WIPs - where did I leave off??

On Superbowl Sunday, I accepted an invitation from GF Kay. Was great to see her again!!! And, I was green with envy -- she had her Drawn Thread: Gameboard Sampler finished & in a beautiful frame, on her coffee table. Not only that, she has been stitching the Acorn Sampler Afghan.GF Sue had a State Day Project with her - from a couple years back. It was canvas work in beautiful teal fibers. GF Tina had a fabulous canvas project (I forget the designer) of quilt blocks. I had my Encore scissor keeper stuff with me. Sue already said it was going to be "hers" b/c I'm using her favourite colors!!! LOL so much fun to gather some of the Thread Heads together. Thx to Kay for hosting! Great food, snacks, and chat : )
Seeing Kay's progress, I just HAD to get mine out & see where I was with those two WIPs
My last post on the DT gameboard says I had 15 houses & 18 motifs done.My Afghan progress to date, looks like I have nine squares completed -- out of 18. I had to remove one motif as it was too off center. Plus, Kay is waiting for me to get to the lettering -- I changed colors from the original chart & shared my choices with her!
ALSO -- I'm waiting to hear how the knitting class went.
Monday, I was out running errands & stopped in the Chesterton Art Center. They have an exhibit thru February 15th - per web site: "Jan 15 - Feb 15 : The Mentors of the Art Center. Our mentors are the wonderful instructors who give their time and talent to our students. Come and view the talent they have to share." Guess who had their prize winning quilt on display??? Pat Winter. I had seen it once, at the String-a-Long Quilt Show last Fall. But, the gallery has it on the wall where you can get really close to see the detail. If you are in the neighborhood, don't miss it!

wearing Green today???

Is this a better photo? Now, I think you can see the laying tools ... and my progress on the corner square of my WIP Afghan. I've really enjoyed the 'bone needle' and yes, I have dropped it a few times & it has not broken!!!



In addition to the afghan, I'm stitching in the vines on this lovely tabletopper. It is Buzz My Grapes designed by Claudia Dutcher of Dutch Treat Designs. I was having difficulty with the vines & decided to get them ALL stitched before I add the other motifs [grape clusters, bee hives, leaves]


Myspace Graphics

Corner Square - WIP

I am stitching another corner block on my afghan. Not much progress to report!




I was asked about laying tools. In December, I bought a bone needle from House of Stitches. I really like it! It is light & the perfect length for bossing around these floss strands. I use a laying tool for canvas stitches, satin stitching on linen, and on afghans [when I'm using several strands of floss].

I own a different LT's. I use metal LT w/metallic threads - nice b/c they will stick to a magnet & not roll around on the project. I have a BLT by Shay Pendray. The wooden one I own, is Rosewood (I think) similar to the one pictured on the Lacis web site. I have used a perfect stitch Laying Tool, which is similar to a trolly needle. In a pinch, I've used a yarn needle!!

Response to other Questions: Tori is home this week for Spring Break from Indiana University. Nick leaves in a week for Virginia Beach - his Band Trip. Alex had 3 performances last weekend & has 3 performances this week-end in High School Musical. (he is a skater dude & basketball player).

"House" 43 x 40

I finished my 8th block. This is Acorn Sampler Afghan stitched with Anchor floss on Zweigart Novara Afghan fabric.

"Tree" 33 x 38

Thank you for all your kind comments on my afghan project & the squares.

This has been in my closet a long time & is a perfect thing to stitch during the Winter weather. I'm especially enjoying the sampler motifs. Guess I'm itching for some repro sampler stitching. : )

This is "tree" block. Which makes seven completed blocks. The tree stitched up quickly. Next, I'll either stitch a corner block or the house block
Acorn Sampler Afghan


Such pretty flowers from DMIL. They brighten up the whole room. (The Valentine dog & Ground hog were gifts to my children from DMIL)

I'm waiting for my next selection to arrive at the public library. It should be an Alice Munro book. I finished the Thirteenth Tale ... enjoyed every chapter, enjoyed the weaving together of all the details, enjoyed the characters -- and what an awesome ending.

