September Gifted Gorgeousness

Whew, I can't believe how fast this year is passing.  It's been a wild ride since I last posted, so I'll try to catch you up!  First of all, what is Gifted Gorgeousness?  This is a challenge Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching has been hosting for a few years now.  This is where we showcase stitching that is associated with gifts.  They can be gifts we were given (pattern, fabric, floss, embellishments and the like) or things that have been stitched and given to others or given to us.  You can read more about it on Jo's blog by clicking here, and you can sign up to join us if you like, it's never too late!  If you want to see what others have been stitching, and see the wonderful things Jo stitches,  click here.

I've been so busy the past couple of months, between crocheting gifts for our new grandbaby, stitching for exchanges I've been a part of, or working on SALs.  I seem to have lost the joy of it for a bit.  I hope that now most of the "mandatory" things have been finished, I can relax and stitch something I really want to make.

I'll start with the SALs I've been working on.  Two of these were Christmas gifts from my husband.  He bought the patterns and the floss, but I had the fabric in my stash.  The first is Modern Folk Embroidery SAL.  I was two months behind at the end of  August, but thankfully I had a few uninterrupted days and was able to catch up, then stitch September's piece near the beginning of September.  I love how this looks, but have to be honest, the amount of stitching is insane!  LOL  Only 3 more months to go, and I think I'll definitely frame this for the fair next year!

The next SAL is Winter Quaker by Wiehenberg Designs.  I have been able to keep up with this one, and honestly, I love stitching on it.  28 count Navy is a challenge to stitch on, but I do find it relaxing and a joy.  Only 3 more months for this one too!

Next is the Peppermint Purple SAL.  I consider this a GG because the pattern is given freely by the designer.  A new blackwork block is released each week.  I was behind quite a few weeks before, but now I'm caught up.   A new one will be released today and hopefully I'll get it done today.  I like keeping up with this one!  You can find the patterns on her SAL Facebook page.

Next are some Christmas ornaments from JCS Magazine.  DH gifts me the subscription every year so I consider these part of GG as well.  I'm a bit behind (aren't you glad?  LOL!!) but did manage to finish stitching two last month.  First is Brittercup Designs Christmas Centerpiece from the Ornament issue 2008 stitched on 28 count waterlilies lugana over one.

Next is O Christmas Tree by Lisa LeAnn Designs from JCS 2020 Ornament Issue.  This is stitched on 32 count white over four for the specialty stitches, and over two for the cross stitches.  This was a fun one to stitch!

Next was a free pattern from Leslie Teare I think it was on Lakeside SAL FB page?  It's called Lakeside Summer Medley.  I love Leslie's designs, they seem so delicate and I find the blackwork fun to do.  This is stitched on 40 count Antique White over two and was finished into an ornament for a pen pal.  Hopefully she has received it by now.  

Next was also a free pattern I found, this month we were supposed to stitch something for our pen pals that represented where were from.  This is a Baltimore Oriole.  I was so excited when I found this pattern, only to realize there was no threads listed for the symbol key.  So I dug out my thread chart from DMC and began picking colors.  I'm pretty happy with the results.  This was stitched on 28 count light blue over one.  I'll have to figure a way to finish it off and get it in the mail soon!

This is a Little House Needlework series I've been stitching for my English pen pal.  I'm a wee bit behind, as was trying to keep a month ahead so she would have it for the month it was intended.  I still haven't stitched Septembers, but hopefully I'll get September and October done this month.  Wish me luck!  These have all been stitched on 40 count over two Natural linen.  Here is August.

The last item I have for this month was one I actually finished yesterday.  Many of you knew I was going to be a grandma for the first time this year.   We were expecting her around the 27th but she arrived last week, a wee bit early.  We didn't know if she would be a girl or boy and had to wait several days before we even knew her name (the parents couldn't decide) and even longer before we could hold her.  She is so sweet, and so tiny, but such a delightful new member of the family.  This is Aubrey, and the birth sampler I stitched that her mother picked out.  This is A New Star by DebBee's Designs, it is stitched on 32 count Summer Skies, Sparklies Hand Dyed Fabric (a gift from Mouse several years ago).   Welcome to the world, Aubrey, you were well loved before you even came into this world, and we can't wait to spoil you like all Gigi's and Grandpa's should!  

