Furious Flying Fingers

I'm not sure why I do this to myself every year...haha...but I'm always stitching and finishing just before Thanksgiving.  Usually it's ornaments I forgot I needed to stitch.  I still have quite a bit of finishing I have to do, but I've had this pattern in my stash for ages and I knew I just had to stitch it for this Christmas.  This is called Believe by Erin Elizabeth Designs.  It's stitched on 36 count Twilight over two with one strand of DMC B5200.  I love the stark contrast and the color of the fabric!  

Since I like to decorate the day after Thanksgiving, I'm in a last minute rush finishing up things I can decorate with...haha.  Earlier this year I found a clock that was abandoned at a local thrift store.  I loved the shape and knew exactly what I wanted to use it for.  I took out the hands and mechanism and I hope to get it painted in a few days.  I can't wait to show you what I'm going to do with it, and hope it matches what I'm picturing in my head.  LOL  We will see!  

I also finished this Mill Hill kit.  This is called Fishing Penguin.  I used Cornflower blue 32 count fabric to stitch it on.  I'm hoping to finish it in a white tart pan.  I hope it comes out like I'm thinking it will.  

I wish I could stay home and get some crafting done, but I'm off to see ICE! at the National Harbor today with the family.  It had been an annual tradition for us until last year when they repeated a theme.  This year the theme is The Polar Express.  I'm excited to see how Little Miss Sassy Pants reacts to this.  She loved the Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer theme two years ago...but she's older now.  Ok, I'm off to get ready!  Watch this space!  If all goes well tomorrow, I'll have an update on finishes, and perhaps some ICE! pictures.  Have a great weekend!

Christmas Manor

I had a little finish today!  I started this pattern for a retreat two weekends ago.  I haven't had much time for stitching lately, so it took me a while to get it done.  This is Christmas Manor by Shannon Christine Designs.  As I was stitching on it I was trying to think how I would fully finish it.  I'll have to go for a dive in my items I've been saving for finishing.  Decisions, decisions...haha.  It's stitched on 30 count Vintage Country Mocha over one.  While at the retreat I was thoroughly chastised for not initialing my work...so take a look and see if you can see my "mark".  Haha.  

And now for the personal news...we celebrated our youngest granddaughter's first birthday over the weekend.  I really wish I could share videos on my blog, I still haven't figured that one out...lol.  She had fun digging into her "smash" cake, a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, a nod to our family as her middle name was my Grandmother's name and that was a favorite cake in our family.  I had said one time she is a wild child...so that was the theme of her party.  (As a little reminder, her older sister's party them was "One"der Woman.  LOL ) Now I have to think of a special Christmas ornament commemorating her Wild Child theme.  Any ideas?  Here are a few pictures of the event.  

I've finally found out the cause of my aching foot.  I have tendonitis and a bond spur on my heel.  Let me tell you, it's pretty painful.  I'm on a course of anti-inflammatory drugs and will soon start physical therapy.  As if I wasn't busy enough, now I have to fit some therapy into my schedule...no rest for the wicked I suppose...haha.  

My apologies to Robin, as I still haven't sent her giveaway out yet.  Hopefully it will be in the mail soon, I'll let you know when I get to the post office.  I was in Ocean City for nearly a week while we had a little R&R while the madness was going on with the government shutdown.  It was a vacation we had already planned months ago but was the perfect timing for us.  Mike worked most of the shutdown without pay so we don't feel too guilty about taking off for a few days.  We played a few games of mini-golf, walked along the boardwalk, had pictures taken, shopped a couple of LNS, and saw some lovely sunrises and sunsets.  It was just what we needed.  

Ok, I'm off to see about starting another little project and contemplate some finishing I need to do.  I hope wherever you are you are safe, healthy and happily stitching!

Tiny Town Nativity

Whew...I was hoping to get this finished sooner, I have so many things I need to get done!!  But at least I can say this one is in the books.  Now to find time to fully finish...but that will have to wait a bit I'm afraid.  This coming week is chock fully of "stuff to do".  Anyway, here is Tiny Town Nativity by Heart in Hand stitched.  

I used 40 count Legacy over two with DMC floss.  I love how it turned out, now to get it finished into a drum.  I have a couple of drums I would love to fully finish.  I need to start dragging out my box of finished items waiting to be fully finished.   A friend of mine asked me to stitch up some ornaments to put in her booth when she does her Arts and Crafts shows.  I do have tons that have been stitched but not fully finished.  What do you think?  I'm not sure what the rules are on that kind of thing?  And...do you think my work is good enough to sell?  So much to do, so little time.  

