Sunday, September 30, 2012

The End of September

Okay, I know that this sounds lame - but what the heck happened to September???  Seems to me that I just made a blog post and was just getting the kids back up to school.  Now I'm seeing Halloween (and in some cases, Christmas decorations - what's up with that?) in the stores, and October starts tomorrow!!  I thought that with school starting and everyone back to their respective jobs and school, my life would be free - free to quilt and stitch with reckless abandon.  Guess it didn't happen that way.  I had such good intentions on posting on a more regular basis.  Didn't happen.  But maybe things will get better, right?

There has been very little stitching going on - at least that I can show.  My progress on Charlotte Clayton (excuse the folds - too lazy to press) has been really lackluster:


Not a heck of a lot for the month of September or since my last blog post.  Mr. (or Mrs) Kitty Cat is in and so is Mr (Mrs). Rooster/Peacock - I'm not sure what that's suppose to be.  I would have been much further along, but I met with an unfortunate incident of "I can't count" (happens more than I care to admit) and I had to frog out an entire nights worth of stitching:


He's missing his whiskers, but the thread just came for those, so I will have to add them in.


I've also been stitching a little bit here and there on the Susan Singleton SAL which I can't show pictures until December, but we've had a new addition to the SAL list - Evelyne from Eef's Needle.  I think that we're now up to 8 participants.  Welcome Evelyne!!! The rest of the participants are listed in my previous blog post and if you'd like to jump on the SAL bandwagon - don't hesitate - the more the merrier!  Here's Susan just to refresh your memory - an ambitious project to say the least - but we're breaking it down over a two year span - plenty of time to finish the sampler (so I say with hesitant confidence):



So what has been happening besides my mediocre stitching?  Well, DD had a little mishap in walking one day.  Actually, not her fault - Mr. Bailey decided to bury a bone under his blanket, DD walked across the blanket, turned her ankle - and ended up fracturing her foot (see Bailey looking a little sheepish?).  So she's sporting this most attractive form of footwear and using crutches.


Not good as it will affect her dancing for another month or two.  But for all bad things, a good thing happens and yesterday was her birthday - her 15th Birthday - when did she get this old?


And her friend Max came over the house bearing a stuffed ladybug and a cup of her favorite Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Latte - ymmm:


Aren't they cute?


See the HC on the lid of the cup?  That was his way of asking her to the Homecoming Dance.  So sweet!  He is a real sweetheart, although my heart goes into spasms thinking that she's old enough for a a boy to like her - I mean really like her!!!  He's even offered to come over and help decorate her boot as she'll still be wearing it when Homecoming happens.  Like I said - he's sweet!

I have managed to get a little bit of quilting done!  I'm still lovin' on some baskets and I managed to get 7 of them made in the past few weeks.  Working on this QAL with Siobhan has been so much fun.  She keeps me excited about working on these babies!  She's beating the pants off me though - I think 55 to my 30, but I'll catch up.  And some progress is good progress, right (excuse those threads you see - LOL)?


But there are more baskets waiting in the wings - about 60 templates pressed on fabric:


And more fabric waiting for some template love:


Did I mention that I love these little baskets?

And finally late last week I had room to breathe and I had missed sewing so much, so I took the bull by the horns determined to get the Cotton Club quilt knocked off the list of things to do.  I managed to get five blocks finished:


Which now only leaves two more blocks - Woo Hoo!!


So there's my month of September for you.  Not a lot accomplished, but October is looking really, really good!!

One last thing that has taken up some of my time this month was continuing to track my genealogy.  The large document that I found was a wealth of information and a lot of the month of September was spent building my family tree.  And a lot of Google Translator as a good portion of the front end of the document has events and information all in French.  Time consuming and I'm still working on the translating.  I finally managed to get the tree finished up at least as far as the document goes.  Mundia, which is the site I'm using to build the tree - tends to give you a lot of hints towards other things - you can see the little leaves at the top corners of each person.  So now it's a matter of checking out all the hints and start digging.  Because my family was so involved in things that happened in Detroit during the 1700's I've found that there are a lot of books that record a lot of their lives and so I need to start trying to track those down.




One funny story that I did find in the document (and there are a lot of stories pulled from newspapers and documents from the day) was that one of the houses of a relative started on fire and the woman in the house ran out in hysterics and on the way out the front door grabbed a gun that was sitting on a table.  Well, she ran out of the house screaming and waving the gun around, got so hysterical that when she got outside and her neighbor came to see what all the uproar was about,  my relation pulled the trigger and shot the neighbor dead!  Not good!!  I've managed to track my family down 28 generations.  I'm the 28th.  Now I'm in the process of tracking up from the first person that appeared and see how much further I can go back.  It's a lot of work, but so exciting!!


So that was my month of September.  Thank you for the comments you left on my last blog post, and I've tried to do a good job of keeping up with everyone (for once) and have really enjoyed seeing what everyone is working on!  I really missed that during the summer!   Take care and stitch a lot!!



42 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

September seemed to fly by for me too. It was over in a minute.

