Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Good Morning Sunshine!!

Well, first off, I've been a bad blogger.  I don't think that I've read more than a few blogs over  the past couple of weeks.  Bad, bad!!!  Okay, busy, busy would be more like it and it's going to be this way for the next couple of weeks!  UGH!  I don't know if it's due to all the craziness around here, but I've been in the biggest crafty slump imaginable.  Not enough time, too many things I want to do (did you see Margaret's new start with SL's Jane Atkinson? - OMG be.......still..........my.........heart - BIG SIGH HERE) and I can't get there.  I think of all the things I can do and then go through stash, look at my WIPs (boring), but can't settle on anything or find the time.  But I finally settled on something - actually went down the path of least resistance.  Remember this monster:

Yes, Ann Medd shown here lying on the floor have an absolute fit from lack of attention.  Well, her screams were just getting too loud, so I gave her some stitching love.  First I stitched Mr. Sunshine:

Then I stitched a little more:

Very odd things going on in this section.  That bird-like thing looks like a oddly colored, nose-diving penguin.

The whole reason that I've resisted picking up this sampler again is the fact that most of the stitching in this section and the section below is ONE OVER ONE ON 35 CT FABRIC!!!  UGH!  Now there is no way on God's green earth that I could live through that - I'd be pulling my hair out, so this is my rendition of Ann - stitched two over two on 35 ct. fabric, and I will be a much happier, full haired and saner person for it.  It can work because the nutso penguin and the other things near the sun are done two over two on the chart, so this is going to work!  Yahoo!!.  Do you think that Ann will be mortified at what I'm doing - will she roll over in her grave?  Hopefully not because this is how it's going to be!!  BTW, this is two weeks of stitching so you can definitely see that I haven't had much time.  All the fill in is perfect for life right now - not much thinking - just stitch!!!  That is if my eyes are still open when I hit the stitching chair.

I've managed to do a little bit of quilting too when I could find an hour or so.  A couple weeks ago I spent some time cutting out blocks just so that something would be ready for piecing if I could find time (this is the time of year of school plays - yes I raise my hand to help - I've got to stop doing that;  track meets - did I raise my hand to be a timer or did someone lift my hand for me?;  dance rehearsals and recitals - oh dear, someone raised my hand again and now I'm a backstage mom; confirmations, etc., so it's hectic).  Anyway, I got those blocks sewn together that were sleeping on the cutting table:

And then a couple more - these four blocks are for the Women's Voices Civil War Quilt:

Then because you know that I just can't stay away from anything that resembles a Big A$$ed Project, I started this quilt:

The Farmer's Wife Quilt.  I know, I know, I must be nuts!!!  I really wanted to start the Dear Jane Quilt which would definitely make me certifiable, but I thought this one would be the lesser of two evils for the time being.  Dear Jane is still on the radar screen for a start soon.  Anyway, The Farmer's Wife is a Block of the Month that I'll be getting over the next 18 months - each month has 6 or 7 blocks to complete.  I got the first set cut out and the first block finished:

Autumn Tints
Block #2 - The Farmer's Wife Quilt

I can't wait to get to the rest of them.  They're so much fun to make.

Before everything got crazy and when I was able to get out and make some road trips, I managed to find some thrifty and fun things:


Okay, nothing spectacular here, but I just could not resist little Adam!  There was no Eve with him, but he looked so cute and was all by his lonesome, so I just had to bring him home.  The tins I use to store all my different sewing pins in.


Then behind the counter where I don't normally look, I found this doll!  Isn't she sweet?  She's signed and dated on the back and all of $12.00 at the good old Salvation Army!!!  $12.00 is usually way over my limit on the the SA, but I could not resist her.  She's slightly stained on her backside, but otherwise in perfect condition.  Now I need to make her some clothing!

Then at one of the antique shops I came across:


A bag of strawberry emery's, an old tin pincushion and a jar of buttons - all for $7.00.  



Then this sweet lady.  I had seen one identical to this in another antique shop, but in really tattered condition.  They wanted $60.00 for her.  This one in much better condition (although I think I need to add a little blue paint to one of her eyes), was $10.00.  Again, usually more than I would pay, but considering what I had seen the other one go for, I thought this was a great deal.

