Boy, I Am Late!

What a busy week. Thank goodness that is behind me. Every time I tried to stitch, I had to put it down to do something or go somewhere! At least I got my flu shot in the midst of all that running around.

I am loving these cooler days! Just enough of a chill for a sweater in the mornings! And the morning chill makes that first cup of coffee taste more comforting! Life has not gotten Dull yet but it does seem like things have settled down a bit and back to normal. We celebrated the cooler days with a big pot of beef stew!

 

The Book of Days 2021 by Needlework Press will be sent out soon so I called my LNS to reserve my copy!

 

I was able to take some time to clean and straighten out my project basket. It won't look this neat for very long! LOL

 

Harriat Brown by Stacy Nash was put on the back burner during our busy week but now is moving right along! I have several more lines stitched up. I have several ideas for that empty space. I just need to decide.  I am still debating on whether I want to add a border around her. I have time to decide that.

 

Quilts and Samplers are two of my very favorite things so I had to include them! The number 5 is repeated about five times on one line. This is because many important things in my life have been associated with that number. I went to Catholic school for 5 years. I was 5 years old when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I married the youngest of 5 boys. I got married on the 5th day of the month. I was the middle grandchild of 5.

 

Right now I am working on the crowning piece of this sampler. It is a very special prayer. I will post a picture and more about it after I have finished stitching it.

 

I have a few more little fill ins to take care of and then on to make sure Harriat gets her moment to shine (one way or another)!  Fingers crossed I have enough fabric to stitch her. I will definitely be doing some rearranging on my walls!

 

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

Hot Summer Days

This has been our rainiest season to date! So far,we have had 16 inches this Spring and it just keeps coming!

We had a day long power outage over the weekend. The power went out at 8:50 AM and did not come back on until 11 PM. It was tolerable until about 2 in the afternoon and onward. It was terribly hot by then!

When my Sewing Club book by BBD arrived, I promptly stitched Willing Hands then put the book aside for a while. The other night I picked it back up and found at least five more "must do" designs! Uh oh!

I decided to share a sneak peek with you of my current stitch.  It has been a slow stitch but mainly because I did not work on it while the Grumpy Ol Gazer was in the hospital. I miscounted in a few areas but did not notice until I was so far along, I just decided to work around it instead of ripping stitches out. It has basically been an enjoyable stitch except for that house! Once I developed my rhythm on it, I started sailing right along! I will give you one hint. It is a BBD design!

When I had my framing appointment several weeks ago, I ordered a few items I had been looking for. Vintage Animals by Jeanette Douglas and the threads. I have Vintage Birds but needed the threads for it so the owner took care of this for me!

I have had several other happy mail days this month. One day, a new BBD design arrived and I was thrilled to see The Song They Sang by Carriage House Samplings in my mailbox!

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

Stitching Along

Last week we had weather temps in the mid 60s but we also had a tornado touch down. Luckily it missed us. Two day later the weather was 33 and snowing again!! Talk about some wonky southern weather!

One more infusion this round then I am finished until July unless somethng happens. Fingers crossed!

I promised an update on Virtuous Woman this time and here it is! I have been taking her to infusions when I go. Sometimes I get a good bit stitched and other days I only manage a small amount of stitching along side of a good nap. Unfortunately the frogs followed me to infusion! All taken care of now! I have been working on her at home some too. I am planning to frame her so I am not sure if I will tweek her any,

I also have another update on Quaker Bluebirds aka Redbirds. This piece is really hard to put down but it does seem to ge going slow

I have struggled for years with the way I stitch. I like to do one piece and get it finished before moving on but I have always envied stitchers with rotations. Vonna aka the twisted stitcher mentioned on Fiber Talk about a new rotation method that she is going to try. It sounded very interesting and not so overwhelming.I may give it a try but nothing major

How many WIPs do you have? Do you dream of starting a new start while workng on an current piece? Be honest!

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

Just Words

Yes, I am still working on the Mother's Tree but the hand cramps started over the weekend so I took a few days off from the needle to let my hands rest up before getting back to work.

