One Blue Flower

I still can't put Cottage Conservatory down.  I finished off most of the flap.  The sunflowers behind the window are all in.

I'm debating whether to extend the lines of stained glass across the top.  The plain circles look a little barren.

Then I put in one blue flower just to see how it looks.

I think I would like to use a different color blue.  One that is more intense.  But I'm not sure.  I messed up the pattern as this really is the side flower that I put in the middle.  But no one will notice when I get it all done.  The leaves overlap differently that's all.  I'd like to get the other two blue flowers stitched today.
I have to graph out what I want to do for my initials. Actually, I would like to put my name on what will be the bottom of this envelope.  So what to do between the blue flowers?  I'd like to put geraniums like are on the front but in a different color as though they are pansies or something in a lilac color.  I'm still thinking. . .

The internet is a wonderful thing.  You can look up anything.  You can watch a video on how to bind a quilt.  You can find a Polish embroidery book published in 1955.  You can read how to sharpen your dull knives.  I'm actually waiting for the embroidery book to come in the mail today.  Please Mr. Mailman bring me something fun.
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Cottage Conservatory Progress

I have been having so much fun stitching on Cottage Conservatory.
This is the pattern that we were given:

I saw this window that gave me the idea to add stained glass to the windows:

So I have altered the background windows to be able to add an overdyed floss (Gloriana Tulip Festival) between the leaded glass lines.

It was a risk.  Would I like it?  Would it look weird?  Well, I decided I like it.

I love the sunflowers too.  But when the flap of the envelope is down, you don't see the sunflowers.  Hmmm.  I had an idea.  How about if I stitch the sunflowers on the flap like they are behind the windows.  You could also stitch them over the windows but I think it is clever to put them behind.

I really love how this is turning out.  Isn't it pretty?
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Just a Bit

I have just a bit of stitching to show you.  I got the pre-stitching for classes BFF and I are taking next month at Salty Yarns.  We've never been to that shop.  It is right on the boardwalk.  It will be like a vacation with stitching - the best kind of vacation.
The pre-stitching is just a small project that we will finish off in class, learning the techniques to use on the larger project.  It is nice to have a quick one (or two!) night project.  This is going to be a crown pin cushion (I think).   I only changed the color of one jewel.

This is a needle book cover (I think).  I added just a bit to the leaves on the thistle.  This isn't quite done.

Fun!
I have  something really neat to show you tomorrow.
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Birthday Boy

We celebrated Dylan's birthday on Monday.  It turned out fine.  I probably wasn't supposed to buy him anything but I don't care.  What he wanted was an umbrella.  So I got him an umbrella.  Then when I was at the store I got a combination lock.  I remember using one on my locker in high school.  I don't know if they still do that.  Dylan is concerned that kids are taking the snacks I bring him each week out of his locker.  So maybe he can put a lock on his locker.  I wonder if they are allowed at the school.  Anyway the lock is a hit.  It is challenging to learn how to do it.  He needs a bit more practice.  I give him the quilt.  He holds it up so I can take a picture.

Then he wraps it around himself.

I think he likes it.  I'm so glad.  I've been his mentor for three years and now we only have three more weeks together.  We made icing for the brownies.  The smoothie maker works great and is less messy than making icing in a bowl.

Now the brownies didn't turn out perfectly.  I bumped one pan on the edge of the oven as I was taking them out.

 But they taste fine.

I work on one of the smalls kits that we got.  I love it.  The directions are a bit fluid.  You are supposed to choose the stitches and colors that you want.  Sometimes cross stitch is robotic.  We are lazy and want everything spelled out to the last detail.  With this project I had to think and decide.  It is good for me to have to do this.  I like how it turned out.  I'm proud of it too since it has my own choices in it.

I'm still trying to decide if this needs twisted cording around the edge.
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Cottage Conservatory Class

How can it be Sunday so soon (on my trip)?  I go walking again before breakfast.  I have to pack up and check out this morning. We set out to drive to the Fire Station.  Uh-oh.  A problem.  The traffic is all backed up and police are there.  Has there been an accident?  So we turn around and try a different street.  Police are there too.  It turns out there is a bicycle race.  We finally make it across.  Are we going to be late again??  Well, at least we aren't the last ones to arrive.  But we definitely have a well earned reputation for being late.
Tamara, that we just met on Friday, has a present for us.  She has brought four wooden cookie molds that she doesn't want anymore.  They are great.  I quick grab the fish one.

I hope BFF doesn't mind that I took this one before she even had a chance to look at it.  See how nice the Indiana ladies are?
We are going to stitch Cottage Conservatory.

Oh, joy, another kit!  I love this design.  I have ideas about how I want to do this.  But first we have to baste.
I forgot to tell you yesterday that we had the opportunity to buy "afterthoughts".  Afterthoughts are smalls that the designer has come up with that go with the main design.  I love smalls!  I love this designers designs.  I have stitched a few that are offered already.  I got them from round robins at Celebrations.  So I buy all the ones I don't have.  Fun!

I saw this photo of a window on the internet somewhere.  There looks to be stained glass in the window.  That's what I want to add to the design.  I'm not sure how I'm going to do that.  We'll see.
This designer is going to come back in November and teach two more classes that I haven't had.  Even though the class is a week before I go to Arizona, I will be there with bells on.  She is going to teach the new sampler and Summerfield Smalls.  I feel confident that I can drive down now that I've done it.
It is lunchtime before we know it.  I don't have much done and we have to leave early.  BFF has to go to the airport at 1:30.  The designer is quick after lunch to hand out all the rest of our kit stuff and to explain the finishing to us.  Then bam! we have to go.
The nerve wracking part is driving to the airport (on an eight lane road) that is sort-of far away.  Thankfully BFF drives herself to the airport.  I just have to pay attention because I have to drive back and then home.
I manage to get back on the detoured highway.  It is a very long drive but I make it home just fine.  What a marvelous trip this has been!  I don't have much time to contemplate once I get home as I have to get ready to celebrate Dylan's birthday that is the next day.  But at least the quilt is done and I can give it to him.  I hope he likes it.
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Mistress L Class

It is finally the day I get to start my goal of the year, stitching Mistress L's Band Sampler.  I get up and go walking.  I didn't get many steps in yesterday so I need to get back on the wagon.  It is truly spring in Indianapolis.  The trees are flowering and pansies have been planted.  We are in an industrial park and I  walk by hospitals, clinics and other businesses.  There is a lot of construction going on too.

It is a nice walk.  

BFF and I are running just a bit late but we have time to get to the Fire Station.  I remember where it is from when we passed it the other day.  It is on 106th street right by a round about.  But our first hurdle is should we turn right or left.  BFF thinks left.  I think right.  She goes right as I am so sure I know where it is.  We drive farther than I think we should but we do find the Fire Station.  Uh-oh.  There are no cars there.  Then it dawns on me, maybe there is more than one Fire Station.  I'm an idiot.  We manage to find the directions to the fire station that our hostess has emailed to us.  We are on the wrong street and wrong Fire Station.  Rats.  Now we must hurry or we will be late.  We find the right Fire Station and are the last ones to arrive.  I think we are getting a reputation for being late.

There is the sweetest reward waiting for us:  the kit!

This is a large project and there are lots of threads.  Oh, I'm so excited.

The room is well lit and I don't even use my light.  There are comfortable chairs.  Let me repeat (as this is rare) There are COMFORTABLE chairs.  Wow.  I like this venue.  

We go through the kit and the directions.  The first thing we have to do is baste so we can start it in the perfect place.  We get a little history of the three ladies.  This is my favorite part of the sampler.  But I'm not starting there.  I need the motivation to work my way down there.  I feel surprisingly calm enough to begin stitching.  Isn't this the most beautiful sampler?  And I'm not even a sampler person!

