Barely There

I worked on this flower last night.  The color makes it difficult to even see!!  I tried to take a close up photo of it just to show you. Thank you for all the well wishes for my son.  He is in a lot of pain today and we all hope that gets better soon. 

Surgery - Good, Some Stitching

 My son's surgery went well.  The surgeon was pleased with the results.  Now Buddy needs to heal and follow directions for several months to achieve the best results.  Yesterday was a long day.  I took this travel piece to work on.  I did most of the orange around the yellow stars,  This is all done with colonial knots.  It does help to pass the time.

 I am a winner!!  I won some Crescent Colour threads on the 1-2-3 Message board.  They arrived today.  The threads are on these very pretty little bobbins.  Oh My!!!

I did make some progress on my sampler project.  Every little bit helps.  I am also continuing to work on a model.  (You will see those when they are released.....)  Stitching does keep the mind off worrisome things and that is a good thing.  My friend and my son's girl friend had a car accident on the way home from the hospital last night.  (We had a lot of ice and slippery roads last night.)  She is fine.  The car is not.  It made for an even stranger day.  Thank you all for prayers and positive thoughts.  I do appreciate them all. 

Something New - Summer

 Well, it was time to find something new to stitch.  Most of my stitching time is spent on a model I finished today.  (You will see it as soon as it is released.)  I wasn't sure what to work on and this was ready to go.  So I started it.  It is actually three different charts all stitched on one large piece of fabric.  So I am stitching sideways. 

We start with Summer by Blackbird Designs.  I really liked the colors.  I might be 'missing' for a few days.  If you have a prayer, our family could use it.  My son will be having surgery tomorrow and I have to admit I am a bit worried.  I hope and pray is all goes well and that the recovery goes well. 
I would also share a silly story.  We are having a squirrel war around our house.  The squirrels have fallen in love with the bird feeder.  My dear husband has been great at keeping them at bay.  He was gone today and the squirrels knew it.  So I tried to chase them off.  I had a small broom and went after one that tried to escape in my direction.  I am not sure who was more surprised.  Hubby needs to have a chat with these squirrels.  I had the giggles tonight just telling this crazy story. 

Frolicking is now done!!

Here he is in all his glory!!  Snowflakes from beads, a carrot for a nose and memory thread arms all work to make him so handsome. 

Frolicking some more - -

I did spend some time this morning on our snowman.  I had to put him aside this afternoon because I am stitching a model.  Sorry, I can't share any of that work just yet.  I hope to finish this first piece tomorrow.  I have two small projects to complete.  Once they are released by the designer, I will be sure to share with all of you.

The Frolicking Continues

This is a design by Amy Bruecken and was in the 2010 JCS ornament issue.  I made great progress today.  I did change out the white to B5200 rather than Snowball.  I am also going to make a substitution for the green as it calls for Presencia and I don't have it.  I think I can come up with a Parrot green color to use. 

Peace on Earth purse

 This would be the back side of the ornament.  I did some speed stitching today to get this one done.

Here is the front side.  I love the finishing instructions which include using beads around the outside edge.  At the top will be two larger silver beads to  make it look like a purse.  I am thrilled.  Another finish. 

A small village -

I didn't get a lot of stitching done today.  This is the beginning of Victoria Sampler's Peace on Earth little purse ornament.  Some times the gathering and preparing for a project takes more time than you think.  Meanwhile we have been busy.  If superstition is correct and things happen in threes, then perhaps I am done with things broken for a while.  First the hot water quit working.  No problem, plumber reboot of the system and clean of a filter and all is well.  Second the TV cable was messed up.  An email to the cable company and a remote reboot of our signal fixed that problem.  Third was that my car was flashing a check engine light and running really rough.  I haven't driven it in a week because of being sick.  DH discovered the problem.  Today we see the dealer.  They read the computer, double check it all and announce that it was just a hic cup and there is nothing to fix.  Wow - I hope that covers the dark cloud and things can get back to normal around here. 

Turkey Lurking

Okay - it is small, quick and fun to do.  This is a Just Nan design named Turkey Lurking.  It will be fun to have this ornament or stand up ready to display next November.  This is my finish number 7 for this year.  Next up?  Perhaps Victoria Sampler's purse ornament.  I am feeling some better but it is still difficult to talk at times.  Perhaps that is my major struggle right now.  I can't talk any time I want for as long as I want.  Grrr.  I hope it all gets better soon.

Fair Isle Clip

Yes Siree - - I started this and finished it in less than a day.  Designed by Cherrywood Designs and called Fair Isle Clip.   It isn't very big.  The stitching is just over an inch wide.  The Snowman clip will be used to make the banner.  It was all stitched with Weeks Dye Works floss.  The fabric is also from Weeks - 30 count - Morris Blue.  I put this project together last night.  I went to iron the fabric and discovered that I have enough fabric to do four of these little guys.  I double and triple checked my calculations before I cut the fabric.  So I have a bonus!!  I have to stash diving again - - what to stitch next?

Men of Baltimore

Well, it is done.  I apologize for this.  There are more mistakes in this than I can to talk about.  I guess drugs and bad reactions don't blend well with reading directions and counting.  I have also found it impossible to stitch in a steam tent.  Darn.  Hours are not being used.  I hope to begin feeling better any time now.  I will have to find something new to stitch.  Oh Darn.  This design is by Cherry Wood Designs. 

Another Finish and another start - -

Santa Claus brought me a special little kit.  It is a Show Off pen.  You stitch the design above on perforated paper.  The design was called Winter Stitches.  It uses some sparkle floss.  

Then you roll up the paper and insert it in this pen.  I did the whole thing last evening.  I even like the pen!!  Santa did a good job.

Once again I was up early with some pain.  So while I waited for the medication to kick in, I put together the parts to start this new design.  Stitched on gingham.  The is design by Cherrywood Designs.  Baltimore Men?  I will have to check the name.  The description talks about four snowmen.  I did quite a bit of stitching as I am still not feeling well.  It has been decided to abandon antibiotics for now.  I am allergic to two different ones now.  While I wait for the bad effects to wear off, I am off any new pills.  This design is quite interesting and I am very happy with how it is turning out. 

Merry Skater

This is by Little House Needlework in their All Dolled Up series and named Merry Skater.  She was a rather quick stitch, considering.  What to do next?  I wonder........

It's Cold Outside Complete

 Here it is!!!  I always enjoy stitching these samplers.  You are always moving on to something new.  Yes it is a Blue Ribbon Design.  It is my second finish for the year. 

I started this one because it was just sitting there ready to go and I really don't want to think right now.  It is a Little House Needleworks design called The Merry Skater.  I have had a bad reaction to some pills so my recovery has been put off for a day while I recover from that mess.  Lucky me - I get to try another new thing tomorrow.  I do have my fingers crossed.

So close and yet so far

First off fans - I am feeling better this evening.  I went to the clinic today and I have a bad sinus infection. I have a ton of medicines to help make it better.  I am hoping that tomorrow will be better than today.  I didn't get any stitching done until late this afternoon.  I found my 'stitching mojo'.  I have to still finish the little snowman and then I move on to putting my initials in the empty box. 

My mind is turning to what is going to be next.  What to stitch?  Another block on the afghan?  An ornament?  I will take a picture of the whole project tomorrow.  I am glad to have this one almost done.  

Winter Arrived

Winter arrived in our neck of the woods.  We have about 4 inches of snow.  Hubby was able to dig out the tractor and did a fine job on the driveway.  More snow is due tonight.  

I am still sick.  I took many naps.  It is not a cold.  I do have a fever.  I suspect asthma,  I have so much trouble breathing.  Argh.  Tomorrow I plan to find an inhaler with my name on it.  Meanwhile I did some stitching.  I am working on the final border.  Yippee!!  I still have the word Winter, another snowman and my initials to stitch before this one is done.  Stitching is keeping me company. 

Snowflakes are done

I have to admit that working on those snow flakes was really getting old.  The white and then blue flakes are all the same design.  Well, that means that you know what to expect in the next one right?  I have moved on to the little block under the 2012.  All I have left is the right corner.  We have snow coming tomorrow and the following day.  I plan to stitch and perhaps do some finishing.  My craft room is calling my name.  I haven't been feeling too great.  I have been sleeping a lot.  Whatever is wrong, I figure sleep can't hurt.  I hope I feel better tomorrow.

Back to work on the snowman

The flower band is now done.  I have moved on to the snowflakes.  This section looks like it could be a book mark.  I touched a wall!!  That's right.  I have started working down the right side of the project.  The end is in sight.  Perhaps if I can get a few days of stitching, I could see the end of this one.  I had errands to run today. 

A day off from snowmen

 First I have to say that we had a visitor last night.  Little Landon was only here for a brief time but he had fun. He was a busy fellow and also showed off his new hair cut.  Toddlers are so busy!!

