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A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

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Sunday, January 24, 2010

Happenings....

It's a rainy, grey day here in SE Michigan today. The perfect day to stay home and stitch. It's been a busy week so I relished the idea of staying put and just getting some stitching done. No progress this week on Marriage of the Minds but I have been busy with Elizabeth Savilles. Cari showed her progress on Elizabeth a week or so ago and she inspired me to get busy with mine. I had kind of stalled on her. To say this is a frustrating stitch is an understatement. It doesn't say on the pattern whether stitches left out are because it was stitched that way originally or because of thread loss over time. If it's thread loss over time then I should replace the stitches, right? If it was stitched that way originally, I wonder why? I've stitched the upper portion as charted and you can see where there's an odd stitch here and there. The corners don't match, even though the intent was for them to match, I'm guessing. It's an odd thing. What to do? I've decided that I'm going to, like Cari, fix some of what I think are just missing stitches. They are all over the place so there's a lot to fix. Anyway, here's my progress as of a little while ago. I love the colors on this and am now anxious to finish it. Maybe in a couple of more weeks.....





The other stitchy news is that I found a new frame shop. They seemed like they really knew what they were doing (they lace rather than pin) and had a good selection of frame mouldings:



Would you like a sneak peak of what I chose for Jenny Bean and my PS Months?


What I really liked about this shop is that the guy that does the framing washed his hands before he touched my stitching. Whew!

The biggest happening this week is that Tyler turned 17! I can't believe he's this old and boy, the time goes fast. Here he is on the couch that no matter how I try, I can't turn it into a silk purse. You know the expression - "You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear." Well that pretty much describes the ugly couch but the kid sitting on it sure is a cutie!


We went to a Japanese steak house for dinner and had a great night.

I've been so busy at work that I didn't have time to bake a cake so Tyler opted for an Oreo Blizzard cake from Dairy Queen. It was a hit and I believe it may now be all gone.
Have a great week friends, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment when you can - they're much appreciated!

Peace!
Terri

53 comments:

Susan said...

Love the colors in Elizabeth! Missing stitches would bug me too, so I'd probably add them in also.

Cari said...

Elizabeth is beautiful. I'd stitch it to please me..fixed or not..to please me. All of your stitching is exquisite Terri...I'm sure what every you chose to do will be the right thing. And Happy Birthday to Tyler...looks like the family was having a fun dinner. Hugs and Happy Stitching....

KarenV said...

Glad you're stitching Elizabeth again, despite the problems. I really love those pinks and greens together.

Your new framer sounds great - mine is good (although he uses acid-free tape rather than lacing) but he's not terribly local. I like the sneak peek of the frame you're using for Jenny - it looks perfect!

Anna van Schurman said...

Love the Jenny Bean frame! I don't understand why you would "fix" a design, but that's just me. I feel like if you are replicating a design, you go with what the designer charted. But then, I don't replicate old samplers so what do I know?

marjo said...

I love that design and the colors are just great. Glad to hear you found a good framer. They are few and far between when it comes to needlework up here. Best wishes to the boy. Have a great day stitching.

Anonymous said...

First, happy birthday to Tyler! Your progress on Elizabeth is awesome, Terri! Love the sneak peaks on the frame moldings! Can't wait to see your pictures framed!

Have a terrific week, my friend!

Robin

Maggie said...

Love the colours on Elizabeth, though i think the missing stitches would get me confussed! (dosen't take a lot, lol)I'm sure you will make a great job of it though.
Happy Birthday to Tyler, looks like you all had a great time!

Melissa said...

Aww, Happy Birthday Tyler! Yes they do grow up fast. The photos of your family are lovely, and yes Mom, he's a cutie!

You too, huh, about E Saville? I told Cari I was so pleased she was doing so well, and now you! I'm pulling for you! I told Cari I just gave up on it including the fact I didn't like that I need to use 2 strands of green, but 1 strand of everything else! Some day I may just stitch bits from the design.

I'm rooting for you! She will be just beautiful. It's too bad it's such a difficult stitch!

I am loving that frame I see for Jenny!

Julie M said...

Terri, I'd probably have to fix the missing stitches. It would drive me nuts otherwise! It's gonna be gorgeous when it's finished!

Happy Birthday to Tyler!

I'm glad you found a frame shop you liked. Looks like a nice place!

Missy Ann said...

Nice frames, I really love Jenny's.

Catherine said...

All your things look lovely! The frames are great!

Holly Hills Primitives said...

