Thank Goodness August is Almost Over!

Good Morning! I am sitting here with my coffee and little heater humming away. That's right, I have my space heater running. The men in my family love a cold cold house. I can deal with it most of the time but not when I first get up in the mornings so I run my little heater for a short while to knock the chill off the air!

 

The kitchen is almost finished! The refrigerator should have been installed by now but..... I don't even want to go into detail about the headaches these delivery people caused me! We ordered it at the store (and the people there were great) but it was coming from one of their warehouses. This is where the nightmare began. These warehouse people did not want to do anything they were supposed to! They kept telling us that we had to haul away the old fridge (even though we paid for haul away). It got totally out of hand so we got a refund. The store manager was great and told us to wait a week, come back and she would help us get the fridge WITHOUT dealing with that warehouse!  I was so stressed out for two days I felt sick! Word of advice when you buy a major appliance. Make sure it is delivered by the store and NOT the warehouse! 

 

The new counter tops will arrive next week and then my son and the Grumpy Ol Gazer will get to put them in. I like laminate counter tops. I like the price. They are easy to care for and you can pick styles that look like expensive granite, stone or even butcher block. I kept the floor. I love my splashes of red in each room and my floor does that for the kitchen. The new sink and faucets arrived.  We still need to paint and get new blinds.

 

I am still working on Bee Skep by BBD. This piece really is getting on my bad side! I love the design. I just hate everything that is getting in the way of my stitching time on it! I did not get much stitching done this past week because of bad infusion loaded with several days of side effects. I hope to finish it up by the last day of August.

 

I even put the fabric for the Jane Tindall 1864 SAL over at IG in a hoop. I have made a few stitches on her already but like I said before -- no promises, no time lines! LOL. For all I know, this could be a year long stitch!

 

I have decided to make Saturday and Sunday my WIP Weekends. I really need to give these WIPs some attention and finish them up. I decided to pick up Mother's Tree to work on. The tree was driving me nuts. Just like the house on Bee Skep but it coming close to the end and then I can begin the fun part -- family names!

 

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

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.

Emelia

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know I had worked on Mother's Tree by Lavender and Lace. I worked steady and it seemed I never got past that tree. I don't know if it was the one color stitch after stitch or just frustration but I started to get terrible headaches every time I worked on it.

I was at my LNS picking up some framing and I mentioned this to the shop owner. She told me "make it your own". I thought on this for a while and I have decided how to do it. No tree but just as meaningful with the record of women in my family. A very simple design.

This has been a very hard piece for me to start. I just have this horrible feeling that I will stitch it, have it framed and BOOM, I will start finding new ancestors that should be on the tree! I have decided to make a detailed list with any extra information (and new mothers that should pop up) printed out and attached to the back after it is framed.

I am going to use the same alphabet but I am changing the colors and NO TREE (did I say that before? LOL)  I am going to stitch her on 18 count Aida Irish Cream from MyVintageNeedlearts over at Etsy. This is beautiful Aida fabric but it is sort of hard to tell that it is lightly mottled by my pictures.

Emelia Clarke Poer is the only woman in the tree with both her maiden and married name. The other women will only have their maiden name. Their daughter's maiden name is the mothers married name. She is my maternal 5th Great Grandmother.

Emelia (Milly) was born in 1791 in Lancaster, SC. She married Salvadore Poer on December 10, 1810. They were married in Lancaster, SC. After they married, they moved to Burnsville, NC. I looked and looked for Emelia's parents but birth certificates were not required back then. Most people just used the Family Bible.

Emelia and Salvadore had 4 children. Three girls and the youngest was a boy.

Emelia died in 1858 before her husband (who later remarried). Her grave is either lost or destroyed but there is no record where she was buried other than in Burnsville, NC.

I have some longer names coming up and I am not sure if my fabric will be wide enough. I will try to fit them in the way I had planned but I may have to shorten one or two. Either way, I will have the full info sheet on the back. Who knows, maybe I can finish this piece up by the end of the year. That would make me happy enough that I would not be upset about my lack of finishes in 2019!

