Friday 15 August 2008

Stitching and Wedding Cakes

Warning Photo intensive Post (finally)

First up, this is the Round 9 Fair and Square that I sent to Sandra G. in Portugal. It is from an old cross stitch magazine that I tore out the pages. That was in the early days before I realized that stitching was becoming my passion (obsession) and that my tastes change at any given moment. It is stitched on 32 count antique white lugana.

In return, here are the lovely squares she stitched for me. I have no idea what the pattern is but it is very pretty and I love the blue. It will reside in the basket with my other squares until I have enough for a friendship quilt. Next up, is my completed ornament for the month of August. It is part of a set of 8 and I may well do some of the others. It is done on Silkweaver 32 count Blue Fusion. I finished my Prairie Schooler "Autumn Leaves". I love the colors in this one. This will become a flatfold when Barb has time to get a group of us together to make it up.Do you recognize this stitch? If you notice, pages 1 and 8 are not the same size as the middle page. You got it. I stitched it on the wrong count fabric, so I am restitching pages 1 and 8. Lesson # 233 (I think) label your fabrics. How I got these two pages a different size is beyond me. Next up, I have signed up for a Winter Themed Neighborhood RR on the Worldwide Round Robin board and here is my layout with my block stitched. I love this snowman - he is just the cutest. The saying at the top is "There are no friends like snow friends."Now, I have a problem and I need some advice. For some reason, I did not read (Lesson #1 that I need to repeat) the word neighborhood when I joined this RR and so my plan was to fill the blocks with snowmen. Well, that's not gonna work. The other blocks will be winter houses and I can request that a snowman be included wherever possible. My question is - do I leave my snowman in or tear him out and stitch a house instead. Opinions please.
And in my mailbox this week, was the most stunning Mirabilia RR I have ever seen. This belongs to Marjean of Linen and Lagniappe. One of her stitchers has backed out and I have offered to stitch a block for her. I have the pattern picked out, the threads pulled and a couple of stitches started. I love Mirabilia and am looking forward to stitching this for her.
And last, but certainly not least. I have done very little stitching this week as my hands have been busy. A good friend of mine is getting married tomorrow and my wedding gift to her is her cake. And so you see, one completed wedding cake. The bow is just laid on top. I will attach the bow and ribbons after it is delivered to the reception hall tomorrow.
I also baked 2 slab carrot cakes to be cut and served iced with cream cheese icing. The top layer of her cake is carrot and the middle and bottom layer are styrofoam. I prefer not to use all three layers of cake when the weight may cause a possible collapse. We do not need a wedding cake disaster.

And now you know where the wedding cake comes in.
Becky - yes, I made the little ort box. If you would like any more information please feel free to email me.

27 comments:

Beatrice said...

WOW the cake is lovely what a wonderful gift!
About the snowman....hmmmm.Maybe another RR. You can't pull it out its too cute. [Trim around it and you have an ornament????
A new piece of fabric and a new start...I know, I know, but it's just tooo cute! Good luck with it!

Becky K in OK said...

Be uti ful cake. You are a multi talented gal.


RE: the RR. Don't rip it out. I agree with Beatrice. A new piece of fabric and a new star, He's just too cute to "melt" him away.

Jo said...

whats wrong with a snowman "neighborhood"? Who says a neighborhood has to be houses.

Anonymous said...

Wow Kathy, what a post!!!

I just love your PS autumn piece, it's gorgeous. You should consider having it framed.

I think you should leave your snowman, he will look good in the neighborhood of other houses, so wintery.

What a nice thing to do on the Mirabilia rr. And it is a lovely one. I have seen a few of these, they are simply gorgeous!

Yummy, those carrot cakes sound so yummy and the wedding cake looks so beautiful. What a great job.

Btw, I left a reply to your question on the post you asked about the charms.

Ranae said...

Yummy! That cake that looks too beautiful to eat, lol
That is a fabulous Mirabilia RR.
The PS is an awesome finish.
So sorry about the Little Book.
I love the snowman.

Ruth said...

Wow, haven't you been busy! I think I'd go with the early votes on starting a new piece of fabric for your neighborhood. Now you'll have a snowman RR read for the next call. :) He's too cute to lose..... and I figure everyone hates pulling out as much as me. That Mira rr is stunning. I keep swearing I'm going to do one, but then I chicken out. Maybe next year.

Stitchingranny said...

Firstly Kathy I want to thank you for the lovely remarks on my blog, they made my day.

Your snowman is so sweet, can you not save him for another RR, there is sure to be one somewhere for snowmen. Please do not destroy him he is too cute to be attacked by frogs.

You have been busy and done some lovely things, I especially like the candle ornament that is so unusual.

Annemarie said...

Goodness, Kathy, I hardly know where to begin! Such a lovely post, with so much news and so many beauties to drool over! The Mirabilia RR looks like a very special affair, it's gorgeous. As for your own Winter Wonderland Neighbourhood RR: I would definitely leave the snowman exactly where he is. I firmly believe neighbourhoods should be a reflection of all its inhabitants, and if one of the neighbours wants to build a HUGE snowman that blocks their house from view, I think they should go right ahead and do it. Especially since it's your own neighbourhood!

Crazee4books said...

Hi Kathy,

It's Sunday morning here and we
are moving mighty slowly as we're
recovering from a late night and
a pool party at a friend's house
yesterday. We're not as young as
we use to be!!

This is a very busy post, and
there's so much to comment on.
I don't hardly know where to
begin.

