It's been a busy month!

Whew...I've been keeping pretty busy with my stitching lately!  I recently signed up for two pen pals (I was only going to do one, but someone else asked and I just can't say no...haha).  With all that has been going on I have been sending things out towards the end of the month, but I'm going to remedy that in November.  I already have the stitching done, I just have to "finish" them off.  

So...since I have tracking numbers and I know that they have received their letters this month I thought I would show you what I sent.

Ms. C has already thanked  me for the package I sent.  I feel terrible as she told me her birthday was in September but I was so swamped with the wedding and other things, I just didn't have time to get her package together.  Here is what I sent her...

I thought you might like a little close up of the ornaments I finished...I thought they came out quite nicely, and now I want to make the Blessed Be for myself!  LOL

I also finished up Glory to God...this is sitting on my work desk in my sewing room.  I love these little frames I found at Hobby Lobby!!

Ms. K sent me such a lovely package for my birthday, and I think hers is coming up shortly if I'm not mistaken so I need to get creative again for her special package.  But I only sent her the stitching for October.  I hope she liked it, I haven't heard from her yet.  Here is what I sent her...

A friend of mine, someone I have known since my college days, was gracious enough to make us masks at the beginning of the pandemic.  She had seen masks that had been embroidered on and I told her I would stitch something for her.  I have done embroidery since I was seven years old, and though I do prefer cross stitch, I still know how to do some of the decorative stitches.  I hope no one asks me to do this again, I couldn't even get up the courage to make another one for me (although Ms. T...or as we affectionately called her in our college days, Ms. Spot...would have had to assemble it for me and I couldn't ask her to do more for us...)  Anyway...long story short, here is what I stitched for her.  I already showed it to her and it will be in the mail to her soon...I stitched this free hand.  I didn't sketch it out on the fabric, nor did I used waste canvas.  I just hope it stays together when she washes it...haha.  There are lots of fun stitches in it though!  

I'm still chugging along on Coming to America.  I have one more thing I want to stitch before I get back to this full time.  I love my friends!!  But sometimes I get myself into trouble with things I promise...haha.  Anyway, the "arrival date" of the Mayflower was November 10th....and though there is a LOT of stitches left to do, I think I will have time to finish by then.  Fingers crossed!!  Here is where I am at the moment...

I guess that's all the news.  I have stitched a few things that I can't show just yet, and I have a ton of finishing I need to get done too.  Well good news, there is an extra hour coming my way this weekend!  Maybe I'll spend it doing some finishing.  Wish me luck!  Till next time...Happy Stitching!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway

I'm late getting this posted, but it's still October!  I posted a couple of times about having a giveaway...so thank you for your patience.  I decided this year I would include a biscornu with the scissor fob and while I'm happy with the way it turned out, it was pure struggle this morning!!  I've had so many stitchy obligations this month that I kind of let this slide...anyway, here it is!  This was a freebie designed by Kris Herber that I downloaded...for the life of me I can't remember where.  It is Copywritten 2020 so it had to be this year sometime.  Anyway, here is what you have to do.  You can enter up to three times.  I have posted three times in the past month about getting your breast exams.  If you comment on each of those posts once, and this is the third post, you will be entered three times.  I will chose a  name out of the hat, assisted by my handsome husband, and whoever he chooses, you will get both the biscornu and the  scissor fob...both hand made by myself!  I hope that this will encourage you all to get your exams!  I am a 10 year survivor!  I was considered young to have had it at age 49, and there was no history of it in my family anywhere.  Even though they caught mine early, it had advanced to stage two because it had invaded my lymph nodes as well.   It meant extra surgeries and other precautions.  I realize how blessed I am to have good doctors and a family that supported me...but I know it could have been very different if I hadn't had my exam that year.  So...don't hesitate!  The people who love you will thank you!

Here are pictures of the items I'm giving away.  Don't forget to comment!

  

For those who have been wondering about Max, he will visit me in the kitchen when I'm home alone....but runs back to the basement when Mike comes home.  haha  He likes to sit near me when I'm on the computer...here he is this morning!

Happy Stitching!

Turning 60 ain't so bad....

 Whew!  It's been a whirlwind around here lately.  The wedding occupied my time and attention for so long, my 60th Birthday kind of snuck up on me.  I guess that's a good thing as I didn't have time to think about how old I was becoming...haha.  My husband (who has been like a caged animal since the lockdown began earlier this year) has been itching to get away for a few days.  We decided to treat ourselves and go to Ocean City for the weekend to celebrate my Birthday.  Ocean City is a great place this time of year.  Most of the tourists have packed their bags and gone home after the hot summer, traffic is a little lighter, people are a little more relaxed, and there aren't a lot of crowds.  There were times we had the beach all to ourselves, and the boardwalk allowed for the 6 feet distancing they recommend.  We had a great time, stayed in one of our favorite hotels, visited a little town outside OC that we hadn't been able to explore much before and stayed one night in Berlin, MD in a haunted hotel (Atlantic Hotel).  Don't worry, there were no bumps in the night or spooky visions.  LOL  I loved the charming atmosphere of this old hotel that has been there over a hundred years.

I was totally spoiled!  I received gifts from folks I didn't expect to, and my husband really went all out.  I even got a gift from one of my pen pals (I don't think I told her I was having a birthday...but I can't be certain about that.  Her gift was a total surprise!)  I even got gifts from as far away as England!

My husband totally spoiled me.  Not only did he sign up for the Little Wren Club, he allowed me to have a little shopping spree at my LNS and The Salty Yarn in Ocean City.  I tried to be good but...well you know... SQUIRREL!  LOL

My son and daughter-in-law gave me a gift card to Hobby Lobby (one of my favorite go to places for embellishments, fabrics, and ribbon to stitch with) and I really can't wait to go see what I can find.  I think this time I'll actually get a gift for me...

My good friend, Mouse, over in England also spoiled me.  She is so creative and such a wonderful seamstress!  She sent me some things she designed and made for me that are just fabulous...like the project bag that I can use to take things along to stitch days, but also use to hang and organize things in my sewing room!  She also made this mug caddy that can help to organize things on my desk too!  She stitched this lovely ornament and also made this door hanger.  I love it, now that I've converted my sons old room into my sewing room this sign says it's alllll miiiine now!  LOL!!  So many goodies....thank you so much Mouse, I love it all!  I told her my husband thought I had a new lover after all the ooohs and ahhhhs and squeals of delight he heard while I was opening the package!

My pen pal sent me a package of goodies too!  Even a little pattern she kitted up that was a patriotic  piece.  How on earth did she know I liked patriotic things?  It's like she has ESP!

My "Birthday Twin"...a former coworker who shares the same birthday, also gifted me a few things.  A new wallet which I needed desperately, and a puzzle necklace.  We met up yesterday to exchange gifts.  It was a fun day.

I've been stitching and finishing a few things, but as they are gifts, I'll have to wait to show them until the recipients receive them.  I'm off to the post office now, so if my pen pals are reading this....hopefully you'll be getting your gifts soon!

Thanks for reading...and I haven't forgotten about the giveaway.  I think I may have found something I want to stitch along with the scissor fob...so if you comment on this post (even if you've commented before, you'll be added into to the contest twice if you comment again here) you'll be entered to win!  Make sure you get your breast exams!!  Those who love you will thank you!

Happy Stitching!

October Gifted Gorgeousness

Seems the days are just flying by!  Now that the wedding is over, I have a wee bit more time to stitch.  Though October always seems to be a busy month.  Lots going on at DJ's Digs!  This is the post that we share things we have stitched that have been gifted or that we have gifted to others.  Jo, over at Serendipitous Stitching, is the host for this challenge.  If you would like to read the rules or sign up to participate, you can click here.  If you would like to visit the blog and see what everyone is working on, you can click here.

Where do I start?  Well...

Christmas ornaments are flying off the hoop.  I am shameful when it comes to those.  Here are some I recently stitched.

First is by My Big Toe and was in the 2019 JCS Ornament Issue.  This is Glory to God.  It's stitched on 32 count light mocha over two.

Next is One More Stitch by Victoria Sampler from the 2014 JCS Ornament Issue and is also stitched on 32 count Light Mocha over two.  I exchanged some of the embellishments for some I had in my stash.

I am still trying to get a pen pal from the International Pen Pal group on Facebook.  I've sent a few things out, but haven't received things from two of the people I signed up with.  LOL  I am disappointed in people who are just there to get stuff and not send in return.  So I stitched this for the October exchange...we will see if she sends me something or not.  I'm waiting to hear back, but if she doesn't, I'm done.   This is part of a Calendar SAL through Serenita' di Campagna that I bought in January.  I love these designs!  I will eventually make the calendar for myself, but thought this was a cute idea for the October exchange.  I found a little frame for it, I just haven't had time to assemble it.  This was stitched on 40 count light mocha over two.

One exchange partner has a birthday next month, so I stitched this little one to make into an ornament.  This was a free pattern I found while scrolling through these freebies.  You can find the website by clicking here.  This was stitched on 40 count antique ivory over two.

I'm still working on Coming to America.  I can't wait to get past all these words, they aren't my favorite to stitch.  I do like the look of it though!  This is by Brenda Gerais and I'm still working within the voyage time that the Pilgrims took on the Mayflower.  This is day 39 of their 66 day journey.  If my calculations are right I'll be finished by the time they reached America 400 years ago!  It is stitched on 40 count Vintage mocha over two. 

The last thing I stitched was the October part of the Birds and Blackwork Flowers by Lesley Teare that was a Christmas Gift from my husband.  It is stitched on 28 count white over two.  I love these...and each month seems to be prettier than the last.  I'll be sad when this SAL ends in December.

Guess that's all for this installment!  I hope you all are enjoying good health and good weather!  Happy Stitching!

Remembering...

