Monday, May 9, 2011

Happy day after Mother's Day!

Hope everyone had a good Mother's Day!  I did.  :D

But first off, let me show you my progress on Susan Rambo.


She's so pretty!  Although I do think the squirrels look a bit hunchbacked.


And like they have weird, pointy helmets on.


I used 931a for the color for the squirrels instead of my substitute for 603 (931), since I thought it looked more squirrel-like.  (It looks a bit more purple IRL.)  I've just about come to the conclusion that I may do the same from now on -- just use 931a for all the places where it calls for 603.  I've also discovered to my consternation that the yellow-brown used in the wreath around the parent's names to me should be much greener in color.  I get the sinking feeling that the piece shown in the SANQ mag must be the original and not the model?  Dunno.  Anyway, that same color was used in the grass under the squirrel.  I subbed  the lighter green from the border instead.  I wish I'd realized this before I stitched that wreath. Hate that yellow-brown color on the wreath.  But I'm way too lazy to frog it.

As for Mother's Day, it was a gorgeous day here so we took advantage and went wandering around our favorite antiquing town, Cold Spring, NY.  (Not Cold Spring Harbor.)  The boy child should have been studying for his music theory AP exam, but what the heck.  I think he was about as ready as he was going to be.  We had fun wandering around and looking at the antiques and the people.  Sat by the riverside for a while too, but it was a bit too windy and chilly to stay long by the waterside.  We also went to Barnes and Noble to check out the written word, so that was nice.

Guess what the father type got me for Mother's Day?  (How did he know what I wanted?  :D)


You should be hearing squeals of delight about now.  Yes, my very own, antique toy Singer sewing machine!  I love it!  It's in great shape too!  Came with the original box and clamp.  Even had a little pack of needles and a little key.


Mia has been very curious about it, as you can see.  I think the main attraction for her, though, was the wrapping material the clamp was wrapped in.  She thought it was the greatest toy.  lol!

I got to talk to the girl child by video chat for Mother's Day as well.  She managed to make me cry with her little Mother's Day post that she sent me.  She's busy writing final papers for college and worrying about possible summer jobs/internships so no time for her to come home.  But at least we got to talk.

Can I just put in a slight off-topic here and say wow?   Novak Djokovic is unbeaten so far this year in tennis.  He's managed to beat Nadal in their last three meetings (all finals), their last one being on clay, Nadal's surface of choice.  Wow.  I'm impressed!  He's 32 and 0 so far in 2011.  The French Open should be interesting this year!

Sorry about that.  Now for something more on topic.


Here's the boy child torturing Mia by picking her up in a bag.  She'd been doing her usual thing of enjoying hanging out inside the bag.  Don't think she was pleased to be up in the air.

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  It's a pleasure to read your comments and to talk with you all.  Hope you have a great week.

52 comments:

♥marylin♥ said...

Magnifique ! very lovely

have a good day my friend

Anonymous said...

Your Susan is great. I am working on her but am not as far as you. Great seeing yours. LOL - I went to Barnes and Noble Mothers Day also - after having lunch at the Olive Garden with my family. It was a beautiful day here also. I love your blog. It is the greatest. Brenda

marly said...

Love that Mia! I can't believe your progress. Do you stitch in your sleep?? In my wimpy opinion, the wreath color is perfect. You see the names without being distracted by too much green and crowding in that corner. But what do I know? According to my hub,
E V E R Y T H I N G. I think my little Singer ran away from home and will never return. You lucky Mom!!

Siobhán said...

I'm glad that you had a good Mother's Day, Margaret! I just love that pic of Mia staring at the toy sewing machine--she looks totally entranced by it.

LOVE the progress on Susan Rambo!! I can't wait to get to stitch it.

Glenna said...

I think the squirrels DO look hunch-backed. Osteoarthritis? Personally I think it's just a bad conversion. I'm thinking it was done in DMC first and then someone just filled in color "matches" in the NPI colors without looking at them closely. Still, it's very pretty even if the colors aren't what we'd have chosen necessarily.

What a wonderful mother's day gift! So cute!

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

Love how your sampler is coming.. Humpback squirrels are cute. lol
I have never seen a Toy Singer sewing machine before! That is so great! Glad you had a great Mother's day!

Marion said...

Once again...fabulous stitching!!!
Glad you had a good Mother's Day..I did too....
Love the antique sewing machine...I have a tiny sewing machine that I got when I was a little girl..it really works..I should dig it out..still in the original box too.
Mia is such a sweetie! Does she want to learn how to sew?????
Have a nice day Margaret...it's another rainy one here..

