May 2019 - A Happy dance and some smalls

Hi everyone,
It's time to share what I've been up to this month.

Stitching:
I knew that I had some time in the waiting room during DH's cataract surgery on the 2nd, so I brought along this new start:

Bee and Hive © Karen Kirk Blackberry Rabbit Designs
Published in the 2019 Nashville Cookbook Happiness is Homemade
Fabric: Mystery 32 count Linen (PTP Heritage I think)
Threads: DMC Threads

Stitch Count: 32 x 49, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch




It's finally Happy dance time!So glad to see this one finished. Still deciding on my next "heavenly" project.

2013BB SAL QS Mystic Garden (It is a cropped version of Peacock Garden.)

Design by Michele Sayetta Artwork by Ciro Marchetti
Fabric: 28ct Picture this Plus Valor
Threads: DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
April 30, 2019: 18760 stitches completed, now at 100% complete 19,182 stitches later

Since my beads arrived late February, I was finally able to finish this from January. I couldn't find my gold beads...had the burgundy one, just wanted to do all the beading at the same time...Now that my back-ordered DMC#8  for the cording has come in, I can get it finished in the shape of a mouse.

The Little House Mouse © Judith Tuttle of Twisted Oaks
published in the JCS Christmas Ornaments 2012
Fabric: 28ct white
Threads: NPI, NPI Northern Lights
Beads: Mill Hill
Stitch count front: 24 x 45
Stitch count back: 30 x 53
Cross stitch, some 1 over 1, fractional stitches, back stitch, french knot

DH's 2nd  cataract surgery was on the 16th, so I brought along another new start:

Lizzie Kate Quick-It Dogs leave paw prints Q-003 © 2009 Lizzie Kate, Inc.
Fabric: Mystery 32 count Evenweave (PTP Heritage I think)
Threads: WDW Threads
Stitch Count: 56 x 56, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch





 Next I started this freebie

Woof Spoken Here complimentary design from Stitchy Kitty© 2006 Michelle Lutzen
Fabric: Mystery 28 count Linen (close to DMC 712)
Threads: DMC Threads instead of the called for Crescent Colours
Stitch Count: 50 x 50, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, french Knots





Spent yesterday in a different hospital waiting room for Mom's basal cell carcinoma surgery.  I brought along this new start:

Dog House Sampler © 2005 Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks
Fabric: 32 count PTP Earthen Belfast Linen
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 79 x 97, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch
  






Sewing:
Finished some more ort catchers for my birthday club friends, and attempted to make a new grime guard for my 11" Q-snaps.

I had this lovely flannel fabric print that I thought would work perfectly...found an online tutorial, and ta-da... now I have a new grime guard.. I still  have to make a few more for my 8" q-snaps, and maybe a couple for my 8" hoops...











Stash: 
A small cut of PTP Earthen above (to see color before deciding on this one for a different HAED)
a few sampler threads, DMC #8 for finishing mouse above and 2 stitchworks charts: New Doggie Love, and Doggie Love 



What I've read: 
Diane Kelly: Death, Taxes and a french Manicure
J. R. Rain:  Moon Dance,
L.T. Ryan:  The Recruit,
started  J. R. Rain:  Vampire Moon

Updates

Temperatures have been cooler than normal for the month and we've had lots of rain. May showers seem to bring out the June bugs. Black flies have shown up and they are biting like crazy. Still to early to be planting anything as we've had frost warnings this past week. Also, not sure how much I want to do this year as the deer nibbled all my hyacinths earlier this month. My hosta plants are either stunted by the weather or suffered too much damage from the deer last year. Our apple trees and crab apple trees have just started to blossom. Most of the trees have leafed out although the walnut, oaks, elms, and ash are still waiting to show their new spring foliage.

We did get to see our first hummingbird of the season on the morning of the 4th

... this young bird (Orchard oriel) showed up on the 16th and took several drinks from the hummingbird feeder.

We also had a visit from this colorful little male just last week.

Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

April 2019 - Page 2 finished.. almost there....

Hi everyone,
It's time to share what I've been up to this month.


Stitching:
Not much on this stitching front this month - just worked on this lovely a bit more. Page 2 is done and only a few more stitches to put in on page 4 before this will be complete!

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
DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
April 1, 2019: 17260 stitches completed, now at 18760 stitches completed

Stash:

I took advantage of the HAED Sale, and ordered a few new charts.
Mini Dragon Kin (Anne Stokes)
Mini Wolf Moon (Jasmine Beckett-Griffith)
Mini Raven Kin (Selina Fenech)

I also received my Silver Needle Circle of Friends kit - this time from Little House Needleworks.

Updates
The first of the robins showed up on the 5th  - just before we had another 2" of snowfall.

