Cross Stitch Update

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I had a busy week so on several evenings I was only able to stitch for an hour or so.  Kalissa and I went on a walk a couple of nights and I went myself (well actually with Rosie) another night.  How are you all doing who were going to work to get more steps in?  I know the days outside are numbered so I’ll trade outdoor time for stitching time.

Most of my time this week went into Be Ye Thankful by Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread.  I really love this one.  Here is where I was last week.

I went full speed ahead on this one.  I wanted to have this fully finished so I could enjoy it over the Fall season.

Last week I put out the Fall decorations and oh my.  What a treat to pull out all of my pillows and little finishes I had for the season.  It made me all the more want to make some more smalls.  I haven’t been a cross stitch for a long time so I don’t have a big stash of already made goodies.

Here is where I am at now… Continue reading →

Cross Stitch Finishes: Seasons of the Heart

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It was a finishing day for me last week.  I had these two that I wanted to make into pillows.

These are from Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread.  They come together in the same book called Seasons of the Heart.  These are the Fall and Winter versions.  There are Spring and Summer versions as well.  I hope to stitch them as the new year rolls around.

I cut 3/4″ from the border.  I used some iron-on interfacing on the cross-stitch pieces.  I cut a backing slightly larger.

I know it looks weird and uneven, but I purposely sew my corners like this to prevent “pointy” corners.


Here it is… Continue reading →

What I’m Reading: Until the Leaves Fall in Paris

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I had a book on reserve with my online library.  It came…but life got in the way and I never got the book listened to.  It happens.  I had wanted to listen to the book so I went on Hoopla and they had the book so I downloaded it and listened to it right away.  So was the book worth checking out twice??


YES.  I enjoyed the book.  It totally kept my attention and had me happily listening along.  It takes place in France…it deals with the French Resistance in WWII.  Those are all topics I typically enjoy.

Here’s what Amazon has to say:
Continue reading →

Community Quilts from Ray

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I have quilts from Ray to share with you today!!

Ray writes:
“I am enjoying a break in customer quilts and jumping into finishing a bunch of Quilts of Valor for a presentation on Veteran’s Day at a church function. These veterans have given SO MUCH!! It is the least that I can do.

Linda F. in AZ saw on the blog how many QOV’s I did last year and sent me several tops to keep the process moving forward. This is one of them.

I love all the various fabrics incorporated in the quilt. Such a fun pattern with blue blocks alternated with red and white HSTs. There was so much activity in the quilt that I went with the stipple stitch and white thread.

I think the red star backing really sets it off.

Thanks to you and Linda for making this QOV a reality.

Marge F from NJ made a trip to FL and met me and handed off some quilt tops for me to finish and to donate. In the stack was this beautiful star quilt.

I am fascinated by all the different star designs that she incorporated into the quilt. The red sashing gave it that extra to use as a QOV.

I decided to go with the stipple motif and red, white, and blue variegated thread.
Yes, more of that beautiful red star fabric for the backing.


My thanks to you and Marge for the pieces to put the QOV puzzle together for another veteran.

I am on a roll for now finishing QOVs. Today’s quilt top came from Linda F in AZ. I have no idea what the name of the pattern is but it is GORGEOUS!! There are LARGE stars and HSTs and nine patches and 36 patches. All are arranged to capture your attention. I know it did mine.

I decided to go with the Suzy loops motif to add a bit more fun to the quilt. Of course, I used more red, white, and blue thread.


I do not recall where the backing came from but it just seemed to be the perfect complement.

My thanks to you, Linda, and the backing provider for the tools to make this beautiful quilt.

Sandy B in CA emailed me and said that she had come to the conclusion that she had more fabric than she would ever be able to use. She wanted to know if I could use some more red, white, and blue fabric along with some UFOs. Of course, I said yes and I received 2 boxes in the mail from her. WOW!! What a great assortment of patriotic fabrics!! There were also some string blocks which I can add to some I have from Maureen. How timely as I am in the midst of finishing a bunch of QOVs for a Veteran’s Day event.

What a great haul and what amazing quilt finishes.  These are perfect to honor veterans.  Many thanks to the top makers.   Gannon, my grandson, was here when I was writing this.  Everything to him that is red, white, and blue is “America”.  His comment was, “You make America quilts Grandma Joey?”  So cute!!  I can’t wait to see what other tops Ray finds in his stack of tops to finish.  It’s always a treat to get email from Ray.