Amish style!
Please let me introduce my first counted canvas needlepoint finish:
"Amish Trip Around the World"
Designed by: From Nancy's Needle ~ Nancy Buhl
Stitched on 18 count canvas
Stitched with Caron Watercolors and DMC pearl #5 cottons
I'm pleased...
as a pig in a mud wallow with how this turned out :) And although my first love shall always be cross stitch, this counted canvas work is really a nice diversion. The fibers used are great and the best thing is that a lot of canvas is covered in a short amount of time, so that you see almost instant progress.
I need...
to clear up a few misconceptions that I generated inadvertently from my previous post. My husband had me choose one craft, yes that is true, but anything with a needle is considered in the "one craft rule" so sewing, needlepoint, cross stitch, what have you...as long as a needle and thread is in the mix...it meets the one craft rule. So see I have lots of wiggle room :) I think some of my readers had the vision of my sweet, gentle husband being a tyrant yielding a whip beating me into submission. To be completely honest he helped me to focus on one general area of my crafting and like anything that one focuses on, it made me a better needleworker. Works for me, doesn't mean it has to work for anyone else. It was just my way of sharing a bit of me with you :)
I'm still...
meeting myself coming and going....and to be honest "pushed to my limits" makes me run like a fine tuned engine. I drop into bed at night exhausted and sleep like a baby. We've got a major commitment in the fact that Katie, an 8th grader, was asked to march in the Bloomington South High School Marching Band this year! WHOO HOO! (she'll be a Freshman there next year) She accepted the invitation and since August 1st she's been practicing 3 nights per week, playing in the Pep Band at home football games, performing during the halftime and this weekend she has her first two competitions. GO PANTHER REGIMENT! Of course that means that I have become a Band Booster, which translate into hemming around 60 band uniform pants and jackets, working so many concession stands per month, and assundry other things....but its ok. Katie's so happy! She loves band and being a "band nerd" as she calls herself. I was a "band nerd" too...and I'm proud that she is as distinquished on her instrument as she is...she's my clarinet prodigy!
Miss Ellie...
has been accepted into the Indiana University Children's Choir and she'll begin her practices September 29th. You can see the program and hear the children sing HERE . It is a hassle sometimes to live in a Big Ten Collegiate city, as the influx of students is crazy each year, but having all of the things associated with the college for your children's growth in the arts is amazing! We are honored that Ellie was selected to be a member of this amazing children's choir. GO ELLIE!
Ian and Jake...
continue on in Boy Scouting, even Mr. Pfeiffer has drunk the Kool-aid for scouting and is a leader heading up the monthly camping and hiking weekend adventures. They are both First Station scouts and well on their way to being able to start their Eagle Scout Projects in the next 12-15 months. They also soon will be a member of Star Band again this year, playing their saxophones. And continue on training in Karate (TKD) three days per week with sparring too. They are currently purple belts and are close to testing for their next rung on the ladder. GO BOYS!
Sundays...
have become private music lessons day at the Pfeiffer ranch. Its sort of funny to watch people walking by our house to stop (or slow down) and stare quizzically at our house. They can hear Saxophone and Clarinet music being played, I didn't realize that you could hear it that clearly, but you sure can as I was outside decorating for fall this weekend during the lessons. I have the music teachers come at the same time so while the boys are having their lesson, Katie is having hers too. It's quite a cacophony of sound....believe me :)
That does it...
sweet friends :) That's all I got! Until next time, I'll be keeping busy with my "hands to work and heart to God" just like always!
Hugs and love,
Lovely finish! Sounds like your family is very busy with all of the activities.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Katie. Band friends last a life time.
ReplyDeleteConnie
PS
Love seeing your beautiful needlework.
What a pretty piece. Great job of stitching.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your kids as they grow up so fast. My grandson just turned 17(pictures on my blog) and my granddaughter is 11 and in the 6th grade and in the band, percussion section. She is loving it.
