Monday, May 16, 2011

Elizabeth Clayton is a Wrap

Woo Hoo!  Another one off the To-Do list - finally!  I don't know what took me so long on dear Elizabeth, but I put the final stitches into her last week!  I love her, although I look at Adam and Eve as being rather ghostly beings - they're so light!

Elizabeth Clayton
Handwork Samplers
36 ct. Legacy Linen and DMC threads

Top of Elizabeth:
Bottom of Elizabeth:


Sorry these aren't the best pictures.  Michigan has been having the worst weather the past few days.  80 one day - rainy and cold for three days, so taking good pictures is a hit or miss proposition.  Anyway, back in the day, when something didn't stand out all that well on a piece, we'd outline it.  But that was back in the day, so no outlining on Adam &Eve - I'm just going to leave them ghost-like.  Actually they look better in real life.  Another one crossed off that crazy January Challenge and another one for the A&E wall.  Me thinks that at the rate I'm going,  I won't be completing 15 projects this year.  Oh well, it's all about the journey, right?

And where is the A&E wall, you ask?  Well, it's coming along.  I want to get Elizabeth framed and then I'll unveil the wall.  I have templates stuck all over the wall and no matter how I arrange them, I know that I need Elizabeth framed before I start pounding nails.  You have to remember that my husband is anal about holes in the wall, so I don't want to make mistakes!  LOL

After finishing Elizabeth, I went back to another January challenge piece, Sarah Esch.  But we have very pitiful progress - pitiful because those pesky frogs visited:

Not only are these letters boring as all get out, I got to the end of the second line and realized that I had left too many spaces between the "N" and the "O".  Instead of frogging at that point, I just kept going with the next line and then went back and frogged out the O, P,Q & R - you can probably see a little bit of thread droppings - or frog droppings - where I did that.  Not loving stitching these letters at all, after I frogged out those letters, I picked up another WIP - Ann Grant - but I didn't make much progress on it:

Not much done from the last time, but I'm just loving the colors of this one.

Things have been in high gear around here with the end of the year things - dance recitals, track meets, AP exams and all the cramming and my son's upcoming graduation.  So it's been busy and that's probably why Elizabeth took me forever.  Last weekend was the normal round of recitals and would you believe it - I have no pictures!  Well, I do, but they're on the other camera which is not digital, so no great costumes to show this year.  But while DD was at one of her recitals, I took a little hike to an Antiques Market that was being held nearby and scored another frog - but the kind I love - not the frogs involved with threads:

A cut crystal one this time.  The woman I bought this from had the most amazing flower frog, but with also an amazing price tag.  I wish that I had taken a picture of it!  It was really something else.  The little pincushion doll I found at one of the other booths there.  I thought that she was sweet!

Well, once again, there isn't much else to talk about unless you want to her about my son grumbling about AP exams, or the normal trials and tribulations of life.  I did have a shock this week though.  My son informed me that he asked a girl to the Prom - and even more shocking - she accepted!!  LOL  Not really, my son is a great kid, but this is the first I've heard of a girl in the picture.  I guess it's time - he's going off to Spain this summer and then college in the fall, so it's about time a girl showed up in the picture somewhere.  But oh dear, does it make me feel OLD!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me the wonderful comments that you do.  I'm still having a bit of trouble commenting on blogs.  The Geek Squad can't figure out what it is unless it has something to do with Blogger.  Some times of the day I can get in and make comments with no problem and then other times, I can't - the wireless modem shuts down.  So bear with me - I'm reading everyone's blogs, just not able to comment all the time.

Hope you have a wonderful week, and make it a stitchy one!!

53 comments:

merumo said...

Another great finish! Congratulations!! Your Elizabeth Clayton looks gooooogeours!!! ou are a BAP buster for sure. I'd love to get started on Ann Grant, too and still patiently awaiting till finishing Susan Rambo. She looks so tempting.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

missed you for a long time on my blog.....

your finishes are beautiful as always.

Take care,
jennifer

Annie said...

Elizabeth looks gorgeous. It's so cool to see people finish these large projects.

'Frog droppings'... too funny. Hope the frogs stay outside and play in the rain instead of haunting your work!

Annemarie said...

