Quick post...corrected link to Leena's templates

Katrina pointed out that I had Leena's address wrong. I corrected it so that it will go to her blog and not Alexa's (although Alexa has a very NICE blog too!)

I love my new look but I need to know where in the code to put the links to all the blogs that I read. So, Katrina, if you are reading this post (or anyone else who's downloaded Leena's templates) could help me figure out where to put the links.

Thanks for visiting my blog, I am happy that you stopped by!

A new do!!!

I decided to change the look of my blog. The template is from Leena. I love the look but I have to mess with the code to get all my links hooked into it. I miss being able to click on them in the sidebar and come visit you!

I hope you like the new look. It's fresh and fun. I used Passamonta's templates but there was a problem with them and I was so afraid to lose my blog. Funny, I am attached to it!

Anyway, on the stitching front, I am in a Blackbird Designs phase. I've been working on Where My Heart Blooms (I should say frogging it) each night this week. It's a killer though cause the frogs will not leave me alone with this piece. I realized that I made a counting error on the top right on the border (13 stitches, not 12!!) and I had to tear 3 strawberries, that portion of the border and almost all the right side out. It was frustrating but I am almost done restitching that portion. And I have a strong desire to begin Souvenier Sampler. Has anyone joined the fabric together? Any hints or tips?

This will be a quick post, I am late in leaving for my bible study...so I gotta run! More later!

Americana Sampler (LHN)

Fresh off the needle! Americana Sampler from Little House Needleworks. I started it in 2005 and worked on it a little each year. I went great gangbusters in the beginning but found it hard to get into as I stitched on it. But I put my needle to the fabric this year and SWORE that I would finish it! And I did.

Americana Sampling - Limited Edition

Little House Needlework

Cresent Color Cotton fibers

32ct Flax linen

The lovely Ella Kitty. I thinks she's adorable but Mike will be taking her back to Rochester next week. I've been campaigning to have her live here but he will hear none of that crazy talk.

And look at this glorious peony! From MY garden! It's as big as a dinner plate and smells divine. I have an abundance of peonies this year. And I love them so much!

Lastly, a bit of a brag, I built that little rock wall (granted it's only 3 courses high) by my own hands over Memorial day weekend. The David did not lift a finger except to remove the sod when we extended it an extra 2 feet in width to match the edge of the sidewalk. It looks good if I do say so myself and I am PROUD of myself to follow through on a vision until it was finished. I was dog tired after I finished it that weekend but I haven't stopped grinning when I look at it.

(Excuse the house, it's f-ugly and the boys waxing the big truck in the backyard.)

I hope you had a great weekend, stitching and having a wonderful day with your Daddy. Mine is in heaven but I felt his presence all day. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD..with love from your girl....

The Weekend News

Thanks for the kind words everyone on my little basket that I made for the Quaker exchange on Legacy! I had a blast making this little basket, I did sweat a little when I stretched the second piece over the mat board lid. I was worried that it wouldn't be centered on the lid and it would be off center against it's mate. It's not a hard piece to make just a bit fiddley.

Jackie, it's my own design, if you'd like I can mail you the instructions on how to construct one. I want to make one for me, so maybe I'll get the DH to help take some photos of the construction.

Mike came home from Combative training. He passed the Level 1 Clinch test (if you want to know what that is, just google Army clinch test and you will have a plethora of you tube videos to choose from.) The lovely Jenna is in Australia, a bit homesick right now. I hope she works through it. She sent Mike some pictures of where she is staying, it's right off the beach. The view from her balcony is of the marina and the beach is about a 3 minute walk from her apartment. The group she's with lucked out for accomodations, the dorms were filled so they are in a furnished suite in a resort. Lucky girl. Just keep her in your thoughts, she's struggling a bit being on the other side of the world by herself.

Because Mike was home this weekend, my needle was idle. I've been working to finish a LHN pattern for the 4th of July. I passed the original pattern on to Sue and I only have a little bit left to do on the border and underneath the basket of flags. I decided to leave off the 1776-2005 date and replace it with a row of stars. I thought I'd be finished with this little sampler by now but honestly, it's deceptively a lot of work! I am close to a happy dance though, only an hour or so left of stitching so I hope to be tappin' my toes soon! If I can find an unfinished flat face frame, I have an idea on how to paint it for this piece.

Then it's onto the next Wip, although I am contemplating starting a few *small* pieces for July 4th. This isn't cast in stone, though, even though I pulled out patterns, linen and thread. I'd like to make a small basket of pinkeeps, cushions and ornaments of small patriotic designs. I pulled a bunch of Lizzie*Kate, LHN, Bent Creek and Heart In Hand smallish pieces. We'll have to see how the rest of the month goes. Otherwise, I'll be working on Where My Heart Blooms and Beatrix Potter. Beatrix has risen to the top of the heap because I promised the pattern to a friend after I am finished with it so I feel a little obligated to work on her and get her done so I can pass the pattern on to my friend.

Speaking on BBD, have you seen the newest Loose Feather and the first 2 parts of the *Mystery Sampler*? Oh my! I can't wait till they arrive at my door.

Check them out:

Mystery Sampler

Blessings and Kind Wishes

Well, I really have to run! Talk to you later!

Quaker basket

A finish for me! Happy Dance!

It's a Quaker design for an exchange on Legacy. I don't believe my partner reads my blog so I think I am safe in posting the pictures. I am really happy how this worked out, I almost didn't finish it this way because it's a fiddlely thing to make. I do wish that I used a different basket, because the swing handles on the Nantucket basket move, the lid doesn't stay where I want it to. I am toying with attaching a button on each side of the basket and then a loop on each side the lid.

I purchased the basket at the Christmas Tree Shoppe, don't ya just love a bargain!