The wedding cake that you made
is so beautiful!! The bride
and groom will be thrilled with
it, I'm sure. Have you taken a
course in cake decorating??
Mmmmm....cheesecake!

Oh, that Mirabilia RR is just
spectacular!! Marjean is so
lucky to be getting this back.
This has got to be one of my
most favourite RR's of all.

Now, I think that your Winter
Themed RR is fine the way that
you've stitched it, and there's
no need to rip. You can just
pretend that this is the Snow-
man's neighbourhood and he's taking you on a tour. He's too cute to rip.

Congrats on finishing Autumn
Leaves. It is simply gorgeous!!
The colours are so perfect for
the season and the verse is just
lovely. I adore these designs
and really need to stitch them
too.

The blue candle that you have
stitched for your August square
is so sweet, and delicate. And
it looks great on the Blue
Fusion fabric. By all means,
you must stitch more of these.

Your square exchange with Sandra
allowed both of you to receive
such pretty squares.

Cheers!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love the cake.

Marjean's RR is a stunner, I love how she laid out all those different size blocks, it makes it really visually interesting.

As for your RR, I vote leave the snowman, he's already done, he's cute, and if don't think he fits when the RR comes home you can take him out then. And I really like the snowflakes you've stitched on it.

Anonymous said...

Kathy, I love your stitching. I agree with the others, keep the snowman, he is so cute! The candle ornament is beautiful and so is the Mirabilia RR.

Karin said...

My goodness you've been busy! Lots of stitching and a wedding cake too... I love the Mirabilia RR - it's gorgeous.

Sue said...

Wow, you've been busy. Congrats on so many finishes.

That Miribilia RR is awesome, I've never seen one like that either ;)

stitcherw said...

Wow, between the gorgeous pictures from your trip to the cabin in the last post, and all the lovelies in this post I didn't know where to look first.

Love your snowman. Since it is your square, I think I'd wait and see what it looks like when everyone else is done. A RR neighborhood could be a winter theme, snowmen, penguins, etc.. and then it would fit, since a neighborhood can be anything. Who knows, it may fit in just fine. Since you like him I wouldn't rip before you know for sure. Or, as others suggested, start a new piece for the RR and keep this one seperate. You could stitch other snowment on it, or finish him as a stand alone design. He's to cute not to keep. The Mirabilla one is awesome. I've never seen a RR like that, but it's gorgeous.
Sue

Lynn said...

I love your snowman! I think I'd leave him just as he is. After all it is your RR and he'll look great surrounded by all those winter homes. He's just too cute to tear out.

Your candle ornie looks so delicate. I have these patterns in my stash but have never gotten around to doing any of them. This is the first time I've seen one completed and it's really beautiful. I hope you do some of the others.
Speaking of firsts, I've never seen a Mirabilia RR like this one. It's gorgeous!!

Congrats on your PS finish!! After all that trouble with the frogs I'll bet you're happy this one is behind you but it looks fantastic. Can't wait to see it in person.

She decorates cakes too...wow!!

Nicola said...

Love the squares you sent, so pretty. Gorgeous ones too from Sandra. I absolutely love your August ornament, whose the design by? Your PS Autumn Leaves finish is fabulous your snowman is really cute.

Anonymous said...

Hi, once again thank you for the lovely squares you stitched for me! It was a pleasure having you as a partner and I'm glad you enjoyed the ones I sent you. I can see you have been working a lot! Everithing looks gorgeous! And the cake... Beautiful!

Carolien said...

Hello Kathy,

What do you mean: 'I have done very little stitching' ... I think I should say then that I do nothing at all! :))) You made such lovely new things and finished things ... I can't run up with you!
The cake is a masterpiece, awesome how you do that. What a special gift it is as well!
I wouldn't dare to banish that snowman, to be honest. He's cute. Well, that's my humble opinion.
Have a nice day at the wedding & hugs, Carolien

Anonymous said...

Your stitching is beautiful and that snowman is so cute. You can't rip him out! I agree with Beatrice that you should start another piece of fabric for your RR.

Rachel S-H said...

I love the candle ornament. That is glorious.

I would say just go with the snowman. It's your RR. He's very cute and he makes you happy! it will all work out when it's all on the fabric.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow Girl! You have sure been busy! That cake looks so professional!!!1

That Mirabilia RR is just stunning!

I say leave the snowman!

See you soon!

samplerlover said...

HI Kathy, your snowman is very cute. I agree with some of the girls. Cut him out and make him into something for Christmas and then you have a spare piece of material.
What a stunning piece of work the Mirabilia RR piece is. It should look absolutely glorious when it is completed.
Is the design from Sandra a Portuguese design as I have a couple of Portuguese vases that have similar designs on them. Very beautiful.
What a great present for a bride. That is one thing off her mind with all her busy preparations.
I hope you have a lovely week. - Sandra.

Sharon said...

Beautiful stitching! That RR is gorgeous. Your carrot cake wedding cake sounds so yummy! You are a woman of many talents.

Hazel said...

Wow what a lovely lot of stitchery. That mirabilia rr is stunning. You could use your mistake for the little book as a pinkeep - don't throw it anyway. xx

Jinger said...

I've given you a blog award. Stop by my blog to find out details.

Sonda said...

Your stitching is great! That cake is beautiful. Your hands do great work on linen or food!!

Marion said...

Thank you for the lovely comment on my Blog this morning! Glad I made you smile! I do hope you enjoy your day and that it is a beautiful and sunny in Ontario as it is here in Nova Scotia today!
Take care
Marion