It's a SIGN! (actually TWO SIGNS!)

***

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree...
...a budding tree!

It really is true.  Spring is coming.

He also sang for us this morning.  What a blessing!

:-))

Clinging to Hope...

It's almost March.  Right? 

Would anyone like to reassure me that Spring is 'right around the corner'? 

Stargazer Lily

Stitch. Pray. Love.

***

Up early this morning, way before sun-up, and took the opportunity to slip a few stitches in before church.

I'm the World's Best at taking a spare hour and turning it into "Top 16 Things To Do in the next 60 Minutes".  But not this morning.  I didn't make a big breakfast, start six loads of laundry, strip the sheets off the bed, etc.. 

Nope.  Instead, I say to Carmen, "Carmen, what do you say we have two bites of yogurt and granola, call it breakfast, enjoy a latte and put a few stitches in that Assisi project before church?  Shall we?"

Carmen said, "Sure, sounds great Mom.....whatever whatever....just put that foamed milk in my bowl and then you can do whatever you want."

So, here it is:

Assisi GCC (parts 1, 2, 3) 

As you may have already guessed, the fabric color, count and thread choice was left up to each student (don't blame Marion for my borderline disasterous choices).  Each thimble is slightly different from the next and I think I actually learned something with each one.  The next and final part involves planning an original piece (small though), which I'll need to comtemplate tomorrow.

Loving that I'm nearly finished with this one.  I had myself worried there for a few minutes that I wouldn't be able to 'graduate' with my classmates.  My plans are to dive right into the Sashiko GCC before my needles cool off.  :-))

If Congress doesn't do something soon about the 2011 budget, I might actually have plenty of stitching time (during my UNPAID lay-off) on my hands.  :-(

Happy President's Day, friends!

Assisi GCC progress

...

It's not much, but it's something!

I had hoped to have all the background, fill-in stitches done by today but...as you can see, I have a little more to go.  Each thimble is a wee bit different from the other but the goal is to stitch each in such a way that you can't tell the back from the front (reversible).  If I showed you the back of mine, you would know it is the back, so I think I'll just skip that pic.

GCCs (or Group Correspondence Courses) are one of the best things about belonging to the Embroiderers' Guild of America.  They offer a fantastic variety of courses at bargain basement prices all year long.  I still think the best way to learn any needlework technique is hand-to-hand, but as much as I would like to attend every retreat and seminar coming and going, I'm only able to make it to one or two a year.  Participating in a GCC once in a while is a great way to sharpen my skills and keep my checkbook balanced (sorta kinda more or less..). 

Furthermore, Ms. Marion Scoular is one of my personal all-time favorite people.  She is such a delightful lady with a sparkling personality, amazing needlewoman, and superb teacher.  I adore her, can you tell?  So, I'm taking my time and trying to be extra conscientious with this particular class.  

Two years ago (yikes), I signed up for Marion's "Finishing with Flair" course but was not able to keep up with the rest of the class.  Instead of rushing through it and sending her an inferior finished product, I opted to drop out. 
:-(   

Does anyone else hear "Beauty School Drop Out" playing in the background?

One day, I hope to go back and complete it.  I'd love to add another color to my GCC pin.  :-)

My GCCs:

#1)  Beginner's Hardanger (Marion Scoular) 

how I fell in love with hardanger..

#2) Mariposa (Dakota Rogers)

I'd rather clean prison toilets for a week than stitch this again..

#3) Finishing with Flair (Marion Scoular)  -  not yet complete

#4)  Assisi (Marion Scoular)  -  currently in progress


#5)  Plum Blossom Sashiko (Lois Kershner)  -  next!


So while I've had a mixed bag of experience with the GCCs I've participated in, I have to say that by in large, they have been outstanding educational opportunities.

You can check them out at http://www.egausa.org/.

                                                          Hugs,

Is it Friday yet?

Okay, so the Steelers lost.  It's taken me two days to be able to say it out loud.

As I type, I'm reading a severe winter weather warning scroll across the tv.  Yeah.

Tomorrow is a new day, right?

Groundhog Day and the 4 Day Forecast

Stopping in to quickly say, "Hey, is it cold where you live?  Again?  Today?  It is Groundhog Day, ya know?"   

Loved that movie - not loving Mother Nature.  Not. At. All.

I've been tending to a few 'necessaries' this week (like end of year financial reports, tax prep and other yucky stuff) and haven't made much progress on my Assisi GCC, however, I am sure I will be finished with Part 1 soon. 

• Thursday:  evening obligation (no stitching)
• Friday:  Wear Red for Healthy Heart awareness!
• Saturday:  Stitch In Public Day at "AC Moore".  Hopefully meeting lots of stitchers who don't know about EGA (and making a lot of hay with the GCC).
• Sunday:   SUPER BOWL Sunday:  Watch the 6 time World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers hoist yet another Lombardi trophy high (in the house that JJ built, no less) 

Victory is a beautiful thing.

Click HERE for a fun Stitch Your Heart Out chart.

May your toes be toasty and fingers be nimble.  

Hugs!  XOXOXO