Yup. Like many others, I've fallen in love with Isabella Johnstone from the Summer 2010 issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly, better known as SANQ. I'm using 40ct Pearled Barley with the called for Belle Soie silks. And I've taken Tanya's advice and not bothered with all that kerfuffle about using the light part of the silk for this and the dark part of the silk for that. Looks fine to me without that.
Love the cow!
One of the blogs I always enjoy reading is Natalia's blog, Stitching-4-Joy. Well of course I fell in love immediately with the wonderful stitching wallets that she makes. I promptly bought one and I'm so happy! Look!
Isn't it pretty? I think it's a Moda fabric. Here's what it looks like opened -- you can see my Isabella chart inside.
It fits my chart with room to spare (the chart is in one of those plastic see through protectors so you can see how big the wallet is), plus my fabric and everything else. I'm loving it! I need the cheerful colors this time of year. (Sorry for that little dot of moisture on the flap. Mia must have snuffled at it or something. Hmmmm.....)
Natalia has other stitching wallets for sale on her flickr page. They're all so pretty! I'm so tempted to get another one. Every girl needs more than one, right? lol! Thanks, Natalia, for the beautiful wallet!
It's also almost time for the TUSAL update. I'm doing mine a few days early. Here's my ORT jar. It's already filling up!
I'm going through my list of items -- seems to be a lot today! I hope you've stuck with me this long because.... TADAH!
It's my Richmond Sampler all framed!!! Isn't it pretty? (Sorry for the reflection on the glass.) Isn't my framer, Don, a genius? I'm so lucky that my LNS owner has a talented husband! Don just looked at my sampler, walked over to some frame samples, grabbed this one and that was it! He was as excited as I was!
Here's a detail of the frame. Isn't it pretty? Thanks again, Don, if you're reading this!
There. I think that's all on the list. Now for the UGH part. If you haven't guessed already, snow. Oh, and a small problem over the weekend -- no propane gas. UGH. Which means no shower, no stove for cooking (don't mind that part. lol!). The shower part is the part that really gets to me. I NEED my shower!!! I've been washing my hair in the kitchen sink in cold water for 3 days now. Brrrrr. I'm sure we're all pretty stinky. Hope not. lol! Can you believe propane people don't believe in fixing gas leaks on the weekend? What is their problem?! How do they expect people to switch to gas heat if they don't do weekend repairs? So now we're waiting -- not patiently -- for the repairman to come fix our leak. I'm not even sure it is a leak. They just let us run out of propane despite being on automatic delivery. Which led to the problem. UGH. Ok, I'll be quiet now.
And yes, snow is on the way. And ICE. UGH. We're supposed to get a good amount of snow (luckily less than double digits) on Tuesday and then up to 1/2" of ice on top of that on Wednesday. Which is worrisome. I've run to the groceries already (after FINALLY getting a hold of the propane company to get on the apparently long list for the service guy -- don't use my propane company). So now we just have to hope we don't lose power on Wednesday. UGH. I am soooooooooooooooooooo sick of this snow/ice thing. This has been the worst winter ever. Ever ever ever. Can you tell I need a shower? lol!
Ok, I'll stop grumbling now. Here's something to cheer us all up.
Can you believe this silly Mia? She loves bags! Bags of all sorts! Whenever she gets into the plastic bags, I always watch her to make sure she doesn't get stuck or anything. Well, the other day, she decided to just settle down inside this one. lol! She even took a bit of a snooze in it! Such a kitten!
Oh, another thing. People keep asking about that quilt on my bed. Nope, didn't make it. I wish! lol! It's a Judy Boisson quilt. I bought it years and years and years ago. Her quilts were always much better made than your average "factory made" quilt. Better hand quilting (although not like real hand quilting), better patterns and designs. Mia is now proceeding to rip the quilt to shreds with her adorable little claws, so I'm not sure how much longer the poor thing is going to last. Makes me sad. I love this quilt.
Sorry to be a grump today. Hopefully I'll be able to shower by the end of the day. Fingers crossed! Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi! I always enjoy reading your comments and visiting with you all! Have a great week! Here's to the ice storm not being as bad as they say for everyone in the affected parts of the country. And to the snow storm not being as bad too for those others! No more snow days please!!!
68 comments:
Oh, poor you! Not being able to shower would make anyone grumpy. I hope you get things fixed soon!
Love your framed Richmond Sampler, the frame is absolutely perfect for the piece! Nice new start too, that's one very handsome cow :) Cute photo of Mia - we keep some large gift bags in the wardrobe and Maisie loves to get inside them. Cats!
