What I've Been Up To Lately

 For several months I've been working on this little Precious Moments cross stitch for our grandson. I finished it the night before he arrived this weekend - I live by deadlines - LOL! Seriously, I had made one for our son 30+ years ago and then my daughter wanted one for Jake. Once while cleaning out my cross stitch booklets, this one moved to a new home. I downloaded a revised book, still 20 years old, and I did not realize they had changed the graph to a much more complex (but nicer) design until I had already begun. I should have used linen since there were SO MANY half and quarter stitches but alas, it was too late once I got into it. My eyes are surely not what they were 30 years ago either but I kept plugging along. Well, it was worth it and with my bright OTT light and many late hours, Jake will have a new picture in his room, showing who loves him best of all.

 And here he is at Nana's house this week where we are playing and having loads of fun!

 He decided his chair had little cup holders on the sides - he loves to drink water and it slides great on the hardwood floors.

 And while he was napping one day, I actually sewed two of my Farmer's Wife blocks. The one on the left had to be taken apart and I'm thinking now I didn't get those triangles centered properly. It looks sort of wonky in the photo. I guess I can't focus on keeping children and quilting at the same time. Hmm, may have to do it again...or maybe not. The Farmer's Wives blocks were probably not all perfect either.

And now since I have a hand stitching project with wool to sew from Primitive Gatherings, I'm trying to reorganize my threads. They were in several locations so I'm trying to get them all together. This little   plastic container just might do the trick.
Happy Stitching when you can!

Blindman's Fancy & Farmer's Wife

Several months ago I spotted the book, History Repeated, by Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle, in a quilt shop. I quickly purchased it and my favorite quilt in the book was Blindman's Fancy - also a rather difficult one. I think the picture on the cover of the book at the bottom left is what drew me in. After sorting through my fabrics for a couple of  weeks I decided to begin cutting and see if I could make this block the proper size.

I was slightly scared off from the quilt because there are some pieces cut and sized to 1/16" of an inch. I mean, my rulers don't even have those marks on them. Well, I finally decided the Omnigrid little cross lines might be that and it seemed to work. I used a Liberty of London print in the center to African fabric to Piece O'Cake plus a little in between. I am mostly wanting to use my stash yet still get the look from the book.

Another project I just began was the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. Again, on my list of 'want to make' quilts. 

I made Block 1 twice since I didn't care for the fabrics I chose after they were put together. I think once the block was put with others it looked much better. So far the blocks are pretty simple and fun, choosing fabrics from my stash. A friend told me they were addictive and I can see that happening! Happy Stitching!!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I started to call this Wordless Wednesday but thought I'd say a few words instead. Several years ago, some friends showed me an a technique used at the time by Susan Shie for quilting, plus she had some information on her website available, too. We all became little hand stitchers just freely sewing stitches without worrying about perfection. Buying up little beads and buttons galore and having such a good time with this. This piece is 9" x 9" and says what I've tried to live for many years!