Quaker Diamonds is DONE!

Actually, I finished it last week right before we left on a fun little road trip to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary! I planned to post this while we were away, but I just never got around to it.  Anyway, I finished re-stitching the letters fairly quickly and pulled out Shores of Hawk Run Hollow to work on the last three blocks, but didn't get much done there either. LOL

Then I realized that July is almost over and I haven't started thinking about my Christmas stitching yet! So, the Christmas Panic has officially begun. I'll try not to whine about it too much, but I really have to get busy.

But I have another project to take care of first. I have to beef up my inventory of needlework bling.  My friend Elaine from FigtreeBoutique on Etsy has convinced me to give a local craft fair a shot. She has quite a bit of experience doing them and is sure that there are lots of knitter, stitchers, and crocheters attending craft shows. So we'll be hawking our wares the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at the Oak Island Craft Fair. If you're in the area, stop by and say "hi".

Tweet

How Much Longer Can It Take!!!?

I look at the big picture and I feel like I'm getting sooooo close, but there are so many little motifs to complete! And frankly, as much as I love this piece, I'm ready to move on. I'm not used to working so slowly. Hopefully, you'll see something different here by the first of August.

Tweet

Just Chillin' and Stitchin'

Oh, I do so love to be at home in my stitching nest just enjoying whatever project I'm working on. And that happens to be Quaker Diamonds ... STILL. But I am getting closer. It's amazing how much progress one can make when you actually have time to stitch. Unfortunately, my shoulder is acting up a little so I haven't been able to stitch for hours on end like I used to. But it's still so wonderful to see the piece take shape.

Tweet

Hot and Muggy is All Right With Me

Happy Sunday to you. It's a glorioius day...if you like heat and humidity.  I promised my husband 17 years ago I would not complain about summer in the south ever again, having lived in the Pacific NW where summer is defined by three consecutive days of sunshine and 80 degrees. However, the older I get the harder it is to keep that promise.  Who am I kidding! I complain EVERY summer. But I admit it's not summer without the heat and humidity. And I will always be glad to be living back in the South. Don't get me wrong. Washington state is a beautiful place, but NC is home.  In a job interview my senior year in college I was asked if I was willing to relocate. I replied I was. Then he asked where I wanted to be in ten years. I thought he was referring to career objectives.  He wasn't. He explained that in his vast experience most people want to move back to within 100 miles of where they grew up within ten years. I lasted thirteen, but I now understand.

So, even though it's hot and muggy outside, I can still stitch without dripping all over my work.  And I really should find out the name of the genius who invented air conditioning so I can pray for him to be blessed every day. Here's my latest on Quaker Diamonds.

Tweet

Quaker Diamonds Lives!

I realize I may have to reintroduce myself to some of you because I haven't posted in almost three weeks! I've been traveling back and forth to my mom's since her shoulder surgery. Her balance was really messed up for a while and we were afraid to leave her alone because she fell so often. But she's out of the sling and improving daily. Physical therapy has begun...not to be confused with anything one would look forward to.

Anyway, I figured out long ago that I don't get a lot of stitching done when I'm away from "my nest", but apparently I have nothing to blog about if I'm not stitching. Does that mean my life has a narrow focus or is stitching just the only interesting thing I do. Hmmmmm.

Quaker Diamonds has grown, but not as much as I would have wanted in this period of time. But here it is and hopefully I'll have more to show more frequently now. My mental health really suffers when I don't get to stitch every day.  So you should probably be glad that I haven't filled my blog with immense whining! LOL

Tweet

It's Thankful Thursday, Hug a Stitcher!

I've seen this idea on other blogs and I've decided to try to incorporate it in mine too. And this is a great Thursday to start.

I'm thankful today for my stitching friends...all of them! We enjoy each other's company, we understand this crazy addiction, we support and encourage each other. And yesterday I got this wonderful package in the mail. Laura stitched this beautiful sampler for my birthday and she added a chart I've admired too. I stitched this piece for another stitching friend and Laura knew I loved it so she stitched it for me. Isn't it gorgeous?

People have asked me if I sell my needlework and I always answer, I'd rather give it away to someone who will love it as much as I do.  Now I have sold a few pieces, but that's the exception, not the rule. This is what we do. We share our passion for needlework with each other in the best way possible. We enjoy stitching it and we know the recipient will enjoy it just as much. What better gift can there be?

On the personal stitching front, I'm working on block 8 of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, and I have to admit it's more of a chore than fun right now. It's a little on the bland side compared to all the other blocks. So I haven't even put my next project in my stitching bag.  I know if I do, I'll start it before I finish this block and that would be bad. And before you ask..."Quaker Diamonds" is next in line. I can't wait to start it.

Tweet