Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A visitor and just a little bit of stitching

Meet Harley. He lives near our house. He is familiar with our house and I believe he used to get treats here. Every now and then he comes for a visit. He is great at fetching sticks and is very friendly. I don't have any treats but he seems okay with that now.

Today we ran errands. Shopping and stocking up again. I didn't get a lot of stitching time. I am currently working on the green fish. Right now it just looks like a blob. Maybe tomorrow I can get some stitching done.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A beautiful day in the Adirondacks


We decided to take a drive today and see what we could see. On the way home, I found my way to Hague. This is the view of Lake George from up there. It was breath taking.


We stopped on the river road. The Schroon river is very high. The water is rushing down stream. We did see some trees down but for the most part, things are okay in the area.
Then I came home and stitched. I TOUCHED A WALL!!!! You are looking at the upper right corner of the project. Now to march the completions across the top of the project.

Monday, August 29, 2011

I am back! Irene Stitching

Hurricane Irene arrived here in the night Sunday morning. We had lots of rain and gusty winds. We lost power (and phone, TV and internet) for 29 hours. I am so happy to have the news on and to be able to see what is happening around us. We did just fine. We had a tree limb down on the driveway. It was small and we were able to move it ourselves. There are roads out and power is a problem for many people and towns around us. Prayers to all those affected by this storm. Today is a perfect sunny day with such beautiful skies and the air is crisp. It is good to be alive and to have that storm behind us.

I worked on the Halloween stuff because I thought it would be easier than Max during the very stressful Hurricane Irene. I was wrong as the frogs were out in force this weekend. I did complete the two pieces here. Wear a Costume and Eat Candy.
I started this part early on Sunday. I stitched and ripped this first section at least twice. I had the darnest time finding the middle of the top and then figuring out what to start where. It was a messed. I won't say this is perfect, but it is done and to help with centering I went ahead and did the border for the second part. Grrrrr. I would guess that I was distracted by the storm.
Today the mail man brought me a package. Great timing!! I have Just Nan's new pumpkin. Little House's latest ornament and Lizzie Kate's 6 Fat Men with the first three charts. There is also the Just Cross Stitch Halloween Collection book. IT IS FANTASTIC!! If you love Halloween, this is the book for you. I have all the magazines and I worried that this book would just be repeats but it isn't. There are all kinds of things I want to stitch in this book.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hurry up and wait -

Hurricane Irene is coming to my house. We are expecting strong (50 - 70 mph) winds and 5 to 8 inches of rain in the next 24 hours. Today we prepared the outside for the bad weather. I stitched in between moving chairs, putting away stuff and worrying about the weather. Hopefully all will be well. If I miss a day or two, it could be a power outage. We have a brand new generator that has passed all it's tests. However this will be the 'big test'. For now we are just waiting for the storm to arrive. Everyone, please stay safe. I will check in again when I can.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Visitors and great progress today!

Here is my son and little Landon. They had fun on the living room floor yesterday. It was great to see them both.DH went to the fair while I stayed home. I did a lot of fill in over the boxes. When I look at yesterday's and today's photos - I did a lot. Hurricane Irene will be arriving tomorrow evening. We will be putting away outdoor things and waiting to see what happens. Rain and winds are expected. The NY Rangers closed all the island campsites starting tomorrow at noon. This is a big deal around here. For now the weather is great. Stay tuned.....

Thursday, August 25, 2011

More stuff on the shelves

I worked on the orange and yellow boxes today. Then I moved on to the bottom of the stuffed fish plaque. I actually feel like I was able to accomplish a lot.