Then mid month when we had a short warm stretch, we started to hear the peepers... It was so nice to hear the frogs loudly chirping away all day and eve. Definitely a sign that spring is finally here. We did not see our pair of ducks this year.. maybe because the thaw was gradual and they had a better water source available.

Temperatures have been cool. We had snow flurries over the weekend and are expecting another frost night tonight. Spring is trying to arrive with some of the trees beginning to show signs of  budding.









My dear great uncle passed away early in the month - he had been plagued with medical issues for the past several years.

DH has cataract eye surgery end of this week and again in two weeks.

We're getting ready to open the swimming pool at the end of this week. Last year we opened it and then had snow the next few days. 

Mom has a basal cell carcinoma above her right eye. We see the plastic surgeon tomorrow to set up her surgery and follow up care schedule.

Dad has seen a few of his doctors. He is stable but is in stage 3 of kidney failure. Also his leg edema has not improved- so they are trying a pump to remove the buildup of fluid.  Also waiting for a new type of glucose monitor for him.



I wanted to take part in Maynia next month, but lots of travel with associated medical appointments for family will prevent me from stitching a lot. So we'll see what May has to offer as I get home late most evenings. I did read a blog from a fellow stitcher who suggested a type of Maynia in August ..so maybe that will work out.

I'm off to get the hummy feeders ready as we should be seeing them anytime between the 3rd and the 9th of next month.

Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

March 2019 - Page 3 finished!

Hi everyone,
It's time to share what I've been up to this month.


Stitching:
I spent most of the month on this... . ...Another Page finished... just a few more blocks on page 2 and some of page 4 before it's done.

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
DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
March 1, 2019: 15910 stitches completed now at 17,260 stitches completed

 

I also picked up this little kit from NMI

Good Luck Kit Item #4524 © Needlemagic, Inc
Fabric: 18ct Aida
Threads: floss from kit
Stitch Count: 34 x 42, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch












Finally Finished!
Since my beads arrive late February, I was finally able to finish this from January.

Valentine Sentiments: Pick Me © Frony Ritter Designs published in Just Cross Stitch February 2017
Fabric: 14ct white perforated paper
Threads: DMC
Beads: Mill Hill
Stitch count: 42 x 40, 2over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch, Straight Stitch, Beads



 


This was sitting in my finishing basket since July 2017 - I had everything packaged up - but just never seemed to get to it.. So glad it's finally done.

Blue Santa Drop Ornament © Design by Lee Fisher of Stitchyfish Designs from the August 2017 issue of Just Cross Stitch
Fabric: 14ct Starlite Silver Aida
Threads:DMC
Stitch Count:82 x 21, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Straight Stitch











Stash:


With no LNS, I've only had our poor dial-up internet to see everything from Nashville market. I did order this cookbook that contains some lovely small charts.. but have still been deciding what I want to order.. maybe next month I'll have something else to share. 

 




What I've read: 
I finished reading Murder Most Howl by Krista Davis
Then Started  Death, Taxes and a French Manicure by Diane Kelly

Winter left us like a lion.. but the first day of spring (at least on the calendar) was calm... Still had some more snow/mix events.. but luckily the weather forecast for the weekend of the 22nd was wrong as we were in the 18-24" snowfall range. Our temps were warm enough, and the fringe of the coastal storm didn't quite reach us. It's been colder than average for us.. but at least the sun has make it nice for us...we've had a bit of snow melt and the snow has been sliding off roofs making loud crashing noises. We still have too much snow for the tree sap to be running.

 

April will be a busy month and probably not much time at home as Mom & Dad medical appointments begin again.
 


Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

February 2019 - Let it snow...

Hi everyone,
It's been a colder than normal month with lots of snow - and several storms of icy mix ...but not as much snowfall as my brother has seen in his new traveling nurse posting. He is in Prescott Arizona since the end of January and he has been re-introduced to winter with record snowfall amounts. Much different than his last 30+ years in sunny Florida.


Stitching:
Since we've had a lot of snowy days, I thought that it was time for a snowman or 3...shoveling and power outages have kept me out of my sewing room.. but looking forward to getting in there this coming week to get these finished up.

I started out with this cute ornie...

Snowman Stocking© Sigrid Designs/Thumb-Elena published in the Christmas Ornaments 1997 Issue of Just Cross Stitch
Fabric: 28ct Black Jobelan
Threads: DMC
Beads: Mill Hill
Stitch Count: 70 x 35, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, back stitch










Then I moved onto this little freebie... (thinking about finishing this as a flat fold )

Yahoo Snow Day ©Sisters & Best Friends
Fabric: 28ct opalescent Luguna Silkweaver Snow Storm
Threads: GAST
Beads: Mill Hill
Stitch count: 44 x 75, 2over 2
Cross Stitch










And yet another freebie..

