Final Christmas in July

Well...as usual, things did not go as planned...It's been a wild and crazy month but such is the story of my life.  And I probably wouldn't want it any other way, variety is the spice of life, right?  

So I was determined to get all of my Christmas ornaments to other folks out of the way, done and dusted, and fully finished before the month was over.  Um...you can stop laughing now.  We all know we make plans, and God laughs.  The problem is, I keep changing my mind.  And now I've stitched quite a few things that will not be given to those I originally intended them for.  Scatterbrained.  That's me in a nutshell.  I think I've narrowed my list down to the final three I need to stitch, but I digress.  Let me show you what I did finish stitching since the last time I posted.  Just to be clear, I've been stitching like a mad woman, but not finishing much.  And I was soooo hoping to have all the ornaments finished by the end of the month...*sigh*  

Anyway...here goes...  

First up is My Sweet Angel by XFree Stitch from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue.  This was stitched on 14 count vinyl evenweave canvas.  I HATED working on this crazy stuff.  But, I loved the pattern, and so does my oldest granddaughter.  This will be her ornament when finished.  She has already claimed it...haha.  

Next is one of the Cocoa Snowmen from a Design Works Crafts kit.  It's supposed to be stitched on clear perforated plastic, but I chose to stitch it on 32 count white opalescent fabric, two over two.  I thought I would stitch this for my youngest granddaughter, but have since had a change of heart.  I love how it came out though!  

Next is Christmas Cardinal from a design by Victoria Sampler.  It is just a small part of her Christmas Cardinal sampler.  Stitched on 28 count Amsterdam Blue one over one.  It's tiny, but made for a cardinal lover, so I hope she likes it!  

Next is another Cocoa Snowman from the Design Works Crafts kit also stitched on 32 count white opalescent two over two.  I almost hate to give this one away...so cute!  

Next is the one I chose for my youngest granddaughter and again, once stitched, changed my mind so this one is up for grabs...haha.  It's stitched on 32 count mystery hand dyed blue fabric two over two.  I was hoping to make all the folks in that family have beach like Christmas ornaments, but couldn't find one for my oldest granddaughter, so now will have to stitch ANOTHER one for my youngest granddaughter.  Told you...scatterbrained.  LOL!!!  This is Fa La Flamingo from the Autumn 2019 Stoney Creek Magazine.  

Next is Joyful Mice by Stoney Creek from their Autumn 2017 magazine.  Stitched on 32 count white over two.  I've stitched this for a friend before, love it...and now I'll have to stitch it for a third time because this is going to another friend.  LOL   

The next two are from the Busy Elves SAL I followed a few years ago.  These are by Living on the Rainbow and are stitched on 28 count mystery fabric two over two.  First is Busy Elves Making Gingerbread Houses 

and the second is Busy Elves Making Toys.  

I thought they were so cute, but won't be finishing them the way they were intended to be finished.  It looks a bit intimidating to me, and they are going to a couple so I really don't want to mess them up... 

And last is A Vintage Rocker by Hands on Design.  I am stitching this for a second time for someone who loves horses.  Stitched on 36 count Natural two over two.

I really wanted to keep the ones I stitched and finished from this group of ornaments so I'm making this one again.  There are some things I stitch and want for myself.  I don't think it's being selfish one bit.  I very rarely keep things for myself...I've given things in the past saying oh I can make another one, then never do.  So....and I know people really don't appreciate the gifts we stitch for them as much as we do ourselves...so I'm selfishly hanging on to certain ones that I truly love.  I will stitch a second one for them if I have time and choose to do so.  They can fight over my stuff when I'm gone...lol!!  So, at last count, I still have three more to stitch and a whole boatload of stuff to fully finish.  I never thought I'd say this, but I'm TIRED of ornaments.  I'm powering through...but I have a pattern kitted up that my fingers are dying to start stitching.  My husband says give yourself a break, but I know myself too well.  The problem is, I am losing my desire to stitch at all.  Here I go again...decisions, decisions.  

