Yikes....I'm not sure what got into me....BUT

I woke up this morning, after finishing up a couple of ornaments the past couple of days and decided I wasn't really ready to get stitching.  WHAT, you say?  I KNOW!!   Hm...no fever...though I do have a sore throat.  Maybe the respiratory thing I had going on has reached my brain...or the lack of oxygen, oh who knows?  Let's just go with the flow...ok?  

So I pulled out my finishing stuff, made a template, cut out some matboard, and sharpened up my scissors and needles...and voila!  I decided to make a stand up of the gingerbread house and I think it turned out pretty cute!  Here is Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane Designs stitched on 32 count Gingerbread by Picture This Plus.  Front and back...

Not a fan of this particular piece of fabric.  It stretches like crazy so the size of the "cut out" pattern didn't match the size of my stitching...so with a little frogging with the printer to enlarge it, I finally got it to the size I wanted.  I substituted pom poms for the rick rack they had in the picture and left off the hanger they gave with the pattern.  I used a wire place card holder and made it into a stand up.  I LOVE IT!!  

Next I got out my paints and my 2" cubes and painted them up.  While they were drying I laced these onto matboard.  Then I attached them and gave him a lovely scarf.  Now Cubey Snowman is ready to make his debut.  He is from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue and was designed by Tranquilitree Designs and was stitched on 28 count white Cashel fabric over two.  Isn't he darling?  I just love how he turned out too!  

I have another "thing" I'm painting and I'm struggling to make it look right.  UGH!!  I'm going to add another coat before I decide if I'm going to go for it or not.  If it all works out I might have another finish in the near future so watch this space!  Goodness at this rate I may actually fully finish more of my UFO's I have flying around.  EEK, have I created a monster?  I've been drinking smart water (literally...bottled Smart Water) and now I'm questioning what is actually in this stuff?  Could it actually be making me smarter?  Stay tuned....  

Oh one last thing.  I pulled out a freebie SAL that was offered last year.  I have contemplated the fabric for MONTHS....and I finally decided to use Natural Linen...40 count over two.  I started this right after I finished stitching Cubey and I literally had a hard time putting it down last night.  This has been an absolutely fantastic stitch for me.  It's an involved one, but so cute...let's see if you can tell what it is.  Any guesses?  

And on that note I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.  Happy Stitching!  

Gingerbread House

I'm happy to say I finished stitching Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane designs.  I'm not a fan of this fabric, it's so hard to keep stitches straight on this stretchy fabric, but I finally managed to "get-er-done".  Now to get it fully finished.  I stitched this on 32 count Gingerbread fabric over two using the recommended DMC floss.  I finally found the button pack and was able to use some beads in my stash.  Now to get up the courage to fully finish it...haha.  This is the front of the house...   

and this is the back of the house...  

I just love that little elf peeking over the roof of the house!!  The next problem is finding my next project!  I hope you all had a lovely Easter and are enjoying the changing of the seasons.  As soon as the weather stays above freezing I'll be a happy camper!  Happy Stitching! 

Have a Blessed Easter

He is our risen savior!  I pray you know the love of Jesus on this Resurrection Day! 

 

Finishing, just in time!!

I've been so busy the past few weeks.  I love my family, but there are times it's a little overwhelming...haha.  I've been dealing with schedule changes and emergencies and my life is a little chaotic right now.  We attended the ballgame last Thursday, then we were woken up early Saturday morning with a call that Heather was heading to the Emergency Room with severe abdominal pain, so we quickly scrambled to collect the girls while Ben went to sit with Heather at the hospital.  She was released several hours later and now we wait to see if they can find the cause of her pain.  The girls were here most of the day.  Then because of the spring break schedule, I had Miss Q on Monday and will have her again on Thursday.  Then we will be having an egg hunt and making brunch on Sunday.  Miss Q will be here again on Tuesday.  No rest for the wicked they always say.  Whew...I'm exhausted!