Then what would be a trip to the antique store be if I didn't find at least one of these?:


But I found two!!  The white milk glass frog is a good sized one, about seven inches wide.   The other one is quite a bit smaller.  I think that I have to stop buying these things - I'm running out of room and pairs of scissors to put in them.  But I suppose I could use them for what they're intended for - flowers!  Novel thought, right?

Well, that is it for me.  Have to get moving again.  If I haven't visited your blog, I'll get there.  I think I have today and tomorrow for some fun reading (and being enabled), so I'll catch up.  Thank you again for all your wonderful comments - I really love reading them.  Hope you have a wonderful week and stitch something fun.  

62 comments:

KarenV said...

Gosh, where to start here? I love the Farmer's Wife quilt, such rich colours. The blocks you've been doing recently are lovely and your progress on Ann Medd is wonderful! That is one amazing sampler, even the weird penguin-like bird ;)

Natasha said...

I love the quilt blocks they look great! And your progress on the WIP is coming along...Glad you are doing it over 2 and not over 1 I wouldnt want you to go crazy LOL

Flower frogs used for flowers how silly LOL... I have one and I used it for flowersI think once until I saw that they had another purpose they hold my scissors nicley :) I hope you get to sit back and relax today. Have a nicer cup of tea and enjoy the day!
Take Care

WoolenSails said...

That is a lot of stitching, is it yarn?
I have seen tapestry style rugs, might be fun to try, like I need another project;)

Debbie

Missy Ann said...

Excellent finds! The black haired china doll looks like a repro to me (not that it's a bad thing), my parents had a very old one of that style laying around the house when I was growing up and your gal just has too much shine to be truly old. I'd love to she her wearing CHS's baking/frying apron. Those dolls also look fabulous dressed up in Regency (Jane Austen) style dresses.

Farmer's Wife *faint* love that quilt. It'll make a good warm up for Dear Jane. lol

Katrina said...

Your Ann Medd is spectacular and I think whatever modifications you make are fine :-).

Love the quilt squares and all the shopping finds, Adam especially is so cute.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You've been really busy. I love all your pics. Thanks for sharing with us.

valerie said...

Holy cow...look at Ann! It looks garmongous all rolled out like that! It's wonderful! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Awesome antiquing finds!

Margaret said...

Oh I looooove your Ann Medd!!! Talk about enabling! lol! One of these days I want to be like you. :D Over one -- yes, find ways to avoid that if at all possible. lol! Love your quilt projects too! Gorgeous! And your thrift finds -- nice! Why can you always find flower frogs? You know you started a craze, don't you? lol!

Lainey said...

Oh wow Ann Medd looks fabulous!
Your quilt squares are all lovely.
Sooo many pretty finds, I want to come shopping with you...lol.

corinna said...

BAP's indeed
holey schmoley what a lovely sampler- and the stitches are so neat and deft on the backside to- gulp.
fun finds while hunting at the resale stores.

Annie said...

That's a lot to show for a slump. Love the blocks and Ann is just marvelous (over-one, over-two, over-ten.. .who cares).

Great bunch of new thrift shop treasures.

Vilma aka Examplar Dame said...

Deb, too gorgeous not to finish and
you are almost finish with Ann Medd, love it, love it, beautiful stitching. Pleas keep sharing pictures of her when you can.

Vilma

Siobhán said...

I'm so glad to see a post from you, Deb! I love love love your Ann! She looks great. The quilt blocks are wonderful. I love the new BIG quilt you're thinking of doing. I have been oogling the Civil War Bride Quilt... you know, the one with all the applique, since applique is NOT my forte. Oy. Love the thrifty finds, too. Love the doll stained a bit on the backside. Ain't we all!? ROFLOL

Unknown said...

You're like the frog magnet - they just hop to you, lol. I can't find one to save my life (sigh). I love them both! Your thrifty finds are wonderful and I can't wait to see what clothing you stitch for your new doll. Siobhan always manages to say what we are all thinking - I love that gal.

