Barber Shoppe

I have been working on the Village.  I believe the current building is a barber shop.  I have yet to stitch the pole.  Most of the building is done.  There is a lot of trees with leaves over that top of that building.

Boo litmore Boo nus

It is done!!!  A Halloween ornament for next year.  I was able to get it done today.  Chemo went well.  Our December schedule is now set for the doctor and appointments.  Jack is beginning to have some sensation in his fingers and is very pleased with that idea.  Other than that, things are going pretty well.  Thank you all for your concerns and prayers.

Sleepless Nights can be productive

I had trouble falling asleep last night so I worked on this project.  I knew I had a mistake somewhere.  I found it, fixed it and now I only have the outside border to do.  Then a button and I am done.  This has been my travel project.  I should get a few moments to work on it tomorrow at chemo.

Village update and a stash holiday

I have completed the right side of the village.  There are a few leaves to stitch but I will wait until I do the back stitching. It is now time to march to the left and finish this one up.

We came home to packages galore on the front porch.  Four packages were there today.  (I have 13 deliveries due.)  Today my package came from Drema with Sue Hillis charts, Just Nan mouse, a yard (yeah a whole yard!!) on 25 count evenweave and the Winter Fairy kit from the latest CS & Needlework magazine.  There is also a Nantucket letter box.  That box has been back ordered from forever.  I have another Sue HIllis project to work up for that box.  I am thrilled. 

Side Trip to something new

Pretty Paper Clips.  I made these today!!  Quick and easy.  I am thinking of using Christmas fabric, green (or red) paper clips and making gifts for the holidays.  I want one for my hair dresser to give her tip with a pretty attached.  We are also thinking of a few lottery ticket gifts and I would put a paper clip on it.  So easy and quick.  Very pretty.

School House is under way

I have been working on the school.  The bell is done with Glisten Gloss blending filament.  I did not know if I had it but I was sure I could find some silver stuff to use.  Guess what?  I had the exact stuff that was called for.  Now that doesn't happen every day! 

The holiday was a success.  It was the first time in many, many years that I didn't cook the turkey.  Wow - it was very strange to just make a few things, show up and eat.  Amazing.  People were out and about.  Cars were on the roads.  Some stores were even open.  Can you tell it has been a long time since I left the house on turkey day?  It was strange.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my followers.  I do enjoy your comments.  I find it hard to believe that Christmas will be right around the corner.  Are you ready yet?  I am not.

The Red School House has been started

I finished the back building and started the school house.  The good news is that the school is the last building on this side of the project.  I am almost half way there!! 

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I will be counting my many blessings.  We will travel to Mom's for dinner and to be with family.  I hope everyone has safe travels and has a great day.

Little progress on the Village and a new Vehicle

Well, I haven't had much time to work on the village.  I might get some done tomorrow.  I am not sure.  I did work on the little back building beside the Grocery.  

DH and I picked up the new 4 Runner today.  He has been dreaming of a new truck/car since he retired almost three years ago.  So it was time.  Now he has a lot of studying to do to figure out how all the computers work in the thing. 

Village Grocery is done

I was beginning to think this one building would never be done.  I continue to be very busy with floss totes.  I have the three to ship out tomorrow.  Today I started work on five more.  I had a few interesting comments from previous purchasers.  They are still using the floss totes (20 years later?) and one gal said that I made them too good since they are still going strong.  I am pleased to hear that many are still being used. 

DH and I have been busy with a purchase of a new vehicle for him.  We pick it up tomorrow.  It is exciting to look forward to that new car smell. 

Craft Room Work Day

Today I did the final part for this needle roll.  I have so many things just sitting and waiting for some attention.  This one is now ready to go.

I also spent some time making floss totes.  These three are sold.  I need to make up some more. 

Progress is being made -

I spent some time this morning putting together these Lizzie Kate scissors fobs.  Fun fabrics are all on the backs.  I am glad to have them done.   Meanwhile I have more orders for floss totes so I will have to take a bit of time to get those done and out of here.  I have made many totes over the years and most stitchers are still using them.  It pleases me to hear from stitchers that have appreciated my organizers.

When I get a moment or two I am working on the village project.  Today my son helped to get the Christmas lights hung up (warm weather now - instead of cold later.) and then he and DH went to look at new vehicles for DH.  I think we have another trip tomorrow to look at what he picked out.  New car smell - there is nothing like it.  Busy days around my house.

