Monday, August 29, 2011

Some Stitching, The Wall(s) of A&E and This and That

Fall is definitely in the air here in Michigan.  The days are beautiful, at least lately, and it's so cool at night that you sleep like a baby.  I hear that it's going to come to an end by the weekend and heat up again, but you know that Fall is coming soon.  My favorite time of the year - football games, the smell of fires in the air AND the fact that I can go back to my regular scheduled programming - sewing, reading blogs, getting things done.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE, LOVE summer, but I like each season for various reasons.  Summer for the beautiful weather and being able to be outside more, my kids being home and things like that.  But Fall, Winter and Summer are when I get the fun things done.  I don't get much sewing and stitching done in the summer, so I'm looking forward to getting back to everything now that the kids are back in school and I have a little more time to myself.

Stitching wise I managed not to jump ship on Ann Hall and got, what I think, is a fair amount done on her considering everything:


Not bad, but not great either.  Love the cherub, and he's going to have a little belly button when I manage to get it in.  I think he's sweet!

Sewing wise - there has been nothing - absolutely nothing in that department and I so long to get down there and work on some quilts.  I hoped to do some today because today was the first day I've had time to myself in what seems like forever.  Everyone is off and while I wanted to sew, I decided to tackle a job on the very long To Do List and finally got around to hanging all my A & E samplers.  Well, not all of them - I still have a couple to be framed, but what's framed to date.  This is still a work in progress as there is a lot of wall space, but I have a lot of A&E's still lurking in the stash basket.  The pictures aren't the greatest as I'm trying to shoot up and down stairs, and the lighting isn't the best because the ceiling is very high in this area, but here you go (the pictures are clickable so that you can see them better):

Looking up the stairs we have the infamous Ann Medd, Adam Alone, Sarah Esh, Adam and Eve by The City Stitcher and Mary Corey and there's still room for a few more.

The stairs has an L-bend, so next is the view going down the stairs:


Yellow House Sampler, Sarah Seifer, Margaret Pence, Apple Tree Sampler, Elizabeth Clayton, Adam and Eve by Goode Huswife, and And They Sinned.  


Here's a view of the one wall from the bottom of the stairs.  Looks like I better keep stitching those A&E's - there's a lot of space left.

And one from the top!

So that is the extent of what I've gotten done the past couple weeks in the world of stitching.  I'm anxiously awaiting the reaction from DH when he sees all those samplers on the wall.  He'll probably go nuts - you know, he's the one that's anal about putting holes in the wall.  Oh well, he'll get over it!  LOL

While my sister was here last month, I managed to add a couple flower frogs to my collection and here's one of them:


Isn't it sweet?  I had seen one of these going on Ebay a while ago for a ridiculous amount of money (well, at least more than I would pay).  While we were out on our annual antique rides, I found this hidden in the back of a low shelf and knew that it had to come home with me.  It needs a little cleaning up but I think it's so different.

Other than that the only other thing that's been going on is that we got Nick up to college and from all reports he's loving it. 


Looks like pretty close quarters to me.  I don't know how three boys are going to survive in this room (they overbooked the room and eventually one will be moved, but until that time, I think it's going to be real close).  Anyway, I think he's having fun, but I don't think that he's getting too much sleep.  One night he was up at 4:00 a.m. doing wash.

Before we left for the ride up to the campus, he presented me with these, thanking me for getting him to this place in his life.  I don't think I had all that much to do with it (well, maybe a little) - it was his hard work that paid off:


And that's about it for me for now.  Well, there's more but I'll save that for next time.  Maybe I can get myself to start posting every week again!  Hopefully,  I'll really have things back to normal again in the next couple of days and can get some more stitching and quilting done!  Hope everyone has a great week, and make it a stitchy one!

49 comments:

Annie said...

Too funny how you are planning a belly button! The sampler looks great - a lot of progress from my viewpoint.

Your A&E wall is amazing! I knew A&E samplers had become popular, but I know idea that many designs existed!

What a sweet son to give you those flowers! Shows what good Mommy you are.

MoonBeam said...

There are some amazing finishes there. Nice going.

Bobbi

Kim said...

LMAO! I was immediately going to say "OH MY GOSH! Where was DH when you were pounding the nails??" LOL You're right...he'll get over it. Lovely flowers and such a lovely sentiment from your son! You done good! ;o)

Anonymous said...

Love the way you are hanging your samplers up the stairwell. As you make trips up and down the stairs you can enjoy your hard work and stitching with each trip. Hope they bring a smile to your face

marly said...

Oh what a sweet thing for your son to do. They're beautiful! I choked on my iced tea when I saw your stairway. Almost came out my nose. I planned on selling ATS and Ann Medd until I saw your display. Not that I would stitch them, but I have them!!! What a perfect place to showcase their size and beauty. Perfect!

