out with the old, in with the new

I've decided to try and go on a stash diet this year...nothing new, except for the things I have on automatic...Santa's Village, the Sheep Virtues, the little designer  SAL,  and some fabric of the month clubs. I took advantage of the DMC sale at JoAnns and stocked up today ...hopefully I now have all the colors I need. I have lots of overdyed threads too, and I will just try to use what I have, substituting when I have to.

So, of course, just like any good dieter, I binged before the real dieting begins...so I will be getting some goodies in the mail over the next few weeks I think.

But that's it...nothing more. And truth be told, I didn't really need what I just bought either, but it's that feeling of dread...nothing new to drool over.

So, hopefully, some of my WIPs and UFOs will finally get finished and I will get to start some of the wonderful designs that I loved so much I just had to have them (sometimes, more than once...I see some giveaways in my future!)

And there's always a wishlist....

Thank you all so much for taking the time to visit and leave comments here. I so enjoy hearing from all of you. And I send my very best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy, peaceful 2013 filled with everything you wish for.

Last WIPocalypse for 2012

I must say that I don't think I really embraced. The true spirit of the WIPocalypse this past year. I did start out with a list of WIPs to stitch on, but didn't make much progress on those. I managed to stitch lots of ornaments, several exchanges, stitched on lots
of round robins and did finish a few other pieces...but not as much as I wanted to.
So for this year I am going to start with a list of ten WIPs, work on all of them throughout the year and hopefully get some of them finished.
I'm counting on all of you to keep after me and keep me on track...please????
Thanks for taking the time to visit!

exchanges and a giveaway

I am finally finding a minute to post this last exchange done with Stitched with Love Exchanges. It was a holiday theme, and this is what I received from my partner, Shannon. She stitched two really cute pieces for me...an ornament and a stacked cube finish. Both were displayed on the mantle this year. Shannon also sent lots of other goodies, including a cute LHN ornament design, a little crocheted angel pin, buttons, floss...well, you can see in the photo.!

And here is what I sent to my partner Jessica. I was glad to hear that she liked everything in her package as well.

So thanks again Shannon and Jessica...for a wonderful exchange!

Missy is having a giveaway at her brand new blog, so please go over and say hi...especially if you are a scissors lover!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

TUSAL post

It's the last New Moon of the year, and that means the last TUSAL post as well! I haven't filled my jar, but I'm getting close! This has been fun...and I hope we get to do it again next year!

Thanks for visiting!

the perfect start

Last night we had the perfect start to our holiday season. A friend suggested we see A Gospel Christmas. This is an annual event combining the Oregon Symphony Orchestra with a local choir. Her son was a soloist this year. Anyway, we always like to do some special Christmas-y  thing each year, so we got our tickets and went downtown. What a wonderful experience! The voices were extraordinary, the music was magical...everyone was on their feet...getting into the whole performance. It was a truly wonderful way to start our holiday celebrations.

We also got to walk over and see the City's tree...it was raining, so the photo is kind of blurry, but it really is very pretty!

And now I am off to do some more exchange stitching...

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

way late wipocalypse!

I thought I should probably post this wipocalypse update before the next one comes along! Better late than never, I guess! Most of my stitching this past month was for exchanges, which I can't show yet...but I did manage to finally finish some ornaments...

These first two are designs by Twisted Oaks...two of three Christmas Quaker Ornaments.

This one is Lady Scarlett's Christmas from Just Nan.

This is Winter Joy from Little by Little Designs.

This is Second Day from Plum Street Samplers.

This is Sweet Christmas from Lizzie Kate.

And lastly, A Christmas Blessing from Full Circle Designs. I changed this one a bit, adding our names. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

It's Day 4!!!!

 It's the fourth day of Jo's 2012 Advent Calendar Blog Hop...and I'm so happy to be participating for the first time!

I've chosen to share a piece I stitched several years ago...the patterns are from Lizzie Kate...the Christmas Blessings Flip-Its. Sorry, but I can't remember what year they are from! I decided to stitch them all on one piece of fabric...it's hard to tell from the picture, but the fabric is a very pale peachy beige color with lots of gold flecks. I used the called for sampler threads from GAST and Weeks.  I chose this design because I think it looks really festive and covers all the things we love most about the holiday.

The theme question this year is "Stockings, Sack or Something Else?".

We do stockings...ours have not be unpacked yet this year, so I can't show a photo, but I can tell you how our stockings evolved. When our oldest daughter celebrated her first Christmas, she was just shy of three months old, and I had sewn her a beautiful red satin quilted stocking with lace and bells and her name cross-stitched on the cuff. It's about a yard long...much bigger than she was for sure! And, of course, when her sister came along 3 1/2 years later, she got a stocking just as big.

We still hang those stockings every year, and I can tell you that both girls look forward to seeing them even now (they are 34 and 30 years old!) There are also stockings for the rest of us (hubby and I, and now our grandson), as well as the dogs and cats, and usually one or two assorted "partners". I can't tell you how many stockings I have made over the years! (and actually, saying they are hung on the mantle is a bit of a fib...they usually weigh so much that they end up stacked against the walls and chairs!)

