That House on the Hill

Block #2 of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow totally captured my imagination. The entire time I was stitching it, I conjured up what life might be like inside this mansion. I think many towns have "that house on the hill"--that grand structure that just stands out from other homes. The small village in which I grew up had just such a house...Not brick like this one, but a large white-columned colonial perched at the top of a hill at the end of my street. There were no peacocks strutting around in the front yard, but there were the most handsome horses. The estate was even surrounded by a wrought iron fence much like the one pictured here. As a girl, I would often pause during my walk to school, peer through that fence, and wonder what life was like inside. I would picture beautifully decorated rooms, fashionably dressed women chatting over tea and little cakes, and fresh flowers on every tabletop. I imagined that everything inside that house was perfect and that the people who lived within led perfect lives. It wasn't until I was older that I learned of the family problems and soap-opera like events that the owners faced. Eventually, a fire destroyed much of that outwardly beautiful home...

In the years since, I've learned that it really is the simple things in life that bring me the most pleasure--the sight of a robin's nest filled with tiny, sky blue eggs; the first sentence of a new novel as it begins to capture my imagination; the brilliant colors of floss spread across a lovely cut of linen waiting for my latest stitching to begin. Oh, and I can't forget to mention my daily piece (well, okay, I admit it--pieces)of chocolate! Simple things that don't cost much, but always bring me pleasure. What are the special little things in your life that make you smile?

I feel lucky to have managed to finish this very stitch-intense block in the short month of February. By the time I stitched the final black bars in the fence, I was looking at them as if they were bars in a jail cell! I was just so tired of stitching all of that black and white... For any of you who are planning to stitch this, I just want you to be aware of two problems in the charting that I found. The chart showed the left side of the house stitched one full row above the right side and the right lamp post was charted one stitch above the left. I don't think this was intentional, but I know if I had left it that way, the lack of symmetry would have driven me crazy... So, the left side of the house got a re-roofing job and the two sides are now balanced. The chart also called for backstitching around the windows, but after trying it on one, I decided I liked it better without. This block is one of my favorites in Christmas at HRH, and I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. "Only" ten more blocks to go!

I was touched to read all of your remarks regarding my Fa La La carolers last week--thank you each so very much for taking the time to comment. I truly value your opinions and supportive comments and love discovering that a new reader has popped in to say "hello." Have a lovely week everyone!

Fa La La in February

Hi everyone! Hope you've all had a good week... I was lucky and escaped that horrid flu that my husband ended up coming down with this week (knocking on wood as I write this!). He actually missed a day of work, which is almost unheard of for him. Anyway, I just want to share my February ornament finish with you. I'm not participating in the LHN monthly ornament stitch-along, but I couldn't resist stitching these sweet, little carolers.


For this ornament, I used stormy gray 28 ct. Jobelan and stitched it over one using DMC threads. The main change I made was in the style of lettering, but I also added a couple of musical notes at the top--just trying to add my own personal touch!





To trim it off, I added black velvet ribbon around the edge and tied a bit of gauzy ribbon around the hanger. I was going for a "Victorian" look--not sure I succeeded, but I think it looks very cute...



This week I had the honor of winning Maggee's giveaway. I received three cute charts and a Shepherd's Bush kit called "Wishing Sheep." I just love that fluffy little fellow with the birthday hat perched on his head! Everyone knows I have a special fondness for stitching ornaments, so Maggee can be assured that these charts came to a good home. Thanks so very much Maggee--I know I'll enjoy many relaxing hours stitching them!

Hope your weekend is enjoyable and stitch-filled. Thank you to all who take the time to comment each week--your kind words really warm my heart (and after this month of record-breaking snow and cold, I need all the warming I can get!!)...

January in February!

Greetings from yet another snowy evening here in western Pennsylvania! Is it a coincidence that my finish this week matches the scenery outdoors? If I could just change the name of the sampler to "February" it would be perfect for this record-breaking, snow-filled month! I put the last stitch in the bottom, blue border last night and I'm so pleased with my wintry sampler. I think I'll keep it out all winter...it is too pretty to display only in January...



