Our Ocean City Trip and a Finish...

Whew...it's been a little crazy around here lately.  I still haven't found time to take pictures of the goodies I found at the retreat, but hopefully next posting I'll have them.  

I had a little finish last night.  This is the pattern I started at the retreat.  I'm not sure why I had such trouble with this one, perhaps I'm too preoccupied...anyway, I was able to finally finish last night.  This is Winter Songbird by Nath Nalu stitched on 36 count ice blue over two.  I'm hoping to finish it so that I can attach it to the clock during the winter months.  There are three other pattens like this one on the Nath Nolu Etsy page for the other 3 seasons.  I've since bought them, so watch this space!  LOL!!  I really do love how it turned out!  

While we were in Ocean City, we visited Assateague State Park.  I love driving along the National Seashore and looking for the wild ponies.  Before we even got to the park, we found a group of 7 of them walking down the center of the road.  They were in no hurry while cars were lining up behind them.  They look like such gentle creatures, but there are signs warning they bite and kick so beware!  

We saw a lot of water fowl along the way too.  Spring seems to make everything come alive.  Here are a few pictures of what we were able to spy as we drove along.  

I hope one day to take our granddaughters out there to see the ponies and other animals.  What a lovely drive it is!  We found some time to visit a few of our favorite places, one being Shenanigans...The food as always was delicious!

Hopefully I'll have more news next time.  We'll be super busy the next few weeks...hopefully I'll be able to share now and then what we are up to!  Till then, Happy Stitching!   

Slow down...you move too fast...

You've got to make the moment last...  Ok, how many of you sang that?  LOL  Seems like my life is going a thousand miles a minute lately.  

I'm here waiting for my granddaughter to arrive.  I was supposed to watch her on Tuesday after I got back from the retreat, but my body said NO!  I asked if I could wait a few days, thankfully they said yes.  My knee has calmed down and I can walk without limping now (I had a rough weekend with a pretty strong arthritis attack...ouch!!) so I think I'll make it through the day without too much trouble.  I think I've decided my new shoes are the problem.  It's forcing me to walk differently and my knee is complaining.  I'm going to see of my old shoes work better.  

I had the BEST time at the retreat last weekend.  My tablemates are kind, funny, and loads of fun!  And I've been invited to another retreat with them later this year.  I sure hope I can make it, but the timing is a bit off.  The run in Ocean City is the weekend before so I don't know if I'll be able to be away two weekends in a row.  Anyway, here are pictures from the Salty Yarns retreat last weekend.  If you've never been, it's a very low key event, but the food is always sooooo good!  The shopping is just outside the door of the stitching room.  The light is fantastic, no need to pack extra lighting...always a plus.  The ladies who attended the latest one were so complimentary on my latest framed pieces, it was very humbling.  There were other finished items there to drool over (ladylike of course!).  And it was wonderful to wander among the other tables and see all the other "gotta haves" that the ladies were working on.  And even a couple of men, who were fabulous stitchers, were there!  I adore my tablemates, but they all live in Delaware, the downside of these events.  It's not like they could come over for an afternoon of stitching, it's a wee bit too far.  I didn't take too many pictures, but here is what I have.  One lady at our table is camera shy so no pictures of her unfortunately...  

I started a project (no pictures but soon I will have some of the Winter Songbird) and worked mainly on Milady's Posies by Jan Hicks Creates.  This is stitched on 46 count Latte over two.  I finally finished it last night.  I think I'll work on a smaller count as my eyes were crossing while trying to finish last night.  Whew...but I love it.  Now to find time to fully finish it.  I'm thinking of making it into a pin drum.  What do you think?  

I picked up a ton of things I needed (and some I didn't need but HAD to have....if you know, you know!)  I'll try to show pictures next time.  

That's all I have time to write, next time I'll write about the 250 challenge Maryland has proposed with their state parks, and our side trip to Assateague where the wildlife came out to pose for pictures!  Till then, Happy Stitching!   