Your new quilt blocks are beautiful and the Farmer's wife - oh my what a stunning piece.

I am so glad that Ann is back in your good graces. I am rooting for her and cheering for you to finish her soon - what an accomplishment.

Put your hand down - you know the phrase, "just say no". Just kidding, I am sure that your kids love having you involved in their school activities. You only have this opportunity for a short while - no room mothers in college :-)

Hope you have a great week, Deb.

Berit said...

I LOVE white milk glass; that frog is a real beauty! Flowers, a novel though indeed! I loved your malted milk penguin (looks like that to me!) comment, too.

Ann is such a crazy piece! You say you'd go insane if you did the over-one, but lemme tell ya I'd already be there if I'd taken on such a piece! You say you didn't finish a lot, but for me it looks like you did A LOT!

Love that BOM farmer's wife; please keep "enabling" us with more pics as the months go by!

Linda said...

Oh MY Goodness. Will I ever be able to stitch on 35ct. It has taken forever just to do a little.
Patience is a Virtue. Love the quilts you are working on. I am also in my sewing room today. It must be the cold weather. Too cold to pull weeds. lol

Laurie in Iowa said...

It's so nice to see a lovely long post from you Deb. I was wondering what you were up to these days. Your Ann Medd looks fabulous. I say make whatever changes you want if it means getting this beauty finished and on display. I need to put a few stitches into my AM too... its all that lettering that's putting me off.
Your quilt projects are wonderful. What shop is offering Farmer's Wife as a BOM?
Great thrift finds. I was looking for old tomato pincushions in the antique shops on Sunday and didn't find a single one. I'm envious of your strawberry emories.

Isabelle said...

Wow Deb , what a marvellous post : all your pics are really great and the antic things you found very nice:-)
Your "Monster" is awesome and your quilted blocks very very nice .
Thanks for sharing with us all these marvellous photos .
Have a great day ,
Isa

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Ann is stunning, Deb! Really an unbelievable sampler and I think Ann would say - "Oh Yeah! Waaaaay smarter to stitch that section over two. I don't know what I was thinking when I stitched all that over one." It looks fantastic!

Great finds at the SA - love the strawberries and your pincushion doll and that other doll - whew! Love, love, love her. Oh, and more frogs! Yep, love them, too!

Have a great evening and good rest of the week!

Sylvia said...

Your Ann is really something - that is one amazing sampler. I love the quilt you are working on. The colors are wonderful. I have just started to quilt, it is really fun.

I want to look for some flower frogs while I am over here, but have not seen any in the antique stores I have been to -maybe I'll have better luck at some flea markets.

Bertie said...

What an enormous large sampler Ann is, I don't think that anyone will notice the over 2 LOL. what an achievement, 35ct over 1 OMG, would give me nightmares, but great to see you have done it!!

Love all your patchwork, such good colours for the farmers wife.

Great all of your finds, love the pincushion.

Alice said...

I am sure Ann would understand why you had to stitch two over two. You are so nearly there if you keep at it. Oh my word, you still got some quilt blocks stitched together with everything you have to do. Not sure I would have managed as much. Cool goodies you found. You said it yourself, you can always use the frogs for flowers. : )
Alice
xxx

BeckySC said...

Friend...can I come to your house??? WOW, you have so much going on. I LOVE everything you are working on-the sampler is amazing and the quilting...WOW!!! Such talent :)
Hope you enjoy the rest of the week :)
((hugs))

BronnyB said...

Lovely stitching - Ann Med is so daunting - congratulations on your persistance
Your milkglass frog is an Anchor Hocking (FireKing) comport with the clear frog that fits so nicely. I have one or two of those in my milkglass collection..might have to bring them out on show...thanks for the idea!

Myra said...

Wow! I can't even imagine stitching such a huge design - it is gorgeous. I really enjoyed seeing all your thrifty finds. I hope life slows down a bit for you so you can get back to all the fun things you love.

Nancy said...

What an amazing project! This sampler is gorgeous, and I admire you for sticking with it even if it is just every now and then. Your quilt blocks are beautiful!

