Sunday, May 6, 2012

My week in review....

Hello one and all~~~  I have just gotton back home from our annual NCATA  conference where educators gather in fellowship and learning....Its hard to believe another school year is winding down...But when it gets to be conference time, we know we have about a month left....YIIKES!!!

I do have a little bit of progress to show you guys....

I was thrilled when Terri and Marylin invited me to join their SAL of the "Adam and Eve" Sampler...
They have  MUCH more progress than I as they had a little bit of a jump start on me.... This particular A&E sampler is from an older issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine. I have always loved the sampler and  had pulled it out of the magazine and put it in protective sleeves in a binder....

I am stitching this piece on 36 ct Sand Dune linen and using over-dye cottons that Terri is using...Its really a soft array of shades and the linen has a slight golden cast. Here is my slight progress....


Do go over and visit Terri and Marylin's blogs for a better idea of what the sampler will truly look like...

My true stitching time this week has been devoted to stitching up retreat models and pondering their finishes....More on that later....  But, I did manage to complete the house of  Emma Rose of Freedom by Tree of Life Samplings...This is a design that has been patiently waiting for my attention and once I completed "Betsy" by Sheepish Designs, I knew Emma would need to be her patriotc companion...
Emma Rose of Freedom
Tree of Life Samplings
40 ct Confederate grey by Weeks
specified overdyed cotton threads


Why is it I gravitate to stitching the house first on pieces??? And, just look at this weeping willow tree...And the dog...love him too! I tried something a little different when filling in the gold in the house...I stitched north and south as opposed to the east to west...It does lend itself a slightly different effect....
My paternal grandmother was born in the year 1895 so I have stitched that year in the roof...When Jan Alexander designed this piece, she stitched her great-grandmothers birth year in the roof, so I decided to follow suit. I always admired my grandmother as a young child as she was the one who always enjoyed doing the handiwork. And, many have said that those of us grandchildren who enjoyed any hand crafts, must have inherited it from her..... I feel so lucky and wish she had lived longer so I could have made more memories with her.....

Well, I must gain a little order to this somewhat chaotic household....When you are gone for 4 days.... Well, need I say more????

I leave you with the hopes that you are enjoying your Sunday and spending time with needle in hand...
I will be back to my cotton over-dyes this evening...
Smiles,

Faye

45 comments:

Beth said...

Very interesting colors on Emma Rose - and I will enjoy watching your progress with your Adam and Eve stitch.

Melissa said...

I had forgotten all about that A&E sampler. What a pretty start!

Dona said...

Faye, Emma Rose is a pretty sampler and I really like it on the Confederate Gray! It's also a sweet way to honor your grandmother.

Nice A&E, too!

Lana said...

Beautiful progress!! I love the Adam and Eve sampler! SUCH a cute piece! Looks like you got a great start so far! Aren't SALs fun?!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I like the north/south effect of the overdyes on your house! I always gravitate to the houses too and I love a weeping willow tree. Their delicate limbs translate well into a stitched project.

I've seen the Adam and Eve project on Terri and Marylin's blog. It's a wonderful project too!

Margaret said...

Your projects are both so pretty! Love them both!

Hazel said...

Beautiful pieces Faye. More to add to my wishes lol. x

Vickie said...

Beautiful Faye. Have a great week. :)

Lisa V said...

Love seeing the progress on both your pieces. They are lovely.

Karen said...

Looking good Faye! I love the Adam & Eve sampler...can't wait to see yours come to life.

happy stitching....

Myra said...

Whew girl! You do love those BAP's don't you? You do make them so pretty though. :o)

Natasha said...

Looking good so far. I do love a pretty weeping willow tree in a project.... Hope you are having a beautiful Sunday!

Kathy said...

I love the way you've stitched the house on Emma Rose. I love the white dog too. Jan put him in her design in memory of my white German shepherd who passed away right before she started the design.

MoonBeam said...

Love the Emma Rose. I'm not a big fan of yellow or gold, but this house s very attractive to me for some reason. Great start.