Please go here to see everyone else who is participating in the blog hop this year!

And thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

the day before

it's the day before Thanksgiving, and since I don't know when I will get back to the computer, I wanted to wish everyone in the US who celebrates...a wonderful day filled with family, friends, and lots of good eats!

My daughter has been visiting from Massachusetts, so I have been busy and haven't had much time to post, or even read much this past week. We have been having fun ...she is planning her wedding and that's just about all she talks about! I did get to see her dress though, and it is really pretty and she looks beautiful in it.

I haven't picked up a needle all week either, but did finish off two ornaments that were sent out on Friday. I'll share pictures once they are recieved.

And here is my newest pair of scissors...these are also Ginghers (but not the Joann's exclusive)...called "Emily"...a pretty addition to the collection, I think!

Thanks for always taking the time to visit, and thanks too for all your comments. Blogging and stitching friends are the best!

stitched with love

I have been lucky to participate in several rounds of exchanges with the Stitched with Love Exchange group.  The Fall into Halloween exchange has just been completed, and since everyone has received their parcels, we are free to share photos. Autumn is my most favorite time of year, so this one was really fun.

My parcel arrived from Greta, and it was just super. I love biscornu but do not do a very good job stitching them, so I was tickled to find this beautifully stitched one in my parcel. I love the little acorns and squirrels!

Top:

 

Bottom:

And here is a pic of everything else that was included.

Thank you so much Greta!

And here is the piece I stitched for Cath. It is Autumn Bird from Heart in Hand, made into a pinkeep.

And a photo of the whole parcel.

I hope Cath enjoyed it as much I enjoyed putting it all together!
  
Thanks for taking the time to visit!

it's TUSAL time

Another month has flown by! It seems that I have actually done quite a bit of stitching this month...my little bowl was nearly full and this one is getting there too! I don't know why it is so orange...I'll say it is autumnal!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

victory!

I dusted off my sewing machine, found the instruction book and had some fun this afternoon! It sure saved me a lot of time putting together a little piece for an exchange.

And who knew there was a needle threader on the machine? Has that always been there? I can't tell you the problems I have had trying to thread the sewing machine needles!

Anyway, I am a very happy camper! You can see a teeny bit of the piece off to the right...sort of!)

I am off to pick hubby up at the airport...so glad to have him home safely!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

a soggy sunday

Today was the perfect kind of day to stay inside by the fire, with lots of hot tea, watching football and stitching...and that is exactly what I did!

None of my teams won, but I did get some more stitching done...another exchange ornament is done. I'm off to dust off my sewing machine and get to the finishing. Wish me luck!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

a stitchy saturday

It's been a pretty productive day!

Hit Michael's for some needed DMC and a few other goodies for exchanges. Also bought Christmas cards at B & N. wonder how long it will take me to start writing them...I do have stamps though...

The patterns I was waiting for arrived from 123stitch, so I'll be able to start another exchange piece tomorrow.

The elusive "Jennifer's" are still nowhere to be found...at least in this area. I think if a design is going to be exclusive to Joann's (which these are)...then they should be available at all the stores and on line too. It doesn't seem fair that some areas of the country get them and others don't. I think it should be an across the board thing. Maybe they'll still show up...we'll see!

I've been stitching on an exchange piece today, so can't show anything yet. I think it will be cute though!

Watching some college football...go Ducks!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

friday flights

Hubby arrived in Arizona safely. He will be spending the next few days with his brother whom we haven't seen in a few years, so this will be a fun trip for him.

Still trying to track down a pair of the new Gingher Jennifer scissors. None of the Joann's around here seem to have them and it is very frustrating!. It's not like I need another pair of scissors, but I really like these. And I have a great coupon too! Oh well, I'll just keep at it and maybe one of these days they'll show up!

I also made a small trek to Acorns and Threads because I needed a few flosses for an exchange I am doing. I thought the pattern would come in today's mail, but it didn't. I did get my fabric for Santa's Village though so I'll be all set once that pattern arrives.

Some of us in the Friendly Stitcher's group are doing a round robin, and I finished stitching my part on Judy's today. She chose Language of the Flowers from Rosewood Manor as her piece and it is really a beautiful design. This is a shot of the bit I stitched, all except the "P" and the bottom of that vase in the upper corner.

and here is a shot of the piece so far. It is going to look really lovely; I think Judy will be pleased.

I'm off to work on another exchange piece...

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

grimm

The people who film the television series Grimm have invaded this little town where I work. There are massive equipment trucks surrounding our little library and streest being closed even as I type this. The actual filming is being done in the church across the street, I think. I know that this show is based in Portland...they have done lots of filming in the neighborhood where my daughter lives. But it is kind of exciting. I guess I should start watching the series...

