fantastic too! I'm going to have to visit Mr. Google to see if I can find me some of those crystals.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Mary Corey looks great! A little tea might have done the same thing.... :-)


I love the quilt, Deb. I liked the border but figured I don't know enough about quilting to voice an opinion -- I'm glad you used it. I think it's gorgeous!

You teach me how to be a hooker (hmmm) and I'll teach you how to be a puncher (just doesn't sound nearly as fun!).

Your HG find is great -- I'm anxious to see what you do with it!

Nancy said...

Congratulations on finishing Mary Corey! It really is a beautiful sampler. Your quilt is SO gorgeous! Nice pumpkin too - can't wait to see it finished.

Unknown said...

Wow, so many wonderful pics. Love the quilt, I am so glad you added the border it's looks amazing! And Mary Corey is so adorable, granny pants and all - what's up with all the frogging? I'll have to really watch on that one.

I can't wait to see what Catie has been creating.

Love the cupboard, what a great bargain! Sadly, we do not have a Marshall's or Homegoods anywhere nearby. But I do love TJMaxx!

Enjoy your afternoon (family and all) :-)

Melissa said...

Wow'ser Deb, you're always so busy and creatively productive! I love the A&E. Originally when I saw the linen I'd wondered, is that the one Terri spilt the tea on, but no. Sorry you encountered frogs but the end looks great.

Lovely quilt too!

doris said...

OK, I'm trying to comment for the second time today. The first time it didn't take. Do you suppose it's operator error?

I just knew that was Mary Corey! She's waiting patiently for me to stitch her.

Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous, and I can't wait to see what develops with the upcoming quilt.

And one more thing: I want a snow day! WAAAAAAA!

woolwoman said...

WOW - what a great post Deb - I don't know HOW you get so much done in between posts????? the quilt is awesome and the upcoming quilt projects - OMGoodness - Loved that box filled with the jelly rolls (see I told you I was spending too much time at the LQS) and Mary Corey - awesome! love the walnut dyeing you did - I'm envious of you being so adventurous with that. I can't wait to see another hooking update photo. Put in your darker lines on the pumpking and you'll be ready to fill - you are doing great! You'll be so ahead of the game when you make it to class! Enjoy - Mel

BeckySC said...

Oh my!! I just love your quilt!!! WOW!!!!

Your stithcing is looking as lovely as ever, Deb :)

((hugs))

Margie said...

Love that quilt! The colors are exactly the ones I have been drawn to lately. But I think I've mentioned that a time or two here. ;-) The borders really set it off. I can't wait to see the quilt with the circles. I don't have any circles at all on any of my quilts. Have fun at your hooking class!

Andrea said...

Beautiful finish Deb! And the quilt top is just gorgeous! You're just a gal with many talents ;-)
Seeing all of you that are getting into the rug hooking makes me want to pull my stuff back out again!

xoxo

Berit said...

You always have the best posts, Deb!

I'm actually jealous of your snow. We were supposed to get some tonight and tomorrow, but because it's 40 degrees all we'll have is rain, rain, rain, from 6pm tonight until noon on Wednesday. *pout* I do love rain, but I loathe it in the winter!! I want my snow dammit! *sigh*

I sent you an email re that bullseye quilt--Ho, boy am I getting excited over that one.

Love your tin with the moda rolls; that kind of thing is just what i like; so charmingly packed!

The border does look good. I think I'd have left it off, but it is such a BAQ (Big-Ass Quilt) with it on, and that's nothing to sneeze at! ;)

Ranae said...

The quilt is absolutelty beautiful, what a treasure to cherish.
Love the walnut dye for the A&E, funny diapers hehe.
Love the display box, great potential there
Happy hooking!!!

Mylene said...

The quilt is absolutely amazing, great job!
Congrats on finsihing Mary Corey, looks lovely.
Good luck with the circles!

Margaret said...

Love the quilt and Mary Corey both! Congrats! And oh oh oh! Where did you get that pineapple quilt tin? Oh how cool! I want I want! lol! I'm looking forward to seeing what this bullseye quilt is. And your BOM-- who can resist a BOM? I can't! lol! Great rug hooking! I'm getting envious now. :D Oh, and can I have that key cupboard thingie? :D I wonder if I could find it at our Marshalls.....

Susan said...

It sounds as if you are having a ball with all the fabrics - don't you just love Moda! You'll have a lot of fun doing the circles.
Happy Stitching!

Anonymous said...

Your quilt looks fantastic Deb! I think the border really makes it something special - great job!

Stitch By Stitch said...

Your quilt is just beautiful! I have a quilt that I really should get back to, so inspiring!

Kim said...

