Beatrix Potter Progress

Isn't this a funny way of photographing my Beatrix?! :P I don't like to iron my work until the end because I think it flattens the threads and takes the sheen out of the silks and cottons, so I'm always looking for a way to take a picture that can plainly show the stitches. Oh, well. Here's my progress, anyway.

I know that lots of us are stitching this "Needleprint Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler" at the same time and in our SAL. It's just amazing how beautiful it can be in different colors and variegations. It's really an absolute joy to stitch.

As an update: there's very little news about my son's dog, Hollie, except that they can't really tell what's wrong with her. The vets believe it is dire and fatal. They believe it's neurological...and are treating with steroids. We aren't sure what to expect.

Jessica and Kellan and I went shopping for his mommy's new clothes today, and he was a perfect gentleman. He flirted with the ladies at Ann Taylor's. And, he laughed at Grammie when she sang and danced to rock music for him! Then, we went to Johnnie Rockets for lunch and he ate half of Grammie's grilled cheese sandwich and a few sips of a vanilla milkshake before going to sleep in his car seat as we headed for our favorite needlework shop, The Golden Needle, in Port Charlotte.

I was on a hunt for fabrics, but only left with one piece of 40 ct. Vintage hand dyed linen. It looks tea stained, actually. I also picked up a couple of Belle Soie...the shop was out of the Crescent Colors I went there for. But, never fear, because Nicole (Nicole's Needlework) will be here to visit this week, and she and I always get together and go to Golden Needle before lunch!!! Maybe they'll have gotten their CC's shipment in. :)

Tonight I visited many of you, my friends and enjoyed your blogs and stitching. You are all so accomplished and brilliant. Quite amazing to find that ones friends aren't just talented and creative, but are smart and beautiful inside and out. I'm so proud of all of you and I really treasure our friendships!!

Gotta go to bed....I see I've pulled another all-nighter. DH will be away at a treasure hunting trip in Dayton Beach tomorrow, so I can sleep in.... :]

Anne S. please email me your home address so I can mail your Victoria Sampler chart to you!!

Have a wonderful weekend all! Hugs, Deb

Lo the Rose.... How I'd love to Stitch Ye

I've seen so many of you stitching or have stitched this "Lo...the Rose..." piece, and I'm just dying to stitch it, too~ I've searched Amazon, but no more copies are available of the BH&G Christmas book. HELP!!!!

I will trade a chart with anyone who is willing to trade with me....even on a temporary basis. Or, I'm willing to purchase your copy of the book if you are finished with it.

Really, I'd love a copy of this chart. Will somebody out there help me out, please???

I think it's only fittin' (as Miss Scarlett would say) that a Lavender Rose person should stitch "Lo the Rose..."

Please don't make me beg....anymore.... :[

Hugs, Deb

Pictures and New Stitchers' Charts

Here's a picture that warms my heart! My son, Jason, who lives on the Cape in MA, and little Kellan (10 mos. old), DD Jessica's boy, getting to know eachother. Jason, wife- Adrien, and my grandgirl, Hadley, came to Naples to visit a couple of weeks ago! We were on cloud 9.
Here's Hadley...I'm sweetly prejudice, but she's got those Angelina Jolie lips and she's beautiful! Difficult to see from this picture. She's very proud of her pink crocs... Kellan is so funny! If he knows Jessica is about to take a picture he stops smiling or laughing and gets this expectant look on his face...every single time. We laugh so much! So here he is with that, "When's it going to flash," look!

After getting much of my stash out of my living room and into my little needlecraft/sitting room, by way of organization, I've found so many projects that I've meant to stitch but haven't gotten to. I've also found many that I have no intention of stitching.

I have several little Victoria Sampler charts for learning new stitching techniques. I'm wondering if any of you would like them. They have lessons including hardanger and darning stitches, etc. If any of you are interested, please leave a comment for me so I can sort them out. Thank you! These would be for new stitchers or those who want to learn or perfect a new skill. The finished pieces would make into fobs or pincushions or small boxtops. Please say a prayer for my son, Jason and his golden retriever, Hollie, who has just been diagnosed with the last stages of cancer and is failing very rapidly day by day. Hollie has been the family pet even before they had Hadley. The situation happened so quickly...last Saturday she just went down for no apparent reason, and was diagnosed. Jason and his wife have been shocked and really hurt and sad. I think losing a dear pet is one of the most painful things one can go through.

