Home from the fair...

Today...

I picked up my two fair entries, I'm mighty happy to say that my Family Sampler took Champion for its class! It also took a Honor Ribbon and today when I picked up my pieces, the supervisor for Needlearts told me that the judge "really struggled with who to name Grand Champion" in the needlearts and I guess my Family Sampler was among the two she was struggling over!

And...

Sarah Seifer is a 1st Place - Blue Ribbon Winner!

I was thrilled to bits....

as this was my first ever time to enter anything in the fair as an adult in the "Open Class Exhibits".  I decided that next year I'm going to try to enter a few more projects and I'm going to shoot for "Grand Champion" overall of the Needlearts Category. I've got to get busy!

But to commemorate my first year and the ribbons my stitching won...

I purchased a shadow box and it now hangs in my sewing room and will be a fond memory for me to look upon as I stitch and sew in my room. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my exciting, good news with all of you!

Until next time...
I'll be busy keeping my 'hands to work and heart to God'.
Hugs and love,

Home from the framers...

Good day my dear friends!
Yesterday my phone rang and my framer alerted me that my framing order was complete. I'll let the pictures do the talking....

"Soar Sampler"
Designed by With Thy Needle and Thread ~ Brenda Gervais
Copyright 2011
Stitched on 30 ct. Weeks Dye Works Onyx linen
Stitched with DMC as charted
*Soar was stitched for my Mom, she's thrilled with it!*

"My Stitching Place"

Exclusive retreat design designed by: Tree of Life Samplings ~ Jan Alexander

Copyright 2011

Stitched on 32 ct Tree of Life Samplings Linen

Stitched with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads

"A Stitcher's Prayer"

Designed by: Little House Needleworks ~ Diane Williams

Copyright 2003

Stitched on 28 ct. Lambswool

Stitched with DMC as charted

I am thrilled...

with how each one turned out. Each one took my breath away as my framer unfolded the brown paper from them to get my approval before I took them home. I am proud of the work that I accomplish with my hands and out of love for the hobby that brings me so much joy. I don't know why more people don't do this...the sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, tradition and knowledge that someday my children and theirs will have on their walls a little piece of me. May it be so...

Thank you all...

for your continued visits and comments on my stitching here, it brings me great happiness to know that people read my jumbled thoughts :)

And please know, I really try hard to visit all of you at your little piece of bloggie goodness too.

Until next time...

I'll be keeping my 'hands to work and heart to God', join in with me!

Hugs and love,

Maddie Button and her tutorials...

Good day, dear friends!
Tanya over at The Scarlett House created a lovely designed set that is sure to be on the top of your list for purchase.

"Maddie Button"

Designed by: The Scarlett House ~ Tanya Brockmeyer

Copyright 2011

*For information on Maddie, other designs by Tanya and where to purchase them, please go to: The Scarlett House

Tanya generously asked me to finish her cover models for Maddie, so I put together some tutorials for the finishing of the set and you may access them at my new tutorials blog, where I give tips, hints and updated information on finishing this set and other things perfectly ~ each and every time. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but this one has learned some over the years and I started my new tutorials blog so that I could update my finishing techniques and share them with those of you that may be interested.

To learn how to finish the set, please access the tutorials at the provided links:

The Jar Wrap...

The Pin Cushion...

The Fob...

As always, thank you for visiting and until next time, I'll be keeping 'my hands to work and heart to God'.

Hugs and love,

Rainy Days and Birthdays....

Greetings....

friends and neighbors near, far and everywhere. The calendar told me a couple of weeks ago, on July 5, 2011 that I was indeed celebrating the 20th Anniversary of my 21st birthday. So ... let me explain my title of this blog post. When, I was a little girl I dreaded rainy days. No in fact, I hated them.  Ba humbug!  But I loved my birthday! Gifts, attention, cake....what was there *not* to love? Now, that I'm a big girl....I love rainy days but those birthdays....well except for the cake....sort of stink! I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles, eh?

