Happy Spring…

22 Mar 2011 10 Comments

by averyclaire in Applique, Baby Quilt, Cross-Stitch, Needlework, Quilting, Rabbit, Sewing Tags: ,

Yes…it’s been six weeks…going on two months. I’m just not good at posting often. I hope you will all forgive me for the times you visited and found nothing new. But….I HAVE been enjoying my retirement.

I am slowly working on “Briar Rabbit.” Love him, but he’s really tedious. It’s a Cedar Hill pattern (I love their patterns), but can’t wait to have him done and framed. I wanted to do a rabbit for Easter, but I must not be in the mood. Perhaps my focus has been more on quilting lately. Ahhh…whereever the spirit pours out the creativity I guess.

Here’s a peek at the quilt top I have created for our new baby granddaughter-to-be due to arrive in July. Her name is going to be “Maya” and her Mom likes Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit……so……here are some of the blocks. Here’s Peter….with an embroidered flower garland….

and here’s Johnny Town Mouse, Hunca Munca and Tom Thumb….

and some pretty flowers….

and here’s Nutkin smelling the embroidered flower…

and some hearts and birds and pretty scrolls….

and here’s Jemima Puddle-Duck and friend….

along with a lunch basket and some carrots…

another flower…..

and voila…..the quilt top waiting to be quilted.

The block patterns came from the book “More William Morris Applique” by Michelle Hill. Her pattern was made with William Morris fabrics. I wanted something more pastel and I wanted to make it larger. So I added sashing where there was none….and I added the blocks with the letters to spell the name “Maya.” I drew the letters by hand. And because it was so very pastel I also added the flange cording around the blocks and sashing. It helps to separate something so pastel that does not have a lot of contrast. The blocks were machine appliqued.

There will soon be a baby shower and I hope the top is quilted and complete in time for the big day. It was a lot of fun to make and prodded my creative touch with the changes I made to the pattern. It now measures about 40 x 50.

And last but not least….I made a new cushion (approx. 16″ x 50″) for my son and daughter-in-law’s foyer bench. A request that somehow remained set aside for more than a year. It feels good to check things off the to-do list.

I pray all of you are enjoying warmer weather and hints of Spring. My walks on these warm days are delightful and inspiring. Back to the rest of the “to-do” list….

Til next time……Amities, Averyclaire

A Framed Finish

13 Jan 2011 10 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch Tags:

I finished this needlework back in June 2010, but I finally have finished framing it. Closeups of the stitching can be found on my June 12th post.

My framing was a bit of a “cheat”, but I love the way it turned out. Wish all of my pieces could look as nice! It is impossible to find a ready made square frame. The fnished needlework is 6 inches by 6 inches. One day I happened upon a sale at the store with framed art pieces for half off. I managed to find this frame for $10. The insides were quite glued together, but I carefully did away with the “ready made photo” and redid it to use for my Sophia’s Sampler. Just great….don’t you think? Will have to look for more finds like this!

Amities, Averyclaire

Sophia’s Sampler

12 Jun 2010 12 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Needlework Tags: ,

It’s been a busy couple of weeks….but in the evenings I managed to get this sampler completed. It’s called Sophia’s Sampler by Cedar Hill.   (I had to have it because my granddaughter’s name is Sophia.)    I chose 32 ct. Lamb’s Wool Linen and modified the sampler by leaving out a design area I did not want in order to make it a perfect square.    I love the colors of the flowers at the top.

Now I am sewing daily on an art quilt.   It’s taking ALL of my free time.      I would love to tell you that it will be finished by my next post, but I doubt it!!!     Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Father’s Day here.    Both of our father’s have long since passed, but I have a son and son-in-law nearby who are fathers….as well as my DH…..so I will do the cooking and celebrate with all of them.

Amities…….Averyclaire

Gift Received/Gift Given

08 May 2010 4 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Gifts, JBW, Rabbit Tags: ,

I have received the MOST wonderful exchange gift from my friend Maggy.  She made me this lovely needlecase.  I adore autumn colors and she chose the loveliest fabrics.   She also put lovely delicate feather stitching around the edge!

It will be great to hold a pair of my scissors……….

or perhaps a good portion of my collection!!!

And she even made me a lovely scissor holder to use while I am working. I am always losing my scissors in the cushions, so this will save them!

I love both of these handmade items. Thank you Maggy. We have decided that an exchange for Les Muguets Day (May 1st) will be the perfect time each year to have a little exchange. I must begin thinking of something special for next year now.

I posted last week about the gift I sent to Maggy….but this week I am sending a small gift for Maggy’s daughter who recently had a beautiful little baby girl. You have seen photos of this bunny before, but it is completed now. I finished the bunny and was waiting to add the name of the baby and the date.


Baby Pauline is absolutely adorable….all pink and pretty.    Maggy now has three grandchildren!   Congratulations!!!

Amities, Averyclaire

Sewing Pocket (warning–photo heavy post)

28 Apr 2010 12 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Exchange, Sewing Pocket Tags: , , ,

Here are the photos of the surprise I made for an exchange with my friend, Maggy, who lives in France. She finally received my gifts once the volcano ash cloud let up. It is made from a Drawn Thread pattern called pumpkin pocket. I made the one for Maggy and a second one as well. It was fun to make…although I like the lighter fabric better as well as the orange flowered button.

Maggy has a small collection of tiny snails, so I thought I’d add a scissors fob for her with a tiny snail.

May 1st is Les Muguets, friendship, day….so I included a bouquet of Les Muguets in the form of a needleminder.

Here is the second pocket…what do you think? I like the lighter color fabric better.


Well…I have been doing a bit of embroidery, some cross-stitch, and am back to working on my son’s wedding quilt (he’s only been married for 2-1/2 years already!). Very much enjoying my part-time work schedule. And now that the weather’s nice…it’s time to be in the garden again. Yes!!!

