Old post Stitchery

My dear friend Christa Mastrangelo always had a way with words. Growing up, she was always cracking us up with made up lyrics to music, (for example, on the Hole song that sings "some day, you will ache like i ache," she sung the words "Some day, you will eat my brocoll-lay."
Which, explains, of course, why she is respected writer, poet, and professor today . Another one of her "Christa-isms" was her declaring that something was "as cute as a button on a pigeons nose!" I have been saying that now for years because of her. So, when she had her daughter and sent pictures, that was the first phrase that popped into my head, which inspired me to make this for little Ava's room.

To do this, I tea dyed some muslin, and then traced a picture of a pigeon onto the cloth. I then stitched the muslin to some very pretty pink and blue calico material, then framed the piece. To trace the picture, I simply taped up the picture of the pigeon to a well lit window, then taped the muslin over it so i could see the picture through it to trace.
If you have never stitched before, this website is most helpful. http://www.parddu.net/stitches.html
My mother-in-law was kind enough to teach me. Mostly i just stem stitch or blanket stitch. It doesnt need to get complicated. To add some interest, you can also paint inside your stitchery. I made a raggedy ann like this one for my mother in law, and put a little pink in its cheeks. I also stitched a quote that said "your hugs puts joy in all our days." The rooster i made for my mother and painted with just cheap acrylic paint.
Once you start, you'll start coming up with your own ideas. The fabric beneath this muslin inspired me to do this. I just layered fabric under the muslin.
Unlike cross-stitching, most projects take less than a few hours.
Heres a nice one my mother-in-law made for me, and Tigger loved it!. Some of my favorite websites for inspiration are http://www.chestnutjunction.com/FolkArtStitch.htmhtm,
http://folkstonehouse.com/wynter.html, and http://www.happyheartpatterns.com/stitchery.html.
I want to thank Alan for his hospitality this weekend at Paddy Malones Pub in Jefferson City. If you are ever in the area, check it out!
TONITES DINNER: Baked cod filets with diced tomatoes and cheese. (scratch that! Apparantly, you cannot substitute whiting for cod. It turned into a mushy soupy mess! Ive made this before with zucchini and cod, and it came out great. anyhoo......guess the hubby will be picking up dinner tonite!)

I saw you cross a crowded room while i was at a party
i was finishing up school and you were in the army
stationed on the east coast, your friends were kidding you
about the place where you come from,
as young men often do.

I caught your eye as you passed by and you flashed your midwest smile
and I knew that right there and then I'd like to know you for awhile
We took a walk, you held my hand, and i never let it go
but before we became man and wife you said Ive got to let you know

Though the shoreline has its beauty, before you are my bride
I hope that you can love me for, my Big Square state of mind

I wasnt sure just what you meant but where you were I'd go
we landed into KCI in bitter ice and snow
That spring we had tornados and then the flood of '93
left me with a distaste for this part of the country

You assured me there were other things
and if I'd only try
I would soon too understand
The Big square state of mind

Years have passed and as you guessed
now I'd never leave my home
The left and right seem too uptight,
a girl needs some space to roam
The people here are tough as nails,
yet generous and kind

Thats just how you have to be
to have a Big square state of mind

An old friend came to visit me said she needed a break from life
and she too met a man here, and soon became his wife
she said that though she felt blessed she had found the perfect mate
she wasnt sure about living in a flyover state
I said it might take time to get used to
but Im sure that you'll find
the simple joys residing in,
the big square state of mind

Thrift Store Finds

I love to thrift shop. When I do thrift shop, I usually scope things out in this order...Dishes and things for kitchen, linens, furniture, then art. My husband goes to the book and record section. We all have our interests! I'd like to show you a few great finds, and how I incorporated them into my home. I love knowing that people will walk by something for weeks, and think its trash, or cheap, and then I get to discover this little treasure and help make it shine. As you know, I love stitchery, so Im always on the lookout for that. This first gem I found is so delicate, and I love the primitive look of it. Best of all, it only cost me .35 cents!

Here is a picture of my bedroom (the dirty laundry and shoes are hidden behind me) All three pictures on my wall cost me a total of $5.00, and they are absolutely beautful. (By the way, the headboard was a thriftstore find as well for $8.00. Most of my home is either someones trash or thriftstore stuff. Most people wouldnt brag about that, i guess! :) The middle picture was covered with dust, and the frame would be considered by most as ugly and damaged, but I thought it was just beautiful. It also has a signature on it, which makes it much more personal to me. Its made with real leaves, and the butterfly is real too. Heres a close up

The two pieces on either side are colorful birds stitched onto fabric. The frames are a 70s olive green. Most people hate that color, but I dont know why. You can make it work with reds, yellows, and blues just beautifully. Please look at the bigger photos in my pix under domestic goddess to see the thread more detailed.

Lastly, I found this oil painting at the Bonner Springs thrift store. The colors are fabulous, and fits in with my kitchen well. I have many more pieces, but these are a few of my favorites. Dont get me wrong, there are plenty of awful paintings in thrift stores, but the fun for me is discovering a masterpiece!