october 26 - just a quickie

Just a quick post to show my Totally Useless SAL for this month...not too much added...mostly threads from Carol's SAL and a couple of exchanges. Next month should include lots of ornie stitching...I hope!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

october 17 - it's dangerous being me!

I am sitting here trying to type with basically one hand. Why would I do that? Well, not my choice...Friday night found me climbing onto our opened up sofabed to turn off our ceiling fan light (long story) when I fell through the corner where the frame and mattress meet. One leg inside the bed...the other (along with the rest of me) dangling and finally falling to the ground. I landed on my left shoulder and my hand, wrist and forearm...all of which are majorly bruised and sprained right now. I am not left handed but it is amazing how much I am finding that I need my left hand...little (but important) tasks hurt...a lot!I have a clunky brace on today but it still hurts. People here at work think I am a walking disaster in the making...just a few short weeks ago, I fell down the concrete steps near my house and messed my knee up pretty badly. That's finally starting to feel better, just barely tender now. I', working my way up from the feet, so I probably should be investing in a helmet sooner rather than later!

Of course, I couldn't get any stitching done this weekend, but I didn't really have time anyway. We have relatives visiting from Maine (not staying at our house, but close) so we met up with them on Saturday for breakfast and visited a wonderful Harvest Fest in Hood River. We brought our grandson, whom no-one had met and we all had lots of fun.

My LNS, Acorns & Threads, had its annual fall open house yesterday so I stopped by and picked up a few things and ordered a few more. They are also having a Staff Trunk Show and it is so much fun seeing all the wonderful pieces stitched by members of the staff there. Unfortunately some are older and the patterns are now out of print, but I am making a list anyway. I love treasure hunts!You never know what you might find!

Well, I'd better get back to work...hopefully I will be able to pick up a needle in a few days and get some stitching done!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

a little of this & a little of that

Fall is most definitely here. It's been really raining off and on for the past couple of days. We did get a few sun breaks today, but they have been few and far between. We were on vacation last week and got lots of things done around the house, spent a few days with our grandson and still had some relaxing time. Vacations are just never long enough though! I realize that it would be oh so easy for me to just slip into the stay at home mode...just can't do it yet though!

Elaine was my partner for the last round of Fair & Squares. These are the beautiful squares she stitched for me. The design is from The Gift of Stitching magazine and it is really pretty. The colors are lovely too. Thanks again Elaine!


I stitched this design from a mon ami Pierre for Elaine. It is stitched with one of the variegated threads from DMC. This was a freebie and is a favorite design of mine. Elaine liked it too!


I also finished my needlebook for the Autumn Needlebook exchange at Friendly Stitchers, but I can't show that until it has been received. And Part 6 was stitched for Carol's SAL...the photos can be seen on her blog.

Only two more months until our secret pen pals are revealed! I received another nice letter from my secret friend. I am really looking forward to finding out who she is!

We will be seeing family this coming weekend. My SIL & BIL are flying in from Maine, and my other SIL and her partner are flying in from Las Vegas. Our Maine relatives will be here for a week. Their son lives in Hood RIver which is about an hour from here and it has been a few years since they have been to visit...the Las Vegas relatives are only stayuing for one night. We are bringing Asher up to see them since they haven't met him yet. In fact, he was born two months after we saw them last when we were back East for a reunion. Should be a fun and busy weekend!

I started another piece last night, but don't have a photo to share yet. It is Dandy Dreams from Silver Creek Samplers. Hazel has let me borrow the pattern, so I want to get it done as quickly as I can. I love this design and love the colors as well. I'll post a photo next time.

And, finally, many of you commented on the little kitty in my TUSAL photo for last month. I love this little kitty, but it is not something that I stitched myself. It was stitched and sent to me by Pauline last year.

So that's it for now. Thanks so much for all your comments, and thanks for taking the time to visit!

september 28 - two SALs

So, I have been in the midst of chaos since Sunday night trying to empty out the closets in our upstairs rooms. I don't know why I thought it would be easier...I mean, I knew I had a huge amount of stuff, but it was even worse than I thought...way worse! So now the floors are cleared, the shelves are cleared, and the bathrooms are stuffed with boxes and bags! Luckily, Jeff is on his way home from his conference and we are both off tomorrow, so we can do all the last minute things. He'll be home Friday when the guys come to actually install the carpet...I can't wait. I vow never to let things get to this point again. If they do, please lock me in a little room and don't let me out! I have made lots of discoveries though...patterns that I didn't think I owned so bought another, lots of freebies that really do have to be sorted, lots of designs I know I will never ever stitch, and lots of treasures that I was so excited to see. I see a big sale or lots of giveaways in my future!

