SHARI'S SHARINGS

A New Start, A WIP update & dad's work

2012-01-25T11:28:00.001-05:00

good morning everyone!!!!!! I hope this midweek update finds you doing well...
me?? I am ready for spring....dreary Jan. weather really makes me long for spring & fresh starts...
And, speaking of fresh starts, my first picture is a fresh start. I have had the pattern kitted up for nearly 2 years. I just hadn't pulled it out. Well, last week, I decided it was time. Carol has this as her blog header & every time I see it, I love it. Her birthday was last week, so in honor of her birthday, I pulled it out & started it.....
I pulled it back out this am, to start on the chimney. Guess what?!!? I need the floss color for the chimney. Guess I need a run to somewhere that carries floss....oh wait...I have to go out of town for that.....NO WHERE in our town carries floss.
Thankfully, we will be going out of town sometime over the next week or so..and I will get my floss.
Next up, is the piece I bought from Nicole. She had already started it, but decided she didn't want to stitch it, so she offered it up for sale. I liked the design & wanted to try stitching on a different fabric than normal. I usually use a 32 ct. lugana. This is a 40 ct. linen...I don't know what the linen is, but it is 40 ct. I do know that. I was really scared to start, but I have done a lot of it already. She started in the lower right hand corner. She did the bottom row & part of the second row. I started with the birdhouse & worked my way left, then moved up to the next row..
Next up, are pictures that my dad sent me. He has made these seam rippers using various types of wood. He is hoping to sell them for $12.00 each. Next are what he calls purse hangers. I have not seen these in person yet, but they look interesting to me...
Lastly, he doesn't know I am posting this one, but this is his current stitching project. He is making great progress on it....
have a great day everyone & look for the little things in each day, to brighten this dreary season.....

Waxing Moon--January Sampler

Lizzie Kate- Summer Alphabet

dads seam rippers

dads purse hangers

dads eagle

thanks for stopping by & your encouraging words. they mean so much to me!

SAL finish

2012-01-15T13:43:00.000-05:00

I finished the Winter part of the Novalee2 SAL last night, for my second finish of the year. I am MAKING myself finish some of my WIPS/UFO's this year. It is silly to have so many projects started & not finished. Yes, I just bought all of those containers, but I have a goal.....as I finish something, I get to put something 'ready to start' in the empty container!! See, there is a method to the madness!!!! I have already put something in this container!!
I pulled out the LK piece that I rescued from someone's sale blog a while back. I will see how much I can do on it, before deciding to work on something else that has been started or something new!!!

I hope you are having a great week/weekend!!!

WIP Storage Containers

2012-01-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

In my last post, I mentioned that I had gotten a few storage containers for my WIP pieces. I have now gotten enough of these containers for all of my current WIP's, except for my Little Drummer Boy.....that one will not fit in one of these, since there are over 90 colors of floss...So, that will stay in a tote bag. But, as you can see by the pictures, these fit perfectly in one of the cubby holes in my storage cabinet.
I have also taken a couple extra pictures...one with the contents showing & the other on my lap....the perfect amount of 'heighth' to work with.
I got these at Walmart. They were regularly nearly $4.00 each & I got them for $1.50 each. I love a good bargain!!! My husband even got one for his workshop. He likes to take the stitched piece down with him when he is making a frame, but obviously a wood workshop gets pretty dusty. So, he will put the piece in the container & it will stay clean & he can look at it as needed.

WIP's neatly stored in new containers in their cubby hole

WIP sitting on my lap

First Finish!!!

2012-01-08T20:05:00.001-05:00

As you can see by my new header picture, I finished the piece my husband got me for Christmas!! I put the last stitches in about 7:20 tonight. Any guesses how long it took to stitch that one row border around the outside!?!?! I was so tempted to leave it off, but he said it looked so much better with it, so I added it.
I am now going to focus on a few of my WIP pieces for a while....first up will be the Novalee 2 SAL from last year. I got the last part to it a couple days ago, but I wanted to finish this piece first.
I got some of the neatest containers on clearance at Walmart the other day. They hold a kitted up project just perfect & will be super to haul my projects along with me when I go away from home....
If I remember, I will take a picture before my next post.
I hope you are all having a great start to the new year!!!

Christmas Gifts.....finally and my 1st start of 2012

2012-01-02T15:31:00.003-05:00

I am pretty embarrassed that it has taken me so long to post a picture of the gifts that I received. I think I did post a picture of the reindeer ornament, but I know I didn't show the other two.
The reindeer was an ornament exchange on one of the groups that I am in. I love this little cutie!
Next, is the 3 little snowmen on the let it snow pillow. This was stitched by my dear friend Carol. She saw this pattern & thought of me, because of my grandsons....three of them...three little snowmen!!! If only you could hear them say snowmen....so adorable! And before long, the cuteness of how they say it will be gone, because they will be saying it properly.
Last in the picture is an ornament from my dear friend Mylene. She & I have corresponded back & forth for several years & have done several exchanges.
I feel really bad that I didn't send any stitched goodies out this year for Christmas.
I also am posting a picture of my first start for the new year.(excuse the wrinkles & qsnap lines!) My husband 'learned' how to look at my wishlist on the 123 board & he found his favorite from among the list & purchased the chart & the flosses. I had told him not to worry about fabrics for anything, because I have quite a bit of fabric.
I thought it was great that this was his favorite of all I had listed, because this is my very favorite Bible verse...one I remind myself of when I think I can't do something......
I changed my blog background this morning, but the header wasn't showing up with the white, so I deleted it....

Gifts left to right: from Carol, Mylene and exhchange from Jacquie

New start 2012, gift from my husband

Happy New Year to all!!! May your stitching needles be flying!

Final Finish For 2011

2011-12-30T13:06:00.002-05:00

Well, I didn't get this finished before Christmas, but I did get it finished before my goal of the end of the year. This is a project I started at the end of 2009, and then neglected it until Nov. of this year. At that point, I determined it would be finished by the end of December. Had it not been for so many visits from little people the past couple months, it would have been done sooner. This is finish #60 for the year. Not bad....I have done better, I have done worse!!
Now, we need to find a matte for it, so my husband can make a nice frame for it.

complete project...ready to mat & frame

close up to show star & floss beauty

Here are the details, for those who will want them.
The pattern is called Spirit of Christmas. The pattern was in the January 2010 issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine. It is stitched on 28 ct. Queen Annes Lace Jobelan, using The Thread Gatherers Silk N Colors floss. I did add gold Kreinik to the star...just felt it needed some shine to it!!! I am adding a close up picture of the star & the top of the piece for detail purposes...
All of the tote bags were a HUGE hit....I think my son was just as happy as his boys, because now he can keep track of who is taking what car when they go anywhere....he does a bag check as they leave & as they get back from anywhere.
I have decided to join Vickie's UFO blog..mine are more WIP pieces, but some are UFO's. I will be updating on that blog later today. I was hoping for a clear, bright day for pictures, but no luck....it is overcast & rainy..
You may notice at the top of my blog, there is a new email address for me.....I found that I couldn't use my normal email address to join any of the 'specialty blogs' like the one Vickie is hosting. So, she suggested I open a GMail account & waalaa....it worked.
I would like to take the opportunity here at the end of the year to wish each & every one of you a Very Happy New Year. Thank you for your continued support thru 2011 & I hope you will continue to visit in 2012....

Another Tote & a Gift!

2011-12-08T21:04:00.001-05:00

I finished the 4th & final tote tonight. The package came with four bags...one red, yellow, green, and blue. The boys have 'their colors', so that took the yellow, green & blue. I decided the little guy I babysit would like one too, so I did the red one for him.
I also made a previously stitched ornament into the ornament tonight...it is so big, it could be a door knob hanger if they want!
Yesterday, my mom & my aunt came for the day, so we could go shopping together. This has become a yearly thing..they drive to here & then I drive the rest of the way...we shop & have lunch out. We had a nice day...I found some Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints that I have been searching for....they are for a new cookie recipe. Now, I am anxious to make them!!
My mom brought a surprise along for me. I have mentioned in the past that both my parents also stitch....I guess you could say I taught them something!!! (I started & since I have, both parents & one brother have started)
Anyway, I have always loved Koala Bears. My dad found a pattern & decided he would stitch it for me...he has been working on it for a while because he showed it to me last time we were up there.(sometime in Oct. I believe) He didn't tell me it was for me thou..just showed me!
Backing up, when the boys were here last time, I was giving all of them piggy back rides. My dad snapped a picture of me with J on my back. Little did I know, he had thoughts about that picture.
When I called him to thank him yesterday, he told me it reminded him of the picture he took of me & J. and that made it all the more special to him.

bag for boy I babysit

gift from my dad

ornament for my nephew & his wife

Excuse the poor lighting..it is evening here. Have a great rest of the week! Thanks to all for stopping by & for your kind comments...they make my day, each & every one!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2011-12-06T14:09:00.001-05:00

Wow, the past week or so has been extremely busy & I fear, that is a sign of how the next 3 weeks will be.
Besides trying to finish some stitched gifts, life must go on. I have been wanting our bedroom painted for over a year. We FINALLY got it done this weekend & I LOVE it...the color is so rich & warm....I just want to spend all day in that room!
On Sat., we went & cut our Christmas Tree down. How many of you have heard of a concolor fir? That is the kind of tree we got & it is different than any Christmas tree we have ever gotten. If you aren't familiar with them, do a search & take notice of the scent this tree has....
On the stitching front, I have been doing my best to stay up to date on the Advent SAL I am involved with. I was so thankful that one of last weeks charts was very tiny!! I got it done, along with other projects that I have been working on.
Do you remember me mentioning tote bags for my grandsons? Well, I finished the stitching last night & I got the bonding material this morning. You can see how I spent the early part of my afternoon!
I also have done a little bit on the Spirit of Christmas piece....not much, but hey, every X counts!

tote bags for my grandsons!

advent SAL piece

Spirit of Christmas WIP

newly painted bedroom

I need to get busy now on my yearly candy making. I have done some, but not as much as I should have done. Oh well, one day at a time!
Have a great week & try to not stress about the season's busyness....I am trying my best to enjoy it!!!

Ok, there is no such thing as NORMAL!!!

2011-11-27T12:55:00.001-05:00

If you look at my previous post, I labeled it "Resuming Normal". Well, that hasn't happened & now we are into the Christmas season full force, so thus the reason for today's post label.
I no more than posted my previous post, and our son asked if dad could come down for several days & do home renovations for him. So, he got off early on Friday that week, and was to come home the day before Thanksgiving.
I decided on that Friday morning, to pull out a WIP that had BARELY been started back in Dec. 09. I mean barely.:>) You can see how little in the picture attached. My goal was to have all of the words stitched before he got back home on Wed. afternoon.
You see above, I said he WAS TO COME HOME on the day before Thanksgiving....????? Well, Mr. Handyman worked so fast, he was done on Monday evening. So.........he packed up & left early on Tues. morning & pulled in here Tues. about 2:30........needless to say, the lettering wasn't quite done...I thought I had 24 more hours!!
But...the lettering was done on Wed. evening, so I did meet my goal, he just got here too soon!
I also have been working on some advent pieces for one of the groups I am in. I have shown the first one, but I have 3 more stitched now. I have 52 finishes thus far for the year.
This week, my goal will be three tote bags. My grandsons have taken a love to the movie CARS & they love their little cars.(see previous post) My son said" mom....why don't you make tote bags for them, like you have done for other kids?!?!" So....grandma has got to come thru. I found tote bags in "their colors" & will stitch on white fabric & add it to the bags!!
Ok, with so much to do & so little time, I better get going. I need to put my house back in order! We had all 3 of our kids & their families for Thanksgiving. So...with the boys here, my house is a mess!!!

the little bit that was started

the lettering is finished

Advent piece

another advent piece

yet another advent piece

Have a great week everyone!!!

Resuming 'normal'

2011-11-16T09:29:00.001-05:00

We are resuming our normal(?) lives now.
We met the boys parent's half way on Sat. & gave them the boys back. It is always so hard to let them go, because they live so far away & we know not when we will see them again....normally! But, since Thanksgiving is next week..guess what?! We do know this time when we will see them again.
I wonder if they will still remember how to say GRANDMA....yes, I managed to teach at least 2 of the boys how to say grandma!!!! Made my week!
We did lots of things to create wonderful memories. They probably will not remember, but I sure will. One day, we made a new dessert called Mountain Apple Cobbler. You chunk apples & wrap them in crescent rolls. I let the boys do that part & put them in the pan. I then added the topping ingredients.
The next day, we made sugar cookies...ok, I cheated this time...I had a package of dough in the refrigerator. I let them take the chunks off of the cardboard & put them on the cookie sheets. I then let them add sprinkles to the cookies. Lastly, I turned the oven light on, so that they could 'watch' their cookies bake! And of course, they had to enjoy them as soon as they were finished cooking.
They are 'into' the cars from the movie CARS. So, one night, it was a trip to Walmart. Papa helped each boy choose a car. You would have thought we gave them a million dollars each. They were all so happy. They slept with their cars each time they were put down to sleep. (I would go get it out of the beds when they fell asleep!)
Ok, onto stitching! One of the groups I am in is doing advent stitching. We will end up with 24 little designs....just the right size for ornaments or cards, etc....
I have done one so far & hope to do one today. I am attaching a picture of the first one. I think this will be an ornament, but I am not sure yet.
I have also been working on the 12 days pieces. I have now finished day 3. This is finish #49 for the year.
In another of my groups, we are doing an ornament exchange. I received mine while the boys were here, but haven't shown a picture yet, so it is attached as well.
I think that is my update for now. I have GOT TO clean house today...Monday & Tues. are busy with babysitting & running him to & from preschool, so today is the day!!

watching our cookies bake

ornament & card from exchange

Advent stitching, Day 1

PS 12 days......day 3

Thanks for stopping by & for your kind comments....they mean so much to me. Have a wonderful week.

On the First Day....

2011-11-10T06:04:00.001-05:00

I finished day one of the 12 days of Christmas on Friday of last week, but didn't take time to update my blog. I was getting ready for my grandsons arrival...had to toddler proof my house!!
I finished day 2 this am, before they got up.....I have one sitting on my lap right now, as I type this....he got up a little earlier than yesterday, so I didn't quite get done what I wanted!! (wanted this update done before any of them got up.) Please excuse the wrinkles & hoop marks...didn't take time to iron them first!!!
For those of you who may be new/newer to my blog, we have triplet grandsons who are 2 1/2 years old. They come to stay with us periodically, to give our son & DIL a much needed break.

