And I've FINALLY had a finish!!

 Yesterday didn't go as planned, but it was wonderful!  The kids visited with the grandkids yesterday and it was great to see them.  It has been almost 2 weeks since we saw our littlest and she has changed so much.  I love both our granddaughters, but I don't get to spend as much time with our oldest granddaughter as I used to.  When the dust settles I hope to have her here for a day by herself.  I could tell she misses me as much as I miss her.  We gave them their new books and of course the candies we bought them.  What would a trip to NY be without shopping for maple goodies?  Oh shucks, just remembered I forgot to take pictures of the other goodies I found...stay tuned...    

It's daylight in the swamp here this morning, pouring rain, and a meowing cat.  He heard me get out of bed this morning (before the sun rose) and hasn't shut up since then.  Trying to keep a loudmouth cat quiet is like trying to herd cats.  Impossible!!  And I really didn't want him to wake Mike...so here I sit at our computer while one hand pets Max.  

I was able to finish 250th Celebration by Teresa Kogut very late last night.  It's stitched on 36 count Legacy over two with two strands of thread.  I used the called for threads except for Old Money which I can't find anywhere.  Oh well, I certainly like the way it turned out!  Now to find time to get some finishing done.  I didn't want to purchase the drum, it's pretty expensive, so if all goes well I'll finish it in the round and attach it to the clock I turned into a frame.

I need to fully finish Winter Songbird too.  Now to decide what I'll stitch next.  I sincerely have too many choices.  

I loved the necklaces I stitched while in NY so much, I came home and ordered two kits.  My childhood friend loved the black one, so I'm going to make one for her and one for me.  Hopefully they will be here Tuesday...we'll see.  On that note, I'll make my way back to bed, with a noisy cat in tow I'm sure.  I love him, really, but his late night yowl fests leave a lot to be desired.  I didn't miss them at all while we were away...haha.  Crazy cat!!  Happy Stitching everyone!  

I've been a bit quiet...

I haven't had much time for stitching for the past week or so.  Between watching my youngest granddaughter (who army crawled under an armchair and around a small table to then tell me "I stuck!"), and a few trips here and there, not to mention losing the cord to my laptop, it's been a little crazy in my corner of the world.  I'm home now and hopefully will be catching up soon!  

My friend who I've known since 3rd grade asked for a little help.  Her SIL bought some kits and decided she couldn't make them up, so I volunteered to go to Northern NY to help get them stitched and finished for her.  I was a little worried I wouldn't know how to do the stitches, but I figured them out...and they were actually quite fun.  Now I'm wondering if I can find the kits so I can make some of my own.  Here they all are, and individual pictures as well.  

So I grew up near the St. Lawrence River (about a 45 minute drive) and there are lots of little villages on the shore.  My Aunt worked as a caretaker for an older gentleman and we sometimes were allowed to stay at his house along the river.  I've always loved being near the water, so we took a drive over there one day just to walk along the water and look for the big ships that pass by quite frequently.  

Usually we visit Alexandria Bay, but this time we went to Clayton which is smaller but less busy.  

It was a wonderful day!  

Mike went to visit his brother in Tupper Lake one day while my friend, Donna, and I drove around to antique stores looking for little treasures.  Next time maybe I'll have pictures of the goodies I brought home.  

Our B&B had such wonderful breakfasts...yumm!!  

And the cutest little dog who was just full of herself...running circles around the breakfast table each morning.  She adored my husband...haha.

I didn't stitch for myself while I was away....and did pick up 250th Celebration when I got home.  I'm not too far into the design, so I'll show more next time.  I'm just stopping in to say I made it back in one piece and I'll be back soon with more of an update on my stitching.  Till then, enjoy the changing of the seasons, and Happy Stitching!

Our Ocean City Trip and a Finish...

Whew...it's been a little crazy around here lately.  I still haven't found time to take pictures of the goodies I found at the retreat, but hopefully next posting I'll have them.  

