October Gifted Gorgeousness

Hi Fellow Stitchers and welcome to the Gifted Gorgeousness post for this month.  The lovely Jo from Serendipitous Stitching hosts this, and anyone is welcome to visit and participate at any time.  Just (click here) and it will take you to her blog.  You can read the rules (basically it's anything stitched with the word "gift" attached to it.  So...let's get started!  I have a lot to show this time as I'm getting ornaments ready to give out at Thanksgiving so I've been stitching and finishing like a machine!  LOL!!  

First up is a little ornament I made for my best friend from grade school.  She likes to give a penguin ornament to a relative so I told her I would make her one.  This is Have a Cool Christmas by StitchyFish Designs from the 2023 JCS Ornament Issue stitched on 36 count white opalescent over two.  

Next is also a gift for a friend, it's called Winter Cross Stitch #12 by The Floss Box.  Stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki over two.  

Next is a gift for my Granddaughter's cousin, Hello Snow by Jennifer Redmond from the 2024 JCS Christmas Issue stitched on 40 count white over two.  

Next is a gift for my Granddaughter's Great Aunt, Tis The Season:Bonus by Wrought Iron Stitching from the 2024 JCS Christmas issue stitched on 40 lambswool over two.  She makes us a batch of fudge every year so I thought a plate of sweet treats would be right up her alley!

Next is a gift for my Granddaughter, Fa-La-La-Mingo by Hands on Designs stitched on 40 count Nora over two.  We visited the zoo for her birthday this year, and she loved the flamingos!

Next is a gift for a friend, Christmas Ornament 98 by Crossed Wing Collection from the 1998 JCS Ornament Issue stitched on 40 count legacy over two.  

I finished stitching this piece a little while ago...and finally found a frame I liked for it!  This is called Violets by Riolis.  Violet was my Grandmother's name, and they were her favorite flower.  They were the flower from the Sorority I belonged to while in college and violets have a special place in my heart...so it needed a very special frame.  The Riolis kit was a gift from a friend in an exchange.  I can't wait to hang it on the wall!!

Next is the Nativity Band Sampler By A New Creation Studio stitched on 32 count black over two.  The set of Bell Pull hangers were a gift...so I guess technically it counts...lol.  I loved stitching this and am anxiously waiting for Christmas so I can hang it up!

Next is a freebie that was offered through Herschners called Irish Blessing.  It was stitched on 32 count ivory over two.  I can use the same set of Bell Pull hangers on this one too!  

I have been sorting through my stash and found duplicates of some patterns and some that I know I will never stitch again so these will be some of the giveaways being offered.  

Not too many people have commented so your chances are pretty good!  Remember, those who comment on any post (only once per post) and mention they have or will have their breast exam this year in ONE of the comments during the month of October will get a ticket each time they comment.  So get those exams done and remember, I had NO cancer in my family until I was diagnosed at a fairly early age for breast cancer (I was in my 40's).   If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.  Early detection can be a life saver!  Take care of yourself!  Happy Stitching!   

Small update

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  I was hoping to do a few more updates than I have been doing, but you know...life.  Just a little note, we are still in the month of October, and still promoting Breast Cancer Awareness.  Again, if you have commented on this post or any of the posts in October, you will be entered in the giveaway.  I have found two patterns I'm willing to have in the giveaway, and may find more, once I get a chance to go through my charts.  One is Blackbird Designs Sewing Club book.  I happened to pick up a second book so I might as well share it.  The other is a Just Nan pattern Heart of Spring.  I have used the embellishments that came with the pattern, but they should be easy to replace.  The pattern is still in great shape and you can see the design a few posts back as I finished stitching this in August.  Once I have all the patterns ready I will post pictures.  

I started this post to update on my stitching.  I have been working on the Noel Banner by Stoney Creek and were their free monthly books offered a little while ago.  I have finished two more letters, O and E.  I'll show all three that I have stitched so far, but I've decided to put the last letter, L, on hold until I finished up some Christmas ornaments that I need to stitch and finish before the middle of next month!  

I have been keeping up with Tempting Tangles SAL of Starry Stable-Nativity.  Only three more parts to go!  

Last is the most recent Christmas Ornament I have finished.  This is called Winter Cross Stitch #12 by The Floss Box.  It's been stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki over two.  

I received the most recent JCS Christmas issue.  I'm a little disappointed as I prefer to find smaller ornament size patterns in this special issue.  I think a lot of designers have stopped sending patterns for this issue which is really sad in my opinion.  While they weren't being paid for their patterns, they were receiving free advertisement.  Oh well...I did find a few that I hope to stitch and I will be stitching one for the next post in fact!  

