Merry Christmas!

Here we are with Christmas upon us again. Every year as I get older it seems to come even more quickly  than the year before. I am as ready as I will ever be this year. This is my Lizzie Kate Santa 2010 Socks and Underwear finished into a cube. It's my second attempt as the first met with disaster. I am still not super happy with it. The bottom is kind of annoying me, but I am going to leave it alone for the time being. It is a no sew cube so I can pull apart again if I want need to.  I tend to want my things to look perfect, which is a very bad tendency to have! LOL

This is the back of the cube.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year if I don't post again  before the end of  December! I am thankful for so many things and one of the things I am thankful for is sharing this amazing hobby and friendship with you. 

Last but certainly not least. I leave you with a picture of Tabasco. I have had him almost a year now. He is really funny and loves to terrorize my other cats by chasing them. He is the baby after all! LOL  He also has terrorized my poor Christmas tree by pulling out the ting and knocking ornaments off of it. He has ran through the presents several times and chewed up one of my gift bags! Bad kitty! LOL My son says the Christmas tree is like cat nip to the cats! I find that pretty funny. They do seem to think the tree was put up especially for them.

Anyway, I am off to have a little Christmas party with the kids. Blessings to you and yours!

xoxoxo

Ornament Finishing!

Here is Santa doing a little modeling for me with my ornament finishes and finishing! First up is Joy to Ewe by Chessie and Me. It was a small kit with threads and fabric. My poor little sheep is supposed to be fluffy-however Sharon and the French knots did not get along. But, I think he is still cute. I finished it into a pin keep ornament. 

Up next is a little kit I got from a store in Wyoming called Ewe Count. I can't remember the name of the pattern but it was a gift pattern done by Samsarah for their store. I saw it someone else's blog and called and ordered it. I just liked it mainly because of the cute boot button and that it was by Samsarah. I finished it simply as a flat ornament with a chenille hanger.  Also, if you haven't tried the chenille trim by R and R you should, I love it!

This next one you have seen before, it's my Bedford Falls ornament by The Sampler Girl and I believe it's my favorite of the three. I just love the colors and I added a few jingle bells at the top. You know an angel gets their wings every time you hear a bell-though probably not a jingle bell-LOL

That's it for now, I have 4 more to finish and I keep promising to show my Sarah's House and I will. I just wanted to get these posted. I have finished Christmas decorating...now to just finish a little shopping. How are your Christmas preparations going?

Have a blessed Sunday friends!

xoxo

El Dia de los Muertos

Front

Back This is El Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead by Monsterbubbles. You can find the pattern in the 2010 annual Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch. I stitched this for my friend in Chicago as a Christmas gift. No, I haven't lost my mind...yet! She was really interested in the sugar skulls that mark this Mexican holiday this year-so instead of stitching her a traditional Christmas ornament as I have been doing I stitched this instead. I made it into a small display cube-as I most likely won't stitch another Halloween ornament for her and this way she could move it around to where she wanted it. She is into beading and I am thinking it may be perfect for her bead room! I added the flower buttons to the skull and found some really cool skull fabric at JoAnn's today. It is stitched on yellow linen with Gentle Art threads. Stitch count is 55x41 I hope she likes it-I think it came out pretty cute if I may say so ;-)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was great. My sister's were in town and we hung out and ate of course. It was so nice, even though I had to work later that night! Now it's time to pull out the Christmas tree! I will be back soon with some ornament finishing. I am also steadily plodding away on Sarah's House by Blackbird. I will have to show a wip photo of that one. Also, even though I promised myself I wouldn't start a new one. I did start Folk Art Floral by From the Heart by Wendy picture here.

I am off to stitch, be blessed my friends!

xoxo

a couple of more ornaments...

Here are two ornaments I have had finished for quite a bit.They have taken awhile to grow on me and I had to tweak them a little because at first I didn't like them. I want the ornaments that I do to be perfect...sigh The one on the right is a design from one of the ornament magazines of which I can't remember and I am currently too lazy to look up. However, I did adapt it by adding the metal hope sign, and changing the colors completely. You may recognize it. Lest you think I potentially may be brilliant-LOL, that idea came from someone else. The one on the left is from Blackbird's Winter Delivery leaflet. Both finished as pin keep ornaments.