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

Memorial Day Weekend

I know I haven't posted a recent update picture of Creation Sampler in a while so here it is! I was hoping to be further along by this time but with everything that has been going on, I am happy.

I am still checking out Ancestry on a regular basis hoping for another name to be discovered for my Mother's Tree. So far, nothing. When I finish  up Creation Sampler I plan to stitch a short but sweet piece by Notforgotten Farm called "I Stitch". Lori designed it as a bookmark but I think I will have it framed even though it is very small.

Speaking of Mother's Tree. I have every intention of finishing it off in time for the October framing sale at my LNS. My dilemma is whether to pick it back up where I left off (on the tree) or start fresh and make it my own. Decisions, decisions...

We went up to the foothills one day to meet my cousin and her husband for lunch. It is always good to get together with family and catch up. We had some very pretty scenery on the way.

I filled all the birdfeeders one last time for the season. I stop feeding them June 1 through Oct 31 because there are plenty of insects, bugs and berries for them to feast on.I start feeding them again November 1 though the end of May.

And our chipmunk is happy too!

I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend. I would also like to send thanks to the soldiers who keep us safe!

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.

Another Saturday Night

Working on Mother's Tree gave me the family history bug again so I decided to work on some of that. I am still looking for more women to add to my Mother's Tree but it looks like I have hit a dead end. I know that with my luck, as soon as I finish the piece and have it framed, I will find one or more women!!! I was able to get a few more lines finished on the tree. It is difficult to see the progress with only several lines at a time.

I was able to stop by the LNS and pick up a few items I need to kit up several more pieces. I have kitted up Heart & Hand. I know I shouldn't but my fingers are really itching to start this piece! I may have to justify the double stitch to that Mother's tree and my lack of patience!

Whenever I feel guilty about buying more charts while I already have so so so many, I just go to my LNS and talk to the ladies there who have the very same addiction! LOL.

I was looking through some new charts and found one that made me drool! It is The Prayer of St. Frances by My Big Toe. I realize I have already done this prayer by Lizzie Kate and it is at the framers right now but this one is sooooooo elegant and a must have so you guessed it. I bought it! Maybe it will be my next infusion project. After all, Our Father and Apostle's Creed by My Big Toe were infusion projects.

With everyone posting pictures of their new or familiar established pets, I was feeling a bit out of the loop. Should I post a picture of some of the regular visitors to my backyard kingdom? Then I saw Edna sitting all by herself on the bed. She is such a good ol' gal and never complains. A quality worth appreciating. She doesn't look especially happy about anything but she always catches my eye as I walk by and gives me a reason to smile. I fluffed up her dress and spread out the skirt all nice and pretty for the picture. Who is to say that she didn't enjoy the much over due attention?

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.

Short and Sweet

The days are finally starting to stay warm. No more up and down roller coaster temps! The nights are still a bit chilly but that is alright. Our time change has kicked in. I love the longer days! More time to stay outside and watch the birds gather twigs and leaves for their nests!

It's that time of year! Chocolate Mint time! I keep several pots out on the deck and several pots in the house. I don't cook with it. Never have. It is the best stress buster I have ever encountered. When I feel anxious or tired in knots, I just ruffle the foliage and the most wonderful relaxing aroma makes everything alright again!

The Grumpy Ol Gazer and I have started a new tradition of sorts. Once a month we get ready and go to Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast! Neither one of us are big breakfast eaters but when go here, we make an exception! Big Yum!

I did not work on Faith (Words to Live By) this week. Instead, I tore up the house looking for Mother's Tree. I had put it in what I thought what a safe place. Ha! I finally found it and worked on it instead this week. I am still stuck on the tree but I can see some progress starting to show. It will go much faster once I get to my family names.