Love your new start! Your framed sampler is so gorgeous, lucky lucky you to have such a great local framer.
We're supposed to get the snow thing too. I'm so ready for Spring and warmer weather:)))
Take care.
Lovely new start and gorgeous finish! Poor you. I would hate it too not having a shower. Last year, it was our turn to have no central heating. Freezing! x
I can't believe your propane company does not make emergency repairs over the weekend. Oh mY!
LOVE the frame for the Richmond Sampler. A great framer is a goldmine!
I hope that by the end of the day, your propane worries will be over, you'll have had a nice long hot shower and that the day will have ended much better than it started!
Oh, I am feeling for you with all that snow and ice! I hope you are able to get a shower soon. I hope we don't get anymore snow this season.
Your Richmond sampler is lovely and the frame really accents it beautifully! Love your new start too. I have thought of doing it but will stick with Marianne for now.
Your Richmond Sampler is stunning framed! Yay!!! And I am dying to start Isabella too - yours is so pretty! I do hope you get your propane soon and that the snow passes you by!
:( I hope you get things fixed soon. Do you have a micro wave. Heat up some water and you can take a "bird" bath not a real shower but at least it'll be warm.
I absolutly LOVE your Richmond Sampler. Yes, your framer is awesome, what a wonderful frame he picked out. It is such a beautiful sampler.
What a cute Mia, thanks for posting photos of her, they sure do out a smile on my face :)
Stay safe hopefully spring will come soon for you
Oh, Margaret. I'm so sorry about the propane and the ice and snow and the ripped-by-kitty-claws quilt. I would be grumpy too. In fact, I'd be a raging, seething bundle of curse words. Shouted curse words! Love Richmond sampler, love the frame, and particularly, love the way that wall was prepared as if expecting that sampler!
Your Richmond Sampler looks fab. You're shaming me into going back to mine, which is barely started, even though I took the class almost exactly a year ago.
And your kitty is too cute. They never cease to find ways to make us smile, do they?
Isabella is hard to resist! Our cats like bags too! So weird!
Your progress on Isabella is fabulous! Love the Richmond Sampler is gorgeous, love the frame choice too!!!!
Too bad about the propane, I am positive you would be pleased if you didnt see snow again for like 5 years!!!!!
You are such a bad influence! I also caved and got the SANQ magazine with the Isabella chart in it. I just love that red cow! The Richmond Sampler is one I MUST do one of these days since I went to college there and lived not too far from Richmond for many years. Yes, your frame is absolutely perfect - love it. And, I just ordered, if she still has it, a pink stitchers wallet, too. I figure I need one to tote around the Marianne Wrenn sampler as I'm sure that'll take me a LONG time to complete.
Mia is adorable! Stay warm and I hope you get the propane working soon. We are supposed to get between 12-15" with drifting snow beginning tomorrow night. Unlike you, I'm kind of looking forward to it and hunkering down for a day or two (if they close the command) and stitching. We have had snow here in SE Michigan but not much - till tomorrow!!!
The framing on your Richmond Sampler is PERFECT !! Fantastic job.... And thumbs down to cold showers. I hope you get GAS FAST !! (LOL) And Mia...I laughed outloud. (of course that's after sobbing over Kim's sweet kitty). Try to stay warm and if push comes to shove...maybe you could wash in warm water at Wal.Mart ! .....sorry
I hope you get your gas leak fixed soon, who knew they wouldn't service that right away. I love your framed pice. That frame is gorgeous. How lucky you are to have a needlework shop with a framer attached. At least you know they will treat your pieces correctly. Love the kitty too. Mia is a cutie. Going to look at the stitching wallets right now. Always looking for new project bags to brighten the days.
Hope you got your shower by now Margaret, don't we all know what that is like LOL.
Have seen a few of these red cows now and do like it, your colours look fine without the kerfuffle!!
Love your wallet and will check that website out:))
What is TUSAL again??, I am having a CRA(F)T moment here :))
Aaah snow, now I do hope it's not coming our way, but keep warm and hope your gas is back on soon.
no snow here - actually it's a beautiful Monday about 68 degrees - just lovely! Sorry you are worried about snow and ice - YUCK and you NEED that propane fixed right away - when our hot water heater went out a few months back I did w/o a shower for over 24hrs and I was in the car driving 60 miles to my mom's house for a shower - EEEUUUU - we are sure spoiled with modern conveniences or I should say "necessary conveniences". OK - I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Richmond sampler - it is just gorgeous Margaret - Don picked out a stunning frame choice and your stitching is always pure perfection. Your new start is perking right along and Mia is a cutey pie! Hope your week gets better - Mel
I hope the shower/propane stuff is sorted soon! We had a bubble in our hot water heater for awhile (it was fixed as soon as we realized DH was sneaking up to the golf club to shower there!!) and we all perfected the art of jumping in the shower enough to get wet and then stand out, wash, and then put just enough of the body under the water to wash off the soap.
