Wishing You a Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,
December is always a busy month - but this year it seemed to be more busy than usual. It must be because winter held off which meant lots more days for holiday events.

My younger brother and I both turned a year older mid-month.

Bucky and Samantha are doing better now - especially since the snow finally arrived and they can climb the snow banks to see what other critters have been around.

This is a slow time for my stitching as I cook all the holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day) for family and single friends - and this year I had quite a few pies to make: some for family, friends and our local historical society fundraiser at the Christmas Bazaar. Then there were extra shopping trips with my Mom and then with my Dad since they prefer to have me drive.

My cards and packages were all mailed in time although one package coming from my brother in Florida went on vacation for a week - and showed up earlier this week. So I was able to have an extra Christmas! (LOL!)

Santa and family members treated me to some stitching  treats - gift cards. Now to decide what to spend them on.

My very little stitching was adding 200 stitches to Mystic Garden.

2013BB SAL QS Mystic Garden (It is a cropped version of Peacock Garden.)
Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Ciro Marchetti
28ct Picture this Plus Valor
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
DMC & Kreinik#4
Now at 6240 completed.






I also started this Mill Hill kit while in the waiting room for my car inspection...

Charmed Mitten Ornament
Counted Glass Bead Kits
MHCM10 Sampler © 1998 Mill Hill Designed by Mary Jurgens-Jones
14ct perforated paper
Stitch Count: 32 x 46, varies 2, 3 or 6 over 1
DMC
Mill Hill Beads and Petite Beads
Hopefully I can finish this up in a few days as I am itching to start something new.




DH treated me to a few new Heaven and Earth charts: Here are the links as I haven't printed them out yet.
Mini Last Look Artwork by Renee Biertempfel
Protector Artwork by Anne Stokes   *His favorite
Gwyneria Artwork by Fred Winkler
Mini Night Unseen Artwork by Chris Ortega
and Storykeep Secret Door Artwork by Babette Vandenberg

Wishing you all a very Happy & Healthy New Year filled with lots of nice surprises.
Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa

November Update

Hello everyone,
Sorry this post is a little late. I had planned on posting earlier this week but got busy with some things including holiday prep and an unexpected trip to the vet for Bucky and Samantha. Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments.

We were lucky to see the vet last Saturday afternoon as both of our dogs have an ear infection. Bucky and Samantha are doing better now that they have had almost one week of medicine.

Here they are enjoying the sunrise a few days ago.





We had some really nice sunrises lately.

We've also had a few evenings of black ice. Today temps are near freezing and we are getting some snow flurries.

By now you already know that dear sweet Mel has closed down the stitch from stash group. That didn't stop me from continuing to make some progress on my current project. 

Last month at 4640 stitches finished -

Now at 6040 stitches completed! Just a little more to go to have a full page finished.

2013BB SAL QS Mystic Garden (It is a cropped version of Peacock Garden.)
Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Ciro Marchetti
28ct Picture this Plus Valor
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
DMC & Kreinik#4



No purchases of stash this month... but next month should be fun as it will be my birthday month as well as Christmas - and Heaven and Earth Designs is having a sale.....I wonder what will fall into my shopping cart this time.....

Thanksgiving was a nice day spent with family. I am so grateful to have this time with them as last year DH was in the hospital with an infection in his replacement hip and my Dad was recovering from heart surgery.

Until next time,
Wishing you many wonderful days!
Lisa M.

October Stitch from Stash Update

Hello everyone,

It's time for my monthly update for stitch from stash 2015 part B hosted by Mel over at epic stitching. You can see all the rules here.
This month it's some bookmarks, a lot of confetti stitching, the exchange I mentioned a few months ago, and a little stash.





