Jane Timmers Workshop Weekend

Saturday and Sunday I attended the Jane Timmers workshop where she taught her Madeira Tin and Sewing Set. This is my second workshop that I have attended as part of my guild, the first being Catherine Theron's earlier this year. As you know I've been scrambling to try to finish all of my pre-stitching before Saturday morning. I managed to get my needlecase completely stitched and my biscornu mostly stitched before Saturday (all I lacked on the biscornu was two flowers and the backstitching for the front and back pieces). But, I was granted a reprieve and didn't need the biscornu for the first day!

The morning of Saturday, we spent learning how to line our tin. I was really happy with how mine turned out. Of course, as you can see above in my jelly roll, we are using the Madeira line of fabrics (and accompanying tin) by Blackbird Designs for Moda.

After lining our tins, we spent Saturday afternoon working on the needlecase. And what I love about Jane is that although I feel somewhat finishing challenged, she gives really clear directions and at no time did I feel rushed or that I was falling behind. I even made cording for the first time!

Saturday night, I attempted to finish up the stitching on my biscornu to have it ready for day 2, but no luck. I finished stitching the little flowers, and got the majority of the backstitch done, but I was so tired I kept mis-counting. So, I called it a night and was able to finish it up Sunday morning before I needed it. Sunday morning we learned how to make the tote bag, ditty bags and ort jar. Then, after lunch we got started on our biscornus. I was able to get mine completely assembled with the exception of the center buttons and ribbon for the bow. I need to stop by the needlework store this week to pick up some more ribbon. And my needlecase is mostly assembled. I finished all four pieces for it, and sewed the back two pieces together. All I lack is sewing the front pieces together, adding my cording and joining the front and back. I'm really please with how much I got done in class.

Assuming I can get the ribbon I need, my goal is to at least have my needlecase and biscornu finished before guild night next week. I think I can do that!

And thanks to those who let me know they read my blog over the weekend! I appreciate you and love to know you're out there. Thanks also to all who leave comments, it really means so much to me!

I hope to be back soon with updated photos of my finished class pieces. I'm also stitching along on my Angel of Tulips ornament, and should have a progress photo soon for you. Thanks for stopping by!

I am grateful for a fantastic weekend!

My Own Book Challenge

I saw over on Deb's blog that she was participating in Vickie's 10 Book Reading Challenge. Of course, me being me, I missed the sign up deadline. But, I thought I'd pull together my own little list, since October is closing in on us and my thoughts have started to turn to the end of the year. As you can see in my sidebar, I've now read 13 books for the year. I'd really like to hit 25 for the year, so I'm in need of 12 more. But, what to read for my 12?

Well, first and foremost, I need to finish what I'm currently reading. So...

1. Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
2. Vampire Diaries: The Struggle by L.J. Smith

And of course, I've got another book club coming up in November. For that meeting, we'll be discussing The Leopard. So...

3. The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa

But, what else?

My friend, Sherri, gifted me with a book for my birthday.

4. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

And Missy has been feeding my new addiction to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, so I'll have to throw at least a couple of those in there...

5. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
6. Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward
7. Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward

What else? Oh, the book I bought for Eric just arrived last night...

8. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

And I believe I have a couple of new purchases sitting on my shelves as well.

9. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
10. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

And with the new movie coming out later this year, I'd really like to finish reading...

11. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

And for my last pick, I thought I'd choose something I don't currently have on my shelves, but really want to read...

12. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Of course, my list is subject to change at any time based on my whims, but for now, I like the sound of that. And there is nothing better than a good book in the fall and winter months. Something wonderful to curl up with...

Note: the photos here are from an art & antiques show that I was invited to several months ago at someone's home. Don't you love that fireplace?

I am grateful for some cooler fall-like weather.

Racing

It has been raining and raining and raining this week. I actually don't mind the rain, but Eric is really ready for the sun to come out again. Last week I was also rushing to finish my book for book club, The Elegance of the Hedgehog. It's an excellent book, I really enjoyed it, I just didn't allow enough time for it. I love reading when it's raining outside though.

This morning, it was actually clear skies, which was fabulous since I had another 5k. This one was for Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. It was definitely a beautiful morning.

