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Sunday, October 20, 2013

FNSI & Ideas of Grandeur

On Friday I treated myself to an afternoon of stitching after battling and heaving the groceries over and around our newly concreted driveway entrance during which the heavens opened up and I got soaked as well (not complaining...need the rain) but it stopped immediately I got the lot under cover. lol

I was very pleased to discover after a couple of false starts that the ability to cross-stitch was still there. I had such an enjoyable time I think a couple of ornies might be necessary. As I could not put it down (terrified I would forget where I was up to) I managed to finish the little design.
Because it is on Aida cloth it is a little bigger than Marina's so I am not sure whether to make myself a lovely new little needlebook or a pincushion. Just need to find some small monochrome Christmas ornament charts now....I think I am re-hooked.
My cross stitching took me late into the evening so I only had time to make one little Christmas tree. I really wanted to make some green ones. I love these little trees.
Now to my delusions of grandeur. Because I am constantly inspired by all you clever quilters out there I sometimes think "Yep! I can do that!" Which has resulted in me buying this book.
Those of you who have followed my blog for a long while will know that I dislike piecing....love pieced quilts but just don't like making them. Now I decided that doing something outside your comfort zone was very good for ones soul.....until the book arrived. WHAT! WAS I THINKING!!!! Oh my goodness...tiny little 6 inch blocks many of which are foundation pieced (I stayed away that day from class) and most of the others have teeny tiny templates. So my 'ideas of Grandeur' regarding making a pieced quilt have sunk into my boots and I have cheered myself by deciding it will look good on my shelf.
Just wanted to finish by saying....keep an eye out for your friends and loved ones when you can.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I am off to see what the FNSI girls got up to.
Blessings Michelle xxx
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27 comments:

  1. JeanetteOctober 20, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    Had to smile when I saw that book. Originally the patterns from Jennifer were online & I planned to make that quilt. Never happened. So when the pattern book came out I bought it & though yes this time I will make it, never happened & yes it looks lovely on my shelf too. :) Sigh one day. Lol. Love the cross stitch. Can't wait to see what you make with it. Hugs, xx

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  2. barb's creationsOctober 20, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    MMmmm I'm in the same boat as you and steer clear of foundation piecing/paper piecing and also like you have started looking at my cross stitch again with new eyes on working it in just one colour so have re-bought the adia cloth etc... as I found a couple of lovely free designs that peeked my interest lol isn't it funny how we return to old favourites :) Barb.

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  3. Peg - Happy In QuiltingOctober 20, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    Your cross stitch is lovely...

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  4. SusanOctober 20, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Very sweet cross stitch. I think it's quite alright to have that book on your shelf. I have the Dear Jane book on mine.

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  5. SisbabestitchesOctober 20, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Oh Michelle your cross stitch is lovely. Something I have never learnt :) Oh those delusions! So so many reside here, lol. Definitely a gorgeous addition to your bookshelf though :)

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  6. Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird QuiltingOctober 20, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    Gorgeous cross stitch...you certainly gave me a giggle when I saw the Elms creek book...I keep saying to myself...one day.

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  7. WendyOctober 20, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Your cross stitch is lovely and I love the tree and the way you decorated it. I'm sure you will be inspired by the book whether you make the quilt or not. xx

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  8. marinaOctober 20, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    glad you rediscovered your cross stitching talent! lovely finish and the variegated thread looks beautiful.
    put that scary book on the shelf I say! I really admire those that can make those little pieced blocks.

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  9. RosieOctober 20, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    I love that christmas tree, so cute! WOW to the cross stitch, it'll look lovely where ever you put it!

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  10. elliekOctober 20, 2013 at 4:05 PM

    Love the cross stitch. If you put aside the fact that the blocks are 6" and tackle them one piece at a time it's amazing what you can achieve! I also have Dear Jane and Dear Hannah and Farmer's wife sampler on my shelf. One day, hopefully next year Dear Hannah will be started. Be brave.. you can do it!

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  11. MonicaOctober 20, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    My vote for the gorgeous cross stitch is a pincushion...just can't have enough. <3

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  12. AnonymousOctober 20, 2013 at 6:46 PM

    lovely cross stitch project michelle i love the colour of the thread you have used,have a lovely week my friend.xx

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  13. RaewynOctober 20, 2013 at 7:10 PM

    Your cross-stitch is gorgeous; I love the CGT you are using - I must look out for that colour. Hehe with the book - I have discovered a similar thing with the Dear Jane book, small blocks and tricky piecing, however one day I will make a start. I think yours will make an impressive (grand, even!) coffeetable book and converstaion starter if you choose not to sew from it!

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  14. Pinnylea CreationsOctober 20, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    Love the little Christmas tree. I've also started cross stitch again after a long break and have really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing what yours becomes :)

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  15. NoelaOctober 20, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    Lovely work Michelle. Hugs....

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  16. CherylOctober 20, 2013 at 8:44 PM

    Gorgeous cross stitch Michelle. That is how I got into crafting originally, and have not done any for many years. Now I'm sure you might be tempted to try something out of that lovely book one day

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  17. JenniferOctober 20, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    Very pretty cross stitch! Have a go at foundation piecing....you might just surprise yourself, it's quite easy once you get the hang of it.

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  18. SusanOctober 20, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    I love cross stitch - just no time to do it and patchwork and stitcheries. I think the Foundation pieced blocks are easier than the other ones - go for it Michelle - you can do it - and you can make one a bit smaller. The again you can - like a lot of us - just have it in the "Maybe One Day" pile.

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  19. FionaOctober 20, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    such pretty colour you did that cross stitch in.... so fun to do something a bit of a change????
    c'mon... that sampler.... I DARE you.... haha... we all need some books that are simply for inspiration... ..
    Hugz

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  20. MariaOctober 20, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    Your cross stitch is looking good and I love the wee Christmas Tree.
    Hmm I have the Dear Jane book on my shelf... Maybe one day.LOL

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  21. WendybOctober 21, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    Oh Michelle, my heart skipped a beat when I saw all of your creations!!! GOR-GEEEEE-US! Love that tree and the cross stitch is beautiful......where was the pattern from??? Might have to do some cross stitch myself...you've inspired me....it's been many a year!!!! LOL
    Foundation piecing's not as difficult as it seems......give it a try.....you might just surprise yourself!!!! Beautiful looking book....might have to haunt Fishpond!!! LOL xox big sugary ones :o)

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  22. Christine MOctober 21, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    Your cross stitch is gorgeous Michelle. I used to do cross stitch before I found patchwork! Well done. I love the Christmas tree in green.

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  23. ShariOctober 21, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    Just lovely work!

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  24. TeresaOctober 21, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Your cross stitching is just lovely Michelle and so is the cute little tree. I am like you with your book.... and my book is the Dear Jane quilt... which reminds me, I must start on that again!!!

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  25. AntheaOctober 21, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Gorgeous cross stitching Michelle - I made that one jut recently - the thread colour is so very pretty...
    As for the Grandeur - oh I have a feeling that there will be some little blocks being 'experimented' with sometime soon...

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  26. Briar RoseOctober 21, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    Hi Michelle,
    I have just caught up with this post, I have been off line,needed a new Modem.
    Your work is lovely as usual, I'm sure you could handle that Quilt.
    Samelia's Mum has a very good tutorial on foundation piecing on her blog, worth checking out.
    Good Luck R.

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  27. KarenOctober 21, 2013 at 9:30 PM

    So pleased you enjoyed cross stitching again. That's a lovely little project you completed.
    I think we are all entitled to keep a few special books on our shelves just to look at. We all have them.

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