January 2018 update & some stitching

Hi everyone,

I had planned on a December post for year end but got tied up with company. My brother showed up just before Christmas as his stint in New Mexico was finished and his new position near Las Vegas didn't start till mid-January. It took over an hour to get him up our steep icy driveway as we had been getting freezing rain all that day.

Since we were having a week of bad weather I spent Christmas eve cooking  and we brought my parents a week worth of meals so they didn't have to  wander out on icy roads. They had a nice surprise as they weren't expecting to see my brother - even better was that they didn't have to do anything special as meals were prepared and we put him up at our house .

It was nice getting the 10" powder snow on Christmas.  We normally get the heavy wet coastal storm snow- powder was such a treat.

Since then we've had lots of freezing rain events. which has caused quite a buildup of ice on the driveway and constant sanding (and chopping ice) to keep Samantha safe.


All my stitching stuff got put away for the holidays - but I'm slowly getting it all back in order. I did misplace a few things- some were things I set aside to complete the finishing of a few projects - others were my kitted up projects that I wanted as fill-ins for January. Hopefully they'll turn up soon.

But I do have a few stitch-y things to share...I got this freebie in the mail with an order.

Elf Sled © 2016 Cynthia Stalcup Smelcer DBA Foxwood Crossings

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave (instead of the white perforated paper)
Threads: WDW & DMC
Stitch Count: 30 x 17, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch
Now where is the sled for him.. hmmm.. maybe I should look with my paints when I finish this post.








While putting things away for the holidays, I stumbled on this sweet kit that I had forgotten about...so I kept this one out to finish the stitching before Christmas.

Faithwurks Seasonal Spool Series: Well Loved Dog kit © 2004 Faithwurks
Fabric: 16ct Zweigart banding
Threads: Anchor floss
Stitch Count: 32 x 14, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Backstitch
Now where is my sharpie marker to personalize?






Here's a close up:

First Finish of 2018 was this gem..

Christmas 2017 © 2017 Whispered by the Wind LLC
Fabric: 32 ct Stormy Night Belfast

Threads: DMC , Kreinik #4

Stitch Count: 49 x 62, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, 1/4 stitches, back stitch
Freebie chart available here
It was still in the hoop when I took this picture.

I love the colors in this fabric...hmm might have to get a large piece for one of my wolf HAEDs.




 




Next I picked up and finished

Snowman Sled © Frony Ritter Designs  published in the 2015 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments
Fabric: 28 ct white evenweave (instead of the white perforated paper)

Threads: DMC , GAST
Beads: Mill Hill

Stitch Count:31 x 19, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, french knots, back stitch, long stitch

The sled for him must be with my other sled...Looks like February will be a finishing month.




I had planned on a new year's new start - but DH has been battling a cold for the past few weeks - and I haven't had the time to just sit & stitch. Most of my free time has been running errands for Mom & Dad - I have been doing their shopping and since their walkway/driveway is so icy. And December and January had quite a few days of below zero temperatures. Samantha & I had to bundle up for our daily walks.

Now I have a small pile of what's next (new ones since I haven't finished digging out what I put away in early December); but I have to finish my current project first. Right now I'm working on a bookmark exchange that will be mailed out for early March. Hope to finish it up by the end of next week. I spent a week digging through patterns trying to decide what to stitch.. and founds lots that I had forgotten about.

I turned another year older last month. It was a quiet day.  DH had me pick out a few more ETSY beading patterns that will be bookmarks. Desert in the sunset, Horse, Scenic Lake, and a Mets one for him.

December Birthday & Christmas Stash: I know I'm forgetting a few small patriotic themed kits from my dear brother, and DH added to my magazine collection with a stony creek and a few of the out of print US Cross Stitcher that I was missing. This month  I ordered a few threads that I needed for a project.

New Stash: Foxwood- snowy friends& snowy barns

Handblessings ...think these will make nice scissor fobs









 

 Just Nan Christmas Mouse





 

 Praiseworthy kit

 The drawn Thread...








And the Silver Needle Circle of friends kit for December

Samantha had her annual exam earlier this month. Lyme vaccine, blood work, etc. Liver is improved,  thyroid stable, weight is at 108 pounds. Doctor said she's doing very well for her advanced age of 13-14. She had the cyst on her neck drained.


 






Dad had some appointments that had to be changed due to the bad weather.. but he is doing okay.

I joined a Birthday floss exchange group for the new DMC colors. Next year at this time, I'll have some nice floss to use.

Until next time,

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M. & Samantha

September - October 2017 update Happy Owl-ween

Hi everyone,
It's been busy here... September flew by and now we are nearing the end of October.

The grapes turned,
The pool is closed for the season,
The wood is stacked,
The sand- salt barrels are filled,and
The waxwings and robins have eaten most of the berries on our mountain ash trees.
But enough about some of the fall chores...I still found the time for a bit of stitching.

This little treasure was in my freebies binder that I got with an online order. Such a fun quick little stitch  - although I misread the chart...There were 2 symbols similar a dash and a bold dash... well I was quite far along before I noticed that I still hadn't used the GAST Nutmeg.... hmmmm
Anyhow, I thought it looked nice using the GAST Brandy for both symbols so I left it and continued on to finish.

Owl on an Egg © Bent Creek
Fabric: 28ct Flax
Threads: GAST, WDW
Stitch Count: 28 x 54, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch

Here is Gone Batty © Design by Christy Schmitz, published in the 2016 Halloween Issue of Just Cross Stitch
 Fabric: 28ct Antique White Lugana
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 11 x 105, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch
I have some ribbon (black & white chevron) that I will use to try to turn this into a bookmark

 I continued my beading projects...First Up -

Pointsettia and Holly Berry © 2003 Deb Moffett-Hall
Miyuki Delica Beads
Black Nymo thread
Bead Count: 22 columns x 83 rows







One of my Etsy purchases was for this lovely autumn bracelet cuff - I love this design so much! Fall is my favorite season and when I saw the birch trees I knew I had to make this. Since I'm not much of a jewelry person, I plan to coat it with acrylic floor wax and use it as a bookmark.My Mom saw it as I was finishing and it looks like I'll be making one for her as well.

"Autumn" Pattern by Diushes found at Etsy here
Miyuki Delica Beads
Natural Silamide thread
Bead Count: 40 columns x 100 rows





I also stitched and finished my Christmas exchange and got it mailed out a few days ago. Hope to share that with you next month.

Earlier this month was our 19 year wedding anniversary - Dad had a scheduled Dr. visit that day- but I got home in time to cook us a nice meal.

New Stash:
Silver needle Circle of Friends Kit by SamSarah Designs and

Just Nan Autumn mouse in a house series.

I ordered some of the sulky 12wt from Amazon... fall and Christmas favorites... can't wait to try them out!







Samantha went to the vet at the end of September for her routine nail trim and clip, and to drain the cyst on her neck as it was filling with fluid again. She was also treated for pink eye and a problem with two of  her paws - the tissue was a bit unhealthy looking... so she was on an antibiotic for 14 days. She is doing much better now.
A few days ago, she slipped while going upstairs...she never made a sound...we thought the worst... but after a few minutes she got up fine and climbed the stairs...just to be sure,  she went another checkup...nothing hurt...we aren't sure what caused it but it was a scary afternoon /evening for us - especially since it was exactly 1 year since we lost her brother.

Dad had another flare up in late August - though late October:  Leg edema; discoloration  and skin sloughing...first round of antibiotics did not help much...and it was difficult for him to walk. He's feeling a bit better now. Since he & Mom couldn't go out to celebrate their 56 year wedding anniversary, I made them a dinner and dessert and brought it over to them.

Power outages have been fairly regular... and the last one brought this visitor up to our back door... on the way to the apple trees.












It's rainy today but I'm sure the snow isn't too far off. Still have some fall chores to get done, but I'll save them for later in the week when it's nicer outside. 
Until next time,

I'll leave you with this view.

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

June & July 2017 update

Hello everyone,

I missed last month's update so decided to combine the two here.
I started out the June with this lovely freebie - and thought I'd stitch it over one since it was all whole cross stitches. I couldn't find my 28ct black...so I dug out a small snippet of 32ct.I plan to finish this as a small scissor fob.