There is enough food left over from yesterday's lunch at Nancy's that we can just stay and eat right here.  Several of us go outside to eat as it is a gorgeous day and there is a pretty fountain in front of the (right) Fire Station.

I get a few rows done on the sampler.  This will be so fun to stitch.  

Our next thing to to drive to Sue's house.  At Spring Fling Sue invited us to dinner at her house.  There are four of us going.  We find Sue's house pretty easily as she has emailed us detailed directions.  More curio cabinets!  It is fun to see all the things that Sue has stitched.  It makes me want to stitch some of them too.  She has that wonderful Pineapple Sampler by Barbara Jackson that was in back issues of either Fine Lines or Sampler and Needlework Quarterly.  Someday I may stitch that.

She has a nice dinner for us and then we stitch some more.  After a bit I'm so tired and ask BFF if we can go back to the hotel.

Great day and there is still tomorrow!

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The Fantastic Day - Part Three

I am just in a daze from all I have seen as we leave Janet's house.  But we are in a heap of trouble.  I don't have my fancy new expensive Stitchville readers, Matilda (GPS) doesn't recognize our hostess's address and I need to find her phone number.   BFF stops by the hotel to check and see if anyone has found my readers.  While she is inside I dig around in the car looking everywhere and then I spot them.  They have slipped between the seat and the console.  I'm not even sure I can squeeze my hand down to get them.  Yeah!!! I get them.  I can read!

Someone up there likes me because I hear my phone ring.  That alone is providential.  I usually don't have my phone on.  I usually don't hear it when it rings.  I usually don't find it in time to answer it.  It is our hostess Nancy.  I imagine she is thinking "Where the hell are you guys?"  The stitch in starts at 10. (I have no idea what time it is) In my mind it is a casual drop in where people come and go.  Maybe we were supposed to be there at 10.   Our hostess is concerned about us as she knew we planned on being there.  I'm so glad she called.  She gives us directions on how to get to her house.  We are driving along and seeing subdivision after subdivision of humongous houses.  What is the industry that supports all this affluence?  I call Nancy back as we aren't clear on what to do next.  There are tons of roundabouts here.  Nancy talks us to her house.  Thank goodness she is a patient person.  She has the most beautiful home.

We decide our cookies should just be left in the car as the luncheon has fancy cupcakes that will celebrate Nancy's birthday which just happens to be today.
It is so fun to see Nancy's curio cabinets.

 She has a table full of the designer's projects.  Wow, she is a fantastic stitcher.  She even has the Edinburg reticule done that BFF and I are going to make in June.  We know several people here.  Cathy and Chris from Minnesota.  Shelley from Illinois.  Another lady from Spring Fling.  We meet some new friends at our table, Tamara and Sally.  We meet our hostess Nancy for the first time.  Of course the designer is there.  We have missed the presentation of the special project she designed for us to work on today but it is pretty self explanatory.  The designer shows us her new sampler and some other things she has just designed.  Wow.
Time to relax and stitch.  I'm am all hepped up from our day so it is hard to calm down and stitch.
We have a very nice lunch.  Nancy is the best hostess.  I am so glad that the designer doesn't mind if we change something in the design and encourages us to make it our own.  The people from the area are so nice.  It would be great to have friends that live nearby and like to stitch too.  I'd love to be part of the Indiana group.  I want to look just like Molly and wear a pretty pink sweater with roses on it.
We have a great afternoon talking and stitching.
It is time to drive back to the hotel.  We are sort of getting our bearings and manage to get back without a lot of trouble.  We eat at the hotel even though we aren't very hungry since we've been well fed today.
I have a movie on my Ipad.  I rented Blue Jasmine on itunes for only 99 cents.  So we watch that as we stitch.  I finish binding Dylan's quilt.  This has been one fantastic day.
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