Odds and Ends

I realized in my last post I forgot I had stitched some other patriotic pieces that I didn't mention.  These don't fall under Gifted Gorgeousness so I guess I should post them where you can see them.  I always add things I finish to my goals page for the year, but I doubt many of you look there.  So...here are some things I missed telling you about.  

I have some Christmas stitching goals I try to reach each month.  Usually they are from the JCS Ornament issues from different years.  But this little owl is from Foss Box and has been in my stash for ages.  I finally pulled it out to satisfy one of the "requirements" from a challenge I'm working on.  I had fun stitching this, and hope to finish it in a round ornament.  (I left off the square border around it).  

I've also been working on the 12 Days of Christmas from the book 2001 Christmas Designs.  I'm trying to stitch one a month, so far I'm up to 7 Swans a Swimming.  Here are the first half of the year!  

I have been trying to add to my patriotic stitching and found these two in some Blackbird Design books I have.  First is Song of Summer 

and the second is Patriotic Bouquet.  Still trying to decide how I'll fully finish them...they were fun to stitch!  

I also stitched TWO of these Old Glory by Little House Needleworks.  I sent one  to my pen pal for last month's exchange and finished up the other for me to display.  I found these little candle holders at Hobby Lobby and have finished both in the same manner.  I love how they turned out!  

I was supposed to stitch something cancer related for my pen pal this month, but kind of lost the plot on that one.  She and I both decided to stitch something different that represents July...but I did stitch this before I had changed my mind about what to stitch.  I know it was supposed to represent finding a cure for Covid, and ironically I caught Covid not long after finishing this...so I guess now it's my memory for catching it...haha.  I still think it's a sweet design.  This was Hope Cure by Henzeit.  

I guess that catches me up!  I'm still lagging in energy but really feel the desire to fully finish some items.  Maybe my desire will catch up with my energy and I'll get some things finished off toward the end of the month.  Watch this space!  LOL  Till then, happy stitching and stay safe everyone! 

Seeing Red

Or maybe I should have said Seeing Red White and Blue?  LOL  I decided that since it was so close to our Independence Day I would pull out some patriotic pieces to stitch.  I've had some things in my stash for ages, and I decided they really needed to see the light of day!  So...I stitched Betsy's Tart by Plum Street Samplers first, but I didn't like the original charted colors, so I did a little "reinventing".  I stitched her on 36 count Confederate Gray fabric.  Here is my interpretation and I like it so much better!  

Then I pulled out Holiday Hoopla 4th of July by With Thy Needle and Thread.  I changed the color of the fabric to 36 count Confederate Gray and used some of the same colors from Betsy's Tart.  It's a little darker than I would have liked, but I still like how it turned out!  

Next I decided to turn to a few Christmas in July patterns I have had sitting kitted up for ages!  I found this amazing red Jobelan 28 count, and thought it would be lovely with these patterns.  I used DMC B5200 and it just popped on this fabric.  So I stitched O  Christmas Tree by JBW Designs.  This is stitched over one thread...isn't it darling?  

Then I pulled out a pamphlet by Waxing Moon Designs that had two patterns in it.  The first was Merry Christmas.  I just love this one!!  

I still had some fabric left AND still some of the same floss I used for the first one so I also finished Christmas Reindeer!  Whew....I stitched all of these in 9 days.  

