Thursday, April 1, 2010

Where the Heck to Begin..........

I just realized that it's been about two weeks since I posted anything except my giveaway.  And again, congratulations to Jolene!!!  Jolene has a heart of gold and is a wonderful stitcher, so I hope that she really enjoys it!

I've got so much to share, but I don't think that I can do it all in one post so I'll keep typing until I run out of steam!  You know me, I always have a lot to say!!  LOL  But the kids are home today (start of Easter break), so I don't know how long I have before I'm summoned for chauffeuring service.  We've also been attacked by various illnesses around here.  Me for a couple days (the kind where you don't want to leave as you never know where the ladies room is) and my poor son with a massive chest infection.  I suppose that it comes with the territory with the fluctuating temps - it's going to be 80 here tomorrow - just about unheard of this time of year - but all I can say is, BRING IT ON!!!!

I actually had a stitching finish the other day.  That surprises me because after my last update of stitching, quilting, hooking, etc., the wind just went out of my sails, I came to a screeching halt and wandered around in some kind of stupor.  But I think we all go through that at some time or another, don't we?  But nothing appealed to me - I didn't feel like stitching - I didn't feel like sewing - NOTHING!!!  I went through stash, pulled things apart (you don't want to see my craft room/studio - it looks like a bomb went off in there).  But here is my finish:




Adam and Eve Sampler
The Goode Huswife
40 count Daily Grind Linen and DMC Threads

I don't think that I'm going to stain this one - I'm still on the fence, but after staining the last two I'm ready to have one in it's naked state - just like those two apple lovin' sinners.  So we'll see.  After I finished this, I went back and forth over what to stitch next.  I hate when I get that way.  I spent one night staring mindlessly at the TV (a waste of time in my book).  But after the kids went to bed, I wandered into the disaster zone and picked something else out.  Here it is 11:30 at night and I start whipping fabric onto scroll rods and taking some stitches.  And what do I pick - well, another A&E, of course - why are we all not surprised?


The 1807 Elizabeth Clayton Sampler
Handwork Samplers
36 ct. PTP Legacy Linen and DMC Threads

I'm loving this one so far - I like the brighter colors.  After working on the GH piece, I needed a lift!  Now, this brings me to a dilemma of sorts.  I've done a few of these in anticipation of my A&E wall, but have yet to have one framed except for this one:


So, I'm left with a pile of A&E's:

So, I think that it's definitely time for some framing!!!  I found a new framing store, but haven't tried them yet. I'm almost afraid of what it will cost, but I know the people who own it, so I'm willing to give it a try.  Maybe I can connive a discount out of them.  You get used to those Joanne's/Michaels/Hobby Lobby bargains, but I guess it's worth a shot.



Over the past two weeks, I was the recipient of more awards from VinnieyCandi, and Mary.  Each sent me the Sunshine Award and I can't thank each of you ladies enough.  You've really humbled me. 

I also received a package from Tina.  She had a giveaway on her blog and I won:


I love the fabrics and the scissors and magnet, but I especially love the card that she sent!  I know that she had to have made it and it's beautiful.  I always envy people who have the patience to do those kinds of things!  Thank you so much Tina.

I've also managed to get out and do some antique and thrift shopping.  I found one antique place with 200 vendors.  I kept getting lost, but came out with some great things.  I have to go back soon because the day I went was the beginning, I think, of my not feeling good and I barely made it through the whole place.  Anyway, if I posted everything now, you'd be asleep at the computer screen, so I'll post a few of those silly frogs that I found on my first trip out and about and post the rest in my next update.  But I found some great things and at great prices too.


I can't believe that I found all of these in one place!  Well, actually there are more, but I'll post those later.  I'm seriously wondering about the pink one - if it's really a matched set as I think that I've seen that bowl quite a few times and it didn't have a frog on top, but the minute I saw it, I had to have it.  I think if you blow up the picture you can see etching on the rolled edge!  Anyway, be still my heart!!!  On the amber frog, the center hole is a candle holder.  I haven't run across one of those before.  And the frog on the left has twenty five holes in it - room for a lot of scissors!!!  My husband is really lifting his eyes at me so I think that I'm going to have to actually use these for their intended purpose here and there!  LOL  I know he thinks that I've about lost it.  His big question is, "Where are you going to put all of these?"  BTW, the one in the front is a repeat to me, so it just may appear as a giveaway item one of these days.

I've found all kinds of cool sewing implements and other fun things, but I'll save them for my next post.  I hear my kids rousing themselves so the games are about to begin.  DD needs clothes bad, so that will be my afternoon.  I'm going to have to take some Motrin before I leave though - the girl is a clothes horse and just exhausts me!  LOL

I hope that everyone has a peaceful and blessed Easter!

65 comments:

Parsley said...

You do lovely stitching work! Always fun to see the experts!

Tina said...

