Hi Friends!

It's been a week or two since I posted.  Honestly, there wasn't much happening to report on, but today I thought I would at least show you what I have been working on.  With the holidays rapidly coming upon us, my attention has been diverted to Thanksgiving preparation. Even though it will be just Dave and me this year, I pull out the china and crystal.  We will have a small turkey breast with all the trimmings.  Some people think that we are sad to be just the 2 of us, but we really don't mind.  I will miss our son and his family but this isn't our first time being just 2 during the holidays.  

 About a month ago, we had our kitchen's tile floor replaced and Dave had the tile man rip up the tile in our foyer so he could lay hardwood. Oh, the dust!  Even with plastic over the doorframes and over the counters,  the house is a still a dustbin!  I did a massive clean after the tile guy finished but there still is a ton of dirt in places I didn't realize it could settle.    I am looking forward to putting up some holiday decorations next weekend so I will be cleaning some more.

Now on to the stitching.

This is my progress on Teresa Kogut's, Up on the Housetop.  I have gone a bit farther on this piece, the roof is stitched, the deer is standing on the chimney and not floating about it.  Stitched on 36count Lake Superior linen by Hometown Fibers on Etsy. 

I am really smitten with this piece and if I can pull it off, I have the cutest finishing idea for it.  I am anxious to get my idea down on wood, it will be a stand-up piece.   Cross your fingers that my vision can get executed in time for this Christmas. Even if it doesn't make it for this year, I will post the finish of it whenever it is done.

Next is Teresa Kogut's Welcome Jack.  He is such a jolly fellow!  I apologize for the hanging thread tails, you will indulge me in crappy pictures, this blog isn't Instagram worthy.   It's been dark and gloomy here for the last few days.  Definitely not conducive to great photographs as you can plainly see by our weather. 

The fabric is totally blown out here, it is a sweet light blue but it is reading beige.  I am stitching it on a 20ct linen with #5 pearl cotton,  my conversion.   I added cuffs to his jacket and I did mess with the colors.  I want to make it a stand-up, when I was up to Hobbyhouse a few months ago, I bought some Tilda Christmas fabric to back him.   Once again, no rush to finish it.  I really just enjoy stitching him.

Lastly,  a very old Lizzie Kate pattern called Dear Santa, We've Got Cookies.  It's a Tiny Tidings pattern from 2009!  I've stitched this before and framed it.  Gave it away for Xmas that year but it's always been a favorite and I knew I would stitch it again for me.  I am waiting for buttons from Just Another Button Company and once they are sewn on, I am going to do a simple flat mount on red polka dotted fabric.  I have an idea to make a giant gingerbread boy and have him hold it.  At least that's my vision.  I stitched it with 2 threads over 2 on 28 count light Taupe linen by Zweigart, with the DMC equivalents noted on the pattern. I was too lazy to go find the overdyes and honestly, it looks just as cute without the variegated thread.  I still may bling it up with some sparkly beads in the cookies to mimic sanding sugar.

I have been thinking about what I want to work on next.  I always start a Thanksgiving piece but I think this year, I will pick up a WIP that has been languishing.  I don't know which one, it will be the one that calls the loudest. Maybe I will do an ornament or just work on a one of these pieces.

I do know that I am going to start Blackbird Designs, Joyeaux Noel, as my Christmas Sampler.  I've started a Christmas sampler on Christmas Eve for the last few years to work on over the next year.   This sampler has been kitted up for so many years, I think it's time to put some stitches into it.

Finally, I wanted to show you my sweet Murphy.  I had ChatGTP make her into a Christmas Elf.  Looking at her picture puts me into the Christmas spirit.  I think we will get this picture framed. 

So that's all the news fit to type,  Dave is in his workshop making lapstands, Murphy is napping in her bed and it's time to start dinner.  So, until next time,  don't forget to count your blessings as you count your stitches!  
 

 Hello again!  Happy Halloween!

Yesterday, Vonna and I decided on a new SAL together.  We decided to stitch Teresa Kogut's  Up on The Housetop.  Like I need another WIP, but hey, what's one more?

We have been conversing back and forth about fabric choices.   My brain is stuck right now, so creativity is at a low for me. Of course, Vonna has the best suggestions! She suggested a darker fabric because Santa is delivering gifts and it is afterall, night!  She is so clever. 

I am taking her suggestion and going with a darker fabric.  I thought about charcoal or slate.  Then I remembered I bought a couple of pieces of a deep blue/grey linen called Lake Superior from an Etsy seller, Hometown Linens.  I rummaged through a bunch of bags, boxes, bins, and drawers and I finally found it. Right now, I am not organized at all.  It was so frustrating not to have this linen at my fingertips. 

This linen clicked the buttons for me so that's the linen I am going to use to stitch this little cutie.  I chose the 36 count piece because I wanted to use only one strand of thread but after a quick test for coverage and I am going to stitch it 2 over 2.   It is reading a very dark grey in the picture, but it is a true blue/grey, much like a soldier blue.  Think DMC 930.

We are going to start stitching tomorrow.  Tonight, since it is Halloween, I will work on one of my Halloween Wips.  Nothing is close to being finished and they all will go back into their bags until next Fall.  Christmas stitching will commence tomorrow!

I hope tonight is nothing but treats for you.  No tricks!

Hello Friends!

 It's been a decade since I've posted!  Wow, time flies.

I thought I would dust off the old blog and post about my stitching and keep it as a diary of sorts for my creative endeavors. Hopefully,  I will remember how to post pictures!

It's been a great decade, we have retired, I've painted, stitched and my husband and I have a side business making needlework lapstands.  I will put some pictures here:

Our lapstand story began with Vonna,  she asked my husband to build her the ultimate lapstand.  They went back and forth and this is the product of his collaboration with her.  She encouraged him to market them. She posted a video on flosstube reviewing the stand he made for her and BOOM! We are now in the lapstand business!  We will be forever grateful to her for her friendship and her encouragement.  WE LOVE YOU! 

You can purchase them at www.Hobbyhouseneedleworks.com.  We have partnered with them to market our stands.  There are 3 sizes (23", 21" and 18") and 3 different woods (Oak, Cherry and Black Walnut).

Stitching wise, there have been a lot of Wips, some finishes which I will post as we move along.

My latest finish is Teresa Kogut's Vintage Black Cats from her book, Hello Halloween.  I stitched him on 20ct Tiger's Eye linen (Weeks) with DMC #5 Pearl cotton.  He is such a dapper fellow!

Vonna finished him for me and as usual, the finish is exquisite!  

The next finish I want to post for now is my Christmas Sampler.  This is my adaptation of With Thy Needle and Thread's, Noel Sampler.   Some of the changes I made include rearranging the alphabet, replacing the Noel at the top left of the sampler with a snowflake, adding cardinals to the alphabet band adding a band of snowflakes.  I added the bottom band of a sweet couple walking through the pines with their dog too. 

The sampler is stitched on a mystery 36ct linen using the DMC threads called out on the pattern. 

Expertly framed locally by Jeff at Che Bella!  I am so looking forward to hanging this sampler at Christmas and throughout Winter.

Well, that's all for now! It's Murphy time and my stitching is calling.

Quick Post

Hello again!

I am doing a drive by post...I feel the need to connect even though there's not many out there that still read this little blog.  I wanted to share a finish with you.  May I present:

Little House Needleworks

Loving You

 

I have only been able to concentrate on smaller things, I still have a lack of focus.  But this little piece came out just darling.  I used Weeks Dye Works Linen in Red Pear with the called for thread and JABCO buttons.  I backed it with Weeks Dye Works Merlot wool.  I think I overstuffed it but I also think its adorable.  I took my time finishing it using Vonna's wonderful floss tube videos.

 

Hands On Designs has some sweet freebies for Valentine's Day...check it out!  Hands on Designs Valentine Freebies

Right now I'm working on Be Mine.  Very quick stitch.  I am debating on how to finish it.

