No Time on My Hands

I finally ordered a book I've wanted to read for a long time and it arrived today.  No Time On My Hands, is the story of Grace Snyder, Queen of Nebraska Quiltmakers.  The photo below is of Grace's Flower Basket Petit Point. It's made of 87,789 tiny triangles and is a representation of a set of china.

Grace's book details her early life on the prairies of Nebraska, life on her ranch and her travels to exhibits where her quilts were displayed.  More about Grace and her incredible quilts can be found here.

I hope to continue my stitching projects while reading this book, but probably won't be finishing the projects quite as fast.

Another finish

I had the chance to visit Hodge Podge, a little cross stitch/antique shop in Strasburg, Pa. in early December. She sold the cutest little cross stitch ornament patterns by Foxwood Crossing that when completed are mounted to little sleds.  How could I resist?  I had a chance to stitch three of the designs over the weekend.  Actually, I was pretty determined to finish them -- I couldn't wait to see them done. The patterns were pretty popular -- there isn't a sled to be found to mount them on, so I have to wait until March when they are back in stock. I've found a place online that has patterns that fit larger sleds that are just as cute, so I placed an order for the patterns (sleds were available for these patterns).  This was supposed to be the year that I only work on projects that I have already purchased, but I keep getting sidetracked!  Guess that resolution will have to wait until next year!

The ornaments should look like this once they are mounted to the sleds:

I have my next project waiting in the wings -- it's another 'new' project. 

Stay warm!

It's Perfect Weather for Arctic Santas

The weather outside has been certainly frightful, but I've been keeping warm while stitching up some Arctic Santas.  I started these a while ago and meant to have them done for DH for Christmas.  True to form, I misplaced them (rather I believe he moved them -- to a room downstairs no less).  I found two of the three while cleaning said room.  I still haven't located the third but plan to look a little harder before ordering another.  Seems that once I get a replacement, the misplaced pattern always appears.

In other news,I'm hoping to post regularly.  This isn't something I've been good at doing.  I've also changed the name of my blog to honor my only grandson who wanted to name his new sister Sara Sue.  His name wasn't chosen, but he can always find his Sara Sue here.

It's Finally Finished!

It's been quite a while since my last blog post.  I hope that it's not this long until I post again.

I finally finished Maureen Appleton's Splendor I.  As I mentioned before, it's the second time around on the project. (Photo from Round 1)  If I had had the patience to be diligent about my stitch placement on the first try, I would not have had a "do-over".  But I always imagined this piece hanging on my wall.  Maureen's pattern was dated 1999, as you can see, I finished mine 13 years later.  I'm not how long after the pattern was published that I purchased it, but I've had it quite a while.  I guess I've finally gained the patience my mother always told me I needed.  I'm glad she never gave up on me, and I'm glad I never gave up on this!

Without further ado, I'd like to present Maureen Appleton's Splendor I.

 Stitched on 32-count Glensheen Linen
one thread of floss over one thread of fabric.

Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) Metric Century - June 30, 2012

Today was the Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) Ride. CVIM provides medical and dental care, case management and necessary medications at no cost to qualified uninsured residents of Centre County, PA. Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, social workers and other licensed clinicians volunteer their time to provide care to our patients.

Below are photos from the ride.

 Riders gather before the start of the 62 mile ride.

 Eric Scott from The Bicycle Shop lending a hand to make sure bikes are ready to roll. 

He and his allen wrench came to my aid around mile 40 -- Thanks Eric!!

 Just about time to head out.

 Riders ahead of me at the start.

 Another shot of the riders as they pull away.

My granddaughter, Lily, out to show her Grammy support.

 The first rest stop -- friendly folks and well-stocked with provisions to keep us going.

 Heading down hill outside of Spruce Creek.

On the road into Sinking Valley.

 Most of Sinking Valley has nice flat stretches.

 Silver Barn Lane -- with some beautiful views.

Hundred Springs Tree Farm at the bottom of Hundred Springs Road. 

A nice 2-mile up hill lies ahead.

Millerstown Community Park Bike Tour

Saturday, June 23 took me and Terrie to Millerstown, PA where we participated in the Millerstown Community Park Bike Tour.  Our original intention was to do the 62-mile ride but after riding the first 20 miles and crossing the first ridge we decided a less hilly route would suit us better, so we added the 30 mile route to finish with 50 miles for the day. 

First Ridge we crossed there would have been

three more had we stayed on the 62-mile course

Intersection with Route 17, somewhere in Perry County

One of a few flat spots along the ride heading back to Millerstown

Crossing the Juniata just outside of Millerstown at the 

finish of our first 20 miles

~ Below are scenes along the second 30 miles of the ride ~

Great Finger Lakes Bicycle Tour

My friend Terrie and I took part in the 2012 Great Finger Lakes Bicycle Tour.  Friday evening was spent hiking from the campground down the gorge and back.  The gorge was breaktaking!

Saturday we rode from Sampson State Park to Seneca Falls and returned via Waterloo -- the location President Johnson declared as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. 

Sunday was spent riding around Keuka Lake -- the pictures I took do not do justice for the beauty of this area. 

Canal in Seneca Lake



Trinity Espiscopal Church, Seneca Lake





It's a Wonderful Life Bridge