Thanks Deb. Glad the package got to you safely. Unfortunately I didn't make the card, I'm in a homemade card swap group and that particular card was made by a friend of mine. Glad you like it!

Mel said...

Congrats on the finish. It's lovely.

Great work on all your other projects. :)

Tracy J said...

Did you ever see this adam and eve sampler:

http://chatelaine-design.de/newweb/cgi-bin/detail.pl?online21

BeckySC said...

OOOH, I love your finish-it's gorgeous, Deb :) and your other pieces are just as lovely :) Can't wait to see them framed :)
Have a most lovely Easter weekend :)
((hugs))

Sharlotte said...

Oh goodness Deb! If I commented on everything you have today , it would be as long as your post is !! I know what you mean about chauffeuring about. That's one of many hats I wear! All of the stitching is just lovely, truly! I have days I don't leave the house for the very reason of not knowing where the nearest bathroom might be! LOL. I hope you all are feeling better real soon. Have a Happy Easter!!

Lainey said...

Lot of lovely, lovely stitching Deb and a very pretty package of goodies your received.
Happy Easter!

Isabelle said...

Hi Deb, your new finished little sampler is just lovely as well as the other ones !
Hum !!I can't wait to see them framed :-)
you also received a lovely package ...just for Easter holiday : it is really nice for you .
I wish you a great Easter week-end ,
Isa

Michelle said...

Love love love your new finish! And wow - all those lovely A&Es. You definitely need to get them framed so that you can make that A&E wall a reality!!

Margaret said...

Oh I love your latest A&E finish! I want to stitch that one so badly! Get that framing done -- you're going to have quite the A&E wall! :D All those frogs too -- it's not fair -- I never see any anywhere! Is there a flower frog fetish in Michigan? lol! Have fun with the kids being home! I need to drag my son off to buy shorts and shoes (he has holes in his shoes now) but he refuses to go. Sigh. He's on break this week, but we still haven't gone shopping yet. Oh well.

Valerie said...

I love your Goode Huswife A&E! Can't wait to see your other A&E's framed and your wall completed! It is going to look fabulous. Seeing your A&E's makes me want to start my own! Happy Stitching!

Jane said...

WOW Deb! I'm exhausted just reading your post so actually having done all those things you must be too. Love reading all your news and your A&E finish is lovely - I never realised there were so many out there as the only A&E I've seen recently has been the department at the hospital last weekend!
A happy Easter to you too xx

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

First off...you rock on everything you do and your shopping and luck at finding stuff is no exception! :)
GREAT frogs!!
And be still my heart when I saw all your A & E's I'm totally jealous. Completely. Absolutely. Resolutely. Jealous!
:)

valerie said...

I think I need to go to Michigan to go shopping! I can't believe all the frogs you found! They are great and the one in front was the same as my unsuccessful eBay purchase. I'll have an eye out for a giveaway.

I'm glad you're back to stitching and feeling better! Love your finish! Can't wait to see your A&E wall transform.

Nancy said...

I love your A&E samplers! The one you just finished by The Goode Huswife is gorgeous (well, they all are) and I wouldn't stain it either. I love your flower frogs too!

Paula C. said...

I am so jealous! I have been looking for a frog for myself and can't find any here! You really found some beautiful ones =)

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

wow you are a busy girl. The next time you can not decide what to stitch, call me and I will send you something. lol a WIP of course. I wish you the Happiest Easter. All of your pictures are wonderful but I think I agree on the nude fabric for the nudies loven the apples.
Be always in stitches.

Beth said...

I particularly like the peacock /bird sampler on the bottom left of your photo! What is the name of the design and designer?

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on finishing another A&E ... you have a wonderful collection now and you MUST get them framed and hanging on your A&E wall.

Love the amber frog... so pretty.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
What great samplers! Going to the frame shop is kind of scary, even with a coupon.
Thanks for sharing your antique shop finds and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them.
Happy Easter.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

WoolenSails said...

Beautiful stitching. I like adam and eve and ark ones, so need to work on some designs. Today I am doing a simpler one that I made up, so should be done by tonight.

Debbie

KarenV said...

You're getting a great collection of A&E samplers together! Love your latest finish too!

Amy said...

Love your frogs. I am very into depression glass. I don't have one yet. I will be on the look out for one.

You work is as beautiful as ever.

Have a blessed Easter Weekend.

Linda said...

Hi Deb...love your latest...A&E finish, lovely work. We just started Eerie Halloween by PSS... (my first A&E anything)it's so fun. Have you seen it?

You hit the jackpot with your latest find of frogs and the amber one is a treasure. Don't you just love finding a new spot to shop for antique treasures? Take care I hope you are feeling 100% soon...hugs, Linda

Berit said...