We had the grandkids over this past weekend.  Miss Sassy Pants came on Friday morning for a Gigi day.  We spent a lot of time making Diamond Painting stickers.  These are two that she made.  Mermaid tale and unicorn.  There were two others I didn't get a picture of.  I have to say the age they put on these were 6+ (Miss A is 4) but I showed her how to "wax" the wand and told her what she needed to do and she did all the rest on her own.  She loves crafts, takes her time, and will correct her mistakes all on her own.   She's going to be a wonderful crafter when she gets older.  And she spent several hours working on these paintings!

Then we attempted making a turtle with pipe cleaners and wooden beads.  We made a good start, but it was harder than we intended and set it aside.  Then we went to an indoor playground and ran around for 2 hours straight.  Had lunch, then waited for Pappy to come home.  We had dinner out and made a trip to Target for some girl time shopping.  She slept over and the next morning her sister joined us.  More indoor playground fun was had.  Then lunch out...and their parents came to pick them up.  Not much stitching happened over the weekend, Pappy and I were exhausted.  I love their energy, but I can't quite keep up these days.  Still they are a joy to have around...I have to say it's much harder when the two are together.  Besides going in different directions, they are jealous of any attention the other one gets.  My DIL said we would have to do this more often, I think they enjoyed their time together without the distraction of the girls...they certainly are a handful!!  LOL  

And that's all that I have for now.  Hopefully next time I'll have all the ornaments fully finished, and have started on that project my fingers are itching to start.  Thanks for reading this far!  I hope all is well in your neck of the woods!  Happy stitching!!  

More Christmas in July!

Hi Folks!  My package to my pal in England was delivered, and her package to me has arrived!  I couldn't wait to fully finish them, though I still have one I'm contemplating how I want to fully finish.  I love them all and couldn't really tell you which one I love more!  I don't know the names, designers, nor any other information.  She knows me so well!  I do love the little girl surrounded by violets (my favorite flower) and she was the first of them that I fully finished.  I have to say, being a pack rat comes in handy.  I had both frames and trim I used in my stash.  Being a former Girl Scout (always be prepared) comes in handy at times!  LOL!!  So...without further ado, here are the ones I fully finished...  

And here is the one I have to figure out how I fully finish.  I'm thinking a block finish...I'll have to check my stash again...haha.  

She also sent along these goodies... Lots of charts... 

Doo dads and bling... 

I've been meaning to show you my mantle with most of my Americana stitching.  There is more scattered around the room, but most of it is right here.  AND there are more to finish!  There are never enough hours in the day!  

As for Christmas in July I have stitched and fully finished a few more ornaments.  I always feel like I'm behind in my Christmas stitching, I'm always rushing at the end of the year.  I have a list of things I need to do (and sometimes add to the list) so I really need to get stitching.  I've been working on another ornament (and hopefully will finish today) that has taken way longer than it should have.  

With a little break in the craziness I'll have another update soon!  Anyway...here are the other ornaments I've been working on.  I found these adorable beach related ornaments for my son and his wife.  They love the beach!  The first is Gingerbread Man 

and the second is Santa Resting.  

These are from the December 2009 issue of Stoney Creek magazine.  I used a 32 count mystery blue hand dyed fabric I had in my stash to stitch them on.  They stitched up really fast, but then I had to wait for the buttons from Stoney Creek.  I love how they turned out!  The next is Patriotic Christmas by JB Cross Stitch from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue.  How appropriate to have that to stitch this year!  So I finished it yesterday...I can't decide if I should add it to my mantle now or wait until Christmas?  It's stitched on 32 count Stormy Night two over two and fully finished as a stand up.  Now I'm wondering if I should take it to the fair this year?  Decisions decisions...  