Snowman's Surprise Complimentary Design ©2007 Sharon Crescent for Crescent Colors
Fabric: 18ct Zweigart Stone Grey Aida instead of the called for Abecedarian
Threads: Crescent Colors / Classic Colorworks

Stitch count: 50 x 74, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch

Another freebie, this was was fun although I has the frog visit more than once on this one.

Cardinal Mitten © November 2018  The Cross-Eyed Cricket
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Silkweaver Spanish Moss
Threads: DMC
Stitch count:42 x 43, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, French Knots

 








And then getting tired of the white threads, I returned to:

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
DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
January 30, 2019: 15140 completed now at 15910 stitches completed

New Stash:

Rosewood Manor:Christmas Blues





 

Midnight stitching Heartstruck, Heartstruck Holidays, Heartstruck Seasons I, a few rainbow gallery threads, kreinik blending threads,  and some beads so I could finish a few things from last month

Waxing Moon Designs Winter grows on you, and The stitching bear's snowflake kisses

 

I also received my February installment of the Silver Needle Stitching with friends circle kit







What I've read: 
I started Murder Most Howl by Krista Davis I'm enjoying it - but have been too tired at night to do much reading. Hopefully, things will get better in the next few weeks as daylight increases and temps start to climb.


Updates:

We've seen a parade of deer on the property... these were taken just a few days ago.. after nibbling on the thorn apple...

this one turned and looked at me  as if to say... "where are the apples"?

They've been eating everything in sight... I'm sure my azaleas have been a tasty treat for them... Hopefully they left enough to recover... although I doubt I'll see many flowers from them this year.





So looking forward to the next month or so ... or at least spring when it gets here....it looks like we will finally be getting rid of our dial-up internet... FIOS is coming to our road sometime in the next 4-6 weeks - we need Mother Nature to cooperate - our existing phone line runs underground...not sure if this will be underground once spring gets here (MAY?)- said they'll lay on the ground and come back to bury... or if they'll run an overhead line...just waiting for the snow to melt so they can get to a pole on the property to determine best option.

Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

January 2019 Update - A Very Snowy New Year

Hi everyone,
It's time to share what I've been up to this past month.


Stitching:
Made a little progress on

 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
DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross
December 31, 2018: 14350 complete, now at 15140 completed

 



next I started this Christmas Ornament

The Little House Mouse © Judith Tuttle of Twisted Oaks
published in the JCS Christmas Ornaments 2012
Fabric: 28ct white
Threads: NPI, NPI Northern Lights
Beads: Mill Hill
Stitch count front: 24 x 45
Stitch count back: 30 x 53
Cross stitch, some 1 over 1, fractional stitches, back stitch, french knot

 All that is left is the red and gold beads. I went searching for the petite gold beads - but came up empty. I checked all the usual places, so I guess I'll have to order some (and when I do, this missing packet will show up).


I liked the look of this little freebie- but I wanted a more winter-y feel..so I chose a gray fabric.
freebie can be found here...

Winter Bird © 2017 Robin Sample / October House Fiber Arts
Fabric: 28ct stormy grey (Wichelt)
Threads: GAST and DMC (instead of the pebble as my pebble blended into the fabric too much)
Stitch count: 42 x 25
Cross Stitch, small amount of over 1 for the beak and legs






My Jeep was in the shop - the check engine light came on when I started it after picking up some groceries for Mom & Dad. Thankfully the bill wasn't too bad as it only needed another thermostat.and I got it back just before the storm...

21+ inches on Snow on the 20th...the gusty winds broke the birch - but it still might survive as it wasn't the main trunk branch. More spring clean-up










So instead of stitching some snowy things, I opted for this lovely fall colors pattern that was in my freebie binder.

Autumn © 1999 Lindy James Designs, Inc.
(I believe that this was Melissa Billam who now designs as ScissorTail Designs)
Fabric: 32ct Willow Green Belfast (instead of the New Khaki) ~ DMC 372
Threads: GAST and DMC
Stitch count: 50 x 29
Cross Stitch, Backstitch

 

 So pretty..

Weather changed and we had a mix/mostly rain last weekend with temps dropping into the teens so now our driveway has about 2" ice on it. Spent a few days chopping the ice but with the cold temps, not much came up... sanded and salted.. but it's still a mess. Couldn't do much stitching and my time for finishing was non-existent. So hopefully next month, I'll have some time in my sewing room for some finishing.  I did find a few spare minutes to make some ort catchers for the ladies in my birthday floss club.











I picked this lovely up a few evenings ago,

Valentine Sentiments: Pick Me © Frony Ritter Designs published in Just Cross Stitch February 2017
Fabric: 14ct white perforated paper
Threads: DMC
Beads: Mill Hill
Stitch count: 42 x 40, 2over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch, Straight Stitch, Beads

I still have to finish the beading and backstitch... I took this picture a few days ago. I'm getting close to running out of the red beads so it might be time to get them ordered so I can actually finish something.