Not much else to report here. I started Feast of Friendship by Blackbird Designs and I am still working on Christmas ornaments! Love the FOF! It is a lovely cool day here in NW Florida! I hope wherever you are the day is a great one!

Blessings my friends and Happy Halloween!

 xoxo

Still Here...(picture heavy)

I can't believe it's been two months since I last posted! Time is just flying by Before we know it, Christmas will be here.  It's been a  very busy two months for me. I have been working to much and Alexis has been sick on me twice. She is all good now! Thankfully! I have also been on my vacation as well!  Believe it or not there actually has been a little stitching going on here. Every year in September I begin having fits that I don't have enough ornaments, it really hits an all time high when the JCS ornament issue comes out.  I usually do two Christmas trees, one for just my stitched ornaments and the other the usual traditional tree. My goal next year is to kit more ornament projects so when I am ready to work on them I can just pick them and go with it!  Below are some I have just completed. I hope to get to finishing in the next week or two.

Winter House by The Trilogy. I changed the red color to a brighter red for Christmas. The snow buttons came with the design. The fabric next to it is the backing fabric.

This is Snowed In an oop design by Stone and Thread. The pattern came with the snowman button.  I stitched this on opalescent Ariel by PTP. I made some changes to this as well. The star is supposed to be gold. However, I used red Kreinik and I added the snow buttons because my white stitches got lost on the light fabric. I love this one because of the sparkle! Fabric next to it is backing fabric.

Seek and Ye Shall Find is a kit by Shepherds Bush. It's stitched on 10 count Tula with DMC colors. I used a gold Kreinik to brighten the stars. I love the little sheep button.

This is Bedford Falls by The Sampler Girl. These were not the colors that were on the key. I got this pretty palette from Jinger. The design is an ode to one of my favorite Christmas movies. It's a Wonderful Life. I also really like this one because 1946 is the year my mom was born.

This is Merry by Crescent Colors. It's from one of JCS ornament issues. I can't remember which one right this minute. It's cute I think and was really quick. Something I need these days.I actually finished it sometime ago but misplaced that little snowman button-but here it is finally complete.

Lastly I leave you with a picture of the cruise ship I was on. We were on the Carnival Conquest. We went to Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel. This was off shore at the Cayman Islands. The boats can't go right up to the island and have to dock off shore. Then you can catch a little boat to the main island. Next to it, is the Carnival Liberty which came at the same time we did. It was very cool to see both ships together. Lots of fun, no cooking or cleaning and for me no kids which led to a very restful week. We are already planning our next one!
Thanks for your visits and comments. Both are appreciated. I am off to stitch on a new pattern. Merry Christmas by Blackbird Designs and maybe just maybe I will pick up my needlepoint! Blessings my friends!

Another foray into needlepoint....

Yes, I have gone and jumped into the deep end of the pool! ! I saw this gorgeous needlepoint canvas by  Patt and Lee Designs and thought I really had want to try that. So, I ordered the canvas and it has taken about 6 weeks to come to me because it had to be painted. I absolutely love these colors. I would love to start it but since I have no idea what to do, I will have to wait until I can get a friend to help. That friend is Sherri, who is the queen of all things crafty.  She can do it all and she has agreed to help me learn how to do this. Please pray for Sherri's patience as I am sure I will sorely try it! I have tried counted canvas twice before and suffice to say it didn't work out for me. Hopefully, this won't be an expensive endeavor in futility!

Now, cross stitch is my true love, so trust me when I say that is not going to stop. Though I am a little frustrated today because I am working on Sarah's House by Blackbird Designs and that border and I are at odds. It's not meeting like it should and whose fault would that be! LOL  Stitching unhappiness is when your borders don't meet up like they should!

Been getting the kids ready for school again, and running to doctor's appointments, plus working like crazy.  So that is why I have been quiet,  I don't have any projects close to being finished-so you will probably
being seeing lots of wip photo's for the time being!  It also doesn't help, that I am jumping between several projects, but hey! they eventually get finished right?

