Stitch from Stash SAL

I found a mention of Stitch from Stash 2014 on Lynda's blog  and I had to do a little search to find out what she was talking about.  After looking around a bit at Mel's idea I've signed up.  Her SAL is in line with my goals for the coming year and hopefully this will help to keep me accountable.

Are you up for the challenge?

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

New Year Plans

My birthday is in December.  Around my birthday I begin to reflect on the past year and plan for the coming year.  This year has been no exception. 

Here is what I'd  like to focus on in 2014. These are not in any particular order.
      
        Continued weight loss;

       Finish the UFO's in the baskets of shame;

       Participate in Theme-A-Licious 2014;

       Post to my blog more frequently;

       Turn a bunch (a very specific number) of WIPs into finished projects;

       Walk/tread 8,000 steps per day;

       Go on a stash diet;

       Attend two stitching functions, one is already planned;

       Declutter by getting rid of one thing each day;

       Stitch - a - lot; and

       Enjoy time with my family.

My word or rather phrase for this year will be Lighten Up.

My word for 2013 was Balance.  I'm not sure that I achieved it all of the time but I was more mindful of what I was doing.   That probably was the best outcome. 

Having shared by goals (scary word) for the coming year I hope to share my progress in my journey through 2014.  

What are you hoping for in 2014?

How was your Christmas?

So, did you have a great Christmas?  We did.  It was busy but a lot of fun.  We tried some new things this year.

A first for us was to open gifts on Christmas Eve while feasting on appetizers and cookies.  I think everyone had a good time.  I'm not sure if we will be repeating this.  However, this year it worked for us because of our plans for Christmas day.

Christmas day we slept in a bit and had breakfast.  Then it was off to my mother-in-law's - over the river and through the Pine Barrens, literally.  We spent part of the day with her.  I prepared our Christmas dinner at her house.  An then home at a decent time so that the children could go on to their evening plans.

Some of us stayed home and watched tv - some of us even stitched a bit for the first time in days or maybe weeks.  I'd have to check my stitch journal to find out exactly how long it's been.  I'm pretty sure I've done some at lunchtime but not much else.

I realized on Christmas Eve morning that, when I was unable to snap my fingers to get the granddog's attention, my hands were a bit stiff!  And I blamed it on a lack of stitching.  I am convinced that the hand excercise from stitching keeps the stiffness away.  However, I can't snap my fingers today either, so that may not be the case.  Or I may not have stitched enough last night.  I'll have to try again tonight.

No pictures of our holiday since I didn't take the camera out of the drawer.

Enjoy your day after Christmas.

Happy December

Whew, we're almost through the first week of December.  How is your December going? 

I did get our advent calendar hung up on the first.  Here are some pictures of that.

I made this back in 1993 when I was pregnant with my daughter.  We've lost a few ornaments over the years, but not too bad.  This is how it looked this morning after my son, the only one home, put up the latest ornament.   I found this pattern in Cross Stitch and Country Crafts - remember that magazine. I loved it because you could turn to the back and order what you needed for the project so that it would turn out like the model.  Boy, do I miss that magazine.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Irish Blessing

Last Saturday I took this piece to Just Cross Stitch in Lederach, PA to be framed.  It is a Christmas gift for my son.  He chose this when we visited The Strawberry Sampler in September.

Irish Blessing by Twisted Threads

Just Cross Stitch is a sweet shop.  I did a little bit of stash enhancing.  Not too much this time. 

I am supposed to be on a stash diet, but don't always do so well with that.

Have a great day!

No Place Like Home

That was the title of the piece for a class I took with Catherine Theron sponsored by The Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild. 

I had to leave early in the morning to make the class on time.  I did it. 

Here is the cover of the directions. 

Some over one, stem stitch, and spiral trellises.  Sprial trellis was new to me.  I was quite frustrated with it a first.  Catherine gave me some one-on-one coaching and I was able to do them by the end of the class.  Catherine is a patient teacher and very organized.  Just what I like when I take  class.

Catherine was a part of the Samplermakers group that I attend.  I didn't take her classes when they were offered through that group.  Catherine has moved out of our area. 

These are a couple of pictures I took so that I would remember how the cover for the needlebook should be attached.  And a picture of the left side of the inside.  Don't know why I didn't take a picture of the whole thing.

Here is my progress for the day:

 

 

Doesn't look like much, yet.  I am happy with this bit of progress. 

 

I hope to get back to this soon. 

 



Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm posting this today for those who may be traveling. 

These are the few things I've put out for Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving by Hinzeit

I'm not sure who did these.  And I haven't found a good way to keep track of these things.  I suspect that one is Bent Creek and the other is Heart in Hand.  Total guesses on my part.

The view from my dining room chair

My basket of pillows, which I would like to leave on the floor.  My granddog thinks they're his toys, so they are up on the table for safety's sake.  I know that one of the pieces is Thankful Quaker by Bent Creek.  I'm not sure who designed the pumpkin.

 

 

My children will all be home for the holiday. 

