Hello? Hello? Is Anybody There?

Oh, my poor neglected blog.

Since going back to work in April I've been in a bit of whirlwind.  Not much stitching.

Going back to work was a bit of a challenge, lots to catch up on, and getting used to some things that had changed while I was out.  But four months later I think I have the hang of it.

Then in early July I moved to an apartment with my daughter.  And the past month and then some has been spent unpacking and settling in.  I unpacked the last boxes last night.  I also straightened up my stitching closet - a daunting task that I had been putting off.  I still have some pictures to hang and will do those soon. I am still trying to get a feel for where I want to put them.

So, on the stitching front, I finished stitching this piece

Peter  & Peep by  With Thy Needle and Thread

I stitched it over on a 25 count fabric I had in my stash.  I am glad he's finished.  I have moved on to a piece that I was working on in April.

Coverlet Berry Scissor Tray by The Scarlett House

I had done some major frogging on this.  I am happy to report that I am well on my way to finishing the stitching on this one.

I am finding it hard to believe that summer is almost over.  I think school starts here week after next. It's amazing how unimportant that date becomes when you no longer have your own childen heading back to school.

Other news,  I am enjoying walks in my neighborhood.  I did a little exploring on foot today and found a wonderful path I had not taken before.  Here are a few pictures of what I saw

I call those hot bugs because they sing when it's hot.

This pond is hidden from the street.  There is a heron in the background - hard to see.   I watched a long time to see if he was real or a decoy.  He did finally move.

There are several spots where I was able to spot these flower patches.  So pretty.  

I hope to return to blog reading and writing now that life is becoming more normal. 

Keep on stitching!

Let It Go UFO's

I found this video which I had meant to post ages ago.  It's a youtube vidoe by BlimeyCatStitches.  I had shared a previous video of hers here.

Let It Go UFO

I love the Box of UNshame she shows at the end.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Keep on Stitching!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Back to Work I Go

As the song goes.  And I go back tomorrow.

The doctor feels that my shoulder is sufficiently healed that I can return to work tomorrow with a few limitations.  I am fairly confident that I can work within his guidelines.

I am so blessed to have friends that have offered to take me on multiple road trips, meet for coffee or lunch, or sometimes breakfast.  And to have friends that check in just because.  These outings have truly been sanity savers.

I haven't been able to stitch much.  I am finding that the more I heal the longer I am able to stitch.  So, here's hoping that I can get back to 'normal' in the next few months.  I'm trying to be patient.

So here's what I am working on - my progress as of today.   I had more done but realized that I had made a mistake so with a bit of frogging I am back on track.

And a picture of the finished project

This is actually a picture of the threadkeep provided in the kit by Tonya of the The Scarlett House.  The piece is called Coverlet Berry Scissor Tray.  This was a class piece from Summer School at The Attic this past August.  We did make the berries in class.  I am finally getting around to starting the stitching.

I hope to revisit my favorite blogs now that my keyboard skills are getting back to normal.  Navigating with only one hand was a bit frustrating.

Keep on Stitching!

Sofa Sunday - Not!

I had planned to spend lots of time stitching today.  But it didn't work out that way.

I had an idea in the shower this morning and decided to follow through on that instead.  All of my children are home or in the area right now. And my boys have their birthdays this week.  I decided that we should have a little get together tonight for their birthdays.  Nothing fancy, just pizza and cake.  Not a lot for me to do except buy their cards and the cake.  We had a very nice impromptu family dinner tonight.  Lots of leftover pizza - but that's always good for lunch. 

I also decided that today was the day to put Christmas away.  I started by gathering up some of the things and piling them on a chair in the living room.  After my walk we finished putting everything away.  It goes away a lot faster than it came out.  And we had much more help putting things into the attic.  Always good.  And I brought out some of my snowmen.  Plus, I put out my January decorations.  

Then it became time to go for my walk - strategically timed so that I can walk about 2 hours - not fast - and be back at my car before dark.  I drove to a different part of the trail and walked back to where I had been yesterday.  Now I have covered that part of the trail.  Next time I'll continue on north and see how far I can get.  It was a little cool for a walk.  I did see the sun a few times.

I had hoped to watch Downton tonight but have decided that it will be early to bed.  I'll catch up on Downton another night this week.

I did make a little progress on Crazy Socks - I got the outer border finished and it met.  So here's how it looks now.

And a little more progress on Sewing Bird Pocket.  

I'm off to get ready for and get into bed.  I may stitch a little before I nod off.

Have a great evening!

Keep on Stitching!

Saturday

I didn't stitch as much as I had hoped today.  Other things got in the way.  Like cleaning and laundry - necessary.  And I did go for another walk, only four miles today.  It was getting late and I didn't want to be walking on the path after dark.

I did finish all of the red on the bird for the Sewing Bird Pocket.

And I kitted up Crazy Socks by Rosewood Manor and made a little start on that today.  I'm stitching this on 28 ct. Vintage (because I had it in my stash) and using two strands.  I think that will give me the coverage I need.

I opted to start with border as I usually do.  I haven't gotten very far and hope to do a bit more before I go to bed.

Keep on Stitching!

Happy New Year!

Did you have a wonderful first day of the new year?  Did you work on your resolutions?  I did a little. I went for my first five mile walk since my knee replacement.  It was a little slow, but I got 'er done.  I hope to do the same again tomorrow.  We have so many wonderful walking paths in our area I am hoping to become familiar with more of them this year.

I had meant to post a picture of my ort jar.  Here it is ready to be emptied and set up for another year.

And I also meant to post my stitching stats for 2015:

I put the first stitch in 60 projects;

I put the last stitch in 65 projects (which theoretically means I finished five of my older WIPs); and

I finish-finished 58 projects (48 of those were the Fun Every Day pieces.)

Not a bad year stitching wise.

I worked on Sewing Bird Pocket at bit more last night.

I still have more the red to fill in.  Then I'll stitch the other motifs. Maybe I can do a little on this before I go to bed tonight.

Here is my Fun Every Day set for the first of day of this new year.

Have a great evening.

Keep on Stitching!

Goodbye 2015

This is my final post for 2015.

My calendar as it appeared today.

Here is a picture of a birthday gift I received from a co-worker.  I think this will be by motto for 2016.

I received this crate from my future daughter-in-law for Christmas.  I know just what I'm going to do with it.   This will become my new work basket.  I plan to spend some time tomorrow loading it up with projects I hope to accomplish in the coming year.

And I received this in the mail today.  This is part of club sponsored by The Silver Needle called  A Little Help from Our Friends Stitching Circle.  There are two options for this one uses specialty stitches and the other is all cross stitch.  I think I'm going to opt for the specialty stitch version.

Included in the box was this ort holder and needle minder.  These were made by the girls at The Silver Needle.  What a special touch.  The glass piece in the center of the ort holder is the same purple as shown on the needle minder.  I could not get a good photo of the two. 

I have decided to do my own little Stitch from Stash from December to December.  I used Mel's directions found on her blog.  She has decided not to continue this in 2016 but did leave the rules, etc. up for those that might be interested in doing it on their own. I did add my own little twist as an incentive to finish-finish some projects I am awarding myself $5 for each item that I actually finish. Here is my tally for December.  I have $86 to carry forward into January!

And one final thing before I sign off for the final time this year.

Keep on Stitching!