Back from Hiatus

I'm back from taking a blogging break. Since my last post, I have spent most of my time either creating something or researching on Ancestry.com. I received a 6-mo. gift membership (USA research only) and have been putting together the family tree for my (grown) children & granddaughter. I discovered that two of their lines go back to colonial America--Dutch and English settlers. pretty amazing! I feel this was money well spent as granddaughter has become intrigued by it all and now has info to use for certain school projects/essays.

So, that research has taken up many hours on the computer, and has made me bug-eyed at times. I have done some cross stitch. Now I'm almost done with this lovely floral sampler from "Reader's Digest Big Book of Cross Stitch Designs," borrowed from my local library.

I had my door paintballed by unknown assailants:

I waited until today to wash it off because it has been so cold--below 25 degrees. Today it is supposed to warm up to 42 degrees--a real heat wave!

I began this for my daughter for Valentine's day, but this is as far as I got:

It is the start of "Austrian I," by Bleu de Chine, from JCS Jan/Feb 2010.

I sewed a casserole carrier and machine quilted it with (my own) sunflower design.

This pattern only fits a small casserole or food container. The pattern is from Shannon Herbert. I plan to make some larger ones. I have them cut out, but need more of the heavy batting. It's so much better for carrying containers of food than plastic grocery bags!

I won't be joining any more cross stitch exchanges. Since my cancer has been declared gone (at least now), I just want to make things for family and close friends. I was so fortunate to receive the following box full of stitching goodies from stitching bloggers Jill and others (will add names later).

I have started on "Coeur d'Hiver,"  a freebie by Passione Ricamo, using a piece of blue linen from the box.

Last but not least, I went through my stash of fabrics and separated the cheap cottons from the better quality, brand-named cottons. I'm cutting out the cheap stuff into circles for yo yos and pie/casserole carriers. I have had some fabrics for over 10 years, and just had to be ruthless and sort it out. I'm not going to buy any more cheap cotton--only the best quality, because I want to make some quilts.

So far, I have completed about 120 yo yos to be assembled into a yo yo quilt top.

Thank you for reading this long post. I will be blogging regularly once more about my cross stitch.
Happy stitching!

Hectic Summer

Life has been hectic since school ended.

Daughter has had different schedules, some evening shift, some day shift, and some 12-hr. shifts, due to working two different (successive) temporary jobs.

Granddaughter has attended school-sponsored music (day) lessons and has had summer outings with family and friends. She is currently working on 4-H projects. We are looking for the party dress and shoes she needs for the county fair junior queen pageant. The county fair here is a big event and is attended by thousands. Three years ago she entered and I made her dress. I don't know if I will make it this year. Nearly all of the sewing patterns available are the same style--flower girl style with fitted bodice and gathered skirt. Nothing is pretty, stylish, and also age-appropriate(no spaghetti straps). I already made the one unique pattern I could find for her first pageant.

I have been embroidering and sewing. I made small stuffed elephants, embroidered bookmarks, and stuffed dolls (complete with clothing). I sold a few things at a church fair. I had started sewing the dolls years ago for granddaughter, but now she doesn't play with dolls anymore. I also sold my peacock scissor fob.

Well, my sewing/craft table looks like a tornado hit it. I have a lot of sorting/cleaning up to do.

I have started my Summer House for the HOE exchange, and am about 1/2 finished. I will make the deadline.

Oh, forgot to say that I just got a copy of "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day." I don't have the required baking stone and am not going to put water in my oven to make steam. I will be letting you know how the recipes work out for me. First I need to buy the plastic container for the dough storage. I will probably be trying some recipes just doing them the regular way, and not refrigerating the dough. Right now I'm planning to bake the olive-stuffed flatbread.


I'll post pictures when I can. Keep on stitching!

Baby Washcloths for Shower Gift

Here's another gift for the mother-to-be who is going to get the crocheted blanket.

This is the flannel cloth that I'm hemming by hand in order to to create 4 washcloths. This flannel is not suitable for children's sleepwear (U.S. makes manufacturers treat sleepwear with chemicals) and I only had a small piece, so I decided to make baby washcloths. I'm hemming them by hand because I need to keep the thread hidden, as my thread is not 100% cotton and it would cause the cloths to be scratchy if hemmed by machine.

The brightly-colored animals will catch the baby's eye.

American Girl Doll Nightgown

This is my granddaughter's American Girl doll Samantha dressed in the pretty flannel nightgown that I sewed for her recently.

Cat Theme Pillow

This pillow is a work-in-progress (almost finished). It's to be a gift for my sister (who doesn't read this blog). Laurel Burch fabric will brighten anyone's day. The back will be sewn in an envelope closure so that the cover can be removed for washing.