 

I joined Stitch from Stash on Facebook and also Year of Wips on Facebook.  I haven't done well on the Stitch from Stash side where you limit your purchases to a set amount each month.  The goal is to stitch from your stash. DUH.  I have been stitching from my stash but I haven't exactly been good about my *ahem* stashquisitions.  Actually, I'm out of control. And I know why....  Completely stressed from my job, limited  time to be creative, and when I am creative, I'm thinking I should be doing something else which leads to GUILT.  I feel like I'm on a rat's wheel to no where so, the answer is:

RETAIL THERAPY

 IT is the cure for what ails ya, I'm telling you.

 

 

The Year of Wips is coming along better.  I have finished up a few pieces that were "this close" to being done.  Now I have the projects that are 50% or less completed to work on.   Here are some of the completed items.  There are a few more but I can't seem to find them on Facebook to add them here.  I will post them when I do.

 

 

Prairie Schooler

Santa 2009

 





Prairie Schooler

Clear Moon Frost Soon

 

 

Well, I think that's all for now.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and are STITCHING ALL THE THINGS!!!!  



 







Late to the Party

Hello all!

Gosh, 8 months!!! Geez, time really goes by quickly.  I blinked and now we're in 2017!
The last time we visited, our family was counting down the days to our most excellent vacation to Tybee Island, Georgia.  My goodness!  It was heaven!

Four days of bliss with our son, daughter-in-law and our grandkids!  We can't wait to go back!!

A lot of stuff went on after that, I left my job to return to the job that I absolutely loved.  It's kinda like the twilight zone...I feel like I never left that job but it was 5 years.  Leaving the job in Cortland  was very bittersweet, I miss the people but I don't miss the job,  There were some animosity from my ex-boss, we had a love / hate relationship.  But that's behind now and I'm concentrating on getting my feet back underneath me and doing a great job at with my current employer.

Our holidays were quiet, starting a new job meant that I worked in between Christmas and New Year because I had no vacation.  It wasn't too bad, very quiet.  The holidays in general were quiet, the kids were in Georgia, they planned a Disney vacation, so Mike had no leave to spare.  We will see them in a few months and get to spend some Southern Spring with them.

Well, also there was much stitching!  I joined a Facebook group, Year of WIPs and I have to say, I've concentrated on completing some of my stitching that got put aside when something else captured my interest:

Little House Needlework

Loving You

Prairie Schooler

Clear Moon Frost Soon

Stacy Nash

Merry Christmas December 25

Plum Steet Samplers

Goodness & Plenty

Prairie Schooler

Pligrims

Prairie Schooler

Santa 2002

Prairie Schooler

Santa 2010

Prairie Schooler
Merry Christmas

Prairie Schooler

Santa 2009

Some of these pieces were WIPs and some were new starts.  And I am happy to say, 2017 seems to be a good year so far for stitching.  I have been concentrating on smaller pieces, since my thyroid incident,  I don't have much concentration.  

Classic Coloworks

North Woods Express

Hasslemere Museum

Mary Gibson's 1824 Sampler

I've started some new stitching too,  I just finished Hands On Design's "You Have My Heart".  I am in love with smaller bowl fillers and want to display them for the upcoming holidays and seasons.

I have been debating with joining the Floss Tube bandwagon but I can't quite pull the trigger.  I don't know how much I would be able to share and I'm not exactly sure if I would like how I look on video.  I like the media, I feel that it's like visiting but I'm not quite convinced that I would "like" me. What do you think?

Oh well, thanks for hanging with me...hopefully it won't be another 8 months!  

Take care....Happy Stitching!

Oh the things that happen in a month's time

HI everyone...I know that I said I would post more often and here we go, a month later.  Damn life, gets in the way of all the fun.