On a happy note, Kellan is now starting to pull himself up on things and Jessica is going to have her hands full! He says lots of words, the newest of which is "wal" which we assume means, "walk!" LOL Very scary because he crawls faster than either Jess or myself can catch him...going straight for the dogs bowls!! :]

I'm starting on a new series of books, I think. I've never been attracted to them before, but I started reading a Laurell K. Hamilton last night and thought the writing was good, better than I'd thought it would be! The book is "Bloody Bones" (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 5), and it's much less sex and blood than I thought.... I'm forging ahead with it. Any of you fans or readers of Laurell K. ???

Winners in Birthday Needleroll Draw!!

The Birthday needleroll draw has been done, finally, and we have winners. I had enough to give everyone something of what they wanted, and then a consolation prize. Couldn't get to this as per my original completion date due to my computer breakage...but, now, I'm happy to announce the following winners:
BECKY K - September Needleroll
MAXINE - March Needleroll
SALLY - December Needleroll
TESSA - April Needleroll
MARIE P - Consolation Prize: Victoria Sampler's "Happy Birthday"
Beyond Cross Stitch Collection

Thanks to all who entered into my draw! It's fun to be able to offer something to my friends.

All winners, please send me your addresses via my email....interiorsbydeb2@aol.com

Have a happy Monday! Deb

Gifts Upon Gifts!!

Will you please look at this gorgeous purse of roses in all kinds of threads and textures!! Lesley of Tintock Tap sent Jessica, Kellan and me a magnificent goodie box of treasures last week!! Just unbelievable things she crocheted. She sent the purse above to me....and I'm not sharing!!! :)

Can you believe how perfectly this darling lion is made? It is sooo sweet. Look at the little expression Lesley gave him. Jessica and I call Kellan, "Kell-Lion" so this little creature is perfect. And, Kellan has a preference for the color yellow for some reason! So, Lesley made the perfect choice as a gift for him. That tiny lion is amazing in real life!

Jessica received this amazing bowl from Lesley. It's hard to really see this in a picture. It's like a hand woven basket, it's so amazing. It has little twisted flowers on the top. Just so beautiful. Lesley filled it with glass treasures and beads. She couldn't have chosen a more perfect gift for Jessica....it's like she's known her forever.

Lesley, I just want to thank you sincerely for these wonderful treasures you sent us. We are so grateful for the time and thoughtfulness you put into each piece. Your caring and friendship just shines through. Thank you so much for the love. Kellan absolutely loves his lion. Jessica is keeping the tiny one in her beautiful bowl. I think I'm going to use my purse for needlepoint stitching tools so I can leave it out and see it more often!!

Hugs, Deb

Back Up and Running!

Yes!! I'm back in full swing with my computer. :) I'm happy to be back!

To celebrate, I placed a new order tonight and I have to share my new (hopefully coming soon) stash:

Above is the new GPA (Giulia's) purse and charming little pretties. I think it's one of her most beautiful pieces, ever. She is part of that "Designing Women" series, and, once again I think her design is the best of all!

I really couldn't resist this Accessories group to the Abigail Colby Quaker set from Primitive Traditions. I thought it matched some of my stitching things that I have in a new pile having to do with acorns!

Speaking of which....I have been looking and hoping to order this acorn needleminder...and finally got to. I liked "Cat's Whiskers" piece above for a quickie of smallies, and because it came with all the threads and linen so I didn't have to think about pulling it all together. It's fun for Spring and starting off the Summer.

Other than those, I stocked up on Zecca fobs, new scissors and some fabbies from Silkweavers. I think I'm set for a while!!

Now I'm going to have to check out your blogs to see what all of you have been up to!! I've just been stitching along on my "Beatrix Potter" SAL, and the "Quaker Friendship Sampler" RR, lately.

So happy to be back! Hugs, Deb

PS: I hope you'll come back and leave me a comment. I've missed everyone!!

Computer Down & Out!

Just a quick note to let you know that my personal computer is kaput! It breathed its last on Thursday, suddenly, in the middle of shop surfing. I was shocked because it had been such a faithful friend for nearly 10 years. It's hard to know what to do without it!! I'm on my DH's computer at the moment...but will let you know when I get another one. I feel like I should name the next computer, because they seem to be so close...and know all our secrets....

Anyway, if you don't hear from me for a couple of weeks, you now know why. Should any of you wish to contact me in the interim: pricerealty@aol.com

Sending love and hugs to all! Deb