
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for Fall. While I hate the fact that this year seems to be going by so quickly, yesterday’s 105 degree temps had me yearning for some cooler days. I know it’s been awhile since I shared any stitching progress with you, and lest you think I am only sewing I thought I’d show you my progress on John Reed. I am really pleased with how it’s turning out despite a few challenges along the way. The chart is handwritten, and at times makes it difficult to discern what the designer intended. I also had a few issues with the roof color for the house. The called for AVAS was really more of a seafoam green. And I was for sure not putting a seafoam green roof on my house. I ended up going with the DMC equivalent she’d listed on the chart (was definitely not seafoam green, so not sure what was going on there) but had to go a couple of shades darker due to the fabric I’m using. It’s kind of a grey green.

But, I’m getting closer to finishing this sampler up. I’d intended to finish up the grass last night, but I ran out of thread! So frustrating!!!! So, I’ll be out picking up another skein of AVAS as soon as possible. And since I need that green for the grass, the border, the trees…I was a bit frustrated last night.
So, I started something new.

I have spent all year working on just John Reed for the most part, granted some months my stitching was almost zilch. So I decided at the spur of the moment to start my second start for the year – and I wanted something appropriately fall-like since it was September 1st after all )and I’d been looking at eleventy-billion Instagram photos of Pumpkin Spice Lattes). I just happened to have this little beauty in my stitching bag, and it was already kitted with threads, fabric and even a needle included. It’s like the universe was enabling me to start something new.
This is a sweet little sampler a friend of mine designed and gifted me with last fall. I’m excited to finally be starting it. And today’s rainy overcast day seems like the perfect day to snuggle under a quilt (with the A/C on – because it’s still 98 degrees outside and I’m not stupid) and stitch on this.
My birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and it has been so fun finally getting some time away from work and spending time with some friends. Speaking of my talented friend who designs lovely things, I got to spend an afternoon stitching with her the other day after we had a fabulous lunch together. I also had the chance to meet up with another friend for dinner one night and then we went to see the City of Bones/Mortal Instruments movie – so good!!! And I have to share a couple of beautiful gifts I received for my birthday too.
This little pincushion is a design by Little House Needleworks called Heart and Home Sampler. It was stitched over one and finished into this adorable pincushion. And she finished it with these beautiful ribbons and trims that she brought home from her trip to Paris. I love it! She and I had a lovely day out together last weekend and went to lunch and hit a couple of quilt shops. So much fun.

And a package also arrived from Sylvia. She made me another stitch wallet and look at the fabulous sugar skull fabric she used! Reminds me a bit of the birthday gift my friend Lori gave me last year. Sylvia also knitted this beautiful Honey Cowl for me. When she was here in December last year, we went over to Madtosh Crafts and I showed her this cowl I’d been coveting made out of Madeline Tosh Tannenbaum yarn. And she made me one!!! She used a different, lighter weight yarn (since I do live in Texas), but in the same beautiful green I fell in love with. I cannot wait to wear it!

If you look closely at my John Reed sampler, you will see some unfortunate holes in the linen. Luckily the house covered up the worst of the areas. Months ago, my scissors got loose from their sheath in my stitching wallet and poked some holes in my linen. None of the threads were cut, but the holes of the fabric were horribly pulled out of shape. I’ve been joking with Sylvia that my scissors need to have their own “scissor jail” to keep them from causing more trouble with my sampler. And guess what! My new stitching wallet comes complete with an attached scissor jail!!! Perfect for my scissors and threads. How cute is that?!

Sylvia also kitted up this chart for me. Don’t you just love her thread drops?! We’d gotten to talking not too long ago about Americana samplers when we saw this post on Laura’s blog. And look what she sent me. Love it so much!!

Thanks as always for continuing to stop by to check in on my blog, especially since I’ve been so awol this entire year. It’s been kind of a rough one so far. But, I’m feeling like I’m finally getting some time for myself back and boy it’s a wonder what a difference sleep makes!!
I am grateful for a wonderful birthday and some wonderful friends who helped me celebrate it!
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Reed looks absolutely stunning Michelle! What a wonderful accomplishment!
And what an adorable little pinkeep…cute as a button 🙂
John Reed looks absolutely stunning Michelle! What a wonderful accomplishment!
And what an adorable little pinkeep…cute as a button 🙂
I’m so glad you are getting some time to yourself recently. Love all your stitching, and the gifts are just wonderful!
I’m so glad you are getting some time to yourself recently. Love all your stitching, and the gifts are just wonderful!
Love your projects and gifts! Happy Belated Birthday!
Love your projects and gifts! Happy Belated Birthday!
Happy Belated Birthday!
John Reed is looking great. I like the roof color. That was a huge house to stitch.
What lovely gifts from your friends.
I have been dreaming of pumpkin spice lattes too. I walked into Sheetz yesterday to see if they had them yet. No luck 🙁
Have a great week!
Happy Belated Birthday!
John Reed is looking great. I like the roof color. That was a huge house to stitch.
What lovely gifts from your friends.
I have been dreaming of pumpkin spice lattes too. I walked into Sheetz yesterday to see if they had them yet. No luck 🙁
Have a great week!
Your JR is looking wonderful, Michelle. You have really stuck with it, and are headed into the end stretch!! Love the little pincushion – so dainty!!
Your JR is looking wonderful, Michelle. You have really stuck with it, and are headed into the end stretch!! Love the little pincushion – so dainty!!
Your WIP is stunning, and what a lovely new start
Your WIP is stunning, and what a lovely new start
John Reed is looking gorgeous. I seem to remember that AVAS changed some of it’s colours a few years ago, which may explain the odd colours.
The pincushion is lovely
John Reed is looking gorgeous. I seem to remember that AVAS changed some of it’s colours a few years ago, which may explain the odd colours.
The pincushion is lovely
Happy belated birthday. What a nice selection of birthday gifts! Love the color of the Honey Cowl.
Your stitching is beautiful. I am impressed with you ability to stick to one project at a time! I bounce all over the place.
Seriously, it was 105 in TX??? Wow, I sure do not miss that. Today was a gorgeous fall like day here in VT. 🙂
Happy belated birthday. What a nice selection of birthday gifts! Love the color of the Honey Cowl.
Your stitching is beautiful. I am impressed with you ability to stick to one project at a time! I bounce all over the place.
Seriously, it was 105 in TX??? Wow, I sure do not miss that. Today was a gorgeous fall like day here in VT. 🙂