Sometimes She Just Cracks Me Up!!

 Look what Aidan came into the office wearing...my old blond hair clips! She also had oranges stuffed into her shirt...but I had her take those out for the photo! Can you say "My Nana is medicated!" Cause I'm sure I will be before this child is 15!!! She is only 7, and I'm already losing my hair!But, isn't she adorable!

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - I

 

Can't Get To The Beach?

A little imagination...some blankets, pillows...and a couple of umbrellas...and you're there! At least in the mind of a seven year old. This is Aidan's latest "surprise" for me...I had to close my eyes. You might also note that she believes in setting the "mood"...she's in her bathing suit with a slip for her "cover up". 

Nana had to have extra pillows under her back...(and I had to have help getting up out of the floor!!!)

Easy Baby Bonnet

 The other day I posted about baby shoes that were easy to sew. Here is a bonnet that is even easier than the shoes! I stitched this up about 20 years ago for an 18" doll..but it could easily be adapted to fit any size baby or toddler. Just measure the head size and adjust the width and height to match (with enough added for seam allowance of course). Try a plain muslin version first to get your pattern sizes down just right! Pictures speak a thousand words..so hopefully, these are enough for you to understand how to stitch this up!

Cut a rectangle the size needed, and round the front corners. If the bonnet is for a girl, add lace and trims to make it fancy! Cut a lining (flannel is nice) of the same size. Sew all the way around and leave an opening on the back side for turning. Note: make sure to remember to insert your ribbon for tying to the curved front corners before completing the seam. Turn right side out and stitch the opening closed. Turn up the back edge about 1/2 inch and stitch this down. Feed a piece of ribbon through this channel...and pull tightly. Tie into a knot and then a bow. The back will then look like this...

Even some plain ole cotton versions for these hot days would be great!

Bad, Bad, Bad....but oh so GOOD!

The garden had done pretty well...and we have been eating boiled corn and tons of steamed squash. But last night....we were BAD, BAD, BAD...but man was it so good!!!

Fried squash and Vidalia onions with grated cheddar cheese.

Fried corn fresh off the cob with real butter.

Fried green tomatoes (2 skillets, can you tell I like these!)

Fried okra. TONS of calories...but pure joy to eat!

  Also have some cucumbers and Vidalia onions in vinegar.

 And a bowl full of jalipeno peppers all washed and ready to make pepper sauce!Yum! Yum! Wish ya'll were here!!!

 

Christmas in July Project

 A lot of projects for Christmas are started in July, to give us time to finish (hopefully) by the holidays. But, this little needlepoint design won't take that long to finish! Here's the chart and photos of the stitching in progress and completed.

 

I included each individual stitch in the photo above also. You might note that the stitch also has the stitching sequence. For example...the rice stitch (bottom left corner...green) shows the finished stitch; then shows that you first stitch a large "X" then four small "/" on the corners to make the stitch. Hope this helps.

All Finished! Still not sure what I'll make with this...but an idea will come to me!

First Thursday Thimble - July

A patriotic thimble for July to share. If you are not in the USA, this could still be stitched as a tribute.

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - H

 

Woo Hoo!

It's raining! Yeehaw!My tomatoes were gasping...and the squash have just about given up!I sure hope everything looks better tomorrow after this steady shower we're getting right now!I didn't get a single thing accomplished in the house today...spend a huge chunk of time checking out my dear nieces wedding dress. We are altering it...to add more lace and a long bow; and the veil needs work. Oh, and she wants me to do wedding jewelry for brides maids! Gives me a headache just thinking about all the work...but, it will be that much fun too!So, of course...I said YES!

Marvelous Monday Motifs - 7/4/2011

You can read all about my idea for Marvelous Monday Motifs here. Today we have pages 21-22 of the J. F. Ingalls Company, 1886 Catalog of Perforated Parchment Stamping Patterns. Please NOTE: This catalog is not under copyright any longer; but the scanned version released to the public domain on 17 July 2007 (the source of my information) does come with restrictions. None of these designs can be sold. They are for your individual use. 

Needlepoint Business Card Holder

I just finished assembly of a holder for business cards, driver's license, etc...for a challenge project we're doing over at StitchMAP.

 The tutorial for this (in fabric) is over at the Crafty Cupboard and is super easy to follow. 

 Here is the needlepoint chart; stitched on 10ct mono canvas.

Here is a close up of the individual stitches.

 I think they are simple enough for you to figure out...but if now, just shout out and I'll try to explain the stitch that's giving you some concern.

French Script Saturday - E

 

Flashback Friday 6-31

Remember my Grand Grandmother Farmer...from a few weeks ago....

 We turned up this old photo...and the women in center is an earlier photo of Granny Farmer. The young boy she is holding...is my Grandfather Robert.