Busy Stitch Day

Yippee Skippy!  My Limited Edition Just Nan "Charming House of Lindy Mouse" arrived today.  I am so excited.  I really can't explain why I love these little house projects but there it is.  I put the project together and then jumped right in.

Here is the floss, fabric and chart just before I jumped right in.

 This is my progress so far on the Autumn side of the box. 

Before this project arrived, I decided to return to the Big Zipper project and I did get some of the border done.  It isn't white but it is boring.  LOL.

Eyelets, Eyelets and more Eyelets

At this stage I have the two borders and all the hearts done with eyelets.  I have the octagon and the 4 squares in the center to do.  I spent several hours yesterdays sitting on a deck over the lake, watching the boats go by and stitching up a storm.  I have so many things I want to work on but this one is still calling my name.  I love doing the stitching 'in hand' and will miss it when I return to stretcher bars.

I have lost count!

I have been stitching eyelets - over and over and over again.  I have lost track of how many I have done.  Both borders have eyelets all the way around - done.  Then the four corner blocks have eyelets every other block. Those are done.  Now I am doing the hearts which all surrounded by eyelets and there are 13 hearts.  Then the middle is full of eyelets.  I will be doing eyelets for quite some time.  I may have to find something with some color for a distraction.  Here are some photos.

An Oldie But A Goodie

I know this is hard to see.  I am celebrating tonight.  This project was started so long ago that I don't remember.  I have been working on this for years and years.  As of this evening, the base stitching is done!!  Yippee Skippy and happy dancing!!  Next for this project is cutting and filling stitches.  I am not sure if I will continue to work on this for now or put it away again.  I am just so happy to have made such great progress this week.

Oh -  my stitching was interrupted today with a moose watch!  Yes, we reportedly have a moose in the neighborhood.  The crows were screaming and there was a small child running through my yard looking for the moose.  I have my eyes open but I haven't seen him.

Before I Sleep

Two finishes today!!!  I put the initials and the date on the Robert Frost poem and then finished up the hardanger on another project.  Yippee Skippy!!!  Finishes!!!!

This is the needle book for a project with Nordic
Needle.  I am so glad to have this done.  I believe
it is the last piece of the series.

And here it is!!  I am quite pleased with this one.

And Mile To Go

Great progress today!  Four trees and three skunks to go!!!!!  I did see the chart available at Etsy today.  I have to start thinking about what to stitch next!

Half way Done with Mr. Frost

This design comes from the Gift of Stitching, on line magazine that went out of business some time ago.  I know they have CDs with all issues on them for sale but I am not sure where you might find that.  The design was by Barbara Peterson of Something In Common.  It is titles Woodland Sampler.  I hope that helps with those that are searching for this design.

But I Have Promises To Keep,

The Woods are Lovely Dark and Deep

Birds in the Woods

We have a string of birds and a big owl.  It is a start.  I also mowed the lawn and got the tractor stuck.  I was able to get it loose and finish the job but it scared me that I got that big tractor DOA so easily.  Another lesson has been learned.

Needle book done! On to something new?

The needle book is done!  I just put the last stitch in it.  Now there is a lot of finishing to do.  I stitched this one 'in hand' which is not something I do very often.  I have never felt/thought that my tension is very good when stitched in hand.  I always feel that using stretcher bars is a better way to go.  So some reason I tried 'in hand' with this one.  It was enjoyable.  I think it looks fine.  (It is stitched with wool not cotton floss.)  I might try it again.  It is certainly more portable when you don't need to stretch the fabric.  Time will tell.....

Meanwhile - I am dreaming and scheming.  Prepare to hear stories of days gone by.  My family had a camp on the Schroon River and I spent most of my summers there.  I am embarking on a project to restore and/or replace the cabin that holds so many memories.  I have a lot of memories of my own but now I am hearing stories and being given hints and reminders by family members.   I started a separate journal to write those memories down in.  I am just warning you now....  Once I start talking about camp, I can't seem to shut up.

To this end, I put together the parts to do a new band sampler.  My father died a very long time ago.  I do remember him.  I had to memorize a poem for school and Daddy helped me do it.  The poem was Robert Frost's Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening.  Years ago the last stanza of that poem was charted and appeared in a magazine.  I saved it of course.  I have decided to stitch this up and hang it in the new cabin one day. 

I picked the dark blue which I imagine will be a challenge to these old eyes.  I pulled the DMC floss and I am ready to go.  I actually stitched parts of this when I did a mail art that was mailed to my son.  Now I want to stitch the whole thing.  Stay tuned.....

More Americana by Jeannette

 I finished the little scissors fob piece.  The colors just seem confusing to me with no control whatsoever.  It was okay to stitch and I was glad to have it done.  Then I moved on to the needle book.

This is turning out to be yet another challenge.  Perhaps it is me and not the project. 

Happy Birthday America

I know I have been 'missing in action'.  It has been a rough couple of days/weeks.  I am struggling again with the loss of my dear Jack.  Jack's 60 birthday would be coming up on the calendar and this is affecting me more than I care to admit.  I am withdrawing from life and trying to keep things together.  I am okay.  Please don't worry.  I just can't seem to join the human race lately.  I am climbing out of this hole and I do have a few things to share.

I participated in a July Exchange with the Victoria Sampler Stitchers, an on line group.  I was so happy to put my contribution in the mail on Saturday.  When I got home, this was waiting in my mail box.  I believe the design is from Shepherd's Bush.  The box opens to reveal small scissors and a thread winder.  Nancy did a great job and it was a bright spot on the weekend.

I finished a piece.  I wanted to do something quick and easy and patriotic.  So I found this little project from Stitcher's Hideaway.  I am not sure what I will do with it but it is done.

Then I moved on to the project named Stars Pin and Scissors Roll by Jeannette Douglas.  I love her designs but I am struggling with the instructions and the project in general.  I have the main piece done and ready for 'finishing'.  I also started and I hope to finish the matching scissors fob soon.  The directions and instructions are difficult because of the confusing flosses.  Two whites, Two reds, Three blues and no real idea of which to use where.  For now, I am mostly 'making it up'. 

The star covered smaller piece will be placed on the main roll along with some wool pieces.  The weather is been fantastic and almost too cold.  It is so refreshing for July.  I am sure warmer weather will be coming but for now - I am trying to enjoy it.