The biggest news is that I lost one of my horses last week.  We had the vet humanely euthanize Joey on Mother's Day.  (Great day, that was). A few weeks prior, he got really depressed and we watched him for awhile. He would brighten and then seem to get deeper in his funk.  We noticed he was moving a little bit funny, he seemed to step on himself a little bit so I got a recommendation from our farrier for a vet.  I called her out on a Thursday to do an examination and it wasn't positive.  Cutting to the chase, he developed some neurological problems.  He didn't know where he was in space, whether he was up, down or sideways. That was why he was stepping all over himself.  As she put it, I had a whole horse from the ears forward.  His neurogical symptoms were severe. She thought it could be a few things, Lyme Disease, EPM or he broke a vertebrae in his neck causing pressure on his spinal cord that affected his hind quarters.  We decided to put him on bute and have him tested for lyme, which came back negative.  We never did get to test for EPM but that was a long shot because our other 2 horses exhibited no signs of the disease and they eat the same food and sleep on the same bedding. Our guess is that he injured himself or his vertebrae was compromised by his age. He was 29.
To make a very long and painful story short, he got worse as the week passed and on Saturday, Dave found him laying in his stall.  He had fallen down and couldn't get back up.  He finally got up after much exertion and Dave and I had THE DISCUSSION.  Both of us agreed that if he fell down when Dave wasn't home during the week, I couldn't handle it by myself.  So we decided to wait until Monday to do the right thing.  On Mother's Day early morning, David found him again laying in his stall.  He never got back up.  He tried but he didn't have the strength.  So we called our friend out to help us, called the vet and then had to find someone with an excavator to dig a grave.  Fortunately, someone was willing to do that.  So at 2:30 PM on Sunday afternoon, after many, many tears and saying good bye to him,   I let Mighty Joe Navajo pass peacefully away.

I miss him more than I can tell you and his death has really played a number on my head.
I get that he was just a horse.  But he was MY horse and until you bond with such a creature, you will never know how big of a hole you have in your heart when they are gone.  I miss his nickers when I would come into the barn and he would lay his head in my arms every morning just to say hi.  His neck was big enough to cry onto and his ears were big enough to listen to all my secrets (which he never told a soul).  He was gentle, kind and honest.  He took care of my son who was just 4 years old when he rode him in big shows in Syracuse.  He took care of me when I was scared and so was he when we tried new things.  He always gave me more than I asked for and I hope that I did the same for him.

Anyway...I'm in a small stitching slump now, I haven't picked up a needle since the first part of May.  I started another small, even though I have eleventy dozen WIPS.  I get excited when looking at all of your beautiful work and reading all of your stitchy posts but I am "MEH" when it comes to my own stitching.
I'm thinking seriously of selling off most of my stash and just keeping what I think I want.  I don't know what to do.

So, I'm going to take some pictures of what I've stitched and post them. Maybe that will help. At least I will share them with you instead of sad news.

Hello Everyone!

Geez, Louise!  It's been a LONG time, hasn't it?

Well, let's just say time, life and a lot of navel gazing got in the way of my little blog.  I'm still here and I'm still in my crazy life but THIS year has been a whole lot different than before.
On my birthday, WAY back in June, I decided that I was going to make some changes, take a break and evaluate my life and that's exactly what I did over the last so many, many months.  And I gotta tell you, 58 was a rockin' year for growth.  You could say,  that Joanie, GREW UP!

And during this year, I've stitched and stitched and stitched.  I have tons to share with you so stay tuned. Cause I'm BACK.

And it feels really, really good!

Good-bye 2014, Hello 2015!!

Hello everyone,

I know it's been a long while since I posted and I am not even sure that there's anyone interested in my blog anymore, but I thought I would at least put up a post and tell you about 2014.

This year was a very interesting year indeed. 

We were blessed with a new grandson in July.  Bryson Michael was born on July 28th! He's now 5 months old and is such a joy!

Our grand-daughter, Alena, is 2!

She is quite the busy little lady!

The DH took a job 3 hours from here and commutes home on the weekend.  So, I am managing the homestead by myself during the week and commuting 90 minutes a day for my job which  sure cuts into the stitching time.  It really was hard for about 6 months trying to come up with a rhythm. But, I am getting better at managing my time so I have picked up a needle.  Mainly, I've stitched small things, ornaments, bowl fillers and the like, I've stitched Little House Needleworks, Prairie Schooler Santas and some Lizzie Kate.  Time is such a premium during the week and I may stitch an hour or two during the week so I do find a little time during the weekend to stitch, usually Saturday and Sunday nights.  I miss stitching larger projects but I find it more gratifying to stitch smaller things that seem to show some progress.

