Blue Coat is coming along

I worked on this project in spits and spurts today.  I had plumbers here several times today.  I totally dislike household problems and plumbing problems can be the worst.  That saga continues.  A bid for AC is being put together.  Paperwork continues at a rather rapid pace.  Meanwhile, in between appointments phone calls and emails - - I did get a little bit of stitching done  I am working to make the overdyed stripe work for the project  I did the vest going up and down and the coat tails are going horizontally.  I don't generally do one row at a time but I wanted to show case the stripes so here is how it is looking.

Liberty Sam gets a right hand....

The red edging on the jacket is sparkly braid.  It will look super great when it is done.  Meanwhile it is stitching and I am finding some time to work on it between meetings, household problems and this wonderful thing called life.

A pretty gift and a new project

Sweet Liberty is now in a porcelain jar.  I have it arranged for delivery tomorrow.  I hope she likes it.

I wanted to do something red - white - blue for the 4th of July coming up.  So I started Liberty Sam.  It seems to be going rather well and quickly.  With limited colors, the stitching does go quicker.

A Finish! and some Dove's Eye

 Sweet Liberty by Shepherds Bush is done, complete and finished.  Yippee Skippy and happy dancing all around.  It isn't very big but it is done.  I am trying to think of a box or something I can put it on and make a gift to someone that has been oh so helpful of late.  Just a token of friendship to someone that cares.

Meanwhile I did work on the top row of hearts which had all double cables and dove's eyes all around.  I can't think of a Dove's Eye without thinking of Lorri Birmingham teaching the stitch with the story of Lake George and the hot tub.  It makes me laugh. 

Cutting done and a new start of Sweet Liberty

 I now have the cutting and thread extraction done.  I am ready to begin the filling stitches.  I can smell the end of this project.  Perhaps I will get this done quickly???

Meanwhile I started this Shepherds Busy Sweet Liberty project.  It is coming along nicely.  It is very small and should be done quickly.

The deck continues. We are waiting on parts right now.  The porch is just about done.  I am able to go out at sit and enjoy it more and more each day.

Ready to cut -

I worked on the Kloster blocks and eyelets today.  Next I am going to cut this part.  I refuse to do that late in the day so it is on hold for right now.  Tomorrow might not be a good day for it either.  I have to start thinking about what project will be next on my agenda.

Busy Long Weekend here -

Today I am trying to rest up.  It was a long weekend of deck building and busy, busy busy.

On Saturday I did get a special package of new stash.  Yippee Skippy!!!  New Just Nan's, Mill Hill's and Cherished Stitches.  Also a Shepherds Bush.  I haven't spent a lot of time planning or even looking at my new toys.  I was too busy with the next photo.

The porch has some railing up now.  Each cap is lighted.  There are little lights in the steps as you walk around at night.  There is still a lot of work to do but things are coming together very well and I hope to get some stitching done out there one day soon.  Today was a rain day and I have been stitching inside.  Maybe this afternoon I might just get out there yet.

I have a porch!!!!

 No stitching today.  It was a build the deck day.  I tried to get some photos of our accomplishments.  It is going to such a pleasant stitching place - - someday!!

This will be the lower deck with bench seating around the outside edge.

This is looking back at the house.  The boys really did accomplish a lot today.  I am so sore!!!  No stitching for me today.

New deck progress and some stitching

The deck floor has begun.  Isn't pretty?  It will be two tone when complete.  There will be three levels.  Porch, extra large step and the main deck will all be complete some day soon.  Soon, very soon, I should be able to sit outside and stitch once again.  I just love the way it is looking

I had plans to clean and such but it didn't happen.  I don't do well with workmen around.  I did get some stitching done.  I also did laundry and grocery shopping.  My big brother is coming for the weekend and it is hoped that great progress will be made.  I do have to feed the crew.  I am not sure how much stitching will actually be done over the weekend.

Rainy days bring out the stitcher in me - -

 I didn't get a lot of cross stitch done today.  I filled in the current band with lazy daisy stitches, beads and eyelets.  I will have to get busy on that one project again.

Today I did spend several hours in my craft room.  I covered the deep foam for a cushion for my stitching stool and then I made a pillow for my chair.  Purple butterflies all around. 

Busy Grandma Today

We colored books.  We chased the dog.  We picked up sticks and moved rocks.  We carried one heavy board to the backyard.  We watched TV, we ate Andy Fries? and drank a lot of water.  We are talking but I am not always sure what he is saying....  It was a busy, full and crazy afternoon.  Stitching?  What is that?

A new lace curtain

I worked on the flower band and the new all white (so far) cross stitch that to me looks like a white curtain.  I think there will be eyelets and beads on the top row and I am not sure of the lower part.  I have to read the next instructions.  It was a rain, rain, rain day.  Cold and damp with more rain was all we saw today.  It was a good day to stitch.  I am pleased to report that I spent two very happy hours in my new stitching chair in my room.  I have been having trouble spending time in there and I am not exactly sure why.  I am thrilled with the progress and I really hope that the sun comes out soon.  Enough all ready with the rain!!!

Peonies and 3 more bands

I did get three more rows done today.  More rain - - rain rain go away!!  Progress is good on the stitching.  I also read a book over the weekend.  Stephen King's Joyland.  I am amazed that I read a whole book....  Amazing.  I started a new book last night. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill.

The rain is feeding my flowers.  The rhododendrons are about gone.  They will need a hair cut soon.  Meanwhile this huge, very tall plant is just blooming now.  It looks really good.

I made it through -

I have been avoiding this project.  I had charted our names but I knew that the names were going to take up a lot of this little space and I was procrastinating the start of that part.  I am pleased to announce that the name part is done.  I am still working on this project today!  I will mention that I spent a bit of time trying to figure out how to add a charm to my new bracelet.  Some of my friends sent me a special card and it had a small silver charm that said "Be Strong" and I decided to add it to the side of the bracelet.  I did that last night.  Perhaps my creativity is starting to come back a bit.  That would be a good sign.  The banana bread is in the oven.  It has been a busy Sunday.. 

Finish the hippie and a new bracelet

I stitched the Hippie back in 2012.  I had a stitch group here today and I wanted something to do that didn't take a lot of concentration.  I did the four sided stitch around the piece so that I could have a small amount of fray and now it needs to be glued/stitch witched onto the back of my favorite denim vest.  

Look what I found!!  Jack's favorite phrase was It Is What It Is.  I love this bracelet.  I will wear it proudly and think of my love often.

Progress all around me.....

The deck is coming right along.  The metal work is done.  The Trex boards will start going on tomorrow.  The porch will be twice it's original size with the deck below.  The corner step will be another level.  Next up the decking, then the railings and lighting.

Meanwhile I am trying to stitch.  I am greatly distracted with the construction going on.  We are about to have a few days of rain so perhaps I can get some things done.

A beautiful day on the hill - with some progress

I can't remember how many times I stitched the last band.  Over and over again.  Perhaps I was a bit distracted.  I hope to continue on with this project soon.  This finishes the first page (total of three) of the chart.  

Construction on begun on the new porch and deck.  The porch will be so much bigger than it was.  I am really looking forward to having this project done.  For now - I keep the back door locked as it would be a big step to go out that way.  Har Har Har....

Pretty front garden and some work on an old project

The flowers are doing great.  It was a pretty day when I took that.  Since then it has been so hot and humid - ugly stuff.... it brings memories of St. Louis weather.  Now we are having thunder storms and cooler weather is promised.  Thank Goodness.

Victoria Sampler's Love is Patient...  I was working on this when Jack became so ill.  It was more than I could concentrate on at the time.  I pulled it out just the other day and now I have three bands done.  There is hope.