Yes, Quilting is Still Happening at Corgi Cottage

     It's always a pleasure reading your comments to my blog postings. Melody expressed some concern over whether or not I was still quilting. After taking a short hiatus some quilt piecing was accomplished this past week at Corgi Cottage. In order to be able to purchase the next French General BOM for a $1 I have to show my completed block from the previous month. The deadline for the completion of the June block was fast approaching. 

      I recently purchased Country Inn by the lovely ladies of Blackbird Designs.I've fallen in love with many of the projects in their latest book. Country Charm was calling the loudest. I decided it would be the perfect quilt pattern for my French General Rural Jardin fat quarter stacks.

     I've made a start on the HST  six inch blocks using the blue prints and blue woven fat quarters. I've chosen some of the reds for more of the HST blocks. I'm mulling over my selections and trying to make up my mind about which fabrics to use for the alternating nine patch blocks. I  plan to make my quilt at least lap size if not bed size.
     I also fell hard for the sweet Little Red Hen Sampler which is also included in the latest BBD book. It was a fun, quick stitch.

Little Red Hen Sampler

Blackbird Designs

36 ct. Lakeside Strawflower 

AVAS 943

I  put a few more stitches onto the Country Life Sampler.

     But, there is a very definite Blackbird Designs theme happening these days. Country Life has been put aside once again and I've returned to Anniversaries of the Heart. Not much progress to show yet, but there will be some snaps to share  the next time I update the blog.

      Emma let me know how she felt about having her picture taken for the latest posting. The heat and humidity is making my Princess a bit grumpy these days. 
     Stay cool... I can't believe it's almost August. 

Please Turn Down the Heat

We're taking life easy at Corgi Cottage. It's been hot, hot, hot and the dew points have set new records. The Princess and Mr. O have learned how to cope with the three Hs.

 The garden is putting on a lovely display...

 without a whole lot of effort on my part.
      I've been spending time in my stitching chair working on Country Life.

I stitched the leaves on the willow tree in the Wheatear Stitch.

     I received the most wonderful package in the mail. Tanya created a gorgeous piece of journal art for me.

Emma has been difficult to live with since she's seen the wonderful crown Tanya created for her Corgi Princess head. 

     The best news yet is that Tanya of The Scarlett House  will be offering  "personalized journals featuring your adored pet".  Click on the link to her blog for more details and contact information.

     Thank you Tanya.... I adore my art journal. You're the best!

I always enjoy reading blog posts  and seeing photos of wonderful Thrift Shop finds. We have two thrift shops in our small northeast Iowa town... but I have yet to make one of those spectacular finds. I have picked up some lovely stitchy related items at antique malls and shops in my little corner of Iowa.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Wishing you all a wonderful week of stitching, quilting, gardening, thrifting and antiquing. Stay cool....

Simply Wool is Simply Wonderful

     I'm falling woefully behind in keeping this blog updated. I'm going to blame it on Summer... I seem to spend more time relaxing and letting lots of things slide. The pace is much slower  due to the heat and humidity... a gal and her Corgis just have to take life a little bit slower. 
     I put the final stitches into Not Forgotten Sampler. This sampler was a joy to stitch. If you haven't tried the Simply Wool by Gentle Arts I think you should. You'll have to use a lower count linen, either 28 or 32 ct. The wool fiber is too thick for the higher count linens. You only use a single strand... so not a whole lot of fussing around with trying to get two strands of fiber to lay nicely.

     Emma and Owen were thrilled that you enjoyed a stroll with them in the Prairie. For those of you who asked, they do stay pretty much to the mowed paths. The plants grow very thickly and it's not easy for a stumpy legged dog to break through. They did flush a deer that was resting along the river bank the other day. The deer finally wised up and veered off the path and into the vegetation. Emma and Owen lost interest and came back along the path looking for me. Good dogs! Lately they've been more interested in chilling out in the a/c.

     I've been chilling out in the a/c too. I've been participating in a very casual SAL with two stitching friends, Sandy and Tanya. We're working on The Country Life Sampler by The Scarlet Letter. 

 Country Life Sampler

The Scarlet Letter

40 ct. Lakeside Vintage Lentil

Belle Soie, Gloriana, NPI, DMC

 This is a truer representation of the linen color.

     That's all for today. My stitching chair is calling my name and it's time to put a few more stitches into CL. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I always enjoy reading your comments. Wishing you lots of stitching or quilting time or just time to relax and enjoy the summer.