Day One

Day Two

My precious grandsons!!!

ok, I am not going to get long winded on this, just want to show that it is very possible to stitch & update with three toddler boys in the house!!!
I will show one picture of them, having fun with grandma & papa (that is what they call him!)

Let the Holiday Candy making begin!

2011-11-03T12:36:00.001-05:00

Funny title for a post, right???
Well, I am officially done with my canning for the year, so now it is time to start on my candies that I make for the holidays..
Most of it is given as gifts for Christmas, but there is always some available at Thanksgiving as well.
This morning, I made my last batch of applesauce. I was able to get a bushel of my favorite sauce apples on Monday. I babysat M, T, and W, so I knew today was the day. I had 109 apples in the bushel.
You can see in the pictures some of the steps that take me from round, red apples to delicious pink sauce....yes, the sauce is pink. I do not add anything to my sauce....JUST APPLES....
I also have had some stitching time....I started this ornament on Monday evening & finished it last night. It was a fun stitch, except for the dreaded .............
yeah, you all know what goes in that blank....
Today, I plan to start the first of 12 ornaments I hope to stitch quickly!!! I am going to do the 12 days of Christmas by Prairie Schooler...

apples after they have been softened

sauce ready to be canned

results of my labor!

dark picture, but a soon to be ornament

Ok, I have sat here long enough......I need to keep moving.....lots to do yet this week!
Have a great week..thanks for stopping by...thanks for your kind comments...they make my day!!!

Popcorn and a Christmas Gift

2011-10-31T04:38:00.002-05:00

Some of you know, I tried growing my own popcorn this year. Well, it grew, but I learned something new during the growing process. I have never had 'critters' in my garden in the past.....mind you, we live in the middle of a corn field or bean field, depending on the year....
Well, for the first time ever, we had critters visit the garden & guess what they liked.....yup..you guessed it...my popcorn...As soon as the ears started growing, they started 'disappearing'.. I found tracks to two different critters around the stalks.....we had raccoons loving my popcorn & also deer.....
They missed 2 ears, so I did get to at least try my popcorn....ha!!!! You can see in the pictures the ears, the amount unpopped & then the end result, which tasted WONDERFUL last night!!!!
Stitching this weekend was a lot of fun.....I had 2 of my stitching friends over for the day on Sat...we had our own private little Stitch In.. One gal almost finished what she was working on. I got word later that evening that she had finished... The other gal did a little stocking border...those premade stockings that you add stitching to the band around the top. She started & finished it while here. I worked on an ornament for my nephew & his wife. They are expecting baby #2 in Feb. I thought this ornament would be a perfect gift. They know the baby is a girl, so I changed the one color to pink. This ornament was done with a variety of flosses. I didn't have the called for flosses, so I went on a hunt thru my hand dyed flosses. I used some dmc (310) some Carries, some Dye is Cast & some San Man Strands... The fabric is Sassy's Crocus..the picture does not do the fabric or the flosses justice..that is what I get for taking a picture while it is still dark out..bad lighting!
today I need to find a Disney themed pattern for an ornament for an exchange....may be harder than I thought!

Sam Sarahs JCS 2011 ornament issue

My two lone ears of popcorn

The popcorn ready to be popped

The results of my new test!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend & has a great week....it is Monday....start fresh & enjoy!

Two Fall Finishes

2011-10-26T12:31:00.002-05:00

Well, the canning has slowed down...for a few days....:>) I just found a place that has my applesauce apples on sale starting tomorrow, so guess what I will be getting tomorrow?!!?!? Yup, a bushel of my sauce apples......
I also made another batch of the caramel cider jelly this week...it is so good on a piece of toast, with peanut butter...oh my!
I saw the surgeon doctor again this am...we have ruled out anything thyroid related for my 'clump'...we are now steering toward possibly allergies. He feels I should just try zyrtec for a while & see if that helps....he said allergists are very costly & if this will do the trick!!!! So, here we go...trying something else.
I finished two more of the LK Halloween Rules this week. I am done with these now. I am having my husband make small frames for them & will display them this way. These are stitched on PTP 32 ct. Doubloon lugana...I really like this fabric...one of my new favorites I think.. (wow...they look so different..the Scare a Crow is more true of color)
I am going to start several ornament size pieces now. I kitted up one for my nephew & his wife last night...it is the baby bump one in the new ornament issue.

Have a great rest of the week & weekend......I have some stitching friends coming over for the day on Sat. & I am so ready!!!

In Place of Stitching.....

2011-10-20T18:44:00.000-05:00

this week has been crazy busy...normal extra activity on Monday & Tues. am....hubby had a meeting on Monday night, I had a meeting on Tues. night, we had flock on Wed. night...this is the first evening we are BOTH home...
Yesterday & today, I spent in the kitchen. Yesterday, I made 14 pints of applesauce, using my favorite apples for sauce...Ida Reds. They make a very light pink sauce & it is a sweet sauce...no sugar at all needed to flavor it. After the sauce, I got the supplies out to make Caramel Apple Jam...I didn't have any small jars, so I only got 4 pints out of the whole process.
Late yesterday afternoon, my brother text me & asked if he could come over today & we could do jam & jelly together. I said sure, because I wanted more of the caramel apple jam & he had a recipe for Caramel Apple Cider jelly.
I had to run to get a few things before he got here...I wanted 1/2 pint jars, I needed lids & I HOPED to get more Ida Reds...a local store had them on sale for 2.99 for 5 lbs. They were out thou..... :<(
Before he got here, I made a batch of Cherry Pear jam....I got 7 1/2 pint jars of it.
When he got here, we made 2 batches of the caramel apple jam & 2 batches of the caramel apple cider jelly. Those 4 batches yeilded 42 1/2 pint jars, which we split between us.
Denise of Riverside Stiching asked how much canning I do...she also said I should show pictures of my canning pantry. I am sort of ashamed of how it looks right now. I always ORGANIZE it, after I am done canning for the season...I am not done yet, but I went down & took pictures anyway. My canning pantry is under the stairwell in the basement.

L-R: Cherry Pear Jam, Caramel Apple Jam, Caramel Cider Jelly, Ida Red applesauce

main section of canned goods

overflow of canned goods

Tomorrow, my plan is to STAY OFF THE COMPUTER & STAY AWAY FROM THE PHONE & STITCH THE DAY AWAY!!!! We shall see!!!
Have a great rest of the week & weekend...Thanks for stopping by & those of you who leave comments, thanks even more...sure do love knowing people have stopped by!

Northwinds Week NINE & Novalee SAL

2011-10-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

I intentionally waited until late evening to post for two reasons. I was waiting to see if we would get pictures from Angela & Rose. As of 8:45 pm, they haven't sent them. I know they have much busier lives than I do..
Denise & I both finished Northwinds this week.......Denise on Sunday & myself on Tues. But we were both good & waited until today to post.
I also waited until now to post, because I wanted to finish the Autumn section of the Novalee SAL. I finished a little bit ago. Just one more season to go & this piece will be finished. I am counting it as one finish, so it isn't in my total for the year.
Northwinds is finish # 41 for this year. Who knows how many more I will have....I want to work on some small things now....no commitments for a while....
Thanks so much for stopping by & for commenting...the comments mean so much....

Denise's Finished Piece

Shari's Finished Piece

Novalee SAL, autumn finished

view out my back door

Oh! I almost forgot....I am also attaching a picture taken out my back door this morning. The sun was hitting the trees just right & the sight was beautiful...

Northwinds Week 8 & an Autumn Finish!

2011-10-10T15:40:00.001-05:00

LK amongst friends

Two of the four SAL gals had a super busy week & haven't been able to send their pictures yet, but I am going to go ahead & show you Denise's & my own. I also want to show my small autumn finish.....it kept me from cheating & doing more on the SAL...I wanted to finish so bad, but I had done my 2 days, so I pulled this cutie out & did it....
The pumpkins on the front porch are from the lady I babysit for. Aren't they adorable?!?!?!! One of the local sororities makes them each fall. I have always loved them, but have never bought them. She remembered me commenting about liking them. So, meet Mr. Duane & Mrs Shari Pumpkin!!
I am going to stitch a few of these LK charts as individual pieces & have my husband make small frames for them.

Denise's

Shari's

Angela's

Close up of LK

have a super week...enjoy autumn wherever you are!

third of three finished!!!

2011-10-04T19:41:00.001-05:00

After having to FROG the letter, I have finished the 3rd grandson ornament. I don't know what I was thinking, but I was nearly finished & realized I had stitched one of the other boys letters on this one as well...oops!!!
These are stitched on Sassy's brushed suede opal lugana, 28 ct. The other two are stitched on the same fabric, but you wouldn't know it looking at the previous pictures!!
This is finish # 39 for the year. Boy, compared to some previous years, that number is really, really low....but.........we are coming into the holiday season & I typically do a lot of ornaments, so we shall see!!

Thanks so much for all of the kind words on the past few posts...especially about my health tests....I appreciated so much your taking time to comment....

An Ornament finish & Northwinds SAL week 7

2011-10-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

Boy, I just made it with this ornament!!! I stitch one ornament per month. I usually get them done in the first couple days of the month, but for some reason, I waited in Sept. I literally started it on the 29th & finished it on the 30th!!! Needless to say, today I started my Oct. ornament...these are simple little ornaments & they are for our grandsons...Might just make them into gift tags....
As you saw on my previous post, I finished the LK piece last week...I had spent a lot of time on that in Sept. I loved it & my husband promises a frame soon...He likes to have a bunch to do when he goes down....well, I told him 2 that I want, he has orders for about 8 more...I THINK that is a bunch...now to get some free time for him!!
Northwinds SAL update:
Rose had no time to work on her piece this week, so I am not including a picture for hers....see post from last Monday... (I didn't save her old one on the computer!!!)
Angela made nice progress on hers, even thou she had a very busy, testing week!!!
Denise is still recovering from her surgery, but I think she made great progress, regardless!!!
Me, I don't think I did that much, but each XXX is one closer & I am still enjoying this piece!!!

ornament for my grandson

Shari's Week 7

Denise's week 7

Angela's week 7

I hope everyone has a great week.....we have a birthday filled week here....we have 4 between tomorrow & next Monday!!!

Lizzie Kate ABC Lessons

2011-09-29T08:31:00.001-05:00

What a great reminder this piece is to me & can be to all of us. The last words I put in it were "Count Your Blessings". This has such great meaning to me, & was perfect for today.
I haven't said much on my blog, but I just went thru a period of not taking my thyroid meds, so that I could have a test done. This test was for a couple things, but one was the possibility of cancer. I was at peace about it......I just felt there would be no cancer found.
I went to the doctor yesterday for the results of the test.....NO CANCER.....just one of many blessings I am counting today!!!
I loved each X I put in this piece. The chart was given to me by a friend after she stitched it, so it was just the chart......no floss...I do not have many specialty flosses, so I subbed most of them with floss I do have. One specialty floss that I have a lot of is Victorian Motto Sampler floss. Many of my substitutions are from these.
I also changed one word in the piece.........I will let you look & try to guess where I made that change....might be something new & fun for on my blog....we have heard of the old TV show, Name That Tune......well, this will be Name that Change!!!
Time to go make some more jam.....everyone who has tasted my Traffic Jam has loved it.....I fear I will run out before winter even hits at the rate it is going...
have a wonderful day......I hope the weather is better in 'your neck of the woods' than it is here.......it has rained each & every day since last Friday........

Northwinds SAL..week 6...Already?

2011-09-26T11:36:00.001-05:00

Has it really been six weeks of working on this piece??? Where does the time go? I remember being so excited to start it & then each week thinking.....do I have to put this away now??
It is amazing to me how much can be stitched, if a person just sits still & stitches. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am NOT a good sit still person. Even when not feeling well, I cannot sit still. I have to be up moving, doing all the time.
Three out of 4 of us had weeks this week that did not allow for much stitching. Angela on the other hand caught right up.....
Great job ladies...Like I do each week, I am putting the pictures on in alphabetical order, but how blogger posts them might be a whole nother story!!!!!
I am also showing my LK ABC Lessons. My goal for this piece??? Be done before my Next Monday Update!!!!! We shall see if I can do that or not.......
It is autumn & autumn to me is lots of time in the kitchen, so my stitching becomes a little less of a priority. This past week, I did the peanut butter banana bread which you saw in my last post, the 40 pints of applesauce, I baked an apple pie, I made a huge batch of caramel corn & I made some coffee ice cream for my son to share with friends.
Have a super week & keep those needles flying....

Angela's

Denise's

Rose's

Shari's

Shari's LK ABC Lessons

Applesauce, Bread & a Rescue

2011-09-23T10:57:00.001-05:00

good morning,
oh my! Does it ever smell wonderful in here....I had 3 overripe bananas laying on the counter. I found a new recipe a few weeks ago & tried it....my son & I loved it... We both love toast with peanut butter on it, topped with banana slices. Now, imagine that in a bread! Yes, peanut butter & bananas in a bread...oh my!!! It is impossible to bake this & NOT eat it as soon as it comes out of the oven. And on a crisp, cool, first day of autumn.........
Earlier this week, I didn't have to take my little charge to preschool, so a friend & I traveled to our favorite little Amish store. I bought 2 bushels of apples, some clear jel & a scrubby for dishes. One bushel of apples is for pie filling & general eating purposes. The other bushel??? Applesauce!!!!
After my TWO visits to the hospital for tests yesterday, I set out making my applesauce. I got 40 pints out of the bushel.
A few weeks ago, Nicole listed some UFO's for sale on her blog. I really liked a few of them, but since I have only stitched on linen a time or two, I was good & only got one. I really wanted to try it. This piece is done on 40 ct. linen....so, not only is the idea of linen pretty new to me, the size is even more so...the smallest I have used is 32 ct. You can see that I have added a small, very small amount of stitches to what she had done before declaring it a UFO...I am going to enjoy stitching this, once I get a few obligations out of the way...
I am suppose to be working on my SAL piece today, but every time I sit down on the couch, I start to doze off. I will be so thankful when my medicine & vitamins start kicking in again.....

Peanut Butter & Banana Bread

Applesauce Anyone?

UFO Rescued

Northwind Week 5 & fall decor

2011-09-19T17:27:00.001-05:00

Shari's Week 5

Denise's Week 5

Angie's Week 5

Rose's Week 5

Robins taking a bath!