When I put my stitching aside to give my hands time to get over the cramps, I play in my stash. I have so many designs in my Stitching Bucket List but I have ear marked 10 of them for 2020. LOL. I am not saying I will get all 10 completed next year (that would be a miracle) but those are the ones I have my sights on. I am staying busy to make sure I have every thing I will need for each sampler I do complete.I have also been concerned about storage of these finished samplers (until I get them framed) so I was able to find a cross stitch project roll protector

We had plenty of unexpected errands to keep us busy all week as well. Our weather has gone from chilly sweater mornings to wearing that sweater ALL day!

Thanksgiving is coming up and I no longer cook that big meal for several reasons. My husband and I decided it would be easier and more enjoyable to just go out. There are not many places open on Thanksgiving that appeal to our taste so we decided to do something different this year. We are going out for an early Thanksgiving breakfast (at one of our favorite places) before the crowds start and then everyone can just do their own thing the rest of the day with sandwiches and such. Easy clean up.

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

It's Summer Again

Oh, how wonderful the weather was the first part of  the week! I have even been wearing a sweater in the mornings and evenings!  I took advantage of it and went outside to clean out some bird feeders and houses so they would be ready for this Autumn. While I was able to get outside and do a few things, I cleared off places for my blackberry bush, blueberry bush and butterfly bush.

Of course all good things must come to an end and so did our Fall preview! It got hot and humid again and I just didn't really want to get out in that!  The Grumpy Ol Gazer mentioned one evening that "we haven't had real food in a while. Just quick to fix dinners." Well, like I tell him every Summer, it just gets too hot when the oven is going along side of the outdoor heat! But I caved and fixed one of my favorites the other night. Notice I said "one of MY favorites"! I made my mother's recipe for stuffed peppers which I always loved, some steamed squash and a garden salad.

I do love my hoops and just can't stitch without one. I usually get the German Hoops and they are very good quality with no splintering. I have been wanting a square hoop though and it finally arrived! I love stitching with it!

A Sister's Garden by La D Da is coming along nicely too. I am really enjoying this piece. Such a pleasure to stitch on!  I am stitching her on Aida 18ct. Khaki that I got from My Vintage Needlearts over at Etsy! She has some beautiful colors but I think I will getting more of the Khaki!

I got so involved in A Sister's Garden that I forgot to work on AAFG. It's not going anywhere so I can pick it up later on. I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

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

I'm Late. I'm Late.

I am late with my post out of laziness. I kept forgetting to take the pictures I needed. We had a week of big thunderstorms each evening. I love when it rains at night. I sleep so good! Back on topic, after all that rain we are now having a week long preview of Fall weather! Love it! After taking a break from stitching over last weekend, I decided to start the week off with a new start but my threads had not arrived.

I spent the first several days working on AAFG. I am almost finished with section 8! Only 5 more sections to go! Maybe I will finish it up by the end of the year (no promises) if I stick with it. A reader suggested that after I finish with it, I could coffee stain it to hide those old age stains! Good idea!

I usually like to begin my infusion project about the time I go in to see the doctor which won't be until mid November so I have plenty of time for a new start.  I decided to do something smaller and on the simple side so I chose A Sister's Garden by La D Da so it does not cross over into the infusion project. The colors are so pretty. Hopefully I will start on it soon.

On the home front, I noticed that my wild rose is blooming again! Our oldest has taken over the yard work and he keeps my bushes trimmed back nicely. Of course my Grandma would probably have a heart attack if she knew how he does it -- with a machete! But it works! LOL.

He trimmed my pyracantha bushes way back. We actually thought they were dead (which is why he trimmed them back) but they are coming back and hopefully they will have some yummy berries for the birds this Fall.

I am already planning my garden for next year. I have a blueberry bush, blackberry bush (both self pollinating) and a butterfly bush ordered. The Grumpy Ol Gazer said "but the birds will get all the berries" Exactly! And I am already looking at tomato plants along with several other veggies and fruits to put out.

I have stayed indoors as much as possible lately since we have had some terrible heat and air quality warnings.

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

Goodie Goodie New Framing!

We have had enough rain to hold us over for the rest of the year (or longer). I really don't mind a rainy day as long as I don't have to get out in it. I like stitching to the relaxing sound of the rain falling.

The painting is finally starting to take off! While the GOG is working on finishing up the main rooms, I have been hanging some of my cross stitch back up. Some old friends and some new ones that have been hold up in my closet waiting for space!