Awesome finish! Love the fiber colors you used, Vonna! Congratulations to your children on their accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteRobin in Virginia
Love your needlepoint quilt project! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat an honor for Katie to be asked to join the marching band! I was never in band, but became an enthusiastic booster when my daughter was a band nerd (some of her greatest high school memories are marching band!).
And a little singer too? How sweet!
I'm also a proud Eagle Scout mom. My husband was Scoutmaster for a few years too, which meant that I did a lot of the "behind the scenes" work.
My mother-in-law has seven grandsons and one granddaughter...they have all earned the highest rank in scouting (as of last week). It's a great honor.
You must be one proud (and busy) momma! Enjoy every moment as they pass by so very quickly.
Love your first needlepoint quilt, just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI am the mom of a band geek, who became a Eagle Scout who is now serving in the Air Force.
I remember my daughter and son learning the clarinet and sax at the same time. I thought a goose was dying somewhere in the house.
Enjoy them.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
Lovely, lovely needlework my dear.
ReplyDeleteI had to go sit down after reading your post. You made me exhausted just reading it. But, I must say I admire you for making these years with your children filled with all the joy they can handle. Good job Mom and Dad. Soon enough the house will be empty and you will crave all the hustle and bustle.
What a pretty finish.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all your children on their accomplishments - and good luck to them as well. When I was in band, we weren't nerds, but band geeks!
Have a wonderful week!
You are all keeping busy! It just boggles my mind how you keep up with 4 little ones.
ReplyDeleteE. is in Boy Scouts - he's just become a second class scout, and is working towards First class, which he should become by Christmas. I'm not involved in a leadership role in his troop, but I have signed up to be a merit badge counselor, so we'll see how that goes.
Congratulations to Katie & Elle on their accomplishments!
Vonna --
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finish! I love the colors you chose:))
Congratulations to all your kids on their musical endeavors! My two daughters were in band too and it was a way of life for them in high school. We were pretty active with our band boosters as well but enjoyed every minute:))
Have a great week!
You have a busy household Vonna! Wonderful about the girl's musical endeavors. My gal Elisabeth loves to sing and with her cerebral palsy her private singing lessons have helped her speech so much . She is taking vocal in high school this year and is going to join the choir so is thrilled. Ellie's new choir ... Angelic voices! Enjoy it all and stitch when you can . your new piece is stunning with the jewel tones!
ReplyDeleteVonna -
ReplyDeleteWhat a great finish! I'm inspired and may have to pull out some canvas work that I bought a while back.
That is a gorgeous needlework pattern - I usually just do cross stitch, but I don't think I can resist this! You've inspired me to try another variation on the stitching I love - thank you :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your family on all their achievements.
You are a great mom...obvious from your posts.
ReplyDeleteLove your little Amish " quilt". I keep looking at those, but haven't tried one yet. If I were to stitch that piece, I would want to use those exact colors. Beautiful.
Bobbi
lovely piece :) and gorgeous colours .... great news on the singing and the bands and the scouts etc etc and that you are buzzing with it all .. can you send some energy over here please ..lol love mouse xxxx
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous, Vonna! That colorway is to die for!
ReplyDeleteYour needlework is just beautiful. I have to say you did a great job on your first needlework project. I like the fact that you only do needle crafts. Your craft room is probably a lot more organized and like you said you have become a lot better at it. I think your husband was very smart to apply that rule.
ReplyDeleteYou and your family seem very busy!! I bet your face is beaming! Your children all seem so very talented! I am glad they are growing up with Christian parents. They seem to be very happy and I can tell it is because they have such dedicated parents.
I like that--Mr. P helped you narrow down where your attention goes in terms of hobbies--sounds good to me! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the needlepoint finish! It looks great.
Congrats to the kids on all their musical endeavors!
Vonna,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see a post from you. I was wondering how the school year has started off. Sounds very busy! I think that might be an understatement.
I think you might be able to start a family jazz band with Miss Ellie as the singer.
