A Wedding

I’m finally back to California~ I had an awesome time with my family, but it sure feels great to come home!! My sister’s wedding was a great success, even the weather cooperated. We were a bit worried cause it rained the previous days, but not a drop came down that day during the ceremony, so the newly weds could hop in the convertible as planned when they were leaving~~

The church was so beautiful itself, so we didn’t have to do too much decorating. My sister found those flower balls online and they were a perfect fit!! Can you tell they are made of wood shavings?

In fact my sister did a lot all by herself, she sew all the table runners, putting together all the wedding favors, punched all the little decorative flowers, and made that gift box – well, I kind of helped her a little bit with that. But  I was so amazed with all the work she had done, not to mention she has a full time job as a professor!!! The one thing I love most are the wedding favors, I think it’s totally her~ She is a scientist, hence the test tubes and flasks!! Isn’t it cool?!

My wedding gift for her almost didn’t make it on time, it was finished just days before her wedding!!! I used two full skeins the red threads on this one!! I think it turned out beautifully~

Pattern: Plum Street Samplers “Beloved” 
Thread: Gentle Art and DMC Cotton Floss
Fabric: 36 ct Linen color Tea  
Stitched Size: 8” x 8”   
Completion Date: 05-25-2012

The back stitch is what threw me off. I did not think it would take me that long to work on them!!! But I think they were totally worth the time!!! I just love all the little details on this design, did you notice the two Cupids were actually a couple? How cute!!!

I did messed up the fabric sized, though… Didn’t know what I was thinking cutting it so small. The stitched area is 8x8 and the fabric is only 10x10!!!! Luckily I found a 10x10 frame that worked, couldn’t do any lacing on the back though, but I think it looked alright!!

Since my sister took care of most of the projects for the wedding, I had time for some small projects. Annabelle needed a hairband for her cute little outfit, so I made one for her -  it was so simple it only took me like 10 minutes!!! I just hand sew some pretty elastics together and made clips out of the premade flowers I found at the craft store!!! She can change out the flower part according to her outfits~ Isn’t Annabelle the cutest little model?!

Inspired by my sister’s shoe piece, I decided to make a hair piece for myself~I found the perfect feather at Michaels, got the button at Joann’s, attached them to a clip and here it is!!! You can’t really tell by the photo, but the green matched perfectly with my dress~

It took her a while, but I’m so glad that my sister found her happiness. I love seeing her smile, and I can see that she is really happy – and that, makes me happy!!!

Progress!!

I have been working on my “Beloved” piece as the wedding date is approaching soon. The main part of the design is done but I’ve ran out of the red thread, so I’ll have to wait a few days for my order to arrive. Please excuse all the frame marks.

I love all the small motifs on this design, like the crowns, one for him and one for her~ Filling in the white background of the date box was quite a challenge, not fun doing it over one. But I think the most difficult part is yet to come. The outer border is mostly done in swirly back stitch, I hope I will be able to get it done in a timely matter without many mistakes…

To take advantage of free entry during National Park Week, we went to visit Joshua Tree National Park. The weather was soooo nice and we had a lot of fun~ The twisted, spiky Joshua Trees were something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, and the rock formations in the Park were just amazing!!! Desert flowers were just starting to bloom, I think it would be even more spectacular next weekend!!!

I’m glad that we had a chance to enjoy the sun cause it looks like it’s going to be cloudy all week…. I can’t wait for warmer temperature and more sunny days!!

Updates~

First of all, I would like to thank Jennifer for spending time giving me a list of LNS in Paris~ I’ve already added them into my schedule, hopefully I will be able to visit them all!!! I’ll definitely keep you all posted~ One more week till our trip, I’m so excited!!!!

Next up, an update on my WIP~ I love the red!!!! But working over one on a 36ct fabric was no fun!!!! Thankfully there’s not a whole lot of it!!!

Siobhan asked for an updated photo of my tumbler quilt, well, here it is!!! not much different from previous photos, but I swear, there has been a lot of work done to it!!! I’m down to the purple border. I didn’t plan on using such a complicated pattern on the border as well, wanted to save some time and do a simple one so I can finish it up. But after looking at it, it just didn’t feel right. Since I’ve already spent so much time on it, what’s another month, right?! I’ve also posted a photo of the back where the quilting pattern shows a better.

I got a chance to snitch this photo when the doves were switching hands. There were two eggs this time~~ They usually sit pretty tight in the nest so it was difficult to see the eggs. They really like the flower pot over my poop proofed pot by the side. I wonder why that is? Maybe the leaves gave them more privacy? I hope my poor plant will survive….

Thanks for visiting~~

Small Excitements!!

Can you believe we are heading in to March already?! I haven’t really done much this past week, mainly still working on my tumbler quilt. Although I wanted to finish my WIPs before starting anything new, I need to stitch a gift for a June wedding.  I decide to start early. You know, with my speed, I might just made it in time!!

Something more exciting is our up coming trip to Paris!!!!! This is going to be my very first time to travel to Europe so I am very excited yet nervous. I probably borrowed all the travel books out from the library, and with the three Chinese books I bought made quite a long reading list!!! I kind of drew up our travel plan but I have to say, one week is just not enough!!!! Beside all the attractions, I also want to visit some cute stores as well. So if anyone have any favorites or must sees or tips about Paris, it will be greatly appreciated~

In other news, look who’s back!!! The doves are taking over my balcony again!!! They’ve actually been flying in and out this past month, but did not stay until I put their favorite pot back. Now they are staying here full day, and I think they might even had an egg~~

Well, this is what’s happening in my little world right now. What’s happening in yours?

Needlebook Exchange~

I have received my TTE needlebook exchange from Sharon this week. Look at this gorgeous little thing she made for me!!! I love the orange and green colors!!! Totally fit for this fall season~ The details on this needlebook are so brilliant as well, with matching buttons, ribbons and a silky inside fabric!! She also included some beautiful threads and ribbons~ Thank you soooo much, Sharon~

As for the one I made for her, I’ve used the design from Plum Street Samplers “Quaker Calendar V” for the cover. I have to say my needlebook was not as near exquisite as the one Sharon made, but I had a lot of fun making it, and I hope she would enjoy it as much as I did with hers. Boy!! I have so much more to learn!!

Pattern: Plum Street Samplers “Quaker Calendar V”
Thread: DMC cotton floss
Fabric: 32ct Belgium linen
Size: 3.5" x 3"
Finishing Date: 10-26-2009

Thank you for your suggestions on my BOAF Friendship Sampler!! I took your advice and use one thread over two on this one, and it does look pretty nice~ Your friendship is truly a very important part of my life!!!

Thanks again for visiting!!!