LK ABC Lessons

New Display

old standby fireplace display with a new twist added!

It was a very rainy, dreary, morning here today, so I lit some candle early this morning. They looked so pretty, that I decided to take a couple pictures of my fall decor. I do the fireplace area about the same each year, so some of you have probably already seen most of what is there......I did add something new this year... I also took a picture of my little table display. I LOVE this little display....it was so pretty in the dark room. Also, the robins were taking baths in the water in the driveway, so I took a picture of their antics....so cute to watch..
Everyone is moving along on the SAL...I still love each stitch that I am putting into it. The cloud did take a little more time than I would have liked, but I also didn't have a whole lot of stitching time this week. The days I picked to stitch were busy, but I stitched as I could.
I chose Sat. & Sun. this week. On Sat., I had a spur of the moment stitch in at my house. I had 4 ladies show up. We had a great time catching up & stitching.....more catching up than stitching I am afraid!!! The other day I picked for this week was yesterday. I sat down to stitch in the afternoon & proceeded to doze off....being off my thyroid meds are really taking their toll on me. So....I took a nap!!! I did stitch most of the evening....
I worked on my LK ABC Lessons on the other days.... I am still loving every XXX of this one also.
Have a great week.....thanks for stopping by & sharing your sweet comments with me....

Northwind SAL progress Week 4

2011-09-12T18:08:00.001-05:00

hello all! The last of our pictures just came in....so...I present to you, week 4 from everyone. I always put the pictures in alphabetically order, but I never know how they are going to show up on the blog.
Angela is moving right along with the words/letters.....She is doing a great job, isn't she??
Denise is moving along super quickly...She has already started the barn!!! She is also doing a great job, isn't she?
Rose is moving along very well also. I know she had fabric issues & may still be??? Again, isn't she doing a great job??
I am last alphabetically. I worked hard on my two designated days this week... I was determined to get all of the words & snowflakes done & I succeeded. Each week, I make goals for myself. I haven't decided what this week will include. I worked on my LK piece today. Not sure yet which days will be Northwind..
thanks so much for following all of our progress. Each of us is enjoying this piece...

While We Wait..

2011-09-12T15:38:00.001-05:00

I haven't received everyone's pictures for the SAL update, so I thought I would go ahead & do my LK update while we wait....
build a little excitement..
I am loving working on the LK ABC Lessons, along with the Northwinds SAL. Do you notice what they have in common??? It seems so much of my stitching involves letters....I really do love stitching letters. The designers all have their own way of presenting the letters for us to stitch...Even in one design, a letter may be presented more than one way. I noticed that this week while working on this piece.
We had some beautiful cooler days this past week & today, we are back to summer temps, but I am loving every minute of it. I am not ready for what comes after our beautiful fall weather.......

Stay tuned & I will update with the SAL pictures once I have everyone's!

A SAL, a WIP, and a FINISH

2011-09-05T18:16:00.001-05:00

I felt I didn't have a whole lot of time to stitch this week, but by looking at progress, I did get some done on a new start...which became a finish & a WIP has some good progress as well. My SAL got the least amount of attention this week. The days I had picked to work on it because extremely busy. I had some family emergencies to help work thru, so it seemed I was on the phone much of those 2 days.
As far as the SAL goes, I think all 4 of us are enjoying each stitch we put in. I think most of us have either run out of the color for the letters or soon will. I wonder how many of us started with a full skein thou.....I know I didn't! Mine was a partial.
We are all setting goals for ourselves each week. I fell WAY SHORT this week.....oh well...hopefully, I can make up for it this week, but we shall see.
Ok, about the Finish! I posted the picture the other day, after fighting with blogger for over 24 hours. No matter what I did, it would not publish the picture. I finally approved a change they made & waalaa...the picture showed up. Anyway, this is the first of 3 ornaments I am doing of this design. They are for my grandsons! Each will have a different color scarf & then the boys initial will be on it. This was a freebie I found & I modified it to suit me a little better.
We had a super busy weekend...We hauled a load of furniture down to our youngest on Friday night. He starts his LAST semester of college tomorrow. On Sat., we went to my parents house so that my husband could change the brakes on my parents van. Yesterday, my husband went to a car auction with 2 young guys who needed some mentoring. Today, we went & played GLOW GOLF with our daughter & her boyfriend.....Now, can I have a weekend to rest??? This week will be busy too....
I have a family doctor appt. on Tues., and then I have a consultation with a surgeon on Wed. Maybe Thurs will be slower?!?! Nope! Not yet! Thurs., my brother is coming over & we are making jam together..maybe Friday!?!?!?!

first of three ornaments like this....

Shari's week 3

LK ABC Lessons

Angela's week 3

Rose's week 3

Denise's week 3

Thanks for reading & leaving a comment.....the comments make my day!!!

is it blogger or my computer?

2011-08-31T17:08:00.003-05:00

I finished an ornament today & was updating the ornament blog. I was able to publish the 'words' part via both firefox & internet explorer. But, when it comes to the picture, I have issues with both of them. Firefox just sits & 'works' & never gets the picture uploaded. IE gets the picture uploaded, but then when I hit publish, it sits there like it is frozen. So, I wasn't able to post the picture.
I am going to try to humor myself & try to add it to this post. If the picture works, I will update later with what it is!!!
EDITED: Thurs. am...........I switched to the new setting that BLOGGER had at the top of the dashboard page & it worked that way. So...I present to you.......J ornament. I will detail it in my Monday post, but this is a preview for you!!!!

Northwind SAL--Week TWO

2011-08-29T09:09:00.005-05:00

Shari's SAL Week 2

LK ABC Lessons

Rose's SAL week 2

Angela's SAL week 2

Denise's SAL Week 2

Hi everyone! Wow, what a busy, crazy week last week was....
I told my husband that I cannot even begin to imagine having to have a job outside the home. I was gone so much with running the little guy to preschool, hauling stuff to our son at his new place, normal stuff...whew!!! No time for at home work...

I am so happy to be doing this SAL with Angela, Denise & Rose. It is so fun to watch the progress, read the comments we tell each other as we send our pictures to the others, etc...

I worked on my SAL two days, like we all agreed upon. On the other days, when I had a free moment, I worked on the LK ABC Lessons. As you can tell, I devoted the days I was at home to the SAL piece & worked on the LK on the busier days!
Thanks for visiting my blog & I look forward to seeing your comments. Have a super week!!!

Northwind SAL--Week One

2011-08-22T20:24:00.012-05:00

LK ABC Lessons

Rose's SAL Piece

Denise's SAL Piece

Shari's SAL Piece

This is so fun! There are 4 of us doing this pattern as a SAL. We started last Monday. We are to stitch 2 days per week on it. I chose Monday & Friday last week. I didn't get a whole lot accomplished on Monday, but made fabulous progress on Friday. I have loved every stitch of this project so far.
Denise (Riverside Stitching) is leading us in this adventure. She made great progress on her piece. She started totally different than I did.
Rose (Christmas City Stitcher) had a very eventful week last week, but still made great progress on her piece..She started at the top like Denise.
Angela (Indomitable Angela) started hers on a piece of linen, but wasn't happy with it, so she is starting over....we will see her progress next week...
On the days I am not stitching on the SAL, I pulled one of my OLD WIP pieces....I will work on this whenever I get the chance.
Today, I had NO stitching time......I had to do the preschool run with the little guy I babysit, but that wasn't the hard part of my day.
We moved our youngest out today....he has one semester left of college & he is working down there now.....so, away he went today...this mom is going to be very sad & lonely for a while.....he & I are very close....
Ok, nearly bedtime!!! Have a great week!!!
edited Tues. am.....blogger wouldn't do pictures last night!

15 Crazy Challenges FINISHED!!!

2011-08-18T16:44:00.006-05:00

Why did I save the one I did until last???? This was probably my least favorite of the 15 projects. It seemed to take me forever to stitch. I had planned to have it done last Friday, so that it was done before the stash sale...well, that didn't happen. I then thought over the weekend...nope, didn't happen. I just put the last stitches in it a few minutes ago. (please excuse the picture.....I had to use my phone this time!) This is finish #35 for the year.
In partial defense for myself, I did start a SAL project on Monday, so I didn't touch this one at all that day. I can't show that piece yet, but I will soon!
I am also attaching a bunch of finishes that other people did! One is a birth sampler that my brother stitched for his first grandchild. The rest belong to Debra at Debra's All About Me...
http://debra-allaboutme.blogspot.com/.
These people did the stitching & Duane made the frames for them.
Have a great rest of the week & weekend as well...

Frames Anyone????!!!!!

2011-08-14T13:33:00.004-05:00

My husband was a busy little beaver this past week.
Yesterday, the LNS in my home town.....HOUSE OF STITCHES in LaPorte IN had a Midwest Stash Exchange sale. For a $20.00 donation, you were able to rent a booth space to sell your stash. The total donation went to Riley's Children's Hospital, Indianapolis, IN. Any money made in your booth, was yours to keep.
So, since he does such nice frames for me & for others who buy from him, I asked him to make frames for my table to sell. So, each night after work, he went down stairs & worked in the workshop. He had 8 frames to sell yesterday. He only sold one of them, but honestly, I do not think a whole lot of people were buying a whole lot of stuff...we were THRILLED that one sold & that we made quite a bit of money between his one frame & all of the patterns that I sold.
I thought I would 'show off' some of the frames here. I put beside them my frames with what they were made for in them. The LHN piece is just sat behind that frame, because it was one for sale, but it may very well become mine, if no one asks about purchasing it!!! The frame with no stitching is one he made for me as a test...he isn't sure he is happy with it....thoughts?!?!!
I am nearing completion of my last Crazy Challenge piece, but I was very busy this past week getting my things ready for the sale & helping with frames in the evenings.
Tomorrow, I am starting a SAL with 3 other blogging friends....I was hoping to have the challenge piece done before then, but unless I stitch like lightening tonight, it won't be happening.
Have a super week everyone!!!!
I was told I should put prices for you to see...so....the frame that I show the Sept piece in is cherry wood with cherry stain. It holds a 6 by 6 piece....they are $10.00
The frame that shows the May piece...the for sale frame is Oak with Oak stain...like above, holds a 6 by 6 piece & is $10.00.
The green frames fit a small piece..not sure of the size, but my piece is a Victorian Sampler (Cathy Jean) piece...these frames are $8.00 each.
The bulletin board type fits the small Lizzie Kate flip it's great. This one is $15.00.
The other one is/was a test, so at this time, he doesn't have a price on it.

One Down, One to Go!

2011-08-09T04:14:00.002-05:00

I finished # 14 of #15 last night!!! Just one more and I will have met the Crazy January challenge...By the way, I haven't even updated....is there a blog for these?? I have totally forgotten!
I really enjoyed this piece as well....these past few have been my favorites by far! Maybe because autumn is my favorite time of year?
I am starting a SAL next week with 3 dear online friends. Am I nuts? Well, yes! I guess I don't have enough projects going already. But hey, it is obvious that I can finish what I start!!!!
I forgot to mention, this is finish #34 for the year.
When we were in Amish Country a couple weeks ago, I bought a jar of jam that looked wonderful. It was called "traffic jam". I thought it had a cute name, for a jam that looked very tasty.....I was NOT disappointed!!! When I made my raspberry pie crust last week, I had extra scraps of crust. I always bake them up & eat them with grape jelly on them. Well, this time, I decided to try the jam on them...oh my!!!! At that point, I KNEW I had to find a recipe for it. Try finding TRAFFIC JAM in an online search! HA!!!! So, I improvised! I looked at the ingredients listed on the jar....easy enough.....I bought some powdered pectin & all of the necessary fruits & away I went!!!!! I spent Friday morning making jam. I got 28 half pint jars of this lovely, scrumptious jam..... and gee, silly me didn't take any pictures....
The name of this jam has my mind thinking.....what other types could I come up with???? I also saw TOE Jam listed, FROG Jam......hum...we shall see!!
Thanks for stopping by... it is such a pleasure to see happy comments!! Have a great week!!

Closing in on the End

2011-08-04T15:09:00.003-05:00

of a couple different things!!!
If you follow my ticker at the top of my blog, you will see that I am under 100 miles from my 'walking to Branson' journey. It has been fun to see how long it takes to walk that far. I started the ticker right before Christmas. I already have a destination in my mind for when I finish this one. It has been so much fun, I am going to do another destination....anyone have any ideas where it might be to??
Another almost there is my Crazy Challenge Finishes. I just finished #13 of 15 this morning. It is the October LHN monthly sampler. I think this one is my very favorite so far....I love the colors, I love the pumpkin, I love the bird!!! So much to love with it.
I made a raspberry cream pie yesterday. I baked the crust from scratch, I made the vanilla cream from scratch, I used a tube of raspberry filling that I bought & topped it with Cool Whip. Next time I make it, I will make my own pie filling & my own 'cool whip.' It was very good thou....I made it for my mom & aunt who came to visit yesterday. Tonight, we have company coming for supper, so I made Mint Choc. Chip Ice Cream this afternoon.....
You can see why I walk so much!! I would be a blimp if I didn't!!!
Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate each & everyone of you so much. Thank you to all of my new commentors......I DO NOTICE!!!!

A finish, a getaway, and a belated birthday treat!

2011-07-29T17:13:00.004-05:00

Wow, it has only been a week since I posted, but I feel like I have a lot to talk about today.
First of all, I finished #12 of #15 for the crazy challenge. This is the Sept. LHN sampler. I subbed the colors on this one like I did for July & August. I am real happy with how all of them look. The Oct. piece will be the same colors as this one.
On Monday morning, my husband & I took off for a very short getaway. Our son & DIL gave us a gift for all the help with the boys while he was deployed. We were finally able to get away to use it. He wanted us to go to a bed & breakfast. We found a WONDERFUL cabin in the Berlin Ohio area....Millersburg to be exact. It wasn't quite the bed & breakfast thing our son meant, but it was perfect for us. The cabin was totally furnished. It had a kitchen with a sink, refrig., stove, microwave...The owners stocked the fridge with some milk, juice, soda, ice, etc.. there were snacks in a basket for us. There was a bottle of sparkling grape juice.
The cabin also had a hot tub & a jacuzzi. The bedroom was up in a loft. It was a GORGEOUS location.....we loved every minute there.
We did much sight seeing while in the area. We did all the little shops in the towns. We went to a huge lumber yard that had all kinds of exotic woods. D was like a kid in a candy store...he got lots of different woods for making more frames..
We went to a Farm that was so fun.....we took a wagon ride thru the farm. We got to feed all of the animals. How many of you have ever been up close & personal with an elk, giraffes, zebras, a texas long horn steer, etc....
One of my favorite stops was a candle shop out in the country. We were welcomed so nicely when we walked in. D found a scent for me almost instantly... I LOVE the Victoria Secret scent of Love Spell...well, guess what they had in candle form??? You guessed...love spell. So, we got a real nice candy dish size candle & also some tarts & a burner for it.
We went to many, many other places, but I won't bore you too much.
Oh, backing up!!!! I had made arrangements to meet up with a fellow blogger. It worked perfectly!!! She was on vacation this week, so she was able to drive up to Berlin to meet us for lunch. So, first thing when we got there on Monday, we met Denise of: http://riversidestitching.blogspot.com/
We had a great time, getting to know each other , in person!!! Denise is such a sweetheart.....I really enjoyed meeting her! She told us about a few great shops to visit.....
Our son usually likes to make me a treat for my birthday. This year, he wasn't able to, because our house was full with our other son & his family. So, while we were gone, he made it. He baked a cake & made a batch of my favorite ice cream. He then cut the cake & made an ice cream cake. He also found a recipe for frosting & made it too.... He did a super job. I forgot to take a picture that night, but I took one today!!!
He also did all of the clean up.......what a great son I have!!!!
I am going to try to attach a lot of pictures. I just wish I knew how to post under each one. Sorry about that.....
I hope you all have a great weekend. I think D will be making frames with all of his new wood!!!! Me?? Probably start a new project or pick one that is already started!

Christmas in July!!!

2011-07-22T13:40:00.003-05:00

Ok, maybe not quite, but I have thought Christmas twice this week, while we have endured some extreme heat, as has most of the USA..We hit 99 yesterday afternoon. I think that was the high for a long time! We just had a storm roll thru & we went from about 95 at noon, to 70 right now. (2:40 pm) Gee, maybe I should go pick my green beans, even if the garden is a muddy mess right now.....70 sounds much more inviting than 95.
My TWO Christmas' this week. First of all, on Wed., a dear friend & I went to get our Christmas Candy Making supplies. The prices are going up at the end of the month, so we decided to save ourselves some money. I have purchased my supplies in July before. They keep well & this way, I have them on hand as soon as I am ready to begin my candy making adventure.
I also bought a FUN MOLD to make zoo animals out of chocolate...anyone have ANY IDEA who might like zoo animals made by me???
My second Christmas is my July ornament. I started it last night & I finished it a little while ago. It is a Snow Season Freebie #4 by Count Your Blessings. I saw this a while ago & loved it, so as soon as I finished the SAL piece I was working on, this got stitched.
My SAL piece was the summer segment of the Novalee2 blog freebie. She is sending out each season during that season.
I got a new game for my Wii for my birthday. It is called Walk it Out. Oh my!!!!! Do I love this game. It is not a sit still kind of game....you better be ready to move. You walk to build an island....I am loving it & if you watch my ticker at the top of my blog, you can see I am getting very close to my destination.....lots of miles recorded thanks to my new game.
Thank you so much for stopping by & especially for your kind comments. I know summer is a busy time of year, but it means so much to me to see that people truly are reading my blog.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Up & Coming Frames!!!!!!!!!!

2011-07-17T17:57:00.002-05:00

While I was painting frames for orders, Duane was downstairs 'playing'....this is what he was playing with!!!!
We all agree....these will be great & I already said I have an order for him! PLUS.....I think I am going to do a booth at the sorta LNS...each year, they allow people to buy a space & sell their stitching things. I told him he should make a bunch of these in normal sizes & I would put them on my table.....
Stay tuned for pictures of all of the frames we have finished up this weekend......
thanks for stopping by!!!

A Visit to the Zoo & a Finish

2011-07-14T19:18:00.007-05:00

We had a very BUSY week last week!
On the 4th, our son, DIL and our three grandsons arrived. They stayed with us until Sunday night, the 10th. We took a few adventures during the week, with the best one being a trip to the zoo. Now, what 2 year old doesn't love a zoo? And what grandparent doesn't love a zoo?
We had a great day for our outing. We saw many, many wonderful animals. I think my very favorite was the giraffe. There are so many of them at our zoo. It was fun to watch the trainer feed one of them some lettuce. Have you ever seen how LONG a giraffe's tongue is? My pictures are clickable, so be sure to look!!!
This evening, I finish my August LHN sampler. I used the same substitution flosses as in the July piece. I am very happy with how they look on this one as well. This is finish # 30 for the year & #11 of 15 for the New Project Challenge.
Our group from church went & saw the last 3 quilt gardens yesterday. We spent the bulk of the day at the Shipshewana flea market thou. You never know what bargains you will find there!!!
We also stopped at the bulk food store. I always buy a BIG BAG of popcorn when I go there. Yesterday was no different. I got a 25# bag. I put it in smaller bags & freeze it.
I am very behind on blog reading & commenting. Please forgive me & PLEASE don't stop commenting....I will get back into the groove of things.....this week was play catch up from last weeks busyness!!!
Have a great weekend & thanks for stopping by!

July LHN monthly

2011-07-02T17:51:00.004-05:00

I finished this a day late, but it was worth being late....
I do believe this one is my favorite so far....I did not have any of the called for flosses, so I resorted to my Victorian Motto Sampler flosses & came up with the substitutions. I am real happy with the end results. I love the colors of this monthly...and July is my favorite month....
This is finish #29 for the year & finish #10 of 15 in the Crazy Challenge that was started in January. Only 5 to go & they are the monthlies for August thru Dec.
On Wed., a group of us from my church went on a day trip to visit Quilt Gardens in our area. There are 18 all together. We visited 15 of them that day & will see the other 3 in a couple weeks. I took LOTS of pictures but obviously can't show them all here....I will show you a few of my favorites..some quilts & some other pictures.
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by my blog & especially those of you who take a couple minutes out of your busy day to leave me a comment. They are always so encouraging and uplifting...
Have a wonderful holiday weekend......we sure will!! Certain little people will be here.....

June ornament finished

2011-06-27T04:33:00.002-05:00

I finished my ornament for June last night......I knew it would be done over the weekend. I enjoyed stitching this one!
It is Christmas Cottage by Blue Ribbon Designs. It was in the current JCS magazine.
I used Picture this Plus "Earthen" fabric. For the flosses, I used a few of the called for WDW colors & the rest were the DMC subs.... I like how it turned out & now need to have a finishing day...
Today, I plan to work on my LHN piece for the month. I haven't touched it yet either. The summer gets so busy with other activities, my stitching time goes way down. But, I think today I can do some stitching!
Have a great day everyone!!! Thanks for stopping by my little spot on the web!

Red, White & Bloom

2011-06-21T13:58:00.003-05:00

I finished Red, White & Bloom earlier today. It is a pattern by CCN. I used fabric & flosses I had on hand. I only had one of the called for flosses, but subbed out for others & I am very happy with the results. I used a PTP fabric....I know it is 32 ct. but I am not sure of the color right now.
This is finish #27 for the year...I have slowed way down, since doing the pen blanks for my dad..
Now, I need to work on my ornament for the month & also my July LHN chart.
Happy Summer & Happy Stitching!

It's Not Much, But It Is A Start!

2011-06-12T20:33:00.002-05:00

The past few weeks have been spent stitching pen blanks for my dad. I put my own stitching aside, so that I could get them done for him, as soon as feasibly possible. I finished them on Sat. afternoon. I had decided I was starting a new pattern as soon as I was done....a little celebration for myself!
I started Red, White & Bloom by CCN. I haven't gotten much done, but I am loving every X at this point. I think it will be a quick stitch. Usually when I am really enjoying a piece, it goes really quick.
This upcoming week is filled with busy-ness. I have appointments three mornings. One morning will be my normal errands. One day is our anniversary....yup, there's the week in a nutshell...
I hope everyone is having a great week. Thanks so much for stopping by & especially for leaving a comment....I appreciate them so much.

Our Holiday Weekend

2011-05-31T13:07:00.002-05:00

We took advantage of a 3 day weekend!!! We made it a 4 day weekend!!! I didn't have to babysit last Friday, due to her needing to change days last week. We knew Monday was a holiday, so that gave me that day off too! So...hubby took Friday off & we headed to our son & daughter in laws house for the weekend. We had already purchased the boys birthday gifts....can you believe they will be 2 in less than a month??? It doesn't seem possible!!!
Anyway, we wanted them to have their gifts early so they could enjoy them for more of the summer. They were thrilled with them!!!! I was able to find these online for only 19.99 each.....they were regularly 100 each!!!!! What a deal!!!
On Sat, we took the boys to a horse stable. They got to ride a pony there. I took individual pictures of that, but this one on the stump is my favorite....
I didn't do any stitching while there...I did a tiny bit in the car on the way down, but not much.
On the way home, I got sick.....they had the stomach flu at their house & they were very kind to share with me...just praying hubby doesn't get it...
Have a wonderful week!!!

Mid morning stroll............

2011-05-24T08:47:00.005-05:00

around my yard...
It is a gorgeous morning here. The birds are chirping happily....the sun is shining brightly.....the sky is a beautiful blue....
After hanging a load of towels on the line, I decided to grab the camera & stroll the yard. The spring trees are done blooming now, but the spring flowers are really coming on strong. I started out to take pictures of just the columbine, but decided I needed to take more.
A couple of you have asked in private emails about my vegetable garden. I decided to take a picture of it....right now....it looks like an empty dirt plot..but everything is planted. I put the cages on the tomato plants this morning early.
Stitching wise...I finished stitching my ornament for the month of May..this is my 26th finish for the year. I am working on another pen blank for my dad...these seem to take me a long time to do....I am on the second one & need to do at least 6 for him.
Have a wonderful week & enjoy the weather!

Mid Week Update

2011-05-18T12:48:00.002-05:00

Happy Wed. all! Wow, this week is going fast....hard to believe it is the middle of the week already...where does the time go???
I finished the SPRING part of the Novalee2 SAL over the weekend...actually, I think I finished it on Friday. I found a piece of potato lugana that was the perfect size for this SAL, so that is what I am using.
Next, I did a 'pen blank' for my dad....if you remember in previous posts, he had just started doing pens with cross stitch inserts. Well, he has moved onto using sports teams as the inserts. He asked me to work up several for him. This is the first I have done.
Lastly, I finished the June LHN monthly sampler this morning. Six down, six to go. This is finish # 9 of 15 in the New Project Challenge. It is finish # 25 for the year.
I am not counting the pen blank, nor the other 2 pen blanks we TRIED to do. Also, the SAL piece could be considered a finish, but I will wait until all 4 are done to call it a finish.
I am also posting a few pictures from around my yard the past week or so. Sure wish it would warm up to feel like spring!!
Have a great week!

Four Finished Finishes

2011-05-09T18:52:00.005-05:00

We got the final step of these frames finished tonight!!! We needed to make the buttons for the corners! I am so happy with these finishes. They are Victoria Sampler patterns, by Cathy Jean...I have had them several years, but just never stitched them. When my husband & I were in the LNS a couple months ago, he picked them out....he said "these look like something you would stitch". I laughed & told him I had them at home....so....I got started on them soon after.
He has had the frames done a couple weeks. I finished the 4th animal on Friday. We got them matted & laced over the weekend. After supper tonight, he went down to his shop & cut the buttons for me!!!
I posted the deer & squirrel already, but the sheep is finish # 23 and the bunny is finish #24.
I am now working on several different things. I have pulled the LHN June monthly back out....need to finish it soon. I am also working on the newest SAL from Novalee2. I am enjoying it so far.
Have a wonderful week......I think spring may actually be here in our part of the country!!!

Mother's Day Memories

2011-05-09T04:45:00.004-05:00

Until I can post some stitching pictures, I am going to let some pictures do the talking for me....
I have finished my four little animals & they are framed, but we need to do one more special detail on the frames!!!! Enjoy the memories of Mother's Day!

If it would ever warm up & the sun would shine......

2011-05-03T07:46:00.002-05:00

these flowers would be gorgeous......but as it is...it is so cold, the magnolia's are brown from being cold shocked....the lilacs are very slow in coming out, the redbuds are oh so very close to opening....just a few days of sunshine & warmth is all it would take.....am I asking too much????? It is May for heaven's sake!! I am normally in the middle of getting garden plants, sprucing up the yard, etc......it has just been too cold & rainy.....it is 8:45 am right now & still only 45 degrees....cold enough for the furnace, but there is NO WAY I am turning it on!!!
I am attaching the pictures I just took this am......froze doing it, but I had to get out of the house for a few minutes!!

An Easter Finish and an Excellant Mail Week!

2011-04-22T08:53:00.004-05:00

I loved Sew a Brown Bunny by IStitch from the moment I first saw it. In fact, I ordered the pattern immediately, but just stitched it this week. I finished it up on Wed. morning. This is finish #22 for the year. It is stitched on Legacy lugana by Picture this Plus, 32 ct. I used Vicky Claytons silks for my floss choices...They are Imperial Green 3333 and Quern Stones 5165. I made it into the little pillow this morning. The fabric that it is laying on is the fabric that it is backed with. Bunnies are special to me, because we raised rabbits while I was growing up & then my own children raised rabbits while they were growing up.
This week the mail lady has treated me wonderfully, thanks to three very dear ladies. First of all, I won a blog giveaway that Mouse had a while back. She sent me this beautiful Needle Pillow. It is finished so beautifully...thank you so much Mouse!
Second, I received these great acorn buttons from Tina....she saw my squirrel finish & thought these would go great on it & they will!!!! Thanks so much Tina.
Lastly, I received my exchange package from Pat. We were to create a scissor fob for our partner. She stitched this beautiful hummingbird fob for me & included all the other goodies in the picture.....she was spoiling me wonderfully!!! Thank you so much Pat!
Also this week, I have gotten all sorts of freebies in the mail that I have sent for. I have gotten back into couponing very much & sending for free samples....it is great to go out to the mail & see another package....I can remember for sure this week getting: Orville Redenbachers new microwave popcorn bowl, a small container of lady's deodorant, a small bottle of shampoo, a recycleable cup filled with Breva creamer coupons..one of which is for a free bottle, Tide stain release tablets, & a sample of men's shampoo. I think there were a few more, but I am drawing a blank right now.
I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Blessed Easter...and thank you for supporting me thru my blog.....each of you is so important to me......