Speaking of fairs, I went to a Christmas in July Craft Fair last week.  I found this little dish that is magnetized.  You can put your needles or anything else inside the dish, or you can pass the bottom of the dish over any surface and pick up metallic things you dropped.  I just loved the little ladybug!  I think I'll be taking this to retreats for an orts collector...haha.  

Ok, I guess that's all the news that's fit to print.  It's been a bit wild with weather these days (they have reports of a tornado or microburst 20 minutes from us eeek! and there was a tree limb in the road about a half mile from our house yesterday).  The smoke from the wildfires has been pretty thick around here too.  Not fit for humans to be out and about, but life goes on.  Stay safe everyone, and know that I'll be praying for safety for those in the path of the storms,  flooding, earthquakes and wildfires.  What a crazy world we live in right now!  Still...we have our stitching to keep our minds and hands busy.  Take care...   

Christmas in July

Goodness life is moving along at breakneck speed these days.  I thought I would have more time to get ready for the 4th but it snuck up on me practically overnight.  

The kids were at the beach the week before and the grandkids wanted to see us when they got back ... so we were swamped with doing things with them.  We stayed at a hotel on Ft. Meade on Thursday night to see the fireworks they had there.  They usually have an awesome display but it's been sooo hot, we really didn't want to sit in a car waiting to leave post.  So...we went for a bit in the sun, then Heather and I went back to the hotel with Miss Q because she was falling asleep.  Little Miss Sassy Pants stayed to watch the fireworks with her Dad and Pappy.  I could see them from the window so I really didn't miss anything except the heat.  It was a very nice display.  I hope everyone had a fun and safe Independence Day. 

The weather here has been really relentless lately.  Between the extreme heat (the heat index has been well over 100 degrees here for days) we've had some extremely rough thunderstorms.  Trees are down in neighboring towns (possibly in our area but I haven't been out for a few days), people are without power, and there has been flooded streets in low lying areas.  Last night we lost power for a minute.   To be honest it was a bit scary because the lightning was like a strobe light and near constant thunder.  For those who have been affected by the weather, flooding and wildfires, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  According to reports, we are due for more storms this week, including today.  Stay safe everyone!

I've been working on the Merry Moments collection that Hands on Design just finished publishing.  I stitched 4 of them and decided I would think about the 5th.  I even got the chance to fully finish them!  These were all stitched on 36 count Natural linen two over two.  You've already seen a Vintage Rocker...  

I also stitched Light the Way.... 

And Hark How the Bells  

and lastly Sweets for Santa.

I also stitched and finished an ornament by KiraLyns Needlearts that I recently found.  I think it came out really good!  This is Holy Night Ornament stitched on 32 count Antque Ivory two over two.  

Then I sat down and started some other finishing.  I have stitched 15 berries.  12 are from the 12 Berries of Christmas by Erica Michaels.  They have been sitting in a box waiting to be finished.  I dug them out, cut the interfacing necessary, then ironed the interfacing on and cut them out.  Now I just need to stitch them up and stuff  them.  I also stitched the Nativity berry and another small berry Christmas ornament found in a magazine.  All are prepped and ready to go...but I thought I would hand sew one and see how it went.  

This is The American Berry by Erica Michaels.  I think it might need something else for the top but I'm setting it aside for now to see what more I want to do with it.  

I still have more patriotic stitching that needs finishing but for now I'm going to try and get most of my Christmas stitching done and hopefully finished.  On that note I'm off to get more stitching/finishing done.  Some of the finishing I want to do is a bit tricky so please wish me well.  I'm really not professional and this sort of thing makes me really nervous!  Happy Stitching everyone!

 Ooops, I meant to add that I'm truly grateful for all the kind comments you leave.  I try to answer them all, but recently I've been getting them returned as undeliverable.  I'm not sure why, so if you haven't had a thank you from me, please know that I tried so I'm thanking you very kindly here.

Making progress!

