Sunday, August 3, 2008

Quaker Christmas Unveiled and Other Stuff

Yes, I am still here. It has been over 2 weeks since I last made a real post. Many of you mention that you have lost your stitching mojo. However, for me, it seems that I have lost my blogging mojo. Not sure what it is going to take to get it back, so this might be a very boring and dull post Trying my best to make it interesting. Maybe is because all my energy goes into stitching and keeping up with everyone else's blogs. Man, you guys keep me busy just trying to keep up. The lowest I have had my Google Reader since the end of May is 30. The day that I got it to that level, I left to run errands, attend a meeting and go to Monday Stitch Therapy. When I returned in less than 9 hours, there were 18 new posts in my Reader. That does not even include blogs I try to read that are not in my Reader. How does everyone find the time to blog everyday and accomplish as much as everyone does? I need to know every one's secret. Makes me feel like the laziest person on earth.

Now for the long awaited unveiling. I picked up my "A Quaker Christmas" from the framer a little over a week ago.
The total cost of framing was $95.63. The 15 1/4x24 frame was $64.00 and the stretching and mounting was $25.00. The rest was sales tax. I don't usually put glass on my pieces unless they are going to hung somewhere there will be smoking or cooking oils, etc. To me the cost seem very reasonable for the size of piece it is. Never had a piece this big before. Brought it home the first night and all Morris could say about it was "it's big". We are still trying to figure out the best place to hang it. Currently, it is on display at The Sunflower Seed. It will probably be there for several months. And I love it even more now.

Been getting quite a bit of stitching done between other things going on around here. We are about ready to wrap up the church cookbook. I have all the salads and soups done to the tune of 119 recipes. The total as of Friday morning was 524 for the entire book. The committee has our final meeting tomorrow.

Finished up the second of two small design models for Anita at The Sunflower Seed. These will both be included in the same pattern. For the last week or so I have been working on a very large design for her. So far has been fun to stitch. When I need to have some variety, I have stitched on "In My Father House", my memorial sampler. Have planted quite a bit of green grass and started the big brick red house in the middle. Have all my Christmas stitching decided and part of them kitted up. Even started stitching on one of them. However, there won't be any pictures until after Christmas, because all the giftees read my blog. Never too soon to get started on Christmas stitching. Then there is the baby sampler that I started back after I finished QC. To see a picture of my start go here. It was on 28ct antique white lugana and I struggled with it for about 3 weeks and I was not liking how it was turning out. Most of the outside border was half crosses and they made things kinda lean in that direction. The blue elephant stitches were crappy. After grumbling to Anita about it, she convinced me to change the fabric and approach the design from another way. Changed the fabric to 28ct lambswool linen and started in the middle rather than the upper left corner. Will stich all the motifs in the design and then go back and put some of the background and border in with full crosses. I am liking it better. I knew I needed to do something or I was going to hate the project before I got it done. Here is my progress so far. It is hard to visualize what it is from this picture. It is going to be like a photo album with a place for name and statistics in the middle. The little green and blue blob at the bottom with be a rattle. This is a Bobby G design named "Precious Baby".
In fact, the baby is here. My great-nephew Cameron Lee Jensen Vohs arrived July 21st, 9:09PM, weighing in at 7lbs, 7.5oz, 19 1/4 inches long. Went last week to see him and forgot to take my camera. Has lots of brown hair and looks a great deal like his daddy. Had the baby afghan done, so took it when we went to see him.
While visiting with my niece, Megan, she asked me about some receiving blankets I had made her when her first son was born. They were made of cotton plisse and hemmed around the edge. She liked the size and they were not as heavy as a traditional flannel receiving blanket and Cameron likes to be swaddled. So last week I went fabric shopping at JoAnns. They did not have any plisse like I wanted, but found a couple of suitable substitutes. Spent Friday morning hemming them and then washed them and gave them to her mother this weekend to take to her. One has blue hippos and the the yellow ducky. Love the little ducks.
A week ago today, I had another birthday. I have been celebrating it for several days. Ate our twice on Sunday and once on the Friday before and then have another lunch this Wednesday. I like to spread it out. Received lots of birthday goodies. Gift certificate to the Sunflower Seed, a fleece scarf with pockets (don't need it now with 100 degree weather), KSU CD holder, KSU Magnetic Can Koozie, a Friend picture frame with a picture in it of my stitching friends, Hershey Chocolate cookbook, decorative painted plate and 2 red star shaped Longaberger dishes. That is the short list and I am sure that I left off some stuff. Already had the case and charger for my iPod from Reina. Got lots of wonderful cards and well wishes as well. All in all it was a great birthday and I really don't mind getting a year older. Thanks everyone for the cards, gifts and well wishes.