Since I am working on my family history again, I thought I would share some of the more interesting ancestors from my tree.

Charles James Cannon born in New York City November 4, 1800. He died there on November 9, 1860 at age 61. He was of Irish parentage.  He was a famous poet, play write and novelist of his time. He often wrote under the pen name "Grandfather Greenway". He also compiled a series of readers and a spelling book.

I was able to pick up my framed items that I dropped off at the LNS. I will share a few this post and some more next post.

Feliz Navidad by Blackbird Designs

Because Nice Matters by La D Da

Prayer of St. Frances by Lizzie Kate

I love a good mail day and my fabric along with some threads arrived so that I was able to kit The Prayer of St. Frances by My Big Toe. That will be ready to start on about mid May. I like to get a several weeks head start on my infusion projects.

I also worked some more on Mother's Tree. I am going  to make this an alternate stitch for weekends only. I confided in my trusted LNS friend and framer about how the tree seemed to cause more hand cramps. We discussed alternatives and finally settled on a way that will look just as good. Like she said "Make it your own".

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

It Happened Again!

Once again we had a beautiful week with warm Spring temperatures. My chickadees and blue birds loved the weather! The very next day we woke up to SNOW!! What the.... My blue bird couple was ever vigulant and kept working on their nest. My chickadees have left again. I keep watching and hoping they come back.Yes, the weather was back to Spring the very next day! I hope that is over.

Unfortunately I was not able to work on Mother's Tree again. It was just a busy busy week. My LNS started their framing sale so I took in six pieces. I can't wait to get them back. She knows what type of frames I like and she always does a wonderful job!They also had their charts on sale so I picked up a few. Like I really need more! 

I got Together by Heart in Hand. A very sweet and simple piece.

I  also picked up Quakers and Quilts by Rosewood Manor. It is an alphabet sampler with quilt blocks! Need I say more!

And last but not least, I got Heart & Hand by Brenda Gervais. This chart included multiple favorites of mine. I have always like the saying "Hands to work. Hearts to God"  It included 2 of my favorite trees. Dogwood blossoms around the top border and a Weeping Willow by the house. And the Heart to Hands symbol is always a classic!

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

No Pictures Today

The rain has returned and we get at least one shower a day but usually more. We are still having the roller coaster temperatures which makes it hard to switch over my closet to totally Spring clothes! Just last week, we had a beautiful warm day in the mid 60's but the very next day it was in the 30's with sleet and snow! That's a southern winter for you!

I had my last infusion for this round and all went well so I am finished until around June or July. Nice break!

The painting continues. We had to skip a few days because of doctor appointments and other errands so that threw us behind schedule but we are still trudging along! I can't wait to get my cross stitch back up on a new fresh background!

Our bedroom is finally our bedroom again! For years it had been a combo of our bedroom and family junk room. If you could not a place for something, you put it in Mom and Dad's room! That just got old and felt like a walking through a maze! It has been cleared out and everything set up the way we way it now! YEA! One big job out of the way!

Faith (Words to Live By) is moving right along too. I did not finish it before the last infusion but I will keep working on it and finish it soon! No pictures this time but soon.

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

Taking My Time

Not much news going on this week. We are still cleaning out closets and drawers. It seems like for every one thing we get rid of, we replace it with 2 things! Oh well!!

No quilt or cross stitch SALs for me this year. Don't get me wrong. I always enjoy them -- at first but then something happens and I get behind. That's when I get stressed. Also I had a made a Stitching Bucket List and boy, was it LONG! LOL. I love everything on it but the more I looked at it, the more stress I felt! I tore up that list and will just stitch what I want when I want! No stress!

My infusions have started and my new infusion project is one from Words to Live By by Heartstring Samplery. I choose Faith for the first project. I am really enjoying working on it.

As promised, here are several more house blocks and another row by row quilt. I made the fish row as a memory of my Grandpa taking me fishing when I was a child.

We have had so much rain since November! I wonder if our yard will ever dry out! I need some hip wader boots just to go out back to feed the birds! LOL. A little exaggeration but you get the picture!

I have been stocking up on some colors for certain quilt projects. Blacks, light creams, dark reds and other neutrals.

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

More Trees And a Few Birds!