I'm barely dashing this down as my youngest granddaughter is napping.  According to her Dad she was up at 4 AM this morning.  I know I couldn't handle being a Mom to a little one right now.  Goodness, I'd be a walking zombie.  When she arrived at 7:30 she was already half asleep.  A quick bottle, diaper change and snuggle and she was in dreamland.  If only I could count on her sleeping for a couple of hours.  LOL  We'll see what else I can get done while she naps.  Here's hoping we all have a productive day!  Happy Stitching! 

Giveaway Reveal!

Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for!  First I want to thank all who participated in the giveaway.  I hope you were inspired to get your exams!  Congratulations to Robin in Virginia for winning the giveaway!  I'll be sending it out to you soon!  I'll let you know when I drop it in the mail.  Thanks again to all who participated!  

We had a visit from the grand kids on Halloween, I thought maybe you'd like to see their costumes.  Little Miss Sassy Pants was a unicorn, and her dress lit up the night!  

Little Miss Q was a Narwhal.  Someone mentioned she looked like she'd seen a ghost...hahaha.  How true is that?  

Miss Sassy was excited to go trick or treating and came back with a bag full of goodies!  Miss Q was content to sit in the stroller and watch in amazement as costumes of all makes and models went parading by.  I think my favorite was a little 3 yr old who was dressed as a dinosaur rider.  He was so proud to show off his tail...what a cutie!!  

Since my last post I've finished stitching a few more ornaments, and I really need to have another finishing day.  I did finish the second Snow Friends by Shannon Christine stitched on 32 count natural opalescent over two.  I really love her designs!  

I also stitch The First Noel by A New Creation Studio stitched on 32 count black over two.  I love how this one turned out...I just need to find time to fully finish it.  

I've been working on Tiny Town Nativity by Heart in Hand.  This one is finally for ME!  Haha.  I have loved all the others, and maybe one day will stitch them for myself, but I'm really looking forward to placing this on my mantle when it's fully finished!  

Ok, I guess that's all the news for now.  I'm off to get something done.  I'm resting my foot as we went to a craft fair yesterday and my ankle/heel is screaming today.  It's been a busy weekend and I think I deserve a rest.  Happy Stitching...and a special thank you to all who have commented!

Another finishing day at the zoo

 Whew....yesterday didn't turn out like I thought it would at all!  I woke up thinking I had done all my usual weekend stuff on Saturday and would have the whole day to get some finishing (that I REALLY needed to do) done.  But a 5 minute phone call ended that real quick...haha.  When the kids call asking if we could watch the kids so they could get something done, well, who can resist those cute little faces?  

It's like a circus when they arrive, both demanding attention.  I can handle one at a time, but when they both descend, it's a little crazy.  Thank goodness Mike was here to help!  Oh how I love those babies!  So...we fed them, put the little one down for a nap, and entertained the older one until their Dad came to pick them up.  It was short, sweet and over too soon.  

BUT THEN...out came the fabric, the trim, the needle and thread and it was like a creative bomb went off.  LOL  I wish sometimes that all my finishing was that easy.  I guess when you do a good deed you are rewarded with quick and easy creative juices...haha.  I've been working like crazy trying to get ornaments stitched and finished before Thanksgiving.  I still have a few more to stitch, but getting them finished was weighing on my mind.  There is a lot going on between now and Thanksgiving so I needed to get things rolling.  I decided to get as many finished this weekend as I could so I could take stock and see what else I needed to get done.  Here is what I accomplished this weekend.  

First up is Gingerbread Ballet by Les Petites Croix de Lucie from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue.  Stitched on 36 count Antique White linen over two.  When my granddaughter saw this one she asked if she could have it....um sure...haha.  It was supposed to be for her cousin, and I can't find the Kreinik I need for a second one...but how can I resist those cute brown eyes?  I'll think of something else.  

The next one I finished was Sweet Success by Jessie Schofield from the 2024 JCS Ornament Issue stitched on 32 count teal over two.  This is for a lady who makes us fudge every Christmas.  

Next is Prehistoric Helper by Flossy Fox Shop from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue.  Stitched on 28 count Navy over one.  This one is for a little boy who loves dinosaurs.  

Next is Letter To Santa Mitten by Living On The Rainbow stitched on 28 count White two over two.  This may go to the little cousin who isn't getting Gingerbread Ballet...hahah.  

