Saturday, November 7, 2009 by averyclaire
Here are two gifts I made and finally completed for a Pay It Forward. Last Fall I received a Pay It Forward award (a lovely temari ball) from Jane at World Embroideries and now after eleven months, I have finally sent my Pay It Forward awards to the two people who won them on my blog. For Anne at Nanouanne, I made a needlework biscornu. I forgot to take a photo of the biscornu I made, but Anne took a lovely photo of it and she is letting me use her photo for my blog.
And for Karol at Rosebud’s Stitching I made a small Amish Friendship Basket Wall Hanging. I forgot to take a photo of Karol’s finished gift as well, but here is a photo of one exactly the same as I made for Karol…only Karol’s had a different binding.
Both items were made in friendship. I chose a quilted piece for Karol because she is an expert needleworker and is not a quilter that I know of. And for Anne who does lovely quilting and is an artist in many areas including Art Trading Cards, I thought to make a cross-stitched piece because I don’t think she does cross-stitching. I just wanted their gifts to be different. It was a fun thing to do to send a surprise in the mail. Amities, Averyclaire
Posted in Award, Cross-Stitch, Embroidery, Friendship, Gifts, Quilting | Tagged Cross-Stitch, Friends, Gifts, Needlework, Quilting | 7 Comments »
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by averyclaire
When I saw this needlework pattern, I knew that I had to have it and modify it to fit the gift I planned. My son and daughter-in-law have overnight guests at their home nearly every weekend. And she adores sunflowers. In her guest room she always has small vases of sunflowers or sunflower-like flowers. The pattern words said “Sunflower Inn.” So I modified it by adding the line to say “Mike and Mich’s Sunflower Inn.” I can’t wait to give it to them. Of course it still needs framing, but at least the stitching is done. This is a “Little House Needleworks” pattern appropriately named Sunflower Inn. I stitched it on 32 ct Belfast cream linen with DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads. It worked up fairly quickly and I am delighted with the result. I am quite sure that the Christmas surprise will be a special one.
My photos of needlework never seem to come out with true colors. Do any of you photographers out there have some suggestions for me and my point and shoot camera? I usually lay my pieces on a black velvet board to take the photos. I have tried a couple of the different settings on the camera but can’t seem to get just the right one. I have an Olympus 1010. I’d appreciate any advice anyone can give.
Here’s a closeup of one of the little sunflowers. I love it. Well…on to the next project.
Posted in Cross-Stitch, Family, Needlework | Tagged Cross-Stitch, Family, Needlearts, Needlework | 6 Comments »
Sunday, October 25, 2009 by averyclaire
It’s been a long time since I have posted…I have missed all of you. Thought I would wish everyone an absolutely lovely Autumn (it will be done before we can blink our eyes)…and here’s hoping that all of you have a Happy Halloweeen. Averyclaire
Posted in Autumn, Embroidery | Tagged Autumn, Needlework | 7 Comments »
Saturday, September 12, 2009 by averyclaire
The vacation was not just about photos (although I have more to share and I will soon). It was about learning to relax and enjoy life again. So, I am attempting to get back to my sewing and stitching in a relaxing and healthy way. It seems my full-time work is so busy, then my “health program” for myself and my DH (shopping for healthy food, reading up on the latest health news, WALKING at least one hour plus per day, etc.), and life in general has consumed all my time. Surely you all have been-there-done-that in one way or another…found yourself on a turntable not sure how to jump off?
So while away I have been working on this small santa ornament (Mill Hill kit “Rocky Mountain Beartooth Santa“), which I purchased at the House of Stitches. I thought if I started out small I would get it done qu
ickly and feel good about it. While in Colorado, I visited The Stitcher’s Garden once more and fell in love with this little white bird (also a Mill Hill kit “Winter Holiday“). The kit even comes with some “furry white thread” to make him look especially adorable. I also found at The Stitcher’s Garden, this pattern for small quilted pincushions (Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. “Tuffets“). It’s just the right “small” size project that I was looking for at this time.
I am about 3/4 of the way finished with the Beartooth Santa ornament and it sure feels good to be stitching again. I have a monumental project waiting for me. I need to complete my son’s wedding quilt (it’s only about 1/3 complete). He has been married for two years this month! So I figured if I started small, I would get inspired. Anyone out there been feeling the same way as me?
Next stop on the trip was the fantastic Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. I LOVE the wide open spaces of Wyoming. I will have photos for you next time.
For now, happy stitching…..Averyclaire
Posted in Cross-Stitch, Quilting | Tagged Christmas Ornaments, Cross-Stitch, Quilting | 4 Comments »
Friday, September 11, 2009 by averyclaire
Just a small, but big hearted tribute to those people who lost their lives in the terror attack of September 11, 2001 and to the men and women who keep us safe today.
Posted in USA | Tagged USA | 1 Comment »
Monday, September 7, 2009 by averyclaire
We are home again and tomorrow I will be back to work. Here is a photo of the “Badlands” of southwestern South Dakota. It is stark and barren and beautiful. We love to take the leisurely drive through this area. Lots of hiking here if it’s not too hot and if one watches out for rattlesnakes! There are mountain goats and prairie dogs in abundance.
And I LOVE to take photos of pretty skies.
We drove to Custer State Park and stayed at the State Game Lodge for a few days.
It has quite a history…but my favorite part is the free-roaming buffalo!
Nearly two hundred head of buffalo crossed the front lawn of the lodge the very first day we were there. It was pretty exciting!
I was enamoured by the number of calves that were in the group. I managed to catch this one with my little point and shoot camera.
