5/5/13

Slow Stitching Sunday



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Another beautiful day awaits us here in the Northwest.  This being my birthday, I have nothing planned except to take it easy and do what I want...just like the other 364 days of the year.  Today I can do it guilt free...you know, like the other 364 days of the year.  (Personally, I think guilt is highly overrated.)

Already this morning I've been out to check the tomatoes in the greenhouse and give them some water.  They are looking so much better.  I need to repot a few more of the little ones, and the larger ones--the ones repotted once already--are almost ready to go into their biggest pots of the season.  I might do them all at once.  Some of the smaller ones have a little bit more to grow, but they are looking green and have plenty of new growth.  Just when I thought my seed experiment might be a failure, they perked up.  This makes me very happy because I have some great varieties going.

So once that was done, I decided to make up my next embroidery block.  It's been over 48 hours since I did my last hand-stitching and my hands barely know what to do with themselves.  I started auditioning fabrics for the Wonky Houses wall hanging.


Wonky Houses is a pattern by the talented Jenny of Elefantz, although it looks like she's removed the pattern from her website at this point.  If you like this, you might be able to obtain it directly from her.  A light lemon yellow is suggested for the background of the stitcheries, and that is what I will use.  Also, I pulled these fabrics from my stash.


I don't know if I'll use all of these.  Probably not, but it's a place to start.  I was all set to trace out the embroidery motifs, then realized I was woefully lacking in the embroidery floss colors I needed.  So I punted, and decided to trace out the next Quilting Snowlady instead.  This one is called "Snowed In and Lovin' It".  Now that might seem cruel to those of you who are sick to death of snow for the year, but here it is:


I love the "Retweet Center".  Here's how it will look when it's finished.


My friend Lisa in Idyllwild would love this as a single block wall hanging.  As I'm looking at this, I'm realizing that the first block I did for this quilt had a little kitty hiding behind the snowlady.  See it down on her right side?


I'm thinking I should add a little kitty to this one.  It would be simple enough to do.  What do you think?

So she's all ready to go now.  I always start my new projects at the bottom left.  Sometimes I'm kind of wild and crazy (yes, it's a dull life around here), and I start them from the top right.  Still, it never seems right when I do that.  Sort of like reading a book from back to front.  This being my birthday, I didn't think I could take too much excitement, and so I started in my usual way.  You understand how it is when you're feeling old and dim.  Or maybe you don't.


Also, I fixed my little "Princess" block by giving her a lighter shade of lipstick.  I think it looks much better.


A few of you thought I should leave the "hussy" look.  I briefly considered adding whips, chains, and black leather, but then decided it would be easier to just change the lipstick.  Then, I tried getting those dark stitches out, and it turned out to be more of a trial than I anticipated.  It just goes to show that you can take the hussy out of the woman, but you can't take the woman out of the ... oh wait ... that doesn't work.  Never mind.

So that's what's going on here at the Three Cats Ranch this Sunday morning. Tonight we're going out to dinner.  I'll have to tell you more about that tomorrow.  For now, I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching over at Kathy's Quilts.



22 comments:

Dona said...

I was wondering the pattern name for the sewpeople embroidery. I love the ones you have and would like to get them.
Dona

SewCalGal said...

I hope you have a wonderful Birthday and find time to enjoy and create......definitely the way I like to spend my birthday (or the other 364 days of the year) too!

Your embroidery is lovely.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Donna said...

Happy Birthday!. Sure sounds like you have enjoyed the day.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Happy Birthday! Love your embroidery! I stitch everyday too, can't imagine not putting a few stitches in daily.

Teresa in Music City said...

I agree - guilt is definitely over-rated!!! Glad you are guilt-free today :*) And I'm glad your stitcher lady is no longer a hussy. Hussies had a hard time of it in that era and I'd hate to think she had anything but a happy life. Enjoy your day and dinner out tonight!!!

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh - and YES I think you need a little kitty in this one too =^..^=

Rina Mason said...

Hope you're having a relaxing and enjoyable birthday!

Lia*s Handmades said...

I wish you a wonderful birthday, Barbara! :)

Marlene said...

Happy Birthday. It soundslike you have have a wonderful day-and guilt free!. loving the embroideries and I think a little cat is in order-maybe Smitttycolouring as the first looks like a Gracie cat.

Quilting Babcia said...

Yes, I think adding a kitty to each of your snowlady blocks is the only logical way to go for a ThreeCatsRanch quilt!

Kate said...

Happy Birthday! I think that your newest snow lady needs a kitty.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Happy Birthday!

Betty said...

Happy Birthday!
I agree that "Princess" looks better after her make over. A Smitty colored cat would be cute with the snow lady. He needs to be close to the fire so his little toes don't freeze!

Junebug613 said...

I'm reading your posts in reverse tonight, so Happy Birthday again! I think the new snow lady should definitely have a kitty! I also like the new shade of lipstick for the sewing princess. :)

Patricia said...

Happy Birthday Barbara! I hope it was a wonderful day and wish you many, many more!

Brown Family said...

I think any block would be better with a kitty!

Nan

KatieQ said...

I think little kitties should be added to everything. Starting a new stitchery is a perfect way to celebrate a birthday. Dinner and fireworks also help. Hope you enjoyed you special day.

Quilter Kathy said...

You are a riot! I am LOL ing over here!
happy Birthday!
Thanks for linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching and sharing your hussy redesign!

Sher S. said...

Love all your needleworks and I agree with the masses you do need to add a kitty to each snow lady. That will make it very personal to you and 3Cats Ranch.
Hope your birthday was fabulous. We have your rain down here in So. Cal. thanks for sending it, it is definitely needed.

quiltzyx said...

Yep, the snow lady surely does need a kitty - great idea!

I think the Princess does look better with the light lips. Sorry it was such a pain to undo.

Guess what? It's raining here today! Amazing.

Lynne said...

A belated but nonetheless sincere "happy birthday"!

Sarah_L_N said...

A bit late, but happy birthday :) I think adding a kitty would be so cute!