Making progress!

Whew!  It's been a little while since I posted.  It's been kinda weird around here lately.  I've been busy so not as much stitching or finishing as I would have liked, and my head hasn't been in the right space for a while.  I've been getting some things sorted, finished, met up with a friend, spent time texting other friends, and been on a bit of a shopping spree.  But I do have a lot to post, so let's get started!  

As far as stitching goes, I've been digging around trying to get some Patriotic things stitched before the 4th.  I stll have a ton more to stitch, but they have taken a back seat now as I've started Christmas stitching.  Since the last time I posted I've stitched these...  

First up is Snowy Bliss by Stitch Sprout from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue.  It's stitched on 32 count white opalescent over two.  When it was finished I just popped it into this hoop frame.  I still have a few more left over from the Merry Christmas Letter ornaments I finished up a while ago.  I think he looks perfect in this little frame!  

Next I finished stitching The American Berry by Erica Michaels.  It's a freebie she offered for the 250th Anniversary of America this year.  While I was in a LNS recently they had a little kit with the fabric, thread, pattern and finishing wool I would need to fully finish it.  I'll be working on fully finishing that when I get a chance, there are a few fussy finishes I hope to get done this coming week.  Wish me luck!  

Last is A Vintage Rocker by Hands On Design.  I've been collecting her Merry Memories ornaments that she was offering on her Patreon site.  I'm signed up for the next collection as well.  This Rocker was my favorite so I stitched it up first and even fully finished it as soon as it was done.  Isn't it the cutest?  I already have Light The Way in my hoop which I hope to finish up next. 

Now for finishing...I've been digging around in my "Needs finishing" box and found some oldies but goodies.  But first, let's show what I've recently stitched that I've finished.  First up is American Pie by Sue Hillis Designs.  I decided a pie needed to go in a tart pan...haha.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  It was stitched on 36 count mystery fabric over two.  

Next is Quaker Snippets #3 by Brenda Gervais stitched on 40 count Moonstone over two with recommended fibers.  I love this one and I finished it in a frame from Hobby Lobby.  

Then I pulled out my finished Santa with a Heart by Jim Shore, a Mill Hills kit I stitched on 28 count Sage fabric over two.  I like stitching these on fabric instead of the perforated paper they include in the kit.  I fully finished it as a stand up and thought he turned out quite cute!  

Then I dug deep in my box and found these two that I had finished stitching back in June of 2024.  Yes, I have a lot of oldies that need finishing that I found in that box.  This was from a kit called Colonial Couple by the Posey Collection.  I stitched them both on 36 count vintage Country Mocha over two.  They needed to be on my mantle for the 4th, don't you think?  

I'll have to post my decorations when I get the chance later this week.  I hope to really get busy with older finishes.  I have a pin pillow, a berry, and a stacker.  I'm so nervous, but I'm really hoping to get them finished before next weekend.  Now that it's in print I have to get them done, right?  Haha...well that's my story and I'm stitcking to it...haha.  So I think I've left you with a bit of eye candy.  I hope it was worth the wait!  Hopefully next time I have some more fun things to look at.  In the meanwhile, Happy Stitching!

Moving right along...

I've been getting quite a bit done lately.  Sure helps when I have a few days to myself.  I'm really anxious to get some Christmas ornaments done, but still have some patriotic pieces I'm working on.  Ugh, if only I could stitch in my sleep!  Hahaha  I was able to stitch up Quaker Snippets #3 by Brenda Gervais.  I have a frame ready, even have the backing board cut, maybe I'll get some things done later today but Mike will be home early today so I doubt I'll get that done.  I stitched this on 40 count Moonstone over two. I truly love how this one turned out!  

Today I finished American Pie by Sue Hillis Designs.  This will go in a tart pan as soon as I get the chance.  This was a fun one despite all the backstitching!  I've had it in my stash for years.  

A few days ago I was getting the Birthday cake, framed piece, and Christmas ornament fully finished and I cut some matboard for others that I hope to fully finish.  One thing I was able to fully finish was this little freebie from A Mon Ami Pierre.  I call her the Sampler Girl, but she does have a name...Petite Brodeuse ABC and can be found in the files section of the Remembering AMAP group on Facebook.  I thought she would look cute as a stand up.  I like her!!  She was stitched on 40 Legacy over two...and I wish I had used a slightly darker fabric, but oh well...there she is...

So as I said before, while I contemplate what my next project will be, I'm going to be fully finishing a few things, I just need to pull my big girl pants up and get moving!  Till then I wish you good health, safety, and lots of stitching time!

Finishing Day at the Zoo

Whew, it's been a day!  I made a trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday looking for ideas for ways of finishing some things.  I'm happy to report I found a ton of things, and decided today I really needed to buckle down and get some finishing done.    