Month: October 2015
Budget Amount: $25.00
Spent: $13.78 (Threads and Foxwood)
Earned: $24.00 ($6.00 Grapes Bookmark + $4.00 Music Bookmark +$4.00 Full Moon Pinkeep + $2.00 Full Moon Scissor Fob front + $2.00 Full Moon Scissor Fob Back +$6.00  October Mini Pocket turned into a drum pincushion)
Carry Forward: $ 57.51  ($22.29 from last month + $25.00 budget - $13.78 Spent + $24.00 Earned)

I finished this bookmark from the booklet Page by Page CSB-182 Cross My Heart Inc.
Grapes©1998
18ct China Pink Aida
DMC Threads
Stitch Count: 24 x 105, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, backstitch, long stitch













I also completed this bookmark from the Leisure Arts Leaflet 420 Booklet Collection 10 designs by Terrie Lee Steinmeyer
Music © 1986
14ct Ivory Aida
DMC Threads
Stitch Count: 25 x 81, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch, Long stitch, French knots

Recently I took part in the Anything Goes Exchange over at Stitch Create Exchange hosted by Lisa V. I chose to stitch Full Moon © C.A. Zittel of The Drawn Thread for my partner.

36ct Dirty Edinburgh (DMC 612)
Dinky Dyes Silk, NPI Silk, (Substituted Topaz for the Autumn Gold)
Embellished with 6mm black buttons
Stitch Count: Fob: 34 x 34 (Front & Back),1 over 2
Stitch Count: 47 x 48 Pinkeep, 1 over 2
Cross Stitch, Leviathan Stitch, Backstitch

Then I still had some fabric left over and some time left before the mailing deadline, so I picked up another Drawn Thread Pattern and stitched this mini-months pocket calendar cover - October but instead of finishing that way, I decided to try to finish as a drum pincushion. I left off the border and changed some colors to make it match the other two pieces.

36ct Dirty Edinburgh  (DMC 612)
Dinky Dyes Silk, NPI Silk, SNC Silk
(Substituted DD Black Coral for NPI, NPI 915 for NPI brown, DD Sea grass for NPI, and SNC Autumn Twilight for SNC Plum Honey)
Embellished with 6mm black buttons
Stitch Count: 93 x 43, 1 over 2, and 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Satin Stitch, and Backstitch
You can see the finishes here.



When last I picked up this lovely design by Heaven and Earth Designs it was at 2760 stitches completed.







This month I added to it.

2013BB SAL QS Mystic Garden (It is a cropped version of Peacock Garden.)
Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Ciro Marchetti
28ct Picture this Plus Valor
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross (2660 stitches completed on January 1st 2015)
DMC & Kreinik#4
Now at 4640 stitches completed.

Lastly, some new stash -  I did buy a few skeins of DMC (for my next HAED) and a pattern by Foxwood Crossings.










The beginning of this month was the end of my 3 month jury duty, and DH & I celebrated 17 years married.

One last picture... Samantha sleeping....

I'll try for one of Bucky next time.






Until next time,
Have many wonderful days.
Lisa M.

Exchange Update

Hello everyone,

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise this morning.
















I recently joined the Stitch Create Exchange- Anything Goes exchange.  This exchange you could make whatever you wanted for your partner, there was no theme - so I dug through my patterns and chose to stitch Full Moon © C.A. Zittel of The Drawn Thread for my partner, Lisa V of Lisa's Stitching Lounge.

First I stitched up the scissor fob....
Front:
36ct Dirty Edinburgh (DMC 612)
Dinky Dyes Silk, NPI Silk, (Substituted Topaz for the Autumn Gold)
Embellished with 6mm black buttons
Stitch Count: Fob: 34 x 34 (Front & Back),1 over 2













and Back:

Then I stitched up the pincushion chart (same pattern)
Stitch Count: 47 x 48 , 1 over 2
Cross Stitch, Leviathan Stitch, Backstitch

I decided to finish as a pinkeep, but couldn't find any pins I liked... so I headed to my dollar store and bought a box of corsage pins and some black and orange nail polish. I thought the orange was too bright (not at all like a pumpkin) so I used the black nail polish for the pins.