Are you wondering how I had so much time for stitching?  Well....I'm not sure when, or how I was exposed, but lets just say that I was minding my own business watching Little Miss A a little over a week ago when I heard water dripping.  It got louder and more frequent, so I started looking around.  Not far from where I keep my laptop, I found a wet spot on the floor, and when I looked up...I saw water dripping from the ceiling....right below our master bathroom.  YIKES!  Thankfully we found a plumber who could come out the same day, he found the leak (a worn out washer in a water valve under the tub was the culprit) and he was able to fix it.  The plumber gave us the name of a restoration crew who came out the next day to tear a hole in the ceiling and discovered that it hadn't been leaking for too long, plugged in some rather LOUD machinery and told us to leave it all running for 72 hours.  In desperation to get away from the noise and smell we went to our son's house for dinner where DH decided he wasn't too hungry and just wanted to go home to sleep.  That day he discovered he had a fever and went to bed.  I went to the store and gathered up some supplies for what I thought was a bad  cold.  He tested positive for Covid the next day....then our son tested positive the next day and two days later...you guessed it...I tested positive and so did our DIL and poor little Miss A too.  It is truly insane how quickly that spread...and we still don't know if it was the plumber, his assistant, or the restoration crew or someone else entirely.  Anyway, it seems we are all doing much better now and we all had mild cases.  Let's hope we stay away from that stuff in the future.  Thank goodness for healthy immune systems!  Still  I put the time to good use and got a lot of stitching done.  If only I were so productive in the finishing department!  LOL  But that is a tale for another day.  

Stay safe and healthy wherever you are.  And Keep On Stitching!!

Pardon Me While I Happy Dance!!

Well this has been a long time coming!  I traveled in Pittsford, NY last April to attend a few classes by Jean Farish.  She is a great teacher, I learned sooo much!  Kathy and David were the perfect hosts from Hobby House Needleworks too.  What a great experience, I can't wait for the next class!  In the meanwhile, I finally finished the Melbourne Sampler.  Jean's way of weaving in the fabric threads for the cutwork was game changing for me, I have never seen it done that way, and it makes the edges flawless!  It's the first time I did the waffle stitch, weaved in ribbon, and learned to turn a corner with the long arm cross stitch.  Her directions (and video tutorials) were fabulous and made me feel confident to work these incredible stitches.  One thing I've learned though, is to work on the stitches immediately after the class, don't wait months like I did...LOL!  I can't believe its finally finished...now to get it framed so I can enter it in the State Fair!  Wish me luck!  

Thanks again, Jean, Kathy and David for a wonderful experience with this class!  Looking forward to seeing you again!  Happy Stitching everyone!  

June Gifted Gorgeousness

Wow!  In a couple of weeks this  year will be half over...can you believe it?  Seems time is passing by at an alarming rate!  It's good to be busy though...thankfully I've had lots of time for stitching this month...and I'm finally caught up!  So...I have lots to share for Gifted Gorgeousness this month.  If you don't know what that is, please visit Serendipitous Stitching where Jo, who hosts this fun challenge, explains it all on her sign up page.  You can sign up at any time, so come join the fun!  You can reach the sign up page by clicking here.  If you want to see what the rest of us are doing...click here.  Basically we can include anything with the word "gift" associated with it!   

 So...let's start with Christmas ornaments.  I consider these charts "gifts" because my husband has gifted me the subscription to Just Cross Stitch magazine for years (he's also gifted me the CDs so now I have the full collection of all the magazines!)  I usually gift most of the ornaments I finish too.  So here is what I've stitched since the last GG update.  

From the 2004 Ornament issue is In a Stable by Shepherd's Bush.  

Also by Shepherd's Bush but from the 2006 issue is Mary and Joseph.  Both stitched on 40 count lambswool over two.  

From the 2013 issue is Merry Christmas by Glory Bee also stitched on 40 count lambswool over two.  

From the 2004 issue is Perfect Gifts by Full Circle Designs stitched on 40 count Natural over two.  

Santa's Transportation Center by Pickle Barrel Designs from the 2021 issue was stitched on 40 count mystery fabric over two.  

I've been stitching these Monthly charts from Little House Needleworks.  I stitched all 12 months for my pen pal in England and these are the last two of the set.  I'm still working on mine...LOL  Hopefully one day I'll get mine finished too.  She has been making a flip chart with the months.  Genius right?  So here are November and December that have already arrived in England.  

I participated in a Gift of Stitching exchange this summer.  My partner in Canada has received her package so now I can show what I sent to her.  Included are three things I stitched for her...Winter is Past by Blackbird Designs attached to a wooden box.  

A Study in Blue by Sue Hillis Designs finished into a tart pan (stitched with Fire by Wildflowers silk by Caron because her favorite color is fuschia)

 and Winter Rose Manor Pincushion by Blackbird Designs finished in a candle holder.

Here is a picture of the entire package I sent her.    

Here is what my partner sent me....I LOVED every little bit in this package.  What a fun exchange!!

I've been stitching (and finally caught up) on Cottage Garden SAL by Weihenburg designs.  I love their designs!  I was gifted this pattern, but you can buy the SAL from her webpage if you are interested in stitching this.  The June portion was just distributed at the beginning of this month, but if you subscribe, she will send you all the parts that have been published so far.  I finally caught up!  I'm stitching this on 36 count over one...and that little house has really been a challenge to stitch!  I'm sure it would be easier if I were stitching over two...LOL!  Call me a glutton for punishment!  

I've also been working on this SAL with the Friendly Stitchers group.  This was a free SAL in 2020 by Linen & Threads called  Friends and Family Sampler and can still be found on their website.  I finished June's portion this month and hope to keep up from now on, fingers crossed.  

This was a kit gifted to me for my birthday last year by DH.  This is Rose Ada Featherstone by Hands Across the Sea stitched on 46 count fabric with silk floss.  This is like a dream to stitch, I have enjoyed every stitch.  I figured out how to portion out the pattern so I finish a set amount each month, and I'm caught up so if I can keep to my schedule I'll finish in December.  Wish me luck!  

Last month I stitched this little stocking for my pen pal in Texas.  It was from the May Blackbird Designs Stocking series.  

I haven't sent her this month's yet, but it is stitched and finished!  I'll post it next month after it has arrived to her.  

Here is what she sent me, I'm truly spoiled by her!!  What she didn't know when she sent this, is that I have a bell collection.  It's so funny that we seem to know what each other likes without really knowing one another.  Thank you so much Kathy!!

Last is Tale As Old As Time.  I'm stitching this as a gift for my DIL.  She loves Beauty and the Beast.  This is a free SAL from Story Stitches and this has been a fun SAL.  You can find this on her blog, but also on her FB group.  Here it is in total, and the last scene  that was released this month.

I guess that's all that's fit to print!  I hope you all are safe and healthy!  Till next time...Happy Stitching! 

Is this cheating?

Hi Everybody!  I bet the heading of this post made you think...huh?  LOL  Well there's a story here....

I went to my LNS over the weekend and they were having a model sale.  There have been a couple of models I've had my eye on for a few years.  The first is by Victoria Sampler and is the Jingle Bells Christmas Tree Farm.  I have several of these patterns, some are even kitted up, but for some reason they keep getting pushed farther back in my to do pile.  Anyway...I have loved this from the first moment they hung it up in the shop.  I love the framing too...so when I saw it for sale (and some of the proceeds from the sale goes to charity) I couldn't resist it.  I just know there are things I will never get to in my to do pile...so why not enjoy them hanging on my wall while I can...right?  But is it cheating?  Hmmm...  

I have also had my eye on this frame for the lighthouse.  I have had the pattern (with the charms) in my stash for ages.  I have been looking for the Kay's Frame with this particular finish.  After this was framed and hanging in the shop, she couldn't find the materials to make this particular frame again.  I offered to buy it and swap out a new frame for their model but the owner refused.  So....now I have the fully finished product!  I will be able to use the charms elsewhere I think...so no big loss right?  I just love lighthouses, so HAD to have this one!!  

