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Monday, June 2, 2014

Summer Houses

Hi there and welcome to June!  Summer is officially underway.

I'm so pleased to share the final stitches went into Frances Eden yesterday afternoon. Loved every stitch of her, but I'm glad she's done.   Frances has definitely been more patient with me than I have with her.  Simple girl!


Her bottom crazy house was fun up until that last orange panel with the doors.  Then suddenly it was like trying to swim in jello - lots of bright color, but not going anywhere very fast.



What do you think?  I'm a bit concerned that the size, color and total solidness of the crazy house overwhelms the rest of the piece.  But even if it does, there's no turning back on it now.  Just the fact that I put my initials and the year in over one stitching  means like it or not, she's finished!



So what's next?  I swore on a stack of Bibles at the beginning of the year that I'd see the end of Hannah Pepper before next New Year's Eve.   Well, I can only try to keep that one, but I've taken a good hard look at what remains of Miss Hannah, just to reach the conclusion that unless I win the Florida lottery and can quit my day job, that may not be doable.  She'll get done alright, or a at least taken back up soon enough, but I really need a summer vacation sort piece right now.  Something beachy and fun, not too complicated.  Hhmmmmmm, I feel a stash dive coming on........

There have been some other summer houses on the radar lately, two of the traditionally navigational sort.  A morning spent on Little Gasparilla Island gave us the chance to revisit two old friends. 


The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, all metallic and steam punk in its faded glory,
 
 





And the Boca Grande Lighthouse,  all serene and tidy.




 


Perfect days like this one don't come along very often.  We made the most of it, exploring, swimming, beach combing and enjoying each other!  A lunch of ceviche and cold beer topped it off.

As always, thanks for stopping by.  Here's hoping all is well with your summer houses!

14 comments:

Margaret said...

Love your Frances! I think she looks wonderful, bright house and all! I think you deserve some fun summer vacation stitching now for sure. Love the lighthouses -- especially the Boca Grande Lighthouse -- so beautiful! You are so lucky to live close to the ocean!

Barb said...

Frances is just beautiful , crazy house and all! More wonderful lighthouses. I never realized there were so many in Florida!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Frances looks great--I wouldn't change a thing! Beautiful scenery--it would be hard for me to stitch in such a beautiful place

Krista said...

Congrats on your finish of Frances! Looks awesome! Can't wait to see what you decide on next. Those lighthouses are great. It looks so beautiful by the ocean. Have a great week!

Penny said...

What a gorgeous sampler! Your beautiful pictures make me want to take a walk by the ocean. :)

Jenny said...

Frances is just beautiful! Congratulations on a great finish! I love lighthouses too....great pics! I am anxious to see what you choose to stitch next....I have been in a beachy sort of mood too!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Congrats on finishing Frances! I wouldn't worry too much about the orange. There's so much going on in this one it just seems to be part of it.
I sure wish I was with you on that island. There's just something about the ocean that soothes my landlocked soul.

Melissa said...

Mary, I think your Frances looks beautiful! So very happy & bright!

When I look at the photos of the beach I can almost feel the breeze and feel the heat!

Kevin said...

Congrats on your finish of Frances Eden! That's a beauty - love all the bright colors in that design. I must admit I'm not familiar with this chart, but may have to go on the hunt now to see if I can locate the chart for sale. Are you a fellow Floridian, or here on vacation? Love the "steam punk" lighthouse pics! Hope you find your summer stitching project soon! Don't fall in when you go diving into your stash! I know I'd be lost for ages if I dove into my hoarder's dream room here. Lol. Happy stitching!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Frances is beautiful and all her funky colors are what make her so special. I LOVE it! Congratulations on such a lovely and big finish!
Great beach pics - I'm sure you'll find the perfect summer something to stitch! Can't wait to see what it is.

Carol said...

What a beauty, Mary!! Congratulations! I don't think the crazy colored house detracts from the rest of the sampler at all. I think Frances was a forward-thinker with all of those bright colors. Perhaps she truly belonged in the 1960s :)

woolwoman said...

Frances is beautiful Mary - you deserve a BIG congratulations for getting her done. You've had a good year for big finishes. You deserve some light summer/beachy stitching - good luck finding just the perfect thing. Mel

Ricamo a Doppio Filo said...

What a beauty!!!
Love it!!!
Naty

Catherine said...

Beautiful finish!! Loved the beach pics too!