Since I still had some fabric left over and some time left before the mailing deadline, I picked up another Drawn Thread Pattern and stitched this mini-months pocket calendar cover - October with plans to finish as a drum pincushion. I left off the border and changed some colors to make it match the other two pieces.




The green house reminded me of visiting my uncle when I was younger - as he lived in a green house. Most of the houses in that neighborhood were white or yellow.

36ct Dirty Edinburgh  (DMC 612)
Dinky Dyes Silk, NPI Silk, SNC Silk (Substituted DD Black Coral for NPI, NPI 915 for NPI brown, DD Sea grass for NPI, and SNC Autumn Twilight for SNC Plum Honey)
Embellished with 6mm black buttons
Stitch Count: 93 x 43, 1 over 2, and 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Satin Stitch, and Backstitch

I dug through my stash and found some cute leaf charms so I added them to the wool felted top.

 

 

I gathered up some other goodies and sent it off to my partner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short time later the most delightful package arrived from Silvia in Austria.

 

She truly spoiled me. Matching fabric & buttons, some beautiful gold metallic threads, a notepad, and look at these lovely fall napkins... My favorite time of year (You can see a small portion of my fall tablecloth in this picture).

 

She also included some delicious Austrian chocolate - but it was gone before I took the picture. LOL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And....

 

 

I saved the best for last - she stitched me this lovely elephant. Look at the floss tail - isn't this so cute? So perfectly stitched - I'll treasure it and her friendship always. Thank you my dear friend.

 



One more picture of today's sunrise.

I hope to be back in a few days with my monthly stitch from stash update.

Until then - Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

Already...

Hello everyone,

I woke up yesterday to see this... our first snowfall of the season. Just a dusting this time... but soon enough we'll have plenty on the ground.  It's a bit early this year as we normally don't see snow much before Halloween.









Earlier in the week we had some beautiful colors.



































I just looked out our window and saw some more snow showers. Looks like it will be an inside day of stitching & football on the tv - instead of raking up the leaves.

That's it for now.
Have a wonderful day.
Happy stitching!
Lisa M.

September Stitch from Stash Update

Hello everyone,

It's time for my monthly update for stitch from stash 2015 part B hosted by Mel over at epic stitching. You can see all the rules here.
This month it's more about stash than stitching.






Month: September 2015
Budget Amount: $25.00
Spent: $32.69  (JN Witchy Sister Mouse with Fabric, DMC Diamont threads and TW Designworks Knotwork Bookmarks II)
Earned: $0.00
Carry Forward: $ 22.29  ($29.98 from last month + $25.00 budget - $32.69 Spent + $0.00 Earned)

I did stitch another item for the exchange but I can't show it until the October or November update...Hopefully it will arrive quickly. I will claim the earning credit then as well. 

 

I did put a few more stitches in  this bookmark from the booklet Page by Page CSB-182 Cross My Heart Inc.
Grapes©1998
18ct China Pink Aida
DMC Threads
Stitch Count: 24 x 105, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, backstitch, long stitch, French knots

I still have a few more grapes and leaf to finish as well as all the backstitching.









Some new stash...

We've been busy outdoors as the weather had started to turn and winter is coming. The leaves have begun to turn, we've seen the increasing flock of turkeys, and this morning when we awoke, our field was white (frost not snow yet!).








Here is a close up of a few of the turkeys.

Bucky and Sam went to the vet for a nail trim as it was close to our favorite orchard. Our apple trees got hit by a late frost so this year we had to try a few of the new varieties. It was such a nice treat.

That's all for now.
Until next time....Have many wonderful days.
Lisa M.

August stitch from stash update

Hello everyone,

It's time for my monthly update for stitch from stash 2015 part B hosted by Mel over at epic stitching. You can see all the rules here.
This month it's all about a little stash and few charity stitches.






