Finally…a day without rain!
Yesterday morning we were greeted by blue skies and sunshine. Eureka! With teacup in hand, I did a tour of my poor water-logged and neglected perennial gardens. We have had record amounts of rainfall during the month of July and this year, I just haven’t been able to spend the time that I normally devote to to my gardens, which are also a passion of mine.
Come and join me on my early morning walk about.
And last evening, I completed my first ever x-stitch!
The 2002 Prairie Schooler Santa. I thoroughly enjoyed stitching him and I think for my next effort, I’m going to bite the bullet and try to stitch a sampler.
I’m going to start with something small. The Blackbird Design gals offered this little sampler as a free pattern on their blog back in April. I printed it back then with the hope that someday I’d give it a try. I think that day has finally arrived…so wish me luck!
Happy stitching!
Kaaren ♥
Oh, your garden is lovely! Santa is looking mighty smart too. You did a marvelous job on him-wow! he is your first attempt at cross stitch?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet sampler. You will have so much fun with it. I'll be looking forward to the results. Santa turned out awesome! Your garden is beautiful and peaceful. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the walk through.
ReplyDeleteFor a first work, that Santa is very sweet! You did a fabulous job! I am excited for you to start your sampler. I love your perennials....I have a perennial garden that I am working on. This is the 2nd year so I am adding a few more plants! So fun! I love gardening but it is like quilting, I never have enough time to do everything! Have a sunny day, I hope!
ReplyDeleteOh your gardens seemed to have faired much better than mine! They look so coloruful right now. My coneflowers seem to have disappeared since last summer!
ReplyDeleteYour santa came out amazing, as I know your first sampler will as well!!
hugs, Linda
Beautiful Santa. Beautiful garden. I'd love come by for a cup of tea. :o)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your gardens - they look wonderful - just like here in Ohio.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog - very interesting. Your Santa is great and you will not have a problem with a sampler.
Happy Crafting!
Bev
Kaaren your gardens are lovely and look beautiful with the sun shining, which I bet your glad its finally doing. We are looking forward to some rain tonight and tomorrow. Unlike you we really need it. The lake is down so you know it's been awhile. I'm hoping the weather holds off to tour a wonderful garden this evening.
ReplyDeleteYour cross stitch Santa turned out fantastic - your on a roll now.
Hugs - Karen
Beautiful gardens! Wow...love them...rain sure makes it pretty! Also, wow...already whipped out that x-stitch! Good for you!!
ReplyDeleteWe are experiencing the same thing here in NewBrunswick Kaaren. Actually we are on a 3 day streak of sun!!! I can't believe it!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just beautiful and your stitchery turned out great. I used to do alot of x-stitch years ago.
Enjoy that sun!
Beautiful, beautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteOh, your PS Santa is wonderful - way to go - applause, applause, applause! Your choice for a 'first sampler' is perfect - just jump in with both feet and go for it. :-)
What a beautiful day and garden. If that is your first cross stitch, you are sooo ready to move on, it is wonderful!
ReplyDeletewell your gardens don't look neglected to me, they look absolutely gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteyour cross stitch is just beautiful, would never know it was your first attempt! i have the blackbird designs sampler pattern, but as usual i've not started it yet. you will beat me, and i can't wait to see your finished product! so pleased you like cross stitch.
big hugs,
julie xoxox
The flowers are beautiful in your garden. The tour is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI made several of those Prairie Schooler Santas years ago. Gave most away as gifts. I found a forest green velvet and put borders around them and backing and made pillows.
Everything is so beautiful. We still haven't had any measureable rain...since April. Oh well, August is supposed to be our best chance. I want to make that sampler as well. Can't wait to see yours!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks wonderful! And your Santa is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely ready for a sampler!
I've had stitching in my blood lately too. Love the patriotic santa. Your yard is wonderful. Quilters have the best gardens!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful walkabout...I felt almost like I was there...you have an awesome garden, Kaaren! I love your cross stitch Santa...is there anything you Don't do well?? So cute and guess what, I am working on my first cross stitch project as well, so wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteOh Kaaren, I am in awe of your garden, it is beautiful! And it looks like you are surrounded by beautiful countryside as well. You are very blessed, not to mention a brilliant gardener!!! WOW!
ReplyDeleteYour Santa is gorgeous!!!! I love him!!! It is a beautiful design and I love the style of Santa, too. Do you like Jim Shore? It kind of reminds me of one of his figurines. :-)
Have a great day sweetheart!
Vikki xoxo
Everything is so gorgeous, Kaaren! I really love the smoke bush with the Echinaeca (sp?) in back! Only problem with all that rain is it feeds the weeds, too, but I sure don't see any in your gardens!
ReplyDeleteYour cross stitch is perfect - have fun with the sampler!
Cheers!
I enjoyed my walk through your garden just now!!! You have a lovely outlook and I can imagine it bringing you much pleasure.
ReplyDeleteWell done and fantastic on accomplishing you're first x-stitch.
You'll have no problem doing a sampler, as each little section doesn't seem to take long and with "wide spaces" between motifs or alphabets it comes together quickly. I proud of you!!
By the way it was a lovely Christmas package you did send.
Regards
Regards
Not sure what happened with the comment just posted, but I did want to say:
ReplyDelete"I'm proud of you"!
Kaaren,
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks great. Down here in WI we haven't had much rain all summer, so everything is a little smaller than normal. What are the beautiful pink flowers behind the black eyed susan's (next to the chain link fence). They look like pink bell flowers, but much taller than I've ever seen. Very beautiful.
Your gardens look beautiful Kaaren.
ReplyDeleteYou have all our rain, we usually get lots of rain and this year July has been dry. I love the pictures of your garden with the birdhouses and such.
ReplyDeleteThe Santa is very cute, I've printed the Blackbird design as well, it's on my list "to do".
beautiful photographs.....
ReplyDeleteI have been attracted to the Prairie Schooler designs for a long time but have not purchased any. I used to do cross stitch but quilting took over. Now I would like to tackle some cross stitch again. I have looked at samplers online several times and just can't settle on one.
ReplyDeleteLovely garden. You can send some rain our way. Love those coneflowers.
ReplyDeleteYour first Xstitch. Great job. I did that little sampler. I need to make it into something but now sure what yet.
I love your Santa Kaaren!! I think you are inspiring me to give that cross-stitch a try!!
ReplyDelete