Just in case you're wondering, and if you missed my previous post, "January Sampler," by Waxing Moon designs, is stitched on 32 ct. sage Jobelan using WDW and DMC floss. I love the names for the blue floss in this one: "Deep Sea", "Father's Day", and "Sky"--so descriptive. I wonder if they pay someone full time to come up with such perfect names? Many of you asked if I was going to be doing each month of this series...I don't think so. I think they have only designed the months from January through June, but this was my favorite. We'll see what the rest of the months look like when they are published. I love fall designs the most, so I'm hoping September, October, and November will inspire me to stitch them. Then I could use one frame and just change the finished pieces out each month. Anyway, it was a very relaxing piece to work on and I hope you like it, too...


So, how was your Valentine's Day? Ours has been quiet since my husband came down with a bad cold and I'm beginning to have that horrid feeling that I'm on the way to catching one myself. He thoughtfully brought home this beautiful bouquet of yellow roses for me on Friday for Valentine's Day--aren't they lovely? After almost 33 years of marriage, he sure knows my favorite color of rose... I just love the breath of spring that they've brought into the house--only 33 more days to go until spring is finally here!




I know that you're probably tired of hearing us easterners go on and on about the snow, but it really is a rarity for us to get this much in one week (30+ inches.) Actually, we were among the lucky ones--we didn't lose our power at all! Many poor families south of us were without power for days and a few still don't have it after an entire week... We lost a 50 year old pine tree which toppled over barely missing our power lines and have sprung a few leaks in the oddest places--this morning I found water in the middle of my laundry room closet! Other than these few, fixable, and minor inconveniences, we have been very, very fortunate. But, enough snow already!! I hate to even say this out loud, but more is forecast for Monday and Tuesday :o(

Thanks for all of your suggestions regarding my overdyed floss storage problems. I think I'll be purchasing some of the floss away bags and metal rings and try that solution.

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day with lots of hugs and treats. You certainly deserve it because you are the sweetest and most thoughtful group of stitchers around! Thanks for all of your kind comments--I can't wait to visit your blogs and see what you've been up to this week...

A Touch of Spring

I don't know about you, but the cold, grey winter days are starting to wear me down! So, I decided that this week I would finish a piece that would cheer me up and make me smile. I couldn't resist this little design from Country Cottage Needleworks, which can be found in the 2007 JCS Christmas Ornament issue. Yes, it was designed as a Christmas ornament, but I changed the word "Peace" to "Welcome" and am very pleased with the result. I love the softness of the DMC colors against the rough texture of the 16 ct. natural Heatherfield.

Now let me tell you, having lived with only males (my husband and our three sons) over the past 33 years, pink is not a color I've seen much of in my house. I am thrilled to see a touch of it in this little stitching--watch out guys there may be more pink to come! I backed the tiny pillow with the green fabric shown in the background and trimmed it with a bright, white cording. It now sits on a wooden shelf next to my kitchen door ready to welcome friends and family...

I worked at the library more days than usual this week, so only made a bit of progress on my January Sampler... The lettering is all done and I think the various shades of blue are so pretty. Although there is a lot of white looming ahead, I am loving stitching the cute, red house and all of the snow-covered trees. Can't wait until I get to the deer and the sled rider...Will I have it finished by next weekend? Stay tuned!

I'm getting more and more overdyed threads in my collection and I'm wondering how you all store yours? I have just been putting them in ziploc bags, but it takes forever to find the color I'm looking for. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

It snowed all night and is still snowing here in western Pennsylvania! I'll have to say that I can't remember having this much snow in many, many years. The views from each window are just spectacular--the way the wind has created peaks and valleys and sculptures of snow in our yard that aren't normally there. All I can say is wow! I was scheduled to work today, but just found out the library is closed...Yippee! I feel like a little girl who just found out she got a "snow day." Hmmm...wonder what I'll do with my unexpected "free" time today? Hope all of you who are snowbound stay safe and warm and enjoy your extra stitching time...

Edited at 1:22 PM--just wanted to add some pictures of our 22" snowfall! It is so beautiful outside, well, until you attempt to shovel! We finally cleared the driveway, but I don't know if my back will ever be the same...





Thank you all so much for your great comments each week--you really make my day!