I love your thrifty finds. There isn't much in the thrift shops here, but I find lots of treasures at yard and estate sales. Isn't it fun?

Faye said...

Oh my~~~ What a post~~~ Love all of the things you photoed~~~ ESPECIALLY those flower frogs~~~ I am still searching~~~ I love your "monster" piece~~~

Mylene said...

Hi...i did wonder how you are, glad to see your post and sounds like you are busy...busy too.

Very good progress on Ann and i LOVE those quilt squares.

Karen said...

Your Ann Medd is amazing! I hadn't seen this design before and it is wonderful!

Love all of your other goodies too.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
For someone in a "craft slump", I think you've managed to accomplish plenty!
How big is that sampler you are working on and how long have you been working on it? It is unbelievable!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Kathy A. said...

Wow, what a wonderful newsy post. Your sampler is very cool even with an odd looking bird. What a BAP!
Quilt blocks are wonderful..
Your shopping spree sure netted you some wonderful new items. The antique doll is really lovely. Your scissor frogs are wonderful. Great finds all around

Sherry said...

Wow, that one big stitch! You are very brave to even consider doing Dear Jane! I love that quilt but just don't feel I could take it on. I love the Farmer's Wife quilt too. All of your blocks are lovely. No fair about the frogs though cause I can't even find one! lol.

Karen said...

The Farmer's Wife quilt is a nice one. It kind of reminds me of Dear Jane with all the wonderful, different blocks.

Juels said...

Ann Mead is gorgeous! You've gotten quite far on her. I am impressed, and I don't think she will roll over in her grave because you did 2 over 2. Her eyes (hands, back, etc) were much younger than our's. Of course, she didn't have electricity ... OK, I won't go there.

Giovanna said...

Ann Medd is wonderful! Nice quilting too, that's a beautiful quilt that you've picked.

Cari said...

Oh my gosh ... you have been very busy! All the 'hand raising' activities, stitching, quilting and shopping...you go girl. I love your blog and watching all your projects moving along. Have a wonderful week! Happy Needlework!!

Tracey said...

Great finds!! You make me want to go to all my local thrift stores and antique shops right now! But I can't, I have to work. lol That quilt is going to be gorgeous! I wish I had the time to learn to quilt.

Loraine said...

Wow, where to begin!

I love this Ann Meade sampler, and agree that over over one on 35 count would send me to the loony bin too, so it looks great over two!
Oh my goodness, your junking finds are wonderful as well. How lucky to find the dolls, the strawberry emery's, the buttons...I'm in heaven with you! So great!
The Farmer's wife quilt looks amazing. I could possibly start this with you, but I have to do one final push for school work, and then we can be done, and then I can play the summer away!!!!
Fantastic post! So much fun to read. Have a great week, and weekend dear friend.
Hugs.

Ranae said...

Ann is looking great. I kept meaning to ask you about her, and remember after commenting.
I am in a slump too, just not excited about trying to finish anything.
Great finds. I am not going to focus on what I am looking for anymore, maybe then I will stumble across it, lol
Like the scissors frog, I was so lucky. It never crossed my mind to look for them, but then I already had one from you.
Take Care!!

MyLifesAStitch said...

Busy girl!! LOVE LOVE LOVE Ann Medd!!! And your quilt WIPs and your finds?? I need say no more... you know I love all your stuff!! Have a great week!!

Kajsa said...

Nice quilting! Your new start is pretty. Ann Medd looks amazing!

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Girl! There's medication for that! LOL just joking.
Love your scissor frogs and all your stitchy finds and absolutely LOVE the doll.

I'm laughing because from you I learned what BAP stood for......LOL
That's a BAP. I'm embarrassed. My biggest was Quaker Christmas but I'm getting the itching to start a really big one soon.

Jennifer

Jan said...

First off, there is no such thing as a bag blogger, if there were, then I would be qualifying big time!! You do a great job keeping up, but we all know we can live on the computer and keep up with everything, including our hectic home lives!! Let yourself off of the hook!!

I think your Ann Medd is awesome, you are doing great with it!! Every little stitch is progress!!

Wow, some really neat finds you came home with, the doll is a relic!!! Way to go, Deb!!

