Raining for Three Days -- Snow forecast for this week

Seriously.  This messes with your mood.  Or at least it messes with mine.  However, I did take this as an opportunity to Spring Clean a tiny, tiny bit.

I rearranged the furniture and my cat is freaking out.

My stitching has bounced around this first week of May.  There is all this hubbub on FB because it is the month of Stitch Maynia.  I do believe, in some way, this has affected my May stitching so far.


I worked a little on Woneta - just the grass and the beginning of the Candy Corn.

Worked more on Music Among the Trees - I really do not like to stitch upwards.  I have reached the top with the A.

 Here is a very faded picture of how it should look when finished.  I really have to spend more time editing these photos.  Both of these pieces are part of my Year of Wips Challenge - both of these I would like to finish during this challenge

I have examined my WIP pile once again.   I tried to figured out why I never had the desire to finish these projects.  Two reasons - I discovered a mistake and would have to frog a great deal, or I did not like the fabric choice.  So I am actually re starting several of them.  

I do have a finish.  My project from the Spring A Stitchers Garden Retreat with the Primitive Hare. Here is my Wicked Doll.  This will be finished into a small bag - There is another piece, a small pumpkin all stitched in Algerian Stars.  This will be the apron for the Doll.  I hope to have both of these pieces Fully Finished before October 2017.

Two side notes  My sister (62) got married this week - long time partner.  She wants to retire early as her job is going to lose funding this year - you know our new administration, and she needs health care coverage - you know our new administration.  I am sure she will be very happy being married, But I know she was also very happy not being married.

And I have now only 4 months left to work.  I am hoping once I retire, I will finally have the time to figure out just who I really am.

A Stitchers Garden Retreat - Primitive Hare - Spooky

It seems life has just been so crazy.  I had an amazing weekend (March 10,11,12) at my annual Stitching Retreat.  I had a wonderful time, and of course it is so easy for me because I do not have to travel.

Here are the pictures of the goodies we received and the Stitching Project.

When we came back to our seat after breaks and meals there was always a new gift on the table.  All handmade, except of course the little scissors.   The stitching bag, needle book, the little ort tray, the post it note holder (or whatever) and the little drawstring pouch filled with chocolate.  I picked the bag - lots of spooky choices, I picked the one with the floating dresses.

 These were are two Friday night projects - the little mason jar, we pin cushioned the top.  I choose fabric that matched the bag.  And of course the wonderful strawberry - but I choose the orange and the green - so mine really looks more like a carrot.

I was very surprised to win the raffle basket.  It is a spider web.  Three projects, soaps, candles, lotions, linens.

This is a terrible picture of the project.  It is a stitching bag and a little stump doll.  This is a picture of my weekend progress.  

I ate too much and spent too much.  

It was unfortunate, it was the weekend we set the clocks ahead.  I am one of the few people I know that does not like Daylight Savings Time.  I really like the sun to rise early and I don't care what time it sets.  

And if that wasn't bad enough - we had a crazy blizzard on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.  I had taken Monday and Tuesday as vacation so I was safe at home.  The office closed at 1 on Tuesday and Wednesday we were closed  Snow Day.  I have worked in the same building since 1978 and this is only the 2nd time (once in 1993) we closed.  We are the snowiest city in New York - always get over 100 inches a year.  So for us to close it had to be bad.  But by Thursday we were all plowed out and back to work.  

The best news I have to share, is I have decided to retire early.  I will be 64 in June.  I have worked too long in the same place.  I will be retiring the end of August - in six months time.  I will most likely get a part time job, just for the extras - like Stitching Retreats.

A Stitcher's Garden 2016 Retreat

There is so much to share about my Retreat and the wonderful time I had.  This is a picture of our Main Project - Our instructor is amazing.  L-D-Da.... This is a link to her website. I was so excited to attend this Retreat - and all my expectations were more than met.

This is a picture of our "Tender Hearts"  Needle Roll project and where I ended with the stitching on Sunday.

This picture is a close up of the inside of the Stitching Roll Case.  The pin cushion at the top we filled with "lizard litter".  and attached the wool insert to hold our needles.  I plan on finishing this project as soon as my I can so will share as I go - hopefully the lighting will be better with the next pictures.

We also received too many gifts - and I will blog again to show the stash I came home with.

We also did several small projects - taught by some of my favorite people from the shop.

 There is a very small scissors fob - We were given a choice of about nine designs - each was a small square - I repeated it four times to make the fob.  We were able to pick our own fabric from several pieces and pick either red or blue thread.  I brought home another piece of fabric and the blue thread for another scissor fob I will also complete soon

The pin cushions were are Sunday morning project - the small one is the size is made on a bottle cap.

We also made a wool felt needle book.  Mine was so elementary 

But I am using it, and it is very cool.  Thank you to @AStitcher's Garden and La-D-Da.  For a wonderful fun filled weekend.  Can't wait until next year.  

  

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.

2016 01 12

Winterlogy - Almost Done

January is fast flying by.  I really like the Winter months in Central New York - everything but sometimes the driving.

We have not had any snow yet - some predicted for tonight and tomorrow which means driving conditions are excellent and I had no trouble getting to my LNS, A Stitchers Garden

I am a lover of Cardinals.

 It's something I inherited from my mom.  So when I received my new copy of Cross Stitch and Needlework I knew I just had to do this project.  And It is Peace on Earth.  SERIOUSLY!! This really has my name all over it.  It is a Cottage Gardens Samplings  I really like Vinniey Tan's designs.

So this will be my one new start for 2016 and I purchased the fabric and threads (plus a few other things) this weekend.

Up top is a picture of Winterlogy which is almost done - have to fill in some of the ice block outlines and the snow on the last block on the right.  I was so planning on having this finished by now, but oh well.

Looks like this weekend will continue to be fun filled, I am attending a Painting with a Twist  Event on Saturday.  It is for my nieces birthday celebration.  We have a great time when we do this, I will share a picture of my creation along with one of what it is suppose to look like next post.

Stay safe