I remembered that yesterday was the new moon, but didn't remember until this morning around 4am...so here is my pathetic TUSAL offering. All those blue threads on the top are the new ones. Before Sunday, there was like one little thread in my bowl, but on Sunday I got all caught up with Carol's SAL so I was able to have at least a little something to show. While stitching Part 4, I realized I was off one stitch in Part 2, so had lots of frogging to do...but now I am all caught up. Carol re-sized the photo for me, but I can't seem to get it over here to the blog, so please check out her blog to see my progress and all the other wonderful pieces that are being stitched. And here is my totally useless SAL for this month...


Thanks for taking the time to visit!

september 23 - just sharing

I have had so many things rolling around in my head and just can't seem to concentrate on any one thing long enough to get anything accomplished. You know how it is when you have something niggling in the back of your mind that you know you have to do, so you can't really do anything else because you feel sort of guilty for procrastinating on the original thing? Well, I have been feeling that way for a long time about my "craft room" and the closet within. The closet is stuffed, and my shelves and files are in a state of disarray. But now I am being forced to do something about it because my dear husband called the rug installer the other day, and they are coming next Friday to install new carpet in our upstairs rooms...one of which is my space. They will move furniture around (except for the bed, which we will have to take apart), but they want all the "little things" put away and nothing on the floors of the closets. Think about how many "little things" there might be in all my stitching stash...yes, some are in boxes, but they are mostly small boxes which I have to find a place for. And then I tend to also make piles and stacks and never seem to get around to sorting through them. And the bags....oh dear. It is just too overwhelming to even think about! Hubby says we can do the closet together tomorrow, but then he is leaving for a conference out of town and won't be back until Wednesday. I think I am in trouble!

A bit of good news if you are the owner of a kindle and have wanted to get library books for free...overdrive (the company that supplies ebooks to libraries) is now supported by kindle which means more free books for us! And the best part is, it is so easy to use. Even I can do it, and I am certainly no technical wizard! Any new way to get books into my hands is always appreciated!

We are having a needlebook exchange on Friendly Stitchers and I received my needlebook from Val the other day. This photo does not do it justice...the theme was autumn, which is my favorite time of year anyway, and this is one of Val's original designs. It is so pretty in person...I know it will be kept out on my stitching stand all year long. Thanks again Val!


I also received my completed round robin back this week from Jinger. We are in a small group and we all stitched The Hunt this last round. Mine is stitched on a mottled gray fabric with GAST in Brethren Blue. It looks so much better in person, but you can get the idea. I wasn't sure about this design at first, but I really love the way it turned out. Thanks again to Jinger and Clare for stitching on this for me.


And I just realized that the New Moon is fast approaching (where did September go?) and my ort container looks pitiful...there won't be much to add to the TUSAL this month if I don't do at least some stitching this weekend. Maybe after a hard day of cleaning out the closet I will reward myself on Sunday (After hubby leaves of course!)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

september 9 - smiles and letters

For a short work week, this one has seemed to last forever! It doesn't help that I have been battling headaches all week I guess. Anyway, bring on the weekend!

Isn't this the cutest little design? Sharon posted this one her blog this weekend, and I stitched it right up. I love ladybugs and this one really made me smile...which is what she intended, I guess!


I stopped at my LNS yesterday on the way home to pick up the JCS ornament issue. There are some really nice designs this year, and many from designers I wasn't familiar with. It's fun for me to realize that I can recognize some of the designers now by just looking at the ornaments. My to-do list just got measurably longer!

And when I got home there was a letter waiting from my secret pen-pal. She sent the prettiest hand-made card...the flower is stitched and so delicate! Thank you so much...whoever you are...no...I have not guessed yet!