Happy Les Muguets Day, Amities, Averyclaire

A Gift for A Friend

18 Apr 2010 6 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Gifts Tags: , ,

This is a little gift that I made for my friend, Joan, for her birthday. She has two cats whom she calls “Inside Ollie” and “Outside Ollie”.   Inside Ollie came first….then she adopted “Outside Ollie” from her yard.   They both live inside now and fight like crazy.   So…two cats…Inside Ollie and Outside Ollie.   Joan loves it!!!

The pattern is from Chessie and Me and you can find it here at the House of Stitches…I modified it a bit to suit my needs.

The wonderful little black scissors are Italian made and very sharp.  I adore these scissors and have bought them as gifts for friends several times.  You can find them here at Anitas Little Stitches.  Because they are so sharp, I created a pocket on the back to hold the scissors when they are not in use.    It was such fun to make.

Joan and I have been friends for a long time….I am blessed by her friendship as she is one of those people I can always count on.     We all need people like this in our lives and I am so grateful.

This is not the surprise that I mentioned in my last post.   That gift is still making it’s way across the ocean.   As soon as she receives it, I can show you the photos.

On Friday this past week I attended the huge International Quilt Show here in Chicago.   There were hundreds of vendors from everywhere and thousands of women shopping just like me.    I confess though that I really didn’t see very many new things at the vendor booths.   So much I have seen years before.  However, the quilts were exquisite and it was inspiring to see such beautiful work.   I did not take photos because most of the quilts could not be photographed.    Unfortunately, this was the last year for this particular show here in Chicago.   From now on it will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio.   I probably won’t be attending every year like I have for so many years as it is too far and will be cost prohibitive.    But it will be wonderful for all of those women who live in that area of the country!    Put it on your calendar if you live anywhere near Cincinnati!!!

Note:    Haven’t finished my Eiffel Tower yet.

Amities,   Averyclaire

Update on Eiffel Tower

07 Apr 2010 11 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Eiffel Tower, Needlework Tags: , ,

Here is the latest photo of my Eiffel Tower in progress.  I really do love working on this.  I am planning a few moderations to the original pattern…not because hers is not lovely…but I have a couple of motifs I’d like to add to mine and need the space to add them.   I saved a couple of empty areas which will hold the motifs that I am working on right now.   It is fun to make it really my own this way.

Also in progress is another stitching I have been working on for some time. It is a gift for a special friend and I can’t show the whole thing until she has received it. Here is a sneak peak. It needs to be in the mail VERY SOON!!!

And a note for my friend Pat…if you are out there reading my blog while you are frolicking around London and Paris for two months, please remember your dear friends here at home and send us an email note with all your adventures!   I do not have an email address for you!!

Amities, Averyclaire

L’Adieu

16 Feb 2010 3 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Needlework, Reflection Tags: ,

Here is just a TINY beginning on my Marie Therese St. Aubin piece entitled “L’Adieu.” While perhaps Guillaume Appollinaire’s life might not have been to my choosing, his poem in this piece speaks of a long love. My DH and I have been married for 43 years (we married when we were two…SMILE) and I still adore him. Marie Therese St. Aubin does lovely work and I hope mine will be as beautiful. Amities, Averyclaire

Happy Valentine’s Day!

10 Feb 2010 7 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, Needlework, Valentine Heart Tags: ,

In just a few days it will be Valentine’s Day.   I’ve always wanted to do a small stitching and I found one last year when I was in Colorado…of course, I only worked on it this week.   It was done on an Irish Linen 26 count over one thread with DMC and Weeks Dye Works Begonia.  The delicate lacy look attracted me to this  JBW pattern called French Country Love.

And then I completed stitching a couple of more ornaments I was working on….”He’s a Flake”…the third in the LHN series for this year.   The ornaments are completed, but not “finished.”  I guess I’d better get to that this weekend.

And without an additional photo, I did complete another “Peace and Joy” Santa ornament from the Drawn Thread.  (You can see the first one on my side bar.)  I gave this first one away to my very special sister-in-law for Christmas.  I loved it so much I had to make another.

It has been busy at the office.  I gave notice to work only two days per week rather than five days per week as of the end of March.   I hope this will relieve a lot of stress I have been under this past year.   In addition, after the health problems my DH and I had recently, I think it is time to spend a LOT more time together rather than at the office.   Life is just too short…I want to live it to the fullest!

Happy Valentines Day to ALL!    Amities, Averyclaire

Pear Tree

25 Jan 2010 6 Comments

by averyclaire in Cross-Stitch, LHN Ornaments, Needlebook, Needlework, Ornaments Tags: , , , ,

Don’t know why I undertook this series of ornaments. I am working on the two year’s too late wedding quilt now as well. But…with the bitter cold winter wind blowing outside….it’s nice to be warm and cozy in the house with my needlework in the evening after working at the office all day.

Here is the second in the series of LHN ornaments for the year 2010. This is January’s ornament….Pear Tree. I made two of them both on 36 ct. linen. One as a traditional ornament to save for my tree next year and one made into a needlebook for my dear friend, Maggy, who just had a birthday.

A jute-type braid was chosen for the trim. Makes it look simple, yet pretty. The backing is a dark green wool. Easy to finish as well.

Here is the needlebook. I like the needlebook idea. This pattern just called for something like this with the mini-sampler theme. I think Maggy liked it as much as I did.

Just love needlebooks…use them all the time.

Just received in the mail LHN February ornament snowman pattern from Anita’s Little Stitches (a very nice shop with a very nice owner). WOW…hope I don’t get behind. Next post I will show you a couple of special gifts I received in the mail recently.     A bientot, Averyclaire

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