Colored version of block 3

So what do you think about Sophie in color??? I am so in love with this wall-hanging. I have the September design already stitched in red so it is ready to go up on the 1st. I want to rush ahead and finish the next designs too so I can see it all together. I don't know which version I love the best. I think I may have to vote for the colored version just because the colors are so vibrant.

Jeanne is one week away from her trip to Spain. Time to move ahead with the clothes selection. I understand that it was 116 degrees in Denia last week and the heat is not supposed to ease. That's what you get for going to the Mediterranean in September I guess. I'm looking into Spanish classes to get a jump ahead on my anticipated visit to Spain next year. Just can't figure out what type of class to take-memorization of key travel phrases (where is the bathroom? I need a Diet Coke? How much...?) or a more traditional class where you try to understand the language itself. Need to decide this weekend as registration is just about finished.

Keep stitching as you enjoy the last week of the summer! Are you thinking ahead to Christmas designs? We are!!!

Sophie Block 3

Take a look at our complete red-work Sophie block number 3. This block of the month is 3/4 done-how is yours coming along???? I think the Sophie with the bags is one of my favorites-although I think I say that about all of them. Jeanne is hard at work on the next design which will be posted on September 1st.

Jeanne and her dh, Dan, are getting ready for a 3 week trip to Denia Spain to visit their new little grandson, Roco. Mom and baby are home and all is well. Roco passed his first doctor's exam with flying colors. We are all so excited to have a new little guy in the family. We're enjoying the Skype visits that we've had-what a wonderful time to be alive with the ability to visit via computer!

Jo's birthday!

We had a little gathering for Jo's birthday last night. Our baby sister seemed to have a good time-sounds like lots is going on at her house with her youngest son making the Varsity Soccer team (as a sophomore), her oldest daughter (lives in chicago going to school) continuing an internship as a counselor, and school just around the corner. When there is cake, a martini, and good conversation-it's a party to me! Happy Birthday Jo!

Surprise!

Jeanne and I were delighted to be asked to send one of our favorite patterns, no I won't tell you which one yet, to a great magazine for a photo shoot. The folks at the magazine asked that we make the pillow (that's a hint!) a tad smaller so I just finished a new version of it and am about to go looking for a box for it. The lovely pillow (that's a hint again) is going to make a journey to Virginia for the shoot next week. Then the picture and info about the pattern will be in one of the 2010 magazines.

Ok-we'll share more when we can. I promise!

Tania and baby Roco should be home from the hospital today. We are still walking around with huge smiles on our faces. The entire extended family is so thrilled with his safe arrival. Jeanne is practising saying "Roco" with a Spanish accent so she is ready for her formal introduction to her new grandbaby in 2 weeks!

New Grandbaby in Spain!

Jeanne is the proud grandma (and I am the proud great-auntie) of Roco! He was born yesterday in Valencia, Spain. Roco weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz and he and his mom, Tania, are doing well. Jeanne's son, Adam, lives in Spain with his lovely wife Tania. We are all so excited for the new family.

This morning there was a 'virtual' baby shower at Jeanne's house using Skype. It was wonderful to see Adam and share his excitement. Tania and Roco should get to leave the hospital on Tuesday. We were able to visit with family and friends, including Tania's grandmother and sister. We are so lucky to have the technology available to let us share this great event with Adam.

Jeanne and her husband will be traveling to Spain in 2 weeks for a wonderful up close and personnel visit with their new grandson.

Hot August Nights AND Christmas Fabric

Summer has finally definitely hit Wisconsin. All week we have had temperatures in the mid 80's and not a cloud in the sky. I'm stitching only small projects that don't add load up my lap with piles of fabric...probably good that I don't feel like finishing the hand-quilting on a king size BowTie Quilt I've been working on for 3 years!!! I am enjoying doing Sophie's Perfume Bottle in colored floss though. That type of little project is just right for this kind of weather.

But in spite of the August dog days we are experiencing, I just ordered some gorgeous new Christmas Fabric from Pink Chalk Studio. I decided to go with the Sheri Berry Holiday fabric line that is brand new from Northcutt. I love the soft palette and am really excited to design some new Christmas patterns with this line. I think I finally decided on 1/2 yard cuts of 8 fabrics-can't wait to get started!

Summer Picnic and pin cushion kits!

We had a wonderful weekend with a great summer picnic at our house. Jeanne brought baked beans and some other great stuff-there was a lot of laughter and fun as sprinklers and water balloons kept the kids occupied and stories were told under the shade trees.

I understand that we've received quite a few orders today for our Pin Cushion Kits. What fun is that???? We've had loads of fun picking out the fabric for them and putting the kits together. Be sure to check them out on our site if you haven't already. They are the perfect gift for a stitching friend. We're going to spend the rest of the week making up some more so our inventory is full.

Sophie #8 ready to download!

We hope you are enjoying the perfume bottle and earrings that Sophie picked up while shopping. Makes me want to head out for the mall myself. Perhaps I should do my part for the nation's economy and share a few dollars?

Oh wait...better save that money for new fabric! While we've been scurrying behind the scenes to get our Sophie Block of the Month finished, we've been looking ahead to Christmas projects AND just any old day of the week projects. Jeanne has taken her first official needle-turn applique lesson from yours truly. She isn't quite sure if she likes doing applique but she wasn't calling me mean names when I left her house this morning!

Be sure to download the Sophie block #8 from our homepage. Just click here and go to the top of the page to download these great trinkets. Enjoy stitching friends!

Sophie is running late!

Sorry for the delay in posting this month's Sophie. Jeanne is suffering from a virus on her computer and hasn't been able to do any scanning of images since mid last week. We hope to have the situation rectified by mid afternoon so hope to upload later today or tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, here is a beautiful sunflower picture to keep you smiling. This beauty sits right outside Jeanne's window along with a wonderful perennial garden keeps getting bigger and bigger. She is harvesting already-zucchini, beans, tomatoes. As ever, she is generous to her older sister!

We hope your weekend was a good one. We both were stitching like mad on new projects. Lots coming up to share with you.