I've signed up to do the Crazy 15 Challenge again this year, but I'm having second thoughts. I enjoyed starting so many new projects in January, and I was really sure that I'd be able to complete most of them, but I must admit that so far only a few have been finished, and some are really not even calling to me any more. I didn't choose small projects....well, maybe a couple, but most were medium sized, and I think that as my stitching time became more limited, even those just seemed too big. And then, of course, one must factor in the fact that I have startitis and zero will power when it comes to limiting myself...I see a design I love and start it, and just see myself stitching away...but much of that stitching is in my head! Every day on the drive to work I tell myself what I will accomplish that evening, and more evenings than I care to count, I accomplish zilch! But...I have finally stopped beating myself up about it and just do what I want, when I can and enjoy every stitch. It is my hobby, after all, not my job!

And since I am at my job, I suppose I should get back to it! Break time is over!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

September 1 - the simple woman's daybook

For Today....

Outside my window...the sun is finally coming out
I am thinking...about all the things on my "to do " list
I am thankful...for my husband, who is always there for me
I am wearing...a sweater :(
I am creating...a mess on my desk
I am wondering...if I should out my shoes back on
I am reading...The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini
I am hoping...to be awake enough to stitch tonight
I am looking forward to...a relaxing weekend
I am hearing...the fan blowing over my head
One of my favorite things...a soy no water chai latte from Starbucks
A few plans for the rest of the week...stitch, read and get my hair cut & colored
A photo to share...one of my favorite spots along the Oregon Coast...Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach...(not my photo, I am at work)


Please visit other daybooks here...thanks Peggy!

september 1 - stitchy helpers

There was a distinct chill in the air this morning...it definitely feels like September!

We all need our stitchy helpers, and we all have our addictions, don't we? One of my addictions are the special embroidery scissors put out by Ginghers twice a year or so. I can remember a time not too long ago when I thought to myself...why would anyone need so many pairs of scissors...wouldn't that money be better spent on more patterns, for instance? Oh what a foolish thought that was! Once I gave in and bought my first pair (I think they were "Sarah"...because that's my daughter's name...isn't that a good reason????), I was hooked! I do use my scissors...and switch them out from time to time. But mostly I just crave them and love to look at my little collection. And no...I do not plan on stopping this addiction any time soon! So here is the beautiful Alicia...if you look closely you can see the peacock feathers in the design...along with the lovely fob that Sue made for me. I think it's perfect for these lovelies.


And I also had a wonderful surprise in yesterday's mail. There was a sale at The Gift of Stitching shop awhile back and I ordered these three adorable thread winders. I don't really use thread winders (at least I haven't up 'till now), but they were so cute I couldn't resist (do I sense a pattern here???). So here they are...and I am really pleased with them. It's kind of hard to tell in the photo, but the lighter green one has a mermaid design etched in, and the cross has many Celtic designs. I love them!


I had plans to do lots of stitching this week, but every night I have been more tired than the one before. This week seems to be dragging on...maybe because we are having a long weekend coming up and we are all anticipating it...I'm not sure. I did stitch Part 2 of Carol's SAL, but I decided not to post photos of it here until it is done. Carol is posting progress photos on her blog though, so please take a look at everyone's lovely stitching.

Thanks for visiting!

august 29 - it's TUSAL time!

It seems like we just did this, but it's another new moon and that means another TUSAL posting. I had to change containers...my original one has become too small. I'm on the lookout for something nicer, but until then, this will have to do! There are lots of bits and pieces this month. I don't feel like I've accomplished much but I have been putting needle and thread to fabric, and here is the result. Lots of pretty colors....

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

august 23 - SALs, Exchanges and New Starts

Life around here has been so hectic lately...if there isn't something crazy going on at work, there's something crazy going on at home! In fact, I actually started this post last week, but am just now actually getting it blog ready! But in the midst of all this craziness, I have found some time to sit and stitch...thankfully! I love SALs, even though sometimes I have a hard time keeping up! This weekend, Carol, from IStitch, sent out Part One of her Mystery SAL. I am lucky enough to be one of the participants (lucky, because I love Carol's designs and know that this SAL will be wonderful). I am stitching my piece on 28ct. lugana from Kiwi Illusions. The fabric color is "Sweet Violet" and it was sent to me a long time ago from a stitchy pal. It is a pretty purple color and really nice to stitch on. The thread is called "Sugar Plum" and is from GAST.
Edited: I have removed the photo of my SAL piece. It seems that some people may be enlarging photos from our blogs to try and duplicate this design. I don't want to enable anyone, so please go to Carol's blog to see all the in progress photos from everyone stitching along. Thanks!

