Elaine's Quilt Topper Completed

On a very sunny day in Naples, I'm trying to get a pretty picture for all of you of Elaine's Quilt topper from my lanai (better known in NEngland and other parts of the Country as a sunporch!).
Not a great pic...so I'm going to take it in sections for you.

It gives me such pleasure to be able to share these snippets of glimpses with you of Elaine's Quilt Project topper. I finished it over the past weekend and went off to find the backing fabric early this week. Decided on an overall green on green small print... it went best with all the greens in the squares.

My progress above on our Mirabilia RR 2009. This is "Iris" and is for Sophia from Australia's piece. Her idea is awesome. She's taken several of the Nora Corbett "Couture Pixies" for her design request. It's turning out so beautifully. I have to finish my "Iris" to mail by Sept. 1st.

That's all folks!!! :] What do you think about Elaine's Quilt so far???? I'm off to see DD, Jessica, and grandboy, Kellan, for a few days starting tomorrow. Can hardly contain myself. Happy weekend to everybody!

Hugs, Deb

Blog Giveaway

Mel of http://www.thedailymel.com/ is having a giveaway which entry expires on August 26th! Go on over and sign up! Isn't it awesome? I can't believe all the threads!

She is ultra generous, don't you think? :]

Hugs,

Deb

Elaine's Quilt and Books

Beginning with my current reading list, I have to mention "Matrimony," to you. It's one of those curious novels that gives you unexpected pleasure to read. I was just in a mind-twist to buy something a few weeks ago at our local Target, and found this book. The main character is an aspiring author who meets his lifelong best friend (another aspiring author), and his wife at college. The book is so fabulously written, it would just be droll for me to give you anything else in review. If you get a chance, try to see if there's anything for you in this book.
I really postponed reading "Olive Kitteridge" because I was not taken by initial contact with the book and I didn't want to spend the money purchasing the hardback! LOL However, it's now out in a very nice paperback and the reviews are compelling. "Olive..." is on the Author's List for our speaker at the Philharmonic Center in Naples, FL. I think I've mentioned this before, but there is a wonderful reviewer, professor and speaker who comes to our Phil. once a year to review the latest and best in the year's literature.

Below is a tale about the wife of Charles Dickens in an after-his-death memoir of their lives together. Though the characters go by another name, the author was inspired by letters held at the British Museum; letters from Dickens to his wife. Her request was that they be displayed at the Museum so that, "..the world may know that he loved me once." What Arnold has imagined and given to us is a beautifully written and most poignant account of their love and life together. Arnold is a new author...lots of promise here!

Update on Elaine's Quilt:

I'm really near completion of Elaine's Quilt, but I can't show any pictures, yet, because Elaine wants to keep it a surprise! You will be amazed at how every piece has fit together so beautifully. She tells everyone how wonderful it is that all of you from around the world have contributed to her quilt and have sent her notes, cards, and goodies. I have to say, she really beams with telling the story.

What a difference you all have made in Elaine's life and her attitude. She is doing well with her current bout of chemo...though she, naturally, has good and bad days. She will have another cycle of the chemo a few weeks after this current one. Your prayers are making a difference as her coughing and breathing have improved, and she's had no more TIAs since her hospitalization last month. Thank you for thinking of her, for remembering her in your prayers, and for continuing to send her cards and notes. All of this means more than you can imagine, dear caring stitching friends. :]

Lots of stitching going on at my house these days!! Can't wait to show you with pictures of that and Elaine's Quilt at the beginning of September. "September," where has our Summer gone?

Please leave me your messages, dear friends and readers. I take alot of inspiration and information from them. And, it just offers us a chance to build our friendships which means so much to me.

With love and wishes for your happy stitching,

Deb

See a Couple of Gorgeous Items

See the above gorgeous stitching items!!??? Lynn B. is having a "giveaway" to celebrate her blogaversary right now. Please go check her blog out (look on my sidebar..), she is an awesome stitcher! And, tell her Deb/LavenderRose sent you, please. :]


Kellan is teething badly and is experiencing his very first virus from his new Nursery School. His mommy had to go back to work. What an adjustment for the little guy and mommy! He's looking outside from his house....outside is his new word.

Hugs, Deb

New Quilt Pieces for Elaine's Quilt,...etc...

Please try to follow me through this very mixed up and random entry. I'm having issues with getting the pictures in order! The way I've set them here is no reflection on how very thankful I am to Barbara (Mainely St.), and Von!

Here, to start with are the two quilt pieces sent by Barbara for Elaine's Quilt. The note was even more special, I can tell you. She can always make me cry. Thank you, dear friend, for those kind and undeserved words about me. I love having you for a friend, Barbara. Elaine's going to love these pieces for her Quilt, too.

Above is my linen and thread prepared for my next RR: Emblem of Love Quaker Sampler. It's 32ct. Lakeside Linen in "Thistle Pink," and mostly Silk 'n Colors (Threadgatherer), with just one Gloriana in Grannie Apple Green. Edgar is leading this one. I'm so excited to get started. If only I could put my hands on the chart!!! :O

I was just a sucker for this sweet LHN "Traveling Stitcher." I know, probably all of you already have it and have finished it by now, but I loved the darling little thing and it's now in my Do To pile.

Just a pretty fabric sent for Elaine's Quilt that I wanted to show you up close... :] Doesn't it make you think of English tea time?

Here above is Von's dear little envelope and card to Elaine. It's so sweet you want to handle it like a little treasure. I wanted to handle everything she sent like a tiny treasure!! I was just gasping with joy and pleasure...see below.... :]

Just a very small update on my Plantation Sampler...really just a way to show you Von's perfectly divine RAK!!!

