Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Quilty stitchy quilty stitchy ......

I seem to be stuck in a quilty world at the moment.  I did pick one stitchy thing up this week, but nothing seems to have come of that development.  In the meantime, here's my clammy progress.


It's actually getting to look more like a quilt now!  Quite exciting!  Of course, I have a long way to go, but I keep dreaming about having a real quilt, albeit not a bed size quilt, to show for it.  At least I don't think it will be bed size.  Probably bigger than lap quilt size though.  Hmmmm.  Anyway, I'm happy with how it's going.

Here is another greatest hits for you stitchy folks who couldn't care less about quilts.  I did 3 of the Carriage House Samplings Hawk Run Hollow series a while back.  I think it was before I started blogging, so here are my pictures.


This is my Houses of Hawk Run Hollow.  I used AVAS and some 40ct fabric or other.  The wonderful Jill Rensel did the framing.  Look at the mat detail!


Here is my Village of Hawk Run Hollow.  I used the recommended fibers and fabric.  Again, Jill did the framing.



And finally, my Shores of Hawk Run Hollow.  (Recommended fabric and fibers.)  With Jill's amazing artwork.




I love my Hawk Run Hollow pieces!

Lizzie from A House in the Country recently had a giveaway to celebrate her birthday, and I won!  And I received the package yesterday, which was my birthday!  Yay!   Here are all the wonderful goodies Lizzie sent.  I was so thrilled!


So much lovely stash!  A hexie package and some charm packs, pretty little felt flowers and pom poms, and some DMC,  (And some candy to try!)


Also some gorgeous fabrics -- William Morris perhaps?


And some patterns/kits and a quilt magazine all the way from Australia!!


Thank you so much Lizzie!!  I love all my goodies!   I've so enjoyed getting to know you and I always love reading your blog!

Finally, it's been a while since there have been any family pics here, so here's one the father type took of the boy child practicing.


Still can't get used to how tall the child is.

I mentioned that yesterday was my birthday.  Wanna see my birthday present?  :D


I'm so happy!  If you look closely, you can see I'm all set in terms of ereaders -- I have the Kindle app, the Barnes and Noble app, and of course, the ibookstore with its app.  Love it!!!  And going online or checking my mail is a snap.  Watching movies?  Gorgeous!!  The father type is gobsmacked by it.  It says a lot for the ipad that my father type has decided he wants one too.  The father type doesn't say such things but once in a blue moon -- he's too practical to fall for every gadget out there (like me!).  Anyway, I'm thrilled by my present!  Thank you, father type!

The girl child got me a gorgeous tote bag -- which I immediately adopted as my new purse -- and inside was a rain check for the Nonesuch Dickens edition of a set of 3 of Dickens' works: Our Mutual Friend, The Pickwick Papers, and The Old Curiosity Shop.  The set is due out in November.  I'm so impressed that the father type remembered and could advise the girl child on which are my favorite Dickens novels.  Our Mutual Friend has always been my favorite.  And The Pickwick Papers has always held a special place in my heart because of Sam Weller.  To me Sam Weller and Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings have a lot in common.  And the two Sams are two of my favorite characters in the world.  Such a thoughtful girl child!

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  It's so lovely being part of the blogging community and getting to know you all, bloggers and nonbloggers alike.

52 comments:

Bertie said...

Happy yesterday's birthday and I loooove your iPad!! Congratulations on your win. And yes Dicken's always a good read to take you back in time.

Quilt is lovely, it looks very complicated to me and so many hours too.

Your Hawk's are wonderful and you can be proud, MRS fast stitcher LOL.

Your boy is now a man!! looks very cool!

Annie said...

Your quilt is going to be beautiful with those fun colors.

Magnificent CHS pieces. That's a lot of stitches!

Have fun with your winnings!

Annie said...

Missed the birthday part... Happy belated and enjoy the your new gadget.

Isabelle said...