The second SAL I am currently doing is with the Little House Needleworks/ Cross Country Needleworks yahoo group. I made a very small start on The Chocolate Shoppe, but was so happy when Carrot Cake arrived in my mailbox on Saturday because that is the design I really wanted to stitch! So I made a small start on the border and hope to get many more stitches put in this week. I love these little cakes!
I've also started a SAL with the Blackbird Designs group. We are stitching the new Loose Feathers design...Summer. I am having some problems with a few of the thread colors. One just faded right into the fabric, and all my greens look alike, so I will try to remedy that at my LNS before I get too much farther. This is my small start.... The Stitchers' Timeout yahoo group has bi-monthly block exchanges every year and these are always fun to do. The theme for September is "owls". I started stitching an owl block months ago...part of a design from Blue Ribbon Designs...but somewhere along the way it got misplaced. So I decided to start another little owl. This was a teeny tiny design from someplace I can't remember right now!. Well, guess what disappeared as well? So when the new JCS issue arrived with the cute Halloween ornaments I decided to sit down with my threads, fabric and magazine and stitch this one up until it was finished. I figured I wouldn't be able to lose it that way! so this is the owl that was finally sent off for the exchange. It is called Fall Owl and is designed by Casey Buonaugurio.

Here is the summer block that I received from Renee....sorry for the shadows in these pics. Thanks again Renee!

And here is the adorable CEC acorn that I received in the anniversary block exchange from Sue. Thanks again Sue...



I love these acorns! Some time back, we also had a SAL on Stitcher's Timeout. If I remember correctly it was a Fall/Halloween theme. I chose to stitch CEC's Acorn Autumn, and finally finished it this summer when we were on vacation. Another acorn design!
The other exchange that I have begun participating in again is the Fair & Square exchange, where each round, partners stitch a pair of squares for each other...one square is a design, the other is an signature square. I was partnered with Nancy this last round and since I knew she liked La-D-Da, I stitched their Tiny Sampler for her. It is stitched on a mushroom evenweave with DMC 4130.

Nancy sent me the greatest squares. This is another La-D-Da design (one of my favorite designers as well) called 'Tis Better. This design was on my to do list for this year but I never got around to it...Nancy did a great job with these and I really love them. And I also have another new start. I was lucky enough to win Summer Splendor from Diane Williams a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to get started stitching this. I'm missing one of the threads and hope to find it at my LNS later today. I just had to put in those first few stitches! Don't you all sometimes feel that way???? I also went overboard with stash buying these past few weeks, but I'll share that next time! I didn't realize there would be so much to share when I started! I guess when it rains, it pours!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

august 9 - the lost art of letter writing & an exchange

I love writing and receiving "real" letters in the mail. E-mail is great, but there is nothing like having a handwritten (or typed) letter waiting for you in the mailbox. At least, I don't think so!
So...I was so happy when Parsley posted on her blog looking for people who would be interested in having a pen pal. Sign me up! This is also interesting because we are all secret pen pals...we won't reveal our identities until December. Doesn't that sound like fun? I received my first letter last week, and also sent a letter off to my partner. I'm not sure if I can keep the secret for that long, but I'll try!

There is also a yahoo group dedicated to writing real letters, and I am a member there too. This is not a secret pen pal, and there are about 25-30 of us in the group, I think. We don't all necessarily write to every other person, but I do try to keep in touch with as many as I can. We are all stitchers, and one of the other common threads running through the group is that many of us are avid readers. So when the idea of an exchange came up, we all thought a bookmark exchange would be a great place to start.

This is a photo of the bookmark that I received from my partner. Lisa stitched parts of a Victoria's Sampler design, and it is so pretty in person. I love lilacs, and the colors are perfect. She also included a wonderful lighthouse bookmark kit, so I have another bookmark to stitch (and I love lighthouses, so this was a perfect choice!)


This photo shows the bookmark I stitched for Lisa. I adapted Plumberry Sampler from Bent Creek for her piece. I haven't stitched a bookmark in a long time and this was fun to do. I also sent along a mystery book that I thought she might enjoy.



Thanks for stopping by to visit!

july 30 - a quick TUSAL post

We're on our way to the Maryhill Winery for a concert - Yes & Styx, but I didn't want to forget my TUSAL check-in. Not much added this month, and I think there is a needle in there as well!