Hubby is off on his travels tomorrow and that gives me a 4 day weekend...I have grand plans to get many things done and I hope that that is what happens. It is very cold today, so if it stays this way I have every excuse to just stay inside by the fireplace and stitch and read to my heart's content, right? Of course, the doggies have to go out, but we can bundle up for that.

An ex-coworker came in today with her daughter...the last time I saw her she was a tiny little baby...she is nine years old now! (and as tall as her mother!) Where did those nine years go?

I also went to a presentation this morning on our retirement plan and how to apply, etc. Not that I am really getting ready to retire (although hubby would love it if I did), but it is always good to find out that information early. It is kind of confusing, at least to me. I never have been one for numbers!

Time for a nice hot cup of tea...I have been sitting here freezing all day..hope I'm not getting sick...wish I had brought some stitching with me.  It seems like whenever I do that, I never have the time. Was wondering if I should just have a "work project" and leave it here. Do those of you who work outside the home ever take your stitching to work with you?

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

bits and pieces

With the election finally over, the knot in my stomach is gone. That's a good thing.
I realized that I missed last month's WIPocalypse, but I think I've already posted pics of anything I worked on last month...other than some exchanges, and those have to wait anyway!
Still stitching on Judy's round robin..it's going a bit slowly, but coming along.
Lots of you have been participating in Loretta's blog hop questions. I kind of fell behind with those, so thought I might try to answer a couple.
What's your absolute least favorite thread to work with? Color wise it has to be white thread...which is really unfortunate because I really like snowman designs! The one type of thread I avoid is metallics...they drive me nuts!
What are your must have stitching tools? I have lots of those...I have to have a magnifier...also a needle threaded...I also like to use highlighter tape. My hubby bought me a great combo light and magnifier which I also love to use.
I'd love to hear about some of your favorite tools!
Thanks for taking the time to visit!

this is a test...

I've had this iPad for just about one year, but I don't think I am using it to its full potential. Granted, I am not the most tech savvy person on the planet, so there are probably lots of things I could do if I only knew how. So I got a book from the library today, but before I start delving in, I thought I would see if I could post to my blog.
I wonder what it will look like? I wonder if it will show up at all! Will I ever learn how to post a picture? Only time will tell...I'll just be taking baby steps!
Thanks for taking the time to visit!

misty monday

There has been a constant mist here for most of the morning...sometimes thicker than others...and now, just before it will start to get dark (because of that darn time change!) the sun has come out in full force! I shouldn't complain, because yesterday was a really lovely warm day...wonderful for November.

I've ordered my fabric for the Santa's Village project. I just went ahead and got the 32ct. lambswool. I probably could have been more creative about it, but I just really want to get everything ready and be able to (hopefully) keep up with this one. I failed dismally with the cottages...only finished one all year (although I do have high hopes for finishing December so that I can display it this year...we'll see).

Some good news...my sister and her family in New Jersey finally have their power back...and hubby went back to work today after a bout with pneumonia. It seems to be going around here too...kind of weird. Election Day is finally upon us...no more of those constantly irritating political ads...I am not looking forward to staying up late tomorrow night to find out the results, so maybe I'll just go to bed and be surprised in the morning.

I worked some on Judy's round robin last night and hope to get some more done tonight. She chose Language of the Flowers from Rosewood Manor for her piece. It is really pretty, and we are each just doing a small bit, so Judy will finish it up later. I'll post a pic when I have my bit finished.

Well, it's time for me to pack up and go home. It's been a long work day and I am really feeling it. Why do Mondays always seem so hard?

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

a little sunday stash

This is the first Sunday of the month, and on those Sundays, Acorns and Threads, my LNS, opens for a few hours. They were holding CCN's December Cottage for me, and while I was there I thought I'd just look around a bit. I've really been trying not to buy too much stash over these last several months...because I really really do have way too much already...but I couldn't resist picking this one up. It's new from Dinky Dyes, and it even had all the threads, so how could I resist? I love those autumn colors!

I also stopped by Michael's on the way and picked up some beading supplies. I'm thinking of trying to make a fob or two. We'll see how that goes!

Off to watch some football and stitch on Judy's round robin.

Thanks so much for all your comments on Joy in the Journey...it really was a fun design to stitch.

And thanks for taking the time to visit!

a quiet saturday

This has been a pretty quiet day. Hubby is finally starting to feel better...he's had pneumonia and has been feeling lousy for a couple of weeks now. We got lots of errands done...car stuff, laundry, shopping, hair cut...watched some college football...Oregon beat USC...go Ducks! Now I'm coloring my hair and getting ready for some stitching time tonight.

Just have one small thing to share today. We are doing a round robin with Every Stitch Counts and this is my bit stitched on Berly's piece. She chose the Seasonal Nine Patch from Amy Brueken. I chose to stitch two of the autumn blocks. The colors in the photo are way off...the fabric is actually white!...but I just loved the autumn shades in these squares. This is going to be a really colorful piece when it is completed.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend! Thanks for taking the time to visit.