Tennessee - the volunteer state - thanks :)

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-440688 To everyone that has helped in any way since the flood you are much appreciated.

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day week-end and take time to honor those who are serving or have served to maintain our freedom and bring peace to others.

Taking a short break for a few days.

I'm taking a break from posting for a few days. School finishes for the summer in a couple of days so new schedules need to be created. Projects need finished and mailed out. My brain is slightly fried and needs time to "kick back" :)

A gift from my garden to each of you.

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Spring 2010

Greetings to those of you visiting from Amy's Creative Side, home to the semi annual Blogger's Quilt Festival. This is the 3rd event and my 3rd time participating :)
This small wall hanging incorporates my two loves - cross stitch and hand quilting. The only machine sewing was for the internal seams. It was a joy to create right from the start and I use it for the header at my other stitching blog. http://stitchacrosstheborder.blogspot.com/
The project was originally just going to be a basic "learn how to use linen floss for Valentines Day" cross stitch but it morphed into a small quilt when I found some fabric in my drawer that "begged" to be used with it. I never did use the linen floss and the cotton floss that matched the fabric so perfectly was left over from another project :)

Some other details. Finished size approx 131/2"x133/4". Center approx. 63/4"x63/8". Hand turned  binding from back to front on 3 sides with prairie points along the bottom. Hand quilting done with DMC Ecru. Cross-stitch done on 14 ct. Aida with DMC color 3712 - 2 over 1. Cross stitch pattern called Letters Heart/Couer de Lettres by DMC.

Thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope you are enjoying the festival. I know I am. Lots of wonderful quilts to see and fabulous stories to read.

Project update - mini Irish chain challenge

I like making small quilts and wall hangings but decided a few months ago that I needed to join a group that specializes in that. I found Small Quilt Talk at yahoo and I am learning a goodly amount. The group is moderated by Kathy Tracy author of "American Doll Quilts", "Prairie Children and Their Quilts" and "Remembering Adelia".
Learning challenge #9 is mini-Irish chain and is my first project with the group. I like using bright colors but decided to go with a more muted palette of browns and cream for this one. The basic top is done and I am now doing things to it :) The finished quilt will be two sided.

Project update - crochet

I have overcome my irrational attitude toward crochet:) I made a doily. My very first. I am thrilled and have bought more yarn.

Michaels is open again so I went in yesterday and found a really nice book "I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting! updated edition" (which about sums up how I am feeling) that shows how to do both right and left hand crocheting.

Local Life - Chihuly

The Chihuly "takeover" of Nashville is unfolding. The exhibit and talks at the Frist are already set up, Bluebeard at TPAC is this weekend and Cheekwood opens their part later this month.
I am sooo excited  that this multi location event has finally arrived. I'm holding off on the Frist so I can take the kids. Hubbie and I are going to see Bluebeard :)
Head on over to http://chihulyinnashville.com/ to see some of the stunning works of art.
(photograph taken from the Frist site.)

It's an Interior Thing - definitely an attitude of mind

I think I am unnecessarily intimidated about learning to crochet and so with some of my "fun money" I bought these

Then I watched a few You-Tube videos because I still don't understand some of my written patterns.
I like the series "Art of Crochet by Teresa" and her demonstration of a half granny square seems very simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_2P65JKK0
I also like her - Crochet V-stitch Granny Square
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Arx7mkZdo&NR=1

Here's some of my "aspiring too" pieces from my antique crochet collection. All were made by my great-aunts and grandmothers. Some still have to be put together.

I have used all of the above at some point. My favorite is the green doily.

During the lifetime of my grandmothers and great-aunts it was fairly common to see crocheted items used round the homes as dresser sets, under vases, to edge napkins, as plate covers, teapot warmers, table runners etc. Surprisingly I have no granny square items in my collection but I do know my grandmother made at least one blanket in her lifetime.