Last Saturday Little Miss Sassy Pants saw some patterns I had printed to make for Easter (but kind of abandoned the hope because we've been so crazy busy) and saw three that she just HAD to have...haha.  I can't resist those beautiful eyes so I've been stitching like crazy.  Yesterday I was able to finish stitching them and got them all fully finished just in the nick of time!  The first three are freebies from Shannon Christine Designs.  

First is Cotton stitched on 32 count Fleur over two and finished into a Hobby Lobby frame.

Next is Flower Bunny stitched on 32 count Fleur over two and finished into a Hobby Lobby frame.

The third is Easter Delivery stitched on 36 count Edinburgh Raw with Mini Dots over two and finished into a frame I found at Target.

I also finshed Tetelestai by Quaint Rose Needlearts stitched on 25 count tea dyed jobelan over one with Cranberry Belle Soie silk.  I framed this with a frame I found in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby.  I really love how this one turned out.  

I guess that's all the news for today.  I hope you all are enjoying the change of seasons wherever you are.  The trees are blossoming and the flowers are blooming, it's like the world is awakening.  It's a lovely time of year here in the Mid-Atlantic.  Happy Spring and happy stitching!

   

Opening Day

Another family tradition has been celebrated.  Since Ben was a little boy we have been going to Opening Day for the Orioles and it has become a tradition.  Our two granddaughters have been going to Opening Day since they were born.  It's always a fun time and I'm happy to say Little Miss Q was so good and able to stay for the whole game.  Best of all it was a WIN!!  Here are a few pictures from our day...

Tetelestai

I've had this pattern in my stash for a while.  I decided I really wanted to finish it for this Easter.  I'm running out of time AND I have my youngest granddaughter twice next week.  

The name of this pattern by Quaint Rose Needlearts is Tetelestai.  I'm stitching it on 28 count tea dyed lugana over one using Cranberry Belle Soie silk.  I love stitching on this!!  I still have a lot more to do, but hopefully I'll have it finished in time.

I wanted to share something about the Greek word Tetelestai.  You can find this word only twice in the Bible  John 19:28 and John 19:30.  It means "It is finished".  It has three separate  meanings depending on where and how it is used.  

In the court it means you are innocent.

In business it means your debt has been paid.

In war it means total victory.

There are other words Jesus could have used for the first two meanings, but for the total victory in war, this is the only word he could have used.  When I recently heard this explained to me it gave me chills.  Words are important, and these have special meaning for those who believe.  I'm grateful for His sacrifice and the certainty that we can have that we will one day join Him in heaven.  

Did you know you need a savior?  For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.  Romans 2:23  

Do you know what the consequence of sin is?  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 6:23

Do you know there is a solution to the separation?  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinncrs, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

Have you asked Him into your heart?  "That is thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, though shalth be saved."  Romans 10:19

You can know for certain that we are saved from the consequences of our sins.  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Romans 10:13  

He can change your life in ways you never could imagine.  Knowing Him gives us purpose, encouragement, and hope.  Easter is a reminder that we have a savior and His name is Jesus. 

  

It's been a while...

Hi Folks!  I know I've been a bit quiet lately.  I've had a lot going on.  I've been watching our granddaughters a lot lately (and the wear me out!!  LOL) but it's great spending time with them.  It doesn't leave a lot of room for cross stitching however.

I have been working on a few things I can't show online just yet, but I did manage to finish the stitching portion of Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane Designs.  This is the front half of an ornament.  I don't have the beads or the button pack yet, but I thought I'd show you what I have done so far.  It's stitched on 32 count Gingerbread fabric over two.  That's all I'm able to show at the moment.  

I'm looking for what to stitch next while I wait for the buttons to arrive.  So many choices...haha.  Before I leave, I'm going to ask for an unspoken prayer.  Nothing to worry about really, but not something I want to put out there in cyberspace.  Thank you in advance, I know the Lord has already created a plan.  I'm just losing patience...haha.  Happy Stitching everyone!