Marion

Natalia said...

Margaret, Susan looks beautiful, but I have to tell you that what caught my attention on your post is the little Singer sewing machine. I love it !!!!!! I saw one a couple of weeks ago at an antique show too and I thought hard about buying it but I didn't. Maybe next time...
You did have to point out that Djokovic beat Nadal three times, didn't you???? We'll see what happens in France :-)
Mia is cute as can be, as always !!

Selvage Quilter said...

Your sampler looks great. I like the unexpected colors here and there and the hunchback squirrels too. They add charm. I love that sort of thing in quilts too. If it was all as expected, then you'd see it quickly and move on. I think a wonderful embroidery needs some of this happy stuff. I'm so glad I found your blog.

Cari said...

Good Monday morning Margaret! I love your Susan Rambo. As usual, these kind of samplers are so much fun. I think the squirrels look pretty wonkie too...pointed helmets...so much fun!! I love your Mother's Day gift of the toy sewing machine. It is just something else!! And I think that's just what Mia is thinking too!! Hugs and have a wonderful week!

Nicole said...

Susan Rambo is looking so beautiful!! I would definitely leave the tan color - I think it looks fine! What a sweet Mother's Day present! Your dh is definitely a keeper!! :) Glad you had a good day!

Giovanna said...

Great going on SR, and congrats on the lovely new toy!

Melissa said...

Susan is looking lovely! I do find sometimes that what's pictured on the chart and the floss colours can be quite different! I'll have to keep this in mind when I stitch Susan (some day).

Aren't you lucky you had such a great Mother's Day! That sewing machine is awesome. I've never seen one IRL.

Jo Ann said...

stitching is awesome as usual and I think Mia has the right idea-a nap is always good. Susan is high on my list for my next start. We shall see. Have a great week and see you next Monday. Jo Ann

Alisa said...

Your Susan Rambo is looking great! You are really speeding along with that one! Love your new toy!!!

the striped rose said...

That sampler is ROCKIN'!!

Catherine said...

What a fabulous piece Margaret!! Love you Mother's Day gift as well and as always, the pics of Mia and your son are too cute!

Valerie said...

HA! Humpback squirrels!!! Too funny!

It is funny that you mention the picture of Susan Rambo in SANQ...I was looking at the magazine just last night and yes, I am pretty sure the picture shown is the original not a reproduction. The reproduction calls for 28ct. linen and the close-up on the cover is definitely NOT 28ct! Looks more like 38-40 ct to me! I also think the conversions are a little wanky too. However, yours, dear Margaret is lovely!

KarenV said...

Susan is looking wonderful Margaret! I'm with Marly, I think you must stitch in your sleep, you always make my progress on anything look pitiful ;)

Great photos of Mia - Maisie loves getting into gift bags and she will submit to being carried around in them as well LOL. Great present from your DH, glad you had a nice day yesterday :)

Sharon said...

Susan Rambo is looking fantastic!

Deb said...

Oh my goodness Margaret - what a score you got on that sewing machine! It's in perfect condition. I'm green with envy, because I don't think I've seen one in that great of condition. I need to find my old one - I probably played with it all of two times before I stored it away in the box.

Susan is looking wonderful. I really should start on mine - one of these days! :o)

krayolakris said...

Love the kitty in the bag! Susan is looking great! You can see mine to compare colors at http://krayolakris-acolorfullife.blogspot.com/
The photo in SANQ is the original sampler. I'm using DMC and wasn't sure about the conversion but so far it's worked out well. Your little Singer is great!

Sylvia said...

Oh, Susan is looking so wonderful. Those squirrels are tufted ear squirrels - thus the long pointy ears. We have the red version here in Germany- they are huge.

What a fun little sewing machine!!

Mia is a crack- up as usual.

BrendaS said...

Love your Susan Rambo. The colors are just beautiful. Yes, I agree the squirel looks a little weird:)))

Glad you had a good Mother's Day. What a great gift from hubby.

Andrea said...

Oh gosh, Susan is just gorgeous!! I didn't see what you're stitching her on, but probably just overlooked it. I'm still debating on fabric...not that I'll get to her anytime soon.

Cute little Singer!

That Mia is too sweet! When I was a kid, we had a Siamese cat named Samantha, and she LOVED to be inside paper bags, and my mother would pick her up while she was inside, and swing her around! You'd think the cat would freak out, but she loved it and would get so happy and frisky after my mother did it to her, lol! Weird, huh?

Glad you had a nice Mother's Day!
xoxo

valerie said...

