Southwest Kitchen
19 September 2007 16:16 wips
More on this later, but this is a short note to say that I am moved and starting to settle in. Now on to the really important stuff… Stitching!
After not touching a needle for a week, (Withdrawal was starting to settle in) I finally picked up my needle and started something new: A little piece for my new kitchen.
My new apartment is cute, cozy, and has a retro-kitchen… in that lovely(?) avocado green (DMC 471) color that was so popular in the mid-seventies. However, while I was cleaning said avocado green counter top, it occurred to me that the color was not dissimilar to the color of the cacti that I have been seeing around my new West Texas home.
This gave me an idea: Instead of looking at my kitchen and seeing puke green, I should embrace the color as the basis of a southwest decorating scheme for my kitchen. With this thought in mind, I immediately remembered some patterns I had seen in the March 2006 issue of Cross Stitch & Needlework. Minutes later I was rummaging through my yet-unpacked cross stitch stuff and found what I was looking for.
“A Taste of the Southwest” was designed by Laurel Blake and is a series of seven southwest designs, including cacti, pottery, chili peppers, and horse shoes. As shown in the magazine, the charts are designed for a different dish towel every day of the week.
I have chosen to start with the Friday Cactus, but will leave the day of the week off. (The rest of the series may be stitched at my discretion.) After I finish the stitching, I plan to finish it into an ornament/wall hanging and display it in my kitchen.

19 September 2007 at 16:43
Hooray for new jobs, new digs, and new ways of seeing!
19 September 2007 at 20:49
Glad to hear that you are settling in. Your new project sounds perfect, can’t wait to see it finished up. As a group they should look wonderful around your kitchen.
19 September 2007 at 22:58
Good idea to turn an icky kitchen into a theme! Have fun with the stitchathon this weekend.
19 September 2007 at 23:02
Congrats on moving into your new place, Renee!! Best wishes to you on your new job. I can’t wait to see how the Cactus turns out!
19 September 2007 at 23:11
Congratulations on a successful move! I hope you enjoy your new job and your new abode.
20 September 2007 at 06:00
I have seen this colour work great with a light purple and bright blues. Can’t wait to see the finished set! And - welcome to your new home.
20 September 2007 at 14:32
Yep….what you can’t change you just have to learn to love. Sort of like me and Florida. LOL
20 September 2007 at 22:09
I had visions of my sister’s old kitchen when you described your apartment. My mom gave her an old tupperware set in exactly the same green to match as a gag gift.
Hope you and the kitties are settling in well in your new home:)
22 September 2007 at 12:47
I’m one of those very weird people who likes avocado green kitchens. I’d get an orange refrigerator and throw a party. LOL! But I love your idea for a SW theme and I can’t wait to see more pictures of your progress!
24 September 2007 at 11:54
You’re putting that old saying to work…if you can’t fix it, feature it! Cool… Wishing you the best in the new job and your new home!
24 September 2007 at 16:17
Lovely new start!!! Glad to hear your settling in!
24 September 2007 at 18:41
Good to hear your move went well - good luck with settling in
25 September 2007 at 09:53
Great attitude, Renee! I love it.
I hope that you are enjoying your new digs and your new job!