Monday, April 2, 2012

A lovely surprise, and stitching blahs

I had to stitch a model this past week so not as much time for my own stitching.  White waiting for the model supplies to come, I worked on two things.  First, And They Sinned.


Just got a bit more done.  Here's the part I'm working on.


Loraine and I also worked on the next page for our SAL on the Toy Chest Etui.  This time it was the drum waxer.  So cute!


Then came the model stitching.  And now I'm having the stitching blahs.  lol!  I think model stitching is bad for my stitching health.  :D

I got a lovely surprise in the mail from Anne of Doll's Musings.  Totally unexpected, and what a way to brighten my day!  Here's what came.


And here is what was inside the package.


Isn't it lovely?  I was so touched by Anne's gift.  And Anne, the chocolates made it in fine shape -- and disappeared fast.  lol!  Thank you so much, Anne!  I've so enjoyed getting to know you through our blogging!  And I think Mia is enjoying finding out about Titus through smelling my little pinpillow.  :D  Mia says hello!

The boy child has heard from all the colleges he applied to now.  He got accepted to eight out of ten schools, including the music school he wants to go to.  But he also got into one of the colleges he really wants to go to as well.  So now he has to make a decision -- music college or regular college?  We are on pins and needles waiting for his decision.  It's a tough choice.

A while back we got Mia a new scratching post.  It's nice and tall and has a great sisal surface that she loves to use.  Well, it turns out she also likes to perch on it sometimes.


Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a great week and a happy Easter!


60 comments:

BrendaS said...

Nice progress on ATS! I'm always amazed at how fast your needles fly.

Congrats to your son. So many good choices for him.

Have a Happy Easter Margaret:)

Glenna said...

ATS is gorgeous! (As is Mia, of course). I'd love to know what YOU would prefer for your son to do. Does he want to do applied music or education if he heads in that direction?

Love to Stitch said...

Gorgeous!!!! I love this one too :) Nice progress. It will be fabulous to hang with your other A & E goodies!!!! Mia must be in heaven!!!!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Wonderful ATS progress, Margaret! Your SAL with Loraine is looking wonderful - will you do the finishing work yourself? Awesome just becuase gift you received as well!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

You are making great progress on ATS--those smoking needles of yours will have her completed in no time.

Good thoughts for you and DH as DS makes decision about college.

Miss Mia--so cute and full of personality. Miss Callie Mae has a new scratching post on her wish list.

Stitch Wizard said...

And They Sinned is really coming along so beautifully!! Glad you got to stitch on something for you! The little pin cushion you got is really pretty as is your little kitty Mia! Happy Easter to you!

Annie said...

And They Sinned looks so beautiful and so much fun to stitch (not necessarily the letters, but all those pretty colors in the design).

The drum looks super!

How sweet to get a surprise giftie from Anne. Chocolate eggs...yummy!

And not a bad predicament for your son. Probably can't go wrong with whatever choice he makes.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations to your son! He has a big decision but so many acceptances is a good problem to have.

ATS looks wonderful! You're making great progress. Will you ever be able to tell us what model you stitched?

Beth said...

ATS is super. I'm always so amazed when someone tackles a HUGE project - and stitches it in a timely fashion too! Always good to see pictures of Mia!

Leneslines said...

'sinned' is soooooo beautiful! I am in awe. Lucky son. Fun to choose among first choices:) Mia will miss him, though

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Love the progress on ATS! That is just such a pretty one. What a sweet gift too. What great choices for Boy Child. Oh the possibilities!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous stitching

Deb said...

ATS is looking great and so is your SAL with Loraine.

A huge congratulations to your son!! He must be thrilled but what a decision! I know that you'll be on pins and needles until he makes his decision.

Funny how Mia sits on the top of that. Perhaps she's pretending to be one of the birds that she'd love to get her paws on if she went outside.

BeckySC said...

ATS is looking so beautiful :)
Have a lovely week dear Margaret :)

Myriam said...

This leaves the decision for your son.
Mia has her pedestal!!!! She seems very happy up there!
Bravo for the cross stitch!
You are fast and excellent!

Myriam said...

And......your friend is very nice, it's always very gay to receive gifts especially when there are chocolate eggs and more!

barbara said...

Oh what a choice for your DS to make ... good luck!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

First of all, congratulations to your son!!!! How wonderful that he has so many choices!!! I'm always taken aback at how beautiful the fibers are on And They Sinned. So pretty! What a sweet gesture from Anne.
Linda

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh I love your stitches, and hummmm chocolat .....for the best friend ..
bisous mon amie

amitiés de France

Laurie in Iowa said...