Thanks for visiting!

Strawberries, TUSAL, & losing things

We are finally getting some wonderfully delicious strawberries and I am taking every opportunity to eat them while they are ripe...in pies or just in a bowl...they are so yummy! I even stitched a strawberry for my anniversary block for Stitcher's Timeout...Berry-corn from Cross-Eyed Cricket.
And another month has flown by...which means time for the latest installments of our totally useless SALs! I didn't stitch much this month...at least it didn't seem like I did, but I managed to add a bit to my little jar. The colors all look so pretty mixed up together!
Do any of you have a problem with losing things...in your own house? I realized that I have lost two pair of my Gingher embroidery scissors...it's like they have vanished into thin air. I know they are here someplace, probably in the bottom of one of my stitching bags...but I just can't figure out where. It is so frustrating! I did finally find my kitted up Mary Wigham Sampler...after I had printed it off yet again and was on the lookout for new fabric and threads. I knew I had kitted it up when it first appeared, but it too was lost.And then I found it while looking for something else. Geesh! I think I need an intervention! So hopefully I will get it started...there is a SAL in progress over at Friendly Stitchers...and have a progress pic to show soon.

The sun is shining and the forecast is good for the next few days and I am so ready for it. Our annual blues festival is being held this weekend...it is one of the largest in the country and goes through Monday. And it's all a fund-raiser for the Oregon Food Bank which is a great reason to head out and enjoy the sunshine and good music.

I hope that all my US friends will have a safe and happy holiday...and that everyone will enjoy a relaxing weekend with some time to sit & stitch.

Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I do appreciate it!

june 24 - finally found the camera!

Well, I must say that when I misplace something, I do a really good job of it! I thought hubby had taken the camera on his little trip, but he came home...no camera. Since I couldn't really even remember the last time I had seen it, the search was on...well, off and on...there was too much else happening to spend too much time on this. Anyway, I finally found it, snuggled into a pocket in one of my Vera Bradley bags...those pockets are deep...and things can hide for sure! Which brings me to my point...and that is that I actually have a few pictures to share! This first one is a pillow that I finally put together for a friend. I had stitched this Lizzie Kate design from the Chocolate Lovers leaflet years ago...it's done on fiddlers cloth with DMC. I backed it with a pretty blue and cream floral flannel fabric and added some blue beads around the edging (which you can't see in this photo!). I love the little chocolate chip cookie button on the bear's lap!


This next photo shows the adorable block I received in the latest block swap at Stitcher's Timeout. The theme was any design from Bent Creek, Heart in Hand or the Trilogy. Lavon stitched this adorable snowman design from Heart in Hand that I was lucky enough to receive.


I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Fair & Square blog. Stitchers are partnered up and stitch two blocks each round...one is a design, the second is a signature block with the stitcher's name, location, date...whatever. I joined in on many rounds some time ago, and then stopped for awhile when things just got too hectic. Usually the rounds are either holiday themed or just general (you stitch a block based on your partner's likes for example), but this last round was designer specific and the designer was Blackbird Designs. I love BBD and couldn't resist joining in.
These are the squares I stitched for my partner Shelley. The design is taken from the Honeysuckle Manor book and it is the Honeysuckle Pin Box. I stitched it on a neutral evenweave fabric with a variegated blue DMC floss. It turns out that this was quite a popular design among the other stitchers this round as well!


And these are the beautiful squares I received from Shelley. I was really blown away when I saw them. The photo does not do them justice...these squares are gorgeous. Shelley stitched a design from the Stitcher's Journey book...these are adaptations of the Tulip Pincushion and Tulip House Stitching Companion. They are stitched on a light mocha (much more beige than it looks like in this photo. The thread colors are soft and so pretty. I know I am gushing, but you'd understand why if you could see these in person! Thanks again Shelley for a wonderful exchange!


And finally, I mentioned Count Your Blessings in my last post...the traveling pattern from Shakespeare's Peddler that I was lucky enough to get to stitch. I stitched it on a buttermilk jobelan (a pretty yellow color which somehow looks gray here!) with various threads, changing the colors to reflect the colors on our house. The pattern has now been passed along to Nataly and I hope she will enjoy stitching it as much as I did.