I guess that's all for now.  If you have posted and mentioned that you have had or will have your exams, you may post again but don't have to mention about your exams in comments going forward.  Thank you to all who have responded!  Take care, and Happy Stitching!  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  It's October already, can you believe it?  And each year I try to have a give-away to promote yearly exams for breast cancer.  As many of you know I am a 14 year survivor of Breast Cancer.  Mine was caught very early because of my annual screening.  There was no history of Breast Cancer in my family when I was diagnosed at the age of 49 so it came as a total shock to me and my family.  I have had my annual visit this year and even had an MRI to make sure things are going smoothly!  This year may be a little different as October came upon me really fast this year.  I haven't thought about stitching anything until today...but it's not totally out of the question.  I do plan to have a give-away, but here is what I'm thinking.  I've been rummaging through my patterns and have found a few doubles.  What WAS I thinking?  LOL!!  One is a Blackbird Designs book.  As soon as I have a day to put my thoughts together, I'm going to take pictures and post them.  Whoever comments on any post (including this one) and tells me they have had their yearly check up for breast cancer during the month of October will have a "ticket" to the raffle.  Your name will go in a bowl and my wonderful husband (or as my friend calls him Mr. Magnificent) will choose a name.  I don't know how many patterns I have, but I may choose more than one name.  So...who's in?  Thank you to the special people who follow me and comment regularly, I appreciate you more than you will know.  So keep watching for future posts and Happy Stitching!!

Squirrel!!

I have so much going on lately, I don't know if I'm coming or going...lol!  I haven't abandoned Sarah Sanderson, she's just taking a little break.  So I took a look around at something smaller I could toss in a bag on those little outings where I know I'll be sitting for a while, and saw this Noel Banner by Stoney Creek that I started during the Olympics.  Perfect!  I've worked on it a bit here and there, but yesterday I had the whole day to myself, so I picked it up.  I don't have the buttons or beads for it just yet...and since it's on a scroll frame anyway, I won't be using them until the cross stitching is finished.  Anyway...I finished N yesterday.  If I get my act together later today, I'll begin working on the O.  Here is where I am so far.  

Now this is stitched on that afghan fabric.  It's easy to work on, but it stretches like crazy!  I hope it doesn't look wonky when I'm done!!  Wish me luck!  That's all I have to share today.  It's a drizzly, rainy day, thanks to the hurricane that hit Florida.  Crazy how far it has impacted our country and states down south are really feeling the effects.  I'm keeping them in prayer, and hope wherever you are you are safe and healthy!  Happy Stitching!

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend for September

Hello Fellow Stitchers!  Yes, it was the IHSW weekend and as usual I was super busy.  I did find some time for stitching though...and I hope I didn't make any mistakes...lol.  It was an exhausting weekend.  I started early Friday morning, and since my knee has been acting up, I decided not to go to the baseball game Friday night.  It was an entire day of stitching so I made a lot of progress.  

First off I had just received the latest part of the Starry Stable Nativity by Tempting Tangles.  I enjoy stitching on this little SAL.  I'm working on 32 count light blue using DMC floss.  I finished part 8...only 4 more parts to go.  It's released every two weeks, so hopefully I'll have it finished by Christmas.  

I've been trying to work a bit on Sarah Sanderson.  I have this in a Q-snap frame large enough for the whole sampler.  It's a bit heavy so at times I have to switch to something smaller as my hand begins to hurt.  This is stitched on 46 count Valley Forge (I just love the color!!) over two, and it's a bit challenging for my eyes.  Some of those threads are deceptively small.  BUT...I do love how it is working up.  It's truly hard to put down as I can't wait to see the next tree, or the next animal.  More challenging animals are just ahead...I can't wait to sink my needle into those!  Anyway, there are 9 pages to this pattern, I have fully finished 2 pages and am on to page 3.  

Saturday was spent at the movies seeing The Forge.  It's an inspiring movie and gave me a lot to think about.  We also had some errands to run so not a lot of stitching time that day.  Sunday had us running about looking for items for the "Sprinkle" we are having for our DIL.  We started working on the favors.  It's been a bit of a challenge...but I think they are looking cute!  The tags are ready...just a little more prep and they'll be done!  Again...not a lot of stitching, but I think Friday made up for the lack of time the rest of the weekend.  It's a dreary day here in Maryland today.  I'm off to get more stitching done...maybe on something a bit smaller to rest my hands...or maybe I'll get some finishing done...who knows?  I hope you enjoy whatever your hands are doing today!  Happy Stitching! 

IHSW Pre-show

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  It's that time again for the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend.  My family has a lot of plans for the weekend, so I'm not expecting much progress, but I thought I would show you what I plan to stitch on.  

First up is Starry Stable Nativity SAL.  Part 8 was released yesterday.  Here is where I'm starting.  