Hi, Margaret, I am sure your cheerful clamshell quit will be a treasure and I think you'll enjoy it when it is finished:-)
I love all your Hawk Run Hollow pieces and to be honest, your framed "Shores" motivated me a lot to start on mine , so a big Thank you :-)
What a lovely stash you received from your friend : it is great !!
Wishing you a nice day,
Isabelle

Cari said...

Happy Belated Birthday to one of my favorite people!! I am lovin' the iPad....congratulations on receiving such a wonderful gift!! You're spoiled rotten...and very deserving!! Yea for you!! I love your clamshell quilt. It's coming right along isn't it? And Jill certainly accentuates your wonderful stitching doesn't she? I love her work too!! Enjoy your week between reading and quilt making! BIG HUGS

Littlebit said...

Happy late birthday, Margaret! I want to be you right now! LOL! GREAT gifts..your HRH series is out of this world!! I'm TOO envious..and you quilt on top of all that..you are my hero! :)

Karin said...

Margaret, I love the framing! Jill did a wonderful job! And your stitching is amazing as always! :-)

Great presents!!!

Sherri said...

Wow, you're in "high cotton" with all your great gifts! I'm loving your quilt and can't wait to see more. Thanks for sharing your Hawk Run Hollows - they're all beautiful. I love all of them but haven't attempted one yet. I can "stitch" vicariously through you!

Sylvia said...

Happy Birthday!! What a great present you got! I'm a bit envious. Enjoy it, and I would love to hear updates on how you like it.

Your quilt is looking great, such beautiful colors. How big is it going to be? Looking forward to your next update.

The French Bear said...

Happy Birthday!!!! Lovely present! I love watching movies on mine! Your stitching is so beautiful, and the framing is perfect, such talent!!!
The quilt is so pretty, what a great design!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Laurie in Iowa said...

You've been stitching a lot of clams! It looks wonderful Margaret. Enjoy your new iPad.

valerie said...

Woot! Happy birthday Margaret! Seems like there are lots of July birthdays in blogland. How exciting to get an iPad...it looks amazing!

I'm amazed by your quilt. I love the colors! will definitely be watching your progress on this one...can you hear me rooting all the way from CA? :)

Your HRH are stunning! I haven't even stitched one and you have done three! Love the Jill Rensel framing...just amazing!

Sherry said...

Happy belated birthday! You should have mentioned it earlier (or did you and I missed it?). I love your present!

Your quilt is coming along and will be stunning! Will you hand quilt, machine quilt or send it out for someone else to do? When will I ever get back into my quilting!!!

All of your HRH pieces are just awesome! I totally love this village!

Deb said...

Happy Birthday Margaret!!! I just love what you received for your birthday! I want one of those sooo bad!

Love your clamshell quilt. I want one of those too! LOL Maybe one of these days. I just love how it's coming out.

And I think that whenever I finally finish those HRH pieces, I just going to have to send then to Jill. She did such a wonderful on the framing! Eye Candy!

And isn't it surprising how tall those kids get - one day you're looking down at them and the next day you're looking up - way up!!

KarenV said...

Happy belated birthday Margaret! That's a really cool gift from your DH - I'm interested in getting an iPad, but I don't think it will happen anytime soon...

Your quilt is looking lovely and your CHS pieces are stunning. Jill did a marvellous framing job, they're just perfect!

Melanie said...

Happy (somewhat belated) Birthday!!!! :)

mainely stitching said...

The Hawk Run Hollows that you've done are incredible! And the extra detail with matting and framing just blow me away.

Your quilt is looking so lovely! :D

Happy belated birthday and congrats on the wonderful, thoughtful gifties!!

Marjorie said...

Happy Birthday! Love your present too. I'd love to get me one but I would never be able to wrest it from DD's hands. Your HRH are amazing! Are you planning to stitch Autumn at HRH? I've been able to resist the others but that one really calls to me.

DonnaTN said...

Happy Birthday! You received some great presents from your family and the give away. Your Shores finishes are lovely and your quilt is coming right along.

woolwoman said...

How wonderful to see those HRH pieces again - they are stunning in your special framing from Jill.

Love how the clamshell quilt is coming out - just so cool.

WOW an IPad - you lucky dog er girl LOL - what thoughtful gifts from the family - Happy belated Mel

Katrina said...

Happy birthday again :-). What a great gift!!!! Your DD is very thoughtful too.

Love the Hawk Run Hollow pieces and gorgeous quilt.

Nice picture of your son too.

Liz said...

Happy Birthday Margaret, I'm so, so glad that you love your parcel, please enjoy and yes, getting to know you through blogging has been an absolute pleasure. I can't imagine life without blogging and blogger friends any more...?
Lizzie
xxx

Jackie's Stitches said...

Happy Belated Birthday!

Thank you for sharing your Hawk Run pieces. They are just gorgeous. Do you have them hung together? These are on my "one day" list but I need to get familiar with stitching on smaller count fabric.

You clam shell looks wonderful. It's going to be an amazing quilt.

Karen said...

A belated happy birthday, Margaret! What lovely gifts your family gave you.

Your quilt is really coming along -- beautiful! And I love the framing; Jill did a very nice job.

Sherry :o) said...

happy belated birthday! Wow - what a win and congratulations. I think the clams are coming along well - can't wait to see how it turns out.

Carol said...

Gosh your HRH pieces are amazing, Margaret--probably the most beautiful framing I've ever seen!

Wishing you a very happy belated birthday--have fun with that Ipad :)

Loretta a/k/a Mrs. Pom said...

Happy Birthday a day (?) late! I love your new quilt - makes me want to start one. No! Cannot! And I love your gift. Definitely going to put it on my Santa list.

Sampler Lover said...

Hi Margaret, happy belated birthday. It's my DH's today and he is after an iPad as well. Hard to get out here at the moment. They are flying out of the stores.
Your clam quilt is lovely and is a real credit to you.
Have you tried the Cherry Ripes and the Crunchie yet. They are real favourites in our household. My favourite is the Crunchie - Sandra.

Marjo said...

happy birthday to you. I hope your day was great. I love the clamshell quilt in progress. I love the Ipad and am thinking I need one of those as well for an ereader. Best wishes and wonderful stitches.

Juels said...

Happy Birthday, Margaret! Your clams look great. In fact, I am almost tempted to start clamming myself. I did say almost :-)

The Hawk Run Hollow series are beautiful. And the little flair on the mats are priceless!

Giovanna said...

I hope you had a lovely birthday. What a great present, and what a great package from Lizzie. The quilt is gorgeous, and so is the JR framing (remember that from when you posted pics on Legacy).

Mary said...

Oh My, where to start? So many wonderful things. Your Hawk Run Hollows are all amazing but I think the first one (Houses) takes the prize - it is so beautiful and the frame is perfect. Your work leaves me in awe. Congratulations on your birthday and also on your win - how very timely. Your gifts were pretty wonderful too, so enjoy.
Mary

Nancy said...

I don't blame you for staying in the quilty mode. Your clamshell quilt is gorgeous! I love your HRH pieces, and the framing is stunning. Belated Happy Birthday! I hope your day was a special one.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Margaret!!! I've known that I always like you and now I know why...because we're birth month July Babies :) That iPad is totally awesome! And the totebag and certificate sounds totally wonderful too!

The boy child IS growing...and he looks so handsome :)

I've always been so enamoured by your stitching and I'm even more so once I see your wonderful, awesome Hawk Run beauties :)

Cathy Lloyd said...

Love all your pictures. Clamming is coming right along. What fun! Your Villages are splendiferous! Jill rocks! Enjoy your new BD presents!

Stitch By Stitch said...

Happy yesterday's birthday! How cool! You and my daughter share the same birthday! I love your quilt! It is coming along so well.

Your HRH stitches are amazing! Jill Renzel's framing is just the best, love her! Hope you are having a very merry unbirthday today :)

Michelle said...