Hi Terri - Happy Birthday to Tyler! Japanese Steakhouse sounds YUMMY. Have a great week stitching, that's what I want to do tonight - only very prim! Dawn

The Eveningstitcher said...

Terri...I love your sampler. Love the colors! So nice that you found a frame shop in your area that you are pleased with. I thought all frame shops laced..I didn't know they pinned...that's scary!

Your son looks happy! Time does fly..and your couch looks just fine!

Bobbie

Nancy said...

Your frustration definitely doesn't show in your stitching because Elizabeth is gorgeous! Such beautiful, cheerful colors!

Your frame shop find sounds wonderful, and I really like both of the moldings you chose.

Happy 17th Birthday Tyler!

Margaret said...

Happy birthday to Tyler! They sure grow up fast, don't they? I love your Elizabeth progress! Although I didn't need to hear about the chart being frustrating. Bummer! I love the frames you chose at the new frame shop too. Beautiful as usual!!!

Tanya said...

Happy Birthday to Tyler! Elizabeth sure is pretty. I love you choices in frames.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your Elizabeth looks wonderful and I love the frames you've choosen. It's such a wonderful feeling when you find the perfect framer.

staci said...

I'm sorry that Elizabeth is such a frustrating stitch...but she really is lovely and the colors are pretty. Happy 17th bday to your son! My oldest just turned 15 on Friday, where does the time go???

Sherry said...

Oh wow! Elizabeth is looking stunning! I would probably fix up the missing stitches also. How wonderful about the new frame shop. I would like to find a place I could be happy with - quality and price wise. Happy Birthday to Tyler!

~Judy~ said...

Hi Terri! Love your new frames and glad you found a new shop that you're happy with. Elizabeth is looking so beautiful....good luck with her!

Have A GREAT WEEK, Judy

Von said...

Hi Terri! I too love the colors in your Elizabeth - very fresh looking! As to the "missing" stitches, this is ultimately your creation and I think you should do what makes you feel right about it.

Glad you've found a good framer and your choice of frame looks perfect. :D

Sandra said...

I like to correct obvious errors if I see them as it would annoy me otherwise. Sounds like you have found an amazing frame shop, I can't believe all those mouldings - my shop has about an eighth of that amount.

Anonymous said...

What a great framing shop, I'm still trying to find one that I am really happy with, although there aren't many to choose from where I live. I love the colours on your sampler.

Jane said...

Your work on Elizabeth looks lovely. Being a replica of an old design, the stitches may have been done the way the chart shows. Still, you do have to 'live' with it yourself, so a little fixing may be in order.

I'm so pleased you've found a wonderful framer. Sounds as though they care for their work. I can't believe the choice of frames you have. The framers where I live only carry about 1/10th of what yours does, and even that's stretching it a bit. Jenny's Christmas will look fantastic with the frame you've chosen.

Giovanna said...

Beautiful work on Elizabeth! And great choice of frames. Congrats to your boy for his 17th!

Michelle said...

Your Elizabeth is beautiful - I love the colours!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Beautiful WORK! Lovely :)
And a very happy birthday to your son :)

woolwoman said...

So nice to have a local framer you trust and has a good selection. Can't wait to see the full shots of the new framing.

Elizabeth is beautiful - missing stitches or not - just beautiful - I agree with Cari - you should do what pleases you no matter what - it's your piece now and you have to be pleased with your results.
Happy B-Day Tyler - blizzard cake - YUUUMMMMM ! - Melody

Mylene said...

Elizabeth is looking beautiful, love the colours!

Happy Birthday to Tyler and great picture of you all.

Shelleen said...

great WIP. Love the frames

Michelle said...

Excellent choices for frames. Glad you've been working on Elizabeth - she looks beautiful!

mainely stitching said...

I'll take a slice of that Oreo Blizzard cake. Oh my gosh, I think I gained five pounds just typing that sentence! LOL. Congratulations on the happy birthday! :D

Your framer LACES? I didn't know there were professional framers out there from this century that actually do that. And wow, I love the frame sneak-peeks you showed.

MyLifesAStitch said...

Oooooh... Lizzy Savilles! I have loved it since the moment you posted your first progress pic! It's on my wish list, but I'm glad you let us know that it's a kooky pattern... The frame on Jenny Bean looks gorgeous from the little bit shown! And congrats on your DS turning 17! Wow... you truly don't look old enough to have a 17yo, dear!

Annemarie said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, Elizabeth is gorgeous!!! I've never seen this piece before! If I were you, I'd fix what I wanted fixed andleave the rest. I fixed the mistakes in Mary Wigham, because I figured I'd make plenty of mistakes of my own to make up for the corrections. I was right!
Great picture of your son (and the couch) and such a lovely family picture!

