Anniversaries of the Heart

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Pat Ryan of R&R Reproductions is stitching the complete piece for us. She sent this piece to show her progress. As we work on the house patterns, we stitch them individually. But we send the patterns to Pat so she can progress on the larger piece. The empty space is left for one of the bonus pieces...which was to be released in October. But Barb and I have been talking about this. Maybe it's because I like everything to be orderly....but the empty space is beginning to bother me. We are thinking about offering this bonus early ....so you don't have an empty space in your sampler for a year.

What do you think? Does it bother you or not?


Meant to post this on Sunday....but was busy stitching and talking on the phone. Hope all of you had a Happy Mother's day. When you think of all the time and effort that go into raising a family being a parent is quite a life time adventure. We should all pat ourselves on the back. Thank you Mom for spending all those fun years cooking dinner and doing laundry and walking to the grocery store. Dad is holding my hand....and my Mom is expecting my sister. Looks like we are going on a picnic with one of Mom's friends and her baby. (Where did my Dad get that shirt????? holy cow!!!!) Maybe that's how I first got interested in quilting....

Until later!

Alma

64 comments

  1. Beautiful family pic! Don.t leave a space...I like order too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. lol @ dad's shirt. Thanks so much for letting us see Pat's progress!! This looks SO good.

    I say leave it alone until October. ;) As you see more of the designs together, you might decide to make a change or something. Also, the wait makes it sweeter. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wait - I would rather be surprised, and I won't have time to stitch before then anyway! I like the suspense!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am stitchng the design on 40ct, to, and it made me crazy trying to besure I left the right amount of space. I counted it a million times! I'm still hoping I counted right! So, for me, it doesn't matter now if there is a space or not...I'm already past that spot!
    I can wait.

    I have been having alot of fun stitching this. It's the first time I've used 40 ct and it has been an adventure, but now when I go to a larger count, I stitch so fast! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful family and I love the shirt....my dad had some pants that would have made that outfit!!!

    Kathy in MA

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the family picture - and perhaps that shirt did inspire you quilting!

    I'm one of those people who like to be somewhat orderly and the space would bother me - not so much that it was empty for a while, but that I perhaps counted wrong and didn't leave enough space for when it was released.

    ReplyDelete
  7. no space...mostly because I'm afraid of miscounting. but...you could offer the first one and save the big one for later :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I counted carefully... I hope... and have finished stitching House #3. I'd like to fill in that empty space. So, why not release that one now and save the other Bonus designs for later in the year. I'm hoping to keep up with each new release.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love that piece so much! It would be nice not to have to worry about that empty space there. :D But it's up to you ladies. I love that family shot. What fun it is to look at old pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fill the space! It would drive me crazy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Space...lots of my things have space due to many projects going at one time...but it does niggle at my brain. On the other hand, I love the anticipation. Love the family pic- and your dad's shirt is wild!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like order too and the empty space worries me. Please fill it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This series is one of my favorites you and Barb have designed! I like order so I vote no on the space.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your dad's shirt looks like it could almost be made from Dear Jane blocks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am okay with the space but who am I kidding... the suspense of the bonus piece is killing me. It'd be great to have it early!

    Love the family picture!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I will be stitching my houses on separate pieces of linen, using different colours. Putting it together afterwards. I think it's the quilter in me hihi!! Have a nice day! Daniëlle

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nessie in the NetherlandsMay 12, 2010 at 4:01 AM

    Dear Mrs. Allen,

    Thank you so much for the beautiful picture you posted! Your mother looks absolutely beautiful. The entire picture is so relaxed and friendly. It shows us a world gone by..(sigh).Isn't life strange in the bloggerworld. We don't know each other yet here I am admiring your family. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for sharing your familypic and stitchingpiece. That space don't bother me at all. I think it gives the possibility to change your mind
    to make your finish later on.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Order is good, I agree :) I've been worrying over counting correctly :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. That shirt is too funny! I personally think it would be hard to make sure I left enough space for the pattern and would be anxious about it. If it's not too big of a deal, I vote for releasing it now.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Too late...I already have a space on my fabric. And believe me I counted, and counted, and counted again to make sure the space was the correct size.

    But, I would love to have the bonus before October!!!

    I'm really having fun with these cute little designs. Can't wait to see Pink!

    Bobbi

    ReplyDelete
  22. Priscilla WilliamsMay 12, 2010 at 8:47 AM

    Thank you - I love it when you share your old family photos! It's wonderful looking at how things were back then and remembering - so sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love order, too. Besides, I worry about counting correctly, even though I know I will count it several times just to be safe. Can you give us one hint? I am trying to decide how I want to personalize the entire piece with initials, etc. Will there be a space in the bonus pieces to personalize just like in the monthly pieces?

    Jill
    Celina, TX

    ReplyDelete
  24. Okay, now I'm going to have to buy these and get started. They are absolutely beautiful.

    I vote no space. It would bother me and I can't seem to wait for anything! Instant gratification!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would LOVE to have the bonus piece early. I want to stitch mine all on one piece of linen and I have not started it yet because I fear a huge counting error that would mess everything else up.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Even though I haven't started stitching yet (I'm just collecting for now), please release the bonus.

    After reading the comments about people counting and hoping they're not wrong, it would be such a shame to find that the bonus doesn't fit.