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!



 

Bountiful Blessings

I started stitching this guy, Bountiful Blessings by Threadwork Primitives over the weekend.  I've made some progress and hope to have him finished and on display for Thanksgiving.

This came as a kit that I ordered from Dyeing to Stitch.  The finishing fabrics were included.  I just have to add stuffing when I put it together. 

Have a great day!

November

I can't believe that it is late November and I haven't posted once.

I'll start this post like I start each early month post.  Here are some pictures of the decorations I change out each month.

Sheepy dressed for November with his blanket designed by Homespun Elegance. 

November Teapot and Tea Cup of the Month by Sam Sarah Design Studio

Monthly Mania for November by Heart in Hand



Santa of the Month by Curtis Boehringer

 

 

 

I put these out in early November.  Sheepy had been packed away for quite some time while I was getting my stitching room sorted out.  But he's back! 

 

Have a great day!

 

 



Happy Halloween

Today I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of my current dining room decorations.  Since today is Halloween I'll be taking them down soon to make way for  Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful day.

A Finish and A Start

Last night I was able to assemble Beggar's Night.  I am pleased with the way this turned out. I chose to use green chenille trim instead of the orangey color that I had.  I liked the green better.

Beggar's Night
by Threadwork Primitives

I also started His and Hers Thanksgiving Stockings by Plum Street Samplers.  I am using 36 count Lambswool since I had some of that in my stash.

I tried to upload my photos earlier today but had some trouble.  Seems to be working ok now.

Have a great evening.   I'm off to the happy chair.

Beggar's Night - Last Stitches

Last night I took the last stitches in Beggar's Night. I hope that I can finish this tonight or tomorrow night so that I can at least have it out on Halloween Night

 

 

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Beggar's Night and Do Nothing Day

So, how was your weekend?  Mine was good.

Saturday I spent a fair amount of time getting my living room and hall floors cleaned.  It took way longer than I had estimated.  But, I am happy with the result and that makes it worth all the time it took.  I'm not so happy with the wax that I used and will have to look for something else. 

I don't know about you, but I am feeling like it is time to get the house all cozied up for the months ahead.  The long time of being in at night.  I think that explains my recent bout of nesting or maybe more appropriately nestling.

Yesterday, Sunday, was what I designated as Do Nothing Day.  I had intended not to do any housework or necessary tasks.  Of course, due to my contrary nature, I couldn't help but put away several loads of laundry.  And do two more loads of laundry so that the baskets would be empty at the beginning of the week.

I did however, find some time to work on Beggar's Night.  I am pleased with the progress I made yesterday.  I hope to finish stitching this guy in the next couple of evenings.



Beggar's Night
by Threadwork Primitives

Have a magnificent Monday!

Little Sheep Virtue - No. 7 Patience

I finished stitching this at lunch on Wednesday.

Little Sheep Virtue - No. 7 Patience
by Little House Needleworks

For now he will join his other friends in the to be finished box. 

I hope to be able to sit down this weekend and put a few of these together. 

Have a thrilling Thursday.

Beggar's Night - Wednesday

Here is a little picture of what I accomplished last night.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Beggar's Night - Monday Update

I made more progress on Beggar's Night yesterday.  I've moved beyond the Pumpkin Pie and am adding some other colors.

Maybe I can start on the pumpkin tonight.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Beggar's Night - Progress

I was able to spend some time last evening stitching.  And, I made some progress on Beggar's Night by Threadwork Primitives.  And, not too much frogging this time, and I have the border done.

 

Have a wonderful Sunday.  It looks like a beautiful, sunny, autumn day here today.

Little Sheep Virtues

Here is a little progress update on the piece I keep in my bag to stitch at lunchtime, waiting at the doctor's office, and other odd times that I'm away from home.  This is the seventh piece in the series.  I do have other 6 stitched.  I'll have to show those another day.


Little Sheep Virtue - No. 7 - Patience
Little House Needleworks

Have a great Saturday!

Beggar's Night Progress

I've spent a couple of evenings working on Beggar's Night by Threadwork Primitives.  I had made more progress.  Wednesday night just when I thought I had the border done, it was off by . one . stitch.  A mistake I had made in the top it turns out.  So the result you see here is what I had left after some major frogging.  But I am ready to start in fresh again tonight.

Please excuse the wrinkles. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Retreat

Weekend before last I had the privilege of attending a retreat sponsored by the Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild.  Twice a year these ladies meet at the Lankford Hotel for a weekend of stitching, eating, and relaxing.  Sally and Sara of Salty Yarns are there with the shop open for our pleasure all weekend.

When I arrived on Friday I was given this goodie bag which also included a packet of Bohin needles which I have tucked somewhere in my stitching bag.

When I opened this I thought what a great Shepherd's Bush kit and I can probably stitch this in the weekend.  And, I haven't opened it yet.

Sara and Mary put out a lovely spread of appetizers and desserts for us on Friday night.  Sara is a wonderful cook, make that chef.  She has something new and wonderful to tempt your tastebuds each time she does one of these. 

