Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Happy Spring!


I  finished the stitching of the cat needlepoint in Middle School when I was about 12 years old.  I'm turning 54 this year - you can do the math on that one, ha ha
As a girl we always had pretty Siamese cats.

The kit was given to me by grandfather for Christmas about a month after he passed away.  I always wanted him to paint me a cat portrait, but he found it very difficult as he mostly painted landscapes.

I am so happy with how sweet it turned out.

I also had the Ridgewood Needlepoint Shop block this needlepoint that my mother, Cathy, finished before she died sometime before she died.  So that's been more than 25 years now.
 I will have it framed.  It seems like a perfect fit now that I live in New England.
 Here are my top picks from the AQS Lancaster Quilt Show.  You can see all the winners by clicking here.
On Monday we woke up to a lovely spring snow it was completely melted by sundown.
I've been doing a little house construction while watching House of Cards.  I'm so looking forward to teaching a Liberated House workshop in Texas next month.   I forgot how fun these were to make.
My blog friend, Diane, of Butterfly Threads has published her first book.  Congratulations Diane; it is fabulous!  She sent me a copy and a cute mug rug in preparation of participating in her blog hop.  I have the lucky spot of being the Caboose on the fun train.
Here is the blog hop dates and websites.  Hop around and try your luck at winning a book and visiting these great blogs.

3/21    C&T Blog http://www.ctpub.com/blog/
with Diane (that’s me) http://www.butterflythreadsquilting.com
3/22    Bonnie Hunter http://quiltville.blogspot.com/
3/23    Lori http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/
3/24    Karen http://nanagirlquilts.blogspot.com/
3/25    Audrey http://quiltyfolk.blogspot.com/
3/26    Pat Sloan http://blog.patsloan.com/
3/27    Valerie http://myplvl.blogspot.com/
3/28    Kelly http://pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com/
3/29    Victoria Findlay Wolfe http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/
3/30    Rachaeldaisy http://bluemountaindaisy.blogspot.com/
3/31    Angie http://quiltingcrescent.blogspot.com/
4/1       Julie http://quiltjewelry.blogspot.com/
4/2       Barb Www.funwithbarb.com

I'll end the post today with the deal of the week - a fun Dog with Glasses shopping bag from TJMaxx.  99 cents.  All that cuteness for under a buck.
Happy Hump Day!
xo

36 comments:

Ann said...

What fun to see your needlepoint. My mother and grandmother made gorgeous needlepoints of their houses. They are still fun to look at. Good memories.

julieQ said...

Where are you teaching in Texas?

Betsy Schneekloth said...

I want to make houses with you!

jane nj/wi said...

I gave my Mom two kits if the series your mom stitched. I have both of them framed and hanging in dining room in Wisconsin Mom loved needlepoint. We started give ther with cross stitch oooooo lets seeee....I was early 20's. Let's say just a bit over 40 years. I have never done needlepoint. I bought most doc Moms projects. She would splurge and go to custom canvas store and they would pull the wool. I made a big booboo buying two custom petite point....truly tiny. I think my Mom called me bad names but I have them both now. She could stitch. I have a wonderful calico tortoise looking cat in the bushes with speckled lighting. It would look great as a door stop. Mom refused to do it as too many color start and stops and she was in her early eighties and eyes starting to not cooperate.....if you need to stitch another cat project I would be

jane nj/wi said...

Don't very grateful.....heheheheh....this has not worked before....but you are special. Sigh.....maybe if I said I was desperate wand would send some amazing wools.....???????.. Enjoyed your newest post. Always my treat reading Facebook

Jane...trapped in Geezerland until May

Lori said...

Congrats on finishing your needlepoint!! Fun memories.
How exciting to be going to TX to teach! Are you doing any other fun stuff while you are there?

Anonymous said...

Love your pillows and the fabric on the chair they are on....very Napoleonic with the bees!

Tammy
High River, AB

Judith said...

Nice needlepoint. I grew up with Siamese, too. Still have one (not the same one).When I started my needlepoint in 1968 my then-husband said he would finish building the house before I would finish it. It only (!) took me 10 years to finish it; the house was still unfinished when he died in 2005.

Janet O. said...

I've never done needlepoint, but I like the look. How nice to have the piece your Mom did.
Wow--those are some incredible quilts at the Lancaster show!
Your photo of the daffodils with the snowy background make me think of one I have with a blooming geranium in our solarium with a snowy background out the window. Love the contrast.
You are quite the architect! : )
Oh, that bag is so you, because it is FUN!

CecileD said...

Hello Barb !
Texas ! What a fun news for you !! Enjoy Barb....
Your needlepoints are so beautiful and touching with these great memories. And the bag is a so fun !! Ah ! Ah !
I discovered TJMaxx last year and loved these shops !!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Wow and you do needlepoint too! How lovely to have your mom's blocked and framed, a true treasure for you. I was very disappointed in the show and most likely will not be going next year. The quilts you picked are gorgeous!
We just finished House of Cards, oh my all I can say is it was good. Now for sure you are famous winging your way to TX, good for you!

Thimbleanna said...

What a fun post Barb! Those quilts from the AQS show are beautiful -- so detailed -- I would love to see the ship quilt in person. Love that cute little doggie bag. And we just finished House of Cards last night ... Hmmmmmm. ;-D

Barb said...

Thanks Tammy!

Jill said...

So many things in this post and all so wonderful! I will be looking for that bag next time I am at TJMaxx, got to love that store!

Barb said...

I think my mom one of the others in the series too. I've retired from needle point, ha ha I also still have unfinished canvases of my mom. hello to WI.
xo

Aunt 'Reen said...

Your Cat pillow is beautiful and so is your Mom's Needlepoint. Happy to hear you will have that framed.
LOVE those pictures from the show, those quilts are gorgeous and very inspiring.
REALLY cute bag too, thanks for the Smile! Wishing you a fabulous start to Spring.

Debra said...

I have to agree with your top picks for the AQS Show. Some of the quilts were absolutely amazing. Love the house blocks - I think there is a funky house quilt sometime in my future.. if I can ever find the time to get back to my sewing room! Thanks for the fun post. The needlepoints are gorgeous!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

One more UFO off the list. Good for you. 42 years is a charm! Love the house blocks. And thanks for the quilt show eye candy. Spectacular!

CecileD said...

I saw the quilts in Lancaster with the link and the #412 Quilt noir ( very modern style but gorgeous !) Was in Paducah last April ! Beautiful !

CecileD said...

I saw the quilts in Lancaster with the link and the #412 Quilt noir ( very modern style but gorgeous !) Was in Paducah last April ! Beautiful !

Carol Sc said...

I, too, retired long ago from needlepoint---and still have many WIPs --- quilting has long been my first love. The new book you referred to looks like a real winner.

Kyle said...

How cool to have the pillow you made soooooo long ago:0) And to have the lovely piece your mom needlepointed. Both treasures. Your liberated house look super fun. It will be a fun class for Quilter's to take and for you to teach. Trying to pace myself through House of Cards. It's hard to stitch and watch that show at the same time. You don't want to miss anything that Clare does.

Ann L said...

Love your work, as always. I am just off the boat from a Panama Canal cruise, but was not nearly as successful as you in getting needlework done. I brought three projects and only worked on one. But my flight home is late so maybe I can get my Westering Women block done...

Ann in PA said...

Great post! So nice to have the needlework treasures. Your favorites at Lancaster were mine, too. The workmanship is amazing. Love seeing the quilts but was disappointed overall with less vendors and parking. I miss Quilters Heritage Celebration. The new book looks like fun with scraps. Love TJMaxx ...and Marshalls....and Homegoods!

Ann in PA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachaeldaisy said...

Your needlepoint works are wonderful. I made some when I was young but never did anything with them. The Lancaster show must have been great even if just for the few quilts you showed. I love your liberated houses, I can just imagine the wonderful times to be had in your class. Diane's book is great and I love the mug rug she made for you.

Barbara said...

I'm so impressed with your needlepoint--great finish after all these years! Love your mom's piece, too :) Thanks for sharing your Lancaster pics. The liberated house blocks look like so much fun to make. Bet you'll have a great time in Texas! Diane's book looks wonderful. Love those scraps :)

Ruth said...

The needlepoints are lovely! It is great to finish a UFO - isn't it? Love the one your Mom made and it will be good to get it framed. Reminds me that I have a quilt top that my Mom made that needs quilting. Sigh! I think I need to spend more time in my sewing room.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I'm naming that bottom right house Drunken House. Too cute! :)

Barb said...

That is hilarious Deb - now I'll think of it that way too!

Janet said...

You have some wonderful mementos. I can't believe how your weather has been changing. Where in Texas are you teaching? Happy Easter.
mudd4chewee@gmail.com

Sujata Shah said...

So nice to see needlepoint work from your childhood and your mom's work. Your houses are fun as they always have been. Texas guild is lucky to have booked fun with Barb! Have a great time!

Unknown said...

I love your blog & I'll be making some of those cute Kleenex holders. Diane's book looks like fun! baseballquilt@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Fun to see the snow behind your daffodils! Your needlepoint looks wonderful. It's something I've yet to try! Scrap quilts are fun to look at but I've always felt I'm too matchy to try one. Finally made one using blocks from your two swaps. It was great fun. I'd love to win Diane's book.
abate2040@optimum.net

BengalPup said...

Great needlework! amanda.echler(at)hotmail(dot)com

June D said...

Beautiful work - how wonderful that you have such nice memories of your family in your home to see everyday.
Your houses are great - will be fun for the folks in Texas to experience with you.
I'm hoping next year to go to Lancaster Show - the fabric shops are so nice around that area.
Thanks for putting my name in the hat for the super scrap book!