Petites Lettres Rouges

Petites Lettres Rougesc. Blackbird Designs 2009
Pattern Link:     http://www.blackbird-designs.com/2009/04/our-first-contest.html
I stitched this sampler on 32-count linen using DMC floss #814, 815, 816 I enjoyed seeing other stitchers finished samplers pictured on these blogs:Blackbird Designs; One Stitch At A Time blogBlackbird Designs group Blog I used my paternal Grandmother's name, Adeline Tomm, for this samplerMy grandmother was born May 4, 1897 in Pittsburg, PA She married my Grandfather, George, on November 24, 1915 P.S.: The 'bird' motif on the sampler (pictured above) is from Summer House , Loose Feathers Pattern #14, c Blackbird Designs 2005

Spring Flowers

So windy outside, I decided to rescue some of the flowers

Close-up

Quilting Bees

Quilting Bees are being held at the Deep River County Park in Wood's Historic Grist Mill:

Sun. May 24, Jun 28, Jul 26


The quilt on the frame is the Lotsa Potsa Flowers assembled from blocks donated by people in the community.

New quilt block pattern will be available for the next quilt Friendship Star. Patterns are available at the quilting bee or request a pattern anytime the Mill is open -- deadline for these blocks is Sun., Oct 25th @4pm

Questions? Contact:
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: 219-769-PARK (7275)

Art Institute of Chicago

Mark your Calendars!!!

FREE DAYS at the Art Institute: The week of the opening of the Modern Wing, from May 16 to May 22, 2009

Museum Hours
Monday–Wednesday, 10:30–5:00
Thursday, 10:30–8:00
(Free General Admission 5:00–8:00)
Friday, 10:30–5:00
Saturday–Sunday, 10:00–5:00

Web Site Link Here

Textile Gallery link

Lake County Fair

Lake County Fair
August 7-16, 2009
Crown Point, Indiana


The Family Arts and Crafts Department, Premium Booklet arrived in the mail. Did you get yours, too?? $10.00 Entry Fee & Form(s) deadline is July 17, 2009.
Need a booklet? Contact:Lake County Fair; P O Box 327; Crown Point, IN 46308Link here for phone numbers, etc.

Porter County Fair

Porter County Fair
July 23 - August 2
Valparaiso, Indiana


Look what arrived in the mail???
I don't think I have too much ready to enter this Summer. I have had a lazy needle this past year. Perhaps my stitching GFs will put tons on display.

Need a booklet? E-mail mpralph (at) comcast (dot) net
The Home Econimics class is open to all adults who are over 18 and not participating in 4-H. Entries must be made since last fair - not exhibited in previous Porter Co fairs -- Exhibits received on Sunday, July 19th.
- - - - - - - Don't miss Sharon's Giveaway!!!
You have until Thursday to visit Sharon's Cross Stitch Obsession blog post & leave a comment.

Gingher Designer's Series

Meet Criss, the latest addition to the Designer's Series. (Gingher)IMO - The photo doesn't do justice
Jill has a nice post on her blog -- perhaps a better photo, too.
I'm wondering if the Chessie & Me (c.2009 LSL) "Bird & Flower" freebie would be a good choice for a fob -- with some fiber changes ...

International Quilt Festival

I enjoyed the Quilt Festival! I was gobsmacked by the display of quilts. The variety & creativity was unlike anything I've ever seen! Was double-fun being with GFs & spotting unusual details in the textiles.

If you missed the festival, check out this link: Quilt Festival Gallery On-line
In addition to the beautiful quilt display, there were classes (which I didn't sign up for), demonstrations, and shopping -- row after row after row of vendors. What fun to view the sites & locate those hidden treasures! I found some nice notecards (for Mom) and couldn't pass up a 'pin' as keepsake.


I couldn't leave this book Bunnies & More behind. It has the most charming bunny outlines w/buttonhole edge. Loved the shapes. And, if you go to this link, there is an on-line bonus pattern.

Supplies ...

Q & A
To answer questions about the ingredients: I am using 28-count evenweave (not sure the color name; however, it is an exact match to DMC ecru perle cotton).The fibers I am using are: perle cotton #12 DMC ecru AND Wildflowers by Caron Collection #143 Autumn Frost (Dyelot CS143406)

Chat, Contest & Giveaway Info

I will be learning some HardAnger on Saturday -- hope enough to finish the center motif. It will look so much better with the cutting & embellishing.Photo Here of completed amulet bag.
Planning to enjoy International Quilt Festival on Sunday. Looking forward to viewing the quilts -- checking out the vendor booths -- and spending time with Friends!!!

GIVEAWAY
Marjorie's got a great giveaway on her blog -- Follow this link...

CONTEST
Blackbird Designs is hosting a contest thru April 27th.Vonna, first entry, stitched the sampler with style!!! LINK TO CONTEST INFO
(Thx to Blogging GF Myrna, for the heads-up on this free design and contest.)

Anybody going?

International Quilt Festival/Chicago
Show Dates:April 17-19, 2009

Location:
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N. River Rd.
Rosemont, Illinois 60018

Hours:
April 16 (Preview Night), 5-9 p.m.
April 17 & 18: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
April 19: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Admission:
$10/Adults
$8/Seniors 65+ & Students
$25/Full show pass (includes Preview Night).
Preview Night ticket: $10 (no senior discount) allows you in one
additional day for free.
Children 10 and under free with paying adult.
For tour groups 45+ please contact Quilts, Inc. office.

Sharing a Few of Her Favourite Things:

Renae blogging at My Little Raggedy Blessings, is putting together a surprise package -- winner will be posted on April 20th.Here is a direct link to her post with Giveaway information.

- - - - - - -
For more fun giveaways, check out Blog Giveaways, everyone loves free stuff!

WIP: "Web in an Autumn Garden"

I got the funniest e-mail from my GF -- asking me if I've fallen into a rabbit hole!! Not exactly ... just been busy & not much stitching to share. I joined facebook AND I started a blog for our EGA chapter, called Flying Fingers Plus. I hope the NANI members will become involved and share their needlework!

I've pulled out this WIP: This is my WIP for Indiana State Day.I am behind other chapter members in stitching up their sample.Probably because hardanger isn't very easy for me!!!Luckily, there will be some hands-on training for people like me who have a hard time grasping the conceptThe designer has two different ways to complete the center -- one involves cutting & embellishing, the other no cutting & just embellishing. Tho, I'm not quite ready to do the center
Karol has photos of ther completed amulet HERE and there are pictures on the State Day blog.

. . . . . .
This years Indiana State day is hosted by Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana, a chapter of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc..It will be held st the Westminister Presbyterian Church; 8955 Columbia Ave; Munster, IN EGA members are invited to attend for a day of stitching an exclusive project, getting together with needleworkers in the area, enjoy a fabulous meal & of course, prizes -- lots of them.You may have noticed the "save the date" notice in my sidebar. Here is a close-up:Registration Forms will be available this summer. If you are an EGA member, and are interested in further details (ie photo of completed project), follow the link to our Indiana State Day blog or have questions / comments, send an e-mail: INStateDAY2009@gmail.com

And who doesn't like free stuff????

I noticed one of our friends is giving this pattern away

Our GF, Marjorie has the pattern & fibers for a GIVEAWAY on her blog Moonsilk Stitches.
If you are interested in having this pattern (and supplies) go to her blog and leave a comment on her post!!!