Just got back from the framers...

I was hoping I would get these back in time to take them to the retreat next weekend.  I'm so excited!!  I did call Side Street Framers in Severna Park, Maryland today and asked, they were kind of "cagey" at first as if they couldn't find them...but they called back and said they would be working on them today and I could pick them up tomorrow.  I had already had them stretched, they only had to pop them in the frames...but oh well.  They called back an hour later and said they were ready.  YAY!!  So...here they are....  

Let Freedom Ring by Lila's Studio with some personalization and adaptations.  I can't wait to hang this one in my living room!!  Stitched on 35 count Classic Homespun over two.  Started on the 4th of July 2025 with the hope of having it finished in time for the 250th Celebration this year.  

American Flag by Aysegul Tastepe stitched on 36 count black over one.  This was a challenge but I really love how this one turned out...and that frame with the stars...perfect!!  

Hummingbird's Garden by Samplers Not Forgotten stitched on 40 count Moonstone over two.  I loved all the specialty stitches in this one!  

I'm still working on Milady's Posies and have finished the first page of the pattern.  Two more to go!  This is stitched on 46 Latte over two.  Another challenge for these old eyes, but now that the letters are finished, I'm truly enjoying this one.  I'm trying to decide if I should take this to the retreat or not...it's hard to work on something so complicated when chatting with other stitchers...but I'm anxious to get it finished.  Decisions, Decisions... 

The next few days will be busy packing up, watching Miss Q and sorting out some things for my tablemates.  I hope to take some pictures this time so I'll have an update about the retreat when I get back.  Happy Stitching!

The attack continues...

Sort of...lol  In the past I've contributed to Clare's Church Tree that she stitches each year.  It's been a while since she has done one, so I thought I'd volunteer, and then I saw that she has her hand in a cast...oh dear.  I wish I could contribute more, but I do have two finished for her.  The theme this year is 12 Days of Christmas.  If you've been following me for very long, you'll know I've stitched several sets, but one I haven't stitched yet was Sue Hillis' set.  These are so cute!  So...I stitched two for Clare's tree.  8 Maids-a-Milking...

and 9 Ladies Dancing.  

These are stitched on 32 count white over two.  I hope she likes them!  

It's been a little wild here lately (when is it not?  haha) and I have been stitching but not as much as I usually do.  I've had some appointments this week, I had Miss Q here for a couple of days, and I've been extremely tired so I've had a few naps here and there.  I have more stitching done on Milady's Posies, but no pictures to show.  Now that I've rested my wrist I may get back to working on that one.  I've also kitted up a couple of charts that I recently had sent in the mail that will fit in my clock...so now I have decisions to make...haha.  I'll be back with an update soon.  I hope all are safe from the mid-west storms.  Happy Stitching! 

I've had an attack of startitis

Good Heavens, I had promised myself I would try to finish up some of the UFOs I had floating around here, but I was sorting through some stuff and found some things I had kitted up.  The first one was Santa Claus is Coming to Town...which was a free SAL offered last year.  I attended a retreat last November and was encouraged by my tablemates to kit this one up.  It's been sitting there starting at me since November...haha.  The pattern is in 4 parts, and when I finished the first part I decided I needed a change of scenery....here is where I left off from Santa...  

This is another pattern I had picked up after Market last year.  This is called Milady's Posies by Jan Hicks Creates.  This one just spoke to me and while I had the pattern, the fabric, I I didn't have the floss suggested.  It had DMC but I really wanted to use silks.  Oh well, I decided to kit it from stuff in my stash, so DMC it is!  I started in the middle then worked my way over to the alphabet.  (In case you didn't know, I detest letters...I don't know why but I do...LOL)  It's stitched on 40 count Latte by Fiber on a Whim.  This one is soooo hard to put down, but I'm beginning to think the stitch count was off (I'll have to check).  I think it might be 46 count.  It's a challenge when there is a lot of stitching in a small area.  But I'll continue on after the lettering is done....that middle part is so pretty!!  