Oh, what glorious colors, Vonna--I love it :)
ReplyDeleteBand is very time consuming, but so rewarding for the participants AND the parents. All three of my sons were band "nerds"--sax, trumpet, and trombone. And the oldest was drum major his senior year--one of my proudest moments as a parent! Enjoy your time watching Katie march and perform...
Your needlepoint looks fantastic, I love the colours. Sounds like your family and crafts keep you busy.
ReplyDeleteawwww, I wanta live in your neighborhood and hear that amazing sound from your house, wow!
ReplyDeleteAnd your needlepoint is pretty amazing too.
Mom and Dad sure have reason to beam with joy & contentment. Judith
Love how that came out! It's neat how the stitches make it look quilted. Congrats to all your kids too!
ReplyDeleteYour needlepoint turned out beautifully! Wow, what a busy house. Sounds like you have your own little band. Congratulations to all!
ReplyDeleteLove your needlepoint! Gorgeous blues! Congratulations to Katie and Ellie, what honors to them both! And your boys are doing well too! I know they are keeping you busy and proud! Isn't it nice to have the music teachers come to the house for lessons, makes it so much easier. My kids all played piano and strings and luckily we found a teacher that taught both and came to the house on Saturdays...made it so nice. She just spent half the day at our house and even stayed to enjoy lunch with us most Saturdays!
ReplyDeletelovely finish. Your family sure keeps you hopping with all the activities. Congrats to Katie that is quite an honor.
ReplyDeleteAhhh.....the sounds of band instruments. Even all these 20+ years later I do so miss my time in the marching band.....
ReplyDeleteLove your newest finish!
Sounds chaotic and fun! Wouldn't have it any other way!!
ReplyDeleteLove your needlepoint piece - it's fabulous!
Your "Trip" is beautiful...so vibrant and dazzling!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the children and their wonderful accomplishments...what a blessing they are to you & the Mr. Sounds like you guys have your hands full this school year...best of luck!
Congrats to all the kids! Beautiful counted canvas. I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteA lovely finish. Sounds like you are all very busy.
ReplyDeleteYou're one busy momma! Congrats on all the accomplishments with your kidlets, so exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finish too, just stunning!
What amazing news for the kids! Congratulations to you all. You must tell when you get a spare moment more about Ellie's singing! Did I miss that somewhere?
ReplyDeleteYour canvas work finish is fantastic! Love it, wish I could do it but I just wrap my old brain around, trust me I have tried.
See, what I told you about the brain, that is can't wrap the old brain!
ReplyDeleteGreat finish, love how it turned out. Congratulations to all the kiddos, keep letting us know how they do.
ReplyDeleteVonna - your canvas is bee-you-tee-ful! Those are my all time favorite colors and if it ever needs a home...;o))) Congratulations on all your children's accomplishments. You be a proud momma too because we all know you might have had a little sumthin to do with their successes. They grow up all too soon, I can hardly believe how much Katie looks like a young lady now.
ReplyDeleteYour canvas finish is beautiful! Can see why you pass yourself along the way... good luck with all of your kiddos activities!
ReplyDeletehappy stitching...
You did a wonderful job. I just love the colors. What an exciting day to see both of us from Indiana did our first counted canvas projects completions on the same day. I love your blog and the work you do.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all your beautiful children, I love all music.
ReplyDeleteYour piece is fantastic.
Lovely finish.
Catherine
diamondc
I love, love, love the Around the World!! With a couple of blogs that I visit, I have lately been drawn into needlepoint more and more - HELP!! LOL
ReplyDeleteYour children are all so talented and should be such a source of pride for you and your DH. I know how much running it was to have two of kids doing things at the same time - I can't imagine 4. I was all happy until I heard abour 4 music lessons going on at the same time - sounds really scary to me - LOL!
beautiful colours in that canvas work!!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL finish! Loved reading all about your children. What a blessing. TFS Vonna. :) Cathryn
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your post, as usual. That is a lovely finish, Vonna! I imagine there will be many others to share the 'quilt'? Most Moms wish for school to start again to slow down the activities, but now we know that is NOT always the case. As long as the family is in harmony all is well; right?