Violets & two finishes Finished!!

2011-04-18T09:12:00.002-05:00

A while back, I posted pictures of the violet plant my mom gave me. This morning when I went in to water them, I couldn't believe how many flowers were open. There were a bunch open yesterday when I was in there, but this morning, it was like they had exploded over night. So....the picture of the purple violets is the one my mom gave me. The other one was given to me by a very good friend of mine. I don't know if it shows in the picture or not, but these violets almost have a shimmery look to them.....so pretty!!! I am so thankful that I am keeping these alive.
I finished my April ornament finish into an ornament this morning. I always like the Prairie Schoolers done with the felt finish, so once again, that is what I used.
My other finish/finish for today is the freebie Easter SAL from the Novalee2 blog. I decided a drawstring tote bag would be cute for this.......a bag to carry around all of those eggs found at an Easter egg hunt....
Have a great week & take time to reflect on the holiday we are about to celebrate...

Easter SAL Finished!

2011-04-16T11:08:00.002-05:00

I received the final part of the Easter SAL late yesterday afternoon. So....after finishing up our supper & dishes, I sat down to stitch. I had a goal in mind! Finish the final part of the SAL & also finish the book I was reading. I was able to accomplish both!!!
I stitched my SAL on a piece of 14 ct. aida, that I hand dyed myself. It is a much prettier green than the pictures show. I am very happy with the finish. This is my 21st finish for the year.
Earlier in the week, I stitched two different scissor fobs. I cannot show pictures yet, because it is for an exchange. I was not happy with the first one, so I stitched another one...it is better. I am going to send both to my exchange partner. If she wants to throw the first one away, I won't care, but I thought I would let her make the decision.
I was kind of in a stitching slump this week....don't know for sure why! I think part of it was that I pulled out a WIP of an airplane I am doing for my husband & I just can't get into it.....
Now, I am stitching something for my dad....we shall see how it works...
Have a great week & thanks for stopping by!!!!

Easter Freebie Finish!!!

2011-04-06T09:32:00.002-05:00

Oh, How I wish I remember where I found this freebie.......I would love to link it for all of you, as I now so many are going to want to find it....I am so sorry!!!
It was found somewhere online, in the past week. When I saw it, I KNEW I had to stitch it.....BLACK JELLY BEANS are my favorite regular jelly bean.....of course, if you throw in Jelly Belly's, then I prefer a different flavor!
Anyway, I finished the stitching of this last night. Before I did anything else this morning, I finished the project. I had an idea in my head & I went with it.
I do not have any black jelly beans YET, but you get the idea with the raisins!!! Tomorrow, the jar will have jelly beans in it!!!!!!
The fabric on the back is the jelly bean print I have shown you here.
Many have asked about my sale blog! Well, guess what??????? I just updated it, with 6 different pieces of fabric that I have for sale.
My sale blog is: http://sharissalestuff.blogspot.com/
Have a great day! I am hoping to get out & work in the yard a little. It is ALMOST 50 degrees.....

Three finishes in three days!

2011-04-04T19:06:00.003-05:00

I keep putting off updating my blog. I think...I will do it after I do this....or I will do it after I do that..... If I keep that up, it will never get updated.
I wanted to wait to update until I made my April ornament into an ornament. I am not sure how quickly that will be happening. Maybe Friday...I need a FINISHING DAY.
I also keep saying I am going to wait until I can announce that I have updated my sale blog. I did update it last week & did sell somethings, but I have so much more to add to it, including some fabric I will never use.
So...here I am, to update with neither of those things ready!
First of three finishes was my squirrel, to go along with the fawn. I love how he turned out. My husband says he looks evil thou...something about the face.. He is finish # 16 for the year.
Second, was part 6 of the Easter SAL...I am truly loving this piece & I anxiously await each piece each week. Just 2 parts left.
Third, I started & finished my April ornament this weekend. This is out of an OLD JCS ornament issue.....the 1997 issue! I saw this & loved it immediately. It is finish #17 for the year. The little boy I babysit for loves trains, so he will love to see this when they get back from vacation.
This week is spring break, so I am not babysitting.
I started a freebie tonight that I found the other day....can't wait to see how it turns out & it is another that will need finished this week.
A dear friend brought me two more violet plants. They are so pretty! The one has flowers that are nearly white, but with a small patch of color on each flower. I rearranged my craft room so they are right in front of the window. Oops!! I can't find the picture...next time!!!
Lastly, I took a picture of my crocus the other day before the heavy winds destroyed it.
Thanks so much for stopping by & for your continued interest in my blog!
I would love to learn how to put words under my pictures like so many of you do, but I haven't figured that out yet!!!

Flowers, Fawns, and Easter SAL

2011-03-27T12:47:00.002-05:00

My crocus outside is SO CLOSE to being totally open!!! I opted to take a picture today so I could post it with my other updates. It could be a while before I have another blog update & they will probably be done blooming! I honestly do not know where this bulb came from. I never planted crocus at this house.....and I just have the one...
I finished my second fawn last night. I like this one so much better than the first one! You can see his eye ball for one thing!!! Everything just looks so much clearer to me.
Also, I forgot to update with the Easter SAL last week...I did stitch it, but didn't post the picture. So, this weeks picture is week 1-5, with parts 4 & 5 being new.
My husband got my frame finished for my LHN Monthly Sampler finishes. I have stuck the April piece in to show how it looks, but I am going to get glass for this one, so it isn't hung yet.
I hope everyone has a great week....thanks for stopping by & for commenting. I appreciate it so much.

First Fawn Finished

2011-03-23T15:59:00.002-05:00

well, I finished the first fawn today....
it is ok, but I am anxious to do him again, with the proper colors of floss. I am not sure yet how I will finish this one....it is small enough, it MAY be a Christmas ornament or I may do it into a flatfold.
Several have asked me about the fabric that I am using. Before they went out of business, I purchased a large piece of this from Enchanted Fabrics. So....it is no longer available...but is a lugana called Champagne Cocktail. (28 ct.) I love it!
thanks for stopping by & have a great day!!!!
My next post should have a picture of my crocus!!!! I saw it popping it's head up today!!!!

trying to save $$$ doesn't always work :<(

2011-03-22T06:22:00.003-05:00

On Sat., my husband & I went to House of Stitches. I FINALLY got to use my gift certificate from Christmas. While I was having a piece of fabric cut, he was looking at patterns. He showed me one he thought I would like. I laughed & told him I had it at home, along with the other 3 in the series! He said he would like to make the frames for them! I said sure!!! So, when we got home, I found the patterns & started kitting up the projects. Well, they call for GAST & WDW. I have some of these, but not enough of some of the colors. So....I found a substitition chart & did that.
On Sunday, I started the fawn...he told me to do #1 first so that is where I started....
I have worked & worked on it & I have it real close to finished as you can see............BUT...........
I am not happy with it, compared to the real pattern..as you can see, they look real different.
So....I am going to finish this one, but will be doing it again, with the GAST & WDW floss...
Lesson learned!!!
I am also attaching a picture of my violet plants! My mom gave me a second plant while we were up there on Sat....isn't it gorgeous????? I sure hope I can keep them alive!!! My husband is going to make a proper stand for them!!!!!
have a great day.....stay tuned...I MUST update my sale blog later today.......

Sew Red????

2011-03-16T15:59:00.002-05:00

I just finished my second of the crazy 15 WIP pieces....Yes, I was crazy & signed up for the 15 new project challenge AND the 15 WIP challenge. The thing is.......I DO NOT have 15 WIP...well, I didn't before the 15 new ones!!!
Anyway, this is # 2 of the challenge finished. It is Sew Red by I-Stitch. I am not real fond of red, so I saw that someone else had done theirs in brown & pink, so that is what I went with. I used Dinky Dyes Madi's Rose & Choco Latte. I think I will make this into a needlebook or else a stitching journal. I haven't decided for sure yet.
I also am attaching part 3 of the Easter SAL from Novalee2. I love how this one is turning out....
My amaryllis plant now has 2 beautiful flowers on it, so I have attached a new picture of it. I have also attached a progress picture of my violet....more flowers coming, but none are blooming yet!! It is going to be so pretty!!!
The other pictures are out our back door the other night.....I love when the field crops are down & we can see the deer grazing the field....such a wonderful sight!!
I am having terrible email issues this week....people are not getting my messages & I am not getting people's messages, so if you have emailed me & I have not responded, this is probably why....just send it again or let me know you didn't get something from me...
thanks for looking & commenting & have a wonderful week.........this week is to be like spring here & I am SO READY!!!! I went for a walk today & it was heavenly!!!!

Peppermint Latte Anyone???

2011-03-11T13:44:00.002-05:00

Ahhhh, brings back thoughts of Christmas time shopping. One treat that my husband & I like when we do our shopping together, is to stop at Starbucks in the mall & get the holiday drinks. I LOVE the peppermint mocha latte, so when I saw this ornament, I knew I had to stitch it. We only splurge on a Starbucks drink once or twice per year....I usually like to get one Pumpkin Spice Latte in the fall & then our Christmas treat.......
Anyway, back to the ornament! I stitched it on a piece of Enchanted Fabrics lugana. I LOVE how this piece looks on this fabric....it just seemed perfect for it. I have a piece of pink fabric for the back, which compliments it very well.
An online friend sent me her used copy of a Dimensions House Mouse pattern called Hot Fudge. I am going to pull floss for it this afternoon. If they look right, I am going to stitch this on a piece of Mint Julep from Sassy's Fabby's. I LOVE mint choc. chip ice cream, so I thought it very appropriate to stitch hot fudge on a mint fabric.......now, if I could just TASTE the flavor combos that I have talked about in this post..Oh my!!! Makes me want to go get a cup of coffee & a bowl of ice cream..........
have a great weekend!!

Touch of Spring---in the house!

2011-03-10T05:17:00.002-05:00

Like so many others, I am ready for spring. The dark, dreary days with no sunshine get old. I am ready to be able to go outside & enjoy the beauty of God's creation. I love finding the first wild violets of spring, the first crocus popping thru the ground, the rhubarb coming up in the garden, and of course the songs of the songbirds....ahh!!!!!
But, for now, I have to enjoy a touch of spring, in the house! I bought this amaryllis bulb for 1.75 on clearance. It was already starting to sprout in the box. I had no idea if it would grow properly or not. I figured for that price, it was worth a try. Look at the outcome. It was only about 2 weeks from the day of purchase to this point!! Now, to do what the box says & see if I can get it to bloom again at a later date!
My mom gave me this violet plant sometime around Christmas. I told her I KILL violets. I can never keep them alive. I asked her WHERE to put it. She said they like a south window the best... so...it is in my craft room, where I have a real nice south window. Imagine my surprise when I was in there the other day & saw this!!!!! Another sign of spring!!
I am working on my March ornament. I love how it looks so far!!!!! Hopefully I can update soon with the finish!
have a great day!!

Part Two of SAL & a LHN finish

2011-03-08T18:45:00.002-05:00

Hi there,
another visit from our grandsons has come to an end. This time, daddy & mommy were here as well thou!! This is the first we have seen our son since he came home from deployment, so it was a special time with him.
I didn't get a lot of stitching done, but I did manage to do some each & every night or day...
On Sat., I got part two of the SAL on the Novalee blog. (see my last post for the link) I sat down after the boys & our son & DIL went to bed & had it done in less than an hour.
I also worked on the May LHN monthly sampler throughout the week. I finally finished it today. This was finish #8 of the 15 new project challenge!!! It is finish #11 for the year.
Tonight, I will start my ornament for March. I am excited to see how this one turns out. I am going out of my comfort zone a little with the fabric!!!
Thanks to all who stop by & read my blog & extra thanks to those of you who leave comments....they mean so much to me!

Part One of a new SAL

2011-02-28T10:46:00.002-05:00

I am happy to show you part one of a new SAL I am going to do. It should be a really relaxing piece to stitch. It is just a small amount, each week, from now until Easter. I fell in love with it at first sight & immediately went & found a piece of material that will work great. It is hand dyed by me....a real pale green....perfect for an Easter/spring piece.
You can find the SAL here, with the directions:
http://novalee02.over-blog.com/

Have a wonderful day....be sure to get all of your Feb. stitching commitments done today!!!!! Tomorrow starts March!!!!!

Feb. ornament finished.....

2011-02-26T21:27:00.002-05:00

I have had a couple busy days here. We got about 8 inches of snow yesterday, after my husband left for work. Not only did we get the snow, but it was blowing & drifting pretty bad. I was worried he wouldn't be able to get in the garage, so I shoveled 3 different times yesterday. I still only got the drive about 1/2 way done.
Today, we went out & did more of it....we left some areas that weren't very deep!!!!
I was able to 'finish/finish' my Feb. ornament this morning thou. My husband COULD have made a star for me to use as a template, but he has just been TOO BUSY with work. I didn't want to ask him one more thing to do!!
I am still loving the Wii. I haven't missed a day yet!!!!
Have a great rest of the weekend & thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Who Says Exercise Can't Be Fun?

2011-02-23T19:38:00.002-05:00

Did the title of this post get your attention??? I thought it might.
Many of you know, I have been walking on the treadmill very faithfully for over 2 years now. It has been great for me, but the time has come to add something else, since my weight won't budge any longer.
My mom & my aunt both have a Wii Fit & have told me how much they enjoy it. (especially my aunt) I have wanted to try it for a long time, but haven't had the money. Well, we got our tax returns this week & my husband said if I would like to get it, to get it. So...we did!!!
I am loving trying the new fitness routines & the games....games that DO work your muscles...wow...
Ok, off the exercise topic and onto stitching. Yes, I am still stitching!!!
Last week, I did a small piece for a recipe book for a bride to be. I forgot to take a picture of the finished project before I wrapped it & gave it to her. She is suppose to be getting me a picture & I will post it at that time. It was finish #9 for the year.
Once that was finished, I pulled out the April LHN sampler & I have been working on it since. I am happy to report that I finished it today. This one honestly has been my least favorite so far. I am not sure why. This was finish #7 of the 15 new project challenge & #10 for the year, so far.
Also this week, I kitted up a couple more projects..with the exception of a few things for each... I need to get to an LNS!!
Thank you all for visiting & I hope to build my blog back up now that I was so slack the past month...