Thanks for the comments on my mom and her piece she stitched for me! I appreciate them and so does she. My mom is pretty special, but I guess everyone's is special too! LOL

Blessings my friends!
xoxo

A Gift from My Mom!

In My Father's House by By the Bay Needlearts
Many times I often lament that other's never stitch anything for me (not true!) However, I try to use this to guilt my mother who stitches beautifully into giving me whatever she has stitched! LOL It doesn't usually work, however for once I was very surprised and got exactly what I wanted! This is In My Father's House by By the Bay Needleart. It was stitched on 36 count cream linen. My mom can also see better than I can as well! I don't know what threads, though I believe it's DMC. Isn't it beautiful! I will treasure it forever! Thanks Mom!

My Mom!
I have been stitching very little, I have been really busy and work last week was killer! I have been working on The Flock-trying to finish up part 3 before part 6 comes out and I started a new one called Cottage Charm Sampler by Threadwork Primitives. So hopefully, I can get a picture posted of it soon! I have also been distracted by new potential projects including this one that has come to the top of my list by Shakespeare's Peddler and it Ragamuffin #2 A Quaker Sampler and you can see a picture of it here. I love it. I am also loving the new Loose Feather's piece called Sarah's House!  

I also wanted to point you in the direction of a new blogger, my friend Tina! You can find her here at Barentina's and Ginger's Place.  So head on over and give her a warm welcome to the blogging world!

Last but definitely not least, thanks so very much for the kind words regarding my Elenor Ferrow finish! I appreciate your words and visits more than you can know! I am off to stitch!

Blessings my friends! xoxo

Elenor Ferrow Finish!

Finally, here is my Elenor Ferrow Finish! I loved working on her, it was one of those pieces that just flowed for me.  It is stitched on 32 count natural Belfast linen with a combination of Gentle Arts and Week's threads. Stitch count  is145 x 203. This naturally will be framed for my sampler wall! This is also my second finish this year by Shakespeare's Peddler, with the first being Magic Garden Sampler. Now, to figure out what to stitch next or should I say concentrate on next because there is always plenty to stitch! Have you ever had that indecisive feeling of what to stitch after you finish a project?

Summer is in full swing around here and it is hot! I am off next week for the holiday and the kids and I have a couple of fun things planned. Mostly hanging out with family is a big part of the plan. You know stitching will be squeezed in there too-LOL  Can't wait!  I also have been working on some home improvements-mainly purging! I don't know how people can hoard stuff (well unless it's cross stitch-LOL) I get such a feeling of relief when I get rid of stuff I don't use.  All right, enough talk as I am off to find that next project to work on. I leave you with a picture of Tabasco (my baby) Hasn't he gotten fat?

Blessings my friends!

Lizzie Kate Santa 2010 Finish

This is Lizzie Kate's Santa 2010 Socks and Underwear. It has taken me far too long to finish him but here he is! He is stitched with the called for Crescent color threads on 30 count confederate grey by Weeks. A few tiny changes that make him uniquely mine are that I didn't use the whisper thread for his beard and eyebrows. I have developed a healthy dislike for whisper thread! Also, Santa is supposed to have on black gloves-oops!  I also changed the color of the long row across the bottom. It is supposed to be white, but I was loving the red.  So red it became! Future plans for Santa include him being made into a cube for my Christmas display.  Several years ago I changed back to the traditional Christmas colors of red, white and green. So he will fit in quite perfectly!

As for other things going on, the kids are out of school! Yay! So glad for a few weeks respite from homework, projects and the like. My youngest didn't get up today until 1 pm! Oh, the life!  Next year, my son is a senior. I can't believe that. So, that will be exciting. I am slowly getting ready for my cruise, it's still a few months away-but I want to be ready! I also have been kitting more projects and thoroughly enjoying that. I have a couple of new starts to show you next. Anyway, I am off to stitch. No work today!  Be blessed my friends!

xoxo

Fraktur WIP and Stash Enhancement!