    Thanks for sharing your family with us. I just love looking at the old black and white photos; ahh, those were the days! My Dad always dressed in stripes & plaids mixed together. Friends still talk about his combinations.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have been so busy quilting I haven't had time to stitch in ages. I am now in the midst of doing When the Cold Wind Blows all by hand. I love the sheet of houses and now am jealous I am not in the group. I would leave the space till planned. We can all wish and wish for something, like Christmas, but it will come when it comes regardless. What a delightful present it will be! Besides, it looks like most of you have already counted for it, so let it be.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The space bothers me, too, and I work from side to side. I'm the kind of person who likes to finish what I'm working on before I begin the next. And I think my dad had a shirt just like that!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. its a very good idea of sure!
    bizz

    ReplyDelete
  30. NO to space and YES to bonus earlier!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the family photo and the stitchery. TFS.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love the family photo...your Mom is very pretty. Hmmm about that shirt...the jury might still be out on that one and the capris, well let's just say they are a close second to hmmmm..Thank you for sharing your family photo with us. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. Louise

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'd prefer to have the first bonus chart early so the first row would be finished. There would be no counting errors and have a guide for the next row.
    Plus I really would like to see the bonus chart.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Alma: So space or no space. I don't know. I feel bad for the woman who hopes she left enough space.

    But where did you get that picture? I have never seen it before. Mom looks like Laura and she does look beautiful doesn't she.

    Love ya and Happy Birthday. Anna

    ReplyDelete
  35. Looks fabulous!..... and I don't mind the space at all- I like the anticipation of waiting for the bonus charts!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Yes, please release the bonus pattern earlier! I'm not even starting on this series as I want to do the on one large piece but I don't want to start until I know I can stitch them in order from left to right and not have to worry about the blank space.

    Thanks for asking us!

    Loved your fathers shirt but also what about those pants! :-)

    Cynthia
    Windy Meadow

    ReplyDelete
  37. I need order!!! I am also worried that I will not count the empty space correctly.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to have the bonus chart early to help me not make a counting mistake, lol.

    Karen H.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Love the anniversaries of the Heart designs and now I have seen a work in progress I will be ordering them asap! I would like there not to be a gap - cant have me stuffing up the counting..

    ReplyDelete
  40. Yea! Got my linen yesterday! That first stitch will go in today. I think counting would be easier with no space. Thanks for yet another beautiful project!

    ReplyDelete
  41. As much as I love the anticipation of a wonderful new pattern down the road, I think I need to vote for the first bonus now -- as I am worried about leaving the correct amount of space and would love to stitch the pieces in order. Your projects just keep getting better and better. Can't wait for the Pink house.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I don't like the empty space either. I vote for releasing the bonus pattern now.

    ReplyDelete
  43. The space is driving me nuts, but since I was pretty much there already, it's not too big a deal. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  44. That shirt is a hoot for sure!! I love the old pictures when we were small? Also the giveaway was fantastic.. Have a great weekend and looking forward to PRIMITIVES OF MIDWEST?? Are you coming??
    Maggey

    ReplyDelete
  45. sometimes I stitch from the center & work my way out ... other times I start on the end and go accross

    Fill the space when able - IMO
    Always, L.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The designs are lovely, but I do not like the space. We have to wait too long to get that space stitched. Please give it to us now.

    Lois Anne

    ReplyDelete
  47. I hope you decide to release it early. I like order too, and I am stitching this all on one piece of fabric. If I know that you are going to release the bonus design early, I am going to wait for it before stitching #3 to avoid making a counting error. :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. I would love it if you released the bonus early! I'd be worried about miscounting too!

    ReplyDelete
  49. How sweet pict!!Such lovely family!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Actually, I'm waiting for this bonus chart to decide if I stitch it all together or individually. I am sooooo afraid of miscounting and becoming a frogging froggy...

    ReplyDelete
  51. My first 3 charts came today. How lovely. Now I am planning out the dates and initials I want to attach to each chart. I'm going to stitch as one big piece to honor my family and friends.
    Sandy Muir

    ReplyDelete
  52. I agree - it is lovely but I also like order. Please release the bonus early.

    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank God the photo is black and white. I suspect that shirt could be blinding in all its technocolour glory!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am big on order and having prior work close so that my iffy counting skills have something to lean on, but I also am big on the factor of faith. My husband and I own the "space" of a mortgage, and are raising the "space" of a 10 year old son. It has been about 10 years since we filled our "space" of paid off cars, and it feels wonderful. It is wonderful to know as I look at the now empty space that something fabulous is coming soon. "Your patience will be rewarded, Grasshopper." ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Please do the bonus piece. The space drives me crazy and I am so concerned that I haven't counted correctly, although I have counted several times.
    Love love love your dad's shirt!!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. The space would drive me crazy since it is in the middle. If the space was at one of the ends, that would be ok.
    just a note. your mother is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I vote for the early release. Also, what size is her fabby? Her piece looks wonderful! I understand about your dad's shirt...my dad had some real UFO's for shirts back in the day also! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  58. this is absolutely lovely ! wish i could stitch like that :)
    have a lovely day,
    monique x

    ReplyDelete
  59. don't leave a space. It freaks me out.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Yikes! It is good that lovely picture was black and white, I think the shirt may have blinded the photographer! I love it! The best part of wanting the little red sports car was dreaming and waiting to get it. I vote hold on to the surprise for a bit!

    ReplyDelete
  61. is truly amazing the similarity between Greg and your father!
    :-))))
    Manu64
    http://manumanu64.splinder.com
    http://manumanu64.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I just started stitching this lovely thing! I look forward to spending many pleasant hours with it! For me it worked out perfectly, I stated in the center with Swan Lake and next comes the bonus sampler above it.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.