I hope your daughter heals well and quickly. She's a beautiful girl and I can sew why a young man is interested in her.

You've been working on some beautiful projects.

Catherine said...

I so agree, September just seemed to fly by! Love all of your stitches and quilting goodies. What a sweet boy your daughter has there!
That is quite the family story you found to tell!! Genealogy can be time consuming, but so much fun!

Cari said...

Your Charlotte Clayton is coming along nicely. I loved doing that piece. And who knows what some of the animals/birds are? I just loved the cats and the dog on the pillow. Your quilting is coming along too. I hope your darling daughters ankle heals ASAP. She's a doll! Homecoming is so much fun. Her friend is so nice...

Have a great week stitching the time away !! Hugs

Margaret said...

Charlotte is looking good! I still love mine. Love all your baskets -- so pretty! Love to see the fabric waiting in the wings too. Your poor DD breaking her foot! But yes, I'd say that boy is a good thing. lol! They are so cute together! Your Cotton Club is looking good too! And your genealogy -- wow! Very cool!

Me and My Stitches said...

Lame or not, I'm with you - I swear every new month I wonder where the last one went! You are making a little progress on a lot of things - so that's great! You passed me up on those CC blocks - I have got to get those finished! Your daughter is a cutie!

Linda said...

I love all the things you are working on...September flew by here too...time just seems to be flying by these days...I need to slow down and enjoy it!! Have a great day!! Your daughter and her boyfriend are adorable ;0)

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
I don't know what happened to September, either! I disagree with you, though. I think you accomplished LOTS! How fascinating to have gone back 28 generations. Very impressive.
Hope DD heals quickly. She and her "friend" are adorable!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Nicola said...

2012 has flown by. Charlotte is tempting me. Family history is fascinating. It is amazing how a family's luck goes up and down over the generations.

Kim said...

Happy birthday to your DD! I hope her foot heals quickly! OUCH! I am loving your Charlotte Clayton and am going to have to splurge for the silks I do believe. And of course your baskets...GAH....love those!! Happy October Eve!

Nancy M said...

I know what you mean. I have one frame I switch out every month. I didn't even get September out. I went right from August to October! That pile of quilting looks huge to me! I don't know how you keep all your projects straight. Your daughter should be behind the wheel now? Or at least soon with the new laws. That's always exciting for the parents!LOL

Loraine said...

Hi Deb! So great to see a post from you. I'm sorry to hear that your DD actually did break her foot, and she is now in a boot. That is a real bummer for her and you. I hope she had a great 15th birthday even though she was hobbling around. Her BF is really cute, and he sounds like the perfect kid!
Sorry to hear about frogging out all of your stitching. Your sampler will be beautiful when it's all done.
Your basket blocks are fabulous. Is that out of the BBD book, When the Cold Wind Blows? I want that book. I love the quilt on the cover. Like I have time to make it...but I still want it. :)
Love your cotton club blocks too. Looks like you have made some wonderful progress this month.
Have a wonderful week dear friend! Many hugs going your way.

Annie said...

Love that kitty on your sampler. You always work on so many fun projects.

Hope that foot heals quickly.

You know I heard a 90 year old woman once say "By the time you get to be my age, it seems like breakfast comes around every 10 minutes"!

Siobhán said...

I just love that Charlotte! If I could get my mojo back to where it should be, I definitely would stitch that. I've loved it since I saw Andrea's. LOVE your quilt blocks, and of course your gorgeous baskets! I was starching a few the other day & told DH that I thought he should be doing that for me so that I could be sewing them. LOL He didn't even say anything, just raised a 'yeah right' eyebrow. LOL It was worth a try.

I hope your DD's ankle heals quickly! Poor Bailey--he does look a bit sheepish in that photo!

Giovanna said...

Your stitching and quilting are just gorgeous - love that sampler! The genealogy thing looks like great fun too.

Katrina said...

Hope your DD heals quickly and what a sweet boy!!! Love your Charlotte and all the quilting too. Miss Singleton is a beautiful piece too, the colors are so pretty.

Carin said...

Belated happy birthday to your DD and I hope her foot heals good.
You did again a wonderful job on your stitching and quilting. Love those little baskets !

Sherry said...

Love your blocks! September really did fly by. How neat that you have traced your family back so far. Good luck! It is fun but can really become addictive! lol

Vickie said...

I am so sorry about your DD's foot. Oh I just about broke out into a sweat just thinking about our Madeleine and a BOY!!! She is 14 and just started high school, joining her brothers there.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Charlotte looks great (even the cat, LOL)! The basket quilt is going to be a stunner and the other quilt will be lovely, too. But, the reds in the baskets make my heart flutter.
HB to Miss C and I hope her foot feels better soon.
Enjoy the family research. I thought for sure you were going to say someone shot your inlaw for waving the gun around!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Charlotte looks great (even the cat, LOL)! The basket quilt is going to be a stunner and the other quilt will be lovely, too. But, the reds in the baskets make my heart flutter.
HB to Miss C and I hope her foot feels better soon.
Enjoy the family research. I thought for sure you were going to say someone shot your inlaw for waving the gun around!

