Olympic Challenge

It has been a crazy August so far, Summer Weather, Work and Family have all contributed into making this a great summer and one filled with great memories.

However, I have found less time to stitch, and even less time to blog or post about the stitching.

I joined the Stitch Maynia Olympic Stitching SAL. I have been able to do most of the daily stitching, but the posting of the progress has not happened. Instead I am posting it here.

New Start 1 - I worked on this piece August 5 (Stitch blue), and 10th Specialty stitches.

This is Music Amongst the trees - Samplers Not Forgotten - Not sure if you can see this picture but there are Blue stitches in the band across the top and Rice Stitches at the bottom.  I love stitching on this - first experience with Gloriana  Silks. Its a treat. I was able to complete a lot of this on Day 1, I know very little blue, but - I worked on this Friday night at my Stitchers Retreat Every Other Month !st Friday Night Stitch in,so it was about 5 hours of stitching time.

Day 2 - International Theme - I finished La D Da Peace on Earth.  I sort of looked at this a little different figured Internationally we could all work on Peace. (Very happy)


August 7 (yellow), August 9 (black) and August 11 (green).  This was a New Start I was able to finish working on this for three days.  Glory Bee's Free Summer Chart






I did not stitch August 8, Water or August 12 Triathalon - three pieces  ( I did not stitch at all either of these two days.

August 13 (red) and August 14 Equestrian - I started and finished JBW Hobby Horse - I did this as a Christmas Ornament - I stitched this with Sulky threads Blendables Vintage Holidays.  This was a 12 weight - so one strand is the same as 2 - it is a very different feel.  But I really liked this thread and bought it on a whim and just had to use it.  I would be picky about what I would stitch with these threads because of the look and feel, but I do like it.




So I haven't decided what I am working on from this day forward.  But I am sure I will find something.

The Wedding quickly approaches for DD#3.  I really need to get a dress - I haven't even looked and the wedding is September 3.

Guess I really should stitch some sort of Wedding Sampler?  Maybe?

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

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

It's Almost Christmas

It's almost Christmas and all is well.  I am ahead of schedule on all counts.  Presents are wrapped and all that is left are those few things I leave on purpose for Christmas Eve.  Seriously, I don't know why, but I love the last minute Christmas Shopping.  

This is my first year without a child - since I moved and left my two youngest daughters in the large family home, into a very tiny - one person size house (one of the many memories of 2015) this is the first time in 40 years it will be just me and a dog.  Me moving was the only way it seemed I could get that "Empty Nest"  Someone was always moving back home - so!!!.  It was funny trying to fit all the Christmas decorations in my new home - so I had to leave several of them - that was sad.  But the over all peace of living alone was well worth it - now this is me - Having had six kids, and now 10 grand kids - Peace and Quiet is good. 

New Year, New Traditions:

Christmas eve will be with my sister and friends.

I will travel Christmas day - dropping off the presents at each house - all my kids are local, That will be fun to see all the presents at each home and individual attention to each family.

I am having a open house on New Year's day.  And I have invited them all - fingers crossed they stagger their time of arrival and departure, because there is no way everyone will fit in this house at the same time.  But I do have late and early risers so I am pretty sure we will be fine.  Just soups and chili - so it will do well to the eat when you get here thing.

Book Club:  

Last finish - A Room with A View - I loved this read.  After I finished I watched the movie.  I usually don't like love stories - but this one I did.

Next Book:  To Kill a Mocking Bird.  That is the CNY Book of the Year for 2016, which is why our Book Club is reading it.  I have read this book I bet about 5 times - the last time was only in the fall, One of my favorites,  

Stitching News;

As everyone else it's been limited so I am a little far behind with my December goals - but that is pretty normal for me - so at least with the holiday season I have lots of good reasons.

First up - My WIP from a Crazy Cross Stitch Start I did in 2013 The fabric is black and this is a terrible picture - I hope the next shot will be better.  I have a 2016 goal to finish three more of those I started in 2013 This is from a Leisure Arts Magazine - February 1993.  That has been a very long tine on my todo list.  The thread is DMC 3844.  I really like the blue with the black.  Below is a new start - Trilogy - Winterology. The 2nd in the series I am doing - hope to finish this and Spring and Summer in 2016.  I am blogging from home so no picture editor and my WIP is as you can tell standing up and it should be lying down.  

Final note:  I do celebrate Christmas - it represents a big part of my Faith.  It is a time of Good Will towards ALL and my wishes for peace and joy are not based on how I worship, or what this day means to me - I only hope that we call all find a way to celebrate all of our neighbors, and keep kindness and love in our hearts.

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.