LOVE the quilty goodness! LOVE Mary Corey! LOVE the hooking! And yep...I'm your partner in crime! ;o) I should follow your lead and finally load up a sampler on my scroll rods. I still haven't tried my hand at getting the linen on those things, though I have a BAP just waiting to be loaded up.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your Mary Corey looks great... I'm glad you stuck with her and got it done.
Your quilt looks fabulous and I like the new quilt projects you have lined up.
I want to be a Hooker too! But, I think I'll just have to live vicariously through your rug hooking adventures.

Sherry said...

Absolutely stunning! I love this quilt! You are really making me want to pull out my stash and machine again! The border looks wonderful on it. Your new quilt patterns look fun too.

Mary Corey is great and that is the pattern I thought it was! I have never tried walnut crystals.

Kellie said...

I love it all!!!--Mary Corey, the quilt, the quilt wip, the quilt stash, the key cabinet, everything!!!

8 inches of snow...wow!!! Stay warm!

corinna said...

nice quilt
love aka baby diapers
and that the fruit bowl is close at hand....perfect
also wonderful that your daughter is stitching & acting as quilt holder.....sweet

Tanya said...

Mary turned out lovely. That quilt is gorgeous. Isn't is fun to hook? I can't wait to see your finished design.

Catherine said...

Wowzers! You have been a busy girl! Your stitching and quilt look fantastic!

I may have to make a trip to Home Goods!

MyLifesAStitch said...

LOLOL! Never fear, your secret is safe with us! :)

And... Diaper Babies?? Haaa!!!! Awesome! Great finish, too (in spite of the frogging).

It turned out really well with the border!! When you see it all together, it doesn't detract from the middle at all, so I take back my prior opinion!

Oh my... please please please make that pineapple quilt after the Bullseye quilt. I need to live vicariously through your quilty goodness! :) Those rolls look scrumptious (don't they all?? Dang it!)! Which ones are they?

Great find at Home Goods! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Enjoy your snow, but please (I'm BEGGING you!!) don't send it my way, m'kay? ;)

Jackie's Stitches said...

This post has so many goodies in it! I love Mary Corey and your quilt. Fabulous finishes! I've never heard of walnut crystals. I'm so excited to see your hooking! I hope that NOTHING keeps you from class this week. I think I'm just as anxious for you to start as I am!

I never go to Marshalls...I think I need to change that.

Isabelle said...

Many congratulations to you on finishing up your Mary Corey: the colors are so cheerful :-)
And what a fantastic quilt : I love it ......yeah!!! too nice !!!
Happy stitching and quilting :-))

Giovanna said...

What a lovely quilt, what a lovely sampler! Congratulations on both!

Sherry said...

Sorry, I forgot to ask you something about the quilt. I see some log cabin blocks but is this a pattern or did you come up with it? I just love the colors. If it is a pattern, who is it by and what is the name?

Also, I have Mary Corey on my iist to get.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Well that quilt is just spectacular, it is lovely, lovely, lovely! LOVE IT!
And your new ones that the UPS brought you DIVINE!
And Mary Corey, spectacular!
Rug hooking...you go girl!
And bargain shopping on top of it?!
I tell you - you are my idol!

Valerie said...

Oh, the quilt is so beautiful! So glad that you like how it turned out! I agree, the border did give it depth!

I feel your pain regarding those smaller projects. No matter how hard I try those pieces are the ones where I make the most mistakes! And I do mean mistakes! I don't know what it is about them...at least now I know I am not alone!

Your other WIP's are coming right along and I look forward to seeing more progress pics!

Nancy M said...

While I did vote for you NOT to do the border, it does look perfect with it! As far as the stitching goes (because that's all I do!) I can't stand it when a chart uses such similar symbols. There are TONS to choose from, so why oh why would they use 3 different size squares?? Just to confuse the stitcher, I guess!

Kaaren said...

Your quilt looks AWESOME, Deb. Great job!

I'm soooo jealous that you're getting into hooking. If I could find a class around here I think I would give it a try...even though I told myself that I need another hobby like a hole in the head...or should I say pocketbook.

You're going to have to explain to this newbie x-stitcher about those crystal things. I love the vintage/aged look.

Annie said...

The quilt is gorgeous. And now that I see the border, I really like it.

The Adam and Eve piece looks great too. Nice effect on the fabric.

I haven't done rug hooking in years. That really brings back memories!

Your are one busy beaver!

Littlebit said...

You must not sleep either! Beautiful stitching--beautiful quilting!!!!!

Stitch Wizard said...

Oh how I just love your beautiful quilt!! I arhave always wanted to lea!rn to quilt and if my dh ever gets both cars so I can drive one, I would love someday to go and take a class!! I love all of your hobbies here and I am in Awe!! I am so glad you too are getting Autumn of Hawk Run Hollow. There is an Autumn of Hawk Run Hollow SaL on Facebook and I would love for you to join us. No deadlines or schedules. It is just a fun place for us to post our progress and comment. I will still need to get all the threads but tomorrow I will call in my credit card for the project and linen I pre ordered. Thank you for coming into my blog too! Debby

Stitch Wizard said...