The next two are for our Daughter-in-laws sister and her husband.  Santa Mitten by Living on the Rainbow stitched on 28 count white over two. 

Mrs. Claus Mitten by Living on the Rainbow stitched on 28 count white over two.  

Now this last one I may be stitching multiple times as I have a couple of friends who like snowmen.  I only have enough opalescent fabric to make two though...unless I can find more soon.  AND I need to have this one hanging on my tree this year too...it's too darn cute!!  Snow Friends by Shannon Christine Designs stitched on 32 count natural opaescent over two.  

I've since started on a couple more and my list is not yet complete, but having finished these takes a load off my mind.  I'll be going to a retreat soon so I'm now kitting up a few more that I will stitch there, and maybe take Let Freedom Ring to stitch on as November will be here before you know it and I'll need to get two more pages stitched...haha.  I know I say this every year, but I'm going to start stitching Christmas ornaments earlier next year, this last minute rush is killing me!  LOL!!  

Remember this is another post you can comment on to be entered in the giveaway.  Make sure you make plans for those exams!  Happy Stitching!   

Stitching and Giveaway Update

Well Folks, I was really hoping I would have an update with some fully finished items but you know what they say....we make plans and God laughs.  It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride here lately.  

While I did get some stitching done the past couple of days, I still haven't done any finishing.  So here's where I'm at so far...  One of our granddaughters little cousins loves dinosaurs...so when I saw this cutie in the new 2025 JCS Ornament Issue I couldn't resist stitching it for him.  This is called Prehistoric Helper and is stitched on 28 count navy over one.  It's tiny, but it's so cute and will suit him to a T.  

Then I went back to Living On The Rainbow's freebies and stitched these two.  The first is Santa Mitten 

and the next is Mrs. Claus Mitten.  

Both were stitched on 28 count white over two.  

Next is Snow Friends by Shannon Christine Designs and is stitched on 32 count natural opalescence.  

I have two friends who love snowmen so I think I'll be stitching at least two of these (and probably one later on for me!).  I looked high and low for this pattern and finally found it at a local needlework store...one I haven't visited in years.  I haven't been in there since I started losing weight (I've lost 50 pounds so far and need to lose at least 50 more...but I'm working on it!)  She asked if I'd been sick...hahaha.  Anyway I went in there to look for something more to add to the giveaway.  I found a couple more items, so here is a picture of what the giveaway will include.  A skein of Gloriana silk, a skein of DMC variegated pink floss, a pair of very sharp pink scissors, and this adorable pink ribbon zippered pouch.  I may have to go back and get one for me...hahaha.  

I tried looking for some fabric for finishing and I seem to have misplaced my box of Christmas fabric.  I've looked high and low (very literally) and cannot put my hands on them.  I've been a little under the weather since last Tuesday so after all that searching, I decided I'm done for the night.  Tomorrow is another day.  I'm slowly gaining my strength back after being knocked off my feet for 4 days.  Maybe tomorrow the fog will clear and I'll be able to find the things I need.  Wish me luck!  On that note, I'll leave you to check out the giveaway and my stitching.  Remember any post this month that you leave a comment, you'll have that many chances to win the prize.  Happy Stitching and good luck!  

Another page finish!

Whew!  I was beginning to think this day would NEVER come!  LOL  I finally finished a second page this month, so I'll be on to working on some Christmas ornaments soon!  There just never seems to be enough hours in the day lately.  Here is where I left off last night with Let Freedom Ring by Lila's Studio.   Eight pages are finished...only seven more to go!  Yippee!!  

I worked a little bit on Gingerbread Ballet last night.  I found this pattern in the 2025 JCS Ornament issue but can't remember the designer's name off the top of my head.  When I'm finished I'll post more of the information.  

As many of you know, Saturday was my birthday!  The kids got up early to watch Ben run the 5K at the Baltimore Running Festival.  We have participated in the past but just wasn't up to it this year.  The girls got up to watch him run, along with their mother.  I made the cute little crocheted "Lamb snuggie" that Little Miss Q is wearing!

After they drove here for lunch at our favorite restaurant, then went to play mini-golf.  It was a fun day.  The girls (with a lot of help from their Mom) made this card for me.  I adore it!  I'm going to frame it and hang it in my house somewhere.  

I was able to pick up a few more things for the giveaway.  I'll post them next time.  I hope you all are safe and happily stitching!  Tata for now!