And the BIG  news over the weekend, is that my husband found a chart he wants to stitch!!!  I nearly fell over in shock when he brought me the chart and asked me to get the fabric for it.  He has stitched one little thing many years ago...I wonder if this stemmed from a conversation we had a little while ago...where I told him (as he is nearing retirement age) that men who have no hobbies tend to do poorly after they retire and was there anything he might be interested in doing once he has all this free time.  I guess he must have thought about that for a bit.  I'm trying not to get too excited ... he did pick a rather involved pattern, so we'll have to see if he sticks to it...LOL  Fingers crossed I have TWO stitching buddies in my house, my cat and my  husband!  My Daughter-in-law stitches too!  We could start our own retreat!!  LOL!!!

I'm off to get some stitching done....I may (or may not) have Aubs tomorrow.  She was exposed to someone with Covid late last week, so they are keeping her away from us until they are sure she didn't catch it.  Fingers crossed she will be ok.  I miss her though....but...I should make hay while the sun shines...so off I go!  I'll leave you with a picture of Aubs with her newly developed talent....she cracks me up!  I call these two "Fine Dining".  Didn't your mother teach you NOT to eat with your feet???  LOL!!!

Happy Stitching everyone!

Happy Mail

It's either feast of famine here at DJ's Digs...LOL  I'm not sure what happened here lately but I've been getting packages quite frequently ... but I'm not complaining!  

My needleminder collection has been expanding...but I'm truly being selective in what I'm receiving.  I participated in the Love To Stitch challenge again and received a lovely needleminder from her...in order to get free shipping I had to order something, and I saw this lovely 12 Days of Christmas pattern I just HAD to have!  LOL  This was a fun package! 

 

I participated in a Gift of Summer exchange.  I will show the package I sent to Lady M at a later date, as I just sent her gift yesterday...the same day MY gift arrived to me.  Thank you Jenn....I LOVE everything you included...what a generous and truly wonderful gift you sent.  I can't wait to start Autumn Garden!!  I just love the berry pattern too....and didn't she do a lovely job on the strawberry she sent me?  She even included a little needleminder...so sweet!

For Christmas my husband gifted everything to make a sampler I had seen in a magazine.  The only thing not included was a heart charm, it had been backordered for months.  When he got the notice that it was back in stock, he asked me to pick a few more charms...and they arrived the other day.  I'm in heaven!!  

I've been trying to find ways to donate to the cause in the Ukraine.  When a needleminder seller offered to send all proceeds to the Ukraine for a lovely needleminder, I couldn't resist and sent for this one.  Again, I'm very selective of the needleminders I collect...but I couldn't let this one pass.  

And last, but certainly not least...in fact I saved the best for last...is the gift Ms. Mouse sent from England.  I was overwhelmed with her generosity.  I will be kitting up those three charts when I get the chance, they are all wonderful and things I love to stitch!  I hope you can see the little heart watch that is attached to the beautiful project bag she made.  The fabric is fabulous....violets, how did you know they are my favorite flower??  So many goodies, you really spoiled me!  Thank you so much.  

I've been on a roll recently and have nearly caught up with most of my challenge pieces.  I did have to run to the store yesterday for some ribbon to finish up a Christmas ornament yesterday, and hopefully will have that finished over the weekend.  I want to keep up with projects now, but I'm not sure if I'll be babysitting more in the next few months.  I have Auby twice a week now...but when the school year ends in a little over a week, I'm not sure how they will work out the schedule.  Anyway, I'm working hard now to get ahead this month...we'll see how that goes.  Here is what I've been working on lately...  

Linen & Threads Friends and Family SAL from 2020...I finished the June portion on the first day of the month!  

Rose Ada Featherstone... I'm hoping to finish it this year and have tried portioning it out so that I finish a certain amount each month.  This house is kicking my butt though!  LOL  I've been featuring this in the Embroidery.com challenge to stitch at least 30 minutes every day during the month of June called the #summerstitching2022.  Wish me luck!  

I'll be back soon with things I've been sending to other people as soon as they have received theirs.  Till then, Happy Stitching!