Month: August 2015
Budget Amount: $25.00
Spent: $10.99     (Bookmark Medley $7.99+ Bookmark Collection $1.00+ Mark My Words $2.00)
Earned: $12.00    ( $6.00  Authors + $6.00 Choose a Book)
Carry Forward: $ 29.98    ($3.97from last month +$25.00 budget - $10.99 Spent + $12.00 Earned)

I didn't think that I'd be able to post this month. Early last week our town work crews were on our road brush cutting. In addition to the brush, they managed to remove around 20 feet of phone cable and hit the phone box about 600 feet from our house. Then we had rain which meant moisture in the  box and no dial tone until yesterday.

With a busy month I did get a few things stitched but I can't show one until the October update as it is for an exchange... so you'll get to see it then and I will claim the earning credit then as well - unless I change my mind and stitch something else for my partner between now and the end of September when I mail it out.

First stitched item to share is the lovely bookmark from the booklet Page by Page CSB-182 Cross My Heart Inc.
Authors ©1998
18ct Ivory Aida
DMC Threads
Stitch Count:  24 x 105, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, backstitch, long stitch, French knots

Next up is this bookmark from the booklet Between the Pages CSB-73 Cross My Heart Inc.

Choose A Book ©1992
18ct White Aida
DMC Threads
Stitch Count:  26 x 100, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, backstitch


Then I started this bookmark from the booklet Page by Page CSB-182 Cross My Heart Inc.

Grapes©1998
18ct China Pink Aida
DMC Threads
Stitch Count: 24 x 105, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, backstitch, long stitch, French knots

I'm still deciding on my next bigger project but this was all ready to work on...So I picked up this lovely design and added 100 stitches to it Heaven and Earth Designs 2013BB SAL QS Mystic Garden Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Ciro Marchetti
28ct Picture this Plus Valor
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross (2660 stitches completed on January 1st 2015)
DMC & Kreinik#4
Now at 2760 completed.

I did find the charts I was looking for in March :)They were behind the chart I pulled out for my exchange.

I also managed to do a little bit of shopping for some charts. I wanted a few more choices for my literacy bookmarks so this is what I purchased.









and

DH is on the mend. His kidney stone surgery turned out to be 30 stones (overachiever!) LOL! He went through a few days of bladder spasms and he took a fall (missed his chair) in the wee hours of the morning. Lucky- nothing but a few bruises.

Until next time, Have many wonderful days.
Lisa M

July Stitch from Stash monthly update

Hello everyone,

It's time for my monthly update for stitch from stash 2015 part B hosted by Mel over at epic stitching. You can see all the rules here. 
This month it's all about a little stash a few smalls and a heavenly finish.

Month: July 2015
Budget Amount: $25.00
Spent: $ 40.03 (Heaven and Earth Designs July4th Sale)
Earned: $19.00 ( $15.00 Forbidden Doorway + $2.00 Dolphin Kit + $2.00 Bee kit)
Carry Forward: $3.97


Oh no! I guess I was still in a spending spree mood this month as I couldn't resist the sale at Heaven and Earth Designs.

A few patterns really called out to me.. so I bought the download versions.

Magic Mirror Artwork by Anne Stokes,  Dog Bookshelf Artwork by Randal Spangler, Mini Golden Rose Artwork by Chris Ortega, and Mini Kindred Spirits Artwork by Anne Stokes. 

Thankfully no other charts jumped into my cart before checking out.

Looking over these patterns I was surprised to see that none of them use the kreink#4 that most of my others do.

 

So I got busy with my needle to earn some funds for finishes to apply toward my spending.

 

First up is my heavenly finish...

Heaven and Earth Designs 2012BB SAL SK Forbidden Doorway Chart Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Meredith Dillman

on January 1st 2015, I was at 14535 stitches completed. At the end of June I had completed 18500 stitches. 