I love Isabella! I am sooooo tempted to stitch her! I love your Richmond Sampler! What a perfect moulding for it.
Hooray! Always happy to see Isabella the Red Cow popping up. She's such a beauty! I still look at mine in awe every day :o)
I SO know what you mean with all of that cold water misery. Haven't enjoyed the feel of hot water in my own home since the summer - until they came to install a new heater last week. UGH and EEEEWL, I think you will agree. Hope they help you out soon!
Love Mia in the bag!!! So cute!~
love your new finish! gorgeous!
and Thank you for showing your Isabella!!! I am just at the part with that specialty stitch which I don't know how to do so I can look at your picture and my chart and get a good idea of how to proceed! How timely!!!!!!
Oh, Margaret, your Richmond Sampler is absolutely stunning. Don picked the most perfect frame for it. Stunning!
Sorry about your propane issue and even sorrier about the snow. It was warm and sunny here this weekend but snow/sleet is expected tomorrow or Wednesday. Stay warm!! Blessings to you - kelley
Great start on Isabella... she looks fabulous. I love that red cow. Your framed Richmond sampler is gorgeous. Perfect frame and great stitching make for one gorgeous sampler.
That little Mia is so adorable. Such a petite little lady.
Isabelle looks great, but your Richmond Sampler - OMG is it beautiful and that frame is absolute perfection for it. You must be so thrilled!!!!
I can understand your grumpiness if all you can do is take showers that are cold - that would make me near hysterical. I hope that you are able to get it fixed soon.
And that snow is headed our way too - UGH! I have to agree with you that this is the worst winter ever and we haven't had as much snow as you. But I think we're going to catch up - at last report 18"!!! I just pray that the power doesn't go off, but I stocked up on batteries for my small stitching lamp in case it does.
Margaret,
The Richmond Sampler is awesome. Such a beautiful frame. Now I need to know "flying fingers" when did you start the Isabella Johnstone Sampler? I cannot believe how much you have done-must be all the time stitching instead of showering :) Was so glad to see a new post today. Always look forward to seeing what you are up to. Hope you have a special place of honor for the Richmond.
I'll send you some of our riduculous heat over to melt your riduculous ice! Love your new stitching and I adore the frame (and the sampler too of course). Mia is so darn cute all bagged up :o)
Lizzie
xxx
Hi Margaret, I hope that your gas problem is fixed (oh that sounds funny lol)but you know what I mean lol.
Richmond is stunning and I can see why you are so excited to have it back in your possession. Don did a wonderful job framing it for you.
Isabella looks lovely and will look lovely with your Jane when she comes back. Love your wallet. It is always nice to have something lovely to put our stitching in.
Cute photo of Mia. She looks like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
Can't help you with all of your snow, but I have the reverse here. Very hot weather. Today is going to be really bad. I heard this morning that we are going to have in Sydney 7 days strait with temps. way over the 100. Something, we have never had before. Strange world at the moment. - Sandra.
WOW Richmond looks amazing, you're very lucky to have such a skilled framer. I hope the problems with your gas have been sorted out now, not the best time of year to be hair washing in cold water brrrrr! Your Mia is so pretty, my little Mia just love climbing into bags and boxes. We have cat beds and blankets in every room in the house and she insists on sleeping in a tatty old shoe box lol.
Margaret I love your Richmond sampler the frame is perfect. I am stitching Jane Tindall and next up is Isabella I also have Marie Tilley on the way. The amount of snow we have had is outrageous and more is coming tomorrow. Your little kitty is darling but now shower yikes..Donna
Not being able to shower would just send me over the edge! Hope your propane problem gets resolved soon.
Your Isabella looks great. That one's on my to-stitch list. And that's a beautiful frame job on Richmond...very nice!
Hope you don't get too much ice. I'd way rather have snow.
Oh, I would be grumpy, too, Margaret--I do hope the propane comes back soon. You guys have really been clobbered this year with bad weather--so sorry to hear that yet another storm is headed your way. We're due to get it tomorrow (crossing my fingers that work will be closed!)...
Amazing framing job on Richmond Sampler--how lucky are you to have such a wonderful LNS and framer all in one place! And your new start is darling--gotta love that cow!
Beautiful framing on Richmond Sampler! I love it! Great progress on Isabella too...you have turbo needles!
