Friday, September 10, 2010

I'm dreaming of autumn..........

"See off yonder; see them tepees? They kind o' look like corn shocks from here, but them's Injun tents, sure as you're a foot high. See 'em now? Sure, I knowed you could. Smell that smoky sort o' smell in the air? That's the campfires a-burnin' and their pipes a-goin'. "

"Injun Summer" by John McCutcheon, 1907
(link to the complete poem)

Every fall when I grew up in Illinois the Chicago Tribune newspaper would reprint the famous story by John McCutcheon about "Injun Summer".......... I sure do miss midwestern things at this time of year....leaves turning colors, pumpkins, crisp autumn air, cornstalks, gourds, corn mazes and best of all....Halloween! Our summer is fading here in the Southwest but we still have about a month to go before we can breathe a sign of relief that the heat is gone for this year. Mornings and evenings are cooling off and it's such a relief. I've enjoyed seeing some of your posts with your fall decorating... I need to get out those boxes from the garage and pull out some things. I can't believe all the fall and Halloween items in the stores - Michaels seems to have gone all out this year promoting Halloween. Pretty soon it's going to be as big as Christmas just without the gifts!

Goode Huswife's "With My Needle" is coming along - the skirt on the woman seemed to take forever to complete but I'm now feeling like this sampler is really shaping up. I have about 4 stitching projects that I MUST get done this year so no time to waste!


I also did a little framing job on my own this week. I'm embarrassed to tell you that I stitched this likeness of Thomas Jefferson's Virginia home 'Monticello' back about 1990! I picked up a book of patterns called "Historic Virginia" when I was visiting Virginia & Maryland. I just love colonial architecture, Williamsburg, and all that sort of thing. I don't know why I let this little piece lie unframed so long. Since I started doing a bit of my own framing this year I found that this piece fit perfectly into a regular 5" X 7" frame so I found a perfect one at JoAnn's for $8.00. Can't beat framing a piece for that!



I've decided I no longer want my stitched "Mount Vernon" the home of George Washington. If anyone wants it please email me (address in my profile). If I get more than one request I will draw a name - not sure if anyone would want this but I kind of hate to just dump it in the trash. It too will fit into a 5" X 7" frame.


I also picked up this little framed piece by Blackbird Designs I stitched a few years back. I did the stretching and just had a local shop do the frame and glass. It was hard finding a frame that looked good with this as it's stitched on an odd green color linen (R&R's Glen Ellyn?) but I think it's turned out well.


I am getting ready for a new start too (no I will not listen to the little angel on my shoulder whispering to me about all the projects already started..........). I'm joining an SAL with Heidi & Saskia next week to stitch "It's Cold Outside" by Blue Ribbon Designs. I'm so happy they have included me - I love BRD patterns and stitching these is kind of like quilting because each motif is it's own little block and so you feel good each time you get one of the blocks done. I just love the little penguins!


"It's Cold Outside" by Blue Ribbon Designs - kitted up with 40-ct Lakeside Linen Wintry Sky and Crescent Colours threads.

I thank all of you for your wonderful comments on my Pride & Prejudice sampler last time I posted...they're keeping me encouraged to keep going on this big project. Anyone wanting to know the patterns I have been using - I posted a link at the top of my blog to the pattern list. Until next time......hope you are having a great autumn!

14 comments:

  1. Wow fab wips and framed finishes! Love the new start. That one is on my wishlist to do. x

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  2. Hi Jeanne,
    I live in NC but I am from New England and this time of year I really miss it. The colors and the change in the air. There is still some of that here but it is not as beautiful.
    Your Good Huswife piece is coming along beautifully. One day I will stitch this.

    Have a good Sunday

    Chris

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  3. That's so cool about the Injun summer story in the Tribune. I love your Good Huswife piece so much! And your framed Monticello too! How can you get rid of GW's house -- it goes so well with Monticello to me. Beautiful set! I also love how your BBD piece came out. Love that green!

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  4. I know what you mean, Jeannie, about this time of year here in the midwest - I live in Michigan and can't imagine the lack of colors, crisp nights (and days sometimes), apple picking, pumpkins, etc.

    Boy, your framing looks great - I love the green frame on the BBD - it looks fantastic!

    Your progress on the sampler is showing...sometimes I do things like the skirt and it feels like it takes forever but when it's done, I love to sit back and look at it with a huge sense of accomplishment! Keep stitching!!

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  5. I'm glad to hear I am not the only one who stitches things and then lets them sit forever in the finished drawer. And when it comes time to frame - doesn't like them!
    OOOHHH, love the BRD Winter! Someone else recently stitched that and I really like it - must find!
    I live in OH and we have had our windows open for the last several days. What a blessing the heat is GONE!
    Good Huswife - wow - her dress looks like the most time consuming part of the pattern. Good job getting it done!
    Smiles - Denise

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  6. Autumn is my favourite season, so I can see why you miss it. Keep up the good work on your WIPs and I love the new start, it's very cute! Happy stitching.

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  7. Love finished framed pieces. The BBD is perfect in that green frame.

    I really enjoyed the "Injun Summer" story..love the artwork. I'm so ready for fall too.

    happy stitching....

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  8. I love your new pattern. I have been looking at frames too...maybe this week I will get started!
    I put out a few decorations in my bathroom yesterday...I might even put out a few more today...but for now I am resting...Dianntha

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  9. I love your new Blue Ribbon project, Jeanne--the penguins really are sweet! The green frame really complements the BBD piece--very spring-like and of course, I love your Monticello piece. We visited there two years ago--what a magical place...

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  10. I hear you on missing the midwest during the autumn. For me, it's the midatlantic states and the beautiful fall foliage and the crisp smell in the air. Deep sigh.

    Beautiful stitching!! I love your framing, and the WIPs look great. I am eagerly looking forward to watching your SAL with Heidi & Saskia progress!

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  11. Great post Jeanne! Loved seeing your framed pieces. I hear you on the "one more month of summer" - I am SO sick of the relentless heat and humidity here in NE FL. We were in Tennessee on vacation last week and it was actually fall there - just beautiful! Hated to come home - I love your Good Huswif piece - beautiful ! Melody

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  12. I just sent you an email about the Mt. Vernon piece.

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  13. Great framing & With my Needle is looking lovely.

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  14. Thanks for posting "Injun Summer". I've lived in Chicago all my life and miss seeing this each Fall in the Tribune. As you said it was such a part of my childhood.

    I love seeing your wonderful sewing projects!

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