July 19th I put in the final stitch  - Stitch number 21825.  (7290 stitches completed this year)

28ct Picture this Plus Opal Moonglow

Stitch Count: 75 x 291 (21825), 100% coverage 1 over 1 full cross

DMC and Kreinik#4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up I had a few take along projects for various appointments

NMI Stitch 'N Frame Kit Item 4112 Dolphin

14ct white Aida, single strand included in kit

Stitch count: 27 x 21, 1 over 1

Cross stitch, backstitch

This will be finished off as a small bookmark...I know that I have some faceted beads that look like water drops that I want to add to a tassel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly is this Plaid Bucilla Kit # 45910 - Sorry I didn't iron it before taking the photo

14ct white Aida, 6 strand floss included in kit

Stitch count:  31 x 31, 2 over 1

Cross stitch, backstitch, French knots

This will either be finished as a small bookmark or scissor fob.

 

 

 

 

Bucky and Sam are doing well - just finding the coolest spots in the house during this heat. And Bucky's blood work showed a slight improvement to his lever enzyme.

 

Look for a few more small projects next month as DH has to have another kidney stone removed... It'll be a long day at the hospital for that. And now I'll have to dig out another one of my larger projects to work on at home.

 

Dad is still healing - just slowly. He used an over-the counter moisturizing cream on his legs that caused a chemical burn to his skin.  He did finish home physical therapy...now we just have to wait for the healing process.

 

That's it for this month.

Until next time - Have many wonderful days.

Lisa

June stitch from stash update

Hello everyone,
It's time for my monthly check-in for Stitching from Stash 2015-A hosted by Mel at Epic Stitching.
This is the last month for part A. But the fun continues as I have signed up for Part B that runs from July-December.

Month: June 2015

Budget Amount $25.00

Spent: $100.02  [$51.92 for charts (includes those that haven't arrived) + $48.10 for threads (includes those that haven't arrived)] out of available $172.51 (monthly amount + previous carry forward)

Earned: $0.00 (yes dear readers this is the first month with no earnings)

Carry Forward: $0.00

 

Since I can't carry an of my budgeted amount + earnings into the second half of the year, I figured that it was time for a shopping spree.

First up is some new charts:

The Scarlet House - Strawberry House Pin Keep and Scissor weight
With thy needle and Thread- A Tisket, A Tasket
With thy Needle and Thread- Pinfeathers
Just Nan - Juliet the Bride Mouse

** I still have two more on order that haven't yet arrived.  Heartstring sampler  For spacious skies and an older bookmark booklet- Between the Pages.

and some threads and needles. There are some lovely GAST, GAST wools, Weeks Dye Works, Classic Colors and even a Valdani.

** I still have five more Accentuate metallic on order that haven't yet arrived.







It was a busy month. Dad had several Dr. appointments- he is doing well- no more home nursing - just another month of home physical therapy. We did find out that the pain he is having could be diabetic nerve pain- not pain from the surgery- so he started a new medication to see if it can help.

Thunderstorms hit our area - this time it loosened our printer connections. I was able to get it to print but the copy and scan features aren't working right now. So making a working copy of anything hasn't been possible. Hopefully I'll be able to get it fully working again.

Our swimming pool developed a tear in the liner- took a few days to get it repaired.

Bucky and Samantha had vet visits. Both are doing well. Their thyroid medication is helping. Bucky does have a liver enzyme that is running high - hopefully the supplement  the vet gave us will help. We will find out next month at his next visit.

I only worked on one stitching project this month.

Heaven and Earth Designs 2012 BB SAL SK Forbidden Doorway Chart Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Meredith Dillman
28ct PTP Opal Moonglow
Stitch Count 75 x 291, 1 over 1 full cross
DMC & Kreinik #4

May 2015 she was at 15750 stitches completed. Now at 18500 stitches completed! Only a little more to go before I have it finished.










July is looking like another busy month with Dad's Dr. appointments - at least one each week, DH's few medical appointments, Bucky's vet trip, and I just got a jury duty notice.

Until next time -
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa