Monday, January 10, 2011

back to routine

Well things have gotten back to normal around here.  Just the addition of having to worry about snow every few days.  Grumble grumble.

Frances Eden got a lot of attention this past week.  Here she is.


Her colors are so funky and fun.  I'm really loving her.  And that weird bunny with the huge feet -- pretty far out!



By Saturday, I was feeling sorry for Jane Tindall, so I worked on her over the weekend.  This is what I got done on her.


She's a pretty one for sure!



I received a lovely present in the mail from a blogging friend, Marilyn.   We were worried for a while because the package took a long time to come all the way from France.  But it finally arrived and what a treat was inside!


Such a sweet ornament!  And a little Santa too!  Thank you so much, Marilyn!  Thank you for your friendship as well!

Last post, I neglected to post any pictures of Mia.  So for her fans out there, here she is playing with some packaging that came the other day.  She's getting big!


Here she is in a typical pose with the boy child.


Another typical pose.


Oh, and in case you're wondering why the boy child has a Kansas State sweatshirt, it's because my father is a professor there.  Purple pride!  :D

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi!  Here's hoping no one has really bad weather to deal with.  I have a feeling that isn't happening.  Ah well!  Be careful out there, everyone!  Have a great week!

50 comments:

Glenna said...

Oh, look at Jane and Frances! What great progress you're making! I love the pictures of Mia and DS.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your Frances and Jane look fabulous Margaret. I love the funky colors in Frances too. That rooster sure is cute on Jane.
What a lovely gift you received from your friend.
The snaps of Mia and your DC are wonderful.

KarenV said...

There she is! She's really growing up :)

Lovely progress on Jane and Frances - the colours on Frances are definitely wild! Lovely gift from Marylin too :)

Deb said...

Oh my goodness Margaret - what wonderful progress you've made on Jane and Frances. You've blown past me for sure, but that's not hard for anyone to do! Now I'm going to have to pull Frances out again!

Love the pictures of your son and Mia. She's such a sweetie. I wish I could get cute pictures of Bailey but he's camera shy! LOL

Annie Beez said...

Both Francis and Jane are looking wonderful! Love them both!

Leneslines said...

As always, love your needlework! And Mia, of course. I feel a little cheated when you do not post pictures of her:) Just wondering - where can a non-US citizen find explanations on what kind of embroidery fabric to use? 40 ct means... ?

The French Bear said...

Hello Mia, pretty kitty!!!! She is growing all the time, what a beautiful cat!
You stitching is coming along great, so gorgeous, love the bunny with the big feet!!!!
How nice to receive some stitching from France, I love to exchange goodies and get parcels from far away!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Cari said...

Oh Margaret you make my Monday's so happy !!! I love Frances Eden...and all the wonky animals. How fun is that? And Jane Tindall....I'm still sitting on my hands trying NOT to order her. Your work is STUNNING. And last but not least...Mia and the boy child...how wonderful. It's amazing to me how these sweet animals fill our lives with love. Have a great week Margaret. Hugs !!

BrendaS said...

Nice progress on Frances and Jane. Great colors on both samplers.

Cute pictures of Mia and your son too:)))

woolwoman said...

We have liquid snow this morning Margaret - Snow is dipping pretty far south but just not this far - thankfully! Love your progress photos - both samplers are looking great with all the funky animals - the colors are wild are Frances. Little Mia is darling - such a ham it looks like. hope you have a good week with no weather challenges. Mel

Carol said...

Wonderful progress on both samplers, Margaret. I love the angels in the attic on the Frances Eden--nice idea to think that they are watching over the household :)

Mia is precious--she sure knows how to pose for the camera, doesn't she?

Love to Stitch said...

Margaret, your progress is amazing on both Frances and Jane!!! I have Frances-- someday I will get to her too :)

Mia is soo cute!

La Comtesse said...

Graceful embroidery and beautiful cat!
Loredana

Sherry said...

I love both of your WIPs. I love the rooster! Mia is obviously queen of the house!

Tommye said...

Both pieces are looking wonderful! I know you're enjoying them.

Siobhán said...

You've made such wonderful progress on both your samplers, Margaret! Jane sure is pretty! I love the funky colors in Frances. Your friend's gift is beautiful--glad it didn't get sucked into the USPS vortex! Great pics of Mia and your son, too.

Bertie said...

Mia seems to love the packaging and your boy:))
Samplers are great, oh poor Jane, but am sure it will all be done by Easter LOL.

marylin said...

Hello I am so glad that you enjoy this little embroidery and how much is arriving!
Glad to have you pleased!
your embroidery is more wonderful! the colors are gorgeous!
I finished the cat that I just love!
friendships for you

marylin

Loraine said...

Oh that Rooster! Love it, love it!
Your samplers are always fabulous. Thanks for posting. Yes it's back to boring old routine, but I think I like life better that way. LOL
Thanks for you sweet comments always. I consider you a special blogging friend. :)

Annemarie said...

Oh my, Frances is stunning! I love the colours!

Mia is a sweetie. She's a great favourite of your son's, isn't she? Cute!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh your samplers....golly Margaret, they are just so pretty :)

And that darling Mia...her eyes are just gorgeous!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Mia looks like she's getting quite used to having her picture taken. She is posed perfectly for her close up!