The biggest thing I did during 2014 for my stitching is Stitching from Stash.  I was really good this year and didn't purchase too many things.  I challenged myself to stitch from my vast (ahem) collection and I was so happy to do it!  I have many beautiful things kitted up or purchased that got put aside because of shiney new patterns.  So  when I got that "itch" for a new purchase, I just went up and did some stash fondling and found many treasures that I'd forgotten about. Now, I will be purchasing some things in 2015 that I can't resist, thread, fabric and my Prairie Schooler patterns.  I also will keep an eye on my favorite designers to see what they have to offer in 2015.  So, I'm not turning in my stash horder badge just yet!

For 2015,  I will continue to Stitch from my Stash and I will once again mainly stitch little things.  I do have a couple of larger projects in mind,  I started Mary Gibson last year and will continue to stitch on her and I have Jane Harris and Seven Sheep waiting for me. 

Anyway,  I just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone that continues to visit here.  I hope to post more this year coming and take pictures too.

Wishing you all the very best the New Year has to offer you and I hope that you are blessed beyond measure!

Joanie

Yikes, Stripes, Running Out of Time!!! The Stitching Bucket List

Melissa at Words and Blooms posted something that made me take pause and think.  She asked this question:

Paula and I were chatting about a stitching "bucket list". Let's say you have 20 good years left to do stitching and you could stitch one big thing a year. What would be your top 20 items? I would love to see this on your blog.

So, I got thinking about my Stitching Bucket List. And like Melissa, I went on a treasure hunt through my piles and piles of stitching goodies and came up with this list. I know it will change but many of these samplers have stood the test and stay right up there with the latest and greatest.  There are many more that I would love to stitch but these are on the "A" list.

Here are my 20 in no particular order. 

1. Ann Hull
2. Anne Grimshaw 1818
3. Rebecca Robinson
4. The Plantation Sampler
5. 1837 Crown Sampler
6. Ann Grant
7. The Seven Sheep Sampler
8. Anne Priest 1841
9. JoAnn Woodward
10. A Yuletide Sampler
11. Jane Harris
12. Jane Pattison
13. Mary Gibson 1824
14. Francis Eden
15. Hannah Pepper
16. Isabella Gray 1838
17. Isabella Fox
18. Weeping Tree Sampler
19. Lucy Redd
20. Ann Sims

Most of these samplers reside in my stash and some are WIPs.  I am hoping each of them will grace my walls.  It's been a dream of mine to have a whole wall of samplers.  I guess I better get busy!  I only have 20 good years left!

Drive-by Post

Quick post -my Stitching from Stash report from March.

I purchased one item...the Seven Sheep Sampler from The Scarlet House.  Grand Total 22.00.

Not too shabby since I could have spent a lot more..  ;)

You Know...I Really Hate To Pick Just One

The only downside to give-aways is that I can't give everyone the prize.  It actually bothers me to chose just one winner.  I wish I was rich enough to buy each of you this chart.  But unfortunately,  my name isn't Trump or Gates.  So I have to choose (which sucks big time).

SO, the big winner is The Queen Bee.

Please email me with your address and I promise I will get the goods to you right away.  Well, when the snowstorm stops...we are getting hammered with snow.  I think we are over a foot now.

Thanks for playing everyone...there will be another chance when the blog-o-meter hits 200!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!! (Giveaway)

Well, in honor of the Arctic cold and the saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em",  I've decided that I am going to hold a small giveaway.  Don't worry, when I hit 200 followers there will be another.

The cold just won't quit so I decided that I should just play along with it.  I'm offering "Baby, It's Cold Outside", the linen and the fibers (and maybe a surprise or 3) to a lucky someone in order to maybe warm them up a little.

I know that it certainly warms me up to share with you.

No strings on this giveaway...international stitchers are welcome to play.  Reply to this post only and leave me a way to contact you if you don't have a blog.