Hazel said...

Your Charlotte sampler is looking amazing. It is going to be stunning when it is done. x

krayolakris said...

I think Sept is secretly the shortest month, not February! Hope your daughter is dancing soon; she's so cute & what a nice boyfriend. I'm working the same side of Charlotte and on the big giant cat!! Your basket quilt is just adorable. Good to see your post!

Solstitches said...

I'm loving the applique baskets on both yours and Siobhan's blog.
The Cotton Club blocks are cute also.
Margaret

samplerlover said...

Wow Deb, both Charlotte and the quilt baskets look wonderful. I know you are looking forward to finishing The Cotton Club.

You are making such grezt progress with your family research.j

Hopefully it wont be ?ong before DD is back to normal. - Sandra.

Mary said...

Deb, I just love Miss Cahrlotte's kitty! Can't wait to see what else is in storel What cute pictures of your daughter and her young man.

Katherine said...

You must have the most amazing looking house with all those quilts! The baskets are too cute. Good news is, if your daughter is going to drive soon, you can drive with those boots on - I've done it! HA HA! Like you needed to know that was a possibility. That boy is cute and they look so sweet together. Have your husband have the "cleanin' my gun" talk and everything will be fine.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

hello my friend, your samplers are just beautiful, the colors are beautiful, strong result! friendships FRANCE

Joyeux Anniversaire !

Sinta Renee said...

I love your sampler stitcheries... it looks like you have gotten a whole lot done over here. I am going to keep an eye on you for those baskets... I have always wanted to make that quilt (at least as long as the book has been out)! Love your cotton club blocks too!!!

Sally said...

Charlotte is looking stunning!

Love your quilting too.

Happy Belated Birthday to your DD. Her friend is so sweet.

Brigitte said...

What happened to September? is really a good question but I should be used to it as I ask myself thsi question every year. Time flies even faster than usual as in September the new school year begins and as a teacher I'm always extremely busy these first weeks of school.
Very nice addition to Charlotte, she will love her cat and peacock. And your QAL with Siobhán is going great as can be easily seen here and on her blog. Isn't it great how motivating a SAL or QAl can be?
I hope your daughter's foot will heal quickly.

merumo said...

I knew you have been working on the red baskets, but look at Cotton Club quilt's progress and stitchings, too!! Hope your DD feels better very soon. I'm sure y9our cute doggie will help her to heal :)

woolwoman said...

I think you got tons done Deb - LOVE LOVE Charlotte - I have been tempted to do this one and often regreted not getting it when it was the Attic SOM several years ago. You are making awesome progress on your basket QAL - I know Siobhan is having fun with hers. Sorry about the accident with your DD - at least it did not do permanent damage and she will return to dance. Scary how fast they grow up into having boyfriends - AACCKKK - I may be a Susan SAL participant - I have the chart on order with Jean but SL has been closed for vacation - so we'll see what goes on around here when the chart actually arrives. Pretty colors for it. Enjoy October - it will be gone is a flash - Mel

Browndirtcottage said...

L-o-v-e your red baskets! I also love all your cross stitching! I used to stay up till the wee hours cross stitching away. I was soooo addicted to it and even taught 'hubby' how to stitch. He then began to stay up late too!

Your samplers are lovely and makes me want to bring out my threads too. I have a sampler of the Lord's prayer I was working on when for some reason I put it all up years ago.

You inspire me!

Linda said...

A very happy bday to your daughter!!!! Means happy bday to you too. :-) LOVING those darling baskets!!!

Teresa Rawson said...

I love your current project and your red baskets are lookking sweet. My baskets are lanquishing on my design wall as I work hot and heavy on the current big project. I will get back to them some day! I hope October goes slower than September for you!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Angela said...

I lost September too and it's normally my favorite month! I love the cat motif on Charlotte :)

Beautiful stitching and quilting, enjoy October :)

Nicole said...

Beautiful progress on Charlotte, Deb. I'm working on the other side, so you are inspiring me to get back to it!!

Nicky said...

What a wonderful post Deb! Your lovely girl and her friend are SO cute, hope her foot is mending well. I love your little quilt blocks, they are beautiful, I hope you are having a great time stitching through October too!

Anonymous said...

very good!

Ranae said...

Beautiful stitches, love the whisk less kitty, lol
Your daughter is pretty, hope her ankle is feeling better now, I'm so behind in blog reading
Very cool quilt blocks
Take care

Karoline said...

Charlotte is looking lovely, so are your quilt blocks.

I hope your daughter mends quickly & enjoys the dance.

Carol said...

Love the genealogy story, Deb--you just never know what info you'll come up with when you start digging up the past, do you?

Oh, your poor daughter--I hope she feels better quickly. Something tells me she'll have fun at the dance even with the boot on :)

Your little basket blocks are wonderful--wow that is a lot to make! Hang in there...