It's beginning to look alot like . . . .

I have some finishing to do! I have already decided that my 2011 summer vacation will be devoted to finishing all ornaments and projects that lay hidden throughout my drawers and closets! It won't be a small task as I have a box full. The ones above I stitched from designs in past JCS Ornament issues except for the angel which was a freebie from Lavender & Lace.

My other goal for 2011 (yes, I'm thinking past December already!) is to actually begin all the new projects I purchased linen & thread for in 2010. So when I read on another blog that there was a "crazy" January 2011 challenge proposed over at
http://minnanharrastukset.blogspot.com/2010/11/ristipistohassutus2011.html,
well, I just had to sign up!! The idea is that for each day between January 1st and 15th, you begin a new project. If you think it sounds crazy to begin 15 new projects, just take a look in your closet because if you're like me ~ It won't be that hard! Thank you Minna, for the challenge!

Fair & Square Halloween Exchange

Here are the adorable squares I received from Karen in the Fair & Square Halloween Exchange. This design was from the 2009 JCS Halloween issue and was on my "to do" list. Now all I have to do is get right to the finishing ~ Yay!

These are the squares that I sent to Karen in the same exchange. I liked the design so much that I just got done stitching it again for myself. The design is called 'By the Full Moon' and it's by Tracy Horner of Ink Circles. It was in the 2010 JCS Halloween Issue.

A Give-away, A Quilt Beginning and Money Spent

First up, the exciting news! Kay Mackenzie is having a give-away on her blog http://www.allaboutapplique.net/

Her new book is called Quilts from Paradise and it's beautiful! It's like taking a piece of paradise and tweeking it for the enjoyment of us mainlanders!

Speaking of Quilts ~This past July, I took a beginning applique class at Country Sewing in Elk Grove with Dana Lahargoue as the teacher.

I am now hooked on applique. Like cross stitch, you can take it any where with you. Since I enjoyed the class so much, I signed up for the Block of Month quilt class with Susan Donbroski. Since my applique is not actually stitched down yet, I plan to rearrange it to fit into a larger quilt along with my first "block".

And then there's Halloween fast approaching . . . Here's a completed finish. It's a free pattern from Kreinik. I love this little witch!

And as if I haven't spent enough money on fabrics, books, etc. in the last month, here are a few more purchases from Elegant Stitch in Modesto. I didn't just drive down there to purchase items, I also e-mailed them and bought more! Can you tell what I have planned?

I won't even mention the purchases at Joann's and their Labor Day quilting accessories sale! Oh My!

My week in New Mexico

Of course no trip is complete without taking a project or two along.

I just got back from a week in New Mexico where I attended a workshop on making Acoma pottery. Our teachers were Delores and Emma Lewis. Above, you can see Emma painting with mineral paints that she had ground for us in the rock 'paint dish'. Our clay was hand dug from a local mine and we made our own brushes by chewing on leaves from a yucca plant.

At the end of the week, we went to Acoma Sky City to see their family homes and pueblo. Above, Delores and Emma are standing outside of their family pueblo at Sky City. The picture above that is the view when you look out from their front door. Delores spent 6 months this past year living up at the pueblo with no running water or electricity. Most families live down below in modern homes and only come to live at the pueblo during special ceremonies.

There were always thunderstorms in the afternoon and I loved them. It was exceptionally green in the valley and we were told that is unusual for this time of year. If you can only ever visit one pueblo, Sky City is worth the 13 mile drive inland. It is up on top of a mesa and the views were outstanding.

Here we are for a group photo on the last day. I'm on the far left.
This is my pottery 'stash' for this trip. I made the 3 on the left and purchased the rest including the gourd ornament. I love finding handmade ornaments when I visit places like this.

And then of course, I always have to purchase a skein of yarn to remember my trip. I bought this in Taos at Weaving Southwest. The yarn was hand dyed by the ladies who owned the shop. Now when I knit with it, I'll always think of New Mexico.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE TOO MANY HOBBIES / PROJECTS AT ONCE?