Dad has a new blog.........

2011-02-18T12:22:00.003-05:00

My dad has created a new blog & I know he would love to see some of my stitching friends pay him a visit...
Here is the link: http://georgesturningandstitching.blogspot.com/

He has just started making cross stitch pens & he has a few shown on his blog. He will add more pictures soon, I am sure......as long as I can keep encouraging him on HOW TO DO IT!!
I stitched & finished a piece for a bridal shower gift, but got in such a hurry that I forgot to take a picture. I have emailed the bride to be & asked her nicely to send me a picture of it, but so far I haven't heard back.....I KNOW she is very busy! Her wedding is in March...
Have a great weekend!!!!

Catching My Breathe

2011-02-15T05:16:00.005-05:00

Oh my! Can anyone say exhausting?!?!?! That is what the past almost 3 weeks have been. We had the boys for a total of 18 days. That is the longest we have had them & oh my! We all know how busy ONE 19 month old can be, multiply that by 3. They left on Sat. am. We were not able to take them, like we had planned. The other grandparents had to step in & fulfill that duty, as we had obligations with our other son that afternoon. Long story, leaving it at that!!!
On the stitching front, I actually have stitched SOME every day so far this year, except for Sat. With the boys leaving, then doing operation 'put the house back in order', then going to the other obligation, there just was not time.
But......on Sunday, I finished my March LHN Sampler. Again, it is done on the same fabric as the others, using Victorian Motto Samplers flosses, for the most part. This one had a couple of the actual flosses used in it. This is finish #8 for the year and finish #6 of 15 for the new project challenge. Not too bad! WAY BEHIND LAST YEAR!!
I had a bridal shower to go to on Sunday, but I was still playing catch up around here, plus I wanted to make at least part of the gift, so I nicely told the bride to be that I would not be there.
I started her gift yesterday & hope to have it finished by this weekend, at the latest.
I have also added a picture of the floss & fabric for an upcoming project. I still need a few flosses.
I am sorry I have not been visiting blogs too much over the past 3 weeks, but I should be getting back to normal real soon. I also am sorry I haven't replied to comments from my previous posts. I usually take time to do that, but with the boys here, my computer time was very limited. Please don't stop commenting!!!!!! I love reading your comments & believe me, I read each & every one!!!!
Have a super day......thanks for hanging in there with me!!!

Quick Check In

2011-02-09T14:40:00.002-05:00

Hi all,
I am actually getting to stitch a little each day, but have no new finishes to show yet......soon!!! The boys go home this weekend, so my stitching will pick back up...........after I get my house back in order..........
just imagine 3 very active 19 month old boys....yeah, you get the picture!
I did send out a PIF gift a couple weeks ago & also a RAK & I know they were both received, so I am showing you pictures of them.
I am working on the March monthly sampler & it is going well......amazing how much stitching you can do during a nap or a favorite dvd...
I am so sorry I have not had time to post on your blogs....just not enough time in the day.
Ok, back to stitching..have a great week!!!!!!

Feb. Ornament Stitched

2011-02-03T14:08:00.002-05:00

I have the stitching finished on my Feb. ornament. I thought I would 'finish-finish' it while the boys napped today, but silly grandma forgot the sewing machine is in the room they sleep in....so...just a picture of the stitching for now...not sure when I will get the finishing done.
I love stitching these little JBW designs...it is so fun to watch the little symbols come to life as they are stitched.
As you can see, the walk to Branson has been halted!!!!!! I tried the first two days the boys were here. I wasn't even finished with one mile & I had to stop. My husband was home those 2 days, so he would 'flash' the lights & I knew the boys were up! They are early risers......5:30 am.
Speaking of, I hear someone waking from the nap, so I off I go!!!!
Have a great day.
I am adding some snow photos as well. We got about 8 1/2 inches, plus lots of blowing & drifting!!!

Parson Brown Finished

2011-01-31T12:23:00.002-05:00

As I said in my last post, I didn't know how much stitching I would get done now for a while. Our grandsons arrived late morning, last Wed. I have been able to put in a few stitches every day, but some days, literally that....a few...
But, now that they have been here a while, they are getting back into Grandma's routine & grandma has a little more stitching time. Plus, they brought some Baby Einstein dvd's with them & oh my!~!!! My house gets silent quick if I put them in.....I can stitch a little at that time!!!
I put the final stitches in Parson Brown this morning. This makes 6 finishes for the month of January.....one that was a WIP, 4 of the 15 new ones and P. Brown was a start to finish AFTER the 15 challenge!
Thank you to each & every one who thanked me, for my son, for serving. It is so good to have him back in the USA.....we haven't seen him yet, but we have talked to him via the phone, text messages & skype!!!
Ok, better keep this short, incase the kiddos wake up!!! Have a great week!!!

I'm the Happiest Girl.......

2011-01-26T14:49:00.002-05:00

In the Whole USA....does anyone remember that song from many years ago? Sung by Donna Fargo......
Anyway, I may not be the Happiest Girl, but in our small family, I am a close second!!!!!
MY SON IS HOME FROM THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He returned to his place of residence earlier today. On top of that, his 3 precious darlings are now here with my husband & I..... Our son has to do a full week of 'reintegration', so everyone felt it best that he & his wife have this week & then reunite with the boys.
Ok, got my PROUD MAMA out of the way....
I was hoping to finish Parson Brown before the boys arrived, but I didn't quite make it. I am going to show a picture of where it was today, just before the boys arrived. We shall see how much stitching time grandma gets this week!!!!
Have a great week everyone!!!!

Jan. Monthly Sampler.....

2011-01-22T10:58:00.002-05:00

I finished the January sampler last night. This is my 5th finish so far this year, and my 4th of the 15 new project challenge. I love how these are turning out. At first I wasn't sure about the white on this fabric, but it is looking good!
I am using Victorian Motto Sampler Flosses for them & I think they are looking just fine!!!!!
Today, I am going to work on a BRAND NEW start....yes, startitis is strong!!!!! I am going to work on Parson Brown. I coffee dyed my fabric 3 times over the past 2 days. I think I have it good now. I will 'paint' dye it after finished if I think it needs more.
Hubby was up all night....the flu bug has hit him & it has hit him hard. Praying I don't get it. I got the Lysol out & am washing all the bedding, etc....
Thank you to all who have left comments. I sure do appreciate them!!!!

LHN Feb. Sampler

2011-01-18T09:50:00.002-05:00

I finished the Feb. sampler last night. I decided I needed to finish it before January, since my husband is making a frame for me, that will be used to change these out each month. By doing Feb. first, it gives him 2 weeks to get it made for me. I will now work on January, then work my way thru the rest of the months....do March in Feb, April in March, etc...
This is my 3rd NEW START finish for the year & my 4th finish over all. So far, I have kept up with the journal idea. I have written down which project I have worked on each day, when I have finished them, etc..... So far, so good!!!
Some of you have noticed the mileage tracker at the top of my blog. A friend is doing this & encouraged others to do the same. Since we love to visit Silver Dollar City in Branson MO, I decided that was where I wanted to walk to. So...On Dec. 27th, I added my mileage ticker....you can see how far I have walked & how far I have to go. You can also help keep me accountable this way.....if it appears I am not updating, you may want to drop me a note & ask why I am not walking!!!!
I am gathering supplies today for ANOTHER new start!!!!!! Yes, I am totally insane!!! But....when I came across this pattern, it was a MUST DO NOW pattern!!!!!! It is Parson Brown by Notforgotten Farm......too adorable!!!!!!!!
The Postal Service FINALLY decided to deliver a package to me....it was postmarked in The Netherlands on Dec. 12, 2010. It was delivered here on Jan 15th.......it took over 5 weeks to get here!!!! But...it was oh so worth the wait. I just know how stressed Mylene was......worrying it would arrive. I love it Mylene & you know I waited patiently!! I have attached a picture for all to see the wonderful gift she sent me.
Have a super duper day & thanks so much for stopping by & I love seeing comments.....they make my day!!!

January Ornament!

2011-01-14T19:40:00.002-05:00

I have my 3rd finish for the year. It is my SOCK MONKEY ornament. I loved stitching this little guy....so cheerful & happy!!! It makes me smile to look at him!
He is stitched on 32 ct. blue lugana...I don't know if it had a color name or not. I used DMC flosses for all of his colors.
To help me keep track of things this year, I am going to try to number my finishes as I go along on my blog this year. I also have a binder beside my computer that I am keeping track of what I stitch on each day, when I finish each particular project, etc....
This is in addition to my photo finish journal for my stitching. I am trying very hard to keep my stitching details more organized this year! I am sure that will fall by the wayside, as soon as the first time our little visitors show up!!!

15 Project Challenge---first finish

2011-01-11T05:34:00.003-05:00

good morning all!
I finished the first of the 15 new projects last night. Our little visitors have not arrived, so I had plenty of stitching time again yesterday. I got a good start on this one over the weekend, so I decided to keep working on it.
It is Lizzie Kate's Friendship Begins design. The entire project was a RAK from my good friend Sue V. She sent the pattern, a large piece of fabric & all of the flosses for it. How sweet is that???
I am not sure of the name of the aida...it is a hand dyed....16 ct. The flosses were mostly GAST, with a couple dmc thrown into the mix.
I really enjoyed stitching this piece. Normally using a 'white' floss drives me nuts, but it showed up nicely on this piece of fabric. (oatmeal GAST)
Today, I will be working on one of the two ornaments that I started....either sock monkey or the JBW star. We will see which one decides to speak loudest when I pull the tote out!!
Yesterdays mail brought a wonderful surprise. In one of my groups, we had a small exchange for Christmas. Well, my package was coming from the UK. Mail coming to our area from across the pond always seems to take a long time.....well, this sure did!!!!! The post mark was Dec.8th. It took 2 days shy of FIVE WEEKS to get here. Oh, it was so worth the wait thou!!!!! Not only did my partner stitch me a gorgeous ornament, she stitched my grandsons each a gorgeous ornament & included a pair of penguin socks & a hanger for a finished piece. Thank you so much Lynette!!!!! The arrival was perfect, since yesterday was a hard day!
Have a super day everyone...thank you for your visits & your kind comments. They are all so truly appreciated!

PIF winners/ 15 challenge update

2011-01-09T12:58:00.004-05:00

Well, today is Jan. 9th. I said I would announce the winners of my PIF today.
It kind of saddens me that only 2 people are interested, but hey, I don't have to be a bad guy this way & pick numbers!!!! So.....Linda (blustitcher) and Mary, YOU WIN!!!!!!!!!!!! I need mailing addresses for both of you......please email me with them!!!!
Next, I completed the 15 starts...ok, they are started, not completed......Not knowing if we are getting the little visitors or not, I kept going to be safe. We still haven't heard for sure if they are coming or not.
I started July thru Dec. of the LHN monthly samplers. I also started JBW's country star & LK's Friendship begins.
Now, which one to work on first!?!?!? I want to finish all of them NOW!!!!!!!!!
I have never in my life had so many starts. But...I have always finished what I start, so I have no fear about that. I am betting I will finish at least 3 of these, yet this month!!! Now, that is me challenging me!!!
Let the stitching continue......

15 new project challenge/update

2011-01-06T08:27:00.003-05:00

Hi all,
So far so good. Today is the 6th of January. That means sixth new start today....which I have already started for today.....
Actually, I am having to break the pattern a little bit. Rumor has it we will be getting 3 little munchkins real soon......and this grandma KNOWS how little stitching time there is when they are staying with us......
So.....to be able to keep up with the 15 new starts in 15 days, I have worked ahead. I have actually started #8 this morning. This way, if the boys do come, if I don't have time to stitch some days...which is most likely, I can at least know in my heart that I have already started them & feel good about it...
I am the kind of stitcher who finishes what they start. I have at some point in time, finished each project that I have started.
So, without jabbering any more....I present to you day 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7. I am going to do more on day 8 before I put it away to start day 9.
All of these are Little House Needleworks Monthly Samplers. I have no clue how the pictures will show up, even if I post them in order.
I have done a random number generator for the people who were interested in the HOPE chart PIF. Jennifer, it picked you!!!! Please email me your mailing info & I will get it in the mail to you right away....

First Finish 2011

2011-01-03T13:21:00.004-05:00

As I have said in previous posts, I signed up for two different challenges in the new year.
One is to work on/ finish 15 wip pieces. I only have 1o, so I will work on them!
The other is to start 15 new projects, the first 15 days of the year.
SO....on Sat., I started my first new project.......nicodemus by Raise the Roof designs. After working on him for a while, I switched to my WIP.......Hope by Bent Creek.
On Sunday, I started January Sampler by LHN. I worked on it a short time, and then switched to Hope again.
Today, I KNEW I could finish hope, so that is where I started today. I finished it about a half hour ago. I will start LHN Feb. sampler this afternoon.
Hope is stitched on 32 ct. Legacy by Picture this Plus. I love this fabric.....perfect for so many projects. I need to purchase buttons to finish the piece, but the stitching is done.
I have attached photos of the 2 new starts as well!! (not sure why the one photo is sideways..sorry!)
Happy New Year!

I forgot to say.........I need to PIF with this chart.....so if you are interested, let me know in your comments. if I get more than one response, I will draw a name before my next blog post!

Three LK finishes

2010-12-29T19:30:00.003-05:00

When I started these three pieces last Sat. (Christmas Day), my intent was to just do 'part' of each of them, & then use them in my 15 projects for the 15 WIP challenge. But...as my son saw me working on them, he said "Mom, just finish them, you know you can." Well, that was all it took! I just kept working on them this week. So, from Sat. until today, I stitched all three of these pieces. These patterns were a RAK from my friend Sue V. She also included the fabric with the patterns, so that made it easy to kit them up. I finally got around to stitching them!
I am pretty sure I know how I am going to finish them. I think the 2 about grandkids are going to be on a tote bag.... I am not certain about the stitching one yet....
Now, I have to see how many WIP pieces I actually have for the challenge!!
Be sure to read the post about my PIF. Not many people have asked to be included.
Happy New Year to each & every one of you!!!

PIF time!