Edgar said...

What a great sampler display!!!! - they make going up and down the stairs a more beautiful experience!!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

OMG.. Your sampler walls are gorgeous. Ann steals the show, I'd be spending a lot of time on your stairs admiring all those beauties.

doris said...

Love those A&E walls! Figuring out where to put framed pieces is always a wonderful problem to have.

Karen said...

Love your A&E walls! Your arrangement shows off the pieces to perfection...nice!

Loraine said...

Oh my goodness Deb! I'm so in love with you A&E wall. You did a fabulous job getting all of them hung up there. That is not easy to do, by any means! I am going to have to go back and look at the pictures again. I love the look of them all together, and what a good mix of small and large ones.
So sorry Nick is off to college, but he is the sweetest boy ever for giving his mom roses! What a sweetheart! I hope he is doing well, and loving his classes. It's hard getting back into our school work, but I do love the Fall season too. The campfires and cool air are a nice break from the heat.
Big hugs to you! How is Mary coming?

Gabi said...

That's it. That did it!!!! I'm moving in with you. I just told my husband, that I love him - but sorry, I have to move.
LOL, hope your husband won't be too shocked. It's looking wonderful enough to be worth risking an eventual tantrum of your husband. May be you should cook him his favorite dish?
Your sampler wall is SO gorgeous. I spent now ages drooling over your beautiful walls and stitching, getting a rather green tinge.
Ann Looks lovely.
Your son looks like he's having fun at campus. The roses and the thought behind it, that is SO thoughtful. You did a very fine job there. (which is another thing you could point out to your husband if he goes nut...lol)

Jackie's Stitches said...

You did a fine job hanging your beautiful samplers. I can't imagine that your DH would have any problems at all! It really does look beautiful Deb!

Your son is so sweet! Kids have a different daily cycle than us grown ups with jobs. 4am doing laundry sounds about right!

Anonymous said...

WOW...the samplers are wonderful. What a super idea to put them all together in the stairway. Can't believe you have two really long ones. They are ALL lovely. And such a sweet son.

Yvette said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! Look at all those beautiful samplers. Yes, you have room for many more. There is room to hang quilts too. hint hint. LOL!

Melissa said...

How sweet of your son to give you those beautiful roses! I think you're going to miss him, aren't you?

Love your amazing A+E wall - or walls! What a great collection, and yes, there's space for lots more! Yay for that!

Karen said...

OMG....your A&E wall is just splendid! What a treat to see such hard work come to fruition each time you go up and down!

happy stitching...

Penny said...

Your sampler walls are wonderful! What a great job you did in hanging them. I think Ann Medd is so pretty. It's always nice when your children let you know that they appreciate you! Beautiful flowers.

Nancy said...

What a sweet thing for your son to do! It must make you feel so good to know he appreciates you! Love all your S&E samplers! Your Sampler wall is looking great!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

So many, many, many gorgeous samplers staring the wonderful couple of paradise....I'm as green with envy as the snake twining up the trunk of the tree of life :)

Good luck to your son at college...all the kids are back here now....which means no more getting a table at a restaurant easily, clogged streets, heavy traffic... :)

samplerlover said...

Oh Deb, your A&E wall looks amazing. You have such a stunning collection there.
I think that you must have done a wonderful job with Nick. How very thoughtful of him to buy you a beautiful bunch of roses. I know that you are very proud of him. - Sandra.

Catherine said...

Your wall is simply stunning!!

Beautiful roses your son gave you! Good luck to him at college!

Me and My Stitches said...

Your walls look great! So much time and love into each one. You will have to keep us posted on how DH likes your handiwork!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
What a great son! That is just too sweet!
LOVE all your A & Es!!!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Linda said...

Your samplers are just beautiful! And what a sweet son! My best wishes to him in his college days ahead!

Tanya said...

Awesome!!! I love how you arranged your A&Es.What a nice gift from your son. Best of luck to him.

Carol said...

Aww...that is so truly wonderful that your son gave you those lovely roses, Deb--you sure raised him well! I hope he enjoys his college years and that you're doing okay with him gone. This is the first time I haven't sent one of mine to college in 11 years--very strange to have them all graduated!

Your sampler walls are stunning--still can't get over the size of Ann Medd!! Just wonderful :)

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

Your stairway and all the samplers - just gorgeous! You inspire me to get my needle going.

Chris said...

Your A&E wall is amazing. What a beautiful collection of samplers.
Your current project is great. The cherub makes me smile.

Susan said...

WOW! Just WOW! Your A&E collection is amazing!

Siobhán said...

Oh WOW!!! I just love your A&Es all there together!! They look fantastic. I love the way that you arranged everything. Your new A&E is coming along so well, too! YGG!!

