More Stitching

Another oldie in my stash is Virtuous Woman stocking by Carriage House Sampling. I love the verse and design. I would prefer to do it so it can be framed. I am still trying to figure out how to do that and make it look like one size instead of a stocking. I am picky about open stitching like pillows, stockings, framed with no glass, ect. We live in an area where dust thrives! Open a door or window and you have let in enough dust to fill a sandbox! A little bit of an exaggeration but you get the message! I keep remembering the good advice from my LNS to make it my own.

More family history! Henry Hatton was the stage and pen name used by Patrick Henry Cannon. He was born in New York on 12/16/1837 and died in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on December 24, 1922 at the age of 85. In 1845, at the age of 8, he learned some magic from a professional magician whose manager was a friend of Hatton's father (Charles James Cannon).. For three years, 1855, 56 & 57, Hatton was a full time professional stage magician travelling mainly around the south. During the same three years, he wrote a series called "Lessons in Magic" in Our Young Folks magazine

Around 1867, Hatton left the stage but his interest in magic remained an important part of his life. For many years he performed as a society entertainer and he always kept abreast of the progress and development of magic. He was an accomplished writer on the subject. For many years he was employed as an author and editor in a prominent publishing house firm in New York City. In 1910, together with Adrian Plate, he wrote "Magician's Tricks: How they are done"

An elite group of magicians used to meet quite informally on Saturday nights after their shows at a very private magic shop called Martinkas, run by two brothers (which still exists today). Slowly this evolved into a notion that an actual magic club night would be a good thing. On May 10, 1903 twenty four men organized the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.). It is the oldest magic organization in the world. Henry Hatton joined the Society of American Magicians in 1901 as Member #21 and was one of the original 24 founders. He served as National President for two terms, 1912-13 and 1913-14. That's my Great Great Grandfather!

While my cross stitch was down from the walls during our painting project, I decided it would be a good time to label them. I typed up a label for each piece then attached it to the back before hanging them back up.

My LNS has another framing sale in October. I would like to get Mother's Tree, Prayer of St. Frances, Creation Sampler and A Virtuous Woman stitched and taken in to be framed then. Big Goals! LOL

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Goodie Goodie New Framing!

We have had enough rain to hold us over for the rest of the year (or longer). I really don't mind a rainy day as long as I don't have to get out in it. I like stitching to the relaxing sound of the rain falling.

The painting is finally starting to take off! While the GOG is working on finishing up the main rooms, I have been hanging some of my cross stitch back up. Some old friends and some new ones that have been hold up in my closet waiting for space!

Since I am working on my family history again, I thought I would share some of the more interesting ancestors from my tree.

Charles James Cannon born in New York City November 4, 1800. He died there on November 9, 1860 at age 61. He was of Irish parentage.  He was a famous poet, play write and novelist of his time. He often wrote under the pen name "Grandfather Greenway". He also compiled a series of readers and a spelling book.

I was able to pick up my framed items that I dropped off at the LNS. I will share a few this post and some more next post.

Feliz Navidad by Blackbird Designs

Because Nice Matters by La D Da

Prayer of St. Frances by Lizzie Kate

I love a good mail day and my fabric along with some threads arrived so that I was able to kit The Prayer of St. Frances by My Big Toe. That will be ready to start on about mid May. I like to get a several weeks head start on my infusion projects.

I also worked some more on Mother's Tree. I am going  to make this an alternate stitch for weekends only. I confided in my trusted LNS friend and framer about how the tree seemed to cause more hand cramps. We discussed alternatives and finally settled on a way that will look just as good. Like she said "Make it your own".

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Another Saturday Night

Working on Mother's Tree gave me the family history bug again so I decided to work on some of that. I am still looking for more women to add to my Mother's Tree but it looks like I have hit a dead end. I know that with my luck, as soon as I finish the piece and have it framed, I will find one or more women!!! I was able to get a few more lines finished on the tree. It is difficult to see the progress with only several lines at a time.

I was able to stop by the LNS and pick up a few items I need to kit up several more pieces. I have kitted up Heart & Hand. I know I shouldn't but my fingers are really itching to start this piece! I may have to justify the double stitch to that Mother's tree and my lack of patience!

Whenever I feel guilty about buying more charts while I already have so so so many, I just go to my LNS and talk to the ladies there who have the very same addiction! LOL.

I was looking through some new charts and found one that made me drool! It is The Prayer of St. Frances by My Big Toe. I realize I have already done this prayer by Lizzie Kate and it is at the framers right now but this one is sooooooo elegant and a must have so you guessed it. I bought it! Maybe it will be my next infusion project. After all, Our Father and Apostle's Creed by My Big Toe were infusion projects.

With everyone posting pictures of their new or familiar established pets, I was feeling a bit out of the loop. Should I post a picture of some of the regular visitors to my backyard kingdom? Then I saw Edna sitting all by herself on the bed. She is such a good ol' gal and never complains. A quality worth appreciating. She doesn't look especially happy about anything but she always catches my eye as I walk by and gives me a reason to smile. I fluffed up her dress and spread out the skirt all nice and pretty for the picture. Who is to say that she didn't enjoy the much over due attention?

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart

It Happened Again!

Once again we had a beautiful week with warm Spring temperatures. My chickadees and blue birds loved the weather! The very next day we woke up to SNOW!! What the.... My blue bird couple was ever vigulant and kept working on their nest. My chickadees have left again. I keep watching and hoping they come back.Yes, the weather was back to Spring the very next day! I hope that is over.

Unfortunately I was not able to work on Mother's Tree again. It was just a busy busy week. My LNS started their framing sale so I took in six pieces. I can't wait to get them back. She knows what type of frames I like and she always does a wonderful job!They also had their charts on sale so I picked up a few. Like I really need more! 

I got Together by Heart in Hand. A very sweet and simple piece.

I  also picked up Quakers and Quilts by Rosewood Manor. It is an alphabet sampler with quilt blocks! Need I say more!

And last but not least, I got Heart & Hand by Brenda Gervais. This chart included multiple favorites of mine. I have always like the saying "Hands to work. Hearts to God"  It included 2 of my favorite trees. Dogwood blossoms around the top border and a Weeping Willow by the house. And the Heart to Hands symbol is always a classic!

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.