One last thing I would like to share with you, is the entries into the state fair this year.  I won a prize on everything I submitted, including the "Special Award" for the top prize in all the blue ribbons in that category.  Here is Winter's Majesty.

Christmas Snowflake won second place

and Christmas Caroler won fourth place.

And that, as they say, is all that's fit to print.  Sorry for always having such a long post..LOL  it's just been such a wild ride lately.  Hopefully things will calm down a bit, my body is tired from all the upheaval this year has brought.  I'm ready for a little "down time".  Off to get more stitching done!  Enjoy your day and Happy Stitching!

August Gifted Gorgeousness

Hello fellow stitchers!  Thanks for visiting my blog today!  If you are a frequent reader you'll know that Gifted Gorgeousness is the post I talk about the things I've stitched during the past month that were gifted to me (fabrics, fibers, or patterns and fully finished projects) or that I have gifted others.  Last month was Christmas in July so I finished off a lot of little projects that I will be gifting others used patterns that were gifted to me (or were free from designers) .  If you would like to participate in this challenge that is the brain child of Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching.  You can read the rules here.  Or you can visit Jo's page and see what others are stitching here.

Many of you know I've been stitching the free Advent characters from Brooke's Books.  I was down to the last two!  I have them all stitched now and will be fully finishing them soon!  Here are Deborah Donkey, and Rudolf Reindeer both stitched on 32 count  light blue over one.

I've also been stitching the 12 Dragonets of 2012 by Dragon Dreams.  I was stitching one a month but since last month was Christmas in July challenge I was able to finish stitching the last 5 and hopefully will fully finish them soon.  Here are 8 Dragons Milking, 9 Dragons Dancing, 10 Dragons Leaping, 11 Dragons Piping, and 12 Dragons Drumming.  These are stitched on 28 count natural over two.

I have been working on some Nursery Rhyme Characters hoping to make a mobile for my Grandchild who will be delivered in September.  I was hoping to finish it for the shower that was yesterday, but I just ran out of time.  So here are the last few that weren't published last month.  I'm just going to show the pictures, and you can guess the rhymes.  If you get stumped, they are listed on the 2021 goals page...just scroll down the finished items and you should find them.  These are stitched on 40 count Lambswool over two and were quick and easy stitches!

I was able to finish up a couple of crocheted items for the baby too.   First was this little afghan.  This was such a challenge to me...but so relieved when I finished it.  I love how it came out!

And last is this Yawn the Sheep Snuggle Sack.  This was a free pattern from Yarnspirations.  I found a few mistakes in the pattern, but I was able to work around them and figure out how to put it together.  My DIL loved it!  And my son said they could put the baby in it for their first Halloween...hahaha.  It's pretty big, so he or she might be a little lost in it, but it will definitely keep them warm!  July/August is a pretty warm month to be crocheting....but it's the first project of this type that I have done and I'm pretty proud of how it turned out!

And that's all that's fit to print.  I did take a week long vacation to celebrate our 37th anniversary and hopefully when life slows down a bit I'll be able to blog a little bit about that.  We were so focused  on the shower that happened yesterday, that I have had little time for anything else.  I have to say there was a nice turn out for the shower and they got a lot of really sweet gifts.  Hopefully I'll be back to stitching again soon, it's been so long I really feel like I'm going through withdrawal!  But this time it will be things I want to stitch for ME!  (How's that for selfishness?  hahaha)  Ok, off to take a well deserved rest today.  I hope you are all safe, healthy, and loving life!  Happy Stitching!

Hobby House Needleworks

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  I know I've been MIA for a little while.  Sometimes you just need to "get outta town" ... LOL  It was our anniversary last week, so my husband decided we needed a little trip to celebrate our 37 years of marriage.  So we decided to take a trip north to visit friends and family.  