Whew!  It's been a little while since I posted.  It's been kinda weird around here lately.  I've been busy so not as much stitching or finishing as I would have liked, and my head hasn't been in the right space for a while.  I've been getting some things sorted, finished, met up with a friend, spent time texting other friends, and been on a bit of a shopping spree.  But I do have a lot to post, so let's get started!  

As far as stitching goes, I've been digging around trying to get some Patriotic things stitched before the 4th.  I stll have a ton more to stitch, but they have taken a back seat now as I've started Christmas stitching.  Since the last time I posted I've stitched these...  

First up is Snowy Bliss by Stitch Sprout from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue.  It's stitched on 32 count white opalescent over two.  When it was finished I just popped it into this hoop frame.  I still have a few more left over from the Merry Christmas Letter ornaments I finished up a while ago.  I think he looks perfect in this little frame!  

Next I finished stitching The American Berry by Erica Michaels.  It's a freebie she offered for the 250th Anniversary of America this year.  While I was in a LNS recently they had a little kit with the fabric, thread, pattern and finishing wool I would need to fully finish it.  I'll be working on fully finishing that when I get a chance, there are a few fussy finishes I hope to get done this coming week.  Wish me luck!  

Last is A Vintage Rocker by Hands On Design.  I've been collecting her Merry Memories ornaments that she was offering on her Patreon site.  I'm signed up for the next collection as well.  This Rocker was my favorite so I stitched it up first and even fully finished it as soon as it was done.  Isn't it the cutest?  I already have Light The Way in my hoop which I hope to finish up next. 

Now for finishing...I've been digging around in my "Needs finishing" box and found some oldies but goodies.  But first, let's show what I've recently stitched that I've finished.  First up is American Pie by Sue Hillis Designs.  I decided a pie needed to go in a tart pan...haha.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  It was stitched on 36 count mystery fabric over two.  

Next is Quaker Snippets #3 by Brenda Gervais stitched on 40 count Moonstone over two with recommended fibers.  I love this one and I finished it in a frame from Hobby Lobby.  

Then I pulled out my finished Santa with a Heart by Jim Shore, a Mill Hills kit I stitched on 28 count Sage fabric over two.  I like stitching these on fabric instead of the perforated paper they include in the kit.  I fully finished it as a stand up and thought he turned out quite cute!  

Then I dug deep in my box and found these two that I had finished stitching back in June of 2024.  Yes, I have a lot of oldies that need finishing that I found in that box.  This was from a kit called Colonial Couple by the Posey Collection.  I stitched them both on 36 count vintage Country Mocha over two.  They needed to be on my mantle for the 4th, don't you think?  

I'll have to post my decorations when I get the chance later this week.  I hope to really get busy with older finishes.  I have a pin pillow, a berry, and a stacker.  I'm so nervous, but I'm really hoping to get them finished before next weekend.  Now that it's in print I have to get them done, right?  Haha...well that's my story and I'm stitcking to it...haha.  So I think I've left you with a bit of eye candy.  I hope it was worth the wait!  Hopefully next time I have some more fun things to look at.  In the meanwhile, Happy Stitching!

Moving right along...

I've been getting quite a bit done lately.  Sure helps when I have a few days to myself.  I'm really anxious to get some Christmas ornaments done, but still have some patriotic pieces I'm working on.  Ugh, if only I could stitch in my sleep!  Hahaha  I was able to stitch up Quaker Snippets #3 by Brenda Gervais.  I have a frame ready, even have the backing board cut, maybe I'll get some things done later today but Mike will be home early today so I doubt I'll get that done.  I stitched this on 40 count Moonstone over two. I truly love how this one turned out!  

Today I finished American Pie by Sue Hillis Designs.  This will go in a tart pan as soon as I get the chance.  This was a fun one despite all the backstitching!  I've had it in my stash for years.  