2010-12-28T13:40:00.002-05:00

Early in 2010, I signed up for a PIF on Carol's blog. I had totally forgotten about this, until just before Christmas. She told me she was working on my PIF gift....I had to ask her when I signed up! I had forgotten!! Anyway, now it is my turn to host a PIF. I am copying her description of it, because it is so easy to understand!
Pay It Forward (PIF)~ verb: "1. to repay the good deeds one has received by doing good things for other unrelated people."
And now it is my turn! Would any of you like to participate in a PIF from me? The rules are very simple. I will send a stitched gift to three people who leave a comment (on this post only) requesting to join my PIF challenge. Knowing my love of ornament making, it will most likely be an ornament, but who knows--I'll surprise you! I have 365 days to fulfill my end of the bargain. If you are chosen as one of my PIF recipients, then you must offer the same on your blog to keep the kindness going... Please specifically mention in your comment if you wish to be considered for this...If more than three people sign up, I will have a drawing for three names. I will leave the drawing open until Jan. 9th.....
I have attached a picture of the PIF that Carol sent me, along with the Christmas gift she sent me!!! I love BOTH of these & they are on my craft room Christmas Tree.....sure hate to put it away for another year, but will this weekend.

for those who have been in suspense!

2010-12-25T21:32:00.005-05:00

We went to my parents house today. I knew Dad had my finished product, but I sure didn't ASK for it......it drove him nuts!!!!! He said I am too patient...he was going to go get it!!!
Oh my! It turned out so much more beautiful than I thought it would/could!
He has been trying to come up with a way to do Cross Stitch pens for several years. He has finally found a way to do it & I think he has a keeper!!!!!
I am attaching three pictures. One is of my pen alone, one of my mom's alone & one of the two together.
Dad will be selling these at craft shows & also by special order for those who are interested. He said they will sell for $35.00 and then 4.95 for priority shipping. He will allow the person to stitch their own insert or he will have my mom stitch it for him.
We had a great day today, even thou none of us was totally in the Christmas mood! It just doesn't seem like Christmas with a family member missing....

Timely Finish

2010-12-24T09:22:00.003-05:00

woohoo! I finished the SAL piece I was working on last night.
This was a freebie from last Christmas. I had probably 3/4 of it done & it got put away.......
well, I KNEW I wanted to finish it. Those of you who know me well, know I finish every piece that I start......it may take time, but I DO finish each & every one.
Well, I got this out a while back to work on finishing it......I couldn 't believe it......I was missing part 12 of 12. I emailed the designer, but it said right on her blog that she does not email parts out......I was lost! So...I posted on the 123 board my dilemma. Some kind person, who shall remain nameless, sent me part 12, so that I could finish it! Thank you so much!!!!!!!
I stitched this piece on 25 ct. opal. lugana, over 1, with 1 strand of floss. I used all different brands of floss on this! I have some GAST, some dmc, some Carries, some Polstitches.....
I love how it turned out!
My dad has informed me that the MYSTERY OBJECT is finished, but he will not show me a picture....he said I will see it in person tomorrow!!!!
I will share on here, as soon as I am able!
Merry Christmas to all of my faithful blog followers & commentors.....I appreciate each & everyone of you!!!!!!

Next Mystery Picture(s)

2010-12-23T12:46:00.004-05:00

Well, the last picture didn't get many comments!
Will see if this makes it any easier for you or if it is more confusing!!!
I will also be updating my blog later today or tomorrow with a finish & an announcement about a PIF.........
stay tuned!!!

Ornament Finishes!!

2010-12-20T12:52:00.004-05:00

I was involved in a RR ornament exchange with one of my groups. There were 6 of us stitching, so we each were to get 5 ornaments at the end. Mine arrived last week, but I was so busy, I didn't have time to 'finish' them.
Yesterday, I felt like stitching a quick ornament, so I did just that !!!! It was a freebie called Holiday Spirit (samplerbird stitchery) It is the ornament with the 5 Christmas words on it. My husband drew the shape for me, to make the finish. I liked the finish so well, I decided to use it for 2 of the ornaments.
The other 3 were stitched by girls in the group. Sandy stitched the other one that is shaped like Holiday Spirit. Karin stitched the little cabin scene & Vicky stitched the PS reindeer. I still have 2 more to do, but need to decide how to do them. I don't want to over do in one day!
I took these pictures on my basement landing trees. They are now upstairs....on my stitching tree1 I just thought this was a good spot to get a good picture!
I am working on a SAL from last year....hoping to finish it this week!!!!!!
If I don't post again before the weekend, I want to wish each & everyone of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Thank you for stopping by this year & for your encouraging words to me!!!

15 New Projects Challenge, another clue & giveaway winner!

2010-12-18T19:29:00.003-05:00

If you follow this link, you can learn about one of the challenges that I am doing for the New Year.
It is called Crazy January Challenge 2011.

http://minnanharrastukset.blogspot.com/
I took the following from the blog:

We have so many charts in our stashes, so let's start stitching them!
The rules are simple:

1. Start stitching a new design every day, from January 1st to January 15th. So by January 15th you have 15 new WIPs to stitch!

2. Try and finish everything you started stitching during the year 2011 :)

3. Show photos in your blog if you have one, in January and during the whole year while you stitch, as we all love to see photos!

4. If you wish to join, leave a comment with your blog address into this post and I will add your name to the list.

5. Have fun stitching!

I finished picking my 15 projects tonight. I have them all kitted up & ready to go on January 1st.
They are:
1. Raise the Roof Designs--- Nichodemus, found in the 2010 JCS ornament issue
2. LK Friendship Begins
3. JBW French Country Star---found in the 2010 JCS ornament issue
4-15. LHN Sampler Months (Jan. thru Dec)

I am attaching another picture of the piece I sent to my dad......this is your next clue...
I have another picture as well, but I will give everyone a few days with this picture!!!

Lastly, I used a random number generator to pick the winner of my Winter Welcome piece.
It drew #1.....this is Wayne. I will get your chart to you as soon as I can Wayne! Congrats on the win!!!!!

Part Two of Two

2010-12-16T21:12:00.002-05:00

well, I have not had much stitching time over the past couple weeks. I have been very busy with my candy making & also a few batches of cookies, along with everything else a person does this time of year.
I can't tell you yet, at this time, what this SHOULD be when done, but I wanted to share a picture to spark interest!!!!!!
I have stitched two pieces, exactly the same like this. I am sending them off to my dad. If he is able to do what he plans with them, you will see the end results at a later date......
I am working on gathering projects for the two challenges for the new year, that are so popular on blogs right now!!!!! I haven't made my final choices yet, but I am getting close.
I am hoping to finish the 5 ornaments that I got back from my RR this weekend. I babysit tomorrow & we are going to make sugar cookies together.
Have a great rest of the week & take time to remember the Reason for the Season!!!

Winter Welcome Finish

2010-12-07T21:29:00.002-05:00

When I updated this am, I KNEW I would probably finish this one today, but I was too anxious to show the boys ornaments to wait.....plus, I knew I had people wanting to see them!!!
I started this piece last night, after finishing the 3rd ornament. I have had it kitted up since the pattern came out...I believe my receipt said 2007. I used a Needle Necessities floss for the blue & WDW snowflake for the white. The buttons came with the chart. I joked with my husband that my framer probably can't make me a frame like the pattern shows. He looked at it & said he thinks my framer can!!!! So, we shall see!!!!
I have decided to do a give away. If you would like this chart, leave a comment & an email address for me to contact you. You will not receive the buttons, but chart only.
Thanks for stopping by, for commenting & keep on stitching!

THREE MORE FINISHES!!!!!!!

2010-12-07T09:58:00.002-05:00

It seems that everything I do, is done in threes. I wonder why that is?!?!?!
Anyway, I put the finishing touches on THREE ornaments this am.....I am sure most of you can figure out WHY I did three all at once.
Yes, they are for my grandsons. Once I saw these patterns, I knew they were the ones I wanted to stitch. It was just a matter of figuring out how to finish them. I showed my husband some that I had finished for my stitching tree that looked like this finish. He thought it was appropriate...he said start simple & get more detailed as the boys get older. (I did an ornament last year too, but I am sure he has no clue how they were finished!!!)
This is a very simple finish, but looks great for ornaments.
I hope to have another finish or two this week.
I am pretty much over the 'crude' the boys shared with me over Thanksgiving, so I am making up for lost time.
Thank you all for visiting & have a wonderful Christmas season!!!!

Little Heart SAL finish

2010-12-03T16:48:00.002-05:00

It feels great to have a WIP finished!!!!!! I started the Little Heart SAL as soon as it came out in January. I got Dec.'s block the other night & started it right away. I would have had it finished last night, but the frog paid me a visit & I had to rip. I will blame it on my mucas filled head.
We had our boys last week. They were are 3 very kind & shared well with grandma. Yes, they gave me their wonderful colds. Mine turned very sinusy this week.
I also am working on another WIP Christmas project from last year, but do not have a picture right now. I hope to work hard on it this coming week.
I am also working on ornaments for the 3 little angels. I have one done, but I will not show pictures until all 3 are done. I have started the second one. I need to decide how I will finish them.
I am going to keep this short. My time is very limited this time of year & I know everyone else's is as well.
I thank each & every one of you, from the bottom of my heart for reading & commenting on my blog. You don't know how much it means to me!
Have a super duper weekend!

Three Days & Three Finishes!

2010-11-18T17:02:00.002-05:00

I have three new finishes.....granted, they aren't real big, but they are finishes & 2 of them are actually FULLY finished!
The first one is an ornament for a RR I was involved in. This was the last one I had to stitch, so my obligations for them are done. I just have to wait patiently for mine to return to me!
I finished the CCN ornament on Monday evening. I got it, along with the others, mailed to their owner on Tues. morning.
Tues. evening, I stitched a little freebie I found on Daffycat's blog.
http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/
I put this little one together this afternoon. I just found it too cute to not stitch...Funny thing is....we never did Santa with our children! But, this was an 'instant gratification' stitch for me.
Yesterday, I worked on another ornament. This was a freebie from the Sampler Girls blog a few years ago I believe....I am not certain on that fact.
I finished it into the ornament this afternoon.
Now, I will go back to a few WIP pieces, until we get invaded by little people again!! Yes, the boys are coming back!
I have attached a picture of the new paint in our living room. We did this last weekend & I tell you what!!! I love the new color! It makes the room so warm & cozy! And some of my stitched pieces POP on the walls. If you read back in my blog, you can see the wall with the old color & then compare it with the new color!
Thanks for reading & for commenting. It always brings a smile to my face to see the comments!

Christmas Came Early

2010-11-13T06:28:00.003-05:00

Last Sat., I learned that I had won a giveaway on Mary's blog.
http://sentimentsandstitches.blogspot.com/
I have been following Mary's blog for a short time....found her thru another blogging friend.
Mary & I hit it off right away. We have so many things in common, besides the obvious....stitching.
Mary has been a wonderful friend to me.
So..........to see I had won her birthday giveaway, I was thrilled. I honestly felt like it was Christmas when I opened her package yesterday. I do not know how to add pictures with the words underneath, so please bear with me as I describe things.
There was a card & 4 packages. I opened the card & read Mary's sweet words to me. I then started with the package on top. In it, I found a piece of 28 ct antique white lugana...perfect for many projects...also in this package was 2 pieces of material for finishing projects. One is a blue which I think is going to be perfect for a SAL piece I am working on now. The other is Gingerbread boys, which are one of my favorites at Christmas time!
Next, I opened the package that had 4 patterns in it. I love each & everyone of them. The LHN "Snow White" has the fabric to stitch it on & also finishing fabric included in it!!! The LHN "All is Calm" has finishing fabric in it! I really want to stitch the Sunflower Seed pattern right away! Perfect for the upcoming holidays!!
The next package had a pack of photo greeting cards, a magnetic list minder & a skein of Christmas-y floss from Threadworx. I haven't used their floss, so I am anxious to try it!
The last package was an 'added' bonus I believe....Mary knows some of my favorite designers & she included some old freebies & some older charts she thought I would like...and of course, I do!!! One of them has 3 little elfs on it...she said it reminded her of my grandsons...so perfect...I had to agree with her!!
I haven't taken pictures of what I am working on this week..I finished the Nov. part of my SAL piece. I worked on a SAL piece from last Christmas, and now I am working on an ornament for a RR I am involved in. I hope to finish it this weekend, so I can get busy on Christmas gifts!
Thanks for stopping by & reading my blog. I appreciate each & every visitor & I appreciate your kind comments. If I don't see comments, I wonder if anyone is reading, so it is great to see the comments. I hope to have pictures of my stitching updates sometime next week.
Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

Amish Rules

2010-11-04T13:49:00.004-05:00

I have finished Amish Rules & I love how it turned out!!! The words on it are so perfect for me.
We live a very modest lifestyle. I try to be courteous in all I say & do. If I make a promise, I keep it. I share with others the things that I have been blessed with.
This pattern is by Heart in Hand. Someone on the 123 message board showed their finish a while back & I fell in love with it. I asked about the pattern & she sold it to me. Before I even had a chance to start it, someone emailed me, asking if they could buy it when I was finished. I said sure! She even sent the money long ago!!!!!
The pattern had a border around it, but personally, I like it without the border. We will be able to 'enhance the picture' with the frame we make for it.
The other pictures I am posting have been taken from my front window one morning & my back window another morning. If you notice the birds....there is a downy woodpecker on the post of the birdhouse & a bluebird on top of the post....I love these two types of birds, so to capture both of them together just made my day!
I now need to decide if I am going to work on another WIP or if I am going to start something new. I have something laid out, so I MAY start it!!!!! What's one more WIP?!?!?!?!
Have a great rest of the week & weekend!!!