I could sit and watch them (from afar) all day long. They are such magnificent creatures. And to think that one time many years ago, there were hundreds of thousands of these creatures roaming across the USA. Here in Custer State Park they keep the population at about 1500 head per year. Of course this was only the start of our trip.
We took another tour and a long hike at the Mount Rushmore Monument which is in the Black Hills of South Dakota as well. Carved in the side of a mountain are four of our Presidents, Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. It took 16 years to complete this task!
We have been to all of these sites many times before, but we never tire of touring our USA. I hope all of my friends who live far away will enjoy seeing these famous USA sites. I’ll show a few more in my next post.
For now I will say that it was one of the most relaxing trips we have taken and while I can’t say that I am happy to be home (work, doctors, etc.), we have returned refreshed and ready to face whatever each day brings.
Til next time….Averyclaire
Posted in USA Tour | Tagged Badlands, Buffalo, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Wildlife | 6 Comments »
Monday, August 17, 2009 by averyclaire
It was a long week, but the news is good. They have removed all of the cancer present at this time. Perhaps there were angels watching over us. My DH will begin chemotherapy in September. It will last for seven weeks and then once a month for a year. It is a long road to complete recovery. And always looming over one’s head is the possibility of a reoccurence. But we are grateful for today and are hopeful for the future.
I confess to having a meltdown this week. I think I cried for five days straight. The emotions of the past months finally came out and wouldn’t stop. But I am fine now. And we are planning a two week vacation for ourselves soon. I need to be away from work and we both need to be away from doctors and hospitals.
Life is different now. It is what it is, but it does not mean that we cannot enjoy life and each other. I look forward to our time out west for a bit of rest and relaxation.
Thanks for all your notes and emails. I am grateful for your friendship. Averyclaire
Posted in Family, Friendship, Gratitude, Hope | Tagged Family, Friends, Gratitude, Hope | 9 Comments »
Sunday, August 9, 2009 by averyclaire
Happy Anniversary to me! Yesterday was one year since I began my blog. I cannot believe the time has gone by so quickly. I was reviewing my posts and have discovered, however, that I am not as faithful a blogger as I would like to be. In one year I made only 63 posts….sad considering I had 365 opportunities. But then I am a person of few words and life has sure had its ups and downs for me this year. Thank you to all of you that I have met through my blog. I very much appreciate your kind words and friendship to me. This is probably the best part of blogging. And one can learn so much from surfing the blogging world. I have seen so many different types of blogs, so many different interests, so many super people. I am glad to be a part of this new and sometimes crazy world.
I intended this blog to be about needlearts and I still hope to have it as such. However, life didn’t allow me to accomplish much sewing, quilting, needlework, knitting, or anything this year. I pray that this coming year will be different. I have finally completed one of my pay-it-forward awards and am just a smidge away from completing the second one. I will photograph them and post them when my awardees have received them.
My DH will be having his second surgery this week. There has been a LOT of waiting. Waiting for test results, waiting for doctor appointments, waiting for surgery, etc. And this week we begin to wait again. I should be learning great patience. I am not so sure that I am. What I did learn was to not dwell on the negative….only on the positive in life. And we enjoy each day for what it is.
Happy Blogging to all of you out there and thank you for helping me to feel such a special part of this group. Averyclaire
Posted in Thank You, Uncategorized | Tagged Anniversary | 9 Comments »
Saturday, July 25, 2009 by averyclaire
My husband is having a second surgery for his bladder cancer in a few weeks. Things are not the best they can be…but they are definitely not the worst either. Life somehow seems to have been put on hold and this cancer thing has consumed our lives. We are trying desparately to assimilate all the facts and options without becoming crazy with worry. It is difficult to say the least. I am still filled with hope for a good outcome in the end, but it is a long road we are facing. I ask all of you for as many prayers as possible.
Thank you to all of you who send comments and emails as they are much appreciated. This blogging world is absolutely amazing…what a comfort to find so many friends around the world.
In the meantime I find comfort in a crazed cleaning out of my sewing/art room. A purging, if you will, of all things unnecessary. Obviously a mental state that matches the excision of anything extraneous in my life as well. I am quite sure this is a perfect remedy for a soothing of the soul. Curling up with a good, light reading, book is also therapeutic. We continue our long four mile walks, we are eating as healthy as we can…also good for the mental and physical health. I am learning more patience…a blessing I am sure. And gratitude for small things has become overwhelming.
So once again…thank you to all my special friends out there. Gratefully yours, Averyclaire
Posted in Gratitude, Hope, Thank You | Tagged Gratitude, Hope, Thank You | 5 Comments »
Friday, July 3, 2009 by averyclaire
Yikes, three weeks have passed since my last post. Where did the time go? I have been busy planning healthy meals with no fat, no sugar, no red meat….etc. I have been walking daily after work….am up to four miles now and have been feeling pretty good. My dear husband has been wonderful in supporting me through this. But I must share with you another shock we have had in our life. Two weeks after my diagnosis, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. While we lived in a fog for a few days, we are very hopeful. He will have surgery in a couple of weeks and hopefully the news will be very affirming. I have learned to look at life very differently. While I still work, I no longer stress about my job. After work, my DH and I spend a lot of time togther talking, shopping for healthy fruits and veggies, and walking. We thoroughly enjoy every moment we share. Unfortunately the needlework and quilting have been set aside for other priorities. So if I don’t post too often, please know all is well. I continue to read all of your posts. I continue to let the Lord hold us up and bask in the warmth of His presence no matter what trials we face. We are grateful.
Last weekend William and I spent the day at the Chicago Botannical Gardens, so I share with you some of the lovely sights from this marvelous place. Enjoy.
Posted in Flowers, Garden | Tagged Botannical Garden, Gratitude | 14 Comments »
