Wednesday, May 25, 2011

It's a Mystery and More Darned Frogs

I want to thank everyone for their sweet comments on Elizabeth Clayton.  I'm hoping that I can get her framed soon and up on the wall.  God must have been hearing my thoughts because a 50% plus an additional 20% coupon for framing landed in my mail yesterday, so hopefully she'll be framed soon.

It's been another busy week or so with the end of the school year, but I've managed to get a little bit of stitching done.  Not as much as I would like, but a little.  I started WTN&T's Mystery sampler and it's so much fun to stitch and the colors are so pretty (pix are clickable):

Mystery Sampler
With Thy Needle & Thread
Confederate Grey Linen and GAST Threads

I'm about at the half way mark.  I can't wait to finish this up and receive the next section.

And check out those scissors!  Are those not so cool or what?  A pair of legs!  I couldn't resist these.  And I'm cursing Gabi for pointing them out to me!  LOL

I've also been working on Sarah Esch, but haven't gotten much more done than what you saw the last time:

I don't know what it is about this sampler, but I'm having all kinds of things going on with it.  First I had frogging issues last week, then I ran out of the thread that I'm using and wouldn't you know it - with all the DMC I have around this house, I didn't have another skein of it.  Then on top of it, the frogs came back in a big way.  I think that smaller samplers and I just don't get along!  Why is that?

And I've been doing a little bit of quilting here and there.  I won't tell you how long it took me to get this block done:

Month #2 - Hatchet Block
Civil War Tribute Quilt

Actually I have two of these blocks done - out of 16!!!!  This is what the rest look like:

Seems like every time I sit down to sew, I get a little bit of time and then have to run out and do something.  And I'm two months behind on the Farmer's Wife quilt!  Yikes.  The last month will be arriving soon and I would so love to get that baby together!  

Speaking of frogs, this past weekend was garage sale time in my subdivision.  I ended up stopping at a couple places and scored a new frog.  It's rather usual, but it was practically free, so it had to come home with me.  I've seen these before - it comes in two pieces - but I've always found just one piece of it and not the other, so I was thrilled to find both parts together.  And the seller also threw in an arrangement book that originally came with it!



Seeing as this one isn't as heavy as the others I have, I think that I'll be using this one strictly for arranging flowers, but maybe I'll put scissors in it once just to see how it looks.

And yesterday was a somewhat sad day for me - sad and happy at the same time.  My son's last day of high school was yesterday.  And the prom will be tomorrow.  I hope that he'll allow me to post pictures.  He's rather camera shy!  Anyway, I just can't believe that this day has arrived.  He's done so well and graduated with Honors.  He's still Wait Listed for the University of Michigan, so it looks like he'll be going to Michigan State at least for the short term.  Not his first choice, but I still think he'll be happy there.  Anyway, it made me think about how quickly he's grown.  It seems like yesterday when I had him.  Now he's out of high school and has a date for the Prom.  He's going to Spain in June and then off to college.  When he was born, I stitched this sampler for him.  When I saw it yesterday, it brought a tear to my eye, because my baby - my first born - is all grown up:


Again, thank you for all your wonderful comments on Elizabeth Clayton, and I hope that everyone has a fantastic Memorial Weekend!!

48 comments:

Berit said...

Awesome stuff! I think my favorite is the quilt block because I've got a big case of quilt fever this week! :D

BrendaS said...

Mystery Sampler is looking good. I love the colors and hope to put a few stitches in mine this weekend.

Congratulations to your son. Time does go by so quickly but he will be off to have new life adventures:)))

Have a great Memorial Day weekend too.

Hazel said...

Beautiful wips. I have ordered the Mystery sampler but it will take a few weeks to arrive here so I will have to sit patiently and drool over yours instead. x

carol fun said...

I LOVE all the stuff you got done - you've been very productive! I started the Mystery Sampler and I'm liking it too. I should be working on other stuff but it keeps calling my name. Here's hoping we all have some extra stitching time this weekend!

Crystal said...

Nice start to your Mystery Sampler, sorry you have to frog on your other sampler. Big Congrats to your son, they grow up quickly. Love the baby sampler you did for him when he was born.

Me and My Stitches said...

I see...you've been holding out on me and keeping that frog a secret! Those hatchet blocks will be done before you know it!!

merumo said...

Your Mystery Sampler is looking sooo pretty! I'm so weak to see the sampler has flowers on borders in red!!! I always enjoy seeing your CW quilt block, too :) They look yummy and making me feel like to get back with sewing right away.

Joanie said...

