Cross Stitch Family Portrait and Summer.

Hello!

We are having a busy summer here, doing little activities and surviving the heat.
I have done some baking with Brenda, and crafts too. I need to catch up on reading blogs and posting. Just too much going on.

We had a little bit of everything here, even a kitchen flood.
I am still working on my Christmas Rules cross stitch, but took some time to make a smaller project.

 

I was inspired by the many  cross stitch family portraits I see online. Finally, I made mine.
You can find some ideas and free patterns here and here .
I did some sewing too, like this apron I made as a gift for a Bridal Shower.

 

And Brenda made this ornament using felt and  buttons that I got at Joann a while ago. A great way to teach sewing buttons and blanket stitch. She loved doing this. We are now planing an embroidery project using buttons.

Some weeks ago we went to the Orange County County Fair and had a very good time!

 

The flowers were beautiful! And I always love their beautiful displays.

 

 Some of  my favorite crafts at the fair.

 

This was amazing. An Eiffel Tower made of perfume bottles.

 

 A darling Victoria Sampler cross stitch.

 

I love this one too, but I don't know who is the designer. I would like to stitch one someday.

I love this doll and her clothes. Just beautiful!

And this quilt and Halloween dolls are so cute!

 

 
A beautiful quilted tree skirt.

 

I want to stitch this one. It's a Lizzie Kate pattern. I love the finish too.

 

At the garden competition they had this mini garden that is soooo adorable! I need to make one.

 

And this burlap and seed package bunting is so sweet! Cute idea for Spring!
  

This quilt was my favorite thing of all. What a beauty! The pattern is Snowman A to Z from Crabapple Hill. The embroidery and the quilting are perfect, and the colors beautiful.
I really like going to see the crafts at County Fairs, how about you?

 

Enjoy the rest of the Summer, and thanks for reading!

Ana Paula.

Summer

We are having a stay cation this summer just doing local trips.
We also joined the summer reading program from our local library. We just finished it.
I will share some pictures of our little adventures. First, a Fourth of July celebration and breakfast at church.

Some days later we were invited by friends  to go to the Paul Getty museum in Los Angels.

On the way back we stopped by the LDS Los Angeles Temple to see the newly remodeled visitor's center.

Of course we had a day at The OC county fair. Brenda got a new "carriage".  It helped a lot, since walking the whole day can be difficult for her.

Fair food can be  weird like bacon dipped in chocolate and fried butter. The corn looked good, but we got  fennel cake with strawberries and went to a restaurant after the fair. A lot healthier!

At the crafts building they had some lovely things.
Beautiful quilts.

I love redwork. And Swedish weaving.

My favorite quilt was the one hanging on the middle. Amazing work!
Now the cross stitch. This one really looked like a painting.

More beautiful pieces.

I liked this one... so cool!

We also spent some days in San Diego where Brenda among  many other activities, built a sand castle with grandpa.

But the best thing this summer was our  visit to Brenda's leg doctor.
She is doing very well and now she is allowed to use the slide at the playground. When it is not crowded, to avoid accidents. This may sound like nothing for many, but for us it is huge! She is so happy, and we are too. The doctor even recommended walks around the block.
If you want to know more about Brenda's condition please visit The Childrens Tumor Foundation website.
Brenda does her best to follow the doctor's orders, but she is just a seven year old that wants to do all the things the other kids do. It is very hard for her to be "normal" but not to be able to do normal things. She is a very faithful child, and before the visit to the doctor she told me that she wished  the doctor let her to do "one thing"...meaning less restrictions at her play time.  And she got it!  Yes, life is full of little miracles and my little princess believes in it.

Hope you are having a great summer.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ana Paula.

Orange County Fair 2010

Hi! Other day I found the pictures from last year's local County Fair's crafts.
Each year they have less and less crafts, and sadly not many Christmas items (my favorites). But last year they had some real masterpieces.
Since it is almost County Fair time again,  I will post some pictures.  Here are my personal favorites.

This one is my  very favorite quilt. Look at all the details. Amazing.

Now a lovely cross stitch piece. Just perfect. Full of beads and magic.

A Boy Scouts quilt. Simple piecing, but I love the colors, and how the themed fabrics were used.
I should try to make something like this for my Eagle Scout.

The jewel colors on this Log Cabin quilt are beautiful. One of my favorite quilt patterns.

A cool motorhome quilt. I love it. So creative!

A pretty machine embroidered picture. I like the small quilted designs on the border.

The same winter wonderland scene, this time framed. Nice to see  the same pattern used  in two slightly different ways.

A Halloween Quilt. I don't get  why they fold it.

I want this cross stitch pattern! :) Simple and beautiful.

This California Missions quilt is so wonderful! Folded also. They hired an interior designer to do the display ... go figure!  I love the mix of quilting and cross stitch.

I will close my post with this beauty. This pattern is from Patricia Andrle from the old Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine. You can find easily on e-bay.  I love it, but I will never make one. I am not this talented. :(

Hope you like my selection. Have a great day!
Ana Paula