Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Building Houses & Surprises

Building a house is hard work! Oof, I'm tired! Laying bricks, slapping on mortar, hammering on roof tiles, installing window and door frames and erecting a chimney. Lots of work! Here's how my Valentine Rose looks after a week and a half of stitching...or, uh, building. Not bad!


The house still needs a little more work...a bit of mortar and installing the door. I think I will do the door last as I'm unsure of my dyelot for that area. Besides...I think I could do with a change of scenery so I'll head over and work on the potted plants in this block.

I am stitching along with Sally, Jane and Lisa on AotH. I think I'm a little farther along but they'll catch up soon. I'll soon be busy with class pre-stitching, ornie stitching, finishing and trying to get farther along on Mary Wigham.

I would *love* to finish this block by the end of the weekend. That might be hard as I have a hectic schedule through next Tuesday. Yikes! Busy, busy! Not to mention, I need to finish a couple of things that need to go in the mail. I must put my finishing procrastination to an end. I just need more time...and hands. Yea, both, in abundance, would be helpful!

Last night, I received a lovely surprise. A few weeks back, KarenV emailed me asking if I would like a pattern she had when she was done with it since she had seen it was on my wishlist. How sweet! I said yes and put it in the back of my mind. Well, I was surprised to see a big envelope in my mailbox for such a tiny chart. Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope and out came a baggie filled with assorted trims and a stunningly cute Birds of a Feather Angel ornie. It took me a bit to close my mouth from the shock of it all! She recently showed this ornie finish on her blog and I had commented on how cute it was. Little did I know it was me who was the intended recipient!

And a close up of the ornie...so cute! I just love the pompom trim!

I've been reading Karen's blog for a while now and I'm always surprised and inspired by all her finishes! They turn out spectacular and she always has the perfect fabby and trim. One day I commented that I wished I could find similar trims locally but how my selections are limited. Well, I guess she remembered! So many lovely trims. I am so excited to use them. Thank you so much Karen! I love everything!

Well, short post for me today. I hope to stitch and then drag my lazy bum to yoga instead of just thinking about it all the time. I could use some zen and meditation. I'm sporting a tummyache today though so I may just hold out until the weekend.

Hope you're all enjoying the week...2 more days to Friday!

Until next time...

35 comments:

Margaret said...

Lucky you to receive such a nice package from Karen! She's amazing, isn't she? I love your BBD progress -- that is so pretty! Hope you enjoy yoga. I need to get back on the treadmill too.

Catherine said...

You are quite the carpenter! Love your wip!

What a sweet gift from Karen! Ihave seen some wonderful kindness throughout our stitchy blogland lately! It warms the heart!

Jackie's Stitches said...

You've made nice progress on VR! Your surprise from Karen is just adorable. I always enjoy seeing her finishes, they are gorgeous!

CalamityJr said...

Hope your tummy is feeling better. I had to stay home from work Monday with mine, but it didn't last, so maybe you have a quick "bug" too. You are quite the house builder - keep up the good work! (and enjoy your lovely new building materials, lol)

Karin said...

You are a great builder:-) It looks fantastic.
Such a wonderful package you got from Karen. How sweet from her!

Theresa said...

I agree!! Buliding a house is very hard work!!! I am building one myself now, and had to frog some of it!!! Didn't read the plans right the fist time!!! Love your house, though, it is looking great already!!!

Such a wonderful package you got there!! There are so many generous people in bloggerland, won't you say?!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've got loads done on the house! I'm sure it would have taken me much longer to get so far, I don't particularly like "building" houses ;)

Glad you liked your surprise - have fun with the trim :)

Sally said...

You are doing an amazing job on your house build Valerie:) It is beautiful. I can't wait to get to this block now!

What a gorgeous gift from Karen :) Stitchers truly are the best.

Rachel S-H said...

That is a sweet ornament, and a wonderful gift to receive. Especially after all your hard work on the house. I think it's time to landscape there, too. So ya have a sense of how it will all work together :)

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

A gift from the heart for a very special lady from a very special and talented lady :)
That's wonderful that Karen V gifted you Valerie...you are very deserving :)
Love your AotH...looks great!

Carol said...

What a wonderful gift from Karen, Valerie! I know you'll put those trims to good use on your ornaments this year. I dearly love that little angel ornament, too--so sweet :)

With all the housebuilding going on around your place, I'm surprised you have time to go to work! You really got a lot done--it's looking great!

Hope that tummy is feeling better today :)

Katrina said...

Love your AotH piece. I am working on the pumpkin farm chart, almost done.

What a sweet gift, love the BOAF Angels.

Laura said...

Great progress on the house, Valerie!

Sadie said...

Nice progress! You surely are a skilled house builder :-)
Such a sweet package from Karen.

Melanie said...

I love how this block is coming out. The colors for the bricks is perfect.

Meadows08 said...

The solid stitching takes quite a bit of time!

What a lovely gift! I love the pompom trim and the bag of goodies you received. There is some incentive to do some finishing :)

Unknown said...

You are a great homebuilder! It looks beautiful. What a wonderful suprise you got in the mail! Karen was really kind and thoughtful with a great memory!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Your house building looks like it's going well! I hope the planting was just as succesful! What a great gift from Karen - she DOES do beautiful work and I love the Peace Angel.

Siobhán said...

Wow!! What a great package from Karen! Lucky you--you deserve it. ;)

Great progress on your Valentine block! I think that's my favorite of the group.

Lois said...

Your Valentine house is looking lovely! What a wonderful package of goodies from Karen V!

barbara said...

Oh that's just the sweetest package to receive in the mail! Or rather, the second sweetest - I also recieved a wonderful package in today's mail: FROM YOU! :D

Barb said...

Such a nice gift from Karen! Trims like she has just are not available around here. If I am ever in a shop that has good trims I am going to stock up!

Myra said...

You are a fabulous general contractor! LOL What a wonderful package from Karen, the angel is so pretty.

Anonymous said...

What a nice surprise. The angel is beautiful.

Love your house too. Wish I really LIVED in a house like that ... well, when it's DONE, I mean. It's a little drafty right now.

Sue said...

Love your stitching and what a nice package you received.

Karyn said...

What a sweet friend to send think of you...and what an awesome package...stitchy sisters are the best!
Your WIP is gorgeous, I love the colors.
I love your blog, and your stitching is just beautiful.
XOXO
Ma TK

Natalia said...

You are doing great building your house :-) It looks wonderful... What a great gift package from Karen. She is very generous.

Michelle said...

What a lovely package from Karen - she is such a sweetheart! You Valentine Rose piece is looking fabulous as well. I need to do some house building of my own this weekend.

Ruth said...

Well look at you go! Congrats on all the construction accomplishments... and on your lovely surprise!

Daffycat said...

Your house is really coming along fast!

What a lovely gift from Karen! Her stitching and finishing are so admirable. And the trims! You were so spoiled, you lucky girl!

Julie said...

Super progress on your house, it looks a very welcoming home.

Gorgeous ornament, how sweet to add the extra goodies to your parcel.

Giovanna said...

Your BBD is coming along beautifully - wish I had time to start this series... And what a gorgeous package from Karen, good for you!

Dani - tkdchick said...

That house is certainly coming together so quickly!

What a fantastic surprise from Karen!

Patty C. said...

Lovely gift & beautiful progress on your BBD :)

Pumpkin said...

You've been doing a lovely job building your house. You're almost done too!

That was SO sweet of Karen! What a lovely ornament :o) You'll have a great time putting all that trim to use.