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!

The Finish Line

I wake up in the mornings to the sound of birds singing outside my window and I think "what a weird dream I had" only to realize seconds later that it was not a dream! All of the stuff is real and still going on! I probably have that dream at least once a week.

It's finished!! A big happy dance is in order! I have been stitching away in between wiping down counters,door knobs, phones and more. I have made some more progress on Willing Hands by BBD. I had to entertain some frogs (don't they know about social distancing? LOL) and I took a day off from stitching because my eyes were beginning to cross! I made another little boo boo but after examining it, I decided to leave it. I have read that some people purposely put a mistake in their hand crafts (woodworking, quilting, ect) to help keep them humble and remind them that they are not perfect. I'll go with that! LOL. The picture just does not do justice to these vibrant colors!

I am going to put the BBD Sewing Club book aside for a while but I am not finished it by any means! This book has so many wonderful designs!

I never thought I would get excited about toilet paper or other everyday items but when I am able to find them my heart beats a little faster as I walk (not run) very quickly to claim my limited amount! LOL. If I ever see those shelves fully stocked again I may pass out from shock! LOL

What is the first thing you are going to do when life goes back to whatever our new normal will be? I am going to get my hair trimmed (I feel like the shaggy dog) and then we are going to the steak house for a nice sit down dinner! At least those are the plans in my mind! LOL

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

What Day Is It?

Looks like I am late again with my blog post! But in my defense, who can keep up with the day of week anymore? All days are pretty much the same for a while, anyway!

We are still here and taking it one day at a time just like everyone else. The Grumpy Ol Gazer will pitch in and help me clean or cook every now and then but other than that, I stitch and he does whatever strikes his mood. Working on the car, taking a nap or something else. The boys are trying to keep busy too. The oldest has been taking care of the yard, cleaning out the back building and stuff like that. The youngest has been helping with laundry and taking trash out. Of course he is bummed out that his birthday falls during the stay at home order.

We have been doing the majority of our grocery shopping online and then go by for pick up. We don't even have to get out of the car. Once in a while I go to another store for a quick trip to look for things store #1 might have been out of (while wearing my mask). What am I having a hard time finding? The stores have toilet paper but it gets bought out as soon as they stock it so it was a matter of hitting the right time! I finally did! It varies from time to time and store to store. Sometimes it is eggs or meat or paper products.

I have made some good progress on my stitch. Is the design more obvious now? It is Willing Hands from the new Sewing Club book by Blackbird Designs. I am loving it so far. I just finished the first page.If you have this book then you know that the design is divided onto two pages. I have had a really hard time putting this one down! I was so excited to start on it that I did not even look through my fabrics for the perfect match. I just grabbed a piece of Platinum 18 count Aida that was in the basket beside my chair and started!! I am using the called for colors. I plan to have it framed.

I have new charts. Old charts. Free charts. WIPs. I am determined to get as many stitched as possible during this stay at home order so that when things go back to somewhat  normal, I can take a pile of finished pieces to my LNS for framing! My reward for making it through all this without going bonkers and her reward for staying patient and believing in her customers!

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