I will pick the lucky winner on Sunday, February 2nd, Groundhog's Day!  (The little varmit had better see his shadow THIS year as I don't think I could stand another 6 weeks of this Winter)!!!

STAY WARM!!!!

Blessings,

Joanie

Stitching From Stash - January Update

I've joined "Stitching from Stash" in order to curb my spending and well, stitch from my stash, doh!  We have a spending limit of $25.00 a month.  I've seen posts on other participant's blogs and they are doing so well.  Me? Not so much.

Here's my January update confession.
Bless me Father, for I am weak.  This month I spent 28.00 and change on stash.  Sigh.   OVERBUDGET.
I have been lusting after LHN's Snowman Trio for a while now.  I kept telling myself that I didn't need another snowman pattern.  I didn't NEED anything.  Well, a bad day at work and an equally bad day at home (the dog left me multiple stinky deposits throughout my house because she got into the garbage) prompted me to visit Anita's Little Stitches site.  Lo and behold, I purchased the pattern and a few things more since you must buy $25 from her site.  So...this is what I bought:

• LHN Snowman't Trio

• JBW's A Very Merry Winter.  

Yes, another snowman pattern that I saw on Stitching Dream's blog and fell in love with.

• Threadwork's Primitive's Beggar's Christmas (I love the tree)

• 2 balls of Valdani thread for a couple of With Thy Needle and Thread patterns and

• Piecemaker's needles (my fav)

Maybe next month I will be better.  Sigh.

I did stitch from my stash though, if that's a consolation.  I stitched Lizzie Kate's January Flip It's Bits but I'm gonna make it into an bowl filler.

I worked on A Needleworker's Sampler from With Thy Needle and Thread and I stitched up 2 Christmas Ornaments from the 2013 JCS ornament issue. I am happy that I stitched from my stash.  Now I just have to work on that spending thingie.

Other than that..are you staying warm?  It's brutal in Upstate NY.  Today the highs were in the 20's but it's going to be Arctic-like Monday through Wednesday.  It's so hard to work outside in this weather.  My horses are stuck in the barn, everything is frozen and it takes an extra 20 minutes to switch out water buckets.  I hate 4:15AM when it's this cold out.  Even the dog hates to go outside to go potty.  I'm ready for SPRING!

Heads up...if you stuck with me this long, I am going to have a give-away...I'm approaching 200 followers, so when I hit that number then I will be doing something special!

STAY WARM!! I'm off for hot cocoa and my afghan.

Blessings,

Joanie

Good Sunday to YOU!

Hello there!

I hope you are having a great day today.  It's been a nice weekend so far.  I went shopping and bought SHOES!!!  Yay!

I finished up another ornament.  It's Hot Cocoa from the 2013 Christmas Ornament issue.  It's cute, I stitched it with good ol' DMC on 28 ct mushroom lugana.  Now to finish it.  I really like how Vonna from The Twisted Stitcher finished her ornament but I'm not sure. I don't often stitch from that magazine but I have every ornament issue from 1998.  I will have to stitch more from past issues, really the ornaments are darling.  The photography and sometime the finishing doesn't do the design justice I think.  Just a tweak and a mediocre ornament can be elevated to something lovely. 

Tonight starts Downton Abbey!  How many of you will be watching?  I went out and got some of the "dirt" on this season.  It looks to be deliciously angst filled!

Well, I want to stitch this evening away, on what, I'm not sure.  I signed up for the Snooty Parrots SAL and I am waffling on starting another WIP.  I have so many going already that I feel so guilty starting another one.  What to do, what to do!???  Football is on TV...looks cold in Green Bay.  My Steelers didn't make it to the post season so I can just enjoy watching the game. 

I will leave you with a couple of pictures that I took this morning of our barn and yard and the views surrounding us.  The snow was so pretty.  It's raining now and I know that it's going to be brutally cold on Tuesday.  I keep telling myself only 10 more weeks and the weather will be getting warmer...I can last...right?

 

Well, my needle and fabric are calling.  Now to decide just what to stitch!


Have a great evening!


Blessings,


Joanie

Welcoming 2014!