The frame I'm using is kind of heavy so it's bothering my wrist.  I may have to put it aside and work on something smaller.  So...watch this space, I feel another attack of Startitis coming on.  Happy Stitching! 

One more thing...

I guess I should have waited one more day to post, but I was so excited yesterday...haha.  

Ok stitching friends, I bought this old clock from Goodwill and took the clockworks out.  Yesterday I painted it...not the best job but I'm ok with it.  I stretched this piece (Believe by Erin Elizabeth Designs) to fit in the circular part of the clock and attached magnets to the back.  Now I can stitch different things to put in that space for different seasons.  How fun is this??  My only question is ... do I need trim around the stitched piece?  

Thanks for your input!  I'm off to find some circular patterns that might fit!  Have a great Sunday!

Yikes....I'm not sure what got into me....BUT

I woke up this morning, after finishing up a couple of ornaments the past couple of days and decided I wasn't really ready to get stitching.  WHAT, you say?  I KNOW!!   Hm...no fever...though I do have a sore throat.  Maybe the respiratory thing I had going on has reached my brain...or the lack of oxygen, oh who knows?  Let's just go with the flow...ok?  

So I pulled out my finishing stuff, made a template, cut out some matboard, and sharpened up my scissors and needles...and voila!  I decided to make a stand up of the gingerbread house and I think it turned out pretty cute!  Here is Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane Designs stitched on 32 count Gingerbread by Picture This Plus.  Front and back...

Not a fan of this particular piece of fabric.  It stretches like crazy so the size of the "cut out" pattern didn't match the size of my stitching...so with a little frogging with the printer to enlarge it, I finally got it to the size I wanted.  I substituted pom poms for the rick rack they had in the picture and left off the hanger they gave with the pattern.  I used a wire place card holder and made it into a stand up.  I LOVE IT!!  

Next I got out my paints and my 2" cubes and painted them up.  While they were drying I laced these onto matboard.  Then I attached them and gave him a lovely scarf.  Now Cubey Snowman is ready to make his debut.  He is from the 2025 JCS Ornament Issue and was designed by Tranquilitree Designs and was stitched on 28 count white Cashel fabric over two.  Isn't he darling?  I just love how he turned out too!  

I have another "thing" I'm painting and I'm struggling to make it look right.  UGH!!  I'm going to add another coat before I decide if I'm going to go for it or not.  If it all works out I might have another finish in the near future so watch this space!  Goodness at this rate I may actually fully finish more of my UFO's I have flying around.  EEK, have I created a monster?  I've been drinking smart water (literally...bottled Smart Water) and now I'm questioning what is actually in this stuff?  Could it actually be making me smarter?  Stay tuned....  

Oh one last thing.  I pulled out a freebie SAL that was offered last year.  I have contemplated the fabric for MONTHS....and I finally decided to use Natural Linen...40 count over two.  I started this right after I finished stitching Cubey and I literally had a hard time putting it down last night.  This has been an absolutely fantastic stitch for me.  It's an involved one, but so cute...let's see if you can tell what it is.  Any guesses?  

And on that note I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.  Happy Stitching!  

Gingerbread House

I'm happy to say I finished stitching Peppermint Candy by Blackberry Lane designs.  I'm not a fan of this fabric, it's so hard to keep stitches straight on this stretchy fabric, but I finally managed to "get-er-done".  Now to get it fully finished.  I stitched this on 32 count Gingerbread fabric over two using the recommended DMC floss.  I finally found the button pack and was able to use some beads in my stash.  Now to get up the courage to fully finish it...haha.  This is the front of the house...   

and this is the back of the house...  

I just love that little elf peeking over the roof of the house!!  The next problem is finding my next project!  I hope you all had a lovely Easter and are enjoying the changing of the seasons.  As soon as the weather stays above freezing I'll be a happy camper!  Happy Stitching! 