Well, here it is another new month. Another new week. Another new blog post. And I still have my trusty coffee with me through it all! I am feeling pretty good about myself and the fact that I have been keeping up with my blogging after that long lull. I realize just how much I enjoy it.

I have had trouble with my email and have been getting a lot of notices that people are sending me emails that cannot be delivered. So I sent each person an email explaining the problem. THEN I find out that Blogger or Google is trying to send me a copy of the comments I leave on other blogs and THAT is the email that cannot be delivered! Pssst. So to those of you who got a strange email from me, I wish I had found this out sooner. To Blogger and/or Google, cut it out!

I was able to get some stitching done on AAFG. I was a little more careful this time and stopped working on it when the hand cramps started instead of pushing myself onward and making them worse.  

I got some stitching time in on And Heaven and Nature Sing. I am enjoying stitching this design!

 A surprise to myself, I pulled out Backyard Birds by La D Da and got some more done on it also! A wonderful Springtime piece.

We had some lovely weather last weekend and the first part of the week. There are buds on the trees and the birds were singing like it was Spring! I loved it. The feeders were empty from the birds gathering for food during the snow storm we had a couple of weeks ago. Before I could get myself up and out the door to fill them all up again, my husband comes in and tells me that he has already done it for me! It's those little things..........  

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!

Snow Days are for Stitching

Is it Monday again already? Time certainly does fly!  We have had some extra cold weather lately considering the mild temperatures we were having.  We even had a little bit of snow around the mid part of last week. Nothing to get panicky about. There was no accumulation but it was pretty coming down. Then we got hit hard by a bigger storm several days later! A lot of ice and snow! Very pretty if you could stay indoors and watch it but a real mess to get out in! In anticipation of the storm, I filled up my bird feeders the day before.  

While we were stuck in the house because of the storm (did I mention that I was not going to try to go out in that mess?) I got a little bit done on AAFG. I am almost finished with the last part of the top section then I will move on to the bottom half. Half way finished on this monster! I can honestly say that I will think MORE than twice before taking on another BAP again! lol.

 

Speaking of AAFG. This was one of the charts that had mysteriously disappeared and I had searched for it everywhere I could think of. I finally reordered it. The day before the new chart arrived, I found the original one in my closet!!!! If I had not re-ordered it though I would probably still be looking for the original! 

 I joined the Joyful World SAL at The Snowflower Diaries blog (link in my sidebar). I had seen this little fox and blackbird floating around the internet on various blogs  that I follow. I thought he was adorable but I kept telling myself that I had enough to work on. And I do. But I finally caved. I have the fabric, some of the threads and I still need to print out the chart. If and when I decide to pick it up, I can. It might be nice to have a smaller project to work on so I can see a finish more often while working on these larger ones.

 This will probably be the last picture of the Our Father by My Big Toe that I post until after I have it framed this Spring! I finished it up this past week! It is not finished in this picture but close enough. I really did not want to work on other projects until I got this one finished up and set aside! Now I can start working on some of these others!

I am working on gathering some of my charts that I am either finished with or know I will never get around to stitching. I will be putting them on my Sale and Trade blog soon. I will let you know when they are up and ready!

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

February's Report

The sun is shining again and temperatures have been reaching the 70's since the last snow! It has been wonderful! So many trees are beginning to bud and show off some colors. The birds are loving the Spring like days and are singing their sweet songs but now another cold snap is upon us and I am wearing my sweatshirts again. Hopefully it will be the last one for this season!

Since my last post, I worked some more on The Apostle's Creed. I have about 12 lines left to stitch. I work on it as often as possible now. I realize that I said it was a weekend only stitch but I would love to get it finished and take it in for framing very soon!

Other than the Apostle's Creed, there are a handful of others I am determined to see finished this year. Oh, who am I kidding? Each time I walk past my stash boxes, I hear muffled cries of "Pick me" "Stitch me" "Don't listen to them. I've been waiting longer!" Several of them are not currently in my stash but I HAVE to get them so what the heck! I won't let this happen every month besides I was prepared for there to be a few new designs I would just have to get!

My SFS spending update for this month is $9. I went to my LNS and picked up the February BBD Loose Feather's chart that I signed up for last year.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to have some progress pictures to share with you soon! Have a great weekend!