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope that this year brings good things to all of you.   I can't say that I am sad to see 2013 leave the building, there were a lot of good things (my granddaughter, the Japan trip, meaningful employment for the David) but not so good things too (the usual financial burdens, my thyroid, David moving away during the week for his new job and losing my sweet Mother-in-law in October).  Most of all, it was a struggle interspersed with unbridled joy.  But such is life.

I did stitch a lot this year and I will take some pictures later.  I got on the ornament bandwagon a few weeks ago and stitched a few between Thanksgiving and the New Year.  I decided that I want a Snowman Tree for next year, I love those frosty fellas and I have thought and thought about putting up a special tree each year so next year, I'm gonna do it. I know that there is a clamor out there for a Prairie Schooler Santa Tree and I am tempted to stitch Santas too.  I have discovered that there is a lot of instant gratitude when you finish stitching up an ornament in a week or so.

I did decide that I would once again stitch from my stash.  I joined a stitch from stash blog that allows only a $25 purchase a month.  That's good for me.  I do binge around Market time and Prairie Schooler patterns are a must.  I am in love with Brenda Gervais designs, as well as, Plum Street Samplers too and I have made an effort not to just buy, buy buy.  I have a WHOLE room full of patterns which I love so why not let them see the light of day?  I filled a box full of kitted BAP patterns and I will chose one to do this year.  I will choose a Wip and fill in with ornaments.  That's my plan. For now. HAHA.

Anyway, today is low-key, David is heading back to his apartment early, there's a big nor'easter headed this way poised to dump a foot or more of snow on us over the next couple days.  He wants an early start and I can't blame him.  I hate to see him leave, we had such a lovely Christmas together. 

So...here's to the promise of  a New Year! 

A Very Merry Christmas to you!!

May the Jolly ol' Elf leave you your heart's desire under the Christmas tree.

And may God Bless each of you, my dearest stitching friends.  I love all of you!

From our house to yours....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Black Friday

Hey there!  I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.  Our Thanksgiving was very quiet, just David and me.  It's been that way for a few years now and although I do miss the bustle of family, it was very nice just to have a fairly unstressful day.   I roasted a turkey breast and made all the trimmings.  I like making that meal so it was a joy to do.  It came out very well and we will have leftovers for a few days. 

I have been working on With Thy Needle and Threads, Needleworker's Sampler. 

I've changed it up a bit and I am pleased with what I've done so far. It's really unusual for me to change up a design but something about it just didn't work for me.  I realized that the house and the basket of fruit above it wasn't centered and being a symetrical type, I move them over and then the fun began.  Now things didn't fit like they did before and well, the top half of the design is now "re-designed".  It's ok though.  It's good for the brain to shake things up a little.  I added a lady friend to the left side of the house and gave the man a doggy friend. I moved some of the pinwheels and will go about re-planting the flowers.  I will have to move the woman holding the needle in the next band too so she's centered under the house. After that I think I will leave the rest of the design alone. 

I did go out this Black Friday. I was very surprised how easy it was to find a parking spot and that the mall wasn't terribly busy even with all the doorbuster sales.  Maybe they were busier on Thanksgiving Day (GRRR...nothing is sacred anymore) and I got what I went for which really was for me.  I needed jeans and a suitcase.  My trip to Japan is almost here and I had to have a bigger piece of luggage than just the carry-on.  I wandered around but nothing drew the money from my wallet.  Which really is a good thing cause my wallet is pretty light.

I've joined the "Snooty Parrot" SAL on Facebook.  Terri from Chocolates For Breakfast is hosting it. It starts on January 4th.  I'm waiting on threads and we are 100 strong!  A beautiful sampler for sure. It pushed out a couple of samplers I thought about starting at the beginning of the year.  Oh,wait, I always start a little something Christmas Day so just maybe....who am I kidding.  I know I will but what is yet to be decided.

Anyway...that's all from Chez Doghair...I'm covered in it.  And it's time for a nap.  All that shopping just did me in. 

Have a great weekend everyone!  Thanks for stopping!

A Post - WooHoo!

It's been 5 weeks.  Geez Louise!  I don't even know where to begin. 

First of all, I have been stitching.  I started (and finished, *GASP!!*) Cross Eyed Cricket's, Be Ye Thankful.  I stitched it on 36 count mystery linen with the recommended DMC.  I think I 'm going to frog out some of the yellow that just fades into the fabric.  And I would like to get it framed before Thanksgiving, but I am not sure I can.  If I can't, it it will go into "the box" with all the other finished but not finished pieces.

I actually stitched an ornament from the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue, Lizzie Kate's cute little witch.  It's also in "the box". 


And I actually finished finished October's Wordplay and December's Word Play too!  OMGosh. And there's another that I finished but for the life of me, I can't remember what it is.  I blame my forgetfulness on my thyroid brain.  No focus.

I am working out of my WIP box but I desperately want to start either A Yuletide Welcome or another Christmas piece.  But I'm holding strong and working on those pieces that I've begun.

My David has taken a job out of town during the week.  He is 3 hours away and has taken an apartment. He comes home on the weekend.  (I can't wait until Friday at 6:30PM!) So I am now caring for my 3 horses and the 4 cats and the dog.  Barn work at 4:45AM my friends!  And again in the evening.  Not much time to do anything in the evenings.  I am getting better though, I'm getting into a rhythm so it's getting better. And I'm not collapsing at 8:30 like I did the first week.

Dave's Mom passed away this week, so we high tailed it to Pittsburgh for a whirlwind funeral and all the stuff that goes with it.  The funeral was a lovely tribute to a wonderful woman who accepted me as her daughter and treated me as if I actually was.  She never had a bad word to say about anyone and I can honestly say that I KNOW with my entire being that she's in Heaven with our Savior.  She was 89 and God was gracious and took her home quickly.  No suffering and no lingering.   

And the biggest news is that in a month, I will be in Japan for 10 days visiting Mike, Jenna and my sweetie pea, Alena!  She's 11 months old now and I will be there for her first birthday!  I can't wait!!

 

So, that's the news.  I hope not to be away for so long.  It's just been a wild ride these last few weeks!

Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Pumpkins for Cathey!

Happy Blog Anniversary to Cathey!  Sending you hugs, prayers and best wishes to you! I will be adding you and your family to my prayer list.

Thanks to DaffeyCat for such a brilliant idea! 

It's been a long time!

Hi all!

Well, well, well....a long time has past since I posted on this little piece of cyberspace.  I guess I just didn't have much to say so I didn't say anything.  LOL.  And today, I really don't have a lot to say either. 
I've been stitching but I don't have anything to show.  My camera takes such sucky pictures, and I was waiting to finish True Virtues before I posted but let me tell you, we all would grow OLD before that happens.  I am 80% done with it and I love her but she seems to be the sampler that Just. Won't. End.  So she's back on the end of the list for a little while cause now I'm working on my favorite time of the year pieces, Halloween and Christmas and I picked up another WIP to work on, Cricket Collections, Be Ye Thankful.  It's moving right along.  I also stitched a little witch and will be starting on October's Word Play. 

I've been thinking about what I want to stitch next year already. I think I will continue stitching WIPs and I want to stitch Christmas samplers.  Also, I've come full circle and want to stitch repro samplers.  Samplers are my first love, it's what drew me into needlework.  I have a ton of them just waiting to be stitched and most of my WIPs are samplers.

I've been watching for Market Releases and I've fallen in love with Plum Street Samplers, Yuletide Welcome and Threadwork Primitives, Beggar's Night.  I have pre-ordered them and I am waiting to see what With Thy Needle and Thread comes up with for Christmas...her Noel sneak peek is calling my name.

Our sweet Alena is 8 months old now and she's pulling herself up and talking a blue streak.  Mainly she says RAWR, RAWR, RAWR and DADADA but she's so funny to hear.  I can't wait until March when they come back to the States for good.

So again,  thanks for hanging with me.  I hope to blog a little more now that the summer is winding down.  I am glad that you are part of my life. Thanks!

Have a blessed Sunday,

Joanie