Another quick, drive by of a post

Will was here this weekend and I know why we have children when we are young.   OMGosh, boundless energy!  I took fewer pix of him this time because he only sat still to eat!  So scroll on past my indulgence of baby pix if you must.

 He is so happy he is learning to use a spoon.

 He is not quite sure what to make of the Popsicle.

 But was quite pleased with himself closing the laundry room door.

As promised, some yard photos.    Here we are in the spring after I removed yet another section of ivy.   This time about a 12 by 20 foot area.  I think I have finally removed all I care to....but then again ....that could change.

 Here is after I hired the local landscaping to surround by securing 6 by 6's and add the stone.

It is a favorite spot for early morning coffee or early evening coffee or glass of wine.  Even Mr. W. is happy.   (Why does he have to doubt my vision!)

My veggies are coming in nice.   I have a couple kinds of lettuce and peppers, cucumbers, spinach, beets, beans, tomatoes and brussel spouts!

 I have been spending so much time in the yard and pool and day trips that it has left little time for stitching.

Most recently I spent the day at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.  The estate and vision of Alfred I. duPont.   It is beautiful gardens and fountains and a conservatory that is second to none.  I enjoyed it so much I think I will sign up for a membership.  Below, the Italian Water Garden, built in the 1920's.   Just like the way I used to cut my grass......ha ha

 Well, we are not too good on selfies.....but GayLynn and I had the best time.

This was a very interesting plant.  Such brilliant colors.

 The lily pads the size of a hula hoop always fascinate.

Crazy,  bonsai that was started in 1908!  It may look normal size but was only about 24 -28 inches tall.

duPont traveled around the world to visit fountains and gardens in England and Europe before designing his garden.  Such foresight and imagination and passion this man had.

 I did manage a bit of stitching and to finish  mon ami pierre design just this morning.   I am so glad to check off another 2017 Challenge piece.  I started this about 9 years ago and then stopped....for no reason....something else came along and lured me away.

I am planning a stay-cation next week and my daughters will be joining me.   We have great plans for lots of crafting, sewing, quilting, pool time, good food and laughter.   I really have a long list of finishes I want to get done and this is one of them.

I've already pulled the threads to create my cutting line.

Now I must pick another take-a-long project to work on but after I head outside to work on my secret summer garden project.

Happy stitching all and thanks for stopping by.....

Not without incident...

So everyone knows my Mr. Wonderful is retired.   I have no idea what he does to busy himself all day.   He is playing angry birds on his iPad when I leave and also when I return home......I hardily hope he fills in the hours in between with something else.......   I have been trying to stir him into some yard and household helpful jobs that he could do while I am at work but it hasn't been easy.    He has been contemplating painting the Adirondack chairs.....and after some months of thinking about it.......he started.   Of course, it was a major undertaking to take him to Lowe's explain the different paints and why we couldn't use stain on the already once painted chairs.   I gave up on explaining the virtues of buying a good brush.  Imagine my delight when I came home one day last week and they were painted and in place by the fire pit......  I gave Mr. W. the once over since he hasn't handled a paint brush in 42 years of marriage.....he had only one splash of about 5 drops of paint on his sweat pants.   I was impressed.......then I saw the cat!  His little Buddy following him around all day must of walked under the freshly painted chairs and got paint in his tail.

I was able to take a quick long weekend out to see my grand baby.   Gramma bought him a swing with he loved equally as much as the box it came in.

The long drive is worth it.  We laughed and it was good to see him.   He is growing so fast.    I was excited to learn my daughter-in-law and grandson will visiting me at the end of June and the whole family again in the end of August.  Definitely some pool time in store for us.  For this trip to make things easy, I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard about 7 miles from their home.   It gave me some quiet time and stitching time in the room in the evenings and early morning.

 

It's hard but enough of Mr. William.    I do have a finish to share.  Uncle Sam.   The pattern is from a 1992 pamphlet from Alma Lynn for duplicate sweater patterns.   I plan to finish him as a stand up.   I have red and blue pearl cotton to make the cording.   Instead of stitching the flag as charted, I plan to attach this metal flag from Hobby Lobby.   I kind of went overboard when adding the doll hair.  He may need a hair cut!

This weekend was a class at Salty Yarns.  I took the Betsy Morgan Virgin Queen Stitching Wallet class.   Betsy is such a great teacher, so thorough and shares so many tricks and tips along the way.  Oh my......I will be adding this to the backlog of projects.  As always, it is good to see old friends and to make some new ones.  

  I managed to complete the pre-stitch just in the nick of time, like Saturday morning.  In class we assembled the needle book.

Look at the awesome way we laced the spine of the needle book.

A little shopping after class and I treated myself to Hands on Design "Mend".  I changed the ground fabric from the called for 'Dusty Miller' to Lakeside Linens Maritime White and I am using the 'reds' Sally (of Salty Yarns) used.

I also treated myself to this as well!   It is a limited edition project by Cathy Habermann of Hands On Designs and has to be ordered through Elegant Stitch.  It arrived last week.   Oh boy, my to-do list of new projects is getting longer.  I just feel in love with this when I saw it.  The trims, fibers and fabrics are so pretty and everything is included in the kit.   I have a class in the fall with Cathy Habermann and I hope to have this at least started.   Maybe I can get her to sign the box!  Seems Hands On Designs is my latest favorite designer.

Progress is coming along on Mon Ami A Stitcher's Friend.   One more motif on panel three and then the fourth and smaller last panel.

We made a quick stop at Serendipity Quilt Shop in Dagsboro to pick up fabrics for the lining.  I had in mind mattress ticking.....and ended up liking a batik!   Never would have guessed that.

My Corsica River SAL project has not seen any work......just hope it doesn't fall into the abyss as the wallpaper removal project.

Maybe next post,  I will share from some garden photos.   For now, indoor plantings.....my orchids are blooming like crazy.

Thanks for stopping by.....keep on stitching.