Today I decided that I needed to do something different.  I have a dear friend that is in a tough situation right now.  I spent the day thinking about her and saying some quiet prayers. I was a member of the Nordic Needle  hardanger card club a few years back.  Each month they sent a card and the parts to do a filler for that card.

The stitching isn't very hard.  It goes rather quick.  The floss was from Thread works.  It was a pearl cotton type thread.  This also happens to be my first finish for the year!!  The sun was out and it was wonderful to sit in my room, soak up some sun and think about my friend.  The photo doesn't do this justice.  I suppose you will have to trust me that it looks better in person.

Penquins and snowflakes

I guessed it.  Shortly after posting last night, I started ripping out the border.  ARGH!!!  Now allo is okay and I am moving on.  I should always, always, always double check long stretches with doing some fill in work. 

Tree done and more borders complete!

I did the tree with the lighter green.  Argh - it was a pain to do.  Then I finished up that block and decided to do the next seven borders.  Hopefully these blocks will go quickly with the borders already done.

Do you do borders first?  Or the main stuff in the block?  This is always a question.  I know myself and counting long lines can get crazy.  I generally don't do just the borders as I will have to rip them out if I do.  we shall see.  I hope they are correct and it can just move along. 

Intensive Stitching

Well, today I did a lot of stitching.  I finished the dark green on the big tree.  (there is still a light green that will fill in all the holes!!)  Then I moved on to the snowman.  The border is also done.  So for this block, I still need the light green in the main tree, a smaller just light green tree and a few snow flakes yet to do. 

I am nursing a sore thumb.  Today I stabbed my thumb a couple of dozen times.  Amazingly I hit the same spot each time and put the hole deeper into my thumb.  I might have to take the night off and let it heal.  I can't seem to pull a needle without putting the needle into my thumb.  Grrr.

No Snow? and It's Cold Outside

We are told that there isn't any snow.  Well, we seem to get all the snowflakes at our house.  It was quite the snow fall this afternoon.  It looked like a lot more than it was but then we are not used to seeing snow yet.  Here is a photo of the bird feeder.  We do have birds!!  Two groups of birds came to visit.  The feeder is almost empty because the squirrels (grrr) have dumped all the seed on the ground.  The jingle bell isn't keeping the squirrels away.

Meanwhile, I am stitching.  It seems to be creeping along to me. The afghan is calling my name.  I might take a break and do a small block on the afghan in the middle of this larger project.  I am approaching the half way point on this one.  Stitching on 40 count has me using a magnifier more than I like. 

P.S.  Judy - the mail lady will pick up your package tomorrow.  Be on the look out.

Snow owl twins and the start of something big -

I did get a bit of stitching done today but not very much.  I have started working on the large block at the bottom.  It is cold outside here.  When I got up this morning, the thermometer said 1 degree.  Brrrr.  This is a project that fits right in with that.

Meanwhile, DH was busy today and made a Christmas ornament from beads and safety pins.  Very pretty. 

Bunny, sled, skates and a winner!!!

Mr. Bunny is now done and then I moved on to some more blocks.  I just finished the skate.  I touched a wall!!  You now see the top, bottom and left side of this piece.  It is coming along quite nicely.

Meanwhile I had DH pick a number.  That determined who won the ornament.  The winner is.....  Judy Walker.  Hey, Judy - - I will need your address so I can post your prize.  You can email me at taffystreasures@yahoo.com.  Yippee Skippy - - you won!!

Here Comes Mr. Bunny

The Christmas decorations are all in boxes.  The house looks strange.  I can see the front door again.  It is so sad when this has to happen.  I will be happier about it in a day or two.  Meanwhile, between wrapping things, I did a bit of stitching.  I am not sure why I love Blue Ribbon Designs.....  These boxed in designs are fascinating and you feel accomplished when you finish a box.  But wait - - there is more...........

Mr. Snowman

It is a new start.  This is a design named "It's Cold Outside" by Blue Ribbon Designs.  I am stitching on 40 count Winter Sky fabric.  It is quite a change from the large count afghan to now be working on this.  I am using a single strand of floss, Crescent Colours.  The weatherman says that the cold weather is coming so Mr. Snowman and I are ready.

I thought I would share the fact that I have a CSI (Cross Stitch Investigation) report in the current issue of Gift of Stitches.  I did a review of DMC Memory Thread.  It was a bit of a thrill to see it in the magazine.

Remember to post a comment for the current give away.  Details and a photo are two days prior to this one.  I will pick a name in two more days.  Good Luck.