Wow! It’s September 5 and I don’t even know where Summer went. It’s been exactly 2 months since I last posted and I am sorry about that. Obviously life took over, LOL. But I have been stitching and doing I don’t even know what else. I took a little vacation, but other than that, I can’t remember everything else I did the last couple of months. Good thing I have a planner 😉 So, what have I been up to? Well, grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair. I have a feeling this will be a long post.
I have been stitching mostly on the Mystery Sampler by Linen and Threads. I have been trying my best to get caught up and last night I started the second row of the August section. I am quite pleased with myself for actually having started the August section in the month of August. I am still loving this piece so much. Here is a picture of my entire piece so far:
For those of you seeing this for the first time, it is a FREE SAL from Linen and Threads. They release a section the first of each month. It started in January 2017 and runs through December 2017. If you are interested in doing this sampler, you can go to their website and print off the sections, pick your own fabric and threads and get started. They also have a facebook page you can join and see all the different ways people are stitching this one. I am stitching mine on 16ct Aida Castleview from Silkweaver. I am using Sullivan thread London Fog and DMC 3888. I am hoping to be caught up with this piece sometime this month.
I also took a little vacation with my husband, to Wisconsin. He took me there so I could visit the Paine Art Center and Gardens. A couple of years ago, I fell in love with photos from a wonderful photographer, Kirsty Mitchell. She is from the UK and created a wonderful series of photos for her Wonderland series that are just amazing. When I found out that she was having a showing in Wisconsin, I knew that I had to go. So I mentioned it to my husband and he set the plan in motion. But first, he surprised me with a wonderful gift in July. Her beautiful Wonderland book.
He bought me flowers and gave me the invoice showing he ordered the book for me. I balled my eyes out! I couldn’t believe he ordered the book for me. A week later, it arrived in the mail and it is as amazing as I knew it would be.
One of my favorite photos. And seeing the photos, life-sized, at the Paine Art Center, did not disappoint either.
I was so, so happy to be there, at the Paine, standing in front of this amazing banner that I had only seen on facebook up to this point. We arrived before the Center opened, so we were able to walk around the mansion a little before the doors opened. The Art Center is actually a Mansion that was built by Mr. & Mrs. Paine in 1927. The history about the mansion is interesting and the mansion itself is gorgeous. The different gardens are so lovely, too. I am so glad we visited in the summer while most of the flowers were still in bloom. When we walked into the first room where Kirsty’s exhibit is, it literally took my breath away. It was so emotional. The photos, the video, the music, the lighting, everything was so perfect! Yes, I cried. Her photos do that to me. If you love photography, and Kirsty’s work, you have to see her show. It will be at the Paine until October 15, 2017. I am Not sure where it will go next, but I could not risk it being too far away to drive, and Wisconsin was a day drive for us and one that I would do again in a heartbeat. So we visited the 2 rooms where Kirsty’s photos were on display. We sat and watched the video’s and then we walked around and looked at the entire mansion. I then went back to see Kirsty’s photos. I couldn’t resist a second look. And then we visited the gardens. It was a wonderful day. One that I will remember always. I can’t wait to scrapbook my photos. Here is a layout I did when I received my beautiful book.
We also visited some lighthouses on this trip. Here is the St. Joseph Lighthouse.
And, we visited the Hackley and Hume houses in Muskegon.
I first heard about these houses when I saw cross stitch patterns of them. When I found out that they were real houses in Muskegon, Michigan, I decided if I ever got near Muskegon, I would have to stop and visit them. And so we did and they were amazing. And now of course I want to cross stitch them 😉
Since the drive was a long one, I decided to do some knitting while in the car. On the trip to Wisconsin, I knitted this scarf:
One more ball of scarf yarn out of my stash 🙂 Love the beautiful fall colors. For the trip home, I visited a craft store and purchased a ball of Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball and started this pretty:
At 1/2 off, I couldn’t resist. I even used the hotel computer center to print off a pattern from Lion Brand. I thought it was a shawl pattern, but when it actually came up and I printed it, it is a cowl. It is straight stockinette stitch, so it was perfect for the car ride. I didn’t have much done when we arrived back home. I have been adding a few rows here and there. My needles are 10″ long so I maybe have about 20″ done now. I am looking forward to seeing all the color changes in this yarn. I have a couple of skeins of this yarn in my stash that I hope to knit a shawl with someday. So far I like knitting with it. The yarn is an uneven yarn and has some white fibers throughout. I like the look of it and hopefully I can get it done so that I can wear it this winter.
So, that is what I have been up to. I told you it was going to be a long post. If you are still here, I thank you for reading all about my vacation and what I have been up to. I have also collected more things to cross stitch in the last couple of months and I have to admit that I am anxious to start something new, but I have been a good girl…so far, sticking mainly with the sampler 😉 So, what are you stitching at the moment and because it is September, do you feel like starting a new project?
My Time Stitching 
What gorgeous photos in your book & on your site. I can’t believe how many stitches you have done! Glad you have young hands-wow! What fab skills you have!!
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Thank you, Marsha. I can’t imagine what I will do when my hands no longer want to create. For now, I will enjoy every stitch and craft I do 🙂
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You’ve got some great projects on the go. I especially love the colours in shawl in a ball!
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Thank you MrsCraft. I am enjoying my projects and can’t wait to get further on the cowl and see some different colors come up.
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Looks like you had a great vacation, Ginny! And wow look at the sampler now, you really have made some great progress on it! I love how the scarf turned out, and I can’t wait to see the one on your needles finished.
