Pictures say a 1000 words

I wasn't going to post this progress picture but I felt that I should just because I wanted everyone to know that I DO keep my word. I am working on this for Nancy K. She has been so gracious about waiting for this very delinquent exchange piece. I want to publically thank her for her patience and friendship and kindness shown to me during the past year. So Nancy, here's a progress picture of your exchange.



I know that life certainly gets in the way of even the best laid plans and I've certainly had my share in the last 9 months. Nancy has been the most sympathetic stitching friend. Anyway, I have been posting and telling Nancy that the piece is coming. It's now about 1/2 of the way done. And here's the proof! I am still not saying how I will finish it. But it will be very, very nice.

There is a story behind this piece. Originally, I started to stitch Indigo Rose's, Catherine's Armchair Pinkeep. I changed all the colors and modified it to an Autumn theme. I changed the colors and the blueberry motifs to autumn leaves. Unfortunately, the spider web roses and my live-in frogs had another plan. Frustration ensued and I put the piece away. I started anew and changed all my plans to the current one. Then work and the remodeling got in the way, along with a healthy dose of guilt. So today, since my DH and I decided to be slugs and stay in, I picked it back up and made good progress.

Then there is the house makeover. Here are pictures of the door, the staircase in the new room and the spot where we are going to install a pellet stove. Just wanted to share...

The door:



Where the future pellet stove will live:



The staircase to the kitchen. Picture a french door replacing this ugly thing:



And the barn cat who desperately wants to live indoors:



And lastly, the rainbow over the pond. Isn't it gorgeous: