Ice Storm Stitching

Our temperatures are just above freezing.  I haven't actually stepped outside but it looks quite icy out there.  I hope it gets better over night.  I have an appointment tomorrow.  I will cancel without a thought before I will attempt to drive on ice! 

Meanwhile I have been a busy girl today.  First I picked up the afghan and got all the colors on so I can see how it will look.  I love it.  I hope to keep working on it but there are so many other things to do.

I did receive the missing floss so I was able to finish the red tulip mat.  I hope to do the finishing part on it soon.  I want to use iron on fleece to seal and protect the back and do some fraying on the edges.

Meanwhile I continue to work on the cross stitch Christmas Village afghan.  This is all quite the list for one day!!  I hope everyone is safe and happy as this wonderful holiday approaches.  

Backstitching always helps

I am making progress.  I did some backstitching as it helps to make sure the other parts are going where they belong.  I am approaching the end of block number one.  I do believe I have hit all four walls at this point.  There is still a lot to do.  I don't know why I enjoy this so much but I do. 

Today the floss showed up for the little mat project.  I should take a few moments and finish that up and then do the finishing on it.  Christmas is ready except for perhaps a cake and some cooking.  I am not planning on many visitors or much by way of special things happening.  It will be a quiet day for me.  I plan to do some stitching.  I suppose I am as ready as I will ever be for the big day at this point.  I am starting to look at year end and plans for next year.  More to follow.....

One flower done.....

One flower almost done!!  I have been working on my project.  I had to give up on the lap stand and I am just working with the Qsnaps at this point.  I think it is coming along well.  Perhaps this weekend, I will have chart number one done.

I have been contemplating (and discussing with a friend) the idea of cross stitch afghans.  I have done them on afghan fabric with squares defined by colored threads for even just a change in the way the fabric is woven.  Personally - - I like this idea of cashel fabric with no divisions between the charts/blocks.  I think it will look even better.  There will be no question as to how the squares go together.  Just a thought......

Just a bit of progress - -

It is almost a whole flower!!  I keep working on the border and the flower is coming along.  I have to be better than half way done with the first block.  I am going through an unbelievable amount of floss.  This is stitched on 20 count, over two with four strands of floss.  I am using loop start and a end a floss with extra caution.  I still plan to but a backing on this one once it is done.

Yes, the Afghan is large!!!

I suppose I should confess that this isn't my first afghan.  I did one from 2001 through 2006?  I really don't remember.  I did Stoney Creek's Nature's Home.  I did 4 or 5 squares every winter.  I count each block as a single project.  (After all that is how the charts are done...)  I only work on the afghan in the winter because the fabric is draped all over me while I stitch.  Generally I roll up the excess and put a clamp on it to help keep it out of the way.  I also work to have my water glass and phone handy by so that once I get started I don't need to get up too quick.  They are a lot of work but I do enjoy them.  Here is today's progress.

When I am not working on the afghan it sits on the floor.  (Horrors!!)  Here it is.  There is a lap stand under all that fabric.

Today was a snow day.  I am not sure how much snow we received today.  I shoveled about three inches off the sidewalk.  Light and fluffy snow because it is soooo very cold outside.  Last night the back yard was fully lit up with the moon casting shadows from through the trees.  I love to see it but it does mean it is cold, cold, cold.  I also had a great time watching the deer today.  I saw six at the neighbors having a snack.  Three of the deer went under the trees, scratched out a small area and laid down for a rest.  I sat here in wonder just looking at them.  Wow - I so love living here!

Pretty presents and some stitching done

The sun was out bright and beautiful today.  The sky was so blue.  I did get out and did some errands and shopping.  I watched the deer today.  I now see them almost every day as they look for corn my neighbor puts out for them.  This evening one deer stood in my back yard for quite some time.  Was she watching me watching her?  Today my Secret Santa package arrived.  I took a photo.  They look so pretty and I will be waiting until Christmas to open them.

I also had a bit of time to get some more stitching done.  Part of my shopping today was purchasing more DMC floss for just this project.  More snow is due in the morning so I hope to get some more stitching done then.

Snowed In!!

Well it snowed all night.  I was up fairly early and right away my plow guy was here.  I guess I could have gone out but it was better to be a 'snow day'.  I might make tomorrow the same. 

 I did work on my afghan.  I have never been a big fan of borders but I am making progress.

This is the deck that greeted me early this morning.  I guess we have at least a foot of snow on the ground.

This evening I tried to capture the sunset through the trees.