More snow today. Expecting another 8-12" + so I've been wasting time looking online at ...yup, snowman patterns.  I guess it has something to do with today... car battery was almost dead yesterday.. dropped off at mechanic last evening, picked it up today only to have DH vehicle get stuck in driveway so had to get it towed up the driveway .


Stash: Last month I mentioned It wouldn't be December without a little bit of Christmas stash.

I received some fun charts...




 

Some small cuts of  fabric...




  

Some threads...





 

...and more threads

...a magazine...

 

...more threads with a chart

 The threads are for the arctic animals in the magazine above.




 

... And my Silver Needle A little Help from our friends Stitching Circle kit
 - this time from Summer House Stitche Workes









What I've been reading: 
Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly
The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis
Town in a Lobster Stew by B.B. Haywood


Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M. 

December 2018 update & Happy New Year!

Hi everyone,
It's time to share what I've been up to this month  it was a busy month with very little stitching until after Christmas.

I did get a few small ornies stitched up... early in December.
Merry Christmas Cat © Teresa Wentzler
published in the November-December 1990 Issue of Just Cross Stitch 
Fabric: grab bag linen tan color
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 38 x 34, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, 1/4 stitches. back stitch, straight stitch





Since that went so well, I saw a freebie on CEC website and figured that it would be a quick and easy stitch...It was late when I picked this one up... didn't read the chart symbols for the white being french knots instead of cross stitch... guess I  was so used to the french knots for eyes that I completely ignored that there could be other french knots... so here is my late-night version....

Moose Smooch © 2018 the Cricket Collection freebie
Fabric: 28ct Antique white evenweave
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 39 x 39, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, back stitch, fractional stitches, french knots

I'll probably re-do sometime as I want to try using a wooly white for the beard (knots) and maybe a red velvet for the cap.




Then this week I finally was able to pick up

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
DMC & Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 139 x 138, 1 over 1 full cross

November 2018 at 14050 stitches complete, now at 14350 complete. Only a little more to go to get this one finished...hopefully by springtime. (that's usually May around here)


First weekend of December is usually our town's craft fair/bake sale. Mom had a Dr. appointment that day so I made arrangements to bake my pies late the night before so I could get them picked up while I was gone. I had everything laid out on the counters... started the first pie,...and noticed that there was water on the floor by the sink cabinet... Oh no! Drain pipe had a crack in it leaking...and was causing pressure from bathroom sink to back flow and spray water in the kitchen.. had to cleanup using a bucket and dumped the dishwater outside.. felt like we were teens again and camping....called more than one plumber... all too busy with heating issues. So a neighbor nicely helped me out the following week.

 I took part in a birthday floss club this year.. My mailbox was overflowing with such nice cards....we were assigned a floss color to send to each person in the club during their birthday month. Our assigned colors were from the new range of DMC. I was the last one in the group this year. 

This wasn't a milestone year.. although I'm looking forward to next year when I will be old enough (55) to begin collecting my pension.

Look at these lovely new threads...



 




 

And since it was my birthday earlier this month, DH was nice enough to let me pick out a bunch of trims from Lady dot's etsy site... I'm looking forward to using these on my finishing.













 chenilles...

 
 



rikraks...










ribbons and pom-pom trims










So while I was getting these lovely envelopes in the mail, I was getting my packages and cards sent out - Just in time for Christmas.

On the day before Christmas, I was starting to make desserts for family dinner and I noticed that my oven was taking a really long time to heat up (over 1 hour)...Another Oh No!.. moment... Made plans to cook at Mom & Dad's house for the next day... prepped all the food I could ahead of time using the stove top...Christmas day I tried the oven and set the timer to see how long it took so we could inform the repair person.. and ... it worked fine.. best guess is that there was an impurity in the propane that was plugging the line.. Seems to be working okay now. (LOL!)


I really haven't made many plans for next year stitching wise... Probably because DH has cataract surgery coming up in the spring, and after that we are planning to adopt a new furry friend. I know I have a few  HAED, a Kustom Kraft (snowy), and a White Willow (chart that I got as a Christmas present)  that I want to start... and lots of smalls ready for Dr. visit waiting rooms. I guess it will be a surprise what I get done as the best laid plans often go off the rails pretty quickly. I am hoping to at least "finish" one of my smalls each month - my basket is overflowing and it would be nice to get some of them completely finished.

It wouldn't be December without a bit of Christmas stash...I'll share next month. I'm waiting for a few threads that were back-ordered.

December weather was a lot of nuisance storms... dusting of snow and lots of snow/mixes that sometimes changed to rain... we are expecting 2-4" tonight that will change to rain sometime tomorrow afternoon. But despite all the rain, we still have the ground covered in a blanket of snow.


Until next time,
Happy New Year & Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.