I had a little finish last night.  This is the pattern I started at the retreat.  I'm not sure why I had such trouble with this one, perhaps I'm too preoccupied...anyway, I was able to finally finish last night.  This is Winter Songbird by Nath Nalu stitched on 36 count ice blue over two.  I'm hoping to finish it so that I can attach it to the clock during the winter months.  There are three other pattens like this one on the Nath Nolu Etsy page for the other 3 seasons.  I've since bought them, so watch this space!  LOL!!  I really do love how it turned out!  

While we were in Ocean City, we visited Assateague State Park.  I love driving along the National Seashore and looking for the wild ponies.  Before we even got to the park, we found a group of 7 of them walking down the center of the road.  They were in no hurry while cars were lining up behind them.  They look like such gentle creatures, but there are signs warning they bite and kick so beware!  

We saw a lot of water fowl along the way too.  Spring seems to make everything come alive.  Here are a few pictures of what we were able to spy as we drove along.  

I hope one day to take our granddaughters out there to see the ponies and other animals.  What a lovely drive it is!  We found some time to visit a few of our favorite places, one being Shenanigans...The food as always was delicious!

Hopefully I'll have more news next time.  We'll be super busy the next few weeks...hopefully I'll be able to share now and then what we are up to!  Till then, Happy Stitching!   

Slow down...you move too fast...

You've got to make the moment last...  Ok, how many of you sang that?  LOL  Seems like my life is going a thousand miles a minute lately.  

I'm here waiting for my granddaughter to arrive.  I was supposed to watch her on Tuesday after I got back from the retreat, but my body said NO!  I asked if I could wait a few days, thankfully they said yes.  My knee has calmed down and I can walk without limping now (I had a rough weekend with a pretty strong arthritis attack...ouch!!) so I think I'll make it through the day without too much trouble.  I think I've decided my new shoes are the problem.  It's forcing me to walk differently and my knee is complaining.  I'm going to see of my old shoes work better.  

I had the BEST time at the retreat last weekend.  My tablemates are kind, funny, and loads of fun!  And I've been invited to another retreat with them later this year.  I sure hope I can make it, but the timing is a bit off.  The run in Ocean City is the weekend before so I don't know if I'll be able to be away two weekends in a row.  Anyway, here are pictures from the Salty Yarns retreat last weekend.  If you've never been, it's a very low key event, but the food is always sooooo good!  The shopping is just outside the door of the stitching room.  The light is fantastic, no need to pack extra lighting...always a plus.  The ladies who attended the latest one were so complimentary on my latest framed pieces, it was very humbling.  There were other finished items there to drool over (ladylike of course!).  And it was wonderful to wander among the other tables and see all the other "gotta haves" that the ladies were working on.  And even a couple of men, who were fabulous stitchers, were there!  I adore my tablemates, but they all live in Delaware, the downside of these events.  It's not like they could come over for an afternoon of stitching, it's a wee bit too far.  I didn't take too many pictures, but here is what I have.  One lady at our table is camera shy so no pictures of her unfortunately...  

I started a project (no pictures but soon I will have some of the Winter Songbird) and worked mainly on Milady's Posies by Jan Hicks Creates.  This is stitched on 46 count Latte over two.  I finally finished it last night.  I think I'll work on a smaller count as my eyes were crossing while trying to finish last night.  Whew...but I love it.  Now to find time to fully finish it.  I'm thinking of making it into a pin drum.  What do you think?  

I picked up a ton of things I needed (and some I didn't need but HAD to have....if you know, you know!)  I'll try to show pictures next time.  

That's all I have time to write, next time I'll write about the 250 challenge Maryland has proposed with their state parks, and our side trip to Assateague where the wildlife came out to pose for pictures!  Till then, Happy Stitching!   

Just got back from the framers...

