Squirrel!!

I have so much going on lately, I don't know if I'm coming or going...lol!  I haven't abandoned Sarah Sanderson, she's just taking a little break.  So I took a look around at something smaller I could toss in a bag on those little outings where I know I'll be sitting for a while, and saw this Noel Banner by Stoney Creek that I started during the Olympics.  Perfect!  I've worked on it a bit here and there, but yesterday I had the whole day to myself, so I picked it up.  I don't have the buttons or beads for it just yet...and since it's on a scroll frame anyway, I won't be using them until the cross stitching is finished.  Anyway...I finished N yesterday.  If I get my act together later today, I'll begin working on the O.  Here is where I am so far.  

Now this is stitched on that afghan fabric.  It's easy to work on, but it stretches like crazy!  I hope it doesn't look wonky when I'm done!!  Wish me luck!  That's all I have to share today.  It's a drizzly, rainy day, thanks to the hurricane that hit Florida.  Crazy how far it has impacted our country and states down south are really feeling the effects.  I'm keeping them in prayer, and hope wherever you are you are safe and healthy!  Happy Stitching!

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend for September

Hello Fellow Stitchers!  Yes, it was the IHSW weekend and as usual I was super busy.  I did find some time for stitching though...and I hope I didn't make any mistakes...lol.  It was an exhausting weekend.  I started early Friday morning, and since my knee has been acting up, I decided not to go to the baseball game Friday night.  It was an entire day of stitching so I made a lot of progress.  

First off I had just received the latest part of the Starry Stable Nativity by Tempting Tangles.  I enjoy stitching on this little SAL.  I'm working on 32 count light blue using DMC floss.  I finished part 8...only 4 more parts to go.  It's released every two weeks, so hopefully I'll have it finished by Christmas.  

I've been trying to work a bit on Sarah Sanderson.  I have this in a Q-snap frame large enough for the whole sampler.  It's a bit heavy so at times I have to switch to something smaller as my hand begins to hurt.  This is stitched on 46 count Valley Forge (I just love the color!!) over two, and it's a bit challenging for my eyes.  Some of those threads are deceptively small.  BUT...I do love how it is working up.  It's truly hard to put down as I can't wait to see the next tree, or the next animal.  More challenging animals are just ahead...I can't wait to sink my needle into those!  Anyway, there are 9 pages to this pattern, I have fully finished 2 pages and am on to page 3.  

Saturday was spent at the movies seeing The Forge.  It's an inspiring movie and gave me a lot to think about.  We also had some errands to run so not a lot of stitching time that day.  Sunday had us running about looking for items for the "Sprinkle" we are having for our DIL.  We started working on the favors.  It's been a bit of a challenge...but I think they are looking cute!  The tags are ready...just a little more prep and they'll be done!  Again...not a lot of stitching, but I think Friday made up for the lack of time the rest of the weekend.  It's a dreary day here in Maryland today.  I'm off to get more stitching done...maybe on something a bit smaller to rest my hands...or maybe I'll get some finishing done...who knows?  I hope you enjoy whatever your hands are doing today!  Happy Stitching! 

IHSW Pre-show

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  It's that time again for the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend.  My family has a lot of plans for the weekend, so I'm not expecting much progress, but I thought I would show you what I plan to stitch on.  

First up is Starry Stable Nativity SAL.  Part 8 was released yesterday.  Here is where I'm starting.  

I hope to put a few stitches in Sarah Sanderson.  This one is stitched on 46 count over two and sometimes I have a hard time counting those thin little threads.  It slows me down quite a bit.  Where I last left off, I had nearly finished on page 1.  I hope to finish page 2 but we shall have to see exactly how much time I have to spend.  I am truly enjoying this one, even those letters (which I hate to stitch, by the way), maybe it's the red lettering...either way it's coming along.  It seems to bother my wrist to work on this one, so I may throw in a few smaller ones to give my wrist a rest.  

On a side note, I finished this cute little pattern, Have A Cool Christmas by Stitchy Fish Designs from the 2023 JCS Ornament Issue.  It's stitched on 36 count white opalescent over two.  As I was stitching, my husband looked over my shoulder and asked if that was the fabric I swore I would never stitch on again.  Yes, yes it is...what was I thinking? LOL  Anyway, it's for a friend so...I hope she likes it because there will never be another one on that fabric...lol!!!  With a little luck, maybe I'll get some finishing done?  Fingers crossed!  

I have to laugh, as I had an unexpected chuckle this week.  As I posted on Facebook what I planned to stitch for this weekend, a fellow blogger recognized my project....and sent a friend request.  *Waving to Jeremiah's Mom*  I'll be honest and say I never really thought about it before but if you have a presence on social media (and I'm including blogging in that) it is easy to track what you are doing.  I'm an open book really, so I'm not worried about what you'll find.  My life is pretty boring for the most part, though I do a lot of things with my son and his family.  It just brought home the fact that others are watching...  

On that note, I'll bid you adieu until we meet again.  I'll be back after the weekend to show my progress.  Happy Stitching! 

September Gifted Gorgeousness

Well, it's that time again, time to post about our Gifted Gorgeousness.  I don't have too much to show today, it's been a little busy around here these days.  If you don't know what Gifted Gorgeousness is all about, head over to Jo's blog Serendipitous Stitching (Click Here) and you'll be taken to her blog.  There is a tab at the top that will take you to the explanation...and you can sign up to join us in the fun if you wish!  

Now...where to begin?  First off, anything I've stitched from the Just Cross Stitch magazine I consider a gift because I have been gifted the magazine since the premier issue by my husband who renews the subscription each year.  This month I finished Snowflake Sheep by Counting Puddles from the 2023 JCS Ornament Issue.  This was stitched on 28 count Smoke over one.  So cute...and will probably be a gift for someone this year too!  

Next is the gift I'm giving my DIL for Christmas.  This is Chill Out a Dimensions kit that I stitched on 28 count evenweave instead of the included Aida.  I had fun fully finishing this one!  

I finished stitching Fa-La-La-Mingo by Hands on Designs and will give this to my Granddaughter for Christmas...I was going to fully finish it today but ran out of steam (yesterday was a super busy day and I'm still beat!!)  Hopefully by next GG post I'll have it fully finished.  This was stitched on 40 count Nora over two. 

 

I had a lovely surprise when I picked up my Fair entries.  Carina Nebula by Climbing Goat Designs won a prize for Viewers Choice!  I was very pleased that others enjoyed my stitching and I consider that a gift to me.  

I have been working on Sarah Sanderson by The Scarlett House which was a gift from my husband for our 40th Anniversary.  I'm working on 46 count Valley Forge over two.  I can't work on it very long as my eyes go a little crossed after a bit...lol...but I'm loving how it looks.  

I had a couple of finishes this month too.  Joyful Snowman by Dimensions was finished this week, and fully finished today!  I added a few snowflakes to fill out some "dead space", and finished it in this round frame.  I really love how it looks in the frame!  

I've been working on letters that spell out Merry Christmas by Owl Forest Designs.  As I finish stitching them, I've been putting them in these little frames I found on Amazon.  So far I've finished M and E.  Stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki over two.  With a little luck I'll have them finished for Christmas 2025...I just don't see me finishing them in time for this Christmas.  These are fun to stitch.  

I guess that's all that I have for this one.  I have a couple of trips coming up (my birthday is coming up and my husband has some time off awards he needs to use so...)  I'm not sure where or when, but we are planning some time to ourselves before the newest addition to our family arrives.   My son will be participating in a 5K run soon, so we hope to go cheer him on...which happens to be near a Needlework store...hope springs eternal that I'll get some retail therapy in while we are away!  And than the new Grandbaby will arrive just before Thanksgiving.  Whew!!  Yesterday was our Birthday Celebration for Little Miss Sassy Pants who turned 3 last week.  We had a family day at the Baltimore Zoo with her Mom and Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, Grammy, Gigi and Pap.  We had a picnic, walked all over the zoo and just had a great time.  She told everyone she saw that it was her Birthday and that she was now 3.  Haha.  Maybe next time I'll post some pictures of our day.  Till then stay safe, and Happy Stitching!    

I love to go a wandering...

I love to go a wandering...and this time I went solo!  According to my GPS it was 467 miles one way.  While it took 8 hours to go north, it took 9 hours to come back.  Road construction was part of the issue but I also made a few extra stops on the way home.  I also hit rush hour around Baltimore and road closure issues around Harrisburg due to a Trump rally.  Anyway, I was gone 8 days...and other than the drive, I enjoyed every second of it!

I even got to spend some time Cross Stitching!  I finished Fa-La-La-Mingo by Hands on Designs stitched on 40 count Nora (a limited edition by Grace Notes Fabric) over two.  Loved every stitch!

I went to visit my long time friend that I met in 3rd grade and though we've lived apart many, many, MANY years ... lol ... we have remained good friends all these years.  She really is a chosen sister.

As many of you know, things are about to get super busy here in a little while as grandbaby two will make an appearance in November.  We have been working to get their house in order (though I missed a big "paint the walls" endeavor while I was away) we have been sorting and packing baby clothes, gathering furniture, and other things.  So...if I wanted to see my friend I was going to have to go when I did.  

I booked a room at a local B&B there and off I went.  I felt truly pampered all week long!  The breakfasts were phenomenal with bacon and eggs one morning, blueberry pancakes with REAL Maple Syrup) and French toast on other mornings.  Always fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries, and bananas), yogurt and cereal.  Quite the spread! 

My friend and I like to go to flea markets so we visited a bunch and I found several treasures.

Some were for the new baby...

Some were for Miss Sassy Pants who's birthday is right around the corner...

Some were for framing...

Some were for finishing...

Some were for the kids...

And some were for yummmmmm!  Honestly there is nothing like maple products from Northern NY!!

I have to say, I had such a wonderful time, it was hard to say goodbye.  But I packed up my bags and rode off into the sunset.  I did miss my family, but I'll miss that peaceful spot by the river where my friend lives.  Until next year!  I look forward to my next adventure, Ms. D!

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you didn't mind the show...Happy Stitching!