October used to be one of my favorite months.  I love the cool crisp air, the sight of leaves adorning their fall colors, and geese begin their migration south for the winter.  I love to hear them as they fly overhead, calling to one another...like they are encouraging one another in their journey.  Now, it holds a lot of memories.  Today is my Dad's birthday, he would have been 88 today.  I miss him...his corny Dad jokes, his warm hugs, and his deep belly laugh.  He wasn't the perfect Dad, no one is, but he was a good man with a big heart.  He worked hard to take care of his family, I guess I got my work ethic from him.   A lot of people at the wedding thought Ben looks a lot like him.  I can see some of the mannerisms my Dad had in Ben, and I know he would be so proud of the man he has become.  I wish you could have been with us.  I miss you like crazy.  Happy Birthday, Dad. 

 

Newest Additions...and there are quite a few! AND Breast Cancer Awareness!

If you're wondering where I wandered off too, well it's been quite an eventful few weeks.  Where to start?

I know some of you don't like to read about personal lives, so I'll start with pictures of what I've been working on.  Since the 6th of September I've been working exclusively on Coming to America with the exception of a few gifts I sent to some new Pen Pals I have recently begun writing to.  I have more I've worked on but can't show them to you until they have been received.  First off is the bookmark I sent to my Texas pen pal.  I think this was a free pattern (I have a notebook full of them) but I'm not sure where it came from.  It's stitched on 14 count ribband.

Here is what my Pen Pal sent to me!

I've also started the Christmas ornaments that I stitch each month.  First is the one from the 2019 JCS ornament issue that is a challenge each month.  This is by My Big Toe.  It's stitched on 32 count light mocha over two.

This is the beginning of One More Stitch, a Victoria Samplers ornament from the 2014 JCS Ornament issue.  This is stitched on 32 count light mocha.  The back is finished, I'm working on the front now.

Now on to Coming to America.  I have loved stitching on this.  I've had a few interruptions do to my son getting married (but we'll get to that in a minute) and adopting a new fur baby (and we'll get to that in a second).  I think I'm about 1/3 done, and I seem to catch up, then fall behind, then catch up again.  Right now I'm a bit behind.  

I have been getting sidetracked because life at DJ's Digs is moving along at warp speed.  But I've ordered a few little bits and bobs to add to the adventure.  I have two new needle minders and a floss minder too!  And since I'm a stamp collector, I couldn't pass up the chance to get a first day cover commemorating the 400th anniversary.  Here's a glance at everything!  I also picked up this Mayflower Rose Ornament pattern, hopefully I can squeeze this in before the end of the year!

I've been shameful lately.  I decided I couldn't live without the Sewing Club by Blackbird Designs.  I can't wait to get started on some of these, they are really pretty!  I was able to find some of those little boxes too!  Not all of these are mine, I managed to score a few for a friend too!  I also snagged this little nativity pattern (you all know how much I LOVE nativities!) and it was in the sale bin!!  That's a must stitch for this Christmas.  

AND...DH loves to feed my addiction by buying me gifts for my birthday, which is coming up in a couple of weeks.  He subscribed to the Little Wren Handworke club through Scattered Seed Samplers.  I was late signing up, but the first three have arrived.  I can only show two, because DH decided to hold one back to wrap for my birthday...haha.  I can't wait to get started on these too...oh the decisions I will have to make as soon as Coming to America is done!

Whew...there was more there than I realized to talk about!  Now on to life...first up is the newest addition to our little clan, meet Max!  There's a long story with him, let's just say a friend's grandson had to give him up because he's moving into a place that doesn't allow pets.  While DH SWORE there would be no more pets, he just couldn't say no to this little cutie.  He's only been here a few days, and we haven't seen much of him, but I was able to snap this quick photo before he disappeared.  I know he's still here because he's been eating, and hopefully he will come out in a day or two and get to know us better.  In the meanwhile, we will talk gently to the room I know he's hiding in, and wait for another glimpse of him.  

And...more additions!  We finally have a daughter.  I hate to call her daughter-in-law because I feel like we are already family.  I can't tell you how much I love her already, not just because she loves our son and treats him wonderfully, but because she came into his life when he needed a friend.  She helped him so much get over the loss of Katie and they are just so sweet to each other.  The wedding had to be postponed because of Covid, then the venue had to be changed...twice...after that!  They finally  had things buttoned up just a short time before the wedding as changes kept happening.  I was holding my breath the week of hoping everything would work out ok.  And even the day before there was a haze in the sky from the fires out west, but the day of dawned clear, no clouds, cool with a slight breeze.  It was the perfect day!  Here are a few shots of their big day!

Last, but not least, and thank you for reading all the way to the bottom!  As you know this is October, and is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I usually have a give away to those who comment on this post (and hopefully are scheduling their mammograms!!)  I am now a 10 year survivor...can you believe it?  I've given scissor fobs that I have made in the past.  I will probably do that again this year, but I'll be thinking of something to add to it.  I will chose someone at the end of the month.  So please comment below and good luck!

And I will leave you on this note!  Whew...hopefully the next blog post won't be so jam packed with news.  But now you know the rest of the story, and why I've been gone for so long.  I hope you are all keeping well!  Happy Stitching!