Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Finished by Friday - A Little Old, A Little New

A year or so ago I made a redwork Christmas stocking for each of my grandchildren - seven so far. This one is for the new grandson scheduled to enter this world on December 31. Well, it's almost a stocking. The redwork is done...that's almost, right? And the emphasis is on the redwork is DONE.

















Ok here's a problem child, or two. I'm starting the Nice People, Nice Things quilt. These are my first two blocks. I planned to do blocks in pastel colors and started with this pink. It does not show up. Gotta rethink my plan. What color would you use if the embroidery blocks are going to be surrounded with pastel pink, yellow, blue and green?



I painted this shelf black this week. You've seen it before done in a cream that was naturally distressed because it had been through several moves. It blended with the wall behind it so I decided to paint it. Black. I'm not sure I like it. Don't tell my husband I said that.









I also painted some picture frames black and these I do like. My children had given me the two largest frames with some old black and whites in them several years ago. That's a pretty large wall so I decided to add more black and whites.











I finished the quilting and binding on Autumn this week and had my husband hang it above the door going out to the deck. I have to let people know it's fall because it doesn't look like it outside! Of course our leaves don't usually change until October so I must be patient.


In addition to the above I finished a couple of naps, but should have had more. I had lunch with an old friend and my husband and I went to a play in Little Rock. Oh and we painted the cabinet and door in my bathroom. Just white and nothing new so no pictures. I'm afraid if I mention paint again my husband is going to raise his eyebrows even higher and they're pretty close to the top of his head already. I won't tell him the living room is needing .....

23 comments:

Heather said...

PB gets that same look when I mention paint.

Anonymous said...

Love the autumn banner! Did you try to add the fabrics around the NPNT blocks? Does it make the stitching come out anymore? Maybe pick the darkest of your pastel colors and give that a whirl.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Well, I think it all looks great, including the black bookshelf. I, also, would choose the darkest of the pastels.

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Hi Marlene,
Have you heard a little black in the room is suppose to be high on the list of decorating. I like the frames and bookcase.
Pink is always a hard color to show up when you embroidery. Can you go with a darker shade or the blue and green might show up better. If you had a little bit of brown in a pink piece you could embroidery the whole embroidery part brown to make it pop.
I need to make stockings for the grandbabies, that's a great idea.
Hugs,
Bonnie

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

I just do my painting myself and leave DH out it and that way he doesn't care.

Love the stockings for the babes! What wonderful heirlooms you are creating. And the Autumn quilt is wonderful.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

LOVE the stocking, as I'm a BIG fan of redwork!!!!! And the black???? LOVE it all! Just perfect. And love the autumn quilt over the door. Another piece of perfection.

Cora

Sharon said...

Good finishes, Marlene! You get a gold star this week. I love your black bookcase and picture frames. That's a good idea - I need to paint some frames! As far as your embroidery, I think Bonnie has the right idea. Try your fabrics around the embroidery to see if it helps, but I think blue or green would probably show well. You can go with a slightly darker color than your fabrics and I think it will look good. Or the brown floss.

Grammy Staffy said...

O.K. Marlene...where do you find all of the energy to do all these things? I get tired just seeing all that you do. You are amazing!

I liked minty green with pink. That would be my vote...of course hot pink would also show up well on the pink background.

Happy creating. I've about finished a quilt I am making for a daughter but I can't show it to you because it is a surprise for her....

Have as good weekend.
Hugs, Lura

Sue said...

I LOVE the autumn hanging...BEAUTIFUL! I really like the shelf painted black, but I'm really into black right now.

In His Army said...

I love that you made christmas stocking for each fo your grandchildren. My aunt made my sister and I each stockings when we were born and I cherish it!!

molly said...

Oh, you over-achiever you!

Raquel said...

Marlene, sounds like you have been busy! Better not mention that paint, hubby might need surgery to get those brows down! Much love, Raquel XO

Dandelion Quilts said...

You've been busy! That autumn banner puts me in the fall mood. The rest just inspires me to go find my machine and get creative.

Ginger Patches said...

Love your Autumn runner! I also like the black shelves and frames. I would try a pastel green on the stitcheries, but as I don't do many stitcheries I really have no idea what I'm talking about lol! I love that redwork for the grandbaby!!

Anonymous said...

Wow you've been busy this week! Love love the black and whites on the wall-the black frames really make them stand out.

Anonymous said...

Wow you've been busy this week! Love love the black and whites on the wall-the black frames really make them stand out.

trish said...

Hello Marlene,
I wanted to thank you for your comments left on my blog. They are rich and deep. Your thoughts allowed me to ponder some areas I had not considered.
I sure have enjoyed visiting your blog and look forward to coming again.
Your frames and bookcase look wonderful. I have been told that black tends to anchor a room. I am finding that to be true for our home as well. :o)
Your quilting is very pretty. I am just learning, and making only rag quilts right now. I have really enjoyed doing so.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Ps. It would be so neat to have a quilting circle of sorts.

Anonymous said...

Marlene,

I love the redwork you have done for the stocking! And look at what you got done this week -- you are making me feel a bit 'self-conscious' about how little I had accomplished this week.

Mary L. Briggs said...

Oh, I love the redwork for the stocking!! And your autumn wall hanging is pretty. It does seem like fall is taking it's time getting here, no matter what the calendar says, LOL!

The blac frames look great. I've got a bunch of those to paint. It think mine will be dark brown, due to a dark brown mirror also on the wall.

What is it with husbands and paint? Sometimes it takes a while to get it right--they just don't seem to understand! My kitchen cabinets have 3 different colors on them and the final coat still needs to be painted on~my hubby doesn't like to talk about it:)

R~Mary

Janet, said...

I love your autumn banner! I just bought some material to make 2 small throws for the backs of my chairs and a slightly longer one for my couch. It's a very simple pattern, but I need to get on the ball and get started.I cleared a path to my sewing machine today.

Anonymous said...

Your autumn quilt is beautiful! That looks like the perfect spot for it too, over the window awaiting the fall colours outdoors.

You have started an everlasting traditional memory for your grandchildren making the lovely stockings. You still have time to finish! Its a wonderful idea.

I hope you are having a great day!
Judi

Teresa said...

I think the bookshelf looks great with your dishes in it. The redwork is beautiful and what a nice tradition to have for your grandchildren. I always enjoy your blog !

Birdydownunder said...

Oh I love the Stitchery.
Probably a bit late now but I would use a varigated green for your stitchery.