Have a Blessed Easter

He is our risen savior!  I pray you know the love of Jesus on this Resurrection Day! 

 

Finishing, just in time!!

I've been so busy the past few weeks.  I love my family, but there are times it's a little overwhelming...haha.  I've been dealing with schedule changes and emergencies and my life is a little chaotic right now.  We attended the ballgame last Thursday, then we were woken up early Saturday morning with a call that Heather was heading to the Emergency Room with severe abdominal pain, so we quickly scrambled to collect the girls while Ben went to sit with Heather at the hospital.  She was released several hours later and now we wait to see if they can find the cause of her pain.  The girls were here most of the day.  Then because of the spring break schedule, I had Miss Q on Monday and will have her again on Thursday.  Then we will be having an egg hunt and making brunch on Sunday.  Miss Q will be here again on Tuesday.  No rest for the wicked they always say.  Whew...I'm exhausted!

Last Saturday Little Miss Sassy Pants saw some patterns I had printed to make for Easter (but kind of abandoned the hope because we've been so crazy busy) and saw three that she just HAD to have...haha.  I can't resist those beautiful eyes so I've been stitching like crazy.  Yesterday I was able to finish stitching them and got them all fully finished just in the nick of time!  The first three are freebies from Shannon Christine Designs.  

First is Cotton stitched on 32 count Fleur over two and finished into a Hobby Lobby frame.

Next is Flower Bunny stitched on 32 count Fleur over two and finished into a Hobby Lobby frame.

The third is Easter Delivery stitched on 36 count Edinburgh Raw with Mini Dots over two and finished into a frame I found at Target.

I also finshed Tetelestai by Quaint Rose Needlearts stitched on 25 count tea dyed jobelan over one with Cranberry Belle Soie silk.  I framed this with a frame I found in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby.  I really love how this one turned out.  

I guess that's all the news for today.  I hope you all are enjoying the change of seasons wherever you are.  The trees are blossoming and the flowers are blooming, it's like the world is awakening.  It's a lovely time of year here in the Mid-Atlantic.  Happy Spring and happy stitching!

   

Opening Day

Another family tradition has been celebrated.  Since Ben was a little boy we have been going to Opening Day for the Orioles and it has become a tradition.  Our two granddaughters have been going to Opening Day since they were born.  It's always a fun time and I'm happy to say Little Miss Q was so good and able to stay for the whole game.  Best of all it was a WIN!!  Here are a few pictures from our day...

Tetelestai

I've had this pattern in my stash for a while.  I decided I really wanted to finish it for this Easter.  I'm running out of time AND I have my youngest granddaughter twice next week.  

The name of this pattern by Quaint Rose Needlearts is Tetelestai.  I'm stitching it on 28 count tea dyed lugana over one using Cranberry Belle Soie silk.  I love stitching on this!!  I still have a lot more to do, but hopefully I'll have it finished in time.

I wanted to share something about the Greek word Tetelestai.  You can find this word only twice in the Bible  John 19:28 and John 19:30.  It means "It is finished".  It has three separate  meanings depending on where and how it is used.  

In the court it means you are innocent.

In business it means your debt has been paid.

In war it means total victory.

There are other words Jesus could have used for the first two meanings, but for the total victory in war, this is the only word he could have used.  When I recently heard this explained to me it gave me chills.  Words are important, and these have special meaning for those who believe.  I'm grateful for His sacrifice and the certainty that we can have that we will one day join Him in heaven.  

Did you know you need a savior?  For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.  Romans 2:23  

Do you know what the consequence of sin is?  "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 6:23

Do you know there is a solution to the separation?  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinncrs, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

Have you asked Him into your heart?  "That is thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, though shalth be saved."  Romans 10:19

You can know for certain that we are saved from the consequences of our sins.  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Romans 10:13  

He can change your life in ways you never could imagine.  Knowing Him gives us purpose, encouragement, and hope.  Easter is a reminder that we have a savior and His name is Jesus.