MANUELA ALBANESE said...

WOW, your blog is lovely!
Manuela from Italy :)
ciao

Carol said...

Just discovered your blog--(love the title by the way!) and I wanted to say that your Elizabeth is spectacular. Lovely colors...

Hope your son had a great birthday :)

Katrina said...

I think I would fix things, she's really pretty.

Love your mouldings for your pieces and it's so nice you found a new framer :-).

Happy belated bday to your son too.

Unknown said...

Terri - Liz looks beautiful and you have completed so much. What fabric are you using. You'll have her done in no time, I'm glad you puller her back out. Did you use two strands for the green? I chose not to, mainly because I am using 40 ct fabric.

Ok, I have to say that your Jenny Bean frame is amazing - absolutely beautiful! I miss having a good framer close by. My framing pile is out of control.

What handsome men - happy birthday to Tyler.

Enjoy your week.

SiobhĂ¡n said...

I agree with what Cari said--stitch Elizabeth to please YOU! I know some people who fix the mistakes, others who leave them in. Then there's people like me, who blunder through it all and don't realize there are mistakes at all. ;)

Your new frame shop looks like a great find! I love the mouldings that you chose.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tyler!

Patricia Lessell said...

I love Elizabeth and what you have stitched is gorgeous. Sorry I am so late with the post but I have actually been stitching and I'm off to finish my next to last exchange for the time being. BTW I love your couch and you are right about your son he is a cutie. Glad he liked his Dairy Queen cookie cake and you think 17 is bad? Well my baby is going to be 34 in March. Hmph.
Lots of Love
Patti xxx

Angela said...

I can understand your frustrations over your WIP but if it's any consolation it's just beautiful! I would do whatever you feel comfortable with.

JOLENE said...

How gorgeous Terri!!!! I have this pattern, too. The colors are fabulous...and look at those scissors!!!! Love them. Happy Belated B-day to your dear Tyler. They grow up so fast. My son will be 15 in March which means drivers license is right around the corner. SO scary!!!

bea de caracas said...

Your Elizabeth's sitch is really lovely!
You'll choise the perfect frame!
Kisses to you...
Thanks to visit me and sorry for my bad english...

Isabelle said...

I love the colors of your stitching and what beautiful photos of you and your family :really wonderful !!
Have a great day without rain :-))

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new frame shop. I'm on the lookout for one myself. I like the choices you've made! Happy birthday to Tyler (they do grow up too fast). ~Terri

LiahonaGirl said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love all of your x-stitching projects. You have the same taste in projects that I do! I will e-mail you the pattern for the "Charity Never Faileth" design in thanks for commenting on my blog.
Nancy
http://bountifulheirlooms.blogspot.com/

grace said...

Oh your Elizabeth looks lovely. I know what you mean about missing stitches, but what you have so far looks absolutely beautiful. Loving, l o v i ng the colors!

And happy birthday to your 17 year old!

Tempus fugit said...

Your Elizabeth Savilles is wonderful...
Do you use the recommended threads ?

Rachel S-H said...

Your progress is awesome on Elizabeth. Very pretty! Happy birthday to your son. And many more! I love the frame moulding you chose!

Blasé said...

I agree with what Shalleen said!

Loraine said...

Happy belated birthday to your son! I have been neglecting my blog friends all week, as we have have the flu at my house (my kids, not me, thank goodness!)
I love your sampler. It is beautiful. I would fill in the missing stitches if it were me. I like to fix the stitches, who cares what they originally did!
Love the new molding you chose for your latest pieces. Can't wait to see them finished.
You look fab-u-lous! I'm so jealous of your 20 pound weight loss. I really need to loose some weight, after the holidays and cruise.
So glad to see things are good at your house.
Many hugs!

doris said...

Terri, I'm finally catching up with you after what seems like forever. I think you post on days I don't make it to the computer, and by the time I check in, you're way down my update list. Today I've finally come looking for you!

Miss Elizabeth seems rather difficult to figure out. I'm afraid I'd be trying to fix everything, and it sounds like that could be impossible. Whether she's perfect or not, she sure is pretty.

Love the frames. Congrats on your son's newest trip around the sun.

Bertie said...

Elizabeth's colours are beautiful and cheerful, I can already feel spring coming now.

You are so lucky to have a frame shop with lots of choices, and JB will look fantastic in that frame.

Looks like you had a good time in the Japanese Steakhouse and the food must have been great.