Nothing but rain here today. Not the first ray of sunshine. Ugh.

Frances and Jane are progressing quite nicely. I love the colors in Jane.

Kim said...

OMG Mia up in your header...too precious!!! Margaret you've made tons of progress on Frances! I love her colorful nature. And I REALLY LOVE that rooster in Jane!! Love! Have a great week!

Michelle said...

Loving that rooster on Jane! And wow - you've sure gotten a lot done on Frances too. I'm dying to start her, but I have so many things I need to get finished before I can do it in good conscience.

Karen said...

Looking good! Love the kitty... she's a cutie!

Stay warm.... and happy stitching.

sampler lover said...

Hi Margaret,
Wonderful progress on both of these samplers. Love them both. I don't think it will be long before Jane is finished.
Cute photos of Mia and the boy child. - Sandra.

Liz said...

Great progress on your stitching Margaret, Mia is certainly growing like a weed..! It's amazing how quickly they get 'big' isn't it..?
Lizzie
xxx

Roberta said...

Hi Margaret, still in catch up mode, Mia is certainly growning. I am so glad that FIL is doing well and thank you for the music and video of the jazz ensemble. You certainly have accomplished lots this past year and have a great start for this year. I also joined the TUSAL.

Happy New Year.

Mary said...

The animals sure are funky Margaret, but it is a good contrast to the lovely Jane. Mia is just the sweetest little cat and she seems to know the boy child is her best friend. I love your photos - they are so clear.

Juels said...

Margaret, I love looking at your work. Or better, your art! And Mia is precious. Happy 2011!

Natalia said...

Margaret I love Frances !!! My friend Katrina showed me a bit of hers this weekend :-)
Cute pictures of Mia, especially the second one !! Such a pretty face..

barbara said...

Mia's gotten so big! :D I love your projects - the colors are fabulous and so are the motifs!

Littlebit said...

Oh, Margaret! Beautiful work! And Mia is losing her "kitten" look! She's turning into a beautiful CAT! :)

Melanie said...

I love the colors in this sampler too! Very pretty and fun. :)

Sherry :o) said...

What beautiful progress! Love the photos!

And the french santa - what a gift.

Love the photos of mia and your son.

Sue said...

Oh, I absolutely love your sampler!!

Melissa said...

Ahh, as usual, all the stitching looks yummy!

Mia is all cuteness and looking like a grown up lady!

Glad your friend's gift arrived safely - it's lovely!

Sylvia said...

Excellent progress! Love the way both are turning out. Mia, of course, is as cute as can be.

Cathy Lloyd said...

Margaret, you never cease to amaze me! And that picture of Mia with her head cocked to one side...is that just adorable or what??? You need to frame that one! Enjoy your week!

KathyEllen said...

My goodness, but you have accomplished a lot of stitching on "Jane and Frances". Interesting little animals in this piece too! Mia is absolutely precious!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

OMG, Frances and Jane are so beautiful! I do love the funky colors in Frances! So pretty! Mary is a sweetie, isn't she and she sent you a darling gift.

Great pics of the boy and girl child and Mia, too!

The quilt your friends made you is wonderful and how lucky to win one!

Jan said...

Gosh I love that little face...she is such a pretty kitty!!

Also your Jane and Frances are looking so gorgeous...and fun, they must really be great stitches. Have a feeling either won't be long, until they are finishes in your hands!

Katrina said...

Love Frances!!!! You have a lot done :-). Jane is gorgeous too and what a pretty present.

Giovanna said...

Boy, do I love your Frances! Great going on both pieces, and Mia is really sweet!

Anonymous said...

Love the Jane Tindall...especially the rooster! The Frances Eden is nice also....like the soft colors.
You always manage to accomplish so much!

Berit said...

Frances is a good one--personally I'm all about that wacky black-and-white spotted animal. I l *love* deciding what wacky repro sampler animals are--even If I have to cross real ones to do it. (e.g. "Oh, of course that'd be a Duck-Bunny.")

Often, I wind up deciding they're pokemon. Last time, Deb and I were speculating via her comments section about whether the aforementioned specimen was a

"Houndour"
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:228Houndour.png

or the evolved "Houndoom"

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/File:229Houndoom.png

I believe Deb determined it was, in fact, a rare sighting of the "Houndoom". (lol)

Of course, it MUST be a goat, right? but why is there so much red on its face? Hmn.

Karoline said...

Great progress on Frances & Jane, they are both looking gorgeous.

Love the photos of Mia

marylin said...

De gros bisous, et un bon dimanche,
Marylin

the striped rose said...

I love Frances! Those are fun colors!

Brigitte said...

I have just read your last posts and came upon your collage of your finishes of 2010. And I must admit that I was litterally drooling over them. I remembered most of your finishes but seeing them all together is just very special. Your work is really gorgeous, Margaret.
I also love the two samplers that you chose to stitch at the beginning of the year. Both have great colours, and look at that rooster, isn't he beautiful?
Enjoy your little gift from Marilyn, it's so sweet.
Looking forward to seeing more of Mia's adventures.