January 12, 2017

January Stitching for me has been wonderful   I have been blessed with some extra free time and I have been able to get a couple more finishes.  The first up is the Hands On Design Year of Chalk January.  And I did not do this on the suggested fabric and floss.  I think this fabric is platinum and the colors are Hazelnut and Navy - I think Weeks - I wanted this completed before the end of January and after finishing the Woodland Sampler I just couldn't work on the Gunmetal Fabric - to give it that Chalkboard look.  So here it is

I now only have July and August and all months will be done - accept February - I don't do Valentine stuff - just a personal choice.  But I am stitching - Freedom by Primitive Hare to display for the month of February representing Black History Month.  (I am in the US)  This is in my stash (yes Stitch from Stash 2017).  I am changing the color of her dress to a red.  It represents more the color of the cost of  Freedom.

Speaking of American Freedom - I have finished Liberty House - Started back in 1993 when this house represented my house and family - long story short - things change - and this got set aside. for 23 years.  As you can see - I only did the house - I inserted the picture of where I was in October 2017 and what the chart does look like. when year of wips started.  I only put six stars on the roof - one for each of the kids - and for the EST. I stitched my birth year.   This makes 7 WIP finishes for the year of WIPS Challenge - but I picked the easiest ones to complete first.

I am traveling to Washington D.C. to march - I have mentioned that I think in the last post.  I am getting very excited. A little nervous.  Of course, its an 8 hour drive, on a bus, with a group of  "Nasty Women".

Halloween Blog Hop

If you are here because you are looking for a letter.  The letter is S... Spooky, Scary, Spiders, Skeletons.  

Jo from Serendipitous Stitching is hosting a Halloween Blog hop..  Read all the blogs in the order listed on her blog and you will receive all the letters you need for a special message.

And you will see lots of wonderful Spooky, Scary Stitching.

This is a Primitive Hare design - I found this in the Just Cross Stitch Special Halloween Issue 2012.  It is finished into a No Sew Cube - Instructions from Vonna,   I love Halloween Stitching.  Here are just three of my finishes JBW Halloween Cat on Black with Neon Green Threads, and Hands On Designs Year in Chalk October.  

I am blessed to have lots of little goblins and witches visit me on Halloween.  I just love the whole Trick or Treat thing.


For your next Letter - please go visit:

http://reading--stitching.blogspot.com

Monday June 6

I happened to run across the Anonymous quote and I loved it, so I had to share.  It is just so perfect for me.

"If you don't do a lot of stupid things when  you are young, you won't have funny things to talk about when you are old"  

If this is true, I will be able to keep you laughing for days.

Here is Handson Design Year in Chalk - June.  This is really the best color fabric it is called Hog Wild Blue and it doesn't look much like that in the picture - the Whales are Dolphin, and I also used Turkish Red and Tin Bucket and of course chalk.  I have July, August and January left.  I am not doing February because it is a Valentines Theme - and that is so NOT ME.  I am trying to find a Mardi Gras chart about the same size I can put up instead.

This is update #2 on my Little Flag.  This white is killing me.  I have had to rip out, and you can imagine it is very difficult on this little 40 ct gauze.

For the Month of June (on every stitching day accept the 20th) I will be stitching U.S.A. charts.  This is one I have had for awhile -  My oldest daughter was with me on one of my trips to the LNS and she asked me to get this.

SO just how will my stitching be different on June 20?  Well it's my birthday and I am joining  Jo at Serendipitousstitching in a WIP Stitching day.  She has decided, since it is the longest day of the year to stitch on as many WIP's as she can for as long as can.  The big reason I have joined this, is because I am hoping by stitching on these long ago and almost forgotten pieces, the little time spent on  them again will light a Spark and I will really want to finish them.  That is my hope.  Fingers Crossed.

Thursday May 5.

Some Finishes to Share

Well this is a year in Chalk for May -- but it is not this color fabric.  I was so tired of the Gunmetal Gray fabric, we picked a completely different color scheme for May. This fabric is actually Green, like the Avocado - the inside off one.  Sort of.  And the floss is Chalk, and Sugar Plum (Gentle Arts).  This looks really pretty - but in the picture it looks terrible.  Will see if I can get a better picture over the weekend.

Here is Mr. Red Nutcracker.  He is my third one complete for the year 9 more to go. 

