Whew...just in time...

I have a list of Christmas ornaments I hope to stitch each month on my goals page for this year.  I'm way behind in the 12 Days of Christmas stitching, but I like to keep up with the other two.  Most of these will be given as gifts so you'll probably see these again in a couple weeks, but I thought I'd share them now.  I just barely finished them in the month of June...I just need to fully finish them...but time...you know...  

So first up is Noel by MTVDesigns.  This was in the JCS Ornament issue from 2022.  This was a fun stitch.  I did make an oops, but I'm ok with it.  This was stitched on a scrap of 32 count Beeswax over two using the recommended DMC substitutions.  Now to figure out how to finish it off...  

The next was Bear-ly Waiting for Christmas by Black Swan Designs.  This can be found in the 2001 JCS Ornament issue.  I have wanted to stitch this one for a while, it's so cute!  So it's stitched on 28 count Beige Jobelan over one.  It calls for beads, but I substituted Kreinik blending filament for the beads.  It added a little sparkle, I thought.  

I've been continuing to work on Wonders of the Hubble Space Telescope SAL.  I haven't quite finished the June portion...but I'll be working on it today.  I have it on a frame that a little too big for it, and I'm having challenges holding it lately.  I truly love how this is working out, but I will say...working on 40 count dark navy is giving my eyes a run for the money!  LOL  I love this too much to put it down though!  

It finally quit raining long enough for me to pick up two pictures from the framer.  I am so thrilled at how these turned out!  Now to find a place to hang them...  First up is Gloria by Tempting Tangles Designs.  This was a SAL a number of years ago that had been languishing in my closet for a few years.  It's stitched on opalescent and was a royal pain to stitch on.  But I persevered and now it's ready to be submitted in the state fair.  Fingers crossed!!  

Next is Flowers and Lace by Kooler Designs.  I loved this the moment I first saw it stitched.  I scoured the internet for the pattern and found out it was an OOP kit.  I contacted the designer and asked if I could just get the pattern.  She told me it was already being reformatted and would be available for purchase as a PDF in the very near future.  As soon as it was available I bought it...then it sat in my closet for a few years.  While I LOVE it, it was a challenge to stitch and things kept getting in the way.  I was determined to finish it this year...and voila'!  Another thing ready for the fair...I hope!  

Ok...I guess that's all that's fit to print!  I hope wherever you are you are free from the fires/smoke from the Canadian wildfires, that you are safe and cool/warm and enjoying life.  Happy Stitching!  

Wonders of the Hubble Space Telescope SAL

I've been falling behind in my SALs this year.  Just too much going on I guess.  I did finally get a big chunk of time in the past few days to get the 4th part of the Wonders of the Hubble Space Telescope done.  The 5th part is a bit larger...and I don't know if I'll get it done before the next portion is published...I think I'll move on to something a little easier on the eyes and come back in a bit.  It's been rainy lately, and the darker skies have made it a little hard to work on this with the dark fabric, but I have to say, I love how this is turning out.  Pictures don't show the subtle changes in the colors of each section so you can't really see how pretty it really is.  Either way, I thought you might like to see a progress pic before I move along.  

I know we needed rain here in MD, but the torrential downpours we had yesterday were a bit crazy.  It turned the road into our subdivision into a river at one point...crazy weather for sure!  I hope you are safe and dry and warm wherever you are today....Happy Stitching! 

Finally! I have a finish!

It's been a while since I had a finish!  I have barely had time to stitch 30 minutes each day for weeks now, and half the time I was so tired by the end of the day, even that was a struggle.  I've been working on this little piece for months now.  I started this back in February.  Lots of things happened in between and so I thought I would bring this along on vacation hoping to finish and start something else...hahaha.  What is it they say?  When you make plans, God laughs?  Anyway...here is A Heart Remembers by Blackbird Designs.  I stitched this using DMC floss on 32 count Legacy over one.  Now to find a frame small enough...Hobby Lobby here I come!  LOL!!

I find it ironic that I finished this on my Mom's birthday.  My heart still remembers her....and I miss her more than ever.

It's a dull dreary day today.  I took two pieces to the framers before I left on vacation but brought the foam core home to stretch them myself.  They called the day I got back and said everything was ready for me to pop them in the frame...so they have been stretched and I'm bringing them to the store today.  I'll have finished pictures soon!  I can't wait to see them framed!  Now I'm off to do a little soul searching to see what I'll be stitching next.  It's WIP Wednesday so I guess I better pick something that is already in the works...any guesses?  I'll show pictures next time.  Till then....Happy Stitching!

June IHSW

Well, THAT didn't go as planned!  LOL  It was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend last weekend.  We had just arrived home on Friday,  and I guess the kids missed us!  We had to have dinner with them and see Miss A that night.  I still got my 30 minutes in, but barely.  We got home fairly early, did 7 (yes 7!!) loads of laundry, had the kids over for take out, unpacked and put our suitcases away, and then sat down to watch a show on TV to unwind.  Saturday the kids had made plans to see a minor league baseball game in Aberdeen...north of Baltimore.  I was completely exhausted so stayed home, but stitching was clearly a chore when you are so tired...so not a lot of stitching that day.  Sunday was Father's day...so dinner with the kids.  That brings us to today where it is our son's birthday, and they wanted to take Miss A to the zoo.  I, again, begged off.  DH was sick over our vacation, and now I guess it's my turn.  BUT, I would much rather be sick at home for sure!!  Anyway, I said all that because, I don't have much stitching to show you.  I worked exclusively on A Heart Remembers by Blackbird Desigs while I was away for 8 days...then also over the weekend.  I think I made it to the half way point yesterday.  Here is where I started Friday, and where I ended Sunday.  

I REALLY want to finish this before too long.  I'm not used to spending weeks working on the same project...lol!  But finish I will before the month is over!!  

While I was away, a package was delivered but I didn't get to open it until last Friday.  My package arrived from Marina from Canada in the exchange I was a part of.  She was very generous, and as I was removing each piece I kept saying, it was like she read my mind.  Everything was just perfect for me!!  She knew my favorite color, that I liked violets, and that I have been stitching the 12 Days of Christmas by different designers.  She included small frames for Christmas ornaments (I stitch a lot of those through the year), needles and counting pins in the needlebook and biscornu...which were delft motifs which I adore!  She even sent fabric the correct count and color that I use so often.  So many things that she knew I would love!  Thank you again Marina!  I dearly love everything you sent!  I can't wait to get started on the kit!!  I feel well and truly spoiled!  

And on that note, I'll bid farewell.  I'm headed back to bed...and I hope I feel better soon. Ugh...I'm not a patient patient that's for sure!  Happy Stitching everybody!

Gifted Gorgeousness June

It's been a wild ride this month.  We haven't been home much lately, for one reason or another, so I don't  have much to show this month.  For those who don't know what Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) is, please visit Jo's blog, Serendipitous Stitching (click here) for a full description, and you can always sign up to join us!  It's never too late.  You can also see what the rest of us are doing for this challenge.  Basically it's anything associated with the word "gift", either to us or for someone else.  I did receive a lovely gift from the lovely Ms. Mouse over in England.  She sent a few patterns and other things, sadly I didn't take pictures when the package arrived.  I did take this picture of the lovely easel finish of the beautiful stitching!  She used purple, because it's my favorite color.  Thank you sooo much Ms. Mouse.  I truly love it, and it was placed on my mantle after I opened the package, in pride of place.  

I participated in a summer exchange this year and made a few things for her.  I took a picture before I sent out the package.  I'm pretty sure it has arrived by now, so I'm posting the picture.  I hope she likes all the things I sent.  I'm never sure about things I stitch, so I stitch a few hoping that she likes at least one of them...lol.  

Here are Kissy Cross Biscornu

Do what you love by Hands on Designs

Life is Better by Lizzie Kate

My Stitcher's Heart by Hands on Designs

Summer Posey by Jeanette Douglas  

I sent a few things back to Ms. Mouse, I made a wedding sampler for her daughter who was married earlier this year....and a little gift for Ms. Mouse too.  I didn't take a picture of that package, but do have pictures of the things I made for her.  

Two Hearts One Love by Victoria House Designs

Roses, Violets, and Forget Me Knots from the book Miniatures in Embroidery finished into a pendant.

I made two ornaments, these will be gifts, though I'm not sure who I will give them to yet.  I also consider them gifts because my husband has gifted me all the Just Cross Stitch Magazines from the very first issue.  

First is Christmas Snowflake by Giulia Punti Antichi from the 2021 ornament issue.

  

Next is Snowy Greetings by Living on the Rainbow from the 2022 ornament issue.  

I know you've seen most of these before but just wanted to include them in the GG post for the month of June.  I haven't been stitching much as life has just been so insane.  Luckily I've been able to stitch at least 30 minutes each day.  I brought several projects but have only made progress on A Heart Remembers by Blackbird Designs.  Here is how far I've got at the publish of this post.  I know it's not technically a GG item, but thought you might like to know what I've been up to.  This is stitched on 32 count Legacy over one.  I dearly love how it's turning out! 

Ok, I guess that's all that's fit to print.  I'm going to leave you with some pictures of our trip to NY state.  From the lovely Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks, to the beautiful St. Lawrence River that separates NY from Canada.  I even included a picture of the start of our trip just outside Baltimore where the smoke of the Canadian wildfires occluded the skyline on our way out of Maryland.  We've been visiting with long time friends and family who we haven't seen in years due to one reason or another.  I'm thankful these good friends know and love us for who we are, and even though we haven't been in touch for ages, when we see one another it's like no time has passed at all, and we can chat like we just saw each other yesterday.  Those are the best kind of friends aren't they?  All of these people have known us for more than 40 years and at one time we lived together closely like family.  I hope you all are healthy and happy wherever you are.  Happy Stitching!     

My Stitcher's Heart

 I stitched this really quickly....I had this pattern in my stash, I had stitched it once, but when I went to stitch it again, I couldn't find it.   While on our way to West Virginia we stopped in the Cross Stitch Station and thankfully she had it in stock!  I'll be stitching this again, along with the other parts of it and finishing it on this other box that I have found.  The finish in the tray is going to be an exchange piece.  It's not perfect, but I think it turned out pretty good for my first attempt.  I hope they like it!  This is My Stitcher's Heart by Hands On Designs stitched on 28 count white over one.  

That's all I have for this time...it's going to be a super busy week, but I'll talk about that next time.  Until then, Happy Stitching! 

Oh the places you'll go!

We've been on an adventure!  I was so busy I didn't take many pictures...but I did get a bit of stitching done too...so buckle up, get yourself a beverage, and hang on to your socks!  Here we goooooo.....  

First off, we drove to West Virginia with the kids to help them with Little Miss A.  She is so animated and so much fun, but she runs circles around us!  LOL  It was a busy but fun weekend.  We visited a Strawberry Festival, ate at some wonderful restaurants, and literally ran circles in the house we rented.  I played hide and seek with Miss A for quite some time, I think she had as much fun as I did.  

We stopped at Cross Stitch Station in Virginia on the way down AND on the way back.  Terry was a very good enabler and I found I couldn't resist when I found some gorgeous fabric, and her models spoke to me about several patterns I just had to buy.  I was also able to find all the fibers I needed to finish kitting a few different patterns.  You'll be seeing them in my rotation soon!  Her shop is lovely and so chock full of things, it was a stitcher's paradise!  Terry was so helpful in finding everything I needed.  If you get the chance, give her shop a visit!  You'll be glad you did!!  

So here are a few shots from our WV trip...I loved how the shadows of the clouds played along the green of the mountains along our drive.  

I saw this sign on the way to WV and thought to myself, if I didn't know better I'd think I was in Jolly Olde England!  

Miss A gave us a hand while working on some cleaning one day...  

Trying to get Miss A to sleep after a busy day...  

I didn't get a whole lot of stitching done...I didn't have my good light with me, and Little Miss A kept me busy, but I was able to work on Santa's 12 Days of Christmas Day 2 every day while there.  I was working on 40 count over one (why am I such a glutton for punishment?) and the light wasn't bright enough...I could work much faster after I got home and finished it there.  

Then there hasn't been a lot of time since we got home but finished this...My Stitcher's Heart by Hands on Designs.  I stitched this on 28 count white over one so it would fit in this little tray.  I hope to stain and finish this tray soon!  

I received a lovely gift before we left on our trip.  I don't have pictures of all the things Miss Mouse sent from England, but here is the stitched gift she sent.  I love the finish on this lovely easel.  It has pride of place on my mantle!  Thank you, Mouse, I adore it!!

Guess I didn't have quite as much to show as I originally thought.  Hopefully I'll have more to show next time.  In the meanwhile...Happy Stitching!