I hope all my followers are safe this coming weekend. Please take the necessary steps to keep you and yours safe. My brother will be hit hard in Hartford, Conn. We expect rain and wind but it should not be bad by the time it reaches upstate New York. We will put away anything that will be blown around. This morning we had a rather large tree branch fall in the back yard. Hopefully we won't see much more of that.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

More Shelf stuff

I didn't get to stitch a lot today. I mostly worked on the browns that will be the next shelf on the book case. The weather is perfect here. Cool and breezy. I didn't feel the earth quake. We will see some rain from Irene. Just to catch everyone up on our situation. I need to have an all day stitch. I crave it. I do enjoy my blog. As I do an update, I see what I posted yesterday and that helps to show me what I was able to accomplish today.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Burnt Orange and another mountain -

I filled in over the blue box. The orange box is now filled in. There is another spinner and then the lake and mountain back ground. Some times when I do this update, I see things that I don't see as I am doing the actual stitching. It is a lake, some trees and now a mountain. I get it!!

BTW - thank you for the suggestion on the DMC conversion link. Thank you, thank you. I tried it and the two colors I had picked so far were on the list. Meanwhile I heard back on my email and they will send me the conversion and it should only take a couple of weeks. Gezzz.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Box of Spinners

While waiting for service men to arrive and do what they do, I had plenty of time to stitch today. One after another guy showed, made phone calls, and passed it off to someone else. Argh!! Anyway, I stitched while I waited. (I will be waiting more tomorrow so more stitching can happen tomorrow as well.) I worked on the box of spinners which has the kid with a cap on the label. I moved over and did the in between, and the spinner on top of the blue box. Great progress.

I also wrote an email. This project is a Dimensions kit. I am running out of floss right and left. I also have a lot of stitching to do yet. I wrote to the company and explained what colors I am missing and what I will need. I gave them the option of sending more or just give me the conversion numbers to DMC. I am curious how they handle it. I spent some time matching up colors to DMC. It is a difficult job to do. I wonder if my color card might need replacing.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Banner Top Done and Max Returns

The top of the banner was done this morning. Next up will be the twelve rules. I figure that this project will make for a welcome relief when I get tired of Max.
So I had to go back to Max. I decided to take the 'big picture'. I have the fish done and I am now working on the stuff over the books on the shelf.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Something Spooky

I had to break out and do something new. This is a project called Halloween Rules by Lizzie Kate. This is the top border part. It is stitched on 32 count. So far it has been fun.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Finally - - Success!!! Happy Dancing in LG

Here is the upper back of the envelope. This will hang over the birds from the other day. I also did the addresses which is the hardest part for many to do. I do not enjoy doing the addresses. It is done!! Over the weekend I will begin the finishing process. I am so thrilled to have this project almost ready to go. Max - - here I come!!! Or maybe something Halloween.....

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Progress is being made!!!

I finished the two birds. I think they are pretty. I am not sure what else I will put around them. They look a bit lonely.
Then I started working on the upper flap for the back of the envelope. This will be interesting with the finishing below the red garland and bows. My mind is spinning as to how to handle this part.

To answer a comment question: What is a mail art? Well, a 'mail art' is a stitched envelope. I am a member of an international group that exchanges stitched envelopes. We usually have a theme to guide us. This time it is the use of a group of charts that are free on the internet in Lilian's Aunt's Attic. I will finish this stitchery and then fashion it into an envelope and then hand it over to the post office for delivery. I have quite a collection on envelopes that I have received from all over the world. It is fun.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Yet another day in paradise - -


It was a crazy day here in paradise. Workmen coming and going and we aren't done yet!! Meanwhile I found some time to stitch. I started the back of the mail art. I am using an over dyed floss from Needle Necessities.


I also finished that flower bouquet. Thank goodness. I was beginning to think it would never be done. I am happy to move on to something else. What is that I hear? Max? He is lonely? I will have to get back to him. LOL.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Slowly I creep - -

I did stitch today but I didn't get very far. I have to admit that I have spent some time drooling over the new releases over the last week or so. There are not all that much that I am going crazy to have but there is some fun things to see. Meanwhile the sun has come out and tomorrow should be a beautiful day. We will be home with contractors again so perhaps I will get to spend the day out on the deck stitching. Tonight I need to find what to stitch on the back of this piece.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Why is this so slow?