This is Love Letter's Fraktur by Ink Circles! I fell in love with the colors on this one when I first saw it and knew I must start it asap. I am stitching it on 32 Creme Brulee by R and R fabric and using the recommended GAST. In my haste to stitch this one, I ended up buying two, so if anyone is interested in it I will give it away on Memorial Day. Just leave a comment on this post please. I am working on The Flock still, a little behind and hoping to get it caught up this weekend!


Edited to add: Tracy is the winner of the Fraktur Chart 

I am thrilled to be off for a long weekend. I have plans for me, Gibbs and my stitching at the current moment and just relaxing! I can't wait! Below is some of the stash that I have bought recently. I could't resist the stitcher's station from Liberty Hill, I love those handmade pieces. The rest is stash that I picked up from Shakespeare's Peddler!

Stitcher's Station by Liberty Hill                                

a great mesh project bag from Stitch a Gift with flip flops on it!

Jenny Bean's Humble Servant Sampler along with threads and 32 count Navy Bean linen by Lakeside Linen

Jane Pattison 1806 Sampler with 32 count Navy Bean by Lakeside Linen

This last piece is Coffee Compendium by Tempting Tangles, I have long liked this pattern and then I saw it finished in one of my Facebook groups and I had to start it! So, this is going to be my Memorial weekend start. I am stitching it on 32 Country Mocha by Zweigert and substituting Carrie's Silk Threads for the DMC threads. I had to make a couple of guesses on the threads, so I will have to see how that works out. The pattern orginally calls for Belle Soie silks, but I was trying to be a little frugal (now don't be hysterically laughing there behind your computer's) Anyway, if you have hung out with me this long-thank you! I hope your Memorial Day weekend is a blessed one!
xoxo

An Amazing Visit to Shakespeare's Peddler

This Friday, I went on a stitching trip with my monthly stitching group organized by Jinger! It was wonderfully relaxing. We started in Ocean Springs, MS arriving around lunchtime and ate at this delicious little Italian placed called. Al Fresco. Where I had some yummy crab cakes!   Then we did just a tiny bit of window shopping and browsing in a lovely antique store. Then it was off to the cross stitch store called ThreadNeedle Street. It was very nice and we browsed for a while there. I was very good and only bought some threads. Then we took off to Hattiesburg, MS which is where Shakespeare's Peddler was located. However, we weren't going to Theresa's shop till the next morning. So that left dinner, which was at another great eatery called Crescent City Grill. I had  fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. Excellent place to eat if you ever go to Hattiesburg! They about had to roll us all up out of there-we were so stuffed!

Back at the hotel we were able to get together and stitch for awhile before we called it a night! The next morning we were up bright and early for breakfast and then off to Shakespeare's Peddler.  Theresa's shop was jam packed with goodies and we spent about 2 1/2 hours there. Trust me when I say all our pockets were considerably lighter when we left ;-)  I also,got to meet a couple more fellow bloggers, which is always wonderful. I got to meet Jen of Jen's Stitching Projects. She helps Theresa out in her shop. Lucky girl! I also got to meet Jen's sister Sharon of Clarkey's Projects & Hobbies. Jen, thanks so much for your help today! Theresa,  it was a fantastic visit and we hope it won't be our last!

Sherri, me, Emily, Jinger, Liz, Cindy, Judy and Theresa front and center!

I did take some pictures of the shop, but I used my new iphone and let's say a sister doesn't know how to work it! So, Jen this would be why you don't see your picture or more of Theresa, I managed to hit the video button when I took hers and some of my pictures were blurred oy! These last two pictures are of Tabasco, I got Tabasco from Theresa-so here he is a bit bigger.  See how handsome he is Theresa!

I will try to show you all some of my stash that I got this trip on my next post (think Shakespeare's Peddler-LOL) Hope your weekend is a great one!

xoxox

My Birthday, Framing and a Winner!

It's a glorious day here in NW Florida and to top it off, it's my birthday! I am 46 today and very, very thankful to be here. I hope to have many more! Anyone, who knows me, knows I don't like to take pictures but I thought I would take one for prosperity...LOL No plans for today, I have a yummy carrot cake that was made for me and I am going to have Chinese for dinner, no cooking for the birthday girl! Not to mention some stitching and some Leroy Jethro Gibbs to round out my day! Now, these two beauties below are the two African women my friend Sherri stitched for and they are finally framed and hanging in my home. I do so enjoy looking at them! I think they look fabulous! Sorry about that little glare, it's so hard sometimes to take a picture of framing!