Along with everything else going on, I planned an Army Reunion for my dad's WW!! Army outfit. This took place this weekend at a local hotel. Friday afternoon and all day Saturday was spent visiting. Last night then we had a banquet for 17. Originally there were around 190 men in the outfit and my dad thinks that there might be only 11 of them still living. Five men attended this year. They have been having reunions since 1967. Originally, they were held every 5 years, then every 3, then 2, and now they are held every year. The number attending keeps going down, but they have made promises to each other that they will continue to meet as long as there is one man standing. Last night they laughed that they might be there, but standing was getting harder and harder to do. The men attending were from Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and 2 from Kansas. Here is a picture of the men. They are all in their late 80s and early 90s. My dad will is standing in the blue shirt and will be 88 later this month. Both my sisters were here for the weekend to attend the reunion with my dad. Since it has been held for so long, not only are the men very close, so are the families.Things don't look like they will be slowing down anytime soon. Tomorrow I have a cookbook meeting, pick up election supplies for the primary on Tuesday and we have tickets for the Royals vs. Red Sox in Kansas City tomorrow night. Tuesday, I work as Supervising Judge at the primary election from 6:00AM to 8:00PM. Makes for a long day, but I think it is my civic duty to help out. Work on Thursday at the Sunflower Seed and then we have Royals tickets for Friday night. On Monday the 11th, we leave for our Hall of Fame trip to Boston, Cooperstown, and New York. As time allow, I will try to post again before we leave.

If you have made it through all of this, I thank you. Sorry I got a little wordy. That is what happens when I go a long time between posts. I think there is still one award that I need to pass on, but I will wait until another time to do that. I am off to do a little stitching and rest up for my early and very long day on Tuesday.

Happy Stitching!!!!!


17 comments:

Jane said...

You have been busy, no wonder you've not had time to blog, can't do everything

TinaTx said...

My, but you have been busy!

Kajsa said...

QC looks great, nice frame. Sounds like it's busy for you.

Erica said...

Quaker Christmas looks just beautiful! All in all I would say you did well on the framing. Around here you would be lucky to get away for twice that!

Sue said...

QC is so gorgeous. The framing price is VERY reasonable!! This makes me want to do this so badly (along with 50 other designs I already have). Nice work ;)

Miokka said...

Wow! You are one busy lady! Love the QC framed even more. Congratulatios on the new baby. Enjoy your baseball games & working the elections and your trip! Do you stitch at the games?
Stay safe! Happy Stitching!
~~Martha~~

Carol said...

Your AQC looks fantastic - congratulations!!

Mary Ann said...

Your Quaker Christmas is stunning!! My, you've been busy--I got tired just reading about all you've been doing. : )

Erica said...

Hi Kathy.I nominated you for the Brillante Weblog award! I really enjoy reading your blog!

Nancy said...

Happy stitching Kathy! How could a post that makes you say WOW, your Quaker Christmas sampler, be a dull post! What an amazing finish, and the frame is so gorgeous. It and your sampler really enhance each other.

Hey, it's your blog so post when you want to. And, if you don't have time one day to read everyone else's they will be there when you do.

Sonda said...

I know what you mean about the blogging and reading...it's hard to keep up. I'd rather stitch. I love the frame for your QC and those blankets are all so cute. Sounds like you had a nice birthday and Muffin had a nice birthday. Love that Ipod.

jane said...

I must do the Quaker Christmas. I don't know exactly when, but I must! Yours is beautiful!

Jinger said...

Your Quaker Christmas turned out gorgeous! The framing looks great and it sounds like you got a reasonable price on it as well.

How sweet to have the reunion for your dad and his WWII buddies. I'm sure they all enjoyed it.

Sharon said...

Quaker Christmas looks amazing!

Meari said...

QC looks great, Kathy! I know what you mean about bloggers' posts. I try to keep up each week, but posts easily exceed 700 in a week. Thank goodness for Google Reader. And like you, I read some that aren't on their too. Whew.

You've been really busy!!

Michelle said...

Kathy,
Your QC is stunning! You've sure been busy. I sent Anita an email but I wanted to let you know I got my package ~ quick as can be! Thank you!!! I love the new elevator pattern. I have all the threads ready and hope to start it maybe next week.

Michelle

Mary Ann said...

Hi Kathy, please stop by my blog to pick up an award. : )