I like the stitching wallet you bought from Natalia...it's a fun print and that Mia...always getting into where she shouldn't. It's lucky she's so cute! :)
We all still love ya Margaret...shower or not! LOVE your Richmond Sampler. It looks so much like an antique! Mia is a sweet little kitty. Sorry about all your snow. Wish we had more than we do, just for a snow day and stitching by the fire! Hopefully things will begin to look up for you soon! Hugs!
So sorry about the snow/ice... just hold on and spring will be here before you know it!
Your Richmond Sampler is absolutely beautiful and the frame is so fitting.
Love you new start too...you can never have too many...right?
Hope you get your shower soon!
No worries. One can never have too many WIPs. Life is short ~ start everything!
Lovely stitching, BTW!
Love the photo of Mia in the bag. Cats are so funny sometimes!
Great TUSAL update!
The Richmond Sampler is stunning! Your framer is a genius!
Sorry to hear about your heating problems. I'm shivering just thinking about washing my hair in cold water. Hope it's been fixed today and you can get a shower.
UGH! You're right! I'd be grumpy too! Hope they get it fixed pdq!
On the bright side, you have a beautiful new framed piece to adore! Your framer did a wonderful job!
Isn't Isabella a treat to stitch? I really enjoyed that one.
And Mia is precious. She just looks like "I like this outfit. What do you think?"!!!
Oh Margaret !!! You poor thing without warm water for a weekend... that is hard. Isn't it amazing how spoiled we get... What did people do 200 years ago? LOL !!
Richmond is just stunning !!! I knew once you framed it it was going to be even more beautiful !! I love the frame you chose
Isabelle is just so adorable. I love the cow too !! I am glad you mentioned about not bothering with the dark silk or light silk. That would seem like too much work for me and I intend to stitch this baby someday...
Thanks so much for your kind comments about my wallets and I thank you !!!!! I am so glad you like it.
Mia is just as adorable as always. I have a friend whose cat loves to get inside plastic bags too. Too funny.
Holy cow, I can't imagine them not coming out immediately to fix the propane issue!!! That's crazy at this time of year, and it would make me pretty darn grumpy, too! We ran out - we have the 'small' cylinders and simply didn't know how long they'd last - and they came right out the day I called with a new one.
As for the snow, I'm in denial.
Hey, it's okay to use the "ugh" word. I love your Isabella. Will I ever tire of that one? And your Richmond is such a master piece. Love your silly little Mia too! Hope you get to take your shower soon! Nancy in WI
I love the framed Richmond. How very clever Mr.Don is.
Happy Stitching!
Oh no, I feel your pain!! No shower - that would not play well with me either. Hope all is fixed now and you are clean and smelling pretty!
Ok, so I have a question on Isabella - she has some blended colors ( I think) - what are you doing about that? She is such a pretty sampler.
Your Richmond Sampler is just stunning! The frame matches the beauty of your sampler.
Mia, cracks me up - she is soooo cute.
Just love looking and reading I am not a cross stitcher so I enjoy all your work.
Delightful samplers Margaret and yes Don is a genius. I love the Richmond sampler. Hugs for the cold water fiasco - I would have trouble with that - although I did have to take many cold baths in sub zero temps at my sister-in-laws in the UK once or twice - brutal for us Aussies who think temps don't go negative.
What great framing on Richmond, and Isabella is beautiful too. I hope you've got the propane problem fixed.
Mia is so cute, but I must admit I was a little creeped out by the plastic bag - I have this suffocation-risk paranoia...
Enjoy Isabella - I love the cow too! Your Richmond Sampler is just gorgeous, and so is your frame choice! Mia has grown from a cute kitten to a beautiful cat!
I don't blame you for being grumpy!!!
Love Isabelle and the Richmond Sampler is fabulous. The molding is perfect.
It's already stopped snowing here in Ohio but I think it will start again later then turn to rain. Not looking forward to all the ice!
There is nothing like a beautifully framed finish and yours is stunning! I'd love to go to your LNS sometime (I am from NJ). I think it's about 40 min. from my mother's house.
Hope you have hot water by now!
My cat Maggie loves crinkly bags of all sorts too. If you crinkle one she comes running, which is impressive because she's mostly deaf. There is just something about that crinkle sound that works it's way through the fog of her deafness.
The frame is PERFECT! It looks absolutely beautiful all together on the wall. Just stunning.
We are supposed to get another 16" of snow by tomorrow's end - to go with the five FEET of snow already piled up in my yard. *sigh* Enough already, right????
