Leap Day

And Leap Day It Is.

Leap Year is just crazy to me.  It is sort of like Day Light Savings Time.  I know there must be a good reason for it -   But then I guess Day Light Savings Time was Created by man.  And Leap Year really does have to do with Nature - the Earth Orbiting the Sun and all. 

But here we are.  And today has started out to be just a little out of the ordinary.  It was almost 60 when I woke up early morning. -- Unseasonably Warm for February in Central New York..  I took my dog for her morning stroll and somewhere along the way I lost my keys.  Strange  - but the stranger thing is my door was opened, and I don't remember opening it. So did I not lock the door?  Did I really have the keys and then I lost them in the house?  Too many questions.  

I finally gave up looking for them.  My sister has a key.  I will be able to get a copy made.

So I get to work, and my sweater is on inside out.  My manager asked me if I knew...It was a funny conversation.  But seriously - I left the house with my sweater on inside out.  So I am really expecting at least one more surprise today.  We will see.

Very little stitching this weekend.  Planning a baby shower for my daughter. The Shower is on March 26th, yes that is Easter Saturday - and my Stitching Retreat is the weekend before.  SO  I have two February Stitching Goals, and one Knitting goal.  Start and  Must finish the baby Baby Cocoon - I think these are so cute  -- And there are ton of different ones on pinterest  .  And then finish the little Cross Stitch Teddy Bear.    This Teddy Bear is in the April 2010 Issue of The Cross Stitcher Magazine and it is title the Crazy Quilt Teddy Bear.  I think this should stitch up pretty fast.  It is on 14 ct Aida - So the counting will be easier for me as it is over one.  This is the same fabric choice as the one in the picture.  Enjoy your day!

February SAL 2016

Stitching Lotus Small SAL 2016

Hands On Design 

If you live in Syracuse, New York, it is hard not to caught up in St. Patrick's Day.  If you lived most of your life on the West Side - than you are most definitely connected to the celebrations.  The Green Beer will be delivered to Colemans Pub this weekend - the only bar in town with the Phone booth for leprechauns and also if you look on the right hand side - bottom right next to the front door of the pub you will see the little door for the leprechauns.

Upside Down Traffic Light.  Green is On top

Lizzie Kate

So it only makes sense - I would always have a Patrick Day Stitch on my to do list.
This month I did two for the Small SAL - Thanks Heather at Stitching Lotus for hosting.

2/22/2016

These are the dogs.  Dakota (white), Cali and Little Bella.
When I moved to my little house, I took Cali with me.  It was a very difficult decision, but one that worked out best for the family, and the animals.  Daughters #3 and #4 who are living in the house could not have lived there without the Dakota and Bella.  However, just like the Grandkids, there are sometimes when they all come to the house for a visit.

Dakota is now 8, and Cali is 2 (both Rescues) and Bella is 2 also - but she started out as Granddaugher#1's dog, who went away to college - and we inherited her.

Dakota, Cali, Bella February 2016

I am blessed with a very large, fenced in back yard.
Cali has figured out how to climb up on a tree with a funny trunk and jump over the fence.
So, I had a bit of a fright this weekend, when I went outside to bring her in after a quick potty break and she was no where to be found.  Her backyard privileges have been suspended.

These are my two finishes.  My Dog Bone Blessing  is a little different than the original chart -- I have left off the WELCOME BONE and the blue panel at the very bottom of the house.  I am perfectly okay with these adjustments. and when it comes to my stitching  I always win.

Dog Blessing 2/22/2016 Finished

Here is my 2nd Christmas Nutcracker.  My grandson plays the French Horn.  I am not totally sure that is the instrument this Nutcracker has, but it is close enough look alike, so you get where I am going with this one.  It is for Grandson #2.  

Weekend of Below Freezing Snowy followed by Above Freezing Tuesday

Photo appeared Post Standard Syracuse Paper Website

So this is what the roads look like in downtown Syracuse this noon.  More Pictures of Hometown 2/16/2016.  Have to love it.  Over the weekend Watertown New York - about an hour north of me had the coldest temp in the USA...-37.  I was at -22.  Not complaining.  Actually just shaking my head, because here are pictures of my city - three days later and it has been raining all morning.

UGH... I hate freezing rain.  This is not suppose to happen until March.  Or even April.  There is more snow and cold on the way.  Wonder what this will do to the streets?

My week was an adventure - Furnace Repairs last Thursday, at the home I own.  That furnace is 37 years old.  Can I make it just one more year?  But repairs $$$

On way to meet repair man, got in a single car accident - due to icy roads - went off the road, sort of funny, on a hill - drove on someone's lawn - popped a tire.  SO Friday, due to All Wheel Drive - I met with Don at Goodyear and now I have 4 wonderful new tires  $$$$$$

SO I just had to make a trip to visit my friend and shop owner - A Stitchers Garden yesterday - we had the day off to celebrate our Presidents, and my latest order had been delivered.  Hands On Design, Block Party Java  Mine will not look like this -- I bought a different color of Fabric.  I drink my coffee black and dark roast - well my morning coffee, I wish I could remember the name, but I will post it when I begin this project.  There is some back stitching required to define the stitching areas, this is going to be so much fun.

Hands On Design Block Party

So I have one little Finish to show you.  

 The green is not the one called for in the graph.  This was a Limited Addition Gentle Arts - I did not have the called for color and I just decided this weekend I wanted to stitch this - being it was so cold out.  Did not finish - finish it but it will be ready to display by March.

Hands On Design Year In Chalk.  March

Stay Safe and Warm.  Do hope Mother Nature is kind to you and yours.

February 8 2016

Last week was a great Stitching Week.  And I am very happy when I get the opportunity to Stitch a bunch.

Friday night was our first Stitch-In of 2016 at My LNS A Stitchers Garden.  This only happens every other month, they are very important to me.  These are the only women I know locally who I am blessed to be able to stitch with.  This was a great time.  It is now about six weeks to the Annual Retreat and it can't get here soon enough.    I worked on La-D-Da Peace on Earth - this is the designer who will be at our Retreat. Love her designs.  I was able to almost finish the bird..
This is a very poor picture.  

Nutcracker 2016 

This is my First Nutcracker finish.   I would love to do several of them this year.  Happy I have one finished.  My goodness, it has been a long time since I have done this much back stitching.  It seems most of my work of late has been limited.  This project needed it.  I think he may be too big for my tiny little tree next year - but I know he will be displayed.

So had to start on Nutcracker #2.  Same as above but dressed in blue.

 This Nutcracker has a French Horn.  My Grandson plays the French horn.  So this one will be extra special.  This little guy was not in the February plans at first.  But I have changed them.  Pretty sure this won't be the first time.

Dog House Blessing Update 2/8/2016

I did get to work a little on my WIP of the month.  I try to do this stitching on Thursdays.  

Life is good here in CNY.  We have dodged all the Blizzard and the temps have been mild.  I wouldn't mind the snow - but not complaining here.

Stay Safe