Love the college pics. What beautiful flowers--lucky you to have such a thoughtful son. :)

I'll email soon!

Natalia said...

Oh Deb, I love your A&E collection so much that I may have to start stitching a few of them !!! You did a fabulous job on your display, so just don't listen to your husband's complaints :-). It is such a joy to see your work.

What a sweet guy your Nick is to buy you flowers. You must have done something right when he is so very thoughtful :-) Glad he is enjoying College !!

Katherine said...

Oh, my goodness Deb! What a darling you have raised. It was probably hard enough for you to leave him at school - but then for him to have given you the beautiful bouquet of roses AND those words. All I can say is - if it had been me, it would have taken them three days to mop me up off the floor. What a wonderful thing! Good luck getting back to quilting and you A&E Wall is a stunner!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Oh my gosh, Deb! Your Ann Hall sampler looks gorgeous and I love that the cherub gets a little belly button. Will it be an inny or an outy?? LOL!

That sampler wall is to die for and Ann Medd just looks amazing. You have got a museum quality exhibit going on there, gf. Love, love, love it!

Oh, and that cute flower frog - how fun is that? It's darling!

Nick and Catie look so cute and that's a great pic of the three of you! I love that Nick bought you flowers - how sweet is he? Gotta love those boys that love their mothers. It bodes well for their future wives, I think.

Great post! See you soon?!

Mindi said...

Ann Hall is gorgeous, and I love that fat little cherub. The A&E sampler wall is fantastic. Totally worth all the tiny little holes in the wall.

Mindi said...

I forgot to ask, is Ann Hall from the Scarlet Letter?

Linda said...

Your sampler looks great so far...I need to find some time to make one...it's been ages since I have! I love the wall photos...it looks great!And speaking of great...your son...how wonderful to get flowers for you before he left!!

mdgtjulie said...

Your flowers are lovely, Deb. I really like the color he chose. Beautiful!! And grats on the progress on your sampler. I can barely see the little hole where his navel will go!! I love how all the A & E frames match. They look fab all hung together. And WOW, you have a couple of HUGE A & Es. I'm so impressed by them. Congrats on having wall space left too. I'm sure you can manage to fill it up eventually. And then what will you do, lol. Love the flower frog. It's adorable. And yes, it is unique. I've never seen one of that style before. Here's hoping he does as well at college as he has done up to this point. Four AM laundry, ick!!

Mary said...

Oh my what fantastic sampler walls you have !!! and you have more room left to fill. There are some very large samplers there - I am in awe of your work.
Mary

Nancy M said...

Your stairwell looks great with all your samplers. I just have my one huge Chatelaine hanging on mine!
And the dorm room? I thought the same thing when my son moved into the dorms with just one roommate! But I guess they don't care since it's all part of the college experience! Just think of the room they will have when one of them moves out! LOL The weather has been great here, hasn't it? I want to take Amberlyn to the zoo and now it's supposed to be 93 on Friday!

woolwoman said...

the sampler wall of fame is just gorgeous! unbelievable work Deb - just thinking about all the hours of work makes my head spin - hope you have time for quilting soon and your progress on Ann is amazing. Melody

Michele said...

Oh Deb, your finished pieces look wonderful! I love how you have them arranged. Will be looking forward to seeing more :)

I love your scissor frog!

Katrina said...

Love, love, love your walls!!!! Completely gorgeous :-). And the flowers are so pretty, your son is such a sweetie. Hope college is wonderful for him!

Jenny said...

What a fabulous discplay - your DH would be crazy not to fall in love with it!
Now I'm getting the urge to buy a house with a great stairwell, so that I can stat hanging stuff... LOL

BrendaS said...

LOVE your A&E walls. Beautifull done:) I'm sure it will bring a smile to your face each time you go up and down the stairs!

What a thoughtful son to give you flowers. You definitely did something right:)) Congratulations to you both!

Diane (di) said...

Oh. my. goodness. You did it! Your samplers are up!!!! They look beautiful Deb, I'm happy dancing big time. As for Nick and Catie... dang I feel old. I'd have more to say about them, but I'm busy looking for my cane and tapioca pudding! lol Ann Hall is looking great, too. Happy Labor Day week-end! Stitch til it hurts. :)

Sherry said...

Ann is just stunning and I truely loved seeing your A&E wall! What a fun trip up the stairs that would be. I would constantly be stopping to ohhhh and ahhhh over them all! Have a great weekend!

Sally said...

Wow I love your sampler walls! They are all beautiful!

Susan said...

I am in awe of your A&E walls! Ann Medd is absolutely breathtaking!!

Teresa S. said...

Your sampler wall is so beautiful! And the City Stitcher Adam & Eve looks divine (mine is still in my finished stitching box because I can't find the right frame). One question-what took so long??!!