No matter...

a few lovely ladies decided to make the 20th Anniversary of my 21st birthday special by sending me surprises in the mail and I want to share my loot with all of you too! First off we have a gorgeous (notice the pennies) huswife made by the talented hands of AmySC  . It is absolutely perfect and fits all my on the go stitching needs ...Amy even included those sweet small scissors by Kelmscott:

Dear Marie P sent me this gorgeous Prairie Schooler ornament ~ she too knows me so well...

Marie also threw in a "WooHoo! Happy Birthday" mug...which I must say, every day is now my birthday because this gem fits amazingly in my hand ~ it is heavy yet the finish is so smooth, the handle is large so I can slide my whole hand in there....its simply perfect! And Santa thought he'd play Vanna White and model WooHoo! for you :)

Finally Jan sent me this surprise and it literally made me shout with joy because you see...she sent me her brand spanking new design all kitted up it is called "Penny America" and I actually got to touch the model and drool over it at the Only One Ewe retreat a few short weeks ago. You can read all about Penny America and other designs of Jan's at Tree of Life Samplings  . Jan has also started hand-dyeing some linens and they are wonderful! She also included the sweet Willow Tree Angel who sits in my sewing room overlooking things and keeping watch, whilst I stitch and sew away!

To these ladies....

my deepest most sincere gratitude to you all for your generosity in remembering my birthday, but most especially for your friendship - because where would I be without friends like each one of you? Oh wait I can answer that: No where...that's where. SO a big "Thank you" for being my friends!

Just a few minutes ago...

I slipped the last stitches in a square for Love Quilts  this square is going to a darling little girl named Breanna . She likes Dragonflies and what pattern is more perfect than this one?

"Dragonfly"

Collaboration Thread Pack from: Country Cottage Needleworks and Crescent Colours

Stitched with DMC in Breanna's favorite colors

Stitched on 14 ct. white aida

With this square complete...

I have stitched a total of 9 squares since the beginning of 2011. I haven't signed up for any more squares with stitching deadlines, but I am hopeful to eek maybe one or two more before the end of the year. I'm trying really hard to give back and to be perfectly honest, when I see the quilts all done and the gratitude of the families and children involved....well that is the cherry on top. Giving back....it's a good thing - do I sound like Martha? Anyway...if you're interested in giving back maybe you can click on the Love Quilts link above - the coordinators there are always ready and waiting for more stitchers to help.

That's all folks....

I have a date with someone at the fair - as today is drop off day for the "Open Exhibitors" and I'm taking my two projects to be examined and judged. Fingers crossed people, please!

Until next time...

I'll be keeping my 'hands to work and heart to God' just like always, why don't you join me?

Hugs and love,

Humble...

I have been very blessed in my life by having people acknowledge and encourage my talents. I don't often post about this because I don't want to toot my own horn, but I do want to bring attention to two very talented deisgners that I have been very lucky to work with. Please go and visit:

Little House Needleworks and see all of Diane's designs, but especially take a look at her ornaments. Timeless designs, cute and perfect to trim your tree. Here is the latest in the series:

"Baked Goods"

Designed by: Little House Needleworks ~ Diane Williams

Copyright 2011



Diane frequently updates her blog with designs forthcoming, wonderful projects and general good things. Her blog can be found HERE .

And also please welcome heartily and take a look at The Scarlett House blog. Tanya has started to design and generously asked me to finish her first two releases:

"Coverlet Birds"

Designed by: The Scarlett House ~ Tanya Brockmeyer

Copyright 2011

"Death by Cany Corn"

Designed by: The Scarlett House ~ Tanya Brockmeyer

Copyright 2011

You can find out where to purchase Tanya's designs in the sidebar of her blog found in the link above. Tanya does not only design but she also stitches gorgeous, wonderful samplers and every now and again we get peeks of her lovely home ~ drool worthy for sure!

So that's that....

And until next time, I'll be keeping my 'hands to work and heart to God' just like always!

Hugs and love,

Vonna

Soar....