OMG, your clams are looking so beautiful! I want to clam too!!!! Happy birthday to you and congrats on the iPad. I got to play with one last night and now I want one.

Lois said...

Oh my, I'm pretty much drooling over the keyboard at your CHS pieces (so not a pretty sight!!). I love the Jill Rensel mats, have quite a few of them for the SB band samplers I've stitched. These are just beautiful.

Love your clam progress, this is going to be beautiful. Congrats on winning such a lovely giveaway!

And, last but not least, belated birthday greetings. Those are some seriously great presents you received!!! Enjoy!!!! Great pic of your son! They grow up far too quickly, don't they?!?!!

Natalia said...

Margaret, Happy B-Day again !!! Nice gift !!! I did show my husband and told him "now honey, that is a gift" :-) I love your Hawk Run Hollow series. I have them all, but haven't started any of them. I love the mat decoration !!

Laura said...

Wowweeeee! Your Hawk Run Hollow pieces are so totally fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! That and the Ipad and you are having one grand old time!!!!

Alice said...

Happy belated birthday wishes Margaret! I am two days behind just reading blogs but I am glad you had spoiling and great gifts. Your quilt is so pretty. It reminds me of little air balloons and I love those. I think everyone sees their own image. Wow wow wow!!! Your Hawk Run framed pieces has me enchanted. Just beautiful Margaret and so inspiring. Love the goodies you won. I am off to England for two weeks and will not have internet. Hope to catch up when I get back.
Alice

Susan said...

A belated happy birthday! What great presents, too. Will be interested to know what you think of all the ebooks. And, as will all your work, your HRH pieces are gorgeous. Love the quilt, too!

Jan said...

First of all, what an ever so cool birthday giftie!! Wow, Margaret...envious but you are deserving!!

I love your progress on that pretty quilt top and I am always thrilled at seeing your stitchey pics, older ones or newer ones, so keep them coming! And I hoping there will be a new one soon to interest you!! Great photo of your son, with his instrument of choice!

Valerie said...

Happy Birthday, Margaret! July babies are the best! I love how our birthdays are less than a week apart! I had to clean up the drool on my keyboard from where I had been staring (rather wantonly) at your birthday present! What a fabulous gift! I know you must be having a blast playing with it!

Your clamshell quilt is coming right along...I love the colors! So lovely! I look forward to more progress pics!

Thank you for sharing your HRH pieces. I love them and hope to one day get HofHRH and VoHRH stitched. The matting is beautiful on all of your pieces...very original!

Karoline said...

Happy Birthday Margaret.

Your quilt is looking gorgeous and it's great to see your HRH pieces again

the striped rose said...

Those Hawk Run Hollows are amazing! Love the painted mats!

Roberta said...

Hi Margaret, I am so impressed with your Hawk's run pieces and your quilt project. You are amazing.

Happy Birthday a bit late, love your new toy - how fun!!!

Loraine said...

Oh Margaret! Sorry I missed your Birthday! I hope it was wonderful!
I love your quilt, it is just perfect! You always pick such great projects.
Also, thanks for the inspiration on your Hawk Run Hollow pieces! All 3 are just amazing...I don't know what else to say. I hope I get those done someday! LOL
Congrats on your winnings. Looks like a great haul.
Hugs.

Felicity said...

There's nothing ho hum about your blog entry. You have doing some marvelous work (including the child with double bass).

Cindy F. said...

Happy Belated Birthday Margaret!! I hope it was better than you hoped for!

Your Carriage House pieces are so beautiful and those mats and frames!! OMG!! LOVE THEM!!

Anonymous said...

So I found your blog by searching "samwise gamgee sam weller" on google. I read the Pickwick Papers this summer and basically decided Sam completely redeems any unfavorable characteristics the book might possess. Especially since he's just like Samwise :).

OctoberLace said...

I found your blog while doing a search for HRH pieces framed by Jill Rensel. What eye candy I found! Your stitching is amazing, and I'll have to spend time just browsing this awesome blog.