We thought that we had cleaned out the clutter and had either thrown it out or donated a lot of it. Not so. We are still finding things and filling more bags for the donation truck to pick up! I had no idea we had accumulated so much over the years!

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

Sunday, Sunday. So Good To Me

I pulled Mother's Tree from my WIP drawer. I really want to finish this piece up but to be fair to Faith (Words to Live By), I am only going to work on Mother's Tree over the weekends. That should be enough for me since this tree is the main reason it keeps landing in my WIP drawer! After several lines of it, I get very frustrated

My doctor keeps fussing at me to get a recliner so I can keep my feet up while I stitch. Well, we just can't afford a new chair for me right now so I did the next best thing and got this ottoman. It has a storage compartment under the top so I can keep my stitching handy.

We noticed a soft spot in our living area floor. Almost spongy and my chair was sitting right on top of it. After further inspection we found a hole in the floor and called out a guy who works in this area. After he came out of the crawl space, he told us the damage. No termites but a very money hungry building contractor who had used the cheapest supplies available to build these houses and some of these supplies just gave way sooner than they should have over the years. So now certain things have to be repaired and replaced! That will put a hold on some of the work we were doing around here. That's life!

Faith (Words to Live By) is still moving along slowly but at least it is moving! Sorry I was too lazy to take it out of the frame for a picture!

I found this quilt pattern at SGCountry Sampler and I am so in love with it! Basic pattern, basic colors but put them together and OMG! I have the pattern and I am gathering the fabric for it now! The name of the quilt pattern is Worn and Loved. Isn't that just perfect for this!!!

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

I See Fall

Glimpses of red and yellow are showing up in trees. The mornings and evenings are sweater weather cool. The sun is setting earlier and in the mornings I see a new shadow cast by our Japanese Red Maple indicating shifts in the sun by a different season. Fall is on it's way! Time to pull out my cozy flannel lounging PJs.

My dr. seems to agree with my conclusion about the weight loss. Nothing major or life threatening. My orders are to keep eating until I begin to put on the pounds then back to my regular daily diet as I get to my normal weight! So for now, bring on the cakes, the pies, fried foods and all the other yummies!

I finally got the camera back from DH so I could post a picture of my current progress on Marianne. I did make several mistakes on her already but by the time I noticed them, the damage was done. I could frog them out and possibly lose my enthusiasm for stitching on her, chalk them up to uniqueness or even the Amish practice of intentionally inserting a mistake in their work to remind themselves that no one is perfect (a practice I admire). I chose the last option.

I also goofed on several color changes and am just not very pleased with their look but now that I have a "feel" for her, I don't think that will happen again. I hope. I am still debating on whether to frog those out and change the colors. I am hoping once I get more done on her, those colors will not stand out like a sore thumb (to my eyes, anyway).



There isn't a lot of progress to show on the Mother's Tree just yet. Those Old Script letters are taking some time and may not be as quick of a stitch as I had first thought. Especially since I am already longing to get back to Marianne!

For now my plan is to do two lines on the Mother's Tree, go back to Marianne for a while, do two more lines on the Mother's Tree and so on. Eventually they will get finished!

As I show my progress on this piece, I will block out some of the last names for security reasons. I am working from the bottom up which is something I usually don't do or like to do but I am frantically doing some extra last minute family history research for one last name to add at the top. I have 8 names which was my original goal but I just want more! Greedy me!



Since I'm not totally sure of the finished size yet, I am using a really big piece of fabric to play it safe. I have already gone past my anticipated width. Ugh.

I received a suggestion to stitch the names the person went by in a solid color. I liked that idea, so be it. Also, I am stitching the full given names of the ones I know. The rest of the names are stitched as the chart calls for. First letters of each name in a darker green with the remainder in a lighter green. I decided to only switch out two colors. Brown for the tree and my much needed red fix for the dates.

What are you working on or just dying to start on?

Thanks so much for stopping by to say! Until next time, may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.