And last but not least is the winner of the Rovaris Necklace kit, which is Patty of Hanging by a Thread . Congrats Patty! I have emailed you! All right friends, have a wonderfully blessed week! xoxoxo

Blog Anniversary and a Giveaway!

Well I have now been blogging for 6 years! Last year I missed my fifth anniversary due to being in a deep funk...sigh. Actually, this year my anniversary date was on the 17th and again it has gotten past me, though in no way due to any funkiness! LOL Many times I think of stopping blogging ,as my posts have greatly decreased, but I just keep plugging along. I have met so many wonderful friends blogging that I would miss my little piece of cyber space.  So to celebrate, I am giving away this Rovaris necklace kit.  The kit comes with everything you need, the scrap of fabric, thread, necklace cording, charms and a pattern with entire alphabet on it and even some other patterns if the alphabet is not your thing! You can see my Rovaris  necklace finish here. I would love to stitch something to give away, however seeing that I have trouble getting my stuff done that was not going to happen! Below is Ms. Mia displaying the kit.

So, all you have to do if you are interested in winning this kit is just leave a comment on this post and I will pull a name on Sunday April 29th, my birthday! Thanks for your continued friendship and visits!

xoxoxo

The Flock~Part 1 Finished!

Here is part 1 of The Flock by Samsarah completed. I am hoping to keep up with each part as they are released. Of course, part 2 is waiting for me but it's not very big. I am loving those blue polka dots. This is stitched on the recommended 30 count red pear fabric by Weeks and a combination of GAST, Crescent and Weeks threads. There nothing else much going on around here. I have been organizing my stash some and deciding what to work on-mostly samplers. I have a couple of personal goals in regards to my Christmas ornaments and how many I want to complete. I can't say it here, I would most likely would jinx myself-LOL

I am starting a new SAL with Jinger on Prairie Moon's Thine is the Trick and the Treat. I am usually a terrible SAL partner, (Tina, stop shaking your head yes) however, I am going to give it another whirl. I am using Blue Moon Java which is a gorgeous blue by R&R and Onyx thread by GAST! Pictures to follow later in the week. I am off to finish dinner, have a blessed week!

An Award and WIP"s

First up, is an lovely award given to me by Jackie of
Scattered Threads II . Called The Leibster Award. Thanks Jackie!

Liebster is a German word, meaning favorite, dearest or beloved. The Liebster is awarded by bloggers to other newer bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers to spread the word and help the new bloggers gain wider recognition.
The award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting:

1. Choose five up-and-coming blogs (with fewer than 200 followers) to award the Liebster to.

Enchanted Burrow ~~~~Terry

Counting Bits of Joy ~~~Joy

X Marks My Spot ~~~Michelle B.

Stitching Gems ~~~Gemma

Guava Gems ~~~Gwen

2. Show thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them-Please see above!

3. Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites Leave comments on their blog so they know about the award.

4. Share five random facts about yourself that people don’t know

1. I first wanted to be a nurse when I was about 15 partly because I spent the summer caring for my sick grandmother.

2. I am a huge, huge fan of NCIS. I will watch Gibbs day or night if he is on TV and if he isn't, there are my DVD's-LOL

3. In light of the above, no one is allowed to borrow said NCIS DVD's! I have refused at least twice. All I can say is Get Your Own! LOL

4. I wish that I had been stitching for longer than I have. Which is only about 11-12 years.

5. I now have a total of 4 terrific cats, 2 boys and 2 girls! Kojack, Tabasco, Stoli and Kiki.

All right, now for one of my many wip's, this is The Flock part 1. I am almost finished with it and I have part 2 waiting. I love this blue polka dot bird, got to give him some legs. He is being stitched on 30 count red pear by Weeks and using a combination of Crescent and GAST colors. The body of the bird is done in a color called snips and snails. It has 3 different colors in it.