So I don't have as many choices as you would think - however I did find these handsome dudes in a very old Better Homes Cross Stitch Christmas from 1990.  

I really haven't figured out any May Stitching Plans but Saturday I am taking a class at the LNS.  It's a little project on 40 ct gauze.  I have never used this fabric before so we will see.  I will show pictures for sure.

Happy Cinco_de_Mayo day.  This has become a very big celebration.  I am eating Mexican food tonight and meeting friends for a sip or two.  I am not quite sure why this has become a day of intense celebration, but I don't really mind having another day to take a little time out and spend with friends, good food and drink.

No more Whining about the Rain in April

Sunday Morning I woke up to this wonderful backyard

This was about three inches of new snow.  And we received 3 more for a total of 6.6 inches of snow yesterday.  And Wait, we are not done.  More snow predicted for the rest of the week.


One amazing thing about a day of cold and snow, I was able to complete the next month of HandsOnDesigns year in Chalk -- April.  Smiling with every stitch, as I watched the snow fall.

I also have two small updates, Cardinal and Candy Cane and Tender Heart (Retreat Piece).

Enjoy the day.

If I am stitching, I should not be cursing

Seriously!!! the reason I love my stitching is because it relieves my stress and buts me in a State of Peace...

SO THIS FINISH was a trip.  Here is my "Little" Bear.  And He is very little. And his arms and legs are so tiny it took me way too long to stuff him - and as you can see he is a little bit bumpy and a little bit wrinkled.  The nursery is decorated with the Moon and Stars - So the flannel backing does have the moon and stars and e little blue sheep

I have lots of the backing fabric left and figure I will create (fingers crossed) something with it to go with my Tiny Little Bear Gift.  Of course, I did know how large it was going to be when I started.

I did get so frustrated with the stuffing - I was seriously cursing. But of course that information is between my and my blog.

Stitching Retreat this weekend - Will have pictures next week.  Also went over budget with my Stash Enhancement.

Sadly enough had not cast on one stitch for my Baby Cocoon.  This may become a blanket and may be delivered to the baby at the time of her birth.

Have to catch up on my March goals - a couple of smalls, a little Christmas Ornament and April - Hands on Design - A Year in Chalk - will be working on them in that order - We will see what the month brings

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.

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.

Peace On Earth Stitching Finishes

Here is the next monthly installment of Hands On Design, Year In Chalk.  December.  It is finished and on display along with my two new small finishes - Foxwood Crossings Sleds.  

Here is my 2015 Christmas Project - well it is the one I finished before Christmas.    I have started a new project -  The Trilogy Winterology -- I completed Automnology earlier this year and decided to do all four months.

Stitching Update

December HandsOnDesign Update

Welcome Update

After having to frog and stitch the little House more than once, I discovered it is best if I do this stitching in Daylight.  I am not sure why I am having difficulty with December, seeing the holes.  Am not where I want to be with this piece but there is always a silver lining.  I spent all my after dark stitching hours working on Welcome and am almost finished.

I don't know why my image is not landscaped.  It has to be I bet with the original camera shot.  I did mess around and try to fix it -but could not figure it out - when I few it in picture manager it is correct.  Any help or suggestions will be SO thankful for - this is not the first time I have had this problem.

What a grand and glorious weekend in Central New York.  Not so great on the Football Scores for my favorite teams -  SU Football  or Cleveland Browns   But my love of my teams is certainly not built on winning.

Am getting recipes ready for my Thanksgiving Breakfast - this is the meal I make for my family, and since all my kids are local, they will usually try to attend - then I take turns for dinner.  This year I am having dinner with my two youngest daughters. My ex husband will be in attendance - a day to count my blessings -- the major one being we can remain friends and not be married.

World Events.  Continue to sadden me.

Year in Chalk - Hands On Design.

Hands on Design - Year in Chalk.  So I did start this a little late in the year.  But I am working on having this completed next year (2016).  These stitch up very quickly - well I did make a mistake with October and November - but I would rather adjust than to Frog and enjoy the imperfections -- as I celebrate all the reasons I am not perfect.  The tutorial for finishing these is amazing (http://handsondesign.biz/).  Cathy at http://www.handsondesign.blogspot.com/  has quickly become one of my favorite designers.

September Hands on Design - Year in Chalk finished

October Hands on Design - year in Chalk 

November -- Will finish this weekend to display in November