A few days ago I was getting the Birthday cake, framed piece, and Christmas ornament fully finished and I cut some matboard for others that I hope to fully finish.  One thing I was able to fully finish was this little freebie from A Mon Ami Pierre.  I call her the Sampler Girl, but she does have a name...Petite Brodeuse ABC and can be found in the files section of the Remembering AMAP group on Facebook.  I thought she would look cute as a stand up.  I like her!!  She was stitched on 40 Legacy over two...and I wish I had used a slightly darker fabric, but oh well...there she is...

So as I said before, while I contemplate what my next project will be, I'm going to be fully finishing a few things, I just need to pull my big girl pants up and get moving!  Till then I wish you good health, safety, and lots of stitching time!

Finishing Day at the Zoo

Whew, it's been a day!  I made a trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday looking for ideas for ways of finishing some things.  I'm happy to report I found a ton of things, and decided today I really needed to buckle down and get some finishing done.    

First up is One Flag, One Land by Brenda Gervais.  While putting supplies from Hobby Lobby away yesterday, I stumbled across this antique frame my friend (and chosen sister) gifted me one of the times I was visiting her in NY.  I took the glass out (it was too dirty to really clean up) then laced the piece (stitched on 40 count Parchment) and gingerly placed it in the frame using small nails.  I was afraid to use my brad gun as it just seemed top fragile.  I felt like I was performing major surgery...haha.  But it's in it's new home and looks fabulous even if I do say so myself.  I truly love the way it looks!  

I have a box of unfinished things.  There are several patriotic finished pieces in there, but one I've always wanted to finish but was a little skittish about the finishing.  This is Happy Birthday, America! by Brenda Gervais.  It's stitched on 36 count Natural 2 over 2.  I tried searching back in my blog looking for when I finished stitching this piece and couldn't find it.  While at Hobby Lobby last night I found a set of nesting paper mache' boxes.  The directions said I needed a 4" diameter and 2" tall.  Well there were a 5", a 4" and a 3" diameter box in the set.  Yahoo!!  However the 4" diameter was also 4" tall.  So, I pulled up my big girl britches and sawed 2" off.  Whew...I think it worked...what do you think?  So I cut, I glued, I gathered and laced, attached the alphabet  fabric, the trim, and glued the whole thing together.  Is it perfect?  Certainly NOT, but does it look like a Birthday cake?  Maybe a little...haha.  Either way, I'm calling it a fully finished piece and already have it sitting on my mantle with pride.  

I also fully finished Snowman Freebie by Erin Elizabeth.  I had such a difficult time choosing trim and somehow I still think it needs something...so while I'm calling it finished, I might do something a little different later on.  This was stitched on 36 count Flax over two.  I used Red Velvet pom poms for trim.  

Whie I was in NY I found two adorable antique frames.  Today I sat down and sent pictures to Walgreens to have them printed out.  Then I cut them and placed them in the frames.  Awww...aren't they the sweetest?  Here they are displayed with a picture of Ben's graduation picture.

We had a sleep over with Little Miss Sassy Pants last Friday night.  As always she was so good, helped clean up after meals, helped fill up the air mattresses and then helped deflate and fold them up after we woke up.  We played several games, we watched a movie, and read some books.  All in all it was a fabulous time and I can't wait until we do it again.

One Flag One Land

I have another finish!  This is One Flag One Land by Brenda Gervai from With Thy Needle and Thread.  It's stitched on 40 Parchment over two with one strand of floss.  I used most of the called for overdyed threads, but had to substitute a couple because I couldn't find them.  

That Uncle Sam looks small but boy oh boy are there a lot of stitches in that guy!!  LOL  I'm happy he's finished.  I'm off to start Quaker Snippets #3 by Brenda Gervais.  Or I might do some final finishing, my brain keeps thinking of all the things I should be getting ready to redecorate my fireplace mantle.  So much to do...so little time.  We are expecting storms today so I'm staying home and keeping busy.  I hope you are happily stitching wherever you are today!