A pumpkin finish & two WIP pictures

2010-10-29T08:48:00.002-05:00

after our wonderful time at the pumpkin patch last week (see previous 2 posts), I knew I had to do more pumpkin related stitching.
I saw this adorable pumpkin finished on Beth's blog. Sorry, I don't know how to do the link thing!!! Her blog is in my list thou....check it out!
It is an older SanMan pattern called Did someone say pie?? Just adorable. I love making different foods with pumpkin, so I have LOTS of pumpkin recipes. I am going to try a pumpkin chili tomorrow.
I used the finish piece to make another of my albums. This one will hold ALL of my pumpkin recipes in one place.......easy to find them this way!
The two WIP pieces have been neglected since before the boys visit last week, but they will be front & center now for the weekend for sure.
One is Amish Rules by Heart in Hand. The other is out of an OLD magazine. I was sorting magazines & saw this on the cover & knew I had to stitch it!!! (see post a few weeks ago for the details)
It finally cooled off enough that we had to break down & turn the heat on. I try to wait as long as possible.....love that time between air conditioner & heater....how much $$$$ it saves!!
Have a wonderful weekend.....it will be Nov. real soon......

pumpkin patch photo album

2010-10-25T15:23:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you, but when I go to bed, I don't go to sleep. I go to work......well, at least my brain does. Last night, when we headed back, as soon as my head hit the pillow, my brain started working. It decided that I needed to make a photo album for all of the adorable pictures we took at the pumpkin patch. You see, between my DIL & I, we took between 200 & 300 pictures. I thought to myself that I would stitch up the little SanMan chart....did someone say pumpkin. Then, I thought I would go thru fabric that I already have & use it for an album. I knew I had spare albums stocked up. See, no cost involved thus far.
I told my husband I couldn't go to sleep because my brain was working & I told him about it. He said as long as I didn't have to buy anything. So........I told him, I thought I had everything except the printed pictures & MAYBE pages...I haven't decided yet if I will buy pages or if I will make them out of card stock paper, which I have already too!!!!
So, when I got up this morning, I searched & found the Sanman pattern. I pulled all of the supplies & even stitched one row. At that point, I thought to myself...why not see what I had in my ALREADY STITCHED BIN. Well, I found several pieces that would have worked, but the one I chose was perfect!!!! So, the sanman one is laying there, waiting to be done. I am going to stitch it & use it for a pumpkin only recipe book!!!! I love cooking/baking with pumpkin, so this will be perfect!
I am also working on a few WIP pieces & will update with them at a later date. Have a great week!!!
Thanks for all of the kind comments!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

2010-10-23T08:10:00.002-05:00

well, my blog has been neglected!
Last weekend, my husband & I and another couple, went to a state park for the day. The weather was absolutely perfect that day. We walked over 10 miles on the trails. It was gorgeous & I took a ton of pictures.
Then, on Sunday, our DIL & the boys arrived. They needed a break from every day life. On Weds., she & I took the boys to the mall, so she could do some much needed shopping.
On Thurs., grandpa took the day off. The 6 of us headed to a pumpkin patch about an hour from us. They had TONS of pumpkins, gourds, mums, etc.... They also had a petting zoo. The boys loved feeding the animals the corn. It was such a precious day for us.
I did very little stitching over the course of the past week, so I am not showing any progress at this time. Maybe next week!!!
For now, enjoy some pictures of my precious grandsons!

amazing autumn adventures!

2010-10-06T13:18:00.003-05:00

This morning, I decided to take a ride to a favorite Amish store. We like to go to shops in Shipshewana for many things, but we also have a small shop we like that is a little closer to home.
I saw in their little ad last night, that they had apples for 10.75 a bushel. Now, any of you who know anything about apple prices, this was an amazing deal. Who cares that I have already canned enough applesauce to feed a small army! I had to get more apples. Besides that, I think I do feed a small army!!!! Literally!!! My three grandsons are an army of their own!
I took a few pictures along the way...don't mind 'car parts' in the pictures! When you are the only human in the car, you slow way down & take the picture yourself. I haven't taught my dog how to take pictures yet.
When I went out to get the mail, I found a wonderful surprise!!! I won a blog giveaway last week & the prize arrived today. Louise, over at Raggedy Stitches had a giveaway & I was the blessed winner. You can see that she sent out a wonderful assortment of goodies! There are several items in the package....I can't wait to sit & thoroughly take in the magazine. I haven't purchased one of these in a LONG TIME!!!
We are having a carry in & bonfire at our home tonight. The weather is ALMOST warm enough, we might eat outside.....time will tell.
Have a wonderful autumn afternoon!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!
Thank you Louise for the wonderful giveaway win!!!

Autumn Amazement

2010-10-04T07:37:00.005-05:00

Good Monday morning,
I don't know about you, but to me there is just something special about Monday mornings. They are always a fresh start for me.
Fresh starts...oh my! That makes me think I need to make a fresh start on a new stitching project. I have found so many adorable freebies lately that I can't decide where to begin. I want to stitch them all!!!
I HAVE started two new projects since my last post. I started Amish Rules by Heart in Hand. It is an older design, but I saw it finished on the 123 board a few weeks ago & fell in love. I was able to get the pattern for a good price from the lady who finished it, so I did! This will be added to my Amish wall.
Next, I was sorting/organizing all of my magazines. Big mistake!!!!! I see more & more that I want to stitch. Most of them, I was able to tell myself....later. BUT....one autumn piece just SCREAMED at me to stitch it NOW!!!!!!!! So, I gathered supplies & did just that!!! I started it immediately. It is in the Leisure Arts Cross Stitch magazine...volume 6 issue, 19. It is called Signs of Fall.
I had just barely started this & the next ornament RR package came in the mail. Being an organized stitcher & a stitcher who puts obligations ahead of her own stitching, I put those 2 projects aside & started the ornament. It took a lot longer than I anticipated it would, but I am happy to report that I finished it on Sat. Afternoon.
I then pulled the flosses for Sylvia's Oct. SAL piece. I started & finished this in one setting Sat. night. I love this project...each month it seems Sylvia comes up with an even cuter design!
Let's see...some of Autumn's Amazement......
Last Monday evening, my husband & I decided to take a walk. As we walked, it sprinkled just a tiny tiny bit.....we looked behind us & a beautiful rainbow graced the skies. I took a picture with my phone, so it isn't the best, but you get the idea.
Then, mid week, the farmer started harvesting our field. The next morning, I looked out & how beautiful......I will let you look at the picture to see the beauty I saw that morning.
Lastly, I have talked about my Ghost Chili pepper plants. They have ripened!!!!! I need to pick them & make a pot of chili for my son!! He will be so happy!!!
Ok, I think that is all for now. I HOPE I can figure out how to put captions under each picture. So many of you do, I want to figure out how!!!
have a wonderful, fall week!!!!

Wee Autumn Finish

2010-09-20T13:50:00.002-05:00

A perfect name for this piece. It is small & it is for sure an autumn piece!!!
I just finished stitching "wee autumn" by Heart in Hand designs. It is an older design, that I forgot that I had, until I saw someone else finish it!!
I stitched it on PTP dill 32 ct. lugana. I used GAST & DMC flosses. I am going to ask my husband to make a frame for this...I have not asked for small frames but I really think I would like to frame this one!!
I have also started another piece that I saw someone else stitch. I seem to have forgotten that I have about 10 projects already started....oops! Oh well, they are there...I will do them!! I do not start a project & not finish it!
I wish each of you a wonderful day & wonderful week! Thank you for stopping by & for your kind comments!
Oh! I am also going to attach a picture of my "WALL". We hung my B. Potter & Bethlehem this weekend & are very happy with the looks of the wall!

Frames Finished!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-09-14T08:04:00.003-05:00

woohoo! What a weekend!! I finished my B. Potter at the end of the week. Normally, it takes my husband a long time to get to making a frame for me.....he will do for others much quicker. But, this time, he got right on it!! Not only did he get the frame done for B. Potter, but he also got back to the frame he was making for Bethlehem. And...he made a frame for a piece my aunt stitched.
I have no idea how the pictures are going to appear...I load them one way & they appear on their own way. But.....the frame for Bethlehem is made out of maple. My craft room floor is maple laminate, so it matches in there great!!!
The frame for B. Potter is oak. I had him put a light stain on it.
The other frame is my aunt's stitching & the frame is rough cedar. This is one of my very favorite frames that he does. I love the rough look of them. I have many Amish pieces framed like this.
Lastly, I stitched this ornament on Fri/Sat. I made it into the finished ornament yesterday.
I had to wait until this morning to get decent pictures on a few of these.
Have a wonderful day & thank you for stopping by my blog! I appreciate all of the kind words that you leave!!!

Huge Happy Dance

2010-09-10T06:08:00.003-05:00

She is FINISHED!!!!!! I put the final stitches in my B. Potter piece at 8:20 pm, Thurs. Sept. 9, 2010.
I started this piece on Jan. 1, 2009. I worked on it a little bit each month. There were some months, that I only did a tiny bit. There were other months that I did a lot. As it drew near the end, I was putting LOTS of stitches in, as I could feel the finish. You all know that feeling??? You just want to keep stitching & stitching & stitching!
I tell you.....it was very hard last weekend! I wanted to stitch so bad, yet I wanted to do all of the fun things as well. I MADE myself tell myself that the fun things were more important...I WOULD get this finished this week!
Details for you....the piece is stitched on 32 ct. Tan Marble lugana from Sassy's Fabby's. It is stitched with 3 colors of floss from Victorian Motto Sampler.
My husband is going to make a frame out of oak for me for it. I would bet he will do it real soon, as he knows how proud I am of this finish. I loved every stitch that I put into it!!!!
Thanks for cheering me on thru this one!!!!! Your comments are the best!
Have a wonderful weekend & thanks for stopping by!!!!
(I took 2 pictures & couldn't decide which one to use, so you get both!)

Labor Day Weekend

2010-09-08T12:30:00.002-05:00

I can describe our weekend in one word: BUSY!!!!!!!
On Sat. morning, we got up at normal time. I needed to get my time in on the treadmill early, so our son could do his workout in the morning, instead of afternoon. So.....6 am, I was downstairs. When I was done, it was his turn.
DH had somewhere to go at nine. Just before he left, our son left for his last year of college. It was so hard to see him go, but all along knowing this is where he needs to be.
While DH was gone, I THOUGHT I would catch up on blogs. I pulled mine up, because that is where I view others. My music came on & the song that was playing did me in. It was called "letters from war" by Mark Schultz. Not the song I needed to hear the morning my last one left home. Not only did it remind me of my son that is serving our country, it made me realize my nest was empty again & I got sad.
I was so thankful we had plans for the day, once my husband got home. So, as soon as he arrived home, we headed out to a state park. We have never been to this one before & it was a nice change of pace. We walked about 12 miles total that day. We got back here early evening.
Sunday, we started out like always...we headed to church. We came home & grilled lunch. We then set out to get the yard ready for the nasty season after fall. We mowed, pulled dead plants out of the garden, etc....
After we finished that, we headed to town to get rid of all of the recycle stuff & then to Menard's to look for more wood for frames~!!!
Monday, bright & early, we headed to Shipshewana. For those unfamiliar with what that is....it is a large Amish community near us. I like to go up there at least once a year. I knew I wanted to look for apples & red raspberries this time. We headed straight to the flea market area first. In the front, they have lots of produce. I got 2 bushels of apples right away. No one had raspberries, but I was thankful for the apples.
We then walked the flea market & looked around. After that, we went to the downtown area & walked thru all of those shops & had our lunch there.
Next stop......the bulk food store!! My other reason for going!!!!! I stock up on things there. For example, I got a 50# bag of oats, a 25# bag of popcorn, a large bag of brown sugar, some popcorn meal (used instead of corn meal for muffins), & other ingredients for my homemade granola.
As we were leaving there, our son called. He had a long list of things he needed us to bring him at school. (things that didn't fit in his car or he forgot) So.....we got home, unloaded my car, & reloaded it with his stuff. We headed to the school. We finally got back home about 8:30 that night.
Yesterday, it was applesauce making time!!!! I had 3 bushels to do. (I had one that I had bought a few days ago, plus the 2 new ones) I got 36 qts. & 8 pts. out of them. I still have about 3/4 bushel of apples, but I ran out of jars......guess what is on my grocery list!?!?!
Once I finish ALL of the apples, I will take a picture of dining room table!! Oh my!!!
On the stitching front.....STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!! I will have a new update for my blog later in the week!!!! Not sure what day yet, but just keep your eyes ready. You will probably HEAR me update!
Thanks for stopping by & for leaving your kind comments. Each & everyone makes me smile!
I am posting some of the pictures that I took this weekend!!!

the decision was made

2010-09-02T13:35:00.002-05:00

THANK YOU EACH & EVERY ONE!! I so enjoyed the comments about which fabric to use on my little freebie finish. I had pretty much decided which one I would use, but I thought I would open it for discussion. I appreciated your views on why or why not you would use which you chose.
I love both of the fabrics, for different reasons, but I went with the leaf patterned one for this finish, because the colors just seemed right for it.
I also have finished the Sept. block of Sylvia's SAL. Each month, I think 'oh this one is my favorite' & then the next month, she comes out with an even cuter one! I really loved the little scarecrow this month.
I am now back to working on my B. Potter piece. I have a goal in my head, so I am going to see if I can meet my goal. Originally, I had said the end of the year. That meant doing 2 motifs per month, with 2 extra motifs. Well, I think we all know how busy the end of the year can get! So....I decided maybe I need to move my deadline up a little!
I am also attaching a few pictures of our 'ghost chili' plants. I have grown these from little seeds that I won on E-bay. As you can see, we never put them in the ground. We have them in ice cream buckets. We didn't want to risk the local critters feasting on our plants. So, each night, I bring the buckets in the house & then put them back out in the morning.
If you don't know about ghost chilis, I suggest you do a google search about them! They are supposedly the HOTTEST pepper in the world!! NO, I WILL NOT BE EATING ANY!!!! I am a wimp when it comes to peppers!!!! My salsa recipe calls for 15-20 jalapeno's. I use 10 & that is too hot for me!!!
Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone! I hope you get some stitching time, along with other activities you enjoy!

A finish, a question, a finished finish & progress!

2010-08-30T13:29:00.003-05:00

How is that for a title??
First, I finished a cute little freebie from Homespun Elegance.It is stitched on 32 ct. Midas lugana from Picture this Plus. I don't get into Halloween but I thought this freebie was too cute to not stitch. I am planning to make a little pinkeep out of it. Here is where the question comes in. I don't have Halloween fabrics in my stash. But...I found two fabrics that I thought looked good. I would love your opinions please...which looks better??
The finished finish is the 3rd time I have stitched this wedding piece. I stitched it for a very dear friend of ours that grew up with our kids. I then stitched it for my best friends son & his bride. This time, it was for someone I do not know. I was asked to stitch it as a gift & get paid for it. Here is another question. You see the finished piece. I provided everything. How much would YOU have charged for it? I am just curious!!!
Progress........I said last month that I had to stitch at least 2 motifs per month on my B. Potter, to finish it by the end of this year. Well, I did 4 this month so I only have FIVE left now & one of those is very tiny!! Woohoo!!! I see the end in sight!! Almost makes me want to keep moving on it, but I do have some fall stitching I want to tackle!!!
Have a super week! Thanks for stopping by & for your wonderful comments!!!