May Gifted Gorgeousness

Wow, this month surely has gotten away from me.  I guess as the state begins to open up more (they are lifting the mask mandate here in Maryland), the positivity rate of Covid cases drops to below 2%, and the rate of vaccinated people rises to 68% we are getting out and about a bit more.  Which slows my stitching rate considerably!  LOL  I still have quite a bit to show you though.  So for those who are visiting for the first time, I'm following a challenge started by Jo on her Serendipitous Stitching blog where we post on the 15th of each month all the things we've been working on that are either gifts to us, gifts to others, or materials that have been gifted to us.  Jo explains it so much better and you can find the rules or sign up to join us here.  Then visit the main page here and see what the rest of us have been up to.  Jo makes blogging fun, and is always working on something fabulous...so visit her often, she always has something lovely to show!  And now....on to the "show".

First off are some things I have been stitching that were free charts on the net.  I have really been having fun with the Brooke's Books Advent characters that I am stitching for my DIL.  She loves all things cutesy (not really my style, but she not only captured my son's heart, but ours as well and we would do almost anything for her!)   This month I was able to stitch and fully finish Sophie Squirrel and Colin Cardinal.  They are numbers 12 and 13...so I guess this makes me half way done!  Yippee!!  These are stitched on 32 count light blue over one.  With a little luck, I'll finish these in time for her to use them this Christmas!  You can find these free patterns here.  

Also from the freebie category, are the 12 Dragonlets of 2012.  I found these on Facebook on the Dragon Dreams page.  You may have to search her pictures to find them, but last I checked they are still there.  These are stitched on 28 count light mocha over two.  This one is 5 Golden Dragonlets.

Another from the freebie category is the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL that is currently running on the Peppermint Purple SAL page on Facebook.  I have really been enjoying this SAL.  I am working on the square version on 40 count over two on antique ivory.  There are color recommendations listed but I'm being a rebel and chose a solitary color.  The beauty of this SAL is you are free to be as creative as you like!

Next up is a favorite of mine that is a paid SAL from Wiehenburg Designs.  I'm using the colors suggested but chose to stitch mine on 28 count navy over one.  I have stitched a lot of her designs, but I do love her Quakers the best.  This is Winter Quaker and you can still sign up to join in the SAL here.  This was a gift from my husband for Christmas last year.

Another gift from my husband was this SAL from Modern Folk Embroidery.  I haven't been able to catch up this month yet, but hopefully by the end of the month I'll be caught up.  I have stitched a bit and while there is a TON of stitching, I love how it's working up!.

My husband gifts me with the JCS magazine subscription each year.  I'm taking part in a couple of challenges this year so I've been stitching up a few ornaments that come from this magazine.  

I've stitched Beneath His Wings by Stitchyfish Designs from the 2020 JCS Ornament Issue.  This is being stitched on 32 count Blue Spruce over two.  Hopefully I'll finish it today!

I've also stitched Strawberry & Pineapple Christmas on 32 count over two from the 2014 JCS Ornament Issue.  This will be made into a strawberry as soon as I get a chance!

I have been stitching for my pen pals this month too.  I was able to finish up these two.  One is from another freebie from Sub Rosa.  I don't have the exact page, but if you search her blog you'll find this pattern is still there.  For my Texas pal our suggestion was to stitch a bee so I stitched this humbug for her.

For my British pen pal I have been stitching the LHN Month series.  I like to send them to her at least a month in advance.  She is making a flip book, so this month she will be getting June.

Last I'll leave you with a little more I've stitched on Flowers and Lace from Kooler Designs.  This is still being offered for sale as a PDF on their website.  This was a Christmas gift from my husband a few years ago.  It's a big project, hard for me to hold, so I can only do a little bit at a time...but once all my challenges have been completed, I hope to get quite a bit more done on this!

Well, that's all that's fit to print this month.  I hope you are staying safe and keeping well wherever you are in the world.  My thoughts and prayers are with all who are fighting the pandemic.  Happy Stitching!

What's the Buzz?

Oh man, I shouldn't have used that title...now I have the song...What's The Buzz (Tell me what's happening) from the rock opera Jesus Christ Super Star...flowing through my brain.  Sorry if I put that in your head too...LOL!!  Well, I posted this picture in one of my Facebook groups yesterday and folks went a little gaga over it.  I'm going to finish this into a humbug...when I get a chance, but I thought I would share where I found it.  It is a freebie found on the Sub Rosa blog.  Here's the link... click here.  I learned, after I posted, that May 20th is National Bee day...who knew I was so "in the know"?  Truly by accident I stitched this, but fun that is was such perfect timing!  So...here you go!  And Happy Bee Day! 

Check around a bit on her blog, there are other freebies worth having a look at!  Happy Stitching!

May the Fourth be with you!

 I'm a little late posting for Star Wars day, but I did remember on the 4th, so I deserve a little credit!  LOL!!  I think next year I'm not going to participate in any challenges and just stitch what I love to stitch.  (Famous last words, since I'm a sucker for SALs...haha)  Anyway, just a little update on Star Wars the cross stitch (not the movie).  I've had this pattern for a few years, and only seem to stitch on it on May the 4th.  I need to do more, but keep forgetting about it because of challenges, SALs, exchanges...well you get the idea.  Anyway...here's the pattern...

And here is where I started on the 4th...

And here is where I ended on the evening of the 4th.  

I must say, I am a little impressed with my progress!!  I think I'll leave this in a more prominent place so I stitch on it more often.  One of my Facebook friends suggested I stitch on it on the 4th each month.  Great idea, except for the fact I'm a stitching demon on the first part of the month working on challenges for the month.  Hopefully I will have more done before the next May 4th (AKA Star Wars Day).  *sigh*  I have a lot of distractions these days.

Baseball season is upon us!  And we love our Baltimore Orioles!  Yesterday was exciting because John Means stitched a No-No.  No hits, no runs.  There was one wild pitch that sent a runner to first base, but he was thrown out trying to steal second, otherwise it would have been a perfect game.  They are very rare, and exciting to watch!

In other news....LOL!!  I am caught up on Winter Quaker SAL by Wiehenburg.  This is being stitched on 28 count Navy over one and I love how it's coming out!

And I'm caught up with the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL.  This is stitched on 40 count ivory over two.  It looks a little wonky, but it will look much better once it's stretched correctly.  I have a hard time getting fabric straight in a Q-snap frame.  You will probably see this again (with a little more stitched)  for the Gifted Gorgeousness post on the 15th.  See you then!  

Oh!  And I nearly forgot....Happy Belated Cinco de Mayo!  My Cinco duckies wish you a happy May 5th!!

And until next time, Happy Stitching!!   

Puttering...

Does anyone else putter, or is it just me?  Some days I rarely get anything done because I think...well I should straighten up my sewing room...then I find something that needs to be put away in another room, which starts a whole..."but first" disease moment.  On Wednesdays I really try to keep it together and work on a WIP that is hanging around.  I sat at the computer to download the next weeks installment of the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL.  I had to go on Facebook to get the pattern, that started me thinking I should make a post in Friendly Stitchers, which reminded me to I needed to email someone, then I needed to download another piece of another SAL I'm working on...then I thought, I should update my blog...well you get the idea.  So here I am, another victim of But First disease.  I'm going to do this update, download the pieces of the SALs I'm following, THEN I have to choose a WIP to work on...hm...whatever will I pick?  LOL

Last night I came so close to finishing Peace Rose by Blackbird Designs.  I was just too tired to put in the last few stitches.  So...first thing this morning, I finished this up.  I only had two of the hand dyed floss in my stash, and since I'm really trying hard not to buy new supplies and use up what I have, I substituted a lot of the colors.  I really like how it came out so I guess I didn't do too bad a job.  I stitched this on 36 count Vintage Pecan Butter.  I love it, really, the fabric is lovely to work with!

This past week I put a few more stitches in Flowers & Lace by Kooler Design Studio.  I love this piece, really I do, but it's large and sometimes my hands have trouble holding the frame I use to stitch this with.  So I can only work on it in short bursts.  Here's where I finished the other day.  Maybe I'll work on it a bit more today?

Ok, enough of the "But First" issues.....off to get some stitching done!  Have a great day and Happy Stitching! 

HATS off

I've had a few days of stitching, finally!  It's been a wild few weeks.  Just a little update on us...we've been having a few medical tests.  DH had a mole on his back tested, which, thankfully, came back negative.  I too have had a few tests come back negative.  I guess with all the lockdowns we have had, our normal medical visits have been put on hold.  Not that we were anticipating anything being wrong, it's just nerve wracking when suddenly our Doctor has us go for all these tests.  I've also been to the dentist and all is good there too!  I guess, from the sounds of things, we will inhabit the Earth for a few more trips around the sun!  haha  

I've been asked how our little Momma-to-be is doing, so far so good!  No major problems for which we are grateful for!  Due date is anticipated on September 27th.  I can hardly wait!

I've been bouncing all over the place lately, with different projects.  I'm still caught up on all my SALs....I finished off April by Senerita di Campagna...I love most of the months in her SAL, this one is on the cutesy side which is not my favorite, but you know me, I have to complete the sets!

A friend sent me a gift of Spring Violets by Hands Across The Sea Samplers.  I loved it from the moment I first set eyes on it!  You know me and my love affair with violets!!  LOL  I found myself in a rut, stitching things in my rotation that I felt I HAD to stitch, so I threw caution to the wind, and picked up something to stitch for fun.  It was this one....and I'm hoping to finish today!  It's been hard to put down, but the last couple of days I had a lot of time on my hands so thought it would be fun to get it started.  Little did I know it would stitch up so fast!  This is stitched on 40 count antique butter cream over two.  I adore it, and hope I can get it framed when it's finished.  I'll let you know!  I know that the spelling on the chart for flowers is different than how I stitched it, but I just couldn't get past the old English spelling...my eyes would have struggled every time I saw it...so yes, I did change that.  Sorry, designers, but OCD took over!  LOL  Thank you so much Lady P...it was such a thoughtful gift!

I guess that's all I've been doing for the past few days.  I'll try to be more consistent with posting, but the weekend is on it's way and the family have a lot of things planned. 

Drum and a Pinkeep, two bits...

I've decided things need to get finished!  LOL  I realized, as I was searching for something else, that I had some things in my "finished closet" that needed to be fully finished.  I'm terrible at getting things framed and/or finished unless it's for someone else.  Well...I really want to get things out so I can see them.  I stitched Lady Liberty 4 years ago....FOUR YEARS ago!  Sheesh, it's time it saw the light of day...and while I was at it, I decided since I just finished up Spring Hare, I might as well send them both in at the same time.  The finisher at The Stitching Post has done other things for me so I decided I would let her finish these too.   I love this Blackbird Design Lady Liberty drum...and here she is in all her splendor!

And Spring Hare turned out so cute though it's so small.  I really love the backing fabric I found and the trim too.  Aren't they fun?

I just got them back today and had to post about them...I'm happy dancing all over the place today!  I had an attack of "startitis" last night...and once I get a little more done I'll post a picture ... Spring Violets by Hands Across The Seas is what's in the hoop...you know my love affair with violets...haha.  This was a gift from a friend a month or so ago...I just couldn't put it off any longer!  Stay safe, everyone, and Happy Stitching!! 

April Gifted Gorgeousness

What a crazy time it's been!  But one constant (that I am truly grateful for) is the Gifted Gorgeousness post we do once a month.  It keeps me focused on what I still have to work on and keeps me looking at things that have been gifted to me to stitch.  I hope I'm making sense.  The past week or so has been incredibly busy and my brain is fried.  I hope I don't forget to include anything....wish me luck!  If you haven't heard of Gifted Gorgeousness, you can head on over to Jo's blog Serendipitous Stitching by clicking here.  You can read the rules and sign up to participate there.  The more the merrier!  And if you want to see what the rest of us have been posting for Gifted Gorgeousness, you can click here.  

I'll start by posting what I've received lately.  I have a wonderful pen pal!  She lives in Texas and we've been pals for only a few months now.  I enjoy her letters, and she sends the cutest things!   Here is what I received for Easter.  (The chocolate is missing, as my husband loved the kind that she sent...it didn't stand a chance once I offered him a piece...haha)

I consider things I stitch from freebies on the net as gifts.  But especially the Brooke's Books Advent series.  I'm stitching these for my Daughter-in-law who loves all things cute!  The more I stitch these, the more I love them.  Sheila Sheep is just adorable!  I've been stitching these on 32 count light blue linen over one.  Challenging, but they are so adorable when they are finished!

And of course, Fitzwilliam Frog is dapper in his own right.  He was a quick stitch, and I love how he's croaking out a carol!

For the 12 Days of Christmas challenge I'm participating in, I have been stitching the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas.  This month is #4 and is called 4 Calling Collie Birds (don't you love the phone and wire all twisted around the dragon?  These crack me up!!  These are stitched on 28 count antique ivory over two.  

I've been stitching these Monthly patterns by Little House Needleworks for a friend of mine in England.  These are stitched on 40 count over two Natural.  She is putting together a flip book with them!  I'm also making a set for me, but hers come first!  LOL  

I've been participating in a Christmas ornament challenge and they have picked ornaments from the 2020 JCS Ornament issue.  This month they chose Rejoicing Reindeer by Blue Ribbon Designs.  This is stitched on 40 count lt mocha over two with a mix of WDW threads and DMC.  I do love her designs!  I consider this a GG because my husband gifts the subscription to me.  I hope to finish this off in the next day or two.

Another pattern from JCS Ornament issue is from the 2017 called Guilded Snowflake by DebBee's Designs. I stitched this on 40 count Midnight Tryst from Fabrics By Stephanie over two using WDW Icicle floss.  

For Christmas my husband gifted this SAL pattern to me.  I'm using fabric I found in my stash...28 count Navy...and DMC I had in my stash also.  I'm stitching it over one, and I am just LOVING this design!  It's called Winter Quaker by Wiehenburg Designs and can be found on her website.

Another free pattern I have found on the internet is the Peppermint Purple SAL that is happening right now.  It's a blackwork piece and I am really enjoying stitching this.  I'm using 40 count cream linen.  I've been lucky to be keeping up with it and even started on the border that one of the stitchers shared with the rest of us!  Please don't ask what floss I'm using, be creative and pick a color you love, or you can use the multi color pallet that she is suggesting!

Another freebie is from L'R de rein.  I call it spring basket.  I stitched this for my pen pal, and will finish it soon, as I'm very late to get this in the mail to her.  My life needs to slow down a bit!!!  I had to choose my own colors but I really like the way it turned out!

Last is the Spring Hare by Stacy Nash.  A friend gifted this to me last year and it took me a while to get busy and stitch it.  This is stitched on 32 count blue spruce over one.  I just sent it out to have it made into a standing pin keep.  I'm waiting with baited breath to see how it looks finished!  It's going to be sooooo cute!!  

Ok, I think that's it for now.  I will post this last picture of my Modern Folk Embroidery SAL because I haven't updated a picture on here for a while.  This is not part of Gifted Gorgeousness, but I thought you might like to see it.  

I am in love with this piece (even if stitching it is a challenge...there are a lot of stitches in this this month!!!)  I hope all of you had a safe and healthy Easter season and are enjoying the spring.  I love it this time of year even if my sinuses have issues with the pollen here in Maryland!  LOL  Happy Stitching Everyone!