I can now say..................it is finished !!

Whether it is the last stitch on your embroidery..........or quilt, the last brush of paint on your canvas,

the last chain on your hook of crochet, the last purl on your needle of your sweater,

or the last row planted in your garden...........

you know that excitement of it finally being the last of a project

that you have put your love and time into making.

As  you remember, I started this little quilt in October 2018..........

I placed my last stitch on it last night........almost 6 months later.

It came out just as I was hoping it would! 

To think I almost quit working on it a few times because of uncertainty of 

how it would look..........

I love the feel of it quilted! 

This quilt was made entirely of scrap fabrics that  I had in my 

stash.  The backing 

and the border are from old curtains I had made long

ago for our first home..........still pretty and in good condition.

hundreds of tiny triangles cut, 

hundreds of tiny stitches, .......many hours of stitching tiny stitches

all by hand.......

a little bit of embroidery here and there...........

and it is complete..............

but where to place it?  I usually hang my small

quilts on the wall, however, this one is a bit

larger......measuring 22 1/2" X 29"

So I decided to use it as a topping for my grandfather's old

trunk that holds my special vintage linens.

It fits perfectly and makes this spot cheery.

Now ....."My Summer Basket"  is 

complete.........so I am off to find my needle for 

another project! 

Tell me..........what are you working on.........

how long has it taken you?

Spring is here.........time for cheery towels for your kitchen!

Today, instead of needle and floss..........here is a quick and easy way 

to add cheery spring flowers to your kitchen decor! 

Gather up your fabric paints, your brushes, 

and find the towels you like at almost any

store............

grab up a few hot pads that match the color of  your towels.

You can use stencils, 

iron on transfers, 

or hand paint your own design.

Let your creativity and imagination go.  I did heat set

my towels and potholders after the paint dried to 

ensure that the design would stay permanent after laundering.

Hang them all over your kitchen.......make a bunch to give to your friends! 

Most of all enjoy creating!

Speaking of spring flowers................these lovely flowers are all over the grounds! 

Their fragrance fills the air.

These are so cheery...........my embroidery needle is wanting to create them!

Also, I have posted a pretty and delicious springtime cake on my cooking blog.

This is such a light and fluffy cake.....from a 1963 McCall's cookbook.

you can find the recipe at this link

Daffodil Cake

 I've banished Winter, saith the Spring,

Awake! arise, ye flowers!

Brisk breezes blow,

Bright sunshine glow,

And rouse the young Year's powers.

Henry James Slack (1818–1896), 

The Ministry of the Beautiful

Wishing you lovely spring weather!

Lately, I have allowed things into my life that really stress me...........mostly from trying to make others......happy

now it's time for me to put everything on hold

no explanations, no excuses as to why,

I am just simply and kindly saying 

"NO"

to emails, texts, ........expectations

and sinking myself into a quiet solitude of unplugging.

Trying to  please everyone is a recipe for stress,

misery, and frustration.  

Note to self:  No matter how hard I try, 

I can never please everyone.

I am not leaving my blog, I am just unplugging from demands and expectations of others.

How about you?
Ever felt this way??

Although my needle has been working every day..........

and up into the late hours of evening..........I do not 

have much that's new to show you yet.  

That is the situation

when it comes to those who work with needle and thread.....

(as most of you can agree........)

one project takes such a great amount of time to finish!

Hopefully, in a week or two..........I will be able to 

say.........."I am finished!" with my current project

and can excitedly tell you about a new project! 

So, I will leave you with 

 an embroidered piece for this month of March. ( this is one of 12 coasters in a set 

that I embroidered a few years back)

How about you?  Are you completely absorbed in 

stitching or creating something.......that, 

no matter what, you are determined to finish before

you start something else? I would love to hear!