Susan Rambo is looking great! Sounds like you had a nice Mothers' Day. Love the antiquey Singer and Mia is so cute. How are cats so flexible to sleep all curled up like that?!

Liz said...

Oh I have the same little Singer Margaret..!! I've had it a few years now, no box with mine though. I treasure it and I'm sure you will. Love the last photo of Mia, all curled up and sweet...
Lizzie
xxx

Nancy said...

Your Susan is beautiful! I think the wreath colors look fine. Don't worry about froggin it.

Glad you had a good Mother's Day!

Love your new toy! I know you must love it.

That last pic of Mia is so cute. Cats really know how to sleep, don't they!

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, Susan is looking lovely and I love the squirrels. All part of her charm. I wouldn't worry about the wreath. It looks fine to me. You your new toy. - Sandra.

Laurie in Iowa said...

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your Mother's Day. I love your new toy Singer sewing machine. I've been lusting after one myself.
Great progress on Susan R... she's looks fantastic.
Loved the pics of little Mia.

Annie said...

Your sampler looks so great in those bright colors. So the squirrels are a little off beat.. who isn't?

Just read Deb's blog with that cute little sewing machine she picked up and now you have a little cutie of your own too! I like these much better than all those flower frogs that people are collecting!

mdgtjulie said...

Mia is just lovely. I think this is the first time I've seen her well. She looks very intent on your new sewing machine, lol. My Yes Dear has a think for packing materials too, lol. Heck, she'll play with anything, including plasticware!! Glad you got such a great gift, and got to talk to both children for the day. SR looks good. I love the colors in the border, they're gorgeous!!

Melody said...

beautiful progress on your sampler. I love the border that is just gorgeous!!

Carol said...

Susan is looking lovely, Margaret, and I love the teeny sewing machine! I would be squealing with delight, too. The photo of little Mia examining the Singer is pure delight :)

Glad your Mother's Day was so special!

Paulette said...

I am totally digging that white squirrel! I love him!

Mia is absolutely hilarious.. I love her pictures. What a sweet girl!

And I'm so glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day. You deserve it!

Paulette

Bertie said...

Susan is lovely Margaret, you have managed such a lot of stitching on it:))
The Singer is just gorgeous, you lucky mother!! a fabulous mothers day present!!! Does Mia want to have a go? LOL.

Missed the tennis in Holland, Novak is fabulous, even though he beat Murray LOL.

merumo said...

Your Susan is lookign lovely and I like your substitution for squirrels! I will have to get back with mine, too. And what a great Mother's Day gift!! It looks very nice and I see Mia agrees with me ;)

Joy said...

Beautiful progress...always amazed at the speed with which you stitch.

As for the squirrels, they look a little evil to me:)

Katrina said...

Very pretty!!!! I think I would be happy if my needles were half as fast as yours ;-). Sounds like such a nice mother's day too.

Sue said...

Wow, you are just flying on Susan Rambo, she is lookin good :)

barbara said...

That is a VERY exciting Mother's Day gift! Hooray! And wow, GORGEOUS stitching projgress! :D

Lois said...

Love your progress on Susan Rambo! Glad you'd such a nice Mother's Day and I love your little sewing machine! Oh yes, I'm right there with you on the countdown to the French Open - can't wait!!!

Isabelle said...

Your susan sampler is turning out very beautiful:-) Your sewing machine is really a great tool.....and Mia is always pretty cute!!

Sally said...

You are making amazing progress on Susan. Everytime I see it I am amazed at how beautiful the colours are.

Your Singer is adorable! I've never seem one like that before.

Kathy Ellen said...

More wonderful progress! So glad that you had an extra special Mother's Day, especially with your dear Hubby gifting you with that wonderful little antique Singer machine. Mia is adorable as always...love her in the paper bag and sleeping upside down. Too Cute!

Michelle said...

What a wonderful Mother's Day gift! And I'm loving how Susan is looking. I think the wreath color looks fine.

Berit said...

Sounds like good times. :D

Love your "new" singer!

Cathy Lloyd said...

It's always a treat to stop by your blog, Margaret! Love Susan and absolutely LOVE your toy Singer! Now I must go a-huntin'! Have a fabulous week! Gardening is taking up some of my stitching time...and Swans!

Melanie said...

Fabulous stitching!!! I always look forward to your posts. :)

Littlebit said...

Oh, Margaret, I cracked up at you talking about those squirrels! What a beautiful sampler, and your progress is amazing. Mia is adorable!

Kellie said...

Love Susan Rambo!! :) And what a nice gift! That antique toy sewing machine is gorgeous!

z3mom said...

Great to see you today! Will see you bright and early tomorrow too!

Tina