coming up!

::tomorrow a new pattern will release in the series, Sheep in a Hill, the collection

::tomorrow begins the annual patriotic SALE at webshop

see you then . . .

hungry?

I add recipes to this food blog of mine from time to time! Be sure to bookmark it for yummies.

summer sounds around the house

::Mom, when you're in the home, and I'm famous ...

::what was that noise?

::why is it so quiet?

::please, just please do what I say

::where's my blue car? no, not that one, my blue car, I need it

::is that dinner? but what am I eating?

::if Ben can then I want one too

::where's your brother?

::we can't eat out every meal

::get the fly, Mama, get it away from my toys!!

::i'll get there first

::I spy with my big, oozing, eye ...

::can we go to the pool?

::is this a house ball, Mama, or outside ball?

::stop kicking each other

::no

::i'm bored

::chase me

::i don't like milk anymore, give me lemonade again, ok?

::i love you, benny

::how about we freeze dance?

Ben is finishing up with 3 weeks of All Stars baseball and even though it's like magic watching my guy as catcher every inning of the games, I'll be glad when baseball ends and those morning & evening practices are no more. Sleeping-in needs to happen and soon. It's only day three of summer vacation and at one point this morning, I thought the boys would do me in. One was sent to a friend's house and the smaller one played and played and played so well that I was able to clean the kitchen from top to bottom, reorganize drawers, cabinets and even do some rearranging. Needless to say, I can't move a muscle now but I have a clean nest and can wobble my weary self from room to room to admire it whilst the boys continue their summer frolic. On to another day but night first, ah yes .... night.

a yummy finish shared

Joanne L. in NH sent in this darling finish of the I Love Watermelon freebie. Great job!

We had a nasty patch of storms come in for a brief stay this afternoon. If you asked Ben, he'd describe it as tornado-like but it wasn't that awful but still wicked weather. I'm glad the birds are back to their singing and the sun has replaced the dark skies. Burgers and a green salad are on the menu tonight ... more stitching on some new patterns (wait till you see!!) and another new Miss Marple to watch. Have a great start to the week!

free chart for summer stitching ... i love watermelon

Here's a free pattern for summer stitching ... pick threads & fabric of your choice ... enjoy and happy watermelon eating!

few more totes ...

I've added a few more The Sampler Girl Exclusive Tote Bags to webshop ... click HERE for details!

At Delaford, new pattern

Soon after the release of At Pemberley, I had requests for a companion piece with the focus of Delaford therefore ... At Delaford is now available! Pattern is offered as a Mailed Pattern and Epattern. There are several fabric cuts also on webshop as used in finishing piece.

Thank you to ALL who entered the Giveaway. Number 87 was the number picked by the random generator and on my list that was Grenae ... congrads! I've emailed you. Enjoy the pattern.

Looks to be another warm day but pleasantly only 90 degrees expected which will seem like a cool down, I hope, compared to our week of wicked heat and humidity. Happy Friday!

did someone say GIVEAWAY??

Haven't done a giveaway on the Blog in awhile so ... add your name and email to THIS blog post and you will be entered to win At Delaford, a new Jane Austen pattern available Friday. Winner will be picked via the number generator ... good luck!

summer, once again

The first day of summer, you say? Bring it on! Remember those bandana shorts from 2 years ago ... and last year ... well, meet this year's pair for Zack.

I had found star bandanas a few weeks ago and tucked them away for this very sewing project. They say summer to me.

daddy day

Appropriate day to post this show & tell as this design is a dear one; Davies is my Dad's middle name and the Welsh sampler was inspired from heritage on my Dad's side. Connie S. in AK sent in her finish of Mary Davies 1769. She stitched it on 32ct Platinum with silks and it came out beautiful.

We lunched after church at Mount Vernon Inn to celebrate Father's Day. It was a delightful time. Hope your Sunday was a blessed one too.