That's how I was feeling last night. I got a bit carried away this summer with ceramic workshops, starting new knitting and cross stitch projects and then as if that wasn't enough, I was hit with an applique bug. The result of that is the purchase of numerous books and now having numerous zip lock bags filled with cut out pieces ready to turn and begin squares. I spent yesterday boxing various projects in order to be more realistic about what I can accomplish in the fall and what will need to wait for next spring/summer. It was worth it!

Blue Ribbon Giveaway!

Belinda is having a MILESTONE giveaway on her blog http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/

Since I love her Blue Ribbon Designs, this is one time I am definitely entering a blog give away!

Summer Classes & Workshops

Each summer, I love taking classes & workshops to learn new things or to expand on what I already know. Tonight, I'm taking a class in beginning applique. I know I have too much fabric but I'm looking forward to trying fabric folding and making small pillows with the excess.

I swore I wouldn't buy any more scissors but these were only $3.99 and they cut better then some of my more expensive ones! Aren't they cute?

I spent the past weekend at The Institute of Mosaic Art in Oakland. I took a class in tempered glass (or 'crash glass' as some call it) from Ellen Blakely. She's a fabulous teacher and artist! We began with small coasters to try out the method.

We then moved on to mirror frames ~ Mine still needs some cleaning! Some people added costume pearls and gems and they were gorgeous but I forgot my camera.

We finished by adding mosaic to a broken piece of cement in order to consider all the surfaces we might try to cover in the future. I had previously done a bird in a lightweight concrete sculpture class at IMA and I plan to finish it off in this method.

Ahhhh . . . . Summer Vacation!

A great time to finish projects.

This Blackbird Design has been

done for a few weeks now but

indecision is holding me back on

the finishing.

Just do it, right?

F&S Fourth of July Exchange

I received my squares from Danica today. She did a Blue Ribbon design with a darling lighthouse and sailboat ~ Perfect for summer!

Next are the squares I sent to Danica.

They're a Lil Britter's design from Brittercups. When I bought the design, I bought a 2nd button

to stitch one for myself. I currently have four patriotic designs in the works. I hope to finish off at least two before this year's 4th of July.

US Open

Spent the last weekend in Carmel and Seaside. My son, his father and I went to the last round of the US Open at Pebble Beach. They roamed the course following various players while I chose to sit in the bleachers on the 18th green and watch each group finish. It was great seeing Tom Watson get a long standing ovation from the crowd as he came in as most feel it will be his last one.

Choices Choices

Why are so many things I want to do this summer all scheduled for the same weekend in July? This past week, I've been debating between a ceramic workshop and a cross stitch workshop, both of which I don't want to miss. Then I have to remind myself that in 3-4 years, I will be retired and can drive all over the country to as many cross stitch events as I please so for now, the mud has won over the thread. Lake Tahoe ~ I'll be seeing you.

Easter Break on the Coast

On the right is a view of the beach at Carmel with
Pebble Beach Golf Course off in the distance.

On the left is my view from the hotel lounge in Seaside where
I could sit with a glass of wine and knit late in the afternoon.

If you ever visit California, be sure to take the coastal
drive between Pacific Grove and Big Sur. No matter how
many times I've been there, I still go back again and again.

F&S Easter Round 2010

Here are the latest from the Fair & Square Exchange. I stitched a free design from Waxing Moon for Missy Ann and she stitched "Topsy Turvy Bunnies" from Val's Stuff for me. I love the bunny pin she made and included!

Fair & Square Exchange Round #17

Here are the squares which I sent to Chris B and the squares that she sent to me. I so love her Be Happy design. After putting our beloved dog to sleep on Friday, this bright and cheerful square was just what the doctor ordered.

Just received my squares today from Jennifer for the Fair & Square December Exchange. The colors are wonderful! I think I'll finish it up this weekend. The design is by Little by Little and was in the '07 issue of JCS Ornaments.

For New Year's Day, I decided to finish at least one piece. Here's the first one.