I worked on this today. I added the basket and the yellow flower. This project just seems to be taking forever. Rain, rain, rain - we needed some rain but really? All day? I have also been busy with cooking. Last night I made a huge pot of taco soup. I love having easy dinners in the freezer. Today I processed 12 more ears of fresh sweet corn. It is all good.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Here Fishy Fishy

Well, there he is. I wanted to have him done today but it didn't happen. Have you noticed a trend? I seem to think I can get way more done than I do. This is a section that I worked on and didn't 'get' the colors. But when you step back, you can see a fish. A trout, I do believe.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Is that a Talking Fish?


I started working on a stuffed fish on a wall plaque. The log slice is what the fish is mounted on. It doesn't look like much but I did get a lot of stitching done today.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Roses!

The house has been busy with contractors. The good news is that they are done until next Wednesday!! I get to sleep late tomorrow!! I worked on my mail art today. It is stitched over one and I think it is looking good so far.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry

To all my fans - I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I did skip a couple of days and then today I got a 'reminder' call and I was about to do a new post when BAMMM no internet!!! Now we have internet so here it is. I finished the basket and started on the back ground and window treatments. The house is 'under construction' so things are confusing around here. Hopefully all will be completed tomorrow some time and we can get back to normal.

Monday, August 8, 2011

More Progress today - -

Well, I wish I could say I stitched a lot today. I didn't. I spent some time moving things around on my craft room desk. I moved it all one way and then rearranged and put it all back just a bit different. I really haven't spent a lot of time working in that room. Then this afternoon, I picked up Max. I worked on the fishing basket(?) and a bit of window work. I am really not sure what else I am currently working on. We have contractors coming to work on the house so perhaps I will get some time to stitch? I hope so.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Buddy's Back Pack

I was hoping to finish the back pack today but while I got very close, there is still work to do. I think of it as my son's (Buddy) back pack. He never goes anywhere without it.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

A Finish, Something New, Stash and a Start

I finally found the pliers so I could open the glue and put the edging around this piece. It is the topper on a hinged top tin. I love this piece. Should I store something in it or give it away?
Just Another Button Company's Strawberry with pins. This is made out of overdyed wool. The only stitching is colonial knots and putting it together. Very cute.
New Stash is always good. This is Victoria Sampler's Pumpkin Farm with embellishment pack. I also received some sparkly evenweave for Christmas ornament and Little House's latest ornament. Some days it is so fun to get the mail!
A start. This is the beginning of a mail art envelope. I am stitching over one in order to have this design fit on the front. The exchange is due Sept 15. I need to get working on this one.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Yum and we have a hat now.

Last night I processed twelve ears of corn. The sweet corn is 'in season' here and very delicious. So I clean them up, partially cook them, take the kernels off and then freeze the corn in packets for future use. I just might have to get some more corn and do some more. It will be a long winter.
The hat is complete now. I started to work toward the left with back ground stuff. I really do have to take a break and do something else.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Finally a hat top

I have at least an outline of the top of the hat. I did a lot of work finishing up the fishing lures, which meant a lot of color changes. Then I did the outline. Tomorrow I hope to fill it in. Then I will be able to do at least ten stitches of a single color!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A hat full of lures

I worked on hat brim and now the black band which is full of fishing lures. It is hard to see all the little parts I was working on today. It will become clear as I fill in with the black band. We have been just outside of the rain in the area today. It is cloudy and 77 degrees. Perfect. I will take and enjoy. I constantly check on St. Louis weather to see how they are doing and it doesn't look good. The dog days of summer with hot, humid and a chance of rain every day. I hope they catch a break soon.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

More back ground and moving on to the hat -

I cleaned up the right side, worked on the sign(?), and then moved on to the hat. Max is coming along.

Monday, August 1, 2011

More Back ground and a bit of a sign

I continued on Max today. I worked on the greenery on the right side and then I started working on a sign above the shelf. I don't feel like I have accomplished must today. I will report that we had another deer in our yard last night. She walked right through the middle of the yard scaring a cat that I have never seen before. He took off after the deer has passed. I would have sworn it was Max!! I wonder where he lives.......