Ooh! Sewing implements!! That sounds like scissors to me! *drool*

If you have to pick n' choose on the A & E frameups, go for the long vertical ones; adds some diversity and visual interest to the mostly-square one you've already got to make a dynamic A & E wall! :D

Jules said...

Ok, Now this post makes me want to go antiquing! LOL. And I am not a shopping sort of gal. I really like the front frog the best. I think it has a certain elegance to it. And the etching on the pink one is beautiful!

Have a great holiday!!

The Scarlett House said...

OMG Deb, I love your GH A&E. Why haven't I seen that one before? You need to learn to frame them yourself, girlfriend! I wish we lived nearby each other, I'd teach you.
Great finds from the thrift store.
Congrats on the awards.

corinna said...

you are busy busy
enjoy the easter wknd
relax
your latest finish and thick pile of a&e's are grand

good luck with the framing
i am having a recent sampler framed
it makes one take a great breath whenever they give the quote
i never cease to be astounded

but love it when i receive the finished product

Jackie's Stitches said...

I have to say that I'm drooling over your frogs! The amber one in particular is really beautiful!

I'm sorry to hear you and your family have been sick. It seems like everyone is catching something this spring.

I love hand made cards too and one day hope to learn to do them myself. You've gotten some wonderful goodies and had some wonderful finishes!

Andrea said...

Gorgeous finish Deb! Love that sampler so much :-) It's really perfect without the staining, but should you decide to do it, I bet it would be just as gorgeous!
Look at all of your A&E's! WOW!!
Can't wait to see how you get them framed up!!

xoxo

Stitch By Stitch said...

Love your recent finish! And how exciting to have so many to go get framed! You have found some really wonderful frogs! I am inspired! Happy Easter!

Bertie said...

How lovely to see all your samplers and looks like you have a lot of work to frame these and cannot wait to see them done LOL.

A&E by GH is gorgeous too.

Carol R said...

Lovely frogs - I may have to stalk you in case you put one in a giveaway!

Alice said...

Oh, that Adam and Eve is a cutie. First time I see that design for some or other reason. Nice finish! I also had a week of no stitching and then dived into two new projects. Today I feel like starting yet another. Am I turning into serial stitcher? Nice new start too. Suspense to see what the whole design looks like. I wish I could take all your completed pieces for framing. I love picking out frames and I have real expensive taste so you can be sure you will need another credit card to cover the first when I am done. Nice giveaway and did I hear "frogs"? Such fun to be a collectioner and of course what you collect serves an important purpose. The more frogs you own, the more scissors you will need to fill them. Clever girl!! : )) Have fun, you only live once. Have a happy and blessed Easter with your family.
Alice
PS. Did I read something about promotion and AZ somewhere?

Sherry said...

Oh, I love all the A&E samplers you have completed! I hope your new framing people give you a good price. I am thrilled with my LNS prices. I hate when I can't find anything to stitch. Afterall I have so much to choose from! I hope you all feel better soon. We have had warmer than normal weather too. Have a wonderful Easter.

Karoline said...

Your A&E is lovely, congratulations. You have a great collection of them

Carol said...

I'm amazed at the number of A&Es that you have stitched, Deb! They will look awesome hung together on your walls. Your latest is real beauty. And all of the flower frogs--I'm coming to Michigan!! Wow--great finds :)

MyLifesAStitch said...

Wahoo!! Another finish!! And a lovely one at that (as per usual!) That stack of finishes is wooonderful!! Did you sit and stare and oooh and aaah over them for a few minutes after you put them all together?? I know I would have, lol!

How did the shopping trip go? Your DD and my DD sound a lot alike! Mine is totally obsessed with clothes esp. dresses - she is SUCH a girly girl! I have no idea where she gets it (okay... I'll admit I love clothes too, but never girly. I prefer to think of myself as 'classy' - uh, when I'm not in jeans and/ or hiking boots, that is!! - never girly), but it makes me nuts! nuts I tell you!! And she's not even 5 yet, lolol!!

Have a great weekend, Deb!

woolwoman said...

Great post Deb - I've missed visiting on your last couple and dang it I missed entering the frog give away! SHOOT - I love that pink one - you made quite a haul. OMGoodness - your A&E's completed are SO gorgeous - you have a marvelous collection there but oh man I would hate that framing bill - too bad Tanya isn't close enough - we could all use that framing lesson. Hope you are feeling much better now and looking forward to many chocolate eggs! Happy Easter Mel

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Congratulations! on the finish, and oh, my at all the A&Es. What a wall that will be! My LNS has a 20% off framing special in early April, so perhaps you could encourage yours to do the same.

Karen said...

Beautiful Adam and Eve Sampler!

Mylene said...

Congrats on a beautiful finish, Deb. I love it. Looking forward to see your A & E framed, i so wanted to have a collection of samplers and with the renovation coming up i might have a wall to display some of my stitching-unless hubby wouldn't like it.