So, that is all for now. Will be back soon with more. Thanks for stopping by and have a very Happy and Blessed Easter!

Magic Garden Sampler Finish

Well as always, I didn't intend to let so much time get by, but you know how life gets in the way This is Magic Garden Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler stitched on 32 count Creme Brulee with the recommended Gentle Art threads. Can I say chamomile is my friend? I seem to using that color quite a bit these days! Not sure which way I will turn next but things are percolating as always in the old brain. I did start The Flock by Samsarah-love that one, but then I love a lot...sigh!

On the home front, I have been busy working and my son is now an adult as he turned 18 on the tenth. I find it hard to believe, it seems like yesterday I was going to the hospital to have him and now here he is driving with a girlfriend. I am not sure I gotten past the girlfriend part yet-LOL I didn't think that I could potentially be the slightly nutty mother of the son... Anyway, I will have to work on my little idiosyncrasies!

Tabasco is doing wonderfully well! He is lot of fun and he has grown. I can't seem to get a good picture of him-but I will! Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed week!

Elenor Ferrow Update and Thanks

Here is an updated progress picture of Elenor Ferrow 1842. I have been thoroughly enjoying this one and I am hoping that I can get her finished in the next couple of weeks. When you first saw her, I only had 2-3 lines done at the top. I have been making more of a concerted effort to stitch and trying not to be too tempted by new distractions (i.e. new patterns)though I am really liking this one Coffee Compendium by Tempting Tangles and done in Belle Soie silks. So far I have been able to resist, I must resist...LOL

Thanks for all your welcoming comments for Tabasco! He has been a lot of fun and is settling in nicely. He has bonded really well with my other male cat Kojack and they often snuggle together. Here he is below smack dab in the middle of my laptop. Of course, I was looking at cross stitch threads, so maybe his interference will help save me a little money! Ha!



Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed week!

Tabasco is home!

Tabasco chillin in Alexis lap

Tabasco sleeping on the way home

We got to meet up with Theresa today and pick up Wren. We have changed his name to Tabasco much to my daughter's dismay. However, since they have named every other cat we have owned, I thought I would get the pleasure this time. I was on the fence about Tabasco until I saw him and thought it would suit him perfectly. He is adorable! He has very long legs and is very sweet. I think he was a little nervous on the way home because we were treated to some kitty toots that were killer! LOL

He made himself right at home with Alexis as you can see from the pictures. Once home, we acquainted him with the litter box, the food and water area. Then he took off exploring, he really likes Alexis and has all ready found her room! We are in love! Right now he curled up on my bed!

Thanks Theresa for taking the time to meet me today!

Happy New Year and a Finish!

Well here we are 13 day's into the new year and I finally getting around to updating my blog. First, Happy New Year to you all. We had a wonderfully blessed Christmas with family and friends. Spent too much of course, but don't we all? Now onto a new year that will see my son turn 18(OMG!), and looking forward to a 7 day cruise later in the year sans children Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico!

I also hope to have a better stitching year than last. I had very few finishes last year, and though I try to take joy in the journey, I do like the sense of accomplishment of finishing things. Stitching plans for me include samplers, samplers and ornaments. Did I mention samplers? LOL I also want to blog more-so we will see how it goes.

My first small finish of the year is Humble Gratitude by 4 My Boys, stitched on 32 cream linen I believe with the required GAST. I am not sure how I will finish, may have it framed. The sentiment is how I feel about life, I have a humble gratitude for my family, job, and people the Lord has brought unto me in this life and will remain forever grateful. I never want to take anyone or anything for granted!

Anyway, if anyone would like this chart. The first person who comments and asks for it will receive it. I will send it anywhere. (Chart has been spoken for!)

In other wonderful news, I am adding a new cat to my family and you can see him on her blog here. Theresa, from Shakespeare's Peddler fosters kittens needing new homes and I fell in love with him and lucky me gets to have him come and live with me and the kids in about a week or so. We can't wait! His name is Wren, though that will probably change once we get him. I am leaning towards Tabasco...

Now if you have made it through all that, thank you! I am not usually so wordy. I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for visiting!