Wednesday, May 9, 2012

I've been at a Loss and a Traveling Fool

Hi everyone.  I want to start out first and thank everyone for all the wonderful comments you left about Ann Rayner.  Thank you, thank you!  I did have so much fun with her (except for those darned little sheep)!   I haven't had time to take her to the framers though.  A blogging friend sent me a wonderful coupon for Michaels, and life got away from me (as usual) and I never found the time to take her in.  Hopefully another coupon will come out soon as I'd love to see her hanging on the wall.

After I finished Ann I didn't know where to turn.  Going through my stash I couldn't come up with any one thing that remotely made my heart sing like Ann.  How could that happen?  I have stash coming out of my ears.  And realistically, I should have pulled out a WIP, but those didn't appeal to me either.  So, since I couldn't come up with that one thing that screamed to be stitched,  I ended up coming up with four things!  Truly pathetic, but here is a run down - and don't laugh - there isn't much done on any of these.

First off is Mary Emmes:


Lots of progress, right?  NOT!  I got into the yellow portion and stopped.  Don't ask me why - just one of those things that defies explanation.

Next up is Janet Harris.  I saw this sampler on a blog and fell head over heels in love with it:


Well, I was in love with her for a while and had quite a bit stitched before I realized that I didn't love the colors.  The stitched piece I saw on a blog had warmer, more primitive tones.  This sampler chart has been out since the 1980s (I recently saw a picture of it in an old 1984 JCS issue), and we all know how color choices change over time - let alone almost 30 years.  But I didn't think about that when I started her and had the entire vine across finished with the flower buds and all the alphabet to the point where I am now and then realized that the red was too red, the blues too blue and the pink too pink, so some color changes were necessary.  You can see where I frogged out the berries in the border (clicking on the picture will make it more visible) and haven't replaced them yet with the new red.   But I came up with some other colors that I think are working.  But after all that frogging, I put her down.  Shame on me.

Next up was E. Traill:

This one is fun, narrow and I love the colors, BUT, I'm not loving the color of that angel on the side, so I think that it's going to have to come out.  UGH!!  More frogging.  I don't have the patience.  Maybe I'll learn to love him - maybe after I get the eyes and mouth in.

So on we go to number 4 - Martha Jones:

Now I'm kind of liking this one and so far the frogs have been kept at bay.  But as luck would have it - no time to work on it once I got to this point.  This is about two nights' work and then all things started hopping and there was no time to stitch.

DD had numerous dance rehearsals and recitals last week and weekend and will have more this weekend.  While at dance recitals, my husband moved my son home from college and as I wasn't here to direct traffic and the mess (like why didn't they put it in the basement, or the garage?) it was dumped all the living room.  It was worse, but I managed to get most of the dirty clothes out of the picture and into the laundry room and a couple loads started.  Everything he owned, and I do mean everything, was dirty!!

But before I could even think of doing anything but pulling the dirty clothes out of the mess, I was running to catch a plane to here - New Orleans:

I spent a great couple of days there and just about walked my butt off (well, not really, but at times it felt like it) and had to try some of these - the famous beignets.  Thank goodness I walked a lot (and no, I didn't eat all three of them - only one).

It was a great time, but went so quickly.  There were a few places that I didn't have time to check out - like a ton of antique stores - they'll be there for the next time.  But I did manage to get through the French Quarter, Garden District and seeing the Mississippi and a few other things.  What amazed me in the Garden District was all the trees on St. Charles Avenue (and other places) had the beads hanging down from them (you can click on the picture to see them better).  I thought they'd only be around during Mardi Gras, but I suppose once you throw them in the trees, you're not going to climb up and get them out!!



So that has been my past fews weeks or so since I finished Ann.  Not all that productive, but hopefully things will settle down soon and I'll have some progress that looks a little better than all of this in the near future.  My quilting is piling up and Phebe finally arrived.  I can't wait to get my hands on her once all things calm down.

Once again, thank you for all the wonderful comments on Ann Rayner and I hope that everyone has a great week!

32 comments:

Lanie said...

Hi Debbie, looks like you had a great trip to New Orleans. I've never been there but hope to visit someday. We'll be moving my older daughter home from college this weekend. Since she's 600 miles away, we put most of her things in storage over the summer. Isn't it amazing the "stuff" they accumulate! Even last year in her 2x2 freshman dorm we made so many trips up and down that I lost count ... from the 14th floor! But it's great to have them home again! Good luck on your new starts. I'm liking "Martha Jones" already!