I hope to put a few stitches in Sarah Sanderson.  This one is stitched on 46 count over two and sometimes I have a hard time counting those thin little threads.  It slows me down quite a bit.  Where I last left off, I had nearly finished on page 1.  I hope to finish page 2 but we shall have to see exactly how much time I have to spend.  I am truly enjoying this one, even those letters (which I hate to stitch, by the way), maybe it's the red lettering...either way it's coming along.  It seems to bother my wrist to work on this one, so I may throw in a few smaller ones to give my wrist a rest.  

On a side note, I finished this cute little pattern, Have A Cool Christmas by Stitchy Fish Designs from the 2023 JCS Ornament Issue.  It's stitched on 36 count white opalescent over two.  As I was stitching, my husband looked over my shoulder and asked if that was the fabric I swore I would never stitch on again.  Yes, yes it is...what was I thinking? LOL  Anyway, it's for a friend so...I hope she likes it because there will never be another one on that fabric...lol!!!  With a little luck, maybe I'll get some finishing done?  Fingers crossed!  

I have to laugh, as I had an unexpected chuckle this week.  As I posted on Facebook what I planned to stitch for this weekend, a fellow blogger recognized my project....and sent a friend request.  *Waving to Jeremiah's Mom*  I'll be honest and say I never really thought about it before but if you have a presence on social media (and I'm including blogging in that) it is easy to track what you are doing.  I'm an open book really, so I'm not worried about what you'll find.  My life is pretty boring for the most part, though I do a lot of things with my son and his family.  It just brought home the fact that others are watching...  

On that note, I'll bid you adieu until we meet again.  I'll be back after the weekend to show my progress.  Happy Stitching! 

September Gifted Gorgeousness

Well, it's that time again, time to post about our Gifted Gorgeousness.  I don't have too much to show today, it's been a little busy around here these days.  If you don't know what Gifted Gorgeousness is all about, head over to Jo's blog Serendipitous Stitching (Click Here) and you'll be taken to her blog.  There is a tab at the top that will take you to the explanation...and you can sign up to join us in the fun if you wish!  

Now...where to begin?  First off, anything I've stitched from the Just Cross Stitch magazine I consider a gift because I have been gifted the magazine since the premier issue by my husband who renews the subscription each year.  This month I finished Snowflake Sheep by Counting Puddles from the 2023 JCS Ornament Issue.  This was stitched on 28 count Smoke over one.  So cute...and will probably be a gift for someone this year too!  

Next is the gift I'm giving my DIL for Christmas.  This is Chill Out a Dimensions kit that I stitched on 28 count evenweave instead of the included Aida.  I had fun fully finishing this one!  

I finished stitching Fa-La-La-Mingo by Hands on Designs and will give this to my Granddaughter for Christmas...I was going to fully finish it today but ran out of steam (yesterday was a super busy day and I'm still beat!!)  Hopefully by next GG post I'll have it fully finished.  This was stitched on 40 count Nora over two. 

 

I had a lovely surprise when I picked up my Fair entries.  Carina Nebula by Climbing Goat Designs won a prize for Viewers Choice!  I was very pleased that others enjoyed my stitching and I consider that a gift to me.  

I have been working on Sarah Sanderson by The Scarlett House which was a gift from my husband for our 40th Anniversary.  I'm working on 46 count Valley Forge over two.  I can't work on it very long as my eyes go a little crossed after a bit...lol...but I'm loving how it looks.  

I had a couple of finishes this month too.  Joyful Snowman by Dimensions was finished this week, and fully finished today!  I added a few snowflakes to fill out some "dead space", and finished it in this round frame.  I really love how it looks in the frame!  

I've been working on letters that spell out Merry Christmas by Owl Forest Designs.  As I finish stitching them, I've been putting them in these little frames I found on Amazon.  So far I've finished M and E.  Stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki over two.  With a little luck I'll have them finished for Christmas 2025...I just don't see me finishing them in time for this Christmas.  These are fun to stitch.  

I guess that's all that I have for this one.  I have a couple of trips coming up (my birthday is coming up and my husband has some time off awards he needs to use so...)  I'm not sure where or when, but we are planning some time to ourselves before the newest addition to our family arrives.   My son will be participating in a 5K run soon, so we hope to go cheer him on...which happens to be near a Needlework store...hope springs eternal that I'll get some retail therapy in while we are away!  And than the new Grandbaby will arrive just before Thanksgiving.  Whew!!  Yesterday was our Birthday Celebration for Little Miss Sassy Pants who turned 3 last week.  We had a family day at the Baltimore Zoo with her Mom and Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, Grammy, Gigi and Pap.  We had a picnic, walked all over the zoo and just had a great time.  She told everyone she saw that it was her Birthday and that she was now 3.  Haha.  Maybe next time I'll post some pictures of our day.  Till then stay safe, and Happy Stitching!