American Pride © 2017 The Nebby Needle
Fabric: 32ct Black Belfast
Threads:WDW
Stitch Count:26 x27, 1 over 1
Cross Stitch









Next I received my August 2017 issue of Just Cross stitch in the mail... and since it has the Annual Christmas Ornament Preview, I had to take a look... and then since I was just about done with my over one stitching, I opted to do this easy one -

Blue Santa Drop Ornament © Design by Lee Fisher of Stitchyfish Designs
Fabric: 14ct Starlite Silver Aida
Threads:DMC
Stitch Count:82 x 21, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch, Straight Stitch.
I actually had to begin this twice as I cut the fabric piece the wrong size at first- I forgot about the template shape.Now I'm just waiting for my trims to arrive so I can finish this. I ordered some Estaz colors to try out.







Beginning of July our almost 4 year old propane range had a problem. Luckily the cook top was still functioning and no gas problem. So we dug out the paperwork and found we had 2 months left on the warrantee. Took about 10 days for repair  to come- then parts had to be ordered- parts were back-ordered. Repair was scheduled for the day after the parts arrived.  It it so nice to finally have my oven / broiler again. I was so tired of slow cooker /microwave meals.

Mom had her cataract surgery left eye mid-July. Follow- ups scheduled for one day, one week, and one month. 

While waiting during Mom's surgery, I dug out this kit from my purse - it will make a cute bookmark for a child.

Frog Kit 4125 © Needlemagic, Inc
14ct white  Aida
yarn included
Stitch Count: 25 x 26, 1 over 1
Cross Stitch, Back stitch


  oops my flash must have been off.







Dad continues to heal - He had to have more circulation tests done early July - but the technician didn't know why as they were done 2 months prior at a different facility - maybe it was misfiled?

I finished this project that I mentioned a few months ago.

Wee Spring © 1996 Heart in Hand (Cecilia Turner Needle Artist) part of the wee one series
Fabric: 32ct Desert Sand
Threads: GAST, Wisper
Stitch Count: 68 x68, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Eyelet Stitch










I also stitched up:

Love bits: Love Baseball © Hinzeit

Fabric: 28ct antique white
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 31 x 41, 2over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch
I contacted the designer in early June, but still haven't heard back as there were a few mistakes in the chart (mostly with the baseball). Hopefully she'll post the corrections soon. 








I did manage to get one more patriotic chart stitched up - this was a quick one.

Celebration Flags Freedom CF-6 © Frony Ritter Designs
Fabric: 28ct antique white
Threads: DMC, Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 43 x 43, 2over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch









My HAED is coming along... hopefully I'll have enough done to post another picture soon.

New Stash:I took advantage of the flash sale at Heaven and Earth designs. I added Mini Quiet Reflection (Lisa Parker), Mini Guidance (Lisa Parker), Mini Spirit of the Pack (Dona Gelsinger), Mini Blue Moon (David Penfound Artworks), and Mini The Curse of the Dragonfly (Chris Ortega)

I had planned to order some fabric during the Picture This Plus Sale - but that was the day I had to take Mom for her surgery follow up and then she needed to do some shopping. So later this month I'll pick out the colors I want for some of my HAEDs... I still have to narrow it down- but so far I'm thing about Crystal Alchemy or maybe Jay for the Mini Quiet Reflection, Vedlt for Mini Last Look, Crystal pewter for Mini Frozen Hearts, Twilight for Mini Curse of the Dragonfly, Nocturne or Jay for Mini Night Unseen.

I'm looking for a leaflet #2077 published  1994 by Just Cross stitch called Wild Kingdom Bookmarks.  Please contact me if you have it available for sale.










Samantha: had a nice visit at the vet... routine nail trim, hygienic clip, blood work for her liver and her rabies shot. Her liver function has improved!

Last month she brought in a treasure.. DH noticed it around 3am... he saw a bright light on the living room floor. At first he thought it was on of my craft things that blew off the table near the window... but no... it wasn't mine. I wondered why Samantha came down the hallway and laid just outside the bedroom.. Can you guess? Yep, she brought in a firefly. and she was scared cause the room was so bright with all the blinking. LOL!. We rescued it and put it back outside. So when I saw the Cross eyed Cricket freebie Summer in a jar, I knew that I had to order the firefly buttons so I could stitch this up.  Hopefully it will stay on top of my to-do pile!

