Monday, June 20, 2016

April - May & June 2016 & Stitching for Literacy update

Hello everyone,

It's been too long since I've posted. I had April & May's post complete... but not posted - every time I tried we went offline or lost power. So I combined everything to write this post.

Spring came early to our neck of the woods - and with it came lots of outdoor chores - picking up yard debris (branches that came down), tree trimming, digging up the south side of our house as we needed to re-seal the foundation, and getting next winter's wood cut split and stacked.  Then we opened up the swimming pool and found out that we had to change our chlorine system.


May started out very warm. Then a cool front moved in around mid-may and the following week? You guessed it - snow!!!! At least the crabapple and apple tree buds were late enough this year to escape the frost.









Looks like this year will be a good apple year!


We've also had quite a few power outages - usually short in duration (part to most of a day) - but almost always on the day I planned to be on the computer. Luckily this is the year for the power company to have the tree crew in our area clearing the lines.


 





After the last post, Bucky spent a few days at the animal hospital - still not sure what it was but his breathing is better and fever is gone. Dr. was surprised as his bloodwork showed improvement over his January tests. He is still having the occasional bouts of pacing at nights. Then he scratched above his eye. Took awhile, but it is almost completely healed now.






This was also a spring with lots of medical appointments for my Dad and DH.  Also, a bit more driving both my parents everywhere they wanted to go (shopping and other necessary appointments).
DH found out that in addition to his scoliosis- he has a herniated L4-5 disc in his back as well as spinal stenosis. Hopefully the cortisone shots will continue to help him.

A few weeks ago DH & I had the chance to meet up with my college friend & her family - Lunch was great and we had a nice time catching up - and making plans to meet up again in the fall.

So as you can see, it's been busy here - not much time for stitching. Also, I don't do much stitching when I have lots of blackfly bites as I don't want to get blood on my projects. So this is usually when I try to catch up on reading and some other home projects -this year it's been re-organizing our multi-media and building some shelving.

I started a few small stitching projects at various Dr. visits  - just not enough worth showing yet... and my HAED and the Christmas in the Adirondacks projects are just too large and lighting is to poor to work on them there. Hopefully next month.

But here is where I left off before the spring season projects took me away...
Dimensions Gold Collection - Petites Kit # 8720
Christmas in the Adirondacks © 2003 Dimensions Designed by Martha Edwards
Fabric: 18ct Aida
Stitch Count: 90 x 122 varies over 1
Cross Stitch, Half Cross Stitch, Backstitch, Blended, Color Chart


In my spare time,  I managed to get these bookmarks "Finished" and sent out for the Stitching for Literacy Program. Here is the info for all the completed bookmarks.












1. Between the Pages CSB-73 Cross My Heart Inc. Choose A Book ©1992
Fabric: 18ct White Aida
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count:  26 x 100, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, backstitch

2. From 501 Cross Stitch Designs by Sam Hawkins for American School of Needlework, Inc. © 1993, Baseball
Fabric: 18ct ivory Aida
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 61 x 21, 2 over 1
Cross stitch, backstitch

3. NMI Stitch 'N Frame Kit Item 4112 Dolphin
Fabric: 14ct white Aida,
Threads: single strand included in kit
Stitch count: 27 x 21, 1 over 1
Cross stitch, backstitch
4. Beaded great white Shark
Designer: Lisa Overduin
Published in Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch and Bead Weaving Issue 62
Silamide Gray Thread
Miyuki Delicas
Stitch Count:45 x 19

5. Prairie Schooler Design Book No. 154, July Inset Ornament © 2009 The Prairie Schooler, Inc.
Fabric: 32ct. Lambswool
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 28W x 36H, 2 over 2

Cross Stitch

6. Wonder Bookmark by Ship's Manor© 2011 Ship's Manor and Erik D. Shipley - This pattern was available at the Stitcher's Village as a freebie for the Literacy Challenge in 2011.
Fabric: 32ct Silkweaver Reflections   Rainbow Sparkle
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count:28 x 122, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, French Knots

7. Reformed Day of the Dead Pirate© 2004 Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (I used one earring to make bookmark)
Nymo Black Thread
Miyuki Delicas
Stitch Count:23 x 40

8. I thought this Flower Owl will make a pretty bookmark
Plaid Bucilla Kit #45749 ©2014
Fabric: 14ct Aida
Threads: Included in kit
Stitch Count: 29 x 31, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch, Long Stitch, Running stitch, French Knots

9. I was intrigued by the finishing of this one - so I chose this Celtic Corner Bookmark
Published in Cross-stitch & Needlework Spring 2016 (www.c-sn.com)
Designer Elizabeth Spurlock
Fabric: 14ct White Aida
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 27 x 27, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch

10. Panda Card Kit #840 © Joan Elliott Needlework Kit by Design Works Crafts Inc.
Fabric: Aida
Threads: Included in kit including metallic
Stitch Count: 43 x57, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch

and still a few more finished up.....


















11. This Space Rocket bookmark is included in the Leisure Arts Bookmarks Galore  66 Designs ©1997
Fabric: 18ct Back Aida
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 27 x 105, 2over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch

12. Leisure Arts Leaflet 420 Booklet Collection 10 designs by Terrie Lee Steinmeyer
Music © 1986
Fabric: 14ct Ivory Aida
Threads: DMC   
Stitch Count: 25 x 81, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch, Long stitch, French knots

13. Queen Bee free pattern ©2013 The Prairie Schooler, Inc.
Fabric: 18ct Black Aida
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 33 x 40, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch

14. Plaid Bucilla Kit # 45910 - Bee

Fabric: 14ct white Aida,
Threads: 6 strand floss included in kit
Stitch count:  31 x 31, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, back stitch, French knots

The rest will have to wait until next year.

No new stash... maybe next time.
The winner of the thread giveaway was Christina!  I'm so glad she liked here package.
Stayed tuned... I have more giveaways planned real soon!

I'll leave with a picture of Samantha...enjoying the summer-like breezes
 
Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa