September 2018 embracing my inner geek

Hello everyone,
Time has gotten away from me this month. The weather has changed and we've seen some lovely sights.I thought I'd get more stitching done and most of this months sharing completely finished but I've been enjoying the good weather (and some pretty bad allergies).

When I saw this chart I had a good laugh and knew that I had to stitch it up

Pumpkin PI ( π ) Design by Jennifer Rodriguez of Always Time to Stitch
published in the Just Cross Stitch Special Halloween Issue 2018
Fabric:28ct queens anne lace
Threads: DMC, GAST
Stitch Count: 33 x 30, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Running Stitch
This is a gift for my housemate from college (also an engineer) as I know she'll get a good laugh from it as well.









A fellow stitcher kindly gifted me with this Bent Creek snappers chart.

September Brings © 2003 Bent Creek
Fabric: 32ct Lambswool evenweave
Threads: GAST & WDW
Stitch Count:50 x 50, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Long Stitch

I couldn't find theWDW Dark Chocolate called for - I did have it in GAST. Maybe a chart error? DMC Colors are listed and my GAST was close enough to be a match.

I forgot that I still had a bit of water in my iron...ugh the red  colorfast bled...so I tried the ice cube method and the red bleeding came out- but the green started to bleed. ugh...But lots of ice later...it's okay! I was rushing and for no real reason...this wasn't going to be a gift...I really should have taken my time.. guess the heat got to me and I didn't think - LOL!

I've been waiting for my subscription- Just cross stitch ornament magazine -before starting my exchange piece in case I decide I like something else for my partner... Mid month and it still isn't here.. The Christmas Ornament Exchange is coming up soon - so I started my partners ornament and the next day it showed up!

So more stitching is done...(almost finished) just can't share yet as it's a surprise.. will share the exchange in November.









Not enough progress on anything else for this month... hopefully next month will be better.

Stash: Silver Needle A Little Help from our friends stitching Circle (Samplers Not Forgotten) and
Then I was surfing on the internet and found a few charts on sale -

Scarlet House Salem Hill Sampler
and
Heartstring Samplery Winter Snow Stocking

 Heartstring Samplery Stars & Strips Forever Stocking
and
Chessie & Me Autumn Blessings

JBW Alphabet Owl














DH & I had to travel south to run some errands for my parents and we finally had a bit of extra time so he stopped at Hobby Lobby. I've only managed to schedule a quick visit one other time so it was a nice treat. I did find a few treasures...mostly some charms and crystals for finishing.. and a package of delightful pumpkin shaped jingle bells...  Now where are my fall patterns? I also found a couple of bookmark kits.


I won a delightful chart from a fellow stitcher's giveaway. Kustom Krafts Snowy Wolf. Thinking of doing over 1 on 28ct. I hope to start it as soon as I finish my exchange.


The bears have been pretty active. Our neighbor has seen a female, large male, and a female with 2 cubs on his trail cameras between our houses. We had some broken branches on our apple trees so it's a pretty good bet the the bears were hungry.

The deer have been busily eating the crab apples. We've seen  a doe several times with her 2 spotted fawns..  we thought one of them got hit as we've only seen the one fawn until the the past few days when we saw 2 again...so it must be 2 separate does that are about the same size.. one with twins and another one with just this one.

The fawns aren't the only deer we've seen.. This buck has been coming by daily... neighbor says there are two eating at our back apple trees... But on this day he was joined by a flock of 22 turkeys.

 more turkeys







Took my 10yr old Jeep in for servicing and found out that about 1/2 the lug nuts were frozen and needed to be replaced.... brakes were worn- need replacing (no surprise)...and the original muffler/tailpipe has seen better days...(What did I expect after 10 years?) So they ordered the brakes and I went back the next week. I will take care of the rest in November when I get the inspection done.

More repairs: this time plumbing repairs - our bath sink trap was leaking and the joint was disintegrating. I don't know why I was looking in that vanity as it is not our primary but so glad I caught it before it made a mess.

Dad's leg edema has flared up so he had some extra appointments to make sure no infection sets in. Still having an issue but it's going to take time to heal.

Mom also had to see the specialist and have x-rays. Her ankle is rolling on her and it's continuing to bother her.. nothing broken- just a ligament/tendon issue and flat feet.

 I'm still getting used to the shorter days. I don't seem to be looking for dusk at the right time.. but every few days I remember to look at the right time and  I was lucky enough to see some beautiful sunsets. 

We're still missing the pitter-patter (okay the loud thump- thump) of Samantha and Bucky - and we've started talking about looking at the shelters for another rescue after DH has his eye surgery.

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

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.