Catch Up Time

I have been working on this project during wait times at the doctor's office or other medical type appointments.  It is slow going lately and I celebrate that thought.  Today I went to the doctor for a 3 month check up and it just amazes me how much better the health care seems to be here in the boonies compared to metropolitan St. Louis.  Perhaps I just got lucky with my health care choices here.  I don't know but I do appreciate that it is quick and easy to communicate with my doctors and to get attention when needed.

 There has been some progress on the village.  I wish there was more.  I do have a good excuse and that explanation is coming up.  I have started work on the grocery store.  There are just not enough hours in the day!

This little guy, Landon has his second birthday yesterday.  Gigi (me) and Jack gave him a Red Flyer wagon.  Grandparents (my son) gave him the motorized car.  Landon had so much fun going for walks.  All of us adults got to walk up and down and up and down.  He is a joy and a treat in life.  There should have been a video going while Jack and I tried to put together the wagon.  It is funny to look back on the process but at the time it was just crazy trying to figure out what to do, how to do it and who was to do what.....  We need to practice more if we are to qualify as Santa's elves.......

Even More Finishes - Scissors Roll and Basket

Just Nan's Lady Bug Scissors Roll.  I put it together today.  I always amazes me how much work goes into doing the finishing part.  I have the lady bug scissors and I just happen to have a lady bug fob to go with it.  It is oh so cute.

Here it is opened up.  The other side is a strip of wool for keeping your needles ready to go.

Then I did the top of this little basket.  Lori Birmingham was the designer.  I am happy to have this one done also.  I glued the top on and used clothes pins to hold it all together while it dried.  That worked out really well.

Just a bit of finishing -

Nordic Needles Fandangle in Purple.  Mary Engelbreit kit with scissors and fob.  I stitched both of these on travel days.  The finishing was a challenge as I haven't done any of it is so long.  Today I was able to get these two done.  They are probably gifts for someone.  Who knows.  I just like making things.

Autumn in the Village - 3?

This will be the bakery.  This evening, I did the little confetti stitches and the few missed stitches.  I need to give it a chimney.  I am ready to move on to other parts.  I have been busy with making floss totes.  I am making the basic parts and leaving the outside color off so if you would like one, I can try to match a fabric to your liking.  Several people have asked to be on the list when some are available.  I going to try to find those emails but if anyone wants a floss tote, just let me know.

Autumn in the Village

I have been busy making floss totes.  I hope to have six in stock so if anyone is looking for one, let me know.  I plan to do the hard work on them and leave the outside cover off until someone selects a color or a pattern to use.  Meanwhile I have been trying to XS.  I am working on the bakery.  Lots of gingerbread on this building.

Floss totes version 3.0

There has been a bit of interest in my floss totes.  I decided to get busy with version 3.0.  I made this one this morning.  Changes include using a stiff interfacing under the fabric to give the book more a stiff construction.  I also made changes so that each page holds 12 colors so it has a total of 36.  This first one has extra large writing area and I hope to fix that on the next one and make it smaller.  

Needless to say, I didn't get much cross stitch done with sewing being first and foremost.  I hope to get about a dozen of these made up soon.

Autumn in the Village

I have a good start on Autumn in the Village, A Stoney Creek chart.  I did spring some time last year.  I have all four seasons, it is just a matter of time.  I am stitching this on 25 count, over one with DMC floss.  This is the center building, the bakery. 

Another finish

I did get the last block done!!!  Black Cats and Flying Bats by Blue Ribbon Designs.  I was most happy to have this one done.

Here is the whole piece.  (and my big foot!) 

On another note, today is my birthday and it was a good day.  The good news on DH's cancer is quite a boost.  I wish I could take the pain away from his hands and feet but we are dealing with that problem as best we can.  I was showered with cards and gifts.  I was able to go out for both lunch and dinner.  Good food, good company and good times.  Unfortunately my twin is in the hospital with pneumonia and we will have to post pone our celebration.  I also heard from another good, good friend and she is in pain after yet another trip to the hospital.  If I could, I would take all pain away right here and right now. 

Happy Dancing & some stitching

Today was chemo day.  We also received the news that the latest chemo has been shrinking the lymph nodes.  This is great news for my dear husband.  We are happy dancing about that news.  I just had to share with everyone that has been praying, hoping, sending good wishes and generally keeping me sane.  I did get block number seven done.  The witch is complete and there is one more block to go on this project.

In the mail today I received several cards and this little gift.  It is a mini purse, purple of course.  And some silks!!!  I am so happy to open such a pleasant package and such a wonderful day.