It's About Time......

It's about taking the time to update my blog. I've been back from my six weeks in northern Michigan for over a month and haven't taken the time to post.
We had a wonderful six weeks at the lake, were blessed with beautiful weather, and had week long visits from both of our daughters and their families. We went on hikes, saw a bald eagle in the wild, took picnics to the shores of Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. I even was able to talk my DH and brother into a day trip to Mackinac Island, one of my favorite places in the world. We won't talk about my non-boat driving husband helping my brother get the boat on the trailer and the $600 repair bill that resulted.

There is nothing better than drinking your morning coffee on the deck and watching the lake.
Unfortunately not much stitching resulted from these 6 weeks. I would love to stitch on the deck but after a scare with some seagull poop landing on my hand while I was stitching I gave that up. The lighting in the cottage is not good, so I had my Ott light but all the television watchers complained about it. So I only have a couple of things to share.
The first is Little House Needleworks Lakeside Lodge. The original plan was to have it finished, framed and hung on the cottage walls this summer, but that didn't happen.

My only other finish was an ornament. LHN's He's a Flake.

I'll be back soon I hope to share the little stitching I've completed since I've been home. In the mean time, happy stitching and thank you so much for your comments.

Good Grief!!!!

I haven't blogged forever. I've been reading blogs and not commenting much. I'll blame it all on the loss of my stitching mojo. I did stich, but not as much as I usually do and do have some finishes to share with you.
Earlier in the winter I finished Blue Ribbon Designs Proud and True. I mad some changes to the house and fretted over the over-one part and finally got out my q-snaps and survived it.


Then I finished My Quaker Lady. I used NPI silks for the first time on this and loved working with them.


Blackbird Designs Bluebird pincushion was a small fun finish. I put blue rick rack along the edges.
Spring found me busy with grandchildren and activities at their school. I hauled my sewing machine to the twin's 6th grade classroom one day and joined other grandmas and moms in making caftans for their international day. The kids had cut out the fabric themselves as part of their math class so the sewing was somewhat of a challenge. I went to a Grandparents Day at one school, a spring concert at another, a piano recital and to my oldest grandson's 8th grade graduation.

A couple of weeks ago I drove to south western Indiana to visit with my friend Jan. Spending a few days stitching with a friend was a great way to get my stitching mojo back. We talked, laughed, shopped, and stitched. And I brought home too much stash that I bought at her webshop. I stitched BBD's Bird in Hand as a little thank you for her.

I Need It Back

It's been forever since I blogged so I want to wish you all a belated Happy New Year.
I had eye surgery for my glaucoma early in December and wasn't allowed to stitch or read for ten days. It almost drove me crazy. Then when I got the okay to stitch my eye was so blurry because of the drops I had to use I could only see large count projects. I pulled out a couple of Pine Mountain kits but they didn't hold my interest.
Now my eyes are back to normal but my stitching mojo has gone.I REALLY NEED IT BACK I did manage to finish Tree of Life Samplings Quaker Silence.


In December I was spoiled and received the cutest ornaments. One was from Kathy in a swap.



The other was from my friend Jan.

Aren't they both the cutest things? I love them.

Right now I'm trying to work on Blue Ribbon's Proud and True and Jardin Prive's My Quaker Lady. I really need to get started on my January ornie. That works so well to stitch one a month, because I make them for all 7 grandkids and some friends.

We had a wonderful holiday and I managed to get a couple of decent pictures of my two daughters and their families.




Wishing you all Happy Stitching and hoping my stitching mojo returns.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for-family, friends, good health. We are going to our daughter Beth's for dinner. Our other DD Laura will be there too and all seven grandchildren. I'm bringing the pumpkin pies and the stuffing. I'll make a medium sized turkey here before we go because DH loves turkey and I love the leftovers. We will be having birthday cake with our dinner too. Our oldest granddaughter turned 12 today and our oldest grandson will be 14 on Saturday. Where does the time go?

I have been stitching and had two finishes over the weekend. The first is Blue Ribbon Designs Peppermint Twist.

I've been trying to finish the older Shepherd's Bush series A Year in Stitches and finished December. I think I have 4 more to go in the series.

This week I've been concentrating on Quaker Silence and can see the finish coming soon.


Happy Stitching and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ornamentizing and Other Stuff

I have seven grandchildren and make each of them an ornament each year. I try to have the finishing completed by Thanksgiving. I really should do it as I stitch the ornaments, but I always procratinate.I would much rather stitch them than finish them and I HATE to sew on cording because it takes forever. I only have three more to do the finishing on and all the grandkids are finished.






I've made some progress on Jan's Quaker Silence design. I'm really pleased with it. It's slow going because 40 ct. takes me forever.


And Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist is nearing completion finally.

Thanks for the comments and Happy Stitching!

Some Framing and an update

I just picked three pieces up from the framer. I found this gal about a year ago and am thrilled with her work.
The first is LHN's The Bookshelf:


LHN's Brave Hearts


LHN's Heart of America


I accomplished a little bit on Quaker Silence this week. I love the way it is stitching up.


Have a great weekend and happy stitching.

Once again....

I haven't blogged forever, but I have been doing some stitching. Peppermint Twist is finally nearing completion. I'm ashamed to say I've been working on this since January, I think.

I couldn't wait to start my good friend Jan's, Tree of Life Samplings, Quaker Silence. I'm stitching it on 40 ct Meadow Rue with Belle Soie Mer Blue and a little Icing. I'm loving the way it is looking.

I wanted to share with you part of the Halloween exchange I sent to Sharon. I stitched JBW's Pumpkin for her and finished it as a pinkeep.

I made her a pin cushion using Moda fabric by Blackbird Designs, shamelessly copying one that Tanya made for us a couple of years ago at the OOE retreat. I loved the fabric and after a long search found it at Hancock's of Pacuccah.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Happy Halloween!