Black flies and Snow flies: Weekly update May 21st, 2022

Hi Everyone,

Wow-

It's been awhile. April was crazy.

Was busy with taxes and spring had finally seemed to arrive in our neck of the woods. Lots of cleanup as we have several limbs/branches that have fallen as well as lots of thatch and leaves to rake up. Worked on it between the raindrops.

I saw a cardinal pair a few mornings in early April while I was out with Macey. Didn't have my camera with me.

When it was raining, I've been organizing/ spring cleaning and getting distracted by projects that I want to try.

Early to Mid month (around the 12th) a package went missing- I needed it to finish off my monthly exchange. Went to check the tracking - computer or monitor died. No tech available for a few days. Got an appointment - Had to get a new computer (was 8.5yr old). Monitor still OK (although it is over 9 years old).

Saturday (16th) Picked up new computer - Had to get some new software as old one wouldn't work on this version of windows. Also replaced printer that died in January. Still had to load some software at home.

Easter was nice. Cooked dinner for us & Mom. Sent her home with a few meals.

Monday....DH had a medical appointment.. when we got home, we started on restoring the new computer with our old backups... Strong winds that night...Internet and phone went out not just for a few hours- but for 8 days! Power went out early Tuesday 4 am for 63+ hours. House temp dropped to low 50's. (found out our indoor/outdoor thermometer no longer worked as it was indicating outside temps in the 90's - LOL!) We had gotten 12+ inches of heavy wet snow in the Monday night/Tuesday storm. Our plow guy was on vacation in Maryland. Our town couldn't plow the road as the power pole on the right side of the driveway snapped in half..wires draped across the road on the left side of the driveway.

Still trying to remember some of my favorites as they weren't saved before our computer died. Re-learning how to do some things as the newer version of some programs is different from what I was used to.

Couldn't remember login...etc...

I made my first vinyl project bag for one of my planned beading projects....Thinking about trying to make the peyote stars. I saw several patterns on Etsy that I like.

Stitching:

I have a FFO!

Spring Berries - Is it Spring yet? © 2020 by Linda Stolz for Erica Michaels Designs
Fabric: 32ct Petit Point Grey/White Lugana
Threads: WDW & DMC
Used the dmc substitution (3042) for wdw oyster..but it was too light so substituted one shade darker (3041)
Stitch Count: 127 x 72, 1 over 2
Cross stitch

Not much stitching these past couple of weeks.. but I can share my April exchange.

April Exchange from the Facebook Group: International Cross Stitch Pen Pals
Theme:Scrabble tiles or chicks
Challenge: Pastel colors

I chose the chicks option.... finished a freebie from pickle barrel designs

Easter Oh MY! © The Pickle Barrel Designs 2020 Nancy Greenberg
Fabric: 14ct black aida
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 41 x 47, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, straight stitch, french knots

front..

back...

Then I made some chick vinyl project bags...(sent my partner one set and kept one set for myself)... Added in a few goodies.

My partner choose scrabble tiles for her small stitch...

and she bought me a scrabble tile pattern, needleminder and tile tray with my name... lots of candy and some beautiful pastel threads and evenweave fabric.