When I saw a new needlework store was slightly out of the way on the way north, we decided to visit there first. and I'm so glad we did!  When we walked in the door to Hobby House Needleworks our first sight was of a lovely fireplace with needlework models displayed around two inviting chairs.  

Kathy greeted us at the door as we walked in.  She asked what I needed (floss of course!  LOL) and walked me over to find everything I had on my list.  Just look at how well stocked they are!!!  I have to say, as soon as I walked in the door, I felt a peace ... but also a sense of WOW!  I was amazed at how well stocked their store is.  There was so much there, but it wasn't crowded.  It was well laid out so you could see most things at a glance.  They had all kinds of fibers...and they were there for the taking (not like some stores where they are on display but you have to order them).  

Their stock of fabric (even though some is hard to find right now) was amazing, and even though they didn't have the exact fabric I was looking for, they searched and found the color I needed, then found a substitute that would work well.  It's a new fabric I haven't used before, I'm anxious to give it a try!  

Not only did they cut exactly what I needed, they surged the edges and ironed it before they slipped it into a plastic sleeve and wrapped it neatly in tissue paper.  Amazing!   They told me they do this for their mail orders too!  Their philosophy is that when you receive anything from them, you can take it out of the bag and begin immediately.  They also wrapped their floss in tissue paper so it wouldn't get tangled in the bag with any other item you are buying.  I found some things I've been looking for (like bell pull hardware, charms (lots of them!!) and smaller tart pans).  It really is a stitcher's paradise!

They are well stocked in patterns as well.  They are in baskets, bins, turning display racks, but separated by designer so things are very easy to find!  And if you can't find something, Kathy is right there to lend a  hand!

In the loft of the store is a long table with chairs around it for their stitch events.  It's surrounded by all kinds of goodies, wool swatches of different sizes, more silk fibers, charms, needlework stands (they took time to show me one which I actually bought...all the parts, how they worked together, and all the pieces I would need, then let me sit and try it out...) and various other things.  You don't know how much I would love living near there to attend their stitch events.  They truly love what they are doing and really cater to their customers (I'm going to call them guests because they treated you like they really wanted you there).

I enjoyed my visit there so much, and I know if  you are able to go there too, you'll find the same experience.  They helped me find charts I was looking for, then showed me models they had hanging around the store and had stories to tell about who stitched them, or about the pattern.  Here's the address...it's near a lot of lovely sights in the area too, with a lot of wonderful restaurants and hotels.  We plan to go back and see more of the sights!  

Hobby House Needleworks

50 State Street (The Green Log Cabin)

Pittsford, NY  14534

They do a lovely mail order service too, here is their website...Just click on the link!

https://hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/

And you can visit them on Facebook by clicking this link!

https://www.facebook.com/hobbyhouseneedleworks

Thank you, Kathy, for such a lovely visit to your shop!  I'll be watching for any stitching events you  may have in the future and hope to see you again!

July's Gifted Gorgeousness

Whew!  It's been quite a journey since last month!  Life sure gets in the way a lot of times!  LOL  I have quite a few Gifted Gorgeousness to post so I'll get right to it.  If you don't know what Gifted Gorgeousness is, you can read more about it and sign up here.  Jo, over at Serendipitous Stitching hosts this challenge and has a link up page once a month on the 15th where you can see what others are stitching for this challenge too.  You can find her homepage here.  I really hoped to have some of these fully finished, but I'll get there...so on with the show!

I've been participating in a challenge this month called  Christmas in July.  It just so happens that a lot of my GG items fall into this category too.  I may have to stitch a few things during the rest of the month that don't fall into that category, but...you know...life...haha.  I still have to stitch for my pen pals and I don't know if they would appreciate something "christmassy" in July...

So far I've been able to stay on course.  I have finished 8 of the Brooke's Books Advent series, with only two left to finish the entire series!  Yay!  These are free patterns offered on her website.  I'll have to have a finishing day soon!  Here are...

Gigi Giraffe

Hamilton Horse

Remy Rabbit

Larry Lion

Odette Owl

Ethan Elephant

Ping Panda

And Alistair Alligator

I also have a few Just Cross Stitch ornaments I have stitched, I consider these gifts too as all the issues were from subscriptions my husband has gifted me over the years.  The first is  Merry Christmas Drum from the 2018 Ornament issue by From the Heart Needleart.

Next is Caroling Friends from the 2020 Ornament issue by Carolyn Manning

I also am working on the 12 Dragonlets of 2012 by Dragon Dreams, they were free on her Facebook page and are still there if you want to search for them.  I hope to finish up a few more this month but so far I've only finished 7 Swans a Swimming.

Another piece I worked on this month is Winter Quaker by Wiehenburg designs.  This is a 12 month SAL, with one piece a month being released.  I'm so pleased I've been able to keep up with this one, it's my favorite right now, and so hard to put down when each page of the SAL is finished.  It's stitched on 28 count Navy over one with the recommended colors.  Since I've been trying very hard to stitch from stash from the beginning of the year, all of the materials I'm stitching this with have come from my stash!  Only the patter was new, and was a Christmas gift from my husband.

I've been sending my pen pal in England a monthly cross stitch from a series from Little House Needleworks.  I stitched July last month, but haven't sent it to her yet.  I will have to break from the Christmas theme soon to stitch and send August.  I fell a bit behind with things I've had to do here.  Here is July...

I've been also sending things to my pen pal in Texas.  I hurried and finished this for July.  This is another Patriotic Rose by Threadwork Primitives.  I've now stitched this 3 times and finished it three different ways!  Haha!  I'll show a picture of how I finished the one I kept for myself after the gifted one.

And here is what my pen pal sent to me this month...I think she is participating in the Christmas in July challenge too!  

Last is a picture of Token of Love by With Thy Needle and Thread.  This was a gift from my husband for our Anniversary a few years ago.  I got it started but then it sat as a UFO for awhile as my attention was drawn elsewhere.  I think I may have to challenge myself to finish up a few projects I have lying around soon!  I should get  it framed and gifted for our anniversary next month!

And I guess that's all that I can remember.  I hope everyone is safe and healthy wherever you are.  Happy Stitching!!

Christmas in July!

I'm not sure why I decided to join in the SAL this year....I mean....I have a million and one things I hope to make for the new Grandbaby....but here I am joining in a couple of Christmas in July SALs.  I guess I have a ton of things I hope to stitch for Christmas, why not get them stitched and out of the way in July so I have a few months to finally finish them off?  LOL  So what's on my list?  I want to finish the final 10 Brooke's Books Advent characters.  I started with #16 today...Gigi Giraffe.  Since I'm finishing all of these in round ornaments...this one seems a bit off to me.  I'm going to call it finished (as I've stitched it as the pattern suggests) and either stitch a little more to make it round...or...finish it in a rectangle...or...finish it as it is in a round ornament.  Decisions, Decisions...

I'm going to stitch the July installment of the Winter Quaker as part of the SAL.

I'm going to finish up the 12 Days of Christmas, which there are only 6 left.

I'm going to work on Gloria by Tempting Tangles, and hope to get quite a bit more done.

And if there's time...I'll work on Kringles.  Quite an ambitious goal...so wish me luck!

Thankfully the heat wave that settled over us has moved on, but we sure are getting some gully washers, and thunder boomers.  The lights even flickered a bit here.

I rushed to finish up a couple of things before the 4th and the first of the month....here is Jack Be Nimble

I finished another Patriotic Rose but it didn't have a chance to fully finish it yet...I'll get there.  This one was stitched on Pearled Barley 36 count over one.  A challenge but I love it now that it's finished!

I finished June by Cecelia Votta stitched on 36 count Mocha over two...just in time before July started!

I was able to open my exchange for Gift of Friendship today.  Here is a picture of what I sent...

 And here is what I received.  I feel well and truly spoiled!  I love it all...what  a fun exchange!  I hope my partner likes hers.

And I guess that's all that's fit to print.  I hope you are safe, healthy and comfortable wherever you are.  Take care, and Happy Stitching!