"left bird" 35 x 36

I finished another square of Acorn Sampler Afghan. There are a total of 18 squares to stitch on this afghan. I have six completed. The next one I'll stitch is a tree! Stay tuned.

c.1989 Jill Siegler, Samplers from the heart. Mill Hill Acorn Sampler Afghan




In response to your question, Alex & I went to view the movie at Valparaiso University. There are no movie theatres in Valparaiso and the University has a room set-up for film buffs. Another movie is scheduled in March.



On the topic of international films ... this one is my ALL-TIME favourite. [nothing whatever to do with stitching] I've seen it SEVERAL times.

"Right Bird" Block finished

This is "Right Bird" 35x36. I want to stitch "Left Bird" 35x36 next! LOL. There are 18 block to stitch & I have stitched five.

NEW LIST: I'm considering a new list for my stitching hobby. No, it isn't the oldest WIP in the closet ... I'm thinking to look at WHICH kits + projects cost me the most $$$ and focus on those.

It is three degrees with wind chills ... the boys have early dismissal at school. Then, we run errands. How boring!! DH is planning some days off work, too. Not sure if I'll get any stitching accomplished.


Judy asked me about my doll, Sarah [in the picture]. It is made by Merry Makers, Inc.. I have had Sara several years. Sarah was gift from my SIL, purchased during her trip to Williamsburg, VA.

A year later, My MIL bought me a Betsey doll from Colonial Williamsburg Marketplace mail order catalog, and web site. After a few years, my MIL saw to it that I had them all : )

The collection of dolls are still available. Margaret; Eve; William; Betsey; and Sarah
Picture from web site:

Afghan WIP

Thank you for your e-mails & comments re. this afghan. I did finish the corner block + started one of 2 bird blocks.
To respond to questions:
-I think this is still available for purchase.
-I'm using Anchor floss, 4 strands. It is charted for Medici or DMC floss. IMO perle cotton #5 & Watercolours would work, too. I'm changing some of the colors ... well, just because.
-I use an 11" x 11" Quilt 'N Go Lap Frame [by Prym-Dritz Corp] which is similar to q-snap for the area I'm stitching. I bought the frame from a fabric store a few years ago. The afghan cloth rests on my lap while I stitch. It works for me.
-Yes, I think it makes a difference if the motif is not centered. I'm being very careful to get the motif centered before I launch into the stitching!!

We are on our second snow day. The boys are thrilled to be home. They were scheduled 1/2 day on Thurs -- off on Fri & following Monday. They are getting a longer Winter vacation than expected. It snowed ALL DAY yesterday & today we are supposed to get about 1-3" of lake effect snow. The problem is the high winds which cause the blowing & drifting.

Adding some stitching to a WIP

I don't understand this new sleeping area. She has been in/out of this box x 4 days now. DH tells me that I "spoil her"; however, she is very difficult to discipline.
I pulled out my afghan project. I don't know why it has been a WIP this long!! I worked on a corner block over the week-end. [after the linen issue ... and no, I didn't ruin the over dye fibers b/c they were inside a plastic bag] I think I could have finished this block; however, I found myself watching all the musical performances, Grammy Awards. Such talent.
This is what the afghan will look like one day. I ripped out stitching on one block, because I didn't have it centered. The pattern is Acorn Sampler Afghan c.1989 Jill Siegler, Samplers from the Heart [Mill Hill]. I'm using Anchor floss on Zweigart Novara Afghan Fabric.

Brrr ... pull out the afghan

Flower square complete. Acorn Sampler Afghan c.1989 Jill Siegler, Mill Hill

another square for my WIP

flower square DONE

Afghan WIP

Mill Hill - Acorn Sampler Afghan. c.1989 Jill Siegler, Samplers from the heart.Stitched with anchor floss on Zweigart Novara Afghan Fabric.
these are the corner motifs
basket square

My favorite Color & Afghan WIP

Your Blog Should Be Yellow

You're a cheerful, upbeat blogger who tends to make everyone laugh. You are a great storyteller, and the first to post the latest funny link. You're also friendly and welcoming to everyone who comments on your blog.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Saw this on Jenna's site this morning. Started to laugh. I really love yellow. I often stitch with yellow because it makes me happy .... even when the pattern doesn't call for yellow, I add it.

The temperature is mild -- time to get out my afghan. cozy. This is a picture of the last block I stitched. I have a few more blocks to go ...

Acorn Sampler Afghan c.1989 Mill Hill. Using floss on Zweigart's NOVARA afghan fabric.