Oh wow, congratulations, Deb! Elizabeth is beautiful! I actually really like the ghostly appearance of A&E. I cannot WAIT to see your wall :o)
Great progress on the other samplers too. Despite all those pesky frogs, you still haven't lost the will to stitch, which is admirable :o)

MIL Deb. LMAO.

Teresa S. said...

Congrats on finishing Elizabeth! It is a beauty and will be wonderful framed and on your sampler wall.

I agree that it is best to experiment on placement before actually putting the nails in :)

And Ann Grant is looking lovely-anything with pink does, right?

Hazel said...

Goodness A and E are pale aren't they? Beautiful wips as ever. xx

Catherine said...

Wonderful finish and WIPs!!

Great frog too - the good kind!

BrendaS said...

Elizabeth looks great! Can't wait til you unveil "the wall":))))

Ann looks so pretty too.

Have fun with all your end-of-year school stuff! May always zoomed by so fast when my kids were in school.

Have a good week

WoolenSails said...

The piece looks so beautiful, wish I could stitch like that. I saw something that looked like a crystal frog, but wasn't sure if it was that or a real toothbrush holder, lol.

Debbie

Nancy said...

Elizabeth is beautiful, cannot wait to see her framed and on your A&E wall! Why are husbands so afraid to put holes in walls, they are so easy to patch if they are in the wrong place? My husband is the same way, if he had his way there would be nothing hanging on the walls and how boring would that be!?!

Great progress on your other WIP! Those frogs have been at my house too! Hope they move away soon!

woolwoman said...

Another great A&E finish Deb - WHOOT ! Can't wait to see the wall - Ann is sure a pretty thing.
My boss just got a golden doddle puppy - she looks like your boy only much smaller at this age. Have a great week ! Mel

Mylene said...

A gorgeous finish, congrats!!

Berit said...

Woman, you are awesome! Another great finish! You are right about them being a bit ghostly, but whatever works. :D

mdgtjulie said...

Grats on the finish. I bet you have a lot of time in that!! Must feel good to have it done. Love the colors in your new WIP. Well, the Ann Grant one. The other one is too dark to be able to tell the color. Sorry to hear you got a visit from the frogs this week too. They seem to be everywhere!

Mouse said...

ooo well done on the finish :) and sorry to hear the frogs visited .. love the glass one though ;) and life does have weeks when it is soo busy and you don't know which way to turn .. hope it calms down for you soon :) love mouse xxx

barbara said...

Take a bow!! That looks amazing. Congratulations!

Me and My Stitches said...

you go girl! Way to have another finish - I'm surprised since you have so many other things going on. Very impressive!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on finishing your ghostly A&E. Your WIPs look wonderful, but I'm so sorry you had to do some unstitching.
Life sounds very busy for you... hope you can make some time to stitch and quilt.

Margaret said...

I love the colors in Elizabeth! Congrats on a stunning finish! Love your Ann Grant progress as well. Nice flower frog! Sarah Esh will get there, frogs, or not. lol! Isn't it nice to have APs over with though? DS is feeling very free now. lol!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb, Elizabeth looks lovely even if she has ghostly A&E's. Each one is special in their own way. Congratulations on finishing her. Your other pieces are coming along nicely, although we can all do wihout the frogs. Love your new frog though. This one is lovely as is the lady besides it. - Sandra.

Mary said...

Well done - another fabulous finish. Perhaps it is fitting that A & E be a little 'ghostly'.
Have you considered using a picture rail for your sampler wall. I put one up for my family tree wall and it certainly saves all those holes.
Mary

Yvonne..... said...

I just discovered your blog and I wanted to stop in and let you know that you have some amazing stitch pieces - especially your Ann Grant! The colors really are yummy! Keep us updated on your progress and I look forward to seeing your A&E wall.

Yvette said...

You are moving right along!! That's a great finish. Don't sell yourself short, you may make the end of the year challenge.

Any luck on getting some of the BOM's done?

Melissa said...

Congrats on finishing Elizabeth! The reason why you may not finish your 15 WIP's is because you stitch BIG projects and they are fabulous. (Thought I would give you moral support there!)

Can't wait to see your A&E wall!

marly said...

Elizabeth is wonderful! Watching Ann will be fun and you're right about the colors...really beautiful. I'm having computer problems too. I visited a blog and it crashed the new one so I'm on the dinosaur and it won't even open most of the sites!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
Another great finish!
Hooray for your son, but I am envious of him going to Spain. I LOVE Spain!!! Someday I hope to get there again. Is he going to study or just travel and have fun?
Hugs :)
Lauren

staci said...

