It's That Time of Year!

 Infusion time! I will be starting another round the last Monday of this month and go for 4 infusions. A lot of you know that I like to take a special infusion project with me to work on. I prefer to work on a prayer, proverb or another spiritual piece. I am taking Ann Pegg by The Scarlet House this time. I would have to get her started the week before I go in. I am stitching her on 18 count Aida in Toffee by My Vintage Needlearts and am using the called for threads.

 

I still have over half left to work on with Mary Eliza McMillan and there is a nice little inspirational verse on it. I have not gotten as far as I had hoped thanks to several days of hand cramps and a visit from my froggy friends! I have noticed that the DMC conversion colors are not quite as bright and cheerful as the silks but I am still happy with her. Here is a picture of her progress so far. Updates coming later.

 

A journaling prompt for this week. What do you do to practice self care? Some days I like to focus on my hobbies. It gives me time to do something I enjoy which helps me to relax. Also I make sure I get plenty of sleep. A cup of coffee is my way of spoiling myself each morning.

 

Dull days are back! Except for the occasional dr. appointment or quick errand, dull has made an appearance once again! We did have a little excitement one day when we got some snow. No big accumulation but it sure was pretty to watch it coming down. Especially since we did not have to go anywhere!

 

When we got our new appliances in 2020, we decided to wait on a dishwasher because the one we had was still working good. It started to act sick the other night and we thought we might be making a trip to the store to pick out a new one but instead we had our local repair man come out and it was a quick fix. It was also a lot cheaper than buying new!

 

I did order Elizabeth Hunter by The Scarlett House. She has not arrived yet but when she gets here, she will be kitted up and put on the top of the stack!

 

I am anxiously awaiting the release of two designs by HATS. Amy Fisher and Amelia Bachelor. I picked up some new stickers for my Book of Days and Journal.

 

Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Here We Go Again!

 I spent New Years Eve and New Year Day with my journal, my Book of Days (stitching calendar) and a WIP.

 

My journaling prompt for today is about stitching. Do you like to stitch borders? When I first started stitching years ago, I did not like to stitch borders and usually tried to leave them off but over the years, I have come to appreciate these as a big and important part of the design. I still get frustrated with them but am happy I took the time to stitch them after all is said and done.

 

 Have you ever lost a WIP? I have misplaced several before but eventually do find them except this time! I had been working on A Virtuous Woman by Carriage. House Sampling earlier in 2020 and set it down. I looked and looked for it and it was NO WHERE to be found! I had to re-order the chart, the threads and pull some fabric to start over! This will make me think twice about setting my work aside for awhile! LOL

 

I get so excited when I find a shop with an OOP chart that I had wanted but never got around to buying! This doesn't happen as often as I would like but it still makes me happy. I recently found Worthy Brown by Carriage House Sampling and had to bring her home!

 

In between the holiday rush and things going on around here, I decided that I would stitch on a WIP for the remainder of the year and until it is finished!  I have been stitching on Mary Eliza McMillan by HATS. I started on this when it first came out but I put it aside because of a bursitis flare. I thought about starting over with different colors but I like it with the called for colors. She is being stitched on 18 count Aida Beige by My Vintage NeedleArts over at Etsy in the called for DMC colors.

 

I decided to stick with stitching my samplers (and a few Christmas) this year. I have a bad habit of getting caught up in other peoples work and wanting to stitch the same thing only to end up setting it aside. No fancy wild hairs messing up my rhythm this year! I am going to stay within my comfort zone for a change!

 

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

A New Start

Our stay at home order for the state has been extended but all is good. My grocery bill is definitely higher! Part of my higher grocery bill could be my fault because I tend to get a little more of certain items because I don't know if they will be in stock next time or not but I never buy beyond my limited amount. And we definitely eat plenty of snack foods during this! I only go out to pick up groceries and prescriptions or if I run out of ice cream!! Ice cream is an essential, isn't it?!!

We have had several rainy days in a row this past week which is fine by me because the grocery pickup is done and nothing else to go out for. Rainy days are good for two things. Stitching and naps! And I take advantage of both!

I mentioned that I had several designs to choose from for my next stitch. The top three are Sampler Hill by Brenda Gervais, Wonderfully Made by Erica Michaels and All Joys are Thine by BBD. There is a problem with having a big stash. You tend to forget what you actually have. I did that with Sampler Hill and ordered it again. I don't mind having extra threads. Those can and will always be used but now I have an extra chart too! Oh well.

UPDATE -- I decided on my next new start and here is a picture Sampler Hill in progress. So far, it is an enjoyable stitch and I really do love the design! I am using the called for colors (although I am debating on changing several) and I am using 18count Aida in Carmel Creme by My Vintage Needlearts.

I ordered my very first Hands Across the Sea pattern in PDF file form. It is Mary Eliza McMillan 1869. I just LOVE the simplicity of it and the happy colors! I also like the bottom dedication to COVID-19. We need a new printer because our current one is broken but I as soon as we get one, I will print out the file and start stitching. No hurry right now though since I am working on Sampler Hill!!

These are not all my fabrics. I have a drawer filled with others from various places. These are just Aida fabrics from My Vintage Needlearts over at Etsy. Can you tell that I love her stuff!! I just placed another order too for some of my favorites!

While rummaging through my stash one day I noticed that several items were missing! An OOP Adam and Eve and some threads for another sampler. I am pretty sure I had ordered the threads but I could be wrong. I have several other places to look and if I don't find them there, then I will freak out!!! UPDATE -- I found the A&E chart (thank goodness!!)  but not the threads for the other sampler. I guess I will have to order them.

Until next time may you have simple days, an uncluttered heart and stay well!