We spent time stitching on the lobby on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  And walking on the boardwalk, and of course, eating boardwalk food.  And staying up too late stitching, of course.

I got to meet lots of the attendees.  This is the first thing I've done with this group.  I had met some of the ladies at other events held by Salty Yarns.

I had the privilege of spending time with Theresa Baird of Heart's Ease Examplar Workes.  Her personality is as lovely as her designs.  She is such a happy, bubbly lady. 

She brought the most wonderful show and tell, most of which you can  see on her blog.  She kindly consented to let me post these pictures of her miniature blanket chest and the smalls she has designed for it.

She has pictures on her blog that show these in a much better way than I have done here. 

She also brought along her Cottage by the Sea Sewing Set which she will be teaching in Ocean City in the future.  I can't wait for that class! 

Please skip over to the guild blog and take a look at their pictures from the weekend. I always take my camera but seldom use it.  Thanks goodness others are more attentive to these things than I am.

Have a great day!

A Start

I decided to start a new project.  This one is Beggar's Night by Threadwork Primitives.  She is a fairly new designer to me.  I gotta say, I'm loving the prim. 

I am doing this on 36 count something or other that was in my stash.  The chart calls for DMC threads.  I found a conversion here and am using the Gentle Arts fibers from my stash. 

This picture shows the cover of the chart pack.

Also, check out header she has on her blog.   What a nice, easy finish and it looks wonderful.  Sometimes less is more.

This is the first piece I've started in my new stitching room.  It felt good to be able to actually find things again. 

Have a great day.

A Finish

 

This is the only finish I have to show for the entire summer. 

 

 

What I Love About Home
by Pine Mountain

I did stitch some other things, but don't have anything else finished.  I did add some UFO's to my pile!

A Teaser

One of our projects this summer has been to add laminate flooring to some of the bedrooms.

Baby Girl's room was first so that she would move back in there.

Next, up, was my soon to be stitching room.  This was Little Boy's room for many, many years. 

A view of the room, there is a daybed behind all those boxes.

The elk head in the foreground will be moving to the basement.  I love this color. 

An honest to goodness closet for my stash!

As you can see I have started to move in.  My son has to finish cleaning out the closet.  Then I can unpack and settle in. 

I will be moving the happy chair and my farm table in here.  I am trying to work with what  I have before I go out and buy anything else.

September

September was a little more normal.

Baby Girl was back in school.

Baby Boy was also back in school in Kentucky.  He did come up for a visit in September.  We spent a day together walking around Longwood Gardens. Although I have lived in this area for 40 years I had never been there.  We had  a nice day.  I got over 10,000 steps that day.

Little Boy moved back home with his dog.  My husband and I have never had a dog.  This has been an adjustment for us.  I can say that we do miss him when he is not here.

Later in September I took a break from work and went to Ocean City, Maryland for a solo retreat.  I stayed at the Lankford Hotel.   I stayed in a unit called Wren.  I've stayed there before and really like that room.  While I was there I walked on the boardwalk, a bit.  I spent three days stitching on the beach.  I made several visits to Salty Yarns.  And I did some stash enhancing. 

I am so glad I took that break.  I needed to get away and rest.  I did do quite a bit of stitching. 

Before I came home I took a little ride over to Assateague to see if I could see any wild horses.  I found these right by the road.

 

 

 

These aren't the best pictures but they were taken from the car window.  So they are pretty good for when you consider that. I hadn't realized how close I was to Assateague until a co-worker told me about his trip to Ocean City. 

 



How I Spent My Summer - Part 2

My July was pretty quiet. Not much travel or stitching either. I did do some reading, but not much else. My baby girl was home. She and I shared my car this summer which was challenging since I work 20 miles from home. We have did a lot of riding together on work days. My husband spent a few weeks working on the boat and got her in the water in late July. I went out for the first time in early August. We had a wonderful day, caught 7 keepers and had lots of action otherwise. I think I needed to be out on the ocean in the wind and the sun. The boat ran well. And I was surprised at how nice the ride was. The best part was that we stayed dry. In our old boat we would get wet on a good day. Now, we stay dry because of the pilot house. Such a nice improvement.

The remainder of August was fairly quiet. Baby Girl and I did take a trip to Virginia Beach in late August. I visited Dyeing to Stitch while we were there. Unfortunately, we did not have beach weather. So we spent most of the time shopping. Lots of shopping in Virginia Beach. Dyeing to Stitch is a wonderful store with a huge selection of models. I was in heaven. If you are ever in Virginia Beach it is worth looking into.

In late August we took Baby Girl back to Temple for her sophomore year. This year she is sharing an apartment with three other girls. The apartment was nice and a pleasant surprise.

Boat Pillows

My husband asked me to make him some pillows for the boat. 

I found some fabric on etsy and made these for him.

I only made two pillows.  These pictures show the fronts and backs.

They look nice on the boat.  I thought I  had a picture of  them in the cabin, but no.