Oh l'encadrement est merveilleux ! le début du nouveau j'adore ! le chat est adorable et il est trop drole dans le sac !
plein de bonnes choses pour vous mon amie !
amitiés
Our most memorable propane 'event' when we lived by you was when I was cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner - EVER - with my grandmother, parents, sisters, etc., all there.
After a few hours in the oven, we discovered that it was off - ran out of propane! Hubby thought it was cheaper just to buy it on our own than have a regular delivery service. Quelle horreur!
Luck for him, Agway was open!
I sure can feel your pain! I'm in CO and while we've had very little snow (very unusual) and a decent winter; we are in throws of a cold snap. I come home last night and it was 7 degrees with an over night low expected at -9. And my furnace goes on the fritz!!! Thank goodness for a reliable heating company that works more than "normal" hours!!! BUT their first appointment was for 8 this morning. Space heaters before bed and tons of blankets for sleeping were the order of the night. I do have to say the water never froze and I did get a nice hot shower this morning!!! Well, the repairman was here at 8 promptly, the part replaced and all is well with the world.
I've sent up prayers that all is right in your world now as well.
AND I love all your samplers - I want to stitch them all too!! (Yeah, in my spare time LOL)
I think I would be saying more than ugh!! I do hope you get your propane situation straightened out. Isabeel looks great so far and your framed piece - the Richmond Sampler is wonderful! I know you will enjoy staring at it!
Stay warm and safe!
Your WIP's look great and I love your framed finish. I hear you on the snow, we've gotten 50 inches so far this winter and it's a blizzard outside right now.
Oh, Margaret..Mia has the right idea for staying warm!! LoL! Too cute!
Be still my heart! OMG! Your framed piece is out-of-this-world BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! And what a perfect frame!! I'm SO green with envy at such a beautiful piece. Do you remember telling me I could have this when you get it framed? No? ROFLOL!!!!
I love the one with the cow too! Stay warm..think I'll go take a hot shower now. LOL! OH..Margaret, that was so mean, wasn't it. I'll be nice if you give me that sampler. :) Take care..
Love your new start! And as for your framed Richmond Sampler - it looks wonderful!
I hope by now you've been able to enjoy a shower and your propane woes are over!
Isabella Johnstone is looking great! And good to know that there's no need to worry about light and dark. Your Richmond Sampler is just gorgeous too! I love the frame, you are so lucky to have a great framer, who seems to be pretty fast! Hope all is worked out with the propane tank now, or soon will be! Take care!!! Stay warm! :)
Oh My - that Richmond Sampler is gorgeous!!! COngratulations! Hopefully you've had a shower by now and are enjoying a snuggle with Mia :-)
We're having a snow day here today. I'm ready for Spring........
Margaret, as always your post holds the most gorgeous stitching. Your framed piece is simply amazing and I love your latest start!!!
((hugs))
Okay, wonderful!
Frame = Perfect!
Cow = Gorgeous!
Showering = A Must!
I don't think our ice was too bad here, but they still closed Marc's workplace for the day.
Oh wow! Your framed sampler is just divine. I love the design and your stitching is beautiful.
Such a sweet picture of Mia ;)
Margaret
A lovely WIP and a beautiful Framed Richmond Sampler!!! Congrats!!
So sorry about the gas - that bites!
EEK I'm sorry for no shower! I hope they get it fixed and write a letter of complaint to the company!
Love your finishes!
Great TUSAL
I hope you've had your gas sorted by now.
Richmond sampler is stunning, great framing and nice start on Isabella
Margaret, your Richmond Sampler is beautiful!!! As always I really enjoy seeing what you are stitching. Mia is too cute in the bag. What is it with cats and bags?
Mine does the same thing. I hope they finely have your gas problem worked out, nothing worse than being without gas and water.
Your framed sampler and new start are just gorgeous.
And what IS it with cats sitting in plastic bags? I have one who does the same thing!
TA DAH is right!!!! Your Richmond Sampler is wonderful. Love the cow too. Makes me want to stitch one just like it. Who knew cows would look so darn wonderful in a sampler?
First of all your blog is just totally awesome and I just love your samplers! Isabella Johnstone is so gorgeous and I too just love cows!! Anything to do with a farm is somethingI love. Jane Tindall is also so pretty!! I love Tanya's samplers and have several to do. I may have to get Jane Tindall too!! I need to get Samplers and Antique Needlework magazine!
First of all your blog is just totally awesome and I just love your samplers! Isabella Johnstone is so gorgeous and I too just love cows!! Anything to do with a farm is somethingI love. Jane Tindall is also so pretty!! I love Tanya's samplers and have several to do. I may have to get Jane Tindall too!! I need to get Samplers and Antique Needlework magazine!
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