That Civil War bride quilt you are going to do???? I am in super awe of that!! Wowzers!!!!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb, Ann is looking wonderful. It looks as if the over 2 is working. Carry on girl. It won't be long before you are finished.
I don't know, you find the most wonderful things on your trips to the antique shops. I am green with envy. Love everything. - Sandra.

Sherry :o) said...

love your quilt progress..and the frogs. I can sympathize with the no time right now...boy it's hectic. Sorry to miss you at the meeting this weekend for K.S. So you'll have to bring Ann Medd to K.S. sometime....as long as there's no tea on the table :-> Stitch happy!

Annemiek said...

Good golly, that's quite a SAMPLER you are stitching. I doubt I would have the courage to start it. It looks like a great project. Love the quilt pieces too.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Well my goodness! How sweet is this post! And you say you've not been crafty...I think you've been crafty and thrifty and shifty...no not shifty just needed anothy "fty" word :)

Carol said...

Deb, since I'm relatively new to your blog, this is the first I've seen of your "monster" sampler. Wow! That will be museum-worthy when finished. I can't imagine having the patience to do that large a piece...

Love seeing all of your goodies--you sure have a knack for spotting things :)

Annemarie said...

So many goodies!!! And I'm not even talking about your huge, fabulous, fantastic, (did I mention huge?) beautiful, gorgeous sampler. I think you're very clever doing the over-one section over-two. Would you believe this sampler has the same effecton me as Margaret's has on you?
Ah yes, and the quilting... V. nice :o)

Anonymous said...

WOW...what a project...Ann Medd. I don't think I could ever begin to wish to start something like this. I admire your work. It's lovely and will soon be finished!

Karoline said...

Ann is looking stunning and your quilt blocks are lovely

Jackie's Stitches said...

What a wonderful post full of yummy things!

How in the world do you find so many frogs? It seems like they jump into your arms or something. I particularly love the amber one.

Who did you sign up with to do the Farmers Wife BOM? I have the book for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. This type of project intrigues me.

How's the rug hookin going?

woolwoman said...

great post Deb - I've been away for a couple of weeks and I feel so out of touch with my blogging friends. Glad you are back with Ann - she is the most awesome sampler - I'm glad you found a way to convert all that over 1 - YGG - love your quilting - that farmers wife is soooo cool. Mel

Dona said...

Wow! Gorgeous Ann Medd! I shudder in sympathy because of the over one! Not my favorite either. But it looks so cool when it's done.

Your quilts are just lovely!

Anonymous said...

Debbie!!!!!

Ann Medd is absolutely beautiful. What would the final dimensions be?

You have made great progress on those blocks!!

And those treasures --- I think my heart is skipping a beat! ;)

Have a great weekend.

Lois said...

Your quilt blocks are lovely! The Farmer's Wife quilt is such wonderful colours. Well done on the progress on Ann Medd. I'd be avoiding that amount of over one too!! Great shopping finds.

Lynn B said...

Wow, wonderful post Deb, I love all of your photos, the cross stitch work in progress looks amazing and your quilt blocks look fabulous too!

Solstitches said...

Wow! What a post that was.
I am in awe of the Ann Medd sampler.
The quilt blocks are beautiful and your thrift shops finds are wonderful.
Oh to be able to find such treasures.
Margaret

Nancy M said...

That sampler is HUGE!!! But you've done so much already so glad you got it back out and put some more time in it. Your quilting is lovely as usual. I haven't had much time for stitching either and I don't have any kids at home!

Sherri said...

What great finds, I'm jealous. Ann Medd is amazing, hang in there!

Anonymous said...
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Melissa said...

Oh good gravy, Deb, two flower frogs? They look like beauties too!

What a beautiful sampler you are stitching. Just think a monster it might be (in size) but it's a beaut!

I know that darn Margaret stitching that beautiful Jane Atkinson. I know I will have to stitch it...one day! So many lovely temptations.

And good on you for adapting the design for stitching 2/2 instead of 1/1. I think you should do what makes you happy (as long as no one is hurt in the making of the sampler!). lol.