August Gifted Gorgeousness

What???  A month has gone by already?  I swear the older I get the faster time goes!!  It's been a busy time for me though.  Let's see, what HAVE I been up to?

I have a lot to share for the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL this month.  I've been busy making things for other people!!  If you would like to know more about this SAL, or visit other people taking part in this, please visit this page for all the rules.  Or if you want to see what is happening this month, please visit this page.  Thanks again Jo who can't think of a clever nickname.  I've been enjoying finding things to stitch for this SAL!

I'll start with the second afghan I made for DH's Nephew and his wife.  They had a baby boy a week or two after DH's Niece.  His brother and his wife were doubly blessed with two Grandchildren in such a short time!

I was in an exchange with Friendly Stitchers Yahoo group and we had a Christmas in July exchange.  I made her two ornaments because I was afraid the first one I made wasn't up to par.  It was the first time I had made my own cording and since I had no idea what I was doing I was afraid it didn't look quite right.  

The blue ornament was a "make up" and so much fun to stitch and finish!!  

And this was the ornament she sent me, along with some threads she hand dyed herself to stitch this piece, and fabric, a coin purse, some pens and highlighters.  I truly was spoiled!!  Isn't this a beauty?  Thank you so very  much Ms. R!

Another month bites the dust in the Cottage Garden Samplings.  Here is August's Poppy.

I have a friend who love the Minions.  Her Birthday was a little bit ago, so I made this for her.  It's stitched on 32 count over one so it would fit in the little pocket watch.   I love this lady so very much, and she is in the battle of her life with breast cancer.  I hope it made her smile.  Happy Birthday, Ms P!

I got my little Eskimos in a frame and gave it to my husband for our Anniversary last week.  Hard to believe we've been married 31 years!  The first thing out of his mouth was...this reminds me of the cruise we took for our Anniversary last year.  Yep...that was the point, Honey!  LOL

I finished a Mill Hill Kit that my husband gave me for Christmas.  I stitched it on fabric instead of perforated paper, I hope to make these into a stand up once I finish all the kits in the nativity series!  

I started a kit my husband gave me for my Birthday last year (can you tell he's a great supporter of my cross stitch?).  I fell in love with this when it came out at the market last year and I guess he heard me.  Here is my start on Hannah's Brownstone from The Scarlett House.  I stitched it on World Cross Stitch Day....what did you stitch on August 14th?

I also received a lovely gift from a friend.  A few months back I stitched a Gingerbread man for a friend.  As a surprise and a thank you, she sent a needle book that she stitched and finished.  Most people who know me, know I love violets.  I just love the design and will be using this to hold needles when I'm traveling!  Isn't it sweet?  Thank you so ver much, Ms. D!

Whew, I think that's the end of the Gifted Gorgeousness portion!  Told you I've been busy!!

I stitched up this little cross....a kit I found a little bit ago.  I love to see the Dogwood trees in bloom in the spring and always loved the legend.  I can't see a Dogwood bloom without thinking of the Crucifixion.  

Here is the legend:

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.

In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

The pink dogwood is said to be blushing
for shame because of the cruel purpose
which it served in the Crucifixion.
The weeping dogwood further symbolized the sorrow.
The red dogwood, called the Cherokee, bears
the color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior. 

And sadly, my Aurora Nights is coming along very slowly.  So many confetti stitches, my eyes cross if I work on it too long.  I love the way it looks though...so I'll keep plugging along!

My husband and I spend a few days away to celebrate our Anniversary.  We drove to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and went to a few performances.  The first was Oklahoma at the Dutch Apple dinner theater.  Even Marsha enjoyed the show!

We also went to see Joseph at Sight and Sound.  They always put on a fabulous show!

We ran home on Sunday to take part in the Real Life Clue organized for the youth group at our church.  My husband and I were the Professor and his wife.  Here are a few pictures of the fun we had.  My son was the murdered person.  It was a load of laughs and so much fun!! 

 As I said, my husband and I were the Professor and his wife...we were introduced to our theme music, Pomp and Circumstance.  LOL  We all had our own theme music.  And this guy laying here (pretty good color for a dead guy, huh?) walked in to the theme music to The Walking Dead...hahahaha

Last week we went to see a show in Baltimore, the Jim Gaffigan Show.  What a hoot!  Can you say...Hot Pockets?

And that...as they say....is that.  Whew!!  Now I'm off to get my room a bit organized, I swear I can't find anything I'm looking for!!  Wish me luck, and if you don't hear from me for a while, send the crew from hoarders.  I'm either buried alive under my stash, or I'm lost in the maze.  Either way I need HELP!!