Sewcialites 3 -- Almost a Flimsy!

Happy Monday, Friends!

This is a quick post to share my progress on Sewcialites 3. After helping my Mom this weekend, I did indeed get to sit and sew for a while. I completed the last block for Sewcialits 3.
                                        
Sparks Block by Jessica Dayon.
                                        
I had to scroll back through the Fat Quarter Shop's YouTube videos to find Kimberly's episode about this block. She said blocks 24 here, and 25 were saved until the end because they were the most difficult. I didn't think Jessica's block was difficult. It was just time consuming.

Had to sit back and admire the pile of blocks.
                                         
I jumped right into making the 24 setting blocks and laid everything out on the guest bed.
                                         
I stacked the rows and labeled them.
                                         
I've sewn the rows and will begin putting them together this week. Another plan for this week is to cast on a knitting project...a hat most likely. I've joined a new book club called Hooks and Books. It is hosted by the owners of a yarn store in town. They alternate meeting locations between their shop and one of the used book stores.  This Thursday evening the meeting will be held at the book store.  We are reading to Practical Magic this month. 
                                          

                                           
I bought a hard copy of the book but I'm listening on Audible. I can do that while sewing, cross-stitching or walking at the lake.

We got a lot of rain Saturday from Hurricane Isaias but nothing damaging, thank goodness. I hope if any of you were in the storm's path that you were safe and did not suffer any damage to your property. Gene, I'm especially concerned about you in Alabama! Let us know how you are doing.

That is my weekend in a nutshell. I'll be back on Friday with a cross-stitch update. In the meantime, have a great week.

Linking up with Melva Loves Scraps Sew & Tell.

See you soon,

Floss Friday -- Cross Stitch Progress, More Fall and A Little Halloween

Happy Friday!

How has everyone's week been? Were you creative in any way? I'd love to know.

I did a little cross stitching on Merry Bouquet. Here is where I am as of Thursday evening.

This is a fun little stitch and I hope to have a finish soon.

I did a little more fall decorating.

The tiered shelf...
                                            
Harvest Small is from Hands on Design and Priscilla Blain.
                                            
September Calendar Crates is from Stitching with the Housewives. 
                                            
I will switch out the Calendar Crates for Halloween soon. 

Melisa at Pinker n Punkin' Quilting and Stitching inspired me to get out a few Halloween pieces.

Boo Jar is from Hands on Design and Priscilla Blain.
                                            
Trick or Treat is from Stitching with the Housewives.
                                            
Witch's Night Out is a pattern from It's Sew Emma using Fig Tree & Co. fabric.
                                            
I have it draped over the back of one of the family room sofas.
                                
This Is Halloween Back Up the Truck from Stitching with the Housewives.
                                          
Costume Party from Hands on Design.
                                           
Halloween Alphabet is from Primrose Cottage Stitches.
                                          
The Boo Strawberry is from Eric Michaels and the three cat pillows are from Stitching with the Housewives.
                                            
This Is Halloween from Primrose Cottage.
                                            
I've offered to help Mom with a few things this weekend but I'm still hopeful there will be some sewing for ME sometime in there.

I hope you enjoy the weekend and I'll see you soon!

Did I Sew? And A Fair...

Hello, Dear Friends!

I mentioned on Friday that I would be attached to my sewing machine during the weekend. And I was...just not working on the things I thought I would be. I may have mentioned before that my Mom purchased a townhouse recently. She wants to use draperies she already has for the new place. They needed some hemming so that is what we did. I will share photos once they are laundered and hung.

It is fair season in the mountains. Last year, I got up enough courage to enter a cross stitch piece in the crafts exhibit and earned a third place ribbon.
                                        

Red Bird Sampler by With Thy Needle and Thread

This year, my family encouraged me to enter a quilt. My daughter selected the one she thought I should enter. It was Flea Market Flowers by Lori Holt.

Hubby and I went to the fair's exhibit hall where we found my quilt hanging SIDEWAYS! Apparently, men on a scissor lift were hanging the quilts and no one was providing guidance. They were draping the quilts over a cable and attaching them with clothes pins. You can see in the photo below that the clothes pins are on the left side...I rotated the phot0 so it would show properly.

We found the first place quilt...

Not my quilt.  Exhibitor AB.

I missed getting a photo of the third place quilt. It was cute, made up of bird blocks. And we couldn't find the second place quilt for the longest time. 

Finally, my husband stood at just the right angle to find the red ribbon attached to mine.

I was  excited to earn a ribbon at the county fair. But I think I'll try entering one of the regional fairs next year where they publish the judging criteria.

I hope you had a nice weekend and wishing you the best for the week ahead.

I'm linking up to Melva's Sew & Tell

See you soon,

Floss Friday -- September Stats, A New Start and A Few Plans

Happy Friday, Friends!!

September's stitch count is a bit higher than August's. I put 2,140 stitches in three projects.

Wilding Hill Manor by Little Robin Designs...
                                            
Red Letter Sampler by Threadwork Primitives...
                              
And last, which is also a new start, Merry Bouquet by Shakespeare's Peddler...
                                            
This is one of the kits I purchased at the Stitching in the Wild retreat early September. My friend Andrea and I are stitching this together.
                            
My fabric is 36 count linen Tin Roof by Weeks Dye Works, and I'm using the called-for Classic Colorworks floss.

Christmas stitching wasn't originally in my plan for October. Recently that changed when I won a chart from Priscilla and Chelsea's flosstube, Stitching with the Housewives. This is Pinkie Santa...
                                            
This will be a good project to work on at my next stitching retreat. Anabella's is hosting a retreat during our town's apple festival mid-October. The featured designer is Priscilla. I know, I know, I just saw her on the Alaskan cruise retreat. But when someone big comes to our little town...well, I have to go!

Not much, if any, stitching will happen this weekend. It is back to the sewing machine for me. I'm determined to make progress on quilt wips. Speaking of quilts, I have something exciting to share on Monday. Well, it is exciting for me anyway.

What are you working on this weekend? I hope it is something fun!

Enjoy and I'll see you Monday!

A Bit of Fall Decor and Baking

Hello, dear friends.

Our daughter, her boyfriend and their fur baby were visiting last week. We  enjoyed walks around the lake, a couple of trail hikes, lots of eating and relaxing. The week passed way too quickly and we were sad to see them go. But, we will see them in Florida next month and then they will be here for Christmas.

While I didn't get around to stitching or sewing, I did put out a few Fall decorations.

The Hoosier Cabinet
                                            

                                            

Mini Sunflower Stamp and Crows and Sunflowers Stamp
by Melisa at Pinker n Punkin' Quilting and Stitching

Harvest Jar from Hands on Design and Priscilla Blain

Tiered Tray Tidbit Gobble from
Stitching with the Housewives

The kitchen sideboard

Hello Autumn by Primrose Cottage Stiches

The dry sink

Give Thanks by The Proper Stitcher

The family room

                                 
                                 
                      Olga's Autumn Stocking by Plum Street Samplers
                                
                        Autumn on the Square by Scissor Tail Designs

The kids always request their favorite desserts when they are home, and I am happy to oblige.

First was my husband's Aunt Sarah's chocolate cake.
                                          
Next was Miss Lou's pound cake with caramel frosting.
                                             
                                            
Last, but not least, a cinnamon roll banana bread.
                                           

Everyone is back to normal routines this week and exercising a bit harder.

I hope you all have a great week and I'll see you soon.