Unexpected gifts are the best... enjoy your lovely gift. Your ATS looks wonderful and the little drum waxer piece looks lovely too!
Congrats to your boy child for being accepted to so many colleges. No the tough part... which one does he choose???
I think model stitching can take the wind out of your sails... hope you get over your 'blahs' soon.

Carol said...

Oh, that is a tough decision for your son, but how wonderful that he was accepted at so many, Margaret! Perhaps another visit to each is in order?

Lovely work on ATS and Anne's gift is adorable--she is such a sweetie!

Enjoy your model stitching :)

Cari said...

I love your stitching. ATS is stunning. That is one BAP and you're coming right along. I love the drum waxer stitching too. Betsy's designs are certainly over the top. Good luck on college selections! It's such a huge choice. And big hugs to Mia !! Love her antics....

Penny said...

Oh no, not the dreaded stitching blahs. That is where I am right now. :) Your progress on ATS is looking lovely. What sweet gifts from Anne. Mia is so sweet! Would she consider giving lessons on the use of a scratching post. :)

Krista said...

Beautiful progress on your ATS. I have fallen in love with this pattern from watching all the bloggers working on this over the past few months. Congrats to your boy child! It is always better to have more choices than not. Mia looks very cute perched on her post :) Enjoy your day!

Daffycat said...

ATS looks fantastic! I don't think I could model stitch...I'm too picky. And I have trouble stitching things I'm not "into."

ROFLOL Mia reminds me of Snoopy playing vulture on his doghouse!

Congratulations to BC. Well done!

Elizabeth said...

ATS is fantastic. I know what you mean about the stitching blahs - they're so frustrating because you know you could be productive and enjoy it, but just getting going is rough. At least for me! Your Mia is such a sweet-looking girl :)

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

Maargaret, you'r flying along at a record pace on ATS. Not too much longer and you'll be in the middle of that swamp at the bottom!

Congratulations to your son on so many acceptances! The end of senior year is such an exciting time, if not just the tinest bit bittersweet too.

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, lovely progress on ATS. It is really coming along nicely.

Love your new Betsy Toy piece. She is coming to South Australia in a few weeks to teach this and another couple of pieces. One of my friends here is going to it.

Congratulations to your son and all the opportunities open to him. I am sure that he will pick the right one for himself. - Sandra.

Lanie said...

Hi Margaret! I'm sure you'll get your stitching mojo back soon. The lovely stitching you always post on your blog helps me get mine back when I'm in a slump! Sending good thoughts to your son as he makes his final college decision...keep us posted!

Melissa said...

Congrats to your son that he has all those options open to him!

ATS in beautiful as is your SAL with Loraine.

The pressie from Anne is lovely! I will be seeing her in person this week and we will have a lovely visit I'm sure. She's a sweetie.

Bertie said...

Good to see ATS again, looks lovely! You make us curious now about your secret stitching:)
The drum will be gorgeous, I have seen it in the real. Beautiful ornament, always a winner when someone stitches for you.
Good luck to the boy, difficult decisions!
Mia is cute on that post!
Have a good week:)

Giovanna said...

Nice going on the WIPs, and what a great present from Anne!

Liz said...

as always I'm in awe of your stitching Margaret..! Congratulations to your boy child, what a nice decision to have to make...the best or the best?? That Mia is a clown isn't she, she's grown into such a lovely girl...
Hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend, I intend to do nothing but sew and cook...now that sounds like the best too.. :o)
Lizzie
xxx

valerie said...

Good for you for sticking with ATS! It is really coming along! And congrats to the boy child. How wonderful to have a diverse choice! I wonder what he will pick! Anne is such a sweetie...lovely giftie she sent you and that Mia is such a ham for the camera! :)

Mugwump Woolies said...

Gorgeous ATS! You amaze me with your speed! So happy to hear your young fellow got into his music school choice...what a decision to have to make!
Robyn

marly said...

Lovely gift. I too am amazed at your speed and continual devotion. Do you ever have a slump? Congrats to the BC - very tough decision for a young fellow.

Anne said...

Margaret!!! Ooooh! Your ATS is coming along so quickly and beautifully! This is such an epic stitch isn't it?! I'm so glad you love the gift and that the eggs have been eaten!! I love how Mia sniffed the pillow! That Titus loves to rub his scent all over my stitching stuff! Great scratch post too!! Mia's so cute perched on it! So tiny too in comparison to Titus the Giant!! I feel your angst about which college your son will choose. It's such a tough choice and I bet he will pick the one that "calls" to him the most. I think that's the most important thing to listen to is your inner voice!!

