Wednesday 23 June 2010

It has been 12 days

 since my last confession -  OOPS - I mean post and have I been busy!!!

We bought a house! These were our requirements - no lawn, no stairs, small, not too many rooms, garage not necessary and a townhouse/condo.
Here's what we bought.


Lots of lawn, 4 level side split - 1700 sq feet, 4 small flights of stairs, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, garage, deck, shed and single car garage. And we love it!

When we have not been running around doing paperwork and getting things sorted out for both the sale of our current home and the purchase of our new home I have done some stitching and sewing.

I  received my personal exchange from Clare.

She made me a lovely needlebook and included lots of wonderful goodies.

She added our initials inside the book and some packs of John James needles. I have never used them so will enjoy trying that.

Here is a photo of the package I sent her.

Her needlebook and scissor fob is from GOS magazine on 32 count lugana stitched with Vikki Clayton's Purpilicious silk.


I stitched on Flowers in the Garden and made some good progress. I am glad to see the end of that writing with #8 braid.
Before:



After:


I picked up Chatelaine's Desert Mandala and worked away until I had completed Part 1 except for the beading. This piece is such a pleasure to work on. I have a hard time putting it down at the end of it's rotation.
Before:

After:


I found these little snowmen on Rachel's blog and just had to stitch them.


They are from SanMan. Aren't they cute? You can go to their website and find the patterns from there.  This is 3 in a set of 12.

I found this precut apron pattern at Joann's before I left Arizona. It should have taken me a couple of hours. Well, I decided to make it reversible. And that's me - make it way more complicated than it needs to be. This simple little apron took me 3 1/2 weeks to sew together!


My BFF Beatrice was away in Boston for several days and bought me a few little gifts.


Can you tell I like lighthouses? Isn't she the best! Love ya girl!

There are over 275 posts in my Google Reader right now. I have been checking out my emails and not much else while all this house stuff has been happening. There has been so much paperwork and phone time required that it has been mind boggling.
I will do my best to get through all your news now that things are calmer. I will comment where I can. Please know I am reading them all and admiring your wonderful work!

And tomorrow, I am picking up my framed Mirabilia Round Robin! I can hardly wait to see it.

Until next time, keep those stitches crossing!

26 comments:

Bonnie Brown said...

Can't wait to see the house in person!
I love your fairies... coming along so nicely.
Your other wips are looking great too.

Lynn said...

Beautiful house Kathy! Isn't that always the way though? We never end up with what we set out looking for. Now you can relax a little, at least until the move!
Desert Mandela looks absolutely gorgeous!! Can't wait to see this one in person.
I love that needlebook you stitched as well. Lovely silks!

valerie said...

What a cute house...congratulations! It sure sounds like you've been busy!Great exchanges and wips. Your Desert Mandala is coming along great! Can't wait to see how your framing turned out on your Mirabilia RR.

Deb said...

Left you a facebook message on your great house and lawn! I love your exchanges and recent stitching, Kathy. You are a quick stitcher!! And I scrolled down to see the Traveling Sisterhood at your "camp" place. Oh, what fun that must have been. Couldn't believe you all actually could stitch without magnifying lamps!! I'm blind without mine...I would have been the only one there hooked up like a robot!!! LOL You all looked like you were so relaxed and contented.

Annemarie said...

You're way too busy to busy yourself with the internet, girl! Congratulations on the lovely new house. And also on that huge amount of stitching you got done!
Don't forget to breathe every now and then :o)

Parsley said...

Love the goodies and projects.

Deb said...

I had to laugh at the house you bought - didn't fit any of the requirements, did it! LOL But it looks like a great house. We did the same thing when we bought ours - had requirements and broke every one!

Love your exchanges, Flowers in the Garden is stunning and just love the Chatelaine piece. Her designs are always to eye striking.

Jules said...

Lovely house! Sometimes we go into something with a set of requirements and find that those don't really mesh with our lives. Kudos...

Your WIPs are fabulous! I especially like the mandala.

Thanks for sharing!

Dani - tkdchick said...

You have definately been busy girl! Wow that house is everything you didn't want! LOL too funny! Can't wait to see it this fall when you take posession. I will miss your little home on the shores of Lake Ontario but this one is much more practical! Congratulations!

Wow you've gotten some fantastic goodies there in the mail! Also lots of great stuff from Beatrice, did she go to Nausett Lighthouse? I've been there! I've even got a great pattern for it!

Lots of great stitching progress!

Berit said...

Wow!! Whatta house! and What Stitching! 0_o!

I can only say congratulations, and so looking forward to seeing your frame-up!

Jenny said...

I haven't been so good about staying on top of my blog lately either! Love the new house and the projects look great as always! :)

Carolien said...

Hello Kathy,

Congratulations on your new home! You have been working ... and what a quick surprise! Can you move into it soon? It looks stunning, that's for sure. There will be some mowing to do though ;)))

I don't know how you do it: all those masterpieces you made lately. That exchange is so cute!
Beatrice did a good job too :)

Take care & hugs, Carolien

Daffycat said...

ROFLOL What a great new house, Kathy! Congratulations!

Kim B said...

What a handsome new home! Your stitching is lovely as always Kathy. And I had to laugh about the apron. It turned out great!

sandra said...

Gorgeous house! I can see why you changed your preferences...
WIPS are going fast!

Carol said...

I'm so happy for you, Kathy!! I hope you'll be very happy in your new home. Have you picked out a stitching corner yet?

Myra said...

Congratulations! I know you can't wait to move in. Both of the exchange pieces are lovely. Don't you just love those HDF silks? I can't wait to see your RR framed as well.

Judy S. said...

You've really been busy, Kathy! I love your mandala; it's beautiful. Those snowmen sure are cute, but I couldn't find them...what am I doing wrong?

Heidi said...

I know all about the house thing. We set out on a 6 year long search for an apartment or bungalow. We ended up with a three story house with a big garden. And I also know how much there is to do. I do not read blogs as much because of being so busy. I am really happy for you. When is your move?

You were able to get a good deal of stitching in though and it all looks fabulous. The exchange looks fun.

Thanks for the cat book which I got this week in the mail!

Hope you have a great weekend. It is very hot here so I will be doing little other than stitching. :-)

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Niina said...

Everything looks so wonderfull, house, stitching, all! Love those snowmen, but didn't wind the chart :( Can you help me?

mainely stitching said...

What a gorgeous house you've bought! Congratulations!!

Linen Stitcher said...

Here's wishing you much happiness in your lovely new home! Glad you found just what you were(n't) looking for! LOL!

Hey, your mention of your 275 Google Reader posts prompted me to check my total. I'm at 693 and climbing, I'm afraid. Ah well, at least I read (and commented on) your post!!

Margaret said...

What a lovely new home Kathy - you are going to LOVE living here.

So much great stitching in this post - you and your exchange partners have been keeping very busy. Your Mandela is gorgeous.

Weather is great here at the moment. It is now 6:15 a.m. and only 72.4 F. We've only been in the triple digits for the last week which is great for this time of the year.

If you would like the lighthouse pattern just let me know as I will never stitch it a second time. The pattern is a pain but as a lighthouse lover you may find it worth your while. You can always contact me at megratdataviadotcom

Have a great weekend.

Cheryl said...

Congratulations on the new house Kathy! It looks really lovely! How exciting for you

stitcherw said...

Congrats on finding the house, hope you get all settled in quickly. Wonderful exchanges given and received, and you've made wonderful progress on your WIP's. The colors in the Mandala I think are especially lovely.
Sue

Meari said...

Great exchange! Cute house... lol, you didn't get many things from your wishlist!