S A T U R D A Y

I recently got a picture from Michelle in the UK who stitched up Netherfield Park ... love it! She used floss that she had on hand & I forget the brand ... remind me, Michelle! It's lovely.

A few weeks ago I did some custom work for Jan in MD; she wanted to use Jane Austen & Me, the Emma Project as a wedding sampler and it came out beautiful. Nice job, Jan. Hope the happy couple like it! If you need some thing commissioned, let me know and I'll let you know a timeframe and fee.

Well, this Saturday is winding down. I spent the afternoon at Mom's house for a belated birthday party and it was such fun spending time with stitching friends. Nancy, your BBD finishes are stunning!! I wish I had my camera to take pictures to share here. Drat. Ben is at another daily baseball practice; he made All Stars again so baseball boot camp, they call it, continues until their first game next week-end. I watched It's Complicated last night (ok movie, bad ending I thought) and have Leap Year to view tonight. I've seen it before and glad to again. Hope Saturday is good for you! Off to water the flowers as they are calling for the watering can.

and the beat goes on

One week from today school will be over and there will be a rising 6th grader in the house. Summer will officially begin for us and those lazy, hazy days of summertime can linger long. The end of the school year busyness is coming to a faster pace as the days wind down. Zack feels the excitement of it all and longs for his big brother to join us at the pool when this school stuff is over!

EXCLUSIVE TOTE BAG ... long may she wave ... for bag lovers!

For those who know me ... really know me, know I adore tote bags. Purses are up there also in my can never have enough too but tote bags are absolute gems, found in all sizes and styles and places of journeying and can be used for anything, just anything you want!!! Well, I am in love with a new bag ... does the design on the front look familiar?

This is an exclusive and limited item in the webshop ... they will come & go now and then so be sure you get one if you are a tote bag fanatic like myself. These bags are so soft ... ecru ... lightweight with handles long enough to toss over your shoulder ... to carry anything your heart desires.

CLICK HERE for all details!

things that bring me joy

::new nail polish

::salsa & chips

::being caught up with orders

::an empty dishwasher

::changing purses

::lily of the valley lotion

::6 days until school's out

::ice tea

::tickling my boys

::an empty dryer

::children's artwork

::knowing I have any Jane Austen movie on hand to watch if need be

::this dear blog

::library day

::an afternoon rain to water the flowers for me

::the words, thank you, Mom, on the way to school

::reading before bed

::the bestest of friends

::ibruprofen

::iTunes

::silly things that DH & I laugh about and no one else would understand

::prayer

::going down memory lane

::crab cakes

::living in the moment

::seeing Ben after school

::washable paint

::hearing a song on the radio long forgotten

::playing hymns on the piano

::ice cream sandwiches

::creating & being artsy

::shopping without a list

*Picture shown above: Joyful Summer, design by Country Cottage Needleworks, that I stitched a few summers ago ... I love the colors & flow of it!

new pattern for Flag Day ... 'Long May She Wave'

New pattern ready for today's Flag Day.

Long May She Wave

Chart details can be found on website!

At Pemberley Exclusive Reticule ...

I just added a few of these to the webshop!

Click HERE for all details.

if you give a girl some beads ......

...chances are she'll make a bracelet during breakfast. Sweet and simple ... already on my wrist. Off to enjoy the summer's day. Enjoy yours!

**Check back Monday the 14th, Flag Day!, for a new pattern release from The Sampler Girl!

the morning, so far

It's breaking 9:40 here in the East and the morning already has been a doozy. Thank goodness for laughter because if I didn't laugh, I'd probably be sitting in a corner rocking back and forth. I woke up at 5AM to the voice of Zack: Mama, can you cover me one more time? I want my stripy blankie. When I got back in bed, I reset the alarm. The alarm went off (how does it go off again so fast?) and went back to sleep. I rarely do this but I needed my sleep I guess. So I woke up to a quiet house 8 minutes before we have to be out the door with Ben to school.