Wow! Elizabeth is a stunner! Gorgeous stitching Deb!

Nick said...

Elizabeth Clayton looks wonderful, Deb! I can't wait to see your A&E wall, I bet it will look wonderful!

Sylvia said...

Boy, you are just finishing up some amazing samplers! Elizabeth is beautiful and I am so looking forward to your A&E wall reveal!!

I hear what you are saying about your son asking a girl to prom - we were just as shocked when Alex said he was going. Hope your son has a good time.

Siobhán said...

Woohoo!! Congratulations on the finish! Elizabeth looks fantastic. Sarah Esh is coming along so nicely, too--despite the frogging! LOL at the frog droppings! Nice progress on Ann Grant, too.

Carol said...

Congratulations on another amazing sampler, Deb!! I do love your Ann Grant piece, too--such sweet colors.

I well remember those crazy end-of-the-school-year activities... Sounds like your son is all set for the wonderful world of college. And his Spain trip will be amazing. My son was there two years ago and loved every minute--so much so, that he's convinced us to take all three boys over next week. I can't wait :)

Alice said...

What a lovely finish! How right you are that it is about the journey. I also love the colours on Ann Grant, I think I might just need it. LOL about your son and the prom... it happens to everyone eventually.

Nancy said...

Elizabeth Clayton is a wonderful sampler! Even though Adam & Eve are a little ghostly I think part of the fun of A&E samplers are all the different styles of people. Congratulations on your beautiful finish, and enjoy your other pretty projects!

Scrap said...

It just lovely !

Linda said...

Great finish and I like the pink one you're working on now too...very pretty!

Unknown said...

Elizabeth Clayton looks great! Congrats on a beautiful finish.

Katrina said...

Another gorgeous finish!!! Congrats and I love, love, love Ann. I need to get back to here.

Sounds like a busy few weeks :-).

Tanya said...

Congratulations on finishing Elizabeth. You always find the coolest things at antique shops.
Ann is coming along nicely-love the colors.

Gabi said...

Congrats!!!! Elizabeth Clayton is a beauty. Gorgeous stitching.
I love those letters on Sarah Esh. They are looking so elegant. But I can see why it must be annoying to frog them.
And you're right - the colors on Ann Grant are lovely.
On a fun note...I ordered last week that cute little scissor you're showing too.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

You work is always beautiful. I love to check out your blog.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Ooooh, you KNOW I love this!!!! She is a must do (one of these days, for me)!

All your projects are looking good - you get so much accomplished - it's amazing.

Love the new frog and pincushion - how'd I miss those????

Sue said...

Beautiful finish ;)

Natalia said...

Another stunning finish, Deb !!! It is beautiful... You have finished some great pieces lately. I love your progress on Ann Grant too !!

Ali said...

The piece looks so beautiful,well done another fabulous work.


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♥marylin♥ said...

oh your Sampler it's very beautiful !!!!

bisous de France

Sally said...

Oh wow what an amazing finish! Gorgeous WIPs too.

Loraine said...

Oh Deb! How could I miss this post? Elizabeth Clayton is wonderful Your A&E wall is going to be spectacular. Can't wait to see it!
Sorry the frog came to visit on your new starts! That is a bummer. I hate that little frog. :)
I hope you post pictures of your daughters dance recital. I bet she looked fabulous! I have one of those coming up too. Should be fun! Lots of work for sure!
Many hugs to you dear friend!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congrats on your Elizabeth Clayton finish. I'm really looking forward to seeing your A&E wall!

Boys keep things pretty quiet generally. Girls have probably been on his radar for a while.

Dona said...

Deb, your Elizabeth finish is beautiful! Congratulations on finishing it!

Sorry to hear about the frogs. They show up in my living quite a bit, too!

Giovanna said...

Beautiful finish - congratulations! Love your WIPs too.

Michelle said...

Beautiful finish on Elizabeth. I can't wait to see her framed so that we can see that A&E wall! I like them ghostly too - how fun. Sorry to hear about the problems you're having with Sarah - hopefully that's behind you.

Karoline said...

Gorgeous finish, Elizabeth is lovely.

Mary Ann said...

Amazing finish! Love your CWC block, too - I'm also behind on that one!