I always enjoy reading your post. Hope you all have a Happy Easter weekend.

Jan said...

Deb, please don't ever run out of steam or chatter, I thoroughly enjoy each and every word I read here!

Lovely A&E's I can hardly wait to see your wall, it will be spectacular. Would really be hard to pull a favorite from these.

Sorry you and the kiddos have been ill, I do know that is not fun and definitely not conducive to getting anything of value done. Hopefully things are turning around for you!

Have missed visiting! Big hugs!

Vinniey said...

Wow!! You do lots of beautiful sampler. Can't wait to see them them framed. :) Adam and Eve is gorgeous! Wish you and your family have a wonderful Ester weekend. Cheers!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb, I'm sorry that you aren't well. I hope you will be feeling better soon. I owe you an email and will do one after the long weekend.
Your A&E is lovely. Another lovely one to add to your collection.

My goodness you are lucky with finding all your scissor frogs. You have a lovely collection. Would you call a crystal rose bowl with a metal top that is more lattice like a scissor frog. - Sandra.

Carin said...

Beautiful stitching ! Happu easter to you.

Catherine said...

Wonderful stitching! I can picture your A&E wall all done up!

Love the frogs! I am going to have to start looking for those!

Katrina said...

Deb love all the A&Es, you have enough for a wall ;-).

Happy Easter!!!!

Sally said...

Beautiful finish Deb!

Michelle said...

Your A&E is so pretty ~ you've got quite the collection, definitely time to get those beauties hung!

Wishing you a very Happy Easter!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Congratulations on your award!

What a beautiful finish, sometimes I find after I work so hard to get something accomplished I spend a few days "lost".

What wonderful shopping finds!

Sherry :o) said...

don't you just love school breaks. I do on one hand, no homework to fight over but on the other hand, around...

your frogs are beautiful. We'll have to talk (at k.s. meeting) about what I should look for and what is a good price and I will have to start frequenting antique stores...that could be devestating to my wallet!

Have a happy Easter...

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Deb:
I love your newly finished sampler. I never designed an Adam and Eve, but have always loved the theme. If you'd like a Brynwood sampler, just send me an email with you address and I'd love to send a few charts off to you. (dliljegren (at) brynwoodneedleworks (dot) com.
Thanks always for visiting Brynwood.
Happy Easter!
xoxo
Donna

Robin said...

Hi Deb,

Happy Easter! Loved reading your post, so full of interesting this and that, just like chatting with a friend.

I love your growing A&E collection. What an amazing display they will make! I'm drooling over your latest finish. I'll be "hawking" ebay to try and find it.

That amber scissor frog is gorgeous and unusual. Next time I have the opportunity to browse through an antique or thrift shop, I'm looking for one of those frogs.

Brigitte said...

Your stitched pieces are a dream. And wow, so many A&E finishes. They will look gorgeous when framed and hanging on a A&E wall.
I love your flower/scissor frog finds, particularly the amber one. I know one day I'll find such a frog around here, too.

Siobhán said...

Love your latest A&E, Deb! You've got to get those framed up and on the wall! Congrats on the awards--you deserve 'em, gf!!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

I have to say that this GH is one of my favorite A&E's. I love the animals at the bottom - yours turned out great! Awesome finds at the store - more frogs! You could open a shop, I think! Looking forward to Saturday!!!

Loraine said...

Oh Goodness Deb! My dearest apologies for not posting sooner. I started reading your post, got interrupted, and never got back to it!
Wonderful starts and finishes. Your A&E wall is going to be fabulous! You have really inspired me with this A&E thing. My stitch group looks at me like....Adam and Eve?...(insert questioning looks.)
Hope you had a wonderful Easter. I owe you an e-mail and will try to get to it in the morning!
Love and hugs.

Nancy M said...

Pretty sure I had the same ailment as you and it lasted 2 weeks! Great finds on the frogs. Looking forward to seeing your other pieces framed and how you like your new framer.

Giovanna said...

Congrats on the charming finish, it's really pretty!

Jody said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog Deb! I have so enjoyed reading your blog....your stitching is just stunning!

Kathy said...

I love you Adam and Eve finish!
Everytime I read about your frog finds, I spend about 10 minutes searching for the one I have that was my grandmother's. I finally found it. Can't wait to park some scissors in it.

Kellie said...

Love, love, love all the A&E stitching. :)

Beertje Zonn said...

Your embroidery work is beautiful!
Bear regards,

Beertje Zonn
Bear from the Netherlands

JOLENE said...

Your frogs are so amazing! How do you find all the ones you do???? I love your Goode Huswife A&E finish and all the ones you have in your collection. The A&E wall is going to be out of this world fun. Love your frame on the finished one by TCS. I hope your mood has lifted and you're doing better, we all seem to go through those little periods in life. I am still giddy over my pink princess frog! Smiles....