Like a rocket, up I made my way through the house waking the boys. Ben could sleep through a hurricane so it was the usual difficulty getting him aware of what was going on. Zack was immediately up and ready to start his day. Luckily it did go smoothly and we were all at the door ready to leave in record time. Of course I looked like I had just woken up with the hair that goes here and there but the boys looked young and well-rested. There was no time to get Zack's clothes on so he was still in his pjs; Ben took waffles in hand and we were out the door right on time. Yes.

In the car Ben ate his breakfast and Zack kept asking why he was still in his pjs, where ARE my clothes, Mama? On to school we went and just as we enter the kiss and ride lane, they both see a spider. Apparently it was the mother of all spiders from their yelps, screams and movements to try and get away from it but what could I do? When there are bug sightings I usually pull over and get rid of the itty bitty thing but there was no way I could do that then. Ben tried to swat the thing with his paper plate, then grab it with a napkin, but alas the buggie escaped much to their surprise and utter panic. Mom, do something!! I can't tell you how many bugs I kill around the house; it's just crazy. Half of them look like a piece of dust, a scrap of thread, ... some are credible cricket looking things or lost ants but it's always me who has to do away with them.

It's our turn in the line for Ben to get out and happily he jumps out free of the spider's clutches and all the way home, Zack is pleading for me to find his clothes. He had given up on the whole spider thing. Why am I still in my pjs, Mama? So home we got and time for our breakfast. And yes, the first thing was to put clothes on Zack and let me tell you - he was very happy to be rid of pjs. He associates those with sleep, only sleep and he was done with that.

Breakfast ... it went like this ..

Zack: I want waffles like Ben. Circle Waffles.

Me: Ok, coming right up. Sit at the table and they will be ready in a minute.

Zack after seeing the waffles on the plate before him: I want waffles like Ben.

Me: Those are just like he had - no syrup, just eat them with your hands. That is what Ben did.

Zack looks at his waffles: Ok. No. I want syrup, Mama.

Me: Are you sure? You don't want them plain?

Zack: I want syrup.

Me: Ok (and give him back the plate with cut up waffles now topped with syrup)

Zack looking at his plate: No, circles!!!

Me: Those were circles before they were cut. You wanted syrup so I cut them up.

Zack: I'm not eating them. I want circle waffles.

Me: There are no more waffles. We need to get more at the store today.

Zack: We have them. (He wants me to show him in the freezer that they are gone. I do.)

Zack: Ok, just gimme graham crackers.

Me, trying to stay calm: How about cereal? Jelly on toast?

Zack: I want graham crackers.

Me: Ok, here are your graham crackers.

Zack: I want one more.

Me: That is plenty - eat those and then I'll give you one more.

Zack: Ok. (He takes a bite out of each cracker and then asked for more)

Me: Here is one more cracker.

Zack takes a bite and then: Thank you, Mama. I finished. Can I play now?

Happy Friday!

B is for Ben and Baseball

Beautiful evening for baseball! Thanks to my lovely, wonderful, fantastic, beautiful Mom who came over to babysit darling Zack ... I was able to go to the game and watch entirely without keeping that extra set of mom-eyes in the back of the head on alert at all times for Z. I could relax and take it all in. And what a game to get to watch from beginning to end for me. Even though the team lost 13-10 ... they had some great hits, great plays and awesome comebacks. Ben was catcher, pitcher and third baseman and got on base every time at bat. Proud Mama ... you can say that again!

if you haven't lost all your marbles ...

Yesterday was a cloudy, drizzly afternoon so I thought a bit of paint would spruce up the drab day with color. Zack loves to get the paint out ... loves it ... jumps up and down loves paint so he was quite happy when I suggested some marble painting after lunch. Lost your marbles? Join the club ... they have them at the craft shop. Be sure to get washable paint, a shallow box, paper, small sticker to hold paper down in box, tray (the chinese takeout containers work great) to squirt the paints onto, and you're good to go.

First you roll the marbles in the paint.