And you may remember that I am also racing to finish my pre-stitching for the Jane Timmers workshop I'm taking next weekend. Sigh. Not a whole lot of progress has been made on this.

But, I'll do what I can. Honestly, I've been struggling with allergies and generally just not feeling 100%, so I really haven't felt like stitching.

I do love the colors in it though. It's still missing the third color, which is Pecan. I'd be really happy if I could at least get the needlecase done, I'll be ecstatic if I can finish the biscornu too. But, most importantly, I am enjoying the time I stitch on it. And also enjoying a little stitching break too, which I apparently need. Sometimes I just need to be still, you know? But, the sun's back out, so today is a new day!

I am grateful for cleaning out the cobwebs.

Just Hangin' Out

Ever have one of those days?

This little guy was relaxing outside my office window last week. He hung out there for quite a while.

On Saturday, Eric and I went down to Victory Park in Dallas and participated in the Dallas Heart Walk. As you can see, it was raining. But, we walked that 5k anyway!

The rest of the day on Saturday, I was restless. Not sure why, but I couldn't just be still. I couldn't read, couldn't stitch, couldn't get comfortable. Nothing. So, I just watched a little tv - mainly I watched the premiere episode of The Vampire Diaries, which I thought was good. But, that's about all I got done on Saturday.

Sunday, I felt a little more settled and I decided I'd better pick up my stitching for the Jane Timmers workshop that I'm taking on the 26th and 27th. I haven't done any of my pre-stitching. So, I got that out and put a dent in it. We're stitching with Gloriana silk on 32ct I think, over one. This is the front of the needlecase. I didn't quite get that "B" finished last night, and I still have the "C" to stitch, then I can move onto another color and do some Quaker motifs.

Of course, you know how in love I am with red silk.

I also have another project I need to get a move on. I'm going to stitch Goode Huswife's Angel of Tulips. My fabric and thread just arrived on Friday. I'm stitching this in the called for 40ct Daily Grind by R&R with NPIs. So, that's on my agenda soon as well.

Love those colors - they are so fall-like. It has been raining here like you would not believe. It rained non-stop all weekend, and is still raining. But, I am glad for it. I haven't done any more stitching on my leaves on Simple Things or on my Cuisine d'Ete. I'll get back to those soon I hope! And at some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet and work on my MAGIC project that needs to be done by the end of the year. Where has this year gone? It's just zooming by! Oh well, I am enjoying what I'm stitching, so there's that.

I am grateful for Eric and I doing this 5k together.

Three-Day Weekend

I'm so happy to have a three-day weekend. It's just the best thing. Especially when my Saturdays are always busy, it's like I'm actually getting a weekend this weekend. I haven't done a lot of stitching though, which is a shame. But, I've been getting some things done around the house. I did get in some good time on my leaves for Simple Things, as you can see. I have to finish with that second, darker green and then the leaves are done. I love what the leaves do to this piece. It's like with every part I complete of this one, I love it more. Blackbirds are next.

But, you know how sometimes, another project just starts calling your name and you feel like suddenly you need to set aside whatever you're working on and just go get it? Well, that happened to me yesterday. Eric and I had been working on power cleaning the kitchen yesterday morning. We were talking about some things we'd like to do in there, and I suddenly remembered a piece I'd started for the kitchen. I haven't worked on it since April of 2008, apparently. But, I pulled it out of the WIP bin and put it on my q-snaps. Last night, while watching Witchblade, I worked on that white block.

And, since I'm sure nobody probably remembers this piece, it's Cuisine d'Ete by Echevette. I'm stitching it with three colors of DMC on 32ct Lemon Zest by Silkweaver. I love this piece so much, and it will look fantastic in my kitchen with my Lemon Meringue Sampler. So, I'll probably work a bit more on it tonight.

And I had intended to do some cutting and piecing on the baby quilt, but that hasn't happened this weekend. Next weekend, perhaps.

I finally got around to posting some more of my Miami photos here, if you'd like to take a look. And you can see some of the amazing food Eric's been making this weekend here. Mmmm. Last night we had BBQ, cole slaw, and baked beans. So, so good! That's one of the best things about holiday weekends - being home for his cooking!

I am grateful for time together.