Von just spoiled me!!! She sent me this beautiful card and then...dada! A huge batch of these darling little threadwinders. She's so awesome. I just love the patterns and the size and weight of these little jewels. Thank you sooo much, Von. They are a delight to my eyes when I'm stitching. I'm starting to convert some of my threads to them this weekend. :D

Now I have to get stitching on my RRs and SALs and small fun things before the night is completely done and gone, as they say. Keep well and happy stitching times, dear friends. Deb

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary!

RE: Elaine's Quilt Progress: These little triangles of fabric above are from Kristin B. of http://quiltinginthegreenmountains.blogspot.com/ . Please go by and check out her site. Thanks, Kristin!

Major Confession From Deb: What's been happening is that I've been photoing the squares and then taking them over to Elaines in groups, so I've gotten confused. I think I may have taken some over before photos and labeling. Stacy is one who's contributed two times to the Project and I think I really messed up her squares. Please forgive me Stacy!! If I've screwed anyone else up, will you please straighten me out in the comments???

Lookee, lookeee, what Elaine got from Marie P.!! Isn't it the most darling? The bag is so beautiful, and I think it has very special bookmarks in it for one thing. Marie told me one is an angel...and I know Elaine will love that.

Elaine has already seen some of the Quilt pieces and her little gifts of tissues and the personal notes. You all should see the look on her face and the tears and smiles. She is just tickled. She keeps saying, "You'll help me, won't you? I have to write a note of thanks for your blog." We will certainly get to that....but we'll wait a couple of weeks, as I know more squares and things are still coming in from you all.

Your thoughtfulness and generosity has meant so much to me and to Elaine. Stitching friends are the most kind of friends...and the most caring. I appreciate those of you who've also shared Elaine's Quilt story with others for thoughts and prayers to come her way. Thank you all. :]

Below:
This beautiful bag and pin cushion set from Marie just blew me away. Isn't it awesome?!! I simply adore it and it's on the arm of my stitching recliner as we speak! It's so beautifully finished; she's amazing. Nobody who knows me can deny my love of reading and I never seem to have enough bookmarks. It just takes a real friend to realize how much I love pretty ones!!! Thank you a really whole bunch for all our gifts, Marie, dear.

Above-- Stacy and Marie P. sent gobs of squares for Elaine's Quilt in these lovely shade of lavenders, blues, pinks and greens. Marie actually topped the scale with a huge bundle of the blues and different colors, so we really don't need more pieces! Stacy contributed twice to the Project. Thanks again to both of you!

The stitching is my WIP - Chatelaine Design's "Convent Garden," from years ago. It just was a good background to highlight the squares! LOL

Below-- Another couple from: Jeanne Marynowski

From: Karen V. , with a very sweet note. :)

From: Cynthia M. Aren't the squares beautiful!? These little tissue packs are darling, too.

From: Wendy B. I love this center basket! These will be just gorgeous in the Quilt.

See Marie's stack at the bottom!?

So, all of these above are our latest and really beautiful contributions to Elaine's Quilt. The sweet response has been so awesome and kind. I'm beginning the stitching and we have plenty, now to stitch it for Elaine....so, I don't believe any more squares are necessary. I'm so grateful to all of you who have opened your hearts and given these gifts to Elaine in this time of her need. God Bless you each and everyone. And, also, to those of you who think of her and send her little birds of thoughts, and dear prayers...I know the Lord honors those, too, and they are so important.

Thank you, my special friends.

Now, coming full circle from my blog title, is Mary Wigham. Poor MW...I've hardly had a chance to spend time with her and I'm feeling so guilty. She seems to hide behind my other stitching responsibilities and WIPs, and she gets so little attention for that reason! I do wish she wouldn't be so contrary!! DH gave me this little Staffordshire girl as a first gift when started to see eachother years ago. I imagine she IS Mary Wigham!!

Take care, dear stitching friends,

Hugs, Deb

Update for August

Kellan recommends, "Geaux Green" for the Summer. He's also a big fan of eating dirt and putting rocks in your mouth...as many rocks as possible. He believes this is good for your speech. Seen here planting a new tree with his dad.

Above, my finished contributions to our Worldwide Mirabilia RR. The cameo is just to give you an idea of scale. I really loved working these two girls. Please note: I have since these pics filled in my quarter stitches on my Feathers Fairy. I decided not to embellish her more, as I did the Petals Fairy, because she was so sweet faced and simple, somehow.

Nicole Nevillen and I met up at Golden Needle again yesterday for fun and then lunch at Sonny's for pulled pork barbecue! ;) Nicole bought some fabric and threads to restart her Mary Wigham....she's a little nuts, because her original one is really pretty. LOL And, I bought Mira's new "Bluebells Garden." We both got the newest Sampler & Antique Needlework magazine, with 2 beautiful sampler charts. And, I had to have the newest Cross-Stitch and Needlework magazine (9/09 issue), which has the freebie Nora Corbet "Sunflower Fairy" and some darling Halloweenish things. As you can imagine, the best thing of the day was visiting with Nicole and having a dual look at what we've been stitching. She's a good friend and I cherish the time we have together.

I'll be posting my Beatrix Potter Ackworth Sampler next time. As well as, the newest batch of Elaine's Quilt fabric pieces that came in this week! I received Jeanne's and Karen V's.... :]

Hugs and have a great weekend of stitching, Deb