Swirl them around to coat completely.

Drop them one by one onto the paper in the box.

Hold the box and roll the marbles around and around and around.

I thought it would be scrapbooky of me to collage the little project so I framed the finished paintings as well as a few snapshots of the process.

playing in the dirt

In summer, the song sings itself.

-- William Carlos Williams

On one of the store-stops this morning Zack helped me pick out a few flowers to bring some color to our yard. After lunch he was more than happy to get the bag of potting soil out and carry the hose so we could plant them. They smile quite summery I think.

It was farmers market & library day for us ... double delight. Zack was thrilled beyond words that they finally, finally had raspberries. Thank you for the children's lit recommendations, keep em coming!! I am starting with Henry Huggins, a Beverly Cleary book.

summer is just around the corner ...

I must be out of my tree to be wild with excitement that school is in its finishing weeks because these two boys of mine are driving me bonkers and they aren't together 24/7 yet until the 5th grade ends for the bigger one. I don't know how many times I say stop running in the house ... put that down ... don't do that ... where are you ... i said let's go ... you have to have socks somewhere ... let him have it back ... i told you already ... get back in time out ... put that stool back where it was ... didn't you hear me the third time ... why are all the pillows on the floor like that ...

B and Z are quite the pair. Being 11 and 3, they can play very well and then they can go from 0-60 in the moment I leave the room. Having no real boundaries for summer has been my mantra ever since Ben began school; a child's summer is a fun time, free of schoolwork, deadlines, and teachers. On the way to school today, Ben was relaying how teachers change their tune as the year goes along. In September, they say summer's over, time to work ... in January, they say, you're almost in the 6th grade so act like it ... and in June they say, school isn't over just yet so pay attention! Good observations.

So back to my two little monkeys ... I am looking forward to summertime with both of them around and they can drive me crazed & silly all the livelong day because it's childhood and I signed on for this mommyhood so I have to hang on for the duration.

Let's put some reading in the mix and summer is extra swell. Last year I did a children's literature reading challenge and aim to begin it again ... tomorrow is library day so I'll pick the first book to kick it off. If you have favorite titles from your childhood or new ones, let me know!

New Booklet, a SUMMER themed one!

Since I was here last there have been several summer storms come through. The one tonight was a doozy ... cancelled a ballgame, forced us to order Chinese carryout (I liked that part), took out power for several hours and came back only to go out again later but thankfully, came on again to stay.

*********************************************

NEW BOOKLET!

I've finished another booklet and this one is for summer stitching! The Sampler Girl Companion Summer Booklet is now ready and all details can be found on the website. There are five patterns within sure to fancy your summer stitching basket.

Patterns within this booklet are ...

Beach House

Primitive Patriotic Cupboard Sampler

In the Meadow with Jane Austen

Out in the Garden, a Door Hanging

Sunflowers Needle Cushion

Happy Friday!

party's over

I had planned to take the boys to the pool, our first dip this season!, this afternoon because the weather was splendidly ideal however, the skies quickly turned gray and dark and then the rain, heavy rain and thunder whooshed in the cul de sac. Happily though, the skies cleared back to blue and pretty just in time after school to make my plan a reality.

Zack was beyond thrilled to be going to the pool and the birthday boy Ben was giddy too. The evening was filled with party and presents, a miniature repeat of a larger party held over the week-end, and well, it was 'the best birthday' as the new 11yr old exclaimed, more than once. The littler one is still talking in his bed randomly so methinks the sugar from the cake is slowly but surely wearing him down.

**Thank you to all who ordered in the Memorial Day sale ... all epatterns from the sale have been filled and the other orders will be sent later this week along with those that have come in since. I'm finishing up TSG Companion Summer Booklet to be released very soon!

eleven, already?

Why does time have to go by so fast? When did birthdays start coming around again so quickly? Isn't it amazing how pictures of your children through the years can bring you to happy tears in the blink of an eye? Ben is 11 today. Wow. Life is good.