Leaf Pepper Time and some stitching

I tried to get a photo of the bright red tree in my back yard. It really doesn't show up very well.  Our trees are very dry and the colors won't be lasting very long but for now they are fun to see.

 This is the side yard.  Yellows galore. 

I did get some stitching done.  Unfortunately I have hit a bad patch of sorts.  I started crying on Wednesday evening and didn't stop until this morning.  I woke at 4 am and knew that the crying part was done for now.  I have no idea what brought this on but it was hard to get through.  I had trouble stitching or even making decisions.  Life looks a bit brighter today and hopefully I won't be doing that again any time soon.  I do understand that this is all part of the process but it is still hard to deal with. 

I am overwhelmed!

Look what arrived today.  Aida in many sizes and colors.  I am thrilled and blessed to have a friend named Blythe that sent such a package to me.  I gave away my aida years ago and mostly work on linen these days.  However, teaching new students aida is easier.  When I wrote about that fact on my blog, Blythe volunteered some help.  I spent an delightful afternoon talking to her as she 'discovered' what was hiding in her stash.  Then the pack age arrived.  One piece is hand dyed and sun dried?  It is very pretty and I am thinking baby announcement but that is just my idea.  Those stacks are full of many pieces - - isn't it amazing?  I am truly blessed.  Thank you to Blythe.  

I did try to stitch some today when I wasn't opening packages or watering the mums on the front porch.  Not a lot of progress but it was done during a busy day of things to do and housework that is calling.  My house is generally clean and tidy but with the prospect of a visitor, I am doing all the required things to get 'caught up'. 

Second verse and some more -

I did get some more of the verse done and then there is a span with the three ships that is started but the specialty stitching part is not done.  Now I am working on the waves below the ships.

Meanwhile fall is arriving!  My yard is showing some yellow and I thought I would share. 

First verse done and a bit more -

I did get the first section of verse stitched.  It is all done stitching over one and that is always a challenge.  Then I did the nautical square and the three sections beside it.  That part is now done.  The center section will eventually be cut out and specialty stitching will be done at the class.  So now I move on to the next verse section. 

Fall has arrived  Our trees are starting to turn colors.  It is my favorite time of year.  I need to plan a day soon to take a drive and just enjoy all the colors.

Starting the verse..

I did most of the cross stitch and some of the over one stitching for the first band.  Then I did the satin stitch band two.  The third band is the blue stitching which was quick and easy.  Now I get to work on the verse.  The verse is the main part of the homework.  If the verse is stitched, since it is spread throughout the sampler, it will help me to locate and stitch various her parts.

Yes, I am attending Mystic One.  I am starting to get excited about the trip.  I will be meeting many of my on line friends there.  I look forward to that part.

Fall Entrance and more stitching

This is the third year I have been here and for the first time I actually purchased and placed some mums at the front door.  And a cute little pumpkin.  I like it.  Now - let's see if I can keep them alive for a couple of weeks.  Remember - I have a very black thumb.

I even have a put of color on the garage door.

It was a beautiful day here on the hill.  Warm temperatures, gentle breezes and delightfully blue, blue sky.  It was wonderful.  I did get some stitching done.  I have most of the top scene done for now.  I am doing the cross stitch parts and leaving any specialty stitches and back stitching for later or even at the class.

Victoria Sampler - Knee Deep iin projects

I did!  I did!  I did work on the Christmas trees.  Today I finished the preliminary work on three number four.  That was my goal before I started working on the 'homework' for Mystic One Victoria Sampler Class scheduled for the middle of next month.

Yesterday I spent some time sorting my floss, gridding the fabric and getting ready to start.  Today I finished up the trees and moved on to the ships of Mystic.

Can you believe it?  I touched a wall.  This is the top section and I have stitched from side to side on this one.  That dark on the right side is one of the ships and the left is the dock with snow on everything.  It is a good start.

On a different note, I am trapped at home.  Today I had the driveway sealed and I have to stay off it for 24 hours.  So, I can't go out and I have to stay home and stitch.  Oh - Gee - Darn!!  Can't you tell I am so disappointed.  I just watched the turkeys file by my window.  I do love living in the woods.

Finish tree #3 and start #4

Actually it is getting a bit boring to do these trees.  The good news is that I am working on the last one.  Yippee Skippy!!!  One more to go.

Funiture Fix and tree number 3

This is an antique hutch that is in my kitchen.  I remember this piece from when I was a child.  The top needed to be raised up so the doors worked better and no longer scraped on the top of the base.  My wonderful wood working brother made me a piece to do just that and made sure it matched and blends right in.  It looks like it has always been there.  I am quite happy about it.  Oh and all the glass and pretty things inside were washed and put back.  That is also a wonderful job well done.  Thank you to my MIL and SIL for their valuable help.

Meanwhile back at the lap stand - three number three is coming right along.  I keep saying that I want to get this basic part of each of the four trees ready to go and then I need to move on to the homework for the retreat coming up in October.  I better get stitching!!!!

The white for Tree Number 3

I did work some on the white of tree number three.  I have had a rough couple of days.  This journey of grief is a difficult one.  I was so busy for months that perhaps I didn't take the time to grieve.  Well, it is now kicking me in the butt.  I have to admit that there are days that I can't get much accomplished.  Yesterday was bad.  Today I did some errands and did get some stitching done.  I consider that a good day.

Victoria Sampler must know my name by heart by now!  This is box number three is a short period of time.  (Or it is number 4 - I have lost count.)  Two packages are for the Just Cross Stitch ornament issue, which I haven't even received yet.  Autumn box and Trick or Treat were just too beautiful to pass up.  I really need to get some serious stitching done.  I am going to spend some time getting kits ready for new stitchers.  I have given away all my aida cloth. I will have to pick some up.  I want to have little kits all ready to go so when someone shows an interest, I am ready to get them started.  I love teaching someone else the love of needlework.

And then there were two - -

I created the second side of the Gingerbread Tree etui.  I am hoping to get the four sides done before I move on to anything else.  This is so much of the work and it will make the rest of the project so much easier if I have this part done. 

New Stash for New Stitchers and Christmas Trees

New stash arrived.  Those little Mill Hill kits are going to help with teaching new stitchers the craft.  There is also a few Halloween things for me and one Jim Shore Santa.  Yippee Skippy - I love stash.

I continue to work on the first of four sides to the tree.  I am almost done with the upper part of the first one. 

Glenner's Park and Christmas Trees

Thinning the woods seems to be a project around my house lately.  Looking out my front door, off to the right was a clump of trees, an island of trees and undergrowth.  Today my sister in law and my nephew came and started tearing it all out.  The trees can stay but the lower stuff is slowly leaving.

I am calling it Glenner's Park.  My nephew Glenn has been busy making this happen.  There is a stone wall up towards the house and then just a jumble of leaves and stuff.  We also found a nasty wasp's nest that has now been removed.  The whole place looks bigger, more relieved, cleaner.

In between dragging off small trees and large branches, I did get a bit work done on the first of four Christmas tree parts.  Just green and white for now but I do feel progress is being made.

Long Weekend Works

 I did get more work done on the ruler case.  I now have the beads and fussy parts to do.  Then finishing will need to be done.  Meanwhile other things are calling my name.

I started work on Victoria Sampler's Gingerbread Tree Etui.   I am signed up for a class that begins on November 2.  There is a lot of work to do before that time.  This is the first of four sides to the etui.  I will be doing white and green for quite some time......

Meanwhile the mail man brought more homework for me!!  I am signed up for a retreat in Mystic come October.  I have lots of homework to do on this one before that retreat.  I hope I can keep up with all that I am signed up for.