The mystery sampler is really nice. I have it but haven't started it. I'm working on the Bee Man's Garden, trying to resist...I don't need another Wip. Or do I?
I stitched the same sampler for my son when he was born. Don't blink, he'll be out of college and instead of a prom date, he'll be meeting his bride!! I have first hand experience with that, cause it happened to me. One minute Mike was a baby, the next he was 10. Then 16, now 24 and married, living in Japan. Time goes so fast...
Love your quilt too...

Annie said...

So much pretty stitching and quilting!
Is it just me, or do those leggy scissors look vaguely risque?

Congrats on the bittersweet moment of watching your youngest grow up!

Melissa said...

Deb, I love your start on the Mystery Sampler. I have the Confederate Grey linen and I am constantly surprised that it shows up so much lighter than in the photos! I am trying to finish Garden Glade before I start on this one.

Oh I hear you about your boy. I am sending you a big hug on the heart string twinges!

That's one funky looking frog!

Alice said...

Love the colour of those flowers on the Mystery sampler! Big hug for you on your son's graduation. No matter how proud you are, it is a hard thing for a mom.

Linda said...

Wow! I love your stitchery. I wish you could rub off on me. I haven't picked mine up in eons.

Mouse said...

ooo love the mystery sampler and those scissors made me giggle :) sorry to hear the frog visited and no DMC :( and congratulations to DS on his graduation and also that new frog piece is so unusual :) happy stitching love mouse xxxx

Nancy said...

Wow! You have been very busy! The Mystery Sampler is beautiful...I have not started mine yet, maybe this weekend! That quilt block is beautiful too!

Congratulations to your son finishing high school with honors! They grow up much too fast for their mama's, that's for sure!

valerie said...

Beautiful start on the mystery sampler and I agree with Melissa. The Confederate Grey looks so different in person than on the screen. The scissors are a riot too. Love the new frog...it's so interesting. I can't wait to see what it looks like with flowers or scissors!

Congrats to your boy!

Margaret said...

The mystery sampler is really pretty! Oh gosh, I need to run to my LNS and pick mine up. lol! Love your Civil War block too. It's hard to keep up with everything, isn't it? Congrats to you and to your son on graduating high school! Bummer about his still being wait listed for U of M. :( Isn't it amazing having your first born graduate? Mine will graduate college next year! Yikes! And my youngest will graduate hs. EEEK!

Shelly said...

The Mystery Sampler is looking great! Hmmm, I think I'll start a new project:) It'll be my daughter in two years who graduates and I will certainly feel the same way you do now. I'm already feeling it. And a fantastic Memorial Day weekend to you and everyone else!

Karen said...

Love the mystery sampler.... can't wait to see more. Great memory about your son... wishing much success in the future!

happy stitching....

Laurie in Iowa said...

Those scissors are great. lol You have a good start on the mystery sampler. Love the quilt blocks too.
Congrats to your son on his graduation. I'd love to see his prom pics.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Your mystery sampler looks great! I've just gotten started. SE is coming along. Sorry about all the issues. Congrats to Nick!

Nancy said...

Your mystery sampler is gorgeous! I love the rich reds. Sorry Sarah is giving you problems, but projects just do that sometimes, don't they? I love the frog you found.

Congratulations to your son!

sampler lover said...

Hi Deb, your Mystery sampler is looking wonderful. Sorry is Sarah is being a pain. There is always one isn't there lol. Congratulations to Nick on leaving HS and going on another journey in life. I am sure that he will love Spain. It is a wonderful country. What a stunning frog you have found. I would keep it for flowers as well. I can see it with a lot of tulips - Sandra.

LiahonaGirl said...

The mystery sampler looks like it will be a keeper! I'm always afraid to start mystery quilts or stitch-alongs because I'm afraid I won't like it. (But I usually end up regretting it because they are great projects.) Great job so far.

Jackie's Stitches said...

This is the first picture I've seen of the mystery sampler and it's gorgeous! I'm always hesitant about "mystery" anything (except books) because I know it would be a UFO if I don't like it. I'm really intrigued.

Our kids tend to grow up without permission - what's up with that?

Cari said...

Geesh Deb....you've got some smokin' needles. I just barely started my Mystery Sampler and only have about 20 stitches in it!! Dang..you are going to town. Love the sampler you stitched for you son..it's lovely. You are one busy chick!! Hugs my friend and happy needlework!!

Gabi said...

Your Mystery sampler looks fantastic. Still waiting here (impatiently) for the supplies and chart to arrive. LOVE those scissors. Mine arrived meanwhile too...lol.
Sarah Esch looks great, so does your quilting.
And you are right. Kids grow up way to fast. I told my daughter off about that too. Crossing fingers here that he allows you to take (heaps of) pictures :)

Glenna said...