February stitch from stash update and some love-ly projects

Hello everyone,
It's time for my monthly check in for Stitching from Stash 2015-A hosted by Mel at Epic Stitching.

Month: February 2015
Budget Amount: $25.00
Spent: $0.00
Earned: $4.00 (Charland Heart Fob) + $4.00 (Bent creek Flair Sparkle)+$ 4.00 (Bent Creek All you Need is Love)+ $4.00 (JCS 2000 Ursula Michael's Christmas Quilt) +$8.00 (Midsummer Night Designs Lovebird)+$0.00 (VS Woodland Birdies - Owl)  = $24.00
Carry forward: $49.00 + $35.00 from last month =  $84.00

After my last post, I went through some of my stash and pulled a bunch of February / love themed charts. Wow! I have so many - there is no way that I could stitch them all in one month (LOL).

But first I finished up this lovely snowman. I am planning to finish it as a tin topper. I'll add the JABCO snowflake button when I finish it.
Flair Sparkle @2011 Bent Creek, Inc.
Fabric: 16ct dirty Aida
Threads: WDW, GAST
Stitch Count:32 x 42, 2 over 1
Cross Stitch and Backstitch










Then I found this lovely scissor fob chart that was in my freebie folder. I had gotten it with an online order quite some time ago. I decided to leave off the charm as I liked the fob just as it was. Front:

Heart Scissor Fob © 2001 Charland Designs Inc.
Fabric: I didn't have the banding so I substituted 30ct Natural (DMC 3782)
Threads: DMC, DMC perle8, GAST
Stitch Count: 46 x 21, 2 over 2 and 1 over 2
Cross Stitch and Satin Stitch
I made the cording using DMC 304 and 321 since I didn't have a long enough length of uncut GAST




and back...














Next is this Bent Creek pattern from my freebie binder
All you Need is Love © Bent Creek (I couldn't find the year on it)
Fabric: 32ct Desert Sand (DMC 422)
Threads: WDW
Stitch Count: 62 x 52, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch

I left off the 9 JABCO purple poindexter buttons as  I can't seem to find them. I'm still thinking about how I want to finish this one.

Then I picked up my Just Cross Stitch Ornaments 2000 and decided that this would make a lovely tri-fold needle wallet. Front
Christmas Quilt 2000 © Ursula Michaels Designs
Fabric: 28ct White evenweave
Threads: Kreinik#4
Stitch Count: 40 x 40, 1 over 2
Cross Stitch, backstitch











and inside...

I only had a small amount  of the pine boughs and the buttons to complete this one. My small cut of fabric is just the right size to stitch up the remaining 2 from this booklet before I "finish" them in tart tins.

Owl- Woodland Birdies Christmas Tartlets #3 design by Cathy Jean for the Victoria Sampler © 2013
Fabric:28ct summer khaki
Threads: GAST, WDW, I substituted DMC for the colors I couldn't find right away, and I also substituted Miyuki delica beads for the SJ beads
Embellished with 4mm red buttons
Stitch Count: 32 x 33, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Long Stitch







Lastly, I found this lovely freebie on the internet here.
Lovebird © 2008 Midsummer Night Designs
Fabric: 32ct Country Mocha
Threads: DMC
Stitch Count: 59 x 69, 2 over 2
Cross Stitch













I also put a few more stitching in the M Designs Snowman Needle roll - just not enough for a picture.

So now it's time to go through my stash to see what I'll stitch next month. Will it be a March theme? or maybe I'll finish some more of the February / love designs... or perhaps grab one of my bigger projects...Hmmm. we'll just have to see.. Until next time -
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M.

Fall exchange

Hi everyone,
Last month I took part in an autumn themed exchange. My package travelled to Singapore to Ellen at Stitch-Passion.

I chose to stitch her a fall themed needle roll.

Autumn Squirrels
Designer: Janelle Giese -  published in the September 2013 issue of cross-stitch & Needlework.
Fabric: 28 ct Lambswool Linen
Threads: DMC, Kreinik Ombre, Kreinik #8, Kreinik Cord
Mill Hill Beads
Stitch Count: 42 x 70  with cross stitch, half stitch, quarter stitch, back stitch, straight stitch, wheat stitch, stem stitch, couching, and blended threads.

Here is the package I sent. I'm so glad that she liked what I sent her.














Ellen sent me this beautifully stitched Bent Creek pillow. So beautifully stitched and finished.















She also included these lovely extras. I can't wait to find some fun projects for the trims and buttons.

This was such a fun exchange. Thanks Ellen for such lovely gifts.


Until next time....Have a wonderful day!

Lisa M