Back to School

We completed our first week of school in Suwannee County.  I really needed some stitch time to unwind this weekend. I made a baby quilt out of ginghams with a little chicken scratch kite embroidery. Very simple yet satisfying!   Embroidery sampler is close at hand for small moments of stolen stitches.  Hand Sewing is my sanity!  How about you?!  Keeping it together one stitch at a time!  Jessica Pearl

Camplanta

John and I are in Atlanta this week.  He has IT boot camp, serious stuff that pays the bills.  And I have Camplanta which is just fun!  I explore Atlanta during the day and craft during rush hour traffic and the evening hours.  Thanks to Creativebug and my IT Guy, I am learning to crochet with Cal (hodgepodge), loving the thread with Natalie (Alabama Chanin) and embroidering with Rebecca (dropcloth).  Greetings from Camplanta!  Jessica Pearl
Pictured- 1 single crochet practice. 2 cotton knotted necklace and bracelet-  Natalie calls the knots, 'pearls', love that! 3 filled running stitches.

The Destination Looks Like Heaven!

On vacation in the land of Alabama Chanin.  I am here to tell you that the place is move in ready!  The cafe, the factory, the inspiration, I did not want to leave!  Luckily, they are shipping a kit assembled while visiting for a poncho to my home in a couple of weeks.  I picked up some scraps of organic cotton just to hold me over until that happy mail arrives!  Posting a few pics of thrift and stitches just to verify that I am still breathing!  On the road!  Jessica Pearl

Crazy!

I made my first crazy quilt block on Sat.  I walked into class with my bag of cast offs- thrifted bits and a beautiful tie from Cousin Brent.  The rest of the class purchased kits from the hosting quilt shop.  I don't think they knew what to think of my bag!  Our stitching teacher, Sally has known me since I was in college.  One of the classmates offered some of her new fabric for my block.  Sally just shook her head and said, " No, she prefers the vintage clothing." What can I say?  Sally knows me!  Lots more embroidery to add here! Stitching Crazy!  Jessica Pearl

Tea in the Garden

This circular garden template was a stitch along sampler from long ago at &stitches.  Even though I was late to the party, I printed the template and stitched some foliage, very freeform.  I do much better tending a stitchy garden as opposed to a real one!  Plus you don't have springtime jonquils blooming next to winter roses in a real garden!
After touring the garden, I would like to invite you for tea!  This tea pot block is Quiet Play's paper pieced block of the month. This particular stitch along is not late!  Late or not, dear friends, you are always welcome in my garden for tea!  Jessica Pearl

Friday Finish, Chief Osceola Edition

Finished this embroidered denim shirt while watching "Captain Phillips" with my guys last night.  Officially ready for Garnet & Gold Denim Banquet!  Jessica Pearl

Embroidery as Therapy

In preparation for FSU/ Wesley Parent Weekend, I have stitched a few garnet and gold arrows on a denim shirt.  Fits perfectly with weekend's theme!  Embroidery is and always has been great therapy for me!  I would say cheap therapy but that would be a difficult pitch given the amount of funds spent at local craft/stitch stores!  However, this pattern was free @ sublimestitching.com. The only question is whether to add some more stitches. Do I add a tent? A canoe? A Seminole Indian with regal headgear?  Or am I over compensating for my Gator Girl turned Seminole Mom complex?!  Whoa, this is getting heavy!  Is there a shrink in the house or do I just need to buy more thread? Stitching it out! Jessica Pearl

Downton's Darlings

Are there any Downton fans visiting here?  I love me some Downton Drama! I am trying to be satisfied as I watch reruns in preparation for the January season opener.  This art to embroider is by April.  I HIGHLY recommend some of April's  Downton character art transfered to a cotton of choice for a little needle love during the repeats.  Your fav character is waiting for purchase and immediate download in her shop.  You can see that I selected the sisters 3 as I am one of 3 sisters myself.  You must pardon Lady Mary, I stitched in a bit of her characteristic stink eye.  We will not say anything about our dearly departed Lady Sybil.  Lady Edith on the other hand is fair game, butter would not melt in her mouth.  Matthew was included in my purchase but given last season's gruesome finale, he remains unstitched.  I would not count Matthew out though.  That dude has had more lives than a cat!  Stitching Downton!  Jessica Pearl

Market Day without the Downdog

Last week Tyler e-mailed us that he would not mind if we came for a visit on Saturday.  Heck, sounds like an invitation to the Mister and me!  I gathered some stitching for the ride and actually finished an embroidered quilt block on the way.  We took Tyler and his roommate to the Riverside Art Market and out for bar-b-q lunch.  Saturday was yoga festival at market.  I would have loved some yoga on the river but my yoga pants + ME sounded like it could be a recipe for Tyler's embarrassment.  I was more than content and fully inspired by the delightful company and the beautiful sights!  Next year,  I am wearing my yoga pants and packing my mat.  Namaste!  Jessica Pearl

Happily Ever After

These quilt blocks, once orphaned and adopted from the thrift store have been transformed into baby quilts with a wee bit of embroidery.  I think its a happy ending!  Jessica Pearl

The Day after Thrifty Thursday

I went in search of Seminole gear at the thrift store today.  I bought a solid garnet shirt for me and a very nice FSU shirt for Emily, tags still on it!  I also found these  Country Stitch Monthly magazines with beautiful and timeless designs.  They were 2.50 an issue back in 1988 and I remember how dear that price seemed.  I was a newlywed with a hubby in grad school!  Today they were 25 cents each and this mom of 3 college kids jumped on them!   I made Emily a bouquet in a thrifted tin for her door, stitched up a Go Noles saying just to make it clear who the home team is at Leslie and Emily's doorstep.  I had a 10 dollar off coupon so I paid a grand total of 52 cents for all of this loot.  Thrifty Garnet and Gold!  Jessica Pearl

Sleepy Finish

I stayed up past my bedtime to complete this baby quilt tonight.  Very simple 40's reproduction prints and the giraffe embroidery.  This one is for the pregnancy crisis center and will be presented to a newborn in hospital.  It makes me squeal with delight to think of this blankie covering a little baby bum in hospital basinet.  Lots of love and prayers in every stitch for this newborn.  Sweet dreams, wee one!  Off to dreamland myself!  Linking to let's make baby quilts! Jessica Pearl

Chain Love

There is a great tutorial for chain embroidery stitch on Sublime Stitching website.  Life changing stuff, seriously!  This little giraffe and bloomin' cup of tea to be featured in a baby quilt for charity.  I wish I could remember the source of this free pattern, so charming!  Stitch and tea time!  Jessica Pearl