P.S. Sorry for the typos on my previous post. My laptop gets carried away sometimes!

Kajsa said...

Mary Corey turned out great! Some projects are just cursed somehow, it feels like you rip more then you stitch.

Love the quilt! It really is beautiful.

The hooking looks great, do you find those kits in quilt stores?

Nima said...

wow..awesome quilt...thank you for following my blog

Lois said...

Love your quilt! Congrats on finishing Mary Corey even with a frog dropping by for a visit (one has visited me this week but I'm hoping he's hopped off!!). All that quilt fabric is yummy! Looking forward to seeing your upcoming quilt projects.

What a great bargain the cupboard was!

Marion said...

Well you've been one busy lady!!
Love, love love the quilt!!!
And your new cross-stitch finish!!

Doesn't it cramp one's style when the entire family is home?? DH just does not get that...LOL....

Anyway, take care and have a great week!!
Marion

Heidi said...

Hi there Deb! You are going to love making the Bulleye quilt from the Aunt Amy book. I have given classes doing this and all but one person loved rag quilts by the time they were done. It is so addictive that you will want to do more. I have done them with hearts in the same way also with squares but not cutting them up. Oh, just too much fun. Sitting here typing to you about it makes me want to run up to my studio and start another...lol.

The sampler is beautiful to spite your needing to frog. We have all been there. I have said before I would be done with all the frogging I have done on my first BRD saying I made. LOL! But I finished and (knock on wood) the second saying has gone together without a hitch so far.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Alice said...

Wow, just love your completed quilt Deb. I have been meaning to ask in the past, but where do you display your quilts? Lovely new Mary Corey finish too. You are certainly keeping out of mischief except for the stash lol. With my trip I bought the four Twilight books. Just so that you know I got them all. : )
Alice
xxx

Bertie said...

Wonderful quilt, and love your stairs too.

Always thought I have a lot of fabric, but when I see your jelly rolls, ohhhhh, wonderful.

Mary looks great, even though you had to "frog" a lot.

Don't tell your kids that you are sitting on a Goldmine LOL. (I always heard that saying when I lived in Amsterdam)

Loraine said...

Where to start! So many wonderful things on your plate.
I love the way your quilt turned out! The borders are perfect, I'm so glad you added them! It is a big quilt! It's nice to have some big quilts for beds and snuggling up!
Love your new quilt stash stuff. I love the Farmer's Wife quilt. I bought that book recently, and I would love to do it. I don't know if I can commit to do it with you and Kim, but I think as soon as you start, I'll be wishing I was on the band wagon. So many things to choose from!
Love your little Key case. It's perfect for scissors! I wish we had Marshall's here.
Have a great weekend! Many hugs.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

Woohoo for you and the Farmer's Wife quilt!! Hope you enjoy working on that one. Loved everything else you showed, too.

Annemarie said...

Oh, Mary Corey is gorgeous! Small projects can be so daunting though, can't they? I think it's because you think "ooh, this'll be a quick stitch, I'll have it done in no time" and consquently, your mind sets to non-concentration mode.It happens to me all the time.

By the way, what's this about strippers, whores and hookers? I think you will be getting some very interesting visitors from a whoooole nother blogging community once they googling.

Love love love the quilt. Well done!

The Scarlett House said...

Deb, your posts are always so full of wonderful things. I never know where to start commenting. Your quilt is beautiful. You are a gal with many talents. Love your Mary Corey.

Brigitte said...

Congratulations on two finishes. The Diaper Babies turned out so great, and it's such a cutie name, lol. And your new finished quilt is such a beauty.
And your new quilt plans are to die for. I get itchy fingers whenever I see those Moda rolls and all those quilt pictures although I know that I can't start a quilt right now. But one day I'll have enough time ...
Have fun with your plans.

Karoline said...

Both Mary and the Quilt are gorgeous, congratulatons

Michelle said...

Mary Corey is fabulous. I love the look with the Walnut crystals!! And good choice putting the borders on your quilt - it's wonderful! I think I need more info about that Farmer's Wife BOM. Can't wait to see your Bullseye quilt too - you're a busy gal!

Cyn said...

Hi Deb,

Congratulations on finishing Mary Corey by The Goode Huswife. Isn't if funny (well not actually while you are going through the process) that some patterns just flow and others don't? :-)

Love the new quilt and I'm glad that you added the pieced border. Just beautiful!

Thanks for sharing the close up photos of the squares for the Bulls Eye quilt. I've been seeing this quilt show up on lot's of blogs and it's nice to see the blocks up close.

Thanks for sharing all of your new wonderful treasures. Have you finished any yet? LOL!

Cynthia
Windy Meadow