Margaret said...

Ok, I'm going to have to look up your new starts and see if I'm tempted or if I have them in my stash already. lol! Is E Traill that narrow? Wow! Anyway, they all look cool. I do hate when the colors don't match what I expect or want. New Orleans -- never been. Looks like a fun trip though. As for your DS and his junk -- welcome to summers with college kids. lol! And yes, there is always 5 million tons of laundry that hasn't been done and is brought home. I wonder if my DS will be any different. Probably not. lol! We always make sure all the mess goes into the DD's room, although some always manages to get into the livingroom too. Oh well.

carol fun said...

I figure if I start enough pieces eventually one will click and its off to the races - I'm sure the right one will find you too. They are all pretty pieces! Oh returning children - where does all that stuff come from?? And why do I think that some of it may not leave when he does? Oh well- it is nice to have them home. New Orleans sounded like fun. I haven't been there for years. I'll get back someday.

Ranae said...

oh! Martha Jones is jumping out at me, lol
The weather looks like it turned out fantastic for you in New Orleans
Take Care!!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
My goodness! You've sure started a lot of stitcheries. I'm sure they will all be wonderful.
I was in New Orleans decades ago. I'd love to go back. Looks like you had a marvelous time.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Loraine said...

Hi Dear Deb!
Wow, what a fabulous post! I love your new starts, but so sorry that you are having to frog on many of them. If you put them all into one sampler, you really have stitched quite a bit, despite life being so busy right now. Yea!
So fun to see your pictures of New Orleans. Oh, I hope you had fun! I would love to go sometime. We lived in Mississippi for a year. We wanted to go to New Orleans, but it was off limits to us, as we were active duty military members. Too much trouble to get into I suppose. LOL.
At any rate, glad your son is home safe and sound, and I hope that your daughter does wonderful on her recitals. It's always fun to watch those!
Hugs to you!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb, all your starts look lovely. Martha is looking lovely. I love those tulips.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time in New Orleans. It looks like an amazing place to visit. - Sandra.

Giovanna said...

Wow, that's a lot of new starts - they all look so pretty, I hope you wont' have too much frogging though.

Isabelle said...

Hi Deb, I am so happy you spent such a nice trip to the new Orleans :-))
Oh !Oh! you have a lot of new projects : that is good :-))
Have a lovely week,
Hugs,
Isa

Chris said...

Sometimes it is really hard to settle down to a new project. I understand many of the color issues that you are having. It is frustrating not to be making more progress.
Wow! It loos like you had a wonderful trip. You have got to love Cafe du Monde :)

Vickie said...

Oh wow! Now you don't laugh...I like to stitch only one thing at at time. I am in awe of your four! at once! :)

Catherine said...

I do hope all lithe frogs have left you and headed to parts unknown! All of your projects looks pretty. Seems like I am constantly changing colors anymore.
Maybe when my boys get to be college age, I'll encourage them to take summer courses! ;)
Your trip looks fun. I was there years ago for a conference. Our last night there was the first night of Mardi Gras ~ it was interesting to say the least!

Shelly said...

Oh I would drop everything for a trip to New Orleans myself! My daughter and I are planning a trip during Mardi Gras in a few years. All of your starts are looking great. I have some old issues of JCS too, and have noticed that some of their samplers have bright colors. Have a great Thursday!

Bertie said...

You made me laugh a lot, not at you but your story! We all go through a stitching no no:)
New Orleans looks fabulous!! lovely pictures.

mdgtjulie said...

Very belated grats on the finish, and I love some of the colors in your new starts. I'm a color fanatic, lol. I don't look too much at samplers, as I'm not a fan of them, but the colors they use are fab! Hope you get some stitchy time soon!!

Anne said...

Oh Deb!!! I sure hope you have better luck with the last two starts and no more frogging!! I really like E Traills and Martha Jones. Something about those tulips I really like!! I had to laugh about the dumping of the stuff in your living room!! My brother did the same thing to my parents when he moved back home....just dumped it in my mom's spotless living room. Sigh boys!! I'm a wee bit jealous you got to go to New Orleans!!! I've always wanted to visit there and listen to the musicians and eat the beignets!!