Until next time -
I'll leave you with these lovely visitors,

Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

February 2017 Valentine Exchange

Hello everyone,


This month I can share the lovely exchange I had with K.M. for Valentine's Day.

I chose to stitch her this lovely Erica Michaels berry design
Here it is before finishing...






 

Sweetberry (linen) © Erica Michaels
Fabric: 32ct Magnolia
Threads: WDW & GAST
Stitch Count:126 x72, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch

 

Extras were optional - but so necessary -  I filled her box with some treasures.






And when I opened up her delightful box....

She stitched me this lovely pillow from a pattern she found online. So nicely stitched and beautifully finished!

And yes, she spoiled me as well as I found all these treasures in the package.

 




The only New Stash this month was my Silver Needle Stitches with friends circle kit by La-D-Da.










Mostly this month I worked on my Easter exchange that I'll share with you in April. I did start a small spring design a few days ago - that one I should have finished soon.

My Dad had another high blood pressure episode - this time with shortness of breath - so - another trip to the hospital this past week. The good thing is that they decided to do his heart stent surgery while he was there. He's home now. Still waiting for one of his new medications that needs approval from the insurance. And the Drs. have to continue tweaking his medications to determine which one is the cause of his problems. It took several hours for him to be admitted as the flu is rampant and the hospital was full when we arrived.

Samantha had another vet visit - she had another flare-up and was feeling poorly. It turns out that her stomach bug issue was colitis. She is now on a prescription food. We are waiting to see if she has to be on the medication with that permanently. But she is feeling better now and loves the new food.

 

We've had unseasonable weather lately. Our first Robin showed up on February 26th. I also saw (and heard) a large flock of geese returning. However, the evening before we had heavy rains that mixed with sleet and freezing rain before ending in a dusting of snow that left our trees looking very wintery.

Our neighbor's German shepherd loved it when we had to shovel off the porch roof.







This past week, the temperatures have been climbing and signs of melting are here...lots of fog, some patches of bare ground, and mud along the edge of the driveway. Although for the most part, we still have about 12" of snow remaining.

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

December 2016 Update

Hello, everyone,
Happy New Year !!
Can you believe another year has come to an end? Christmas was busier this year since my brother had me wrapping all his gifts for family. He stopped in to see our parents for Christmas Eve dinner and then stayed with us for a few days. The last time I spent any holiday with him was about 35 years ago. The weather was a bit snowy so we brought my parents a dinner for Christmas Day, and they could relax and not have to worry about driving conditions.

I found this freebie pattern when I was trying to organize...

Poinsettia Wishes © 2001 Stitches By Cheri
Fabric:32ct Waterlily Jobelon
Threads: GAST
Stitch Count: 46 x 46, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Backstitch








Then after Christmas, I picked up this freebie design for a quick little stitch. I think I'll finish it off as a bookmark.

Gathering © Mary Olson and Candy Scott, The  Workbasket 2016
Fabric: 35ct WDW Sanguine
Threads: CC Belle Soie
Stitch Count: 68 x 37, 1 over 2
Cross Stitch


 






This month was my birthday.We got about 4.5" of snow that day.
Thankfully my dental cleaning a few days earlier was a good travel day, and my Dad's Dr. appointment a few days later was also a good day for traveling.

We also celebrated 3 years with Samantha the day after my birthday.  We had an arctic blast that reminded me so much of the day she & her brother came into our lives.

She was happy with her extra pampering (and treats).

Mid-month we woke up to a wintry mix. Thankfully we were able to stay close to home.

With all the snow and ice, we've seen a lot more of these visitors...

They love the crab apples that are frozen (even more than the apples that are still on the wild trees.







New (birthday) stash

Sue Hillis a wintry Mix,

Just Nan's Santa mouse and Erica Michaels Brrrberry

...And some threads and fabric.













Thursday brought us another 5+ inches of snow.

Sammy has been a little under the weather since Friday - she caught a cold in her tummy. She seems to be responding well to our vet's advice so now it's just a few more days until she is back to her 100%.

I'll leave you now... thinking about next years projects... Hopefully I'll finish off a few of my starts that got set aside... I'm planning on a few exchanges ... and after that who knows?
Until next time,
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.