First up is One Flag, One Land by Brenda Gervais.  While putting supplies from Hobby Lobby away yesterday, I stumbled across this antique frame my friend (and chosen sister) gifted me one of the times I was visiting her in NY.  I took the glass out (it was too dirty to really clean up) then laced the piece (stitched on 40 count Parchment) and gingerly placed it in the frame using small nails.  I was afraid to use my brad gun as it just seemed top fragile.  I felt like I was performing major surgery...haha.  But it's in it's new home and looks fabulous even if I do say so myself.  I truly love the way it looks!  

I have a box of unfinished things.  There are several patriotic finished pieces in there, but one I've always wanted to finish but was a little skittish about the finishing.  This is Happy Birthday, America! by Brenda Gervais.  It's stitched on 36 count Natural 2 over 2.  I tried searching back in my blog looking for when I finished stitching this piece and couldn't find it.  While at Hobby Lobby last night I found a set of nesting paper mache' boxes.  The directions said I needed a 4" diameter and 2" tall.  Well there were a 5", a 4" and a 3" diameter box in the set.  Yahoo!!  However the 4" diameter was also 4" tall.  So, I pulled up my big girl britches and sawed 2" off.  Whew...I think it worked...what do you think?  So I cut, I glued, I gathered and laced, attached the alphabet  fabric, the trim, and glued the whole thing together.  Is it perfect?  Certainly NOT, but does it look like a Birthday cake?  Maybe a little...haha.  Either way, I'm calling it a fully finished piece and already have it sitting on my mantle with pride.  

I also fully finished Snowman Freebie by Erin Elizabeth.  I had such a difficult time choosing trim and somehow I still think it needs something...so while I'm calling it finished, I might do something a little different later on.  This was stitched on 36 count Flax over two.  I used Red Velvet pom poms for trim.  

Whie I was in NY I found two adorable antique frames.  Today I sat down and sent pictures to Walgreens to have them printed out.  Then I cut them and placed them in the frames.  Awww...aren't they the sweetest?  Here they are displayed with a picture of Ben's graduation picture.

We had a sleep over with Little Miss Sassy Pants last Friday night.  As always she was so good, helped clean up after meals, helped fill up the air mattresses and then helped deflate and fold them up after we woke up.  We played several games, we watched a movie, and read some books.  All in all it was a fabulous time and I can't wait until we do it again.

One Flag One Land

I have another finish!  This is One Flag One Land by Brenda Gervai from With Thy Needle and Thread.  It's stitched on 40 Parchment over two with one strand of floss.  I used most of the called for overdyed threads, but had to substitute a couple because I couldn't find them.  

That Uncle Sam looks small but boy oh boy are there a lot of stitches in that guy!!  LOL  I'm happy he's finished.  I'm off to start Quaker Snippets #3 by Brenda Gervais.  Or I might do some final finishing, my brain keeps thinking of all the things I should be getting ready to redecorate my fireplace mantle.  So much to do...so little time.  We are expecting storms today so I'm staying home and keeping busy.  I hope you are happily stitching wherever you are today!

The Stitching Bunny

I'm not sure  where my head is these days.  I seem to hop from one project to the next.  I started One Flag One Nation, but didn't get far when I switched to The Stitching Bunny.  I'm trying to get things ready to send my annual Christmas/Birthday gift to my pal in England.  I haven't posted any of the things I'm sending her just yet, mainly because I have to find a couple of things to include in the package but I'm throwing caution to the wind and posting the things I've stitched.  I should have the envelope in the mail to her soon.  Hopefully she won't check my blog!!  LOL  

This morning I finished The Stitching Bunny.  This is a pattern by Crocette a Gogo from the Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher Magazine Spring 2025.  It's stitched on 40 count Pewter over two with DMC floss.  I love this so much, and may have to stitch it for myself.  

Last March I finished four others I plan to send her.  First is A Sheltering Tree by All Through The Night stitched on 36 count tea dyed lugana over one with Gloriana Silk called Fall Foliage.  

Next is Merry & Bright by Luminous Fiber Arts from the Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher Magazine Winter 2022.  Stitched on 40 Thornfield over two.  

Next is Candy Corn & Pumpkin by Ethel stitched on 28 count Sand over one.  I couldn't pass this one up for my friend whose nickname is Mouse.  

Last is a little Pin Pillow from the chart Faithful Kind and True by Teresa Kogut stitched on 40 coumt Mocha over two.  The little dog in the pattern reminds me of her dog, Cooper.  

I'll be sending along some patterns and hopefully kitting one up before it flies.  I hope she likes her gifts.  We decided to stitch for each other, and let the recipient finish as they see fit.  Hopefully we'll be saving on the cost of the post as prices have skyrocketed.    Always a little nerve wracking to send things through the mail these days.  I hope she likes them all!  

That's all I have to share right now.  I hope all is well in your neighborhood!  It's going to be quite warm today, a great excuse to stay home and stitch.  I hope you are able to do the same.  Happy Stitching!!

Price of Freedom finish!

As usually happens, I found something while I was looking for something else...haha.  I vaguely remember buying this while still an employee of the Stitching Post LNS.  I had gathered all the things I would need to stitch it, and placed it in a plastic bag...then it got misplaced.  It was time to haul it out and stitch it, as this is the perfect year to get it stitched.  This is Price of Freedom by The Sweetheart Tree.  It's stitched on 32 count Clay over two.  I'm truly amazed at how quickly I finished it considering the amount of frogging I had to do.  

Let's just say it's been in a "safe place" for quite a number of years as I haven't worked at TSP since 2008  LOL.  I've already put a few stitches in my next piece...stay tuned!  This one was designed much more recently....haha.  I'll have an update soon.  

We had a day out with our son and his oldest daughter yesterday.  We went to play Monster Mini Golf at the indoor arcade yesterday.  It was a fun day.  I even got a hole in one!  AND I was the only one who "fed the monster".  I really do love a good mini golf course!  

Stay healthy, stay safe, and Happy Stitching! 

Found a quick freebie!

I had a quick finish last night.  This is Freebie Snowman by Erin Elizabeth Designs.  It's stitched on 36 count Flax over two.  I had a friend in mind when I stitched this, but now that he's done I just might have to stitch him for myself!  LOL  You can find this design and a few other Erin Elizabeth Freebies here.  Hopefully I'll find time to get him fully finished soon.  

The next few days are going to be super busy (again).  Oh...and to let you know, while it was a bit crazy watching a toddler at the dentist's office, she was pretty good for me and we got her to her dad on time though the dentist was running a half hour late.  Another good cleaning and no cavities...yay!  So I have a day to myself today...whatever will I do?  Stay tuned....and Happy Stitching!  

Finishing day at the zoo, and a quick breath of air...

Whew!  It's been a wild roller coaster ride and it's not over yet!  Today was my break day and tomorrow starts up again...haha.  So let me start first with some finishes.  

I started and finished Strawberries and Stripes by With Thy Needle and Thread on Sunday.  It's stitched on 40 count white over two with one strand of thread.  I've had this in my stash for a while, and really wanted to get it stitched this year.  I actually have a pile of them...haha.  Let's see how far I get before the 4th of July.  

Anyway, I decided on Monday I was going to really get some things fully finished, so I dug out my candle holders with pedestals that I've had in my stash for a while now.  This is metal and I found it at Hobby Lobby.  I decided to use magnets to attach this one to the candle holder, and maybe I could have other things that might fit for different seasons, we'll see how that goes.  So I finished this on Sunday and fully finished it on Monday.  

Then I pulled out my recently finished 250th Celebration by Teresa Kogut.  It's stitched on 36 count Legacy over two with two strands of thread.  I would love to have finished this in a drum but alas they are way too expensive so I'm going with the converted clock/frame.  I love how it looks on this!!  

Last I pulled out Winter Songbird by Nath Nalu.  This was stitched on 36 count Ice Blue over two with two strands of thread.  I've since bought the other seasons.  Had I known how close this was going to be to the edge of the circle I might have chosen a higher count fabric, but I'm not entirely hateful of the finish.  I had to really build up the thickness of the stuffing to show all the stitches, and in all honesty, I think it came out kind of cute.  I will try to work it out a little better with the other seasons of birds.  I'm going to wait until after the 4th of July to get them worked up.  

I told you I would show you the goodies I found while out thrifting.  My childhood friend and I love going to the thrift shops and antique stores.  I was so excited to find these two shoes.  

I have a VERY small collection of Fenton glass items (most were given to me for wedding shower gifts) and had been looking for a little shoe for ages.  This has been hand painted and signed by the artist.  I loved the colors, and though it was a bit expensive, it was still cheaper than others I've seen...so into my bag it went!  I hope to make a little pin cushion to put in the top part of the shoe.  

I also found this little blue flower shoe.  My favorite part is the lace part that is made of glass but looks like the real thing!  It's another pin cushion hopeful.  I'll be searching through patterns to find the perfect pattern to use...wish me luck!  

I've looked for plates for other items for ages, and usually pick up pretty plates when I find them.  These three stood out to me, and again, I'll be looking for patterns for these.  I've seen the recent "Plateitudes" patterns, and thought it was funny as I've been finishing items that way for years.  Still, I'll be looking for something a little different for my plates...I'll know them when I see them!  I just love the patterns on these plates!!  

I have a shelf in my stairway leading up to the second floor of our townhouse.  I've found vintage looking frames for ages and placed relatives in them for years.  As our family grows, I've added more frames and more pictures.  Now that we have grandchildren, I've been looking for vintage looking frames for the two of them.  Aren't these cute?  They are tiny, but I hope to place some sepia toned pictures of the girls in these.  It should be fun looking for pictures that fit!  

Ok, I guess that's all the news for now.  Tomorrow I have Miss Q AND a dentist appointment...oh yay!  LOL  Thursday is a free day, then Friday we have an Orioles game.  Our DIL and Miss Q will be out of town, so Mike, our son, Little Miss Sassy Pants and I are going to the game.  I'll have Little Miss Sassy Pants here on her own....finally a Gigi and Miss A day!  I have missed her so much and can't wait to spend some one on one time with her.  Now to think of a craft we can work on together.  And that's all the news that's fit to print.  I'm not sure how much stitching I'll get until next week when everyone is back to work/school and I'll have time to contemplate my navel.  Haha.  Hopefully things will go smoothly and I'll be back next week with more stitchy news.  Till then, stay healthy, stay safe, and Happy Stitching!!  

And I've FINALLY had a finish!!

 Yesterday didn't go as planned, but it was wonderful!  The kids visited with the grandkids yesterday and it was great to see them.  It has been almost 2 weeks since we saw our littlest and she has changed so much.  I love both our granddaughters, but I don't get to spend as much time with our oldest granddaughter as I used to.  When the dust settles I hope to have her here for a day by herself.  I could tell she misses me as much as I miss her.  We gave them their new books and of course the candies we bought them.  What would a trip to NY be without shopping for maple goodies?  Oh shucks, just remembered I forgot to take pictures of the other goodies I found...stay tuned...    

It's daylight in the swamp here this morning, pouring rain, and a meowing cat.  He heard me get out of bed this morning (before the sun rose) and hasn't shut up since then.  Trying to keep a loudmouth cat quiet is like trying to herd cats.  Impossible!!  And I really didn't want him to wake Mike...so here I sit at our computer while one hand pets Max.  

I was able to finish 250th Celebration by Teresa Kogut very late last night.  It's stitched on 36 count Legacy over two with two strands of thread.  I used the called for threads except for Old Money which I can't find anywhere.  Oh well, I certainly like the way it turned out!  Now to find time to get some finishing done.  I didn't want to purchase the drum, it's pretty expensive, so if all goes well I'll finish it in the round and attach it to the clock I turned into a frame.

I need to fully finish Winter Songbird too.  Now to decide what I'll stitch next.  I sincerely have too many choices.  

I loved the necklaces I stitched while in NY so much, I came home and ordered two kits.  My childhood friend loved the black one, so I'm going to make one for her and one for me.  Hopefully they will be here Tuesday...we'll see.  On that note, I'll make my way back to bed, with a noisy cat in tow I'm sure.  I love him, really, but his late night yowl fests leave a lot to be desired.  I didn't miss them at all while we were away...haha.  Crazy cat!!  Happy Stitching everyone!  

I've been a bit quiet...

I haven't had much time for stitching for the past week or so.  Between watching my youngest granddaughter (who army crawled under an armchair and around a small table to then tell me "I stuck!"), and a few trips here and there, not to mention losing the cord to my laptop, it's been a little crazy in my corner of the world.  I'm home now and hopefully will be catching up soon!  

My friend who I've known since 3rd grade asked for a little help.  Her SIL bought some kits and decided she couldn't make them up, so I volunteered to go to Northern NY to help get them stitched and finished for her.  I was a little worried I wouldn't know how to do the stitches, but I figured them out...and they were actually quite fun.  Now I'm wondering if I can find the kits so I can make some of my own.  Here they all are, and individual pictures as well.  

So I grew up near the St. Lawrence River (about a 45 minute drive) and there are lots of little villages on the shore.  My Aunt worked as a caretaker for an older gentleman and we sometimes were allowed to stay at his house along the river.  I've always loved being near the water, so we took a drive over there one day just to walk along the water and look for the big ships that pass by quite frequently.  

Usually we visit Alexandria Bay, but this time we went to Clayton which is smaller but less busy.  

It was a wonderful day!  

Mike went to visit his brother in Tupper Lake one day while my friend, Donna, and I drove around to antique stores looking for little treasures.  Next time maybe I'll have pictures of the goodies I brought home.  

Our B&B had such wonderful breakfasts...yumm!!  

And the cutest little dog who was just full of herself...running circles around the breakfast table each morning.  She adored my husband...haha.

I didn't stitch for myself while I was away....and did pick up 250th Celebration when I got home.  I'm not too far into the design, so I'll show more next time.  I'm just stopping in to say I made it back in one piece and I'll be back soon with more of an update on my stitching.  Till then, enjoy the changing of the seasons, and Happy Stitching!