Bobbi

Karyn said...

Oh Faye, you always take my breath away with your gorgeous stitching...my hero :) Emma Rose is just amazing, the colors of the house and the tree are fab and look like they are painted..and I love Kathy's pup.

I cannot wait to follow your progress on the SAL! The floss colors are to die for!

Glad that you spent the weekend enjoying your fellow teachers...and that summer vacation is on the horizon for you.

Hugs kiddo
Ma

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

You've made great progress for jumping in a little after we got started. I haven't done all that much either!
Emma Rose looks great!

Have a great week, Faye - I'm going to go stitch for a while!

Catherine said...

Great projects Faye! And I love the effect the N-S stitching gave on your sampler!

Anonymous said...

beautiful pieces, love the Adam and Eve

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh que de merveilles !!!! Have a good day my friend,

bisous de FRANCE

Giovanna said...

Lovely stitching on both projects!

Chris said...

Beautiful start on the A&E sampler!

Paulette said...

Faye, I can't wait to see your A&E progress! What a beautiful sampler.. I've got this magazine as well, and have wanted to start it for some time. And your Emma Rose is gorgeous! Beautiful stitching, as usual.

Paulette

Joy said...

Emma Rose is cute & I do like how you stitched the house. What is the issue for the A&E Sampler? That is gorgeous!

Carol said...

Such a pretty start, Faye, and what nice friends to have along on your stitching journey :) Enjoy!!

Emma Rose is delightful--love the different effect your stitching had on the house and that is so sweet to personalize it for your grandmother. That was the same year my grandma was born, too :)

Enjoy your week and hope you can get caught up on all those household chores!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Faye, I really like this piece! You've inspired me to try the "north/south" stitching thing. I really like the effect it's had on your house. The colors are wonderful!!!
Linda

Laurie in Iowa said...

Emma Rose is lovely.

Jacqueline said...

Rien que de belles réalisations, bravo......

Jacqueline
http://Brodeusechateau.canalblog.com

BrendaS said...

Faye -- Nice progress on Adam and Eve and Emma Rose. Your stitching is always so beautiful:)

Rita said...

Beautiful stitching! I love the pieces you're working on....you may get me in trouble as I REALLY like them. lol!

Linda said...

Great progress on both pieces. I really like both of them.

Linda

Michelle said...

Lovely work xx

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Wow - that close? That's only a big sneeze away. Really pretty A&E, just don't show those 'neckid people' to Linda LoL. Oh, yes, the north and south stitching is perfect for this house - makes it look time and rain worn! Take care and keep on stitchin'!

doris said...

The A & E is wonderful, and a SAL should be motivating. I really like your Emma. Her gold house is wonderful, and I love that you chose to change the stitching direction.

woolwoman said...

Emma Rose is looking wonderful - love your gold house. The A&E SAL is really fun too - I had not seen that one before. Enjoy ! Melody

Unknown said...

Waw, the sampler looks so antique and wonderful!
Beautiful Emma's stitch!

Penny said...

You've made a nice start on A&E! Emma Rose is so pretty and I love the fabric you are using! And I cringe to think what my house would look like after 4 days away. :)

Siobhán said...

Oooh, I love your WIP! Very pretty. I can't wait to see your A&E--I love that sampler!

Krista said...

Really beautiful stitching on Emma Rose, love that yellow house! :) Looking forward to seeing your progress on the A&E along with Terri and Marilyn.

robindefender said...

I love Emma Rose! Have fun with your stitch along.

Anne said...

Love the A & E Sampler! Those colours you will be using are lovely!!! What a nice way to honor your grandmother!!!

Patty C. said...

Great progress Faye :)

Fiona said...

Great progress.

Nicole said...

Beautiful wips, Faye! I really love the threads you're using on the A&E. It's going to be so pretty!

Jane in Wisconsin said...

Faye could you tell us what issue your A&E sampler is from? It's really beautiful!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Lovely WIPs I love that nice yellow house how cheerful!