September Gifted Gorgeousness

Hello Fellow Stitchers!

It's the 15th so that means it's time for Gifted Gorgeousness.  This is our time to share what we have stitched that we have been given, or have given others.  If you aren't sure what I'm talking about...then please go to Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching and you can see what I'm talking about.  You can see the rules here.  And you can visit Jo's blog and see what the rest of us have been stitching here.  You can sign up to join in the fun on the rules page, it's never to late!  I always like to think Jo for hosting...she makes blogging fun!

I think you've seen all the things I've stitched that fall into this category since the last GG update...but here's a recap...

First up is Elf at Work from the 2019 JCS Ornament issue.  Mike renews this magazine each year as a Christmas gift to me.  This is stitched on Vintage Country Mocha 40 count over two.  I love this little guy...and he may become a Christmas gift later on.

Next is Curl Up With A Good Book, this is a freebie offered on Killer Crafts by Crafty Killers blog.  I stitched this as a gift for a pen pal.  It's stitched on 28 count over two.

The September portion of Birds and Blackwork Flowers by Lesley Teare was released the first of September and I was able to stitch it up in the first few days.  I love this SAL!!  This was a Christmas gift from Mike last year, along with the fabric and floss.  I know, I'm spoiled!!  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with each month's portion yet, I'm still thinking about it.  I love the colors in this one!

This is Silvery Lace Snowflake from the 2019 JCS Ornament Issue.  This is stitched on 32 count navy over two.  I'm stitching the ornaments that were chose by the Christmas Ornament SAL group on Facebook.  I've been lucky enough to keep up so far this year!  I don't think I would have chosen this one on my own, but I'm so glad someone chose it, because I love how it looks.  Now to figure out how to finish it...decisions, decisions...!

Here is United We Stand.  This is an exclusive kit by Blackbird Designs.  It was an anniversary gift from Mike this year.  I still haven't decided how to finish it, though I did find a frame at Hobby Lobby that might work.  I'm trying to decide if I should stitch the sides and finish it as a pincushion, or frame it...more things to ponder!  LOL

Here is Gloria by Tempting Tangles.  This was also a Christmas gift from Mike.  I've fallen waaaaay behind.  It's stitched on 32 count opalescent white over two.  I hope once I'm done with what I'm working on I will be able to get caught up...I really want to finish this before Christmas!

Last is what I'm working on right now.  This is Coming to America by With Thy Needle and Thread.  I signed up for this way back in January I think...maybe February.  I've been waiting with anticipation to stitch this.  A group of people are stitching this starting on the 6th of September (when the Pilgrims left England for the New World 400 years ago bringing their needlework with them) and hope to finish in November.  Their original voyage took 66 days so I'm hoping to finish within the same time frame.  So far I'm still on track, but this weekend is going to be a busy one...so fingers crossed I can still keep up!

Well, I think I've covered everything from the last time I posted about GG.  It's been quite a crazy year, between the virus, my son's wedding being scheduled...rescheduled and rescheduled again, working on my Mom's estate...which should be nearing completion, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other craziness.  Even the smoke from the wildfires out west have reached the east coast turning the sky a dull color.  I don't know if we will ever find "normalcy" again, but I do hope that we find peace soon.  I'm exhausted from reacting to everything that has happened this year, it's been one upsetting moment upon another.  One shining moment lately has been that we are going to adopt a cat!  His name is Max and we will be receiving him into our home within the month!  I've been missing Thomas a lot lately and it will be so nice to have another heartbeat in our home.  Watch this space, we should have pictures soon!  Till we meet again, Happy Stitching!

 

It's a lady...who is Coming to America!

Hi Fellow Stitchers!

Who is joining me in the journey of stitching Coming to America?  I set sail today with a wake-up text from a few friends I know here in Maryland who are sailing with me.  I thought this was a fantastic idea...we are starting to stitch this project today because it is the 400th anniversary of the start of the voyage the Pilgrims took in the journey to America.  I love the idea of these brave men and especially women who made the arduous journey to the New World to ensure religious freedom.  And the best part, is they brought their needlework with them!  What a great reason to celebrate!  We will be stitching for 66 days, the length of their voyage across the ocean!  I've been stitching off and on since 8:00 this morning, and here is where I am 12 hours later.  This is stitched on 40 count Vintage Mocha over two.

I wanted to show you where I finished with United We Stand.  Here is the top all finished.  I have the 4 sides to complete yet.  I am tossed whether to make this into the pin cushion, or actually frame it like it is....decisions decisions.  It's much larger than I expected, but it will have to wait until Coming to America is finished, so I have time to think about it.  If you have an opinion, please comment below!  This is stitched on 36 count over two.

Off I go now to work on Coming to America.  Wish me luck and a fair wind!  With the wedding looming I'm running out of time to stitch...fingers crossed I'll finish in time.  Happy Stitching Sailing y'all!

Flip flopping like a fish out of water...

Hi all you lovely stitchers out there!  I hope everyone is staying safe and keeping healthy.  It's been a wild and wacky ride here for us lately.  There has been so much going on lately that I can't seem to wrap my head around it all.  Between trying to help plan a wedding, wedding showers, wardrobe shopping, and staying upright while experiencing vertigo, sheltering from tornado warnings, dress shopping and dress altering, my brain has finally reached overload!  I can't seem to focus on one thing for very long.  I pick up one thing to stitch, and it doesn't hold my interest, so it's on to the next.  Lord have mercy!!  LOL  *Deep breath*

So...what have I been up to?  Well, thankfully I'm still keeping on track for some of the challenges I've signed up for.  For the Christmas Ornament SAL I stitched these two from the 2019 JCS Ornament issue.  First up is Silvery Lace Snowflake by Works by ABC.  This is stitched on 32 count navy Belfast linen over two using DMC 5200, and silver petite treasure braid.

The second is Elf at work by La Bottega delle Meraviglie di Anna stitched on 40 count Vintage Mocha over two.  I loved working on this one and actually finished it in one day.  One of the very few things I was able to focus on long enough to finish it in a short period of time.

I finished up a bookmark.  This was supposed to be for a pen pal that I signed up for through a facebook page.  I sent my August gift to her, but haven't heard back from her...so I'm hanging on to it for a while to see if she finally sends something.  It's so discouraging...but lesson learned!  This was a freebie from Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers blog.  You can find the pattern here.  I finished it with the buttonhole stitch and fusible interfacing on the back.

I'm still trying to keep up with the Birds and Blackwork Flowers SAL by Leslie Teare.  I love her designs, each one is so unique and colorful!  Here is Septembers part.

I've fallen behind in Gloria.  I'm working on part 16 though 17 and 18 have already been published.  I really do love Tempted Tangles designs, but this one is just spectacular, and each part published has another charming surprise!  I hope to catch up once the wedding is over, fingers crossed!!  Here is where I am so far...

I received United We Stand, an exclusive Blackbird Designs which is just lovely!  I have nearly finished the top part, and hope to finish the top later tonight.  Here is where I started today...

I am prepped and ready to start Coming to America tomorrow.  Is anyone else taking part in this experience?  We have 66 days to complete the piece, the same number of days the Pilgrims took to sail from England to the New World back in 1620...four hundred years ago....the first ladies to bring samplers to America.  Wish me luck as I set sail on this adventure!  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  

Off to get some more stitching done and try to keep my sanity intact.  Wish me luck!!  Stay safe and healthy out there!  Happy Stitching!