Melissa said...

Oh, I've been in New Orleans so many years ago - B.C - Before Child! Anyway, I remember those beignets! Yum. Did you have it at that Cafe? Cafe du Monde? Glad you had a good trip.

Nice starts! I had to look them up to see what's what! Looking forward to your next post! Hope you will find one of them especially engaging!

valerie said...

Wow, it looks like you had a fantastic trip to New Orleans!I've always wanted to go. Your photos look great! It looks like you got some great starts in. I can't wait to see which one grabs your attention the most! :)

Karen said...

Looks like you have some great choices to choose from... hope you find the "right" one soon!

happy stitching...

Penny said...

I like each of your new starts. Hopefully something will speak to you soon. :) I enjoyed the pictures of your New Orleans trip. Definitely a place I would like to visit someday.

marly said...

Hmmm. I would not be able to chose one of the four starts as the next project. I looked up every one and love them all. Tough decision!

Nicole said...

Beautiful wips Deb!! I love them all!! Looks like you had a fun time in New Orleans. Those beignets look so yummy!

Susan said...

Sounds like you had a great trip! I remember the beads in trees (and was also suprised). Love the WIPs! Sorry they weren't behaving as you wished, but I'm sure you will have them all in order soon.

woolwoman said...

Funny how you can have a room full of charts and UFO's and NOTHING appeals to you or you just can't seem to find that one thing you knew you had or you are sure you started 5 years ago. Sometimes I have the opposite problem - I start 5 things and love them all and don't focus on any one of them long enough to show any significant progress.(sigh) Just my SADD (stitchy ADD) problem I guess LOL. I've been to New Orleans a number of times both before and after Katrina - the after was not so good - they still had not restored the trolley line to the garden district when I was there several years ago - I hear it is restored now. Would love to go to a rug hooking camp they have there - maybe one of these years I'll get back over there. the trip I really regret is not going with my folks when they took the riverboat cruise down the Mississippi and stopped in Natchez and St Francesville and toured all those plantation homes. THAT is the trip I should have taken. Hope you have a great Mothers Day weekend and do just exactly what you want to do. Hugs mel

Carol said...

Oh, I well remember those days of all the boys' college stuff being dumped in my living room. This is the first time in 11 years I haven't had that. Do I miss it? Well, just a bit to be honest with you... I miss them more than their "stuff!"

I'm surprised you've had any time to stitch, Deb, with your trip and your son coming home. Everything looks great! Good luck with that pile of laundry :)

Cathy Lloyd said...

Beautiful starts Deb! Cari got her Phoebe too. The two of you should collaborate! I can't wait to see them finished up! I'm sure it's always an adjustment when the college kids come home and have to live with their parents again! I had a layover in New Orleans once on my way to see Cari in Florida, so all I ever saw was the airport! Glad you enjoyed your time there! Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Sherry :o) said...

Busy, busy, busy ... you were!

Missed you last weekend - Julie was awesome and speaker was very interesting.

Love your stitching choices.

Lois said...

What nice starts Deb though I'm sorry that you had to spend some time frogging. Glad you'd a good time in New Orleans, enjoy having your son home for the summer (with all his stuff!!!).

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh I love your Futur Sampler ...
beautiful pictures thank

bisous de FRANCE

Nancy M said...

Looks like a case of ADD for stitching! :-) Even when the kids move out for good, the laundry always follows them home. Brett came home this weekend and brought laundry since his laundry day is Sunday! At least he did it himself though. Carl painted the flower frog oil rubbed bronze. It looks nice! I have to have a post soon to show it off! Not buying the car in Rochester. Couldn't beat the deal around here after all.....it's all in the advertising to get you in!

Karoline said...

Nice new starts :)

Sounds like you had a great trip to New Orleans, it reminded me of mine which was over twelve years ago now. I would love to go back.

Brigitte said...

Great new starts so far but it's a shame that you had to frog so much. But I can understand about the colours. Isn't it strange how tastes in colours can change over the years? But not necessarily so ... when I pull out one of the old Prairie Schooler charts I sometimes love the colours better than with their new charts. But it all depends on what we prefer. I'm looking forward to seeing what sampler you will stick with.