So, my stitching mojo is starting to return and I hope to have some more things to show you next time.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I really do appreciate it!

june 10 - technology troubles and a traveling pattern

First, I must apologize to anyone who was waiting on the fate of the traveling pattern Count Your Blessings.

We had a great weekend in Seattle.The U2 concert was more than amazing. There must have been over 100 trucks for all the light equipment and special effects stuff. And the Mariners game was fun too...I love games where the scores go back and forth and this one was like that and we came out on top which was great. We took Jeff's sports car and had the top down the whole time because the weather was so perfect...at least until we reached our exit coming home. That's when the skies opened up and we had to scoot over to the side of the road and get that top up in a hurry! It turned into a really nasty storm with thunder and lightning even, which is pretty rare for this area.

Anyway, something happened to my computer and it was out of commission. Then my cell phone got wet and wouldn't work. Jeff took the laptop to Minnesota for the week, and even my computer at work bit the dust (not that I would have had much extra time there anyway). So now it is Friday...the home computer is back up and running (yeah!), I got a new phone (which I actually like better than my old one - which wasn't even that old - I just have to learn how to post to blogger from it), Jeff is glad he has the laptop, and my computer at work is still toast (but I won't need that until at least Monday so I'm not worried!).So that's the long story of why I haven't posted yet this week. Now all I have to do is find the camera...hmmm...maybe Jeff took that too! He'll be home Sunday night, so I can post pictures then!

So...drumroll...the lucky stitcher who gets to stitch Count Your Blessings next is....natalyK! I'll email you, but if you see this first, please send me your address and I will get the pattern in the mail to you right away. Thanks to everyone who left a comment. Keep your eyes on Nataly's blog for the next chance to stitch this great design.

I have dog duty this week, and my babies look like they are ready for a walk, so I had better get moving!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

june 2 - a finish, a traveling pattern and TUSAL

I can't believe that another month has gone flown by. I have been really busy at work between meetings and trying to get all the summer reading stuff ready for the children. Sign-up started yesterday...let the fun begin!

I haven't been stitching much at all, but I did manage to do the stitching on two ornaments (I'll wait to show a picture until they are "finished"), and a small Bent Creek piece. This is Are You My Mother?...a piece I've wanted to stitch for a long time. It's stitched on a pale yellow jobelan with Weeks and GAST threads.


I've also been stitching on Count Your Blessings from Shakespeare's Peddler. This is a traveling pattern and it is such a cute design and a great reminder to be thankful for all the things in our lives...big and small. I am not quite finished with it, but very close, so I thought I would post now to see who might be interested in stitching this one next. This is the pattern:


If you would like a chance to be the next stitcher, please leave a comment on this post and let me know that you are interested. All that is asked is that once you receive the pattern, you stitch it in a reasonable amount of time, sign your name to the chart, and then send it along to the next person. We're going away for the weekend, so I will choose the next stitcher on Monday.

Finally, it's time for the monthly posting of our collected orts - TUSAL! My little jar is looking pretty full...it looks like there is a lot of blue in there, but I can't remember what I stitched this month that had blue threads! Hmmm....one more mystery to solve!


And, just because...here's a photo of my little grandson. He came by the other night for a surprise visit and made his grandma & grandpa very happy!


Until next time, thanks for visiting!

may 3 - Sunshine and a New Moon

Another New Moon, which means another TUSAL update. I did not do as much stitching this month as I had hoped, but I still seemed to almost fill this jar. I think I will need a new one for next month.


The dogs and I had a wonderful walk in the sunshine when I got home from work...yes, you read that right...sunshine! What a treat!

I had a wonderful surprise in yesterday's mail. I am participating in the latest round of the Blackbird Designs exchange, and my exchange arrived yesterday. Catherine stitched this beautiful pillow for me. The design is For My Daughter, but she made some changes to the design. It says "spring 2011" on the left side and is filled with something that feels like crushed shells. The thread colors are all beautiful muted pastels, and Catherine even added some pins to the pillow. This photo does not do it justice...trust me...it is perfectly stitched and I just love it. Thanks again Catherine for a wonderful exchange!


Well, I think I will go back outside and enjoy some more of this sunshine before it gets too late! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

may 1 - what a week!

