Calendar Poodle SAL

Friday, November 10, 2017

Still Sewing Over Here

Hi friends! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement you have left me. Your comments brighten my day.
 face throwing a kiss
It has turned cold here. Frost every night. Shivering poodles every morning. I wish I could get a sweater on grumpy, old Murphy, but I may not have fingers left after the experience.
fearful face
Here is the linen valance that I completed for the bathroom.
Does it look familiar? Yes, it is the same as the kitchen valance, just different dimensions. The scallop template for the kitchen did not work for the bathroom window. So I had fun figuring out the scallops two separate times!! NOT! It's done now though, and I am pleased.
I had the pink linen in my stash for years. So that is always nice and a benefit!

smiling face with smiling eyes



I am behind in telling you about the books I have listened to. Back before we moved, I finished listening to Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford. I have not been disappointed by one of Jamie Ford's books yet. This was not my favorite of his, but still good.
From the bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet comes a powerful novel, inspired by a true story, about a boy whose life is transformed at Seattle’s epic 1909 World’s Fair.

“An evocative, heartfelt, beautifully crafted story that shines a light on a fascinating, tragic bit of forgotten history.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale

For twelve-year-old Ernest Young, a charity student at a boarding school, the chance to go to the World’s Fair feels like a gift. But only once he’s there, amid the exotic exhibits, fireworks, and Ferris wheels, does he discover that he is the one who is actually the prize. The half-Chinese orphan is astounded to learn he will be raffled off—a healthy boy “to a good home.”

The winning ticket belongs to the flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel, famous for educating her girls. There, Ernest becomes the new houseboy and befriends Maisie, the madam’s precocious daughter, and a bold scullery maid named Fahn. Their friendship and affection form the first real family Ernest has ever known—and against all odds, this new sporting life gives him the sense of home he’s always desired.

But as the grande dame succumbs to an occupational hazard and their world of finery begins to crumble, all three must grapple with hope, ambition, and first love.

Fifty years later, in the shadow of Seattle’s second World’s Fair, Ernest struggles to help his ailing wife reconcile who she once was with who she wanted to be, while trying to keep family secrets hidden from their grown-up daughters.

Against a rich backdrop of post-Victorian vice, suffrage, and celebration, Love and Other Consolations is an enchanting tale about innocence and devotion—in a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale.
I am finishing up the last valance I will be sewing for a while. A white linen one for the boys' room. Then it is on to a few cross stitch Christmas ornaments. I ordered a VERY special Riolis kit  from ABC stitch two and a half weeks ago. It should have been here by now!! I need want it very badly. It is for Madeleine for Christmas this year. I give the kids ornaments every year for St. Nick's. Brian called them yesterday and asked where the order is? After being on the phone for 13 minutes!!!, he was told the order is "on invoice". Um, what?  C'MON ABC STITCH LET'S GO!!!! Please ship it NOW!

I hope you have a super stitchtastic weekend my friends! Thank you for stopping by.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie



22 comments:

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Another pretty valance for your bathroom.
I hope your kit comes soon Vickie,it is very annoying when there is a delay.
Hope you have a good weekend.

Mary said...

Vicki, Another pretty valance and it looks lovely on that pretty wood window frame. You adjusted the size of the scallops very well. I hope your kit arrives soon so you can get the stitch completed for Madeline by Christmas.

We pretty much went directly from summer to winter weather here in NY too.. Have a great weekend. Mary

MartinaM said...

Hi Vicky, I loved your kitchen valance, and now you have a second, how nice. Oh it is getting more beautiful and homelike in your apartment.
Hugs Martina

Carol said...

Love your newest valance, Vickie--it looks very professional and I'm glad you were able to use fabric from your stash :)

I'll bet you are staying warm and cozy above a bakery now that the weather has turned cold. We are getting it, too--very hard to get used to after the lovely fall we've had!!

gracie said...

Great job with the valance. All the personal touches really make a home feel comfy.

Stasi said...

Another task to check off your list--good job! Hope your kit gets there soon!

Margaret said...

Your valance looks wonderful! Yay Jamie Ford! Agreed on him, as we know. :D I hope that xs kit has arrived!

Robin in Virginia said...

Vickie, your bathroom valance turned out great even though it took two attempts. Hope the kit arrives soon for you! Have a wonderful weekend filled with crossing many stitches.

Vicki said...

Looking good!! Hope your order arrives soon. It is so frustrating when waiting is involved (at least for me!)

Barbara said...

Vicki, isn't it nice to be able to use fabric that you already have and it looks beautiful. I feel for you having to figure out the scallops not once but twice. You have more patience than I do. As for ABC Therapy, I was told she keeps nothing in stock and that's why it's taking so long. It's coming from Europe and I don't think you'll see it for weeks. I had a long argument with Maria (Marie) I forget exactly what her name is, but she can be very rude to customers. I had ordered a fat half of a linen fabric and it literally took many weeks to get it. All I can say is good luck.

Penny said...

You've done a beautiful job on the valances, Vickie! My poor grandmother tried to teach me to sew, but sadly it just didn't take. : ) That is so frustrating to wait so long for an order. I used to order from ABC Stitch but never had a good experience with them. Hope you receive your order soon.

Jenny said...

Hi Vickie....

I am so in love with your wooden window sills and your beautiful valences! What a beautiful job you are doing with your new apartment! It all just looks so cozy and a wonderful place to call home! I love it!

Enjoy your weekend my friend! Thank you for the name of the book that your samplers came from....I just so love them! Sending lots of hugs and love!

Maggee said...

Another great valance checked off the list! I hope that your order comes soon from ABC. Unfortunately, they do have a reputation for slowness... But you are a speedy stitcher! Thanks for sharing with us, as I know you have lots to do! Hugs!

Manuela said...

The valance looks great in your bathroom.
Have a nice weekend.
Manuela

Beth said...

You are the Queen of Valences! Love the colors on this one.

RJ said...

Vickie your valences are coming out perfect and look wonderful in your new home. Great job with the sewing and selection of fabrics. RJ

Brigitte said...

Another valance finished and it looks really great. The black, grey and pink looks sooooo good together.
I'm sure that you are looking forward to getting back to your ornament stitching.

Анна Гончарова said...

Очень красиво!!! Прекрасно!!!

diamondc said...

Hi Vickie: Beautiful work on the valance, I bet you are happy you are almost finished with the windows.
How are the Poodles handling the move? fine I hope, more new area to explore outdoors.
Did you get the package of fabric I sent you? There were Poodles on it I just had to buy it.

Blessings
Catherine

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

That's the great thing about a new house, a chance to use some of your fabric stash!
Hope the kit arrives soon. I am used to SewandSo - delivery within 48 hours!

Barb said...

Lovely sewing. I would like to read the new Jamie Ford book. Last summer my DD and I went to have coffee at the Panama Hotel. They had a plexiglass floor where you could look down and see things left by the families in WWII. My DD is very familiar with Seattle's International District so we had such a fun day. My reading group had just finished Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

Astrids dragon said...

Your valance is "sew" pretty! You make it look easy.
That sounds like another good book... one of these days in my spare time, ha!