I spread my wings and flew....
around the block this afternoon when I slipped in the final stitches on my Mama's "Soar Sampler"! I'll let the pictures do the talking:

"Soar Sampler"

Designed by: With Thy Needle and Thread ~ Brenda Gervais

Stitched on: 30 ct. WDW Onyx

Stitched with DMC

I finished just in time....
for my summer trip to my Mama's house. I always try to go to her house and *deep* clean it every year to help her out. Sometime this week during my visit we'll go to her local frame shop and pick out a frame so that she can hang it soon on her walls. She's been following the eagles and Brenda's blog since February and I know she'll be thrilled :)

Today my boys....
left for their week long Boy Scout Summer Camp. Look at those faces:

My boys...

The heat index...
is in the critical range here in good 'ol Indiana. It is supposed to be 110 degrees Monday and Tuesday. They've been given firm instructions to stay hydrated. Oh, they were so excited! Jake told me right before they left, "We're leaving as boys and coming home men!" LOL!

That's all folks...
until next time, I'll be keeping my "hands to work and heart to God" stitching something up to show you all!
HUGS and LOVE,

Database dump...

Happy Day....dear friends! I hope that this finds you well and cruising along your path! I had a pleasant surprise yesterday when I found out that a couple of my stitches were framed and ready for pickup! I'll let the pictures do the talking. First up:

Pfeiffer Family Sampler

Designer: Little House Needleworks ~ Diane Williams

copyright 2010

Stitched with: DMC and Crescent Colours as charted

Framed with: hand painted frame from: Valley House Primitives  

Profile: MCC in Tavern Gold ~ Design: Hairpin

Isn't it stunning? I wish you could see it in person, as the photos really do not do the design itself or the gorgeous frame justice. I was ecstatic!

Second Up is:

Sarah Seifer

Designed by: The Goode Huswife ~ Anne Brown

Stitched with DMC

Framed with: Valley House Primitives  frame 

#MCL Moss / Redcoat - Design Chesapeake / Distressed

The frame for Sarah is simply perfect. Both of these beauties are taking a trip to our County Fair coming up in a couple of weeks. This will be the first time I have taken anything to exhibit. I'm a little nervous, but I figure it's worth a try.

I haven't been....showing my WIPS now for a long time. I figured that people didn't give a HOOT if I showed what I was working on and was waiting until I finished things before I showed them, but to be honest, I enjoy seeing other bloggers works in progress, so figured I show you mine. Here is the first one:

Soar Sampler

Designed by: Country Stitches ~ Brenda Gervais

Stitched on 30 ct. WDW Onyx linen with DMC

I'm getting pretty close on this one - I have a few motifs left and some letters, then it will be on to the border. This pretty is being stitched for my Momma. She retired this past February and I am very thankful to Brenda for introducing me to the Eagles in Decorah, Iowa to which this sampler is dedicated by Brenda. Anyway, I linked my Momma to the eagles and she sat and watched and watched the babies from egg-hood to now near adult-hood. So I'm stitching this for her so that she can remember the little eaglets and the hours she babysat them :)

I'm also working on this beauty:

Ann Pennsylvania Peacock

Designed by: Little by Little

Stitched on 28 ct. Autumn Fields with GAST

I started Ann about a year ago (I think... it may have been two years ago.....) and I put her down because I ran out of Sea Spray GAST (her dress color). I never got any more until recently when I resurrected her from the depths of my stitching basket. She's too pretty to languish inside that dark cave. So she is my "car" project. Can't wait until Ann is all finished and hanging on my walls!

Have you all seen...Diane's reproduction of Melicent Turner  ? Well as soon as I got a gander at it, I knew that it was a must do STAT! I was playing around today in my stitching room and thought WHY NOT? So I kitted it up. I'm going to be using my own hand-dyed linen and Crescent Colour Cottons, I changed the Sweetest Heart color to Apple Fritter because I wanted the red to be a little more red for my house decor. Here's the floss and fabric toss:  

Floss Toss for Melicent Turner

And like always....my partner in crime was helping me choose my materials today. Sweet Chatty always has the best advise and is so easy to work with ~ Mama's little buddy....

I think that's a wrap! :)

Until next time....I'll be keeping my 'hands to work and heart to God' ~ join in with me!

Hugs and love,