I've been avoiding mystery sampler until it's no longer a mystery, but you're enabling me with your gorgeous pic of it! And awwwww on the lovely and beautifully stitched sampler for your son.

Wow--I love the leg scissors too!

Yvette said...

You have been busy! Look at all that wonderful stitchery you have been doing.
I love seeing that you are finally sewing again. You will catch up! At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Robin said...

I am loving your mystery sampler. What a clever idea. The frog is neat but does look too dainty to use for scissors.

The Scarlett House said...

Oh my, that mystery sampler is so pretty, Deb. You've sure been busy. I love those coupons, too.

mdgtjulie said...

I like the colors in your mystery sampler. And the birth announcement is adorable. Grats on the progress (at least on the mystery sampler). Sorry to hear you're having froggy visits. They're just no fun!! Hope the sun shines upon you and the frog dries up!!

Siobhán said...

Awww, big hugs--I know how bittersweet it is to see your baby graduate. That birth sampler is so sweet. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?

Love the WIPs! The mystery sampler is beautiful, and I love Sarah Esh. Great job with the quilt blocks, too!

Giovanna said...

Great start on the Mystery - so pretty! Love the scissors, lol.

Sally said...

I am a little behind on blog reading so for a start I LOVE your Elizabeth Clayton finish. It is stunning!

Love your start on your mystery sampler. I caved and was going to get the first chart but where I was ordering from couldn't process payment for less than $20 so I'm going to get it from somewhere else I think!

Sarah is looking lovely too.

Time flies doesn't it. I wonder how I came to have an almost 20 year old and a 16 year old. My youngest finishes school in a few weeks time then in September goes back for 6th form.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Now THAT is a frog! I'm ready to start the Mystery, but confused about the symbol of the border. I see you chose beige-tone, but my chart looks like something else... Yours does look great!

Joanie said...

Hey you, enabler! I am starting the mystery. Are you stitching it with one strand of floss or 2?

Sheila said...

Your mystery sampler is looking awesome. Love the scissors! If you don't mind me asking where did you find them, I would love to have a pair.

Katrina said...

Love that mystery sampler, mine is coming out this weekend! And Sarah and the quilts are gorgeous too.

Huge congrats to your son!!! It's so bittersweet when they start to spread their wings and get all grown up :-).

Bertie said...

Mystery sampler looks fabulous, I wonder when mine will arrive, should be here any minute:)
Love your patchwork block, great colours:))

Kathy Ellen said...

It has been so much fun reading your post and seeing all the stitching that you have been doing. Your work on the Mystery Sampler is gorgeous. Our stitching group started this piece yesterday, but a few of us are waiting for more charts to arrive next week. Can't wait!

Keep persevering on your smaller sampler...it will come along...sometimes it helps to set a piece aside for a bit and pick it up later:) Beautiful quilting too!

Congratulations to your dear son. It is so true, that one moment we are holding our precious newborn children in our arms, and before we know it, they are all grown up! Your newborn piece for him is so precious and beautiful!

Anna van Schurman said...

Those scissors are surreal. Not sure if I could use them! I bet they'll look great sticking out of a frog. :)

woolwoman said...

love your mystery start - I got this for my mom for mothers day - won't she be surprised she has more gifts still coming for MD ! Love the birth sampler - looks like a L&L - lordy back in those days I bought them all - need 'um nor not ! Hope you have a great holiday weekend with your family - Mel

Loraine said...

Oh I love your Mystery Sampler! I have been wondering what about it, and I this is the first peek I've gotten of it. Thanks for posting. The colors are "my" colors, I can't wait to see more!
Hope you son had a wonderful time tonight! I can't wait to hear all about it. I can understand you being a little melancholy about him growing up. I know I'll feel the same way. They do grow up so quickly!
Can't wait to see your sampler framed!
Hugs to you.

Nicky said...

Your Mystery Sampler is brilliant, I really love those colours. How sad and happy all at the same time that your son is moving on to the next stage in his life. You sound like a very proud mum!

Lois said...

Love your new start! Sending good wishes that the frogs will disappear from Sarah Esch. Hate when that happens! Yes, the years go by far too quickly and it is always bittersweet when our children move on to those next stages. I hope he lets you take pics! My sons both hated having their pics taken, still do to some extent.

cross stitch kits said...

mystery sampler looks good so far
I love the baby cross stitch!

Justflo said...

Lovely colours on your Mystery Sampler. Oops about the frogs. They really are horrid little rascals.

Hope our son enjoys his 'Prom'.

I had tears in my eyes when my sons got married. I never thought I would have but boy o' boy I did.

Ineke said...

Your mystery sampler looks lovely.
It is nice to see someone else working in the Civil War Chronicles quilt. It really is a lot of work, all these blocks!