From the devastating storms in the southern United States to the joyful wedding of Kate & Will (has any couple ever looked so happy?) to the amazing news tonight of the killing of Osama Bin Laden...it's overwhelming! I remember so clearly that morning in September 2001 when I thought my BIL was in one of the twin towers and the sheer relief when I learned that he wasn't much much later in the day. We carry these experiences with us, even when we think they have long been buried, and I don't think we even realize the toll that takes. So I continue to pray for the victims of September 11 and their families, and the victims of the horrible storms this week, even as I also pray for a long and happy life together for Kate & Will...the circle of life...

I have been so negligent as far as blogging goes....I'll be amazed if anyone is left out there who even cares to visit any more! Something is going on with me but I am not sure what. I have just been feeling "off" for the past several weeks. Not really sick, but not really feeling great either...so tired some nights, it's all I can do to read a few pages of a book. I think that our weather is finally turning the corner towards spring, so maybe that will make a difference in how I feel. I hope so!

We had a sleepover with our grandson Saturday night which was lots of fun, as always. I miss him so much when we don't see him, and am always amazed at how much he changes in only a few weeks. He is truly the joy of our lives.

I have not been stitching much lately, but have been reading instead when I have the energy. Sonda wrote on her blog exactly what I have been thinking lately...guiltless stitching is such a pleasure! I started out the new year with those new and UFO challenges, and I have been stitching on some of those pieces, but it is starting to feel like more of a chore than a pleasure...you know...like I have to get such and such done by such and such a time. It kind of takes all the fun out of it! So I think I will stop setting "goals" for myself as far as specific projects go, and just set a goal to stitch as much as I can whenever I can and enjoy every stitch!

I do have a small finish to share. I heard (in a roundabout way) that my partner received her exchange piece in the Blackbird Exchange, so I can share a photo here. It is a piece form the Stitcher's Journey book...Summer Sachet. I hope she liked it! I finished it as a small pin pillow and added a little bit of lace and an old button.


It is getting late and I think I should be heading off to bed. Don't forget about Edgar's blogoversary...the link is in my "Great Giveaways" tab, along with other giveaways from generous fellow bloggers.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

april 11 - monday monday....

We had such a wonderfully relaxing weekend...it was kind of sad to see it end! There were short glimpses of spring weather, but for the most part, we are not there yet. This morning felt really chilly and, as much as I love my big warm sweaters, I am getting ready for some lighter clothing!

I do have some stitching to share. We are having a spring/Easter SAL with the Stitchers Timeout group, and these are two pieces I stitched for that. The first is Bunny Egg Mini from Waxing Moon Designs. It is stitched with a Weeks fiber called 'Clam Shell' on a piece of buttermilk 28ct. jobelan...a really yummy pale yellow color (which looks gray in this photo!) Trust me, it looks much nicer in person!



The second piece is one I found in the latest issue of The Gift of Stitching. San-Man Originals was the featured designer this month. I used to stitch lots of Sandy's designs and have binders full of them...but then my tastes changed a bit and I began doing more Quakers & primitives & samplers. But reading the article reminded me of how much fun Sandy's designs are to stitch, so I stitched this one up. It is called Happy Quack, and it is stitched on a piece of medium blue 28ct. linen with DMC. I changed some of the colors because they didn't seem as bright as the ones in the picture.

This last photo is my progress so far on Apple Tree Sampler (my SAL with Babs). I'm on page 3 and will start the big tree next Sunday when I pick this one up again. Please excuse the wrinkles...I didn't have time to get the iron out this morning before work! Again...the fabric is more yellow than it appears in this photo.

I also started two ornaments and a square for an exchange, but I ran out of thread for the ornies and time for the square, so I don't have those finishes to show yet! I also haven't heard from my partner in the Blackbird Designs exchange, so I will wait with that one too. I think she should have received it by now, but haven't heard yet. I guess I will give it a bit more time before I start to worry!

I hope you all had lots of time to stitch this weekend too!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

april 3 - totally useless

Another new moon is upon us...where do these months go?

We had our grandson for a sleepover last night and spent some time yesterday at a great indoor play area...the best part about this one is that they had a special section just for the little ones with the same kinds of activities but in a scaled down size. It was lots of fun!

I'm working on a small spring piece right now but don't have a photo yet, but I do have a photo of my TUSAL jar ...I think I may have to look for a larger jar soon! This month I have added threads from lots of small projects as well as a few finishing bits & pieces.

Thanks for visiting!