Mountain Musings

Progress on Framed Projects ~ Part 1

The winter season, when the garden doesn't need tending and there are no farmers' markets to prepare for and attend, is a perfect to time to pull out some large projects that take focused time. Last February I wrote about the matting and framing I had begun of several cross-stitch pictures. I wrote more in-depth about my framing process in 2007.

Well, it was again time to bring these out and finally get them completed! Here are some photos of the pieces I have finished so far. While the majority of the planning and work had been done last year, such as all the measuring, cutting, and stretching, each picture needed final assembling and touchups. We gradually purchased the needed frames on sale at various stores throughout the year.

The cross-stitch pieces are a combination of ones Sarah, Mom, or I had stitched for one another or ourselves. The framed piece above is Sarah's handiwork; she chose a Scripture verse that fit well with the girl reading and added her sketch to the pattern.

The sampler on above left was stitched by Mom for me; I love all the colors in it. It features Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection things above..." The green picture on the right was stitched by Sarah as a gift to me and includes many culinary herbs...she knew it would be something I would like!

And the two above were also stitched by Sarah for her hope chest.  She has a few smaller pieces that I need to finish once we find the appropriate-sized frames, since they are not standard sizes. Mom's geranium piece that she posted about awhile back was discovered and is now added to the list of ones to begin framing from scratch.

Whew! I'll post more when the next batch of framing is complete.

What have you been working on lately?

~Hannah

Saturday Sampler and Friends Visit

Just a quickie post before the heavy snow arrives in Virginia later this evening and possibly wipes out our power.

Tom is already scheduled to spend the night away from home so he can quickly get to work tomorrow to begin power restoration...300 workers from other areas are arriving to help here.

I hope you are faring well where you are!

This past Saturday I attended quilting class...our next to last block in this session! To be honest, I've barely kept up with the homework each month...so I've only completed each block that was required--nothing extra...which is great! I'm not complaining. Yay for completed homework!

Other ladies, however, have worked ahead (or should I say they've used good sense all along and sewed the sashing and connector blocks in addition to their monthly blocks). Here's an example of what this lady has completed: And some folks are using the blue colorway. This partially finished quilt is quite striking also: After class is over, we're given just enough fabric for the next block. Cutting must be done carefully because a mistake could be costly! Here's the fabric after I've washed and ironed the pieces that will be in this next block: And...here's my block! All done! I finished it just three days after class! Yay for completed homework!! Now this block is all ready for the last class in March: After returning home from class on Saturday, I began preparing the meal for our soon-arriving overnight guests. We had a very enjoyable time with friends whom we hadn't seen in quite awhile:Thank you, Hynes family, for coming to the Valley and visiting us!

~Deb

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ February

Daybook for Friday, February 7

Outside my window... a sunny winter day with temps in the upper-30s. I have lots of work to do inside today so I won't be bundling up to go out.

I am thankful... for our family's good health this winter, especially when lots of friends have had the flu!

In the kitchen... Hannah volunteered to cook tonight (double yay!!), and her meal is smelling yummy in the crockpot. She's whipping up Honey-Garlic Chicken on ciabatta rolls, stir-fry broccoli and carrots, and chocolate cookies and lemon meltaways for dessert.

I am wearing... black skirt, neon green turtleneck ...with Crocs.

I am creating... Row 1 of the Row-Along that I'm sewing with my friend, Chris. It's been fun to exchange photos of our finished work. Here's my first row that I promised to post...fairly simple and mostly all from scraps, and I'm ready to start on Row 2--the butterfly row. I am going...  to my Saturday Sampler quilt class tomorrow at Patchwork Plus, although timing has been delayed an hour due to anticipated icy conditions.

I am looking forward to... hosting tomorrow evening's dinner guests who will stay overnight and attend church with us on Sunday.

Around the house lately... friends from southwestern Virginia passed through recently on their skiing vacation to Massanutten and stopped by for a meal and lots of fun games! Also, earlier this week we hosted a young newly-wed couple overnight as they were passing through on business--that was fun to get to know Joshua and Michaela.  And of course, lots of singing around the table while everyone was here:

A picture I'm sharing... The girls and I have been helping Jonathan clean up the 1890s house on the land he purchased last month (what a lot of work!). It's located about 25 minutes from us.

As shown below, the 25-acre plot is a long rectangle that goes over the top of the hill in the distance. Tom and Jonathan have been working on chainsawing and weed-eating overgrowth on the property. It will be fun to see how he develops this prayed-for land: That's all the catch-up for now! We've been busy! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~Deb