I was hoping I would get these back in time to take them to the retreat next weekend.  I'm so excited!!  I did call Side Street Framers in Severna Park, Maryland today and asked, they were kind of "cagey" at first as if they couldn't find them...but they called back and said they would be working on them today and I could pick them up tomorrow.  I had already had them stretched, they only had to pop them in the frames...but oh well.  They called back an hour later and said they were ready.  YAY!!  So...here they are....  

Let Freedom Ring by Lila's Studio with some personalization and adaptations.  I can't wait to hang this one in my living room!!  Stitched on 35 count Classic Homespun over two.  Started on the 4th of July 2025 with the hope of having it finished in time for the 250th Celebration this year.  

American Flag by Aysegul Tastepe stitched on 36 count black over one.  This was a challenge but I really love how this one turned out...and that frame with the stars...perfect!!  

Hummingbird's Garden by Samplers Not Forgotten stitched on 40 count Moonstone over two.  I loved all the specialty stitches in this one!  

I'm still working on Milady's Posies and have finished the first page of the pattern.  Two more to go!  This is stitched on 46 Latte over two.  Another challenge for these old eyes, but now that the letters are finished, I'm truly enjoying this one.  I'm trying to decide if I should take this to the retreat or not...it's hard to work on something so complicated when chatting with other stitchers...but I'm anxious to get it finished.  Decisions, Decisions... 

The next few days will be busy packing up, watching Miss Q and sorting out some things for my tablemates.  I hope to take some pictures this time so I'll have an update about the retreat when I get back.  Happy Stitching!

The attack continues...

Sort of...lol  In the past I've contributed to Clare's Church Tree that she stitches each year.  It's been a while since she has done one, so I thought I'd volunteer, and then I saw that she has her hand in a cast...oh dear.  I wish I could contribute more, but I do have two finished for her.  The theme this year is 12 Days of Christmas.  If you've been following me for very long, you'll know I've stitched several sets, but one I haven't stitched yet was Sue Hillis' set.  These are so cute!  So...I stitched two for Clare's tree.  8 Maids-a-Milking...

and 9 Ladies Dancing.  

These are stitched on 32 count white over two.  I hope she likes them!  

It's been a little wild here lately (when is it not?  haha) and I have been stitching but not as much as I usually do.  I've had some appointments this week, I had Miss Q here for a couple of days, and I've been extremely tired so I've had a few naps here and there.  I have more stitching done on Milady's Posies, but no pictures to show.  Now that I've rested my wrist I may get back to working on that one.  I've also kitted up a couple of charts that I recently had sent in the mail that will fit in my clock...so now I have decisions to make...haha.  I'll be back with an update soon.  I hope all are safe from the mid-west storms.  Happy Stitching! 

I've had an attack of startitis

Good Heavens, I had promised myself I would try to finish up some of the UFOs I had floating around here, but I was sorting through some stuff and found some things I had kitted up.  The first one was Santa Claus is Coming to Town...which was a free SAL offered last year.  I attended a retreat last November and was encouraged by my tablemates to kit this one up.  It's been sitting there starting at me since November...haha.  The pattern is in 4 parts, and when I finished the first part I decided I needed a change of scenery....here is where I left off from Santa...  

This is another pattern I had picked up after Market last year.  This is called Milady's Posies by Jan Hicks Creates.  This one just spoke to me and while I had the pattern, the fabric, I I didn't have the floss suggested.  It had DMC but I really wanted to use silks.  Oh well, I decided to kit it from stuff in my stash, so DMC it is!  I started in the middle then worked my way over to the alphabet.  (In case you didn't know, I detest letters...I don't know why but I do...LOL)  It's stitched on 40 count Latte by Fiber on a Whim.  This one is soooo hard to put down, but I'm beginning to think the stitch count was off (I'll have to check).  I think it might be 46 count.  It's a challenge when there is a lot of stitching in a small area.  But I'll continue on after the lettering is done....that middle part is so pretty!!  

The frame I'm using is kind of heavy so it's bothering my wrist.  I may have to put it aside and work on something smaller.  So...watch this space, I feel another attack of Startitis coming on.  Happy Stitching!