ReplyDeleteYour finish is beautiful Vonna :)
ReplyDeleteBoy, you have a busy house! I love hearing the neighbor girls practicing piano...I'd be standing outside your house.
ReplyDeleteYou sure were QUICK with your needlepoint stitch - what a great finish. Excited to see how you finish-finish it!
Wow, you didn't waste any time getting right back into things, did you, lol?
ReplyDeleteFirst up, I love, love, love your canvas piece. You've done a marvellous job on it Vonna! The colours are right up my alley!
Congrats to Katie on her acceptance into the band. I was a band nerd myself(I play flute) and it fostered my love of music. It was the best thing that happened to me in school and an experience I will never forget.
That's quite an accomplishment for Ellie to be accepted into the children's choir. I was also a choir nerd which has followed me right into adulthood. I know how much she'll love it and the many friendships she'll make as well.
All of my sons were in the scouting movement and it fosters such wonderful values. I still have all their badges.
Congrats to all on their accomplishments and I'll come listen to that music anytime!
Lookin' good Vonna! I did a bit of needlepoint in my youth, but I just couldn't keep that many hobbies going either so I stuck with XS & quilting. They do make some awesome needlepoint designs though with incredible fiber choices.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you have 10 mins to stitch with the active family you have. I have enough trouble just keeping our household of DH, myself and 2 dogs going! But I know your life is hectic in a good way most of the time - being busy supporting your family. :)
I LOVE your canvas piece. The colours are gorgeous! Congrats on your finish! You sure didn't waste any time! :) You must be very proud of all of your kids. It sounds like they are so very talented. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful finish, I love the colour combination
ReplyDeleteI love how you and your husband are so committed to everything your children are involved in. So many times that is not the case.
ReplyDeleteBand nerd?! Good for her (and you). I've found that usually the music kids are a little different than most but always in a better way. The love of music is a gift that will stay with them all their lives.
Keep up the good work!
Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am going to post a link on my blog about it!
It looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAhh, band days. My middle kidlet was in band. It was fun while we were doing it, but just thinking about it now makes me long for a nap!
Wow, what a beautiful finish! The colours are gorgeous. I am so tempted to try this now too, and of course when my hubby wonders what's going on, I will blame you!!! lol
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the children, they are all doing so well. Love to hear about your family.Keep up the good work!
What a beautiful finish. I love the colors. I sure enjoy all the news about the kids. Lots of talent in your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy busy girl ;-)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I just can't picture Mr. Pfeiffer making you submit to anything you don't want to...Bahahaha!
What a gorgeous finish, Vonna. It's just lovely. And I'd assume it's mostly satin stitch, so it goes really quickly. Grats to you for finishing it up so quickly! And grats to the kids too. Sounds like they're all doing very well. You and your (tyrant) DH are doing a wonderful job with them.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is gorgeous. Welcome to the world of counted canvas projects. I prefer counted canvas over cross stitch or other types of embroidery.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a busy life and makes me tired just thinking about it but I would love to do "another" round! Thanks for sharing your children with us...I enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThat piece is just stunning!
ReplyDeleteoh very beautiful !
ReplyDeletehave a good day
marylin FRANCE
I love to hear all the "goings-ons" of the fam. You gotta be proud of all those great kids of yours. They are all top-notch like their mom and dad! I love to hear Miss Ellie is even joining in the activities. She'll be a great singer. The teacher is Hailey's music teacher from UES. She's wonderful. And so proud of Katie and just the young woman she's become and all her accomplishments. And so darn proud of Keith for leading his boys in scouting. I bet the boys love that. I think you guys have us beat on the activity schedule. Yikes! But, you do it all with such a happy heart. Love that about ya'! Thanks again for the advice yesterday. I appreciated it so much. And I love that band pic in the above post :) So cute. Love ya, friend! Kel :)
ReplyDeleteVonna,
ReplyDeleteYour Amish quilt is beautiful! I usually don't like needlepoint, but that's so nice!
Take care,
Donna in WV