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It was a wonderful vacation, Anita. I am so happy I got to see Kirsty’s work and hit a few beaches and put my feet in the sand. The Sampler is such a relaxing stitch. I am enjoying every minute of it. I can’t wait to see another color pop up on my cowl. I put a few rows in last night and still the same color. Soon there will be a color change, I hope 🙂
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Your stitching is lovely, as always. Kirsty’s work is just stunning – I didn’t realise she made the costumes herself until I watched the video. What an imagination and what a photographer! Thanks for introducing her to us. xxx
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Thank you, Christine. I first found Kirsty’s work about 2 years ago. The photo’s just took my breath away and touched my heart in a way that I just can’t explain. And watching the video’s fills me with so many emotions. She really is gifted. My husband drove me 9 hours to get to see her show. I hate being in a car on the highway, but I did it just to see her work. She is currently working on her next series and I can’t wait to see what she is working on.
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Your stitching is coming along beautifully.
Looks like a wonderful book and journey to enjoy.
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Thank you, E.C. It is a beautiful book and I am reading it slowly. The first half is her gorgeous photos. The second half is her diary entries during the years of making Wonderland as well as some behind the scenes photos. It truly is a treasure and seeing her show was over the moon for me. I can’t wait to see what she is working on now.
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Great progress on the SAL, love your colors.
Looks like you had a fun Summer.
Wonderland looks well, Wonderful!!
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Thank you Marilyn. The 2nd row of August on the sampler seems to be going slow 😦 It’s one of those rows that is not easily remembered, so I have to keep referring to the pattern and the stitching doesn’t flow into the next stitch as well, making me think that my colors are not flowing, but looking like I picked them up here and there. I’m sure it will look fine when I get it finished. Just looking a bit choppy right now. Wonderland is Wonderful 😉
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Your sampler is still one of my absolutely favourites, if I could ever say that, since each one you work on is prettier than the other. 🙂 I think what really attracts me to this one, is the uniform colour use throughout. Such a classic.
Wow, great book, and great vacation. I know, there is just something about a book of / on your favourite artist. I have a coffee table book on Alphonse Mucha. I adore his work. I love the vacation pictures, and the lighthouses. And the Hackley and Hume houses and story book cute.
Great knitting. Your pink project is stunning, and I can see why you love this yarn. The colour and changes in the yarn knits up so beautifully. It is going to look lovely, and I think it will wear just as pretty.
I hope the weather is still good on your side, and pleasant and perfect for time outside.
Enjoy the crafting. 🙂
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Thank you Joey. So sweet of you to say. I think the reason I love the Sampler so much is that it is fuss free. No need to worry about changing colors so much and that it will create itself. Being my first Sampler, and enjoying stitching it so much, it definitely is going to a personal favorite for me, too. I looked up Alphonse Mucha, and I recognize his work even though I didn’t recognize his name. I love the 4 seasons pieces. I think I have seen one of his works as a cross stitch on someone’ blog once. They all would make beautiful cross stitch pieces. Such beautiful colors. My summer was one I will remember always. The temps are getting down into the 40’s and 50’s at night and high 60’s during the day. Seems a bit early, but fall is definitely on it’s way. I love fall, but I also know what follows…So I will enjoy the end of summer and beginning of fall season while I can. Enjoy your Spring and crafty time 🙂
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🙂 You are most welcome.
Some artists are just the type that leaves a lasting effect on one, and in ones life. I think we are truly blessed to be able to enjoy and appreciate their work.
I agree, your summer is going to be remembered always. It was a fabulous experience.
While your temps are going down, ours have started to warm up fast. The forecast for today and the weekend it just below the 30 degrees. (just above 80 F) 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend. xx
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Love that sampler! And the knitting, good for you! We just got home from our Wisconsin trip, which included a night in Muskegon as well. Did you take the ferry to Milwaukee? I’ll be writing a post about our trip soon. We did not get to look around in Muskegon but now I have a reason to return!
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Thank you, Salpal1. The sampler is such a wonderful piece. I will be so sad to see it end. But I am hearing that the designer is already making another for 2018!! So excited to hear that. I will have to update again soon as I have finished the August section and have 1 row of the September section completed. I will get caught up this month 😉 I can’t wait to hear all about your trip to Wisconsin. We did not take the ferry across (I have this thing with bridges, boats and water) but I will tell you; if I were able to get my hands on a ticket to the luncheon to see Kirsty in person next week, I would somehow suck it up and take the ferry. The Hackley Hume houses are a must see if you like looking at old historical houses. I would recommend a fall tour though. Very hot in the summer as there is no AC in the houses and they keep the windows closed and locked up tight. Beautiful to see though.
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Can’t wait to see your progress! Getting caught up is a wonderful thing. 😉
I have a thing with Chicago (any city, actually) so was thrilled to find the ferry!
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I love your sampler from Linens-I want to start this but haven’t decided on colors yet. The houses you visited in Michigan are fantastic, I have to go look for those patterns now.
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You will absolutely love the sampler, Laura. It is such a relaxing stitch. I will be sad to see it end, but I have heard that the designer is working on another for 2018!! So excited to hear this. I’m sure I will have to stitch that one, too. I hope you are able to find the Hackley and Hume house patterns. They look awesome!
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I don’t know how I came across your blog (something cross stitch related but now I’ve forgotten) but that book is gorgeous. The link showed a beautiful ornate key-you don’t see too many books presented so elaborately nowadays. We have several old mansions where I live and the ones open to the public are breathtaking. I’m glad I came across your blog today.
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Hi Sandra! I am so glad you found me 😉 The book is absolutely gorgeous. I did not get the first edition with the beautiful key, but I did see the key at the Paine Art Center where Kirsty’s show is on display right now and it is so beautiful. Well made. Kirsty really did make quite the presentation with her books. She is very detailed oriented and made sure the most beautiful presentation of her book was accomplished. I am hoping to visit more mansions in the future. There is one not far from me that I am hoping to visit next week. Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave me a sweet comment ❤
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