Hugs!!

Deborah said...

ATS is stunning! Glad your son was able to get accepted at so many schools. Berklee would be awesome. Love to Mia.

Katrina said...

ATS is so pretty!!! You are really moving along. Congrats to your son :-). I think he has big things ahead and I can't wait to hear what he decides!!!! Pretty gift too.

Veronica said...

ATS looks amazing! I like the long stitch on the drum. Hard to believe a few stitches give it so much character. Beautiful pillow Anne has sent. The eggs look divine. Too bad they're gone now :P Mia is cute as ever ^.^

Hugs,
Veronica.

Sylvia said...

You made great progress on ATS !! Mia looks so funny perched on her scratching post. Have a good week, Margaret.

Chris said...

Great progress Margaret. When you say that you have been model stitching it always makes me curious, because I love everything that you stitch.
Congratulations on your son's admission successes. I hope that the decision comes easily.
Hugs to you and Mia!

Chris said...

Great progress Margaret. When you say that you have been model stitching it always makes me curious, because I love everything that you stitch.
Congratulations on your son's admission successes. I hope that the decision comes easily.
Hugs to you and Mia!

Dona said...

Congratulations to your BC, Margaret! It's so great that he has so many choices, and I look forward to hearing what he decides.

Great progress on ATS. It won't be long now.

I hate the stitching blahs; hope yours leave soon.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Beautiful progress, as usual! So don't be blah...you'll be back to it in a snap! Easter pressies always include chocolate; right? Congrats to The BC - big decision. I'm sure Mia will take an open window whenever she can get it, as will we all!

Cathy B said...

I'm loving every stitch you take with ATS!

Catherine said...

Great progress Margaret!
Lovely gift your received as well ~ very sweet, and who doesn't love something done all in red!
How funny that Mia gets herself up on top of her perch!

Samplers, Silks and Linens said...

I too just purchased and they sinned, actually recieved it in the mailbox today! Are you using recommended threads? What linen are you using? Love to watch your progress on this one, I will be starting mine after I finish my Quaker Diamonds.

Jane in Wisconsin said...

Margaret..........ATS looks wonderful! You are making such goo progress on it that it doesn't seem like you have the blahs! Perhaps you have spring fever. Congrats to your son on all the positive responses he's received. I'm sure he'll make a good decision on which school he picks..........but I know how hard it is!

Melanie said...

That's so great to hear about your son!!!! WOW!!!!!! Good for him.

I have that same scratching post. I like it because it seems to make a lot less mess (sisal 'fluff') than the regular ones. I don't think I've seen any of my cats sit on top of it though. They do like to 'hang' from it though like a crazy monkey. lol She's so cute perched on top there.

Nancy said...

Congratulations to your son! Getting accepted at 8 out of 10 schools is amazing!

ATS is beautiful! You stitch so fast!

I love when you post pictures of Mia! She is such a beautiful cat!

Deb said...

WOW!! ATS is absolutely gorgeous! I have never seen it up close so your pictures were very enjoyable to look at!! Congrats to your son...8 out of 10 colleges is quite an achievement!!

Sally said...

Beautiful stitching as always. I am in total awe of ATS.

Michelle said...

Well, I just finally finished page 1 - so you have zoomed past me. I'm anxious to get started on page two on Sunday. I hope the model stitching doesn't get you down for long. Sounds like you need a new start!

Unknown said...

New to your blog and really love your sampler ATS. Love the gift and its always lovely to receive something unexpected and so pretty !
Congrats to your son and best of luck making his decision

Solstitches said...

Your ATS looks fabulous and the little drum is really cute.
What a lovely package of goodies from Anne. The stitched pillow is so lovely.
Mia must feel like Queen of all she surveys up there :)
Margaret

Karoline said...

What a lovely gift!

ATS is looking stunning, great progress & the drum is looking great too.

Congratulations to the boy child on his offers, good luck with the decision making process.

Sherry :o) said...

ATS is looking good! What a cute pin pillow - and a nice surprise. These blogging buddies sure are fun to know, generous and I love catching up with everyone... Congrats to your son - what a great choice to have - how fortunate to have his hard work pay off that way. Love the pics of Mia all atop her throne! Happy Easter and hope your weekend brought more chocolate eggs...yum.

Brigitte said...

Ahhhhh, ATS again. I always love to see your progress on this one (one of my favourites although I still haven't purchased the pattern, lol.)
The little Easter gift looks so pretty. Enjoy.
I can see how difficult it is for your son to make his decision - but on the other hand it's great to have a choice.